Abstract: A pivot pin assembly is provided including a rotatable member having a hole therethrough with tapered ends, a pivot pin including a cylindrical portion and a conical portion engagable with a corresponding end of the tapered ends of the rotatable member, a pivot bearing engagable with the pivot pin to aid in rotation of said pivot pin; and a nut and bolt to lock said pivot pin to said rotatable member. The pivot pin is typically a conventional bearing having an inner race, an outer race, and bearings located between the inner and outer race. Optionally a washer is utilized to hold the bearings in place. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the tapered end and the angle of the conical portion of the pivot pin are equal to each other and the angle is 20 degrees.

Abstract: A connection element composed of metal and provided for a releasable connection of an electric motor with a machine or a machine part which is driven by the electric motor, has least one first abutment surface mountable on a wall of the machine or the machine part, and at least one second abutment surface fixedly connectable with the electric motor, at least one of the at least one first abutment surface and the second abutment surface being provided with a thin metallic coating with a thermal conductivity having a value smaller than approximately 2 W/Km (Watt×Kelvin−1×Meter−1).

Abstract: A kit and structures that may be assembled using components of the kit are disclosed. The kit includes structural nodes and structural connections adapted for connecting the structural nodes. Each structural node has a polygonal openings from a central cavity to the outside of the node. Each of the structural connections has an elongated body having two ends from which stubs having a polygonal cross section extend. The stubs include at least one outward dimple positioned so that it resides within the central cavity of a structural nodes when the stub is inserted through one of the polygonal openings with the end of the elongated body abutting the structural node.

Abstract: Bolt element (10) having a shaft part (12) which is designed at a first end (14) for a rivet connection (16) to a panel element (18), in particular to a sheet metal part, is characterized in that the shaft part (12) has a spherical formation (22) at its other end (20) the ball diameter (D) of which is larger than that of the shaft part (12). In this manner a bolt element with a spherical head can be manufactured in an extremely favourable manner price-wise and it can be ensured that the spherical head has no burr which would lead to the wearing of the socket provided in operation which slides on the spherical head.

Abstract: A machine for deforming metal tubes to resemble the culm of a bamboo plant, and a method for using same.

Abstract: A high strength reinforcing bar splice uses a contractible jaw assembly bridging the bar ends to be joined. The jaw assembly includes interior teeth designed to bite into the projecting ribs or deformations on the outside of the bar ends which form the overall diameter of the bar but not the core or nominal diameter of the bar. The jaw assembly is constricted from both axial ends by driving tapered locking collars on each end of the jaw assembly with a tool while concurrently causing the jaw assembly to constrict and bite into the bar ends. When the tool is removed, the collars remain in place locking the jaw assembly closed. The splice provides not only high tensile and compressive strengths but also has good fatigue and dynamic strength to qualify as a Type 2 coupler.

Abstract: A valve device is detachably attached to a functional component disposed at an upper inside portion of a fuel tank. An attaching device is fixed to the functional component for attaching the valve device inside the fuel tank. The valve device includes a connecting pipe portion and is disposed at the upper inside portion of the fuel tank so that the outside and the inside of the fuel tank are communicated through the connecting pipe portion. The valve device is closed when a fuel level increases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting system for components in the housing of a computer server. The mounting system is preferably a height-adjustable thumb screw assembly, which allows for the components to be installed or removed without the use of tools. In a preferred embodiment, a thumb screw assembly capable of securing components to a chassis includes a screw and a gripping accessory. The screw preferably has a threaded portion, a shank portion, and a head portion, wherein a first groove extends along the shank portion and a second groove intersects the first groove under the head portion. The gripping accessory preferably has an outer gripping surface, a retaining socket, and a hub, wherein a grip is positioned inside the hub for matingly engaging the grooves of the screw.

