Abstract: A male component of a male and female fastening system, such as a hook and loop fastener, that can remain fastened to a female component under high levels of shear force. The male component has a backing material with projections extending from the backing material at an angle toward the direction of fastener force. The combination of the male component with a standard female loop component results in a secure fastening system. The combination of the male component with a standard female loop component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A quick-connect strap lock assembly for use with, for example a spa cover and a spa, is provided generally comprising a first male clip portion receivable within a second female lock portion and a key portion receivable in a key hole of the lock portion. The male clip portion generally includes a first end with a pair of legs each leg having a barbed end. The male clip portion also typically includes a second end for receiving a strap. The female lock portion generally includes a first main opening sized to receive the legs of the male portion, and a second opening adapted to receive the key. The female lock portion also typically includes one or more posts in communication with the first main opening. The posts are preferably adapted to engage the barbed ends of the male clip portion in order to secure the male clip portion to the female lock portion.

Abstract: A self-fastening and replaceable fastener for attaching a button to at least one layer of fabric. The fastener includes a coil. The button has at least one sew throughbore. The coil is helically-shaped so as to form a thread pattern for treatably puncturing through at least one of the at least one layer of fabric. The coil has a head and a tip that passes through an associated sew throughbore in the button and treatably punctures through the at least one layer of fabric, until such time as the head of the coil, which is widened, seats on the button.

Abstract: An ornamental corner piece for attachment to a casket includes a back plate which is adapted to mount to the corner of a casket. An attachment clip is operatively mounted within an elongated groove in the back plate. The clip member has at least one keyhole groove comprising an opening and a slot. An ornamental corner insert with at least one attachment member selectively slidingly engages the keyhole groove in the attachment clip such that the ornamental corner insert may be selectively mounted to or removed from the back plate. The attachment clip includes an indexing member. When the attachment clip is installed, the indexing member extends into a throughhole in the elongated groove in the back plate. The indexing member properly orients the attachment clip in the elongated groove. Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A casket ornament display plaque and associated methods for memorializing a deceased individual. The casket ornament display plaque comprises a decorative board, a casket ornament attached to the board, and indicia attached to the board identifying a deceased to be memorialized. The casket ornament is one having been removed from a casket in which the deceased was displayed. The indicia may be a nameplate bearing the name of the deceased, a photograph of the deceased, or both. A method for memorializing a deceased comprises displaying a casket containing the deceased therein, the casket having at least one selectively removable ornament, removing the ornament from the casket, affixing the ornament to a display plaque and presenting the display plaque and ornament to survivors of the deceased so that the deceased can be remembered by displaying the plaque and ornament.

Abstract: A method for forming a metallic fabric includes forming a composite yarn having a metallic wire core, and a cover yarn including a fluid-soluble strand such as co-nylon or polyactic acid. The composite yarn can be knitted into an intermediate fabric product. The soluble element is dissolved to leave a use fabric suitable for other processing, such as coating with materials such as latex. The non-fluid-soluble strand may be either a single strand or multi-filaments of steel wire.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method to engage a liner in an cylinder of an engine is provided. A wedge and rod are utilized as part of a liner remover assembly to move at least one collet axially to engage the liner. In a preferred embodiment, a novel eyehook is provided at an end of the rod to assist in the pulling of the liner from the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scrapping system of used-automobiles, comprising a reusable parts collecting station A, a liquid collecting station A for collecting liquids including fuel, oil and coolant, a prearrangement station B for collecting Freon, batteries, seats, tires and the like, a functional parts collecting station D for collecting suspension device and the like, a non-ferrous metal parts and resin parts collecting station E for collecting motors, harnesses, instrument panels, bumpers and the like, and a pressing station F for pressing a body of the used-automobile which has been processed in the above stations, wherein said steps are sequentially carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming aluminum alloy hydroformed structures for automotive vehicles at low cost. The process continuously casts molten aluminum alloy into aluminum alloy strip material preferably followed by continuously warm rolling the strip material into aluminum alloy sheet material. The sheet material is formed into one or more aluminum alloy tubes and the tubes are hydroformed into the desired automotive vehicle structure.

Abstract: Form-transmitting clamping of a tool with a shaft in an opening of the tool receptacle by shrinking with heating and cooling and adjustment of an axial insertion depth of a shaft in an opening of the tool receptacle, the method includes placing a movable contact piece on a free end of a tool for positioning the tool coaxially to the tool receptacle, clamping the tool between the contact piece on the one hand and a counterforce which acts opposite on the tool and oppositely to an insertion of the tool in the opening of the tool receptacle on the other hand before starting a heating, retaining the shaft clamped during the heating, and stopping the heating after reaching a predetermined nominal value during insertion of the shaft in the opening of the tool receptacle.

