Abstract: In a hair-cutting apparatus (1) and in a toothed cutting device (7) for a hair-cutting apparatus (1) the toothed cutting device (7) comprises a first toothed cutter (13) and a second toothed cutter (24), which lie against one another in the area of their cuttertooth rows (18, 25) and which each have at least one supporting limb (20, 21, 46, 47) in their areas which are remote from their cutter-tooth rows (18, 25), and of which one toothed cutter (24) carries an intermediate element (48) of a low-friction material, which comprises at least one intermediate element portion (49, 50) interposed between two facing supporting limbs (20, 46, 21, 47), and furthermore it has the advantageous feature that the at least one intermediate element portion (49, 50) of the intermediate element (48) carried by the one toothed cutter (24) has a smaller dimension in the toothed cutter direction (17) than the at least one supporting limb (20, 21) of the other toothed cutter (13), which last-mentioned limb 20, 21 faces the at leas

Abstract: A shaving razor including a handle and three blade units each connected to the handle by a respective mounting structure that provides a pivotal connection of the blade unit to the mounting structure about a pivot axis that is transverse to the cutting edge, and also provides controlled up and down movement of the blade unit thereby permitting each blade unit to conform to the contour of a surface being shaved. The handle has an index finger indent on a top surface, and thumb indent on the bottom surface, and is shaped to match the curvature of a user's hand.

Abstract: A cable stripper tool enabling an operator to quickly change from making a circumferential cut of a cable to a liner cut without repositioning the cable stripper tool on the cable includes a blade positioning assembly, a blade penetration assembly and a cable guide assembly. The blade positioning assembly is adopted to efficiently move the blade linearly for penetrating the insulation at a predetermined distance set by the dial assembly while the tool is clamped to the cable to perform a circumferential cut upon relative rotation of the tool and the cable. The blade further is retracted to be turned by the blade positioning assembly at a 90° angle with a rotary cam action to be further axially propelled to penetrate the cable at the same predetermined distance to perform a linear cut without dismounting the cable.

Abstract: A tool, such as a utility knife, comprising an elongate sheath, a longitudinally reciprocatable blade shield coupled to the elongate sheath, and a blade retainer with a retaining arm for being removably and replacably received in a channel within the elongate sheath. The blade shield comprises a side member, such as an elongate panel, for allowing a user to see at least a portion of a retained razor blade even while the blade shield is in an extended position. A displaced smooth bulbous segment may serve to widen and smooth the blade shield adjacent to a retained razor blade. The blade retainer may be detachably fixed to the elongate sheath by at least a first locking leg with a locking protuberance that engages a corresponding first locking aperture. The blade retainer may be formed from a first blade retainer half and a second blade retainer half. Each blade retainer half may have a blade depression therein for retaining a razor blade.

Abstract: A sleeve which is slid over the blade of a knife or the like and includes two interconnected sections. One of the sections includes a plurality of spaced molded clips formed in and spaced along a shoulder which extends around the periphery of the one section. The other section includes a plurality of cut-outs formed in and spaced along a shoulder which extends around the periphery of the other section. The clips on the one section extend through the openings defined by the cut-outs in the other section respectively and latch onto the shoulder on the other section for coupling the first and second sections together to form the sleeve.

Abstract: The folding knife includes an elongated handle forming a spacing therebetween. An elongated blade having a working end and a tang at the opposite end within a common plane, a pivot including a pivot axis connecting the tang to the handle to permit the blade to pivot selectively into an open position at which the blade extends outwardly from the handle and into a closed position in which the blade is nested into the spacing. The blade is provided with a cam, that may be a rolling cam, secured to the blade eccentric to the pivot axis and spaced from the plane that includes the blade. An operating spring is secured at one end to the handle and has abutting contact with the cam remote from the end in the handle thus forming force vectors that are arranged selectively to resist the pivoting of the blade to an open position and when in an open position resisting the pivoting of the blade to a closed position.

Abstract: A multi-use scissors composed of a first grip, a second grip and a blade bar which are pivotally connected with each other. A link is additionally pivotally connected between the second grip and the blade bar to form a double lever aspect. A multi-use blade sheath unit is fitted with the front end of the first grip. The top and bottom faces of the blade sheath unit are respectively formed with two kinds of blade sheaths for cutting different types of work pieces.

