Abstract: A collapsible swimsuit includes a loop for supporting the suit on the human body. The swimsuit also includes a pair of fastening devices which, when disengaged, make it possible to fold the body of the swimsuit and store it compactly into a pouch on the swimsuit.

Abstract: A garment adapted for wear by persons desiring to maintain their arms in a fixed position along their upper body. The garment includes an upper portion, such as a shirt, adapted for wear on the upper body, and at least one hand portion, such as a glove. The shirt is preferably made of a loop material and the glove includes a region of hook material. Utilizing the loop and hook materials, the glove can be releasably attached to the shirt to maintain the user's hand in a fixed position along the user's upper body. The garment is primarily intended for maintaining one or both of the user's arms close against the body to facilitate relaxation while in cramped or tight positions, such as in an airplane seat. However, the garment may also be used in a wide variety of applications wherein it is desired to support one or both of the user's arms in a releasably fixed position.

Abstract: The present invention is a weight vest including a shell constructed of a plurality of panels defining a front and a back. The front of the vest has a first side and a second side which are selectively connectable, such as with a zipper, a flap and/or one or more straps. The shell including first and second arm openings located opposite one another and a neck opening. The shell has an exterior and an interior, and a lower portion generally opposite the neck opening. A lining is connected to the shell and located at the interior thereof. At least one upper weight pocket is located at the interior of the shell adjacent one of the arm openings. At least one lower weight pocket is located at the interior of the shell near the lower portion of the shell. Each pocket includes an opening into which a weight may be placed, the opening selectively closeable for retaining said weight therein.

Abstract: A headgear structure with a transformable peak includes the combination of a peak and a crown (such as a baseball cap), or a peak and a strip (such as a sun visor), or any headgear with a peak, wherein the peak is provided with flexible elements in the brim or elsewhere. The flexible elements may be made of metal or non-metal having the feature of a stay-in shape upon being flexed. A peak board in the form of a soft laminate may allow the wearers to, after bending the flexible elements, adjust said peak board, thereby varying the outer appearance of the peaked headgear and satisfying different wearers' preferences.

Abstract: A collapsible swimsuit includes a loop for supporting the suit on the human body. The swimsuit also includes a pair of fastening devices which, when disengaged, make it possible to fold the body of the swimsuit and store it compactly into a pouch on the swimsuit.

Abstract: A helmet is particularly well suited for cold-weather use. The helmet includes a jaw shield that is detachable from a head portion. A breathing mask connects to the jaw shield via a mask adjustment mechanism that selectively axially moves the breathing mask toward and away from an inner surface of the jaw shield to precisely and accurately position the breathing mask against the nose and mouth of the helmet's wearer. A spring-loaded quick-release tinted shield is controlled by a lever that selectively raises and lowers the tinted shield. An eye shield pivotally connects to the helmet and is disposed in front of the tinted shield. An eye shield heating system on the eye shield electrically connects to the head portion of the helmet to provide electric power to the heating system.

Abstract: A protective garment for preventing injury to the head, neck and torso. A helmet is rotatable mounted on a vest. The helmet includes a visor and a front section that is partially coextensive with the neck section and which is capable of being opened. The vest includes a back section and a left front section and a right front section. The left front section and the right front section are both mounted to rotate on the back section to be folded together to close the vest and to hold the helmet on the vest. Both the left front section and the right front section have an upper section which is rigid and a lower section which is flexible.

Abstract: A portable spa comprises a reservoir for holding water and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the reservoir. The spa includes an equipment bay located between the reservoir and the outer wall that is accessible from an opening at a top portion of the spa. A cover over the opening to the equipment bay is removable from the top portion of the spa to permit access to the equipment bay. The equipment bay contains substantially all of the equipment necessary for operation of the spa and can be conveniently accessed free of any obstructions around the side of the spa. The spa can be installed either above ground in the manner of a portable spa, or it can be installed directly in the ground in the manner of a permanent in-ground spa. Reinforcing means comprising an internal support framework supports the spa against the lateral external forces generated as a result of in-ground installation.

