Abstract: A hydraulic neutral cold start control valve for a variable displacement hydraulic unit includes a housing with a spool bore and an intersecting signal pressure passage therein. A spool is disposed in the bore and is mechanically biased to a closed or neutral position of the valve by a pair of opposing springs. A plunger is associated with one of the springs and has a surface that usually sealingly contacts one end of the spool but extends radially therebeyond such that it is in fluid communication with the signal pressure passage. When the signal pressure exceeds a threshold value, the pressure forces the plunger to separate from the end of the spool. Then the movement of the spool becomes proportional to the signal pressure, which is desirable for normal operation and control of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A wall stud utilized in framing structures, the wall stud including C-shaped frame members supported by core elements. The walls studs can be aligned and secured in a track mounted adjacent the top and bottom ends of the wall studs. The wall studs provide good insulation, support, and easy access for the installation of electrical and plumbing equipment.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter with a bypass port is provided for a washing machine that recirculates water back to the wash tub. The filter includes a housing with a filter element disposed therein. The filter element normally filters lint and other material from the water drained from the wash tub, with the water then being recirculated back to the wash tub. When the filter element becomes clogged, the water automatically flows through a bypass port in the filter, such that recirculation continues. The filter element is automatically cleaned by back-washing the filter.

Abstract: A gravity separator with improved efficiency comprising a gravity table with pins at the feed area and a flow channeler. The pins create space in the bed of material to be separated which increases stratification of the weight fractions. The flow channeler creates flow paths of the fractions which do not cross and therefore the fractions do not slow each other from feed to discharge.

Abstract: An axial-vane rotary device with a rotor assembly having a rotor core and a plurality of removable end blocks attached to the core, end blocks having recesses to encapsulate a vane restraint mechanism, and a removable end wall on one or more of the end blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for infinitely variable adjustment of temperature range of a device in multiple selected temperature ranges. The method includes providing a plurality of operational temperature ranges of the device, selection of a desired temperature range, and infinitely variable selection of a specific temperature within a selected range. The apparatus includes a temperature range mechanism limiting operational temperature to first and second temperature ranges, and a control mechanism to select one of the first and second temperature ranges and then infinitely adjusting temperature within the selected range. In the example of a clothes dryer, the invention allows the selection of a higher or lower temperature range for the clothes dryer and, once the range is selected, infinitely variable temperature control within the selected range.

Abstract: A thick film low value high frequency inductor made by the process of subjecting a conductor layer to a plurality of linear cuts by a pulsing laser cutter imposed simultaneously on the entire length of the linear cut being made to create a cross sectional cut of substantial rectangular configuration. The conductor body is a layer of dried silver thick film ink. The method of making a thick film low value high frequency inductor involves the steps of taking a conductor layer comprised of a dried layer of photo sensitive silver ink, masking the ink with the negative of the desired configuration of the ink, exposing the ink to UV radiation, developing the ink, and firing the layer to adhere the silver to the layer.

Abstract: A satellite antenna alignment device is provided which includes a support which may be selectively removably mounted on the underside of the support arm of the antenna. The alignment device includes a pivotal plumb bob having a chart positioned therebelow which is provided with skew angles and elevation angles to enable the antenna to be quickly and easily elevated to the proper elevation and skewed to the proper skew angle.

Abstract: A space heater for the interior of a building has a support enclosure containing a gas burner and a gas conduit connecting the burner to a source of combustible gas. An electronically controlled proportional valve is located in the gas conduit. A fan and motor assembly are in the enclosure for distributing heated air from the burner when gas is communicated through the conduit and to the burner for combustion. A control system and a PC interface of a PC are located in the support enclosure to receive a data processing card having a predetermined temperature set point relating to temperature conditions within the building.

Abstract: A wine rack and display shelf is adapted to cellar and display bottles of various shapes and sizes. The wine rack is capable of receiving and storing bottles in a generally horizontal position which has the benefit of preserving the moisture of the cork. The horizontal storage method is generally accepted as the most preferred method for long term storage. In addition, the wine rack and display shelf can also display and exhibit the bottles so that one selecting a bottle can view the label or other designations without the need to pull one of the horizontal bottles. This vertical display can also be used to allow the wine to breathe while maintained in the storage area where the environment is maintained at a preferred level.

Abstract: In a hydraulic vehicle drive which has a hydraulic circuit consisting of a variable displacement pump (2) and a hydraulic motor (10), the variable displacement pump (2) is driven by a diesel engine (1). During the braking or overrunning operation of the vehicle, the hydraulic motor becomes the pump and drives the variable displacement pump (2) which acts as a motor on the diesel engine (1) and attempts to accelerate the latter. The braking effect which is intended and obtained thereby involves the risk of the diesel engine (1) reaching impermissibly high rotational speeds. The braking therefore takes place in a controlled manner by a sequence valve (16) being arranged in the line (12) between the hydraulic motor (10) and the variable displacement pump (2). The sequence valve acts on the pivot angle of the variable displacement pump (2) via the pump bypass line (12B).

