Abstract: An aseptic, continuous sampling arrangement used in a fluid transportation system, the arrangement including an elbow pipe and a septum cartridge. The sampling arrangement further including a needle, a tube, and a collection reservoir, arranged such that the collection reservoir is in fluid contact with the fluid transportation system. The sampling arrangement configured to create a non-laminar fluid flow region from which a continuous sample of fluid material is drawn.

Abstract: An apparatus to excise a sample of material and temporarily store sample has a hollow clamshell casing with a blended grip under which is a tubular sample sleeve extends downwards from the base of the grip. Within the casing an electric motor is housed which drives, via juxtaposed spur gears, the sample sleeve in a rotational manner. The end of the sample sleeve, distal from the clamshell casing, forms a cutting edge circumscribing a circular region. An ejection rod slides reciprocally within the sample sleeve between a stowed position and an expulsion position. When the ejection rod moves from the stowed position to the expulsion position it will extend past the cutting edge and expel any material sample contained within the sample sleeve. A user cuts a sample from a source material resting on a pliable substrate, using the cutting edge of the sample sleeve when the ejection rod is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A test stand and related method for testing a hydraulic oscillator cylinder having an oscillating drive includes gas-filled shock absorbers for reacting oscillating movement of the oscillating drive to simulate operational load conditions of the oscillator cylinder. The shock absorbers are mounted on a rigid structure and preferably abut an oscillating member mountable on the oscillating drive to react the oscillating movement thereof. The oscillating member may be disposed between a pair of rigid members on which the shock absorbers are mounted whereby one set of shock absorbers reacts movement of the oscillating member in one direction and another set reacts movement of the oscillating member in the opposite direction. Translating structure may extend between the oscillating member and oscillating drive and through a hole in one of the rigid members. Guide shafts may guide oscillating movement of the oscillating member. Gas pressure within the shock absorbers may be controlled.

Abstract: A testing assembly for reducing noise emitted from a random vibration apparatus is provided. The testing assembly comprises a base assembly and a cover assembly hingedly connected to the base assembly. At least one inner base positioned within the base assembly with each inner base having at least one aperture. A vibration testing table is secured within the inner base. At least one vibration mechanism is secured within the inner base and communicates with the vibration testing table.

Abstract: Method for measuring the bearing play in a highly dynamic mechanical transmission chain between a setting member and a functional member on which it acts, wherein a control unit te actuates the setting member with a square-shaped desired signal of at least half a period and a measuring device is provided with a sensor for sensing the position of the functional element measures its distance from a reference point of the functional element, and the bearing play is determined from the comparison of the actual deflection with the command signal of the setting member.

Abstract: A controller-assisted, manually shifted transmission system having a control system and method for controlling automatic range shifts are disclosed. Automatic range shifts are determined by control logic utilizing predetermined logic rules to evaluate transmission system criteria. The control logic determines a set of potential target gear ratios. Engine overspeed tests evaluate the set of potential target gear ratios in combination with the transmission system criteria. The appropriate range shift is determined and executed based on the selected target gear ratio.

Abstract: A power system. The system comprises a gearbox. The system may also comprise a motor. The gearbox comprises a gearbox input shaft and a gearbox output shaft. The gearbox output shaft is oriented transverse to the gearbox input shaft. The motor has a motor output shaft. The gearbox has a motor mounting portion to enable the motor to be secured to the gearbox transverse to the gearbox.

Abstract: An improved auxiliary actuator for the engine of a remote control car is installed at one side of the engine of the remote control car and comprises a driving gear set and a driven gear set. The driving gear set includes a housing, which includes a hollow shaft sheath with a shaft connecting by a 45° angle to a side of the periphery of the housing. A connector is provided on the top of the shaft, while a driving bevel gear is provided at the bottom of the shaft and positioned inside of the housing. The driven gear set includes a cover provided above the housing. The cover has a through hole for receiving a one-way bearing which has a pivot inside. A driven bevel gear being engaged with the driving bevel gear is provided at one end of the pivot, while the other end of the pivot is connected to the engine drive. Accordingly, the engine of the remote control car can be actuated easily and promptly.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing and a gear assembly supported by the housing. The gear assembly includes a shaft carried by the housing, a bull gear attached to the shaft, and a helical gear shaft carried by the housing. The helical gear shaft incorporates a helical gear operatively connected to the bull gear. The transmission can be either a single-speed transmission or a variable-speed transmission. The single speed transmission employs a pulley attached to the helical gear shaft, and a belt wrapped around the pulley. The variable-speed transmission employs a driven pulley supported by the helical gear shaft, an idler pulley pivotably attached to the housing, and a belt wrapped around the driven pulley and the idler pulley.

