Abstract: A quilting template methods and apparatus are described. An exemplary quilting template apparatus includes a panel having a plurality of pattern pieces of a similar shape and size. Each pattern piece includes a first and a second plurality of slots disposed through the panel. Each slot is a guide for a marking device to apply a mark on a surface of a fabric along the respective slot. The panel has a fabric contacting surface and an opposite facing non-fabric contacting surface. A pictorial representation of a quilt design and a color scheme for the quilt design can be printed on the non-fabric contacting surface of the panel.

Abstract: A device for use in plotting equal spacings over a distance includes a frame comprising opposed first and second pairs of frame members with each frame member having opposed ends and pivotal connecting means for pivotally connecting adjacent frame members at respective ends thereof. Each of the first pair of frame members includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures disposed along its respective length. The device further includes a flexible linear member placed continuously through the apertures of said first pair of frame members to provide a plurality of parallel equally spaced apart linear elements which are disposed in substantially parallel relation with each other and with the second pair of frame members, and a marker element being slidably attached to each of the plurality of linear elements.

Abstract: A drying apparatus is disclosed. The drying apparatus comprises a drying housing, a heat pump unit and a heat pump piping. The interior of the drying housing is divided into a drying chamber and a circulation passage by a partition wall. The circulation passage is divided into upper and lower passages by a partition plate. Dampers are respectively mounted on the partition plate and the upper and lower portions of the outside wall of the circulation passage, and a heated air inlet and an air outlet are respectively formed on the upper and lower portions of the partition wall. The heat pump unit is disposed with its condenser situated in the heated air inlet and its evaporator situated in the atmosphere. The heat piping is disposed with its condensing portion situated in front of the sucking side of the evaporator and its evaporating portion situated in front of the heated air outlet in the drying chamber.

Abstract: A drying apparatus has a hopper (1) for receiving an object to be dried, and an air supply unit (2) for supplying a high pressure air to the hopper (1). The air supply unit (2) includes a compressor (8), a dehumidifier (9), a heater (10), an air supply passage (11) which connects the compressor, the dehumidifier and the heater in series, and is connected to a supply port (3) of the hopper so as to supply a high pressure air to the hopper (1), and an ejector (12) arranged on the midway of the air supply passage. An injection port of the ejector is connected with an upstream side of the air supply passage, a discharge port of the ejector being connected with a downstream side of the air supply passage, an intake port of the ejector being connected to an exhaust port (4) of the dry apparatus main body via a return passage (31).

Abstract: Integrated web dryer (10) and regenerative heat exchanger (20), as well as a method of drying a web of material using the same. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the heating (22) of air and the converting of VOC's to harmless gases in a fully integrated manner via the inclusion of a regenerative combustion device as an integral element of the drying apparatus.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus including a substrate support mechanism for supporting a substrate 1 to be treated, a rotary impeller 4 placed to face the surface of the substrate 1 supported by the substrate support mechanism, and at least one nozzle 14 provided in an approximately central portion of the rotary impeller 4, wherein rotating the rotary impeller 4 produces a flow of gas passing through the nozzle 14 and flowing from the central portion of the rotary impeller 4 toward the outer periphery thereof, thereby drying the surface of the substrate supported in a stationary state by the substrate support mechanism.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of footwear and the footwear comprising the steps of providing a last with an upper thereon, providing a mold insert on the bottom of the last, providing a mold having a mold cavity for a tread sole, disposing the last and upper against the mold with the mold insert disposed within the mold cavity, forming a sole in the mold cavity having a depression therein in the shape of the mold insert, providing an insole with a first portion in the shape of the depression and a second portion substantially in the shape of the sole and securing the first portion of the insole in the depression. The tread sole and insole are formed of materials preferably having different physical properties. The tread sole can include one of tongues and grooves and the insole would then have the other of tongues and grooves, said tongues and grooves mating with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: A footwear that opens at the front and has a tongue for protecting the top of the foot, which is adjustable in position by way of a fixing system. The fixing system is constituted of a flexible band which, provided with woven strips on one surface, is folded over itself at one free end to form a loop that winds on a device that attaches the tongue. The invention allows the removability of the tongue, as well as its continuous adjustment longitudinally to the footwear, while guaranteeing the solid retention thereof on the front end of the latter.

