Abstract: A manually manipulated expander spaces the opposite walls of the body of a flexible hollow animal decoy, such as a turkey decoy. The decoy has outwardly convex flexible walls, one of which is collapsed inwardly by inverting it against the other, thus flattening the decoy for transport. The expander is associated with a vertical support pillar or shaft, which carries the decoy on the ground. Bracing portions of the expander extend for example in opposite directions, to contact and space the walls. In an integral expander embodiment the walls are braced open by two opposite arms or by the peripheral edges of a thin two dimensional shape complementing a cross section of the hollow opening between the walls. The expander is then rotated 90° to place either the wider or thinner expander cross section between the decoy walls.

Abstract: A device and system for securing adjacent segments of duct work formed from fibrous glass duct board insulation and the like is disclosed. The device comprises a corner member having two legs disposed at approximately right angles, each of said legs having oppositely facing and substantially parallel adjacent channels disposed therein to accommodate portions of opposed edges of adjacent segments of duct work. The system includes a plurality of corner members each having two legs disposed at approximately right angles, said legs having substantially parallel and oppositely facing adjacent channels disposed therein to accommodate at least a portion of the opposed edges of adjacent segments of duct work.

Abstract: A memory device has first and second sets of memory cells. Each of the cells in the second set is a neighboring cell corresponding to a respective cell of the first set. A data generating function generates a first pattern and a second pattern. A controller causes the first pattern to be written in the first set of memory cells, causes each cell in the second set of memory cells to be read simultaneously while the corresponding neighboring cell in the first set of memory cells is being written to, and causes a datum to be read from each cell in the second set of memory cells after the corresponding neighboring cell in the first set of memory cells is written to. An output data evaluator determines whether the data read from the second set of memory cells match the second pattern, and detects a fault in the memory device, if the data read do not match the second pattern.

Abstract: A conical thread structure &agr;1,&agr;2,t is provided to simplify the removal of threads in plastics sleeve elements 1,2,3,4 and to decrease production cost. The radial distance of the thread elements 50,60,51,61 of said thread structure and of the corresponding form tools, which elements being adjacent in translational z or −z direction, are dimensioned such that, when removed E0,E1,E2 or F0,F1 from the mold each thread element “snaps out” only once and does not snap into a second time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact shaft for use in a pneumatic wire termination tool. The tool has a handle, a pneumatically driven piston and a head frame for engaging and terminating a plurality of wires to a corresponding connector at the same time. The impact shaft includes a plurality of coaxially arranged cylindrical sections positioned end to end, including a dowel pin positioned at a first end and a head frame locator having the dowel pin projecting from a first end and an extension portion projecting from a second end. The dowel pin and the head frame locator are sized to operatively engage the head frame. A spring register portion includes a first end from which the extension portion projects, and also includes a plurality of facets arranged for engagement with a biased portion of the tool so as to maintain the rotational orientation of the impact shaft relative to the handle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication lines. A switch is disposed between the telecommunication lines to be monitored and a jack which is connectable to a signal monitoring device. The switch is positionable into a neutral position for permitting connection of the signal monitoring device to the jack and at least a second position where the signal monitoring device may monitor the signals of the telecommunication lines.

Abstract: A high-load slip system allows better transmission of loads from the slips to the body. The cone comprises longitudinal slots and the body comprises tabs which are disposed in those slots. The load is transferred from the slips to the cone and into the tabs which reside in the slots. The arrangement can be configured to share the load between the tabs extending from the body and the actual body itself after a small amount of collapse on the cone, leaving the body to support the cone, both through the tabs and on the outside diameter.

Abstract: A shower device having a flexible, flat jet or spray disk is created, in which at least one surface zone is curved outwards and on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted thereon springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into a space located behind it and automatically springs back to the starting position when the force is relieved. As a result of the springing or springing round, it is possible to detach lime deposits from the jet disk.

Abstract: An improved hose is used to install loose fill insulation. The hose includes projections extending from an inner surface which serve to condition the insulation as it proceeds through the hose and is dispensed. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hose. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be angled, by an angle less then ninety (90) degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hose. In a third embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed with a serrated edge. In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed as part of a cap member which is disposed around the periphery of the hose.

Abstract: In a method and system for loading a magazine capable of feeding the material into a molding machine, a material to be loaded is placed into a hopper above the magazine. The magazine is slidably seated on a slide plate. The slide plate is moved with a reciprocating motion, causing the magazine to move with a reciprocating motion, and causing the material to fall from the hopper to the magazine. The reciprocating motion of the magazine may be allowed to lag behind the reciprocating motion of the plate, and may, at times, include motion in a direction opposite that of the slide plate. The step of moving the slide plate may include rolling the plate on a plurality of bearings. The motion of the magazine may be limited relative to the slide plate, using at least one stop. A pneumatic cylinder may be included to actuate the at least one stop. The operation of the pneumatic cylinder may be controlled with a solenoid valve.