Abstract: A mop receptacle for use with dish mops and floor mops which allows the user to strain the excess cleaning solution from the mop head without contacting the mop head or actuating any levers or other mechanicals. The receptacle is substantially cylindrical in shape with a tapered wall section which compresses the mop head as it passes through straining any excess cleaning solution from the mop head. The smooth inside walls leading to the tapered wall section can also be used to drain cleaning solution from the mop head by pressing the head against the walls via the mop handle forcing the mop head to compress further.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a caster assembly for supporting an object. The assembly includes a caster wheel, a support member rotatably supporting the wheel and first and second side support pieces mounted on the support member. The support member includes a base support surface for engaging and supporting a bottom surface of an object. The first side support piece includes a first support surface adapted to engage and support a first side surface of the object. The second side support piece includes a second support surface adapted to engage and support a second side surface of the object. At least one of the side support pieces is slidably mounted on the support member and is adapted to be moved relative to the other side support piece to permit adjustment of a distance between the between the first and second side support surfaces to accommodate objects of different widths.

Abstract: A retractable door system for returning to a nearly closed position a door that has been opened having: a catch knob secured to a doorframe; a housing secured to a door; a retractable cord anchored within the housing at one end and having means for attaching to the catch knob at an opposite end; and a cord retracting means located within the housing for retracting the cord within the housing. The retractable door system may optionally further have a pad on the portion of the housing contacting a doorframe when the door is placed in a nearly closed position or a pad on the portion of the housing contacting a door or means for adjusting the tension of the retractable cord.

Abstract: In a check plate supporting structure, a check plate of a door checker interposed between a door support and a door supported on the door support is turnably supported on a bracket mounted to the door support. A pivot secured to the bracket is relatively turnably press-fitted into a polygonal bearing bore defined in the check plate. Large numbers of pressure-contact portions and gaps are alternately arranged between an inner peripheral surface of the bearing bore and an outer peripheral surface of the pivot in circumferential directions thereof. Thus, the looseness between the pivot secured to the bracket and the bearing bore in the check plate can be eliminated without excessive increase in turning torque of the check plate relative to the bracket, thereby preventing generation of an abnormal sound during opening and closing of the door and facilitating manual mounting of the door checker to the door support.

Abstract: A new handle attachment for attaching to a screed to aid in the leveling of freshly laid concrete. The inventive device includes an elongate shaft with a handle portion extended from one end of the shaft and a pair of arms extending from another end of the shaft. Each of the arms has a slot therein which are designed for receiving an item, such as a screed therein.

Abstract: A spectacles caddy can be attached by its spring clip to a vehicle visor or other similar substantially flat, thin, and stiff object. The shell of the caddy is made in two shallow elongate half boxes attached together at one short end by a hinge, and at the other by a latch closure. The latch is released by an exterior push button. A deformable member is provided in each shallow half box to grip the arms of a pair of spectacles inserted into the caddy. The longer side of each shallow half box also includes recesses, so that the sides do not grip the spectacle arms. The hinge is also constructed to limit the angular opening of the caddy to at most 45°, and preferably to about 30°, so that when in use attached, for example to a vehicle visor, the spectacles do not fall out when the caddy is opened to retrieve them.

Abstract: An adjustable liner retainer system comprising a container having an opening defining an upper edge and an outer surface and a liner situated in the container wherein an upper portion of the liner extends from the opening, folds over the upper edge, and at least partly hangs below the upper edge adjacent to the outer surface of the container. An adjustable liner retainer is tensioned around an upper end of the container pressing the hanging upper portion against the outer surface of the container. The adjustable liner retainer comprises a strip of material at least a portion of which is elastomeric material to create the tension to press the liner to the outer surface. A hook portion and a loop portion of the hook-and-loop fastener are attached to the first and second ends of the strip.

Abstract: The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips and a slider slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The external surface of the slider is designed to alter the way in which the slider will be grasped by the user. By providing outwardly protruding surfaces on the side portions of the slider, the slider will be grasped near the front or back of the slider. Thus, the user experiences a feeling that the slider is easier to move along the fastening strips. In another embodiment, by providing a gripping surface near the top portion of the slider, the slider will be grasped near the top portion of the slider. Thus, the slider will be easier to move and the slider reduces the tearing that may result when too much pressure is applied to the bottom portion of the slider during movement of the slider.

