Abstract: A climbing apparatus that rests on a surface includes a flip ladder that can move between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. The apparatus includes a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder that moves with the flip ladder between the straight configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder in a stowed position and a stepladder configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface in an open position. A method for climbing includes the steps of moving a flip ladder between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. There is the step of moving a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder from a stowed position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder to an opened position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: A method of positioning a shoe member and a keel assembly relative to a housing of a jigsaw is provided. The method may include securing the keel assembly to the housing so that the keel assembly extends from the housing beyond the shoe member. The housing and the keel assembly may be pivoted relative to the shoe member in a manner such that a position of the housing relative to the keel assembly remains unchanged. A portion of the keel assembly may be uncoupled from the housing.

Abstract: A method for a standalone open frame in one example is configured to support a rack-mount electronic component of a predetermined size selected from any of a plurality of predetermined sizes. The standalone open frame is configured to securely engage the rack-mount electronic component through employment of at least one set of rack-mount adapters that is configured for the predetermined size of the rack-mount electronic component.

Abstract: A closure 10 is provided for retaining fluid pressure within a vessel, and comprises a hub 12 having an access opening to the vessel, with the hub having a circumferential stop 17 and one or more recesses 50 each extending radially outward from an adjacent inner surface 26 of the hub. A door 22 is positioned between the stop surface and the vessel, and a latch member 30 brings the door into sealing engagement with the stop member. One or more lugs 24 each extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the door, such that a respective lug engages the hub about a respective recess to seal the door to the hub, while the door may be moved to pass through the one or more recesses and out of the hub.

Abstract: A filter assembly with a replaceable filter element and a reusable filter housing, which incorporates a locking mechanism to ensure that the filter system will not be operated without a filter element installed.

Abstract: A window glass, particularly for installation by adhesive bonding in an opening of a vehicle bodywork, comprises a sheet of glass with a profiled bead that is fixed at least to the main surface of the sheet of glass facing toward the interior in the installed state and that rests against at least part of the opening. The use of such a window glass makes it possible, once the window glass has been installed in the bodywork opening, to obtain a visible space less than 5 mm between the opening and the edge face of the window glass.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: An object connector is described to include at least one arm and at least one slot. The arm of the object connector includes a channel for gripping an object. The slot of the object connector includes at least one undulating side designed to receive another object connector. The object connector can include more than one arm or more than one slot. The object connector described herein can be used with both common household objects and specially designed objects to build desired structures or assemblies. The object connector described herein can be made of many different materials depending upon the purpose the object connector is designed for, which includes entertainment, industrial application, household use, etc.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component and a second component together, wherein each said component comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component and keyways of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components such that the keyways intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways; and, extending a keyway connector comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways of the keyway arrangements. In the slip flange assembly 1001 embodiment shown, the first and second components are each in the form of a pipe (1002, 1003) or tube, the keyway arrangements are in the form of collars (1004, 1008) that extend around abutting ends of said pipes (1002, 1003) or tubes, and the keyway connector (1015) is annular.

Abstract: A fastening system and method of use is disclosed. The fastening system includes a substrate, an aperture and a fastener. The fastener includes flexible wings that allow for insertion of the fastener into an aperture of a vehicle component.

Abstract: A threaded element in the shape of a wire thread insert with a specific geometric design is disclosed. This threaded element contains, in particular, a narrowed helical winding of at least two helical winding sections that enclose one or a plurality of sequential secants. Based on this geometric design of the threaded element, a matched installation process is described.

Abstract: A method of assembling an orthopaedic implant includes positioning a first orthopaedic component in contact with a second orthopaedic component and coupling the first orthopaedic component to the second orthopaedic component with a bolt. The method also includes applying an empirically-determined starting torque to the bolt such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a first predetermined clamp load. The bolt is then rotated by an empirically-determined rotation angle such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a second predetermined clamp load.

Abstract: A fabricating process for a multi-layer printed circuit board containing embedded passive components is provided. The method includes a calibration step wherein a calibration measurement is taken of the geometry or at least one electrical parameter of an arrangement of calibration test points for a circuit forming process, such as masking, etching and/or lamination. A process control step is performed during the process, wherein a process control measurement is taken of at least one electrical parameter at one or more process control test points along one or more axes outside areas in which a circuit is to be formed. An analysis is performed of at least the calibration measurement and the process control measurement to calculate a CAD geometry change required to improve precision of embedded passive components to be printed on the multi-layer printed circuit board.

