Abstract: A grain spreader includes a vertical shaft, a receiver for receiving the grain and distributing the grain to a diverter that is rotatably mounted on the shaft with an outlet that is eccentrically positioned relative to the shaft, and a spreader pan that receives the grain form the distributer. The spreader pan is mounted to rotate on the shaft beneath the diverter. The diverter and the spreader pan are rotated by controllable motors so that the diverter can be stopped and the rotational speed of the spreader pan can be varied. The spreader pan has a bottom base and a series of varying length vanes that are vertically and radially aligned on the base to operably engage the grain and spread the grain within a bin or the like. The lengths of the vanes are preferably determined by a formula. In certain embodiments the spreader pan may have an opening to allow grain to pass through the pan without engaging the base so as to fill the center of a bin more evenly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle mounted fan nozzle for use with agricultural vehicles, deicers for roads and airports, and other vehicles which need to spray a swath wider than the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A grater and method for grating, wherein a grating panel is connected to a handle with a gripping portion aligned behind the grating surface back side below the top end and above the bottom end and in a common plane with the directional vector, the gripping portion further forming an angle with the downward directional vector, the gripping portion vector angle less than 90 degrees. It is preferred that the angle is selected to translate forces normal to and against the grating surface front side into compressive forces against a user's hand gripping the handle gripping portion. In one embodiment, the connecting means is a steel rod disposed along the panel edge portions and projects from the panel top normal to the planar panel. Some embodiments have stand elements to enable the grater to stand upon a work-surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pendular grinding apparatus comprising an inner vertical wall (1) rotating about a main vertical axis (2) and forming a runway (3) for grinding, a support (4) coaxially arranged above the runway (3) and designed to be driven in rotation about the main axis, at least two grinding rollers (8) comprising each a rotating surface (9) about an axis of rotation (10) suspended to the support (4) and arranged such that the rotating surface (9) of each roller should run against the runway or against the material to be ground between the roller and said runway (3), a pressing action of each roller (8) on said runway or on said material to be ground supplied between them resulting from a centrifugal force (Fc) of each roller driven in rotation by the support, the grinding apparatus comprising means (12) designed to combine with the centrifugal force (Fc) of each roller an adjustable force and said combining means (12) being supported therefor on a common central element (14) which can be either f

Abstract: This invention is related to industrial blades with a multi-point center and multi-wings which can be used with any driven, electric-powered, cutter-parting, stirrer blender, robot and mixer etc. devices either house type or industrial type, positioned at every possible angle with respect to each other and locked to middle axis. With present invention wherein a blade with multi-centers and multi-wings (4, 6) is used instead of a blade with single center and two wings, the time of function is decreased by half as compared to the use of single blade, cut pieces of various foodstuff have identical sizes, ice dices are uniformly broken down into snow sprinkles in a very short period of time (6 seconds) if engine power is sufficient for this purpose and some of the non-stiff foodstuff are fragmented without becoming juicy.

Abstract: A recording tape cartridge has a substantially rectangular case. An upper case and a lower case are joined together by peripheral walls thereof abutting each other. A reel, on which a recording tape T is wound, is rotatably accommodated in the case. An opening for pulling-out of an end portion of the recording tape T is formed in the case. A shielding member, which opens and closes the opening, is held slidably in the case. A projection (operation portion), which engages with an engaging mechanism of a drive device, is formed at the shielding member. A slit is formed in a peripheral wall such that the projection is slid in a state of being exposed. A distal end surface of the projection exposed from the slit is formed so as to be substantially flush with the peripheral wall when the shielding member closes the opening.

Abstract: This invention adds a U shaped guide to the ratchet of a tie down strap. The purpose of this guide is to contain the strap in a coiled or wrapped position within the guide when the strap is not being used. This prevents the strap from unwinding and making a mess.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for a powered reel apparatus for use with an associated elongated flexible member. The reel is carried by and enclosed within the enclosure and is rotatable by a electric motor. The enclosure has left and right wall panels, front and rear wall panels extending between the left and right wall panels, and a cover. When one of the panels is in an open position, the motor is operationally locked out, and when one of the panels is rotated into a closed position, the motor is operable.

