Abstract: A vault inspection system is configured to obtain visual inspection data of an underground utility vault without disturbing the components within the vault. A support apparatus supports a pole that is used to advance an inspection structure into the vault. A mount frame can be configured to position the support apparatus over an access opening so that the pole will not contact components within the vault. The inspection structure can be a robot that is lowered to the floor of the vault. The inspection structure can also be an expandable vision system that can be compacted for advancement through the access opening, and expanded within the vault to provide greater perspective for obtaining inspection data.

Abstract: A vault inspection system is configured to obtain visual inspection data of an underground utility vault without disturbing the components within the vault. A support apparatus supports a pole that is used to advance an inspection structure into the vault. A mount frame may be configured to position the support apparatus over an access opening so that the pole will not contact components within the vault. The inspection structure may be a robot that is lowered to the floor of the vault. The inspection structure may be an expandable vision system that may be compacted for advancement through the access opening, and expanded within the vault to provide greater perspective for obtaining inspection data.

Abstract: A gantry robot system may include a gantry, a slide movably mounted on the gantry, an articulated arm mounted on the slide for performing a machining operation, a workpiece feeder for moving a workpiece relative to the gantry, the workpiece feeder having a first guide element mounted on and selectively positionable on the gantry, and a second guide element movably mounted on the gantry, the second guide element connected to and selectively positionable by the first guide element to engage workpieces of varying widths, and a computer control connected to actuate the slide, the articulated arm, and the workpiece feeder in a coordinated manner to perform a preselected machining operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A gantry robot system may include a workpiece support, a workpiece feeder for engaging the workpiece and moving the workpiece in a first direction relative to the workpiece support, a gantry, a slide movably mounted on the gantry and movable in a second direction different from the direction of movement of the workpiece by the workpiece feeder, an articulated arm mounted on the slide and having an end effector at an end of the articulated arm opposite the slide, and a computer control connected to actuate the workpiece feeder, the slide, the articulated arm, and the end effector in a coordinated manner to perform a preselected machining operation.

Abstract: A helmet-used device capable to automatically adjusting positions of displayed information and a helmet thereof. The device includes an angle detection unit, an eyeball detection unit, a processing unit and a projector unit. The processing unit serves to receive a first detection signal to correct an image signal and receive a second detection signal to adjust output positions of multiple graphic and text data of the image signal. The projector unit serves to receive the image signal to generate and project an image. The graphic and text information contained in the projected image is automatically adjusted to a visible position corresponding to the eyes of the wearer for the wearer to conveniently watch the displayed information.

Abstract: A gantry robot system may include a workpiece support, a workpiece feeder for engaging the workpiece and moving the workpiece in a first direction relative to the workpiece support, a gantry, a slide movably mounted on the gantry and movable in a second direction different from the direction of movement of the workpiece by the workpiece feeder, an articulated arm mounted on the slide and having an end effector at an end of the articulated arm opposite the slide, and a computer control connected to actuate the workpiece feeder, the slide, the articulated arm, and the end effector in a coordinated manner to perform a preselected machining operation.

Abstract: A gantry robot system may include a gantry, a slide movably mounted on the gantry, an articulated arm mounted on the slide for performing a machining operation, a workpiece feeder for moving a workpiece relative to the gantry, the workpiece feeder having a first guide element mounted on and selectively positionable on the gantry, and a second guide element movably mounted on the gantry, the second guide element connected to and selectively positionable by the first guide element to engage workpieces of varying widths, and a computer control connected to actuate the slide, the articulated arm, and the workpiece feeder in a coordinated manner to perform a preselected machining operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A gantry robot system may include a gantry; a slide movably mounted on the gantry; an articulated arm mounted on the slide for performing a machining operation; a first workstation having a workpiece feeder for moving a first workpiece through the gantry; a second workstation adjacent the gantry for supporting a second workpiece; and a computer control connected to actuate the slide, the articulated arm, and the workpiece feeder in a coordinated manner to perform a first preselected machining operation on the first workpiece at the first workstation, and a second preselected machining operation on the second workpiece at the second workstation.

Abstract: The invention is a working vehicle that has high practicality and a high degree of freedom of a turning operation. A lawn mowing vehicle includes a lawn mowing unit that includes drum wheels driven so as to rotate about an axis Ax1 extending in a vehicle width direction as a rotational center, a frame that is connected to the lawn mowing unit, and a steering drive device that is provided in the frame. The steering drive device includes a pair of steered wheels that is disposed in the vehicle width direction, steering units that can independently steer the pair of steered wheels respectively, and wheel driving units that can rotationally drive the pair of steered wheels.

Abstract: The invention is a working vehicle that has high practicality and a high degree of freedom of a turning operation. A lawn mowing vehicle includes a lawn mowing unit that includes drum wheels driven so as to rotate about an axis Ax1 extending in a vehicle width direction as a rotational center, a frame that is connected to the lawn mowing unit, and a steering drive device that is provided in the frame. The steering drive device includes a pair of steered wheels that is disposed in the vehicle width direction, steering units that can independently steer the pair of steered wheels respectively, and wheel driving units that can rotationally drive the pair of steered wheels.

