Abstract: A self-retaining screwdriver having a plurality of diametrically opposed, radially extending blades on its tip for engagement with corresponding slots of a screw or other fastener, wherein the blades vary radially in thickness. The screwdriver also includes diametrically opposed, radially extending blades of constant thickness arranged perpendicular to the blades of radially varying thickness. Tapered blades having a thickness which increases with distance from the screwdriver axis are disclosed in one embodiment in which the blades also have a convex end surface, for use with a screw having a convex head.

Abstract: A process for the surface treatment of elastomers forming the outermost layer of a coated rotationally symmetrical body, the outer layer having a hardness of from 10 Shore A to 100 Shore D, wherein a high cycle motor spindle bearing a high-speed cutter head with cutting tips is brought into contact with the work material.

Abstract: A journal turning lathe comprises a pair of split clam shell assemblies that are held in parallel, spaced relationship by a plurality of spacer rods, two of which support a tool carrier assembly for axial movement relative to a shaft to be turned by the lathe. The tool carrier assembly includes at least one, but preferably two, cutting tool advancing mechanisms for controlling the radial position of the cutting tool(s) and, hence, the dept-of-cut. The tool carrier assembly is arranged to be reciprocally driven in the axial direction by a threaded lead screw driven by a star wheel which rotates through a predetermined angle upon each full rotation of the clam shell's movable ring member. The lead screw cooperates with a quick-release nut in the tool carrier assembly.

Abstract: A miter saw includes a support mechanism for supporting a miter saw unit relative to a base in such a manner that the miter saw unit is both vertically and laterally pivotable. A position determining mechanism serves to selectively determine the position of the saw unit at any of positions including a vertical position where a saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the base, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the saw blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position by a predetermined angle, respectively. The position determining mechanism includes movable side stopper members and fixed side stopper members on which the movable side stopper members abut, respectively. The movable side stopper members are mounted on a movable member which pivots laterally with the miter saw unit. The fixed side stopper members are mounted on a fixed member which is non-laterally pivotally movably mounted on the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a stack of folded corrugated paperboard boxes utilizes a thin slitting blade mounted for continuous movement through a slitting station and defining a vertical slitting plane. A stack supporting table straddles the slitting blade support a stack of boxes in a stand-by position above the blade. Adjustable upstream and downstream squaring devices are operative to square and center the stack in the cutting plane and a vertically reciprocable ram operates to move the stack and the supporting table downwardly past the blade against a table biasing force to slit the stack into two half-size stacks. The squaring device is operable to re-square the slit half-size stacks prior to conveyance out of the slitting station. The slitting run of the continuous blade operates in a rigid blade holder which is adjustable to compensate for blade wear and to maintain the cutting edge of the blade in a fixed plane.

Abstract: A controlled proportional valve is provided, with a main slide valve section (4) containing a main slide valve, which section controls a flow of fluid between a pump connection (P) connected to a pump (2) and a tank connection (T) connected to a tank (6) and two work connections connected to a load (5) and which generates a load-sensing signal (LS.sub.INT) in dependence on the pressures at the work connections (A, B), and with a compensating slide valve section (3) which controls the pressure across the main slide valve section (4) in dependence on the load-sensing signal (LS.sub.INT). It is desirable to achieve a more rapid response time in a proportional valve of that kind, wherein the control means should be capable of being retrofitted to existing proportional valves. To that end, a control arrangement (10) which controls the pressure of the load-sensing signal (LS.sub.INT) to influence the actual volume flow and/or the actual pressure in the work connections (A, B) is provided.

Abstract: A hinge ball for a variable capacity wobble plate compressor includes a central through hole 27 for permitting a shaft 5 to loosely extend therethrough, and an outer peripheral wall 9b in a convex form for being slidably fit with an inner peripheral wall 43a in a concave form of a boss 43 of a drive hub 41 rotatively fitted on the shaft 5. The shaft 5 is higher in hardness than the hardness of the boss 43 of the drive hub 41, and the outer peripheral surface 9b in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface 43a of the boss 43 of said drive hub 41 is lower in hardness than the hardness of the shaft 5 and the boss 43 of the drive hub 41 or equal in hardness thereto. The hardness of the inner peripheral wall 9a defining the central through hole 27 is made higher than the hardness of the boss 43 of the drive hub 41.

