Abstract: Disclosed is an alfalfa seed designated HybriForce-3400 and deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-123758. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the HybriForce-3400 cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in alfalfa breeding and alfalfa transformation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alfalfa seed designated HybriForce-3400 and deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-______. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the HybriForce-3400 cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in alfalfa breeding and alfalfa transformation.

Abstract: An infant personal flotation device (PFD) that comprises a torso float, a head float and a harness. The torso float is wider at the leg region than at the neck region and includes a non-conforming and planar buoyant material. The torso float is wider than the torso of an infant, such that an infant falling in water will automatically assume a supinating position regardless of the position the infant had when he entered the water.

Abstract: A personal flotation device with a back float adjustably connected to a front float through a shoulder strap. The front float has a shoulder strap guide that prevents the shoulder strap from falling off a top portion of the front float. Adjustment of the personal flotation device is done by pulling on the end of the shoulder strap, the end of the shoulder strap being located on the front float and thereby easy to access.

Abstract: An infant personal flotation device (PFD) that comprises a torso float, a head float and a harness. The torso float is wider at the leg region than at the neck region and includes a non-conforming and planar buoyant material. The torso float is wider than the torso of an infant, such that an infant falling in water will automatically assume a supinating position regardless of the position the infant had when he entered the water.

Abstract: A personal flotation device (PFD) with flotation foam is disclosed. A soft PFD, or a life jacket, is made up of a number of individual pockets in which flotation foam is enclosed to provide buoyancy. An additional layer of soft foam is fastened between the flotation foam and the material forming one side of each individual pocket to create a rounded edge that covers the harder edges of the flotation foam that cause user discomfort. To manufacture the soft PFD, two layers of material are first fastened to each other at their edges to form at least one open pocket. A soft foam layer is fastened by its edges to the exterior of one or both of the material layers, or simultaneously as the two material layers are fastened together. The open pocket is subsequently turned inside out to form an inverted pocket. This causes the material layer with the fastened soft foam layer to round out. Flotation foam is then inserted into the inverted pocket, which is subsequently closed.

Abstract: A personal flotation device (PFD) with flotation foam is disclosed. A soft PFD, or a life jacket, is made up of a number of individual pockets in which flotation foam is enclosed to provide buoyancy. An additional layer of soft foam is fastened between the flotation foam and the material forming one side of each individual pocket to create a rounded edge that covers the harder edges of the flotation foam that cause user discomfort. To manufacture the soft PFD, two layers of material are first fastened to each other at their edges to form at least one open pocket. A soft foam layer is fastened by its edges to the exterior of one or both of the material layers, or simultaneously as the two material layers are fastened together. The open pocket is subsequently turned inside out to form an inverted pocket. This causes the material layer with the fastened soft foam layer to round out. Flotation foam is then inserted into the inverted pocket, which is subsequently closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective gear having a primary front protective pad and a rear protective pad, the front and rear pads being flexibly connected to one another and being adjustable relative to one another. This allows the primary front protective pad to extend to a greater or lesser extent downwardly over the player's abdomen, so as to accommodate the desired positioning of the front protective pad on the player's body. The protective gear also has arm sections that are adjustable in length to permit desired positioning on the player's arms. In a variant, the protective gear of the invention also has an adjustable secondary front pad which is attached to the primary front pad and the rear pad and which is configured to cover the player's upper chest and clavicle areas. The protective gear according to the invention is particularly useful for ice hockey players and particularly goaltenders.

Abstract: The goaltender's blocker has an angled upper area, with the inside edge of the blocker being raised more than the outside edge. The angled upper area thus angles outwardly away from the plane of the rest of the blocking pad, and also towards the outside edge. One result of this configuration is that when the goaltender is in the usual upright position with the blocker oriented generally upright, a puck which hits the angled portion of the blocker will be deflected outwardly, i.e. toward the corner of the hockey rink, instead of rebounding in front of the net where a goal may be scored by an offensive player.

Abstract: A boat mooring apparatus which includes a pair of identical boat frames adapted to be mounted on the edge of a dock with straps extending between the ends of each respective boat frame, under tension. A quick release device is provided on the frame for slackening the straps to allow the boat to be brought closer to the dock for boarding. The boat can be moored by means of lines brought against the snubbing apparatus which keeps the boat spaced from the dock to avoid unnecessary damage thereto.