Abstract: The present invention is a handheld and highly mobile device with paddle extensions adapted to be comfortably inserted at the same time between a user's toes. The paddle extensions can be moved in an up and down sliding motion for massage or cleaning of inter-toe surfaces. The paddle extensions provide massage in one embodiment and scrubbing or cleansing in another embodiment. In a cleansing embodiment, the invention device incorporates a readily cleaned or disposable glove that form-fits over the paddles. The glove is made of absorbent material with a smooth to coarse outside surface to facilitate cleaning and/or scrubbing.

Abstract: A window blind cleaning system for cleaning the slats of vertical or horizontal blinds of varying heights, with a user selected cleaning material placed over the cleaning heads, which the user remotely actuates to close the cleaning surfaces onto the slats to be cleaned. The system includes a handle, an extension handle, handle mounted trigger, actuating link, backing plates with attached cleaning pads forming the cleaning heads. Resilient supporting arms urge the cleaning heads apart and the trigger operated actuating link urges the cleaning heads together about the slat. A resilient U-shaped restraining bar may be used to further urge the cleaning heads apart. The cleaning pads and covers over them are removably attached. The backing plates and cleaning pads are shaped to conform to the blind slats. The primary handle is formed from multiple sections. Assembled together, these sections form a single handle allowing the user greater cleaning reach.

Abstract: A dusting article structure comprises a duster body and a handle wherein the duster body is equipped with multiple layers of holding sheets, a fibrous-filament layer, and a cleaning base sheet. The lower layer of the holding sheets and the cleaning base sheet are symmetrically cut from both opposing edges to form a multiple of strip-like cleaning pieces thereon respectively, and the filaments of the fibrous-filament layer are twisted up with numerous tiny pores disposed thereon.

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a pair of end caps. The end caps have axial bores therein and are disposed at opposing ends of the roller tube. The inner end cap has a hub with a nipple extending there from, the nipple having a head portion and an annular groove between the head portion and the hub. The paint roller also includes a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing having an opening configured to receive the nipple of the roller cover. The handle assembly also includes a roller support having an elongate shaft, the elongate shaft being received by the bores of the inner and outer end caps to rotatably support the roller cover about an axis of rotation along the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a tube-shaped roller cover having an outer surface of paint absorbing material and a rotatably mounted roller core. The roller cover is mounted on the roller core so as to be rotatable with the roller core. The roller core has a length less than the length of the roller cover such that a first end of the roller core is adjacent an end of the roller cover and a second end of the roller core is within the roller cover. The second end of the roller core includes a roller mounting device. The paint roller also has a handle assembly including a housing having an extension member configured to extend inside the roller core, the extension member having an opening configured to receive the roller mounting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper coupler for connecting a wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm including a pair of sidewalls with each sidewall including an aperture aligned with respect to the other. Each aperture is adapted to operatively receive a transversely extending pin of a wiper arm. The wiper coupler further includes a platform disposed between the sidewalls. The platform has a super-surface and a subsurface where the super-surface includes a rest portion adapted to operatively receive a portion of a wiper arm and the subsurface includes a pair of cantilevered beams depending therefrom and adjacent to the sidewalls. The cantilevered beams are adapted to operatively engage a portion of a wiper assembly.

Abstract: A paint tray system is configured to dispense paint onto a paint roller. The paint tray system includes a paint tray having a bottom section, an end wall and side walls forming a reservoir for holding paint. A paint limiter panel is received by the tray overlaying the reservoir in the paint tray, the limiter panel having at least one opening therein to allow paint to flow from the reservoir through the limiter panel. The paint tray system also includes at least one biasing member positioned within the reservoir configured to bias the limiter panel upwardly and away from the bottom section of the tray and thus the surface of the paint within the reservoir.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an air path for drawn air, one or more portions of which have their surfaces nano-coated with an antibiosis and sterilization material. In an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner has a suction brush with an air inlet, a dust collecting apparatus in fluid communication with the suction brush, and a body having mounting locations for a dust collecting apparatus and a motor assembly to generate suction force. One or more portions of the air path surface of the dust collecting apparatus that contacts the air is nano-coated with an antibiosis and sterilization material.

Abstract: A device for brushing the skin prior to applying a topical preparation of a drug enhances the permeability of the stratum corneum to the drug.

