Abstract: Apparatus for removing the outer casing from the rim of a wheel so that each part of the wheel may be recovered separately for purposes of salvage or repair. The wheel is laid on its side upon a worktable having a circular opening formed therein with the rim of the wheel being positioned over the opening. A cylindrical clamping tool is brought down over the rim to engage the casing and securely clamp is against the top surface of the table. A knockout bar is passed down through the cylindrical clamping tool to contact the rim close to the bead-forming joint between the casing and the rim. Extension of the arm causes the bead to be broken and the rim to be forced away from the casing whereupon it falls through the opening in the worktable.

Abstract: A marking head for use in the electrochemical process wherein a conductive metal part is imaged by firing electrodes against the part in the presence of an electrolyte. The marking face of the head contains an imaging board that includes seven segment digit modules that are capable of being fired in a pre-programmed order whereupon the characters recorded upon the part can be sequenced in a desired order. The segments are printed upon a copper coated board using a photoetching technique which leaves behind a copper coating in the segmented areas. Each segment is then coated with a carbon based material to provide a series of electrodes that can be efficiently operated in the presence of an electrolyte without breaking down.

Abstract: A protective device for temporarily shielding the upper surfaces of an open liquid container, such as a paint can or the like, to prevent the contained liquid from accumulating upon the upper surfaces thereof. The device involves an endless loop made of a deformable metal foil that is passed partially over the top of the container so that the top section of the loop extends upwardly above the upper rim of the container. The top section is folded inwardly over the rim of the container and is pressed tightly thereagainst to form a tight seal. The outer portion of the folded section is then passed downwardly into the container opening to form a circular wall depending from the lip of the rim which serves to prevent contained liquid from spilling over the lip of the rim.

Abstract: A safety binding for cross country skis that is capable of releasing a ski boot when the binding is overstressed by forces acting in any direction. The binding includes a boot mounted toe piece capable of being mounted upon the skier's boot that has a pair of laterally opposed open faced sockets formed therein and a ski piece having a pair of ball-like members mounted upon coating scissor arms. The ball members are laterally receivable within the socket openings when the scissor arms are moved from an open position toward a closed position thereby securing the toe piece to the ski piece. A biasing means acts between the arms of the scissors to urge the ball members into the closed position and thus hold the boot of the skier to the ski with a predetermined amount of force. Overcoming the holding force in any direction will cause the scissors to open and thus release the boot from the ski.

Abstract: A temporary material receptacle that is suitable for use in snowbound regions in which delivery boxes are oftentimes buried under deep drifts or torn away by snow plowing equipment. The receptacle is formed by folding a single blank of suitable material into a rectangular shaped open ended housing that is supported in a generally horizontal position by a vertical standard. The standard can be easily inserted into a snowbank to provide for a temporary depository that is capable of shielding material contained therein from the elements. Alternatively, the standard can be secured as by stapling to an existing post or pole.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a cruising boat or the like which utilizes two engines, one of the engines having substantially more power than the other. The propulsion system provides for twin propellers and propeller shafts and either engine (but not both) can be made to drive the twin shafts. The engines are positioned in line with one another on the fore and aft center line of the boat and the drive shafts of the two engines extend into a common transmission assembly. Clutches in the transmission assembly permit either one of the engine drive shafts to be drivingly connected to an athwartships shaft the ends of which are respectively connected through transmission gear case units to the propeller shafts. The propeller shafts are laterally spaced from one another and are parallel to the center line of the boat.

Abstract: A portable cleat for securing the mooring lines of a boat to a plank dock or pier when permanent cleats or other line securing means are not available. It is contemplated that two or more of the portable cleats will be carried by a cruising boat and when needed the cleats can be temporarily mounted on the dock to enable the boat to be moored alongside. Each portable cleat includes a narrow, elongated bar or plate that can be passed down through the space between adjacent planks and then rotated 90.degree. so as to be transversely disposed with respect to the length of the planks. A threaded rod is fixed to the transverse plate and projects up between the planks and a cleat element is releasably connected to this rod, the cleat element engaging the upper side of the dock planking so that a mooring line or lines can be secured thereto.

