Abstract: A panel structure for a bowling lane may include a lane panel having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming a bowling surface of the bowling lane. An underlayment may be disposed adjacent the lane panel. A tapered hole may extend from the first surface of the lane panel to the second surface of the lane panel. The area of the hole may be larger at the first surface than at the second surface. The panel structure may also include a fastener having a head and a securing portion. The head may be disposed in the tapered hole and may have a wall having a taper at substantially the same angle as the tapered hole. The securing portion may extend from the head into the underlayment.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance apparatus includes a transfer roller and a dressing oil tank configured to contain dressing oil. A wick is configured to pass dressing oil from the tank to the transfer roller. A buffer brush is configured to receive dressing oil from the transfer roller and spread the dressing oil on a bowling lane. The wick may comprise a foam material having a first region having a first capillarity and a second region having a second capillarity differing from the first capillarity. The wick may also be maintained in contact with the transfer roller.

Abstract: A prefabricated flooring system used in a section of a bowling lane such as an approach section. The flooring system includes a plurality of wooden boards having a longitudinal axis. The plurality of wooden boards each having substantially flat side edges along the longitudinal axis. Interior boards of the plurality of wooden boards are bonded together by an adhesive applied on the side edges and two of the outermost boards of the plurality of boards are bonded only on one side edge by the adhesive to adjacent corresponding interior boards to form a preformed approach section of wooden boards. In one aspect, the boards have a thickness of approximately that of the bowling lane. In another aspect, the preformed approach section has a width greater than that of the bowling lane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device including a luminous element and a light guide which has coupling locations and decoupling locations and transports a light signal that is emitted by the luminous element. The inventive luminous element has a radiation characteristic, the solid angle of which can be controlled.

Abstract: A furniture unit that includes a substantially triangular table and a first and second plurality of seats fixedly attached along two sides of the table. A directional view of the third side of the table is unobstructed as viewed from any of the first and second plurality of seats. A support structure is provided that maintains the table and the first and second plurality of seats at a certain distance and provides for unobstructed leg-area. A third set of seats may be provided along each of the three sides of the substantially triangular table and may be interconnected by a support structure that provides a substantially unobstructed ingress and egress to each seat.

Abstract: A protective device may be attached to a portable incineration apparatus, or used over an open pit. The protection device may be a screen constructed of a stainless steel mesh. The screen is laid across the open top of the portable incineration apparatus or the top of the open pit. The screen forms a seal between the top portion of the walls of the incineration apparatus, or of the pit, and the portion of the screen that engages the top portion of the walls. Thereby, smoke, ashes and-embers are limited, or even prevented from escaping from the incineration apparatus or the open pit.

Abstract: A display unit for presenting visual information to the driver of a vehicle comprises a liquid crystal display 1, mirror 2 and prism 4 for presenting the driver with a magnified virtual image for viewing through a prism face 4c, the image appearing at a comfortable distance, beyond the vehicles windscreen. The elements 1, 2, 4 comprising the unit may. be supported in a framework 10 as a compact package and mounted in the vehicle's dashboard. The prism 4 may be lowered to a stored position when the display is not in use.

Abstract: A communication system for use on a heavy vehicle, such as a truck, is disclosed where a smart card is provided by a fleet to a driver. The smart card contains identifying information unique to the driver. The smart card communicates electronically with an engine control unit that is provided on the vehicle used by the driver. The on board engine control unit stores the vehicle operation history with respect to an individual driver and may also contain navigational information. In the event that the on board engine control unit indicates a violation of hours of service regulation, the vehicle may be prevented from being started by the driver. The smart card is also used for vehicle access and may be used for conventional fuel purchase.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting wheel slippage uses a turn sensor to detect a vehicle turning radius in order to predict the difference in wheel speed between wheels on the outside of the turning radius and wheels on the inside of the turning radius. The turn sensor detects the turning radius of the vehicle and signals a controller. The controller utilizes the signal from the turn sensor to predict a difference in wheel speeds between the wheel to the inside of the turn and the wheel to the outside of the turn. One of the driven axles includes wheel speed sensors mounted at opposite ends of the axle. The controller receives signals from each of the wheel speed sensors to determine an actual differential wheel speed. The predicted speed differential is compared to the actual speed differential and any difference between the two indicates wheel is slippage.

Abstract: An electric iron includes a soleplate and a housing connected to the soleplate. The housing forms a water reservoir. An opening is formed in an outer wall of the housing. A valve seat is formed adjacent the top of the opening. A float valve having a specific gravity less than one is movably disposed within the reservoir. The valve moves into engagement with the valve seat to prevent the flow of water through the opening when the water level in the reservoir raises the valve into engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for joining a plurality of struts at a vertex, such as the vertex of a geodesic or a space frame structure. A plurality of strut supports are provided, each strut support including a pair of substantially parallel spaced side plates for receiving and securing one of the struts, with a longitudinal face of the strut aligned with a pair of the longitudinal edges of the side plates. Each strut support also includes a clamp between the side plates, the clamp having a generally rectangular base plate mounted across the side plates in substantially perpendicular relationship to said longitudinal edges of the side plates, such that an end face of the strut can abut against the base plate of the clamp. The clamp also has a pair of generally parallel flanges extending away from the strut at an oblique angle with respect to the flange base plate. The clamps of each of a plurality of strut supports are joined at a tubular hub member that is typically cylindrical or polygonal.

Abstract: An improved method of sealing and attaching, in a weathertight manner, a mounting support, such as a mounting support of an equipment, to a roof surface. A flared hole is formed in a sheet of metal flashing. The flashing is placed on the roof with the flared hole thereof aligned with a hole in the roof and protruding upward from the roof. A resilient pad is applied to the roof flashing over the flared hole, with a hole in the pad surrounding the flared hole in the roof flashing. The mounting support is then bolted to the roof surface by passing a bolt through the mounting support, the pad, and the aligned holes. The bolt engages the mounting support and the underside of the roof surface so as to secure the mounting support to the roof surface with the flashing and resilient pad pressed therebetween. This sealing technique provides a reliable water-tight seal through which water cannot readily penetrate, even over long periods of time.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for collecting solar energy. A housing is provided with an open top, and a solar radiation-transmissive cover is removably mounted on the top of the housing. A plurality of elongated open-ended troughs are mounted side-by-side in the housing, the troughs having reflective inner surfaces. A fluid-carrying tube system is provided, and has a plurality of branches which respectively extend along each trough near the bottom thereof. A pair of end panel assemblies are mounted in the housing at opposing ends of the row of troughs and form the ends of the troughs. Each of the end panel assemblies includes adjacent elongated upper and lower end panels which are removably coupled to each other and have a common elongated edge. The surface of each of the upper end panels which faces the troughs is reflective of solar radiation. Preferably, the surface of each of the lower end panels which faces the troughs is also reflective of solar energy.