Abstract: A connector (10) for tubular members (12, 14) is disclosed including first and second connector elements (16, 18) each having U-shaped cross sections and first and second jaw members (20, 22). A set screw (30) is threaded into the central portion (24) of the second connector element (18) intermediate the first and second jaw members (20, 22) and has an end abutting with the central portion (24) of the first connector element (16). A collar (32) encircles the first and second connector elements (16, 18) and the set screw (30) intermediate the jaw members (20, 22), with the first and second connector elements (16, 18) being biased apart by an O-ring (38) positioned between the connector elements (16, 18) and around the set screw (30).

Abstract: A retractable handle assembly for a suitcase and includes a handlebar which has a bar disposed to a top thereof with a spring disposed therebetween, two connecting elements each having one end thereof fixedly to the bar and the other end extending through the handlebar, two second tubes each having one end fixedly to a base in the suitcase and having a plurality of fifth holes defined in an inner side thereof, two first tubes respectively retractably received in the first tube corresponding thereto, a first end of each of the first tubes fixedly to the handlebar and the connecting element received in the first tube corresponding thereto wherein the second end of the connecting element having two bosses extending therefrom and a slot defined between the two bosses, the second end of each of the first tube having a lower hole defined in an inner side thereof and a locking member urgedly extending through the slot, the lower hole of the first tube and one of the fifth holes of the second tube by a resilient elem

Abstract: Rotational control apparatus in the forms of fan clutches (A, A') are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to the input or output of the clutch (A, A') and a magnetically conductive ring (242) mounted to the other of the input or output of the clutch (A, A'). Thus, the output portion and the fan blades mounted thereto are driven at engine speeds when the clutch (A, A') is air actuated and are driven at a rotational speed less than engine speed by the eddy current drive (224) when the clutch (A, A') is not air actuated and without separate controls for the eddy current drive (224). A housing (62) comprises the output portion of the clutch (A) which is rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28) which comprises the input portion of the clutch (A).

Abstract: A tape applying apparatus (10) includes a plurality of pairs of vacuum heads (120, 122) extending axially at circumferentially spaced intervals on a disc (24) rotated about an axis by the extension of a cylinder (48) which is operatively connected by a cam follower (60) to a cam (40) rotatably fixed to the disc (24). The vacuum head (120) adjacent the free end of the tape includes a trough (126) including vacuum bleed holes (128) for drawing the tape segment extending over the trough (126) into the trough (126) to form a tab when desired. A slide (66) is reciprocated between retracted and extended positions by a further cylinder (72). A knife (98) is movably connected to the slide (66) for cutting the tape when the knife (98) reaches a cutting position, with the knife (98) stopping at the cutting position before the slide (66) reaches the extended position.

Abstract: A bearing assembly of a bottom bracket for a bicycle, the bottom bracket includes an axle, at least one bearing, a tube and a housing, the tube engaged in the housing and the axle rotatably engaged in the tube by at least one bearing disposed therebetween. The tube has at least one annular recess defined in an inner periphery thereof and the axle has a threaded portion for threadedly engaging to a race which has an annular recess defined in an outer periphery thereof. The bearing is received between the annular recess of the tube and the annular recess of the race, an abutment between the tube and the bearing defining a first arc on a vertical plane passing through a center of the bearing, the first arc having an upper distal point and a lower distal point, the upper distal point located in the first (or the second) quadrant of the vertical plane with regard to a right-angle coordinate which has an origin of ordinates at the center of the bearing.

Abstract: A drawbar device comprises a first sectional handle, a second sectional handle coupling with the first sectional handle, an upper seat disposed under the sectional handles, a push button disposed in the first and second sectional handles, a first and second control plates connecting two ends of the push button respectively, the upper ends of the first and second control rods connecting the first and second control plates respectively, the lower ends of the first and second control rods connecting a first and second positioning blocks respectively, the first and second positioning blocks inserted in a first and second drawbars respectively to engage with a first and second pinions therein, a first and second outer pipes encasing the first and second drawbars respectively, and a lower seat having two recess holes to receive the lower ends of the corresponding first and second outer pipes respectively.

Abstract: A continuous motion stacking apparatus (10) is disclosed including a positive drive device (14) which places abutting products on a conveyor (12). When the leading series of products is detected to have reached a predetermined position by a sensor (94), the series of products are pushed from the conveyor (12) by a pusher plate (32) which has a first movement component equal to the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) and a second movement component perpendicular to the conveyor (12). The series of products are pushed onto a shelf (30) simultaneously moving perpendicular to the conveyor (12) with the pusher plate (32). When the shelf (30) retracts, the products fall onto a vertically, movable platform (24) or products supported thereon. A guide (34) moves forward at the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) to keep the remaining products on the conveyor (12) and to keep the last product of the series being pushed from the conveyor (12) parallel to the conveyor (12).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling a sanitary device in a non-contact manner includes a pyroelectric sensing circuit for detecting a temperature in a predetermined location and outputting a signal, a microprocessor for receiving a signal from the pyroelectric sensing circuit and outputting a triggering signal when the signal received by the microprocessor is judged as a result of body heat, a driving circuit for receiving the triggering signal and actuating a motor-operated control valve.

