Abstract: A compressor includes a piston and a shoe, which contact and slide on one another. The piston includes a sliding surface, on which a solid lubricant film is formed. The shoe includes a sliding surface that slides on the first sliding surface. A soft film that mainly contains soft metal is formed on the second sliding surface. The solid lubricant that forms the solid lubricant film is a solid lubricant other than a soft metal.

Abstract: The present invention is a barbecue grill assembly having a frame with a work surface secured by a sliding mechanism, such as a sliding track assembly. The present invention alternatively provides a work surface being a slidable burner cover assembly for an auxiliary burner of a barbecue gas grill. The assembly includes a burner cover having a body portion disposed over the auxiliary burner in a closed position and a slide mechanism attached to the grill and the cover to allow the cover to be slidably moved from the closed position to a second position wherein the auxiliary burner is exposed from underneath the body portion of the burner cover. The slide mechanism also provides extended cantilever support for the work surface in the second position.

Abstract: Device for binding roasts, sausages and the like, comprising a vertical rod having a clamp and a threaded rod with a control knob for fixing the vertical rod to the table, wherein: a concave element, suitable for containing the “roasts” to be bound by the elastic rings, is fixed on the top of the vertical rod; below being provided a parallel rod iron having an invitation bending; below said element and relative rod iron being provided a device carrying the elastic rings, i.e. three rod irons forming together a bracket, arranged two in the upper part and one in the lower, between said rod irons being provided a fourth rod iron, as an independent spring, for maintaining tidy said elastic rings.

Abstract: A compactor for containers containing flowable materials in which the containers are compacted in a compaction chamber and flowable materials from the containers are recovered in a controlled manner as by extrusion from the compaction chamber. The compactor advantageously includes a shearing mechanism to assist in controlling the feeding of containers into the compaction chamber and/or the release of the container's contents. The containers are preferably compacted under sufficiently high pressures to rupture the containers and force any flowable materials out of the containers. A collection manifold is preferably provided in sealed communication with the compaction chamber to receive flowable materials extruded from the compaction chamber. A filter or screening mechanism capable of withstanding the pressures generated in the compactor is provided to permit flowable materials to be extruded out of the compacting chamber, yet maintaining the ruptured containers in the compaction chamber.

Abstract: A lithographic web-fed rotary printing press (1) comprises an apparatus (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) for diverting a wet printed web (4), e. g. in order to pass it around a downstream printing unit (2b) of the press (1). Each diverting apparatus (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) includes a diverting roll (I 2) having a hydrophilic surface, to which water solution 14, preferably dampening solution, as it is used in dampening systems of a lithographic rotary printing press, is supplied by a spray nozzle arrangement (22), or by an applicator roller (16) which is in contact with a pan roller (20) for transferring the water solution (14) from a reservoir (18).

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press having at least one unit including an impression cylinder and an additional cylinder assigned to the impression cylinder, the impression cylinder and the additional cylinder being relatively adjustable a spaced distance from one another, includes a sheet guiding device disposed on the additional cylinder for keeping sheets of printing material, which have been transported by the impression cylinder past the additional cylinder, away from the additional cylinder, once the spaced distance between the impression cylinder and the additional cylinder has been set.

Abstract: The bearing lubrication system for a cylinder in a printing machine pumps oil from the driving gear side to the roller bearing. The gear side has a gear box and an oil sump with a supply of lubricating oil. An oil loop connects the bearing housing with the gear box fluidically via dry quick disconnects. The dry disconnects allow quick removal of the printing machine cylinder for maintenance or for print job retrofitting. As the printing machine cylinder rotates (it is driven from the gear box), oil is pumped from the gear box into the bearing housing. The bearing is thus lubricated and cooled. The oil is discharged from the bearing housing and returned to the gear box sump.

Abstract: A device for use in a rotary printing machine having at least one printing mechanism including a plate cylinder which can be releasably mounted on a shaft carrying the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder and the shaft can be oriented both axially and also in the peripheral direction relative to the shaft and thus relative to the article to be printed. When the plate cylinder and the shaft are oriented as desired, the plate cylinder is capable of being fixedly attached to the shaft. The plate cylinder can be fixed in the peripheral direction and in the axial direction.

Abstract: A meterable screen roller having a peripheral surface whereon a multiplicity of printing ink-accepting depressions are disposed includes a respective base for the depressions formed by a resilient material, and respective chambers located underneath and assigned to the depressions, the chambers being actable upon by a pressure medium for respectively enlarging and reducing the volume of the depressions.

