Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system including rows of female loops joined to a substrate. The loops taper from the base to the distal end and are typically nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The shanks of each loop may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each loop includes an opening for receiving a portion of the prong of a male hook component. The loops are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the apertures of a depositing member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the loop, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form a distal end which fuses with an adjacent amount of stretched material to forma loop. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article, and more specifically, a diaper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A zipper for a reclosable package includes a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile having male and female interlocking members, respectively. One, and only one, of the male and female interlocking profiles includes an extended flange separated and separable therefrom by perforations. In a reclosable package, polymeric sheet material is bonded to the male and female interlocking profiles and, specifically, to both sides of the extended flange. The extended flange, so reinforced with polymeric sheet material, can thereafter be used as a header from which the package may be hung for display in a retail store. Because of the perforations separating the extended flange from one of the two profiles, the header may be readily torn from the package to provide a consumer with access to its contents.

Abstract: A safety latched hook has a hook link, a latch and a spring biasing the latch to a closed position. The hook link has a bend in a closed side opposite a latch end. The a chain attachment opening, defined as the distance from the latch end to the closed side, is at least as wide as the thickness of the material for the hook link. The hook can receive a chain of the same thickness material within the chain turn of the hook link, and does not require any further attachment mechanism to attach to a chain.

Abstract: A succession of fibrous sheet segments (10) are supplied from a rotary magazine (12) to a rotating bowl (14). Segments are added to the bowl with their adjacent radial edges abutting each other and are passed beneath a reciprocating needle board (20), whereby filaments from the segments in upper layers are displaced into segments in lower layers to bind the segments together and form a self-supporting preform. Two needle heads (22) are able to move up and down and rotate in order to pick up a segment from the store and deposit that segment on the bowl. A few barbed needles (22A) pick up the segment and more grooved needles (22B) push through fibre to tack the segments down. A conical roller (28) bears against the top of the segments after they leave the needle board to bear against the preform to compress the fibres and also to provide a monitor of the distance between the needle board or the mounting block and the top layer of the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing colored knitted net from a plurality of individual ribbons. A coloring apparatus adapted to color selected ribbons of said plurality of individual ribbons is provided between the orientation and knitting stages in the net production process. After the selected ribbons have been colored, a knitting apparatus knits the plurality of individual ribbons into a Raschel net.

Abstract: A draw process is described, in which yarns in particular of thermoplastic plastics are drawn by influencing their temperature, so as to improve the yarn properties. The process can be employed in a spin process or in a subsequent improvement step. In accordance with the invention, the temperature of the temperature modulating device is controlled as a function of a yarn tension signal, which is obtained within or downstream of the draw zone.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a machine table for receiving a workpiece, a headstock disposed above the table, a turntable mounted on an underside of the headstock and being rotatable relative thereto about a vertical first axis, and a spindle mounted on the turntable for movement in a direction oriented radially relative to the first axis. The spindle includes a chuck for supporting a machining tool for rotation about a second axis oriented eccentrically relative to the first axis. The spindle is rotatable relative to the turntable about a third axis oriented orthogonally relative to the first axis. A second spindle can be mounted on the turntable for rotation about the first axis.

Abstract: A spring-lock release tool provided with double-action arms for both uncoupling a pair of tubes and separating them from each other. A first portion of the arms engageable with a floating collar member for uncoupling the tubes, and a second portion of the arms engageable with rods for separating the tubes.

Abstract: A support 10 is provided for supporting both a power tong PT and a backup tong BT during makeup of a threaded connection TC between a lower oilfield tubular LT and an upper oilfield tubular UT. The support 10 includes a plurality of legs 12 and 14 each extending upwardly from the backup tong BT, a support plate 18 affixed to an upper end of the plurality of legs for engagement with the upper oilfield tubular, and a compensation member 32, 44, 60 secured to the support plate 18 for supporting the power tong PT relative to the backup tong BT while allowing vertical movement of the power tong relative to the backup tong during makeup or break out of the threaded connection.

Abstract: An automated assembly machine for fabricating large mechanical structures including a floor assembly jig for receiving and holding parts in a desired orientation, a pair of carriages, a first drive mechanism for independently driving the carriages longitudinally, a second drive mechanism for moving the carriages vertically, a tool tray mounted on the carriages, and a plurality of tools, including a drill, a hole diameter measurement probe, a nut runner, and an electromagnetic riveter, mounted on the tool tray for lateral movement toward and away from a workpiece clamp-up position. The tools are positioned at the workpiece clamp-up position by moving one of the carriages longitudinally along the floor assembly jig and raising the other carriage to elevate the tool tray to a desired elevation.

