Abstract: A pair of swimming goggles of the present invention comprises a pair of left and right lens frames which respectively include an outer surface and an inner surface and receive a pair of lenses, a bridge member disposed at the upper edges of the inner sides of the left and right lens frames, and a head strap means disposed at the outer sides of the left and right lens frames. The feature of the present invention is that the head strap means at least includes a first thread, a second thread, and a pair of adjustment fasteners disposed at the first and second threads, wherein the first thread is disposed at the upper position of the outer sides of the left and right frames, and the second thread is disposed at the lower position of the outer sides of the left and right frames.

Abstract: A shower curtain rod and holding devices provide for a shower area to be covered on a plurality of sides by an associated shower curtain to prevent shower water from escaping. The shower curtain rod is non-linear and is mounted at distal ends to walls of the shower area at least one-third of a total shower depth from a front of the shower. The holding devices have mounting portions that can be attached to walls in a variety of ways. A method of preventing water from escaping from the shower implements the rod and holding devices. A method of installing the rod and holding devices is easy and requires few steps.

Abstract: There is provided a convenience (1) comprising a sanitary compartment (7) having a toilet bowl (8), and an equipment room (10) separated from the sanitary compartment (7) and accessible through a door (16) from the outside of the convenience (1), independent from the sanitary compartment access, said convenience (1) further comprising a urinal (32), which is at least partly formed in the door (16) of the equipment room (10) and separated from the sanitary compartment (7).

Abstract: A bed rail comprises a side rail and a clamp. The clamp is configured to clamp a mattress to mount the side rail alongside the mattress.

Abstract: The replaceable headboard or footboard cover of the invention comprises frontal and rearward exterior segments mended together to form a sleeve. The decorative frontal exterior extends along the front of the headboard or footboard and provides the appearance of an open curtain swag thus integrating the existing headboard or footboard into the room decor as modified by the headboard cover. The rearward exterior extends along the back of the headboard or footboard and forms a cap to secure the cover to the headboard or footboard without extraneous fasteners. A system for decorating a bed comprising a headboard and footboard cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a parallel-link table that is moved up/down without moving the position of a subject in the longitudinal direction, an upper structure is placed over a base plate connected with a platform via parallel links, and a first bracket on the upper structure and a middle point of one parallel link are connected by a first position correcting link of a length half that of the parallel link using pivotal joint portions; and therefore, when the base plate is moved up/down with respect to the platform, the upper structure moves only in the vertical direction without moving in the horizontal direction, and the top plate over the upper structure, hence, the subject placed on the top plate can be moved up/down in the vertical direction without moving in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A patient exam bed useful for sonograms including echocardiography exams has a mattress provided with one or more pop-up wedges as well as one or more access bays formed through a side edge of the mattress. The access bays provide reach up access to a patient from below a plane of the mattress top, and can be filled-in when not needed by movable or removable in-fill sections. The pop-up wedges act to chock or support a patient to hold steady in a specific angle-of-roll or attitude chosen from various angles of lying down on one's side. The mattress optionally might have one or more folding sections to convert the bed into more like a chair or reclining chair. Additionally, any of the various foregoing options may be enhanced with power equipment to drive the movable components through their movements.

Abstract: A seat pad is provided with a lower pad member and a upper pad member that is attached to the lower pad member by an adhesive. A pair of projections is formed at the front portion of the seat pad. A concave is defined between the projections. The upper surface of the seat pad is inclined to be lower toward the front end of the seat pad when the seat pad is put on a seat of a chair. When a person sits on the seat pad, a pelvis is held in a proper position, which improves the flow of blood and the behavior of nerve.

Abstract: A seat cushion (1) with a seat surface wall area (3) and with a bottom surface wall area (5) has a bead-shaped transition wall area (5) which joins the seat surface wall area (3) to the bottom surface wall area (5). Thus, there is a fluid-tight cushion (1) which can be filled with air via a sealable fill opening, In two areas (11) which are adjacent with a distance from one another the distance of the transition wall area (7) from the middle (19) of the seat cushion (1) is increased, by which in an overhead view lens-shaped areas (11) are formed which project laterally over the essentially circular outline shape of the seat cushion (1) which is otherwise determined by the transition wall area (7). These projecting areas (11) are supports for the thighs (17) of an individual (17) sitting on the seat cushion (1).

