Abstract: A continuously variable transmission employing a flat belt extending between driving and driven pulley assemblies, each having a circumferential array of radially adjustable belt engaging elements, is disclosed in conjunction with a control system. The radial positions of the belt engaging elements of each pulley assembly depend upon the angular relationship between inner and outer guideway disk structures carrying logarithmic spiral guideways oriented in the opposite sense. Each pulley assembly includes a power consuming or producing element, such as an oil pump/motor, which is coupled through harmonic drive differential gearing to the guideway disks. When the load on the hydraulic unit operated as a pump is changed by changing the output pressure against which it pumps, the angular relationship between the inner and outer guideway disk structures changes to correspondingly change the positions of the guideway intersections.

Abstract: A regatta board game is disclosed in which a rectangular game board is laid off in a grid of squares established by a first series of parallel lines extending in a first direction and a second series of parallel lines extending in a second direction which is normal to the first direction. Some of the squares are designated as falling within a first, second or third category, the first category designating preliminary course marker positions, the second and third categories providing an indication that a player is to draw a card which partially determines the progress of play. A single eight-sided die is provided, and a plurality of players' tokens and a plurality of course marking pennants are also included among the game accessories, the pennants being each adapted to mark a selected one of the squares in the first category as a sequential position in a randomly selectable course set forth on a "Course Card" drawn just prior to the commencement of play.

Abstract: A device for holding refuse bags in an open position to receive refuse, which device can be made from a single length of rigid material shaped to form a frame surrounding an open area. The frame is provided with a channel running substantially about its periphery and positioned on the outer side of the frame. In forming the frame, the outer side of one end of the frame is positioned adjacent to an inner side of the frame in such a manner that a space is formed between the outer side of the frame end and the inner side of the frame. One end of a length of cord is fastened to the frame. In use, a bag is placed in the open area surrounded by the frame and the open end of the bag is folded over the frame. The cord is then extended about the frame and in the channel to secure the bag to the frame. Thereafter, the free end of the cord is passed between the adjacent sides of the frame and locked in the space.

Abstract: A flexible, composite solar control sheet for use on a motor vehicle window has a vignette pattern in the film area above the driver's sight line that, in its darkest area, transmits less than 45% (preferably 10:30%) of visible light, and reflects less than 35% of the visible light; the composite having a first polymeric stratum of oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to a surface of which is applied, by conventional vacuum deposition, a vignette layer of a suitable metal, e.g.

Abstract: A foldable mirror structure for providing self-observation reflective images from any desired position about a user. The mirror structure includes a main frame with a primary reflector mounted centrally thereon for pivotable movement between forwardly facing, right angular facing and left angular facing attitudes. Right and left hand secondary reflectors are coupled to the opposite sides of the frame by coupling frames and are pivotably movable between folded and extended positions.

Abstract: The specification teaches a method of applying contact lenses to human eyes by sensitizing the fingers and applying the lenses to the eyes by sense of touch. Also taught are several preferred embodiments of means for sensitizing and cleaning the fingers without liquid or cleansing chemical, wherein a base having two faces provided with abrasion means, e.g., brush bristles or nylon fiber pod, preferably trough shaped and with means for gripping the base, are provided.

Abstract: A solar water heater apparatus particularly useful for stock tanks in remote locations has an open water tank, a heater floated in the tank with a portion of the heater below the water, and means for maintaining the heater location in the tank. The solar heater may have a frusto-conical support made of curved trapezoidal surfaces, coils around the support member adapted to carry anti-freeze and a number of the coils disposed below water.

Abstract: In order to eliminate glare from a space illuminated by an uplight luminaire, an elongated reflector is employed in conjunction with a pair of mutually vertically oriented fluorescent lamps to obtain uniform light intensity on the space ceiling. The reflector, in cross section, includes a central point from which first and second line segments extend symmetrically in opposite directions and at slight respective downward angles. At the end of each of the first and second line segments, one or more additional line segments extend upwardly and at such angles as to simulate corresponding sections of a parabolic curve. The pair of fluorescent lamps are situated in over and under mutual orientation and are disposed with their axes positioned vertically immediately above and parallel with the longitudinal extension of the central point.

Abstract: An expansion, or seismic joint, is provided of polyurethane/polyester sponge rubber having a series of parallel grooves in its front face and a single vee shaped groove in its rear face. The grooves in the front face include an elastomeric membrane of cured one-component polyurethane liquid rubber and a cured capping layer of aliphatic two-component urethane liquid rubber. The capping layer may be colored or if the capping layer is not used the elastomeric membrane may include an aggregate or sand coating. The capping layer may be colored.

