Abstract: A snow ski apparatus has an occupant-supporting board, a forward runner with a running surface wider in its forward portion than its rear portion and a rear runner with a running surface narrower in its forward portion than in its rear portion. An axle pivotally connected to the board extends through flanges which lie longitudinally along the sides of the runners. Elastic tension means are connected to the runners to bias the runners toward longitudinal alignment with the board.A runner has an undersurface which intersects an inclined surface at an acute angle to form a biting edge to reduce lateral slippage when making a turn.The runners are molded with upstanding side flanges, and portions of such flanges are removed to modify the flex characteristics of the runner body.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a vehicle having steered front and rear wheels, comprises steering linkages for connection to both sets of wheels. The steering linkage to the rear set of wheels includes a variable length lever and a link mechanism to vary the length of the lever in response to the amount of steering movement imparted to the steering connection to the front wheels. The variable length lever mechanism is such that the amount of steering movement transmitted to the rear wheels for a given amount of steering movement imparted to the front wheels is greater when the front wheels approach full lock than when the front wheels are moving from the straight ahead position.

Abstract: A vehicle, especially an amusement vehicle, in which a frame having seating means for receiving at least one occupant is located within the radial confines of a pair of relatively large coaxial spaced wheels. The frame includes rollers mounted thereon, distributed circumferentially about the insides of the larger wheels, and rollingly engaging the wheels. At least one of the rollers for each wheel is driven in rotation by a mechanism under the control of the vehicle occupant for propelling the vehicle. The center of gravity of the frame, including any occupant therein, is below the common axis of the wheels so that actuation of the drive rollers in rotation will cause the frame first to move within the wheels to create an unbalanced condition in the vehicle. The wheels will then commence rotation and the vehicle will move. The wheels can be driven at respective speeds for steering purposes.

Abstract: A hitch member for an automotive vehicle is affixed to a mounting bar which is rotatably mounted in the side beams of the frame of the vehicle and is rotatable with such mounting bar. A brace member is pivotally mounted on a cross member affixed to the side beams of the frame and is movable and releasably affixable to the hitch member to secure said hitch member in operable position and in retracted position when the hitch member is not in use.

Abstract: A ski brake having a resilient tensioning member to which is secured bladed members is mounted on a ski plate having a releasable binding thereon. The resilient member is normally held in a position parallel to the upper surface of the sole plate by the weight of the skier to hold the bladed members in a retracted position. A release of the ski boot from the sole plate will cause the spring force of the resilient tensioning member to effect a movement of the bladed members to an extended position to brake the ski.

Abstract: A document is disclosed, which comprises an information carrier in which information is recorded as optical markings. The information carrier has a shape-memorizing capability actuated by supplying energy, such as heat, which changes the shape of the information carrier and the optical markings.

Abstract: A pipe coupling is disclosed in which two identical tubular parts, to receive pipe ends, each have a flange at one end thereof and are held together, via their flanges, by a clamping ring which has a radially inwardly facing groove which receives the flanges. Each flange on its side remote from the other flange slopes outwardly from the periphery of the tubular part towards said one end thereof providing a ramp surface engaged by the free edge of a respective one of the two side walls of the inwardly facing groove of the clamping ring so that a circumferential tension in the clamping ring produces a wedging action urging the flanges into engagement with each other. In a variant each of the two tubular parts is angled with respect to its end flange so that by adjusting the tubular parts relative to each other about the common axes of their flanges, the angle between the axes of the main portions of the tubular parts can be adjusted, thus providing a pipe bend of adjustable angle.

Abstract: A pair of self-clamping couplings are secured to the opposite walls of a feeder duct. The ends of a pair of branch ducts are respectively supported on the couplings. A cover closes off the space between the branch ducts and is held in position by engagement with the ends of the branch ducts.

