Abstract: A jewelry article includes a plurality of beads and/or trinkets coupled together to form an elongated, flexible, decorative member having a clasp at each end thereof. Each clasp is adapted for fastening to a beltloop of the pants, jeans, shorts, skirt, or any other type of clothing with beltloops of a wearer permitting the jewelry article to be suspended from the waist and worn on the hip or across the front or back of the wearer.

Abstract: Body support having an air core (2, 3; 52) and a bellows (6, 7; 56), integrated into a side edge portion (4, 5) from a compliant filling material, and having compliant filling material in an inner space. The body support further comprises passages (13, 14, 15; 63, 64, 65) which connect the bellows (6, 7; 56) with the air core (2, 3; 52) and connect the bellows (6, 7; 56) and the air core (2, 3; 52) with the surroundings, and comprising valves (16, 17; 67, 70) for blocking in a condition of rest air flow from the air core (2, 3; 52). Because the inner space of the bellows (6, 7; 56) in the condition of rest is in open communication with the surroundings, the compressibility of the bellows filled with filling material is well adapted to the compressibility of adjacent side edge portions, which are also filled with filling material, and the maximum load of the bellows is limited.

Abstract: A locator sign system for identifying a house, office or other location, mounted in a window, inside the location. The system comprising a light box display housing with a front panel; a sign panel; a sash clip; a hanging cord; and a lighting assembly panel. The light box uses 125 volt AC house current to power low voltage miniature lights, which are mounted by clips on the panel. The lights projecting light beams from the top of the housing, and projecting light through any one of translucent pre-printed sign panels of varying messages for identifying the location at increased distances therefrom. Typically, the illuminated sign system can be operated in ON, OFF or BLINK modes by a three position switch and blinker bulb which can be automated by addition of a 125 volt AC house timer. The system operates for the purpose of attracting attention to the location for deliveries, emergencies, house number, messages, greetings, advertisements, decoration and the like.

Abstract: A splice for concrete reinforcement bars includes two diametrically opposed half-shells spanning the aligned ends of the rebars. The half-shells interlock with upset bar ends to hold the bars together. An internally tapered sleeve is forced axially over the tapered exterior of the half-shells in a taper lock to secure the splice joint.

Abstract: A sports trading card that has a picture of an athlete on one side and statistics for the athlete on a reverse side. The picture and the statistics are imprinted on layers or cover sheets that are secured to opposite sides of a backing surface by means of static cling.

Abstract: An inner spring mattress with firmness adjusting air bladders, the inflation pressure of which defines the mattress firmness. A plurality of inflatable bladders are disposed within the mattress. The bladders may span the entire width of the mattress. Alternatively, the width of the mattress may be divided in two using two bladders placed end-to-end providing independent firmness control for both sides of the mattress. Still further, bladders may be grouped together to form firmness zones, and the entire process may be computer controlled.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell including a floor, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A pair of caps are closable upon the shell. At least one of the walls is constructed of at least two panels having adjacent abutting edges forming a joint between the panels. A decorative feature disguises the joint to create the appearance of the two panels being a single panel. Each cap has a crown, a longer dimension and a shorter dimension, and is constructed of a plurality of boards extending parallel to the longer dimension and including a center spine board. The center spine board is fabricated from a single full-length board sawed in two; remaining ones of thee cap crown boards are non-full length boards. The gap between the head and foot end caps when closed in combination with the matching grain of the spine boards creates the appearance of the cap crowns being constructed of full length boards. Also, by utilizing at least one full length board in the cap, current tooling may be used.

Abstract: A disposable backboard for carrying a patient is formed from a folded blank. The blank is stored flat and can be folded to form the backboard. The backboard has a planar center panel and a pair of tubular shaped strengthening support members extending along the bottom face of the center panel adjacent the longitudinal side edges. The strengthening support members have a substantially triangular-shaped cross-section and extend the length of the center panel. A support panel is connected to each of the strengthening members and are positioned along the bottom face of the center panel. The support panels are generally attached to the center panel to further strengthen the backboard.

Abstract: A jewelry item includes a plurality of components mounted in an end-to-end relationship on and along an annular, elastic support. Each component has two, generally planar end walls and an aperture for receiving the support and extending between the end walls. The end walls of adjacent components engage each other in surface area contact. The support can be a strap or a pair of wires. At least one of the components has a setting for a gemstone.

Abstract: A seal assembly and seal guard are provided for a bearing cup positioned on a trunnion of a universal joint. The seal assembly includes a support ring and an elastomeric seal. The support ring is generally L-shaped in cross section, having a lower radial flange that is connected to an axial portion. The axial portion of the support ring is press fit within an inner bearing surface of the bearing cup. The support ring flange extends radially outwardly adjacent the open end of the bearing cup. The elastomeric seal is disposed within the support ring axial portion. An annular elastomeric seal guard is removably secured to the seal assembly. The seal guard is generally funnel shaped. The seal guard has an upper body with an annular interior groove. The interior groove has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the support ring flange. Thus, the seal guard can be secured to the support ring flange. The seal guard has a lower body inclined radially inwardly from the upper body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to comfortably support a patient on an inflatable chamber. The support apparatus includes an inflatable mattress and a pump to correct the pressure of the mattress. An inflatable chamber is provided below the mattress to act as a pressure transducer. When the difference in pressure between the inflatable mattress and the inflatable sensor reaches a predetermined value, a controller actuates a correction device including a pump and a release valve to correct the pressure of the inflatable mattress. The apparatus allows the mattress to be automatically maintained at a desirable pressure.

