Abstract: A practice device for the throwing of a football, the device consisting of a football and an elasticized cord and an adjustable wrist support band with a means for connecting the cord between the football at one extremity and the wristband at its opposite extremity in combination with a means for causing to develop a spiralling trajectory when thrown.

Abstract: A system for draining condensed steam from a closed high pressure feedwater heater installed in a steam turbine power generation cycle, and recycling the drains into the feedwater system at a point between the inlet to the main feedwater pump and an immediately adjacent closed feedwater heater, with controls for regulating the level in the high pressure heater, in conjunction with the normal cascade drain system, and with provisions for preventing the backflow of feedwater into the drain system and then into the high pressure feedwater heater.

Abstract: In a composite snowshoe, a thermosetting plastic deck or jacket wholly or partially encapsulates an aluminum tubing frame which includes an integral toe cord axle insert molded with the deck or jacket, with a boot binding system mechanically interlocked with the deck and frame which includes integral traction cleats, a crampon, longitudinal, serrated ribs on the underside of the deck to provide lateral stability when traversing a slope and improved traction when climbing an incline and diagonal ribs on the deck for strengthening the longitudinal ribs and adding traction in packed snow.

Abstract: Springs are arranged in elastic fluid turbine seal ring systems to accomplish a condition of relatively large clearance while starting and during low load conditions but in cooperation with pressure forces occurring at higher loads permitting said seal ring to relocate to a position of relatively small clearance to improve sustained efficiency. Geometry of existing packing rings is improved to enhance proper motion and improve efficiency benefits by either machining the outer arcuate surface of the seal ring segment, or including raised local surfaces on both ends of the seal segments, or, in the case of multiple seal ring segments, removing a seal tooth from the discharge side of each segment and adding the removed tooth to the upstream side of the following segment, or widening the neck of a seal ring by moving its discharge side in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A snowshoe incorporates a semi-rigid boot housing assembly which encloses the boot of a user on either side and bottom of the foot, and an integral heel crampon assembly which precludes deflection of the snowshoe flotation member and heel crampons by ensuring that the downward force of a user's weight is transmitted directly to the crampons whereby the crampons remain perpendicular to the snow surface, the boot housing assembly extending to the heel area and upward to the ankle area and including an adjustable heel stop assembly attached to the housing for ensuring that the ball of the foot is positioned directly over the snowshoe axle, the housing assembly having semi-rigid side walls which extend the lateral rigidity to the ankle area, and provide a tension member to resist foot movement during descents, the housing walls being designed to comfortably restrain the foot using an instep clamp assembly, the boot housing assembly including a width adjustment system which allows the user to pre-set the proper wi

Abstract: The invention hereof provides, in a single device, means for accepting and breaking chains of different sizes, from small chains to large, industrial type chains, the device accepting a plurality of drive blocks with outwardly projecting parallel ejection pins of differing sizes and/or spacings to accommodate to chains of different sizes, and accepting a plurality of chain nests of different sizes to receive the pins of a cooperant drive block while holding the chains of a cooperant size thereby permitting the ejection of the roller pins from the chain whereby the chain is "broken" or disassembled.

Abstract: A method for constructing in situ an elevated annular platform. The steps include a) erecting a curved flanged support beam, b) locating a plurality of metal sheets about each side of the beam, c) positioning a supporting structure for the support of the sheets, d) locating an upright edging in defining a mold cooperantly with the sheets, e) positioning and securing reinforcing material within the mold, f) securing packaging within the mold, g) filling the mold, and h) removing the supporting structure and sheets.

Abstract: A method for capturing ecologically harmful substances in the nature of hydrocarbons from the surface of a body of water or from the ground adjacent a landfill or waste dump or from a shoreline of a body of water into which residual waste fluids from an adjacent ground leakage is passed.

Abstract: A mud guard adapted for releasable attachment to the saddle of a bicycle comprises a sheet of a semi-rigid body adapted to be folded so as to define a long projecting open ended nose or snout sleevable over the forward end of a bicycle saddle so that the tail of the so-folded sheet may be extended rearwardly of the saddle and outwardly thereof in a cantilevered manner over and in spaced relationship to the rear wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: The tool functions as a vise and comprises a ratcheted gear train within a housing, first and second longitudinally-opposed, laterally-spaced upwardly-extending fingers of crooks facing each other, the first crook being fixedly secured to the housing, the second crook being tethered to one extremity of a traveling cable driven longitudinally through its connection to the gear train, the first crook being positionable for bearing engagement against a selected section of the chain, the second crook being positionable for bearing against another selected section of the chain, thereby tensioning the portion of the chain not between the crooks and effectively relaxing the portion of the chain between the crooks.

Abstract: A unit for displaying merchandise in a picture frame look with advertising graphics as a background, the merchandise being encapsulated in a clear, thermoformed container housed by the frame, making the merchandise pilfer-proof and giving it a high gloss finish, the graphics background and the thermoformed container being easily changed by sliding them in and out of the frame, all while the display is mounted in the retail environment without requiring any additional tools, fixtures, or disassembly.

Abstract: A rotary milking platform with a means of entrance and egress of animals in which each milking bail (4) is defined by two restraining rails (5). The angle of the bails (.alpha.) and the direction of rotation of the platform (arrow A) are both either clockwise or counter-clockwise so that a milked animal leaving via the exit means (7) can be seen by the next animal on the platform (2) to finish milking. The exit path (7) incorporates a curved restraining rail (8) against which an animal leaving the platform (2) is backed such that only the animal's front feet remain on the platform (2). The movement of the platform (2) turns the animal (Arrow E) and the shape and placement of the curved restraining rail (8) guides the animal to the exit means (7). The entrance pathway (6) is radially aligned so that an animal entering the platform (arrow B) is oriented to step onto the annulus (3) into a bail (4).

Abstract: The improvement of this invention comprises a seal or other means for closing portions of the flow path between blade carriers for extraction steam as it leaves the main flow path of a steam turbine. The seal prevents the extraction of steam from most of the circumference of the turbine, allowing steam to be extracted only from a portion of the circumference. Hot tip leakage steam is thus retained in the turbine over those portions of the circumference where the seals close the extraction flow path wherein it is of substantial benefit in driving the turbine but is of little benefit when used for heating feedwater, with the colder steam being extracted in its place so that the total amount of steam extracted for heating feedwater is essentially unchanged.