Abstract: An inflatable liner for a boot, such as a snowboard boot. An oily chalk like substance consisting of 90% sweet starch, 9% lubricant, and 1% stearate is included between two sheets of plastic that make up bladder of the liner. The bladder is attached to the EVA of the liner before the EVA is folded, stitched, heated and molded. This allows the bladder to be attached while the EVA is still flat and allows attachment to be performed by machine stitching. The bladder is partially inflated before the EVA is heated and molded. The oily chalk like substance and the partial inflation of the bladder allows the installed bladder to pass through the heating and molding steps of the EVA without the two sheets that make up the bladder melting together. The design and installation of the bladder minimizes the amount of slipping of a wearer's foot and heel within the boot.

Abstract: A toothbrush provides a head with bristles, a neck and a handle. An eccentrically rotational weight is engaged for rotation with a motor, the weight disposed within the head. The motor is disposed within the handle. The head and neck are integrally formed with a natural resonance frequency of vibration approximately equal to the rotational speed of the motor and synchronized therewith.

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a clamp-on handle assembly. The clamp-on handle assembly includes a slidable locking element which can be moved from an open position, wherein the handle assembly can be placed over a handle portion of the cleaning tool, to a locked position wherein the locking element clamps the handle assembly securely onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool. Advantageously, no external tools or fastening implements are required to secure the handle assembly to the handle portion of the cleaning tool. The handling assembly allows the user to use the cleaning tool to reach elevated areas or other areas that would be difficult to reach with the user holding directly onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from the floor of an animal stall is provided with a first motorized drum, a second motorized drum, a cable extending between the first and second drums, a scraper and a switch tripper carried by the cable. The switch tripper actuates a switch in communication with the first motorized drum to stop and reverse direction of the scraper and cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing loose cinder from the surface of a slab, especially a thin slab of a mini mill. One such mini mill comprises at least one slab casting machine, a slab separating device, a thermal compensation furnace and at least one roll stand comprising a reeling installation. The inventive device is improved in that a spray device (11) comprises at least one lower spray pipe (2) and at least one upper spray pipe (3) in relation to the slab (1), each spray pipe being fitted with a number of spray nozzles (4). Said spray device (11) is arranged in front of the roller hearth furnace (5) of the mini mill and is connected to a water supply (6) having the technologically required pressure and a volume flow which is adapted to the number of spray nozzles (4). The invention also relates to an operating method for the spray device (11).

Abstract: A device with a squeegee configuration and an absorbent material positioned between protruding squeegee walls for treating a working surface with wiping edges of the squeegee configuration and the absorbent material is disclosed. A device, in accordance with the invention, comprises a curved squeegee and means for coupling the curved squeegee to a spray nozzle for wiping the working surface with edges of the curved squeegee and spray the working surface with the spray nozzle. A system, in accordance with the invention, comprises a vacuum source, a liquid source and an applicator head with squeegees and apertures wherein a portion the apertures are configured to couple the vacuum source and draw a vacuum on a working surface and a second portion of the apertures are configured to couple to the liquid source and deliver a liquid to the working surface.

Abstract: The cleaning mat is designed for placement on the floor and includes a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material and a non-woven absorbent cleaning layer co-extensive with the base layer and attached thereto. A texture layer is attached to the cleaning layer. The texture layer includes a plurality of non-woven material sections, each having portions interconnected with the cleaning layer and a portion not connected with the cleaning layer and separable therefrom.

Abstract: The cleaning mat is designed for placement on the floor and for cleaning the undersides of shoes, feet and other objects. The mat includes a base layer formed of a non-slip polymer material and a non-woven absorbent cleaning layer generally co-extensive with the base layer and attached thereto. The cleaning layer has an upper surface for cleaning and a lower surface joined to the base layer. The cleaning layer has a plurality of openings defined therethrough.

