Abstract: This invention relates to a slip-resistant, flexible polyolefin thin film having first and second opposed, generally planar surfaces, the film comprised of vulcanized comminuted rubber particles of between 20 to 30 mesh size and, a thermoplastic low molecular weight polyolefin polymer, wherein the rubber particles are generally evenly distributed in planar orientation throughout the film, and, wherein the rubber particles are biased in their transverse placement within the thin film toward said second surface of the thin film.An inventive process for producing the thin film described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lined shot sleeve for use in injection die casting molten metal is disclosed. The lined shot sleeve comprises an elongated main body portion including a first continuous inner wall surface defining a receptacle bore axially extending between a first end and a second end of the main body portion A first ingress port opens onto the continuous inner wall surface and adapted to provide for passage of the molten metal into the receptacle bore There is an elongated ceramic liner adapted for secure placement within the receptacle bore, the liner including a second continuous inner wall surface defining a cylinder bore axially extending between a first end and a second end of the liner and an exterior wall surface adapted for frictional contact with the first continuous inner wall surface. The first and second ends of the ceramic liner are generally coincident with the first and second ends of the main body portion.

Abstract: A vehicular seat back recliner hinge comprises first and second hinged members that are mutually rotatably arranged about a common pivot. The first member has a gear rack arranged thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a pinion spur gear. The pinion spur gear is fixed on an adjacent ratchet wheel spur gear in mutually dependent rotatable relation about a common concentric shaft secured on a second hinged member. A selected one of the above-mentioned shaft and pivot are eccentrically mounted on a rotatable bushing arranged on a corresponding one of the members. The bushing is operable to selectively position the pinion gear and the rack in first mutually proximal and second mutually spaced positions.

Abstract: An automated unsupervised apparatus for conducting a blood alcohol content level test on an individual user, and subsequently discerning and displaying a meaningful test result, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an alphanumeric display for instructing the individual user to blow into the apparatus so as to provide a breath sample. A pressure switch is used to monitor the gauge pressure of the individual user's breath sample in order to determine whether the gauge pressure is at or above a threshold value for a predetermined length of time, typically three seconds. The alphanumeric display instructs the individual user to wait and blow again in the event that the gauge pressure does not remain at or above the threshold value for the predetermined length of time. A testing sample of the individual user's breath sample is captured in a fuel cell type alcohol concentration sensor.

Abstract: A device for supporting a plastic spectacle frame in a plastic spectacle frame warmer of the type that, in use, retains a primary amount of a solid granular material such as glass beads, in a heating pan and that uses the glass beads as a heat transfer medium, is disclosed. The device comprises a base portion for maintaining the device in a substantially upright relation within the heating pan of the frame warmer. An intermediate portion is supported by the base portion and extends upwardly therefrom. A receptacle portion is supported by the intermediate portion and extends upwardly from the base portion, and is adapted to receive and retain a secondary amount of the glass beads therein above the level of primary amount of the glass beads in the heating pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container having at least one indexing flat arranged along a neck portion thereof, and adapted to be received in register with corresponding portions of, for example manufacturing, handling and dispensing devices adapted for selectively positioning the container in predetermined radial alignment relative thereto during production; handling; distribution; or filling of the container.

Abstract: An automobile seatback subassembly for mutually securing an automobile seat and seat back, and comprising a complimentary pair of mutually interlocking members including an elongated member having a slide with a notched profile intermediate leading and trailing ends thereof, and a channel member comprising a wall arrangement defining an open ended channel for receiving a predetermined maximum length of the mounting member, in axial inter-fitting relation therein. The channel member includes a rotationally biased eccentric cam arranged on a pivot located adjacent the channel with a radially outermost extent of the cam normally biased into inter-fitting relation within the channel in transverse register with the notched profile of the elongated mounting member when the latter is inter-fittingly arranged within the channel. The cam is operably rotatable out of that interfering relation in order to permit the insertion and the withdrawal of the mounting member in the manner described below.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a supported apical piercing spike oriented and stabilized in supported relation on a support adapted to be positioned within a container. The container has a hollow interior defined between a distal end and a contiguous side wall extending upwardly from the distal end to a proximal end which opens into the interior. The support means is positionable adjacent the distal end with the apical piercing spike extending within the interior, away from the distal end and towards the above mentioned opening. In use, a frangible container of goods that is introduced into the interior of the container through the opening is impaled on the piercing spike, thereby permitting the contents thereof to be released form the frangible packaging into the interior of the container.

Abstract: A push-on gripper plate for use in securement of a mesh screening means on the protruding, threaded, end portion of a rock bolt inserted into a rock face is disclosed. The gripper plate has a generally planar base portion adapted to overlie the mesh screening means and a central opening in the base portion having two or more leg portions positioned on the perimeter of the opening and inclined upwardly, inwardly toward the center of said opening above the plane of the base portion. A plurality of tab portions are positioned on the perimeter of said opening in alternating arrangement with said leg portions, the tab portions being inclined upwardly, inwardly toward the center of the central opening above the plane defined by the base portion.

