Abstract: In a bar with modules for tufting tools, in particular a needle bar with needle modules, in which the tufting tools (3) are cast at one end into a plate-shaped basic body (1) of the module, at least one groove (9) running horizontally is worked in the bar (4). There extends from a plane face (2) of each module at least one moulding (7; 8) which projects perpendicularly to this face (2) and which engages into the groove (9) of the bar (4) and, alone or jointly with further mouldings (7; 8), holds the respective module fixedly in terms of rotation in the bar (4).

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of numerical digits with markers and attribute tags as a means to represent quantities, facilitate mathematical manipulation, and solve problems. The given number of markers on each digit corresponds to the value of the digit. For example, the digit three is enhanced with three markers. The attribute tags are also provided with a given number of markers, for example, ten, for math problems in base ten. The digits and the attribute tags are then used to represent and solve math problems including, but not limited to, learning ones, tens, hundreds, thousands columns, addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division, of whole numbers, of fractions, of negative whole numbers and of negative fractions, as well as decimals and exponents. The problems are quantitatively viewed, manipulated, and solved directly on the numerical digits incorporating the markers and attribute tags.

Abstract: An improved bicycle wheel is disclosed which has reduced dish by comparison with a conventionally laced wheel. The wheel is one which, when laced conventionally, would be dished such as a rear wheel with at least one sprocket or a front wheel with a brake disk. In a rear wheel embodiment, the spokes extend from inside to outside, through a proximate hub flange and along the outside or sprocket surface of the proximate hub flange and from outside to inside through the opposed hub flange and along the inside or sprocket surface of the opposed hub flange. In a front wheel embodiment, the spokes extend from inside to outside through the proximate hub flange along an inside or disk surface thereof and from outside to inside through the opposite hub flange and along the inside or disk surface thereof.

Abstract: A combination of a bar having a bore therein, and a tufting tool module for the bar including a bore extending therethrough. A fastening screw extending through the bore of the module, and threaded into a cooperatively threaded portion of the bore of the bar. The module has a plate shaped body having a first plane face which bears against a first plane face of the bar, and is urged into contact with that face by the fastening screw. There is a first stop strip extending from the first face and along a first edge of the module body. The first face of the module body is locked in a given angular position relative to the fastening screw. In one embodiment a first collar which projects from the first face of the module body, is positioned annularly around the bore and received in the bar with a locating fit. The first stop strip is closely adjacent the surface of the bar.

Abstract: Improvements in rear bicycle wheels are disclosed. The improvements afford more balanced torque transmission as between the proximal spokes, adjacent to the multiple sprockets and the distal spokes which are opposite from the sprockets. In one embodiment, torque balancing is achieved by providing the hub with a distal hub flange which has a diameter which is substantially larger than the proximal hub flange. Excellent results have been achieved in a wheel with a hub having a proximal hub flange with a diameter of X and a distal hub flange with a diameter of approximately 1.5 X. According to another embodiment, a wheel according to the present invention is provided with radially oriented proximal spokes and tangentially oriented distal spokes. This shifts the majority of the torque transmission tasks to the distal spokes which, as noted above, are under less tension than proximal spokes under static conditions.

Abstract: A tensioned spoked wheel assembly is disclosed. The wheel has a center plane and comprises a hub with a first hub flange on one side of the wheel center plane and a second hub flange on the other side of the wheel center plane, a rim, at least three pairs of first and second spokes and at least three unpaired spokes. The first spokes of the spoke pairs are connected to the first hub flange and to the rim at a first set of circtimferentiatlly spaced points. The second spokes of the spoke pairs are connected to the second hub flange and to the rim at points which are circumferentially coincident with the first set of circumferentially spaced points.

