Abstract: A handle is provided with two or more gripping regions, at least two of which are disposed laterally, and securable in spaced apart relationship with, one another. Such bifurcated grip configuration, permits an individual to easily switch hands during a carrying, dog-walking, or other like holding operation, and/or allows grasping by two hands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals by introduction of anhydrous sodium carbonate into a saturated sodium carbonate brine solution under conditions in which sodium carbonate monohydrate formation is favored. As the anhydrous sodium carbonate dissolves, the brine becomes supersaturated resulting in relief of supersaturation by formation of sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals. The process includes controlling supersaturation and its relief to achieve growth of existing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals rather than nucleation and formation of new sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals. The resulting crystals are separated from insoluble impurities on a size separation basis.

Abstract: A hose clamp is made by bending a flat spring material in a developed state into an annular shape. The hose clamp has an axis Y which is a longitudinal central axis in the developed state and an axis X which is a transverse central axis. The hose clamp includes a first section located at one of two sides about the axis Y and having a contour symmetric about the axis X.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of inexpensively and reliably manufacturing a clip that has planar levers. A method for making a planar lever, which can be attached to the clamping element of a conventional binder clip, is described. Two wire members, which are bent near the end, and which each have a notched end, are inserted into a pre-formed planar member. The bend in the wire and the notched end hold the wires in place so that the lever can be attached to the clamping element. This invention also relates to a clip that has been manufactured according to the method of this invention. Finally, this invention discloses a method to make an advertising clip that can be used to hold the folded end of a collapsible tube, such as a tube of toothpaste, and a clip therefrom.

Abstract: A strip safe-releasing device using ratchets is disclosed. A body and handle is connected by a shaft. Since the stopping piece of the body with respect to the handle is installed with a sliding groove. Thereby, the handle can be rotated so that the stopping piece is inserted into the sliding groove, then the convex portion ejects the buckle to release the ratchet. Thereby, the shaft is driven by the reaction force of the strip so as to release the tension of the strip. Since the rotation of the ratchet will synchronously drive the convex portion of the handle not to eject the buckle. Thus, the buckle moves forwards to engage the ratchet and confine the rotation of the shaft. Therefore, each time the shaft rotate through a few angles, the tension releases a little. Therefore, the tension of the strip is released step by step in a safe way.

Abstract: A low profile pipe leak repair clamp for sealing a leak in a wide range of pipe sizes includes a flexible, circular metal band lined with a sealing gasket. The clamp a tightening assembly comprising a pair of open and close lugs and a nut and bolt for tightening the band around a leaking pipe. Each lug includes an open slot leading to an inner recess adapted to firmly engage a folded end of the flexible metal band, the recess being of such dimensions as to maintain each folded end in its original shape, thus preventing the metal band from being pulled from the slot upon tightening the clamp. Each lug has an upper jaw and a lower pressure jaw forming the slot and recess. The lower pressure jaw is arcuate at its end and its lower surface chamfered downward to the lower lug surface.

Abstract: A slide closure for joining overlapping edges of flexible or rigid substrates having complementary touch fasteners thereon. The slide closure has a pair of closing surfaces facing each other and structure joining the closing surfaces together so as to define two channels opening in opposite directions. The substrates are received within the channels such that they overlap between the closing surfaces. The closing surfaces converge to a nip having a dimension small enough to cause the complementary touch fasteners to engage when the slide closure is displaced along the overlapping edges in a first direction. The slide closure may further include a spanning member disposed generally between the closing surfaces that serves to structurally join the closing surfaces, partly define the channels on either side, and provide diverging separating surfaces that cause the complementary touch fasteners to disengage when the slide closure is displaced in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Hook-engagable loop materials are provided, which include high bulk yarns. Closure strips employing such materials, and methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: A universal machine tool having a workpiece slide movable on a machine bed by means of a motor for the workpieces to be machined and a machining unit which is movable about a plurality of axes by means of a motor. The machining unit includes a motor-driven work spindle for receiving the machining tools. To enable turning operations in addition to milling and drilling operations with high cutting performance in a single clamping position, according to the present invention, the workpiece slide is provided with at least one rotatable workpiece accommodation and an associated rotary drive means. The rotary drive means can drive the workpiece accommodation for carrying out turning operations on the workpiece to be machined.

