Abstract: An article accumulation conveyor in which the drive for moving the articles is automatically discontinued for a selected section of the conveyor when an article is stopped on another certain section of the conveyor and is started again automatically when the article moves. The power for activating the stopping and starting instrumentalities is furnished in its entirety by the conveyor drive so that all need for extraneous power sources or force exerted by a moving article is entirely eliminated.

Abstract: A cigarette dispensing package and blank are provided wherein an inner shell is pivotably movable within an outer shell between a fully contained closed position and a partially extending open position. The economical package construction embodies a two-piece blank with a novel toggle lock tab which can be loaded on conventional cigarette equipment with generally negligible conversion. In addition, a novel foil bundle is disclosed which facilitates loading during manufacture, and precludes damage to the cigarettes when the package is opened as the novel foil bundle cooperates with the movement of the inner shell within the outer shell.

Abstract: Apparatus including a substantially flat teardrop shaped holder with an opening at the broad end through which lengths of yarn may be looped, an aperture at the other end for suspending the device from a collection device, and a sleeve holder intermediate the two ends for receiving identification indicia. The shape of the holder is particularly advantageous when a plurality of holders are placed on the same collection device.

Abstract: An improved box for packaging a pair of skis is provided, whereby the boxed skis will be held securely in place and will be protected against damage which may occur in shipping or handling. The skis are held relatively immobilized within the box without the need for inserting any spacers or the like into the box. The ends of the box are constructed to serve as impact absorbers should the box be dropped on its ends while the skis are in it. The box is shaped to provide improved nesting and stacking characteristics for storage prior to shipment.

Abstract: An applicator for use in connection with a retaining ring supply, which comprises a plurality of retaining rings detachably connected to each other so as to form a strip. The applicator is in the form of a sheath having a flat passage therethrough extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheath and being dimensioned to slidably receive and guide therethrough a strip of retaining rings. The strip has at least one window in at least one of its wide sides, which window leads from the outside surface of the sheath into the flat passage and is so dimensioned as to permit a finger, for instance, a thumb of a person to pass through said window easily and to engage a strip of retaining rings in said sheath to selectively advance the same by one ring at a time, so as to have one ring at a time project from one end of the applicator.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting excessive particulate matter in serially presented liquid filled vials. Vials are advanced by an in-feed star wheel, a rotating vial deck and an out-feed star wheel having the same number of vial locations and vial orbit speed. Along the vial deck orbit, each vial is successively clamped to a rotatable puck, spun momentarily to swirl the liquid therein, inspected for particulate content, and unclamped. Further rotating decks carry circumferentially arranged television cameras and light sources, respectively. Each camera looks radially inward, axially through an orbiting periscope and then radially outward to inspect a vial. Light from each light source passes radially inward and then axially to bottom light its vial. A separation unit enhances the camera video portion corresponding to swirling particles in the vial.

Abstract: A binary sorting code is read from documents and transmitted to a sorting machine where the code for each document is decoded and used to direct the document to a specific stacker. Cycling of the sorter is controlled by a sequencer responsive to timing pulses from a shaft encoder. Each sequence cycle is initiated by a flip-flop circuit responsive to a document detector. An additional flip-flop provides for fault detection in the system.

Abstract: Defective and/or deformed capsules, for example, hard gelatin capsules, are identified and removed from a supply of such capsules by causing the ordered, sequential transport of capsules through a dimensionally calibrated passage in which a defective capsule is arrested while the preceding train of capsules is permitted to continue. The gap in the train of capsules is detected by a photoelectric sensor or the like, after which the machine member in which the calibrated passage is located is moved to the vicinity of a reject container, compressed air is admitted to the passage and the defective capsule is expelled into the reject container. The application of the compressed air and the movement of the machine member to the reject container may be under the control of the photoelectric sensor signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting round bearings which includes a pair of elongated cylinders that are rotatably supported so that the longitudinal axes thereof are diverging defining a sorting gap between the surfaces of the cylinders. The cylinders are carried on an incline with a driving member connected to one end thereof for rotating the cylinders in opposite directions. Timing gears connecting the lower ends of the cylinders together for positively synchronizing the rotation of the cylinders relative to each other so that the same points on the cylinders appear at the sorting gap on each revolution of the cylinders. The bearings which are to be sorted are fed onto the cylinders and moved down the sorting gap until the width of the sorting gap is sufficient to allow them to drop through into receptacles. The cylinders are supported by means of a set of supporting bearings and a set of guide bearings.

