Abstract: A damping device is disclosed for application to longitudinal strings of a string network used in sports rackets having a frame comprising a head, side portions and a throat section supporting the side portions. At least some of the longitudinal strings are directed toward and around a string post or anchoring member mounted within the throat section, wherein the turning around is in the plane of the string network. A damping device is positioned between the string post and a string seating member for the strings where the latter are turned around the post.

Abstract: An extensible grommet strip used in sports rackets is disclosed as having a strip connecting a multiple of grommets along its length, each grommet having a flaring end being connected to the strip, and a stem having an inside hole for passing the string, the hole has its axial axis coinciding with the axis of the strip and a perpendicular axis perpendicular to the axial axis. Each of the grommets has cutouts associated therewith, whereby cutouts create at least one elongated opening at each side of the grommet, generally parallel to the perpendicular axis, leaving an isolated grommet connected to the strip only through bridging material on either side of the axial axis which links the grommet to that side of the strip.

Abstract: A grommet pad for use with a sports racket having a frame formed with string holes for a string network and utilizing hollow grommets, having a flared end connecting to a long stem to support and guide strings through the frame, the grommet pad is adapted to at least one of the holes with the grommet, comprising,(a) a thin curved member formed at one end with a sharp tip adapted to be removably inserted into the clearance spacing between the the outer surface of the stem and the inner surface of the string hole, and(b) a curved support portion connected to the member at the end opposite the tip end and extending toward the interior of the frame, the portion being arranged for supporting the overhanging extended length of the grommet stem associated therewith against the force exerted thereon by the string passing there through toward the string network.

Abstract: A sports equipment such as a golf club, for example, is described as having a handle, a head and a shaft connecting the handle to the head. The handle is formed as a hollow shaft segment into which a reduced diameter segment of the shaft, referred to as the central member, is inserted into the handle segment with sufficient clearance so as to allow relative movement therebetween during swinging of the sports equipment at play. The connection between the central member and the handle segment within the latter is provided by the use of at least one intermediate tube arranged to encircle the central member and with sufficient clearance to permit relative movement therebetween. One end of the tube is connected to the end of the member adjacent the butt end of the handle, while the other end is connected to the handle segment adjacent to the point wherein the central member enters the handle segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing grooves in plastic concrete bridge decks, airport runways and the like having a cutter bar supporting a plurality of parallel cutter blades adapted to be imbedded in the surface of a deck. The cutter bar is adapted to be moved transversely across the deck and is mounted for pivotal movement on an axis normal to its transverse movement. The extent of pivotal movement is such as to raise and maintain the leading ends of the cutter blades slightly above the surface of the deck during the transverse movement.

Abstract: A sports equipment is disclosed as having a handle, a head and a shaft connecting the head to the handle wherein the shaft has at its butt end of the handle a segment which is partially hollow and an insertion point. The equipment includes a central member partially disposed in the hollow segment through the insertion point. The central member is associated with the portion of the equipment positioned beyond the insertion point. A space is provided between the central member and the interior of the hollow portion of the segment to allow lateral movement of the central member relative to the shaft segment during bending of the shaft during impact with a game ball.

Abstract: A windshield blind or shade adaptable for application to any of the window areas of a vehicle is disclosed as being made of flexible insulative fabric material having at least one suction cup adjacent each side edge for attachment to the surface of a window. A slidable shaft connects the cup to an edge of the shade for permitting the selective positioning of the suction cups, thereby enabling variation of positioning of the cups and the application of the shade to different sizes of windows. Another embodiment utilizes two suction cups associated with each side edge of the shade with a cup adjacent each corner thereof. Another embodiment involves a shade made of stiff paper stock or the like having at least one horizontal fold line and a plurality of vertical fold lines thus enabling double folding of the shade into a compact package.

Abstract: A sports racket frame shaped to extend around a ball-hitting region covered by a string network has an outer perimeter region forming an anchorage for the strings, which otherwise clear the frame inward of their anchorage. Support regions of the frame extending inward from the outer perimeter region on opposite sides of the plane of the string network provide structural support for the anchorage region. The support regions are formed to provide clearance from the string network, and the clearance of the support regions has a depth measured from an inner perimeter region of the frame outward toward the anchorage region that, at least in lateral side regions of the frame extending along lateral sides of the string network, is at least 0.25 inches. The supporting sides are formed with triangular shaped openings leaving the remaining panel sections of the sides inclined to form a truss.

