Abstract: A monopropellant assisted solid rocket engine of the present invention is comprised of a combination of a solid rocket engine with nitromethane monopropellant injected into the rocket motor. By controlling the rate at which the monopropellant is injected the thrust of the rocket engine can be controlled.

Abstract: A hitch guide for use in guiding a gooseneck trailer hitch into alignment with a hitch ball mounted in the bed of a truck with the gooseneck trailer hitch including a substantially vertically disposed post having a substantially horizontally disposed plate secured to the lower end thereof which has an opening formed therein for receiving the hitch ball. The hitch guide is pivotally secured to the support plate at the lower end of the post and is funnel-shaped to assist in aligning the trailer hitch with the hitch ball.

Abstract: A device and a method for moving an object are based on the fact that the object (8) is pivotable in relation to a base portion (7) about an axis. There is an arrangement (18) for displacing, during pivoting motion of the object, the object substantially parallel to its pivoting plane for the purpose of causing a point of the object to describe a motion in substantially one and the same plane as a consequence of the combined pivoting/displacing.

Abstract: A sports utility belt includes a belt adapted to be worn around the waste of a player, and a bat holder attached to the belt and adapted to hold either a baseball or softball bat. The bat holder has an inner surface contoured to fit a portion of the bat and hold the bat in a substantially horizontal position behind the player. The bat holder is preferably made from two sections separated by a living hinge that allows the bat holder to open and close. The sports utility belt may also include a pouch attached to the belt to hold a baseball or softball and a strap adapted to secure a baseball or softball glove to the belt.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a hollow one-piece cast housing having an internal compartment and an outer shell with opposite sides and opposite ends; a central wall in the housing dividing the compartment into separate sub-compartments and being integrally cast with the housing; first and second hydrostatic power units mounted one each in the sub-compartments on opposite sides of the central wall; and high pressure fluid conduits extending through the central wall and hydraulically connecting the hydrostatic power units. The hydrostatic power units can include a pump and a motor, each having respective rotating groups which are easily insertable into the respective sub-compartments through access openings in the housing. Although the main shafts of the pump and motor are capable of rotating in different directions from each other and at different speeds, the shafts have axes of rotation which are coincidental to each other.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use in a battery pack for connecting the battery cells to the telephone and to a battery charger. The connector utilizes stamped nickel contact pads which may be spot welded directly to the battery cells. The use of the stamped nickel contact pads results in improvements in strength of the connector and a reduction in the cost as compared to the prior art flexible circuit board-type connectors.

Abstract: A control for a waste water drain in the bottom of a bathtub which has an overflow port above the drain in the end wall of the bathtub has a vertical drain pipe having upper and lower ends. A first fluid port is located at the upper end of the vertical drain pipe and a second fluid port is located below the first fluid port for connection to a bathtub waste water drain. A valve element is slidably mounted in the vertical drain pipe adjacent the second port and is movable between a lower position to close the second port to fluid flow, and an upper position which will open the second fluid port to fluid flow. An overflow cap is rotatably mounted adjacent the first port. An elongated linkage connects the valve element to the overflow cap so that the rotation of the cap in one direction will raise the valve element to the upper position, and rotation of the cap in the opposite direction will lower the valve element to the lower position. The vertical drain pipe is length adjustable.

Abstract: A boat light assembly for a boat having a hull with forward and rearward end, and a motor for propelling the boat on the rearward end, and a boat operator stationed adjacent the rearward end, has an assembly mounted on the rearward end of the hull and comprises an upstanding rod comprised only of an acrylic material. At least a portion of the outer surface of the rod is textured or diffused. A shrouded light source is mounted adjacent the lower end of the rod to permit a diffused light to extend longitudinally through the rod for peripheral visibly through the textured outer surface of the rod, and to provide peripheral subdued lighting for the area of the boat without retarding the night vision of a boat operator positioned in the operator's station. The rod is completing uncovered by any shielding material to provide exterior visibility from any direction or vantage portion surrounding the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting elongated tree slips in soil includes a movable frame, and at least one row planting unit. The row planting unit includes a lower portion, an upper portion pivotally mounted to the frame, and a driver assembly having an elongated plunger for applying a purely longitudinal planting force to one end of the tree slips to drive them individually into the ground. A retractable and extensible stabilizing mechanism is operatively positioned between the frame and the row planting unit for pivoting the latter with respect to the frame during the application of the planting force. A brake is also provided on the lower portion of the row planting unit for halting movement of the lower portion of the row planting unit across the ground. The brake, stabilizing mechanism and plunger are coordinated so that the plunger is maintained in a position directly over the slip being driven, despite the movement of the frame across the soil.

