Abstract: A can opener has a shaft for effecting rotation of a traction wheel for moving a can relative to a cutting wheel to sever an upper annular lateral side of the can, and is equipped with an adjustment element, which is screwed onto a threaded outward end portion of the shaft, and which has two wing portions in contact with corresponding sloping portions of a hexagonal member so that when the shaft is turned together with a rotary lever in the cutting direction, the hexagonal member is first turned relative to the adjustment element for a small angle for the higher portions of the sloping portions to be pressed against the wing portions to cause reduction to the space between the traction wheel and the cutting wheel; thus, the wheels can clip an annular wall of a end cover of a can in between.

Abstract: A guide for steadying the path of a cutting tool and enabling force to be applied to compress a workpiece on opposing sides of the path of the tool.

Abstract: A self-leveling tool for projecting a line of light along a wall or other vertical surface at one of a plurality of predetermined angles. The tool self-aligns to emit a plane of light at one of the predetermined angles (e.g., 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees), thereby projecting a line on the wall in a desired direction (e.g., right, up, left or down).

Abstract: In a lifting vehicle having a holding and lifting device(5, 6) for holding and raising or lowering goods (9) and having a central operating device for controlling the travelling and handling of the goods (9) held by the holding device (6), the handling of sensitive goods by the person operating the lifting vehicle can be made easier or monitored by the holding device (6) being equipped with a sensor device (8) for the instantaneous inclination and/or the instantaneous accelerations of the holding device (6).

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus with line level for conveniently storing and providing access to a line level within a material dispenser. The material dispensing apparatus with line level includes a shoulder having a receiver cavity, a first catch member and a second catch member attached to the shoulder within the receiver cavity, and a line level having a first nub and a second nub at opposing ends thereof. The nubs are catchably received within the catch members when the line level is positioned within the receiver cavity. An alternative embodiment utilizes the hooks of the line level to engage members extending inwardly from the receiver cavity.

Abstract: A miter angle indicating tool includes three members that are pivotally attached. The miter angle indicating member is adapted to display the miter angle in or around a corner requiring a miter joint, or to display the bisecting angle of an object. Once the required angle is displayed, the indicating tool can be used to either transcribe the angle onto the material that will form the miter joint or as a jig to set the cutting apparatus to the proper cutting position. In the preferred form of the tool, one member forms a case for storage of the other two members when not in use.

Abstract: A machine, such as a coordinate measuring machine, having an element and a structure movable with respect to each other along rails, wherein the rails have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the structure to which they are attached. In one embodiment, a bar is disposed on the structure opposite the rails. This bar has a coefficient of thermal expansion, a stiffness, a spacing from the neutral axis of the structure, and a cross-sectional dimension such that the bar balances any thermal stresses in the structure caused by differential expansion or contraction of the structure and the rails with temperature changes to minimize any bending of the structure. In one embodiment, two rails are disposed on a beam, and a carriage travels on the two rails. For each rail, there is an associated bar disposed on an opposite surface of the beam. In another aspect, a pin extends into an elongated slot on a slide associated with the structure to allow the structure to expand and contact.

Abstract: An electronic caliper includes fixed and movable caliper arms mounted on a common housing and having jaws at their free ends. One of the caliper arms is attached to the housing through a pivot pin for pivoting motion between a contact position and a disengaged position. A spring engages the movable arm at a point on a side of the pivot pin opposite the jaws. The spring is under tension so as to bias the contact pad carried by the distal end of the movable caliper arm toward contact with the pad mounted on the distal end of the fixed caliper arm. A non-contact electronic sensor is positioned facing a target disk carried by movable caliper arm at its innermost end within the housing. A plunger, located on the same side of the pivot pin as is the target disk, allows the movable caliper arm to be pivoted to its open position to allow for insertion and removal of the soft tissue to be measured.

Abstract: A two-deck apparatus, one deck above the other, is provided for enabling drying of approximately twice as much material with very little increase in heat used to dry the material, when compared to a single deck dryer. The fan usually provided with dryers of this type requires only a small incremental size increase over prior art. The second or upper deck, in operation, experiences a greater pressure below that deck than the pressure above the deck. Solid material flows into the top of the apparatus from above, and then from the upper deck to the lower deck through what is essentially a one-way valve, with air flow moving from below the lower deck through the upper deck, without impeding the material flow downwardly in the apparatus. The same apparatus, but with the use of cold air to cool the product, rather than hot air to heat and dry a product, is also within the teachings of the present invention.

