Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending storage racks that provide a plurality of storage compartments, each compartment adapted to store a box-like bin which can contain smaller items, articles of commerce, and the like. Each storage compartment has an inner and outer opening adapted to receive and pass, respectively, a bin, and the compartments are arranged in longitudinally extending rows and in multileveled tiers. A plurality of rail pairs that incline downwardly at about 45 degrees are mounted between storage racks and are adapted to guide a bin placed thereon in speedy sliding motion under the force of gravity. There is means for moving a bin from a compartment and placing it, in alignment, upon an adjoining rail pair and releasing the bin. Near the lower part of the racks are take-off rails which curve from about 45 degrees, towards a horizontal direction, terminating just above a horizontally extending conveyor.

Abstract: A stretched membrane heliostat having a membrane mounted on a generally circular frame, there being a double-walled portion of the membrane that extends in a circle near the periphery of the membrane to form a bladder that is inflatable to tension the membrane.

Abstract: Keysafe having a main storage case of spaced apart opposing walls in which is affixed a padlock with its shackle extending through the top wall of the case and with the padlock opening for receiving the free end of the shackle oriented towards the front of the case, and a lid for covering the front part of the case that is locked closed when the free end of the padlock shackle is locked in place.

Abstract: A lock cover device constructed of a resilient polymeric material and adapted for use with so-called mortise or cam-locks, or the like, having a main housing mountable around the lock head and pivotally carrying a lid which snap fits into sealing relationship with the top of said housing to provide a domed configuration to the device.

Abstract: A system for exercising with a skip-rope including a tread mat having a sensor embedded therein that is responsive to the proximate passage of the skip-rope and read-out instrumentation connected to the sensor for counting the number of skips.

Abstract: Portable safe for securing small items, having a storage case with bottom and spaced side walls that define a storage space, and a front portion hingedly mounted to the forward part of the case and which retains a padlock internally with the padlock shackle protruding through a front wall of the front portion for securing the safe to a fixed external member, and a lid slidably mounted in grooves in the upper part of the case and mounting a lock which, when the lid is slid to cover the storage space, makes locking engagement with a latch on the hinged front portion and holds the front portion against pivotal movement.

Abstract: A method for repairing, reinforcing, and hardening natural human nails.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically or hydraulically tensioning a membrane, which stretched membrane can support a reflective surface for use as a heliostat in a solar energy collection system.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for in-place jogging including a housing to which is pivotally mounted a structure that supports a jogging surface, the support structure having an in-use position in which it is locked at 90 degrees to the housing, and a fold-away position in which it is rotated and folded into a cavity within the housing.

Abstract: A batch material feeder for an electrically heated open-top refractory furnace, particularly a circular furnace, wherein the feeder includes a trough holding batch material and mounted over the furnace top, there being a rotatable agitator within the trough for moving batch material over discharge openings in the trough bottom, so as to deposit the batch material over the top of the molten mass in a manner that provides for a thin uniform layer of batch while assuring proper control of the thickness of the deposited layer.

Abstract: A free flowing thermal insulation which may be installed by auger feeding, blowing or pouring is disclosed. Granular material having a requisite K value (e.g., 0.20-0.315 BTU-in/.degree.F-ft.sup.2 -hr) is a major component of the insulation and is thoroughly mixed with a minor component of fibrous thermal insulating material to form a mixture which is used to provide the thermal insulation. Also included in the thermal insulation is a dust suppressant in quantities as required.

Abstract: Building structures, such as pre-engineered metal buildings, concrete buildings, and combination concrete and metal buildings in most areas require insulation due to the relatively high thermal conductance of the metal and concrete components in the builing structure, wall, and roof. Because of energy conservation measures brought on by fuel shortages and rapidly rising fuel costs, insulation systems used in the past are generally not adequate to meet more stringent standards either recently established or planned for the near future. The present invention provides an improved insulation system for use in either new constuction or in reinsulating existing building structures.

Abstract: A radially expansible supporting collet for a tubular light-weight sleeve upon which a continuous filament, yarn, or roving may be wound. The collet comprises a plurality of axially extending, sleeve contacting bars carried on a generally cylindrical body which is rotated on its normal axis. At least one generally annular, closed, pneumatically expansible bladder is carried by and rotates with the body. The bladder is located inwardly of the bars and may be connected to a source of air under pressure. When the bladder is expanded by the air, it presses outwardly against the bars to move them radially outwardly against the interior of the sleeve in order to hold the sleeve concentric with the axis of the body, to prevent its axial movement and to transmit torque to the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible thermally insulating duct liner comprising a fibrous thermal insulation layer having an organic fibrous layer having an open structure bonded to its working face, the working face being thereafter coated with a flame retardant vinyl polymer containing coating. The duct liner of the present invention has an extremely smooth surface which reduces air friction to a minimum. Still the product is very flexible, easy to work with, and resistant to delamination or working surface failure.

Abstract: An air duct connecting assembly which consists of sleeve-like male and female connectors. The connectors, which are fabricated from a resilient sheet material, are manipulated from generally flat rectangular blanks into their sleeve-like configurations and are retained therein by the use of lock-tab and matching slot arrangements. One portion of each connector is adapted for insertion into the end of a tubular air duct section, two of which are to be connected, and each has means for mechanically joining the connector to the duct. The other portions of the connectors are adapted to be mated in male and female telescoped relationship. Means are provided on the mating portions of the male and female connectors for locking the connectors in their telescoped relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making a board-like product capable of being formed into a duct section having a male end and a female end for joining sections together to form a duct. Inorganic fibers coated with a heat setable binder and collected in the form of a blanket are passed between heated moving surfaces to cure the binder in the top and bottom surface portions. The resultant partially cured blanket is then passed between one or more sets of heated platens to completely cure the binder and to shape the blanket to the desired thickness and configuration. A flat valley depression is formed longitudinally along the blanket down its center portion, and each edge is provided with a male edge, in the first set of platens. After the blanket has been shaped and cured, it is separated into two strips along the middle portion of the flat valley to form two strips, each having a female edge along one longitudinal edge and a male edge along the opposite edge.