Abstract: A method is furnished for producing a compressible layer for a printing blanket by heating a sheet-shaped intermediate layer of a rubber composition having a structure in which hollow microspheres are dispersed in matrix rubber for one to fifty minutes under certain defined conditions of vulcanizing pressure and temperature using a vulcanizer for applying heat and pressure in direct contact with the intermediate layer. The produced compressible layer exhibits superior compressibility and durability, is uniform in thickness and internal structure, and does not reduce the productivity of the printing blanket and increase the fabrication cost of the printing blanket.

Abstract: A gripper drum device comprising a drum body rotatable about a central axis, an actuating shaft rotatable within the drum body, a box cam follower connected to the actuating shaft for moving the actuating shaft, a gripper seat connected to the actuating shaft, a gripper connected to the actuating shaft, and a box cam, the box cam follower being located within the box cam for following the box cam. Also provided is a method for gripping printed products including the steps of rotating a drum about a central axis, moving a cam follower within a box cam, and gripping a printed product with a gripper attached to the cam follower.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention increases the operating envelope for large format thermal ink jet printing via a directed fluid flow from specially-designed orifices which promote fluid flow on a printed surface adjacent a printing zone in a large format ink jet printer where in addition to the optimized fluid flow one or more heating elements are inserted directly into the fluid flow to thereby promote drying of said printed surface. In one embodiment, a single dual-duct plennum spans the width of a roll-fed large format ink jet print engine and a first duct distributes heated air downward (in the direction of media web movement) and a second duct evacuates a printing space so that any potentially harmful ink vapors or other air-borne contaminant is appropriately fluidly coupled to either a remote exhaust vent or vapor capture vessel.

Abstract: A method for removing a cleaning device from a printing machine and for inserting the cleaning device or another cleaning device into the printing machine, the inserted cleaning device being secured in position in the printing machine by a fixing device, includes opening a protective covering of the printing machine and automatically inactivating the fixing device by the opening of the protective covering, removing the cleaning device from the printing machine through an opening in the printing machine exposed by the protective covering, inserting the respective cleaning device into the printing machine, and closing the protective covering and automatically activating the cleaning device by the closing of the protective covering, so that the inserted cleaning device is secured in the inserted position thereof; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: A lithographic printing member comprises a base material and a coating provided thereon. The coating having one or more layers containing magnetic particles. Printing processes and products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for a printing blanket comprises a cassette of dimensions sufficient at least to contain a printing blanket in wound form. The cassette comprising a casing of generally cylindrical shape having a longitudinal opening for sheet-form egression of a printing blanket from within the cassette. In one preferred embodiment, the cassette has a pressure slide attached to or integral therewith adjacent to the longitudinal opening, for pressing a printing blanket on a press cylinder when the blanket is fed onto the cylinder. The cassette is employed in the manipulation of large adhesive-backed printing blankets for web-feed offset printing presses.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer recording medium is comprised by providing a transfer portion having a receptor layer on a substrate film. The transfer portion is printed with the image and thereafter transferred on a surface of a transfer-receiving material. In the first aspect of the intermediate transfer recording medium, the transfer portion is provided with plural hologram patterns 21 with a hologram mark 22 allocated to each the hologram pattern. According to the first aspect of the invention, since an image is formed on the receptor layer through positioning process using the hologram mark and then the transfer portion is transferred to the surface of the transfer-receiving material, no joint of a print plate appears in the hologram pattern and accuracy of transfer is remarkably excellent.

Abstract: A micromechanical device that takes a vertical force to a micro substrate that results into a vertical motion and translates that vertical motion into horizontal motion. A pit is etched onto a micro substrate where the walls of the pit meet the floor of the pit at less than a 90° angle. A vertical force is applied to a structure to push it along the angled wall of the pit and as the structure reaches the bottom of the pit the vertical motion is translated into horizontal motion. By attaching a spring or similar mechanism to the structure, one can store the horizontal momentum for later use by latching the structure in some way before the spring can pull the structure back into its original position.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a propeller assembly from a folded configuration to a deployed, operational configuration, the apparatus comprising a propeller assembly hub which in conjunction with a propeller hub nut maintains an aerodynamically efficient shape after the propeller assembly is deployed, the propeller hub nut which is diametrically large enough to allow assembly of a drive shaft and a drive shaft bevel gear and includes a cavity to accept a spring detent, a propeller blade which protrudes from a journal located in the surface of the propeller assembly hub where when in its folded configuration, the propeller blade is in the same parallel axial direction as the drive shaft and when deployed is nutated to a radially outwardly extending operative position in response to rotating of a propeller blade bevel gear, the drive shaft rotated about its axis where one end engages a prime mover and a second distal end engages the hub nut, drive shaft bevel gear fixed to the drive shaft near the distal end whic