Abstract: Electronic components each having a chip module with module contacts and an antenna having antenna contacts is made by securing a plurality of the chip modules the inner face of a module film strip having an outer periphery projecting past the chip module with the chip modules spaced from one another at a uniform predetermined module spacing. A plurality of the antennas are secured to an inner face of an elongated antenna strip with the antennas spaced from one another by a predetermined antenna spacing. The module strip is longitudinally subdivided into sections each of which is of a length equal to the predetermined module spacing and each of which carries a respective chip module. The module-strip sections are pressed against the antenna strip such that the module contacts of each of the chip modules engage and bear on the antenna contacts of a respective antenna.

Abstract: An alloy resistor and a fabrication method thereof are provided. A fabrication method of an alloy resistor includes: providing an alloy sheet having a plurality of openings spacing apart from each other and going through the alloy sheet and a plurality of alloy resistor units located between any two adjacent openings, wherein each of the alloy resistor units has an insulating cover area and a plurality of electrode ends on both sides of the insulating cover area; forming an insulating layer on a surface of the insulating cover area of the alloy resistor units by an electrodeposition coating process; cutting the alloy along a connecting portion, so as to obtain separated alloy resistor units; and forming a conductive adhesion material on the electrode ends of the alloy resistor units. An alloy resistor having an insulating layer with a smooth surface can be obtained by performing an electrodeposition coating process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board having a flow preventing dam, including: applying a dry film resist on a base substrate having a solder pad, and then primarily exposing the dry film resist to light; secondarily exposing the primarily exposed dry film resist formed on a peripheral area of the base substrate to light, thus forming a flow preventing dam; removing the unexposed dry film resist to expose the solder pad, thus forming an opening; printing the opening with a solder paste, and then forming a solder bump through a reflow process; and removing the primarily exposed dry film resist

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, including providing a core substrate having an electronic component accommodated in the core substrate; forming a positioning mark on the core substrate; forming an interlayer insulating layer over the core substrate, the positioning mark and the electronic component; forming a via hole opening connecting to the electronic component through the interlayer insulating layer in accordance with the positioning mark on the core substrate; and forming a via hole structure in the via hole opening in the interlayer insulating layer such that the via hole structure is electrically connected to the electronic component.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal, includes crimping a barrel portion of the terminal onto a core wire constructed of metal wires and creating a crack in a metal oxide layer immediately before the crimping. The metal oxide layer is formed on a metal surface of the core wire. The creating of crack is accomplished by applying a mechanical force to the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: According to the present method, a paste-type electrode of lead-acid battery in which a space in the lower surface side of an electrode is favorably filled with a paste-like active material so that inner ribs of a current collector forming a grid shape does not remain exposed. The current collector is filled with a paste-like active material to obtain an electrode when the current collector passes below a filler including a hopper for containing the paste-like active material. An electrode surface is pressed during transfer of the electrode before the fed paste-like active material is hardened.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and system for installing components for an offshore wind turbine assembly independent of cranes and derricks. The components are stored in an offshore structure, such as a Spar. After transporting the offshore structure horizontally to a site, the structure can be uprighted to a vertical orientation. A variable ballast component coupled to a tower of the wind turbine assembly can reciprocally retract the tower into the offshore structure to lower the tower, and extend the tower away from the offshore structure to raise the tower until the full quantity of blades are assembled to a turbine coupled to the tower. When the blades are stored in a peripheral fashion around the tower, the method and system provides for automatic rotational indexing of the tower as the tower and turbine retract and extend, so the turbine is progressively aligned with each blade to be installed.

Abstract: A method of making a combustion turbine component includes forming a metallic body by direct metal fabrication (DMF) to have at least one surface portion defining a first plurality of surface cooling features each having a first dimension and at least one second surface cooling feature on at least one of the first plurality of surface cooling features and having a second dimension less than said first dimension and less than 200 ?m. Forming the metallic body by DMF may include forming a plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies by DMF and assembling the plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies together to form a metallic greenbody assembly. The metallic greenbody assembly may be sintered to thereby form the metallic body.