Abstract: A drying cabinet is used to dry a person's body after bathing or showering. The drying cabinet includes a plurality of adjustable air-dispensing nozzles on two sides and on the rear wall of the cabinet. The nozzles are fluidically connected to each other and to a source of hot dry air by manifolds.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a vessel having a first end an a second end. A first cap is releasably mounted on the first end. A second cap is releasably mounted on the second end. The vessel is configured to prevent crushing and promote ventilating thereof. The first cap and/or second cap may have an aperture for ventilating the vessel. A fan is fixed relative to, for ventilating, the vessel. The fan is mounted on an end cap. The fan energizable with a battery. A switch is provided for selectably supplying energy to the fan. If a fan is provided, a barrier is disposed in the vessel configured to protect an object in the vessel from the fan. The barrier should have an aperture for ventilating the vessel. The invention may include a handle connected thereto, for carrying, the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing vinylpyrrolidone polymer powder, which has high bulk density and favorable powder flowability and can be handled with ease. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing vinylpyrrolidone polymer powder, which comprises spraying an aqueous solution of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer into a drying tower using a disc atomizer and then drying.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus and a process for thermal desorption of hydrocarbon contaminants from excavated soil provides efficient contaminant removal by handling the soil in a thermally conductive treatment vessel that fits within an insulated treatment chamber. The soil is treated in this chamber with fresh air that is dried and electrically heated prior to contacting the treatment vessel. The dry air passes through the soil and the air mixed with contaminants is withdrawn from the chamber through piping in the treatment vessel. Excavating the soil directly into the treatment vessel allows the treated soil to be returned to the final disposition site in the same vessel, minimizing soil handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a gap between a blower housing and a connection duct is provided in laundry drier including a base forming a bottom of a body, a front cabinet forming a front side of the body, a pair of opposing lateral cabinet sides, a back cover forming a rear side of the body, a top cover installed on an upper part of the body, a filter cover installed in rear of the front cabinet, a connection duct having an entrance side connected to the filter cover, and a blower installed to be connected to an exit side of the connection duct, which blocks an ancillary air flow to prevent a degradation in drying efficiency and drier performance. The apparatus includes a pressing member provided between the front cabinet and the connection duct to push the connection duct toward the blower to make the connection duct adhere closely to the blower housing.

Abstract: A sports boot made up of an upper having first and second elements assembled by bonding and use of a mechanical device. A part of one of the elements permanently covers the mechanical device in order to seal it and to hide the mechanical device from view, in order to create a more visually appealing boot.

Abstract: A pant cuff protector for use with long pants for holding a cuff of a pant leg away from the ground comprises a first clamping body affixed proximate a wearer's ankle, a second clamping body magnetically attractable to the first clamping body, and optionally a strap therebetween.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a rotatable pivot assembly to allow easy pivoting of a ball region of a shoe. The shoe sole includes a pivot cavity defined by an upper plate support surface and a lower plate support surface having an aperture therein. A rotatable pivot assembly includes a pivot plate and a sole element attached thereto. The pivot plate is pivotally constrained within the pivot cavity and the sole element extends through the aperture in the pivot cavity to define an exterior contact surface. Preferably contacting surfaces of the pivot plate and upper plate support surface are formed of a low coefficient of friction material to allow easy rotation of the pivot plate within the cavity. Because the assembly can be made thin with minimal parts, it results in a structure that substantially retains the look, feel and balance of a normal shoe while being able to achieve improved pivot action.

Abstract: The arm lowering motion restricting device 40 comprises an arm restricting member 41 which can be freely swung upward and downward, one end portion of which is pivotably connected to the arm 21, and which extends so as to cover the upper surface of the raising and lowering cylinder 23, a locking pin 50 which is detachably passed through the lower end portion of the arm restricting member 41, and a torsion coil spring 60 which is attached to the upper portion of the tip end of the arm restricting member 41. When the raising and lowering cylinder 23 is extended so that the tip end portion of the arm restricting member 41 contacts the end surface 23b1 of the cylinder tube 23b on the cylinder rod side, the retraction of the raising and lowering cylinder 23 is restricted.

Abstract: This invention provides a slide book that more accurately reveals a finished wall treatment. The slide book is comprised of a plurality of display slides. The slides are comprised of various translucent glazes, washes and patinas. To see how the finished wall color treatment will look, a consumer places one of the display slides directly over the base coat color of choice.

Abstract: A label display system includes a foldable label base to display labels, such as regulatory and/or certification marking labels, for an electronic and/or portable computing device. The foldable label base moves between a first position and a second position, where the labels are viewable in the first position, and where at least some of the labels are concealed from view in the second position. The foldable label base includes a first side to display labels and a second side to display labels.

