Abstract: A new hop plant variety is disclosed. The variety is a cultivar of recent origin, used for its bittering and aromatic properties. The new variety is moderately tolerant to powdery mildew and Sphaerotheca. The new variety produces a medium size cone with good pickability and storageability. The cones mature relatively late, and crop yield is 2750 to 3000 pounds per acre (3080 to 3360 kg/ha).

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of peach tree denominated varietally as Burpeachfour and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately August 28 to September 8 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fisgopi’, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by the combined features of pink semi-double flower with eyes, dark-green foliage with weak zonation, compact plant habit, and early spring flowering response.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fisrocco’, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by the combined features of purple-pink semi-double to double flowers, numerous, medium-sized inflorescence, and fresh-green, distinctly zoned foliage, medium tall, bushy plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named ‘Fisbeach’, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by the combined features of brilliant-red, double flowers, compact inflorescence borne well-above the foliage, fresh-green, slightly crenated foliage without zonation, vigorous growth and well-branched, bushy and uniform plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct interspecific tree [(Plum×Plum nectarine)×(Peach×Plum peach)]; the characteristics of the tree and its fruit are with the tree budded on Citation Rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112), and grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., using standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 2. Vigorous and upright growth. 3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive brownish red skin color. 5. Fruit having firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica); the features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. The tree consists of the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety: 1. Fruit ripening in the early maturity season. 2. Fruit with firm flesh and good handling and shipping quality. 3 Mild, sweet, sub-acid fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 5. Relatively uniform fruit throughout the tree. 6. Vigorous, upright growth.

Abstract: A single-cam compound archery bow that includes a bow handle from which bow limbs project, a control wheel rotatably mounted on one end of one limb and a power can cam rotatably mounted at an opposing end of the other limb. A power cable segment is anchored at one end to the one limb and at a second end to the power can cam at a position to wrap into and unwrap from a power cable groove on the power cam. A bow string cable segment is anchored to the control wheel and to the power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from first and second bow string take-up grooves on the control wheel and power cam respectively. The bow string cable segment has a nock point disposed between the spaced limb ends. A control cable segment is anchored at one end to the control wheel at a position to wrap into and unwrap from a control groove on the control wheel, and is anchored at an opposing end to the power cam.

Abstract: An eyeglass device includes a primary and an auxiliary spectacle frames for supporting lenses. The primary spectacle frame includes two legs pivotally coupled to two side extensions and includes two magnetic members secured in the rear and side portions. The auxiliary spectacle frame includes two legs engaged on the primary spectacle frame and each having a magnetic member for engaging with the magnetic members of the primary spectacle frame so as to secure the spectacle frames together and so as to prevent the auxiliary spectacle frame from moving downward relative to the primary spectacle frame.

Abstract: A reactor for processing a substrate includes a first housing defining a processing chamber and supporting a light source and a second housing rotatably supported in the first housing and adapted to rotatably support the substrate in the processing chamber. A heater for heating the substrate is supported by the first housing and is enclosed in the second housing. The reactor further includes at least one gas injector for injecting at least one gas into the processing chamber onto a discrete area of the substrate and a photon density sensor extending into the first housing for measuring the temperature of the substrate. The photon density sensor is adapted to move between a first position wherein the photon density sensor is directed to the light source and a second position wherein the photon density sensor is positioned for directing toward the substrate. Preferably, the communication cables comprise optical communication cables, for example sapphire or quartz communication cables.

Abstract: A software-based resolver-to-digital converter (RDC) (80) for computing an angle of rotation &THgr; of gimbal-mounted instrumentation (16) in a gimbal system. The RDC (80) computes the angle of rotation of the instrumentation using parameter signals received from a resolver (32) in the system. The parameter signals, along with a resolver reference signal are input into a multiplexor (60) and are multiplexed. The signals are then fed to an analog to digital converter (38) and converted to digital form. The digital signals are then input into a processor (36) associated with the system. This processor, in addition to performing numerous system computations, is programmed through appropriate software to filter the digital signals received, compute the value for the angle of rotation &THgr; and output the computed value to system circuitry (31) for processing to enhance system operation.

Abstract: A wrap around article capable of being donned by a user engaged in outdoor pursuits including a main body having top, side and bottom edges defining a substantially square shaped configuration and which is constructed of a durable and waterproof material such as neoprene with an interior cushioning foam material. A main belt is secured in proximity to the top edge of the article and first and second pairs of legging straps are secured, respectively, to locations proximate the bottom edge of the article. Both the main belt and legging straps each further include interengaging members typically provided as snap fit members forming terminating portions of an adjustable main belt and releasably interengaging hook and loop fastener attachment portions for comfortably securing the article to the buttocks and upper legs of the user. The article is configured so that it conforms comfortably to the buttocks and about the upper legs of the user while providing the user a significant degree of movability.