Abstract: A simple, yet effective, hand-held and portable implement for applying a serving line to a bowstring includes a flattened disc coupled to a power source for rotation about a central axis perpendicular to the disc, and a serving-line supply assembly mounted on the disc including a reel of serving line. An unimpeded slot extends through the disc from the central axis to the outer periphery of the disk, enabling a bowstring to be inserted into the slot, wrapped with the serving line as the disc is rotated, and removed from the slot when finished. In the preferred embodiment, the serving-line supply assembly further includes a plate with an open groove facing the slot and aligned with the axis of the disc to receive the bowstring being served. The plate further preferably includes an aperture in the groove through which the serving line is drawn as the bowstring is wrapped.

Abstract: In the method for changing a reel in the reel-up of a paper or paperboard machine or finishing apparatus for paper or paperboard, the cutting of a paper or paperboard web (W) and the guiding of the same on a new reel is conducted by using a tape (5) that is guided into connection with a reeling core (3). Thereafter the tape, as it is positioned on top of the reeling core, at the same time cuts the web (W) and guides the new end of the web following the cutting point around the reeling core. The tape (5) is equipped with an adhesive agent which at the moment of reel change or thereafter is brought to a state that activates the adhesive agent. At least some of the adhesion surfaces of the tape (5) are activated by means of a compression pressure between the reeling core (3) and the reeling cylinder (2).

Abstract: For the winding of a material web on a driven winding roll, it is cut through after the completed winding of a winding roll and the start of the following web is fastened on a winding core. The web is fed in the winding roll via a guide device, preferably consisting of a winding roller, and, after being cut through in a guide channel laid around a winding tube. In order to be able to wind the web with alternating outer sides into a winding roll, the web is fed, according to the desired outer side, from the left or from the right on winding in the winding tube. The winding tube is driven with a corresponding one of two opposite directions of rotation.

Abstract: An automatic toilet paper feeding apparatus includes a paper holder which holds a roll of toilet paper and which has a paper sending section that sends out the toilet paper, a paper receiving tray provided close to the paper sending section of the paper holder, and a paper sending mechanism which sends out a given length of the toilet paper to the paper receiving tray in response to a user's instruction. The paper sending mechanism includes a motor which rotates for a given period of time and then stops rotating in response to a user's instruction, a sending roller which is rotated by the motor to send out the toilet paper to the paper receiving tray, and a mechanism for automatically cutting a sending end portion of the toilet paper when the sending roller stops as the motor stops.

Abstract: The apparatus has a base mounted on castors and upon which a telescopic post is mounted. A winch is mounted on the top of the post. A roll of flexible material is mounted on a bed and is rotatable about the post, The winch raises and lowers the bed so that the height of the roll may be adjusted to that most convenient for wrapping. By means of the castors, the apparatus may be moved around the article as it is being wrapped. The apparatus is suitable for stretch-wrapping an article which is irregular in shape or is heavy and is unusually difficult to wrap.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounted in a door frame cooperates with a door bolt separating the cockpit compartment on an aircraft from the passenger compartment. The mechanism prevents a hijacker from entering the cockpit compartment and allows the door to open rapidly when a catastrophic decompression event occurs in the airplane.