Abstract: A puffing gun for preparing expanded cereal grains comprising a stationary gun barrel of tubular shape having a closed end face and an opposite end face provided with an openable sealing cover, the barrel being substantially horizontally mounted on a supporting frame. A rotatable drum is concentrically disposed within the interior of the stationary barrel and a drive device for rotating the drum is provided. The drive device is operatively connected to the drum and includes a drive shaft passing through the closed end face of the stationary barrel. Heating elements are disposed around the barrel for providing heat to the rotating drum. In addition, a grain feed device is provided for supplying a desired quantity of cereal grain to be expanded into the rotatable drum and a pressurized high gas inlet is provided for supplying pressurized gas to the interior of the barrel and the stationary drum.

Abstract: A tool for lifting a hot bread forming container from a bread baking apparatus. The tool includes a heat resistant element having a first end portion that engages the bail of the container. The second end portion extends upwardly through an intermediate portion to a handle which is formed of heat insulative material. The tool may be employed to manipulate the bail, and, thus, the bread container from the bread baking apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the sterilization during the filling of preferably liquid foodstuffs into packaging containers, having a preheating zone (A), a sterilizing zone (B), a drying zone (C), a filling zone (D) and a closure zone (E), in that the period during which the individual zones are acted upon with a sterilizing agent can be shortend and that the quantity of the sterilizing agent to be used can be minimized. In addition, a simple construction is desirable, so that the expenditure always required for cleaning and maintenance is also minimized. This is solved by the features that the individual zones (A, B, C, D, E) are combined into an overall space and closed in the upward direction by a single hood into which the required supply elements and lines (2, 3, 4, 5) are integrated.

Abstract: A rotatable cooking apparatus of five main parts: a fire box, a charcoal grill, a rotary transmission system, a cam mechanism, and a food basket. The food basket comprises two grills foldable on top of one another so that food can be secured between them. The charcoal grill is comprised of a wire framework and is attached above the cam mechanism by a support bracket so that the charcoal grill can be raised and lowered. The cam mechanism is attached to the fire box by a cam shaft coupled to the rotary transmission system of four gears connected by two linked chains attached to the food basket by a basket shaft that is connected to a crank shaft. The rotary transmission system is geared so that the charcoal grill can be raised when cooking food on one side of the food basket, lowered so the food basket can be rotated 180.degree., then raised again in order to cook both sides of the food in the basket at a distance closely adjacent to the heat source.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a product strip about a filling material, such as a tubular filled pasta product and particularly cannelloni, has a roller positioned for forming a strip of material, such as a pasta strip, when the strip is transported longitudinally and contacted by the roller, into a curved strip having a curved interior area, and a conveyor belt is positioned to transport the curved strip from the roller to a filling deposit member for deposit of a filling within the curved strip interior area and then to a ring member positioned for passage of the curved strip containing the filling therethrough for forming the curved strip into a tube about the filling for enclosing the filling within the tube.

Abstract: A humidity controlled holding cabinet for storing food products or other items at controlled heat and humidity levels having an environment conditioning system. The system comprises a chamber with at least one access and containing heat and humidity detection devices which signal a microprocessor when heat or humidity, or both, deviate from predetermined parameters. The microprocessor controls a heater and a humidity control device that are contained in a module located adjacent to the chamber. Air is drawn from the chamber by a forced air blower and is circulated and recirculated through the module. Depending on the input from the detection devices, the microprocessor will instruct the heater to heat the air or the humidity control device to increase the humidity of the air. The system may also exhaust air containing excess heat or humidity, or both. The system also may be equipped with means to recapture water from exhausted air carrying excess humidity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing rind from a spheroidal food article, such as a melon is provided. The apparatus includes a carriage assembly having revolving spindles that retain a melon on its axis and revolve the melon on its equator. The spindles are aligned with a first axis when the carriage assembly is in an initial position. A cutting assembly is located adjacent to the carriage assembly. The cutting assembly includes reciprocating knifes that are positioned on either side of the melon and aligned with the equator thereof. The knifes are configured with a blade dimensioned to extend through the rind of the melon, without extending substantially into the flesh of the melon. A rotating assembly is provided for rotating the carriage assembly between the initial position and a completed position, and parallel to the first axis. The spindles revolve the melon on its equator, so that the knifes initially remove rind from the melon along the equator thereof.

