Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device that, through a delivery system, facilitates evaporation of multiple volatizable materials into an environment. In one embodiment, a common evaporative region is utilized; in another, a controller suitably controls an aspect or characteristic of the evaporation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid spray bottle with combined drive, equipped with a liquid propulsion member (50) that has a main axis of translation (X?X) coupled, on the one hand, to a spray member (9) comprising a nozzle (11) having an axis of diffusion (Y?Y) and, on the other hand, to a container (3) containing the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for injecting a liquid fuel into a pressurized air flow (7), in particular for a combustion chamber, comprising a hollow cylindrical body (10) of longitudinal axis (YY?) delimiting a substantially cylindrical central volume (11), fluid veins (12) substantially radial in relation to the longitudinal axis of body (10) and arranged on the periphery of said body to allow passage of said flow, and axial fuel injection pipes (5) arranged inside said fluid veins and connected to at least one fuel inlet (3) by at least one supply point (16). According to the invention, pipes (5) are pierced with openings (9) that open onto central volume (11) of said body (10) and which are oriented substantially in the direction of the flow in fluid veins (12).

Abstract: A fuel injector incorporates a flow control into the needle valve and valve body to regulate fuel flow through the injector. The flow control defines an initial pilot fuel flow path that is closed by needle valve movement away from the nozzle seat. A primary fuel flow path requires axial movement of the needle valve through a mid-range position in which neither fuel flow paths are open. At low engine speeds, the needle valve is not driven through its mid-range position and closes prior to being driven to its fully open position, resulting in a pilot injection. At higher engine speeds, the needle valve is driven through its mid-range position eliminating a distinct pilot injection to provide only rate shaping.

Abstract: The invention provides high surface area talc compositions by a novel hybrid milling method or soaking method. The hybrid milling method comprises dry milling talc powder followed by mixing with water and wet milling to provide a nano-talc slurry with high surface area, also of the invention. The soaking method comprises dry milling talc powder followed by mixing with water and soaking to provide high surface area nano-talc slurry. The slurry may be dewatered and dried to provide dry nano-talc powder. The nano-talc powder provided by the invention is a novel hydrophilic talc composition. Further embodiments of the invention include organic solvent dispersed nano-talc slurries and methods for providing the same. These slurries can be used to provide polymer nano-talc composites in the form of coatings, sealing and gasketing materials, foams, extruded thermoplastic and thermoset sheets and films, thermoplastic pellets, thermoplastic and thermoset molded polymer composite articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying compact discs includes a base and a cover. The base has a mounting fixture capable of holding a CD and an anvil projecting upwardly from the base bottom panel. The cover is hingedly attached to one of the base walls such that the cover can assume an open position in which the apparatus interior is accessible and a closed position in which the apparatus interior is inaccessible. The cover has one or more scatter shields projecting downwardly from the cover such that, in the cover's closed position, the scatter shields prevent the apparatus interior contents from escaping. The cover further includes a compressor projecting downwardly from the cover top panel. In operation, mounting a CD in the mounting fixture and urging the cover from the open position to the closed position induces the compressor to urge the CD against the anvil to shatter the CD.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a thread carrying apparatus is proposed with a thread (2) lying in contact with or passing along the thread carrying apparatus with friction in the operating state. The thread carrying apparatus includes excitation means (3) for producing oscillations which reduce the frictional force between the thread (2) and the thread carrying apparatus. In this arrangement a resonator body (4) is provided with the thread (2) lying in contact with or passing along the resonator body with friction in the operating state. The resonator body (4) is designed in such a manner that the excitation means (3) produce resonant structural sound oscillations in the resonator body (4).

Abstract: Apparatus and process for winding filamentary material in a figure 8 configuration including a rotatable spindle for retaining a mandrel upon which the filamentary material is wound; a traverse mechanism for controlling the laying of wound coils on the mandrel; and controlling the advance of the wound layers on the mandrel in accordance with the rotation of the spindle and the movement of the traverse mechanism to vary the angular displacement of the wound coil so that the number of crossovers of succeeding layers of the wound coils increases as the winding process progresses, thereby increasing the density of the wound coils.

Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

Abstract: A novel wear surface cover clip for use with a conventional wire dispensing reel of the type used for dispensing tie wire such as that used for tying rebar during concrete construction projects. The wear surface cover clip of the invention can be easily removably interconnected with a conventional wire dispensing reel and when once installed, markedly extends the life of the wire dispensing reel.

