Abstract: A football is described having an array of laces positioned about the surface of the football whereby only a partial rotation of the football will result in a desired contact between the player's fingertips and one of the laces thereby reducing the time used by the player in finding the lace during play.

Abstract: An improved miter joint damp is provided in which actuation of workpiece gripping members is effected by a manually actuated member which extends transversely to the plane of the clamp thus facilitating its placement and use.

Abstract: An improved snow ski support arrangement is disclosed which uses a generally U-shaped, resilient clip body mounted to a snow ski for engaging a ski-pole. The clip body is mounted to a ski and is configured to receive and engage a ski pole. In a particular arrangement, the clip body is configured to receive and engage a ski pole in one of two alternate positions.

Abstract: A disc arrangement is provided for positioning about airport lights for inhibiting erosion and suppressing foliage.

Abstract: A portable latching switch which has a switch body containing three cavities. An elongated cavity extends into the switch body for receiving an actuating member. The second and third cavities communicate with and extend transversely from the elongated cavity and contain latching members. An electrical switching member is responsive to movement of the latching member located in the second cavity. A locking member is contained in the third cavity whereby upon actuation of the electronic device a key is required for resetting of the latching member in the third cavity and subsequently of the actuating member.

Abstract: Cryogenic cleaning apparatus using dry ice pellets having a pellet extruder and static means to break the extruded dry ice.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for a cryogenic cleaning device is provided which includes a demountable member having a constriction which causes shattering of sublimable, cryogenic particles to enhance their abrasiveness.

Abstract: A particle-blast cleaning apparatus using sublimable carbon dioxide pellets and a high pressure carrier gas. The apparatus includes a body which houses a rotary pellet transport. The transport conveys pellets from a gravity feed storage hopper to a high pressure carrier gas stream for application of the pellets to a discharge nozzle. Leakage of high pressure gas into the rotary transport is inhibited by the application of a force of gas seals which force is derived from carrier gas pressure. The apparatus enables the use of relatively high pressure carrier gas, the complexity and cost of the apparatus and method.

Abstract: A sleeve shaped body having a liquid absorbent segment and a wettable segment is positioned on a speculum member during a medical procedure in which a laser instrument is utilized. The liquid absorbent segment inhibits reflection and dissipates the energy of any errant, impinging laser beams. Placement in a body cavity of the speculum with the sleeve shaped body positioned thereon is facilitated by use of the wettable segment which provides for a relatively low sliding friction in contact with human body tissue. A method using this technique is described.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration method and apparatus is described wherein a heated fluid for supplying operating thermal energy to a generator of the apparatus is preheated to a temperature for efficient operation of the apparatus. Preheating is provided by vaporizing a previously heated liquid phase fluid, compressing the vapor and condensing the compressed vapor in heat exchanging relationship with the generator. A rotary pump is provided for enhancing efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is heated by a solar energy source.

Abstract: An improved socket terminal is described having a housing member and a terminal member positioned within the housing. The terminal member establishes a deflectable constriction within the housing. A pivot means is provided for enhancing the gripping force established between the housing, the terminal member and a plug terminal body which is inserted into the constriction. Various embodiments are disclosed for establishing the constriction. An improved method is also described for fabricating the terminal member.

Abstract: An improved coin processing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a coin sorting arrangement having an adjustable baffle means which provides a constriction to air flow for establishing coin restraining pressures in a chamber of the apparatus. The baffle means includes a resilient sealing body having a cross-sectional configuration which can be adjustably varied. Expansion of the cross-section reduces the size of the constriction and increase a pressure gradiant between upper and lower sectors of the chamber. Alternatively, contraction of the cross-section enlarges the size of the constriction and reduces the pressure gradiant between upper and lower sectors of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for insulating a surface area is disclosed having an insulating sheet mounted to a roller for winding and unwinding thereon. Sealing means are provided for sealing the edges of the sheet when the sheet is unwound to insulate the surface area.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for transferring nuclear fuel elements between a fluid-filled storage pool and a cask is disclosed. The cask is supported within and is restrained by a tank which is transported between terminal locations of a nuclear facility. Transfer of fuel elements between a storage pool and the cask is accomplished by coupling the tank to a port of the pool. The transporter accurately positions and restrains the tank during transfer. In a preferred embodiment, the cask tank is unweighted from the transporter during transfer and is advanced into a fluid-sealed engagement with a port surface of the pool. In an alternative arrangement, the cask tank remains supported on the transport during its transfer and lifting means mutually engaging the transporter and tank advance the tank toward the port surface for establishing a coupling between the port and the cask.

Abstract: A thermoformed, polymer plastic closure body is disclosed having integrally formed cap, ring and frangible bridge members. Ratchet segments and a collar segment are integrally formed with the ring member and the frangible bridge members extend between the cap member and the collar segment at a location intermediate the ratchet segments for limiting a force applied to the bridge member during mounting rotation of the closure member upon a container. The bridge members are slanted for further reducing the applied force during rotation and the cross sectional area of the bridge member is configured for causing a sheared bridge member to be retained with the ring member. An improved method for fabricating the closure body provides for thermoforming a sheet of polymer plastic to provide a body having integrally formed cap and ring members, and, subsequently mechanically lancing arcuate segments to provide arcuate grooves which are spaced apart by integrally formed bridge members.

Abstract: An improved safety method and apparatus for sensing individuals adjacent a vehicle utilizes a balanced bridge circuit. The method and apparatus provides for rebalancing the bridge circuit at a first rate during vehicle motion to compensate for topography and environmental changes as the vehicle proceeds and for varying the rate to a second relatively lower rate, and, alternatively inhibiting rebalancing of the bridge circuit when the vehicle is stationary during proximity detection of individuals adjacent the vehicle. A delay in restoring the rebalancing rate to the first rate is provided as the vehicle prepares to proceed. An improved electrode, detection assembly employed in the method and apparatus is described.

Abstract: A portable, cordless, electrically energized grass trimming device is disclosed having a rotary cutter blade which is formed of a flexible strip of material and which is mounted for rotation over a predetermined course. A blade stabilizing means is provided for restraining the blade along a segment of its length for maintaining rotary motion of the blade in the predetermined course upon impact with other objects. The flexibility of the blade is enhanced by mounting the blade for rotation over a course described by a curved surface of revolution and blade durability is improved by providing a means for absorbing impact shock when the blade strikes an object. An improved blade is described having integrally formed resilient means for absorbing the shock of impact.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting an auxiliary workpiece support body to a workpiece support device includes a restraining means for selectively inhibiting and enabling motion of the auxiliary support body in the direction of a longitudinal axis while simultaneously enabling rotation of the body about the axis. The auxiliary support body includes a means for restraining jaw cladding bodies of different thicknesses on a workpiece support device and permitting rotary motion of the support body.