Abstract: A collapsible bed frame (18) for supporting a mattress, the collapsible frame (18) having a number of frame members (32). A number of pivots (34) connect pairs of the frame members (32) at the midpoints of the frame members (32) to make a number of scissor pairs (35). Pivot assemblies (36) pivotally attach the upper ends of the frame members (32) to upper connector assemblies (40), and pivotally attach lower ends of the frame members (32) to feet (38), thus connecting the scissor pairs (35) to form an extended scissors-frame assembly (33). The upper connector assemblies (40) form a support surface for a mattress.

Abstract: A bed siderail for a bed having a frame includes a flexible section to allow a portion of the siderail to flex upward.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure adjustable pillow, comprising a chamber made of an impermeable material and a cover member. The chamber is defined by a first direction, wherein the internal portion contains fluids. The chamber has three areas, and each area being not connected. Each area contains three sealed sacs along the first direction. Each sac is not linked and is provided according to a general shape of a head. Each sac has a valve. The cover member encloses the chamber. A user is allowed to adjust the amount the fluid in each sac, so as to adjust the pressure received by user's head to designated strength when the user sleeps on the user's side or in face-up position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a mixture containing cellulose, comprising at least one step of adding at least one agent capable of reducing carbonyl groups. The invention further relates to a specialty cellulose pulp, obtained by a method comprising said treatment. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the specialty cellulose pulp according to the invention or the specialty cellulose pulp obtained by a method according to the invention for the production of cellulose derivatives or materials containing cellulose molecules, including but not limited to, cellulose ethers or cellulose esters. Cellulose derivatives obtained from the specialty cellulose pulp according to the invention display increased viscosity and/or improved brightness over cellulose derivatives obtained from specialty cellulose pulp not subjected to the inventive treatment.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting stain and water repellancy to fabric, wherein a heat-curable resin which has the property of imparting stain and water repellancy to fabric when applied in proper amount to the fabric and cured, and that can be dispensed as an aerosol, is mixed in suitable proportion with a diluent and placed in an aerosol container along with a suitable propellant. The composition is then sprayed onto the fabric until the fabric is wet. The concentration of the resin in the composition is such that when the fabric is wet with the composition, an appropriate amount of the resin is on the fabric to impart stain and water repellancy to it when the fabric is dried and the resin cured. Curing of the resin can be accomplished by ironing the fabric, or by drying the fabric in a clothes dryer at normal settings. A preferred resin is FS-7520, an aqueous-based concentrated fluoropolymer system, manufactured by Fiber-Shield Industries, Inc. of Yaphank, N.Y.

Abstract: Method for controlling a full automatic washing machine, the method comprising a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dewatering cycle, wherein the washing or the rinsing cycle includes the step of rotating an inner tub at a high speed higher than a preset speed in one direction, thereby making a centrifugal force caused by high speed rotation of the inner tub, to push laundry against a wall of the inner tub, to enforce washing water in the inner tub to penetrate through the laundry at a speed higher than required to make the washing done, and to pump the washing water penetrated through the laundry and discharged into an outer tub upward, to recirculate to the inner tub.

Abstract: A method to change the color of hair. The method includes measuring an initial reflectance spectrum of a sample of the hair and analyzing a contribution of a plurality of natural hair factors to the initial reflectance spectrum. The method also includes calculating a hair treatment based on another reflectance spectrum. A system to measure a reflectance spectrum of a sample includes an integrating sphere having a sampling port and an inner surface and a window disposed near to the sampling port. The window is configured for being placed in close contact with the sample. The system also includes a light source configured to project light onto the sample via the window and a light detector configured to analyze light reflected from the inner surface to produce the reflectance spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: The power toothbrush, which has a rotating brushhead movement, includes a housing with a motor mounted therein having an armature which in operation rotates through an arc of predetermined magnitude. The toothbrush also includes a brushhead mounted on a shaft which is connected to an output mass. A spring assembly couples the armature to the output mass, the spring assembly including two spring portions with a node point therebetween, wherein when the armature rotates, the brushhead moves in an opposite direction. The frequency of the movement of the armature is set equal to the resonant frequency of the spring coupling system and the output assembly.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly with a sound generating function for providing excitement and entertainment to a user and for encouraging a young child to brush his or her teeth is provided. The toothbrush assembly has a contact-type switch and a sound generator. The contact-type switch has a swingable contact and generates a pulse when a power switch of the assembly is instantaneously closed for every swing of the swingable contact according to the tooth-brushing movement of a user. The sound generator has a counter for counting pulses from the contact-type switch and a sound recording and play back unit for generating a voice message or musical tone when the sum of the pulses counted by the counter reaches a predetermined value. The sound recording and play back unit of the sound generator outputs different voice messages or musical tones according to different predetermined values reached by the sum of the pulses counted by the counter.

