Abstract: A hybrid aircraft is taught having VTOL, R-VTOL and S-STOL capabilities. The aircraft has a lifting body hull and four wing sections arranged in tandem which are pivotally moveable about their neutral axis. Each wing section has mounted thereon a pivotal propeller-rotor assembly for providing thrust substantially in a range between horizontal and vertical. The wings and propellers are integrated to the hull by an outrigger designed to be very stiff and to distribute forces from the wings and propellers to the hull. The hull is shaped to provide aerodynamic lift in an airstream and to facilitate construction by minimizing the number of panels of differing curvature required. The hull is formed of a pressure tensioned frame covered with semi-rigid panels, a lower cladding frame and bow and stem cladding nose cones. The semi-rigid panels covering the frame are formed of gas-tight and abrasion resistant laminate material and are connected to the frame by means of an interface rib and latch system.

Abstract: A device for and method of injecting a bale of ruminant material with a fluid is taught. The device includes a plurality of injection spikes for insertion into the bale. The spikes are attached to a support for supporting the spikes while they are inserted into the bale. The spikes are attached to the support by a resilient member. The device prevents the deformation of the spikes and thereby increases the useable life of the device over devices in which the spikes are rigidly mounted on a driving structure. The device further has injection drive which allows precise control over the amount of fluid being injected into the bale.

Abstract: A hot water extraction process for extracting bitumen from tar sands is taught using a conditioning agent containing an alkali metal bicarbonate and an alkali metal carbonate. A source of calcium and/or magnesium ions can also be added. The conditioning agent replaces the caustic soda agent previously used in tar sand extraction. The use of the alkali metal bicarbonate and carbonate substantially eliminates the production of sludge in tar sand extraction and maintains or improves bitumen recovery. The process allows for hot conditioning agent solution to be recycled to the process by use of a recycle storage tank.

Abstract: A solid pesticide composition is taught which includes a solid carrier, a pesticide and an amount of flour and/or starch to promote the dispersion of the pesticide into the wax. The solid carrier includes paraffin oil, paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax. A solid pesticide composition is provided without having to include a chemical surfactant.

Abstract: A surgical trocar instrument is taught which is useful for conducting laparoscopic procedures using local anesthetic. The instrument is used to anesthetize a path through the abdominal wall and to guide the instrument along the anesthetized path. The instrument includes a trocar and cannula which are mounted on and are guided by a hypodermic needle.

Abstract: A golf practice platform is provided having a practice surface which can be tilted to simulate up hill, down hill and side hill shots by the action of a pair of screw drives and a pair of double acting hydraulic cylinders acting about a universal joint. A golf practice mat is also provided for use on the tilting platform or on other golf practise surfaces. The mat provides a means for varying the exposed height of the bristles to simulate grass conditions such as tee box, fairway and rough.

Abstract: A patternless edger apparatus is described which is mountable on mechanical pattern ophthalmic lens grinders. The apparatus has a mounting yoke adapted for mounting the apparatus in the place of the mechanical patterns to control the edge grinding of a lens blank. The mounting yoke includes a rotative spindle mount to interlock with the grinder pattern chuck and a mounting shaft releasably receivable in the spring clip bore of such lens grinders. A stored lens pattern and signalling from a grinder spindle rotational angle transducer are acted on by a microprocessor to control a motorized cam operative on the grinder pattern reaction surface to control the grinder to grind a lens blank to a perimeter shape corresponding to the stored lens pattern.

Abstract: A practice platform is provided for use by a golfer to practice swinging a club on different inclines. The practice platform has a deck pivotally mounted to a base. Unlike known prior practice golf platforms, the deck is intended to be pivoted to different inclines solely by the golfer's positioning himself upon the deck so that his weight causes the deck to pivot, without the use of a power drive mechanism. The platform includes a mechanism to hold the deck in the selected position, and also to facilitate positioning of the deck by restricting it from pivoting freely through its full range of motion in reaction to the golfer's weight. A valve is provided which can control simultaneously the pivoting of the deck in all directions.

