Abstract: A heatable electric resistor for flow meters with short response time and as small a resistance value as possible with meandering printed lines of differing widths is obtained if separate systems of printed lines which are connected parallel to each other or are connected parallel to each other and in series are formed by means of separating cuts and if systems of printed lines which are connected parallel to each other exhibit the same electric resistance.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for simultaneously detecting laminar separation and reattachment of a fluid stream such as an airstream from and to the upper surface of an airfoil 22 by simultaneously sensing and comparing a plurality of output signals S, each representing the dynamic shear stress at one of an equal number of sensors 27 spaced along a straight line on the surface of the airfoil 22 that extends parallel to the airstream. The output signals S are simultaneously compared to detect the sensors across which a reversal in phase of said output signal S occurs, said detected sensors being in the region of laminar separation or reattachment.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a pressure sensor, a reference device and a temperature sensor collocated within a common environment. The reference device and the temperature sensor are constructed to have temperature response times matched to the temperature response time of the pressure sensor to compensate for temperature gradients produced either by external heating or by pressure-volume heating.

Abstract: A Hall effect pressure transducer incorporates a pressure-deflection diaphragm which has patterned depressions therein to enhance linearity of response; an O-ring diaphragm seal which seals the diaphragm against pressure leaks without affecting the linearity of response; a pair of magnets, preferably rectangular, oriented with their North-South axes oppositely parallel, and oriented transverse to the deflection axis of the diaphragm to provide a uniform magnetic field gradient and sensitive, accurate, linear response of the transducer to either positive or negative pressure-induced deflections of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A flat disc is pressed into a bore provided in a structural member that is under stress. The disc has peripheral teeth that permit to be press fit in the bore and strain gage elements oriented mutually perpendicularly to one another provide inputs to a bridge circuit for monitoring the strain in the member at a preselected location.

Abstract: A Strain Follower comprises cantilevered beams mounted by gripping means on opposite sides of an object to be loaded, which beams are deflected in relationship to the deformation of the object by axial forces, and strain gages mounted on the beams and electrically within a wheatstone bridge circuit for providing an output representative of the axial deformation of the loaded object, while minimizing the impact, on the output by bending and torsional forces acting on the object.

Abstract: In a paddle-wheel type flow meter: a paddle wheel has its paddle tips exposed to a fluid being measured; a light source emits a light to one of a pair of optical-fiber cables which are oppositely disposed from each other through a paddle-wheel housing so as to provide a transmission path of the light across the housing, the transmission path being intermittently blocked off with the paddle tips of the paddle wheel as the paddle wheel is rotatably driven by thge fluid to produce an optical-pulse train directly proportional to the rotational speed of the paddle wheel; the optical-pulse train is translated into an electrical-pulse train through an optical receiver or photoelectric converter connected to the other of the pair of the optical-fiber cables; and the electrical-pulse train is supplied to a suitable digital instrument to determine a flow rate of the fluid, because the flow rate is substantially proportional to a frequency of the electrical-pulse train corresponding to the rotational speed of the paddle

Abstract: A pipette tip storage tray and method of use. The tray comprises a frame which includes means for positioning the pipette tips in the storage tray in a biaxial array, so that the pipette tips are uniformly spaced along a first axis with a first spacing and along the second axis with a second spacing. Thus, the pipette tips can be engaged by a first, multi-tip pipettor along the first axis to pick up a plurality of pipette tips along the first axis and to transfer them for pick up or dispensing of liquid to a first multiple-well sample tray. The pipette tips may also be picked up along their second axis, transverse to the first axis, by a second, multi-tip pipettor of different spacing, for transfer to a second multiple-well sample tray of different dimensions from the first tray.

Abstract: A cord sampler for sampling impure granular materials a small hole in a wall of the hose connection between a pressure side of a blower and a simple tubular sampling spear, through which hole a weak air flow will be blown out, whereby a correspondingly weak air intake will occur through and open end of the spear, and hereby a considerable improvement of the sampling accuracy is obtained. A similar, but smaller hole may be provided in the suction connection to the spear in order to reduce a vacuum at this place.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus is disclosed herein for translating an input power force into an increased or multiple power output via power multiplier modules or units. Each module includes a pair of revolving discs lying on the same plane interconnected by a weighted link having its opposite ends pivotally coupled to each of the respective discs. The discs of each module lie in parallel and on the same turning axis as discs in the adjacent module. Discs from each module having common coaxial turning axes constitute a set and revolve in counter-rotational directions. The discs are driven by an input power source coupled to one set of discs from each module, while an output device is coupled to the other set of discs for receiving an imparted resistance force thereto. A flywheel operably couples with a selected set of discs via a clutch to provide a centrifugal additive resistance force to the output device.

