Abstract: This invention relates to an impact-cushioning device, which is designed to prevent injury when an occupant, confused or otherwise, falls from a height. This may be a bed or bunk, gurney or examination table. The device generally comprises an impact-reducing cushion. This cushion may be air filled or of a variety of impact absorbing materials. Also provided is a means of displacing the cushion to intercept the falling individual before he or she strikes the floor. The departure of the individual from the bed is detected by signals that are generated when one or more edge pressure switches are actuated simultaneously with signals from one or more light beam sensors. Signals thus generated are processed through an electronics module and passed to a solenoid valve. When the valve opens, gas from a canister is passed to a telescoping device. This in turn displaces the cushion. Thus a protective barrier is placed between the bed occupant and the floor.

Abstract: A bedding element comprising a fitted bottom sheet having one or more elasticized convenience pouches sewn onto both lateral sides of the sheet. The purpose of the convenience pouches are to provide a suitable location for a person in bed to temporarily and conveniently store any number of items that are commonly used while in bed. The pouches are elasticized and open at the top to allow for easy access, and closed on the sides and bottom to keep stored items from falling out.

Abstract: A service bed comprising a chassis, a guide mechanism movably supported by the chassis, and a mattress having an undulation formed by routing the mattress through the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism includes dispensing and collecting rollers for installing at least one first stratum between the mattress and the occupant of the service bed and for removing at least one second stratum installed between the mattress and the occupant.

Abstract: A pillow has a casing forming an interior space and a fill material contained within the interior space. The casing includes a transparent portion to provide visual access to the interior space of the casing. The transparent portion may comprise a supple, transparent material.

Abstract: A surgical headrest (10) is provided which includes a base plate (20) and at least two support arms (30). Each of the support arms (30) has a first end (31) rotatably mounted to the base plate (20). Each of the support arms (30) also includes a second end (34) for receiving and supporting the head of a patient. The second end (34) may comprise mounting pads (50) which are rotatably mounted for engagement with the patient during surgery. Alternatively, the second end (34) may comprise skull pins (60) for affixing to the head of a patient. The surgical headrest (10) may further include a positioning device (70) having linkage arms (73, 77) which allow for superior/anterior adjustment of a patient's head.

Abstract: A bassinet and bouncer combination is provided. The frame of the bassinet and bouncer combination is readily foldable such that it is easily carried and stored. The bassinet and bouncer combination may include a seat positionable in at least two positions such that it may be used as a traditional bassinet (reclined position) or traditional bouncer (sitting-up position). A baby support has a base with a portion that is adapted to lie on the floor, and a pair of arms that extend from their first ends upwardly and rearwardly from the portion and on one side thereof when in a deployed configuration. A connector mechanism joins the first ends of the arms to the portion enabling the arms to pivot through an arc so as to lie substantially in a same plane as the portion and on the other side thereof. A collapsible frame for a baby receptacle is attached to the other ends of the arms when in a collapsed position lying in substantially a same plane as the arms.

Abstract: An unbalance detection and control system senses an out-of-balance condition developed during a plaster speed portion of spin cycle in a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine, through fluctuations in command signals sent from a main controller to maintain a spinning basket or tub of the washing machine at plaster speed. Preferably, the controller sends a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a drive controller which, in turn, regulates a motor used to spin the tub. A feedback loop is employed to reflect an actual operational state achieved by the spinning tub, which may warrant a change in the command signal. Excessive fluctuations in the command signals indicate a need to redistribute the load of clothes in the tub.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected. There is a control circuit which can selectively activate any of the lips.

Abstract: A portable tool has a long handle with a fitting for connection to an external pressurized water supply, a hand receiver on the worker end of the handle with a trigger-operated water flow control valve, a rotatable wheel at a distal end of the handle remote from the control and having surface scrubbing elements thereon, a distribution nozzle pivotable in the handle adjacent the wheel to direct high velocity water discharge onto the scrubbing elements, a discharge direction control button adjacent the proximal end, and a control wire coupled to the nozzle and button and operable to direct discharge from the nozzle onto the wheel at selectable radii relative to the wheel rotational axis to change wheel speed, direction and torque.

