Abstract: A connector is provided to reduce the transmission of shock from a housing to a HD via a connector in a notebook computer when the housing is dropped or hits something. The connector has a lower connector portion that is fixed to a print-circuit board and a guide axis, and an upper connector portion that is positioned above the lower connector portion with a vertical gap between itself and the lower connector portion to be slidable along the guide axis. To and from the front side of the upper connector portion, the terminal pins of the HD are inserted and pulled out. Upper ends of electric connection pins for the upper and lower rows can be inserted into pin insertion holes on the upper connector portion to be connected to the terminals of the HD, middle portion of the connection pins have U-shaped resilient portions, and lower ends protrude downward to the lower connector portion and are connected to the wires of the print-circuit board.

Abstract: Modular electronic system for vehicle dashboards, interior roofs, and center consoles that includes a sleeve or frame adapted to engage with the vehicle and integrate with a housing adapted to be mated with the sleeve or frame. The sleeve or frame has an inner surface area, a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located on the vehicle dashboard (such as a cigarette lighter receptacle). Wiring means is used for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts. As a result, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle on the vehicle dashboard, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts and electronics (such as a cell phone, audio/video entertainment device, computer, radar detector, etc.) within the housing are provided with power from the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic card connector includes a plastic main body having two lateral arms respectively extending from two sides of the main body and two grounding members respectively inserted with the lateral arms of the main body. Each grounding member has a U-shaped section for embracing the lateral arm so as to reinforce the lateral arm. The grounding member has a grounding resilient plate for resiliently abutting against a grounding contact of the bottom of an electronic card. The grounding member further has a grounding conductive plate for soldering with a grounding circuit of a circuit board. The grounding member further has two locating sections one of which abuts against a grounding contact of the top face of the electronic card to prevent the electronic card from upward skipping and the other of which extends into a locating dent of the electronic card to stop the electronic card from backing up.

Abstract: A mini Secure Digital (SD) card connector includes an insulation body, a pair of clamping arms and eleven insertion terminals. The insulation of the connector has an open recess and a protective structure, and is for accommodating a signal contact portion of the mini SD card. To appropriately place the signal contact portion in correct directions, the insulation further has retaining ribs for retaining guiding track portions of the mini SD card, and block members of the clamping arms for fastening with breaches of the mini SD card, thereby steadily locating the mini SD card in the open recess of the insulation body of the connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the co-planarity between conductive structures exposed in an interface connector for a portable electronic device. The interface connector includes an elongate housing having a front surface and a bottom surface. The front surface is configured to be at least partially exposed at a peripheral portion of the portable electronic device. The front surface defines port openings in the elongate housing and the bottom surface defines plate openings therein. The plate openings are configured to receive and retain conductive structures and are configured to be at least partially exposed at the bottom surface of the elongate housing and at least partially exposed at the port openings to provide electrical interconnection to the portable electronic device. With this arrangement, the conductive structures in the interface connector are substantially co-planar with each other to provide improved and more reliable electrical interconnection with the portable electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating end and a wire receiving end. A cover is provided on the wire receiving end of the housing. The cover has a ridge on an interior surface thereof to stabilize the cover on the housing. The cover flexes about the ridge when the cover is mounted on the housing. A connector position assurance element (CPA) is slidably received in a channel on the cover and is movable between a pre-staged position and a staged position. The CPA engages a connector latch on the housing to assure that a mating connector is fully mated to the connector when the CPA is in the staged position. The CPA includes a simply supported latch beam having a latch element thereon that engages a step in the channel to latch the CPA to the cover.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a nut, a first member, a second member, and a third member. The connector assembly is used for coupling a conduit to an electrical device that includes a body having an end with an outer edge and a threaded exterior surface. The nut includes a first angled end, a second threaded end, and an inner cavity between the first angled end and the second threaded end. The nut is configured to be threadably attached to the threaded exterior surface of the body. The first member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body. The second member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body. The third member includes a first edge, a second edge, and is positioned within the cavity and encloses the conduit when the conduit is connected to the body.