Abstract: A separation wall (212) with a larger thickness than a separation wall (209) is provided at the central part in a left/right direction of a suction inlet main body (201). This is made so that the central part of a separate suction inlet passage (211) has a smaller height in a thickness direction than both sides in the left/right direction of the separate suction inlet passage. As a result, a separate suction inlet passage (211b), connected to a concentration opening (210) from the left and right sides at the front of the separate suction inlet passage (211), has a larger height than a separate suction inlet passage (211a) at the central part of the separate suction inlet passage (211). This way, plural suction inlets are provided in the suction inlet main body, and each of the suction inlets can be selectively used depending on each cleaning on floor surfaces.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner includes a support base extending in a vertical direction, a main body selectively installed on the support base, a power generating unit disposed in the main body to generate outer air sucking force, a suction nozzle unit sucking outer air using the sucking force transmitted from the main body, a dust collection unit disposed in the main body to filter and collect dust and dirt contained in the outer air sucked by the sucking force, a flexible connection hose transmitting the sucking force to the suction nozzle body, a hose coupling portion to which a first end of the connection hose is coupled, the hose coupling portion being formed on the main body, and a hook unit for supporting the main body on the support base.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing, in which a dust chamber is embodied for housing a dust separator, which may be sealed by means of a dust chamber lid, mounted on the housing and a housing for accessory pieces which can be closed by the dust chamber lid. According to the invention, the contamination of the accessory pieces by dust from the dust chamber may be prevented, whilst maintaining easy access to the accessory pieces by means of the dust chamber lid, whereby the housing is embodied as an adjoining chamber, directly adjacent to the dust chamber which is separated from the dust chamber in a dust-tight manner by means of a separating wall. The above has the advantage of permitting a user to remove an accessory piece without getting dirty.

Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement. The microprocessor adjust the height of the suction nozzle through a motorized suction nozzle height gear and cam arrangement. The microprocessor is programmed to adjust the current to the motor-fan assembly and the agitator drive motor based upon the height of the suction nozzle such that the total current consumed does not exceed a predetermined amount. The microprocessor is programmed to turn the current off to either of the motor-fan assembly or the agitator drive motor when the current consumed by either exceeds a predetermined amount based upon the nozzle height. The height of the suction nozzle is selected by one or more switches located on the appliance handle. A separate switch is provided to select bare floor mode and the microprocessor is programmed to store the height of the suction nozzle prior to bare floor mode being selected.

Abstract: An extraction cleaning device housing multiple cleaning solutions that can dispensed by manipulation of a control coupled to the extraction device. Multiple cleaning solution supply reservoirs are coupled to the cleaning device and in fluid communication with a dispensing head. Through the use of the control, an operator can select a specific cleaning solution for a specific application. Manipulation of the control allows for nearly instantaneous conversion between cleaning solutions for different applications. Some embodiments of the cleaning device have a housing with an end that engages the ground during cleaning operations. The housing at least partially contains several cleaning solution supply reservoirs, a rinse fluid reservoir, and an extracted fluid reservoir. A vacuum source can also be housed within the housing.

Abstract: A wet-cloth brush for a vacuum cleaner, which generates minor vibration and enables a user to check the operation of a wet-cloth board, comprises a brush body, a fan mounted to the brush body to be rotated by drawn-in air, an eccentric cam mounted to the brush body and operated in association with a power transmitter that transmits a rotational power of the fan, and at least two wet-cloth boards separably mounted to the brush body to move along a locus of the eccentric cam.

Abstract: Handle (20) or handles for a blower (10) carried in the back of an operator. The handle (20) or handles are placed on a stiff section (15) of a blower tube (13) extending from the blower (10). A longitudinal axil of the handle (20) or handles is placed outside the circumference of the stiff section (15) of the blower tube (13) when seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axle of the stiff section (15) of the blower tube (13). The projection of the longitudinal axle of the handle (20) in said plane is parallel to a straight line extending through the geometrical center of the cross section (15) of the blower tube (13).

Abstract: A door stopper for a motor vehicle door has a piston-cylinder unit arranged basically longitudinally inside the motor vehicle door. The unit is connected in a swiveling manner at a first end with the motor vehicle door and is able to interact at a second end with a stationary structural section of the motor vehicle. In order to ensure that the door stopper requires only a small installation space, the door stopper includes a multi-part lever mechanism, which transforms a swiveling motion of the motor vehicle door chiefly into a back and forth thrusting motion, upon door opening or closing, on the piston-cylinder unit. A first lever of the lever mechanism can be guided out of the motor vehicle door and can be connected with the stationary structural section on a first swiveling axis.

