Abstract: A retractable handle that can be freely moved in and out the storage tubes that are attached to the suitcase wall and in that the length of the tubes are shortened to a certain length determined by the length measurements of the suitcase wall. The length of the storage tubes is set between ⅔ and ⅓ of the length measurements of the suitcase wall. The synthetic resin suitcase wall and the mark that determines the position of the lower fixation part of the storage tubes are produced at the same time.

Abstract: In order to keep the braking moment in doors with a pivoting brake for the continuously progressive braking moment variation with different inclinations of the pivoting axis of the doors to the vertical within a determined range, rules given for calculating said braking moment, especially in relation to the braking moment thereof causing the door to be unintentionally closed and for an advantageous variation of said braking moment over a door pivoting angle.

Abstract: A multiaxis closure hinge for pivotally mounting a closure panel adjacent to an opening in a body to rotate about a point remote from the hinge between a closed position over the opening and an open position disposed apart from the opening is disclosed.

Abstract: A cabinet door is installed on a frame member of a face frame cabinet employing a mounting bracket attached to a hinge. The mounting bracket is secured to the frame member by a mechanical fastener which is deployed in a recess projecting inwardly from the frame member side. The mounting bracket engages the frame member side and the frame member back and covers an opening formed in the frame member side and a slot located at the frame member back.

Abstract: A reconfigurable handle usable on a variety of implements and method of selectively reconfiguring a gripping surface of a handle are disclosed herein. The reconfigurable handle includes an elongate shaft extending along a central axis, segments retained on the shaft, and a locking mechanism for selectively retaining or releasing the orientation of the segments relative to each other by linear compression. In one preferred embodiment, the reconfigurable handle further includes an outer covering to form a semi-smooth gripping surface on the outer circumference of the handle, an endcap to keep the segments on the shaft, and an intermediate layer to further enhance the gripping capability of the handle. The segments move in at least one of an axial direction along the shaft, a non-axial direction perpendicular to the shaft, and a rotational direction around the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fibrous material batt like lint cotton to increase the moisture content of the material and to compress the batt of humidified fibers to increase the batt density. A stream of warm humid air is passed through the moving batt of fiber that is constrained between a rotatable hollow cylinder and a stationary perforated screen. The batt is doffed off the rotatable cylinder by a roller that serves to both doff and compress the batt. The doffer/compression roller compresses the batt against a smooth surface plate.

Abstract: A multiple slot jet cleaner for removing the small particles of foreign matter that remains with cotton lint after separating the cotton from the seeds and larger foreign matter. The multiple slot jet cleaner uses a series of slots in the wall of a curved conduit used for transporting air having a mixture of cotton and trash. Additional air enters the conduit through the first slot at one of the curves and a portion of the trash exits out the slot due to the turbulence created by the entering air and the effect of the curved conduit. After the slot, some or all of the additional air is removed from the conduit through a discharge opening and then conveyed to a fan where it is delivered to other slots for injection into the conduit to repeat the process for the first slot. In this manner, the operator of the jet cleaner can obtain the benefits of the increased injection of air without the problems associated with handling that air in equipment downstream of the jet cleaner.

Abstract: A carding machine includes flat bars traveling in an endless path. First and second end rolls periodically reverse the travel direction of each flat bar. First and second drive shafts carry and rotate the respective first and second end rolls. An apparatus for cleaning the flat bars includes a throughgoing, eccentric aperture provided in a radial wall of the first end roll. At any time at least two mutually adjoining flat bars, situated on the first end roll, are aligned at least partially with the aperture. A suction inlet adjoins the radial wall of the first end roll for being periodically brought into alignment with the aperture as the first end roll rotates. A suction chamber is formed by a space bounded by the adjoining flat bars and a surface of the first drive shaft.

Abstract: A tape-mounted fastener comprising a male tape and a female tape in which the male tape is made of a cloth tape (18) onto which several resin male parts (6) are molded and fastened at certain intervals and a female tape is made of a cloth tape (30) onto which several resin female parts (6) are molded and fastened at the same intervals as said male parts with no mounting holes pierced on either of said cloth tapes. The engagement protrusions (20) of the male parts (6) stand upright directly from the cloth tape (30) without the aid of a base. The male and female parts preferably have a ring-shaped appearance when viewed from either the front or the back.

Abstract: This invention provides an engaging member of a fastening device integrally molded of synthetic resin which enables sewing thereof to clothes easily and accurately, ensures ease and smoothness in an operation for opening the engaging member of the fastening device even if it is molded relatively thick, and prevents too much force being applied to a sewing yarn by an external force upon the opening operation thereby ensuring durability and contributes to reduction of production cost.

