Abstract: An apparatus for securing a trim cover to a foam pad includes a base and a platform coupled thereto that defines a working surface for supporting the foam pad thereon. A plurality of actuators project from the working surface. Each actuator is capable of movement away from and toward the working surface and includes a pair of retaining fingers capable of movement between an open and closed position. In use, the retaining fingers grasp a first connecting member on the trim cover and move the first connecting member toward the working surface as the actuators are moved toward the working surface so as to engage the first connecting member with a second connecting member in the foam pad thereby securing the trim cover to the foam pad.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus to be attached to the wall port for dialysate tubing to assist hemodialysis medical staff with disconnecting the dialysate tubing wand from its wall port. The apparatus uses the lever mechanism to minimize the force applied in this procedure and changes the forceful pulling motion to an effortless squeezing of the hand. The apparatus (11) comprises a holder (12) having a round hole (13) through which a wall port can fit snugly and grooves (16) that fit and allow movement of an L-shaped lever (14), an L-shaped lever (14) attaching to the holder (12) via a straight pin (15) that goes through holes (17) on the holder (12) and lever (14), holds the lever (14) and holder (12) together, and forms an axle along which the lever (14) rotates. When the handle of the lever (14) is squeezed, the working end of the lever (14) protrudes out of the holder (12) and pushes out the wand from its attached wall port.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly of sheet materials in which a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are disposed in an overlapping relationship, with a plurality of joint portions being formed therebetween by drawing an overlapping part of the first and second sheets of materials at a plurality of positions. The plurality of joint portions includes at least one first joint portion in which the first sheet of material is laterally extruded into the second sheet of material and at least one second joint portion in which the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material are in contact with each other in a cup-like surface configuration.

Abstract: An enhanced automatic riveting system of the type used in robotised precision facilities to perform multiple functions, such as boring, reaming, rivet insertion, riveting, cleaning, etc. at a single work point, using the same equipment, characterised by the fact that it uses a multi-tool head, which does not move itself but is fixed on a parallel kinematic machine, which carries out all the combined positioning movements of the multi-tool head, performing the relevant position corrections between the different physical locations of the separate tools placed in the tool-holder head.

Abstract: A lead hole is formed in a base material of an injection hole member with a straight punch, and then, a taper hole is formed in the base material by widening the lead hole with a taper punch. An intersection line between a virtual plane perpendicular to a central axis of the lead hole and an inner peripheral surface of the lead hole is elliptic in shape, whose major axis is directed along an intersection line between a virtual plane, which includes the central axis of the lead hole and a thickness direction axis of the base material, and the virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the lead hole. An intersection line between a virtual plane perpendicular to a central axis of the taper punch and an outer peripheral surface of the taper punch is round in shape.

Abstract: A probe includes a substrate and a tetragonal structure disposed on the substrate that has four end points. Three of the end points are disposed adjacent to the substrate. A fourth of the end points extends outwardly and substantially normal to the substrate. In a method of making a probe tip, a plurality of tetrapods are grown and at least one of the tetrapods is placed on a substrate at a selected location. The tetrapod is affixed to the substrate at the selected location.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of single crystal silicon micromechanical resonators using a two-wafer process, including either a Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) or insulating base and resonator wafers, wherein resonator anchors, a capacitive air gap, isolation trenches, and alignment marks are micromachined in an active layer of the base wafer; the active layer of the resonator wafer is bonded directly to the active layer of the base wafer; the handle and dielectric layers of the resonator wafer are removed; viewing windows are opened in the active layer of the resonator wafer; masking the single crystal silicon semiconductor material active layer of the resonator wafer with photoresist material; a single crystal silicon resonator is machined in the active layer of the resonator wafer using silicon dry etch micromachining technology; and the photoresist material is subsequently dry stripped.

Abstract: A plurality of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips with different functions is provided. Each of the ASICs performs one or more functions along an ultrasound data path. The chips include communications protocols or processes for allowing scaling. For example, ASICs for backend processing include data exchange ports for communicating between other ASICs of the same type. As another example, receive beamformer ASICs cascade for beamformation. By providing ASICs implementing many or most of the ultrasound data path functions, with scalability, the same ASICs may be used for different system designs. A family of systems from high end to low-end using the same types of ASICs, but in different configurations, is provided.

