Abstract: A conventional drilling system using continuous coiled tubing connected to a reel at its upper end and connected to a drilling tool at its lower end is steered by rotating the injector at the well head which drives the tubing into the well about an axis longitudinal of the well bore to effect twist in the tubing along the well bore and thus to rotate the drilling tool. This twist in the tubing between the injector and the reel is negated by rotating the reel about a vertical axis parallel to the well bore in a direction, viewed from above, which is opposite to the direction of the injector.

Abstract: Suture needles used in operations are stored after use on a holder which comprises a card strip having an adhesive layer across a top edge on the undersurface for attachment to a support surface and a foam strip along the top surface spaced from one side edge and spaced from the top edge. The needles are inserted into the foam material parallel to the substrate and a bare edge of the substrate from which the foam is spaced allows the substrate to be handled without contacting the foam and thus without any danger of pricking. The substrate can be cut after inserting a predetermined number of needles for example 5 needles for easy counting of the needles.

Abstract: A conventional wheel chair is modified by the provision of a safety system for automatically actuating the brakes of the wheel chair and lifting the foot rests when the weight of the patient is lifted from the seat. An overcenter spring arrangement is used to bias the brake mechanism into the braking position and is pulled over center by a solenoid actuated by a switch under the seat. The actuation of the brake mechanism is communicated to the foot pedals by a connection cable which pulls a latch pin to release the spring biased foot pedal into the retracted position.

Abstract: A feeding control apparatus controls feeding times and durations in a feed yard in which a bulk supply of feed is stored at one end of the yard. The apparatus includes an electrified barrier that extends across the yard and a mechanism for advancing the barrier against the feed during feeding times and withdrawing it from the feed at other times. The movement of the barrier is under the control of a programmable timer. The feeding and withdrawn positions of the barrier are readily adjusted so that they can be advanced along the yard as the animals eat into the supply of feed.

Abstract: A device for lifting and transporting a patient from a bed includes a base frame with ground wheels for rolling across the ground. The frame includes two parallel horizontal rails with each rail having a main fixed center wheel and castor wheels at forward and rearward ends of the rail. A post mounted on the frame can move vertically and carries a push bar. A seat is mounted on the post on a U-shape frame with the seat including a base and a back rest portion. The base is pivotally mounted on one leg of the U-shape member and the back rest can pivot and slide relative to the other leg of the U-shape. The U-shape support is mounted on the post so as to swivel about a vertical axis with the vertical axis also translating relative to the post to move the center of gravity of the patient from an initial lifting position to a transport position.

Abstract: A multipurpose aquatic float has a molded shell of plastic resin. The float has a generally rectangular base part with a set of integral mounting flanges on its top surface. The mounting flanges are arranged to provide a longitudinal center channel for accepting a framing member of standard dimension lumber. Transverse flanges support the longitudinal flanges and provide a cross channel at the center and end notches to accommodate cross bracing in the frame on which the float is mounted. The longitudinal flanges have molded-in fastener receivers for receiving fasteners that secure the float in place on the framework of the support structure.

Abstract: An enhanced gravity laminar flow separation system is provided by a conical drum which has a plurality of flow channels along the inside surface of the drum. Feed material for separation is fed into the drum and accelerated by an impeller so as to enter the channels at a feed end at the base of the drum and to move along the channels to a discharge end at the mouth of the drum of increased diameter. Heavies are stripped from the base of the channel and the lights escape from the open mouth of the bowl longitudinally of the channel. The channel changes cross-section from the feed end to the discharge end decreasing in width and increasing in depth by the addition of a V-groove at the base. Tangential forces from the acceleration of the material which act on one side of the channel are balanced by the shape of the channel to provide symmetrical flow.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for manufacturing fully mitered step lap transformer cores which are formed from separate sheets which are laid face to face to form the separate pieces of the core. The system includes an X-shaped shear arrangement including four blades lying on an X-shape and meeting at a center point. Upstream of the X-shear is provided a hole punch so the punched hole can be moved to the center point of the X-shear and any two, three or four of the blades actuated to provide a required shape in the material to be cut. The X-shear allows the formation sequentially of all of the five sheets necessary for the core and then these are stacked simultaneously by a lifting carriage which lifts each sheet in turn while orienting it properly relative to the other sheets carried to form a single layer of the core which is then deposited upon a stacking table.

