Abstract: This semi-flush kit is designed for employment with a simple high buoyancy flush valve toilet tanks. Primarily, it consists of two main floats and each are controlled by a right and left rotation of a toilet tank operator's handle. One float of the combination controls a pre-determined lower water level in the tank, and the other controls a second and higher level of water in the tank that may be discharged as desired.

Abstract: A swimming pool bulkhead is provided with sets of transversely spaced buoyancy chambers for providing stability against rotation about the lengthwise axis of the bulkhead when the chambers are inflated. The bulkhead is made of two separate short sections which are transported separately and bolted together at the pool.

Abstract: A splash minimizing apparatus for washing hands having associated valves and fixtures, includes a back plate having an upper portion through which the valves and/or fixtures may be supported, this back panel also having a lower portion; a bottom receptacle affixed to the lower portion of the back panel, the bottom receptacle having portions defining a drain hole; two trapezoid-shaped side panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to the back panel, the side panels having bottom edged portions disposed within the bottom receptacle; a rectangular front panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the front panel inclinedly disposed with respect to the back plate so that every point on the respective upper lower edges is uniformly distant from the back plate, the upper edge of the front panel spaced further from the back plate than the lower edge, the lower edge of the front panel being disposed within the bottom receptacle; and various bolts and elements which may be sleeves for vertically maintaining the po

Abstract: This invention relates to a lifting and lowering apparatus, and more particularly to such an apparatus useful to persons experiencing difficulty in arising from bed. The apparatus has a base frame for resting on a supporting surface such as a floor, a person supporting platform for engaging the thighs and buttocks of a user of the apparatus, and pivot and lifting devices coupling the platform and the base frame for free rotation of said platform means about a horizontal axis and for powered lifting and lowering of the platform relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A pillow for supporting the chest and shoulders of a patient when lying in a prone position with said pillow comprising a rectangular base having one end extending arcuately upwardly and over the base to form a narrow elongated rectangular shaped ridge top. The other end of the ridge extends downwardly from the top of the pillow and inwardly of its base to a second end of the pillow which connects the ridge of the pillow to its base.

Abstract: A pad cover of a size capable of containing two pads in parallel, wherein a partitioning wall is provided in said cover to traverse the center thereof, short side walls of cover are formed to which the ends of said partitioning wall are fastened, and openings are formed starting from both sides of said short side walls running through the ends of the two sides.Owing to the presence of the partitioning walls, the two pads can be easily pulled out or inserted through the openings.

Abstract: In order to produce a shoe without insole, the lasting fold of a shoe upper (4) is glued directly on the underside of a last (1), specifically with the use of an adhesive which is selectably releasable at some later time. Next, an outside sole (5), which is provided with an adhesive layer (6) in the area of the lasting fold and possibly in the area of the side leather, is glued to the shoe upper (4). Next, the adhesive power of the selectably releasable adhesive is cancelled, for example, by means of heating, and the adhesive power of the adhesive (6) between the shoe upper (4) and the outside sole (5) is increased. Now the last (1) can be removed from the completed shoe. Such a shoe without insole is particuarly suited as an orthopedic shoe which makes possible a direct contact between the foot and the soft upperside of the outside sole (5).

Abstract: This invention relates to bathing and cleansing articles, and more particularly, to improved scrub brushes specifically made to contain a bar of soap for use for bathing, cleansing, and the like.

Abstract: A scrubbing sponge is disclosed which has a body and projecting extending from the body which are of greater density and preferably frusto-conical in shape. The mold for the sponge is preferably a two piece mold, one of which contains vented cavities which define the projections.

Abstract: A drive for overlapping wipers includes a pair of wiper shafts offset to different sides of a drive shaft, each driven by a spatial mechanism, which, by virtue of the offset from the drive shaft, creates a position and speed differential between the wipers that prevents them from colliding at inner wipe.

Abstract: A wiper park ramp has two components, a softer isolation pad to cushion the initial and final arm impacts, and a harder skid pad to reduce sliding friction.

