Abstract: A spherical hairbrush is provided to enable a user to obtain a helical curl having a continuum of varying diameters within each lock of curled hair. This varying-diameter helix provides a new and distinct look for the curled hair. The spherical hairbrush may include a spherical head. The spherical head may include holes that allow the hair to be quickly blow dried through the brush.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a handle that supports a heating element that projects out from the handle. An adjustable barrel is also carried by the handle and surrounds the heating element such that the heating element is substantially centrally disposed in the barrel. The barrel is adjustable between first and second positions where the diameter of the barrel is larger in the second position than the first position. The heating element remains centrally disposed in the barrel in the first and second positions. The barrel is adjusted by moving the clip assembly that is connected to the barrel. The clip assembly includes a clip that accommodates the changes in barrel diameter. A plurality of support elements are connected to the handle and adjustably support the barrel. The support elements include springs that support shoes that slidably engage the barrel.

Abstract: This invention is relates to a cosmetic case capable of displaying the inside of the case, comprising a housing for containing a cosmetic material, the housing having an opening for exposing the surface of the cosmetic material, a lid for closing the opening formed at the housing and a hinge member attached to each edge of the housing and the lid to rotatably connect the housing and the lid with each other so that respective outer surfaces of the housing and the lid come to face closely to each other. The hinge member comprises a pair of shafts members and a pair of support members, each support member arranged on each end of the pair of the shaft members. Each of the housing and the lid has a coupling portion having a fitting groove for fitting one of the shaft members to hide the shaft members and to expose the support members on opposite sides of the coupling portion.

Abstract: A process for etching a substrate 20 in a process chamber 25 having sidewalls 30 and a sacrificial collar 100, and for cleaning the sacrificial collar without eroding or otherwise damaging the sidewalls. The process comprises an etching stage in which a substrate 20 is placed in the process chamber 25, and the sacrificial collar 100 is maintained around the substrate to add or remove species from a process gas to affect a processing rate of the substrate periphery. The process further comprises a localized cleaning stage in which the substrate 20 is removed, a cleaning gas introduced into the process chamber 25, and a localized cleaning plasma sheath 95 is formed to clean process residues formed on the sacrificial collar 100 substantially without extending the localized cleaning plasma sheath 95 to the sidewalls 30 of the process chamber.

Abstract: A jib (8) can be extended and retracted on the mast (2) and supported by means of mutually parallel connecting struts (16, 18). The struts are articulated secured to the mast (2) and the jib (8), while the jib can be secured in the extended position by means of a first clip (36) and bears a folding canopy (10) at the end away from the mast (2). The jib (8) is guided on the mast (2) and the struts (16, 18) so as to swivel, and can be secured in the swiveled position by a securing device (26, 28).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a walker. The walker includes a front frame having opposing lateral ends and which is formed substantially from a polymer. First and second side frames are connected to the front frame at the lateral ends thereof, respectively. Each side frame is formed substantially from a polymer and has fore and aft generally vertical leg portions. A first handle is positioned at an upper region of each side frame. The side frames can be pivotally mounted to the front frame.

Abstract: A tent or tent-like structure which is inexpensive to produce and easily erected comprises a pair of continuous flexible support members or rods, each of which is bent into an approximately semi-circular configuration when the structure is assembled. The structure includes a substantially square base and four lateral faces to form a substantially pyramidal shaped canopy. Each end of each support member is retained by one of four retaining boots, each retaining boot affixed to the canopy adjacent to the base. Each support member is further retained by an apical retaining loop and a pair of lateral retaining loops located equidistant from the apical retaining loop and linearly arranged therewith. Tents according to the invention may be manufactured from suitable materials and of suitable size to render them fit for a wide range of purposes from a toy for a small child to a shelter for one or more adults. Methods of making such tent-like structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double seat valve in which it is possible to clean an upper valve seat and a lower valve seat separately. To that end, a cylinder is provided as the drive mechanism, which in contrast to the prior art makes do with only three pistons. Nevertheless, in the cleaning stroke additional closing force can be brought to bear on a valve plate that is closed in that process.

