Abstract: A low-profile and highly-maneuverable vacuum cleaner having improved functionality including, alone or in combination, a headlight, a sidelight, anti-ingestion bars, side brushes, a squeegee, and a scent cartridge for use in cleaning floors, floor coverings, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces. One embodiment includes a tortuous air flow path created by baffles that divert air flow. The tortuous path creates quieter air flow through the vacuum housing. The tortuous air flow arrangement is for cooling the internal parts of a vacuum cleaner. Another embodiment includes an indicator light assembly for the vacuum cleaner visually providing the user with the vacuum's current operation status. In another embodiment, the rear wheels are recessed within the head housing and slightly offset rearwardly of the rear wall of the head housing to provide enhanced maneuverability.

Abstract: The fastening device has first and second fastening means fittable to the carpet and to the mat and which click together. The first fastening means are defined by a single part having two flanges integral with a hub and which are positioned on opposite sides of the carpet; and one of the flanges is shaped to permit passage through a hole in the carpet by rotating the single part. The second fastening means have a further two flanges integral with two corresponding hubs which fit together in a variable axial position through a hole in the mat to adapt the distance between the further two flanges to the thickness of the mat. The single part carries a male member which clicks inside an elastic female member carried by one of the flanges fitted to the mat.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding open a door or similar member for a predetermined time period includes a suction mechanism coupled to the door and the door frame. The suction mechanism includes an adjustable valve to provide a controlled flow of air to release the suction. The mechanism includes an arm having a suction cup at one end and a suction plate pivotally connected to the arm for engaging the suction cup when the door is in the open position. The suction mechanism is attached to the inner surface of the door and the necessary relative motions of parts achieved by an articulated connecting rod and suction cup pad assembly are pivotally attached to the adjacent door frame. The articulated assembly permits the face of the suction cup and its target to be parallel to the door in the open and closed positions. The arm is connected to a spring loaded mounting assembly so that the door's maximum opening limitation is dictated by the spring closing mechanism or other motion limiting device.

Abstract: An adjustable doorstop is disclosed that mounts on a hinge pin that is inserted into mating hinge leafs. The doorstop has two members that are manually positioned with respect to each other and lock to set how far the door to which they are mounted can open. The doorstop members each have a means that contact only a hinge leaf of a door hinge to prevent a door from opening beyond its manually predetermined point.

Abstract: A removable grip for a five-gallon bucket that includes a prying tool for removing a lid of the bucket. The grip includes an elongated body in which a channel is formed. The channel includes a centrally disposed widened portion that is configured to accept an existing grip formed on a bail of the bucket handle. The channel also includes narrow portions at each end of the widened portion that accept the bail. Flexible tabs within each narrow portion lock the grip onto the bail. The prying tool includes a flat end and a hooked end. The flat end can be used to pry open the lid of a paint bucket and can be a screwdriver end. The hooked end can be used to pry up the tangs of the lid of the five-gallon bucket to remove the lid.

Abstract: A paint roller assembly is disclosed as including a handle that is configured for use with a variety of extension poles, each requiring a different type of connection with the handle. The handle includes a pole connector socket extending inwardly from one end thereof that is designed to receive a number of different pole connectors. The illustrated socket is provided with a tapered wall section and a circumferential groove, with the former being configured to provide a press fit attachment between the handle and connector and the latter being configured to provide a snap fit attachment between the handle and the connector.

Abstract: A method for operating a bale opening machine (1) includes the step of defining a desired normal or operational take-off depth for the take-off device or extraction member (6) to be applied to all of the bales (7) of the bale lie. An actual take-off depth is computed for predetermined positions along the bale line as a function of the normal take-off depth and factors computed for the respective positions to take into account bale height differences and density differences between the bales. With respect to the bale height differences (4MAX−aMIN), the take-off factors have a proportional value based on a bale height at the respective positions compared to a total bale height difference between the highest and lowest bales. A total bale height is recomputed prior to each pass of the take-off device and the actual take-off depth factors are set to a value of 1 if the computed total bale height difference is reduced to at least the magnitude of the normal take-off depth.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a process for preparing a flock-air mixture which is fed by a pulping device through a feed conduit to a flock-laying device for forming an absorbent pad, the feed conduit includes a dispersing device for loosening up lumps of flock within the mixture. To achieve a high level of efficiency in loosening the flock lumps, as independently as possible of the through-put of the mixture through the feed conduit, the dispersing device is in the form of a pneumatic dispersing device which loosens up the lumps by accelerating the mixture with lumps therein to cause the lumps to burst or tear apart.

