Abstract: A method and system for dressing cattle in which, after kill, the carcass is suspended in a generally horizontal position by at least one foreleg and one hind leg, with the legs uppermost, and transported while so suspended along a dressing line. In such position, the hide is partially cut longitudinally in the chin, neck and upper brisket area to form a longitudinal cut line. Thereafter, portions of the hide around the foreleg are grasped and pulled downwardly away from the skin to separate the hide from the skin on the forelegs, brisket and chin and form a gap between the underside of the hide and skin on the back of the neck. The carcass is then repositioned with the head up and tail down by suspension from at least one foreleg, the hide cut to form a cut line in the belly region from the brisket to the tail, and the edges of the hide along the cut line gripped and pulled back to separate the hide from the carcass.

Abstract: A flying amusement device including first and second rotary elements separated by a hub. Each of the rotary elements includes a set of lift members which provide lift in a common direction when the device is rotated about the hub. A length of flexible line is connected to the hub and wound thereabout prior to use. The device is held in the user's hand with the free end of the flexible line connected to the user's throwing hand. The device is then thrown outwardly from the body of the user with a snapping motion of the wrist to impart rotation to the device. This rotation produces lift, and further rotation is imparted to the device due to the device unwinding from the flexible line as it travels away from the user. Upon fully unwinding the flexible line from the hub, the continued rotation of the device causes the flexible line to be rewound upon the hub, thus drawing the device back towards the user.

Abstract: A tubular membrane diffuser for a wastewater aeration system. The diffuser includes a pipe having spaced apart outlet ports and a porous membrane sleeved around the pipe for discharging air in bubbles. An adjustable plug can be located at the outboard end of the diffuser pipe in a fully buoyant application, near the inboard end of the diffuser pipe in a non-buoyant application where water occupies the outboard half of the diffuser, or anywhere between the diffuser pipe ends in a partially buoyant application. The plug includes a ring with a tapered bore and a tapered plug that threads into the bore to radially expand the ring for securing it in place.

Abstract: A ladder attachment which cushions the shoulder of a person carrying the ladder. A foam cushion is bonded to a base which slips onto either side rail of the ladder. The base is shaped to mate with the channel shape of the ladder rail and has inturned lips on the edges of its sides which hook over the flange edges of the rail. A resilient foam pad is interposed between the base plate of the base and the channel web to apply a force which assures that the lips remain hooked on the flange edges.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump/motor in which working piston elements are arranged for radial reciprocation. A cam is arranged eccentrically to a rotor which carries the pistons. Fluid cavities are provided in feet on the pistons, in the faces of a polygon to which the feet are attached, and in bearing pads in the outer ends of the cylinders to provide hydrostatic balancing. The pistons are hollow and are equipped with check valves to prevent centrifugal force from expelling fluid from the polygon and foot cavities. The cam includes mating spherical surfaces which compensate for bending forces applied to the cam. An improved mechanism for adjusting the cam position uses inherent forces to eliminate the need for a power assist device for cam adjustment. Port plates on opposite sides of the rotor provide inlet to the unit near the axis of the unit and outlet near the outer edge to alleviate stresses and increase efficiency.

Abstract: A method for removing crude oil, or other oil products, from an aqueous environment is provided. A lipid composition is melted and applied to an aqueous medium containing oil. The melted lipid composition initially mingles with the oil and later cools to form a solidifed mass. When the solidified mass is removed, a substantial portion of the oil initially present in the aqueous medium is also removed. The lipid composition comprises at least 65 percent lipid component, by total weight of composition, and at least 35 percent, by weight, of the lipid component is saturated fatty acids. Preferably, the lipid composition is selected from the group consisting of dairy butter, shortening, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A soccer goal practice device having a frame and a net extending within the frame. The frame has first and second upstanding side members and a cross member extending between, and connected to the top ends of, the side members. The net is formed as a lattice having a perimeter corresponding substantially in shape and size to the frame. The net includes a rugged perimeter cord along the perimeter of the net, and the perimeter cord has a length shorter than that of the perimeter of the net. The perimeter cord is fastened to the frame such that the net extends between the side members and the cross member. Due to the reduced perimeter of the perimeter cord, the net will include a slight blouse when extending over the frame. This blouse causes ground balls entering the net to be rebounded with an upward velocity component, such that rebounded ground balls bounce. This provides a more challenging and realistic return of the ball to the user.

