Abstract: A hand-held lightweight tightener for tightening the girth strap of a saddle has a handle for leverage, a broad curved cam surface to act as a fulcrum, and a prong to fit in a belt hole on the girth strap. This tightening device can be used to engage and pull at an easily accessible belt hole so that more of the billet strap can be brought through the buckle on the girth strap. Once more billet strap is brought through the buckle, the strap can be buckled through one of the holes of the billet strap, and the tightener removed. The tightener is suitable for hanging on a saddle while riding. The tightener may be used for belt systems other than on a saddle. Optionally, the device has a hoof pick and a compass.

Abstract: A carbonation system for a soft drink dispenser in which water is precooled and then introduced into an insulated tank where it is subjected to pressurized carbon dioxide. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure within the tank, with the dispensing of soda from the tank being regulated on a timed basis as a function of such pressure. The tank is periodically emptied and refilled to assure that the soda generated therein is fresh.

Abstract: A soft drink dispenser capable of rapidly dispensing carbonated beverages with minimized foaming action. The syrup and soda are dispensed separate from each other and allowed to mix upon the ice in a cup placed beneath the dispensing head. The dispensing of the syrup and soda is staged to minimize foaming while achieving optimum beverage taste. Syrup is dispensed from individual pumps which communicate with a bulk supply. The syrup is consolidated in the pumps, preventing waste or the introduction of "slugs" into the dispensing line. The temperature of the syrup is monitored and compensation is made during the dispensing cycle to accommodate changes in viscosity. In generating soda, water is precooled and then introduced into an insulated tank where it is subjected to pressurized carbon dioxide. In the pour head, a cluster of soda orifices are peripherally encompassed by syrup orifices, certain of which are angled to cause the syrup to convolute the stream of soda.

Abstract: Each output signal from a synchro device is applied to an individual voltage comparator through a step-down transformer. Each comparator is biased to a predetermined threshold level and produces an output signal whenever the magnitude of the associated synchro signal exceeds the threshold in the proper polarity. The comparator output voltages are applied to individual clocked flip-flops so as to produce binary output signals in a parallel format indicative of the rotor displacement of the synchro device.