Abstract: A shock absorbing device is provided for use on a hoist of the type generally used for safety of personnel entering a manhole or the like which has a base for mounting on a support surface at the hole and a jib portion. A winch is mounted at one position on the hoist for paying out and pulling in a first cable which passes over the jib portion to a pulley at the jib end. A fall restraint device with a second cable is mounted at a different location on the host with the second cable extending upwardly from the hoist to a second pulley at the jib end. The shock absorbing device for the pulleys includes a common mounting member pivotally attached to the mounting element at the jib end for pivotal movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis with a shock absorbing brake arranged to resist said pivotal movement up to a predetermined load limit such that a downward shock force from the load on at least one of the first and second pulleys causes the common member to pivot downwardly in a shock absorbing action.

Abstract: A method of preparing an extract from purslane such that the medicinal and nutritional properties of the plant do not degrade is herein described. The extract is suitable for use as a nutritional supplement or as part of a medicinal or pharmaceutical composition for treating a variety of ailments. The supplement has a complete and balanced formula for supplying everything the body needs and has the energy to help the body repair itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for separating an internal filtering component from an outer casing of an internal combustion type oil or fuel filter. The apparatus includes a holder having an opening extending therethrough and a peripheral support about the opening upon which the filter is supported with an open end of the casing in alignment with the opening of the holder. A rigid ram rod is penetrated into the capped end of the casing and subsequently punched through the casing to punch the internal filtering component out through the open end of the casing.

Abstract: A mobile electrical transformer assembly is mounted on a trailer and includes a three phase transformer. The electrical switching for the transformer includes a circuit interrupter having three vertical towers at transversely spaced positions. Each tower and its associated lightning arrester is mounted on two arms of one of three vertical posts in a row. In respect of the outer posts, both of the arms are pivotal about the vertical axis of the post to move the tower and the arrester outwardly to increase the spacing. The arm of each tower includes a bracket at the bottom mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis for movement of the tower from a vertical operating position to an inclined transport position. The arm of each arrester is movable so that the arresters are moved in the transport position to a location out of alignment with the respective tower.

Abstract: Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Tissues remaining below a certain hemoglobin oxygen saturation threshold (oxygen saturation index<1) for prolonged periods (>6 h) became increasingly dehydrated, eventually becoming visibly necrotic. Tissues above this threshold (oxygen saturation index>1), despite being significantly hypoxic relative to the pre-elevation saturation values, remained viable over the 72 h post-elevation monitoring period. The magnitude of the drop in tissue oxygen saturation, as observed immediately following surgery, correlated with the final clinical outcome of the flap tissue.

Abstract: An electrical control system for vehicles has a plurality of separate control modules which communicate via a communication bus and an operational program is installed in each of the modules so that all modules contain programming for the functions of each module. A programming and diagnostic system including a PC and a program connects into the bus so as to download the program from one of the modules for generating, modifying and viewing program logic steps using ladder logic which is then converted back Into an operating program format for communication to the modules. In addition, the status of the inputs and outputs of the modules of the apparatus can be displayed and forced using the programming and diagnostic system.

Abstract: A maze structure is provided having plural levels, each with a floor and upstanding walls arranged in a maze-like pattern and dividing each level into a plurality of separate chambers. Openings are located in the top and bottom sides of the levels for communication of the chambers of one level with chambers of adjacent levels when the levels are stacked. Having the chambers of adjacent levels being arranged to communicate with one another regardless of the relative orientation of the levels permits any one level to be rotated about a vertical axis in relation to the other levels as well as permitting a plurality of different stacking orders to produce numerous different combinations and different solutions to the maze structure.

Abstract: Cathodic protection of a structure including a steel member at least partly buried in a covering layer, such as steel rebar in a concrete structure, is provided by embedding sacrificial anodes into the concrete layer at spaced positions over the layer and connecting the anodes to the rebar. Each anode is inserted into a drilled hole in the layer and is electrically attached to the rebar in the same or an adjacent hole by a steel pin which is attached to the reinforcement by arc welding or by impact. In the arrangement where the anode and the attachment are in the same hole, the pin passes into or through the anode so as to hold the anode rigidly within the hole. The hole is filled by a settable filler material.

Abstract: An ice fishing trap is provided to be suspended within an ice fishing hole such that once a fish has been pulled partway through the hole the fish will remain caught even if the fish is freed from the fishing line having initially caught the fish thereon. A collar is suspended within the ice fishing hole by a pair of support arms arranged to rest on a top side of the sheet of ice in which the ice fishing hole is bored. A plurality of gate members are pivotally mounted about a periphery of the collar to extend radially inward therefrom. Each gate member is a wedge shaped member having a blunt end positioned adjacent the center of the opening of the collar in the closed position. The blunt ends of the gate members are arranged to grip a fish therebetween as they are pivoted upward into an open position to grip the fish even if the fish is only pulled partway therethrough.

Abstract: An illuminating earring or other electrically powered element includes a light-emitting diode (LED) encased within a synthetic gemstone. The LED/gemstone is permanently connected to a rigid coaxial conductor, forming a shaft dimensioned to pass through a hole in a pierced ear. A battery is adapted so as to allow the earring shaft to pass through the center of said battery, and dimensioned so that an electrical and mechanical connection take place when the battery is placed upon the shaft. The battery is also adapted so as to act as the clasp for the earring. Current flow between the LED and the battery takes place when the earring and battery are clasped together.