Abstract: An operating position select device for an automatic transmission has a select lever unit having a select lever, a mode shift unit mounted on the automatic transmission to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission, a first and second control cables and others for mechanically connecting the select lever and the mode shift unit, and an actuator for outputting assist torque to shift the mode shift unit. An operating angle sensor detects an operating angle of the select lever and an assist angle sensor detects an assist angle of the assist actuator. A control unit computes a non-coupling amount of the control cables and others to determine a compensation amount and controls drive current supplied to the assist actuator based on the operating angle, the assist angle, and the compensation amount.

Abstract: A column shifter has an impact absorbing structure. The column shifter includes a shift lever rotatably supported to a steering column. The column shifter includes a bellcrank supported to the steering column and being rotatable by the shift lever about the rotation center to operate a transmission. The bellcrank includes a first link angularly-displaced by the shift lever. The bellcrank includes a second link separated angularly from the first link about the rotation center. The second link includes a distal end connected to the transmission. The second link includes a strength weakened portion between the distal end and the rotation center.

Abstract: A backlash preventing structure for a steering column is provided for reducing the cost by reducing the number of parts and improving the ease of assembly, and for preventing hammering noise. The steering column has a cylindrical movable jacket slidably fitted into an outer cylindrical housing, the outer cylindrical housing having three holes formed therethrough in an axial direction, a steering shaft swingably disposed within the movable jacket, and a steering wheel secured to one end of the steering shaft. The backlash preventing structure, which prevents backlash of the movable jacket against the outer cylindrical housing, comprises a pair of press members each fitted into a left or a right side hole of the outer cylindrical housing, and a leaf spring fixed to the outer cylindrical housing with a screw screwed into a central hole of the outer cylindrical housing for urging the press members onto an outer peripheral surface of the movable jacket.

Abstract: A control cable adjustment device for adjusting a control cable extending between a control mechanism and an operating mechanism. The adjustment device includes an adjuster rotatably connected to a housing of the control mechanism and a spring element having at least one retention segment. The retention segment engages a detent contour of the adjuster to retain the adjuster in its current position. Another segment of the spring element may have a second function as a return spring for a gear shifter or a brake lever. However, if the spring element does not serve a dual purpose, the spring element has a support segment that is braced against an existing control cable insertion opening in the housing of the control mechanism.

Abstract: A differential adjuster that utilizes a tool interface for affecting either a coarse adjustment or a fine adjustment is presented. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a differential adjuster includes an intermediate actuator sleeve with a tool interface to accommodate a tool for performing fine adjustments. In some embodiments, a differential adjuster includes a main body with a tool interface to accept a tool for performing coarse adjustments. By utilizing a tool interface, rather than a knob, embodiments of the differential adjuster according to the present invention can be formed with small form factors.

Abstract: A device is provided for setting a connecting piece (5) mounted pivotably by a mounting device (1), especially a pedal mechanism in a motor vehicle, with which a transmission unit (6) is coupled for transmitting the movement of the connecting piece (5). The setting device has an adjusting mechanism (7) for adjusting the position of the connecting piece (5), a locking unit (8), which prevents the unintended adjustment of the position of the connecting piece (5), and a compensating unit (10) for compensating the change in the distance between the transmission unit (6) and the connecting piece (5), which change is brought about by the adjustment of the position of the connecting piece (5).

