Abstract: An improved keyboard structure consists of a lower plate, a membrane circuit, an upper plate, a bridge means, an elastic element and a key cap. The lower plate has a set of symmetrical first latch sections and a set of retain section formed at selected locations corresponding to the first latch sections. The upper plate has a set of symmetrical second apertures corresponding to the first latch sections and a set of symmetrical second latch sections corresponding to the second apertures. There are openings in front of the second latch sections for housing the retain sections. The bridge means has a first pivotal end insertable in a bias manner into a space formed between the second latch section and the retain sections and a second pivotal end latching to the first latch sections such that the bridge means can be assembled on the upper plate and the lower plate in single direction. The upper plate may be pushed to move the second latch sections away from the first pivotal end for removing the bridge means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having a key sensing device that provides two levels of sensing by generating electrical signals depending on the force applied on the keys. The different levels of key sensing can be used to provide different functions, for instance, in a software application. This key sensing functionality can be provided on all or only some of the keys of the keyboard. For example, the different pressure levels applied on the key can be used to control cursor movement or scrolling and to produce pressure-based shifting between lower case and upper case. A method of providing pressure sensitive key functionalities for a keyboard comprises producing a signal by applying a pressure to a key which is configured to produce different signals in response to different pressure levels applied to the key. A user interface response is generated based on the signal produced by the pressure applied to the key.

Abstract: An improved membrane keyboard includes a bottom layer, a second conductive membrane layer located above the bottom layer having an output section extended from one end thereof at a selected location linking to an interrupt device, an insulation layer located above the second conductive membrane layer, a first conductive membrane layer located above the insulation layer, a top layer located above the first conductive membrane layer having a jutting section formed at one end with the top layer bonding to the bottom layer and forming an opening end at the jutting section, and a button key layer located between the first conductive membrane layer and the top layer.

Abstract: A sheet skew correcting apparatus, incorporated in a printer or the like to correct a phenomenon of obliquely feeding a sheet called skewing. The apparatus includes a transporting path in which the sheet is transported, a pair of registration rollers, a pair of timing rollers disposed upstream from the registration rollers, and a paper guide having a first and a second curved portion and constituting the transporting path. When a sheet fed into the transporting path abuts against a contact point of a registration roller pair, the sheet is further transported by an arbitrary distance in the sheet transporting direction. First and second curves are then formed in the sheet in the first and second curved portions. Then the registration roller pair is rotated in the direction opposite to the sheet transporting direction, the front end of the sheet uniformly abuts against the contact point of the registration roller pair to correct skew.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wash mit assembly comprising a rigid or semi-rigid body, a hose coupling interconnected to the body, and a cloth removably connected to the body. The body includes an exterior surface that is generally concave in shape, a hose receiving recess formed in the exterior surface along its longitudinal axis, a strap extending transversely across the recess, and openings formed through opposing sides of the recess for receiving nozzles of the hose coupling therein. The cloth includes a drawstring stitched about its periphery and is removably connected to the body in complete covering relation to the body's inwardly facing surface. To connect the cloth to the body, the body is positioned on the cloth, and the drawstring of the cloth is pulled taut so that the edge of the body is encompassed within the edge of the cloth.

Abstract: A microapplicator for dispensing and applying an adhesive or sealant material comprises a handle portion, an applicator tip connected to the handle portion, and a microreservoir at the applicator tip arranged to hold a small amount, about 20 microliters or less, of an adhesive/sealant material until dispensing. In embodiments, the applicator tip has a width of about 1 mm. The microapplicator may include a second reservoir, containing the adhesive/sealant material, that is arranged to supply the adhesive/sealant material to the microreservoir at the applicator tip. The second reservoir may comprise a frangible ampoule disposed in the handle portion, a container, such as a syringe, connected to the handle portion, or the handle portion itself. The applicator tip may comprise one of a polymer loop, a spatula, a rolling ball, a grate, a porous material, such as a swab, a foam or a mesh, and a brush.

