Abstract: A removable interface cushion for a prosthetic limb is adapted to be snugly fitted within a prosthetic limb outer socket over the interconnection components which connect the outer socket to the upright assemblies. The interface cushion is adapted to abut and provide comfort to the wearer's residual limb when the socket is worn on the residual limb, because the interface cushion is formed from an elastomeric material and has a substantially concave proximate surface. The interface cushion also includes a cavity in the distal end of the cushion for receiving the interconnection components; and the mouth of the cavity has an annular projection extending therefrom which is adapted to abut the inner surface of the socket to create an airtight seal between the interface cushion and the inner surface of the socket when the cushion is snugly fitted into the distal end socket cavity.

Abstract: An elevationally adjustable folding stage has a frame which folds from a storage position to use position. Stage panels form a stage surface and are reversibly and interchangeably mounted. Connectors insert into passages from the stage frame through the stage panels and provide quick connection without additional connector elements. The connectors rotate within the channel and compress an annular sleeve member axially, forcing the sleeve outward to engage the sides of the passage and secure the stage panel to the stage. The connectors are at or below the upper stage surface and are accessible axially from above by an actuator tool.

Abstract: A link assembly connectable to a member and adapted for rotary motion and conical deflection relative to the connectable member generally consisting of an elongated rigid member having an opening therethrough for receiving said connectable member therein. A bushing disposed in said connectable member opening, the bushing being formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and having an opening therethrough providing an interior, cylindrical wall therein. The interior cylindrical wall having a plurality of dimples therein.

Abstract: A flexible coupling having quick-disconnect coupling hubs for connecting a drive shaft to an adjacently-aligned driven shaft and transmitting torsion from the drive shaft to the driven shaft responsive to rotation of the drive shaft, while accommodating misalignment of the shafts with respect to each other. In a preferred embodiment a cylindrical hub is slidably, adjustably mounted on each shaft by a key. An annular coupling flange is removably secured on each hub by a key, ALLEN screws or a snap ring. Each coupling flange receives the corresponding end of a resilient, elastomeric flexible connector which spans the coupling flanges to transmit torsion from the drive shaft to the driven shaft while accommodating misalignment of the shafts as the drive shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A sleeve member is positioned between an outlet pipe and a drain structure to form a fluid flow passageway isolated from the ambient atmosphere to confine fluid emissions from either the outlet pipe or the drain structure and prevent the fluid emissions from entering the ambient atmosphere. The sleeve member includes two sleeve ends of different diameters and an intermediate sleeve member segment having a truncated cone configuration flaring outwardly and downwardly from the uppermost sleeve end to the lowermost sleeve end.

Abstract: An advertising display mounting device is provided for attaching promotional displays, dispensers, or other objects to a price channel mounted on the edge of a grocery or other retail store shelf. This mounting device uses clips which are adapted to mate with the price channel of the shelf. The clips are forced into a mated relation with the price channel by a locking slide. The invention also provides for a means by which to attach an advertising display to the advertising display mounting device.

Abstract: A bendable marker for use in areas where the marker is required to be flexible is provided with a base and a marker post which are joined together by a flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve has a plurality of evenly spaced ribs which extend longitudinally along the sleeve from an upper end to a lower end. The ribs are evenly spaced apart with a groove being formed between each of the ribs. The ribs protrude from both the inner and outer surfaces of the flexible sleeve. If the marker post is struck, the flexible sleeve allows the marker post to bend relative to the base. The ribs strengthen and enhance the resiliency of the sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible tie strut for supporting both compressive and tensile forces, the flexible tie strut including a tension member and a coaxially mounted compression member, the compression member and the tensile member being interconnected at their respective ends. A coupler for interconnecting struts, and a system of couplers and struts are also disclosed.

Abstract: An advertising display mounting device is provided for attaching promotional displays, dispensers, or other objects to a price channel mounted on the edge of a grocery or other retail store shelf. The advertising display mounting device has first and second clips adapted to mate with the price channel of a grocery or other retail store shelf. The clips are forced into mated relation with the price channel by a locking slide. First clip means is provided having a plurality of teeth. Second clip means has a slot formed therein for accepting first clip means so that first and second clips are oriented parallel to each other and to the price channel. A channel formed in second clip means accepts a locking slide, also having one or more teeth for cooperating with the corresponding teeth on first clip means. As locking slide is forced into the channel, first and second teeth mesh and move the first clip relative to the second clip to lock the mounting device in the price channel.

