Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable lifting apparatus that includes an actuator and a lifting mechanism, which includes a parallel bar, a first coupler, a second coupler, a first rocker, a second rocker, and a frame that are each rotatably connected, so that operation of the actuator moves the parallel bar in a J-shaped path while maintaining a constant orientation of the parallel bar.

Abstract: A lift apparatus has a frame with open sides and a web assembly slidably retained along the sides which extends from one end of the frame to the other. While the web assembly is retracted, the frame moves to pass around a mobility-impaired individual and rest against the surface supporting the individual. The web assembly is then extended to move underneath or behind the individual, providing lifting support. The frame is configurable for orientations ranging continuously between horizontal and upright sitting. The web assembly has an upper web contacting the individual, a lower web contacting the support surface, a strength layer carrying the individual's weight, and a roller nose bar assembly which is pulled to extend the web assembly. A hand-held power tool can drive the web assembly, adjustment of inclinations of the back and leg sections of the frame, and vertical motion of the lift arm.

Abstract: A multi-purpose air mattress apparatus is disclosed for use in at least a bed of a vehicle having an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel wells. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each defining a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel wells therewithin and further defining recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel wells. With the apparatus positioned within the vehicle bed and the wheel wells positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with a perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel wells, while a set of upper and lower perimeter chambers further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during use both within a vehicle bed as well as on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a wheeled gurney having an upper support frame with at least one open side. A front support plate and a rear support plate are attached to the upper support frame, with the rear support plate spaced apart from the front support plate to correspond to the at least one open side. There is a first registration element positioned on the front support plate and a second registration element positioned on the rear support plate. The first and the second registration elements are repeatably moveable between a first registration configuration and a second registration configuration. A method of positioning a patient support on a gurney begins by identifying a registration feature on a surface of a patient support and then identifying a mating registration feature on wheeled patient gurney that corresponds to the registration feature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-leveling sleeper having an interior gimbals member pivotally connected to an exterior gimbals member via a second pivoting means. The exterior gimbals member has a first pivoting means oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said second pivoting means. An attitude sensor and correction sending unit is operably connected to control the displacement of the exterior gimbals member and interior gimbals member to displace a mattress platform to either a stowed position or a level position.

Abstract: An elongated angular multiple position body pillow embodying an enlarged center section having a curved top portion and a substantially straight base, two arms extending longitudinally from the center section and at an adjustable angle thereto, the terminal ends of each arm being provided with one half of a fabric tie which fabric ties, when brought into contact with one another, cause the pillow to be temporarily fixed in a semi-toroidal shape, the elongated angular multiple position body pillow being adapted to support a user when the user is lying on her side, in a seated position, reclining with her back elevated, or nursing an infant.

Abstract: An innovative pillow which contains openings for a person to place their face as well as side openings which enable air to enter the cavity so that the person can breathe. The device contains a fan which blows air into the cavity of the pillow so that a person can have cooling air while their face is in the pillow. The device can also be impregnated with essential oils such as eucalyptus so that the various beneficial therapeutic effects can be blown into a person's face while they rest their face within the pillow.

Abstract: An infant holding device, including an infant holding portion, including a ductile sheet covered with infant-compatible material and a stand portion, adapted to support the infant holding portion in a vertically diagonal position, so that the infant holding portion thereby has a top and a bottom. In one preferred embodiment the ductile sheet is made of aluminum.

Abstract: A wheel weight tool includes a handle connected to a hammer head on a first end and having a first hook on a second end. The first hook may be adapted for removing a wheel weight. The hammer head has a soft end and a hard end. The hard end may include a second hook.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance resting on a floor and having a rotatable drum defining a treating chamber that includes creating an imbalance in the drum, rotating the drum at least one predetermined speed, determining an out of balance parameter, determining a floor parameter of the floor based on the out of balance parameter, and setting at least one operating parameter based on the floor parameter.

