Abstract: An attachment and method to implement loading of a vehicle having a hinged storage compartment closure member such as a trunk lid or hatchback on an automobile by utilizing the closure member as a lifting lever. The conventional hinged trunk lid or hatchback is formed with one or more hook or other material engaging members at the free end of the lid or hatchback remote from the conventional hinge mounting edge of the lid or hatchback. A piston-cylinder assembly having fixed capacity energy storing means in the form of a fixed charge fluid chamber and a variable capacity energy storing means in the form of a variable charge fluid chamber is positioned between the vehicle body and the lid or hatchback, and fluid from a fluid system is selectively directed to the variable charge fluid chamber in the cylinder to displace the piston against the trunk or hatchback lid to lift same, whereby any material engaged by the hook can be lifted to a position over the vehicle storage compartment.

Abstract: An antistatic record cleaner has a support securable to a turntable adjacent the platter thereof and having an upward metallic pin having an upper end projecting from the support. A sweep arm is pivoted on the support and has a metallic rod whose inner end is secured in a pivot-forming block which is formed with a recess receiving the upper end of the pivot with metal-to-metal contact between the rod and the pin and has on its outer end a head piece carying a record-sweeping brush. A plurality of fine metallic filaments extend downwardly from and are in direct electrical contact with the outer end of the rod. A terminal is provided on the support in direct electrical contact with the pin and through the rod with the filaments. This terminal can be grounded via a lead so that static electric charges on the record being swept can be eliminated.

Abstract: A tape splicer having a base, at least one groove extending longitudinally on said base and being of a predetermined breadth permitting insertion thereinto of a correspondingly wide tape to be spliced. A blade-guiding slot is provided in the groove to allow introduction thereinto of a blade, so that this blade moved along this slot will cut a tape laid along the groove. A pair of tiltable toggles is associated to the base. These toggles are located longitudinally of the groove and at opposite sides of the blade-guiding slot. At least one arm is comprised in each of the toggles and is provided with a tape-clamping means which is arranged so that it reaches, when the toggle is tilted, into the groove; thus, the pair of toggles engages with the tape-clamping means the tape laid into the groove thus securing a clean cut.

Abstract: A self-moistening cleaning device, particularly for use in cleaning phonograph records and similar objects, comprises an air-tightly closable receptacle in which a cleaning body is normally accommodated. The atmosphere inside the receptacle is saturated with vapor of a cleaning liquid so that the cleaning body is controlledly moistened with the cleaning liquid in readiness for use in cleaning an object. A porous body, such as a sponge, can be saturated with the cleaning liquid and accommodated in the receptacle so that the cleaning liquid evaporates from the porous body and saturates the atmosphere in the receptacle with vapor. The cleaning body includes a layer of moisture-accepting material, such as velvet, which becomes moistened by the cleaning liquid and is subsequently used for cleaning the object to be cleaned. A method of using the cleaning body is also discussed.

Abstract: A tape cleaning device, particularly for cleaning magnetic tapes contained in cartridges, cassettes or analogous receptacles, includes a housing having a leading end insertable into a tape recording and playing unit which has a capstan drive, and a trailing end adapted to receive a receptacle which accommodates magnetic tape which is to be cleaned. A belt drive which is adapted to be driven by the capstan drive is provided in the housing and is operative for advancing successive portions of the magnetic tape accommodated in the receptacle towards and past a predetermined location on the housing. A portion of cleaning tape is supplied to the predetermined location for physical contact with the advancing magnetic tape for cleaning the latter. Successive portions of the cleaning tape are incrementally advanced towards the predetermined location.

Abstract: A cassette housing has an open side which faces the head and capstan roller of a tape recording and/or playback unit of the type using magnetic-tape cassettes, when the housing is placed in operative position on the unit in lieu of a tape cassette. One or more first pads are provided for wiping over the periphery of the capstan roller when the latter is rotated and a cam and follower arrangement driven by the tape drive of the unit performs oscillatory motions and wipes over the tape-engaging surface of the magnetic head of the unit.