Abstract: A disposable garment-protecting cover having a flexible, foldable sheet construction is provided for use when holding a baby against one's shoulder. The sheet construction has upper, lower, and middle regions which are preferably folded therebetween to cover a user's upper back, chest, and shoulder areas, respectively. The middle region has a central aperture through which a user's neck may be extended, and the lower region includes at least two vertical creases which fold the resulting vertical sections toward a back surface of the sheet construction, such that when the garment-protecting cover is donned, the lower region contours to the user's chest.

Abstract: The invention is an outdoorsmen style hunter's coat manufactured so that any one of four camouflage styles can be worn on the outer side. There is a spring, summer, fall, and winter camouflage style that can be worn as appropriate. Two nearly identical coat shells are stitched together on all sides. Each of the shells has one of the camouflage patterns printed on each side. The first two patterns are worn chosen by reversing the coat as with conventional reversible garments. The remaining two patterns can be worn by pulling the inner coat shell through a zippered slit formed in the back of the coat from beneath the shoulder to just above the waist. The coat is also provided with large, gusseted pockets with flaps secured by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A rubber glove comprising a main rubber layer and an inner covering layer, bonded to the main rubber layer, containing resin particles is disclosed. The resin particles are partially exposed on the skin-contacting surface of the inner covering layer to an extent such that, among resin particles visually observed in unit area of the skin-contacting surface, resin particles having a maximum particle diameter of 2-20 &mgr;m have a total projected area ratio A of 5-50%, as defined by the formula: A(%)=B/C×100, where B is total projected area of resin particles with a maximum particle diameter of 2-20 &mgr;m, and C is the unit area. The rubber glove can be easily donned and pulled off, and resin particles do not fall or do fall off only to a very slight extent upon donning or pulling off, and, when the inner covering layer is placed in contact with each other, the layer does not easily stick to each other.

Abstract: A sports hat comprises a body including a domed portion having a narrow end and an open wide end, and a ring portion of variable diameter at the narrow end. An elasticized band is associated with the ring portion, as is a substantially non-stretchable elongate drawstring. The elongate drawstring is adjustable between a loosened position and a tightened position to limit the diameter of the ring portion.

Abstract: Protective sports gear includes a buttocks and tail bone protector which is secured to a user of the gear by means of an adjustable waist band and a pair of leg bands.

Abstract: An attachment for increasing the distance of the fluid outlet of a conventional, hand-operated faucet above a substantially horizontal level surface, the attachment being an S-shaped tube with one end fluidly connected to the outlet and the other end located higher than the fluid outlet relative to the surface.

Abstract: A drain plug with a central drainage aperture for a bath tub including a plug insert dimensioned for positioning within the water drain of the bath tub. The plug insert has an conduit extending between its wide upper end and the narrow lower end. A plug cover is provided that is dimensioned for covering the water drain of the bath tub around the plug insert. The plug cover is integral with the plug insert.

Abstract: The propagation of microfissures from a photoresist to an underlying material layer during lithography and etching can be substantially prevented by placing a hard mask between the photoresist and the material layer to be etched. Specifically, the microfissure propagation is substantially prevented by (a) forming a compressive hard mask on a surface of a non-compressive material layer that is to be patterned by lithography and etching; (b) forming a patterned photoresist on said hard mask, wherein a portion of said hard mask is exposed; (c) removing said exposed portion of said hard mask so as to expose a portion of said non-compressive material layer; and (d) transferring said pattern from said patterned photoresist to said exposed portion of said material layer by etching, wherein said hard mask is selective to said etching and thus substantially prevents the propagation of photoresist microfissures to said material layer.

Abstract: A stackable, portable cot apparatus is easily assembled and disassembled preferably without the use of any tools. The portable cot apparatus preferably includes a flexible support, a plurality of support members, and a plurality of connectors. Alternatively, the portable cot apparatus also includes a plurality of extension legs. When assembled together, the plurality of support members and the plurality of connectors form a cot frame of the portable cot apparatus. Preferably, the flexible support is configured to support the weight of a user and includes three permanent fasteners and a detachable fastener. The permanent fasteners and the detachable fastener preferably and removably attach the flexible support to the cot frame of the portable cot apparatus. Preferably, the detachable fastener is selectively attachable both prior to and after the cot frame of the portable cot apparatus is already assembled. The detachable fastener is preferably a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic support pillow which includes a contoured top layer, a plurality of supporting layers, each having tongue-and-groove structures to enable the contoured layer to be removably supported by one or more additional supporting layers.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a base, a patient support carried above the base and a controller that controls at least one function of the patient support. A user interface panel includes a display and at least one button configured to provide an input signal to the controller. The user interface panel is coupled to the patient support for pivoting movement about more than one axis.