Abstract: An improved windshield wiper is described having a pair of squeegees and a brush disposed between said squeegees. The single-piece molded frame of the wiper includes openings along the frame back that are adapted to create a vacuum when the vehicle is moving. The brush spine is preferably perforated such that fluid is drawn from the windshield, into the brush bristles and out through the brush spine perforations and openings, when air passing over the wiper causes a vacuum between said squeegees.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus has a handle, connected to a hose, that pivots about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a terminal end of the hose. In this manner, the hose experiences less mechanical stress during use and, when embodied on a canister vacuum cleaner, a nozzle assembly connected to the handle has less tendency to tip over. Preferably, the hose has a cuff mounted at the terminal end with a hose insert therein. The hose insert has two stub shafts on opposing sides of an opening that form a journal defining the handle pivoting axis. The handle has two mating sections that clamshell about the journal and pinch it in place. Each mating section has a bearing surface for receipt of the journal and, when embodied as a cylinder, terminal ends of the journal become inserted therein.

Abstract: A multifunction vacuum cleaner, in which a main body is removably connected to a frame portion, comprises a nozzle assembly for suctioning in an air including dusts or dirt on a cleaning area, a main body having a cyclone dust collector for centrifugally separating the dusts or dirt from the sucked air, a dust receptacle for collecting the separated dusts or dirt, a main body frame having an upper casing and a lower casing, a button operation portion formed on an upper part of the main body frame, and a connecting projection integrally formed with the button operation portion and moving elastically, and a frame portion which is pivotably connected with the nozzle assembly, and having a connecting groove to correspond to the connecting projection. The main body of the vacuum cleaner is removably mounted in the frame portion. As a result, the main body can be conveniently connected with or separate from the frame portion.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an integral frame assembly and a detachable main body connected to the frame assembly comprises a nozzle assembly for drawing in an air from a surface to be cleaned, the air containing dust and dirt, a main body, and a frame assembly including a frame body and a connecting portion integrally formed with a lower part of the frame body. The main body includes a body frame, a dust collector connected to the body frame for separating the dust and dirt from the air drawn into the dust collector, and a drive motor for generating a suction force. According to the present invention, the main body of the vacuum cleaner is easily attached to and detached from the frame assembly.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner having a small sized cyclone dust collecting apparatus and dust bag in a dust collecting chamber comprises a main body including the dust collecting chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a motor driving chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet, a suction brush mounted adjacent the main body of the vacuum cleaner, a cyclone dust collecting apparatus detachably mounted on the main body of the vacuum cleaner and having a path connected to the air inlet of the dust collecting chamber for discharging a cleaned air, and a dust bag detachably disposed in the dust collecting chamber to collect the dust and filth separated from an air drawn in through the suction brush.

Abstract: An upright-type electric vacuum cleaner including a vacuum cleaner main body with at least a dust collector and an exhaust outlet, and a suction body provided at a lower front of the vacuum main body. The dust collector is disposed on a rearward side of the vacuum cleaner main body and wherein the exhaust outlet is disposed on a front surface side of the dust collector. The area of the exhaust outlet can be made large without being interfered by the dust collector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking unit to fix a removable cyclone dust collector in a receiving portion of a main body of a vacuum cleaner. The locking unit comprises a locking recess formed at one side of a contact surface of the cyclone dust collector and the receiving portion. A lock element ascends and descends between a locking position and an unlocking position with respect to the locking recess and passes through a hole which is formed at another side of the contact surface of the cyclone dust collector and the receiving portion. An operating member selectively moves the lock element to the locking position and the unlocking position.

Abstract: A suction unit for use in an electric vacuum cleaner and an electric vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle detachably secured to the floor nozzle. When a suction head of the mini nozzle is secured to the floor nozzle, an air communication is provided therebetween. Further, the mini nozzle is provided with an ion generating unit.

