Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable back pack vacuum consisting of a housing 12 containing vacuum components. Shoulder straps 22 and a waist belt 16 with buckle 17 are provided for easy maneuvering of the device. A hose storage compartment 28 allows the user to stow the vacuum hose 30 while not in use. The waist belt provides multiple elastic pockets 18 for easy storage and accessibility to items and attachments 20 for the device. A handle 24 is located at the top of the device for easy lifting assistance.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a surface cleaning head defining an inlet. A container for collecting dirt and dust and a primary passageway connecting the inlet in the cleaning head to the container. Suction means for drawing dirt and dust in through the inlet in the cleaning head along the primary passageway and into the container. One or more secondary inlets are provided on a surface of the vacuum cleaner remote from the inlet in the cleaning head, in order to drawn in airborne dirt and dust.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine has one or more barriers immediately behind one or more scrubbing brushes, wherein the barriers capture and control flow of a cleaning solution (and/or other substances) that exits from beneath the scrubbing brush(es) so that such a solution is retained adjacent the scrub brush(es) and recycled underneath the scrub brush(es) for enhancing the floor cleaning effectiveness of the floor cleaning machine. The captured solution is urged back into contact with the scrubbing brush(es) by the same rotating action that urged the solution to be ejected from the scrubbing brush(es). The machine also includes at least one splash guard and a squeegee mounted at the rear of the machine, with each of these latter components serving distinctly different functions from that of the barriers. The machine may also include an exterior top storage area for retaining various items that are useful in cleaning the floor.

Abstract: A failsafe valve assembly for use in clean-in-place systems that arranges multiple product blocking valves with one bleed valve. The failsafe valve assembly having a junction providing fluid communication between the primary isolation valve, the one bleed valve and the multiple product valves. The failsafe valve assembly further providing continuous flow cleaning capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protecting a motor in a vacuum cleaner. The device for protecting the motor in the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises a lower casing 170 for forming a lower portion of a main body of the cleaner; a motor housing 160 which is installed in the lower casing and includes the driving motor 150 therein and of which an upper portion is opened upwardly; a filtering means installed onto the lower casing for filtering out foreign materials from introduced air; and an intermediate cover integrally formed with a first cover portion 122 positioned onto an upper portion of the filtering means and a second cover portion 124 for covering the upper portion of the motor housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved structure of hydraulic door closer for easier operation and effectively eliminate oil leakage that allows fast adjustment of the of the spring load to the status of expected door closing speed by having provided on one connecting rod in a linkage base a pressure regulation mechanism for varying spring load, and having a rotation rod used to drive the spring in said mechanism to forthwith expose outside a flange of a hydraulic cylinder so to facilitate spring load regulation directly by turning of the rotation rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spacing a door from an associated doorjamb are disclosed. The apparatus includes a spacer for limiting closing of the door such that an outer edge of the door is spaced apart from an associated doorjamb. The apparatus also includes a device cooperating with an opening in the doorjamb for securing the spacer to the doorjamb. The device may include a pair of opposing engagement members and a moveable expander for moving the engagement members into contact with an inner surface of the opening of the doorjamb. The expander may include camming surfaces which bear upon the engagement members to expand the engagement members. The method involves actuating an actuator to move the engagement members into contact with an inner surface of the opening of the doorjamb to secure the spacer to the doorjamb to limit closing of the door such that an outer edge of the door is spaced apart from the doorjamb.

Abstract: A plastic ferrule including a centering section having a tubular body. The tubular body is provided with an outer-circumferential centering reference surface and a center axis of the centering reference surface. The centering section includes a resinous outer tube part having the outer-circumferential centering reference surface and provided, along the center axis, with a coated-fiber holding bore for securely accommodating a coated optical fiber and a fixing bore extending from the coated-fiber holding bore, the outer tube part forming a tubular wall with a generally uniform thickness as a whole. The centering section also includes an inner tube part fixed to the fixing bore of the outer tube part and provided along the center axis with an uncoated-fiber holding bore, communicating with the coated-fiber holding bore, for securely accommodating an uncoated optical fiber.

Abstract: A hinge clip apparatus for selectively engaging and disengaging a cover includes a base, a hinge defining a hinge axis, and a spring member. The spring member is pivotally moveable relative to the base along the hinge which connects the base to the spring member. The spring includes a pair of spring arms generally opposing each other and capable of engaging the cover and disengaging from the cover when the spring member is compressed.

