Abstract: Garments such as ski pants are often scraped by the strokes of an abrasive device, i.e., the edges of the opposing skis, when worn by a user. In one embodiment of the invention, elongated abrasion-resistant ribs are overlaid on the area of a pant leg scraped by the device, to provide a corduroyed effect of alternately successive relatively raised ribs and recessed grooves thereon, the ribs of which have a height adapted to sustain the ski edges above the bottoms of the grooves so that the bottoms of the grooves are protected from abrasion. In another embodiment, a slot is formed in the pant leg at that area, and a patch of a flexible substrate material, with an array of ribs and grooves thereon, is inserted in the slot and secured to the pant leg to provide a corduroyed surface having the capability of protecting the area from the abrasive action of the ski edge.

Abstract: When the starter block commences reciprocating along the axis of an open ended mold cavity, with a body of start up material in tandem with it, successive layers of molten metal are relatively superimposed on the body of start up material, and layers thereof are confined to a first cross sectional area of the cavity but permitted to distend relatively peripherally outwardly from the circumferential outline of the first cross sectional area at relatively peripherally outwardly inclined angles to the axis while thermal contraction forces are generated in the respective layers and the magnitude of the forces is controlled so that the thermal contraction forces counterbalance the splaying forces in the respective layers and confer a free-formed circumferential outline on the resulting body of metal as it becomes form-sustaining.

Abstract: When the starter block commences reciprocating along the axis of an open ended mold cavity, with a body of start up material in tandem with it, successive layers of molten metal are relatively superimposed on the body of start up material, and layers thereof are confined to a first cross sectional area of the cavity but permitted to distend relatively peripherally outwardly from the circumferential outline of the first cross sectional area at relatively peripherally outwardly inclined angles to the axis while thermal contraction forces are generated in the respective layers and the magnitude of the forces is controlled so that the thermal contraction forces counterbalance the splaying forces in the respective layers and confer a free-formed circumferential outline on the resulting body of metal as it becomes form-sustaining.

Abstract: An opening 206 is provided in a system for delivering molten metal to the mold cavity 18 of a molten metal casting apparatus. A valve closure device 192, 196 is mounted at 198 to be reciprocated in relation to the opening 206 to control the flow of molten metal therethrough, and the driven end 206 of a bellows motor 208 is connected with the valve closure device at 258 to reciprocate the device in relation to the opening. A pair of concentric relatively inside and outside thimble-shaped chambers 238 and 240, 264 is circumposed about the bellows motor so that the bight portions thereof are opposed to the driven end of the motor, and interconnected with one another by a restricted liquid flow passage 270 in the screw 268. When fluid input signals are generated in the relatively outside chamber 240, 264, for the actuation of the closure device through the bellows motor, each signal is transmitted to the end of the bellows motor through the restricted liquid flow passage 270 and the relatively inside chamber 238.

Abstract: Balance beams are pivotally mounted on and crosswise of an elongated rack extending parallel to a trough over a series of mold cavities, valve closure devices are suspended from corresponding first end portions of the beams to throttle valve openings in the trough, float sensors are suspended from points on the opposing second end portions of the beams to contact the surfaces of molten metal columns brought to a state of equilibrium in the cavities, and the rack is elevated in relation to the cavities as molten metal is delivered to the trough, so that as the first end portions impose a desired value on the rate at which the surfaces escalate up the axes of the cavities, the second end portions elevate the suspension points for the sensors at a rate commensurate therewith, to assure that the input signals transmitted to the first portions through the fulcra for the beams, are consistent with the imposed value.

Abstract: Couplers with ball-shaped heads are mounted on a pair of objects, and a split arm assembly is interposed along a line of juncture between the pair of couplers and clamped together about the heads thereof. However, before that time, a spring is interposed between the pair of elongated arm sections in the assembly to produce a differential in the reaction of the respective pairs of end portions in the arm sections to the clamping forces so that the assembly is formed into a bifurcated arm assembly at one of the heads. That one head is also compressible so that after the split arm assembly has been rotated in relation to the one head, or vice versa, to set the angle of the line of juncture with respect to one or both of the objects, further clamping of the assembly operates to interlock the assembly with the heads of the pair of couplers to rigidify the connection made by the assembly between the pair of heads.

