Abstract: A transparent measuring device is disclosed. The transparent measuring device includes a planar structure formed from a sheet of transparent material having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least one raised rib formed of a transparent material on the top surface of the planar structure such that incident light is reflected/refracted on the raised rib to provide a visual graduation.

Abstract: A retractable rule assembly includes wear resistant structure formed of a wear resistant material. The wear resistant structure is mounted at each lateral side of a blade opening of the rule assembly's housing to substantially protect the plastics material at the lateral sides from wear by the lateral side edges of the blade. An alternative retractable rule assembly has rollers rotatably mounted at each lateral side of the blade opening.

Abstract: A piston travel measuring device for mounting to a non-pressure head is provided. The non-pressure head includes a cylinder and a piston connected thereto for reciprocal movement along a piston travel axis. The device comprises a mounting flange adapted to mount to at least a portion of the cylinder, an elongated body projecting from the flange and along at least a portion of the travel axis of the piston, and at least one indicator on the body and aligned so that at least a portion of the piston may be visually compared with the indicator.

Abstract: A flash dryer of cut tobacco comprises a drying duct (16) for connecting a feeding section (14) of cut tobacco to a tangential separator (18). The drying duct (16) has an upstream-side duct portion (16a) extending straight from the feeding section (14) at an elevation angle ranging from 30° to 60° and a downstream-side duct portion (16b) curving upward in a convex shape. A dry gas that flows through the drying duct (16) may contain superheated steam.

Abstract: A sandal having an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) sock lining in accordance with the present invention is characterized by using an EVA sock lining having excellent resiliency to replace a middle sole in a conventional sandal. Moreover, the EVA sock lining is subjected to thermal conditioning to form a smooth and delicate top face to replace and obviate the necessity of an insole lining. Thereby, structure and manufacturing processes of the sandal are simplified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a shoe having a sole with a top surface, a fore area, and a rear area. The shoe also includes a lip extending above the top surface and around a periphery of the fore area of the sole and around a periphery of the rear area of the sole. The shoe further includes an upper with a fore area and a rear area and being in contact with the lip. A first stitch is used to connect the fore area of the upper to the lip proximate to the fore area of the sole and a second stitch is used to connect the rear area of the upper to the lip proximate to the rear area of the sole.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for imbedding a durable outer layer of rubber in a second layer of rubber, polyurethane, or like material for use in various applications, including but not limited to shoe soles and tires. As depicted in FIG., the durable outer layer, which in the case of FIG. 4 is a shoe outsole, may comprise a plurality of lugs (2) connected with integral support bridges (3) imbedded in another rubber or rubber-like material (17). Alternatively, the durable outer layer may comprise a plurality of lugs anchored in the second layer of rubber, polyurethane or the like, using anchors, such as ribs or flanges, radiating from the perimeter of each lug.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a shoe, having an upper and a bottom assembly. The upper includes a liner assembled along a first longitudinal assembly seam and a second vertical assembly seam, both longitudinal and vertical seams, respectively, being arranged on the lateral side of the shoe and being the only seams for assembling the liner.

Abstract: The present invention provides soles, platforms, or inserts incorporated into footwear, preferably athletic footwear, designed to promote a more efficient running technique by an energy-translating sole comprising one or more angular displacement members, balance-thrust members, and counterbalance as well as conventional features. Systems and methods of the present invention promote more efficient running technique by facilitating foot-strike to occur at a point under and behind the runner's center of gravity. This may be accomplished, for example, by a foot-strike member, angular displacement member and balance-thrust member working cooperatively to displace the runner's center of gravity and translate gravitational, inertial and ground reaction forces, as well as muscular tension forces, into linear momentum.

Abstract: A shoe insole having an axis and an arch area with an upper surface and a bottom. The insole has three or more supporting ridges, positioned under the upper surface in the arch area, to provide support to a wearer's arch while allowing the insole to remain flexible as the wearer walks.