Abstract: In a treatment bed system for radiation therapy a rotation drive mechanism (relative isocentric rotation drive mechanism, rolling rotation drive mechanism, and pitching rotation drive mechanism) for rotating the bed independently around three axes (i, r, and p) perpendicular with respect to a patient each other and a parallel transfer mechanism (X-axis direction transfer mechanism, Z-axis direction transfer mechanism, and Y-axis direction transfer mechanism) for transferring the bed independently in parallel in the directions of three axes (X, Z, and Y) perpendicular with respect to a floor surface each other are provided. Thereby, the irradiation from arbitrary directions and distances to a patient held stationary on the bed can be performed.

Abstract: A rotation damper with a housing, a rotor which is rotatably mounted in the housing and which, with the housing, forms at least one gap into which a viscous medium is enclosed, and an axle or shaft which is connected to the rotor and which at least at one end projects out from the housing. There is further provided a filler opening, for the viscous medium, which is formed in the housing and which at least over part of its length comprises a uniform circular cross section and a closure element comprising a circular linear sealing edge, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the filler opening in the region of the uniform cross section.

Abstract: A propeller shaft comprises two torque transmission members, a viscous fluid damper and a torsion bar which are arranged in parallel between the torque transmission members, and a stopper for restricting the maximum torsion angle of the torsion bar. Thus, torsional vibration characteristic is adjusted in a wide range. Accordingly, a vibration a and noise in a power transmission system can be prevented, and also, a starting acceleration performance of a vehicle can be improved.

Abstract: A display chip and a method for displaying an article are provided. The display chip includes a display card and a display card and product holder. The display card is provided for displaying information. The display card and product holder is provided for receiving and holding the display card within a display card receiving area. The display card and product holder includes a hanger for supporting the display chip on a rail; a frame body including a display card receiving area for receiving the display card; a retaining arm which moves between an open position for allowing insertion and removal of the display card, and a closed position in attachment to the frame body for securing the display card within the display card receiving area; and a product attachment location for providing attachment of products to the display chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective clip (10) that may be affixed to a motor vehicle steering linkage ball joint (7), and in particular to a clip that presents a heat shield (28) between a rubber sealing gaiter (11) surrounding the ball joint (7) and a brake disc (5), and that also covers over a slot (38) in a steering knuckle (4) above the joint (7). The protective clip 10 has a planar mid-section (24) with a hole (26) therethrough through which a ball mounting shaft (40) may pass. The heat shield (28) extends transversely away from a first edge (30) of the planar mid-section (24). A steering knuckle engaging feature (49) is proximate a second edge (32) of the planar mid-section (24) opposite the first edge (30), the engaging feature (49) being non-coplanar with the planar mid-section. A spring clip (34) extends from the second edge (32) and is concave towards the planar mid-section (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic part having at least one thin wall, and designed to be slidably mounted on a support by its thin wall and having, in this thin wall: an elongate through-opening, having two lengthwise edges that are substantially parallel at least over part of their length; a spacer whose thickness is greater than that of the thin wall, able to slide in the opening between the two lengthwise edges thereof; and means of holding the spacer to the support while keeping the spacer inside the opening. Spacer can be connected to thin wall by deformable or breakable links.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus has a stationary lower part and a displaceable upper part carrying a patient. The upper part has a guide surface which is curved in sectional plane, and the lower part has a guide surface matched to this curve. Outlet nozzles for air are provided in the guide surface of the lower part so that an air gap and an air cushion are produced between the guide surface of the lower part and the upper part by means of an air flow. The upper part, with a patient thereon, can be displaced in a longitudinal direction, perpendicular to the sectional plane, by riding on the air cushion.

Abstract: The tooth shape at around the pitch circle of the outer tooth gear of the pinion to be connected to the prime mover or driven shaft has a tooth surface which is in axial direction at around the central portion of the tooth width and which contacts at around the tooth width end at the allowable displacement angle and the backlash is made small and the outer tooth gear of the pinion is crowned in to an exponential function curve. The precession vibration and the torsional vibration at a high speed rotation can be suppressed because of the small backlash. The crowning curve is exponential function which causes the contacting point to move toward the tooth width end as the displacement increases and the radius of curvature becomes larger as the point on the curve approaches to the tooth width end, so that even when the contacting gear number decreases when displaced, the increase in the contacting stress is suppressed and a larger power can be transmitted as compared to the conventional design.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bellows device (17) including an elastic bellows (19) adapted to be connected at a first end to a first rotary member (9) and the second end of which has a portion (24) turned back axially outwards, the free end of this turned back portion being adapted to be fixed to a second rotary member (11). The device includes a rigid member (21) for stabilizing the bellows (19) including a radially external connecting part adapted to assure axial retention of said member (21) relative to the second rotary member (11) and a radially internal part (33) adapted to extend axially towards the turned back portion (24), inside the latter, and to have an annular surface facing the bellows (19) that is free of sharp edges.