Abstract: A method of making a part is provided. A blank is loaded into a die assembly having a pair of shoes with forming pieces attached thereto and compressible members sandwiched between the shoes and the forming pieces. The die is closed about the blank to deform the blank into a part. The die is then opened by a predetermined distance while at least one of the compressible members deforms elastically to maintain contact between at least one of the forming pieces and the part. Less than the entire surface of the part is then conductively cooled through the at least one forming piece to provide a predetermined portion of the part with a predetermined microstructure.

Abstract: A method of making a part is provided. A blank is loaded into a die assembly having a pair of shoes with forming pieces attached thereto and compressible members sandwiched between the shoes and the forming pieces. The die is closed about the blank to deform the blank into a part. The die is then opened by a predetermined distance while at least one of the compressible members deforms elastically to maintain contact between at least one of the forming pieces and the part. Less than the entire surface of the part is then conductively cooled through the at least one forming piece to provide a predetermined portion of the part with a predetermined microstructure.

Abstract: The current embodiment shows a portable, adjustable, oxygen delivery system. This embodiment delivers up to one-hundred percent oxygen while simultaneously conserving oxygen during the user's exhalation phase. The current embodiment contains an air-entrainment system (FIG. 12), a reservoir bag (FIG. 7), a one-way valve assembly (FIG. 5a), and a cannula (FIG. 2a) for delivering a precise amount of oxygen. This embodiment also allows for independent control over oxygen flow and oxygen percentage. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Work-piece positioners include a positioner chassis, a rotary framework coupled to the chassis, and a mezzanine disposed above the chassis, wherein the mezzanine is configured to mount one or more robots above the positioner. The rotary framework may be configured such that it may rotate a work-piece between a work-piece load/unload zone and a work zone about a framework axis. More particularly, the mezzanine may be secured to the chassis such that when one or more robots are mounted to the mezzanine, the one or more robots may be positioned above the work zone of the positioner.

Abstract: A robotic beverage server includes a robot, a beverage supply disposed near the robot, a computer connected to the robot, and a beverage ordering system connected to the computer. The computer is configured to permit the entry of the type of available beverages stocked in the beverage supply and operable to determine the variety of beverages and mixtures of beverages that will be available for serving by the robotic beverage server based upon the beverages stocked in the beverage supply. The robotic beverage server may also include a controller, a framework, and a barrier disposed above the framework and having an opening therein, wherein both the framework and barrier at least partially encompass the robot and are configured to prevent an user from gaining access to the robot.

Abstract: An overhead door assembly as comprised of a plurality of door panels each of which is of hollow extruded plastic material to provide a very light weight panel. The panels are pivotally interconnected with each other and are provided with brush assemblies at opposite ends for engagement with a vertically extending track. Upon impact of the door panels by a vehicle of any type the brushes will disengage from the panel to prevent undue damage to the door panels.

Abstract: A laminar flow air mover includes a cylindrical fan having an outlet opening connected to a conduit system. The conduit system includes a first portion connected to the outlet portion of said centrifugal fan and an outlet portion detachably connected to the first portion by a reusable breakaway connection. A baffle plate is pivotably mounted in the outlet of said outlet portion and extends transversely of said outlet portion to direct a coherent flow of air for a substantial distance in the desired direction.

Abstract: An overhead door assembly as comprised of a plurality of door panels each of which is of hollow extruded plastic material to provide a very light weight panel. The panels are pivotally interconnected with each other and are provided with brush assemblies at opposite ends for engagement with a vertically extending track. Upon impact of the door panels by a vehicle of any type the brushes will disengage from the panel to prevent undue damage to the door panels.

Abstract: A laminar flow air mover includes a centrifugal fan having an outlet connected to a conduit system detachably mounted relative to the air mover. The conduit system includes a first portion connected to the centrifugal blower having a first diameter and an outlet portion having a reduced diameter portion relative to the first portion. A plurality of parallel pipes are mounted in parallel within the outlet portion in such a manner so as to direct the entire flow of air from the centrifugal blower through the pipes to provide a coherent flow of air for a substantial distance from the outlet portion.

Abstract: A laminar flow air mover includes a cylindrical fan having an outlet opening connected to a conduit system. The conduit system includes a first portion connected to the outlet portion of said centrifugal fan and an outlet portion detachably connected to the first portion by a reusable breakaway connection. A baffle plate is pivotably mounted in the outlet of said outlet portion and extends transversely of said outlet portion to direct a coherent flow of air for a substantial distance in the desired direction.

Abstract: A laminar flow air mover includes a centrifugal fan having an outlet connected to a conduit system detachably mounted relative to the air mover. The conduit system includes a first portion connected to the centrifugal blower having a first diameter and an outlet portion having a reduced diameter portion relative to the first portion. A plurality of parallel pipes are mounted in parallel within the outlet portion in such a manner so as to direct the entire flow of air from the centrifugal blower through the pipes to provide a coherent flow of air for a substantial distance from the outlet portion.