Abstract: In an operation lever structure in which an operation lever 10 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 9 in a predetermined direction, a movable member 15 is engaged with a front end 12a of the operation lever 10, and the movable body 15 slidingly moves in a predetermined direction by a rotating operation of the operation lever 10, the operation lever 10 includes a lever main body 11 rotated in a predetermined direction by the support shaft 9, an arm 12 slidingly supported to the lever main body 11 a front end 12a of which is engaged in a concave section 15a of the movable member 15, and a compression coil spring 16 to regularly urge the arm 12 in the direction of the movable member, wherein an entire length of the arm 12 of the operation lever is varied corresponding to a rotating operation angle of the operation lever 10.

Abstract: A handle bar mount for small vehicles and of the type having a pivoting handlebar cradle (24) attached to a top member (50) that is attached to a vehicle (20). A series of absorbers (38) is retained by an absorber posts (42). The location of the pivot is ideally suited rearward and lower than the handlebar clamp. This provides a simple and cost effective dampening of vibration from the ground, acceleration, and breaking to the handlebars and the rider.

Abstract: A damper assembly and method of assembling a damper assembly wherein the damper assembly comprises an inertia member having a chamber therein, wherein an elastomer and a portion of a support member are retained under compression within the chamber by a snap-fitting retainer member. Also disclosed is another embodiment of the damper assembly and method of assembling a damper assembly comprising a support hub having a chamber therein, an inertia member having a protuberance extending therefrom and capable of insertion within a groove of an elastomer, wherein the elastomer and the protuberance are retained under compression within the chamber by a snap-fitting retainer member.

Abstract: In a turning drive apparatus (10) for turning a movable portion (3) of a model (1) by transmitting power from a drive source to the movable portion (3) through a gear train (11), a pair of gears (16, 17) included in the gear train (11) are coupled concentrically with each other through a common slip plate (18). A friction transmitting portion (30) is arranged by combining at least any one (17) of the gears with the slip plate (18) so that it makes a slip motion to the slip plate (18) in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A wave gear device has a rigid internal gear, a flexible external gear, and a wave generator. The tooth profiles of both gears are initially defined by a basic rack tooth profile shape. The lower parts of the dedendum portions of these tooth profiles are modified by curves C2 and C3 having pressure angles ?2 and ?3 that are less than the standard pressure angle ?1 of the basic rack tooth profile shape C1. An increase in thickness of the tooth bottom side can be minimized even if the tooth depth is increased and the tooth thickness/tooth space ratio changed to increase the tooth thickness. Hence, the ratcheting torque of a wave gear device having a high reduction gear ratio can be increased without reducing the service life and strength of a pinion cutter for the rigid internal gear, or the fatigue strength of the flexible external gear.

Abstract: A use of a modified sugar or a sugar alcohol as a binder or binder component.

Abstract: A powder product for the protection of centrifugal casting molds for cast iron pipes includes an inoculating metal alloy and possibly mineral powders, and a strongly reducing metal that is volatile at the temperature of the liquid cast iron. The use of products according to the invention prevents accumulation of dirt on molds and improves the surface condition of the cast iron pipes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a sodium-based reactive desulphurizing agent for use in molten ferrous materials. The source of sodium in the reactive desulphurizing agent is a glass cullet, a composition comprising of at least Na2O and SiO2. In a second embodiment of the invention, the glass cullet reactive desulphurizing agent also comprises of an alkali or an alkaline material or other materials, such as oxides of calcium, aluminum and magnesium. Preferred raw materials for the oxides of calcium, aluminum and magnesium are, respectively, lime, alumina and dolomite. The premixed solid reactive desulphurizing agent is brought in contact with the molten ferrous material, allowing the desulphurization or the double replacement of the iron sulphur to take place and produce a ferrous oxide. The sodium in the reactive desulphurizing agent is rendered resistant to combustion or evaporation on contact with the molten ferrous materials by the flux activity of the silica.

Abstract: A method of extracting zinc from a sulphidic ore is provided which comprises bioleaching the ore in a heap with acidophilic microorganisms to produce a pregnant leach solution which is recovered from the bottom of the heap. An integrated process which comprises subjecting the pregnant leach solution to neutralization and solvent extraction to produce a concentrated zinc solution is also provided. Zinc may be recovered from the concentrated solution by means of electrowinning, either in the absence or presence of manganese. Alternatively zinc may be recovered in the form of a zinc compound.

