Abstract: A stretcher frame for stretching and holding fabric during stitching and/or painting and for permanent display. The stretcher frame includes a first frame member with an outer rectangular U-channel portion and a second frame member having an inner rectangular U-channel portion which fits matingly within the outer U-channel portion of the first frame member so that fabric may be sandwiched between the inner and outer U-channel portions when they are fitted together. Further features are provided to snap-lock the inner U-channel within the outer U-channel and also to provide for removal of the inner U-channel from within the outer U-channel.

Abstract: Magnus cylinders are mounted for rotation at right angles to shafts that are revolved about a generally vertical axis. The shafts are free to rotate 180.degree.. The Magnus cylinders are continuously rotated in the same angular direction. At one position of revolution of the shafts, the cylinders rotate on an axis generally parallel to the axis of revolution of the shafts. When the apparatus is immersed in a fluid flow (gaseous or liquid) a torque of rotation is developed when the shafts are aligned with the fluid flow, and this torque of rotation is reduced as the shaft approaches a position transverse to the fluid flow. As the shafts pass this transverse position, a torque is developed by the rotating cylinder that rotates the shafts 180.degree. until the formerly downwardly depending cylinder is now upright and the formerly upright cylinder is now downwardly depending on its shaft.

Abstract: Persons can be protected against rape or other bodily assault by wearing this device which includes a frangible capsule of repellant material such as ammonia or fluids of noxious smell. The capsule of material is quickly opened by slashing it with a manually operable knife which for example, may be operated by a pull cord. Passages leading from the container area for the capsule lead to the body of the wearer, so that the body of the wearer will be wetted or otherwise covered with the foul smelling or repellant material. The pull cord may be attached to the clothing of the wearer so that removal of the clothing by an attacker will automatically cut the capsule to release the fluid.

Abstract: A hinged toilet seat that is spring-biased to either an upright or a horizontal position is slowed in its angular rotation to the spring-biased position. The user manually pushes the toilet seat to its use position and after use the toilet seat returns to its spring-biased position. This angular rotation is slowed by the present mechanism wherein the seat is attached to a hinge shaft which has a large gear engaging a small gear on an idler shaft. The rotation of the idler shaft is braked by a slipping clutch, which thereby slows the angular motion of the toilet seat to its spring-biased position.

Abstract: Water and oil base ink are delivered to lithographic plates as a single liquid, a mixture of water and ink, wherein the water is in the form of fine droplets dispersed in the ink. Preferably also, lithographic concentrate is added to the mixture as part of the water content. During a printing run the mixture is automatically resupplied to the printing machine by a level sensor that controls the amount of ink and water and by a pH sensor that controls the concentrate percentage. The proportion of ink and water is controlled by a moisture sensor. The thickness of the film of mixture delivered to the lithographic plate is controlled by a density sensor. A viscosity sensor controls the agitation of the mixture. As few as three rollers are required to deliver the ink-water-concentrate dispersion from a fountain to a lithographic plate.

Abstract: This invention provides a screw-on device for valve stems of automobile tires which will indicate to an automobile operator when a particular tire is under the selected standard psi. The indicator is a visible device that projects towards the outer end of the tubular member of the invention where it can be observed. The automobile operator thereupon adds air to the tire by the usual service station compressed air device and no tire guage is necessary to determine the right pressure. If insufficient pressure has been inserted in the tire the indicator will show up again, when the operator ceases adding air; if too much air has been added the device acts to relieve the excess pressure and the device will automatically close off relief flow when the standard pressure has been achieved. The pressure responsive mechanism is pre-calibrated to a particular pressure, for example 24 psi, 28 psi, 32 psi, etc.

Abstract: A gravity meter is formed by securing two parallel rods of different material at adjacent ends and indicating their differential elongation at the free ends. While capacitor, interferometer, and other devices could be used to measure this differential, the presently preferred indicator is a roller disposed between the free ends and the rotation due to differential elongation is indicated optically by a mirror attached to the roller. The indicator is zeroed while the rods are horizontal and the difference in elongation of the two rods is indicated when the rods are moved to a vertical position. The device may be moved over the earth's surface in the vertical position, while held at a constant temperature, to become a gravity meter.

Abstract: The inclined projecting spikes used by parking lots to discourage entrance through the exit are guarded for protection of pedestrians. The guards take the form of either shrouds over the spikes or movable members disposed near the point of the spikes and spring-biased so that the guards will not deflect under the weight of a pedestrian's foot, but will deflect under the weight of an automobile wheel to thereby expose the spikes and deter runaway entry into the exit of a parking lot.

Abstract: My invention relates to internal combustion engines that are intermittently operated as steam engines with the changeover from one phase to the other controlled by the heat of the metal of the engine in the region of the combustion.

Abstract: A toy vehicle movable on a track operates an accessory with its wheels when it abuts a stop member. A manually operable remote control is used to then reverse the rotation of the wheels to remove the vehicle from the stop member.

Abstract: A housing has a cylindrical interior which has a peripheral seal chamber parallel to the cylinder axis. Inlet and exhaust ports are formed in the housing, preferably in or near the seal chamber. These ports are sealed from each other by a freely rolling cylinder which rolls on a rolling piston cylinder mounted on a shaft with an eccentric and with a bearing between the eccentric and the piston. The rolling seal also engages the seal chamber, and to reduce friction a rotatable support on a fixed axis is disposed in the seal chamber and in turn is sealed by a rubbing seal to the seal chamber wall. The rolling seal cylinder retreats into the seal chamber when the piston cylinder reaches the region of the seal chamber. This structure eliminates prior art rubbing seals which engaged the rolling piston.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for the automatic uncoupling of a toy semitrailer from a toy tractor truck and provides also for automatic coupling of a toy semitrailer to a toy tractor truck. The uncoupling utilizes a ramp in a roadway which is inboard of the tractor truck wheels, and this ramp is engaged by the forward dolly wheels on the semitrailer, which dolly wheels are also inboard of the truck tractor wheels. The coupling of the toy semitrailer to the toy tractor is achieved by a simple beveled end on the rear of the toy tractor, which backs up to the semitrailer, and the king pin of the semitractor rides up this bevel to the pivot flat area of the tractor to drop into the pivot hole. Both operations are carried out in the same locality by a reciprocating dock which is contacted by the semitrailer during its backing up at the time its dolly wheels ride up the ramp to release the tractor.