Abstract: The utility strap dispenser is a container having a top plate and a bottom plate with central mounting apertures. A cylindrical wall having a dispensing slot is provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate defining a chamber for receiving a coil of strap material and a peripheral flange upon the bottom plate. The legs of a metal split pin pass through the central mounting apertures straddling an inner end of a coil of strap material and the free ends of the legs are bent back against the top surface of the top plate securing the container plates together and mounting the coil of strap material for rotation within the container. A guide stop having a guide slot for the passage of the free end of the strap material is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall a predetermined distance from the dispensing slot.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method, and program storage device implementing the method, of data fusion, wherein the method comprises determining pre-launch data affecting a flight of a self-sensing air-bursting ballistic projectile, the projectile comprising a plurality of independent data sensors; predicting a trajectory path of the projectile based on a target location of the projectile; calculating trajectory path errors based on the predicted trajectory path; generating in-flight data from each of the data sensors; combining the in-flight data into a single time-series output using a fusion filter; tracking a trajectory position of the projectile based on the single time-series output, pre-launch data, and the trajectory path errors; comparing the tracked trajectory path with the predicted trajectory path; analyzing the in-flight data to gauge successful navigation of the projectile to the target location; and self-guiding the projectile to the target location based on the trajectory position.

Abstract: A hover aircraft employs an air impeller engine having an air channel duct and a rotor with outer ends of its blades fixed to an annular impeller disk that is driven by magnetic induction elements arrayed in the air channel duct. The air-impeller engine is arranged vertically in the aircraft frame to provide vertical thrust for vertical takeoff and landing. Preferably, the air-impeller engine employs dual, coaxial, contra-rotating rotors for increased thrust and gyroscopic stability. An air vane assembly directs a portion of the air thrust output at a desired angle to provide a horizontal thrust component for flight maneuvering or translation movement. The aircraft can employ a single engine in an annular fuselage, two engines on a longitudinal fuselage chassis, three engines in a triangular arrangement for forward flight stability, or other multiple engine arrangements in a symmetric, balanced configuration.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air aircraft includes a gas envelope for containing a buoyant gas, and a propulsion system is carried by the gas envelope. A solar panel is carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when generating sufficient power. A closed loop combustion generating system is also carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when the solar panel is not generating sufficient power. The fuel for the closed loop combustion generator is regenerated by the solar panel from its exhaust when the solar panel is generating sufficient power.

Abstract: An aerodynamic vehicle is comprised of a pair of forward wing sections and a pair of rearward wing sections that are connected together by four pivot assemblies as a four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage surrounds an opening provided between the forward wing sections and rearward wing sections. Movement of the wing sections varies the cumulative area of the wing sections, and adjusts the shape of the opening between the forward wing sections and rearward wing sections. Movement of the wing sections improves the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and allows the wing sections to assume optimum configurations for operation of the vehicle at high speed and low speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for an airplane or other equipment is provided. The apparatus may comprise a multitude of connected arms which are adapted to rotate relative to one another. One end of the apparatus may be connected to a fixed wing, while another end of the apparatus may be connected to a moving slat. The apparatus may be used to deliver conduit from the fixed wing to the moving slat. The conduit may comprise one or more of an electrical de-icing wire, a sensor wire, a control wire, a fiber optic line, and a pneumatic line. Within an internal pathway of the apparatus, the conduit may be freely looped around a curved surface at least one-half turn and fixedly secured to a linear surface. Methods of use and assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A process for landing a tailless aircraft having a nose, wings that produce lift, a nose landing gear with a shock strut, and main landing gear, comprises the steps of allowing the nose landing gear shock strut to compress after touchdown to a point where the nose of the aircraft has lowered sufficiently to reduce the lift of the wings. The process further includes the step of controlling the rate of rebound of the nose landing gear shock strut such that the nose of the aircraft remains lowered in order to prevent the aircraft from becoming airborne after touchdown.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical security door module is designed for retrofit into the passageway of an aircraft leading to the cockpit. Two doors, forward and aft, are provided which are mounted for opening and closing upon commands emanating from the cockpit. Both doors are normally closed and only one normally opens at a time. A candidate for entrance to the cockpit is permitted to enter the module when the cockpit personnel open the aft door, which is then closed. Sensing apparatus may be employed to establish the identity and clearance of the candidate. Upon approval, the cockpit personnel open the forward door to admit the candidate. Emergency release apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A rolling bracket assembly for use in transporting loads of various size and shape. The rolling bracket assembly comprises at least one base assembly. The base assembly is adapted for engagement with at least a portion of an underside of a skid and comprises a wheel assembly adapted to ambulate the load being transported. The bracket assembly may also comprise two base assemblies connected by an elongate connector.

