Abstract: A wheel lifter and tipper includes a hook end with a plurality of notches that are each configured for different wheel manipulations and/or for different types of wheels. Each of the plurality of notches is configured to tip wheels into an upright position without deflating or breaking a bead of a tire of the wheel. The device further includes a u-shaped bend configured to support a wheel during a wheel loading manipulation, and a pad end rotationally mounted to a body of the device. During the loading manipulation, the pad end remains stationary and acts as a fulcrum and the body with the u-shaped bend acts as a lever arm. The device is passed through a center of the wheel, and the lever arm is raised or lowered in order to raise or lower the wheel to or from a raised surface, respectively.

Abstract: A slide hammer bead breaker and wheel tipper tool includes a guide shaft, a weight slidably received within the guide shaft, and an impact head attached to an end of the guide shaft. The impact head includes a foot loop and a slot formed in each of two opposing sides, and includes a wedge protruding from an end opposite the guide shaft. The wedge is tapered and curved from the guide shaft to a tip, and includes a notch which separates the wedge into two wedge portions. Each foot loop is sized such that a user's foot can rest thereon.

Abstract: In an animation authoring system wherein knots along curves are provided in only selected frames, a method of breaking down knots in adjacent poses is automated without causing discontinuities in curves between poses by setting a first pose as a guarded frame for an object so that at least some of the values for animation variables (avars) in the guarded frame are protected and an animation variable (avar) having no knot at the guarded frame is merely implicit, then introducing a new knot for that avar position at a non-guarded frame, and introducing an implicit knot by setting its avar for the guarded frame at its previous implicit value. The new position can be effected by either adding a knot or removing a knot at a non-guarded frame. The invention provides a predictable workflow that cannot be changed retroactively when adjacent animation variables on a curve are changed.

Abstract: A tire lift and tipper includes a hook end with a plurality of notches that are each configured for different wheel manipulations and/or for different types of wheels. Each of the plurality of notches is configured to tip wheels into an upright position without deflating or breaking a bead of a tire of the wheel. The device further includes a u-shaped bend configured to support a wheel during a wheel loading manipulation, and a pad end rotationally mounted to a body of the device. During the loading manipulation, the pad end remains stationary and acts as a fulcrum and the body with the u-shaped bend acts as a lever arm. The device is passed through a center of the wheel, and the lever arm is raised or lowered in order to raise or lower the wheel to or from a raised surface, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a terrain database to find the elevation of the ground in the area of ground-mapping illumination to optimize the tilt of a ground-mapping antenna. An exemplary system located on a host aircraft includes a memory that stores terrain elevation data and a component that provides height, position, and orientation information of the host aircraft. A processor receives the height, the position, and the orientation information; defines a desired terrain area to be mapped, based on the received information; retrieves terrain elevation data from the memory, based on the desired terrain area to be mapped; and calculates at least one tilt angle for a ground-mapping radar function based on the retrieved terrain height value and the aircraft's height, position, and orientation information. One or more actuators is commanded to move an antenna based on the calculated at least one tilt angle.

Abstract: A tire service hammer includes a handle portion and a head portion having a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A method of manufacturing a tire service hammer includes providing a handle portion and providing a head portion that includes a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A tire servicing system for repositioning a wheel having a tire mounted on a rim includes a first grasping portion for securing a portion of the rim while repositioning the wheel, and a breaking portion for breaking a tire bead formed between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: A tire spoon for mounting or removing a tire from a wheel rim includes a spoon, and an elongated shaft. The spoon can be inserted between a wheel rim and a tire disposed thereon. The elongated shaft defines a lever arm that is distal from the spoon and that is configured to receive and transfer a lever force to the spoon to flex a portion of the tire about the wheel rim. A force member extends transversely from the shaft proximate to the spoon and between the spoon and the lever arm, and is configured to receive and transfer a pushing force to the spoon to drive the spoon between the tire and the wheel rim. A grip portion of the spoon has at least one groove configured to grip a surface of the tire and/or wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel hub removal tool is provided that allows a single technician to readily remove the hub using the vehicle steering. The tool is a generally U-shaped bracket that is seated on the ball-joint to support a pair of arms on opposite sides of the U-joint assembly. The arms carry corresponding blocks that are sized to seat between the drive axle housing and a component of the U-joint that is coupled to the wheel hub. The tool maintains a block on either side of the U-joint assembly so that pressure may be applied alternatively between the blocks to gradually dislodge the wheel hub from the axle. The tool is adjustable to accommodate different axle hub and bearing assembly configurations for different vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 2 or more pipes, wherein further, said 2 or more pipes comprising said conduit are twisted together.