Abstract: A balance beam utilizing a conventional beam member with pivotally mounted leg members. The leg members are mounted in a clevis secured to the bottom surface of the beam by a pin which extends through aligned bores in the clevis and leg members. The leg members have floor support members, upwardly extending sections rigidly secured to the center of the floor members, and horizontal sections rigidly secured to upwardly extending leg sections. Secured to the horizontal leg sections are removable resilient bumpers that engage the lower surface of the beam. When a gymnast lands on the beam, the weight of gymnast compresses the bumpers moving the beam to a lower horizontal position. The immediate recovery of the bumpers imparts some impetus to the gymnast as the gymnastic routine continues.

Abstract: A method for lining, rehabilitating, repairing, and rejuvenating pipelines and passageways is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of hauling a tubular liner into a section of pipeline to be repaired, disposing a reforming member within the liner at one end proximate one end of the pipeline, depositing a cement slug in the host pipeline proximate the said one end, and expanding the liner within the pipeline against the inner surface of the said pipeline by urging the reforming member along within the liner under pressure. The outer surface of the liner is provided with a plurality of protrusions in the form of grout anchor hooks which penetrate the cement along the length of the said liner thus ensuring a mechanical bond between said liner and said cement. The cement also adheres to the inner surface of the pipeline and thus a rigid, secure, water impermeable lining construction is achieved.

Abstract: A cab suspension for a vehicle having a chassis supporting a cab with the cab being supported on the chassis at a forward location and at a rearward location so as to permit vertical movement of the rearward end of the cab relative to the chassis. Conventional forward support structures connect the forward end of the cab to the chassis. A rearward support structure or suspension unit connects the cab to the chassis at the rearward end of the cab to provide relative vertical movement therebetween. The structure comprises an elongated metal tube having its longitudinal axis disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the tube being secured to the chassis. The tube has an elongated, resilient rubber or elastomeric cartridge positioned therein which has an elongated torsion bar extending therethrough which is in engagement therewith so that the cartridge restricts rotational movement of the torsion bar with respect to the tube.

Abstract: A conventional golf club head is releasably connected to a golf club shaft through operation of a wedge on the lower end of a rod in the shaft moveable in and out of the lower end of the shaft to releasably cause the shaft side wall to create a friction fit in the hollow club head shank. A nut on the rod at the upper end of the shaft covered by a cap allows for rotation of the rod to advance or retract the wedge in the lower end of the shaft.

Abstract: A railway switch stand includes a housing with a vertical shaft having a lower end connected to the switch throw rod, the shaft being rotatable to reciprocate the throw rod. A plate is mounted orthogonally on the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and has a plurality of bearings projecting upwardly therefrom around the shaft. A cam follower is mounted to move along a circle with the same radius as the bearings, with a spring mounted above the cam follower to apply a downward biasing force on the cam follower to retain the cam follower between a pair of bearings. A motor has a drive shaft oriented orthogonal to the vertical shaft and includes a drive crank affixed orthogonally to the drive shaft with radially projecting ends. One end of the crank is connected to a U-shaped yoke which in turn is pivotally connected to the cam follower.

Abstract: A bulk container for flowable materials includes flexible inner and outer tubular members. The lower edge of the outer member and the lower edge of the inner member are joined together along a bottom peripheral seam. Vertical support members are inserted into a plurality of pockets around the container so that the container is automatically self-stabilizing.

Abstract: A tie-down mechanism for securing a snowmobile to a trailer wherein the trailer has an elongated track member embedded in the upper surface thereof which defines an elongated opening in the upper end thereof. The tie-down mechanism comprises a bolt having a head portion which is received in the channel of the track member so that the threaded shank thereof extends upwardly therefrom. An elongated ski bar is mounted on the bolt above the track member and has end portions which are adapted to be positioned over the skis of the snowmobile. An actuating lever is threadably mounted on the bolt above the ski bar and is pivotally movable between locked and released positions. When the lever is in its locked position, the ski bar is drawn into engagement with the skis of the snowmobile to maintain the snowmobile in place on the trailer.

Abstract: A mattress top assembly for a mattress includes a pad filled with cushioning material and a plurality of connector straps attached along the head, foot, arid side edges of the pad and removably connected to the side wall of the mattress. The mattress includes one part of a cooperable fastener generally midway between top and bottom surfaces, on the side walls of the mattress, for detachable connection of each of the straps thereto.