Abstract: A yarn tensioning device capable of delivering yarn under tension from a spool to a braiding, weaving or knitting machine consisting of a base and a center rod mounted perpendicular to the said base serving to locates the spool while allowing it to pivotally rotate. The device further includes a pawl jointed to the base either via a pin joint or via a flexural hinge and operates in conjunction with a ratchet solidly attached to the spool. The device further includes a compliant yarn guiding means which ensure that yarn reels off at an essentially constant tension. The yarn reel-off tension can be adjusted by modifying the operating length of a stiffening spring using a screw and jam-nut pair, and by limiting the maximum deflection of the compliant yarn guiding means.

Abstract: A hand-actuated earth auger of the type used to drill water wells, for taking soil samples, or other similar purposes is disclosed. It consists of a spiral or bladed earth drill, extended with one stem rod consisting of one or more stem segments, and one tee handle mounted on a handle collar. The handle collar can be clamped at any height along the stem rod, while the tee handle can be attached to the handle collar in two configurations, resulting in two different heights of the handle. These features allow the operator to lift the auger out of the ground by doing a seated calf raise in two quick increments, corresponding to the two configurations of the tee handle. It also allows the stem rod to be assembled of fewer, but longer stem segments, thus saving on cost.

Abstract: A geared parallel manipulator of the SCARA type is provided that consists of a pair of motors, each driving in a controlled manner a pinion. The two pinions mesh each with a rack, said two racks being joined together via a revolute, or via a flexure hinge. The proposed parallel manipulator is simple in design and can be fabricated inexpensively of stamped sheet metal or of extruded parts. It can also be fabricated as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) using thin film technologies.

Abstract: A hand-actuated earth auger of the type used to drill water wells, for taking soil samples, or other similar purposes is disclosed. It consists of a spiral or bladed earth drill, extended with one stem rod consisting of one or more stem segments, and one tee handle mounted on a handle collar. The handle collar can be clamped at any height along the stem rod, while the tee handle can be attached to the handle collar in two configurations, resulting in two different heights of the handle. These features allow the operator to lift the auger out of the ground by doing a seated calf raise in two quick increments, corresponding to the two configurations of the tee handle. It also allows the stem rod to be assembled of fewer, but longer stem segments, thus saving on cost.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device capable of delivering yarn under tension from a spool to a braiding, weaving or knitting machine consisting of a base and a center rod mounted perpendicular to the said base serving to locates the spool while allowing it to pivotally rotate. The device further includes a pawl jointed to the base either via a pin joint or via a flexural hinge and operates in conjunction with a ratchet solidly attached to the spool. The device further includes a compliant yarn guiding means which ensure that yarn reels off at an essentially constant tension. The yarn reel-off tension can be adjusted by modifying the operating length of a stiffening spring using a screw and jam-nut pair, and by limiting the maximum deflection of the compliant yarn guiding means.

Abstract: The restretchable stencil frame according to the present invention consists of a metallic stencil foil mounted on a rectangular frame fabricated of tubular material or C-channel. Each corner of the frame is provided with one screw-actuated conical expander and one counterplate serving to biaxially tension the stencil foil. To ensure uniform stretching of the stencil foil, areas of increased elasticity are provided to the corners of the frame and to the foil itself in the form of oriented slots, cuts, holes and combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for simulating the chewing process for the purpose of testing dental materials and implants and for the purpose of analyzing food samples. The apparatus comprises a frame, a stationary platform connected compliantly to the said frame and a moving platform corresponding to the maxillae and mandible of humans or animals, to which dentures or teeth are affixed. The moving platform is guided and driven in mandibular motion using six rods fitted with spherical joints at both ends. Said ball-jointed rods are attached with one end to the moving platform, and with the other end either to the frame of the apparatus, or to rotary cranks driven synchronously by a motor via a transmission. The rotary cranks together with their motor and transmission are mounted on a carrier which is adjustably attached to the frame of the apparatus.

Abstract: Cover crops may be rolled and crimped using an apparatus which may be rolled across a field at a relatively high speed without excessive vibration. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical drum which has a plurality of rows of outwardly extending blades projecting therefrom. The blades may be wave-shaped, curved, substantially straight and discontinuous, blades paired with a plurality of spaced apart outwardly extending rings, or combinations thereof. In use as the apparatus is rolled across a field having a crop thereon, the blades contact and crimp the stalks of the crop, effectively killing the plant.