Abstract: A self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having first and second ends, a top, a bottom, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of mounting uprights and a hitch tongue which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which is secured to the front of a vehicle. The retention members are constructed and arranged to at least partially encircle and slideably engage one of the respective mounting uprights and the retention members allow the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upward relative to the mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow while the other end of the plow remains generally in the same position relative to the mounting upright proximate that end of the plow blade.

Abstract: A ground shoe assembly for a snowblower being of the type having an auger and mounted to a tractor, which the ground shoe assembly is pivotally mounted on the snowblower so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A system for digging a trench in the ground is provided. The system includes a power driven land vehicle having a front end and a rear end; a plow blade connected to the rear end of the vehicle; spray nozzles connected to the plow blade and positioned to spray liquid onto the plow blade; and a tank attached to the front of the vehicle to supply liquid to the spray means.

Abstract: In a light card comprising a base and at least one light emitting element disposed on the base, a cover layer is provided which consists of a light permeable foil which, except for a light permeable area, is imprinted by a light impermeable coloring agent.

Abstract: The labeling device of the present invention includes a set of elastic bands. The elastic bands include an indicator, which identifies at least one characteristic relating to contents within a baby bottle. In one embodiment, the indicator is color-coding of the elastic bands. In another embodiment, the indicator is a day of the week printed on each elastic band. In a preferred embodiment, multiple indicators are used. For example, the elastic bands are both color-coded and have the days of the week printed on them. In this embodiment, each color preferably corresponds to a printed day of the week. The elastic bands are sized to fit snugly around baby bottles.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to economically manufacture a stand for a revolving card index. To this end, all of its parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8) are provided in the form of plastic parts that can be fit together.

Abstract: Display unit for essentially panel-shaped material, consisting of two disk-shaped carrier plates that are spaced apart by a vertically-aligned carrier and each of which is connected to same, and mounting devices for holding the panel-shaped material between the carrier plates, characterized in that, the bottom carrier plate has a larger diameter than the top carrier plate and an equal number of holes, aligned vertically relative to each other, are provided in the top and bottom carrier plates that, with pegs or similar elements that are, or can be, allocated to the particular panel-shaped material, can be brought into reversing, swiveling engagement.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention includes an upper frame mounted on a support structure, such as a truck, building, or billboard, three adjustable frame assemblies mounted on the support structure below the upper frame, and sheet material having an upper sheet tab inserted into the upper frame and lower, right, and left sheet tabs inserted into the adjustable frame assemblies. The frame assemblies can be adjusted to vary the tension in the sheet material between the upper frame and the adjustable frame assemblies. The method includes the steps of inserting the upper sheet tab into the upper frame, inserting the right, left, and lower sheet tabs into the adjustable frame assemblies, and adjusting the adjustable frame assemblies so that the sheet material is pulled taut between the upper frame and the adjustable frame assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to corner pieces which are incorporated in a frame for securing and displaying a work of art. The corner piece is adapted to be disposed between adjacent frame members thereby allowing a frame builder to adjust the dimensional allowance of the frame opening once the frame members are cut. The corner piece includes a body member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and a lip portion. The upper surface of the corner piece substantially corresponds to the configuration of the adjacently disposed frame members. The lip portion of the corner piece is adapted to overlay a portion of the work of art disposed within the confines of the frame. The corner piece may be provided with one or more slots disposed in the lower surface of the body member adapted to receive a connector for stabilizing the corner piece between the adjacently disposed frame members of the frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling rodents in the vicinity of dumpsters consisting of an assembly of two chambers joined together; the outermost having a rodent entry and exit port and the innermost having the same connecting to the outermost chamber. A rodent control device, either a mechanical trap or a chemical rodenticide coupled with bait is disposed in the innermost chamber. The assembly is positioned at the front and bottom of a dumpster with the innermost chamber forward of the outermost chamber such that when the dumpster is tipped forward for emptying, the rodent control device and any rodents in the innermost chamber will remain within that chamber.

