Abstract: Pawl catch device for two reciprocally-rotating parts, for example for an awning. The first part has a spring-loaded pawl with a tongue to engage with teeth on a toothed sector provided on the second part. The second part also comprises a shaft about which the first part rotates. The teeth on the toothed sector are disposed at successively increasing distances from the shaft, and the pawl is adapted to catch automatically in any of a plurality of angular positions, such that when the two parts are rotated back toward the starting position, the tongue passes clear of the top of that tooth with which it has just been engaged. The pawl is held by spring force against the teeth in each of the catch positions.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for moving a glass panel of a window of a vehicle has a motor and an input member connectable with the motor means for moving the glass panel. The input member is rotatable in two opposite directions so as to close or to open the glass panel. At the same time, the input member is displaceable between a first position in which it is coupled to a drive shaft of the motor and is rotated by the latter, and a second position in which the input member is uncoupled from the motor so as to be rotated by hand. A lock is provided which is inoperative in the position when the input member is coupled to the motor, and is operative in the position when the input member is uncoupled from the same. When the lock is operative permits rotation of the input member for closing the glass panel, but does not permit the rotation for opening of the latter so that unauthorized opening of the glass panel is prevented. The lock is formed as an overrunning lock provided with a locking element.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed having a motor operating mode and a manual operating mode, with the shifting from motor to manual operation accomplished by sliding the manual operator axially inward toward the actuator mechanism. The invention features a sliding rod mechanism abutting and coaxially aligned with the motor and manual operator, which shifts engagement from motor to manual upon movement inward of the manual operator. The rod mechanism is sized to prevent simultaneous engagement of the motor and the manual operator with the actuator gearing, and resilient biasing means may be provided to continuously bias the actuator toward motorized operation and disengagement of the manual operator.

Abstract: A wire stripper for removing the insulation from single-core or coaxial cable has a pair of elongated jaws which are hinged together at one end and are provided with a latch at the other end so that they can clamp the wire between them. One of the jaws carries a blade, preferably in a replaceable cartridge, adapted to penetrate into part of the periphery of the insulation of the wire while the other jaw is formed with a bed to receive the wire and hold it during penetration by the blade. One of the jaws is also provided with a ring or eye into which the user can insert a finger and thereby twirl the tool around to effect relative rotation of the tool and the wire to cut through the insulation over its entire circumference. The tool is then drawn off the wire axially or the wire is withdrawn axially from the tool to strip the severed length of insulation from the wire. When two axially spaced cuts are to be made, the replaceable cartridge is formed with two blades in parallel transversely spaced relation.

Abstract: A wrench usable where limited access normally requires an open-end wrench, but which has substantially the high-torque capacity and small radial clearance characteristics of a closed-end wrench. The wrench includes a sleeve forming a nut-engageable socket with a gap in its side, and an adaptor forming a socket with a gap in its side, the adaptor closely surrounding the sleeve and extending across the gap in the sleeve. The sleeve and adaptor have surfaces that become fully engaged when a wrench handle is applied to the adaptor to turn it so as to tighten a nut engaged by the sleeve.

Abstract: A multiple spindle automatic screw machine wherein in order to work small-diameter and relatively lengthy rods with high accuracy, the rods to be worked are supported by guide bushes incorporated integral with working tools into tool brackets in a working position with a tooling column held close to a spindle column, the tooling column being provided with a working tool drive mechanism for allowing the working tools to effect their working operation, the working tools each being provided with a working tool adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for refacing either pin or box portions of damaged pipe sections on site including a housing, a set of truing up plates mounted on the housing for initially positioning the damaged pipe sections inside the apparatus, a set of jaws mounted on the housing and provided with movable elements for adjustably securing the surface of the pipe section, a ring gear rotatably mounted on the housing, and resurfacing tools provided on the rotatable ring gear. An associated gearing mechanism tracks the resurfacing tool toward and away from the center of the pipe section as the ring gear is rotated by an attached conventional power source.Alternative gauging arms are provided for initially positioning the damaged pipe section inside the apparatus.