Abstract: A size-adjustable overshoe for golf shoe is provided. The overshoe includes a frame-like sole portion and a boot-shaped body portion. The sole portion is cut at proper positions into several segments and elastic connecting strips are used to connect the segments to one another. The body portion is connected to the sole portion with suitable fasteners, such as rivets. When the overshoe is worn over a differently sized golf shoe, the connecting strips automatically elastically change their length to adjust the size of the sole portion for the overshoe to fit on the golf shoe.

Abstract: An outsole having a body member with an inner-structure including a plurality of arcuately shaped ribs extending substantially from the medial to lateral sides thereof. The plurality of arcuately shaped ribs are spaced forwardly, rearwardly, and generally below the metatarsophalangeal joints of a wearer's foot inserted in footwear constructed from the outsole. The inner-structure includes a plurality of sidebars extending forwardly and rearwardly from each of the plurality of arcuately shaped ribs to promote arcuate flexure in front of, behind, and between each of the ribs. The body member includes a peripheral member spaced along the perimeter and connected to the ends of each of the plurality of arcuately shaped ribs, toe and heel support structures configured to reduce flexure in spaces defined between those structures and the peripheral member. The outsole also includes a tread member and a stabilizing member imposed between, and connected to each of, the body member and the tread member.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole made of at least two layered portions, i.e., a wear layer and a reinforcement, or nerve layer. The nerve layer is equipped with a flexible structure located inside a frame, the structure being formed by at least one transverse recess that defines, between its two ends, the contour of at least one strip centered in the nerve layer longitudinal direction. The sole of the invention offers reinforced longitudinal flexibility through the strip, while being capable of being transversely deformed in its central zone by attenuating ground surface roughness.

Abstract: A scuffing protector for shielding a standard snowboard boot from the edge of a snowboard during the ride up a chairlift is disclosed. Snowboard riders traditionally remove one of their boots from its binding for the ride up the chairlift. The free boot allows the rider to maneuver through the chairlift lines and onto the chairlift itself. The snowboard boot protector is removably attached to the dorsal surface of the free boot of a snowboarder, so when riding the chairlift, the snowboard can rest upon the boot protector without causing any damage to the free boot. The boot protector is composed of a tough plastic or rubber material that has both flexibility and durability. Additionally, the boot protector is strong enough to support the weight of the snowboard, so as to equalize the load between both legs.

Abstract: A device for coupling a tooth and tooth-carrier. The device including three successive areas from the median portion of a coupling part to its free end. A first area comprises stepped straight guides that open on lateral outer surfaces of the coupling part. Following the first area is a second guiding area comprising revolution surfaces, opposed to one another. A third, terminal area is shaped as a prismatic rod having its axis coinciding with that of the coupling part.

Abstract: An iron includes a soleplate and a water tank connected to the soleplate for supplying steam to the soleplate. The water tank includes a cavity for holding water, a fill opening for filling the cavity with water, and a guide arrangement associated with the fill opening. A handle is connected with the water tank. A rear cover is connected to a rear end of the water tank, the rear cover having a rear plate in covering relation to a rear portion of the iron, and the rear plate including an arrangement for stabilizing the iron in an upright position on a soft surface. The arrangement includes a recess in an outer surface of the rear plate, and at least one non-slip foot extending from the outer surface of the rear plate. A fill door is slidably mounted on the guide arrangement between a closed position in covering relation to the fill opening and an open position to permit filling of the cavity with water through the fill opening.

