Abstract: A launch vehicle assembly has a launch vehicle body (10) having a first slot (48a) therein. A first magnet (50a) is disposed within the first slot (43a). A fairing assembly (12) is positioned adjacent to the vehicle body (10). The fairing assembly (12) has a second slot (30a) therein positioned opposite the first slot (48a). A second magnet (40a) is disposed within the second slot (30a) so that the second magnet (40a) repels the first magnet (50a).

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided that enhance the accuracy of the service attitude of an inclined-orbit spacecraft and, thereby, facilitate reduction of service error between a communication service area and the spacecraft's payload beam. The enhancement is realized by configuring a beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that substantially matches a beacon-station window. Preferably, the beacon-receiving field-of-view is elongated and tilted to enhance its match with the beacon-station window in both size and orientation. The goals are also realized by configuring the beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that is substantially smaller than the beacon-station window and successively steering a beacon-receiving boresight to successive beacon-receiving attitudes that maintain the beacon station within the beacon-receiving field-of-view over each solar day.

Abstract: A method for rapid earth reacquisition of a spacecraft. A three-axis inertial attitude of the spacecraft is determined by rotating the spacecraft about its pitch axis while measuring star patterns. A pitch axis of the spacecraft is aligned with earth's pole axis. The spacecraft is reoriented with respect to an earth-pointing reference frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a power lever tactile cueing system for providing tactile alerts to pilots as operational limits of an aircraft are approached. The cueing system generates a tactile cue comprising a variable dive rate and a variable friction force on a power lever of an aircraft. The cueing system provides spring-like tactile cues when power commands reach a predetermined operating limit, without the use of mechanical springs. The cueing system trims down the power lever position and provides the additional friction force based upon aircraft and engine state. The cueing system remains activated until the aircraft is again operated within its operational limits. The pilot may override the cueing system in certain situations.

Abstract: A lug system having a lug and a receiving housing. A turning knuckle is joined to the receiving housing by an adapter. The lug, the turning knuckle and the adapter form a cable channel which opens into the inner chamber of the receiving housing. The adapter is connected to the receiving housing in a stable manner. The receiving housing has a housing frame composed of frame profiles. The housing frame is closed or can be closed on the backside by a separate back wall. The adapter is connected to at least one of the frame profiles and has a connected section for the turning knuckle. The connected section protrudes over the frame profile on the backside.

Abstract: An internal telescopic stand mounted inside an inanimate object to support the inanimate object includes a top bracket assembly, a medial bracket assembly, a base assembly, an upper spring-loaded telescopic tube assembly and multiple lower spring-loaded telescopic tube assemblies. The telescopic tube assemblies connect the top bracket assembly, the medial bracket assembly and the base assembly together. Each telescopic tube assembly has spring-loaded telescopic tubes that can be overlapped to allow the internal telescopic stand to be variable in height between an extended position and a retracted position. In addition, the top bracket has two pivotal hooks. The medial bracket assembly has two sliding locks. The pivotal hooks will lock the sliding locks when the internal telescopic stand is adequately retracted to hold the internal telescopic stand in a retracted position.

Abstract: A standing device for a spray gun includes a clamping device a clamping device adapted to clamp a neck portion of the spray gun and including a first block and a second block abutting each other to form a clamping space adapted to receive the neck portion of the spray gun. A support rack pivotally connected to the clamping device. The support rack is made of a wire material by integral bending such that the support rack providing an elasticity to make the first block and the second block abutting each other.

Abstract: A tripod includes a body, three legs, a connecting bracket and a post. The body has a top surface, and the connecting bracket is attached to the top surface of the body. The post has a top end and a bottom end, and the bottom end of the post is pivotally attached to the connecting bracket. The three legs are attached horizontally to the body. Two of the legs are pivotally attached to the body such that the legs can be pivoted away from each other within an angular displacement. Consequently, the tripod will stand firmly on the ground to support an object such as a sheet music holder.

Abstract: An attachment device for a strap comprises a base, bar for attaching the base to a shoulder strap of a backpack and a releasable catch mechanism for securing an implement holder. The implement holder is adapted to be releasably secured to the base via the releasable catch mechanism. The releasable catch mechanism comprises an upwardly extending side wall extending up from the top surface of the base and having an overhanging lip. A flexible arm is integrally formed with the base near the side wall and has a free end extending above the plane of the base. An abutting surface is located on the free end and abuts the implement holder when it is inserted under the overhanging lip. The implement holder comprises a plate, a holder portion attached to the top surface of the plate and an attachment portion extending from the bottom surface of the plate.