Abstract: A brace for reinforcing the connection between a handle and head of a push broom. The brace comprising a flat elongated base member attached in a T-shaped configuration with an elongated tubular member. The base member being shaped to conform to the shape of the top side of the conventional push broom. A bore extending through the length of the tubular member and the base member for receiving a handle of a push broom therethrough. A plurality of apertures being formed through the base member and the tubular member.

Abstract: A bathing ball is constructed to include a first endless tube of lace-like fabric, a second endless tube of lace-like fabric, a first binder fastened to the first endless tube of lace-like fabric to tie up a middle part of the first endless tube of lace-like fabric, for enabling the first endless tube of lace-like fabric to be stretched into a first spherical body, and a second binder fastened to a middle part of the second endless tube of lace-like fabric and the tied up middle part of the first endless tube of lace-like fabric, for enabling the second endless tube of lace-like fabric to be stretched into a second spherical body around the periphery of the first spherical body

Abstract: The present rain-gutter cleaning tool set has a light-weight pole, a gutter cross section shaped cleaning blade, a gutter cross section shaped brush, a metal pin to pin blade or brush on the pole and a string to connect the pole on one end and the pin on the other to avoid losing the pin. The tool set can be used to collect leaves, debris and dirt together in the gutter of both user's left and right sides, so they can be easily removed from the gutter. The user can clean a section of the gutter of about 6 yards long for each ladder position. It is simple, efficient, versatile, lightweight and economical.

Abstract: A wiper arm and method for manufacturing a wiper arm provides a body having a first end connectible to and supportable by a drive shaft for imparting oscillatory rotary movement and a second end connectible to and supporting a wiper blade. A torsional region of the body is capable of toggle action and is located between the first and second ends of the body. The toggle action is defined by two stable positions, a primary position and a secondary position, lying spaced at opposite sides of an unstable range of movement, where one of the two stable positions exerts downward pressure on the wiper blade connectible to the body for engagement against a windscreen to be wiped. The torsional region is defined by first and second torsional members initially formed in a relaxed state. Each torsional member has a free end cantilevered outwardly from the first end of the body and spaced from one another. Each torsional member is subsequently flexed into a flexed state such that the free ends engage one another.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a self-propelled apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The self-propelled apparatus includes a drive motor, a drive axle coupled to the drive motor, and at least one drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly includes a drive member rotatably secured to the drive axle, an outer wheel casing at least partially surrounding the drive member, and a resilient coupling mechanism for establishing a rotational engagement between the drive member and the outer wheel casing after a predetermined amount of rotation of the drive member relative to the outer wheel casing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cannister assembly, a nozzle assembly, and a suction generator that draws air, dust, dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned through the nozzle assembly to a collection vessel. A rotary agitator carried on the nozzle assembly is driven by a motor in a forward or a rearward direction. Depending upon the direction of rotation, the rotary agitator propels the nozzle assembly in the forward or rearward direction.

Abstract: A caster device for attachment to a first and a second member of a frame is disclosed, the members being disposed angularly relative to each other to define a corner of the frame. The members define apertures and attachment slots. The device includes a caster for supporting the frame and a top plate supported by the caster. The top plate has a first and a second edge, the second edge extending angularly away from the first edge. The first edge of the top plate extends along the first member of the frame. Also, the second edge of the top plate extends along the second member of the frame. A first wall has a first and a second end, the first wall extending from the first edge of the top plate. Additionally, the first wall is aligned with and extends along the first member. A second wall has a first and a second extremity, the second wall extending from the second edge of the top plate. The second wall is aligned with and extends along the second member.

