Abstract: A cutting or grooving device for paper or cardboard webs, comprising at least two rotatably driven shafts having at least one tool carrier for a cutting or grooving tool arranged thereon, the tool carrier having at least one radially movable chuck adapted to be brought into engagement with the shaft, and an actuating device for the chuck adapted to be controlled from outside the shaft, the chuck being actuable magnetically via a current supply.

Abstract: A synthesizer guitar controller pickup and method for generating control signals for a synthesizer. The control signals are NOTE, GATE, and VELOCITY. NOTE corresponds to the pitch, GATE corresponds to when the sound is initiated and stopped and VELOCITY is a signal which is proportional to the force applied to the guitar string. A DC sensor, such as a photo detector or Hall Effect transducer, is employed to detect these signals. The DC sensor measures how far the string deviates from its rest position, this value is the VELOCITY signal. The flyback from the peak deflection initiates the GATE signal to turn on the sound. When the string stops vibrating, the GATE, and thus the sound, is turned off.

Abstract: A percussion instrument includes a body, a percussion head carried by the body, and a variable tension-exerting mechanism to vary the pitch of sound produced when the head is struck. An actuating mechanism for actuating the variable tension-exerting mechanism includes a pedal having a generally planar user-engageable top surface, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a pivot. A lever is pivotably mounted on the pivot and includes a portion extending toward the heel of the pedal and accessible to the user's foot along one side of the heel while the user's foot is positioned on the top surface of the pedal. The lever also includes a portion which extends to the toe of the pedal and provides an engaging mechansim. A positioning mechanism on the percussion instrument is selectively engageable by the engaging mechanisms on the lever for selectively fixing the position of the pedal.

Abstract: An add-on device for a pedal-operated musical instrument, particularly a Hi-Hat machine having a main pedal operable between a normal position, and another position lower than the normal position for corresponding displacement of an elongated pulling rod along a longitudinal direction thereof, the main pedal being normally returnable from the lower position to the normal position, includes an elongated stationary member, a member movable with respect to the stationary elongated member, and adapted to operatively abut the main pedal, and a releasable blocking device which may be actuated so as to block relative movement between the members, thereby inhibiting a return movement of the main pedal from the lower position to the normal position.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument having a plurality of keys which upon actuation each generate a tone correlated to the respective key, and having a plurality of optical display means on each of said keys, said display means indicating the sequence of the keys to be actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for realizing the running-in of a fluid comprising at least an explosible component sensitive to shocks and/or rubbing.The process of the invention consists in filling the moulds 2 with a specified quantity of casting powder P, in running-in a casting solvent S into the moulds 2 placed under reduced pressure, and in then curing the blocks thus cast to gel the casting powder. The running-in of the casting solvent S into the mould 2 from the storage tank 3, and the beginning and the end of this running-in of the casting solvent are controlled by controlling the pressure difference existing between the pressure prevailing in the storage tank and that prevailing in the mould 2. Thus, it is possible to control the running-in of the casting solvent into the moulds remotely.The present invention applies especially in the industry for the manufacture of solid propellant compositions.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable weapon launch system for an aircraft is described which comprises a rack providing four point support for a launchable weapon and being movable between a stored position wherein the weapon is flush against the aircraft and an extended position wherein the weapon is deployed for launch, a pair of parallel slots defined along respective first and second sides of the rack, at least two lugs slidably received by each slot for attachment to the weapon and four point support thereof, first and second pairs of links of respective preselected lengths pivotally connecting respective forward and rearward ends of the rack to the aircraft, the respective lengths of the links selected to provide a preselected degree of inclination of the extended rack relative to the aircraft, and a hydraulic actuator for moving the rack between stored and extended positions.