Abstract: A self-propelled palm tree trimming and trunk skinning apparatus is disclosed which includes first and second curved arms pivotally affixed, at their respective first ends, to a coupling member. At the opposite ends of the curved arms, a tension spring is provided to pull the two arms toward one another. A cutting blade is carried by one of the curved arms, and the blade edge is oriented at an angle from the horizontal when the apparatus is operatively engaged with a palm tree trunk. A d-c motor/speed reduction unit/cog wheel system is provided for circumferentially driving the apparatus such that the cutting blade, as a result of its skewed orientation, causes the apparatus to follow a spiral path upwardly, the cutting edge of the blade skinning and trimming the trunk of the tree as it ascends. Upon completion of the operation, the direction of the motor is reversed permitting the apparatus to spiral downwardly.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a method of simulating natural desert varnish (that requires at least decades to produce by nature) within a few days. The method is broadly exemplified by the steps of applying a strong base followed by application of a soluble iron or manganese salt. Optionally, sodium hypochlorite may be applied as an additional step after the metallic salt application to speed up the process. The resulting product is difficult to distinguish from the natural varnish.

Abstract: In a continuously variable belt transmission system utilizing a drive pulley and a driven pulley having logarithmic spiral guideways in the pulley disks, the balance actuator torque is reduced significantly by having the logarithmic spiral guideways connected directly to the shaft of the driving pulley in a sense opposite to that of the direction of belt movement and in the case of the driven pulley having the sense of the logarithmic spiral guideways connected directly to the shaft the same as that of the driving belt.

Abstract: A monomer for making a contact lens with improved oxygen permeability and stability is disclosed as having a first portion for increasing wettability and a second portion for increasing oxygen permeability. The first portion includes a side-chain functionality of the structural formula: ##STR1## and is hydrophilic. The second portion includes a siloxane moiety, and is usually hydrophobic.Also disclosed is a cross-linking agent, a polymeric material for making contact lenses, a method for making the polymeric material, and a method for making contact lenses from the material.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method for assisting the lamination of printed circuits in a flat bed press, in which a stratiform sheet has a thermoplastic layer, a polymeric release layer on one side, a polymeric stabilizing layer having a melting point higher than the laminating temperature peak on the other side, both bonded to the middle thermoplastic layer which has a glass transition point lower than the laminating temperature peak, and a melting point higher than the peak, and the sheet is characterized by substantial freedom from creases, trapped gases, and contaminants between the layers, and the improved method useing the stratiform sheet in a flat bed press operation.

Abstract: A carrier is disclosed for supporting an optical blank in the chuck of a lathe, for machining the optical blank into a lens. The carrier has a substantially cylindrical body formed of a machinable material. The cylindrical body has an opening at a first end thereof through which an optical blank can be inserted, and a retaining portion for securing such optical blank in place. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining portion is an annular shoulder extending inwardly at a second end of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a soft contact lens, to increase its resistance to the deposition thereon and diffusion and accumulation therein of substances which will promote its clouding and discoloration in use, and to improve its mechanical strength, includes treating a hydroxyl group-containing acrylic ester soft contact lens or replica with an organic acid anhydride for a sufficient period of time to treat at least a portion of polymer molecules on the outer surfaces, e.g. by esterifying hydroxyl groups on the molecules and facilitating extraction of organic-type impurities. The process is optionally performed in the presence of a medium which partially swells the surface regions of the lens or replica prior to or during the process.

Abstract: A vehicle or cart for movement in mutually perpendicular directions includes two sets of driving chains both in contact with the floor at the same time, one set for driving in one direction includes rollers whose axes are parallel to the direction of movement and thus provide gripping with the floor when moving in that direction and the corresponding rollers on the oppositely directed chain links have their axes perpendicular to the direction of movement and thus roll along the floor without impeding, significantly, the movement of the vehicle in the first direction. When the vehicle or cart moves in the second direction the rollers on the second set of chain links engage the floor while the rollers of the chains in the first links roll without impeding the movement.

Abstract: A contact lens for correction of astigmatism is formed from a single polymeric or copolymeric material. The lens has a central optical zone of greater rigidity than a surrounding non-optical zone. The rigidity of the central optical zone is sufficient for it to retain an astigmatism-correcting shape when worn on an eye, while the surrounding non-optical zone conforms to the shape of the eye.

Abstract: A portable sanitary facility is disclosed which, in one embodiment is particularly adapted for use by males needing only to relieve themselves of liquid body wastes. A sanitary unit is carried by a trailer to achieve portability between a use station and a disposal site. The sanitary unit includes a main compartment more or less encompassed by a trough with apertures being provided in the compartment walls to drain liquid introduced into the trough into the compartment interior. The main compartment is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments by transverse vertical baffles which include a series of apertures for establishing liquid communication between the subcompartments. The baffles serve to prevent shifting of the liquid load and thus stabilize the trailer during transport to a disposal site. A valved outlet is provided to permit draining the facility at a disposal site. Removable access covers permit entry into the facility interior during fabrication, maintenance and cleaning.