Abstract: A quick connect system is provided for a shade structure. The system includes a hub and a structural member. The hub has a top surface, a plurality of side walls forming a slot therebetween, and a displaceable retention device having a free end disposed at an elevation below the top surface. The displaceable retention device is moveable laterally away from the slot. The structural member has an end configured to swing in the slot. The end has a laterally extending rotation device. The rotation device extends laterally beyond the free end of the displaceable retention device when the end is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible omni-umbrella, comprising: a rod, a flexible wire and an umbrella fabric, wherein two ends of the rod are provided with a through hole portion and a fixing portion, respectively. In the present invention, one point of the flexible wire is fixed on the fixing portion and two terminal ends of the flexible wire are connected to each other after being slidably passed through the through hole portion, therefore the flexible wire is formed to a stereoscopic framework, so as to make the umbrella fabric covering the stereoscopic framework capable of shielding rain comprehensively.

Abstract: An umbrella hub is provided that comprises an inner portion, an outer periphery, a lower portion and an upper portion. A plurality of vertical grooves is disposed in the outer periphery and is configured to receive umbrella ribs or struts. A plurality of grooves extends transverse to the vertical grooves. A retention member is disposed in each of the transverse grooves. A first configuration of the hub permits deflection of the retention member such that a transverse pin coupled with the umbrella ribs or struts can be inserted into the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed. A second configuration of the hub prevents deflection of the retention member such that inadvertent withdrawal of the pin from the transverse groove in which the retention member is disposed is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an umbrella mechanism with an outer and inner shaft, a plurality of ribs connected with the outer shaft and a canopy supported by the plurality of ribs are provided. The plurality of ribs are configured into a substantially “V” shape when the umbrella mechanism is in a closed position, such that upon opening the umbrella into an open position, the plurality of ribs opens vertically before expanding horizontally, thus avoiding inadvertent contact of the umbrella with a user during the opening operation. The umbrella mechanism may be handheld or mounted to a structure such as a backpack, chair, table, patio or house, and may be operated by an enclosed motor. The motor may be powered by a battery, solar panel embedded into the canopy or an outside power source.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a gravity-powered, self-opening, and wind-resistant umbrella systems are provided. As evidenced from the teachings provided herein, the systems can be designed in a variety of configurations. The umbrella system can include a counterweight and system of pulleys, where the system of pulleys includes class 1 and class 2 pulleys configured with the counterweight to gain a mechanical advantage in the normal operation of the umbrella. The umbrella can be, for example, a patio umbrella in which the mechanical advantage provides a self-opening of an umbrella canopy and ease-of-retracting of the canopy for a user. And, the system can also be dynamic, such that it's also resistant to external forces, such as the wind.

Abstract: A high capacity anode preparation apparatus is provided which allows for the processing of raw anodes at production rates of up to, or exceeding, 600 anodes per hour. The processed anodes are suitable for use in the electrorefining of various metal materials, but in particular, in the electrorefining of copper. The apparatus is preferably part of a system which utilizes high speed industrial robots to supply, and remove, anodes to or from the apparatus, and provides the anodes in a horizontal orientation. The apparatus is equipped with a variety of treatment stations which are adapted to treat the raw anode while it is held in a horizontal orientation. The horizontal orientation allows the center of gravity for the apparatus to be kept close to the center of gravity for the apparatus, and thus allows the apparatus to rotate more rapidly than prior art device. Faster processing of the raw anodes is provided.

Abstract: A breaching device (100) includes an elongated main body (4) that forms an outer surface (2) and has a front end (24). The elongated main body (4) divides along a length and forms substantially equal upper (20) and lower (22) portions. A first curved handle (6) is attached to the outer surface (2) and extends a first height (21) over a portion of the upper portion (20). A partition (10) is attached to the outer surface (2) between the first curved handle (6) and the front end (24), and extends a second height (15) over the upper portion (20) and generally transverse to the length of the elongated main body (4). The second height (15) is greater than the first height (21).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the tool comprises an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first portion with a first end and a second portion with a second end, the second portion having an elongated aperture or slot. The tool includes a pull line attachment assembly coupled to the elongated shaft, the pull line attachment assembly being configured to couple to a pull line or strap. The tool also provides a self-orienting pull arm pivotally coupled within the elongated shaft and being configured to automatically latch and be concealed within said elongated shaft. The pull arm is configured to automatically orient to a deployed state under a force of gravity after the elongated shaft has been inserted through a barrier. The pull arm, when in the deployed state, is configured to apply pressure to the barrier to breach the barrier. Methods are described for using the tool to breach a barrier or ballistic material of an enclosed chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments are described in which a stacked arrangement of integrated circuit packages comprises a dummy substrate comprising an embedded discrete or distributed capacitor connected to first and/or second power voltages, or an embedded termination register connected to one or more clock, control, address, and/or data signals(s).

