Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of Petunia plant having a decumbent growth habit and long stems. The Petunia plant has abundant branching particularly with respect to primary branching, and great profusion of blooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and large with the petals having a pale purple ground color with a vivid purple vein pattern. The base color of the corolla throat is deep purple and the outside of the corolla tube is pale purple. The plant exhibits high resistance to rain, heat, drought and pests.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is somewhat similar to the ‘Island King’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,199) from which it is a sport, but from which it is distinguished by producing a later ripening fruit which are mature approximately ten to fourteen days after the fruit produced by the ‘Island King’ peach tree.

Abstract: The cultivar is characterized by the bright clear orange-red flower color with a faint “eye” on select petals on medium green foliage. Its quick rooting time and enhanced production provides for superb cuttings and for quick recovery of the bloom following wet weather or high heat conditions. The cultivar provides a relatively large floret, and an abundant amount of cuttings may be obtained from a single plant.

Abstract: A new variety of Senecio plant is provided that forms clusters of attractive large single flowers having violet petals with no marginal variegation and dark violet disks. A tall growth habit with abundant branching is displayed. The stems possess sparse pubescence. The flowering duration is long and the flowers posses some fragrance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a torenia plant named ‘Sunrenilapiho’ which forms in profusion attractive globose bicolored flowers that are white and reddish-purple. The duration of flowering is long and extends from June to November in the southern Kanto area of Japan. A medium branching propensity is displayed. The growth habit is semi-erect with stems that extend downward pliantly when grown in a hanging pot. Good resistance to heat and diseases is exhibited.

Abstract: A new and distinct geranium plant named ‘Amri Bright Red’ is provided. ‘Amri Bright Red’ is characterized by its green foliage, red colored semi-double flowers on large umbels, and early flowering.

Abstract: A ridge peak roof ventilator comprising a pair of vent parts disposed on opposing sides of an opening in a roof peak, and a top panel disposed above and connecting each of the vent parts. The vent parts may be of unitary construction, folded from interconnected panels, or assembled from individual layers of sheet material, and each forms a multiplicity of air passages through which air flows from the interior to the exterior of the roof ventilator. The top panel is constructed from double-faced corrugated plastic having a pair of planar plies and a convoluted intermediate ply. The underside of the top panel is routed along the centerline to form a concave recessed area, thereby cutting away a section of one planar ply and part of the intermediate ply to form oval-shaped openings. Each opening has side walls traversing concave arcuate paths between a maximum height adjacent the side edges of the recesesd recessed area and a minimum height along the centerline.

Abstract: A gas appliance, flue assembly, or vent adapter including an adjustable flow regulator which regulates the proportions and volume of dilution air and combustion products into the vent is disclosed. The flow regulator can be adjusted to allow a given appliance to exhaust vent gases through a range of different venting systems constructed from a wide range of materials. The appliance installer may adjust the appliance vent gases for a particular pre-existing or installed vent. The flow regulator also provides flow resistance which helps prevent backdrafting and the free escape of dilution air (which may be heated room air in some instances) through the vent to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A releasable wheel assembly for golf cart includes a bracket member attached to lower end of a leg member of a golf cart, a wheel set having a wheel rotatably mounting on an axle mechanism having an axle laterally extending into the bracket member and a locking member extending transversely into the bracket member and being slidably secured therein by means of a rivet for releasable engagement with the axle to secure the wheel set to the bracket.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus carries out scan exposure with illumination flux of slit(s) by moving a mask and a substrate in a direction of one-dimension at synchronized speeds with each other. The mask is inclined with a predetermined angle relative to the substrate in the direction of one-dimensional movement. The substrate is also moved in a direction of optical axis of projection optical system when moved in the direction of one-dimension, such that a central part of transfer area on the substrate is located on a best focal plane of projection optical system upon scan exposure.

Abstract: The apparatus has a fired cartridge mounting device for holding the cartridge substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis with a primer surface of the cartridge substantially perpendicular to the axis, a cartridge microscope mounted with its optical axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a focusing mechanism for focusing the microscope to image a breech face impression on the primer surface and a firing pin impression surface in the primer surface, and an axisymmetric light source mounted to project axially symmetric light onto the breech face impression and the firing pin impression surface about the longitudinal axis. Images of the breech face and the firing pin impressions can be used for comparative analysis independently of an angular orientation of the cartridge held by the mounting device.