Abstract: A hollow waveguide has a metal-clad pipe having an inside metal layer and an outside metal layer, and a hollow region formed inside of the metal-clad pipe. The metal-clad pipe is formed by pressure-bonding metal pipes each of which is made of a metal material different from each other.

Abstract: A method for constructing a magnetoresistive sensor that avoids shadowing effects of a mask structure during sensor definition. The method includes the use of an antireflective coating (ARC) and a photosensitive mask deposited there over. The photosensitive mask is formed to cover a desired sensor area, leaving non-sensor areas exposed. A reactive ion etch is performed to transfer the pattern of the photosensitive mask onto the underlying ARC layer. The reactive ion etch (RIE) is performed with a relatively high amount of platen power. The higher platen power increases ion bombardment of the wafer, thereby increasing the physical (ie mechanical) component of material removal relative to the chemical component. This increase in the physical component of material removal result in an increased rate of removal of the photosensitive mask material relative to the ion mill resistant mask.

Abstract: In order to improve tranquility and controllability of an iron core-equipped permanent magnet motor with an improvement of a maximum energy product (BH)max by improving a shape compatibility of a radial anisotropic magnet, there is provided a radial anisotropic magnet manufacturing method of fixing magnet powder in a net shape so as to maintain a magnetic anisotropic (C-axis) angle of a magnet with respect to a tangential line and for performing a deformation with a flow so as to have a predetermined circular arc shape or a predetermined annular shape. Particularly, by performing a deformation with a viscous flow or an extension flow, a deformability of the magnet is improved, and thus a shape compatibility with respect to a thickness is improved. AC-axis angle ? with respect to a tangential direction is controlled at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary angle so as to reduce cogging torque without separating a magnetic pole into segments.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a powder magnetic core, magnetic layer green sheets is formed by using magnetic metal particles-having an insulating oxide layer on a surface thereof, and insulating layer green sheets are formed by using insulating particles. The magnetic layer green sheet and the insulating layer green sheet are alternately laminated, and the layers are press molded.

Abstract: An iron core includes an electromagnetic steel plate having a first region on the surface of which an insulating film is formed and a second region which is not covered with the insulating film and exposed, and a coating member which coats at least the second region. The second region is formed by removing the insulating film by machining.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of components on a board. The apparatus is provided with a board holding device for holding the board at a board holding position, a first mounting head for holding and taking out a component fed from a first component feeding position and mounting the component on the board held at the board holding position, a second mounting head for holding and taking out the component fed from a second component feeding position and mounting the component on the held board, and a component feeding device having a wafer holding table for holding a wafer on which the respective components are fed so that the wafer holding table can be moved reciprocationally between the first component feeding position and the second component feeding position.

Abstract: An exemplary method for manufacturing flexible printed circuit board is provided. A metal foil is supplied from a first feeding roller. The metal foil has a first surface and a second surface on two opposite sides of the metal foil. A first coverlay having a number of first openings defined therein is supplied from a second feeding roller and laminated on the first surface of the metal foil. Electrical traces are formed with the metal foil. A second coverlay having a number of second openings defined therein is supplied from a third feeding roller and laminated on the second surface of the metal foil. Each of the second openings registers with the respective first opening so that the electrical traces are exposed from the corresponding first and second openings. The method can improve quality and efficiency of manufacturing flexible printed circuit boards in a hollowed out form.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube template arrays may be edited to form connections between proximate nanotubes and/or to delete undesired nanotubes or nanotube junctions.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of utilizing removable mechanical precising mechanisms and/or optical-based precising mechanisms to align chips within sockets. The sockets can be configured so that compression of the sockets opens a clamping mechanism. A chip can be placed within a socket with a manipulator and aligned during compression of the socket. Subsequently, the compression of the socket can be released while the manipulator remains in contact with the chip to hold the chip in place until the clamping mechanism is retaining the chip in the socket. The chip can then be released from the manipulator. The invention also includes systems for utilizing removable nests to align various chip geometries within generic socket designs.

