Abstract: A quick disconnect apparatus for attaching tools to a tractor front loader is disclosed which aligns quickly and is easily engageable and disengageable by a single operator.

Abstract: Crop stripping apparatus is provided comprising a toothed crop-stripping drum and an auger for collecting crop stripped by the drum. Between the drum and the auger is a roller rotatable in the same direction as the drum. The spacing between the drum and the auger is greater than the expected length of deteched plant stalks but is otherwise kept as small as possible for compactness. The roller serves to draw the plant stalks from the drum and urge them into the zone of action of the auger.

Abstract: A traction bar for use in combination with a hand wrap or hand and arm wraps for suspending and orienting a patient's hand and arm in a substantially elevated position during a surgical procedure and for maintaining a patient's hand and arm in that orientation and location without unduly constricting circulation in the patient's hand or arm. The hand wrap is attached about the patient's closed fist and the traction bar is bendable and includes VELCRO hook material so that the traction bar may be conformed to the hand and attach itself securely in place to the top and two opposing side surfaces of the hand wrapped fist so that rotational or traction forces may be applied to the hand and arm. In this configuration, the lifting and orientation forces do not exert excess pressure at a particular position such as on the patient's wrist, so that the flow of blood to and from the patient's hand and fingers is not constricted.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: A sintered metal screen is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sintered metal screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sintered metal sand screen may be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sintered metal screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve may be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting formation fluid from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sintered metal screen is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: An existing luminaire may be updated with an improved reflector by removing the lamp from an existing lighting fixture and inserting a lamp socket extender which is designed to accept a plurality of different configuration reflectors for various types of lamps having selected intensities, diffusion and distribution characteristics. The reflector adaptor eliminates adjustment problems involving the position of the reflector relative the lamp.

Abstract: A crop stripper drum has a series of axial rows of flexibly displaceable teeth (12) circumferentially spaced around the drum. At the roots of the teeth are bulbous openings (12b, 22a) formed in metal members, which may comprise the teeth (12) or be elements (21) separate therefrom. For flexibility, the teeth may be given root openings larger than the openings formed by said separate elements, thereby reducing their root widths, or they may be put in a resilient mounting (62) that increases the deflection they experience under load. Separate elements (52) provided for forming the stripper openings, may be of an adjustable form to vary the width of the openings. The constructions disclosed are able to allow the use of metal for the active stripping means, whereby to increase the service life and reduce the power requirements. Adjustment of the size of the openings allows the striper to be adapted to harvest different crops.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for rigidly supporting a human arm and shoulder, having a positioning rod for infinitely varying the elevation of the arm through a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment, and having universal joints on the positioning rod for infinitely varying the orientation of the arm.

Abstract: An alarm unit is adapted to cooperate by radio transmission with a plurality of other such units arranged in a cluster. Each alarm unit includes a radio transmitter and receiver; a modulator for the transmitter and a demodulator for the receiver; an identifying pre-settable switch for identifying the particular alarm unit in the cluster; multiple alarm transducers for identifying a particular one of a plurality of types of alarm; an encoder coupled to the alarm transducers for controlling the modulator, whereby the transmitter can transmit an encoded transmission identifying the particular alarm unit and the particular alarm type; a decoder for decoding the identification of another of the units in the cluster which is transmitting and the type of its present alarm; and a display for displaying the other unit's identification and the alarm type.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting apparatus has an isolation sleeve which covers setting ports and prevents entry of hydraulic setting fluid into a pressure settable tool such as an inflatable packer or a hydraulic packer. The mandrel of the setting tool is mechanically coupled to the mandrel of the pressure settable completion tool by a guide tube which provides an enlarged counterbore chamber. The guide tube is intersected by radial setting ports which permit entry of the pressurized fluid for pressurizing a hydraulic pressure chamber in the completion tool. A shiftable isolation sleeve opens and closes the setting ports. A radially outwardly biased split C-ring is engaged against the bore of the isolation sleeve. Longitudinal travel of the split C-ring is limited by a shear collar which is releasably pinned to the isolation sleeve.

Abstract: A kickstart system and method for operating gas discharge lamps is disclosed wherein the amplitude and frequency of the starting voltage are raised for a predetermined period of time to ionize the gas within the lamp and thereafter reduced to steady state operating levels.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for starting gas discharge lamps provides lamp power regulation within a predetermined range, but allows power regulation to drop out in response to load shedding conditions.

Abstract: A coater assembly includes a feed pump and a return pump for circulating a liquid coating material through a doctor reservoir for applying protective or decorative coating material to freshly printed sheets in an offset rotary printing press. A portable console control unit includes circulation and wash-up components for operating the coater in a PURGE/replenishment mode, a COAT mode, a WASH mode and a DRAIN mode. The components for pumping and valving the coating liquid and cleaning liquid are integrated within the portable console unit, which may be remotely located with respect to the press. Cleaning liquid and waste materials are stored internally within the portable console unit. The various operating modes are coordinated by two position, three-port flow control valves which are actuated from one position to the other by electrical solenoids under the control of ON-OFF switches.

Abstract: A production nipple is suspended within an uncased bore hole in a slimhole/monobore completion. A deposit of cement is conveyed through the nipple and is spotted in the annulus across the face of the uncased well bore, with the nipple and cement deposit thereafter being perforated by a small diameter perforating gun. The production nipple has a thin walled section which is characterized by reduced resistance to perforation by a shaped explosive charge. The perforating gun is accurately positioned in registration with the dedicated nipple section by an annular locator slot formed on a coupling sub, which is engagable by a resilient latch arm carried by the perforating gun.

Abstract: The flow apertures of a perforated mandrel are temporarily sealed by plugs which are made of a sacrificial material, for example, zinc, aluminum and magnesium. The sacrificial plugs prevent dirty completion fluid from passing through and in and out of the screen as it is run into the hole, thereby protecting the screen from plugging. During the time the screen mandrel is temporarily sealed by the sacrificial plugs, cleaning fluid is circulated through a work string and is returned through the annulus between the screen and the open well bore for removing filter cake, drilling debris and lost circulation material. After the annulus has been cleaned, the annulus is filled with an acid solution or caustic solution, which dissolves the sacrificial plugs. In an alternative embodiment, each sealing plug has a body portion and a stub portion which project into the mandrel bore. The sealing plug body portion is intersected by a vent pocket which is sealed by the stub portion.