Abstract: A sprinkler head comprises a tubular body having a first threaded end to be connected to a water line and having a second end that defines an outlet enclosed by a cap. A thermally responsive element, such as a glass bulb or heat fusible element, is engaged with the cap to maintain the cap in a closed position. The body is provided with a pair of generally parallel circumferential grooves. The bottom of one of the grooves adjacent the threaded end has a polygonal cross section to receive a wrench to enable the sprinkler head to be threadedly attached to a water line, while the other of the grooves receives the base portion of a wire-form protective guard that encloses the thermally responsive element.

Abstract: Equipment for fighting a fire has a suspension structure and hydraulic accumulators in the suspension structure for movement to within an action range of the fire. The hydraulic accumulators have outlet nozzles at one end for utilizing a high drive pressure in the hydraulic accumulators to produce, by suction effect, a fog-like penetrating liquid spray. In this regard, the suspension structure is a jacket structure for holding together the hydraulic accumulators in such a way that, between the hydraulic accumulators, there are longitudinal air channels.

Abstract: A ceiling mounted rotating fire extinguishing system comprised of a cylindrical housing having four heat sensitive sprinkler heads positioned therearound. A fire retardant liquid container is secured within the cylindrical housing. The liquid container has a five way piping system extending outwardly of a lower portion thereof. The five way piping system has four extensions coupled with the four heat sensitive sprinkler heads in the cylindrical housing. The five way piping system has a downwardly extending pipe extending outwardly of the cylindrical housing. A spraying housing has a plurality of heat sensitive sprinkler heads extending outwardly thereof. The spraying housing is adapted for rotatable coupling with the downwardly extending pipe of the fire retardant liquid container. A motor is secured within the cylindrical housing. The motor rotating the spraying housing with respect to the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A lawn spreader composed of a cylindrical drum mounted to a user-operable handle assembly. Along the surface of a drum are a plurality of spaced-apart spike arrays with a plurality of aperture arrays interposed therebetween. A door at one end of the drum allows for deposit of granular materials, such as grass seed, within the drum. A paddle array within the drum is rotatable therein so as to open or close selected apertures of the aperture arrays. Upon drum rotation, as urged by the user on the handle assembly, the spikes first indent the earth with the grass seed then falling through the open apertures and into and between the resulting indentations in the earthen surface therebetween. The smooth surface of the drum then tamps the deposited seeds into the earthen surface. The spikes are preferably releasably attached to the cylindrical drum so that various types of spikes can be used.

Abstract: A soil deflecting and leveling reel is formed by end plates having a plurality of blades extending helically therebetween. Intermediate plates are positioned in spaced relation to the end plates and reinforce the reel blades. The reel is rotatably mounted on a reel support frame which is pivotally connected to a tillage tool frame in close proximity behind a disc gang. The reel support frame is resiliently urged to engage the reel with the ground whereby ground contact rotates the reel as the tool frame is drawn across a field. The blades of the rotating reel engage soil ejected upwardly by the discs and deflect the soil back to the ground to minimize lateral shifting of the soil and consequent formation of ridges and furrows by the discs. Additionally, the blades of the rotating reel break up clods of the soil and churn the soil to improve mixing and incorporation of chemicals applied to the soil.

Abstract: A cultivator which may be attached to a tractor or similar vehicle for use in cultivating rows of plants, includes a rotary tine assembly having a plurality of vertically-oriented, rotary tines for cultivating soil on each side of a row of plants; shields associated with each row of plants for limiting throwing of soil by the rotary tines; a drive motor for moving the rotary tines to cultivate the soil; and a support structure for securing the rotary tines, the shields, and the drive motor thereto and which is adapted for connection to the tractor or similar vehicle, wherein dimensions of and relative adjustments of the tines and the shields are chosen so that a predetermined amount of soil passes between selected shields, whereby weeds between adjacent rows of plants may be uprooted and/or destroyed and soil may be ridged and heaped around the plants and in the rows.