Abstract: The valve comprises an operating wheel connected by a connecting rod to an opening and closing member. The valve is sealed by a stuffening box fixed into the upper part of the body around the rod. The stuffening box has a polygonal head so that it can be screwed and unscrewed. However the head is not accessible using a conventional spanner so as to prevent a non-specialist form slackening of the stuffing box and avoid him risking an accident.

Abstract: A drop-in faucet valve is installed from above a sink countertop. The drop-in valve includes an outer cylindrical sleeve having a diameter less than the diameter of a hole in the sink countertop. The valve itself is seated within the sleeve. The sleeve includes a water flow fitting portion such as a bottom or side fitting portion having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the sleeve. The water flow fitting portion engages a water flow conduit, and may include a female threaded portion engageable with a male threaded portion of a further water flow conduit such as a flexible outlet hose. The sleeve is dropped into the hole in the sink countertop. An escutcheon holds the sleeve in place above the sink countertop. A lock nut is threaded over the sleeve, up to the bottom of the countertop. The hose outlet is threaded to the outlet hole in the side fitting portion of the sleeve from under the sink.

Abstract: A valve, which opens upon a not permissible underpressure in a cooking utensil and upon a manual operation and which is stored in the lid of the cooking utensil suffices, without a valve spring and with a minimum of structural parts, when its flexible valve plate consists in one piece of a pressure part for manual operation and a seal collar, for abutment on a valve seat, and a connecting corpus therebetween. The seal collar is swivelled upon an overload on a swivel edge of the valve member and disengages from the abutment on the valve seat thus opening the valve.

Abstract: The invention is an anti-vortex assembly for mounting at the entrance to the outlet port of a propellant tank. In detail, the anti-vortex assembly includes a hollow cylindrical frame assembly having a longitudinal axis, open top and bottom ends, and top and bottom circular shaped support members connected together by equally spaced vertical support members. A baffle assembly is mounted within the frame assembly and which includes a plurality of perforated baffle plates having first and second ends. The first ends of the baffle plates are joined together at the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly and the second ends are joined to the vertical support members of the frame assembly. A first cylindrical shaped filter assembly is mounted about the frame assembly and a second flat disc shaped filter assembly is mounted over the top opening thereof. Fasteners are used to secure the frame member and the first filter assembly to the tank about the periphery of the outlet port.

Abstract: A perforated metal center tube is provided for use within an oil, fuel, or hydraulic filter. The tube is fabricated from a perforated metallic sheet formed into a cylinder in which opposite edges thereof are mutually engaged with one another to form a longitudinal multi-layered lockseam. The lockseam is mechanically clinched to inhibit slippage of the mutually engaged edges without the need for welding, soldering or otherwise chemically or adhesively bonding the lockseam. A series of circumferential beads are provided at spaced locations along the length of the tube to provide structural reinforcement. Each bead is formed through lockseam without generating slippage or disengagement of the first and second edges relative to one another. The beads advantageously provide the tube with sufficient structural integrity to withstand typical filtration pressures, with a metallic sheet of relatively thin gauge.

Abstract: A device for connecting a heddle of a weaving loom to a harness cord which includes an endpiece adapted to be molded on an upper end of the heddle and which end piece forms an orifice for receiving one of the harness cords. A sheath is provided for surrounding a harness cord passing through the orifice to thereby provide a structure wherein interference between adjacent heddles is avoided.

Abstract: A device for stretching an inserted filling (14), in particular for use in an airjet loom, includes a channel (5) adjoining a filling insertion conduit (4) of a reed (3), a blow nozzle directed at a branch channel intersecting the channel (5) in substantially perpendicular manner discharging into the channel (5), and at least one deflection location for the filling (14). The deflection location consists of a wear-resistant element (7, 10, 11) that extends substantially transversely to the direction of insertion (A) of the filling.