Abstract: A tool for inserting and extracting pins of roller chains, comprising a body having a pair of teeth designed to engage two chain links to be connected or separated by insertion or extraction of a pin. The tool comprises a screw member which can be operated manually and which is provided with a punch designed to co-operate with a pin that is to be inserted or extracted. The tool comprises two retaining elements which can move between an inoperative position, in which the chain links can freely engage and disengage the teeth, and an operative position, in which the teeth block the chain links in a pre-set position with respect to the teeth (26).

Abstract: A tool for inserting a plump plunger through a packing in a fluid end of a plunger pump enables easy and rapid insertion of the plunger through the packing without damaging the packing or the pump plunger.

Abstract: A tool for locking the sprockets or gears of a dual overhead camshaft engine in a fixed position includes two spaced bars with studs for engaging against the inside rim of the sprockets and a means for adjusting the spacing of the bars to frictionally maintain the sprockets in a locked position against the inside rims.

Abstract: A method of constructing a rail track on a concrete slab, in which method the concrete slab is poured around anchor members for fixing tie plates supporting rails of the rail track, includes the following steps: suspending temporary tie plates at the location where the tie plates supporting the rail track are to be placed, the temporary tie plates supporting anchor members to be partly embedded in the concrete and including vents for evacuating air trapped under the bottom face of the temporary tie plate when pouring the concrete slab, pouring a concrete slab up to the height of the temporary tie plates, removing the temporary tie plates after the concrete slab has dried, and placing the tie plates supporting the rails accurately in their final position and fixing the tie plates to the anchor members.

Abstract: A method for mounting a metal body on an essentially straight measuring tube, made of titanium or zirconium, of a Coriolis mass flowmeter. The method ensures secure retention of the metal body on the measuring tube even through very extended operation of the Coriolis mass flowmeter, in that the metal body is shrink-mounted on the measuring tube.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a variator disc, an outer periphery (5) of the input disc (D1), with a spline hole (4) thereof meshed with an input shaft (6), is finished using the input shaft (6) as a working reference. Subsequently, a race (2) is finished with high precisions using the outer periphery (5) as a working reference. There is an alternative method wherein a spline hole (4) with a machining allowance is precisely formed by means of a broach (X) prior to the heat treatment of a blank (B); after hardening the blank (B) by the heat treatment, tooth flanks (4a) of the spline hole (4) are precisely finished by means of a finishing broach (Y); and then, a race (2) of an input disc (D1) is precisely finished using the tooth flanks (4a) as a working reference.

Abstract: The electrostatic capacitance of piezoelectric elements constituting a Langevin oscillator is measured, and a bolt is tightened so that the measurement value becomes optimum.

Abstract: A base is integrally formed with a synthetic resin case by insert molding. A fixing portion of a core is engaged with a fixing hole of the base. An assembly jig is used to press the fixing portion to caulk the core to the base. The distance between a free end of the core and a diaphragm supporting portion of the case is guraranteed at a desired value.

Abstract: To stabilize the form of a letter S of an inner lead after bonding in a method of manufacturing &mgr;BGA·IC in which a chip is fixed via an insulating film on a tape carrier on one main surface of which plural inner leads are laid and each electrode pad of the chip is bonded to each inner lead, when the inner lead is bonded to the electrode pad, first, the chip is supplied in a fixed position for a bonding tool using a sprocket hole of the tape carrier. Next, the respective positions of the inner lead and the electrode pad are recognized using a feature lead and an electrode pad. Afterward, the center line of the inner lead is recognized, the inner lead is touched to the chip by the bonding tool and after the inner lead is pushed in the direction of the base and bent in the form of a letter S, the end of the inner lead is bonded to the electrode pad by thermocompression by the bonding tool.

