Abstract: A transmission enhancement system is used for strengthening low frequency cable locating signals on the metallic shields of long underground cables. The system includes equalization circuits on the cable armour or shield at regular intervals, for example at splice locations. The equalization circuit includes an inductor that significantly reduces the rate of attenuation of the low frequency tone signal and greatly enhances the strength of the signal at distances where the signal would otherwise be very weak or unusable. The equalization circuit may be a resonant circuit having a capacitor connected in parallel with the inductor. The capacitor compensates for the inductor's attenuation of high frequency tones for local location purposes. The preferred embodiments of the equalization circuit include a surge arrestor coupled in parallel with the inductor and capacitor.

Abstract: A decorative lighting system is used with a string of lights, usually of the “mini-light” type. A string of lights is mounted in an extruded plastic channel, with the light sockets engaged in respective apertures spaced along one side of the channel. A cap snap fits over the open side of the channel to form a complete box section housing all the wiring and inner ends of the light sockets. The resulting unit is mounted on a window using an appropriate fastener, preferably hook and loop fastener, along the channel base and the window pane.

Abstract: A process for separation of particularly propane, methane or ethane from natural gas includes providing a distillation tower arrangement for separating the heavier components discharged at the bottom from lighter gas discharged at the top with at least two separate towers at different pressures such that the heavier product from the higher pressure tower is expanded and fed to the lower pressure tower. A feed gas containing the components under a first pressure is separated into a first proportion and a second proportion, where neither proportion is zero. The first proportion is fed to the tower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for locating cable breaks and resistive faults in cables, including fibre optic cables. The conductive shield or armour of the cable is divided into sections, usually at a splice. A step function voltage is applied to one end of the conductive shield. Remote sensors at the end of each section monitor the voltage and current as a function of time and at steady state. The measured data are encoded as current pulses and transmitted along the armour to the end of the cable. A computer at the cable end calculates from the measured voltages and currents the capacitance of each section of the shield. A broken section is identified by comparing the calculated and original capacitances of the sections and the distance along the broken section to the break is calculated from the calculated and original capacitances of the broken section.

Abstract: A mat is used for protecting a floor under a vehicle from dripping snow, salt or water or from leaking oil or other contaminants. The mat is formed from an impervious sheet of flaccid material, folded over at the edges to provide a peripheral sleeve. An incompressible rope extends the length of the sleeve to provide a peripheral lip that will retain contaminants on top of the mat for subsequent removal using a suction pump.

Abstract: A harrow is provided having an elongate tool bar mounted on wheels for movement in a forward direction perpendicular to the tool bar. A plurality of harrow elements are mounted on the tool bar to extend generally rearward therefrom. A pair of support arms are pivotally mounted on the tool bar at a first end and mount each harrow element on a second end towards a rearward end of the harrow element. A hanger is connected between the support arms and the harrow element towards a forward end of the harrow element for suspending the harrow element therefrom. A plurality of tines are mounted on the harrow element such that the angle of the tines relative to the ground may be adjusted. A coupling connects between the hanger and the tines such that the height of the front end of the harrow frame is adjusted in response to tine angle adjustment.

Abstract: A transportation system for liquid-carrying tanks. Each tank is mounted on a carrier unit and plural carrier units are transported by a single trailer or other vehicle. The trailer has an adjustable height, while each of the tank carrier units has adjustable height legs on its opposite sides. The units are loaded by backing the trailer under the carrier unit with the carrier unit legs extended and the trailer lowered. The trailer is then raised to lift the carrier unit to a transport position and the legs are in turn lifted to the transport position. For unloading, the reverse procedure is adopted, with the carrier unit legs being lowered to the ground and then the trailer being lowered and the trailer being pulled out from under the carrier unit. The carrier units are arranged with an angled base so that when the carrier is pulled out, the carrier unit will tilt forwardly to provide maximum drainage of the tank.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural panel such as for a bridge deck includes providing a first and a second sheet formed by fibers and settable resin and laminating the sheets with a plurality of parallel side by side connection members. The connection members are formed by filament winding around a core using primarily a large wind angle followed by a final shallow angle of wrap. The connection members are triangular in cross section and each is inverted relative to the next so that the sides are in contact. The connection members are connected together while the resin is uncured so that during lamination they cure together to allow integration of the resin, close matching of the shapes so that the resin at the junction remains thin and intermingling of the filaments. The connection members are dry wound on a core and the resin is applied by infusion. The core carries reinforcing members to tailor strength as required along the length of the member.

Abstract: Described herein is a break-open lottery ticket and a method of producing same. The lottery ticket includes variable imaged lottery indicia printed directly onto the ticket, meaning that bar codes and other similar features can be added for increased security and facilitated redemption. The indicia are covered by a break open window allowing the indicia to be exposed for playing the game. The indicia are printed onto a white lily pad in two or more colors allowing a high quality graphic image to be provided to attract the player.