Abstract: A device is taught for inspecting the integrity of water distribution pipelines. The device is constructed of housing units, for housing inspection circuitry, which are generally spherical in shape. The housing units are connected by flexible connectors which can, in some embodiments, allow for communication between the units. As such, the device is able to negotiate bends and pass through openings of reduced size in the pipeline. The device can be used with various inspection technologies including remote field eddy current inspection technology. A method for inspecting the integrity of a water pipeline system is disclosed wherein water hydrants can be used to access the system.

Abstract: A plug and process for use in well abandonment is taught. The plug includes a retaining structure, such as a cement plug, which is placed in the well borehole and an amount of a viscous substance, such as sand and fines in bitumen, above the retaining structure. The viscous substance prevents the passage of fluids vertically through the well borehole. The plug remains viscous over time and can flow to fill void which may open up in the well adjacent the plug. To enhance the sealing characteristics of the plug, the process for placement of the plug includes the removal of a section of the well casing and possibly also the sheath and a layer of the borehole wall behind the removed section of the casing at the position of the plug to prevent the flow of fluids around the plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive testing of the load bearing characteristics of a structure are disclosed. An interferometer is supported by a beam which is supported away from the surface of the structure to be tested. The interferometer is used to measure a quantity which varies with the distance between the interferometer and a reflecting means supported on the location to be tested. The reflecting means is supported in such a manner as to move responsively with deformations to the said location, and is typically attached to a probe which is urged against the said location. Preferably a force is applied or varied near the location to be tested and comparisons are made over time or as the said force varies. Such a system does not damage the structure, and does not require complicated equipment or processing.

Abstract: A hot water extraction process for extracting bitumen from tar sands is taught using a conditioning agent containing sodium and/or potassium bicarbonate or, alternatively, sodium bicarbonate and/or potassium bicarbonate and sources of calcium ions and/or magnesium ions. The conditioning agent replaces the caustic soda agent previously used in tar sand extraction. The use of the alkali metal bicarbonate solvent substantially eliminates the production of sludge in tar sand extraction and maintains or improves bitumen recovery. The process allows for hot conditioning agent solution to be recycled to the process by use of a recycle storage tank.

Abstract: A transport vehicle has an upper frame, a chassis and a pair of folding frame units. The vehicle may be folded into compact position by collapsing the folding frame units allowing the rotation of the upper frame toward the chassis. The vehicle is easy to manufacture and offers a simplified folding procedure over previously known vehicles. The vehicle may used as a trailer, a stroller or a sled and may be convertible therebetween.

Abstract: A scaffold system has a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of cross members connected by couplings. The vertical members and cross members are formed of polymeric matrix reinforced with glass and polymeric fibres. Each coupling includes a pair of annular flanges, positioned on the vertical members in a spaced apart relation to form a groove. Each flange is formed with a least one aperture to accept a lock pin which extends across the groove. In use, the lock pin locks an adapted end of a cross member in the groove by extending through the apertures of the flanges and an aperture in the adapted end of the cross member.

Abstract: A pesticide applicator has a mounting surface onto which is bonded a solid pesticide composition. The bonding is provided by a cellulosic sheet disposed between the pesticide and the mounting surface avoiding the requirement for surface knurling or fasteners such as are found in previous solid pesticide applicators. A solid pesticide composition is also disclosed comprising a solid carrier, a pesticide and an amount of flour to promote the dispersion of the pesticide into the wax. Previously known chemical surfactants are not required.

Abstract: A automatic downspout is taught having an extension which swings, in response to passage of water through the downspout, between a storage position and a position for transport of water. The extension has connected thereto a reservoir for retaining an amount of water from the water passing through the downspout. The weight of the water retained by the reservoir acts to maintain the extension in the lowered position for a selected period of time after the passage of water through the downspout stops. An actuator for such an automatic downspout is also taught.

Abstract: A trailer, as for example for towing behind a bicycle, has an upper frame member, a lower frame member and a pair of folding frame units. The trailer may be folded into compact position by collapsing the folding frame units allowing the rotation of the upper frame member toward the lower frame member. The trailer is easy to manufacture and offers a simplified folding procedure over previously known trailers. The trailer may be modified for use as a stroller.

Abstract: A low amplitude wave-board panel having improved bending strength and bending stiffness properties is provided. More specifically, the amplitude of the waves is substantially equal to, or less than half the thickness of said board. Preferably, the wave amplitude ranges from between 1/8" to about 1".