Abstract: In an air jet loom including a stop motion arrangement with first and second light beam sensor devices for detecting the presence of an inserted weft thread, the functionality of the sensor devices is continuously monitored. An inserted weft thread is expected to reach the first sensor device during an angular range (.alpha.1) of one rotation of the main shaft of the loom, whereupon the first sensor device emits a weft arrival signal (S1). In the event of a weft break, the weft thread reaches the second sensor device during the angular range (.alpha.1), whereupon the second sensor device emits a weft fault signal (S2). To monitor the functionality of the first sensor device, an interference signal (S3) emitted thereby during a second angular range (.alpha.2) not corresponding to the first angular range (.alpha.1) is evaluated.

Abstract: A weaving machine contains a reed (8) and a weft thread guide apparatus (32) which are connected to one another and are pivotal between an insertion position and a beat-up position. For the insertion of a weft thread, a weft insertion apparatus (14) which is arranged in a fixed spatial position and has at least one blower nozzle (22) for the insertion of a weft thread (38) into the guide passage (36), a thread clamp (16) and a shear (15) are provided. Coupled to the reed are the thread clamp in order to clamp an inserted weft thread (38) and to forward it synchronously with the guide passage (36) from the insertion point up to the abutment point, and the shear (15), with the shear (15) being placed after the thread clamp (16) in the beat-up direction in order to sever off the weft thread immediately after the clamping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending a plurality of leads of a component, in order to straighten and/or repair damaged or misaligned leads, is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a securing structure for receiving and holding the component; a first member for engaging the plurality of leads of the component; and a second member for engaging the plurality of leads of the component, wherein the first and second dowels cooperate with one another so as to form the plurality of leads into a desired configuration.

Abstract: The operation of filling plants for filling drinks or other foods is subject to stringent regulations under the law on foodstuffs. In this connection, an essential aspect is the cleanness of the filling plant, which consists of a filler and a conveyor. To clean a filling plant, it is known to provide four separate cleaning systems with four separate supply stations and control systems as well as line systems.The invention provides, for all partial cleaning systems in a common central cleaning circuit (40a, 57), a common supply station (10) comprising the componentsfresh water container (12)storage containers (13-16)heating station (29)dosing station (27),which can selectively be connected to or disconnected from the cleaning circuit by means of valves and rotary valve flaps, as well as a programme control system (11) as well as a common partial line system.

Abstract: An onsite petrochemical storage and transport system comprising a land based facility, which provides storage at a well site for hydrocarbon reservoir products which include gas, oil and water at a high pressure. The pressurized mixture is transferred, by means of pressure equalization, into a truck with multiple pressure containing vessels and transported to a plant suitable for processing the raw hydrocarbon mixture. The well site facility and transport truck are configured to allow for separation of gas and liquids to selectively transfer the gas or liquids as desired. Remote well sites may be periodically serviced by transport trucks while maintaining continuous production.

Abstract: An apparatus to maintain optimum engine speed and cutter wheel speed to maintain peak power output of the engine and peak flywheel effect of the stump cutter wheel and method for maintaining optimum engine speed. The stump cutter has a rotating cutting wheel powered by an engine, and the cutter is mounted to be moved laterally. The mounting includes a boom and at least a first hydraulic cylinder for urging the boom to move along the path of travel over the surface of a stump. The hydraulic cylinder is activated by a hydraulic circuit which includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A pressure hydraulic line connects the source of hydraulic fluid to a first port of the hydraulic cylinder and a return line is connected to a second port of the hydraulic cylinder. A valve diverts a portion of flow from the pressure line to the return line or to a sump. The valve is shiftable between at least a first and a second position.

Abstract: Cellulose extrudates can be made from an optically anisotropic solution containing 94-100 wt % of: cellulose; phosphoric acid and/or its anhydrides; and water by extruding the solution, coagulating the formed extrudates, and then aftertreating those extrudates so that they have a degree of acidity which at least equals 7. Fibers obtained by such a processs possess particularly good thermal stability and are suitable for use as a reinforcing material.