Abstract: A battery-operated surface treatment apparatus having a booster function, preferably a vacuum cleaner, comprises an electric motor (10) which drives a treatment unit, such as a suction fan. Further, the apparatus comprises a battery-powered power supply unit (11) for the motor and, in addition, the apparatus is provided with a coupling device (18,23) for the activation of the booster function by temporarily connecting a separate battery (14) in series with the batteries in the power supply unit (11).

Abstract: A detachable front wheel assembly for a pushcart including a sleeve being engagable onto a front leg of a pushcart. A dovetail slot is formed in the sleeve, and two openings communicate with the dovetail slot. A coupling shaft has a vertical dovetail and a protuberance formed on the vertical dovetail. The coupling shaft is insertable into the sleeve with the vertical dovetail slidably engaged within the dovetail slot of the sleeve. The front leg of the pushcart is insertable through the sleeve and then into the coupling shaft so that the coupling shaft and the front leg can be fixed together. Two guides are formed on the coupling shaft. The protuberance of the coupling shaft is engagable within either opening for determining the relative positions between the coupling shaft and the sleeve. A wheel seat with a front wheel is engagable onto the coupling shaft. An annular notch is formed at an intermediate position of the wheel seat so that the guides are limited and rotatable along the annular notch.

Abstract: A handle for a hand tool having a tool portion to which the handle is secured rearwardly thereof. The handle has a substantially polygonally shaped cross-section to prevent rolling of the tool. An elastomeric sleeve having ribs thereon is disposed over the handle to facilitate gripping thereof even in greasy and oily conditions. A plurality of pockets are formed in the rearward portion of the handle opposite to the tool portion. An end cap having a plurality of complementary studs is disposed over and secured to the rearward portion of the handle so that each stud is received in and secured in a respective pocket. The end cap is color-coded and/or otherwise provided with indicia means to facilitate user recognition and selection thereof. In another embodiment, the end cap is integral with handle portion.

Abstract: An improved caster wheel assembly for a wheelchair or the like includes adjustable bearing components for variably resisting swivel motion of a caster wheel to prevent undesired wheel flutter. The caster wheel assembly includes a wheel fork unit having a rotatable caster wheel, and a housing sleeve adapted for mounting onto the frame of a wheelchair or other castered device. An upstanding swivel post on the wheel fork unit is supported within the housing sleeve by the bearing components for rotation about an upright swivel axis. The bearing components include an outer bushing mounted on the housing sleeve, and having a conical bearing surface for axially engaging a mating bearing surface of a longitudinally split inner bushing. A nut threaded onto the swivel post urges the inner bushing axially against the outer bushing with a selected adjustable axial load to resist rotation of the swivel post, and thereby resist undesired rotational flutter of the swivel post and the associated caster wheel.

Abstract: A method of attaching a hanger member to a casing is provided, including the steps of inserting a portion of the hanger into an open end of the casing and then closing the open end of the casing to occlude and retain the hanger portion within the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing the stickiness or tackiness of cotton flocks. For this purpose, cotton flocks delivered by any suitable conveyor mechanism are received in a flock chute and brought, by rolls or rollers, as a fiber batt between a number of heated rolls or rollers, in order to be heated such that the stickiness or tackiness of the honeydew on the cotton is thus reduced to an extend which no longer has an adverse effect on subsequent machinery. Downstream of the heated rolls or rollers the fiber batt is again opened into cotton flocks by an opening roll or roller and fed to a pneumatic conveyor line through which the cotton flocks are fed to the subsequent machine.

Abstract: A textile fiber processing machine has a clothed roller, a clothed stationary carding element cooperating with the clothed roller, a mote knife cooperating with the clothed roller, a stationary component situated adjacent the circumferential periphery of the clothed roller and having a bounding edge defining, together with the mote knife, a waste removal clearance; and a carrier element disposed radially adjacent the roller periphery. The mote knife and the stationary carding element are mounted on and supported by the carrier element which is arcuately shiftable, together with the mote knife and the stationary carding element as a unit, in a direction parallel to the roller periphery, thereby varying the width of the waste removal clearance.