Abstract: A punching/embossing tool for sheet materials including at least one matched punch/die set having octagonally shaped magnetically attractable bases and a pressing mechanism including a first and second pivotally connected compression member. Each of the compression members has a punch/die receiving cavity having a retaining magnet having at least four planar magnetic surfaces oriented with respect to each other in a manner to allow four of the eight planar base sidewalls to be placed in sidewise contact with the at least four planar magnetic surfaces of the retaining magnet.

Abstract: A printing unit has a plurality of type wheels with types on its circumference which are rotatable on a common shaft and are driveable on it by means of a slip coupling. Each type wheel has an associated feeler device that ascertains its position and a pawl for engagement with the type wheel, with an actuator that is triggerable as a function of the feeler device via a control unit, and by the actuator the pawl can be controlled between a blocking position and a release position. The drive device serving the purpose of intermittently driving the shaft has per printing unit one drive shaft, operationally coupled to the shaft, with a driving gear wheel and one common stationary disc associated with a plurality of printing units disposed in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing drum of a stencil printing machine, which includes a base member having two annular members disposed at a specific space on a common central axis and a transverse bar connecting the two annular members; a flexible multi-porous sheet wrapped into a cylindrical shape around the outer peripheral surface of the base member, and around which a stencil sheet is wrapped; a stencil clamping device provided on the transverse bar of the base member for selectively clamping one end part of the stencil sheet; an inner pressing device provided on the back side of the flexible multi-porous sheet for supplying ink outwardly from the inside of the flexible multi-porous sheet, and for radially outwardly deforming the flexible multi-porous sheet by pushing outwardly the inner peripheral surface of the flexible multi-porous sheet when the base member and flexible multi-porous sheet assembly rotates on the central axis stated above; and a frictional resistance reducing device for reducing a circumferentia

Abstract: Modular printing apparatus wherein multiple central-impression presses may be linked to one another, either directly or through a perfecting assembly that reverses the facewise orientation of cut sheets. The presses each contain circuitry defining a signal and control path for the press and a plurality of electrical contacts that renders the path accessible and facilitates serial connection of the presses without disruption of the path. At least one of the presses includes a port for receiving connection to a controller, which thereby engages the signal path and, via the path, operates the presses independently or together as appropriate. The system includes a connector that is used to couple the electrical contacts of one press to those of the second press, thereby establishing a single, continuous signal and control path through both presses accessible to the controller.

Abstract: A metering roll for the application of ink or other liquids and a method of fabricating same wherein the metering roll has a core roll securable to journal bearings and rotatable about the journal bearings, the core roll having a non-porous cylindrical sleeve of heat resistant glass secured about it, the non-porous heat resistant glass sleeve having formed on the periphery thereof, ink capturing cells.

Abstract: A plate mounter for mounting flexible printing plates on a printing cylinder used in flexographic and letterpress printing processes includes a frame and a table top having a top flat surface located above the frame for supporting the printing plate. The table top is horizontally slidable on lineal bearings towards and away from an operator of the plate mounter. Two opposing vertical support members are joined by a stabilizing bar with an attached handle. The vertical support members are attached to the frame such that they may be moved radially at the bottom end. In between the vertical support members are a plurality of carriage rods holding a horizontal adjustable cylinder carriage. The carriage slides to the left and right along the rods. Attached to the carriage is a tapered spindle facing the right vertical support member. A matching tapered spindle attaches to the right vertical support member. The spindles hold the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A method of identifying a franking machine used to print franking impressions is disclosed. Ink used by the franking machine contains a chemical tag unique to each franking machine, or to a group of franking machines, and the impression printed by the franking machine is sensed to determine the identity of the tag and hence to determine the identity of the franking machine used to print the impression.

