Abstract: A fully automated hand held screw driving device comprises an automatic feeding mechanism of screws to the screwdriver from an integral storage magazine, an automatic speed control mechanism for controlling the rotary speed of the screwdriver, an automatic force control mechanism for controlling the seating force of the screwdriver bit on the screw, an adjustable depth control mechanism for controlling the final screw depth in the work surface, and an adjustable seating torque control mechanism for controlling the final screw head seating torque. The screws are spirally wound on a replaceable bobbin removably mounted in the magazine. The device can accommodate a full range of practical screw sizes and can be fitted with exchangeable bits for use with screws having standard recessed star or square heads and various bolt heads. A central microprocessor is used to control all operating functions of the screw driving device.

Abstract: An improved combined torque limiting and part marking wrench according to the present invention includes: a torque-applying handle; a housing pivotally mounted to the handle, the housing adapted to receive a releasably mounted, replaceable, part-engaging head assembly at a second end thereof; and a part-marking mechanism mounted within the housing. The part-marking mechanism includes a marking tip which passes through a bore in the head assembly for marking a part. A mechanical linkage arm is pivotally connected to the torque-applying handle. A pivotable cam is pivotally connected to the linkage arm and in operative engagement with the part-marking mechanism for moving the marking tip through the bore, such that, when torque on a part has reached a predetermined value, the torque applying handle moves the linkage arm, which pivots the pivotable cam, thus forcing the pivotable cam against the part marking mechanism, which causes the marking tip to extend outwardly from the housing to mark the part.

Abstract: A device for the advancement of bars, particularly narrow bars, in automatic loaders provided with a inclined supporting plane or with another loading system for a plurality of bars and with a mechanism for the individual release of the bars, comprising: guides, whereon supporting elements for a bar released from the plane and a carriage provided with grip elements for a bar can slide, the carriage being actuated between an initial position, where the grip elements are actuated so as to grip a bar deposited on the supporting elements, and a final position, where the bar is released by the grip elements and is secured in the spindle of an automatic lathe; a pusher which is supported so as to move parallel to itself; and actuators for actuating the pusher after the carriage between an offset position and a position wherein it is aligned with the bar deposited on the supporting elements when the carriage is in the final position.

Abstract: A web (W) of sheet material intended to form individual tagged packets has surplus portions of a thread (S) extending along its length removed while the web is being advanced. After severing one end of each unwanted thread portion with a rotary cutter (2), the severed end is lifted by a wiper (10), and the lifted end is held away from the web by suction means (20) while it is detached by shearing means (22). The suction means (20) then remove the detached thread portion.

Abstract: A durable male slotting blade for creating cleanly sheared slots in corrugated cardboard. The male slotting blade is adapted to be mounted to a slotter head of a cardboard box fabricating machine, and is provided with a cutting surface having first and second sets of serrations. A first set of serrations is provided on one side of the cutting surface while a second set of serrations is provided on an opposing side of the cutting surface with a valley formed therebetween. The first set of serrations are provided offset from, or out-of-phase with, the second set of serrations to provide for a cleaner cut with less frayed edges. Each of the serrations includes a peak and a valley machined not only into the sides of the cutting surface but also down into the valley formed in the cutting surface such that as the blade encounters abrasive recycled fibers, and is worn away, a new cutting surface is repetitively provided to thereby result in a longer lasting and more durable blade.

Abstract: A holding assembly for maintaining a blade in an operative position on a movable support, which holding assembly has an elongate housing assembly having a first wall with a first pressure applying surface facing transversely to the length of the elongate housing assembly in a first direction, and a plate assembly having a second wall with a second pressure applying surface. With the elongate housing assembly and plate assembly in operative relationship, the first and second pressure applying surfaces face oppositely to each other so that there is a thickness between the first and second pressure applying surfaces. The first and second walls are repositionable selectively towards and away from each other with the elongate housing assembly and plate assembly in operative relationship to thereby vary the thickness between the first and second pressure applying surfaces.

