Abstract: A system for sensing vaginal conditions or for affecting vaginal or body conditions in a mammal. The system includes a portable probe unit and a separate controller unit, both of which include two-way communication devices to both transmit signals to, and receive signals from, each other, wirelessly and in real time. The substantially smooth and sealed outer surface of the cylindrical body of the probe unit has a rounded end and is dimensioned to permit comfortable and repeated insertion into, removal from, and containment entirely within a mammal's vagina. The probe body has a device substantially flush with its outer surface and configured to deliver electrical pulses, receive electrical pulses, sense or sample vaginal conditions and/or deliver medication.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear comprising a thrust element disposed in a housing for pressing a rack and pinion against one another. One side of the thrust element is supported against the rack, and another side is supported against a wedge-like part formed of two semi-circular annular elements, each of which is provided with at least one wedge surface that is disposed at an angle to a central plane of the wedge-like part. A side of the wedge-like part remote from the thrust element is supported against a set screw. The thrust element and/or the set screw is provided with an inclined surface that cooperates with the at least one wedge surface of the annular elements of the wedge-like part.

Abstract: An energy-attenuation structure comprising a core layer of cellular material. Substantially most of the cells of the cellular material are open cells, with those cells disposed in the central portion of the core layer being more open than are those cells disposed in outer portions of the core layer. The openness of the cells generally decreases from the interior of the core layer in a direction toward the outer portions. At least some of the cells of the core layer are filled with a liquid.

Abstract: In the use of a distributor or diffuser in the form of a thin-walled, completely or partially air-permeable, heat-reactive layer for drilling or milling machining of a workpiece with a tool, a vacuum, surface tension is produced, which is large enough to fix the position of the workpiece, by using a vacuum over the layer acting as a distributor or a diffuser on the surface of the workpiece to be machined. The workpiece is then machined, and a cutting speed and rate of feed is adjusted, such that a defined local heating takes place in a contact area between the tool and workpiece. The peak temperature at the contact area is greater or the same as a melting temperature of the surface of the distributor or diffuser.

Abstract: Exhaust gas post treatment system for nitrogen oxide and particle reduction of an internal combustion engines operated with excess air. An oxidation catalytic converter is disposed in the exhaust gas stream of the engine for converting at least a portion of the nitric oxide of the exhaust gas into nitrogen dioxide. A metering device adds reduction agent to the exhaust gas stream downstream of the oxidation catalytic converter and/or to a partial exhaust gas stream branched off upstream of the oxidation catalytic converter and returned to the exhaust gas stream downstream thereof. The reduction agent is ammonia or a material that releases ammonia downstream of the supply location due to the hot exhaust gas.

Abstract: A double plug head for plugging a pipe. The double plug head includes a primary rubber packing, a roller support, a tube support and a rubber tube. The primary rubber packing is provided on a mounting plate of a plugging machine. The roller support is provided with a plurality of rollers. The tube support is provided between the primary rubber packing and the roller support. A tube seating depression is formed around the circumferential surface of the tube support. A fluid feed path is formed in the tube support. The rubber tube is seated into the tube seating depression and has a nipple connected to an outlet of the fluid feed path. Communication holes which communicate with the fluid feed path are respectively formed in the primary rubber packing and the mounting plate. A fluid hose is connected to the communication hole of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A propellant charge feed or supply system for automatic introduction of modular propellant charges into the weapon tube of a heavy weapon having a breech assembly and a propellant charge chamber in front of the breech assembly. An oblong propellant charge feed tray is pivotable into position behind the weapon tube such that propellant charges disposed on the propellant charge feed tray are disposed coaxial relative to the axis of the bore of the weapon tube. A providing device is adapted during a feed stroke to move the propellant feed tray into the breech assembly up to the propellant charge chamber. An introduction device is adapted during an introduction stroke to move the propellant charges from the feed tray into the propellant charge feed tray.

Abstract: A longitudinal cutting machine having an upper blade held and displaceable on a first longitudinal guide, and a lower blade that is associated with the upper blade, the lower blade being held on and displaceable along a second longitudinal guide. A displacement device is associated with one of the lower blade or upper blade, and is provided with an extendable driving rod that bridges a gap to that longitudinal guide that holds the other of the upper blade and lower blade. The driving rod acts on the other blade such that the displacement device displaces the upper blade and lower blade together. A guide mechanism is disposed on the driving rod and acts on that longitudinal guide that holds the other of the upper blade and lower blade.

Abstract: An implement comprising a first handle, on which are disposed control elements for the implement, and a second handle. The first handle is adjustable between a first operating position for a two-handed operation in which the implement is adapted to be guided by both the first handle and the second handle, and a second operating position for one-handed operation in which the implement is adapted to be guided by the first handle.

