Abstract: A steering mechanism for a marine vehicle operably connected to a propulsion unit, which comprises a hydraulic cylinder having opposed stop members, e.g., end caps, and is supported by a rod extending along the longitudinally axis of the cylinder. A piston is affixed to the support rod and mounted in the cylinder, and fluid passageways open to the cylinder and are spaced longitudinally to each side of the piston to form opposed chambers in the cylinder. The piston is provided with a longitudinal bore extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, so that the bore establishes fluid communication between the opposed chambers. Valve member disposed in the bore is biased to a normally dosed position, but actuated to an open position when the piston is brought into abutting relationship with a stop member thereby establishing fluid communication between the opposed chambers, the valve member and the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A mounting system comprising an adjustment means adaptable for assuming a load, a supporting member and a bearing member in spaced relationship, and a compressible resilient member is disposed in supporting relationship with the bearing member. A portable fluidic cylinder is adaptable for connection and disconnection to a fluid source means, and an opening between the bearing member and the supporting member, such as an opening in a side wall of the supporting member, is of sufficient size to accommodate the cylinder. The fluidic cylinder is portable and adaptable for interposition between the bearing member and the supporting member and extendable to space the supporting member in a direction away from the bearing member without reducing deflection or compression of the resilient member, thereby permitting adjustment of extremely heavy loads.

Abstract: A lid for a beverage container having a lifting tab is affixed to the lid by a staking member or rivet which serves as a fulcrum about which the tab pivots. The staking member is disposed radially from the center of the lid. A line of weakness defining a rupturable area in the lid is formed between the staking member and the periphery of the container, and defines a fruto-conical configuration so as to subtend an angle of at least about 90.degree.. The line of weakness is nearly completely continuous, but has one relatively small broken zone whereby the severed area circumscribed by the line is retained by the lid at the broken zone when the area is ruptured to create a hole along the line. The staking member is disposed radially from the center of the lid by at least about 2.5 mm., and the remaining surface area of the lid outside the rupturable surface area defined the line of weakness is greater than if a staking member were disposed in the center of the lid.

Abstract: A grid system for supporting panels and adaptable for use in association with a substructure, comprising a plurality of spaced, horizontally disposed main runners and cross-runners arranged perpendicular to each other. The main runners are adaptable for attachment to the substructure, and include (i) a crosspiece having a horizontally oriented surface provided with a plurality of spaced notches and (ii) a downwardly depending member terminating with a horizontally disposed flange. The cross-runners have horizontally disposed flanges arranged in a common plane with the flanges of the main runners, which support the tile panels in a common plane. The cross-runners include connecting means for insertion in the notches upon the perpendicular arrangement, and the connecting means have a horizontally oriented surface for mating with the surface of the crosspiece and disposed for overlapping engagement with the crosspiece thereby supporting the cross-runner and preventing undesired disengagement therebetween.

Abstract: In a power steering system for a marine vehicle having a propulsion unit and an operator actuatable steering helm, a power steering assist apparatus including a hydraulic fluid cylinder-piston assembly and actuated in response to steering actuation at the steering helm, and controls for maintaining anti-feed back upon a failure in the fluid source including a valve to establish fluid communication between a fluid source for the cylinder-piston assembly and the chamber in the assembly to either side of the piston thereby maintaining the chamber substantially full of hydraulic fluid during steering to effect movement of the piston upon steering actuation.

Abstract: A power steering assist system, especially adaptable for a marine vehicle having a propulsion unit pivotal about a steering axis and including a steering member to effect steering movement thereof about the steering axis and an operator actuable steering helm, comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a rotary valve body disposed adjacent the hydraulic cylinder and having a valve control adapted to establish fluid communication between the hydraulic cylinder and a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinder. A ball screw, operably connected with the valve body, and a ball nut, having a recirculating ball connection with the ball screw, is operably connected to the piston so as to move axially on reciprocal movement of the piston. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder and to either side of the piston to effect reciprocal movement of the piston, whereby axial movement of the ball nut is translated into rotary movement of the ball screw so as to rotate the valve body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power assisted adjustment system for a power assuming or bearing a load member in a desired condition, comprising an actuator in combination with an adjustment member adaptable for assuming a load, and a hydraulic cylinder for temporarily reducing the load on the adjustment member, thereby permitting adjustment of extremely heavy loads with a nominal input force to the actuator. The actuator is operably engagable with the adjustment means and movable relative to the adjustment member. Electric switch operably connected with the actuator actuates the cylinder between an activating position and non-activating position, thereby permitting adjustment of the adjustment member in response to movement of the actuator in the activating condition. An input force or torque applied to the actuator effects a desired adjustment of the adjustment member. When the input force is stopped or interrupted, the actuator is biased to a non-activating position.

Abstract: A novel two-part coating composition and method for its production are disclosed. The novel coating composition comprises one part including a synthetic hectorite clay and a peptizer such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate. The other comprises a hydrophilic air curable epoxy resin. Films and food pouches made from said film are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a barrier means for a wooden flooring, especially useful for truck trailers and shipping containers. The flooring for such structures is comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel, wooden strips having their longitudinal edges in abutting relationship. A barrier film or fabric, which is permeable to vapor and impermeable to liquid, is disposed on the undersurface of the flooring, and discontinuous means adjoins or bonds the film or fabric to the flooring at least at the perimeter of the flooring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a replaceable adhesive display comprising a paper, metallized paper, or foil substrate printed on one or both sides with the same or different images, and at least one side is provided with a transparent overlay. The exposed surface of the plastic film overlay is coated with a pressure-sensitive, replaceable adhesive, but in order to achieve proper bonding between the overlay and the adhesive, the overlay surface is treated to enhance the bond between the overlay and adhesive. Following the surface treatment, the overlay is coated with a pressure-sensitive, replaceable adhesive. When the display is removed or peeled from the mounting surface, there is a relatively clean separation at the interface between the adhesive and the surface of the adherend, and substantially no residue remains on the surface. The adhesive is reusable or resealable and permits remounting the display many times. Preferably, a quick-release member is provided over the coating to protect the coating.