Abstract: Compositions of triazoles, such as benzotriazole or tolyltriazole, in silica reinforced rubber compositions for tire components and tires made of such compounds are provided exhibiting high cure rate, cure efficiency, hardness, static and dynamic moduli without deleteriously effecting hysteresis. Methods for optimizing silica reinforced tire properties utilizing triazoles, brass powder and carbon black are also provided. Typical tire compositions employ from about 2 to about 35 parts triazoles, and preferably from about 2 to about 6 parts triazoles, per hundred parts of rubber. In some compositions, brass powder and conductive carbon black are used in combination with the triazole in the rubber composition.

Abstract: A thermally conductive film that includes a film of polymeric matrix material having a thickness t defined between a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of fibers, having a greater thermal conductivity than the polymeric matrix material, is disposed in the film and extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. Each of the fibers are oriented in the film to form a fiber-to-film surface angle .theta. relative to the top and bottom surfaces that is greater than about 45.degree. but is less than arctan t/d, where t is the thickness of the film and d is the diameter of the fibers in the direction of the angle .theta.. A shear/extruder apparatus is used to form the thermally conductive film from a sheet of composite prepreg material. An upper die block and a lower die block separated by a predetermined distance form an extrusion slot therebetween.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for bonding a magnetic piece to a backiron includes a base and a back assembly next to the base and having at least one back surface. A front assembly having a front surface facing the back assembly has at least one aperture for a locating pin. The locating pin is slip fit into the aperture of the front assembly. In addition, a method for replacing locating pins is provided.

Abstract: A two tier venetian blind comprises an upper and a lower tier of slats suspended from a blind control mechanism; a front upper control cord and a back upper control cord for tilting the upper tier of slats; a front lower control cord and a back lower control cord for tilting the lower tier of slats; and a lift cord passing through a lift cord hole in each slat in the upper and lower tiers of slats. To avoid having the lower control cords hang when the blind is raised, the front lower control cord passes through the lift cord holes in each slat in the upper tier of slats and the back lower control cord passes around the back upper control cord at a plurality of points along the back upper control cord. In this way the lower control cords are gathered as the blind is raised.

Abstract: A first version of a multilayer slat for horizontal or vertical blind assemblies includes a translucent inside layer, a first transparent base layer, and a translucent outside layer. This slat may also include a second base layer, which is either transparent or translucent depending on the percentage of light to be transmitted through the slat. The base layer may be of a different color than the inside layer, so that light transmitted through the slat is viewed as being differently colored than light reflected from the surface of the slat. The inside layer of the slat may include a foaming agent producing a matte surface texture. Another version of the multilayer slat includes a laminated inside layer, with a foaming agent in a base layer causing a matte surface texture of the laminated layer.

Abstract: A sectional overhead door construction utilizing articulated panels with a unique pinch-free interlocking system for connecting the lower edge of the panel with the upper edge of the panel therebelow utilizing a slotted configuration for greatly facilitating and expediting assembly. In preferred embodiments the panels will define an engagement finger positionable within an insertion slot or enlarged keyhole section of an adjacent panel. Movement of the engagement finger along the insertion slot will achieve placement thereof within an engagement slot which allows pivotal articulated relative movement between vertically adjacent sectional door panels within the articulated door panel apparatus.

Abstract: Fabric supporting ring fixtures for use in creating bed canopy and window drapery arrangements. A corner ring fixture has a central body portion configured to be supported in a first plane from a support surface and a pair of fabric receiving ring elements each having an outer circumferential portion extending outwardly from the central body portion in a second plane different from the first plane. An intermediate ring fixture has a central body portion configured to be supported from a support surface and a fabric receiving ring element with an outer circumferential portion extending perpendicularly outward therefrom. The fabric receiving ring elements have a central circular opening sized to pass fabric and drapery materials therethrough and to support the fabric and drapery materials in decorative arrangements.