Abstract: To control the admission of molten metal to a series of mold cavities through a series of valve openings in the downspouts of a trough thereabove, an elongated rack is arranged parallel to the trough, a set of balance beams is pivotally mounted on the rack, a set of valve closure devices is suspended from corresponding first end portions of the beams for throttling the openings, and a set of float sensors is suspended from points on the opposing second end portions of the beams for contact with the surfaces of the molten metal in the cavities.

Abstract: The mold has a first chamber defined by a pair of inner and outer peripheral walls circumposed about the axis of the cavity and spaced apart from one another transverse the axis. The first chamber has oppositely disposed end walls that extend transverse the axis and an inlet for the supply of liquid coolant under pressure. The inner peripheral wall has a step which projects into the first chamber. The step has a first surface that extends transverse the axis and a second surface that extends parallel to the axis and coterminates with the first surface to form a corner. A second chamber is formed in the inner peripheral wall at the step. A series of holes open into the first chamber at one of the surfaces of the step to permit coolant to discharge into the second chamber at a reduced pressure. A passage opening discharges the reduced pressure coolant onto a body of metal emerging from the discharge end opening of the cavity.

Abstract: The proximal end portion 29 of the relatively outer cannula 6 of the catheter 2 has a pusher tab 44 relatively radially upstanding on the cylindrical surface 32 thereof, which projects relatively radially outwardly from the cylindrical outline of the relatively outer cannula at the outer periphery thereof, to the extent that when a user grips the hilt 54 of the relatively inner cannula 4 with one hand 70 to advance the distal end portion 36 of the relatively outer cannula into a vein 80 or other passage and disengage the relatively inner cannula from the bore of the relatively outer cannula, he/she can apply one finger of his/her one hand, such as the index finger 72 thereof, to the tab, to drive the relatively outer cannula relatively forward toward the puncture 98 in the skin 78.

Abstract: The elongated handle of the device has L-shaped first and second arms thereon which project in a horizontal plane from the distal end thereof, and the laterals of which depend from the main portions thereof. Interposed in a slot between the first and second arms is a third arm which projects in substantially a vertical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the handle. An inverted U-shaped cowling with bristle arrayed about the inside thereof, is suspended from the third arm and supported on the laterals of the first and second arms, so that the inside surfaces of the skirts of the cowling are disposed to oppose the inside and outside faces of the teeth in a row of the same when the cowling is straddled about the row with the vertical plane of the handle and the three arms generally parallel thereto.

Abstract: In direct cooling an ingot emerging from a mold, two sets 136 and 142 of liquid coolant streams are discharged onto the ingot from an annulus 62 circumposed about the lower end opening 72 of the mold. One set of streams, 136, is discharged downwardly at 22.5 degrees to the axis 12 of the mold, and the other, 142, is discharged downwardly at 45 degrees to the axis of the mold. The two sets are staggered to one another circumferentially of the mold, and because of the high angle of incidence of the 45 degree set to the axis of the mold, substantial portions of the 45 degree streams rebound from the surface of the ingot at their points 144 of impact with the ingot, and mushroom into corolla-like masses of air borne liquid coolant spray 146 lying crosswise the paths of the 22.5 degree streams, which in turn entrain the spray and impact the successive layers 138 of coolant therebelow with the spray.

Abstract: The monolith includes a base of plastic resin material having elongated bristles of the same resin material monolithically relatively upstanding on one side thereof so that the monolith can be used as a brush. The base of the monolith is molded in a cavity having branches thereof in which the bristles are formed. The bristles are formed to have shank portions relatively upstanding from the one side of the base to points on the longitudinal axes of the bristles relatively intermediate between the one side of the base and the tips of the bristles, and tip portions extending relatively outwardly along the axes of the bristles from the intermediate points to the tips of the bristles.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first chamber disposed about the mold cavity and defined by a top, a bottom, and walls extending between the top and bottom at the inner and outer peripheries of the first chamber. A liquid coolant is supplied under pressure to the first chamber through an inlet. A step is formed adjacent one of the corners between the top and bottom .and the inner peripheral wall of the first chamber, a circumferential groove is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the step, and an elastomeric sealing ring is sealingly engaged with the mouth of the groove to define a second chamber in the groove. Meanwhile, the shoulder of the step is spaced apart from the other corner of the first chamber, and a series of holes is formed in the shoulder to permit the coolant to pass into the second chamber at a reduced pressure. A passage then discharges the reduced pressure coolant onto a body of metal emerging from the discharge end opening of the cavity.