Abstract: A variable transmission having an input shaft, a lobed cam slidably splined on said shaft, and a plurality of pivotedly mounted cam followers which mechanically engage the cam is disclosed. The cam follwers are connected to an output shaft through intermediation of a one-way clutch mechanism. Each cam follower includes a steerable contact member whose orientation may be modified to induce a coaxially directioned, displacing force on the cam. The displacement of the cam effects a shifting of the transmission ratio.

Abstract: An improved fluid operated (X-Y) shifting mechanism (100) is provided for shifting gears or clutches of a mechanical change gear transmission. Mechanism (100) features a shift finger (14) that is secured to a shaft (6) that is moved in an axial (Y--Y) direction by at least one piston (28) and is pivoted in a substantially transverse (X--X) direction by at least one piston (12) having a bore (10) in which an end of shaft (6) is supported and operative to rotate relative thereto to substantially lessen rotational inertia in encountered shifting in the (X--X) direction particularly during cold weather.

Abstract: A rack and pinion type steering apparatus is provided with a rack guide made of synthetic resin. In the outer periphery of the rack guide, peripheral ribs are formed in the direction of its circumference and axial ribs are formed in its longitudinal direction, respectively. The space formed between those ribs and the inner periphery of a guide bore of the rack guide is set to be generally about the same as the space between a conventional rack guide made of sintered alloy and the inner periphery of the guide bore. As a result, at room temperature, each rib enables the same press performance as the conventional rack guide and the suitable reacting force at steering will be kept. Also at high temperature atmosphere, when each rib thermally expands and abuts the guide bore, the outer periphery excluding the portions of the ribs is thermally expanded, thus, thermal creep is prevented and stable engagement of the rack and pinion of the steering apparatus can be maintained at all times.

Abstract: The transmission shift control mechanism includes a shift lever with a pushbutton mechanism for releasing a detent mechanism so that the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position to other operative positions. A shift lever locking mechanism prevents movement of the shift lever from the "Park" position when the ignition lock mechanism is actuated to the "Lock" position and also prevents actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position when the shift lever is in other than the "Park" position. The locking mechanism includes a pivotal locking lever, such as a bellcrank, having one arm operably connected to the push-pull cable of the vehicle ignition lock mechanism and a locking arm movable to block release of the detent mechanism upon actuation of the ignition lock mechanism to the "Lock" position with the shift lever in "Park".

Abstract: A movement transmission system is for a ventilation system of a vehicle. A manual adjustment device is located remotely from a control device for controlling the ventilation system. The manual adjustment device includes a first rotatable element which is selectively rotated in a first direction and in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The control device includes a second rotatable element which is rotatable in a third direction and in a fourth direction opposite of the third direction. A wire transmission component is disposed to extend between the manual adjustment device and the control device and includes a first wire member and a second wire member. The first wire member produces rotation of the second rotatable element in the third direction by a pulling force in response to rotation of the first rotatable element in the first direction.

Abstract: A lawnmower cable control includes an operating handle having a tubular body rotatably mounted within a housing; a coupling element rotatably mounted coaxially with the handle body for coupling with a deadman handle; and a holding and releasing mechanism intercoupling the element and the body for holding the handle in a second position when the element is in the operating position and for releasing the handle for shifting to a first position when the element shifts to a relaxed position. Additionally, the preferred control includes a recess defined in the handle and an opening defined in the housing which are registrable with one another so that the cable can be connected to and removed from the handle without dismantling the control.