Abstract: A core cord is inserted into coil-shaped fastener elements made of thermoplastic resin, and the fastener elements are sewn onto a fastener tape by multi-thread chain stitch. Yarn mainly made of thermally meltable synthetic fiber is used for looper thread of multi-thread chain stitch, while yarn of fiber which is not or less meltable is used for needle thread. Entangling points of the looper thread and the needle thread are disposed on the core cord. The looper thread is thermally melted to form melted portions where the looper thread and the needle thread entangle with each other at the entangling points. As a result, melted portions which have become monofilamentary are formed on the fastener elements or no sewing yarn is on the fastener elements due to thermal melting. Thus, there is no fear of cutting of the sewing yarn due to sliding of a slider and the slide fastener is abrasive resistant.

Abstract: A slide of auto-lock zipper comprises a slide, a tab and an elastic plate. The slide main body has two sliding grooves therein and a through hole on top thereof. The tab has a pivotal end at one end thereof such that the tab is pivotally connected to top of the main body. The elastic plate has a fastener; a first bent portion connected to the fastener; a second bent portion connected to the first bent portion; a clamping unit connected to the second bent portion. The second bent portion has a lengthwise slit. The elastic plate is fixed on the top of the main body by the fastener. The second bent portion is located atop the pivotal end. The clamping unit penetrates through the through hole and is inbetween the grooves. The lengthwise slit can enhance the strength of the second bent portion while the thickness of the tab is not increased. Therefore, the slide is not moved unexpectedly when being locked, thus having better dragging strength.

Abstract: A zipper handle structure is formed of an attaching member to be swingably attached to a slider main portion of a zipper and having an opening and a side portion, a handle member having a through hole at one side, and a connecting member for connecting the attaching member and the handle member. The connecting member includes a first end portion with an engaging shaft, a second end portion with an engaging hole to be detachably engageable with the engaging shaft, and a center portion between the first and second end portions. When the connecting member connects the attaching member and the handle member, the first and second end portions are overlapped to engage the engaging shaft with the engaging hole, while the side portion of the attaching member is held between the first and second end portions adjacent the center portion and the engaging shaft is located in the through hole of the handle member. The handle member is swingably connected to the attaching member.

Abstract: A collapsible stackable casket, having: a base member; a plurality of end members and side members removably secured to the base member to form a casket body. A lid assembly is removably mounted to the casket body, the lid assembly defining a lid chamber capable of receiving the base member and end members when the casket is in an unassembled mode.

Abstract: A composite non-woven fabric has two outer non-woven layers with structured surfaces that are efficient at wiping solid or semi-solid matter, with a center non-woven layer that is substantially impermeable to the passage of solid or semi-solid matter. The fabric of the invention thus provides efficient wiping ability for solid and semi-solid matter in combination with a sanitary quality that prevents passage of such matter through the fabric. The fabric of the invention may find particular utility as a wipe. A method of making a composite non-woven fabric includes the general steps of forming a first and second hydroentangled non-woven webs with structured surfaces, and laminating the first and second webs to a central non-woven web that is substantially impermeable to passage of solid and semi-solid matter.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in mounting and dismounting a warp beam, loaded with cannisters of warp thread onto or from a loom includes a trolley, with a hoverpad mounted under the trolley, and with a bracket carrying warp healds and reels. Trolleys may be combined, to carry two beams together, one trolley being arranged at the end of each beam, and the respective end trolleys being connected to the trolley in front of or behind it.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for the removal of quick release couplings from a conduit. The tool has a body that is divided into a rotatably connected gripping portion and a release portion. Handles are connected to the body to activate the clamping and releasing action of the tool. Compressing the handles causes the gripping element to compress and the gripping portion and the release portion to rotate around the connection, creating a distance between the gripping and release elements. The release element has a pair of plates with neither, one or both of the plates being movable. Preferably the top plate has a spring member that retains the top plate adjacent the lower plate, thereby enabling a conduit to snap in and be maintained between the two plates. The clamping member can have a flat surface or at least one arc, and in come embodiments, the receiving member is a mirror image of the clamping member. An optional guide can be used adjacent the clamping member to prevent side to side movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wings includes a fixture that holds wing panels for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing. Spars are attached to the wing panel using the coordination holes to locate the spars accurately on the panel in accordance with the original engineering design, and in-spar ribs are attached to rib posts on the spar using accurately drilled coordination holes in the ends of the rib and in the rib post. The wing contour is determined by the configuration of the spars and ribs rather than by any conventional hard tooling which determines the wing contour in conventional processes.

