Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enhanced efficiency of backup copying of designated datasets stored within a plurality of storage devices coupled to the data processing system via a storage subsystem control unit having subsystem memory therein. Application execution within the data processing system is temporarily suspended long enough to form a dataset logical-to-physical system address concordance to be utilized to administer copying of the designated dataset. Thereafter, application initiated updates to uncopied portions of the designated datasets are temporarily deferred until sidefiles of the affected portions of the designated datasets are written to subsystem memory. The updates are then written to the storage subsystem. Portions of the designated datasets are then accessed and copied from the storage subsystem on a scheduled or opportunistic basis utilizing selected data retrieval command sequences.

Abstract: A disposable protective garment 1 has bands 8 of elastomeric material at the wrists and/or ankles and/or around the hood 5. Each band 8 is joined to the garment by a welded or adhesively-bonded seam and extends from the garment to encircle closely the adjacent part of the body of the wearer. Each band 8 is joined in a stretched condition to the garment 1 and is then allowed to relax, thereby forming gathers 9 in the garment 1.

Abstract: A breathable composite barrier fabric for protective garments including a low-strength nonwoven web; a high-strength nonwoven web containing multicomponent fibers that have a first polyolefin component and a second polyamide component, the high-strength web having a grab tensile strength of at least 1.5 times the low strength web; and a water impermeable barrier layer positioned between the low-strength web and high-strength web, the webs and barrier layer being joined by thermal bonding. Protective garments may be constructed from the breathable composite barrier fabrics. The low-strength nonwoven web is on the bodyside of the garment and the high-strength nonwoven web is on the exterior of the garment.

Abstract: A weighted exercise vest is adapted for wearing on the upper body of a person. The vest has front and rear compartments in which multiple weights may be inserted. The compartments securely hold the weights therein when the wearer is engaged in physical activity. The weight-containing compartments, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, are formed as elongated tubular ribs or pockets and are located across the back, front or sides of the vest. The vest, in a particularly preferred embodiment, also includes a single pocket advantageously located on the upper back portion of the vest, sized to fit other equipment, such as a portable CD or cassette tape player. The outer surface of the weight-containing compartments or pockets is made from elastic material or includes elastic lining or bands to snugly hold the weights or other equipment inserted therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a stethoscope support assembled onto a garment to be worn by a medical practitioner. The garment is provided with a stethoscope bell holder pocket adjacent one shoulder thereof that is sized to slidingly hold a bell of a stethoscope. A first attachment component is connected to the garment adjacent a second shoulder thereof. A complementary attachment component is connected to the stethoscope in the area of its headpiece. The bell holder pocket and the first attachment component are assembled to the garment at respective positions so that when the stethoscope is worn, the transmission tube does not cause pressure to the neck of the medical practitioner.

Abstract: A glove especially adapted to the practice of a sport having its own tightening arrangement, such that it cannot be lost, the tightening arrangement including a single strap starting from a lower fixed point of the glove located in an area of the wrist and extending freely around the glove toward an upper fixed point located substantially perpendicular to the lower point by describing a spiral, the upper fixed point constituting a traction hold relative to which the strap can be biased to tighten the glove around the user's hand, along a path that corresponds substantially to one turn but does not close on itself.

Abstract: A wind dampening device for dampening the wind around the ear associated with traveling at high velocities. The wind dampening device includes a panel. The panel has a top edge, a front edge, a back edge, a facing side and a rear side. The panel generally has a triangular shape. The top and front edges are orientated generally perpendicular to each other. The rear side of the proximal portion is concave. A fastening means fastens the panel to the article.

Abstract: Garments such as ski pants are often scraped by the strokes of an abrasive device, i.e., the edges of the opposing skis, when worn by a user. In one embodiment of the invention, elongated abrasion-resistant ribs are overlaid on the area of a pant leg scraped by the device, to provide a corduroyed effect of alternately successive relatively raised ribs and recessed grooves thereon, the ribs of which have a height adapted to sustain the ski edges above the bottoms of the grooves so that the bottoms of the grooves are protected from abrasion. In another embodiment, a slot is formed in the pant leg at that area, and a patch of a flexible substrate material, with an array of ribs and grooves thereon, is inserted in the slot and secured to the pant leg to provide a corduroyed surface having the capability of protecting the area from the abrasive action of the ski edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-regulating sock (1) with padding in certain areas, worn especially for leisure sports such as jogging, in line skating, skiing and similar. The aim of the invention is to especially provide a means of conducting sweat out of the shoe, to the outside. To this end, the inventive sock has at least one integrated airway (3) extending from the sole (2) to the top of the sock, said airway (3) consisting of heat-regulating netted fabric.

