Abstract: A delivery device conveys the sheets which are output by a laser printer for delivery onto a pile. For adaptation to the growing height of the pile, at least one conveying roll defining an output is arranged on a height-adjustable carriage. A sensor lever scans the respective height of the pile and brings about automatic tracking of the carriage. The carriage is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable on a drive shaft by means of at least one guide. The carriage can be moved vertically along the drive shaft by driving wheels which press against the drive shaft. By means of this device, the achievable stacking height can be multiplied relative to the standard height.

Abstract: A warp knitted fabric characterized by enhanced dimensional stability while maintaining adequate ventilation for use in athletic and recreational apparel. The fabric is a two bar warp knitted fabric having spaced-apart substantially circular single course ventilation openings. According to one preferred embodiment, the fabric is constructed according to the pattern 1-0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 7-6, 5-4, 3-2 for the front bar of the two bars and 7-8, 7-6, 5-4, 3-2, 1-0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 for the back bar of the two bars, and the warp knitting machine is threaded 11 in, 1 out for the front bar.

Abstract: A protective pad, for example, a shin guard, for being custom-fitted to a body member to be protected, and including a first flexible cushion layer for being placed against the body member in a first orientation and an initially flexible intermediate layer having a first side positioned adjacent to the first layer. The intermediate layer includes a fabric impregnated with a moisture-curable resin which hardens upon curing to form a rigid structure of the fabric which retains a body part-defined shape into which it is molded during curing, thereby also holding the first flexible cushion layer in the same body-part defined shape, the intermediate layer defining at least first and second adjacent segments for overlying adjacent body parts of the wearer.

Abstract: An illuminating sign assembly includes a sign housing for receiving and supporting a sign, and a bulb located within the housing which automatically activates to illuminate the sign at night. A rechargeable battery is connected to the bulb for supplying an operating electrical current to the bulb. A solar cell is connected to the battery, and operates to convert light to electrical energy to be stored in the battery for discharge to the bulb.

Abstract: An air director for balancing air flow during a perpendicular change in air flow direction, comprising a frame defining an outer perimeter and having an inner annular opening therein, a plurality of air-directing vanes positioned on the frame between the perimeter and the annular opening thereof in spaced-apart relation around the perimeter thereof for directing air therethrough from the perimeter and perpendicularly through the annular opening, the vanes positioned on the frame with opposed, major, air-directing surfaces defining a extended line having a predetermined angular offset relative to the radii of the annular opening for swirling the air.

Abstract: A fastening system for laths made of wood or similar material, serving to form a floor. The system makes it possible to fasten the laths so that they are juxtaposed without damaging them by using tongues in which bearings, provided with teeth, have been stamped. These tongues are placed on the subfloor and are either fastened directly, or secured in place by gravity using flexible rubber supports and alignment laths securing them at an equal distance from one another, thereby not damaging the subflooring. This fastening system makes it possible to easily install and remove laths and is very well adapted for its use with prevarnished wooden laths.

Abstract: An adjustable easel is provided for supporting an artist's canvas. The easel includes a base, and a rotatably adjustable canvas frame attached to the base for engaging the canvas and holding the canvas in a stable condition for painting. A mounting pin interconnects the base and the canvas frame together, and defines an axis of rotation about which the canvas frame rotates relative to the base. A lock assembly cooperates with the mounting pin for releasibly locking the canvas frame in one of a plurality of predefined positions relative to the base.

Abstract: A rotisserie apparatus and method of cooking food items are provided. The rotisserie apparatus includes a housing containing a heat source for supplying heat to an area above the housing. A plurality of spit supports are positioned on the housing, and extend vertically upwardly from the housing. A plurality of horizontally-disposed spits are carried by the spit supports, and located in vertically-spaced relation above the heat source for holding respective food items to be cooked. Counter-rotating sprockets are operatively connected to the plurality of spits for rotating adjacent spits in opposite directions during cooking, and permitting contacting adjacent food items to counter-rotate away from each other after engaging without being inadvertently forced off the spits.

