Abstract: An aerodynamically stable, form fitting, vehicle top covering system that includes a rectangular shape of fabric attached at opposite ends to spars. The ends of the spars are secured at the ends of the vehicle, typically under the corners of the bumpers, with self-retaining hook and strap assemblies. The spars may be designed to bend and thus create differential tensioning of the fabric by tensioning means, causing it to be draped over the top surfaces of the vehicle in a compound curved, aerodynamic configuration that does not require side tie-downs in cross winds. A self-retracting version has small diameter support extensions, at the ends of a roller spar, that allow extra space for the increased radial build-up of the cover's lateral seams.

Abstract: A read/write head for reading and writing data on a magnetic card or ticket with drive means for driving the ticket back and forth in opposite directions past the head includes a ticket pressure biasing unit in the form of a pair of brushes disposed adjacent head and inclined slightly toward one another in a direction toward the head for applying a uniform pressure on a ticket moving past the head in either direction of the ticket.

Abstract: Heavy minerals such as gold, silver, platinum, etc., along with gemstones such as diamonds, rubys, sapphires, etc., occuring in nature in the free state or having been mechanically released by crushing, screening and/or sorting into a free state, can be separated from the common material, into which they are mixed, by applying water to the mixture of materials and allow their different specific gravities to separate them into the bottom of a grooved trough. In the novel mineral concentrator described, to minimize the loss of water, a recirculating pump re-uses the same water from a reservoir repeatedly. The free minerals and gemstones settle out of the main water flow and are trapped into grooves and other pockets and crevices. Some of the pump's water flow is allowed into a feed hopper to wash down the hopper's walls, and in conjunction with shaped apertures in the hopper bottom, automatically regulate the flow of material entering the main trough or sluice.

Abstract: An automobile suspension dynamic simulator having a base, tilting platform structure for supporting an automobile thereon, hinges along one lateral side of the tilting platform structure pivotally connecting it to the base, and structure for lifting the other lateral side of the tilting platform upwardly along an arcuate path. The lifting platform structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced tilting boards. A first pair of laterally spaced load measuring devices are mounted atop the front end tilting board for positioning beneath the front tires of an automobile. A second pair of laterally spaced load measuring devices are mounted atop the rear tilting board for positioning beneath the rear tires of an automobile. The simulator further includes a pair of tension spring scales to be attached to the center of gravity of the front end of the automobile and a pair of tension spring scales for attachment to the center of gravity of the rear end of the automobile.

Abstract: A replaceable connector of the present invention comprises an array of connector pins in a parallel alignment each having a female end and a male end. The connector pins are fixed in a molded connector body that exposes the female ends and forms a hollow pin receptacle around each of the male ends.