Abstract: Nanoscale, mesoporous manganese oxide materials aerogels and ambigels are prepared by altering the method for removing pore liquid from manganese oxide gels. By removing pore fluid under conditions where capillary forces are substantially absent, materials exhibiting a desired high mesoporosity and high surface area can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of pawpaw tree, which has been given the name ‘Levfiv.’ This variety is distinguished by its all-around excellent fruit quality consisting of large, firm, fleshy, thick skinned fruits with an unusually low seed-to-fruit ratio and an excellent flavor. This variety possess the fleshiest and firmest fruit in pawpaws found to date. The texture is firm and smooth. The number of fruit per cluster is low, often in singles, which simplifies harvesting. The fruit possesses a color break at picking stage which is a major advantage in harvesting the fruit. The fruit firmness plus the thick skin will help in shipping and handling. This variety is one of three varieties newly identified as having potential to establish a commercial pawpaw industry.

Abstract: ‘Kakegawa S45’ is a new variety of Calibrachoa plant. This new variety has deep blue colored flowers and dark green foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Fisupnic Chersweet’, and particularly characterized by the combined features of bi-colored flowers, white to pale pink color and purple-red markings; relatively large, nearly round, flat to slightly cup-shaped flowers; flowers borne on long peduncels well above the foliage; dark-green, elliptically shaped leaves; vigorous growth, and tall, only moderately tight plant habit; and early to medium flowering response.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘Devon Flavia’ that is characterized by compact habit, medium-green foliage and fragrant flowers that are pink and reddish purple in color. In combination these traits set ‘Devon Flavia’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Marguerite Daisy plant named ‘Argydowitis’ characterized by its upright vigorous plant habit, good field performance, large semi-double white flowers, dark green colored leaves, freely flowering with numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Didi Chered’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and red-colored flowers that are fully double and positioned above and beyoud the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant named ‘Yodragon’, characterized by its uniform, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dark green-colored foliage; uniform flowering habit; natural flowering season around September 7th; daisy-type inflorescences with pale blue-colored ray florets; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct rose cultivar of the Hybrid Tea class characterized by: having stems without prickles; large peach shaded flowers; flowers borne one to the stem; rapid repeat blooms; on upright bushy plants.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Didi Salmon Two’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and light red-colored flowers that are fully double and positioned above and beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘Devon Elise’ that is characterized by compact mounding habit, blue-green foliage and prominently fragrant pink flowers with pronounced dentation of the petals. In combination these traits set ‘Devon Elise’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

Abstract: In combination a screen, a shaker, a conveyor and carbody device which is attachable to a vehicle of choice, such as an hydraulic excavator, a backhoe, etc., and when installed thereon allows the vehicle to perform as a padding machine.

Abstract: A modular fold-out camping unit so designed as to be carried largely by a vehicle's hitch receiver for transportation while independently supported to the ground with height adjustable legs while in use. The standard is comprised of a, largely hitch supported, load-carrying base plate, supported by a regular or extended hitch arm, creating the floor, or part of the floor, of the camper, with optional additional floor boards attached with hinges as to be unfolded into an extended floor area whereupon an enclosure in form of a semi permanent tent structure is erected.

Abstract: A roadway luminaire is provided which includes a mast mount docking station securable to an end of a pole mast. The mast mount docking station includes a power plug electrically coupled to the power conductors. The luminaire includes a corresponding power plug which is electrically and mechanically coupled to the mast mount docking station via a twist-lock feature including mating keys and keyways in the docking station and luminaire, respectively. The luminaire includes several plug-in components such as a plug-in photoelectric cell, a plug-in starter and a capacitor press-fit into a molded cavity in the luminaire. The power plug of the luminaire is adaptable to be used with all international voltages. The twist-lock feature provides for a fool-proof mechanical and electrical connection to ensure that the correctly rated luminaire is connected to the supply voltage.

Abstract: Broadly this invention provides in invention which is inbred corn line G1900. The methods for producing a corn plant by crossing the inbred line G1900 are also encompassed by the invention. Additionally, the invention relates to the various parts of inbred G1900 including culturable cells. This invention relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line G1900 with at least one other corn line.

Abstract: A multipurpose ballistic and stab resistant garment is provided having a ballistic and stab resistant pad. The pad has puncture resistant sheets of woven aramid fibers that are formed from a weave of at least sixty warp fibers per inch and 60 weft fibers per inch. The pad has ballistic resistant sheets of woven lyotropic liquid crystal polymer fiber.