Abstract: A tablet selecting apparatus comprising a horizontally rotatable circular perforated plate having a multiplicity of perforations for passing reject tablets therethrough, a vibrator for giving vibrations to the perforated plate, a tablet feeding chute having a feeding outlet disposed above and opposed to the perforated plate at a position other than the center of the plate, an acceptable tablet blocking member provided adjacent the feeding outlet on one side thereof opposite to the direction of rotation of the perforated plate and spaced from the perforated plate by a clearance not permitting passage of the tablets therethrough, a compressed air injecting duct provided adjacent the blocking member on one side thereof opposite to the direction of rotation of the perforated plate and having an air outlet directed toward the outer periphery of the perforated plate, and a reject tablet receptacle disposed below the perforated plate.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: A pair of elongated latches positioned transversely to a longitudinal axis of a railroad car particularly adapted to be rotated to an upside down position for gravity release of contents within the car, are pivotally attached respectively on each side of a top of a coupler lock. The coupler lock is an operative part of a coupler for the railroad car. The lock is movable within a lock chamber formed in a head of the coupler and is defined in part by vertical sidewalls and a roof or top wall. A configuration of each latch and relative position to the lock chamber sidewalls is such that a center of gravity of each latch lies above its pivot connection which insures that regardless of the direction of rotation of the car, at least one of the latches readily swings to an extended position to engage the top wall of the lock chamber and thereby prevent an inadvertent release of the lock when the car and at least one pair of mated couplers are rotated toward an inverted position for emptying contents of the car.

Abstract: Apparatus for conversion of a stream of partly overlapping sheets into a row of fully overlapping sheets has a first conveyor which transports a growing row of sheets at right angles to the planes of sheets, and a composite second conveyor which defines a downwardly extending path wherein successive sheets of the stream descend onto the first conveyor to accumulate between spaced-apart distancing elements of the first conveyor. The advancement of successive sheets all the way onto the first conveyor is assisted and promoted by oscillating fingers which engage the oncoming sheets immediately above the first conveyor and intermittently push such sheet in the direction of forward movement of the growing row to provide room for the oncoming sheet.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a bottle or container which has a cylindrical neck portion and a lid with a skirt. The lid skirt is detachably fitted to the neck portion by cooperating beads on it and a cylindrical collar which is securely mounted on the neck portion by transverse members. The collar is disposed at a radial distance from the neck portion and encloses at least part of the skirt. The transverse members are adapted to cooperate in a camming manner with one or more projections on the skirt so that turning of the fitted lid relatively to the neck portion results in an axial displacement of the lid. The lid is constructed to be turned by an implement such as a T-shaped handle key or a coin. For this a slot can be provided disposed along a diameter. The inside of the lid can be formed with projecting wall members defining an inwardly closed cavity around the slot with shape of a narrow cylindrical section.

Abstract: Child-resistant locking means for a container and a cap therefor. The container has a tubular neck and the cap has a circular top and an annular skirt. The container neck and cap have interengageable threads for retaining the cap on the closure. The child-resistant locking means consist of an outwardly extending stop on the container neck and a cap lug engageable therewith to normally prevent retrograde rotation of the cap. The cap lug is located on a curved, resilient, web-like member which extends around the base of the cap and which has outwardly extending struts to space it from the cap. The cap lug is located about 45.degree. from one of the struts. In the preferred embodiment the resilient member is a complete ring, either circular or oval or a similar shape. Squeezing the resilient member inwardly along a diameter spaced about 45.degree. from the cap lug bulges the member outwardly at the lug so that the lug clears the container stop when the cap is rotated for removal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container of blow molded plastic material which may contain a hermetically sealed biological. Attached to its outer side is an elastomeric diaphragm, adapted for cooperative use with a hypodermic needle as a self-sealing puncture site for injection or aspiration. The diaphragm may be protected by a storage cover which can readily be snapped off when the container is to be used. Also disclosed is a method and an apparatus for making the just described container with diaphragm and storage cover, in the preferred embodiment, as an assembled device, in a blow mold operation in which the container body is blown to fit against and lock to the diaphragm and storage cover.