Abstract: A shaft mixer is disclosed having a number of shaft to which fibers are simulatneously supplied and drawn off again from the individual shafts at differing speeds. The drawn-off fibers are supplied collectively to a connected machine.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning textile fibres includes a horizontal rotating roller with beater elements and bar grates on the underside of the roller. Delivery air transports the textile fibres in the form of flocks through an inlet which is arranged above the upper side and at one end of the roller. An outlet for the air transporting the fibres is located above the upper side and at the other end of the roller. Between the inlet and the outlet at least three, preferably five transfer chambers are located over the upper side of the roller, each of which lead the air stream passing around the roller axis further in the axial direction of the axis by about the width in the axial direction of the chamber. The transfer chambers are defined by four, preferably six deflectors inclined by an ascending angle with respect to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: A textile drafting apparatus of the type having upper and lower drafting rollers forming a plurality of roller nips for travel therebetween of a textile strand includes a carrier member for adjustably supporting the upper drafting rollers. The textile drafting apparatus includes a force-applying member for applying a downward roller nip force through the carrier member to the rollers. The force-applying member is intermediately transversely offset from the longitudinal center line of the carrier member for permitting access to attaching studs for sliding of the attaching studs in longitudinal slots on the carrier member to adjust the position of the upper drafting rollers in the carrier member. According to another aspect of the present invention, the textile drafting apparatus includes a template device for positioning an upper drafting roller at a predetermined spacing from the pivoting shaft of the carrier member.

Abstract: The clip is made up of a back strap and securing strap, respectively of hook and loop materials that are secured together by merely fitting them face-to-face. The back strap includes a back flap and a front flap, and the securing strap is fitted to the outer opposed surfaces of the back and front flaps of the back strap and the goggles are held between the back flap and the front flap, with the front strap surrounding the bridge of the goggles. The back strap is secured to the sleeve of the jacket of the wearer and the curvature of the goggles follow the curvature of the arm.

Abstract: An expandible annular elastic strap has a circumferentially slotted first end portion, a tongue-like second end portion which extends into the slot of the first end portion, and an intermediate portion composed of an outwardly projecting circumferentially extending median section and two marginal sections which flank the median section. The width of each marginal section need not exceed and can be less than half the width of the second end portion, and the three sections of the intermediate portion of the strap extend all the way from the first to the second end portion. The median section of the intermediate portion can be provided with one or more circumferentially extending slots which taper in opposite directions. The median section reduces the area of contact between the external surface of a clamped hose and the intermediate portion of the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein a first embodiment includes a dome cover assembly, including spaced parallel resilient legs for directing through associated apertures of a button, with projections directed orthogonally relative to the legs to lock the cover relative to the button. A further embodiment of the instant invention includes a cover assembly mounted to a button disk, wherein the button disk includes a semi-annular loop orthogonally oriented relative to a bottom surface of the disk for securement to a garment. The cover is optionally formed of magnetic material to receive a magnetically attractive covering disk thereon to enable replacement of covers as desired by an individual. The embodiment further includes a resilient polymeric dome mounted to overlie the cover disk and plate, wherein the resilient dome is optionally formed including a matrix of deformable wire formed therethrough. The resilient dome may accordingly be reshaped as desired to various configurations in use.