Abstract: A modular display system for display devices, especially flat screen monitors which is a hub and spoke design whereby multiple monitors are mounted at the same hub height. The display system has means for locking the height of each display device using a cam and brake concept adjusted using a jackscrew. For quick change-out of display devices, a bayonet mount is used to attach the display device to the spokes.

Abstract: A holder (10) for a beverage container, which is provided in the construction of a motor vehicle, is formed with two extensions (14, 16), which are displaceable from a base position in a housing (12) into a use position extended away from the housing (12). One of the two extensions (14) has a champagne glass holder (28), on which a champagne glass is held in a stabile manner with its foot by means of downwardly pivoting holding-down devices (36).

Abstract: The invention is a disk-shaped combination drink coaster and air freshener for a drink holder. The top layer absorbs condensation or liquid spills from a drink container. The disk may have a layer impregnated with an air freshener, which will gradually be released into the vehicle or room. The disk has a plurality of layers designed to absorb liquid spills and prevent liquid spills and the air freshener material from leaving deposits on the bottom of the drink holder. The device may be imprinted with advertising names or symbols. The device has perforations to facilitate tearing off part of the circumference of the disk to reduce its diameter. The disk can also be used in combination with a coaster holder impregnated with air freshener, the weight of which prevents the coaster and air freshener from sticking to the bottom of a liquid container when the container is lifted.

Abstract: A self-standing keyboard support having two L-shaped bands each consisting of a flat band portion and an edge portion extending from one side thereof at an approximately right angle to the respective flat band portion, with the flat band portions preferably differing in length. The edge portions of the two L-shaped bands are arranged in such a way that the respective outer sides thereof face each other. A thin resilient strip is placed across sides of the two flat bands portions opposite from the sides from which the edge portions extend and underneath the edge portions to join the two L-shaped bands together. Further an adhesive portion can be provided on the rear side of the thin resilient strip, thereby enabling its installation on a keyboard.

Abstract: A mounting device includes a display-supporting mechanism pivoted to a stationary base, so as to be rotatable relative to the stationary base. The display-supporting mechanism includes a bracket, and parallel first and second arm units that extend between and that are pivoted to the stationary base and the bracket and that cooperatively define a gap therebetween. An urging unit is connected to the first and second arm units in such a manner that downward rotation of the display-supporting mechanism relative to the stationary base from an upper position to a lower position results in widening of the gap, which, in turn, results in deformation of the urging unit, thereby storing a restoring force in the urging unit to urge the display-supporting mechanism in an upward direction.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a longitudinal adjustment device for vehicle seats, in which the seat is attached along each of its long sides to runner rails 10, mounted with freedom to slide in guide rails 15, which are attached to the vehicle. Each runner rail 10 has a locking device, which can be released from its connection to the guide rail 15. The locking device comprises a release lever 21, 22, supported with freedom to swivel on each runner rail 10, to move the device into its released position, which lever is to be shifted via rods 31, 32 of an actuating element 30 supported on the runner rails 10. The adjusting moment exerted on the actuating element 30 is transmitted to the rods 31, 32 via a differential, where the rods 31, 32 are disconnected from each other. As a result, each rod can be moved until the locking device has been moved completely into the position in which it is released.

Abstract: A hanger device 10 in an assembly of a clip 12 and a support member 13 for installation upon a wallboard 20. Clip 12 is formed as one piece, having an upturned arm (18), a downwardly turned leg (15), and a horizontally oriented extension member (16) connecting the two together. A hook (14) is mounted on leg (15) and a pointed end (22) is mounted on the terminal end of arm (18). An opening (21) is formed in support member (13) so as to mate geometrically to the rectangular cross section of extension member (16) to prevent turning of clip (12) after installation of device (10) in wallboard (20). A plurality of spaced-apart apertures (26) are provided in support member (13) for insertion of fasteners (25) to attach support member (13) to wallboard (20) and thus device (10). Device (10) carries much more weight in an article (44) than that of the present state-of-the art hangers.

Abstract: A method of constructing a wall form and of forming a wall includes employing a modular concrete form system having a clamping device to clamp adjacent modular form members to one another. The clamping device includes an elongated bar, a pair of clamps mounted on the bar, and a pair of clip assemblies mounted on the bar, the bar being shaped to complementarily engage the perimeter frames of the modular form members. The jaws of the clamps retain the perimeter frames of the adjacent modular form members against the bar, which clamps the form members to the bar and retains them in a flush orientation with one another. The clip assemblies each having a slidable tie clip formed with an opening for receiving a portion of a tie therein. The tie is tapered and is nominally of a circular cross section and formed with a plurality of spaced groves at the alternate ends thereof.