Abstract: A spring band clamp block formed of a plurality of spring band clamps (1), each of which has a spring band (2) and two projecting tensioning ends (3, 4), and which are detachably joined to one another by means of a fastener. The spring band clamp block can be built especially easily for all types of spring band clamps (1) by the spring band clamps (1) being joined to one another, preferably, by means of at least two adhesive strips (5, 6). The adhesive strips (5, 6) are arranged on the spring bands (2), parallel to the lengthwise axis (7) of the spring band clamps (1), and preferably in the vicinity of the projecting tensioning ends (3, 4).

Abstract: This invention relates to vehicles having parts connected with a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.

Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet. The buckle includes a metal member having opposite ends, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture. Each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through, and a plastic material substantially encasing the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed, and a region surrounding the aperture of the metal member is not encased and the plastic material located adjacent the aperture defines a barrel configured for receiving and mating in a snap-fit relationship with a snap-stud fastener located on a helmet with which the buckle is to be used.

Abstract: A cabinet support platform which supports a cabinet of an electronic device and the like has a base plate which receives a base surface of the cabinet. Two side support members which support side faces of the cabinet and stoppers are provided on the inside of the side support members. The stoppers are attached to the side support members to tightly grip and hold the side surfaces of the cabinet by tight contact with the cabinet surfaces.

Abstract: A fluidtight zip fastener includes a pair of fluidtight zip fastener carrying tapes each having a base tape with a soft covering layer. Sewn to each carrying tape is in an offset position a continuous coupling member row. A zip fastener slider is provided for transferring the zip fastener carrying tapes into an open and closed position. The slider has lower and upper plates and a slider wedge interconnecting the plates. A guide border is shaped in a central area of the slider wedge. For increasing the sealing action of the zip fastener in an end position of the slider, the interconnected two ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes are provided with a dimensionally more confined and consequently an overpressing-ensuring elastomer guiding the slider over its guide border shaped onto the slider wedge.

Abstract: A coil-shaped fastener element is comprised of a coupling head bulging to both sides, upper/lower leg portions adjacent the coupling head and a connecting portion for connecting the upper and lower leg portions. With providing a stepped portion in a center of the upper leg portion, a portion of the fastener element on a side of the coupling head is formed thick while a portion thereof on a side of the connecting portion is formed thin. A coupling space is provided between the upper and lower leg portions. A protruded portion protruded into the coupling space is provided in a back of the stepped portion of the upper leg portion. A slope portion is formed such that the coupling space is expanded from an inside of an upper portion of the coupling head to a base portion of the protruded portion.

Abstract: A zipper slide for invisible zipper is constructed to include a slide base, a hook plate, a spring element, a locating plate, and a pull tab, the slide base having a longitudinally extended partition block and a recessed receiving chamber in the partition block, the recessed receiving chamber having a hook hole, a first receiving space, a second receiving space and a retaining portion for the positioning of the hook plate and the spring element, the pull tab being coupled to the hook plate by a coupling ring, the slide base, the hook plate, the spring element and the connecting plate being fully automatically fastened together by an automatic stamping machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slider with locking device, in which a leaf spring with a locking pawl can be mounted easily on a slider body by press processing. A protruded piece is provided on a rear portion of an upper plate of a slider body and a pawl hole is made near the base portion of the protruded piece. Then, another protruded piece is formed on a front portion of the upper plate and a contact portion is formed on that protruded piece so that an engaging tongue piece of a leaf spring is in contact with the same protruded piece. A groove with an engaged portion is provided in a front face of a guide post of the slider body. The leaf spring is formed in the shape of a substantially fallen letter U and has a locking pawl at one end and a drooping piece at the other end. The drooping piece is provided with an engaging portion which is to be engaged with an engaged portion and the engaging tongue piece is formed in the center of the leaf spring.