Abstract: Methods for assembling, handling, and fabricating are disclosed in which targets used on objects are located. The targets can be specifically applied to the object, or can be an otherwise normal feature of the object. Conveniently, the targets are removable from the object or covered by another object during an assembling process. One or more robots and imaging devices for the targets, especially for infrared radiation, are used. The robots can be used to handle or assemble a part, or a fixture may be used in conjunction with the robots. Conveniently, the CAD design system is used in designing the targets as well as for the assembly process using the targets. A plurality of targets can also be used to monitor and inspect a forming process such as on a sheet panel.

Abstract: A steering wheel puller which is both easy to assemble and safe to use is disclosed. The puller is effective for removing the steering wheels from vehicles such as golf carts and utility vehicles. An actuator portion of the puller is placed through the top of the wheel to positively engage a base plate at the bottom of the wheel. The actuator portion has a screw which engages the steering column shaft of the vehicle at the center of the steering wheel. As this screw is tightened, the downward force on the steering column and the upward force of the base plate on the steering wheel causes the steering wheel to dislodge.

Abstract: A mounting plate is provided having at least one protuberance protruding from a face thereof. A bumper is molded around the mounting plate such that an end of the protuberance extends out from the bumper. A mounting cup is also provided having a recess sized and shaped to correspond with the periphery of the lower portion of the bumper, the recess having at least one hole corresponding to the protuberance, and having a means for attaching the jounce bumper assembly to a frame, which means is independent of the protuberance. The bumper is snugly received in the recess such that the end of the protuberance passes through the hole. Relative sliding between the bumper and the mounting cup is inhibited by the snug fit therebetween. The end of the protuberance is then deformed radially outwardly such that the bumper is fixed within the recess of the mounting cup.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and device for fitting wheel heads on a vehicle chassis. The chassis and wheel head are first brought into a reference position relative to one another. Wheel guide elements which have not yet been finally fitted are used to determine the securing positions for the reference position and secured.

Abstract: The reliability of a gas pressure regulator is ensured through the use of the disclosed integrated crimp bias apparatus and method for biasing and crimping components of a diaphragm subassembly for the regulator. Omission of crimping of the components after biasing during forming of the diaphragm subassembly for the regulator is avoided by automatically locking at least one of the components of the subassembly in the apparatus before biasing and automatically releasing the locking only after crimping of the biased components. A pincerlike crimper of the apparatus includes a pair of pincers working on a pivot, each pincer having a handle to which a force can be applied and a grasping jaw for exerting a crimping pressure on the components. Grasping jaws each have two crimping elements which oppose respective ones of the crimping elements on the opposing grasping jaw during crimping. A fixture holds the components to be biased and crimp connected.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electric heater assembly with a plurality of electric heating units includes the steps of providing a tray-like support (1) and moulding microporous thermal and electrical insulation material into the support. The tray-like support (1) is formed with a number of dish-like recesses (2), each dish-like recess comprising a base (4) and a surrounding wall (5). The microporous thermal and electrical insulation material is moulded into each dish-like recess to form a base layer (6) against the base (4) of each dish-like recess and an upstanding wall layer (7) against the surrounding wall (5) of each dish-like recess, the base layer (6) being formed integrally with the wall layer (7). At least one electric heating element (12) is provided in each dish-like recess (2), the heating element being supported on or adjacent to the base layer (6). The electric heater assembly is adapted for use behind a plate (10) to provide a plurality of discrete heating zones on the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chip resistor which is used as a circuit part for various electric apparatuses. The object of the invention is to realize a low resistance and a low TCR, and also high accuracy and high reliability. In order to achieve the object, a chip resistor is configured so as to have: a substrate; a resistance layer which is formed on at least one face of the substrate and which is made of a copper nickel alloy; upper-face electrode layers which make surface contact with the upper faces of both the end portions of the resistance layer; and end-face electrodes which are formed so as to cover the upper-face electrode layers. Since the bonding between the resistance layer and the upper-face electrode layers is conducted by metal-to-metal bonding, particularly, impurities which may affect the Properties do not exist in the interface. As a result, it is possible to realize a chip resistor which is excellent in heat resistance, and which has a low resistance and a low TCR.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of a nonaqueous secondary battery comprises means for moving a sheet conductive base material in a first direction, a die nozzle for injecting an electrode material composition onto the sheet conductive base material, a pump disposed in supplying pipes, a valve disposed at the pipes between the pump and the die nozzle, a suction system disposed at the pipes between the valve and the die nozzle, and means for drying the electrode material composition. To form uncoated areas, either the die nozzle or sheet conductive base material may be configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to one another, or the die nozzle may be configured to move along the first direction. Additionally a coated amount of the electrode material composition per unit area along the first direction may be continuously increased or decreased.