Abstract: A proportional flow control valve, for controlling fluid flow through a flexible tube, includes first and second jaws on opposing sides of the tube. An actuator drives one of such jaws for adjusting the separation distance therebetween. When the valve is open, the separation distance is small enough to partially deform the tube without significantly restricting fluid flow. When the valve is closed, the separation distance is just small enough to essentially block fluid flow. A control system controls the actuator to determine such separation distance. Such valve can be used within a level control system for controlling the thickness of a work material in a slurry form cast upon a moving belt. A fluid reservoir is disposed above the belt, and the control valve adds slurry to the reservoir. A lens disposed near the moving belt and above the reservoir is coupled by fiber optics to a remote sensor for detecting the height of the slurry.

Abstract: In a pressure-responsive actuator, the inside of a case is divided into first and second air chambers by a diaphragm, and a coil spring is accommodated in the second air chamber for exerting a spring force for urging the diaphragm in a direction to decrease the volume of the first air chamber. A rod is coaxially connected at one of opposite ends to a side of a retainer mounted to a central portion of the diaphragm on the side of the first air chamber and at the other end to a tip end of an arm fixed at its base end to a driven shaft rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a plane parallel to the rod. In this pressure-responsive actuator, the case is provided with a tilt-restricting portion for restricting the tilt of the rod to a range in which the contacting of the diaphragm with the inner surface of the case can be avoided.

Abstract: A device used for pneumatic control, includes a control piston carried in a cylinder. The control piston is mounted so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal piston axis, and a primary flow path that can be closed by the control pressure passes through the cylinder. The control piston is provided with a control surface that faces a control chamber of the cylinder and that is designed to transmit a control force to the control piston. The control piston includes a piston shank whose cross-sectional area is dimensioned so as to be essentially equal to a cross-sectional area of a flow orifice of the primary flow path that can be closed by the control piston and that faces an interior cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A water flow control device that regulates the amount of water flowing through a shower head is disclosed. The device is interposed between the shower head and the water supply line and consists of a sensor and a solenoid that actuates and deactuates a water limiting valve connected in the water supply line. The device can increase or decrease the flow of water through the shower head depending upon the position of the person with respect to the shower head. In this manner, the amount of water used by a person when showering is conserved.

Abstract: A positioner for a valve that is actuated by means of a drive. The positioner includes a locator (9) and a control unit (13). The locator (9) detects the actual position of an actuator (7). The control unit (13) compares the actual position with a predefined desired position, and generates an actuating signal. A magnet (18) having a magnetoresistive sensor, preferably a GMR sensor, is provided as the locator. The locator (9) is less susceptible to dirt and less prone to wear and tear than a conventional slide potentiometer. The positioner is thus less fault-prone.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve apparatus prevents fluid leakage and contains a stationary core having a shape of a bottomed, single-piece cup constructed by combining a housing portion, an attracting portion, a thin-walled portion that joins the housing portion and the attracting portion, and a flange portion. The housing portion has a closed bottom portion, and the attracting portion is adjacent an open end of the stationary core. The housing portion reciprocally supports a movable core. The thin-walled portion is a magnetic resistance portion for preventing leakage of magnetic flux. A magnetic cylindrical attracting member is press-inserted in the inner wall of the attracting portion located on the opened side of the stationary core. The attracting member is arranged face to face with the movable core in the reciprocating path of the movable core. Upon energizing a coil, a magnetic attractive force attracts the movable core to the attracting member.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) includes a body (A) having a passageway (12) extending therethrough with a ball member (B) disposed in the passageway and mounted for selective rotation between valve open and valve closed positions to control fluid flow through the valve. A pair of flange grooves are provided in the body on opposite sides of the ball. each flange groove extending radially from the passageway. A pair of seat rings (16) are disposed in the passageway on opposite sides of the ball. Each seat ring has a first sealing surface (24) in contact with an outer surface of the ball and a radially extending annular flange or tab (30) received in an associated one of the flange grooves (34). The seat design further includes a pair of annular flange seals (18, 20) each disposed in a respective one of the flange grooves.

