Abstract: A hand covering including a hand receiving portion that is closed at a first end and that defines an opening at a second end. A cover is coupled to the hand receiving portion and an air distribution device is disposed between the cover and the hand receiving portion. The air distribution device has an inlet and outlet that are positioned in a spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: A goggle shield is provided. The shield includes a lined cover, and multiple attachment devices to attach the cover to a goggle. The cover may be easily moved from a shielding position over the goggle lens to permit viewing through the goggle lens. Resilient means is provided to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of the cover allowing the cover to be fit to various sizes and shapes of goggles. The attachment devices are operable to allow a user various modes of operation of the shield.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl having a rim bounding a mouth. An attached toilet seat confronts the rim and an attached odor collector is capable of being activated moving air from the toilet bowl through the mouth and deodorizing the air. Shield structure between the rim and the toilet seat inhibits air from transferring between the toilet seat and the rim and channels air from the toilet bowl to the odor collector. A sensor is capable of sensing objects and activating the odor collector in response thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushing unit for a toilet which allows water in a flushing tank to be discharged rapidly by means of the change of water pressure and working of a piston, so that only a small quantity of water is required to wash out the toilet and thus consumption of water can be significantly reduced. The flushing unit for the toilet according to the present invention uses only about 15 to 20% of flushing water compared to a conventional flushing unit, but it can satisfactorily and rapidly wash the toilet.

Abstract: A leak detection and reporting system for detecting and reporting different types of leaks. Different alarms are activated in response to different types of leaks. The present invention includes a timing module and a water flow sensor. The timing module measures a standard fill time required to properly fill a reservoir. A lower time threshold and an upper time threshold are then calculated based upon the standard fill time. A first alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is below the lower time threshold to identify a small leak. Also, a second alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is above the upper time threshold to identify a larger leak.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for a vacuum toilet system includes a filter element arranged in a filter housing connected to a waste water tank of the vacuum toilet system. The filter element includes a polytetraf luoroethylene (PTFE) filter membrane on the inlet side thereof, a filter support material supporting the PTFE membrane, and a support cage, to form a filter cartridge. The filter is preferably a pleated cylindrical filter with the inlet side on the inside of the cylinder. The arrangement preferably further includes a rinsing nozzle that rinses contaminants from the inlet side surface of the filter element, to flow down into the waste water tank. This rinsing, together with the low adhesion and the surface filtration principle of the PTFE filter membrane, prevent clogging of the filter.

Abstract: A swimming pool structure comprises a plurality of buttress post assemblies spaced about the perimeter of the pool and servicing to support the pool wall. Each of the assemblies include a horizontal foot beam with a vertically oriented buttress post connected thereto by angle brackets. Laterally located beams and plates interconnect the sides of adjacent buttress post assemblies and the inner ends of opposing foot beams from opposite sides of the pool are directed under the floor of the pool and are secured together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a padded knee and elbow rest for use with the outer wall of a bathtub. The invention has particular application for people that use a bathtub to bathe their child or pet, or who assist in the bathing of persons with reduced mobility, and provides padded cushions for the user's elbows and knees while the user is, at the side of a bathtub, thereby lessening the strain and discomfort to knees and elbows that can result from kneeling on a bathroom floor and leaning on the top of a bathtub wall, and also reduces the likelihood of slipping on a wet floor or bathtub wall and injuring the user or the person being bathed or damaging the thing of interest within the tub. The device can be easily wiped clean, repels moisture and can be folded into a compact unit for storage.

Abstract: A shower door system in knocked down from including: a door (4) and optionally one or more return panels (2, 3) for forming a shower enclosure, having a pre-installed shower mixer valve (14) mounted in a frame member (7) of the shower door system, a pre-installed shower rose (10) or shower rose connection fitting mounted in a frame member (7) of the shower door system and pre-installed plumbing from the mixer valve (9, 14), within a frame member (7) or members, to the shower rose (10) or shower rose connection fitting, so that when the shower door system is subsequently assembled and installed against a wall, or in a corner between two walls, to form a shower enclosure with a frame member (7) adjacent a wall, water supply plumbing to the shower (9, 10, 14) may pass from the wall directly to the frame member (7) to connect to the shower mixer valve (14).

Abstract: Disclosed is a removable shower seat for use in a modular shower. The seat is constructed from a plastic material and includes an elastomer coating which is molded onto the plastic substrate. The shower seat mounts to shower module wall pockets at each end, and is further supported at the rear and front corners.