Abstract: An improved structure of a coffin is disclosed. The coffin comprises a base seat board, a left side board and right side board, a rear side board and a front side board, and a top cover, characterized in that the left and right sides of the base seat board are provided with inverted T-shaped sliding slots and the top and bottom of the base seat board are provided with recesses, and the bottom of the left and right side boards is provided with an inverted T-shaped sliding rail and the top of the left and right side boards are provided with T-shaped sliding slots, the left and right end of the front and rear side boards are provided with T-shaped sliding rails, and the bottom thereof is provided with a protruded board, the top cover board along the edge thereof is provided with slots so that the top cover board can be connected to the left and right side boards.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink jet printer head is disclosed which the method comprises steps of providing a substrate; forming a crater layer by photolighography and plating under the substrate; forming a nozzle plate by photolighography and plating under the crater layer; forming a channel plate by photolighography and plating under the nozzle plate; forming a reserver plate by photolighography and plating under the channel plate; forming a restrictor plate by photolighography and plating under the reserver plate; forming a chamber plate by photolighography and plating under the restrictor plate; forming a vibration plate by plating under the chamber plate; removing the substrate; removing all photoresist remaining; forming a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film to actuate when electrified upon the vibration plate; and forming an upper electrode upon the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film.

Abstract: In order to improve a tool support for tool holders of rotationally driven tools which can be driven via a gear wheel arranged on one side of the tool holder and mounted for rotation about a gear wheel axis, comprising a receiving means provided on the tool support for at least one tool holder and a first toothed ring provided on the tool support it is suggested that a second toothed ring movable about the toothed ring axis so as to turn on a second path be provided on the tool support, that the second path have a second area of engagement nearest to the gear wheel axis for a gear wheel on the tool holder side, this area of engagement extending at a greater radial distance from the gear wheel axis that the first area of engagement and being located closer to the tool holder in the direction of the gear wheel axis than the first area of engagement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a low cost contact burnish slider is disclosed that can remain in contact or at the initial low flying heights even as the pad surfaces and leading edges wear. The burnish slider includes a body having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an air bearing surface being configured at the leading edge of the body to cut disk asperities as the slider flies and configured away from the leading edge to maintain a flying attitude wherein the leading edge is near the data recording surface and to provide restoring forces to maintain the flying attitude. The air bearing surface may include a front pad proximal to the leading edge and a rear pad distal to the leading edge. Alternatively, the air bearing surface may include two front pads proximal to the leading edge on opposite sides of the body and two rear pads distal to the leading edge and disposed on opposite sides of the body. The front and rear pad(s) extends substantially across the body of the slider.

Abstract: The pipe end burnishing tool has a tool shank with an axis of rotation, a first end adapted to be clamped to drill chuck, a second end, and a stop surface on the second end. A cup member is driven by the tool shank and axially moveable along the axis of rotation. An inside member is also driven by the shank and axially movable along the axis of rotation. A cup spring urges the cup toward the stop surface. An inside member spring urges the inside member away from the first end and also urges the cup member toward the first end. Conical burnishing surfaces on the cup and the inside member cooperate to burnish pipe ends. These burnishing surfaces float in line with the ends of pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a metal feedstock from waste metal products is disclosed. The apparatus includes devices for: crushing the metal products into pieces; magnetically separating sheet-shaped ferrous scraps and ferrous cast blocks from the crushed pieces; placing the cast blocks between the sheet-shaped scraps to make a sandwich structure; and pressing the sandwich structure to form a metal feedstock.

Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener with a pin and collar with pin having a shank with relatively wide lock grooves having a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank with a wall thickness of excess volume of material before swage greater than the volume of the lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank and diameter of lock groove crests being a minimum to reduce the compressive force for swaging the collar shank into the lock grooves with the excess volume providing partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage and with pin shank having a pull portion being a bore with helical grooves and an installation tool having a threaded mandrel to engage the pull grooves while moving into the collar shank to facilitate larger gap pull up between workpieces being secured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture for securing hardware to a shaped sheet. The fixture includes supports having sheet supporting surfaces generally corresponding to a desired elevational contour of selected portions of a sheet to be supported and a holder to support hardware to be secured to the supported sheet at a predetermined location and orientation corresponding to a desired location and orientation of the hardware when secured to a sheet shaped to a desired configuration. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the sheet supporting surfaces correspond to selected marginal edge portions of the supported sheet.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for opening a sealed engine control module in which the module includes a substrate bent around and sealed to a central housing. In one aspect of the invention, the housing is machined around its perimeter, without damaging the substrate, to expose the sealing bead. The sealing bead is disrupted by cutting a groove in the bead, in one embodiment. The modified module is placed within an opening fixture that supports the substrate against buckling or folding while the substrate is unbent about the housing. In another aspect of the invention, a handling support can be attached to the unbent substrate to prevent buckling or folding while the circuit board supported by the substrate is evaluated or modified, and while the substrate is being transported. A closing fixture is also contemplated that supports the substrate while applying a force to fold or close the substrate about a new housing.

