Abstract: A triple offset butterfly valve includes a valve body defining a valve orifice and a valve member rotatably mounted in the valve orifice. The valve member includes a disc element detachably mounted to a mounting plate; the valve member being mounted to a rotatable axle which extends between the disc element and mounting plane thereof. The valve body has an annular valve seat against which the disc element of the valve member seals when the valve is closed. In use, when the valve components become worn, the disc element of the valve member can easily be removed as a complete unit and replaced. In this manner, the need for a removable seal on the valve member is avoided, which reduces the number of potential leak paths as compared to known butterfly valves.

Abstract: A sectional gate with an escape door includes a plurality of vertically displaceable gate sections, which are foldably connected to one another along their horizontally extending longitudinal edges. The escape door is inserted into the sectional gate and is constructed from door sections, which are foldably connected to one another. A device for opening and closing the escape door and a locking mechanism are non-positively engaged in at least one of the gate sections. The device for opening and closing the escape door are non-positively connected with one or more sliding bolts, which extend in vertical and horizontal directions to the locking mechanism, which engages in at least one of the gate sections.

Abstract: A glazing panel includes a sheet of glass and a series of spatially separated optical elements disposed on a major face of glass. Each element has an upwardly-facing reflective surface, which extends out of the plane of the glass. A region of the material, having an optical transmission coefficient, which varies across its width, is disposed below the surface. Light incident on the upwardly facing reflective side surfaces is reflected upwardly into the area on the other side of the glazing panel. Light entering the area through the region is attenuated and diffused. The elements may be printed onto the glass, or onto a film, that is applied to the glass. Alternatively, the elements may include profiled formations which are adhered to the glass.

Abstract: An endoscope provided with hygiene protection includes a cover, which is closed at its distal end and which is transparent for optical information, at least on the front side thereof, and which can be rolled thereon in the direction of the axis of the endoscope. The endoscope further includes one or more working channels extending in a parallel position in relation to the endoscope and terminating in an open manner on the distal end of the cover. The working channels are only connected to the distal end of the cover. There are also one or more vacuum channels having one or several openings, which terminate on the side facing away from the patient and are in addition to the one or more working channels. The working channels are positioned in between the outer side of the endoscope and the inner side of the cover. A method for adding hygiene protection to an endoscope, which includes the application of sub-atmospheric pressure between the endoscope and the cover, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drum having a resonant chamber for producing a range of sounds and at least one device for allowing the sound so produced to be altered, which includes a plurality of internal snares which can be brought into contact with the internal surface of the external surface of the resonant chamber which is struck by the player. The drum may also include a bass drum stick mounted within the chamber and adapted for movement to be able to selectively strike the inner surface of the drum which is struck by the player. The bass drum stick may include a pedal, or other device, operable by the player and external to the drum for effecting movement of the bass drum stick.

Abstract: A method for serving beer from a font includes the steps of first chilling a glass for the beer to a temperature of below, at least, ?5° C. and then filling the glass with beer from the font, so that crystals of frozen beer are present in the drink below the head of foam on the beer that is created when the beer is poured.

Abstract: A portable wireless telecommunications device has electronic computer visual display includes at least one central display screen and at least two additional screens respectively disposed foldably to the right and left of said central screen, for displaying simultaneous, multiple images to a user in a super video graphics array (SVGA). The foldable display has at least two mutually connected foldable sub-display units, and it includes a user attachable and detachable connector, for user-assembling of the sub-display units into mutual connection with each other. Each of the two sub-display units have user-deployable supports (e.g. a rigid angular support member) for maintaining the sub-display units in an upwardly projecting disposition during use.

Abstract: A variable interface putter golf club includes a golf club having a shaft with a club head affixed to a first end of the shaft that is distil from a second end of the shaft to be gripped by a golfer. A multi-sided rotatable carousel is contained substantially within the club head of the golf club, the multi-sided rotatable carousel having a putter face on a plurality of sides of the multi-sided rotating carousel. The multi-side rotating carousel preferably is shaped as a pentagon with a different putter face on each of the five sides of the pentagon. A device is included for permitting rotation of the multi-sided rotatable carousel for exposing one putter face of the plurality of putter faces at a given time for allowing the golfer to putt with the one putter face so exposed.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a casing, which is substantially cylindrical in shape with a fan motor and fan blades located therein, so that air can be drawn into the casing and delivered therefrom. A grille extends over an open end of the casing and has a plurality of angular curved blades extending from a central portion thereof to the periphery. These curved blades are, preferably, at an angle to the normal plane through the grille, so that air in the casing is caused to move to the fan blades at an angle permitting efficient operation of the fan.