Abstract: A compression system for a dual material delivery assembly is described. The assembly includes a furrowing element for producing a furrow in the ground as it is towed across the ground. A fertilizer tube and a seed tube are provided for depositing fertilizer and seed at respective location in the ground. A packer wheel follows the tubes for packing earth on top of the seed. A biasing element provides a force on the furrowing element and the packer wheel. A control linkage mounts between the packer wheel and the furrowing element for controlling a distribution of the force between the furrowing element and the packer wheel.

Abstract: A navigational aid assists a person driving a vehicle in maintaining a desired distance from a reference line. It is particularly useful in navigating agricultural vehicles. The navigational aid includes an upright rail mounted adjacent a window in the cab of the vehicle. A marker is carried by the rail and may be positioned on the line of sight from the driver to the reference line. Driving the vehicle with the marker maintained on the line of sight keeps the vehicle at a constant distance from the reference line. The marker may be an element slidably mounted on the rail.

Abstract: A ramp is provided for use in loading and unloading truck boxes. The ramp includes a pair of parallel and spaced apart rails being connected by a plurality of track bars such that the track bars define a ramp surface. Ends of the track bars are received in respective apertures spaced along an inner side of each rail. Threaded fasteners secure the track bars in the apertures. The track bars are rigid members having a U-shaped cross section being oriented such that the ramp surface comprises a plurality of upstanding flanges. The ramp may include a pivotal coupling for folding the ramp in half.

Abstract: The cutting mechanism includes a cutter block mounting a knife blade arranged for movement along a slot in a cutting table. The cutter block is driven by a cable and a first drive pulley. The cable extends under and around the first drive pulley and a second pulley, with the first end of the cable fixed to a second end of the cutter block, and the second end of the cable fixed to a first end of the cutter block. The cable and the first and second pulleys are arranged such that when the cutter block lies between the first end of the slot in the table and a center of first drive pulley the first and second ends of the cable are drawn taut thereby stopping movement of the cutter block along the slot towards the first end, and such that when the cutter block lies between the second end of the slot in the table and a center of the second pulley the first and second ends of the cable are likewise drawn taut stopping movement of the cutter block along the slot towards the second end.

Abstract: A wind shelter particularly useful for sunbathing on a beach has a floor and wedge-shaped wall that extends along two sides and across the back. The wall is supported by a frame extending around the top edge of the wall and upright support rods holding the frame away from the floor to stretch the side wall to a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A mower with a hitch system allows large lateral offsets in both directions of the mower relative to a towing vehicle. The mower hitch system includes first and second swing arms spaced apart across the mower. First and second pivot shafts mount the respective first and second swing arms on the mower for pivotal movement of the arms about respective upright axes spaced apart across the mower. The swing arms extend towards a front end of the mower for connecting to lift arms of a three point hitch on the towing vehicle. A lug extends from the first pivot shaft such that the first swing arm and the lug form a bell crank. A hydraulic cylinder mounted on the front end of the mower connects to the lug such that extension and contraction of the cylinder pivots the first swing arm laterally over the cylinder and across the mower. The towing vehicle also includes a power take off for connecting to a telescoping drive shaft assembly with universal joints on the mower.

Abstract: In an oil well pump, a rod liner is clamped onto a polished rod using an external clamp with an upper clamp section that clamps onto the polished rod, a lower clamp section that clamps onto the liner below the liner head and a yoke section bridging the upper and lower clamp section. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp has a main body extending across the liner head and upper and lower clamping blocks for clamping the rod and the liner respectively to the main body on opposite sides of the liner head.

Abstract: A wood grain finish to a pultruded part is obtained by applying to a surface of the part before entering the die a strip carrying male projections shaped in differential depths and spacing across the width of the part to form a simulated wood grain pattern. The strip is then removed after the part is set leaving recesses in the outside surface which provide a simulated wood grain finish which can be differentially stained.

Abstract: A lead acid battery having at least one electrolytic cell is charged by a method which effects lowering of the internal impedance of the battery plates and increase battery cycle life capacity. The method includes the steps of connecting a current source device across the positive and negative terminals of the battery and applying a periodic pulse to the device so as to apply a pulsed current across the battery terminals without applying a voltage pulse. The pulse current of square wave shape is applied onto a sinusoidal charging current at a higher frequency.

Abstract: An anchoring system for anchoring bricks to a wall includes an anchoring bracket which is mounted adjacent to the wall and a receiving slot in the bracket for receiving a brick support therein. The anchoring bracket is secured to the wall using threaded fasteners. The brick support includes a supporting flange and a mounting flange mounted in an L-shaped orientation. The receiving slot supports the mounting flange therein such that the supporting flange extends laterally outward from the wall for supporting the bricks thereon.