Abstract: A system for positioning components of different thicknesses on a component platform, comprising: a frame; a tool head connected to the frame, the tool head being vertically movable; a retractable vacuum tube receivable within the tool head; and a grasping assembly which can be actuated to securely hold the vacuum tube in a fixed position relative to the tool head after the vacuum tube has been at least partially received within the tool head.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing electronic device packages includes a step of forming a metal sheet into a runner part and a plurality of spaced apart terminal parts. The runner part extends in a longitudinal direction. The terminal parts are connected to the runner part and are aligned in the longitudinal direction. Each of the terminal parts includes a pair of spaced apart connecting legs that have lower inserting sections connected to the runner part, and upper soldering sections which extend from the lower inserting sections and which are offset from each other in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction so as to define an inserting gap therebetween. The process further includes the steps of positioning an electronic element in the gap in each terminal part, and respectively connecting the upper soldering sections to two opposite side faces of the electronic element.

Abstract: A dense semiconductor flip-chip device assembly is provided with a heat sink/spreading/dissipating member which is formed as a paddle of a metallic paddle frame in a strip of paddle frames. Dice are bonded to the paddles by e.g. conventional die attach methods, enabling bump attachment and testing to be conducted before detachment from the paddle frame strip.

Abstract: A method for producing, by forming techniques, an undercut profile in the outer circumferential face of cylinder liners to be cast in place in a crankcase, characterized by the introduction of a bracing inner core into the cavity of a cylinder liner, the introduction of the cylinder liner equipped with bracing inner core into a first forming die equipped on its working faces with a serrated profile, the pressing of the first forming die against the outer circumferential face of the cylinder liner, thus producing a complementary profile in the outer circumferential face, the introduction of the cylinder liner equipped with bracing inner core into a second forming die equipped on its working faces with a smooth surface, and the pressing of the second forming die against the outer circumferential face of the cylinder liner equipped with the complementary profile.

Abstract: Two methods for the manufacture of a welded rotor of a fluid-flow machine are described, through which rotor: a cooling medium flows through inflow and outflow passages inside the rotor and which is composed of a plurality of rotor disks, which are connected to one another by welds running radially or largely radially relative to the rotor axis and in each case enclose with one another a hollow passage, which runs around the rotor axis and interrupts the welds in such a way that a weld facing the rotor is directly adjacent to the hollow passage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, characterized in that Al or Al alloy tubes, each having a thermally Zn-sprayed layer formed on the surface of it, and having a brazing filler metal layer formed on said thermally Zn-sprayed layer using a powdery brazing filler Al alloy composed of 5 to 60 weight % of Si and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities, are combined with and brazed to an Al or Al alloy header having a brazing filler metal layer formed using a powdery brazing filler Al alloy composed of 5 to 60 weight % of Si and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming serpentine heat exchanger coils from spine fin tubing involves applying spine fins to a tube while simultaneously forming the tube into a serpentine shape. The bending and fin wrapping occurs while a feed roll continues paying out the tube without interruption. Multiple bends can be made simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of setting a distance between a first body and a second body in a fuel injector is disclosed. The method includes providing an intermediate body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, the first end being fixedly connected to the first body and the second end being fixedly connected to the second body. The intermediate body is compressed toward the longitudinal axis. The compression axially elongates the intermediate body, such that the first body is separated from the second body. An apparatus used to set the distance is also disclosed.

Abstract: By the contraction process in which the contraction die is made to displace a pair of inner spherical surfaces in the direction of approaching each other to deform plastically the outer race 1 in such a manner as the out race 1 is followed along the spherical surface 2a of the inner race 2. And the releasing process in which, by a releasing device comprising a plurality of rollers, the outer race is rotated while the peripheral surface 1b of the outer race 1 deformed plastically being pressed by a plurality of the rollers to release the internal stress of the outer race 1, the spherical bearing wholly made of titanium alloy is formed.

Abstract: A shaving device that defines a substantially cylindrical volume to receive an index finger of a user. Rotation about the index finger under control of the adjacent thumb and middle finger provide precise finger-tip control of the pitch, angle and pressure applied the fixed or replaceable shaving blades.

Abstract: A tablet cutter including a tablet supporting assembly and a tablet cutting assembly secured to the tablets supporting assembly and which includes a blade holder which is movable by the action of a cam follower on an axially extending arm of the blade holder to provide accurate and safe cutting of tablets in which the tablet cutter can accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of tablets.