Abstract: The operation of a vacuum-conveying hopper feeder is controlled using pneumatic logic circuitry including a leak sensor relay providing improved control accuracy and with a sensor orifice which becomes occluded by a spring-loaded plunger when the feeder body is filled to a predetermined weight. The leak sensor relay connects through a pneumatic logic NOT element to an aspirator or pump control valve and releases the vacuum allowing the contents of the body to be dumped. Time delay elements can be included between the relay, NOT element, and control valve so as to continue the filling for a predetermined interval following occlusion of the sensor orifice and to continue the dumping for a period following unblocking of the orifice.

Abstract: A dispenser for toothpaste and the like having a V-shaped one-piece plastics body portion and a retaining portion for receiving the neck of the toothpaste tube. The body and retaining portions are connected to one another by connecting means comprising at least one male connecting component on one portion and at least one female connecting component on the other portion. The two components are co-operable for slidably connecting the two portions to retain the tube in the dispenser. Each arm may be a substantially flat strip sufficiently rigid to evenly distribute pressure applied to the arms at one point, over the length of the tube.

Abstract: An elongated mobile frame having supporting wheels at its rear end and a pair of elongated support arms pivotally secured at their inner ends to the rear end portion of the frame for movements between operative positions projecting transversely from the frame and forwardly projecting inoperative positions. The support arms have outer support wheels engaging the ground in the operative positions of the arms, the outer support wheels being supported by the frame in the inoperative positions of the support arms. Hoppers for dispensing granular material are mounted on the frame and on the support arms.

Abstract: Transport container for fluidizable material, such as pulverized or granular material, having a gable movable like a piston in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the gable being furnished with a fluidizing device in its lower part movable along the bottom side of the cylinder.

Abstract: An aerating or fluidizing device is located adjacent the gravity discharge opening of a hopper. The device is in the form of a flexible, resilient member fixed so that a marginal edge normally contacts and defines an interface with an associated surface. Air under pressure is fed to the interface in such fashion as to cause the marginal edge of the resilient member to flutter and allow the air to escape in randomly directed "puffs." The fluttering movement combined with the intermittent puffs of air causes pulverulent material to be agitated, aerated and/or fluidized as it passes to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A dispensing closure having a cap with an opening extending through the top of the cap and having a lid mounted on the cap so that it is capable of being moved between a closed position in which the lid closes off the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed can be constructed so as to utilize a spring mounting the lid on the cap. One of the ends of the spring employed is secured to the cap so that the spring is incapable of being pivoted relative to the cap while the other of the ends of the spring is pivotally connected to the lid. The spring is connected to the lid at a location such that the spring has to be bent and such that the lid has to be pivoted relative to the spring in order for the lid to be moved between the noted open and closed position. The spring serves to hold the lid relative to the top of the cap so that the lid is held against movement in the open position by the spring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a closure member in the form of a hollow tubular outlet member and a cap fitting over the outlet member and rotatable relative thereto, the outlet member and cap having complementary conical end portions, an aperture in each conical end portion which can be aligned to define an opening which can be closed by rotation of the cap and wherein the cap and outlet have a co-axial tubular portion, one of such tubular portions being provided with at least one formation directed towards the other tubular portion and co-operating with a cam surface on the said other tubular portion, said cam surface being shaped such that the conical end portions are urged axially into tighter engagement with each other during rotation of the cap to close the opening.

Abstract: A cylindrical paint case is provided to a supporting member. The supporting member includes an anchor arm which stabilizes the paint case with respect to the torso of the painter and an extension arm which supports the paint case. Caps having cups mounted thereon are fitted on paint cups within the paint case.

Abstract: A resilient wire attachment clip has two respective longitudinally extending; elongated, loop portions positioned in two mutually parallel planes, each of the loops formed by an internal limb and an external limb connected by a resilient arc portion that extends through a slot in a housing wall, the external limbs of the two loop portions normally lying within a pair of parallel grooves on the exterior of the housing wall with the ends of the external limbs connected by a transversely extending portion that is spaced outwardly from the housing wall, the internal limbs of the two loop portions have hook-shaped free ends which with slight prestress engage two abutments on the interior of the housing wall to support the clip between the two abutments and the interior surface of the housing wall at the point of an interiorly directed bend in the internal limbs, with the major portion of the diameter of the loop arc portions positioned interior of the housing wall.

