Abstract: A folding blade knife is disclosed in which the knife blade is releasably lockable in a plurality of angular positions relative to a knife handle. The folding knife blade has a polygonal aperture and the knife handle has a circular opening as well as an aligned polygonal recess. A one piece lock and release element operated by push button action includes a cylindrical part engaging in the circular opening of the handle and a polygonal part engageable totally in the polygonal aperture of the blade or partly in such aperture and partly in the polygonal recess of the handle. A spring biases the one piece lock and release element toward a locking position relative to the blade and handle.

Abstract: Continuous or other lengths of flat back plastic filament coil slide fastener chain is gapped in such a manner that the tape ends produced by the gapping are scrap-free and undamaged. The slide fastener chain to be gapped is held in a laterally taut state in a die and anvil apparatus while the interengaged coil elements are forced upwardly into engagement with blades which cleanly sever the outer leg portions of the coil elements, which leg portions are conveyed upwardly by suction. During the outer leg severing operation, the slide fastener chain is further stretched laterally and caused to spread apart slightly at its center line. The center portion of the chain between the removed coil outer leg portions is received in a control and stabilizing channel between the severing blades while an ascending punch acts on the remaining interior coupling portions of the coil elements and removes them cleanly from the tapes without damaging the tapes.

Abstract: A dissolving cell for the continuous processing of a sample, having a dissolving chamber enclosed by the sample, a seal and the body of the cell in combination with an anode. The cell includes a cathode and a D.C. power source for effecting the dissolution of the sample through an electrolyte conveyed to the chamber by an inlet terminal in open communication therewith. The dissolving cell includes a degasing shaft positioned between the dissolving chamber and outlet pipe. A first outlet pipe at the top of the degaser vents gases to a drain and a second outlet pipe communicating with the bottom of the degasser conveys electrolyte with sample to additional processing equipment.

Abstract: A support frame for a conveyor of raw material includes stands at spaced locations along the support frame and interconnecting longitudinal bars between the stands which can be assembled with the stands and separated therefrom without tools or separable fasteners. Receivers on opposite sides of each stand have interlocking engagement with adjacent end portions of two of the stand interconnecting longitudinal bars. The receivers accept the bars through their open sides and spaced locking lugs on each longitudinal bar near its ends straddle side plates of the receivers as the bars rotate into interlocking engagement with the receivers.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a single handgrip mounted adjacent the driver's seat for pivotal displacement in a laterally extending plane. Interconnection structure provides a motion transmitting train between the handgrip and suitable power-assisted steering components in the engine compartment to regulate steering of a vehicle's wheels as the handgrip is laterally pivoted. The interconnection structure may include a plurality of serially-connected rotatable shafts, power-steering fluid control valves directly actuated by the handgrip or electrical switches controlled directly by the handgrip to regulate power-steering fluid valves disposed in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A compound bow includes a unitary cam assembly attached to a single handle-mounted pylon. The cam assembly is provided with a plurality of cam elements respectively engaged by two string cables and each of two power cables. All such cam elements are disposed in a plane 90.degree. to the plane passing from the bowstring and through the handle of the bow. A string cable controller, also carried by the pylon, reverses the direction of one string cable so both string cables become juxtaposed and simultaneously act upon the same portion of one of the cam elements.

Abstract: In a stringer for a slide fastener wherein coupling elements are molded on longitudinal supporting means, such as an edge of a tape or spaced connecting threads, leg portions of the coupling elements are formed with recesses to define rapidly cooled portions which are molded to the supporting means. The rapidly cooled portions eliminate porosity to produce greater adherence and strength of the polymer bonding the coupling elements to the supporting means as well as reducing cost.

Abstract: Building components include, along opposite edges, opposed pairs of non-planar flanges respectively defining male and female attachment members. Provided on the components are opposite underlying and overlying sections with the male attachment members affixed to the front face of the underlying sections, and the female attachment members affixed to the rear face of the overlying sections. A guide element may extend from the female flanges to facilitate camming of paired female flanges about the male flanges of an adjacent component to insure a snap-fitting assembly of a plurality of components.

Abstract: A sail assembly comprising a mast, spaced apart lateral upper and a lower elongated members fixed to the mast, a track joining first ends of the upper and lower members, two panels of sail material one to each side of the mast connected to the track by runners to allow the sail panels to be furled, sail battens mounted in pockets in the two sail panels with the forward ends of the sail battens retained to resist longitudinal compressive forces when applied to the battens to induce a bend therein, battens in the respective sail panels are aligned to provide batten pairs with the rear ends of the battens of each pair where they project from the batten pockets interconnected but relatively movable, and a line and pulley arrangement longitudinal compressive force to the sail battens at a location remote from the forward ends thereof.

Abstract: A misting and watering can includes a can body having a pouring spout on one side thereof and a hollow handle on its opposite side. A misting and watering nozzle mounted in the pouring spout includes a misting aperture surrounded by multiple pouring passages in communication with the pouring spout. A pumping mechanism within the hollow handle includes a trigger operator. A delivery tube in the interior of the can body is connected with the pumping mechanism within the hollow handle. A discharge tube connected with the pumping mechanism extends within the pouring spout and is connected with the nozzle in communication with the misting aperture.

Abstract: A crossbow includes a trigger mechanism providing positive setting or cocking and release of a drawn bowstring. As the bowstring is drawn, it is pulled rearwardly into a trigger assembly slot to momentarily rearwardly deflect and ride over a spring-urged string catch member. Deflection of the catch member in turn urges displacement of a safety element into locking engagement with a pivotal sear. A nose on the locked sear normally abuts the catch member to preclude its release of a bowstring cocked therebehind. Following manual displacement of the safety to an off position, squeezing of a trigger pivotally moves the sear nose clear of the catch member to permit the cocked bowstring to forwardly deflect and pass over the catch member as the bowstring leaves the trigger assembly and propels an arrow engaged thereby.

Abstract: A panel has a layer (1) of stems of reeds molded together with an appropriate glue. It includes a layer (2) formed of particles of reeds also molded together with glue. The layers (1 and 2) can be separated by a water repellant sheet (3) to permit, for example, the making of watertight roofs.

Abstract: The elastic hinge comprises a box (9) solid with the temple (1) of the eyeglasses, this box containing a part (8) carrying a knuckle (6) and sliding in the box (9) against the action of a spring (11). This spring receives stationary support against a part (12) which is made solid with the box (9) by a ball (14) engaged in a hole (15) of this ball and in a recess (16) of the box. The ball is held in position by a screw (17) which is accessible only in the folded position of the temple.

Abstract: A refinishing unit comprises an air handling module and a spray booth, both of which may be used separately. An air handling module suitable for use with a spray booth comprises a housing; fresh air inlet means to said housing; first fan means in said housing receiving fresh air from said fresh air inlet means; a heat generator in said housing; a heat exchanger in said housing, associated with said heat generator and through which air drawn in by said first fan means is passed; an outlet for heated air, heated in said heat exchanger, from said housing; an exhaust gas intake into said housing; second fan means in said housing and connected to said exhaust gas intake and outlet means exhausting gas, drawn in through said exhaust gas intake by said second fan means, to atmosphere. The spray booth comprises a roof structure unit and a floor structure unit, the roof structure unit being supported on the floor structure unit at suitable places by means of support columns.