Abstract: A free-floating skirt assembly for attachment to the deck of a cultivator to protect adjacent vegetation from the blades of the cultivator includes a pair of elongate straps attached to the cultivator deck with shield supports projecting outwardly from the straps and slidingly receiving shield suspension rods to which are attached the shields so that the shields may float as they encounter terrain irregularities. The range of sliding movement of the suspension rods is adjusted and controlled by the provision of through bores in the rods and replaceable pins inserted into the bores above the shield supports which include short shafts extending outwardly from each strap and T-shaped connectors which receive the shafts and the suspension rods. Braces depend from the straps to engage the cultivator deck in instances where the deck has a downwardly tapering rear portion.

Abstract: A self-centering device for quick hooking and release of farm tools on to and off of a tractor provided with a hydraulic hoister. The device includes a first substantially triangular male element preferably coupled to the tractor, a second substantially triangular female element preferably coupled to the farm tool to be hooked. The first and second substantially triangular elements are coupable to each other and a coupling and releasing mechanism for coupling and releasing the two elements is provided, and is operable directly from the tractor.

Abstract: A fluid actuated detonating device is shown being used to activate explosive devices in a borehole. The detonating device has an explosive detonation charge arranged in a housing wherein a rupture disc in the wall of the housing separates the explosive charge from a fluid environment so that when pressure in the fluid environment is raised to a sufficient level the rupture disc fails and communicates a sudden pressure wave to the explosive to detonate the explosive.

Abstract: A drill bit for removing a surface subject to a subsurface pressure and an environmental surface pressure at least equal to the subsurface pressure, which comprises jetting fluid through a nozzle facing and located a predetermined distance from said surface, said nozzle being shaped to eject the fluid in a steam having a higher core pressure than said environmental pressure, said higher pressure stream having adjacent thereto at least one zone of pressure negative relative to said subsurface pressure, said distance being predetermined to expose said surface to said zone of negative pressure, whereby said surface is caused to explode into said zone of negative pressure from the force of said subsurface pressure.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle made of a front and of a rear vehicle body of which the chassis are connected by an articulated joint. The articulated joint comprises a steering axis, a first longitudinal roll axis on the front chassis, and a second longitudinal roll axis on the rear chassis. In a structural sense, the articulated joint of the present invention comprises a first swivel member and a first shaft mounting this first swivel member on the front chassis for relative oscillation of the first swivel member and of the front chassis about the first longitudinal roll axis. Likewise, a second swivel member and a second shaft mounting this second swivel member on the rear chassis allow relative oscillation of the second swivel member and of the rear chassis about the second longitudinal roll axis.

Abstract: A power converter having substantially a "U" shape is mounted on the axial side of a motor from which a drive shaft protrudes. Due to the opening end of the "U" shape, the power converter may be removed from the motor or mounted thereon while a load such as vehicle wheels are connected to the motor.

Abstract: The vehicle (1) comprises a driving wheel (2) driven by an electric motor (3) whose control circuit (4) is supplied by a generator (6) coupled to a fuel engine (5), and a sensor (18) supplying a power-setting control signal (SC) representative of the position of an accelerator pedal (17) and hence of the desired power that the electric motor (3) has to supply to the wheel (2). To avoid having to provide the vehicle (1) with a large capacity traction battery, the vehicle further comprises means (7, 14 to 16, 19, 20) responsive to the power setting signal (SC) to regulate the rotational speed of the fuel engine (5) to the value at which the latter supplies a mechanical power (Pm) that is equal, firstly, to the desired power and, secondly, to a predetermined fraction of its maximum power.

Abstract: A pedestal control console is disclosed which includes a trapezoidal linkage for moving control actuators and a steering wheel forwardly and rearwardly, according to an operator's requirement. The console includes a narrow footprint at the base thereof to improve visibility past the console. The console includes a back upright pivotally secured on a shaft at the base of the console. This shaft also supports bell cranks connected by connecting rods to actuators at the upper part of the console. The actuators are widely spaced at the upper part of the console and the connecting rods converge to the narrow footprint at the base of the console.