Abstract: An electric vacuum brush for vacuum cleaners has a vacuum head having a brush roller chamber through which suction air can flow, and a roller brush mounted to rotate in the brush roller chamber and driven by an electric motor. The vacuum head has a working width that is measured at the outside edges, crosswise to the working direction. The brush roller chamber has an opening at the bottom, delimited by parallel vacuum motor edges, which extends essentially over the working width of the brush roller chamber. The electric motor has a power consumption, measured at motor angle, of a maximum of 80 watts, and the vacuum head has a working width of more than 320 mm.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner has a locking to selectively restrain the pivoting of a handle assembly when the handle assembly is pivoted to be in a right angle with respect to a base. The locking device includes a locking portion disposed at a side of the base, a locking protrusion movably disposed at the handle assembly and selectively moving between a locking position where the locking protrusion contacts with the locking portion and an unlocking position where the locking protrusion releases out of the locking portion, and a pedal member pivotably disposed at the handle assembly to move the locking protrusion. As the pedal member is disposed at the handle assembly, the size of the base can be reduced and the manipulation of the pedal member becomes easy.

Abstract: A hinge for controlling a pivotal rate of movement. The hinge includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part that is pivotally mounted to the first hinge part. The first hinge part movable to and between open and closed positions relative to the second hinge part. A connector extends along an axis and the first and second hinge parts are pivotally mounted around the connector on the axis. A gap is defined between at least one of the first and second hinge parts and the connector. A damping fluid is located within the gap for controlling a relative rate of movement of the first and second hinge parts between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A handle for holding and securing telescoping tubings has a handle which when turned, partially threads in or threads out a threaded knob. According to which direction the handle is turned, it causes a block to either become tighter when the threaded knob is threaded in or looser when the threaded knob is threaded out. This either pushes the inner tubing towards the opposite faces of an outer tubing when threading in and increase the friction between the inner and the outer tubing or reduce the friction between the inner tubing and the outer tubing by loosening the block when threading out.

Abstract: A fitting system for rotatable support of a glass door leaf having a top, a bottom, a bearing axis extending between the top and the bottom in the plane of the door, and a mounting recess on the axis at the top and the bottom, the fitting system including a pair of fittings received in respective mounting recesses, each fitting having a first fitting part, a second fitting part, an intermediate space between the fitting parts, a contact surface facing the intermediate space on each of the fitting parts, a pair of threaded blind holes in the first fitting part, and a pair of through holes in the second fitting part. A pair of pins are received in the through holes and threaded into the blind holes for drawing the contact surfaces against the door leaf, and an extension bar is received in a channel the second fitting part oven the pins and parallel to the plane of the door leaf.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (1) includes a housing (10) encasing a rotating mechanism (30) and an elastic plate (40) therein, and an opened end (12) of the housing is covered by an end cover (50). The rotating mechanism has a cam portion (32), and a connector (31) and a shaft (33) located at opposite ends of the cam portion. The connector rotatably extends through a hole (51) of the end cover. The rotating mechanism is rotatably engaged in the housing with the shaft being rotatably received in a bushing (13) inside the housing. The cam portion has an arcuate cam surface (322) defining at least one flat surface (324) thereon. The elastic plate abuts against between an inside wall of the housing and the arcuate surface. During cover rotation of a folding phone, the arcuate surface is rotatably engaged with the elastic plate until the elastic plate is positioned on the flat surface of the cam portion.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for joining a cover to a main body of a folding phone, includes a housing (1), a cam (2), a cam follower (3), a spring (4), and an end cover (5). The cam and the cam follower are received in the housing with a connector (21) of the cam extending through a rear end (11) of the housing. The cam follower has a cylindrical main body (30) with a protrusion (31) extending from each opposite end thereof. The cylindrical main body can move along a cam surface (20) of the cam for being received in valleys (22) of the cam surface while the protrusions sliding in the housing. The end cover is inserted into the housing for locking the hinge components in the housing. The spring is compressively coupled between the cam follower and the end cover.