Abstract: A work car for carrying out track maintenance operations, comprising a chassis with a coupling for detachably coupling the chassis to another car running on a track, undercarriages supporting the chassis on the running surfaces of the rails, at least one track maintenance operating device on the chassis, the device comprising hydraulically operable drives, a hydraulic fluid supply line, a hydraulic coupling at one end of the chassis for connecting the hydraulic fluid supply line thereto, and the chassis defining an upper boundary spaced from the running surfaces of the rails a distance not exceeding four meters in the region of the one chassis end and a distance not exceeding three meters at an end of the chassis opposite the one end.

Abstract: A support system that allows skiers and snow boarders to descend from cliffs and other elevated surfaces while eliminating the high speed impact landing after the descent. Aerial cables (10 and 12), suspended between towers (14 and 16), provide a path for transporting pulleys (18 and 20). Attached to pulleys, support lines (22 and 24) gradually carry the skier in harness (26) towards landing area (32) after the skier experiences a limited free-fall. While skiing down launch area (28), break-away attachments (46 and 48) keep the pulleys in the same plane as the sider and also retain partial slack in the support lines until free-fall begins. After siding from edge of ramp (30), the skier's weight pulls on the support lines causing the break-away attachments to release the partial slack held in each support line. The sider is in free-fall for a distance predetermined by the length of slack in the support lines.

Abstract: A transport drive system for use in a sputtering apparatus, particularly an in-line sputtering apparatus, is disclosed. The system transports a plurality of planar substrates and includes a plurality of transport beams having a C-shaped cross-section. Each transport beam has a first and second end, a first and second sides, a top surface, and a channel, disposed under the top portion, and forming a portion of the C-shaped cross-section. The transport beam includes a substrate carrier which secures the substrate or pallet at the top portion of the substrate or pallet, and which is mounted in an alignment with an off-center relationship with respect to the center of the transport beam. In addition, the system for transporting includes a plurality of drive beams. Each drive beam includes a plurality of horizontally-oriented guide wheels disposed on a top surface of the drive beam, the drive wheels engaging the channel of the transport beam.

Abstract: A rail guide wheel arrangement provides movement of rail wheels between rail and road positions with a compact zone of movement such that no open zone is required in front or behind the apparatus to accommodate such movement. The movement of rail wheels and a wheel support has no component of movement in the rail direction. Side shifting of the guide wheel unit can be controlled by control arrangement using a single joystick to control two actuators. A suspension is provided using two spring cells. An axle may include cavities to receive the spring cells when the apparatus is in its road position. A locking arrangement uses pilot operated check valves and secondary mechanical locks.

Abstract: The invention concerns impact-absorber devices, an impact-absorption method, and a framework and a vehicle including such impact-absorber devices. According to the invention, the impact-absorber device comprises at least one longitudinal member absorbing by deformation the energy generated by an impact in a given direction, which member is made from thin plate, having a generally triangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of impact. Applications to rail vehicles, for example.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable, foldable reading tray. The reading tray includes a pair of tray members which is hinged to each other and pivotable between an operative position defining a desktop surface adapted to be inclined relative to the horizontal, and a stored position defining a hollow interior within said pair of tray members. At least one leg is coupled to each tray member and movable between an operative position supporting the desktop surface and a stored position within the hollow interior. A bolster is coupled to and extends across the desktop surface when in the operative position. A light may be coupled to one tray member and movable to a stored position wherein the light is protected by the bolster.

Abstract: A pallet is provided for unitized loads of products which pallet is adapted for handling by forklift devices. The pallets are constructed by affixing angle board along the bottom surface of substantially all of at least one edge of a flat sheet of a relatively stiff recyclable paper product such as corrugated board, laminated paperboard, or fiberboard.