Abstract: An inflatable boom for space applications, and a methods of folding and deploying a boom are disclosed. The boom comprises a membrane having a substantially tapered cylindrical shape. A wide end of the membrane is attached to a base, and a narrow end of the membrane is attached to a mandrel. The method of folding a boom comprises forming a plurality of ring-shaped folds in the boom membrane. The method of deploying a boom comprises increasing a gas pressure inside the boom and repeatedly unfolding the outer-most ring fold to increase the length of the boom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of creating vortices via vortex controllers, wherein the vortices are capable of entraining high-energy surrounding flow to induce a series of powerful longitudinal vortices that reattach separated flow by merging into single vortices along the undersurface of the afterbody to reenergize the fuselage boundary layer, thus preventing undersurface flow separation and reducing overall afterbody drag.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling airflow with a leading edge device having a flexible flow surface. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes a first portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The second portion of the airfoil has a leading edge and is movably coupled to the first position. The second portion can move between a first position and a second position offset from the first position by an angle of from about 45° to about 90° or more. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface having a first shape when the second portion is in the first position and a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position. A guide structure can be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A one-piece band clamp that simplifies the installation of a wire harness. The band clamp includes a band portion whose separated ends form a space, and a pair of insertion members, each formed at an end of a band portion adjacent to the space. The insertion members include insertion plates, lock fingers which include lip portions extending outward and downward from the upper edge of the insertion plates, a lock claw formed on at least one insertion plate, and at least one lock notch formed on the facing insertion plate. The wire harness is inserted into a band portion through the space, the lock claws are hooked over the lock notches to join insertion members, which are then inserted into an aperture in a vehicle body panel. Lip portions of the lock fingers press against the edges of the aperture to secure the band clamp to the vehicle body panel.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base, a bracket and a screw mounting the bracket to the base. The base includes a support attachable to a beam with two arms extending therefrom. Support holes extend through the arms. The bracket includes two parallel plates spaced to receive a standard sprinkler fitting. A cradle is provided at one of the plates while a retaining hole is provided on the other. The screw is able to rotate within the support holes and is threaded to a mounting hole in the bracket for vertical adjustment of the bracket retaining the sprinkler fitting.

Abstract: A method of manufacture a wrist pad, comprising the step of: a. Knead and stir a mixture having natural rubber and foaming agent repeatedly to make it well mix. b. Press the well mixed mixture into a plank element. c. Form an arched portion on the plank element. d. Foam the plank element with the arched portion so that chemical reaction will occur between the natural rubber and the foaming agent to produce an air pressure for forming the plank element to a wrist pad, and c. Cool the foamed wrist pad and cut the wrist pad into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a positioning device. The rack is pivotally mounted on the stand. The positioning device is used to selectively retain the rack in one of several positions relative to the stand. In a second aspect, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a clamping device. The rack is mounted on the stand. The clamping device is used to clamp an article such as a bicycle.

Abstract: An anti-falling device for refrigerators has an improved structure capable of effectively preventing a refrigerator from falling flat on a front thereof despite a heavy door and allowing the cabinet of the refrigerator to move from a wall of a building easily when the rear portion of the cabinet needs to be cleaned or repaired. The anti-falling device is provided at a position between the cabinet of a refrigerator and a wall of a building against which the cabinet stands, thus preventing the cabinet from falling flat on the front. The anti-falling device includes a hooking rod provided on the wall of the building. A rotary hook is rotatably mounted to the cabinet and is engaged with or disengaged from the hooking rod in accordance with a rotation thereof.

Abstract: A generally L-shaped mounting arm has one end for coupling to a bowling scoring unit and an opposite end for extending under a table top and including a mounting flange for securing the opposite end of the arm to the undersurface of the table. In one embodiment, an adapter bracket is provided and is coupled to the pedestal mount of a table itself with an extension to receive the opposite end of the mounting arm. Preferably, the scoring unit is mounted to the one end of the arm to allow its rotation for viewing at different angles and convenient access by players sitting adjacent the edge of the table from which the scoring unit extends.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet type holding device for mounting onto a wall is provided. The holding device comprises a base and a holder which is made in the shape of an appropriate support and attached to said base. The holding device is characterized in that it comprises an adhesive sheet for air-tightly mounting onto a wall, said sheet is attached to said base, the surface of said sheet extends outwards beyond the edge of said base. The adhesive sheet type holding device according to the invention is mounted onto a wall through the adhesive sheet which contact area with the wall is larger than the area of the back of the base. Good airtight effect is achieved between the sheet and the wall so that the holding device according to the invention can firmly mount onto a wall for long. Further, the adhesive sheet may be transparent or be printed various specific pattern on its surface, so the holding device according to the invention not only can not damage to the wall, but also can form various specific appearance.

