Abstract: A double pane window for an aircraft cabin has a passive air dehumidifying channel (5, 5A) that is in heat exchange contact with a window metal frame (1) which is in turn in heat exchange contact with the atmosphere outside the aircraft. The air dehumidifying channel (5, 5A) communicates through a first air flow port (6) with the cabin space and through a second air flow port (7) with a space enclosed between the double panes.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a catch member in a first condition and for releasing the catch member for movement to a second condition, the assembly including a latch member pivotable about a first pivotal axis and having a formation adapted to co-operate with the catch member to retain the catch member when the latch member is in a latched position, and a rocker member pivotable about a second pivotal axis, the latch member and the rocker member interacting to retain the latch member in its latched position, the assembly further including actuating means to move the rocker member about the second pivotal axis to cause the latch member to be pivoted about the first pivotal axis to an unlatched position to release the catch member, and wherein the latch member and the rocker member are interconnected by a resilient biasing means wherein the resilient biasing means includes first and second relatively movable parts with a spring acting between them and there being a stop means which locks the first and second rela

Abstract: In a door system for a passenger aircraft, a door panel is mounted on an aircraft structure so that it can pivot around at least one pivot axis and the door panel is movably guided at the end of the inward pivoting movement on a lifting movement path that runs essentially in conformance with the aircraft outside contour and runs transversely to the pivoting direction. Interengaging elements on the door frame and door panel are engaged in the completely closed position, moved out of shapewise engagement in an opposite lifting direction at the beginning of the opening process. The lifting movement takes place in a manner which is favorable for installation and is not prone to problems, while retaining an essentially horizontal pivoting movement path relative to the aircraft structure in such fashion that the pivot axis of the door panel is supported on the door frame with tilting position control and at the end of opening lifting movement, moves into essentially vertical alignment relative to the door frame.

Abstract: A kite illumination system is provided including a plurality of chemilluminescent light units and electrical light modules each releasably attached to the kite. The electrical light modules are preferably selectively actuated via a switch and further have uniquely colored lights which illuminate intermittently upon actuation.

Abstract: A spacecraft, such as a satellite, includes a panel array comprised of a plurality of panels that are stacked together and secured to the side of the satellite during launch. At least one shear tie device is configured to couple the panels together in shear to increase the resistance to deformation of the stack of panels. The shear tie device preferably comprises a male member that mates with a female member. A plurality of fingers secure the male member within the female member during launch. Upon reaching orbit, a bladder is inflated which deforms the fingers and releases the male member from engagement with the female member.

Abstract: A flight control system according to the present invention includes a vertical acceleration control device for calculating a pitch axis steering angle command to make a difference between a vertical acceleration of an airplane and a target turn acceleration to zero, and transmitting it as a variable to a pitch axis control device, a reference bank angle device for calculating a reference bank angle from the target turn acceleration, an altitude control device for calculating a bank angle correcting quantity from a difference between an altitude of the airplane and a target altitude and obtaining a bank angle command by correcting the reference bank angle, and a roll axis control device for calculating a roll axis steering angle command for make a difference between a real bank angle and the bank angle command to zero and for transmitting it as a variable to a roll axis control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing mat (1) for reinforcing a top layer of a ground, which top layer consists of bitumen, asphalt or a hydrocarbon-containing material of like nature, in which the reinforcing mat (1) is a mat woven with longitudinal wires (2, 3) and provided with reinforcement elements (4) running in the transverse direction of the mat, in which the reinforcement elements (4) consist of helically twisted steel profiled wires of essentially rectangular cross section.

Abstract: On vehicles on which only a single receiving antenna is provided or where a plurality of receiving antennas which are arranged side by side and are coupled to the forward and return conductors of a line conductor are provided, the phase angle of the received voltage is retained when the voltage drops below a given received level. If the level of the received voltage rises again, the prevailing phase angle of the received voltage can be compared with that of the retained received voltage. If the received voltages to be compared are found to be in phase opposition, it is deduced that a line conductor intersection point has been passed; if they are in phase, transient transmission interference is inferred. The phase angle of the comparative voltage is preferably retained by a flywheel oscillator, with the time offset between the prevailing received voltage and the comparative voltage preferably being determined by weighting the peak values of the two voltages.

