Abstract: The present invention relates to a hierarchical artificial neural network (HANN) for automating the recognition and identification of patterns in data matrices. It has particular, although not exclusive, application to the identification of severe storm events (SSEs) from spatial precipitation patterns, derived from conventional volumetric radar imagery. To identify characteristic features a data matrix, the data matrix is processed with a self organizing network to produce a self organizing feature space mapping. The self organizing feature space mapping is processed to produce a density characterization of the feature space mapping. The self organizing network is preferably completely unsupervised. It may, under some circumstances include a supervised layer, but it must include at least an unsupervised component for the purposes of the invention. The "self organizing feature space" is intended to include any map with the self organizing characteristics of the Kohonen Self Organizing Feature Map.

Abstract: A header includes a substantially rigid header frame having a main longitudinal rear tube and a plurality of beams extending downwardly and forwardly from the main tube to a cutter bar which is maintained substantially straight and parallel to the main tube. Adjustment of the longitudinal shape of the cutter bar is effected after the header is assembled by operating screwjacks on two inner beams which cause plastic bending of the beams to raise or lower a center portion of the cutter bar so that when assembled the cutter bar is longitudinally straight or slightly upwardly concave. This adjustment after the assembly is complete allows the cutter bar to be adjusted to the required longitudinal shape for optimum cooperation with the reel.

Abstract: A retractable tool support mounts on a wall or other structure above a shop floor. The support is movable between a stored position and a use position. In the stored position. a tool carrier is horizontal and at an elevated position against the wall. In the use position, the tool carrier is horizontal and at a lowered position spaced out from the wall for access. The tool support includes a spring biased linkage biasing the support towards the stored position and counterbalancing the weight of a tool mounted on the tool carrier. The linkage maintains the tool carrier and tool in a horizontal orientation as the support is moved between the stored and use positions. A latch holds the support in the stored position.

Abstract: A stop is used with fishing rigs having sliding line weights on a fishing line. The stop can be clamped onto the line at any location as a stop for the weight. A long snell is no longer required. The stop can be released as required to allow the line to be reeled in as far as required to land a fish or to store the rig safely. The stop is a hollow body that will not pass through the eye of the weight, and a pin that slides into the hollow body. The line passes through a transverse bore through the pin. When the pin is drawn into the bore in the body, the line is jammed between the pin and the body, to clamp the stop in place. The pin may have a head on one end to capture the stop body between the line passing through the transverse bore and the pin head. With this arrangement, the stop may be self releasing. Sufficient tension applied to the line will pull the pin end out of the body. The stop will come free to slide along the line. Alternatively the stop may be set up for manual release.

Abstract: An electrolytic restoration of concrete includes an anode positioned at a surface of the concrete to be restored and the communication of a current from the anode to the reinforcing bars in the concrete as a cathode. The anode is in the presence of or carries an electrolyte so that sufficient current is provided temporarily over a sufficient period of time so that ions from the concrete are carried through the concrete and expelled into the electrolyte for extraction. The anode is provided by layer of conductive material which is particulate or fibrous so that it is an amorphous layer which can therefore follow the surface of the concrete. In a horizontal arrangement, the layer can be applied directly onto a felt mat for carrying electrolyte.

Abstract: A high clearance converter is used for converting a road vehicle, e.g. a pickup truck, to a high clearance vehicle, for example for agricultural use. The converter has front and rear frame components, each with two upright and ground wheels mounted on each of the legs. The front wheel hubs are mounted on the front frame component and the rear axle is mounted on the rear frame component. The front and rear frame components are coupled for relative rolling movement with respect to one another, allowing the frame to flex when traveling over uneven ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for squaring pipe ends. The method can be used for squaring the ends of a single pipe length or the facing ends of two cut pipe portions of an existing pipe. The method is particularly useful in inserting a new pipe length into an existing pipe line where the line is cut to form two ends to which the pipe length is to be welded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human powered velocipede drive providing rotary output. The velocipede drive is mounted on a bicycle to provide rotational movement to a front drive wheel of the bicycle thereby propelling the bicycle over the ground. The velocipede drive comprises a seat mounted on the bicycle, a slider guide mounted on the hub of the front wheel, a slider mounted on the slider guide for movement thereover, foot pedals fixed on the slider, a rotatably mounted driven member mounted on the hub of the drive wheel, an elongate flexible drive member for imparting forward rotational movement to the driven member when moved from a retracted position to an extended position, and biasing means for biasing the elongate flexible member in the retracted position.

Abstract: A steel building having a frame with at least one roof beam on respective top sides of the frame wherein the top ends of the roof beams defines an apex, at least one side wall post and an eave strut member along the outer edge of the roof at the side wall posts being generally square and tubular in construction, having a hollow interior, an open face in which flanges on respective sides are directed inwardly, being insulated by inserting an insertion means into the hollow interior and a barrier wrap around the strut member between each of the side posts. A kit of parts for the building comprising an insertion means at the inner portion and a barrier wrap surround the strut member between each of the side posts.

