Abstract: The invention is a detachable auxiliary handle that may be attached to the shaft of a work implement such as a shovel, rake, hoe or other implement. The auxiliary handle may be placed at any point on the shaft to suit the user and will fit almost any size and shape of shaft. The auxiliary handle is composed of a handle and two brackets, one bracket attached to each side of the handle. The brackets have a vertical arm portion and a horizontal portion leading to a shaft engaging portion, which is vertical and has a curved shaft engaging section which is tightened around the shaft of the implement with bolts. Preferably the vertical arm portion is curved in the vertical plane to provide extra leverage and greater ease of use.

Abstract: An elastomeric hinge spring intended primarily for the doors of vehicles, has an outwardly projecting detent formed on a first bracket mounted on the vehicle frame and a roller formed of a compressible elastomeric material mounted on a second bracket attached to the vehicle door. The detent is in the path of movement followed by the roller upon movement of the second bracket and door toward the closed position. The roller retains the door in the open position requiring temporary compression of the roller to move of the door toward the closed position. The detent may have two projections which provide an intermediate door position or have an elongated ramp configuration to achieve other door opening and closing characteristics. Another detent may be formed on the first bracket to partially compress the roller when the door is in the closed position to bias the door toward the open position. The elastomeric roller completely eliminates metal spring components heretofore used in prior hinge spring devices.

Abstract: A rotary cutter having serrated cutting edges formed by the intersection with a cutting face of serrations angularly inclined to the cutting face to provide side clearance for the trailing sides of the serrations.

Abstract: Thin steel sheets having an improved processability are produced when a steel sheet or cast strip obtained through a continuous casting or strip caster process is subjected to a lubrication rolling step at a temperature of from Ar.sub.3 transformation point to 300.degree. C. and a rolling speed of not less than 1,500 m/min. By this method, the cold rolling step or cold rolling-annealing step can be omitted.

Abstract: A caster pintle as disclosed having a resilient high tensile strength metal core encapsulated in a molded plastic body having a groove containing a resiliently collapsible friction ring and means for centering the ring in the groove prior to assembly of the pintle with a complementary socket.

Abstract: The hinge device comprises a recess formed in the rod or stem of a pair of spectacles and accommodating a leafspring. The spring has a conformation such that it pivots on the inner surface of the recess and cooperates with an element, rigidly associated with the front of the spectacles and pivotally connected to the rod. An adjustment screw is provided which extends into the recess and which interferes with the spring to vary the biasing action exerted on the element, when rotating the rod relatively thereto.

Abstract: A permanently adjusted friction hinge assembly manufactured of metal and comprised of one or more hinge leaves with one or more circular through hole knuckles squeezed around a circular plastic pin or otherwise compressible material to provide frictional torque resistance between said pin and one or more hinge leaves. The inside diameter of all hinge leaf knuckles are permanently adjusted at moment of manufacture by the amount of compression applied to said knuckles around the pin.

Abstract: A method of soldering component leads to I/O pads on a printed circuit board, without desoldering any other circuit components which were previously soldered to the board near the pads, includes the steps of: forming a mechanical assembly in which respective joints of the pads and the leads and respective solder mounds are mechanically held together; moving the assembly at a predetermined speed on a conveyor such that the joints, but not the previously soldered components, sequentially pass through a target area which is small relative to the total number of joints; and melting and then hardening the solder mounds, without desoldering the previously soldered components, by directing a focused stream of hot gas at the target area as the joints move therethrough on the conveyor.

Abstract: A torque modification device for use with a pocket door which is adaptable to modify the torque applied by a door closer to the door to increase the torque when the door approaches its fully latched condition.

Abstract: A stop is disclosed which can be mounted without a great work effort, permits setting in any position and simple adjustment, and whose firm seating is guaranteed. The stop is displaceable in a guide rail having a C-shaped cross section and is preferably served to limit the travel of a sliding piece connected to the window pane of a motor vehicle. It is designed as a spring clip, it can be pushed into the rail having a C-shaped cross section, it can be displaced and fixed in same, and it absorbs a high impact force. The spring clip is bent in a wave-shaped pattern and has claws for fixation inside the said rail having a C-shaped cross section.

Abstract: The caster has a generally cylindrical stem which is received in a well in a socket which, in turn, is securely received in the bottom of the hollow leg. The stem has a longitudinal groove which receives an inwardly projecting rib on the socket. This prevents rotation of the stem in the socket so that when the swivel braking mechanism on the caster is actuated, the wheel cannot pivot relative to the vertical axis. This economical mechanism facilitates installation and replacement of the caster.