Abstract: Compression springs, such as helical compression springs, include end portions with selectively contoured inner contact surfaces. The selective contours of the inner contact surfaces may take the form of planar, grooved, concave, or other shaped, non-circular surfaces. In addition, enough of the inner contact surface is contoured to reduce the contact stress and/or stress concentration effects on the adjacent coils when the compression spring is placed under load and the adjacent coil engages or contacts the respective end portion. The selective contouring of the end portions may be accomplished by holding the spring in a holder and moving a cutter relative to the end portion of the spring to remove the desired amount of material from the end portion.

Abstract: A novel razor cartridge is disclosed including at least one erodible label disposed onto at least one exterior surface of at least one razor cartridge component via label transfer technologies (e.g., heat transfer process). The erodible label is comprised substantially of a water soluble polymer (from about 10% to about 100% water soluble polymer by weight of composition), may wear off completely after about 2 to 10 shaves, and may include a plurality of erodible labels each with a different composition. An adhesive layer may be disposed above or below the erodible label. Further, the label may provide functional and/or aesthetic benefits, serve as cues or indicia communicated or obtained to the user before, during or after use of the razor product. In one embodiment, a water droplet label on the lube ring provides moisturization benefits during use and also conveys these benefits to the consumer before use (e.g., lubriciousness).

Abstract: A Motorized shaving apparatus head and motorized shaving apparatus incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a shaving apparatus comprising: an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis; a power source; a head coupled to a distal end of the elongated handle, the head having a working surface with a longitudinal width of 40-44 mm and a transverse width of 14-16 mm; the working surface comprising a fixed blade having a cutting edge; a rotary cutter having cutting edges disposed within the head, the cutting edges of the rotary cutter positioned adjacent the cutting edge of the fixed blade so that a user's hairs are sheared between the cutting edge of the fixed blade and the cutting edges of the rotary cutter when the rotary cutter is rotating; and a motor operably coupled to the rotary cutter to rotate the rotary cutter about axis.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously cutting and coloring a craft item which comprises a first cutting blade having a first handle, a set of apertures, an outside inclined surface and an inside planar surface; a second cutting blade having a second handle; a reservoir containing a coloring substance; a coloring-substance-distributor; and at least one connection tube in communication with the set of apertures, the reservoir and the coloring-substance-distributor. The first cutting blade is pivotally mounted relative to the second cutting blade. The reservoir and the coloring-substance-distributor are connected via the connection tube which communicates the coloring substance such that the coloring substance may be deposited on the craft item during a cutting activity. The coloring-substance-distributor is activated via sliding the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade against each other and creating a wicking capillary movement of the coloring substance onto the craft item.

Abstract: A folding knife with retractable pocket clip that moves in an arc between retracted and deployed positions generally within the same pivot plane as a pivotally folding blade and whose movement between retracted and deployed positions is coordinated through direct contact with the blade so that the clip is automatically deployed for use as the blade is pivoted into a storage position and automatically retracted when the blade is pivoted to a position for use. The pocket clip is configured to be uniquely sheltered from snagging hazards and to secure the folding knife to a pocket by means of a unique retentive characteristic resulting from localized tension advantageously generated along the pocket edge and maintained by compression exerted upon the body of the knife as it rests within the pocket.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to achieve the practicable use of a pair of barber scissors having a sliding-cutting function. In the barber scissors configured of blade bodies each including a cutting blade and handle, a gear accommodation hole is formed at a pivotal joint intersection of one blade body; a rack is formed on the inner-surface of the gear accommodation hole; and a guide groove is formed in the outer-surface of the blade body. In the pivotal joint shaft position of the other blade body, a pinion having arc-shaped teeth to engage with the rack is mounted to rotate together with the blade body; a guide member having a projection to fit into the guide grove is disposed striding the outer-surface of the gear accommodation hole; and a nut is screwed and mounted on the pivotal joint screw shaft protruding from a shaft hole of the guide member.

Abstract: A grass-cutting head (10) comprising a spool (11) for winding at least one cutting line and a housing (12) for the cutting line, wherein said housing (12) comprises a first part (13) and a second part (14) coupled to each other so as to allow at least one reciprocal angular movement around the axis (X) of rotation of the grass-cutting head. The housing (12) presents at least one passage (31) towards the outside for the cutting line. On the spool (11) is defined at least one inserting portion (33) for inserting the cutting line so that to a rotation of the spool corresponds a winding or an unwinding of the line. Means (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) are furthermore present for winding the cutting line on the spool (11) and matching means (35, 36) for matching the angular position of the portion (33) of insertion on the spool (11) with said passage towards the outside (31) of the housing, suitable to facilitate the operations of inserting the cutting line in the spool (11).