Abstract: A method and a device for destroying drifting sea mines (5). According to the invention, a capture-and-destroy device (11) is brought into the vicinity of the drifting sea mine (5) with the aid of a buoyant body (12, 22) having a coupled-on drive system (13) or a drive device (24), and the mine is captured in that the sea mine (5) is surrounded by deployment of a capture net (16) normally located in a capture unit (11.1) of the capture-and-destroy device (11). A motorized element (17) disposed in the capture unit (11.1) draws the capture net (16) together automatically until the captured sea mine (5) rests directly against a destroyer unit (11.2) with a destructive charge (15). The destructive charge (15) is then automatically detonated to destroy the mine.

Abstract: The precursor-follow through kinetic energy explosively formed penetrator assembly greatly enhances target penetration. It is formed of two sections: an initial precursor penetrator followed by a penetrator encapsulating a reactive material. The target will initially be perforated by the precursor penetrator with the second follow through penetrator containing a reactive material causing internal damage through a secondary reaction.

Abstract: A rail heating assembly including a series of individual heating modules is operable to raise and maintain the temperature of rails of a railroad track to reduce bending and deforming of the rails due to variations of atmosphere conditions. The heating module includes a series of burners with attached radiator plates so as to provide convective and radiant energy to heat the rails. The heating module includes an outer shell and a Venturi-shaped inner shell to surround the rail, with a series of burners attached to one end providing a stratified flame to heat the rail. A series of radiator plates mounted to the inner shell are heated by the flame, and the radiator plates radiate thermal energy towards the rail.

Abstract: An in-vehicle switch mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guideway at converging and diverging points of the guide rails in a guided vehicle system includes a support frame; a pivot assembly; a switch arm assembly pivotably mounted at its proximate end to the pivot assembly; a switch wheel rotatably mounted to the switch arm assembly at its distal end; an actuator for moving the switch arm between a deployed position in which the switch wheel engages a guide rail and a stowed position in which the switch wheel is free of the guide rail; and a biasing device interconnected between the support frame and pivot assembly for pre-loading the switch wheel against the guide rail when the switch wheel is deployed as the vehicle approaches the point of divergence; and an in-vehicle switch system which uses such in-vehicle switch mechanisms.

Abstract: A two-track conveyor system includes an I-beam-shaped power track and a channel-shaped free track, where the power track supports a heavy-duty chain drive having a pusher dog with a pivotal connector. By providing the pusher dog with the pivotal connector the pusher dog can be used with a load-bearing trolley, that rides within the free track, that has a fixed power dog at the front end of the leading trolley and that does not require a hold back dog.

Abstract: A wheel stop for an overhead rail vehicle includes a wheel block assembly pivotably fastened to a clamping assembly. The wheel block assembly is provided with an actuator connector positioned such that a downward force on the wheel block assembly tends to move the wheel block assembly from a wheel-engaging position to a retracted position. An actuating assembly permits an operator to actuate a lift rod for moving the wheel block assembly from a ground location. Shock absorbing elements on the wheel stop prevent damage. The actuating assembly is provided with apertures for receiving a padlock to prevent tampering.

Abstract: Prior battery-powered electric locomotives have used multiple diesel engines to charge the batteries and have not been commercially accepted. The present invention provides a yard switcher which combines battery storage with a gas microturbine generator to provide an effective fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly locomotive. locomotive.

Abstract: A guidance apparatus is used on a transit vehicle which includes separate steerable drive tires operated by a central guidance platform having four peripherally mounted wheels follow the contour of a guide rail. The guide wheels are spaced above the roadway on a guideway used by the steerable drive tires thereby providing the capability of both on-track and off-track driving of the vehicle. A steering linkage imparts the linkage of a guide plateform to one steerable drive tire and a drag link transmits the rotary motion to the second steerable drive tire.