Abstract: A console box for automobile includes a bracket for fixing a boot which is fastened to the peripheral edge of shift lever opening of a console box body and a shift lever boot which is installed over the bracket, in which the bracket is provided with a pair of flanges disposed with a vertical distance therebetween, a tightening portion is disposed near the inner edge of said flanges, and a receiving portion for receiving said shift lever boot is defined over the tightening portion, by which the peripheral edge of shift lever opening of the console box body is clasped between the pair of flanges.

Abstract: A firearm and optical instrument support includes a cylinder member which provides support without hindering the range of fire of a rifle or a pistol. The cylinder member is disposed on telescopic elongated elements which are frictionally clamped by a clamp. The firearm support further includes a perpetually open strap. Additionally, the firearm support is noiselessly foldable and opens with one hand.

Abstract: A section bar for supporting curtains, allowing said curtains to slide, is constituted by at least two portions of section bar united to each other by a juncture element and having a hollow, contoured cross-section with a longitudinal side groove from which sliding support elements for curtain portions protrude. The juncture element has a cross-section complementary to the cross-section of the section bar. The juncture element has end portions which are suitable for being slid into the section bar and a middle portion which is provided, in regions thereof which are opposite to the sides of said longitudinal groove, with a plurality of variously shaped partial-notch-slots, such as to enable the juncture element to be bent according to any desired angles. The juncture element preferably includes, within its body, rigid elements capable of being bent together with the body.

Abstract: A body lotion applicator with an extended applicator head for reaching the back and other portions of the body that are difficult to reach. An elongate arm serves as a handle and conduit for conducting body lotions from a conventional bottle to the applicator head. The applicator head includes a face plate and porous sponge affixed thereto by a retaining ring. The sponge preferably consists of an outer layer of a small cell, open-cell foam and an inner body of a large cell, open-cell foam. The sponge is detachable from the head and is replaceable with a coarse-celled exfoliative sponge or similar sponge assembly.

Abstract: A universal flexible transition connector for connecting the ends of spaced apart wiring ducts is described. The connectors are flexible along six axes of change to provide a single fitting capable of making any number of gradually curved interconnections between ducts required for use in fiber optics installations. The connectors include a duct transition converter having a cuff formation in one end for gripping attachment to the multi-sided end of a first wiring duct. The opposite end of the converter includes a resilient sleeve portion for cooperatively engaging the end of a flexible tubing member. A similar converter provided on the opposite end of the flexible tubing may be connected to the second duct end to form a smooth transition connection between duct system elements of a premises wiring system.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire assembly comprising: a guidewire whose proximal end carries a first axial interlocking member; and extension wire whose distal end carries (i) a second axial interlocking member that is adapted to overlap and axially interlock with the first member and (ii) a retractable sleeve that is retracted to permit the interlocking members to be interlocked and extended to enclose the interlocked members to maintain their interlocked relationship.

Abstract: A molded joint boot obtained by using a highly hard and highly elastic thermoplastic polyester elastomer as the molding material. The molded boot is formed into the shape of a conical bellows having a major-diameter portion connected to a minor-diameter portion by a tapered wave-like portion. Along the direction from the major-diameter portion to the minor-diameter portion, the ratio of the outside diameter of the crest portion on the minor-diameter side of a given wave to the outside diameter of the immediately-preceding trough portion of the same wave is confined within the range of about 1.08 to about 1.40. The subject molded boot is processed by injection molding, and the thermoplastic polyester elastomer employed as the molding material is above about 70 kg/cm.sup.2 in tensile yield strength, above about 30% in tensile yield elongation, and within the range of about 430 kg/cm.sup.2 to about 1700 kg/cm.sup.2 in tensile elasticity modulus.

Abstract: An alignment sleeve for use with an universal joint-type socket wrench which provides for self-alignment of the wrench with the nut or bolt to be turned. The sleeve includes an integral piece of highly resilient rubber molded into a hollow cylindrical shape and sized to fit snugly around the main body of the universal joint. At least one pair of semi-elliptical shaped ribs are molded into the inner surface of the opposed walls of the sleeve and adapted to interlock with the base member of the universal joint. The self-locking ribs eliminate the need for additional securing means such as clamps or adhesive. Thus, the sleeve may be installed and removed without the use of any other tools. In addition, the upper rim of the sleeve is provided with means to prevent pinching of the sleeve between the universal joint and socket where the sleeve is slightly longer than the body of the universal joint to which it is applied.