Abstract: A valve with ball of controlled deformation for fluid shut-off comprising an external containment body (11), inside which is arranged a shutter element (13), movable between a closure position and an opening position of the valve, the shutter element cooperating with one or more seats (12) and providing for seal elements with respect to the containment body and to the shutter element, in which the shutter element provides for yielding zones (15a) in its spherical portions (15) disposed downstream of the seats with respect to a pressure zone. Preferably the yielding zones are provided by notches (19) produced on surface zones of the shutter elements in correspondence with the spherical portions.

Abstract: A portable hydraulic vehicle lift that functions as a vehicle trailer for transporting a vehicle over the road, and that includes a platform, and an elevating system for elevating the platform above the ground. The elevating system comprises a front leg assembly pivotally mounted on the platform that is pivotable between transport and lift positions, and a rear leg assembly pivotally mounted on the platform that is pivotable between transport and lift positions. A moving mechanism moves the front leg assembly between the transport and lift positions. A linking structure links the rear and the front leg assemblies for pivoting the rear leg assembly with the front leg assembly. Ground engaging wheels permit the platform to move over the ground and are mounted on the platform for elevating with the platform when the elevating system raises the platform such that the wheel are lifted from contact with the ground.

Abstract: A pneumatic nail puller tool for use with a standard needle scaler actuator. A needle scaler typically actuates a chipping hammer installed by means of a chuck. The nail puller tool is so sized and configured as to replace the chipping hammer and lock into its chuck. The nail puller, so installed, is useful in quickly removing nails from a work piece, even where a nail head is buried in the work piece. The nail puller includes a central shaft having a shank having flats and a detent seat for locking into the needle scaler chuck at one end and a nail removing claw at the opposing end. The claw is angled relative to the shaft to provide a lever point to assist in extracting the nail. The claw has sharp entrance points for digging into the work piece to grip an embedded nail head.

Abstract: A motorized scissor jack is provided including upper and lower limit switches. The motor is connected with a drive assembly that extends and retracts the jack through a displacement screw. The motor has two speeds. The jack is connectable to a vehicular or standard alternating current power source. The upper and lower limit switches limit the extension and retraction of the jack to defined peak and bottom points. The jack is configured for operation in inclement weather.

Abstract: An accessory for use in lifting jacks which is fixed to the standard of the jack and includes a plurality of accessories for enhancing the versatility of the lifting jack. Pulling and pushing instrumentalities can be oriented on the accessory to enhance the versatility of the lifting jack or the accessory can be used in lieu of a support platform where its downwardly extending spikes can penetrate into soft supporting material to provide increased hold of the standard.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device for an air balancing hoist for braking and finally stopping a reel drum in such a manner that upon fast rotation of the reel drum during a lifting-up operation, a braking pawl attached to the reel drum is locked into a ratchet wheel secured on an end cap due to centrifugal force. The air balancing hoist includes a housing 102 with a chamber 101, which compressed air is introduced into and discharged from, formed therein and with end caps 104, 111 mounted on both ends of the housing, a piston 105 reciprocating along an inner periphery of the housing 102, a ball screw 106 installed in the housing 102 so that it penetrates the piston 105 and is secured to the end caps 104, 111 so as not to rotate, and a reel drum 110 with one end thereof rotatably supported by the piston 105 through a bearing 107 and with the other end thereof secured on a ball nut 108 rotatably engaged with the ball screw 106 so that the reel drum is rotated when moving along the ball screw 106.

Abstract: A metal fence post with a quick connection used for securing a portion of the fence wire next to the fence post. The metal fence post with a quick fence wire connection is designed to eliminate the use of a separate tying wire and twisting of the tying wire on the fence post using a pair of pliers. The metal fence post includes a plurality of equally spaced oblique studs disposed along the length of one side of the post. An equally spaced wire gap is provided between each of studs. The wire gap is dimensioned for receiving a portion of fence wire therein. Each of the oblique studs has a side profile of a trapezoidal geometric shape with a vertical base integrally attached to the side of the post and a parallel vertical top. An upper side and a lower side of the trapezoidal oblique stud is angled upwardly and inwardly from the base toward the top. In each of the studs is a vertical locking pinhole with an upper opening in the upper side and a lower opening in the lower side.