Abstract: A loop for displaying a Trademark, Copyright Notice, Logo, or the like, on the waistband of a pair of pants, shorts, skirt or blue jeans of which is also used to expand the waistband by way of un-buttoning the button and looping the loop over the button to hold the waistband in an expanded position consisting of any suitable material of any length fixed into the button hole end-lip of the waistband so the wearer may use the loop for quick relief from an over eaten meal, while dieting (gaining a pound or two) without the purchase of a new garment to fit, during early pregnancy, water retention, while driving, sitting, or any uncomfortable waistband condition(s) and may have attached to the loop a chain or the like holder having a button hole plug of any suitable design attached onto the chain for the insertion of the exposed button hole when the loop is used to expand the waistband and/or decoration.

Abstract: A waterless urinal (1) is provided with a pot (17) in which urine (35) accumulates. A float (33) floats on the urine (35) and is pressed upwardly by the buoyancy thereof against an opening (31) in the cover (29) of the pot (17). As soon as a pre-determinable column of urine rises above the float (33), the float (33) is pressed downwardly, and the urine (35) can flow out. In a preferred embodiment, the float (33) can be pulled downwardly by an electromagnet, in order to sporadically empty the urine (35), which has accumulated above the float (33) and the cover (29).

Abstract: This invention entitled “Portable Bedside Toilet Commode” is a health care article of manufacture with a uniquely designed form. This unique invention affords greater convenience, comfort, ease-of-use for persons with limited mobility (whether temporary or permanent; and whether due to injury, disease, birth defect, or aging) and greater ease for their health care providers.

Abstract: An improved lightweight, multi-layer, reflective swimming pool cover containing two thermoplastic layers. The top layer has a dark-colored polyethylene film and the lower layer has a polyethylene film with a aluminum concentrate, or other suitable reflecting material, deposited thereon along the entire layer, thereby becoming a reflective surface. The layers are suitably bonded together to form a water and air tight seal so as to provide the cover with a reflective surface on which are integral reflective solar heating and insulative pockets configured in a predetermined spatial relationship to each other. The cover acts to continually reflect radiating heat back into the pool and provides an effective and enhanced insulation barrier against radiant heat loss from the pool.

Abstract: A foldable swimming pool cover includes, in one embodiment, a screen constructed of an ultra-fine, lightweight mesh fabric and a plastic frame mounted on the periphery of the screen. The plastic frame includes a plurality of frame members, each of the frame members having a pair of free ends. The free ends of adjacent frame members are pivotally connected by a bi-directional hinge assembly which enables the swimming pool cover to be collapsed into a vertical stack of individual panels in an accordion fashion. In use, the swimming pool cover is designed to be placed over a swimming pool to prevent environmental debris from falling into and contaminating the water held within the swimming pool. Because the screen is constructed of a mesh fabric, moisture will pass through the screen and environmental debris will accumulate on the screen. In order to use the swimming pool, the swimming pool cover can be folded into a vertical stack of individual panels and lifted off the pool.

Abstract: An inflatable cover for swimming pools comprising a pliable exterior sheet and a pliable interior sheet permanently affixed to one another around an outer periphery thereof. The exterior sheet includes an air inlet valve, which functions to allow air to be forced into a cavity formed within the exterior sheet and interior sheet for inflating the cover. The exterior sheet is larger in circumference than the interior sheet, allowing the exterior sheet to hang over a perimeter of a swimming pool, and further allowing the exterior sheet to engage a skirt member. The skirt member wraps around the perimeter of the pool and includes a plurality of apertures through which a strap is inserted. The skirt member further comprising a buckle which functions to allow tension of the strap to be adjusted, in total allowing a user to removably affix the inflatable cover to the swimming pool in a tight and secure manner.

