Abstract: An apparatus for releasably securing an article on a flat surface. The article is supported at its bottom surface by a first upper supporting surface of a supporting plate; that has at least one first through hole, and a blocking portion in a first lower surface. A vacuum sucker is provided for releasably attaching to the flat surface and is provided with a second through hole on a second lower surface and being adapted to be blocked by the blocking portion of the supporting plate.

Abstract: A setter for supporting a container or other object on a smooth surface, wherein the setter is provided with a suction pad for sticking against the surface and engaged by urging a spring-biased rod downwardly away from a magnetic force attraction. The suction pad is released from the surface by lifting an edge of the pad by a button actuated push block.

Abstract: A hand-held soap-holder conveniently attached to a bar of soap to prevent the soap from being dropped when wet and slippery, and to provide significantly greater control and maneverability of the soap in normal, vigorous shower use and other bathing situations. The device is easily attached by pressing its base portion firmly onto a wet bar of soap. This action implants relatively small, underlying pegs into the soat and engages relatively small-diameter suction cups securely with the soap surface. A vertical stem portion is gripped comfortably between two adjacent fingers, and the device remains reliably stable during use in the shower, tub-bath, or at sink-side. The base portion includes an outwardly positioned, flexible support-flap, which adjusts to the original shapes and contours of a wide variety of common commercial soaps. The support-flap will continue to adjust to those soaps after they erode and shrink during use-life.

Abstract: An improved vibrator for architectural or civil engineering use is disclosed. The vibrator includes a vibrating means which is either a conventional reciprocating or rotating vibrator, and a suction means which is integrally formed with the vibrating means and has at least one suction member to be attached to the forming molds. The suction means of the improved vibrator enables an air tight connection between the vibrator and the forming molds. The suction means is substantially in the shape of a disc with an air passage formed therein to be operated via an air pump to produce a low pressure area in the disc body. The suction member comprises at least one flexible gasket at the periphery of the disc body which is attached to the forming mold to form an ideal attachment.

Abstract: A portable game support is disclosed which is constituted by, in combination, support means adapted to support game equipment in a stationary elevated position as the game proceeds, and a horizontal, rigid, gas-impervious platform, the support means being mounted upon the platform. Means are provided, to position the platform above the floor to provide a space therebetween, and resilient means surround the platform to seal the platform to the floor when the space between the platform and the floor is evacuated. The platform includes means for interconnecting the underside of the platform with pump means for providing a desired vacuum to maintain a strong securement between the platform and the floor as the game proceeds.

Abstract: An object holder for use on a microscope exhibits a frame having a shaped-on, deeper-lying contact surface, in which air suction openings are disposed for the fixing of the respective object. An adjustable abutment strip with a shaped-on bearing surface is provided, in order to retain plate-shaped objects, especially wafers or masks of the most widely varying shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A portable grab bar that has suction members at each end thereof to permit attachment of the bar to a flat non-porous surface.

Abstract: A cup-holder stabilizer comprises of an extensible and contractible cylinder unit. An inner space of an upper cylinder of the cylinder unit receives a cup or other item. The upper cylinder is provided with multi-layered skirt-shaped pieces which can be used to cover the outside surface of the upper cylinder, or they can be inverted into the inner space of the upper cylinder to be used as paddings to secure a cup or other item of a smaller diametrical size. The lower end of a lower cylinder of the cylinder unit is provided with a cupule, the cupule is provided with central vent hole which can be sealed by the plug located in the upper cylinder; when the cup-holder stabilizer is placed on a table surface, gravity will cause the cylinder unit to contract and the plug located in the upper cylinder will come down to seal up the central vent bore of the cupule, thus the cupule becomes firmly held.

Abstract: Apparatus for suction mounting to a curved surface, such as a section of pipe, is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suited for securing a container of industrial articles, such as tools and supplies, on a curved surface. The suction mounting apparatus includes a housing having a diaphragm assembly carried thereon. The diaphragm assembly includes a curved backing plate structure having a centralized opening therein to the interior of the housing. The assembly further includes a pad of pliable material disposed adjacent the backing plate and being of a configuration conforming to the periphery of the backing plate. The pad further includes an upstanding lip extending about its periphery, the lip being disposed in an overlapping relationship with the peripheral edge of the backing plate. A crankshaft is carried in the housing and connected to the diaphragm pad.

