Abstract: A step mounting apparatus includes a stepping portion, at least one mounting support extending from the stepping portion, and at least one contact member attached to the at least one mounting support. The at least one contact member is adjustable with respect to the stepping portion such that an angle between the at least one contact member and the stepping portion can be varied.

Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head (10) propelled forwardly (34) over a surface (12). Different portions of water pumped (14, 16) to the head inducts debris into a cleaner system, and is ejected via a thrust nozzle (42) onto a deflector (68) and thence along a thrust line (80) to thrust the head along the line (80). The deflector (68) is pivotal via a saddle (48) about a longitudinal axis such as to be displaced laterally relative to the thrust nozzle (42). The deflector includes obliquely opposed deflection surfaces which are respectively aligned with the nozzle in dependence on its relatively laterally displaced position to deflect the water ejected along the line (80) to respectively different oblique directions to adjust the direction of thrust and to effect lateral steering.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for cleaning hard surfaces, wherein the process includes the use of a dual sided nonwoven substrate. One side of the dual sided nonwoven substrate acts to loosen particulate and the opposing side is comprised of one or more three-dimensional surface projections that improve the pick up and retainment of the loosened particulates.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

Abstract: A hand-held motorized household cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and connected to the battery, an output drive shaft connected to the motor, a cleaning attachment coupled for movement with the output drive shaft and a liquid delivery system with a pressurized reservoir. A flexible adapter is also provided.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a body including a rear compartment, a forward compartment and an intermediate compartment arranged between the rear and forward compartments. An elongate rotatable brush arrangement is positioned within and extends across the forward compartment. An electric motor is positioned in the rear compartment for driving the rotatable brush arrangement and the electric motor.

Abstract: An optical disc repairing device is mounted on a repairing machine base to perform cleaning, maintenance and repair of the optical disc. The repairing device includes a movement transmitting element, a connecting element mounted on the movement transmitting element, a resilient piece mounted between the movement transmitting element and the connecting element, a carrier element mounted on the connecting element, and a repair element mounted on the carrier element. When the optical disc rotates, in association with a rotation of the repairing device, the scratched surface of the optical disc is polished until a surface without defects is obtained to proper reflection of the laser beam for data access from the optical disc.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine which can be driven over the floor, includes a driven brush for sweeping the floor to be cleaned. The brush picks up dirt and debris from the floor and carries it, assisted by forced air flow, in an overhead motion and through a transfer duct to a pair of dirt containers in the form of buckets located side-by-side at the rear of the machine. A manual linkage at the rear of the machine moves a pivoted carrier frame which holds the dirt containers, between a raised use position in which the upper rims of the dirt containers are sealed to the machine for collection of debris, and a lowered access position for removal of the containers. Each container is independently accessible for emptying, and includes a bail-type handle pivotally attached such that a bucket, the opening of which faces forwardly and upwardly in the use position, extends generally horizontal when removed, to avoid spillage.

Abstract: A tool (10) configured for cleaning the inside and outside circumferential surfaces of the ends of a pipe (P1) is disclosed. The tool (10) broadly includes a driver (12), an inner pipe-cleaning bit (14) removably coupled to the driver (12), and an outer pipe-cleaning bit (16) removably coupled to the driver (12). The driver (12) includes first and second sockets (20, 22) and a power source (24) in power communication with the first and second sockets (20, 22) for selectively rotating the sockets (20, 22). The sockets (20, 22) are configured to removably receive the bits (14, 16). The inner pipe-cleaning bit (14) includes a brush (40) having a plurality of bristles (48) for insertion into the end of the pipe (P1) for effectively cleaning and deburring the inner circumferential surface of the end of the pipe (P1) when the bit (14) is rotated.

Abstract: An invention is presented that guides plumbers snake cables into and out of snake cable machines, permitting the user to set the direction of snake travel and providing positive control of the snake cable. This invention is made from two single pieces of metal with drilled piston holes, said piston holes containing pistons that control cams grasping the cable, determining the cable movement. The entire guide is controlled with two simple control levers and is self-lubricating.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle portion formed with a neck at one end thereof and extending along a first longitudinal axis. A head section is coupled to the neck. The head section includes a plurality of first cleaning members provided on a first head side thereof which extends outwardly from the first head side generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The head section further includes a second cleaning member provided on a second head side thereof opposite to the first head side. In order to reliably clean the tongue surface, the second cleaning member includes a plurality of flat-tipped conical-shaped cleaning elements which extend outwardly from the second head side of the head section generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. Alternately, the second cleaning member can include a plurality of grated cleaning elements which extend outwardly from the second head side of the head section generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A mop head has a holder with a mop attached to the holder. A sheet is also attached to the holder and extends to one side of the holder and along the exterior of the mop. There is an abrasive element on the sheet to facilitate scrubbing.

