Abstract: A glove for protecting an individual's hand is provided. The glove includes a palm covering shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of at least a portion of the palmar side of the individual's hand, and a back covering shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of at least a portion of the dorsal side of the individual's hand. The back covering is secured to the palm covering so as to form a hand receiving opening, a thumb stall, and a plurality of finger stalls. The glove further includes a palm padding secured to selected areas of the palm covering so as to provide cushioning for the palmar side of the individual's hand, and a slip resistant material provided on selected areas of the palm covering to facilitate the gripping of an object by the individual's hand.

Abstract: A separate section is introduced between the sleeve and the body of any garment such as a jacket, parka, wind shirt, or shirt of any type to isolate, to a considerable extent, the motion of the sleeve from the main body of the garment. This isolation of movement is accomplished by shaping the edges of the separate section and the adjoining edges of the garment body and the sleeve in such a way that excess fabric is available between the sleeve and the body of the garment regardless of which direction the arm is moved. In particular, excess fabric is available to accommodate the volume of the shoulder joint when it moves upward from a rest position as the arm is raised. The result is that the wearer can move the arm over a very wide range of motion with much less movement of the main body of the garment and much less movement of the sleeve cuff up and down the arm than with other methods of sleeve attachment.

Abstract: An examination garment to be worn by a patient during a physical examination includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel having an opening for examination of a patient's spine, and fasteners for removably connecting various points of the front and rear panels. The lower garment includes a front panel with a movable front center panel and leg members, a rear panel with a movable rear center panel, leg fasteners for removably connecting the leg members, and panel fasteners for removably connecting rear panel and rear center panel.

Abstract: A pair of athletic shorts with removable contoured pads is presented. The elastic shorts have thigh, hip and tailbone pockets permanently affixed to the main shell of the shorts. Each of the pockets has upper flaps, which are fastened to the lower portion of the pocket by VELCRO™ fasteners. The pad itself is a semi-flexible cushioned type pad having a serrated configuration such that only portions of the pad actually come in contact with the athlete's body. These pads have peaks and valleys such that they are fully compressed only during a fall or a collision, remaining only in partial contact with the athlete's body at other times. The pads may be removed, washed, and replaced easily because they are not permanently sewn or attached to the main shell of the athletic shorts.

Abstract: A device for extraction and rotation of a visor for helmets comprising a cap, a recess or hole made in the cap, in which there may be positioned, so that it is perfectly set in, a visor, and means for expelling of the visor. The means for expelling the visor comprise an extractor ensemble designed to enable the application of a force of thrust on the visor directed towards the outside of the helmet, and two inclined guiding elements, which are set at the side ends of the hole and are designed to engage slidably two slide means connected to the visor for enabling translation of the slide means from a first position, in which the visor is set in inside the recess or hole, to a second position, in which the visor is extracted from the hole provided in the cap and is ready to be rotated, and vice versa (FIG.

Abstract: An above-ground pool (1) having a protruding edge (3) and which can be covered with a cover (6): the folded cover, possibly enclosed in a bag (7) is anchored to a first location (P1); next, it is unfolded and drawn over the pool successively on either side thereof and it is successively anchored at two points (P2, P3) such that a line joining these two points is located at arm's length from a fourth point (P4) on the opposite side from the first point (P1); finally, it is drawn from the point (P4) where the lacing means (12) passing peripherally under the edge (3) are tied.

Abstract: A patient support comprising a primary barrier that defines an effective blocking area, and a rigid auxiliary barrier that cooperates with the primary barrier to increase the length and height of the effective blocking area.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A head support apparatus (10) when positioning a person in a prone position comprises a base (199) slidable under a support surface. The base (11) has a central supporting post (12) supporting a frame (16) carrying a head support tray (18). A pressure reducing ring (23) is mounted on the head support tray (18) by straps (24). Contact points along the surface of the pressure reducing ring (23) are protected by a fitted pads (25) designed to improve comfort levels for the user. The pressure reducing ring (23) is clear and comprises a multi-channel air bladder to allow alternating inflating and deflation of the individual chambers to provide pressure relief. The visual and physical access to the users head and facial area is maintained at all times. The structure is self stabilising and can be used with most bed frames, or independently.