Abstract: The invention provides precast concrete diaphragms for placement between the longitudinal beams of a bridge. Ends of the diaphragms have pockets to receive concrete for tight joints between longitudinal bridge beams and the diaphragms. The longitudinal bridge beams are prestressed against the diaphragms. There is a plicable material between the beams and the diaphragram.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a wafer oriented vertically is provided. The apparatus includes a first brush and a second brush located horizontally from the first brush. During use, a wafer is oriented vertically the first and second brushes. The brushes are brought into contact with the wafer and rotated thereby engaging the wafer with rollers. By rotating the rollers, the wafer is also rotated. Liquid is sprayed towards the brushes and wafer. By orienting the wafer vertically, liquid and particulates contained therein readily fall from the water due to gravity. This is particularly advantageous when cleaning larger diameter wafers in which particulates must be removed from a larger wafer surface area.

Abstract: The two-in-one toothbrush provides for dual sets of brushing bristles facing in opposing directions to allow the toothbrush to clean both the upper and lower teeth simultaneously. Another form of the toothbrush design allows for the movement of at least one set of brushing bristles between extended and retracted positions, for use and hygienic storage of the brushing bristles. In another form, the toothbrush design allows for the independent movement of dual sets of brushing bristles between extended and retracted positions, for use and hygienic storage of the brushing bristles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oral healthcare system having interchangeable, detachable, disposable heads. The heads include but are not limited to brushhead, mirror head and tongue cleaner head. The system will also accommodate specialized heads including but not limited to an interdental brush head, oversize brush head, implant brush head, gum brush head, denture brush head, gum stimuli head, and ortho brush head. The present invention has a unique head and handle assembly which provides a firm backbone support framework for the head.

Abstract: The invention provides a tool holder for a vacuum cleaner having a main body, a wand and a hose therebetween, the tool holder (10) comprising attachment means (12, 14) for attaching the tool holder (10) to the vacuum cleaner and tool receiving means (22) for receiving at least one tool (30, 32, 34), wherein the attachment means (12, 14) are adapted such that the tool holder (10) is attachable directly to the hose (16) at any point between the main body and the wand.

Abstract: A nozzle unit for an electric vacuum cleaner has a body case 32 with a nozzle 34a open toward a surface to be cleaned, a first pipe 35 coupled to the body case 32 so as to be rotatable in the direction J1, and a second pipe 36 coupled to the first pipe 35 so as to be rotatable in the direction J2. A first and a second air flow passage, formed inside the first and second pipes 35 and 36 respectively, are arranged substantially in a straight line as seen in a side view. The first pipe 35 has a sliding portion 35a that has an arc-shaped cross section and that slides along the inner surface of the body case 32, and this sliding portion 35a is arranged inside the body case 32, which is substantially rectangular, as seen in a plan view.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle attachment having a housing with a venturi-shaped internal air chamber, an angled head and brush-lined aperture, blade guides and an offset tapered tubular neck for attachment to a vacuum hose or wand. The constricted air chamber provides enhanced suction due to an increase in velocity of air as it passes the tapered constriction in the air chamber. The angled head and aperture and shaped guides ensure correct alignment of the fan blade with the aperture. The offset tubular neck and transparent guides provide an unobstructed view of the nozzle and fan blades during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A drain opening device for clearing and opening a slow or clogged drain using a blower unit. The drain opening device includes a tubular assembly including an elongate tubular member having open top and bottom ends and a bore extending therethrough, and also including a collar being securely attached about the elongate tubular member at said bottom end thereof with the top end of the elongate tubular member being adapted to be connected to a hose from a blower unit and with the bottom end and the collar being adapted to be received in a drain pipe; and also includes a valve assembly being disposed in the bore of said elongate tubular member for preventing a back-flow of air.

Abstract: In the invention, a brush body 30 that is rotated and driven by a motor 32 is disposed in a suction unit 2, and dust is sucked from the suction unit 2 by a blower 4, while exhaust of the blower 4 is sent to the suction unit 2 side through an exhaust passage 27. While the exhaust of the blower 4 is blown to the motor 32 exhaust is blown to the floor for lifting the dust from the floor to enhance the dust collection efficiency, and moreover, if the output of the motor 32 for driving the brush 30 is increased, temperature rise of the motor 32 can be suppressed, and thus durability may be enhanced.

