Abstract: A silent hair dryer and a silencer for a hair dryer includes at least one casing with an inlet end and an outlet end and enclosing at least one turbine sucking in air via at least one admission orifice upstream of the turbine and expelling it downstream via at least one outlet orifice. The silent hair dryer includes at least one chamber upstream of the admission orifice and an inlet orifice for aspiration of air upstream of the chamber; the diameter of the chamber being greater than the diameter of the admission orifice and the diameter of the inlet orifice, the length and the diameter of the chamber being of such a size so as to define a volume turned as a function of the sound frequencies to be attenuated by the silencer.

Abstract: A dryer exhaust duct alarm detects the presence of lint or other obstructions in an exhaust duct or vent. A thin lever is suspended within the duct and is slightly cupped in shape to more effectively capture air flow. In the presence of uninhibited air flow, the lever is substantially displaced from its initial substantially-vertical position toward a substantially horizontal position. But when airflow is inhibited, the lever is not sufficiently displaced. A detector detects operation of the dryer. If the dryer operates for a determined period of time but the lever is not sufficiently displaced, the user is alerted of the problem. Other data may also be presented to the user, including real-time data over a communication medium.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods disclosed herein relate to the production of dried co-products from stillage produced by an ethanol production facility.

Abstract: A process for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances from an enclosure, such as a building or vehicle by using heated air. The method of the present invention is non-toxic and can be performed in a relatively short amount of time while effectively killing and removing a large proportion of dead organisms and substantially reducing volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus, particularly, a laundry treating apparatus using steam is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus such as a washing machine, a dryer, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus which washes or dries articles such as clothes. The laundry treating apparatus includes an operation course including a drying process in which hot air is supplied into a drum adapted to accommodate articles to dry the articles and a cooling process in which cool air is supplied into the drum to cool the articles, wherein the operation course further includes a steam process in which steam is supplied into the drum, and the laundry treating apparatus includes a controller which controls a heater adapted to generate the steam such that an operation time point of the heater varies according to an amount of the articles.

Abstract: A home laundry drier (1) having a revolving drum (5) for housing the laundry to be dried, a hot-air generator (7) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drum (5), and a steam generator (17) for feeding steam into the drum (5); the steam generator (17) having an electric boiler (18) designed to receive a given quantity of water and immediately convert it into a stream of low-pressure steam to be fed into the drum (5), a demineralized-water reservoir (20) located over and communicating with the electric boiler (18), and a lint filter (23) located upstream from the water reservoir (20); the water reservoir (20) receiving distilled water from the water canister (12) of the heat exchanger (10) of the hot-air generator (7) via a water drain circuit (13); and the laundry drier (1) also having a liquid level sensor (26) for determining when the water in the water reservoir (20) is below a given minimum level, and a central control unit (24) for determining whether the water reservoir (20) is in a given low-wa

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic dryer is disclosed, which can determine a dryness level based on information relating the laundry by an initial average value of a sensing means, to thereby achieve stability and reliability in a drying process, the method comprising sensing whether the amount of laundry is small or large by using an average output value in a preset time period of an initial drying stage; detecting a saturation voltage generating point of the sensor; and performing a drying cycle based on each dryness level by using information for the amount of laundry and the saturation voltage generating point.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of fire or containing fire in a laundry appliance and an appliance incorporating said method. The appliance includes a sensor means capable of sensing an abnormal fault condition indicative of an increased fire risk or a fire within the appliance drum. In response to sensing the abnormal fault condition, the appliance controller enters a fire containment cycle which rotates the drum at a tumbling speed.

