Abstract: A turntable assembly for a stretch wrapping machine comprises a frame, a hub rotatably mounted to the frame on a shaft, a turntable mounted to the hub, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame defining a generally horizontal supporting plane for the turntable. Each roller has an axis of rotation generally parallel to the supporting plane and generally passing through the turntable axis of rotation. The frame is constructed so as to elastically deform, upon a load being placed upon the turntable that results in the load not being evenly supported by the rollers, to permit the roller axis of rotation to tilt relative to the horizontal supporting plane while still passing through the turntable axis of rotation.

Abstract: The Construction Block Lock deals with a method to build block walls without the use of mortar by inserting a separate part between the bottom of a block and the top of the block it is resting on that fits the cores in the blocks locking the blocks in alignment. Assembly, disassembly and reassembly is clean and simple; essentially a stacking operation. For temporary assemblies and shipping no additional treatment would be necessary and in some cases for permanent assemblies may not be either.

Abstract: The Construction Block Lock deals with a method to build block walls without the use of mortar by inserting a separate part between the bottom of a block and the top of the block it is resting on that fits the cores in the blocks locking the blocks in alignment. Assembly, disassembly and reassembly is clean and simple; essentially a stacking operation. For temporary assemblies and shipping no additional treatment would be necessary and in some cases for permanent assemblies may not be either.

Abstract: A film dispenser for stretch wrapping machines includes at least one roller and a first brake engageable with a braking surface the one roller. The first brake may include a flat brake pad that is pivotally movable for engagement with the braking surface, and is adjustable between a first configuration engaged with the braking surface and applying a first braking force, and a second configuration disengaged from the braking surface or only minimally engaged with the braking surface such that any braking force applied is substantially less than the first braking force.

Abstract: A turntable assembly for a stretch wrapping machine comprises a frame, a hub rotatably mounted to the frame on a shaft, a turntable mounted to the hub, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame defining a generally horizontal supporting plane for the turntable. Each roller has an axis of rotation generally parallel to the supporting plane and generally passing through the turntable axis of rotation. The frame is constructed so as to elastically deform, upon a load being placed upon the turntable that results in the load not being evenly supported by the rollers, to permit the roller axis of rotation to tilt relative to the horizontal supporting plane while still passing through the turntable axis of rotation.

Abstract: Gusset Block Construction deals with a block that is cored from all sides. The blocks are cubes and elongated cubes with a pyramid or elongated pyramid shaped cavity on each side resulting in a block in which each of the twelve edges is central on a gusset shape extending from said edge to the central axis of the block. With the use of a second octahedron block that fits within the pyramid shaped cavities a wall that requires no fastening can be built by placing octahedrons in the top cavities of a layer of blocks and placing another layer of blocks on it. These blocks will be able to come apart at the joints during an earthquake without completely disassembling and can return to original position when the earthquake stops. They can be molded in a two piece split mold and are scaleable; tapered piers could be made.

Abstract: Plastic lumber having sufficient stiffness and strength to allow its use in structural and load-bearing applications. The plastic lumber is composed of a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer cured with reinforcing fibers and, preferably, a coupling agent and foaming or blowing agent. As a preferred embodiment, the thermosetting polymer and reinforcing fibers are sourced from recycled materials, specifically, sheet molding compounds and bulk molding compounds.

Abstract: An optical keyboard includes an optical panel having optical waveguides stacked together. First ends of the waveguides define an inlet face, and opposite ends thereof define a screen. A projector transmits a light beam outbound through the waveguides for display on the screen as a keyboard image. A light sensor is optically aligned with the inlet face for sensing an inbound light beam channeled through the waveguides from the screen upon covering one key of the keyboard image.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a detection system for locating and counting identification marks attached to a written or printed item. A signal processing method and apparatus is described which allows detection of multiple character marks as a single event in continually moving linear materials. The marks are passed between the path of a detection zone comprising a light source and a photodetector to precipitate a voltage drop and feeding that drop to a circuit that recognizes the drop and simultaneously triggers a time window during which changes in voltage are ignored, which time window is no longer than the time it takes for a full mark to pass under the zone and shorter than the time it takes for the leading edge of the next multicharacter marks to reach the detection zone.