Abstract: A cleaning tool assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a liquid soluble, relatively rigid engaging surface, and an elongated shaft having a handle portion on one end thereof. A gripping mechanism is mounted to the elongated shaft, and includes a contact region moveable between a gripping condition and a release condition. In the gripping condition, the contact region cooperates with the engaging surface of the cleaning implement to releasably mount the cleaning implement to the elongated shaft, and in the release condition, the cleaning implement is released from the gripping mechanism. An elastic boot is provided which is composed of a substantially liquid impervious material.

Abstract: An improved paint roller frame made from a single length of rod having a first 90 degree bend delimiting a first segment formed at one end thereof and adapted to form an axel about which a paint roller can be rotatably mounted, and second and third bends delimiting second and third segments both of which lie in a plane in common with the first segment. The remaining portion of the rod is further deformed at a mid-portion thereof to include a fourth bend in which the rod is wound through 391 degrees about an imaginary axis extending parallel to the first segment and delimiting a fourth segment lying in the common plane and a fifth segment lying in a plane intersecting the common plane at an angle of 31 degrees, the fifth segment being adapted to be affixed to an elongated handle member. When combined with a paint roller and handle, a novel paint roller assembly is provided in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A pad driver for use with a floor maintenance machine that includes a riser portion and a driver disc portion that defines a driving surface which is engageable with a floor maintenance pad. The riser includes a radial flange which extends outwardly from a central hub. The radial flange includes a rim portion supported radially outwardly from the hub by a plurality of spoke-like regions. Regions of reduced material thickness separate the spoke-like regions. The hub is generally cup-shaped and includes a planar upper disc portion and a stepped, transition portion that joins the upper disc portion with the radial extending flange. A plurality of radially extending, rigidizing axial ribs extend between the underside of the upper disc portion and the inside of the stepped transition portion. The driver disc portion may comprise a separate driver disc attached to the riser or alternately, comprise a plurality of driving elements molded into the radial flange.

Abstract: A novel golf towel, retaining water over four hours under an average weather for golfing, is comprised of; 1) an outer layer of Terry cloth made of a composite texture of, including but not limited to, cotton, polyester and polyimide; 2) an inner layer of porous hydrophilic polymer; and 3) a grommet for a holding means. The outer layer of the Terry cloth and the inner layer of thr porous hydrophilic polymer are cut into a similar size and stitched together to prevent a separate moving. The structure and the compositon of materials of the textile for the outer layer cloth combined with the porous structure of the inner layer show excellent longer water retaining time while maintaining softness and cleaning power of an average towel. Amount of water remained in the towel of this invention and that of two 100% cotton towels measured at 30 minutes' time interval reveals a much slower evaporation of water from the towel of this invention.

Abstract: A method details injecting water into a gas turbine engine to facilitate cleaning an inner surface of a combustor. The method comprises removing an axial fuel injector from the combustor, wherein the fuel injector includes a nozzle stem, and inserting a spray nozzle assembly into a fuel injector opening created within the combustor when the fuel injector was removed, wherein the spray nozzle assembly includes a popet nozzle that is coupled to a nozzle stem that is shaped substantially identically to the fuel injector nozzle stem removed from the combustor. The method also comprises coupling the spray nozzle assembly to the combustor such that the popet nozzle is inserted substantially concentrically into the combustor, and injecting water into the combustor through the spray nozzle assembly.

Abstract: The invention starts with a wiper system with a mounting plate (10) made of sheet metal, which features at least one receptacle opening (38, 48) to support drive shafts (14), in which opening a pre-mounted bearing unit (12) with a bearing housing (16) is inserted, whose outer contour (24, 26) is adapted to the inner contour (42) of the receptacle opening (38, 48). It is proposed that the bearing housing (16) is a deep-drawn sheet metal part and has a cylindrical bearing sleeve (18) on which a plate-shaped flange (22) is formed.

Abstract: A windshield wiper device for a motor vehicle is proposed with at least one drive part (10), which features a first coupling part (18) and at least one wiper part (12), which bears a wiper shaft (22) and features a second coupling part (20), which is essentially rigidly connected to the wiper shaft (22), whereby the second coupling part (20) can be brought eccentrically into effective connection with the first coupling part (18).