Abstract: A variable width transparent photographic film vacuum hold-down device. Two spaced parallel vacuum slits formed on a flat platen are connected by the longitudinal edges of the film, and when covered by a flexible cover sheet form two vacuum channels holding the film flat and unobscured to the extreme edges. Any film width not exceeding the length of the vacuum slits is held without any modification or adjustment to the device. Any length of film can be used.

Abstract: A suction-cup with a flexible pipe, with two guides, parallel if required, fitted on the suction-cup itself. The flexible pipes, of suitable strength, are to be inserted in these guides. This suction-cup with a flexible pipe can be easily applied, in the most rational, lasting and safe way, on the surfaces of panels (made of any material, both transparent and non-transparent). The flexible pipes can be easily bent and shaped by hand to be eventually used as hangers or supports for garments or any other item (to be displayed in a shop-window, show, etc., or for interior decorating).

Abstract: A pedestal table which is to be releasably secured to the floor area of a smooth surfaced hot tub, spa or whirlpool. The table includes a base member or pedestal having at least three elastomeric suction cups facing downwardly to come into contact with the floor area. An elongate, cylindrical column extends upwardly from the base member or pedestal through the water in the hot tub, spa or whirlpool to support a table top above the surface of the water. A supplemental column can be provided which supports the table top substantially in the plan of the top of the spa, and in such position, the table top serves as a center support for a rigid cover placed over the spa when the spa is not in use.

Abstract: A vacuum hold-down is described, for holding a thin film workpiece while it undergoes large temperature changes and corresponding dimensional changes, which permits creep of the workpiece to avoid damage thereto while still holding it on a support surface. The support surface has a multiplicity of holes arranged in a plurality of zones. The vacuum is repeatedly interrupted at the holes lying at different zones while it continues to be applied at the other zones, to permit creep of the workpiece at a zone when vacuum is not applied thereto.

Abstract: A holder for industrial use attachable by vacuum comprises a rigid backpiece (3), a flexible intermediate element (2), and a central distance-maintaining element (1). The intermediate element (2) comprises a comparatively rigid sealing ring (9) with a sealing lip (13), which in use abuts against the element held fixed and with its opposite side against the backpiece (3). The central distance-maintaining element (1) is rigidly connected to the backpiece (3). The sealing ring (9) of the intermediate element (2) is movably and outwardly resiliently biassed in a direction away from the back piece. When the side of the sealing ring with the lip is unloaded and the ring is pressed outwardly, a vacuum valve (14) is automatically closed by the intermediate element, which valve opens when the holder is pressed against the object held fixed whereby the holder becomes attached by the sucking action.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus carried by a remotely operated vehicle is provided with a suction device capable of gripping underwater objects. The suction portion of the manipulator apparatus utilizes suction chambers isolated from the body of water. When fluid is removed from the suction chambers an appropriately shaped moveable wall moves inwardly thereby forming a suction cavity between the suction device and the object to be moved.The moveable wall may take the form of a rubber-like flexible membrane wall or a piston moveable within the suction portion of the manipulator apparatus.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus carried by a remotely operated vehicle is provided with a suction device having a flexible membrane wall capable of gripping underwater objects. The suction portion of the manipulator apparatus utilizes expansion chambers isolated from the body of water in combination with the flexible membrane wall which when expanded outward contacts and forms a suction cavity between the manipulator object and the object to be manipulated.

Abstract: In order to provide a readily detachable sunscreen for any window, including the windshield, of a vehicle such as an airplane, car, or truck, a sheet of perforated mylar, preferably having a reflective coating on its outwardly facing surface, is integrated with a plurality of suction cup assemblies which are employed to attach the sunscreen to the interior surface of the window such that the mylar sheet is disposed closely spaced from and generally parallel to the surface. The suction cup assemblies include integral means for quickly and easily relieving the interior vacuum of the suction cups to permit easy removal of the sunscreen. The short edges of the sunscreen are reinforced with rigid strips to facilitate rolling the removed sunscreen into a convenient generally cylindrical package for temporary storage.

