Abstract: An injection needle assembly for injecting a fluid into a meat product comprises an injection needle which has a proximal end and a distal end and a bore which extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A discharge passage opens through the needle from the bore at the distal end of the needle. A valve member is slidably mounted on the needle for movement relative to the needle between a first position in which it closes the discharge passage to retain fluid within said needle and a second position in which it opens the discharge passage to permit fluid to be discharged therethrough into the meat in use.

Abstract: A cap which is adjustable in size from a "small" size to an "extra large" size without destroying the aesthetics of the "Norwegian" or "Skilegion" design is provided by modifying the shape of the side panel. The side panel is shaped such that when laid-out flat the upper edge of the posterior portion extends along a shallow concave arc of curvature and the lower edge extends along a low convex arc of curvature. As a result of this configuration, the length of the upper and lower edges of the posterior portion is greater than length of the posterior portion of a conventional "small" size cap by an amount which is at least equal to the total size adjustment which the cap is required to accommodate. An elastic member is fastened at its opposite ends to spaced points on the posterior portion of the side panel, adjacent the lower edge thereof.

Abstract: A load accumulator which has one or more stacking wheels mounted for high speed rotation is provided with an improved conveyor for conveying load items to the stacking wheel. The conveyor includes platforms that extend toward each stacking wheel in a plane located above the stacking wheel. An endless conveyor is mounted above the platforms and has a forward run that extends toward a discharge end from the platform which opens into a pocket of the transfer wheel. A plurality of load pushing fingers are mounted on the conveyor and project toward the platform. The fingers positively drive the load items along the platform and ensure that the load items are correctly positioned for entry into the pockets of the transfer wheel at high speed.

Abstract: A fire fighter's coat in which the forearm portion of each sleeve is inclined forwardly with respect to the upper arm portion when the sleeve is in a relaxed position, thereby to provide a natural forward set to the sleeve which serves to substantially reduce the resistance offered by the sleeve to movement of the fire fighter's arms to a position required to enable the wearer to bring his hands together to grasp an object located in front of the coat.

Abstract: A strap and buckle assembly wherein a plurality of ratchet teeth are formed on the strap and the buckle has a ratchet type of catch for releasably retaining the strap. The housing of the buckle has a slipway which receives the strap. A catch lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for movement between a locking position and a release position. The catch lever having first and second portions of its length extending from opposite sides of its pivotal axis. A shoulder is formed on the first portion of the catch lever and is arranged to be oppositely disposed with respect to the locking faces of the ratchet teeth when the catch lever is in the locking position. Resiliently deformable catch biasing arms are formed integrally with and extending from the second portion of the catch lever into contact with the housing.

Abstract: A tire baler for baling tires having tire alignment walls located about the perimeter of the tire baling compartment which can be displaced radially outwardly to accommodate radial expansion of the stack of tires when the tires are compressed to form a bale. Pressure pads are adjustably mounted on the compression head so as to be movable radially with respect to the compression axis to maintain compression contact with tires of different diameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a therapeutic table for providing traction in a prone position to a patient's lumbar region. The therapeutic table includes a frame; a table top having an upper-body section rigid with respect to the frame and a lower-body section slideable with respect to the frame, the said sections providing, in use, a separable surface for a patient to lie prone face down on the table top; hand grips rigid with respect to the upper-body section and accessible by a patient with arms above head to provide anchoring for upper body; a pelvic belt anchor rigid with respect to the lower-body section to provide, in use, an anchor to which the pelvic belt can be connected; and cylinder and piston drive for sliding the lower-body section in the frame to cyclically increase and decrease the distance between said hand grips and said pelvic belt anchors to cyclically apply traction to the lumbar region of the spine in use.

Abstract: A roll-up door for a container body of a van or the like is provided with a winch which is located in a compartment formed in the header of the door. The winch is connected by flexible winding straps to the upper door panel and the lower door panel so that it is operable to drive the door between the open and closed position. The door panels are hingedly connected by hinges in which the hinge pin is located at the inner face of the door. Flexible sealing members are connected to each jamb and bear against a marginal edge portion of the outer face of the door when the door is in the closed position. A control system for controlling the direction of rotation of the reversible D.C. motor is provided which includes a master control circuit and a slave control circuit which is selectively operable.