Abstract: A transversely mounted, single pneumatic spring, and dual bell crank and idler link assembly providing a compact counterbalance for hinged closures such as automobile trunk lids. In an automobile trunk installation, the assembly is installed with the spring in lateral disposition in the forward upper portion of the trunk, thus being effectively concealed. Alternative pneumatic spring enhancements, e.g., a multi-output force feature and a pressure decay compensation feature may be incorporated in the spring unit to enhance opening of the lid and to improve life expectancy of the pneumatic spring by minimizing and effectively negating pressure loss due to leakage of gas past the shaft seal. Excess spring cylinder length can provide space or volume zones used for the enhancement features.

Abstract: In a casing pivoting mechanism for a copying machine according to the present invention, the pivotal point of a casing is situated away from the position at which a torsion bar passes through the casing. By doing this, a greater urging force can be obtained with use of the same torsion bar as is used in a conventional mechanism. Also, the space within the casing can be widened for more effective utilization.

Abstract: Optical fiber is scribed to produce a notch by the use of a fiber holder, a circular scribing edge which is spaced from the fiber holder by a first distance, a fiber deflector which is spaced from the fiber holder by a second distance and which is movable laterally to deflect the fiber by a third distance. When the fiber is deflected by the fiber holder, the fiber is brought into contact with the circular scribing edge and is moved along the edge for a short distance. The first, second, and third distances are selected to produce a scribing force which is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A baseplate assembly for mounting a hinge bracket of a furniture hinge has a base plate, which is to be secured to a carrying wall or the like by fixing screws, and a cover plate, which covers or partly overlaps the base plate and is guided on the base plate transversely to the hinge bracket. The hinge bracket, which is connected to the base plate by a retaining screw or rivet and by a headed clamp screw, which is screwed into a tapped bore in the base plate and extends through a slot that is formed in the cover plate and is parallel to the direction in which the cover plate is guided on the base plate.

Abstract: A caster wheel assembly for replacing a tire on a wheel member having a hub portion, a web portion extending radially outwardly from the hub portion, and a first laterally extending rim portion. A circular member including a web portion removably fastened to the web portion of the wheel member and a second rim portion extending laterally and projecting oppositely relative to the first rim portion, the rims together having a V-shaped tire support surface when viewed in cross section. The tire includes a ring member having an outer and inner surface and a resilient member adhered to the outer surface. The inner surface is V-shaped when viewed in cross section. A fastening mechanism fastens the circular member to the wheel member to clamp and deform the outer surface of the ring in a friction fit against the tire support surface.

Abstract: Several embodiments of levers are particularly adapted for attachment to door knobs. The levers provide for increased leverage to effect a more easy turning of a door knob to which they are attached.

Abstract: A utensil handle including a handle member of plastic having a front opening recess for receiving a bolt adapted to be secured on the utensil, whereby the cross section of the recess in the handle member and the one of the bolt conform to one another and both have a polygonal cross section and the bolt is provided with a notch which has a sloped surface and the bolt and the handle member are held together frictionally with a spring which is held on said handle member and acts onto the sloped surface of the bolt. In order that the utensil handle can be manufactured inexpensively and can be mounted easily, a simply formed spring is provided which acts onto the bolt through large lever arms, brings about a relatively large tolerance balance, permits an all around guide for the bolt in the handle and permits the mounting of the handle to the utensil. The spring has a back which extends in insertion direction in the recess. The spring is pivotally supported about its bearing points on the handle member.

Abstract: A handle for a luggage case made of two longitudinal spaced apart rows of heavy cord of twisted material with an outer piece of fabric material folded longitudinally around the two rows and sewn along a longitudinal centerline to form a strap. The cords are centrally located and of a length such that it determines the length of the handle and forms a substantially rigid, padded central portion of the handle. The opposite ends of the formed strap are free of the corded fabric, are slid through attachment loops, and folded under until the ends substantially come together thereby forming a lower and upper layer for the handle. A sleeve is wrapped around the juncture of the ends, and both upper and lower layers are fixed together.

Abstract: A cover unit for an existing curtain rod including an elongated tubular member for covering the rod and a pair of end pieces for covering the end brackets of the curtain rod. Interior clamps are provided for securing a decorative fabric or wallpaper to the outer surface of the cover. The tubular member may be cut to a desired length and a plurality of tubular members may be connected together to increase the overall length thereof.