Abstract: According to the depicted embodiment, two eccentric-weight units are rotated into or out of radial alignment with each other to cause an increase or diminution of vibration. The units are journaled in a frame and a coupling assembly causes both to rotate in unison, but the assembly is also operative to rotationally index one of the weight units relative to the other to vary the noted radial-alignment relationship, as desired. One of the weight units comprises a pair of separate weights, each having an eccentric-throw portion, which are separated along the rotation axis and which are joined for common rotation by a resilient coupling. The latter coupling sustains and reactively absorbs any misalignments and/or displacements arising between the separate weights. The other weight unit is an elongate, eccentric shaft coaxial with the separate weights.

Abstract: In a pinion-rack drive system, an auxiliary lock mechanism for the movable omponent, said lock mechanism including a second rack normally not meshed with the pinion drive gear but potentially meshable therewith when the pinion gear is moved axially parallel to the teeth on the racks. Lock action involves axial adjustment of the pinion gear so that the gear has opposite ones of its teeth (on the gear diameter) locked in the rack teeth, thereby precluding rotation of the pinion gear and translation of the pinion gear along the rack system.

Abstract: A crutch construction of the "Canadian" type that includes an elongated lower support assembly on the uppermost end of which a universally adjustable hand rest is interconnected. An upper forearm support assembly is provided with a forearm cuff member, the vertical axis of which is generally aligned with the vertical axes of the hand rest and the lower support assembly, wherein the forces exerted by the weight of the user on the crutch are transmitted directly through the aligned lower support assembly and hand rest for distribution to the hand of the user as located on the hand rest and through the forearm of the user as positioned in said cuff member.

Abstract: An enclosure with doors contains a plurality of arched hoops or the like having ground engaging skids and with a flexible covering attached thereto. The hoops may be pulled out manually over a car or the like parked in front of the enclosure. Locking bars lock the hoops in spaced apart relationship automatically and a bar may be provided hooking under the bumper of the car for anchoring purposes. A winch in the enclosure winds cables passing through eyes on the hoops or arches and which are anchored to the outermost arch. Means are provided to break the over-center locking action of the locking bars as the hoops are wound in by the winch until the entire assembly is contained within the enclosure.

Abstract: A membrane structure having a frame constructed of radial supports that extend outward and downward from a common apex to the base. These support members are usually curved semi-arches or have a curved bight, are indirectly attached to each other at the apex and are normally secured directly to the base to oppose outward thrust of the lower ends and to anchor the structure. Outward thrust can also be opposed by an auxiliary circumferential tension member near the base. These supports can be precurved before erection or formed by "bowling" straight members during assembly and/or erection.The membrane cover supported by the frame is fabricated to curve inwardly between, at least, the curved bights of the supports to decrease membrane vibration, enable it to carry heavy external loads, oppose deflection of the supports and thus add stability to the structure.

Abstract: An umbrella-like hat for protection from sun or rain, comprising a plurality of ribs, an upper central hub, a plurality of steel threads, a lower central hub, a plurality of braces, a flexible cover, an upper tubular member, a lower tubular member, a top member, a catch member, and a plug. The hat can be readily collapsed to form a small and easily-stored package when not in use.

Abstract: A crutch carry-all attachment for holding letters, papers, cigarettes, pocket radios, pencils and the like, of unitary preferably all plastic construction having outwardly opening grooves which engage the side rails of a crutch to removably secure the attachment in place.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible-walled demountable greenhouse in which the support structure consists of a plurality of rods, for example 6, extending from the periphery of the base to a cap structure at the top central portion of the greenhouse; the rods are of fiberglass or other strong, light material and are keyed at one end to lock into the cap structure. The walls are preferably a double thickness of plastic such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene having vertically extending seams to form sleeves in which the support rods are placed. The base of the support rods are engaged in nylon cup and anchor loops which may be anchored to the ground by stakes so that no floor or foundation is required. A zipper closured door is provided in the walls.

Abstract: An umbrella is convertible between an expanded and contracted position to adjust the area of coverage thereof when the umbrella is in the opened condition. The umbrella is formed with a pair of sticks which extend from the handle thereof with the sticks being pivoted at the handle for movement between a spread position whereby the sticks may be placed in a generally V-shaped configuration, and a position wherein the sticks are brought together to be generally parallel with each other. Each stick includes a slider which may move relative to the stick in order to effect opening and closing of the canopy of the umbrella, which canopy is generally supported upon the ends of the sticks by ribs. With the sticks in a generally parallel position, a smaller area of coverage is provided by the umbrella.

Abstract: This application disclosed a modular stairway system for circular structures or other structures having non-linear walls. The invention comprises a plurality of first stringer means, a plurality of first connecting means for joining the first stringers, a plurality of second stringer means horizontally spaced from and parallel to the first stringer means, and a plurality of adjustable second connecting means for adjustably joining the second stringers such that the first and second stringers conform to the curvature of the structure. A plurality of stairs are horizontally interposed between the first and second stringers, and a stair mounting means for securing the stairs to the first and second stringers are provided.