Abstract: Provided is a personal traction device that includes a traction mechanism that is very comfortable underfoot, while providing excellent traction over slippery surfaces as well as excellent long-term wear.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible contoured footbed insole for footwear for providing an anatomically correct foot support to a wearer of the footwear. The flexible contoured footbed insole comprises a heel section and a support system extending anteriorly from the heel section. The heel section comprises a cup shaped structure for accommodating a heel of a foot of the wearer. The support system comprises an inner longitudinal arch support, an outer longitudinal arch support, a transverse arch support, a metatarsal arch support, and a toe support for supporting an inner longitudinal arch, an outer longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, a metatarsal arch, and toes of the foot of the wearer respectively. The flexible contoured footbed insole may further comprise a flexible structure disposed within the support system. The flexible structure provides flexibility and freedom of movement to the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes a sole structure and an upper structure attached to the sole structure. The upper structure includes a vamp separated into medial and lateral portions, a tongue, and a lace. The tongue includes a main body portion and a first lace-retention feature attached to the main body portion. The main body portion has a first end attached to the medial and lateral portions, a second end that is moveable relative to the upper structure, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The first lace-retention feature includes a first opening that receives the lace in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sole and footwear including such a sole is provided with at least one turnable antislip device provided on the tread surface operatively facing towards the ground. The antislip device includes an articulation structure mounted on the tread surface and oscillatable moving away from the tread surface with respect to an oscillation axis; a support element having an antislip side, accommodated in an associated accommodation portion provided for on the tread surface, and rotatingly mounted with respect to the articulation structure around a revolution axis different from the oscillation axis, directing the antislip side selectively in an activated state towards the ground or in an inactivated state towards the tread surface. The rotation of the support element around the revolution axis controls the rotation of the articulation structure with respect to the oscillation axis.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and articles of wear may include one or more traction elements. Portions of the traction elements may be extendable and/or retractable. The traction elements have at least a two-plate construction that is designed to moderate a force that is applied to one of the plates. This construction may be used in articles of footwear having cleats or other traction elements. force applied by a wearer's foot may be moderated by the two-plate construction.

Abstract: An infant shoe includes a shoe outsole defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The outsole defines a substantially arcuate shape along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. A shoe upper is secured to the shoe outsole. The shoe upper and the shoe outsole together define curved side surfaces.

Abstract: Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

Abstract: Couplers for attaching an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator. Couplers having a first side for attaching the coupler to the excavator arm and a second side onto which the accessory will be coupled. The coupler includes a latch for selectively securing and releasing an attachment pin of the accessory in a jaw, groove, hook or slot in the second side of the coupler. The coupler is fully controllable from within the cab of the excavator and it allows improved security in the securement of the accessory to the coupler, i.e. preventing accidental decouplings, but while still allowing intentional decoupling operations to be carried out without undue burden.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ironing shoe (10) comprising a garment contact surface (15) and having a means for accommodating a garment care agent such as an anti microbial agent, wherein accommodating the means is formed at least by the garment contact surface accommodating the garment care agent, which garment contact surface is capable of transferring the garment care agent to a piece of garment. By contacting the garment contact surface with the piece of garment, as is done during ironing, the agent is transferred to the garment. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an ironing shoe.

Abstract: The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object.

Abstract: A signage structure includes a first drum, a valance and a plurality of bracket assemblies. The first drum is suspended from a ceiling and includes a first frame supporting a first material having an outer circumferential surface for displaying indicia. The first frame has an upper frame ring and a lower frame ring. The valance is located outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the first drum and includes at least one curved section having a plurality of spaced apart lights positioned along the interior side of the valance. The plurality of bracket assemblies include arms that couple the upper frame ring of the first drum to the valance. A first end of each arm is configured to attach to the upper frame ring of the first drum and a second end of each arm is configured to attach to the valance.

Abstract: A laser alignment assembly has two or more lasers aligned relative to one or more reflective surfaces to generate coaligned and collimated light beams. The assembly may further make the light beams collinear. The orientation of the reflective surface may be controlled by an electrically controllable actuator. The laser alignment assembly may be disposed in a weapon aiming system having visible and infrared lasers and may be coupled to a weapon to aid in aiming of the weapon.

Abstract: A laser sighting device having a laser sight body with a barrel aperture formed through the laser sight body; two or more laser emitter apertures formed in the laser sight body; a laser light aperture extending from a bottom wall of each laser emitter aperture through the laser sight body; a laser emitter for each laser emitter aperture; wherein a laser emitter is fitted within each laser emitter aperture; a cap associated with each laser emitter aperture; wherein when the cap is a threadedly connected and sufficient torque is applied to the cap, the laser emitter produces a laser light beam that is projected through the laser light aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sighting device for a firearm having a trigger guard, a frame with an underside portion forward of the trigger guard, and a handgrip with a front strap. The sighting device has a body having a first portion including an illumination device. The body defines an engagement feature operable term the bubbly connectivity for portion of the trigger guard. The body has an elongated extension portion that extends from the first portion. The extension portion is shaped to underlie a lower portion of the trigger guard from the first portion to the front strap. The extension portion has a free end including a switch, and the extension portion includes a conductor operably connecting the switch to the illumination device.

Abstract: A simulated fowl swimming apparatus includes a pump conduit, a pump disposed in fluid communication with the pump conduit, a decoy motion assembly disposed in fluid communication with and rotatable with respect to the pump conduit, at least one discharge opening in the decoy motion assembly and at least one water fowl decoy carried by the decoy motion assembly.