Abstract: A self-threading and tensioning device for use with a semiconductor bonder, or the like, is disclosed. A first pneumatic stream is used to obtain the self-threading of the thin (e.g. 1 mil.) bonding wire. A second pneumatic stream provides the tensioning of the wire during the bonding process.

Abstract: A planetary wire feeder for feeding wire workpieces such as welding wire for a MIG or TIG welding operation comprises two sets of rollers connected to rotate in unison about the axis of the wire and radially spaced from each other in a housing. Roller holders have an axially tapered outer surface and are axially movable within the housing. Stationary gibs mounted within the housing with complementary tapered surfaces adjust the spacing between the roller holders at different axial positions of the roller holders within the housing. A nipple is provided on one roller holder tapered outer surface to equalize the pressure of each set of rollers on the wire.

Abstract: An article carrier used in the packaging of at least two rows of articles of at least two articles each is provided with a partition insert comprising a spacer panel (42), main panels (41,44) foldably joined to the side edges of the spacer panel, a pair of partition tabs (46,51,56,61) foldably joined to each main panel and extending outwardly therefrom, a pair of auxiliary partition tabs (49,54,59,64) foldably joined to each main panel along fold lines (50,55,60, 65) offset from the base of the corresponding partition tab and disposed in overlapping relationship therewith, a pair of connecting elements (70,71) secured to one of the main panels and with the ends thereof disposed in abutting relationship with the other of the main panels, and a partition panel (80) secured to the outer ends of the connecting elements.

Abstract: A method for joining conventionally unsolderable surfaces, comprising the steps of coating the surfaces with an adhesive, coating the adhesive with solderable metallic particles while the adhesive is tacky, and, after the adhesive is cured, soldering said surfaces together, the solder adhering to the metallic particles and forming a bond between the surfaces. The adhesive is preferably a high-temperature resistant adhesive. The solderable metallic particles are preferably a combination of granules and powder preferably of copper. The conventionally unsolderable surfaces include, but are not limited to, glass, porcelain, conventionally unsolderable metals such as steel, wood and paper products.

Abstract: Failure under stress of brazed aluminum assemblies prepared by fluxless brazing is prevented by controlling the grain size before brazing of the material in contact with the brazing alloy to be at least 60.mu..

Abstract: A spherical paper package and a blank for making the same. One version of the blank has, arranged alternately and in parallel, a plurality of side sheets and folding sheets. The sheets are divided into three equal parts longitudinally by two transverse folding lines and are equally divided vertically by a plurality of longitudinal folding lines. Two diagonal folding lines are provided at the upper and lower portions of each of the folding sheets. The package is formed by folding the upper and lower portions of the folding sheets towards the center along the transverse folding lines. In another version, the transverse folding lines of the first version are replaced with transverse fold lines dividing each of the folding sheets in half. The fold lines cooperate with diagonal folding lines to form isosceles triangles.

Abstract: A single, planar paperboard blank is disclosed, which when folded, forms a rectangular box construction provided with integral divider partitions within the interior of the box. The partitions in conjunction with the side walls of the box define six individual cells or compartments for receiving articles.

Abstract: A linear move irrigation system and control therefor for use in irrigating large land areas including a water conduit extending over a portion of the field and supported on a series of support towers, the entire conduit being made to move down the field to be irrigated. A control system for controlling the movement of the irrigation system along a defined path and so as to maintain the wheel tracks of the conduit support towers generally parallel to the path. The control system includes a sensor located somewhere along the water conduit for sensing when a point located forward of the conduit relative to its direction of travel, is off the defined path.

