Abstract: The invention provides a finger grip aid for use while holding equipment. The aid is worn on one or more fingers like a sleeve, where it compresses the finger except at an opening over the second knuckle. In one embodiment, the finger grip aid fits over the entire finger, and in a second embodiment the finger grip aid fits over the finger from the base to a position between the first and second knuckles. The inventive finger grip is particularly useful for gripping devices having elongated handles like golf clubs, or for holding hard to grip items, such as balls and drinking glasses.

Abstract: The visor protector prevents a visor secured to a helmet from being scratched when not in use, such as during transportation thereof. The protector includes a protective member comprising an external and an internal protective shell, joined together at a common protective shell edge, hence forming V-shaped cross section and a trough-like channel. When the visor protector is installed on a visor, the external shell substantially entirely overlies the visor external surface, and the internal protective shell at least partially overlies the visor internal surface. To install the visor protector on a visor, the visor is inserted in the trough-like channel, slid along the external and internal protective shells, and the visor protector is then secured to the visor using one of several attachment methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing a safe and effective infant walking trainer and carrier garment to assist the parents with the training and care of their children. Too many articles in the care and handling of infants have been found to be a danger to the infant and in some cases have caused fatalities of infants even with very attentive parents. When we purchase an article designed for children we assume it is safe, but it has been proven that many are not. Safety in the design of devices in the field of childcare must be of the utmost importance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved sport catching glove. The improved catching glove is formed with an inner compartment shaped to dispose a hand of a player therein and arranged to permit free movement of the hand. The sport catching glove comprises a hand wrapper that encircles the hand of a catcher and allowing free movements of all fingers and of wrist. The wrapper is fixed inside the inner compartment and prevents the catching glove from escaping from the grip of the hand while allowing a free movement along axis of the wrist and of all fingers.

Abstract: An adjustable strap for adjusting the fit of a hat or other article of clothing that includes a strap that wraps around and through a link opening, attaches securely by use of a hook and loop fastener device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cap. The cap is very useful in many aspects that it not only blocks the Sun but also cools the head of the cap wearer, by tying the ends of the covers bands together or connecting them with a Velcro tape, thereby providing the cap wearer with more satisfaction of wearing the cap. In addition, the cap of the present invention is not easily slid off the head by wind or some motions of the cap wearer by applying the resin adsorption layer containing germanium, it being known to be not harmful to a human body and have an excellent adsorption capacity, to the entire inner surface or some parts of bands of the cap at regular intervals so as to stabilize brain waves of the cap wearer by taking advantage of ionization energy and far-infrared energy radiated from germanium, thereby releasing insomnia, stress and headache caused by unstable brain waves and improving concentration and memory.

Abstract: A device and article of cothing to adjust the article to reveal a portion of the body such as an abdominal area is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment a means for adjusting is a cinch device including an elastic cord with mating snaps on a the cord and article of clothing. The cord is attached through an adjustable section of material in a manner to permit the material to be gathered or bunched together when the cord is drawn. The cinch is selectively securable by the snaps in one or more positions. In a preferred pants embodiment of the invention, the adjustment changes the distance between the waistline and crotch of the pants to increase or decrease the distance between the waistline and crotch to variably cover or reveal the lower abdominal area of the wearer.

Abstract: A helmet construction for protecting a user's head, and the brain within the cranium from impact forces, includes a shell contoured to the shape of the user's head, with cushioning along at least part of the shell interior and a chinstrap. The shell consists of three (or more) discrete panels that are physically and firmly coupled together providing rigid protection under most circumstances, but upon impact the panels move relative to one another, but not relative to the user's head, thereby permitting impact forces to be dissipated and/or redirected away from the cranium and brain within. Upon impact to the helmet, there are sequential stages of movement of the panels relative to each other, these movements initially being recoverable, but with sufficient vector forces the helmet undergoes structural changes in a pre-determined fashion, so that the recoverable and permanent movements cumulatively provide a protective ‘crumple zone’ or ‘shear zone’.

Abstract: A baseball protector for protecting the arm of a user, having a forearm protector and a bicep protector connected to each other by a linking member. The forearm protector has an elastic sleeve having an impact absorption pad covering the inside of the user's forearm. The elastic sleeve has a contracted elastic band at its upper end to prevent the forearm protector from slipping down or off the forearm. The bicep protector has an impact absorption pad for covering the bicep of the user's arm and an elastic band at an upper end. The linking member is formed of elastic strips or a sheet member which does not restrict the throwing and/or catching motion of the user.