Abstract: Barstock being fed into an automatic machine, such as a lathe, for forming workpieces from the barstock is supported on a rotatable indexing head. Each elongate bar of barstock is received within an inner tube which is supported on an indexing head. The bar is supported within the associated tube in a radially spaced relation to the inner circumference of the tube by a plurality of spring mounted supports spaced about the outer circumference of the bar for resiliently supporting the bar as it is fed into the machine thereby to minimize noise.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a cradle for holding long tubes desired to be cut into individual tubes of shorter length. The cradle is generally cylindrical and mounted for rotation about its axis. Tubes are mounted in the cradle at a loading position, and a controller actuates a motor for driving the cradle inrotation to a cutting position. A plurality of saws are mounted on a shaft extending parallel with the axis of the cradle and rotating at high cutting speed. When the cradle is revolved to bring the tube to the cutting station, the tube is engaged by a surface belt drive to spin the tube in the cradle for cutting. In the case of tubes having greater wall thickness, the cradle is stopped momentarily just as the tubes are brought into cutting relation with the saws so that a partial peripheral cut is made while the cradle is stopped. The cradle is then continued to be rotated to complete the cut and to bring the cut tubes back to the original position at high speed.

Abstract: A shear for cutting sheet material which functions by pivoting a specially constructed pointed blade about an axis by means of an arm so that the blade pierces into and then cuts the sheet is described as well as the method for its use. The blade is constructed such that it has double cutting edges forming a point wherein the cutting edge towards the pivot axis for the arm is concave and forms the point with the other cutting edge in a shape which approximates a shark's tooth. The blade pierces the sheet when the arm is pivoted towards the sheet and then cuts outward along a square edged surface on a frame supporting the arm away from the place where the sheet was pierced by the point. The shear is particularly adapted for the hand cutting of U shaped building channel to a predetermined length.

Abstract: The device includes a fixed separating member with two mutually parallel thread guide plates spaced from one another and a cutting body movable toward the fixed member and operable by a textile machine. The cutting body includes two clamping shanks, which in the course of a cutting motion slide against the outer surfaces of the guide plates with a predetermined contact pressure in order to tension a thread guided crosswise over the guide plates. The cutting body also includes a blade so arranged between and parallel to the clamping shanks that in the direction of the cutting motion its cutting edge lies behind the clamping edges of the clamping shanks.

Abstract: An improved cutting device of the type having rotary vane knives, which cerate with stationary knives, for making patterned cuts in the edges of paper webs, particularly for the preparation of envelopes or envelope blanks, is provided. The device includes at least one cooperating knife pair, comprising one rotary knife and one stationary knife, disposed for cooperative engagement for making patterned cuts in the edges of paper webs moving therepast. The blades are made of materials differing from one another in hardness to an extent such that the softer knife can have material removed from it without damage to the latter, and at least one of the knives of the cooperating knife pair, is mounted for feeding movement toward its associated cooperating knife, while the cutting device is operated.

Abstract: A cutter assembly is disclosed for accurately profiling the free end of multi-conductor flat flexible cable for termination by known electrical connectors. The assembly includes a pair of fixed, parallel, spaced side shears and a transverse end shear. A cable is held in the assembly between a fluted shear plate and a spring biased pressure plate. The cutter assembly is actuated by conventional press means.

Abstract: An anvil roll has a steel core and an outer portion of polyurethane. The roll is slightly rotated after a number of veneer clipping operations by a clutch which drives the roll after the roll is pushed by a knife down away from arcuate braking surfaces. An airbag normally urges the roll into engagement with the braking surfaces and is collapsed during adjustment of the roll. Operation of the clutch is prevented during the clipping operation. A double-acting cylinder drives the knife through a toggle joint linkage, and cushioning cylinder means aid in overcoming inertia of the knife at the start of a clipping cycle and also cushion the return of the knife. The cylinder has poppet check valves to rapidly admit air thereto.

Abstract: A die-cutter assembly including a die-cutting roll and an anvil roll between which a web of material is passed for die-cutting of labels. Spacing between the rolls is controlled by a pair of bearings at each end of one of the rolls, each pair including an inner bearing in which the roll is journaled and an outer bearing which is in rolling contact with the die-cutting roll. A rotatable eccentric spacer between the inner and outer bearings provides an adjustment of the spacing between the axis of the cutting roll and the axis of the anvil roll.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises a waveshape memory delivering out digital value samples of one cycle of a certain waveshape, and a loop circuit including a filter and a shift register. The digital waveshape values read out from the waveshape memory is caused to circulate at a predetermined rate of time in the loop circuit. A waveshape taken out from the loop circuit varies as time lapses, and is utilized as a musical tone.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument such as a piano of relatively large size and heavy construction can be separated into two casings, each of which fully contains respective coacting elements of the instrument, for easy and free transportation, storage and access from outside.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuning system disposed and displayed upon a string instrument. The tuning system includes a first indicator displayed upon the surface of the string generally having three indicia zones representing a pitch alignment zone, a string tension load warning zone, and a zone indicating that the string is below pitch. The first indicator may take the form of a coating applied to the external surface of the string providing a plurality of visually discernable bands. A second indicator is displayed upon the instrument to provide a visual reference for the string markings. Rotatable displacement of a peg to which the string is fixedly secured provides for linear displacement of the bands with respect to the second indicator. Thus, rotation of the peg resulting in alignment of the tension load warning zone with the second indicator alerts the user that the string may rupture upon the addition of further tension.