Abstract: A connection system has a device, and a cable assembly having a cable and a cable connector disposed at an end of the cable. The cable connector is configured to connect to the device. The connection system further includes a retaining clip configured to secure the cable connector to the device when the cable connector connects to the device. The retaining clip includes a main body defining a cavity and a central axis which extends through the cavity. The main body is configured to receive and hold the cable connector. The retaining clip further includes a set of latching arms attached to the main body. Each latching arm extends in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis and is configured to latch the main body to the device when the main body receives and holds the cable connector and when the cable connector connects to the device.

Abstract: A connector includes a first connection part having connection pins electrically connected with a driving module, a supporting body for holding the connection pins, and a guide body extended from a end of the supporting body, which has a guide groove formed at an inner face of the guide body, and a second connection part having connection slots for receiving the connection pins to provide electrical connection between the connection pins and an external device, a side face extended from a front face of the second connection part, a guide step formed on the side face to be inserted into the guide groove, and a warpage preventing protrusion formed on the guide step to prevent the connection pins from being bent at the time of detaching the first connection part from the second connection part.

Abstract: A female connector (F) has female terminal fittings (10), female auxiliary housings (20) for accommodating the female terminal fittings (10), and a female frame for accommodating the female auxiliary housings (20). A male connector (M) has male terminal fittings (40) with tabs (41), male auxiliary housings (50) for accommodating the male terminal fittings (40), and a male frame (60) with a receptacle (61) for accommodating the male auxiliary housings (50) and into which the female connector (F) is fittable. A moving plate (70) is movable backward in the receptacle and has positioning holes (73) into which the tabs (41) are introduced. The moving plate (70) has positioning projections (80), and the female auxiliary housings (20) has positioning recesses (81) engageable with the positioning projections (80). Thus, the moving plate (70) and the female auxiliary housings (20) can be positioned with respect to each other.

Abstract: A connector has wire-side terminal fittings (30) with wire connecting portions (31) and wire-side contact pieces (35). The wire-side terminal fittings (30) are divided into upper and lower stages with their wire connecting portions (31) disposed one over the other to narrow the width of a connector. The wire-side contact pieces (35) are narrower than the wire connecting portions (31). Thus, two wire-side contact pieces (35) at the upper and lower stages can be arranged side by side at substantially the same height in a width area taken up by one wire connecting portion (31). Accordingly, the connector can have a short height.

Abstract: A cable holder (4) can reliably hold plural different types of cables together in an array in side-by-side parallel relationship and includes a pair of hermaphroditic half holding members (5, 6) each having a plurality of half receiving chambers (51). The half receiving chambers are separated from each other by intervening land portions (52). A plurality of latches (53) and corresponding through slots (54) are disposed on the land portion at two opposite sides of the receiving chambers. Each latch comprises a pair of latching arms (530) projecting from an end surface of the land portion and each having a hook (532) in a distal end thereof. A pair of shoulders (542) are disposed at two opposite ends of the through slot for engaging with the hooks. The half receiving chamber has at least one retention rib (510).

Abstract: An electrical connector (100) for electrically connecting with flexible printed circuit (5, FPC) includes an insulative housing (10), a number of terminals (20) fixed in the housing, a slider (40) for fixing the FPC in the housing and a pair of solder pads (30). The housing includes a tail portion (107). A number of passageways (1071) are defined in the tail portion. Each terminal includes a terminal portion (204) for electrically connecting with cable (6) received in corresponding passageway of the housing.

Abstract: A battery-connecting member (1) has a base (2) for accommodating a fuse (10) and a casing (3) for accommodating the base (2). The base (2) includes a battery terminal (7), busbars (8A, 8B) and the fuse (10). A box-accommodating portion (15) is provided in the casing (3) for accommodating the fuse (10) and is provided with an operation space closing portion (17) at a side toward which the fuse (10) is detached. Thus, the fuse (10) cannot be detached unless the battery-connecting member (1) is detached from a battery (5) and the casing (3) and the base (2) are separated.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising electrical signal contacts and power contacts; and a housing. The housing has the electrical contacts connected thereto. The housing includes at least two vertically offset electrical plug receiving areas. The signal contacts extend into the receiving areas in a universal serial bus (USB) electrical conductor location configuration. The power contacts also extend into the receiving areas, but in an opposite direction from the signal contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted for interconnection with a helically corrugated outer conductor coaxial cable via axial compression. Threads formed in an interior bore of the connector body threadably engage helical corrugations of the outer conductor. Upon axial compression of an interface into an interference fit with the body, a leading edge of the outer conductor is deformed, creating a high quality uniform electrical interconnection and preventing unthreading of the cable from the connector. Gaskets environmentally sealing the various entry paths into the connector are also sealably compressed by the axial movement of the various connector components during axial compression.