Abstract: A costume is provided and includes a main body portion having a neck opening and a hood extending from the main body portion adjacent the neck opening. Main body portion includes a front panel and a back panel. Secured on the front panel is a head, such as the head of a bumblebee. When worn, the head is disposed below the hood and projects outwardly from the front of the main body portion. The head is also 3-dimensional and includes an outer surface that tends to be round, and includes a face with a pair of eyes and a nose. Projecting rearwardly from the back of the main body portion is a tail and a pair of wings.

Abstract: A man's trouser comprises a pelvic section having a pair of leg portions depending therefrom. The pelvic section includes a waist section having an upper circumferential edge with a lower continuous elastomeric band secured thereto. An upper, elastomeric waistband is secured to an upper edge of the lower band and includes belt loops positioned thereon for receiving a belt to suspend the trouser on a wearer. Both bands are configured to resemble an undergarment waistband so that the garment appears to be a conventional trouser suspended below the wearer's undergarment waistband.

Abstract: Visor assembly (1, 21) consisting of an inner shield (6, 26) and an outer shield (2, 22). In the use position these shields are some distance apart. With this arrangement the inner shield (6, 26) is located within the peripheral confines of the outer shield (2, 22). The inner shield (6, 26) is provided with an elevation (7, 27) which extends close to the periphery thereof and which acts as a spacer with respect to the outer shield. This elevation (7, 27) is preferably made of silicone material which is snack to the inner shield (6, 26) but is not stuck to the outer shield (2, 22). Fixing to the outer shield (2, 22) takes place by means (10, 12) of mechanical fixing means.

Abstract: A long-term urine-collection kit has a large-capacity can having a wide mouth, a small-capacity cup having a rim dimensioned to sit in the mouth, and a removable cover fittable over the mouth of the can when the cup is sitting in the mouth. The capacity of the can is enough, e.g. 2-3 l, to hold a day's urine, and the capacity of the cup is enough, e.g. 400-500 ml, to hold a single urination.

Abstract: A plastic film bag serves as disposable urine collection device especially suitable for female use. The bag has a resealable top opening. Adjacent the top opening along opposed long sides are two tubular members with an end aperture dimensioned for insertion of a finger into each tubular member. When the bag is mounted on two fingers, the fingers can hold the bag open and press the bag against the body on either side of the urinary orifice. In this position, the user can void into the bag without mishap. The device may be used by inserting the bag mounted on the fingers of one hand inside the panties. The device may be formed from a thin plastic film. A grasping tab is connected to the aperture and extends away therefrom adapted to facilitate entrance of the finger into the member. The aperture may be provided with a stiffer annular element to further facilitate insertion of the finger into the tubular member.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a device to enable a user to move a toilet seat from an up position to a down position. The device includes a connection mechanism to connect the device to the toilet seat, a handle, and a pivoting assembly, coupled to the connection mechanism and the handle, to permit the handle to pivot relative to the toilet seat.

Abstract: An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.

Abstract: A self-storing apparatus and method for cleaning a swimming pool include a water pump; a self-propelled pool vacuum cleaner; a flexible hose fluidly connecting the water pump with the pool vacuum cleaner; a housing positioned along a submerged surface of the swimming pool and having sufficient capacity for therein receiving and storing the pool vacuum cleaner; a storage conduit in fluid communication with the housing and the water pump for therein receiving and storing the flexible hose upon retraction, the fluid communication being selectable between pressure and suction; a piston connected to the flexible hose and movably positioned within the conduit responsive to the water pump to thereby deploy and retract the hose and pool vacuum cleaner; and a retaining member positioned to engage the piston for retaining the hose deployed from the storage conduit responsive to water circulation generated by the water pump.

Abstract: A safety bathtub including at least one upstanding wall; and a built-in thermometer in the wall, the thermometer including a measuring portion and a scale portion, and the thermometer being mounted such that the measuring portion is immersed in water when the bathtub has water in it, and the scale portion is out of the water when the bathtub has water in it, for continual monitoring from outside and above the bathtub.

Abstract: A system and method for providing support in the shower, such as a toroidal support which can open and can be secured around a bather's chest. In some embodiments, the support can be coupled to a vertical spine which is coupled to the wall.

Abstract: A crib includes a pair of lower guides which are mounted on lower portions of the headboards. When it is desired to lower the side rail of the crib, the side rail must first be raised to allow a steel pin to leave a locking slot and the side rail must then be pushed inwardly relative to the crib to overcome an integrally formed cantilever spring which normally blocks access to a guide slot which is formed in the lower guide. When the cantilever spring is pushed inwardly, the steel pin gains access to the guide slot and the steel pin can then slide downwardly thereby moving the side rail down.

