Abstract: A status indicator (4) for a transparent ceramic glass cook top is disclosed which is able to display a range of colors. Typically such indications are used with red or smoked glass cooktops and are limited to red. The present invention is positioned directly underneath the transparent glass (22) which has an opaque layer (23) on the underside and wherein a portion (24) of the opaque layer has been removed thereby allowing the light source (2) to be visible directly above said cook top. The indicator may be used for a range of functions, including indicating the element is on and also that the heating region is too hot to be safely touched.

Abstract: A improved interface is disclosed for delivering CPAP therapy to patients. The interface has a sliding engagement to the headgear. The sliding engagement allows substantial relative lateral movement eg: when face is distorted from sleeping on side, while still providing adequate compressive force to avoid side leakage. The sliding engagement also allows easy release from the headgear.

Abstract: A gas sampler (1) for a portable gas analyser, having a cooler or chiller (8) through which cooler or chiller (8) the gas sample is passed prior to being conveyed to a gas analyser, has the cooler or chiller (8) operable by means other than electrical power. The invention also includes a portable gas analyser provided with such a sampler (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle axles. Self-steering axle systems are known and are adequate when the vehicle is moving forward but not when the vehicle is reversed. The invention avoids this by having a stub axle assembly located on a support by a first pivot the support being mounted on an axle beam by a second pivot, a drive means to cause the support to pivot between two opertional conditions, and the two pivots being angularly disposed to provide a first castor angle in one position, second opposite castor angle in the second position.

Abstract: A bulb shield for use in an automotive headlamp assembly, and a method for making same. The bulb shield includes a cup portion and a portion which extends from the cup portion and is configured for mounting to a reflector of the automotive headlamp assembly or to another, proximate structure. When the bulb shield is mounted, the cup portion is generally horizontally aligned with a headlamp bulb in the automotive headlamp assembly, thereby eliminating a “hot spot” which would otherwise be viewable when looking into the headlamp beam. The bulb shield includes a part made of a glass and polymer blend, and at least a portion of the part includes a vacuum aluminized coating. Such a bulb shield is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, yet can withstand the high temperatures which are typically experienced in an automotive headlamp assembly. Additionally, the bulb shield may include a complex cup shape.

Abstract: A laundry machine drum has a sheet material skin including an arrangement of a plurality of perforations therethrough. Each of one or more of the perforations includes a shear cut in the sheet material. The sheet is deformed in the region of the shear cut such that the edge of the sheet material of one side of the shear cut is offset from the edge of the sheet material of the other side of the shear cut over at least some of the length of the shear cut. An opening is formed between the offset edges. The apparent area of the opening is greater when viewed from at least one direction substantially parallel to the general plane of the drum skin in the region of the perforation than when viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the drum skin in the region of the perforation.

Abstract: A hydraulic punch driver which includes a hydraulic pump section a hydraulic ram section, and a hydraulic hose which connects these two sections together. Because the hydraulic hose is flexible, the operator is able to manipulate the ram section such that it can be positioned at an angle relative to the pump section; a hose guard can be provided on the hose to protect the hose and to prevent overflexing of the hose. Such flexibleness allows the operator to use the punch driver in virtually any position such that the ram can operate as necessary and the operator can operate the pump handle, regardless of the environmental conditions of the place of use. The pump section also includes a coupler which allows a handle thereof to swivel 360 degrees to further allow the operator to grip and actuate the pump handle with maximum comfort.

Abstract: A pressing tool for pressing pipe ends, and in particular, ends of pipe to be laid for sanitary purposes. The pressing jaws of the tool are connected to one another in an articulated manner, each jaw having an insert that has a circle-like-configuration in the area of interaction between the respective jaws.

Abstract: A side frame (1) for a cot (2) or bed (20), particularly, but not exclusively, for hospital use, comprising upper and lower rails (3, 4) located in spaced-apart, parallel relationship and of length required for the side frame (1), with the rails (3, 4) inter-connected by a plurality of spaced-apart, transversely extending, telescopic struts (7), with a third parallel rail (10) interposed between the two parallel rails (3, 4) and with an outer tube or cylinder of each telescopic strut (7) slidable through suitable holes or apertures (11) in the third rail (10). A modified side frame (1A) comprises at least one biassing strut, eg in the form of a gas strut (7A), capable of maintaining the side in a fully, or partially, deployed positions, with means for manually rendering the biassing strut (7A) inoperative when retraction, by lowering the side (1A), is required. The invention also includes a cot (2) provided with at least one side frame (1), and a bed (20) provided with at least one modified side frame (1A).

