Abstract: An apparatus and method that enhances removal of contaminating particles from surfaces of a non-electrostatically sensitive components that are cleaned using a carbon dioxide cleaning spray. The apparatus includes a programmable power supply that is connected to ground and to the non-electrostatically sensitive component. The surface charge of the component is determined by cleaning the surface without adding any voltage or charge bias to the component. Then the surface is reversed-biased with a voltage having the opposite polarity by a large amount using the programmable power supply. The surface is then cleaned a second time, which removes the contaminating particles that were bound to the surface by electrostatic forces generated during the first cleaning. Thus, reversing the polarity of the charge on the surface that is to be cleaned removes the strong attraction between the contaminating particles and the surface and enhances removal of the contaminating particles from the surface.

Abstract: In a device for winding coils from at least two parallel guided winding wires in axial grooves arranged on the outer circumference of rotationally symmetrical bodies of electric equipment and for looping the winding wires around two contact hooks that are annularly arranged on the end surface of the body and separated from one another, the winding wires are inserted into the grooves by a winding arm that can be turned about a rotational axis (y) which lies perpendicular to the rotational axis (x) of the body. A wire guide with separated wire outlets for the two winding wires is arranged on the free end of the winding arm. The wire guide can be turned between a winding position in which the winding wires adjoin one another in essentially parallel fashion so as to insert the wires into the grooves, and a looping position, in which the winding wires are spread apart so as to loop the wires around the contact hooks.

Abstract: A tire balancing material made of glass beads and methods to balance tire using the same are disclosed. The glass bead material either in a loose format or a sealed pressurized package is introduced into an imbalanced tire. The motion of the imbalanced tire encourages the glass bead material to migrate to areas of the inside tire lining so as to correct the imbalance. Once the tire is balanced, the glass bead material migration comes to a general stop and generally remain there on the inside tire lining despite the vehicle coming to a stop and/or recommencing motion. The invention utilizes a dielectric material, such as glass beads, which charges and remains in place against the tire lining by electrostatic attraction.

Abstract: An obstacle proximity warning device for vehicles having an ultrasonic transceiver, for sending an ultrasonic signal and receiving the ultrasound reflected by an obstacle, a receiver signal process means connected to the ultrasonic transceiver, to generate trigger signals upon a threshold level signal being received from the ultrasonic transceiver, an alarm means responsive to the trigger signals, a housing in which the ultrasonic transceiver is mounted and a mounting bracket for fixedly mounting the housing to the vehicle. The mounting bracket has a resilient coating adapted to substantially absorb ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transceiver, to prevent the radiation of ultrasonic vibrations from other elements of the vehicle or the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A tool container, such as a toolbox or gift case, has at least one pivotable component holder pivotally mounted therein for pivoting movement between a storage position and an access position. The pivotable component holders are biased towards the access position when the lid is open. The tool container brings an element directly or indirectly into contact with at least one of the pivotable component holders to rotate it to the storage position when the lid closes, with no direct connection between the lid and the pivotable component holders. Where there are multiple pivotable component holders, they may be ganged together, for example via a gang bar. Instead of rotation of the pivotable component holders being triggered by lid closure, such rotation could be triggered by removal or storage of the tool for which the components are intended. Pivotable holder components may be manipulated manually between storage and access positions when the lid is open and movement may be independent of the lids position.

Abstract: An opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. A plastic panel recessed on the top and bottom faces to accommodate tools and components therefor is secured within the box portion. The top face of the panel is accessed in a conventional manner via a lid pivotably connected to the box portion, and the bottom face of the panel is accessed via a "butterfly" door pivotably connected to the bottom surface of the box portion. The butterfly door and the lid are secured to the box portion by a common securing means adapted to release one of either the butterfly door or the lid without releasing the other. The butterfly door is configured to pivot from a closed position where the butterfly door is flush with the bottom surface of the box portion, to an open position where the butterfly door is rotated away from the bottom surface of the box portion to provide access to the items stored within the bottom section of the tool case.

Abstract: A chair or sofa including a seat, an enclosed armrest adjacent to the seat, and a thermoelectric refrigeration compartment, mounted within the armrest is provided. The armrest includes an upper portion connected to a main portion of the armrest by a hinge along an outer surface thereof, movable away from a home position against the main portion of the armrest, the compartment preferably being mounted in the main portion such that moving the upper portion away from the home position exposes the upper surface of the compartment. The compartment may have an upwardly opening lid which opens to a thermoelectrically cooled or heated cavity which may be sized to accept several beverage containers or in an alternate embodiment it may be sized to accept one upright beverage container.

Abstract: A dual mode coil hitching device used in the coil winding process is disclosed. The device operates in either a clamping or a tie-off mode. The device includes a sleeve and an actuated plunger. The sleeve has a first and second opening. The first opening has a coil scrapping surface adjacent thereto, and the second opening has an upper clamping surface. The plunger has a lower clamping surface opposing the upper clamping surface and a tie-off member disposed thereon. The plunger is slidably mounted within the sleeve and is positionable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the second opening of the sleeve and the lower clamping surface of the plunger define an exposed gap, and the tie-off member is completely positioned within the sleeve. In the extended position, the tie-off member extends outside the sleeve via the first opening, and the lower clamping surface confronts the upper clamping surface.

