Abstract: A releasable fastener for securing together two straps, includes a link adapted for attachment to one such strap and shaped as a generally plate-like strike having a pair of spaced-apart locking lugs on opposite edges defining locking notches. A guide channel is provided in one surface of the strike intermediate the lugs for guiding the link into engagement with a buckle adapted to be secured to the other such strap. The buckle is formed by a body having spaced-apart upper and lower plates defining a slot for receiving the strike. A pair of spaced-apart lock-pins extend through the upper plate and said slot into the lower plate, with the portion of said lock-pins exposed between the said plates being notched to define lands for engaging into the locking notches on the strike. The lock-pins are rotated to position the lands in the notches by a slide mounted on the upper plate.

Abstract: A bracket mountable on a supporting surface for retaining a pair of awning support members in a retracted juxtapositional storage position has a pair of side plate members retained in spaced parallel vertically oriented relationship by a cross-web member defining uniform channels on opposite sides thereof. The side plate members pivotally support the lower end of one of the support members and defines a space rearwardly of the one support member into which the lower end of the other support member can be inserted to retain the support members in juxtapositional relationship adjacent to the supporting surface.

Abstract: The syringe of the present invention includes a tubular body having a plunger slidably received therein in fluid tight relationship so as to define a void space at the leading end of the syringe when the plunger is fully inserted, the void space being in communication with (1) a connector adapted to receive a hypodermic needle or the like and (2) a vent opening laterally through the side wall of the tubular body. The vent has a conduit connected thereto so that the initial flow of blood into the syringe will pass through the void space and into the conduit to purge air from the void space so that the subsequent flow of blood into the syringe will be free of air contamination. In the preferred form of the syringe, the conduit is connected to a second tubular body having a plunger therein adapted to create a low pressure zone to draw blood from the artery of a patient whose blood pressure is not sufficient to pump blood naturally into the syringe.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder for supporting a fishing pole then for lifting the pole in response to a pull on the fishing line is formed by a swingable handle engaging socket mounted upon a ground or other support and biased to a vertically upright position by a coil spring. The pole handle socket is latched in a generally horizontal position by a line releasable latch mechanism. Upon a pull on the fishing line in response to a bite by a fish on the bait, the latch is released and the pole swung upwardly to tension the line and set the hook. In the upright position, the pole is held with the line under tension to prevent escape of the fish.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling cartons and delivering the cartons in rows to preselected locations includes a framework upon which a conveyor is positioned to receive cartons and to advance the cartons to an assembly station, a stop gate at the assembly station adapted to stop-forward movement of the cartons as they are received at the assembly station, a positioning gate at the assembly station mounted for lateral, reciprocal movement to alternately shift cartons received at the assembly station in opposite lateral directions until a complete row of cartons extending laterally of the apparatus is assembled at the assembly station and a pair of pusher members disposed adjacent the assembly station to push the assembled row of cartons off the forward end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of heating a liquid and a solar heating panel therefor is disclosed. The method comprises forming one or more obstruction free, longitudinally extending liquid passageways one side of each passageway being formed from a metallic material whereon the outer surface of said metallic material contains a solar radiation heat absorbing coating and each passageway has a width to depth ratio varying between approximately 6.5 to 15 and a mean hydraulic radius varying between approximately 0.018 to 0.027, exposing the solar radiation heat absorbing coating to solar radiation energy, and heating a liquid by passing said liquid through said passageway and simultaneously maintaining a substantially constant cross-sectional area flow path through said passageway. By such means the liquid is accelerated as same flows from one end of said passageway to the other end. The liquid is passed through said passageway while maintaining a laminar or non-turbulent flow therethrough.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of coal and other carbonaceous materials in which solid particulate carbonaceous material is dried without pyrolysis or oxidation by direct contact with a fluent stream of hot synthesis gas product. The dried carbonaceous material is separated from the moist synthesis gas, water is removed from the moist gas and converted to steam, and the steam is mixed with oxygen bearing gas and reacted with the dried carbonaceous material to produce synthesis gas and an ash residue. The oxygen and steam mixture is heated by direct contact with the ash residue, while the hot synthesis gas is utilized to dry the incoming particulate carbonaceous material. Synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides is recovered from the process.

Abstract: A syringe for taking blood samples includes a tubular body having a main plunger slidably received therein in fluid tight relationship. The tubular body has an opening through the leading end in communication with connection means for receiving a hypodermic needle or the like. The main plunger has a passage there-through in communication with the opening in the leading end of the tubular body and an auxiliary plunger is slidably received in said passage to assist in initially drawing blood into said passage to purge gaseous materials from the opening in the leading end of the tubular body before blood is allowed to flow into the internal chamber of the tubular body.

Abstract: A ski boot made of a rigid shell having a flexible sole thereon includes a toe member which is telescopically related to a rear member at a location corresponding to the ball of a user's foot so that the shell will flex during walking movements but can be retained in a rigid condition for skiing.

Abstract: The phenylethyl group, ##SPC1##In polymer carriers for the synthesis of peptides and peptide amides, particularly polymer carriers such as styrene-1% divinyl benzene polymers for use in solid phase peptide synthesis.The invention described herein was made in the course of work under a grant or award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Abstract: A restraint divestment system for releasing a crewman equipped with a parachute and restraint harness from an aircraft ejection seat mounted restraint assembly in the event of a ground emergency. A single point crewman actuated mechanism releases the leg restraints, seat lap belt, and the disconnect couplings connecting the parachute riser and shoulder straps and survival kit to the harness so that, in the event of a ground emergency, the crewman can escape from the aircraft with his harness. The actuating mechanism includes an interlock which prevents release of the parachute risers and survival kit in the event of an emergency ejection from the aircraft when in-flight, so that the system can then be utilized by a crewman for manual seat separation and parachute descent. The actuating mechanism includes a pull cord actuated bell crank mechanism which actuates the various release mechanisms and is latched in its full release position.

