Abstract: The present invention relates to a water director for distributing a surge or flow of water to one or more of a plurality of output ports, which can vary in shape, size, and number, typically for use in marine and fresh water aquariums. Water pumped through a conduit into the hermetically sealed Switching Current Water Director (SCWD), powers an internally mounted gear driven fluid motor, which turns a rotational valve, alternately opening and closing a plurality of water outlet ports. When mounted externally to an aquarium, proper placement of output nozzles, which are connected to a water conduit attached to the various SCWD outlet ports, provides the desired opposing, or switching back and fourth currents. Depending on the inlet and outlet port configuration, the SCWD can be adapted to suit many applications.

Abstract: Binding device wherein a support structure (2) houses a pack of sheets provided with through-holes (133) aligned along a rectilinear edge of the pack. The structure moreover carries a binding member comprising a flat sheet-like rectangular member (100) showing, along a side thereof (100a), a plurality of flexible tongues (107) arranged combwise and a closure member (110) extending along the side (100a). The binding device is provided with a bending wall (70) mobile with respect to the pack and adapted to realize the bending of tongues portions projecting from the pack on an end flat member forming a first face of the same pack. A pressing device (90) further realises bending of the closure member (110) to arrange the closure member (110) on bent tongues (107) and on the end flat member (130b) thereby forming a bound fascicle.

Abstract: Plastic panels are thermoformed to include a variety of three-dimensional features resembling masonry patterns, various types of walls, and fencing sections. The thermoformed panels are incorporated into fencing and wall assemblies. A fencing assembly includes plastic panels thermoformed to resemble a plurality of stakes. Panels are disposed between a pair of posts with side portions configured to overlap. Each stake includes a top return projecting rearwardly. Horizontal reinforcements couple the panels to the posts. A double-sided wall assembly employs plastic panels thermoformed to resemble bricks and other wall patterns. Each sub-assembly includes a pair of panels coupled to a frame in a back-to-back arrangement. The sub-assemblies are disposed side-by-side in between a pair of posts.

Abstract: A ski boot, in particular a ski-mountaineering or telemark boot, having a shell made of plastic material; a shank hinged to the shell; and a control mechanism, located at the rear portion of the boot, for controlling the tilt of the shank and having a lever hinged to a projection of the shank and movable between a work position in which one end cooperates with a rear projection of the shell to prevent rearward rotation of the shank, and a release position. The control mechanism has a ring hinged to the lever and engaging a recess formed in the rear projection of the shell to also prevent forward rotation of the shank with respect to the shell.

Abstract: A single reagent system and a method to detect and measure oxidizing adulterants in bodily fluid being screened for drugs of abuse are disclosed. The system comprising a strip containing 0.05 to 0.2 micromole/25 sq. mm. of a benzidine derivative and is used to detect sodium hypochlorite (bleach), chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium nitrite, and pyridinium chlorochromate adulterants in urine, sweat, saliva, blood or other bodily fluids during screening for drugs of abuse.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a cap defining a first and second fluid flow passage for allowing the flow of fluid is attached to a seat member which is coupled to an actuator. A plunger having an adjustably attached diaphragm is maintained within the seat member and the actuator, and the plunger positions the diaphragm over the first and second fluid flow passage. The actuator controls the plunger and determines the retraction of the plunger to allow fluid flow and the insertion of the plunger to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A fluid testing apparatus comprises a vessel for collecting a fluid, a removable cap secured to the top of the vessel, and a movable carrier to transport a portion of the fluid in the vessel to test strips disposed within the cap. The test strips are disposed in cavities of the cap. One end portion of each test strip exits through an exit port on the bottom side of the cap. A rim on the bottom side of the cap surrounds the protruding end portions of the test strips. The movable carrier is movable between a retrieving position to collect the fluid and a testing position where the retrieved fluid is brought into contact with the protruding ends of the test strips. A spring bias mechanism causes the carrier to move toward the closed, testing position by default. In the testing position, the carrier's receptacle forms a seal with the surrounding rim and the bottom side of the cap to prevent the carried portion of the fluid from contacting the remaining, non-tested fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: A machine for bending sections (2) having a longitudinal axis (3) and a constant cross section along the longitudinal axis (3) feeds the sections (2) longitudinally in a first direction (D1), and has a first and a second annular die (11, 12); an ass (15) connected to the second annular die (12) and movable in a plane perpendicular to the first direction (D1) to move the second annular die (12) into a number of operating positions with respect to the first annular die (11) to bend the sections (2); and a joint (22; 39) connecting the first and the second annular die (11, 12), and which forces the second annular die (12) to assume a given position with respect to the first annular die (11) for each position assumed by the assembly (15).