Abstract: Excellent water repellency and Oil repellency are imparted to a textile by a method including

Abstract: Provided are compounds and methods for modifying a material to change properties of the material, as well as a variety of products obtained using the methods. In one embodiment, a material comprising one or more modifiable functional groups is reacted with an activated hydrophobic acyl group in the presence of a hindered base, thereby to covalently attach the hydrophobic acyl group to the modifiable functional groups on the material. The material which is modified may be, for example, a carbohydrate, and the modifiable functional groups on the material may be hydroxyls. For example, materials such as cellulose may be modified by reacting it with a acid chloride or acid anhydride including a hydrophobic acyl group, in the presence of a hindered base, such as tripentylamine, to attach the hydrophobic acyl groups to the hydroxyls on the cellulose, thereby to increase the hydrophobicity of the cellulose.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a control system which regulates a heater based on selected cycle operations and selected cycle operations based on heater related parameters. User cycle selections, along with sensed operating parameters including the level and temperature of a washing medium, are used to control the activation state of the heater to control the washing medium to within a preset range of a target temperature. Preferably, the heater is de-activated after a predetermined period of activation has been reached, whenever a door of the washing machine is opened, and during certain selected operating cycle portions, including a bleach fill and latter time cycle portions.

Abstract: A method for permanently dyeing hair which comprises subjecting said hair to a number of treatments, having a set time interval between each two consecutive such treatments, wherein each treatment comprises steps a.) and b.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sculptured pile fabric having both a printed pattern and a sculpted surface of various pile, heights. The fabric of the present invention has improved aesthetic qualities as compared with sculptured products of the prior art. This improved sculptured fabric is the result of a chemical sculpting method, in which the height of the pile surface is selectively reduced in a pattern configuration, and that is followed by an overall “dilute” dyeing process. This “dilute” dyeing process is similar to that used to “tea stain” textile products, wherein an overall hue is imparted to a textile by the use of a relatively dilute (low concentration) dyestuff. The resulting sculptured product has an appearance that emphasizes the sculptured areas, making the sculptured areas appear to have greater depth, especially when viewed at a distance.

Abstract: A set of steps where each step is hinged to left and right stringers is disclosed. To convert the steps to a ramp, the bottom step is lifted, inverted, and laid down so that the underside of the tread of the step is exposed. Each step is lifted and laid down in the manner described above so that a ramp is formed. The top step has an additional board hinged to the underside of the tread. When the top step is inverted and laid down, the additional board is opened and laid down. The additional board acts as an extension so that the ramp reaches the floor or elevated surface to which the steps are attached. The top free edge of the additional board and the forwardmost free edge of the lower step are chamfered to provide smooth transitions from the ground to the ramp and from the ramp the elevated surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic machine for cleaning and brushing shoes and, in particular, ski boots, after ski boots, boots, etc., which specifically cleans the soles of the shoes too, removing any snow, mud, dirt, sand and the like with specific means, such as brushes and jets of (warm or cold) air and jets of a disinfectant liquid, the dirt, etc. being collected inside a specific container, and which machine may also sanitize the shoes and, in particular, the soles of the shoes.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface of the floor being cleaned. An actuating member movably connected to the main body. A latch member rotatably connected to the main body. An engaging member attached to the brush assembly. The engaging member being releasably connected to the latch member such that pushing the actuating member rotates the latch member to disengage from the engaging member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to a rotatable coupling apparatus that can transfer a rotational force from a driving shaft to a driven shaft. The connecting apparatus includes two yokes, a universal joint cross, and two internal restricted swing mechanisms. A restriction of any swinging action of the driven shaft is provided by the internal swing mechanisms that are sized and shaped such that each approximates the internal surface and volume of the yokes. The invention also includes an apparatus and method for a coupling apparatus for use primarily in a vehicle wash apparatus.

