Abstract: There is provided a moveable cart for use in transporting an animal, as a male hog, past one or more rows of cages containing sows to permit the determination of estrus in the sows and also to increase the success rate during artificial insemination by permitting snout to snout contact between the sow and male hog, the cart having a base with wheels mounted thereon, at least one wall extending upwardly from the base, and at least one panel for blocking visual access in at least one direction between the interior and exterior of the cart and at least one opening in the wall sized to permit the head of an animal to least partially extend therethrough.

Abstract: An upright support structure comprises a telescopic post having a number of longitudinally extending grooves circumferentially distributed on the periphery thereof for clamping engagement with support brackets having respective pairs of commonly operable groove engaging members. Each bracket is adapted to support a variety of accessories in one of different available orientations. A locking device is operatively associated with the telescopic post to provide for incremental adjustment of the length thereof. This is useful when it is desired to securely mount the telescopic post between a floor and a ceiling structure. The post can also be mounted on a mobile base or, alternatively, pivotally mounted between a stationary base and an overhead fixture. Finally, the telescopic post is provided with an internal guiding structure to ensure proper alignment of the post segments forming part of the telescopic post.

Abstract: A shelf unit for use in an electronic equipment rack, comprises an electronic equipment structure for holding electronic equipment. An auxiliary equipment structure, such as a fiber management plate, is provided for holding auxiliary equipment. A fan tray is movable in and out of a corresponding tray support structure forming part of the shelf unit. The tray support structure is configured such that when the associated fan tray is pushed in, the fan tray extends in a plane behind the auxiliary equipment structure, but when pulled out the fan tray drops down to clear the auxiliary equipment structure and provide access to the fan in the tray.

Abstract: A system for transporting and storing a variety of airplane seats comprises a portable base pallet and a pair of adjustable seat supports for securely mounting a seat on the base pallet. The base pallet is adapted to either fit into a secondary tray installed in a pallet rack or into a complememtary support structure provided on a mobile cart, thereby respectively allowing the seat to be stored or repaired without having to be removed from the pallet.

Abstract: A multi-setting connector for connecting at least one secondary branch line to a main line of a sap collection system or network comprises a clip member, a sap conveying member and a pair of straps. The clip member by way of the straps is adapted to be firmly mounted around the main line with the sap conveying member extending through the clip member and into the main conduit and having tubular fittings for connection to the branch lines such that the branch lines are fluidly connected to the main line. The straps are detachable from the clip member with the clip member and the straps being adapted to be selectively connected together such as to adjust an effective length of the straps, typically depending on the outside diameter of the main line. More particularly, the clip member and the straps include co-operating male and female engagement members configured for mounting the straps at various relative positions with respect to the clip member.

Abstract: The system for converting organic waste reservoirs into anaerobic digester comprises an inflatable roof structure adapted to be installed on a variety of reservoirs to seal it from the atmosphere. The roof structure includes an inner gas-impermeable membrane which is adapted to raise and lower with the level of organic waste contained in the reservoir. A peripheral fold is defined in the gas-impermeable membrane adjacent the inner surface of the surrounding wall of the reservoir to form a downwardly depending skirt which acts as a gas barrier to prevent gas leakage along the inner surface of the reservoir. A gas removal unit is also provided for removing biogas trapped beneath the gas-impermeable membrane from the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus (310) for manufacturing stranded cables comprises a supply spool assembly (320, 322) having filaments wound thereon, and a flyer (316) mounted for rotation about a central axis for imparting a rotational movement to the filaments, while guiding them axially through the apparatus (310). The filaments are wound together as they pass a gathering point centrally disposed to the central axis and downstream of the flyer (316). A filament advancing assembly (16) is provided downstream of the gathering point to impart an advancing speed to the filaments. A control system allows for the control of the number of revolutions of the flyer (316) per unit length of filaments advancing through the gathering point to ensure that a constant helical pitch is obtained. The tension in the filaments is controlled by creating an adjustable opposition to the pulling action of the filament advancing assembly (16) on the filaments thereby ensuring the production of a high quality stranded cable.

Abstract: An auxiliary closure operating device for manually operating an intermediate shaft normally driven by a motor in order to displace a closure between open and closed positions thereof. The device comprises a manual actuator and a driving member adapted to be freely mounted on the intermediate shaft so as to form a compact auxiliary device. The driving member is axially displaceable along the intermediate shaft between a first position in which the driving member and the intermediate shaft are independently rotatable relative to one another and a second position in which the driving member is engaged with the intermediate shaft and the manual actuator to transmit a torque from the manual actuator to the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A modular articulated robot structure (FIG. 4) composed of a series of independent modules (10,100,300) releasably connected to each other to form various configurations. The modules (10,100,300) may be of the rotary (10), linear (100), or wheeled (300) type. The rotary modules (10) are generally formed of first and second substantially U-shaped structural members (12,14) pivotally attached to one another by means of a pair of axles or pivot pins (26) adapted to support a workload exerted on the module (10). A motor (48) is mounted internally of the module (10) for pivoting the second structural member (14) relative to the first structural member (12). The motor (48) is connected to the second structural member (14) in such a way that it is not submitted to outside loads exerted on the module (10).