Abstract: A cable length adjuster with push and lock attachment for attaching and adjusting the length of a cable with respect to a support member. The cable length adjuster includes a stud having an externally threaded end portion and an intermediate boss formed with a polygonal-shaped exterior surface having a plurality of flat faces. A sleeve has a complimentarily shaped, polygonal cross section bore and is non-rotatably engageable with the boss on the stud. A nut is threadingly connected to the threads on the stud. The nut has a polygonal exterior shape to slidingly and non-rotatably support the sleeve. A spring is mounted between the nut and the sleeve to bias the sleeve into engagement with the boss on the stud. The cable is connected to the nut. Retraction of the sleeve from engagement with the boss on the stud enables the sleeve and the nut to be rotated thereby varying the overall length of the nut and stud through the threaded engagement of the nut with the stud.

Abstract: A mechanism to prevent a dial or knob of an instrument panel from wandering from a manual setting when the panel is subjected to severe vibrations. The mechanism includes a compression spring to place a load on the dial in the direction of the dial's rotational axis. The mechanism also has a pair of roothed, interdigitated sleeves rotatably disposed along the axis to prevent torque transfer between the dial and the spring.

Abstract: A method of making a connecting rod for attachment to a bearing journal by separation of parts of the connecting rod, comprising: (a) forging a powder metal sintered preform to provide a one-piece connecting rod having an annular wall defining a crank opening with a center axis and with stress risers for establishing a cracking plane that extends across said crank opening; (b) providing access for a compression coupling across the cracking plane; (c) while at ambient conditions, applying tension substantially uniformly across the cracking plane to propogate fracture from the stress risers along said cracking plane and thereby separate the connecting rod into a cap and body with cracked surrfaces; and (d) remating the cap and body by applying a compression coupling through the access to draw said cap and body together under guidance and with metal yielding pressure to effect substantially an exact rematch of said cracked surfaces.

Abstract: Upper and lower coupling members are provided to couple a shoe to a bicycle pedal. The lower coupling member has a central, generally circular recess. The upper coupling member has a boss depending from its lower surface to engage in the recess. The upper coupling member is secured by screws to the cyclist's shoe. A pair of lengths of spring wire form part of an M-shaped spring secured in the lower coupling member. The boss has a pair of horizontally extending grooves into which the spring lengths snap to latch the coupling members together. A pair of abutments in the recess coact with a pair of flat sides on the boss to limit heel-in shoe movement to an arc insufficient to unlatch the wire lengths from the grooves. In a heel-out rotary direction, however, the boss can turn in the recess through an arc sufficient for the lengths of spring wire to come out of the grooves so that the coupling members can become disengaged by a lifting force on the shoe.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission assembly comprises a variator (3) connected between main power input and output shafts (1 and 4), a power split differential gear assembly (2) splits power from the input between the output and the variator and the variator output is connected to a ratio spread differential (5), one output of which is connected to the main power output shaft, the other output also feeding the variator input, so that the variator handles less than one half of the total power and, the variator input runs at a speed which is inversely proportional to the output speed. In this way, the variator is better able to handle its power throughput.

Abstract: A fluid actuated switch valve is provided in a four-speed transmission to direct fluid flow between solenoid-actuated valves and a clutch apply piston in a low gear position and in a high gear position, while allowing one of the solenoid-actuated valves to also direct fluid flow to the lock-up piston of a torque converter in the high gear position.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of organizing universally twelve different shifts into three sets of shifts for executing a set of shifts with the appropriate variable valves stored in memory for each shift.

Abstract: A tool for inserting an elongated repair plug into an injury hole of a tire wall, especially from the interior of the tire, including a barrel having a receiving chamber and a nozzle projecting from the discharge end of the barrel, and a ram member having a plunger axially receivable within the receiving chamber for forcing a repair plug through the barrel and the nozzle when the nozzle is inserted through the injury hole. The rear end of the barrel and the ram member are provided with interlocking members for holding the ram member against rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the barrel in a locking position in order to permit the nozzle, not only to be inserted axially through the injury hole, but also to be simultaneously rotated with the ram member.

Abstract: A device for positioning and applying fasteners, such as screws, to a work object is disclosed which includes an applicator positioned adjacent to a rotatable cylinder. The cylinder is configured to hold a plurality of fasteners therein and to position a selected fastener for engagement with the applicator by rotation of the cylinder. The fasteners may be prepackaged to assure ease of loading in the cylinder and more uniform initial orientation of the fasteners in the device. The device may be configured for either manual or machine driven operation.