Abstract: A bracket for connecting to and supporting a beam of a walkway releasably attaches to a helical anchor. The bracket includes a beam restrainer for supporting a beam and a connecting plate releasably attached to a connector assembly. The connector assembly releasably attaches the helical anchor to the bracket and accommodates differences in spacing at various installation locations.

Abstract: A support apparatus. The apparatus is utilized in a semiconductor process and comprises a base, a supporting portion, and a retainer ring. The base defines a hole. The supporting portion passes through the hole and protrudes from the base. The retainer ring firmly connects the base and the supporting portion.

Abstract: A counter card comprises a panel. The panel has a front panel operatively connected to a back panel via a scored edge. The front panel has a pocket integrally formed therewith. The back panel has an easel integrally formed therewith to support the counter card. When the pocket is assembled, it forms a rigid presentation pocketed counter card that will not come off or apart had the pocket been mechanically attached to the card. In its unassembled form the counter card is a single flat piece of material suitable for packaging shipping economically. In addition, another economical advantage is prior to gluing the front and back panels together the card can be processed in one pass through the printer, for printing instructions, and one pass through the die cutter thereby saving production costs.

Abstract: A retention device for retaining a post adjacent a structure having at least one guardrail. The device includes a spacer member with generally opposed spacer first and second ends, an anchoring member for anchoring the spacer member to the structure, and a grasping member for grasping the post to the spacer member. The anchoring member releasably connects to the spacer member adjacent the spacer first end via a first securing assembly so as to clamp the guardrail there between. The grasping member releasably connects to the spacer member adjacent the spacer second end via a second securing assembly so as to clamp the post there between.

Abstract: A vehicular power unit mount structure (33) having a first mounting member (51) for attachment to a power unit and a second mounting member (52) elastically connected to the first mounting member for attachment to a vehicle body includes at least one projection (66) protruding from a flange (62) of the second mounting member (52) toward the vehicle body and located at a position offset from a line connecting centers of attachment holes (64, 64) of the flange to ensure that the flange (62) of the second mounting member (52) and the vehicle body are forced together via the projection (66).

Abstract: A panel-forming system including a plurality of bulkheads and one or more extensions. A first group of the bulkheads are used to define the overall dimensions and shape of the panel, while a second group are used to define at least one aperture formed into the panel. The aperture extensions are configured to allow various-shaped recesses to be formed in the panels adjacent the apertures, and are made up of a bulkhead-engaging portion and a separate recess portion that extends from and cooperates with the bulkhead-engaging portion. The surfaces of each bulkhead-engaging portion include a plurality of chamfers to create complementary surfaces in the panel being formed. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pixel which utilizes a charge multiplying photoconversion element. An output control circuit contains an operational amplifier that serves to fix the voltage level at the storage node to thereby maintain a constant effective operating potential across the charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The detected light signal may be converted to provide linear, logarithmic, and linear-logarithmic output signals.

Abstract: An object image data obtained by image taking by an image taking device, while a distance between a stage, on which an object is placed, and the image taking device is varied, is captured by a focus processing device at each predetermined timing. The focus processing device retrieves contrast data indicating a maximum value from the captured respective object image data, and stores the object image data in the image information memory. The object image data of the contrast data indicating the maximum value is read from the image information memory, and outputted and displayed on a display section.

Abstract: A control system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle. The automatic moisture detecting system includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield on to an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltage of each of the pixels which represents the illumination level is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog digital converter. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values are analyzed to determine the amount of rain present in order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect the level of fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield.