Abstract: In an electronic component mounting method of mounting electronic components on a substrate by means of soldering by using an electronic component mounting system having a screen printing apparatus and an electronic component mounting apparatus connected to each other to manufacture a mounting substrate, prior to a screen printing process, the positions of pattern holes provided in a screen mask are measured to calculate mask aperture data, and the coordinates of a mounting position when a component mounting operation is performed by a mounting head are calculated, on the basis of the mask aperture data. In this way, it is possible to calculate the positional deviation of solder, without measuring the position of solder after printing whenever the solder is printed, and to prevent defects in mounting due to the positional deviation of solder, which results in high productivity.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a multilayer wiring board, by which interlayer connection is efficiently performed and a non-penetrating hole having a hollow structure or a through hole can be formed at the same time without damaging a plated portion on the inner wall of the through hole. A first printed board (1) is provided with a wiring, which has a wiring section and a bump mounting pad (14), and a substrate section. The method is provided with a step of forming a solder bump (3) on at least a bump mounting pad on the first printed board or a pad section of a second printed board (2) having the pad section (15) by using a solder paste, and a step of bonding the first printed board and the second printed board in layers by having an insulating adhesive (4) between the first printed board and the second printed board and electrically connecting the first printed board with the second printed board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an exposure unit forming an electrostatic latent image on a photo conductor based on image information, a developing unit developing the electrostatic latent image by toner made of formation material of a circuitry layer, and an electrostatic transferring unit transferring a toner image on the photo conductor onto a substrate. The toner image is transferred so as to cover at least a part of a conductor layer formed on the substrate. At this time, excessive charges caused in the conductor layer accompanying the start of the transfer of the toner image are removed. Alternatively, charges of which polarity is reverse to that of the toner are added to the conductor layer. These allow the circuitry layer to be formed to have a desired pattern favorably and securely on the conductor layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head including a plurality of passages on a substrate, the passages communicating with a plurality of discharge ports configured to discharge liquid. The method includes the step of forming first to fourth patterns, the first pattern having a shape of one passage of the passages, the second pattern having a shape of other passage of the passages, the third pattern being formed near the first pattern, the fourth pattern being formed near the second pattern, the first to fourth patterns being formed on the substrate. The method also includes coating the substrate with a cover layer covering the first to fourth patterns, removing the first pattern to form the one passage, and removing the second pattern to form the other passage.

Abstract: A connection part is attached to an end of a liquid delivery tube, the connection part being provided with a flow path for changing the flowing direction of a liquid.

Abstract: A wheel puller assembly for forcibly removing a road wheel from a hub and axle associated with a tracked vehicle. The road wheel further includes outer and inner wheel components bolted to a circular array of lugs extending from the vehicle hub. The assembly includes a substantially flattened and plate-shaped base, a leg extending upwardly from the base and which is typically pivotally connected thereto. A powered cylinder secures to an upper end location of the leg and includes first and second telescoping components terminating in a clamp exhibiting a plurality of radially outwardly extending claws. The claws terminate in inwardly directed fingers for engaging respective locations along an annular rim associated with at least one of the outer and inner road wheel components. The clamp is adapted to engaging a location associated with the road wheel and in order to apply at least one of a pulling and twisting force to forcibly remove the road wheel from the hub.

Abstract: Dental instruments and appliances are manufactured from a superelastic alloy, which includes atoms from the group IVB and group VB transition metals and oxygen so as to exhibit superior strength and flexibility. The metal alloys are cold worked to increase the tensile strength of the dental instruments and appliances. Cold working the metal also increases the flexibility of the dental instruments and appliances and prevents work hardening. Dental instruments made from the superelastic alloy exhibit higher strength, flexibility, resistance to work hardening, and biocompatibility compared to dental instruments made from nickel-titanium alloys. In one particular example a super-elastic endodontic file is described.

Abstract: The invention discloses a holder for a razor head. The holder includes a mounting base thereon defining a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a holding member which includes a first holding part and a second holding part for holding the razor head, and an actuating member. The first holding part and the second holding part are engaged to the mounting base and capable of sliding along the first direction. The actuating member is engaged to the mounting base and capable of sliding along the second direction. When the actuating member slides along the positive of the second direction, the first holding part and the second holding part slide toward each other along the first direction; when the actuating member slides along the negative of the second direction, the first holding part and the second holding part slide oppositely along the first direction.