Abstract: A system for replacing furniture panels which includes a frame secured to a piece of furniture and a panel which may be inserted or otherwise slid into the frame and secured therein is disclosed. The panel has front and rear surfaces having different appearances and either surface can be exposed. This allows the decor of the furniture to be easily and quickly changed at will.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mosquito net frame. A rectangular top frame portion of the mosquito net frame is realized by easily assembling square tubes or rods and fittings together. Square tubes or rods are also used for corner columns that also interface with the fittings of the top frame at each corner of the top frame. A foot is added at the bottom of each column to assist in supporting the mosquito net frame from a frame of a cot or from a ground surface. A conventional mosquito netting or other fabric is supported by the mosquito net frame to protect a sleeping person. Disassembly and transport is realized by simply pulling the square tubes from the fittings and placing the components in a container with a secured lid for carrying, shipping and storing the mosquito net frame.

Abstract: An assembly for construction into a casket bed frame for supporting a body. The casket bed frame includes a rectangular frame formed of a pair of first rails and second rails wherein a plurality of corrugated metal strips extend between the second rails. The rails of the metal frame advantageously interlock at their ends to form the rectangular frame without the use of tools. A plurality of lances are spaced along each of the second rails and are configured to extend through holes in the ends of the corrugated strips for easy attachment of the strips to the second rails. The rectangular frame may be further reinforced, and the stretcher springs supported, by a pair of stretcher supports that each have crimped ends configured to extend over and embrace the first rails.

Abstract: A sheet of pliable, washable material is configured to cover at least a portion of a piece of furniture, such as a mattress. A manifold and a plurality of air flow tubes are formed in the sheet, with the air flow tubes in communication with the manifold. The air flow tubes include top surfaces that are constructed to release air at a controlled rate therethrough. The sheet helps reduce exposure to allergens and other harmful particles, including the house dust mite.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting equipment and accessories adjacent a patient support is disclosed. The support structure comprises a frame to extend upwardly from the patient support and a shelf attached to the frame to extend over the patient support.

Abstract: An improved mounting apparatus for a lateral rotation therapeutic bed is provided that facilitates access to the patient and connection and disconnection of patient care lines to and from a patient on the bed. A therapeutic bed is described comprising a base frame, a patient support platform rotatably mounted on the base frame for rotational movement about a longitudinal rotational axis of the patient support platform, and a drive system for rotating the patient support platform on the base frame. An upright end ring at the head end of the bed is split into an upper section and a lower section. The upper section is removable from the lower section, allowing improved access to the head of the patient and to allow placement or removal of the patient from the bed by removal of patient care lines from the end ring without removing the patient care lines from the patient or the equipment to which the lines are attached.

Abstract: A surgical table which includes a patient support surface 16 for receiving a patient, a vertically-movable support column connected to and supporting the patient support surface, and a pair of four-bar linkages for laterally tilting patient support surface relative to the support column. The support column includes a base that is mounted for vertical movement between a first position in which the surgical table is movable on rollers and a second position wherein the base contacts the floor to lock the position of the surgical table during a procedure. One or more trays may be pivotally connected to the patient support surface and selectively deployed to hold objects such as surgical instruments.

Abstract: An infant positioning system and method for positioning an infant during sleep. The infant positioning system includes and infant support device and a headgear. The infant support device is configured for receiving the infant, and selectively changing the position of the infant each night. The headgear is configured to fit about the head of the infant, dispersing the pressure a sleeping surface places on the head of the infant.

Abstract: There is shown a see through side shield for use in a hospital bed which prevents a patient from becoming entrapped between a bed rail and a mattress. The see through side shield includes a hand that snugly fits over a lateral rail of the bed rail, typically the top lateral rail. The see through side shield further includes a partition that extends to cover a vertical opening between a top lateral side edge of the mattress and the bottom lateral rail of the bed rail. The partition is mounted to at least one lateral rail of the bed rail using a tightly fitting clamp. To permanently mount the partition, the clamp is riveted to the bed rail. Typically, the see through side shield is transparent being made of a polycarbonate material.

Abstract: A support surface 10 includes a series of inflatable cells 30, 40 inflated alternately by a compressor 11. The cells 30, 40 are exhausted via an exhaust port 50 having a restrictor 60 of known diameter. A pressure transducer 70 measures the cell 30, 40 pressure. Some of the cells 30, 40 during their deflating/inflating cycle are exhausted through the exhaust port 50 and the cell pressure decay over a time is monitored. A microprocessor calculates the mathematical function related to the cell pressure decay with time, compares the value with compiled data and adjusts the output of the compressor accordingly. The sequence of exhausting via port 50 is repeated at every inflation/deflation cycle and the pressure decay monitored and compared with the known data and the compressor output adjusted automatically to provide a new operating pressure. Therefore, any changes in the person's position i.e.