Abstract: To reduce the space required within the rotatable turret housing 24 of an armored vehicle for transferring cartridged ammunition 3 from a magazine 4 in the hull to a magazine 10 in the turret, the gun barrel 1, which is pivotal about a cradle axis 2, is used as a transporting means for the change of ammunition. To transport the cartridged ammunition 3 into the chamber 15 of the gun barrel, the ammunition 3 of the hull magazine 4 in the removal position 5 is arranged at an angle within vehicle hull 23 so that the ammunition 3 forms a straight line 7 with the bore axis 6 of the gun barrel 1, which has been raised by an elevation angle .alpha. with respect to the horizontal. To guide the cartridged ammunition 3 in the region of the recoil path s of the barrel 1, pivotal conduits or spacers 11, 12 are fastened to hull magazine 4 and to turret magazine 10.

Abstract: A detonator lock on an automatic firearm, with a breech mechanism which is displaceable from a rear position into a priming position, comprises a safety device which can be pushed into the path of the closing device and is operatively connected with the support piece of the detonator. The safety device can be rigidly barred by a spring-supported lock bolt, the lock bolt which is held in position by a control element which is inserted in the path of the safety device before the safety device has moved into either the secured or the priming position.

Abstract: A safety device for an automatic weapon such as a submachine gun, comprises a safety catch in addition to the sear. The safety catch is mounted for limited longitudinal movement and for vertical swinging movement on the weapon. A spring urges it continuously rearwardly; and in its rearmost depressed position, it is held depressed beneath a detent. The breech block has a triggering hook at its rear end, that releases the safety catch and moves it forwardly against the spring action, toward the end of a firing stroke of the breech block. The safety catch is depressed by a cam surface on the breech block, to the extent that the spring can pull it beneath the detent, only at the rearmost portion of the travel of the breech block, when the sear locks the breech block against unintended forward motion. The breech block has intermediate notches, between that rearmost hook and the cam, which will be engaged by the raised safety catch if the rearward motion of the breech block is incomplete.

Abstract: An automatic weapon is provided with a device for increasing the rate of fire. The breech mechanism of the weapon is controlled by means of recoil movements which arise on discharge of the weapon, and by an operating cam and spring member included in the breech mechanism. Two case ejectors are disposed for arresting the breech block in the total recoil position of the breech and holding the breech block in the open position for ramming-home of a new round. In the arrested position of the breech block, the ejectors are exposable to the new round during its ramming cycle. A portion of the kinetic energy inherent in the round is transmitted to the ejectors which, may accompany the round and release the breech block for actuation by the spring member towards its closed position. The operating cam is movably disposed at least when the breech is located in the total recoil position.

Abstract: The cylinder for a two cycle engine includes at least a port opened and closed by a piston in the cylinder the port being divided into a plurality of port portions by a rib extending longitudinally of the cylinder. The inner surface of the cylinder is formed with elongated concave recesses at the respective ends of the rib extending in the direction of extension thereof for regulating the pressing force per unit area of honing process. Each of the concave recesses has preferably substantially the same width as the width of the rib and the sum of the lengths of the concave recesses is preferably substantially the same as the length of the port.

Abstract: A sensing system for a vibration isolation table. A sensor responsive to the position of the tabletop is spaced apart from the tabletop and provides an output corresponding to the position of the tabletop. The output is modified to provide a control signal and a valve responsive to the modified signal controls the flow of air into and out of an air isolator which supports the load.