Abstract: Fuel composition which combusts instantaneously, comprising from 40 to 95% by weight of an instantaneously combusting fossil fuel and from 60 to 5% by weight of a non-fossil solid fuel chosen from the group comprising urban solid waste, elastomeric and non-elastomeric polymer materials and, mixtures thereof, this fuel being suitably treated so as to be instantaneously combustible. Method and plant for the instantaneous combustion of the said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the scale-up of a reactor (1) having a supply of a reaction mixture via channels (2) of a burner block (3) to a reaction chamber (4), a high temperature reaction having a short residence time taking place in the reaction chamber (4) and the reaction mixture subsequently being rapidly cooled in a quench area (5). For a throughput enlargement the internal diameter of the reactor (1) is enlarged, the transition of the reaction chamber (4) to the quench area (5) being designed in the form of a gap, which is restricted to a width in the range from 2 to 200 mm.

Abstract: A dual-chamber, aqueous-chemistry-based portable reactor for reducing water via any of numerous possible exothermic reactions to produce both heat and hydrogen gas. In one embodiment, aluminum metal is contained within a lower reaction chamber, an aqueous, sodium-hydroxide solution is contained in an upper chamber, and the aqueous, sodium-hydroxide solution is fed by gravity into the lower reaction chamber to vigorously react with the aluminum metal to produce both heat and hydrogen gas. A static feedback-control tube returns the aqueous, sodium-hydroxide solution back from the second chamber to the first chamber in the event that excessive hydrogen-gas pressure builds up in the second chamber, providing feedback-control of the rate of the reduction of water in the second chamber by a combination of gas pressure and hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: According to an apparatus and method for determining degradation of a reforming catalyst degradation which reforms a mixture of air and fuel, in a reformer that supplies a reformate gas to an engine of a vehicle, a temperature sensor detects a temperature of a reforming reaction portion in which is provided a reforming catalyst. An ECU then determines the extent of degradation of the reforming catalyst based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for installing and adjusting a door seal device on a door leaf for the purpose of sealing off a lower door gap, the door seal device having at least one trigger on the hinge side and/or lock side and the door seal device initially being installed in such a way that the trigger has a greater projection than necessary and the door is then closed, an axial displacement of the trigger with respect to a transmission element connected to the latter occurring as a result of a floor contact pressure of a seal profile that exceeds a reference value, which leads to self-adjustment of the extent of the projection of the trigger, and the trigger then remaining in this adjusted position when the door is reopened.

Abstract: The entrance security door apparatus has the object of providing security for the receiver in a condominium, etc., when the receiver must confirm an unexpected visitor, etc., by opening and closing a door such as entrance door. A locking tool is provided so that the door can be opened and closed to the side end side of a door opening frame, wherein the security door apparatus comprises: one side end part of an auxiliary door having a predetermined narrow width is connected to the inner side of the open/close side of the door and the other side end part of the auxiliary door is connected to the inner part of the side end of the open/close side of the door opening frame, and the auxiliary door is linked in such a manner that. When the door is opened, the auxiliary door functions as a barrier in the opening part between the door and the door opening frame. The auxiliary door is formed to have a lattice-shape shape, etc., so that the receiver can visually confirm the outside from the interior.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for a tilt-in window and its associated method of operation. The system uses wound spring elements to provide a counterbalancing force to the sashes of the window. The wound springs are configured to define open central regions. Hubs are attached to tilt posts that extend from the sashes of the window. The hubs extend into the open central regions of the wound springs, thereby supporting the wound springs within the frame of the window. A brake structure is disposed between the wound springs and the tilt posts. The brake structure creates multiple braking actions. First, the brake structure itself creates an interference fit within the frame of the window as the sashes tilt. Second, the brake structure displaces the wound spring and causes the wound spring to press against the frame of the window as the sashes tilt.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for a tilt-in window that has tilt post brackets. The tilt post brackets selectively mount to the vertical side elements of a window sash. Accordingly, the tilt post brackets need not be manufactured into the structure of the sash. The tilt post bracket has a vertical section that mounts directly with the vertical side elements of the window sash frame. A brake element extends from the vertical section, therein providing the window sash with a tilt-in pivot post. The brake element provides both a novel braking system and a novel curl spring support structure.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for a tilt-in window and its method of operation. Posts are provided on the sides of a tilt-in window sash that rotate when the sash is tilted. A brake structure is attached to each post within the confines of the window track. Each brake structure has a first contoured surface that rotates with the post when said sash is tilted. A second contoured surface is provided within the window track. The second contoured surface moves up and down in the track with the post but does not rotate with the post when the sash is tilted. When the window sash is tilted for cleaning, the first contoured surface moves against the second contoured surface within the window track. A cam action occurs that moves the first contoured surface away from the second contoured surface. This causes the brake structure to be biased against the track and lock in a fixed position within the track.

