Abstract: A system for securing a threaded fastener prepositioned in a hole in a ski binding assembly that is subsequently to be connected to a ski. The system comprises an elastic fastener retainer held within the hole that causes the lower portion of the fastener to retractably extend from the hole until a force is applied to the lower end thereof. When such a force is applied, the elastic fastener retainer is temporarily deformed, accommodating retraction of the lower portion within the hole. When the force is removed, the fastener retainer reassumes its former shape, causing the lower portion to again emerge from the hole. The system allows the assembly to be initially placed anywhere on a ski surface, and thereafter, to be moved to the location of the ski's screw holes where the assembly is to be installed.

Abstract: Needle and high velocity jet hypodermic injectors employ a tubular liquid chamber, a suitable output port i.e., a needle or a jet port, and corresponding means for applying pressure to collapse the liquid chamber.The needle injector includes a needle sheath which automatically covers the needle after use and inhibits reuse of the needle. The jet injector electronically controls and monitors the system parameters of operation to assure successful injection results.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions exhibiting superior physical properties, useful in the fabrication of composites and other applications, are prepared by the polymerization of thermotropic, monomeric materials having orderable molecular structures. The monomers comprise molecules containing mesogen groups with side chains on either end thereof terminated with reactive groups, the reactive groups being separated from the mesogens by spacer atoms. The monomers are polymerized in their crystalline or liquid crystalline state, or under conditions which assure that at least part of the monomeric molecules are in an ordered state. The reactive groups which are consequently in proximity with each other, are thereby capable of interaction without molecular diffusion, allowing substantially complete polymerizations to be achieved despite the increasing conversion and glass transition temperature of the polymers being formed.

Abstract: Pour point depressants for white oils and combinations of them with white oils are disclosed. The pour point depressants comprise ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, including terpolymers containing ethylene and vinyl acetate.

Abstract: A cap-like gas diffuser that produces uniformly sized small bubbles, evenly distributed over the surface of the diffuser is produced by controlling the uniformity of compaction of the particulate material used to form the diffuser during its process of fabrication. Fabrication of the diffuser to provide specified ratios of plenum height to top wall thickness favorably influences attainment of compaction uniformity, as well as reduces diffuser surfaces that contribute to the formation of non-uniform bubbles. Diffusers of the invention made from particulate ceramics are especially useful in treating sewage using the activated sludge process.

Abstract: A vending device for vending machines comprises a spiral coil connected to a coin-operated mechanism that allows rotation thereof and the connected coil when predetermined coins have been inserted into the mechanism. The loops making up the coil comprise closely spaced neighboring loops, remote from the mechanism, capable of supporting and transporting product to be vended as the coil is rotated, and distantly spaced neighboring loops, incapable of supporting the product. As the coil is turned, product is transported toward the mechanism until it reaches the distantly spaced loops where it drops from the spiral into a chute accessible by the purchaser. The mechanism is rotated by coin receivers that are blocked from rotating by spring-urged pawls unless predetermined coins have been inserted therein, or unless disabling tabs are interposed between the receivers and the pawls.

Abstract: A toe piece for a safety ski-binding involving a four-bar linkage comprising a base plate and an overlying cover, and having two parallel side members whose fixed front ends are pivotally mounted at the front end of the base plate, the rear free ends being pivotally connected by upper and lower link members. The free ends of the side members have boot clamps pivotally connected thereto which are held in a boot-securing position by their locking engagement with clamp-lock members pivotally mounted on the upper link member. The clamp-lock members are freed from such engagement by the action of clamp-lock release means associated with the upper link member, and pivotal thereabout, activated by forces generated by a skier's boot on the binding. Multiple embodiments of the invention are shown including release means activated by lateral forces imposed on the binding, as well as release means operated by the action of either horizontal or vertical forces thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for warming coffee or other beverage includes a warmer plate on which a vessel holding the beverage to be warmed is set, a heater for heating the warmer plate, circuitry for controlling the time the warmer plate is in a heating condition and a weight sensitive switch for enabling the circuitry only when a vessel of pre-determined weight is on the warmer plate. The circuitry further includes components for reinitializing the time the warmer plate is in a heating condition after a vessel is removed from the warmer plate under predetermined time conditions and then replaced thereon.

