Abstract: A method for optimizing the length of a blank for an open-type clamp with overlapping band portions, a tightening device and a device with complementary profiles in the inner and outer clamping band portions to assure a gap-free and stepless inner clamping surface, according to which the location of the beginning of the profile at the inner clamping band portions in the condition of engagement of the mechanical connection and non-tightening of the tightening device is determined as a function of the tightening necessary to reach the diameter of dmax; by locating the transition from full band width to the profile in the inner clamping band portion with the use of this method clamping band material savings can be achieved in the clamp made in accordance with this method.

Abstract: A guide arrangement for minimizing incorrect emplacement of a tightening tool at a plastically deformable ear of a hose clamp which includes male guide profiles in the clamp adapted to cooperate with female guide profiles in the tightening tool to permit the installer to sense proper positioning of the tightening tool when the male guide profiles are in engagement with the female guide profiles in the tightening tool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an open-type clamp and clamps made by such a method with an arrangement assuring gap-free and stepless internal clamping surfaces which include one of a female and male configuration at the end of the inner clamping band portion and one of male and female configuration in the outer clamping band potion, wherein the profile in the outer band portion is constituted by a deep-drawn channel having a dimension in the direction at right angle to the surface of the clamping band which corresponds substantially to the thickness of the clamping band, and merging any part of the outer clamping band remaining positionally substantially unaffected by the deep-drawing operation of the channel, into the inwardly displaced plane obtained by such deep-drawing operation.

Abstract: A hybrid ship hull which includes three parts and whose stem and bow parts are made of composite materials while the mid-section is made of hybrid steel framing with a composite skin or of advanced double-steel hull or of conventional steel hull construction.

Abstract: A skin protector and accessories for protection of a skin incision during minimally invasive surgical procedures requiring protection from thermal and frictional abrasion, for example, during ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. The skin protector incorporates an outer configuration to assist in maintaining in situ positioning of the skin protector during operative procedure. An introducer member for blunt dissection of a tunnel is provided to allow easy insertion of the skin protector. A driver member for dilatation of the skin incision, and for facilitating implantation and withdrawal of the skin protector is provided with a complementary configuration to that of the skin protector to cause the skin protector to be taken along with rotary motion of the driver member.

Abstract: A hair care system for applying heat generated by microwave energy to hair, in which an auxiliary heat source is adapted to be exposed to microwave energy and convert the microwave energy into heat and store the same for subsequent use in treating or conditioning hair; the auxiliary heat source is a multi-layer structure and includes an outer layer substantially microwave-safe and remaining cool to touch, an insulation layer inside of the outer layer and also substantially microwave-safe, a further layer inside the insulation layer which converts microwave energy into heat, whereby the further layer is either of double-walled construction containing lossy dielectric material or a single layer of flexible material, or molded into a shape corresponding to the shape of a rigid outer layer, or includes a moisture-absorbing material adjoined on the inside by a layer of a moisture-proof material or a moisture-non-absorbing material having a close wave.

Abstract: An earless clamp structure in which the clamping band is provided with tool-engaging abutment surfaces for tightening the clamp and a mechanical connection for connecting the overlapping band portions in the completely tightened condition; to avoid lifting up of the free end of the outer band portion during tightening, the latter is provided with a reinforcement in the form of a pressed-out embossment or the like, at least partially surrounding the tunnel-shaped member in the adjoining area of the outer band end portion; a hook-like member for mechanically connecting the overlapping band portions which is provided in the inner band portion has a substantially rectilinear obliquely outwardly extending rear surface adjoined by a substantially flat top portion which is adapted to snap-in from below over the surface of the clamping band portion located at the edge formed by the transverse cut nearer the free end of the outer band portion of the first tunnel-shaped member.

Abstract: A hair curler system in which a number of hair curlers and curler lifters are stored in individual compartments insulated with respect to one another and with respect to the outside to thereby effectively improve energy efficiency of the curler system. The individual compartments are formed by cored-out insulation or by individual heat tubes either of test-tube-like shape having an open or closed bottom or of an inwardly recessed bottom to receive heat posts or rods on a heat plate or accommodate lossy dielectric material.

Abstract: A bicycle rack with a substantially planar carrier surface extending in the longitudinal direction, longitudinal frame members, whereby the carrier surface is adapted to be modified at least in one of size and configuration by the use of cross rail assemblies forming tubular members and extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction and of support arms rotatable as well as axially adjustable within the tubular members; the support arms can be held fast in a preselected axial and rotatable position, whereby the frame members are so arranged that the maximum height of the cross rail assemblies lies substantially within the plane of the carrier surface.