Abstract: A stencil exposure apparatus that includes a frame with central translucent stencil mounting surface. A plurality of generally flat, resilient, compressible seal elements extend between opposite sides of the translucent surface and are movably mounted on the frame in order to accommodate the stencil exposure apparatus to a variety of stencil dimensions. A stencil mounting bar is movably mounted on the frame and includes means for maintaining the orientation of the bar relative to the frame while the mounting bar is being moved.

Abstract: A hand (10) capable of simultaneously handling a plurality of articles (11) comprising a pickup head (15) having a plurality of vacuum pickup cavities (18), each cavity substantially matching the size and shape of the article to be handled. In one embodiment, the pickup head comprises a seal (26) positioned around an article-matching cavity (18) thereof and an opening (19) therethrough for communicating the cavity (18) with a vacuum chamber (20). In another embodiment, the pickup head comprises, positioned within its opening, a bellows (48) having a cylindrical sleeve (51) at one end and a planar flange (49) coupled to the vacuum chamber (20) by means of a seal (52) at its other end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing indicia on a porous sheet including an enclosure in which a negative static pressure is produced to cause air flow through a perforated work surface of the enclosure. The porous sheet to be printed and an overlying stencil sheet are arranged and held firmly on the perforated work surface by the negative static pressure in the enclosure. In one embodiment, all but selected areas of the perforated work surface, the porous sheet and the stencil sheet are masked to block air flow through the masked areas and concentratingly direct the air flow through the selected areas. A liquid printing medium is sprayed so that it is carried by the inflowing air onto the areas of the porous sheet which are exposed by the stencial sheet cutouts.

Abstract: Apparatus for suction mounting to a curved surface, such as a section of pipe, is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suited for securing a container of industrial articles, such as tools and supplies, on a curved surface. The suction mounting apparatus includes a housing having a diaphragm assembly carried thereon. The diaphragm assembly includes a curved backing plate structure having a centralized opening therein to the interior of the housing. The assembly further includes a pad of pliable material disposed adjacent the backing plate and being of a configuration conforming to the periphery of the backing plate. The pad further includes an upstanding lip extending about its periphery, the lip being disposed in an overlapping relationship with the peripheral edge of the backing plate. A crankshaft is carried in the housing and connected to the diaphragm pad.

Abstract: A platen for supporting any one of a predetermined number of sizes of flexographic printing plates during wet development includes an interconnected orifice and a suction channel the suction channel surrounding the orifice, and an array of grooves emanating from the channel at spacings in the range from two degrees to fifteen degrees. Each groove is substantially V-shaped in cross-section and has a depth from 0.002 to 0.025 inches. The cross-sectional area of each groove being selected so that when a plate is placed over some portion of the suction channel and the grooves, a developer liquid applied to the plate, and suction applied at the orifice the flow of developer liquid from the plate through each groove is impeded by frictional effects in the grooves thereby forming a seal to permit the suction to hold the plate to the platen even though the plate does not cover the full length of all the grooves.

Abstract: This suction clamp is for holding moldings in place on front or rear windshields of automobiles, while an adhesive material sets or dries, and it simultaneously prevents damage to the adjacent surface. It consists primarily of an aluminum angle plate, with a pair of suction cups on it to hold it stationary to the windshield, and it further includes a screw clamp for holding the molding in place until it adheres.

Abstract: A vacuum-type holder (10) for retaining fragile articles such as semiconductor wafers (16) during a manufacturing operation, such as an electrolytic treatment includes a vacuum-operated support (36) at each of the seats (23) which exerts a supporting force against the underside (32) of the wafer (16) which is opposite to and proportional to a vacuum generated holding force which urges the wafer against the seat. The supporting force, consequently, minimizes bending stresses to which the wafer (16) could otherwise be subjected.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a screw driver and screw to prevent the screw driver from accidentally sliding off the screw head. The accessory is a sleeve having a bore to accept freely the screw driver bit and screw therein to permit rotation of the screw driver and screw relative to the bore. A releasable securing structure is mounted on the sleeve so as to engage the surface to receive the screw when an inner end of the sleeve is adjacent the surface, so as to releasably secure the sleeve to the surface. One embodiment of the releasable securing structure includes suction cups mounted adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and positioned so that there is a clearance between the end of the sleeve and the cups to permit the cups to be deformed elastically from an inactive condition prior to attachment to the surface.