Abstract: A shelving system including support units that are easily secured to the shelves without the need of special tools or forming unsightly holes in the shelving. Each support unit contains a U-shaped bracket that is connected to the bottom surface of one shelf by a hidden wood screw. A pair of end caps which are similarly connected to the top surface of an opposed shelf slidably receive the legs of the bracket therein to form a high strength unit capable of supporting the shelves in a spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: A direct reading map plotter for converting grid values to magnetic values and vice versa without having to perform arithmetic calculations. The plotter includes a transparent base having a recess formed therein in which is rotatably supported a transparent disc. A compass rose having its center located at the center of rotation of the disc is imprinted upon the base about the periphery of the recess. A heading line representing magnetic north is also imprinted in the base with the line passing through the center of the rose and being arranged to point at the zero mark on the rose. A second diametrical line representing grid north is imprinted upon the disc so that it is caused to turn therewith. A declination scale is provided on the disc which extends to either side of the grid north line whereby the grid north line can be accurately positioned in relation to the magnetic north line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the refractive index of an optical film over a wide spectral range is described that involves measuring the changing radiant reflectance (or transmittance) of the film at various wavelengths as it is being deposited upon a substrate, as for example by vacuum deposition process. By determining the values of the extreme limits, an envelope of the peak reflectance can be developed from which the film's index of refraction is obtained over the entire spectral range that is situated between the two extreme wavelength channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for securely supporting an exercise bar that includes a pair of opposed locking units having a base section and a vertical post in which the bar is adjustably suspended above the floor. Compression rods are connected between the top of the post and the outer extremities of the base. Each post is carried in the base by a slide mechanism that can be locked in a desired position to prestress the entire system so that the base of each locking unit is forced downwardly against the floor. Added forces that are exerted upon the system by a performer mounted upon the bar are translated by the rods into the base sections to further enhance the holding power of the system against the floor.

Abstract: An exercise device for conditioning the upper arms and body muscles. Said device includes a glove having a hand section, a wrist section and a forearm section, said glove encompassing the entire forearm region of the wearer. The hand section and the forearm section of the glove contains strategically positioned weights that are arranged to enhance development and toning of the arm and upper body muscles when the arm is moved through a normal swinging motion, as for example, when the wearer is running or jogging.

Abstract: A manipulatable structure that contains a series of linked units. Each unit contains a plurality of rhombic-shaped panels that are hinged along their oblique edges to create a collapsible enclosure that can be used to create two dimensional patterns when the panels are folded into one of two available common planes or any number of three dimensional structures when positioned between the two common planes. Each unit, in turn, is hinged to an adjacent unit along abutting oblique corners to create a chain that can be symmetrically formed by linking the units in a repeating linear pattern or asymmetrically formed by linking the units in a random fashion.

Abstract: A fixture for providing positive control over a workpiece as it is being acted upon by a cutting or finishing tool. A base having a flat working surface is provided with a fixed guide member having a contoured control surface formed along the periphery thereof. A workholder is slidably supported upon the working surface of the base and is arranged to move in abutting contact against the control surface of the guide whereby a prescribed motion is imparted to a workpiece supported in the holder. In one form of the invention, the workholder is mounted upon a turntable that is rotatably supported in a circular guide whereby the work is caused to rotate about a fixed axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving under the tabs of a shingle and stripping the tabs evenly and cleanly from the underbody of the shingle along the line of joinder between the tabs and the underbody to provide a suitable subsurface over which a new roof can be laid. The apparatus involves a rectangular shaped blade that has an inclined ripping bar located upon its top surface along one side edge thereof. A tab guide is also positioned upon the top surface of the blade adjacent to its other side edge and includes a raised finger which is adapted to engage tabs passing over the blade and guide them through the apparatus. A hold down member is also mounted outboard of the blade adjacent to the ripping bar that is arranged to ride over the underbody section of the shingle to allow the stripping tool to separate the tabs without lifting the underbody of the shingle from the support sheeting to which it is nailed.

Abstract: A spirometer for encouraging inhalation exercises and particularly for indicating the volume of air that is inhaled by the user. The spirometer comprises a two-part generally cylindrical housing having a bellows assembly positioned therein. A breathing tube is connected to a port in the housing that communicates with the interior of the bellows. By inhaling through the breathing tube the user causes the bellows to contract and a pointer on the bellows coacts with a scale on the housing to indicate the amount of air that has been inhaled. Each of the housing parts is formed with a plurality of spaced apart discrete wall sections and the sections of the two parts interfit with one another to reduce the size of the spirometer for shipping.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle adapted to emit light from its distal end to facilitate venopuncture under subdued lighting conditions. The needle is used in conjunction with a portable light source, such as a battery handle and lamp, and includes a bundle of optical fibers that transmits light from the lamp to the distal end of the needle. A flexible catheter is releasably mounted on the needle and is adapted to be inserted in the vein after the needle has punctured same and thereafter the needle can be withdrawn from the catheter.

Abstract: A device for separating a pneumatic casing from the rim of a wheel to enable both the rim and the wheel to be reclaimed as separate units. The wheel is placed upon a horizontal worktable and a clamping arm is brought down upon the rim to secure it to the table. A stripping tool having spike-like fingers is brought upwardly into engagement with the casing. As the tool moves up past the rim, the wheel beads are broken by the tool and the casing is lifted free of the rim. Both the clamping arm and the stripping tool are adapted to clear the worktable during loading and unloading of the wheels whereby the wheels can be moved easily into and out of the work zone.