Abstract: The device is a straddle-type device in which the handle thereof has a pair of elongated arms and a cowling on the distal end thereof. The arms extend from the handle in generally parallel relationship to one another, with a slot therebetween, and the cowling is made of plastic resin material and supported on the arms at the distal end portions thereof. The cowling also bridges the slot and has an inverted U-shaped body, which in turn has endmost sections and a midsection therebetween. The endmost sections are encircled about the distal end portions of the arms in intimate contact with the opposing relatively inwardly directed surfaces thereof, as well as the relatively outwardly directed surfaces thereof and the relatively upper, lower and forward peripheral edges thereof.

Abstract: The proximal end portion 29 of the relatively outer cannula 6 of the catheter 2 has a pusher tab 44 relatively radially upstanding on the cylindrical surface 32 thereof, which projects relatively radially outwardly from the cylindrical outline of the relatively outer cannula at the outer periphery thereof, to the extent that when a user grips the hilt 54 of the relatively inner cannula 4 with one hand 70 to advance the distal end portion 36 of the relatively outer cannula into a vein 80 or other passage and disengage the relatively inner cannula from the bore of the relatively outer cannula, he/she can apply one finger of his/her one hand, such as the index finger 72 thereof, to the tab, to drive the relatively outer cannula relatively forward toward the puncture 98 in the skin 78.

Abstract: A bar 26 comprised of a pair of adjustably interlocked rods 40, 42, with inverted U-shaped cleats 68 rotatably mounted on the relatively remote ends thereof, is supported on the fore and aft rims 18 and 20 of a refuse container 2, so that the open end portion 28 of a plastic sack 30 can be folded over posts 34 on the bar, and over a sidewall rim 22 of the container, and suspended in the bin 6 of the container, to subdivide the bin into a pair of open-topped receptacles 30, 32 for receiving separable components of the refuse, such as recyclable and nonrecyclable components thereof.

Abstract: The device and method employ a pair of spaced jaws which have a tooth cleaning implement connected therewith, in the gap therebetween. In use, the jaws are straddled about a row of teeth, transverse thereof, and translated along the row opposite the inside and outside faces of the teeth. Various features enable the user to locate and "steer" the device, even when the jaws and implement are out-of-sight to him. Other features enable the user to count on the device itself to provide the "dynamics" with which we commonly use a conventional "tooth brush" when we manipulate it in our mouths from a point thereoutside. Still others enable the user to program or predetermine the "grip." of the device, transverse of the row, and to do so, moreover, in the context of having an interchangeable or replaceable tooth cleaning implement thereon which is adjustable in "grip" each time a new implement is substituted for an old.

Abstract: The device and method employ a pair of spaced jaws which have a tooth cleaning implement connected therewith, in the gap therebetween. In use, the jaws are straddled about a row of teeth, transverse thereof, and translated along the row opposite the inside and outside faces of the teeth. Various features enable the user to locate and "steer" the device, even when the jaws and implement are out-of-sight to him. Other features enable the user to count on the device itself to provide the "dynamics" with which we commonly use a conventional "tooth brush" when we manipulate it in our mouths from a point thereoutside. Still others enable the user to program or predetermine the "grip" of the device, transverse of the row, and to do so, moreover, in the context of having an interchangeable or replaceable tooth cleaning implement thereon which is adjustable in "grip" each time a new implement is substituted for an old.

Abstract: The housing 156 has an elongated chamber 158 therein, which extends along a generally horizontal axis and has a port 160 at one end thereof, and another port 188 in the top thereof. A pin 140' is mounted in the chamber at the port 160 to be advanced and released relatively outwardly and inwardly of the housing along the axis when clamping and releasing the shoe. A coiled spring 168 is mounted in the chamber rearwardly of the pin, with a driver 170 interposed therebetween; and a lever 208 is pivotally mounted in the top port 188 of the housing on the chamber adjacent end portion of the pin, for rotation about a fulcrum 216 on the pin transverse the axis. Cam surfaces 178, 170 on the lower end portion 214 of the lever and the driver are cooperatively engaged with one another about the fulcrum to alternately compress and relax the spring, and advance and release the pin relatively outwardly and inwardly of the housing respectively, when the lever is rotated in the opposing angular directions about the fulcrum.

Abstract: A car towing apparatus which, in its extended locked position, is a rigid tow bar attached to the front end of a towable vehicle and which subsequently can be folded into a compact structure and stored in a visually and non-obstructing, secured position to facilitate the vehicle being driven legally and safely on the highway.