Abstract: A transmission and a continuously variable transmission are coaxially arranged to an engine. A front differential is perpendicularly suspended under the forward/reverse changeover apparatus. An axis of the differential crosses at a right angle of an axis of the speed reduction apparatus in an integral structure. The engine is longitudinally housed in a front portion of a toe board in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle. Thus, a compact structure is provided and the engine and the transmission can be arranged in an engine compartment without modifying a vehicle body structure. Further, a transfer apparatus is provided behind the speed reduction apparatus in an integral structure.

Abstract: A grease lubricating system includes a plurality of injectors for distributing grease to a plurality of lubrication points, an injector reset valve for resetting the injectors and a pump for supplying grease. The injector reset valve is located between the pump and the plurality of injectors and includes a piston and a large heavy duty spring which urges the piston into sealing engagement with an inlet port of the injector reset valve during a reset position of the valve. During a pressurizing portion of a pump cycle, grease entering the injector reset valve moves the piston out of sealing engagement with the inlet port of the injector reset valve enabling grease to flow from the inlet port through an internal chamber of the injector reset valve and out of a outlet port to input ports of the injectors through an injector distribution junction. Each injector then delivers grease to its respective lubrication point.

Abstract: A cable lubricating device and method, for use in cable through conduit pulling operations. The automatic cable lubricating device includes a lubricant supply tank having an internal chamber and a regulating means for regulating the flow of a pressurized lubricant from within its internal chamber, a lubricant dispensing head having a cable feeding aperture therethrough and a plurality of lubricating ports, and a flexible lubricant supply hose having a first and second end. The dispensing head further includes an input port. The first end of the supply hose has a connecting means for connecting to the regulating means downstream of the supply tank. The second end of the supply hose has a connecting means for connecting to the dispensing head input port such that a lubricant under pressure stored within the internal chamber of the supply tank may be dispensed through the lubricating ports. The regulating means may be adjusted to control the output of lubricant from the lubricating ports.

Abstract: A combined stairway and hoist so constructed that it can be adapted in many fields of use, especially for handicapped people in buildings and public transportation. The stairway together with the platform can be raised and lowered by means of parallel stays which at one end are pivotally connected to a support at the upper end of the stairway, the parallel stays along their length being pivotally connected to a number of additional stays which are connected to respective steps and are vertical in operating position.

Abstract: An elevator roller guide includes a platform 12 having a supporting arm portion 12a and being arranged on a cage, a roller 3 in contact with a guide rail erected in a channel, an arm 6 which supports the roller 3 in a freely rotatable manner and which is arranged on the platform 12 in a freely rockable manner, and a spring 16 arranged between the arm 6 and the supporting arm portion 12a of the platform 12. The guide further includes a stopper rod 13 arranged on the supporting arm portion 12a at a position separated by a certain distance in the horizontal direction from the arm 6 on the side of the rocking direction and separated by a certain distance from the spring 16; and a viscoelastic part 63 arranged between the stopper rod 13 and said arm 6. The viscoelastic part 63 is deformed in the shear direction alone, and its damping effect can be efficiently realized.

Abstract: A wear indicator for a disk brake having a caliper that slides in a carrier to apply friction pads against a disk. The wear indicator comprises a continuous variation sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, connected to a monitor. The capactive sensor has first and second electrodes having a variable overlap area. A guide pin for the caliper forms the first electrode. As the guide pin moves during a brake application, the monitor periodically measures the overlap area to define a current operational output signal which is compared with a predetermined signal and when the comparison differs from a normal result a failure signal is provided to indicate that the disk brake in not properly operating.

Abstract: Braking device for a self-orientating twin castor composed of two wheels which are rotatably mounted at the opposite ends of a spindle that is driven through a seat of a support which is composed of a vertical wall that lies between the wheels and in which a cylindrical recess is formed with a vertical axis that is eccentric with respect to the spindle. The recess is open in an upward region for the engagement of a pivot for mounting the castor in a piece of furniture, and a lever element is provided which can be coupled to the wall so that it can oscillate between two positions about an axis that is parallel to the spindle. The lever element includes an arm for blocking the wheels, which lies between the wheels, and an actuation arm, which can be accessed by a user.

