Abstract:
An archery target is manufactured by stacking a plurality of layers of foam with the bottom surface of an upper layer engaging the top surface of a lower layer in face-to-face engagement to form a stack having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The foam layers are compressed and the layers of foam are secured to each other by applying heat to the side surfaces such that a plurality of target faces of at least partially melted foam are formed. The layers of foam are further integrated to one another by applying a heated rod through the entire stack to form at least one hole extending through the layers. The archery target is capable of being used in a stand-alone arrangement having at least four target faces and could be used as an insert for a three-dimensionally shaped target shell.
Abstract:
The solar tracking mechanism is utilized in connection with a solar energy collection system. The collection system includes a light reflective shell shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube which carries a heat transfer fluid. The shell is pivotally mounted on a support frame. An actuator mounted between the support frame and the shell rotatably the shell. A solar sensor is mounted deep within a sighting tube which is fixed to the shell such that a line of sight through the sighting tube is at least parallel to the optical axis of the shell. The solar sensor generates a sensor signal which is used as a control input to an actuator control system. End limit switches generate a limit stop signals when the shell reaches maximum angular positions. The actuator control system generates fluid flows to the actuator based the solar sensor signal and the limit stop signals. The method of tracking the sun includes providing a solar cell array, activating the solar collection system when solar radiation illuminating the array exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing a solar sensor shielded from the solar radiation except for direct, aligned radiation, pivotally rotating the shell westward based upon the solar sensor signal, stopping the shell at a maximum angular positions, and rotating the shell westward if the shell does not reach the maximum westward angular orientation during a predetermined daylight time period. The solar energy collection system may be further configured to include a bisected shell, which are hinged together. The shell halves can be collapsed onto each other thereby protecting the light reflective surface and the radiation absorbing segment of the tube carrying heat transfer fluid.
Abstract:
A telephone switching system is provided for use with an external telephone line and a plurality of telephone extensions wherein each extension has a plurality of "touch tone" buttons which, when depressed, generate an audio signal unique to that button. The system includes at least one internal channel and at least one external channel wherein the external telephone line is connected to the external channel. An on-hook and off-hook detector is provided for each of the telephone extensions as well as a detector for detecting the presence of an incoming call on the external channel. A switching circuit is then responsive to an off-hook status of a first extension together with a coded audio signal generated by the buttons at the first extension to either (1) selectively and exclusively connect the first extension to a selected second extension determined by the coded audio signal to the internal channel and to generate a ring signal to the second extension, or (2) connect the first extension to the external channel. The switching circuit is also responsive to a coded audio signal to transfer an incoming call from the first extension to a selected second extension. Other features, including area code lockout features and placing an external call on hold, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A hummingbird feeder includes a feeder base receiving a hummingbird feed solution therewithin, wherein the base has mounted thereto in a coaxially aligned relationship a support cylinder. The support cylinder includes a divider wall directed orthogonally relative to the axis of the support cylinder, with the divider wall accommodating fluid therewithin. The feeder base having a mounting post and a support post directed through the support cylinder, and the divider wall received within the support post, whereupon suspension of the hummingbird feeder by the support post prevents crawling insects from access to the base due to the support post being positioned within a surrounding body of fluid.
Abstract:
The invention is a removable wheel cover for an in-line-type skate. The cover includes a front boot designed to inwardly receive the skate's front wheel. The cover also includes a rear boot designed to inwardly receive the skate's rear wheel. A pair of flexible, resilient straps connect together the two boots of the cover. When not in use, the cover can be folded into a small volume and easily stored within a user's pocket.
Abstract:
A grounding block electrical connector for use in electrically grounding a plurality of electrical wires. The block has a housing, electrical contacts, a busing plate, and a strain relief grommet. The housing has a contact receiving area for receiving the electrical contacts and a grommet receiving area. The electrial contacts are welded to the busing plate which is riveted to the housing such that the contacts are electrically connected to the housing. In addition, a protrusion of the busing plate from the housing provides a direct electrical contact to a member on which the connector is intended to be mounted. The grommet is fixedly connected to the housing at the grommet receiving area by a bonding adhesive.
Abstract:
In the illustrated embodiments, the boot (22) has a sole plate (24) and a monolithic (54) shell of substantially rigid plastic material upstanding thereon. The shell forms an open top shoe structure (26) in which the user can insert the base of his foot, while he at the same time engages the metatarsal portion of his foot in a "holster" formed under an arched cowl (32) at the forward end of the shell. Meanwhile, at the back of the shell, there is a rear wall (36) that upstands to a level above the ankle joint of the user's foot, to form a strongback for the achilles tendon of his foot. The strongback (36) is accompanied by a part annular cuff (38) which is adapted to be removably secured about the user's lower leg above the ankle joint therein, and is supported on the shell at the top opening (28) thereof, so as to have no more than a limited capability to flex in relation to the shell laterally thereof. The cuff (38) is pivotally mounted on the shell to assume a normally upright position adjacent the strongback (36) when the user's leg is relaxed and straightened at the knee and is relesably detained in such position by the strongback. However, the upper cuff and the holster are spaced apart from one another by a gap (88) across the instep of the user's foot when the upper cuff (38) is releaseably detained in the normally upright position thereof; and there is an opening in the gap and a recess (114) in one of the strongback and pivot in conjunction with the user's lower leg, relative to the shoe structure, to any one of the positions to which the user may choose to pivot his lower leg for water skiing, including the low angle position it will assume when he squats or crouches for startup.
Abstract:
Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables. An improved installation station including the apparatus includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions and a transport station to sequentially move the includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions and a transport station to sequentially move the connectors from the magazines to the installation station. The installation station includes a surface for retaining cables in a horizontal plane and a press having an avil and ram for coupling connector portions to the cable and to each other. The installation station also includes means to retain connector portions on the ram during the coupling.
Abstract:
Apparatus for installing connectors onto flat conductor cables. An improved installation station including the apparatus includes magazines for supporting a plurality of connector portions and a transport station to sequentially move the connectors from the magazines to the installation station. The installation station includes a surface for retaining cables in a horizontal plane and a press having an avil and ram for coupling connector portions to the cable and to each other. The installation station also includes means to retain connector portions on the ram during the coupling.
Abstract:
A high speed turning tool comprises:(a) a generally cylindrical body having an axially extending bore,(b) multiple cutters at one end of the body and spaced about said axis,(c) each cutter having a front face and a cutting edge which extend in a generally radial axial plane, the cutter edges equally spaced about said axis,(d) each cutter having a back flank which extends at a relatively shallow angle from said edges and into proximity with the front face of the preceeding cutter and therewith define a first chip curl space,(e) there being additional and substantial chip curl space formed by the extension of said back flank into proximity to a body front face extending outwardly relative to said first curl space.