Abstract: A self-propelled cleaning device having a cylindrical side cover has a suction body capable of moving transversely to the forward direction. The side cover is held by a base via a suspension. When cleaning corners of a room, the suction body moves by a wall and as the suction body moves to a corner, the movement amount of the suction body is changed. When an obstacle touches the cleaning device, the side cover moves, and the article touches a side cover switch, and the direction of the article is detected.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. Further, the upright vacuum cleaner is equipped with a flexible, electrified hose. A cleaning attachment is connected to the hose. The cleaning attachment may be equipped with a booster fan, a powered rotary agitator, a light source or the like.

Abstract: A device with a squeegee configuration configured to clean or treat surfaces submersed in liquid is described. The squeegee configuration is preferably contoured to wipe contoured surfaces or flexible such as to conform to a variety of contoured surfaces. The squeegee configuration can be configured with bristles, a sponge or scouring elements. In further embodiments of the invention, the squeegee configuration is configured to draw a vacuum while wiping the surfaces.

Abstract: A pry bar has generally octagonal cross-section handle with a grip portion having four rounded surfaces formed of a soft elastomeric material and four alternating surfaces formed of hard thermoplastic material. The elastomeric material rounded surfaces are formed with pluralities of small orifices. The handle is formed with an inner hard thermoplastic core and molded over outer elastomeric cover. A metal impact cap is fixed secured in the handle proximate end.

Abstract: A fiber dispensing apparatus includes a hopper containing a plurality of fibers. A conveyor device having a plurality of flights thereon is provided at a bottom portion of the hopper. The conveyor device operates to move the fibers from the hopper into a fan-powered injector, which separates the fibers into an air stream and blows the separated fibers through a pipe system to a transit mixer.

Abstract: The machine for making a non-woven material aerologically has a forming and conveying surface permeable to air, a dispersion chamber surmounting said surface and means, particularly vacuum means located under said forming and conveying surface of the non-woven material, which are capable not only of producing an air flow inside the dispersion chamber that allows the fibers inside the chamber to disperse and projects them onto the forming and conveying surface, but also create a vacuum in one zone—called the vacuum zone (9)—of the forming and conveying surface (1) of the non-woven material that extends under the dispersion chamber (2) and downstream from it, with the vacuum speed decreasing between the upstream and downstream parts of said zone (9).

Abstract: The pompon holder comprises an adjustable elongated strap of material (11) and a clasp portion (12) to be worn by a human being when connected at fastening mechanisms (14) and (15). Traditional pompon users attach pompon(s) to hook portion (16). The pompon holder allows user to freely move about, eat, and socialize without an annoying obstruction of space caused by pompons or mental worrisome of whereabouts of pompon. The pompon holder allows the user to display the pompon while avoiding possible alteration and contamination of pompon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hose clamping device, comprising a clamping ring (2) for clamping a hose (8), pushed upon a tail piece (5), by radially inwardly pretensioning said hose. Said clamping ring (2) can elastically expand radially and said hose clamping device comprises an expanding element, which can be subjected to a force for radially outwardly expanding said clamping ring (2).

Abstract: A novel paper clip with a substantially planar profile, with an arrangement of structures that, among other things, reduces the risk of tearing paper, grips paper more securely, is less likely to entangle with other clips, and is more efficient to use and longer lasting.

Abstract: A buckle for capturing and releasably retaining an end tab of a flexible strap wherein the flexible strap has a substantially uniform width and thickness and an end tab of increased thickness. The buckle includes a base, and parallel side walls, which extend upwardly from and cooperate with the base to define an open-ended receiving channel having an entry end and an exit end. Flanges are spaced vertically from the base and extend inwardly in cantilever fashion from the side walls to define an opening-ended slot communicating with and extending along the length of the receiving channel. The slot is configured and dimensioned to accommodate longitudinal pinching and lateral insertion of the strap into the receiving channel. The flanges have undersides configured to accommodate receipt of the end tab in the receiving channel via the entry end, and to releasably retain and prevent withdrawal of the end tab from the receiving channel via the exit end.

Abstract: A reusable hose bundling sleeve is provided that is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. The reusable hose is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables to be protected such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Notches can be cut along the length of the reusable hose to allow for shorter hoses or cables traveling within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying. The reusable hose is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The reusable hose can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing the durability of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clip that is able to form a separate space in the hollow member such as flexible tube or bag-like article and the like or to block its opening part by said clipping hollow member, between one of the plate-like members having parallel grooves formed in the longitudinal direction and the other plate-like member having a projection part formed in the longitudinal direction, and that is characterized in that the form of the projection part is made highest in the vicinity of the central part, and lowest at both end parts of the plate-like member.

