Abstract: The reciprocating floor conveyor of the present invention includes a supporting frame, a plurality of base members on the supporting frame, a plurality of elongate, slidable slats mounted on the base members, and a drive mechanism for causing longitudinal reciprocative movement of the plurality of slats. The plurality of slats are divided in at least a first and second interleaved groups. Each slat is connected to the slats adjacent thereto through slidable engagement of the sides of the slats, and are supported by the base members such that the first group of slats is elevated a greater distance from the supporting frame than the second group of slats. The drive system of the present invention is employed wherein the reciprocating floor conveyor is comprised of at least three slat groups each having at least one slat member each. The drive system moves all of the slat groups simultaneously in an extended, conveying direction and moves each of the slat groups sequentially in an opposite, retracted direction.

Abstract: A liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction includes a plurality of slats slidable on a plurality of stationary bases, with each base supporting an individual slat. Each of the bases is unitary in construction such that liquid leaking through the points of contact between the slat and the base cannot reach the floor supporting the bases. The bases are interconnected by mating flanges, and seals adjacent the mating flanges prevent liquid from leaking through the flanges to the supporting floor.

Abstract: A construction for removably retaining a first sheet of glazing adjacent to a second sheet of glazing is disclosed including a fixed frame member adapted to be attached to a glazing cap, and a removable retaining flange connectable to the fixed frame member. The flange-holding side wall of the fixed frame member has a shoulder containing a longitudinal groove adjacent to the flange, and a longitudinal recess having an upper edge and a lower edge including a catch. The retaining flange connects to the fixed frame member by nesting the upper end edge of a vertical leg of the flange into the flange-holding groove of the frame member and locking a lip of the flange member to the catch along the lower edge of the fixed frame recess. When the fixed frame member and the removable retaining flange are connected, the flange of the fixed frame member and the horizontal leg of the removable retaining flange removably brace a first sheet of glazing therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for forward facing rowing of a boat is disclosed. An elongate outrigger support extends outwardly from a mounting point in the boat and has an end adjacent to the mounting point around which the elongate outrigger support pivots horizontally. An outrigger support and handle connector sleeve is slidably mounted over the elongate outrigger support. An elongate handle is pivotally connected to the sleeve to allow the elongate handle to pivot relative to both the sleeve and the outrigger support. A handle and oar connector attaches the outboard end of the elongate handle to an oar within the midsection of the oar. A rotation transfer mechanism in the handle and oar connector causes corresponding rotation of the oar upon rotation of the elongate handle. The handle and oar connector transfers, from the elongate handle to the oar, pivotal and rotational movement as the elongate handle rotates, as well as moves along and pivots around the elongate outrigger support.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel lever for removing a tire from a bicycle wheel rim is disclosed. The bicycle wheel lever has an elongate rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongate rod is substantially planar and has a broadened face portion and a curved lip. An arm on the second end of the elongate rod is oriented substantially perpendicular to and angled upwardly from the elongate rod. The arm has a hexagonal cross-section. The bicycle tire lever separates a bicycle tire from a wheel rim by placement of the first end of the elongate rod between a bicycle tire and a wheel rim, by pivotal movement of the elongate rod toward the wheel spoke, and by bracing any portion of the length of the arm against the wheel spoke to secure the bicycle wheel lever.

Abstract: Mining apparatus in which a cutting wheel supporting a plurality of roller-cutters rotates about a horizontal axis and is supported on a slewing boom for cutting a tunnel with a flat floor and roof and elliptical walls as it slews across a mining face. The slewing boom is supported on a main beam assembly, the front end of which rests on powered crawler tracks and the rear end of which passes through a gripper assembly which may be clamped between the floor and roof of the tunnel, and against which the main beam assembly may be urged forward for engaging the roller-cutters with the mining face. A preload crawler is urged against the roof of the tunnel above the powered crawler tracks to locate the main beam assembly rigidly relative to the tunnel such that the roller-cutters may cut the rock in the mining face with minimal loss of cutting force due to vibration.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine includes a cutterhead having a plurality of cutting units and being rotatable on a machine frame. Two sets of three anchor shoes float relative to the frame and are disposed circumferentially, with the anchor shoes of the two sets alternating on the frame. The two sets of three anchor shoes allow continuous advance of the tunnel boring machine. Connection between the two sets of anchor shoes and the frame is provided by two sets of three thrust cylinder bipods. One set of three thrust cylinder bipods is connected to each set of three floating anchor shoes, with one bipod attached to each anchor shoe. All of the anchor shoes in each set are interconnected by three pairs of floating gripper cylinders, with each pair of gripper cylinders longitudinally spaced on the two anchor shoes that they connect. Each of the two sets of three anchor shoes is sequentially gripped and ungripped with the tunnel wall by the attached gripper cylinders and independently of the other set of anchor shoes.

Abstract: A tunneling machine convertible between a "closed mode" and an "open mode" of operation, having a rotatable cutterhead with muck openings communicating with a pressurizable cutterhead chamber and a pressure maintenance system to stabilize the tunnel workface when operating in the "closed mode". In the "closed mode" low slurry flow is employed as a liquid pressure balance solely to support the unstable tunnel face. Low slurry flow is supplied through a pressure bulkhead sealing the cutterhead chamber and pressurized conveyor means through the bulkhead removes tunneled material from the cutterhead chamber. A pressure lock connected to the pressurized conveyor means transfers tunneled material to dewatering and reservoir/accumulator means operated at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A load cell includes a deformable member having a chamber therein extending parallel to the direction of force. A plate on the deformable member extends transversely to the direction of force and to the axis of the chamber. The plate is welded to the deformable member such that it covers the chamber. The plate and welding carry the structural loads of the deformable member. Strain gauges are positioned on the interior sides of the chamber.