Abstract: There is provided a table for positioning a patient for a medical procedure on a breast, the table comprising: a solid frame surrounding a perimeter of the table; and a membrane-like contour surface for a surrounding breast area, wherein the surface comprises an aperture for the breast to be pendantly suspended therethrough, and the surface is adjusted to a shape of the patient's body. Preferably, the membrane-like contour surface covers the entire surface area of the table. Alternatively, it can be limited to a section that will cover an area from approximately the bottom of the rib cage to the collar bone when the patient is lying face down on the table.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the head of user while the user is lying in a face-down position, a face-up position or a side position. The apparatus includes a head cradle with ventilation and a pair of elongated dependent arms that can be manipulated to serve as a chest support, or a neck support or a head support depending on how the user is lying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for holding and supporting an infant, which consists of a base including a proximal extremity, an opposing distal extremity, and an edge therebetween. The base has an inclined surface extends from the proximal extremity to the edge, and a generally horizontal surface extends from the edge to the distal extremity. A body-supporting harness assembly, located atop the inclined surface, is attached to the base and is movable between a first body supporting position away from the general horizontal surface and a second position toward the generally horizontal surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a mattress topper which is designed to be placed atop a mattress and/or box spring combination. In the preferred arrangement, the topper consists of a sandwich of three layers. The outer layers are preferably comprised of open cell foam of a thickness about equal to one inch or so. The inner layer is an impermeable central liner which is preferably made of a material such as plastic. The function of the central liner is to prevent the migration of fluids from one side of the topper to the other. Thus, although the foam upper layer is very absorbent, an inadvertent spill or other deposit of moisture will be blocked in its migration through the topper by the central waterproof member, thereby protecting both the lower member and the mattress below from exposure to the moisture. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is comprised of a foam stiffener core encased by an impermeable wrapping.

Abstract: The invention modulates the air volume in foam cores of cushioning support devices and any other support apparatus using foam or similar materials. The foam core can be incrementally modulated to realize an infinite number of comfort levels as to softness and support firmness. The core consists of self-inflating open-cell flexible polyurethane foam and is completely sealed within an enclosure fitted over it, with one or more valves installed in the side walls which communicate with the outside air. Through the valves air is selectively withdrawn from the foam core, allowing the foam's density to increase. The invention uses relatively inexpensive foam, but through air volume modulation achieves a tactile feel of supreme softness for the user, without giving up the necessary firmness to support the body, as happens with very soft foam (bottoming-out or hammock-effect). When air is extracted from a self-inflating foam core, the surface of the core will soften uniformly while maintaining its support firmness.

Abstract: A multi purpose hand tool includes an elongate generally cylindrical handle having opposite first and second ends. The handle is adapted for grasping by a user and has a hole through the handle located substantially mid-way along the length of the handle. The hole extends through the handle so that a digit of the user's hand, when grasping the handle, may be inserted through the hole.

Abstract: A cleaning tool comprises a scrubber head having an upper arm, a lower arm, and a connecting member coupling the upper and lower arms. A scrubbing material is secured to an inner surface of the scrubber head.

Abstract: A paint roller (10) has a paint applicator (12), two holder mounts an applicator holder (14). The paint applicator (12) has a cylindrical outer surface and two opposite ends (18a,18b). The two holder mounts, respectively associated with the two opposite ends (18a, 18b), each has a base surface (24) and a journal (26) that protrudes from the surface (24) away from the paint applicator (12). The applicator holder (14) has a handle (40) and a fork (42) with opposite sides (44,48) that each has a journal engagement portion (48,50). In a preferred embodiment, each of the holder mounts has holder abutments, (30) that protrude from the surface (24) away from the paint applicator (12). In an alternate embodiment, the applicator holder (14) has applicator abutments that protrude from mount abutment surfaces of each of two journal engagement portions towards the paint applicator (12).

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for purging unwanted gasses from the Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP). It consists of a purging wand which is inserted into the chamber for an optimal purge. The purging wand moves back and forth along a simple axis activated by a linkage robot. The wand is carried along a track with the FOUP and when its reaches its optimal position inside the FOUP, the source of cleaning gas is allowed to flow into and spray out of the wand thereby purging the FOUP. After the purging is completed, the linkage robot withdraws the wand from within the FOUP to its original position.

Abstract: Device for fastening a dust box to a cyclone vacuum cleaner, including an accommodating part having a space in a body of the cyclone vacuum cleaner, a dust box mounted in the accommodating part selectively, for collecting various foreign matters separated from air, and fastening means for moving the dust box in the accommodating part in up and down directions selectively for putting, or taking the dust box into/out of the accommodating part, whereby permitting smooth putting in and taking out the dust box with simple operation, and preventing escape of various foreign matters from the dust box during putting or taking the dust box in/out of the cleaner.

Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.