Abstract: A machine for braiding filaments around a common axis including: two coaxial annular arrays of filament bobbins; there are filament guides for the radially outer array which alternately move their filaments radially inwardly of and then radially outwardly of the alternate ones of the radially inner array of bobbins; the motion of the filament guides is coordinated with the positions of the inner array of bobbins; one embodiment of the improvement relates to the filaments from the outer array of bobbins being maintained at a constant tension, without tensioning compensation means being required, as the filament guides shift the filaments from the outer array alternately radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the radially inner array of bobbins; in the other embodiment, the support for the braiding machine carries deflectors for deflecting the outer array bobbin filaments radially inwardly or outwardly, and the deflectors are adjustably positionable around the periphery of the inner bobbin array for enabli

Abstract: A system for sealing a wedge-type breech mechanism for a weapon firing caseless ammunition using a clamping stud in the external drive and enclosed in a recess provided in a wedge which axially presses a sealing ring against the sealing surface of a chamber wherein gear actuated clamping studs press a sealing ring against its sealing surface by a radially displaceable segment.

Abstract: Pre-cut square carpet samples are placed edgewise on the first of a stepped series of pairs of sample conveyor belts, the belts of each pair being separated to accommodate between them a power-operated beveler. An inclined sheet metal backing plate is provided adjacent each pair of the conveyor belts and has a cut-out through which another series of stepped belts operates immediately above each pair of conveyor belts in a plane at right angles thereto, the second series of belts spanning the spaces between the conveyor belts of each pair. Spring pressure bars lie immediately forwardly of and parallel to the belts of the second series and resiliently press the carpet samples into contact with the belts of the second series to assure firm contact of each edge of every carpet sample with the powered beveler as each sample passes thereover.

Abstract: A fluid source for delivering fluid to a control valve having Float, First direction and Second direction positions. A piston-bore check valve allows flow to the motor and normally blocks reverse flow, the piston having its first end biased against a seat. A control chamber communicates with the piston's second end. Flow is restricted between the motor's first end and the control chamber and there is a full flow path between the motor's first end and the bore to provide a force acting against the piston's first end. The control chamber connects with a sump. A drain valve entry port communicates with the motor's first end and an exit port thereof communicates with the sump to provide either entry port-exit port connection or blocking. A mechanism moves responsive to shifting of the control valve to shift the drain valve to connect the entry and exit ports when the control valve is in a Float or a Lower position and to block such connection in a Raise or Neutral position.

Abstract: A machine for producing cardboard plates or the like comprises punching apparatus for punching or cutting off pieces of sheet material and delivering them edgewise under gravity to be received alternately by two containers. One container is open at each end, the second is permanently closed at one end. The first container is fixed to an oscillating unit and the second is pivoted thereto. When swinging in one direction the unit carries the first container to a position for receiving a piece from the punching apparatus and the second container to a vertical guiding element leading to one pair of dies on a twin press. In the reverse movement, the oscillating unit carries the first container to a position for feeding its piece through its opposite end to a second vertical guiding element leading to the second pair of dies in the press. In this movement, a link swings the second container about its axis on the oscillating unit to present the open end of the container to the punching apparatus.

Abstract: A control for a compartment fluid pressure regulating system in which the control provides pressure signals to an outflow valve by way of fluid pressure signal transmission means, has a chamber coupled to two fluid pressure sources. The control has fluid flow control means to control the passageways between the chamber and the pressure sources, the flow characteristics of the two flow controls differing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for smoking foods. An enclosure is presented which is characterized by an absence of any ventilating means. The enclosure is substantially air tight. Hickory or other exotic wood blocks or chips are used as the source of smoke and an electric heating element raises the temperature in the enclosure to approximately 200.degree.-300.degree. F. This activates the wood and produces the desired smoke. The increase in temperature also produces an increase in pressure within the enclosure which in turn causes a pressure differential between the inside and the outside of any food being processed. This forces smoke and wood resins to permeate the meat and enhance the food with the desired smoke flavor. The enclosure in which the food is smoked is also of unique design in that the back wall is presented in three planes so as to avoid forming any right angles with any other sidewalls.