Abstract: A door for at least partially covering a doorway defined by a wall and a lower surface. The door comprises a first door panel adapted to laterally translate along a plane relative to the doorway between a doorway blocking position and an unblocking position. The door further comprises a first seal including a first sealing surface interposed between a first attachment end and a first distal end with the first attachment end being attached to the first door panel. The door also has a second seal disposed to allow relative movement between the first seal and the second seal, the second seal including a second sealing surface interposed between a second attachment end and a second distal end, such that the first door panel in the doorway blocking position causes the first sealing surface to face the second sealing surface and positions the second distal end between the first distal end and at least one of the first door panel and the first attachment end.

Abstract: A shutter mounting adjuster provided between one vertical peripheral wall of an opening for shutter and a hanging strip of a shutter to support the shutter in vertical is disclosed to include a slider movably mounted in a longitudinal sliding groove of the hanging strip of the shutter, and an arched spring strip fixedly mounted on the slider for movement with the slider along the longitudinal sliding groove. The arched spring strip has an arched body portion fixedly fastened to the slider and two bearing tips respectively extended from two distal ends of the arched body portion in reversed directions and respectively pressed on the vertical peripheral wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a safety device (10) for limiting closure of a gap (26) between two relatively movable members (12,14) when an obstruction (44) protrudes into gap (26) during closure. The safety device (10) has a sensor (36) to detect obstruction (44) in gap (26). A jamming member (32) is adapted to be operative to enter gap (26) when sensor (36) has detected obstruction (44) during closure to limit closure of gap (26) between the two relatively movable members (12,14).

Abstract: An adjustable automatic positioning hinge for a glass door includes a doorframe mount, a body, a spindle, a positioning device, a door bracket and two adjusting screws. The body is attached to the doorframe mount and rotatably holds the spindle. The spindle has an exterior surface and two inclined adjusting flats defined in the exterior surface. The positioning device is mounted in the body to position the spindle. The door bracket holds the spindle and clamps a glass panel. The adjusting screws are mounted in the door bracket and respectively have an inside end abutting the corresponding inclined adjusting flat. Consequently, the adjustable hinge is simple, and small adjustments can be made to align the glass panel with a doorframe of the glass door.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a superabrasive composite material having the general formula SixCyNz, and tools containing such a material. In one aspect, vapor forms of Si, C, and N atoms are deposited onto a molten metal catalyst and solid SixCyNz is precipitated therefrom. The composite SixCyNz materials have an interatomic structure substantially like that of silicon nitride. Such SixCyNz materials can be used to form superabrasive particles, fibers, or coatings for various tools.

