Abstract: A bag holder adapted to fit inside a flexible bag to support the bag comprising a rectangular frame having four vertical legs connected to and depending from the frame. Each of the legs has an inwardly bent portion at the lower end thereof to facilitate sliding entry into the bag. The legs are flexible such that upon pushing down on the frame the bend portion provides that the legs bow outwardly against the inside of the bag, shaping the bag into an unwrinkled and more rigid and stable state. With the frame reacting against the bag, the frame can resist a greater downwards vertical load which assists in the filling of the bag.

Abstract: A communication float for an oceanographic instrument, such as a profiler, comprising an elongated buoyant float, connected at one to the instrument by means of a neutrally buoyant communication cable, and having an antenna mounted on the other end. The float is ballasted to float at an angle such that the antenna extends from the water when the float is on the surface of the water, and whereby the float is oriented substantially vertically when submerged. The communication float is configured to provide minimal effects on the profiler instrument for either the submerged or floating mode, and to maintain transmission while subjected to wave action on the ocean.

Abstract: A target suitable for target practice or receiving warning shots which includes a bullet stopping plate with a bullet trapping panel. The plate includes a side wall designed to confine bullets fired at an angle. The bullet trapping panel includes a cut-out region with bevelled edges for receiving a replaceable section in the high impact area of the target.

Abstract: A method of forming a shielded asphalt surface on a prepared subgrade for a roadway, or the like, to prevent water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and roots from damaging the surface. The method involves forming a recess along the outer edges of the subgrade; depositing asphalt into the recess and compacting the deposited asphalt to form an edge portion at about the same height as the subgrade; depositing asphalt onto the subgrade to form the roadway surface and also onto the edge portion; compacting the deposited asphalt thereby integrating the asphalt that forms the roadway surface with the asphalt that forms the edge portion to provide a monolithic shielded asphalt surface.

Abstract: A pliers-type of crimper for blasting caps adapted for forming a double crimp in a single operation. For safety, the crimper is constructed of a lightweight non-sparking and non-magnetic material, specifically, aluminum, which is provided with a heavy dense anodic coating to provide the desired wear properties. The use of aluminum facilitates the forming of the intricate crimping elements in an integral structure for low cost.

Abstract: A system for molding a design onto a surface comprising providing an asphalt molding mesh comprising pattern molding elements formed of a flexible material having a generally V-shaped cross-section in a configuration corresponding to a pattern to be molded in the asphalt, wherein the molding mesh is in the form of an open mesh, defining open spaces between the molding elements; positioning the molding mesh onto the surface and depositing hot asphalt into the open spaces between the molding elements and levelling the asphalt, and then rolling over the mesh and asphalt to mold and compact the asphalt about the mesh and facilitate adherence to the underlying surface, and, after rolling, removing the molding mesh from the asphalt.

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance, such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and retaining for transport, an article, such as a boat, onto a vehicle, particularly a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises a pivoting rear frame member and a forward supporting frame member attached to the truck. The rear frame member has a laterally spaced pair of arms which are pivotally attached to the vehicle, such as onto the trailer hitch of the vehicle, and an upper interconnecting portion for supporting a rear portion of the boat. The rear frame member raises the boat as it is pivoted from a near horizontal position to a vertical position, by suitable means such as a winch.

Abstract: A method for molding a pattern on the surface of heated asphalt. The method includes: providing an asphalt molding mesh comprising pattern molding elements formed of an elastic material having a V-shaped cross-section in a configuration corresponding to a pattern to be molded in the asphalt. The mesh is then heated to substantially equalize with that of the surface of the asphalt. The mesh is positioned and inserted at least partially into the asphalt. The mesh and asphalt are rolled over to mold the asphalt and compact the asphalt about the mesh. Water is applied to the surface of the asphalt while rolling to limit the heating and expansion and buckling of the mesh. Finally, molding mesh is removed from the asphalt.

Abstract: A system for hydrocarbon production and water disposal utilizing a displacement liquid having a specific gravity less than that of water and immiscible with water. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises an outer well casing having an inlet for reservoir fluid, an outlet for water disposal, and an outlet for produced hydrocarbon fluid; and a tube disposed within the casing having an upper passageway for connection with a supply of a displacement liquid and an inlet having a one-way valve for allowing entry of reservoir fluid from within the casing, and a lower outlet having a one-way valve for allowing egress of water. One embodiment incorporates a downhole separator to allow a higher production rate.

