Abstract: Each shoe in accordance with the present invention has a shoe sole, an upper, reinforcing pieces, a welt and nails. The shoe sole has a top surface, a bottom surface, a round side, slots and reinforcing pieces. The slots are defined through the top surface near the round side of the shoe sole. The reinforcing pieces are mounted respectively in the slots. The upper has bottom edge. The welt is attached to the bottom edge of the upper. Nails are driven into the shoe sole through the welt and the reinforcing pieces in the slots to attach the upper to the shoe sole. The reinforcing pieces provide a resilient pliable medium to hold the nails so the shoes in accordance with prevent invention can be used for longer time.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: A footwear securement system for closed footwear implements a strap (100) having an X-configuration across the instep of the wearer's foot. The X-configuration instep strap (100) acts to secure the entire circumference of a wearer's foot to the footwear sole. Further, the X-configuration instep strap (100) allows for contraction and expansion of the ankle when the foot's main tendon that travels down the front of the leg and across the instep of the foot is cyclically tightened and loosened during walking or running. The X-strap (100) may optionally travel through a channel (130) located in the sole to allow for further strap adjustment during activity.

Abstract: A ski system for allowing a ski to slide in forward motion and grip in backward motion for a variety of people in a cost effective manner. The ski system includes a flat base member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of gripping members extending from the lower surface of the base member, and a securing structure attached to the upper surface of the base member for securing a shoe of a user. The gripping members each have a front portion having a downwardly angled structure. The gripping members each include a rear portion that extends upwardly from the lower end of the front portion towards the lower surface of the base member. The gripping members preferably have a U-shaped cross sectional shape. The front portion of the gripping members are for gliding upon a snow surface allowing forward movement and the rear portion is for engaging the snow surface for preventing rearward movement.

Abstract: A melting member is adapted to melt snow and ice as it contacts the snow and ice. The melting member is a tablet of sufficient size for melting a substantial amount of ice or snow before dissolving. One or more melting members are placed on snow or ice formed on an inclined roof of a building. The melting members melt the snow or ice as they move downwardly toward the roof of the building. The melting members then continue to melt the snow or ice as they slide downward along the inclined surface of the roof of the building. Water from melted snow and ice is then drained through the channels formed by the melting members. The channels also function to break up ice dams formed on the roof to allow for safe and easy removal of the ice dams and to prevent damage to the roof of the building.

Abstract: A wheeled work vehicle includes a lower structure (4) supported on the ground by front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3), a swivel base (6) mounted on the lower structure to be swivellable about a swivel shaft disposed between the front wheels and the rear wheels, an operator's seat (7) and an implement support unit (37) which are mounted on the swivel base and an implement (9) supported to the implement support unit. An engine (13) is mounted on the lower structure (4) and the swivel base (6) is disposed at a position lower than upper ends of the front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3). The operator's seat (7) is disposed to project rearward from the swivel base so as to be able to pass above the engine during a swiveling movement of the swivel base. The swivel base (6) is disposed adjacent the engine (13) and lower than an upper end of the engine.

Abstract: A universal license plate holder which is selectively adjustable to accommodate various sized license plates used around the world, composed of a pair of attachment brackets which are spaced apart and connected to the motor vehicle via respective mounting fasteners and further composed of a cross-bar which is pivotally connected to the attachment brackets. When loosened, each mounting fastener provides a pivot axis for its respective attachment brackets; however, when tightened the attachment brackets are frozen in a fixed relative position. Operatively, rotation of the attachment brackets allows for alignment with the plate holes of any license plate, for example a North American standard license plate, a European standard license plate, a Japanese standard license plate and a Korean standard license plate.

Abstract: A marking element is proposed for marking timber, especially tree trunks, having a tag-like marking element (9) with at least one fastening element (11, 12) disposed on it for fastening the marking element (10) to the timber to be marked. To provide the marking, the marking element furthermore has a transponder (14) incorporating a data storage for the wireless transmission of data. This permits the wireless storing and reading of a multitude of data without requiring visual contact.

Abstract: A motorized display using transistor oscillation to impart motion to point-of-purchase displays or other items is disclosed. A transistor oscillator movement, is used to rotate the display. A transistor oscillator motor has a drive train including a drive shaft and a battery as a power source. The drive shaft rotates when the motor is powered, a holder for a sign or merchandise item is connected to the drive shaft exterior to a motor housing and may be removable from the drive shaft. The drive shaft may be positioned vertically, horizontally or diagonally depending on the type of display being used. The rotation of the drive shaft may be either continuous one way or a 360 degree two-way revolution.