Abstract: A power transmitting structure for a band saw includes a first and a second shaft, and each of the two shafts has a plurality of gears engaged with each other so as to transmit a power of a motor with several sets of speed options. Each of the gears freely mounted to the second shaft has a notch defined in an inner periphery defining a central hole thereof. The second shaft has a third shaft movably received therein which is controlled by a control member connected to a knob. The third shaft has a pawl member pivotally disposed thereto in the second shaft which has a slot defined through a peripheral wall thereof so that the pawl member is selectably engaged with one of the notches. The second shaft has a toothed portion to engage with a rotating part to which a band saw member is connected.

Abstract: A control plate (1) of a hydraulic machine having a core (2) is disclosed, which at least on its upper side (O), lying in operation against a cylinder drum, is covered with a layer of friction-reducing plastics material (3). The plastics material (3) is joined to the core (2) by means of a connecting element (8) which, as a result of interlocking engagement with the plastics material (3) and/or the core (2), takes up tensile forces substantially at right angles to the upper side (O).

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston for a water pump, e.g., a pressure washer pump. The piston includes a piston body and a piston head and in the improvement, the piston body is solid, homogeneous ceramic. That is, the piston body has a generally cylindrical surface and the body is circumscribed by the surface and is homogeneous ceramic. A method for making a piston for a water pump includes the steps of providing a piston body made of a ceramic material, and making a piston head of steel and having a pocket formed therein. The head is heated, the pocket and the body are engaged in overlapping relationship and the head is allowed to cool and "shrink-fit" to the piston body. The piston head is formed to have a relief groove circumscribing the pocket for reducing compression forces resulting from such cooling.

Abstract: A stop cylinder and piston assembly has both a firing piston and a piston ed for both firing and return located on the same piston rod. The stop cylinder and piston assembly is designed with gas passages so that gas injected for firing purposes through a single aperture in the sidewall of a cylinder is applied to the rear surface of both the firing piston and the piston used for both firing and return. The system is reset by injecting return gas through a second sidewall aperture that is applied to the forward surface of the return piston. A vessel bumper is installed in the forward end of a chamber containing the firing piston to provide cushioning for the firing piston upon being fired.

Abstract: A liquid pump has a pump head, a head holder which can be assembled with the pump head and a housing connected to the head holder, providing an internal space which connects to a liquid flow route through the pump head. A plunger assembly is disposed inside this internal space, having a plunger rod which penetrates the head holder and reaches the flow route, and a male screw part. A cross head for driving the plunger assembly is also inside this internal space, and a return spring is supported between the head holder and this cross head so as to provide a biasing force thereto. The cross head has a female screw part which is engageable with the male screw part of the plunger assembly. The plunger assembly has a hexagonal flange to which a dedicated simple jig can be engaged to rotate the plunger assembly and to thereby engage or disengage them.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled internal combustion engine piston (10) comprises on the one hand at least one annular segment-shaped coolant duct (12a, 12b) formed within an upper piston member and having openings (16a, 16b, 18) at sites symmetrical relative to the gudgeon pin axis (14) for supplying and discharging oil. On the other hand, an approximately radial communicating duct (20) enclosed in its course toward the crank chamber and connected to the annular segmented ducts (12a, 12b) in the region of the openings (16a, 16b, 18) is provided.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder assembly for a reciprocating compressor has a piston comprising telescopingly connected first and second piston members. The first piston member is connected to a connecting rod. The second piston member is provided with a piston head and is connected to the first piston member in such a way as to be movable axially relative to the first piston member by a predetermined distance. A spring is interposed between the first piston member and the second piston member to yieldably urge the first and second piston members axially apart.