Abstract: A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem having a defined relationship with respect to the housing and aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an optical emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission and a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a region. A circuit in communication with a detector redirects the robot when the surface does not occupy the region to avoid obstacles. A similar system is employed to detect walls.

Abstract: Tools for brushing an inner surface of a hole are provided including a rotatable shaft, an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, at least one outlet positioned so as to wet an inner surface of a hole, and a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet. The tool further includes at least one brush being radially moveable relative to the shaft to an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: The cones used to position poultry carcasses on poultry processing lines must be cleaned frequently. In order to clean the cones, a cone cleaning device is provided. A stainless steel frame holds four rotating cylindrical brushes in position so that the cones can be passed between the brushes. Nozzles spray water on the cones as they pass between the rotating brushes. The brushes are rotated with motors mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A system is provided for use in semiconductor wafer cleaning operations. The cleaning system has a top cap and a bottom cap. The top cap seals on a top surface contact ring of a wafer, and the bottom cap seals on a bottom surface contact ring of the wafer. The wafer is held between the top cap and the bottom cap. An edge clean roller is used for cleaning an edge of the wafer. A drive roller is configured to rotate the wafer, the top cap, and the bottom cap. The edge clean roller rotates at a first velocity and the drive roller rotates at a second velocity so as to facilitate an edge cleaning of the wafer by the edge clean roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for cleaning and polishing an optical disk. The system comprises a tray having a circular floor and a parameter wall; an armature having at least two circular pads being rotatably coupled to the armature; and a mechanism for rotating the armature parallel to the floor and about a central axis of the wall being perpendicular to the floor. The mechanism rotates the armature in a first direction, which in turn rotates each pad in a second direction to clean and polish the optical disk.

Abstract: The invention comprises a drain cleaning apparatus having a flexible forward tubular portion and a rigid real-ward tubular portion. The flexible portion is coupled to a drain pipe of a building connected to the sewer line, after the elbow connection between the drain pipe section and the drain in a sink in the building has been removed. The rearward tubular portion has a bowl with an open top and a spout is mounted over the bowl with a fluid connection connecting the spout to a spout of the faucet to fill the bowl and apparatus and drain pipe up to any blockage in the drain pipe.

Abstract: A locking bracket for brooms that have a multi-sided locking section near the mounting end of the handle has a pair of spaced-apart locking arms that enable the bracket to be attached in the proper position against the locking section without passing the bracket over either end of the handle. When secured in position, faces on the locking arms engage faces on the locking section, limiting rotation of the handle. The bracket can be mounted in position by a plug that engages the unused handle hole on the broom head.

Abstract: A golf ball cleaning device includes opposing panels joined by a hinge. The panels have a layer of a waterproof material defining an edge, a layer of a water absorbent material defining a perimeter and being affixed to the waterproof material of at least one of the panels, and a margin of waterproof material extending between the perimeter of the layer of water absorbent material and the edge of the layer of the waterproof material to which the water absorbent material is affixed. The golf ball cleaning device has a closed position in which the opposing panels contact one another, with the water absorbent material positioned between the layers of waterproof material. The margin of waterproof material prevents moisture in the water absorbent material from wicking out of the golf ball cleaning device.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a grate bar comprising a pair of tongs having two limbs held in an opened position, and being squeezable into a working position by hand-applied force. A holding element at a free end of each limb. The holding elements are disposed such that: (1) when the tongs are in the opened position, there is no overlap between the holding elements, which are separated by a distance that is larger than the diameter of a grate bar, and the free ends are separated by a distance which is smaller than the distance between adjacent grate bars; and (2) when the tongs are in the working position, the holding elements overlap. The cleaning device includes, at the free ends of the limbs, a cleaning element in the form of at least one flexible cleaning cable which can be at least partially wrapped around the grate bar.