Abstract: An elevating apparatus for a working vehicle includes separate front lifting and rear lifting mechanisms that can be elevated by hydraulic cylinders, a feedback rod arranged between a link arm of one of the lifting mechanisms and a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for controlling the hydraulic cylinders. A change-over lever selects the front lifting mechanism or the rear lifting mechanism, and an elevating lever controls elevation of the lifting mechanisms. When one of the lifting mechanisms is selected and elevated by operation of the change-over lever, the elevating lever is operated normally without causing abutment between an adjuster member attached to the feedback rod that is interactive with the elevating lever, and an interactive member of the elevating lever. A return mechanism between the change-over lever and the elevating lever enables the elevating lever to be returned to the neutral position when selecting one of the front and rear lifting mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling operation of an aerial lift having a boom. A hydraulic fluid pump is connected to a hydraulic cylinder, and the control arrangement controls the supply of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid pump to the cylinder and controls the supply of hydraulic fluid pressure to a first pilot fluid port and to a second pilot fluid port of a pilot operated control valve to control operation of the pilot operated control valve. A first hydrulic fluid conduit operably connects the hydraulic fluid pump to a first pilot fluid port, and a second hydraulic fluid conduit operably connects the hydraulic fluid pump to a second pilot fluid port of said control valve. A control handle selectively vents hydraulic fluid from the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to control fluid pressure at the pilot ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a hydrostatic steering motor of the type having a slide valve arrangement in which inner and outer sleeves are rotatable relative to each other to both sides of a neutral position through a limited small angle. A bypass throttle between the pump and tank connections of the control device has a dual throttle feature which permits the throttle to be closed after only a small amount of turning away from the neutral position and operates with a reduced amount of noise generated during the turning operations for the same total resistance.

Abstract: An axial piston device with a plurality of mechanically actuated, rotory valves having their front faces sealing for the control of flows of fluid is suggested for the connection of ports of its housing to ingoing and outgoing passages of a combustion engine or of other pump arrangements, motoring or transmission arrangements. The device includes working chambers which periodically contract and expand their volumes to take in and expel flows of fluid from the working chambers to and through the valves to the ports and for reversed flow direction. The device is thereby specifically suitable for the communication to external combustion chambers which burn coal powder fuel and which are provided with means to remove, in the external combustion chamber or in a passage, unclean particles from the hot gases before they enter into the expander unit of the device.

Abstract: A bush assembly is inserted into the rotor hub around a cylindrical control body which is partially extending into the bush to fill the interior of the bush. In such device, where fluid flows through the control body and the working chambers in the rotor of the machine, leakage escaped through the clearance between the control body and the rotor. Due to the novel bush assembly the respective high pressure is led through passages which extend half way around the bush into recesses diametrically located in the bush. There the pressure is utilized to press respective seal-portions towards the control body to at least partially seal the escape of leakage, while maintaining a radial pressure balance between the control body and the bush.

Abstract: A piston casting for forming a piston for an internal combustion engine or compressor comprises a generally cylindrical crown (10) having a ring belt (11) extending around the crown for the formation therein of one or more piston ring grooves. A gudgeon pin bore (14) extends through the piston casting in a direction normal to the piston axis and two opposed skirt thrust surfaces (17) depend from the ring belt and are symetrically disposed about a plane including the piston axis and normal to the gudgeon pin bore axis. The surfaces extend only part the way around the piston casting and terminate in respective spaced generally axially extending edges (18), each skirt thrust surface being extended circumferentially beyond the associated edges (at 19) at the ends of the edges remote from the crown.

Abstract: A light metal alloy cast piston comprises a thermal strut provided in the shoulder portion of the piston skirt. The thermal strut is composed of a fiber reinforced metal portion containing high tensile strength fibers integrally molded in the matrix metal. The piston is shaped in such a manner that the inner periphery of the thermal strut is exposed toward the inside of the piston skirt, except for the regions at the piston pin bosses, to avoid the presence of non-reinforced metal a the inside of the thermal strut. This arrangement prevents the formation of cracks along the inner periphery of the thermal strut.

Abstract: A piston made of cast aluminum base alloy is provided with gudgeon pin bosses which are connected to the piston skirt by means of a frusto-conical strut which has recesses in the skirt and are specially dimensioned to leave large unsupported skirt areas to minimize risk of seizure in an engine cylinder; in particular the distance between the outer surfaces of the bosses is from 0.6 to 0.8 of the outer diameter of the piston and the distance between the inner surfaces of the bosses is 25 to 35 percent of the outer diameter of the piston, and the cone angle of the struts is from 60.degree. to 110.degree..