Abstract: A sign which includes a sign cabinet having a rigid frame on which a flexible vinyl sign face is stretched. The sign face has hems on its top and bottom edges. Rigid rods are inserted in the hems, and tension springs are extended through notches in the hems and hooked to the rods. The other ends of the springs are hooked on lips projecting from extrusions which extend along the top and bottom of the face frame. The springs hold the sign face taut on the sign cabinet frame. A special hinged end section is pivoted on the frame to permit the sign face to be placed under the proper lateral tension as a result of the lever action resulting from swinging the hinged section inwardly and then bolting it in place on the sign cabinet frame.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a vehicle mounted lift for wheelchairs is normally in an upright blocking position even when the lift platform is at a ground level. The barrier includes upper and lower panels which are hinged together and coupled with a pair of lever arms. A tubular slide coupled with each lever arm cooperates with a rigid link to bias the forward ends of the arms to elevated positions to maintain the barrier in an upright position. When the lever arms are manually lowered, the barrier upper and lower panels fold upon themselves to provide a ramp over which a wheelchair may be rolled for loading onto the lift platform. The arms are supported by the links in cantilevered positions and are connected to the panels for absorbing by deflection of the arms the energy from impacts from the wheelchair against the barrier.

Abstract: A bulk material dryer includes a cabinet with material inlet and outlet openings and air inlet and outlet openings. A conveying system is located in the cabinet for conveying the bulk material therethrough from the material inlet opening to the material outlet opening. An air handling system includes a supply duct subsystem communicating with the air inlet and a return duct subsystem communicating with the air outlet. A blower provides an airstream through the supply duct subsystem and draws air from the return duct subsystem for recirculation through a separator and a heater.

Abstract: An auxiliary camera/projector is mounted on one side of an automatic step-and-repeat camera to obtain a template film image and project it onto the subject holder to provide a visual guide for properly positioning copy which is to be photographed by the step-and-repeat camera. The auxiliary unit has a film holder which latches into place and which includes removable opaque panels in front of and behind the film. When the camera/projector is being used to photograph the template, the front panel is removed for exposure of the film to the template image. After the exposed film has been processed, the film holder is replaced in the camera/projector and both opaque panels are removed for projection of light through the film and onto the subject holder.

Abstract: The use of re-entrant foam material as implants is disclosed. The re-entrant foam material may comprise the entire implant or other material may be used as a substrate with either a portion of the implant made of re-entrant material or a coating of re-entrant material may be applied or bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A mailbox signal has a base with integral, spaced apart convex projections which cooperate with a spring biased lost motion pivotal connection with a lever to permit the lever to be rotated 360.degree. on the base but releasably hold the lever in any one of four different positions. A reflective plate on the signal indicates the status of the mailbox when the lever is manually rotated to any of its positions. A contoured handle on the lever permits easy rotation of the lever even by a postman in a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A telephone earpiece attachment that accommodates users wearing earrings. The attachment may be mounted on the telephone handset by a hinge or by magnetic attraction. The attachment body holds the ear away from the earpiece with the ear lobe radially beyond the body so that no pressure is applied to the earring. The body provides a chamber through which sound is transmitted from the earpiece to the ear of the user.

Abstract: A generally tubular coarse bubble diffuser for aerating waste water is constructed of polyvinyl chloride or a similar plastic material. The diffuser body has a main section with flat side walls through which outlet ports are formed. The opposite ends of the diffuser body are cylindrical and are connected with the main section by transition sections which avoid abrupt changes in the wall thickness or diffuser connector diameter. One end is solvent welded in a plastic Tee fitting and the other end receives a removable end cap. The flat walls provide efficient oxygen transfer and the cylindrical ends allow the use of a threaded end cap and a secure large diameter solvent weld connection to the Tee fitting which directs air to the diffuser.

Abstract: A sliding gauge for measuring animal carcasses for slaughter, tree trunks, whole cheese or other objects. The sliding gauge includes a rod and a slide mounted for sliding movement on the rod by a form-locking guide arrangement. The rod and the slide are each equipped with a jaw projecting therefrom at a right angle, such that the jaws are parallel. Longitudinal markings and at least one length sensor are included with the rod and slide. A force sensor on one of the jaws may operate to disable further operation of the length sensor such that repeatable measurements may be made of soft or elastic articles. The length sensor is connected to electronic circuit components, which may include a microcomputer, for evaluation and processing of the signals supplied by the length sensor.