Abstract: A suitcase handle with a mobile grip having both ends of the grip embedded into the handle; a torque spring being inserted in either or both connection ends of the grip to rotate and return the grip; a retainer and an arc channel being provided at both ends of the grip at where embedded into the handle to allow the retainer turning within the space defined by the arc channel, thus to limit the mobile grip to rotate and oscillate within the range of the preset angle.

Abstract: A hinge including a first hinge member and a second hinge member that is rotatably coupled to the first hinge member. The hinge has a torsion spring with a first end of the spring secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member. An adjustment mechanism is included and is capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring, and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting the torsional spring tension.

Abstract: An upper piggybacked unit of a tandem unit is provided with a hinge unit and at least one motion lock to prevent the upper unit from falling away from the lower unit when it is tandemly coupled to the lower unit and the lower unit is pivoted to a non-horizontal position. The motion lock may inhibit rotation and/or translation of the upper unit. The motion lock may also be self-actuating, such as a gravity dependent lock mechanism. A lock override mechanism may be provided to allow the lock to yield to excessive force without causing damage. The lock enable condition may be automatically reset after the override condition so that no special knowledge or action on the part of the user is required to return the hinge to normal operation.

Abstract: A hinge device with a locking function includes a first locking element, a first connecting element, a second locking element and a connecting shaft. The first locking element has a first through hole and a first locking portion. The first connecting element has a second through hole. The first connecting element is connected with the first locking element. The second locking element is disposed between the first through hole and the second through hole. The second locking element has a shaft hole and a second locking portion corresponding to the first locking portion. The connecting shaft passes through the first through hole, the shaft hole and the second through hole so as to form the hinge device.

Abstract: A side handle (2) for a hand-held power tool, such as, e.g., hammer drill or chisel hammer, includes a handle holder (10), an attachment device (6) for securing the side handle (2) on the power tool (4), and a decoupling device (8) for connecting the handle holder (10) with the attachment device (6) and for guiding the handle holder (10) relative to the attachment device (6), with the decoupling device (8) having two, spaced from each other, swinging elements deflectable parallel to each other.

Abstract: A hollow, cylindrical, handle is substantially permanently connected to a end piece by insertion into the distal end of the handle of a first axial section of the end piece and inwardly deforming portions of the handle wall inwardly into indentations formed in the outer surface of the end piece. The end piece includes a shoulder at the juncture of the first section with a second section limiting the extent of insertion of the end piece into the handle and the indentations are formed, preferably on diametrically opposite sides of the first section, at a known axial distance from the shoulder. Visible indicia are placed on the outer surface of the second section in axial alignment with the indentations. The positions at which the handle wall is inwardly deformed is determined by the known distance from the shoulder (distal end of the handle) and in axial alignment with the indicia on the second section.

Abstract: In an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine for changing sliver cans, a sliver is delivered by a rotary plate 25 and deposited in a sliver can 15. Means are provided for moving a full sliver can 15, away from the region of the rotary plate for subsequently bringing in an empty sliver can 152 from a position of readiness to the region of the rotary plate. A first can path 271 is provided in the region of the rotary plate and a second can path 272 is provided parallel to the first can path, on each of which can paths a can carrier (26; 30) is movable in two directions. In order to provide an advantageous apparatus for sliver can changing, a can carrier 30 on the second can path 272 is capable of delivering an empty can to, and collecting a full can from, the first can path 27.

Abstract: In an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine for changing sliver cans, sliver is delivered by a delivery device and deposited in a sliver can. The apparatus comprises means for moving a full sliver can away from the region of the delivery device and means for subsequently bringing in an empty sliver can, from a reserve position to the region of the delivery device. An intermediate storage device is arranged to be brought in to the delivery device during changing of the sliver cans is provided. In order to avoid disadvantageous piling up of the sliver on the intermediate storage device and/or in the sliver can and to allow can changing at maximum sliver production speeds, the immediate storage device is arranged to be driven such that it is movable whilst collecting the sliver.