Abstract: A wall-mounted stowable reading tray assembly (10) suitable for placement in a bathroom or any other confined space. The tray assembly (10) has a tray (12) configured to require minimal room and wall space when stowed, yet provides ample surface area for supporting reading materials when deployed. The tray assembly (10) is legless, and therefore the tray (12) is cantilevered from its mounting wall when deployed. The tray (12) is stowed within a mounting frame (14) attached to the mounting wall, and recessed into the wall if so desired. The tray assembly (10) preferably employs means (38) for supporting the tray (12) when deployed, and which is also stowed with the tray (12). The tray (12) includes an extension (44) that can be stowed within the tray (12) when not needed. Consequently, the extension (44) does not occupy any additional room or wall space when the tray (12) is stowed.

Abstract: An aircraft pallet assembly structured to support and retain cargo intended to be loaded on and transported by commercial aircraft, wherein the pallet assembly comprises a base and a surrounding peripheral portion normally including a multi-sided configuration. Each side of the base includes a peripheral flange extending at least along a majority of the length thereof, which is disposed and configured for fixed attachment to one of a plurality of track segments, collectively defining a track assembly, and structured to removably secure a load retaining assembly, typically in the form of a retaining cover or net in overlying, covering relation to the cargo, for purposes of maintaining the cargo in an intended position on the base of the pallet assembly.

Abstract: A computer workstation extension designed to be used with a variety of different desks, tables and counters. The extension includes a rectangular-shaped planar member. Formed or attached to one end of the planar member is a longitudinally aligned overlapping lip member designed to be placed over the top surface of the desk, table or counter. In the preferred embodiment, a recessed space is formed over the lip member which is designed to receive a mouse pad. During use, the top surface of the planar member and the mouse pad are aligned and registered to form a flat, continuous work surface. The planar member is adjustably attached to the edge of the desk, table or counter by two single or bi-directional clamps located on the bottom surface of the planar member. The bi-directional clamps enable the extension to attach to different sized and shaped edges.

Abstract: An access control vestibule having first and second locking single doors, an access control chamber formed between the two doors, magnetic locks for each of the doors, a metal detector located between the doors to detect for a weapon, the doors are manually operable and swing towards the outside of the chamber, the frame of the vestibule is rectangular and formed of a metal material, the door frames being formed of a metal material, transparent ballistic resistant panels are mounted in the side walls of the chamber and the door frames, ultrasonic sensors are positioned above the first and second halves of the chamber to detect for the presence of more than one person within the chamber or for the presence of an object such as a weapon on the floor of the chamber, an ultrasonic sensor located above the metal detector, a touch-sensitive pad located on the inside of the exit door of the chamber, a control device to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time and to prevent the second or exit door from

Abstract: A seeding machine has a common, bulk seed container that supplies a number of independent openers, each of which is provided with its own separate metering device. Each metering device is gravity-fed through a telescoping supply tube connected between the top of the metering device and the bottom of the seed container. Each metering device has a relative narrow metering wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis that is provided with one or more rows of seed pockets on its outermost peripheral edge. As the wheel rotates upwardly through a pool of incoming seeds that have collected generally above the wheel in a seed chamber inside the metering device, the pockets become filled by gravity with seeds and then successively discharged at the bottom of the downsweep side of the wheel.

Abstract: A seeding machine is provided with a frame having a plurality of pneumatic seed meters. An air pump located on the frame supplies air pressure to a pneumatic manifold. The pneumatic manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the seed meters by air hoses. Pneumatic orifices are pneumatically positioned between the pneumatic manifold and the portion of the seed meters closest to the air pump.

Abstract: An interlock stitch sewing machine for blindstitch hemming with a slippage preventing device is provided which is so constructed as to prevent slippage that is likely to occur due to a position error of a lower fabric portion of the fabric portions stacked by a top-stitching at the fabric end, or a locally deformed portion due to a cutting error, in the blindstitch hemming of a tubular article such as T-shirts or underwear. A top-stiching width guide and a fabric edge guide are oppositely disposed in front of a needle location. A slippage detecting sensor that detects the edge position of the lower fabric portion to detect the presence of slippage, is attached to the fabric edge guide. When the slippage quantity detected by the sensor exceeds a permissible slippage quantity, it is determined there is possibility of slippage, and an informing means is operated.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of making a lined fabric product having an open hem construction. An open hem construction refers to a lined fabric product in which a liner fabric is hemmed separately from a cover fabric. In this configuration, the liner fabric is allowed to drape independently from the cover fabric. In the past, fabric articles, such as curtains and draperies, having an open hem construction were primarily made exclusively by hand. The process of the present invention, on the other hand, allows some automation, improving the speed and cost at which the products are made.