Abstract: An improved sinker and tufting tool module combination. The sinker, especially a needle sinker, is provided with a horizontally extending groove and a threaded bore. The tufting tool module, especially a needle module, has tools secured to a lower edge thereof and is provided with a through bore for receiving a securing screw. The module has a first, sinker facing surface and on that surface, there is provided a moulding which extends perpendicularly from that surface and engages the groove in the sinker. The module is supported on the sinker so that it can be pivoted about an axis running in the longitudinal direction of the sinker. Devices are provided for locking the module to the sinker in a desired angular position. By this arrangement, the position of the module can be adjusted, slightly, so that it may be precisely adapted to prevailing conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus which is disclosed comprises a metal mold, a metal plunger and an annular manifold, and includes means for moving the plunger and the manifold between an open position in which the manifold surrounds the plunger and a gob of softened glass can be introduced into the mold and a closed position in which the manifold surrounds the plunger and the latter forms, with the mold and the manifold, a cavity in which a glass part can be formed. The manifold and the plunger have facing walls which are above the mold cavity, have portions which are in close fitting sliding engagement, and, thereabove, portions which diverge away from one another and form an annular space.

Abstract: A clamp assembly having two side-by-side loops with inner peripheries for engaging the exterior of a part to be clamped, a body part, a tightening member, and means for releasably locking the tightening member at each of a plurality of longitudinal positions relative to a channel or shoulder of the body part or of the tightening member is disclosed. The body part is structurally integral with first adjacent ends of the two loops, while the tightening member is structurally integral with second adjacent ends of the two loops which are opposed to the first adjacent ends. One of the tightening member and the body part has a portion which is slidably received in a longitudinally extending channel which extends through the other. The relationships among the channel, the slidably received portion of the body part or of the tightening member, the tightening member and the loops are such that the size of the loops depends upon the relative longitudinal positions of the central part and of the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a portion of tape from a lined tape is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a carriage with an anvil, a tape advancer for advancing lined tape along the carriage to position and end portion of the tape adjacent to a working surface of the anvil, a rotatable cutter positioned adjacent to the anvil and an actuator for causing relative movement between the anvil and the cutter so that an end portion of the tape lays down on the anvil and an end portion of the tape is sheared from the lined tape, leaving the adjacent end portion of the liner intact. The apparatus may include a tape cutter and actuators for cutting the tabbed tape while it is applied to a part. A method for producing a lined tape with an integral liner release tab is also disclosed. Lined tape is supplied to a carriage including an anvil and a tape advancer which advances the tape so that an end portion extends over a working surface of the anvil.

Abstract: An improved direct seeding shelter is disclosed. The shelter comprises a base, a side wall, a top including a cylindrical portion and a displaceable cover that is operable, in a first position, to prevent a seed from passing from the interior of the shelter to the exterior of the shelter, through the shelter top. The shelter can be pre-seeded by inverting the shelter, positioning the displaceable cover in the first position, depositing at least one seed into the shelter and into the cylindrical portion, positioning a seed retainer in the cylindrical portion so that the retainer is frictionally engaged therein and is operable with the displaceable cover to define a seed pocket. Direct or spot seeding with the pre-seeded shelter is easily carried out by setting the shelter in the soil and depressing the at least one flap to dislodge the seed retainer. The dislodged seed and the seed retainer fall by gravity to the seeding spot.

Abstract: A new and improved oral appliance for infants and toddlers is disclosed. The appliance comprises an outer shield, an inner shield, a connector element and a nipple element. The outer shield is supported on the connector element and, in use, rests against the outside of the cheeks. The inner shield is also supported on the connector element so that it is spaced from the outer shield a distance such that an infants cheeks and lips are easily received therebetween. The inner shield is adapted to be positioned between an infant's gums and cheeks and is configured to prevent the cheeks, during sucking, from collapsing and exerting undesirable pressure on the maxilla. The nipple element is shorter than nipple elements in conventional pacifiers and is substantially flattened to provide better tongue positioning and to resist undesirable tongue thrusting.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting containers which have vertical seams is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in label machines where, prior to the application of labels to the containers, the apparatus orients the containers around longitudinal axes, so that the ends of labels applied to such containers are positioned adjacent to the seams. Apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a star wheel with roller bearings which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets of the star wheel, a container drive wheel movable between a first position where it is operable, and a second position where it is inoperable, to cause rotation of a container which is in a pocket of the star wheel and means for moving the drive wheel between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An improved HVLP spray gun which operates from an air supply source and an improved nozzle therefor are disclosed. The HVLP gun has a fluid nozzle including a first, integral, laterally extending portion including pressure reduction orifices which are calibrated, relative to a fluid passage in the nozzle, so that the spray gun operates as an HVLP spray gun. The fluid nozzle includes a second laterally extending portion including a surface, against which atomization air impinges after exiting the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, and a plurality of longitudinally extending air distribution holes, wherein atomization air, after passing through the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, is directed radially outwardly in an expansion chamber where the low velocity air is pressure equalized before exiting through the air distribution holes and being directed within the air cap inwardly toward a fluid atomizing annulus.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing emergency actuation of lights on a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electrical input connector for electrically connecting the apparatus with the plug of a towing vehicle lighting pigtail, an electrical output connector for electrically connecting the apparatus with an electrical connector of a trailer lighting harness, a battery, a battery charging circuit operable to receive power from a towing vehicle through the electrical input connector and to charge the battery, and a control circuit comprising a flasher and a solenoid switch. The control circuit is operable, in a first mode, to electrically connect the towing vehicle lighting pigtail with the trailer lighting harness with a towing vehicle lighting harness and operable, in a second mode, to connect the battery of the apparatus, through the flasher, to the trailer lighting harness.