Abstract: The invention concerns longitudinal modular single-piece elements, resembling a vertical row of longitudinal tiles, and assembled to produce a roof cover. They consist of five main elements which being sot juxtaposed and overlapping through guiding and positioning systems reproduce the general aesthetic appearance of a roof. The device consists of concave channel elements which are juxtaposed with one another by means of bilateral notches and are screwed on the purlins of a framework. Convex covering elements are fixed, by pressure, on the channel elements by means of two vertical toothed supports co-operating with those of the channel elements. Border elements are interlocked by assembling means co-operating with those of the channel elements of the ridges of the roof. A so-called roof-peak element comprising a locking system penetrating a conventional sealing completes the aesthetic appearance of the roof. The invention is useful in the building industry for roof-building.

Abstract: A rain gutter system comprising: a gutter having a trough for receiving water formed by a front wall, a bottom wall and back wall, and a shield, said shield having an exterior edge, a top portion and an interior section integrally formed with the rear wall, said shield covering at least a portion of the trough to prevent debris from entering the trough, and said shield terminating at said exterior edge in a downwardly and rearwardly curved fashion, wherein a gap is provided between a lower end of said downwardly and rearwardly curved section of said shield and the front wall; wherein said shield has at least one step down portion positioned at point or points on said top portion of said shield; and at least one connecting means for connecting said gutter, said at least one connecting means passing through said at least one step down portion and through said rear wall into the structure to which it is attached.

Abstract: A precut utility core for centrally locating all utility lines to be connected to appliances located in areas surrounding the core. The core consists of an inner cage housing the utility lines, a plurality of structural walls extending outwardly therefrom and an outer cage surrounding the structural walls are connected together. The precut utility core additionally is designed to support an optional upward extending rain-gathering funnel shaped tank capable of furnishing rainwater by gravity to the core.

Abstract: A shingle ridge cover is formed from an elongate sheet of shingle roofing material back folded on itself to provide a folded and thickened front lower edge of the shingle ridge cover. The shingle ridge cover provides upwardly disposed stripes of adhesive material providing for interbonding of successive ridge covers on a roof, and a rearwardly disposed strip of non-adherence material providing for the ridge covers to be stacked and shipped to a job site substantially without the stacked ridge covers adhering to one another.

Abstract: A modular greenhouse enclosure is formed by mounting on a conventional shelf storage unit having spaced shelves supported on upright posts a rigid frame on which an impervious transparent cover is supported. The cover overlies and extends past the side edges of the shelves to define the enclosure. A vertical gap opening in the cover gives access to the shelves within the enclosure, and this opening can selectively be closed. The frame can be modular, formed from a plurality of posts and connectors, generally with three posts secured to each connector held angled relative to one another. Some of these frame posts can be connected to the shelf unit to hold the frame overlying the shelf unit. Several storage units can be positioned proximate one another for increasing shelf capacity, with a single frame and cover overlying all units.

Abstract: A versatile modular building element, made from the agglutination of three pairs of symmetrical prisms in three overlapping tiers, provides an arched component that can be congruently meshed with a similar one in several different ways. The prism may have rectangular or obliquely parallelogrammic sides or a combination of both while keeping their triangular end walls equilateral and side walls of the same width allowing for up to eight different configurations of the building element. Elements of the same or different types can be combined to construct and infinite variety of structures exhibiting high compressive strength, stability and resistance to multi-directional stresses.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an aboveground shelter that comprises a modular interface which includes a connecting element and a passageway for connection and passage to another the aboveground shelter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building (1) with several levels, several utilisable units (3,4) accessible only with right of access and a vertical conveyor (7) with which vehicles (16, 17) are transported to parking places (12, 13). The utilisable units (3, 4) and the parking space associated (12, 13) therewith are arranged respectively on a common level and parking places are integrated in the utilisable units (3, 4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow chamber composite article (14, 14′that includes a hollow section (10, 10′), having a hollow interior (23), which may be composed of one or more parts (1, 1′). The hollow chamber composite article may optionally include a support element (5), which resides within the hollow interior (23) of the hollow section (10′). When composed of more than one part, the parts (1, 1′) of the hollow section (10, 10′) are fixedly attached to each other in an abutting edge region (26, 26′, 35) by means of plastic deformation of the edge regions (2, 2′) (e.g., against, through or into one another) due to plastic (4, 8) molded over the abutting edge region (26, 26′, 35). The hollow section (10′) and the internal support element (5) may be fixedly attached to each other by means of portions (9, 9′) of the hollow section (10′) being plastically deformed into recesses (e.g.