Abstract: A coupon vehicle for necked containers comprising a body having a central aperture for receiving the neck of a container and at least one line of perforations extending from the outer edge of the body to the central aperture. The perforations allow the body to be fractured so that the entire coupon vehicle can then easily be removed from the neck of the container. In the preferred embodiment the body is flat and disk-shaped, and has two lines of diametrically opposed perforations that facilitate separating the body into two uniform portions which can be used for separate purposes. The body preferably has a plurality of slits extending radially from the central aperture which form flaps that flex during installation and securely attach the coupon vehicle to the container. In alternate embodiments, at least one line of perforations extends from the outer edge to at least one slit.

Abstract: A signage apparatus has a storage magazine of cartridges which may be individually displayed as desired.

Abstract: A display device for mounting to the front edge of a store shelf provides a sealed environment for display of an object. Preferably, the object is in a constructed craft item which may be assembled from a kit which is offered for sale and is located on the store shelf adjacent the display device. The displayed object serves as a promotional vehicle for the kit. The display device includes a bracket for mounting the display device to the shelf and a product display case mounted to the bracket. The product display case includes a shelf construction upon which the constructed object can be displayed and a protective dome surrounding the shelf construction. The shelf construction may have a friction fit with the protective dome and can include a forward wall adapted to support the object to be displayed.

Abstract: A kit and method for creating an article display includes a frame having two openings. The completed display includes a clay tablet having an impression formed therein located within one of the frame openings and a picture located in the other frame opening. The kit is suitable for making impressions of baby's hands or feet and displaying a picture of the baby along with the tablet carrying the impressions.

Abstract: A mounting system for a cylindrical object such as a spotting rifle is provided. First and second U-shaped brackets are coupled to a base such as a launching device. Each U-shaped bracket has first and second legs extending from a common base. The two U-shaped brackets are oriented such that the first and second legs of one U-shaped bracket are perpendicular to the first and second legs of the other U-shaped bracket. Each U-shaped bracket slidably receives a sleeve between its first and second legs. Each sleeve is attachable to the bracket's common base such that the position of the sleeve relative to the bracket's common base is adjustable. A locking mechanism is provided with each U-shaped bracket/sleeve combination to lock the sleeve laterally between the first and second legs of the U-shaped bracket. The two sleeves are coaxially aligned.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a firearm adapted to utilize an ammunition round having a non-impact primer adjacent one end thereof. The firearm includes a frame, a movable slide assembly, a power source, and a control module for selectively permitting communication of an ignition signal from the power source to the non-impact primer. The firearm further includes an ammunition chamber formed in the movable slide for releasably housing the ammunition round, as well as including an electrically conductive ignition probe housed within the movable slide for permitting communication of the ignition signal from the power source to the non-impact primer when the ammunition round is disposed in the chamber. A sensor assembly is utilized to generate a status signal to the control module indicative of an operational mode of the firearm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sighting device having an aperture with a series of visual reference points framing the aperture that are used in concert with a vertical front sight to quickly acquire and precisely aim a firearm at a target. The visual reference points framing the aperture are readily discernable to a shooter, even though the reference points and the aperture may be visually out of focus as the shooter concentrates on the target. The visual reference points framing the aperture are in the form of edges, angles, and vertices that take advantage of the human eye's natural acuity for angular geometric shapes as the shooter visually coordinates the position of the present invention with the vertical front sight and a target.

Abstract: A self-propelled waterfowl decoy to float on and propel itself along the surface of a body of water includes a body with a hollow interior and two opposed sides with shaft apertures extending through the two sides in opposed relation to each other, a drive assembly with two battery powered electric motors, each having a rotatable output shaft, disposed in the hollow interior of the body with the output shafts extending through the shaft apertures on each side of the body of the decoy, and a pair of paddle wheel assemblies each connected to an output shaft of one of the motors and each having a hub and at least one paddle extending outwardly from the hub, so that upon activation of the motors the paddles rotate to engage the surface of the water to propel the decoy along the surface and splash water toward the rear of the decoy.