Abstract: A method for isolating succinic acid producing bacteria is provided comprising increasing the biomass of an organism which lacks the ability to catabolize pyruvate, and then subjecting the biomass to glucose-rich medium in an anaerobic environment to enable pyruvate-catabolizing mutants to grow. The invention also provides for a mutant that produces high amounts of succinic acid, which has been derived from a parent which lacked the genes for pyruvate formate lyase and lactate dehydrogenase, and which belongs to the E.coli Group of Bacteria.

Abstract: A high tensile tape or cable is sewn into pockets in the arms of a flight suit. The pockets are closed over the tape or cable by a frangible thread. A non-frangible thread secures one end of the tape or cable to the wrist of the flight suit. The other end of the wire or cable is secured to a fastener that is adapted to connect to a ring member in the aircraft. The ring member is fastened to a tape or cable wound on a haul-back reel in the aircraft seat. Upon receipt of an ejection signal, the haul-back reel winds the tape or cable rupturing the frangible threads securing the pockets in the arms of the flight suit. The tape or cable pulls the arms up and against the chest of the air crewmember.

Abstract: An insert for a catching glove is easily insertable into and easily removable from a catching glove defining at least two finger sleeves. The insert consists essentially of an essentially non-resilient flexible material such as leather. It defines a palm protector and at least two finger protectors. The palm protector is configured and dimensioned to extend over a wearer's palm and the knuckle joints of the wearer's fingers. Each finger protector extends outwardly from the palm protector and is configured and dimensioned to extend within a respective finger sleeve over at least one joint of a finger in the respective finger sleeve. The at least two finger protectors cooperatively stabilize the insert within the glove against accidental relative slipping. The insert lessens finger sting and palm pain behind the insert when the insert is present in the glove, without introducing ball bounce.

Abstract: A bath costume comprises a bath costume body made of a resilient material adapted to perfectly adhere to a user body, and having an outer smooth surface in order to reduce to a minimum the slipping resistance of the bath costume in water.

Abstract: A bath glove is formed by weaving or knitting different yarns in a specific manner, so that a plurality of terry piles are evenly distributed over and rising from a surface of the bath glove by three different heights. The terry piles having the smallest height are tightened at their roots to each horizontally extend across and bind together the roots of two terry piles separately having the medium and the largest heights. The rising terry piles having the medium and the largest heights loosely overlap one another to give the bath glove a supple and elastic surface. The yarns for forming the terry piles having the medium height each is formed by sequentially twisting or tangling multiple nylon filaments together, and the yarns for forming the terry piles having the largest height each is formed by winding at least one surface filament around at least one core filament.

Abstract: A bath glove comprises a main body and a lashing member. The main body is of a palm-shaped profile and is formed of at least two layers of elastic netted body of a corrugated construction. The lashing member is fastened with an open end of the main body.

Abstract: A garment having an adjustable waist is provided. The adjustable garment includes a waist portion and an adjustment device. The adjustment device is disposed along a surface of the waist portion and includes a central receiving element and opposing fastening elements. The opposing fastening elements are positioned laterally along the waist portion at opposite sides thereof. Furthermore, the opposing fastening elements are spaced from the central receiving element and are configured to be selectively secured to the central receiving element. With this configuration, a user can quickly and conveniently alter a position of the opposing fastening elements relative to one another, and maintain this position via attachment to the central receiving element. As a result, the area or circumference defined by the waist portion is readily adjustable.

Abstract: A sock with reinforced toe and heel areas, and a tread area located between these areas. The tread area is reinforced between the toe and heel areas. A sock comprising: a reinforced toe region; a reinforced heel region; and a reinforced sole region between the toe and heel regions, wherein the reinforced sole region substantially corresponds to a degree of reinforcement of the toe and heel regions, and wherein the reinforced sole region is of a contour corresponding to a foot sole surface.