Abstract: A decelerating device comprising a bushing and a pin carried in a co-axial position by said bushing, a first end of the pin being housed idle inside said bushing and a second end of the pin, opposite to the first end, projecting axially in cantilever fashion from the bushing; said pin being provided with first means of constraint to a first member, in particular to an oscillating door of the drum of a top-loaded washing machine, and said bushing being provided with second means of constraint to a second member, in particular defined by the aforesaid drum; inside said bushing, between the pin and one internal side wall of the bushing, there being housed, alongside one another, at a pre-set axial distance apart from one another, one or more deformable annular gasket elements, on which said pin rotates idle in a frictioned way with respect to said bushing; each of said deformable annular gasket elements preferably having, in radial cross section, in undeformed conditions, a peripheral profile defining at least o

Abstract: A sanitary door opener in the form of an attachment to the bottom of a conventional door enables a user to pull open the door by engaging the attachment with his/her foot or shoe, thereby preventing hand contact with the door opener. The sanitary door opener preferably is manufactured from a single piece of durable and flexible metal material and is bent to form a front face, a bottom face, a rear face, a top face extending outwardly from the rear face, and a lip extending downwardly from the top face. The door opener is installed easily to a door by sliding the door opener under a door such that the front face contacts the front panel of the door, the bottom face contacts the bottom edge of the door and the rear face contacts the rear panel of the door. Once installed in the desired position, the door opener is secured to the door by mounting the front face to the door's front panel and the rear face to the door's rear panel.

Abstract: A band clamp comprising a sleeve and a tightening mechanism that includes at least one fastener, such as a nut and bolt, as well as a reaction member which is constructed of a single piece of sheet metal. The reaction member is disposed between the end flanges of the clamp sleeve and can be shaped such that it is forcibly pressed into engagement with the underlying pipe when the clamp is tightened. The reaction member can be a separate component retained between the flanges by engagement of end portions of the reaction member with retainer ears on the flanges. Alternatively, the end flanges and reaction member can all be unitary portions of the clamp sleeve such that the complete band clamp, except for the bolt and nut, is comprised of a unitary piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A securing arrangement (10) suitable for e.g. strapping material together. The arrangement (10) comprising an elongate member (12) with a plurality of holes (20) along its length, formed into a loop. An L shaped securing member (14) is provided at or adjacent each end of the loop, with a respective formation (30) engaged with all other holes (20). A nut and bolt (50, 52) is engageable between the stems of the respective securing members (14) to close the loop to a required position.

Abstract: A closure device for a thermoplastic bag which includes two opposing, longitudinally extending interlockable male and female fastening strips having respective male and female closure elements or profiles that are deformed to interdigitate and produce an audible clicking sound and or tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is opened and closed. Interdigitation of the two profiles is achieved by cold forming the profiles while interlocked. The shape of the cold form is a stepped deflection of both profiles so that their shapes are generally congruent. The stepped deflections provide a change in the occlusion and peel force of the interlocking closure device thereby resulting in an audible clicking or popping sound as the closure device is opened and closed and a tactile effect that is perceptible to the touch as the closure device is closed.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and a loop component. The hook component includes a hook backing and a plurality of hooks protruding from the hook backing. The hook backing includes an extensible material. The loop component includes a loop backing and a plurality of loops protruding from it. The loop backing also includes an extensible material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns breathable fasteners for use with hook fastener systems. The breathable fastening system comprises a first breathable mechanical fastener surface, which is generally a loop or fibrous type surface that can optionally be joined to a breathable backing loop, and a recon large area breathable hook type fastener. The hook type fastener generally has an integral film backing which film backing has a porosity of from 0.0001 to 0.005 cm3, a backing thickness of from 25 to 200 &mgr;m, a stiffness of from 10 to 2000 Gurley units and a hook or projection containing surface area of at least 10 cm2.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener product is provided that includes providing a continuous, sheet-form base having an array of fastener elements including molded stems that extend outwardly therefrom. The sheet-form base is split between adjacent rows of the molded fastener elements to form elongated fastener filaments. The fastener filaments are twisted individually to reorient the fastener elements to extend in multiple directions from a common core.