Abstract: An internally illuminated snowboard track for recreational areas or parks which are operated at night is made up of a continuous elongated transparent rail which is supported a predetermined distance above the ground by a base support member, and a light source extends longitudinally and internally of the rail to project light outwardly therefrom. A base stabilizer beneath the support member can either be planted in the snow or anchored to the ground surface in the track system may be inclined, curved, straight or provided with one or more bends. A snowboard ramp may be constructed in the same basic manner to serve as a jump for snowboarders.

Abstract: A guardrail (10) has posts (12) and railing (16) offset from the post with blocks (14). The post has a plurality of wood layers. The wood layers are joined together with an adhesive. The adhesive is made with first and second components mixed together just prior to application. One the wood layers may be made with shorter sections joined together lengthwise to form a portion of the wood layer. The shorter sections are joined together with a finger joint. A first wood layer (20) has greater strength than a second wood layer (26) and the second wood layer is more pliable than the first wood layer. A man-made material such as plastic can be disposed between the wood layers.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a road is provided. This method includes taking representative cores of the road, analyzing the cores, selecting a substantially solvent-free emulsion based on climate history, mixing the emulsion and reclaimed asphalt pavement particles to form an asphalt emulsion mix, testing the asphalt emulsion mix for performance using a raveling test, a thermal cracking prediction test by an indirect tensile testing, a moisture susceptibility test utilizing vacuum saturation, and a dry Marshall stability test. It also includes designing a CIR layer based on this test data. It further includes grinding off a layer of the existing asphalt road leaving at least about an inch, adding an emulsion to the reclaimed asphalt pavement particles, applying the designed cold in-place recycling layer to the road, and compacting it.

Abstract: A screed heating arrangement is provided for a screed assembly that is towed behind a paving machine. The screed heating arrangement includes at least one electric heater bonded to an upper surface of a screed plate.

Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable tool of a machine. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit of the machine to control the ends of the hydraulically movable tool having elevation receivers as an desired mode of operation or when reception by one of the elevational receivers of a elevational reference, which provides an absolute position of the ends of the tool, is interrupted. The conventional control circuit of the machine uses the generated signal of the transducer arrangement of the present invention to maintain a relative elevation position of one side of the tool to the absolute position of the other side of the tool as desired or until both receiver can reacquire the elevational reference.

Abstract: A lightweight screeding apparatus for screeding and smoothing an uncured concrete surface includes a concrete surface working member, such as vibrating beam or member, and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to said vibrating beam. The screeding apparatus may include a wheeled support which at least partially supports the vibrating beam and/or the grade setting device. The wheels of the wheeled support may be powered or driven to assist an operator in moving the screeding apparatus over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device is vertically adjustable to set or indicate the desired grade of the concrete surface as the screeding apparatus is moved over and through the uncured concrete. The grade setting device may be adjusted by means of a laser plane responsive control system.

Abstract: A pipe assembly comprises a flexible insulating material (16) in contact with the outer surface of the pipe (10) and a plurality of discrete spaced apart buoyant bodies (14) embedded in the flexible insulating material around the pipe. The flexible insulating material preferably forms a continuous layer in contact with the pipe and the buoyant bodies preferably comprise tubular bodies regularly spaced along the length of the pipe assembly. The provision of discrete buoyant bodies embedded within the insulating material allows relative movement between the bodies and enables the pipe to flexible without damaging the buoyant bodies.

Abstract: A retractable radome strake is disclosed that includes an assembly of finger elements. The assembly of finger elements, when coupled to a radome, deflect at wind speeds greater than approximately twenty mph or wind pressures greater than approximately one psf. Accordingly, the retractable radome strake does not unnecessarily contribute to the wind load of a radome enclosed antenna structure when the strakes are not needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal lined composite riser section for use in offshore applications featuring a traplock metal-to-composite interface to secure a plurality of structural composite overwrap layers about a metal liner assembly. Each traplock is formed with at least one annular groove or channel which has been made in the exterior surface of the metal liner assembly. The annular trap grooves may be of various geometries and may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a traplock having 2 to 8 or any number of grooves required to ensure proper adhesion between the composite overwrap layers and the metal liner assembly. A number of structural composite overwrap layers are secured about the assembly by building up alternating combinations of helical and hoop fiber windings to form a composite material. The present invention also provides a method of making composite riser sections using either a mandrel or counterweights to facilitate the composite fiber winding process.