Abstract: An adjustable trigger assembly adapted for installation into the carrier of an AK-47 and similar rifles. The assembly features a plurality of adjusting screws to adjust the force required for trigger pull, the over travel of the trigger after firing, and the forward rotational force and angle of a disconnector rotationally engaged in a slot in the trigger to thereby allow for adjustment of the force required during both stages of pull of a two stage trigger to fire the weapon. The device is adapted for engagement with the receiver of a conventional AK-47 in replacement of the original trigger mechanism and may be used with the original hammer or optionally may employ a replacement hammer which features limited contact with the trigger assembly to lessen the trigger pull required for firing.

Abstract: The invented firearm leveler-stabilizer reduces rifle movement to improve projectile accuracy by using an adjustable elongated member connected to the bottom surface of a gun buttstock. A turnbuckle provides an adjustment means for extremely precise leveling of the firearm's barrel while a foot pad rests upon a supporting surface to increase stability during recoil, and while the front of the firearm preferably rests on a bi-pod or other support. A swivel at one end of the leveler-stabilizer connects to a buttstock mount, and a foot pad at the other end of the leveler-stabilizer rests on the ground. In between the two ends is a turnbuckle which provides a means to adjust buttstock elevation extremely accurately for targeting. This foot pad may have an optional sling attachment point. The leveler-stabilizer pivots to against the firearm for transport or storage.

Abstract: A vertical adjustment mechanism for weapon's sights such as riflescopes that includes moveable indicator flags for indicating zeros at various ranges. These flags can be moved independently and are separated by spacers that are keyed to the central shaft in to prevent the movement of one flag from disturbing the setting of the other flags. The adjustment also includes a graduated dial that indicated angular change in the adjustment to facilitate the setting of the indicator flags and to provide a zero point for orienting the system. Once adjusted, the entire assembly is locked together by tightening screws that clamp the separate pieces together so it will function as if it was a single unit. The adjustment mechanism can be applied to the internal components of a telescopic sight or to an external mount.

Abstract: A fish-activated hook setting assembly for holding a strung fishing pole and automatically setting the hook when a fish strikes the bait affixed thereto. The device is rugged and simple to operate. The device allows the fisherman to cast his line in a normal fashion and thereafter reeve his baited fishing line into an anchoring slot and through a hook in the trigger mechanism and then rest the fishing pole on the device if desired. Upon a strike by a fish, the device in response to the thrust of a fish automatically releases a spring-biased setting arm which pulls the hook into the fish's jaw and secures the catch. The device is readily adaptable to lake fishing from the shore or a boat and to ice fishing.

Abstract: A weedless fishing lure of hard bodied design of multiple embodiments, which is adapted to be connected to a fishing line, the one single hook of which is connected to the lure body by a through shaft and rotates about the shaft, said body containing a cavity large enough to completely house the hooking point of the hook while it is being fished, and having a mechanism to keep the hook hidden until deployment is desired, said hook being deployable to the hooking position by back pressure against the attached fishing line and said hook remaining deployed by back pressure against the attached line.

Abstract: An anti-snag fishing jig includes a body with a generally spherical configuration, an exterior surface and an interior. A fishhook includes a shaft, which passes through the body interior and is secured therein. The shaft includes a proximate end forming an eyelet for attaching a line and a distal end forming a barb. A deflector extends upwardly and rearwardly from the body and terminates in front of the fishhook barb. The jig is coated with paint or some other suitable coating for visibility and protection.

Abstract: A device for holding a fish after being caught by an angler to allow the removal of a hook. The device permits an angler to firmly grasp the fish without having to physically touch the fish. The device utilizes a pedal in conjunction with a cantilever to facilitate movement of a hammer to secure the fish. Once held, a hook removal device is employed to remove the hook from the fish's mouth. The device further contains a tool compartment for storing items essential to all anglers and a live well for keeping caught fish alive after removing the hook.

