Abstract: Significant length adjustment is achieved in a facile manner in connection with an expansible chain comprising upper and lower layers of links, each link extending generally laterally of said chain and arranged longitudinally to define the length of said chain, the links of said upper layer having a dimension in the direction of said chain length greater than that of the links of said lower layer so that when said chain is contracted adjacent links of said upper layer engage one another and gaps are produced between the links of said lower layer, an end of said chain being slidably telescopable into a housing having an articulately mounted retaining member which when disengaged from said chain end permits telescoping movement of said chain end with respect to said housing to adjust the effective chain length and which when moved to retaining position engages said chain in the gap between the adjacent links of said lower layer, thereby fixing said chain within said housing without distortion of or damage to sa

Abstract: The plaque has an indicia carrying surface. The container includes a box-like enclosure with an openable end and front surface having an opening. The plaque is received through the end of the enclosure such that the indicia carrying surface of the plaque aligns with the opening. A cover is hingeably mounted on the surface of the enclosure. The cover has window. A card, with indicia corresponding to the indicia on the plaque surface, is removeably mounted on the interior surface of the cover so as to be visible through the window. The rear surface of the plaque has a pocket to retain the card after the plaque and card are removed from the enclosure. A stand is provided to maintain the plaque in an upright position.

Abstract: Standard tag attaching fasteners in continuous strip form are intermittently moved toward an attacher along a guide track which gradually changes shape from planar to semicircular. The T-bars are feed to the attacher, which is mounted upright on a base. At the same time, each paddle, in turn, having traveled along the guide, is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the needle, at a location in alignment with but spaced from the needle. A tag or hook, previously removed from a stack by a moveable arm with a vacuum head, is in place over the needle. A portion of the article is situated between the needle and the fastener filament, with the needle in an opening or recess of the article. Upon actuation of the apparatus, the paddle is clamped in position and driven toward the needle such that the paddle is penetrated by the needle. The attacher then ejects the T-bar which lodges on the far side of the paddle, securing the ends of the fastener together to form a closed loop around the article.

Abstract: Prior to being introduced into a sewing machine, an elongated binding strip passes through a plow where it is folded lengthwise to create a recess into which the edge of an article to be bound is received. The strip is trimmed by a cutter to a length longer than the edge to be bound. The trailing end portion of the strip is then folded widthwise, around a retractable rod, by a moveable guide and guided into a plow entrance, after the rod is retracted. The trailing end portion overlaps the leading end portion of the strip as it is sewn to the article, such that only the finished end of the strip is visible.

Abstract: Each side of the multi-sided freestanding rotable rack includes a first section, with a first indicia representing a particular eyeglass frame style, and a plurality of second sections. Each of the second sections includes a second indicia representing a different sunglass lens type suitable for a particular activity. A retainer for clip-on sunglasses extends from each of the second sections. The retainer holds clip-on sunglasses suitable for the eyeglass frame style indicated by the first indicia of the side upon which it is located and for use in the activity represented by the second indicia associated with the second section upon which it is located.

Abstract: The applicator includes an exterior layer of liquid retaining material, an interior layer of liquid barrier material, an interior layer of filler material and an exterior layer of powder retaining material. The liquid barrier layer is interposed between the liquid retaining layer and the filler layer. The layer of powder retaining material has a peripheral edge section which extends around the end of the filler material layer to a position beneath the liquid barrier layer with its exterior surface facing the interior surface of the liquid retaining layer.

Abstract: The simultaneous synthesis of diverse organic compounds is performed in stackable modules which are moveable among nesting sites located on work station platforms. The reactor module includes a block adapted to receive an array of tube-like reactor vessels. The vessels are sized to optionally accept porus polyethelyene mircocannisters with radio frequency transmitter tags. Each vessel has a bottom port connected to an outlet tube. A valve block located below the reactor vessels simultaneously controls discharge through the outlet tubes. The valve block includes plates with aligned, relatively moveable sets of rib surfaces which act through Teflon encapsulated silicone O-ring cord sections to simultaneously close rows of outlet tubes.

Abstract: Spaced prong arms, spring loaded toward an initial position, are moved relative to fixed prong arms, against the spring force, to a position for engagement of opposing sections of the eyeglasses frame. The ends of the prong arms are shaped to receive the frame. The spring force causes the prong arms to securely retain the eyeglasses frame. In one embodiment, the moveable prong arms are associated with a coil spring. Movement of the prong arms compresses the spring, which urges the prong arms toward an expanded position. In a second embodiment, the moveable prong arms are leaf springs. The springs flex to permit the frame to be inserted. The ends of the prong arms may be plastic coated to protect the eyeglasses frame.

