Abstract: A constant current driver circuit is provided for a vehicle light assembly having a plurality of light strings arranged in parallel with each other. Each light string in the plurality of light strings includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) electrically coupled in series with an LED driver. The driver circuit includes a bias circuit, a voltage regulator circuit and a sense circuit. The bias circuit is electrically coupled to each LED driver at a common node and, in absence of a trigger signal, operates to supply a bias voltage to each LED driver. The voltage regulator circuit is electrically coupled to the common node and regulates the bias voltage supplied by the bias circuit. The sense circuit is configured to detect on/off state of the voltage regulator and, in response to detecting an off state for the voltage regulator, provides a trigger signal to the bias circuit.

Abstract: A constant current driver circuit is provided for a vehicle light assembly having a plurality of light strings arranged in parallel with each other. Each light string in the plurality of light strings includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) electrically coupled in series with an LED driver. The driver circuit includes a bias circuit, a voltage regulator circuit and a sense circuit. The bias circuit is electrically coupled to each LED driver at a common node and, in absence of a trigger signal, operates to supply a bias voltage to each LED driver. The voltage regulator circuit is electrically coupled to the common node and regulates the bias voltage supplied by the bias circuit. The sense circuit is configured to detect on/off state of the voltage regulator and, in response to detecting an off state for the voltage regulator, provides a trigger signal to the bias circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing balls in a fluid is disclosed which includes a container for storing soiled balls and a wash unit having an elongated cylindrical housing suitable for containing the fluid and having a lower end adapted for receiving balls and an upper end adapted for discharging balls. The container serially dispenses balls via a transfer chute to the lower end of the housing. The transfer chute includes apparatus for separating regular and irregular balls. Inside the housing, balls are conveyed from the lower end to the upper end by a screw conveyor system which agitates and scrubs the balls. The screw conveyer system includes an first screw conveyor located near the lower end, and a second screw conveyor located near the upper end. The first and second screw conveyors are spaced to form a conveyor free wash cell. Balls are discharged at the housing's upper end to a ramp having a plurality of overlapping flights, where the balls are rinsed.

Abstract: A securing band mechanism for snugly and securely wrapping around an object such as a person's wrist comprises: (a) a band; (b) a slotted receiver; and (c) two attaching mechanisms. The band is long enough so that one end of the band can be slid through the slotted receiver and doubled back along the band. The end section can then be sandwiched and attached on both sides between two other portions of the band by connecting matching hook and loop material on the band. Another end of the band can be slid through two slots in the slotted receiver to adjust the size of a closed loop formed by the band. The band can have a catching tab or, alternatively, two ears for preventing the slotted receiver from sliding off the band.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing balls in a fluid is disclosed which includes a container for storing soiled balls and a wash unit having an elongated cylindrical housing suitable for containing the fluid and having a lower end adapted for receiving balls and an upper end adapted for discharging balls. The container serially dispenses balls via a transfer chute to the lower end of the housing. The transfer chute includes means for separating regular and irregular balls. Inside the housing, balls are conveyed from the lower end to the upper end by a screw conveyor system which agitates and scrubs the balls. The screw conveyer system includes an first screw conveyor located near the lower end, and a second screw conveyor located near the upper end. The first and second screw conveyors are spaced to form a conveyor free wash cell. Balls are discharged at the housing's upper end to a ramp having a plurality of overlapping flights, where the balls are rinsed.

Abstract: A utility rack is provided that may be swiftly and easily attached to the exteriors of vehicles of various sizes. The utility rack has a carrier bar containing a hollow compartment. A rubber band or a spring inside the hollow compartment is attached at either end to a non-elastic strap which extends from the hollow compartment and outside the carrier bar to hooks or other anchors detachably affixed to anchor points on the vehicle. Locking mechanisms are mounted on the carrier bar to lock the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by a pawl mechanism or by a pin. The utility rack is placed on the vehicle by pulling on the non-elastic straps and placing their respective anchors on the anchor points of the vehicle and then locking the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by means of the pawl and ratchet mechanisms or pin-perforated strap locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An anchor for detachably securing utility racks to vehicles is provided. A plate made of a strong and flexible material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or synthetic aromatic polyamide is slotted on one end or otherwise provided with means for attachment to the utility rack. A substantial part of the plate is surrounded by fiberglass cloth sheeting contained within a cushioning neoprene envelope and an intermediate polyethylene resin barrier. A thin cushioning layer of neoprene rubber envelops the plate, fiberglass cloth sheeting and polyethylene barrier. Activated resin is introduced into the fiberglass cloth sheeting or a hardening material already in the fiberglass sheeting is activated. The activated resin in the anchor is allowed to harden while the anchor is in a configuration which conforms to an anchor site between a door and a jamb of the vehicle, or at some other location on the vehicle. A permanent, hardened, custom-fitted, and cushioned anchor is provided.

Abstract: A utility rack is provided that may be swiftly and easily attached to the exteriors of vehicles of various sizes. The utility rack has a carrier bar containing a hollow compartment. A rubber band or a spring inside the hollow compartment is attached at either end to a non-elastic strap which extends from the hollow compartment and outside the carrier bar to hooks or other anchors detachably affixed to anchor points on the vehicle. Locking mechanisms are mounted on the carrier bar to lock the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by a pawl mechanism or by a pin. The utility rack is placed on the vehicle by pulling on the non-elastic straps and placing their respective anchors on the anchor points of the vehicle and then locking the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by means of the pawl and ratchet mechanisms or pin-perforated strap locking mechanims.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for the continuous production of glass fiber mesh reinforced concrete panels consisting of a layer of light weight concrete core mix bonded to a web of glass fiber mesh on each face. An uncured ribbon of reinforced concrete is first formed, suitable for cutting into individual panels. A new method of depositing the cement slurry or core mix on the web of fiber glass has been developed; this is accomplished by conveying the web over a reversely-turning pumping roller which transfers a controlled amount of slurry or core mix to the web.

Abstract: A time display system has a decoder (22) to decode a received time signal indicative of the time at that instant, and controls a time display device (8) to display the time indicated by the time signal. The system also includes means (20) to generate a position signal indicative of the actual time displayed by the display device (8). The decoded time signal and the position signal are compared by a comparator (21) and if they differ, a time adjust signal is generated by time adjustment means (14) to correct the displayed time. Preferably, the time signal is a high frequency signal modulated with time data.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequential cyclic operation of a plurality of magnetic tape playing devices. A single side of each tape in each device is played one after the other until all the devices have been operated. Then the other side of the tape is sequentially played. The operation of the device is controlled by logic circuitry responsive to an end-of-tape sensor to operate the next device, switch the tape drive mechanism of the device just operated to play the other side of the tape when activated, and finally to switch off the previously played device. A trouble indicator responsive to the failure of the drive mechanism to be switched from one way of operation to the next is also disclosed.