Abstract: Tooling includes an inflatable arbor for forming a backdraft cavity in a foundry sand core. A core handling device includes an inflatable arbor, similar to the one used for forming the backdraft cavity in the sand core, whereby the lifting device arbor, when in its deflated state, may be inserted into the backdraft cavity of the sand core and then inflated to grip and become locked to the sand core.

Abstract: A continuous casting mould comprises a fixed part (2) and a moveable part (1) and the latter includes means defining the mould passage. The moveable part is displaced relative to the fixed part generally in the direction of casting. The moveable part (1) is guided relative to the fixed part (2) by a plurality of guidance elements (4) each of which has a pair of opposit faces (6) which are arcuate convex form. The faces of each element are urged into abutting relation with cooperating surfaces on the fixed and moveable parts to allow rocking of the element relative to the surface.

Abstract: Cope and drag molds are formed using a matchplate, in which the matchplate has shift blocks on its upper and lower surfaces. The shift blocks form corresponding cavities in the cope and drag molds. Then, a gauge mechanism is calibrated with a gauge standard. The gauge mechanism generally includes a gauge block, a spring biased arm, and a meter adapted to measure movement of the spring biased arm relative to the meter. The calibrating step is performed by sliding the gauge mechanism into the gauge standard which provides prototypical drag and cope mold surfaces. The gauge mechanism is calibrated by setting the meter to zero when the spring biased arm engages the prototypical cope mold surface. Lastly, the gauge mechanism is inserted into the formed cavities in the actual cope and drag molds such that the gauge block engages the drag mold and the spring biased arm engages the cope mold.

Abstract: Heat radiating fin plates in a curved shape are radially arranged on a heat radiating surface of a heat transfer plate, and a space is provided so as to be surrounded by inner edges of the heat radiating fin plates. The heat radiating fin plates have sidewalls formed with projections.

Abstract: A hanger system for supporting production casing and coiled tubing in a surface pipe has a casing head supported on the surface pipe and has a vertical opening therethrough with an internal circumferential load shoulder. A casing hanger is supported within the casing head vertical opening on the load shoulder, and has a vertical casing opening, the upper portion of which has a conically shaped surface, and exteriorly of the casing opening, a tubing opening. A tubing support plate is received in the casing head vertical opening and has a vertical casing opening dimensioned to receive casing therethrough and, exteriorly of the casing opening, a vertical tubing opening dimensioned to receive tubing therethrough, the upper portion of the tubing opening having a conically shaped surface. Segmented casing slips are positioned in the casing hanger conically shaped surface are configured to engage and support casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a shock wave in a borehole, such as a well, includes a pumping unit arranged at the wellhead, a tubing string extending downwardly into the production casing of the well, a hollow cylinder assembly connected with the bottom of the tubing string, and a pair of plungers arranged within the cylinder assembly and connected with the pumping unit with sucker rods and a polish rod for compressing liquid contained within the cylinder assembly and discharging the compressed liquid into the production casing, thereby generating a shock wave. The cylinder assembly includes a hollow upper cylinder, a hollow lower cylinder arranged below the upper cylinder, a crossover cylinder arranged between the upper and lower cylinders, and a compression cylinder containing a compression chamber arranged between the crossover cylinder and the upper cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating hydrocarbons from water and other well fluids produced from a reservoir. A controlled permeability filter selectively permits the flow of gas, oil and other hydrocarbons while restricting water flow through the filter. The permeability of certain gases or liquids through the filter can be controlled by adjusting the pressure differential across the filter. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure differential can be selected by adjusting the filter location within a fluid column within the wellbore. In other embodiments of the invention, multiple filters can be positioned in the wellbore, and the permeability of a filter can be adjusted to control the passage of hydrocarbons therethrough.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for sealing a junction between a central and lateral wellbore is provided. In a broad aspect, the method of the present invention includes installing a polymerizable sealing sleeve within a first casing in a central wellbore at a junction between the first casing and a second casing in a lateral wellbore. After the sealing sleeve has been installed and allowed to cure, a milling tool is used to mill a window through a sidewall of the sealing sleeve and flush with the inner diameter of the second casing. The sealing sleeve may be used alone to establish a primary seal, or in combination with cement or other sealing substance, as used heretofore in prior art sealing methods, as a back-up seal. The sealing sleeve of the present invention may be provided with at least one orienting means to enable the second casing to be located and to direct a well tool thereinto.