Abstract: An operator for a railroad implement is provided with a linkage which mechanically isolates an actuator from impact forces transmitted through the linkage. Isolation provided by the linkage permits the use of a low power actuators which easily lend themselves to complete energization from solar energy sources. The operator is also provided with a safety electric interlock to prevent energization of the actuator during manual operation. A spring assembly tool is incorporated into the operator housing to facilitate installations and removal of compression springs in the operator mechanism.

Abstract: A device for anchoring a conduit, in particular an electrical cable, into a body, in particular a connector body, including a plug mounting on said body and an anchor bush disposed in said plug and which can assume an unclamped configuration or a clamped configuration depending on the position of said plug in said body, wherein said anchor bush and said plug are provided with complementary means for retaining said anchor bush in said plug.

Abstract: A cable containment device for supportedly routing cables and air lines along a cross member of a truck frame to eliminate potential interference of the cables and air lines with operating structures beneath the cross member defines an elongate channel having at least a horizontal bottom wall which extends across a major portion of the length of the cross member for providing securely supported elevation of the cables above the operating structures.

Abstract: A golf bag with integrally formed, automatically retractable golf bag stand is provided including a golf bag having a rigid open top and a rigid closed bottom with a tubular intermediate portion therebetween. The top is open for the positioning of golf clubs therethrough for support on the bottom and within an interior space of the intermediate. The bag further includes a pivotal foot pivotally coupled to the bottom of the bag. A pair of legs are pivotally coupled with respect to the bag. The legs have lower ends adapted to support the bag in a tripod orientation in association with the bottom of the bag. A pair of actuation rods have upper ends pivotally coupled to the legs and lower ends coupled to the pivotal foot at the bottom of the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image receiving monitor using a liquid crystal display constructed by attaching a liquid crystal display panel (1) to a stand (2), in which the stand (2) includes a pedestal (3), a surface plate (4) in a semi-cylindrical shape provided on the pedestal (3), a cover (6) attached to the surface plate (4) so as to be detachable and constituting a space (5) in an approximately cylindrical shape together with the surface plate (4) when the cover is attached to the surface plate (4), and a hinge (10) fixed to the upper part of the base (7) and having one end projecting outward from the space (5), and the liquid crystal display panel (1) is attached to the one end of the hinge (10) so as to be detachable.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable bracket for supporting items on the railings of house decks. The bracket is formed of only two parts without any fasteners. The parts interlock, but can be adjusted to form a clamp around the typical rectangular cross section rail. One part is a support unit which is a simple strap with two bends in it to form two offset sections, and the second part is a clamp unit which is a hook shaped strap with a long leg and a short leg. The preferred embodiment of the connection is a slot formed in the long leg of the clamp unit into which fits a tab protruding from one section of the support unit.

Abstract: A mounting stand securable within a vehicle passenger compartment to which an electronic component such as a CB radio is mounted that is adjustable at a number of location and in a number of planes to allow the user adjust the stand to provide optimum positioning of the electronic component within the vehicle for convenient safe use thereof.

Abstract: An information display device for use in conjunction with a computer monitor including a front display board having a surface capable of being written upon with ink markers of the erasable type, and a rear support arrangement which supports the information display device atop a computer monitor or other surface. The information display device also includes a message arm which is extendible from either side of the device from a channel formed within the interior thereof. The smooth front surface of the message arm is particularly useful for displaying self-adhesive type message notes in a location convenient to the worker. The information display device additionally defines front and rear shallow troughs for storing work-related items therein.

Abstract: A table tie-down assembly is provided including a plurality of straps each having a pair of elongated side edges and a pair of short end edges. Each strap includes at least one aperture formed therein adjacent to the end edges such that the strap may be fastened to a recipient surface for tying down a table.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the vertical arrangement of a pole or post-like object (4) on a fixing device (6) located in the ground, comprising a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally extended holding drift (10) which protrudes upwards from the free upper side of the fixing device (6) and which can be inserted into a receiving bore hole (12) on the lower front face (14) of the pole or post-like object (4). Also provided is a support plate (16) which is separate from the fixing device (6) and can be fixed onto the lower front face (14) of the pole or post-like object (4). At least one fixing attachment (18) protrudes upwards therefrom. In the middle of the support plate (16) there is an orifice (24) which is at least partially adapted to the cross-section of the holding drift (10). The support plate (16) also has a clamping section (26) which borders on the central orifice (24) and which is oriented in the same direction as the at least one attachment (18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for preventing, in a cylinder cabinet, the improper securing of a gas container due to human error or the like. The cylinder cabinet comprises a securing means for securing a gas container therein, a control means for managing and controlling a series of steps for carrying out a gas container-exchange operation, and a detection means for detecting whether the gas container is properly secured. When the detection means detects that the new container is improperly secured, the control means places the gas container-exchange operation on stand-by until the container is properly secured.