Abstract: A hose fitting which comprises a body having a longitudinal fluid passage adapted to receive a hose, an O-ring provided in the fluid passage so as to give water- or air-tightness to a space formed between the outside surface of the hose inserted in the fluid passage and the surrounding wall thereof, a quick hose-disconnecting mechanism provided between the O-ring and the outlet of a fluid passage for gripping the hose in such a manner as to prevent reverse motion and disconnecting the hose by the aid of a single manual pressing operation, and a rotary joint provided rotatably at the inlet end of the fluid passage and adapted to be connected to a fluid supply source.

Abstract: An occupant safeguarding door stop for use on the interior surface of the lower edge portion of a sliding door or window or vertically hinged inwardly openable door has a base securely mountable on the interior surface of the door in a portion thereof adjacent to but above the level of a sliding door or window, or a lower edge portion of the vertically hinged door. A rigid leg member aligned with the base is pivotally joined to the base, and has a foot portion arrangeable for being forcibly pressed and readily actuated toward a gripping portion engaging the overhead frame of a sliding door or window, or a floor associated with the door by foot or hand applied pressure.

Abstract: A pair of handles mountable at opposite ends of an ear of corn so that the ear can be easily held in the hands when hot so a person can eat corn "on the cob"; each handle including a small knob in the shape of an ear of corn, each knob having a screw affixed on its one end for screwing into the ear of the ear cob for rigid attachment.

Abstract: A device for suspending articles from a ceiling and comprising a sleeve member having an external hook secured at one end thereof for receiving the article thereon, a pair of pivotal gripping members secured to the sleeve at a common pivot point and pivotal in directions toward and away from each other to provide alternate gripping and releasing positions for the device, a threaded stem securing the pivotal gripping members to the sleeve member whereby rotation of the sleeve member in one direction engages the pivotal gripping members for movement thereof toward the gripping position and rotation in an opposite direction permits pivotal movement of the gripping members in a direction toward the releasing position, and a tool engageable with the hook member for transmitting rotation to the sleeve and for alternately positioning the article on the hook and removing the article therefrom.

Abstract: A removable and foldable camper module as provided which converts a utility vehicle, such as a van, into a recreational vehicle. The camper module includes kitchen cabinets and storage area with bench type seats attached to the opposite side of the kitchen area. When the module is collapsed, it can be easily removed from the van by two people. In the expanded mode, the module provides the necessary fixtures that one would have in a recreational vehicle, but still allows mobility by the person using it. For storage and handling, the camper module folds in the center forming a compact rectangular package.

Abstract: A main frame assembly for a road vehicle comprises two parallel vertical side frames connected together by cross members. The frame members are preferably composed of hollow tubes welded together. The cross members are unbraced to provide tortional flexibility without loss of load carrying capacity.

Abstract: Vehicle sun visor having molded plastic reinforcing insert, with the insert including tension stays extending from the visor padding across the body of the insert and intersecting connecting stays.

Abstract: A process for the in-situ recovery of minerals from subsurface deposits comprises forming a gas-tight or self-sealing chamber and injecting into it a solvent which is pressure cycled over a predetermined period of time. This pressure cycling increases the mineral extraction efficiency by improving the dissolution of material contained in blind cracks in the underground formation.

Abstract: A base member is mounted on the driven element of a mining machine or the like. A bit holder is affixed to the base member in such a way that the bit holder may be readily removed and replaced. The base member and bit holder having cooperating abutment surfaces to sustain much of the resultant cutting forces encountered during operation. A connecting pin is provided to maintain the bit holder in position on the base member. Retaining means are provided for the connecting pin. Such retaining means are located between the ends of the connecting pin so as to lock the connecting pin in position without having to have either the connecting pin or the retaining means extend laterally from the joined bit holder and base member. The connecting pin and its retaining means may readily be removed when it is time to replace the bit holder.