Abstract: A squeegee with squeegee handle and remote spraying device, includes a squeegee section having an enclosed container for holding liquid, a sprayer head, which is in connection with the squeegee section, and a surface extending in a lengthwise direction. The enclosed container has a threaded neck. The sprayer head has a threaded cap adapted for engaging the threaded neck, as well as a dispensing means for dispensing the liquid. The dispensing means includes a trigger being in connection with a conduit, a nozzle at an end of the sprayer head, and pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure change in the conduit so as to draw spraying agent into the conduit and out of the nozzle. The conduit extends through the threaded cap and into the enclosed container. There is also a squeegee blade attached to the sprayer head and being nearly perpendicular to the surface of said enclosed container.

Abstract: A binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes a base and three retaining members secured to the base. Each retaining member has a post in fixed position relative to the base and an arch section moveable between a closed position wherein each retaining member forms a substantially continuous, closed loop and an open position wherein each retaining member forms a discontinuous, open loop. The arch sections are linked together for simultaneous movement. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base for actuating movement, and a linkage is provided for transferring force applied by the lever to the retaining members. Substantially equal clamping force is applied to each of the retaining members.

Abstract: A set of binders includes round ring binders and binders with flattened rings, having the same exterior appearance, but with the flattened ring binders, accommodating wider sheets, such as index sheets. Individual flattened ring binders include reliable over-center ring operating action with elongated plates to which the rings are secured, and an overlying elongated spring cover to apply inward pressure on the plates. Using flattened rings, the covers of the binders may be reduced in extent.

Abstract: A connector system substantially rigidly connects a carriage guide rod to a base support structure of a hardcopy apparatus and includes a connector element rigidly fixable to the base support structure. The connector system has a pin which is held in a first bore in the guide rod by a retaining screw in a second bore of the guide rod. The connector system can be adjusted with six degrees of freedom before final fixing. The introduction of a further screw in a threaded part of the first bore permits vertical adjustment of the pin. The connector system can alternatively be used to rigidly secure a printer platen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening a cathode ray tube on a covering frame, in the case of which a flat flange which is fastened on the cathode ray tube and is provided with a bore is screwed to the covering frame by a screw, via an internal thread. Arranged between the covering frame and flange is a compensating element which, in a position which is determined by the cathode ray tube butting against the covering frame, can be fixed in relation to the covering frame in that the compensating element interacts with an internal-thread-containing guide part of the covering frame.

Abstract: A swivel for placing utility product with horizontal directional drilling techniques comprising a head piece and a tail piece rotationally mounted on the head piece. A bearing assembly of oppositely disposed units with high thrust capacity and self-alignment properties is mounted on a stub shaft integral with the head piece and enclosed by a shell body associated with the tail piece. A gap between the head piece and shell body is sealed with a metal face seal assembly. A juncture between the shaft and main part of the head piece is shaped to avoid a stress riser condition and a thrust washer has a configuration complimentary to the juncture to transmit forces between the head piece and bearing assembly. A joint between the tail piece and shell body is locked with a weld bead technique that enables the unit to be refurbished with reduced labor.

Abstract: A passive ball capture joint has a sleeve defining a first open end and a second open end with a plurality of bores being distributed about a circumference thereof and formed therethrough at an acute angle relative to the sleeve's longitudinal axis. The acute angle is such that it diverges outward from the sleeve's longitudinal axis in a direction defined by the sleeve's first open end to its second open end. A spring-loaded retainer is slidingly fitted in each bore and is biased such that, if allowed, will extend at least partially into the sleeve. A cupped receiver slides in the sleeve's second open end. A ring is rotatably mounted about the sleeve and intersects the bores. The ring has an interior wall defining a plurality of shaped races that bear against the spring-loaded retainers. At a first rotational position of the ring, each race permits its respective spring-loaded retainer to achieve a first position defined by at least partial extension into the sleeve.

Abstract: An assembly technique is provided for enclosing an open end of a movable socket comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper or lower surface. Internal components of the movable socket are installed within a housing through a posterior opening and a expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper surface or a lower surface is positioned over the components within the posterior opening. A ram of the present invention having a configured contact surface is brought into engagement with the solid cover-plate, and pressure is exerted on the solid cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the contact surface, deforming and expanding the cover-plate in a predetermined manner to close the socket housing.

