Abstract: A sealing element is provided for use on insulated flat cables of the type having opposed rounded minor surfaces and opposed substantially flat parallel major surfaces which comprises an elongated body of resilient material having an orifice extending longitudinally within said body. The orifice has a width greater than its height. Opposed involute walls extend within said orifice substantially along the width of the orifice whereby the involute walls stretch and conform to the opposed substantially flat parallel major surfaces of the flat cable when placed thereon, thus providing a secure, watertight interference fit. Depending upon usage, the orifice may extend through the body or terminate within the body. Additionally, it is preferred that sealing rings be formed in the inner wall of the orifice.

Abstract: A display and gravity dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having an opening in the front thereof and a plurality of elongated wire supports mounted in the housing having a downward inclination toward the opening of the housing. Trays for containing the goods to be dispensed are slidably secured on the elongated wire supports by a guide retainer and are maintained in a first angularly inclined position for dispensing the goods. The tray may be moved and supported in an extended position inclined at a greater angle for restocking the tray with the goods without removal of the tray from the housing.

Abstract: Belt adjusting apparatus for use on an infant or toddler seat is disclosed which comprises an interlocking assembly of geometrically-configured metal plates, each having at least one slot therein, with a belt passing through the slots in a specific path so that the belt is freely moved in one direction when in a locked position so as to tighten said belt, but cannot be moved in the other direction without manually adjusting the relative position of the metal plates. A spring return may be used to maintain the position of the plates in a locked position.

Abstract: A method wherein there is provided a source of fiber forming material, with said fiber forming material being pumped into a die having a plurality of spinnerets about its periphery. The die is rotated at a predetermined adjustable speed, whereby the liquid is expelled from the die so as to form fibers. It is preferred that the fiber forming material be cooled as it is leaving the holes in the spinnerets during drawdown. The fibers may be used to produce fabrics, fibrous tow and yarn through appropriate take-up systems. The pumping system provides a pumping action whereby a volumetric quantity of liquid is forced into the rotational system independent of viscosity or the back pressure generated by the spinnerets and the manifold system of the spinning head, thus creating positive displacement feeding. Positive displacement feeding may be accomplished by the extruder alone or with an additional pump of the type generally employed for this purpose.

Abstract: A lawn mower hitch assembly which includes a hitch bar pivotally secured between a towing vehicle and the front of a lead lawn mower substantially at its longitudinal axis. The hitch connection on the towing vehicle is above the hitching connection on the mower relative to the ground whereby forward towing reduces the friction between the front wheels of the mower and the ground, thus permitting smooth cutting even while changing direction. The lead mower includes connector interior of each rear wheel which mate with connectors at the interior of the front wheels of following mowers. Additional mowers may be connected to the following mowers in the same manner. Angle iron plates having a plurality of boreholes are attached to the front and rear of the lawn mowers to provide a vertical adjustment of the connectors to control the amount of friction on the front wheels of the trailing mowers.

Abstract: A dimpled configuration for a golf ball wherein, in the first embodiment, the dimples are arranged in a geometrical lattice configuration so as to form a perfect icosahedral pattern which inlcudes twenty indentical triangles with a predetermined number of dimples lying along the lines forming the lattice. These dimples are a first diameter, while the dimples within the lattices are of a second diameter greater than the first diameter. In the second embodiment, the five adjacent triangles having common polar vertices are retained on either side of the equatorial line of the ball. Five smaller triangles on either side of the equator include vertices common with each adjacent set of the five triangles, with the legs opposite such vertices being substantially parallel with but terminating short of the equatorial line of the ball. The legs parallel with the equator extend about the ball so as to form five trapezoids which have common sides with the alternate with the five small triangles.

Abstract: Apparatus for containing a pet in a partially open car trunk lid is disclosed. Grillwork, including adjustable rear and side members, is adapted in size for the particular vehicle. The rear member is removably secured to the underside of the car trunk lid and the side members are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of rear member. The distal ends of the slide members rest in the trunk rain trough and are slidable therein so that the trunk lid may be fully opened without removing the grillwork. Means are provided for securing the grillwork in a fixed position when the trunk is partially closed.

Abstract: A sealing element is provided for use on insulated flat cables which comprises an elongated body of resilient material having an orifice extending longitudinally within said body. The orifice has a width greater than its height. Opposed involute walls extend within said orifice substantially along the width of the orifice whereby the involute walls stretch and conform to the opposed substantially flat parallel major surfaces of the flat cable when placed thereon, thus providing a secure, watertight interference fit. Depending upon usage, the orifice may extend through the body or terminate within the body. Additionally, it is preferred that sealing rings be formed in the inner wall of the orifice.