Abstract: A process for mutual separation of platinum group metals (PGM), wherein highly stable compounds and steps are used to efficiently remove impurity elements while preventing increase of impurity content relative to that of the PGM in the mother liquor and also preventing decomposition of a chloro complex, and palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium and rhodium are separated mutually in such a way that each of the separated PGM has a sufficient purity to be a commercial product.

Abstract: A needle for tattooing the skin or the eyebrow is provided. The needle comprises a sharp end including a tapered portion having a plurality of raised elements (e.g., spaced leftward or rightward curves, quadrilaterals, rough portions, or a combination thereof). Puncturing the skin or the eyebrow with the needle will form a circular hole having an edge with a plurality of indentations therearound for permitting liquid dye to fully flow from the tapered portion thereinto. The invention can achieve the desired tattoo in a shorter period of time with much improved quality.

Abstract: A tool for removal of a damaged spark/glow plug has an electrode end, an electrical connector end, and an insulator therebetween. The plug further has a damaged or missing wrench-engaging member having a pre-damaged width-across-corners diameter and disposed between the insulator and the electrode end. The plug has a body adjacent the wrench-engaging member or a position previously occupied by the wrench engaging member. The body has a reduced diameter from the wrench-engaging member width-across-corners diameter. The tool includes a plug engaging end having an interior surface having a geometry adapted to cut into the body of the spark/glow plug. The tool further includes an end opposed to the plug engaging end and adapted to be matingly engageable with a wrench.

Abstract: A socket and ratcheting wrench of rotary shape generally includes a wrench body, an annular-toothed block and a socket, wherein the annular-toothed block is rotatably disposed in the wrench body, and the annular-toothed block is defined with a through engaging hole, on the inner peripheral wall of the engaging hole a plurality of ribs are formed thereon, each paired neighboring ribs are connected by an negative arc surface, each rib is provided with a flat first engaging surface at both sides thereof, between the first engaging surfaces is defined with a cambered second engaging surface, the first engaging surface is connected with the second engaging surface by an arc surface. The socket has a first end provided with a plurality of grooves and has a second end defined with polygonal faces at its outer periphery.

Abstract: A wrench including a stem having a head section at one end of the stem and a polygonal socket formed in the head section for fitting onto a screwed member. A resilient ring is disposed at the head section and pivotally connected with a controlling switch pivotally disposed at the head section. By means of operating the controlling switch, the resilient ring is driven to expand or close. In the closed position, the resilient ring obstructs at least one inner angle of the socket to prevent the screwed member from detaching out of the socket and clamp the screwed member in the socket. In the expanded position, the resilient ring frees the inner angle, permitting the screwed member to freely pass through the socket.

Abstract: A screwdriver includes a handle having a polygonal hole defined in a first end thereof for allowing an operate shaft extending into the handle. A locking device is mounted in the handle for selective holding the operate shaft in place. A controlling device is mounted to the handle and corresponds to the locking device for forward moving the slider and making the locking device disengaged from the operate shaft for adjusting the total length of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor removal and installation tool comprises a driving wrench which includes a socket drive with a socket sized to fit onto an oxygen sensor of a vehicle. The driving wrench is made from a thin plate of steel with an attached socket drive projecting at a right angle from the plane of the flat plate. A separate handle includes bifurcated legs which fit over the sides of the opposite end of the flat plate driving wrench and engage a driving surface to vibrate and drive the driving wrench and impart a turning force on the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: For a method for trimming printed products 2, such as book blocks, brochures and the like with the aid of a tractive knife cut, in which the printed products 2 are moved against a stationary knife 17, it is proposed that the cutting process takes place in two successive operations, the edge of the printed product 2 to be trimmed being cut off in a first operation by a precut 13 extending close to the final trimming dimension and being finally trimmed in a second operation by a smoothing or final trimming cut 16 by means of the tractive knife cut. The apparatus for implementing the method includes a conveying system 10, 11 for retaining and guiding the printed products 2 in a clamped state at least during the cutting process, and a first cutting station 13 with a rotationally driven cutting tool 15 for precutting and a second cutting station 16 with a stationary knife 17 for smooth final trimming.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming a container having an open end wherein the container is held during the trimming operation, including a multi-station assembly for holding the container to be trimmed stationary during trimming, ejecting the trimmed portion and ejecting the trimmed container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming a container having an open end wherein the container is held during the trimming operation, including a multi-station assembly for holding the container to be trimmed stationary during trimming, ejecting the trimmed portion and ejecting the trimmed container.