Abstract: A color coding system primarily for implements including tools or other hand-manipulated devices, whereby individual colors are applied to tools of a series having diverse sizes, such diversity of size following an orderly scheme, such as having like denominators with incremental numerator differences.

Abstract: The base of the illuminated screwdriver attaches to the light source, and the screwdriver shank is attached to the base. The tip of the screwdriver is a flat metallic blade inserted into the shank. The shank is made of light transmissive material so that light from the source is delivered at the blade. A shield is slidably mounted on the shank to slide from a position away from the tip to a position surrounding the tip. The shield is made of insulator material to prevent the blade from shorting between adjacent screws.

Abstract: A screwdriver and mating screw are shown with interlocking features for coupling with one another to facilitate driving the screw into a workpiece. The screwdriver includes a handle and a blade with an engagement flange on the outer extremity of the blade. The engagement flange engages a complementary recess provided in the head of the mating screw, the recess including a downwardly facing shoulder. A coupling sleeve mounted on the blade exerts an axially directed force on the screw once the engagement flange and complementary recess are engaged to thereby interlock the screwdriver and mating screw.

Abstract: A machine tool includes an elongate tool holder which is mounted by a pair of spring strips for pivotal movement on a mounting. One end of the tool holder carries the tool while the other end of the tool holder is moved by an actuator via a rod. Tool positioning signals are fed to the actuator in digital form and are converted to analogue form by a digital-to-analogue converter before being applied to the actuator. The tool holder is of light-weight and low inertia and can thus effect rapid changes of tool position, so exploiting to the full the high rates of positioning signal production of modern machine tool control systems.

Abstract: A center-drive lathe has a longitudinally elongated machine base having a front, a back, and a pair of longitudinally spaced ends. A centerstock is generally centrally mounted on the front of the base and a pair of guides on the front of the base extend longitudinally at least from the centerstock to the ends of the base. Respective carriages are displaceable longitudinally along the guides between the ends and the centerstock so that a workpiece can be spanned in and rotated by the centerstock and worked by tools held on the carriages. A stack of interconnected telescoping plates including one end plate connected to one of the carriages and another end plate connected to the other carriage extends over the guides and past the centerstock between the carriages. The guides are thus covered between the carriages by the telescoping stack of plates.

Abstract: A printing plate registering method and device having a substantially flat working surface. A punch is provided for punching holes through printing plates and through masking flats located on the working surface. A pair of pin members is provided extending above the working surface and insertable in holes located in a lateral row along one edge of the printing plate. The pin members impart a lateral tension along the row of holes, causing the printing plate to be registered with respect to the pin members and with respect to the working surface. The pin members tangentially nest in the laterally outermost tangent point of such pre-punched register holes, causing precise lateral and longitudinal registering. Selectable pairs of pin members are provided to allow for centering of the printing plate on the easel body. Pairs of such pin members are extendable or retractable upon rotation of a shaft having cam grooves therein.

Abstract: A tool is used simultaneously align and square a conventional mat cutter. The tool is an elongated member (such as a rectangular block) with a bottom surface and at least two perpendicular lateral edges, together with a channel extending across its bottom surface parallel to one of the lateral edges of the tool. The vertical cross-section of the channel is contoured to seat firmly against the guide rail assembly of the mat cutter. Using the guide rail assembly as a fixed point of reference, the perpendicular arms of the mat cutter can be aligned and squared against the lateral edges of the tool. In addition, the tool can be used to ensure correct placement of measuring rulers on the perpendicular arms of the mat cutter.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting a thin material by engagement between a movable blade and a fixed blade comprises a spring member which is disposed between the movable blade and a movable base for moving the movable blade in the direction of engagement and is adapted to urge the movable blade in a direction perpendicular to the linearly reciprocal motion of the movable base so as to bring the movable blade into contact with the fixed blade.

Abstract: A punching apparatus, preferably for punching intermittently moving webs of synthetic thermoplastics, comprises top and bottom tools, which are mounted in a machine frame and at least one of which is connected to a drive for moving said one tool up and down. The tools for making the punching cut consist of a knife plate or a knife ring and a backing plate or a backing ring and at the end of the punching cut strike against each other or almost contact each other.