Abstract: Vibration damper, in particular for motor vehicles, including a work cylinder, a work piston fastened to a piston rod and dividing the work cylinder into two work chambers, possibly an equalization chamber and a piston rod guide which seals the piston rod against the atmosphere, whereby the work chambers are filled with a magnetorheological fluid to which an electric coil can be applied. In the event of a failure or malfunction of the electric coil, it must be possible to achieve a safe damping force, by having at least one permanent magnetic field which acts on the magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: A disc braking assembly provides a compact, lightweight braking arrangement which utilizes hydraulic fluid to provide greater braking power. Durability and reliability are achieved by use of a compensating chamber and piston having a compensating piston biasing member.

Abstract: A one-way clutch according to the present invention comprises an outer race fitted in a housing member, an inner race, a plurality of engaging members arranged between the outer race and the inner race, a cage for holding the engaging members, a spring for biasing each of the engaging member in one direction, annular members arranged on the opposite sides of the outer race so as to close a space between the inner and outer races, said inner race being formed of metal, one of said annular members being formed of synthetic resin, and an integral molding means for integrally forming the inner race and the annular member. According to a further embodiment, one annular member and the cage are integrally molded with synthetic resin.

Abstract: Free wheel hub for cycles, in which the wheel hub is driven by the free wheel, by means of a unidirectional connection constituted by the cooperation of at least one movable ratchet acted upon by a spring so as to move toward an operative projecting position, in which it cooperates with teeth, this ratchet being free to pivot on a support piece fastened to the hub body, while the teeth are produced on a free wheel body. The ratchet-support piece is made of a material whose mechanical properties and/or density are similar to those of the material used to make the hub body, this ratchet being mounted so as to pivot on a gauge rod attached to the support piece, this gauge rod being made of a material whose mechanical properties and/or density are similar to those of the material used to manufacture the free wheel body.

Abstract: A friction clutch which is provided with a system to compensate for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc and, if necessary, for wear upon certain other parts employs one or more diaphragm springs or other energy storing elements which assist in the disengagement of the clutch so that the disengaging force is relatively low and/or that such force fluctuates within a relatively narrow range. The energy storing element or elements can operate in parallel with the clutch spring and can be installed between the housing of the friction clutch and the clutch spring. The disengaging force of the energy storing element or elements can be assisted by the bias of resilient segments between the friction linings of the clutch disc.

Abstract: An improved, torque cushioned compressor clutch supports the armature on a hard plastic molded disk, the inner edge of which closely pilots on, but is not directly attached to, a cylindrical surface of a drive shaft mounted central hub. Instead, the outer face of the disk, near the inner edge, is abutted with an axially inwardly facing shoulder, which keeps it from pulling axially off of the hub. A softer elastomer overmold adheres to both sides of the harder support disk, adhering to the hub as well, but not adhering to the interface between the disk inner edge and hub. Therefore, when the clutch engages, the disk is free to turn on the hub, at least as far as the "wind up" limit of the elastomer allows, cushioning the engagement shock. However, during operation, the close fit of the disk on the hub prevents radial whirl.

Abstract: A validator portion of a bill validator is disclosed comprising two different plastic materials of different colors, fused together. The first plastic material is preferably opaque, or black, and the second plastic material is preferably clear. The clear material is used to provide windows through the validator housings for light to pass from light sources, such as light emitting diodes, to photodetectors, such as photo-transistors, and protects the light source and photodetectors from water, dirt and air. Prisms can be provided as well, to provide a detector for foreign matter such as string. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the validator can be formed by a two shot, injection molding process.

Abstract: A hold-down element for a rotary feeder has a curved elongated member for continuously contacting an article during rotation of a rotary head. The curvature of the hold-down element is selected so that the distance from the elongated member to the rotary head increases from the point of initial contact to the final contact point on the elongated member. The hold-down element preferably maintains contact for at least 20.degree. of rotation of the rotary head, and thus maintains contact with the article for an extended period of time. The hold-down element is attached to a vacuum shaft on the rotary head, and is prevented from rotating relative to the vacuum shaft by a keyway on the hold-down element and a key on the vacuum shaft. The hold-down element, however, is permitted to travel transversely along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum shaft in order to accommodate different shaped articles.