Abstract: A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard outdoor faucet for the prevention of freezing of such exposed faucets and water pipes leading to the faucet. A tube includes a collar at one end for securing to the end of the faucet. A stem extends within the tube so as to be adjacent the faucet. One or more ports extend between the faucet and the interior of the tube. The distal end of the stem mates with an orifice through the distal end of the tube. The tube and stem have different coefficients of expansion, one being plastic and the other being metal. In practice, the tube is attached to the faucet, which is open, and is filled with water. When the outside ambient temperature drops, the tube and stem contract at different rates and the relative movement opens the orifice in the distal end of the tube so as to permit water to drip therethrough.

Abstract: A softball having a core and a cover wherein the ball has a circumference of approximately 12 inches, a weight of 175 to 178 grams, a coefficient of restitution of approximately 0.478 and a compression from about 0.010 to 0.014 inches, wherein said core has a density from about 15.5 to 16.5 pounds per cubic foot, and a hardness from about 72 to 78 on the shore A scale, said core being formed from a cellular polymeric material. The core is surrounded by a cover having a specific gravity of about 1.2, a thickness from about 0.035 inches to 0.060 inches and a hardness from about 78 to 90 on the Shore A scale. The cover is formed from a vinyl resin, a phthalate compound, stabilizers and a titanium dioxide dispersion.

Abstract: A resilient open ended reenterable splice cover is provided having an enlarged central section and cable sealing means at both ends with the central section having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the metal splice which it is designed to cover. Even though an interference fit is provided between the splice and the splice cover, the cover is removable so as to provide reentry to the splice. A lubricating medium is contained within the splice cover. The splice cover may be provided in a kit which includes a mating deformable metal splice or terminal. The kit is designed to be used in the field so as to provide a submersible reenterable splice assembly for insulated electric cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a gaming chip comprising a flat, preferably non-metallic, annular ring having a central opening therein and a plurality of spaced color regions. A disc support annular flange integral with the annular ring extends inwardly from the central opening substantially planar with one side of the ring so as to support one or a plurality of discs, such as coins. With the disc or discs in place, a capture ring of a geometrical dimension to fit within the central opening and cover the edge of the other side of the disc is placed in central opening on the other side of the disc or discs and secured to the annular ring by sonic welding. Two discs may be used in face-to-face relationship or a single disc of greater thickness may be used.

Abstract: A molded solid softball of a unitary substantially spherical body having simulated stitching including protrusions and indentations on the outer surface integral with the body of the ball and further having simulated holes adjacent the outer edges of the stitching. The stitch holes extend into the body a distance sufficient to simulate the depth of the stitching holes or a standard stitched leather-covered ball. The depth of the stitch holes is between 0.040 and 0.070 inches.

Abstract: A self-actuating drip for attachment to a standard faucet for the prevention of freezing of such exposed faucets and water pipes leading to the faucets. An elongated housing includes a collar for securing one end of the housing about the open end of the faucet. A tube extends from the collar and mates with a closure at its distal end. A stem extends within the tube from the closure and terminates in a tip which mates with an exit port extending through said collar. A compressible seal adjacent the stem closes the exit port between the collar and the interior of the tube when the ambient temperature is above freezing. The tube and stem are of different materials, one being plastic and the other being metal. Since the plastic and metal have different coefficients of expansion, a reduction of ambient temperature below freezing releases the seal and permits water to flow from the faucet through the tube.

Abstract: A method of constructing a mold for making game balls which comprises inserting pins of a predetermined length in the stitch holes of a stitched leather ball, depositing metallic mold material on the surface of the ball so as to cover the pins, dividing the metal/master assembly into mating halves, each half being symmetrical with respect to the stitching on the ball, and removing the master including the pins from the ball.

Abstract: A portable wild game hoist having a multiple section boom which can be assembled and dismantled. The boom is supported at its lower end by a standard trailer hitch mounted on the rear of a vehicle. Straps are secured to the upper section of the boom and terminate in hooks at their distal ends which are adapted to mate with the edges of the fenders of the vehicle. A torsion bar is adjustably secured to one section of the boom so that is bears against the rear body or tailgate of the vehicle. A rope extends from a winch secured to the boom through a pulley at the distal end of the boom. The rope supports a hanger with hooks for supporting the animal from its rear hooves. In a further embodiment, the boom may be supported by a base resting on the ground and stabilized by the trailer hitch. In both embodiments, the boom is comprised of a plurality of mating sections.

Abstract: An infant swing having a base, upwardly extending legs, and a coil spring-wound motor mounted on said legs, with the axis of said coil spring motor extending at a predetermined angle from the vertical above said base. A carriage is mounted to the motor such that it is driven by and oscillates about the axis of the spring. A swing support rod has one leg removably mounted to said carriage parallel to the axis of the spring, with the other leg extending substantially vertically downward and terminating in a substantially horizontal radle for supporting an infant seat beneath the carriage, whereby the oscillatory motion of the carriage causes the seat to swing in a substantially horizontal arcuate path. The infant seat is removably mounted to said cradle.