Abstract: To generate different frequencies, two accumulations are performed using the same calculation routine. This simplifies the system configuration and permits the fabrication of the whole system as a one-chip LSI.

Abstract: A lathe apparatus for machining flat, circular disk-shaped recording media, for example, audio, video or ROM compact disks, for the purpose of improving their surface quality and their dimensional stability is provided which comprises a driven lathe spindle (7), a vacuum chuck (8) for holding the recording medium or substrate (15, 15') to be machined, a carriage (9) for holding and guiding the tool (5), and magazines (14) for holding the machined and unmachined substrates. A robot (10) provided on the base (2) or bed (4) of the lathe comprises a gripper arm (11) with gripping tongs (12) movable in several planes which transports the substrates from one magazine (14) to the vacuum chuck (8) or from the vacuum chuck to the other magazine. The stacking axes (L) of the two magazines extend at an angle to the horizontal plane (E), and the magazines are maintained within the range of action of the gripper arm (11) with gripping tongs (12).

Abstract: A harp is provided for mounting on a swinging door. The harp includes a centrally disposed opening and a plurality of musical strings stretched over the opening. A plurality of mallets is provided for striking the strings when the door undergoes swinging motion, thereby emitting musical tones. Each mallet includes a stiff rod having a mallet head at one end, bearings mounted in tandem on a stiff on a shaft are provided into which the rods insert for oscillatory movement of the mallet heads about the shaft. In contrast to door harp of the prior art, the harp can be mounted on a door with its strings tilted away from horizontal.

Abstract: A sharping lever for shortening the length of a vibrating string on a folk harp is described. The sharping lever is mounted along the neck of the harp directly below the tuning pin which secures one end of the vibrating string. The lever includes an L-shaped mounting bracket which is attached securely to the side of the neck of the harp. The sharping lever also includes a rotatably mounted cam which contacts the string along a tip portion. The rotational movement presses the string against a fixedly mounted fret. The fret is located at a position on the mounting bracket so as to precisely define the shortened length of the vibrating string thereby raising its frequency by one-half tone.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes first and second control switches for initiating chorus and verse break patterns in an automatic accompaniment arrangement. A chorus accompaniment pattern is automatically generated following the chorus break pattern and a verse accompaniment pattern is automatically generated following the verse break pattern, regardless of the pattern types generated prior to the breaks. The generation of breaks are inhibited during the last 1/4 interval of a bar and during the generation of the introduction and ending portions of the accompaniment arrangement.

Abstract: A music generator having a memory unit to store time and tone data of the selected song, which are read out successively from the memory unit in response to address signals applied to the memory unit by an address counter. The time data are sent to a latch, and the tone data are sent to a programmable counter and converted into a waveform by a wave shaping circuit. A tempo generator is electrically connected to, and actuates, a timing generator. The timing generator sends clock signals to the multiplexer when playing the selected song. Depending on the time data stored in the latch, the multiplexer determines and decides whether or not to actuate the address counter for requesting for the next tone data stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises a plural number of component blocks capable of being coupled mechanically and electrically in succession and each having therein musical tone elements control means and at least one of the blocks having also musical tone signal generating means. Time range or tonal range of generated musical tones are changed according to how many blocks are connected consecutively in a predetermined or a selected order. The blocks can generate a series of musical tones in a sequence corresponding to a connecting sequence when a switch arranged on the leading block is operated, and a desired musical piece can be performed by operating performance operating means of each block. The electric musical instrument also can be used as an educational toy allowing infants to learn music while amusing and is convenient for transportation since it can be easily dismembered into each block.

Abstract: A method of weaving a three-dimensional article by which, an area arranging carrier members (1) in the form of a matrix is segmented into a plurality of rectangular blocks (G1 to G6) to choose prescribed blocks therefrom, and then a basic weaving operation is sequentially and alternately performed with respect to the prescribed blocks. According to the weaving method, it is possible to easily weave many kinds of three-dimensional articles (2) having different sectional forms. An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article having, first guide means (16) for guiding the movement in row direction of the carrier members (1) and second guide means (17) for guiding the movement in column direction of the carrier members (1), so that the carrier members (1) are smoothly moved in the row and the column directions by the first and the second guide means (16 and 17).

