Abstract: A system for optimizing the flow of air through a fume hood by dynamically controlling the air flow to provide a stable vortex in the vortex chamber of the hood, the optimum condition for minimizing backflow of fume-laden air through the hood doorway. A highly-sensitive pressure sensor disposed at a critical location in the vortex chamber sidewall senses minute variations in vortex pressure indicative of turbulence and sends signals via a transducer to an analog controller which uses proportional integral and adaptive gain algorithms to formulate output signals to an actuator which adjusts dampers in the hood to change the airflow into the vortex. The system operates in feedback mode and seeks a minimum in the amplitude of the sidewall pressure variations, indicating that turbulence has been eliminated and that a stable vortex exists. The pressure sensor signals can also be directed to an alarm to signal an off-standard and potentially dangerous condition.

Abstract: A ladder-type cable tray system comprising a first cable tray section and a second cable tray section. Each cable tray section includes first and second rails extending lengthwise of the section at opposite sides of the section and a plurality of rungs extending between the rails at intervals spaced lengthwise of the section. Each of the first and second rails has a tubular portion forming a hollow beam extending the length of the rail. The tubular portion has open ends at opposite ends of the rail and a rung-supporting portion integrally formed as one piece with the tubular portion and depending therefrom. The system further comprises fasteners for securing the rungs to the rung-supporting portions of the first and second rails in a position wherein the rungs span the rung-supporting portions, and a plurality of splices for connecting the first and second cable tray sections end to end.

Abstract: A small boat mooring system is provided for securing a boat to a dock, pier or pilings in such a way that the boat is free to move vertically with the normal changes in tide or wave action. The system comprises a plurality of nylon lines, a snaphook for connecting each line to the boat, a counterweight connected to the other end of each line, and hardware mounted on each of a plurality of pilings. The hardware comprises a steel plate section, a lag eye, a quick link, and a pulley connected thereto for conveying the nylon line through the hardware. The system of the present invention permits vertical movement of the boat, such as that caused by rise and fall of tides or rolling of the boat, while maintaining the boat centered in the slip and away from an associated dock, pier or piling. The system further redistributes or absorbs energy produced by the action of water, wind and other conditions on the boat.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing adjuster having a base frame provided with a moveable elongated load bar of unique shape having a substantially planar transverse surface and having multiple transverse rounded edges displaced therefrom and about which seat belt webbing is wrapped, the load bar being adapted to pinch the webbing against the body frame at the planar surface and to frictionally engage the webbing at the rounded edges. Inasmuch as said webbing is pinched only along the planar surface of the load bar, jamming of the webbing as it is adjusted is avoided and the webbing adjuster assembly can be made to loose tolerances, thus decreasing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A safe having multiple openings in the form of drawers, with each of the drawers having a different color. The material placed into any one of the drawers passes from the drawer into a container located below the drawer in the safe. Each of the containers bears the same color as the drawer with which it communicates. A door over the safe prevents the unauthorized access to or removal of the containers from the safe. Catches, attached to each of the drawers, prevent their unauthorized removal from the safe. Each of the drawers may also include a separate lock to prevent entrance into the drawer except by authorized individuals.

Abstract: A child safety harness is provided having a waistband, a backpiece, a pair of shoulder straps and a tether. The shoulder straps are secured at one end to the waistband and at the opposite end to the backpiece. When fitting the safety harness on a child the waistband is extended around the waist so that its free ends are behind the child. The shoulder straps are pulled over the shoulders and downwardly across the back so that the back piece is in alignment with the waistband. The free ends of the waistband can then be releasably secured to the backpiece effectively securing the child safety harness on the child.

Abstract: The binding for releasably securing the toe of a touring ski boot to a touring ski comprises a ski binding member secured to the upper surface of a touring ski and a boot binding member secured to the toe of a touring ski boot. Each of the said binding members has a transversely disposed L-shaped binding element adapted to releasably engage each other, and spring loaded latch means for releasably retaining the binding members in engagement. The L-shaped binding element of the ski binding member has a horizontally disposed downwardly facing binding surface that abuts a corresponding horizontally disposed upwardly facing binding surface of the L-shaped binding element of the boot binding member.

Abstract: The binding for releasably securing the toe of a touring ski boot to a touring ski comprises a ski binding member secured to the upper surface of a touring ski and a boot binding member secured to the toe of a touring ski boot. Each of the said binding members has a transversely disposed L-shaped binding element adapted to releasably engage each other, and spring loaded latch means for releasably retaining the binding members in engagement. The L-shaped binding element of the ski binding member has a horizontally disposed downwardly facing binding surface that abuts a corresponding horizontally disposed upwardly facing binding surface of the L-shaped binding element of the boot binding member.

Abstract: The heel binding for touring skis comprises a frame adapted to be secured to the upper surface of a touring ski, a rotatable heel latch pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation between its forwardmost boot heel engaging position and its rearwardmost boot heel disengagement position, and latch engagement and disengagement means for maintaining the heel latch in engagement with the heel of the ski boot when the heel latch is at its forwardmost position and for maintaining the heel latch out of engagement with the heel of the ski boot when the heel latch is at its rearwardmost position. The latch engagement and disengagement means has an operating lever pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the heel latch for rotating the heel latch to its forwardmost position, the operating lever acting either directly or indirectly on the heel latch.

Abstract: A generally planar plate body is provided for abutting against one side of the steering knuckle sleeve portion of a vehicle through which one end portion of a steering arm is secured. A pair of U-bolts are also provided and disposed in substantially parallel planes for snugly embracing the side of the end portion of the steering arm, at opposite ends of the steering knuckle sleeve portion, remote from the side of the sleeve portion against which the plate body is abutted.

Abstract: The heel binding for touring skis comprises a frame adapted to be secured to the upper surface of a touring ski, a rotatable heel latch pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation between its forwardmost boot heel engaging position and its rearwardmost boot heel disengagement position, and latch engagement and disengagement means for maintaining the heel latch in engagement with the heel of the ski boot when the heel latch is at its forwardmost position and for maintaining the heel latch out of engagement with the heel of the ski boot when the heel latch is at its rearwardmost position.