Abstract: A seat cushion includes a flexible base having a pandurate shape symmetrical and foldable along the centerline thereof. An undulant pattern of cells is disposed on one side of the base and extend outwardly from each side of the centerline to a base perimeter with each of the cells being defined by a fabric adhered to the base in the undulant pattern. A gel is provided which fills each of the cells.

Abstract: A bottle opener is disclosed with a corkscrew and a cap cutter, which can be used separately from the corkscrew, wherein the corkscrew can also be used when the cap cutter is arranged on the corkscrew.

Abstract: An automated cleaning apparatus, employed wherein a paste-like printing agent having a low viscosity is used in a screen printing machine, comprising a cleaning unit constituted by an adhesive tape, an adhesive tape take-up body, an adhesive tape delivery body and an adhesive tape pressing table arranged between the adhesive take-up body and the adhesive tape delivery body. The adhesive tape is taken up in the state that an adhesive surface is set upward, the adhesive tape being taken up in the reverse direction to a moving direction of the clearing unit and at a predetermined speed in correspondence to a moving speed of the cleaning unit, and the cleaning unit being moved upward at a starting end position, moved downward at a terminal end position and returned to the starting end position.

Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.

Abstract: A brushing head can be attached to or formed integrally with an electric toothbrush handle. The brushing head includes a casing, a rotary drive shaft extending within the casing and having a radially offset crank portion. A linear guide track extends in a direction across the drive shaft. A tuft block is mounted to the casing and interacts with the offset crank portion and the guide track to reciprocate linearly upon rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A sweeper drag shoe used with a rotary broom in sweeping, whereby escaping debris from under a contact skid is recaptured. The sweeper drag shoe contains a deflection plate that redirects bristle tip movement inwardly to allow the broom to recapture debris which escapes during normal operation. The sweeper drag shoe also includes an angled wedge for concentrating outer bristles of the broom into a rotating barrier to prevent debris migration to the end of the broom.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a handle having an elongated head mounted to the handle. The head has a longitudinally central portion which comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned segments connected to each other by a joint. Cleaning elements are mounted to the segments and extend outwardly from the outer surface of the head. A shelf-like protrusion extends laterally outwardly from each side of the central section. Further cleaning elements are flexibly mounted to the protrusions. Preferably the shelf-like protrusions are covered with an elastomer. The central section is made of a harder material than the material of the covered protrusions.

Abstract: A cleaning mat system is designed for placement on a floor and for cleaning the undersides of shoes, feet, and other objects. The cleaning mat system includes a base with an upper surface and a lower surface interconnected by a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge includes a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge. The upper surface of the base includes upwardly extending teeth covering the majority of the upper surface, and the lower surface includes downwardly extending teeth on at least a portion of the lower surface adjacent the leading and trailing edges. A removable and disposable cleaning sheet has an upper face for cleaning and an opposed lower face. The cleaning sheet has a pair of spaced-apart side edge portions and a central portion. In use, the cleaning sheet is positioned on the base such that the central portion is adjacent the upper surface of the base and the side edge portions wrap around the leading and trailing edges to be trapped between the teeth and the floor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastening for a windshield wiper system on a vehicle body, in particular for motor vehicles, whereby the windshield wiper system is composed of a premanufactured assembly having at least one fastening site arranged on it. It is provided that the at least one fastening site of the windshield wiper system (32) is bonded in each case with a fastening site arranged accordingly on the vehicle body (10).

Abstract: A duster cleaning member derives its suction power from a vacuum cleaner to which it is operatively coupled. A duster made of any material received thereby is cleaned by the filtration system of the vacuum cleaner which captures the dust and exhausts cleaned air back into the home or office environment.

Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to an overhead door closer with slide arm assembly having a toothed pinion that is eccentrically supported and presents a circular rolling curve, which pinion meshes with a toothed rack arranged at a piston. The invention concentrates on a particular embodiment of the rolling curve and of the teeth of the toothed rack in adaptation to a toothing of the pinion. Furthermore, the invention concentrates on an improved embodiment of the delayed closing operation in order to achieve an optimized movement pattern of the piston within the housing of the overhead door closer with slide arm assembly.

