Abstract: A low noise type reduction gear which assures that sound generated by collision of particles of a lubricant with a wall surface of a casing and sound attributable to resonance of the casing can substantially be attenuated by arranging laminated vibration damping steel sheets inside of the casing.

Abstract: A control system for the engine and the automatic transmission of the automotive vehicle is arranged such that the torque of the engine is reduced by delaying the timing of ignition at the time of a shift of the automatic transmission with a multi-stage shift mechanism. The amount of the absorbed inertia at the time of the shift is computed as an amount corresponding to changes of the numbers of revolutions on the input side of the multi-stage shift mechanism prior to and subsequent to the shift thereof. The timing of ignition is so adapted as to be delayed in accordance with the amount of the resulting amount of the absorbed inertia.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors for detecting operational conditions of the vehicle and for producing condition signals which are received by a plurality of control units. The control units produce control signals in response to which a plurality of actuators control the operations of the vehicle. In order to judge failures of the sensors, a managing unit is provided separately from the control units and the condition signals generated by the sensors are supplied to the managing unit. In the managing unit, a failure judging process is performed by using the condition signals in combination to derive a judgment result.

Abstract: Apparatus including a pressure regulating valve for regulating line pressure for hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices of a vehicle automatic transmission, and a cut-back valve for causing the pressure regulating valve to raise the line pressure to a higher level when the transmission is placed in first-speed position, than the normal level established when the transmission is placed in any higher-gear position whose speed reduction ratio is lower than that of the first-speed position. A pressure applying device is provided to apply to the cut-back valve first and second pressures to be applied to respective two coupling devices to establish a higher-gear position of the transmission, to operate the cut-back valve for causing the pressure regulating valve to raise the line pressure to the higher level when the vehicle is started in a high-gear start mode with the transmission placed in the higher-gear position.

Abstract: A hand held sharpening and deburring tool is disclosed which is capable of sharpening a variety of bladed implements such as knives, hatchets, scissors, cleavers, garden trowels and etc. The tool comprises a body having a handle grip section, a sharpening/deburring section and a transition section that melds the grip and sharpening/deburring sections together and also mounts a guard for protecting the operator's hand from injury. The sharpening/deburring section including a first transversely mounted sharpening/deburring insert extending to one side of the body for sharpening or deburring a scissors blade or like device, said sharpening/deburring section also including second and third sharpening/deburring inserts defining a V-shaped notch which extends toward the tip of the body for sharpening or deburring the cutting edge of a knife or like device.

Abstract: A spade-type drill bit is disclosed having a shank portion and a spade bit portion extending from the shank portion. The spade bit portion includes a spade portion with a planar region, and a center tip concentric with a longitudinal axis and extending from the spade portion. First and second radial cutting edges extend from the center tip toward first and second corner tips. First and second longitudinal cutting edges extend along longitudinal sides of the spade portion and terminate at the first and second corner tips. The first and second corner tips are located forward of the plane of the spade portion in the direction of rotation of the drill bit. The first and second radial cutting edges, and the first and second longitudinal cutting edges further include curved portions adjacent each of the first and second corner tips. Threads may also be provided on the center tip.

Abstract: A drill bit including at least one rolling cutter body with rows of relatively hard substantially outwardly projecting and circumferentially spaced cutting inserts projecting from the cutter body and having effective erosion reducing features by application of hardfacing materials placed in oriented regular patterns and shapes on designated critical and vulnerable cutter body areas. The cutter body is produced by a method wherein the body is marked in specific locations of desired patterns, shapes, or boundaries, and, then, hardfacing is applied in these specific boundaries to avoid the insert hole locations. After the hardfacing is permanently bonded to the specified areas, the holes are drilled and the hard cutting inserts are pressed into the holes.

