Abstract: A load-support system for supporting a load employing an instantaneously adjustable hook which is freely slideable along a tie-down or load-support cord to any selected operative position where the hook is positively latched to the cord by turning or twisting the hook relative to the cord to a position wherein the inboard end of the cord exiting from the hook is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the bore in the hook through which the cord extends. Such twisting or turning action serves to bias a latching element in the hook into latched engagement with the cord, preventing loosening—i.e., decrease in tension—of the effective length of the cord yet, at the same time, permitting movement of the cord through the hook in the opposite direction to increase the tension on the effective length of the cord while the hook remains positively latched thereto.

Abstract: A system for latching a vehicle to a flatbed carrier including: at least one latch assembly mounted on the carrier outboard of respective ones of at least one of the vehicle's wheels; each latch assembly including a box-like bracket having longitudinally extending, vertically spaced, co-planar flanges defining a longitudinally extending vertical gap, at least one plate-like safety latch mounted for movement about a vertical pivot axis towards and away from the flanges, a biasing mechanism for urging each safety latch about its pivot axis towards the co-planar flanges, and a fixed stop mounted adjacent the forward end of the gap, a wheel latch flange mounted on each vehicle wheel disposed inboard of each latch assembly when the vehicle is loaded on the carrier; each wheel latch flange including a laterally extending stub shaft having an enlarged protuberance on its outboard end with a diameter greater than the height of the gap and an inboard portion with a diameter less than the height of the gap, whereupon w

Abstract: A composite storage winch for use in the deployment and retrieval of anchor systems employed with motive offshore drilling platforms.

Abstract: An adjustable strap assembly for raising, lowering and transporting outboard motors and similar heavy bulky objects, and methods of use thereof, wherein the adjustable strap assembly (20), in its preferred embodiment, requires only a handle (31) having a central tubular portion (42), a single strap (46) of nylon webbing or the like oriented in a figure-8 configuration with the material of the strap (46) passing through the tubular central portion of the handle twice (46', 46") so as to form an assembly having a first strap loop (32) on one side of the handle (31) devoid of fasteners and a second strap loop (34) on the opposite side of the handle (31) formed by coupling together the first and second free ends (58, 60) of the strap (46) using a suitable buckle assembly (61). In a slightly modified embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: Time Domain Reflectometry ("TDR") methods and apparatus for measuring propagation velocities of RF pulses to determine material liquid contents, moisture profiles, material levels and dielectric constants including: i) TDR probes and/or probe adaptors, including series averaging probes and multi-segment probes, all employing remotely operable, normally open, variable impedance devices such as diodes; ii) bias insertion and switching networks for rendering selected normally open variable impedance devices conductive one at a time to establish precise unambiguous timing markers T.sub.1 . . . T.sub.

Abstract: Degradable particulate absorbent materials and processes for manufacture, wherein the absorbent materials have: i) in most forms of the invention, on the order of not more than 10% by weight inorganic solids or "fillers" and in all cases less than 30% inorganic solids by weight; ii) an open, porous, shot-like fiber structure with low bulk density on the order of not more than 30 lbs./ft..sup.3 and, preferably, in the range of 15 to 18 lbs./ft..sup.3.

Abstract: A water grenade balloon which, when in the uninflated state, is characterized by: i) a main body having a latex sidewall having thin, outwardly projecting, intersecting longitudinal and latitudinal ribs; and ii), an integral elongate neck terminating in a rolled latex ring defining an inflation aperture. When inflated, the water grenade balloon is characterized by a smooth, uninterrupted, rounded body devoid of ribs and having darkened lines formed thereon defining discrete spaced square boxes wherein the bottom edges and the lower portions of the side edges of each box are relatively thick and prominent and the upper side and top edges are less prominent, thinner and finer, and wherein relatively thin fine darkened lines extend diagonally from each corner of each box toward diagonally adjacent boxes.

Abstract: A cleaning device 20 for cleaning a boat's deployed anchor chain 14, or for cleaning ropes, lines or similar items, and having: i) a generally O-shaped handle 21 having a central through opening 22 for permitting the user to grasp the handle 21, and at least two smaller through openings 24, 25 adjacent its opposite ends for permitting removable connection to a conventional boat hook 52 or to a retrieval line 26 and weight 29; ii) a pair of spaced, laterally projecting, generally cylindrical coaxial anchor chain guides 35, 36 rigidly secured to respective ones of the opposite ends of the handle 21, each having a longitudinally extending radial opening 39, 42 extending in different angular directions from the axis extending therethrough; and iii), a flexible, brush-like scrubbing medium 49, 50 bonded to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the anchor chain guides 35, 36 and having a plurality of cleaning bristles 50 extending radially inward towards, but terminating short of, the axis extending through the coaxial

Abstract: A bubble maker comprises a support and a pair of separate bands connected to the support at first and second spaced-apart positions. The bands are adapted to extend substantially parallel and near to each other and also to flexed and stretched so as to form a gap of substantial size between the bands. A dispenser mounted on the support dispenses a bubble-forming solution near the first position, and a collector mounted on the support collects excess solution near the second position. Drawstrings mounted on the support engage the elastic bands at positions intermediate the first and second positions for separating the bands. A pump pumps solution from the collector to the dispenser.