Abstract: A lightweight intervention apparatus is described for use with a single bore intervention operation and which is suitable for use with a sub-sea horizontal tree with a tree cap and integral ball valve. The lightweight intervention apparatus is adapted to be coupled to the horizontal tree and that when so coupled the integral ball valve within the tree can be actuated via the intervention apparatus and cycled between an open and a closed position. The annulus line within the horizontal tree is adapted to be coupled through the lightweight intervention apparatus to a separate annulus line such that the annulus line is separate from the main bore to facilitate control of the annulus for certain well functions. A significant advantage of this arrangement is that the internal diameter of the main bore is not reduced in any way by apparatus or equipment for separating the annulus line from the main bore so that full bore diameter may be used.

Abstract: The invention is an assembly which is run into the wellbore to straddle pre-existing control line connections used normally for actuation of a sleeve for a single subsurface safety valve. The lower flapper is closed through the use of one of the control lines. It is then tested against formation pressure to make sure that it holds. Upon determination that the lower flapper is holding, the upper flapper is shut off using the other control line. By adding additional pressure to the control line for the lower sleeve, further movement of the lower sleeve is obtained to urge another sleeve into contact with the upper flapper to provide support for it so that it can be tested from above. Once the two flappers have been tested, uphole assembly in the wellbore can begin through the wellhead in the zone above the tested valves once assembled. Coiled tubing or wireline can be advanced sealingly through the wellhead as the assembly is lowered past the flappers which are now allowed to open.

Abstract: A coiled tubing composite comprising insulated coiled tubing, concentric coiled tubing and insulated concentric coil tubing, including structure with centralizers and providing an annulus for insulation. The invention includes a method for assembling concentric coiled tubing, with insulation, and apparatus in combination with the insulated coiled tubing composite for heat assisted production of hydrocarbons and minerals from a wellbore.

Abstract: The connection aid takes the form of a spring-loaded stand that is attached to the tongue of an implement for cradling support of the driveline at or near the height of the power take-off shaft of the tractor when the implement is not connected to the tractor. The driveline and the power take-off shaft can be readily aligned and reconnected when the implement is to be hitched to the tractor by simply pushing down on the driveline against the spring-loading of the stand or by slightly lifting the driveline with the help of the spring-loading of the stand to the extent necessary. Once the driveline has been connected, the stand may be swung down out of the way and into a stowed position substantially recessed below the top surface of the tongue.

Abstract: A rotary hammer comprises an electric motor having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the hammer spindle and the tool holder. A single switching element activates and deactivates the hammer mechanism and the rotary drive for the tool holder. The switching element has an eccentric actuating section extending parallel to the main axis of the switching element, acting on a coupling part to activate and deactivate the hammer drive. The switching element has a cam section acting on a slider part to engage and disengage a coupling sleeve (non-rotatable on the hammer spindle) with a drive sleeve to thereby engage and disengage the rotary drive of the hammer spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a pulling force on a bottom hole assembly contained within a bore hole is disclosed. Generally, the apparatus comprises a housing, a piston having a first section and a second section, and a venturi member, operatively associated with the piston, adapted for creating a zone of low pressure. In one embodiment, the housing is attached to a work string and the piston is attached to a bottom hole assembly. The first section of the piston and the housing forms a first chamber. The second section of the piston and the housing forms a second chamber. The venturi member contains a first passageway for communicating the zone of low pressure created by the venturi member with the first chamber; and a second passageway for communicating the inner diameter of the venturi means with the second chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed including a load carrying box for the transport of material to a work site in an over-the-road manner. An auxiliary drive and steering system operates at the site for control of vehicle speed and direction with the vehicle operator re-located out of the vehicle to monitor material discharge. The motor drives the vehicle through a gear reduction unit and power transmission component powering a tooth plate clutch mounted on a driveline segment. An engine powered hydraulic pump provides an auxiliary drive bi-directional motor with a remotely controlled directional valve regulating motor speed and direction. A motor control circuit also includes counterbalancing valves served by the directional valve and a torque relief valve dissipating motor torque at the end of an auxiliary drive operation allowing clutch disengagement without risk of clutch damage.