Abstract: A camming member for power tongs, comprising a ring-shaped body including a central opening formed therein, the body being rotatable about a point within the central opening, the body further including a slot, the slot opening through the body and communicating with the central opening; a ring-shaped drive member including a central opening formed therein, the drive member being rotatable about the point, the drive member further including a slot, the slot opening through the drive member and communicating with the central opening of the drive member, the slot of the drive member being alignable with the slot of the body, the drive member being slidably mounted on the body such that the drive member may rotate independently of the body and such that the drive member is radially supported by the body; and a detent and stop mechanism, mounted on the camming member, for allowing the body and the drive member to partially rotate relative to one another to a desired engaged position and then to maintain the engage

Abstract: A short shaft has: a rear socket for coupling with a drive; a front drive for receiving a socket; and locking components for locking the rear socket to the drive and the front drive to the received socket. A central bore enters the shaft from the rear. A locking bolt and biasing spring go in the central bore and are retrained by a set screw. The locking bolt front end engages a detent ball disposed in a radial cavity in the drive. A thumb lever, disposed in a bore, has an inner end including a bore for engaging the locking bolt rear section for moving the locking bolt and an outer end accessible to a user's thumb for axial movement for moving the bolt from a locking position wherein the detent ball protrudes out of the drive so as to engage a drive socket and prevent its removal to a releasing position wherein the detent ball resides substantially within the front drive so as not to engage a drive socket.

Abstract: Pinch free gripping pliers are described including first and second pivoted legs joined by a pivot bolt. The pivot bolt is mounted to the first leg and is slidably received in an elongated slot in the second leg, thereby enabling the pliers to have multiple jaw opening ranges. An arcuate rib on the shank of one leg engages and meshes with any selected one of several arcuate grooves formed in the second leg, thereby maintaining the setting of the pivot bolt. An overtravel stop member is located on the first leg, facing an edge surface on the second leg that is acutely angled relative to the slot. The overtravel stop member and edge surface engage as the handles of the pliers close, limiting further closing and preventing the handles from coming together closer than a predetermined safety distance. The predetermined safety distance is the same at each of the multiple jaw opening ranges, by provision of the angled edge surface.

Abstract: A driver assembly for driving fasteners into a workpiece comprises a multilobular fastener engaging portion for engagement in a complementary multilobular socket or recess on a fastener. Each lobe is bounded on opposite sides by a flute, and each lobe includes a driving side wall and a trailing tapered side wall. The driving side walls are adapted to contact the complementary lobular portions of the fastener for applying torque to the fastener, while the trailing tapered side wall is aligned to contact the complementary lobular portion in wedged engagement at a point when the fastener is applied to the fastener portion. A fastener socket is also provided having a driven side wall and a trailing tapered side wall, which is constructed substantially similarly to the tapered side wall of the drive bit and which provides similar attributes.

Abstract: A metal turning chip breaking apparatus includes an impulse actuator in the form of a piezoelectric element that rapidly expands and contracts in response to a rapidly applied and removed voltage. This, in turn, is used to impulsively move a cutter support in a matching fashion, causing a cutter to rapidly withdraw from and return to the cut in a chopping action. This breaks up the chip, which would otherwise form continuously. There is no need to synchronize the incremental motion of the cutter with the rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A sheet perforating punch formed of hard polymeric material formed of a punch plate with punching teeth and a die plate with holes intended to be registered with the teeth, snap-together hinging being provided for rotatably coupling the two plates together along respective edges thereof so that the registration of corresponding ones of the holes and teeth are fixed and so that no discernible relative axial displacement or travel of the two plates is permitted.

Abstract: An improved lead frame cutting apparatus for integrated circuit packages therefor is disclosed. This apparatus employs symmetrical punches that have multiple cutting edges, and can therefore be positioned to a new cutting edge rather than replacing the punch. These symmetrical punches are used in conjunction with a thin cutting plate, which is also symmetrical, allowing both sides to be used. This thin cutting plate is fabricated using an inexpensive cutting process wherein multiple cutting plates are formed in one operation which saves time and money compared to the machined cutting plate of the prior art. Two versions of the symmetrical punch are disclosed. One version has four cutting surfaces and is used to remove the dam bars on the lead frame of the integrated circuit package. The second version has two cutting surfaces and is used to cut the leads on the lead frame to the proper length.