Abstract: A connecting system for modular furniture structures includes an upright element with outer square cross-section giving the upright element four sides and four corners, featuring a trapezoidal or dovetail section longitudinal groove on each side. The longitudinal grooves gives the upright element longitudinal corners a quasi trapezoidal or dovetail shape. Trapezoidal connection small blocks are slidably inserted into the grooves and “C”-shaped clamps are slidably mounted along the longitudinal corners. Pin rods are fitted to both the trapezoidal connection small blocks and the “C”-shaped clamps by means of a threaded section forming also locking means for fixing the small blocks and clamps along the grooves and the corners. The pin rods have a circular groove all around and are introduced into bored small blocks fastened to furniture complementary structural elements and are fixed by means fo threaded dowels set in engagement with the circular grooves.

Abstract: A fastener includes a male fastener and a cooperating female fastener where the male fastener element is operated by at least one elongated deformable the wall of a compartment and an ed wall with which the male fastener is integrally connected and from which the male fastener forms a projection. For example the elongated deformable wall(s) of the compartment may be deformed by pressure in the compartment so that deformation of the deformable wall deforms the end wall and moves a free end of the projection remote from the wall of the compartment between a latching position and an unlatching position when the deformable wall is deformed.

Abstract: A magazine has an elongated carrier strip (12) which carries several fastening elements (13) arranged one behind the other. For each fastening element (13), the carrier strip (12) has several receiving surfaces, each receiving surfaces being formed by a support surfaces (1) having an opening (11) and by two side members (2, 3) whose end parts are connected to each other and which jointly form a passage (5). The diameter of the opening (11) and of the passage (5) essentially match the diameter of the shaft (15) of the fastening element (13). Extending from the circumference of the opening (11), there are at least two slits (7, 8, 9, 10) which divide the circumferential area of the opening (11) into two circular ring segments that can be pivoted downwardly into the interior of the magazine.

Abstract: A joint system for use in joining components, such as wood, and the like, to form a structural unit. An exemplary joint system has a first member with a predetermined shape, first and second opposed surfaces, and a first predetermined thickness. A cavity is formed in the first member that has an inner contour in the shape of a piece of a puzzle or a molar tooth, for example. The cavity is exposed at the first surface of the first member and along a portion of an edge of the first member. The cavity has a depth that extends a predetermined distance below the first surface of the first member. A second member is provided that has a predetermined shape, first and second opposed surfaces, and a second predetermined thickness. The second member has a tab with an outer contour that substantially matches the inner contour of the cavity in the first member so that the tab fits within the cavity.

Abstract: A fastener clip assembly for forming a substantially concealed joint between panels of furniture, a shelf assembly or the like includes a pair of clips telescopingly assembled with one another to form a joint which prevents rotation between the clips and joint members. The clips are secured to respective joint members and assembled with a portion of the second clip received through the slot of the first clip such that offset engagement sections overlap one another while a resilient, flexible inclined section on at least one, but preferably both, of the engagement sections draws the clips and joint members together. An engaging member which resists disassembly of the clips may be included.

Abstract: An adjustably compliant porous groin and method for use in restoring an eroding shoreline. The compliant porous groin has a barrier suspended by flotation support within a sediment laden eroding water flow of the shoreline with the water flow passing through at least a portion of the barrier, and the bottom edge of the barrier retained proximate to the seabed. The barrier is compliant such that the water flow impacting the barrier is slowed whereby suspended sediment in the water flow accretes to renourish the shoreline.

Abstract: A pipeline laying ship and an improved method of laying a pipeline in a marine environment is disclosed. The pipeline laying ship is a dynamically positioned barge or self-propelled dynamically positioned vessel with a hull having a deck area that supports a pair of reels. The reels are independently rotatable, and are position to generally port and starboard relative to one another. A pipe joint storage area is provided for containing multiple joints of pipe. One or more pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck next to the reels, the pipeline welding stations being positioned to join the joints of pipe together to form an elongated pipeline that can be wound upon a selected reel of said pair of reels. A tower is provided for guiding the elongated pipeline as it is unwound from a selected reel, the tower including at least a bend controller, a straightener and a tensioner.