Abstract: A bedding arrangement is provided having a compressible foam mattress pad and compressible foam pillow pad integrated as a single bedding unit within a fluid resistant or impermeable cover whose seams are heat sealed together. Air ventilation through the cover and about the interior foam is permitted by a vent that restricts insect, article and fluid passage through the vent. By using foam of different densities and/or composition, optimum performance characteristics in terms of comfort and support can be obtained separately for the mattress portion and the pillow portion. By mounting two pillow pads within the cover, the bedding arrangement can be made reversible.

Abstract: A screw driving device (2) for a hand tool drilling device (1) includes a screw magazine (3) for successive feeding of screws or bolts (4), a feeder block (6) that can be axially displaced against the force of a feeder spring (5), which at least partially supplies screws (4) during the back and forth reciprocating movement of the feeder block (6), and a driving tool (8) that can be coupled rotationally in form locked manner with a screw head (7), wherein the driving tool (8) axially moveably receives a rotatingly driven drilling tool (9) in a coaxial hollow inner space, and is spring biased axially by a clutch spring (10) relative to the screw driving device in a rotation driver position X, in which a drilling tool tip (11) is axially separated from the screw head (7) and is coupled rotationally form locked with the driving tool (8).

Abstract: A process for generating high hydrophilicity for artificial fiber fabric includes the steps of putting an artificial-fiber fabric to be processed in a closed tank; supplying a gas from a gas source supplying device into the closed tank; actuating a plasma exciter to ionize the gas supplied into the closed tank and thereby produce plasma; and modifying surface of the artificial fiber fabric in the closed tank with the produced plasma. The processed artificial fiber fabric shows high moisture absorption and allows rapid natural evaporation of the absorbed moisture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a finishing process for cellulosic textiles which provides a textile having a desirable combination of inherent durable press properties, improved moisture content and improved wicking properties.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a soiled textile product by using a heated cleaning composition. The method includes providing a hand-holdable single vessel with a hand-operable dispenser and a single aqueous non-effervescent cleaning composition within the vessel. The vessel bearing the cleaning composition is placed into a microwave oven and heated for a specified time period to be about 90-160 degrees F., whereupon a quantity of the cleaning composition is dispensed via spraying on the soiled area. Finally, the treated area is blotted by hand with a fibrous towel for removal of cleaning composition and soil.

Abstract: A laundry appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles to be laundered. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which can rotate the drum portions relative to one another. A controller causes the appliance to perform a laundering cycle which includes a spin cycle in which the drum is rotated at high speed. Before the spin cycle, the controller detects whether there is an imbalance of the load in the drum and, in the event of an imbalance, the controller causes the appliance to redistribute the load by causing the drive rotate the drum portions relative to one another. In the event of a continued imbalance, the controller can repeat the redistribute operation or it can limit the spin speed during the spin cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to hair dyes comprising good properties with regard to dyeing technology and hair care, which are based on cationic biopolymers, alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides and colorants, and to their use for dying keratin fibers.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing dyes excitable by a helium-neon laser (excitable at 633 nm) from hololepidines, e.g., 7-halolepidine, which dyes are suitable for detection and enumeration of reticulocytes in human blood samples. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for immunotyping phenocytes. The method is based on the phenomenon that when dyes of certain structure intercalate into DNA or RNA, the intensity of the dye increases. Dyes suitable for this invention can be described as having (a) a first heterocyclic moiety, (b) a second heterocyclic moiety, and (c) a linking group that connects the first and second heterocyclic moieties. Both the first and second heterocyclic moieties must contain at least two rings, preferably fused together. The dye is characterized by conjugation, whereby the first moiety is ethylenically conjugated to the second moiety.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition having an action of gradually dyeing hair as it is used as a hairdressing, wherein this dyeing hairdressing composition has commercial value as a hair dye and also as a hairdressing.

Abstract: Dye mixtures including one or more azo dyes of the general formula (1) and one or more azo dyes of the general formula (2) 1

Abstract: This invention is directed to treatments for dyed textile goods that will improve their fastness properties. More particularly, the invention is directed to certain fixatives that, when placed on the dyed textile, allow the dye to be permanently or substantially permanently affixed to the fabric. The dye-reactive fixative comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having reactive groups that react with a dye on a dyed web to affix the dye to the web.

