Abstract: A slide latch mechanism for use in a retractable awning wherein a rafter arm has one end adapted to slide along a support arm includes a pocket at the upper end of the support arm into which the slide member can be received to temporarily retain the slide member at the upper end of a support arm. The slide member retained in this manner, prevents an inadvertent collapse of the awning.

Abstract: A method of dispensing food and drug products in a tamper-proof manner includes sealing the products within a tamper-proof container at the manufacturing and/or packaging site and not opening the container until it reaches the retail destination at which point a tamper-proof dispensing unit is attached to the container so that individual products can be removed from the container but cannot be reinserted into the container.

Abstract: A device for feeding a liquid preservative to the lower end of a wooden post includes a cup-shaped container adapted to be attached to the lower end of a wooden post with the container having a compartment for receiving a quantity of liquid preservative. A wick-like member is provided in the container for transferring liquid to the lower end of the wooden post and means are also provided for recharging the container with liquid preservative from an above-ground location when the post and container are embedded in the ground.

Abstract: A trolley for suspending and retaining the hooked ends of clothes hangers in a piece of luggage such as a garment bag includes gripping structures which contact the hooked ends of the hangers. The gripping structures incorporate an arrangement for creating a greater resistance against withdrawing the hanger ends from between the opposed gripping structures than for moving the hanger ends into the trolley. The effect is preferably established by a rib configuration integral with the gripping structures that creates a pawl-like resistance. The pawl-like resistance retains the hanger ends in the trolley and inhibits them from unintentional withdrawal from the trolley.

Abstract: A liquid support system for separating a building structure from its supporting foundation wall includes a trough-like member extending around the top surface of the foundation wall, an inverted U-shaped slide member slideably disposed over the trough member and a flexible but non-expandable liquid-filled conduit seated in the channel confined between the trough member and the slide member such that the weight of the building structure can be supported by the liquid-filled conduit. The conduit is divided into segments which can be separated into various sections whereby various sections can be maintained under higher liquid pressure than other segments to support the heavier portions of the building structure.

Abstract: Luggage of the type adapted to maintain articles of clothing, business materials and the like is disclosed having roller means along a lower edge thereof and a modular handle unit adapted to be extended away from the luggage to provide a pull handle therefor and further including an elongated strap adapted to be extended around an auxiliary piece of luggage to piggyback the auxiliary piece of luggage on the main piece of luggage.

Abstract: A roll bar lock mechanism for use in a retractable awning of the type having a roll bar about which an awning canopy can be rolled includes an eccentric lock element mounted within the roll bar and pivotally moveable between two locking positions which are arcuately displaced less than 90.degree. so that the lock element is easily operated from a remote location convenient to the user of the awning.

Abstract: A garment bag adapted to fold into a suitcase-like configuration for traveling includes corner compartments located within the interior bag in the space above the shoulders of garments supported on hangers within the bag. Cross straps extend over the shoulders of garments supported on hangers in the bag, and criss-cross over the upper portion of the garment. The cross straps support the upper portion of the garments on the hangers and restrain them against sliding downward when the bag is in the folded configuration. A stay bar is removably connected across the middle portion of the bag to support the garments when the bag is folded into the suitcase-like configuration. The ends of the straps are connected to the stay bar. A lower portion of an interior panel of the garment bag includes means for supporting the lower portions of long garments in a U-shaped configuration above a bottom gussett of the bag instead of occupying the bottom of the bag in a wrinkled bunch.

Abstract: A hospital or patient gown includes two identical segments having front and back panels, a sleeve opening and a neck opening, with the front and back panels of each segment being connected along one side and disconnected along the opposite side. Each segment includes fastening straps adapted to extend across the opposite shoulder from the sleeve of that segment. The segments are placed on opposite sides of the body so that the front and back panels of each segment overlap each other and are each suspended from both shoulders of the patient.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for movement along the bottom surface of a snow ski to grind a varying bevel in the bottom edges of the ski in direct relation to the width of the ski.

Abstract: A protective bar for restricting passage through a window type opening in a building structure includes a tubular member adapted to be seated in a recess provided in one side of the window frame with a spring biased slidable bar protruding from the opposite end of the tubular member and adapted to be seated in a recess provided in the opposite window frame member. A malleable material is utilized to form a seat for the spring which biases the rod axially of the tubular member and the malleable material is positively positioned in place by applying axial compression to the material so that it radially expands into a tight frictional relationship with the internal surface of the tubular member. A pull cable release system is also provided which allows the bar to be quickly and easily removed from a location in the interior of the building structure.