Abstract: Personal care products are provided having grips with a sheath/core construction. Methods are provided for manufacturing such grips.

Abstract: A fiber processing system includes a first roll; a feed tray forming a feeding device with the first roll and defining a clamping location therewith for clamping and advancing fiber material; a second roll cooperating with the feeding device for taking over the fiber material therefrom at a transfer location on the second roll; a third roll cooperating with the second roll for taking over the fiber material from the second roll; and an adjusting arrangement for varying a distance between the clamping and transfer locations. The adjusting arrangement includes a pivoting device for arcuately displacing the second roll about the rotary axis of the first or the third roll; and a shifting device for displacing the feeding device toward or away from the third roll.

Abstract: A flat bar is provided for use in a carding machine having a roller with clothing. The flat bar is for arranging opposite the clothing on the roller. The flat bar has a flat bar support body having a recess, a clothing support having a first side, the first side being positioned in the recess, flat bar clothing attached to a second side of the clothing support, the second side being opposite the first side, and at least one fastening element that secures the first side of the clothing support in the recess.

Abstract: A plant that includes two air-lay stations placed one after the other serving for the dry production of a non-woven fiber web. Each station includes a fiber feed duct for feeding fibers to the station from a fiber source, an air-lay forming head connected to the fiber feed duct and at least partly defined by a perforated screen, and a suction box for successively sucking fibers in the forming head through the screen. A separate fiber source is part of each station. The first station furthermore has a fiber collector placed under the screen of its forming head whereas the second station has a forming wire placed under the screen of its forming head. The two stations are connected to at least one conveyor for conveying fibers from the fiber collector of the first station to the forming head of the second station.

Abstract: A bundling tie, disposable restraint, or other such strap fastening device comprising an elongate member having a tail at one end, a head, and a strap body therebetween. The head includes a passage therethrough for receipt of the tail and a system for locking engagement with the strap body. The tail has a hole capable of being shaped to allow an object the size of a human finger cross-section or larger to pass through for the purpose of enhancing grip on the tail such that the fastening devices can be tightly fastened more easily and without regripping. The head and the tail also permit removable holding of the tail in the head prior to locking engagement of the head with the strap body.

Abstract: A clipboard comprising a pair of clamping members arranged substantially parallel one above the other and connected to each other via an intermediate connecting member having a spring loaded hinge connection at each of its elongated ends for securely clamping articles, such as paper sheets, between one of the two clamping members and a board. The lower clamping member is used to hold an existing bundle of paper sheets on the board while disengaging the upper clamping member to add extra paper sheets to said existing bundle of paper sheets. The clamping members are positioned substantially parallel to each other and the lower clamping member extends through a slot formed at the center of a back portion of the first clamping member.

Abstract: A clip for holding a heat sink on an enclosure which surrounds a Pentium IV™ CPU and which has a plurality of holes defined therein. The clip includes a U-shaped resiliently flexible body having a curved bottom and a pair of butt ends. And each of the butt ends has an appendage formed with a barb to be snapped into corresponding one of the holes in the enclosure.

Abstract: The quick fastening device fastens cable lines and absorbs vibration, especially on abutments of automobiles. The device has a retainer ring with a spring, as well as a pendulum tube and cable components. A firm component in the interior of the quick fastening device integrates components of a cable on one side, and an intake slit with a pendulum tube on the other side. The firm component is surrounded by a ductile component on which a sliding ring is arranged. The sliding ring is under a retainer ring. A spring is arranged in the interior of the retainer ring with one side against the ductile component and one the other side against the retainer ring. The retainer ring and the ductile component form a groove into which the abutment fits. The retainer ring is pulled back against the resistance of the spring, enlarging the groove, so that the abutment may fit into the groove.

Abstract: A safety catch using a sliding sleeve to close/open the opening of the hook thereof and a spring to support the sliding sleeve in the close position.

Abstract: A shoelace binder system for alleviating the repetitive process of tying shoelaces. The shoelace binder system includes a main body, an upper member attached to the main body, a button slidably positioned within the main body, a pair of receiver openings extending through the main body and the upper member for receiving a two distal portions of the shoelace, a compression spring between the button and the main body, and a pair of upper side members connected to a pair of lower members forming a pair of side openings for receiving the distal portions of the shoelace. The button has a pair side recesses that slide about a pair of corresponding stoppers thereby selectively engaging a portion of the shoelace there between when the button is released thereby preventing the release of the shoelace from the receiver openings.