Abstract: A coffee bean roaster comprises a cylinder-shaped housing, a roasting vessel, a hemishpere-shaped lid, a guiding duct and a handle duct. The housing has a duct connections part protruded in one side. Corresponding to the housing, a lower plate is formed on a bottom face. A partition plate is formed in an upper end. A placement part having air inducing holes is placed above the partition plate. A fan is installed. A heater upper plate and a heater lower plate are placed in the upper end of the placement part. A heater coil is placed between the two plates to form a heater assembly. Corresponding to the roasting vessel, a guiding part is placed at the bottom face of a heated air blower. Blowing holes are formed on the outer perimeter surface of the heated air blower in the oblique direction, a spindle is formed therein. The coffee bean roaster has an excellent roasting capacity by a strong whirlwind, and easily removes the hulls of the raw beans.

Abstract: A top side cooker includes a cooking head that is counterbalanced by a pair of gas cylinders. A lift arm couples the gas cylinders to the cooking head. A compression spring is fitted on the rod of each gas cylinder to provide a positive force at the end of the rod travel for precluding the heavy cooking head from crashing into the grill surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for the discontinuous preparation of farinaceous products such as spaghetti with a portioning apparatus for receiving the farinaceous products, a cooking chamber and a drainage chamber, with the inlet zone and the outlet zone of the cooking chamber and the drainage chamber each being closeable by valves which are arranged as flaps, with a single flap which is rotatable about a rotational axle being provided between the cooking chamber and the drainage chamber, and with the flaps in the inlet zone of the cooking chamber and the outlet zone of the drainage chamber being movable transversally to the inlet zone or the outlet zone.

Abstract: A bread stick rack for portable bread ovens fits within the baking well of a home kitchen appliance type portable bread oven. The rack is readily insertable and removable from the bread oven and has a plurality of individual bread stick molds. In use, rolled strips of dough are placed in each of the stick molds and then oven heated through its bake cycle so as to bake the sticks within the mold and conform them to the mold configuration. After baking, the rack is removable from the oven and the individual bread stick molds removable from the rack so as to shake or knock out the bread sticks from their individual molds.

Abstract: This invention is a barbecue type grill that can be used either indoors or outdoors. By diposing a convertible drip pan that can be opened and closed between the food supporting rack and the cooking heat source, rapid preheating can be accomplished as well as searing of desired food products, followed by closing of the drip pan to prevent unwanted flare-ups caused by juices dripping from the food being cooked. This closing of the drip pan allows the food to cook slower than over direct heat which allows the food to retain more juices when done. This invention overcomes the slow preheating and slow initial cooking inherent in the prior art using a solid impervious drip pan. Also, since different types of heat sources can be used in conjunction with the present invention, the problem of the bottom of the housing rusting out in the area adjacent the round burner below the heat deflecting plate is effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A paper tape locating/guiding device of a bill tying machine is disclosed. A tape guiding device is disposed in a housing of the machine. The tape guiding device includes an upper guiding block and two lower guiding blocks arranged into a U-shaped pattern. A bill compressing/sealing mechanism serves to push the lower guiding blocks upward to be close to the upper guiding block so as to define a close space. The inner sides of the upper and lower guiding blocks are respectively formed with inner channels for the paper tape to travel therein. Two opposite L-shaped resilient plates are respectively secured to two sides of the inner channels to define a rail for the paper tape to continuously travel therealong. When the bill tying machine is activated, the paper tape is circulated along the rail. When is paper tape is retrieved for tying the bills, the paper tape can be easily released from the restriction of the resilient plates to complete the bill tying and sealing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for kneading used fluid filters having an initial kneader and a final kneader disposed subsequent to the inital kneader. The initial kneader includes a first roller and a second roller disposed on the frame adjacent to the first roller at a distance less than the diameter of the used fluid filter. The first and second rollers include a bar extending longitudinally along the perimeter of each of the first and second rollers for grabbing the used fluid filter. The second roller rotates faster than the first roller and includes a high bar extending longitudinally along the perimeter of the second roller for shearing away the filter plate from the filter canister. The final kneader includes a fifth roller and a sixth roller on the frame adjacent to the fifth roller at a distance less than the distance between the first roller and the second roller. The fifth and sixth rollers include a plurality of points.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires is disclosed, including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive at least about 2400 scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into about 24 bales to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: A fully automated, microprocessor controlled, fiber baling apparatus for converting loose, discontinuous fibers into compressed, high-density fiber bales is disclosed. The fiber baling apparatus produces fiber bales having preselected and substantially identical masses with weight tolerances below one percent of the total bale weight. The fiber baling apparatus includes a conveyor located downstream of a fiber-forming chain, a baler having a first hopper, a second hopper mounted on a scale and a compression assembly, a bagger/strapper assembly, a bag sealer, and a bale lifting system. The fiber baling apparatus separates the fibers into separate mat portions rather than operating to form bales from a continuous stream of fibers. The separate mat portions of fiber are transported by conveyor to the baler and the fiber mat portions are weighed, precompressed, and fully compressed into fiber bales.