Abstract: For dividing a chunk of material which comprises areas tending to deform as well as rigid areas, a cutter with a spiral cutting edge is provided. The cutting edge has two sections of which the first in the direction of rotation, is unserrated and undergoes a relatively rapid increase of radius. The second section in the direction of rotation is serrated and follows a minimal increase of radius. With a cutter thus designed, material can be cut smoothly in the region of its deformable portion and can be sawed just as smoothly in the region of its rigid portion.

Abstract: A harness that positions and stablizes a guitar or like instrument on a wearer. The harness utilizes three length-adjustable segments connected together at one end of each of the segments. The connection of the three segments is located behind the back of the wearer and the opposite end of each segment is structured for attachment to the anchor points on the guitar or like instrument. One segment goes up over the right shoulder and down across the torso and attaches to one of the instrument anchor points. A second segment wraps under the left arm and attaches to the same instrument anchor point. A third segment wraps under the right arm, diagonally downward and attaches to the second instrument anchor point. The length of each segment is adjusted to vary the position and stability of the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the length of the barrel of a woodwind musical instrument by providing adjustability in the length thereof which includes two tubular members which are telescopingly movable with respect to one another and include a primary gear rack mounted on the second tubular member and a rotatably movable adjustment wheel mounted on the first tubular member with a gear fixedly secured to the adjustment wheel and in engagement with respect to the teeth of the primary gear rack such that movement of the adjustment wheel will cause movement of the primary gear rack and relative movement between the first and second tubular member for adjusting or tuning of the length between the first and second tubular members. Each tubular member defines a bore extending centrally therealong which is coincident on the same longitudinally extending bore axis. A locking device is included for selectively fixedly securing the first and second tubular members with respect to one another as desired.

Abstract: A process is provided for defending objects emitting an infrared radiation, in particular ships, against missiles, which are equipped with intelligent infrared seeker heads. Following location of the missile, adjacent the object a large area pyrotechnical perturbing radiation cloud, which releases high infrared radiation in a short period of time, which hashes the locking on and pursuit electronics of the seeker head, and subsequently releases a weak infrared radiation for a comparatively long period, is produced between the object and the missile. Immediately following the end of the high radiation phase of the perturbing radiation cloud, several fake target clouds are set up that then lead the missile step-by-step away from the object to be defended. The perturbing radiation clouds are produced by the droppable bodies, whose active masses comprise phosphorus flares and phosphorus pellets.

Abstract: A battlefield debris clearing apparatus for attachment to a vehicle comprising a horizontal beam for lateral attachment to a vehicle; a plurality of baskets pivotally attached to the beam, each basket having an opening to lift and collect battlefield debris from the ground surface; and a mechanism for the rotation of the baskets about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Apparatus is provided for the delivery of a high velocity gas stream to the ground surface proximate the baskets. A magnetic sensor array positioned behind the baskets detects objects deeply buried below the ground surface.

Abstract: An inertial restraint mechanism restrains a rail mounted missile against forward movement along a missile launch rail in response to a deceleration force. The restraint mechanism comprises a mass the movement of which is opposed by a spring force. When the mass overcomes the spring force due to a deceleration force in excess of a threshold magnitude, a locking mechanism is activated to a missile restraining position, thereby restraining the missile against forward movement. The restraint mechanism is locked in the missile restraining position to prevent release of a missile in response to multiple deceleration forces experienced by the missile and launch rail. Additionally, a detent may be provided which prevents actuation of the restraint mechanism to the missile restraining position unless the missile is stored in a storage compartment.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a swivel working machine, in which the operation of the working unit is speeded up when the swiveling body and the working unit are simultaneously operated, includes, for this purpose, first and second operating valves (15.sub.1 and 15.sub.2) connecting the delivery conduit of a hydraulic pump (10) to a swiveling hydraulic motor (16.sub.1) and to a working unit cylinder (16.sub.2), and pressure compensating valves (18) provided between the first operating valve (15.sub.1) and the swiveling hydraulic motor (16.sub.1) and between the second operating valve (15.sub.2) and the working unit cylinder (16.sub.2), the load pressure of the swiveling hydraulic motor (16.sub.1) and the load pressure of the working unit cylinder (16.sub.