Abstract: A gas regulator has a has an internal gas chamber and a solenoid valve that controls gas flow into the clamber. A pressure monitor monitors the pressure in the chamber and controls the operation of the solenoid valve to produce a desired pressure in the chamber. The solenoid control signal is a pulsed signal with a variable pulse width, frequency or both. The pressure maintained in the chamber may itself be varied by altering the set point pressure, for example according to the operating parameters of an engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for sowing seeds in a plurality of identical furrows is described. The seed sowing apparatus comprises a scraper, seed tubes, a packer and a cylindrical drum with a plurality of ground engaging flanges attached around its periphery. All of the components of the seed sowing apparatus are mounted in a frame arranged for ground transportation. In operation, the cylindrical drum rolls over the ground so that the flanges engage the ground and then release, thereby generating furrows. The seed tubes deposit seeds into the furrows before the scraper directs soil into the furrows, thereby enclosing the seeds. Lastly, the packer compresses the soil enclosing the seeds, thereby promoting synchronous germination of the crop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined rock puller and land leveler implement for alternatively pulling rocks from the ground or leveling the ground, and for pulling rocks from the ground and leveling the ground in one pass of the implement. The combined rock puller and land leveler comprises a frame having three individually articulated sections, a hitch attached to the front section, a rock pulling hook mounted on the front section behind the hitch, a land leveling blade mounted on the second section and ground wheels on a third section, and hydraulic cylinders for repositioning the frame sections into a plurality of positions.

Abstract: The present invention allows a person to collect water from a pond or slue without having to physically place the hose into the water. The present invention has a boom which extends from the side of a truck or any type of vehicle which allows the person to reach the water hole and stay relatively dry and clean. The boom has a hose which extends along the length of the boom and the hose slightly hangs over the end of the boom so that the hose can reach the top of the water. A common problem with putting a hose in the water hole is that the hose tends to collect debris from the bottom, the present invention is arranged so that the hose is placed on the top of the water only allowing water not debris into the hose for collection. The boom is adjustable vertically and horizontally so that the person can control the invention to maximize water collection. The boom is adjusted vertically by a pulley system which is arranged to lift the front end of the boom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for insertion of plastic helical bookbinding coils in the aligned holes at the edge of a book for binding the book. The machine comprises a platen for receiving the collated book; a coil engagement roller for engaging the coil at the edge of the platen and a coil drive roller for rotating the helical coil.

Abstract: A sprayer attachment is designed for mounting upon a swather tractor and includes a central frame with a tank which can be carried upon the front arms of the swather tractor. Two masts each carry a respective one of a pair of booms, each for extending outwardly to a respective side of the tractor for movement with the tractor in a spraying action. Each boom includes an inner section, an outer section and a tip portion. In the folding action the outer section and tip portion are folded about a horizontal axis so as to move to a position overlying the inner section. The folded boom is then pivoted about a vertical axis at the mast to lie along side the side of the tractor. The tip portion includes a parallel cable in advance of the tip portion for impacting an obstacle with the cable actuating release of the latch and accelerating the tip portion away from the obstacle to prevent impact with the obstacle.

Abstract: A cultivator for towing by an ATV comprises a cultivator frame including a plurality of horizontal parallel tool bars and a pair of side rails interconnecting the tool bars to hold the tool bars at right angels to a direction of forward movement of the frame. The middle tool bar is of a length to extend only between the rails. The front tool bar is of intermediate length and extends beyond the rails to leave free ends. The rear tool bar is longest. Each tool bar carries a plurality of S-tines. A pair of ground wheels is mounted on a cross-shaft of the frame at the front tool bar for pivotal movement relative to the frame and including an actuation lever operable by an electric actuator for raising a height of the frame relative to the ground. A hitch pole is connected to the frame by a pair of collars under the front tool bar and the middle tool bar and extends forwardly therefrom to a hitch connection for connecting to the vehicle.

Abstract: A high temperature extrusion process is provided for the production of legume pasta products. A dough mixture having a moisture content in the range of 15 to 40% is processed in a twin screw extruder or in a single screw extruder at a barrel temperature in the range of 70 to 135.degree. C. and extruded through a die to form legume pasta products. The resulting products have a superior texture and integrity compared to legume pasta products produced by the traditional method.

Abstract: A resistive fault location method and apparatus are used on communication and power cables. Two instruments are connected to opposite ends of the faulted conductor. Each takes a series of voltage and current measurements that are then processed to determine the distance from each end of the conductor to the fault. To eliminate voltage and current transients, the data collected is statistically analyzed and data that is analyzed as being affected by transients is discarded. The remaining data is taken as being steady state data. This eliminates any requirement for simultaneous measurements at opposite ends of the conductor and accounts for any situation where local transients at the two ends of the conductor are different at any given instant.

Abstract: The storage system is for use with storage cases particularly of the type used to enclose compact disks, video tapes, cassette tapes and the like, however it may also be used to store any other type of storage case that is compatible with this type of storage. The storage system enables the user to store and maintain a large collection of cases, to add a new addition to the collection at any location within the collection without shuffling the collection, and to remove unneeded portions of the collection without leaving gaps in the storage system.

Abstract: A composition with the required chipping characteristics can be formed into a solid block surrounding objects to be exposed by chipping away the material of the block to define a paleontology or similar toy. The composition contains rounded granite particles of two different mesh sizes, a wax filler material in the interstices between the particles and a separate binder to form the structure into a solid block.