Abstract: A credit card processing system involving the use of a machine for reading the data encoded in the magnetic stripe of such a card and for printing such data in MICR characters, at the point of sale, along the bottom of the merchant's bank sales slip copy of each transaction under the credit card. The machine also has means for selecting any one of four punches for making a punch out in said bank copy in any one of four predetermined optional ABA standards positions to designate the transaction as a credit or charge transaction and whether it is to be processed by EDP or EFT procedures. The system also includes all of the various instrumentalities necessary to process each transaction, guided by the punch out information, through the merchant's bank, the clearing house, and the issuer institution for final posting and billing.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying the tolerance of the positions of holes in in form of a continuous web is moved over an opaque plate on which there are a plurality of transparent areas in the form of slits. The slits in the plate are illuminated by light sources placed above the plate. Photocells are placed below the plate in position with the slits so as to be responsive to the light coming therethrough. The moving web of punched material is positioned with respect to the plate such that when the holes are in tolerance they pass between pairs of slits, thereby blocking the light from reaching the photocells. If a hole position is out of tolerance, it passes over one or more of the slits, thereby permitting the corresponding photocells to provide an output. This indicates the presence of an out-of-tolerance hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and reading data in association with a card which has a timing track comprising at least three different kinds of optically-readable timing markings arranged in the timing track in a cyclic sequence, and a data track, the apparatus including three optical timing sensors respectively responsive to the three different kinds of timing markings, and a reading direction detector controlled by the timing sensors.

Abstract: A thermostatic controller system for a building heating and/or cooling system (furnace) includes a stored program of desired temperatures which are to be attained within the building at predetermined times within a repetitive time cycle, such as a day. Differing environmental conditions externally of the building result in differing rates of change of temperature within the building upon operation of the furnace. In order to determine the optimum time to switch the system on to meet the next programmed increased temperature, the furnace is switched on and then off a short period of time later and the temperature change which results in the building as a result of that transient operation is measured. The time at which the furnace must be switched to attain the next programmed temperature is then determined as a function of the rate of temperature change as determined by the transient switching and the difference between the instantaneous and the future programmed temperature.

Abstract: A self-propelled linear irrigation system including an elongated line move having a plurality of sprinkler outlets along its length, a plurality of mobile supports spaced along a line move and a main tractor having water pipe outlet engaging member and a fluid powered prime mover is disclosed. The propulsion system comprises a pneumatic system involving a main compressed air line and compressed air storage tank on the main tractor and each mobile support. The tractor of the irrigation system has automatic coupling members for coupling to the water supply and compressed air supply and automatically propels itself from one compressed air and water station to the next compressed air and water station along a main supply line. The main tractor has a main rigid central section having connecting members for connecting the tractor with the elongated line move and a first and second valve car, each having extensible propulsion members connecting each valve car to the main section.

Abstract: A vineyard air sprayer includes an axial fan type of blower assembly which is vertically mounted upon a trailer rearwardly of a spray tank. The blower assembly has a cylindrical outer shell having an annular discharge ring mounted to the bottom end thereof. An inner shell is coaxially mounted within the outer shell, and a truncated annular diffuser is secured to the bottom end of the inner shell in a coaxial relationship therewith. The outer edge of the diffuser is spaced from the outer edge of the discharge ring to form two arcuate discharge openings at opposite sides of the blower assembly. The diffuser includes an upwardly projecting annular lip portion which is truncated by a vertical wall at its front end.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an explosion chamber made in the form of a tube closed at one end and accommodating at least one spark plug. The explosion chamber communicates with a chamber for preparation of an explosive mixture and with a batcher metering pulverulent coating material. The batcher includes a mixing chamber of the batcher communicating with a hopper via a passage. The passage accommodates a device for controlling the cross-sectional area thereof and is provided with a jet nozzle for positively feeding the coating material to the explosion chamber. A partition wall of a gas-permeable material is mounted within the hopper in equally spaced relation to the walls thereof to define an annular space communicating with a compressed gas source prevent self-compaction of the powder. A non-return valve is mounted in the batcher passage in the portion thereof connected to the hopper to close the passage in case of back impact from the explosion chamber.

Abstract: A liquid discharge nozzle having a pressure-responsive movable baffle element overlying the discharge opening and displaceable by fluid pressure in opposition to spring-loading. An open-ended cylinder houses a piston out of the path of liquid discharge flow, which piston presents a pressure surface in opposition to the pressure responsive surface of the baffle to modulate the effective action of the spring as the discharge volume increases.

Abstract: Replaceable liner for the discharge assembly of a rotary grinding mill or the like is disclosed, in the preferred embodiment, as including first and second, self-supporting box members. The first box member includes closed sides, bottom, and second end, and includes an open top and first end. The second box member includes closed sides, top, and bottom, and includes open ends. When the grate is removed from the first discharge casting, the second box member can be inserted within the first discharge casting and moved into the second and third discharge castings. Then the first box member can be placed within the first discharge casting. Thus, when the grate is attached to the first discharge casting, the first and second box members will be captured within the first and second discharge castings. Reinforcing members are embedded in the box members for retaining their shape.

