Abstract: An apparatus for bonding thin film supplied from a continuous roll to at least one bonding surface along the entire length of a discrete printed surface base plate and efficiently cutting the film to a proper length which covers an entire planar surface of the board. Each board is conveyed to a film bonding position and the leading end of the continuous film is transported to the film bonding position that is held by suction. A compression bonding roller moves across the surface of the board and automatically feeds film and bonds the film to the board while leaving a portion of the film loose over the trailing end of the board. A cutter comprising a rotary blade and a fixed blade disposed across the direction of movement of the film and the board is mounted on a slide bed which is moveable towards and away from the film. The rotary blade is obliquely oriented in order to permit the cutting of the film when the blade is rotated in opposition to the fixed blade.

Abstract: A humidifier for a wooden stringed instrument. The humidifier comprises a stiff, vapor-permeable tubular member having a cap attached to one end thereof. The humidifier is supported in a hole in the side wall of the stringed instrument, the stiffness of the tubular member allows the humidifier to be cantilevered within the sound box so that the tubular member does not contact the interior of the sound box. In a preferred embodiment, the humidifier is mounted in a hole extending through the string anchor insert of the instrument.

Abstract: A device for fastening a reed on a mouthpiece of a wind instrument includes two rod members extending essentially parallel to one another, each of the rod members being provided with a plurality of annular grooves. An elongate flexible traction member or string has opposite ends fastened to respective ones of the rod members and is wound partially about the rod members so as to be partially disposed between each of the rod members and the wind instrument mouthpiece. The string is wound in alternation about the rod members so as to define arcs of partial turns having alternating directions. Screws or other adjustment components are connected to the rod members for adjusting a distance between the rod members to thereby vary a winding tension of the string, which is wound about the rod members in the grooves to obviate an exertion of pressure on the string by the rod members, whereby sliding of the string relative to the rod members during adjustment of the distance between the rod members is facilitated.

Abstract: A split ring pliant ligature for the mouthpiece of a reed instrument displays a pair of longitudinally spaced straps including lateral arms attached to a medial bottom span. A thumbscrew mechanism attached to the joined ends of the arms draws the straps compressively about the mouthpiece and a reed shank. Transversly spaced members bridge the bottom spans and carry pads which project radially inwardly therefrom to contact the mouthpiece on both sides of the reed's shank. The pliant bottom spans provide the sole compressive contact between the ligature and the reed shank. The configuration of the ligature and its resilience causes the tensile force generated by the thumbscrew to be distributed generally evenly between the two bottom spans bearing upon the reed shank.

Abstract: A redundant ammunition flow device for supplying divided, large caliber ammunition to a loading tray of a gun mounted on a turret of a vehicle for adjustment in elevation about a trunnion includes at least two magazines disposed in the vehicle chassis. Each magazine is a closed loop and includes a plurality of first holders that accommodate in an upright position either a projectile or a propelling charge column which make of the ammunition. A guide formed of a ring segment is fixed to the chassis concentric with the turret rotation axis. Two ammunition transporters are mounted for displacement on the guide to receive at a respective transfer position either a projectile or a propelling charge column from the first holders. Each transporter includes a rotary arm carrying a feed arm supporting second holders for holding a projectile or a propelling charge column.