Abstract: Particulate material falling from an end of a belt positioned within a rotatable hollowed drum is distributed over an axial width of the interior wall of the drum by a guiding device.

Abstract: A pivoting transfer means for a jet of bulk material between a first cover belt conveyor and a second cover belt conveyor. The bulk material leaves the cover belt conveyor in the area of the tail pulleys and enters the receiving mouth of a second cover belt conveyor as a free jet of bulk material. Both cover belt conveyors are arranged pivotably in relation to one another around a pivot axis. The receiving mouth of the cover belt conveyor is limited by the bottom belt, the cover belt and the side walls. The jet of bulk material is deflected from the vertical into the horizontal direction of delivery within the receiving mouth. The first belt conveyor may be arranged at a higher level with the second cover belt conveyor arranged thereunder. However, the second cover belt conveyor may also be arranged at a higher level with the first cover belt conveyor arranged thereunder wherein the transfer is still from the first cover belt conveyor to the second cover belt conveyor.

Abstract: Expandable powered conveyors featuring a number of roller power motors located externally of the rollers. The conveyors include a pair of lazy tong trusses which may be supplemented, as desired, by telescoping rigid frames, leg structures or other structures. The motors are mounted between the trusses so that their drive pulleys are located substantially coaxial to the middle connection points of the scissor bars in the trusses and thus maintain a substantially constant distance from rollers connected to those scissor bars. Drive belts connect the motor drive pulleys to power such rollers. The conveyors also include a number of transfer pulleys which are also mounted substantially coaxial to corresponding middle connection points of the trusses. A single motor may thus power one or more rollers directly, and other rollers indirectly via motor drive belts and transfer drive belts.

Abstract: A conveyor tensioning assembly for an article conveyor is mounted to the frame of the article conveyor, and connected to a take-up sprocket. The conveyor tensioning assembly includes a movable rack that is engaged and moved by an advancing gear of an advancing and holding assembly in a first direction, causing the take-up sprocket of the article conveyor to be urged outwardly against the conveyor chain of the article conveyor so as to take-up any slack existing within the conveyor chain and place the conveyor chain under tension. Once the conveyor chain has been tensioned, the rack is engaged by a holding gear mounted on a one-way clutch, which prevents the holding gear from rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. The holding gear retards in any rearward movement of the rack so as to resist slippage and/or backlash of the rack to prevent the chain from losing tension and slack being formed therein to maintain the conveyor chain under a substantially constant tension.

Abstract: A protective case for housing a portable computer having a keyboard and a display, which protective case includes a keyboard case for receiving the keyboard and a display case for receiving the display. The display case is pivotally attached to the keyboard case and is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the keyboard case. The axis of rotation of the display case relative to the keyboard case is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the display relative to the keyboard of the portable computer. An articulating handle is provided which attaches to both the keyboard case and the display case, and articulates about a pivot pin as the display case moves relative to the keyboard case. Additionally, the handle may be moved between an unlatched position whereby the display case pivots freely relative to the keyboard case, and a latched position whereby the display case is retained against movement relative to the keyboard case.

Abstract: A holder for temporarily storing and displaying compact discs has a front, a back and a disc-receiving base sloping downward from the back to the front. The disc-receiving base has molded pockets or slots for receiving and vertically supporting the compact discs. Each pocket has a lead-in for quick drop-off of a disc and for guiding it to a trough at the bottom. The trough contacts the flat sides of the disc but does not touch the information containing regions on the programmed side. Three bumps extend inward from the walls of the trough for orienting the disc at a rearward leaning angle to enhance visual identification and to prevent the discs from tilting forward and becoming dislodged. Effective disc orientation is achieved by providing a straight slot, with no bumps, that is molded at the desired angle of disc tilt or inclination. The pockets have openings that are wider than the thicknesses of standard compact discs.