Abstract: A portable angler cooler apparatus includes two skis removably connected to a bottom-most circumferential edge of two wheels such that the wheels may remain elevated above a ground surface during transportation. A handle is pivotally coupled to a proximal end of the cooler such that the skis are removably connected to the handle after the skis are detached from the wheels. Each of the skis may have a pair of spring-loaded clips mated to opposed longitudinal edges of each wheel respectively so as to be selectively biased between tensioned and equilibrium positions when engaged and disengaged from each of the wheels and the handle respectively. A T-bar locks selected ones of the compartments at a closed position to prohibit premature disengagement from the cooler during transport.

Abstract: A fumigation apparatus for decontamination or disinfection of a building having a fumigation pollution source, a fog generator, a hose for conveying fog to a building to be fumigated and a nozzle on the outer end of said hose that includes a body portion and a radially extending flange that has at least one slot so that when said apparatus is pumping fog into said building air is drawn through the slots to improve the flow of fog into the building.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual attenuation composition applicable to a landscape to visually attenuate or camouflage the landscape to approximate color characteristics of the surrounding terrain. The visual attenuation composition includes a colorant selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a dye, and combinations thereof, and optionally includes an additive selected from the group consisting of a flocculent, a tackifier, a stabilizer, and combinations thereof. The visual attenuation composition may further include a liquid medium such as water to form a slurry suitable for spray application. The visual attenuation composition described herein can be combined with a soil treatment product to impart desirable color and colorfastness. Alternatively, the soil treatment product can be first applied to the landscape prior to the application of the visual attenuation composition.

Abstract: A hydraulically-applied mulch matrix comprising non-porous particles, porous particles and mixtures thereof combined with a mechanically and or chemically bonded fiber mulch mixed within a high viscosity slurry to keep the particles in suspension for dispersion onto soil surfaces with mulch spraying equipment for enhanced erosion control and higher level plant establishment.

Abstract: A growing medium includes a bulking agent and a water-retentive polymer blended together and compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1, being substantially free of a water-soluble binder material.

Abstract: An automatic opening/closing apparatus for vehicle including a detected subject and a detection sensor for detecting rotation of an output shaft is downsized. A worm gear mechanism decelerating a rotation speed of an electric motor to output it from the output shaft is accommodated in a gear case, and a drum is fixed to a tip portion of the output shaft projecting from the gear case to the outside, whereby motive power of the output shaft is transmitted from this drum to a sliding door. A concave portion centering at an axial center and recessed in an axial direction is formed in a worm wheel constituting the worm gear mechanism, a magnet unit constituting a rotation sensor is disposed inside the concave portion of the worm wheel, and a magnetic sensor for detecting rotation of the magnet unit is fixed to an inner surface of the gear case.

Abstract: A water management system for a double hung window prevents leakage between the lower sash and the frame of the window in a blowing rainstorm. The water management system comprises interior pressure-drop seals disposed between the vertical stiles of the lower sash and the jambs of the window frame and an interior pressure drop seal disposed along an interior edge of the bottom rail of the lower sash and the sill of the frame. Exterior shingling seals are disposed at least between outside edges of the sash and the jamb and the exterior shingling seals and the interior pressure-drop seals at least partially bound vertical channels. A vent communicates between the vertical channels and the outside environment to maintain the pressure in the vertical channels substantially the same as that of the outside environment. This prevents rainwater in a blowing rainstorm from violently breaching the exterior shingling seals and splashing onto the interior pressure-drop seals, which, in turn, prevents leaks into a home.

Abstract: A glass run attached to a doorframe of a vehicle. The glass run comprises a molded part attached to a corner part of the doorframe, and a fin, formed integrally with the molded part, and covering the corner part of the doorframe. The fin includes a hook and lip that protrude from a back of a rim of the fin. The lip provides the rim of the fin with increased rigidity and prevents the rim of the fin from turning up and opening.

Abstract: A safety hatch and safety railing assembly in unitary form which incorporates the fabrication of a roof or deck scuttle with safety guard rails as required by the Occupation Safety Hazards Act (OSHA) around the roof or deck opening of a building. The safety hatch or safety hatch and safety railing assembly of the present invention preferably employs safety railing mounting bracket components that are welded to hatch flashing or to bracket hanger members and are designed to receive and provide for safe and efficient mounting of vertical posts and rails of a safety railing assembly around a roof or deck access opening. The safety hatch and safety railing assembly provides an improved base flashing that additionally functions to hold the roofing membrane to the scuttle curb.