Abstract: A skin protector and accessories for protection of the skin incision during ultrasonic-assisted liposuction from thermal and frictional abrasion includes a skin protector made from sterilizable material which resists deformation and incorporates an outer configuration to assist in maintaining in situ positioning of the skin protector during operative procedure. An introducer member for blunt dissection of a tunnel is provided to allow easy insertion of the skin protector and ultrasonic probe. A driver member for dilatation of the skin incision, and for insertion and removal of the skin protector is also provided to assist in the use of the skin protector, properly speaking.

Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band which can be used, for example, to fixedly secure a hose on a nipple and which includes a tightening arrangement for tightening the clamp structure about the object to be fastened and a tolerance-compensating arrangement for the entire tolerance range of the hose and nipple. The tolerance-compensating arrangement is thereby formed by a slot-like opening punched-out of the clamping band which is of such width and length that the lateral clamping band portions left on both sides of the slot-like opening provide tolerance compensation at the clamping forces specified by the customer, taking into consideration also the fact that the material of the lateral band portions is work-hardened by the punching-out operation of the tolerance-compensating opening.

Abstract: A band made from a material normally elastically non-stretchable in its longitudinal direction to which elastic stretchability is imparted by one or more sections which include lateral non-rectilinear band portions on both sides of the central longitudinal band plane which are concavely shaped as viewed from the central longitudinal plane to form a central window which at least approximately resembles an hourglass. The lateral non-rectilinear band portions are thereby made by cut-outs in the band along its longitudinal sides and in the center area. In one embodiment, the cut-outs along the sides are segmentally shaped while the window in the central area is made of a shape resembling an hourglass. Adjacent sections are connected with each other by transversely extending web portions delimited in the longitudinal direction by end surfaces of the central cut-outs.

Abstract: A two-partite hair curler which includes a first relatively fixed part and a second relatively movable part, movable between an extended and retracted position relative to the first part, whereby the second part has a curler surface on which hair is adapted to be wound in the extended position of the first part, and the first and second parts are provided with complementary locking devices for disengageably locking the second part in both the extended and retracted position.

Abstract: A reinforced ear structure for a hose clamp or the like in which the reinforcement includes tab-like reinforcing members extending along the longitudinal sides of the bridging portion which are bent downwardly and/or a relatively shallow reinforcing depression in the bridging portion whose bottom part is substantially flat in a transverse cross section through the bridging portion and is either relatively flat or slightly concavely curved as viewed in longitudinal cross section through the bridging portion.

Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band, with a lever-type band tightening closure mechanism including a relatively fixed part and a lever part relatively movable with respect to said relatively fixed part, whereby the relatively fixed part has a base portion and two side walls integral with and extending upwardly from the base portion; the base portion is provided with two slots extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the clamping band and the lever part has two mutually oppositely and outwardly directed pivot members which are adapted to pivotally engage in corresponding pivot openings in the side walls; one end section of the clamping band includes tolerance-compensating undulations which are covered from below by the remaining underlying end portion of the clamping band; locking projections are provided on the mutually facing surfaces of the side walls to prevent inadvertent reopening.

Abstract: A reinforced ear structure for a hose clamp or the like in which the reinforcement includes a relatively shallow reinforcing depression in the bridging portion whose bottom part is slightly concavely shaped in longitudinal cross section through the bridging portion.

Abstract: An open clamp structure in which overlapping band portions are mechanically connected by a spring separate from the clamping band; the spring is thereby of low profile having a top portion and lateral portions passing over into mutually facing end portions which are provided with tongue-like extensions adapted to engage in tunnel-shaped embossments in corresponding parts of the clamping band. Means for limiting the extent of stretching to which the spring can be subjected and also providing at the same time a guide function to keep overlapping band portions mutually aligned includes either two tab-like members extending in the longitudinal direction within two narrow slot-like openings only slightly wider than the thickness of the clamping band and of predetermined length or a tunnel-shaped embossment in the inner band portion extending in an elongated opening of only slightly larger width than the embossment to provide the guide function.

Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band which can be used, for example, to fixedly secure a hose on a nipple and which includes a tightening arrangement for tightening the clamp structure about the object to be fastened by plastic deformation and a tolerance-compensating arrangement in the form of at least one undulation; the tolerance-compensating arrangement is thereby separate from the tightening arrangement providing the clamping forces and is so constructed and arranged that the tolerance-compensating arrangement does not affect the holding ability of the tightening arrangement but improves in combination with the tightening arrangement the return spring action of the clamp structure.

Abstract: An earless clamp structure to which elastic stretchability is imparted by one or more clamping band sections which essentially consist of lateral band portions converging toward one another from each end of the section. The lateral band portions define therebetween a window-like opening resembling an hourglass. The method in accordance with the present invention involves the step of removing certain material portions from the clamping band to obtain a section with non-rectilinear lateral band portions.