Abstract: A method for controlling an axle shaft endplay in a differential assembly is disclosed. The desired axle shaft endplay is determined by a differential manufacturer based on the specific operating conditions of the differential assembly. In accordance with the endplay controlling method of the present invention, first the differential is partially assembled by mounting side gears and a differential pinion shaft carrying pinions in a differential case. Then, the manufacturer determines a thickness of an axle shaft-retaining ring that would provide the desired endplay. The manufacturer is provided with an endplay controlling kit of a plurality of the retaining rings of assorted thickness. The appropriate retaining ring is selected from the kit having the thickness as determined in the previous step. Next, axle shafts are inserted into the differential case through the side gears, and the selected retaining ring is mounted to the axle shafts. After this step, the assembly of the differential is completed.

Abstract: Improved prosthetic components and a method for assembly therefor are described wherein the prosthesis comprises prefabricated modular components including a socket adapter, shank or pylon, a keel, and a foot. The method for preparation of the improved prosthesis reduces the time required for prosthesis preparation over that of the prior art, and includes the steps of making a cast of the remaining leg stump and forming a socket therefor; placing the socket in an alignment jig; assembling modular pieces including a prefabricated keel, pylon, and socket adapter; attaching the socket adapter to the socket; draping a final coating of copolymer on the prosthesis; and removing the pylon and socket adapter from the interior of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A process for making fine and ultra-fine metallic fibers is disclosed comprising arranging a multiplicity of metallic wires to form an assembly of the metallic wires. The assembly of the metallic wires is wrapped with a wrapping material to form a wrapped assembly. A plurality of the wrapped assemblies are inserted into a tube for providing a cladding. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof and for reducing the cross-section of each of the multiplicity of metallic wires within the cladding to transform the multiplicity of metallic wires into a multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. The cladding is removed for providing the multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. In one example, the metallic wires are coated with a coating material formed from the same material as the wrapping material and the cladding material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sleeve mechanism without the use of machines by using a hydroforming process. The method includes the steps of providing an inner sleeve, an intermediate sleeve, and an outer sleeve concentrically within one another. The concentric sleeves are then expanded by using a hydroforming process such that an external thread is formed on the inner sleeve and an internal thread is formed on the outer sleeve. After the hydroforming process, the intermediate sleeve is removed by using any desired manner, such as melting or chemical dissolution. The relatively small space remaining between the inner and outer sleeves allow them to freely rotate about each other to ensure smooth operation of the screw and sleeve mechanism. Alternatively, the inner and outer sleeves may be hydroformed in separate operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a drainage line unit. The apparatus includes a mandrel having an inner cavity. Rear, upper and front openings communicate with the mandrel cavity. Preferably, a controller connected to at least one sensor is operably positioned to control the apparatus. A pipe feeder feeds perforated vent pipe through the inner cavity of the mandrel from the rear opening to the front opening and therethrough. The pipe is positioned within the inner tube cavity so as to define a void space between the pipe and the wall of the mandrel. A hopper assembly has an exit port positioned for feeding a plurality of plastic bodies into the cavity. A blower produces a sufficient air flow through the mandrel cavity for moving the plurality of plastic bodies to substantially fill the void space so that the pipe emerges from the front opening of the mandrel surrounded by the plurality of plastic bodies.

Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.

Abstract: A shelving standard is fabricated from a single plate with portions of the plate folded back on themselves, preferably utilizing roll forming operations. This allows bores formed in the plate before roll forming to be aligned in pairs as through holes when portions of the plate are folded over on themselves. By forming one bore of a pair larger than another, the bore pair becomes a countersunk hole. Such a shelving standard may be screwed to a stud which has a gap therein so that a line of slots in the standard is aligned with the gap. The stud also has a transverse through hole supporting a cross-member. Wall panels are provided with clips which rest on the cross-member so that wall panels may be mounted without being screwed to the stud.