Abstract: A Primary Force Ring for magnetohydrodynamic propulsion of a vehicle including: an endless closed loop vehicle housing; a plurality of spaced pairs of positive and negative electric field plates coupled to at least one voltage source and mounted in the housing for generating a plurality of discrete spaced electric fields within the housing; and, a plurality of electromagnetic field coils mounted in the housing with one field coil intermediate each pair of field plates for generating an endless segmented closed loop magnetic field contained within the housing and intersecting the discrete electric fields at substantially right angles.

Abstract: A bubble maker including a support and a pair of separate bands connected to the support at first and second spaced-apart positions. The bands are adapted to extend substantially parallel and near to each other and also to be flexed and stretched so as to form a gap of substantial size between the bands. A dispenser mounted on the support dispenses a bubble-forming solution near the first position, and a collector mounted on the support collects excess solution near the second position. Drawstrings mounted on the support engage the elastic bands at positions intermediate the first and second positions for separating the bands. A pump pumps solution from the collector to the dispenser.

Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic methods and apparatus for propelling a vehicle including: an endless closed loop vehicle housing; a plurality of spaced pairs of positive and negative electric field plates coupled to at least one voltage source and mounted in the housing for generating a plurality of discrete spaced electric fields within the housing; a plurality of electromagnetic field coils mounted in the housing with one field coil intermediate each pair of field plates for generating an endless segmented closed-loop magnetic field contained within the housing and intersecting the discrete electric fields at substantially right angles; a combustible fuel source; a plurality of microscopic rocket motors coupled to the fuel source with each rocket motor having a discharge nozzle disposed above and adjacent to respective different ones of the positive electric field plates for generating a plurality of plasma streams of positively charged fuel particles and free electrons; a plurality of ion deflection assemblies associa

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to animate and impart life-like qualities and actions to an animal-type puppet. The apparatus having a tail which when pulled or released causes, via a linkage, one or more appendages, such as arms, legs or wings, of the puppet to become remotely animated. The appendage comprises a remotely actuated, cantilevered lever or pivotal rocker arm which moves through a generally curved path or pivotal arch in response to longitudinal movement of the tail.

Abstract: A robotic biped, quadruped or the like including a skeletal frame having right and left leg/foot assemblies, skeletal structure interconnecting the right and left leg/foot assemblies with freedom for movement relative to one another in respective ones of spaced parallel vertical planes and with one leg/foot assembly leading the other when both are firmly planted on the ground, right and left leg actuating mechanisms for raising and advancing respective ones of the left and right leg/foot assemblies mounted on respective ones of the right and left leg/foot assemblies, a remotely operable motor/transmission carried by the skeletal frame with freedom for right-to-left and left-to-right translation into the one of the right and left spaced parallel vertical planes containing the leading ground-engaged leg/foot assembly, a clutch or coupling mechanism for coupling the motor/transmission to the one of the right and left actuating mechanisms mounted on the leading one of the ground-engaged right and left leg/foot as

Abstract: A ring-type binder having a spine comprising inner and outer laminations of sheet material fixedly secured together in face-to-face relation, a ring-type binder element secured to the inner spine lamination by at least two (2) threaded fasteners extending through the inner spine lamination and through the binder element and secured in place by T-nuts, front and rear piano-type hinge elements secured to the front and rear edges of the spine inner lamination by through fastener elements, and front and rear covers fixedly secured to respective ones of the front and rear piano-type hinge elements by through fasteners, wherein the outer spine lamination is totally devoid of through fasteners and/or fastener openings and completely overlies and conceals the threaded fasteners used to secure the ring-type binder element and the through fasteners used to secure the front and rear hinge elements to the spine inner lamination.

Abstract: Powdered grain and/or legume material is mixed with a liquid binder containing algin to form a dough that is molded, or extruded and the extruded material severed, to form synthesized kernels or bits. Such kernels or bits are deposited in an edible boiling liquid, preferably containing calcium chloride and/or calcium lactate, for setting the binder, and cooked in such setting liquid for a few minutes after which they are removed from the setting or gelling liquid, rinsed, retrograded or set and stabilized in their cooked and expanded state as by freezing or the like, and dried; or they may be canned or frozen. As a consequence, the kernels or bits can be rehydrated and rendered instantly edible merely by the addition of an edible hot or cold liquid without requiring further cooking. The bits may contain other food ingredients and/or fortifying agents such, merely by way of example, as vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, fats, oils, medicaments and/or flavorings or coloring materials.