Abstract: A support device for use in supporting an animal during the carrying out of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan includes a main bed (A) on which the body of an animal can be supported and an auxiliary unit (J), which is movable relative to the main bed (A) and on which structures are provided for supporting a limb of the animal on the main bed (A) while an MRI scan is carried out on the limb.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting stones and blocks comprises means (5A, 6A) for supporting a stone or block while it is subject to a splitting operation, a unit which includes an upper blade (1) for engaging an upper surface of the stone or block and a lower blade (10) for engaging a lower surface of the stone or block, means (5) for effecting movement of the upper blade (1) downwardly towards the lower blade (10), a base (1A, 3A), and resilient support means (11) acting between the base (1A, 3A) and the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting stones and blocks comprises means (5A, 6A) for supporting a stone or block while it is subject to a splitting operation, a unit which includes an upper blade (1) for engaging an upper surface of the stone or block and a lower blade (10) for engaging a lower surface of the stone or block, means (5) for effecting movement of the upper blade (1) downwardly towards the lower blade (10), a base (1A, 3A), and resilient support means (11) acting between the base (1A, 3A) and the unit.

Abstract: A splitter for splitting stone, concrete, wood and the like comprising a frame (21), a first splitter blade (24) moveable relative to the frame (21), a second splitter blade (23), and hydraulically actuatable means (26, 27) for pulling the first splitter blade (24) towards the second splitter blade (23) to effect said splitting. The hydraulically actuatable means (26, 27) preferably acts on end portions of the first blade (24) to provide increased leverage for the splitting operation. The first blade (24) is preferably provided with centering means (32, 28, 29, 31) for urging the first blade (24) into a central position when it has been moved to one side during the splitting operation.

Abstract: A panel for a padded enclosure, such as a large animal treatment room in veterinary practices, has a resilient body with an impermeable skin or a plastics coating (5) over one face (1) and the edges (2). The edges have longitudinal grooves (4) and the coating follows them so that when two panels are placed edge to edge there is a concealed void. These edges (2) are adhered and sealed together when lining the enclosure, coated faces innermost, but the sealant/adhesive (6) does not fill the voids. These voids compensate for the stiffness that would be inherent in a plain coated edge and make the cushioning effect of the padding substantially uniform.

Abstract: A survey system employs a ground-based extendible mast so that survey instruments, such as cameras, mounted at the top of the mast can attain heights comparable to those of low-level aerial photography. The mast is mounted on a base structure that houses a self-contained power plant, including an internal combustion engine, electric batteries and means for compressing fluid and storing it in a pressurized state. The mast may be telescopic and also tiltable, and the instrument pack at the top may be controlled from ground level to move to selected attitudes, e.g. to pan and tilt.Simpler versions are described, omitting the power plant and adjustable entirely manually, and one system is carried by an operator rather than being ground based.