Abstract: A combined amusement and audio cassette holding device and method for presenting multi-media information to children includes a functional toy having a cassette receiving cavity which receives and frictionally engages and retains one or more cassettes or disks in the cavity in a visible but protected position relative to the exterior of the toy, whereby indicia on exterior surfaces of the cassette(s) remains visible while the cassette(s) is housed in the toy. The body of the toy may be configured to physically correspond to subject matter recorder on the cassette or disk. The toy/cassette combination may be packaged with a text which also corresponds to the subject matter recorded on the audio tape and the character or object which the configuration of the toy represents.

Abstract: A film storing device is provided for storing a plurality of film assembly each including an image bearing film which is attached to a sheet-like mount. The film storing device comprises a pair of translucent sheet materials which are laid one over the other and bonded together along bonding areas including a plurality of longitudinally extending bonding areas and a plurality of transversely extending bonding areas defining a plurality of substantially rectangular storing sections to form a storing pocket in each of the storing sections between the pair of the translucent sheet materials. One of the sheet materials is formed with cutouts for forming an inlet to each storing pocket. A translucent image area is formed in each of the storing sections so that image on the film of the film assembly stored in the storing pocket can be visually observed through the pair of translucent sheet materials.

Abstract: A container for, for example, food products such as confectionery, is formed from a casing and one or more auxiliary bodies associated with and affixed to the casing to give the container an animal-like or human-like appearance. The auxiliary body or bodies affixed to the casing can take the form of human-like or animal-like features and can be moved relative to the casing both by rotation about the longitudinal axis of the body and by variation of the position of the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the case by sliding the body along a circular path. This provides a container which also may be used as a toy.

Abstract: A package formed by a wrapper wrapped around a plurality of stacked elongate products (2) each of which temporarily adheres by one of its ends (2B) to an end wall (4) of the wrapper (3). The products may be prepackaged products, such as strips of chewing gum or dairy products, biscuits or bars of chocolate, or else chip cards.

Abstract: A food serving container which includes a tray which is formed by a front section and a rear section. Both the front section and the rear section have a side wall which connect together to form an enclosing side wall when the tray is in a stored position permitting a sandwich to be located and stored within the chamber of the tray. The front section is capable of pivoting relative to the rear section to an inclined position which facilitates consuming of the sandwich with the front section functioning to catch and collect any sandwich drippings that may occur doing the consuming procedure. With the front section in the usage position, the upstanding side wall of the front section is limited to the extent of movement relative to the rear section.

Abstract: A system for recovering ferrous metal components from waste materials includes a first magnetic separator for magnetically separating ferrous metal components from waste material and an impacting device for dislodging residual waste material from the surface of ferrous metal components separated by the first magnetic separator. The system may also include a second magnetic separator following the impacting device, a water washing system for cleaning ferrous metal components retained by the second magnetic separator, a ferrous metal collection station, a waste material collection station and conveyors for conveying the various unseparated and separated materials throughout the system. The impacting device includes a solid wall rotatable drum having at least one radially inwardly projecting protruberance on its interior surface. As the drum rotates, the protruberances lift the ferrous materials separated by the first magnetic separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting paper materials includes a separating mechanism for thinning the paper materials and a sensing mechanism for classifying the paper material according to type. The separating mechanism includes a plurality conveyor belts operating at successively higher speeds, whereby passing materials from one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt results in spreading the paper material. The sensing mechanism includes a mechanical striking device to strike the paper material, a microphone to detect the sound caused by the striking device and an evaluation unit to determine the type of paper material on the basis of the sound.

Abstract: A dense or heavy liquid for material separations comprising an aqueous solution including a salt having anionic moieties having the formula [(a).sup.n+ (b).sub.m O.sub.k ].sup.x- where (a) is selected from group IV elements, group V elements, transition metal elements, and rare earth elements; (b) is one or more transition metal elements having an atomic weight between 50 and 201 inclusive, where O is oxygen, where m is an integer between 6 and 18 inclusive, and where k is an integer between 24 and 62 inclusive, said dense liquid also comprising in said aqueous solution cationic moieties capable of forming said salt of said anionic moieties. The cation values may be lithium, sodium, or a mix thereof, with a small amount of hydrogen cations provided by free acid anionic moieties. The most preferred anionic moiety is [SiW.sub.12 O.sub.40 ].sup.4-. The atom designated (b) alternatively may be molybdenum, vanadium, niobium or tantalum.