Abstract: A structure of a lace buckle is disclosed. The lace buckle comprises a case having a pair of projected blocks at a base., an upper lid, attached to one slide of the case through and attachment part, which can be flipped through 180° to engageably coupling onto the case, wherein two oblique elastic slip lock arms extend vertically from a inner surface from a central region of the upper lid, projecting inwardly into the case. The two elastic slip lock arms will resiliently press against a lace from the top, while the two projected blocks of the case press against the lace from the bottom side, thus the lace is prevented from dislodging from the case, and remain secured in position. Thus the two ends of the lace can be secured in between two elastic slip lock arms of the upper lid and the two projected blocks of the case.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compressing fibrous bodies which are held in place on a perforated support (1, 3) by means of negative pressure. According to the invention, each fibrous body to be compressed is first arranged on a first support (1) which comprises parts with (8) and without (7) perforations within the region covered by the fibrous body. A first compression of the fibrous body is then brought about in those portions thereof which cover the part (7) or parts without perforations of the first support (1).

Abstract: A method of producing a multilayer piezoelectric resonator includes the steps of forming first to third internal electrodes by printing an electrically conductive paste with a certain shape onto a surface of a green sheet formed of piezoelectric ceramic, punching out portions of the green sheet having the first to third internal electrodes formed thereon, so that at least three types of green sheets including first to third green sheets, are punched out with a particular location of its corresponding internal electrode serving as a reference location, in which the first sheet is punched out by shifting a punching location by a first shift amount in a first direction with respect to the reference location, the second sheet is punched out by shifting a punching location by the first shift amount in a direction opposite to the first direction, and the third sheet is punched out at the reference position, forming a layered body by placing the punched out green sheets upon each other in a predetermined order, form

Abstract: An assembly system for automatic installation of a roof module in a vehicle body comprises an adhesive bonding station, in which a cylindrical dose of adhesive is applied to the inside of the roof module, and an assembly robot, whereby the roof module is then inserted into the body delivered on an assembly line. For accurate positioning and fixing of the roof module in the roof opening of the body, the assembly robot is provided with a floatingly mounted assembly tool. On the assembly tool are provided centering tools by which the assembly tool can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the roof module and the body. In addition, fixing hooks are provided on the assembly tool and permit a controlled firm pressing on the roof module into the roof opening of the body.

Abstract: A close-on-disconnect IV line connector pair includes a first connector element that includes normally-closed valve, and a second connector element, wherein the coupling of the first and second connector elements automatically opens the valve, and wherein the disconnecting of the first and second connector elements allows the valve to return to its normally-closed position. Specifically, the first connector element has an inlet end, an outlet end, and an internal valve orifice. The inlet end is configured for attachment to an upstream conduit, while the outlet end is configured for coupling with the second connector element. The valve includes a pair of flexible valve elements that normally close against each other, so that the valve has a normally closed position that prevents fluid flow through the valve orifice. The second connector element has an outlet end configured for attachment to a downstream conduit and an inlet end configured for coupling with the first connector element.

Abstract: Light emitting devices formed in an array on a first substrate are transferred to an insulating material, to form a sheet-shaped device substrate. The sheet-shaped device substrate is cut along an array direction of the light emitting devices into long-sized line-shaped device substrates. The line-shaped device substrates are arrayed on a second substrate such that the line-shaped device substrates are enlargedly spaced from each other. The line-shaped device substrates divided from the second substrate are arrayed on a third substrate such as to be enlargedly spaced from each other.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for mechanically securing material (10), such as, for example, gasket or damping-type material for inhibiting or minimizing transfer of vibration or noise to sheetmetal (12) by punching, cutting, or otherwise creating one or more bendable metal flanges (14,16) in the sheetmetal (12) which project through and are bent or folded over and against the material (10) to thereby secure it in place. The apparatus (20) broadly comprises a punch (24) operable to create the flanges (14,16) by punching through the sheetmetal (12) , and an anvil (28) operable to bend or fold the flanges (14,16). The flanges (14,16) are preferably {fraction (1/10)}-½ inch in length and {fraction (1/10)}-¼ inch in width, and are provided with a curvature to facilitate bending.