Abstract: A pneumatic stowing apparatus for use in underground mine galleries for pneumatically transporting mine waste resulting from blasting operations, mainly comprises a housing in which an element forming at least one chamber is movable between a material receiving position in which such mine waste is filled through an inlet opening in the housing into the chamber and a material-discharging position in which opposite open ends of the chamber are respectively aligned with openings in opposite end walls of the housing, through one of which compressed air is blown over a valve into the chamber so that the mine waste in the latter is transported to a point of use through a discharge conduit connected to the opening in the opposite end wall of the housing, a motor to move the chamber forming element between the positions thereof, and a member for opening and closing the valve in timed sequence with the movement of the chamber forming element.

Abstract: A pneumatic hopper outlet, where the discharge conduit end cap is held in place with at least one large headed bolt which is pivotably mounted on the discharge conduit and which engages at least a portion of the end cap. The large headed bolt is attached to a vertically extending locking member of generally inverted J shape which is rotatably mounted on a side of the discharge conduit. When an operating handle attached to an operating shaft of an outlet valve element is in the position which corresponds to the fully closed position of the valve element, the lower surface of the locking member prevents movement of the operating handle and the valve element from moving from the closed position. If the valve element and its operating shaft are not in the fully closed position, the operating handle obstructs the path of the pivoting locking member and the large headed bolt cannot be pivoted into position to hold the end cap in closed position.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for an articulated vehicle includes a pair of manually operated, push-pull control valves and a pressure differential responsive dual supply valve. The inlet of one of the manually operated valves is connected to the fluid pressure source, and the outlet is connected to the parking brakes on the power portion of the articulated vehicle and also to one inlet of the dual supply valve. Another inlet of the dual supply valve is connected directly to the fluid pressure source. The outlet of the dual supply valve is connected to the inlet of the second manually operated control valve, the outlet of which is connected to the parking brakes on the towed or nonpowered portion of the articulated vehicle. Application of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle is effected by actuation of one of the valves, but release of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle requires actuation of both of the manually operated valves.

Abstract: A valve for use in applying brake releasing pressure to brake chambers in a vehicle air brake system having reservoirs each containing air for either service or emergency use and having air pressure supply lines. The valve includes a housing. A chamber is formed in the housing. A port permits air communication between the valve and a supply line. A passage interconnects the port and the chamber. Reservoir ports interconnect through the passage. A first plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the port to the reservoir ports. A second plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the reservoir ports to the chamber.

Abstract: A brake control system comprising an electric brake or the like having first and second electrically-operated brake actuators adapted for separate actuation, an operator-responsive controller for applying a first braking signal to the first actuator, and a control circuit responsive to the first braking signal for applying a second braking signal to the second actuator in substantially linear proportion to the first braking signal when the first braking signal exceeds a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A brake cylinder fluid pressure distributor having a control valve device of the pressure proportioning type that includes a main and auxiliary reaction piston, each subject on a corresponding face to pressure delivered by the control valve device to the brake cylinders in order to provide an actuating force on the piston valve assembly in a counteracting direction to the control force thereon, thereby automatically regulating the brake cylinder pressure. The auxiliary reacting piston is arranged on the piston valve assembly so as to be either engaged therewith or disengaged therefrom according to the effective load condition, speed range, deceleration rate or other parameter of a vehicle to be braked, thereby adjusting the effective brake cylinder pressure by adjusting the point in time when the delivery of pressure to the brake cylinders is terminated by the regulating action of the control valve device.

Abstract: In a vehicle braking system, a fluid pressure control device comprises an inertia-controlled valve for interrupting fluid communication between a master cylinder and rear wheel brake cylinders at a deceleration in excess of a predetermined value and a differential piston for gradually increasing the fluid pressure trapped within the wheel brake cylinders after the valve is closed. The control device is provided therein with a spring which is detachably engaged at opposite ends thereof with the small and large diameter portions of the piston in such a manner that the piston is urged toward an outlet chamber by engagement with the spring when moved toward an inlet chamber and also urged toward the inlet chamber by engagement with the spring when moved toward the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A track link assembly including two meshed track links, one having a narrow end received in a notch in an enlarged end in the other, aligned bores in the links, a hinge pin received in the bore for pivoting the links together, annular grooves at opposite ends of the pins, retaining rings in the grooves, recesses in one of the links about the bore therein adjacent the ends of the pin and defining shoulders substantially abutted by the retaining rings, and caps closing the recesses and having axial portions about the periphery of the respective retaining rings for preventing radial movement thereof.