Abstract: A device with a drafting device (3) for drafting at least one sliver (FB) supplied to the drafting device (3) comprises a sliver depositing apparatus (4) downstream from the drafting device (3) for depositing the drafted sliver (FB?) into a can (6). Furthermore, the device comprises a can replacement device (15) for replacing a filled can (6?) by a can (6) to be filled. Means (17) is provided on the device for lowering the temperature (T) and/or the relative moisture (LF) of the fibrous material (FB, FB?) before or after it is deposited in the can (6). Furthermore, means (17) for raising the temperature TU of the machine parts (13, 20) that make contact with the uppermost sliver layers (BL) in the filled can (6?) can be provided, with which means (17) a condensation of water on the cited machine parts (13, 20) is at least reduced.

Abstract: This mounting system features a base displaced from a mounting plate which is used to anchor a base mounted receiver releaseably. The base has a pair of flexible arms to engage the receiver in channels that have a catch edge at the end of the channels. The base is constructed with at least one stabilizer element and the receiver has an appropriate alignment slot. Each mounting plate, on both the base and the receiver, have a plurality of apertures to facilitate attachment to fabric which thereby allows attachment of different fabric devices together in a releaseable yet secure manner. An alternate embodiment has the mounting plate enclosed in a fabric envelope or attached to a patch of fabric where the edges of the fabric may be used to secure the base or receiver to the fabric of devices which may be used together.

Abstract: A band clamp is disclosed which can be movably applied to an elongated object, such as a hose, conduit or the like, when the band clamp is in an open or non-engaged position. In one embodiment, the elongated object is gripped between a pair of arms which project inwardly from opposite sides of an inner circumferential surface of the band when the band is in its open or non-engaged position. The inner circumferential surface of the band also includes a pair of recesses, one on each side thereof. When the band is in its closed or engaged position, each of the arms is received in a corresponding recess. The first and second arms are attached at a common junction with the band forming an arc that is no less than about 180°.

Abstract: A clamp 1 comprises a band 3, a buckle 5 having a support surface 18 against which a long component wound by the band is held, and a clip 6 extending from the buckle 5 and secured to, e.g., a body panel. The buckle 5 comprises a pawl 15 for engaging ratchet teeth 17 on the band, a first guide 25 and a second guide 26 forming an insertion passage 19 for guiding the band 3 and restraining the band 3 inside the insertion passage 19. The second guide 26 is formed in a shape by which the rear portion 30 of the insertion passage 19 including the outlet is parallel to the support surface 18, and the first guide 25 is formed in a shape by which the front portion 31 of the insertion passage 19 including the inlet is connected to the rear portion 30 at an acute angle of inclination 29 with respect to the rear portion 30.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling for a spiral wire flexible hose. The coupling includes a ring clamp configured as a clamping jaw and including at least two partial shells enclosing a sleeve of the spiral wire flexible hose. The ring clamp has an inner contour having a spiral to receive a spiral wire flexible hose in a positive locking engagement. The hose is adapted to receive a spout therein. The spiral extends up to a protrusion situated at the end of the ring clamp. The spout is clamped such that the spout is axially immovable.

Abstract: A binder clip comprising a first side panel, second side panel and third side panel, integral with one another and arranged in the shape of a triangle, the first and third side panels having curled edge portions, and the first and third side panels spring-biased toward one another, a first and second lever made of wire and forming a loop, the first and second lever pivotally fixed to the first side panel and third side panel, respectively, the first and second levers arranged to pivot. The first and second levers are arranged to be retained or locked by linear protrusions emanating upwardly from the first and third side panels, respectively.

Abstract: A telescoping fastener includes a debris clearance and drain port in a housing of the fastener, and a plunger operable in the housing to move contaminants toward the port for removal. A force concentrating tip breaks up snow, ice or accumulated debris. Relief channels in the plunger facilitate movement of contaminants around the plunger and movement of the plunger through contaminants within the housing.

