Abstract: A rope clamp is provided in the form of a hook to hang on a rail, ring or other object such as a ledge. The hook may be injection moulded plastics material. Rope is lodged in a channel around the hook. The channel is wider at its mouth than at its base so that rope may be wedged or clamped in the narrow part of the channel. Guides are provided for rope entering the channel and for rope leaving the channel to bias it into the narrow part of the channel. The rope may be easily manually moved into the wider part of the channel to allow adjustment of the rope on the clamp.

Abstract: A sheet roofing system involving the use of a plastics material membrane may be applied over existing metal roofs. A plastics material extrusion which may be colour matched or contrasted with the colour of the plastics material membrane may be applied over standing seams or other ridges. The extrusion is a U shaped cover, of which one leg is hinged for easy installation of the cover over the standing seam. The hinge is designed to avoid undue stresses on the plastics material of the cover. In one embodiment, the hinge is a hollow tubular region along the length of the extrusion between the leg of the U and the web of the U which forms the top of the cover.

Abstract: In an orthotic walker, mechanism is provided to bias alternate motion of a user's legs. The mechanism may be a reciprocating bar at hip level, or at least one strap ends of which are attached to leg braces and the bight passing round a fixed frame member. A stirrup mechanism may be pivoted at an "ankle joint" and the pivotal motion may be limited to avoid toe down position. The stirrup may have a clamp for a shoe. Brake mechanism may be movable between operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position rearward rolling is disallowed while forward motion is allowed.

Abstract: A roof cladding system includes flexible, waterproof, plastics material sheet and feature strips each comprising a base strip and an interchangeable cap. Caps having different profiles may be used to provide different ornamentation. The base strip is flexible to the sheet and has upturned elongate lips acting as latches for downwardly projecting in-turned flanges of the cap.

Abstract: A rigid sliding window is provided for the soft tops of soft topped vehicles such as soft topped cars and boats or even tent trailers. It may be attached directly into the soft top side curtain or into a rigid side frame or inner structural frame. The window module comprises a fixed window panel, a sliding window panel and a slim line frame for the panels. The fixed window panel and an outer flange of the frame are fixed directly to the soft fabric of the soft top, the outer flange of the frame being sandwiched between an outer margin of the fixed panel and the fabric of the soft top. The frame also provides a channel in which the sliding panel runs. In the region of the sliding panel in its closed position the outer flange of the frame is fastened directly to the fabric of the soft top.

Abstract: A low density RRIM/RIM article formed of rigid foamed polyurethane which has incorporated in it, hollow glass microspheres with a compressive strength greater than 4,000 psi and a maximum size of 120 microns. This low density RRIM/RIM fascia may have physical properties and continuous high gloss painted outer skin comparable to conventional RRIM/RIM products while having reduced density in comparison to such product.

Abstract: A method of continuous composting is carried out in a train of composting trays in an elongate enclosed tunnel. Garbage is deposited into the composting tunnel via a blending trough in which blending augers blend the garbage. The trough then tilts to empty the garbage into an inlet in the top surface of the tunnel to fill an upstream one of the trays. A ram shunts the trays stepwise through the tunnel. The tracks may be U-channels, the webs of which are connected to tunnel sidewalls. The trays rest on one of the legs of the U and the other leg of the U extends over the edge of the tray to protect it from being fouled by garbage. During passage of the trays through the tunnel, the garbage may be mixed by mixers for loosening and aeration of the garbage. Such mixing may have directional components in both longitudinal and transverse directions of the tunnel. Water may be added immediately downstream of the mixing for the purpose of optimizing composting conditions.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning a floor and/or wall and/or downward upstanding from the wall, includes at least one disc having a floor cleaning pad covering a lower surface and wall cleaning material projecting from its periphery. The wall cleaning material may be bristles or a wrap-around separate strip of abrasive felted material, or a margin of the floor cleaning pad may be bent upwardly to form a vertical cylindrical surface. Alternatively, floor pads may be stacked to present a vertical cylindrical wall cleaning surface. The disc may be engaged with a drive shaft, or stacked discs may interengage with each other, the topmost being engaged with the drive shaft. The bottom disc may have a bevel rising from the lower surface. Bristles extend from the bevel at right angles. When the floor machine rests on the floor in operation position, the bristles extending from the bevel are bent upwardly to be forced towards the angle between floor and wall.

Abstract: A spring clip fastener for pressing into the cavity of cavity walling to hold insulation firmly in place comprises a rigid plate having at least one spring strip bowed from its plane. The bowed spring strip or strips bias the insulation within the cavity against one of the walls. Each bowed strip has a groove across it to engage a horizontal restraining bar which may be provided by a tie between the walls of the cavity walling. When the restraining bar in engaged it is difficult for the fastener to slip out of position.