Abstract: An improved structure of a penknife is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. A depth of cut limiting device engages material as an operator moves the rotary knife across a surface to trim material from that surface. The depth of cut limiting device has particular utility in trimming fat from meat while leaving a controlled thickness of fat on the meat.

Abstract: A cutting implement using a multi-element mineral to increase the sharpness and durability while also providing therapeutic effects to individuals coming into physical contact with the cutting implement. When used in hairdressing razors and scissors, the anions in the multi-element mineral should produce a mineralizing effect in the individual whose hair is being cut that activates proteins and promotes healthy hair and skin.

Abstract: A scribing device for forming a scribe line on a work comprises a vibration generator for generating vibration, a cutter for cutting a work by utilizing vibration thereof, a shaft extending vertically from the vibration generator so as to transmit the vibration of the vibration generator to the cutter, a guide unit for guiding a linear motion of the shaft in a central axis direction thereof, and a load adjusting mechanism for adjusting a load applied to the work from the cutter, the load adjusting mechanism being operated by magnetic force. According to such scribing device, the guide unit guides a vertical moving (rising) motion of the shaft by the load adjusting mechanism and guides the vibration of the shaft caused by the vibration generated by the vibration generator.

Abstract: An angle finder for large diameter ducts and piping. It consists of a pair of legs having front and back sides, and top and bottom ends. The top ends are pivotally connected, thereby forming an inverted adjustable “V.” There also is provided a moveable center pointer having a top and a bottom mounted on the top end of the legs so as to bisect the “V” formed by the legs. Finally, there is a direct reading angle finder, preferably used in conjunction with a laser, mounted near the bottom of the moveable center pointer.

Abstract: The horizon attitude direction indicator includes a container having defined volume and at least one translucent surface portion, wherein said translucent portion includes a marking thereon indicating horizon, a first liquid of a first density occupying substantially one half volume of the container, a second liquid of a second density different from the first density occupying substantially one half volume of the container, and wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are substantially immiscible and the translucent portion is disposed in a manner to permit visual inspection of the liquids therein.

Abstract: A conduit bending guide, where in a preferred embodiment, the guide has a base a member with a first base section and a second base section with means for repositioning of the two base sections with respect to each other, a fastening member for securing of the guide to a conduit, a suspension mount housing an angle indicator, and a bend angle indicator. The angle indicator could have various degrees of freedom of rotation in space as it is supported by a suspension means of the suspension mount. The guide allows making of consecutive co-planar bends in a conduit by observation of the reading on the angle indicator. By observing the angle indicator, it is also possible to make consecutive out-of-plane bends with a desired angle of deviation from the plane established by any one bend in the conduit. The degree of a bend along the longitudinal axis of the conduit is measured by the bend angle indicator or by realignment of the angle indicator.

Abstract: Inclination measurement apparatus includes an indexable clinometer bearing turntable rotatable in a single plane between a pair of precisely reproducible diametrically opposite orientations with respect to the desired measurement axis for respectively issuing inclination measurements V0 and V180 responsive to the inclination of a surface with respect to a desired measurement axis, and a reference clinometer for enabling uninterrupted accurate bias corrected inclination measurements of the inclination of the surface with respect to the desired measurement axis by virtue of its inclination measurements being employed for calculating bias corrected inclination measurements.

Abstract: A free-state diameter (a diameter in a state in which a residual stress has been released by cutting) of each of metal rings in a continuously variable transmission) is determined so that a predetermined compression stress and a predetermined tensile stress are applied to outer and inner surfaces of the metal ring in an endless state in which the metal ring is not cut, respectively. When the metal ring is cut in order to measure the free-state diameter, the metal ring is cut at least at two points so that cut ends do not interfere with each other in the free state, and the free-state diameter is then measured. Thus, the free-state diameter of the metal ring in a continuously variable transmission can be accurately measure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved probe tip (ball) made of silicon nitride that has a drilled cavity sized and dimensioned to receive a probe stem.

Abstract: A shoe drying device having two arms and an airflow channel extending therethrough. A spring exerts an outward force on the arms. Each arm includes a member for holding a shoe at an end thereof. During a drying cycle, convection air enters through an air inlet towards the center of the device, flows through the airflow channel, and exits through air outlets in the members for holding a shoe at the ends of the arms. This facilitates more even drying of shoes held in the members for holding shoes.