Abstract: A handle which is sized for gripping and for holding a drive tool wherein the drive-tool handle can be alternately positioned in the body of the handle for achieving varying amounts of torque. As assembly involving the handle and the drive tool.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for guiding movement of an object along a track. The apparatus includes an attachment member defining an opening. A bushing is positioned in the opening and the bushing is laterally moveable within the opening. A plunger is attached to the bushing and the plunger is configured to move towards and away from the bushing. A guide mechanism is pivotably attached to the plunger and the guide mechanism is moveable along the track. According to other aspects of the invention, a slider is used in combination with a roller as the guide mechanism.

Abstract: An automotive hinge comprises: a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closing panel, the door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pivot arm; the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating the door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.

Abstract: A sprung hinge for elements for closing compartments and the like, comprising a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral that are respectively associable with an element for closing a compartment or the like and with a structure that is suitable to form the compartment and have a first lever and a second lever in common, and at least one elastic traction element.

Abstract: A system for covering and closing off a housing of an electronic microdevice with a cover plate that extends over a mostly level surface of a faceplate of the housing. Rotary or pivoting hinges are provided to allow the cover plate to be lifted off of the surface of the faceplate while maintaining the cover plate essentially parallel to the faceplate. The system may be used for closing off a hearing-aid housing, an FM receiver housing or other housing.

Abstract: A buckle apparatus includes an insertion control subassembly press-operating an ejector when a pair of tongue parts are simultaneously inserted into a buckle body for allowing insertion up to an engaging position between the respective tongue parts and an engaging member while regulating the press operation by posture tilting of the ejector when only one tongue part is inserted. The insertion control subassembly includes a frame member having a guide rail part reciprocatively slidingly guiding the ejector along the direction of the press operation while including a stopper part separably coming into contact with the ejector in posture tilting from an insertion allowing posture for regulating movement in the direction of the press operation on the guide rail part.

Abstract: A seat belt cover comprising a flat tubular member through which a seat belt of a motor vehicle is passed to be covered therewith, wherein, the flat tubular member has i) a slit-shaped opening provided at its lower end and having a width larger than the width of a through-tongue and ii) a slit-shaped opening provided at its upper end and having a width which is enough to pass the seat belt but not enough to pass the through-tongue. Also disclosed is a seat belt cover provided with a pocket for, e.g., a cellular phone on the outside. The former seat belt cover can prevent the friction of a seat belt with clothes to keep the shoulder or breast of a coat or jacket from becoming shiny and wearing. The latter seat belt cover enables, e.g., safety driving in talking over the cellular phone during the driving of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips and binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: A method and a device for rolling a metal strip (1) in a rolling train, the rolling train having at least two rolling stands, the metal strip (1) having at least two partial areas (3, 4) of different thicknesses, which are connected to one another via a wedge-shaped or approximately wedge-shaped transition piece (2), and the rolling velocity of a rolling stand, during the rolling of the wedge-shaped or approximately wedge-shaped transition piece (2), being set as a function of the forward slip of the rolling stand and of the temperature of the metal strip.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a piezoelectric element and support frames for supporting the ends of the piezoelectric element in the longitudinal direction. The piezoelectric element is formed by stacking an even number of piezoelectric layers greater than or equal to four layers. Electrodes are provided in between the layers and on the front and back faces of the piezoelectric element. The interlayer electrodes including a segmented electrode and lead electrodes are alternately stacked with the piezoelectric layers therebetween. The interlayer electrode in the middle in the thickness direction is a segmented electrode. The piezoelectric layers are polarized in the thickness direction so that charge having the same polarity is extracted from the electrodes when the acceleration is applied. Also, the center portion and both end portions of each piezoelectric layer are polarized in opposite directions.

Abstract: A hand tool is adapted to remove a hinge pin from a hinge on a door or the like. The hinge pin is pushed out of the hinge by application of force to one end of the hinge pin in a direction that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. The hand tool includes a main body that is removably attached to the hinge and a hinge pin-engaging unit on the main body. The hinge pin-engaging unit includes a drive pin slidably attached to the main body and a lever arm that is attached to the drive pin at a distal end of the lever arm and is also pivotally attached to the main body by a fulcrum that is attached to the lever arm between the distal end of the lever arm and a proximal end of the lever arm to form a first class lever. A handle is threadably attached to the lever arm adjacent to the proximal end of the lever arm.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to install and remove continuous track drive units on vehicles, wherein the system contains two forcing discs connected hydraulically which mimic the shape of the vehicle end idlers. A hydraulically actuated telescopic separator is positioned between the forcing discs, such that the discs may be separated or brought together. The forcing discs are aligned with the vehicle idlers to allow the continuous track unit to be easily slipped onto the vehicle idlers from the forcing discs. Conversely, when removing continuous track drive units, the forcing discs are again aligned with the vehicle end idlers, and the track is slipped off the vehicle idlers and onto the forcing discs.