Abstract: A sports racket is disclosed as having an oval-shaped frame supporting a string network. The frame has a generally flat horizontal member arranged in the plane of the network and a generally flat vertical member having a leg extending on both sides of the horizontal member. Openings are formed in the vertical member at both sides of the juncture with the horizontal member for the passage of strings of the network. The outer edge of the horizontal member is rounded for the turnaround of the strings passing through the holes, while the inner edge is tapered so as to avoid contact with the strings.

Abstract: A damping device for application to longitudinal network strings used in sports rackets having a frame comprising a head, side portions and a throat section supporting the side portions. At least some of the longitudinal strings are directed toward and around a string post or anchoring member mounted within the throat section. A damping device is positioned between the string post and the strings where the latter are turned around the post. In another embodiment, two or more string posts are arranged whereby some of the outer strings may be applied to one of the posts, and some of the inner longitudinal strings may be applied to one or more of the other posts.

Abstract: A curb forming apparatus is disclosed as having a concrete extruding mold device arranged for continuously receiving concrete and discharging the same to form a standard height curb. Elements of the mold device are connected to a power driven actuator and arranged to be raised and lowered for molding the concrete downwardly and upwardly to form thresholds for driveways and intermediate tapering sections for the transitions between the full height curbs and the thresholds.

Abstract: A novel cake layer is disclosed for use in a single or multi-layer cake arrangement of the type served at wedding receptions, anniversaries or other special occasions. The layer is a simulated cake layer made of plastic foam material sold under the trademark "STYROFOAM", and supporting a music box thereon actuable to play music when the lid of the layer is lifted. The layer is coated with real or permanent icing or frosting used for the cake arrangement so as to resemble a real cake layer in the arrangment. An engraved plate containing information as to the event being celebrated with the cake arrangement is applied to the inside of the layer thereby providing a long lasting token of remembrance for the recipients of the cake layer. The cake-top box may later be removed as a piece of the cake which may be saved as a symbol of the occasion to be remembered and enjoyed for many years.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing grooves in plastic concrete bridge decks and the like having a cutter bar supporting a plurality of parallel cutter blades adapted to be embedded in the surface of a deck and a driving mechanism for imparting reciprocal movement of the blades transversely across the deck. The cutter bar is pivotally mounted on a carriage to permit the cutter bar to conform to the surface of the deck.

Abstract: An envelope construction for use in a copy sheet feeding apparatus of a copying machine. The envelope having panels which, before closure and sealing, have only two overlapping layers of material and straight side edges which are equal to or greater than the distance the envelopes travel while being guided in the sheet feeding apparatus and before entering the transport system for the copying machine.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printing system is disclosed as having a document supporting drum and an optical means for scanning a document for exposing the same to a moving photoreceptor belt. The belt and the drum have their surfaces moved in synchronism by a motor drive for each and including a control system devised to sense the relative velocities of the compared velocities of the belt and drum surfaces and to produce a correction signal for one of the motor drives.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus arranged to receive a stream of sheets for collating the same into booklets having a rotary sorter comprised of a plurality of bins each of which includes a sheet clamping device to hold sheets in registered orientation in the bins. Control means cooperate with the clamping means to release the sheets at a loading station to permit egress of the sheets one at a time into the bins as the sorter rotates, and to release the clamping devices at an unloading station to permit removal of the completed booklets.

Abstract: A control system for use with an electrostatic developing system of a reproduction machine that normally remains in developing condition during machine operation. The control includes a lamp and circuit therefor which becomes energized to dissipate the charge on a photoconductive surface at those times and places thereon where developing is not to occur.

Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed as having the components of a high wing airframe, a single engine of the 360 type, and a propeller formed with airfoil cross sections along the blades thereof having profiles which, when particularly matched with the designated engine and type of aircraft, result in superior performance than is available when any of the components is matched with other components. Specific disclosures of the front and rear cambers of the blades provide aerodynamic characteristics which optimize the performance capabilities of the high wing airframe in conjunction with the designated engine.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wrap spring clutch is disclosed as having the clutch energizing electromagnetic coil of a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the wrap spring clutching coil and located at least partially therein. In this arrangement, the spring coil takes on a relatively large size for more added clutching action relative to the size of the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A stapler apparatus having a member for limiting the angular relationship between a fixed base member and the pivotal magazine therefor. The limiting member includes a stepped stop member positionable between the base member and magazine, and is formed so that different angular relationships may be obtained. For each angular relationship, the bending of preformed staple legs is controlled so as to permit the use of the same size of staples for a few sheets in a set of sheets being stapled.