Abstract: A pipeline laying ship and an improved method of laying a pipeline in a marine environment is disclosed. The pipeline laying ship is a dynamically positioned barge or self-propelled dynamically positioned vessel with a hull having a deck area that supports a pair of reels. The reels are independently rotatable, and are position to generally port and starboard relative to one another. A pipe joint storage area is provided for containing multiple joints of pipe. One or more pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck next to the reels, the pipeline welding stations being positioned to join the joints of pipe together to form an elongated pipeline that can be wound upon a selected reel of said pair of reels. A tower is provided for guiding the elongated pipeline as it is unwound from a selected reel, the tower including at least a bend controller, a straightener and a tensioner.

Abstract: An underwater cable branching apparatus has an elongate cable junction housing for positioning in line between two cables for installation underwater. The housing has through bores at each end for receiving the ends of respective first and second cables, and the cables are each terminated at a respective connector in the housing for releasably connecting the two cable ends together. Each connector is pivotally and retractably mounted in the housing by a respective pivotal linkage, such that the connectors can be separated and rotated upwardly out of the housing by an ROV for selective connection to other cables in an underwater network, to permit branching.

Abstract: The trenchless water pipe replacement device includes a cable pulling device, a pipe splitter, a length of cable and a cable end piece. The cable is fished through a pipe that is to be replaced, and a length of replacement pipe is attached to the end piece. The pipe splitter is disposed at the front end of the pipe and the cable pulling device is disposed behind the pipe splitter. When the cable pulling device is activated, the end piece makes contact with the rear end of the pipe and sufficient pulling force is applied to the cable to dislodge the pipe and pull it onto the pipe splitter, which splits the pipe as it is pulled from the ground. The replacement pipe is pulled behind the end piece, such that when the end piece is entirely pulled through the ground, the replacement pipe is disposed in its place.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine for replacement of underground pipes includes a bursting head having a rearwardly opening recess and a front end opening that communicates with the recess. An inlet pipe is connected at its front end to a distal end of the drill string and extends into the recess of the bursting head through the front end opening. A striker is mounted for sliding movement along the inlet pipe, and a distributing mechanism responsive to pressure fluid supplied through the drill string and inlet pipe causes the striker to reciprocate in the rearwardly opening recess of the head to deliver forward impacts against the bursting head. The striker and distributing mechanism are mounted in a tubular housing, and a pulling connection is provided by which the impactor can be pulled by the drill string while the striker is delivering impacts against the head in the same direction as a pulling force exerted by the drill string.

Abstract: There is provided a semisubmersible floating platform for use in marine environments. The platform comprises a truss telescopingly mounted to the platform and movable between upper and lower positions with respect to the platform. At least one riser buoyancy member is telescopingly mounted to the platform and movable between upper and lower positions with respect to the platform. For each riser buoyancy member, at least one guide is attached to the truss and adjacent the buoyancy member for guiding and laterally restraining the buoyancy member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deployment of mooring systems for buoyant marine structures such as mobile offshore drilling units (MODU's) and for connecting the same to the mooring lines thereof. An anchor handling vessel carries one or more anchors each having a deployment connection and a mooring connection and individually moves each anchor over its stern roller and deploys it to the sea bottom for installation. A handling line is disconnected by ROV from the deployment connection and is moved from the deployment connection to the mooring connection so as to become the main mooring line. Syntactic buoys are then mounted on the main mooring line for elevating it above the sea bottom for recovery. When MODU stationing is desired the anchor handling vessel then recovers the surface buoy and connects to the rig mooring line using a short section of mooring chain. A J-chaser stopper device is then installed in the mooring string and is connected to the mooring line of the MODU by a short section of chain.