Abstract: An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens made of the same material as the light diffuser sheet which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. Optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative. Alternatively, a circuit board having arrangements of different colored LED strings which can be illuminated one or more at a time can be provided.

Abstract: A traffic sign device is disclosed. The device includes a post clamp mounted on a post installed on a roadside, a support bar radially coupled to an outer surface of the post clamp to be horizontally positioned, and a sign board coupled to one end of the support bar for exhibiting a desired road sign. The post clamp includes a pair of arched clamping bands hingedly coupled to each other. The support bar includes a socket pipe joined to the post clamp by welding, and a movable pipe slidably inserted into the socket pipe with its one end joined to the sign board. A bolt is fixed to the socket pipe through joint holes formed therein to secure the movable pipe at a desired position. The sign board includes a barrel-shaped band frame having a coupling slot through which the free end of the support bar passes and being fixed therein. Since the joint portion is positioned inside the sign board, coupling part in the sign board is effectively prevented from being exposed.

Abstract: A lighted flexible display device or sign, useful for advertising purposes, and having a battery supply mount. The display device herein is a lighted display and is constructed to be flexible in the presence of inadvertent bumping or deflection thereof. The mounting resilient such that, when the deflecting force is removed, the sign springs back to its normal lateral position. The mount for the display device includes a battery supply, with such supply being electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the sign. This is accomplished by means of electrical leads passing through a deflection restoration spring, by such leads passing through a resilient tongue, or with connectors used in a spring-biased pivotal construction for connecting the battery supply to the electrical lighting circuit of the sign.

Abstract: A magazine-protecting, ambidextrous device for carrying a loaded spare magazine attached to a firearm buttstock in position for rapid removal and insertion into the firing position of the firearm. The loaded spare magazine is restrained within a well formed in the buttstock by a retractable latch pivotably mounted such that when the spare magazine is removed, the latch retracts below the exterior surface of the firearm buttstock, protecting the latch from damage and reducing the profile of the weapon. The spare magazine is carried in such a way as to protect the open end of the magazine and the ammunition carried therein from dirt and/or damage.

Abstract: A portable arm support (10) for attaching to a user to support or steady firearms, cameras, binoculars, or the like. The portable arm support (10) includes a saddle (12) having fastening straps (20) which secure the saddle (12) to the forearm of the user, and a belt pocket (42) which is mounted to the belt of a user. A support tube (14) is pivotally secured to the saddle (12) and is telescopically extensible for adjusting an overall length of the support tube (14) to extend from the saddle (12) and into the belt pocket (42). The support tube (14) is telescopically adjustable to extend and then latch in an extended position with the lower end of the support tube (14) disposed within the cavity (60) of the belt pocket (42) to support the saddle (14) in fixed relation to the belt pocket (42).

Abstract: A bipod has a base attached to the weapon and a pair of legs which extend in a use position from the base downwards and outwards. Each leg includes an inner member having a pointed distal end and a proximal end attached to the base, and an outer member which freely slides relative to the inner member. The outer member includes a foot through which the pointed distal end extends when the outer member is in an retracted position and hence the pointed distal end is in an exposed position. Each leg also includes a holding mechanism which holds the outer member relative to the inner member such that the pointed distal end is located within the outer member adjacent the aperture of the foot when the outer member is in an extended position and hence the pointed distal end is in a withdrawn or protected position.

Abstract: Grenade launchers and methods to secure a grenade launcher to a firearm are disclosed. In an example method, if the firearm has a first fixed bearing and a first movable bearing separated by a first distance, (a) a first adapter is secured to the grenade launcher, (b) the first fixed bearing is secured to one of the grenade launcher and the first adapter, and (c) the first movable bearing is secured to the first adapter. If the second firearm has a second fixed bearing and a second movable bearing separated by a second distance, (a) a second adapter is secured to the grenade launcher, (b) the second fixed bearing is secured to one of the grenade launcher and the second adapter, and (c) the second movable bearing is secured to the second adapter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a landscape product that burns a fuel containing citronella to deter insects and which does not look like a conventional anti-insect device in a landscaped environment. The landscape product comprises a container defining an aperture, a stone having a through bore and located above the fuel container, a wick holder located above the aperture and extending through the through-bore to a position above at least part of the stone, and a wick extending upwardly from within the fuel container and through the wick holder to a location above the wick holder and thence to a position above at least part of the stone. The landscape product is capable of burning a liquid fuel containing citronella oil to provide a landscape product to deter undesirable insects.