Abstract: A shower head assembly comprises a main shower head and a plurality of bent auxiliary shower heads wherein an adjusting mechanism of the main shower head is rotatable to divert water to spray from the nozzle of the main shower head in the form of streams of water or the nozzles of the auxiliary shower heads in the form of fine streams of water. This can provide an effect in addition to body cleaning.

Abstract: An improved sofa bed structure if provided which comprises a base frame, a back support frame and a rear back support frame that are sequentially assembled using pin connections to form an integral bedstead. Each frame is equipped with a net frame to form a bed board structure. The whole bedstead is fastened by the interlocking of a base frame to a fixed base. The bedstead functions as a fully opened bed board structure or a folded sofa structure. When the whole structure is folded as a sofa, the fixed foot bars of the rear back support frame are received in saddles of the fixed base. The end portion of the rear back support frame and foot portions of the fixed base are fully in contact with one another to achieve a transversal interlock effect and to strengthen the structural stability of the whole sofa base.

Abstract: A support for reclining or sitting has two tubes extending in the longitudinal direction and filled with a liquid, transverse rods being guided on said tubes so as to be movable back and forth in the loading direction. A cushion is disposed on the transverse rods and extends over the tubes from one side of the support to the other.

Abstract: Preformed corner connectors for mattress supports and box spring bases are provided to simplify and reduce the costs of constructing the same. The corner connectors are preferably unitarily formed by plastic molding or other suitable processes. The method of using the corner connectors includes preforming the same and attaching frame members with conventional fasteners for box spring bases and mattress supports as required.

Abstract: Cover for bedding element suitable for receiving at least one comforter comprising a first main piece of fabric and a seecond main piece of fabric joined together by their lateral borders and at least one holding device which in substance takes on the form of a rectangle parallelepiped open on one of its sides, and suitable for conforming in shape to an extremity of the mattress characterized in that said holding device is an integral part of the cover, and is formed by the first main piece of fabric and the second main piece of fabric, in such a way that the cover is reversible.

Abstract: A sheet construction adapted to fittingly engage a mattress includes a main panel having a first pouch at a first end of the panel and a second pouch at a second end of the panel. The first pouch is sized and shaped to encompass a first end of the mattress, while the second pouch is adapted to encompass a second end of the mattress. The first and second pouches include cooperating flaps that extend from the main panel and overlap. The pouches secures the sheet construction to the mattress. In an alternative embodiment, the pouches are sized and oriented to encompass the mattress sides.

Abstract: A medical table having a head end column and a pair of foot end columns, all of which are automatically and simultaneously extendable and retractable between upper and lower positions. A patient support system, which may include a body support and separate leg supports, is supported by the head and foot end columns.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A mattress includes a cover defining an interior region and a plurality of foam modules located in the interior region of the cover. Each of the plurality of foam modules is separately removable from the interior region and has a central foam portion and first and second side foam portions coupled to and extending along opposite sides of the central foam portion to provide a module width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the mattress.

Abstract: A mattress structure includes a cover configured to define an interior region and a mattress core including a shear material formed to include a plurality of adjacent sleeves. The mattress core is located in the interior region. The mattress structure also includes a support element located within each of the plurality of sleeves to provide support for a patient.

Abstract: A bicycle repair tool includes a handle and a plurality of repair tools pivotably mounted at one end of the handle. A planar bridge connects the left and right side walls of the handle and serves as a rest surface for the repair tools in their undeployed position. The repair tool further includes a chain tool mounted within the handle and slidably supported at an opposite end thereof. The handle defines an elongated slot at the opposite end sized to slidably receive the threaded collar of the chain tool. The handle of the chain tool defines an opening and the planar bridge defines a correspondingly configured raised boss to hold the chain tool within the repair tool handle when the chain tool handle is in contact with the planar bridge. The raised boss can include a sloped surface to facilitate sliding the chain tool out of the repair tool handle. The chain tool includes a pressure screw having an internal hex head configured to be driven by one of the repair tools.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for picking up debris from a surface includes a frame and wheels attached to said frame to support the frame of the sweeping machine over the surface being swept. A cylindrical brush is rotatably attached to said frame. The cylindrical brush includes a tubular main body and tufts attached to said tube such that the tufts extend radially outward from said tube. The tube has regions devoid of tufts bounded by regions having tufts. The sweeping machine also includes a mechanism for rotating said cylindrical brush.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, cleaning a web of photo film during the manufacture is disclosed wherein the web of photo film is transported in its lengthwise direction, and a cleaning tape made of felt is pressed onto an entire area or a side portion of a surface of the photo film or a side edge of the photo film, while the photo film and the cleaning tape are transported in opposite directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting debris from a machined or threaded cavity. The apparatus may include an extraction member formed at least in part as a coil region and a control region, the coiled region being controlled by the control region while in a cavity. The control region may have a releasable handle attached to it and that handle may contain a cavity for storing one or more extraction members of different size. The extraction member is preferably formed of a continuous wire and has a specially formed extraction tip.