Abstract: A monitoring device (14) for a continuous flight auger is connected between a continuous flight auger (11) and a drive mechanism (12) and rotates with the auger. A strain measurement arrangement provides strain signals for use in deriving the rotational torque and axial force of the auger. The axial strain and rotational torque information are used to build up a model of the ground. In particular, the shear strength of the soil can be determined which enables the maximum pile capacity to be calculated without a detailed site investigation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a revegetation and greening system that is used to control erosion and to decorate infertile environments or steep structures. This system comprises one or many revegetation devices. Each device holds self-sufficient materials for growing plant with minimal need for frequent watering or advanced care. A layer of synthetic nets or grids can be placed on the surface of these structures to secure these devices. This system creates a stable and suitable environment for the growth of many plants in various conditions. Furthermore, by using many layers of this system simultaneously, it can provide erosion control and structure decoration in a very short time.

Abstract: An improved vacuum system comprising subsystems for exterior maintenance, interior maintenance, and mail delivery/retrieval. The system includes at least one substantially hollow conduit having first and second open ends, and an air-moving unit. The air-moving unit includes a housing having a first aperture therethrough for receipt of the first open ends of the at least one conduit(s), a second aperture therethrough, a motor capable of moving a fluid in a first direction between the first aperture and the second aperture. The first open end(s) of the at least one conduit(s) is (are) in fluidic communication with the first aperture such that the fluid moved in the first direction by the motor also moves in the first direction through the at least one conduit. The motor is able to operate as a vacuum or blower, and conduits are located inside and/or outside to permit for interior and exterior maintenance, and for mail delivery/retrieval.

Abstract: A method for passing a material through a rotary air lock feeder. The method of the present invention includes the step of receiving a bale of material into a hopper of the rotary air lock feeder such that a length of the bale is substantially parallel to an axis of a rotor within the hopper. The material is pulled into portions in substantially a uniform manner relative the length of the bale. Each portion of material passes through the hopper so that each portion maintains a substantially uniform density along its length. Each portion of material is received into a cylinder of the rotary air lock feeder wherein the bale of material is processed through the rotary air lock feeder in a consistent manner and the rotary air lock feeder discharges the material in substantially a uniform manner.

Abstract: A simple but effective concept of using nylon, polypropylene or other flexible filament 2 as brush to create ring seals for pneumatic transfer carriers, thus affecting a virtually air tight seal 6 as well as superior durability due to the low coefficient of friction between the plastic brush filament and the conduit 7 through which it passes.

Abstract: A face hobbing cutter including a cutter body having a top surface and a bottom surface and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A plurality of slots are formed within the cutter body extending from the top surface inward into the cutter body. The slots are adapted to receive cutting blades wherein each cutting blade is fixed in position in the respective slot by a wedge clamping assembly. The wedge clamping assembly includes a wedge block and a wedge screw for operatively securing the wedge block within the respective slot. The wedge block includes an outwardly facing locking surface for engaging a side of the cutting blade. The face hobbing cutter further includes an adjustable stop. The adjustable stop is in communication with the slot to support the cutting blade at the desired height from the top surface of the face hobbing cutter.

Abstract: A system for boring a workpiece. The system has a spindle assembly for holding and rotating an elongate tool around a first axis to effect boring of a workpiece. The spindle assembly has a spindle that is movable from a retracted position along a first axis to an extended position through an operating range. The spindle assembly further has a guide assembly relative to which the spindle is guidingly rotatable. The system further includes a chip box having a housing defining a collection space and having first and second walls spaced axially relative to the first axis. The guide assembly and chip box are relatively movable along the first axis between first and second different relative positions, with the guide assembly and chip box being closer with respect to each other in the second relative position than in the first relative position. The guide assembly guides rotating movement of the spindle relative to the chip box with the guide assembly and chip box in the second relative position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises, in the process of forming a through-hole or blind-hole at desired positions of the substrate material, a step of setting a drilling target position for each hole and a plurality of auxiliary drilling positions at a periphery of the drilling target position, and a step a plurality of of drilling at the drilling target position and the plurality of auxiliary drilling positions. Also, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it comprises a step of a plurality of drilling only at the auxiliary drilling positions per one hole at the desired position. According to the present invention, through-holes or blind-holes having several sizes of diameters can be formed by using one drilling jig under single drilling condition. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently produce circuit boards at low costs.

