Abstract: An apparatus for centering a ball is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base, an upright member supported on the base for pivotal movement with respect to the base, and a pivot arm pivotally supported relative to the upright member for pivotal movement between a first, cocked position and a second, released position. A ball cradle is supported on the pivot arm for releasably supporting a ball to be centered. A bias member urges the pivot arm towards the second, released position and a pivot arm lock is operable, in a first condition, to hold the pivot arm in the first position. The pivot arm lock, in a second condition, releases the pivot arm so that the bias member moves the pivot arm to the released position, thereby centering the ball. The apparatus preferably includes sound actuated means for changing the condition of the pivot arm lock from the first condition to the second condition, to center the ball.

Abstract: The present invention is a process by which optical surfaces of lenses, particularly plastic progressive lenses and molding shells for producing lenses are manufactured directly in a single step according to didicidual data. A blank from which an optical surface or a molding shell is to be manufactured is held at the workpiece carrier of a spindle axis (Z axis) of a shaping machine and is directly turned into its final form by a turning tool which can move relative to the blank (in the X axis), i.e., transversely to the direction of displacement of the tool. During each rotation of the spindle, the turning tool is incrementally adjusted towards or away from the blank depending on the characteristic surface data, which may be predetermined or calculated on-line.

Abstract: An aerodynamic seal for a continuous heat treatment furnace which contains a protective atmosphere, and through which a metal strip moves in a given direction is disclosed. The seal is adjacent a passage through which the strip moves through a wall of the furnace, and comprises two slit nozzles above the strip and two slit nozzles below the strip, and inlets for causing a jet of gas to flow through each of the slit nozzles. The slit nozzles are so positioned that gas flowing normal to the strip through the two nozzles above the strip will strike the strip in two lines which are separated from one another in the given direction, and gas flowing normal to the strip through the two nozzles below the strip will strike the strip in two lines which are separated from one another in the given direction.

Abstract: The invention proposes a spacer (1) for arranging between at least partially equidistant surfaces of components which are to be arranged temporarily adjacent to one another, in particular between plate-like or panel-like components, said spacer comprising solely an elastically deformable adhering element (3; 11; 14) and a supporting element (2) with two end surfaces, it being the case that the supporting element (2) is formed in a dimensionally stable manner from plastic and has a depression (5) on one side, it being the case that the adhering element (3; 11; 14) is secured in the depression (5) of the supporting element (2), projects beyond the depression (5) once relieved of stressing and, when subjected to compressive loading, can be forced back into the depression (5), and it being the case that the adhering element (3; 11; 14) and the depression (5) are coordinated with one another such that the adhering element (3; 11; 14) still maintains its elasticity in the position in which it has been forced back f

Abstract: A method for building a bicycle wheel and the wheel. Inserting a threaded end (106) of a spoke (100) through a hole (126) in the rim (102), through a spacer (118), and engaging the threaded end (106) with an internally threaded connector (104). The rim (102) and the connector (104) cooperate to maintain the axis of the threaded end (106) of each spoke (100) in a given spoke hole (126) so that it is skewed relative to the axis of a first portion of each spoke (100) extending from the hub to the rim (102). While the connector (104) is turned to tension the spoke (100), the spoke (100) permanently bends at a point (128) remote from the spoke's thread end (106).

Abstract: A glass fiber separator material is disclosed. The separator is composed of a mass of intermeshed glass fibers substantially all of which have a fiber diameter not greater than about 20 &mgr;m, and at least 5 percent w/w of which have a fiber diameter less than 1 &mgr;m, and, distributed through the glass fibers, and from 0.2 percent w/w to 20 percent w/w of cellulose fibrils. The fibrils are from a slurry having a Canadian freeness sufficiently low that the separator material has a tensile strength greater than an otherwise identical separator where glass fibers having an average diameter greater than 1 &mgr;m replace the cellulose fibrils.

Abstract: A method for producing a battery separator from a slurry of fibers which are resistant to the chemicals which are found in a battery, and a thermoplastic binder for the fibers. The method comprises the steps of casting the slurry onto a screen, draining the liquid of the slurry from fibers and binder which collect on the screen, and drying the fibers and binder without softening the binder. Subsequently, usually after the it has been rolled, packaged and shipped, the separator is cut to size and heated to soften the binder. In a preferred embodiment, the fibers are glass fibers having an average diameter less than 3 &mgr;m. In another preferred embodiment, the fibers are organic.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein involves a phototherapeutic pyrrolic core complexed with a non-radioactive Indium atom. Complexation of Indium by the pyrrolic core forms a metalopyrrolic compound which influences enables these compounds to localize at target sites a phototherapy. Such functionally aids in both detection and phototherapy of disease sites, or provides functionality that binds to site specific receptors of a target area such that the therapy is improved.

Abstract: A device for engaging a load having apertures in a lower portion of the load, adjacent to its base. The device comprises a frame having first and second ends, a load facing surface, first and second jaws supported on said frame and a jaw positioner operable to secure said jaws in a position where they lock the frame to the load with the load facing surface in contact therewith. The frame is connectable to a at least one frame lifter comprising a wheel supported for reciprocating movement between a first position in which, when the lifter is connected to the frame and the frame is connected to the load, the wheel is above a surface under the load, and a second position in which the wheel engages the surface and supports the frame and the load above the surface.