Abstract: A portable inflatable heating, ventilating and air conditioning duct apparatus includes a bladder made of resilient material for expansion and contraction. The bladder has a small opening for the movement of air in and out of the bladder. An elongate flexible hose is connected at one end with the small opening on the bladder. An air pump is positioned at the opposing end of the elongate flexible hose for supplying air under low positive pressure to the bladder for expansion of the bladder. A manually operated valve is positioned between the air pump and the bladder for preventing the escape of air from the bladder, unless same is desired. The apparatus further includes direction stabilizing apparatus for allowing the flexible hose to push the bladder through a segment of the HVAC duct in which the apparatus is positioned.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising dual brush heads (6), (8) spaced by gap (12) each having brushes (18), (20) on a surface, made of substantially parallel bristles so each total width of the brush heads (10), (14) and the gap, of the brushes (22), (24) and the gap, and of a lower row and upper row of human teeth are approximately equal, giving the brushes (16) optimized coverage in horizontal stroke; an elongated neck (34) having a first end extending from an end of the brush heads (4) and a second end; and an elongated handle (26) having a proximal end extending from the second end of the neck and an opposite distal end, and having three openings (28), (30), (32) of different size inside three annular rings arranged in order of decreasing size from the proximal to the distal end so the rings and the openings are substantially symmetrical with respect to an axis passing from the second end of the neck through center portions of the rings wherein a light grip by inserted fingers always produces a perfect hold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (16) and to a windshield wiper arm (12) for receiving the nozzle arrangement (16). The nozzle arrangement has a delivery device (40) for a washer fluid that is connected to at least one first nozzle body (30) and can be disposed in the wiper arm (12) of the windshield wiper. It is proposed that the first nozzle body (30) is connected to a second nozzle body (32) in such a way that a first nozzle (32) of the first nozzle body (30) can be disposed in the vicinity of a hinge (22) for folding the wiper arm (12) out, and a second nozzle (36) of the second nozzle body (34) can be disposed in the vicinity of a connection means (28, 56) for connecting the wiper arm (12) to a wiper blade (14) in the wiper arm (12).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an innovated windshield wiper protector for an automobile. It comprises a pressurized fluid container, in which a plunger, a solenoid operated device, a pressurized fluid chamber, a spring, and a push bar with an adjustable screw are provided. By energizing or de-energizing the solenoid operated device, the plunger may reciprocate in the pressurized fluid container so as to vary the fluid pressure in the pressurized fluid chamber that causes the push bar to retract into or extend out of the chamber with the result that the wiper is made closely in contact with windshield glass, or the wiper is separated from the windshield glass with a clearance therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper, having a drivably supported wiper arm which on its free end carries a wiper blade, and the wiper blade is joined detachably and pivotably to the wiper arm by means of a retaining bracket, and for the sake of adapting different wiper arms and retaining brackets, the connection is made via an adapter element. The point of departure for the proposal is that the adapter element (28) can be disposed pivotably about 180°, and for the detachable and pivotable connection between the wiper arm (12) and the retaining bracket (22) a detent connection exists both between the adapter element (28) and the wiper arm (12) and between the adapter element (28) and the retaining bracket (22).