Abstract: A rotating door stop includes a base member which is mounted to a baseboard or other structure. A stop member is connected to the base member so that the stop member freely rotates about its longitudinal axis with respect to the base member. Because the stop member rotates, it cannot be grasped and unscrewed by a child.

Abstract: A coupling structure coupled between a base and a display panel is disclosed to include a pivot structure fixedly fastened to the base, a rotary platform pivotally coupled to the pivot structure for allowing rotation of the rotary platform on the pivot structure, a gear set, which includes a center gear fixedly fastened to the pivot structure and a left-side gear and a right-side gear pivotally mounted inside the rotary platform and meshed with the center gear at two sides respectively, the left-side and right-side gears each having the same number of teeth and a raised portion, and a hinge member, which is received inside the rotary platform and fixedly fastened to the display panel and has two elongated blind holes respectively coupled to the raised portions of the left-side gear and right-side gear.

Abstract: An end cap for a supporting bracket having a multi bar linkage includes at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib extends along a seating portion of the end cap, which engages a track of the supporting bracket and along a length of an upstanding portion of the end cap. End caps configured for offset or inline supporting brackets can include the reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: A rotation apparatus comprises a sleeve, a retaining means, a first base, a second base, a pivot and a pivot base. The sleeve passes through the first base and the second base and screws into the retaining means. The pivot is fixed onto the second base and the pivot base is coupled to the pivot. After mounting a display panel to a host body via the rotation apparatus, the display panel can be flipped open via the pivot/pivot base linkage and then rotated around the axis of the sleeve. Furthermore, the components constituting the rotation apparatus are easy to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: A device adapted to be comfortably grasped in the hand of the user to hold the plastic handles of grocery bags.

Abstract: A clamp in which the clamping band end portions are intended to form overlapping inner and outer band portions in the installed condition and are connected by a connection, in which a tightening device for tightening the clamping band about an object to be fastened and an arrangement assuring gap-free and stepless internal clamping surfaces of the clamping band including a male member near the end of the inner band portion are provided whereby the male member is adapted to cooperate with a female member in the outer band portion; a guide arrangement is further formed by a bent-up tab-like member on each side of the male member and adapted to engage in two guide slots of the outer band portion to guide relative movements of the inner and outer band portions during tightening of the tightening device; the connection may also include a lost-motion arrangement permitting initial plastic deformation of the tightening device substantially without change in radial dimension.

Abstract: A necktie holder including a crossbar having opposed ends. A retainer is secured to the opposed ends of the crossbar so as to form an elongated loop together with the crossbar. The retainer is arched so that a portion of such is elevated above the crossbar. The retainer is provided with a cut along its length so as to divide the retainer into a pair of selectively separable parts. A flexible link is releasably connected to the opposed ends of the crossbar.

Abstract: A device for securing a towel to ground so the towel will not be blown away has a first anchor device coupled to a first end of the towel and a second anchor device coupled to a second end of the towel. The first anchor device and the second anchor device are coupled to the ground to prevent the towel from being blown away. The first anchor device and the second anchor device each comprises a body section. A first arc member is formed on a first end of the body section. The first arc member is rolled in the ground so that ground elements rest inside the first arch member such that the weight of the ground elements prevents the beach towel from being blow away. A second arc member is formed at a second end of the body section. The second arc member partially touches the body section to form an enclosed oval channel, the oval channel used for securing the towel to the body section.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a male portion and a female portion, the female portion having a top face, a bottom face and a cavity for accepting the male portion. The male portion is adapted to snap into the female portion to lock the two portions of the buckle together. At least one face of the female portion is formed from an integrally molded screen made of the same material as the rest of the female portion and having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the female portion. The screen reduces the weight of the buckle, making it more comfortable for the user as well as less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An artificial underwater memorializing catacomb and reef system and evocative environment for a visitor is made from one or more urns containing cremated remains imbedded at least partway within a plurality of concrete forms, whereby the concrete forms are interlocked and/or stacked to form the catacomb. One or more urns containing cremated remains is then interposed at least partway within the molds before the mixture sets, thereby forming one or more concrete forms when the mixture sets. A single module reducing beach erosion and providing a marine habitat includes a base portion, a middle portion having a flange, and an upper portion having an interior void and holes in the sloping sides. One or more urns are placed within reinforcing bars in the base and middle portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing multi-layer metal feedstock material for stamping shaped parts eliminates the need for rolls of metal at the stamping site. Multilayer metal feedstock material is assembled from multiple rolls of metal stock, then folded in a zig zag fashion, or “Z-fold” configuration, whereby the multilayer metal assembly is stacked vertically, usually on conventional pallets, for ease of moving with a forklift or otherwise. The multilayer metal z-fold stack of material is then transported to a parts stamping operation where the material is used as it unfolds as a continuous feed to machines to produce shaped multilayer metal parts. This invention is most useful in making multilayer metal foil z-fold feedstock material and using the z-fold material as continuous feed to processes for making shaped multilayer metal foil parts. The layers may have non-metal layers of material, such as fiber, between the metal layers or on the outside of the metal layers.

