Abstract: The apparatus comprises an attachment member for securing the apparatus to a gooseneck trailer. A rectangular housing is secured to the attachment member, and has a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall. A cavity is formed by these walls. A ball receiver is pivotably secured internal to the housing and has an opening for the passage of a spring rod. A shock absorbing mechanism is provided, which is secured generally perpendicularly to the housing, and includes at least one spring element. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the front wall, it pushes a bushing disposed on the central rod into the spring element, causing the spring element to compress. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the back wall, it pulls a back plate that causes the spring element to compress.

Abstract: A signal for use on a wired network interconnecting electronic devices, comprising: a base voltage for conveying power to the electronic devices; a pulsed voltage signal bearing coded information for transfer between the electronic devices; and a digital signal superimposed onto selected portions of the pulsed voltage signal, wherein the digital signal comprises a carrier signal modulated by a data signal for transfer between the electronic devices. This is used in fire alarm networks, for example, to convey multimedia or other data such as control signals, whilst maintaining compatibility with existing protocols using the pulsed voltage signal.

Abstract: A signal for use on a wired network interconnecting electronic devices, comprising: a base voltage for conveying power to the electronic devices; a pulsed voltage signal bearing coded information for transfer between the electronic devices; and a digital signal superimposed onto selected portions of the pulsed voltage signal, wherein the digital signal comprises a carrier signal modulated by a digital encoded data signal for transfer between the electronic devices, and the digital encoded data signal represents an original digital data signal encoded in accordance with a code scheme that ensures that there is at least one transition, between high and low binary values, between every data bit of the data signal. This is used in fire alarm networks, for example, to convey multimedia or other data such as control signals, whilst maintaining compatibility with existing protocols using the pulsed voltage signal.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an attachment member for securing the apparatus to a gooseneck trailer. A rectangular housing is secured to the attachment member, and has a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall. A cavity is formed by these walls. A ball receiver is pivotably secured internal to the housing and has an opening for the passage of a spring rod. A shock absorbing mechanism is provided, which is secured generally perpendicularly to the housing, and includes at least one spring element. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the front wall, it pushes a bushing disposed on the central rod into the spring element, causing the spring element to compress. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the back wall, it pulls a back plate that causes the spring element to compress.

Abstract: A signal for use on a wired network interconnecting electronic devices, comprising: a base voltage for conveying power to the electronic devices; a pulsed voltage signal bearing coded information for transfer between the electronic devices; and a digital signal superimposed onto selected portions of the pulsed voltage signal, wherein the digital signal comprises a carrier signal modulated by a data signal for transfer between the electronic devices. This is used in fire alarm networks, for example, to convey multimedia or other data such as control signals, whilst maintaining compatibility with existing protocols using the pulsed voltage signal.

Abstract: A pig feeder includes a hopper in which a supply of feed is stored, and a feed trough mounted adjacent a lower end of the hopper and in communication with the hopper through an opening therein so that feed in the hopper can pass into the feed trough. The trough includes a bottom wall, a front wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and having a top edge, and a top face having a width extending between the top edge of the front wall and the hopper. The top face has at least one feeding hole therethrough which is substantially U-shaped having a curved portion and a straight portion, the curved portion of the feeding hole being remote from the hopper. The diameter of the curved portion is preferably equal to the height of the front wall so that pigs feeding from the trough must reach vertically downwardly to get to the feed.