Abstract: A ram head for possibly two-part ammunition which is provided at its bottom with a central rotationally symmetrical form-locking zone. In order to be able to unload the ammunition, a housing (1) is provided with a ring (11) that is arranged to be axially displaceable therein and is provided with a plurality of radially pivotally articulated extraction levers (12), with the extraction levers (12) being spreadable against a spring bias by a plunger (25). The ring is coupled with a slide sleeve (22) that is provided with a centering ring (23) having a shape corresponding to the form locking zone of the ammunition and the axial movement of the ring (11) and of the plunger (25) is controllable by an eccentric shaft (8) mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus is connected to a pressurized fluid supply and a conventional helm pump controlled by the helm of a vessel to shift the rudder. The apparatus comprises an actuator cylinder connectable to the rudder, and a servo cylinder and a main valve connected to the helm pump to pass fluid therebetween and between the actuator cylinder. The actuator cylinder and servo cylinder have respective bodies and piston rods, and portions of the servo cylinder and actuator cylinder are connected together for concurrent simultaneous movement along respective longitudinal axes. Valve shifting structure is responsive to a change in fluid signal from the helm pump applied to the servo apparatus. Fluid diverting structure is responsive to a threshold supply pressure so as to actuate the valve to stop flow of supply fluid when supply pressure drops below the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A housing is provided with a guide which projects into a cylindrical section of a power piston. A reaction piston is slidably supported by the guide, and an input shaft is in turn slidably supported by the reaction piston. A spring which urges the reaction piston is disposed in a clearance defined between the outer periphery of the guide and the inner periphery of the cylindrical section of the power piston. A first engaging portion is formed on the reaction piston to project radially outward, and a first stop is formed on the cylindrical section to restrict a rearward movement of the reaction piston. A second engaging portion is formed on the input shaft so as to project radially outward while a second stop is formed on the reaction piston to restrict a rearward movement thereof. With this arrangement, an increase in the axial and the diametrical dimension of a liquid pressure booster can be prevented.

Abstract: The design and construction of past piston assemblies having a wrist pin retained by a pair of snap rings positioned in a groove. Other past piston assemblies have a stubpin or cap positioned within a bore of a piston member or the wrist pin. In these applications the stubpin or cap is in continuous contact along the interface between the bore and the stubpin or cap. The present invention provides a device for retaining a wrist pin within a pair of bores of a piston member during operation of an engine. The device includes a shank portion having an outer portion thereon and only the outer portion of the shank portion being in contact with an inner surface of the wrist pin. The device and the wrist pin forming a wrist pin assembly. Thus, the device remains positioned within the inner surface and properly positioned the wrist pin assembly within the bores during operation of an engine within a bore of a cylinder liner.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment described in this application is a forced-steam cooker/blancher (100) for cooking or blanching a depth of bulk food particles by supporting the food particles on an extended perforated particle support surface (122) and by forcing steam through said depth of bulk food particles and through perforated particle support surface (122). The cooker/blancher includes walls (138) extending upwardly from particle support surface (122). Particle support surface (122) is perforated to allow fluid passage therethrough. Pressure means is included for forcing steam through a depth of food particles (141) contained within walls (138) on support surface (122) and through perforated particle support surface (122).

Abstract: A food fryer and processor for solid food, such as potatoes, and having a rotatable blade and a rotatable paddle for cutting the food product into segments and ejecting the segments into an adjacent perforated basket within a receptacle having hot oil therein for frying the food product. Several types of interchangeable cutter blades can be used for slicing the food product.

Abstract: A snack, such as an egg roll with a substantially block shape, can be made by employing a method and device for making such a snack. The snack has a filling enclosed in at least one pancake wrapping with at least one pancake wrapping edge fused and the pancake is further folded around the pancake wrapping.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for evacuation of the egg yoke and egg white from an egg through one hole in the egg shell. An egg with one hole in the egg shell is positioned on the apparatus. The one hole in the egg shell is positioned over a hollow tube which extends into the egg. The hollow tube aligns an egg collection opening in an egg seal with the egg collection passageway and supplies air at atmospheric pressure into the egg. When the interior of a bottle has a pressure below atmospheric pressure from a vacuum cleaner the egg yoke and egg white flow into the bottle. In a second embodiment, the apparatus provides for both evacuation and flushing of an egg.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting juice and pulp from vegetables and fruits is provided having a base containing an electric motor, and a bowl removably attached to the base. The motor has a drive shaft which projects into the interior of the bowl for receiving process tools. The bowl is provided with a strainer which is equipped with a skirt which fits inside the central tube surrounding the drive shaft. The driving shaft has a spindle fitted thereon in two orientations, one in which the strainer remains static during operation and one in which the strainer is driven rotationally when the driving shaft is turning.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing bread dough or the like is provided, which comprises a dough-cutting member (38) comprising a saw blade means, two dough-supporting members (30, 56), a drive means for reciprocating the saw blade means, and a discharge means (57) for regulating the pieces of bread dough cut to have a thickness corresponding to a preset distance from the dough outlet (35) of the apparatus, thereby producing pieces of bread dough having a uniform thickness. A similar apparatus is modified, which has an adjusting means for moving a second dough-supporting member (112) parallel to its stationary position, thereby changing the size of the dough outlet (35) of the apparatus to meet a required thickness of the bread dough to be cut. Also, a similar apparatus is provided, which has a pressing means (160) for pressing the bread dough in a hopper for dough to maintain the pressure in the bread dough at a uniform value, whereby almost all the bread dough in the hopper (15) can be cut.