Abstract: A method and tool for repairing worn seams in sheet materials, such as linoleum or vinyl floor coverings, is disclosed. The tool is a specially constructed, double bladed utility knife. The tool has dual cutting blades that are rigidly secured to the tool for precision cutting. The blades are set at a slightly divergent angle relative to one another, and the distance between the blades is adjustable. The tool may be used to repair a damaged seam in a floor covering as follows. First, the blades are set to span the widest portion of the damaged portion of the seam. Cutting pressure is applied and the tool is drawn along the seam to remove the damaged portion. The blades are then adjusted to a slightly wider-apart position, and the tool is used in a similar manner to cut a repair piece from a matching piece of material. The repair piece is then adhered to the floor and will fit snugly between the adjoining pieces of material to accomplish a perfect repair of the seam.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a hexagonal head bolt (11) for releasably tightening a guide shoe (6) and a manually-operated bolt-tightening lever (15) fitted over the bolt (11). The bolt-tightening lever (15) includes a lock plate (17) which has at its front end a socket hole (22) that can fit around the head (14) of the hexagonal head bolt (11) and has a serrated edge with twelve notches each having an interior angle of 120 degrees. The lock plate (17) has at its rear end four engaging teeth (23) at intervals of four degrees around axis O of the hexagonal head bolt (11). The shape of the outer portion (18) is such that the outer portion can cover the lock plate (17). Moreover, the outer portion (18) has on its top side a circular hole (24) in which the head (14) of the bolt (11) can be fitted.

Abstract: A circular saw 30 includes a housing 32, a fixed upper guard 34, a movable lower guard 36 and a shoe 38. A saw motor 48 is selectively operated to rotate a circular saw blade 54 to facilitate the formation of a selective cut or kerf into a workpiece 57 under the control of an operator. A forward end 126, and a wing wall 138, of the upper guard 34 form an enclosed chamber 122 which is placed in close proximity with an adjacent surface 46 of the shoe 38 to essentially preclude chips from discharging through a slight space 39 therebetween. A trailing peripheral portion 148 of the upper guard 34 is formed with an inner radial path for receiving the lower guard 36 within the upper guard, and an outer radial path for management and directing of chips to a rear end 130 of the upper guard for discharging of the chips. A pair of stripes 102 and 104, and a sight window 90, are located on a forward portion of the surface 46 of the shoe 38 to assist an operator of the saw 30 in the accurate formation of the kerf.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a power tool which has a bayonet washer rotatably mounted on the end of a plunger so that the bayonet washer is rotatable between an open and a closed position. The bayonet washer is biassed towards the closed position by a torsion spring, but is latched in the open position when no operating member is positioned in the clamping mechanism. When an operating member is inserted into the mechanism through a slot in the bayonet washer and into engagement with the plunger, the washer is automatically released from the open position and rotates under the biassing force of the torsion spring to the closed position whereupon the operating member is locked into the power tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ellipsograph for drawing an ellipse. A base member for defining one side, that is, a base of a triangle, is provided and fixed to a plane of a drawing sheet. A centering section and an ellipse drawing frame are installed at a middle of the base member. An ellipse deriving thread for determining the total length of three sides of the triangle which is used to draw the ellipse is prepared and supported by both ends of the base member and one end of the ellipse drawing frame thereby to form the triangle. The ellipse is drawn by the ellipse drawing frame while the ellipse drawing frame is rotated and linearly reciprocated due to the fact that the ellipse drawing frame is pressed by the ellipse deriving thread against elastic force of elastic spring and biased by the elastic spring against tension of the ellipse deriving thread.

Abstract: A horizontal sundial constructed to accurately tell time at a specific latitude having female threads incorporated into both the north (10) and south (12) sides of the dial plate (6). Threadedly matched male gnomon angle-adjusting bolts (18) serve to raise either the north or the south end of the dial plate and gnomon. This serves to bring the gnomon to the same angle with the horizontal as the latitude of intended use. The female threads (10) & (12) can be located on the face of the dial plate (6) to establish a simple mathematical relationship, such that a one degree change in gnomon elevation will correspond to a whole number of revolutions of the gnomon angle-adjusting bolts (18).

Abstract: An alignment system includes a laser transmitter and receiver. The receiver includes a linear photodetector array centered at a predetermined location with respect to machined surfaces that define a receiver reference plane. An indicator on the receiver displays a deviation of the position of the laser beam from a predetermined location on the photodetector array thereby to quantify any misalignment of a surface supporting the receiver with respect to the transmitted laser beam.