Abstract: An imaging device formed as a CMOS semiconductor integrated circuit includes a doped polysilicon contact line between the floating diffusion region and the gate of a source follower output transistor. The doped polysilicon contact line in the CMOS imager decreases leakage from the diffusion region into the substrate which may occur with other techniques for interconnecting the diffusion region with the source follower transistor gate. Additionally, the CMOS imager having a doped polysilicon contact between the floating diffusion region and the source follower transistor gate allows the source follower transistor to be placed closer to the floating diffusion region, thereby allowing a greater photo detection region in the same sized imager circuit.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photoconductive switch module. The photoconductive switch module comprises a first substrate having light-emitting elements, and a second substrate having photoconductive switch elements, whose number is equal to that of the light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements face the photoconductive switch elements, so that the photoconductive switch elements are turned on/off in accordance with lighting/extinction of the light-emitting elements. The photoconductive switch module further comprises a third substrate arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The third substrate has through holes, whose number is equal to that of the light-emitting elements. Each through hole is positioned between a light-emitting element and a photoconductive switch element facing each other. Drive light emitted from each light-emitting element travels to the photoconductive switch element via the through hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an optical gain correction filter having a multilayer film structure formed by stacking a plurality of thin films with different diffractive indexes on a light transmitting board, wherein when the light with the wavelength &lgr; enters at the incident angle &thgr;, the transmissivity is assumed to be T1(&lgr;, &thgr;)(0≦T1(&lgr;, &thgr;)≦1), and the thickness and stacking state of each thin film of the optical gain correction filter are adjusted to increase the transmissivity T1 (&lgr;0, &thgr;) when the incident angle &thgr; increases close to the predetermined maximum incident angle &thgr;max with respect to the incident light with the wavelength &lgr;0. The optical apparatus is applied to a bar code reader.

Abstract: A hand held device is provided which contains at least one light emitting diode (LED) and is useful for the elimination of microorganisms as well as therapeutic treatment by light. A method of treatment and a kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sampling M sensors in a fiber optic detector array, by determining a maximum sampling rate possible, and assigning priority to each sensor. Thereafter, available sampling spots are divided into discrete blocks and the sensor of highest priority is assigned sampling slot(s). The remaining sensors are placed in the remaining sampling slots in order of priority, and if a sampling slot is taken, the remaining sensors are placed in the next closest slot. The invention also provides 1D and 2D digital and spatial wavelength domain systems including a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The FBGs may be illuminated by a plurality of broad band light sources, and coupled thereto by 2×2 couplers. The systems may include a 1D or 2D wavelength dispersion device, and 1D or 2D optically sensitive solid state means for spatially separating the signals at each wavelength reflected by the FBGs.