Abstract: A large animal trap for humanely capturing and restraining large feral animals, particularly feral hogs, is disclosed which is field assembled from pre-manufactured modular components. Animals are enticed into the trap by an animal baiting means. A sliding gate supported and released by a sliding gate latch means and gate locking means are further disclosed, which traps the animal once triggered and prevents the animal from raising the gate. The modular components are in the shape of flat square or rectangular wire mesh panels framed by square tubing. The sizes and in the shape of the modular components are especially advantageous for ease of transport to remote trapping locations. Once the individual components are placed in their proper positions to form the trap, they are joined together by fasteners, not requiring tools to secure. Said fasteners may be later removed when the user disassembles the trap.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a trap for insects, without killing them. It employs a housing, with an opening on one end, and at least one layer of parallel strings or line stretched across that opening. The distance between each string corresponds to the width of the body of the target insect. Some type of attractant is used to attract the target insect. Farmers, entomologists, and hobbyists will find this trap useful since it captures insects without killing them, thus permitting identification and further study.

Abstract: A termite bait station for installation in the ground includes a tubular outer housing and a tubular inner bait cartridge inserted into the housing, each having circumferentially elongate apertures therethrough to allow termites to access bait in the cartridge. Each aperture in the cartridge is disposed between a pair of spaced, parallel ribs that extend in the circumferential direction. The ribs reduce the radial gap that must be traversed by a termite passing from the outer housing to the bait cartridge. The ribs also form circumferentially extending channels for producing a channeling effect tending to lead termites into the apertures in the cartridge.

Abstract: A unitary device for securing the root ball of newly planted trees and/or shrubs into proper position, for stabilizing the trees and/or shrubs to prevent shifting or toppling while the tree and/or shrub root systems are first developing. The device includes a horizontal cross member, and a couple of prongs perpendicularly depending from the horizontal cross member, all formed from a single piece of rod or tubing material. At the time of planting, after the root ball of the tree is set into an appropriate hole and the tree is in proper position, the free ends of the prongs of the device are driven into the ground such that the outer prong is retained in the firm portion of the soil, and the inner prong engages the root ball. The outer prong is of a sufficient length to be held securely in the soil, and the inner prong is both arranged in position and sized in length to engage the root ball securely.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sequential safety system associated with a moving closing panel driven so as to slide by an electric motor (6), this safety system including elements (20) exploiting the signal originating from an optical fiber to stop and reverse the direction of movement of said moving panel in the event of a change in the signal, as well as additional safety element allowing the end-of-travel positions of the moving panel to be determined without ambiguity via the joint exploitation of the results derived from measuring the frequency of the pulses caused by the rotation of the electric motor (6) driving said moving panel, as well as data originating from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A sealing device for a door, and in particular for a garage door, for sealing the door and frame to facilitate the exclusion of elements, such as, for example, draughts, wind, rain, snow, insects, and the like, with a first part or base provided for mounting to a supporting surface, and a second part constructed to attach to the first part, the second part carrying a sealing element.

Abstract: A trim assembly (20) having a longitudinally extending housing (21) that is mounted against a structure or wall (W) adjacent to a movable garage door (D). The housing includes a longitudinal bay (22) in a first longittudinally extending wall (27). A longitudinally extending sealing member (30) is removably mounted to the bay (22) at one longitudinally extending side (32) thereof and the distal longitudinal side (34) of the sealing member coacts with the garage door (D) to provide a sealing slidable engagement thereon. The sending member (30) is made out of resilient material such as rubber. A longitudinal slot (28) is provided on a second wall (23) of the housing (21) opposite the first wall. The first wall including cooperating through openings (26) aligned with the slot to permit fastening members (40) to go through.

Abstract: A building perimeter fire suppressing system for preventing brush and forest fires from engulfing building structure. The building perimeter fire suppressing system includes a water source; and also includes a plurality of pipelines having a plurality of water outlets being spaced therealong and being connected to the water source and being adapted to be disposed underground and on exteriors of building structures; and further includes valve assemblies being attached to the pipelines with each of the valve assemblies including a housing having a respective pipeline being disposed therethrough with a valve member being removably disposed inline of a respective pipeline; and also includes valve actuators being connected to the valve assemblies.