Abstract: A triangular float for “Jug Fishing”. The float is formed as an equilateral triangle having three sides and three apices. A fishing line is connected to one apex and carries a weight on its opposite end. Fish hooks are secured to the line with bait on the hooks. When a fish strikes, the downward pull on the line tips the float so that the leg opposite the attachment apex is slightly elevated above the surface of the water to provide a clear indication that a strike has occurred. This same leg serves as a handle for lifting the float and, hence, the fish out of the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for convenient conveyance of fishing rods on a vehicle comprising a base plate with mounting slots for bolting or strapping the apparatus to the bumper of an automobile or truck, threaded holes for mounting the vehicle's license tag on the base plate; an area on the base plate for a trademark, an upper row of round apertures and a lower row of “D” apertures separated by a distance sufficient to prohibit movement, other than upward, of portable fishing rod holders to be inserted to receive fishing rods for transport.

Abstract: A fly fishing line and a method for the manufacture of the line is described. The line comprises a core and an outer coating disposed around the core, the coating comprising polyvinyl chloride polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene and optionally polyacrylate derived from the polymerization of a polyfunctional polymerizable acrylate monomer. The method comprises coating a core with a plastisol comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin polytetrafluoroethylene, and optionally one or more of the foregoing monomers; exposing the plastisol to conditions providing formation of a polymer derived from the polyvinyl chloride resin and having polytetrafluoroethylene dispersed throughout the polymer.

Abstract: A method of cutting seed potatoes prior to their planting is provided in which a laser beam is employed to slice the potatoes into the desired sized pieces. The present invention employs a plurality of laser cutting tubes and/or a multiple laser beam horizontal cutting areas which hold laser beam generating systems made up of laser beam sources that project the laser beams through the center of the cutting tubes or the cutting area and laser energy absorbers which contains the laser energy not used in the cutting process within the confines of the body of the invention. The laser beams bisect the cutting areas and as a potatoes pass through it the laser beams effectively cut the potato into the desired size before it leaves the body of the present invention.

Abstract: A fluid exchange system includes at least one container. A feed tube connected to a fluid source is positioned to dispense fluid into the container. A drain tube is connected to the container and is adapted to remove fluid from the container. The container is removable for cleaning.

Abstract: A wrapper for flower pots. The wrapper is a segmented sheet with each segment having a lower portion sized to surround a pot and an upper portion detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element such as perforations. The sheet can be formed about a pot and the adjacent edges of the segment joined and sealed.

Abstract: A growth medium moisture replacement system particularly useful in bioassays for Heterodera glycines—Glycine female development includes a first container of growth medium for soybean cultivars, an enclosed second container for water, and a wick which extends upwardly from the water in the second container into the growth medium in the first container to replace moisture in the growth medium after establishment of a hydraulic gradient. The wick includes a rope member having an impermeable sheath around a middle portion of the rope member, leaving its ends uncovered, and sealed to an opening in the bottom of the first container.

Abstract: A power sliding door assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a door structure constructed and arranged to be mounted on a motor vehicle for movement between closed and opened positions and a drive assembly mounted on the door structure. The drive assembly includes a rotatable gear engageable with a gear track provided on the vehicle. The rotatable gear is drivable in a one direction to effect movement of the door towards the opened position and drivable in an opposite direction to effect movement of the door structure towards the closed position. A drive shaft is coupled with the drive assembly and is constructed and arranged to rotatably drive the rotatable gear.

Abstract: A power feeding unit for motor vehicle sliding door, wherein a feeding wire having a large number of circuits on the sliding door side can be connected to another feeding wire on the vehicle body side without breaking the power feeding even during the sliding door is opened or shut, is provided, which includes: a sliding door to be slidably assembled to a vehicle body by means of a supporting arm provided on the sliding door and slidably engaging a guide rail provided on the vehicle body; a slide rail provided on the vehicle body in almost parallel with the guide rail; a feeding wire arranged from the vehicle body to the sliding door for feeding electric power to an electric appliance provided on the sliding door; a winder provided on an end portion of the slide rail for winding the feeding wire; and a feeding wire fixing member fixed to the feeding wire to fix the feeding wire, the feeding wire fixing member sliding along the slide rail along with the supporting arm.

