Abstract: A separator and/or stack stabilizer (referred to as a sticker) used to stack materials for drying and/or curing. The sticker has support members that extend radially outwardly from a central portion. An open-ended channel configured to allow air to flow therethrough is defined between each adjacent pair of support members. Together, the central portion and at least a portion of the support members may have an X-shaped cross-sectional shape. A different support platform having a support surface may be connected to each of the support members. Optionally, the support surfaces include airflow grooves. The sticker may be constructed entirely of a material that includes aluminum.

Abstract: A stacking support that has a plurality of sidewalls extending along a longitudinal axis that define an open ended longitudinally extending channel. The sidewalls may define a substantially square cross-sectional shape. Tubes and/or angled corner braces may be positioned at the corners of the substantially square cross-sectional shape. The stacking support may be constructed entirely of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. One or more items may be stacked upon two or more stacking supports. Optionally, the stacking support may be supported by at least one a slider, roller, or caster on a support surface. The stacking support may be coupled to an underside of a platform along with one or more like stacking supports to create a stacking assembly. One or more items may be stacked upon the stacking assembly.

Abstract: A board assembly for mounting to one or more support structures of a ceiling, deck, floor, or wall. The board assembly includes a board and a mounting member. The board has a length along a longitudinal direction, and first and second side channels that extend lengthwise along the board. The mounting member has first and second flanges biased inwardly toward one another. The first and second flanges are configured to be received inside the first and second side channels, respectively, of the board and to press inwardly on the board to limit movement and warping by the board. A plurality of the board assemblies may be included in a kit. Such a kit may also include a plurality of clip members configured to removably couple the board assemblies to the support structure(s). The mounting member may be constructed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A board assembly for mounting to one or more support structures of a ceiling, deck, floor, or wall. The board assembly includes a board and a mounting member. The board has a length along a longitudinal direction, and first and second side channels that extend lengthwise along the board. The mounting member has first and second flanges biased inwardly toward one another. The first and second flanges are configured to be received inside the first and second side channels, respectively, of the board and to press inwardly on the board to limit movement and warping by the board. A plurality of the board assemblies may be included in a kit. Such a kit may also include a plurality of clip members configured to removably couple the board assemblies to the support structure(s). The mounting member may be constructed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A stacking support that has a plurality of sidewalls extending along a longitudinal axis that define an open ended longitudinally extending channel. The sidewalls may define a substantially square cross-sectional shape. Tubes and/or angled corner braces may be positioned at the corners of the substantially square cross-sectional shape. The stacking support may be constructed entirely of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. One or more items may be stacked upon two or more stacking supports. Optionally, the stacking support may be supported by at least one a slider, roller, or caster on a support surface. The stacking support may be coupled to an underside of a platform along with one or more like stacking supports to create a stacking assembly. One or more items may be stacked upon the stacking assembly.

Abstract: A separator and/or stack stabilizer (referred to as a sticker) used to stack materials for drying and/or curing. The sticker has support members that extend radially outwardly from a central portion. An open-ended channel configured to allow air to flow therethrough is defined between each adjacent pair of support members. Together, the central portion and at least a portion of the support members may have an X-shaped cross-sectional shape. A different support platform having a support surface may be connected to each of the support members. Optionally, the support surfaces include airflow grooves. The sticker may be constructed entirely of a material that includes aluminum.

Abstract: A truss rod for use with a neck body of a musical instrument. The truss rod includes a first rod connected to a second rod. An adjustment member is connected to the first rod and configured to exert a longitudinally directed force on the first rod that causes the first rod to move longitudinally with respect to the second rod. This movement exerts a laterally directed force on the second rod that causes the second rod to exert a laterally directed force on the neck body to thereby change the curvature of the neck body. The adjustment member may threadedly engage the first rod and exert the longitudinally directed force on the first rod by threading into or out of the first rod. The adjustment member may also threadedly engage the second rod. Different thread pitches may be used to threadedly engage the adjustment member with the first and second rods.

Abstract: A truss rod for use with a neck body of a musical instrument. The truss rod includes a first rod connected to a second rod. An adjustment member is connected to the first rod and configured to exert a longitudinally directed force on the first rod that causes the first rod to move longitudinally with respect to the second rod. This movement exerts a laterally directed force on the second rod that causes the second rod to exert a laterally directed force on the neck body to thereby change the curvature of the neck body. The adjustment member may threadedly engage the first rod and exert the longitudinally directed force on the first rod by threading into or out of the first rod. The adjustment member may also threadedly engage the second rod. Different thread pitches may be used to threadedly engage the adjustment member with the first and second rods.

Abstract: A truss rod for use with a neck body of a musical instrument. The truss rod includes a first rod connected to a second rod. An adjustment member is connected to the first rod and configured to exert a longitudinally directed force on the first rod that causes the first rod to move longitudinally with respect to the second rod. This movement exerts a laterally directed force on the second rod that causes the second rod to exert a laterally directed force on the neck body to thereby change the curvature of the neck body. The adjustment member may threadedly engage the first rod and exert the longitudinally directed force on the first rod by threading into or out of the first rod. The adjustment member may also threadedly engage the second rod. Different thread pitches may be used to threadedly engage the adjustment member with the first and second rods.