Abstract: An under cabinet vacuum device including an intake fan disposed interiorly of a cabinet. A collection bin is removably disposed interiorly of the cabinet forwardly of the intake fan. The collection bin has a top wall, a bottom wall, an open rear, an open front and opposed side walls. The open rear is aligned with the intake fan. An intake vent is positioned through a lower wall of the cabinet on a flooring surface that the cabinet is positioned on. The intake vent is made up of a forward plate and a rearward plate with a channel disposed therebetween. The forward plate has an open lower end in communication with the channel. The open lower end is exposed to the flooring surface. The rearward plate has an open upper end in communication with the channel. The open upper end is exposed to the open front of the collection bin.

Abstract: A jet-cleaning device for a developing station is described, which jet-cleaning device is capable of removing chemical solution from the back surface of a silicon wafer without the need to perform time-consuming adjustment of knife ring position. The jet-cleaning device has a spin suction pad and a knife ring. The spin suction pad is used to support a silicon wafer. Inside the suction pad is a groove capable of delivering a jet of air onto the exposed wafer back surface so that dripping chemical solution can be blown away. The knife ring is erected under the wafer around the suction pad so that the sputtering of chemical solution back into the suction pad area is prevented.

Abstract: A device for use in the cleaning of an endoscope having a body with a first end, a second end and a longitudinal passageway extending therebetween, a seal affixed to the body between the first and second ends, and a transverse passageway formed in the body between the second end and the seal. The transverse passageway communicates with the longitudinal passageway. The body has a central body portion of greater diameter than a remainder of the body. The seal is positioned between the central body portion and the transverse passageway. The first end is adapted for connection to a suction line. The body has a section with a diameter adapted to be received within an air/water cavity of the endoscope. A seal is affixed around the section so as to have a diameter suitable for sealing engagement with the valve cavity. A sealing shoulder is formed on the body between the transverse passageway and the second end so as to restrict air flow between the air/water inlet line to the air/water nozzle line.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a housing (1) accommodating a suction unit (7). The vacuum cleaner comprises a suction nozzle (9) which can be coupled to the housing via a suction tube (13) and a suction hose (15). The vacuum cleaner further comprises a handle (17), which is present near a coupling (69) between the suction hose and the suction tube, and a holder (25) for accessories (27, 29), which is detachably coupled to the handle and fits over the handle near a first end (37) and near a second end (39). According to the invention, the holder (25) comprises a bridge portion (41) interconnecting the first end (37) and the second end (39) of the holder, and the holder is detachably coupled to the handle (17) exclusively by means of a coupling member (51) which is present on a portion (53) of the bridge portion which is situated at a distance from the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A caster, in particular for movable hospital beds, laboratory tables and the like, with a securing device which is connected to a handle via a Bowden cable. A locking piece (16) is movable between a locking and an unlocking position by Bowden cable (12), that, in the locking position, the locking piece (16), being located between pairs of stop faces (21, 22; 19, 19′, 20, 20′) which are fixed relative to a rotary part (6) and are fixed on the rotary part and which are designed in relation to an axis of rotation (2), blocks rotational movement about the axis of rotation (2), and that, in the unlocking position, the locking piece (16) releases at least identically fixed pairs of the stop faces (21, 22) for rotational movement of the rotary part (6).

Abstract: A caster is provided with two braking mechanisms and/or a locking mechanism. One embodiment of the present invention provides a castor including a wheel having an axis of rotation and a mounting bracket for a load. A brake lever is attached to the wheel adjacent the axis of rotation and pivotally attached to the mounting bracket. The brake lever is movable to selectively place the wheel and mounting bracket in a locked position or a rotation position. A first brake surface is associated with the mounting bracket and contacts the wheel when the wheel is in the locked position to substantially restrict wheel rotation. A second brake member, having a second brake surface, is linked to the mounting bracket and the brake lever so that the second brake surface contacts the wheel when the wheel is in the locked position. In an alternate embodiment, a lock mechanism is associated with the castor and is selectively engagable to restrict the wheel from moving from the locked position to the rotation position.