Abstract: Threaded fasteners adapted to be preliminarily inserted in bore holes of assemblies are modified to prevent their dislodgement by placing an elastic, plastic material on the fastener shaft in an amount sufficient to protrude outwardly from the shaft far enough to frictionally engage the wall of the bore hole into which the fastener is to be inserted. In a preferred embodiment, a polyamide plastic is placed on the shaft of the fastener in the region of the threaded portion thereof.

Abstract: Ski brakes useful in interlocking skis of a pair together comprising two shaped members having actuator and braking arm portions separated by an intermediate portion. The members are rotatably mounted in a base plate, the free ends of the actuator arm portions being axially aligned and connected by a coil spring, while the braking arms are provided with shoulders designed to engage longitudinal edges of the skis. To accomplish intelocking, the running surfaces of skis provided with the brakes are brought together in a face-to-face relationship, causing the braking arms on one of the skis to overlie the braking arms on the other ski. This results in bringing the shoulders of the brake of the latter ski into engagement with longitudinal edges of the former ski, thereby locking the skis together.

Abstract: Enamine ketone and enonesulfide polymeric solids are prepared by reacting liquid or low-melting propynone terminated enamine ketone and enonesulfide prepolymers in one-step, or more preferably, in two-step processes. Properties of the resulting polymers are determined by the nature of the reactant selected and by the relative amounts of reactants employed. Where the prepolymers formed possess terminal propynone groups, the prepolymers can subsequently be cross-linked. Copolymers can also be formed by reacting the prepolymers of the invention with vinyl-type monomers to form polymers with cross-linked networks. The polymerization techniques disclosed can be employed to produce thermoplastic, thermoset, and elastomeric products, and they are especially useful in reaction injection molding processes, in adhesive systems, in composite formations, for linings, and gaskets which require chemical resistance.

Abstract: Structural members for building structures comprise indented, truncated, V-shaped profiles which include flanges extending horizontally from the open tops thereof. Structural beam members comprise open-ended, elongated members, while structural column members are fabricated by joining counterpart surfaces of two of such profiles together at right angles. The structural members are nested together for transportation to building sites, where they are bolted together and floors formed by fastening corrugated panels to the beam flanges. Concrete is thereafter poured into the open profiles, and onto the deck panels to provide a floored framework for a building structure.

Abstract: A continuously energized switch having only stationary parts for application to electronic sports equipment is disclosed. The switch connects and disconnects the electronic circuitry of the sports equipment to and from its power supply in response to the application of predetermined non-invasive external influences.

Abstract: Two-component polymeric compositions having two interconnected solid phases, and exhibiting spinodal decomposition morphology at the domain boundaries are shown, as are methods for forming the same. The compositions are prepared from two different polymers one of which possesses ductility in that it shows substantial yield behavior under tensile stressing, the other being brittle, exhibiting no such behavior; thermoplastic polymers, in conjunction with thermotropic liquid crystalline materials, exemplify such systems. The desired morphology is created by preparing the two component compositions in a single solid phase below the lower critical solution temperature of the compositions, and thereafter heating the compositions above such temperature to form a two-phase system.

Abstract: A combined fluid storage container and applicator device comprising a sheet-like impermeable material having overlying symmetrical or asymmetrical portions with a fold line and a temporary seal around the remaining periphery of the device forming a cavity for an inviscid fluid, a pad within the cavity and adhered to the sheet, and a separation mechanism for simultaneously applying continuous separating force in multiple directions to open the cavity and expose the pad. Methods of using and making the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A safety device for quickly and easily rendering a firearm unloadable by obstructing the barrel of the firearm. The device includes tow generally elongated rods, each rod having a pin dimensioned to be received in one of firearm and an arm having a plurality of apertures therethrough, at least one aperture on one rod being alignable with an aperture on the other rod. The arms of the two rods are dimensioned to overlap when the pins are positioned within the barrel of the firearm. A bolt of a lock may then be passed through a pair of aligned apertures, one on each of the two rods, so that the pins of the rods may not be removed from the barrel.