Abstract: The device is characterized in that it comprises: one ring-shaped sensor (1) body comprising a main part (3) delimiting a sensor chamber (5) extended by a threaded part (6) as well as a skirt (4) around the sensing chamber (5) and defining a support surface (8) to be fixed on the wall (10) of the can or bag to be checked, a tubular connecting screw (2) coupled with continuous analyzing means and designed to cooperate with the sensor (1) body, and sensing means capable of cutting or perforating the wall (10) of the can or bag to be checked so as to allow the gases, if any emitted in this can or bag, to enter the internal conduit (11) of the connecting screw (2) to be sensed by the continuous analyzing means.

Abstract: A UPS system for communications systems. The UPS system comprises an input stage that generates primary and standby AC power signals. The primary and standby AC power signals are passed through an isolation transformer and through an output rectifier to obtain an output DC power signal. A plurality of output inverters are used to generate a plurality of output AC power signals from the output DC power signal. A switch circuit is provided to connect one or more of the output DC power signals to one or more loads of the communications system.

Abstract: A leveling assembly to establish elevations in a building structure for installing cabinets, bookshelves, countertops, etc. There is a telescoping mounting post adapted to be positioned in bearing engagement between a floor surface and the top of a doorway, ceiling or other upper surface. A laser that transmits a horizontal laser beam is mounted to a mounting device that can be moved to different positions along the length of the post. Locking devices hold the laser mounting device in place, and also properly position the post to be in firm engagement with its bearing surfaces. The laser mounting device can be swung to upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communication between an application program and underlying motion control hardware in a hardware independent manner. A communication map maps a generic grid of mapping information cells to the actual information cells implemented by the particular hardware. Each actual information cell may be located in different areas and may transfer different values on each hardware platform. The communication map allows common functions to be used across a plurality of supported hardware device implementations.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.

Abstract: An automated low clearance skirt assembly lifting device adapted for raising and lowering a circular or multifaceted skirt to match the opening of pressure vessels such as coking drums and a method for uniform remote operation of the assembly. The low clearance skirt lifting assembly includes a reinforcement of the upper skirt attached to one or more lifting cylinders mounted within a telescoping enclosure, so that the skirt assembly may be uniformly extended and retraced without binding or side load transfer to the hydraulically or pneumatically actuated device. Following the unheading of the flange on the coke drum, the skirt is remotely extended to align with the flange hereby bridging the gap between the chute and the drum prior to commencement of the drilling cycle and lowered once all the coke has been extracted from the drum.

Abstract: A rigid cover for satellite antennas. The cover prevents rain from passing between a dish member and a converter assembly of the satellite antenna. The cover may be designed for a particular style of satellite antenna or, preferably, have a mounting portion adapted to accommodate a plurality of styles of satellite antennas.

Abstract: Instructional systems and methods for musical instruments. An array of graphic note elements are arranged on a neck of a musical instrument such that they are visible from behind or on top. The graphic note elements are controlled to indicate where a player should place his or her fingers. The player need not hold the instrument in an unnatural position while simultaneously playing the musical instrument and viewing the graphic note elements. The graphic note elements may be integrally formed on or imbedded in the back of the instrument's neck so as not to interfere with the player's hand. A control circuit is used to control the operation of the graphic elements. The control circuit may also be connected to a CD player on which control, background, and instructional data is encoded.

Abstract: Precooked, packaged ground meat products and methods of making such products. The product comprises ground meat and at least one moisture-absorbing additive. The formulated meat mixture is formed into a raw ground meat portion. Perforations are formed in the raw ground meat portion. The perforated raw ground meat portion is sealed within a closed envelope and cooked. The moisture-absorbing additive and perforations control the purge (water and other juices) discharged by the meat during cooking. The moisture-absorbing additive absorbs some of this purge; the perforations trap much of the remaining purge. The resulting product is thus without large amounts of free purge within the package and may be broken apart easily into cooked ground meat upon removal from the package. The raw meat should be frozen and maintained frozen until cooking to maintain the grain structure and perforations during handling.

Abstract: A sit-on-top kayak having a seating and footwell arrangement that allows users to sit comfortably in a relatively small cockpit area defined by the kayak. Preferably, two or three seating surfaces and footwells are employed. The footwells associated with any given seating surface straddle the seating surface in front of the given seating surface if the given seating surface is not the forwardmost seating surface.

