Abstract: A golf flag assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a flagpole and comprises a flag and means for attaching the flag to the pole, said means further comprising a pair of facing panel members adapted to receive one edge of the flag therebetween and means for securing the panel members together so that the edge of the flag is entrapped between the panel members. At least one tubular cylindrical member is secured along one edge of both of the panel members so that the panel members extend radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical member. The tubular cylindrical member is constructed of resilient material and is adapted to receive the flagpole therethrough so that the cylindrical member grasps the flagpole to secure the golf flag assembly to the flagpole.

Abstract: A transfer shuttle is alternately moved in a forward motion and then a rearward motion by a rotary power drive. As the rotary power drive is rotated through an arc of 180.degree., a dog, coupled to the power drive, is accelerated and then decelerated before engaging the work piece transfer member, and then accelerated and decelerated after engaging the transfer member to complete its forward motion.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly having an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine for automatically controlling the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. A hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and a system for supplying oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber via the upper chamber and for discharging the oil from the upper chamber in a manner which gradually changes the compression ratio of the piston until a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure has been achieved and which tends to maintain the maximum combustion chamber pressure after it has been achieved.

Abstract: A credit card having information stored thereon in the form of a matrix of apertures formed through the credit card in a predetermined order, and a verifier adapted to read the information matrix from the credit card and by comparison of the information encoded on the credit card with a comparison code manually entered by a user through a keyboard, determine whether the credit card use is authorized. The verifier generally comprises a processing unit operatively coupled to a random access memory into which the encoded information on the credit card is stored. The processing unit is pre-programmed with the matrix bit positions and the sequence of a scrambler code and the numerical value of the scrambler code is then determined. The processing unit is further pre-programmed to determine the matrix bit positions and the sequence of a user code from the information matrix as a function of the numerical value of the scrambler code so that the numerical value of the user code can be determined.

Abstract: A novel step bracket is provided and is adapted for securing a step in a horizontal position to a downwardly sloping stringer. Preferably, the bracket is formed from a sheet of metal and comprises an upper horizontal portion secured to the bottom surface of a step. A generally triangularly shaped vertical section of the bracket extends downwardly from the horizontal portion and a flat portion is formed along the bottom edge of the vertical section and is perpendicular thereto. The plane of the flat portion is skewed relative to the horizontal plane so that the flat portion flatly abuts against the upper surface of the stringer. A downwardly extending vertical lip is formed along one edge of the flat portion section so that the lip flatly abuts against the side of the stringer. Fasteners are then used to secure the lip and the flat portion to the stringer and likewise to secure the upper horizontal portion to the step.

Abstract: Lanced slots are formed in the root section of each spline of a splined member to receive a snap ring for securing discs or other members in position with respect to the splined member.

Abstract: The power loss developed in a semiconductor switch during turning on the current flowing from a DC source through a main inductor is reduced by connecting in series between the switch and the main inductor the series combination of a diode and a further inductor, with the diode being poled to pass current from the switch to the main inductor. The parallel combination of a further capacitor and a further diode is connected between a tapping on said further inductor and the junction of said series combination with the semiconductor switch. To reduce the power loss during turning off the current there is connected between the junction of the semiconductor switch and the inductor two parallelled series combinations of diode and capacitor with the elements in opposite order in the branches and the diodes poled in the same direction, the junctions of the capacitors and diodes in the two series combinations being connected through a series diode-inductor combination.

Abstract: A universal circuit-defining device with which logical or other component elements or modules of component elements are to be connected. The device includes a base plate having channels therein closed by a deformable seal held against the channels in the base plate by a cover plate, the channels constituting pre-established circuit elements and having sockets formed therein to receive interchangeable plugs constituting means for the interruption of the circuit and which are removable to bring the corresponding parts of the circuit into operation.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine of the type having a slant or precessing rotor or the type having a parallel axis rotor, such as a Wankel engine, having a rotor seal grid formed from peripheral and apex seals extending around surfaces of the rotor and together defining closed working chambers in a housing in which the rotor is rotatable, adjacent ends of the seals being connected together by connectors, often called bolts, located in sockets in the rotor. Each bolt has clearance laterally of its longitudinal axis from the peripheral wall of the socket to permit lateral movement of the bolt in the socket except in one direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the bolt, in which direction, movement of the bolt is restrained by the bolt being held between fixed laterally opposite positions engaging its peripheral surface.

Abstract: An improved fuel metering apparatus for a carburetor which provides an optimum air/fuel ratio at all engine speeds and loads. The air/fuel ratio is adjusted by means of a valve sensitive to intake manifold pressure which modulates the amount of bleed air mixed with the fuel prior to the aerated fuel being introduced into the venturi throat of the carburetor.

Abstract: In a trailer landing gear assembly having a housing secured to a trailer and a foot adapted to engage the ground, attachment means for attaching an extension-retraction assembly to both the housing and the landing gear foot by respectively deforming the landing gear housing and the landing gear foot so that the deformations created support the axial load between the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear. An axle secured to the downwardly depending end of the extension-retraction assembly is rotatably received in a pair of registering apertures formed in the landing gear foot. Each aperture in the landing gear foot is deformed to form a cylindrical portion coaxial with the aperture and integral with the foot so that the cylindrical portion supports the vertical load between the landing gear foot and the extension-retraction assembly. Similarly a gear base plate forms the attachment means between the upper end of the extension-retraction assembly and the landing gear housing.

Abstract: A roller skate of the shoe-attached two wheel type includes for each skate a pair of U-shaped wheel support members appropriately spaced for the size shoes it is to be used with by a pair of side support members and attachable to a heel plate and a toe plate respectively which are attached to the shoe.

Abstract: Apparatus for piercing an arcuate workpiece includes a frame, an index table rotatably mounted on the frame, the workpiece being mounted to the index table, and piercing apparatus horizontally adjustable on the frame with respect to the index table. The piercing apparatus includes a pair of tool receiving heads each of which can receive either a punch or a die and means for selectively fixing the particular head used to receive the die and for moving the punch receiving head into and out of engagement with the workpiece so that the workpiece can be pierced from either side. Roller means are provided to facilitate changing the tooling and a stock guide is provided which is reversible so that it can be used regardless of which tool receiving head is being used as the die receiving head.

Abstract: A metal electrode with an active cover layer for electrochemical purposes which cover layer includes metal platinates, metal palladates, or the like, and metal palladates and comprises, as embedding substances compounds of the type Ba (M.sub.x Ti.sub.1.sub.-x)O.sub.3 where M is a platinum metal. The latter may be used alone or in combination with other additives and does not impair on the one hand the effectiveness of the active materials and is on the other hand, when exposed to an electrolytic bath, location in chemically resistant without showing complete inactivity and, thus, increase the current yield of the anode.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower with various interchangeable parts can be utilized not only as a standard lawn mower but also a vegetation chopper or shredder, a leaf blower or a snow blower. A vacuum attachment is also provided to permit inaccessible areas to be maintained.