Abstract: A skateboard holder which can be removably attached to the belt of a wearer for transporting a skateboard. More specifically, a skateboard holder is disclosed having a rectangularly-shaped hanger, formed of a flat material such as leather, in which two vertically oriented slits are formed in an upper portion thereof for attachment to a belt. Attached to two side portions of the hanger are two straps having fastening means at their end portions so that a loop defined by the straps and hanger can be formed. The straps are formed so that each one attaches to the hanger along a predetermined length of a vertical edge thereof. Each strap tapers down so that its end portion is narrower than the predetermined length. This allows the weight of the skateboard to be supported while at the same time allowing the skateboard to be positioned as low as possible for wearer comfort.

Abstract: A printer/plotter system for producing a multiple color hard copy output in response to digital input data. The system includes one or more impact hammers, each capable of printing a single dot with the hammers being arranged to selectively print dots along a defined print line. The system further includes an ink ribbon having multiple zones of different colors carrying encoded identifying indicia. In response to input data defining a dot pattern and the color in which it is to be printed, the ribbon is searched to position the first identified ribbon color zone in front of the impact hammers. After the pattern for that color is printed, the ribbon is again searched and the next identified color zone is moved into print station, i.e. in front of the impact hammers, and the pattern associated therewith is printed. A paper control system is provided to move the paper to be printed upon in a forward direction as information is printed in each color.

Abstract: An improved breathing method and apparatus for enabling a user, while at a first altitude, e.g. sea level, to experience higher altitude conditions. The apparatus includes an inspiratory tube and an expiratory tube and means for mixing a portion of oxygen-reduced expired air with ambient air to supply air for inspiration. The first ends of the inspiratory and expiratory tubes are coupled to the users airway through a user breathing means. The remote end of the expiratory tube is coupled through a (carbon dioxide) CO.sub.2 absorber canister to an air storage reservoir. The remote end of the inspiratory tube is also coupled through a CO.sub.2 absorber canister to the reservoir for pulling oxygen-reduced air therefrom. The user breathing means includes a selectively dimensioned orifice to the environment so that on expiration, a predetermined portion of the user's expired air is exhausted to the environment while the remainder passes through CO.sub.2 absorber material into the reservoir.

Abstract: A mailbox is provided with a lockable letter-mail compartment within in the form of a rectangular box having at least four sides and a hinged door with a key operated mechanism for locking it in the closed position, secured to the floor, side or roof of a mailbox for use in motorized delivery routes, or in the form of a shelf secured between side walls of the mailbox and a hinged door with a lock. The compartment has a slot for receiving letter mail without opening the door of the compartment. The slot is preferably in the locked door of the compartment. The height of the lockable compartment is sufficient to permit mail to be extracted through the hinged door, but of a height significantly less than the height of the mailbox to permit mail other than letters to be placed in the mailbox outside of the compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the chemical treatment of plants using a mixing tank connected to the inlet side of a pre-existing irrigation system having a shutoff valve and antisiphon valve. The tank is connected through an antisiphon valve and a throttling valve at the top of the tank to the high pressure side of the pre-existing shutoff valve and antisiphon valve using a saddle connector valve and flexible tube. The bottom of the tank is connected to the low pressure side of the pre-existing shutoff valve and antisiphon valve using a second saddle connector valve and flexible tube. Chemical to be dispersed is placed in the tank. The connector valves are first both opened while the throttling valve remains closed. Next the shutoff valve is opened to commence irrigation. Low pressure water backflows to fill the tank through its bottom connection, and the low water pressure is read on a gauge connected to the tank.

Abstract: Circuit arrangement for the protection of a component, particularly a switching semiconductor, which is series connected to a voltage source via an inductor, against an overcurrent due to magnetic saturation of the inductor, a second inductor in the series circuit, which limits the overcurrent during the response time of an excess current cutoff and whose magnetizing current is roughly linear over time, at least during the unsaturated state of the first inductor, and does not exceed the maximum permissible current value for the component to be protected during the entire response time.

Abstract: A single leg mooring terminal is described, of the type which includes a buoy assembly extending from the sea floor to the sea surface to moor a tanker vessel, and a separate fluid conduit extending at an upward incline to the vessel for carrying oil to or from it, and wherein the buoy assembly includes a tilt joint and both the buoy assembly and hose structure must rotate without limit about the same vertical axis to follow drifting of the vessel about the installation. The vertical rotation joint which joins the rotatable upper portion of the buoy assembly to the stationary lower portion thereof, is located below the tilt joint, and a fluid swivel of the conduit is joined to a sidewardly-extending pipe which extends sidewardly at a level above the vertical rotation joint but below the top of the tilt joint.

Abstract: A thermal recording stylus comprised of a ceramic tip with two passages from openings near a frustum-shaped end to openings at the rear, an electrical heating element wrapped around the frustum-shaped end from one opening thereof to the other, and electrical power leads extending from the ends of the heating element through the passages. The leads and heating element are secured with cement in the passages, and the entire assembly is secured in a sleeve with cement and a ring wedged between a conical section of the ceramic tip and the sleeve.