Abstract: A truss rod for use with a neck body of a musical instrument. The truss rod includes a first rod connected to a second rod. An adjustment member is connected to the first rod and configured to exert a longitudinally directed force on the first rod that causes the first rod to move longitudinally with respect to the second rod. This movement exerts a laterally directed force on the second rod that causes the second rod to exert a laterally directed force on the neck body to thereby change the curvature of the neck body. The adjustment member may threadedly engage the first rod and exert the longitudinally directed force on the first rod by threading into or out of the first rod. The adjustment member may also threadedly engage the second rod. Different thread pitches may be used to threadedly engage the adjustment member with the first and second rods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules.

Abstract: A system for supplying power internal to a battery pack is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a power supply that is powered by battery cells in the battery pack such that each battery cell supplies substantially the same amount of current to power the power supply. In this way, power can be distributed within the battery pack without causing imbalance between an amount of charge stored in different battery cells.

Abstract: A flexible modeling architecture is described that allows multiple versions of entities of different types to be modeled in a structured fashion with different model sets, with a variety of functional models, each representing a different aspect of the system and allowing generation of any number of artifacts at build-time as well as run-time to result in rapid creation of consistent computer applications to manage concurrently a plurality of entities, dynamically adjusting to the version of metadata on each entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules.

Abstract: A flat blank of circular segmental shape having a recessed chord and made of thermoplastic material is heated in a bath of hot water in the range of 145 degrees F. (63 degrees C.) and 160 degrees F. (71 degrees C.) to render the material soft and supple. The blank is then manipulated and pressed in applying it to a dental arch for forming a facing alongside the oral cavity into which a throat insert is to be inserted for protecting the teeth of the arch from being injured, such as by being cracked or chipped, by impact with the teeth of such a throat insert or its appendages.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and recording the content, ownership, and/or bibliographic source of documents reproduced on a reprographic device, and more particularly for tracking the reproduction of specified information, especially copyrighted documents, is connected, preferably detachably, to any of various reprographic devices. The apparatus includes a digitizer for digitizing desired pages (such as those containing title and author information) output from a main portion of the reprographic device, a recording device and medium for storing said digitized pages, a counter for counting the number of reproductions made and optionally inferring the number of originals, a controller for controlling the operation of the apparatus and, optionally, a control panel for interacting with the operator of the reprographic device.

Abstract: An improved machine for cutting material into at least narrow strips includes parallel, rotating cutting shafts having a plurality of cutting wheels thereon. The cutting wheels are separated by spacer-comber elements which provide a comber surface in alignment with a cutting wheel on the other shaft. A cutting wheel comber is mounted between adjacent spacer-comber elements and includes a concave surface to partially encircle the cutting wheel therebetween. The cutting wheel comber has a discharge end toward the discharge side of the machine with a rounded portion. The regions along the concave surface is separated by different distances from the cutting wheel to prevent the retention and collections of the narrow strips of material at the backsides of the cutting wheels.

Abstract: A machine for cutting tires into a plurality of elongated strips includes parallel cutting shafts having a plurality of cutting wheels mounted for rotation therewith. The cutting wheels are separated by annular spacers on the cutting shafts. A spacer comber partially encircles each annular spacer and has a lower portion having a rounded surface to minimize surface contact between the elongated strips and the spacer comber. After the side cutting edges of each cutting wheel becomes worn, the cutting wheels can be sharpened by surface grinding which narrows the cutting wheel. Each annular spacer and spacer comber are also narrowed by respective corresponding surface grinding of the side surfaces thereof. The machine is overhauled, after the surface grinding and the corresponding surface grinding, by the addition of at least one of each cutting wheel, annular spacer and spacer comber on each cutting shaft.

Abstract: A turf anchor stake having a flat shank with a pointed lower end and a headed upper end or two flat shanks connected by a crossbar can be driven through turf into the soil beneath the turf to hold such turf in place until the turf root structure knits with surrounding root structure. To facilitate driving of the stakes the lower ends of the shanks are pointed and lateral projections from the lower end portions of the shanks can be provided to deter withdrawal of the shanks and lifting of the turf.

Abstract: An improved machine for cutting into small pieces the thin wall material of disposable containers includes parallel, rotating cutting shafts having a plurality of cutting wheels thereon. The cutting wheels are separated by annular spacers which provide a rotating comber surface. There is a spacer comber partially encircling each of the annular spacers which has a lower section having a rounded surface. A cutting wheel comber partially encircles each of the cutting wheels and has a lower end with a rounded portion. The spacer combers having the rounded surface and the cutting wheel combers having the rounded portion prevent the collection of the small pieces within the improved machine.