Abstract: Hollow chamber seal for sealing an edge gap between an edge of a fixed roof section and a movable cover of a vehicle roof in which both a deformation of the hollow chamber and an additional deformation of the seal are possible to compensate for the gap tolerances. In accordance with preferred embodiments, to produce the additional deformation, at least one hollow chamber part is connected to a sealing body for pivotal movement around a bending axis that extends substantially parallel to the major surfaces of the cover in a direction parallel to the edge of the cover.

Abstract: A carrier for helmets of the type having at least one protective ear portion with a side opening therein comprising an elongated rod having a diameter less than the diameter of said side opening, a base plate fixed to one end of said rod, said base plate having a transverse dimension larger than said side opening, a handle having a width less than the diameter of said side opening pivotably mounted at the other end of said rod and shaped so as to envelop said rod when pivoted into alignment therewith.

Abstract: An air-adjustable shock absorber is pivotally connected at its ends to first arms of a front end of a back crank arm system, which are pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis at the front and back of the same between the upper and lower runs of the endless track of the vehicle. The second arms of the front and back crank arm systems are connected to the front and back portion of the slides which engage the upper surface of the ground-engaging run of the endless track. The air pressure within the shock absorber unit biases the two crank systems in a direction so as to move the slides downwardly from the vehicle chassis. An air circuit system enables the driver to control the air pressure depending on the load carried by the vehicle. The crank systems are such that a greater proportion of the load is carried by the back of the suspension.

Abstract: This invention relates to extremely inexpensive coupled chopsticks comprising a pair of sticks mechanically coupled to one another by a curled wire spring that is secured to the chopsticks in a novel way. The coupling of two sticks by a novel wire spring of the present invention is compatible with the conventional disposable chopsticks comprising two sticks partially attached to one another at one extremity thereof which are to be split into two separate sticks at the time of use as well as with the traditional chopsticks comprising two separate sticks.

Abstract: A vanity mirror can be extended from the vehicle headliner and upon extension, can be pivoted about a generally vertical axis such that a single vanity mirror can be used by any of the rear seat passengers. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle roof includes a recess for receiving an illuminated vanity mirror assembly which is pivotally mounted at one edge to the recess for movement between a stored position substantially flush with a vehicle roofline to a lowered use position substantially orthogonal to the vehicle roof.

Abstract: Sedimentation classification of particulate material in liquid dispersion. The dispersion is centrifuged in a tubular vessel comprising at least two neighboring compartments communicating via at least one opening which may be capillary. The lowermost compartment has a sealed bottom and the uppermost has an open upper end. Upon completion of the centrifugation a liquid fraction with dispersed particulate material is decanted from the uppermost compartment. Useful products may also be recovered from other compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is used to hold a hanger or hangers. The apparatus claimed provides a loop for attaching one or more hangers and is constructed in such a way to cause the hangers to align in a position comfortable for carrying. A handle is attached to the loop allowing a relatively large number of hangers to be comfortably carried.

Abstract: A row straddling dual wheel arrangement for the drive wheels of a self-propelled combine harvester comprises two highly offset dished wheels, back-to-back with central mounting flanges abutting, clamped to the combine drive axle wheel flange by conventional wheel bolts. Temporary installation in the axle flange of pilot studs and use of a retainer rod facilitate mounting and dismounting procedures in which the wheels may be handled essentially individually and then more safely.

Abstract: A shovel for placer mining for use in the riverbed including a shovel handle, a shovel blade fixedly attached to the handle with four elongated rectangular openings on its surface, a shovel scoop detachably screwed beneath the blade and formed with a concave bottom piece, two side plates and a rear plate with two elongated hexahedral projections all underneath a U-shaped flange having a stepped portion on its rim, a mesh screen placed beneath the blade on the top part of the scoop and forming a flat net enclosed in a U-shaped frame connected with a straight frame, a bottom lining forming the upper surface of the bottom piece and having the same curvature and size as the bottom piece enabling the projections of the scoop to hold a lining frame and therefore allowing the mining portion to mine minerals, namely placer gold.

Abstract: A new and unique pattern and use of flexible ribs on a solids filtering screen, such as those used in drilling wells for hydrocarbons and other substances, in conjunction with a coordinated system for hanging such screens and directing the flow of trapped solids over the surface of such screens, is disclosed. The invention counteracts the tendency of trapped solids to migrate to and congregate in the lowest areas of a suspended screen, and therefore the invention reduces the incidence of screen tearing and increases the flow rate through the screen.

Abstract: Device to be used, as the preferred embodiment, for dog feces retrieval and bagging. The simplicity of construction and operation allows use by persons of all ages without undue effort or bending. The retrieval and bagging and tying and containing of waste material in one operation has not heretofor been realised. The device consists of a hollow tube with eight flexible fingers on one end, a removable sleeve over the tube, and a lanyard and cap at the other end, and a plastic bag with rubber band. When the plastic bag is placed over the exposed fingers, the bag end folded back and fixed with a rubber band over the sleeve, the sleeve is then moved forward over the exposed and bagged fingers. Retracting the sleeve thus exposing the bagged fingers, the device is placed over the waste material to be retrieved. By moving the sleeve forward the fingers are caused to draw in the waste material, into the bag, and into the tube, the rubber band slipping over the fingers and tying the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling parts (a,a') by magnetic attraction includes a cylindrical casing (18) of nonmagnetic material having an uninterrupted surface throughout its length and a magnet (20) for magnetically attracting parts (a,a') to the casing (18). Nonmagnetic ramps are spirally wound around the casing (18). A drive mechanism (26) rotates the magnet (20) relative to the ramp. The magnet (20) attracts the parts to the casing (18) and causes the parts (a,a') to rotate about the axis of the casing (18) while the ramps (30) cause the parts (a,a') to advance along the length of the casing (18). The ramps (30) include a multiple part segregating mechanism for segregating parts received and discharged along the length of the casing (18).