Abstract: The alpine-touring ski binding of the present invention utilizes a boot plate on which the ski boot is releasably mounted with the boot plate being pivotally connected to a toe piece for selective pivotal movement about a transverse axis passing through the toe piece and includes a heel piece for releasably securing the heel end of the boot plate to the ski. A unique system is employed on the boot plate so that when the heel piece is inoperative and allows the trailing end of the boot piece to be elevated as during cross-country skiing, an elevator plate on the boot plate can be deployed to selectively determine the limits of movement of the boot plate by preventing the boot plate from returning completely to a parallel relationship with the ski. An elevator plate is also provided on the heel piece for the same purpose.

Abstract: A strong transition joint between an aluminum plate and a steel object includes an aluminum sleeve adapted to be fusion-welded to the aluminum plate and a titanium core explosion-welded to the aluminum sleeve in the center thereof with the titanium core having an internally threaded hole adapted to receive a steel bolt so that the occurance and economic consequences of corrosion are minimized.

Abstract: A roll control mechanism of a retractable awning assembly includes spring clutches to operatively control the rotation of the roll bar in each of the two opposite rotational directions. Selective locking to prevent unrolling or extension of the canopy in one situation or to prevent the rolling or winding up of the canopy in another situation is achieved. A selector device for controlling the operation of the spring clutches is located on the support arm intermediate the top end connected to the roll bar and the bottom end adapted for contacting a support surface. Control of the roll control mechanism during set-up of the awning assembly is conveniently achieved. A support locking mechanism is also included within the selector device for fixing the length of two telescope support members of the support arm. Fixing the operative length occurs simultaneously as the roll control mechanism is controlled.

Abstract: A liquid flow indicator includes means for indicating a flow of liquid therethrough, measuring the rate of flow of liquid therethrough, and selectively functioning as a one-way valve. The device includes a housing which is placed in a liquid flow conduit so that all liquid in the conduit flows through the housing whereby a float disposed in the housing is allowed to be displaced from a closed seated position wherein it selectively blocks the reverse flow of liquid through the housing to one of a plurality of open positions wherein it allows the forward flow of liquid through the housing. The amount of displacement of the float is discernible by calibrated indicia carried on the float and the housing so that not only the indication of a flow of liquid through the device is indicated, but also the rate of flow of that liquid.

Abstract: An earplug mounting device for insertion into the human ear adapted to support electronic telecommunications equipment, other audio equipment or visual aids is disclosed. A main body portion of semi-rigid resilient material is insertable into the outer ear of a user and has a main body passageway therethrough. A snap connection is provided between the main body and a boom, which boom extends forwardly therefrom. A boom passageway is in air communication with the main body passageway. A pressure chamber formed along the boom passageway, with a vent providing air flow communication with the outside of the chamber, to equalize air pressure between outside air and an inner ear is provided. A receiving tube, connected to a radio receiver, is rotatably connected to the boom by a second snap connection utilizing a fitting having a third passageway in communication with the first two passageways.

Abstract: An integral ski boot binding formed by a boot and operably connected boot plate is pivotally and releasably connected at a forward end to a toepiece mounted on a ski. A heel of the boot can be left free for touring skiing or clamped by a heelpiece mounted on the ski for alpine skiing. When the binding is released from the ski, a walking sole is attached to the boot plate. In an alternative embodiment, the boot plate is selectively positionable between two positions. In a first position, for touring, the forward end of the boot plate connects to the toepiece and in a second position, for alpine skiing, the forward end of the boot plate is directed toward a rearward portion of the boot, and connects to the toepiece at a point approximately midway along the length of the boot.

Abstract: A lightweight shock absorbing device which could be used on automotive vehicles includes an elongated main body portion and side return portions connectable to opposite ends of the main body for extension a short distance along the side of the vehicle. The main body portion includes longitudinally extending corrugations which open both forwardly and rearwardly, forming locking channels into which accessories, stiffeners and mounting brackets can be selectively connected to the body. Reinforcement stiffeners can be attached to the body at any desired location along the length of the body to establish desired shock absorbing characteristics dependent upon the weight and size of the vehicle on which the bumper is mounted.