Abstract: A synchronous belt and pulley drive in which the drive between spaced pulleys is primarily by frictional contact of a belt on the pulley peripheries; synchronization is insured by providing spaced teeth on the belt which teeth are accommodated by tooth gaps in the periphery of the pulleys. The drive is further characterized by matching the pitch of the driveR pulley with the belt pitch under a first tension and matching the pitch of the driveN pulley with the belt pitch under a second tension, wherein the first tension is different and usually greater than the second tension.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A process for producing stable urea-aldehyde polymers with high structural strength from two storable liquid ingredients. In this process, partially cured liquid urea-formaldehyde resin is reacted with an aqueous cross-linking solution comprising one or more alkyl or aryl dialdehydes containing two to eight molecular carbons and the hydrogen ion concentration needed to catalyze the completion of the reaction of the dialdehydes and the urea-formaldehyde. The process for producing urea-aldehyde polymers, having improved structural strength and reduced aldehyde vapor emission during their production and prolonged use, is especially effective for manufacturing products for the building industry, such as urea-aldehyde insulating foam, wood-filled particle board, and plywood. The increased polymer strength and the elimination of the hazardous and objectionable aldehyde odor is achieved by maintaining the molecular ratio of total aldehyde moieties to urea to about 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a female undergarment having a panty portion and includes a novel crotch covering portion of two superimposed faces. Both faces are of non-thermoplastic moisture absorbent fibers, and each face has a network of openings thereon in substantially uniform array. The face in proximity to the body has a lesser degree of openess than the outer face and is slightly spaced apart from the body of the wearer during body dynamics. The two faces preferably constitute two separate layers of material. Alternatively, they may be integrally knit together as by a double knit construction.

Abstract: An automatic cover for a liquid storage container and a method of control corresponding thereto including a cover disposed within the container, a membrane connected to a portion of the storage container and connected along a peripheral portion of the membrane to the cover, the membrane and the cover separating the storage container into a liquid storage compartment and a liquid balancing compartment, a pressurized mechanism connected to the peripheral portion of the membrane for controlling the shape and dimension of the cover and a member for feeding balancing liquid to and for withdrawing balancing liquid from the liquid balancing compartment in such a manner that hydrostatic pressure of the storage container is maintained within any predetermined range.

Abstract: An insulative spa cover of the floating type used for reducing loss of heat from the warm water in the spa to the air above the water consists of a sheet of stiff plastic foam shaped to fit the spa. The outer portion of the sheet includes a number of panels that extend to the edge of the sheet and that are hinged to the remainder of the sheet so that the panels can be doubled back to lie on top of the remainder of the sheet to provide, at the edge of the sheet, access to the water without the necessity of removing the spa cover from the spa. This permits heat loss to be minimized when the spa is used by only a limited number of persons. The side of the panel that is exposed when the panel is doubled back is provided with receptacles for holding containers of food and drink.

Abstract: A polypropylene fabric for a sofa sleeper mechanism which includes a conventional foldable frame having a plurality of relatively movable sections that are movable between side-by-side, bed-forming positions and vertically stacked seat-forming positions. The polypropylene fabric is mounted on the frame so as to form a yieldable support surface for a mattress or the like in the bed-forming position of the frame and also has the capability of functioning as the direct support for the usual sofa seat cushions in the seat-forming position of the frame.

Abstract: A patient stretcher, bed, or the like having a tiltable mattress support section driven by an actuator having a release clutch mechanism. A sliding joint between the tiltable top section and the actuator permits the clutch to disengage at various angular positions of the tiltable top which are controlled by an adjustable limit stop.

Abstract: A grid structure for engaging and supporting a plurality of coil springs in predetermined spatial relationships so that spring units and completed box spring foundation units can be produced having different numbers of coil springs and consequently different degrees of firmness. The grids are constructed in sizes approximating the dimensions of standard size box spring foundation units, and are formed from longitudinally and transversely extending groups of wires defining a plurality of generally rectangular seats arranged in rows and columns. The top coils of different numbers of coil springs can be engaged with and retained on selected seats in each row to provide the desired degree of firmness of the completed unit. The top coils are restrained against longitudinal and transverse shifting movement relative to their seats and the dimensions of the seats and top coils are such that the top coils can be mounted closely adjacent to each other without overlapping.