Abstract: An upright is provided including upper and lower ends and the lower end of the upright includes a foot for frictionally gripping an upwardly facing support surface. The upper end of the upright defines a pair of horizontally spaced apart opposite side portions between which a horizontal upwardly opening cradle is supported for angular adjustment about an axis extending transversely of the cradle and between the opposite side portions. One of the opposite side portions includes a cane handle supported therefrom for angular displacement about its longitudinal axis and projecting above the cradle and one end of the cradle includes an outwardly convex end wall while the other end of the cradle is open and includes an endwise outwardly projecting support arm from whose outer end a second upwardly opening cradle is supported.

Abstract: An improved hub-locking device for conveyor pulleys including a spherically shaped collet having a centrally located bore for receiving a shaft and having an axially aligned slot extending through one side thereof permitting compression of the collet on the shaft, a hub attached to the end of the pulley and having an axially aligned tapered aperture for partially receiving the collet with the shaft therein, a clamping ring having a tapered aperture for partially fitting over the collet and a plurality of bolts for passing through holes in the clamping ring, for threading into the hub and for drawing the clamping ring toward the hub compressing the collet therebetween, causing the collet to compress and engage the shaft, the hub and the clamping ring.

Abstract: A portable collapsible frame structure for tents, shelters, temporary buildings and the like is disclosed. The frame includes a plurality of elongate, rigid frame members connected by pivotable joints to each other in end-to-end relation such that alternating joints are articulatable in opposite directions to permit folding of the frame members into side-by-side, parallel relation for ease of transportation. The frame structure is held in its erected position by tensile elements which are arranged to apply a compressive force to the abutting ends of the frame members and thereby rigidify the joints of the frame structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates in general to the connection art and in particular to the connection of two inclined tubes to a leg or other tubular piece in tables or similar articles. For improving the stability of such connections the ends of the two inclined square tubes extending above the prongs of the corner piece are obliquely cut such that their one side entirely conceals the corresponding side of the prongs and extends up to the seat and each forms an extension of the outer defining edges of the seat extending in the longitudinal direction of the leg or tubular piece in order, together therewith, to be held in abutment against the leg or tubular piece, the seat being designed to be urged laterally together with its extensions formed by the square tubes, against the leg or tubular piece substantially only along the defining edges and the extensions.

Abstract: A versatile, low cost scaffold is constructed of commonly available materials and is adapted to be placed upon the bed of a tilt bed truck. When thereupon placed, the platform of the scaffold remains level as it is raised by tilting the bed of the truck. The scaffold comprises a lower portion which rests upon and is securely fastened to the bed of the truck. An upper portion, which includes the platform and safety rails of the scaffold is connected to the lower portion on one side by means of a hinge.

Abstract: A resilient tip member, preferably molded as a unit from rubber, having a gripper pad, a crutch holder and an interposed sleeve portion. A pivot pin preferably has a disc-like upper portion disposed within the crutch holder, and a depending pin portion extending through the sleeve portion and into the gripper pad. An instep plate is disposed within the gripper pad and has an upwardly concave portion of generally complementary configuration with respect to the lower end of the depending pin portion with the two being in contact.Means for introducing lubricant into the contacting portions of the pivot pin and instep plate may be provided. Traction means may be removably or permanently secured to the ground engaging portion of the resilient tip member.

Abstract: A novel fastener is provided for securing a valve actuator housing to a valve mounting flange. The fastener, according to the present invention, comprises an elongated and generally cylindrical pin member which threadably engages the valve mounting flange so that a portion of the pin member extends outwardly from the valve mounting flange. The protruding portion of the pin member is received within an appropriate bore formed in the bottom of the valve actuator housing as the valve actuator housing is positioned on the valve mounting flange. A threaded transverse bore radially intersects the housing bore and threadably receives a locking screw. Upon tightening, the locking screw abuts against a reduced diameter circumferential portion of the pin member and, thus, locks the valve actuator housing to the valve mounting flange.

Abstract: A latch unit for a pair of rectangular telescoped bed frame rails having overlapped side walls with aligned openings therein. The latch unit consists of a hollow rectangular body of one-piece, non-rigid construction, preferably yieldable plastic material, telescoped over the telescoped rails.

Abstract: An improved invalid walker is provided with extra bracing between each front and rear leg so as to increase the strength of the structure. In addition to the handle section of the walker, there are two braces connecting each front leg to its respective rear leg so as to make three structural attachments between each front leg and the rear leg. The bracing structure is connected together in a unique circular manner. An additional set of hand grips may be placed on one set of the braces so as to help an invalid assume the standing position from the sitting position. The legs of the walker are splayed to improve stability. The walker has exceptional strength due to the additional bracing that exists between the front and the rear legs and the manner in which the bracing members are associated with each other.

Abstract: A portable, quick-assembled tent includes a central tent pole with a horizontal, circular plate and an upstanding housing threadedly mounted thereon. The housing supports a stack of at least three spring retraction, lockable spools of strand, each rotatable in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis. The free terminal end of each strand is unwound against spring pressure and anchored at a spaced distance from the bottom of the pole. A canopy of limp fabric has its closed upper end draped over the central pole and its larger area, lower, open, end held extended by the strands.