Abstract: A fluid exchange system includes at least one container. A feed tube connected to a fluid source is positioned to dispense fluid into the container. A drain tube is connected to the container and is adapted to remove fluid from the container. The container is removable for cleaning.

Abstract: A screw clamping apparatus includes a shank and a drive member for exerting a driving force on a shank to screw the same into a bore to exert a clamping force on an article. The shank is provided to shear once a predetermined turning torque from the drive member, and hence clamping force, is achieved and the plane of shear can be accurately determined relative to the surface of the article on which the bore is formed and into which the shank is screwed. This is an advantage over the conventional clamping screw, which is provided to shear at one fixed weakened location and, when sheared, can leave an undesirable protrusion.

Abstract: A plunge router adjustment mechanism including a drive shaft longitudinally fixed but rotatable in a base plate and extending towards an opposite end of the plunge router. A carriage moveable along the drive shaft is connectable to the router housing. Optionally, a sub-carriage, moveable along the carriage and directly attached to the housing, allows fine adjustment of the housing relative to the base plate. Optionally a coarse adjustment stop member is releasably fixable along the drive shaft for coarse positioning of the housing relative to base plate.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a porous pellet formed from compressed conductive particles. The pellet has a lead receiving external surface. The conductive particles at the lead receiving surface are fused together to create a fused layer on the external surface of the pellet. A lead wire has one of its ends welded to the fused layer on the surface of the pellet. The fused layer is formed by exposing it to high temperatures, preferably by use of a laser beam.

Abstract: A piston for use in the cylinder block of a hydraulic power unit. The piston has an elongated cylindrical body and one end terminating in a spherical surface. The piston is composed of a body and insert which are made from different materials, preferably metallic materials, and joined together. The piston body takes the form of a solid cylinder or a hollow cylindrical tube. The spherical surface takes the form of an internal spherical socket or an external spherical ball. The insert takes an elongated or abbreviated form providing for both open cavity and closed cavity piston configurations. The piston includes a conduit which traverses the body and insert, providing a path for pressurized fluid. The body and the insert are preferably formed by a metal injecting molding process utilizing a molding material comprised at the time of molding of a mixture of metallic grains and a binder.

Abstract: A strainer assembly for bathtub drains has a strainer body with a circular horizontal flange having a center opening and which is adapted to fit over and around a vertically disposed drain port in the bottom of a tub or the like. A hollow bushing extension extends downwardly from the center opening and terminates in an open lower portion with external threads. A hollow attachment bushing having a center opening is threadably secured around the lower portion of the bushing extension and extends downwardly therefrom. The attachment bushing has a lower open end with at least one crossbar extending thereacross. A bearing hub is formed in the center of the crossbar on the center axis of the aforesaid center openings. A vertically disposed threaded aperture is located in the hub and is adapted to threadably receive a connecting stud from a drain strainer or closure valve.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure is provided wherein the surface of the lure includes a multi-layered thermochromic surface. The thermochromic surface responds in different temperature ranges so that as the temperature changes, the surface displays a sequence of colors over a broad range of temperatures. The process for creating the purified thermochromic paint involves mixing thermochromic powder with clear oil and water in order to indicate undamaged thermochromic crystals for mixing with a clear lacquer so as to apply, in multiple layers, to the fishing lure and repeated for as many layers in as many colors as desired.

Abstract: A method and system for shielding electrical components from electromagnetic waves is provided. The enclosure is lined with layers of lead and copper. These layers are electrically connected to wires that route electricity generated by an electromagnetic wave to a halo of wire on the ceiling. The halo is connected to one or more ground windows which in turn are connected to a wire that runs the current into a ground so as to provide maximum protection to the electrical components by shielding them from the electromagnetic wave and any current generated thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filled piston assembly for a hydraulic pump or motor. The filled hydraulic piston assembly includes a blank piston body having first and second ends and a cavity or compartment in the piston body extending inwardly from one of the ends. The piston is filled with a lightweight solid insert element which is placed into the compartment of the piston. The material of the blank piston body is then cold formed around the insert element to encapsulate the element. The piston body is then further cold rolled to receive a spherical ball in one end. It is then cut to length, machine finished, and a longitudinal center bore is drilled therein.

Abstract: A concrete floor of a portable storage building is made for one or more storage units with each unit including a floor made through use of a single pair of mold sections or a plurality of pairs of mold sections interconnected for multiple storage units. Each mold section has a raised center and a circumferencial channel with concrete being poured onto the raised center and into the circumferencial channel. Removable exterior mold side walls complete the floor mold. A jack bracket is removably attachable to the floor corners and in turn is engageable with a hydraulic jack for raising and lowering the floor for loading onto the flatbed of a truck for transport to a remote site of use. A chain hoist connected to a top edge of a building wall panel is used to pivot the wall panel to a raised vertical position as the hoist moves on a rail to the vertical plane of the wall panel when raised.

Abstract: A robot aligning apparatus includes a pointer which may be connected to either the robot or the tool carried by the robot. The apparatus also includes a stationary post having a sleeve mounted thereon. The robot or the tool with the pointer mounted thereon are moved to a test station adjacent the sleeve and post, and the sleeve is moved upwardly over the pointer to indicate proper alignment.

Abstract: A seed package handling system for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

Abstract: A golf bag carrying case with club head protection and a method of protecting the club head of golf club stored in a golf bag during transport are disclosed. The method includes providing a first protective member disposed within a cavity near the top end for protecting the club heads in the golf bag, the first protective member having a first end within the cavity and the second end free and wrapping the first protective member at least partially around the club head of the golf club. The carrying case includes a protective member having a first end attached to an outer covering and a second end which is free to wrap at least partially around the club heads in the golf bag.

Abstract: A light seal for use with robotic equipment includes a window having a divider panel rotatably mounted therein. Flexible sealing flaps at the opposite sides of the window opening engage the divider panel when the divider panel is in a sealed position to provide a light seal between the edges of the divider panel and the edges of the window opening.

Abstract: A competitive exclusion product is described which includes a substantially pure culture of the bacterium species Serpulina pilosicoli, or a genetic equivalent thereof. When administered to an animal, the S. pilosicoli colonizes the cecal wall to prevent the colonization of other harmful bacteria, thereby preventing disease.

Abstract: A hand tool includes an elongated substantially rigid body having generally opposite first and second ends. The first end has a first socket of a given width and depth formed longitudinally therein. A first slot extends longitudinally into the first end and across the first socket. The first slot has a width less than the width of the first socket. The second end has a second socket formed therein which also extends longitudinally. The first and second sockets can be of different widths and depths. This hand tool is useful on projects where a variety of fastener sizes and types are encountered.

Abstract: A stuffing tube mounting assembly has an elongated barrel with a forward end terminating in a cylindrical barrel portion. A hollow elongated stuffing horn having a rearward end is detachably telescopically mounted on the barrel portion. Interlocking surfaces on the rearward end of the stuffing tube and the barrel portion hold the tube and the barrel in only a single radial orientation with respect to each other to maintain an inlet port in the side of the stuffing tube in a predetermined fixed position with respect to the barrel. The interlocking surfaces are elongated registering grooves in the stuffing tube and the barrel portion.