Abstract: A simple method for passivation of a component is presented which is particularly suitable for processing high-viscosity plastics. The component is arranged in a preproduced plastic body and is connected to the body. This method is proposed for the production of a piezoactuator arrangement, which is utilized for controlling injection valves in internal-combustion engines. The plastic consists of solid silicone and/or fluorinated silicone elastomer.

Abstract: To manufacture a compact and high-performance thin-film piezoelectric bimorph element at low cost, first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) are formed by sputtering on the both surfaces of a metal thin plate (1) which are opposing relation to each other along the thickness thereof, while the respective states of polarizations of the first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) are controlled. A pair of electrode films (5) are formed on the respective surfaces of the first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) opposite to the metal thin plate (1).

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device includes a base having a pair of right and left movable parts and a fixing part disposed at one end thereof, and piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements disposed on the sides of the movable parts of the base. Accordingly, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive device is fabricated to have a construction with fewer components. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive device having a construction with fewer components is provided by adopting a base having an integral structure formed by bending an original plate stamped into a shape that delineates a plane development of the base.

Abstract: A rotating table apparatus using a cam mechanism and having a higher precision than a conventional rotating table is realized. A rotating table apparatus having a driven shaft supported by a housing and driven by a driving device, and a rotating table which is rotatingly driven by said driven shaft using a cam and cam followers, wherein the rotating table apparatus has an opposing surface which opposes an end surface of the rotating table in a direction along a rotation shaft of said rotating table, and oil is intervened in between the opposing surface and said end surface.

Abstract: A fastening tool draws a mandrel (5) to allow a caulking portion of the mandrel to deform a stem of a rivet (2) so that workpieces are fastened together. The fastening tool used in this process includes a nosepiece having a protrusion. During caulking, the protrusion of the nosepiece applies a force on a flange of the rivet to form a recess in the rivet flange and thereby peel a coating of the workpieces. As a result, electrical conductivity between the workpieces and the rivet is obtained.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool having a remote intensifier and autofill/recharge system is provided. The rivet setting tool has a hydraulic pulling head which is coupled to an intensifier. The intensifier has a mechanism for providing hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic rivet head to set a rivet tool. The intensifier further has a mechanism for refilling/recharging the hydraulic system of the rivet setting head.

Abstract: A support assembly useful in aligning and mounting a garbage disposal to the drain fitting of a sink includes a base provided with a vertical tube segment supporting a nut assembly threadably engaged to a rod partly received in the segment with the upper rod end supporting an adapter conformed to the disposal. An offset bar fixed to the rod exterior engages a lateral recess on the segment to fix the rod in rotation as the nut assembly is turned. The assembly may include rods of differing lengths and adapters of various forms.

Abstract: A method of tuning a compressor stator blade having a base portion and an airfoil portion to achieve a desired natural frequency, includes a) identifying the natural frequency of the compressor stator blade; b) determining a different target natural frequency for the compressor stator blade; and c) removing material from the base portion of the compressor stator blade in an amount and in a configuration that achieves the target natural frequency. A frequency-tuned compressor stator blade includes an airfoil portion and a base portion, the base portion having a substantially solid rectangular shape; and a groove cut across a width dimension of the base portion, the groove having dimensions selected to obtain a predetermined natural frequency for the airfoil portion.