Abstract: A mobile accommodation unit in container form for use as mobile hospital or mobile control or command center or the like has a box-shaped main box element and at least one secondary box element. In a transport state, the secondary box element is telescoped into the main box element. For setting up an accommodation unit of increased floor area, the secondary box element can be pulled out of a lateral opening of the main box element. In order to provide a continuous floor surface, after the secondary box element has been pulled out, the main box element has a movable floor element, which can be lifted relative to a basic floor element so as to equalize the floor levels of the main box element and the secondary box element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a unitized access floor system, a method to install it, and automatized leveling tools. The access floor comprises an assembly of modular stringer frames joined to form a layout. Pedestals for vertical leveling of the modular stringer frame are attached to the stringer frame, or can be hinged to the stringer frame during manufacture, and can fold down from within the stringer frame to facilitate stacking, packaging and shipping from the factory. The primary automatized leveling tool involves a rotating driving female socket coinciding with the layout of the modular stringer frame, matting with the leveling pedestals. The automatized tool has a central motor with variable speeds and reversible independent gear drives or multiple motors. Modular stringer frames are leveled adjacent to each other forming a matrix comprising modular stringer frames which receive floor panels interlocking adjacent stringer frames.

Abstract: A stake system wherein a stake has two hooks extending from the body of the stake for securing items when the stake is driven into the ground. A complimentary impact device is adapted to receive the stake within a sleeve of the impact device for hammering the stake into the ground. A slot and notch within the sleeve can be used to engage one of the hooks for extracting the stake from the ground.

Abstract: A below grade utilities connections vault is disclosed. The vault of the present invention comprises a concrete box with lockable, hinged lid. A floor platform lies at a distance above the bottom of the box such that utilities cables enter the box below the level of the floor. A hinged utilities wiring frame is mounted to the wall opposite the lid hinge such that the frame hinges down into the box when the vault is closed and into a vertical position for making connections. A safety barrier is formed by the lid, the wiring frame, and barrier arms which hinge between them surrounds the vault, when open. A venting system provides egress for gasses and equalization of pressure between the interior and exterior of the vault.

Abstract: A space dividing system includes a column and a series of partition panels adapted for interconnection with the column. The column includes an internal passage, and is adapted to receive wiring from a building for supplying power to a receptacle arrangement interconnected with the column. Adjacent panels are connected to the column at spaced locations, and the receptacle arrangement is exposed between the adjacent panels. The column includes a structural skeleton to which the receptacle arrangement is mounted, and a series of covers are releasably engaged with the structural skeleton for finishing the aesthetic appearance of the column. An adjustable height mounting arrangement is interconnected with the upper end of the column for connection to a ceiling to stabilize the upper end of the column. Each panel is in the form of a frame defining an opening within which a core is received.

Abstract: The invention concerns a floor covering formed of hard panels (2) which are provided, at least on two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), with coupling devices (7) made in one piece with the panels (2), whereby these coupling devices (7) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges (3-4, 5-6) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1). These coupling devices (7) comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9). The lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9) is longer than the lip (10) on the top side. The edge (5) which is provided with the tongue (8) is made elastically flexible.

Abstract: A composite wood panel is disclosed, the wood panel having parallel first and second longitudinal edges, and parallel upper and lower faces, and comprising: a groove formed along the second longitudinal edge, a complementary shaped tongue formed along the first longitudinal edge, and a barrier layer. A first surface extends from the tongue to the upper surface and forms a generally obtuse angle, &agr;, with the upper surface, while a matching surface extends from the groove forming a generally acute angle, &bgr;, with the upper surface, and the sum of &agr; and &bgr; is from about 175° to less than about 180°. The composite wood panel allows for convenient and fast assembly, particularly in constructing roofs, and also provides resistance against the penetration of water through the structure formed by the panels.

Abstract: A roof framing system includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket attaches a first rafter and a second rafter to a ridge beam. The second bracket attaches a third rafter, through the first bracket, to the ridge beam. The first bracket and/or the second bracket includes one or more projections for interlocking with the other one of the first bracket and the second bracket such that the second bracket can be moved between a fixed position and a released position by moving the second bracket relative to the first bracket to attach the third rafter, through the first bracket, to the ridge beam.

Abstract: A bolster for use in construction having a plurality of leg members arranged in generally parallel spaced relationship, a beam integrally formed with the plurality of leg members and extending transversely across the plurality of leg members, and a plate affixed to the bottom of the plurality of leg members and having a generally flat bottom surface. The plate has at least one clip formed on a top surface thereof for fixedly receiving a foot associated with at least one of the leg members.