Abstract: A universal floating guide apparatus for guiding a reciprocating slide member so that the slide member does not rotate. The guide apparatus may be employed in reciprocating slides which have linear motion and which are employed in coated paperboard carton packaging machines, such as in a carton loading device and a carton stripper device for loading a carton on a carton forming mandrel, and for stripping a carton off the mandrel, respectively. The floating guide apparatus includes a slide member which is linearly guided and provided with a bore in which is mounted an axially movable bushing that is cross bored. Slidably mounted through the bushing cross bore is a fixed guide rod. The guide rod also extends through enlarged bores formed through the slide member. The bushing is movable axially and radially to take up errors in parallelism between a drive rod carrying the slide member and the guide rod, and prevents rotation and binding of the slide member throughout its stroke or movement.

Abstract: Two flexible chains, each of which is composed of links connected by hinge pins, form the lateral sides of the cover. Each link of one chain is connected to an opposite link of the other chain, at least at the top, by a rigid cover member to form a cover section. The cover members of adjacent cover sections are in sliding contact, and at least one surface which participates in each such sliding contact is in the form of a sector of a cylinder whose axis is in alignment with the hinge pins connecting the links forming the sides of such adjacent cover sections. Adjacent cover sections also are provided with opposed stops which limit the angle of relative pivoting of such adjacent cover sections.

Abstract: A furniture unit comprising a substantially L-shaped panel which, with other identical panels, is used as a supporting base structure for a variety of different furniture pieces including, but not limited to, desks, sofas or chairs, shelving and the like. The panels are provided with equispaced slots on each of the vertical side edges thereof. Brackets are received in and interlockingly engaged with said slots on each of said vertical edges in selected positions for supporting either a desk top or other element depending upon the use to which the panels are put. The panels are also provided with slots in each of their horizontal edges, said slots being of equal size and spacing such that the panels can be inverted for right-hand or left-hand use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separable coupling for connecting a suction hose to a vacuum cleaner and at the same time establishing an electric circuit between conductors in the hose and in the cleaner and involves means for preventing short circuits in the coupling even though the latter may suffer a mechanical damage.

Abstract: A tamper-proof and theft-proof electrical connector including a termination unit with a hexagonal front portion internally threaded to be fitted to an externally threaded output terminal of a distributing source. The unit has a rear portion smaller in diameter than the front portion. An annular groove is provided in the rear portion, and a cylindrical clip is retained in the groove. The clip has leaf spring tines which have ends that are spaced from but extend outwardly and toward the front portion. A locking shield is then provided which covers the entire length of the termination unit. The locking shield has an annular portion to fit between the tines and the front portion. The locking shield can be removed with a tool that depresses the tines.

Abstract: An electrical supply device including a conductor rail on which a sliding adapter providing a connection between the conductors of the rails and an user apparatus is readily positioned, the rail having an asymetrical profile with slideways situated in two different and parallel planes in which the adaptor, by means of a system of guides, may slide. The adaptator has a head carrying contacts, whose dimensions and geometry allow it to be introduced into the rail at an angle of 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the rail, and to pivot only in a given direction. Before pivoting that, the whole adapter is slidable along the rail and can then be locked in any selected position.

Abstract: A connector for insulated electrical wires in which a body of insulating material has a wire connection well formed into one surface and receives a slotted, flat plate, electrical contact element. A wire retention well is formed adjacent the wire connection well and is joined to the wire connection well by a passageway aligned with the slot in the contact element. The passageway is constricted to engage the insulation of a wire forced into the slot of the contact element in the wire connection well through the passageway and out of the wire retention well to electrically connect the wire to the contact element while providing strain relief for the wire in the passageway.

