Abstract: An apparatus for safely locating an elevated-end of a ramp includes a center strip that hangs down from an overhead location proximate the elevated-end. The center strip aligns with a center of the ramp and is used as a visual or tactile aide to guide a person toward the elevated end. A variation includes a pair of lateral strips that are each disposed proximate the elevated-end and also proximate opposite outer edges of the ramp. Another variation includes the use of two parallel strips to more accurately indicate either the center of the ramp or one of its edges. Fixed, detachable, and retractable versions are described that are attached to either a ceiling of a truck or to an inside surface of an overhead door of the truck.

Abstract: A collapsible path barrier has at least three integrally-formed wall sections with a plurality of living hinges, as a series, joining each adjacent pair of wall sections, the at least three wall sections including two endmost wall sections joinable to form an upright structure. A collapsible path barrier may include a plurality of interconnected wall sections each having a top-facing side, where one of the top-facing sides has a pocket adapted for securely holding a light. A thermoformed unitary plastic object may include at least two wall sections, at least one hinge member connecting adjacent interior ones of the wall sections' longitudinal sides, the hinge member comprising a plurality of interconnected living hinges, where a nominal thickness of the at least one hinge members of the thermoformed unitary plastic object approximates 0.100 inch.

Abstract: A shape inspection device is adapted for a curved resin hose having a hose body including a bent portion. The shape inspection device has a first fixing portion for fixing one longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, a second fixing portion for fixing the other longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, and an inspecting portion between the first and the second fixing portions. The inspecting portion has an inspecting and verifying arrangement along a pathway of the hose body of the curved resin hose as designed. The inspecting and verifying arrangement has verifying members disposed outside the pathway and spaced from the pathway.

Abstract: To provide a display apparatus which is intended to improve the miniaturization and illumination efficiency, an indicator 8 is disposed on the rear surface side of a transparent display panel 3. A printed board 5 mounts a movement 7 on the front surface thereof so as not to overlap the movement 7 and the transparent display panel 3 and mounts the indicator 8 on the rear surface thereof. LEDs 6 for the transparent display panel are mounted on the front surface of the printed board 5 so as to oppose to the outer peripheral surface of the transparent display panel 3.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pendulum assembly within a laser levelling apparatus. In use, the assembly is rotatably mounted with the levelling device to hang under the effect of gravity such that opposed light emitting devices produce light on a horizontal plane. The assembly includes a main body rotatably mountable in the levelling apparatus and at least two light emitting devices mounted in or on light emitting mounting portions. At least one of the light emitting mounting positions is rotatably mounted to the main body and adjustable in its orientation with respect to the main body by an threaded adjustment means. Once one light emitting device is mounted, the adjustable one can be brought into a substantially co-linear position by movement of the threaded adjustment means. A further embodiment includes a further light emitter acting on a reflective surface to provide a substantially vertical light.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of one or more targets to measure surfaces. The target may comprise a first portion adapted to reflect a laser beam towards a laser tracking device, a second portion adapted to reflect a light beam towards a photogrammetry device, and a third portion adapted to identify to a computer a unique identifier of the target.

Abstract: An archery bow sight has a sight tube which is fixed to a link arm which extends between two rotatable members mounted to a frame which is connected to the riser of a bow. The arm is pinned to the rear rotatable member at a radius which is less than the radius at which it is pinned to the front rotatable member. The rotation of the rotatable members is synchronized by a connector such as an intermediate gear, a timing belt, a rigid link, or a linked chain. By rotation of a range adjustment knob, the sight tube is caused to change simultaneously in inclination and in height in such a way that the archer may continue to view the target through the sight tube. The sight tube has a fiber optic sight point. The relationship between the rotating members and the link arm is adjustable for draw length.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a sensor pod of a wheel alignment system, the sensor pod including a housing rotatably mounted on a spindle, and an image sensor in the housing having a viewing axis oriented in a direction substantially normal to an axis of rotation of the spindle for imaging a target affixed to an object such as a vehicle wheel. An example of the method includes mounting the pod on a fixture via the pod spindle such that the pod spindle is stationary, and positioning a target to allow imaging of the target with the pod image sensor. The pod is rotated such that its image sensor obtains images of the target in at least two rotational positions, and the images of the target at the at least two rotational positions are processed to determine the location of the axis of rotation of the spindle relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic ruler has a generally rectangular-solid shape defining a length, width, and thickness. A straight edge exists along the length as do distance markings in at least one unit of measurement. A user input interface 1) receives user inputs of measurement in a format corresponding to the unit of measurement, and/or 2) shows a measurement made automatically by the ruler. A plurality of visual indicators, such as fiber optics, LEDs, etc., extend along the length and light in an amount corresponding to the user inputs or the measurement made. In this manner, basic rulers for school-aged children provide measurement capability in the absence of sufficient gradations. It also gives feedback regarding correctness to stimulate learning in adolescent students. An optical array also serves to transmit/receive light to automatically take the measurements upon indications from a user. A processor connects to the indicators and array for controlling lighting.

Abstract: A ruler in which one pair of parallel cuts are put in one raw material plate, a supporting point part is formed by narrowing both ends of the parallel cuts or making the both ends like a fork, a bent cut or a linear cut reaching to an end part of the raw material plate is put so as to surround the supporting point part or extend along it, and an arch part, in which a part included between the parallel cuts is bulged upward by heating, pressure friction, injection molding or chemical treating, is formed monolithically with the raw material plate, or made one in which a slip stop is applied wholly or partially in a back face of the arch part.

