Abstract: A guide chute for dropping articles has four shock absorbable members arranged in a vertical direction at regular intervals, and four ropes for connecting the shock absorbable members to one another. Each of the shock absorbable members is composed of a frame member, a plurality of elastic trapezoidal plates which are secured to the frame member, and coil springs for retaining the trapezoidal plates in a throttled condition. The width of each of the trapezoidal plates is increased towards its free tip end. The free tip end of each of each of the trapezoidal plates extends downward and toward the axial center of the frame member and is overlapped with adjacent free tip ends of adjacent trapezoidal plates to form a conic cylindrical body by virtue of the coil springs. And the free tip ends of the trapezoidal plates define an opening of a diameter smaller than that of articles to be dropped. When the dropping articles drop, they enlarge the opening of each of the shock absorbing members.

Abstract: A cartridge belt guiding mechanism for automatic weapons disposed between the outlet of an ammunition belt storage container and the ammunition belt inlet of the automatic weapon. The guiding mechanism is composed of a plurality of open frame-like elements. Each element has a plurality of pins extending from opposite faces thereof. Coil springs are mounted on the pins and are connected to confronting faces of the frame-like elements. The coil springs define a flexible guide channel adapted slidingly guide therethrough the cartridges of the ammunition belt. The end elements of the channel are respectively connected to the outlet of the ammunition belt storage container and the ammunition belt inlet of the automatic weapon.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus for the downward transfer of concrete eliminate separation of concrete ingredients and drop impact of concrete during concrete placing across a high head, by intermittently feeding concrete to an air-tight chute from the top end thereof while normally keeping the chute top end closed airtightly, the chute having at least one flexible portion adapted to be collapsible upon removal of concrete thereform.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rescue apparatus for enabling persons to escape safely from burning buildings, for instance, comprises a flexible tubular device which is elastic only in the transverse and circumferential direction to slow that rate of descent of a body falling through the tubular device, various means being provided for fixing the open upper end of the tubular device to the elevated point whence the body or persons is to be rescued through the lower open end of the device at a point therebelow.