Abstract: Polymers polymerized from an alpha-olefin monomer and a carbon monoxide monomer. The polymers include a carbon-based backbone formed from carbons of the alpha-olefin monomer and the carbon of the carbon monoxide monomer. The polymer includes in-backbone ketones formed from the carbon monoxide monomer. The in-backbone ketones may include isolated ketones, alpha-branched ketones, or both. Methods of forming the polymer and compositions containing the polymer.

Abstract: The present document provides methods for post-polymerization modification of polymer backbones. In particular, the methods described in this document relate to transformation of polyesters and polyurethanes via [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. Polymer compounds containing backbones modified post-polymerization are also provided, along with various methods of using these polymers in a variety of segments of the economy.

Abstract: A modified insulation displacement connector block (10) has an array (11) of insulation displacement connectors (12). Each insulation displacement connector (12) is adapted to receive an insulated wire conductor (16) constituting one part of a twisted pair cable (24). The insulation displacement connector block (10) is provided with guide means (17) spaced relative to the connector array (11) so as to define a gap (21) therebetween. The guide means (17) is adapted for aligning each insulated wire conductor (16) with a selected insulation displacement connector (12), and further adapted to receive a length of each insulated wire conductor (16) extending from its selected insulation displacement connector (12) to a corresponding location on the guide means (17). In use, the said length of insulated wire conductor (16) bridges the gap (21), thereby to be presented for subsequent removal by a wire manipulation tool (23).

Abstract: A gas cylinder, such as a scuba tank, is formed with raised ribs that extend longitudinally from near the top of the cylinder to near the bottom of the cylinder. The longitudinal ribs may be arcuate and equally spaced along the outside circumference of the cylinder so as to protect the body of the cylinder from damage. The gas cylinder may be made from steel or an aluminum alloy, such that the longitudinal ribs are formed by backward impact extrusion. The gas cylinder may be configured with a cylindrical neck at the top of the body so as to house a valve and valve stem. The gas cylinder may be transported using a wheeled pedestal having an adjustable strap for securing the cylinder to the pedestal. A valve protector with an optional handle and retaining clip is provided.

Abstract: Automated wiring apparatus (20) is provided for the insertion and extraction of a length of wire (35) into a selected connector (74) on a connector block (22, 23). The apparatus (20) comprises a tool head (24) provide with one or more wire manipulation tools (30, 36, 38, 39, 49, 57) associated with effecting insertion and extraction of the wire (35). A supporting framework (25, 26) is mounted adjacent one or more connector blocks (22, 23) so as to define an operational plane for the tool head (24). The operational plane has mutually perpendicular X and Y axes, and is disposed parallel to and spaced from the connector blocks (22, 23).

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable (15), comprises a driven capstan (11) and a continuous belt (17) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable (15). The continuous belt (17) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc (16) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan (11). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan (11), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc (16) of the capstan (11) intersects the continuous belt (17). The arcuate path (16) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan (11) and the continuous belt (17) embrace the length of twisted pair cable (15), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes (19) of said length of twisted pair cable (15) are accommodated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (1, 2, 20) and method are provided for separating a length of twisted pair cable (10) into its constituent individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) for subsequent use in telecommunications networks or other electrical equipment. The apparatus (1, 2, 20) includes a separator (15, 66) adapted for insertion between the individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) constituting the twisted pair cable (10). Cable drive means are provided to cause displacement of the length of twisted pair cable (10) relative to the inserted separator (15, 66) in a direction (a, b) co-incident with the axis of the twisted pair cable (10). In addition to separating the insulated wire conductors (11, 12), the driving (a, b) of the twisted wire cable (10) past the separator (15, 66) also causes plastic deformation of the individual insulated wire conductors (11, 12) thus preventing them from springing back into their initial wound state.

Abstract: A modified insulation displacement connector block (10) has an array (11) of insulation displacement connectors (12). Each insulation displacement connector (12) is adapted to receive an insulated wire conductor (16) constituting one part of a twisted pair cable (24). The insulation displacement connector block (10) is provided with guide means (17) spaced relative to the connector array (11) so as to define a gap (21) therebetween. The guide means (17) is adapted for aligning each insulated wire conductor (16) with a selected insulation displacement connector (12), and further adapted to receive a length of each insulated wire conductor (16) extending from its selected insulation displacement connector (12) to a corresponding location on the guide means (17). In use, the said length of insulated wire conductor (16) bridges the gap (21), thereby to be presented for subsequent removal by a wire manipulation tool (23).

Abstract: A gas cylinder, such as a scuba tank, is formed with raised ribs that extend longitudinally from near the top of the cylinder to near the bottom of the cylinder. The longitudinal ribs may be arcuate and equally spaced along the outside circumference of the cylinder so as to protect the body of the cylinder from damage. The gas cylinder may be made from steel or an aluminum alloy, such that the longitudinal ribs are formed by backward impact extrusion. The gas cylinder may be configured with a cylindrical neck at the top of the body so as to house a valve and valve stem. The gas cylinder may be transported using a wheeled pedestal having an adjustable strap for securing the cylinder to the pedestal. A valve protector with an optional handle and retaining clip is provided.

Abstract: An ignition device for igniting a gaseous medium, such as a fuel/air mixture, comprises a chamber having a wall provided with an aperture through which the chamber can be placed in communication with the medium to be ignited, a first electrode extending across said chamber to said aperture to define an annular gap between the tip of said first electrode and the wall of said aperture, which wall forms at least part of a second electrode, and a third electrode surrounding and insulated from said first electrode and defining a second gap within said chamber between said third electrode and one of said first and second electrodes.