Abstract: The present invention is for a mulch device for soil stabilization and grass and wildflower seed enhancement comprising pelletized straw mulch having high bulk density, straw fibers, and fertilizing qualities. The pelletized straw mulch is spread onto a surface to reduce soil erosion, to promote seed establishment, to promote water infiltration and retention, to promote soil stabilization and to enhance soil fertilization. Also disclosed is a novel method of using straw for soil stabilization and grass and wildflower seed enhancement.

Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.

Abstract: A shaped, decorative pergola vinyl end cap and end piece, a method of shaping pergola vinyl component ends, and a portable tool used for shaping pergola vinyl component ends.

Abstract: A door jamb protector has a protective sheet and four elongate spring strips that together function to protect the door jamb. The protective sheet includes a top surface and an opposing bottom surface bounded by a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a pair of opposing lateral edges. The first longitudinal edge is opposite the second longitudinal edge. Each of the four elongate spring strips has a convex surface, a concave surface, a first end, and a second end. Each of the four elongate spring strips has the property of self-coiling when either the first or second end is bent back over the convex surface. Each of the four elongate spring strips is associated with the protective sheet such that the first end is generally adjacent to the first longitudinal edge, the second end is generally adjacent to the second longitudinal edge, and the four elongate spring strips are generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: A hinged protective cover for protecting a door threshold during construction or modification of a building or its contents. The cover is attached to a horizontal surface such as a building floor and covers the door threshold to prevent damage from foot traffic, contaminants and grit materials which may become lodged in the threshold. The hinge allows positioning of the protective cover to permit door closure while remaining attached to the floor. This leaves the cover in place for repositioning to the protecting position when the door is reopened and serves as an affirmative reminder to accomplish same.

Abstract: A jamb extender for extending extend the jamb of the window is provided. The jamb extender includes a base member, two arm members projecting orthogonally from same side of the base member, and projecting members extending perpendicularly from the end of the arms towards an opposing end of the base member. The jamb extender has a unibody construction and is preferably formed of vinyl or polyvinylchloride. The jamb extender can be used in a jamb extension assembly that includes a lineal trim holder and a trim member. The jamb extender is positioned such that a portion of the base member is adjacent to the base wall and the projecting members are adjacent to the mounting portion of the lineal trim holder to extend the jamb of the window. A decorative trim member is mounted in the trim mounting portion. A method of trimming a window opening is also provided.

Abstract: A wooden beam (1) has several sections which are subjected to a transversal tension and which affect in particular the areas in which there are recesses or openings (3). Rod-shaped elements are provided in the form of screws (4) which are introduced in such a way that they extend crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the beam (1) in order to absorb this transversal tension. These screws are screwed in from the top side (5) or the underside (6) of the beam (1) and each extend over part of the height (H) of the beam (1) only and are therefore directly associated with the area (2) that is subjected to transversal tension.

Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided. The retaining wall block includes top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side surfaces. A tongue set is provided on the top surface of the block and a groove in the bottom surface of the block. The tongue set includes a rear-facing surface set that includes first and second curved sections. A block form for forming retaining wall blocks is also provided. A face form for placement on the bottom surface of a block form is also provided. A method of molding retaining wall blocks with a form having hinged doors is also provided. A method of using a face form for forming two blocks of reversed front surface ornamentation is also provided.

Abstract: A method of installing a glazing pane in a frame that includes providing the frame with structure defining elongated grooves including a lower horizontal groove and left and right upright grooves, the pane having upper and lower horizontal edges, and left and right upright edges, maneuvering the pane to position the pane left and right upright edges in the respective frame structure left and right upright grooves, for retention therein, the pane then being lowered to position the pane lower horizontal edge is the frame lower horizontal groove, for retention therein, and providing a horizontally elongated stop member, carried by the frame to extend in retaining relation with the pane upper horizontal edge, blocking access to that edge from the front side of the frame.

Abstract: A support and attachment brace for a collapsible display structure. The support and attachment brace is attachable between two vertically adjacent hubs of the collapsible display structure, and includes an elongated rigid bar or brace with opposing ends. A first end has a tab with an aperture adapted to receive and engage a fastening button projecting from a first hub assembly. The second end has a slide mechanism having a slide with an open notch. The slide is retractable so that the brace may be aligned with a fastening button projecting from the second hub without the need for forcing the hubs apart. Once in position, the slide is extendable so that the open notch is engaged with the fastening button of the second hub. The support and attachment brace is adapted so as to enable multiple support and attachment braces to be attached to the structure in a vertical column arrangement for providing vertical support and rigidity to the display structure.