Abstract: A stake device for providing support to a structure, including an upper end that includes interface means for transferring torsional force to the support stake to enable an operator to rotate the support stake about a longitudinal axis of the support stake. The stake includes a lower end that includes thread means for threadably engaging ground to allow the support stake to be threaded downwardly into the ground. An elongate intermediate section is disposed between the upper end and lower end and includes at least one opening formed within the intermediate section, said opening running substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the support stake and being configured to receive a securing device to secure the support device to the structure.

Abstract: A re-enforced composite sheet piling segment is disclosed. The segment of sheet piling includes multiple panels. The panels of the segment come together at an angle to form a corner. A re-enforcement is placed in the corner of the segment. The re-enforcement has a cross-sectional area that is convex shaped.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an articulated, predominantly concrete mat, which comprises concrete blocks and a flexible geogrid embedded in such blocks and in which the flexible geogrid defines flexible members connecting such blocks to one another, an intermediate article being a concrete slab is cast, in which a flexible geogrid is embedded. The slab has relatively thinner portions, along which the slab is breakable to form such blocks, and relatively thicker portions, which become such blocks when the slab is broken along the relatively thinner portions. The relatively thicker portions are arranged in parallel rows and are staggered in adjacent rows, before the slab is broken therealong, and the relatively thicker portions in alternate rows are aligned in parallel columns, before the slab is broken therealong.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting non free-flowing pastes using a vessel having a lower conical portion where the cone has an angle which provides for mass flow of the non free-flowing pastes when there is an application of compressed air on the surface of the non free-flowing pastes in the vessel.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing build-up on drills. The system includes a sensing component that automatically senses the size of a drill, a first component that automatically grips the sensed drill and positioning the gripped drill to a first position, and a disc that includes a plurality of bushings of different sizes. The system also includes a second component that automatically rotates the disc according to the sensed size of the drill, and a third component that automatically forces the disc over a stationary drill.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable holder (1) for hollow drills, comprising a support element (4) for receiving a base end (11) of a drill rod (10) of the hollow drill on a front face, and a holding device (12) for a handle of the support element (4) on associated recesses (15) that are configured in the wall of the drill rod (10) on its base end (11). The aim of the invention is to provide a universal interchangeable holder on which drill rods with different diameters can be mounted. To this end, the support element (4) has a front-face annular rest zone (9) that receives drill rods (10; 10′; 10″) with different diameters. A locking device (24), together with the holding device (12), is effecitve across the width of the annular rest zone (9) in order to maintain the respective drill rod (10; 10′; 10″) placed on the rest zone (9) and held by the holding device (12) locked in a center position.

Abstract: A tool for rethreading a damaged threaded object having a solid body with at least one through bore including at least one cutting tooth. A slot intersects the through bore, allowing relief for shavings removed from the object as it is rethreaded. The tool can be adapted to receive a pivot arm to increase the force exerted on the object. Multiple through bores and cutting teeth of varying sizes can be formed in a single tool. The tool may also be adapted to be used in conjunction with taps of varying sizes.