Abstract: Stamping part so fitted inside the casing (3) of a stamp that it is movable in the vertical direction, pressed by means of a know (4), which stamping part, to enable stamping, is provided with stamping pieces (10-12) placed in socket parts (19). The sockets are connected together in at least one endless band (16,17) by means of connecting lobes (20) between the foot ends of the sockets so that in connecting lobes and socket foot parts form a band. Moreover, the stamping part has a vertical framework (7,9) whose top and bottom ends are so rounded that the band can be revolved around said framework to select a desired stamp.

Abstract: A method of transferring a decorative stenciled image to an irregular object utilizes flexible plastic static cling sheet material as the stencil medium. The cutout stencil is shaped approximately to the size of the surface of the object that will receive the image and conforming the stencil medium to the surface smoothly, adhering the sheet material such that the static cling attribute of the material will bond to the object's surface without lifting or breaking that would cause gaps or bubbles. The method is completed by well-known steps of applying stencil ink or paint by brush or other suitable applicator, removing the stencil medium and optionally curing the image by baking or other fixation step.

Abstract: Screen ink printed film carrier having an ink screen printed electrical altering image provided on thin adhesive film carrier that is flexible and capable of deformation out of the major plane of the carrier to conform to the exterior contour presented by flat or complicated three-dimensional objects, upon which the film carrier can be affixed.

Abstract: An impression cylinder of a sheet-fed offset printing machine for first form and perfector printing has a multiple diameter and includes a dressing disposed on an outer cylindrical surface thereof for carrying a sheet on a previously printed side thereof, the dressing including a foil having a textured surface for supporting the sheet and having a construction for adjusting to and compensating for inequalities of the impression cylinder, the foil being replaceably fastened on the outer cylindrical surface at least at a sheet carrying region thereof.

Abstract: Ink is supplied to an ink duct in a rotary printing press from an ink cartridge. The cartridge receives a piston which can be pushed into the cartridge from one end to force ink out of the discharge end of the cartridge. This piston is moved through the cartridge by a helical gear in the form of a rotatable spindle driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bingo paper includes the steps of storing a plurality of preformulated bingo faces in the memory of a computer. The computer is connected to a variable data print unit. The computer is programmed to print a first series of bingo faces. The computer is also programmed to print a second series of bingo faces wherein the first series of bingo faces is different from the second series of bingo faces. The first and second series of bingo faces can be of different sizes or can have different bingo faces in them. Alternatively, the second series of bingo faces can be identical to the first series but printed in a different order. An indicium is also printed on each bingo face of the first and second series of bingo faces. After the indicium is applied, one or more series of the bingo faces will constitute a set of bingo faces.

Abstract: A retractable intermodal vehicle (10) for supporting and connecting modified semitrailers (11) end-to-end to form a train of trailers capable of being operated on a railroad track (172); the semitrailers also able to be operated on a highway as regular semitrailers. In the preferred embodiment, the intermodal vehicle (10) is comprised of two lower frames (12), with a wheel/axle assembly (18) mounted to each, and each pivoted from and supporting a single upper frame assembly (14), the pivoting of these lower frames providing a limited steering of the rail axles relative to the upper frame. Inflatable air springs (22) are mounted between the lower frames (12) and upper frames (14) to allow each upper frame to be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A motor bogie includes a bogie chassis and a crossbeam. The crossbeam pivots about a vertical axis relative to the bogie chassis, bears on a side friction block and is rotationally coupled by links to a body mounted on the motor bogie. An additional coupling is provided between the chassis and the body by an anti-yaw damper.