Abstract: A tubular connector housing is adapted to receive a terminal fitting coupled with an electric wire. An inner holder is accommodated in the connector housing so as to place the terminal fitting therein. The inner holder is slidable between a first position which allows the terminal fitting to be withdrawn from the connector housing and a second position which prevents the terminal fitting from being withdrawn from the connector housing. A through hole is formed in a side wall of the connector housing such that a part of an outer side face of the inner holder is actuated therethrough, in order to displace the inner holder between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A connector has a housing (10) with a cavity (11) and a resiliently deformable lock (13) for locking a female terminal fitting (30) in the cavity (11). The lock (13) has a base (25) and a projection (26) that projects into the cavity (11) from the base (25). Both side surfaces (25b) of the base (25) are formed by a mold that is moved forward to open, and notches (17a) are formed in the front surface of the female housing (10) by this mold. The notches (17a) extend more outward than inner side surfaces (11b) of the cavity (11) with respect to the widthwise direction. Both side surfaces (26c) of the projection (26) are formed by a mold moved backward to open. The projection (26) is narrower than the base (25).

Abstract: An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2), a shield (3) and a camera module (4). The insulative housing has a number of passageways (12) defined therein. The contacts are correspondingly received in the passageways. Each contact includes a holding portion (24) engaging with the passageway and securing the contact with the housing, a soldering portion (26) soldering to a Printed Circuit Board, and a contacting portion (23) electrically connecting the camera modules The camera module mounts on the insulative housing, and have a number of contacting sections (430). The camera module also defines a number of hook engaging portions (44), and a projecting portion (420). The shield has a number of hooking portions (35) corresponding to the hook engaging portions and a cutout (37) engaging with the projecting portion. The shield surfacely and peripherally surrounds the camera module.

Abstract: An electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric base; a plurality of ground or power contacts in the dielectric base; a plurality of signal contacts in the dielectric base and angled relative to the ground or power contacts; and a plurality of solder balls secured to the mounting ends of the ground or power contacts and the signal contacts. An electrical connector, comprising: an insulative housing having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a plurality of contacts in the apertures; and a plurality of solder balls secured to the mounting ends of the contacts. An electrical connector, comprising: an insulative housing with a mating face positionable adjacent a mating connector and a mounting face positionable adjacent a substrate; at least one contact extending between the mating face and the mounting face of the insulative housing and including a tail portion; and a solder mass secured to the tail portion for securing the electrical connector to the substrate.

Abstract: A cable assembly (1) for engaging a complementary connector includes an insulating housing (10), a number of first and second circuit modules (20) received in the housing, and a two-piece cover (30) cooperating with the housing for retaining the circuit modules. Each circuit module includes a circuit board (22a, 22b) accommodated in the housing. Each first circuit module includes a number of first coaxial cables (23a) for transmitting single-ended signals and each second circuit module includes a number of second cables (23b) for transmitting differential pairs of signals. The first and the second circuit modules are staggeredly arranged with each other.