Abstract: A method of making and the product of the method in a diaphragm for use in a pressure regulator, or other similar uses, where leakage around the confined edges of the diaphragm must be avoided. The structure confining the edges of the diaphragm consists of a main housing body having a groove for receiving a rib or the outer periphery of the diaphragm and a secondary housing to clamp the periphery. The central portion of the diaphragm carries a top plate with a bottom groove to receive a rib on the central periphery of the diaphragm and a bottom disc to clamp the inner periphery. Diaphragms are made with a fabric sandwiched between flexible layers of material. This results in a flash edge which may cause wicking and prevents a proper seal in the grooves receiving the ribs. An angled trim on the peripheries allows a proper filling of the grooves and a leak proof seal.

Abstract: A pressing apparatus for a winding machine for winding printed products supplied in scale formation has two pressing belts (5.1, 5.2) which together cover at least 270.degree. of the roll periphery. Uniform, strong contact pressure on the roll is exerted which can be controllable. Groups of components guiding and supporting the belts are movable to completely withdraw the belts from the roll, allowing a full roll to be ejected easily and a new mandrel to form a new roll can be loaded in a short time.

Abstract: A dot line printer provided with an ordinary dot density printing mode, a low dot density or draft printing mode and a high dot density printing mode. A hammer bank provided with a plurality of printing hammers is reciprocally movable in a shuttling direction for dot impressions when the hammer bank is moved through a printing region, and the moving direction of the hammer bank is reversed at a reversing region where a printing sheet is fed in a line to line direction. A shuttle cam is provided which is drivingly connected to the hammer bank. The shuttle cam has a cam profile capable of providing a cam lift characteristic approximately intermediate between a cam lift characteristics of the ordinary printing mode and that of the low dot density printing mode. A shuttling velocity of the hammer bank is changed in accordance with the selected printing mode and position of the hammer bank.

Abstract: A compacting device for conforming a variety of refuse materials, such as glass and plastic, into generally rectilinear bales, and for compacting aluminum and tin refuse material into generally square-shaped stable bales for recycling. The compacting device includes a housing enclosing a chamber and an extendable and retractable plunger disposed within the chamber. A hopper receives refuse material to be crushed or compacted, and directs the material into the chamber. An exit chamber door has a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart rectilinear chamber door protrusions projecting from the inner face of the exit chamber door, and the face of the plunger includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart rectilinear plunger face protrusions extending forwardly from the plunger face. The plunger face protrusions are adapted for forcibly contacting and compressing the material deposited within the chamber door protrusions.

Abstract: The axes of a first press roll (1) and of a second press roll (3) lie in a press plane (E). Each of the press rolls has a journal pin (2) and (4) respectively. The first press roll is supported in a first bearing pedestal (5). The second press roll rests in a second bearing pedestal (6) which is coupled to the first bearing pedestal (5) by utilizing flexurally soft tension bars (7, 8). In the unloaded condition of the roll press, the second bearing pedestal (6) rests on the first bearing pedestal (5). In the loaded condition, play (p) is established between the bearing pedestals (5 and 6) so that the bearing pedestals (5 and 6) are displaceable axially relative to each other.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for carrying out the ultrasonic cleaning of printing cylinders of various sizes, including a cleaning tank which contains a liquid cleaning detergent into which the printing cylinder to be cleaned is immersed. Heaters are also included for heating and maintaining the temperature of the cleaning liquid at a temperature below 185.degree. F., preferably within the range of 110-160.degree. F. while the printing cylinder is cleaned. The cleaning of the printing cylinder within the cleaning tank of the apparatus is carried out by ultrasonic waves which are generated and radiated throughout the cleaning liquid for a period of time, generally, between 5-30 minutes. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and process, the printing cylinder is continually rotated within the cleaning tank during the period of time when the ultrasonic waves are radiating through the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An insensitive pellet ignitor utilizes a slapper type detonator to initiate an insensitive explosive material. The insensitive explosive material is retained in a high strength housing which confines and dissipates the explosion. The insensitive explosive material is retained in a collar placed in a chamber having an orifice leading to propellant. The orifice does not allow the shockwave from the insensitive explosive to prematurely expel the propellant so that the propellant is ignited from the hot gases and particles resulting from the explosion which are ported through the orifice to the propellant.