Abstract: Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tools, and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system is configured to retract the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Abstract: A frangible fiberglass insulation batt includes a frangible plane defined by a series of cuts in the batt.

Abstract: A clamping device for a circular saw includes a body that is adapted to be secured on a worktable of the circular saw. A threaded rod longitudinally extends through the body. A braking block is pivotally mounted to the body for selectively engaged to the threaded rod and torsion spring is mounted between the body and the braking block to provide a restitution force to the braking block. A pin laterally extends through the body and the braking block to hold the braking block in place.

Abstract: An end surface of a stopper is formed so as to be thick which is substantially the same surface as an outer circumferential surface of a flange portion, and the stopper is engaged with an engaging groove formed at the flange portion, whereby an engaging portion formed at a locking piece of the stopper is elastically deformed and engages with an engaging portion formed at the flange portion. When the stopper is pulled out in the direction away from the surface of the base resisting with elastic force of the engaging portion, an opening portion of a slot can be opened. The paper cutter of the invention enables to take the slider out of a plate in spite of having a simple configuration, and prevent a falling of the slider from the plate even in conveying it.

Abstract: A movement adjust device for a circular saw includes a holder secured on a base member of the circular saw and having two through holes defined in tow opposite ends the holder. Two first guide bars each slidably extends through a corresponding through hole in the holder. Each first guide bar has a first end securely received in a first stopper and a second end securely received in a connector in which two through holes is defined between the second end of each of the two first guide bars. Two second guide bars each slidably extend through a corresponding through hole in the connector. Each second guide bar has a first end securely received in a second stopper and a second end securely received in a third stopper that is secured on a hinge of the circular saw.

Abstract: A slideable hole punch, having an upper seat, at least a set of drills and a lower seat. The upper seat has a slide track allowing one slide member to move thereon. The upper seat is fitted over the lower seat. The lower seat accommodates the set of drills and has an internal slot. The set of drills is disposed between the upper and lower seats. A paper slot is formed between the upper and lower seats. Thereby, paper can be disposed in the paper slot and slide along the slide track by the slide member. The slide member can then press upon the set of drills to perforate through the paper to form holes with desired shapes and distances.

Abstract: A fingernail pick that is removably attachable to a user's fingernail having a primary string contacting portion, an anchor portion which is shaped to fit comfortably and unobtrusively on top of the fingernail, and a mounting portion. The fingernail pick is held in place either by an adhesive, friction between a slot and a cantilevered portion of fingernail, or by a combination of the two. The fingernail pick may be formed in various sizes and shapes or available in custom sizes and shapes for particular users.

Abstract: A chinrest pad system designed to hold a standard chinrest used with a string instrument that minimizes dampening of vibration and prevents damage caused by the metal components touching the edges of the instrument. The system includes pads located under the support surface of the chinrest member and on top of the lower lip plate used on the lower clamping member. The pads are specifically designed to partially engage the instrument's upper and lower edges and match the curvature of instrument surface immediately adjacent to the edge. Each pad also includes a rear extending lip that bends slightly around the upper or lower edge and extends rearward to prevent the metal rods used with the turnbuckles from contacting the rear surface. During assembly, the pads are positioned over the upper and lower edges so that the compression forces exerted by the support surface and the lower lip plate are centrally located over the sidewall transverse axis, thereby minimizing dampening of vibration.

