Abstract: A lightweight portable pitching mound for indoor and outdoor use. The mound comprises an expanded plastic core, all exposed surfaces of which are covered with a flexible, sheet-like artificial turf material. The bottom of the mound is planar and preferably covered with an anti-slip material when the mound is used indoors. In a first embodiment, the mound comprises a single, unitary, one-piece, ramp-like structure having a top surface with a planar horizontal part and a planar part extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom. The mound has vertical front, rear and side peripheral surfaces. The top surface parts and the peripheral surfaces are covered with the artificial turf material. The top surface horizontal part supports a conventional rubber. In a second embodiment, the mound comprises three pieces, a central and two side sections which, when assembled in side-by-side abutting relationship, form a rectangular mound having narrow, vertical, rectilinear side, front and rear peripheral edges.

Abstract: A front end loader and backhoe construction machinery vehicle. The backhoe and operator's cab are formed from a unitary construction wherein the cab has an undercarriage adaptable to rotate a complete revolution of 360 degrees on a bearing arrangement secured to supporting structure mounted on a main frame of the vehicle. A system of hydraulic controls is effective to raise, lower, telescope and rotate the boom, dipperstick and bucket of the backhoe. Sensor means are provided to disenable operation of the backhoe assembly if it has insufficient clearance with the front end of the machine during rotation of the cab and backhoe assembly. The control system is effective to raise, lower and rotate the front end loader assembly. There is provided a front end and a rear end stabilizing assembly so as to permit the vehicle to work on a stable, rigid platform during digging and moving of earth by the backhoe assembly.

Abstract: This invention is a scrubbing device particularly adapted for use in cleaning shower stalls, bathroom tile, tubs and the like. The drive motor of the unit is of the variable speed type and through a nonconductive clutch drive and associated drive cable operates a hand-held scrubber head. The prevention of accidental electric shock is assured through use of nonconductive material in the power transfer portion of the invention as well as the exterior housings thereof.

Abstract: Monitoring the performance of recording channels during the write mode is accomplished by available read preamplifier circuitry, and a write monitor channel. During the read mode, the read preamplifier functions conventionally. During the write mode, the write signal is attenuated and monitored. The monitor circuit senses failures in the write operation and can detect the absence of write current transitions. Isolation between the non-selected channels and the selected channel is effectively provided. A detection circuit is coupled to the preamplfier for detecting electrical shorts in the magnetic heads and wiring.

Abstract: A process is provided which allows control of the impurity level of Bayer process streams with simultaneous generation of an environmentally acceptable effluent and recovery of valuable dissolved aluminum and sodium values. The process involves carbonation of a blow-down stream at 40.degree.-100.degree. C to produce sodium dawsonite [NaAl(OH).sub.2 CO.sub.2 ] and an effluent essentially free of dissolved alumina and significantly depleted in dissolved sodium. The sodium dawsonite can be used as such or returned to the Bayer process after thermal decomposition to sodium aluminate. The effluent can be directly discharged into natural receiving bodies without further treatment.