Abstract: A press machine for attachment of eyelets including a simple die configuration capable of allowing the user to easily carry out an eyelet attachment process on a table. The press machine includes a die that enables the dual operation of punching the sheet or fabric for the eyelet as well as attaching the eyelet.

Abstract: An improved Hall position sensor comprises a Hall effect sensing device having its leads soldered directly to an exposed electro-conductive portion of a flexible multiconductor circuit. The Hall position sensor further comprises a Hall magnet disposed proximate to the soldered Hall effect sensing device/flexible circuit unit.

Abstract: A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Abstract: There is provided a production line having a plurality of mounting apparatus of electronic components in which the overall production efficiency is sustained by an alternation scheme when a mounting apparatus has a long cycle time due to a high malfunction rate. At a predetermined timing, the rate of unsuccessful pick-up procedure for an electronic component is compared to a predetermined value. If the rate is higher than the value, CPU finds out if the mounting apparatus 2, or 3 is available as an alternate. When the alternate is the apparatus 2, CPU 10 changes the command parameter of the particular mounting procedure, stored in RAM 12, from “M” to “S”, and stops mounting the same component. In the mean time, the mounting apparatus 2 accepts the alternate request from the apparatus 1, changes the command parameter as required, and mounts the same component on a print circuit board.

Abstract: There is provided a method for suspending roller tappets in an internal combustion engine without removal of the cylinder head and gasket. The rocker arm assembly is removed. Each push rod is then removed and replaced with tappet suspension tool to engage a corresponding roller tappet. A suspension tool guide bar is then installed to connect to the tappet suspension tools. The roller tappets are then simultaneously moved to a raised position away from the camshaft forming a clearance between the roller tappets and camshaft bearings. The roller tappets are then secured in the raised position by a securing block. The camshaft can then be removed from the engine block. Alternatively, the rear half of the front cover can be removed by first removing the idler gears, followed by removal of the camshaft, and last removing the rear half of the front cover from the engine case.

Abstract: A method of producing an encased honeycombed body, in particular a supporting body of a catalytic converter, includes the steps of producing a honeycombed body by stacking and/or winding sheet metal layers, of which at least some are structured sheet metal layers, so that the honeycomb body has channels through which a fluid can flow. A sleeve is introduced into a tubular jacket. The sleeve is smaller in the axial direction than the axial length of the honeycomb body and the tubular jacket. The sleeve has an outer circumferential surface which substantially bears against a part of the inner wall of the tubular jacket. The honeycomb body is introduced into the tubular jacket and into the sleeve and is connected to the tubular jacket and the sleeve. If required, the tubular jacket may also be connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: A process for producing an angled bore in a component, wherein a straight bore is first let into the component and, after the straight bore is let into the component, this component is deformed so that an angled bore course is produced.

Abstract: In a method of producing a resin gear, after applying a gear cutting having a gear cutting direction toward the gate forming portion onto an outer periphery surface of a resin rim layer, the gate forming portion is cut and removed.

Abstract: A method for building a bicycle wheel and the wheel. Inserting a threaded end (106) of a spoke (100) through a hole (126) in the rim (102), through a spacer (118), and engaging the threaded end (106) with an internally threaded connector (104). The rim (102) and the connector (104) cooperate to maintain the axis of the threaded end (106) of each spoke (100) in a given spoke hole (126) so that it is skewed relative to the axis of a first portion of each spoke (100) extending from the hub to the rim (102). While the connector (104) is turned to tension the spoke (100), the spoke (100) permanently bends at a point (128) remote from the spoke's thread end (106).

Abstract: A shaving device with one or more shaving blades. Sensors are attached to (or near) the blades which produce a shaving signal. A processor or intelligent analysis unit then receives the shaving signal and determines what shaving changes should be made. An audible indicator is coupled to the processor to inform the user of the shaving changes needed. The audible indicator is a speech playback unit, or it produces an audible sound or tone. In the alternative, a visual indicator can be used, such as a liquid crystal (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display, which informs the user of the shaving changes needed.