Abstract: A flow rate fiber optic transducer is made self-compensating for both temperature and pressure by using preferably well-matched integral Fabry-Perot sensors symmetrically located around a cantilever-like structure. Common mode rejection signal processing of the outputs allows substantially all effects of both temperature and pressure to be compensated. Additionally, the integral sensors can individually be made insensitive to temperature.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a wafer, a proof mass integrated into the wafer, at least one spring member connected to the proof mass, and an optical fiber. A Fabry-Perot cavity is formed by a partially reflective surface on the proof mass and a partially reflective surface on the end of the optical fiber. The two partially reflective surfaces are used to detect movement of the proof mass through the optical fiber, using an optical detection system.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes a first data ring (72) rotatable about an axis (30) with a member (24). The first data ring (72) includes binary bit indicators (76) for indicating an absolute angular position of the member (24). Sensors (100, 102) read the binary bit indicators (76) of the first data ring,(72) and provide a first signal, having a first resolution, indicative of the absolute angular position of the member (24). A second data ring (74) is rotatable about the axis (30) with the member (24). The second data ring (74) includes binary bit indicators (76) for indicating incremental changes in the angular position of the member (24). Sensors (104 and 106) read the binary bit indicators (76) of the second data ring (74) and provide a second signal, having about twice the resolution of the first signal, indicative of incremental changes in angular position of the member (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a scanning unit for an optical position measuring device. The inventive device is suitable for scanning a periodic striped pattern within a detection plane and is highly insensitive with respect to short periodic disruptions of the scanned measurement partition. The scanning unit consists of at least one detector array provided with several radiation-sensitive detector elements which are disposed adjacent to each other in a first direction on a common carrier substrate with a period PDET. At least one second detector array consisting of several radiation-sensitive detector elements is arranged in an adjacent position to the first detector array in a direction which is perpendicular to the first direction on the plane of detection. The detector elements of the second detector array are also disposed adjacent to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A scan module and an optical system such as for a bar code scanner wherein the optical system has an axis of outgoing (illumination) light offset from the axis of collected light, arranged to limit the dynamic range of the collected light and thus the dynamic range within which the bar code scanner detector and signal processor must function. Preferably, the outgoing axis and the collection lens axis are substantially parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for characterizing an effluent formed by a multiphase fluid mixture, said apparatus comprising a source emitting gamma rays at a plurality of energy levels through said effluent towards a detector block that takes account of the photons it receives as a consequence thereof to deduce therefrom the attenuation of said rays by said effluent. According to the invention, the detector block includes a filter for selectively detecting the photons it receives at a first energy level and at a second energy level, said first and second levels being predetermined amongst the energy levels of radiation from the source.

Abstract: A negative ion source placed inside a negatively-charged high voltage terminal emits a beam which is accelerated to moderate energy, approximately 35,000 electron volts, and filtered by a momentum analyzer i.e. an analyzing bending magnet, to remove unwanted ions. Reference ions such as carbon-12 are deflected and measured in an off-axis Faraday cup. Ions of interest, such as carbon ions of mass 14, are accelerated through 300 kV to ground potential and passed through a gas stripper where the ions undergo charge exchange and molecular destruction. The desired isotope, carbon-14 along with fragments of the interfering molecular ions, emerge from the stripper into a momentum analyzer which removes undesirable isotope ions. The ions are further filtered by passing through an electrostatic spherical analyzer to remove ions which have undergone charge exchange. The ions remaining after the spherical analyzer are transmitted to a detector and counted.

Abstract: A detection scheme for time-of-flight mass spectrometers is described that extends the dynamic range of spectrometers that use counting techniques while avoiding the problems of crosstalk. It is well known that a multiple anode detector capable of detecting different fractions of the incoming particles may be used to increase the dynamic range of a TOFMS system. However, crosstalk between the anodes limits the amount by which the dynamic range may be increased. The present invention overcomes limitations imposed by crosstalk by using either a secondary amplification stage or by using different primary amplification stages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a plurality of electric fields and of orthogonal spray configurations of vaporized analyte are so combined as to enhance the efficiency of analyte detection and mass analysis. The invention provides reduced noise and increased signal sensitivity in both API electrospray and APCI operating modes.

Abstract: SPM sensor comprising a holding element, cantilever and a sensor tip, which projects out of the surface of the cantilever, at the free end of the cantilever, at least the cantilever and the three-surface sensor tip consisting of monocrystalline (100)-silicon, and a process for producing this sensor. The process is distinguished by inexpensive process steps, substantially wet-chemical etching steps. The result is that an SPM sensor with a rectangular cantilever arm having a tip which may or may not project beyond the free end is produced from a single piece.

Abstract: A chamber suitable for use with a scanning electron microscope. The chamber comprises at least one aperture sealed with a membrane. The membrane is adapted to withstand a vacuum, and is transparent to electrons and the interior of the chamber is isolated from said vacuum. The chamber is useful for allowing wet samples including living cells to be viewed under an electron microscope.