Abstract: An improved device and method are provided for bundling debris, such as tree, shrubbery and rosebush trimmings and the like. The device has an elongate body member with a grip, a guide with an opening, and a retainer. An elongate flexible member, which has a connector at one end detachably connected to the retainer and a handle at the other end, is adapted to be slidably displaced through the opening to compress the debris from an uncompacted configuration to a compacted configuration. An adapter is provided to releasably maintain the debris, in conjunction with the flexible member, in the compacted configuration as a binder is tied around the debris to form a transportable bundle of the debris in the compacted configuration. The device may optionally be integrally constructed, including a binder holder with or without a top for foot bearing purposes and/or a cutter for the binder, if desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling the end portions of a calender roll which has an elastic layer adjacent its peripheral surface and wherein the central portion of the peripheral surface is overlapped by a running web of paper or other material when the calender is in use. The width of the non-overlapped portions of the peripheral surface of the roll varies when a web having a first width is followed by a web having a different second width. This could lead to damage to the roll at the non-overlapped portions of the peripheral surface as a result of overheating by an adjacent rotary component of the calender. The end portions of the roll are cooled by discrete adjustable cooling devices which are movable along the respective non-overlapped portions of the peripheral surface in parallelism with the axis of the roll and each of which shares movements with a monitoring device which is to be maintained in a selected position relative to the adjacent marginal portion of a running web.

Abstract: Mechanism for guiding a continuous length elongated member, such as an insulated wire, past a non-contact print head includes pairs of guide rollers operative to guide the elongated member in a generally constant orientation past the print head without smudging indicia printed at periodic positions along the member. In one embodiment, pairs of guide rollers are disposed upstream and downstream from the print head and include one-way bearings to prevent rearward movement of the elongated member without contacting the printed indicia. In another embodiment, a pair of cylindrical rollers are disposed downstream of the print head and urge the elongated member against a reference plate so as to maintain the member in desired orientation as it passes the print head without smudging the printed indicia.

Abstract: A gripper bar conveyor mechanism for transferring sheets to be printed from one rotating impression cylinder to another in a multiple color rotary offset printer of the type having sets of impression cylinders and corresponding blanket cylinders for rolling contact with the sheets to be printed therebetween. The gripper bar conveyor mechanism includes a transferrable gripper bar activatable for releasably securing sheets to be printed in a fixed orientation with respect to the transferrable gripper bar. The registration projection is affixed to the transferrable gripper bar. A registration pocket is adjustably affixed to each of the impression cylinders for temporarily receiving the registration projection of the gripper bar and thereby holding the gripper bar in a desired position with respect to the impression cylinder. A conveyor band is attached to the gripper bar and is operably connected to the rotary offset press for moving the gripper bar from one impression cylinder to the next.

Abstract: A system for changing a removable sleeve on a printing roller in a flexographic printing press is disclosed. Axially fixed bearing assemblies are installed on the mandrel of the printing roll, and positioned in a split bearing block. In changing the printing sleeve, at least one bearing block is opened to release the bearing assemblies as the mandrel is raised and fitted with a removable axial extension. The axial extension is then braced to support the roll in a raised position. The printing sleeve can then be axially extracted onto the extension, clearing the printing roller and the frame of the printing press. A second brace is then applied intermediate the printing roller and the extracted printing sleeve. Withdrawal of the first brace allows the printing sleeve to be entirely removed while the partially dismounted printing roller is stabilized by the second brace. A replacement printing sleeve is then placed over the axial extension, and the process reversed.

Abstract: A device for presetting a cut-off register in a folder of a web-fed printing press, includes a marking device for applying at least one mark in an image-free region between two printed images of a web, a detector for detecting the image-free region on the web, the detector being connected to the marking device for signalling the marking device when the image-free region is detected thereby, the marking device being disposed a defined distance in front of a nip located between cylinders of at least one printing unit, and a device for activating the marking device to apply a mark to the image-free region of the web when a respective output signal of the detector indicates the presence of the image-free region on the web.