Abstract: A woven fastener product includes an array of hook elements and an array of loop elements that extend from the surface of different respective regions of a common fabric base. The arrays are formed by warp yarns, the arrays being separated in the warp direction of the fabric base. To form a self-engaged fastening, the fastener product is conformed so that the hook elements overlie the loop elements. Monofilament loops are shown sized and located to provide pin-receiving mounting sleeves as part of the woven structure.

Abstract: In a buckle of a type in which an insertion body of a male member is inserted into a housing of a female member, the male member is comprised of the insertion body and a belt attaching frame, the insertion body and the belt attaching frame being formed separately while a base end of the insertion body and the belt attaching frame are linked with each other so as to be freely rotatable, and the female member is comprised of the housing and a belt attaching frame, the housing and the belt attaching frame being formed separately while a front end of the housing and the belt attaching frame are linked with each other so as to be freely rotatable. Consequently, the buckle can readily fit a configuration of a surface of a product to be used, particularly a curved state thereof, thereby achieving a stable tightening.

Abstract: A lace tightening assembly is adapted for use with a shoe body having eyelet tabs, and includes a mounting seat mounted on one of the eyelet tabs, a tightening member mounted pivotally in the mounting seat, and an operating member for operating the tightening member to pivot between a shoe lace tightening position and a shoe lace loosening position.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of a multielement acoustic probe. A flexible circuit having conducting tracks on at least one of its sides is used. This circuit is joined to a plate of piezoelectric material having metallizations. Vias are produced through the flexible circuit in order to address the metallizations and to produce electrical contacts within the vias. This process may be used in echography probes.

Abstract: A pressurizing chamber 1 is formed as a recess by half etching of a silicon single-crystal substrate 2. A nozzle communicating hole 6 through which the pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to a nozzle opening 5 is formed as a through hole which is smaller in width than the pressurizing chamber 1. The pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to the nozzle opening 5 in the other face via the nozzle communicating hole 6 while reducing the volume of the pressurizing chamber 1 to a degree as small as possible. The silicon single-crystal substrate is used as a member constituting a spacer so that an ink drop of a reduced ink amount suitable for high density printing flies with high positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A process of producing a ceramic electronic component comprises external electrodes having first electrode layers containing at least a noble metal, cuprous oxide, and glass ingredient electrically connected to internal electrodes comprising a noble metal. As the ceramic electronic components, for example, a multi-layer ceramic capacitor, multi-layer varistor, multi-layer dielectric resonator, multi-layer piezoelectric element, etc. may be mentioned.

Abstract: A tool for pulling a lockwire, which extends around the intersection of mating cylindrical surfaces within a case and extends tangentially from between these surfaces through an opening in the case to a termination at the exterior of the case, has a body which mates at one side with conforming exterior elements of the case adjacent to the opening. The body extends tangentially of the surfaces from the one body side and the case opening. The tool has an extraction rod extended from the case opening through a square passage within the body. The lockwire is of rectangular cross section with opposite surfaces which are parallel to the axis of the mating case surfaces, and the lockwire termination has a hole extending between these surfaces. One rod end portion is of square cross section fitted to the passage and ends in jaws disposed to fit oppositely over these lockwire termination surfaces so that bores in the jaws are aligned with the lockwire hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing or processing articles includes smart microcontroller boards which cooperate with sensors and a communication system to monitor and control manufacturing processes. Microcontroller boards disposed within a container create a microprocessor module which is secured to the apparatus for controlling the same responsive to information provided to them. Sensors are provided for monitoring operation of the apparatus and providing such information to the microcontroller boards. The communication system provides for communication between the sensors and the microcontroller boards, among microcontroller boards and between the microcontroller boards and other portions of the apparatus which are to be subjected to responsive control. In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller boards are positioned within a container which is secured in a recess in the apparatus and has an overlying material covering the boards. A plurality of microcontroller modules may be employed in a system.