Abstract: The process of the invention includes the concept of igniting a coal formation in situ with hot granular material and subsequently allowing the material to flow into the burning coal formation to serve as a propping agent in the event of a cave-in. Gasifying agents are injected into the formation in an alternating pattern to alternately oxidize and reduce the coal environment to optimize the BTU content of the recovered gas. Further, a heat receptive liquid is circulated through the casing in the well connecting the coal formation to the surface to strip the sensible heat from the produced gases so that the heat can be used for useful purposes apart from the produced gas.

Abstract: A bracket system for mounting the box or housing of retractable roll-up awnings on curved or straight sides of recreational vehicles. The bracket system includes a generally L-shaped mounting bracket for supporting the awning housing, bracket clamps for securing the housing to the mounting bracket, and an adaptor bracket for supporting the mounting bracket on a variety of curved sloping surfaces such as exterior walls of recreational vehicles. The bracket clamp engages with the mounting bracket by means of a dovetail mortise and tenon joint while the awning housing is secured to the mounting bracket and bracket clamp by tongue and groove engagement. The mounting bracket is supported on the adaptor bracket by a keyhole mortise and tenon joint in cooperation with a tongue and groove joint. The adaptor bracket is designed to provide a plurality of mounting positions in order to accomodate the mounting bracket to a wide variety of curved walls or surfaces on recreational vehicles.

Abstract: A method of liquefying a coal formation in situ wherein the coal formation has been preheated as by a coal gasification project, includes the steps of establishing injection and removal passages connecting the coal formation to the surface, injecting water having a temperature below the formation temperature into the formation to gradually lower the temperature of the formation while forming synthesis gas, injecting a solvent material, having the capability of dissolving the coal, into the formation after it has been reduced to the desired temperature, injecting synthesis gas into the formation to hydrogenate the coal, allowing the formation to subside as the coal is dissolved therein so that more surface area of coal is exposed to the solvent, and removing the admixture of coal and solvent material from the formation as a synthetic crude oil.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for collecting, storing and transmitting solar heat includes an elongated insulated housing in which a quantity of heat retaining material is confined and a collector on one face of the housing which has a multi-layered glass face through which solar heat may pass and be collected upon a unique heat-collecting bed which is insulated from the ambient environment by the glass face. Conditioning pump means are provided within the housing to circulate conditioning air through the collector and the heat retaining material in the housing so that heat is transferred from the collector to the material in the housing. Specially designed and positioned ducts connect the collector to the interior of the housing in a manner such that air interchange between the collector and the interior of the housing is prevented except during operation of the conditioning pump.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for collecting, storing and transmitting solar heat includes an elongated insulated housing in which a quantity of heat retaining material is confined and a collector on one face of the housing which has a multi-layered glass face through which solar heat may pass and be collected upon a unique heat-collecting bed which is insulated from the ambient environment by the glass face. Conditioning pump means are provided within the housing to circulate conditioning air through the collector and the heat retaining material in the housing so that heat is transferred from the collector to the material in the housing. Specially designed and positioned ducts connect the collector to the interior of the housing in a manner such that air interchange between the collector and the interior of the housing is prevented except during operation of the conditioning pump.

Abstract: The method of collecting, storing and transmitting solar heat includes the steps of absorbing solar heat on a collector surface wherein the collector surface is insulated from the ambient environment, passing air across the collector surface in a heat transfer process whereby the heat absorbed by the collector surface is transferred to the air, passing the hot air leaving the collector surface through a horizontal duct disposed at a lower elevation than the collector surface, and passing the hot air flowing from the duct into an elevated storage chamber containing material with heat absorbent and heat retaining characteristics whereby the heat in the hot air is transferred from the hot air to the material and retained by said material until it is removed therefrom by a relatively cool air flow.

Abstract: A tire chain device includes a backing plate mountable between the wheel and brake drum of a vehicle and having a continuous circular anchor rod as part thereof. A plurality of cross chains are connected at one end to a main chain member extending around the outer face of the vehicle tire with the opposite or inner ends of the cross chains having a hook thereon adapted to be releasably anchored to the circular rod on the backing plate. The main chain includes a tensioning hook adapted to tighten the main chain to draw the cross chains tightly across the periphery of the tire.

Abstract: A ski boot includes a foot portion and a leg portion extending upwardly along the calf of the leg from the foot portion and being pivotally connected to the foot portion for movement about a generally horizontal axis extending transversely of the boot. The pivotal connection of the leg portion to the foot portion is selectively adjustable to allow vertical sliding movement of the leg portion relative to the foot portion whereby the leg portion can be inclined laterally relative to the foot portion. A connection unit interconnecting the foot portion to the leg portion along a rear portion of the boot includes double acting resilient means for cushioning both forward and rearward pivotal movement of the leg portion relative to the foot portion. The connection unit is connected to the boot by quick release means whereby the unit can be quickly removed allowing free pivotal movement of the leg portion relative to the foot portion if desired.

Abstract: A switch adapted to cooperate with the pull-down claw of a silent movie camera for transmitting an electrical signal each time a frame of movie film is advanced past the shutter of the camera includes an insulating base adapted to be positioned within the film receiving compartment of a movie camera so as to fit around the film gate, the base having a grounding contact arm engaging the gate so as to be grounded through the camera and a contact finger insulated from the gate and disposed for intermittent engagement with the reciprocating pull-down claw which serves to close the switch each time a frame of film is advanced past the shutter.