Abstract: A screw holding device in which a screw retaining housing is positioned over a base member to which one end of the housing is attached by means of a break-away connection. The top of the housing member has a slot therein extending from the open end of the housing and overlying a corresponding slot in the base member. The device can be used in conjunction with an associated part by inserting screws in holes provided in the part, and sliding the part into the space between the base and the cantilevered housing, the housing admitting the head of the screw, and the base slot its shank. When so positioned, the screw can be driven into still another component by a screwdriver inserted through the slot in the housing top, thereby fastening the base and the part to the component. Thereafter, the housing can be broken off by a force acting on the break-away connection, leaving the space over the base unrestricted.

Abstract: An assembly mountable on a ski for impeding movement of the ski down a slope when the ski is detached from a skier's boot, the ski having a longitudinal axis, a top surface and a bottom surface. A pedal is operably attached to a pivot shaft, and is movable between a skiing position wherein the ski brake is in the non-braking position and a release position wherein the braking arm is in the braking position. The pedal and pivot shaft are operable to rotate the braking arm toward the axis of the ski as the pedal is moved toward the skiing position by engagement of surfaces on the pedal and the pivot shaft, to rotate the pivot shaft about part of the pedal.

Abstract: A disposable, cord dispensing cartridge comprised of a rigid, shatterproof plastic housing including first and second housing sections having inner and outer surfaces which are ultrasonically secured to each other. The housing includes an internal cord-holding cavity of cylindrical shape dimensioned to receive a spool having two circular flange portions connected by a stem portion. The spool is dimensioned to retain a predetermined length of high strength, small diameter cord which is machine-wound in dense-packed fashion thereon.

Abstract: Non-centrosymmetric films are shown that exhibit pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The films, which comprise alternating layers of omega-tricosenoic acid and omega-tricosenoic amine of up to nine layers thick, and alternatively, layers of polymeric amphiphiles that utilize their liquid crystalline side chains to impose order on the lamiante structures, are useful in constructing devices for measuring temperature and pressure functions.

Abstract: A front piece for safety ski bindings having a sole holder adapted to be pivoted sideways against the force of a spring and serving to support the ski boot sole sideways and towards the front, a pedal for actuating a control mechanism which maintains the release resistance at least approximately constant and independent of the variable pressure applied to the pedal.

Abstract: A wrench for turning a fastener nut having a central axis and an even-numbered plurality of flat bounding surfaces parallel to the central axis with diametrically opposite pairs being parallel to each other. The wrench includes a fastener nut engaging socket defined about a central socket axis by a plurality of uniformly spaced peripherally and radially disposed protuberances and plurality of uniformly spaced corner recesses disposed between the protuberances. Each protuberance includes outwardly diverging angularly related straight engaging surfaces for registry with the flat surfaces on the fastener nut. Each recess is comprised of a first arcuate surface tangential to a circle about the central axis of the socket and transitional surfaces converging from the adjacent protuberances toward the first arcuate surface.

Abstract: A catalyst for promoting the molecular restructuring of the components of hydrocarbons to form desired products. The catalyst comprises copper salts, copper acetate being particularly preferred, in combination with anhydrous aluminum chloride. The catalyst can be used with either gaseous hydrocarbon raw materials such as natural gas, refinery gas, biomass decomposition gases, and similar materials, or with solids, meltable solids, or liquid hydrocarbon-containing raw materials including tar sands, oil shale, waxes, asphaltic compositions and the like. In the case of gaseous raw materials, the gases are preferably brought into contact with the copper salt coated on a catalyst support such as refractory alumina, in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride, which can be in vaporous form, in a continuous process.

Abstract: A descaling tool for use with a reciprocating hammer for removing foreign substances from metal, wood, stone, or the like. The tool is comprised of an elongated shank, one end having an adapter for receipt into a reciprocating hammer, the other having a bore therein for receiving a bundle of elongated, resilient descaling members. The shank is encased by a sleeve and handle assembly which is used to adjust the exposed portion of the descaling members.

Abstract: A manually operated switch lever moves arm 105 along resistor 113 to generate a "raw" motor speed demand signal which is amplified and inverted by amplifiers 115 and 119 to form a "base line" demand signal.The "raw" demand signal and a motor load signal at the output of amplifier 154 are compared in amplifier 125 to generate an "error" signal. The "error" signal and the "base line" demand signal are summed in amplifier 129 to form a variable reference voltage which is applied to the non-inverting input of comparator 132. The second input to comparator 132 is a triangular shaped wave which is centered about V/2. When the amplitude of the oscillator output wave exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the comparator 132 is low and switch 160 is off. Thus, variations in the D.C. reference voltage at the output of amplifier 129 control the ON-off duty cycle of MOSFET switch 160 to adjust the power applied to motor 106.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing coffee or the like with microwave energy comprising a receptacle for receiving a brewed beverage, and a generally funnel-shaped reservoir having an open upper end, a closed lower end and an aperture near the closed lower end. A flange extends outwardly from the reservoir and is operable to position the apparatus over the receptacle wherein the aperture is disposed over the receptacle. A valve is provided to control flow of liquid from the reservoir and is operable to allow flow upon the existence of a predetermined condition in the reservoir.

Abstract: A friction welding apparatus for preparing weldments by fictional contact of the weld members which includes sensors for measuring torque, axial forces, and other variables important to the control of the welding process, and for facilitating the obtainment of process information useful in correlating process conditions with weld quality. The apparatus includes means for the substantially frictionless coupling of the component providing the axial normal force on the aligned shafts upon which the weld pieces are mounted. The coupling, which contributes to accurate torque measurements, comprises a substantially frictionless, single-contact-point coupling provided by the point of contact between two adjacent spherical surfaces.

Abstract: A grip-steadying device for a writing instrument with an elevated-elongate grip-protrusion extending from the barrel of the instrument. The protrusion may extend from, or comprise a collar adapted to slidably encircle the barrel that can be moved to a point convenient to the grip of the user, or be positioned over the writing tip of the instrument when the latter is not in use. If desired, a holding clip can be provided in association with the collar.

Abstract: A clamp for mounting a base plate of a ski binding to a ski, the base plate being operative to move longitudinally along the axis of the ski and having outwardly extending side sections. The clamp includes: a pair of opposed side portions having inward facing guide members operative to engage the side sections of the base plate and to guide the base plate along the longitudinal axis of the ski. Each side portion includes a cylindrical recess, wherein the recesses extend along a common axis which is transverse to the axis of the ski. A pair of cylindrical members dimensioned to be received within the recesses is provided. The cylindrical members are secured to the ski, wherein the side portions are capable of limited pivotable on the cylindrical members about the transverse axis.

Abstract: A sensing system including a sensing device with cooperating electrical components which move relative to each other in response to a sensed environmental parameter to yield a reactance signal, which is transmitted to a remotely located processor having an oscillator for receiving the transmitted signal and generating a transduced signal whose value corresponds to the value of the environmental parameter.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved ski braking mechanism wherein the braking unit comprises a pair of Z-shaped, independently movable rods each having an outer leg attached to a braking spur, an inner leg attached to a brake pedal, and a central cross-bar forming a pivot axis. A stop is provided to inhibit the movement of the braking spurs towards the longitudinal middle section of the ski when the spurs are in the lowered braking position. Each braking spur is retractable towards the longitudinal middle section of the ski when the spurs are in the raised skiing position.