Abstract: An air diffuser produces a massage effect by concentrating air flow through openings in a rotating valve disc. The valve disc includes vanes which, when acted on by air flow through the diffuser, impart a rotational movement to the valve disc. Air passing through the valve disc openings is further concentrated by tapered air outflow nozzles before being directed onto the head of a user. The rotating pattern of air pressure massages the user's head.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing contaminant sensitive processing on a substrate. A substrate load chamber receives the substrate from an ambient contaminant laden environment, and isolates the substrate from the ambient contaminant laden environment. The substrate load chamber further forms a first environment of intermediate cleanliness around the substrate. A substrate pass through chamber receives the substrate from the substrate load chamber, and isolates the substrate from the intermediate cleanliness of the first environment of the substrate load chamber. The substrate pass through chamber further forms a second environment of high cleanliness around the substrate. A substrate transfer chamber receives the substrate from the substrate pass through chamber, and isolates the substrate from the high cleanliness of the second environment of the substrate pass through chamber.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems for reducing the drying time of lipophilic fluid-containing fabric articles are provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for detecting an occurrence of a liquid dry condition in a container containing a liquefied compressed gas while the gaseous phase of the liquefied compressed gas is being removed from the container over time. The apparatus includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a computer, preferably a programmed logic controller (PLC). The first sensor senses temperature (T) inside the container and provides a signal indicative thereof. The second sensor senses pressure (P) inside the container and provides a signal indicative thereof. The computer receives signals from the first and second sensors, and determines the rates of change in the pressure (dP/dt) and the temperature (dT/dt) inside the container over time.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use in a drying device, having a surface and a first mechanism to at least partially hold an article relative to the surface. A second mechanism associated with the surface is operable to cooperatively engage with an air exit in the drying device, and is in air communication with an interior of the first mechanism. An airflow channel is formed between a portion of the drying device, the article, the interior of the first mechanism, the second mechanism, and an air exit in the drying device, facilitating more even drying of the article.

Abstract: A ventilated walking shoe comprising a mid-sole, under the upper. The mid-sole is constituted by a felt of natural fibers and is surmounted by a perforated insole made of leather or hide. The mid-sole is arranged within a perimetric edge for connecting the upper to the insole without requiring a toe lasting machine, the heel region and/or the front region and/or the central region contain, below the mid-sole, components made of a felt of natural fibers and covered with a membrane of microporous, transpiring and waterproof material and/or with perforated components made of leather or hide at openings of the edge of a box-like rubber sole that contains the entire assembly. The openings on the edge of the sole are closed all around by the edge so as to avoid interrupting its continuity.

Abstract: A hybrid outsole construction comprises high-density carbon rubber molded to low-density blown rubber, providing increased flexibility, cushion, and comfort while maintaining durability, traction, and shock absorbency of the footwear. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the hybrid outsole construction is stitched to the upper layers of the footwear, for example using a welt.

Abstract: The invention is an inflatable inner sole for footwear which has a flexible, inflatable enclosure with an inflation system that preferably includes an on-board air pump and a pressure relief valve. In this invention the inner sole has a sheet and/or foam cover or surround on the flexible enclosure for enhanced comfort. Useful sheet covers can be plastic, including rubber, films in solid or foamed state, or fabric which are applied against the upper, wearing surface of the inflatable enclosures. The covers can be bonded only to the edges of the inflatable enclosures to permit relative movement between the covers and enclosures, or can be bonded to the top surface of the enclosures, or formed as surrounds which encapsulate the inflatable enclosures.

Abstract: An exchangeable and disposable shoe insert contains a commercially available panty liner for inserting into a shoe. The panty liner has a number of layers formed of an at least partially moisture-absorbing material and a side directed toward an inside sole of a shoe. The panty liner has moisture-storing constituents in at least one of the layers and partially or wholly covers over an inside sole of the shoe. A self-adhering coating is disposed on at least a subregion of the side directed toward the inside sole of the shoe. The self-adhering coating is releasable from the shoe without any residues being left behind.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method for displaying indicia, such as a logo or trademark, on a shoe. A window is provided in the shoe. Indicia appear on a removable member and are displayed through the window.