Abstract: A bracket for securing a sign to a post, includes a clamp formed as a flanged open substantially cylindrical body having facing arms adapted to be brought together by a bolt for holding the sign, the tightening of the bolt being both effective for attaching the sign to the bracket and the bracket to the post. The sign defines a slot having an open end for allowing the sign to be inserted between the arms of the body without having to completely unscrew the bolt.

Abstract: A manually powered recreational watercraft comprises a hull and a pair of paddle wheels independently mounted on opposed sides of the hull. Each paddle wheel comprises a plurality of vanes circumferentially distributed on a semi-spherical hub having an inboard flange. Each paddle wheel has a buoyant structure to provide additional lateral floatation stability to the watercraft. The vanes, the hub and the inboard flange of each paddle wheel are configured so that, upon rotation of the paddle wheel, water bubbles trapped between submerged adjacent vanes are channeled upwardly to the water surface whereat the bubbles burst and provide audible sounds. Safety hand grips are provided in the underside of the hull to help a user to pull himself on the hull in the event that the watercraft capsized. A floating windshield is mounted to the hull so as to be automatically separated therefrom upon capsizing of the watercraft.

Abstract: A runner for maintaining at least two studs in a predetermined relationship relatively to one another so as to allow for the construction walls presenting a laterally curved portion, walls erected in a space where the distance between a floor and a ceiling varies or half walls having a figured upper end. Each runner includes at least two stud receiving components. Each of the stud receiving components is configured and sized for receiving one of the stud end portions. Each stud receiving component is provided with a linking structure mounted thereon for mechanically linking with an adjacent stud receiving component while allowing the linked stud receiving components to be angled relatively to each other. Each stud receiving component has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a base wall. The base wall has a base wall peripheral edge.

Abstract: A basket for supporting equipment between a pair of laterally spaced-apart parallel overhead cables. The basket is provided in the form of a top open container insertable between the overhead cables. A carrying member engageable with a helicopter arm is provided for allowing the basket to be selectively transported between and away from the overhead cables. A pair of wing-like members extend laterally outwardly from opposed side walls of the container for resting on the overhead cables once the basket has been lowered to a suspended position between the overhead cables.

Abstract: Suitable for melting snow, the apparatus has a flame heater for melting snow directly by flame contact directed from above, a conveyor for transporting snow to the flame heater for melting, and a drainage for allowing water to drain while the snow is being melted. A container is included for receiving snow removed from a road surface. A vibrated netting inside the container receives snow through an opening in the container. The snow passes through the netting while catching larger solid masses of ice contained within the snow. A reservoir holds the drainage water which can be pumped into a storm drain through a wind-up hose.

Abstract: An apparatus (310) for manufacturing stranded cables comprises a supply spool assembly (320, 322) having filaments wound thereon, and a flyer (316) mounted for rotation about a central axis for imparting a rotational movement to the filaments, while guiding them axially through the apparatus (310). The filaments are wound together as they pass a gathering point centrally disposed to the central axis and downstream of the flyer (316). A filament advancing assembly (16) is provided downstream of the gathering point to impart an advancing speed to the filaments. A control system allows for the control of the number of revolutions of the flyer (316) per unit length of filaments advancing through the gathering point to ensure that a constant helical pitch is obtained. The tension in the filaments is controlled by creating an adjustable opposition to the pulling action of the filament advancing assembly (16) on the filaments thereby ensuring the production of a high quality stranded cable.

Abstract: A collapsible post structure having a fragile region that allows the post to collapse when the latter is struck. The post structure includes an elongated anchoring member. The anchoring member having an anchoring member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining an anchoring member inner surface. The post structure also includes an elongated supporting member. The supporting member having a supporting member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining a supporting member inner surface. The post structure further includes a connecting component, the connecting component having a connecting component first section and a connecting component second section. The connecting component first section and the connecting component second section are configured and sized so as to be respectively insertable into the anchoring member hollow section and the supporting member hollow section.

Abstract: A basket removably attachable to a support arm extending laterally outwardly from a helicopter, comprises a frame structure having a bottom support surface and a top surface joined together in an axially adjustable relationship. An opening is defined in the top surface of the frame structure for providing access to the bottom support surface. The frame structure is displaceable between collapsed and erected positions for selectively reducing and increasing its height, whereby the basket can be carried in its collapsed position and, once on site, extended to its erected position for safely receiving at least one operator.

Abstract: A utility pole comprises an inner structure disposed within an envelop formed of a different material than that of the inner structure, thereby enabling the combination of the qualities inherent to both materials in a single utility pole. The utility pole may be of a modular construction for allowing equipment and accessories to be integrated to the utility pole. For instance, a transformer may be added between two adjacent sections of the inner structure of the utility pole.