Abstract: An antenna system includes a first antenna portion operating over a first range of frequencies, a second antenna portion operating over a second range of frequencies and an antenna matching network that receives a transmission line which includes a single conductor and a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor insulated from an outer conductor, wherein the first antenna portion is fed by the single conductor and the outer conductor, and the second antenna portion is fed by the inner conductor.

Abstract: A package for storing a roll of monofilament line with a cutting tool embedded in the package and a related method. The package is formed from two opposing clamshell portions made from sheets of film and pivotally connected together. A chamber is formed when the two clamshell portions are sealed together to store the roll of monofilament line. An aperture in one of the clamshell portions allows a length of monofilament line to be dispensed from within the chamber. A cutting tool is at least partially disposed between the two clamshell portions or inserted into a pocket in one of the clamshell portions when sealed together to attach the cutting tool to the package. At least a portion of the cutting tool is accessible from outside the package for cutting a length of monofilament line being dispensed from the package.

Abstract: A novel monofilament trimmer line is provided for reducing noise, reducing air drag and increasing durability by having a non-round cross-sectional shape defined as a polygon with three to six sides wherein the vertices between adjacent sides have been replaced with generous circular arcs, the arcs of a parabola, or even other arc shapes so long as the arc is convex and contains no sharp edges and wherein each arc is tangent to the two adjacent sides with a smooth and continuous transition, and the sides of the polygon are either straight or slightly convex, but not concave.

Abstract: A trimmer head having pivoting line holders comprises a single unitary molded housing having at least one recessed cavity located on the upper surface which is shaped and sized to receive a pivoting line holder, the recessed cavity includes reinforcement members for securely retaining pivoting line holder therein via insertion of a metal bearing ring which allows for free rotation of pivoting line holder about its central axis within recessed cavity; a method for installation of pivoting line holders within a trimmer head is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna operable over a predetermined range of frequency includes a transmission line, a transformer network connected to one end of the transmission line, and at least one ferrite/powder iron network connected to an opposite end of the transformer network. The ferrite/powder iron network changes the effective electrical length of the antenna such that as the frequency of operation changes, the current distribution above and below the network changes in corresponding manner. A second ferrite/powder iron network may be serially positioned with respect to the other network, wherein both function to reduce the current thereabove. Accordingly, as the frequency of operation increases, the electrical height of the antenna decreases. The network also encompasses a way to safely dissipate otherwise destructive heat created by the operation of the antenna system at high radio-frequency power.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a first antenna portion operating over a first range of frequencies, a second antenna portion operating over a second range of frequencies and an antenna matching network that receives a transmission line which includes a single conductor and a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor insulated from an outer conductor, wherein the first antenna portion is fed by the single conductor and the outer conductor, and the second antenna portion is fed by the inner conductor.

Abstract: A trimmer head for a rotary trimmer machine includes a housing having a recess, a trimmer line spool removably mounted in the recess, at least one exit opening on the housing wherein trimmer line wound on the spool passes through from within the housing, and an eyelet disposed in the exit opening. The eyelet includes an open area leading into a slotted area, said open area being normally closed by a pivoting gate biased into the closed position, and movable to an open position allowing trimmer line to move through the open area past the gate into the slotted area. The trimmer line spool is reversible so that when installed in a first configuration, the trimmer head may be installed on a clockwise rotating trimmer machine, and when the trimmer line spool is installed in a second configuration, the trimmer head may be installed on a counter-clockwise rotating trimmer machine.

Abstract: A head section for a rotary cutting device includes a body portion that includes a blade passage defined between a blade entrance opening and a blade exit opening. A blade fastening mechanism is positioned in the blade passage and includes a blade engaging member. The blade engaging member is biased by a biasing mechanism to extend across the blade passage at a blade install position. The blade engaging member is movable against the bias to clear the blade passage. A blade having a mount aperture proximate an insertion end thereof is secured to the body portion when the mount aperture occupies the blade mount position and the blade engaging member extends through the mount aperture. The blade can be installed in and removed from the head section without tools, simply by advancing the blade through the blade passage.