Abstract: A portable gaging system is used to measure a seal gap for a vehicle door or decklid. The gaging system includes gage assemblies that are removably mounted on a door or decklid flange. The gages are spaced apart from one another about the perimeter of the door or decklid to simultaneously measure the seal gap at various locations. A probe member is supported on each of the gaging assemblies and is selectively moveable between a rest position and an actuated position by the vehicle door as the door is moved from an open to a closed position. Each of the gage assemblies has a sensor for producing an electronic signal representative of gap size based upon movement of the probe member. A portable processor unit receives and stores the electronic signals produced by each of the gage assemblies. A remote actuator is used to generate an activation signal to initiate the gap measurements.

Abstract: A CCD laser displacement gauge 9 is movable in three directions, that is, a vertical direction and two directions perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane, and this gauge can be moved to a insulation displacement connecting center so as to detect a insulation displacement connecting height, the presence/absence of a wire, abnormal insulation displacement connection and a wire projecting amount. The insulation displacement connecting height, the wire presence/absence and the abnormal insulation displacement connection are detected by measuring a height of an upper surface of a wire sheath from a reference position at the position of the slot (at a middle position between two terminals if these terminals are juxtaposed). Whether or not the wire projecting amount is proper is determined by detecting the presence/absence of the wire at a position obtained by subtracting an absolute value of a tolerance from a normal projecting position.

Abstract: A pair of jaw components 7a and 7b positioned on both sides of a casing 1 are attached to both the tips of a pair of parallel piston rods 6a and 6b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by an action of an air pressure and the tips of a pair of guide rods 13a and 13b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. By forming a magnetic scale 18 on a side face of one of the guide rods, 13b, the guide rod 13a is also used as a part of a dimension measuring mechanism. A sensor unit 20 for reading the magnetic scale 18 is attached to the casing 1.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for controlling the retraction and extraction of a tape or other like device. The mechanism includes a housing having a tape opening and a locking mechanism opening. A tape blade extends through the housing tape opening and has a distal end and a proximal end. The tape blade is selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein the distal end is positioned against the housing and an extended position in which the distal end is positioned distant from the housing. A tape biasing device is operatively connected to the tape blade proximal end for urging the tape blade towards the retracted position. A locking mechanism is rotatably mounted within the housing about a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape blade. The locking mechanism has an actuator extending through the locking mechanism openings and a head.

Abstract: A minimum value renewal holder (33) for renewing and displaying a detected value (D) detected by a displacement sensor (9) on a display (10) when a spindle is moving in an advancing direction relative to an anvil and for holding a displayed value on the display (10) when the spindle moves in a retracting direction relative to the anvil and a retraction amount thereof (D−Dm) is less than a set amount (&agr;), and a minimum value hold releasing potion (34) for releasing minimum value hold status when the spindle moves in the retracting direction relative to the anvil and the retraction amount (D−Dm) is not less than the set amount (&agr;) are provided. Accordingly, the displayed value can be kept even when the anvil backs unpreparedly.

Abstract: Improved spray drying methods of have been developed. The spray drying method includes use of a primary drying chamber and a secondary drying apparatus which includes tubing having a length sufficient to increase the contact time between the drying gas and the droplets/particles to dry the particles to the extent desired, at a drying rate and temperature which would be too low to provide adequate drying without the secondary drying apparatus. The secondary drying apparatus increases the drying efficiency of the spray dryer system without increasing the drying rate, while minimizing loss in yield. The ratio of the length of tubing to the length of the primary drying chamber is at least 2:1. The tubing diameter is substantially smaller than the diameter of the primary drying chamber, such that the particles move at higher velocity through the tubing to minimize product losses.

Abstract: An enclosed drainage facility to dry municipal waste combustion ash has a plurality of spaced elongated channels to drain by gravity, water from piles of ash into a disposal or reclamation pool. The channels are sloping concrete ditches leading to a common trough or pipe to a covered storage basin. Steel plates pierced with a plurality of spaced slender slits abut each other to cover each channel. The atmosphere in the facility is changed by being pumped into one side of the facility and exhausted adjacent an opposite side. Also, a process for drying municipal waste combustion ash includes dewatering and drying of ash piles in an atmosphere of warm dry air for a period of time necessary to reduce the moisture to about 28%.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 10% to about 90%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having frequency of from 15 Hz to 1500 Hz; providing a gas-distributing system comprising a plurality of discharge outlets designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.

