Abstract: A game call apparatus of improved configuration provides a two part body that includes first and second hollow tubular members that, each have a hollow bore section. The tubular members and provide an open-ended longitudinally extending bore when they are assembled together. The first and second tubular members have correspondingly shaped connectable threads that engage and connect when the two tubular members are assembled together. One of the tubular sections provides a groove to which is attached an O-ring. The o-ring defines a stop that limits travel of one tubular member relative to the other when the threaded connection is made to join them together. By acting as such a stop, the O-ring and threaded connection arrangement insures that the game call will always be reassembled in exactly the same position after it has been disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface. In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends proximally from the insert and cooperates with a cam on the femoral component. The projecting portion can be a post extending up from the proximal surface of the insert and the femoral component includes an intercondylar surface that may contact the post to constrain the relative motion between the femoral component and the insert.

Abstract: A marine platform provides a plurality of buoys, a platform having a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of attachment positions, one attachment position for each buoy, and an articulating connection that connects each buoy to the platform at a respective attachment position, the connection allowing for sea state induced buoy motions while minimizing effect on the platform.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes an inner elongated instrument member that fits the bore of an outer elongated instrument member. The inner instrument member carries a flag that can be furled about the distal end portion of the inner instrument member. A sheet of surgical material to be dispensed into a patient's body cavity can be attached to the flag. The outer instrument member includes an articulating end portion that can be moved to deflect the end portion of the inner instrument member such as when the flag is unfurled inside a patient's body cavity.

Abstract: A fire fighting apparatus includes a chassis that can be in the form of a trailer that supports a pedestal and an articulating boom with a submersible hydraulically driven pump at an end portion of the boom opposite the pedestal. A diesel engine mounted on the chassis powers both a hydraulic pump and a transfer pump. Water picked up by the submersible pump at the end of the boom is received on the chassis and then transferred under pressure to a fire fighting hose. A dual filter arrangement can be used to remove trash that is picked up by the submersible hydraulic pump. A hydraulic motor on the chassis can be used to operate the boom during unfolding and folding and to transfer hydraulic fluid to the submersible pump.

Abstract: In one embodiment disclosed is a safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall having outer surface, said flange having a central axis; a filler cap having a cap center, the cap being connectable to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening when the cap center generally aligns with the flange central axis, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap, at a position next to the tank wall; and a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that is activated to a safety mode when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature, said mechanism including a connector that interfaces between the outer surface of the fuel tank and the cap.

Abstract: A sprayer apparatus uses a larger canister to contain diluent (e.g. water) and a smaller canister to contain chemical concentrate (e.g. insecticide, fertilizer, soap, etc.). The larger canister has a bladder or diaphragm that separates its interior into two sections; a liquid chamber and a pressured gas chamber. A valved manifold enables diluent to be added to the apparatus via the manifold so that it mixes with the desired chemical concentrate. Mixed solution can then be dispensed via a hose, spray wand, etc. using the pressurized air to drive it out of the larger canister.

Abstract: A golf club features a hollowed club head having an insert movably mounted therein. The insert is weighted so that it works like a pendulum during a user's swing of the club. The insert has a flat face that shifts to present a face to the ball that corrects for improper technique.

Abstract: A continuous copying apparatus provides a copier chassis having a copy paper inlet and a copy paper outlet which are on a common side of the copier chassis. A web of supply paper is positioned adjacent the copier inlet and is compactly stored so that a continuous, elongated web can be fed into the chassis at the inlet. A first roller drive positioned on the chassis and adjacent the paper path pulls the copy paper from the supply web into the inlet. A photocopying component system includes at least a photoconductor, and an optics system for imaging an original to be copied onto the photoconductor, for continuously imprinting an image to be copied on the web of copy paper as it traverses the copier chassis through a defined, generally semicircular paper path. A drive means is positioned on the chassis sequentially behind the photocopying component system on the flowpath for pulling the copy paper web from the photocopying component system to the copier outlet.

Abstract: A composite spreader frame assembly provides a primary load line having a bridle attached to the load line and four radially and branching lines connected at one respective end to the bridle. A pair of separate elongated support bars are each supported independently by the alternate radially branching lines. A plurality of lifting eyes are removably connected at each respective end of the elongated support bars. Four secondary depending load lines which are generally vertical during lifting are attached at the upper end to the lifting eyes and at the lower end to a load to be lifted.

Abstract: A subsea acoustic relocation system provides an apparatus that includes in one embodiment an anchor, and in another embodiment a weighted frame having in part a casing which has an inner bore with an open top portion. A line canister connected to the anchor or disposed within the casing bore has an opening through which a contained canister line can pay out. The canister line is placed within the line canister and is anchored at one end to the anchor or frame, the other end of the canister line being a free end which dispenses from the canister during operation. An acoustic transponder release assembly is detachably affixed to the anchor or frame (within the casing bore) at a provided removable connection which can be broken by an acoustic signal. The acoustic transponder release assembly has attached to it the free end of the line canister with the acoustic transponder release forming a temporary connection of the free end of the line to the frame.

Abstract: A chemical mixing apparatus comprises a preferably cylindrical mixing tank having a flow inlet at the lower bottom central portion of the tank, the flow inlet providing an injection conduit which proceed vertically a distance into the tank. A floc concentration tube is provided with an inner bore, the tube being vertically mounted in the tank about the injection conduit with the tube having a lower fluid inlet and an upper fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being in communication with the tank by means of a plurality of perforations in the tube at the fluid inlet adjacent the bottom of the tank. A rotatable propeller shaft having a mixing propeller mounted thereon is attached to the tank structure, the shaft being mounted at least in the tube bore above the injection conduit with the propeller being between the lower fluid inlet and the upper outlet immediately adjacent the outlet of the injection conduit.