Abstract: An industrial caster wheel assembly comprises a base member, a wheel, side plates, a housing, a pivot axle, a suspension assembly and an adjustment assembly. The suspension assembly includes an adjustable axle, a support member, and a plate. The support member allows one of the wheel and the base member to rotate about the pivot axle as the adjustable axle compresses the support member by contacting the plate. The adjustment assembly adjusts the height of the industrial caster wheel by adjusting the pressure applied by the adjustable axle to the support member.

Abstract: The present invention involves a four (4) wheel trolley used in a track and trolley system which allows the trolley to move smoothly along a track, bear and carrying heavy movable wall panels, and minimize the stacking depth of the movable wall panels when such panels are stored. The trolley includes trolley discs that define an outer circumferential groove. The outer circumferential grooves allow the trolley discs to maintain a lubricant reserve so that the trolley discs may move smoothly along the track. While the trolley may carry heavy loads, because of its relatively small size, the trolley minimizes the stacking depth of movable wall panels in their storage positions.

Abstract: In-floor, adjustable, track assembly for sliding panels with a build-in weep system, including a track, extending upward from a base, for engaging the undercarriage of a vertically-oriented panel, and supporting rectilinear motion therealong, an upright splash guard, parallel to and spaced slightly apart from one side of the upright track and forming, with the track, a channel therebetween with the base, for directing moisture from the bottom of the panel into the channel, at least one collection pan mounted under the channel and accessible through an aperture to collect moisture from the channel, and a hose for drawing off the moisture from the channel.

Abstract: A door hinge system enables a hinged door to be opened in multiple directions, not only at either lateral side, but also either forward or backward at either lateral side of the door, even though the system has a simple construction. In the door hinge system, when the hinged door is pivoted and opened from one lateral side, a hinge pin and at least one guide pin on the hinged door at the lateral side escapes from a hinge pin groove and a guide pin groove of a bracket assembly at the lateral side while a hinge pin at the other lateral side rotates on its own axis and a guide pin at the other lateral side is pivoted along a guide pin groove of a bracket assembly at the other lateral side. Each of the hinge pin grooves extend along an arc constituting a circumference of an imaginary circle whose center is positioned at one of opposite hinge points and whose radius is equal to a distance between centers of the first and second hinge pins.

Abstract: There is provided a toilet seat hinge which allows different seats to be quickly replaced or substituted and which will adapt to different manufacturers' bowls. This is accomplished by providing removable hinge pins to secure the seat to the hinge, and adjustable connections from the hinge base to the toilet bowl. The base of the hinge may also be integral with the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A multipurpose hinge assembly includes a male and a female hinge portion. The male hinge portion includes a fulcrum and at least one cavity, and the female hinge portion includes a receptacle region that engages and rotates about the fulcrum. In one hinge position, a groove located near the female hinge portion, and a ridge located near the male hinge portion engage thereby creating a weatherproof seal.

Abstract: A triaxial hinge for supporting a flat panel display device on an external member includes a first member, a second member, a third member and a supporting member. The first member is fixed to the external member. The second member is pivotally connected to the first member for defining a first pivot. The third member is pivotally connected to the second member for defining a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot. The supporting base is pivotally connected to the third member for defining a third pivot perpendicular to the first and second pivots. The flat panel display device is attached to the supporting base and can be pivoted on the first, the second, and the third pivots, respectively, with respect to the first member.

Abstract: A pivot pin assembly is formed by providing a cylindrical pin portion with a boss at one end. The boss has a flat shoulder surface, so that its periphery is non-circular. A lever arm is provided with a bore that fits over and is complimentary to the boss, and the lever arm is held in place on the boss with a removable threaded fastener that secures the lever arm and the cylindrical pin portion together.

Abstract: A pot holder (10) having a plurality of radially projecting lines of stitching (30-36) that form a number of creases that permit a user to fold the pot holder (10) in substantially any direction.

