Abstract: A thermal insulating material of an expanded, shell-less silica-hydrate has a small bubble structure to enhance the thermal insulating characteristics of the material. Also described is a process for the production of the expanded, shell-less silica-hydrate through selective heating of the silica-hydrate in a moist environment.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for a free arm sewing machine which is moveable selectively to an upper use position wherein the free arm is positioned above the work surface of the cabinet, a lower use position wherein the free arm is flush with the cabinet work surface, and a storage position wherein the entire machine is disposed below the work surface. The mechanism comprises a frame, a sewing machine support platform, and first and second pivot arms which are pivotally connected to the frame and the platform such that the platform is capable of limited rotating and swinging movement relative to the frame. The platform is latched in its upper use and lower use positions by means of a pair of spaced plates having forwardly and upwardly opening slots therein, which are adapted to releaseably retain and support either a pair of protruding pins on the platform or, in an alternative embodiment, one of the pivot arms which extends around the plates.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a free arm sewing machine in a work cabinet such that the machine is selectively supported in an upper work position wherein the free arm is positioned above the work surface of the cabinet, a lower work position wherein the free arm is substantially flush with the cabinet work surface, and a storage position wherein the machine is disposed completely beneath the work surface in a space efficient manner. The assembly comprises a base or platform to which the machine is mounted, a rear pivot arm rotatably secured to the platform and to the cabinet, a front pivot arm also pivotally secured to the platform and to the cabinet, and a pair of stops mounted to the cabinet and positioned within the vertical planes of rotation of the front pivot arms so that the front pivot arm and platform are supported against gravity in the lower use position. The stops include cam surfaces which enable the sides of the front pivot arm to ride over them when the machine is raised from the storage position.