Abstract: A set of ring shaped flag holders which surround a flag pole used to attach a flag to a flag rope. The flag eyelets rest over the rings and the flag is able to rotate around substantially the entire diameter of the pole without rubbing on it or wrapping around it. The flag is held close to the pole by the rings while it is moved up or down the pole or is hanging. Attaching the top flag holder is accomplished by slipping the ring through a simple loop configuration in the rope and pulling the rope tight forming an attractive and secure knot. Attaching the bottom flag holder is accomplished by simply slipping a slot in the ring over the rope. Attachment and removal of the flag is accomplished by hooks and eyes provided at opposite ends of the rings. When the eyes are engaged over the hooks the flag is locked on the rings; when it is unlocked the flag will easily slip off the rings. Construction of the rings is from a one piece wire form with no parts to stick or wear out.

Abstract: A device for perforating a film web while wrapping a load which the film web includes a web dispenser for dispensing the film web and an arrangement for providing relative rotation between the load and the web dispenser to wrap the film web on the load. It also includes electrodes positioned proximate to the film web and an arrangement for generating an arc at the electrodes to perforate the film web with the arc.

Abstract: A three dimensional large screen liquid crystal projection display utilizes wo liquid crystal light valves in tandem to produce polarization-type stereoscopic images in a large screen display format. Each light valve, driven separately by video input derived either from live scenes or computer generated data, presents one view of a stereoscopic image pair. Using one projection lamp, one projection lens, and a polarizing beamsplitter cube, the two images are optically combined and projected simultaneously onto a non-depolarizing screen. The particular optical geometry used results in orthogonal linear polarizations for the two images, so they can be viewed stereoscopically using polaroid glasses with appropriately oriented polarizing axes.

Abstract: A rail car having an interior cavity defined partially by vertical rail car side walls and a roof structure with an inwardly and upwardly directed portion to improve car clearance is disclosed. Access to the cavity for loading and unloading lading is through an end opening. A pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels, each panel of which is pivotally movable with respect to the others, are included for closing the end opening. Pivot means for mounting each of the door assemblies are provided to move the door assemblies between their respective folded open positions and unfolded closed positions. The pivot means are mounted for movement toward and away from the interior of the rail car to permit storage of the folded door assemblies within the rail car along the car side walls. Top panel portions extend from the top of the door assemblies angularly inwardly relative to the opening and in spaced relation with each other and the roof structure.

Abstract: An in-line cannula valve assembly for controlling flow through a conduit, comprising a housing, including a collapsible housing part having a flexible wall, joined to a relatively rigid housing part. A first fluid passage in the relatively rigid housing part are provided as a portion of the conduit. A cannula element is positioned with its piercing point end in the second fluid passage, and the opposite end is positioned adjacent the first fluid passage. The cannula element is adapted for longitudinal movement through the first and second passages. A longitudinal groove is defined in the cannula element extending to the opposite end, but terminating short of the piercing point end. Sealing means are positioned about the cannula element. Thus, the cannula element may be positioned in either a first, closed position in which the longitudinal groove is spaced from the sealing means, or a second.

Abstract: A flow control device for a fluid flow system includes a conduit having a cylindrical insert member disposed within. The insert member includes an axially-extending depression, and a flow bypass channel of progressively increasing cross-section within the depression. A roller mounted for movement along the wall compresses the wall into the depression to restrict flow to the underlying portion of the bypass channel. By positioning the roller the operative area of the bypass channel is varied to obtain a desired flow rate.

Abstract: An I. D. (identification) band clip adapted for use with a tape strip is herein disclosed. The clip has plastic upper and lower arms connected by a deformable hinge. A metal retaining clip of Z-shaped cross-section is positioned between the upper and lower arms. In use, a loop of tape strip has one end thereof fixedly held between the lower arm and the retaining clip, and the other end is fixedly held between the upper arm and the retaining clip.