Abstract: An insulated composite railway boxcar having a composite box structure mounted on a railway car underframe is provided. The composite box structure includes side walls, end walls and a floor molded as an integral unit with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. The composite box structure includes a first fiber reinforced composite unit and a second fiber reinforced composite unit. The first fiber reinforce composite unit provides the end walls, side walls and floor for the railway boxcar. The second fiber reinforce unit may be permanently attached to the side walls and end walls to provide a roof for the boxcar. The railway car underframe has a center sill, side sills and end sills with a generally rectangular configuration and coplanar surfaces for adhesively bonding the composite box structure with the railway car underframe. Mechanical fasteners are also provided to couple the composite box structure with the railway car underframe.

Abstract: A tiltable table has a pneumatic actuator and a locking system for establishing and maintaining a table position. The locking system is operated by an air cylinder that engages a dog with a ratchet plate secured to the table. The ratchet permits the table to be raised but not lowered while locked. The ratchet must be unlocked before the table can be lowered. The dog is spring-biased to locking position, and is air-operated for release against the action of the biasing spring. On lowering the table, air from the actuator can be used to unlock the ratchet. The air can be permitted to escape through a restriction orifice at a slow enough rate to maintain sufficient air pressure to keep the locking system disengaged, but sudden release of all the air pressure will again permit the spring to re-lock the system to prevent a downward slamming of the table surface.

Abstract: A collapsible pallet with reinforcing slats, and a method for reinforcing a collapsible pallet. The pallet comprises a flexible platform having an upper surface operative to receive a load. Laterally-displaced support blocks are affixed to a lower surface of the platform. Reinforcing slats are coupled to the upper surface of the platform to facilitate pallet handling. In one disclosed embodiment, the slats are inserted into pockets coupled to the platform and sized for receiving the slats. The pockets on the platform are transversely oriented with the support blocks. In a disclosed alternative embodiment, the slats may be removed from the transversely oriented pockets on the platform when the pallet is no longer in use and inserted into stowage pockets below the platform and aligned parallel with the support blocks. The stowage pockets are coupled to the vertical faces of the support blocks so that the platform and support blocks may be collapsed to store the pallet in a minimum of space.

Abstract: A height adjustment system for a desk or workstation comprises plurality of height adjustable legs each having a first part in the form of a hollow column and a second part movable relative to the first part in a vertical direction. The second part of each leg includes a gearbox housing containing a crown gear provided on a vertically extending rotatable shaft and at least one pinion gear engageable with said crown gear. The gearbox housing includes ball bearing race assemblies for the crown and pinion gears which enable the height of two or more legs to be adjusted simultaneously by a single winding mechanism. The leg also includes a self-adjusting linear bearing between telescopically movable parts of the leg. The height adjustment system may also include a duct for cabling, a cable tray and a hinged duct cover pivotally attached to the top member.

Abstract: An improved safe deposit assembly including an outer housing, a removable inner container, and one or more lock devices which may be in signal communication with a time-delay device for securing valuables within. To unlock and remove the inner container from the outer housing, a separate cover is slid in to a slot on the outer housing. The cover locks a lock before releasing a latch, and neither the lock or latch are accessible until the container is removed from the housing. But a first lock must be unlocked before the cover may be slid in. The first lock may be in signal communication with a time delay to device to thwart robbery attempts. As the cover is slid in it first becomes trapped by a spring lock on the inner container and then it releases a second spring bolt lock that both seals the inner container and releases it from the outer housing. The sealed inner container may only be opened by unlocking the lock device.

Abstract: A multiple compartment cash box assembly including an insert box defining a first compartment and a separate second compartment. A first slot extends into the first compartment and a second slot extends into the second compartment. An access template is included movably coupled to the insert box between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the access template cooperates with the first slot to enable access therethrough into the first compartment while simultaneously cooperatively blocking access to the second compartment through the second slot. In the second position, the access template cooperates with the second slot to enable access therethrough into the second compartment while cooperatively blocking access to the first compartment through the first slot.