Abstract: A clip comprising a base, a first clasping assembly coupled to the base, and a second clasping assembly coupled to the base. A circuit board assembly comprising a radio circuit board, a pair of RF cables, and a clip assembly secured to the radio circuit board and coupled to the RF cables. A method for securing cables to a substratum comprising passing cables through clasping assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming sealing and/or retaining elements on a wide variety of fastening devices is provided. The fasteners are conveyed on fastener nests each having a chamber, a fastener lock and a fastener release that are moveable relative to each other. The fasteners then have material applied to them which is cured while the fasteners are in the nests on the conveyor. The fasteners with the sealing and/or retaining element formed thereon are then removed therefrom. A novel fixture for holding fasteners to be processed and an element sealing device having a fastener with a resilient sealing element adhered to a portion thereof with a depression formed therein in close proximity to a portion of the fastener is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a fastener slider, wherein the fastener element comprising an element main body constituted of a base portion attached to a fastener tape, a neck portion and an engaging head portion continuous from the neck portion and expanding in a tape length direction and stiffening means provided on the element main body, allowing a fastener stringer to bend when the elements are separated and inhibiting the fastener chain from bending when the elements are engaged in a stiffening condition, the stiffening means having a first firm contact face making firm contact with mating stiffening means when the elements are engaged and a second firm contact face making firm contact with a partial surface of the engaging head portion of the fastener element when the elements are engaged, thereby the slide fastener having a rigid, linear or curved rod-like configuration when fastener elements are engaged, allowing it to deform in multiple directions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber-made surface fastener comprising joining faces each in which a plurality of fiber-made engaging elements are provided on one surface of each flat base fabric. By specifying a structure and composition yarns of the base fabric of the same surface fastener, the ratio (A/B) of an area A of a range in which sound spectrum of a peeling-off sound Fourier-transformed in a range of 100 Hz to 15000 Hz is 100 Hz to 3000 Hz to an area B of a range in which sound spectrum of a peeling-off sound Fourier-transformed in a range of 100 Hz to 15000 Hz is 3000 Hz to 15000 Hz is 0.4 or more. Consequently, tone of a sound generated when the surface fastener is peeled off and when the surface fastener attached on a product is peeled off is shifted to a low tone side so as to reduce an uncomfortable sound to a lower tone thereby reducing a feeling of discomfort.

Abstract: A fastener has a body with an attachment surface and a holding surface. A large number of tiny hairs protrude from the attachment surface. A hook, post, ring or other structure extends from the holding surface to permit an object to be hung from or attached to the fastener. The attachment surface can be formed by depositing or growing the hairs on a substrate or by using a mold to form the hairs.

Abstract: An arrangement for axially supporting two jointly rotating components (2, 3) by way of a snap ring (6) having two displaceable impacting ends (6a, 6b), which are separated from each other by a peripheral gap (7), and which can move in the region of a radial spring path. The snap ring (6) is inserted into an annular groove of the supporting component (2). The supporting component (3) comprises one ramp (8, 9) in the region of the radial spring path of the impacting ends (6a, 6b) of the snap ring (6).

Abstract: A tether which includes an elastic strip having Velcro sewn to the end of the right side and left side. Also having Velcro sewn on the top side of the center and double-stick tape on the bottom side of center to secure tether to any tie-up shoes. Once tether is secured by tape to the shoe, stretch right side towards the front of shoe and through loop of tied bow of shoe-string and pull back to secure to Velcro at the heel. Next stretch left side of tether towards front and lace through the remaining loop of bow, pull back and secure to heel of shoe.

Abstract: A shoe fastening device includes a body having two open ends and two push members are movably inserted in the body from the two open ends and a spring is connected between the two push members. Two ends of a string extend through two passages in the two push members and two holes in the body. A side frame extends from an outer periphery of the body and includes a space defined therethrough. Two apertures are defined through the side frame and communicate with the space. A rib extends from an inside of an inside of the space and is located between the two apertures. A positioning member is removably connected to the side frame via the two apertures and the two ends of the string is positioned at the clamp portions of the positioning member.

Abstract: A fiber stacking or aligning apparatus is described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a first component and a second component. The first component is configured to permit the introduction of a plurality of fibers into an opening that defines a through hole through the first component. The second component is rotatably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component is configured to permit the introduction of the plurality of fibers that have passed through the through hole into an area in the second component that includes an alignment surface which limits the travel of the plurality of fibers so as to align the plurality of fibers, wherein the second component is further configured to be rotated away from the aligned plurality of fibers to expose the aligned plurality of fibers without disturbing them.