Abstract: To obviate the necessity of a plier or other tool for extracting a driver bit from a screwdriver, and prevent an adjustment sleeve detached from the screwdriver from being lost. The stop ring has an oval dusting opening having a width wider than the distance between the opposite sides of the hexagonal cross section of the driver bit and narrower than the diagonal length of the cross section. After detaching the adjustment sleeve from the screwdriver, the parallel sizes of the oval dusting opening of the stop ring are aligned with the opposite sides of the driver bit, and the stop ring is moved toward the driver bit, until a peripheral groove portion of the driver bit reaches the edge surrounding the dusting opening. By changing the relative angle between the adjustment sleeve and the driver bit, the diagonal part of the driver bit is caught by the edge surrounding the oval dusting opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing from a rigid single-wall tank having spindle members attached to and extending outwardly of each of its end portions a rigid double-wall tank for the storage of liquids. The method includes applying to the exterior surface of the inner tank a spacing material, applying over the inner tank and the spacing material an outer sheath with at least a portion of the outer sheath applied adjacent to each spindle member then removing at least one of the spindle members from the end portions of the inner tank and urging the outer sheath overlying the end portions away from the end portions to form a space between the end portion of the inner tank and the outer sheath, inserting into the spacing material and then sealing the end portion of the inner tank by applying a substantially liquid-tight sheath.

Abstract: A spindle motor in a disc drive has a rotor assembly rotatably mounted to a base. A stator is mounted to the base and a magnet is mounted to the rotor assembly. The magnet or the stator is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to the other under the influence of magnetic interaction between the magnet and the stator. The magnet and stator are then rigidly fixed relative to one another in the axial direction.

Abstract: To introduce an insulation (3) of desired thickness into a measuring tube (1) of an electromagnetic flow sensor at low cost forming a tight joint, said measuring tube comprising a metal tube (2) having a respective metal flange (4, 5) at each end (21, 22),the respective metal flange (4, 5) at each end is slipped over the outside (23) of the metal tube in such a way that a front side (41, 51) of the metal flange projects beyond the end of the metal tube by an amount at least equal to the thickness of the insulation (3), and a rear side (45, 55) of the metal flange is permanently and tightly joined to the outside (23) of the metal tube. Before being slipped on, each metal flange is provided, from the front side, with a flute (42, 52) which forms a first annular groove (43, 53) at its inner end. A mandrel whose diameter is determined by the desired thickness of the insulation is introduced into the lumen of the metal tube.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) read transducer having passive end regions separated by a central active region in which an MR layer is formed over substantially only the central active region and in which a magnetic bias layers is formed in each passive end region. Each of the magnetic bias layers includes a layer of ferromagnetic material and a layer of antiferromagnetic material overlaying and in contact with the ferromagnetic layer to provide an exchange-coupled magnetic bias field. Each of the magnetic bias layers form an abutting junction having magnetic and electrically continuity with the MR layer to produce a longitudinal magnetic bias field in the transducer.

Abstract: Electric motor stators can have coils wound on their poles which coils have more turns than the poles could normally support by augmenting the pole with additional structures to support the added coil turns. The additional structures can be only temporarily associated with the stator, e.g., by adding them to the winding shrouds which are customarily applied to the stator during winding. Alternatively these additional structures can be permanent but non-magnetic portion of the stator, e.g., by adding them to the terminal board members of the stator.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement are described for determining reference positions for planar hybrid stepper motors having a stator which is provided with a structure and a rotor which is supported thereon in air bearings. The process includes the following steps: The rotor is set down on the stator and the air supply for the air bearing is switched on. The rotor is brought into an alignment position in a working connection with at least two defined, stationary mechanical stops or with displacement-free electrical contacts manually or by mechanical or electrical auxiliary device or in a self-propelled manner. The air supply for the air bearing is then turned off in order to fix the rotor in this alignment position and the rotor is then so supplied with current in sequence in a defined manner and the air supply to the air bearings switched on in such a way that the rotor is brought from the alignment position into a reference position which is aligned with respect to the stator structure.