Abstract: A personal communicator receiving station, also known as a holster, is capable of receiving a personal communicator unit and communicating therewith. Such receiving stations may be at various locations, including a subscriber's home, office, automobile and other sites. The personal communicator includes the telephone number for call forwarding updating in the central exchange of the personal communications network, while the receiving station includes a call forwarding number. When the receiving station is connected to a landline system, the receiving station obtains the network update number from the personal communicator operatively positioned therein, and communicates the call forwarding number to the network central exchange. In a variation, the personal communicator obtains the call forwarding number from the receiving station and communicates that number to the network through the personal communications system.

Abstract: A mobile mining machine for cutting a tunnel in rock has a wheel-like cutterhead assembly supported by a pitch boom assembly that causes movement of the cutterhead assembly in the vertical plane. A swing boom assembly supports the pitch boom assembly and is supported by the base frame of the mobile mining machine. The swing boom assembly causes movement of the cutterhead assembly and the pitch boom assembly in the horizontal plane. During mining, a fixed front support and a fixed rear support anchor the mobile mining machine in the tunnel with front and rear crawlers raised from the tunnel floor. During re-gripping, the front and rear crawlers are lowered to support the mobile mining machine and the fixed front support and fixed rear support remain in contact with the tunnel floor. During tramming, the front and rear supports are raised for transportation of the mobile mining machine on the crawler.

Abstract: A gantry-type mobile mining machine includes a cutterwheel having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the tunnel work face and carried by a boom assembly pivotally movable about an axis also substantially parallel to the tunnel work face and to the cutterwheel axis of rotation. A rotation assembly supports the boom assembly and cutterwheel and causes rotation of the cutterwheel and the boom assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the tunnel work face and to the cutterwheel axis of rotation, so that radial motion of the cutterwheel is possible in any desired direction generally parallel to the tunnel work face. A traverse assembly supported on a frame causes traverse movement of the cutterwheel, boom assembly and rotation assembly on the frame. Thrust cylinders thrust forward as a unit the cutterwheel, boom assembly and rotation assembly relative to the frame. A holding assembly secures the frame in the tunnel during thrusting by the thrust cylinders.

Abstract: A liquid spillage control apparatus contains liquid from overfilling of a liquid tank and allows venting of volatile vapors. A liquid spill transfer pipe allows passage of liquid overflow into the liquid holding chamber. A liquid drain pipe communicates with the liquid spill transfer pipe in the liquid holding chamber and drains liquid of a predetermined level or greater out of the liquid holding chamber through the liquid spill transfer pipe. A liquid-buoyant drain pipe sealing means closes the liquid drain pipe when the liquid level in the liquid drain pipe reaches the liquid drain pipe inlet. An orifice in the bottom of the liquid holding chamber allows draining of liquids and solids heavier than the liquid from the liquid holding chamber.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention contemplates an improved tarpaulin deployment and retraction apparatus which includes a plurality of removable or permanent tracks installed at intervals over the load carrying compartment of a vehicle. A leading edge slider travels to and fro on the tracks under the influence of deployment/retraction mechanism. A ridgepole slider is towed to a mid-deployment position due to a latch on the ridgepole slider engaging a towing pin on the leading edge slider. Upon reaching the mid-deployment position, a de-coupling pin upon each of the tracks cooperates with a camming surface on the latch to disengage the ridgepole slider from the leading edge slider. The leading edge slider then is further urged to a fully deployed position. A leading edge pole, to which is attached the leading edge of a tarpaulin, is connected to the leading edge sliders on the tracks. As the sliders are urged into their deployed positions the tarpaulin is unfurled from its stowed position.

Abstract: Upwardly extending pivoting booms are supported on a rectangular base which is submerged in water. Watercraft supports on mounting arms are connected to the pivoting booms. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder attached between the rectangular base and pivoting booms swings the pivoting booms upwardly until they are braced by boom supports on the rectangular base at an angle over center. This raising of the pivoting booms lifts the mounting arms and watercraft supports to remove a craft from the water and disposes the booms, mounting arms, and craft in a stable, secure over center configuration. Actuation of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder in the opposite direction forces the booms back out of the over center position and lowers the craft into the water.

Abstract: A prophylactic device has a first band adapted to be worn around the waist of a human female and a second band connected to the first band and adapted to be worn between the buttocks of a human female such that the anus is covered by the second band. A genitalia shield connects the first band and the second band and covers the perineum of the human female. The genitalia shield portion includes a sheath having an open integral therewith. The sheath is stored in a retracted position in which its length is diminished by a plurality of folded pleats. Placement of a member against the opening of the sheath unfolds the pleats to orient the sheath in an extended position such that the sheath enters the vaginal opening and is oriented within the vagina. Removable tabs attached to the genitalia shield portion and oriented over both sides of the sheath retain lubricant and/or spermicide adjacent to the two sheath sides.

Abstract: A resistance mechanism, especially for exercise devices. The resistance mechanism comprises operating structure by which the user loads the resistance mechanism; a part rotating with the movement created by the operating structure; and a counterpart positioned at a distance from the rotating part, one of said parts being provided with magnets to create eddy currents resisting the movement of the operating structure. To achieve a mechanism suitable for exercise devices of different types, the counterpart comprises an element acting on the rotating part, said element being arranged to be rotated at a speed independent of the speed of rotation of the rotating part produced by the operating structure.