Abstract: A yarn texturizing system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous textured yarn production process are provided. The system includes a yarn supply, a yarn stuffing container to produce textured yarn periodically released therefrom, a yarn draw to draw yarn from the yarn supply to the yarn stuffing container, a yarn conveyor belt positioned downstream from the yarn stuffing container, and a yarn bundler positioned between the yarn stuffing container and the yarn conveyor belt to bundle the textured yarn prior to deposit onto the yarn conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention provides a production method of a solid electrolytic capacitor capable of efficiently producing a solid electrolytic capacitor consisting of a stack of capacitor elements. For producing a solid electrolytic capacitor consisting of a stack of capacitor elements 2, plural sets of capacitor element groups 27 each consisting of a plurality of capacitor elements 2 arranged in a comb teeth pattern are first formed on one side of an aluminum strip 25. Subsequently, an electroconductive adhesive 15 is applied onto an electric conductor layer 12 of each capacitor element 2. Then the aluminum strip 25 is bent so as to be wound, to superimpose the respective capacitor elements 2 in the plural sets of capacitor element groups 27 on each other. Thereafter, in that state the electroconductive adhesive 15 applied previously is cured to form a plurality of capacitor element laminates 3. Next, the plurality of capacitor element laminates 3 are cut off and separated from the aluminum strip 25.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a package for a capacitor element including an anode lead portion and a cathode portion. The package includes an insulating resin member which is arranged to cover the capacitor element and which includes hole portions formed therethrough. An anode terminal of the solid electrolytic capacitor includes a metal-plating layer which is placed in the hole portion to be electrically connected to the anode lead portion through the hole portion. A cathode terminal of the solid electrolytic capacitor includes a metal-plating layer which is placed in the hole portion to be electrically connected to the cathode conducting portion through the hole portion.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a mold on a temporary substrate, e.g., a sapphire substrate. Next, a material such as PZT paste is deposited into the mold. Then, the mold is removed to obtain elements formed by the mold. The formed elements will then be sintered. After sintering, electrode deposition is optionally performed. The sintered elements are then bonded to a final target substrate and released from the temporary substrate through laser liftoff. Further, electrodes may also be optionally deposited at this point.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wiring board, comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode layer having first and second opening portions, forming a dielectric layer formed on the first electrode layer and having third and fourth opening portions, forming a second electrode layer formed on the dielectric layer and having fifth and sixth opening portions, wherein the first electrode layer, the dielectric layer, and the second electrode layer form a capacitor; forming an insulating layer inside a first opening defined by the first, third, and fifth opening portions, and a second opening defined by the second, fourth, and sixth opening portions; using a laser beam having a processing diameter to form first and second via holes extending through the insulating layer formed inside the first and second openings, respectively; and forming first and second via wiring portions in the first and second via holes, respectively.

Abstract: An extraction tool for extracting an object. The extraction tool includes a gripping portion for gripping the object and an impact generating portion connected to the gripping portion. The impact generating portion includes the guiding section, a mobile section connected to the guiding section and mobile with respect thereto, and a stopper connected to the guiding section for stopping a motion of the mobile section. Upon the mobile section being accelerated towards the stopper and thereafter stopped thereby, the mobile section exerts an impact force onto the stopper. The impact force is transmitted to the object through the gripping portion. The impact force is directed substantially away from the gripping portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of replacing a worn wear strip located between a rail and a retaining plate, the method comprising positioning a new wear strip adjacent the worn wear strip, securing a clamping apparatus to the rail adjacent the new wear strip opposite the worn wear strip and urging the rail in a direction from the clamping apparatus to the retaining plate until the clamping apparatus abuts the retaining plate, the new wear strip pushing the worn wear strip from its position between the rail and the retaining plate. The invention also provides a clamping apparatus configured to be secured to a rail, the clamping apparatus comprising first and second flanges and a spacer, the first and second flanges and spacer all having at least one bolt hole therethrough, and at least one bolt inserted through the at least one bolt hole.

Abstract: First and second splined members are manufactured for use in a slip joint by initially providing a first member having a first plurality of splines thereon and a second member having a second plurality of splines thereon. The second plurality of splines defines a shape. A coating of a material, such as a low friction material, is provided on the first plurality of splines of the first member. The shape of the second plurality of splines on the second splined member is next measured, such as by using a digital spline gauge. The, the shape of the coating of the material provided on the first plurality of splines of the first member is conformed in accordance with the measured shape of the second plurality of splines of the second member, such as by using a lathe. As a result, a precise spacing or gap between the splined portions of the first and second members can be achieved that minimizes the amount of backlash and broken back therebetween.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for molding a bicycle tube and the method comprises the following steps: first, providing a tube and then controlling thickness of the tube by a drawing and extruding process for forming a molding portion. Second, plasticize other portions of the tube into particular diameters and shapes by plasticizing processes. Third, hydroform the molding portion of the tube by a mold and a hydroforming device for forming particular three-dimensional shapes. By applying to the above-mentioned method, the tube could be molded into a three-dimensional, unique and delicate shape.