Abstract: A comfortable, self-adjusting, protective helmet made from a process of insert molding. The helmet comprises an armature or insert made of a porous material that is embedded in the layers of the helmet to connect the structural parts of the helmet to one another. The armature as used in the helmet also serves several other functions which include hinging and sizing. A retention system is strategically located on the helmet to provide increased stabilization of the helmet on the wearer's head. One embodiment of this invention is an insert-molded helmet that can be converted into a pouch. A further embodiment of this invention includes a protrusion at the back of a helmet suitable for a compartment.

Abstract: An interchangeable latch system for configuring a custom fitted inner helmet as a standard platform for mounting different outer helmets thereon. The latch system includes a pair of strikers mounted onto temple panels of the inner helmet and tracks or channel assemblies mounted onto facing inner surfaces of the outer helmet. A fitting fixture may be used to custom fit the inner helmet so that the strikers are located at a preset distance and orientation from the wearer's eyes. For outer helmets equipped with helmet mounted displays, the display may be distanced and oriented from the tracks based on the known striker-to-eye distance, to establish a desired viewing distance.

Abstract: Protective headgear in the form of a helmet (1) and a face mask (2) of a cage-like construction connected to the helmet (1) by loop straps. The face mask (2) is formed from rigid bars (7,8). The bars (7,8) are of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material co-consolidated at a number of intersections. The fibers forming one bar are physically anchored to the fibers of another bar at the intersection (9) by interleaving, knotting, stitching, stapling, etc. The anchoring of the fibers gives considerable added strength at the intersections (9) as the integrity of the joint is not dependent on the properties of a thermosetting or thermoplastics polymer material. Helmets are made in the same way.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter (20) for reversibly fixing a spectacle lens (10) to the shield (30) of a pair of safety glasses (40). According to the invention, said adapter (20) has a shaped ring which consists of a transparent or opaque, permanently elastic material and which has adhesive surfaces for joining the spectacle lens (10) to the shield (30).

Abstract: For forming a main body of a toilet bowl with which installation operation of a trap device is easy and which is superior in ornamental design possibilities and that has sufficient mechanical strength, the main body (1) of the toilet bowl is formed by cast molding as a unit with a bowl portion (3), a rising pipe (5) which is continuous with a drain opening (4) of the bowl portion, a falling pipe (6) which is continuous with the rising pipe (5) and a skirt portion (7) covering from a side portion to a rear portion thereof, and is opened in the lower portion and the rear portion of the main body, and further a fold back portion (8) is formed as a unit from the main body of the toilet bowl in the rear portion thereof.

Abstract: A shower curtain retainer assembly for retaining the bottom of a shower curtain against a shower enclosure wall is described. The assembly includes a first set of plastic disks, a second set of plastic disks and a set of magnetically responsive plates. A magnet is encased in each plastic disk. The magnetically responsive plates are attached to the inside wall of the shower enclosure that is adjacent to the bottom of the shower curtain. The first set of plastic disks are positioned on the front face of the shower curtain and are aligned with the positions of the magnetically responsive plates. The second set of plates are positioned on the back face of the curtain in juxtaposition with the first set of plastic disks. The first and second sets of plastic disks are held in place by magnetic attraction forces from the magnets encased in the disks. When the shower curtain is closed, the first set of plastic disks become magnetically attached to the magnetically responsive plates.

Abstract: The inflow and drain fixture has a first housing section (7), which can be fixed to the back of a sidewall (2) of the tub (1) by means of a fastening ring (12) to be arranged on the tub side of the sidewall (2). An inflow fixture is furthermore provided, which is to be arranged on the tub side and connected to the above first housing section (7), said inflow fixture encompassing a second housing section (15) with a drain channel (15c), a drain opening (15d) and a turning handle (18) for operating the drain valve (9). The first housing section (7) is clamp-mountable with the fastening ring (12) independently from the second housing section (15) to the sidewall (2) in such a manner that the second housing section (15) can be taken off for cleaning purposes without detaching the fastening ring (12). The parts on the tub side can be very easily removed for cleaning purposes and the passages are then easily accessible for cleaning.