Abstract: A controlled equilibrium device comprising a housing; at least one spring, each at least one spring having a spring stiffness; and a load leveling device movable through the housing between a first maximum displacement position and a second maximum displacement position, the load leveling device comprising a deadband displacement zone defined between a first deadband displacement threshold and a second deadband displacement threshold, the displacement required to reach the first and second deadband displacement thresholds being less than the displacement distances required to reach the first and second maximum displacement positions, the at least one spring stiffness being substantially constant when the displacement of the load leveling device is within the deadband zone, the stiffness of the at least one spring being modified to a second stiffness when the load leveling device is equal to or beyond either the first deadband displacement threshold or the second deadband displacement threshold.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating device for mounting and/or supporting an apparatus in vibrational insulation from adjacent structures, and a method for fabricating the vibration-isolating device. The vibration-isolating device includes a housing with a side wall portion joined to an end cap. A cushion is disposed on an inner surface of the side wall portion. The cushion is at least partially spaced from the end cap to form an interior compartment. A displaceable member is affixed to the cushion, extending away from the end cap. The displaceable member moves relative to the housing to dampen vibrations or sudden forces exerted on either the member or the housing.

Abstract: A shock absorption mount has is generally C-shaped and has a top section, a bottom section, and a supporting section. The top section contacts an equipment mounting surface, while the bottom section contacts a foundation. The supporting section includes-an inclining section, an intermediate middle section, and a declining section. Preferably, the inclining section is a linearly inclining section and the declining section is a linearly declining section. The intermediate middle section has a curvilinear shape that has an elliptical inner segment and a circular outer segment. Preferably, the shock absorption mount is constructed of an elastomeric material having a flexural modulus in the range of about 10 and 100 ksi, a breaking strain greater than about 400%, and a yield strain greater than about 10%.

Abstract: The flexural device-based suspension suspends a movable element with high compliance in a direction of travel and low compliance in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel. The suspension comprises two flexural devices and a constraining element. The two flexural devices are connected to the movable element. Each of the flexural devices includes an elongate floating beam disposed substantially parallel to the direction of travel. The constraining element is for constraining relative motion of the floating beams in the direction of travel and for allowing the floating beams to move freely relative to one another in the orthogonal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus 100, 900 using elongated support members 110 to support a face of a workpiece 10 and respective protrusions 335. The elongated support members 110 are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material 120, where the elongated support members 110 are profiled against the workpiece 10 and respective protrusions 335. The profile of the elongated support members 110 is created by contacting forces 132 generated by bringing the workpiece 330 and the plurality of elongated support members 110 together. A holding force is then applied to the elongated support members 110 to support the workpiece 10 against forces applied by a workstation. Fluid 902 is used to raise expansion members to raise the plurality of elongate support members 110. A perforated plate 920 is used to control the flow of fluid 902 between a fluid cavity 910 and the plurality of expansion members 904.

Abstract: An inexpensive disposable cutting board is disclosed having a tough plastic upper sheet on a lower base. In one embodiment the lower surface of the base has a tough plastic lower sheet thereon, making the cutting board reversible for two uses. The reversible cutting board can include a manually removable, lightly adhered cover sheet to protect the lower sheet from contamination when it is face down on a surface when the upper surface of the cutting board is being used.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a discharge device having a pair of rotating shafts and discharge rotating bodies supported on the rotating shafts; a shift device for shifting the rotating shafts in a shaft direction; a support device for receiving and supporting the sheet discharged by the discharge means; an alignment device having an alignment reference member for aligning one edge of the sheet discharged on the support means and a moving member for moving the sheet to the alignment reference member along the shaft direction; a finishing device disposed at a side facing the support device with the alignment reference member in between for finishing the sheet aligned by the aligning device; and a shift tolerance portion disposed at a side facing the support device with the aligning device in between for allowing the rotating shafts to protrude when the shift device shifts the rotating shafts.

Abstract: A system and method for feeding and transporting documents are provided. The system includes a feeder stage including a hopper, a feeder and a separator. The hopper includes a hopper wall extending toward the feeder with a waterfall step along the hopper wall and with the stack of documents engaging the hopper wall including the waterfall step to form a pocket area over a limited distance extending from the waterfall step along the hopper wall toward the feeder. A photo edge detector located in the pocket area faces the stack of documents such that when a feeding document trailing edge passes the waterfall step, the trailing edge is detected by the photo edge detector while in the pocket area. The system further includes a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage for receiving the fed documents.