Abstract: A wiper apparatus for a motor vehicle comprising a sleeve secured to a vehicle body side and a pivot shaft which is supported rotatably in the sleeve. The proximal portion of the pivot shaft relative to the interior side of the vehicle is connected to a drive source. The tip portion of the pivot shaft holds a wiper arm on the exterior side of the vehicle. For the pivot shaft to depress toward the vehicle's interior side with respect to the sleeve, a load exceeding a predetermined value works axially on the pivot shaft from the vehicle's exterior side. A depression preventing member is interposed between the pivot shaft and the sleeve and is deformed when receiving the load that depresses the pivot shaft. A deformation space is secured between the pivot shaft and the sleeve enabling the depression preventing member to deform smoothly in response to the load.

Abstract: A wiper device has a center bore provided at a wiper blade, a supporting shaft disposed in the center bore and a connecting hole provided at a leading end portion of the wiper arm. The supporting shaft has first and second diameter portions at a circumference thereof and a diametric length of the second diameter portion is smaller than that of the first diameter portion The connecting hole is provided at a circumference thereof with an opening whose chord length is larger than the diametric length of the second portion but smaller than the diametric length of the first portion. The wiper blade may be attached to and detached from the wiper arm by making the second diameter portion correspond to the opening, but the wiper blade may not be detached from the wiper arm in a normal use of the wiper device by rotating the wiper blade relatively to the wiper arm till a position where the second diameter portion does not correspond to the opening in the connecting hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning of a roadway, in particular a starting/landing runway of an airport, comprising distributor devices (13, 14, 18) pivotally arranged on and rotated by a driving shift (6) inside a housing (1) in order to apply a high pressure fluid to a surface to be cleaned. To make it possible to achieve improved cleaning characteristics with a simple and compact construction, inside the housing (1) is deployed a fan wheel (21) driven by a driving shaft (6) of a distributor device (13, 14, 18) to produce low pressure and an air current in the housing (1) for the removal of dissolved dirt via a removal channel (33).

Abstract: A fixed pivotal retractable roller mechanism 20 and method for statically supporting an item 46 upon a support surface 44 in an inoperative state and supporting the item 46 to roll along the support surface 44 in an operative state. The mechanism 20 includes a housing 22, a swingarm 26 pivotally engaged with the housing 22, a spring 36, and a roller 32. The swingarm 26 has pivotal movement relative to the housing 22, the swingarm 26 has an inoperative position state where the roller 32 is retracted allowing the housing 22 to rest on and statically contact the support surface 44 and an operative position state where the swingarm 26 is extended such that the housing 22 is not in contact with the support surface 44 allowing the item 46 to roll along the support surface 44. Other embodiments with castor and without a spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hinge clip apparatus for selectively engaging/disengaging a cover includes a base, a hinge defining a hinge axis, and a plate. The plate is pivotally moveable relative to the base along the hinge which connects the base to the plate. The plate includes a hole and a spring member extending through the hole. The spring member has an extension tab capable of engaging the cover and disengaging from the cover when the spring member is compressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device for joining a door stop (17) to the hinge (1, 2) of a door of a motor vehicle, especially a door stop (17) consisting of a brake element and a retaining element that is rotationally fixed to one half (1) of the hinge and a retaining housing (18) that is rotationally fixed to the other half (2) of the hinge, whereby the brake element and retaining element is formed by an engaging element with an external peripheral contour that deviates from a pure circular shape and the retaining housing (18) is formed by a hollow profiled section with at least one inner peripheral contour that marks at least one braking or retaining position. The aim of the invention is to provide a coupling device that simplifies the production of and enables the production cost of the semi-hinge and the retaining housing to be reduced, in addition to facilitating assembly of the door stop with one half of the hinge of the door of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a motor vehicle door with a built-in door stop includes a fixed knuckle having a first part which has a drilling allowing the fixed knuckle to be attached to the bodywork of the vehicle, and a second part perpendicular to the first part having a drilling to accommodate a pin about which the hinge pivots. The hinge assembly also includes a moving knuckle having a drilling allowing the moving knuckle to be attached to the door and having two approximately horizontal flat zones, each provided with a drilling to take the pin and each having a notched cam. The hinge assembly further includes two pressing rollers kept in contact with a cam of the moving knuckle and a spring held in the fixed knuckle and having two vertical branches inserted in the rollers and working in bending, causing the rollers to exert pressure on the cams. The pin articulates the moving knuckle to the fixed knuckle.