Abstract: A support structure for beds and the like is described comprising a plurality of components which are easily secured together in a minimum amount of time. The scaffold or support is comprised of a pair of floor cross supports, four vertical legs, a pair of lower cross supports, a pair of left end supports, a pair of right end supports, bed cross pieces, a pair of ceiling beams, and a pair of upper cross supports. When assembled, the floor space beneath the support structure is available for use.

Abstract: An improved concealed safe is disclosed for concealment of firearms and other valuables therein, the safe being sized and shaped to replace a bed box-springs. The safe includes a top surface to support a mattress of a bed, a bottom surface to engage a supporting floor, a plurality of exterior side walls and corners being sized and shaped to support a mattress bed. The safe includes an internal storage cavity bounded by interior walls a lower floor. The safe includes side wall openings through at least one of the exterior side walls and through respective interior walls, into which one or more drawers can be inserted into the storage cavity. Each drawer is lockable and concealed from view when inserted into the safe in a concealed position, and each drawer is extendable outwards from the storage cavity into an exposed position.

Abstract: A sleeping bag device which includes a warmth retaining body section having a length and width and comprised of insulating material. The body section is sized to accommodate a user's torso and includes a zippered opening running the length of the body section. An insert is provided having a length and width and zippered edges running the length of the insert. The insert can be zippered to the body section to increase the width of the body section noting that the insert is provided with a plurality of elastic elements to compress the width of it.

Abstract: An infant blanket/towel is provided having one or more teething elements and/or pacifiers attached thereto. The invention is conveniently used by draping the blanket/towel across the infant's chest and stomach and initially providing one of the teething or pacifier elements into the infant's grasp. When and if the infant drops the teething or pacifier element, the element does not fall to the floor or otherwise out of the infant's reach. Because the blanket/towel generally remains draped across the infant, the pacifier or teething element merely slips down onto the infant's chest. By the infant's natural tendency to grip the blanket/towel and thrust the blanket/towel into its mouth, the infant frequently can relocate the pacifier or teething element and re-position it into its mouth.

Abstract: A bedding accessory system which comprises a bed pocket having an opening therein and a fastening system which can be secured to the sheets of a bed without moving the mattress. The fastening system is a multipurpose one and can be adapted for different uses.

Abstract: An inclined support pillow includes a foam wedge and a resilient foam section substantially of the same length and width as a top surface of the foam wedge, with the bottom surface of the foam section attached to the top surface of the foam wedge. A covering of fabric or cloth is dimensioned for securement over the foam wedge and the foam section. At least two fastening strips are attached to the covering on a plane parallel to a top surface of the foam section. Two resilient cushions, each having a semi-circled top surface, a flat bottom surface and a covering of fabric or cloth, are provided with complementary fastening strips attached to the covering on a plane parallel to the flat bottom surface. The two cushions are aligned with the top surface of the foam section by press mating the complementary fastening strips to the fastening strips. The first of the cushions is relatively larger than the second cushion. The first cushion is to be used for lower back support and the second cushion for neck support.

Abstract: A mattress with two bands running across its faces to increase firmness and body weight distribution. These bands are composed of panels of a highly resilient material fastened to panels of non-resilient material. The resilient panels are positioned where the greatest load concentrations are likely to be when the mattress is in use. The resilient panels are oriented to stretch in a direction parallel to the major dimension of the band and, as they are stretched, increase in tension in proportion to the load. The greater the load, the greater the tension on the resilient panels and the firmer the mattress becomes in response to the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the water level and vibration for a washing machine are disclosed.