Abstract: A hand-held jigsaw includes a saw blade and control element for automating a tracking the saw blade, the hand-held jigsaw, or both along layout lines. A sensor, preferably a camera unit, detects a layout line provided on a work piece.

Abstract: An engraving needle holder is disclosed which mounts an engraving needle to a needle bar when an engraving process is executed for a workpiece by moving the engraving needle upward and downward by making use of drive of the needle bar provided on a sewing machine. The engraving needle holder includes a mounted part which is mountable to a fixing part of a lower end of the needle bar into which a handle of the needle is inserted to be fixed, with the needle being removed, a supporting member located at a lower end side of the mounting part so that a base of the engraving needle is mounted to it so as to be positionally adjustable, and an adjusting mechanism which adjusts a mounting height position of the engraving needle relative to the supporting member.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar to which an engraving needle is attached and is capable of executing an engraving process of forming an engraved pattern on a workpiece. The sewing machine further includes a heightwise position adjusting mechanism adjusting a mounting heightwise position of the engraving needle relative to the needle bar, a unit imaging the engraved marks formed on the workpiece by the engraving needle, thereby obtaining an image of each engraved mark, a detection unit extracting a region of each engraved mark from the image to detect a size of each engraved mark, a determination unit comparing the size of each engraved mark with a reference value stored, determining a mounting heightwise position of the engraving needle, and a unit informing of information for adjusting the mounting heightwise position of the engraving needle according to determination made by the determination unit.

Abstract: A bed for a measuring machine constituted by a frame provided with a pair of mutually parallel beams bearing guides for the mobile unit of the machine, and a workpiece table housed between the beams; the workpiece table and the frame are constrained to one another by constraint means that decouple the deformations thereof, and the frame comprises at least one cross-member connected to respective intermediate portions of the beams.

Abstract: The detection method is performed by a characteristic tool (1) constituting the detection device, incorporating a lateral tab (10) and a front end edge (11), so that when the tool is applied to determine whether a banded sleeve has migrated, it happens that if the same is located correctly, such side tab (10) is supported by its front seat (12) on a centered portion (13) of the free edge of the respective lug (4) of the hardware (5). In contrast, when the banded sleeve (2) has migrated axially moving from its location, in this case of anomaly, the front end edge (11) of the tool (1) will contact with the projection of the banded sleeve (2) instead of contacting the side tab (10) on the central portion (13).

Abstract: An upright hair dryer device includes a base that is adapted to support the hair dryer in a predetermined orientation, such as in an upright orientation. The base is configured to serve as a stable platform for the hair dryer so as to reduce the likelihood of the hair dryer undesirably toppling over.

Abstract: A laundry apparatus comprising a housing having an exterior and defining a recess opening to the exterior and a hanging assembly slidably disposed in the recess. In a stored position the hanging assembly is disposed at least partially in the recess and in a use position the hanging assembly is disposed at least partially exteriorly of the recess.

Abstract: A household appliance (100) comprises a cabinet (105) accommodating a drum for loading items to be dried and a drying air circuit for circulating drying air through the drum for drying the items therein. The drying air circuit comprises air heating elements (415) for heating the drying air fed to the drum, and the cabinet is provided with a worktop (110) defining a surface (130) having a plurality of apertures (135) in fluid communication with an air conveying system (205,225,230) adapted to deliver a flow of air through said apertures. The air conveying system comprises an air duct (230) thermally coupled to the air heating elements in such a way as to cause heat generated by the air heating elements to heat the air to be delivered through the apertures in the drying surface.

Abstract: A clothes dryer may rely on a hybrid heat source for drying clothes. In some embodiments, the clothes dryer may rely on a combination of electrical energy to power the clothes dryer and hydronic heat to dry clothes. The hydronic heat may, for example, use hot water from an outdoor wood boiler circulated into a hydronic coil. Air passing over the hydronic coil may be warmed and delivered to the clothes dryer. The hybrid heat clothes dryer may reduce energy consumption from about 27 amperes to about 3 amperes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for drying a fibrous web wherein the traveling fibrous web is acted upon by steam and hot, moist air in the region of a preceding drying zone and is then fed to the preceding drying zone of a downstream drying zone comprising a drying cylinder and a hood allocated thereto. Hot air is taken out of the hood allocated to the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone. To create at least a portion of the steam for the preceding drying zone, condensate and/or fresh water occurring in the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone is heated by the hot air taken out of the hood by means of a first heat exchanger. Alternatively or additionally for creating at least a portion of the hot, moist air for the preceding drying zone, the hot air taken out of the hood guided through the first heat exchanger is fed to the preceding drying zone.