Abstract: A tactical access ramp has an upper and a lower section that are connected by a hinge. Optional upper and lower extension sections and arms are available to extend the length of the ramp. Feet are connected to the lower section, or to the lower extension section or lower extension arms if provided, and provide a stable base for the ramp on the lower surface on which it is deployed. A landing section is connected to the upper section, or to the upper extension section or upper extension arms if provided. The landing section has a landing platform that engages an upper surface, and reduces slippage between the ramp and the upper surface. In this manner, animals and personnel are provided with a stable means of ascent from the lower surface to the upper surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a base body, a rotatable brush roller disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a cloth holder attached removably to the base body, and a cleaning cloth attachable to the cloth holder.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a driving source, a vibrating member having a brush, a transmission mechanism for converting output of the driving source into vibration of the vibrating member, and control means for controlling output of the driving source. The control means has a plurality of operation modes for allowing the brush to perform a predetermined operation. The plurality of control modes are switched at high speed to allow brushing using a transient state at a time of operation mode switching. It is suitable to switch at high speed between operation modes using two resonance points in which resonance occurs in different directions. Accordingly, the electric toothbrush is improved in plaque removing power and sense of medical treatment.

Abstract: A surface treating device includes a member adapted for engaging a surface to be treated and a driver operatively associated with the member. The driver is adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member, wherein the member engages the surface in a manner substantially perpendicular to the surface to be treated. The surface treating device further includes a dispenser for delivering a fluid drawn from a discrete fluid source to the surface being treated by the member.

Abstract: Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a toothbrush. The toothbrush includes a head comprising bristles and a body operatively connected to the head including two buttons configured to cause the toothbrush to play at least two different audio when pressed. The toothbrush also includes a lower body operatively connected to the body.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for extracting material from a container includes a handle and a knife blade. The handle has a neck and a primary axis. The knife blade is coupled to the handle and has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is configured to conform to a bottom surface of the container. The second edge is configured to conform to an interior wall of the container. An oblique angle is formed by the first edge and the second edge. Another oblique angle is formed between the primary axis of the handle and the first edge of the knife.

Abstract: A scrubber assembly (14) for a windshield wiper (10) having a wiper arm (12) includes a scrubber housing (22) attached to the wiper arm. The scrubber housing (22) has an interior volume (66) and at least one opening (58). A rod (68) is at least partially disposed in the interior volume (66) and is displaceable from a first position to a second position. A brush assembly (42) is attached to the rod (68) with at least one flexible connecting member (76) that extends through the at least one opening (58) to the brush assembly. When the rod (68) is in the first position, a first portion of the flexible connecting member (76) protrudes from the opening (58), and when the rod is displaced to the second position, a second portion of the flexible connecting member that is larger than the first portion protrudes from the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper coupler and wiper assembly that includes a wiping element and a tournament-style superstructure to support the wiping element. The wiper assembly further includes a wiper coupler that releasably attaches the superstructure to a wiper arm attachment member. The wiper coupler includes a pair of sidewalls each having a flange to engage a portion of the guides of the attachment member and further includes an elevated platform and a deck each disposed between the sidewalls. The deck and a portion of the sidewalls define a rest to receive the track of the attachment member. The wiper coupler further includes an aperture between the elevated platform and the deck. The aperture receives a portion of the bent tab of the attachment member to facilitate attachment between the superstructure and the attachment member conventionally employed for use with a beam blade-style wiper assembly.

Abstract: A scraper for an optical surface of a device is disclosed. The scraper includes a blade having an edge that is rigid and non-deforming to withstand high shear stresses. The blade is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the optical surface and also configured to move in a line with respect to a second axis perpendicular to the optical surface. This allows the rigid, non-deforming blade to maintain contact with the optical surface. Furthermore, the edge is configured to move across the optical surface to remove any materials adhered to the surface. The scraper can be used to clean the optical surface of an instrument, for example.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a warning indicator for use with wiper blades are provided. In one embodiment, the warning indicator has a housing, a counting unit disposed in the housing, an indicating unit exposed on the housing and an electrical source. The housing is coupled to an oscillating wiper blade of a windshield wiper device. The counting unit is configured to detect oscillating movements of the wiper blade one at a time. The counting unit is configured such that an oscillating number of the wiper blade is accumulatively increased. The indicating unit indicates a warning under control of the counting unit when the oscillating number comes to a predetermined value. The electrical source supplies an electrical power to the counting unit and the indicating unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in cleaning a floor uses a flat mop including a generally flat mop head having a handle and absorbent fabric material. The mop head is foldable to a folded condition, wherein a loop of the fabric material depends from the folded parts. The fabric material is inserted into cleaning liquid to wet the material. The mop head is introduced to a wringer to wring the material between the jaws and a wringing surface. The damp absorbent fabric material is used to mop the floor. The floor is dried using a separate drying tool that includes a head secured to a handle, and one or more attachment devices to attach a dry absorbent cloth to the head. The floor is dried by applying the cloth to the floor using the tool and moving a dry portion of the cloth over the floor.