Abstract: A shiftable ink knife holder supports a plurality of spaced ink knives in an elongated support. The support is rotatable about an axis of rotation between working and rest positions. The rotation of the support can be accomplished by suitable drive motors. These drive motors also engage and disengage locking bolts that, in their locked position, engage the support.

Abstract: An ink fountain apparatus for a printing press includes an ink fountain roller, an ink fountain, follow-up bearings, and springs. The ink fountain roller supplies a printing ink to a plate cylinder. The ink fountain has an ink blade disposed to have a predetermined gap with the circumferential surface of the ink fountain roller and movable forward and backward to approach to and separate from the circumferential surface of the ink fountain roller. The follow-up bearings are fixed to the ink fountain and contact the circumferential surface of the ink fountain roller to follow up a shape of the circumferential surface of the ink fountain roller. The springs bias the ink fountain toward the circumferential surface of the ink fountain roller.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus capable of easily and accurately mounting a plate to a predetermined position of the circumferential surface of a plate cylinder. A safety cover for covering the circumferential surface of a plate cylinder is suspended and is vertically opened/closed by a hydraulic cylinder. A plate reception member and a plate holder are mounted on the safety cover to hold a plate to be mounted on the plate cylinder. In mounting of the plate, the safety cover is opened, and the lower end of the plate is removed from the plate holder and is inserted into a plate lockup device mounted in the plate cylinder. At this time, notches formed at the lower end of the plate are respectively engaged with reference pins formed on the plate lockup device. When the upper end of the plate is inserted into the plate press member, the notches of the plate are fitted on the reference pins by the weight of the plate and the behavior of the plate press member.

Abstract: A sheet-cleaning apparatus for cleaning a sheet (6) that is to be printed, before it runs into the printing mechanism (2) of a sheet-fed printing press. A backing cloth (20), which is contacted with the sheet (6) that is to be printed with the help of the positioning means, is used to clean the sheet (6) that is to be printed. A transporting apparatus (26, 24, 28) transports the backing cloth (20), so that other moist sections (32) of the backing cloth (20) are consecutively brought into contact with the sheet (6) that is to be printed.

Abstract: A device for movably positioning in a plurality of positions a magazine for automatically changing printing plates in a printing machine for changing the printing plate of the plate cylinder, replacing the printing plates of the magazine, servicing the printing machine and normal operation, includes a device for mounting the magazine, including a vertical guide wherein the magazine is displaceable, and a horizontal shaft about which the magazine is swivelable, and drive devices for displacing and swiveling the magazine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a large-caliber ammunition unit including a combustible or partially combustible propelling charge casing and compacted or partially compacted propelling charge powder, to increase internal ballistic performance. It is known to partially or completely compact or compress the propelling charge powder in a cartridge casing. However, such methods generally cannot be employed for ammunition including a combustible or at least partially combustible propelling charge casing because of the lower strength of the relatively thin-walled combustible casing material, as this would lead to deformation and/or to reduced loadability of such cartridges.

Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy projectile (1) including a penetrator (2) and a segmented sabot (3) which is provided with a front support (4) and with a second support (5) that is disposed at an axial distance behind the first support, with the second support (5) including a rotationally symmetrical air pocket (6) that faces the first support (4) and the first support (4) is provided with air passage openings (43, 44, 45).In the sabot, the relationship of L/D.gtoreq.1.2 exists between the length L of the penetrator tip (8) ahead of the first support (4) and the caliber D. The relationship x.gtoreq.0.45 * .iota. further applies between the distances x and .iota., with x being the distance between the trailing edge (10) of the sabot and the base surface (11) of the air pocket (6) in the second support (5) and .iota. being the distance between the trailing edge (10) of the sabot (3) and the leading edge (12) of the sabot at the surface of the penetrator (2).