Abstract: A system for wire-free arming of a bomb releasably carried by an aircraft mb rack includes an emitter circuit mounted on the bomb rack, and an electrical power generator circuit, a detector circuit, and an arming circuit mounted on the bomb. The emitter circuit on the bomb rack is activated when the aircraft pilot releases the bomb. The emitter circuit emits a predetermined transmission of electromagnetic energy, such as an infrared pulse train or a pulsed magnetic field, in the direction of the bomb through the airspace between the aircraft bomb rack and bomb. The electrical power generator circuit on the bomb is activated by release of the bomb for generating electrical power as the released bomb separates from the aircraft bomb rack and producing an output power signal after release of the bomb from the bomb rack.

Abstract: Improved bulk-loaded liquid propellant guns are provided having a plurality of channels within the master chamber but not in contact with the gun barrel so as to obviate destructive pressure variances.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an armored vehicle having a chassis for comotion and an aromored turret mounted on the chassis. The turret has a lower limit travel stop associated with the shroud surrounding the main gun of the turret to prevent the turret from moving to a position to where the gun tube is endangered of being brought into contact with the ground or various low growing shrubs or trees.

Abstract: An electrooptical sighting system which provides a sight picture of a target in video display form to the gunner having an electrooptical telescope rigidly fixed to the muzzle end of a gun tube, a fiber-optic transmission link, a sense head for transforming the optical image transmitted from the telescope via the fiber-optic link into a digital voltage signal, a system controller for processing the digital voltage signal. The controller provides an output to a video monitor allowing continuous viewing of the target regardless of framing rate. A means for the multiple coupling of the optics of electronics thereby providing automatic magnification of the picture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power piston assembly of a brake booster includes a power piston including a stepped cylindrical portion having a through-hole. A diaphragm is provided on the rear surface of the power piston. The diaphragm has an inner-circumferential bead which is connected to the rear end of the cylindrical portion of the power piston. The valve body has a stepped cylindrical portion which engages with the stepped portion of the power piston and is disposed in the through-hole of the power piston with the diaphragm bead in sealing contact with the valve body. A retainer is pressed fitted into the cylindrical portion of the power piston so as to abut the front surface of the valve body to secure the valve body in close contact with the power piston.

Abstract: Apparatus operating by means of compressed air, comprising a displaceable cylinder, open at both ends, in which there bears a displaceable piston designed for expulsion of fixing elements fed forward below the piston. The cylinder and the piston are displaceable, by the action of air, in a cylinder housing between an upper and a lower end position at which are arranged damping elements. The cylinder and the piston bear with their respective and faces at their respective end positions against a surface of the damping element. The apparatus comprises an inlet and an outlet for the air, the flow of which is controlled by means of a valve, and an upper chamber and a lower chamber. These chambers are in connection with the inside of the cylinder by means of at least one opening in the cylinder wall. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises at least one second opening in the cylinder wall which is in connection with the outlet via a return channel depending on the position of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective device for a working member, such as the piston rod of a piston and cylinder actuator, which is arranged at least partly in a receiving member and is able to be moved and more especially slid, along a curved or straight path so that it projects to a greater or lesser extent out of the receiving member. The device is provided with a plurality of sleeve-like guard sections which surround the working member projecting out of the receiving member along the full length of the working member so that whatever the position of the latter any two adjacent guard sections overlap each other and are able to be slid in relation to each other, one of said guard sections being stationarily arranged on the receiving member and another guard section being arranged on the working member so as to move therewith so that in accordance with the actual axial extent of the part of the member to be protected the sections are telescoped into each other to a greater or lesser extent.

Abstract: A stake for mooring a boat comprising an elongated ground piercing stake having a handle at the upper end and a plurality of spaced holes between the lower ground piercing end and the handle. An apertured plate is pivotally mounted to the stake by an elongated securement member mounted in one of the holes and an elongated flexible rope is secured to the aperture in the plate. The rope terminates in a releasable hook. The hole in the stake is selected depending on the depth of ground penetration desired. The hook is connected to the bow of the boat to be secured and the stake is pulled to a selected mooring location and the stake is inserted into the ground by holding the handle and pushing down with one's foot and the elongated flange securement member until the latter abuts against the ground. In this manner, the tethered boat is secured in a desired mooring location.