Abstract: A tied shoelace shield defined by two cooperating parts presenting a cavity for receiving the shoelace during tieing and, thereafter, a cover concealing the tied shoelace. The parts of the invention are reversible end-to-end, and foot-to-foot, and serve simplicity for assembly. The shield presents multi-purposes, including better shoelace tightening due to release of pressure from the top of the foot by the shield and, when covered after shoelace tieing, the positive location of the tied shoelace ends within the cavity so as to prevent tripping or the like.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for shrinking and smoothing single layer or tubular textile material where the material is first pre-shrunk by conveyance along a first curved path through a heated curved pull-in gap formed by a guide shoe and a pull-in conveyor roller. The material is then conveyed along a second curved path, curved oppositely to the first curved path, and then to a compaction zone formed by cooperation between a smoothing conveyor and a shrinkage conveyor belt. The size of the pull-in gap and the speed of the pull-in conveyor may be varied in order to achieve a variation in the residual shrinkage of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for monitoring depletion of yarn from a textile warp beam wherein yarn actually remaining on the beam is measured radially with respect to the beam, compared with a preselected radial dimension of yarn desired to remain on the beam when the machine is stopped for beam replacement, and machine operation is stopped when the measured radial dimension of yarn equals the predetermined radial dimension of yarn. An analog inductive proximity switch is supported at the periphery of yarn wound about the beam to measure the radial dimension between the switch and the beam by producing an electrical current output proportional to such dimension. A comparator circuit compares the switch output with a reference current selected to correspond to the current output of the switch when at the preselected radial dimension of yarn at which machine operation is to be stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the difficulty in tire wheel aligning/mounting in stud/lug nut applications. The apparatus is a detachable two-part mount stud extension assembly comprised of an extender and an adapter which is screwed onto a mount stud, thus extending the outward extension/reach of this mount stud beyond that of the unextended mount studs. The extender is a headed shaft. The adapter is a hollow cylinder whose one end has an internal thread which fits that of a mating mount stud, and whose other end has an extender alignment hole. The unheaded extender end is inserted into the threaded-end cavity of the adapter, on into the extender alignment hole. The adapter is screwed onto a mating mount stud, thus capturing the extender in one axial direction by the mount stud, and in the other axial direction by the adapter structure. An absence of extender axial end play signals safe and secure adapter/apparatus installation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is directed to onsite repair of vehicle front axle steering components. The apparatus includes a pair of generally mirror-image members coupled by linear bearings and locking devices assembly provides rotary power to a boring bar which extends between the members and through the eye of the axle and a second drive assembly advances the boring bar axially along the eye. The mirror-image members accept pairs of an assortment of collars which adapt the apparatus to various sizes of eye diameters and corresponding boring bar sizes. The method includes the steps of selecting appropriate pairs of collars and a boring bar, positioning the members on the axle, tightening the apparatus to the axle and making appropriate cutting passes, typically a rough and finish cut, through the eye of the axle.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for replacing worn electrode welding tips on welding robots. The method provides a way in which to apply the sub-freezing temperatures of liquid nitrogen to the welding tip while heating a shank on the robot which holds the tip. This results in a temperature gradient between the contacting surfaces of the tip and the shank which will result in an expansion of the shank and a shrinkage of the tip so that the tip can be easily separated from the shank. The process may be fully automated.

Abstract: A method for extracting a connector secured in a rail comprising a body member having a chamber for receiving the body of the connector to be extracted and an actuator coupled to the body member and including a bolt which is externally operated for applying force to a shoulder portion of the connector and counter bearing force to the rail to axially extract the connector from the rail.

Abstract: The instrument panel is clamped at both longitudinal ends thereof onto an assembly jig mounted on a robot arm. The jig holding the panel is inserted widthwise into the car cabin through a door opening. The jig is moved to a preassembly position where the end walls of the panel overlap outer side surfaces of mounting brackets previously installed in the car cabin. The end walls of the panel are then fastened in place by nut runners provided at both ends of the assembly jig. The nut runners are mounted on tool holders which are able to perform a floating movement in a plane perpendicular to the car width direction. Positioning devices are provided at both ends of the jig to correct the position of the tool holders with respect to the brackets to align and position the panel so that the mounting holes in the end walls of the panel line up with the tapped holes in the brackets.

Abstract: A sheet material assembly for forming a fascia assembly, raised roof edge assembly, coping assembly, or other such building component assembly, is disclosed. Such assembly includes at least a longitudinally-extending generally vertical outer face member, and frequently a longitudinally-extending, generally vertical inner face member spaced laterally away from the outer face member with an intermediate member disposed between the spaced-apart inner and outer face members to interconnect the inner and outer face members. Preferably, both or at least one of the face members has a flange portion located generally at an upper edge, with the intermediate member or an adjacent portion of the face member being secured to the flange portion. Such an assembly facilitates the forming of an angulated configuration, or a curved arcuate configuration, in order to form a "corner" portion of the assembly.

Abstract: Pre-glued, coil-coated brake shoe stock is manufactured on a continuous coil coating line wherein a heavy gauge steel strip is continuously fed through abrasion and surface cleaning steps, optionally treated with a phosphoric acid/alcohol solution and then followed by application of a phenol-formaldehyde resin, a controlled curing step, and again coiled. The phenol-formaldehyde resin may have incorporated in it solid particles which will improve the dimensional stability, thermal properties and vibration and sound-dampening characteristics of the brake shoes. Brake shoes stamped from the stock made under the particular conditions described have higher shear strength and adhesion to the brake pad or lining materials than those of the prior art and have fewer problems in manufacturing.