Abstract: A releasable touch fastener has an engagement area configured to produce a twisting about a centroid of the engagement area in the plane of engagement, in response to a unidirectional shear load acting within the plane of engagement. One fastener component has a flexible web carrying a multiplicity of loop-engageable fastener elements, or a region of adhesive, defining the engagement area. Elasticity of the engaged materials enhances the twisting effect.

Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having a permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for securing and adjusting laces, including any types of cord or string, of a wide variety of articles. The device comprises a body, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter. The top surface and the bottom surface of the device may be separated by a constant or a variable depth. The body of the device is provided with at least two “lateral” apertures positioned laterally on opposite sides of a center on the body. The body is further provided with at least one “central” aperture positioned between the lateral apertures, and preferably near the center of the body.

Abstract: A multicompartment funeral urn has an ash compartment and at least one alternate compartment which can be used for putting in accessories such as a book binder that can include a signature registry, a photo album or any such items. A lid closes the ash compartment and can be either hingedly attached to the ash compartment or releasably attached to it.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a cord to a piece of material. The material has a first side and a second side. The apparatus has a frame, a punch pin, a spear, and a comber. The comber is movably mounted to the frame. The comber is adapted to create slack in the cord. The punch pin is movably mounted to the frame. The punch pin is adapted to receive the cord and penetrate the material. The punch pin pulls the cord from the first side of the material through to the second side of the material. The punch pin is adapted to form an open loop on the second side of the material and the spear draws the cord through the open loop.

Abstract: A CV boot installation and removing device comprising a base having a connection opening for coupling to a CV boot. With this design, there is a handle coupled to the base and a power connection disposed either inside or adjacent to the handle. There is an adjuster, which can be in the form of a substantially cylindrical shaft, for adjusting an opening size of the connection opening for receiving the CV boot. There is also a biasing device coupled to the base, for biasing the connection opening closed against the CV boot wherein the biasing device can be pressed open by said adjuster to form a connection to the CV boot to a point at which said connection opening opens to fit over a CV boot as controlled by the adjuster.

Abstract: A method of remodeling a subsisting countertop by casting a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound thereupon has some of the following steps. Given a subsisting countertop, without altering it, temporarily attaching edging forms or flow checks around all the free edges of the subsisting countertop, both of which forms and flow checks operate to check the flow of the casting compound at least to the height of a given rise. Following that, pouring a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound over the countertop to the height of the given rise and as checked within the edging forms and flow checks. The final step involves optionally removing the forms before the lapse of a full day.

Abstract: In manufacturing a link plate for a roller chain, a band of sheet steel is intermittently forwarded along a path past series of dies, including rough punching dies and shaving dies. The punching dies and corresponding shaving dies are located symmetrically on opposite sides of an intermediate location along the path. The intermediate location coincides with a location at which the lateral deviation of the band reverses. Consequently, the outer peripheral surfaces of the plate and the inner peripheral surfaces of the connecting pin holes, both being formed by rough punching, are brought into very close alignment with the shaving dies.

Abstract: An extended tool holder for holding a cutting tool and receivable within a standard tool holder is provided. The extended tool holder comprises a body having a shank portion and a collet-receiving portion with an aperture extending through the body. A collet is receivable within the collet-receiving portion of the hollow body with the collet having a plurality of fingers closable about at least a portion of the cutting tool. A draw bolt is receivable within the shank portion of the hollow body and connected to the collet for urging the collet into collet receiving portion of the body wherein upon the collet entering the collet receiving portion, the fingers close about the cutting tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for assembling individual body components of a body-in-white vehicle with respect to one another to form a unitary vehicle body including a framing workstation for receiving and positionally locating an underbody member of the vehicle, and for receiving and positionally locating at least one upper body member of the vehicle with respect to the underbody member. The framing workstation establishing a predetermined geometry of the individual body components, while forming the unitary vehicle body. At least one self-piercing rivet tool for securing the at least one upper body member of the vehicle to the underbody member of the vehicle to form and maintain the predetermined geometry of the unitary vehicle body with self-piercing rivets.