Abstract: The magnetic states of MR reproducing heads are reinitialized during media drive manufacturing by applying initializing magnetic fields to the transducers after they have been manufactured and incorporated into media drive assemblies.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit protector includes a substrate carrying a metal fuse element hermetically sealed in a glass sleeve cartridge. The fuse element may comprise a film deposited on the substrate, or, alternatively a metal strip or wire. Leads extend from opposing ends of the sleeve for connection in a circuit, and a gas is sealed in the sleeve to provide a suitable environment to improve operating lifetime and interrupting capability. A method for making a circuit protector includes placing a substrate carrying a fuse element in a glass sleeve and placing leads in contact with the fuse element. The assembly is heated in the presence of a gas below atmospheric pressure to a temperature sufficient to soften the glass. The pressure is then increased to cause the ends of the glass sleeve to form a hermetic seal about the leads.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lead accumulator comprising installing electrode plates and separators in a battery box, introducing an electrolyte in the form of a thixotropic gel including sulphuric acid and gel-forming agent into an electrolyte space and, closing of the battery box, wherein after installing the electrode plates the entire amount of sulphuric acid required for a desired electrolyte concentration is introduced into an electrolyte space within the box to form the electrode plates and after formation, an aqueous silica sol with 15 to 60% by weight of solids component, with a specific surface area of solids of 100 to 500 m.sup.2 /g, is added in such an amount that a solids concentration of the electrolyte, with respect to the overall weight thereof, of 3 to 20% by weight is obtained, and then the content of the electrolyte space is homogenously mixed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and assembling a plurality of small parts weighing under five pounds using a robot employing a rotatable pallet for holding an array of small parts. Said rotatable pallet being held in place on the robot wrist head, which moves the pallet through a plurality of stationary work-stations located within the operating envelope of the robot, and rotates the pallet at each work-station to index the pallet and to present it to the work-station for an operation on a specific part or parts. Said robot participates in the work-station tasks by moving the rotatable pallet in the X, Y, and Z directions as needed. Movable data pins are used to indicate conditions of individual parts in nests, and of the pallet taken as a whole.

Abstract: Producing vehicles by using a plurality of production lines allowing the vehicles to successively pass through a welding step, a coating step and an assembling step in each line, in accordance with an increase or decrease in the number of vehicles to be produced in the respective production lines, some of the vehicles in one of the production lines which has less of a margin for production are transferred, after passing through the welding step, to another production line at a portion between its welding step and coating step which line has more of a margin for production. With this arrangement, when it becomes necessary to increase or decrease the number of vehicles in the lines, it is possible to produce vehicles without changing the production ability in the respective steps after the welding step, only by adjusting the number of vehicles in the welding step of the production line which has a less of a margin for production.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

Abstract: A wiring board is fabricated through the following steps:(A) forming, on one side of an elongated carrier metal foil made of a first metal, a thin layer with a second metal whose etching conditions are different from those of the first metal;(B) forming, on a surface of the thin layer, a desired wiring pattern with a third metal whose etching conditions are different from those of the second metal;(C) superposing the carrier metal foil on an insulating substrate with the side of the wiring pattern being positioned inside, whereby the wiring pattern is embedded in the insulating substrate; and(D) etching off the carrier metal foil and the thin layer at desired parts thereof.

Abstract: In a terminal receiving chamber made of a connector housing of synthetic resin, the metal terminal is retained by the flexible holding strip disposed in the connector housing, the retaining portion of the metal terminal abutting against a retaining projection of the flexible holding strip includes an end part of a laminated plate portion formed by folding a rolling thin plate portion.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow composite members, comprising the steps of: providing an outer material layer; providing a tubular supporting member within the outer layer; initially plastically expanding the supporting member to produce a connection between the outer layer and the supporting member; and subsequently plastically expanding the supporting member in a central region while simultaneously axially shortening the supporting member, so that a tensile prestress is generated in the circumferential direction and a compressive prestress is generated in the longitudinal direction of the outer layer.

Abstract: A method of removing a metal plug from a conduit includes the steps of simultaneously applying a static pull force and repetitive impulses to the plug. The method is particularly suited to removing a plug from a heat exchanger tube in a nuclear powered steam generator. A tool for practicing the method on such plugs includes a first hydraulic actuator for first moving an expansion member out of engagement with an interior plug wall, a second hydraulic actuator capable of attachment to the plug for applying a static pull force to the plug, and an arrangement connecting an air impact tool to the second hydraulic actuator for applying, simultaneously with the static force, high-frequency impulses to the plug entirely through solid members.