Abstract: A display stand comprises a connecting seat and supporting plate. A vertical guiding slot is disposed on said connecting seat. A rack and a control section are installed respectively at the two flank sides of the vertical guiding slot, in which the control section has a locking bar accepted in the slider, and one end thereof is engaged with the rack. After a panel is combined with connecting seat, said locking bar is driven to move along a single direction to be separated from the engagement of said rack by pulling the pull rod of the control section to push a skewed slot, and the slider is caused to slide up and down along the sliding slot by pulling said pull rod so as to change a relative angle between the connecting seat and the supporting plate. Finally, the pull rod is released to complete a positioning.

Abstract: An extensible camera mast in which the tilt of a camera placed at the top of the mast is controlled by a pair of lines that extend from a tilt assembly on which the camera is mounted down to a control assembly where the lines are wound on oppositely rotatable spools so that one line is taken up as the other is released.

Abstract: A pedestal has an S-shaped base and an upwardly extending member to support a furniture component. The S-shaped base provides an open leg envelope for persons seated at the pedestal. Workers at the pedestal's S-shaped table face opposite directions and enjoy independent work spaces.

Abstract: A self adjusting foot arrangement for an appliance cabinet has a first socket connected with the cabinet and a second socket connected with the cabinet spaced apart from the first socket. A foot downwardly protrudes from each socket and is moveable along axis into and out of the respective socket. A non-extensile band is fixed at one end to the first socket, passes into the first socket to bear on the first foot and is fixed at its other end to the second socket passing into the second socket to bear on the second foot. The band passes over the top of each foot within the respective socket.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a sign suspended from a ceiling, comprising a reversible motor adapted to be mounted to the ceiling at a first location; a sign carrier for holding a sign to be suspended from the ceiling; and a line running from the motor, to the sign carrier, and back to the ceiling at a second location spaced from the first location. The line is mounted to the ceiling at the second location. The motor is controlled to turn in opposite directions to raise and lower the sign carrier in relation to the ceiling, to allow a sign held by the sign carrier to be positioned relative to the ceiling.

Abstract: A mounting system (10) for supporting a ceiling fan assembly (11) of the type having a motor, motor housing (46), a plurality of blades (47) and a downrod (29) to a ceiling C. The mounting system includes a mounting plate (14) having a plurality of tab locks (21), a mounting bracket having a plurality of locking tabs (37) configured to mate with the tab locks (21). The mounting bracket also has an opening (40) therein configured to receive a ball joint (31) of the downrod (29).

Abstract: A writing board support tray comprises a support tray having an end portion coated with an elastomeric material with the support tray and the elastomeric material being substantially inseparably bonded or attached to each other. Further, a writing board support tray comprises a support tray substantially completely coated with an elastomeric material with the support tray and the elastomeric material being substantially inseparably bonded or attached to each other. Additionally, a further preferred embodiment, a writing board support tray comprises a support tray with a front end substantially completely coated with an elastomeric material with the support tray and the elastomeric material being substantially inseparably bonded or attached to each other. In addition, a writing board comprising a writing surface and a support tray, wherein the peripheral edge of the writing surface is encapsulated by an elastomeric material and the support tray is constructed completely out of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A multi-piece display device for the point-of-sale display of produce and other damageable items, manufactured out of a closed cell foam material and of solid construction, with each piece being a monolithic, flexible support block, whereby each of said support blocks has a top surface and is of a different size than each other support block, and with each said support block other than the smallest support block suitably adapted to support upon its top surface a smaller said support block, thereby allowing the device to be arranged into any number of configurations for the display of produce or other items. The foam construction of the device protects the items from damage while being light weight and easy to clean.

Abstract: A portable rest device for a laptop computer is made of a thermally-conductive material, and comprises a top face for receiving the laptop computer and a bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern. Due to this design, the portable rest device dissipates 1) the heat generated by the laptop computer and captured by the top face, and 2) the heat generated by the user when the bottom heat-dissipating three-dimensional pattern is disposed on the user's lap.

Abstract: An electric motor actuated stop/check valve for industrial use such as liquid pumping systems which has a controlled opening and closing rate when liquid flow is in a forward direction but closes quickly upon reverse flow of liquid with no action from the electric motor actuator.

