Abstract: In an apparatus for shearing multi-walled workpieces, such as metal framing studs, a base support defines a blade gap therebetween, and a guillotine-like blade is slidably received within the gap for shearing the workpieces. A pair of first and second supports are each slidably mounted on a respective base support and are each spaced apart from and face each other to thereby define an adjustable-width channel for receiving a workpiece. Each of the supports defines a blade-like edge and may be oriented relative to one another such that the axis of the channel, and a longitudinal axis of the workpiece received within the channel may be oriented at a desired angle relative to the blade. A base support may be provided which defines a support surface extending between the elongated edges. A pair of base members may be slidably disposed on the base support and the first and second pairs of supports may each include a pair of upstanding members at least one pair of which is slidably disposed on the base members.

Abstract: A system for color characterization of an self-illuminating imaging display device and synchronization of the appearance of color images displayed on a self-illuminating imaging device is disclosed which is configured to embed a color characterization program in a response to an initial browser based request for a color image to facilitate the color characterization of a self-illuminating imaging device associated with the browser, forward the embedded response to a web browser, and generate a profile characterizing the self-illuminating imaging device using the color characterization program.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a nozzle assembly including a body having a conduit extending from an inlet to an outlet. A first end of a shaft is mounted to the body and a second end of the shaft extends from the body proximate the outlet. The shaft is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A turret is rotationally mounted on the second end of the shaft and a plurality of nozzles are removeably mounted on the turret for alignment with the outlet. The nozzle that is aligned with the outlet sealingly mates with the outlet when the turret in the retracted position and is spaced from the outlet when the turret in the extended position.

Abstract: A combination filter element comprising a bundle of hollow microporous fibers housed within an extruded carbon block, wherein the carbon block is fabricated to balance particle retention capacity against absorption capacity to provide a composite filter with desirable pressure drop, filter life, and particulate and chemical contamination reduction, and a filtration device, in which combination filter element may be employed, having a base portion including a sump which has an inlet and an outlet and a base which has a reception port for receiving the filter element.

Abstract: A reinforced hose coupling including an end fitting having first and second, axially extending sections with the first section comprising a connector and a second section providing a nipple with external grooves. A metal ferrule is mounted on the nipple and is connected to the end fitting. The ferrule has an external depression formed in a side thereof. Two holes are formed in this depression and extend through the wall of the ferrule. A reinforced hose end having flexible tubular rubber or plastic layers is crimped between the ferrule and the nipple. The hose end has an outer wire extending about the exterior of the tubular layers. An end piece of this wire extends through the holes and across the depression helping to secure the hose end to the coupling and providing an indication to the user that the coupling is in usable condition. Preferably the ferrule is formed with a circumferentially extending internal rim at one end, which rim is forced into a circumferential groove formed in the end-fitting.

Abstract: A locating device for attaching a fixture level on a wall is disclosed. The device includes an elongated body having a rear side. A first trammel is slidingly mounted on the elongated body and includes a first marker extending from the first trammel in a direction away from the rear side of the body. A second trammel is also slidingly mounted on the elongated body and includes a second marker extending from the second trammel in a direction away from the rear side of the body. A first securing device is attached to the first trammel to secure it in a desired position. A second securing device is attached to the second trammel to secure it in a desired position. A level is mounted to the elongated body and has a predetermined orientation relative to an imaginary line connecting the first marker and the second marker. A side of the elongated body may include graduated markings which can be used as a guide to position the trammels.

Abstract: A traction device having particular applicability to front wheel drive vehicles is provided that includes an elongated cross member assembly and a pair of elongated members that are adapted to be pivotally mounted relative to the cross member and the vehicle's chassis. Appropriate brackets are provided to facilitate pivotal motion between the elongated cross member and the elongated members. Gusset brackets are also advantageously provided to facilitate mounting of the traction device to a vehicle's frame. The lengths of the elongated members are adjustable through interaction between threaded turn screws/rod ends and receptacles that include internal threading. Length adjustment helps to ensure optimal pivotal motion during use. Preliminary test results evidence improved vehicle performance in 60 FT times through use of the disclosed traction device.

Abstract: A dual direction exhalation valve is disclosed herein. The exhalation valve includes first and second sealing discs which are each movably mounted within a housing. The first sealing disc includes at least one venting aperture that is initially obstructed by the second sealing disc. In response to an appropriate pressure force, the second sealing disc flexes or deflects such that the at least one venting aperture is exposed. Upon removal of the motivating pressure, the second sealing disc automatically returns to its initial, obstructive position. A method for venting gas from an inhalation system is also disclosed which utilizes a dual direction exhalation valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the manufacture of reinforced, three-zone, microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different possible pore sizes in any of the three zones from at least a single mother dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating at least a single mother batch of dope in a vessel preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane production operation to produce three-zone phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes in any or all of the three zones. The at least one mother dope batch is controllably formulated in at least one vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a cable management system for supporting and routing cables. The cable management system includes one or more cable supports attached to a support structure such as a wall or electronics cabinet. Each cable support includes one or more cable spools detachably mounted to a spool guide. The spool guide includes a channel extending along its length and in-turned flanges that extend partially across the opening of the channel. Each cable spool includes a spool body and a coupler. The coupler has a retractable brace that can be inserted into the channel, rotated and retracted toward the spool body for clamping the in-turned flanges between the brace and the spool body.