Abstract: A welded joint suitable for connecting armor plates in armored vehicles obtained by providing one of the armor plates, or an interconnecting element, with a semi-circular rounded lobe; and welding the lobe to the plate to be joined to form a U-shaped welded region such that the ends thereof are directed to the outside edge of the plate so that a crack formed in the weld will tend to propagate along the weld to the outside of the plate. The joint can be used for lap joints, angled joints, and joints involving multi-layers of plates. The joints facilitate utilizing the armor plates to provide a unitary mechanical structure for the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically measuring marine conditions comprising a tunnel defining a sampling volume for water, a laser diode line generator for generating a beam of light and reflector means for directing the beam of light across the sampling volume through the water in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the water, and a plurality, of photo-sensor elements of similar size disposed for receiving and measuring the intensity of the light beam after passage through the water. The effective size of each photo-sensor element (about 1 mm.sup.2)is greater than the smallest particle to be detected and smaller than the largest organism to be measure. The photo-sensor elements generate an output signal providing an average level representative of turbidity of the water sample, and an rapidly changing attenuated level caused by passage of an organism or particle.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a pattern on the surface of asphalt comprising an endless belt having a surface formed of an elastic material and having a pattern in a form corresponding to a pattern to be impressed into the asphalt. The apparatus includes a belt pressing device, which may be in the form of a weighted roller or plate, for pressing the belt into the asphalt; and a pair of rollers spaced from either side of the belt pressing device, and at a higher elevation with respect to the asphalt surface to provide controlled lifting of the belt from the pressed asphalt. The belt is formed of an elastic material which has little compressibility, so that when pressed down by the belt pressing device, it spreads laterally outward to form pattern elements that are wider than when pressure is released, to provide clean separation from the asphalt surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the freezing points of a metal by inducing solidification in a cooling liquid metal sample in a supercooled state and utilizing specific detected peak values or changes in slope in a temperature/time plot as the sample cools, begins solidification and recalesces. It was found that the maximum temperature reached after the second rise, if two rises occur, the maximum of a single rise, or the temperature at which the rate of temperature drop decreases, if no temperature rise occurs, provides a useful approximation of the liquidus temperature and hence the freezing point of the sample.

Abstract: A spinning figurine toy has a weighted skirt or disc to provide angular momentum, a lower spindle, a spring attached to the lower spindle, a foot inserted into the lower end of the spring, and a rod fixed in the foot and able to move vertically within the lower spindle. When the toy is spun upon the foot, bouncing or jumping motion may be imparted to the toy by dropping it from a height because of the resilient nature of the spring. A pull-string operated hand launcher having a helical spindle on top fits into a corresponding helical aperture in the foot to provide a means of setting the toy in motion at high speed and of releasing it.

Abstract: A sound producing amusement device comprising an inflatable member made of an elastic resilient material, and a handle for supporting and manipulating the inflatable member. A member placed inside the inflatable member produces sound as it rolls or moves inside the inflatable member. The handle is provided with a slot for receiving the open end of the inflatable member for retention and sealing thereof within the handle. Different forms of members placed within the inflatable member produce different sounds, and can simulate different vehicles, animals, etc.

Abstract: A buoyancy package for subsurface instrumented moorings with reduced drag and increased stability is provided with the use of spherical buoyant members enclosed in a pivotally connected streamlined housing. The use of a spherical buoyant member provides a buoyant member capable of withstanding high pressures for deep water applications, and in one embodiment provides a convenient structure for providing a pivot with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A track wheel having a self supporting track (1) mounted on a pair of load bearing rollers (2, 3). The track (1) comprises a continuous resilient band having a preformed transverse and longitudinal curvature for resisting flattening to a larger radius under load but substantially free to bend to a smaller radius of curvature for passage around the rollers. The radius (8) of transverse curvature is made approximately equal to the radius (7) of said rollers, and the radius (15) of longitudinal curvature is made not greater than 20 times the radius (8) of the transverse curvature to provide a short track wheel having a high load capacity and large surface contacting area or footprint.

Abstract: A system for the automated deployment and retrieval of an oceanographic data collecting probe from a vessel in motion. The system involves ejecting the probe line rapidly from a drum such that substantially all of the line is deposited in proximity with the region of descent of the probe to reduce line drag for rapid probe descent. The system is designed for repeated deployment and retrieval of the line allowing unattended operation.

Abstract: A sampler for determining the microbiological safety or hygienic quality of surfaces comprising a scrubber-retainer which comprises a compressible liquid absorbing elastic element for scrubbing a test surface and releasably retaining a liquid, and a surrounding chamber to confine a region around the scrubber-retainer against the sample surface. The sampler includes a drive mechanism for moving the scrubber-retainer to scrub the test surface and release analytes from the test surface, and alternately compressing and decompressing the compressible material to allow liquid to be alternately released and absorbed, respectively, to produce a suspension of the released analytes.