Abstract: The automated magnetic tape drive read/write head module assembly apparatus enables a worker to completely assemble and align the read/write head module in a single step process. A read/write head assembly fixture that securely holds the rectangular-shaped read/write head frame in a fixed position. A read head and write head alignment tool is pivotally attached to the read/write head assembly fixture for magnetically suspending the read head and write head in the rectanglar-shaped opening in the read/write head frame in a predetermined position. A brass shield loader apparatus automatically places a brass shield between the suspended read and write heads. The alignment tool includes an aperture such that the worker can view the transducing gaps on the read head and the write head for alignment purposes.

Abstract: A magnetic recording playback head and a method for producing the same having an improved wear resistance and resistance to chipping as well as an improved production rate. The head is formed from a pair of magnetic cores joined through a gap-forming film. The lateral sides of the gap are flat, except for the surface repair to contact the tape, which have a width equal to the track width. The flat sides are coated with a nonmagnetic thin hard film of a material such as alumina or titanium nitride.

Abstract: An electrode precursor for lithium batteries includes a layer of an electrochemically active particulate material and a binder. The binder is soluble in the cell electrolyte so that the electrolyte extracts the binder from the particulate material after assembly, leaving a particulate layer substantially devoid of binder. Thus, the binder does not significantly decrease electrical conductivity of the layer in the cell and does not impede the ionic access to the layer. The soluble binder may be present in the electrode precursor in an amount sufficient to protect particulate which would otherwise react with the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing metallic heat exchanger tubes having a heat exchange surface that is increased by fins. A rotating tube has helically wound on its outer surface a strip that forms the fins, with this strip being fed to the tube surface under tension, and with the bottom edge of the strip being welded to the tube. The contact surface that exists between the tube and the bottom edge of the strip, and that extends helically on the surface of the tube, is fused exclusively at the surface of the tube with a laser beam that is directed in the region where the strip runs onto the surface of the tube, and that fuses a portion of the tube surface that in the axial direction of the tube corresponds at least to the width of the bottom edge of the strip and in the circumferential direction corresponds approximately to the same amount. At the same time, the laser beam fuses the bottom edge of the incoming strip in the region where the strip runs onto the surface of the tube.

Abstract: A method of mounting parts, e.g. electronic parts, which includes the steps of supplying parts to a predetermined position by receiving the parts from part supply sections through a part transfer section of a circulation moving type having a plurality of part holding members, and mounting the parts by receiving the parts as supplied by the part transfer section at the predetermined position. The part holding members which are not used in the plurality of part holding members are classified so that the corresponding part holding members are controlled so as not to be used based on the classification. The consecutive steps of the electronic parts mounting method are illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Abstract: A transfer sheet includes an electrodeposited metal foil having a smooth surface and a rough surface attached to a heatproof flexible base sheet. Using such a transfer sheet, a circuit substrate is formed by etching the electrodeposited metal foil to form a circuit pattern, placing the transfer sheet into a cavity of a mold in such a manner that the rough surface of the circuit pattern faces an inside of the mold cavity, pouring a melting resin into the mold cavity to form a molded article, and peeling the transfer sheet from the molded article so that the circuit pattern remains on the resin base.

Abstract: Simultaneous multiple pin insertion into a printed circuit board in which the pins are held by a carrier with the pins initially having ends located within holes in the board with the pins supporting the carrier above the board. The carrier is then urged towards the board conveniently by press head operation to drive the pins through the board. Conveniently the press head also operates with a pin straightener, after pin insertion, the press head being reciprocable in two horizontal directions to perform a pin straightening operation.

Abstract: A compliant portion of the tubular body of a compliant pin is configured with an elliptical cross section. Preferably, the tubular body is seamless but alternatively may have a seam with the edges of the seam connected together. The configuration is particularly useful for micro-miniature pins. In the preferred method embodiment, on one side of a member to which the pin is to be affixed, the leading end of a blank tubular pin is inserted into the mating receptacle of the member and such that the blank pin provides a protrusion or extension on the opposite side of the member. A compliant section with an elliptical cross section if formed in a predetermined part of the protrusion and thereafter the pin is partially retracted into the receptacle so that the compliant section coacts with the receptacle to affix the pin to the member.