Abstract: A curd-cutting tool is rotatable about an axis within an immobile curdling container, driving means being provided for rotating this tool in one direction around said axis to cut the cheese curd; and means are operatively connected to the driving means for causing interruptions in the rotation of the tool in said one direction during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A portable waste compactor for automatically compressing, from above, waste material deposited in a dolly-supported waste bin has a hydraulically actuated reciprocable ram mechanism including a ram plate operative to compress the waste material within the waste bin. A chute leading to the waste bin extends forewardly thereof and of the ram mechanism, and has a top opening for the feeding of waste material to be compacted. The ram plate is pivotally mounted with respect to a ram cylinder piston and cam means is provided for tilting the forward end of the ram plate upwardly to provide for unimpeded passage of refuse through the chute into the compacting bin when the said ram is at its uppermost position of rest at the end of a cycle of ram operation. Electrical interlocking means controlling operation of the hydraulic system prevents operation of the ram mechanism unless the dolly and its associated refuse bin is in proper position, and unless a cover covering the waste discharge chute is in closed position.

Abstract: An assembly for cleaning and packing tobacco leaves after curing. The cured tobacco leaves are conveyed to a rotating drum of wire construction to allow sand and dirt to be removed from the tobacco leaves while being tumbled. The cleaned tobacco leaves are then deposited within a sheeting ring which is positioned on a tobacco sheet. A power operated compression member engages the tobacco leaves within the ring to compress the same. Locking elements are provided for selectively engaging the sheeting ring with the compression member for removing the same as a unit from the tobacco, following which the ends of the tobacco sheet are tied together.

Abstract: A moisture control feed system of the bare-back type in which there is in nip-contact with a moisture transfer roll and the moisture transfer roll is driven solely by the shear resistance offered by the intervening layers at the nip of the ink and the moisture. The system includes an ink reservoir that simulates an oleophilic image in the form of a narrow strip extending transverse the direction of rotation of the master cylinder and is located outside the master retention area to supply ink to the oleophilic moisture form roll. The simulated image maintains the proper ink layer thickness on the oleophilic moisture form roll and the ink quality to assure proper rotational speed control of the transfer roll.

Abstract: A dampening system for a lithographic printing press which includes, in series, a driven fountain roller, an adjustable intermediate roller, a driven distributor roller, and an adjustable form roller, the latter engaging the printing plate, the intermediate and form rollers being mounted upon respective throw-off levers. A single actuator is used, connected to the form roller throw-off lever. The intermediate roller throw-off lever is effectively in the path of final movement of the form roller throw-off lever, for throw-off by the latter, so that upon subsequent restoration to working position a water path is completed progressively through all of the rollers starting with the fountain roller, and with the form roller touching the plate last, thereby to insure, regardless of the length of the period of throw-off, that the form roller will be wetted to proper degree, free of either flooding or starvation, before being applied to the plate.

Abstract: A fastening bar for securing printing plates to a printing machine, especially a rotary printing press, comprises a base and a clamping bar fastened thereto, the clamping and release of the printing plate being effected by an eccentric shaft. In the base one or more clamping elements are displaceably mounted and have ends juxtaposed with the opposing clamping surface of the clamping bar, the opposite ends bearing against springs which permit compensation for different thickness along the edge of the printing plate.

Abstract: A harmonic converting or generating material, particularly adapted for use as chaff in decoy rounds, and a method of fabricating the same. The material is formed from metallic foil to have the characteristics of a dipole and which by the addition to the midpoint thereof of semiconductor or other polarizable material has the capability of reradiating incident frequencies along with radiating harmonics thereof or undesirable noise. Thus, the passive material, when activated by an active source, such as a radar unit, serves to convert or generate spurious frequencies, harmonics and noise, in addition to reradiating the fundamental frequency of the active energy source, thus giving the illusion of a plurality of independent energy sources.