Abstract: A mechanically interlocking belt weatherstrip for a motor vehicle. The weatherstrip is formed by three separate components: a cover, a body and a sealing lip. The weatherstrip may be made from separate, all-extruded components, or may be a made from a combination of molded and extruded components. The weatherstrip is formed by snapping the body and the cover snap together to hold the sealing lip securely in place. Because the cover can be easily interchanged with a different cover, the cover can be made to include properties, such as color and gloss, desired by a particular motor vehicle manufacturer while the remaining components remain unchanged. Thus, the weatherstrip allows versatility of the selection of the separate components to meet the individual style and functional needs of a particular motor vehicle design.

Abstract: A bulkhead door seal is a sealing device that provides effective sealing of the interface between a bulkhead door assembly and a top of a concrete foundation wall to which it is attached. It prevents air and water from intruding into basement spaces around the bulkhead door assembly. The present invention is made of a flexible material that is very durable in all types of climates and will not break down over time. It is positioned between the bulkhead door assembly mounting flange and the top of the foundation wall. It may be configured with an inner vertical lip so that driving rain will not enter the interior of the door assembly, a flat mounting surface to accept a door assembly mounting flange, and a sloping exterior surface to shed water off the foundation wall. The device may be manufactured in strips that are cut on the building site to custom fit the bulkhead and door assembly.

Abstract: The invention described is a system for seismic isolation or vibration of structures which is simple, relatively inexpensive and readily used for smaller structures. It involves use of bearings comprising a ball (10) and ball seats (12, 18) interposed between the structure and its foundation. Either the ball itself (24) or the seat surface (15) on which it rolls is compressible, the resistance to that compression providing a frictional braking force resisting rolling of the ball. This serves to dampen relative movement between the structure and its foundation. There are described several alternative constructions of the friction ball which is the preferred central element in the bearing device. There may be a plurality of balls (44, 47) in each combination of balls and seats.

Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.

Abstract: A window structure comprises a fame and an inwardly opening window leaf of a multi glazing type composed of a wooden casement as well as two glass panes. The outer glass pane consists of safety glass, e.g. tempered or laminated glass and the casement which carries the inner glass pane being in its entirety located on the inside of the outer glass pane and connected thereto, the outer glass pane having, in the closed state of the window leaf, its edge portions located between the casement and inwardly facing shoulder surfaces on the frame.

Abstract: A window device for use in a motor vehicle, comprises a resin window panel having at least one pair of rib members protrudingly formed on the inner surface thereof, said pair of rib members being facing each other and each having an outwardly facing tip portion; and a reinforcing member having at least one engaging hole corresponding to the at least one pair of rib members. By inserting and fixing the tip portions of the at least one pair of rib members in the at least one engaging hole of the reinforcing member, the resin window panel and the reinforcing member may be combined together so as to form the window device for use in an automobile.

Abstract: An insulated form assembly for a poured concrete wall includes a plurality of insulated forms. Each insulated form includes two generally planar opposing panels, and a plurality of interior segments interconnecting the panels and defining a plurality of passageways. Each panel includes a vertically extending attachment channel and an attachment member disposed within the attachment channel.

Abstract: A web (10) for an insulated concrete form (20) comprises a pair of opposed web elements (12) and a pair of connectors (14). The web elements (12) and the connectors (14) are provided with mutually interengaging formations, such as a non-circular tube (12.1) and V-shaped hook formations (14.1), whereby the web element (12) and the connectors (14) are rigidly connected together in a plane to form a stable structure.