Abstract: Purified imines of porphyrins, chlorins, bateriochlorins, chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls, purpurins, reduced purpurins, verdins, Diels Alder adducts, benzochlorins and metal complexes of the foregoing imines are disclosed. The formulas of the benzochlorinimines and of the benzochlorinimine metal complexes are set forth below: ##STR1## In specific examples, M in the metal complexes is a copper cation that is complexed with two of the nitrogens of the benzochlorinimine R' and R"" are methyl, and R1 through R8 are ethyl.

Abstract: Apparatus operable to charge a controlled volume of an electrolyte through a filling opening into a battery case is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electrolyte charging station, a manifold head having a vacuum outlet and a vacuum passageway connected to the vacuum outlet, an electrolyte reservoir and an electrolyte passageway connected to the reservoir, a manifold positioner operable to move the manifold head to and to support the head in a first position, in a second battery case evacuating position, and in a third battery case filling position, and a valve having a fluid discharge which is surrounded by a tube and is in fluid communication with the filling opening of a battery in the charging station when the manifold is in the second position and when the manifold is in the third position, and is spaced from the battery in the charging station when the manifold is in the first position.

Abstract: A universal cover for cosmetic dispensers is disclosed. The cover comprises a cover body having an open end and a closed end and a retainer secured to the cover, adjacent to the open end, for securing the cover to a dispenser. The retainer comprises a ring of foam or other resilient material adhered or otherwise secured to the cover body adjacent to an open end of the cover body. At least a portion of the cover body is transparent or at least color transparent, so that one can view and identify a cosmetic in a cosmetic dispenser with the cover secured thereto.

Abstract: Families of Diels Alder adducts and of metal complexes of Diels Alder adducts, which are useful as particularly active compounds for use in photodynamic therapy, are disclosed. The Diels Alder adducts and a preferred family of metal complexes have the structures of Formulas 1, 2, 3 and 4, below: ##STR1## where R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be the same or different, and each is methyl, ethyl or an amino acid moiety which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a naturally occurring amino acid and a carbonyl function of the adduct, R5, R6 and R7 can be the same or different, and each is ethyl or an amino acid moiety which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a naturally occurring amino acid and a carbonyl function of the adduct, M comprises metal cation.

Abstract: A method for lubricating glass contacting surfaces of glass forming equipment is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of delivering MAPD gas to a venturi at a low pressure, preferably below 10 p.s.i., and delivering oxygen to the venturi at a lower pressure, usually is half or less than half of the pressure at which the MAPD gas is delivered to the venturi. The MAPD gas and the oxygen are mixed in the venturi and delivered to and through a nozzle which is directed toward a glass contacting surface. The mixture is ignited as it leaves the nozzle; its flow is controlled so that the temperature of the flame is between approximately 1500 and 1800 degrees K. By controlling the temperature of the flame, the method is operable to deposit on the glass contacting surface a lubricating coating of graphite including a substantial percentage of flat plate graphite.