Abstract: A rotary sweep scalper for cleaning grains deposited within a hopper. Grains to be processed are deposited through an upper inlet opening in the hopper and fall unto a screen located below. Those grains below a predetermined size pass through the screen to the hopper's lower discharge opening. A drive moves impeller arms located above the screen in the hopper to either force particles below a specified size through the screen or to discharge large particles through the hopper's side discharge opening. These movable impeller arms may be of different sizes and be spaced at different locations above the screen. Actual contact with the grain may be through a flexible flap attached to the lower edge of the impeller arms.

Abstract: A grain turner (101)of the present invention is adapted for use with a grain dryer having an inner dryer wall (7) and an outer dryer wall (9) spaced therefrom and defining a vertically extending grain path (11) therebetween. A grain turner (101) of the present invention is disposed within the grain path for exchanging (turning) grain from the inner portion of the grain path to the outer portion of the grain path and vice versa and for exchanging grain widthwise within the grain path. The grain turner comprises a vertical wall (109) disposed between the inner and outer dryer walls. The grain turner further has at least one pair inclined plates (119, 125) with one of the plates (119) being on the inside of the vertical wall and with the other of the inclined plates (125) being on the outside of the vertical wall. Plate (119) is inclined downwardly in a first widthwise direction and the other of the inclined plates is inclined downwardly in the opposite widthwise direction.

Abstract: A digital decorating system for transferring a selected image to a surface of an article includes a thermal printhead, an advancing mechanism for producing relative movement between the printhead and the surface of the article, and a force member for exerting a selected amount of pressure between the thermal line of pixels and the surface of the article. The thermal printhead includes a plurality of energizable heater elements constructed to deliver heat to a thermal line of pixels on a surface of the printhead. The digital decorating system also includes a microcontroller operatively connected to the printhead, the force member and the advancing mechanism to provide control signals selectively delivering heat to pixels of the thermal line and selectively causing the movement thereby thermally transferring, over a two dimensional array of pixels, a two dimensional image to the article surface.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (1) having a drop tube or main body (7) for receiving feed from a source of feed (FC). A feed pan (5) is carried by the drop tube which receives feed for consumption by poultry. The feed pan has an outer rim (11), an outer portion spaced inwardly of the rim and an inner portion between the drop tube and the outer portion. The drop tube (7) has at least one aperture (21a-21c) therein spaced above the feed pan through which all of the feed from the drop tube is discharged for delivery to the feed pan. A first feed path (FP1) has an inlet (57a-57c) for receiving feed discharged from the at least one aperture (21a-21c) and an outlet (the open bottom of cover 33) for discharging into the inner portion of the feed pan and a second feed path (FP2) having an inlet (53a-53c) for receiving feed discharged from the at least one aperture (21a-21c) and a second outlet (55a-55c) for discharging feed into the outer portion of the feed pan.

Abstract: A drive (D) for an auger conveyor (FC) is disclosed where the auger conveyor comprises a conveyor conduit (11) and a centerless helical coil auger (15) disposed within the conduit. The auger has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spaced, helical flights (17). The drive (D) is a drive screw (23) substantially coaxial with the auger and having a plurality of flights in face-to-face engagement with corresponding flights of the auger. A drive member (47) is in driving engagement with the drive screw with the drive screw and the drive member being mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. A power drive (27) is rotatably drives the drive screw about its longitudinal axis so as to effect movement (either axial or rotational movement) of the auger relative to the conveyor conduit. A method of driving the auger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metering unloader (101) for unloading a fluent material from a flow path (11) is disclosed. The flow path has a fluent material outlet (27). The metering unloader comprises an unloader body (103) having an outer cylindric wall (105) and an inner cylindric wall (107) spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall with the walls defining a chamber (126) therebetween. Means (117) is provided for rotating the unloader body about a vertical axis. Outer wall (105) has a fluent material inlet opening (119) such that with the fluent material inlet opening (119) in register with the flow path fluent material outlet (27), the fluent material will flow by gravity through the fluent material inlet opening (119) in the outer wall into the chamber (126). The inner wall (107) has a fluent material outlet opening (127) therein such that the fluent material in the chamber (126) will flow by gravity from the chamber to a fluent material discharge outlet (15).