Abstract: A process by which it is possible to make a sharp-angled indentation on hollow tubes without removing any material, maintaining a constant thickness of tube and also without deforming the external diameter and conserving the fiber orientation of the metal, characterized by the fact that a riveting machine is used, which itself is a well-known type of machine, comprising a riveting head fitted to a spindle operating in conjunction with pressing devices and a fixed half-clamp. The riveting head of this machine is replaced by a former adapted to the profile of the indentation required and in particular to its sharp angle. The tube in which indentations are required (1) is positioned between the former and the fixed half-clamp and the pressure devices are operated, causing movement of the spindle in order to allow indentation of the tube (1).

Abstract: A deflecting propeller guard comprising a pair of adjacent deflector plates slanting downwardly and rearwardly from a front apex location to provide downwardly and laterally facing deflection surfaces. There is a rear guard section having two guard plates positioned adjacent to one another and extending outwardly and upwardly at a moderate slant from a center axis. The deflecting propeller guard is positioned with the guard section below the propeller and the deflecting section forwardly of the propeller. A center mounting plate is provided to be positioned adjacent to, and connected to the skeg of the motor assembly.

Abstract: An airless sprayer adapted to spray both paint and texture material. The sprayer uses a reciprocating piston that mechanically forces the material to be dispensed out of a charging chamber. The piston is driven by a motor mounted within a motor chamber. A working surface of the piston has a surface area adapted to dispense texture material. The sprayer is gravity fed with an overhead hopper. The sprayer is provided with a detachable overflow member that defines an overflow chamber for capturing texture material that leaks around the piston. This overflow chamber is configured relative to the motor chamber such that material leakage is contained within the overflow chamber and does not reach the motor chamber.

Abstract: A method of preventing clogging and leaking in an automobile air vent system where there is an upwardly facing air vent grill which is made of a magnetically permeable material and is positioned at an upper portion of the body surface of the automobile forwardly of the windshield. This air vent is covered by a generally planar intake cover having a perimeter configuration substantially the same as the vent intake opening. This cover is made of a magnetic material which when placed over the vent cover remains securely in place and prevents the clogging (and thus leaking) of the air vent system.

Abstract: A rack system for vehicles that comprises a rack assembly and an attachment assembly comprising a base member mounted to a vehicle hitch receiver, an inner swing arm having a first end pivotably mounted to the base member, an outer swing arm having a first end pivotably mounted to a second end of the inner swing arm, a rack member pivotably mounted to a second end of the outer swing arm, and locking means for selectively locking the base and rack members together to secure the system in a storage position. The rack assembly is rigidly attached to the rack member. When the base and rack members are locked together, the rack assembly is securely located immediately above and behind the vehicle hitch receiver. When the rack member is unlocked from the base member, the rack assembly may be moved within a movement area defined by the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal, generally circular arc that extends from one side of the vehicle to the other side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An audio amplifier having an amplifier section and a power supply. The power supply comprises a positive power supply section and a negative power supply section, each of which provides voltage to the positive and negative power inputs to the amplifier. The control circuitry for the power supply sections causes the voltage output from the power supply sections to vary in accordance with the amplitude of the audio signal so that the power supply voltages track the positive and negative components of the audio signal so that the supply voltages are at a predetermined level above and below the positive and negative components of the audio signal, respectively. Each of the power supply sections has a pair of switches which open and close alternately to transmit power pulses to opposite ends of the primary winding, and the secondary winding in turn transmit power pulses alternately through a filter component to its respective input of the amplifier section.

Abstract: A bicycle seat assembly having a functional surface area comprising a main support surface region and a center tactile surface region. At the center tactile surface region there is a raised center surface portion and outwardly facing side tactile surface portions to engage upper rear and side thigh surface portions of the person. There are right and left and primary support zones spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis to support the right and left ischial-tuberosities of the person who is in a seated pedaling position. The forward support surface portions on opposite sides of the center tactile surface region are contoured so that the leading edge thereof has an upward and rearward slope. The seat is arranged to accommodate 95% of the adult population in the U.S., and enables the cyclist to operate effectively in the seated pedaling mode, the seated non-pedaling mode and the stand-up pedaling mode.

Abstract: A sit-on-top kayak having a seating and footwell arrangement that allows three people to sit comfortably in a cockpit of the kayak. Three seating surfaces and footwells are preferably employed. The footwells associated with the two rearmost seating surfaces straddle the two forwardmost seating surfaces. An improved hull is provided having a keel and winglets extending on either side of the keel. The keel and winglets terminate at the front in a bow portion of the hull lower surface and come together at a point at the stern of the kayak.