Abstract: In copying machines, cameras etc. the blanks (6, 7) are placed between a glass plate and a support consisting of a rubber cloth (1), which is supplied with a circumferential bead (2). By exhaustion of the field of activity (5) of the rubber cloth (1) the blanks (6, 7) are pressed firmly against the glass plate, and in order to obtain an even exhaustion of the whole field (5) the rubber cloth (1) is supplied with a strip (3) of rubber or plastics along the bead (2) with transversing ducts (4), which are in connection with exhaustion openings (9).

Abstract: A device for maintaining an object on a surface comprising two membranes kept in spaced parallel relationship by a support ring, the membranes being interconnected at the center thereof by a centering element; by rotation of one membrane with respect to the other, the membranes may be brought closer to each other at the centers thereof or spaced apart at the edges thereof to create a suction gripping effect between an object on the upper membrane and a support surface.

Abstract: For rolling out dough, a flexible pastry cloth includes a plurality of first fastener parts or buttonholes spaced successively around its margin. A plurality of suction cups, each securingly engageable with a flat surface, such as a tabletop or countertop, each have a second fastener part or button individually connectable removably with a corresponding part on the cloth. Engagement of the cups with the surface permits stretching of the cloth to enable rolling of the dough against the surface through the cloth. A further improvement adds a second flexible cloth affixed atop and overlying the first.

Abstract: Vehicle able to move by adhesion on a random surface, with a central body defining a pivoting axis which remains substantially perpendicular to a surface and which has two groups of central supports which adhere to the surface; first and second carriages, each provided with two groups of adhesive end supports; first and second members for the guidance in rectilinear translation and without rotation of the first and second carriages in accordance with two directions which remain substantially orthogonal to the pivoting axis. The first and second carriages are displaceable along the guidance members; the first and second guidance members are pivotal about the pivot axis and the groups of central supports are rotatable about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A flow regulating valve comprising a cylinder and a valve rod telescopically fitted within said cylinder, and a flow passage of small sectional area being formed therebetween so as to control flow of the fluid by adjusting depth of the fitting of the valve rod within the cylinder.The valve is capable of fine and accurate adjustment of the flow rate over a wider range than in the conventional needle valve regulator. A flow regulating valve capable of controlling flow of one direction and permit rapid flow of the opposite direction is also provided by using a check valve together.Further, a fluid feeding apparatus which is capable of feeding the fluid for a predetermined time interval is provided, by using such flow regulating valve, and a fast acting vacuum chuck device is provided by using such a fluid feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum operated work piece holder and method are disclosed for holding slides and the like during subsequent work operations. In the apparatus of this invention, an elongated and generally cylindrical vacuum chamber containing a plurality of ports is provided. When a vacuum is drawn through the chamber, biological laboratory slides or the like may be held in place on the port to enable gram staining and washing operations to be carried on in sequence. Multiple chambers may be used and each chamber is preferably mounted so as to be rotatable to allow the operator to rotate the chamber to aid in draining the wash water.

Abstract: A pedestal comprising a body having opposite faces, each of predetermined area and lying in a plane which is substantially parallel with the plane of the other face the body narrowing from the predetermined area of each face to a central waist portion of minimum cross sectional area in a plane taken parallel to the said planes of the opposite faces, and a plurality of suction cups secured to and protruding from one of said faces, whereby when said pedestal is used as a support for another object the face to which said suction cups are secured may be disposed uppermost to afford vacuum grip with the object supported by said pedestal or selectively may be disposed lowermost to afford vacuum grip with the surface on which said pedestal rests.