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a vehicle wheel from a one-piece sheet metal blank involves a nine station transfer die. In a first station, a sheet metal blank is drawn into a dish-shaped wall, a cylindrical outside wall, a first contour, and a first side wall. In the second station, the dish-shaped wall is reverse drawn to form a hub and an inside wall, and a valve hole is punched into the first contour. In the third station, the hub is flattened to be substantially perpendicular to an axial centerline of the partially fabricated wheel, and an outer peripheral edge of the first side wall is trimmed. In the fourth station, the inside wall is laterally formed so as to be in contact with the outside wall, and an outer peripheral edge of the first side wall is wiped over to form a flange. In the fifth station, a second contour is laterally formed. In the sixth station, a first offset and inner and outer hub-stiffening embosses are drawn into the hub.

Abstract: A razor having an elongated body within which is contained an internal chamber. The forward end of the internal chamber is closed and is to contain an emollient lotion. The aft end of the internal chamber is to contain a movable slider. Manual movement of the slider is to cause dispensing of the emollient lotion through a dispensing aperture located at the fore end of the elongated body. A shaving head is mounted on the fore end. The aft end of the elongated body is open to provide for easy entry of the emollient lotion and the slider when assembling of the razor.

Abstract: A cigar cutter includes a housing having an opening formed in the middle portion for engaging with a cigar. A cutter blade is slidably engaged in the housing and movable across the opening for cutting the cigar. A safe guard includes a pair of parallel panels for engaging onto the middle portion of the housing for shielding the cutter blade and for preventing the cutter blade from hurting a user. The housing includes one or more guiding grooves, and the safe guard includes one or more projections for engaging with the guiding groove and for guiding the relative movement between the safe guard and the housing. The guiding grooves each includes two ends having an orifice for engaging with the projection of the safe guard and for maintaining the safe guard in the open position and the enclosed position.

Abstract: A hand held slicing knife comprises a handle assembly, a ring-like blade housing carried by the handle assembly and having a central axis and first and second opposite axial sides, a ring blade supported by the housing about the axis and projecting from the first axial blade housing side, a blade drive transmission for rotating the blade about the axis, a gage member disposed radially inwardly from the ring blade and supported for adjustable axial movement relative to the blade to control the thickness of material cut by the knife, and a cut material directing cover comprising a base wall spaced from the second axial blade housing side and a side wall projecting from the base wall in the general direction of extent of the axis, the side wall disposed radially outwardly of the blade housing and extending axially from the base wall at least to a location radially adjacent the second blade housing side.

Abstract: A hand held and base operated can opener combination that can be both operated in a base mounted counter top configuration and a portable hand held configuration is disclosed. Consisting of a base unit with an integral power supply and battery charger, it is physically connected to a head unit containing rechargeable batteries, an electric motor, a conventional can opening mechanism, a manual can opening means, and associated electrical control circuitry. The invention may be utilized to open cans on a kitchen counter top by attaching the can and pressing down on the top lever section of the unit, in the same manner as one would use a conventional electric can opener. The invention may also be operated in a portable hand held configuration, in the same manner as one would use a manual hand operated can opener, except with the added convenience of pressing a switch to operate an electric motor in lieu of a hand crank.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a new type of ruler for measuring the angle of inclination of a portion of terrain from a topographical map. Topographical maps contain precise information relating to elevation changes and distances. These two pieces of information can be used together to devise a scale to measure the angle of inclination, or pitch, of any slope represented on the map. The invention is simply the inscription of such a scale on a straight, flat material. The invention can be made with a unique scale for any given map scale and contour interval height.

Abstract: A compass circuit has a magnetic field sensor adapted to be positioned in a vehicle near a source of varying magnetic fields. A detector is coupled to the compass circuit for providing a signal applied to the compass circuit which responds for displaying the compass heading prior to the magnetic field disturbance to provide accurate heading information. In a preferred embodiment, the detector senses when a door is opened and the compass heading prior to the opening of the door is displayed.

