Abstract: A device for supporting and retaining a tracheostomy tube or an endotracheal tube in operational patient contact includes a support strap, a tube support member having an opening formed therein and at least one resilient tube engagement member projecting into the tube receiving opening for contacting and frictionally retaining a tube in the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for take-up of textile fabric from a fabric producing machine is equipped with a fabric take-up frame, a fabric take-up roll supported on the frame for fabric winding thereabout, and a variable speed drive motor arrangement for rotating the take-up roll. A transducer roll or other suitable arrangement monitors tension in the fabric between the fabric producing machine and the take-up frame and is associated with a microprocessor or other controller to adjust the drive motor speed as necessary to maintain fabric tension in accordance with a predetermined tension program as the fabric is wound on the take-up roll, either for purposes of maintaining constant fabric tension or programmed tension variation over the winding operation. The take-up frame is separable from and movable independently of the fabric producing machine for transporting a fabric after a take-up operation to a subsequent processing station without rewinding of the fabric.

Abstract: A debris cleaning apparatus for a circular knitting machine includes a horizontal radial support arm rotatably mounted coaxially to the machine frame with a rotary paddle-type fan mounted to one outward end of the support arm for movement within a circular range of motion and a counterweight mounted to the other outward end of the support arm. A drive motor imparts circular motion to the fan either in a vertical plane or in a conical path of motion, wherein the line of force of the fan is substantially maintained out of co-planar relation with the central axis of the machine. In this manner, the moving airstream generated by the fan provides a motive force for propelling the support arm to rotate about the central axis at a cyclically varying speed of rotation, either reversingly or in a single rotational direction. Thus, the airstream is directed through its range of movement over the knitting and yarn feeding instrumentalities of the machine about its full circumferential extent to blow lint from surfaces.

Abstract: A plastic bag for containing merchandise which includes a plurality of walls forming a compartment for receiving and containing the merchandise, a generally flat flap connected at the top wall of the bag so as to be capable of extending outwardly therefrom, and perforations formed in the flap and in the container walls in a particular pattern that permits the perforations in the flap to be separated to form a handle opening in such flap without opening the bag itself, and which can be further opened to provide an access opening in the bag to permit removal of the merchandise therefrom.

Abstract: A warp-knitted shoe liner fabric of a three-bar construction having a three-dimensional compressible character in the fabric's thickness dimension with a pattern of elongated coursewise underlaps at the fabric's technical back which, in use, is to be oriented to face inwardly of the interior foot-receiving area of the shoe. The fabric is preferably finished with dye bath-carrying anti-microbial/anti-fungal and wicking enhancement agents, and also has silicone and acrylic polymers applied to resist fraying and abrasion and improve the fabric softness.

Abstract: A fitting for directing fluid flow through a fluid impervious wall includes an internally threaded conduit portion and an externally threaded retainer portion wherein the retainer portion includes two tab members for acquisition by a retention tool during fabrication and installation and the conduit also includes an input portion substantially similar in diameter to the preformed opening in the fluid impervious wall for maximizing flow rate through the fitting.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the insertion of a beach umbrella in the sand includes a shaft formed as a helix about an axis of rotation with a handle attached to one end thereof. The curvature of the helix defines a major diameter and the shaft of the device is at least a quarter the size of the major diameter. The shaft is manually inserted in the sand and then withdrawn thereby forming a hole for the insertion of the beach umbrella support shaft.

Abstract: A housing encloses a rotor, an opening roller, and a conduit communicating between the rotor and opening roller for the feeding of fiber from the opening roller to the rotor. The housing forms a trash removal chamber below the opening roller into which trash is discharged toward the bottom of the chamber during operation of the opening roller; the area of the opening roller where the trash is discharged is the trash outlet opening. The rotation of the opening roller creates an air flow draft in the direction of rotation. This air flow draft, taken in combination with suction applied in the rotor of the open-end spinning unit, creates an air flow suction draft from the chamber through the conduit in the direction of the opening roller rotation. An air flow is provided in the trash removal chamber in and from the chamber in a direction counter to the direction of the air flow draft rotating with the opening roller in the region of the trash outlet opening.

