Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a fire emergency descent device utilizing straps is securable onto a persons back, and a spool-mounted line (wire) is controllably releasable through overhead wire guide supports adjustable to alter the hanging position of the strapped-in person, and rate of descent being controllable either manually by a manually-adjustable variable valve and a second valve normally preset to correspond to a persons weight to controllably regulate release of compressed air from a piston cylinder housing in which air becomes compressed by piston action resulting from spinning of the spool (spindle) during descent.

Abstract: A dolly is disclosed having a vertically adjustable shelf attachable to independent vertical side rails resting on a surface, the rails constituting legs for the support of the shelf, two of which are wheeled, the shelf having a pair of laterally and oppositely attached wheels which can be lifted with the shelf from the bottom to the top of the legs to render the device stationary and permit a weight to be supported on the shelf. When the shelf is lowered on the rails to its lowermost position, all four wheels contact the surface for movement of the dolly from one location to another. In either mode of use, a weight is supportable on the shelf. In another form of the dolly, a storable handle bar can be attached near the top of the legs to permit use as a hand truck when the device is in the mode of use which allows movement of a supported weight. With the first form, movement along a surface is contemplated, while in the second form, movement up and down stairways is also possible.

Abstract: A pedal construction for effecting a closing of a heel safety ski binding in response to a stepping down thereonto by the heel portion of a ski boot. The pedal is pivotally secured to a base plate which is reciprocally mounted for movement between locked positions on the guide rail fixedly secured to the ski. The ski binding is mounted on the base plate and is movable therewith. The free end of the pedal remote from the pivot axle support therefor either slidingly engages a stepping spur on the ski binding or is pivotally connected to the stepping spur through a sliding-type connection.

Abstract: The present baggage carrier frame, comprising two foldable sections of truss-like configuration with a foldable platform at the lower end, provides enhanced frame stiffness with minimum increase of weight. The positive locking mechanism for holding the sections in operating relation is incorporated in the truss-like structure and effectively resists bending in either direction. Release of the lock is facilitated by tapering form of the upper frame section. The lower frame section includes rigis foot structure which performs the dual function of holding the carrier erect in loading position and supporting the platform member in traveling position. Further structural features are described which promote the effective operation and economical fabrication of the luggage carrier.

Abstract: A roller skate wheel has an inner body portion for securement to the axle of the roller skate and an outer body rotatable about the inner body on appropriate bearings. A permanent magnet is secured to the inner body in flux coupling relationship with electrically conducting windings carried on the outer body. When the wheel rotates, electricity is generated on the windings and used to energize light emitting diodes carried on the outer body of the wheels. The generated electricity is of the alternating type and since the light emitting diodes are essentially polarity-sensitive, they will be energized on only positive half cycles of the current to thereby provide a flashing or stroboscopic effect.

Abstract: A longitudinally oriented curved spine of laminated hardwoods is encased between layers of fiberglass, which layers extend laterally from the spine to define the plan form and upward lateral curvature of the board of a skateboard.

Abstract: A child's stroller, pusher, pram which folds into a compact unit. The handle, seat, frame and undercarriage are interconnected by a linkage so that the components fold down towards the wheels as the wheels move towards each other.

Abstract: A splash guard structure for automotive vehicles is provided for use in conjunction with a supporting structure having a flanged lip including vertically extending portions. This splash guard structure includes a sheet preferably of heavy rubber formed with two sets of recessed sockets. These sets of sockets are located at respective upper corner and lower portions of an arcuate edge of the splash guard and arranged to accommodate various vehicle body configurations. A thin membrane of the rubber exists at the bottom of each of the sockets of the splash guard and only the membrane of two selected sockets are ruptured for each specific installation thereby maintaining the integrity of the guard to prevent passage of water and debris therethrough. Also included in the combination are two metal clips having a Z-shaped configuration and which are coated with a rust resistant finish and are formed with two legs cooperating with a center interconnecting bar to form clamping elements.

Abstract: A convertible sled is disclosed for use on snow as well as surfaces devoid of snow. The sled comprises a pair of runners rigidly secured to the underside of the sled and three pivotal wheels. The first, front wheel is secured to a rotatable rod extending longitudinally and centrally under the front portion sled. Linkage means connects this rod to two other rods each longitudinally rotatably disposed adjacent one of the runners. An operating lever easily accessible at the front of the sled and secured to the first named rod serves to pivot all three wheels between a first ground-engaging position with the runners off the ground, and a second inoperative retracted position relative to the runners.

Abstract: A portable winch includes a base plate which is adapted to be quickly and easily coupled with and uncoupled from a bracket attached to a utility pole. The base plate hangs on the bracket and requires no tools or clamps to maintain the connection. The base plate and bracket have cooperating portions which stabilize the base plate in its operating position and prevent rocking, swinging or swaying. The winch can be supported so that the winch cable drops either on the outside or inside of the drum, thus to change the spacing of the cable from the pole. The control means for operating the winch can be carried on the basket of an aerial boom by a bracket which hangs on the lip of the basket. The bracket includes a support tongue on which the winch can be hung during its travel to and from the pole. Alternately, the winch can be powered by a hand drill detachably coupled with the winch drive and held by a worker in the basket.

