Abstract: A former (10) for a reinforced concrete cage making machine, adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods is disclosed, the former (10) including a frame comprising an inner frame (21), an outer frame (20) and transverse frame members (22), and a plurality of rod supports (11), each rod support (11) adapted to hold an associated longitudinally extending rod, wherein the rod supports (11) are mounted to the frame (21, 20, 22) such that the transverse location of at least one of the rod supports (11) can be varied, relative to the frame (21, 20, 22).

Abstract: An apparatus for making reinforcing cages, the apparatus having: a frame; a former adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods; a bed attached to the frame, wherein the former rests on and is able to rotate relative to the bed; a drive for rotating the former; a loading module located adjacent to the former; a shuttle mounted on the loading module for longitudinal reciprocal movement towards and away from the former, wherein the shuttle feeds reinforcing rods into the former by moving towards the former, and withdraws the reinforcing rods from the former by moving away from the former as a reinforcing band is positioned around the reinforcing bars; and a rotatable cage holder adapted to hold a reinforcing cage during construction of the reinforcing cage, the cage holder being adapted to substantially prevent twisting of the reinforcing rods which form part of the reinforcing cage.

Abstract: An inflatable buoy (20) that may be worn by a person, such as a swimmer, and used as a flotation aid and beacon in an emergency situation. The buoy (20) has securing means (2a) for being secured to a forearm (3) of a person, an inflatable balloon (4a) that when uninflated is disposed on the securing means (2a) and when inflated is separate from the securing means (2a), a tether (7a) anchoring the balloon (4a) to the securing means (2a), and a gas dispenser (30a) that, when activated, inflates the balloon (4a) with gas. The buoy (20) also has a pair of handles (21) for gripping by a person as well as a pop-up flag (22). In another embodiment of the invention, the buoy may be used as an air beacon whereby the balloon is filled with gas that is lighter than air and the balloon can float to a height determined by the length of the tether.

Abstract: An inflatable buoy (20) that may be worn by a person, such as a swimmer, and used as a flotation aid and beacon in an emergency situation. The buoy (20) has securing means (2a) for being secured to a forearm (3) of a person, an inflatable balloon (4a) that when uninflated is disposed on the securing means (2a) and when inflated is separate from the securing means (2a), a tether (7a) anchoring the balloon (4a) to the securing means (2a), and a gas dispenser (30a) that, when activated, inflates the balloon (4a) with gas. The buoy (20) also has a pair of handles (21) for gripping by a person as well as a pop-up flag (22). In another embodiment of the invention, the buoy may be used as an air beacon whereby the balloon is filled with gas that is lighter than air and the balloon can float to a height determined by the length of the tether.

Abstract: A former (10) for a reinforced concrete cage making machine, adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods is disclosed, the former (10) including a frame comprising an inner frame (21), an outer frame (20) and transverse frame members (22), and a plurality of rod supports (11), each rod support (11) adapted to hold an associated longitudinally extending rod, wherein the rod supports (11) are mounted to the frame (21, 20, 22) such that the transverse location of at least one of the rod supports (11) can be varied, relative to the frame (21, 20, 22).

Abstract: An apparatus for making reinforcing cages, the apparatus having: a frame; a former adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods; a bed attached to the frame, wherein the former rests on and is able to rotate relative to the bed; a drive for rotating the former; a loading module located adjacent to the former; a shuttle mounted on the loading module for longitudinal reciprocal movement towards and away from the former, wherein the shuttle feeds reinforcing rods into the former by moving towards the former, and withdraws the reinforcing rods from the former by moving away from the former as a reinforcing band is positioned around the reinforcing bars; and a rotatable cage holder adapted to hold a reinforcing cage during construction of the reinforcing cage, the cage holder being adapted to substantially prevent twisting of the reinforcing rods which form part of the reinforcing cage.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a reinforcing cage as disclosed. The apparatus has a former for receiving a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods and the former is rotatably received on a bed carried by a frame. An unloading module is located adjacent the former and has a shuttle for moving towards the former for feeding rods into the former and away from the former for withdrawing the rods as a cage is made. A feed is present adjacent the former for directing a reinforcing rod against the rod as they are withdrawn from the former to allow the spiral rod to be welded to the longitudinal rods as to produce a reinforcing cage.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.

Abstract: A variable resistance control has a resistance element, a collector, and a low noise contactor wipably engaging the resistance element and the collector. The contactor is provided with a pair of arms and a plurality of fingers extend outwardly from each of the arms. A contact extends from each of the fingers and wipably engages the resistance element. The contacts on one of the arms are spaced apart lengthwise of the resistance element from the contacts on the other arm for reducing contact noise.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.