Abstract: A frame member for use as a portion of an open portable vibrated screed frame comprises a length of metal rod with metal tubes spaced along the length of the rod and bent in a zig-zag configuration such that each tube and a portion of the rod within each tube is bent together thereby providing a means for securing the frame member by welding to the tubes rather than directly to the rod material.

Abstract: A marker supported in the ground allows a reel-type grass mower to cut grass around the marker without requiring the removal of the marker. The marker has a flexible elastomeric element coupled between a substantially rigid shaft and a substantially rigid stake and for urging the shaft into axial alignment with the stake and for allowing a reel-type grass mower to bend the rigid shaft over at the elastomeric element to a position with a sign member substantially flat with the ground.

Abstract: In ground engaging tools, reliable fastening devices are needed to quickly and effectively secure replaceable earth working tips to adapters. The fastening pin assembly should be configured in such a way as to prevent pin loss or breakage which causes the tip to be lost and/or the adapter damaged. This invention consists of two pins and an interconnecting and retaining means. When assembled, each pin will extend approximately to the middle portion of the adapter through axially aligned bores defined in both the tip and adapter. The interconnecting and retaining means is located in the middle portion of the adapter between the two pins and retains the pins in the adapter bore. This invention protects against pin loss/and or breakage and is beneficial to all type of earth working replaceable tip applications.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible lawn and leaf bag cart is disclosed which includes a U-shaped back frame, wheels attached to and extending behind the back frame and a bag supporting platform pivotally connected to a lower end portion of the back frame which is tiltable upwardly from an extended position perpendicular to the back frame to a storage position in line with the back frame. The cart also includes a pair of arms pivotally connected on an upper end portion of the back frame for supporting a rectangularly shaped bag supporting frame thereon, which arms are tiltable downwardly from an extended position perpendicular to the back frame to a storage position between and in line with the legs of the back frame.

Abstract: A flexible connector for screening machines comprises an assembly of a plurality of generally cylindrical, flexible collars. Each collar has an annular endwise bead on a first circumferential end and an annular endwise opening groove within an endwise surface of a second circumferential end. The collars are connected by applying force in an axial direction to adjacent and aligned collars to seat and secure the bead of one collar into the groove of an adjacent collar to form a tube along an axis of connection between a particle chute and a movable screen frame.

Abstract: The coupling of the present invention is used for joining two shafts together. The coupling comprises a first hub and a second hub which are joined together by a central web located therebetween. Both the first and second hubs include an inner bore extending therethrough and an outer tapered surface. The bores of the first and second hubs are sized to receive the two shafts which are to be connected. A pair of nuts, each having a threaded tapered bore extending therethrough are threaded over the outer tapered surfaces of the two hubs until the nuts exert an inner radial force on the hubs, thereby causing the hubs to frictionally grip and hold the shafts against movement relative to the coupling body. The coupling body may be longitudinally divided into two separate halves which embrace the opposite sides of the shafts and which are held together by the nuts which surround the tapered hub portions thereof.

Abstract: A racetrack convertible guardrail is disclosed herein which includes a plurality of spaced apart upright curved posts or stanchions. The curved posts or stanchions serve to support a racetrack rail which can be formed of metal or wood. Overlying the rail and the stanchions are a continuous number of sheets interfacing with each other to cover the stanchions and the rail for protection of a rider and a horse. Underlying the rail, stanchions and the protective cover is a second rail in the form of tubing or other rail forms supported by a hinged arm that can be utilized for sulky racing. The rail forms are supported by means of collars that are in turn supported by the hinged arm that underlies the stanchion. The collar and the tubing or rail forms can be connected to another form of stanchion that has a stake for supporting the stanchion, rail and tubing with the collars for purposes of grass racing and which can be removed by moving said stake and other components of the rail.