Abstract: A substantially adhesive-free flexible multi-layer graphite based product comprising a first and second outer graphite layer and a layer intermediate to the first and second outer graphite layers, wherein said first and second outer graphite layers comprise at least about 30% flake graphite and said intermediate layer comprises between about 5% to about 20% elastomeric polymer and between about 5 to about 40% fiber.

Abstract: A track section for use on a substantially planar surface including a plurality of spaced segments, each of the plurality of spaced segments defining at least one groove in at least one surface thereof, each of the plurality of spaced segments defining an orifice to receive a cable captured by a first end connector on a first end and captured by a second end connector on a second end and wherein the track section flexes on the substantially planar surface.

Abstract: Processes for producing gray cast iron and the resulting gray cast iron exhibiting consistently good surface finish with prolonged tool life during finish machining with cubic boron nitride and silicon nitride cutting tools at high cutting speeds and low feed rates are provided comprising (1) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for nitrogen to a gray iron melt; (2) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for carbon to said melt; and (3) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for oxygen to said melt, to form a chemically stable, high melting or refractory oxide protective layer at the cutting edge of the tool during metal cutting, thereby suppressing chemical wear.

Abstract: A bearing isolator seal having a shaft seal assembly that includes a stator housing comprising two components, an interior and an exterior component, the two stator housing components being selectively connectable, and axially positionable (relative to the radial faces of the rotor), disconnectable via screw threads on similar structures formed thereon to enable a perishable rotor component to be readily replaced with the stator components being reusable with a new rotor, the assembled stator housing, having an inner radially extending face with a pair of spaced concentric annular flanges of substantially frusto-conical shape extending from a larger diameter end that is fixed to the inner radially extending face to a smaller diameter free end, and a rotor having a peripherally extending radial flange that is fixed to a hub of the rotor and has a contact sealing surface that contacts the free end of the annular flanges of the stator housing.

Abstract: A spiral wound filter element is disclosed which includes alternating layers of filter medium and diffusion medium wrapped about a cylindrical core defining a central axis of the filter element. The alternating layers extend from a radially innermost layer of the filter element to a radially outermost layer of the filter element, the diffusion medium is defined by a continuous lengthwise sheet of mesh material, and the filter medium is defined by at least one sheet of filter material arranged along the length of the continuous sheet of mesh material. The alternating layers of filter medium and diffusion medium define three distinct radially disposed layered filtering sections surrounding the cylindrical core, and include a first filtering section having radially outer prequalifying layers, a second filtering section having middle prequalifying layers and a third filtering section having radially inner qualifying layers.

Abstract: A housing for a fan unit has a opening defined by an inner peripheral wall being formed with an expanded section for enlarging a part of the opening so that the speed of the air flowing from a predetermined direction and into the opening is higher than the speed of the air flowing from other directions. Since a part of the opening is enlarged, the flowing resistance of the airflow at the portion provided with the expanded section is low as compared with that at other portions. Therefore, the airflow speed increases for the air flowing from a predetermined direction in the electrical apparatus toward the air inlet of the fan unit, and a larger volume of air is thereby drawn into the air passage and is efficiently exhausted.

Abstract: A device is provided for self-sampling a body cavity, in particular the cervix, and a method is provided to use the device to obtain samples from the cervix for testing for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The device includes elongated flexible bristles attached to a handle to form a mop-like sampling member. The sampling member is slidably disposed within an annular shield for insertion into the vaginal cavity and for positioning in contact with the cervix. After the shield is located in position, the shield is partially withdrawn to expose the elongated bristles to the cervix. The sampling member is rotated to mop the cervix and obtain a sample of cervical cells on the elongated bristles. The sampling device is then withdrawn from the vaginal cavity and the sample is sent for analysis.

Abstract: A workpiece table, provided for a machine tool, is movable back and forth between two end positions and has for this purpose a rotational drive which has a gear part joined to the workpiece table for rotation thereof, a toothed rack in engagement therewith, as well as a medium-actuated shift drive for displacement of the toothed rack, which thereby performs a linear stroke motion, delimited by stops, between two end locations corresponding to the end positions of the workpiece table. Provided on the workpiece table is a mechanism which acts upon the toothed rack with a higher feed force at the beginning of the linear stroke movement than during the remainder of the linear stroke.

Abstract: A traction device is provided that includes a rigid front mount assembly that may be clamped to or around the vehicle's leaf spring, thereby creating a positive displacement point for torque transmitted from the rear axle through a telescoping linkage. An advantageous shock absorption element associated with the telescoping linkage cushions forces transmitted therethrough. Free travel and pre-load adjustments are made quick and easy through a readily accessible adjustment mechanism. A preferred bracket design is also provided which ensures optimal force transmission and enhanced system strength and reliability. The traction device of the present disclosure may be included in original vehicle fabrication and assembly, or may be readily installed on existing vehicles without the need for welding or modifications to the chassis or rear axle housing.