Abstract: A fishing rod cover system for protecting the fishing rod from damage and for reducing entanglement of the fishing line during nonuse. The inventive device includes an elongate cover having an upper opening and a lower opening, a pair of catch members attached to the elongate cover adjacent the lower opening, and an attaching member catchably attachable to the catch members. The elongate cover is formed to receive the elongate shaft of a fishing rod without damaging the shaft. The attaching member is formed to snugly engage the distal end of the handle of the fishing rod opposite of the shaft for retaining the cover about the shaft of the fishing rod. The attaching member includes a first strap and a second strap each having a plurality of nubs that are catchably inserted within the catch members for retaining the attaching member upon handle of the fishing rod.

Abstract: Each gripper chain assembly is driven by its own headshaft. The headshafts rotate in opposite senses and are powered from a motor/reducer combination. A sheave on the output shaft of the reducer is coupled by one endless belt with a sheave on one of the headshafts, and it is also coupled with a sheave on the other of the headshafts by another endless belt. The one belt is in a non-twisted configuration so that the sheave on the one headshaft rotates in the same sense as the reducer output shaft. The other belt is twisted into a figure eight configuration so that the sheave on the other headshaft rotates in the opposite sense. The two headshafts therefore provide the desired counter-rotation of the two gripper chain assemblies. The motor reducer is mounted on a base plate which is adjustably positionable on the conveyor's frame so as to enable the drive to be adjusted whenever the spacing distance between the two gripper chain assemblies is adjusted for conveying a different sized article.

Abstract: A plurality of selected fixed hydraulic geometry turbine generators are programmed for operation at rated efficiencies by interrupting flow to the turbines under control of a programmable power controller receiving water level, flow and power monitoring inputs. The turbines selected are of discreet sizes simultaneously operative only under maximum flow conditions of the hydropower source, and otherwise operated in accordance with an optimum duty schedule to match varying flow conditions.

Abstract: A layer of foamed material and an oxygen impervious surface covering are interposed between areas of a meat portion and a wrapper film where puncture is likely to occur.

Abstract: An improved track assembly adapted for use with crawler-type vehicles of the type including a joint having a shaft, an element journalled on the shaft, a lubricant port opening to one end of the shaft and in fluid communication with the interface of the shaft and the element, and a removable plug received in the port for confining lubricant therein. The invention contemplates the improvement wherein the plug is an elastomeric sleeve having a frusto-conical outer surface and a rod of translucent material received within and sealed against the sleeve. The presence or absence of lubricant within the port is ascertained by optical inspection of the end of the rod exterior of the port without removing the plug from the port.

Abstract: Hog loins or other meat items are trimmed to a base weight by severing from one relatively uniform end of each loin a single portion having a length determined by the amount of actual weight of said loin which exceeds the base weight multiplied by a factor representing a lineal relationship between increments of weight and length taken from corresponding uniform ends of other loins which also exceeded the base weight.

Abstract: A layer of foamed material and an oxygen impervious surface covering are interposed between areas of a meat portion and a wrapper film where puncture is likely to occur.