Abstract: A process for demounting a tire P, and a tread-bearing support S internal thereto, from an integral mounting rim J, which comprises first and second rim seats, the two rim seats being inclined towards the outside and extended axially to the outside by projections of low height. The process includes the steps of inserting, into a lubricated gap between the toe of the first bead Bo and the corresponding rim seat, a demounting insert I in the form of a portion of a circular ring of triangular meridian section of small dimensions, and then ejecting the first bead Bo from the rim J before or simultaneously with the ejection of the tire/support assembly.

Abstract: A steering column locking mechanism. A stationary tube is provided with a movable tube telescopically positioned over it. A plurality of teeth is provided on the outer surface of the movable tube that mesh with teeth defined on the outer diameter of a ring-shaped gear. The ring-shaped gear has an axial opening defined therein and first and second camming pins capable of being arranged in both an unlocked and a locked position are placed within the opening of the gear.

Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle body includes a step of positioning a pair of front side members so that a span between the front side members is adjusted at a first design span, a step of connecting a pair of hood-ledge reinforcements with hood ledges fixed to the front side members, respectively, while keeping the first design span, so that a span between each hood-ledge reinforcement and each front side member is substantially equal to a second design span; a step of positioning again the front side members connected to the hood-ledge reinforcements so that the span between the front side members is adjusted at the first design span; and a step of attaching a front-end module to the vehicle body while keeping the first design span.

Abstract: The invention relates to press tools for the connection, by cold forming, of tubular workpieces (2, 3) whose connection regions are provided with circular external cross-sectional shapes and are pushed one into the other. The press jaws (10) of the press tool have, in the closed state, approximately the external cross-sectional shape of the workpieces and can be provided with recesses (13, 17). Such a press tool may also have only two press jaws (10) and one bearing bolt (4). As a result of drive forces (F) introduced into the tool, cold-forming forces are exerted on the workpieces (2, 3) via said tool. Depending on manufacturing tolerances of the workpieces (2, 3), the distance (A) between the press jaws (10) varies.

Abstract: A fabrication station (117) suitable for use mobile unit (1) or as stand alone unit for fabricating solid surface construction materials is provided, as is a method of use therefor. The fabrication station is equipped with climate control units (23, 23a, 123) fabrication equipment (24, 124) and other environment control equipment. Therefore, solid surface construction materials can be fabricated onsite or at a remote fabrication shop. In the fabrication process according to the present invention, dimensional information is laid out directly onto the solid surface material stock. The fabrication station can include an adjustable support (124a) that supports each slat support channel portion so that the position of the slat support channel portions is adjustable relative to the support wall and one another to provide a fine adjustment. The fabrication station can also include removable slat portions 124c to accommodate different shapes of solid surface material to fabricate.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a stator core including the steps of a) punching a stacked plurality of long bands of sheet steel to form strip laminations having tooth portions and core back portions; and b) spirally winding the strip laminations and integrating the wound strip laminations. The stacked plurality of long bands of sheet steel can be punched over their width such that at least one pair of the strip laminations is formed and two of the strip laminations form a pair by intermeshing the protrusions and recesses of their respective tooth portions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head comprises the steps of forming a bottom pole layer, forming a gap layer, forming a top pole layer, and forming a thin-film coil. The thin-film coil is wound around the top pole layer in a helical manner. In the step of forming the bottom pole layer, the bottom pole layer is formed to include a first layer facing a portion of the thin-film coil, and a second layer that forms a pole portion and is connected to a surface of the first layer facing the top pole layer. In the step of forming the thin-film coil, a portion of the coil is disposed on a side of the second layer and another portion of the coil is disposed over the top pole layer via an insulating film.

Abstract: The invention allows a thin-film magnetic head that meets specifications required by the customer to be provided in a short period of time and manufacturing costs to be reduced. A slider of a magnetic head of the invention comprises two thin-film magnetic head element portions formed near an end face orthogonal to the direction of air flow. On the end face four pad-shaped electrodes are provided for electrically connecting the two head element portions to an external device. The electrodes are selectively connected to one of the head element portions through four conductors.

