Abstract: An ergonomic weapon sling includes an elongate strap having a preformed permanent curved shape adapted to conform to the anatomical contour of the user's body along an elongate area of contact between the strap and the body. First and second fasteners are carried on the strap for attaching to the forearm and stock of a rifle or shotgun. The sling is positionable in a carrying position in which the strap is positioned over a shoulder of the user and conforms to the contour of the user's torso, and is also positionable in an aiming position in which the strap conforms to the contour of an upper arm of the user and stabilizes the arm supporting the forearm of the weapon to aid the user in aiming the weapon.

Abstract: A brake warning apparatus for a vehicle having a motor brake retarder system for warning a trailing vehicle the motor brake retarder system is activated and the vehicle is decelerating. The motor brake retarder system having a plurality of retarders disposed on respective cylinders of a motor of a vehicle for imposing a braking function to the respective cylinders of the motor, each retarder electrically connected to an electronic control module by one of a plurality of control leads. The brake warning apparatus includes an electrical interface electrically connected to each one of the plurality of respective control leads for receiving a control signal from the electronic control module. The brake warning apparatus also includes a brake warning switch for receiving the control signal from the electrical interface and in response to the control signal passing an electrical current to the brake warning light.

Abstract: A cask support allows housing two casks (9) therein (1), such that the casks (9) will be arranged in a staggered manner when multiple supports are stacked together. Each support (1) includes two bedplates (2) with a seating for housing a cask (9). A carriage (10) formed by a rectangular platform is mounted to the framework of the support (1) with two brackets (15) with wheels (17) fixed to the carriage (10) which can move along each bedplate (2), and two other brackets (16) with wheels (19) fixed to the support and on which the platform of the carriage (10) slides. The carriage (10) has freedom of movement parallel to the bedplate (2). Each cask (9) rests on four rotating wheels (14) which are disposed on the vertices of the framework of the carriage (10). The cask support is especially applicable in large wine aging cellars.

Abstract: A hat hanger for hanging hats and the like. The hanger including a flexible support cord; at least one hook on one end of the support cord; and at least one elongate attachment cord. The hook is carried on a first end of the support member for suspending the support member from a support. The attachment cord is secured to the support cord for suspending a hat or the like therefrom.

Abstract: A booster seat having seat back carried by a seat bottom. The seat back includes first and second frame members mounted for slidable movement relative to each other. A flexible band interconnects the first and second frame members wherein relative movement between the first and second frame members causes movement of the band relative to the second frame member. A lock is provided for being carried by one of the first or second frame members for engaging cooperation with the band. The lock is reciprocable between a locked position wherein the lock locks the band against movement, and an unlocked position wherein the lock releases the band and allows movement of the second frame member relative to the first frame member, thereby adjusting the height of the seat back.

Abstract: A track fastener assembly for securing a seat or cargo apparatus to a floor track of a vehicle. The assembly includes a bottom rail with forward and aft ends. Front and rear movable slides carrying locking studs are carried by the bottom rail. A locking rod having a helical groove formed in its outer surface is operatively connected to the bottom rail and the slides. Rotation of the locking rod causes the slides to move axially from an installation position to a locking position. As the slides move to the locking position, they are deflected upwards along with the attached locking studs, clamping the track fastener assembly to the track.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component has an annular flange arm, a backing plate mounted to the flange arm and a bypass circuit formed between the flange arm and the backing plate. The bypass circuit includes one or more channels formed in one of the flange arm or the backing plate. When more than one channels are used, at least one connecting slot is provided between the channels. At least one inlet passage extends through the flange arm in fluid communication with the forward-most channel, and at least one outlet slot is formed between the flange arm and the backing plate in fluid communication with the aft-most channel.

Abstract: A spark detector lens assembly is adapted to block energy from static electric discharges. The lens assembly includes a housing which receives a lens. The lens is adapted to pass infrared frequency energy therethrough. A conductive coating is disposed on one side of said lens, which is effective to block radio frequency energy but pass infrared frequency energy. The conductive coating may be electrically connected to an electrical ground path. The lens assembly is especially effective for preventing false alarms by shielding a spark detector from radio frequency energy radiated by static electric discharges.

Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow, and including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of the valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof. At least one valve assembly is disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction at a predetermined flow rate, and axially moveable towards and into sealing engagement with the valve seat in response to a downstream fluid flow at a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: An article breaking apparatus for being mounted on an arm of a vehicle, and including a first member having a first jaw on a first end thereof and a mounting attachment on a second end remote from the first jaw for permitting the apparatus to be mounted onto the vehicle arm. The first jaw includes an article-supporting surface. A second member is pivotally mounted for movement about a first pivot axis, the second member including a second jaw having an article-engaging surface cooperable with the article-supporting surface of the first jaw and defining an article receiving opening therebetween. The second jaw is movable about the first pivot axis relative to the first jaw between an article receiving position in which the article-supporting surface of the first jaw and the article-engaging surface of the second jaw diverge away from the first pivot axis and an article breaking position in which the article-supporting and article-engaging surfaces diverge toward the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for preparing a concentrated inoculating composition which contains a universal use culture medium which is sterilized and cooled, then added to Rhizobium Japonicum and then allowed to multiply for 46 hours. This is followed by the addition to the culture medium of powdered maltose, liquid maltose and lactose saccharides as well as the fungicide potassium sorbate. The general use culture medium can comprise previously treated peat as one of its components. The above results in an inoculating composition for use with leguminous plants with or without peat incorporated as part of the general use culture medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed an expandable multiline dialing controller which is connected to a computer hosting a database of telephone contact records. The controller is rendered expandable by a capacity expansion interface which allows the connection of second or subsequent dialing controllers in a chain, all of the dialing controllers in the chain sharing the connection to the single computer in telephone contact database. Available operators and available outside lines could be shared between the dialing controllers in the chain. A multiline dialing control system comprising a plurality of such dialing controllers is also disclosed. Also disclosed is the method of conducting a telephone contact campaign in such an expandable hardware environment.

Abstract: A container assembly including a pot and a hanger for suspending the pot. The pot has a sidewall, a bottom wall, and an open top defined by an upper rim of the sidewall. At least three spaced-apart openings are formed in the rim of the pot. The hanger includes a suspension device for attachment to the support. At least three elongate strands are carried by respective first ends thereof on the suspension device. At least three fasteners are carried on a respective end of the three strands. Each of the fasteners include an enlarged head for being received by means of an interference fit in respective ones of the openings, whereby the hanger suspends the pot from the support.

Abstract: A grinder designed to provide an automatic grinding operation for the manufacture of a semiconductor device wafer. The grinder includes a base, a rotatable index table mounted to the base, and a grinding wheel assembly including a grinding wheel for grinding a flat surface on the wafer. The index table includes a wafer holder for receiving and holding the wafer and a dressing element for dressing the grinding wheel. The index table is selectively rotatable between a grinding position where the wafer is ground by the grinding wheel and a dressing position where the grinding wheel is dressed by the dressing element.

Abstract: Contact bump construction (27) and method for the production of a contact bump construction for the formation of elevated contact sites on connecting surfaces (22) of a substrate (21), particularly chip connecting surfaces, with a spacer metallization (28) for the attainment of a defined height of the contact bump construction, wherein the spacer metallization (28) consists at least partly of annealed copper.

Abstract: A pavement recycling assembly includes a frame defining a grinding chamber and a mixing chamber. The grinding chamber carries a rotatable laterally-extending toothed grinding drum and the mixing chamber houses at least one toothed rotatable mixing wheel. A screed assembly is disposed behind the mixing chamber for extruding said mixture at a desired height so as to form a pavement. Pavement is recycled in-situ using the recycling assembly by grinding existing pavement, adding fluid asphalt to the pavement, optionally adding supplemental pavement, and mixing the fluid asphalt with the existing and/or supplemental pavement. The mixture is then extruded at the proper height by an adjustable screed. The recycling assembly may be suspended under a self-propelled chassis so that it can be shifted laterally to engage a pavement surface selected for repair without moving the entire chassis.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic fabric includes forming a composite yarn having a metallic wire core, and a cover yarn including a fluid-soluble strand such as co-nylon or polylactic acid. The composite yarn can be knitted into an intermediate fabric product. The soluble element is dissolved to leave a use fabric suitable for other processing, such as coating with materials such as latex. The non-fluid-soluble strand may be either a single strand or multi-filaments of steel wire.

Abstract: An arrow rest for guiding and supporting an arrow on an archery bow. The arrow rest includes a base, a plurality of spaced apart arrow supports, and a mounting bracket. Each of the arrow supports include a support shoe and a plurality of bristles. The support shoe is attached to the base. The bristles extend inwardly from the support shoe for supporting an arrow. The mounting bracket attaches the base to the archery bow.

Abstract: A shower pan for mounting in a shower stall includes a single integrally molded base with a drain hole. A sidewall extends upwardly from the base and completely surrounds the base. A lateral ledge extends outwardly from the sidewall and has an inner edge and an outer edge defining a surface therebetween for mounting a shower stall door track. An outer ridge extends upwardly from the outer edge of the lateral ledge and is in spaced apart relation to the door track. Water flowing through cracks between the door track and the shower pan is prevented from escaping the shower pan by the outer ridge, which allows water to drain under the door track into the shower pan.