Abstract: A building is erected using pre-cast wall panels, preferably load-bearing wall panels having a shear key on each vertical edge and starter bars on each horizontal edge, by first erecting the wall panels, and then casting a concrete column around the vertical edges of adjacent or intersecting wall panels using movable formwork made up from a set of standard modules that can be assembled to form different configurations and sizes of column for different panel arrangements. The moulding surfaces of the modules may be shaped to provide decorative features to the columns and/or the column/wall intersections.

Abstract: An expansion wedge anchor (80) for insertion in a hole (H) delimited by a wall comprises an expander member (32) and an expansion number (34), the expander member being provided at a leading end of the expander member, the expander member comprising a flaring end (40), the expansion member being expandable at a trailing end (48) thereof and being adapted to engage the wall of the hole when the expander member is positioned in the hole, wherein upon longitudinal withdrawal of the expander member from the hole, the expander member displaces longitudinally relative to the expansion member with the flaring end thereof gradually causing the trailing end of the expansion member to expand, whereby a trailing edge of the expansion member engages the wall of the hole. The trailing end is adapted, when expanded by the flaring member, to extend at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said expander member.

Abstract: A connecting plate for connecting I-beams together. The connecting plate contains at least two plates that each have a series of holes drilled in them. These series of holes are drilled offset from each other in each plate. The connecting plate can be in the form of a flat face, an L-shaped plate or a partially H-shaped plate. The offset holes on these plates allow the plates to be connected to a first I-beam first, and then connected to a second I-beam. This design allows a user to forgo coupling the first I-beam, the coupling plate and the second I-beam together all at the same time which improves the safety and efficiency of coupling I-beams together.

Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill.

Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a filled bottle closed by a stopper is disclosed. The venting is designed to equalize the pressure between the interior of the bottle and the atmosphere such that the stopper inserted into the filled bottle is not forced out of the bottle by excess pressure in the bottle. The venting may be accomplished by deforming the stopper in the bottle opening to form an air-outlet opening in the region sealed by the stopper and the bottle. The venting may be implemented by a squeezing device arranged on at least one side of the stopper, the squeezing device being active in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle opening.

Abstract: A process for splicing cut ends of a continuous strip of packets or bags used to hold bulk material. The steps of the process include forming a continuous strip of packets from packaging material and filling the packets with bulk material. The edges of the packaging material are sealed to form individual packets of the continuous strip such that adjacent packets share a common sealed area of packaging material. Openings are then formed in the common sealed areas between the adjacent packets. The continuous strip is then cut entirely across the common sealed area of the packets at two separate locations on the continuous strip to form cut ends such that each of the cut ends of the continuous strip contains an opening in the common sealed area. Without using splicing tape, the two cut ends of the continuous strip with openings are spliced together such that the openings in the two cut ends overlap. The splicing process can be accomplished by ultrasonic welding, impulse splicing or other processes.

Abstract: The invention is a baling machine with an articulated guide track disposed in three operationally distinct sections. One section of the articulated guide track, representing approximately one-half of the track perimeter, is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the large section completes a guide track perimeter. In the second position, the large section pivots away from tying heads of the baling machine to permit ejection of the bale from the machine.

Abstract: A rotary disc cutterhead knife mounting system uses a spring plate bolted to the underside of the cutterhead cover. A knife pin is attached also to the underside of the cover, adjacent the outer edge thereof, and extends downwardly therefrom. The knife has a mounting hole therethrough, slightly larger that the diameter of the knife pin. With the knife hole fitted on the knife pin, the spring plate compresses the knife toward the underside of the cover; holding the knife in operating position. A special tool is used to remove the knife by forcing the spring plate downward, freeing the knife.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for fastening a blade to a rotor of a straw chopper. The fastening arrangement comprising a bolt that is inserted into a blade hole in the blade and into a plate hole in a mounting plate extending from the rotor and into a retaining element that retains the bolt in the holes. The retaining element can be separated from the bolt. The bolt and the retaining element are fixed against rotation by the mounting plate.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel, includes a torus-shaped carcass, a tread located on a periphery of the carcass, and a pair of axially-facing side walls ending with beads reinforced with bead wires and respective bead-filling elements for mounting the tire on a corresponding rim. The tire includes rubberized fabrics reinforced with metal reinforcing cords. At least one of the metal reinforcing cords comprises at least two wires helicoidally double-twisted around a longitudinal axis of the metal cord. Further, at least one of the wires is permanently deformed by a substantially-sinusoidal deformation lying in a plane.

Abstract: The invention pertains to cut-resistant articles, in particular to gloves. The articles comprise microfilaments of aromatic polyamides, more preferably p-aramid, wherein the titer of the microfilaments is equal to or smaller than 1.3 dtex (1.3×10−4 g/m). In a preferred embodiment the article is prepared from staple fibers with a length between 38 and 100 mm.