Abstract: In a protective garment, such as a firefighter's garment, of a type comprising an outer shell and a reflective strip, which is sewn to the outer shell, the reflective strip is spaced from the outer shell, except where the reflective strip is sewn to the outer shell, whereby to reduce risks of thread abrasion and to provide thermal insulation. The reflective strip may be thus spaced by a single strip interposed between two opposite margins of the reflective strip, along which margins the reflective strip is sewn to the outer shell, or by two spaced strips interposed therebetween. If two spaced strips are used, the reflective strip may be also sewn to the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other or, alternatively, the reflective strip is detached from the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other so as to define an air space between the reflective strip and the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other.

Abstract: The toilet seat and cover system for lifting and placing a toilet seat and cover on an open end of a toilet bowl includes a hinge attached to one end of the toilet bowl opening which also attaches to an end of the toilet seat and toilet cover. The system also includes a first lever located on one side of the toilet bowl which is coupled via a gear to the hinge such that downward radial movement of the first lever causes the toilet cover to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. A second lever is located adjacent the first lever and coupled to the hinge via another gear such that downward radial movement of the second lever causes the toilet seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: The self-supportive toilet seat and cover system for lifting and placing a toilet seat and cover on an open end of a toilet bowl includes a hinge attached to one end of the toilet bowl opening which also attaches to an end of the toilet seat and toilet cover. The system also includes primary seat and cover levers located on one side of the toilet bowl which are coupled to a fulcrum located below the toilet bowl. The primary levers are also coupled to respective secondary seat and cover levers which are in turn coupled to respective seat and cover collars attached to the ends of the hinge assembly pertaining to the rotational movement of the seat and cover, respectively. Downward pivotal movement of the primary levers causes the toilet cover and seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A wheelchair, containing a seat having an opening, seat sections that substantially fill the opening, a commode, wherein the commode is beneath the opening in the seat, wherein the seat sections move vertically and horizontally to provide access to the commode.

Abstract: The invention is a supply skirt for emergency toilets made of a generally cylindrical skirt of flexible material. The skirt is affixed over its circumference by a generally concave receptacle section of flexible material which fits into the hollow of the toilet. This receptacle section has a top surface and a bottom surface. Attached to the bottom surface is a holder of flexible material. An opening connects the holder and said top surface. The holder in cooperation with the opening is a dispenser for human waste bags. Around the outer aspect of said skirt is one or more pockets for the storage of toilet articles. The pockets have protective flaps. The skirt is adapted to fit over a toilet either a normal household toilet or a bucket toilet.

Abstract: The present application provides a self-lock hub unit of the lower frame of the playyard includes a body (10) having a plurality of slots formed at a periphery thereof for receiving tube legs of the playyard and a vertical cavity formed at the center thereof; an actuating member (20) which is vertically movably received in the cavity; two sliding engaging assemblies (30) movably mounted two oppositely positioned tube legs respectively, each sliding engaging assembly having a first member, a second member coupled to the first member for movably coupling the first member to one of the tube legs, and a biasing member disposed in the tube leg to bias the first and second members toward an open end of the tube leg, wherein the two oppositely positioned tube legs are rotatably received in two radially opposite slots of the body respectively; two locking means (16, 17) formed on the body at positions corresponding to the sliding engaging assemblies respectively and having a guiding portion (18, 18′) and an eng

Abstract: A bedding apparatus has an inflatable base and a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag has a base portion and a cover that define a sleeping space between the base portion and the cover. The sleeping bag is supported by the base. The base can be folded into a different configuration and retained in this folded configuration for use as a different article of use.

Abstract: A therepeutic support pillow device that can be shaped and reshaped to provide a variety of configurations in support of various jointed and appendage elements of the human body such as the head, neck, arms,back, hips, or full body.

Abstract: A portable manually or mechanically manipulated child pacifying and sleep-inducing device is disclosed for use which comprised of two parallel posts, a square stand and a horizontal bar jointly connected to one another. The device includes a set of springs and safety cords connected to the horizontal bar and to the adjustable longitudinal hard plastic hanger support means by two sets of stationary clips, one set attached near both ends of the horizontally positioned bar, and the other set centrally positioned on the longitudinal adjustable hard plastic hanger support means. A breathable fabric hangs from the longitudinal adjustable hard plastic support means to accommodate therein infants of different heights and sizes.