Abstract: A hand held appliance including a handle, a head part for use in performing a treatment on a body of a user of the appliance, an electrically operable vibration generating device, and a control device to control operation of the vibration generating device. The control device is proximity or touch sensitive and has a sensor element located at the head part. The vibration generating device is actuated in response to a user of the appliance moving the head part into close proximity to, or into contact with, the body for treating the body.

Abstract: A knife with a handle capable of adjustable weight configurations. The handle is hollow such that the weight balance between the handle and blade may be adjusted through the selective use of one or more removable weights that form part of an axially oriented weight mounting assembly. A user may add or remove weights until a desired knife balance is achieved.

Abstract: A power cutter comprising: a housing 2; an engine 24 mounted within the housing 2; a support arm 7 mounted on the housing and which projects forward of the housing; a blade mounting mechanism rotatably mounted on the end of the support arm and which is capable of being rotationally driven by the engine 24 when the engine is running; a cutting blade having a circular central hole and which mounts on and is rotationally driven by the blade mounting mechanism; a liquid fuel aeration mechanism 126 to generate aerated fuel for the engine; an air intake 314 for the provision of air for the liquid fuel aeration device 126; an air filtration mechanism 316 to filter the air drawn in from the air intake for the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; a fuel tank 124 for providing fuel to the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; and an exhaust 146 through which the exhaust gases generated by the operation of the engine are expelled; wherein the blade mounting mechanism comprises: a spindle 70 rotatably mounted on the support arm and

Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: A method of cutting a workpiece using an endless band saw blade and a band saw machine are provided. The method includes suspending the endless band saw blade between a driving wheel and a driven wheel such that the workpiece may be cut by the endless band saw blade, applying at least a first pulse and a second pulse to a first motor rotating the driving wheel and a second motor rotating the driven wheel, respectively, wherein the pulses have phases opposite to each other, and cutting the workpiece. The band saw machine includes an endless band saw blade suspended between a driving wheel having a first motor and a driven wheel having a second motor. The band saw machine further includes a pulse applying module that applies at least a first pulse and a second pulse to the first motor and the second motor, respectively, wherein the pulses have phases opposite to each.

Abstract: A chain saw includes a body in which an engine for driving a saw chain is laterally housed; a top handle provided above the body; and a muffler arranged below the engine, in which an exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust from the body side to the outside opens forward from the body side. Accordingly, not only the exhaust can be discharged forward from the side of the body, but also the exhaust sound can be propagated forward so that less exhaust sound is heard by the operator, thereby improving the work environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auto tensioner of a chain saw. A spiral guide groove (16) of the disk (15) engages with a protrusion 10a of a slider piece (10) and the slider piece (10) is slidably stored in a guide portion (9) formed in a chain cover (2) via a spring (14). A tensioner (11) comprising a protrusion (11) engaged with a guide bar is slidably stored in the slider piece 10 via a coin spring (12). The protrusion (10a) contacts an outer circumference face of the spiral guide groove on a diameter passing through a rotating center of the disk, and an unshown nut for engaging with a stud bolt 6 provided on an engine cover side is attached on the rotating center of the disk (15). A rotation of the disk enables to fix the chain cover (2) and move the guide bar.

Abstract: A power cutter comprising: a housing 2; an engine 24 mounted within the housing 2; a support arm 7 mounted on the housing and which projects forward of the housing; a blade mounting mechanism 70,90, 86, 92 rotatably mounted on the end of the support arm and which is capable of being rotationally driven by the engine 24 when the engine is running; a liquid fuel aeration mechanism 126 to generate aerated fuel for the engine; an air intake 314 for the provision of air for the liquid fuel aeration device 126; an air filtration mechanism 316 to filter the air drawn in from the air intake for the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; a fuel tank 124 for providing fuel to the liquid fuel aeration mechanism; and an exhaust 146 through which the exhaust gases generated by the operation of the engine are expelled; wherein the air filtration mechanism comprises an air filter 320 comprising a plurality of pleats which hang substantially vertically downwardly when the power cutter is in its standard orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held circular saw with an integrated dust collection system. Such saw may include an upper blade guard for protecting the user from a saw blade, the upper blade guard configured with a front region and a back region, the front region including a hollow channel to control the pathway of dust and debris and a dust collection system incorporated within the front region of the upper blade guard allowing dust and debris to be directed away from the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a razor implement which can be satisfactorily used by those who are accustomed to using razor implements, and exhibits an extremely high safety during shaving. The razor implement of the first present invention is a razor implement in which a safety guard 30 having slits exposing the blade edge of a blade by specified intervals and bridges covering the blade edge at a plurality of positions is mounted on the blade fitted at the tip part of a handle, and the slits of the safety guard 30 are constituted by providing the first slits 33 formed at the central part of the blade edge, the second slits 34 formed with smaller widths than the widths of the first slits on the tip side of the blade edge, and the third slits 35 formed with smaller widths than the widths of the first slits on the proximal end part side of the blade edge.

