Abstract: A seat or saddle for use on a bicycle or bicycle type exerciser has a flexible plastic frame in the general shape and contour of the seat which has a large opening formed therein. Mounted in the opening and running between the forward and rear inner edges of the opening in a converging arrangement are a plurality of horizontal coil springs which are spaced from each other over the area of such opening. Attached to the frame and mounted over the springs is a foam rubber piece which is in the shape of the seat and which is thick enough to provide substantial cushioning. Mounted over the foam rubber piece and attached thereto and the bottom edge portion of the frame is a vinyl covering. A pair of large coil springs are vertically mounted normal to the horizontal springs on opposite sides of the bottom rear portion of the frame; these springs being supported on the bottom ends by support brackets which extend from the forward portion of the frame.

Abstract: A first marker which may be in the shape of a diamond is engraved on the outer wall of a golf club grip in a predetermined position spaced from the top end of the grip. A second marker which may be in the form of a diamond smaller than the first marker is engraved on the outer wall of the golf club grip in a predetermined position directly below the first marker. A plurality of elongated vertical grooves are engraved in the outer wall of the grip in the upper portion thereof. For proper gripping of the club, the user grips the golf club grip with one hand (left hand for a right handed person) with four fingers wrapped around the grip and over the vertical grooves and with the thumb placed over the first diamond marker. The other hand is placed over the first hand with only the small finger of the right hand overlapping the index finger of the left hand and grips the lower portion of the grip with the second marker located between the user's thumb and forefinger.

Abstract: A container has an upper fluid receiving portion and a lower fluid discharge portion which is closed off at its bottom by a closure. In carrying out the method of the invention, a blood sampling from the umbilical cord of a newly born infant is taken by first clamping off a section of the cord. The clamped section is then separated from the main portion of the cord and deposited into the container. One of the clamps is then removed to permit the blood in the cord section to drain into the container. The drained blood is then transferred to a second container, which may comprise a test tube or syringe, through the fluid discharge portion of the container, this being achieved by either causing a needle attached to the container and sealed with a needle cover to penetrate the needle cover as well as the test tube cover, penetrating the closure with a needle if it be a diaphragm or the like or opening a valve at such closure by a mechanical actuation with the nose of a syringe.

Abstract: A support hinge is installed between the elevation and azimuth housings of the antenna pedestal. A jack is installed between these same housings at a location opposite to that at which the hinge is located. The elevation housing is then raised by means of the jack so that it pivotally moves upwardly on the hinge. A winch is installed on the support hinge so that it is capable of lateral pivotal motion. A bearing adapter having a plurality of arms extending therefrom is suspended from the winch and lowered until it is in contact with the bearing. Bolts are then used to join each of the arms to a threaded portion of the bearing. The bearing is then lifted out of the azimuth housing, swung pivotally away from such housing and lowered from the antenna pedestal. A new bearing is installed by reversing the above indicated procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides an epicyclic change-speed mechanism comprising a fixed outer ring having an inwardly directed running surface, a spider member mounted within the outer ring and rotatable about an axis concentric with the axis of the outer ring, the spider member having a hollow output shaft concentric with said outer ring, an input shaft concentric with the outer ring, and at least one planet wheel contained within an aperture in the spider member, the or each planet wheel being in driven engagement with the input shaft and in rolling engagement with the running surface of outer ring.The invention also provides a model clock incorporating the change-speed mechanism, the face of the clock being formed from interfitting pieces of a constructional toy.

Abstract: A column of high viscosity fluid is installed in a selected portion of the hollow shaft of a golf club. This fluid which does not flow readily reinforces the shaft and minimizes the bending and deformation thereof during the golf stroke. The location along the shaft at which the fluid column is installed is selectively chosen to provide an optimum natural vibration frequency for the shaft, a location closer to the club head providing a lower natural vibration frequency.

Abstract: A steering device for sailboats comprises a bracket (11), a rocker (12) pivotally mounted on the bracket and including means for connecting it to a rudder, a servo oar (13) rotatably mounted in the rocker (12), a steering lever (17) mounted on the bracket (11) and pivotable in response to a steering signal, and a linkage (17A/18/23) coupling the steering lever (17) to the servo oar (13) to rotate it in response to the steering signal. The linkage comprises a link rod (18) which extends generally transversely of the axis (L) of rotation of the servo oar (13) and generally forwardly from the servo oar to a lever arm (17A) of the steering lever (17).