Abstract: A device for emergency transport of pediatric patients that safely and efficiently transports a pediatric patient to a medical facility. To confine the patient to the device frame, it includes a child restraint in the form of a restraining belt assembly. The device accommodates children of varying size using the restraining belt assembly. The device also includes a hinge assembly that controls the relative rotation of portions of the frame. A clamp that can releasably attach to an object with a rail, such as a medical transport device is also described. To increase efficiency, the clamp includes a width accommodation feature and a universality feature. These features enable it to secure the device to objects of varying shapes and widths.

Abstract: A self inflated air cushioned bed includes a base, multiple air units each provided with at least two air cells securely mounted on top of a substrate and at least one unidirectional valve mounted on the substrate to allow air to flow into the at least two air cells, and an expanding device received in each one of the at least two air cells in each of the multiple air units to maintain the at least two air cells in each of the air units to be expanded. When the at least two air cells of each of the air units are expanded due to the expanding device, the at least one unidirectional valve allows air to flow into the at least two air cells of each of the air units so that the air units are maintained inflated.

Abstract: A hingeable mattress and cover combination. The hingeable mattress having a base section with a footer, a pivotable section with a header, and straps connected at one end to the pivotable section such that an operator can pull on the straps and thereby rotate the pivotable section toward the operator. The cover has a pocket to receive the header of the pivotable section. When the operator has a grasp of the header, the cover is placed over the header, the pivotable section is lowered to a reclined position and the cover is extended over the side walls and footer of the hingeable mattress. The cover can be removed by taking the cover off the footer, rotating the pivotable section toward the operator, removing the cover from the header and reclining the pivotable section.

Abstract: A leather is provided with enhanced abrasion resistance and improved lubricity properties by impregnating with a ceramic material of globular or generally spherical form. The leather so produced may be used in clothing, footwear, gloves and leather goods.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of non-keratinaceous textiles, preferably cellulosic fibers, which comprises the step of treating the textiles with a composition which comprises: a self-crosslinking polymer and a nucleophilic species (preferably a polymer comprising at least one protected thiol group), and a textile compatible carrier. Under domestic washing conditions the polymer forms reactive thiol groups which are capable of causing covalent cross-linking with the polymer. Preferably, the thiol group is protected as an isothiouronium group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agent for removing solid particles form surfaces, containing polymers, surfactants and other constituents. The above-mentioned polymers are naturally polygalactomanans. The agent exists in the form of a gel and runs together or can be mixed together so that the contaminated particles are embedded in the material and new surfaces are formed for receiving other contaminated particles. The invention also relates to the use of agents such as gel cleaners, cold cleaners, neutral cleaners, textile cleaners, disinfectives and/or technical cleaners.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process and a composition, containing latex, for the manufacturing of rubbery tissue sheets. The process of the present invention consists of the following steps: formulation of the composition, consecutive impregnation and smoking cycles; and maturation. Also, it is part of the scope of the present invention, a impregnation composition which is essentially an aqueous solution comprising latex, a sulfur source and a vulcanization accelerator. The rubbery tissue sheets obtained by the present invention can be submitted to the manufacturing of: suitcases, bags, purses, travelling bags, clothes, diaries, wallets, shoes and other objects usually made of leather.

Abstract: A solvent vapor sensor for determining amounts of solvent vapor flowing during a solvent dry cleaning process is provided. The solvent cleaning process utilizes a solvent based cleaning fluid primarily made up of cyclic siloxane solvent. The solvent vapor sensor, i.e., a chemical specific sensor, may be configured in various forms, such as a spectroscopic sensor, a piezo-based sensor, a strain-gauge based sensor, and a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A rinse control method for a washing machine including the steps of rinsing water supplying and infiltrating for supplying rinsing water rotating an inner tub at relatively low speed so that the rinsing water can be infiltrated into washing materials and rinsing water permeating and exhausting for draining the rinsing water rotating the inner tub at relatively high speed so that the rinsing water can be exhausted to the outside passing through the washing materials enable a swift rinsing operation with a smaller amount of rinsing water.

Abstract: A composition for the post-treatment of a process for coloring, such as with at least one coloring agent chosen from direct dyes and oxidation dyes, human keratin fibers such as human hair, comprising at least one particular aminosilicone as well as a process for coloring, with, for example, at least one coloring agent chosen from direct dyes and oxidation dyes, human keratin fibers such as hair, comprising a post-treatment with a composition comprising at least one particular aminosilicone.