Abstract: A coaxial cable for transmitting high frequency signals includes includes a body having a center conductor and a shield formed coaxially around the center conductor and separated from the center conductor by a layer of dielectric having an annular layer of electro-static-discharge polymer. The cable also includes conductive pads to engage contacts on a mating connector. At least one of the conductive pads is attached to the center conductor and at least another one of the conductive pads is attached to the shield.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector housing 2 for receiving and retaining a memory card, and connecting terminals 4a to 4f fixed to the connector housing 2. Some of the connecting terminals 4a, 4c, 4e are each connected with a circuit board at least 2 portions thereof (such as, 41a and 42a), the circuit board on which the electrical connector is mounted. This ensures a stable connection between the electrical connector and the circuit board and hence, the electrical connector will not encounter easy lift-off from the circuit board in spite of plural times of insertion/removal of the memory card (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A partition mechanism is arranged in a shell of a receptacle connector so that a connector interface defined by the shell is partitioned into two interface portions, one of which has a shape different from the other. Therefore a mating connector for the connector can be connected with one or two interface portions, depending on a shape of a connector interface of the mating connector. In an example, a plug connector for high resolution signals is connected with two interface portions of the receptacle connector, while another plug connector for low resolution signals is connected with only one interface portion of the receptacle connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical connector that attaches a fuel injector assembly to a vehicle control assembly. The electrical connector comprises a plastic molded body having two integrally formed portions, a base portion and a stem portion, and an electrical contact extending through the body from the stem portion to the base portion. The base is inserted into the fuel injector assembly with the electrical contact engaging a corresponding contact within the fuel injector assembly. Similarly, the electrical contact in the stem portion of the connector is attached to a corresponding contact of a control assembly, which provides the electrical signals to operate the fuel injector. The base portion includes a metallic sleeve that extends between its sidewalls and cooperates with a locking pin that is inserted through openings in the fuel injector assembly to lock the two components together.

Abstract: A modular plug-in electrical wiring system that includes a pair of intermatable modular units that avoids the presence of a tangled mass of bare wires and wire nuts associated with conventional receptacle systems. A first unit is secured within a wall recess, such as between a pair of building studs, while the second unit slidable engages the first unit and may be removable secured thereto. The system is versatile as it can be used for mounting electrical appliances to a wall/ceiling.

Abstract: A receptacle for extension cord includes a housing having multiple slot pairs and an opening; multiple metal conducting strips seated in the housing to connect to core wires of a power cord in front of the housing; and a control unit including a key pivotally mounted in the opening on the housing, a conducting link strip seated in a slit on the key with a front portion fixed to a front side of the opening to connected to a core wire of the power cord, and a curved conducting spring strip connected at a front end to the conducting link strip and at a rear end to a point behind the opening. When the key is pushed, it biases the conducting link strip to contact with one of the metal conducting strips, so that external power source is supplied to the metal conducting strip via the power cord.

Abstract: An assembly and method for connecting between two electrical components, according to which an electrical current path is established between the two components, and an additional path is established for transmitting any electrical noise generated during operation of the components.

Abstract: A fool-proof mechanism for memory card is presented, in which an asymmetrically configured insertion end of a memory card is provided to ensure that no incorrect insertion of the memory card will be done; and a length or height gradient of circuit's contact produced according to an asymmetric arcuate or curved alignment of a plurality of circuit's contacts will create a contact time difference between contacts of different circuit's contacts with corresponding contact terminals for application in design of specific circuits.

Abstract: A connector is attachable to an extending transformer stud. The connector includes an elongate central body having a longitudinal bore opening at one end for insertable accommodation of the transformer stud. The longitudinal bore accepts more than one size stud without increasing the size and cost needed for two separate mounting holes. The connector according to the present invention accepts the pitch of at least two different size threads and with the typical setscrew locking arrangement, maintains thread engagement on one side of the stud, securing the stud and maintaining an electrical contact area between the stud and the connector.

Abstract: A dampening assembly used in watercraft to isolate the motor from the deck of the watercraft. In an embodiment of the invention, a frame including cross-members and a plurality of brackets supports the deck. The dampening assembly of the present invention extends from the brackets of the frame to the motor and retains the motor at a position ensuring the motor does not contact the frame. The only path available to the vibrations generated by the motor is represented by the dampening assemblies that direct the vibrations to the brackets and tubes, thereby eliminating the high amplitude, low frequency vibrations that readily transfer throughout the deck and frame structure. In this manner, the vibrations are prevented from traveling directly through the cross-members of the frame and into the deck of the watercraft.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a small watercraft is disclosed, wherein the exhaust system includes an exhaust chamber having a predetermined volume, within which an exhaust gas discharged from an engine flows, the exhaust gas containing water supplied at a position of the exhaust system, and an exhaust pipe having an upstream end portion in a flow passage of the exhaust gas, which is connected to the exhaust chamber, the exhaust pipe being configured to discharge the exhaust gas from the exhaust chamber, wherein the upstream end portion of the exhaust pipe is configured to protrude into the exhaust chamber to a vicinity of a lower end of the exhaust chamber and has an upstream opening end face that opens substantially downward so as to be spaced apart a predetermined distance from an inner surface of the exhaust chamber, which is opposed to upstream opening end face.