Abstract: A method of forming an umbrella canopy having a substantially continuously aligned decorative pattern displayed thereon, wherein the canopy is of the type used on large, outdoor and/or recreational umbrellas. The method includes forming an elongated sheet of canopy material with the decorative pattern displayed along a continuous portion of the length thereof. The decorative pattern is defined by a plurality of substantially equivalent, successively disposed pattern segments, wherein adjacent ones of such pattern segments are inverted relative to one another. The canopy sections used to construct the final product of the umbrella canopy are formed by extending each of a plurality of bias cuts along the entire width of the sheet of canopy material and at predetermined angular orientations to a central longitudinal axis of the sheet.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides unique structure for connecting between a storage capacitor and a transfer device in a memory cell and a method for fabricating the same. The preferred embodiment of the present invention forms a capacitor structure having a “lip” at its top on the side the connection is to be made. To form the connection, dopant is diffused from the lower surface of the capacitor step and into the substrate, forming a surface strap to connect between the storage capacitor and the transfer device. This surface strap has the advantage of being self aligned with the storage capacitor and the transfer device, facilitating higher memory cell densities. The present invention can be used to form connections between storage capacitors and memory cells in a wide variety of devices.

Abstract: A process for providing an integrated piezoelectric/electrostrictive film type element with excellent durability, includes a substrate made of a ceramic material composed mainly of completely stabilized or partially stabilized zirconium oxide, and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive operating section integrated onto the ceramic substrate by a film-forming method, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive operating section comprising a lower electrode, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer of a lead element-containing composition, and an upper electrode, wherein a heterophase-occurence rate at a surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer is controlled to a range of 0.1 to 30%.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a capacitor includes disposing one or more conductive layers of a first electrode stack in a recess of an alignment mechanism, where the recess is positioned relative to two or more alignment elements. The method further includes placing a separator over the one or more conductive layers where an outer edge of the separator contacts the two or more alignment elements. In one embodiment, a capacitor includes anode and cathode foils having offsetting edge portions. In one embodiment, a multiple tab cathode for a flat capacitor. A plurality of cathode tabs are portioned into a plurality of cathode tab groups positioned in different locations along the edge of the capacitor stack to reduce the amount of space required for connecting and routing the cathode tabs.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a semiconductor workpiece processing tool and methods for handling semiconductor workpiece therein. The semiconductor workpiece processing tool preferably includes an interface section comprising at least one interface module and a processing section comprising a plurality of processing modules for processing the semiconductor workpieces. The semiconductor workpiece processing tool may have a conveyor for transferring the semiconductor workpieces between the interface modules and the processing modules.

Abstract: Provided are high-purity quartz glass having a high purity, in particular, with little zirconium (Zr) and manufactured at low costs from natural quartz as the starting material and a method for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: An umbrella fabrication method including the steps of (I) preparing a bamboo tube by cutting off nodes from a bamboo cane, (II) bonding a resin compound to the inside of the bamboo tube thus obtained, so as to obtain a resin bonded bamboo tube, and, (III) cutting the resin bonded bamboo tube into finished pieces, each finished piece having a flat bamboo base, and a resin rib body bonded to one side of the flat bamboo base.

Abstract: An armature of an umbrella, composed of elements (1) in the form of a monobloc casting, having several parts corresponding to the tension arm (2), the spokes (3) and a longitudinal portion (4) of the handle.The different parts are connected to one another by joints formed from flexible tabs obtained during the casting. The ends of the spokes have means (18) for fastening the cloth, made by casting.The ring is obtained from a planar casting having locking means at its ends.

Abstract: Ceramic dielectric coating compositions are disclosed as well as processes for depositing the coating compositions on a substrate and the coated article resulting therefrom. A ferroelectric or piezoelectric powder material such as the barium titanate type or lead zirconate-titanate type is mixed with a phosphate additive and water to form an acidic flowable mass with a consistency suitable for depositing by various means on a substrate. Depositing means include painting, dipping, spraying, and silk-screen techniques. After deposition on the substrate, the coating composition is dried, preferably at an elevated temperature, to form a composite article of the substrate with an adherent ferroelectric or piezoelectric coating composition thereon.