Abstract: A universal hinge with a base member having a smooth semi spherical upper surface and a lower mounting surface and a vertically extending cylindrical opening therein. An intermediate member has a lower cylindrical surface that is received in the base member, and a latching member carried by the base member secures the intermediate member to the base member for relative rotation. The remote end of the intermediate member is pivotally secured to a mounted member, and the remote end of the latter is formed for securement of an item such as a Bimini Top.

Abstract: In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a fastener on a door handle assembly having a door handle is moved by actuation of the door handle into a position in which the fastener connects the door handle assembly to the door. The door handle is preferably capable of transmitting door handle actuation force to the fastener to move the fastener. In one preferred embodiment, this force is transmitted by camming action against a sliding member to which the fastener is connected. In another embodiment, this force is transmitted by pulling a sliding member with links connected to the handle. The movable fastener can connect with a second fastener connected to the door handle assembly or to the door. Therefore, when the movable fastener is moved by actuation of the handle, the movable fastener can connect with the second fastener to secure the door handle assembly to the door.

Abstract: An attachment portion is formed of a synthetic resin material integrally with both ends of a grip body formed of a synthetic resin. A pair of concave portions opposed to each other are provided on an outer peripheral surface of a resin layer forming a hollow portion provided through gas injection in an almost central part in longitudinal direction of the grip body, thereby reducing a volume of the hollow portion and increasing a thickness of the resin layer to enhance a rigidity.

Abstract: A handle for a hand-held or operated object or appliance comprises a main body (4) of a rigid material and a separate moulding insert (14) which can be fitted on the main body and having a raised pattern or shape (“HO”) including at least one element thereon of closed form, the insert (14) defining therein or defining with the main body a bore or bores (18, 24) which communicate with the interior of the element of closed form, through which a soft plastics material such as an elastomer being overmoulded on the handle can flow.

Abstract: A cushioning device (10, 10.

Abstract: A retaining clip for holding paper, garments, and other objects is provided. Also, the retaining clip is designed to attach to a portable device (or non-portable) and receive articles of clothing, clothing accessories, automobile visors, or other areas whereby it is available for conveniently receiving and retaining the device such as retaining a pager to a belt. The retaining clip, when used with a device, optionally can be rotated for awkward areas of attachment, or convenient areas of placement such as a purse strap. The holder broadly comprises of a base, a leg, and a biasing means.

Abstract: A wrist corsage includes a flower corsage mounted on a wrist corsage holder. The holder includes an open bracelet and clamp design to secure the flower corsage to the bracelet. Preferably, the bracelet has a unitary construction, made of a molded plastic. The flower corsage is pressed into the clamp to attach it thereby, and the bracelet with attached corsage is then worn on the wrist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device in a cable tie. This comprises an elongated tie part (2) of a certain width and thickness, which at one end has an elongated insertion part (3) of lesser width than the tie part (2) and at its other end a locking head (1). In the latter there is, on the one hand, a through-opening (6) intended for tie part (2) and having a width substantially the same as the tie part (2) but a height greater than the thickness of the tie part (2), and on the other, in one transverse wall of the opening (6), a groove-shaped recess (7). The width of the recess (7) is such that it allows the insertion part (3) to be inserted into the opening (6) via the recess (7) forming a tie loop. Interacting members are provided on the tie part (2) and in the locking head (1) that are designed by positive interlocking engagement with one another to lock the tie part (2) relative to the locking head (1).