Abstract: A cutting blade cover for a brush cutter comprises a central portion (50), a first blade accommodating portion (28), a second blade accommodating portion (29), and a third blade accommodating portion (30). The first, second, and third blade accommodating portions (28, 29, 30) are provided radially from the central portion (50). The first blade accommodating portion (28) includes a first concave portion (31). The second blade accommodating portion (29) includes a second concave portion (36). The third blade accommodating portion (30) includes a third concave portion (40). The first concave portion 31 has an inner shape conforming to an outer shape of the first blade (17) to cover an outer periphery of the first blade (17). The second concave portion (36) has an inner shape conforming to an outer shape of the second blade (18) to cover an outer periphery of the second blade (18).

Abstract: A hand held loop cutting tool for cutting tufted loops of yarn projecting from a carpet includes a handle portion connected to a blade carrying housing portion carrying a blade holder having a plurality of slots for receiving a like number of blades. The blades have two cutting edges which may be secured in the holder with one of the edges projecting from the operating face of the housing. When the first edges of the blades are spent, the blade holder may be reversed within the housing to present the second set of edges. The blades themselves do not have to be removed from the holder until both cutting sets of cutting edges have been spent. A user merely needs to insert one of the first edges into each projecting loop where there are more than one projecting loop in a line of stitching and pull to cut the loop.

Abstract: A safety saw may be used by a child and includes a handle and a forwardly extending blade. The handle has a first portion, a second portion and a waisted portion between the first and second portions. The minimum diameter of the waisted portion is no more than fifty percent (50%) of the maximum diameter of the second end portion. Preferably, the first and second portions have equal radii. The blade has teeth only on one lateral edge, and a distal tip extends forwardly along the longitudinal axis of the blade to a rounded end. The distal tip has a length at least twice the width of a tooth, and it is devoid of any teeth. The leading edge of each tooth is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while the trailing edge is oblique to the longitudinal axis at an angle of about 50° to 60°. The height and width of the teeth may be the same; alternatively, the width may be twice the height.

Abstract: The flatness measuring equipment can highly precisely measure flatness of a surface of a large-sized planar member, e.g., an abrasive plate. In the equipment, an elongated member is provided above and parallel to the surface of the planar member to be measured. A movable member is provided to the elongated member and capable of moving along the elongated member. A distance sensor, which is provided to the movable member, measures distance between the movable member and the surface of the planar member. A laser beam source emits a laser beam, at a fixed level, toward the movable member. A light receiving sensor detects a variation of a level of the movable member with respect of the fixed level of the laser beam.

Abstract: In a semiconductor liquid application apparatus, a calibration tool enables the rapid and accurate adjustment of height and center of a liquid dispense nozzle. In an example embodiment, the tool comprises a circular disk in which a first beveled out area corresponding to the shape of the liquid dispense nozzle is defined on the topside of the disk. Underneath the disk, a second beveled out area corresponding to the shape of the wafer chuck is defined therein. The calibration depth is determined by the thickness of the tool's substrate less the sum of the depth of the first beveled out area and the depth of the second beveled out area. This calibration depth is determined by the configuration of the nozzle used in a liquid-dispense spinner. In using the calibration tool, the nozzle height and center becomes more repeatable from operator-to-operator and machine-to-machine.

Abstract: An optical position-measuring device is described, that includes a scale and a scanning unit movable relative thereto, a light source, one or more scanning graduations, at least one opto-electronic detector element and a mirror lens arranged downstream of the light source. The mirror lens includes a plane reflector surface and two partial surface areas having different radii of curvature. The beams entering through a first partial surface area impinge on the reflector surface and are reflected from the reflector surface in the direction of the second partial surface area. A collimated beam exists subsequent to exiting the second partial surface area.

Abstract: An improved tape measure apparatus which can be used as a marking gauge and/or compass comprising a tape measure, an insert comprising a base, a guide rigidly attached to the base and generally parallel to graduated indicia markings of the rule blade when extended from the tape measure whereby the graduated markings of the tape measure's rule blade may be read. An alternative embodiment includes an insert enabling standard tape measures to be used as marking gauges and/or compasses.

Abstract: A measurement device having a pair of legs. Each leg has a measurement point and a fulcrum end, the fulcrum ends providing a pivot point for the legs so that the measurement points arcuately move apart from one another. The measurement device has a transducer assembly connected to at least one of the legs which measures leg displacement and generates a distance signal. The measurement device has a programmable processing unit adapted to process the distance signal and display a distance measurement on an electronic display.