Abstract: Disclosed is a humidor having means for controlling the humidity therein and having one or more transparent surfaces permitting viewing of the interior thereof. The humidor has means for lateral access to the contents therein and the depth of said container is substantially smaller than said width, thereby conserving space. Means are provided for displaying products, such as cigars, in a substantially vertical position for viewing through the transparent surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the container is adapted to placement upon a shelf. In a preferred embodiment, an integrated environmental control unit that controls both temperature and humidity is described.

Abstract: A slipper sock having improved wearer comfort and providing enhanced foot protection is described. The slipper sock includes a sock having thickened padded portions along the ball and heel portions, with a relatively thinner arch portion therebetween. The device also includes a footbed having a first receptacle for underlying the ball portion of the sock and a second receptacle for underlying the heel portion of the sock. The footbed further includes a lip surrounding substantially the entire dimension of each of the receptacles, and the footbed is positioned so that the first receptacle matingly interfaces with the thickened ball portion of the sock and the second receptacle matingly interfaces with the thickened heel portion of the sock. The footbed also desirably includes at least one cavity, with an insert having relatively less resistance to compression than the footbed being positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A shoe sole particularly for athletic footwear for supporting the foot of an intended wearer having multiple rounded bulges existing as viewed in a frontal plane of the sole during a shoe unloaded, upright condition. The bulges include concavely rounded inner and outer portions for approximating the structure of and support provided by the natural foot. When utilizing multiple bulges, the shoe sole may include indentations between the bulges to define a flexibility axis of the shoe sole. The bulges can be located proximate to important structural support areas of an intended wearer's foot on either or both sides of the shoe sole or the middle portion of the shoe sole, or on various combinations of these locations. The bulges include side and upper midsole portions to improve stability while also improving cushioning and comfort. The bulges can be tapered as viewed in a horizontal plane to improve flexibility and reduce unnecessary weight.

Abstract: An excavation attachment for a powered loader, e. g., skid steer loader, front end loader, etc., provides considerably greater leverage for removal of stumps, large imbedded concrete blocks and stones, etc., from the underlying surface. The attachment includes a transverse cylinder or drum with one or more tines extending generally radially therefrom. The attachment is secured to a conventional front end loader, skid steer loader, etc., and the tines inserted beneath the object to be moved. The drum is lowered, and the attachment is rotated using conventional load bucket tilt hydraulics. The drum serves as a fulcrum immediately adjacent the prying tines, thereby providing a considerable increase in available force and precluding lifting of the opposite end of the machine if the load is too great. A second embodiment includes one or more hydraulically actuated tines opposed to the fixed tines, for use as a grappler device.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided which includes a lower truck chassis and an upper material handling structure pivotally supported by the lower chassis, all functions of which vehicle are driven by a single engine. The material handling vehicle is controllable from a main truck cab on the truck chassis or from an upper operator's cab mounted on the upper structure. The single engine provides highway travel power and power to all excavator functions, while the vehicle, including remote travel and implement manipulation capabilities, may be controlled from the upper operator cab. The main engine, when used for over-the-highway travel, powers the driven wheels through a manual transmission in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A device which includes a first member rotatable around the forward end of a working machine arm by a hydraulic cylinder and a second member hanging down at the forward end of the first member. A third cross-pin of an attachment is freely engaged in the vicinity of a basic end of the first member, and a fourth cross-pin of an attachment is freely engaged at a forward end of the second member. The second member includes a hook, which is connected near its center, between a pair of plates, each having a recessed portion, by a fifth cross-pin. The hook is formed into an almost L-shape, divided from the position of the fifth cross-pin into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is a spindle portion having a second horizontal through-hole for inserting a stop pin, the lower portion is a hook body opening to both the recessed portions. The hook is formed in such a manner that the lower face of the spindle portion partly protrudes into both the recessed portions.

Abstract: A replaceable and easily assembled water-ball decoration, of which the base part of the major ornamental part is furnished with at least a through cylindrical hole for receiving a water-ball ornament; the neck part of the glass ball is covered with the fastening base; the lower ring surface of the cylindrical hole in the base part of the major ornamental part is mounted with a fastening disk; by means of a screw, the water-ball ornament is fastened in the base part of the major ornamental part; the water-ball ornament can easily be assembled and replaced with a different ornament on the major ornamental part.