Abstract: In the invention, a stainless steel powder of the desired composition is either directly mixed with a h-BN powder, compressed and sintered or the stainless steel powder is compressed, impregnated with a solution containing h-BN and then sintered or compressed, sintered and then impregnated with a solution containing h-BN. The sintered bodies in all the aforementioned cases may be resin impregnated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glide which permits curtains to be hung from conventional vertical blind systems, such as those using carriers movable along horizontal blind tracks. In the invention, a glide designed to secure a curtain to a carrier is provided, the glide having a body portion and an elongated upwardly extending piece. The upwardly extending piece is inserted and locked into a downward opening aperture in each carrier. The body portion of the glide extends downwardly from the carrier and has an opening, the female portion of a snap fastener assembly. The male portions of snap fasteners are secured along the upper edge of a curtain or are attached to the curtain using snap tape. When the male and female snap fastener assembly pieces are secured together, the curtain is functional and operable with the vertical blind track unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a moving pallet and components carried thereby. The apparatus includes a processing system that employs the moving pallet. An environmental cleaning station is provided through which the pallet moves. The cleaning station includes a recirculating blower system and a high efficiency particulate air filter. A ducting system or warm air system may be provided for supplying purified air, inert gas, or warm air to eliminate condensation. A carbon dioxide jet spray cleaning system is provided that has jet spray nozzles disposed within the cleaning station that are coupled by way of a manifold to a liquid carbon dioxide tank that supplies liquid carbon dioxide to the jet spray nozzles. The jet spray nozzles generate a carbon dioxide snow spray that impinges on the moving pallet to clean it along with the components it carries.

Abstract: A fishing line stacker is formed as a loop element carrying opposite resilient faces, the loop element allowing the fishing line to travel or extend through the loop portion of the stacker so that the stacker may freely float up and down the fishing line or, to be positioned between opposite resilient members and when tugged by the fishing catch or by a hook which is attached or connected directly or indirectly to the stacker to cause the stacker to slide releasing the fishing line from the nip of the resilient members into the free space defined by the stacker.

Abstract: A striking tool has an elongated metal core having a bottom end for contacting a workpiece and an upper end for receiving the impact of a hammer or the like, and a plastic overlay secured around a substantial portion of the core, with at least a portion of the upper end of the core extending beyond the plastic overlay. The plastic overlay includes a grip area and a deflector flange extending a substantial distance outwardly above the grip area so as to protect a user's hand. The deflector flange comprises, in a first embodiment, a first deflector tier and a second deflector tier positioned below the first tier. Preferably, there are several angled ribs spaced radially around the plastic overlay, extending from the first tier, and then downwardly and outwardly to an outer edge of the second tier, to aid in deflecting errant hammer blows away from the user's hand.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing particles from a surface of a semiconductor wafer or optical component using a carbon dioxide snow spray directed at the wafer or component while simultaneously irradiating the surface with a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a carbon dioxide jet spray cleaning system disposed within an environmental cleaning station of a processing system that processes the wafer or component. The processing system is a conveyorized system wherein a conveyor belt or web transports wafers or components from processing station to processing station. The cleaning station includes a recirculating blower system, a laminar flow screen, a high efficiency particulate air filter, and a ducting system for recirculating purified air or inert gas. The cleaning station contains a jet spray nozzle that produces a carbon dioxide snow spray. The jet spray nozzle is coupled by way of a manifold to a liquid carbon dioxide tank that supplies liquid carbon dioxide to the jet spray nozzle.

Abstract: The floral arrangement holder has a base which supports a foam block in contact with the upper surface of the base. Drain holes are provided so that any excess water can run into the hollow base portion. Recessed reservoir channels are provided in the upper surface of the base, to allow any excess water in one portion of the block to flow to a drier portion, and to allow water to wick upwardly into the block from the channels. A filling area extends outwardly from the base for convenient access, and has an upper surface which preferably is angled slightly downwardly towards the channels for better distribution of the water. The filling area also doubles as a convenient hand grip, by virtue of being provided with finger recesses. A clip arrangement holds the foam block in place. An elongated version of the holder holds two such blocks, and includes an extended end portion to provide greater-water storage capacity, particularly useful if the holder is suspended via an apertured tab at the opposite end.

Abstract: The case has a box portion and a lid, with panel sections cooperatively configured to fit across the box portion, the panel sections being configured to accommodate articles such as tools and/or tool components, hobby items, craft kits, toys, etc. The panel sections may or may not be secured to each other, and may or may not be on the same level relative to each other. There may be two such panel sections, or a number of panel sections. The panel sections may include an opening to accommodate a storage compartment which projects upwardly from the bottom of the case and is accessible from the bottom of the case. In one embodiment, a lower one of the panel sections has above it at least one smaller panel section which is slidably mounted relative thereto.