Abstract: A popcorn popping assembly includes a popcorn popping kettle having a side wall extending from a bottom wall. The assembly includes a plurality of retainers. Each of the retainers includes a bottom wall extending between a pair of side walls. The side walls and the bottom wall define a cavity, and an aperture is formed in the bottom wall and defines an essentially closed shaped periphery. The assembly includes a plurality of studs, each configured to be inserted through a respective aperture of a respective retainer. A plurality of fasteners are each configured to be received within the cavity of a retainer and couple with a stud to secure the stud to the retainer. A temperature sensor may extend through at least one of the apertures. A stud may be configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor and hold the temperature sensor in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A popcorn popping machine is provided including a cabinet, a popcorn popping kettle mounted within the cabinet, and a pump mounted at a height above a height of the kettle that is configured to pump oil from a container of oil and deliver the oil to the kettle. Control circuitry is provided for operating the pump to deliver oil to the kettle.

Abstract: A popcorn popping assembly includes a popcorn popping kettle having a side wall extending from a bottom wall. The assembly includes a plurality of retainers. Each of the retainers includes a bottom wall extending between a pair of side walls. The side walls and the bottom wall define a cavity, and an aperture is formed in the bottom wall and defines an essentially closed shaped periphery. The assembly includes a plurality of studs, each configured to be inserted through a respective aperture of a respective retainer. A plurality of fasteners are each configured to be received within the cavity of a retainer and couple with a stud to secure the stud to the retainer. A temperature sensor may extend through at least one of the apertures. A stud may be configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor and hold the temperature sensor in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A popcorn popping machine is provided including a cabinet, a popcorn popping kettle mounted within the cabinet, and a pump mounted at a height above a height of the kettle that is configured to pump oil from a container of oil and deliver the oil to the kettle. Control circuitry is provided for operating the pump to deliver oil to the kettle.

Abstract: A kettle for popping corn has a thick film heater applied to a bottom wall of the kettle. The thick film heater may be used to uniformly heat the kettle or provide a controlled temperature gradient across the kettle cooking surface. The kettle and thick film heater provide efficient heating of the kettle and better control of heat supplied to the cooking surface.

Abstract: A currency removal sensor system for detecting removal of currency from a cash drawer includes a tray base positioned within the bottom of the cash drawer and a removable tray sitting on top of the base. A sensor is mounted at a predetermined location in the tray base and is coupled to alarm circuitry. The tray includes a number of currency compartments, at least one of the currency compartments including a pivoting currency clip having an upward position and a downward position. The currency clip includes a magnet which is suspended away from the sensor in the base when the clip is in the upward position and which lies proximate the sensor when the clip is in the downward position to activate the sensor and initiate an alarm.

Abstract: A power module for providing power to any one of a plurality of special purpose woodworking tools has a variable speed headstock on a base, and a tool support carriage on the base. The tool support carriage is formed with two pairs of tube-receiving sockets for receiving the support tubes of a special purpose woodworking tool. The sockets are formed at two different levels above the base, such levels corresponding to the difference in spacing of the input shaft connections with respect to the support tubes. The base is mounted for movement toward and away from the headstock, providing alignment of the input shaft with the headstock hub. A variable speed drive in the headstock employs an intermediate three-section pulley of the variator type, and a speed control knob is connected to position the variable speed drive to provide for the selection of speed for any particular tool.

Abstract: A duplicating system, especially for use with a multipurpose woodworking machine capable of performing lathe turning operations. The system includes a support table, a carriage adapted to be slidably mounted on the machine, and a locking rack and pinion for raising and lowering the table relative to the carriage. A tool support is positioned on the table and includes a base having a low friction pad for engaging the table top, a follower for contacting a pattern, and a multi-edge cutting tool rotatably mounted on a tool rod for engaging a workpiece. An insert guide is mounted on the tool rod to hold the cutting tool in position. The base has a set screw which engages a circumferential groove in the shank of the tool rod so that the cutting tool can be quickly and accurately positioned relative to the follower.

Abstract: A sun roof assembly and seal therefor comprises a flexible ring shaped member having a base with a groove therein for receiving a continuous rigid bead on the frame of the sun roof and a tubular bulb positioned on the upper wall of the base. When the cover of the sun roof is opened the upper wall of the bulb springs upwardly above the level of the roof in which the sun roof is installed, but when the cover is closed, the upper wall of the bulk is compressed against the base above the rigid bead to seal the sun roof against leakage.

Abstract: A portable dust collector which includes a housing having a dust-proof chamber, a motor and blower enclosed within the chamber, a centrifugal blower driven by the motor and exhausting through a diffuser into the housing, a filter bag enclosing the top of the housing, a collection bag enclosing the bottom of the housing, and a support extending downwardly from the housing to the base for providing clearance below the housing sufficient for the collection bag. By positioning the motor within a dust-proof chamber inside the housing, the dust collector has better balance and portability and requires less floor and storage space than prior art collectors with exterior motors. The collector also includes a diffuser which is attached to the blower outlet and is shaped to direct the effluent from the blower downwardly into the collection bag.

Abstract: A duplicating system, especially for use with a multipurpose woodworking machine capable of performing lathe turning operations. The system includes a support table, a carriage adapted to be slidably mounted on the machine, and a locking rack and pinion for raising and lowering the table relative to the carriage. A tool support is positioned on the table and includes a base having a low friction pad for engaging the table top, a follower for contacting a pattern, and a multi-edge cutting tool rotatably mounted on a tool rod for engaging a workpiece. An insert guide is mounted on the tool rod to hold the cutting tool in position. The base has a set screw which engages a circumferential groove in the shank of the tool rod so that the cutting tool can be quickly and accurately positioned relative to the follower.

Abstract: A running board and lighting assembly therefor for mounting to a vehicle and in which the running board includes a deck and an elongate plate extending angularly from an edge of the deck. A pair of inwardly turned flanges are formed integrally with the plate extending longitudinally of the deck and parallel thereto to form a channel at the edge of the plate adjacent the deck to slidably receive a light strip or other slidable element.

Abstract: A running board construction for mounting to a vehicle includes an elongate deck and at least one bracket extending beneath and transverse to the deck, the bracket being attachable to the frame of the vehicle for mounting the running board to the vehicle. A single channel is formed integrally with the underside of the deck in substantially the center of the deck and a pair of flanges are also formed integrally with the deck and spaced to both sides of the channel. The channel slidingly receives a bolt for fastening the bracket to the underside of the deck and the flanges extend to a lower elevation than the channel, such that when the bolt is tightened, the bracket is bowed beneath the deck.

Abstract: An improved running board construction for mounting to a vehicle includes an elongate deck and at least one bracket extending beneath and transverse to the deck, the bracket being attachable to the frame of the vehicle for mounting the running board to the vehicle. A single channel is formed integrally with the underside of the deck. The channel includes a pair of walls which are spaced transversely from each other and a pair of inwardly turned lips on the walls extending toward each other. A plate which also extends transversely of the deck is slidably received in the channel and bolts having flat sided heads extend downwardly from the slidable plate for attaching the plate to the bracket. The flat sided heads of the bolts are positioned against at least one of either the walls of the channel or against a raised bead on the plate to prevent the bolts from turning.