Abstract: An extractor instrument for removing a catalytic ring, or the like, normally held by friction at the bottom of a container cavity, enabling the container to be fabricated with an integrally closed bottom wall opposite the open upper end of the container. The instrument comprises an elongate gripping member and a cam structure secured to the gripping member adjacent one end. The cam structure includes a foot dimensioned for insertion through a passageway in the catalytic ring after which the foot is engaged in a camming manner against the bottom surface of the ring allowing withdrawal of the foot and the engaged ring from the open end of the container.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a pneumatic-tired vehicle, of the kind comprising means (4) for automatically deflating a tire (5) of the vehicle and deflating the tire (5) when the device is actuated by control means (2) and the vehicle is in motion, the deflating means (4) being moved by the centrifugal force of inertia when the corresponding wheel (3) rotates whereas they are inoperative in other cases, characterized in that the deflating means (4) comprise movable means for closing at least one orifice (7) through which air under pressure can escape from the tire (3), the movable closing means normally sealing the orifice (7) when the device is inoperative and/or the wheel (3) is stationary, whereas they unclose the orifice (7) and allow air to escape when the device is actuated and as soon as the centrifugal force of inertia reaches a sufficient value to move them.

Abstract: An industrial robot hand for material handling. A fixed frame is connected to an arm of an industrial robot. A movable frame having a rectangular plan shape is horizontally movably supported on the fixed frame. Two guide rods are vertically attached to each of the four sides of the movable frame. A tapered guide extends downwardly from each of the guide rods. Sandwiching plates are provided on two opposite sides of the movable frame. Each sandwiching plate is pivotally attached to the movable frame by a horizontal axis at the central portion of the sandwiching plate. Engaging members project inwardly from the lower inner surface of the sandwiching plates to hold the material to be handled. Rollers and roller guides restrict the movement of the movable frame on the fixed frame. A driving mechanism pivots the sandwiching plates to bring the engaging members into engagement with the material.

Abstract: A grappling device comprises an arm formed from a closed ended, inflatable tube (5) having a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally spaced bands (15) disposed therearound for limiting the radial distention of the arm when inflated. A longitudinally inelastic, laterally flexible band (20) disposed on a surface of the arm causes the arm, when inflated, to wrap around an object to be gripped. The extent of the inflation of the arm determines the gripping force and geometry of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for detachably connecting a tool to a manipulating device, e.g. an industrial robot. The apparatus includes a tool holder and a coupling member fastened to the robot. The coupling member has a free frontal surface on which the tool holder rests. A plurality of air channels and electric contacts merge into the free frontal surface in a peripheral region thereof. Four projecting centering pins are provided in the center of the free frontal surface. The tool holder is provided with correspondingly located air channels and electric contacts as well as with a centrally arranged centering disc which is rigid in circumferential direction and axially resilient. The disc has apertures in which the centering pins enter when the tool holder is fixed to the coupling member. Thus, the tool holder is precisely centered and all pneumatic and electric connections are automatically established.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped fulcrum member is affixed to the lower end of a garden tool such as a pitchfork, cultivator or weeder. The fulcrum member may be attached either directly to the tines or to the handle shaft if there are no tines and is located above the lowermost point of the tool. After the point of the tool is forced into the ground, the handle is moved rearwardly, the back of the fulcrum member contacts the ground and the lower end of the tool pivots upwardly braking up the soil or pulling up weeds or the like. The fulcrum member is provided with at least one bolt and nut clamping mechanism so that the member can be moved through and secured to different positions along the tines or the shaft to change the mechanical advantage of the tool.

Abstract: An improved cable release mechanism for mounting on the deck of a tow boat, tug or other tow vessel or vehicle comprising a rigid frame connectable to said tow vessel having pivotally connected thereto a pelican hook swingable through at least 180.degree.. The tow strain exerted by the tow cable passes along a line on the plane along which the axis of rotation of the pelican hook lays. As a result, when the device is used for towing, there is no rotational bias exerted on said pelican hook. In one embodiment, means for securing and/or releasing the pelican hook are comprised of a generally triangular shaped release member means having an upper pin and a lower pin positioned on the upper and lower side of the free end of the pelican hook, respectively, wherein when said release member is pivoted toward the release position, the lower pin exerts an upward force on the pelican hook and the upper pin is allowed to clear the way for the pelican hook to swing to the open position thereby releasing the cable.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle wheel center for providing a virtually continuous co-planar visual vehicular wheel design including an anti-theft feature comprising a cover plate that blocks access to the lug bolts of a wheel while sealingly preventing migration of oil and other substances from the center to the exterior thereof and which is held in place by a wedge-shaped, threadedly received central shaft member having a multi-sided faceted configuration which can only be removed in a facilitated manner by engagement and rotation through a specifically shaped conforming tool.