Abstract: A folding ramp is provided that includes an upper ramp, a lower ramp, and at least one handle assembly for providing ease of transport of the folding ramp. The upper ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and includes an upper ramp loading track, an upper first side support, an upper second side support, and a vehicle mounting member. The lower ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and the lower ramp includes a lower ramp loading track, a lower first side support, a lower second side support, a ground engaging member, and the rotation member. The upper ramp and the lower ramp include a rotation member that extends between the upper and lower first side supports and the upper and lower second side supports to allow rotation of the lower ramp relative to the upper ramp. The lower ramp loading track includes a first side and a second side and extends from the first end of the lower ramp to the second end of the lower ramp.

Abstract: Disclosed are passenger loading bridge tunnels having improved placement of roller assemblies. Two or more separate tunnels form an extendable passenger loading bridge, which has flaps as to allow for easy access to the roller assemblies. The roller assemblies are placed in close vicinity to an edge of a passenger loading bridge tunnel, and are disengageable from the tunnel without disassembly of the passenger loading bridge.

Abstract: A loading bridge includes motors for moving the open end forward, backward, left, right, up and down so the open end can be aligned with a passenger door of an airplane. To minimize collisions between the loading bridge and the airplane, a deadman switch is provided under the control of a second person on the ground adjacent the open end of the loading bridge. So long as the second person holds the deadman switch in a preferred position, the motors are operative to drive the loading bridge forward, backward, left and right. When the second person releases the deadman switch, the loading bridge can no longer move in these directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft. The inventive apparatus includes a passageway member pivotally anchored to one of the terminal building and a passenger loading bridge for servicing a front doorway of a same aircraft. The apparatus includes a telescopic passageway member that is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection. In use, the apparatus is cantilevered over the wing of an aircraft with the flexible connection substantially above a highest point along an upper surface of the aircraft wing. The flexible connection allows a cabin carried at an outboard end of the telescopic passageway member to mate to the rear doorway of the aircraft, providing an open passageway between the rear doorway and the terminal building through which passengers deplane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft. The inventive apparatus includes a passageway member pivotally anchored to one of the terminal building and a passenger loading bridge for servicing a front doorway of a same aircraft. The apparatus includes a telescopic passageway member that is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection. In use, the apparatus is cantilevered over the wing of an aircraft with the flexible connection substantially above a highest point along an upper surface of the aircraft wing. The flexible connection allows a cabin carried at an outboard end of the telescopic passageway member to mate to the rear doorway of the aircraft, providing an open passageway between the rear doorway and the terminal building through which passengers deplane.

Abstract: A system for automatically retracting a passenger loading bridge from an engaged position relative to an aircraft having a door, the aircraft being releasably connectable to a service provider is disclosed. The system comprising at least a sensor for detecting one of a plurality of predetermined events other than a user input at an input device coupled thereto and for providing a signal in dependence upon said detected predetermined events; and a bridge actuator in operative communication with the at least a sensor for receiving the signal and for automatically performing a retraction movement in order to retract the bridge from the aircraft in response to the signal indicative of one of the plurality of predetermined events being sensed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for providing a human sensable indication to an occupant of an aircraft that it is safe to open a door of the aircraft. An indication generator is provided for receiving a control signal in dependence upon a passenger bridge being correctly aligned with the door of the aircraft. More particularly, the passenger bridge is aligned with the door of the aircraft in one of a semi-automated and a fully-automated manner. The indication generator is also for providing the human sensable indication in dependence upon receiving the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for pre-identifying a model of an aircraft to which a passenger bridge is to be connected and for setting the passenger bridge to a predetermined position in dependence upon the identification. The system uses an imager to capture an image of the aircraft as it approaches the bridge. A local processor of the bridge extracts features for comparison to template data stored locally in a database for a plurality of possible aircraft models. In dependence upon a result of the comparison, a model of the aircraft is identified absent the local processor receiving additional information from an external information source. The local processor retrieves other data from the database for moving the passenger bridge to a predetermined position for the identified model of aircraft.

Abstract: A combination grill brush includes a brush head and a brush handle, in which brush head contains a hair portion and a cover portion and both are in form of stationary combination. The front end of the brush head becomes an overhang and the rear end provides the springy clasping edge. The brush handle is a hollow tube with one end enclosed and one hook ring on the end. The said brush head can be repeatedly pushed in and pulled out of the brush rod with the springy clasping edge, providing brush head replacement for damaged one.

