Abstract: A strain gauge apparatus for measuring stresses on a rotating blade includes a strain gauge assembly, a shaft connectable to the rotating blade, a slip ring connected to the shaft, and a sleeve for covering lead wires routed along the shaft from the strain gauge and connected to the slip ring. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the fatigue life of a rotating blade.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout.

Abstract: A stirring stick for manipulating foodstuff in a blender comprises an elongate plunger having first and second ends. The plunger has a cavity extending between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the plunger is generally trough-shaped, and the cavity is open at least at the second end. A handle is attached to the first end of the plunger. A user may move the stirring stick in one or more directions when the stirring stick is positioned in the blender.

Abstract: A pin table for a bowling pin spotting/respotting device is fabricated from stamped sheet metal and has lips around the periphery of the sheet metal pin table, as well as around each of a plurality of pin openings through the pin table. The sheet metal pin table is generally planar in configuration and has a plurality of pin openings. The lips extend upwardly around the periphery of the pin table and around the periphery of each of the openings. The lips provide sufficient rigidity to the pin table to enable its manufacture from stamped sheet metal rather than a more expensive aluminum casting. A respot actuating assembly for use with the aforementioned table includes a respot cam link mechanism, a pair of crank arms and an adjustable stop mechanism for limiting rotation of the crank arms. Linkage connects the crank arms to the respot cam link mechanism and to multiple pairs of gripper rods for gripping and releasing a plurality of bowling pins.