Abstract: A two-part connector for detachably, electrically connecting a high tension lead wire to the terminal post of a spark plug includes threadedly connectable male and female members having cooperative surfaces for clamping the lead wire therebetween, a threaded socket for threaded engagement with the central terminal of the spark plug, and a deformable, annular skirt on the female member engageable with a multi-angular base on the male member to lock the connector against accidental separation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly of electrical contacts with a center conductor and a ground conductor on a coaxial cable, the assembly including further a one-piece housing having two parts hinged to each other for closure together, thereby terminating the conductors to the contacts and providing an enclosure for the terminated conductors. The contacts protrude from the housing for pluggable connection into apertures of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A pair of electrical cables to be interconnected, each have an outer layer of insulation and a central conductor terminating in a cable end. A generally funnel shaped conductor is attached to the conductors of each cable end forming a concave terminal on each cable end. A spherical conductor is interposed between the funnel shaped conductors of the cable ends. The cable ends and the spherical conductor are compressively engaged to provide assured electrical contact through the cables and are enclosed within a tubular dielectric housing. The cable ends extend through apertures in threaded end plugs and into the tubular housing. The housing includes a dielectric grease to displace all air within the housing. A seal and tubular sleeve are interposed between the end plugs and the funnel shaped conductors of the cable ends so that threaded engagement of the end plugs provide axial compressive forces on the funnel shaped conductors and also seal the connection.

Abstract: Multi-layered optical data records and playback apparatus are described in which a plurality of optical data layers are provided on at least one side of a record substrate and the playback apparatus scans data tracks on such layers with a light beam to produce an electrical readout signal corresponding to the data in the scanned tracks. The playback apparatus includes selection means for selectively playing back data tracks on different ones of the data layers. The data track may be formed by lines of data spots of binary coded digital information or such spots may be frequency modulated or pulse length modulated analog information which are photographically recorded at extremely high data density so that they may be used to record audio or video signals including television signals.

Abstract: In a multimode optical waveguide, coupling is promoted among guided modes while coupling to unguided modes is suppressed. The core includes perturbations having a power spectrum which decreases with increasing mode order and which has a plurality of minima. The length of each perturbation is such that a minimum in the power spectrum of the perturbation occurs at the critical frequency .omega..sub.c and the power spectrum is significantly reduced for high frequencies.

Abstract: Infrared pick-up device comprising an infrared sensitive television pick-up tube and a diaphragm, which is alternately in the open and closed state, the amplitude of the available video signal being proportional to the speed at which the temperature changes, an additional, uniform radiation being superimposed on the scene radiation which can be changed so by a signal processing stage connected to the pick-up tube that the quantity of the average scene radiation plus the superimposed additional radiation is substantially equal to the radiation coming from the diaphragm in the closed state and acting on the target plate of the pick-up tube.

Abstract: A wide-angle photographic objective comprises ten (10) components. In the order from the object side, the first component is a positive meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the object side, the second component is a negative meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the object side, the third component is a negative meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the object side, the fourth component is a positive lens, the fifth component is a negative meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the object side, the sixth component is a positive lens, the seventh component is a positive lens, the eighth component is a biconcave negative lens comprising a doublet, the ninth component is a positive meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the image side, and the tenth component is a positive lens.

Abstract: A three element lens particularly adapted to project an image appearing on a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A method of picture reproduction with variable reproduction scale. The original picture is scanned to obtain picture signals to be recorded, the picture signals are written into a memory with addressing in synchronization with timing pulses, and then the original picture is reproduced by reading out the picture signals from the memory. In this method a variable magnification scale can be obtained by compressing or elongating the picture signals with the use of insert pulses different from the usual timing pulses, the insert pulses being inserted among the timing pulses in proportion to the magnification scale required.