Abstract: A sleeping bag having an upper side and an under side and an opening at one end is provided with indicia representing a creature, the mouth parts of which are aligned with the open end so that a user entering the sleeping bag at the open end is given the impression of crawling into the mouth and body of the creature to sleep.

Abstract: There is disclosed a generally horseshoe shaped pillow support including a closed tubular flexible envelope in the shape of a horseshoe and including a horseshoe return having a pair of transversely spaced apart legs projecting co-extensively forwardly from such return. The tubular envelope may be in the form of a thin walled plastic sheet for inflation thereof by air, and the back wall of the return cooperates with the front wall thereof upon inflation of the envelope to cause free extremities of the legs to swing inwardly toward one another to normally be in contact with one another at the free extremities.

Abstract: A portable bed, cot or "gurney" is modified to produce an apparatus which permits movement of a patient while under full traction. This is accomplished by a novel arrangement of stanchions, longitudinal and cross-bars supporting pulley rope and spring arrangements which form a part of the bed to maintain the traction while the patient is being moved over considerable distances, such as in evacuation operations and similar applications.

Abstract: A collapsible tool for rotating a threaded member on a receiving threaded member and adapted to perform a plurality of mechanical operations associated with the removal and replacement of an automobile tire and wheel assembly. The tool includes a pair of pivotally interconnected arms disposed in a crossing relationship and having a manually releasable spring detent which locks the arms in a perpendicular open position for use of the tool as a wrench. On at least one arm end is mounted a socket for releasably engaging a lug nut, and a curved claw and hammer head are carried by other arm ends for removing and replacing wheel covers.

Abstract: A canoe and paddle support to facilitate attachment of paddles to a canoe for storage, auto transport, and particularly portaging of the canoe. The invention has a body preferably made of a resilient material. The body has a lateral slot adapted to removably retain the thwart of a canoe, a longitudinal slot adapted to removably retain a canoe paddle and oriented in approximately perpendicular relation to the lateral slot, so that the paddle is held in an orientation approximately longitudinal with respect to the center line of the canoe, and a carrying surface facing downwardly when the thwart and the paddle are retained in the lateral and longitudinal slots and the canoe is inverted, the carrying surface being adapted to provide a convenient path for transmitting the weight of the canoe to the shoulders of the person transporting the canoe.

Abstract: A strip which will form a rigid shoe shank is applied to the bottom of an insole. The shank strip is flexible and includes a carrier sleeve which contains a plurality of fiberglass strands in a thermosetting plastic matrix. After the shank strip is in place, the matrix is activated by exposing it to an external stimulus such as heat or radiation. Heat can be applied locally to the shank strip and curing takes place directly on the insole bottom. The thermosetting resin can polymerize with or without an exothermic reaction. Preferably, sufficient heat is developed from exothermic heat or from the energy source and directed to melt the carrier sleeve to fuse it with the resin and to effect a bond to the insole for forming a unitary and rigid shank attached firmly to the insole bottom. The shank strip may be cut from a "rope" which may be wound onto a reel for storage and to facilitate continuous paying out of the rope to enable a shank length to be severed and applied to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A vertical axis brush for use with a rotary floor maintenance apparatus is disclosed. The brush includes a holder plate having an integral peripherally extending and depending skirt to which are detachably secured a plurality of brush segments. Each brush segment is generally U-shaped in plan and is held to the holder plate by a pair of opposed clamps which define a channel. The clamps are integral with the plate and radially receive the brush members in a detachable snap fit fashion. When mounted, each of the brush members is engaged by the clamps and also engaged by the depending skirt of the holder plate.

Abstract: A device having angular and rotatable linkage between a handle and squeegee blade for manipulating the blade on the surface of glass being cleaned.

