Abstract: A transparent flat sheet template facilitates joining and cutting of pieces of fabric used to make conventional quilting units, prior to assembly of the units into in a quilt. The template comprises a first edge having a first straight edge portion and a concave edge portion, the concave edge portion being a portion of a circle. The template has second and third straight edges disposed perpendicularly to each other, and a fourth edge disposed parallel to the second edge. The template also includes an arcuate guideline which is generally similar in size and shape to the concave edge portion, and a grid of first and second sets of straight guidelines marked on the template. The first set of guidelines are parallel to each other and to the first straight edge portion of the template. The second set of guidelines are parallel to each other and to the second edge of the template. The straight guidelines are used to align the template with edges of a square of fabric.

Abstract: A rocket-fired visual signalling apparatus and method includes a rocket, an elongated streamer having a first end portion connected to the rocket and a rocket launcher for launching the rocket so that the rocket pulls the streamer into the air such that when the rocket burns out, the streamer is spread out over the surrounding ground cover to facilitate visibility of the streamer.

Abstract: A device for dispensing corrosive liquids accurately and without spilling can be held in one hand while the other hand holds a vessel into which liquid is dispensed. The device has a tubular barrel with a thumb stop at a top end and a cap at a bottom end for connection to a liquid container. A hand grip fits over the barrel and is slidable thereon with a connection link to a plunger slidable within a cavity in the barrel. A liquid intake tube extends down from the base of the cavity in the barrel, through the cap, into the liquid container and has a first non-return valve therein, such that sliding movement of the hand grip upwards on the barrel draws liquid through the intake tube into the cavity, and a liquid dispensing tube connected to the cavity, with a second non-return valve therein, such that sliding movement of the hand grip downwards on the barrel dispenses liquid from the cavity through the dispensing tube.

Abstract: An earthquake, fire and wind resistant pre-fabricated building panel comprises a plurality of frame members. The frame members are connected together to form a frame lying in a frame plane, the frame defining a perimeter of the panel, the perimeter bounding an interior portion of the panel. At least some of the frame members are biased inwardly, generally in the frame plane, towards the interior portion of the panel. A first solidified castable substance is cast in the interior portion of the frame, between the frame members. A three-dimensional structure such as a house is formed by connecting the panels together. The connections absorb and distribute seismic forces to the entire three-dimensional structure and the biased frame members act to absorb residual seismic forces reaching the individual panels. The castable substance and biased frame members permit the panel to withstand both positive and negative loading and render the panel fire resistant.

Abstract: A manhole base comprising a benching portion, an annular wall portion surrounding the benching portion and extending axially therefrom, the annular wall portion having inside and outside surfaces and at least two angularly spaced apart passages extending through the annular wall portion, each passage having inner and outer portions respectively, the inner and outer portions being disposed within the annular wall portion, the inner portions having respective inner openings in the inside surface and the outer portions having respective outer openings in the outer surface, the inner and outer openings being in communication with their respective passages. There is at least one canal in the benching portion for connecting at least two of the passages in communication with each other, the canal having an open top portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing aircraft, particularly aircraft prior to take-off, the aircraft having differing undercarriage wheel configurations (footprints), one to another, the apparatus for use on or in an aircraft roadway or the like. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced apart wheel load measuring devices and wherein at least the wheel load measuring devices for the respective main undercarriage wheels are mounted for lateral movement one to another, and in some cases computer controlled motorized movement controlled from the aircraft, so that they may be selectively positioned in spaced relation one to another to suit the various main undercarriage wheel spacings of the various aircraft to be weighed. A readout means is operatively linked to the load measuring devices in order to display the respective wheel loads registered by the respective load measuring devices. In some cases, a computer is included for calculating the center of gravity of the respective aircraft.

Abstract: A tank for the treatment of sewage. The tank has walls and a base and includes a screw conveyor and an aerator pipe to allow circulation of the sewage by the passage of air. The tank has projections extending inwardly from at least one of the walls or the base of the tank to trap rags present in the sewage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for center finding and physical proximity measurement, the apparatus including a reactance controlled signal source for producing a measurement signal having a measurement signal frequency dependent upon reactance and a probe tip connected to the signal source. The probe tip is operable to receive the measurement signal while presenting a measurement reactance to the signal source, the measurement reactance being due to coupling of the probe tip with a workpiece adjacent the probe tip and the measurement reactance varying in accordance with the physical proximity of the probe tip to the workpiece. The measurement reactance causes the signal source to vary the measurement signal frequency according to the proximity of the probe tip to the workpiece. The measurement signal frequency is sufficiently high to enable the measurement signal to be radiated by the probe tip for reception by a remote receiver.

Abstract: A lightweight pallet is provided which includes interconnected platform and channel stringer structure. The interconnection of the structures including various slits, slots, and tabs at various locations on the platform and stringer members. Reinforcement members may be received in the channels.

Abstract: A tailgate closure mechanism for a tailgate hoist serves to move the tailgate from the horizontal position in which it functions as a platform to the upright position in which it functions as a gate. The closure mechanism includes a closing slide which is slidably mounted on at least one of the tailgate support slides and a connecting link that connects the slide to the tailgate. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the closing side toward its raised position. The drive mechanism may be in the form of an hydraulic ram, a compression spring or a combination ram and spring.

Abstract: In a precision moulding or finishing machine operating in continuous motion to form fully finished products from materials such as wood pulp, an improved system for transferring a preform into a transfer mould and thence into precision mating with a finishing mould in a pressing operation suitable for manufacturing products such as bowls, cups, pots and boxes, the preform remaining in one pair of moulds throughout the pressing operation. Transfer mould assemblies are transferred sequentially from one transporting carrier to another for fully rotatable mounting on releasable mounts guided precisely through a preferred endless travel path and orientation program. The concept of a releasably mounted and freely transferable transfer mould assembly provides for the addition of such functions as printing and labelling in the same continous production line.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing strength and skill in striking a ball in sports such as golf, tennis, squash, racquetball, table tennis, baseball, cricket and the like where an increase of strength, hand-eye coordination, muscle memory and/or concentration is advantageous to the participant. The apparatus provides at least two strings which pass through, or on, a system of anchor members or brackets, such as pulleys, slides, orifices or arcuate shapes, and a means of providing a resisting force, such as a set of weights, or a spring loaded devices. The distal end from the handle of the club, racket or other ball striking device is attached to the strings and the ball striking device is held and swung by the user.

Abstract: A chair control mechanism of the type having a seat support member pivotally mounted on a leg mounting member, and a spring loaded adjustment mechanism for controlling the pivotal movement of one member with respect to the other. The adjustment mechanism includes a handle mounted on an adjustment screw for movement therealong to compress or allow extension of the compression spring. A nut is threadedly mounted on the adjustment screw and serves to retain the members, adjustment screw and spring in an assembled configuration during shipping to and assembly of a chair by a chair manufacturer. A hand wheel is provided for attachment to the nut after the control mechanism has been assembled and installed in a chair. The hand wheel has a body of plastics material in which a seat formed which is proportioned to accommodate and adapted to cooperate with the nut such that when the nut is seated therein, rotation of the hand wheel will cause rotation of the nut with respect to the adjustment screw.