Abstract: A lightweight beam is formed from a single sheet of cardboard, and a pallet is constructed using the lightweight beam. A number of folds are pre-scored on the sheet of cardboard, forming a diagonal panel, a securable panel on one side of the diagonal panel, and a plurality of structural panels on the other side of the panel. The beam is assembled by folding the securable panel in a first direction and then folding the structural panels in a second direction using a rolling action, thus simplifying the assembly of the beam. The beam has double-walled sides to provide strength in the vertical direction in the pallet. The beam is provided with interlocking tabs which prevent the beam from disassembling, and which avoid the need for adhesives.

Abstract: A modular furniture system for open-plan offices includes a cable tower unit, a plurality of panel screens which are attachable to and detachable from the cable tower unit and a workstation surface. Adjacent panel screens define a workstation area when they are attached to the cable tower unit into which the workstation surface is moveable. The workstation surface is free-standing from the cable tower unit and the panel screens. In a further embodiment, two cable tower units may be attached together through their respective rear faces to form a single cable tower unit having four workstation areas.

Abstract: A folding framework (18) for a ramp section (12) includes folding legs (20). The legs include extendable members (24) extending between the sets of legs with an inner sliding member (28) and a outer sliding member (26) providing for folding motion. The sets of legs (20) both fold inward to a storage position wherein extendable members (24) and the legs (20) lie substantially flat against the underside of a supportive deck (14). The extendable members (24) include an angled end portion (32) which extend downward and pivotally mount to the legs (20) for offsetting the extendable members (24) from the legs (20) when in the folded position.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting system includes a tab having a plurality of holes formed thereon at first regular intervals horizontally across the tab, a member having a plurality of openings formed thereon at second regular intervals different from the first regular intervals. A fastener detachably connects the member and the tab by passing through one of the plurality of holes and one of the plurality of openings aligned with one of the plurality of holes. Panels have recessed portions formed on their surfaces between raised portions having a bisected-diamond shape. Planar articles, such as printed circuit boards and the like can be inserted in the recessed portions and held either horizontally or at an angle. The panels are removably mounted to a frame using the adjustable mounting system.

Abstract: An installation for the batchwise destruction of noxious materials is described. The noxious material is fed batchwise into a combustion furnace holding a burning coal bed which induces combustion or detonation and also serves as damper for explosion fragments. Burning combustion gases are withdrawn from the upper part of the furnace and conducted while burning to a gas/solid separator. Optionally the burnt out combustion gases are bubbled through water or aqueous solution for the absorption of poisonous gas components and an essentially clean carbon dioxide/air mixture is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and heating sludge to remove pathogens and to dry the sludge into a powder form which includes an elongate housing having an endless chain conveyor inside. The conveyor having outwardly extending scrapers for slowly urging solid material from one end of the housing to the other. The housing is heated to heat the sludge and a fan removes moisture laden air from within the housing. The scrapers are provided in rows and include specialized scrapers including plows, inclined paddles, and round rods to sequentially split, redirect, split, and redirect again the stream of sludge being urged through the housing. By so mixing the stream of sludge, cold and hot spots are avoided during heating and a build up of sludge on a floor of the housing is avoided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the minimization of NO.sub.x control in a circulating fluid bed steam generator into which there is injected fuel, fluidizing air, a lower level of combustion air and an upper level of combustion air. The fuel is injected at a first location, the fluidizing air is injected at a second location, the lower level of combustion air is injected at a third location and the upper level of combustion air is injected at a fourth location. In order to enhance the minimization of NO.sub.x control within a circulating fluid bed steam generator the lower level combustion air as well as the upper level combustion air are each biased in the horizontal plane as well as the vertical plane so as to thereby control the lower level combustion air flow and the upper level combustion air flow such that local stoichiometries within the circulating fluid bed steam generator are maintained within a range of 70% stoichiometry to 90% stoichiometry.

