Abstract: The typical helical springs used to support the bed within the frame of a trampoline or the like are modified to incorporate adjustable hooks threadedly anchored within the springs at one end so that their overall length, and thus the tension on the bed, can be varied and overstretching accommodated. Two principal versions are disclosed, the more preferred one including an additional inner spring biasing the adjustable hook to a retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high pressure control valve of the spool type. The valve contains a series of fluid passageways which drain off the high pressure fluid before it reaches the sealed area of the spool thus allowing the spool to be shifted with a minimum of force even though under high internal fluid pressure. The invention thus increases the life of elastomer seals used in high pressure fluid control valves.

Abstract: A construction for wooden stairs that provides for rapid layout and assembly of the stairs by using an interlocking technique that locks the treads and risers into the stringers without the use of fasteners, adhesives or wedges. The construction technique and the resulting unique stairs substantially reduces the layout and assembly time from that required by conventional stairs by accurately machining the required dovetail grooves in the stringers and the corresponding male dovetail on each tread and riser end. Each tread and riser are then slid into place in the stringers and are interlocked so that once the stairs are assembled and interlocked, it is impossible for the components to become separated.

Abstract: The customer station or terminal of a pneumatic carrier system for drive-up banking and the like employing a single interconnecting tube features a horizontally disposed, tubular carrier receiver connected at one end to the tube and slotted adjacent its other end for insertion and removal of a carrier. The slotted aperture is opened and closed by a sliding sleeve controlled by the arrival of a carrier at and its subsequent replacement in the receiver by a customer.

Abstract: An hydraulic system controlling the steering and width of an articulated expandable tandem roller turns both rolls at the same time in opposite directions when the machine is being steered or in the same direction when being expanded or contracted. An operator controlled electrical system, also governing travel of the machine in either opposite direction, controls steering and width adjustment and automatically reverses the "hand" of the steering when the direction of travel of the machine is reversed.

Abstract: The socket drive shaft of a ratchet type wrench is slidable to project from either side of the wrench to receive a socket. The drive shaft itself is formed in a generally "hour-glass" shape so that the shaft can swivel relative to the wrench and simultaneously a socket can swivel relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A small vise for fly tying, holding small parts and the like features a pair of jaws which are slidable within an enveloping nose piece. The jaws and nose are formed with complementary sliding surfaces which together with a transverse guide pin between the jaws assure that the gripping faces of the jaws are parallel throughout their travel as well as impart a self-locking ability to the jaws.

Abstract: A steerable split roll for a road roller includes a pair of roll shells containing means by which vibratory force is applied to each. Between adjacent ends of the roll shells a "turntable" type of bearing both connects the roll shells together for rotation relative to each other and maintains them in axial alignment.

Abstract: A double pail for fishermen consists of a pair of identical pails, one being inverted and forming a top for the other while sandwiched between the two is a pair of lids, one for each pail. The two pails and lids are conjointly hinged along corresponding edges, the lids forming work surfaces when the pails are unfolded. The hinges and lids can be removed as a unit to detach the pails for separate use.

Abstract: A tool for joining and separating plastic pipe and their fittings employs a pair of clamps which are secured adjacent the ends of the pipe sections. The clamps in turn are slidable on a frame and operated by a toggle-type linkage which moves the clamps and pipe sections and fittings axially toward or away from each other.

Abstract: A method of polishing material for lapidary and like purposes, the material and abrasive being tumbled in a vibrated container which alternately compacts the material against a wall of the container and then separates it in order to reduce the time required for polishing. Apparatus for carrying out the method vibrates the container of the material and abrasive so that a portion of its orbit is about a theoretical center which is above and to one side of the center of gravity of its mass.

Abstract: A form of trampoline apparatus for use in connection with tumbling and the like employs a relatively long-narrow bed resiliently suspended between a pair of side rails only so that the two opposite ends of the bed are unobstructed by any cross rails or other structure. The two rails are supported above the floor by a substructure which interconnects them and holds the rails apart against the tension of the bed. One end of the bed inclines upwardly toward the remainder of the bed which is horizontal with respect to the floor. The trampoline is narrower relative to its length and having dimensions such that the length is substantially three times or more its width to provide directional rebound characteristics.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a protected premises from a central station over telephone lines employs different audio tones sent back and forth over the lines. A random succession of audio tones from the central station interrogates the protected premises and is returned as a like succession of different tones to the central station where the latter tones are compared with the first to indicate a normal or a trouble condition at the protected premises or on the lines. When an alarm condition exists at the protected premises, still different tones are sent over the lines to cause an alarm alert at the central station. The entire system can be tested from the protected premises, including operation of the trouble and alarm circuits, without producing a trouble or an alarm alert at the central station.

Abstract: A drain assembly for a sink or the like employs a plastic sleeve below a retaining flange, the periphery of the sleeve being provided with several groups of flexible fins extending out therefrom parallel to its axis, the fins of each group being located at successively increasing distances from the retaining flange. The assembly can be installed by one person from above the sink or the like simply by pushing it down into the drain aperture with a twisting motion until at least some of the fins in each group tightly engage the under surface of the drain aperture, the fins thereby readily accommodating both stainless steel and cast iron sinks or the like of various wall thicknesses.

Abstract: A pair of elongated outwardly curved grippers are pivotally connected along one edge and have cooperating lip portions along their opposite edges. An elongated handle formed from spring material has free ends connected to the grippers adjacent the lip portions and normally bias the grippers to an open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a body of rigid plastics foam material, such as polyurethane or poly-isocyanurate, comprises a bed for supporting the body and two sets of parallel cutting elements adapted to oscillate longitudinally out of phase with each other. The cutting elements may consist of helically twisted ribbons of electrical resistance alloy, twisted in such a way that the handedness of the twist varies at regular intervals along each element. The elements are heated to a temperature below the fusion temperature of the plastics material, and are passed through the body to sever it into a number of slabs.

Abstract: A simplified but stable and rugged circuit is disclosed which when applied to an eight-track tape player, for instance, automatically stops the player after one complete program in order to avoid tiresome or irritating repetition of the program.

Abstract: A tiltable headboard for beds which provides for comfortable and proper support of the head and upper body of a person who is in a reclining-seated position on the bed. The headboard swings out about a fixed upper pivot and has a telescoping lower section that extends and rests on the bed as the headboard is swung outwardly.

Abstract: A runner traverses a long distance by running back and forth over a short pathway or lane laid out on a floor and at each end of the lane reverses his direction by partially turning just before striking one of a pair of resilient backstops, each pair having an inverted U-shaped frame, placed at the ends of the lane. In other cases a backstop may be used at one end only of the lane, the runner thus traversing the lane only twice. Each backstop, due to its angle with the floor, rebounds the runner back in the opposite direction at substantially the same speed at which he struck the backstop. In these manners and with such apparatus not only can longer distances be effectively run over relatively short lengths of gymnasium floor, for instance, but various types of foot races can also be conducted indoors.

Abstract: A freezer-refrigerator unit is provided with exterior ice service through the front of the cabinet. The unit has a panel forming a portion of the front closure of the freezer compartment and hinged at its lower edge to swing outwardly. Behind the panel is an ice tray, and the tray is supplied with ice cubes from an automatic ice maker located in the freezer compartment.