Abstract: The bolster assembly jig system is provided that includes a lower support, left and right fixed supports mounted on the lower support, and upper and lower horizontal bars extending between the left and right fixed supports to interconnect the same. Left and right lower fixing templates are mounted on the lower support to support a bolster assembly. Bumper beam fixing templates are formed on the left and right fixing supports to support a front bumper rail. Left and right upper fixing templates are provided above the upper horizontal bar for supporting a radiator support upper center panel. A lower clamping unit is provided on the lower horizontal bar to support the front bumper rail, and an upper clamping unit is mounted on the upper horizontal bar and connected through a template fixing arm to the left and right upper fixing templates to enable operation of the same.

Abstract: A method of forming clad piping or tubing includes the steps of providing a support billet, finished to a desired, predetermined dimension, having a cladding surface, and providing a CRA cladding material billet, similarly finished to a desired, predetermined dimension. The dimension of the CRA cladding material billet is predetermined such that the CRA cladding material fits onto a cladding surface of the support billet establishing an interface gap. Sealing the interface gap, evacuating the interface gap to form an assembly and Hot Iso-statically Pressing the assembly to metallurgically bond the CRA cladding material billet to the support billet to form a composite billet. The composite billet is extruded at high temperature to form the clad piping or tubing. The clad piping or tubing formed in also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the continuous coating and fabrication of spiraled steel rebar product for concrete structures. Specifically, methods and systems are provided by which linear uncoated rebar is supplied to a polymeric (preferably, epoxy) powder-coating unit whereby a substantially uniform coating layer of a polymeric material is applied onto the uncoated rebar to form a linear coated rebar; and thereafter the linear coated rebar is bent into a spiraled steel rebar product. The bending unit employed to bend the linear coated rebar includes a series of bending wheels having separated upstream and downstream bending wheels and a central bending wheel which is disposed between and below these upstream and downstream bending wheels. By bringing the linear coated rebar into contact with the series of bending wheels, the rebar may be bent gently into spiraled steel rebar product without damage to the polymeric surface coating.

Abstract: The component-mounting apparatus is provided with a pallet-carrying unit that carries a pallet holding boards inside the apparatus. The pallet-carrying unit carries the pallet to a loading unit for feeding boards to the pallet, an ACF applying unit for applying an ACF tape on the boards, a pre-press bonding unit for positioning components relative to the boards and bonding the components with a first pressing force, a final bonding unit for bonding the components to the boards with a second pressing force larger than the first pressing force so as to fix the components on the board, and an unloading unit for removing the board with the components mounted thereon from the pallet. Then, the pallet-carrying unit returns the pallet from the unloading unit to the loading unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting terminals carried on a carrier strip into cavities in a housing having a slide assembly with a cam track movable between a first and a second position, and a pivoting lever with a cam follower. The cam follower is positioned in and cooperates with the cam track. The lever is movable between an open and closed position and has first and second shearing blades. An eccentric pin extends through the lever and is attached to a rotary actuator. The eccentric pin is positioned to act as the pivot point for the lever. The rotary actuator is movable between an engaged and disengaged position. As the lever is moved to the closed position, the first shearing blades engage and shear a first portion of the carrier strip. As the rotary actuator moves to an engaged position, the second shearing blade engages and shears a second portion of the carrier strip.

Abstract: An ultra-miniature magnetic device generally comprises a conductive winding and a magnetic core. The magnetic core is of an elongate rectangular or oval shape having two elongate sections and two short sections having an easy axis of magnetization on all sections. In an example embodiment, a section of a magnetic core is formed by plating an exposed portion of a substrate that is covered by a photoresist mask. During plating the substrate is subjected to an external magnetic field to provide an easy axis. Another section of the magnetic core is then formed by masking the plated portion and plating the exposed portion of the substrate to form a magnetic core. In a related embodiment, a non-magnetic metallic material layer is interleaved between two magnetic layers to form a high inductance magnetic core.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonaqueous cell employing an anode, a cathode and an organic electrolyte wherein the cathode comprises an active cathode material, and the organic electrolyte contains a beta-aminoenone in a range of 0.1 to 5.0 volume percent based on the volume of the electrolyte solvent so as to aid in reducing the undesirably high initial open circuit voltage normally observed with the use of cathodes such as FeS2.

Abstract: A habitable vehicle utility docking apparatus comprises a fixed-half quick connect panel fixed to a habitable vehicle such as a recreational vehicle or a boat, and a removable-half quick connect panel matable therewith. The fixed-half quick connect panel maintains a permanent connection to utilities inside the habitable vehicle. The removable-half quick connect panel is connected via commonly-used hoses and wires to external docking station utility services at a campsite, marina, etc. docking station. This avoids the time and inconvenience of having to make a multiplicity of utility connections and disconnections for each and every coming and going of the habitable vehicle to and from the docking station.