Abstract: A no-till farming apparatus is provided for use with a planter unit which plants seeds as the planter unit is pulled along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a hiller device coupled to the planter unit. The hiller device is configured to form an elevated ridge including a mixture of soil and a residue remaining from a previous crop in front of the planter unit so that the planter unit plants seeds a predetermined distance below a top surface of the elevated ridge formed by the hiller device. The apparatus also includes a residue cleaning implement located in front of the hiller device to clear at least a portion of the residue in front of the hiller device. In the illustrated embodiment, the residue cleaning implement is pivotably coupled to a support extending in front of the hiller device.

Abstract: A bobbin thread end holding device in a sewing machine in which an upper thread and a bobbin thread are used holds an end portion of the bobbin thread after cut. The bobbin thread end holding device has a cutter for cutting the upper thread and the bobbin thread, and a bobbin thread control member. The bobbin thread control member includes: a thread control hole into which the upper thread and the bobbin thread are led; and a prolongation extending from the control hole, for outwardly introducing the end portion of the bobbin thread cut by the cutter from the control hole.

Abstract: An apparatus in combination with a sewing machine having a stitch-former that utilizes thread, alternately engageable and disengageable with a garment having portions of different thickness material, and a feeder for feeding the garment through the stitch-former when the stitch-former is disengaged from the garment, comprises a puller roller, a feed rocker shaft, first and second presser feet and first and second pneumatic cylinders. The puller roller is positioned downstream of the feeder for uniformly pulling the garment when the stitch-former is disengaged from the garment. The feed rocker shaft is clampingly-attached to the feeder for driving the puller roller in synchronization with the stitch-former. The feed rocker shaft intermittently engages the puller roller when the stitch-former is disengaged from the garment and intermittently disengages the puller roller when the stitch-former is engaged with the garment.

Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle bar to which a sewing needle is secured, a needle-bar drive motor which reciprocates the needle bar, a hook, a hook drive motor which rotates the hook, a speed detector which detects a rotation speed of the needle-bar drive motor, an information obtaining device which obtains information indicating that the rotation speed of the needle-bar drive motor will change, and a control device which controls, based on the detected rotation speed of the needle-bar drive motor and the obtained information, the hook drive motor so that the hook is rotated in synchronism with the reciprocation of the needle bar.

Abstract: A self-powered icebreaker attachment for connection to a parent vessel. In the preferred embodiment, the icebreaker attachment includes a spoon-shaped bow, an ice knife positioned aft of the bow, and a propulsion system including fully rotatable Z-drives. Preferably, the icebreaker attachment is itself a flotable vessel whose propulsion system can be coordinated with the propulsion system of the parent vessel to minimize ice-breaking-related forces on the parent vessel. The propulsion systems of the two vessels can be controlled by either the crew of the parent vessel or of the icebreaker attachment vessel.

Abstract: A device is described for adjusting the position of a trolling motor relative to a boat. The device has an arm, preferably L-shaped, with one end connected to the steering column of the trolling motor. The other end is higher than the first end and rotatably connected to an end of a handle bar, which is adapted, upon application of force thereto, to cause the arm to rotate with the steering column on the axis of the steering column up to and through at least 180.degree., and preferably through 360.degree.. The device enables the position the trolling motor to be readily adjusted simply by pushing the handle bar away from, or pulling the handle bar toward, the operator. The device is less complicated and more durable than previously known devices, and allows for steering through the full range of steering column rotation while the operator remains fully within the perimeter of the boat. Thus, the device provides both a safe and convenient method of steering the boat while propelled by a trolling motor.

Abstract: A mounting block by which a fender can be mounted to a stanchion of a railing of a boat. The mounting block has a horizontal access slot, and two laterally extending upper and lower slots which extend in opposite directions. One end of a rope is attached to the fender and another end of the rope extends through two passageways in the mounting block. The mounting block is mounted to the stanchion by moving an access slot of the block into engagement with, after which the block is rotated 90.degree. so that the stanchion extends vertically through the base sections of the upper and lower slots.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, waterproof cocoon cover encloses the vehicle bottom, sides, front and back, may extend over the top of the vehicle, and buoys the vehicle up by displacement of water. Openings through the cover seal around the wheel support assembly and prevent entrance of the water through the cover to the brakes and other operational mechanisms of the vehicle.