Abstract: A seal and retainer assembly for an air compressor piston includes a cup-shaped seal with its marginal edge extending at an angle relative to the cylinder wall, the seal having a notch extending circumferentially at the base of its marginal edge defining a hinge which allows pivoting of the marginal edge relative to the main body portion of the seal which is clamped to the piston. A head plate includes an air intake port for communicating the compression chamber with an air inlet and a discharge port for communicating the compression chamber with a compressed air discharge outlet, each of the ports having a flexible spring closure member cooperating with an inclined valve seat to allow the ports to be open whenever the compressor is shut off.

Abstract: A heat distributor for equalizing the temperature gradient of a room. A housing is supported on a gridwork of a suspended ceiling. Warm air from near the ceiling is drawn through a perforated panel and an air filter mounted in the housing. An electric fan directs the warm air downwardly through a baffle having a conical flange to form a column of warm air which is directed to the floor. A rotatable, perforated disk has wedge shaped walls to compress the air and direct the column of air to a targeted area below. A source of ultraviolet radiation is installed in the housing to sterilize the warm air.

Abstract: A ventilating skylight including a housing having a top wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from the top wall to respective roof mountings so that the housing may be fixed to a roof at opposite sides of a roof skylight opening. The housing includes front and rear openings through which sunlight may pass to the skylight opening, and a transparent or translucent dividing wall assembly is provided having front and rear portions which extend upwardly and inwardly from the front and rear openings and form the base wall of an air flow passage extending between the front and rear openings. An intermediate vent opening is provided in the base wall assembly which communicates with the flow passage for directing air flow to the skylight opening. A water trap arrangement is associated with the vent opening for obstructing rain water passing along the base wall towards the vent opening.

Abstract: A method of operating an air-supplied type coating booth in which conditioned air supplied from an air supply blower is enforced downwardly to the inside of a tunnel-shaped coating booth and the air in the coating booth is drawn together with paint mists and the likes down to the beneath of a booth floor by way of an air exhaust blower comprises the steps of detecting the flow velocity of air streams flowing into or out of inlet and the exit of the coating booth, applying primary and secondary averaging processings for signals for averaging variations caused by external disturbances fluctuating at relatively shorter and longer periods of time, judging the thus averaged direction and the flow velocity of the air streams at the inlet and the exit, variably controlling the flow rate of exhaust from the exhaust blower in accordance with the direction and the flow velocity.

Abstract: The invention deals with an appliance with which onions or other vegetable bulbs can be oriented with their axial direction in a particular position necessary to present the onions to a processing machine for instance for the removal of top and root ends, the removal of the outermost skins and the cutting of the onions into slices. In a first embodiment the alignment appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the outer surface thereof, a roller 1 provided next to said cylinder and a means of driving 8 to rotate the groove cylinder and the roller, both the width of the groove and the minimum distance between the groove cylinder 2, 3 and the roller 1 being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned. In a second embodiment the appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the inside surface thereof and means for rotating the grooved cylinder, the width of the groove being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned.

Abstract: An extractor includes a cage which is delimited in the bottom part by a rotating perforated circular platen (1) surmounted by two vertical fixed perforated panels (6) on whose upper edge a cover (7) rests. The cover includes one or more hinged panels, and between which two thrust platens (8 and 9) slide. The thrust platens are displaced by cylinders (10 and 11). The rotating perforated circular platen (1) and the recovery tank (12) are each equipped with a trap (13 and 15). The traps are arranged in vertical alignment with one another and forming, in the open position, a hopper for discharging the residues towards a removal device (14). The process mainly consists in rotating the perforated circular platen (1) during charging and then through 90.degree. between two pressing phases so as to press the cake in two perpendicular directions. Typically, the apparatus is used for pressing grapes.

Abstract: The method of screen printing with a hot melt foam composition includes providing a screen having the desired pattern to be transferred to a substrate, casting onto the screen a hot melt foam composition and forcing the foam composition through the screen to form the described pattern on the substrate. The method offers a number of advantages including the transfer of large amounts of hot melt inks through the screen, fast printing speeds, printing with highly viscous polymeric or thermosetting materials and control of processing temperatures, among other advantages.

