Abstract: A flight simulator kit which includes at least a simulated flight attitude control member, the simulated flight attitude control member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft flight attitude control member. A visual display system is also provided for receiving input signals and in response thereto visually display a video simulation of a plurality of simulated aircraft flight instruments mimicking the movements and responses of actual aircraft flight instruments. The kit further includes a computer for receiving the output signals from the simulated control system and in response thereto for providing the input signals to the visual display system. The kit may be used to set up a simulator in an actual aircraft not in flight.

Abstract: An inflation system for the inflation of an inflatable flotation device wherein a gas is chargeable into a gas inflatable chamber, from a gas vessel containing compressed gas, so as to form a floatable body. The inflation system initiates or triggers the inflation of such a device by taking advantage of a pressure responsive activation mechanism; the system may additionally or alternatively exploit an electrically breakable filament trigger to initiate inflation. The flotation device may be a personal flotation device in the form, for example, of a flotation vest or it may be a flotation device such as an inflatable dingy, buoy and the like.

Abstract: The present invention, relates to a hockey stick shaft or handle having both a forward and a rear gripping zone. The gripping zones each have elongated opposed faces which are of different configuration from each other. For example each gripping zone may be provided with opposed concave and convex faces but wherein the faces of one gripping zone are disposed in reversed relative relation to the other gripping zone in order to accomodate the different gripping position of each hand of a user. A hockey stick provided with such a handle may provide a sense of a better or more comfortable feel on the gripped portion of the handle and/or a sense of a more comfortable and precise control of a blade which may be fixed to the end of such a handle.

Abstract: A glove provided with a releasable strap system for securing the glove body to a user's hand. The releasable strap system comprises a strap component and a wrist anchor component. The anchor component is able to slidably engage a wrist strap member of the strap component. The strap system releasably secures the glove body to the user's hand such that simultaneouslyi) the wrist strap member is contracted about a user's wrist andii) a backhand strap member of the strap component is diagonally tensioned across the back face of the glove body such that said central component is contracted about the user's hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit system comprising a plurality of conduit elements wherein adjacent conduit elements may be connected together by a coupling means in flexible yet fluid tight fashion. This coupling means may provide a fluid-tight joint despite variations of temperature to which the conduit elements may be subjected. The conduit system may be conveniently used for joining conduits used for feeding water to the turbines of hydro-electric plants. The coupling means may comprise annular rings or flanges fixed on the periphery of each of the pipe ends to be joined together, the annular rings having upwardly and inwardly extending side walls. An annular-type gasket formed of a resilient material may be positioned around the periphery of the rings (e.g. in a bridging relation with same), the annular gasket being positioned in a substantially co-axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular section which may be constructed from a sheet having a pair of opposed edges. The opposed edges are releasably connectable such that the section may be stored in a relatively flat configuration. The screw fasteners used to connect the edges together may be restrained from rotation using for example a stringer element appropriately stabilised relative to the fasteners.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a cohesive mass of herring eggs from loose herring eggs, particularly the loose eggs of the North Atlantic herring. A cohesive mass of herring eggs may be obtained by subjecting loose herring eggs to a washing stage and subjecting washed herring eggs obtained from the washing stage to a cohesion stage. The washing stage may comprise contacting the loose eggs with a saline solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of specular hematite particles as an impact material and in particular as an impact material for treating a surface by dry blasting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a type of polymer comprising repeating units of formula ##STR1## and in particular to a poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate polyester type polymer. The present invention also relates to a microbiological process for the production of the above type of polymer, to a methylotrophic microorganism (bacterium) for use in such a process, and to means for controlling such bioprocesses.

Abstract: An interlocking block for use in the construction of a mortarless retaining wall wherein a plurality of interlocking blocks are stacked in a number of successive offset courses of blocks, a block in an upper row being in overlapping relation with respect to the joint between blocks in an immediately underlying row. The interlocking block comprises an interlocking member and a block body having top and bottom support surfaces and rear, front and side surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the decontamination of soil and the like and, in particular, soils which are contaminated with metal as a result of the activities of human beings. The invention provides a physical and a chemical means for treating soil aggregate so as to obtain a product aggregate having a relatively low metal content. The physical means is characterized by the classification of a soil aggregate into portions of differing size and metal content. The chemical means is characterized by contacting a soil aggregate with an aqueous lixiviant comprising an organic acid component to lift metal from the aggregate. The physical and chemical means may be used in a combined process for decontaminating soil aggregate.