Abstract: A circuit board stripper includes a deck having a top pattern plate for supporting circuit boards. The deck defines a plurality of first through-holes and the pattern plate defines a plurality of second through-holes aligned with the first through-holes. A slider is movable under the deck, and has a top face formed with a plurality of slopes under the aligned through-holes of the deck and the pattern plate. A plurality of lifting pins extend upward through the aligned through-holes, and are each formed with a bottom wheel adapted to roll on corresponding one of the slopes of the deck so that the lifting pins are lifted up when the slider is moved in a first direction and are lowered down when the slider is moved in an opposite second direction. Additionally, there is a pneumatic cylinder having a ram for moving the slider in the directions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for setting the shank of a rotary cutting tool in a throughbore of a heat shrink fit tool holder so that the rotary cutting tool is at the same position as the shank of a reference cutting tool positioned in the throughbore of a reference holder. The device comprises a housing having a first station and a second station laterally spaced from the first station. A reference is positioned at the first station while a second fixture adapted to receive the tool is mounted to the housing at a second station. A first rod is movably mounted to the housing along an axis aligned with the reference tool and a second rod is movably mounted to the housing and aligned with the second fixture while a crossbeam is secured to the first and second rods so that the rods move in unison with each other. The crossbeam and rods are moved upwardly until the first rod abuts against the bottom of the reference cutting tool.

Abstract: Reflow soldering of a variety of circuit boards (9, 11, 15) in a variety of sizes and shapes to assigned locations on the base or carrier (13) of the electronic module housing (3) is simplified by eliminating custom made metal blocks previously used to clamp the circuit boards against the carrier metal. Instead, the solder-backed circuit boards are placed in assigned positions in the module housing and the inside volume of that housing is filled (22) with particulate, such as small beads (17), covering the circuit boards, but leaving the edges of the upstanding metal shields (5 and 7) visible. A plate (21) backed foam sheet (19) is placed over the module housing (24) and clamped down (26), pressing against the beads. The clamped assembly is then heated (28) to reflow the solder, soldering the circuit boards in place.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for aligning an image sensor, comprising the steps of providing a circuit substrate and an image sensor, providing a device for aligning the image sensor with the circuit substrate, and assembling the circuit substrate, the image sensor and the device so as to maintain the preciseness and consistency of the assembly of the image sensor and the circuit substrate. Furthermore, a device for aligning an image sensor comprises a frame having a receptacle and an opening at the center thereof. The image sensor is received within the receptacle. The peripheral dimension of the image sensor is smaller than that of the opening so that the image sensor is confined in the opening. The alignment device insures the desired assembly of the image sensor and the circuit substrate.

Abstract: Mounting parts is performed by recognizing a particular part feeder where a part to be mounted is contained among a plurality of part feeders, moving a head unit to a position for picking up a part on the part feeder, moving an image sensor installed to be capable of moving to a position close to the particular part feeder, picking up a part from the particular part feeder with a suction nozzle installed at the head unit, moving the head unit to a position above the image sensor, detecting an image of the part held by the suction nozzle, moving the suction nozzle to a printed circuit board from the image sensor, and aligning the part with the printed circuit board while determining and compensating for an error generated when the part is picked up, and mounting the aligned part on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for bonding solder balls to bond pads are described. In one embodiment, portions of a plurality of solder balls are placed within a frame and in registered alignment with individual bond pads over a substrate. While the ball portions are within the frame, the balls are exposed to bonding conditions effective to bond the balls with their associated bond pads. In another embodiment, a frame is provided having a plurality of holes sized to receive individual solder balls. Individual balls are delivered into the holes from over the frame. The balls are placed into registered alignment with a plurality of individual bond pads over a substrate while the balls are in the holes. The balls are bonded with the individual associated bond pads. In another embodiment, a frame is provided having a hole. A solder ball is provided having an outer surface.

Abstract: A method for making a heat sink of a rectifier has the steps of producing a heat sink of a rectifier; defining blind holes in the heat sink; implanting diodes in the blind holes; and encapsulating the blind holes with insulating material. With such an arrangement, the heat sink of the rectifier is able to dissipate heat of the rectifier directly and effectively and the assembly procedure of the rectifier is simplified.