Abstract: A detector, which is source specific, for detecting a fugitive emission from a component containing a gaseous or volatile analyte, and is adaptable for adjacent disposition to the component. The device includes (a) a substrate for disposition adjacent the component from or through which the analyte is emitted, said substrate being substantially inert to the analyte, (b) an analyte-reactive reagent, and optionally (c) an indicator. The substrate is isolated from the ambient air or atmosphere, and no exogenous reagent is utilized by the detector or in the process of detection. When the detector is applied adjacent the component, a detectable reaction occurs (e.g., color-forming reaction or signal) with the analyte emitted.

Abstract: A coated polyolefin film and method for its production is disclosed. The coating comprises a synthetic fluid hectorite, a peptizer such as sodium tetrapyrophosphate and a hydrophilic air curable epoxy resin. Food pouches made from said film are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is to a power steering system for a marine vehicle having an operator actuable steering helm and a propulsion unit, including a steering arm, to effect steering movement thereof about a steering axis. The system is interposed between the steering helm and the propulsion unit and mounted remote from the propulsion unit, and further is hydraulically actuated in response to operative movement at the steering helm. A gear drive means, actuated in response to steering actuation at the helm, is operably connected to power steering assist means, comprising a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly and hydraulic fluid source. Actuating means for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid through the power steering assist means is operably connected to the gear drive means. An actuable output means, preferably a gear output means is operably connected to the power steering assist means for operative movement in response to the actuating means.

Abstract: A liquid absorbent structure is made by dry laying a fibrous web having incorporated therein a superabsorbent material, and applying a latex coating to at least one surface of the web, which on curing imparts integrity to the resulting structure without substantially impairing the effectiveness of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid.

Abstract: A carrier or receptacle for a fishing lure attached to a fishing line comprises a housing adaptable for receiving the lure and having a base, opposed side walls, and opposed end walls. The side walls and end walls extend upwardly from the base, and are substantially parallel to each other thereby forming a generally box-like structure or housing. The housing further includes a slidable cover spaced from the base and substantially parallel thereto, which is adaptable for sliding between an open and closed position, thereby providing an enclosure or container for the lure.

Abstract: A closure adaptable for protecting an electric plug extending from a vehicle, which comprises a box-like structure having first and second complementary members hingedly connected and interface with each other when the closure is in a closed condition. A recess in a marginal edge of at least one side wall of said member forms an opening along the interface of said first and second members when in closed condition to permit electric wires to extend from said plug outwardly from said closure. A closed cell, cellular polymer is encased in each of said first and second members, (i) said polymer being substantially moisture resistant and compressible, (ii) and said polymer having a combined volume sufficient relative to the combined, interior volume of said closure to permit said first and second members to close when brought into abutting relationship and to substantially envelop said plug thereby forming a water-tight seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power assisted adjustment system for assuming and maintaining a load member, and comprises a force-responsive means operably connected with an adjustment means, for assuming a load, and an actuable load-relieving means for temporarily reducing the load on the adjustment means. Application of force or torque to the force-responsive means actuates the load-relieving means thereby relieving load on the adjustment means, and substantially concomitantly operably effects a desired adjustment of the adjustment means.

Abstract: The invention provides an analytical device, and method of using same, for detecting a gaseous or volatile analyte and adaptable to be applied directly to the surface of a solid material from which said analyte is emitted. The device comprises a substrate for disposition adjacent a surface of the solid material, and applied to the substrate are (a) an analyte-reactive component which reacts with said analyte, and (b) an indicator in sufficient quantity to produce a detectable signal selective to the reaction thereby detecting said analyte. The analytical device has no exogenous reagent.

Abstract: A portable net holding assembly for volley ball and the like comprises two identical halves. Each half of the assembly includes a substantially planar base member having (i) at least one downwardly depending spike adaptable for insertion into the ground adjacent the playing area in order to secure or hold the base to the ground when in a deployed position or playing position, and (ii) an upwardly depending, centrally located male stud. An end pole has a longitudinal recess at one end for accommodating the male stud of the base. A plurality of elongated stakes, preferably two, are adaptable to be inserted into the ground at spaced apart points remote from the base member and outwardly from the playing area. A set of lines extend from the pole to each of the stakes and are releasably connected thereto in a deployed position, and the pole has longitudinally spaced connecting elements for releasably connecting a net thereto.

Abstract: A protective device for a body part is formed of a pliable material and adaptable to conform to the body part to be protected. The device comprises a substantially planar member having an enlarged central portion with a depending lobe, and is adaptable to conform to and encircle at least partially a body part, the planar member having a body-facing surface and opposed exterior surface. A plurality of substantially parallel, spaced apart elongated ribs extend through the central portion and project from the exterior surface of the planar member. The planar member and ribs are formed integrally of a closed cell, cellular polymer and provided with an integrally formed, substantially nonporous, pliable skin on the exterior surface. Suitable fastening means releasably secures the device around the body part.