Abstract: A machine for bending pipes (2; 63; 78) sections or similar of a given section (S1; S2; S3) has a guide device (6) having a longitudinal axis (9) for guiding the pipes (2; 63; 78) in a feed direction (D1) parallel to the axis (9); and a bending member (7) movable with respect to the guide device (6) in a plane (P1) perpendicular to the feed direction (D1), and having an annular guide (50), which has a passage section (45; 61; 76) for the pipes (2; 63; 78) substantially equal to the section (S1; S2; S3) of the pipes (2; 63; 78) and is defined by rollers (40; 52; 82; 67) rotating about respective axes (41; 53; 83; 68) lying in a plane coplanar with the passage section (45; 61; 76).

Abstract: A water well filter apparatus includes a conduit with multiple layers. The conduit comprises an inner layer, middle layer and outer layer with each layer comprising a composite of polymers, preferably ABS and unplasticized PVC. The thicker middle layer also includes a higher proportion of ABS than the other layers for rigidity and heat deflection. The inner and outer layers have a higher proportion of UPVC for greater chemical and impact resistance. The conduit further includes slots and mating end portions enabling the conduit to be coupled end-to-end with additional conduits to form an elongated filter assembly. A dual cylinder apparatus comprises an inner conduit and an outer conduit with each conduit having an inner layer, middle layer and outer layer composed of a composite of polymers. A permeable cover is disposed over the inner conduit. Filter granules are disposed in the gap between the two conduits.

Abstract: A three-axis micro-gyro structure having first and second micro-gyro devices that measure angular velocity around first and second rate axes extending in a plane of the micro-gyro structure and a third micro-gyro that measures angular velocity around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro structure.

Abstract: A kiosk includes multiple poles with a plurality of independently rotatable components disposed on each pole. Each component comprises a hollow supporting body made rotatable by way of bushings disposed on the top and bottom of the body and bearings disposed adjacent to each bushing. The component further includes a pair of slat boards removably coupled to the supporting body. Even though each slat board may have a different configuration of protrusions extending from the front surface for holding goods, clips on the back surface of each board are similarly configured to enable any board to be removably coupled to a supporting body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a structure for stabilizing a formation of natural substrate having a substantially vertical face. A tendon is inserted into a hole in the formation. A heading device includes a plate, a tube, an adhesive material within the tube, and an anchor. The plate has a bore disposed over a protruding portion of the tendon. The tube is disposed over the protruding portion of the plate. An adhesive material is disposed within the tube to couple the tendon to the tube. The anchor is coupled to the plate. A final concrete facing is placed over the entire heading device embedding the anchor.

Abstract: In combination with a jack having a head, a removable adapter assembly includes an adapter frame and three-degree-of-movement adapter arms. The adapter frame has threaded holes and a connector for releasably attaching the frame to the head of the jack. The adapter is preferably rectangular. The three-degree-of-movement adapter arms are rotatably inserted into a respective one of the threaded holes for raising and lowering each of the arms with respect to the frame. The arms each have a threaded portion with a top end, a horizontal head portion having a closed slot, and a cushioned receiver. The head portion is fixedly attached to the top end of the threaded portion and the cushioned receiver is rotatably and slidably mounted in the slot.

Abstract: A stack of multilayer modules has a segmentation layer disposed between neighboring multilayer modules. The segmentation layer facilitates the separation of neighboring multilayer modules. The stack of multilayer modules includes a first multilayer module and a second multilayer module. Each multilayer module includes a plurality of active layers each comprising a substrate, at least one electronic element, and a plurality of electrically-conductive traces. The second multilayer module is disposed to be neighboring the first multilayer module with at least one segmentation layer between the first and second multilayer modules. The segmentation layer includes a metal layer and at least one thermoplastic adhesive layer. When heat is applied, the metal layer conducts heat to the thermoplastic adhesive layer.

Abstract: A storage shed comprises a plurality of posts erected onto a base. The posts comprise a prismatic profile disposed over a hollow bar to form a void and a longitudinal slot. Corrugated wall panels are disposed in between the posts. U-channels are coupled to the base to support the posts and wall panels. The wall panels include parallel latitudinal folds and longitudinal side flanges which fit into the longitudinal slots of the posts. A roof frame is disposed on top of the vertical posts and wall panels. Corrugated roof panels are disposed on the roof frame. The corrugated roof panels include parallel latitudinal folds and side portions adapted to overlap with each other. Ridge panels are disposed at the ridge of the roof frame so as to cover a portion of the roof panels on each side of the shed. Facia boards are disposed on an entrance end and a rear end of the roof frame. Doors are disposed on an entrance side of the shed.

Abstract: A simplified lost-core molding system that combines otherwise redundant features such as platens and hydraulic cylinders ordinarily found in separate core molding stations and product molding stations. The preferred system locates the core mold and the product mold between the platens of an injection molding machine and applies a common clamping force to the core mold and to the product mold.