Abstract: A cleaning robot having an exhaust air feedback function can utilize the vacuum suction force generated by a suction motor as well as spray exhaust air onto the surface to be cleaned by circulating the air using the suction motor, thereby improving foreign material removal efficiency. The cleaning robot includes a suction unit, a suction motor for drawing in foreign materials from the surface to be cleaned, along with air, through the suction unit, a dust collector for capturing the foreign materials, so that the air is exhausted through the suction motor, and an exhaust air feedback unit for feeding the air. The cleaning robot also includes a spray nozzle unit inserted into the suction unit and placed on the leading end of the suction unit, the spray nozzle unit spraying the air fed by the exhaust air feedback unit, to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for using both in an upright form and a canister form, which can stably support and store a cleaner body and at the same time, reduce a suction nozzle assembly in size, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a pivot unit formed to pivot a connection pipe disposed between an extended tube and a nozzle body of a suction nozzle assembly, on at least two points.

Abstract: A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt, which may be further enhanced by an air duct, in the form of a slot, which draws air over some of the working edges. The invention permits a tool with a lower profile to be manufactured than would be achievable by providing separate flow paths between the respective channels and the outlet.

Abstract: An air conditioning coil cleaning system including a portable vacuum blower equipped with a plurality of fluid supply reservoirs and a fluid pump, a suction hose with an electric power cord and fluid supply lines attached to a remote hand held brush head containing an elongated oscillating wiper brush. Fluids may be selectively sprayed onto coils being cleaned while vacuuming to reduce airborne debris and debris accumulation in the coil catch pan.

Abstract: The joint system comprises a first piece secured to a driven tool and suitable for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and a second piece secured to a manual steering member and articulated to the first piece about an axis orthogonal to the horizontal axis. According to the invention, at least the second piece is formed by a flexible structure having a longitudinal neutral axis and including a base fastened to the first piece of the tool, and a head fastened to the member; said base and said head being interconnected via a pair of splines that are opposite and parallel to the neutral axis and that extend in a plane transverse to the horizontal axis, it being possible for said pair to be flexed under the effect of a force applied orthogonally to its plane and transmitted by the manual member. The invention applies to the field of household electrical appliances.

Abstract: A door closing mechanism which includes a hydraulic rotation damper, having a closed cylinder cavity within a cylinder barrel, a rotational damper shaft which extends into the cylinder cavity, a piston dividing the cylinder cavity into a first side above the piston and a second side below the piston, a one-way valve allowing fluid flow from said first side to said second side of the cylinder cavity, and a fluid passage between said first and second sides of the cylinder cavity, with a flow restrictor, in particular in the form of a needle valve, adjustable through an orifice in the cylinder barrel, wherein said second side of the cylinder cavity and said orifice are at opposite sides of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A damping device furniture door leaves includes a damper housing with a base plate whose base area rests against and is fastened to an effective bearing area of the door opening of the furniture door leaf. The base plate includes a screw bore through which a fastening screw can be screwed into the effective bearing area. A spring projection extending from the base area of the base plate can be pushed behind the base area against spring resistance.

