Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work machine includes a fluid supply tank, a visual sight gage assembly, and an air expansion tank. A plurality of tubes and lines connect the supply tank to the sight gage assembly and the air expansion tank to the sight gage assembly. An enclosure wall partially encloses the supply tank and is positioned at an angle greater than 90.degree. with a horizontal plane. The sight gage assembly is connected to the wall enclosure and is positioned at the same angle. The construction of the sight gage assembly prevents trapping of air in the assembly when the supply tank is filled with fluid. Thus false readings of the fluid level in the supply tank is avoided.

Abstract: An alignment guide for indicating the location of a waste water outlet port of a large vehicle, such as a motor home, which is not directly visible to the driver of the vehicle. This device is comprised of a brightly-colored indicator flag which is attached to the distal end of an extending arm. The proximal end of the extending arm is mounted directly to, or near the vehicle's waste water drain. When extended, the indicator flag offers the driver of the vehicle a reference point by which he may align the vehicle to the waste water receptacle.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a head piece having a solid metal body with a mounting surface and a recess within the mounting surface for receiving a thermocouple therein. The body has an attachment end, and hole extending through the attachment end which communicates with the recess such that a plurality of leads may extend through the hole and connect to the thermocouple. An insulating material of mica or metal oxide surrounds the leads and the conducting portions of the thermocouple so as to insulate them from each other and from the metal body of the enclosure. Several structures can be used to form the thermocouple fitted into the small enclosure. In one embodiment, a thermocouple is formed using thin strips of conducting material made of alloys suitable for forming a thermocouple. A thermocouple may be made by first removing the sheathing and insulation from the end of a thermocouple cable, exposing the leads and the leads are flattened or other wise shaped.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an indicating instrument useful to a speedometer for a vehicle. An internal driving unit (2) is secured to a printed circuit board (1), and a cylindrical rotating shaft (6) is carried by bearings (4, 5) of the internal driving unit (2). A pointer (9) is secured to the rotating shaft (6) and rotated via the rotating shaft (6) by the internal driving unit (2). A light emitting diode (12) is disposed inside the rotating shaft (6) and secured to the printed circuit board (1). Light emitted by the light emitting diode is collected by a light collecting portion (9a) of the pointer (9), reflected by a reflecting portion (9b) and illuminates the pointer (9).

Abstract: A shift lever device housing having a plate; an opening portion in said housing exposing a portion of a surface of the plate; a pair of guide rails provided at transverse opposite sides of the opening portion, each guide rail of the pair of guide rails guiding and supporting the plate which is inserted between the pair of guide rails along a longitudinal direction of the plate; and a guide member provided at a plate insertion side of the opening portion for supporting transverse end portions of the plate as the plate is inserted between the guide rails. The device prevents the portions of the plate exposed by the opening from becoming scratched during the insertion operation.

Abstract: A flag or banner assembly wherein a flag or banner hangs from a generally horizontal staff and wherein an arm or rod extends downward from the staff and attaches to a lower region of the flag or banner wherein wrapping of the flag or banner around the staff is substantially reduced or prevented.

Abstract: The level of a liquid is detected by an ultrasonic arrangement comprising a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter has a vertical array of transmitter segments which transmit sequentially, while the receiver is a single transducer. The transmitter and receiver are formed as a single assembly operating in pulse echo mode in conjunction with a passive reflector. The difference in transmission time in liquid and gas allows a digital, depth representative output to be generated. The transmitter is formed by securing a single sheet of piezo polymer film over a printed circuit board having a conductive pattern defining the segments.

Abstract: An analog display includes a dial and a movable EL pointer positioned adjacent the dial for indicating a measured value. The pointer is an elongated EL lamp having a conductive pin extending through one end of the lamp and about which the lamp pivots. The pin is mechanically secured to the lamp and is electrically connected to the front electrode of the lamp. A hole larger than cross-sectional diameter of the pin is formed in the rear electrode and in the phosphor layer to prevent the pin from shorting the front electrode to the rear electrode. A conductive spring rests on the pin to provide electrical power to the front electrode. Power is supplied to the rear electrode either through a conductive ferrule attached to the rear electrode or through a resilient wiper. The wiper can be attached to the pointer or to the face of the dial. For plural pointers, concentric conductive pins are used with a sliding contact for the rear electrodes.

Abstract: A portable visual display assembly comprises modular sections selectively configurable between a combined full-size display board configuration and a separated plural smaller single display board configuration. The display boards can have identical or different grids permanently displayed on their front and back faces. The assembly includes wheels which are removable in both configurations. The display boards can be propped open to a selected angle. The visual display assembly is particularly suitable for use as a scoreboard for sporting event tournament play, such as for golf events, with the full-size configuration being advantageous for tournaments having a large number of participants.

Abstract: A plate forming the lid of a housing for use in coaxial cable distribution systems has a first distribution port on one side and a second distribution port. A dial is mounted on the exterior of the plate which will indicate RF current flow and tap values.

