Abstract: A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: A docking mechanism comprises first and second units, operative to firmly attach and release a watercraft such as a ferry boat to a dock. This action can be produced by actuators that may be hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, or by other means such as manually actuated levers, electric motors or solenoids. A moveable locking piston acts to push locking cylinders or other locking members such as movable links against watercraft lock channels mounted upon the watercrafts. The apparatus results in very firm coupling of a watercraft to the dock, beneficially permitting ferry boats to load and unload cargo without keeping their engines running which wastes fuel and pollutes the environment. The lock channels on the watercraft are however configured to permit relative vertical motion between the watercraft and the latching assembly to account for water level changes and yet maintain very firm coupling of the watercraft to the dock.

Abstract: A method for controlling data packet flow through an infrared adapter is provided and includes receiving a data stream from an infrared device. The data stream has a first data transmission rate. Further, the rate of transmission of the data stream is modified within the infrared adapter to produce an output data stream having a second data transmission rate. Also, the output data stream is transmitted from the infrared adapter. In a particular embodiment, the first data transmission rate is different from the second data transmission rate. Particularly, the second data transmission rate is less than the first data transmission rate.