Abstract: A hinge for metal cupboard doors or the like, comprising a first hinged piece such as a hinge plate with one or several counterbored holes for fixing screws and a second hinge piece articulated on the first hinge piece such as a hinge frame or hinge plate, which is also provided with several counterbored holes for fixing screws, wherein the holes of the at least one hinge part are configured as oblong holes. The hinge is provided with a fixing screw bushing which can be fitted into the oblong hole, and whose part fitting into the counterbored area of the oblong hole has a cross-section which differs from a circular form, i.e. a quadratic cross-section, preferably a longitudinally extended rectangular, rectangular with added semicircles of an oval cross-section, and whose longitudinal extension is (the same or) greater than the transversal extension of the counterbored area of the oblong hole and whose inner counter matches the shape of the fixing screw.

Abstract: Furniture hardware device (20) which can be fastened to the wall of a piece of furniture because it has fastening means projecting from its surface facing the furniture wall, which can be introduced into bores in the wall of the furniture and can be secured against withdrawal from the bores. At least one of the fastening means is configured as a fastening stud which has at least one knife-edged projection (60) running substantially circumferentially. The fastening stud or studs can be shifted between a mounting position in which the at least one knife-edged projection is withdrawn into the interior of the associated bore, and a fastening position in which they cut into the wall of the fastening bore.

Abstract: A rotary hinge shaft assembly has a movable shaft section, and a stationary shaft section. The movable shaft section is composed of an extending part and a cylinder part with a split groove having a recess ring for receiving a lubricating grease, and an oil groove thereon to communicate with the recess ring for guiding the grease. A collar is between the extending part and the cylinder part. The stationary shaft section has an extending part and a cylindrical shaft with an axial hole to tightly fit with the cylinder part. When the cylinder part is inserted into the axial hole, the split groove is squeezed and slightly distorted to enter the axial hole smoothly. The oil groove offers a complete lubrication such that the friction is reduced and the noise is prevented as the cylinder part rotates with respect to the axial hole.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a drafting system (30) with a drive (M2) provided with a regulating device (M3, 33) for levelling out mass variations in a fiber mass (6) supplied to the drafting system by a supply source (1). The mass variations are detected by at least one measuring sensor (70) coordinated to the drafting system and the corresponding signals are transmitted to a control unit (S). A further device (11, 12, 62, 63) may be coordinated to the drafting system (30) which is suitable for detecting differences between the delivery speed of the supply source (1) and the intake speed of the drafting system (30) and apply it for influencing the base rotational speed of the drafting system or to detect long term mass variations from a predetermined desired value in which arrangement these mass deviations detected are applied for influencing the base rotational speed of the drafting system.

Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.

Abstract: A safety coupler includes a ring member, a hook member, and an annular member. The hook member includes a rod portion and a hook, with the rod portion including a pin and a pair of stops. The pin extends through first and second transverse openings provided in the ring member and the annular member, respectively, and rotatably couples the second member to the first member about an axis. The stops axially restrain the pin from passing through the second transverse opening. The annular member axially restrains the pin in the opening of the ring member. The pin is releasably coupled to the first member in the transverse opening such that when a force having a selected magnitude is applied to one of the ring member and the hook member along the axis, one of the stops extends through the first and second transverse openings to decouple the ring member from the hook member. In one form, the annular member comprises a resilient O-ring.

Abstract: A slide-zipper assembly, a method of attaching the slide-zipper assembly to thermoplastic film, and a method of making slide-zippered packages are provided. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the slide-zipper assembly is comprised of a reclosable zipper and an optional slider. The reclosable zipper includes a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof at the bottom of the zipper. The interlocking members are interlockable with one another. The zipper flanges are wrapped around the zipper and joined together at the top of the zipper. The slider straddles the zipper and is adapted to open the zipper as it is moved therealong in an opening direction and to close the zipper as it is moved therealong in a closing direction.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for installation at any position along the length of a slot defined by surfaces of a host structure or other structure. The clamp assembly either can receive a mounting rod for supporting objects or can itself include a mounting rod for supporting objects. In one embodiment the clamp assembly includes a two-piece clamp body composed of a pair of opposing substantially mirror-image jaws each having an inner surface with an arcuate channel and a tooth juxtaposing the arcuate channel. The arcuate channels cooperate to accept and frictionally engage a mounting rod to be affixed to the host structure, and the teeth are for entering into a slot defined by surfaces of the host structure. A tightening member is provided for forcing the jaws together. In an alternate embodiment the clamp assembly includes a one-piece clamp body and a mounting rod.