Abstract: A linear measuring device comprising a scale fixed on a supporting structure along which a slide can slide. A transducer connected to the slide permits, in cooperation with the scale, determination of at least one coordinate of a point connected to the slide in a system of coordinates connected to the supporting structure. The transducer is fixed to the slide at three points by a mounting device having at each point a screw engaged in a partially threaded opening of a column and a spring. In acting on one of the screws at each of the said points, the spacing can be changed between the detection device and the slide. The spring keeps the spacing as large as the engagement of the screw in the said opening permits. The detection device is of the capacitive or electro-optical type and is mounted on a transducer support. The slide slides by means of rollers, part of the rollers rolling on guide surfaces belonging to the same plane as the surface of the supporting structure to which the scale is fixed.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system for wafers or other semiconductor articles. The system uses an interface section at an end of the machine accessible from the clean room. A plurality of processing stations are arranged away from the clean room interface. A transfer subsystem removes wafers from supporting carriers, and positions both the wafers and carriers onto a carrousel which is used as an inventory storage. Wafers are shuttled between the inventory and processing stations by a robotic conveyor which is oriented to move toward and away from the interface end. The system processes the wafers without wafer carriers.

Abstract: A horizontal cooler/dryer having a continuous traveling conveyor, the conveyor being a chain conveyor formed of a plurality of links adjoined in end-to-end relationship, each of the links being pivotally pinned at its ends to adjacent links; a housing about the conveyor, the housing having a cooling gas inlet, a gas exhaust, a product inlet through which material to be cooled may be deposited on the conveyor and a product outlet through which cooled material can be discharged; and a plurality of non-perforate material pans mounted to the conveyor in juxtaposed overlapping relationship to form a substantially continuous surface about the conveyor. The product bed is leveled by dragging the lower edge of a hollow pivoting quarter drum across the product. The leveling is produced by the weight of the quarter drum pivoting down against the product. Counter weights can be used to control the leveling pressure against the product to avoid crushing or other product damage.

Abstract: A lint enclosure system for a laundry dryer including an elongated lint basket supported beneath a lid. The lint basket is formed from a filter wall having a first end wall and a second end wall disposed at opposite ends. The filter wall has a generally U-shaped cross-section. An inlet opening is formed into the first end wall and a plurality of outlet openings are formed into the filter wall. The outlet openings are configured to cover successively greater portions of the filter wall at successive linear points between the first wall and the second wall. Lint builds up linearly in the lint basket, accumulating in a linear fashion from the second end wall toward the first end wall. The lid positioned above the lint basket includes a window disposed adjacent the first end wall such that when lint accumulation is visible through the window the basket is substantially full of lint. In this fashion, the window operates as visual signaling means for cleaning the lint from the basket.

Abstract: A U.V. Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal Dryer Light is provided designed to eliminate bacteria and fungus-causing germs from the laundry. The present invention consists of ultraviolet mechanisms situated within the door of typical gas and electric dryers thereby eliminating germs from the laundered clothing. Ultraviolet lights are contained within a dryer door-mounted plate and covered with clear glass or polycarbonate plastic. When the dryer is on, the ultraviolet lights will illuminate, thus beginning the process of abolishing the germs of the laundry.

Abstract: A shoe sole and heel construction is provided. The construction includes a structure having an exterior ground-contacting surface, a flexible bulge formed in the structure and projecting from the exterior ground-contacting surface for contact with the ground in use and defining a first pocket. The construction also includes a second resiliently expansible pocket formed in the structure and disposed to avoid contact with the ground in use and a passageway formed in the structure and communicating with each of the first and second pockets. Fluid is permanently confined in a space jointly defined by the pockets and the passageway whereby when an external force is applied to the bulge, fluid is forced from the first pocket through the passageway to expand the second pocket and when the external force is removed, the expanded second pocket resiliently forces fluid back to the first pocket.

Abstract: The object of this invention is an insole having profiles on its upper surface, for enabling a massaging effect on the tissue of a foot. According to the invention the profiles, formed in the shape of knobs (2a), are arranged in special areas (2) of the sole area, these special areas being selected in accordance with aspects of reflex zone therapy in order to activate certain organs.

Abstract: A shoe construction is provided which is waterproof and breathable. The construction includes a liner which is impervious to water, yet pervious to water vapor. The liner covers the entire top of the foot of the wearer but is open under the forefoot area of the foot. The shoe is lasted using a combination of techniques. The forepart of the shoe is cement lasted while the rearpart of the shoe is of a stitched construction.

Abstract: A shoe for use in a gliding sport employing a board that includes a flexible boot having an upper section for securing the boot to a wearer's leg and a sole having a transverse recess level with arch of the wearer's foot. A block is arranged under the sole and is intended to interact with a binding on the board. A stirrup piece passes under the sole and has arms that rise to either side of the boot. A spoiler is mounted for articulation upon the stirrup piece. The rearward inclination of the spoiler is limited in assembly and wherein the lower face of the stirrup piece receives the block.