Abstract: A formwork for building bearing walls comprises a plurality of pairs of facing panels (PE, PI) connected together so as to form an inside space between them, said pairs of facing panels being arranged in superimposed rows, the panels of each pair being connected to each others by braces (6) of adjustable length with both the braces (6) and the panels (PE, PI) being left in the wall formed when a cementitious material poured in said inside space has solidified. The so formed walls are provided with bearing partition members and ventilating duct, and are strongly insulated and already finished (FIG. 6).

Abstract: An assembly type wood floor comprising a high frame and a floor. The high floor is a net-like lattice frame formed by a plurality of upper plates, a plurality of lower plates and a plurality of flat plates. At first, the shape grooves of the upper plates is engaged with the U shape grooves of the lower plates, and the lower extended rod on the two sides of the bottom of the shape groove may be inserted into the positioning holes on the two sides of the nut of the upper plate. The upper extending rods on the two sides of the top of the U shape grooves are inserted into the positioning holes on the two sides of the nut of the upper plate. Next, the groove on the lower surface of the flat plate is engaged to the engaging plate of the upper plate and the pillar on the center of the engaging groove is inserted into the positioning hole on the middle section of the engaging plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a siding unit which is adapted for installation. The siding unit has at least two courses of vinyl siding. The courses of vinyl siding are preferably formed by one or more facing panels which are made of polyvinyl chloride. A reinforcing panel is glued or otherwise laminated to the inside of each course of vinyl siding. The reinforcing panel is preferably made of expanded or extruded polystyrene.

Abstract: A collapsible three sided truss, in which a rectangular central framework section has outboard framework sections each hinged to one side, which can be swung together to bring interfitting portions together, with locking mechanisms manually operable to connect these portions together and form a rigid three sided truss. When released and swung out, the outboard sections form a flattened array with the central section for easy transport and handling. Slidable pins are included in the locking mechanisms, engaging aligned holes in partial sleeves on cross members of one outboard section fit to elongated member of the other outboard section. The three sided trusses can be connected end-to-end with couplings and locking pins.

Abstract: A method of making a connector hub to mate with tubular frame members, for use in constructing a free span building. The method includes constructing multiple slots, each slot having an open end, a closed end, and a longitudinal axis; and for each slot; disposing a tooth on either side of the longitudinal axis; and making the area of the connector material in shear to the area of the tubular frame member in tension, as an approximate ratio of the unit strength of the material of the tubular frame member in tension to the unit strength of the material of the connector in shear.

Abstract: A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube, and a plurality of opposing elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.

Abstract: A pre-manufactured roof plate element comprising a number of longitudinal box-shaped girders of steel plate, which are upwardly connected with a compressive force plate with almost the same width as the girder, and which preferably are positioned in each side and in the middle of the element. The compressive force plate consists of a corrugated steel plate having a preferably trapezoid shape. A box-shaped girder of the said type is a complement to the roof plate element. A roof plate element or a girder according to the invention may be produced totally without use of organic material.

Abstract: A door comprising two metal panels and an internal core structure. The panels have their edges formed around a perimeter sub-frame of channel construction, the base of the channel being internally adjacent the respective edge of the door. Opposing edges of the panels are seam welded together to provide a flush finish, and the base of the channel is apertured to act as a heat sink and to allow weld gas to escape.

Abstract: Coffee dispensing and packaging machine, comprising a container for the grained coffee and a mill for the same coffee, in which the container (7) is subdivided in a plurality of separate rooms (8, 9) containing respectively grained coffee of different types, and is joined at the lower side thereof with at least an additional container (21), subdivided in first and second room portions (28, 29; 30, 31), respectively utilized for metering the grained coffee and grinding thereof. Such first and second room portions (28, 29; 30, 31) are provided with movable gates (24, 25, 26, 27) for metering and grinding the grained coffee and a discharge conduit (41) of the ground coffee. Machine comprising also a plurality of bags (42) in which the ground coffee is introduced.

Abstract: A belt roll-up machine which includes at least two endless belts. The endless belts have portions that overlap one another. The overlapping portions of the belts form a loop. A compressible strip of insulation material may be rolled in the loop.