Abstract: A platform base mounted on a ski is provided with a pair of separated heel and toe platforms which are relatively movable thereon, each of which carries a fixed or adjustable ski binding thereon. The heel and toe platforms are adjustably connected together for movement relative to each other and as a unit along the platform base. The platform base has only an intermediate length thereof in contact with and secured to the upper surface of the ski, which length is shorter than the combined length of the heel and toe platforms.

Abstract: A device for retarding the timing of the spark during the initial phase of acceleration of an internal combustion engine. A bar is connected to the throttle operating linkage and to a valve. Motion of the bar operates the valve to connect carburetor suction to a spark retarding motor. A timing mechanism operates the valve to remove the suction from the retard motor after the initial phase of acceleration.

Abstract: A system for detecting and measuring subsurface fatigue cracks wherein acoustic pulse-echo data from the crack under test are manipulated to extract all acoustic characteristics by means of a Fourier operation, deconvolution and inverse Fourier operation, providing a spectral and cepstral analysis on these data and then utilizing the results of the spectral and cepstral analysis to obtain parameters which are utilized in an adaptive learning network to provide crack length measurements.

Abstract: A children's game wherein weighted object of unknown weight are positioned at one end of a pulley string in accordance with a random or other selection caused by the use of dice or spinner devices wherein the other end of the pulley string is caused to move when the weight of the weighted objects overcomes the force holding the string and a weighted element in position at the other end of the pulley string. The weighted element moves upwardly in response to the downward force at the other end of the pulley string to overcome the force holding the weighted element in place, and moves upwardly to grasp a further weighted device and thereby return to its initial position. In accordance with the game instructions, the player placing the weighted object on the end of the pulley string which causes the weighted element to move upwardly is the loser.

Abstract: A game which can be played by two or more people wherein a circular racetrack is provided having a plurality of lanes, each lane having the same number of segments therein positioned about each lane. A toy vehicle is made to traverse the track in a circular manner but having randomly variable radial movement during the traversal of the track so that it traverses all of the lanes on the track in the random manner. The players each control a stationary racing vehicle which is placed in one of the segments at the starting line and is moved forward one space by the player each time the randomly movable racing car passes the stationary racing vehicle without colliding thereinto. The randomly movable vehicle is provided with such random movement by attaching a wire to the vehicle, the wire being journaled in a boss which is positioned on a lever which moves in response to the rotary movement of a cam having an irregular cam surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the features of construction of a rectangular swimming pool having an aluminum framework comprised of upper and lower rails, uprights connecting the rails and a sheet metal or plastic wall between the rails enclosing the pool area. A vinyl liner provided with a bead about its perimeter covers the sides and bottom of the pool with the bead inserted in a channeled member attached to the upper rail to overlie the upper marginal edge portion of the pool wall. The corner upright of the framework is a reinforced angled post to which is attached a curved surface with the concavity facing inwardly and having reverse curves to overlie bolts which secure the wall to the sides of the angled posts.

Abstract: A game which can be played by two or more people wherein an airplane is made to fly in a circular path with random vertical movements, each player attempting to build a tower of blocks in the haphazard path of the diving airplane. Since the maximum vertical height of the airplane path is higher than the maximum height of the tower to be built, it is possible that one or more passes of the tower can be made by the airplane at a height which is above the maximum height to which the tower will be built. However, the player has no way of knowing at what height the plane will be when the pass of his tower is made. The first player to complete his tower to the maximum height will be the winner.The game is composed of a board of preferably square shape having marked positions at the corners for building of the towers. A base member is positioned in the center of the board above which is mounted a housing for rotary motion about the base member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sanitizer/deodorant for a toilet bowl wherein the sanitizer/deodorant is placed into the toilet bowl rather than the flush tank after the toilet has been flushed to maintain a high concentration of the sanitizer/deodorant in the bowl between flushings and provide maximum sanitizer/deodorant utilization. The above is provided by means of a pump operated by the rise of water in the tank, operation of the pump causing a measured amount of sanitizer/deodorant to pass through a tube into the bowl through the overflow tube after the stopper ball has closed off the exit from the tank to the bowl. The metering is provided by the controlled amount the bellows is allowed to expand and compress.

Abstract: A game board upon which a game is played with flat discs or chips is provided with at least one integrally formed pocket therein for storing the chips and a cover pivotally mounted on the end wall of the groove and movable below the pocket through a slit in the board.

Abstract: A device for temporarily changing the ignition setting of an internal combustion engine in response to a sudden change of the suction in the intake manifold. A suction operated motor is connected to the ignition timing mechanism to control the suction operated timing of the ignition in response to intake manifold suction changes. The action of the motor is controlled for a selected time interval to reduce the suction operated spark advance for a substantial portion of a normal level road acceleration in city driving as sensed by the change in intake manifold suction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to swimming pools having a sheet metal exterior wall of substantially continuous oval or circular shape having a liner attached thereto for retaining water for the pool. The liner is secured to the pool wall area by means of an S-shaped bead receiver positioned over the top surface of the wall and held in place by means of a top clip which is attached to spaced uprights about the pool wall, the top clip having a substantially U-shaped portion of slightly larger width than the portion of the bead receiver overlapping the top surface of the wall. In this manner, the bead receiver is locked in position when the top clip is secured to an upright. The bead of the liner can now be positioned into the other half of the S-shaped head receiver after completion of assembly of the pool. The liner can also be removed and replaced without disassembling the pool as was required by the prior art.

Abstract: A pressure relief device in the form of a body provided with a bore and retained on a wall of a chamber with the bore opening thereinto and being outwardly flared. A deformable plug having a flared portion is frictionally secured in the bore, so that upon excessive pressure the plug moves into the bore beyond a relief port therein, with the flared portion being deformed by maintaining frictional engagement with the wall of the flared portion.

Abstract: In order to aid in the instructions of the service stroke in tennis, a tennis ball is releasably held by suction at the mouth of a suspended supple hose at the proper height to be stroked by a tennis racquet as in serving. The ball is easily released from the restraining force of the suction upon impact by the tennis racquet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a non-minimum phase linear controller which uses positive servomechanism rate feedback to control hydraulic mechanisms. The disclosure also relates to a controller comprising, in combination, a conventional linear controller and a non-minimum phase linear controller, the outputs of the combined controllers being weighted in a predetermined ratio to provide a single output control signal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cart or pick-up truck capable of transporting a load on level ground, hills and inclines and up stairways and the like wherein the operator thereof is capable of maintaining a constant erect position during operation, regardless of the contour of the terrain over which the cart is driven. The cart includes a frame having a rotatable upward handle portion, the handle portion being rotatable in a direction away from and toward the operator and having a stop when rotated in a direction toward the operator so that the rotatable portion of the handle is never rotated to the point where it is coaxial with the remaining portion of the frame. The cart also includes a pair of individually rotatable wheels, each wheel having a rotatable shaft whereby the wheels individually seek their own level, depending upon the terrain over which the cart is pulled or pushed.