Abstract: A muzzleloading rifle has a stock, a receiver, a forwardly extending barrel, a removable breech plug in the rearward end of the barrel and forwardly of the receiver, and a trigger mechanism. An elongated bolt member has a rearward end pivotally secured within the receiver and adapted to be pivoted from an aligned position within the receiver to an angular position outwardly through a slot in the side of the receiver. A transverse cross lug is mounted in a locking position within the receiver and has one end pivotally secured to the bolt so that when the bolt is pivoted outwardly from the receiver, the cross lug will be unlocked from the receiver to allow the bolt to be moved to a rearward position in the slot of the receiver. The bolt is operatively connected to an elongated striker pin in the bolt to pull the striker pin rearwardly against a compression spring when the bolt is moved forwardly to cock the striker pin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method transporting an attachment, such as a box blade assembly, which is secured to a land based vehicle has a box blade and a transporting mechanism. The box blade is made up of two opposing side walls, an open top and bottom, and front and rear sides. The walls are connected using frame members and a cutting surface extends between the side walls and below the bottom edge of the side walls. The transporting mechanism is comprised of a movable frame member rotatably secured to the rear of the box blade at one end and operatively secured to one or more wheels at the other end. A lifting member, which may be a hydraulic cylinder or hand crank, is operatively secured to the movable frame member and to the top of the box blade. Using a single point of attachment hitch, such as a ball type hitch, the box blade may still be lifted from the work surface for easy transport, and then easily lowered for use on a work surface.

Abstract: The soil sampler of this invention is mounted on a wheeled vehicle and includes a frame having a pivotal mast which is movable between an upright position and a horizontally disposed position. An elongated, hollow soil probe is longitudinally movably mounted on the mast so that the probe may be inserted into the ground to collect a soil sample. When the sample has been collected in the soil probe, the probe is raised from the ground and the mast is moved from its upright position to its horizontally disposed position. The soil sample in the probe is automatically dumped from the probe when the mast has been moved to its horizontally disposed position. The soil sample is collected in a receptacle position below the probe with the receptacle being divided into at least two compartments. The soil sampling probe also includes means for indicating the true position of the soil surface.

Abstract: The grain dryer of the present invention has upper and lower heat plenums, with first and second grain conduits, with each conduit having an upper section and a lower section, and a central crossover section between the upper and lower sections. The upper section of each conduit is on one side of the upper heat plenum, while the lower section of each conduit is on the opposite side of the lower heat plenum. The crossover sections of each conduit extend the respective conduits from one side of the upper heat plenum to the opposite side of the lower heat plenum.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving unit for a robotic work station includes a plurality of elongated upright channel members each having a C-shaped transverse cross-section, the channel members being arranged in parallel pairs; and at least one shelf being releasably and movably clamped to the channel members by spring nut means so as to be adjustable in both height and angle with respect to the channel members. The adjustable shelving unit is useful in combination with a work piece positioning device and can even be attached thereto so that bins for parts and parts can be stored near their point-of-use.

Abstract: The universal walking splint movably attachable to the lower leg and foot to substantially immobilize the lower leg and foot. It has a posterior shell for holding a sole insert pad, and a movable and removable arch support attachable to the sole insert pad to allow selective arch support at the proper location under either a right foot or a left foot.

Abstract: A meat skinning machine has a frame with an elongated skinning blade mounted thereon. The skinning blade has an elongated cutting edge. An elongated gripper roll is rotatably mounted on the frame adjacent the blade for pulling the meat product to be skinning into operational contact with the cutting edge of the blade. A plurality of rows of teeth extend longitudinally on the outer surface of the roll with each row of teeth terminating in a cutting edge. The foregoing structure is conventional. A plurality of secondary teeth are formed on the cutting edges of the rows of teeth to facilitate the gripping of a meat product. The secondary teeth are smaller than the teeth in the rows of teeth. The cutting edge of the blade is comprised of a plurality of serrated teeth.

Abstract: An antenna is described for use with a wireless communications device wherein the antenna comprises a helical radiator having a connector at one end thereof with the helical radiator and connector being of one-piece, unitary construction. In one embodiment, the radiator and connector are formed through a plastic injection molding procedure while in another embodiment, the radiator and connector are formed by use of a metal die-casting procedure. Modified forms of the antenna are also disclosed.