Abstract: Apparatus (300) is disclosed for locking a key (322) in a keyway (302) of a shaft (10) and of a hub slideably receiving the shaft (10). The key (322) is tapered and includes a top extending at an acute angle to the bottom, with the keyway (302) of the shaft (10) having a bottom wall (306) at the acute angle to the axis of the shaft (10). A push rod (312) is rotatable in an axial bore (308) in the shaft (10) and includes a threaded portion (318) threaded into a threaded counterbore (310) of the axial bore (308). The forward end of the push rod (312) is interconnected to the key (322) by a lip (336) formed in the key (322) extending into a notch (316) formed in the push rod (312). Rotation of the push rod (312) causes the push rod (312) to move axially in the axial bore (308) which in turn axially moves the key (322) in the keyway (302).

Abstract: A portable telephone holder comprises a bottom plate, a cover covering the bottom plate, two lateral flaps disposed at two sides of the cover, a bottom block disposed beneath the cover, two coupling sliders disposed in the cover, two plastic casings disposed on the bottom block, and four rubber sleeves disposed on the cover.

Abstract: Rotational control apparatus in the preferred forms of fan clutches (A) are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to a radially extending surface (232) of a housing (62) rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28). A magnetically conductive ring (242) is mounted on the opposite axial side of the friction disc (28) than the surface (34) engaged by a friction ring (86, 252) which is rotatably fixed but axially displaceable relative to the housing (62). In the embodiments shown, the friction ring (86, 252) is biased in a disengaged condition from the friction disc (28) by springs (138, 256) and is moved to an engaged condition by a fluid actuated piston (80).

Abstract: Rotational control apparatus in the preferred forms of fan clutches (A, A') are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to the input of the clutch (A, A') and a magnetically conductive ring (242) mounted to the output of the clutch (A, A'). Thus, the output portion and the fan blades mounted thereto are driven at engine speeds when the clutch (A, A') is air actuated and are driven at a rotational speed less than engine speed by the eddy current drive (224) when the clutch (A, A') is not air actuated and without separate controls for the eddy current drive (224). In preferred forms, a housing (62) comprises the output portion of the clutch (A) which is rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28) which comprises the input portion of the clutch (A).

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional embroidery comprises the steps of framing the double-layered fabric and framing the thermal-decomposed fabric with at least two frames, placing the thermal-decomposed fabric on the double-layered fabric, embroidering the fabrics with embroidering threads, decomposing a brush-off fabric, and removing the frames to form a semi-product, spraying the pressurized air on the semi-product, and forming the product.

Abstract: A floor scrubber is disclosed including a frame including a drive wheel, rear wheels, brushes, vacuum squeegee system, batteries, solution tanks, and an operator seat. The rear wheels are rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of a steel rod. Arms are attached rigidly to the axle and each include a cylindrical pivot in which an elastomer bushing is press fit. Pivot pins extend through first and second pairs of first and second plates and the elastomer bushing for pivotably mounting the arms to the frame while isolating any transmitted vibrations. Elastomeric isolator mounts are provided each including a frusto-conical shaped body and each having a nut embedded in the lower end for threadable receipt of a bolt passing through an attachment plate attached to the axle. The upper ends of the elastomeric isolator mounts each include a plate secured thereto and secured to the frame.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing liquid soap including a channel, a port for coupling to a liquid soap container and a nozzle for dispensing liquid soap. A shaft with a piston is slidably mounted through the body for urging liquid soap to the nozzle and a collar received in the channel and mounted onto the shaft with a plurality of gaps. The shaft has an urging ring to permit the collar to slidably move in the body.

Abstract: A pulse-type driving device for driving a plurality of light emitting diodes includes a power source providing a DC voltage, a pointer control circuit including a pulse output terminal for outputting pulses therefrom. A plurality of sets of detecting circuits each of which includes one of the light emitting diodes, a phototransistor, and a transistor. The light emitting diode emits light to activate the phototransistor which in turn triggers the transistor to output a signal to the pointer control circuit. A constant current source is connected between the pointer control circuit and the light emitting diodes and provides constant current to energize the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A spectacle frame includes two side portions each having an extension. The extensions each includes two gears rotatably secured in the end portions and engaged with each other. Two legs each has end secured to the outer gears of the extensions as to allow the legs to be rotated in concert with the outer gears. The extensions each includes a curved notch formed in the free end and the legs each includes a projection slidably engaged with the curved notches for limiting the rotational movement of the legs.

Abstract: An elevator mechanism is disposed in the rear portion for rotating the rear panel of the vehicle and includes two pairs of links pivotally coupled in parallel between two couplers and a support of the vehicle so as to stably support the coupler. An actuator is coupled between the support and the coupler for moving the coupler upward and downward. A panel is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the coupler and an actuator is coupled between the bottom of the panel and the middle portion of the coupler for rotating the panel about the upper portion of the coupler.

Abstract: A framing system (10) is disclosed including three-dimensional structural members (12, 14) formed from planar panels (16) having their edges removably secured together by provisions (48) including slide connectors (66, 174) which receive lugs (52) slideably received in and abutting with latches (56). The panels (16) include interconnect ports (22) having integral, concentric tubes (24). The exterior faces (18) of the structural members (12, 14) are abutted together, with the structural members (12, 14) being clamped by a clamp (28) having a central wall (30) abutting with the tubes (24) and first and second side walls (32, 34) abutting with the free faces (25) of the tubes (24). Relative rotation is prevented between the clamp (28) and the structural members (12, 14) by detents (44) formed in the clamp (28) which are received in notches (26) formed in the free face (25) of the tubes (24).