Abstract: A poultry feeder conveyor control unit (63) of the present invention comprises a drop feeder adapted to be attached to an overhead feed conveyor (5). The feed conveyor has a conveyor element (11) moveable within a feed conduit (9) for conveying poultry feed in axial direction of the conveyor conduit, and a plurality of other poultry feeders (7) spaced at intervals along the path of the conveyor conduit. The control unit is positioned at a desired location along the length of the conveyor conduit. The control unit has an electric motor (75) having an output shaft (77) rotatable driven by the motor, and a paddle (79) carried by the output shaft. The motor is mounted within the control unit such that upon the feed in the feeder tube attaining a predetermined level, the paddle will engage the feed with the latter stopping rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (10) comprising a generally vertically disposed feed tube (18) adapted to be installed on a generally horizontal feed conveyor tube (14) for receiving feed from the feed conveyor tube. The feed tube has an upper portion (26) fixed with respect to the feed conveyor tube and a lower portion (27) movable axially with respect to the upper portion between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a collapsed position (FIG. 6). A feed pan (23) is disposed below the bottom end of the feed tube for receiving feed.

Abstract: A feed conveying apparatus is disclosed for use in a poultry or livestock feeding system (503). The feed conveying apparatus has a housing (509) having a feed inlet (515) which receives feed from a feed supply (BFT) and a feed outlet (517). A feed conveyor (508) extends through the housing. The conveyor has a conveyor tube (511) with a feed auger (513) therein. The feed auger has a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights (62) and is driven within the conveyor tube for picking up feed from the housing and for conveying it through the conveyor tube. A regulator (521) is provided for regulating the amount of feed within the conveyor tube downstream from the housing to an amount less than will totally fill the conveyor tube so as to form a partial void (V) within the conveyor tube and to prevent overcompaction of the feed within the conveyor tube.

Abstract: A ski is provided with an internal support structure configured to ensure adequate strength for the ski. The internal support structure is formed to define at least one internal cavity. An outer shell surrounds the internal cavity and the internal support structure and defines the exterior of the ski. The internal support structure may be formed from opposed halves assembled to one another. The internal support structure may include a plurality of outwardly extending positioning legs formed unitarily therewith for positioning the internal support structure within an injection mold cavity. The ski may further be provided with metal edges snapped into grooves formed on portions of the bottom surface adjacent the sides.

Abstract: An egg escalator (23) of the present invention transfers eggs from one level (L1) to another level (L2) and it comprises a first conveyor (25) having an upper reach (27) inclined at an angle and extending between the one level (L1) to the other level (L2). Eggs (E) rest on the upper reach of the first conveyor as they are conveyed from the one level to the other level. A second belt (29) is spaced generally above the upper reach of the first belt, and the second belt has a lower reach (31) spaced from the upper reach (27) of the first belt disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the upper reach of the first belt. The second belt has a multiplicity of elongate, flexible fingers (33) extending perpendicularly therefrom. The fingers are spaced at substantially equal intervals from one another along the second belt for accommodating an egg (E) between adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A ballet ski is provided for achieving enhanced stability when a skier is stationary or moving slowly. The bottom surface of the ski has a planar elliptical portion centrally under the foot of the skier. Remaining portions of the bottom surface are convex from front to rear and convex from side to side. Thus, a skier can easily roll from the planar ellipse and into the curved portion to carry out selected ballet maneuvers. Preferably, the ski is formed from separate top and bottom components configured to form air pockets that reduce the weight of the ski. The ski may also include chamfers near the rear binding to enable a brake to rotate into the snow. Additionally, hook receiving apertures may be formed through the rear end of the ski. A pair of the skis may then be used with straps having hooks engageable in the apertures for conveniently suspending the skis in a carrying position.