Abstract: A mineral lump breaker, for example for use in conjunction with a coal conveyor in a mine, comprises a breaker element and reaction means, for example in the form of a breaker plate or reaction discs. The breaker element and reaction means are carried by a framework straddling the conveyor and are spaced-apart so as to define between them a lump breaking gap. Material on the conveyor is moved into the gap where it is impacted by the breaker element against the reaction means. The reaction means is adjustable with respect to the breaker element periphery to vary the gap dimension.

Abstract: A filament winding apparatus having means associated with the winding ring thereof for automatically widening the space between the guide surfaces of the ring at predetermined intervals so as to allow for the removal of any residue or debris which may accumulate therein during operation and cause filament breakage. The apparatus is particularly suitable for winding fibers, such as carbon fibers, which have a susceptibility to shed or fragment during winding, and thereby cause an accumulation of debris in the winding ring.

Abstract: A shut-off unit is disclosed. The shut-off unit is to be used to shut off a drive unit which drives a tubular shaft, the latter shaft being employed, in turn, to wind an awning or a roller blind up and down. More particularly, the drive unit includes an electric motor and a step down gear drive axially aligned therewith and the shut-off unit is adapted to be arrangeable in the drive unit so that the step down gear lies between it and the motor. Additionally, the shut-off unit includes switches for stopping the drive and members for operating such switches which have presettable positions dependent upon presettable positions of a driven part of the electric motor. In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid members are in the form of cams which have lobes and which are adapted to rotate as a function of the movement of the element to be wound and to be drivingly connectable to the central output shaft of the step down gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining, while in continuous movement, (trailing) end of a web from a depleted coil to the leading end of a fresh coil comprises on a supporting frame a bonding station including a bonding cylindrical segment, a cylindrical surface mating therewith and a lever and arm assembly actuated to cause the cylindrical segment to be moved toward the mating surface in order to bond the tail end and leading end edges to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for winding a strip of thin material such as paper. The apparatus is particularly suited for use with variable speed printer-plotter machines which discharge paper over a wide range of speeds. Such machines require that the tension applied to the paper by the paper take-up mechanism be minimized or maintained within pre-selected limits so that printing-plotting quality is maintained. To this end, the apparatus permits the paper to fall in a free loop between two points of support and includes a sensor which monitors the condition of the loop and actuates a take-up motor when the loop achieves a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A fishing reel whose rotary shaft with a rotary frame extends perpendicularly with respect to a handle shaft provided on a reel body which is mounted to a fishing rod through a mounting leg so that the rotating axis of the rotary frame may be at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fishing rod, whereby a fishing line to be drawn out from a spool approximately at a right angle toward the tip of the rod is drawn out in the relation of being bent substantially at a right angle with respect to the axis of the rotary frame; is adapted to control a fishing line guide lever on the rotary frame by means of a control plate provided thereat.

Abstract: A kite reel device includes an elongate shaft having a reel slidably mounted thereon. An elongate sleeve formed of somewhat flexible, plastic material is loosely positioned around the shaft for relative sliding and rotative movement therebetween. The shaft can also be gripped to prevent rotation of the reel. When the sleeve is tightly gripped and compressed against the shaft, the sleeve serves as a brake for the shaft and the reel thereon. When the reel is shifted to one end of the shaft and the sleeve is loosely gripped, the reel and shaft may be revolved as a unit thereby permitting winding of the reel. In another embodiment of the invention, two reels are slidably mounted on a shaft and permit controlled maneuvering of the kite.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor with a tension eliminator is provided with a ratchet wheel arrangement which acts as a position memory upon closing of a buckle switch and which is responsive to the belt webbing being drawn off the reel of the retractor by a seat occupant leaning forward beyond a predetermined distance, the wheel being rotated via an internal/planetary gear arrangement, proportionally to the excess distance whereupon the webbing can be retracted only said predetermined distance inducing a degree of tension eliminating slack in the webbing upon return of the occupant to the position in which he or she buckles the seat belt.