Abstract: A drop sling lumber sorter apparatus comprising a frame assembly including a plurality of bays for receiving pieces of sorted lumber. Each of the bays includes a rotatable drive shaft mounted to the frame assembly and a plurality of elongated, flexible, laterally spaced slings having a first end and a second end. The first end of each sling is mounted to the drive shaft. A pivoting hook and retriever assembly selectively capture and release the second end of each sling to the frame assembly. A spool assembly is mounted on the drive shaft for each sling. Each spool assembly is capable of guiding the sling onto the rotatable drive shaft. The slings are reeled onto or reeled off of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates. A tensioner assembly tensions the slings as they are reeled off of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rack for keys and small articles has multiple split rings to receive and carry such items. The rings are held by a support with feet and a handle. By providing two rows of five rings, keys may be classified and stored on a decimal basis, that cross-references to the last digit of an auto license plate.

Abstract: A remote control wand (10) having an inclined top surface (36) and an ergonomic shape to fit a user's hand is provided. The remote control units (50) may be detachably coupled to the top surface (36) of the wand (10). The remote control units (50) may be positioned side-by-side near either or both ends of the wand (10).

Abstract: An elongated body having front and rear sides and upper and lower margins as well as opposite end margins. The body defines endwise outwardly opening slots between the front and rear sides thereof and the slots also open upwardly and downwardly through the upper and lower margins, respectively. The slots include wide upper end portions and narrow lower end portions and downwardly receive the handles of a pair of inverted table tennis paddles therein with the handles projecting upwardly from the upper margin and the head panels of the paddles projecting downwardly from the lower margin. The opposite end slots are spaced apart longitudinally of the body and the latter defines a pair of upwardly opening ball receiving recesses spaced between the slots. A pair of forwardly and upwardly opening access slots are defined by the body in registry with and opening rearwardly into the recesses and through the front side of the holder.

Abstract: A peg racking device for displaying merchandise. The peg racking device includes an elongated shaft having a bracket which is attachable to a wall, and a removable sleeve which is axially moveable along the shaft. The bracket includes lands and the rear end of the sleeve includes a notch with interface surfaces, the interface surfaces being engageable with the lands to align the sleeve and prevent rotational movement between the sleeve and the shaft. Either the sleeve or the shaft may include a bend located intermediate the rear and front ends to create an interference fit between the sleeve and the shaft, the sleeve being readily axially moveable along the shaft at least until the bend is encountered so that the sleeve frictionally contacts the shaft to prevent the sleeve from sliding off of the shaft as a package is removed from the peg.

Abstract: A test tube rack assembly including a test tube rack pivotally connected to a base having end support structure for allowing pivoting motion of the test tube rack with respect to a stationary base about a horizontal axis. A selectively actuable connector is affixed to at least one of the base end supports and includes a stud selectively engageable with one of a plurality stud receivers associated with the test tube rack for pivoting movement therewith. Each of the stud receivers defines a different angular position of the test tube rack with respect to the base. Preferably, a holder is disposed between the base and the test tube rack. A pair of holder end supports, comprising spring plates, have locking and alignment structure which mates with structure on the ends of the test tube rack to allow releasable, secure engagement between the holder and the rack.

Abstract: An archive, storage-rack assembly which is relatively easy to assemble, which provides considerable space-savings, which is relatively less costly to make, and which is relatively more stable. The archive storage-rack assembly of the invention is provided with four, specially-designed, corner-column supports. Operatively, and removably, associated therewith are shelf-clip units for supporting shelves. Each shelf-clip unit is one integral unit having two, end clip-sections for placement into respective openings of two, corner-column supports and for supporting a shelf-corner, an elongated, reinforcing angle-bracket section integral with, and interconnecting, the two, end-clip sections, and an elongated, box-guide section integral with, and projecting upwardly from, the elongated, reinforcing angle-bracket section. Each clip-assembly has a length extending in the direction of the depth of the rack-assembly, with a lateral pair of end-column supports supporting it via the two, integral, end-clip sections.