Abstract: A roofing system for application on a roofing substrate wherein flexible supports alleviate fatiguing of the roofing sheeting which typically occurs due to thermal expansion and contraction, thus enabling thicker roofing sheeting to be used and thus extending the usable life of the roofing sheeting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an openable roof or openable wall, comprising at least one section (1) extending along a longitudinal axis, each section comprising a plurality of panels (2a, 2) overlapping in pairs along said longitudinal axis, whose longitudinal edge portions (39) are movably received in guide rails (4) for the purpose of opening and closing. Each panel (2, 2a) has, on its second transverse edge portion (38), a first (21) and a second (27) sealing strip, which between them define a gap (28). This gap (28) cooperates with a bottom surface (31) of the inner longitudinal surfaces (14) of the guide rails (4) to form a draining channel (29) along said bottom surface and away from said first sealing strip (21).

Abstract: A solar-shading assembly for fastening to a support mullion, comprises an elongate louver member having longitudinal front and rear edges, an elongate cap element for extending along and covering the rear edge, a bracket which is connectable to the support mullion, and a fastening device for connecting the bracket to the rear edge of the louver member. The in use fastening device is coverable by the cap element so as to hide the fastening device from view. Preferably, at least part of the bracket is also coverable by the cap element so as to hide the said part of the bracket from view.

Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of regular hexagonal tubes and a plurality of rhomboid inserts is disclosed. At least one of the tubes can be placed end-to-end relative to another of the tubes in a configuration where the central axes of the tubes are parallel. These central axes can be either collinear or not collinear depending upon the overall configuration of the structure chosen. Each rhomboid insert fits inside at least one section of a hexagonal tube. Those rhomboid inserts that fit into more than one hexagonal tube provide a means for interlocking the tubes.

Abstract: Precise parameters are maintained in a support system for solar panels or other panel-like structures through use of a collapsible folding, support frame which is preassembled to precise tolerances at a convenient staging site before being collapsed for shipment. Installation on flat roofs is also facilitated through the use of a roof interface frame which rotatably supports the panel support frame of the support system and folds along with it at the assembly, staging site.

Abstract: A rack assembly is provided for mounting solar modules over an underlying body. The rack assembly may include a plurality of rail structures that are arrangeable over the underlying body to form an overall perimeter for the rack assembly. One or more retention structures may be provided with the plurality of rail structures, where each retention structure is configured to support one or more solar modules at a given height above the underlying body. At least some of the plurality of rail structures are adapted to enable individual rail structures to be sealed over the underlying body so as to constrain air flow underneath the solar modules. Additionally, at least one of (i) one or more of the rail structures, or (ii) the one or more retention structures are adjustable so as to adapt the rack assembly to accommodate solar modules of varying forms or dimensions.

Abstract: An expandable frame for a storm door mounted onto the header and door jamb in an entrance, a frame kit, and method of installation. The expandable frame includes an expandable header assembly, an expandable lock-side assembly and a hinge-side piece. The header assembly includes a frame mount and a header stop mounted onto the underside of the header, the hinge-side piece is mounted vertically against the door jamb on one side of the entry, and the lock-side assembly includes a lock-side stop and a frame mount mounted vertically onto the door jamb opposite the hinge section. A user can adjust the position of the header assembly and lock-side assembly to accommodate a door having smaller dimensions than the height and width of the entrance.

Abstract: A modular free standing structure and an adjustable footing configured to support the modular free standing structure are described. The structural footing comprises a support member having a support surface configured to provide vertical support to one or more modular platform structures, a base member, and an adjustable leveling mechanism disposed between the support member and the base member, and configured to level adjoining modular platform structures by adjusting a height of the support member relative to the base member about a vertical axis of the structural footing.

Abstract: An environmentally sustainable form-inclusion system that can be utilized in reinforced concrete structures. A goal of this invention is to provide structural systems that achieve the highest level of environmental sustainability by minimizing the structure's carbon footprint and embodied energy. This engineered form-inclusion system uses materials that might otherwise become waste in landfills. The system is designed to significantly reduce raw materials, labor for placement, and transportation of material for building construction. Materials used in this engineered system, that might otherwise be placed in landfills, include but are not limited to plastic bottles, bags, waste Styrofoam, packing materials, rubber tires, and other similar waste materials, preferably compressed or assembled into controlled shapes. The shapes of these forms can be spherical, square, rectangular, cylindrical, or any other, and are specifically engineered to provide form inclusions to significantly reduce the material (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tower construction with an annular cross section, comprising one or more component tubes arranged concentrically one on top of the other, wherein at least one component tube is composed of at least 3 tube segments, the tube segments of at least one component tube are pretensioned relative to one another by means of tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as segment tensioning devices, and the component tubes have tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as component tube tensioning devices, which act at least in the axial direction and extend over at least one horizontal joint, the tube segments and the component tubes composed therefrom form, at their butting edges, joints having gaps, the gaps of the joints are filled at least partially with a joint-filling material, and the joints between the tube segments of the same component tube allow a certain, substantially constraint-free rotation of the adjoining tube segments about the joint axis.