Abstract: The concept of my idea is a tool used in conjunction with a ratchet wrench that would re-thread a hole into which a spark plug was inserted or other holes with in which the threads are cross-threaded. It can be used in engine cylinder heads on both styles of engines, works well with over head cam engines. Produced from tool-grade steel, measuring 5 inches long and vary in diameter (½ and ⅜ inch.) ⅜-inch diameter found at the top of this tool would allow for the attachment of a ⅜-inch drive shaft of a ratchet wrench. The bottom of the shaft would feature threads that allow internal threads to align correctly. A ratchet wrench would be cranked to create the turning motion needed to cut the threads. This tool provides convenience, durability, and efficiency. The professional auto mechanics and the do-it-yourselfer can use it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a five-simultaneously-working-axis computerized numerical control tooth cutting machine tool for toroidal worms, including: a body of the machine tool and a controlling cabinet, the body includes: a bed, a spindle box with a spindle, a longitudinal sliding table, a traverse slider, a vertical guideway mounted on the slider, and a tailstock, a cutter rest that supports a rotating cutter head is mounted on the vertical guideway, the spindle rotates about A-axis thereof, the table longitudinally slides relative to the bed along Y-axis, the cutter head rotates about B-axis thereof and traversely shifts along X-axis, as well as the cutter head makes up/down shift along Z-axis of the guideway vertically, the control cabinet is equipped with programs for controlling spindle rotation and the programs for controlling the shitting along longitudinal, traverse and vertical directions as well as the rotation of cutter head so as to make the movements about or along the five axis of A, Y, X,

Abstract: The present invention is related to micro-motion machine and micro-element fabricating machine using a 3-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism. A micro-motion machine achieves a 3-degree-of-freedom micro movement by connecting two arms connected to prismatic flexible joints respectively, adapted to conduct vertical movements, by revolute flexible joints, and one arm connected to another prismatic flexible joint, adapted to conduct vertical movements by universal joint, to a platform by universal joint. This micro-motion machine has a relatively simple and inexpensive construction, high stiffness, and high accuracy, while exhibiting reduced inertia.

Abstract: A caster shipping assembly includes a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle. A securing bracket is connected to the wheel. The securing bracket is movable between a shipping position in which the bracket is fastened to a packaging component and the wheel is suspended above the packaging component, and an in-use position in which the wheel is free for rolling contact with a support surface. The bracket can include a pair of side supports secured to opposing sides of the axle, with each of the side brackets having a length greater than the radius of the caster wheel. A plate can be connected to the side brackets. The plate can include a fastening arrangement adapted and constructed to be fastened to a packaging component to suspend the wheel above the packaging component during shipping. A method of securing a caster to a packaging component during shipping is also set forth. The caster includes a wheel having a radius and a centrally mounted axle.

Abstract: A bolt retention assembly comprises a first component defining a hole. The hole has a threaded bore defining a bore diameter and a counter-bore defining a counter-bore diameter greater than the bore diameter. The threaded bore and counter-bore define a relief therebetween. A bolt having a shank portion and a threaded portion extends through the first component wherein the threaded portion is threadingly engageable with the threaded bore and abuttable with the relief to prevent the bolt from being removed from the hole after the threaded portion is rotatably threaded past the threaded bore.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly comprising a nut and a washer. The nut and washer each have opposed load bearing surfaces which include a series of annularly extending, slightly inclined faces forming shallow undulations around each surface. The load bearing surface on the nut is generally spherically convex and the load bearing surface on the washer is generally spherically concave. The nut rotates as it is installed while the washer is prevented from rotating so that the undulating bearing surface on the nut slides over the undulating bearing surface on the washer against ever increasing resistance until the assembly is properly seated and the nut is effectively prevented from counter-rotating by interference between opposed, inclined faces. A concave clamping surface is formed on the outer end of the washer on a radially extending flange. The flange flexes when the assembly is installed and resiliently urges the washer against the nut.

Abstract: A self-attaching female fastener having a generally cylindrical body including opposed annular ends, a bore extending through the annular ends of the body including an inclined frustoconical outer surface and a radial flange portion integral with the body midway between the opposed ends having parallel outer surfaces surrounding the body. The fastener is symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the bore longitudinal axis. The parallel surfaces of the flange include radial grooves spaced from the body and the outer surface of the flange is tapered inwardly to a rounded outer edge. The installation method includes receiving either end of the body through an opening in the panel, which may be pierced by the annular end, deforming the annular outer periphery of the flange toward the end of the body received through the panel opening forming an annular groove surrounding the body and deforming an annular portion into the annular groove.