Abstract: An ice cube storage and dispensing unit having an ice cube tray tray with a plurality of ice cube compartments and a plurality of slits along one of the longitudinal edges. There is a cover is removably secured to the ice cube tray which creates a closed space above the ice cube tray. The cover has an open end. There are a plurality of latches located along the bottom edge of one of the longitudinal side walls of the cover. The latches engage the slits in the ice cube tray to pivotally attach the cover to the ice cube tray. There is a flange located around the bottom edge of the other longitudinal side wall that releasably engages a groove in the other longitudinal edge of the ice cube tray to releasably lock the cover over the ice cube tray. There is a flap in the top surface of the cover near the free end to create a slot and a door at the open end of the cover to seal the space above the ice cube tray. The door is pivotally attached to one of the side walls and has a panel inserted into the slot.

Abstract: The injection valve has a control valve with a control chamber in which a closing member is disposed. The closing member is pressed against a corresponding sealing seat by a pressure (e.g. fuel pressure) in the control chamber. The closing member merges into a rod that passes through a drain hole and is connected to a spring plate. The spring plate is preloaded against the housing by a compression spring in such a way that the closing member is pressed against an associated sealing seat. The closing member can be raised from the sealing seat by an actuator piston which rests against the spring plate.

Abstract: A valve for controlling liquids which for its actuation is provided with a liquid-filled coupling chamber, which is disposed between an actuator piston of a piezoelectric actuator and a piston that actuates a valve member. To compensate for liquid losses suffered by the coupling chamber, which is briefly at high in each work cycle, the pressure difference that exists during the return stroke of the actuator piston between the coupling chamber and the opposite sides of the actuator piston and of the that actuates the valve member that are remote from the coupling chamber is utilized to achieve refilling in valveless fashion along gaps. The valve is used for use in fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A flow control valve having a controllable flow area which varies with the valve displacement. The flow control valve includes a poppet-type valve element mounted to reciprocate between a closed and open position in a valve cavity formed in a valve housing. The valve housing has an inlet and outlet passage to allow fluid to flow therethrough. A removable insert having a flow passage is positioned in the valve cavity adjacent the poppet-valve for controlling the flow rate of gaseous fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage while the poppet valve is in an open position. Movement of the poppet valve from a closed to an open position varies the effective cross-sectional flow area of the flow passage.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a coil housing surrounding a solenoid coil and forming a part of a magnetic circuit which opens an injection valve when the coil is energized. To accelerate closing of the valve upon deenergizing the solenoid coil, the coil housing has narrow slots extending in the direction of the magnetic field to reduce the development and flow of eddy currents in the coil housing which retard collapse of the magnetic field and closing of the valve. The slots extend perpendicular to the direction of eddy current flow and thus increase the electrical resistance to current flow through the coil housing in this direction. They also reduce the amount of magnetic material in the coil housing and so reduce the amount of eddy currents created during field collapse.

Abstract: Gas valve (1) to be arranged in an intake port (2) of a combustion engine. In order to be able to give the valve different flow characteristics in a simple manner, the valve (1) comprises two plates (8, 24) disposed parallel to one another, between which the valve body (9) is arranged with clearance, which valve body (9) can shut off a discharge opening (11). By varying the degree of clearance, the amount of gas passing through the valve (1) can be varied. This variation in the valve lift can be achieved by adapting the height of an adjusting ring (5).

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having an end with an input having an entrance and an output and a probe integral with the housing extending from the output to beyond the end of the input. The probe has a passageway connected to the output. A spring-biased seal is disposed about the probe to seal the passageway and is depressible by an exterior member to expose the passageway. The extension of the probe beyond the end of the input permits the swabbing thereof before the depression of the seal.