Abstract: A personal razor device includes a primary cutting head having a primary cutting member. A primary handle includes one end coupled to the primary cutting head. The razor device includes an auxiliary cutting member and an auxiliary handle coupled to the auxiliary cutting member. The auxiliary cutting member is removably coupled to the primary handle. In a first configuration, the auxiliary cutting member is positioned inside a hollow cavity defined by the primary handle whereas in a second configuration, the auxiliary cutting member is outside the primary handle. The primary and auxiliary handles may each include one of a protrusion and receiving element having complementary configurations. Interaction between these structures may selectively couple the primary and auxiliary handles together. These structures may be configured so that the auxiliary cutting member is adjacent a first end of the primary handle or adjacent a second end of the primary handle.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame shape measuring apparatus comprises: a frame holding unit which holds a eyeglass frame in a desired position; a rotary base; a feeler holding unit which comprises a support shaft to which a feeler for measurement is attached, a first arm for holding the support shaft, an elastic body for urging the first arm so that the support shaft is urged outward with respect to a rotation center axis of the rotary base, and a first arm holding unit for holding the first arm to enable the support shaft to be inclined with respect to the rotation center axis; a detecting unit which detects movement of the first arm; and an arithmetic unit which obtains a three-dimensional movement position of the feeler to obtain the three-dimensional shape of the rim, on the basis of rotation of the rotary base and results of detection of the detecting unit.

Abstract: An archery peep sight including first and second, non-interlocking housing members that fully enclose and clampingly engage separated strands of a bowstring, thereby avoiding the need for serving. The sight is formed of high-strength, lightweight material, is generally elliptical in shape and interiorly captures two separated strands of a bowstring along its opposed longitudinal sides. By fully enclosing the bowstring strands, the sight resists ingress of moisture, debris other undesirable matter that might hinder operation of the sight or deteriorate the bowstring at the sight location. In addition, the non-interlocking nature of the first and second housing members permits them to be easily and non-destructively removed from a bowstring whenever desired or necessary.

Abstract: Archery range finders and lenses for archery range finders, the archery range finders being intended to be mounted on an archery bow. The archery range finders allow for the archer to place the lens on the target and obtain an immediate reading of the distance that the target is from the shooter and enables the shooter to place the proper distance pin on the target without having to do any mechanical adjustments and without having to guess the distance of the target from the shooter.

Abstract: An object is to provide a very novel and highly practical level in which mass productivity is good, in which the bubble position is easily corrected, and which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Abstract: A tool for qualitatively measuring a feature of a skate blade.

Abstract: An exemplary contour measuring probe includes a guide (12), a movable rack, a counter-balancing mechanism, a linear measuring scale (24), and a displacement sensor (26). The movable rack comprises a tip extension (20) for touching a surface of an object. The tip extension (20) is pushed to move towards the object under a gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The counter-balancing mechanism is configured to partially counter balance the gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The linear measuring scale (24) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (26) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (24).

