Abstract: An integrated pressure-responsive liquid-release valve has a first layer formed of a resiliently-deformable non-porous material and a second layer bonded to the first layer and formed of a deformable, preferably resiliently-deformable, porous material. A plurality of normally-closed slits are defined in and through the first layer of non-porous material. The slits are configured so that the application of material-deforming pressure to the first layer causes the slits to operatively open for passing liquid through the open slits, and the cessation of the applied material-deforming pressure causes the slits to close under the resilient return urgency of the non-porous material. The porous material receives liquid passed through the slits of the non-porous material first layer when material-deforming pressure is applied to the a non-porous material to open the slits.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed having a circular rim that lies in and defines a plane of rotation, a pair of opposed hubs spaced outwardly from the plane of rotation along an axis of rotation of the wheel, the axis of rotation bisecting the plane of rotation at the center of a circle defined by the rim within the plane, and a plurality of spring members arranged in laterally-opposed sets, each of which spring members radiates in an outwardly expanding, generally conical and helical manner from a point of attachment on the rim to a point of attachment on one of the hubs, thereby imparting to the wheel the ability to withstand improved vertical and/or horizontal displacements while providing advantageous self-centering and recentering abilities when the wheel rim is displaced from the rotative plane or from its normally centered relation to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A locking device is formed of a base, a grabbing member and a plurality of arcuate legs flexibly connecting the base and grabbing member. The grabbing member is operatively deformable by relative movement of the base and grabbing member toward and/or away from relative coplanarity therebetween to thereby expand or contract the grabbing member into or out of releasable locking engagement with a workpiece.