Abstract: A decelerating device (1) comprises a cylinder (2) filled with a fluid, a bushing (3) for the closure of the cylinder (2) traversed by a rod (4) sliding in the cylinder (2), and a piston (5) guided to slide inside the cylinder (2) and fitted with means (7) for the calibrated through passage of the fluid, the piston (5) is separate from the rod (4) and there are also first elastic means (8) for the movement of the piston (5) in the direction of extraction from the cylinder (2) and second elastic means (9) independent of the first elastic means (8} for the movement of the rod (4) in the direction of extraction from the cylinder (2).

Abstract: An actuating drive includes at least one actuating arm for moving a movable furniture part, and a locking device for blocking the motion of the actuating arm. The locking device permits the motion of the actuating arm only after the movable furniture part has been mounted on the actuating arm, and the locking device is released by the mounting of the movable furniture part on the actuating arm.

Abstract: An embodiment of a hinge assembly includes a main body defining a shaft hole, a connecting shaft including an inserting end rotatably received in the shaft hole, and an expansion member forming a tapered portion and axially positioned in the shaft hole. An end surface of the inserting end toward the expansion member defines a tapered hole corresponding to the tapered portion, and the tapered portion is pressed into the tapered hole to expand the inserting end to resist the inner surface of the shaft hole, thus rotatably connecting the connecting shaft to the main body.

Abstract: A hinge assembly with two pivot axes is provided for a folding frame. One pivot axis, a working pivot axis, allows the outer wing frame to rotate while in operation to follow the ground contours by rotating relative to the adjacent frame section without creating any interference between adjacent tools mounted to the frame sections. The second pivot axis is a folding pivot axis above the frame and about which the outer wing frame rotates to fold the outer wing into the transport position. This hinge assembly when used on a five section implement frame allows the outer wing frame to both follow the ground contour and to fold into an acceptable transport position.

Abstract: A hinge for a hingedly movable sash in a window having a frame, including a track assembly having a track and a shoe engageable with the track and reciprocally movable along the track. The shoe presents a first rolling member at a first portion thereof and a bearing portion at a second portion. The shoe is shiftable between a window closed configuration in which the bearing portion contacts the track and transmits loads from the track to the sash arm and a window moving configuration in which the rolling member contacts the track and transmits loads from the track to the sash arm and rolls along the track as the shoe translates along the track.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: An adjustable belt and buckle mechanism typically used with clothing, but not exclusive to this use. In one embodiment, the belt assembly has a unique design using hook-and-loop fasteners, as well as metal hook and eye fasteners, in combination with a double-loop buckle that joins the two ends of the belting via the buckle for an adjustable and easily closable belting, cinching, or tie down product.

Abstract: A device for fixing a first and second object with respect to one another includes a base which has a first channel or sleeve and a second channel or sleeve each suitable for receiving the first and second objects, respectively. A first member is and a second member are movably connected to the base. The first and second members can be moved into a locking position whereby the first member projects into the first channel, and the second member extends into the second channel.

Abstract: A rotary buckle assembly for a harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.

Abstract: A pin latch assembly for releasably securing a casket lid in a closed position includes a latch housing and inner latch member disposed along a side wall of the casket, and a pin member projecting from the casket lid. The latch housing and inner latch member each include a respective bore or through-hole for receiving the pin member when the lid is closed. The inner latch member is movable within the latch housing between a pin-engaging position and a pin-disengaging position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press (1) for producing a tampon (8) by radially pressing an absorbent material by means of compression jaws (2, 2?, 3) which have respective penetrating segments (4, 5) for embossing grooves (9, 10) into the absorbent material, one compression jaw (3) the penetrating segment (5) of which is designed as a strip having flat lateral faces projecting into the compression space and one compression jaw (2, 2?) the penetrating segment (4, 4?) of which is designed as a rib having undulated lateral faces projecting into the compression space being alternately arranged. A projection of the strip onto a peripheral surface of the tampon (8) present in the compression space represents a straight line and a projection of the undulated rib onto the peripheral surface represents an undulated line.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy may include; disposing a nanowire including a piezoelectric material on a first electrode, disposing an active layer, which is electrically connected to the nanowire, on the first electrode, disposing an insulating film on the nanowire, disposing a conductive layer on the active layer, and disposing a second electrode in proximity to the nanowire and substantially opposite to the first electrode.