Abstract: Lug nuts may be adhered to a vehicle wheel about a stud-receiving opening therein to facilitate mounting of the wheel onto a wheel hub of a vehicle without necessitating manual placement of the lug nut on the stud by utilizing a cylindrical washer-like annular device, the opposite ends of which have self-adhesive surfaces. Thus, one adhesive surface of the washer-like device may be adhered to the vehicle wheel about a stud-receiving opening while the opposite adhesive surface may be adhered to the lug nut. The main body of the device is preferably formed of a stretchable foam material so that the device is extensible in response to extension of the stud through the wheel opening, thereby to remain adhered to the wheel and the lug nut until securement of the lug nut to the stud.

Abstract: A rug rack includes a pair of similar frame structures supported in substantially parallel, spaced relation by an intermediate frame structure extending diagonally between and secured to both of said frame structures. The rug rack is free-standing, and does not need to be secured to any other supporting structure. A plurality of rug supporting members are pivotally secured to said intermediate frame structure for holding respective rugs in depending position, each being freely pivotable into a viewing position. The pair of frame structures further includes outboard supports for holding a plurality of rolled rugs in axially upright position. A canopy surrounds the upper portion of the rug rack, and has lights mounted interiorly thereof to illuminate rugs supported by said rug rack.

Abstract: An elastic band is fabricated with an integrated drawcord utilizing a crochet-type warp knitting machine by initially knitting a finished elastic band and, then, re-routing the finished band back through the knitting machine to a second knitting location at which fabric piercing needles are utilized to knit additional warp and filling yarns while a drawcord is simultaneously fed between the piercing needles to form a covering web over the drawcord defining a tunnel area between the covering web and the finished band in which the drawcord is captured.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the bank angle of a moving aircraft includes a receiver for receiving navigational signals from NAVSTAR/GPS satellites in orbit about the earth, a signal processor for demodulating the satellite navigational signals, an arrangement for determining aircraft speed based on the navigational signals, an arrangement for determining the rate of change of the aircraft track heading from the navigational signals, an arrangement for determining the bank angle of the moving aircraft from the aircraft speed and the rate of change of track heading wherein the aircraft bank angle is inversely proportional to the aircraft speed and directly proportional to the rate of change of track heading.

Abstract: A folding sofa bed frame having head, intermediate and foot bed sections pivotally connected end-to-end and constrained by a linkage arrangement to move in a predetermined pattern between a folded position and a horizontally extended position. A transverse mattress support bar is affixed to a pivoting bell crank link for movement of the mattress support bar into a dropped position spaced below the intermediate section when the structure is extended, thereby out of interference with comfortable sleeping use of the bed frame.

Abstract: A lightweight warp knitted textile fabric suitable for use as the loop component of a hook-and-loop fastener is formed of a set of ground yarns knitted in a relatively stretchable construction with a set of loop-forming yarns formed in a stitch pattern producing elongated underlap loops extending outwardly from the technical back of the fabric which can be readily interengaged with the hook elements of a mating hook component without any necessity for brushing, napping or mechanically raising the loops. In one embodiment, a second set of loop-forming yarns is formed in a stitch pattern producing elongated loops extending outwardly from the technical face of the fabric which can be adhered to a backing material such as a carpet backing. In another embodiment, filling yarn is inserted weftwise in every fabric course.

Abstract: Textile yarn package supporting carriers are disclosed for use in textile dyeing machines to enable the machine to be effectively operated at less than full capacity. Each carrier has a base with multiple upstanding package supporting posts equipped with interchangeable adapters to accommodate differing numbers of yarn packages up to the maximum capacity of the carrier. An upstanding wall on the base defines an enclosure for retaining treating liquid, and the wall has a selectively movable and removable panel for forming a liquid weir at a selectively variable level relative to the base to determine a maximum level of liquid which may be retained in the carrier enclosure.

Abstract: Textile yarn package supporting carriers are disclosed for use in both horizontal and vertical textile dyeing machines to enable the machine to be effectively operated at less than full capacity, Each carrier has a base with multiple upstanding package supporting posts each having a longitudinal package supporting portion adjacent the base and a longitudinal threaded spindle portion extending outwardly in alignment therewith, The package supporting portion is dimensioned to securely support a predetermined minimum number of packages on each post and adapters are provided for slidable mounting onto the spindle portions of each post to accommodate additional yarn packages up to the maximum capacity of the carrier. A threaded cap mounts to the spindle portion of each post for movement therealong into engagement with the outermost package on the post.