Abstract: A bagger safety system includes a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, a light-detecting device and a backing assembly. The backing assembly includes a backing bar, a pair of reflectors and a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Light emitted from a light-emitting device reflects off the reflectors to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device and the controller controls movement of the backing assembly toward the heating element based on whether light from light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device.

Abstract: A bagger safety system includes a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, a light-detecting device and a backing assembly. The backing assembly includes a backing bar, a pair of reflectors and a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Light emitted from a light-emitting device reflects off the reflectors to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device and the controller controls movement of the backing assembly toward the heating element based on whether light from light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device.

Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.

Abstract: A water resistant scale damper has a damper sleeve with an interior passage, an open top, and an open bottom. A piston is received in and axially slidable along the interior passage and has a top surface, an underside, and a piston rod extending from the underside toward the open bottom. A top cap is fitted over the open top of the sleeve and an air chamber is created between the top cap and the top surface of the piston. An air passage is formed through the top cap to permit air to enter and exit the air chamber. A portion of the top cap can create an elongate, non-linear air channel between the air passage and a port remote from the air passage and formed through the top cap. A bottom cap can also be fitted over the open bottom of the sleeve. The bottom cap has an annular flange that extends radially inward from a skirt of the bottom cap. The flange is funnel-shaped so as to direct liquid from beneath the underside of the piston toward a central opening in the flange.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly comprises an A-frame assembly, a V-blade assembly pivoted to one end of the A-frame assembly, and a lift frame assembly pivoted to the other end of the A-frame assembly, the lift frame assembly adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle. The V-blade assembly comprises a pair of blades hinged together along inboard ends thereof, each blade of the pair of blades including first and second cutting edge plates removably secured to the blade, the first cutting edge plate fabricated of a first material, the second cutting edge plate fabricated of a second material, the first material having a greater resistance to abrasion wear than the second material.

Abstract: Low-cost, light weight portable cervical traction or spinal decompression devices for home use by a patient. A carriage is slidable along a portion of a support structure parallel to a longitudinal axis. The carriage includes a restraining mechanism adapted to releasably restrain a portion of a patient's body to the carriage. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is operatively coupled to move the carriage relative to the support structure when in a pressurized state. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is adapted to maintain a generally static traction force during a treatment period when in the pressurized state without additional pressurized air being supplied. A hand pump operated by the patient is fluidly connected to the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus to inject pressurized air. The hand pump is capable of injecting at least 138 kPa (20 psi) of pressure into the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus.

Abstract: A pair of tongs includes a first arm, a second arm, and a plastic hinge structure, constructed at least in part from a material different from at least one of the first arm and the second arm, joining the first arm to the second arm. The tongs may further include a steel spring, and the plastic hinge structure may be over molded to cover the steel spring.

Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.

Abstract: An implantable pump system includes: an implantable pump having separate chambers or reservoirs; and a catheter having two or more reservoir-specific inlet ports directed into respective lumens of the catheter. In one embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens may be directed to different sites within the patient's body, thereby allowing site specific and independent delivery of the medications stored in the respective pump chambers or reservoirs to be administered to different body sites at independently controlled times and rates. In another embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens are directed, more or less, to the same body site or tissue region, thereby providing for the independent delivery of multiple medications to the same regions at independently controlled times and rates.

Abstract: A lens holder includes which a bottom cover, a top cover, sliding means and clipping means for holding lens assemblies in an optical lighting system. The bottom and top covers have a plurality of slot extensions lining the interior of the two covers. The top cover clips to the bottom cover by a set of clips on each side of the top cover to a set of clip slots on each side of the bottom cover. Lens assemblies can consist of lenses assembled in a holder along with individual lenses which can slide into between slot extensions.

Abstract: A lens holder includes which a bottom cover, a top cover, sliding means and clipping means for holding lens assemblies in an optical lighting system. The bottom and top covers have a plurality of slot extensions lining the interior of the two covers. The top cover clips to the bottom cover by a set of clips on each side of the top cover to a set of clip slots on each side of the bottom cover. Lens assemblies can consist of lenses assembled in a holder along with individual lenses which can slide into between slot extensions.

Abstract: A snubbing network is provided for reducing electromagnetic ("EM") radiation from and power dissipation of a lamp discharge ballast. The snubbing network employs at least one active device. That device being a switch coupled in parallel with the modulating switch within a converter of the ballast. The snubbing switch, in conjunction with a current limiting inductor, and a voltage change rate limiting capacitor serve to substantially eliminate reverse recovery current within a freewheeling diode of the converter prior to closing the larger (modulating) switch. Reducing the reverse recovery current before closing the modulating switch helps minimize power dissipation during switch closure. A benefit of reduced power dissipation is a reduction in EM radiation from the lamp ballast to noise sensitive electronic components placed nearby.

Abstract: An automated color mixing wash luminaire includes a movable yoke and a housing movably connected to the yoke. The housing has a first portion including a light source and provides for removing heat generated from the light source. A second portion of the housing includes movable color filters and a power lens. The light source is operable to project a beam of light along a path through the color filters and the lens. Heat removal is provided by cooling fins and at least one heat filter supported in the path of the beam so that a portion of the beam passes through the heat filter and a portion of the beam is reflected from the path toward the cooling fins. The power lens is formed by a disc of cast transparent material including several lens elements in a honeycomb pattern. Each lens element has a convex surface. At least one of the color filters is a gradient density color filter formed of a disc-shaped substrate having a planar surface including a photolithograpically etched film deposited thereon.

Abstract: A lighting control console has a base and a top. The top includes a control panel having control members on one side operably connected to control circuits on an opposite side. The circuits are covered by a removable insulation member. The top is connected to the base and is movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the top and base are in nested contact. In the open position, the top is raised relative to the base. A storage compartment is provided in the base. The storage compartment and circuits can be accessed when the top is in the open position. When the top is in the closed position, the insulation member insulates the circuits from the storage compartment. A handle is provided on the console and is suitable for hand gripping so that the control console can be carried.