Abstract: A rivet structure includes a main body having a first end formed with an enlarged head and a second end formed with an extended column. The main body is provided with four opposite fixing plates each having a tapered face and each having a bottom face. The bottom faces of the four fixing plates form a square shaped configuration. Thus, the rivet structure can be combined with an article rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the rivet structure from being rotated relative to the article.

Abstract: The present invention pertains fasteners with critical configuration of the barbs, which allow the extraction of the fastener without destruction of the slot and/or the fastener. Further, this critical configuration of the barbs allows the fasteners to be used in slots of various widths and prevents rattling, which would take place in the case of fasteners of the present state of the art. The critical configuration is based on the special dimensions and special shape of the barbs with regard to the parts and the slots involved in assemblies of the fasteners and the parts. The present invention also pertains assemblies of miscellaneous parts connected together by means of the fasteners, as well as vehicles comprising such assemblies. In addition, the present invention comprises fasteners providing a combination of low and high barbs, which combination prevents rattling of the fastener and allows secure attachment on a part, such as a sheet metal, for example.

Abstract: An anchor for masonry. The anchor is relatively smooth walled and is forcibly driven into a hole formed in masonry or other suitable material for purposes of attaching fixtures. When driven into the hole, a shaped portion of the anchor is deformed in such a manner as to facilitate a 360 degree or greater bearing surface with the holes of wall. The walls of the hole impose forces onto the shank along this bearing surface which tend to deform shank into alignment with the hole by primarily elastic deformation so that the resulting frictional forces between the shank and the wall resist dislodgment from the hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting oil drill cuttings using a vessel having a lower conical portion where the cone has an angle which provides for mass flow of the drill cuttings when there is an application of compressed air on the surface of the drill cuttings in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing a number of objects from a first group of carriers placed one above another to a second group of the same number of carriers placed one above another, comprising a trolley which is movable in horizontal direction and which is provided with a number of pushing elements, each movable in horizontal direction above one of the carriers.

Abstract: A device for loading and/or unloading a transport cargo hold, in particular, on a goods vehicle, includes at least one transport unit, by which goods units, particularly several thereof, may be simultaneously transported. According to the invention, the costs of the device may be reduced and the flexibility increased, whereby the transport unit may at least partly be introduced into the transport cargo hold.

Abstract: A device for loading and/or unloading a freight transport compartment includes using at least one conveyer unit that is installed in a loading area, the conveyer unit being capable of conveying in particular several goods units simultaneously. The invention reduces the costs and increases the flexibility of a loading/unloading device by providing the conveyer unit with at least one element that can be guided into the freight transport compartment and that forms a positioning surface for the goods units.

Abstract: An object conveying system and conveying method for conveying objects such as workpieces by using two robots. A first robot holds and positions a basket, in which workpieces are randomly stacked, at a predetermined position. A second robot is mounted with a visual sensor for determining a position and/or an orientation of each workpiece, and holds a workpiece, based on the determined workpiece position and/or orientation. The second robot takes out the workpiece from the basket and delivers it to a processing machine. The basket held by the first robot does not require a position for placement, and hence workpieces can be delivered to the processing machine at a workpiece feed position above other equipment, so that object conveyance using robot can be easily realized even in a narrow space crowded with various equipment.

Abstract: A trailer storage rack for transporting material and fluids with a livestock trailer. The trailer storage rack mounts to the livestock trailer to transfer the weight and forces of operation to the trailer. The storage rack may be spaced above the trailer to allow for the use of trailer roof vents. An open compartment, dry storage compartment and a fluid compartment are described. Loading and unloading means for the open and dry storage compartment include a rotatable lifting crane that may be compacted and stored in the storage compartment. Access for filling and the draining the fluid compartment is provided by connecting the fluid compartment to side conduits of a ladder such that the side conduits of the ladder act as pipes connected to the fluid compartment. A water hose connection valve is attached to the conduits for access at the ground level to provide easy access for filling and draining the fluid storage compartment.