Abstract: The construction of a shoulder rests for violins and the like comprising a generally rectangular open top elongated body having a bottom wall, opposed longitudinal side walls and opposed transverse side walls, said opposed longitudinal side walls having a plurality of protruding lugs, each having protective rubber rests at their top ends, provided thereon, and said opposed transverse side walls having flexible arms fixedly secured near the middle portion thereof.

Abstract: A wind instrument comprising a plurality of pipes each having a respective open. The instrument also comprises a plurality of movable elements each configured to move in relation to a corresponding one of the plurality of pipes and defining a respective movable end of the corresponding one of the plurality of pipes. Each of the plurality of pipes has an effective length defined by its respective open end and its respective movable end. The wind instrument further comprises a mechanism coupled to the plurality of movable elements, the mechanism being operative for simultaneously reciprocating each of the movable elements between a respective first position and a respective second position. The reciprocation of each of the movable elements induces an absolute change in the effective length of each of the plurality of pipes, the absolute change in the effective length being different for each of the plurality of pipes.

Abstract: A cleaning device (2) for in-situ cleaning of metal strings (50) on a stringed musical instrument comprising a manually bendable, resilient laminate having a first planar portion and end portion extending out of the plane of the first portion, the laminate comprising a layer of plastics material (4) sandwiched between two layers (6,8) of a plastics micro-fibre fabric. The device (2) allows the metal strings (50) of, for example, a guitar (52) to be readily cleaned in-situ while on the instrument to maintain the brightness of tone of the string. A method of manufacturing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unique method of writing keyboard music without the use of traditional lines and staff notation is provided. The method is primarily designed to represent elementary R & B, Jazz and Gospel keyboard music, but is not limited to such. The invention consists of a column with two sides to it within which music played with the right hand is written in the right region of the column, and music played with the left hand is written in the left region of the column. The method is distinguished by very specific easy to learn rules on exactly how certain fundamental keyboard concepts are written using the column. The following keyboard concepts are indexed by the invention. They are: bass notes, piano chords, lone piano notes, sustaining chords, chord alternatives, nipping two piano notes at the same time, keyboard octaves, rhythms, key signatures and tempos and song headings.

Abstract: A musical performance information compression apparatus or the like of the present invention has a primary code production unit which separates SMF or the like into information of a relative time between events, information of a sounding start pitch, information of loudness, information of a sounding end pitch, and other information for each channel and which integrates each information regardless of the channel and which disposes the integrated information in independent regions to produce a primary code, and a secondary code production unit which compresses the information of each region of the primary code produced by this primary code production unit by an LZ coding method, a Huffman coding method and the like.

Abstract: An electronic music apparatus has a tone generator settable by setting information to generate a music tone signal and an open memory area accessible for storing identification information of the electronic music apparatus and setting information specific to the electronic music apparatus. The electronic music apparatus reads out the identification information from the open memory area and sends the read identification information to an editing apparatus, and receives setting information from the editing apparatus and writes the received setting information into the open memory area. Further, when the setting information is written into the open memory area, the written setting information is applied to the tone generator. The editing apparatus has a storage for storing the edited setting information in association with the identification information of each electronic music apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument which enables an instrument frame to be shared by different types of electronic keyboard instruments, and facilitates separate mounting and removal of a keyboard unit and a tone-generating unit. A frame assembly (FAS) has a pair of left and right frame bodies (LFM and RFM) and upper and lower connecting members (20AS and 30AS). The frame assembly is configured such that the two frame bodies are connected together via the connecting members. A pair of keyboard unit-holding parts (16La and 16Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies of the frame assembly. The keyboard unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of keyboard units (KB). A pair of speaker unit-holding parts (17La and 17Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies, separately from the keyboard unit-holding parts. The speaker unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of speaker units (SP).

Abstract: A visual assistance guide system for placement of a disrupter device for explosive ordinance disposal includes a checkerboard base and adhesive containing areas on the base. One of the adhesive containing areas is used to secure a disrupter device on the base. The checkerboard pattern helps position of the disrupter device (preferably done with a robot) at the proper standoff distance from the package targeted for disposal. Other adhesive areas are located so that a detonation line or shock tube emanating from the disrupter device can be secured to the base in the proper position.