Abstract: A wide band biconical antenna with a helical feed system comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) that maintains a plurality of antenna elements having an entry conic and a termination conic arranged about a common axis. Each of the antenna elements receive a signal from a signal splitter via respective feed lines that each have the same physical length. In addition, the antenna system includes a matching system disposed within the ground plane formed by the entry conic of each of the antenna elements. The antenna elements are retained within retention sections that maintain helical support channels that allow the feed lines to be arranged in a helical manner about the antenna elements.

Abstract: A multiband antenna system includes a helical antenna having a first leg and a second leg wherein the first leg consists of a coaxial conductor. The multiband antenna also includes an antenna sub-system coupled to the helical antenna wherein the coaxial conductor feeds the antenna sub-system. A radome encloses components of the antenna system, and the radome may be covered by a radio-frequency transparent sock for concealment purposes.

Abstract: An antenna mounting system for a vehicle that allows easy adjustments without the need of additional tools after initial installation. The antenna mount comprises internal interlocking teeth between an antenna base and a link arm that engage with the tightening of a fastener. The antenna mount also includes internal interlocking teeth between the link arm and an antenna arm. Forceable movement of a lever causes an arm cam and hub cam to allow a biasing spring to disengage the link arm teeth from the antenna arm teeth. In this condition, the antenna arm is allowed to be rotatably moved into a desired orientation whereupon the lever arm can re-engage the cams and with one another so as to tighten and maintain a selected orientation. In addition to the internal interlocking teeth, antenna arm has a skirt to further preclude contaminants from entering the area where the teeth and teeth engage one another.

Abstract: A fishing reel including a housing and a nonrotatable main shaft fixed to the housing. A spool including a one-way clutch having a central bore rotatable about the main shaft is also provided. The reel further includes a sleeve located coaxial to and extending along the main shaft. The sleeve is supported for rotation by first and second bearing assemblies. The first bearing assembly has an inner race fixed with respect to the main shaft and an outer race fixed with respect to an inner surface of the sleeve. The second bearing assembly has an inner race fixed with respect to an outer surface of the sleeve and an outer race fixed with respect to the central hub. At least one drag washer is non-rotatably located on the sleeve. An end of the sleeve adjacent the first bearing assembly is received in the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A modular pole system for a luminaire includes an elongated pole section formed from a continuous filament winding process with a tenon or tenon collar wound into a tip end of the pole section. A method for making a modular pole system includes placing a tenon or tenon collar over a trunion end of a mandrel and winding a pre-selected thickness of a filament along the length of the mandrel up to and including a pre-selected length of the tenon or tenon collar to produce a tenon or tenon collar wound into a pole section of the modular pole system.

Abstract: A biconical antenna includes an entry conic having an entry base opposite an entry vertex and a termination conic having a termination base opposite a termination vertex. The entry and termination conics share substantially the same axis and the entry vertex is adjacent the termination vertex. The transmission line is received by the entry conic and terminated in the termination conic. Together, the entry conic and the termination conic phase correct energy emanating from the transmission line. Another embodiment of the antenna comprises an entry conic having at least two sub-conics and a termination conic having at least two sub-conics. Each of the sub-conics having an integer multiple of a half-angle. The biconical antenna may also include a multi-conductor transmission line, wherein the biconical antennas are arranged in a co-linear relationship. Each of the multi-conductors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of biconical antennas.

Abstract: An oscillation mechanism for use with a spinning fishing reel includes an oscillation gear with a guide pin, rotatably supported within the reel. A slider is disposed within the reel and includes a guide slot formed therein that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a first curved portion including a concave side disposed toward a forward edge of the slider and a second curved portion including a concave side disposed toward a rearward edge of the slider. The lower portion includes a first curved portion including a concave side disposed toward the rearward edge of the slider and a second curved portion including a concave side disposed toward the forward edge of the slider. Rotation of the oscillation gear causes movement of the slider along a horizontal center axis of the guide slot.

Abstract: An open-faced spinning reel assembly having a two-piece frame and leg assembly in which the leg has a tab extending therefrom that is secured to the frame so as to be concealed in the final assembly. The frame can be attached to the tab with screws or other fasteners, or by insertion molding, and the entire assembly of a frame, leg, and cover finished for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The leg can be made from metal or metal alloy and the frame from glass-filled nylon.