Abstract: A template and workpiece holder including template and workpiece centering mechanisms. The workpiece centering mechanism includes a rack and pinion gear arrangement. Toggle clamps are provided for clamping the holder, template and workpiece assemblage together. The holder includes handles for grasping by an operator for guiding the assemblage through a router, shaper or the like.

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: A retractable bed includes a self-standing enclosure frame having tracks with curved segments at opposite ends of the enclosure. A mattress support frame formed of interconnected hinged sections has rollers which engage the tracks such that the mattress frame slides between a retracted position within the enclosure and a sleeping position extending from the enclosure. The mattress frame is oriented to move sideways into and out of the enclosure. A motor bracket is pivotally connected to the enclosure frame, has a motor mounted thereon, and has an elongated threaded shaft engaged with the motor. A nut arm is pivotally connected to the mattress frame, and a nut on a free end of the arm is threaded onto the shaft. Rotation of the shaft moves the mattress frame along the tracks for extension and retraction. Pivoting of the drive assembly accommodates movement of the mattress frame around the curved segments of the tracks.

Abstract: A chair back height adjustment mechanism for a chair having a chair back supporting standard and a chair back bracket with a chair back or backrest mounted thereon includes a rack gear on the chair back standard, a pinion gear supported in a bearing on the chair back bracket, a worm gear coaxial with the pinion gear, and worm threads on a dial shaft supported on the bracket. Rotation of the dial causes the worm member to rotate the worm gear and the pinion gear whereby the bracket supporting the pinion gear is translated in relation to the chair back standard. The chair back can only be adjusted by operation of the dial due to the nature of the worm and worm gear combination, thus preventing changes in the adjusted position of the chair back by contact with the chair back.

Abstract: A hole gauge arrangement is used for determining the distance of a vehicle fixture hole from a datum plane established with respect to the vehicle. The hole gauge arrangement includes a set rod with a die wheel having bores corresponding to the various sizes of fixture holes and also includes a measurement rod. By reference to a table, the desired distance from the datum plane to the fixture hole is established on the set rod and the measurement rod matched to the distance of the set rod and the hole diameter. The measurement rod is then transferred to support structure mounted in the datum plane and the distance difference, if any, between the measurement rod tip and the fixture hole is noted as an indication of dislocation.

Abstract: A structural insulated panel system including individual panels for forming the floor, walls and roof of a structure. Each panel has an insulative rigid foam core with a rigid foam layer having an overhang extending outwardly beyond the edges of the core. Interior sheathing is placed over the core layer. Exterior sheathing is placed over the outer surface of the core and has an overhang which extends slightly beyond the core edges. Channels are formed around the core edges and receive plates at the top and bottom and transition studs at the side edges. When a structure is assembled with the panels, transition members are placed in the channels along the side edges and are overlapped by the foam layer overhangs and the sheathing overhangs to effectively seal and enclose the structure.

Abstract: A sound activated lamp arrangement includes a module having a threaded lamp bulb socket at one end and a bulb base at the other end for reception in a lamp socket of a conventional table lamp. A lamp bulb is received in the module socket, and a microphone is provided on the module. Circuitry within the module connects the module socket with the module base to thereby illuminate the lamp bulb in response to the reception of an acoustic signal from a smoke alarm device, burglar alarm, or other type of alarm device by the microphone. A photocell is provided on the module and is connected to the circuitry to sense ambient illumination. The circuitry is adapted such that the bulb is only illuminated when the photocell senses darkness. A push button switch is provided on the module for conventional operation of the lamp. A collar is received on the socket shell of the lamp to prevent operation of the lamp switch thereon.

Abstract: A deskinning apparatus comprises a deskinning knife, a rotatable shaft having removably sleeved thereon a plurality of cylinders and a stripper assembly for urging skins from the cylinders. Each of the cylinders have a plurality of circumferential teeth thereon spaced by grooves. The stripper assembly is mounted so as not to rotate with the shaft and cylinders. The stripper assembly includes a plurality of integral blades, each blade being operably received in a rotating groove of a respective cylinder.

Abstract: A selectively adjustable convex mirror assembly for allowing a motor vehicle operator to see alternative rear views comprises a cylindrical housing and a circular convex mirror positioned in the housing. The housing is rotatably mounted on a swivel mechanism. The mirror is mounted in the housing in such a manner that rotation of the housing upon the swivel mechanism moves the convex mirror through a plurality of reflective orientations. A locking and indexing mechanism is provided to retain the housing in a selected position relative to the swivel mechanism and to provide for controlled and incremental rotation of the housing about the swivel mechanism. The entire assembly is secured to a planar mirror surface of an outside rearview mirror of a motor vehicle.

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: 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 tracheostomy device for insertion into the trachea for ventilation has inner and outer cannulae. A sealing cuff on the inner cannula forms a seal with a wall of the trachea. A housing connects to the inner and outer cannulae and communicates with an outside air source. The outer cannula is provided with a fenestration between the cuff and the patient's vocal cords. The inner cannula is slidable within the outer cannula, the two being connected by a spring and bellows arrangement. The inner cannula slides down to close the fenestration during inhalation and slides up to open the fenestration upon exhalation of the air from the patient's lungs.

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 siphon is provided having a generally S-shaped configuration with a widely flaring inlet and discharge. The siphon is adapted for use with a fluid storage tank which is positioned adjacent a trough to be flushed by the siphon. The siphon discharge opens upward onto a floor surface of the trough. The siphon inlet is provided with a weep hole. The siphon includes a trigger mechanism which activates a flushing mode of the siphon during a flushing cycle. Multiple siphons may be interconnected by the trigger mechanism so as to produce simultaneous flushing thereof.

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: 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 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 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.