Abstract: A device for boning pieces of meat, such as shoulders, hams and the like, which device consists substantially of at least one set of first and second matrices (3, 4) with separating means to be carried towards one another for separating the meat from the piece of bone and a replaceable stamp (5, 6) arranged in one of each matrix, of which the elongate, if necessary folding pressure surface coming into contact with the piece of bone displays a relief, wherein in cross section the relief of the pressure surface is raised at least along the edge zones thereof, and the raising increases in those cross sections at the edge portions having a comparatively small radius of curvature, so ensuring that during pressing the piece of bone remains enclosed an even undergoes a pressure force directed lengthwise of the piece of bone.

Abstract: An outboard motor assembly includes a hydraulic pump which is carried by the motor assembly and is drivingly connected to the main drive shaft at a point located between the motor and the propeller shaft. The hydraulic fluid storage container is carried by the housing assembly of the motor. Hydraulic fluid couplings are provided for connecting the hydraulic pump to a hydraulically driven device which is remote from the outboard motor assembly. The couplings are carried by the motor assembly and comprise an output coupling member and a return coupling member. The output coupling member communicates with the pump and the return coupling member communicates with the fluid storage chamber. The outboard motor assembly is suitable for use in association with a winch which is adapted to be mounted on a boat. The winch includes a hydraulic motor which is drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An excavator for excavating a tree and forming a root ball consisting of an excavator scoop having a plurality of segments mounted for movement with respect to one another between a nested position in which the segments are nested one within another and a deployed position in which the segments are extended fron one another and cooperate with one another to form a bowl-shaped scoop. A drive mechanism is provided which serves to drive the segments from the nested position to the deployed position, such that when the nested segments are located adjacent a tree and then driven to the deployed position the segments will pass under the tree to evacavate the tree and form a root ball within the deployed scoop. The excavator is mounted on a crane which is in turn mounted on a truck. The crane serves to manipulate the excavator between a ground contacting position and a load transporting position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spacer for a manhole cover for use in a manhole frame comprising a ring having a mounting surface adapted to sit on the top of a manhole cover frame. The ring has a seating surface for, in use, the seating of a manhole cover thereon. The seating surface is spaced radially inwardly of the mounting surface. The ring has a downwardly extending portion below the seating surface. The downwardly extending portion has a lesser outside diameter than the portion above said seating surface to enter into the manhole cover frame in use.

Abstract: A pressure sensor that responds to a predetermined rate of change of pressure in the fluid medium comprises a housing that encloses a pressure chamber which has a permeable wall and flexible diaphragm that separates the pressure chamber from the pressure sensitive system in which the sensor is used. The sensor diaphragm will be deflected to activate a transmitter when the pressure in the tire changes at a hazardous rate. The sensor will not activate the transmitter when the rate of change of pressure is less than a hazardous rate of change.

Abstract: A wheel assembly and a picnic table with the wheel assembly attached thereto includes a bracket which has an arm portion and a mounting flange portion. The mounting flange portion is inclined at an angle of about 65.degree. with respect to the longitudinal extent of the upper edge of the arm portion. The flange portion is attached to inner face of the leg of the article of furniture such that the wheel which is located at the distal end of the arm portion is in close proximity to the underlying support surface. When attached to the leg of the article of furniture, the wheel is aligned with a side edge of the leg so that it does not form an obstruction which would be encountered by the legs of a person seated on the furniture in use.

Abstract: A cat toy comprising a handle. A switch member is attached to the handle comprises a single piece of material with a continuous central area. Slits formed in the same piece of material to extend outwardly from each side of the strip area to the ends of the material. These strips divide the material at each side of the central area into a plurality of strips. A ferrule is clamped around the switch member and an end of the handle to attach the switch member to the handle. The device is a pleasing toy with which to amuse a cat. It is easily and economically made and can be a bright attractive appearance.

Abstract: A cleaning mitt is provided with a hand compartment proportioned to accommodate the hand of the user. A cleaning pad, which may be permeated with a cleaning solution, is mounted on the front face of the mitt. A cover is also secured to the front face of the mitt covering the cleaning pad. In use the cover is removed from its position covering the pad, thus exposing the pad for use as a cleaning implement. Features such as outer and inner tabs to aid in removal of the cover from the mitt and the mitt from the hand may be provided. Also outer and inner cuffs may form pockets that aid in the convenient and sanitary disposal of the mitt.