Abstract: Provided is a crossbow barrel comprising a first elongated shaft having a proximal end of the first elongated shaft and a distal end of the first elongated shaft opposite the proximal end of the first elongated shaft; and a second elongated shaft having a proximal end of the second elongated shaft, a distal end of the second elongated shaft opposite the proximal end of the second elongated shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system. The control valve includes a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly. The piston assembly includes a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly. The shuttle piston includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and is configured to selectively engage the second end of the main piston to form a seal therebetween and to selectively move relative to the second end of the main piston to form an opening between the second end of the main piston and the first end of the shuttle piston, in response to movement of the main piston.

Abstract: A method of producing an apparatus to remove ions from water is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a first electrode having a first current collector, a second electrode having a second current collector, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The method includes flushing water through the spacer and subsequently exerting a force on the stack so as to compress the first and second electrodes and the spacer. Exerting a force on the stack may result in a pressure of less than 5 bar, less than 2 bar, or between 1 bar and 0.5 bar, between the electrodes and the spacer.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a capacitive electrode stack. The capacitive electrode stack has a first electrode that includes a first current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus has a connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, and the connector includes a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing and to form a boundary for the water in the housing.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly comprises: a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover; a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch; and, a sealing plate comprising a substantially radial wall arranged between the cover and the piston plate and disposed radially inward of the annular surface, wherein: in a lockup mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate blocks fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate; and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate is deflectable to enable a fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate via a pathway between the cover and the sealing plate.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a capacitive electrode stack. The capacitive electrode stack has a first electrode that includes a first current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus has a connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, and the connector includes a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing and to form a boundary for the water in the housing.

Abstract: A method of producing an apparatus to remove ions from water is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a first electrode having a first current collector, a second electrode having a second current collector, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The method includes flushing water through the spacer and subsequently exerting a force on the stack so as to compress the first and second electrodes and the spacer. Exerting a force on the stack may result in a pressure of less than 5 bar, less than 2 bar, or between 1 bar and 0.5 bar, between the electrodes and the spacer.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch, and a first seal disposed radially inward of the annular surface. In a lockup mode for the torque converter, the first seal blocks fluid flow through an orifice in the piston plate or between the cover and the piston plate and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the first seal is deflectable to enable a fluid flow through the orifice or between the cover and the piston plate and around the first seal. In an example embodiment, the torque converter assembly includes an apply chamber, the piston plate is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the apply chamber, and the first seal is arranged to be deflected by the fluid pressure in the apply chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions including a plurality of capacitive electrode stacks. Each capacitive electrode stack may have: a plurality of first electrodes including a plurality of first current collectors; a plurality of second electrodes including a plurality of second current collectors; and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The second current collectors of a first of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks may be connected to the first current collectors of a second of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly comprises: a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover; a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch; and, a sealing plate comprising a substantially radial wall arranged between the cover and the piston plate and disposed radially inward of the annular surface, wherein: in a lockup mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate blocks fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate; and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate is deflectable to enable a fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate via a pathway between the cover and the sealing plate.

Abstract: A variable arc sprinkler head or nozzle may be set to numerous positions to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler head includes an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The sprinkler head may include a lock-out feature to prevent adjustment. A method of irrigation is also provided involving moving the deflector between an arc adjustment position and an operational, irrigation position. The sprinkler head may also include a flow rate adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch, and a first seal disposed radially inward of the annular surface. In a lockup mode for the torque converter, the first seal blocks fluid flow through an orifice in the piston plate or between the cover and the piston plate and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the first seal is deflectable to enable a fluid flow through the orifice or between the cover and the piston plate and around the first seal. In an example embodiment, the torque converter assembly includes an apply chamber, the piston plate is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the apply chamber, and the first seal is arranged to be deflected by the fluid pressure in the apply chamber.

Abstract: A hand-held hair cutting appliance has a housing, a first cutting blade, and a second cutting blade. The first cutting blade is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the housing. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the first cutting blade for drivingly reciprocating the first cutting blade relative to the housing such that the first cutting blade is moveable in a side to side direction relative to the housing and the second cutting blade. A counter weight is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to the housing in response to reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade. The counter weight has at least one of a mass and a location relative to the first cutting blade to thereby at least partially counter-balance the reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade.

Abstract: A variable arc sprinkler head or nozzle may be set to numerous positions to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler head includes an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The sprinkler head may include a lock-out feature to prevent adjustment. A method of irrigation is also provided involving moving the deflector between an arc adjustment position and an operational, irrigation position. The sprinkler head may also include a flow rate adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.

Abstract: A hand-held hair cutting appliance has a housing, a first cutting blade, and a second cutting blade. The first cutting blade is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the housing. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the first cutting blade for drivingly reciprocating the first cutting blade relative to the housing such that the first cutting blade is moveable in a side to side direction relative to the housing and the second cutting blade. A counter weight is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to the housing in response to reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade. The counter weight has at least one of a mass and a location relative to the first cutting blade to thereby at least partially counter-balance the reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade.

Abstract: A hand-held hair cutting appliance has a housing, a first cutting blade, and a second cutting blade. The first cutting blade is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the housing. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the first cutting blade for drivingly reciprocating the first cutting blade relative to the housing. A counter weight is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to the housing in response to reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade. The counter weight has at least one of a mass and a location relative to the first cutting blade to thereby at least partially counter-balance the reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade.

Abstract: A hand-held hair cutting appliance has a housing, a first cutting blade, and a second cutting blade. The first cutting blade is capable of reciprocating movement relative to the housing. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the first cutting blade for drivingly reciprocating the first cutting blade relative to the housing. A counter weight is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to the housing in response to reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade. The counter weight has at least one of a mass and a location relative to the first cutting blade to thereby at least partially counter-balance the reciprocating movement of the first cutting blade.

Abstract: A shift interlock mechanism for automatically shifting a sod cutter into a low gear when a cutting blade is lowered into the ground and automatically raising the cutting blade when the sod cutter is shifted into a high gear. The mechanism may include a cutting blade lever. The cutting blade lever may include a cam member which engages the shift lever creating cam action when the cutting blade handle is raised to the up position. When the cutting blade lever is moved to lower the cutting blade, the cam member moves the shift lever into a low gear. When the cutting blade handle is in the up position and the cutting blade has been lowered, the shift lever will oppose the cam member and create an opposite cam action, thereby raising the blade, when the shifter is moved into a high gear.

Abstract: A crossbow may include a main beam: (a) a bow assembly including a bow and a bow string adapted to propel an arrow; (b) a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam; (c) and a bow assembly mounting apparatus for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly at a first location on the main beam to provide a first draw weight and for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly to a second location on the main beam to provide a second draw weight that is substantially different from the first draw weight.

Abstract: A weapon, such as a crossbow or firearm, may have a main beam, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam and, a support rod that can be positioned into a first use position and a second stowed position. The support rod may have a first end used to support the main beam and a second end used to contact a ground surface. In one embodiment, a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface is attached to the second end of the support rod. In another embodiment, the support rod has a handgrip portion that receives a user's hand in supporting the weapon when shooting the weapon when the support rod is in the second stowed position. In still another embodiment, a mounting bracket is used to provide at least two locations for attaching the support rod to the main beam.