Abstract: Wind-rain induced vibrations of a cable-stayed bridge are damped using tuned mass damper(s) (“TMD”). A TMD-damped cable-stayed bridge is comprised of (a) a bridge having at least one span, at least one pylon, and at least one stay cable extending from a point on the pylon to a point on the span and (b) at least one tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. A TMD-damped stay cable is comprised of (a) a stay cable comprised of a core of at least one longitudinal element or strand within a tube and (b) a tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. The TMD can be mounted on the stay cable in a low-profile position relative the stay cable and/or at any desired position along the length of the cable. The TMD can be of annular configuration and comprised of a viscoelastic spring system and an outer mass. The outer mass can be formed of two mating sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for joining a first structure to a second structure. In one embodiment, a bridge 100 is provided for joining a movable structure 105 to a fixed structure 110. The bridge 100 includes a number of spaced apart extensible beams 115, each beam having a first end 125 pivotably and rotatably attached to the movable structure 105 and a second end 130 pivotably and rotatably attached to the fixed structure 110. Deck members 135 are supported by the extensible beams 115 in a substantially horizontal attitude, each of the deck members pivotably and rotatably attached to one of the beams whereby access is provided between the movable structure 105 and the fixed structure 110. In one version, the movable structure 105 includes a vehicle, such as a train, an automobile, a watercraft, an aircraft or a spacecraft. In another version, the movable structure 105 is a motion-base 230 of a simulator, amusement ride or a theater 235.

Abstract: A pool cleaner which includes an integrally moulded body with an elongate float which is embedded in the body and which has a length which is at least 25% of the length of the body. A biasing weight is also embedded in the body on an opposing side of the passage. A flow interrupting device controls water flow through a passage in the body. The float may be separately formed or it may be formed by foaming material from which the body is made.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner having a turbine including a housing having a flow chamber and chamber wall with inlet and outlet ports, a rotatably-mounted turbine rotor, and turbine vanes each having a proximal end connected to the rotor and a distal end movable with respect to the rotor between extended positions adjacent to the wall and retracted positions spaced from the wall and closer to the rotor to allow passage of debris pieces of substantial size through the turbine. Some preferred embodiments are: curved vanes; vanes pivotably mounted to the rotor; and an eccentric rotor mount within the turbine chamber. Pivotably-mounted vanes preferably have enlargements at their proximal ends which are freely insertable into cavities in the rotor; most preferably, each vane is symmetrical about a center line such that either end is able to serve as the proximal end in engagement with the rotor.

Abstract: A powered cleaning brush for cleaning toilet bowl which has at handle with a source of electricity connect thereto. In addition the handle has a container for holding a cleaning solution and a trigger for supplying cleaning solution to the brush. The handle has an angled portion for enabling a user to clean under the rim of the toilet bowl and for cleaning the angled drain on the toilet. The trigger is positioned on the opposite side of the handle from the angled portion to make positioning the brush convenient for the user.

Abstract: A scrub washing apparatus comprises a spin chuck for holding a substrate to be processed substantially horizontally, a nozzle for supplying a washing liquid to the substrate mounted on the spin chuck, an arm vertically and horizontally movably supported, an output shaft provided at the arm, a sponge brush connected directly or indirectly to the output shaft, for scrubbing the substrate on the spin chuck in contact therewith, a press mechanism moving the sponge brush downward together with the output shaft, for pressing the sponge brush against the substrate on the spin chuck, and a rotation drive mechanism provided above the press mechanism at a position where the rotation drive mechanism is capable of being engaged with the output shaft, for directly rotating the sponge brush by engaging with the output shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle formed of interlocking opposed S-curved sections, the first being relatively rigid and the second relatively resiliently flexible, the opposed S-curved sections forming a generally elongated figure 8, having an aperture within each segment of the figure 8, such that during brushing the user can manipulate the relatively rigid and resiliently flexible section to position the bristle bearing face of the toothbrush to conform to the arcuate configuration of the dentiture.

Abstract: A wiper blade (10) is proposed that serves to clean windows of motor vehicles. The wiper blade has an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip (14) which can be placed against the window to be wiped and is disposed substantially longitudinally axially parallel to one face, that is, the face oriented toward the window, of a striplike, spring-elastic support element (12), which is connected to a wiper arm (18) that is driven crosswise to the length of the wiper blade and can be urged toward the window. Even at high vehicle speeds, a requisite wiper blade contact pressure for attaining a swept field clean enough to meet legal requirements is achieved if the wiper blade (10) is provided with a leading-edge face (36 or 60), which extends longitudinally of the wiper blade and substantially parallel to the window and faces into the wind (arrow 38), and which crosswise to its length forms an acute angle with the window.