Abstract: An automated electric transportation system which has an electrically driven vehicle (30) including onboard energy storage (34), combined road wheels (56) and rail wheels (58) along with manual controls (68) for transporting people and objects from one place to another. A network of roads (60) and rails (62) is employed with an electrical power bus (100) positioned adjacent to the rails for electrically powering the vehicle while on the rails. An overhead monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the road using a strut arm (208) with casters (184) that extends above the vehicle and deposits the vehicle on the railroad tracks where it is controlled by an onboard computer (134). Automatic controls and indication (132) including this computer regulate the speed and relationship to other vehicles while on the rail network. Another monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the tracks in a similar manner.

Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail elongated in shape, a slider slidably mounted on the rail and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rail and the slider. The rail has a top surface, a pair of side surfaces and a bottom surface, and a guide groove is formed in each of the side surfaces with a tapered relief trench formed at the bottom of the guide groove. A side recess is also formed in each of the side surfaces. The slider is provided with an end seal having a first seal lip at each of front and rear ends and also with a bottom seal having a second seal lip. The first seal lip is in sliding contact with the top surface and also with the guide groove and the tapered relief trench and the second seal lip is in sliding contact with the side recess of the rail.

Abstract: A gantry adapted for operation along rails attached to the top of a railroad car includes two pairs of wheels, each pair operating on a respective rail. A base support member is positioned above the rail and between the wheels on each side of the gantry. Should one end of the gantry be inadvertently driven off of the rails, the base support members engage the rails to prevent the gantry from toppling off of the railroad car. In addition, a safety rail is positioned inside of and above each rail and a plurality of J-hooks are attached to the inside of each base support member to engage the safety rails and prevent the gantry from tipping from side-to-side. All four wheels are independently driven and the gantry is adapted to support a commercially available crane, the position of which can be vertically adjusted via spacers. A number of other safety features are included.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved corrugated pallet having pallet legs attached at various points of attachment. The field of invention relates to a corrugated cardboard pallet of the type generally formed by a pair or more of pallet decks which are stacked atop one another, each of which has finger elements die cut therein radiating outwardly from a central circle and terminating on a circular score line of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of one of the leg elements. The die cut lines for the fingers radiate tangentially outwardly to create a substantially spiral pattern. The leg assembly is of the type formed by an outer leg, and an inner leg, with the radiating die cut fingers nested between the annulus created between the outer and inner leg and adhesively secured to the legs.

Abstract: An adjustable height table having a top that can be vertically adjusted to various heights by a pair of telescoping legs and a counterbalance weight mechanism which includes a weight box and weights that can be easily added or removed by the user depending on the weight carried by the table top. A locking mechanism including a spring-urged threaded half nut and a stationary threaded rod enables the table top to be locked in place once a desired height is achieved.

Abstract: A table unit particularly adapted for use in a correctional environment includes a base prepared to be filled with ballast. The base has a hollow core member that fits into an inner space of an outer shell member. A sidewall of the core member is spaced inward from a sidewall of the shell member to form a first ballast holding space therebetween. An inner space of the core member defines a second ballast holding space. For use the first holding space or both ballast holding spaces first are filled with ballast such as sand or gravel. Then, a table top is attached to an upper end of the outer shell member to form a completed work table unit. Ballast in the first holding space reinforces the sidewall of the outer shell member while weight of the ballast inhibits unauthorized movement or upsetting of the unit.

Abstract: A table base (2) features a table substructure (4) and pedestals which can be arranged at its ends. Supporting rails (24) featuring plug-in holes (28, 30, 32, 34) for supporting parts (12, 14) on the pedestal side and for cross-arms (20, 22) on the table base side are arranged parallel to the ends of the table base (2) in the area of connection between the table substructure (4) and the pedestals (6). The connection between the supporting rails (4), the cross-arms (20, 22) on the table base side and the supporting parts (12, 14) on the pedestal side is made in the form of a truss union so that the entire table base (2) is exceptionally stable while having the appearance of a light construction.

Abstract: A security enclosure comprises a first layer of an insulating material extending over the whole of the area of the enclosure and carrying a linear electrically responsive element on at least one surface. A low tensile strength layer having lower cohesion than adhesion is located between the first layer of insulating material and the electrically responsive element. A second layer of insulating material is adhered to and covers the electrically responsive element. The element is arranged in a configuration on the surface so dividing the surface that attempted penetration of the enclosure changes an electrical characteristic of the element, the change being detectable by an electrical circuit. An attempt to remove the second layer of insulating material to gain access to the element results in breakup of the low tensile strength layer and thus damage to the element and produces a detectable change in an electrical characteristic of the element.