Abstract: A printing plate clamping assembly is situated within a housing carried in a groove at the periphery of a plate cylinder. An adjusting shaft is supported for both rotation and translation by a plurality of spaced roller rings. A bearing support is carried by the adjusting shaft and receives a first end of a connecting link. A second end of this connecting link is received in a first end of a first lever arm of a clamping bar which has a clamping flap at a free end of a second lever arm. Movement of adjusting shaft in both a rotational and transitional manner effects proper printing plate end clamping over a wide range of plate thicknesses.

Abstract: An electronic delayed-action explosive detonator comprising a tubular case, a capacitor chargeable by pulses from a blasting machine, an integrated circuit for processing pulses from the blasting machine to set a delay time, the integrated circuit controlling the elapse of the delay time after the delay time has been set, a primer to which current is supplied upon elapse of the delay time for enabling detonation, and detonator wires extending from the tubular case for enabling connection of the blasting machine to at least one of the capacitor and integrated circuit. A supporting plate arrangement for carrying the integrated circuit is disposed in series with the capacitor within the tubular case. The supporting plate has a first contact area with connecting pads for enabling attachment of leads of the capacitor, and a second contact area with connecting pads for enabling attachment of the detonator wires which are within the tubular case and extend outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A safetied demolition charge fuze of the kind that upon actuation switches rom a safe to an armed state. Double safety means are provided to ensure the subsistence of a predetermined delay time. A detonator ignitable via a pyrotechnic delay charge is located within a safe-and-arm slide. In the safe state, the detonator is out of alignment with the pyrotechnic charge due to the safe position of the safe-and-arm slide. The latter is retained in the non-aligned, safe position by means of a retainer shaft which is locked in the retaining position by a heat sensitive defense mechanism. After a predetermined time delay, heat transferred from the burning pyrotechnic delay charge cause the latter to unlock and release the retainer shaft which thereupon and by yielding to its compression spring, clears the safe-and-arm slide. In consequence and by the action of springs associated with the slide the latter is urged to the armed position at which the detonator is aligned with the pyrotechnic delay charge.

Abstract: A combination signal transmission tube connector and delay assembly having a housing; means on the housing for engaging at least one signal transmission tube; means on the housing for cutting the transmission tube to expose at least two transmission tube interior portions; a signal delay assembly mounted in the housing for interposition between exposed transmission tube interior portions; and means on the housing for establishing a signal path permitting signal communication between the delay assembly and exposed transmission tube interior portions. The delay assembly preferably has a delay element containing a shaped composition having a preselected combustion time from one side of said element to another side of said element; and at least two transition elements adjacent to the delay element for transferring a signal between the delay element and exposed transmission tube interior portions, each of the transition elements containing a shaped transition composition.

Abstract: To improve the terminal ballistic performance of a subcaliber projectile 15 composed of a penetrator 15b and a tail guide assembly 16, a partial region 15a of the projectile 15 is given a conical configuration and is seated in a likewise conically configured recess 16a of the guide assembly 16. Thus, the transverse forces exerted on the guide assembly 16 during penetration of the target material are prevented, at least in the conically configured region 15a of the guide assembly, from being transferred to the penetrator 15b so that the penetrator 15b is prevented from breaking in this region.