Abstract: By means of the invention, a method and an apparatus (1) for the drying of goods, in particular for the convection drying of pastas, which are introduced from a first treatment zone (2) into a second treatment zone (3), are to be improved to the effect that the drying process has a lower energy consumption than conventional dryers and the surroundings of the dryer (1) are polluted only slightly by waste heat. Furthermore, the dryer (1) is to be designed in a structurally simple and cost-effective way. This object is achieved by means of a method for the drying of goods, in which the temperature in the first treatment zone (2) is on average lower than in the second treatment zone (3), and in which the energy obtained from the exhaust air of the first and/or the second treatment zone (2, 3) in at least one heat exchanger (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is introduced into the first treatment zone (2).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to lacing systems for tightening a shoe or other article. Some embodiments include a lace guide that includes a lace channel that is disposed below a portion of the shoe such that the lace channel is hidden from view, and an exposed end piece that is positioned on the exterior of the article such that the end piece is visible during use. The end piece can be generally bell-shaped and can provide a curved sliding surface for a lace to slide on when being tightened or loosened.

Abstract: An Achilles tendon stretching device can include manual or automatic mechanisms to allow incremental height changes to an insole placed within a walking boot, orthopedic shoe, or post surgical shoe, in order to allow more even and gradual and/or incremental stretching of the Achilles tendon. The height adjustment mechanisms can include mechanical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic adjustment mechanisms, as well as manual incremental removal of integrally formed layers of a heel wedge.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, perfect gait shoe includes the shape of the foot wear, the foot wear is divided into front section, mid section and rear section, the front section of the sole interfaces with the mid section at an angle of 45 to 95 degree, mid section interfaces with the rear section at an angle of 85 to 125 degree. The perfect gait shoe also includes a hard under sole with oval to varied shaped pockets filled with highly compressible material in the front section and the rear section of the foot wear; this provides cushioning of the fore foot and hind foot.

Abstract: Footwear including a sole, an upper, and a securement arrangement configured to secure the footwear to the foot of a wearer, where the sole and the upper delimit individual toe portions configured to receive, retain, and allow independent articulation of corresponding individual toes of a foot inserted in the footwear, and where the sole includes contouring and curvature which intimately corresponds to the shape of the foot.

Abstract: The invention provides bicycling shoes having soles containing materials of at least two different material densities configured to provide improved comfort, and fit for a wearer when walking or running in the shoes, while providing enhanced force transfer from the wearer to a bicycle pedal when bicycling in the shoes.

Abstract: A novel removable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of excavation with pointed cutting elements, comprising the steps of providing a excavating assembly with at least one pointed cutting element, the pointed cutting element comprising a rounded apex that intersects a central axis, the pointed cutting element further has a characteristic of having its highest impact resistance to resultant forces aligned with the central axis; engaging the at least one pointed cutting element against a formation such that the formation applies a resultant force against the pointed cutting element; determining an angle of the resultant force; and modifying at least one excavating parameter to align the resultant force with the pointed cutting element's central axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an excavating device, comprising a floating device which can be moved in a navigating direction and to which a drag head (1) is attached which during use is dragged over the bottom (50) and herein loosens soil, and a suction conduit (4) which connects to the drag head (1) and which discharges the loosened soil. The excavating device is provided with a steering device (10) for moving the drag head (1) out of the navigating direction. The invention also relates to a method for excavating ground (50) using the excavating device, and a computer program for performing the method.

Abstract: A system for documenting the growth progression of an infant including an indicator that identifies a date associated with the infant or an age of the infant, and an object, unchangeable in size, comprising an element for removably attaching the indicator to the object.

Abstract: An interactive greeting card operative to move between a first position wherein several interconnected panels are folded into a substantially flat position and a second position wherein the several interconnected panels are unfolded into a three-dimensional pop-up structure. Movement between the first and second positions may also control playback of digital audio, activation of one or more LED lights, or various other special effects. An inner sentiment panel is substantially contained within an outer greeting card body and is revealed when the greeting card is moved from the first to the second position. Various openings on the greeting card panels accommodate movement and visibility of the inner sentiment panel.