Abstract: A method for forming a top spin-valve SyAP GMR read sensor having a novel conductive lead overlay configuration and the sensor so formed. The lead overlay electrically contacts the sensor at a position within the SyAP pinned layer, thus simultaneously assuring improved electrical contact and destroying the GMR properties of the sensor at the junction to improve the definition of the sensor track width.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head includes forming a recording gap layer of a non-alumina base nonmagnetic material on a lower magnetic pole layer, the lower magnetic pole layer being composed of materials that are milled at the same rate. An upper magnetic pole layer is formed on the recording gap layer, and a single piece of equipment is used to trim the lower magnetic pole layer and pattern the recording magnetic gap layer such that the lower magnetic pole layer has a width that is substantially the same as that of the upper magnetic pole layer. The recording gap layer and the upper and lower half-gap layers are then removed over a region of the underlying substrate. Prescribed areas of tan air-bearing surface (ABS) are then etched to form a slider shape having a protruding part and a depressed part, the ABS and the side surface having a common edge such that the depressed part along the common edge extends into, but not beyond, the region.

Abstract: A modular reed switch assembly and method for making the same are provided. A switch assembly (101) includes a reed switch (206, 106) that is enclosed between a primary reed switch cover (208) and a reed switch base (104) wherein the reed switch cover and reed switch base are recessed to accommodate the reed switch. A secondary reed switch cover (102) further covers the primary reed switch cover (208) and the secondary reed switch cover (102) connects with the reed switch base (104). A protrusion (106) provides access to the electrical contacts (302) of the reed switch (206, 106) through the primary reed switch cover (208) and secondary reed switch covers (102).

Abstract: A component mounter has two or more feeder carriages and two or more mounting heads corresponding to the feeder carriages. The mounting heads pick up components from each feeder carriage. A transfer device is able to pass components requiring transfer between the mounting heads. The transfer of components enables the mounter to be used efficiently by transferring components to a different mounting head when the operation of one of the mounting heads stops.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting components, even if the components have narrow inter-component distances, without producing any interference between already mounted components and suction nozzles or components being suction-hold by the suction nozzles. The component mounting apparatus for picking up electronic components supplied from a component supply section by suction nozzles attached to a mounting head and mounting electronic components on a printed circuit board, includes a control section containing information relating to components to be mounted and controlling, based on this information, the positions of the suction nozzle, the mounting head and the printed circuit board so that components to be mounted are mounted in ascending order of height.

Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a probe card assembly includes prefabricating one or more elements of the probe card assembly to one or more predefined designs. Thereafter, design data regarding a newly designed semiconductor device is received along with data describing the tester and testing algorithms to be used to test the semiconductor device. Using the received data, one or more of the prefabricated elements is selected. Again using the received data, one or more of the selected prefabricated elements is customized. The probe card assembly is then built using the selected and customized elements.

Abstract: An instrument panel of an automotive vehicle has an original circuit board (10). An LED (16) is disposed on a bridge (34) in the board and faces a driver of the vehicle. Two terminals (16T1, 16T2) extend through the bridge to conductive continuity with respective conductive traces (24, 26) on the rear board face 12. Should the LED fail, it is replaced by severing the bridge from the board and removing it along with the LED on it. The severing creates a through-hole (36) in the board. A socket (40) that contains a replacement LED (16R) is installed in the through-hole and provides conductive continuity of the respective traces on the board with respective terminals of the replacement LED.

Abstract: A method of installing signalization spheres on energized transmission lines. A supporting structure, consisting of two bases equidistant, parallel to each other, linked to each other by axial segments, the axial segments acting as supports for activation engines, respectively, a grounding and idler tension system including a structure formed by two parallel rods that move along the vertical direction linked to two bases equidistant and parallel to each other in its intermediate portion through an axis. In its superior extremity through an axis and presenting in its inferior extremity slots for the introduction of an axis of a wheel. A first axial segment being equipped in its intermediate portion with a threaded rod which is linked it its inferior extremity to the axial segment of the bases superiorly equipped with a crank and spring. A fork is articulated over a pivot to the external part of the bases whereto are projected the feeding system.