Abstract: A gear shift control device of an automatic transmission of a vehicle, including a slip angle estimator for estimating a slip angle of at least one of a pair of drive wheels; a slip ratio estimator that estimates the slip ratio of the one drive wheel; a determiner that determines an upshift of the automatic transmission when the absolute value of the estimated slip ratio is greater than a threshold value; and a upshift executor for executing the upshift automatic transmission according to the upshift determined by the determiner, wherein the determiner determines the upshift to be of a greater number of stage within an available range against the absolute value of the estimated slip ratio according as the absolute value of the estimated slip angle is greater.

Abstract: An electrically assisted vehicle includes a vehicle body having a driving wheel driven by human driving power and electric driving power, a driving power applying section for applying the human driving power to drive the driving wheel, a torque detection section to detect the human driving power applied to the driving power applying section, a motor to auxiliarily drive the driving wheel by the electric driving power, a battery to supply power for the motor, and a control section to control the motor according to a result detected by the torque detection section, wherein the control section has a plurality of switchable assist modes relating to an assist ratio of the electric driving power to the human driving power.

Abstract: An ultra-light road vehicle, particularly an electrically powered one, wherein the weight of the basic construction is minimized so that the vehicle may be powered by batteries while having a standard degree of autonomy for the class of vehicles in question, and the space requirement of the vehicle is reduced for easier parking. For this purpose, the vehicle comprises a chassis (9) with a central hollow beam (12) consisting of an extruded profile section made of a lightweight material and forming a housing for batteries (52) and a driving engine (28), a body (8) consisting of a separate sealed hollow assembly mounted on the chassis, and two steerable wheels (17, 18) at the front and a drive wheel (15) at the back connected to the chassis via suspensions. The rear wheel (15) is mounted on pivotable arms (27) so that the vehicle can be converted from a normal position to a shortened position in which the wheel base is reduced.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a steering assist from an electric motor in accordance with steering torque detected by a torque detector. The control unit includes a plurality of assist mode generators to which are allocated different characteristics of target current to provide different steering characteristics, and any one of the assist mode generators can be switchably selected depending on a predetermined condition. All of the assist mode generators are set in such a manner that the respective allocated characteristics of target current become substantially uniform in a high-velocity driving condition.

Abstract: A stethoscope head with multiple removable diaphragm structures and bell components for adapting the stethoscope for use with infants or adults, or on sites having less skin area, such as between the ribs is described. The bell components further include a wider rim than a conventional rim for better acoustically sealing the rim to the skin of the patient's body above the site to be auscultated. Further, the bell component is metallic providing for better sound conductivity than a non-metallic bell component. A non-metallic ring is disposed on the rim to better acoustically seal the rim with the skin of the patient's body and further, provide comfort to the patient since the non-metallic ring is not as cold as the metallic rim. The bell component includes a thick body to exclude external noises from interfering with the sound to be auscultated.

Abstract: Acoustical diffuser apparatus for supporting and enhancing the performance of speakers. A preferred apparatus includes a diffuser panel that has an outwardly facing non-planar diffuser surface and an opening corresponding to each speaker for receiving at least a portion of the corresponding speaker therein. The diffuser panel does not cover the sound emitting surface of at least one speaker. The diffuser panel may have acoustically transparent material affixed thereto. Methods for installing the diffuser panels into existing wall or ceiling structures without compromising the structural integrity of such structures are also disclosed.