Abstract: A swing arm member is pivotally mounted on the frame of a bicycle on one end thereof, in a position which is essentially neutral relative to the bicycle's chain pull and fixedly attached to the rear wheel axle at the other end. A shock absorber is interconnected between the swing arm and a point on the frame along the seat tube thereof. The seat tube, which forms part of the frame, is in one piece and is positioned directly in front of a gusset in the swing arm. The seat tube has an upper portion which receives the seat post and a lower portion offset rearwardly from the upper portion, the lower and upper portions being joined together by a curved portion. The shock absorber is positioned directly behind the curved portion of the seat tube. A brake actuating arm is pivotally mounted on the swing arm and provides additional leverage for actuating the brake.

Abstract: In an antenna system for tracking a satellite, a prediction of the angular orientation of the satellite relative to the antenna as a function of time is obtained from the orbital parameters of the satellite. The mechanisms for controlling the angular position of the entire antenna structure then "drive" the entire structure so as to point the antenna beam towards the predicted position of the satellite as the satellite progresses in its orbit. The "drive" instructions are perturbed slightly so as to cause the antenna beam to "dither" slowly about the predicted satellite positions. The variations in signal strength produced by the dither are then used to determine the azimuth and elevation errors. The orbital parameters upon which the predictions are based are then adjusted so as to minimize the observed azimuthal and elevation errors. Because any error in the orbital parameters changes only very slowly, a relatively slow "dither" and a long time constant can be used in the correction process.

Abstract: A cover for enclosing and supporting a bag such as a golf bag and including a pouch for containing golf equipment. This cover is of a collapsible nature for easy and convenient storage and handling as compared with rigid covers, having pliant front rear, side, and top portions. The bottom of the cover has a rigid base with wheels mounted therein. An opening is provided in the cover to permit the insertion of a bag therein, this opening being closable by a suitable device such as a zipper. A handle is mounted on the bag to permit the user to roll the bag along on the wheels. When the bag is not in use, the side, front, rear and top portions can be folded down onto the base to make the cover compact for stowage.

Abstract: A tie down fitting is adapted to fit into a cutout or hole formed in a track or the like installed on the floor of a vehicle. The fitting has a pair of slotted portions which fit into the cutout in engagement with the end edges thereof. A spring actuated plunger is provided on the fitting which when manually raised permits the slotted portions to be fitted in the cutout and after being so fitted limits motion of the fitting thereby retaining the fitting in the cutout. In one embodiment of the invention, a latch formed with a protrusion on the plunger and a pair of rivets on the main body of the fitting provide upper and lower limit stops for the plunger.

Abstract: A clamp has an inner end wall and a pair of opposing arms which form a U-shaped structure thereby providing a U-shaped opening in the clamp. This U-shaped structure matingly engages one end wall and the side walls of a rectangular sleeve member which is fixedly attached to the frame of a bicycle exerciser. A rectangular seat post is telescopically fitted within the sleeve member for vertical slidable adjustment relative thereto. Fixedly attached to and protruding from a recessed portion of the inner end wall of the clamp into the U-shaped opening is a pin member. Mating apertures are formed in the the end wall of the sleeve member and an end wall of the seat post through which the pin member fits. The clamp is held in position in engagement with the sleeve member by means of a spring connected between the ends of the arms thereof and the frame of the bicycle exerciser. A series of similar spaced apertures are formed along the longitudinal extent of the end wall of the seat post.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator which employs unbalanced rotors is coupled to the top end of a drill string which has become stuck in a bore hole. The rotors are driven at a rotation speed such as to generate high level energy at a sonic frequency, this energy being coupled to the drill string. A low impedance load for the oscillator and the top of the drill string is created by supporting the oscillator from the support structure, which may comprise a derrick or the like, by means of a highly elastic support which may include elastomeric stretch bands, springs or other elastomeric support having a linear constant spring rate. In addition, hydraulic cylinders which may be servo driven are used to keep the drive motors for the oscillators in one place as the oscillator structure vibrates. The oscillators are driven at a high energy level to effect high displacement of the top of the drill string which presents a low impedance load to this energy in view of the highly elastic support provided.