Abstract: A fabricated wooden stud including: (1) a pair of fully-aligned face-members of OSB spaced from one another and each having first and second ends and first and second elongate edges; (2) first and second fully-aligned edge-members of OSB spaced from one another, the first and second edge-members being adhesively affixed between the face-members along the first edges and second edges thereof, respectively; and (3) a pair of end-members adhesively affixed between the face-members at the ends thereof.

Abstract: A film roll changer for a stretch film wrapping device provides rolls of film on a turntable. The changer moves into position beneath a roller carriage assembly, lifts a carrier plate to remove a spent roll, rotates a new roll into place, inserts the film into the roller carriage, pulls out an end of the film. The changer then closes the carriage assembly and transfers the film end to the wrapping device.

Abstract: A means for binding wire around an object. The means comprises a feeding unit (2) with a feeding wheel (11) for feeding and stretching the wire (3). The measuring of fed wire length normally takes place in that the feeding wheel (11) rotates through a predetermined number of revolutions. Sliding between the wire (3) and feeding wheel (11), however, implies that the position of the wire cannot be determined accurately. As a solution of this problem a separate measuring means (5) is provided for continuously measuring the fed wire length (3), where the measuring is carried out without the measuring means (5) feeding the wire (3).

Abstract: A tunnel for shrink wrapping at least one product includes a housing having an interior space with a top, a bottom, an entrance and an exit. A conveyor belt passes through the interior space from the entrance to the exit. The conveyor belt is substantially unobstructed on upper and lower sides and includes an opened configuration allowing substantial air flow therethrough at relatively low velocity. Heaters and air movers are located above and below the conveyor belt to uniformly heat products contained in shrink film and moving along the conveyor belt. The shrink tunnel further includes an adjustable riser member to allow a transverse section of the conveyor belt to be selectively adjusted in height from outside the housing.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for filling a tube with a paste, ointment, gel or cream along with a device therefore which comprises simultaneously reducing the internal volume of the filled tube with the flattening and closure of the filling orifice.

Abstract: A banding fixture including a body having a horizontal opening therein, a carriage movable into and out of the horizontal opening, a recess in the carriage, the carriage with the recess therein movable into the horizontal opening with an upper surface on the carriage in underlying near contiguous relationship to an undersurface of a plate on the body, and a workpiece-receiving slot in the body above the horizontal opening. A method of banding a workpiece including the steps of placing a band into spaced slots having sides, pressing a workpiece overlying a central portion of the band which is not in the slots into a recess in a member, and moving the member relative to a surface so that the ends of the band which extend beyond the workpiece are pressed together in overlapping relationship as the member passes in contiguous relationship to the surface.

Abstract: A harvester, especially a combine-harvester, is proposed, comprising a pickup reel (2) held rotatably between supporting arms (1) and with a drive (3) for the pickup reel (2). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions, the drive (3) is arranged within the pickup reel (2).

Abstract: A lawnmower deck includes a deck sub-assembly and a stiffener. The deck sub-assembly has a top surface, a skirt extending outwardly and downwardly from the top surface and encircling the top surface and a first stiffness. The skirt defines a cutting chamber underneath the top surface and a plurality of wheel mounts. The stiffener is connected to at least one of the top surface and the skirt. The stiffener and the deck sub-assembly together have a combined stiffness that is at least approximately 20% greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Jewelry pieces, for example, earrings, pendants, rings and the like, made of metal such as gold or silver and the like, with special surface texturing to improve and enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the jewelry. The surface texturing is formed by forming a series of grooves by the process of diamond-cutting the surface of the jewelry piece to divide the surface thereof into a plurality of adjacent, four-sided regions, each of which is bounded by four diamond-cut grooves and defines a mesa with at least four light-reflecting sloping sides. The mesas are further subdivided by forming a pair of diamond-cut grooves that criss-cross one another, thereby dividing the mesas in the four-sided regions into four sub-mesas, each having at least three sloping light reflecting sides. Preferably, first gemstones are set at the junctures of the four-sided mesas and second gemstones are set at the center, where the four sub-mesas meet.