Abstract: A radio frequency attenuating connector includes a secondary coil connected to a load, an electromagnetic shield enclosing the secondary coil and the load, a primary coil, a coupler for detachably coupling the primary coil and the secondary coil, an integrated circuit including a square wave oscillator producing complementary output signals, and first and second switching devices. The first switching device is responsive to one of the complementary output signals for causing a current to flow in one direction through at least a portion of the primary coil during a first half cycle of oscillation, and the second switching device is responsive to another of the complementary output signals for causing a current to flow in an opposite direction through at least a portion of the primary coil. The integrated circuit has an enable feature and includes additional protection circuitry for enhancing the safety of the radio frequency attenuating connector.

Abstract: A dual mode semi-passive nosetip cooling system for a hypersonic weapon. A cone shaped capsule or pressure vessel is positioned within the nosetip and it is filled with a sublimating material in solid state. The capsule has a nozzle formed adjacent its forward end that directs a steady impingement stream of sublimation material to the back side of the nosetip shell in its stagnation region when the sublimating material is being heated by the surface heat on the nosetip itself. The concept is based on utilizing the advantages of both a subliminating and impingement cooling system designs.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of using 1.1 solid rocket propellant in the detonation process for explosives. The use of the 1.1 solid rocket propellant is described as a booster for use in a blasting cap.

Abstract: A dummy round for use in firearms training. The dummy round can be loaded in a conventional semi-automatic or fully automatic weapon. The dummy round is configured in the same manner as a standard round of live ammunition. This allows the dummy round to be loaded in a clip, chambered and ejected in a normal manner. The casing portion and the bullet portion of the dummy round are constructed of a single integral unit in order to eliminate the risk of separation of the dummy bullet from the casing during ejection of casing from the chamber.

Abstract: A projectile for an armored target is characterized in that the body consists of a block of dense material with a frustoconical axial bore, its large end opening in the plane of face of the body. The transmission element consists of a rod extending from the rear face of the head and comprises a seating engaged in the bore to leave a clearance between the rear face of the head and the front face, and the body and the nose are locked in a position where the rod is engaged in the bore. Application to armor-piercing fragmentation shells.

Abstract: In magnetic levitation vehicles, supporting and driving forces are generated by a long stator on the track and permanent magnets on the vehicle. The underside of a rail provides the attachment of the long stator; the rail further has two oppositely disposed horizontal running surfaces for pairs of spacer rollers on the vehicle and a vertical running surface for lateral guide rollers on the vehicle. For a particularly simple and inexpensive production of the rail it is proposed to make the one end section of the railhead of the rail the horizontal running surfaces and a lateral guide profile fastened to the underside of the railhead the vertical running surface.

Abstract: A retractable intermodal vehicle for supporting and connecting modified semitrailers end-to-end to form a train of trailers capable of being operated on a railroad track; the semitrailers also able to be operated on a highway as regular semitrailers. The intermodal vehicle is comprised of two lower frames, with a wheel/axle assembly mounted to each, and each pivoted from and supporting a single upper frame assembly; the pivoting of these lower frames providing a limited steering of the rail axles relative to the upper frame. Inflatable air springs are mounted between the lower frames and upper frame assembly to allow the upper frame to be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A spacer to facilitate cooling, stacking, and handling of meat includes first and second channels, preferably of identical cross-sectional shape, placed transverse to each other so as to define multiple interconnected passageways for conducting conditioned air therethrough when placed in a stack of alternating layers of boxed meat and spacers. The channels include lateral flanges which are bonded to each other at a plurality of intersections by adhesive, and may also be joined by pressing a section of material from one lateral flange through the thickness of a section of the other lateral flange followed by clinching the sections together. The clinched sections hold the intersections together until the adhesive cures, and also contribute to the ultimate joint strength.

