Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for printing a pattern on articles employing a printing plate having a grooved pattern therein in which ink is applied to such plate and a scraper blade passes thereover to remove the excess ink from the plate surface while leaving such ink in the grooves. An apertured shield can be placed over the scraped plate, the aperture positioned to expose the grooved pattern. A transfer printing pad is then contacted with the so-shielded grooved plate and picks up the ink pattern. The so-inked transfer pad is then contacted with an article to print the inked pattern thereon. In some embodiments, the apertured shield is omitted.

Abstract: The folding bicycle which includes front and rear wheels and a sprocket and pedal assembly mounted to a frame and a steering column and a seat column mounted to such frame, is provided wherein the seat column and the steering column fold into proximity with the frame and substantially in the plane of the frame, while the rear wheel and sprocket assembly pivot around the sprocket axis into proximity with the frame and the front wheel, also in the plane of such frame.The seat column has a bend or goose neck below the seat thereof to permit the seat column when folded toward the steering column, to curve around the base portion of the steering column and permit the steering column to fold thereover in planar proximity.Other features of the planar folding bicycle include foldable handle bars and foldable pedals and a sprocket belt drive which is positioned against the drive gear of the rear wheel by an adjustable nip guide roll.

Abstract: A vortex connector for threaded plastic bottles is provided in which the connector has a pair of opposed recesses, each connecting with an inner female helically threaded recess, the recesses connecting to one another through an axially elongated constriction venturi. One of the bottles is partially filled with water.The so-coupled bottles are pivoted so that the water containing bottle is on top, the upper bottle is given a circular swirl or two and the water flows in a clearly discernable whirlpool or vortex from the upper bottle to the lower while the displaced air flows from the lower bottle to the upper through the thus-formed vortex in an educational or entertaining display.

Abstract: A holder or holster for a foldable knife in which the knife has a handle and a blade pivotably mounted to the handle is provided. The holster has a cam-fulcrum therein which bridges a forward portion thereof proximate the exit for the handle of the knife. The holster has a chamber therein to receive and hold the knife in a partially-folded position around the cam-fulcrum so that on withdrawal of the knife, the blade contacts and pivots around the cam-fulcrum and opens relative to the handle so that the knife is withdrawn from the holster in an open position.The holster can also have a second cam-fulcrum which bridges a rearward portion thereof so that on insertion of the knife into the holster, the back edge of the blade contacts such cam-fulcrum and is folded toward the handle as the handle advances into the holster.Accordingly, the foldable knife is automatically opened upon withdrawal from the holster and automatically folded upon insertion therein.

Abstract: A box-like container of corrugated plastic web having a pair of side walls and end walls is provided. The first side wall has a fold with a rectangular flap hingeably mounted thereto; each end wall has a hingeably mounted end flap having a slant edge terminating in an off-center blunt apex. The other side wall has a hingeably mounted triangular flap which terminates in a blunt substantially central apex. Accordingly, the first side flap is foldable toward the container and the end flaps are foldable thereover to define a substantially central slot with the first side flap and the (second side) triangular flap is foldable over the other flaps with the central apex being insertable into the slot to interleave the other flaps in an interlocking configuration.In one embodiment the container has top flaps and similar bottom flaps mounted to the container walls, which flaps are recloseable to form a closed container and openable to permit the container to be compressed into lay-flat form.

Abstract: Plastic articles of thermoplastic or thermoset plastic are penetrated with dispersed dyes in one or more colors in clearly defined patterns, the penetrated portion or surface of the article being free of dye adhesive and dye carrier and in some cases having a surface texture imparted thereto.

Abstract: An improved jump suit with a rear drop-seat panel that opens downwardly is provided. The suit has a flexible panel mounted across the inside front portion thereof to define pockets therewith. The panel further extends on either side of the suit to define tapered flaps which overlap around the rear portion of the suit near the waist and under the drop-seat panel when it is raised to the closed position.The overlapped flaps are joined by attaching means such as VELCRO and the drop-seat panel has attaching means thereon such as VELCRO or zippers which engage matching fasteners on proximate portions of the flaps when the panel is closed over the flaps.The overlapped flaps supplement the strength of the jump suit and enhance the fit thereof and reduce draftiness at the seams of the drop-seat panel.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are disclosed for winding ribbon or yarn around rows of upstanding spindles spaced a desired distance apart. The ribbon or yarn is wound around the spindles in a desired pattern of loops and secured between the spaced rows of spindles by typing with a wire.One of the rows of spindles is moved toward the other to slacken the loops, the wire is further tightened if necessary and the winding is removed to produce a uniform, multi-looped bow of ribbon and/or yarn.Extender spindles are also provided which mount adjacent the above spindles and extend the effective height thereof for winding additional rows of ribbon or yarn and/or wider ribbon.

Abstract: In a linear tone arm tracking system for a record player where the stylus tone arm moves on a guiderail across a recording, eg. a record disc on a turntable, an improvement is provided in which the stylus tone arm is connected to a partial sleeve, which sleeve hovers partially over the guiderail and means, such as air pressure means, causes the partial sleeve to hover over the guiderail in proximity therewith, so that when the stylus rides in the record groove and is laterally shifted thereby, the tone arm and partial sleeve readily shift over the guiderail in response to the shift of the stylus.Further provided is a means for raising and lowering the guiderail which adjusts the elevation of the partial sleeve and tone arm and accordingly adjusts the vertical tracking angle of the stylus in the record groove.

Abstract: A guideway system for cargo including vehicles is provided wherein a carriage glides on a rail mounted in a channel. The rail has compressed air discharge ports and vacuum intake ports positioned longitudinally therealong. The compressed air ports emit sufficient air to provide an air support cushion under the carriage and to impart positive air pressure behind it while the vacuum ports reduce the air pressure forward of the carriage to create an air pressure differential that propels the carriage along such rail. Vehicles drive onto a carriage, are secured in place and are conveyed to a desired station on such carriage. The vehicle then unloads from the carriage and drives off to its final destination. Similarly, other cargo is loaded onto a carriage and unloaded at its destination.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for the spiral winding of a filament wherein e.g. a wire is directed by a guide plate into the spiral groove of a template and the template is rotated to wind the wire into a spiral winding. The winding is then bonded to a backer member to form a spirally wound element e.g. an electrostatic driver component in a speaker unit and the element is then separated from the template.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for rapid and accurate stylus overhang positioning and tangential alignment with respect to a turntable. Accordingly a stylus locater plate having an aperture and a stylus positioning mark spaced therefrom is mounted on the spindle of a turntable. A pivot arm is connected to the locater plate on the other side of said spindle from the stylus positioning mark. The pivot arm and thus the locater plate, are then rotated around the spindle until such arm crosses over the pivot axis of the stylus arm of the turntable, to locate the mark in the turntable. The stylus arm is then pivoted toward the mark and the stylus cartridge is adjusted in the stylus arm to position the stylus in registration with such mark.The locater plate is further provided with lines near such mark to guide the angular positioning of the stylus cartridge into a tangential alignment with the record grooves at such mark.