Abstract: A multistory, multiple dwelling unit building complex includes at least one three story module wherein first and third levels include one or more dwelling units serviced by an elevator. A corridor is provided on an intermediate level and stairways extend between the dwelling units on the first and third levels and the corridor. Exit stairways also extend between the corridor and the first and third levels and may be accessed directly from vestibules associated with the elevator or from other doorways between stairway landings and respective dwelling units.

Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.

Abstract: A post anchor comprising a holder to receive and hold at least one post; a ground engaging member for driving in a ground surface, said ground engaging member attached to the holder; said ground engaging member including a central web, a first flange and a second flange; said first flange extending away from a first side of the central web and said second flange extending away from a second side of the central web; wherein said central web, first flange and second flange are integrally formed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a glazable, moulded panel, door or window which moulding includes, on at least three sides of the area to be glazed, a plastics foam core and one or more continuous, integral skins comprising a synthetic polymer, which process includes: forming the plastics foam core with a continuous groove in register with the intended position of the glazing, the groove extending along the at least three sides of the area to be glazed; lining the groove with a layer of a synthetic polymer which may be the same as or different from the skin polymer(s), the layer being at least partly contiguous with the or each skin; slidably inserting a former into the groove; and moulding the panel, door or window with the application of heat and pressure thereby bonding the layer of synthetic polymer to the or each skin to form a continuous, integral skin of a synthetic polymer about the at least three sides of the area to be glazed.

Abstract: A frame for casings, doors or windows and the like, comprising a base framework constituted by at least two wood layers mutually glued; each layer is formed by at least one longitudinal series of wood tiles mutually connected by so-called finger joints obtained from wood boards without wood imperfections; the leading edge of each wood tile being shaped to form wedge-like teeth, and the trailing edge of the tile being shaped complementarily to the head; the leading and trailing edges of several wood tiles are joined by adhesive, to form a longitudinal series of wood tiles of preset length that is planed and calibrated and composed with adhesive, side by side and overlapped so as to form the frame.

Abstract: An efficient and reliable installation for a water tight and an aesthetically pleasing transition between adjacent building or construction components is provided with use of a backer rod material for placement between adjacent building or construction components for subsequent caulking. A closed cell foam backer rod material includes a terminal end portion of the backer rod joined to a remainder thereof by a frangible connection or perforated joint. The frangible connection or joint in the backer rod is nonlinear or arcuate-shaped to provide a crown-shaped or convex-shaped backer rod surface to receive the caulking compound to finish the joint. After the backer rod material is installed into the joint, the terminal end portion of the backer rod is removed by being torn along the frangible joint. A bead of caulk or similar finishing material is applied in the recess to provide a smooth and aesthetically pleasing transition from the frame to the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) comprising a glazing element (2) and a gas supply device (4), whereby the glazing element (2) has at least two substrates (18, 19), which enclose a space (3), and at least one gas of a defined composition located inside the space (3). A coating whose physical properties, in particular, optical and/or electrical properties, which can be altered according to the composition of the gas, is at least applied to one of the surfaces of a substrate (18, 19), said surfaces facing the space (3). The gas supply device (4) has at least one electrolysis device that has a working electrode (9), a counter electrode (10) and at least one electrolyte (17) for producing gas. The glazing element (2) and the gas supply device (4) are connected to one another whereby enabling the gas inside a closed circuit (6) to be guided between the glazing element (2) and the gas supply device (4). In addition, means for influencing the moisture content of the gas are placed inside the system.