Abstract: A car waxing machine with a driving handle comprises a car waxing machine and two pivotal handles. Each pivotal handle is a rod shape arm. The arm has a bent structure. Thereby, a rear section of the pivotal handle has a pivotal end and a front end thereof has an arm. By the arms of the two pivotal handles to be pivotally connected to two sides at the rear end of the car waxing machine, a structure with two arms at two sides which is rotatable for adjust the orientations of the arm is formed. Thereby, the arms are adjustable to horizontally extend to the two sides of the car waxing machine. Therefore, the user may adjust the arms to match the habits of using a car waxing machine and further forces can be uniformly applied to the machine.

Abstract: A bath brush has a handle of an appropriate length. The handle is provided at one end with a grip portion, and at other end with a fastening portion which has a predetermined shape and an area greater than the area of the grip portion. The fastening portion provides a full support to a bath ball which is fastened to the fastening portion. The bath ball is thus capable of a firm contact with the body skin to result in an enhancement of the cleaning effect of the bath ball.

Abstract: A gutter cleaning tool with a curved blade and a shovel blade is disclosed. The curved blade is used to collect debris in the gutter, and the shovel blade is used to push debris under a gutter strut. The present invention also includes a handle attachment means, for attachment to standard handles, including telescoping poles.

Abstract: A recovery tank is provided for a floor cleaning unit. The recovery tank comprises an inlet opening and a duct fluidly connected to the inlet. The duct extends horizontally within the tank adjacent a side wall the recovery tank for directing air and liquid from the inlet opening in two opposing directions. A lid covers the tank and has an outlet opening for directing air out of the recovery tank. A pair of shields depends downwardly from the lid and extends from the duct to the side wall of the recovery tank. The outlet opening of the lid is located between the shields such that the shields prevent liquid from coming out of the duct and entering the outlet opening of the lid.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a cleaner main body 16, and a suction unit 24 which is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the cleaner main body 16 and includes a suction port 23 and a rotary brush 25. The cleaner main body 16 includes a dust collecting chamber 19, and a fan chamber 18 equipped with an electric fan 17 disposed at the bottom thereof. A handle 21 having a grip portion 20 and a control circuit board 22 are installed above the dust collecting chamber 19. Components such as the handle 21 and the electric fan 17 are installed at the rear of the cleaner main body 16. With this configuration, the vacuum cleaner is prevented from falling down when it is set upright. Further, the safety in use of the vacuum cleaner will be improved. Also, the user is able to easily use the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, it is possible to finish assembling the component parts only at the rear of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly driven by a brush motor for agitating the surface. The brush assembly includes a lifting mechanism for moving the brush assembly from a first position wherein the brush is off the surface to a second position wherein the brush assembly is on the surface. A switching assembly is responsive to the brush lifting mechanism to energize the brush motor when the brush assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming said surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning unit is provided. The floor cleaning unit comprises a base for movement along the surface. A nozzle assembly is removably attached to the base for pick up and removal of liquid and dirt. Such attachment is accomplished by providing the nozzle assembly with a slide latch that slidably engages a channel formed in the base.