Abstract: A tapping tool for repairing damaged threads on PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings (e.g. T-connectors, elbows, etc.) includes an elongate shaft with a handle member fixed to a proximal end and a head fixed to an opposite distal end. A threaded tap formed of hardened steel is positioned and disposed on the head for forced, threaded engagement with the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting. Manual rotation of the handle serves to advance and withdraw the head along the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting as the tap cuts and reshapes damaged threads, thereby restoring the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting to a uniform, functional condition.

Abstract: Design improvements and production jig tools make robust slatted three platform Futon Bed that converts from Bed (2) to Chair (1) or couch. Drill jigs locate holes in each panel. Other jigs form the platform matrixes. Jigs cooperate and assure production with a DRILL GUIDE. The platforms are glued. Improved glue prevents side force from deforming platforms. Design and jigs support fabrication in developing nations. Bed (2) disassembles into four smaller transportable components (3,4,5,6) by the removal of pins. Upper_Foot (13), Upper_Side (12) and Bottom (14) form a storage compartment and reinforce Upper_Pedestal (5) structure. Latch (17) cooperates with Upper_Foot (13) to latch the Chair (1) configuration and prohibit the Chair (1) from decomposing. Additionally, Latch_Catch (36) in Upper_Foot (13) serves as a clearance slot for hinges in the Bed (2) configuration. Platforms are fully symmetrical. In the event of damage to a hinge location, platform hinge reversal restores the convertible bed.

Abstract: A cordless router motor unit has a metal barrel and a plastic battery housing. A DC motor is housed inside of the barrel and drives an output shaft and up to a ½″ collet chuck. The battery housing holds a power switch and is fastened to the barrel. A battery is releasably attached to the battery housing through a sliding engagement in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the motor unit. When the battery is in its locked position relative to the battery housing, the center of gravity of the battery is balanced over the output shaft. The power switch is positioned radially from the DC motor and below the battery so that the router motor unit has a low center of gravity. The battery provides at least 18V and the maximum power output of the DC motor is at least ⅝ hp. The barrel can be sized to engage with a router base which also engages with a corded router motor unit.

Abstract: A combined rotary hand tool and accessory attachment includes a rotary hand tool having an output shaft and a nose end associated with the shaft. An accessory attachment has a mounting portion configured for releasable attachment to the nose end and an engagement formation provided to the nose end and the mounting portion and configured so that the mounting portion is securable upon the nose end upon an approximate ¼ relative rotation.

Abstract: A holding system for using in the transportation of containers having a circular or polygonal base on a cargo surface of a carrier vehicle or pallet, comprising a plurality of “L” shaped holding devices linked to the cargo surface of the carrier vehicle or pallet and to the base of the container and separated at an angle of 360°/n from each other around the base of the container, wherein “n” is the number of holding devices.

Abstract: A freight loading system for an aircraft includes roller drive units for transporting freight load units such as containers or pallets or the like, latching units for latching the freight load units, and control units for operating the drive units and/or the latching units. At least one of the roller drive units and the latching units is embodied as a pneumatically operated component including a pneumatic actuator. Pressurized air is supplied to the pneumatic components through a pressurized air line system. A pneumatic controller provides pneumatic control signals through pneumatic lines to the pneumatic components to achieve a purely pneumatic system, or an electric controller provides electric control signals over electric conductors to control valves for the pneumatic components to achieve a hybrid electro-pneumatic system. The sparking, overloading, and fire hazard problems of fully electric systems are avoided, and the weight, cost, and maintenance are reduced.

Abstract: A fastening device for a wheel is disclosed. A hub nut which has been fastened to a hub bolt cannot be loosened owing to a decoupling prevention unit of the hub nut and a rotation prevention protuberance of the hub bolt, as long as an assembling tool is not used. Consequently, the fastening device improves the steering stability of an automobile and prevents separation of the wheels from the axles while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: An isolated mechanical fastening system, which includes an exterior first section having a first transverse bore. The system also includes an exterior second section having a second transverse bore, wherein said second transverse bore is aligned with said first transverse bore. There is also an interior third section having a third transverse aperture. This third section is interposed between said first section and said second section and said third transverse bore is aligned with said first and second transverse bores. A fastener is positioned in the first, second and third transverse bore and is fixed to the first section. A polymeric material is positioned in the third section between the fastener and the peripheral wall of the third section.