Abstract: An escalator or moving sidewalk exhibits a frame for the formation of a supporting structure between entry and exit that is made at least partially of perforated plate, with the holes in particular being provided over a significant part of the frame height, preferably roughly one half the frame height.

Abstract: A bicycle lock in the form of a U-lock includes a U-shaped closure bracket and an elongated lock body. The lock body includes insertion openings for receiving ends of the closure bracket, while the ends of the closure bracket are provided with recesses that are parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts can be moved for securing the closure bracket in the lock body, the locking bolts forming a part of oppositely moveable locking devices that can be moved by a driver that is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuating the closing cylinder, the locking devices are drivable in the longitudinal direction of the locking body. Each locking device has two sections into which the locking bolts are inserted. The locking bolts are preferably cylindrical.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an oxidation catalytic converter disposed in a first exhaust gas manifold section with which the exhaust gas outlets of a first portion of the cylinders communicate, and a hydrolysis catalytic converter disposed in a second exhaust gas manifold section with which the exhaust gas outlets of the remaining portion of the cylinders communicate. The hydrolysis catalytic converter, together with the oxidation catalytic converter that annularly surrounds it, are installed in a common housing. A tubular portion of the second exhaust gas manifold section extends into the housing and accommodates the hydrolysis catalytic converter in its end portion. A tubular portion of a first exhaust gas manifold section surrounds the tubular portion of the second exhaust gas manifold section, resulting in an annular in-flow chamber for the oxidation catalytic converter that simultaneously serves as a heating chamber.

Abstract: A treat dispenser for animals, especially in the form of a rubber chew toy for dogs. The treat dispenser comprises a housing having a hollow interior and at least one aperture adapted to receive and dispense treats. The treat dispenser also has an at least partially helically extending insert disposed in the hollow interior of the housing and adapted to advance treats to the at least one aperture of the housing.

Abstract: An extruder for viscous masses, and including an extruder screw and a positive-displacement gear pump disposed downstream of the extruder screw as viewed in the conveying direction. The positive-displacement gear pump has at least one conveying gear and at least one positive-displacement gear. The axis of the conveying gear is disposed essentially at right angles to the axis of the extruder screw, and the axis of the positive-displacement gear is disposed essentially in the same direction as the axis of the extruder screw.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring formation of deposits of solid particles from flue gas onto furnace walls formed of welded-together tubes through which cooling medium flows. For the entire surface of the walls, the exact surface temperature is detected with infrared cameras, offset by 90° relative to one another, via a thermal image obtained of a surface development of the furnace. This exact surface temperature is compared with the temperature of the cooling medium from measurement locations. Individual images from the cameras are composed to form an overall development of the inner surface of the furnace walls. The coordinates of the deposits on the walls are determined from the overall development, and the thickness of the deposits is determined from the temperature comparison.

Abstract: A toy for animals, comprising an outer, hollow shell member of elastomeric material. The shell member has at least one hole to provide communication between the hollow interior and the exterior thereof. A hollow, flexible insert is disposed within the shell member and is at least partially in contact therewith. An acoustic cartridge is disposed in a port of a hollow insert.

Abstract: A manually guided apparatus for collecting objects, especially fruits and nuts, including a pick-up drum rotatably mounted in the drum chamber of a housing. The drum is disposed approximately transverse to the direction of operation, and is rotationally driven by a drive unit. The housing has a wall section extending over the width of the drum approximately at the level of the outer diameter thereof. A ground support is disposed in the region of ends of the drum. A collection channel provides communication for picked-up objects between the drum chamber and a collection receptacle for receiving the objects. The wall section of the housing and the drum cooperate with one another such that objects are accelerated along the wall section toward the collection channel and are ejected out of the drum chamber along a trajectory into the collection receptacle. A handle is operatively connected to the housing for moving the housing in the direction of operation.

Abstract: A toy for animals, comprising an outer, hollow shell member of elastomeric material. The shell member has at least one hole to provide communication between the hollow interior and the exterior thereof. A hollow, flexible insert is disposed within the shell member and is at least partially in contact therewith. The hollow insert can have a recessed portion or an integral center core. An acoustic cartridge is disposed in a port of the hollow insert.

Abstract: A retractable lock for cabinet doors, wherein a cradle in a cutout door portion accommodates a lever handle secured, in a pivoted-in position, by a locking mechanism. The lever handle pivots out of the cradle over an operating displacement, via a pivot bearing, in a plane perpendicular to the door panel. A latching bar on the opposite side of the cradle is longitudinally displaceable, with the operating displacement of the lever handle being converted into longitudinal displacement of the latching bar. In a pivoted-in position of the lever handle, an extension thereof rests against a side of an arm fixedly connected to, and extending from, the latching bar facing the direction of movement of the latching bar into its locking position. A spring disposed between the arm and an abutment of the cradle biases the latching bar into its extended locking position.