Abstract: A control mechanism for use with a door closer having a pinion shaft. The control mechanism comprises a coiled torsion spring around the shaft with a free end of the spring lying along part of a strap. The strap is connected to the shaft and normally held in tension, in use, by its connection to a movable hydraulic piston of the door closer which is biased in one direction. On normal closing of the door, in use, the strap remains tensioned and the spring is thus prevented from tightening on the shaft. However, if an external closing force is applied to the door, the strap becomes untensioned, thereby allowing the spring to tighten about the shaft to retard its angular door closing movement.

Abstract: A doorstop including a doorjamb engaging portion, the doorjamb engaging portion having a wall portion, the wall portion having an inset portion, the wall portion having a padded portion; a door engaging portion, the door engaging portion having a stair-step edge and an opposing side, the stair-step edge having a plurality of rises and a plurality of runs, the opposing parallel side and plurality of rises form an expanse, the expanse ranging from one to two inches; and a movement control portion, the movement control portion being homogenous with the door jamb engaging portion and the door engaging portion.

Abstract: A collapsible handle for a portable luggage is provided. The handle includes an upper seat and a lower seat spacedly secured to the top and lower portions of the back side of the portable luggage, an attachment slidably pivoted to a pair of rectangular recesses of the upper seat, an elongate caster seat including a pair of subordinate casters pivoted on two end which has an arcuate lower surface made engageable with a concaved engaging surface in the top of the lower seat, a pair of telescoped frame having their upper ends inserting through the attachment and secured to a handle grip above the attachment and their lower ends of the outmost portion secured to a pair of cavities at two end of the elongate caster seat and the inner portion respectively biased by a pair of post of a locking member which is in turn biased by a pair of springs inside the elongate caster seat.

Abstract: A hinge assembly has a hinge door that is pivotally mounted to a hinge base. The door has a flat body with a pair of square tabs extending laterally from one end. The hinge base has a flat frame with a rectangular aperture. A pair of parallel, rigid flanges extend from the aperture in the frame. Each flange has an entry hole that leads into a diagonal slot. The slots terminate in circular recesses. The hinge door is installed in the hinge base to form the assembly by initially positioning the tabbed end of the door diagonally in the aperture. The tabs are then elevated slightly above the frame and rotated into alignment with the entry holes. The door is angled into alignment with the diagonal slots and lowered in that plane. This motion causes the tabs to move past the entry holes, through the slots, and into the circular recesses to form the hinge assembly. The recesses closely receive the tabs on the door to allow pivotal motion therebetween.

Abstract: A detachable, auxiliary car door handle comprises an intermediate grip (16) and end clips (18) adapted for selective attachment to the edge of a door to facilitate opening.

Abstract: A fiber sliver producing apparatus includes an arrangement for making a running fiber web; a transverse web gathering device gathering the fiber web; and a sliver trumpet through which the gathered fiber web passes for being densified and discharged thereby as a running sliver. The sliver trumpet has a cross-sectionally rectangular outlet opening which has a width that is at least 10 times greater than its height. The apparatus further has a calender roll pair formed of two calender rolls through which the sliver passes after being discharged by the sliver trumpet. The calender roll pair defines a bight in which the outlet opening of the sliver trumpet is disposed.

Abstract: A rope hook comprises a length of tubular fabric webbing into which a pair of loops has been formed. The first loop serves to attach the hook to an object. A resilient U-shaped member is contained within the tubular webbing to define a U-shaped member for holding a coil of rope. An adjustable fastener spans the opening into the hook for engagement with the second loop.

Abstract: Several embodiments of terminations for flat flexible tension members include wedge type terminations, pinching terminations, and frictional terminations and combinations of the above.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an energy absorber with a mounting hole includes a member, to which the energy absorber is mounted. The member has a rod projecting from a mounting surface thereof. A cylindrical member is fitted onto and engages the rod. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical portion, and a flanged portion overhanging from the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is inserted into the mounting hole of the energy absorber, and the flanged portion is overlapped with a peripheral portion about the mounting hole.

Abstract: The present invention concerns easily removable treatment tubes from fabric treatment apparatuses in order to facilitate replacement of such rolls for treatment modification, cleaning, disposal, or any other desirable purposes. Such treatment tubes are generally hollow and may be coated with any standard fabric treatment surface, including sandpaper, diamond grit, wires, brushes, and the like. The ability to easily remove and dispose of such treatment tubes thus provides a significant cost advantage to the manufacturer.