Abstract: The invention provides a pyrotechnic device comprising a casing containing an electrically-operable ignition device for igniting a charge, the ignition device comprising a base and an electric igniter head electrically connected to two spaced and mutually insulated terminals in the base. One terminal is disposed centrally within the base and the other terminal is located, at least in part, on the periphery of the base. The base is fitted within an opening in an electrically-conductive wall of the casing, the other terminal making electrical contact with this wall. Means are provided to prevent the ignition device from being ejected from the casing under the shock loading resulting from ignition of said charge.

Abstract: A fumer exhibiting reduced base drag and a high specific impulse is provided by using as the pyrotechnic charge in the projectile a composition comprising a metal powder/alkaline earth metal compound formulation containing at least about 20 percent by weight of a plasticized resin and at least about 10 percent by weight of an active oxidizer for said resin. The metal powder is present in greater than stoichiometric amounts relative to the amount of alkaline earth metal compound and the pyrotechnic composition is effective to provide rapid burning in the near wake area of the projectile and fuel-rich combustion products.

Abstract: A controlled degree of ballast compaction is obtained with a mobile track tamping and leveling machine which comprises a track holding device holding the track at a leveled position under the control of an error signal from a reference system. The track is raised and ballast is compacted under the points of intersection between the track rails and ties, the ballast being pressed against the held track until it has reached a controlled degree of compaction. Jacking of the track is terminated before tamping.

Abstract: A tamping head with a pair of vibratory and reciprocatory tamping tools mounted on a vertically adjustable carrier for immersion in the ballast in the cribs, with the ties positioned between the tools. Each tamping tool is constituted by a lever pivotal in a vertical plane about a transverse pivot, and stops are mounted on the carrier for setting at least three different reciprocating strokes for the tamping tools, with a remote-controlled multi-step drive for setting the stops.

Abstract: A system for utilizing the weight and momentum of moving vehicles to produce usable energy comprising a fluid displacement pump positioned either under a moveable plate in a roadway or between the rail and railbed in a railway which compresses a fluid such as air or hydraulic fluid as the vehicle passes over, a low pressure line for supplying fluid to the pump chamber, a high pressure outlet line communicating with the chamber and connected to a manifold which is supplied with high pressure fluid from a number of other similar pumps and which directs the fluid to an energy conversion device such as a fluid motor and electric generator, or a fluid motor driving an air compressor, or to a fluid motor driving machinery in a factory or other industrial plant.

Abstract: A drive for a railway track-bound propulsion vehicle includes a traction motor with output shafts on both sides. The motor is longitudinally arranged between two driving axles of a track-bound propulsion vehicle and is designed without a housing. In addition, the drive pinions are arranged directly on the rotor shaft which is supported in bearings in the transmission housing which also supports the stator of the traction motor. To take up the thermal expansion due to the different temperature rise of the stator and the rotor, at least one centering coupling which permits longitudinal displacement is provided in the train of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An improved railroad car truck side bearing assembly comprising two spring means spaced apart in a manner so as to concentrically envelop the side bearing mounting holes of a railroad car truck bolster; a base for mounting to a railroad car truck bolster and having pockets at each of its longitudinal extremities for receiving one end of a spring means so as to retain the spring means in its desired location, the base further having a centrally located upstanding projection partially enveloping the two spring means and also provided with a side wall having angularly and laterally disposed surfaces; a cap having pockets in its longitudinal extremities to receive and retain the other ends of the spring means, the cap having a pair of centrally located depending members which co-operatively interengage the projection of the base, the cap also being provided with a side wall having angularly and laterally disposed surfaces to co-operatively engage the similar surfaces located on the base.

Abstract: A system for securing vehicles to a rail car for transport thereby, with the system including a bi-directional tie-down assembly and a ratchet assembly, or the like, separate therefrom and with the bi-directional tie-down assembly having a double chain in a triangulated configuration for restraining the associated vehicle at the point of engagement. A pivotable hook assembly is provided which allows the selection of one or more hook configurations.

Abstract: A center filler arrangement for railway vehicles provides a large center filler bottom lug welded in position and having mounting recesses for front and rear center filler plates to interconnect the side webs of a center sill to provide a rigid, dimensionally stable, flat surface for attachment of a center plate.

Abstract: A vertically-adjustable drafting table having a base with a pair of telescoping support columns defining an open area between the columns suitable for accommodating any of a variety of modular storage unit combinations. Vertical adjustment of the table top occurs through synchronized and counterbalanced extension and retraction of the telescoping support columns, such synchronizing and counterbalancing being achieved by mechanism housed completely within the base assembly.