Abstract: A low spoke count high spoke tension bicycle wheel having paired spokes that cross between the hub and the rim is disclosed. The wheel has a center plane and comprises a bicycle wheel hub having first and second hub flanges on first and second sides, respectively, of the wheel center plane, a rim, and nine or fewer pairs of first and second spokes each having a first end which is connected to one of said hub flanges or to said rim and a second end which is threadably received in a nipple which is seated at a spoke bore in said rim or in said hub. The wheel has excellent lateral stiffness which gives a bike on which the wheel is mounted excellent resistance to speed wobble or shimmy, in the case of a front wheel or to axle deflection, in the case of a rear wheel, and the spokes in the pair cross the wheel center plane between the hub and the rim, for added lateral strength. The first and second spokes of each pair are not connected to each other and have a combined static tension in excess of 200 pounds.

Abstract: A method of producing tufted products is disclosed. The method includes the steps of installing a second set of reed fingers (8) relative to a tufting machine, feeding a pair of backing sheets (7,9) to the tufting machine with the second set of reed fingers (8) positioned between the backing sheets (7,9); operating the tufting machine in a normal manner to form a face-to-face structure through the backing sheets; and cutting or dividing the face-to-face structure to form two separate tufted products. No additional or extra backing stitch is included in the face-to-face structure formed through the backing sheets. Also disclosed is the installation of an optional lower presser foot (5) which, if present, temporarily holds the yarn during needle retraction.

Abstract: A pre-loaded, disposable merchandiser, a machine for producing the merchandiser and methods for producing the merchandiser and for packaging items to be sold for display. The merchandiser comprises a strip, a hanger at one end of the strip for suspending the strip, and a plurality of items to be offered for sale, adhesively connected to the strip in staggered locations on the strip. Apparatus for producing the merchandiser comprises a strip material feeder operable to deliver or feed strip material to a station, a tape arm operable to advance tape, a tape cutter operable to cut off a piece of the tape, and an install pad operable to apply the piece of tape to a portion of the strip and to a portion of an item to be sold or to packaging for the item.

Abstract: A method for producing an acrylic graft polymer on the surface of a polyolefin article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of immersing the polyolefin article in a solution of a photoinitiator in a volatile solvent, allowing the volatile solvent in the photoinitiator solution to vaporize, immersing the polyolefin article in a solution of an acrylic monomer, and subjecting the polyolefin article, while in a suitable atmosphere, which can be air or can be inert, to ultraviolet irradiation to cause the acrylic monomer to graft to the polyolefin surface. A method which involves subjecting a polyolefin article to corona discharge, immersing the article, after corona discharge treatment, in a solution of a photoinitiator and an acrylic monomer in a volatile solvent, and subjecting the article to ultra violet irradiation to cause the acrylic monomer to graft to the polyolefin surface is also disclosed. The latter method improves the ammonia trapping capacity of the grafted article.

Abstract: A top hat annealing furnace with pivoting features. The annealing furnace has an annealing understructure, an annealing hood, a heating hood and a cooling hood. The annealing understructure and the annealing hood are supported so that they can be tilted between an operating position and a loading position. The heating hood and the cooling hood are provided with doors, which can be closed when the furnace is in use, and opened when it cycle is completed. When the doors of either hood are open and the hood is oriented vertically, the hood can be moved horizontally relative to the annealing hood.

Abstract: An improved sock or slipper sock comprising a toe portion for covering the toes of a foot, a continuous calf portion for surrounding a calf, and a slit, slot or opening located between the toe portion and the calf portion is disclosed. The slot terminates, at one end, adjacent to the toe portion and terminates at the other end, adjacent to the calf portion. In a preferred embodiment, the slit is buttonhole stitched for durability. When the sock is first put on a foot, the calf portion is held open and gently slid over the toes, the foot and up the calf where it is released and gently grips the calf. The toe portion is then manipulated to cover the toes of the foot. The slit opens, as necessary, to accommodate any dressing that might be anywhere on the foot. When the dressing needs to be changed, the calf portion remains in its position around the calf, or is adjusted downwardly somewhat, and the toe portion of the sock is removed from toes, leaving the sock attached to the person, about his or her calf.

Abstract: Methods and materials for producing microfibers, and methods or collecting the formed fibers as mats, either by themselves or with various additive, are disclosed. The mats are masses of intermeshed glass or other fibers produced by suspending the fibers in a gaseous medium, and collecting the suspended fibers on a foraminous material. The fibers suspended in the gaseous medium have a BET surface area of from 0.2 to 5 m2 per gram. A method for adding additional materials to the mats is also disclosed; this method involves suspending the additives in the gaseous medium with the fibers.

Abstract: A Dyligomer is disclosed. The Dyligomer has the structure OCN—B—NCO and the active hydrogens of OH groups of compounds having the formulas A—OH and D—OH and A and D are chemical moieties formed by the reactions which formed B, and wherein A and D include, in their structures, at least two active hydrogens which are parts of OH groups and at least one ethylenic double bond. A preferred family of Dyligomers has the structure of Formula I, below: where R is an alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, dihydroxy alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxy alkenyl group having from 2 to 6 carbons. Also disclosed are a method for producing a thermoset article which involves using the Dyligomer and a composition comprising a filler, a catalyst for the reaction of an isocyanate with an active hydrogen, an addition cross-linking material which has at least one ethylenic double bond in its molecule, a free radical addition polymerization catalyst, and the Dyligomer.

Abstract: A chain link is disclosed. The link is composed of two abutting link parts, one of which has an end which is slidably received within a correspondingly shaped end of the other link part, and a connector, preferably a retaining snap ring. The ring is received in cooperating grooves in, and locks, the two link parts in their abutting positions. The grooves, the ring, and the link parts are so shaped and positioned that, when the ring is received within the grooves, the link parts constitute a complete link of a desired configurations, and are securely locked to one another by the ring. The link parts may initially be separate and have second ends corresponding with the first ends. Alternatively, the free ends of the link parts may be connected to or integral with a link body which connects them. At least a portion of the link body is flexible or malleable.