Abstract: A card top bar for a carding machine, has a carrying member and a releasable clothing portion in which card top bar there are provided two card top heads, each of which slides on a slideway, the card top heads comprise at least one sliding region, which is in contact with the slideway, and at least one fixing region, which is in engagement with the rest of the card top bar and which at the same time holds the sliding region.

Abstract: A carding machine comprises a main drum fed by a feed system with roughly attenuated and cleaned fibres, a plurality of fixed clothed segments, and opening cylinders or briseurs which feed the said main drum at different points of the main drum.

Abstract: The brake device (30) for a lace (2), of a boot (31), sliding in a base part (1) linked to the boot (31), comprises a lever (3) articulated on the base part (1), returned by an elastic means (11) into a position of contact with the lace (2) preventing the sliding of the lace (2) in one direction by pressing. It is noteworthy in that the lever (3) has holding means (15, 16) enabling it to maintain a second, stable position allowing the sliding of the lace (2) in both directions. This device (30) makes the action for opening the boot more convenient.

Abstract: A strap clip for hanging piping and ductwork includes a generally inverted T-shaped clip body having a generally upright leg having an upright leg transverse slot formed therein adjacent the upper end of the generally upright leg and a first lower arm extending generally perpendicular to the generally upright leg adjacent the lower end of the generally upright leg. A second lower arm extends downward and outwards adjacent the lower end of the generally upright leg opposite the first lower arm. A third lower arm extends generally perpendicular to the upright leg generally adjacent the second lower arm. Each of the first lower arm, second lower arm and third lower arm each include a transverse slot formed therein extending generally parallel with the upright leg transverse slot. The supporting strap would be extended through the transverse slots and around the ductwork or piping to mount it on the strap.

Abstract: A buckle including a buckle release system for releasing a parachute canopy from a harness. The buckle comprises a lock lever, a manual release lever, a spring biased catch, and a latch positioned in a frame. A slide member is provided. The slide member operates to hold the latch in the locked position, and prevents a buckling member from being released from the buckle when the buckle is in a locked position. In the open position, a spring moves the slide and the buckling member out of the frame, thereby releasing the buckling member from the buckle.

Abstract: A separable bottom end stop for a slide fastener comprising a box, a box pin, and an insert pin. Protruding guide portions which protrude onto respective fastener tapes are integrally molded with respective side faces at tape-sides of the box pin and the insert pin via thin guide portions. The separable bottom end stop is formed of polyacetal resin, and a distance d between each outer side face of the box and each of the protruding guide portions and a protrusion height h of each of the protruding guide portions from a surface of each of the thin guide portions when the box pin and the insert pin are mounted into the box satisfy the equation (I): tan−1(d/h) ≧33°, where d≠0. The separable bottom end stop becomes hard to be broken with having excellent durability, despite using polyacetal resin which allows various coloring achieved easily, but is easy to be broken.

Abstract: A self propelled lawnmower protective component used to support the grass catcher door is formed of a plastic material that is more flexible than the polyethylene material used in the prior art. By using co-extrusion, two different plastics are extruded into one shape. When applied to the lawnmower structure, the adhesion between the basic profile and a co-extruded ball or flap is extremely tight. Metallocene olefin is the plastic material which, when compressed under load and heat, recovers its original shape, similar to a soft rubber product and still has the capability of adhering to the polyethylene profile, so as not to separate after continuous or repeated use.

Abstract: This invention provides a web expander comprising means for carrying a web 2 having longitudinal slits, means 5 for expanding the width of the web, and opening control means 6 for uniformly forming size and form of openings of the web expanded by said means for expanding. The means 5 for expanding the width consists of a flat expander 15 and two pairs of cloth guider 21, and opening control means 6 comprises two expander rolls 31 as a rotatable ribbed roll, the ribbed roll being adapted to be applied to one side of the traveling net-like web to rotate in the direction in which the net-like web 2 is reduced in width.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a first three-dimensional image and a second three-dimensional image whereby the first and second three-dimensional images are dissimilar from one another. In particular, the present invention contemplates a fabric comprised of sequentially formed three-dimensional images that are formed from a pre-entangled precursor web entangled on a first three-dimensional transfer device so as to impart a first image therein, then subjected to hydroentanglement on a second three-dimensional image transfer device wherein a second three-dimensional image is imparted to the web that is different from the first three-dimensional image, the resulting nonwoven fabric presenting aesthetic and tactile qualities representative of both imparted images.