Abstract: A tool for installing a locking ring in an annular groove defined by a lower annular rim portion of a sink flange of a garbage disposer sink flange assembly. The tool includes a pair of elongated members that are pivotally connected at a pivot point to form a pair of opposed handles and a pair of opposed ring-engaging tips. The tips define a pair of outwardly facing indentations that adapt the tips to engaging the locking ring in order to spread the locking ring by operation of the person squeezing the handles toward each other. Mechanical stops are located in the opposing handles that prevent excessive spreading of the locking ring. In addition, the tool is configured such that when the tool is brought into position, and the tool is leaned over the locking ring is released from the ring-engaging tips.

Abstract: A method for inserting a heat port into a stamped base unit includes manufacturing a heat port from a hard metal and providing the heat port with a flange and a recessed locking area. The base unit is provided with a counterbored base hole, the base hole including a counterbore area. The heat port is stamped into the counterbored base hole so that the heat port flange coins the base unit material by the counterbore area into the recessed locking area of the heat port.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: A method of increasing capacity of an air-cooled power generator 30 includes retrofitting a water evaporative cooler 48 to the generator. The water evaporative cooler 48 includes a water absorbent media 50, a controllable water inlet 52,53 for controllably delivering water from a water supply to the water absorbent media, at least one sensor 54, and a controller 56 responsive to the at least one sensor. The retrofitting includes mounting the water evaporative cooler 48 so that the water absorbent media 50 is in fluid communication a flow of cooling air, connecting the controllable water inlet 52,53 to the water supply, mounting the at least one sensor 54 for sensing at least one parameter relating to the flow of cooling air, and connecting the controller 56 to the at least one sensor to thereby operate the controllable water inlet based upon the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A data storage disc or a disc pack containing one or more discs and spacers can be balanced on a spindle hub of a spin motor in a disc drive simply and economically by means of vibrational centering of the disc around the spindle hub. It has been determined that after the disc or disc pack has been placed on the spindle hub, the spindle hub can be vibrated such that the disc or disc pack are centered on the spindle hub, thus balancing the mass of the disc or disc pack on the spindle hub. The balanced disc or disc pack can then be firmly fastened to the spindle hub.

Abstract: A system and method for burnishing the edges and corners of hard disk drive sliders uses a combination of flexible tape fixturing and mechanical protrusions located beneath the tape to systematically orient selected slider corners and edges to be exposed to an abrasive in a flexible manner. This solution carefully exposes the sliders even when there is very little clearance between the sliders. A variety of different rounding geometries are achieved by customizing the protrusions underneath the flexible tape. Multiple slider corners and/or edges are exposed to the abrasive at one time for bulk processing. The sliders are oriented in such a way that sensitive structures located on the air bearing surfaces of the sliders are not harmed during burnishing.

Abstract: A method for forming a bottom spin valve sensor having a synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned (SyAP) layer, antiferromagnetically coupled to a pinning layer, in which one of the layers of the SyAP is formed as a three layer lamination that contains a specularly reflecting oxide layer of FeTaO. The sensor formed according to this method has an extremely high GMR ratio and exhibits good pinning strength.

Abstract: A method of making composite electric machine components. Magnetic segments and non-magnetic segments are separately formed to green strength, and then arranged adjacent to each other in a desired magnetic pattern. A small amount of powder material is added in-between the segments, and the whole assembly is then sintered to form a sinterbonded composite component of high structural integrity.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a rechargeable polymer battery. First, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a polymer electrolyte, and a separator film are provided. Then, the positive electrode, negative electrode and separator film are coated with the polymer electrolyte and winded together to form a rechargeable polymer battery. The coating and winding can be conducted simultaneously, or, alternatively, the winding can be conducted after coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and packaging method for stacking a plurality of integrated circuit substrates which provides interconnection paths through the substrates to simplify electrical connections between the integrated circuits while facilitating minimization of the volume and customization of the three dimensional package size to conform to the available internal space within a housing, e.g., one used in an implantable device where package volume is at a premium. Furthermore, an internal cavity can be created by the stacked formation that is suitable for mounting of a surface mount device, e.g., a crystal or the like.

Abstract: A spring element used in a temporary package for testing semiconductors is provided. The spring element is compressed so as to press the semiconductor, either in the form of a bare semiconductor die or as part of a package, against an interconnect structure. The spring element is configured so that it provides sufficient pressure to keep the contacts on the semiconductor in electrical contact with the interconnect structure. Material is added and/or removed from the spring element so that it has the desired modulus of elasticity. The shape of the spring element may also be varied to change the modulus of elasticity, the spring constant, and the force transfer capabilities of the spring element.

