Abstract: A method is disclosed for disposing of an offshore platform jacket by suspending the jacket in one piece under a tow vessel, towing it to the disposal site and safely and quickly releasing the jacket at the disposal site. Once the jacket foundation piles have been severed, the first end of the jacket is lifted using a derrick barge crane or winch connected to a first lift rigging means until the first lift rigging means engages with a first release means. The second end is lifted in a similar manner with a second lift rigging means and a second release means until the jacket is suspended substantially beneath the tow vessel. The lift rigging means include a spreader bar having at least one skid shoe attached thereto, at least two padeyes attached at opposite ends of the spreader bar, a lift sling attached to the padeyes and at least two jacket support slings. Each release means is attached to the tow vessel and includes at least one rocker beam having a connector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing the muscle strength of a subject wherein both static and dynamic strength tests are conducted on the subject during which forces exerted by the muscles are measured by devices which are connected to a computer and a display screen for displaying the strength of the muscles at different positions of a subject's body part. In the dynamic strength test, the subject moves a movement arm by exerting the muscles to be tested. The movement arm is connected to a resistance weight to oppose movement by the subject. In the static strength test, the movement arm is fixed in position and the subject exerts a body part against the movement arm upon exertion of the muscles to be tested. Force and angle measuring devices are connected to the movement arm and the computer for enabling the muscle strength to be displayed in terms of torque at various angular positions of the body part.

Abstract: Described is a pneumatic animal stunner that includes a physical catch for the piston that drives the stunning element. This allows pressure to build up behind the stunning element immediately prior to firing rather than requiring the introduction of pressurized air or fluid at the time of actuation, as is common in the prior art. The result is a faster, more effective stroke. The animal stunner also includes a dual trigger mechanism for safety. The animal stunner has a conventional trigger that is activated to pressurize the stunner and an activation means located in its front end. The activation means releases a physical catch that retains the piston in place. Preferably, the activation means is operated when depressed against the animal. The animal stunner is designed so that the stunning element may not be fired more than once for each time the trigger is pulled. In addition, the animal stunner includes exhaust vents that are directed toward the front of the device.

Abstract: A machine for exercising and/or testing the lumbar muscles including a movement arm mounted for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis against a resistance provided by a weight stack. Movement of the movement arm is transmitted to the weight stack by means of a transmission including a cam fixed to the movement arm, a pulley belt fixed to the periphery of the cam and trained about one or more pulleys mounted with respect to the stationary frame of the machine. The pulley belt is connected to an actuating lever connected to the weight stack pin to drive the same. One of the pulleys is mounted for movement towards and away from the pulley belt to increase or decrease tension in the pulley belt to thus control the drive between the movement arm and the weight stack.

Abstract: An adductor machine including a pair of movement arms movable about a vertical axes between an open position extending laterally from the seat and a closed position extending forwardly of the seat. The movement arms are movable to the closed position by the user engaging with the inner sides of his thighs, pads respectively located on the movement arms. Movement of the movement arms is transmitted to move a resistance in the form of one or more weights in a weight stack. Such transmission is accomplished by a linkage and cam follower arrangement operatively connected between the movement arm and a weight stack pin included in the resistance weight stack. An auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided to move the movement arms between the open and closed positions independently of engaging the pads with the legs. This actuating mechanism includes a handle engageable with the cam included in the transmission to operate the cam independently of a linkage which extends between the movement arms and the cam.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing the muscle strength of a subject wherein both static and dynamic strength tests are conducted on the subject during which forces exerted by the muscles are measured by devices which are connected to a computer and a display screen for displaying the strength of the muscles at different positions of a subject's body part. In the dynamic strength test, the subject moves a movement arm by exerting the muscles to be tested. The movement arm is connected to a resistance weight to oppose movement by the subject. In the static strength test, the movement arm is fixed in position and the subject exerts a body part against the movement arm upon exertion of the muscles to be tested. Force and angle measuring devices are connected to the movement arm and the computer for enabling the muscle strength to be displayed in terms of torque at various angular positions of the body part.