Abstract: The handle has a blade mounting portion with a raised boss forming a slot. The blade has a boss receiving recess with a portion defined by an edge. The cartridge removeably retains the blade. It has an opening into which the blade mounting portion of the handle can be inserted. A normally arcuate spring is mounted in cantilever fashion within the enclosure. The tip of the blade abuts a stop surface proximate the unattached end of the spring. In its arcuate state, the spring retains the blade in a position where the edge of the blade can enter the slot in the handle. As the blade is moved by insertion of the handle, against the urging of the spring, the spring straightens allowing the blade to assume a position where the boss can be fully seated within the recess, mounting the blade on the handle. The blade is then removed from the cartridge by withdrawing the handle. After use, the blade is reinserted into the cartridge.

Abstract: The clip-on sunglasses assembly includes four clasps for engaging the frame of eyeglasses. Each includes a screw which secures the sunglass lens within a recess in the clasp. The end of the screw is provided with a central recess defining a circular edge. As the screw is tightened, the edge contacts the lens and forms a circular groove in the lens surface by displacing a small amount of lens material. The circular contact area distributes the stress normally concentrated at a point on the lens by a conventional screw, thereby reducing the chances of cracking the lens. Two clasps are welded to the ends of a bridge member and affixed to pre-shaped lenses at marked locations. Each clasp has a bent tail bar enclosed by a heat shrinkable tube.

Abstract: Top and bottom transparent plastic parts with oppositely inclined side edges slide together to form a box-like enclosure. The top part has a slot at the upper end. The bottom part has a protrusion at its upper end which is received in the slot as the parts slide toward each other. The protrusion has an opening to receive a rod from a display rack. Tabs and tab receiving recesses positively but releasably engage the lower ends of the parts. Upstanding elements with inclined surfaces on the top part cooperate with the tabs on the bottom part to flex the top part as the tabs are received in the recesses and maintain the tabs in the recesses to prevent accidental dislodgement. The tabs are released from the recesses by depressing the top part such that the tabs clear the upstanding elements as the parts slide apart. Resilient elements extending from the side walls of the bottom part retain the band in a position centered within the enclosure.

Abstract: To ensure bulk breakdown when the mesa diode with a positive bevel angle is reverse biased, the diffused region is formed with thinner edge portions. This eliminates corner or edge effects which create conditions of high electric field, resulting in decreased breakdown voltage and clamping voltage levels. The edges of the surface of epitaxial region are covered with a narrow oxide layer prior to diffusion. The middle portion of the surface remains uncovered. Diffusing through the oxide results in a diffused region which is thinner along the edges of the device than in the interior region below the exposed surface portion. The oxide thickness controls the depth of the edge diffusion.

Abstract: The head portion of the cover is formed of a fabric wall which fully encloses the soft fill material. The wall defines an internal cylindrical recess with a closed top end and an open bottom. First and second arm-like appendages extend outwardly from opposite sides of the head portion. A substantially tubular fabric body portion attaches to the head portion and has openings adapted to receive the appendages. The visible part of the head portion is provided with animal or character facial elements. The body portion is appropriately decorated to coordinate with the head portion. The cover is received over the vacuum cleaner with the upstanding handle member of the vacuum cleaner extending into the recess in the head portion and the body surrounding the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Chair cushions and placemats are formed of a top fabric panel attached to a bottom panel with a high coefficient of friction. The bottom panel is a rubberized web with an open mesh pattern. It is formed of parallel, spaced, undulating thread-like members which extend in one direction. First and second sets of parallel, spaced, straight thread-like members respectively extend along lines oppositely inclined relative to that direction. The straight thread-like members intersect with the undulating thread-like members forming enlarged nodes aligned along spaced parallel lines extending in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the spatial relationship between the bottom and the back of a chair which may be subjected to severe mechanical stress, as in the case of a vehicle crash, the seat and the back being operatively connected respectively to two oppositely threaded portions of a rotatable shaft which is adapted to be rotated in one direction or the other to produce the desired change in spatial relationship, the arrangement providing the combination of exceptional strength in the event of a crash and reduced cost. The operative connection between the chair parts and the shaft includes two non-rotatable parts engaged respectively with the oppositely threaded shaft portions so as to move in and out with respect to the shaft as the latter is rotated, and a housing which permits those parts to thus move while preventing their rotation.