Abstract: An universal lift system for use in combination with a lifting device which is particularly suitable for lifting and supporting two wheeled motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, mopeds, and the like in an elevated position so that maintenance may be easily performed on the vehicle. The lift system includes an attachment device comprising a base plate and cross members fastened to the base plate for mounting on the lifting device. The lift system further includes an adjustable support device, which may be used alone or in combination with the attachment device for maintaining the vehicle in a raised position while the lifting device may be removed from underneath the vehicle and the attachment device. Mounting brackets may be attached to the attachment device or support device for supporting a wide variety of vehicles and/or parts.

Abstract: An air flow activated humidifier for use in a ventilation system comprising a water evaporating means, displacing means engageable by the air flow of said ventilation system for displacing said water evaporating means, and activating means operably associated with said displacing means for activating said humidifier when said water evaporating means is displaced. A control system for a flow-through humidifier comprising a pivoting means, returning means, switching means and water valve. A method for humidifying circulated air using an air flow activated humidifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air treating device to be used for prevention of drying of air or cleaning of air, convenient for carrying and yet capable of humidifying the air in a room as required, by being disposed in the air feed unit of an equipment having an air delivering function and comprising diffusing pieces exposed to the delivered air as required to promote diffusion of liquid components, a diffusing piece mounting unit holding the diffusing pieces, and a mounting means for facing the diffusing pieces to the air feed unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of the heat treatment of a fluent food product with steam includes a pressure vessel having a steam inlet at one end and an a product outlet at the opposite end; an inner partition wall having an open end defines the product introduction and treatment chamber and includes a fluid distribution device adapted to provide a plurality of discrete turbulent sprays that impact in a turbulent manner on the interior surface of the partition wall to then flow downwardly to the open end in a turbulent manner while steam flow upwardly toward a vent located at the top of the treatment chamber; balanced flow of steam is effected by apertured baffles extending between the interior wall of the vessel and the partition wall.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper assembly has a barrel-piston assembly and a spring assembly. The barrel-piston assembly has a barrel with a top portion having an open end, and a piston extending through the open end. The piston has a bottom portion that is located inside the barrel. The piston and the barrel also define an annular space in which is a barrel shoulder and a piston shoulder. The barrel shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the barrel top portion. The piston shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the piston bottom portion. The spring assembly is disposed in the annular space between the barrel shoulder and the piston shoulder. When the piston is extended from the barrel, the shoulders compress the spring assembly and, thereby, reduce the amount of force required to compress the piston which enables the damper to be charged to a higher nitrogen pressure.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring, in particular for rail vehicles, trucks and busses, has a bellows made of elastomer material, if required provided with reinforcing inserts; a pot to whose upper part the bellows are secured, the bellows preferably rolling on the outer wall of the pot; a plate-shaped cover spaced apart from the pot and to which the other end of the bellows is secured; a central rod firmly secured to the cover and which projects out of the lid over a distance extends parallel to the bellows and enters the pot; a ball-and-socket joint located between the pot and the rod and supported against the inner wall of the pot; an air pipe; a slide bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the rod and guided on the outer wall of the rod; and an intermediate bush arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and the slide bush.

Abstract: A hydraulically damping elastomer bearing comprises an outer bearing sleeve as well as an elastomer element arranged therein and a bearing core which is held by the elastomer element. Between the bearing core and the bearing sleeve chambers are formed and filled with fluid, which chambers are interconnected via at least one channel. In order to achieve progressive damping characteristics in the impact region, between the bearing core and the inside wall of the bearing sleeve there is arranged in at least one of the chambers an inflexible, hydraulically supported displacement element. In the unloaded state, this displacement element is at a predetermined distance from a reference surface. Between the displacement element and a component bearing the latter there is formed a displacement chamber of small height between the displacement surfaces, the displacement chamber being in communication with one of the further chambers via at least one throttling orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing paper ejected from an image forming device includes the use of a plurality of bins for sorting the paper ejected from the image forming device into packets and for housing the packets. A tray for stacking the packets is provided, along with a packet conveying device for conveying the packets from the plurality of bins to the tray. A detection device is included for detecting the maximum amount of paper that can be stacked onto the tray. A control device is also included which performs a number of controlling functions such as halting the packet conveying device, counting the number of empty bins from which the packets have already been removed and transmitting the number to an image forming device controller, in addition to controlling the guidance of the paper subsequently ejected from the image forming device in the empty bins.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a pair of feeding roller and separating roller an inter-shaft distance changing mechanism for the pair of rollers, and sheet detecting means, and a sheet fed is rammed against the surface on which the feeding roller and the separating roller overlap each other to thereby correct skew feeding, and the feeding roller and the separating roller are moved away from each other to thereby feed the sheet. When the passage of the fed sheet between the feeding roller and the separating roller is detected the feeding roller and the separating roller assume a state in which sheet feeding is impossible. By the above-described operation being performed for each sheet, the correction of skew feeding and the separation of a sheet are effected by the feeding roller and the separating roller.

