Abstract: A winder insert for a fish tape reel fits into a center opening of the fish tape reel and engages an inner periphery of the reel. The insert has an attachment member, which can be a multi-sided socket for example, that is engaged by a removable handle or lever member to rotate the insert and in turn the reel with respect to a reel handle grasped by the user so as to wind and/or unwind fish tape in the reel. In one preferred form, a roller clutch is pressed into a center opening of the insert about a drive shaft that is rotated by the handle. The handle and shaft can be rotated in one direction to engage the clutch and thereby rotate the reel. Rotating the winder handle in the opposite direction overruns the clutch so that the handle can ratchet back to the original position without unwinding the reel. The winder insert removably snaps onto the reel.

Abstract: An automatic hydraulic stabilizing system for a vehicle automatically extends jacks of the vehicle to achieve a level orientation of the vehicle in an automatic mode or a manual mode. After a level orientation is achieved, the system can be operated to further extend the jacks to elevate the vehicle above the initial level orientation in an automatic mode while maintaining the vehicle level. The system can also retract the jacks in an automatic mode while maintaining the vehicle level.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for laterally moving a slide-out section of a vehicle between a retracted position and an extended position includes two support members and a rack and pinion assembly. The two support members can have alignable mounting locations that allow for height adjustable mounting of the slide-out section. The rack and pinion assembly is operable to move the slide-out section from the retracted position to the extended position, preferably by the engagement of a pair of pinions with a pair of racks mounted to elongated rail members mounted to the bottom of the slide-out section. Rollers or other anti-friction members can be added to support the rails and ease the movement of the slide-out section.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device for a convertible top assembly of a motor vehicle. The actuating device comprises a hydraulic pump with an associated electric pump motor and one or more hydraulic actuators, each for driving an associated movable part of the convertible top assembly. The actuating device also comprises a control circuit for effecting a defined sequence of movements of the one or more actuators and feedback means, which are connected to the control unit, for feeding information relating to the sequence of movements of an actuator back to the control unit. The feedback means comprise means for measuring the electric power consumed by the pump motor, which means transmit a feedback signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A twist-on connector for joining ends of electrical conductors has a shell of electrically insulating material with an aperture. An anaerobic sealant is within the aperture. Prior to use, the volume of sealant is sufficiently large so that curing of the sealant is inhibited. Upon insertion of wires into the shell, the anaerobic sealant is dispersed into gaps between the wires and the shell that are sufficiently small to trigger curing of the anaerobic sealant into a hardened state.

Abstract: A hydraulic tilting device for tilting a cab mounted on the chassis of a vehicle between a driving and a tilted position comprises a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, a pump connected to the reservoir, and a double-acting hydraulic tilting cylinder. A lost-motion conduit is provided between ports opening into a push chamber and a pull chamber in the cylinder space of the tilting cylinder when the piston/piston rod assembly is in a lost-motion range defined by the ports. When under the influence of the movements of the piston/piston rod assembly within the lost-motion range, the pull connection of the tilting cylinder causes suction of hydraulic fluid out of the reservoir, forcing hydraulic fluid from the reservoir into the pull chamber, and moving hydraulic fluid from the pull chamber to the reservoir through the lost-motion conduit. Hydraulic fluid therefore circulates when the cab is carrying out spring movements.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out section of a vehicle. The mechanism includes a vertically extending support member fixable relative to a vehicle body. The support member having an upper edge. At least one pair of rollers are rotatably mounted to the support member. Each roller of the at least one pair of rollers have a radially outwardly facing surface, and at least a portion of the radially outwardly facing surface extends above the support member upper edge. A rail member for supporting the slide-out section engages the at least one pair of rollers for slidable movement between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A slide out actuating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slidable section of a slide out assembly fixed to a vehicle body includes at least two double acting fluid actuated actuators. Each actuator has a cylinder and an extendible ram. Each cylinder is fixed relative to one of the vehicle body and the slidable section, and each ram is fixed relative to the other of the vehicle body and the slidable section. At least one flow divider having at least two fluid ports directs fluid to and from the cylinders. One of the fluid ports is in fluid communication with one of the cylinders and the other of the fluid ports being in fluid communication with the other of the cylinders, wherein the flow divider maintains the flow of fluid flowing through the ports at substantially equal flow rates to synchronize movement of the rams when moving the rams relative to the cylinders.