Abstract: Alpine ski boot (1) comprising a shell base (2) surmounted by an upper (4) at least partially articulated (5) on the latter and at least one device (6) for back-to-front control of the active flection of the upper, constituted by a cursor transversely adjustable in position so as to delimit a rigid, movable point of support at least partially between the lower front edge (8) of the jointed upper (4) and a stationary portion (9) of the shell base (2). The cursor (7) supporting the device (6) for flection control of the upper (4) is constituted by a sliding device capable of translational travel on the guide rail (10) attached to the shell base and extending substantially parallel to at least a portion of the lower front edge (8) of the upper (4).

Abstract: A self-contained portable illumination unit removably attachable to a wide variety of footwear having a body assembly capable of housing and securely holding a power source, a switching circuit for selectively illuminating the light source, and one end portion of a linear side-glow optical conduit capable of emitting light conducted therethrough radially outwardly from its circumferential periphery substantially along its entire surface area, the one end portion of the linear optical conduit being positioned and located in close proximity to the light source so as to receive light therefrom when illuminated. The body assembly further includes a removable cover member for providing access to the power source and a removably adjustable mounting clip for removably attaching the body assembly to the footwear.

Abstract: A trenching machine includes a vehicle, an engine transmission assembly, a transfer box assembly, an elevated differential gearbox, a trenching chain drive shaft, a pair of roller chains engaging the trenching chain drive shaft and the output shaft of the differential gearbox, a trenching chain assembly mounted on and driven by the trenching chain drive shaft; and a discharge conveyor positioned below the differential gearbox and the pair of roller chains. The transfer box assembly, which transfers power from the engine transmission assembly vertically to the elevated differential gearbox, includes a sealed but accessible housing, a lower shaft, an upper shaft positioned parallel to and vertically above the lower shaft, and a roller chain running on sprockets on the upper and lower shafts. The lower shaft is connected to the engine transmission output shaft by a first universal joint, while the upper shaft is connected to the input of the differential gearbox by a second universal joint.

Abstract: A rock picker and material loader attachment is pivotally mounted to a loader scoop or bucket and extends longitudinally forward therefrom. A plurality of teeth form the leading surface of the attachment during digging and loading operations. Also adjacent the bucket and support bar is a laterally extending debris catcher. During picking and scraping operations, the debris catcher is perpendicular to the bottom of the bucket, extending up from the bottom and thereby acting as a block or retaining plate which assists in retaining debris in the bucket. Two longitudinal knees form a quarter-circle are at or near the longitudinal position of the mounting between the attachment and the bucket. During loading from the inventive attachment to the bucket, the knees are used to pivot the attachment and allow material or debris to roll into the bucket. While the attachment is pivoting, the debris catcher assists by moving any debris near the edge of the bucket back and away therefrom.

Abstract: A removable sole plate cover for fabric pressing irons is formed of a thin, flat, planar sheet (approximately fifteen thousandths of an inch) of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material (e.g., Teflon, tm). The sheet is removably securable to the sole plate of a hand operated iron, and protects fabrics being pressed from burning, scorching, and polishing by reducing friction between the iron and the fabric and also providing for more even heat distribution from the sole plate to the article being pressed. The cover is removably secured to the iron by forward and rearward lateral flaps. The forward flaps each have an extension ear extending therefrom, which are folded to overlap one another and to secure to the corresponding forward flap of the opposite side. The rearward flaps each have at least one eyelet therein, and are folded upwardly along the edge of the iron sole plate and secured across the iron by one or more tensile springs.

Abstract: An embroidery hoop press and method of operation permit the user to frame large areas of thick fabric between inner and outer embroidery hoops by the use of relatively little pressure. The mechanical press includes an upper platen for retaining the inner fabric hoop which is movable in an arcuate path downwardly to allow the hoops to initially contact an angle of approximately 10.degree.. With continued downward force the press gradually causes the inner and outer fabric hoops to fully engage as the lower platen simultaneously pivots. A dampener attached to the upper platen allows the operator to quickly release the handle without injury or vibration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an animated display with an ornamental object that incorporates a unique combination of motions and appearances which can be controlled and choreographed with the use of a computer or other control devices. One specific embodiment is a tree-like sculpture which can be instructed to move and dance along with selected music for purposes of entertainment. The apparatus is capable of making many different motions including linear movement, spinning, swaying, bobbing, expanding, and tumbling.