Abstract: The portable boring and welding machine comprises a tool shaft that mounts means for boring and means for welding workpieces, the shaft extending along an axis and being driven by an electric motor; the motor and the shaft being connected by a helical gearwheel and worm pair, the helical gearwheel being connectable to the tool shaft, and the worm being connected to a drive shaft of the motor itself.

Abstract: A hinge pin remover tool comprising a housing block, an internal gear train for providing a high mechanical force advantage in a direction vertical and parallel with the housing block, front grooved face surface, to activate a vertical and horizontal movable pry head mechanism having a disc-beveled pry wedge, the jaw face end section adapted to be forced into a wedged interference contact position within the narrow gap space intersection that is formed between the front undershoulder of a hinge pin head and the hinge pin barrel enclosure top surface of a door hinge assembly. When the gear train is activated, the gear train forces the pry head mechanism to wedge the jaw face, disc-beveled pry wedge into the gap space intersection between the hinge pin front undershoulder and hinge pin barrel enclosure top surface to thereby push the hinge pin shaft vertically upward for subsequent removal from the hinge pin barrel housing enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cutting a sheet of material into single supports where each of the single supports has an array area to which is bound an array of chemical compounds. The sheet comprises a plurality of score lines. The apparatus comprises an input conveyor, an output conveyor, a driver for moving the sheet from the input conveyor to the output conveyor and a breaking mechanism for breaking the sheet into single supports. The input conveyor, the output conveyor and the driver are each adapted to move the sheet without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area. Likewise, the breaking mechanism breaks the sheet into the single supports along the score lines without contacting the array area and an area on a surface of the support opposite the array area.

Abstract: A method of making a stent includes providing a tubular member having a first layer, the first layer and the tubular member having different compositions, removing a portion of the tubular member, and removing a portion of the first layer from the tubular member.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus for producing preferably thin plastic protective film layers for thin shiny copper foils and the like, as for PCB applications, with electric-charge adhering of the same to the foil and with peel-off releasable properties to provide the same original pristine, shiny copper foil surface without contamination, marring or other physical, chemical or other residue despite handling and other processing procedures.

Abstract: An improved method of computer keyboard assembly that separates keyboard components into two groups. One group of components becomes a detachable module, while the other group stays as the base module. Depending on applications, the detachable module can be further broken into more sub-modules. Keyboards manufactured following the method proposed by present invention are modular in nature, and are conducive to reducing the costs for keyboard services and exchanges, costs for curing future environmental hazards and costs for fitting suitable user keycaps for swapping among different languages and computer applications.

Abstract: Provided is a process for forming metallized vias in a substrate including the steps of (I) applying to an electroconductive substrate an electrodepositable coating composition onto all exposed surfaces of the substrate to form a conformal dielectric coating; (II) ablating a surface of the dielectric coating to expose a section of the substrate; (III) applying a layer of metal to all surfaces to form metallized vias in the substrate. Also disclosed are processes for fabricating a circuit assembly which include the application of an electrodoepositable coating composition onto exposed surfaces of the substrate/core to form a conformal dielectric coating thereon. The electrodepositable coating composition includes a resinous phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, where the resinous phase has a covalently bonded halogen content of at least 1 percent by weight. The dielectric coating derived therefrom has a low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss factor.

Abstract: Shroud covers for buckets of gas turbines sometimes overlap one another. To repair a shroud cover overlap and preclude further overlap during turbine operation, a first weld bead of high hardness material is applied along the radial inside surface of the overlapping cover and adjacent an intermediate edge of the Z-shaped edges of the covers. Additional weld beads of a more ductile material are applied along the same surface behind the initial weld bead to structurally support the high hardness initially applied weld material. By building up weld material along the inside radial face of the overlapping cover adjacent the overlapped edge of the adjoining cover, the thickness of the overlapping cover is increased to preclude shroud cover overlap during further turbine operation.