Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-speed and accurate cutting of cards from sheets, printed with an array of card layouts, moving along a unidirectional path. The apparatus includes rollers for initial accurate sheet feeding, a plurality of pairs of rotation members having common tangent points which serve to simultaneously advance a sheet in indexing motions and slit it along its leading edge, and a transverse cutting bar which cuts rows of cards across the slits. Each pair of rotation members includes a unidirectional driving anvil roller and an idling slitter disk. Continuous driving mechanism operates the apparatus. The apparatus for initial sheet feeding includes rollers feed sheets seriatim from a first leading-edge position to a second leading-edge position, hold them there until engaged by subsequent sheet-handling members, release them upon such engagement, and hold the next sheet in ready position while the released sheet is drawn past.

Abstract: An improved plunger for clearing clogged bathroom drains and the like. The plunger has apertures through the wall of its resiliently collapsible cup and a diaphragm or other occlusion member on the inside surface of the cup for alternately opening and partially occluding the apertures in response to pressures and liquid flow. The invention allows repetitive application of downward hydraulic pressure on the clog without excessive reverse pressures during the intervening upward strokes, facilitates variation in the degree of hydraulic pressure applied, and provides several related advantages. In one preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is secured to a raised portion of the cup inside surface. In another, the degree of maximum occlusion is adjustable by turning the occlusion member. In yet another, the cup and diaphragm are integrally formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting fasteners seriatim at a predetermined position in a predetermined orientation for subsequent transfer or fastening. The invention includes a container for jumbled similar fasteners, reciprocating or other lifting means having an arm extending to a distal end within the container, and passive pickup means on the distal end configured to receive a fastener from among the jumbled fasteners and hold it by cradling as the pickup element moves upwardly through the jumbled fasteners to a position thereabove. The method and apparatus can repetitively present one type of fastener to one position, an array of one type of fastener to several positions, or an array of plural types of fasteners to plural positions.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for field sports having a circular cleat formed on the sole in forward position substantially encompassing the ball-of-the-foot and toe portions of the sole, extending substantially across the width of the sole, and enclosing a surface coincident with the main surface of the sole. The shoe provides improved pivotability while also providing good traction, and can reduce the frequency of certain common leg injuries.

Abstract: An improved stake for supporting guides for screed members used in concrete smoothing. The stake is a hollow, open-ended tube having a wall of substantially uniform cross-section along at least most of its length, and having an upper edge adapted to support a guide rod or bar and a lower edge adapted for ground cutting. Certain embodiments include pairs of slots for receiving inserts which assist in determining the proper depth to which the stake should be driven.

Abstract: An air compressor system of the type having fluid-treating components including a compressor and downstream coolers for hot fluids emanating from the compressor, characterized by a substantially airtight cabinet enclosing the fluid-treating components and including air outlets and an ambient air inlet, a device over the air inlet to clean incoming ambient air, and wherein the coolers are of the air-cooled type. In preferred embodiments, a device at the inlet, preferably a water-scrubbing air cleaner, cools incoming ambient air. The cabinet preferably includes a substantially vertical surrounding wall section and a removable cover engaged therewith. The cabinet wall section preferably includes at least two perimetrical portions removably interconnected to allow separation and thus to allow ready accessibility to fluid treating components. A highly preferred feature is a jack or other similar device for raising the cover for inspection and minor service.

Abstract: A solar panel having venting gates at opposite ends of an air plenum defined between a collector element and a protective, light-transmissive cover and having a wax thermal actuator for both the gates and flexible force-transmitting linkages between the actuator and each gate to operate the gates simultaneously. Preferred embodiments include certain linkages, gates and gate control apparatus, and certain structural relationships of the actuator with the collector element to achieve desired heat transfers. In certain embodiments, the actuator is part of a heat-sensing module which receives a multiplicity of heat inputs. The collector element in certain highly preferred embodiments is of plastic. A glazed solar panel having a venting gate controlled by a temperature-responsive wax thermal actuator linked thereto.

Abstract: Sliding door apparatus for closing large openings in large building structures. The invention is characterized by a sliding door engaged with a building structure and having at least one edge aligned to slide parallel to a portion of the door frame, the edge and frame portion defining a gap therebetween and constituting two relatively moveable adjacent members one of which has a magnetically receptive surface extending along the gap, the other having a flexible magnetic sealing strip along the gap and spanning the gap to magnetically engage the surface when the sliding door is closed.

Abstract: A tiddlywinks game characterized by a major target surface slanted whereby shot disks falling thereon slide thereacross, and target receptacles, preferably cups, under the target surface and having open mouths flush with the surface. Preferred embodiments have a multiplicity of target receptacles having mouths of differing sizes at various locations on the target surface and having differing point values, a multiplicity of launch locations assigned point multipliers, and a reject receptor adjacent the lower edge of the slanted target surface and having portions assigned point values. The target surface is preferably hinged to a single planar surface forming the launch area and reject receptor.