Abstract: The present invention aims to connect metal films without forming any opening in a resin film. Against a first resin film 16 formed on a first metal film 12 are pressed bumps 21 on a second metal film 11 so that the bumps 21 are embedded into the first resin film 16. Either one of the first metal film 12 or the second metal film 11 or both is (are) patterned while the bumps 21 are in contact with the first metal film 12, and the first resin film 16 is heat-treated while the top of the first resin film is partially exposed to discharge the solvent or moisture from the exposed zone and cure the first resin film 16. After curing, the bumps 21 and the first metal film 12 may be ultrasonically bonded to each other. A second resin film and a third metal film may be further layered to form a multilayer structure.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer circuit board 116 having apertures 96, 98 which may be selectively and electrically isolated from electrically grounded member 46 and further having selectively formed air bridges and/or crossover members 104 which are structurally supported by material 112. Each of the apertures 96, 98 selectively receives electrically conductive material 114.

Abstract: A fabrication method for printed circuit boards is provided, in which a conductive layer of a conductive material is formed over an insulating layer. Portions of the conductive layer are removed to define a circuit pattern and at least one rail area. The rail area comprises conductive material arranged to span substantially the length of the circuit board adjacent to an associated edge thereof, and is electrically isolated from the circuit pattern. Portions of the conductive material within the rail area are eliminated such that no continuous length of conductive material extends substantially across the length of the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fabric article to include electronic circuitry in which a flex circuit is assembled to include conductive traces and pads on a flexible substrate, a fabric article is placed on a rigid surface, and the substrate of the flex circuit is secured to the fabric article. Also disclosed is a fabric article which includes electronic circuitry and an electrically active textile article.

Abstract: Bulges in a wire having helically coiled strands are formed by untwisting the strands in an anti-helical direction at a predetermined position, to form an electrical connector from a length of the stranded wire. The wire is gripped by moving two spaced apart clamp members to a closed position and thereafter rotating the clamp members relative to one another in at least one complete relative revolution in a direction which is anti-helical relative to the coiled strands to form the bulge. The wire is gripped and rotated in the anti-helical direction for a relative rotational interval of greater than one-half, and preferably three-fourths, of a complete relative revolution. Thereafter, during the remaining rotational interval of each relative revolution, the clamp members are opened to permit the wire to be advanced to the next position where a bulge is to be formed.

Abstract: In a socket used to house semiconductor die during testing, a recessed socket contact is provided that avoids pinching the die's contacts and allows for smaller socket holes and therefore denser arrays of contacts. In one embodiment, semiconductor fabrication techniques are used to construct a dense array of contacts and the contacts are singulated while maintaining their alignment within the array. A metal layer may be added to the tips of the contacts for better conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved structure of a cutter knife, comprising of a front casing, a rear casing, a front support pad, a rear support pad, a slider, a sliding bracket, a knife cartridge, a tail blade, a press button, a blade stopper, a stop block button and stopper button. Besides providing a convenient way of replacing the blades, the knife cartridge is capable of accommodating a plurality of spare blades, and the tail blade enhances the practicality and application of the cutter knife.

Abstract: A clasp knife is composed of a handle and a blade pivotally mounted on the handle. The handle has a fastening member and a locking member provided therein. The blade has a taper hole, a tongue slot, and a locking surface. When the blade is received in the handle, the fastening member is positioned in the taper hole and the locking member can abut the locking surface of the blade, so that the blade cannot be freely pivoted outwards to extend from the handle without the operation of the user. When the blade is extended, the locking member can be inserted in the tongue slot to prevent the blade from freely pivoting.

Abstract: A hacksaw includes a frame having a chamber formed in a rear handle, an arm pivotally secured to the handle for tensioning a saw blade and having a rear oblong hole, a lever pivotally secured to the handle, and a tension rod pivotally secured to the lever and having a lower portion extended through the oblong hole of the arm. A latch has a block slidably received in the handle and has an orifice for slidably receiving the tension rod. A spring may bias the latch to engage with the lever, and may bias the arm away from the handle.