Abstract: An extendable handled tool may include: a shaft; a hollow shaft extension encompassing the shaft and configured to move axially on the shaft so that the shaft moves in and out of the hollow space in the shaft extension; a locking collar attached to the shaft extension, the locking collar configured to rotate on the shaft; a tooth connected to the locking collar such that the tooth rotates with the locking collar; and a locking ring mounted on the shaft, the locking ring configured to fit with the tooth to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents the shaft extension from moving axially with respect to the shaft and the unlocked position permits the shaft extension to move axially with respect to the shaft. A method of exting a handle on a tool may also be provided.

Abstract: A method allowing for quick manipulation of weight values associated with points on a polygonal mesh that is to be deformed. A point on the polygonal mesh may be selected by the user. Then, a solution space of possible positions for the selected point may be calculated by solving a deformation model for a range of weight values. A graphical representation of the solution space may be provided, such as a locus of possible positions for the selected point, where each point on the locus corresponds to a particular weight value. Manipulation of these weight values, and hence, the deformation of the polygonal mesh, may be achieved simply by selecting a position on the locus. The mesh may be updated to reflect the weight corresponding to the selected position.

Abstract: A flavor and aroma enhancer cooking sauce in which pureed peppers and onions are cooked/sautéed to achieve a caramelization, into a pourable viscous formula that can be easily used on a variety of foods as a condiment, dipping sauce, marinade or recipe flavor and aroma enhancer of authentic Ethnic style sautéed peppers and onions.

Abstract: A tire service hammer includes a handle portion and a head portion having a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A method of manufacturing a tire service hammer includes providing a handle portion and providing a head portion that includes a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A tire servicing system for repositioning a wheel having a tire mounted on a rim includes a first grasping portion for securing a portion of the rim while repositioning the wheel, and a breaking portion for breaking a tire bead formed between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: A geothermal heat exchange apparatus is disclosed that comprises a flexible assembly of a plurality of pipes twisted on a central conduit. The central conduit has a tubular structure. The plurality of pipes is twisted around the central conduit. The plurality of pipes is adapted to connect to an external environmental control system that supplies a heat exchange liquid for the transfer of heat through the plurality of pipes. The geothermal heat exchange apparatus is adapted for positioning in a hole in the earth for the exchange of heat.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: A slide hammer may be provided. The slide hammer may include: a body defining a through hole and a first attaching surface; an auxiliary weight having a second attaching surface configured to attach to the body at the first attaching surface, the auxiliary weight having a through hole located to align with the through hole in the body when the auxiliary weight is attached to the body; and a shaft located in the through holes in the body and auxiliary weight. A method of constructing a slide hammer is provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a walk-in tub having an outward opening door that includes a walk-in bathtub having an outward opening door. The tub includes a body, which defines a cavity and at least one access wall which itself contains an entry surface that extends laterally away from the cavity. The entry surface defines a doorway or portal that is in communication with the cavity to facilitate lateral ingress to and egress from the cavity by a bather. Also contemplated with the scope of the invention are door sealing assemblies that serve to seal the door against the access wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system wherein said conduit comprises 2 or more pipes, wherein said 2 or more pipes are twisted together, wherein further that said 2 or more twisted pipes are twisted around a central pipe, further provided that the functions of said central pipe include, but are not limited to, serving as a conduit for a tremie pipe, serving as a support pipe, serving as an insulating pipe or serving as a tremie pipe.

Abstract: An extendable handled tool may include: a shaft; a hollow shaft extension encompassing the shaft and configured to move axially on the shaft so that the shaft moves in and out of the hollow space in the shaft extension; a locking collar attached to the shaft extension, the locking collar configured to rotate on the shaft; a tooth connected to the locking collar such that the tooth rotates with the locking collar; and a locking ring mounted on the shaft, the locking ring configured to fit with the tooth to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents the shaft extension from moving axially with respect to the shaft and the unlocked position permits the shaft extension to move axially with respect to the shaft. A method of extending a handle on a tool may also be provided.