Abstract: A stud for enabling a construction surface to be raised with respect to the ground, said stud comprising at least a first and second element, said first element comprising a first body mounted on a base intended to be placed on said ground, said second element comprising a second body, each of the bodies being provided with a screw thread for mutually engaging one in the other, thus forming an internal body and an external body, said external body being provided with an orifice giving access to the screw thread of the internal body, said stud also comprising a locking member arranged to lock the movement of the first body with respect to the second body in a plurality of positions, the locking member comprising first and second segments, said first segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be inserted between two successive grooves of the screw thread on the internal body, said second segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be interposed in a space provided in an internal wall of

Abstract: A support frame of glass brick wall has multiple horizontal beams, multiple vertical beams and multiple side bars. Each of the horizontal beams and the vertical beams has a body, two side wings respectively and longitudinally formed on and protruding from two edges of the body, and two lamp slots respectively and longitudinally formed on and recessed from two sides of the body. Each of the vertical beams is securely mounted between two adjacent glass bricks in a corresponding row of glass bricks with adhesive. Each of the horizontal beams is securely mounted on a top of a corresponding row of glass bricks with adhesive. Two of the side bars are securely mounted on two edge sides of the glass brick wall. Each of the side bars has openings to replace light strips mounted in the lamp slots. Accordingly, the support frame provides a clean and easy lamp replacement solution.

Abstract: An impact resistant door skin, a door including the same, and a method of manufacturing an impact resistant door skin from a pre-formed door skin are provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least one preformed door skin and applying adhesive to a rear side of the at least one preformed door skin. A fiberglass mesh mat is pressed onto the rear side of the at least one preformed door skin. Then, chopped glass fibers coated with adhesive are sprayed onto the rear side of the at least one preformed door skin using a chopper gun to form a layer of chopped glass fibers on the fiberglass mesh mat. The performed door skin may be a molded door skin having at least one recessed panel formed therein.

Abstract: A flexible brick plate including a plurality of flexible interwoven rods forming a mesh, and a plurality of bricks provided with fastening shapes coupled to at least some of the rods in order to retain the bricks in the mesh. Optionally, the plate is designed to be placed with one side thereof against a formwork and to receive a binding agent from and on the other side thereof. The manufacturing method includes crossing and interweaving warp rods and weft rods to form a mesh, arranging at the same time rows of bricks in the mesh between the weft rods, and coupling fastening shapes formed in the bricks with at least some of the warp or weft rods.

Abstract: A multi-layered veneer panel that includes a foamed core, a concrete surface layer, and a mounting device. The concrete surface layer forms a front surface and an edge perimeter region of the veneer panel. The front surface approximates a desired topography of a simulated wall. The foamed core forms a back surface of the veneer panel and is disposed adjacent the concrete surface layer. The mounting device is cast into at least one of the concrete surface layer and the foamed core and extends from the edge perimeter region. A method of making a multi-layered veneer panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roof tile with a central brim and at least one lateral cover or water beading and a watercourse located between them, in whose region a water stop is disposed. This water stop is partially pressed with its edges in the region of the watercourse, of the central brim and of the lateral beading into the material of the roof tile blank. Such water stop is comprised of a flexurally elastic, thin small plate, and specifically of a material which does not conform to the material of the roof tile.

Abstract: Provided is an internal structural mullion for a standing seam panel system. A two-piece assembly includes a man extrusion having one hooked portion and a secondary extrusion having an opposing hooked portion. A cavity is defined on the main extrusion, and the secondary extrusion includes a foot wherein upon insertion of the foot into the cavity, the foot forms a fulcrum about which the secondary extrusion can bend away from the main extrusion and be tightened or loosened by the tightening or loosing of a screw, as a result forming a clamp for engaging panels of the panel system with variable pressure. Further, when clamped a continuous gasket seal occurs at a level just inside the panels so as to form a barrier against the intrusion of water.