Abstract: A vehicular seat back recliner hinge comprises first and second hinged members that are mutually rotatably arranged about a common pivot. The first member has a gear rack arranged thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a pinion spur gear. The pinion spur gear is fixed on an adjacent ratchet wheel spur gear in mutually dependent rotatable relation about a common concentric shaft secured on a second hinged member. A selected one of the above-mentioned shaft and pivot are eccentrically mounted on a rotatable bushing arranged on a corresponding one of the members. The bushing is operable to selectively position the pinion spur gear and the rack in first mutually proximal and second mutually spaced positions. A locking pawl arranged on a second of the members is adapted to lockingly engaged with and unlockingly disengage from the ratchet wheel spur gear.

Abstract: An adjustable needle-craft implement comprises an elongated graspable barrel having a longitudinally extending bore communicating between opposed ends of the barrel. The barrel includes a longitudinally extending plurality of mutually spaced apart transverse slots communicating with said bore's interior and form a barrel indexing rack. An elongated hollow cylinder supports a hollow tubular needle at one end thereof. The cylinder has a resiliently mounted cylinder indexing rack with transversely extending processes thereof that are adapted to be engagable in selective axial register with corresponding ones of the transverse slots in the barrel indexing rack. The cylinder is adapted to be received internally of the bore, in releasably lockable, longitudinally slidable relation therewith.

Abstract: An improved angling device operable under physically autonomous, remote control by an operator, comprising an unmanned flotation platform including remotely operable propulsion and directional controls for selectively positioning the flotation platform under the remote, physically autonomous control of the operator, at a desired location on a surface of a body of water associated with fish habitat; and downward-looking sonar supported in buoyant relation on the platform and operable to provide intelligible feedback to the operator, based on sonar-sensed signals relating to that fish habitat. The combination of the improved angling device can include a terminal tackle depth control supported in buoyant relation on the platform, for selective adjustable positioning of the terminal tackle at desired depths under the remote, physically autonomous control of the operator.

Abstract: A releasably lockable hinge device comprises a pair of hingably connected hinge members rotatable about a common pivot and mutually positionable in an at least one mutually releasably locked position by a locking pawl selectively movable between locking and unlocking positions. First and second longitudinally spaced toothed portions of the locking pawl, when biased into a locking position, are interferingly wedgingly engaged with respective corresponding surfaces of the pair of hinge members, in rigidly, bridging interlocking relation therebetween.

Abstract: An inertial backrest latching mechanism for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a backrest member pivotally tiltable over a seat member. The mechanism has a first latch fixed relative to the seat member and a second latch pivotally mounted on the backrest member for pivotal movement about an exceptionally low pivot pin between an unlatched and latched configuration, in which latched configuration tilting movement of the backrest member over the seat member is restrained. A terminal ramped camming portion of the first latch is steeply profiled to tilt the second latch into a latchable configuration when the backrest member is in the normal upright position.

Abstract: A device for winding and unwinding a waterski tow-line comprises a substantially enclosed housing having a spool mounted for rotation in the housing. A driven gear is mounted on the spool for rotational driving thereof. A drive shaft is journaled in the housing for rotation and for axial sliding relative to the housing and the drive shaft has a first end portion protruding from the housing and a second end portion extending into the housing. A drive gear is rigidly affixed to the drive shaft for rotation and for axial sliding with it. A spring is mounted in the housing to bias the drive gear into meshing engagement with the driven gear. A crank lever is pivotally connected to the second end portion of the drive shaft by an eccentrically positioned pivot pin.

Abstract: A compact latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly suitable for use in applications presenting a small design envelope, wherein one or more pawls are mounted on a seat-cushion member within an arcuate gear sector mounted on the other of the seat members so as to be simultaneously and selectively movable into and out of locking engagement with the gear sector so as to restrain pivotal folding of the backrest member relative to the seat-cushion member when secured in locking engagement, and so as to allow for pivotal folding of the backrest member relative to the seat-cushion member when removed out of locking engagement.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved adjustable latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between folded and unfolded operative configurations. The device accommodates both the well-known "dumping" and "reclining" features and is comprised of a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member so as to define a first concentric arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member about the pivot axis and an idler plate having a generally arcuate gear sector and being mounted for rotation about the pivot axis.

Abstract: There is described a semi-automatic fishing apparatus for retaining a baited fishing rod in an inclined, flexed configuration wherein it may be automatically released to an unflexed position in response to tensioning of the fishing line, as for example, by acceptance of the bait by a fish, so as to set the hook in the fish. The apparatus features an elongated inclined base member to which the fishing rod handle is secured at an acute angle to one end and to which the tip of the fishing rod is retained at the opposite other end below the plane of the base member in the flexed configuration through the agency of a latching device. The latching device is tripped directly by the downward movement of the line which line simply overlies the tripping mechanism without the need for complicated threading of the line through the tripping mechanism as in prior art devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combining at least two discrete flows of a refrigerant in respective substantially dissimilar thermodynamic states in a vapor compression cycle refrigeration system, including the step of imparting substantial turbulent mixing of the at least two flows to produce a generally thermodynamically uniform admixture thereof. The present invention also relates to an improved vapor compression cycle refrigeration apparatus including means for turbulent mixing of at least two discrete flows of a refrigerant in respective, substantially dissimilar thermodynamic states, which means is operable to produce a generally thermodynamically uniform admixture thereof. The means may be retrofitted to existing equipment and the present invention extends to kits useful to this end and to refrigeration sub-assemblies including such means.