Abstract: A sanitizing hand-manipulated vacuum cleaning apparatus embodying a floor-engaging suction head including a front squeegee and a rear abrasive pad establishing a suction chamber therebetween which is adapted to be connected to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure. The suction head is rigidly connected by a horizontal beam to a rear caster supported carriage, while an elongated handle has its lower end connected by a universal joint to the beam adjacent the rear end of the latter. The suction head, beam and carriage, by reason of their position relative to one another, and by reason of the universal joint connection to the beam, are capable of traversing the floor so that they will follow the guiding movements of the handle in a manner similar to that which obtains when the trailing absorbent strings of a conventional mop follow and are guided by manipulation of the mop handle.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic coupling wherein the rotary motion of a fluid-filled casing is transmitted to a coaxial driven shaft through the medium of a plurality of pistons which have eccentric drive connections with the driven shaft and which work in cylinders that are radially disposed within the casing. Fluid within the casing is pumped by the pistons from a reservoir area within the casing to a manifold area while control valve mechanism variously regulates the bleeding or flow of fluid from the manifold area back to the reservoir area. The cylinders are charged with fluid from a high pressure region of the reservoir which exists by reason of centrifugal force acting through the radial depth of the fluid, such fluid entering the cylinders through intake check valves which are mechanically assisted in their opening movements to insure charging at low differential speeds.

Abstract: A flexible string of interconnected sheet metal clips of the type which are adapted to hold the end bars of a sinuous or zigzag cushion-supporting springs on the wooden frame of an article of furniture. The clips are disposed in side-by-side relationship and adjacent clips in the string are connected together by a thin flexible web, the thickness of which is reduced by a swaging operation, and which serves to maintain such clips slightly spaced apart.

Abstract: A closure for food containers embodying an open-ended resilient tubular elastomeric nipple adapted for connection to a source of vacuum so that air within the container may be evacuated prior to storage of the container and its contents. The nipple is provided with an inner frusto-conical wall of small slant angle which constitutes a valve seat. A spherical ball loosely disposed within the nipple is forcefully drawn against the seat incident to differential air pressure on opposite sides of the ball. Unseating of the ball to equalize the air pressure inside and outside the container is accomplished by pinching the nipple immediately below the ball. An obstruction near the upper rim of the nipple prevents escape of the ball during evacuation of the container or during handling of the closure.

Abstract: A metallic clip for holding the end bar of a sinuous cushion-supporting spring in position on the wooden rail of an article of furniture and having a horizontal base portion which seats on the top surface of the rail and a downturned flange which lies flush with the outside face of the rail, such flange having rail-penetrating anchor prongs which, when the clip is applied enters the wood transversely of the general plane of the wood grain, preferably at a right angle so as to inhibit splitting of the rail. The clip is formed from a flat metal blank by a punch press stamping operation in such a manner so that each prong is shorter than the width of the blank with the two prongs interfitting so that when they are bent out of the plane of the flange.

Abstract: A one-piece, integral, molded, plastic, diaphragm-like grid designed for installation and tensioning bodily within the confines of the usual generally oval or elliptical frame of a tennis racket to supplant the conventional arrangement of interlaced racket strings. A series of small protuberances, disposed on opposite sides of the grid and arranged in checkerboard fashion enhance the frictional characteristics of the grid when the tensioned grid strikes a tennis ball during the playing of a game. An assembled tennis racket embodying such a grid.

Abstract: A coupling device for the opposed ends of bracelets and similar articles of jewelry of the type employing spring rings and associated eyelets and particularly for two-part bracelets the arcuate halves of which are rigid and connected in end-to-end fashion by a laterally inflexible hinge which maintains them at all times, whether the bracelets are open or closed, in coplanar relationship. Forward entry of the spring ring into its associated eyelet by a wedge action, reinforcement of substantially the entire length of the spring ring plunger by the eyelet to resist rearward or tensional uncoupling of the bracelet parts, and functional and decorative concealment of both the spring ring and its associated eyelet to prevent accidental retraction of the spring ring plunger constitute the principal features of the coupling device.

Abstract: A residential trash disposal apparatus for conducting waste material from a kitchen area within a building and depositing the same in a receptacle exteriorly of the building. The container is provided with a cover member having a tubular sleeve projecting upwardly therefrom and which is telescopically and slidably received over the vertical discharge leg of a chute which is connected by means of a curved bend to a horizontal inlet leg of a chute which passes through the building wall and communicates with the kitchen area. By raising the cover member vertically until the upper rim of the sleeve binds against the curved juncture region between the vertical and horizontal legs, the cover member becomes frictionally locked in its raised position so that sufficient clearance is afforded for withdrawal of the container for emptying and replacement purposes.

Abstract: A water well pump assembly designed for operation within a well casing and embodying a pump cylinder having the usual foot valve and traveling plunger valve, together with a novel head valve which is disposed at the upper end of the cylinder above the plunger valve and which functions when an excess quantity of air enters the cylinder through the foot valve to prevent the hydrostatic column of liquid in the liquid outlet pipe above the plunger from following the latter during its downstroke. By such an arrangement, the resultant partial vacuum which is established by downward movement of the plunger causes the foot valve to become seated and the traveling valve to become unseated so that upward movement of the plunger causes unseating of the head valve and passage of the excess air upwardly into the liquid outlet pipe.