Abstract: A gas turbine blade ring is cooled by steam whose temperature, pressure and flow rate are controlled so that a clearance between a moving blade tip and blade ring is maintained appropriately. Steam from a steam turbine bottoming cycle (10) flows into a blade ring cooling passage (8) of a gas turbine (1) via piping (12) for cooling the blade ring. The steam, having cooled the blade ring, is supplied into a transition piece cooling passage (9) of a combustor (3) for cooling the transition piece, and is then recovered into the steam turbine bottoming cycle (10) via piping (14). While the steam cools the blade ring, the temperature, pressure and flow rate of the steam are controlled so that thermal elongation of the blade ring is adjusted and the clearance at the moving blade tip is controlled so as to approach a target value. Thus, the clearance is maintained as small as possible in operation and the gas turbine performance is enhanced.

Abstract: A gas turbine and air turbine installation includes a gas turbine to which, downstream of its exhaust gas end, the primary side of a heat exchanger for heating air is connected. In this arrangement, the heat exchanger includes an air turbine connected downstream of its secondary side. By this, a gas turbine and air turbine combined process can be realized which, compared with a pure gas turbine process, is associated with an increase in efficiency and power. The installation concept can be employed particularly advantageously in areas short of water where a conventional gas/steam installation or a steam power installation can hardly be realized because of the requirement for water. Further, a method of operating a power station installation involves waste heat in the exhaust gas of a gas turbine being used to do work to drive an air turbine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) includes a plurality of can combustors (19). Each can combustor includes a first stage of burners (46) located at a first radius about the combustor centerline (42) and a second stage of burners (50) located at a second radius greater than the first radius. The second stage of burners may be clocked to an angular position that is not midway between respective neighboring burners of the first stage. Combustion instabilities may be controlled by exploiting variations in combustion parameters created by differential fueling of the two stages.

Abstract: A plasma system is provided for removing soot and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the exhaust gas of diesel engines. The system is comprised of a diesel particulate filter for adopting a honeycomb type porous element and at least one pair of electrodes; a plasma reactor for generating a predetermined amount of plasma, mounted downward or upward the diesel particulate filter; a catalytic reactor filled with a catalyst selected from 1B metal group, mounted downward the plasma reactor or the diesel particulate filter; and a means for supplying hydrocarbon to the exhaust gas, connected to a proper position upward the plasma reactor. Therefore, the soot and NOx in the exhaust gas, which are not only harmful to humans, but also which pollute the environment could be effectively removed under a normal pressure.

Abstract: A control system for a compression injection engine can prevent deterioration in exhaust purification at the time of the switching of combustion between spark ignition and compression ignition, at the time of said spark ignition combustion and said compression injection combustion, and can diagnose any deterioration of an NO x detector and a three way catalyst. The control system includes a catalytic converter installed within an exhaust passage of the compression ignition engine for compressing and igniting a pre-mixture of a fuel and air, an air/fuel ratio detector for detecting an air/fuel ratio at upstream side of said catalytic converter, and an NOx detector for detecting NOx at downstream side of said catalytic converter.

Abstract: A humidity sensor is disposed near an HC adsorbent in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine is shut off, it is detected whether or not the humidity sensor has failed based on the value of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor when the detected value of the humidity is substantially constant, by determining whether or not the detected value of the humidity falls in a range between upper and lower limit thresholds that are set depending on the temperature near the HC adsorbent. It is stably and easily detected whether or not the humidity sensor disposed near the HC adsorbent in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine has failed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification control apparatus is used for an engine provided with a NOx catalyst absorbing or adsorbing NOx when an air fuel ratio of exhaust gas from the engine is lean and reducing the absorbed or adsorbed NOx when the exhaust gas is at the stoichiometric air fuel ratio or richer in fuel, and an exhaust sensor arranged upstream or downstream of the NOx catalyst, and characterized in that thed exhaust gas purification control apparatus comprises a sulphur component calculating means for calculating or estimating a quantity of sulphur components in the exhaust gas and an operation mode changing means for changing an air fuel ratio of the engine on the basis of the detected value of the sulphur components, and the calculated or estimated value of sulphur components is a prescribed value or more, the operation changing means decreases frequencies of lean mode operation of the engine, shortens continuation time of the lean mode operation or prohibits the lean mode operation.

Abstract: The intake and exhaust control systems are operable in varying modes, according to the engine speed, by a single actuator. The intake control system includes an intake valve that allows a variable amount of air into an air cleaner depending on vehicle speed. The exhaust control system includes an exhaust control valve, and a primary and a secondary exhaust purifying system located downstream of the exhaust control valve. The flow into the exhaust purifying systems may also be controlled according to engine speed.