Abstract: A dense semiconductor flip-chip device is provided with a heat sink/spreading/dissipating member which is formed as a paddle of a metallic paddle frame in a strip of paddle frames. Dice are bonded to the paddles by e.g. conventional die attach methods, enabling bump attachment and testing to be conducted before detachment from the paddle frame strip.

Abstract: In accordance with a component mounting method, a component stored in a component feeder is held by a component holding member and then is mounted in a mounting position on n object. The method includes, when a mounting posture of the component in which the component is mounted onto the object is inclined with respect to a basic posture of the component by a mounting angle, the operation of holding the component from the component feeder by the component holding member that has preliminarily been rotated to the mounting angle in such a direction as to depart from a reference posture of the component holding member prior to the mounting of the component on the object. And afterwards, the component holding member is rotated in a specified direction to finally return the component holding member to the reference posture, and then the component is mounted on the object.

Abstract: An interconnect for testing semiconductor components contained on a substrate, such as dice on a wafer, or chip scale packages on a panel is provided. Also provided is a test system employing the interconnect, and a method for fabricating the interconnect. The interconnect includes a substrate having a polymer layer thereon, and a pattern of contacts formed on the polymer layer. The contacts can be configured to form temporary electrical connections with planar contacts (e.g., bond pads) or ball contacts (e.g., solder bumps or solder balls) on the components under test. The polymer layer allows the contacts to move in the z-direction to accommodate dimensional and planar variations in the component contacts. The interconnect also includes conductive members formed in the substrate, for providing direct electrical paths from the interconnect contacts, to contact pads on a back side of the substrate.

Abstract: An improved internal gear pump design is provided whereby the head plate includes a groove located vertically above the crescent for providing improved axial feed to the roots or innermost spaces between the idler teeth. The design of the pump also includes a stepped shaft design whereby the radius of the shaft immediately adjacent to the rotor is greater than an adjacent outboard section of the shaft. As a result, a chamber for housing the seal assembly is defined as the space between the stepped shaft portion, the annular seal plate, the outboard section of the shaft that has a lesser or reduced diameter, and the casing. The casing may also include a recess for providing sufficient space for the seal assembly. The larger section of the shaft is accommodated in a bushing mounted to the inside surface of the casing. The inside diameter of the bushing is large enough to accommodate the larger stepped portion of the shaft as well as the outside diameter of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a multiple piece crankshaft from a shaft and a crankpin is disclosed. A notch is first machined on an intermediate section of the shaft such that the notch has a length slightly less than the length of the crankpin. Mating surfaces are then formed on the shaft at opposite ends of the notch. Thereafter, the crankpin is positioned on the mating surfaces on the shaft so that the crankpin is parallel to and spaced from an axis of the shaft. The ends of the crankpin are then secured to the mating surfaces formed on the crankshaft and a portion of the intermediate section of the shaft is then removed by machining. A counterweight is finally positioned over each end of the crankpin at its juncture with the main shaft and secured to the crankpin and shaft thereby forming the crankshaft. Alternatively, the crankpin is positioned on mating surfaces formed on the counterweights and fasteners then secure the crankpin, counterweights and main shaft together.

Abstract: A box opening device including a handle having a base, a neck, and a stopping surface. The handle may be an elongated S-shape. The base may be continuous with the neck and the neck being continuous with the stopping surface. The handle ranges five to seven inches in length. The handle ranges from less than one inch to more than three inches in thickness. The handle ranges from less than one inch to more than three inches wide. A cutting mechanism having a plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the neck and the stopping surface. A plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the neck. A plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the stopping surface. The handle and the pointed edges may be plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a cigarette comprises a torus-shaped body having an aperture therethrough and a pair of spring-loaded reciprocating pins disposed within respective bores oriented in linearly opposing relationship along a common diameter of the aperture. The reciprocating pins are pointed at their inward ends and are held in retracted positions with their respective bores until an external pressure, applied by the user's fingers, for example, is exerted on the distal ends of the reciprocating pins, causing them to move inward toward each other and to pierce the outer covering of a cigarette inserted within the aperture. The reciprocating pins may be operated together to simultaneously perforate opposite sides of the cigarette which is inserted within the aperture of the cigarette perforator.