Abstract: A tool for disengaging electrical connectors includes a central body section with disconnecting prongs projecting from the opposite ends thereof. The prongs are offset relative to the plane of the body section but extend in the same direction so that one set of the prongs forms an arcuate surface which facilitates the use of the prongs to disengage connector sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for the automated manufacture of optical fiber devices including a fiber magazine and a plurality of fiber cassettes within the magazine. The cassettes include alignment members and optical fiber in which the devices are to be formed. A plurality of work stations include assemblies for processing the fiber in the cassettes and reciprocal alignment structures corresponding to the alignment members of the cassettes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that increases the efficiency of material handling apparatus, such as those used to trim and form electrical leads on solid state electrical devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable pulleys, an endless belt capable of retaining devices to be processed that is disposed around the pulleys such that rotation of the pulleys will cause said belt to travel around said pulleys, and a plurality of paired tooling members, each of said, paired tooling members having first and second tooling members disposed on opposing sides of the belt and directly opposing so as to cooperate and perform a tooling operation on the leads when reciprocated toward each other along a common axis. In a preferred embodiment, two horizontally aligned pulleys with vertical axes of rotation are used to rotate the belt in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an array of aligned microstructures on a substrate are disclosed. The microstructures may be spring contacts or other microelements. The methods disclosed include construction of an alignment substrate, alignment of die elements with the alignment substrate, and fixation of the aligned die elements to a backing substrate.

Abstract: For implementing a method of mounting electronic components, and an apparatus therefor, which has a much reduced tact time, the nozzles 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f are kept in holes 5 provided in a straight line row in nozzle stocker 4 in the order of use sequence. When the type of electronic components to be mounted on a circuit board changes, transfer head 1 has to go to a place above the nozzle stocker 4 to replace the nozzle. In the invented mounting method, and mounting apparatus, the transfer head 1 is required to move only to a place above the next nozzle 3b after returning the used nozzle 3a to a hole 5. Thus the stroke L of transfer head 1 needed for the nozzle exchange is significantly reduced, and the nozzle may be replaced within a short time.

Abstract: A component mounter which picks up components from two or more tape feeders aligned in a component feeder carriage, and mounts them a board. Suction nozzles for vacuum-holding components are disposed on the transfer head at a predetermined basic pitch in the X direction (tape feeders alignment direction) to form a nozzle line. Two or more nozzle lines are aligned in the Y direction (perpendicular to the X direction). These suction nozzles pick up two or more components from the tape feeders simultaneously, enabling to reduce the space required for installing the mounter and making the mounter more compact. Increased feasibility of simultaneous pickup of several components also improves mounting efficiency.

Abstract: A method for making three-dimensional structures comprises providing a plurality of components, each of which is moveably coupled to a substrate. The components may be pivotally coupled to the substrate by one or more micromachined hinges. The components are moved using electrostatic forces which lift the components from the surface of the substrate. The components may then be moved further by providing electrostatic forces between components. Two or more components may engage with one another to provide a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of installing a land grid array (LGA) multi-chip module assembly to a printed wiring board is provided. A module holding member is attached to the printed wiring board. The module assembly is inserted into the module holding member. The module assembly is retained to the module holding member, which facilitates mechanical actuation of the LGA compression hardware. The module assembly is electrically grounded to the printed wiring board while the module assembly is retained to the module holding member.

Abstract: Microelectronic contacts, such as flexible, tab-like, cantilever contacts, are provided with asperities disposed in a regular pattern. Each asperity has a sharp feature at its tip remote from the surface of the contact. As mating microelectronic elements are engaged with the contacts, a wiping action causes the sharp features of the asperities to scrape the mating element, so as to provide effective electrical interconnection and, optionally, effective metallurgical bonding between the contact and the mating element upon activation of a bonding material.

Abstract: A board 20 is provided with a Cu film 30 as a conformal mask, in which are formed a register mark 30b and an opening 3a through which a via hole is formed. A camera senses this register mark 30b so that the position of the board 30 is determined. A laser beam is directed to the approximate position of the opening 30a, so that the opening 26a through which the via hole is drilled is formed. The accuracy of the position of the opening of the via hole depends on the accuracy of the position of the opening 30a in the Cu film 30 as the conformal mask. Therefore, the via hole can be formed at an adequate position despite the low accuracy of the position for laser irradiation.