Abstract: The present invention includes four chambers for containing refuse, a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the chambers, and a housing enclosing the porous membrane and the chambers. Combustion fuel is supplied to the porous membrane so that surface combustion takes place at the surface of the porous membrane facing the chamber for burning the refuse contained in the chamber. Electrical means may also be employed to provide combustion of the refuse. Safety features include pressure feed-back means for monitoring and regulating the pressure within the apparatus and temperature feed-back means for monitoring and regulating the temperature within the apparatus. A particle bin is positioned below the chamber for receiving burned particles from the chamber. The gases generated from the burning refuse is collected and pumped through a super heating and purifying chamber (eliminated all hazardous affluent) and into the boiler type heat exchanger and thereby producing steam for electrical generation.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having outer and inner spaced walls forming an airtight vessel inside of the inner walls and a channel between the outer and inner walls surrounding the vessel for containing a flow of coolant fluid. The vessel contains a first chamber having an inlet and a second chamber connected in communication with the first chamber and having an outlet. The first chamber receives materials through its inlet. The materials are pyrolyzed in the first chamber. The second chamber receives the pyrolyzed materials from the first chamber. The pyrolyzed materials are oxidized in the second chamber and then discharged therefrom. The vessel defined by the casing is separated into first and second units. The first chamber of the vessel for pyrolyzing materials is disposed in the first unit. The second chamber of the vessel has primary and secondary sections for oxidizing materials in two successive stages.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the fabric edge position wherein a fabric fed to the needle location of a sewing machine is fed downstream, feeding distances per unit time at two feeding points, which are along a direction almost perpendicular to the fabric feeding direction, are differentiated by detecting the fabric edge position in the vicinity of the needle location, thereby shifting rightward and leftward the fabric edge position in the vicinity of the needle location so as to form a seam at a constant distance from the fabric edge.

Abstract: A knife drive mechanism of a sewing machine includes a drive assembly 1 for converting rotary motion of a drive shaft 10 into a swing motion and an upper-knife drive assembly 2 for converting the swing motion into an up-and-down motion of an upper knife 20. The upper-knife drive assembly 2 has a clutch 3 for preventing/permitting transmission of the up-and-down motion to the knife 20. Even during stitching, engagement/disengagement of the clutch 3 can be effected, which permits the knife 20 to be connected to and disconnected from its drive assembly, thereby permitting the scissoring cutting to be started or stopped. When a surface 42 of the first swing member 4 urges a projection 52 of a second swing member 5 to cause the knife 20 to move downward at the completion of cutting, the knife 20 itself serves as a cloth-feed guide to prevent misalignment of the cloth and breakage of the sewing needle or upper and lower loopers.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot includes a presser pivotally coupled to the presser foot, a casing secured to the presser foot, a release handle pivotally coupled to the presser foot, a presser pivotally coupled to the presser foot, a spring having one end engaged with the presser in order to depress the presser and the other end engaged in the casing. The casing and the other end of the spring are separated from the release handle such that the users will not be hurt by the spring when the users actuate the release handle.

Abstract: A double-stitch sewing machine is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a throat plate and feed dog with a needle opening for supporting a material to be sewn, a reciprocating needle to penetrate the material, the needle having an eyelet for insertion of a needle thread, the needle being able to penetrate through the sewn material and carry the needle thread through the needle opening, a rotating hook for pulling on the needle thread after insertion of the needle thread through the needle opening, forming a loop in the needle thread with a first leg of the loop being joined with the sewn material and the needle and a second leg of the loop being joined only with the sewn material, a bobbin carrier mounted within the rotating hook having an adjacent clearance with the rotating hook, allowing the rotating hook to cause the needle thread to be brought underneath the bobbin carrier, the bobbin carrier dispensing bobbin thread in cooperation with the rotating hook pulling of the needle thread, a firs

Abstract: An improved spinnaker sail for use with kayaks, canoes, or other small watercraft is disclosed. The spinnaker is designed with a free backstay feature that eliminates moment forces on the mast. A telescoping mast is also disclosed to allow one-person set up when on the ocean. The spinnaker is also controlled by a single sheet, which attaches to the lower corners of the spinnaker, forming a loop. The loop can then be held under the arms to allow the hands to be free. The spinnaker can also be reefed to 50 percent of its total area by changing the sheet configuration.