Abstract: An exemplary contour measuring probe (10) includes a tube guide (12), a tip extension (20), a pair of hollow tubes (16), a plurality of pipes (104, 106), a linear measuring scale (18), and a displacement sensor (19). The tip extension (20) is configured to touch a surface of an object (50). The hollow tubes (16) are configured to be driven by a flux of air to push the tip extension (20) to move. The pipes (104, 106) are obliquely disposed in a tube guide (12) relative to the hollow tubes (16). The pipes (104, 106) allow the flux of air to be pumped on a sidewall of the hollow tubes (16). A part of the flux of air is ejected out of the tube guide (12). The linear measuring scale (18) and the displacement sensor (19) are respectively fixed relative to one of the tube guide (12) and the tip extension (20). The linear measuring scale (18) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (19) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for sealing of a pocket space between drying cylinders (2, 3) in a paper machine or similar. In the method for sealing of the pocket space: a wire (5) is moved supported by the first and the second cylinder (2, 3, 4), a gap between the pocket space (15) and the space outside (24) it is sealed by a runnability component (6), which comprises at least a sealing surface (19, 22) and a blow nozzle (21) provided with a nozzle slot (26) of a size of 0.5-3.5 mm and elongated in the cross direction, the sealing surface (19, 22) is kept at a distance of 5-15 mm from the moving wire (5), air is blown with the blow nozzle (21) from a blow point (27) and along the sealing surface (22) towards a sealing point (16) and further via the sealing point (16) away (24) from the pocket space. The invention comprises also a runnability component (6) and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a far infrared drying apparatus, including: at least one far infrared drying unit, which is heated by an electric heating element and converts heat energy into far infrared rays, namely, electromagnetic wave energy: a support name for supporting the at least one far infrared driving unit; a moving device for moving the support frame; and a waveguide for guiding the far infrared rays over a long distance onto an object to be dried.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an dryer in the dryer section (26) of a machine for treating or producing a web (12). This drying section (26) has, amongst other things, a burner assembly (10), wherein this burner assembly (10) is adapted to produce a flame (14) and exhaust gases (18). Either said flame (14) or the exhaust gases (18) or both are in direct contact with the web (12) to be dried. The flame (14) or the exhaust gases (18) or both cover the maximum width of the web (12) to be dried and this at a temperature exceeding 600° C., e.g. above 700° C., e.g. 800° C., preferably 1000° C. and more. By applying such a high temperature to the web (12) to be dried, one achieves a large temperature difference, resulting in a better heat transfer Considering the theoretical equation of heat transfer qx=kx. Ax.DTx, it is evident that because of the large temperature difference, the dimensions of the system can be reduced and/or the efficiency of the drying process can be refined.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nozzle insert for use in a drying machine of the type used in paper web drying. The nozzle insert of the present invention includes at least one intake having a central portion, wherein a pair of center vanes is disposed for directing airflow. The central portion is bounded by at least one turning vane adapted for directing airflow in a lateral direction. For each turning vane, there is at least one straightening vane adapted for curtailing swirling of the airflow. The vanes are oriented at optimal angles for directing the flow of the nozzle in a lateral direction, while permitting some air to penetrate the central portion through a series of ports. The intakes are bounded by a series of insulated bulkheads, which serve to direct airflow and contain heat-loss through thermal emission.

Abstract: In a high heel shoe the heel seat is angled upwards approximately 3-5 degrees. The insole follows the natural shape of the inside long arch of the foot so that the medial arch of the foot is raised higher than the lateral arch of the foot in order to support the natural angle of the calcaneus, the navicular, the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal. The angle of the heel seat is more acute relative to the ground looking from the lateral side of the shoe. A triangular dome bump on the insole of the shoe has one corner behind the second metatarsal head, a second corner behind the fourth metatarsal head and the final corner near mid-foot. Material is added beneath the sole of the insole so that the greatest thickness is beneath the metatarsal heads and tapers to zero at the end of the insole toward the toes.

Abstract: A snowshoe accessory is provided. The snowshoe accessory can be purchased at low cost as an after-market device and be installed easily by the purchaser on his/her own snowshoes for upgrading them or snowshoes can also be purchased along with the snowshoe accessory already installed. The snowshoe accessory is to be installed on snowshoes having a tubular outside frame to provide lateral longitudinal crampons for preventing side-sliding. Lateral longitudinal crampons are disposed in a region proximate to the portion of the snowshoe where the weight of the snowshoer is applied—i.e., near the foot pivot system and the heel stand—and penetrate in the snow to efficiently prevent side-sliding when snowshoeing on a tilted snow surface for example and to provide additional traction. A snowshoe accessory without crampon can also be provided to provide spacing between the tubular frame and the ground in order to prevent early wear out of the pivot strap or the deck.