Abstract: There is provided a shock absorbing structure comprising a generally planar surface made of a flexible plastic material. A plurality of upstanding, hollow support members extends from the planar surface. The support members are made of flexible plastic material. There is also a plurality of openings in each of the support members, the openings define air passages within the shock absorbing structure to allow air to flow through the support members. The shock absorbing structure may be used in helmets, shin pads, kneepads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, chest protectors, gloves, pants and footwear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cooling material during continuous vacuum forming. The apparatus includes one or more cooling regions positioned adjacent one or more vacuum regions. A rotatable support belt including perforations therein supports a flexible patterned belt. The flexible patterned belt includes apertures spaced along the length and width thereof. The one or more cooling regions provide a cooling fluid to be drawn through the apertures in the flexible patterned belt to form an area of cooling fluid on the flexible patterned belt which contacts a bottom surface of a hot material received on the flexible patterned belt in order to cool the bottom surface of the material and the flexible patterned belt. The vacuum regions are in fluid flow communication with the perforations of the support belt and the apertures of the flexible patterned belt for drawing the material onto the flexible patterned belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method measure physical parameters using a plurality of low-cost sensors coupled in series is provided. These sensors can be thermal sensors for measuring the temperature of a heating pad. Different types of sensors to measure temperature, moisture, pressure, or state change of a switch may be employed. Such sensors may be distributed throughout a building to concurrently monitor multiple physical parameters at numerous locations. The sensors are easily manufactured, thus reducing sensor cost. Costs are further reduced by the use of two wires to connect the series of sensors. Moreover, the wires can be run easily through conduit or cable troughs.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method measure physical parameters using a plurality of low-cost sensors coupled in series is provided. These sensors can be thermal sensors for measuring the temperature of a heating pad. Different types of sensors to measure temperature, moisture, pressure, or state change of a switch may be employed. Such sensors may be distributed throughout a building to concurrently monitor multiple physical parameters at numerous locations. The sensors are easily manufactured, thus reducing sensor cost. Costs are further reduce by the user of two wires to connect the series of sensors. Moreover, the wires can be run easily through conduit or cable troughs.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure comprising a foam base defining a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses receiving shock absorbing inserts therein. Each insert includes a generally planar surface made of a foam layer and a flexible plastic layer and including a plurality of upstanding, hollow support members extending therefrom. The support members are made of flexible plastic material and have a plurality of openings therein which define air passages within the shock absorbing structure to allow air to flow therethrough. The shock absorbing structure may be used in helmets, shin pads, kneepads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, chest protectors, gloves, pants and footwear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of engraving objects which circumvents the necessity of mechanically scrubbing the engraved surface to remove fillers. Specifically, in the method of the present invention, the fillers are applied directly to the resist stencil instead of being applied to the object to be engraved. Removal of the resist stencil simultaneously removes the filler from the engraved object.

Abstract: A dry cleaning system for removing dust and lint on the fly from blanket cylinders in offset printing presses. The cleaning system includes a relatively small brush mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the blanket cylinder. In operation, the brush can be reciprocally moved across the surface of the blanket cylinder and selectively moved into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. The contact pressure of the brush is pneumatically controlled to maintain a predetermined, set pressure and the brush automatically retracts should the pressure source fail. The system can be operated to clean the entire width of the blanket cylinder or only the portion of it actually being used to print. A vacuum pickup is included with its separately mounted housing and the entire cleaning system is carried on a unitary support structure that is removably secured at its ends for quick and easy installation and removal.

Abstract: A roll conveyor includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart stationary beams and a plurality of elongate cylindrical rollers supported in parallel, side-by-side spaced apart relation for rotation relative to the beams. The rollers are supported and driven individually, each rotated with respect to a pair of non-rotating, coaxial and axially spaced apart first and second shafts. The first shaft is stationary and supports a motorized pulley. A cylindrical housing of the pulley is mounted concentrically and rotatably relative to the stationary shaft. An end plate integral with the housing is shaped to provide an interference fit with a flange secured to one end of the roller, to coaxially align the roller and motorized pulley. The opposite end of the roller includes an idler end region containing an axially inward portion of the second shaft. An axially outward portion of the second shaft is mounted slidably in the axial direction but prevented from rotating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container including a plastic bottle having a built in dispensing receptacle inserted into the top of the bottle, and a transfer duct for filling the dispensing receptacle. The transfer duct is separated from the main body of the container by a baffle, and the transfer duct can form a part of the handle of the container. The dispensing receptacle is filled by tipping the container with the transfer duct on the bottom. When the container is turned upright, the excess fluid not contained in the dispensing receptacle will drain back down the transfer duct. To dispense fluid, the closure is removed, container is held by the handle and tipped, and the fluid is poured from the dispensing receptacle, while the baffle prevents additional fluid from being dispensed.