Abstract: The use of a bifurcated joint to attach a conveniently sized metal flange to a flexible bellows material has been widely used, for example, in the manufacture of a building construction expansion joint cover. The known bifurcated joint is formed by clamping and engaging a marginal edge of the bellows material between opposed folded portions of the metal flashing. It has been found that the attaching force provided by this joint can be enhanced by providing teeth or protrusions in a portion of the metal bifurcated joint. Preferably a punch is used to upset teeth from one surface of the joint, preferably a corrugated portion of the joint, and then bend the thus toothed and corrugated portion into clamping engagement with the marginal edge of the bellows. The toothed hole clampingly engages the bellows material without piercing it and prevents pull out, both prior to curing of the adhesive bond as well as thereafter.

Abstract: A doll pole for suspending stuffed dolls has a pair of stiffening and filler rods made from resilient foam plastic that are coaxially aligned and housed in a hollow tube made from sheet material. The rods are slidable within the tube and have a combined length which is less than the length of the tube so that the tube may be folded at its midsection for ease of transport and storage. Ribbons are spaced along the length of the tube for tying the stuffed dolls to the pole.

Abstract: A sealed pivot joint suitable for joining together the adjacent links of an endless belt, for example, a tank track. The joint has a bearing (10) rotatable on a pin (8), and an elastic sleeve (20) whose extremities are in sealed relationship to the pin and bearing thereby preventing the ingress of abrasive material into, and the egress of lubricant from, the bearing surface (12). The sleeve is maintained in circumferential tension by tensioning members (14, 16, 18) between the sleeve and the pin which act to prevent wrinkling of the sleeve when the pin and bearing are rotated relative to one another thereby reducing abrasive wear on the outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A chair which includes a seat frame having depending leg members and a pair of upstanding, spaced apart members arranged to provide a lower backrest part for the chair and an upper backrest frame part having a pair of spaced apart depending members in registry with the upstanding members, said members being hollow with open extremities, and flexible spring means secured between each pair of members to provide an articulated, flexible spring backrest for the chair. Each flexible spring means includes a molded plastic support strut having a wire cable flexible core to maintain the strut under compression and limit the elongation thereof when a force is exerted on the backrest by a user of the chair.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel feed pump supporting device comprises a plurality of stays and a single pump vibration damping elastic member. Each stay is formed with an oblong elastic member holding recess and the damping elastic member is formed with a plurality of tabs or a flange so as to be fitted to the oblong holding recesses of the stay. The elastic member is so disposed between a fuel feed pump and the stays as to cover the fuel feed pump and be deformed substantially in only shear mode when the fuel pump vibrates in the axial direction thereof. Therefore, it is possible to effectively damp the fuel pump vibration energy, prevent fuel pump noise from being transmitted to the outside of the fuel tank and reduce the manufacturing cost, simultaneously.

Abstract: A fishing line comprising a core line and a tubular outer line formed of synthetic fibers and sheathing the core line, the core line being withdrawable from the outer line. A conventional fishing line can be firmly connected to a leader with the outer line by withdrawing the core line from the outer line, then inserting one end of the fishing line and one of the leader into opposite ends of the outer line and tying each of the laps of the outer line over the fishing line and the leader into a single knot. The tied portions are as high as at least 90% in tensile strength ratio.

Abstract: A torsionally stiff flexure support for the slip plate in a vibration apparatus is provided permitting predetermined linear motion along the axis of vibration by longitudinal bending of the flexure, but by virtue of its torsional stiffness blocking pivoting movement about the center axis of the slip plate.

Abstract: In providing an electrically insulative covering for a cable splice, a sleeve is assembled with an outer rigid shell and is maintained in fluid-sealed relation therewith. A supply of positively pressurized air is placed with the assembled sleeve and outer member, in fluid-sealed relation with the sleeve interior. The sleeve is expanded into contiguous relation with the outer member by the pressurized air. The expanded assembly is placed over the splice and the fluid-sealed relation of sleeve and outer member is interrupted, causing the sleeve to collapse upon the splice and cables, whereupon the outer member is removed and discarded.

Abstract: A drive shaft including a universal coupling is made in the form of a uniy bonded fiber material structure having anisotropic properties. A winding form or mold is assembled to include, for example, an elongated winding sleeve, a flange forming core element, and an elongated winding mandrel joined together. Impregnated fiber material is wound onto the mold so that the fibers of the winding lie at thread angles approximately .+-.45.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the form or mold. The wound structure is compressed whereby the coupling assumes its intended shape after curing or hardening. Portions of the form or mold are removed, for example, by dissolving and washing in a suitable solvent. Alternatively the drive shaft coupling is formed directly on the torque transmitting shafts to be coupled so that the transmitting shafts are integrated into the unitary structure. The annular flange and 45.degree.