Abstract: A mobility assisting device is bedside durable medical equipment (DME) designed especially for those who do not have full use of all of their limbs; more specifically, for those who have use of only one arm and one leg on the same side of the body. Such people, hemiplegics, have limited capabilities for performing physical acts and are very dependent upon caregivers, in order to perform their basic activities of daily living. The bedside special needs assistive device makes certain simple tasks easier for hemiplegics to perform, and makes difficult, more complex tasks possible for them to perform on an independent basis.

Abstract: A method of automated data collection, analysis and reporting is described. A plurality of questionnaires each consisting of a number of questions are stored in a database. New questionnaires may be added or existing ones modified by contacting the database by telephone. In use, a respondent accesses the database by telephone. Once the respondent is connected, the respondent enters a code which identifies the respondent and the questionnaire to be completed. The questions of the questionnaire are “read” to the respondent by an interactive voice response which then prompts the respondent to enter a response. The response is recorded and the next question is then “read”. The process is continued until the questionnaire has been completed. The results are then immediately analyzed and reported to a third party. For example, the responses of the latest respondent may be compared to the responses of all previous respondents or previous responses of the same respondent.

Abstract: A belly mower is provided for attachment to a vehicle of the ATV type. The mower includes a mower deck having a horizontal mounting plate and a depending skirt with a plurality of blades each mounted on a vertical shaft at spaced positions across the deck. The deck is shaped arranged such that it can be located behind the two front wheels of the vehicle and in front of the two rear wheel of the vehicle. The deck includes a rearwardly extending mounting arm for attachment of the deck to a rear hitch of the vehicle such that forward movement of the vehicle moves the deck forwards and maintains the deck between the front and rear wheels. The deck is also connected to the vehicle to prevent side to side movement of the deck.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing a masking apron of the type including a sheet of apron material having a strip of adhesive tape overlapping along one side thereof. The apparatus generally includes a frame structure which supports a shaft having plural longitudinal sections mounted end to end along a vertical axis. Each longitudinal section is arranged to mount a corresponding roll of apron material thereon while remaining selectively separable from adjacent longitudinal sections to simplify the task of replacing a lowermost roll on the shaft. An elongate cutting blade is provided which extends at an angle offset from the shaft for providing a gradual cutting edge to cut the dispensed masking apron from the dispensing apparatus. A retainer member which is biased inwardly towards the shaft is provided for securing the roll of apron material between the shaft and the corresponding retainer member.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an electrical power transmission network or grid provides a recording network that can capture data on the response of the electrical power system over a wide geographical area to de-stabilizing electrical events. The captured data is obtained from multiple recording locations provided by individual recording units storing data on voltage and current on respective power transmission lines of the network. When an event is detected by one of the units, the central station interrogates the other units to obtain data based upon the same time as determined by a GPS clock at each unit and is thus automatically time-synchronized so that an overall coordinated snapshot of the power system dynamics is achieved. The wide-area capture is achieved through standard non-dedicated Internet, Intranet, and/or switched telephone network communication links.

Abstract: Crop harvesting headers include a sickle knife having a cutter bar defining a flange projecting forwardly from the header frame structure and extending across the header frame structure with a plurality of knife guards mounted on the cutter bar at spaced positions thereon so as to project forwardly therefrom. Each knife guard has at least one guard carrier lug for attachment to the flange by a bolt passing through a hole in the lug and a corresponding hole in the flange with a head on one end of the bolt and a nut on the other end of the bolt for clamping the lug to the flange. On crop harvesting headers of this type, it is often desirable to have the ability to change the knife guard angle to suit the crop and ground condition and this is obtained by providing a first elongate bar type shim located between the lug and the flange and a second shim located on the bolt.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate material includes a tubular duct arranged so that an air stream in the duct carries material along the duct and a row of hoppers each for containing the material to be dispensed; the hoppers being connected to the duct so that material can be dispensed from the hopper to the duct. A separator container is provided in the duct such that the material in the duct carried by the air flow passes to the separator container. A centrifugal separator section is provided in the container for separating the material from the air flow to deposit the material into the container while the air flow is discharged from the container. The container is mounted on legs with load cells for weighing the deposited material while the material is maintained in the separator container and the air lock valve are controlled so as to continue to discharge the material up to a predetermined weight and to halt the discharge when the predetermined weight is reached.

Abstract: An adjustable golf club comprises an elongate shaft having a handle at one end, a club head having a face arranged to strike a golf ball, a pair removable shaft attaching members each arranged to be coupled to the club head at respective sides of the striking face whereon the shaft extends therefrom. A pair of changeable weights, each one of the weights is arranged to be coupled to a respective one of the shaft attaching members. An insert portion on the club head at respective sides of the striking face for receiving the shaft attaching member. A stem extending from each of the shaft attaching members arranged to extend through the club head whereon the weights are coupled and an adjustable fastening arrangement in the insert arranged such that the angle of the shaft in relation the club head can be changed. The shaft attaching members are arranged to be interchangeable to allow the club to be usable for left or right handed golfers.