Abstract: A system is provided for correcting the assumed orientation of the horizontal plane of an inertial navigation system on an aircraft, while it is flying over the ocean. The range from the aircraft to the ocean surface is measured along a boresight tilted at a small downward angle such as 6.degree. to 12.degree. from the horizontal, as by radar ranging, and the precise range and the precise tilt angle of the boresight with respect to the inertial or other horizontal is taken. The measured range is compared with an independently-derived range, and the difference is utilized to correct the assumed horizontal direction of the navigation system. The second range may be the range calculated on the basis of the downward tilt angle of the boresight from the assumed horizontal direction in the inertial navigation system, and the difference between the real and calculated ranges can be utilized to determine the error in the assumed horizontal direction of the inertial system.

Abstract: A camera shoulder case is provided which permits rapid opening, full visibility, and easy access to one layer of securely held equipment in the case while the case remains supported by a shoulder strap on the user. The assembly includes a lower case part which holds the equipment, a cover pivotally mounted to the rear of the lower case part, and a shoulder strap having opposite ends mounted to opposite sides of the lower case part. A flexible loop member which is mounted to the cover, slidably receives the shoulder strap. With the case supported on a person, access is obtained by pulling up on the cover to pivot down the lower case part until it is horizontal, the strap-receiving loop then resisting closing of the cover. The lower case part can be partitioned by the user to securely hold equipment by the use of pylon devices that can be installed in selected holes of an array of holes formed at the bottom of the lower case part.

Abstract: A single anchor leg mooring (SALM) installation which enables replacement of a product distribution unit (PDU) without removal of the upper buoyancy structure, including a plurality of arms that can extend around the PDU to connect the buoyancy structure lying above the PDU with a lower structure that lies below the PDU and extends to the sea floor. The transference of oil or other cargo can continue during the replacement of a malfunctioning PDU, by providing a pair of PDUs and a pair of valves for bypassing one of them which is to be removed.

Abstract: A circuit for commutating a thyristor (21) by shunting its current for a minimum interval, thereby removing sustaining voltage to said thyristor, then subsequently restoring voltage to said thyristor at a predetermined rate, utilizes a series combination of a commutation electronic switch (22) and an isolated dc voltage supply (23) connected in parallel with the thyristor. The voltage supply is arranged with a polarity that permits the current flowing through the thyristor in one direction to be bypassed through the series combination while the commutation switch is turned on and to reverse bias the thyristor when the commutation switch is fully on. A dv/dt control circuit (24) limits the rate of rise of voltage across the commutation switch (22) as it is turned off in response to a command input signal.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises a sewing apparatus which is partially supported below a material-supporting table and which partially extends through an opening above the table surface. Control means are provided to control the operation of the sewing apparatus as well as to feed the material to be sewn along each direction in which a seam is to be formed. Sensing means are provided to sense the fact that a seam has been completed. Also, means are provided which clamp the material to the table after each seam is sewn. The control means further include means to rotate the sewing apparatus and align it in such a way that when the material is again fed to the sewing apparatus, the latter sews a successive seam along a different selected direction.

Abstract: A mud pump piston assembly is provided which facilitates replacement and secure holding of piston parts which wear rapidly. A hollow piston member which fits on the end of a piston rod to seal against the cylinder, is held in place by a thin pressure ring which is captured by a retainer ring lying in a groove around the piston rod. The piston member has a concave face and the thin pressure ring closely mates with the concave face to support it, while leaving most of the concave face of the piston member uncovered so it can be expanded by pressured mud to more completely seal against the cylinder. In one assembly, the retainer ring is formed with a circular cross section, and lies halfway within a groove of semicircular cross section while the pressure ring is formed of triangular shape and with one side of the triangle abutting the circular retainer ring at substantially the top of the groove.

Abstract: A flat-type transformer comprises in one embodiment of two spaced-apart coil arrangements. Each arrangement includes a flanged coil form on which a coil is wound. Each of these arrangements further includes an L-shaped strip which supports terminals. One arm of the L-shaped strip extends into the coil form and the other arm extends out of the coil form and is spaced from the flange to form a gap. A third coil arrangement with a strip which forms a T shape with the coil form is also included. A housing with pockets for surrounding the coil arrangement is provided. It has cutouts which exend into said gaps.

Abstract: A mooring and cargo transfer terminal is described, for use in transferring a fluid such as LNG (liquified natural gas) which is supercooled and therefore likely to cause severe icing of pipes and joints. The terminal includes a table support in the form of a tower extending from a base at the sea floor up to the sea surface, and a table device rotatable about a vertical axis at the top of the table support. The table device carries a pair of fenders that can press directly against the side of a ship, hawser couplings for tying the table device to a set of hawsers that hold it tightly against the ship, and one or more loading arms which can extend beyond the table device to connect to an LNG coupling on the ship. A pipe carries LNG from an underwater pipeline up to a fluid swivel at the top of the table support, and the rotatable portion of the fluid swivel connects to the loading arms to deliver the LNG thereto.

Abstract: A hose assembly is described for use in the transference of cooled liquified gas to a vessel, in a system that requires the flexible hose to lie in the water. The hose assembly includes a flexible inner hose forming a central passage through which liquified gas can pass towards the vessel and having walls that are permeable to the bleeding of vapor therethrough, to avoid damage by expanding liquid droplets that find their way into the inner hose wall. The assembly also includes an outer hose with substantially impermeable walls, the outer hose surrounding the inner hose and leaving an annular passage between them which can receive the vapor permeating the inner hose. The annular passage also can be used to carry vapor from the vessel back to a shore-based installation which reliquifies it.