Abstract: A crimp contact for providing a secure mechanical and electrical contact between wire conductors and a contact portion, includes a moisture-impermeable cross-linking adhesive filling the gaps between the crimp portion of the crimp contact and the wire conductors, and between adjacent wire conductors. The adhesive is cross-linked subsequent to filling the gaps, thereby hardening the adhesive.

Abstract: A method for assembling a cam follower in a rocker arm of a valve drive mechanism comprises the steps of forming through the walls of the rocker arm a first through-hole which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cam follower shaft and a second through-hole which has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cam follower shaft, and inserting the shaft into the first through-hole and temporarily holding a tip end of the shaft with the second through-hole before permanently securing the shaft to the walls of the rocker arm by caulking.

Abstract: A method of making a camshaft of the type having a cam piece composed of outer and inner layers which comprises the steps of molding a green cam piece in a manner that the outer and inner layers are respectively made from powders of outer-layer and inner-layer forming materials, fitting the green cam piece on a steel shaft to produce a green camshaft assembly, and sintering said green camshaft assembly at a temperature in which the materials shrink and yield a liquid phase to produce a camshaft having a cam piece diffusion-bonded to the outer periphery of the shaft.The outer-layer forming material is prepared to have an axial shrinkage of 4 to 10% and shrink more than said inner-layer forming material prepared to have an axial shrinkage of 2.5 to 6%.

Abstract: A cast cylinder for an internal combustion engine having an intake valve cavity located on one side of the piston bore, an intake bore for communication with a carburetor located on the other side of the piston bore, and an internal passageway cast therein communicating the intake bore and the intake valve cavity. The internal passageway is curved and circumscribes a portion of the intake bore. A walled hollow tube having initially closed ends is embedded in the cast cylinder during casting as a permanently retained casting core. Subsequently the ends of the embedded tube are machined open to communicate with the intake valve cavity and the intake bore, respectively, to define the internal passageway.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprises a converter housing body with a reduced central section that compresses a support mat around a substrate, the ends of the body being spherical for attachment to spherical flanges on end bushings or being an integral part of the body. The method of manufacturing the converter substrate and converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal support for an exhaust gas catalyst. The method comprises the steps of: (a) mating respective end portions of flat and corrugated metal strips in such a manner that respective major portions of the strips extend in opposite directions; (b) putting the mated end portions of the strips between two generally flat holding members; (c) winding the major portions of the flat and corrugated metal strips around the holding members overlapping one on another by a predetermined number of times, thereby to produce an oval structure which includes the flat and corrugated metal strips and the holding members; (d) drawing the holding members from the oval structure thereby to provide a semi-processed oval assembly which has two generally flat bores left therein; and (e) pressing the semi-processed oval assembly in a manner to eliminate the bores thereby to provide a tightly wound oval assembly of the flat and corrugated metal strips.

Abstract: In a dry-shaving apparatus comprising a slidable shutter (3) for optionally covering or exposing a shear foil (9) of the dry-shaving apparatus, which shear foil is mounted in a shaving-head frame which is detachably secured to a basic apparatus (1) of the dry shaver, said shutter having a first latched position which is locked by a latching means (12, 13, 14, 15) and in which the circuit of the motor for driving the dry-shaving apparatus is closed by the shutter when the shutter exposes the shear foil to allow shaving, the shutter can be slid away from the shear foil completely onto the basic apparatus, the shutter having a further latched position in which it is locked by means of a latch (12, 13, 23, 24) and in which the shear foil and the shaving-head frame are exposed by the shutter and the motor circuit is interrupted by means of the shutter.

Abstract: An apparatus for manually cutting, chopping and dicing vegetables, meats and a variety of other foods comprising a plurality of blades attached to a handle. In one embodiment the blades are secured to a common base which is attached to either a one or two piece handle. In a second embodiment the blades are releasably secured to a common base which is attached to either a one or two piece handle. The blades may be tapered to a point at the distal end.