Abstract: A dock light warning system includes an exterior unit adapted to be mounted adjacent a loading dock door. The exterior unit is provided with a red light assembly for providing a narrow beam of red light focused on a driver's side exterior rearview mirror when the loading dock door is in the open position to warn a driver against moving the truck. A corresponding interior unit is provided with a red light assembly and a green light assembly to indicate the condition of the red light assembly and the green light assembly of the exterior unit. A photocell assembly is provided for sensing the position of the overhead door to control the switching of the red light assembly to the green light assembly and vice versa.

Abstract: A wheel chock assembly includes a wheel chock having a substantially triangular cross-section and a handle having a lower end detachably secured to the bottom wall of the wheel chock and an upper end having a hand grip secured thereto. The hand grip is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of a side wall of the wheel chock and the handle is provided with an intermediate portion connecting the upper and lower ends substantially orthogonally to each other. The handle is formed from a hollow continuous tube with the lower end thereof w adapted to rest on the ground beneath the wheel chock.

Abstract: A bi-metallic pin socket for receiving the pins of a lamp is provided with two curved apertures each having a narrow end and a wide end. An elongated bi-metallic element of uniform thickness having a curvature matching the curvature of the aperture is disposed in each aperture for engagement with a respective lamp pin. The socket is provided with an angled recess at the narrow end of each aperture and each bi-metallic element has an angled end portion secured in a respective recess.

Abstract: A wheel chock is provided with an upstanding handle to assist in moving the wheel chock into and out of operative engagement with a wheel. First and second photo sensor assemblies are mounted in the wheel chock and the handle, respectively, for sensing the presence of a wheel in close proximity to the wheel chock. A signal light assembly is mounted adjacent a loading dock and is operatively connected to the photo sensor assemblies for indicating whether or not a wheel chock is disposed is blocking relation to a wheel and to indicate when the wheel chock is not connected to source of power.

Abstract: A safety pole is comprised of a strip of plastic material having a normal elongated hollow cylindrical condition with overlapping longitudinal edges. A motor driven drum is mounted within a canister adapted to be recessed in the ground in spaced relation to a loading dock with the strip of plastic material connected at one end to the drum whereby the strip of plastic material may be wound on the drum in a flattened condition or extended vertically upwardly to form a pole. A loading dock is provided with a door and the operation of the motor driven drum is coordinated with the operation of the door so that when the door is open, the pole will be in the extended visible condition to warn a truck driver not to approach or leave a loading dock.

Abstract: A safety pole is comprised of a strip of plastic material having a normal elongated hollow cylindrical condition with overlapping longitudinal edges. A motor driven drum is mounted within a canister adapted to be recessed in the ground in spaced relation to a loading dock with the strip of plastic material connected at one end to the drum whereby the strip of plastic material may be wound on the drum in a flattened condition or extended vertically upwardly to form a pole. A loading dock is provided with a door and the operation of the motor driven drum is coordinated with the operation of the door so that when the door is open, the pole will be in the extended visible condition to warn a truck driven not to approach or leave a loading dock.

Abstract: A dock light assembly includes a base member adapted to be secured inside a warehouse adjacent a door opening at a loading dock, a hollow flexible self-supporting tube connected at one end thereof to the base member and a lamp assembly mounted at an opposite end of said tube for lighting the interior of a cargo vehicle located adjacent said door of said loading dock. A fan assembly is provided in the base member for blowing air through the base member, hollow flexible tube and the lamp assembly to cool the lamp assembly. A thermal fuse may be provided in the circuit of the lamp assembly to turn off the lamp assembly should overheating of the lamp assembly occur.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes an elongated forwardly open housing having an endless belt entrained therein about a pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of the housing. A plurality of C-shaped, channel-like cutting elements are mounted transversely on the outer surface of the belt to cut the lawn as the housing is moved across the lawn on a plurality of rollers. The housing is divided into a plurality of sections which are pivotally interconnected so that the housing sections may pivot relative to each other due to uneven ground. Guide members are provided within the housing to maintain the opposed reaches of the belt parallel to each other during such pivoting of the sections. The cutting elements may also be a plurality of wires embedded in the belt and extending outward from one side of the belt in the plane of the belt.

Abstract: A vertically storing dock leveler comprises a deck, a pivot coupling the leveler to the mounting pit to allow the deck the rotate from a stored vertical position to an operative horizontal position and a source of power to rotate the deck. A sensor is mounted to the underside of the deck for delivering an output that ceases downward movement of said deck when a foreign object such as a human is sensed under said deck. The sensor comprises a wire mounted to span said deck at a position below it and a switch responsive to movement of said wire. The switch may be a mechanical, proximity or photoelectric type. The wire is fixed at one side of said deck and coupled to a pivoting member at the other side with the pivoting member normally positioned in proximity to said switch. A spring is employed to bias the pivoting member to a centered position relative to the switch in opposition to tension of the wire.