Abstract: A semiautonomously directed, autonomously controlled, gyroscopically stabilized, horizontal or vertical take off and landing (HOVTOL) flying apparatus employing two vertical lift devices equally and longitudinally spaced from the center of gravity of the apparatus; continuously integrated with a drive train apparatus, optional single or multiple power means; congruously connected thereto horizontal thrust devices. Integral to the vertical lift devices; pitch axis control devices situated at the exhaust orifices therein to vector said devices exhaust slip stream by a autonomous flight control system providing pitch stability. The autonomous flight control system providing continuously all flight control of the apparatus and said system being interfaced to a semiautonomous flight director device providing discrete flight direction function codes thereto.

Abstract: A coal-water slurry liquid fuel or coal or other liquid fuel is atomized for combustion in the reburn zone of a boiler with a relatively small addition of natural gas to produce NO.sub.x reductions comparable to the reburn effect of natural gas alone as well as a more uniform temperature profile in the upper combustion zone of the boiler.

Abstract: A low-cost volume-reducing treatment method for waste which thermally decomposes or burns chlorine-containing waste while the generation of hydrogen chloride and dioxin is completely or considerably suppressed. According to the method, volume of the waste can be greatly reduced. Shredder dust and other waste which contains chlorine derived from, for example, chlorine-containing polymers is thermally decomposed or burned at a temperature of 300.degree. to 1000.degree. C. in a reducing atmosphere where unburned carbon remains. Preferably, a basic material like red mud which contains alkali metal oxides or alkaline earth metal oxides is added before treatment.

Abstract: For determining the average radiation of a surface region of a burning bed, an infrared camera is used in a firing installation, which camera is aligned with this region and is equipped by means of appropriate flame filters in such a way that it operates at the minimum of the interfering radiation emanating from the flame, whereby this interfering radiation is already largely eliminated. In order then also to eliminate the solids radiation from moving particles and thus to obtain a temperature measurement of the burning bed, recordings are made successively at short intervals of time by means of the infrared camera and these are evaluated in the evaluation and control device.

Abstract: An applicator for injecting anhydrous ammonia into the soil. The applicator includes a pulling vehicle and a tool bar which are releasably coupled to one another. The pulling vehicle carries a large anhydrous ammonia storage tank and is preferably provided with a pump to move anhydrous ammonia from the storage tank to the tool bar. Additionally, the pulling vehicle is provided with a plurality of large tires to reduce compaction to the soil. Because of the capacity of the anhydrous ammonia tank and the size of the pulling vehicle, anhydrous ammonia can be injected in to the soil at a very rapid rate.

Abstract: A bed portion, minutely speaking, a portion corresponding to a rise-and-fall position of a needle, of a lock stitching machine or an over-lock stitching machine is formed into a unit and combined with a machine proper in a mounting/detaching free state, and uses plural sewing units that are selectively exchanged for each other. The machine proper 1 is formed by cutting of a top portion of a bed 1" on the right of a needle plate portion, leaving the cut-off portion as a connecting surface 5. A sewing unit 2 or 3 is formed by providing a needle plate 12, feeding teeth 13, a shuttle drive mechanism 15, a cloth feed mechanism 19 or loopers 47 and 49 and their drive mechanism 48 and 58 in one unit body. Its right side is left as a connecting surface 20, and the two elements are combined as one body in a mounting/detaching free state through a shaft coupling 7, a fitting portion 10 and a combining means 11, respectively protruding on the abovementioned two connecting surface.

Abstract: An arrangement for a sailing boat which exhibits a jib furling system (2) comprising a sail furling part (5) extending between the hull and mast of the boat, which sail furling part is rotatably driven by means of a manually actuated operating line (6) which drives a drive part (7) that is connected to the aforementioned sail furling part (5) to achieve furling of the foresail around the aforementioned rotatable sail furling part (5), and so that unfurling of the sail from the aforementioned sail furling part (5) is possible. A gear (9) is arranged between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5). The gear (9) is provided with devices to enable gearing to be obtained between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5).