Abstract: A rotatable knob for adjusting the temperature setting of a thermostat has a deformable tab that is permanently deformed upon rotational movement of the knob to a position that is indicative of a temperature setting greater than a predetermined optimum temperature setting. A deformed tab demonstrates that the knob was moved to a position for setting the thermostat at a temperature greater than the optimum temperature setting.

Abstract: A gauge assembly for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The gauge assembly includes a plate member and a pointer assembly that is rotatable relative to the plate member about a first axis. The pointer assembly includes a pointer cap having an internal surface and a pointer arm fixed relative to the cap. A driven surface is provided on at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap. The gauge assembly further includes a motor having a drive shaft. A driver is coupled to the drive shaft for drivingly engaging the driven surface of the pointer cap and rotating the pointer assembly.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for tires comprised of a lower cylindrical housing dimensioned for removable coupling with a valve stem of a tire. A flexible diaphragm is disposed within the lower cylindrical housing. An upper cylindrical housing is coupled with the lower cylindrical housing. A T-shaped indicating pin extends through the upper cylindrical housing to couple with the flexible diaphragm. A tri-level spring is coupled around the T-shaped indicating pin. A magnifying dome couples with the upper cylindrical housing. The magnifying dome has an indicating chart positioned therein.

Abstract: A device for detecting soil compaction density comprising at least one shell material forming an enclosure, a failure plane disposed within the shell material which causes the shell material to fail at a preset static or dynamic pressure, and a detector, such as an odoriferous chemical enclosed within the enclosure which is released upon failure of the shell material, thereby indicating that the preset static or dynamic pressure has been achieved.

Abstract: A flag warning device for attachment to extended loads such as ladders or extended items that are in the trunk of a standard vehicle and which are too large to fit in the ordinary trunk and therefore require the trunk to be opened while the items extend out from the back. The flag warning device comprises a central portion which has an open mesh type surface so that the wind can blow through it and therefore cause it to remain essentially vertical so that it can be easily seen by the oncoming traffic. The flag warning device has a hinge assembly which can be locked into the 90.degree. position further serves to secure the flag in the vertical position to assure that it can be easily seen by oncoming traffic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an earthquake alarm that functions as an awakening and early warning mechanism which provides an audio and visual warning to a possible earthquake. The device is comprised of a free-standing arm which rests against an adjustable rod which can be manipulated to make the arm more or less sensitive to vibrations, The arm, which is pivotally mounted within a case, swings downwardly through a slot in the case when vibrations comparable to the vibrations of an earthquake cause the arm to be dislodged from its upright position. The arm is entrapped between two tabs that extend outwardly from a rotatably attached beam. The beam comprises a third tab which is secured against one distal end of a rocker arm, the opposite distal end of the rocker arm being engaged in the extended teeth of a spring loaded wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a warning device for attachment to a tractor unit for warning when an attached trailer has pivoted to a position where it may cause damage to the tractor. The warning device comprises a base for attachment to a skirt of the tractor unit, the base being adapted at one end for receiving a switch element and also being adapted to receive one end of a resilient connecting element. The device includes a feeler which extends from the device in a position to contact the trailer unit when the trailer unit has pivoted to a potentially skirt contacting position, the feeler being adapted for receiving the second end of the resilient connecting element to connect the base and the feeler. The resilient connecting element joining the base and the feeler of the warning device allows for full movement of the feeler relative to the base in all directions.

Abstract: A self-contained system for measuring forces applied by the foot of a user includes a force sensor array positioned within the user's shoe between the foot and the inner sole of the shoe. The force sensor array including a multiplicity of individual force sensors arranged in a pattern that covers the area of contact between the sole of the user's foot and the inner sole of the shoe, and a substrate material which is so rigid that it will not operatively conform to the user's foot unless a plurality of shaped cutout portions of the substrate material is removed in order to allow the force sensor array to operatively conform to the user's foot when force is applied. An electronic circuit module is removably attached to the side of the shoe and a flat interconnecting cable electrically couples the force sensor array to the electronic circuit module. An annuniciator audibly signals the user when a force on the foot greater than a predetermined threshold force is sensed.

Abstract: A plate array for moisture sensors has a transmitter electrode and a detector electrode interposed between portions of a phase electrode. The transmitter and phase electrodes are driven with alternating current signals having a one hundred and eighty degree phase difference so as to induce a signal at the detector electrode relating to a moisture content of a material in the electrical fields which has a reduced sensitivity to electrically loading the material, such as from contact with a hand or steel roller.

Abstract: An externally mounted transducer assembly for an ultrasonic liquid level measuring device that utilizes a piezoelectric crystal for generating ultrasonic pulses to be transmitted through a tank or the line containing a volume of liquid. Electrical conductors are formed integrally with the fuel tank for connecting the transducer to other components of the system. The wall of the tank is provided with an arrangement for removably attaching the transducer housing thereto. The tank is provided with electrical contacts that connect to the conductors that are integral with the tank. Also, electrical contacts in the transducer housing are connected to the transducer for providing current thereto. When the transducer housing is attached to the tank, the transducer is thereby connected to the measuring system circuit.