Abstract: Pneumatic structural and cushioning material of plastic sheets, bands, and/or tubes, which are compartmentized into a plurality of chambers. The material is capable of convenient and economical storage and shipment in a collapsed state and rapid inflation to an operative state at the point of use. The chambers embody one-way valving arrangements to maintain the chambers in an expanded state over long periods of time, rendering the product useful in cushioning loads during shipment by land, air or water; in safety devices for humans in vehicle bumpers, air cuhsins, and buoyant devices of all types; and in structural assemblies of either temporary or permanent types to attain heat and sound insulation effects.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a non-return valve assembly mounted on the front end of an extruder screw within a heated barrel for accummulating a charge of thermoplastic material in the forepart of the barrel by the retrograde and rotary movement of the screw when the valve is in open position, and by ejecting the charge through a nozzle mounted at the front of the barrel by the reverse reciprocating movement of the feedscrew, which simultaneously forces the valve to close and prevents escape of the material backward into the barrel along the screw. The valve is formed of two components, one of which is shaped with a convexly contoured annular protuberance which is alternately spaced from the other one, and in close abutment therewith, in the alternate movements of the feedscrew, with only screws or bolts connecting the two, to permit freedom of movement therebetween.

Abstract: A gauge for accurately and quickly positioning window-shade brackets by retaining a bracket on the gauge, by magnetic attraction, at a predetermined distance from the top of the window frame to afford adequate room for the shade in its fully rolled position, while this position is marked by an instrument extending through an aperture in the bracket and a slot in the gauge along which the bracket is movable in the course of its positioning. Lineal scales on the gauge facilitate the measuring of the diameter of the window-shade in fully rolled position and the setting of the brackets on the gauge correspondingly. Apertures on the gauge are provided to render it a convenient tool for winding the springs of the window-shade rollers.

Abstract: An assembly for delivery to a customer upon completion of a photo-finishing operation, comprised of a packet envelope which includes not only the film negatives and the finished prints of the latter, but also one or more cards bearing date strips detachably affixed thereto with pressure sensitive adhesive, wherefrom they may be stripped easily and affixed individually to each of the prints at the front or back thereof, as desired by the customer. Thus, each print may be dated conveniently despite the lack of clear margins on the prints for automatically printing the date in this area or on the backs of the prints.

Abstract: An automatic date-stamping system for vehicles entering a parking area for a relatively long period of time, i.e., for more than one day rather than several hours, so that the accumulated charges of the parking costs at the time of leaving, are easily and reliably determinable. The date is stamped automatically on the side-wall of a tire of the vehicle in invisible ink, so as not to mar the appearance of the vehicle, before the blocking and/or signalling means are operated to permit entry of the vehicle into the parking area. Exposure of the date-imprint to ultra-violet light or other rays to which the printing ink is responsive, renders it visible for reading at the time of leaving the parking area, or before that time, if such is necessary.

Abstract: A tong for picking up litter from urinals, formed by a pair of spaced planar jaws extending in parallel planes from an integral junction at one end towards the opposite end. The free ends of the jaws may be beveled inwardly to provide relatively sharp edges with substantially rectangular corners at the sides of the jaws, to grasp effectively all types of litter when the edges are moved towards each other by manually pressing the jaws together.

Abstract: A rugged and long-lasting mounting for a tubular metal leg to the underside of a furniture unit through the intermediary of a sheet metal supporting bracket affixed to the latter, with spaced arms extending downwardly and parallely from the opposite sides of a sheet metal supporting plate on the bracket adapted to abut closely the upper end of said leg. A flange extends inwardly from each of the arms at an acute angle thereto for sliding interengagement with correspondingly cut slots spanning opposed parallel chords on the leg which subtend substantial angles of about 90.degree., to bring the leg and plate into said close abutment while preventing loosening and eventual undesired disengagement therebetween in a direction transverse to said sliding interengagement.

Abstract: Support accessories for luggage which make possible the alternative use of conventional supporting cleats and rollers, depending upon the desires of the user. Retainers of molded plastic are affixed to the luggage for interchangeably accommodating plates bearing feet or bumpers, if a conventional bearing support is desired, or optionally plates of the same dimensions bearing wheeled rollers, if luggage having a rolling capability is desired. The base plates of the retainers are provided with integrally molded projections and a medial recess therebetween to retain the detachable plates more securely while in operation and to facilitate the detachment thereof when a change is to be made.

Abstract: The production of composite structural products having high sound-proofing characteristics by impregnating a mat of fibers of substantial length with an organic thermoplastic resin containing an expanding agent, and thereafter heating the treated mat. The resin is partially jelled during the initial stage of heating and the expanding agent is dissociated during the later stage of the heating, which results in a controlled swelling of resin while the resin completes the jelling thereof while the product attains its predetermined density. Upon the cooling of the material it is transformed from a plastic to an elastic state, especially in the direction of thickness of the product.

Abstract: A long-distance telephone-call monitor and charge indicator, contained in a common housing with an electrically operated digital clock timing device. The timing device is coupled to the charge indicator at the start of the telephone conversation by first pre-setting the indicator to the fixed cost of the conversation for a limited period, for example, three minutes, and thereafter setting a rate indicating lever corresponding to the cost of the incremental periods thereafter, for example, additional minutes. The movement of the latter from an "off" position, effects the coupling of a variable speed-ratio friction drive with the timing device, which is automatically delayed for the above-mentioned period of three minutes.

Abstract: A knockdown furniture assembly comprised of a plurality of vertical skeletal supports or standards which may be spaced variably within a room and clamped in position between the floor and ceiling thereof. The skeletal supports are provided with vertically arranged series of cylindrical openings for receiving dowels, pins and/or bolts which engage shelf supports for shelving, or which fasten different furniture units directly to the skeletal supports. The shelves and furniture units may be mounted at any desired levels and in any desired arrangements, including corner shelves in a corner of a room. The units may be installed without need of any special tools or experience.