Abstract: A railroad car for transporting vehicles comprising a car underframe having side sills and supported at each end by a railroad truck; a plurality of spaced apart vertical columns having lower ends rigidly connected to each of the side sills; a first deck supported by the car underframe; a second deck horizontally located above the first deck and rigidly connected to the columns; a brace bay between two adjoining first and second columns near each end of each side of the car; the brace bay having a horizontal member with opposing ends extending between the adjoining columns at the location of the second deck; the brace bay having a first diagonal brace having upper and lower ends extending from the first column downwardly to the second column and a second diagonal brace having upper and lower ends extending from the second column downwardly to the first column, with the upper ends of the two braces being located about at the horizontal member and the lower ends of the two braces being located about at the firs

Abstract: A power plant with combustion of a fuel in a fluidized bed (14) enclosed within a combustion chamber in a bed vessel (11). A gas outlet from the bed vessel (11) is formed as a centrifugal separator (20) intended to primarily separate coarse material containing unburnt fuel leaving the bed (11) together with the combustion gases. Suitably the separator (20) extends into the bed vessel (11) and separated material is returned to the bed (14) through a return conduit (34), which is preferably located close to the bed vessel wall. This conduit (34) opens into the bed vessel (11), near the bottom (12) thereof. For the return transport an ejector (35) may be used to overcome the pressure difference existing between the separator (20) and the orifice of the conveying conduit (34). The propellent gas may consist of combustion air from the space (16).

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary kiln for burning waste, suitably skid mounted for ease of transport. The kiln includes a pair of concentric tubes affixed one inside the other and rotatable; a first large diameter tube and a second tube of smaller diameter, provided at one end with circumferential wall openings, mounted inside said first large diameter tube. An annular passageway between the two tubes, and opening through the second small diameter tube provides a continuous flow path for the introduction of waste and hot burning gases, the hot gases flowing cocurrently with the waste via the annular passageway, and circumferential openings into and through the second tube. A feed mechanism introduces waste into the annular passageway, elevator means lifts the burning waste from the annular passageway and passes same into the circumferential openings, and the burning waste is transported through the smaller tube and discharged.

Abstract: A stopping device for an eyelet button holing machine provides a stopper arm which plunges into a recess portion of a stopper cam positioned coaxial to the main shaft. To absorb the stopping impulse, extra wheel cams are provided coaxial to the main shaft which induce the stopper arm to be inclined such that its position causes a clutch pulley to contact with a low speed pulley and then the stopper arm plunges into the recess portion of the stopper cam. Thus, the machine is stopped in two steps and the stopping impulse force is effectively alleviated.

Abstract: In a sewing machine, a clamp-type work feeder includes an articulated, rotatable, telescoping tube carriage which can move in either direction parallel to the lower arm and rotate about the axis of the cylindrical end of the lower arm in accordance with a stored stitch program. A cylinder actuated clamp mechanism pivotally attached to the carriage allows simple work insertion and full peripheral stitching without unduly obstructing the operator's view or access to the stitching area.

Abstract: A composite feed dog for a sewing machine comprises a zinc die cast body portion having a toothed surface region covered by a layer of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A water borne craft includes a smooth rounded elongate sailboard type hull of little depth. The hull tapers down in width and in depth from its middle towards its ends and has smooth upper and lower surfaces. A cockpit extends downwardly into the hull from its upper surface to provide a craft usable in canoe mode. The craft also includes at least one removable reversible insert which fits snugly in two modes into the cockpit. The upper surface of the insert in one mode, being a paddle-ski mode, has recesses to accommodate the buttocks and feet of a paddle skier when the craft is used in the paddle ski mode. The opposite surface of the insert is uppermost in the other mode, being the sailboard mode. The opposite surface has structure for mounting a mast so that the craft can be used as a sailboard in this mode.

Abstract: An ice fishing transport for transporting ice fishing equipment and supplies to and from an ice fishing site, in which the ice fishing equipment and supplies are stored within one or more containers, includes a substantially flat bottom surface for supporting the containers during transportation, and a top surface spaced from and connected to the bottom surface. The top surface is provided with retainer means, such as openings, adapted to receive the containers for maintaining the containers in position on the bottom surface during transportation. A compartment is provided in one end of a transport for housing additional ice fishing supplies.