Abstract: Pretreatment agents for hair colorings with acid dye comprising at least one cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers having amino groups and polymers having quaternary ammonium groups. The pretreatment agents for hair colorings with acid dye are used for improving coloring ability and color fastness of hair colorings with acid dye.

Abstract: Dye compositions comprising, in a medium suitable for dyeing:

Abstract: A hair color composition comprising, in a polar solvent, association structures having contained therein at least one water soluble or water dispersible dye that is operable to impart color to the hair when contacted therewith and a method for coloring hair.

Abstract: The present application relates to a process for preparing dyed plastics or polymeric dye particles characterized in that it comprises mixing a high molecular weight organic material with a coloristically effective amount of at least one dye of the formula where R1 is hydrogen, hydroxyl or a radical —NHCO—R6, where R6 is C1-C6alkyl or unsubstituted or C1-C4alkyl- or halogen-substituted phenyl, R2 is hydrogen, hydroxyl or a radical W—R7, where W is —NHCO— or —S— and R7 is C1-C6alkyl or unsubstituted or C1-C4alkyl- or halogen-substituted phenyl, R3 is hydrogen, R4 is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R5 is hydrogen, or R3 and R4 combine to form the radical of the formula, where the rings A and B may independently bear further substituents.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to flame resistant fabrics that comprise a plurality of inherently flame resistant fibers and a plurality of cellulosic fibers containing a flame retardant compound. In one arrangement, the inherently flame resistant fibers have been dyed and/or shrinkage controlled with a dye-assistant such that the fabric contains a residual amount of a dye-assistant selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexylpyrrolidone, benzyl alcohol, N,N-dibutylformamide, N,N-diethylbenzamide, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N-octylpyrrolidone, aryl ether, an approximately 50/50 blend of N,N-dimethylcaprylamide and N,N-dimethylcapramide, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a self-propelled running apparatus for cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid, comprising at least a transverse running member (15), having two axial ends through which it is mounted rotatable on a frame about a transverse axis of rotation, means guiding in rotation said running member, including means driving in rotation said member through at least one of its axial ends, and whereof a part at least, called frame-mounted guide means, is borne by the frame.

Abstract: 18A powered toothbrush includes a head contains a first powered bristle bearing section and a second non-powered, moving, bristle bearing section hingedly connected to and spaced apart from the balance said head, which combination of sections provides enhanced cleaning, while helping to reduce the potential harm of brushing to the soft gum tissues of the mouth.

Abstract: Typical electric toothbrush brushes pivotally, which is quite different from the non-electronic counterpart. The electric toothbrush (10) of this invention includes an axial brush section (40) movable in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the toothbrush handle (14), which defines a longitudinal direction. The electric toothbrush (10) of this invention may brush teeth in a way resembling that of using traditional non-electric toothbrush, as the axial brush section is moving along the direction of tooth growth.

Abstract: This oral cleansing device assembly is an oral hygiene tool, which connects to the water faucet, uses normal water pressure in the system. All electric toothbrushes use a small motor, rechargeable or alkaline battery operated.

Abstract: A floor machine for cleaning floors with a rotary brush or buffer includes (1) a base assembly having a motor and skirt with no frame and (2) a handle and frame assembly. The frame/handle assembly can readily be attached to the base assembly by a simple engagement of the frame to a support mounted on the housing of the motor. This permits (1) the handle and frame assembly to be packaged in a shipping carton which need only be tall enough to accommodate the wheel diameter of the handle/frame assembly and (2) the base assembly of motor and skirt to be packaged in a second carton having a size which need only accommodate such base/motor and skirt assembly with no significant wasted space.

Abstract: A street sweeper drag shoe of cast austempered ductile iron used with a rotary broom in sweeping, whereby escaping debris from under a contact skid is recaptured. The street sweeper drag shoe contains a deflection plate that redirects bristle tip movement inwardly to allow the broom to recapture debris which escapes during normal operation. The street sweeper drag shoe also includes an angled wedge for concentrating outer bristles of the broom into a rotating barrier to prevent debris migration to the ends of the broom. The contact skid exhibits total planar contact with the roadway without interceding carbide wear plates.

Abstract: A sweeper drag shoe used with a rotary broom in sweeping, whereby escaping debris from under a contact skid is recaptured. The sweeper drag shoe contains a deflection plate that redirects bristle tip movement inwardly to allow the broom to recapture debris which escapes during normal operation. The sweeper drag shoe also includes an angled wedge for concentrating outer bristles of the broom into a rotating barrier to prevent debris migration to the end of the broom.