Abstract: A sailboat and crew performance optimization system includes a modular system of sensors, data acquisition, computational analysis, graphical display and optional feedback control for optimizing sailboat and crew performance. The system acquires data relating to external factors (e.g. wind speed, wind direction, variations in wind speed, variations in wind direction, sea state, and wave conditions), performance parameters (e.g. boat speed, time to reach a specified destination and velocity made good, safety parameters and sailboat comfort parameters), dependent variable setpoints (e.g. sail shape, sail pressure distribution, etc.), and control variables (e.g. line tensions, rudder angle, sail plan, etc.) and correlates or analyzes the data to determine or predict the optimum setpoint targets and control variables. The system displays information and relationships to the sailboat crew in order to optimize sailboat performance and crew performance.

Abstract: A hatch cover structure for a personal watercraft, wherein a hatch cover is attached to a deck of the personal watercraft via a hinge unit having a double action mechanism, which moves the hinge shafts apart from a hull surface during the continued opening action of the pivotally moving hatch cover.

Abstract: A boat featuring an autopilot-based steering and maneuvering system. The steering system uses a specially integrated autopilot that remains engaged unless the operator is actively commanding the boat to change course. For example, in a boat in which steering is performed using a joystick, course changes can be effected simply by moving (e.g., twisting) the joystick. That movement automatically disengages the autopilot, allowing the operator to achieve the course change. When the operator has completed the course change and released the joystick, a centering spring returns it to a neutral position and the autopilot automatically reengages. In the improved maneuvering system, the autopilot is used for controlling the direction of a waterjet boat during very low speed (e.g., less than 4 knots) maneuvers, such as docking. The autopilot controls the steering system, e.g.

Abstract: A boat ramp assembly is disclosed. The boat ramp assembly includes a rectangular frame, a metal support mounted adjacent the top of the frame. A connector pivotally mounts the frame to a shore support. In another embodiment a floating dock assembly is positioned adjacent the rectangular frame. The floating dock assembly includes a main floating dock portion, an intermediate parallel arm section and a shore mount assembly.

Abstract: A self-adjusting boat cover support pole in combination with a flexible boat cover. The support pole includes a tubular base leg having a spring disposed in its interior cavity adjacent its lower end. A first tubular extension leg is telescopically received in the base leg with its lower end contacting and upwardly biased by the spring while its upper end contracts and supports the boat cover. Additional tubular extension legs may be telescopically connected and adjustably locked at any desired position to give an appropriate overall length. The support pole holds the boat cover in a resiliently taut condition to facilitate attaching the cover to the boat hull, to eliminate water cupping, and to minimize the potential for tearing of the cover.

Abstract: A plasma reactor appropriate for fabrication, especially etching, of semiconductor integrated circuits and similar processes in which the chamber has a top comprising a truncated conical dome and, preferably, a counter electrode disposed at the top of the conical dome. An RF coil is wrapped around the conical dome to inductively couple RF energy into a plasma within the chamber dome. The dome temperature can be controlled in a number of ways. A heat sink can be attached to the outside rim of the dome. A rigid conical thermal control sheath can be fit to the outside of the dome, and any differential thermal expansion between the two is accommodated by the conical geometry, thus assuring good thermal contact. The rigid thermal control sheath can include resistive heating, fluid cooling, or both. Alternatively, a flexible resistive heater can be wrapped around the dome inside the RF coil.

Abstract: A device is provided for the automatic milking of animals. The device includes milk cups with an inner wall which at the topside possibly encloses an upper chamber and at the bottom continues as a milkline provided during milking with underpressure. The upper chamber and possibly the milkline are connected with one or more uninterrupted lines with an air supply. By supplying air to the topside of the milk cup during milking, the milk cup does not creep upward during milking to prevent the milk cup pinching the milk supply to the teats.

Abstract: A modular teat cup assembly for use with a milking machine for milking cows. The modular teat cup assembly comprises a hollow tubular shell together with a cartridge assembly slidably received within the shell. The cartridge assembly includes a spool-shaped liner and a framework comprising a pair of opposing sleeve members for supporting the liner. The sleeve members are movable between an open position to permit removal and replacement of the liner, and a closed position for supporting the liner therebetween. A cap removably mounted on the bottom of the shell holds the cartridge assembly within the shell and is used to attach a milking tube in the conventional manner. A head piece includes a mouth for receiving a cow's teat, and is snapped onto the upper end of the shell to complete the modular assembly.

