Abstract: This invention relates generally to textile carding machines and the like, and more particularly to a drive apparatus for driving a feed roll on such a machine so that a constant drive speed is provided and so the drive speed may be conveniently altered by exchanging gears of different ratios, wherein the drive apparatus includes a bracket having at least one vertical side member and a transfer shaft adjustably carried within the vertical side member. A first gear, which is driven by a drive bevel gear carried on a main input shaft, is carried on the transfer shaft, and a draft change gear is removably carried on the transfer shaft for rotation with the first gear. The draft change gear is meshed with a feed roll change gear which is carried on the feed roll drive shaft for driving the feed roll.

Abstract: A holder device is provided for supporting a utility implement such as a fishing rod and a lantern, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on a side of a boat and the like, having an elongated socket formed therein, a removable coupling member for removably carrying the fishing rod or lantern including an arm element having a cam portion formed adjacent an outer end thereof which is slideably engaged in said elongated socket, and a resilient biasing means carried by the base member providing a biasing force against a surface of the arm element cooperating with the cam portion so as to hold the arm element in the elongated socket. Thus, the coupling member is effectively prevented from being removed from the base member unless the coupling member and its associated implement is tilted angularly backwards and simultaneously pulled outwardly from the base member to overcome the resilient biasing means and release the cam portion from the socket.

Abstract: A gripping device is provided for use in uniting the opposed ends of an endless dryer felt and the like at a hinged seam thereof so that a connecting rod may be inserted through the hinged seam. The gripping device includes a pair of spaced blocks with sharp pins extending downwardly therefrom for engaging the opposed ends of the dryer felt. The blocks are coupled together by a spring which tensions the opposed ends of the dryer felt together and holds the ends secured while the connecting rod is inserted through the hinge.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a support apparatus for holding a lantern having a pivotable bail handle including a pair of elongated members connected together by a pivot joint one of the members being cantilevered with respect to the other and having a raised medial portion with a plurality of notches formed therein for receiving the bail handle and an elongated transverse member over which the full width of the bail handle bears against. The second of the elongated members is provided with attachment means for attaching the support apparatus to a supporting structure such as the side of a boat or a tree. A lantern so supported is allowed to pivot freely about its bail handle and be maintained in a substantially upright position at all times.

Abstract: A beater roll for open end spinning is illustrated wherein a coil of metallic wire card clothing has a predetermined set applied therein prior to installation such that the coil assumes an inside diameter less than an outside diameter of a molded plastic drum on which it is installed, the coil being wound in successive contiguous convolutions so that the beater roll is durable, disposable and has a minimized tendency to load with fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a shuttle spring for holding a yarn filled bobbin in a loom shuttle wherein the spring has a pair of opposed jaw portions for resiliently holding the bobbin therebetween. A vertical side surface of one of the jaw portions has a greater vertical width than the vertical side surface of the opposing jaw portion to effect rotation of the bobbin, when being ejected from the shuttle by the insertion of a full bobbin, in a direction so as to ensure that an adequate transfer tail of unused yarn separates from the spent bobbin. The transfer tail of yarn trailing from the bobbin is then caught by a stripping machine which completely strips the bobbin of the unused yarn.

Abstract: A method and device for indicating the amount of torque in a yarn is disclosed wherein an elongated horizontal bar assembly has supported thereon a movable cantilevered arm member and a stationary cantilevered arm member having yarn clamps for receiving and clamping the yarn thereto whereby the movable arm member is moved towards said stationary arm member and the point at which the yarn held therebetween twists together into a loop is noted to indicate the torque therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat treating thermoplastic fabric at the loom is illustrated including an elongated housing extending across the full width of the loom having a passageway therethrough dividing the housing into opposed chambers, one of which carries a heating element and the other, a reflector so that the fabric is heated from both sides, and a gripping means is disclosed for tensioning the fabric in open width as it passes the heater means with a suction device for removing gases and fumes generated by heating of the thermoplastic fabric to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loosening and spreading textile tows comprised of bundles of synthetic filaments preparatory to cutting into staple fiber is illustrated including tensioning the tow in a stretching zone while intermittently exerting a force thereon transverse to the direction of movement of the tow.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light shield/support device for reducing glare on the lighted display window of a portable electronic calculator. The device may also be interchangeably utilized to support the calculator in an inclined position which also tends to reduce the glare on the display window as well as making operation of the keyboard and positioning of the calculator on a disk top more convenient. The device includes a pair of spaced shank members having inclined upper ends having an inclined flange member carried therebetween. Attachment means are carried by a lower end of the shank members for engaging opposing side walls for securing the device to the calculator. The shank members are of sufficient length to support the flange member above and across the display window or below and across the bottom of the calculator for selectively utilizing the device as a light shield or as a support.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a plurality of telescoping sections with a central concentric bore extending therethrough, a handle member carried by one end of the rod, a hollow-core cable extending through the central bore of the rod, a rotatable braided wire carried in the hollow core of the cable extending outwardly therefrom having a snap hook carried on one end for connecting a fishing hook and bait thereto, and an electric motor connected to a source of D. C. power carried in the handle member having a rotating shaft connected to the braided wire so as to rotate the braided wire and the fishing bait connected thereto.

