Abstract: A seal assembly is for sealing a space between a housing and a shaft rotatable about a central axis. The seal assembly includes a seal body connectable with the housing and having an inner circumferential sealing surface. The sealing surface has opposing axial ends and is slidably contactable with the shaft outer surface to define a sealing interface. An annular biasing member, preferably a garter spring, is disposed about a portion of the seal body and has a centerline. The biasing member exerts a biasing force directed radially inwardly toward the centerline, such that the seal exerts a contact pressure on the shaft. Further, the biasing member is angularly positioned on the seal body such that the contact pressure extends axially along the shaft axis to direct substances entering the sealing interface toward a proximal axial end of the sealing surface when the shaft rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A fluid seal assembly (the assembly) of the present invention is disposed between an outer surface, i.e. engine block or any other part that requires application of the assembly and a rotatable member, such as, for example a shaft, wherein the assembly circumscribes the shaft and lubricated the shaft and the same rotates around the axis. The assembly includes at least three members: a casing unit, a sealing ring unit, and a collar. The assembly eliminates problems associated with prior art designs such as static leakage of oil, clogging up the spirals with carbonized oil that negatively impact lifecycle of the fluid seals.

Abstract: A mechanical component having enhanced tribological characteristics includes a body having at least one surface and a coating layer disposed on the body surface and having an outer surface providing at least a section of a running surface. The layer is formed by directing relatively high velocity particles of a first material toward the body surface such that at least a portion of the first material particles impact the body surface and embed within the body.

Abstract: A system for moving fluids includes a pump device having a housing and at least one piston movable in the housing to displace fluids thereby causing flow. An actuator device is connected to the at least one piston for moving the piston within the housing to displace fluids as the actuator device is moved. The actuator device includes a plurality of side portions connected to one another to form a vacuum therein and movable relative to one another as the actuator device moves reciprocally between first and second positions with one of the side portions being connected to at least one piston thereby moving the at least one piston within the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a resting area for an infant or a pet is disclosed. The resting area includes a support structure and a holding structure for holding the resting area over, or at least partially above an adult sleeping area. This enables the resting area to be easily accessible to an adult located in the adult sleeping area. The resting area is optionally movable in various manners, such as vertically, horizontally, rotatably, and swingably. The apparatus may include a horizontal arm extending from a support frame. A sleep divider is optionally provided in order to enable one adult to attend to an infant or pet while decreasing the disturbance to another adult on the opposite side of the divider. Various additional optional features may include providing heating means to a portion of the rest area, a convenient supply tray, lighting means, and various holding structure configurations for convenience and comfort.

Abstract: A device for children of the present invention includes a travel path supported by a post and a plurality of sections occupied by the children movable relative the travel path in at least one direction. The travel path is movable between at least two planes relative the post. The device may include an actuator cooperable with the travel path to move the travel path between the two planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a resting area for an infant or a pet is disclosed. The resting area includes a support structure and a holding structure for holding the resting area over, or at least partially above an adult sleeping area. This enables the resting area to be easily accessible to an adult located in the adult sleeping area. The resting area is optionally movable in various manners, such as vertically, horizontally, rotatably, and swingably. The apparatus may include a horizontal arm extending from a support frame. A sleep divider is optionally provided in order to enable one adult to attend to an infant or pet while decreasing the disturbance to another adult on the opposite side of the divider. Various additional optional features may include providing heating means to a portion of the rest area, a convenient supply tray, lighting means, and various holding structure configurations for convenience and comfort.

Abstract: A condom tester and applicator comprises a hollow cylinder (10) having an open proximal end (12) and a distal end (14). The hollow cylinder is constructed of a transparent material, such as clear plastic. The distal end of the cylinder possesses an end-face (16) which contains a one-way valve (18). The inner surface of the hollow cylinder accommodates a plurality of longitudinal grooves (22). A mounting flange (24) is formed at the periphery of the proximal end of the hollow cylinder. A condom is tested by sealingly installing it into the hollow cylinder and creating a pressure differential across the condom membrane by forcing out the air inside the cylinder through the one-way valve and thus distending the condom. The condom is donned onto a penis by inserting the penis inside the hollow cylinder with the condom inflatably installed therein, and transferring the hem ring of the condom from the mounting flange onto the base of the penis.

Abstract: A foldable earthquake protective bed comprises a support frame (10) and two moveable members (20 and 22) pivotally attached to the support frame (10) and capable of being pivoted between a folded position in which the moveable members are arranged as conventional parts of the bed and an unfolded position in which they form a rigid protective cover above the bed's occupant(s). The bed may have a power drive in the form of a pneumatic cylinder (42) with a piston (43) sliding inside the cylinder (42). A piston rod (44) of the piston (43) is pivotally attached by a link (46) to a bracket (30) of the pivotable member (20) and by a link (48) to a bracket (32) of the pivotable member (22). Compressed air can be admitted to the cylinder (42) from a pressure vessel (50) via a control valve (52). This valve can be activated either manually by pushing a pushbutton (62) built into the bed frame, or automatically from a seismic sensor (58) attached to the wall of the building.