Abstract: The main hull of a trimaran supports starboard and port side auxiliary hulls or floats by front and rear pairs of horizontally disposed crossarms which are removably fastened at their outer ends to an auxiliary hull, and slidably fastened at their inner ends to the main hull. Port holes coaxially aligned with each starboard/port side pair of crossarms are provided through the starboard and port side sides of the main hull. U-bolt clamps joining the inner ends of the crossarms to the main hull may be loosened, permitting starboard and port side auxiliary hulls to be retracted inwardly by sliding the crossarms through the port holes into the interior of the main hull until the inner facing surfaces of starboard crossarms abut inner facing surfaces of port side crossarms.

Abstract: A pontoon boat that includes a pair of pontoons, a chair, a parallel linkage system for maintaining the pontoons in spaced apart parallel relationship and mounting the chair for movement between a position the chair seat is at a higher elevation than the pontoons and a position at a lower elevation than the surface of the body of water in which the pontoon boat is being used, power operated mechanism within one of the pontoons for operating the linkage system to move the chair between its positions, a motor mounted by each of the pontoons for propelling the boat, the propelling motors being operable at different speeds and/or forward and reverse for controlling steering, and controls mounted adjacent to the chair for controlling operation of the propelling motors and the power source for operating the linkage system, each pontoon having a compartment that may be flooded with water and a pump for pumping water out of the compartment.

Abstract: A circular boat comprising a pair of generally dish-shaped members connected together in opposed relationship. A cockpit region is provided abeam of the boat and an outboard motor is operationally but fixedly mounted in a motor well behind the cockpit region and within the perimeter of the boat. A pair of flat skis is rigidly mounted to the bottom of the boat hull. The hull bottom is also provided with a planar section which defines a forward planing surface substantially coplanar with the skis. When sufficient forward speed is reached, the boat rises and planes on the skis. Steering is achieved by shifting of weight by the boat operator over one or the other of the skis, the boat being rudderless. The boat is also equipped with fins projecting laterally from the hull bottom whereby the operator may step onto the hull deck while the boat is underway to dip a fin into the water and thereby cause the boat to make a turn.

Abstract: A collapsible foldable boat comprises a plurality of waterproof structural plates arranged in spaced relation to each other in the form of a boat hull, and a plurality of waterproof, flexible connecting pieces sealed to the plates and hinging them to each other. The plates are arranged in spaced longitudinal and transverse rows to enable folding both longitudinally and transversely. Interlocking end bulkheads, keelboard, and side rails maintain the boat disassembleably in a rigid, stable, assembled condition.

Abstract: A pontoon includes a plurality of side-by-side arranged buoyant bodies articulated to one another to allow the pontoon to be placed in a collapsed or in an extended state. Each flanking buoyant body has a bottom face sloping upwardly in an outwardly direction, a top face and a wall element arranged at an outer portion of the flanking buoyant body. The wall element has a position in which it slopes upwardly and projects beyond the top face in an upward direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a hollow article with at least two coating materials, said method comprising the steps of applying a first coating material to the article and drying or partially curing at least the surface of the first coating before the application of the second material. Thereafter the two coatings may be fully cured together or alternatively the second coating material may be partially cured in readiness to receive a further coating. The preferred curing means is a gas flame.

Abstract: Washing tub into which small animal is put is almost shut with extruding a head of small animal through a head opening, and the small animal is washed and dried by jet water current and warm air in the washing tub, and further height of a footing board can be adjusted depending on height of small animal, a filter is disposed to a drain port, therefore, various small animals are washed efficiently and sanitarily without taking human hands.

Abstract: A system and method for producing steam for use in a thermal recovery process for crude oil. The system is particularly useful in combination with a cogeneration plant that produces high temperature process steam. The system uses a central steam drum-separating unit surrounded by a plurality of once-through heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method for operating a heating plant having a boiler with a heat exchanger following the combustion chamber, such that it can be operated continuously and the exhaust gas temperature maintained at a predetermined value, in which a continuously controllable burner is employed and the effective heat exchanger area is adapted to the burner output.