Abstract: A truck bed stake hole assembly comprising a shaft with a threaded end; a bottom plate shaped like a rectangle with a corner missing and with a threaded hole in which the threaded end is receivable; and a top plate with a downward extending post that aligns with the missing corner of the bottom plate and with a hole slightly larger than the threaded end. To use, the shaft is placed through the hole in the top plate and threaded into the hole in the bottom plate; the bottom plate is inserted into a truck bed stake hole; the top plate rests atop the stake hole; and the bottom plate is rotated to wedge within the stake hole. To remove, the bottom plate is rotated counterclockwise until the post in the top plate acts as a stop and prevents rotation, and the assembly is then removed from the stake hole.

Abstract: An example display assembly includes a first and second dial face with a first pointer and a second pointer. An information display is disposed between the second scale and the second axis that generates data to communicate information about the vehicle. The second pointer includes a transparent portion to provide uninterrupted viewing of an information display within the second dial face.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting the angle of a bend in an electrically conductive workpiece is provided. The detecting apparatus includes a platform, a holding bracket mounted on the platform, at least one detecting portion slidably mounted to the platform, a processor, and an indicator electrically connected to the processor. The holding bracket is grounded and configured for holding and electrically connecting with the workpiece. The at least one detecting portion includes a short pin and a long pin. During operation, the pins are normally at high potential and go low if they contact the workpiece. The pins are electrically connected to the processor. The processor judges an eligibility of the angle of the workpiece according to the potential pattern of each pins. The indicator outputs a detecting result done by the processor.

Abstract: A tape measure having a case, in which is a spooled concave measuring blade, the blade being extendable from the case via an opening, the tape measure having a spring which acts to urge the blade back into its spooled configuration, and an end piece at the free end of the measuring blade, wherein the tape measure further comprises at least one aperture in the casing to allow direct access to the spooled blade.

Abstract: A hybrid whistle has two pealess whistle chambers with air vents to the left and right and a central pea whistle with an air vent facing generally perpendicularly to the left and right air vents that are integrally formed together, preferably in a two piece, top and bottom, construction. The hybrid whistle has a mouthpiece with a left air opening, a central air opening and a right air opening, each of which is connected to its respective whistle chamber by an air passageway. The three whistle chambers produce differing whistle pitch sounds as air flows through them and out the chambers' exits. The central pea whistle has a barrel chamber with a pea block formed within it so as to modify the barrel shape of the chamber and block the air flow as the pea circulates in the air current causing a staccato effect, while creating enough circulating air movement to prevent the pea from getting stuck in the vent by the air as it exits out of the central air exit when the whistle is blown.

Abstract: An integrated peephole, door knocker, and door decoration support hanger constructed as an integral unit to aid in a single installation and preservation of an outward facing door.

Abstract: Devices for determining the string tension of racket strings are provided. In some embodiments, devices for determining the string tension of racket strings comprise: a body having a front surface indicating different combinations of player and racket characteristics, windows corresponding to certain types of rackets, and an axis perpendicular to the front surface; and a rotary disc which is rotatably situated on the axis behind the front surface and which has numbers indicated thereon representing racket string tension values that can be viewed through the windows for the different combinations of player and racket characteristics.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring and adjusting the angular movement of a fastening cleat on a clipless pedal, includes a motion detector which is fixed to the pedal to detect any angular movement in relation to the fastening cleat and transmit data to a data-processing device which calculates values of the angular movement as a function of time, and the average of the variations in the angular movement. The contactless motion detector includes a magnetic sensor which is fixed to the pedal, and is disposed facing a magnet that is fixed beneath the cleat and can detect any variation in the orientation of the magnetic field as a function of the angular movement of the cleat. The angular position of the fastening cleat is adjusted such that the average variation in the value of the free angular movement is returned to the median of the free angular movement range.

Abstract: The present device is a guide for positioning a heat-applied item over a garment, such as a t-shirt, or a nonwearable, such as a towel. The guide comprises a substantially flat sheet including a center line indicator, a plurality of longitudinal rule lines, a plurality of lateral rule lines, at least one pair of collar alignment rule lines, two wing sections, and a plurality of sleeve alignment rule lines. The guide includes intersecting longitudinal and lateral slots whereby the heat-applied item may be placed under the guide and positioned relative to the guide and garment by manual manipulation thereof through the slots. Another feature of the guide includes a plurality of vertical offset spacers fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet, such that a gap is formed between the guide and the garment for facilitating movement of the heat-applied item there between.

Abstract: A bumper locating system includes a tractor trailer has a front end has a bumper attached thereto. The bumper has a first end edge corresponds to a driver's side of the trailer and a second end edge corresponding to a passenger's side of the trailer. A housing is attached to the bumper. A telescopic post is mounted in the housing and is extendable upwardly from the housing. A driver mechanism is mechanically coupled to the post. A control actuates the driver mechanism in a first direction to extend the post to an extended position fully extended upwardly from the housing or in a second direction to retract the post to a fully retracted position positioned in the housing. The post is placed in the extended position to guide a driver of the trailer.