Abstract: A power hand drill has a subsurface object locator for detecting the presence of an object beneath a surface being probed with the locator. The drill has a housing with a flat accessory mounting surface having a pair of attachment tabs. The locator has a locator housing with a flat base and a pair of key hole slots engaged with the tabs for detachably mounting the locator housing to the accessory mounting surface of the drill housing. The locator includes sensing circuitry contained within the locator housing for detecting subsurface objects and has an object indicator mounted to the locator housing and connected to the sensing circuitry for indicating the presence of a subsurface object. A contoured surface on the locator housing provides a handrest for gripping when operating the drill.

Abstract: A piston pump including an inlet manifold, and outlet manifold, and a piston ring sandwiched between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The inlet manifold has a first face and a second face with at least one outlet formed in the second face. The outlet manifold has a first face and a second face, and includes at least one inlet formed in the outlet manifold first face. The piston ring has an inlet face and an exhaust face, wherein the piston ring is sandwiched between said inlet manifold second face and said outlet manifold first face, and has at least one radially extending cylinder formed therein. The piston ring further includes an inlet passageway formed in the piston ring between the inlet face and the cylinder and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold. The piston ring also has an exhaust passageway formed therein between said cylinder and the exhaust face and in fluid communication with the outlet manifold inlet.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve assembly that can be actuated using an electrically operated or pneumatically operated flow control valve includes a valve body having a fluid supply passageway, a fluid exhaust passageway, and a fluid bypass passageway. A pilot operated relief valve is disposed in the fluid bypass passageway, wherein the pilot operated relief valve blocks the fluid bypass passageway to create a pressure upstream of the pilot operated relief valve to actuate a different pilot operated device having a pilot line in fluid communication with the fluid bypass passageway upstream of the pilot operated relief valve. Fluid flowing through a venturi nozzle in the fluid bypass passageway that intersects the fluid exhaust passageway lowers the pressure in the fluid exhaust passageway.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by engagement of a rotary member with a linear intermeshing member, such as dedicated rack and pinion arrangements. A shaft connects the rotary engagers so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated rotary engager.

Abstract: The invention provides a variable speed hydraulic pump designed to operate at a maximum horsepower throughout its pressure range by adjusting motor speed according to motor load parameters. In particular, the variable speed hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic pump unit coupled to a variable speed electric motor by a drive unit and to a hydraulic fluid tank for pressurizing and pumping hydraulic fluid when operated by the motor. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor to supply drive signals to the motor based on electrical characteristics of the drive signals which are dependent on the load exerted on the motor. Suction from the load is provided by both the main pump and a bidirectional supercharging pump by reversing the direction of the motor and shifting a 4/3 valve to connect the main pump inlet to the load and its outlet to tank.

Abstract: A pseudo four-leg leveling system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle or the like, includes four jacks in the form of hydraulic cylinders mounted in pairs at the front and rear of the vehicle. A power system supplies hydraulic fluid to extend and retract the jacks thereby adjusting the attitude of the vehicle relative to level. The front two jacks are driven in parallel and the rear jacks are driven separately and independent of the front jacks. When the power system is de-energized the front jacks are hydraulically isolated to improve the stability of the system when static. Pressure operated valves automatically control the isolation of the jacks driven in parallel, as well as return passage to the tank, without the need for additional electronically controlled valves.

Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.

Abstract: A pocket-sized object finder has a compact housing containing a battery, circuitry and a capacitor plate for detecting an object hidden behind a wall. The battery powered circuitry includes multiple signal indicators that illuminate in a serial manner when the object is being detected. The signal indicators are successively tapered and are mounted at a front side of a tapered end of the housing. The capacitor plate is disposed in the housing along its rear wall and is responsive to variations in capacitance that occur as the object finder is brought near and over the object. The compact housing defines a cavity with a width that is no more than two inches and one third its length. A removable access door, with a pocket clip, at an end opposite the signal indicators allows access to the battery within the housing cavity.