Abstract: A drive power transmission mechanism situated between a drive motor and a pick-up roller for transmitting a drive power to the pick-up roller from the drive motor to rotate the pick-up roller under a normal condition. The rotating pick-up roller picks up a sheet at a time from a stack of sheets piled up on a paper feed tray. The transmission mechanism includes a torque limiter that interrupts drive power transmission to the pick-up roller from the drive motor when the pick-up roller contacts an empty paper tray. The drive power transmission mechanism also includes a clutch for preventing drive power transmission from the pick-up roller to the drive motor. The drive power transmission from the pick-up roller to the drive motor occurs, for example, when both the pick-up roller and a feed roller contact the same sheet and the pick-up roller rotates faster than a predetermined speed.

Abstract: The apparatus for separating a flat product from a pile of flat products, has a sucker mechanism with an upper and a lower part. The upper part is connected to a first link joint of a central lever and the lower part is connected to a second link joint of the central lever. The central lever is rotatable about an axis which extends through the central lever. The axis is movable along the central lever, in order to change the position of the pivot point of the central lever.

Abstract: A method and unit for feeding blanks to a user machine, whereby at least two synchronized pickup heads withdraw the blanks from respective hoppers and feed them to respective conveying pockets moving continuously along a user path of the machine; each blank adheres by suction to a flat conveying surface of the respective pickup head, with a first lateral edge projecting outwards of the flat conveying surface and with a second edge contacting a push tooth projecting from the respective flat conveying surface, and is so inserted inside the respective conveying pocket as to be maintained in a flat configuration between the push tooth and a stop element moving together with the conveying pocket.

Abstract: A sheet feeder unit being capable of separately supplying cut sheets of any thickness without causing any residual deformation. Cut sheets (11) in a pile are advanced one by one with a pair of feeding rollers (31) contacting thereto from one side thereof. A friction member (33) is disposed in the middle between the pair of feeding rollers (31) which is backed away by a proceeding cut sheet (11) thereby separating the outermost cut sheet (11) from the other sheets by the frictional force of contact therebetween.

Abstract: A card-like article is provided with an elevator assembly that can elevate a stacked array of cards to a discharge station. The elevator assembly can be incrementally advanced by reciprocating operating rods that extends between pairs of rails. The elevator assembly can be releaseably affixed to the rails by a braking assembly.

Abstract: A device is used to transfer printed products from the paddle wheel pockets of a paddle wheel or a delivery fan. A gripper chain carries a plurality of grippers which remove the printed products from the pockets without damaging them. A gripper chain drive wheel and the paddle wheel or wheels have a common axis of rotation but are driven separately from each other.

Abstract: A sheet handling system for a sheet transport path of a reproduction apparatus having a sheet skew correction system being fed image substrate sheets in the process direction by a sheet transport system, wherein it is desired to positively feed and yet effectively deskew a wide range of different lengths of sheets in the process direction. A plurality of identical but independent sheet transport units may be provided spaced along the sheet transport path in the process direction engageable with a sheet being fed through sheet transport path for positively feeding even very short sheets from one sheet transport unit to another and to the skew correction system. Yet these sheet transport units provide independently automatically disengageable nips for automatically releasing even a very long sheet from any unit when that long sheet is in the skew correction system. A different selected number of the sheet transport units are disengaged in response to a different sheet length control signal.

Abstract: A sheet handling device for accommodating, aligning and storing sheets fed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with front-side and rear-side aligning members for pressing the sheets stacked on a first storage means between the aligning members to stably and exactly align the stacked sheets. The front side aligning member is movable vertically or rotatable to open a sheet transferring passage so as to enable a sheet aligning mechanism in the sheet handling device to be operated in a small space, and thus, made compact. While transferring the aligned sheets from the first storage means to a second storage means, the aligned sheets are stably held by the front-side aligning member being in soft contact with the upper surface of the sheets being transferred.