Abstract: A multi-piece slider member (150) is provided for use with a closure device having interlocking fastening strips (120, 130) disposed along opposing side walls of a storage container, such as a conventional plastic bag. The slider member (150) includes a first housing segment (160), a separate second housing segment (170), and a latching mechanism (200) for use in assembling the first and second housing segments together onto the fastening strips. The latching mechanism (200) includes a first member (210) disposed on the first housing segment and a cooperating second member (240) disposed on the second housing segment. When the first and second housing. segments (150, 160) are moved together during assembly, the second member (240) receives the first member (210) while the first member engages the second member to hold the first and second housing segments together in an assembled position. The slider member (150) also includes an alignment mechanism (270) for aligning the first and second housing segments.

Abstract: A tube clamp is constructed to include a binding strap injection-molded from high strength plastics, the binding strap having two lugs at two ends, and a smoothly arched rib-reinforced extension bearing flange forwardly extended from the first leg and adapted for supporting the second lug and guide movement of the second lug toward the first lug, a screw bolt inserted through a through hole in the first lug and threaded into a screw hole in the second lug and screwed up with a nut to fix the tube clamp to the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener for coupling a trim panel to a support member includes a mounting grommet with a funnel-shaped receiver communicating with an aperture for receiving one end of a fastener pin having a plurality of spaced annular ratcheting grooves formed thereon. The opposite or second end of the pin includes a pointed end with a pair of resilient locking arms, which extend divergently outwardly and away from an apex of the second end of the pin at an acute angle and at a spacing of about 180°, for insertion into an aperture of a support structure. Interposed between the first and second ends of the fastening pin is a resilient, generally cup-shaped seal which engages a surface of the support structure opposite the locking arms for providing a seal surrounding the aperture in the support structure to which the fastening pin is inserted. The grommet includes an annular slot defined by a collar on one side and a shoulder of the funnel-shaped receiver on the other.

Abstract: A jewelry element includes a magnetic arrangement for ready substitution of multiple decorative elements. The element, which may be incorporated into a number of common jewelry pieces including a cuff link, earring, a stud for a tuxedo shirt, a ring or an pendant, includes a frame having a recessed central portion for receiving a decorative element. A pair of magnets is press-fit within a circular slot at the bottom of the recess and another magnet is adhesively-fixed to the bottom of the decorative element. An aperture in the bottom of the recessed portion of the frame provides access for a stylus for selectively dislodging the decorative element.

Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.

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: A pile carpet after tufting or the like is usually provided on the back with a latex precoat for stabilization and then provided with a foam back or an additional jute fabric. This environmentally hazardous method and the problem of recycling the foam back as well as the latex layer can be avoided if a nonwoven is applied instead to the tufted back of the carpet by water needling. This is possible with water needling in that the solidification of the pile fibers in or on the primary carrier takes place but no nonwoven fibers reach the visible side of the carpet. The back layer to be needled can also be made thicker and more voluminous. Instead of a carpet, any other pile goods can also be stabilized in this fashion.

Abstract: A method for forming a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator in which a piezoelectric/electrostrictive file is formed on a vibrating plate or lower electrode by applying a layer of a ceramic paste theron and baking the paste layer at a low temperature in a range below 300° C. to form the film to its final thickness all in one step.

Abstract: A method and kit for modifying an existing trash can to minimize or to prevent the occurrence of a vacuum seal that may occur when a trash can liner is pulled out of the trash can. The method comprises making three holes substantially close to each other into a trash can wall near the opening of the trash can. Then threading one end of a conduit through one of the holes so that the first end of the conduit reaches deep within the inside of the trash can and the other end of the conduit extending through the hole and outside of the trash can. The two remaining holes are used to securely mount the conduit onto the inside surface of the trash can by threading a tie through these two holes and around the conduit. In modifying an existing trash can by this method, the vacuum seal that often is encountered experience when pulling the trash liner from a trash can is avoided because the conduit allows air to freely pass into the bottom of the trash can. The kit comprises a conduit, drill bit and a tie.