Abstract: A boat hull protector for protecting the surface of the hull and keel of a boat from nicks and scratches in a beaching situation. The boat hull protector incorporates a single positioning and securing means for properly positioning the invention under the boat's hull, and additionally for securing the invention to the boat once positioned. The improvement abolishes the need to incorporate additional positioning components such as floats and drags, separate from the securing components.

Abstract: A combination torpedo tube test plug and muzzle door for a torpedo tube iudes a circumferential land formed at an extreme muzzle end of the torpedo tube. The circumferential land has an inner peripheral diameter less than an inner peripheral diameter of the torpedo tube, and an inner peripheral transition surface contiguously joining the inner peripheral surface of the torpedo tube. An abutting face is formed on an end of the muzzle door facing the circumferential land. A lip extension extends from the abutting face. The lip extension includes an outer peripheral surface mating with the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, and a device for selectively securing the lip extension to the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, wherein separation of the muzzle door from the torpedo tube is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve position indicator for indicating an open or closed position of a valve having a valve stem, the valve position indicator comprising a body adapted to be mounted to a subsea xmas tree structure, a traveling block movably connected to the body by at least one guide bolt, the traveling block including a threaded hole for engaging a threaded extension shaft which is coupled to the valve stem, a rigid tube connected to the body and having first and second open ends, and a coiled spring member having one end connected to the traveling block and the other end extending through the first end of the rigid tube, wherein the extension of the spring member beyond the second end by a predetermined amount provides a visual indication that the valve is in its open or closed position, whereby movement of the traveling block in response to actuation of the valve will push or pull the spring member through the tube to provide the desired visual indication.

Abstract: A drag embedment normal load anchor ("Denla") comprises a fluke with a shank pivotally attached thereto, the shank including an anchor cable attachment point and control or restraint mechanisms whereby the shank can be set such that the cable attachment point can lie selectively in first, second, and third directions relative to the fluke centroid, the directions providing three fluke centroid angles (.alpha., .beta., and .theta., respectively) with the fluke forward direction (F). The Denla is part of an anchoring apparatus including a rear drogue line serving to orientate the anchor correctly at the sea bed without the need for a separate pendant line. In operation, the Denla is embedded by pulling on an anchor cable with the first fluke centroid angle .alpha. present; when the desired horizontal anchor loading is achieved, the shank is moved to the second larger centroid angle .beta.

Abstract: A flexible, reusable quick sifter for use with a litter box which employs litter of the clumping type. The sifter has an expandable or stretchable netting secured to a hydrophobic surface across an opening such as a slit in a central area of the box. On lifting, clumping litter disposed in the central area spreads the netting and the slit open to allow unclumped litter to sift through the netting. The clumped litter is retained in the quick sifter and netting material for convenient disposal. The quick sifter is made from a rubberized fabric for reusability.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided that is capable of recovering, supporting and transporting sick or injured large animals in their natural upright position. The mobile apparatus having a telescoping boom associated with the support structure of the apparatus. The telescoping boom having a hoist associated therewith which is capable of lifting and holding a large animal in a vertical position.

Abstract: Atmospheric conditions and environmental impact of swine rearing facilities re improved by adding alum (aluminum sulfate) in a swine manure processing system. In an embodiment, alum is added to flush water used to flush away manure which has temporarily collected on at least a portion of a floor of the facility, such as in a flushing trough. The flushed manure and water are drained and delivered to a holding pond. Preferably, the flush water is then recycled from the holding pond for subsequent flushing. In another method, alum is added to a manure slurry in a manure collection pit disposed under a slatted floor on which the swine reside. In either method, alum is added in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit ammonia volatilization and to decrease soluble phosphorus present to provide a healthy and environmentally safe swine rearing facility and an improved agricultural fertilizer.