Abstract: An improved thruster system is provided for maneuvering and/or propulsion of a marine vessel, through the use of directionally oriented water jets discharged tangentially from a helical-conical flow chamber. The thruster system includes a high capacity pump for pumping water through a hull intake to the flow chamber with a substantial helical or swirling action. The water exits the flow chamber through one or more of a plurality of tangentially oriented discharge conduits having discharge nozzles for passage of high velocity water jets through the hull, resulting in reaction forces used to maneuver or propel the vessel. Each discharge conduit includes a valve member movable between open and closed positions for respectively permitting or preventing water flow to the associated nozzle.

Abstract: A gear range indicator for use with automatic transmissions which is remote from the shift mechanism yet requires minimal adjustment to be made to the mechanical linkage to compensate for variations in the position of the display relative to the shift mechanism. This gear range indicator used has magnetic biasing means to position a pointer to the appropriate transmission gear range symbol on the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new product for small animals such as rodents (e.g., gerbils, mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, etc.) and the like. The new product is comprised of a hollow housing, such as bone or pipe, having a cavity therein which is accessible from outside the housing by at least one opening. The cavity is large enough for the animal(s) to burrow in and is filled with food suitable for the animals to eat or nibble on.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bird feeder with a height adjustment to allow the bird feeder to be lowered for gaining access thereto. A slide member is attached to the bird seed tray which slides up and down a support for lowering the bird feeder into a lowered position and elevating the bird feeder into an elevated position for dispensing bird seed therefrom. A deflector is provided for directing the bird seed onto the tray for dispensing thereof. A spiral shaped wire is placed upon the feeding portion of the tray in order to prevent the birds from kicking out the bird seed from the tray onto the ground. A protective cover covers the bird feeder to protect the bird seed from the weather.

Abstract: An insulated watering system is provided for fowl, animals or the like in which a length of pipeline is defined by several groups of watering pipes with each group of watering pipes being of a different wall thickness and having greater heat-insulating efficiency in the direction of water flow. The pipes are preferably formed from foamed polymeric/copolymeric material, such as polyvinylchloride, and each includes an interior cylindrical closed cell core sandwiched between noncellular skins or plies. The exterior diameters of all watering pipes are identical, but the interior diameters of the various groups decrease in the direction of water flow. In this fashion, a larger wall thicknesses of the pipes effectively insulate the lesser volume of water flowing through the water line along downstream portions thereof.

Abstract: An improved livestock handling apparatus and method include a frame mounted on wheels having a plurality of stanchions arranged in side-by-side relationship along sides thereof such that livestock can place their heads through the stanchions in a first position, and reach feed placed in troughs and bales placed on rails spaced interiorally to the apparatus. Locking mechanisms, each comprising a pivotally mounted latch abutting an upper end of a pivotable sidebar of each of the stanchions, automatically lock the sidebar in a second position such that an animal cannot pass its head into, or remove its head from, one of the stanchion. A deactivator, including an axially rotatable rod having nubs spaced therealong, interacts with the latches to deactivate the locking mechanisms such that the livestock can pass their head through and remove their head from the stanchions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic pet relief station (10) consisting of a housing (12) with an opening (14) to permit entry and exit of pets, an endless belt (16) positioned within the housing (12) to support a pet, a dispenser (18) positioned within the housing (12) for distributing litter on the endless belt (16), and a recycler (20) to cleanse soiled litter, dry the cleansed litter, and deposit the cleansed litter in the dispenser (18) for reuse.After a pet uses the relief station (10), the endless belt begins to travel, with soiled litter being received by the recycler (20) from one end of the endless belt (16), while clean litter is evenly distributed upon the opposite end of the endless belt (16) by the dispenser (18) as the endless belt (16) moves beneath the dispenser (18), thereby replacing the soiled litter. The recycler (20) cleanses the soiled litter, dries the cleansed litter, and deposits the dry cleansed litter into the dispenser (18) for reuse.