Abstract: Attachment assembly for handles include a flexible strip which passes around a tool shaft or the like, and has opposed ends which mate to form a cylindrical male thread. This thread is engaged by a female thread in a hollow handle. Between the hollow handle and the shaft is a saddle through which the strip passes, it is rotatably mounted by a cylindrical tube in a recess in the hollow handle. It has a recessed rim which engages the tool shaft on tightening of the female screw. Another version mounts an angled D handle rotatably on the saddle cylindrical tube, by a concentric outer cylindrical tube. A nut engages the male cylindrical thread, and pushes the saddle against the tool shaft. The strip can accommodate tool shafts over a diameter range varying by a factor of four.

Abstract: A storage container for cremation ashes comprises an outer decorative container with a hollow interior of generally rectangular shape. A similar rectangular inner container is formed of a transparent plastics material with a sealable end cap so that the ashes can be inserted and contained within the hollow inner container and displayed through the transparent material of the inner container. This presents the ashes in a hygienic appearance without danger of spillage.

Abstract: The air intake of a conventional automobile which is mounted in front of the windshield under the air intake cover at the rear of the hood is modified by the introduction into the duct of the air intake of a filtration pillow. The pillow is formed from a plurality of separate layers of filtration material including impregnated or particulate absorption material. The absorption material is arranged for extraction of combustion products particularly hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, soot and the like. The filter member can also prevent the entry of debris, leaves and the like together with the rodents or insects.

Abstract: A bird gate for a grain auger outlet includes a panel that extends across the auger outlet in a normal, closed position. It is biased to that position by a spring. When grain is delivered from the auger, it falls on the panel, biasing the panel to an open position and allowing the grain to be delivered from the auger. The closed position of the gate prevents birds from entering the auger for nesting.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitor for monitoring the condition of fibre optic communication cables. The system employs one or more of the optical fibres of a cable to monitor the cable structure for damage or kinks. By using two separate laser sources and simultaneously monitoring the optical losses at two distinct and separate wavelengths, the loss signature of the monitored fibre is determined, analyzed and related to the mechanical condition of the cable structure. To monitor splice points for moisture, a special optical splice sensor unit detects any penetration of water into the splice and transmits a coded alarm signal over the monitored fibre to the optical receiver. Every splice location is assigned a unique sensor code. The optical splice sensor is driven by moisture detection cell, which forms a single cell water activated battery. Water entering the monitored splice closure wets the tape, which activates the cell.

Abstract: A controllable discharge spout assembly is used on the discharge end of an auger or other conveyor. The discharge spout assembly has an auxiliary, downwardly tapered spout that is mounted for universal movement below the conventional discharge of the conveyor. This control mechanism extends from the spout to an operator's station near the inlet end of the auger so that an operator standing on the ground may control the direction of flow of material from the conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises a front frame section, a rear frame section carrying the engine and cab and a horizontal beam connecting the front frame section to the rear frame section leaving a space between the front and rear wheels and underneath the beam for receiving the implement in a belly mount position. The rear frame section includes auxiliary wheels which are simple non steering wheels movable vertically and braced against rearward movement which can be lowered by a ram to a position to lift the front wheels away from the ground to a height to move over the implement. The front wheels are steerable by a worm and wheel arrangement to a position at right angles to the normal forward direction to allow manouverability. The tractor can be used for the various operations in growing row crops with the implement attached on a three point hitch rearwardly of the front frame section.

Abstract: A winch, for example, for winding in and paying out a cable attached to a person in a hazardous situation, for example underground, comprises a pair of axles mounted on a frame, one of the axles carrying the cable drum for rotation therewith. Two safety brakes are provided, one on each axle, and each including a cam actuated clutch so that rotation of the drum in the pay-out direction is only allowed when the axles are driven in the pay-out direction. A handle for driving the axles includes two hand grasp portions for different mechanical advantage. The handle can be located at two different positions on a drive sprocket on one of the axles or on a second drive sprocket freely rotatable on the first axle for different drive ratios.

Abstract: A boom assembly for mounting on the roof of the building provides a pulley which receives a cable for depending over a front edge of the building to allow lifting or lowering of materials attached to the cable. The boom assembly can be folded to a relatively small packaged arrangement for ready transportation. The boom assembly can be adjusted to accommodate different orientations of support surface for example inclined or angled roof structures. The boom arrangement includes a vertical post, a counterbalance pole extending rearwardly from the base of the post and a pair of arms extending at right angles to the counterbalance pole. A brace is connected between the top of the post and the counterbalance pole with the base extending outwardly and carrying the pulley at the outer end. A cable arrangement extends between the pulley and a rear end of the counterbalance pole.