Abstract: Drinking valves (11) are usually screwed into water supply lines (10). This type of connection involves relatively high outlay. The invention proposes a drinking valve (11) which has a casing (12) consisting of an acceptance part (14) and a connecting part (15), a snap-in connection (48) being arranged between the acceptance part (11) and the connection part (15). This snap-in connection (48) makes it possible to push the acceptance part (14) and the connecting part (15) simply and rapidly together. The connecting part (15) can be fastened to the water supply line (10) in some other manner, and in fact permanently if necessary, because the connecting part (15) can remain on the water supply line (10) for repair to the drinking valve (11) by simply releasing the snap-in connection (48).

Abstract: An animal litter comprised of a liquid absorbent aggregate impregnated with a litmus agent for indicating a urinary tract infection in cats.

Abstract: A mobile aquarium includes a display tank mounted on a wheeled cart and a system for lowering the center of gravity of the aquarium. In one embodiment, the system for lowering the center of gravity uses a storage tank that is lower than the display tank. The system transfers water from the display tank to the storage tank for moving. The lower water level in the display tank is kept high enough to provide a livable habitat for fish in the display tank. A background lighting system for the aquarium includes a light source and a semi-opaque sheet with a first image on a first side and a second image on a second side. The light source illuminates the sheet so that the second image shows through the first side of the sheet and appears behind the first image. In one embodiment, the first image has a graduate color that is lighter at one end than the other.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an animal caging system including a self-sealing animal cage removably connected to an air supply and an exhaust. The self-sealing animal cage is supported by a rack. The self-sealing animal cage is sealed by an air inlet connection and an air outlet connection to the air supply and the exhaust connection. After the cages are removed from the air supply and the exhaust, the air inlet connection and the exhaust connection seals the cage to prevent air from entering or exiting the cage. Accordingly, the animal caging system provides isolation of the self-sealing animal cage and provides containment of airborne pathogens within the caging system. A bio-sensing cage is used in the animal cage system to measure pressure of animal cage connected to the air supply and exhaust which contains an animal. The measurement of pressure in the bio-sensing cage is used by a controller to maintain pressure in the cages independently of environment and cage conditions.

Abstract: A pet carrier for use in transporting pets within the passenger compartments of aircraft includes selectively closeable windows formed from mesh fabric, a fully openable end and a fully openable side for providing access to the interior of the pet carrier, an access port in the top having a full length double zipper closure and a rotatable locking member for securing the access port in the closed condition, a multi-function strap securable to the opposite ends of the pet carrier for use as a shoulder strap and securable to one end of the pet carrier for use as a pulling strap; individually removable rollers supporting the pet carrier for rolling movement over an underlying surface; and a removable floor.

Abstract: An improved animal leash is disclosed that improves a handler'control over a leashed animal and is easily attached to and quickly released from an animal in a manner that safeguards against unintentional unleashing of the animal. The improved animal leash comprises: 1) a rigid or semi-rigid shaft; 2) two hand grips, a pistol grip being located at a distal end of the rigid shaft and a hand grip located at the proximal end of the rigid shaft; 3) a quick release and attachment connector connecting an animal collar fastener to the rigid shaft to the proximal end of the rigid shaft; 4) a release button at the pistol grip for releasing the quick release connector from the shaft; and 5) a safety at the hand grip at the proximal end of the shaft for preventing the inadvertent release of the connector if the push button is pressed.

Abstract: A collar having a variable circumference for walking and training a domestic animal. In one embodiment, the collar comprises a strap portion and a first and second coupler being attached to opposing ends of the strap portion. A reducer assembly having a first end being movably attached to the first coupler and a second end being connected to the second coupler such that the reducer assembly remains connected the strap portion. The collar further comprises a trainer fastener attached to the reducer assembly and a walker fastener attached to the strap portion. The trainer fastener is arranged and configured to receive a leash such that the circumference of the collar is variable. The walker fastener is arranged and configured to receive a leash such that the circumference of the collar is fixed.

Abstract: An arrangement and a process for controlling the temperature of a medium, particularly of the cooling water temperature of a motor vehicle engine. At least two energy-consuming units influence the temperature to be controlled, of which at least one can be controlled with respect to its output. A control unit adjusts the output of these units for causing a required influencing of the temperature. The output of each temperature-influencing unit is adjusted by means of a previously determined, energy-minimal characteristic diagram KE which indicates for each system condition the operating point of the absolutely minimal energy consumption of the energy-consuming units for controlling the temperature according to a respective desired value.