Abstract: An EMI filtered terminal assembly including at least one conductive terminal pin, a feedthrough capacitor, and a counter-bore associated with a passageway through the capacitor is described. Preferably, the feedthrough capacitor having counter-drilled or counter-bored holes on its top side is first bonded to a hermetic insulator. The counter-drilled or counter-bore holes in the capacitor provide greater volume for the electro-mechanical attachment between the capacitor and the terminal pin or lead wire, permitting robotic dispensing of, for example, thermal-setting conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitive microphone comprises providing a substrate having at least one cavity. The method further comprises forming a backplate on the substrate, wherein the backplate has a plurality of holes, and forming a diaphragm on the backplate, wherein there are a first distance and a second distance between the diaphragm and the backplate. The method still further comprises forming an air gap between the backplate and the diaphragm through the first distance, and fastening the diaphragm to the backplate through the second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating from a mandrel a shell snugly surrounding the mandrel has a base, a frame fixed on the base, and a holder on the base forward of the frame and adapted to support the shell surrounding the mandrel with an end of the mandrel juxtaposed with the frame. At least two stripper jaws on the frame can move radially of the mandrel of the shell on the frame between outer positions spaced radially outward from the shell and inner positions engageable with the shell. An extractor slide can shift longitudinally on the base rearward of the frame and carries a gripper extendable through the frame to grasp the end of the mandrel. The slide can shift the gripper axially away from the frame to brace the shell axially through the jaws against the frame and pull the mandrel out of the shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for compressing a stent or a stent with a prosthetic heart valve affixed thereto, as well as a method for loading a stent into a medical delivery system. The device may comprise a compressing mechanism designed so as to exert a compressive force in radial direction on at least parts of a stent accommodated within the compressing mechanism such that the cross-section of the stent is reduced to a predefinable value at least at certain areas. The device may further comprise a manipulating mechanism moveable relative to the compressing mechanism for moving at least one clamping means in the radial direction in order to adjust the internal cross-sectional diameter of the compressing mechanism.

Abstract: A positioning assembly of a hand rivet nut tool has a rotating sleeve, a mandrel and a positioning ring. The rotating sleeve has a mounting groove formed around an inner surface of the rotating sleeve. The mandrel is mounted through the rotating sleeve and has a positioning groove formed around an outer surface of the mandrel. The positioning ring is mounted in and around the mounting groove of the rotating sleeve and the positioning groove of the mandrel. The mandrel is stably held by the positioning ring in a specific position, so the hand rivet nut tool is able to stably rivet a rivet nut on a work piece. The hand rivet nut tool with the positioning assembly has simplified and optimized positioning effect, and reduced assembling time and cost.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a rivet gun has a handle, a trigger and a control valve. The handle has an annular shoulder, an air inlet channel, an airflow passageway, an inlet hole, a mounting hole, a communication hole and an exhaust hole. The trigger is mounted in the handle and controls the communication between the air inlet channel and airflow passageway. The control valve is mounted in the mounting hole of the handle and has a stopper, a casing and a valve shaft. The control valve is controlled by high pressure without additional springs such that the fabrication and structure of the handle assembly are simplified and the fabricating and manufacturing cost is lowered.

Abstract: An enhanced automatic riveting system of the type used in robotized precision facilities to perform multiple functions, such as boring, reaming, rivet insertion, riveting, cleaning, etc. at a single work point, using the same equipment, characterized 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: The system includes a moving feed assembly through which a collar is moved by compressed air to a position in substantial alignment with the centerline of a swaging die assembly. Two spring-loaded fingers are mounted on opposing sides of the feed assembly for receiving the collar by compressed air action where it is maintained in substantial alignment with the swaging die assembly. The spring action of the fingers is strong enough that the collar can be pressed firmly against a curved receiving portion of the fingers by the compressed air. A die pin portion of the swaging die is then inserted into the collar, thereafter maintaining the position of the collar as the feed assembly with the opposing fingers are stripped away from the collar, leaving the die pin-engaged collar free to be moved by action of a ram assembly to a stackup of parts to be fastened, where the collar can be transferred onto a bolt which extends through the stackup.