Abstract: A circuit board comprising a patterned first metal layer 14 formed on a ceramic substrate 11, a patterned second metal layer 16 formed on the first metal layer, and a third metal layer 17 formed covering the entire upper surface and side surfaces of the second metal layer and a part of the upper surface of the first metal layer, wherein portions of the first metal layer not covered by the third metal layer are reduced in width by etching. The circuit board has thick-film fine wiring patterns with high bonding strength between the wiring patterns and the substrate and high reliability and enables realization of high-output modules which are small in size and high in performance, by mounting at least one high-output semiconductor element thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting a contact plate (2) a lamp cap to the supply conductor wire (4) which is passed through an aperture (2a) in the contact plate (2). With the aid of a wire (5) which serves as filler, the supply conductor wire (4) and the contact plate (2) are soldered together, by generating an arc between the additional wire (5) and the supply conductor wire (4) or the contact plate (2). The solidified molten material of the additional wire (5) closes off the aperture (2a) and produces a reliable soldered join between the supply conductor wire (4) and the contact plate (2). The polarity of the electric voltage used to generate the arc is advantageously such that the additional wire (5) acts as an anode and the contact plate (2) or the supply conductor wire (4) acts as a cathode. The soldering process according to the invention advantageously takes place under an inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A torque converter comprises an impeller shell, a pump impeller integrally formed with the impeller shell, a turbine runner, a stator, a front cover, and at least one of a flanged portion through which a driving power of an engine is transmitted and a ring gear for a starter. The flanged portion is formed on an outer peripheral portion of an outer hull that includes the impeller shell and the front cover. A pilot boss portion is disposed at an axial portion of the front cover and is adapted to be fitted to a crank shaft of the engine, and a sleeve-like oil pump driving shaft is disposed at an axial portion of the impeller shell and is adapted to drive an oil pump. The pilot boss portion is formed integrally with the front cover through a plastic working operation, and the flanged portion formed at a front portion of the outer periphery of the front cover is increased in thickness through a plastic working operation that forms the flanged portion as a lamination.

Abstract: A method for bonding metal components includes the steps of providing metal components to be bonded together at contacting surfaces, the contacting surfaces having an oxide layer; washing the components with an alkali solution to provide alkali-washed components; washing the alkali-washed components with water to provide water-washed components; and bonding the components together at the surfaces.

Abstract: A spool valve is provided which has a plurality of small-diameter portions formed at predetermined spacings on a peripheral surface of a shaft, and pairs of annular ridges on peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portions to have a larger diameter than an inner diameter of collars. The collars are closely fitted between the annular ridges to make valve bodies, and the collars include an inner wall, an outer wall and at least one connection therebetween, and an annular gap is provided between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing an external gear with a maintained high quality at low cost, which maintains a lubricated state of tooth flanks of the external gear with smaller manufacturing steps than the conventional method. The method for manufacturing an external gear internally in mesh with an internal gear inside the internal gear includes: a cold forging step of setting a material 80 in a lower cold forging die 100 having a tooth profile forming part 102 on an inner periphery of a circular recess 101 thereof, and pressing the material 80 so as to extend outward in the radial direction in order to form the material into a disc 81 and simultaneously, form an external tooth profile on the outer periphery of the disc 81; and a punching step of punching the disc 81 to form holes 11, 15, 17 required for constituting a power transmission mechanism. The surface roughness of the tooth flanks due to the cold forging is maintained on the completed product.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a safety cutter for peeling green bananas or plantains wherein a handle portion is provided adjacent a head portion which carries a peeling element with dual opposing peeling blades. The dual opposing peeling blades are relatively widely spaced apart at approximately {fraction (5/16)}″ to allow the peeling element to cut through the tough, thick skins of a green banana or plantain. The present invention is also provided with an elongate retractable cutting blade which is used to first cut off either end of the green banana or plantain to allow it to be easily peeled. The plantain or green banana peeler is preferably provided into two halves secured by a bolt which allows either the peeling element and/or the retractable blade to be changed by the user when they become dull or worn.

Abstract: A biasing system for the blade of a folding knife includes one component or assembly applying a force tending to move the knife blade from a closed position, nested in the handle, to an open position, extending from the handle. A second component or assembly resists opening of the blade, particularly when the blade is in or near the closed position. The resisting force is overcome by the opening force after the blade has been moved through a predetermined angle relative to the handle, so that the blade then opens automatically. A safety can be actuated to block opening and/or closing of the blade. The blade can have a blunt projection upon which a user may press to move the blade through the predetermined opening angle. A clip can be provided for convenient attachment of the folding knife to an object such as a garment.