Abstract: A utility knife in accordance with the present invention includes a handle having a longitudinal cavity, a channel member fixedly received in the longitudinal cavity, a blade carrier slidably received in the channel member and configured to receive a cutting blade, an operating button to facilitate movement of the blade carrier to a selected operating position, and a catch to prevent the blade carrier from being extended forward of a selected position with respect to the channel member.

Abstract: Finger-actuated device for cutting slender articles at a distance, including a first end including an anvil and a cutting edge articulated about a common axis and arranged to temporarily accept a slender article therebetween, a second end including a handle and a finger-actuated trigger, an elongated rigid shaft holding the first end remote to the second end and, means actuated by the finger-actuated trigger along the shaft to cause the cutting edge to pivot forcibly into contact with the anvil.

Abstract: A hair clipper unit that includes edger blades on one end and taper blades on the other end. The clipper system allows a stylist to rapidly switch operation between the two sets of clipper blades and includes a power cord directing assembly including a power cord that extends from a center side surface of a motor housing and a cord securing clip on either side of the cord housing exit point for holding the cord in the proper orientation during use. The dual blade clipper unit also includes two separate drive motors, one for each set of clipping blades, and a drive motor cooling system to further reduce the heat generated by operation of the clipper unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the assembly of a shaft bearing (16) in the end section (6) of a guide tube (5) of a brushcutter (1). The guide tube (5) accommodates a drive shaft. The bearing (16) is axially inserted into the end section (6) and is held so that it cannot separate therefrom. The outer diameter (DM) of the outer surface (18) of the bearing (16) is configured smaller than the inner diameter (DI) of the end section (6) in order to facilitate assembly and to ensure a force-tight inseparable seating of the bearing 16 in the end section. Several axial ribs (19, 20, 21) are distributed uniformly over the periphery of the outer surface (18). The radial elevation (H) of the axial ribs is slightly greater than approximately half the difference between the inner diameter (DI) of the end section (6) and the outer diameter (DM) of the surface (18) of the bearing (16).

Abstract: A laser system comprising a laser transmitter and a laser receiver is operable to adjust the laser beam or the laser plane generated by the laser transmitter in response to one or more inputs by a user of the system. The system is operable in one or more modes, such that communication from the laser receiver to the laser transmitter results in various adjustments to the laser beam or tilt or slope of the plane generated by the beam. The present invention is preferably operable to automatically account for any drift in the system, or to adjust the slope of the plane generated by the transmitter in response to a detected location of the laser receiver. Additionally, the laser transmitter may be operable to automatically oscillate the beam in a given area in response to detection of the laser receiver in that area. Each of these modes may be actuated via a simple user input at the laser receiver and/or the laser transmitter.

Abstract: The system according to the present invention comprises means for irradiating a plurality of laser beams by separating the laser beams in a vertical direction and means for forming a plurality of laser beam reference planes by rotary irradiation of said plurality of laser beams. Because a plurality of reference planes are formed at the same time, operation can be carried out at the same time at different working sites, and the tilt reference line as desired can be promptly obtained without performing tilt setting operation for the reference plane.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, multi-function tool of compact design made up of a plurality of components having levels thereon which interact together to provide a single tool which can perform a number of various functions or purposes within the design or construction industry. The tool having a support of predetermined thickness and being of a substantially triangular-shaped configuration defining a pair of legs and a hypotenuse. An edge member is situated on one of the legs of said support structure, the edge member being of a predetermined thickness greater than the predetermined thickness of the support structure for supporting the support structure on a surface. A rotatable member is pivotally mounted on the support structure for selective rotational movement with respect thereto and a curved extension protruding from the rotatable member having degree and rise markings thereon.

Abstract: A ruler device is disclosed. It comprises a ruler body, a spring member disposed on an upper surface of the ruler body such that the spring member is warped upwardly, and a slip-preventive member disposed on a lower surface of the ruler body, the slip-preventive member being caused to project downwardly when the spring member is depressed.

Abstract: A caliper device for taking the dimension of an object such as livestock having caliper arms with hand members for gripping the rib cage of an animal and telescoping first and second members assembled for manual relative longitudinal movement when taking the dimension of the rib cage. The first member abutting the back of the animal and carrying the caliper arms and the second member carrying a cursor and weight graduations indicating an appropriate weight graduation, estimated according to the size of the rib cage when gripped by caliper arms and hand members. Other embodiments include the first member carrying a series of lights each marking a respective weight graduation or carrying a clock-like gauge system for indicating the estimated weight of an animal.