Abstract: A membrane press and method of elevating a three-dimensional workpiece are provided. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece. A foil-pressing frame is positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying a laminating foil to the workpiece. A plurality of fluid actuated pedestal assemblies are positioned for movement between a workpiece-loading position and a workpiece-lifting position above the supporting surface of the work base. Fluid passages communicate with the pedestal assemblies, and fluid pressure control means. The control means selectively directs a flow of fluid to the pedestal assemblies in response to the loading of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base.

Abstract: A sexual therapeutic device is provided for being worn by a male to delay ejaculation during sexual intercourse. The device includes a pouch for being positioned adjacent to the scrotum of the male. The pouch is adapted for receiving and holding the testicles when in a descended position. A cold compress is attached to the pouch and resides adjacent to the testicles when in an ascended position. The compress cools the testicles to delay ejaculation of the male during intercourse. A strap is attached to the pouch and extends around the penis of the male to hold the device in position during use.

Abstract: A method of decorating a firable article which includes the step of mixing a metallic salt with a fuel material which can supply oxygen to the salt in a reaction. This mixture causes complex formation of the salt, characterized by raising the pH of the mixture to at least 5. Additives in the mixture promote stability and provide the required viscosity surface tension and conductivity for use in an ink jet printer. When applying a solution of this mixture onto a firable article by ink jet printing, the mixture is such that upon drying, the mixture reacts to form an oxide of the metal to provide a decorative color pigment on the article.

Abstract: A microwave distillation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a microwave heating chamber having a plurality of walls. A vessel is located within the chamber for containing a liquid to be distilled. The vessel has a mouth for receiving the liquid. A connecting tube extends though an opening formed in one of the plurality of chamber walls. The connecting tube has a first end thereof for sealably engaging the mouth of the vessel, and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the chamber. A biasing assembly is located outside of the chamber, and engages the connecting tube with a biasing force to maintain the seal between the connecting tube and the mouth of the vessel. A distillate capture assembly is connected to the connecting tube for receiving vapors emitted from the liquid when heated, and for condensing the vapors into a liquid distillate for capture and storage.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat (40) and a seat holding bar assembly (30,130) for removably holding the seat on a toilet bowl (10,110), the seat having a rearwardly directed extension (72,74,172) including two spaced upwardly directed surfaces (80,190) each of which has one or more recesses (79,179), the seat holding bar assembly (30,130) being rigidly attachable to the toilet bowl (10,110) and having an outwardly directed projection (39,139) at each end which extends beyond the edges of the rear of the toilet bowl so that the seat (40) can be fitted to the bowl with the upwardly directed surfaces below the bar projections (39,139) with the projections located in said recesses (79,179).

Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.

Abstract: A protective shipping and storage package for appliances, including a polymeric foam protective base cap for being fitted onto a base of the appliance and a polymeric foam protective top cap for being fitted onto a top of the appliance opposed to the base. A plurality of protective side panels are provided for being positioned on opposite side walls of the appliance and interconnecting the base and top caps. The side panels have opposite ends for respectively engaging and cooperating with the base cap and top cap to form a protective package around the appliance. A retaining shroud is positioned on and extends around the appliance and the assembled top cap, base cap and plurality of side panels for securing the protective package in its protective position around the appliance. The shroud may be a shrink-wrap type of plastic film.

Abstract: An improved split windshield assembly includes a retainer clip constructed of a flexible material, and a flexible, hollow clamp. The clip is for being attached to an upper portion of at least one of the front support posts of a recreation vehicle for releasably holding the upper windshield panel in a closed position. The hollow clamp has a base, and first and second hollow arms. The base is fixedly attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof. The first and second hollow arms have opposed, closely spaced-apart inside surfaces which define a longitudinally-extending, windshield-holding channel. The windshield-holding channel engages and holds a curved top edge of the upper windshield panel when the upper windshield panel is in the open position.