Abstract: An integrated sash lock and tilt latch assembly for a sash window slidable within a master frame, including a handle movable among a first, a second and a third position to adjust the assembly among a respective locked, unlocked and tiltable position. The integrated assembly further comprises a rotor coupled to the handle and having a locking cam. The integrated assembly also includes a keeper adapted to be connected to an upper sash window. The integrated assembly further includes a latch bolt housing having a latch bolt slidably disposed therein and a spring for biasing the latch bolt towards the master frame. The integrated assembly further includes a connector coupled proximate a first end to the latch bolt and proximate a second end to a first end of a linkage member. The second end of the linkage member is pivotably coupled to the rotor.

Abstract: A claw-pole type stepping motor comprises: a rotor assembly shaped substantially cylindrical, and having a center shaft; and a stator assembly composed of two cup-shaped stator units which are coupled to each other coaxially so as to axially sandwich the rotor assembly, and which each include a bobbin having a magnet wire wound therearound, and two pole tooth arrays magnetically connected to each other and shifted in phase from each other by an electrical angle of 180 degrees. In the motor, each stator unit further includes a cover ring which protects the magnet wire wound around the bobbin against resin injected when the stator unit is resin-molded for an integrated solid structure. The motor structured as described above can be successfully resin-molded so as to enable elimination of a motor case, thus achieving downsizing for the dimension of the eliminated motor case while maintaining a sufficient mechanical strength.

Abstract: An inverter circuit for lighting discharge lamps with reduced power consumption is disclosed. The inverter circuit comprises: a transformer having a resonant circuit formed by a parasitic capacitance of a discharge lamp; an H-bridge circuit to drive a primary side of the transformer at a frequency which is less than a series resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, and at which phase difference in voltage and current at the primary side of the transformer falls within a predetermined range from its minimum; a logic circuit to produce, based on an output signal of an oscillating circuit, gate signals for driving the H-bridge circuit; and a step-up circuit to step up a DC supply voltage (Vcc) based on another output signal of the oscillating circuit, and to supply the logic circuit with the stepped up DC voltage as a supply voltage for producing the gate signals.

Abstract: A child seat assembly for use in a shopping cart and secured to the hinged rear gate of the shopping cart that is configured for lifting to expose a rear opening for nesting like carts. The child seat is secured in a lower portion of the shopping cart basket by hinged connections such that the seat assembly is moveable between a use and a non-use configuration, and the hinged connection of the seat back is within a sliding track arrangement with the support strut such that the hinged connection of the seat bottom and seat back travels in an upward arcuate path as the seat assembly is moved from a use position to a non-use position. The rear gate having at least one lower leg opening and an upper void region between the basket top and the seat bottom. The seat bottom at least partially covering the leg opening and the seat back covering the upper void region when the seat is in the non-use configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage cup. The lid has a generally annular side wall, a rib depending from the side wall, and a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall. The lid further includes a central region positioned radially inward of the top wall. The central region has a well with a notched portion. The lid also includes a projection extending from a portion of the side wall. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base of the projection permits the projection to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The central region has a shoulder portion that engages the tip of the projection to secure the projection in the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking a food item therein has a housing defining an interior and includes at least first and second opposed walls. A rotating member is positioned between the first and second walls of the housing, and the rotating member is capable of engaging and rotating the food item. A drive mechanism is mounted on the apparatus for rotating the rotating member. A heating element is positioned adjacent the second wall of the housing, and a blackbody radiator is positioned between the rotating member and the heating element. The heating element heats a first side of the blackbody radiator and a second side of the blackbody radiator emits radiation in a highly effective wavelength spectrum toward the food item. The apparatus also includes a self cleaning system for cleaning the interior.

Abstract: A telescoping waterway for adjusting the height of a firefighting monitor is disclosed. The telescoping waterway includes a hollow outer tube, a hollow inner tube within the hollow outer tube, and an actuator that moves the hollow inner tube relative to the hollow outer tube, wherein the hollow inner tube can be maintained in at least one intermediate position between a retracted position and a fully extended position.

Abstract: A method for subduing a fire (70) is disclosed. This method is performed by operating a jet turbine (20), having an exhaust (22), to direct the exhaust (22) into a moving front of the fire (72), generally against the movement of the front of the fire (72). A retardant (30), preferably dust, is directed from a supply tank (40) into the exhaust (22), through a pressurized conduit (42). Alternately, dust or other material (32) is lifted from the land around the fire (70) and blown into the fire (70), extinguishing the fire (70) or decreasing its intensity. To completely extinguish the fire (70), it may be necessary to further douse the fire with either or both water and a second retardant.

Abstract: A laser level with adjustable laser projection line comprises a support bracket, a housing, a switch, a laser generator which project a fanned laser beam to the surface of the work piece to form a line, and wherein a rotating mechanism is coupled to rotate the laser generator thereby causing rotation of the line. There is also a positioning device to position the laser level on an arbitrary surface.