Abstract: A turf device driven by a traction drum. The traction unit is connected to the tool by an articulable joint which allows the traction unit to rotate horizontally (yaw) and vertically (pitch), as well as roll side-to-side in relation to the tool. The articulation allows the tool and the traction unit to follow undulations in the terrain separately and allows the mobile object to turn by yawing the traction member in relation to the tool.

Abstract: A turf device driven by a traction drum. The traction unit is connected to the tool by an articulable joint which allows the traction unit to rotate horizontally (yaw) and vertically (pitch), as well as roll side-to-side in relation to the tool. The articulation allows the tool and the traction unit to follow undulations in the terrain separately and allows the mobile object to turn by yawing the traction member in relation to the tool.

Abstract: A ladder rack for motor vehicles including at least two support mechanisms for supporting an item such as a ladder, a pivot for concurrently pivoting each of the support mechanisms between a first position and a second position, and a motion stabilizer mechanism mounted on each of the support mechanisms. In the first position, each of the support mechanisms is disposed above the vehicle. When in the first position, the item is secured on the support mechanisms against movement. In the second position, each of the support mechanisms is securely disposed adjacent to a side of the vehicle thereby enabling easy loading and unloading of the ladder from the rack. The motion stabilizer mechanism stabilizes and guides the motion of the ladder as the rack is moved between the first and second positions. In the preferred embodiment, the support mechanism width is adjustable to accommodate various sized ladders.

Abstract: Method for optimizing the print path of an articulated marking head during the application of a data string of segmented characters. The controlling program which implements the optimized marking head sequence provides for skipping unused line segments within a given data string, thus eliminating unnecessary marking head travel and lessening print cycle time.

Abstract: Marking of a generally planar object at a first surface thereof with one or more indentation-defined pixels. For generating the marking, an anvil member is provided as having an impact surface. A marking head is positioned at a fixed relationship with respect to the anvil member. The head includes a confronting portion opposing the impact surface, and a marker pin having a distal impacting tip issuing from the confronting portion which is reciprocatably actuable along a marking axis from a retracted position to an extended position. With the object disposed intermediate the marking head and the anvil member, and with at least a portion of the second surface of the object being supported on the impact surface of the anvil member, the object may be positioned at a predefined pixel location within a marking locus.