Abstract: A street sweeper with vacuumized dust control where a rotary broom chamber surrounds a rotary broom. The rotary broom chamber connects by a conveyor housing containing a conveyor mechanism to a hopper having a powered fan and a filter. A vacuum or low pressure is created within the hopper which communicates through the conveyor housing to the rotary broom chamber which creates an airflow therebetween which carries dust or other light debris to a filter which filters out the dust particles or other light debris. The conveyor housing and other components are positionable to accommodate various modes of operation.

Abstract: Manual cleaning device (10), comprising a cleaning member (12, 120), delimited at least over a portion of its circumference by an edge (13) formed in a plane (14) and configured on one side of this plane (14) to have a dome shape, characterized in that the cleaning member (12, 120) has a flat dome shape on both sides of the edge (13) and in that the circumference of the cleaning member (12, 120), dome-shaped on both sides, is oval at least in the area of its edge (13).

Abstract: A foldable hand tool for use with cleaning golf club heads which has an open position and a closed position. The tool has a first section having a first inner side; a second section having a second inner side; and a connector section. The connector section is connected pivotably to the first section at a first connection point, and the connector section is connected pivotably to the second section at a second connection point. The first connection point and the second connection point are spaced from one another and positioned such that the first inner side of the first section is capable of contacting the second inner side of the second section when the tool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield is provided and includes a wiper arm having a first and second end. The first end of the wiper arm includes a reaction surface disposed thereon while the second end includes a wiper blade biased into engagement with the windshield. In addition, a drive motor is fixedly attached to the first end of the wiper arm, whereby the drive motor includes a drive shaft operable to pivot the wiper arm across the windshield. A separator assembly is further provided and is supported by the drive shaft. The separator assembly is disposed within the arm and is operable to react against the reaction surface of the arm to selectively lift the wiper arm from engagement with the windshield.

Abstract: A windshield wiper device (10), in particular, for a motor vehicle, includes a wiper bearing (14), which includes a bearing housing (24), a wiper shaft 922), which is supported in the bearing housing (24) and which supports a wiper arm (28) on a first end (26), and an element (42) that axially secures the wiper shaft (22). The element (42) includes at least one region that is made from a foam material.

Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiper frame, a wiper blade, and a single-rail spline is provided. The wiper blade includes a head portion and a wiping portion, the head portion having an entry slot disposed in a top surface of the head portion. A spline channel is also disposed in the head portion adjacent to the entry slot. A single-rail spline nests within the spline channel and adds rigidity to the wiper blade along the length of the wiper blade. The wiper blade and spline are slidingly received by claws on the wiper frame, and an end cap is releasably connected to both ends of the wiper blade to further secure the wiper blade and spline to the wiper frame.

Abstract: A power management system for a surface maintenance machine, such as a street sweeper is disclosed. The system includes a variable speed engine for transporting the surface maintenance machine, a hydraulic pump powered by the engine, a vacuum fan motor powered by the hydraulic pump, an engine speed sensor coupled to the engine, an electric proportional valve coupled between the hydraulic pump and the vacuum fan motor, said valve for selectively restricting a flow rate to the vacuum fan motor, and a control unit operatively coupled to the engine speed sensor and the proportional valve, said control unit receiving engine speed information from the engine speed sensor and communicating a predetermined signal to the proportional valve to control the flow rate to the vacuum fan motor as a function of engine speed. A method of managing engine power from a single-engine street sweeper is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting soiled cleaning solution from carpets and other surfaces utilizing a low-profile pick-up head is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber or enclosed space positioned in a fluid recovery device to provide a uniform vacuum along the entire width of the device. Also disclosed is a low-profile push-pull fluid recovery device which includes a positive pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber in the push-pull head to distribute positive and vacuum pressures, respectively, along the width of the push-pull head. Methods for using such pick-up heads are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated joint (1) to joint tubes with two ducts (2, 3), particularly for a suction, steam production and/or cleaning apparatus, comprising a central portion (4), provided with a rotation system with maximum angle of 170°, a front body (5) and a rear body (6), carrying suction, steam production and/or cleaning ducts (2, 3), the passage of steam and/or cleaning products occuring through a front duct (7) and a rear duct (8), said front duct (7) and rear duct (8) having one end within watertight means, provided in said central part (4), allowing the passage of steam and/or cleaning product, and at the same time allowing the rotation of the articulated joint (1) in every position.