Abstract: A solenoid valve capable of handling a corrosive control fluid and developing an increased attraction force. The solenoid valve 1 is adapted such that a fixed core is located in a wound coil 29 and protruding through the lower surface of the coil, a plunger 16 holding a valve sheet 17 is supported by a plate spring 18 under the fixed core, the valve sheet 17 is normally retained in contact with a valve seat 13 by spring force of the plate spring 18, and the valve sheet 17 is separated from the valve seat against the spring force of the plate spring 18 when the coil 29 is energized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure balanced fluid control device. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet that is adapted to allow a pressure of a working fluid flowing through the valve to be exerted in the sealed cavity above the valve stem seal. In another illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet, the opening being in fluid communication with the sealed cavity and an interior region of the body.

Abstract: A valve 100 comprising a one piece valve body 112 having an axial fluid bore 124 therethrough and a fluid control element 110 rotatable between open and closed positions. The body 112 includes an integral bracket 128 which provides an open access area between the bracket 128 and the main body 112 of the valve 100. A valve stem 130 is disposed within a stem bore 135, and 137 extending from the valve body 112 to the bracket 128, and engaging the flow control element 110. A contiguous single piece gland flange 142 secures packing 134 disposed between a valve body bore 137 and the stem 130. The stem 130 includes an enlarged shoulder 152 which engages a contiguous single piece shear bushing 148 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem bore 130, thereby preventing removal and/or blowout of the stem 130 without prior removal of the shear bushing 148.

Abstract: A hand tool is disclosed for extracting a fastener from a material. The hand tool includes a pair of elongate members joined by a pivot to form a pair of jaws and a pair of handles. The pair of jaws are operated by moving the pair of handles relative to one another, and have teeth adapted for gripping a portion of the fastener. Each of the elongate members is curved longitudinally in a plane including an axis of the pivot such that when the fastener is gripped in the pair of jaws, a force applied to the handles tends to extract the fastener from the material while minimizing damage to the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch, particularly for driving an umbrella, comprising a rope drum (48a) which is driven by a hand crank (24) and winds up a rope (28). Functioning of the winch is improved by the fact that said winch is provided with a feeler (100) which responds to the direction of entry of the rope when the rope (28) is fully unwound or to the winding of the rope onto the rope drum (48a). Said feeler (100) is connected to a locking member (102) that cooperates with a stop (104) if winding occurs in the wrong direction, said stop (104) being assigned to the rope drum (48a) and locking the wrong winding direction.

Abstract: A stabilizing jack (10) for securement to the underside of a recreational vehicle. The jack includes a channel frame (25) formed with longitudinal trunnion flanges. A longitudinal screw (50) is rotatably mounted in the channel and drives a trunnion (38) that rides between the trunnion flanges (22a, 22b). A support leg (30) is rotatably connected to the trunnion. Rotation of the screw drives the trunnion towards an outboard end of the jack and lowers the support leg to its supporting position.

Abstract: A bracket system for forming gate assemblies comprises at least two brace members that are rigidly attached to hinge assemblies. The brace members are adapted to be attached to support members to form two corners of a gate box functioning as the structural portion of the gate assembly. The hinge assemblies are adapted to be rigidly attached to a fence post to allow the gate assembly to pivot relative to the fence post. Gate assemblies of arbitrary height and width can be formed using the bracket system.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a low-profile, multi-axis, highly passively damped, vibration isolation mount which when used in multiplicity provides a complete vibration load isolation mounting system. The device provides in unique fashion a very low profile interface in combination with independently determinable compliance in all directions of vibration loading. Substantial passive damping is afforded without sacrifice to strength and linearity of behavior through adaptation of a shear wall type constrained layer damping. The result is a highly passively damped vibration isolation device that provides a very low profile interface, wide ranging longitudinal and lateral compliance management, in a durable, reliable, lightweight, and compact form.

Abstract: A spring device consists of a coil spring case formed of right, left, back and front side plates and a spring receiving plate, a coil spring having a liner spring property, and a spring urging member for urging the coil spring into the coil spring case. A distance between the right and left side plates of the spring case is set a little larger than an outer diameter of the coil spring. A distance between the back and front side pates of the spring case is set about 1.5 to 2 times larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring, and a length of the spring case is set smaller than a free length of the coil spring. The coil spring is deformed and a non-linear spring property is obtained when the coil spring is urged through the spring urging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention enables a user to remove the printed papers from the finisher without the image forming apparatus mistakenly judging that a paper jam has occurred; and has effects including a preventing the occurrence of malfunctions such as a jammed staples and the like, a wasting of resources and time for unnecessary re-printing, and increasing usability of the image forming apparatus by allowing a user in a hurry to remove printed copies without affecting the performance of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus including a stacking portion for stacking a plurality of sheets thereon, a sheet feeding portion for feeding the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a fan for sending air to the sheets to loosen the sheets stacked on the stacking portion, a heater for warming the air sent by the fan, a temperature detecting portion for detecting the temperature of the heater, and a control portion for starting the driving of the fan in conformity with the temperature detecting portion having detected a predetermined temperature after temperature control for adjusting the heater to a target temperature has been started.

