Abstract: A traction device for a motor vehicle, includes a rear support assembly bolted adjacent to a leaf spring opposite to a rear axle, a front support assembly which is pivotally attached to a front end of the leaf spring, and a rigid link which extends between and is attached to both the front and rear support assemblies at locations spaced from the leaf spring. The front support assembly includes a pair of generally triangular plates wherein a bolt at each apex connecting the plates performs a defined function. Specifically, a first upper bolt extends through a front spring eye of the leaf spring to provide a pivot axis for the front support assembly. A second upper bolt is positioned to extend across an upper surface of the leaf spring at a location spaced rearwardly from the front spring eye, to limit pivotal movement of the front support assembly relative to the leaf spring. A third bolt extends between the plates at a lower end thereof to secure a front end of the rigid link.

Abstract: A holder for a floor mat comprises at least one connecting device and at least one connecting member which has complementary connection devices whereby the connecting member may be connected in a releasable manner to at least two adjacent mat holders so as to secure the mat holders together. Preferably at least one of the holder or the connecting member are made from flexible material or are designed to be slightly flexible.

Abstract: A holder for flexible material comprising a flat base on which the material rests and at least one hinged side flap adapted to fold over on top of an edge of the material to hold the material in positon, characterized in that beneath the/or each hinged flap an upstanding wall extends from the base to form a backstop and a corresponding flange descends downwardly from the flap adjacent the hinge, the flange and wall being so arranged and dimensioned that when the flange is opened by upward hinged movement from the base ready to receive an edge portion of material, the bottom edge of the flange rests on the upper free edge of the wall to keep the flap open, on closure of the flap the bottom surface of the flange being arranged to `cam` over the upper surface of the wall, the wall, flange and/or hinge resiliently moving until the flange is free of the wall to close down over material positioned on the base.

Abstract: A self-latching jaw assembly is illustrated which includes a pair of latching jaws (A) and (B) for latching a fitting of an associated structure such as the keel fitting (50) of a space telescope. The jaw assembly automatically locates the fitting received on a positioning pedestal (52) and latches it in its original location on the pedestal without need of precision alignment. The first jaw (A) is actuated and moved to the right whereupon a reciprocating plunger (62) will have been extended from the nose (64) of the jaw and will sense the hub (50b) of the spool (50a). A jaw position responsive switch (72) is then actuated to terminate the drive motor (E) of the jaw (A). The astronaut will then actuate the drive motor (F) of the jaw (B) and the jaw will move to the left whereupon standoff (82) will engage the face (64a) of the jaw (A) in a latching position. In the latching position, the noses (64) and (83) of the jaws (A) and (B) will be under the flanges of the spool (50a).

Abstract: A drive system characterized by a base supporting a pair of pillars arranged in spaced parallelism, a shaft extended between and supported by the pillars for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, a worm gear affixed to the shaft and supported thereby in coaxial relation therewith. A bearing housing of a sleeve-like configuration is concentrically related to the shaft and is supported thereby for free rotation with respect thereto. A first and a second normally quiescent drive train, alternatively activatable, is provided for imparting rotation into said bearing housing.