Abstract: A scrapping system of used-automobiles includes a reusable parts collecting station, a liquid collecting station for collecting liquids including fuel, oil and coolant, a prearrangement station for collecting chlorofluorocarbon, batteries, seats, tires, etc., a functional parts collecting station for collecting a suspension device, a non-ferrous metal parts and resin parts collecting station for collecting motors, harnesses, instrument panels, bumpers, etc., and a pressing station for pressing a body of the used-automobile which has been processed in the above stations. The stations are sequentially arranged.

Abstract: A scattered ray removal grid that has an overall shape of constant spherical curvature. The scattered ray removal grid has radiation absorbing portions arrayed in a lattice configuration and radiation non-absorbing portions made of thermoplastic resin disposed between the radiation absorbing portions and can therefore be easily produced to have an overall spherical shape at low cost.

Abstract: When connecting two elements that are moveable with respect to one another, someamount of clearance, i.e., spacing between the elements, is included to minimize friction between the elements. The present invention is directed to setting the clearance within a desired range, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the two elements. In particular, the present invention is directed to power cutting tools wherein it is necessary to set the clearance between one or more reciprocating blades and a blade support member.

Abstract: An intraparenchymal infusion catheter system for delivering drugs or other agents to selected sites in an organism, such as a human, includes a pump that may be implanted or disposed outside the organism. A catheter is coupled to the pump. The catheter comprises a flexible biocompatible tubular portion terminating in a free distal end. The distal end of the catheter bears a rounded tip, a portion of which is slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular portion. The tip is porous for discharging an agent or drug to a selected site. The tip has a microporosity of less than or equal to 0.22 microns. The tubular portion is composed from a material that will expand from its nominal size when exposed to a stimulus such as heat or a solvent and return to its nominal size when the stimulus is withdrawn. By expanding the tubular portion, a physician can select the amount of the tip that is exposed to the organism, thereby customizing the catheter to the structural size of the selected site within the body.

Abstract: A torque limiting device that allows a drill string to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit when a predetermined torque is applied between the cutting structure of the drill bit and the drill string. The torque limiting device utilizes a retaining member which restricts rotational movement of a first component of the torque limiting device relative to a second component. When a sufficient torque load is placed on the cutting structure of the drill bit, the retaining member allows rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component and allows the drill string to continue to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit until the torque is sufficiently reduced. The torque limiting device may be an integral part of a drill bit, may be a separate device attached between the drill string and the drill bit or between the drill string and a downhole motor, or may be part of a near-bit sub or incorporated in a downhole motor.

Abstract: In a motor yoke manufacturing method, a flat metal plate is die-cut into a base plate for a yoke which comprises a bottom wall and a side wall. The base plate is plastically deformed to form a bearing accommodating holder and protrusions on the bottom wall. After a bearing member is placed in the bearing accommodating holder, a resilient plate is placed in contact with the bearing member and the protrusions are plastically deformed to tightly fix the resilient plate to the bottom wall. The base plate is plastically deformed to shape a generally bottomed cylindrical configuration of the yoke. Thus, the yoke is manufactured without a flushing process for removing machining oil or machining debris.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting a gap in a hydrodynamic bearing of a disc drive spindle motor. The invention comprises placing an end of the shaft into shaft support apertures in the hub, fitting a thrust bearing counterplate into a recess defined by an annular retaining flange that is proximate the end of the shaft, and deforming the counterplate to form a gap between the end of the shaft and a surface of the counterplate.

Abstract: A method of making a multifilm structure is provided for a pinned layer structure of a spin valve sensor for increasing the magnetoresistive coefficient (dr/R) of the sensor and/or decreasing a ferromagnetic coupling field (HF) between the pinned layer structure and the free layer of the sensor. The multifilm structure for the pinned layer in one or both AP layers of an AP pinned layer structure or a single pinned layer structure includes a nickel iron (NiFe) middle layer which is located between a cobalt (Co) first film and a cobalt (Co) second film.