Abstract: Bathing brush including an annular main body made of elastic and water-absorbent material and several bathing balls fixed on the main body at intervals. Each of the bathing balls includes at least one elastic mesh tube and at least one binding member. The circumference of the elastic mesh tube is crimped and waved. Then the elastic mesh tube is bound by the binding member. The bathing balls tightly abut against the circumference of the main body. In use of the bathing brush, the multiple bathing balls are able to maintain water therein. Moreover, the main body can also maintain a certain amount of water therein. The water contained in the main body can be gradually released to infiltrate into the adjacent bathing balls. Accordingly, the bathing balls can kept wet for a longer time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) comprising a surface structure which is made of a cleaning material and is provided with at least one holding loop (2) arranged on part of the surface opposite the cleaning side. The loop is used for attachment to the hand or pans of the hand. The invention is characterized in that the ends of the holding loop (2) are arranged in close proximity to each other in the region of the above-mentioned surface.

Abstract: An industrial sponge device and a method of manufacturing the same. The sponge is made from a polyvinyl acetal material with a process in which the pores are formed by gas to provide an open pore structure having no fibrils. Additionally, the sponge is purified by an extracting process which includes alternating exposure of the partially cross-linked sponge to solutions of high pH and low pH. The sponge is sterilized by electron beam radiation to destroy micro organisms that can cause contamination of the final product. The resulting sponge material is formed into an industrial sponge having a cylindrical body and a plurality of projections extending from the body. The projections are tapered truncated cones having a cross-sectional radius that decreases with distance from the body. The extracting process permits residual amounts of calcium, zinc, and other elements to be 2 ppm or less. preferably 1 ppm or less.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an automated washing apparatus for windowpanes, comprising two tracks (7) placed on the sides of a relative windowpane (2), at least one support frame (8) mounted and sliding onto said tracks (7), at least one windscreen wiper (9) supported by the frame (8) and touching the windowpane (2), and a device (10) for moving the frame (8) along the two tracks (7), causing also the windscreen wiper (9) slide against the windowpanes (2). Said moving device (10) is equipped with a sliding element (11) mounted inside each track (7), and a device (24) for actuating the same sliding elements (11). The tracks (7) and the moving device (10) may be either installed in a pre-existing frame (3) or completely included inside said frame (3), so that only the part of the apparatus delimited by the frame (3) is visible from the outside.

Abstract: A singular wiper for wiping multiple and independent surfaces which obviates the conventional need for a wiper respectively for each of the surfaces. The wiper includes a wiper motor assembly, a wiper arm connected to the wiper motor assembly, a blade assembly connected to the wiper arm, and a cam having a cam profile. The wiper motor assembly reciprocates the wiper arm and thereby reciprocates the blade assembly over a predetermined range of reciprocation. The cam profile interacts with the wiper arm in a normal direction that is perpendicular to the plane of reciprocation of the wiper assembly so as to selectively regulate contact of the blade assembly with various surfaces disposed in the range of reciprocation of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A wiper blade is proposed which is used to clean windows, especially of motor vehicles. The wiper blade is displaceable transversely to its length, preferably about a pendulum axis, and can be pressed with an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip (46) against the window (54) to be wiped; the wiper strip is disposed on the lower band face (49), oriented toward the window, of a bandlike-elongated, spring-elastic support element (42). Chattering that occurs during wiping operation and causes an unsatisfactory outcome of wiping as well as considerable noise, is avoided if the region of the upper band face (43), remote from the window, of the support element (42), the wiper blade is provided with a mass body, which is disposed movably, at least in the displacement direction (74) of the wiper blade.

Abstract: A wiper arm (10) and a method for producing a wiper arm (18) are proposed, in which the wiper arm (18) comprises a U-shaped profile section (24) and a bottom (34), which is secured at some points to the profile section (24).

Abstract: A particle capture system includes a container sized to receive a structural disc drive component. A fixture is able to maintain the disc drive component within a spray zone in the container, and a first nozzle in the container is connected to a fluid source and is oriented to direct fluid at the spray zone. A particle trap is connected to a fluid outlet of the container and is able to trap particles from fluid exiting the container through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A device for attaching a hose to a housing. The device comprises first and second arms that are attached to the hose. The first arm extends outward from the hose toward the second arm and the second arm extends outward from the hose toward the first arm.

Abstract: A locking system for a vacuum cleaner having a top portion and a bottom portion where the bottom portion has an opening. The locking system includes a shoulder extending from an inside sidewall of the bottom portion, a boss protruding from an outside surface of the bottom portion, a first locking latch secured to the top portion, the first locking latch adapted to extend in to the bottom portion of the vacuum and abut a bottom section of the shoulder and a second locking latch secured to the top portion, the second locking latch adapted to engage the boss. A method for locking the top portion of the vacuum to the bottom portion is also disclosed.