Abstract: A caster device is disclosed for movably supporting a load. The caster device includes a wheel for supporting the load and a wheel support having a first and a second extremity. The first extremity of the wheel support supports the wheel for rotation of the wheel about an axis of rotation. The second extremity of the wheel support defines an aperture and the wheel support has a first surface and a second surface. A support stem has a first and a second end, the support stem extending through the aperture such that the aperture is disposed between the first and the second end of the support stem. The second end of the support stem is connected to the load for supporting the load. Also, a leaf spring is disposed between the aperture and the second end of the support stem such that the leaf spring resiliently contacts the load and cushions the load relative to the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a doorstop, in particular for motor vehicles with a door retaining rod (1), arranged parallel to the door pivot, pivoted on a door assembly piece, door, or door column and a retainer piece (2) fixed to the other door assembly piece, whereby said retainer piece (2) and the door retaining rod (1) which passes therethrough are movably connected to each other by means of a stop device which determines particular door opening positions. The stop device comprises brake- and/or stop bodies (3), which are movably supported in the retainer piece against a spring force relative to the door retainer rod (1) and are thus pre-tensioned against brake ramps (4) and catch depressions (5) on at least one side of the door retainer rod (1), arranged perpendicular to the direction of movement.

Abstract: A tubular spring hinge assembly includes a connecting tube for connecting two tubes, and two separation tubes mounted between the connecting tube and each of the two tubes. Each of the two separation tubes is made of a wear-resistant plastic, thereby eliminating noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.

Abstract: A locking hinge system for allowing an individual to selectively lock a door within a desired open or closed position. The locking hinge system includes a first leaf having a plurality of first extensions and first apertures, a second leaf having a plurality of second extensions and second apertures, a tubular pin pivotally attaching the leafs together, and a locking pin for locking the leafs in a desired open or closed position. The locking pin is preferably stored within the lumen of the tubular pin and then removed for insertion into the apertures within the extensions for locking the leafs into the desired position. The first leaf may be attached to a door and the second leaf may be attached to a doorjamb or vice versa. In an alternative embodiment, a locking mechanism that is accessible from outside of the door is utilized to manipulate the locking pin within the apertures of the extensions.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle attachable to a tool having an elongated handle is disclosed. The auxiliary handle has a shaft with a gripping yoke at one end for manual gripping. At the opposite end of the shaft a contact surface is positioned which interfaces with the tool handle in abutting relationship. A clamp is positioned facing the contact surface for clamping the contact surface against the tool handle. The contact surface is angularly disposed so as to permit the auxiliary handle to be angularly oriented with respect to the tool handle. The contact surface is divided into two contact faces which engage the tool handle in spaced relation to each other. The clamp has a clamping piece with a contact region also divided into spaced apart contact surfaces for engaging the tool handle. The clamping piece is bolted to the shaft. A cross bolt and clips hold the attachment bolts to the sides of the shaft.

Abstract: A deformable grip for a writing implement, and related production method, are provided wherein the grip resiliently conforms to individualized anatomical contours and preferences, thereby providing enhanced user comfort with reduced fatigue. The deformable grip includes a resilient outer sleeve mounted on the writing implement in a position for manual grasping during normal use, as by fingertip grasping, wherein this outer sleeve closes an internal cavity containing a plurality of shape-deformable balls having sufficient resilience to provide the sleeve with a deformable tactile feel during normal use. These resilient balls are sufficiently deformable to accommodate injection into the cavity through a hollow needle passed through a small puncture port formed in the sleeve, followed by return to a normal size and shape sufficiently large to prevent backflow leakage through the puncture port to the sleeve exterior.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hat clip having a first generally horizontal member, a second generally horizontal member spaced apart and generally parallel to the first horizontal member for grasping a brim of a hat placed between the first and second horizontal members, a generally vertical member having a top end and a bottom end for positioning the first and second horizontal members, wherein the top end is in contact with the first horizontal member and the bottom end is in contact with the second horizontal member; and an ornament attached to the first horizontal member for decorating the hat.

Abstract: A reusable bi-directional, fluid-tight, vertical sealing device for closing, sealing, and permitting re-opening of, flexible bags, with two sealing strips arranged to be interlocked and uninterlocked by a slider which has internal means such as rails acting upon the sealing strips so as to move them into a vertically interlocked fluid-tight sealing contact capable of holding a vacuum without leakage and of resisting pressure differences in either direction across the seal, so that the efficacy of the seal is improved by increases in the pressure differential. The word “fluid” is used in its usual meaning of liquid or gas or a mixture of both, and, in addition, powder, and “vertical” herein means in the plane of interior contact of the sheets of the bag when empty and hanging vertically.