Abstract: A breathing circuit component includes an inlet, an outlet and an enclosing wall. The enclosing wall defines a gases passageway between the inlet and the outlet. At least a region of the enclosing wall is formed from a breathable material that allows the passage of water vapor without allowing the passage of liquid water or respiratory gases. The breathing circuit component may be the expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a hydraulic pressing unit, in particular manual pressing unit, and a pressing unit of this type, it being the case that the pressing unit has a hydraulic pump, a moving part, a stationary part and a non-return valve, that, furthermore, the moving part is displaced into a pressing position by the build-up of a hydraulic pressure and the non-return valve moves automatically into an open position only in the presence of a predetermined hydraulic pressure corresponding to a pressing pressure, and that, furthermore, the moving part is configured for moving back automatically from the pressing position into an end position under the action of a restoring spring and the non-return valve is configured only to close once the moving part has reached the end position.

Abstract: A tool for cutting/crimping a workpiece, such as a cable, includes an automatic rapid blade advance such that a blade on a movable jaw of the tool advances toward cutting the cable every time the handles of the tool are closed. The automatic rapid blade advance also advances the blade on the movable jaw toward cutting the cable every time the handles of the tool are opened up until the blade on the movable jaw first encounters a resistive force from the cable. The tool also includes an automatic blade return such that the blade on the movable jaw will automatically return to its original position after the blade has cut through or crimped the cable.

Abstract: A peel assembly for separating a label from a liner is provided. The assembly includes a structure for mounting the assembly to a printer, a structure for driving the liner and labels through the assembly, a stripper for bending the liner therearound, a plurality of deflector rollers proximate to the stripper for deflecting the liner away from the label and towards the stripper, a pinch roller and a spring. The pinch roller has a diameter of at least 0.385 inches and is formed from a material for creating tension in the liner allowing for better peel performance. The spring places force on the pinch roller and presses the pinch roller against a platen roller. Slots in the structure for mounting the assembly to the printer allow the pinch roller to float in the direction of spring force.

Abstract: An elongate water spray nozzle (8) for use with mining equipment, comprises a cylindrical body member (9) having a leading end (10) and a trailing end (11), with a circumferential groove (12) provided in the body member (9) towards the trailing end (11), the groove (12) housing firstly an inner, resiliently deformable ‘O’-ring (13), and secondly an outer, split spring steel latching ring (14), the ‘O’-ring (13) being resiliently operable on the steel ring (14) to bias the steel ring (14) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (15) of the nozzle (8). The invention also includes a pick box (6) provided with nozzles (8). The invention also includes a pick box provided with a nozzle (8), and a rotary cutting head provided with a plurality of such pick boxes.

Abstract: A spin tub of a washing machine is driven by an electronically commutated DC motor. The commutation devices are connected to a DC power supply and have free-wheeling diodes connected in parallel therewith. The washing machine includes other components having inductive windings. A controller terminates commutation of power to the motor windings. A voltage threshold detector monitors the voltage of the power supply. Switching structure connects the inductive winding of an unused component in the machine across the power supply when the detector detects that the voltage has exceeded a predetermined value and subsequently disconnects the inductive winding of the unused component from the power supply when the detector detects that the voltage has reduced below the pre-determined value.

Abstract: A fold-out camper which is mounted in the bed of a truck provides a convenient shelter. The camper includes an upper and lower frame which, when retracted, are contained within the truck bed without obstructing the cargo area of the bed. To extend the camper, legs are extended from the lower frame to lift the upper frame and a cover which functions as the roof of the camper. Left and right side beds are rotated from their retracted position next to the wheel wells to an extended position over the wheel wells and over the sides of the truck bed. Tent walls which are stored with the left and right side beds and under the cover and are unrolled to enclose the camper.