Abstract: Apparatus and a method for its use to assist an operator of a towing vehicle in backing the towing vehicle accurately into a position in which parts of a hitch can be mated to connect the towing vehicle with a trailer. A camera in a towing vehicle module provides the towing vehicle operator a video image of the trailer and a target mounted on it. A beam of light from the towing vehicle module and falling on the target is visible in the video image to show when the towing vehicle approaches and reaches a position in which the hitch can be mated.

Abstract: A first edible food product of predetermined length is received by an intermittently movable upper conveyor having an effective length the same as said predetermined length. A lower conveyor continuously transports second edible food products and a sensor senses when each of the second edible food products reaches a predetermined location. A controller receives a signal from the sensor and causes simultaneous movement of the upper conveyor to deposit the supported first edible food product and activation of equipment to place a replacement first edible food product on the upper conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for first reliably and accurately aligning the shafts of golf clubs in consistent orientation relative to corresponding club heads during assembly thereof, and second for performing inductive curing on the aligned golf club. A golf club is supported in an address position in a combination alignment/inductive cure station. The club shaft is supported by an inclined V-shaped channel, and the club head is supported in a club head support which includes a gel-filled trough for conforming to the sole of the club head. The leading edge of the club head is aligned against two substantially vertical alignment posts extending from the club head support, and reference graphics on the shaft are used in combination with an alignment panel to visually obtain the desired relative orientation of the shaft and club head. The club is then clamped in place, and an inductive heating element heats the joint of the shaft and club head to activate a bonding agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining proper alignment of an iron-style golf club prior to and during installation of a handle grip includes generally U-shaped shaft supports and a biased, preferably gravity-driven, self-adjusting, leading edge alignment assembly creating a vertical plane defined by at least a pair of parallel horizontal rails positioned one over the other, the horizontal rails being slidable along inclined linear bearings to facilitate adjustment until the leading edge of the strike face of an iron-style club head contacts two of the rails to ensure vertical alignment. A clamp is further provided to lock a properly aligned iron-style golf club in place prior to installing a handle grip on the butt-end of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for first reliably and accurately aligning the shafts of golf clubs in consistent orientation relative to corresponding club heads during assembly thereof, and second for performing inductive curing on the aligned golf club. A golf club is supported in an address position in a combination alignment/inductive cure station. The club shaft is supported by an inclined V-shaped channel, and the club head is supported in a club head support which includes a gel-filled trough for conforming to the sole of the club head. The leading edge of the club head is aligned against two substantially vertical alignment posts extending from the club head support, and reference graphics on the shaft are used in combination with an alignment panel to visually obtain the desired relative orientation of the shaft and club head. The club is then clamped in place, and an inductive heating element heats the joint of the shaft and club head to activate a bonding agent.

Abstract: An improved golf putter club is disclosed in which the club head, hosel, shaft and grip are so configured that the club's total weight is perfectly centered and balanced about the club's shaft axis, resulting in multi-directional stability, i.e., infinite balancing, against any static forces causing the putter club head to rotate off line about the shaft, grip, and hosel axis. Such rotational stability eliminates any inherent twisting forces of the putter head during use. An extremely high moment of inertia about the club head's center of gravity results from use of a relatively heavyweight material for the ball striking face, the club heel and toe ends, and the adjacent sole portions, while an insert formed of a relatively lightweight material is used to fill in the club head's central area where heavyweight material is absent. This high rotational moment of inertia assures that when a golf ball is hit off-center (i.e.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation device includes a stud rigidly engaged with the head of an internal combustion engine, a rocker arm, a rocker ball, a stand element attached to the upper end of the stud, a cylindrical sleeve having an interior ridge in the inner wall thereof, and a compression spring for exerting a constant force urging the rocker ball against the rocker arm. The stand element has a longitudinal hole and a plurality of transverse holes which extend to the longitudinal hole and a plurality of steel balls which move outward in the respective transverse holes in response to insertion of a tapered plunger into the longitudinal hole to engage the internal ridge and prevent upward movement of the sleeve. The rocker ball engages the bottom of the sleeve, and acts as a fulcrum for the rocker arm when the tapered plunger is fully inserted. When the plunger is retracted, the steel balls recede and do not engage the interior ridge, allowing the rocker ball and the sleeve to yield to the rocker arm.