Abstract: A medical swab comprising a unitary molding of plastic material, such as nylon or polyester, is configured to form an elongated stem and an enlarged tip portion at one end extremity of the stem. The enlarged tip portion is provided with a plurality of recesses in its outer surface for the reception and containment of biological material. The recesses are formed in two groups located on two opposing sides of said tip portion to accommodate production by molding.

Abstract: A one-piece sill pan flashing is provided with accordion sections enabling the flashing to be adjusted in width as necessary for installation in rough framing. The new flashing includes a sill plate cover with forwardly and downwardly inclined upper portions and lower portions extending downward from the upper portions. The accordion sections are incorporated integrally into the sill cover and are formed of narrow panels, flexibly connected along lateral edges to form V-shaped accordion folds having a series of ridges and valleys. The respective ridges and valleys are aligned in common vertical planes and are rounded through a transition curve at the front corners thereof. The flashing is injection molded in two end parts, each with one or more accordion sections. Center extensions can be used for extra wide window framing. The parts are permanently bonded and sealed at the factory and shipped and installed as one piece.

Abstract: A one-piece sill pan flashing is provided with accordion sections enabling the flashing to be adjusted in width as necessary for installation in rough framing. The new flashing includes a sill plate cover with forwardly and downwardly inclined upper portions and lower portions extending downward from the upper portions. The accordion sections are incorporated integrally into the sill cover and are formed of narrow panels, flexibly connected along lateral edges to form V-shaped accordion folds having a series of ridges and valleys. The respective ridges and valleys are aligned in common vertical planes and are rounded through a transition curve at the front corners thereof. The flashing is injection molded in two end parts, each with one or more accordion sections. Center extensions can be used for extra wide window framing. The parts are permanently bonded and sealed at the factory and shipped and installed as one piece.

Abstract: A one-piece sill pan flashing is provided with one or more accordion sections. At least the accordion sections, and preferably the entire flashings, are formed of a single sheet of thermoplastic material, preferably by thermoforming, and include forwardly and downwardly inclined upper portions and vertical lower portions extending downward from the front of the upper portions. The accordion sections include upper and lower portions, formed of narrow panels, foldably connected along their lateral edges to form V-shaped accordion folds having a series of ridge folds and valley folds. The valley folds of the upper portions are aligned with the ridge folds of the lower portions and vice versa. The construction accommodates substantial extension or compression of the width of the flashing and enables one size of flashing width to be fitted to a wide range of sizes of rough-framed window openings.

Abstract: A sill pan flashing is provided with a width-extendable accordion section enabling the flashing to be manufactured, shipped and installed in one piece regardless of significant variations in the actual width of a framing sill from a designed nominal width. The flashing includes opposite side end caps connected by a horizontal sill cover. The sill cover includes one or more accordion sections configured with a plurality of integrally formed accordion elements which may be of V-shape, U-shape, sinusoidal or other configuration, allowing the one-piece flashing to be elongated in the width direction during installation, in order to completely cover a sill member. The new flashing is manufactured in one piece for a minimum sill width and expanded as necessary during installation at the job site to fully cover the entire surface of a sill of greater width. Substantial savings can be realized while providing a superior moisture seal.

Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism for tilting window sashes includes an actuating spring that is integrally molded of plastic material in one piece with the latch bolt. The spring has a transversely corrugated configuration, comprised of at least two transversely disposed wave-like spring sections. Each spring section includes a pair of oppositely oriented U-shaped sections having spaced apart semi-cylindrical portions at opposite sides joined by transverse connecting sections. In a relaxed configuration of the spring, the several connecting sections are substantially parallel to each other and are longitudinally spaced apart. In a compressed configuration of the spring the connecting elements lie at an angle to each other and the several semi-cylindrical portions are closely spaced or in contact providing for the required spring compression without excessively stressing the plastic material. Significant production economies are realized with the one-piece, molded construction of the latch bolt and spring.

Abstract: A fully functioning, pivoting vent stop for sliding windows has only two parts, a housing and a pivoting tumbler, both formed of injection molded plastic material. The tumbler is pivotally mounted in the housing and has integral detent elements cooperating with detent elements on the housing walls to position the tumbler in recessed or extended limit positions. The cooperating detent elements also provide an over-centering spring action as the tumbler is actuated between its limit positions. Assembly of the two-part device is achieved in a highly simplified and economical manner by configuring an internal cavity in the housing with inclined slots in the internal side walls of the housing. This enables the tumbler to be resiliently pressed into the cavity, temporarily displacing the housing side walls outwardly, until the cooperating pivot and detent elements are fully engaged.

Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism for tilting window sashes includes an actuating spring that is integrally molded of plastic material in one piece with the latch bolt. The spring has a transversely corrugated configuration, comprised of at least two transversely disposed wave-like spring sections. Each spring section includes a pair of oppositely oriented U-shaped sections having spaced apart semi-cylindrical portions at opposite sides joined by transverse connecting sections. In a relaxed configuration of the spring, the several connecting sections are substantially parallel to each other and are longitudinally spaced apart. In a compressed configuration of the spring the connecting elements lie at an angle to each other and the several semi-cylindrical portions are closely spaced or in contact providing for the required spring compression without excessively stressing the plastic material. Significant production economies are realized with the one-piece, molded construction of the latch bolt and spring.

Abstract: A sash lock mechanism of all-plastic construction incorporating a plastic detent spring arrangement having operating characteristics equal or superior those of conventional metallic springs while providing a more economical manufacture and assembly. The detent spring is of closed rectangular form, with inwardly bowed side elements positioned to act on opposite sides of a detent cam positioned between them, and connected at their ends by integral end and corner elements. The end and corner elements are closely confined against outward movement, causing the inwardly bowed side elements to be significantly more resistant to outward displacement by the detent cam when operating the lock. The arrangement provides a superior “feel” and snap-action effect than expected from all-plastic detent mechanisms for the purposes intended.

Abstract: A sash lock mechanism of all-plastic construction incorporating a plastic detent spring arrangement having operating characteristics equal or superior those of conventional metallic springs while providing a more economical manufacture and assembly. The detent spring is of closed rectangular form, with inwardly bowed side elements positioned to act on opposite sides of a detent cam positioned between them, and connected at their ends by integral end and corner elements. The end and corner elements are closely confined against outward movement, causing the inwardly bowed side elements to be significantly more resistant to outward displacement by the detent cam when operating the lock. The arrangement provides a superior “feel” and snap-action effect than expected from all-plastic detent mechanisms for the purposes intended.

Abstract: A toy car race track set comprised of a plurality of easily connectible track sections, in which the track sections have novel provisions for integrating the track sections with structures formed with K'NEX rod and connector elements, including but not limited to structures for elevating track sections above a support or above other track sections, providing obstructions on the race course, and the like. A variety of shapes and forms of track sections enables a substantially limitless variety of track configurations to be assembled. Each section is provided at each end with at least one tongue element and one slot element positioned such that the tongue element of one section is received in the slot of an adjacent section with a desired, snap-in action substantially preventing unintended separation. Optional locking pins are provided for positively locking the track sections to other sections when desired.

Abstract: A toy car race track set comprised of a plurality of easily connectible track sections, in which the track sections have novel provisions for integrating the track sections with structures formed with K'NEX rod and connector elements, including but not limited to structures for elevating track sections above a support or above other track sections, providing obstructions on the race course, and the like. A variety of shapes and forms of track sections enables a substantially limitless variety of track configurations to be assembled. Each section is provided at each end with at least one tongue element and one slot element positioned such that the tongue element of one section is received in the slot of an adjacent section with a desired, snap-in action substantially preventing unintended separation. Optional locking pins are provided for positively locking the track sections to other sections when desired.

Abstract: An offset matrix adapter for integrating existing components of K'nex construction toys with existing components of Lego-style brick systems, notwithstanding that the spacing matrices of the systems are incompatible. Adapter bricks or bases are provided, having adapter sockets with the same spacing matrix as the studs of the Lego-style bricks. Special K'nex offset matrix adapters are provided, consisting of a pair of spaced-apart mounting stems for reception in a pair of spaced-apart adapter sockets. An offset rod is rigidly supported at the tops of the mounting stems but is offset laterally from the axes of the mounting stems by a distance which is preferably about one-third of the spacing between adapter sockets. By orienting a pair of matrix adapters with the rods offset alternatively inward or outward, the spacing differences between K'nex and Lego-style systems can be reduced to insignificance, allowing the two systems to be easily integrated.