Abstract: A light illuminated display board and a lampshade using a light refraction and reflection effect in laminated transparent acrylic plastic plates is disclosed. The plastic plates are precisely cut at their four edge surfaces to form specifically angled and segmented edge surfaces individually having two to five surface segments. At least one of opposite surfaces of each plastic plate is inscribed with desired letters, symbols, figures or a combination of them. The display board or the lampshade of this invention thus clearly displays the desired letters, symbols, figures or the combination of them on its display surface while illuminating them using a variety of color light beams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a message display device for use on glass, high polish surfaces, and other smooth, non-porous surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, it is approximately the size of a bumper sticker and adheres to car windows by a border of static cling vinyl. Messages and graphics are written or drawn on a colored and scaled area with a special delible pen. The device may be removed and repositioned frequently and messages may be erased and rewritten repeatedly.

Abstract: A modular sign comprises a magnetic backing sheet, a chassis for supporting the backing sheet to provide a stable platform, and one or more sign inserts which may be coated on one side with a magnetically attractive coating so that the inserts can be held magnetically on the backing sheet. The magnetically attractive coating comprises a mixture of hydrogen reduced iron of, preferably about 325 mesh, mixed with a clear enamel printing ink in approximately equal proportions.

Abstract: A camping site marker fabricated from synthetic durable weather-resistant materials, light in weight and conveniently used in camping applications. The device is dimensioned to fit over a utility site hook-up post structure indicating the site is taken when the camper is departed from the site for the day. Additionally utilized by placing the device over the outside mirror structure of the recreational vehicle while parked at the site. The main embodiment is highly visible, fabricated with one or more brightly colored synthetic materials personalized with imprinted indicia. i.e. family names, camping clubs and logos.

Abstract: An interlocked firing mechanism for a gun includes a trigger, a sear and a firing pin having a depending leg, wherein the firing pin is movable in a rectilinear manner along a firing axis. The depending leg of the firing pin is adapted to have a contact surface, while the sear is adapted to have a control surface in mating engagement with the contact surface at a time prior to firing of the gun. The contact surface and the control surface of the interlocked firing mechanism of the present invention are further adapted to have parallel surfaces which mate with one another along a mating axis, defining an edge of a mating plane, which is set at a predetermined angle from a line perpendicular to the firing axis.

Abstract: Permanent safety device for preventing the accidental firing of a weapon whose firing mechanism comprises a trigger, a hammer, a loaded spring which exerts a force along a given line of action on said hammer, retention means which hold the hammer in opposition to said spring and, inserted between the trigger and said hammer retention means, a lever which disengages these latter at the time of firing as a result of the trigger being pulled. The abovementioned firing mechanism includes a stop piece which can be moved between an interference position in which it interferes with the action of said spring on the hammer and a position in which it does not interfere with said action, and vice versa, and a mechanism, connected to the trigger, which is designed to move said stop piece out of said interference position only if the trigger is pulled.

Abstract: A locking device for a weapon is provided. The locking device includes a carrier that is receivable in a holder for an ammunition box of a weapon. The locking device also includes a blocking element, the blocking element being supported by the carrier, the blocking element being mountable in a cartridge chamber of the weapon when the locking device is mounted in the weapon, the blocking element being movable between a released position relative to the cartridge chamber and a locked position relative to the cartridge chamber. The locking device also includes an actuator disposed in the carrier, and a power transmission extending between the blocking element and the actuator. A portion of the blocking element is received in the carrier and is at least partly surrounded by protective material.

Abstract: An improved cartridge loader for releasable securement of cartridges to be simultaneously loaded into the cylinder of a revolver. A pintle rotates between a cartridge engaging position and a cartridge releasing position and is held in positive engagement with the loader body by the action of a spring-loaded pin assembly along a pin-engaging surface. The pin-engaging surface may be formed in the pintle and the pin assembly is substantially located within the loader body.

Abstract: A fish-bite indicator (100) comprises an arm (102) pivotally mounted on a pivotal mount (104) at one of its ends and which has a fishing line engagement element (18 and 24) at the other. A helical spring (144) is provided at the pivotal mount (104) to vary the force with which the engagement element (18 and 24) acts on the line (82), the spring (144) acting on one of two parts (120 and 134), which can be selectively rotated relative to one another to vary the torsional force exerted by the helical spring (144). The two parts (120 and 134) are held at a selected one of a plurality of available relative angular positions by mutually engaging castellations (154 and 156).