Abstract: A snap-hook that has a hook, forming a portion of an eye loop, and a lever that is pivotally movable relative to the hook. The lever forms a remaining portion of said eye loop with respect to the hook. A thumb tab is connected to the lever, and is positioned in a slot defined in the hook. The thumb tab is slidable in the slot relative to the hook, forming a release mechanism, such that the sliding movement of the thumb tab in the slot causes the lever to pivot relative to the hook to open said eye loop. The snap-hook has essentially broad, opposing, front and back sides, and relatively narrower edges, such that the back side of the snap-hook can be placed into the palm of a user's hand to hold the snap. The thumb tab is located on the front side of the snap-hook to allow simpler holding of the snap-hook and operation of the release mechanism with one hand while essentially eliminating swiveling of the snap-hook in the hand.

Abstract: Body restraint systems for vehicles that include buckles for latching and retaining latch plates associated with safety belts. The buckle of each system includes a pair of oppositely biased latching mechanisms that are operative in such a manner that a force applied to release one latching mechanism from a latch plate inserted within the buckle creates an opposite and equal force against the opposite latching mechanism to thereby positively retain the latch plate within the buckle in a locked position. Release of a latch plate can only occur upon the simultaneous movement of both of the oppositely biased latching mechanisms toward one another by application of manual force and thus release of the latch plate cannot occur by inertial forces that may be encountered in a vehicular accident.

Abstract: Vehicle body restraint systems including buckles for latching and retaining latch plates associated with safety belts wherein the buckles includes latching mechanisms having oppositely oriented release mechanisms which are operative in such a manner that any force applied to one release mechanism which would act to release a latch plate creates an increased force on the opposing release mechanism to retain the latch plate in a locked position. Release of the latch plates can only occur upon the simultaneous activation of the opposing release mechanisms by manual force applied in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydroentangled nonwoven personal wipe, and more specifically to a hydroentangled three-dimensionally imaged personal wipe comprised of at least one raised portion and a background portion, wherein said personal wipe comprises a minimal amount of transverse apertures.

Abstract: A process and a device are suggested for the placement and fixing of a sheet, which is at least partially implemented as a closed flat structure, of filaments, lying essentially in a plane, for the production of scrims having the filament sheet, wherein the filament sheet is placed, as part of the filament sheet sections forming the closed surface and as separate filament sheet sections, between two conveyor units (13) supplying a connecting station (6), with the filament sheet sections (1) being fixed onto the conveyor unit at each of both end regions with a fixing element (2, 3) and the interval of the fixing elements (2, 3) of a filament sheet section (1) relative to the conveyor units (13) being selected in such a way that the filament sheet sections (1) are, in their fixed state, positioned essentially flat between the conveyor units (13), at least immediately before entering the connecting station (6).

Abstract: An apparatus that is suitable for processing a workpiece. The apparatus is capable of raising, lowering, and rotating the workpiece as part of at least one of processing the workpiece, loading the workpiece into a process chamber, and unloading the workpiece from the process chamber.

Abstract: This invention is directed to providing a method for producing a stacked piezoelectric element, where grooves can be easily formed on the side face of a stacked body without causing damage.

Abstract: Pressing device for the relative axial displacement of two mutually coaxial parts that can only be displaced towards one another by using a high pressing power, for example collet chucks or clamping sleeves, into corresponding holes in tool or collet chuck holders. The device has a housing (7) consisting of two at least partially separable shells, which can be placed coaxially around the parts to be pressed. In the closed state, the housing has coaxial annular contacting edges (19, 20) for engaging with one of the parts to be pressed. In the inner chamber (21) of the housing there is an axially displaceable pressing plate (22) with an annular contacting edge (23) for engaging with the second part to be pressed. The press plate is displaced by a number of pressure cylinders (13, 14) arranged in a ring at equal angular distances between the housing and the press plate.

Abstract: A tool for spreading dual piston brake pads and for compressing the dual pistons of a dual piston disc brake assembly of the type including a disc brake caliper housing for the pads and pistons. The tool includes manually operated handles which drive a bracket assembly that engages the dual piston disc brake pads. The housing for the tool includes a plate which is engaged against the caliper housing. The plate and bracket assembly are driven in a manner which causes them to become spaced from one another. A mechanical advantage is achieved by utilization of handles with a lever arm extension associated with a pivotal handle.

Abstract: A hardened metal part is created having a pair of opposite faces and a dimple open at one of the faces and forming a pocket. This hardened metal part is installed in a motor vehicle over an element of the vehicle with the one face turned toward and the dimple aligned with a specific region of the element. Then at a later date when the region needs to be accessed, the dimple is ground off so as to form the pocket into a throughgoing hole and thereby expose the region through the hole so that a tool can act on the region through the hole.