Abstract: The invention concerns an outer hexagon round screw and a method for production of the screw. The screw cap is formed here essentially in the kind of a Torx head, with an outer hexagon round contour (5) and a flange (4) having a slope (4.1) reaching in the direction of the outer hexagon round contour (5) under an angle (alpha) thereby assuring a force engagement with a tool. The slope (4.1) of the flange (4) follows immediately to the outer hexagon round contour (5) such that the overall height (k) of the head (3) is substantially decreased, wherein at the same time the height (t1) of the outer hexagon round contour (5) assures a reliable force engagement. The production of the flange (4) and of the outer hexagon round contour (5) is performed either by scraping with a scraping tool or by head flattening or upset compressing or compression molding, wherein additionally a socket is formed in the head region. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A security seal assembly is designed to provide detection of tampering with or the removal of a wheel lug nut, particularly on a truck tire. The Security Seal is designed as an indicative seal rather than theft seal. When the seal is fitted onto the wheel lug nut, it prohibits access to the nut unless the cover is broken.

Abstract: The tree fastener includes split wing fasteners which engage a passageway in a clip base, including flashgates in the passageway which were formed in the molding process initially joining the tree fastener and the clip base prior to driving to the pre-driven position, and further engage a structural aperture in the driven position. The tree fastener further includes a flexible tab which is joined to the tree fastener near the tip of the tree fastener and which extends upwardly within a slot in the shank of the tree fastener and extends through the head of the tree fastener. The flexible tab includes two generally radially outwardly extending interference bumps which engage one of the flashgates in the pre-driven position. The flexible tab can be manually moved radially inwardly so that the interference bumps release the flashgate so that the tree fastener can be urged to the fully driven position.

Abstract: In a method for at least partially cycle-dependent manufacturing of bound printed products by adhesive binding printed sheets in a spine area of an book block or by stitching with staples folded edges of printed sheets collected astraddle, a sequentially double-sided digitally printed paper web or individual sheets are transversely cut to from the printed sheets. The printed sheets are then transversely folded and subsequently supplied either to an adhesive binding station or to a saddle-shaped conveying support for stitching with staples.

Abstract: The semiconductor material handling system is an EFEM that may either mount to the front end of a processing tool or be integrated into the processing tool. The EFEM is built from a unified frame that the EFEM components, such as a wafer engine and a SMIF pod advance plate, may mount to. The frame serves as a common mounting structure that the EFEM components may use as a reference for alignment purposes. Since the EFEM components do not have to align with respect to the position of each other, the calibration, if any is required, is greatly simplified. The EFEM also has a reduced footprint, allowing the EFEM to mount to the front end of a processing tool and not extend to the fab floor. Thus, space is freed up between the EFEM and the fab floor. By way of example only, this space may be used as a maintenance access area to the processing tool without having to first remove the EFEM.

Abstract: In a conventional load handling system which has a load storage device and a load handling device and moves a load between these devices, when the load is not resistant to dust and the like, the entire system including the load storage device needs be provided inside a clean room, resulting in high installation costs and high operating costs of the system. Thus, the system cannot be readily adopted. In contrast, a load take in/out sections each for the load storage device and the load handling device are provided to face the clean room defined by partition walls, and a load is transferred between these devices inside the clean room. Thus, although the load storage device and the load handling device can be placed in a non-clean room (an atmospheric air chamber, etc.), a load can be moved between the load storage device and the load handling device in a sufficiently clean atmosphere by using the clean room.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dust generated by the rotary dumping or rail cars may include one or more flexible baffles are provided to the back-side of a rotary dump frame to seal a portion of the material receiving pit during a portion of the rotary motion. The dust cloud generated by this dumping is retained in the pit for an increased time due to tumbling of the cloud induced by the baffles and other features of the facility. A plurality of intake ducts removes the dust cloud from the pit for transfer to a remote filtering facility.