Abstract: A wiper unit comprises a wiper motor provided with a motor yoke and a gear case screwed to the motor yoke, a motor arm, a wiper frame, a pivot shaft, a pivot arm and a link connecting rod. The gear case of the wiper motor is formed with a frame-holder portion having a semi-circular cross section to be fitted with the wiper frame for supporting the wiper frame, and the wiper frame is secured to the frame-holder portion of the gear case by, for example, tightening a screw.

Abstract: An apparatus cleans, primes and prepares a surface onto which a gasket, adhesive or other bonding agent is to be applied. The apparatus includes a robotic device capable of movement along multiple axes. An end effector is supported by the robotic device (18) for movement along the surface (35) to be cleaned. A felt supply assembly (12) delivers felt (14) under tension to the end effector (20). A cleaning fluid delivery system (34, 34a, 36a) applies cleaning fluid through the end effector directly to the felt for application to the surface to be cleaned. The end effector also includes 42 a squeegee-like elastomer wiping device (51) which scrapes the surface by removing gross contaminants from the surface. An air knife (52) is provided which force-flashes fluid residue.

Abstract: A vacuum fitting for connection to a remote source of vacuum, the vacuum fitting comprising a main body mountable to a fixed structure. The main body includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening; an openable closure mounted to the main body and being moveable between an open position and position covering the inlet opening; a latch member selectively positionable to keep the closure in said covering position when positioned between the main body and the closure and to permit said closure to move to an open position when not positioned between said main body and the closure; and a biaser to urge the closure to an open position. A switch is also provided to initiate the remote source of vacuum when the closure is moved to the open position by the biaser.

Abstract: A door stop apparatus holds a door in an open position. The door stop includes a first member mounting to the door and having a slot formed therein with a ramp portion located at one end of the slot. A link member pivotally mounts to a bracket on a door frame. A follower mounts to an end of the link and slides along the slot in the guide member. The follower slides up and over the ramp when slid along the slot in a first direction and engages an abrupt edge of the ramp when slid in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a positioning structure of a retractable draw bar, wherein an extended sheet is formed at the upper edge of each of the retaining holes of the first joint tube to increase the area of the upper edge of the retaining hole. When the retaining buttons of the positioning seat is fastened in the retaining holes and bear an upward force, the contact area of the upper edges thereof will be larger. Therefore, the retaining buttons can bear larger load so that they will not break or be damaged because of large shearing force. The lifetime can thus be greatly increased.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hinge mechanism for use in a portable phone having a phone body and a cover, the hinge mechanism configured to mechanically couple the cover to the phone body. The hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge module mounted to the phone body and configured to hinge the cover with respect to the phone body for opening and closing the cover. The hinge module includes a hinge housing having a bottom wall and a pair of opposite lateral end walls spaced from each other, one of the lateral walls having a hole. The hinge housing also has a pair of opposite longitudinal end walls spaced from each other. A hinge shaft is mounted in the housing and has a mountain-shaped portion provided with a pair of opposite cam surfaces at one longitudinal portion thereof and a shaft portion at the other longitudinal portion thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinges in general. More particularly, the invention is concerned with hinges wherein it is desired to have no parts of the hinge visible on the outside of a door or enclosure, where, typically in prior art hinges, a hinge pin is located about which the door rotates about the enclosure frame. The hinge of the present invention is visible from only one side of a door and has a first crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to the door and an arcuate cutout, the arcuate cutout describing a radius about a point that is an actual hinge point of the door relative to the frame, a second crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to a frame, and a pair of protruding cylindrical members adapted to be received within the arcuate cut out, the cylindrical members adapted to secure the first crescent member to the second crescent member. The first crescent member is movable about the actual hinge point with respect to said second crescent member.

Abstract: A regulated draw unit for drawing sliver running therethrough includes a plurality of roll pairs each defining respective nips through which the sliver consecutively passes in a running direction. A pressure bar which is situated between two adjoining roll pairs has a region for contacting the running sliver. The pressure bar is supported in such a manner that the pressure bar region is spaced from an imaginary straight line extending from the nips of the two adjoining roll pairs, whereby the running sliver is deflected. A measuring device is coupled to the pressure bar for emitting signals representing forces applied to the pressure bar by the running, deflected sliver.