Abstract: A more precise and cost effective means than previously commercially available for measuring alternating currents up to 100 amperes in the frequency range from direct current to 100 kilohertz can be measured with precision approaching 0.001% employs a shield around a resistive network. The shield is electrically isolated from the resistive network, but acts as a heat sink to draw heat generated by the resistive network away, promoting fast stabilization times. The shield also provides electrical shielding from outside interference allowing the geometric arrangement of elements in the resistive network to minimize induced inductance and capacitance.

Abstract: A resistance testing apparatus makes use of a modular design for cascaded, parallel, bipolar current sources to obviate the need for electromechanical or pneumatic switching systems.

Abstract: A kit for providing an air suspension as a retrofit to an existing trailer using a leaf spring suspension makes use of hanging brackets, support arms and air bladders connected to a control system that determines whether the bladders require inflation or deflation to level the bed of the trailer.

Abstract: A plow moldboard assembly having multiple ground engaging blades is provided with a plurality of elongate blade receiving slots having an open top and an open bottom and each defined by front and rear walls and two end walls disposed rearward of the rear major face of the moldboard and which extend along the bottom edge of the moldboard. A plurality of ground engaging blades are arranged in side-by-side relationship, each one having front and rear blade faces and upper and lower blade portions. The front face of the lower portion is forwardly offset relative to the front face of the upper rectangular portion such that the upper rectangular portion is received in the slot and held in position by detachable securing means. Damaged blades, which are relatively light in weight can be individually removed from the elongate slot and replaced with an undamaged blade. If desired, the front and rear faces of all of the blades can collectively be reversed thereby extending the life of each blade.

Abstract: A fly line leader made from a single length of monofilament line that is folded upon itself to provide at least four strand portions that are twisted together. The leader has a loop at each of opposite ends thereof provided by the single length of monofilament line with the result of no enlargement at the transition from the main portion of the leader to the loop. The monofilament line preferably is nylon with a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. A simple twister mechanism is described whereby the fisherman can make his own leader matched to his own preferences by selection of line stiffness, line diameter, and degree of twisting.

Abstract: Marine vessels used for collecting floating debris from water employing a collection bucket which dumps debris in one spot directly behind the collection area are known. A debris collection bucket locatable in an open chamber, both of which having water passageways extending therethrough is disclosed. The bucket is movable between the open chamber and a debris dumping area. Gate means is provided which cooperates with the bucket. The gate is moveable between a gate open position permitting debris to enter the debris collection area, and a gate closed position impeding entry of debris when the bucket proceeds to dump collected debris. A primary boom which extends centrally and longitudinally of the vessel is pivotally connected to both the vessel and the bucket. The boom is telescopically and vertically movable between the debris collection area and the debris dumping area which can extend centrally along a substantial length of the vessel.

Abstract: A connector for joining two elongate framing members in abutting right angle relationship to form either a right angle corner connection or T-connection between the framing members is disclosed. The connector can optionally include panel receiving means to receivingly support two rectangular panel sections in complimentary right angle relationship above or below the joined together framing members. Connectors which include the panel receiving means are useful in constructing containers such as planters or the like and which have upper and lower rectangular frames with the rectangular panel sections disposed therebetween and thus forming the sidewalls for the container.

Abstract: A culvert end guard for use in surrounding and protecting an exterior end portion of a culvert and which is assembled from first and second like half shell sections is disclosed. Each half shell is T-shaped in configuration and includes a central limb portion, two end limb portions, an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface of each half shell is further characterized by an open-ended channel of predetermined size and shape that is centrally disposed in and which extends in a direction along the central limb portion, and contact areas located on either side of the channel. When the first and second half shell sections are brought together in opposed and closed shell relationship, they engage one another along their respective contact areas and form from their respective channels a passageway through which the end of the culvert can extend.

Abstract: An engineered or manufactured elongate wooden I-beam of the type having continuous upper and lower flange sections and a central web section therebetween is provided with a rectangular opening in the web along the span of the beam. A rectangular and open reinforcing frame constructed from at least four wooden pieces is securely positioned in the opening and is exteriorly dimensioned so that the height of the frame corresponds to the distance between the opposed interfaces of the upper and lower flange sections and the width of the frame is no less than the distance between the spaced apart web sections. This reinforced opening facilitates the passage of ductwork or the like laterally therethrough. Employing apertured I-beams of the foregoing description also facilitates a structural beam and bridging assembly where an elongate wooden bridging element can be employed by extending through and being interconnected to the frames of adjacent pairs of apertured joists.

Abstract: A snow ski of the type having separately constructed and joined together upper and lower elongate ski sections wherein the two sections are joined together by an elongate slide rail which slidingly interconnects the opposed faces of the upper and lower ski sections together. A connector arrangement is provided for captively holding the two sections together along the slide rail to thereby permit relative sliding movement between the upper and lower ski sections when the snow ski is flexed longitudinally. The lower ski section preferably is relatively thin and of uniform thickness between its ski tip and ski tail and is also uncambered. A camber is imparted to the lower ski section when it is slidingly interconnected to the upper ski section which itself on its lower surface is longitudinally curved. The upper ski section also preferably functions as a torsion tube and is more resistant to longitudinal flex and lateral twist than the lower section to which it is attached.

Abstract: A refuse bag opener that includes a material metering cylinder and a knife cylinder mounted therein and driven by a suitable power mechanism to rotate in opposite directions to feed bagged refuse therebetween. The metering cylinder and the knife cylinder are disposed in vertical spaced relation with the knife cylinder being the lowermost of the two. The hopper receives the bagged material and by way of a sloping lower wall directs the bagged material towards the knife cylinder. The lower sloped wall has a belt conveyor for direct feeding of the bagged material to the lower cylinder which by virtue of its rotation cuts the bag. The bagged refuse passes between the metering cylinder and the knife cylinder at a relatively even rate. A conveyor feeds the material from a supply source to the hopper and an outfeed conveyor delivers the emptied bags and contents of the bags to a suitable sorting location.

Abstract: A method of improving the operating efficiency and reducing certain exhaust emissions in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. By continuously subjecting a portion of recycling engine lubricating oil to heat treatment in the range from 170.degree. C. to 260.degree. C. and preferably the range from 180.degree. C. to 240.degree. C. in a volatilization chamber or the like, an improvement in the fuel consumption as well as a reduction in the total hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and particulates can be achieved.