Abstract: A portable shipping platform is provided which is particularly adapted for handling by both fork lift and slipsheet types of devices. The portion by which the platform is grippable in slipsheet fashion also provides a protector for subjacent surfaces from tips of the blades of a fork lift as well as a guide for vertical alignment of the blades with the platform. Tabs also may be situated above the entry ways of channels for receiving the fork lift blades, with these tabs serving to guide the spaced blades, as well as to prevent closing of the entryways by sagging loads, and to protect the loads from the blade tips during entry into and exit from the channels.

Abstract: A packaging system for components of a computing system includes an external, modularized, ecto-skeletal support frame for supporting a plurality of uniformly, horizontally dimensioned cabinets in stacked arrangement. The support frame is formed from a plurality of support shelves that form the support platforms for the cabinets. Separating and support shelves are support sleeves, that can be of variable lengths in order to accommodate the varying vertical dimensions of the cabinets held by the support frame.

Abstract: A combustion device for treating wastes is suitable for family use and includes a barrel disposed in a body for accommodating the wastes, an inner wall fixed in the barrel, a heating coil disposed between the inner wall and the body for heating and combusting the wastes, a motor disposed in the body, and a rotatable blade fixed on the spindle of the motor for comminuting the wastes when the motor is energized.

Abstract: An incinerator system is built up of an air-permeable base (2), an outer wall (3) extending uprightly therefrom and a front or first furnace (4) and a rear or second furnace (5) set up thereon. The first and second furnaces are each in a vertically extending, cylindrical form and are connected with each other through first, second, third and fourth fume guide pipes (6) to (9), arranged from below, thereby assuring that refuse or trash can be incinerated and maintaining the outer wall at a temperature safe enough to allow access to it.

Abstract: A method of multi-stage combustion of sulfur and nitrogen-bearing coal which provides high combustion efficiency while preventing formation of sulfur- and nitrogen-bearing air pollutants. In the first stage, a major fraction of the hydrocarbons is burned out of the fuel [stage (1a)] at high temperature and the sulfur bound in the coal is freed therefrom and is then captured by reaction with a solid basic compound such as limestone [stage (1b)] at relatively low temperature. In stage 2 the remaining hydrocarbons in the fuel are burned out, and the residual mixture of coal ash and calcium-sulfur compounds is melted, encapsulating the sulfur in the molten slag, and a major portion of the molten compounds is removed from the gas stream. In stage 3, oxidation of CO and H.sub.2 is almost entirely completed and combustion gases are substantially cooled by heat transfer to the working medium. In stage 4, combustion is finally completed in excess air.

Abstract: A high pressure liquid containment joint in an apparatus for injecting high pressure liquid into turf. A preferred high pressure liquid containment joint includes an O-ring (72). The high pressure liquid containment joint also includes a cylindrical plug (70). The plug (70) includes a first end and a second end, external threads (71) located between the first and second ends, a shoulder (73) for accepting the O-ring (72) wherein the shoulder (73) is located between the external threads (71) and the second end. The plug (70) also includes a hexhead (75) connected with the first end for accepting rotational force. The high pressure liquid containment joint also includes a high pressure liquid containment vessel for containing high pressure liquid wherein the vessel includes a threaded bore (74) wherein the bore (74) includes internal threads (172) for engaging the external threads (71) and two, smooth machined frusto-conical surfaces (174, 175) for contacting the O-ring.

Abstract: An attachment structure for detachably attaching a workpiece holder to a movable body used in embroidery stitching in a sewing machine. The movable body is movable in a horizontal plane in synchronism with a reciprocating motion of a sewing needle in order to move the workpiece relative to the needle. The workpiece is supported on the workpiece holder held by the movable body. The attachment structure includes pair of pins disposed at one of the workpiece holder and the movable body, pair of engaging grooves engageable with the pins and formed at remaining one of the movable body and the workpiece holder, projecting body disposed at one of the workpiece holder and the movable body, and resilient member engageable with the projecting body and disposed at remaining one of the movable body and the workpiece holder.

