Abstract: Fruit is prepared for refrigerated storage by cutting the fruit into convenient pieces, and then subjecting the fruit to soaking under vacuum in a solution containing sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite and citric acid in definite ranges. These ranges are preferably inversely related in a substantially straight-line relationship, so that the high end of one range is used in conjunction with the low end of the other. The fruit pieces are also preferably immersed in a preliminary holding solution containing sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite and table salt prior to the soaking. Fruit prepared in this way can be held indefinitely under ordinary refrigeration without freezing. The process is particularly suitable for apples.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer is actuated by a pedal movement converted to rotary motion by a cable-sheave arrangement in which the sheave has a varying radius to its peripheral surface. The sheave is preferably mounted on the potentiometer shaft in an angular relationship that causes a minimum rotation of the shaft for a given pedal movement at a minimum resistance condition of the potentiometer.

Abstract: A snap hook is formed of spring wire in a configuration based on a coil of preferably one and one-half turns. One tail of the coil is relatively short, and has a hook at its end. The longer tail is formed into a bight, and has a hook interengagable with the hook on the shorter tail. One of these hooks has a three-dimensional bend. Several forms of the invention are provided for minimizing snagging, and for ease of manipulation.

Abstract: A boat hook is provided with a series of attachments engagable with a coupling device on the prod end. The coupling preferably includes a threaded section, and is set back from the point of the prod for the dual purpose of protecting the threads, and for utilizing the point as the means of assuring positive coaxial alignment of the coupling. The attachments provide a variety of areas of utility, and the preferred form of the invention has a telescoping handle capable of being locked in a plurality of degrees of extension appropriate to the particular attachments that may be coupled to the basic device. The original utility of the boat hook is not impaired by the provision for the attachments. One of the attachments is a hoop with a provision for temporarily retaining a loop in a mooring line.

Abstract: An object, such as a snowmobile, having transverse bars at the ends is prepared for storage by engaging attachments with the bars, the attachments preferably having casters disposed so that the object must be lifted slightly in order to bring the casters directly under the engaged bars. Each of the attachments is either forced over-center to engage an abutment, or is secured otherwise against rotation out from under the bar. The usual towing coupling of a snowmobile is used for the latter purpose.

Abstract: A spare-wheel carrier is mouned on the front of a truck in a forward position permitting adequate air circulation to the radiator. The carrier has a lower member bridging across between laterally-spaced securing points on the frame of the truck, and also has an upper bearing member engaging preferably the front of the bumper. The wheel mount is resiliently supported in the carrier structure to function as a shock absorber, and is preferably rotatable.

Abstract: Metal wall form sections are adapted to a bolted tie system providing accurate spacing of the opposite panels defining a space to receive poured concrete. In the preferred form of the invention, interengagement of the form structure and the tie system (providing the spacing feature) is also used to secure the form sections laterally to each other. In another form of the invention, wedges transversely engaging the bolts bridge across and bear on the flanges of marginal beams of adjacent form sections to establish relative placement against the pressure of the concrete.

Abstract: A trepanning tool is adapted to receive attachments for performing boring operations on trepanned holes. The attachments interengage with the trepanning unit to establish a boring diameter concentric with, and adjustable with respect to, the trepanned diameter without removing the trepanning cutter.

Abstract: The blades of a rotary blasting machine are removably mounted on a rotor bracket in a spaced relationship with the bracket outwardly from a point of contact at the inner extremity of the blade-bracket junction. Preferably, the space diverges outwardly, and an inner portion of the blade hooks over the bracket to resist centrifugal force acting on the blade, and also seal the junction against ingress of abrasive particles.

Abstract: A tiltable chair has a frictional resistance to tilting, and locking means releasably securing the erect position of the seat. Resistance to tilt preferably decreases with increased tilt angle, and is generated by the resilient engagement of bearing members acting against opposite surfaces for lateral neutralization of forces. The locking means is released in response to pressure on the chair seat.