Abstract: A tension spring capable of large elastic deformation and having a high resistance to breakage and particularly, but not exclusively, for use as an artificial prosthetic ligament. The spring comprises an elongate elastic core having a low modulus of elasticity and defining opposed ends. A tensionable wrapping of thread having a high resistance to breakage is disposed in contact about the core to compress the core and to cause it to elongate axially upon opposite relative axial displacement of opposed ends of the wrapping secured to traction means.

Abstract: In an exemplary treatment head with a first treatment surface where a different treatment surface can be preconnected by means of an adapter piece, the adapter piece can be clipped or pinched onto the first treatment surface by means of a clip or pinch part to shift operation from the first to the second treatment surface. Thereby, the change from first to second treatment surface is rendered possible without extensive additional technical expense.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single actuator blanking and draw pad force control for a drawing press, which includes a unique swivel for the hold down pad comprising a confined elastomeric member which has high axial stiffness, but relatively low rotational or pivoting stiffness about an axis normal to the actuator axis. Further, the pad can be combined with air pressure for holding a sheet of material during the blanking and drawing operations.

Abstract: A foldable playpen formed by rigid panels, each panel comprising two horizontal bars connected by vertical bars. Adjacent panels are joined to each other by flexible deformable elements which are attached to the ends of the horizontal bars. The panels are each locked in position to form a rigid structure by means of cross members which are inserted between vertical bars of adjacent panels so as to span the angle formed between the adjacent panels.

Abstract: A replaceable torsion type spring assembly or unit having a resilient elastomeric tubular member with one end of such tubular member secured to a stationary member and the other end of such tubular member secured to a member that has force applied thereto for rotating such last member. A hollow tubular member is loosely journaled internally of the resilient elastomeric tubular member to provide support to the spring assembly.

Abstract: A barbequing device which can barbeque any kind of meat or vegetables automatically is disclosed.The barbequing device is substantially characterized by a combination of a skewer holding plate and a pair of skewer receiving grooves formed in the longitudinal side walls of a skewer mounting frame.Due to the cooperative operation of the above combination, a skewer which pierces meats and vegetables is held firmly by a skewer rotating shaft and is rotated firmly and stably, whereby such meats and vegetables are evenly barbequed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical fiber connector for use in glass fiber waveguide transmission systems to provide either a permanent splice or a fiber guide connection which can be disengaged. The connector comprises a sheet of elastically deformable material such as a plastic having opposed major plane surfaces. At least one hole is formed in the material which hole has the same shape and dimension as the fiber portions which are to be inserted into opposite ends of the hole and aligned and joined therein. The hole extending through the sheet of material is parallel to one of its major plane surfaces and is positioned to be nearer to this one surface than to the other surface of the material so that when the material is bent along the axial direction of the hole the hole deforms or elongates to permit removal or insertion of fiber ends to be aligned and held securely therein when the deformation is released and the material goes back to its original shape.

Abstract: An electric welding torch adapted to hold an electrode comprises a helically fluted tube made of flexible material and adapted to surround a portion of the electrode inserted in the tube. Means is provided for mounting the tube in the torch and permitting relative rotation of displaced portions of the tube along the electrode for selectively holding the electrode in the tube by physical engagement of helical land portions of the tube against the surface of the electrode and for releasing the electrode by twisting of the tube in a direction opposite that of the spiral flutes or by application of axial compression of the tube.

Abstract: A yieldably resilient, tubular bellows is fastened to a metal cylinder by first inserting an axial end portion of the bellows in a more rigid clamping ring whose internal cross section is greater than the cross section of the cylinder, but not substantially greater than that of the outer cross section of the bellows, then axially juxtaposing the bellows and the cylinder, and exerting axial pressure in opposite directions on the ring and the cylinder while preventing the bellows from moving out of the ring until an axially terminal portion of the cylinder enters the bore of the bellows, smaller in cross section than the cylinder, and is axially coextensive with the ring, whereby the bellows is radially compressed between the ring and the cylinder.