Abstract: A bi-directional or reversible multi-notch positioning device for use in an environment requiring clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, including tactile and audible feedback to facilitate position changes in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. In one use of the present invention, the bi-directional multi-notch positioning device can be used as a three-way switch on a lamp socket for use with a three-way light bulb. The bi-directional three-way switch used in conjunction with a light socket allows either increasing or decreasing illumination by rotating a turnkey in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

Abstract: A machine for exercising muscles of the human body which includes a movement arm pivotable about a horizontal axis by the user against a resistance provided by a weight stack. A drive shaft is connected to the movement arm and extends vertically downwardly below the weight stack where it is connected to a lever which in turn is connected to the lower end of a pin included in the weight stack. When the movement arm is rotated and pivoted in one direction it will move the drive shaft and the lever to raise the pin in the weight stack. The weight stack includes upper and lower stacks of weights independently connectable to the stack pin.

Abstract: An exercise machine or apparatus having a movement arm to be moved upon exertion of a body part against a resistance including a weight that pivots about an axis as the movement arm is moved by the exerciser. To change the resistive force imposed by the weight, the weight is moved relative to its pivotal axis to thereby increase or decrease the effective resistive force. The movement arm is operatively connected to the resistance by a cam connected to the movement arm and engaged with a follower which in turn is connected to the weight to pivot the weight about its pivotal axis. The cam is operatively connected to the movement arm by a strain gauge and a releasable lock mechanism.

Abstract: A machine for exercising muscles of the human body which includes a movement arm pivotable about a horizontal axis by the user against a resistance provided by a weight stack. A drive shaft is connected to the movement arm and extends vertically downwardly below the weight stack where it is connected to a lever which in turn is connected to the lower end of a pin included in the weight stack. When the movement arm is rotated and pivoted in one direction it will move the drive shaft and the lever to raise the pin in the weight stack. The weight stack includes upper and lower stacks of weights independently connectable to the stack pin.

Abstract: An abductor machine has a pair of movement arms including thigh pads engageable by the user's thighs to move the movement arms outwardly about vertical axes while the user is seated with the thighs located between the thigh pads. The movement arms are connected to a weight stack by a transmission including connecting rods interconnecting the movement arms and a cam, and a cam follower which is connected to an actuating lever which in turn drives the weight stack pin. The lateral position of the thigh pads is adjustable to suit the size of the user's thighs. The thigh pads are also self-adjustable about vertical axes. An adjustable backrest is also provided to change the posture of the user so that the exercise may be concentrated on different portions of the abductor muscles. Once adjusted, the backrest is locked in position.

Abstract: An adductor machine including a pair of movement arms movable about a vertical axes between an open position extending laterally from the seat and a closed position extending forwardly of the seat. The movement arms are movable to the closed position by the user engaging with the inner sides of his thighs, pads respectively located on the movement arms. Movement of the movement arms is transmitted to move a resistance in the form of one or more weights in a weight stack. Such transmission is accomplished by a linkage and cam follower arrangement operatively connected between the movement arm and a weight stack pin included in the resistance weight stack. An auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided to move the movement arms between the open and closed positions independently of engaging the pads with the legs. This actuating mechanism includes a handle engageable with the cam included in the transmission to operate the cam independently of a linkage which extends between the movement arms and the cam.

Abstract: A machine for exercising leg muscles including a movement arm rotatable about a horizontal axis, a seat for receiving a user with the legs engageable with the movement arm to rotate it in one direction about the axis, and a weight stack including a resistance weight and a vertical stack pin connectable to the resistance weight. A sprocket is connected to the movement arm to rotate with the movement arm, and a drive connection including a chain or cable is established between the sprocket and the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction. In one embodiment a drive lever is pivotally connected to the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction in opposition to the resistance weight. The chain is connected to an intermediate portion of the drive lever. The movement arm is provided with a convenient handle for rotating the movement arm while the user is seated.