Abstract: A rail bracket mounting system, including a bracket that is attached to a post. The bracket is formed to support the notching of a rail. The end of a rail is then nested into the bracket, and is supported by the bracket. The rail is then secured to the bracket by fasteners such as screws, and a cover may then be placed over the bracket, housing the securing fasteners. The rail may be hollow or solid. A hollow rail may be reinforced along its entire length by the insertion of one or more reinforcing members through a hollow portion of the rail.

Abstract: A process for forming an improved tensile strength deformed reinforcing bar splice for use in concrete construction by radially compressing or cold forming the bar end with dies literally to flatten any ribs or deformations on the bar end to cold work a section of the bar end which will extend beyond any threaded section and the mouth of a coupler thereon. The splice formed has superior tensile qualities. The process is inexpensive and may be accomplished at or near a construction site.

Abstract: In an apparatus in which workpieces are joined by self-piercing rivets, for example, a jig is used to determine whether axial alignment of a punch and a die is within an acceptable range. The jig substitutes for a die and has a shank and a head, the shank fitting within a die-receiving bore of the apparatus and the head having an axial opening receiving the punch when alignment is within the acceptable range. The head is constructed to permit viewing of the relationship of the punch and the opening.

Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.

Abstract: A clutch housing assembly for use in vehicle drivelines includes at least one strengthening member at an open end of the housing. The strengthening member preferably is formed by cutting away portions of the housing near the open end and then deforming the remaining portions. The deformed portions preferably are folded over and against a surface of the housing near the open end. The strengthening members provide additional strength to the housing at the open end to resist deformations that may otherwise occur because of forces incident on the assembly during operation of the vehicle driveline.

Abstract: A novel two-stage clamp used in testing a device-under-test (DUT) is herein presented. The two-stage clamp provides two sequential actuations via one linear force, and includes clamps moving in multiple different directions. The two-stage clamp uniquely uses the DUT being clamped to provide the linkage and timing for the two-stage actuation of clamps moving in three different directions.

Abstract: A small-scale positioning device employing a platform, a levering mechanism and a floating actuator device. The platform is movably attached to a fixed frame by a lever, a pair of levers, or more. The floating actuator device is coupled between at least one lever and the platform. When the actuator device is activated, it generates a force on the platform and an equal but opposite force on the levering mechanism, causing one or more levers to rotate around their respective fulcrums, thereby controlling the position of the movable platform relative to the fixed frame. The amount of displacement of the platform is dependent upon the effective expansion or contraction of the actuator device and the lever ratio. If the pair of levers are symmetrical, then motion is created in only a single degree of motion. Flexures may be included to prevent motion in unwanted directions.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a frequency characteristic of an edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device includes the step of obtaining a frequency characteristic of an edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device having a piezoelectric substrate. The edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device has a pair of edges of the piezoelectric substrate which define a predetermined distance therebetween. Then, the piezoelectric substrate is cut at at least one of a pair of positions which define a distance that is shorter than the predetermined distance when a final frequency characteristic of the edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device is to be higher than the obtained frequency characteristic. The piezoelectric substrate is cut at at least one of a pair of positions which define a distance that is longer than the predetermined distance when a final frequency characteristic of the edge reflection type surface acoustic wave device is to be lower than the obtained frequency characteristic.

Abstract: There is provided methods for producing an ultrasonic transducer assembly. The methods generally comprise the steps of creating a multi-layered rigid or flexible printed circuit board, having a top surface and bottom surface; creating a patterned conducting layer upon each of the top and bottom surface; creating at least one patterned backplate electrode on the board or as part of a discreet component which is then attached to the board; creating at least one conductive through-hole via integral with the board; roughening at least a portion of each of the at least one backplate to introduce gas pockets in that portion of a surface of the backplate; and attaching thin insulating or dielectric single or multi-layer film on a portion of the board in which the film has an integral conducting surface and in which the conducting surface is configured so as to form a capacitive structure with the at least one backplate.