Abstract: An improved approach to printshop paste-up operations involves a vacuum table having a grid of closely spaced air passage apertures in the top surface, a mounting member for receiving sheets carrying text and illustrative material comprising a sheet apertured to match the grid of said top surface having an imperforated border facilitating vacuum positioning on said top surfaces with apertures aligned, arranging and rearranging sheets of text and illustrative material on said mounting member while preventing unintended movement thereof by the vacuum effect at apertures covered thereby until desired composition is achieved, and then bonding a transparent plastic sheet over the mounting member and arranged sheets of text and illustrative material to provide an assemblage which is durable for transport, printshop use and extended storage.

Abstract: A cursor for a digitizer is selectively made to adhere to the digitizing surface by the controlled application of a vacuum to the underside of the cursor. The control can reside either in a manually activated switch on the cursor, or in commands issued to the digitizer by its controlling device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a suction type gripping device wherein the skirt of the suction-grip is constituted by a deformable pocket of overall annular shape containing particles, the said skirt being provided with means to reduce pressure within the pocket, thereby pressing in the walls of the pocket under higher external pressure to closely conform the pocket with the surface of the article to be gripped, and then retaining that gripping conformity by fixing the said particles in that position after the said skirt has been placed in conforming surface contact with the article to be gripped.

Abstract: A support member or bridge member used for holding a repair material injector in proper position relative to a piece of glass that is to be repaired, such as a windshield, and which holds the injector under a predetermined spring load even when there is a rounded or curved surface to be repaired. The support is self orienting relative to the windshield so that the injector used for injecting repair materials is held normal to the tangent plane at the opening of a break that is to be repaired in the windshield.

Abstract: A device for preventing or substantially reducing lateral slippage of an ect which is held to the surface of another object by suction means is provided. Suction pads are mounted so as to allow conformation with irregularities of the supporting object's surface and are provided with prongs preferably made of sharpened tool steel which are oriented to dig into the surface to preclude lateral slippage during operation.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism and flexible carrier for transporting a planar printing plate and flexible overlying mask from a flat loading station to a precisely-curved cylindrically-shaped scanning station, and back to the flat loading station, is disclosed. The vacuum carrier used is rigid in one axis and flexible in a second axis, and has a pair of reference strips which define a neutral bending axis for the plate and mask when the latter are wrapped around a pair of precisely machined cylindrical discs. By locating the flexible mask and printing plate outside the neutral axis of bending, both are placed in tension when wrapped around the discs. This maintains uniform contact between the plate and mask and prevents wrinkling of the mask as it overlies the plate.The carrier and discs support the plate and mask within a precise and uniform cylindrical plane for scanning with focussed beams of radiation.

Abstract: A holder is described for temporarily mounting a ski on a work surface for permitting the ski to be tuned or otherwise routinely maintained by filing the ski edges and bottoms and for coating the ski bottoms etc. Each holder has a threaded clamp for mounting it on a work table or other convenient surface and has a pivotally mounted vacuum ski engaging device at its top for removably engaging the ski. Two of these holders firmly position a ski on the work surface for the ski tuning operation.

Abstract: This improvement in the field of portable winches or towing devices comprises a shell of heavy construction, which is easily movable on integrally mounted retractable wheels, and which when in its desired location and directional orientation can by its own vacuum pump, mounted thereon, create a vacuum within itself, developing thereby an immobilizing force equivalent to several thousand pounds of weight, enabling the winch mounted thereon to exert a pulling force of magnitude comparable to the immobilizing force, making possible the movement and relocation of heavy objects.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring photosensitive sheets from the transporting plane into the copying plane of a photographic copying machine has a suction chamber with a perforated cover having a flat upper side which defines the copying plane. The interior of the suction chamber is subdivided into one or more centrally located primary sections which are in direct communication with the intake of a suction pump and two or more secondary sections which communicate with the primary section or sections by way of narrow passages defined by internal partitions of the suction chamber so that a sheet which is advanced in the transporting plane to a position of register with the cover is attracted first to that portion or those portions of the cover which overlie the primary section or sections and thereupon to those portions of the cover which overlie the secondary sections.

Abstract: The present apparatus for securing a flying craft to a starting and landing rea is especially intended for helicopters. In order to secure such a flying craft with a simple, yet effective device, the starting and landing area is provided with a perforated landing platform or plate. A valve below the perforation is connected to an evacuating pump. The flying craft is provided with landing gear capable of sealing the cavity when landing and to start the evacuation pump. In this manner the flying craft is held in position by the vacuum created in the cavity in the manner of a suction cup.

