Abstract: A gaming method using a 52 cards presenting a plurality of suits and a plurality of card values, including the steps of dealing to four players an equal number of cards until all cards has been distributed, designating a constant trump suit, bidding tentative trick quotas within a defined bidding hierarchy playing a plurality of tricks until all distributed cards have been played, assigning values associated with the degree of bidding accuracy based upon the tricks actually taken, continuing play until all players establish a finish position so that exact finishes can be awarded, and providing ranking points to each player depending upon the player's respective finish in the game. A player is also allocated nine lives where one life is deducted for each trick that is overbid or underbid. Any player losing all nine lives before the game is ended for feits their seat in the game.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging medium comprising a substrate carrying a color-change layer which develops color upon heating. The addition of a novel block copolymer surfactant containing ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) into the leuco dye dispersion prevents color pre-formation during the dispersion preparation stage, and in the final coating fluid in the presence of developers and acids. The pluronic may complex the acid developer as well as the final image dye.

Abstract: A drive train comprises an internal combustion engine, a clutchless gearbox, which can be shifted by means of an electronic control unit and by means of actuating devices, without a mechanical synchronizing device, and a hydrostatic gearbox with a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, which are connected in a closed circuit. The rotational speed of the hydraulic motor being controllable in dependence on a control signal to the adjusting device of the hydraulic pump and/or to the adjusting device of the hydraulic motor. The control unit calculates the control signal by means of setpoint input via an accelerator pedal or as a function of the rotational drive speed of the internal combustion engine, with shifting of the transmission stages being possible by means of the actuating devices.

Abstract: A vehicle having a hydrostatic drive and a hydraulic control apparatus, in which the hydrostatic drive has a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor in a closed circuit, an internal combustion engine for driving the hydraulic pump and a variable displacement pump, producing a volumetric output flow, of an open circuit, and a retarder valve arranged in the open circuit and intended for the hydraulic absorption of braking energy. The retarder valve has a valve and a pressure-limiting valve, connected thereto, for throttling the volumetric output flow of the variable displacement pump. The variable displacement hydraulic pump, the variable displacement pump and the retarder valve are controlled by a digital electronic unit for the respective driving and working functions.

Abstract: The acoustical system has a sound-producing transducer mounted in the exhaust pipe of the engine, at proximity of the exhaust port and oriented toward the exhaust port, for emitting and directing a sound pulse toward the exhaust port. The sound-producing transducer is operable for bouncing a first sound pulse off the piston wall during the expansion cycle and immediately before opening the exhaust port, for creating a low pressure zone at the exhaust port and for enhancing the evacuation of exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. A second sound pulse is emitted at every compression cycle of the engine and directed at the exhaust port immediately before closing the exhaust port. The combination of the first and second sound pulses at every rotation of the engine provides an efficient scavenging and plugging of the engine for increasing the performance of the engine.

Abstract: Vibration damping means for a mounting post of a roll-over protection canopy of a heavy vehicle such as a tractor, earth mover, or the like. A hollow square post has slightly concave walls and slides over an upright square mounting stub on the vehicle, to which it is secured by a bolt which impales the post and the stub. A reduced upper end portion of the stub receives a vibration damping member which is in the form of a hollow square. The member has rounded corners which fit snugly in the corners of the post, and the span across opposite faces of the member is less than the internal width of the post so as not to bind in the post.