Abstract: A motor vehicle washing apparatus having a brush assembly and curtain assembly for prolonging the life of the brush assembly and the curtain assembly by adjusting the length of elements of each when wear occurs. The brush assembly includes a plurality of brush elements mounted on a rotatable drum by connectors which are removably received in channels on the outer surface of the drum. The connectors engage selected slots of a plurality of slots in the brush elements to allow for selectively and incrementally adjusting the position of a free end of each brush element. In a similar fashion, the curtain assembly has a plurality of curtain elements mounted on a support rod or on an oscillating semicircular drum. The curtain elements each have a plurality of slots therein for accommodating self-orienting removable locking fasteners permitting selective and incremental adjusting of the position of a free end of each curtain element.

Abstract: A device for translating rotary to linear motion and vice versa includes a reciprocating linearly moving shuttle with a central aperture. The aperture has a pair of opposing conjugate bearings protruding towards the center and which capture therebetween a pair of conjugate drivers rotatably mounted to the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft with the axis of crankshaft rotation perpendicular to the linear path of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers are free to rotate about the crankpin and articulate independently of each other through a selected angular range. When the crankpin, including the conjugate drivers, is inserted into the aperture of the shuttle with the conjugate drivers engaging the racks, motion is transferable between the crankpin and the shuttle through the conjugate drivers.

Abstract: A scotch yoke type motion converter employs a shuttle movable in a reciprocating fashion along a rectilinear path and having an aperture therein. One side of the aperture is defined by a first trackable profile and an opposite side of the aperture is defined by a second trackable profile. A pair of conjugate drivers is rotatably mounted on a crankpin positioned within the aperture of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers have tracking profiles which are in meshing engagement with the trackable profiles of the shuttle. Each of the tracking profiles has an overhanging portion which overhangs the opposite conjugate driver.

Abstract: An infant support includes a generally wedge-shaped body portion which is adapted to alternatively support an infant in an upwardly-facing reclined position or a downwardly-facing inclined position. The body portion includes opposite first and second supporting surfaces wherein the first supporting surface is contoured to receive the infant in an upwardly-facing, reclined position when the device is supported on the second supporting surface thereof, and the second supporting surface is contoured to receive the infant in a downwardly-facing, inclined position when the device is supported on the first supporting surface thereof.

Abstract: An infant exerciser adapted for use in a substantially stationary location has a combined tray and infant seat which are attached to a base such that the tray and seat can be revolved conjointly in an orbital manner. The seat can also rotate about its own axis of rotation, whereby an infant who is positioned in the seat can walk along a circular path and/or turn in place.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder reciprocating piston internal combustion engine is divided into a working section and a compressor section, with the working section supporting the combustion function and the compressor dedicated solely to infusion of intake charge into the working section. In a preferred embodiment, the compressor employs a scotch yoke motion translator with cycle dynamics matched to optimize compressor function. This is characterized by a displacement of crankshaft orientation from 0 degrees at top piston position. The working portion employs a scotch yoke motion converter exhibiting cycle dynamics matched to either a two, four, or diesel engine power cycle.

Abstract: A housing for an underwater lighting fixture includes a wet niche formed from plastic and provided with a grounding strap. The grounding strap is attached to the niche by a threaded lug which extends through the strap and an adjacent wall of the niche to permit an internal ground wire and an external ground wire to be connected to the strap. As a further grounding assurance, the lighting fixture may be grounded through the grounding strap, which mechanically and electrically attaches the lighting fixture to the niche.

Abstract: A chair mechanism (1) for office chairs comprises a synchronous mechanism with integrated negative inclination. The aim is to achieve all sitting postures occurring during office work, and in particular the correction of injurious continuous sitting. The arrangement, the function and the connection of the pivot axes and the configuration of the seat support (4) within the chair mechanism (1) have predominant novelty value. Mechanical springs, which are less expensive than gas springs, are used as component parts. Springing during synchronous movement is effected by means of a torsion spring (9), while the negative inclination utilizes compression springs (21). The mechanism offers a number of options--locking in determined functions--for special applications. In addition to the wide movement range, the apparatus is distinguished by a compact and efficient construction.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a scotch yoke type motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate drive mechanism is lubricated by supplying lubricating fluid from a pressurized source to an interface between meshing portions of the bearing conjugate and the conjugate driver.

Abstract: A motor vehicle washing apparatus having a brush assembly and curtain assembly for prolonging the life of the brush assembly and the curtain assembly by adjusting the length of elements of each when wear occurs. The brush assembly includes a plurality of brush elements mounted on a drum by connectors which are removably received in channels on the outer surface of the drum. The connectors engage selected slots of a plurality of slots in the brush elements to allow for selectively and incrementally adjusting the position of a free end of each brush element. In a similar fashion, the curtain assembly has a plurality of curtain elements mounted on a support rod. The curtain elements each have a plurality of slots therein for accommodating self-orienting removable locking fasteners permitting selective and incremental adjusting of the position of a free end of each curtain element.

Abstract: An article of foot jewelry has at least a portion which is expandable and contractible to an extent which permits some degree of adjustability. The foot jewelry; can be provided with decorative elements, such as beads and the like, which are cushioned so as to enhance wearer comfort.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine has a scotch yoke-type motion translator. The engine is horizontally opposed with each shuttle having a pair of pistons attached at the ends of a pair of oppositely extending arms. A centrally located aperture in the shuttle accommodates the crankpin and incorporates a pair of rack blocks bolted to the shuttle. The rack blocks mesh with mating epicycloidal/hypocycloidal sectors rotatably mounted upon a crankpin and forming the interface between crankshaft and shuttle. The cycle dynamics of the engine may be matched to the thermodynamics of a selected power cycle and fuel by adjusting the shape of the sectors and racks.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a scotch yoke type motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate driver moves relative to the bearing conjugate between a pair of end points. A motion arrester functions to arrest the motion of the conjugate driver as it reaches each of its end points of travel relative to the bearing conjugate.

Abstract: A phase hologram is embossed in a mylar web having a tin tungsten oxide reflective layer deposited upon. The embossed microtexture produces a hologram that is semi-transparent, thereby allowing the visualization of indicia underlying the hologram.