Abstract: A unitary elastomeric bracket structure is provided for supporting a fishing rod or the like on a planar mounting surface. The bracket structure comprises a base and a pair of arms defining a partly enclosed bracket cavity, the structure having a single central locus of securement to the mounting surface whereby the structure tends to pivot about its securement locus. The invention provides the improvement comprising base bottom wall means defining a recess centered on the securement locus and peripherally co-planar with the base. The recess-defining base bottom wall means is flexibly responsive in surface sealing relation against pivoting of the structure about its securement locus.

Abstract: An enclosure around the outer side of an old fashioned bath tub so to hide the same from view in order to improve a bathroom decor, the enclosure being a waterproof, plastic, boxlike shell that simply slides down over the top of the tub, and an upper end of the shell covering the upper ledge of the tub when a lower edge of the frame rests upon the floor; the outer side walls of the enclosure being suitable for decorative decals of marine or floral designs being applied thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a sheet of photosensitive material in the image plane of an optical imaging system for exposure thereat. The apparatus includes a first cover plate assembly having a transparent cover plate and a second backing plate assembly including a relatively flexible backing sheet. The cover plate assembly is driven into contact with the backing plate assembly with the photosensitive sheet to be exposed supported therebetween such that an air-tight chamber is defined between the cover plate assembly and the relatively flexible backing sheet. The air-tight chamber is then evacuated through the cover plate assembly, and as it is evacuated, the flexible backing plate will be sucked towards the cover plate assembly and drive the photosensitive sheet into firm contact with the transparent cover plate.By the use of the flexible backing plate, the chamber can be evacuated very rapidly, for example, in two or three seconds.

Abstract: A food-cutting machine for slicing, grating or shredding foodstuffs such as fruits, vegetables, meats or cheeses. The device is designed particularly for home kitchen use and features a hollow body or housing, the interior of which is adapted to storage of a set of stacked or nested cutters having blades for producing different cuts in various food items. The housing latches to a suction base by means of a cam lock operated by a lever which also operates the suction disc of the base. When the housing is latched to the base, the base is simultaneously fastened to an appropriate work surface by the suction of the disc. When the lever is raised to unlatch the housing, the suction is released so that the device may be moved to another location.

Abstract: A vacuum contact printer for printing indicia formed on a translucent drawing sheet onto a sensitized sheet material. The contact printer includes a vacuum chamber defining an enclosure having a planar upper wall with vertically directed through perforations. Secured to the upper wall of the vacuum chamber is a screen element which is pulled taut and located in fixed relation to an upper surface of the upper wall of the vacuum chamber. A cloth member is positioned over the screen member and secured to the frame of the vacuum chamber.In order to provide an image, the drawing sheet and sensitized sheet material are inserted over the cloth member and sandwiched between a transparent polyester film and the cloth. A light fixture is linearly driven across the upper surface of the vacuum chamber and the various sheet mounting mechanisms in close proximity thereof to permit light to pass through the translucent drawing sheet onto the sensitized sheet material.

Abstract: A vacuum device for securement against a flat or shaped surface and capable of maintaining a vacuum against the surface by the use of an external vacuum source consisting of a block having a first smooth surface for contact against the flat surface, wherein the smooth surface of the block has a closed peripheral groove. A sealing means is disposed in the closed peripheral groove defining a vacuum retaining area with the flat or shaped surface. A valve means is disposed in the block and has an inlet accessible on a second block surface and communicative to the vacuum retaining area so that when the air is removed from the retaining area, the external air pressure will force the block against the flat surface. In another embodiment, a further vacuum retaining area is formed with an additional seal which is operative with the same valve, or an independent valve.

Abstract: A tee for holding a football in kicking position and including suction means for retaining the ball against dislocation from the tee by wind or the like, with the suction means preferably including a motor driven blower contained in the tee and creating a vacuum effect at several locations of contact with the ball.

Abstract: An auxiliary safety leg for a chair and adapted to be adjustably rigidly removably attached to an adjacent horizontal or vertical surface to prevent accidental falling of the chair.