Abstract: A particle cassette for a needleless syringe is provided, the manufacture of which avoids the potentially detrimental use of heat when affixing a final membrane to the cassette or otherwise sealing the cassette after a filling procedure has been carried out. The particle cassette is assembled using first and second cassette parts that are attachable together so as to create a chamber for the confinement of particles between two membranes. A third cassette part may be used to provide for a locking attachment of the first and second parts. A kit of parts for use in the manufacture of a particle cassette is also provided, as is a method of assembling a particle cassette. In certain cassette embodiments, one or both of the first and second cassette parts can be annular, tapered and/or have detents or recesses to provide for a snap fit.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for rapidly and selectively moving a threaded screw and nut member combination into or out of threaded engagement, particularly for use to pressurize angioplasty balloon catheters, or the like. The mechanism includes a housing and a threaded screw structure slidably displaceable through the housing. A nut member having partial threads is selectively engageable and disengageable with the threaded screw structure. The mechanism includes a carrier member and is designed to be assembled from the rear. The carrier member is preferably configured to be retainably engaged with the housing via a bayonet arrangement, such as a quarter-turn bayonet arrangement, and is configured to provide an audible indication when it is, in fact, properly and fully installed. Preferably, the housing is configured to receive a pressure gauge directly into a threaded bore on the housing. An improved method of assembling an actuating mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated reconfigurable multi-stage manufacturing system and associated methods. The system may include a plurality of manufacturing cells, each cell associated with at least one stage of a manufacturing process. The plurality of cells may include a first cell comprising at least one flexible manufacturing station, a second cell comprising at least one reconfigurable manufacturing station, and a third cell comprising at least one reconfigurable inspection machine. The system may also include a plurality of loop conveyors and a plurality of cell gantries. Each loop conveyor may connect at least two neighboring cells and each cell gantry may transport parts from the cell associated with the cell gantry to at least one loop conveyor. In one embodiment, each cell may be hexagonal, and the manufacturing system may have a honeycomb structure.

Abstract: Temperature related changes in dimension in a column system, having at least one separating column, a column vessel and a coldbox with coldbox casing, can be compensated for by providing for axial and/or radial movement. The column vessel is connected to the coldbox casing slidably in the axial and/or radial direction by means of radial, rigid connecting members (3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).

Abstract: A broken trim die tool detection sensor. The lands of the tie bar die connect with the leads of the unit to form switches. The states of these switches indicate broken die lands or other malfunctions.

Abstract: A process for producing superconducting cable consisting of at least one elongated superconducting element, containing a cable core, and a flexible tube enclosing the cable core, is described, this process comprising the following steps:

Abstract: There is provided a plurality of component mounting apparatuses for sucking a plurality of components by a mounting head section and successively mounting the components onto a board located at a board positioning section. The component mounting apparatuses are arranged in parallel to one another, and a board transfer path is provided so that it penetrates the component mounting apparatuses. Even when the number of components to be mounted onto the board increases, the components are mounted on the component supply tables of the component mounting apparatuses as distributed thereto, and therefore, the whole apparatus is not dimensionally increased. The component supply tables are fixedly installed so as to become free of vibration, and the mounting head section executes the suction and the mounting of the plurality of components. Therefore, the component mounting operation speed can be remarkably increased.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor package is provided. The method includes forming a leadframe wherein the conductors or leads of the leadframe extend from a first end to a second end such that a portion of each lead exhibits a generally arcuate shape. The first end may be coupled with a printed circuit board and the second end may be coupled with a semiconductor die. The generally arcuately shaped portion of the leads may include a portion which exhibits a constant radius. The generally arcuately shaped portion may also be formed from a plurality of conductor segments including, for example, at least one generally arcuately shaped segment. The semiconductor die and at least a portion of the leads may be encapsulated with an insulating material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating and positioning back-up pins for supporting a substrate are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate guide rail for guiding a circuit board to a predetermined position; a plurality of magnetic back-up pins for supporting the circuit board; a back-up pin plate for placing the back-up pins thereon; a back-up pin stand disposed near the back-up pin plate and for holding the back-up pins; a camera for photographing an image of a surface of the circuit board; a display means for displaying a virtual or composed image of the entire circuit board scanned by the camera and a real-time image of a portion of the circuit board for aiding a user to allocate the adequate support locations of the circuit board; and a transfer means for transferring the back-up pins onto the allocated locations on the back-up pin plate.