Abstract: An improved antenna system for use at high frequencies such as cellular communication and PCS frequencies, having a steerable, multi co-linear array antenna in which the number of radiating elements per co-linear array increases monotonically from the periphery of the antenna to the middle of the antenna, and wherein the antenna is connected to a Butler matrix feed network, thereby providing steerability of the radiation pattern associated with the antenna. The improved antenna system achieves significantly lower sidelobe generation as compared to antenna systems using multiple co-linear arrays of radiating elements in which the number of radiating elements per co-linear array is constant. The Butler matrix feed network is implemented via a microstrip fabricated printed circuit board without crossovers.

Abstract: A broadband antenna array, formed of pairs of horizontally-spaced dipoles that are balun-fed, uses an air dielectric microstrip binary-feed network to optimize antenna bandwidth. Each dipole is fed by a three-wire balun which maintains the proper current distribution on the dipoles over the operating bandwidth. The binary-feed network feeds each dipole individually to further optimize the antenna's pattern bandwidth. The binary-feed network is formed using a conductive ground plane with spaced conductors to utilize an air dielectric, thereby minimizing antenna losses in the feed network. The feed network impedances are chosen to give a broadband impedance match to the dipoles, and the entire assembly of binary-feed network and dipoles is mounted in a reflector box, the dimensions of which are chosen to control the antenna beamwidth. Vertically stacked pairs are used to compress the vertical radiation pattern for greater antenna gain.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with a wheel-supported housing having a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below the blades and having a portion thereof providing an air and debris inlet opening, a motor mounted on the housing with a shaft extending into housing and supporting a disc for rotation with the shaft within said housing, the disc having a cutter on its top for slicing limbs and a slot adjacent said cutting means to permit sliced material to pass through the disc, downwardly extending blades mounted on the bottom of the disc move air and air entrained debris within the housing to an exit opening in said housing generally opposite the inlet for air and entrained debris, and a top opening in the housing is radially aligned with the cutter to accept limbs and the like to be fed through the opening to be engaged by the cutter.

Abstract: A discharge assembly controls the discharge of shredded and macerated materials from a chipper/shredder device. A discharge screen of the discharge assembly has a pair of fasteners on opposing ends of the discharge screen for removably mounting the screen on the chipper/shredder housing. An operator engageable handle is affixed to one end of the screen for handling the screen during installation and removal and a locator tab is affixed to the end of the screen opposing the handle and is received in aperture formed in the chipper/shredder housing for alignment of the discharge screen with the housing. A discharge tunnel is formed on a side of the housing and in communication with the discharge screen, and a service door is formed on a top side of a discharge tunnel allowing access to the tunnel for installation and removal of the discharge screen.

Abstract: A tamping tool having a pushing member configured for insertion into a hopper throat of a chipper/shredder device. An operator engageable handle is formed to an end of the pushing member, and a stop is formed intermediate the length of the pushing member for engagement with a hopper of the chipper/shredder to limit the distance the member may be inserted into the hopper throat, the position of the stop being selected to prevent the engagement of the tool with the pulverizing elements of the chipper shredder. A hook is provided on the handle for convenient storage of the tool on the hopper.

Abstract: An antenna base having a metal foot and plastic bezel injection molded around the metal foot to engage the metal foot. Double sided adhesive tape connects the antenna base to a non-conductive surface of a motor vehicle. In most instances this is a motor vehicle windshield. Inside the motor vehicle a coupling box connects communications signals from a signal source through the windshield to the metal foot. The coupling box supports a printed circuit board having conductive patterns on both sides for sending and receiving these communications signals. The metal foot also includes structure that allows an elongated antenna to be adjustably supported by the base in a signal sending and receiving orientation.