Abstract: A curtain system includes several flat panels made of curtain fabric or other planar materials. The top of each flat panel is provided with a horizontal metal, wood or plastic horizontal slat on which the curtain fabric or flat panel hangs in a loose manner. Both ends of the horizontal slat include a fastening device for rollers or sliders. The rollers or sliders at one end of each horizontal slat are guided inside a first common track, while the rollers or sliders located on the other end of each horizontal slat are guided inside a second common track, such that the flat panels can be slid on top of each other. The flat panels extend at an acute angle relative to the first and second common tracks and can be slid on top of each other until the flat panels nearly overlap when the first and second common tracks are mounted parallel to each other, because the fastening device therefore is designed so that the fastening device does not laterally protrude from the horizontal slat or the alignment thereof.

Abstract: A relocatable power tap includes surge suppression or surge protection for affording improved safety, in which the metal oxide varistors (“MOVs”) of the surge protectors or surge suppressors are encased in cement or concrete, and which relocatable power tap is preferably formed as part of an electrical power strip. The method for manufacturing the relocatable power tap includes the step of encasing the metal oxide varistors (“MOVs”) of the surge protector, or surge suppressor, in cement or concrete, or similar fire-resistant material.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes a case and a relay module, in which the case has terminals to enable a connection into the circuit to be protected and connectors which cooperate with complementary connectors on the relay module to enable the relay to readily be connected to the external circuit. The relay also has an arrangement in which the fixed contacts are directly associated with the connectors on the module and the movable contacts are associated therewith, and can be provided as either normally open or normally closed contacts.

Abstract: A combination greeting card and gift container includes a gift container portion having a plurality of panels, in which at least one panel forms an oblique surface with respect to the remainder of the panels. The gift container preferably includes an integral device for securing a greeting card positioned on a first panel of the gift container. There may also be included an integral greeting card cover formed from a second panel of the gift container.

Abstract: An apparatus for vertical callus distraction includes a linear drive having first and anchors, each with a plate-shaped region, that are able to be displaced relative to one another by way of the linear drive and substantially orientated perpendicularly to the direction of displacement. The first anchor is connected to a fixed bone segment and the second anchor is connected to a movable bone segment for cultivating the growth of callus between the bone segments. The linear drive has a first element with the first anchor fixed to an end of the first element, and a second element with the second anchor fixed to an end of the second element. The first and second elements are translationally displaced relative to one another with the linear drive preventing rotation of the first element relative to the second element, and preventing relative rotation between the first and second anchors.

Abstract: A device for treating sheet-like substrates with light is made for a suction table, which includes a circulating suction strip for transporting the sheet-like substrates, which suction strip forms a descending loop relative to its table-parallel transport level. The loop has a descending branch and, adjacent to the latter, an ascending branch. There is a gap for the passage of light between the descending branch and the ascending branch of the suction strip, which is bridged by a stationary bridging member which at least partially allows light to pass through it and whose surface is disposed at a level slightly recessed relative to the parallel transport level, so that a high degree of accuracy and trouble-free operation are ensured even at high transport speeds.

Abstract: A method for changing the width of particle thickness size distribution of flakes of material with the flakes being formed by a process that includes the steps of feeding a stream of molten material in a downwards direction into a rotating cup or disc and allowing the material to pass over the edge of the cup or disc in such a manner as to be forced into a gap between a pair of plates surrounding the cup or disc. The movement of material in the process used for forming the flakes is maintained in an angular direction and effected by a flow of air passing through the plates and either side of the material, so as to pull the stream of material in a manner for keeping it flat and, further, to pull the stream of material so that, as solidification of the material is effected, the sheet of material so formed is broken into flakes.

Abstract: A cable harness production system includes an electronic controller and at least one installation plate to which a plurality of mounting stations is fastened. Each of the mounting stations supports a receptacle for a functional element, which is directly connected to at least one cable harness or is shaped as a cable installation aid, such as a fork. In at least one mounting station, at least one electronic transmitter is integrated with a test sensor which can be activated by the mounting of a functional element, or by the insertion of a cable into the cable installation aid, so that a test message, as an electric wave, can be emitted and can be received and evaluated by the electronic controller.

Abstract: An isolator seal includes a stator member for placement into the stator of rotating equipment and a rotor member for placement onto a rotary shaft of the rotating equipment. The stator member and the rotor member provide respective adjacent surfaces, while a static shut-off device engages both adjacent surfaces when the rotor member is static and disengages one or more of the surfaces when the rotor member is dynamic. In one embodiment of the invention at least one of the surfaces is inclined to the longitudinal axis at an angle greater or less than 90°.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes a first stator, located in a stator of a piece of rotating equipment, and a second stator couplingly connected to the first stator and able to be angularly rotated relative to the first stator. The second stator can seal an interface between a shaft and housing in the piece of rotating equipment. The alignment apparatus permits angular misalignment between a stator, a housing and a rotor shaft, and may be used, for example, in a bearing protector or an isolator installed on a Pillow Box.