Abstract: A fork positioner for a forklift truck has power-actuated yokes, each having a base from which a pair of transversely spaced legs depend, for engaging respective load lifting forks and adjusting their spacing transversely along a fork-supporting member. Each of the yokes is selectively movable between a fork-engaging position and a fork-disengaging position, the latter position permitting the fork to be lifted upwardly off of the fork-supporting member for easy replacement of the fork.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural frame, supporting a movable saddle. The structural frame comprises a motion guidance system including at least one guide column secured to the structural frame and a carriage movable along the guide column and secured to the structural frame, the motion guidance system including an anti-rotation bearing support affixed to the carriage and movably secured to the structural frame; and a support device connected to the structural frame and a saddle for controlling the location of the saddle with respect to the structural frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.

Abstract: Newspapers and other printed matter fed from a printing press or inserting machine are generally folded or delivered in a continuous stream with the papers oriented in an overlapped or imbricated relationship. The stream of papers are received and stacked by the stacking apparatus or stacker which must operate at high speeds. The stacker orients the papers in the stacks and ejects the bundles of papers. The present invention relates to devices intended to reduce the prospects for inadvertent interference with the stacking mechanism or to reduce the potential for injury.

Abstract: A system and method for stacking a predetermined number of nestable objects is disclosed, including several alternative embodiments. The system is preferably designed for use with a plurality of nestable objects each having a measurable thickness. A cavity is configured for containing the nestable objects in an orientated position. The objects may be taken directly from a manufacturing process or otherwise loaded to the system at a receiving end. An ejector mechanism operates at the receiving end of the cavity to tamp, by relatively short strokes, successive objects into the cavity until a predetermined number of objects is achieved. At the point of tamping the last object into the cavity, the ejector executes a longer stroke to advance the now oriented and stacked objects toward a discharge end of the cavity. A flange is functionally positioned proximate the discharge end of the cavity to create a span within the cavity having a length.

Abstract: A system and method for stacking a predetermined number of nestable objects is disclosed, including several alternative embodiments. The system is preferably designed for use with a plurality of nestable objects each having a measurable thickness. A cavity is configured for containing the nestable objects in an orientated position. The objects may be taken directly from a manufacturing process or otherwise loaded to the system at a receiving end. An ejector mechanism operates at the receiving end of the cavity to tamp, by relatively short strokes, successive objects into the cavity until a predetermined number of objects is achieved. At the point of tamping the last object into the cavity, the ejector executes a longer stroke to advance the now vertically oriented and stacked objects toward a discharge end of the cavity. A flange is functionally positioned proximate the discharge end of the cavity to create a span within the cavity having a length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) includes inputting a plurality of individual articles to deliver the articles from an article supply source (26) onto an inclined slide (42) having a guide surface. In particular aspects, the articles are regulated with a guide member (44), and directed to a first conveyor (50).

Abstract: The invention is a vertical axis wind turbine that utilizes leverage to compound the force from the wind, thereby creating exstordinary power, enough to turn a plurality of generators, thereby reducing the cost per kilowatt of electricity. It has wind blocking means that when struck by the wind from behind they shift to a position to block the wind to absorb energy from the wind thereby causing the turbine to revolve. At the same time, the wind blocking means on the opposite side of the turbine are being struck by the wind on their front leading edge causing them to rotate up to a position where they do not block wind.

Abstract: An overspeed safety device for a pneumatic rotation motor having a stator (10) with an air inlet passage (16), a rotor (12), and a speed governor for determining a maximum speed level, and comprising a speed responsive actuator (34) connected to the rotor (12) and a valve (33) shiftable by the actuator (34) from a normally open position to a closed position so as to block or substantially restrict the air flow through the inlet passage (16) at the attainment of motor speed levels exceeding a predetermined maximum level should the speed governor malfunction, wherein the actuator (34) comprises a spring biassed contact element (48) connected to the rotor (12) and responsive to centrifugal action, and the valve (33) comprises a disc-shaped valve element (36) pivotally supported in the inlet passage (16) and maintained in its open position by one magnet (42) and in its closed position by another magnet (43).