Abstract: A clew constructed from carbon fiber composite is provided for a sailboard boom, the clew having a pair of cylinders having longitudinal axes and connected together by a trapezoidal central flange having substantially equal non-parallel sides connected to the cylinders parallel to their axes to secure them in a predetermined relative angle. The crew further includes holes through the central flange and notches in the rear edge of the flange for attachment of a lanyard or tie line rope that loops through the holes, around sheaves on the sail and through the notches which secure the end of the lanyard while permitting it to quickly be released for adjustment of sail trim. The clew further comprises a spring pin slot transverse each cylinder that interfaces with a an aft spring pin in a telescoping adjustment tube, the slot facilitating adjustment of the tube within the arm of the boom because the slot allows rotation of the tube without removal from the clew.

Abstract: A cover plate assembly for covering an access opening formed in a boat deck includes a cover plate for covering the access opening and engaging the exposed side of the deck which frames the access opening. A resilient O-ring gasket carried on the underside of the cover plate is compressed by the cover plate against the exposed surface of the deck. The cover plate and resilient seal are held in place by a retainer bar which is inserted through the access opening and engages the hidden side of the deck on opposite sides of the access opening. The cover plate is coupled to the retainer bar by a screw fastener which has a torque shaft and a manually operable handle. The torque shaft has a threaded shank coupled in threaded engagement with the retainer bar, and the torque shaft projects through the cover plate with the handle engaging the exposed side of the cover plate.

Abstract: An amphibious mobility assist vehicle for mobility impaired persons wherein a main flotation body has a catamaran configuration of twin hulls and constructed of molded thermoplastic material filled with plastic foam material of closed cell construction. A pair of conventional wheelchair-type wheels are detachably connected to the rear portion of the main flotation body on each side of a seat portion thereof, and a pair of hollow, spherical, flotation, caster mounted wheels are connected to the front of each hull. A manually actuated lift mechanism, which is accessible to the occupant of the vehicle, is connected to each spherical wheel so that the spherical wheels can be individually moved from a ground engaging position to an elevated position when the vehicle is floating in a body of water.

Abstract: Energy is collected from temperature differentials in a volume of fluid and the energy is used for autonomous propulsion in the fluid.

Abstract: A flexible hood structure is arranged for securement about a bow portion of a boat, wherein the hood includes a top wall including a top wall slot extending from the rear edge of the hood, with a side wall slot directed into the side wall below the top wall slot. The top wall slot and the side wall slot accommodate boats of various sizes, wherein elastomeric tether lines extend from a rear edge of the hood for securement to an associated trailer of the boat structure. An opening directed through the side wall in adjacency to the top wall nose portion is arranged to receive the boat securement loop therethrough, as well as permitting imposing of the cradle block structure of the trailer against the associated bow of the boat.

Abstract: A support assembly for displaying a banner on a flagstaff includes a base support for holding the base edge of a banner in extended condition, and an adjustable length deflector element extending from a point between the ends of the support element. The free end of the deflector element is attachable to the fabric of the flag at a central point within the flag's outer peripheral borders. The defector element is formed of resilient material and it is coupled to the support element by a guide bracket that includes a guide channel for bending the deflector element through a right angle. Dimensions of the guide channel and the deflector element are selected so that the deflector is free to slide telescopically within the channel to vary the length of the portion of the deflector extending from the support element. At the opposite end of the deflector, a right-angle projection engages a hole formed in the support element to retain the deflector in a desired extended position.

Abstract: In indicating devices of the invention, a slide member is disposed between two registering rectangular sheets forming a holding member and is guided for relative rectilinear movement in certain embodiments and for relative rotational movement in other embodiments, the position of the slide member relative to the holding member being adjustable according to differences in handicap and to indicate stroke holes on which strokes are to be given by one golfer to another golfer in a accordance with a particular order of handicap order numbers of a golf course. Certain embodiments are designed for use separately from a golf course score card while others include indicia to be usable as golf course score card and to more directly indicate stroke holes.