Abstract: An anchor for insertion in, and securement to, a stake receiving pocket in a truck such as a pickup truck is provided. The anchor is used in erecting a camper, to secure tent poles or a tent frame to the truck, in order to assemble the camper unit over a bed of the truck. The anchor includes an expandable portion, a bolt mechanism for actuating the expandable portion, and an adjustable socket member for engagement with the tent frame. When used, the expandable member is inserted between generally opposite walls in the stake receiving pocket of the truck. The bolt member is actuated, causing the expandable member to expand and engage the opposite walls, to secure the anchor in position. The socket member is adjustable and may be oriented within the anchor in a preferred position for mounting of the tent frame thereon. A method is provided for assembling a camper unit on a pickup truck bed using the tent pole anchor.

Abstract: An article of headwear convertible between use as a hat and a neck covering is provided. The article of headwear generally comprises a tubular covering of knitted fabric having a closeable side slit and a closeable end. When the side slit and end are both opened, the article is utilizable as a neck covering. When both are closed, the article is utilizable as a hat. If desired, when the side slit is closed but the ends are opened, the article may be formed into an armband for storage. In the preferred embodiment, folds may be formed in a crown portion of the hat to form a hat with a somewhat pointed or truncated crown. Methods of converting a skier's-type hat to an article of neckwear, or vice versa, are also described.

Abstract: A chair back arrangement is provided for use on stackable chairs utilized in convention centers, assembly halls, banquet halls and the like. The chair back includes a large ventilation space centrally located in a upper back portion of the chair. Preferably, the ventilation space is provided by utilizing two, independently mounted, laterally spaced back panels to form the chair back. In the preferred embodiment, each chair back panel is generally trapezoidally shaped and is supported on three sides by an appropriately bent tubular member. The chair back comprises two such tubular members which are integral with rear legs of the chair. It is shown that appropriate tubular material can be selected to provide a preferred flexing of the chair back panels.

Abstract: Mechanical pipe joints and methods of forming same, wherein pipe ends are first prestrained into expanded bell and expanded pin shapes and then again strained by interference joining, both prestraining and subsequent straining being under controlled conditions which take maximum advantage of the metallurgical and physical properties of the materials to provide improved connection strength produced through approaching the ultimate strength of the material. Strain aging prior to joining may be used to further enhance connection strength to a point which requires exceeding the ultimate strength of the parent material.

Abstract: A vacuum take-off conveyor is used to transfer a printed sheet from a delivery conveyor to a sheet stacking apparatus. The vacuum conveyor has a vacuum chamber structure with an inner chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the chamber structure, near a first end thereof, and operates to create a pressure differential between the chamber and the surrounding atmosphere. The chamber structure is provided with longitudinal slots in a bottom wall to provide air communication from the atmosphere into the chamber. An endless foraminous belt is received onto the chamber structure to form a continuous loop from the first end to a second end thereof, and is rotated by a drive pulley. A damper, such as an adjustable damper plate, is situated within the chamber so as to produce a high vacuum region near the vacuum source between the damper plate and the first end of the chamber structure, and a low vacuum region between the damper plate and the chamber structure second end.

Abstract: A certain process and exemplary machinery for making yarn which is particularly useful for producing mops and mats utilizes yarn generally of a mixture of cotton and certain synthetic fibers and subjects the yarn to heat and pressure. The heat melts the surface of the synthetic fibers and pressure urges the cotton fibers into engagement with the synthetic fibers. Upon cooling, the cotton fibers are mechanically bonded to the synthetic fibers and provide a mop yarn which is fluid absorbant, durable and resistant to scrubbing abrasion and maintains integrity for repeated use and washings.

Abstract: A bale support arm is raised into the space between a bale trailer frame and the bale lift fork thereof to prevent a large round bale from sagging into that space, and possibly being damaged, during loading of the bale. Pairs of parallel frame links connected to the frame of the trailer and links connected to the fork are pivotally connected respectively to define hinge joints. In one embodiment of the invention for low-bed bale trailers, the bale support arm extends between the hinge joints. As the fork pivots upwardly, the arm is lifted as the links fold upwardly into the space between the fork and trailer and partially supports the tilting bale. In a second embodiment for high-bed bale trailers, a pair of arm lifting levers are connected to the hinge joints. The levers are connected by respective anchor links to the fork, and the bale support arm extends between the outer ends of the levers.

Abstract: A removable bumper step for vehicles comprises a rigid plate having an upper, generally planar foot supporting surface terminating in a front end. The front end bends into a hook formation and is adapted to engage the upper edge of a vehicle bumper when the plate is positioned horizontally over the upper surface of the bumper. Means engaged with the plate adapt to contact the upper surface of the bumper rearwardly of the hook formation. The hook formation and means cooperate to maintain the plate in a horizontal attitude under the weight of a user. Varying vehicle bumper widths are accommodated by adjusting the means relative to the plate. Friction enhancing material adheres respectively to the foot supporting surface and the means. This material provides secure footing for a user, and stabilizes the engagement of the step to the vehicle bumper.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of deliniated areas, such a squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication or in a publication provided with the playing card. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.

Abstract: A gondola for a hot air balloon utilizes a rigid carriage with external and internal walls forming an enclosure with a central opening sized for accommodation of crew members. A platform extends across and closes a bottom of the central opening. The external and internal walls are spaced and form an internal and integral reservoir for the carriage for storage of fuel for powering the hot air balloon. In one embodiment, a crew module accompanies the carriage, and the carriage is arranged for jetisoning in emergencies.