Abstract: A combination vault and casket assembly constructed of a vacuum formed polystyrene material and incorporating ballast stabilization during underground interment. A body includes a bottom, first and second upwardly extending side walls and first and second interconnecting end walls within which are defined inwardly vacuum formed depressions and which define in combination an upwardly facing perimeter. An arcuately shaped lid includes a downwardly facing perimeter edge capable of being matingly engaged with the upwardly facing perimeter edge to secure the lid to the body. A substantially planar shaped platform base has an upper face and a lower face, the upper face being configured about an outer raised and perimeter edge to receive the bottom of the body in slidably resistive fashion. An interior canyon of the platform base further includes a plurality of individual raised surfaces defining upper projections and reverse faces of the projections define corresponding recessed surfaces within the lower face.

Abstract: The locking ring anvil has a frame assembly and a means for mounting the frame assembly, a pivot assembly is mounted on the frame assembly. A barrel and arbor assembly is mounted on the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly includes means for retaining the barrel and arbor assembly in a fixed position and for rotating the barrel and arbor assembly about a semicircle. The barrel and arbor assembly also include a tapered arbor and a barrel and a means for mounting the barrel about the tapered arbor. The barrel may be rotated about the arbor and moves back and forth on the tapered arbor.

Abstract: A production method for forming a liquid spray head. A diaphragm is formed on a first surface of a substrate made of planar oriented (110) monocrystalline silicon. A piezoelectric element is formed by laminating a first electrode, a piezoelectric film and a second electrode arranged on the diaphragm. A liquid chamber is formed by etching so that is extends in one of the <1I2> direction and the <I12> direction at a predetermined position on a second surface of the substrate, which opposes the first surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scoring device for making transverse score lines on a roll of sheet material, a dimpler device or dimpler roller for making dimples adjacent the score lines at predetermined width locations, and a rollformer adapted to continuously form the sheet material into a tubular shape with channels. A welder is positioned in line with the rollformer and is adapted to weld the tubular shape into a permanent tube. A break off device positioned in line with the rollformer is adapted to break off sections of the tube at the score lines as the permanent tube exits the rollformer. The dimpler device is adapted to form an “in” dimple and an “out” dimple at locations coordinated with the score lines and with a width of the sheet material so that the “out” dimple forms a stop configured to slip into a channel formed in the sheet material by the rollformer but that abuts the “in” dimple which is formed at an end of the channel.

Abstract: A cylinder liner removal tool (11) is shown having a gripping portion (12) capable of expanding against the inner surface of the cylinder liner (14). The gripping portion (12) has a rod (26). Concentrically disposed about the rod (26) in trailing order is a stop (32), a plate (36), a cylindrical mandrel (38), a shoulder (42), a bearing (44), and a nut (40). The mandrel (38) is hollow having a recess (52). The shoulder (42) has a plug member (66) disposed within the recess (52). Torquing down upon the nut (40) compresses the mandrel (38) between a radially extending shelf member (62) of the shoulder (42) and the plate (36). The mandrel (38) thereby expands radially outward to frictionally grip the cylinder liner (14).

Abstract: A coining die apparatus for reshaping the backing plates of spent rotary drum brake cores in the production of remanufactured brake shoes comprises a lower die having a concave working surface configured to support a convex outer surface of a brake core backing plate to be coined. A moveable upper die includes axially-spaced outer die portions and a middle die portion between the outer portions having convex working surfaces. The middle and outer die portions are spaced laterally to accommodate a pair of mounting brackets extending from a convex inner surface of the backing plate. The middle die portion enters between the brackets when the dies are closed to strike and reshape a corresponding middle region of the backing plate between the brackets, while the outer die portions strike and reshape corresponding side portions of the mounting plate adjacent either side of the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A method of constructing a chair is used to attach a flexible envelope portion to a support structure. The flexible envelope portion includes two layers of fabric material, with an opening proximate one side. The support structure includes first and second spaced-apart rails having a plurality of studs engaged by a plurality of cross braces. Initially, the rails are held apart by a resilient wire member which is attached to the top of each rail. The structure is inserted within the flexible envelope, and the rails are spaced apart to provide tension to the flexible envelope. The plurality of cross braces are attached to the rails to maintain the tension in the envelope. The wire member and the flexible envelope have an arcuate shape which provides an aesthetically pleasing contour to the top of the back of the chair. Additionally, the wire member provides head support, adding to the overall comfort of the chair.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for fastening an object flush to a surface. The method comprises inserting an engagement member of the object into an opening in the planar member. The engagement member moves in a first direction and remains at or below the surface of the planar member. The engagement member of the object is repositioned in the opening while moving in a second direction. An engaging force is then applied to the engagement member in a third direction. The engaging force causes the engagement member of the object to be secured within the opening flush or below the surface of the planar member.