Abstract: A relocating apparatus having a pivot connector for removably pivotally connecting the apparatus to a mast of a sailing vessel. The relocating apparatus also includes a telescoping sleeve assembly which supports a cable which can be connected to a load such as a dinghy. The cable is retracted about a drum which is rotated by a winch handle inserted in the relocating apparatus causing the dinghy to be raised. The relocating apparatus is swung about the pivot connecter to place the dinghy into position near a deck edge of the vessel. The telescoping sleeve assembly is then retracted or extended as desired by inserting the winch handle in a second socket and rotating the winch handle in the desired direction. After the dinghy has been located above the desired position, the cable is extended by inserting the winch handle in the proper socket and rotating the handle.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: A cultured mussel cleaning machine (10) for cleaning fragile-shelled mussels, the machine (10) having a first staged (12) and a second stage (14). The first stage (12) includes a cylindrical container (16) in which is mounted a series of rotating chains (48) and flexible, abrasive gloves (56) that break apart and clean mussels (70) as they move from a loading chute (34) to a drain (72) by the force of pressurized water (68). Mussels (70) exiting the first stage (12) enter the second stage (14) where they travel down an inclined series of abrasive rollers (106). The mussels (70) are gently pressed against the abrasive rollers (106) by compressible material (112) formed on the underside (110) of a lid (84) placed over the rollers (106). The cleaned mussels (70) pass over a second drain (116) and into a container (120). The second stage (14) is detachable from the first stage (12) for remote operation where the rollers (106) are powered by a manual crank (134).

Abstract: A rotating bracket (10) having a sleeve (20) slidably engaged with a vertical post, am arm (22) attached to the sleeve, and an extension (24) rotatably mounted to the arm (22) to position a curing lamp (14) at a desired rotational orientation. A bearing plate (36) on the arm (22) cooperates with the bearing plate (46) on the extension (24) to facilitate smooth rotation. A helical compression spring (58) urges said bearing plates (36and 46) into contact to hold the extension (24) and the curing lamp (14) at a desired rotational orientation.

Abstract: Degradable particulate absorbent materials, together with processes for manufacture thereof, wherein the absorbent materials: (i) have, in most forms of the invention, only on the order of 0% to 10%, by weight, of inorganic solids or "fillers", and in all forms have less than 30% inorganic solids by weight; (ii) are not in pellet form; (iii) are characterized by an open porous fiber structure having relatively low bulk densities on the order of not more than 13 lbs./ft..sup.3 and preferably only from about 6 to about 10 lbs./ft..sup.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barriers(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: A connector (10) for positioning fasteners (16) in a preformed opening (24) in a wall (12). Tabs (18) formed on the front surface (13) of the wall (12) guide the nail gun (22) and trip a trigger mechanism to cause the fastener (16) to be driven through the wall (12) and into an abutting structural member.The system further includes a nail gun (59) having a follower plate (94) pivotally mounted in channels (89) formed on each side of a foot (79). Each follower plate (94) is guided into contact with a tab (116) that pivots the follower plate (94) into contact with a mounting plate (75) attached to a linking arm (68) that enables activation of a pneumatic nail driving device (62) and the ejection of a nail through a predetermined position on the connector (118).

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100',138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: A breakaway bolt (10) formed from a shaft (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), and a breakaway shank (18). The breakaway segment is formed from laterally projecting and circumscribing flanges (22 and 24) that reduce in diameter to form cones (26 and 28) that intersect at a midpoint intersection (30) to create a preformed stress point that will break when the first end (14) or second end (16) is subjected to a predetermined lateral load. A breakaway spacer (32) formed in accordance with the present invention form a shaft (34) to have a first end (36) and a second end (38) that are connected by a breakaway shank (40). A first flange (44) and second flange (46) project laterally outward from and circumscribe the shaft (34) to form shoulders (48 and 50) and cones (52 and 54) that intersect at a midpoint intersection (56) to form a preformed stress point that allows the spacer (32) to break in any direction when subjected to a predetermined lateral load.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: Luminescent balloons (18', 18") and methods of manufacture thereof wherein one or more balloon forms (11) are respectively moved through discrete sequential processing stations (12/16, 14/21 and, optionally, 15/22) for the purpose of applying successive laminations (19, 20 and, optionally, 24) on the balloon forms (11), which laminations are dryed, set and cured in drying stations (16, 21, 22) so as to form a balloon (18', 18") having: (i) an outer lamination (19) formed essentially of pure latex and providing structural integrity for the balloon; (ii) an inner lamination (20) bonded to the inner surface of the outer lamination (19), in which inner lamination (20) the luminescent dry solid particles are maintained in a latex carrier and constitute at least FIFTY PERCENT (50%), and preferably from SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT (65%) to SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%), of the total dry solids in the inner lamination (20) for imparting the luminescent qualities to the balloon; and (iii), optionally, a third essentially pure lat