Abstract: A quick-connect/quick-release wire hanger provided in a variety of configurations for use in a variety of applications. The wire hanger of the invention is formed of a substantially planar center portion having first and second pairs of opposing peripheral edges, such as a square or rectangle. A first pair of wire clips extends from the first pair of opposing peripheral edges and are angled upwardly relative to the planar center portion, each of the pair of wire clips includes a hook portion. A second pair of wire clips extends from the second pair of opposing peripheral edges and are angled downwardly relative to the planar center portion, each of the second pair of wire clips also includes a hook portion.

Abstract: The invention is a mating film. The mating film comprises a base sheet having a first major surface. A plurality of generally parallel ridges project from the first major surface. The ridges comprise a stem portion attached to the base sheet and generally upright from the base sheet. A head portion of each ridge is spaced from the first major surface and extends generally laterally from the stem portion so as to define a lateral distance. The center of each stem portion of each ridge is spaced from the center of each adjacent ridge stem portion by a distance greater than about 2 times lateral distance defined by the head portion.

Abstract: A method of constructing a swivel hook. The method comprises the steps of: forming a hook body by way of a stamping process; forming a swivel connector by means of a forging process; placing a first washer having a rectangular shaped right angled bore over a rectangular stem on the hook body; inserting the rectangular stem of the hook body through a circular bore in a first end of the swivel connector; placing a second washer having a generally rectangular shaped right angled bore over the rectangular stem of the hook body and into abutment with the swivel connector such that the end of the stem extends through the second washer; and, thereafter, peening the tip of the rectangular stem extending through the second washer to secure the second washer in place over the rectangular stem.

Abstract: A piezo-electric printhead is formed from a first piezo-electric actuator disposed parallel to a second piezo-electric actuator. The first and second piezo-electric actuators have a shared inner electrode disposed between them, a first control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the first piezo-electric actuator and a second control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the second piezo-electric actuator. The actuators are formed from a block having a piezo-electric layer disposed on a ceramic base, in which the piezo-electric layer has two parallel, distinct electrode patterns embedded therein in the form of a metal paste.

Abstract: Transducer elements having a 2-2 or 1-3 composite structure and driven in a k31 transverse mode for small-feature size transducer arrays, which provide improved electrical impedance matching to an ultrasonic imaging system and improved acoustic matching to the human body. The transducer element includes a plurality of thin piezoceramic wafers which are electroded on opposing major surfaces. The spaced wafers are separated by a passive polymer layer in a composite structure. Methods of producing the transducer elements are also described.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method of manufacturing a ferroelectric capacitor using a ferroelectric thin film, includes steps of: forming a lower conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate; coating solution of ferroelectric coking including organic solvent and organometallic complex on the lower conductive layer; performing a heating process for coated solution at temperature, to decompose said organometallic complex in solution of ferroelectric coking, or more and ferroelectric crystallization temperature or below to form said metal compound thin film; forming an upper conductive layer on said metal compound thin film; and performing a heating process for said metal compound thin film at ferroelectric crystallization temperature or more to form said ferroelectric thin film.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved impeller puller where a first jaw is arranged proximate a first end of an elongate support frame and a second jaw, is movably mounted along the support frame spaced from the first jaw, with both jaws extending radially outwardly from the support frame in general alignment with each other, and an extraction screw member is slidably mounted along the support member so as to be variably extended in general radial alignment with the first and second jaw members, the extraction screw member being arranged to engage a shaft so as to extract the impeller from its mounting shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel includes rims being supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the type and/or size of the rim and the location and alignment of an aperture for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp either the valve stem or the rim, move the valve stem or the rim to a mounting station, position the valve stem or the rim with respect to the other such that the aperture in the rim is in coaxial alignment with the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem.