Abstract: An interchangeable trailer ball apparatus provides an elongated hollowed pin which is attached normally to the bumper or drawbar of a vehicle. The bumper provides an internal elongated longitudinal bore with a lateral bore intersecting the longitudinal bore at one end portion. Disposed within the lateral bore is a locking element which is moveably mounted between retracted and projected positions. Disposed slideably within the longitudinal bore of the bumper pin is an actuating rod which is moveably mounted between positions which alternatively allow the locking element to assume an inward retracted position and abut the locking element to move it into the projected position. A trailer ball having a closed end bore is removably attachable to the bumper pin when the locking element is in the retracted position and is secured to the bumper pin by the locking element when it assumes the projected position. The trailer ball can have an annular recess for receiving thereinto the locking element.

Abstract: A pipe joint testing device for testing the joint integrity of two connected pipe sections, each having a bore and pressurized with gas at the joint area during testing uses an annular envelope which can be affixed about the annular external joint of two pipe sections being tested. An inner annular header having a gas inlet with openings which communicate circumferentially with the envelope is provided internally of the envelope. A suction line is connected to the header at a tee connection, for example, for drawing gas from the envelope through the openings. In this manner, any gas leaking from the joint at any radial position along the joint will be detected because it will enter through one of the openings in the header.

Abstract: An oil well wireline cable catcher apparatus includes a housing having a bore which passes vertically therethrough so that a wireline can pass vertically therethrough and then into the oil well bore. Sensing means are also included to monitor tension of the wireline. Slips are disposed within the housing on opposite sides of the wireline between gripping and retracted positions. Each slip has a wireline engaging surface, the pair of respective surfaces facing one another so as to grip the wireline when the slips are actuated to the gripping position. A pair of springs mounted in the housing are respectively beneath each slip, the springs biasing the slips toward the retracted position so that the wireline is not engaged by the slip surfaces. A slip actuator means is carried by the housing and is cooperatively connected to the sensing means for moving the slips together to grip the wireline responsive to a break in the wireline and attentive relaxation in wireline tension.

Abstract: A fluid agitating apparatus is disposed in a vessel containing a body of fluid to be agitated. The fluid agitating apparatus includes a housing having an inlet at an open lower end thereof, and an outlet at an open upper end thereof, with a flow passage disposed through the housing communicating the inlet and the outlet. The flow passage is preferably circular in cross-section and has a minimum diameter at a throat thereof. The diameter of the flow passage increases continuously from the throat toward both the inlet and the outlet. A vertically upward directed nozzle is located in the flow passage below the throat for inducing flow of fluid from the body of fluid in which the housing is submerged into the inlet and upward through the flow passage. A tangentially directed nozzle is disposed in the flow passage above the throat for inducing a swirling flow in the fluid flowing upward through the flow passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure relief valve having a broad range of variable relief pressures. The valve has an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a valve seat interposed between said passages, a valving member mounted for movement into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, a valve stem assembly operably connected to said valving member, and two or more resilient compression springs of preferably variable length mounted relative to said valve stem to exert a progressively greater compressive force upon said valve stem upon compression of said valve springs, and an adjustable pressure plate assembly for pre-compressing of the compression springs so as to set the relief pressure at a desired pressure value. A preferred embodiment is directed to that comprising a valve stem assembly for preventing the valve spring from being compressed beyond a predetermined selected point of relief pressure.

Abstract: Foldable ramp for on and off loading all terrain/recreational vehicles from the rear of trucks, trailers, and vans. The ramp folds longitudinally to a width smaller than the wheelbase of the all terrain/recreational vehicles. When folded it may be slipped between the wheels of the all terrain/recreational vehicle for storage on the bed of the truck, trailer or van. When operational the ramp is engaged against the rear of the truck, trailer or van and allows the operator of the all terrain/recreational vehicle to either ride or push the vehicle onto or off of the truck, trailer, or van.

Abstract: A tank apparatus referred to hereinafter as an intermolt/premolt growth tank, and a method for the growth and harvesting of crawfish during one intermolt cycle through the time period in which the succeeding molt phase is completed. Individual crawfish are selected and placed in concentrated numbers in one of the intermolt/premolt tanks or in a series of such tanks, each of which is supplied with optimum preset selected water quality. The crawfish are fed and harvested individually after molting has occurred or until the late premolt phase, just prior to molting, is easily identifiable. The intermolt/premolt tank apparatus is designed as part of the method and contains contrasting environmental characteristics for the specific purposes of concentrating, feeding, and segregating molting and late premolt crawfish from the remaining population which contains aggressive feeding crawfish.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for centrifugally extracting crabmeat from crabs provides a frame which supports a driven rotary shaft mounted thereon. A first annular plate is mounted for rotation on the shaft and driven thereby. A plurality of closely spaced wire support members radiate from the first plate and have a common path of rotation when the plate is rotated by the drive shaft. A second annular plate is movably mounted upon the frame with respect to the first plate between "loading" and "spinning" positions. A plurality of closely spaced, radially positioned, pointed spikes depend from the second plate and are positioned to intersect the path of rotation of the wire support members in the "spinning," the spikes being spaced from the path in the loading position. A lifting mechanism moves the second plate vertically between the "spinning" and "loading" positions.