Abstract: A substrate, preferably constructed of a ductile material and a tool having the desired shape of the resulting device for contacting contact pads on a test device is brought into contact with the substrate. The tool is preferably constructed of a material that is harder than the substrate so that a depression can be readily made therein. A dielectric (insulative) layer, that is preferably patterned, is supported by the substrate. A conductive material is located within the depressions and then preferably lapped to remove excess from the top surface of the dielectric layer and to provide a flat overall surface. A trace is patterned on the dielectric layer and the conductive material. A polyimide layer is then preferably patterned over the entire surface. The substrate is then removed by any suitable process.

Abstract: A method of forming a stator for a positive displacement motor. The method includes forming a liner that includes at least two resilient layers and at least one fiber layer, and the at least two resilient layers are positioned so as to enclose the at least one fiber layer. The liner is positioned in a stator tube, and the stator tube includes a shaped inner surface including at least two radially inwardly projecting lobes extending helically along a selected length of the stator tube. The liner is cured in the stator tube so that the liner conforms to the radially inwardly projecting lobes formed on the inner surface and to the helical shape of the inner surface. The curing forms a bond between the liner and the inner surface and between the at least two resilient layers and the at least one fiber layer.

Abstract: A tubular axle beam with variable wall thickness for a vehicle is provided including a first beam portion extending longitudinally between first ends and including spaced apart first longitudinal edges. A second beam portion extends longitudinally between second ends and includes spaced apart second longitudinal edges. Weld beads secure the first longitudinal edges to the second longitudinal edges to define a cavity between the beam portions with the first and second ends arranged adjacent to one another. Preferably, the tubular axle beam is constructed by stamping a first blank to form a first half of the beam, and a second blank is stamped to form a second half of the beam. The first and second portions are welded to one another to define a cavity between the portions. In another embodiment of the invention, a tubular axle beam includes a hollow beam extending longitudinally between opposing ends.

Abstract: A vibrator motor has a stationary piece and a moving piece hinged at one end. The moving piece does not generate substantial internal spring forces under the influence of an electromagnetic field, because it does not have a tail bracket. Other parts of conventional motors are also eliminated, so the motor is easier and less expensive to manufacture. In addition, the motor can be assembled and tuned before installation, which increases the ability to automate assembly.

Abstract: A firefighter's wrecking tool or pike pole includes a first elongated tubular pole section connected to a penetrating tip assembly at one end and to a second pole section at its opposite end. The second pole section supports a manually activated reciprocable piston hammer slidably mounted on the second pole section and engageable with spaced apart anvils secured to the tool for receiving repeated impact blows to facilitate use of the tool. The piston hammer may be locked in a position for carrying and manipulating the tool by a thumbscrew or by a sleeve type locking member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake band for use with a centrifugal clutch. The brake band is formed in a curved strip shape to be disposed along the outer peripheral surface of a clutch drum of the centrifugal clutch, and is adapted to be tightened around or released from the outer peripheral surface in response to the movement of at least one end of the brake band. The brake band comprises a plurality of linings provided on the inner surface thereof to be opposed the outer peripheral surface of the clutch drum. The linings are located spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the brake band.

Abstract: A tool head of a trimmer is provided, and has a gear mechanism housing and a rotatably drivable tool shaft that is mounted in the housing. Held upon the tool shaft is a hub portion that rotates with the tool shaft. On that side that faces the hub portion, the tool head is provided with at least one stripping edge, which has a radial component that extends from the inside to the outside, and which projects beyond the contour of the hub portion.

Abstract: A multicomponent monofilament cutting line includes a first component material and a second component material, the same or different in chemical structure from the first component material and extruded separately from the first component material. The second component material provides the cutting line with cutting edges and has increased wear resistance properties and increased abrasion resistance properties compared to those same properties of the first component material. The monofilament cutting line for a rotary trimmer for cutting vegetation preferably includes a first component material having a specific gravity of about 1.15 g/cc or less; and a second component material having a specific gravity greater than 1.15 g/cc. Notably, the multi-component, monofilament cutting line itself has increased wear resistance and increased abrasion resistance as compared to a single component monofilament cutting line employing one of either the first or second component materials.

Abstract: A battery-powered carving knife is shown having a housing and a switch, which connects and disconnects a battery to a motor. A drive mechanism including a worm gear together with a cam member causes reciprocation of reciprocating blade mounts to reciprocate back and forth in an out of phase fashion. The motor is positioned forward within the housing in motor receiving section, with the drive shaft of the motor facing rearwardly. The blade mounts are driven by the motor, and reciprocate in a position below the motor. The motor and blade mounts are positioned in front of a handgrip section, thereby improving the ergonomics of the device. Alternatively, the drive shaft can be positioned facing forward.