Abstract: A brush attachment for a tennis racket including a plurality of bristles embedded in a flexible body member having a channel formed therein for fitting over and conforming to the shape of a tennis racket bow. A strap is removably attached to each end of the body for holding the brush onto the tennis racket bow.

Abstract: The hinge comprises a compression spring, which is adapted to balance the weight of a hinged leaf, such as a flap, lid or door. The compression spring is prestressed and bears at one end on the stationary hinge member and at the other end acts by means of a spring guide on a second hinge member, which is attached to the hinged leaf. The spring guide is supported at one end by two limbs of the stationary hinge member and at the other end by a slidable pin, which is mounted in cam slots, which are respectively provided in the limbs of the stationary hinge member and in a control lever. The latter is pivoted at its other end to the movable hinge member. The cam slots have such a configuration that the excursion of the spring resulting from the pivotal movement of the control lever is minimized.

Abstract: An automobile litter box includes an enclosed volume open at one end which provides a receptacle with a base which is curved and adapted to rest on the outer periphery of an automobile transmission and drive shaft tunnel. A pair of arcuate arms are rotatably mounted at opposing ends of the base and adapted to engage the outer periphery of an automobile transmission and driveshaft tunnel. Means are provided for applying spring-like compressive force to at least one of the arms thereby providing frictional compressive engagement of the arms with the outer periphery of the tunnel.

Abstract: Two contraction-expansion pieces each have one end thereof connected to a base plate secured to a main body containing therein an opening and the other end thereof connected to a base plate secured to a lid serving to open and close the opening of the main body. The two contraction-expansion pieces which are each provided with a constricted, flexible elbow portion are pivotally fastened independently of each other and arranged in a mutually crossing state. Consequently, the two contraction-expansion pieces and the two base plates jointly form a pantographic mechanism. When the lid which is locked to the main body to keep the opening in its closed state while holding the pantographic mechanism in its folded state is released from the main body, the pantographic mechanism automatically expands and the lid is consequently brought to a completely opened state.

Abstract: A process for filleting unbeheaded fish, or beheaded fish with the collar bones still adhering to the body to be filleted conveyed tail forward comprises performing belly filleting cuts, back filleting cuts and rib cuts. The fillets are cut free by severing cuts, performed after the rib cuts, extending closely behind the collar bones, and inclined towards the roof or the skull, while leaving the collar bones and/or the head on the bone skeleton. An apparatus for filleting the fish comprises a conveyor for the fish, a pair of belly filleting knives, a pair of back filleting knives and a pair of rib knives. The axes of the rib knives are arranged almost parallel to each other and inclined in the feed direction of the conveyor. The rib knives are displaceable in the direction of their axes and connected with control means to raise them at least on the arrival of the abdominal cavity end of each fish.

Abstract: Clams are conveyed in support cradles first past liquid nitrogen applying nozzles then through high intensity flame to effect opening of the shells of the clams which are then dumped into a tumbler and then into a flotation tank for final flesh-shell separation.

Abstract: A crustacean shelling apparatus includes a cupped wheel feed assembly positioned transversely adjacent and centered on a pair of counterrotating vertically mounted squeeze rollers. The cupped wheel feed assembly includes a plurality of outwardly opening cups spaced circumferentially around the outer rim of the wheel assembly. Crustacean body parts are manually placed into the cups as they rotate through an upwardly opening position near the top of the wheel assembly, wherefrom they are carried to a position immediately adjacent the nip of the counterrotating rollers. A pressurized water feed mechanism positioned slidably abutting the inside surface of the outer rim of the feed wheel assembly thereupon comes into registry with an aperture at the bottom of each cup as the cup approaches the rollers and drives the crustacean body parts into the nip of the rollers by means of a stream of water.

Abstract: A planetary coiler for strand material includes a circular rotary stabilizing member in which a coiler member is eccentrically positioned for rotation therein, and drive arrangements are connected to the coiler member for imparting rotation thereto and for moving the same in an orbital path of travel so that the coiler member transmits rotation to the stabilizing plate member by virtue of the orbital path of movement of the coiler member.