Abstract: In a table having a stationary base, a table top linearly translatable with respect to the base is disclosed. The table top translates on a roller and rail assembly located intermediate the table top and a base plate that is affixed to the table base. The table top translates along the extension of the rails and structure is also included for releasably locking the table top in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions.

Abstract: A coal-dolomite mixture is ground into particle-sized bits and fed into a downward sloping duct beneath the distributor plate in a fluidized-bed combustor. High velocity air is introduced through ports spaced at intervals along the bottom of the duct, thereby entraining the mixture in an air stream. The air and entrained solid is guided upward into a slot-like chamber which passes through the distributor plate and opens into the fluidized bed a distance above the plate. Vanes in the duct and chamber and baffles above the chamber exit control the flow of the air and entrained solids so that the coal-dolomite mixture is evenly distributed throughout the fluidized bed. The distributor plate is covered with a layer of high temperature alumina stones graded in size, with the coarse stones in closest contact with the plate and the fine stones on top, thereby shielding the plate from the high temperatures of the combustion zone and preventing the weeping of hot and ash burning coal particles onto the plate.

Abstract: A field transplant system including a machine for sequentially forming groups of polymerized soil plugs having seed receiving recesses in one end thereof and supported on a carrier, and in certain cases interconnected by strips, the carrier being used to transport the soil plugs through a seeding station and then to a germination station and then to a growing station either in the flat or on a plant turning machine in a greenhouse to grow the germinated seeds to transplant size, and then using the carrier to transport the soil plugs with the transplants growing therein to the field for transplanting by an automatic transplanter; several forms of soil plugs are disclosed, and several methods for supplying seeds to the soil plugs are disclosed, as well as an improved method of mounting a mat of soil plugs on the cylinder of a plant turning machine.

Abstract: In an automatic sewing machine of the type comprising a memory device storing a predetermined sewing pattern, a movable head including a cloth clamping member for clamping a piece of cloth to be sewed to a movable head, a pulse motor controlled by an electric signal read out from the memory device for moving the movable head at a predetermined speed thereby sewing the piece of cloth according to the sewing pattern, a working tool is mounted on the sewing machine, and a blank of a cloth clamping member is mounted on the movable head at a position to be worked by the working tool. At this time the pulse motor is driven at a speed lower than the predetermined speed, thereby working the blank to have a profile corresponding to the sewing pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tab (43) of the type attachable to an easy-open container wall to open of a tear panel of the container wall, including an initial step of placing a protruding stitch (45) in a sheet metal strip (47) from which the tab is to be formed. Thereafter, a tab blank (51) is cut in the strip of sheet metal, with this cut starting and ending immediately adjacent to opposite sides of the stitch, but the cutting die is separated slightly from the stitch. Thereafter, the outer periphery (61) of the tab blank is curled onto the inner surface of the tab blank. The stitch is then severed adjacent the tab.

Abstract: In a cargo vessel having a hold for cargo and/or containers, a portable deck with movable deck supports connected to the deck for securing and/or releasing the portable decks in the hold of the vessel; wherein the vessel is provided with support members for receiving the movable deck supports of the portable decks; a female connection on the portable deck for engagement with a lift spreader for the support and movement of the portable deck when the deck is released from being supported by the movable deck supports by receiving a driving force from the lift spreader to move the movable deck supports. This invention further relates to a portable deck which can be lowered into the hold of a vessel and be received by supports in the hold of the vessel for supporting the deck and providing for removal of the deck by retracting the supports from the receiving members in the hold of the vessel.

Abstract: A single point mooring apparatus for loading a tanker from a sub-sea source including surface and submerged flotation chambers connected by a hollow mooring line which has its lower end releasably connected to a permanent pile anchor in the ocean bottom. Flexible flowlines are connected to the surface buoy for transferring fluids to the ship and a ship mooring hawser is connected from below the surface for securing the ship to the mooring apparatus.

Abstract: A single-point mooring system is provided for substantially permanently mooring a floating structure, such as an offshore natural gas treatment facility located on a shipform hull, to an anchor point. A rigid anchor structure, fixed to the bottom of the water body, defines a vertically oriented circular cylinder above the water surface. A collar is mounted circumferentially of the cylinder for movement about and along the cylinder. A pair of rigid arms extend from the floating structure in spaced relation to either side of the cylinder and are spaced equally from the roll axis of the floating structure.