Abstract: A holding tool is adapted to be used in removing and replacing a fan clutch assembly threadably attached and detached relative to a shaft of a hub connected to a pulley on an internal combustion engine of a vehicle by a series of fasteners. The holding tool includes a flat holding plate in which a portion of the bottom edge is provided with arcuate edge adapted to surround a circumferential segment of the hub. The holding plate is formed with a plurality of spaced apart holes adapted to receive certain of the fasteners connecting the hub and pulley together so that the holding plate is attached to the hub. An elongated handle has a proximal end secured to the holding plate and a distal end adapted to rest upon a frame rail of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the setting operation for a blind fastener comprising the step of measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of the load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation and, from which, determining a mandrel entry load and associated mandrel entry time from this measured signal and an associated setting time, subsequently determining the time difference between the mandrel entry time and the setting time and comparing this time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with that particular fastener type to determine whether the set fastener complies with predetermined acceptable setting procedures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fatigue life enhanced product from a plurality of workpiece parts. At least one fatigue enhancing operation is performed on a first workpiece at a first work station. At least one fatigue enhancing operation is performed on a second workpiece at a second work station. The first and second workpieces are transferred to a first assembly station, where the workpieces are joined to form a fatigue life enhanced product. Aerostructures manufactured according to the method may include components fabricated at different locations to have fatigue life enhancing properties, especially in bounding material adjacent to holes designed to accommodate fasteners. By use of the method, the final assembly step can thus avoid the necessity to include the processing of holes to enhance fatigue life, since this step has been performed prior to bringing components into position to be joined in the final shape or assembly of the airframe.

Abstract: A flexible fluid containment vessel or vessels fabricated out of segments of fabric clamped together for transporting and containing a large volume of fluid, particularly fresh water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process for inserting a cannula, such as a hypodermic needle, into a hub member by roughening a first portion of the cannula while leaving a second portion substantially smooth such that the first portion forms an interference fit and the second portion a line-to-line fit with the hub bore. In the absence of an adhesive, the second portion is passed through the hub bore followed by the first portion. The first portion is forced into the hub bore to provide an adhesive-free interference fit that is capable of resisting puncturing forces during normal use.

Abstract: A method for the production of a layered metal slab by casting, which strip contains a central layer (2) and surface layers (3) on either side of it. The central layer (2) is introduced as a strip through a mould (4), into which is introduced molten metal (5), the mould (4) is cooled, whereupon a layered structure (1) is formed as the metal solidifies.

Abstract: A housing for a vehicle component and a method for making the same. The housing comprises a housing body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The outer wall of the housing is formed with a plurality of longitudinal splines and a plurality of longitudinal troughs located between confronting splines. A spiral groove is cut into the interior surface of the outer wall so as to remove material sufficient to engage at least one of the troughs thereby forming a plurality of apertures having a closed periphery and extending longitudinally along the outer wall.

Abstract: A crimping press has a tool receptacle arranged at a lower end of a pressing slider provided with a force-sensing device. The forces arising during the crimping operation are transmitted from the supporting surfaces of an upper tool to several points on the force-sensing device. Provided on each side of an upper fork and held by screws are two collars to which are transmitted, the crimping forces on either side of the supporting surface. With their heads, the screws hold the collars, while with their other ends the screws are engaged with the pressing slider. The collars transmit the crimping forces to the sensor elements of the force-sensing device.

Abstract: An inductor comprising a core, wherein the inductor is produced by the steps of: defining physical parameters of the core of the inductor, the physical parameters including dimensions of the air gap; defining a plurality of branches of the core; approximating the relative permeability of the core material by interpolating between first and second known values of magnetic flux density that exist in the core material when the core material is exposed to first and second values of magnetic field strength, respectively; calculating boundary currents that must flow through the inductor for each of the first and second known values of magnetic flux density to exist in each branch of the core; establishing the inductance of the inductor at each of the calculated boundary currents; and constructing the inductor.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an actuator assembly of a disk drive. The method includes providing an actuator arm, providing a suspension arm, fixing a swage plate to the suspension arm, the swage plate including a swage boss extending therefrom, depositing a film lubricant upon at least an outer surface of the swage boss, and attaching the suspension arm to the actuator arm by swaging. A method is also provided for reducing torque out retention values between the actuator arm and the suspension arm when the actuator arm and suspension arm must be separated in a subsequent de-swaging process. This method includes providing an outer surface of the swage boss, and applying a lubricant film coating to the outer surface of the swage boss. A preferred thin film lubricant may be applied by emersion and draining, localized spraying, or various deposition processes.