Abstract: A utility transport tractor having a cargo box above the rear axle with the operator's platform forward of the rear axle enabling additional seats to be included. To maintain the functionality of a conventional agricultural tractor, the cargo box tail gate and a portion of the cargo box floor can be raised to positions in which they both extend upwardly and forwardly toward the operator. In these positions, the three point hitch at the rear of the tractor is visible to the operator as is typically the case conventional agricultural tractors. The tail gate is mounted to the cargo box for rotation about multiple axes to pivot the tail gate to multiple open positions.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a first member having a slot formed therein, a pin laterally extending into the slot and having an abutment facing the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member, and a second member rigidly secured to the pin and movable relative to the first member along the slot. A plastic bushing encircles the pin and extends into the slot. The bushing has a flange engaging the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member. A plastic washer encircles the pin and is located between the first and second members. A spring washer such as a wave or Belleville washer is located between the abutment and the flange and resiliently biases the second member relative to the first member to resist relative lateral movement between the first and second members to reduce lash therebetween. The pin can be ether a guide pin or a drive pin of the control pedal.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle an upper arm having a pivot axis and first and second generally planar members, and a lower arm having a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end operatively connected to the upper arm for selected movement relative to the upper arm. The first and second members are generally parallel and spaced apart. The first and second members each form first and second camming surfaces at a peripheral edge thereof. The upper arm carries first and second cam pins laterally extending from the lower arm and engaging the first and second camming surfaces respectively. The first and second camming surfaces and the first and second cam pins are adapted to mechanically lock the upper and lower arms together for mutual rotation about the pivot axis upon application of a load to the pedal. Preferably a spring operably connects the upper and lower arms to resiliently bias the first and second cam pins into engagement with the first and second camming surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal. The lower arm is selectively moveable relative to the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper arm. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and is adapted to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is operatively connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw. The lower arm is operatively connected to the drive nut for fore-aft movement of the lower arm relative to the upper arm upon axial movement of the drive nut along the drive screw. A control system includes a sensor located at the drive screw and adapted to directly sense rotation of the drive screw and a controller in communication with the sensor to receive electrical signals from the sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal. The lower arm is selectively moveable relative to the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper arm. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and is adapted to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is operatively connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw. The lower arm is operatively connected to the drive nut for fore-aft movement of the lower arm relative to the upper arm upon axial movement of the drive nut along the drive screw. A control system includes a sensor located at the drive screw and adapted to directly sense rotation of the drive screw and a controller in communication with the sensor to receive electrical signals from the sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a first member having a slot formed therein, a pin laterally extending into the slot and having an abutment facing the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member, and a second member rigidly secured to the pin and movable relative to the first member along the slot. A plastic bushing encircles the pin and extends into the slot. The bushing has a flange engaging the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member. A plastic washer encircles the pin and is located between the first and second members. A spring washer such as a wave or Belleville washer is located between the abutment and the flange and resiliently biases the second member relative to the first member to resist relative lateral movement between the first and second members to reduce lash therebetween. The pin can be either a guide pin or a drive pin of the control pedal.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal. The lower arm is selectively moveable relative to the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper arm. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and is adapted to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is operatively connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw. The lower arm is operatively connected to the drive nut for fore-aft movement of the lower arm relative to the upper arm upon axial movement of the drive nut along the drive screw. A control system includes a sensor located at the drive screw and adapted to directly sense rotation of the drive screw and a controller in communication with the sensor to receive electrical signals from the sensor.

Abstract: This invention pertain to a new and unique spoon and the process of manufacturing them. The new type of spoon includes a pliable core encased within soft or rubber body. A pliable core allows adjustment of the shape of the spoon to provide differing wobble and swim patterns in the water. The core, which may be made of thinly drawn metal or wire, may bear visual enhancing decals; the body may be either translucent or opaque. Rings at the ends provide a place to attach tackle. Terminal tackle, such as a treble hook, may be attached at either end, thereby giving an angler a choice of two distinct riggings for the spoon; one rigging that leads with the narrow end and the other that leads with the wide end. The unique spoon and the method of manufacturing thereof creates a lure that is more attractive and acceptable to game fish.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal and selectively movable relative the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal. The upper arm has a vertically extending flat or planar portion and a substantially horizontal slot formed at the planar portion. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm and is laterally spaced apart from the planar portion generally parallel to the slot. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and moves axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw in one direction or the other. The lower arm has a guide extending into the slot which is connected to the drive nut for linear fore-aft sliding movement of the guide along the slot upon rotation of the drive screw and resulting linear fore-aft movement of the pedal.

Abstract: Methods are described for producing recombinant DNA molecules from suitable host vectors and nucleic acids subjected to 3'-terminal transferase activity. In one embodiment, the method takes advantage of the single 3'-deoxy-adenosine monophosphate (dAMP) residues attached to the 3' termini of PCR generated nucleic acids. Vectors are prepared with recognition sequences that afford single 3'-terminal deoxy-thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) residues upon reaction with a suitable restriction enzyme. Thus, PCR generated copies of genes can be directly cloned into the vectors without need for preparing primers having suitable restriction sites therein. The invention also contemplates associated plasmid vectors and kits for implementing the methods.

Abstract: A device for protecting floors and floor coverings from paint and splatter having a board with flexible lips that can seal the wall from the floor surfaces. The device can also be bent to accommodate curved surfaces, such as columns.

Abstract: Methods are described for producing recombinant DNA molecules from suitable host vectors and nucleic acids subjected to 3'-terminal transferase activity. In one embodiment, the method takes advantage of the single 3'-deoxy-adenosine monophosphate (dAMP) residues attached to the 3' termini of PCR generated nucleic acids. Vectors are prepared with recognition sequences that afford single 3'-terminal deoxy-thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) residues upon reaction with a suitable restriction enzyme. Thus, PCR generated copies of genes can be directly cloned into the vectors without need for preparing primers having suitable restriction sites therein. The invention also contemplates associated plasmid vectors and kits for implementing the methods.

Abstract: Speech signals are analyzed by correlating a sequence of samples to derive a sliding average magnitude difference function (SAMDF) whereby histograms are formed which are compressed and normalized to form histogram sequences representing the speech signal for comparison and recognition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a signal transformation useful in signal processing. According to the preferred embodiment, a signal, e.g., a speech waveform, is first converted into a sequence of digital data samples, and a reference position along a first sub-part of the sequence is then selected. A "weighted" histogram corresponding to the reference position is then generated according to a correlation function. Thereafter, a new reference position is selected, for example, at a sub-part of the sequence located a pitch period of the signal from the original reference position, and an additional histogram is generated for this sub-part. The plurality of histograms comprise the transformation of the signal, which retains a substantial part of the informational content of the original signal. Therefore, the transformation is then used as the signal itself in signal processing applications such as speech compression and synthesis.