Abstract: A device for removing and collecting together a fiber web emerging from a card or the like comprises power driven transport means placed immediately downstream in the direction of travel of the web from the delivery device, and constituting a transport surface crossing the plane of the fiber web and adapted to produce a transport movement of the fiber web material emerging from the delivery device across the width of the web toward the center forming a sliver.

Abstract: A limb support and the like is formed from a block of polyurethane foam having resilient characteristics, capable of permitting the passage of air and being of such configuration as to include a continuous open topped arcuate groove extending longitudinally along the length of the block for receiving, cradling and resiliently gripping the limb of a hospitalized patient to avoid rotation of the limb supported thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an apparel valise for carrying articles of clothing during travel, and more particularly to a valise for packing and carrying shirts. After packing, the valise may be placed in a suitcase or attache case maintaining the shirts in a pressed and wrinkle-free condition therein. The valise includes a substantially rectangular back and a substantially rectangular front section having a medial opening formed therein defining a pair of front side panels on adjacent sides of the opening providing convenient access to the interior of the valise. The front and back sections are joined by expandable side and bottom gusset sections so as to accommodate a plurality of shirts and an upper flat section integral with the back section is provided for covering the open top of the valise. With the flap raised and the side panels folded outwardly, a double opening is provided in said valise for conveniently packing and unpacking shirts therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and transporting a warp beam and the like includes a pair of wheeled frame support members wherein each support member includes an upper horizontal platform and a lower transverse platform to form a crossframe with each platform having roller members carried thereon. The upper platform carries an upwardly extending housing thereon defining a horizontally extending slot in which a cradle member is slideably carried for receiving an end of the warp beam axle. The cradle member is moved up and down in the slot so as to raise and lower the warp beam. With a wheeled support member attached to each end of the warp beam, the beam may be transported to the various yarn processing stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing staple fibers of a predetermined length from a substantially endless tow of fibers. The tow of fibers is fed onto needles carried in rows on a carrier under tension. The carrier is rotated past a cutting area and a depositing area. As the rows of needles pass the cutting area the tow of fibers is raised away from the surface of the carrier to enable cutting of the fibers by a cutter blade. The cut fibers are held by the needles until such reach the depositing area wherein the particular row of needles is retracted to deposit the cut fibers on a receiving means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feeding fabric runs into tenter machines of the kind having lead-in rails adapted for movement to follow lateral deviations of the selvage edge of the fabric and, more particularly, to the drive apparatus for laterally moving the lead-in rails including a reversible driving motor carried by the lead-in rail and a capstan member rotatably driven by the driving motor. A cable member is looped around the capstan member having a first end connected on one side of the rail member and a second end connected on the opposite side of the rail member. A sensor means detects the lateral variations in the position of the selvage edge for generating an electrical signal which is then supplied to the driving motor for reversibly driving the capstan member moving the rail member laterally back and forth according to the lateral position of the selvage edge.

Abstract: A collector for leaves and the like is illustrated for positioning a bag for collecting leaves and other refuse therein having an open rim for receiving an open end of a bag which is retained thereabout by an elongated elastic restraining member which confines an open end of the bag over the rim in a groove carried by the outer periphery of the rim.

Abstract: Method and composition for applying a surface covering to a wall or like substrate. The surface covering comprises a flexible strip or sheet of substantially dry, semi-hydrated gypsum, bonded to a re-enforcing mesh or lath. The method includes the steps of coating the rear face of the surface covering sheet with aqueous latex adhesive in an amount which will transfer sufficient water from the adhesive to the gypsum to hydrate and set the gypsum, and, at the same time, invert the latex to a tacky, adherent state; and applying the adhesive-coated surface covering to the substrate.

Abstract: A restraining cuff and the like is formed from a block of polyurethane foam having resilient characteristics, capable of permitting the passage of air and being of such configuration as to include a continuous substantially cylindrical internal wall extending longitudinally of the block for receiving the extremities of a hospitalized patient so as to provide a closed circumferential layer of resilient deformable material which may be connected as by a flat strap to the patient so as to distribute the weight of the extremity upon a substantial area of foam and cushion against bruises and other forms of injury to the patient.