Abstract: An underwater apparatus release mechanism disposed on an unmanned underwa vehicle. A launcher body is joined to the underwater vehicle with a fixed release guide thereon. A shroud is positioned over the front of the underwater apparatus which is disposed on the fixed release guide. A holddown strap is fastened about the shroud, underwater apparatus, and fixed release guide assembly and releasably joined to the launcher body by to release pins. The release pins are joined to a sliding plunger. The plunger is in turn connected to a solenoid which can cause movement of the plunger to release the holddown strap. Hydrodynamic forces cause the shroud and underwater apparatus to slide along the fixed release guide until they are free of the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: A collapsible cover for the drive unit of an outboard or sterndrive boat is provided. The cover is releasably secured to the drive unit by an adjustable sleeve that fits around an upper part of the unit. Each of the cover's sides includes an impact absorbing pad that functions to protect swimmers or other people in the area of the drive unit from coming into direct contact with the unit. The pads also protect the drive unit from being damaged by tools or other objects accidentally impacting on the unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detachable and removable cover to protect the interior and contents of a dinghy, small fishing boats, small jet boats and the like. It is designed to conform to the shape of the dinghy to provide full closure about the dinghy to prevent a safer and more secure fit. The cover is made of a semirigid rubberized injection molded vinyl plastic that resists degradation when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Integrally molded handles and tie-downs provide a one-piece construction that is economical to produce. Positioning of the handles gives the user a well-balanced placement that allows ease of handling.

Abstract: An indicator for tracking compliance with the required action of a recurring event is disclosed, the indicator comprising a plurality of selectively removable tabs connected to a main body by a narrowed connecting neck, the tabs having an indicia corresponding to the specific occurrences of the recurring event. Upon compliance with the required action, the appropriately marked tab is removed by the user by breaking off the tab from the main body at the narrowed connecting neck. Appropriate indicia may be marked on the adjacent tabs of the indicator corresponding to the periodicity of the recurring event, such as twice-a-day or three times-a-day. Where the recurring event is the taking of medication, the indicator may be adapted to be attached to a standard medication bottle in a number of alternative ways. Alternatively, where the medication bottle or bottle cap are plastic, the indicator 10 may be molded directly into either of these components.

Abstract: A trigger-type drinker for poultry and small animals including a water retaining disc at the free end of the trigger pin is disclosed. The disc is generally flat with an upturned lip around the perimeter thereof. A residual water drop or water leaking from the drinker runs down the trigger pin and collects on the disc, contained by the lip. The disc allows several drops of water to collect at the bottom of the pin. The increased amount of water on the pin assists in attracting birds to the drinker. When the bird actuates the drinker, the disc tilts toward the bird, thereby causing the water to run across the surface of the disc and into the bird's mouth. Thus, the disc assists in directing more water to the bird.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for using coal mine water effluent and for raising cold water fish. The method involves aerating coal mine water effluent having a water temperature of from 12 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius, and directing the water to a container having water and fish therein. The fish are preferably selected from rainbow trout, sturgeon, arctic char and Atlantic salmon. The system involves a coal mine having water effluent at a temperature of from 12 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius, an aeration device for aerating the water effluent to produce aerated water, means for carrying the water effluent from the mine to the aeration device, a container containing fish and water, and means for carrying the aerated water from the device to the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for breeding fish comprises a pool having an impervious annular outer wall for floating in a body of water. A water distributor is located in an upper portion of the pool for directing the flow of water into the pool to set the volume of water in the pool into a rotating motion. An exhaust is located in the bottom of the pool for the free flow of water and debris from the pool into the surrounding body of water. The water distributor includes a regulating handle for changing the direction of flow of the water from the distributor to regulate the speed of the rotating volume of water in the pool.