Abstract: An improved safety fishing lure includes a main body portion which is hollow. The front end of the main body portion is designed to be attached to a fishing line. The main body portion also has a groove in it for protecting the point of a hook. A hook is movably mounted in the main body portion for movement from a storage position, with the point in the groove, to an active fish catching mode with the point extended out of the groove beyond the main body portion. A holding mechanism including a spring is used to hold the hook in its storage position. A release mechanism is coupled with the holding mechanism for disengaging the holding mechanism in response to movement of the main body portion through the water to cause the hook to move to its active fish catching position.

Abstract: A pesticide dispensing device for dispensing insecticide in a localized area. The pesticide dispensing device includes a tubular member. The tubular member is elongate and has a first end and a second end. The tubular member is generally hollow. A bore is in the tubular member. The bore is generally adjacent to the second end. A handle member for holding the tubular member is integrally coupled to the first end of the tubular member. A device for dispensing liquid dispenses liquid from the tubular member through the bore.

Abstract: A method and machine for changing or renewing the color and/or light reflection, transmission, and absorption characteristics of an existing layer of synthetic agricultural mulch or prolonging the usefulness of the existing mulch by applying a layer of new mulch to the pre-existing mulch in a cultivated field using heat welding/fusion or adhesive or mechanical fastening for attachment of new mulch to existing mulch and at least one blower for clearing debris from the existing mulch prior to application of new mulch, with the machine being able to be drawn by a tractor, laborer, or draft animal.

Abstract: A garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) provided with an agent containing a hormone for improving the forming of flowers, at least substantially without bulbils, which has been added thereto in vivo prior to the forming of flowers, which hormone is selected from the group of gibberellins, preferably gibberellic acid type GA3. The agent containing the hormone is for example injected into the flower stalk of the garlic plant.

Abstract: This invention is for a method and/or solution for treatment of Golden Pine Syndrome. The mixture ideally is a diluted acidic solution that contains 3% to 6% iron (iron sulfate) by weight, 1% to 4% by weight of zinc (zinc sulfate), 0.1 to 4.0% manganese (in the form of manganese sulfate or oxide) and 10% or less of sulfuric acid. The remaining solution by weight is water. This solution is derived from waste pickle liquor disposed from a ferrous galvanizing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling the growth of undesired vegetation comprising applying an effective amount of a protox-inhibiting herbicide to a population of transgenic plants or plant seed transformed with a DNA sequence coding for a modified protox enzyme that is tolerant to a protox-inhibiting herbicide or to the locus where a population of the transgenic plants or plant seeds is cultivated.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, the base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, the skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and an expansion element formed integrally with the base, the expansion element comprising an excess of material, the expansion element permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of an object caught between an automotive window and its respective frame is provided. The window opens and closes via a regulator driven by an electric drive motor. A force is sensed at an interface between the window and the regulator proportional to a force exerted on the window. This force is compared with a predetermined value, and if the sensed force exceeds the predetermined value, an object caught between the window and its respective door frame is detected.

Abstract: A child safety barrier for positioning across an opening includes a frame and a gate which is hinged to the frame and can be swung from a closed position where the gate lies in the plane of the frame to an open position out of the plane, the gate including an upper rod having a closing mechanism for locking the gate in a closed position or unlocking the gate to allow it to be opened. The closing mechanism includes a pivotable handle and a spring-loaded locking button which cooperates with the handle to retain it in a position wherein it locks the gate in a closed position.

Abstract: A door having a core made from a composite panel material such as medium density fiberboard or particleboard is provided with a plurality of dowels which are secured, such as by an adhesive, within openings extending into the core. The dowels and openings are positioned in alignment with the screw holes in the hinges which mount the door to a jamb or cabinet. Screws or other fasteners extend through the screw openings in the hinges and are secured within the dowels. The dowels permit conventional wood screws to be used to mount the hinges to the door and improve the screw holding capability of the door. The dowels also eliminate the need to use edge banding for screw holding purposes and thereby eliminate the problems associated with the joint formed between the edge banding and the core material.

Abstract: A downspout for use with a rain gutter is formed from an elongate member constructed substantially entirely of plastic material. During shipping and storage, the elongate member is maintained in a generally planar configuration that can be coiled on a mandrel. To produce a downspout, a predetermined length of the elongate member is withdrawn from the coil and cut. The elongate member is then configured into a tubular form having a predetermined geometric cross-section, such as a rectangular or oval cross section. Lateral sides of the elongate member define respective connectors that are interlocked to maintain the tubular form.