Abstract: The ball sizing device has an angularly disposed support which defines a square-shaped space for receiving a dimpled golf ball. The two lowermost walls defining the space receive the ball in point-to-point contact. Each of the two opposite walls has a gauge mounted thereon with a spring loaded pin for engaging the ball in point-to-point contact. Each gauge serves to measure a deviation of the diameter of a ball from a standard diameter. The readings from the gauges are processed in a central processing unit in order to obtain a statistical average of the diameter of the ball. A standardizing cylinder is separately mounted on the sizing device in order to calibrate the two gauges to a zero reading and to provide a standard diameter value to the central processing unit.

Abstract: A device for positioning and centering, particularly for automobile body work pieces, comprises a body 1 with an actuating means 2 to actuate centering means 3 adapted to move between a near disengagement position and a spaced centering position, the centering means 3 being displaced by slidably mounted elements 7, 8 and forming an angle with the direction of movement of the actuating means 2.

Abstract: A ride height gauge comprising a frame and an indicating mechanism. The frame preferably includes an upright and a generally horizontal base attached to the upright to form a right angle joint. The indicating mechanism preferably includes an arm, an arm mount, and an indicator device. The arm is attached to the arm mount, and the arm mount is slidably attached to the upright. The arm has a vertical position along the upright. The indicator device quantifies the vertical position of said arm. The indicator device may either be an analog device or a digital device. A method for using the ride height gauge to measure the ride height of an automobile chassis includes the steps of positioning the gauge directly under a corner of the chassis, sliding the arm upward until the arm contacts the chassis, and reading the quantified vertical position of the arm from the indicator device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus having vacuum processing chambers the insides of which must be dry cleaned, and to a method of operating such an apparatus. When the vacuum processing chambers are dry-cleaned, dummy substrates are transferred into the vacuum processing chamber by substrates conveyor means from dummy substrate storage means which is disposed in the air atmosphere together with storage means for storing substrates to be processed, and the inside of the vacuum processing chamber is dry-cleaned by generating a plasma. The dummy substrate is returned to the dummy substrate storage means after dry cleaning is completed. Accordingly, any specific mechanism for only the cleaning purpose is not necessary and the construction of the apparatus can be made simple.

Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a carrying fabric in a dryer by maintaining the edges of the fabric at a temperature below that at which thermal degradation occurs. This is achieved by applying a cooling liquid to the edges of the carrying fabric so that thermal energy can be transferred from the fabric to the liquid and thus maintain the edges of the fabric at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating flexible circuits. The inventive system includes an oven and three or more independent tensioners for moving a strip of flex tape therethrough. In total, N tensioners are provided per side. The tensioners provide a cumulative tension force T on the tape and each tensioner applies T/N of the total tension. The tension is applied tangentially in a single plane of the tape along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof In the illustrative embodiment, the tensioners are sprocket wheels. Eight sprocket wheels are disposed on a supply side of the system and eight wheels are disposed on a take-up side of the system. The sprocket wheels are adapted to engage sprocket holes in the tape. The tape has a sprocket wheel area and a die area. A silicon die is typically bonded to the die area with a suitable epoxy. Copper conductors on the tape communicate electrical signals from a printer or other mechanism to the silicon die.

Abstract: A sandal device has an outsole, an air cushion, and an insole. The air cushion has two periphery flanges, a periphery spacing, a plurality of hollow protrusions, and a plurality of hollow sockets. An elastic woven fabric and a shock-absorbing band are inserted in the periphery spacing of the air cushion. The shock-absorbing band has two periphery recesses for receiving the periphery flanges of the air cushion. Each of the hollow protrusions has a groove for receiving a magnetic block and a collar. A coiled spring has a lower portion inserted in the respective hollow socket and an upper portion inserted in the respective collar.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole for a shoe has side portions with concavely rounded inner and outer surfaces, as viewed in at least a heel area and a midtarsal area of the shoe sole. The rounded surfaces increasing at least one of lateral and medial stability of the sole. The concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the heel area extends substantially continuously through a sidemost part of the sole side. The rounded portion of the sole outer surface located at the midtarsal area extends up the sole side to at least a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. A midsole component of the shoe sole extends into the sidemost section of the sole side and also extends up the sole side to above a level corresponding to a lowest point of the sole inner surface. The concavely rounded portions of the sole midtarsal area are located at least at the sole lateral side.