Abstract: A low density RRIM/RIM article formed of rigid foamed polyurethane which has incorporated in it, hollow glass microspheres with a compressive strength greater than 4,000 psi and a maximum size of 120 microns. This low density RRIM/RIM fascia may have physical properties and continuous high gloss painted outer skin comparable to conventional RRIM/RIM products while having reduced density in comparison to such product.

Abstract: A double acting pneumatically operated pumping assembly for pumping viscous fluids, especially food stuffs, is provided. The piston has an enlarged central portion integral with reduced diameter end portions. Inspection means, for example vent ports, are provided between seals of each end portion so that any leakage of either pneumatic fluid or of viscous fluid is detectable. The pump is preferably of modular form, each module having flanged ends and hand-tightenable band clamps holding the flanges together for easy assembly and disassembly. A feature of the invention is an operating valve having pilot chambers at each end for control of the spool position. Movement of pilot pistons within the pilot chambers affects the pressure balance between ends of the spool. Changes in pressure may be derived from the piston chamber of the pump from ports located to change the pressure balance of the valve when the pump piston has completed its stroke.

Abstract: A saddle tree has asymmetric points to accommodate lodging against shoulder blades of a horse which are in nature themselves asymmetric. Suitably the points at least at their forward edges are shock absorbing to minimize the effect of concussion with the shoulder blades of the horse. An air pocket may be provided in the saddle to provide rider comfort in the pubic area and to guard rider from damage done by jolting and rubbing in the pubic area.

Abstract: A field portable site survey system includes a portable computer interfaced directly with a rangefinder of the type which needs no reflector, e.g. a rangefinder which receives a signal from a feature of a survey site by backscattering of an incident beam such as a laser beam. A computer program causes the computer to prompt an operator to use the range finder to take measurements appropriate for calculation of the volume of a survey site according to its shape or of its component shapes. The computer calculates the volume in realtime. If the density has been entered into the computer weight will also be calculated.

Abstract: A water cooler is disclosed suitable for standing on a counter top and to be used with standardized water bottles. The water cooler utilizes a thermoelectric device which cools by means of the Peltier effect. The cooling unit comprises a seat for the water bottle spaced and thermally insulated from a heat sink. The thermoelectric device is connected between the seat and a heat sink. Preferably the thermoelectric device is connected between a spacer block extending downwardly from the seat and the heat sink. A fan dissipates heat from the heat sink.

Abstract: In an orthotic walker, mechanism is provided to bias alternate motion of a user's legs. The mechanism may be a reciprocating bar at hip level, or at least one strap ends of which are attached to leg braces and the bight passing round a fixed frame member. A stirrup mechanism may be pivoted at an "ankle joint" and the pivotal motion may be limited to avoid toe down position. The stirrup may have a clamp for a shoe. Brake mechanism may be movable between operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position rearward rolling is disallowed while forward motion is allowed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-function steering mechanism having a non-rotatable display panel located within the rim of the steering wheel. Wires of a wiring truss to the display panel are continuous through a hollow non-rotatable support shaft for the display panel. The rotatable steering shaft is offset from the support shaft and geared to a cylindrical gear hub of the steering wheel which is rotatably supported on either the support column or onto an outer housing for the mechanism. The steering shaft is made to be telescoping and or tilting.

Abstract: An electrical generator system is provided for use with a wheel, for example, a bicycle wheel. A bracket rotating with the wheel carried generator units each having a friction wheel to drive it. A fixed circular disc which is non-rotatable with the wheel is symmetrically arranged in the plane of the wheel. The friction wheels rotate to drive the generator units, the output of which is combined and directed to an appliance such as a lamp.

Abstract: A borescope for inspecting the inside of bores such as drill pipe bores includes an elongate shaft to extend into the pipe. The shaft has an optical eye for directing incident light from a light source toward an inside surface of the bore and a receptor to receive emitted light therefrom. The shaft may be rotated eccentrically about the bore axis so that the distance of the optical eye from a sector of the interior surface to be inspected is always less than the radius of the bore.

Abstract: An adaptor for a honey extractor which is normally manually operable by hand cranking a drive shaft allows it to be operated by a power drill. The adaptor engages the drive shaft axially of the honey extractor after removal of the handle which is used fo manual operation to connect the drive shaft to a power drill. The adaptor is conveniently a socket to engage an end of the drive shaft,the socket having a prong for insertion in the chuck of a power drill.