Abstract: A hitch viewing trailer mirror designed to be used in cooperation with the rear view mirror in the powered vehicle that is to be connected to the trailer hitch coupler so that the vehicle driver can view the trailer hitch coupler while backing his vehicle into the correct position for connecting the trailer hitch coupler to the vehicle hitch ball. The device is simple in construction and the different parts of the device can be quickly assembled in various ways so as to adapt the device to trailers of different sizes and shapes which will be explained more in detail.

Abstract: This invention refers to an auxiliary lenses unit for glasses, for example colored lenses, to superpose on the generally graduated lenses of a normal pair of glasses. Said unit includes a central body on which a pair of auxiliary lenses hang, by means of a suitable bridge member which can rotate in respect of said central body; this central body is provided with two pairs of pincers, to fix the auxiliary lenses unit to the glasses, whose opening is operated by an element which is integral with one of the two extensions forming each pair of pincers and which acts on it in such a way as to cause, by a manual push, the opening of the pincers owing to the elasticity of the material the above-mentioned central body is made of.

Abstract: A gas permeable contact lens material made by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate, N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl) acrylamide and methacrylic acid to form a hard solid contact lens material which may be made soft and hydrophilic by placing the lens in an alkaline solution.

Abstract: A contact lens material, the surface of which is self cleaning of organic debris, by changing the surface charge from a natural anionic positive charge which attract debris to a cationic negative charge which repels debris..

Abstract: A rear/remote-screen projector includes means for alternatively projecting slide images on a remote screen or on a rear screen mounted on the projection housing. The opening of a door in the housing laterally shifts one of the mirrors in the housing without changing the angular orientation thereof thereby allowing the projected image, previously reflected by this mirror to other mirrors and eventually to the integral rear-screen, to pass through the door opening and to a remote screen.

Abstract: A microfiche reader according to the present invention includes a housing consisting of a hood portion and a base portion, a screen located within the hood portion and visible through the front end of the hood, a combined microfiche carriage and index holder, a lens assembly and a projection system. The combined microfiche carriage and index holder serves to accurately locate the microfiche with respect to the index grid. By reason of the fact that there is no relative movement between the index grid and the microfiche in use, it is always possible to accurately locate the microfiche with respect to the projection system by reference to the index grid. The index grid is illuminated by an index illuminating lens carried by the housing. The illuminating lens is located in a fixed relationship with respect to the projection path which again contributes to the facility with which the microfiche may be accurately located in the projection path.

Abstract: In a single lens reflex camera including a camera body provided with a film receptacle, a film transporting mechanism and an operating member for effecting film advancing and shutter cocking; a shutter block in which shutter blades or the like and shutter actuating and controlling mechanism are associated as a unit on a base plate; and a front plate formed with a mount for the camera objective lens and having attached thereto a mirror box which is provided with a reflex mirror, a mirror driving mechanism and a diaphragm driving mechanism, the front plate assembly to which the shutter block is coupled is attached to the camera body, whereby interconnection between the shutter mechanism the mirror and the diaphragm mechanism is improved.

Abstract: A camera body houses a rotatable pinion disposed in engagement with a fixed rack for translation along the rack as the pinion is rotated. A manipulatable portion of the pinion exteriorly projects through a slot in the camera body, enabling the pinion to be manually rotated. A slide member rotatably supports the pinion and is supported within the camera body for translation by the rotated pinion in adjacent overlapping relation to the slot. In this way, the slide member maintains the slot substantially closed to dirt or other foreign matter during the various stages of rotation of the pinion. A control element, adjustably movable for focusing or exposure control, is operatively coupled to the slide member for movement by the slide member in response to manual rotation of the pinion. A visual indicator on the slide member is viewable through a window in the camera body for indicating the proper setting of the control element.

Abstract: An apparatus in which toner particles are discharged into a developer material. A helical auger moves the toner particles through a tube having substantially equally spaced apertures therein. The toner particles are dispensed from the tube with the nondispensed toner particles being returned to the toner particle supply hopper.