Abstract: Apparatus of the present invention for batch drying crop in the shell comprises a bin having a generally cylindric bin wall, a conical upper drying floor carded by the bin wall, means floor for forming a substantially uniform layer of the crop to be dried on the upper surface of the upper drying floor, and selectively operable means for effecting the gravity discharge of the batch of crop from the upper drying floor. An inverted conical lower drying floor is carded by the bin below the upper drying floor for receiving the crop discharged from the upper drying floor. The lower drying floor has a hopper shaped crop supporting surface. Means is associated with the lower drying floor for forming a substantially uniform layer of crop on the lower drying floor upon the crop being gravity discharged from the upper drying floor. The lower drying floor further has a bottom outlet for the gravity discharge of the crop supported thereon.

Abstract: A grain dryer for providing a controlled drying process through a housing. The housing has a path for grain to be dried such that the grain is dried as the grain moves along the path. The grain dryer also has a fan and heater assembly for supplying heated air to the path for drying grain in the path. The grain dryer can control the flow of grain along said path and has sensors disposed in predetermined positions so as to detect different fault conditions. The sensors generating corresponding fault signals in response to the detection of fault conditions. The grain dryer also has a controller operatively connected to the sensors, the controller is responsive to fault signals to initiate a predetermined shutdown procedure upon receipt of any one of the fault signals. A memory is operatively connected to the controller for electronically recording and identifying information concerning shutdown procedures initiated by the controller. The grain dryer controller controls the start-up of in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for drawing a sample of grain from a stream of grain flowing along a path is described in which a tube extends into the grain flow path for diverting a portion of the flowing grain along the path to a sample collection station. The diverter diverts only a portion of the grain flowing along the path and the balance of the grain flowing along said sampling path is permitted to flow. A collector is provided for collecting at least a portion of the grain flowing to the sample collection station so as to accumulate grain for a sample that is representative of all of the grain flowing along the path for the time that the grain is being collected for the sample.

Abstract: A ballet ski is provided for achieving enhanced stability when a skier is stationary or moving slowly. The bottom surface of the ski has a planar elliptical portion centrally under the foot of the skier. Remaining portions of the bottom surface are convex from front to rear and convex from side to side. Thus, a skier can easily roll from the planar ellipse and into the curved portion to carry out selected ballet maneuvers. Preferably, the ski is formed from separate top and bottom components configured to form air pockets that reduce the weight of the ski. The ski may also include chamfers near the rear binding to enable a brake to rotate into the snow. Additionally, hook receiving apertures may be formed through the rear end of the ski. A pair of the skis may then be used with straps having hooks engageable in the apertures for conveniently suspending the skis in a carrying position.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket for supporting a disc brake actuator assembly on a railcar truck, the mounting bracket being a cast metal bracket designed to bolt onto a portion of the truck frame, the bracket being generally H-shaped in cross section along a major portion of its length with the "H" being generally disposed horizontally so that the two sides of the H comprise upper and lower substantially solid horizontal walls.

Abstract: A flat woven cable having a generally flat construction and a curved portion therein and method for making the same are disclosed. The cable includes a plurality of conductors and a continuous fill strand interwoven in a twill weave to link the conductors together. The cable also includes outer and inner portions wherein the fill strand is interwoven with a lesser number of conductors in the inner area than in the outer area. The cable is free of warp binder strands and fill strand is heat shrunk following formation of the curved portion.

Abstract: A woven electrical transmission cable includes a plurality of longitudinally extending conductor and ground wires which are substantially parallel with one another. These conductor and ground wires are woven together with a number of insulating fiber strands to define a woven pattern wherein the conductor and ground wires define an undulating shape. The amplitude and frequency of the respective undulations are approximately equal if not equal. The woven cable also includes a longitudinally extending warp member at each edge thereof which has a breaking strength which is at least twenty (20) times and preferably fifty (50) times the breaking strength of a conductor or ground wire.

Abstract: A cable and connector assembly in which a longitudinally elongated cable is connected to a connector housing by means of strain bearing cables which have a substantially higher modulus of elasticity than that of the cable conductors. Each strain bearing cable has a free end portion projecting from the free end of the sheath and located laterally outwardly from and arranged one on either side of the free end portions of the conductors. A first conductor connection point is located on the connector member at which an end of the free end portion of the conductor is connected to the connector member. A pair of strain bearing cable connection points on the connector member, each of the strain bearing cable connection points is located laterally outwardly from and one on either side of the first connection point.