Abstract: A leg press machine has a movement arm mounted by parallel links for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis in opposition to one or more resistance weight stacks on opposite sides of the movement arm. The linkage is connected to a drive lever below the movement arm which in turn is connected to the bottom of a weight stack rod to raise the latter and associated weights as the movement arm is pivoted by the legs. The movement arm is stabilized by the linkage and a counterweight connected to the linkage.

Abstract: A triceps exercise machine has a movement arm pivotable about a horizontal axis against the resistance of a weight stack. The machine includes a vertically adjustable seat, a shoulder restraint, and adjustable handgrips secured to the movement arm, all of which position the elbows of the user in general alignment with the axis of rotation of the movement arm. In the start position the arms are fully folded and positioned close to the user's sides. The user then proceeds to force the handles downwardly until the arms are fully extended. Movement of the movement arm is transmitted to the weight stack by a cam fixed to the movement arm and a cam follower which is connected to the bottom of a weight stack pin by a linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A lateral raise exercise machine having a movement arm pivotable about an axis extending in a horizontal plane but inwardly at an angle of about 25.degree. relative to the forward-rearward direction, a weight stack having at least one resistance weight, and transmission including a belt and pulley and a linkage interconnecting the movement arm and the weight to raise the weight when the movement arm is raised to a first position. The movement arm has a handle bar, mounted for adjustment about an axis which generally coincides with the axis of the humerus of the exerciser. A forearm pad is fixed to the handle bar to be adjustable together with the handle bar relative to the movement arm.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exercising the muscles of the upper legs and lower torso wherein the exerciser is placed on his/her side in a generally horizontal position on a support including a movable portion which rotates about a vertical axis in response to forces generated by the exerciser. At least two vertically extending pads are secured to the movable support portion to receive the exerciser therebetween. The pads serve to position and retain the exerciser as well as to transmit forces from the exerciser to the movable support portion to rotate the same. A weight stack is connected to the rotatable support portion by a drive mechanism located below the support portion and connected to the bottom of a weight rod included in the weight stack. During the exercise, the movable support portion is rotated by the exerciser from a start position in one direction against the resistance of the weight stack and then returned to the start position whereupon the exercise is repeated.

Abstract: A machine for exercising the pectoral muscles having a pair of synchronous movement arms pivotable about oblique axes by the user moving the arms from the user's sides to outstretched convergent positions. A constrained linkage connects the movement arms to a vertical drive rod which drives a lever at the base of the machine. The lever drives a weight stack pin upwardly to lift one or more resistance weights keyed to the pin. The user is supported by a seat and backrest and linkages are provided to adjust the seat vertically and the backrest horizontally relative to the movement arms.

Abstract: A machine for exercising leg muscles including a movement arm rotatable about a horizontal axis, a seat for receiving a user with the legs engageable with the movement arm to rotate it in one direction about the axis, and a weight stack including a resistance weight and a vertical stack pin connectable to the resistance weight. A sprocket is connected to the movement arm to rotate with the movement arm, and a drive connection including a chain or cable is established between the sprocket and the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction. In one embodiment a drive lever is pivotally connected to the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction in opposition to the resistance weight. The chain is connected to an intermediate portion of the drive lever. The movement arm is provided with a convenient handle for rotating the movement arm while the user is seated.

Abstract: A rowing exercise machine including a seat, a chest pad located forwardly of the seat, a movement arm to be pivoted about a horizontal axis by the exerciser while the chest pad limits forward movement of the exerciser, and a weight stack connected to the movement arm to impose a resistance to movement of the movement arm by the exerciser in one direction. A vertical pin is connectable to the resistance weight while being connected to the movement arm by a transmission including a vertical drive rod whose upper end is connected to the movement arm by a first linkage and whose lower end is connected to the pin by a second linkage located below the level of the seat. The chest pad is adjustable by a parallelogram linkage which mounts the chest pad relative to a fixed frame.