Abstract: Documents are fed in a stream through the first station of a machine that senses the last page of each document along alternative paths in order to accumulate the groups in a staggered stack on a vertically adjustable elevator. When this staggered stack reaches a predetermined number (N) the elevator drops down to off load the stack onto a takeaway conveyor. The documents continue to be accumulated at the second station on a reciprocating support surface that redeposits these additional documents on the elevator when the elevator returns to a raised position and the support surface is retracted.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: a multiple number of paper feed cassettes arranged abreast at approximately the same level in the sheet feed direction. These paper feed cassettes are formed into a unibody structure so that they can be pulled out altogether. The more upstream a paper feed cassette is located with respect to the sheet feed direction, the higher the level of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette is arranged. This arrangement affords a space over the downstream paper feed cassette, in which a feed path for recording paper picked up from a paper feed cassette located on the upstream side can be arranged.

Abstract: Envelope alignment of a vertical stack of envelopes in an envelope hopper is maintained by mechanically vibrating a preselected part of the hopper. In a first embodiment, the vibration is caused by a reciprocating shuttle having a wedge-shaped member attached to it. The reciprocating shuttle and wedge member are positioned at the bottom of the hopper so that the shuttle and wedge-shaped member support all of the envelopes. The reciprocation of the shuttle and hence the reciprocation of the wedge-shaped member continually jostles the envelopes. The wedge-shaped member ejects the lowermost envelope in the hopper when the reciprocating shuttle is displaced from a retracted position to an extended position. A motor is used to cause continuous reciprocation of the shuttle. In alternative embodiments, different parts of the envelope hopper are vibrated by any suitable vibration-causing member.

Abstract: A method of controlling or regulating the vertical position of piled or stacked sheets, which includes determining at the leading edge and at the trailing edge, respectively, of the sheet resting on the top of the sheet pile, the vertical position of the sheet: and, depending upon the vertical position of the leading edge and the trailing edge, respectively, moving in the vertical direction at least one lifting element associated with the sheet trailing edge. The method further comprises, displacing the sheet pile and the lifting element, respectively, a given distance in the vertical direction, when a large discrepancy is found between the vertical position at the leading edge and a nominal value.

Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus includes a plurality of pockets running along a track, each pocket including a setting device for adjusting a height of the pocket so as to define a set height. At least one setting actuator located to a side of the pockets is provided, with the setting actuator being selectively movable between a first position where the setting actuator contacts the setting device for adjusting the setting device when the pockets are stationary and a second position where the setting actuator is free from the setting device to allow movement of the pockets along the track.

Abstract: A bill handling machine includes a first unit having a depositing port for depositing bills; a second unit having a depositing cassette for holding deposited bills; and a bill transfer mechanism for transferring bills from the depositing port to a depositing cassette. At least one of the first and second units is installable and removable, and the bill transfer mechanism is provided with a first transfer mechanism provided in the installable and removable unit and a connecting transfer mechanism connected to the first transfer mechanism and enabled to control the connection with the transfer mechanism in the installable and removable unit in conjunction with the removal/installation of the unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulated baseball game apparatus. The game is played generally in accordance with the rules of actual baseball. The apparatus resembles a baseball field and is designed to be played by at least two players. An offensive player attempts to the hit the ball using a batting mechanism, while a defensive player pitches and fields the ball using pitching and fielding mechanisms, respectively.

Abstract: A modular hidden maze game for multiple players is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the game includes a playing board having a playing surface on which can be defined a plurality of playing spaces. Each of the playing spaces can include at least one recessed portion. A plurality of partition pieces can be removably attached to the playing surface at a substantially normal angle, thereby forming a plurality of mutable paths across the playing surface. A plurality of covering pieces are provided. Each of the covering pieces can be dimensioned to removably engage the recessed portion of one of the plurality of playing spaces while at least partially covering any partition pieces that abut the playing space occupied by the covering piece. The playing board can be formed of discrete modules which allow players to separate sections of the board to facilitate set up and concealment of a maze before rejoining the sections to reform the board having at least two concealed mazes thereon.

Abstract: Game of chance for spectators at ball games conducted in enclosed play areas, particularly indoor football games. Around the playing area at the field level are a number of dasherboards, each with a given advertiser's logo thereon. Striking the dasherboards, by either a player's body who has gone out of bounds, or by a ball, generates a logo “strike” corresponding to the logo on that dasherboard. Over the course of a game, usually a number of such strikes occur. Spectators hold game cards bearing an arrangement of logos, similar to a conventional “bingo” card, and mark the logos on the card corresponding to the logo on a dasherboard which has been struck. Achieving some defined pattern of marked logos, or marking of even a single “bonus” logo, results in a prize for that spectator card holder.