Abstract: In the present invention, at least one tubular blank and at least one article such as a metal stamping, to be attached to a hydroformed part, are loaded into a die. The tube is hydroformed using typical methods. The article is positioned in the die such that, when the tube is hydroformed, the final hydroformed tube contacts the article at least at a point. Attachment means, such as a laser welder, are provided with access to the contact point between the article and the hydroformed tube so that a tack weld or other attachment can be made between the article and the hydroformed tube while still in the closed die. The hydroformed tube and attached article are then removed as a joint assembly from the die.

Abstract: A panel-securing system for various vehicle types is provided, in which various clamps and fingers for different panel shapes may be selected for operation by a single cylinder, the amount of space utilized to install the system is minimized, and parts used in the system are simplified. The panel-securing system for use in a production line for various vehicle types comprises a controller having stored therein panel information for various vehicle types, the controller generating and outputting a locator-selection control signal and a panel-securing control signal corresponding to panel information of the correct vehicle type; a first actuator for selecting a locator corresponding to the locator-selection control signal output by the controller; a second actuator for driving a locator corresponding to the panel-securing control signal output by the controller; and a panel-securing assembly including a plurality of locators, which correspond to panels of the various vehicle types.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for manufacturing a wrought triple-glazed stained-glass panel, in which are combining the single-glazed stained-glass panel techniques with the wrought-iron techniques for obtaining a final product with combined decorative and resistance features provided by the single-glazed stained-glass panel and the wrought-iron frames respectively.

Abstract: A cartridge positioning and holding mechanism has a fixed guide for positioning a single-open-ended cartridge when the single-open-ended cartridge is inserted in an axial direction thereof with a cap positioned ahead, and a movable chuck openable and closable for forming and holding the single-open-ended cartridge after a film coil is inserted into the single-open-ended cartridge in an axial direction of the spool of the film coil. The film coil can be inserted into the single-open-ended cartridge highly accurately and efficiently with a simple and small arrangement.

Abstract: A positioning device and method for moving a positioning stage is provided. The device includes a movable stage, at least one actuator, and the same number of sensors as there are actuators. Each actuator is placed such that it applies a force along a line parallel to the line of movement of the positioning stage. Each actuator can be operated to generate an input force for moving the movable stage. A sensor is placed along the force line of each included actuator. Each sensor detects movement of the positioning stage. A first force is applied to a first location on the positioning stage. A second force is applied to a second location on the positioning stage. Application of the first and the second forces moves the positioning stage. The first location and the second location are symmetrically located about an axis of the positioning stage.

Abstract: A method of fastening two or more components together by rivets. Drivers (12) drive the rivets through the components and against dollies (6) and/or clinch them. The object is a method that can be carried out with lighter-weight devices and at higher speeds. The components that are to be fastened together rest on a device that the dollies are part of. The device (3) is provided with means of positioning, securing, and guiding the components. The individual dollies (6) are positioned below the riveting points.

Abstract: A method of accurately and consistently machining opposite sides of a plastic soft foam block to form a core of an automotive seat includes the step of routing a contour recessed into one side of the block, filling a cavity formed during the routing with a granular material, preferably material generated by the routing process, retaining the material with a covering as the block is inverted, and routing a second contour into the opposite side.

Abstract: A workpiece table assembly is configured to hold a plurality of workpieces (e.g. conductive strands) so that the workpieces can be modified (e.g. bent). In one embodiment, the workpiece table assembly advantageously comprises a table, a saddle, a lift mechanism, and a die. The saddle is advantageously recessed below the table and raised or lowered by the lift mechanism. The table advantageously has a top surface with holes adapted to accept quick-release pins from a step-off board. The step-off board also has notches to accept and position the strands for die pressing. In one exemplary operation, the step-off board is used to stagger the strands over the down-positioned saddle. The saddle is then raised by the lift mechanism and the die placed within the saddle on top of the strands. A force is applied to the die to bend the strands.