Abstract: A marking and cutting guide particularly adapted for use on large flat panels—such as pieces of plywood. The invention clamps onto large panels and remains in place while the user either uses it to mark a cutting line or uses is as a saw guide. Adjustment means are provided so that the user can easily adapt the device to panels of different sizes. Clamping means are provided so that the user can easily clamp the device to a panel.

Abstract: Electrical companies have more than just one fishtape, and some of those fishtapes are broken. Either the plastic handle is broken off or the metal tape is cut short and not the original length. The only other device of this kind that has a measuring device, it is on the handle. This has no purpose when the handle is broken off. As an electrician, it would be much easier to have the measurements marked on the tape, so you would know how long the metal tape is before you even begin. This again, eliminates wasted time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower dryer appliance typically used for drying and styling hair. When electrically activated, these appliances virtually always route electrical power to the fan or blower motor prior to or simultaneously with the heating element(s). Semiconducting switching devices used for regulating, controlling and/or switching electrical power generate waste heat that must be dissipated. Typically, heat is conducted and/or channeled away from the semiconducting switching device through a heat sink which is thermodynamic-mechanically coupled to the device. The greater the coverage area of the heat sink, the more waste heat can be dissipated depending on the ability of the heat sink to make contact with cooler, ambient air. This adds costs to the dryer/blower for engineering the heat sink, cost of the sink itself, and necessary design changes in the dryer/blower for accommodating the sink.

Abstract: A clothes dryer vent system is designed for hollow walls framed with scantling and covered with sheathing secured to the scantling. A rough-in box has a main body with a substantially planar rear panel, non-parallel curved side panels, a curved bottom panel, and a planar top panel that is generally perpendicular to the rear panel. The side, top and bottom panels intersect and are unitary with the rear panel, with each side panel intersecting and unitary with both top and bottom panels. The main body has a stub connector pipe affixed within the top panel that is designed to accept a 4-inch diameter metal vent pipe that has been compressed to an oval configuration. The stub connector pipe has an internal step that limits the insertion depth of the metal vent pipe. A flexible vent hose mounting insert has a stub pipe extension that fits within the stub connector pipe. The mounting insert has a pair of retaining clips that allow it to be secured to the main body of the rough-in box.

Abstract: A compact ultraviolet dryer adapted to be conveniently carried by a user and to enable a user to easily and quickly repair a spinning rod is disclosed. The compact ultraviolet dryer includes a chamber housing, made from material which does not allow ultraviolet rays to be transmitted therethrough, and shaped into a box form, the chamber housing including side walls having retaining cuts for holding a spinning rod, a cover plate openably attached to a front face of the chamber housing, an ultraviolet lamp provided in the chamber housing to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the spinning rod received in the chamber housing, and a ballast for supplying the ultraviolet lamp with stable current.

Abstract: A product dispenser and carrier (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for attachment to a surface such as a dryer fin includes a plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) and a product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521). The plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) attaches to the surface and the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521) releasably attaches to the plate member (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511). Product (31, 131, 431, 531) is operatively connected to the product carrier (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521).

Abstract: A gait adjusting device or harness is designed for attachment to an item of footwear, such as an athletic shoe. The harness has a panel with a lower face of predetermined adhering material designed to releasable attach or stick to a carpeted surface. A first set of straps extends from the panel for securing around the top of a shoe with the panel extending transversely across the sole of the shoe with the carpet adhering face facing downwardly, and a second set of straps extends from the panel in a direction transverse to the first set of straps for securing around the heel end of the shoe, securely holding the panel in the desired position.

Abstract: A sole structure for an athletic shoe includes a heel region and a forefoot region, a midsole of a soft elastic material including a midsole heel portion at the heel region, and an outsole of a harder material including an outsole heel portion at the heel region and an outsole forefoot portion that extends from the outsole heel portion to the forefoot region. The midsole heel portion has wavy corrugations on a lower surface thereof and a smooth plane on an upper surface thereof. The outsole heel portion includes a corrugated wavy plate with corrugations through its thickness, which are in phase with the wavy corrugations on the lower surface of the midsole heel portion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a substantially horizontal chamber substantially within a heel portion of a midsole, having atmospheric communication at its lateral sides, includes a chamber having an upper substantially rigid horizontal support plate having several transverse downwardly directed resilient cavities, each of the cavities defined by an upper resilient sleeve. The chamber also includes a lower substantially rigid horizontal support plate having corresponding upwardly directed resilient cavities, each of the cavities defined by a lower resilient sleeve; and includes resilient elements having a vertical length greater than an aggregate vertical length of walls of each pair of the upper and lower cavities when the resilient elements are uncompressed, the resilient elements each having a greater spring constant and spring rate than the walls of the cavities.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.