Abstract: A support for a window, includes a plurality of edge parts defining an opening to receive a window wherein at least one of the edge parts includes a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, the first abutment surface being substantially planar and the second abutment surface being curved, each abutment surface being adapted to engage a window of a corresponding configuration.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for the chassis measurement of vehicles such as motor vehicles, wherein the apparatus includes a vehicle lift platform with which a chassis to be measured can be reversibly lifted and an axle measurement lifting device with which an axle measuring unit can be reversibly lifted. The axle measurement lifting device has at least two lifting stages which are actuable reversibly independently of each other.

Abstract: A generally L-shaped workpiece positioning tool is provided having a base and sidewalls, said base and sidewalls having unobstructed ends and the sidewalls having a void therebetween to space apart the sidewalls.

Abstract: A perimeter router guide preferably includes a guide area and a support leg. The support leg extends from a bottom of the guide area. A retention opening is formed adjacent the guide area to facilitate attachment of a work surface with a fastener. A circular router guide includes a pivot plate and a guide tube. The guide tube extend from a collet end of a router tool. The pivot plate preferabbly includes a plate with a plurality of bosses extending from a face of the plate. A pilot hole is formed through each boss. The pilot hole is sized to receive the guide tube. The plate is pivotally attached to a surface to be cut. The guide tube is inserted into one of the pilot holes and revolved relative to the pivot point of the pivot plate.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a flexible, clear-ruled tile template having substantially the same dimensions as the piece of tile 14 being laid. The present invention 10 is made of a flexible material so that it can be bent against objects 32 such as walls. The property of transparency allows the user 12 to more clearly see the space 16 being measured and a grid pattern 24 affixed thereon allows the user to extend the proposed measurement across the entire tile to see what the proposed cut tile will look like. The present invention 10 has the American standard of inches 22 marked on three sides with each inch further broken down by a common measure such as eighths or sixteenths. On the fourth edge a metal plate 20 has been attached that can be used as a straight edge or cutting edge.

Abstract: In a measuring apparatus (1) for contactlessly determining the position of two components (11 and 12 respectively) which are displaceable relative to each other and which are in the form of a measurement value sender (11) and a sensor (21) co-operating therewith, the measurement value sender (11) is in the form of a switching ring comprising a metallic material and connected to the displaceable component, and the sensor (21) comprises a plurality of inductive measuring heads which are arranged over the displacement range of the switching ring and which produce an electromagnetic measuring field composed of individual fields. The measuring heads are also connected to a computing unit (25) in which there is stored in a memory the signal configuration ascertained upon calibration of the measuring apparatus (1); the position of the displaceable component can be determined after a displacement movement of the switching ring (12), by comparison of the signals produced, with the stored signal configuration.

Abstract: The invention is a depth gauge having standard components and improved in that a flexible shaft is mated to the tip. A probe is attached to the shaft. The flexible shaft allows for full angular adjustment for various directional approaches to the hole. The tip of the probe can be formed into a shape that conforms with a mating part through which the hole is measured. The probe is manufactured from a superelastic nickel titanium <<NITINOL>> alloy which has greater flexibility and elasticity than typical spring steels so that it doesn't permanently deform when the flexible shaft is bent. The nickel titanium probe also extends from the tip of the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the tip so it extends straight into the hole being measured even when the guide is off axis. The nickel titanium probe can be attached in several different ways to the depth gauge. For example, a setscrew could be used or a crimp.

Abstract: A roller squeegee and spinner adapter tool is disclosed for safely, easily, speedily and thoroughly removing paint or other coating material from a roller by squeegeeing or sliding the major bulk of paint from the roller and then attaching a mini-roller to a paintbrush and roller spinner for conveniently removing residual paint and cleaning solution from the mini-roller via the spinning action (centrifugal force) of the spinner.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having two desiccant beds (10, 12). A first diverter valve (14) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a regeneration air inlet (22), and a press air outlet (20). A second diverter valve (16) communicates with each of the desiccant beds, a process air inlet (18), and a regeneration air outlet (28). First and second regeneration air control valves (24, 30) are also provided which during a cooling phase of the regeneration cycle admit a cooling bleed stream of process air to the desiccant bed being regenerated and then convey the cooling air bleed stream from the desiccant bed and through a heat exchanger (42) back to the process air inlet.