Abstract: A paper pickup mechanism mounted in a feeder includes several driving gears, connecting rods, a pickup roller and a twist restricting gear. By means of the twist restricting gear, the paper pickup mechanism provides an equal pickup force under different paper loads. Furthermore, the operational precision of the pickup roller is improved via relative motion with the twist restricting gear.

Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.

Abstract: A system for feeding and transporting documents includes a feeder stage and a transport stage. The feeder stage includes a feeder and a hopper assembly. The hopper floor carries the document stack, and includes a flag providing a force to move the documents along the hopper floor toward the feeder and to feed a document with a presentation force. A vibration source means vibrate the hopper floor such that the hopper floor vibration is stronger at the far end and weaker at the near end to cause a dynamic weight of the document stack to be reduced through vibration, particularly at the hopper floor far end when the document stack is large so as to reduce variation in the presentation force at the feeder.

Abstract: A document processing system includes a feeder stage, a transport stage, and a retractable document handling mechanism cooperating with a portion of the document track. The mechanism includes an assertable member arranged with respect to the document track such that assertion of the member causes retraction of the opposed track walls in the cooperating portion of the document track by retracting a movable base member from a fixed base member. At least one pinch roller is affixed to the movable base member. The pinch roller engages the documents when the document handling mechanism is in the closed state, and the pinch roller is retracted to provide access to the document track when the document handling mechanism is in the retracted state.

Abstract: The board game is set up so that a group of people each control a single game figure and play against a single person who controls a group of game figures. The game board includes a number of castle spaces which each have a treasure card. This treasure card is revealed when a figure lands on the castle space. All players move across the board trying to obtain the scepter treasure card which is hidden at one of the castle spaces and determine the location of the living throne located at another castle space. If one of the individually controlled figures finds the scepter, that specific figure must bring the scepter to the living throne castle space in order to win the game. If one of the group of figures controlled by one player obtains the scepter treasure card, any one of the group of figures just get to the living throne castle space in order to win the game.

Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a casino card game played with a standard fifty-two card deck. The game is divided into a bonus round and a challenge round. Each player places an ante and a bonus wager at the start of the game and must place a third wager to continue into the challenge round. The dealer pays winning hands at two points in the game, at the end of the bonus round and at the end of the challenge round. The bonus round is paid according to each player's two card hand plus a third community card. The challenge round is played one-on-one with each player two card hand versus the dealer's. The player has the option to buy a new card and surrender a card of his choice during the challenge round for a predetermined price. If the dealer's hand does not contain at least one Jack or better card, the dealer will discard his or her low card and draw a replacement card from the deck.

Abstract: A quoit board and method of manufacture of a quoit board that is significantly lighter than a conventional slate quoit board, the board portion of which is made from a plastic material and wherein the surface of the plastic is treated to provide a suitable playing surface for receiving rubber quoits tossed at such surface during play.

Abstract: A portable ball rebound game includes a ball for being thrown at a rebound panel. Generally the rebounding surface of the rebound panel defines a compound curve to minimize the predictability of any rebound trajectory. Preferably the rebounding surface models the surface of a rock.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated shaft seal assembly and associated method for controlling the flow of fluid adjacent a rotatable shaft are provided. The seal assembly includes one or more seal members that can be adjusted between open and closed positions, for example, according to the rotational speed of the shaft. For example, the seal member can be configured to be adjusted according to a radial pressure differential in a fluid that varies with the rotational speed of the shaft. In addition, in the closed position, each seal member can contact a rotatable member connected to the shaft to form a seal with the rotatable member and prevent fluid from flowing through the assembly. Thus, the seal can be closed at low speeds of operation and opened at high speeds of operation, thereby reducing the heat and wear in the seal assembly while maintaining a sufficient seal during all speeds of operation.

Abstract: A seal (40) provides sealing between two pressure zones (60, 62) and a rotating and non-rotating member (42, 52) by providing a first sealing member (46) between two seal lands (48, 50). A second seal (64) is mounted between the non-rotating member (52, 58) and one of the seal lands (50, 66) so as to control pressure around the seal lands (48, 50).