Abstract: This invention is to a random selection game device. In particular, the invention is a device for randomly selecting game balls, and is particularly useful in bingo or lottery-type games. In one embodiment, the invention includes an air mix housing which comprises an outer vertical walled section and an inner vertical walled section, the inner vertical walled section being permeable to air, a top portion and a bottom portion abutting the inner and outer vertical walled sections, the bottom portion of the air mix housing having an air discharge section and an air intake section; and an air mover having an air discharge end and an air suction end, the air discharge end being connected to the air intake section of the of the bottom portion of the air mix housing and the air suction end being in fluid connection with the air discharge section of the bottom portion of the air mix housing.

Abstract: A domino box kit (20) (shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) comprises a sectionalized base (29) which has a recessed area for storing a plurality of domino game tiles (26), a score book (37), and a writing instrument (38), and a sectionalized cover (30). The base (29) (shown in FIG. 4) has two sections. A base section (23) has a male slidable track member (40) and a base section (24) has a female slidable track member (41) for connecting the base sections by a male and female slidable track system. The cover (30) (shown in FIG. 5) has two sections. A cover section (21) has a male slidable track member (42) and a cover section (22) has a female slidable track member (43) for connecting the cover sections by a male and female slidable track system. The base sections (23) and (24) and the cover sections (21) and (22) (shown in FIG. 6) are used as domino stands for supporting the domino game tiles (26) while the game is being played.

Abstract: A toy includes a housing with pressure sensitive sensors on each face of the housing. The toy instructs players as to which parts of their body they should use in pressing one or more of the sensors on the toy. A number of games can be played with the toy. Players can pass the toy from one player to another using the body parts the toy calls out and try to set records for the number of passes possible without mistake, or can try to set records for the number of passes that can be made within a two minute time period. A third game involves three or four players trying to cover five or six of the sensors in accordance with the toy's instructions. The players maneuver their bodies to maintain pressure on the sensors being held while pressing holding a new sensor called out by the toy. The voice used in the toy also tries to challenge the players to improve on their previous scores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a game device, comprising: a game board divided into discrete squares and pieces of differing type for placing on these squares, such as a chessboard and chess pieces, wherein the squares are ordered in a rectangular array comprising rows and columns of squares, which game device comprises detection means for detecting the possible presence and the type of a piece on each square, in addition to means for generating appropriate detection signals, which device comprises: resonance coils arranged in the playing pieces; a number of elongate transmit and receive coils arranged in the board which each extend below a row or column of squares such that a part of both a transmit and receive coil is situated under each square; means for successively selecting a transmit coil and a receive coil in scanning manner; an amplifier which in correspondingly scanning manner is connected with its output to the selected transmit coil and connected with its input to the selected receive coil such tha

Abstract: The present invention reveals a game for utilizing common knowledge and the English language to match the answers of one's teammates to the word or phrase given on a match card. The number of possible answers is endless as there is no right or wrong answer to the word or phrase on the match cards, it depends entirely upon what each individual comes up with for his or her answer. Points are awarded when one or more teammates match the answer given by the person who reads the match card and who rolled a die. When answers are matched, that team moves its game piece along the game board corresponding to the number of points earned from the number of matching answers.

Abstract: A game that includes a movable target is provided. To this end, the game includes an object that is thrown at the movable target. The movable target has a first movable element, a second movable element, a switch actuated by the thrown object, and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism switches from moving the first movable element to moving the second movable element in response to actuation of the switch. Switch actuation occurs when the thrown object encircles the movable target and strikes an appendage of the movable target.

Abstract: A shaft seal having spacers positioned between the packing follower and the body of a valve. The spacers are flat, hard members of a certain thickness which allow maximum tightening of the packing fasteners and determine the maximum pressure the packing follower exerts on the packing material. The spacers have a slot for accommodating the fasteners and a tab that can easily be grasped with a tool, such as pliers. A stack of spacers can be positioned between the packing follower and valve body and then sequentially removed to provide incremental tightening of the fasteners for maintaining pressure on the packing materials by the packing gland. The spacers may include integral locking tabs.