Abstract: First and second legs (4 and 5) of a collapsible tripod (1) are pivoted to a third leg (6) and interconnected by two interpivoted bracing links (15 and 16).To swing the first and second legs (4 and 5) towards and away from the third leg (6), first and second tie members (24 and 25) extend, respectively, from the first and second legs (4 and 5) to an actuating member (18) which is movable longitudinally of the third leg (6).To prevent relative movement between the legs (4, 5 and 6), when the tripod (1) is in its extended condition, a control link (32) extends from the pivotal interconnection between the two bracing links (15 and 16) and the actuating member (18) and locking means (21) are provided for releasably locking the actuating means (18) to the third leg (6).

Abstract: A small collapsible hand truck has great strength for its size and includes a stable extendable platform almost as long as the body frame. The hand truck is adaptable to various shapes and weights of load.

Abstract: A three-part extension handle includes only two interfitting telescopic parts which provides a strong handle for a small heavy-duty collapsible hand truck. The handle has great strength. The two-part handle is fixable at the end of the upright support and includes means that release the locked telescopic portions. Collapsing the handle is the reverse procedure, leaving the handle firmly locked closed.

Abstract: A guidance system for guiding a plurality of unmanned vehicles along a traffic layout includes a plurality of code devices which divide the traffic layout into a plurality of zones and identify each zone by a unique identifying code. Each vehicle includes control circuits having code sensors which sense the identifying code as the vehicle enters a zone and provide data to a present memory which stores present address data representing the identity of the zone in which the vehicle is now traveling. A past memory, which receives data from the present memory, stores past address data representing the identity of the zone in which the vehicle was previously traveling. The control circuits further include a time slot generator which provides timing signals defining a plurality of time slots each of which is assigned to a different zone.

Abstract: A hanger carrying device for simultaneously carrying multiple clothes hangers upon which garments have been mounted comprising a flexible, support member having hanger-accommodating aperture means for removably fixedly mounting clothes hangers. The carrying device also includes handle means extending from at least one end of the flexible support member, the handle means usually having a generally cylindrical shape adapted to conform to the human hand.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a support surface which is mounted upon at least two carriers, one of the carriers being steerable and having a castor like structure and in which steering can take place by tilting of the castoring axis of the castor like structure.

Abstract: A mobile medical diagnostic device having a mobility chassis with two supporting wheels and a central steerable drive wheel. The device has an electrical power steering system controlled by two synchronized handles operable by wrist action of an operator walking behind the device. The handles include a rotatable grip for controlling the velocity of the device. Advancing the grip actuates the throttle to the drive wheel and retarding the grip actuates a proportional electromechanical braking system. The device includes a proximity detector system which uses ultrasonic transducers to determine when an obstacle is within close proximity to the device, and automatically actuates the brake system. A window signal is established on the basis of both a preselected distance from the device within which it is desirable to apply the brakes, and a delay function which is determined by the distance of the front portion of the device from the transducer.

Abstract: A truck for high speed rail cars, comprises an H-shape truck frame which included bearings for supporting each end of the axles of each wheel set from longitudinally extending leaf springs which are supported in brackets depending from the frame. In addition, air springs are supported on spring troughs which are supported by connecting rods that are pivotally connected between the frame and the troughs. The air springs on the troughs support a cradle which includes spaced upper and lower beam portions or chord members having one or more spaces enclosed therebetween which form auxiliary air spaces providing an additional air chamber for the air springs which are between the troughs and the upper chord member of the cradle.

Abstract: Parking brake release apparatus for a vehicle of the type which has a frame, wheels, a parking brake for at least one of its wheels, a parking brake pedal pivotally mounted to the frame to apply the parking brake, the pedal having a braking and a brake release condition, a brake return opposing braking movement of the parking brake pedal, and an engine to provide driving power to at least one of the wheels. The engine when operating has a range of possible rotational frequencies (rpm). The release apparatus itself comprises a releasable lock adapted to lock the parking brake pedal in its braking condition. A lock release is adapted selectively to release the lock means and to prevent the lock means from locking.

Abstract: A system for the automatic guidance of a vehicle along a scheduled road route, which comprises marks of varying shapes possessing respectively specific travel-function information and attached to the surface of roads in the route selected for the vehicle's travel and an ITV camera mounted on the vehicle, whereby the automatic guidance of the vehicle's travel is accomplished by causing the ITV camera to photograph successively the marks on the surface of the roads and recognize the shapes of the marks on the basis of the photographed images of the marks, conveying the travel-function information of these marks successively to the automatic steering unit of the vehicle and thereby allowing the vehicle to be accurately steered along the route.