Abstract: A card for microfilm and the like including a core with a cut-out open at an edge thereof and front and back surfaces. Front and back transparent panels are bonded to the front and back core surfaces respectively in covering relation to the cut-out. An opaque security cover is removably secured to one of the front and back panels in covering relation over the cut-out. A pocket is formed by the cut-out between the front and back panels and is adapted to receive a microfilm segment readable through the front panel with the cover removed from the card. A method of forming the card includes the steps of heat laminating the front and back panels against the core front and back surfaces respectively with a microfilm segment and a spacer positioned in the pocket and removably securing the opaque cover to one of the front and back panels in covering relation over the cut-out.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively storing a thin tray or sheet in an elongate storage location, and retrieving trays therefrom, includes a tray extractor and a transport assembly. The tray extractor comprises a tray engagement mechanism and a tray linear movement actuator. The tray engagement mechanism operates as a hand to selectively grip or release trays which are being handled by the apparatus. The tray linear movement actuator acts as an arm to position the tray engagement mechanism and, when operated, to move an engaged tray. The tray linear movement actuator comprises a linear movement link and pulley arrangement which moves an engaged tray along a linear path of motion, and which maintains the tray engagement mechanism in a selected orientation with respect to that path of movement. The tray engagement mechanism comprises an X-shaped scissors mechanism having a plurality of jaws thereon. Scissors motion of the mechanism opens and closes the pairs of jaw members to selectively engage or disengage a tray.

Abstract: A low pressure venting panel acts to safely vent a pressure vessel, such as a bag house, from overpressure conditions. The venting panel is particularly responsive and predictable at low pressures. The panel includes a thin rupture body with a central group of apertures and slit lines emanating from the apertures. A thin sealing membrane is bonded to one surface of the rupture body at least in the area of the slits. The characteristics of the sealing membrane enable the membrane to resist expansion in the area of the slits when pressure is applied to the rupture body, thereby resisting rupture of the membrane up to the design rupture limit of the venting panel. Various aperture patterns in the center of the rupture body are provided to facilitate predictable opening. The slits are divided into segments connected by bridges to help prevent the slits from separating and the sealing membrane from creeping through the slits prior to rupture.

Abstract: An examining glove is provided which includes a front, a back, a first finger and a second finger. A measuring string has a distal end attached to the first finger and is slidably connected to the second finger by a flexible tube extending from the second finger to the glove front or back and slidably receiving the measuring string. A scale is associated with the tube on the glove front or back and is adapted for determining measuring string slippage. The measuring string terminates in a proximate end which dangles freely from the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from roadways and grounds includes a ground engageable rotating drum with easily removable and replaceable fingers which slip in and out of channels mounted on the drum. A spring finger assembly rotates against the drum to aid in litter pickup and to strip material from the drum and deposit same on a conveyor. The conveyor directs the litter into a hopper, which, when full, is lifted by an arrangement of pivots and linkage arms to raise upwardly, then swing rearwardly and tip to dump the litter into a suitable receptacle.

Abstract: An agricultural implement frame supported on rockshaft mounted tires and having a rigidly mounted tongue employs a hydraulic leveler arrangement to maintain the level or pitch of the frame in the raised transport position and the lowered ground working position of the frame. The leveler arrangement includes a hitch bell crank pivotally connected to the frame lift mechanism. A hitch member is pivotally connected to the hitch bell crank. The bell crank is in the form of an adjustable truss and includes a pair of lift arms and a pair of triangular hitch arms the ends of which are connected by a turnbuckle. By adjusting the length of the turnbuckle, the pitch of the frame is made adjustable. The force of the lift cylinder to lift the frame is transferred about the hitch member to the front end of the frame to lift same as the rest of the frame is lifted. The arrangement operates in the reverse direction as the frame is lowered.

Abstract: A line shaft driven conveyor includes a right angle drive unit in each of a plurality of accumulation zones. A clutch in each zone couples between the right angle unit and a belt and pulley arrangement which transfers drive from the clutch to the rollers in the zone. The clutch is controlled by a rotating collar which declutches when the collar is immobilized. A clutch control pawl in each zone is slidably mounted and is resiliently urged toward a stop position engaging and thus immobilizing the clutch control collar. A control rod extends between and is slidably engaged with the pawl of a zone and the pawls in the upstream and downstream zones adjacent thereto. Each rod has an abutment at each end for engagement with one of the pawls associated therewith in one direction of movement of the control rod. A sensor roller is positioned in each zone for engagement by an article in that zone and is connected with one of the rods associated with the pawl in that zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from roadways and grounds includes a ground engageable rotating drum with easily removable and replaceable fingers which slip in and out of channels mounted on the drum. A spring finger assembly rotates against the drum to aid in litter pickup and to strip material from the drum and deposit same on a conveyor. The conveyor directs the litter into a hopper, which, when full, is lifted by an arrangement of pivots and linkage arms to raise upwardly, then swing rearwardly and tip to dump the litter into a suitable receptacle.

Abstract: An improved brake mechanism for use with roller conveyors is provided. The brake mechanism comprises a brake plate, a brake shoe and a jack mechanism for biasing the brake plate and shoe into and out of braking orientation with conveyor rollers. The brake plate is generally flat and has two rigid extensions thereon. The brake shoe is a resilient, or elastic, loop of material which is stretched between the brake plate extensions and which is securely held thereon by resiliency of the brake shoe material. The brake shoe may be rapidly and easily mounted upon, or removed from, the brake plate without the use of special tools. Preferably, the brake shoe is manufactured from surgical tubing, which generally possesses sufficient resiliency for the application and which has a high enough coefficient of friction to be effective in braking conventional conveyor rollers.