Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preforming automobile rooftop coverings made of flexible sheets of vinyl and the like. The flexible material is treated with a thermosetting composition and then applied to an automobile rooftop form. Pneumatic tensioning means are attached to the edges of the material at a plurality of spaced-apart points to tension it over the form to a predetermined orientation and shape while maintaining the forces on the material substantially in equilibrium. The material is heated to set the thermosetting composition. Clamping means lightly engage the material to hold it in the predetermined shape until the setting temperature is reached and then firmly engage it to form maginal flanges thereon. The shaped material is then removed from the form by a vacuum carrier and then cooled and trimmed in the carrier.A pressure-sensitive adhesive and release liner may also be applied to the material so that after it is shaped it can be directly adhesively secured to an automobile rooftop.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly has a rotatable friction mount including an elongated shaft receiving thereon an inner tubular friction member, two tubular spacers and a helical compression spring, all telescopically received within an outer tubular member and trapped between longitudinally-spaced apart retainer washers. Notches adjacent to the ends of the tubular friction member define hinged end portions which are tiltable under the urging of the compression spring radially outwardly into frictional engagement with the outer tubular member. A similar hinged tiltable end portion may be formed on one of the spacer members. Plural pairs of notches may be formed in the inner frictional member to define plural sets of hinged tiltable portions. In one embodiment the outer surface of the inner fricitonal member has longitudinal ribs disposed for ratcheting engagement with spring clips which project inwardly through apertures in the outer tubular member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a scrubber for removing or neutralizing pollutants from air or other gaseous media by means of water and/or suitable chemicals. The construction embodying the invention is simple, compact and susceptible to prefabrication and provides means to confine or restrict the flow of polluted material through random paths. The polluted air is forced into a jet or jets of scrubbing fluid, such as water or a chemical, then along a plurality of separated paths within which are located movable flexible scrubber belts and small spheres of plastic or other materials, preferably hollow and light. There is also provided for some cyclone action prior to discharge from the scrubber. The nature of the scrubber is such as to permit the use of metal or plastics and can be made in different sizes and shapes. An additional group of hollow plastic spheres may be provided for condensing scrubout liquid or vapors from scrubbed gaseous material after the scrubbing operation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates the preshaping of a flexible precut piece of vinyl or other flexible plastic, and further processing such piece to form a stiffened preshaped assembly. The stiffened preshaped assembly is formed by placing the vinyl or other plastic material about a male mold or die. The plastic material thus placed about the die is stiffened by placing thereon a gauze like material which is impregnated with a stiffening material, usually plaster of Paris. The thus formed preshape is subsequently cemented to a car body top with a subsequent removal of the stiffened shroud surrounding the vinyl top.