Abstract: A new and improved leg assisted forward facing rowing system is disclosed wherein a rower applies leg power to propel a boat by means of a rope connected between his or her foot and an oar. A unique feature is a roller, fastened under the heel of the rower's foot, that rolls along the bottom of the boat supporting the weight of the rower's leg while the reciprocating motion of the leg is transmitted by rope going through pulleys to reverse the force applied to the oar. The oar is pivoted at the center of the boat above the rower's knees by a mechanism that includes provision for applying lifting force to support the oar weight thereby holding the oar blade out of the water when no force is applied. The rower's legs, back and arms simultaneously apply rowing force. Feathering at the end of a stroke and squaring action at the beginning are provided by wrist action to rotate the oar blade.

Abstract: A personal water transport assembly for allowing a user to walk and move easily upon water. The personal water transport assembly includes a floatation assembly including one or more elongate hollow floatation members having top, side, and bottom walls, and also having a foot-receiving slot being centrally-disposed in the top wall for receiving a user's foot; and also includes an assembly of moving the one or more elongate hollow floatation members upon water.

Abstract: An LED lamps capable of composing a display panel that is installed at any outdoor place and capable of displaying an image thereon with a high contrast under any working conditions at any place. The LED lamp comprises at least one LED chip for emitting visible light, a lead frame comprising a common part and separate parts for supplying electric power to each of electrode terminals of the LED chip and a transparent resin part disposed on the common lead frame for mounting the LED chip and converging light emitted from the LED chip, wherein the LED-chip-mounted surface is provided with an anti-reflection black-colored layer for absorbing light. The LED chip may be a four-element LED chip composed of an active layer of AlGaInP and the light-absorbing layer formed from any of black silver sulfide, silver oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, black silver paste and black copper paste.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming a patterned phosphor structure having red, green and blue sub-pixel elements for an AC electroluminescent display. The method involves selecting first and second phosphors, each emitting light in different ranges of the visible spectrum, but whose combined emission spectra contains red, green and blue light; depositing and patterning the phosphors in a layer to form a plurality of repeating phosphor deposits; and providing means associated with the phosphor deposits, and which together with the phosphor deposits form the red, green and blue sub-pixel phosphor elements, for setting and equalizing the threshold voltages, and for setting the relative luminosities of the red, green and blue sub-pixel phosphor elements so that they bear set ratios to one another at each modulation voltage used to generate the desired luminosities for red, green and blue; and optionally annealing the patterned phosphor structure so formed.

Abstract: A method of cleaning the neck of a funnel of a CRT during the manufacture thereof. The method includes: inserting a drain tube within the neck, wherein a gap exists between the drain tube and the neck; directing a fluid through the gap; and draining the fluid that was directed through the gap through the drain tube, whereby the fluid removes material from the neck that was applied during a prior coating process and any dirt. The drain tube is part of a cleaning apparatus that further includes a housing and a labyrinth flow controller positioned within the housing adjacent to the drain tube forming a laminar flow section whereby fluid is directed through the housing and into the tube.

Abstract: A frisbee includes an annular main disk, and an annular support member mounted on the main disk. Thus, the support member can be detached from the main disk, so that the frisbee is foldable when not in use, thereby facilitating storage, package and transportation of the frisbee. In addition, the frisbee is guided by the cord to fly along a circumferential orbit, so that the frisbee can be played by a single player. Further, the frisbee can be played by two players and can also be played by a single player, thereby enhancing the versatility of the frisbee.

Abstract: A programmable toy with a receiver for receiving instructions for programming of the toy, and elements for executing received instructions. The toy has a transmitter for transmission of instructions to a second toy.

Abstract: A game device (10) for spraying water on at least a pair of players wherein, the game device (10) includes a hollow generally spherical housing member (20) having a hollow axial cylinder 25 wherein, the opposite ends of the housing member (20) are provided with a plurality of spray apertures (24) and the exterior of the axial cylinder (25) is operatively associated with a compression plate member (33) and a pair of water saturated sponge members (31) (31) and the interior of the hollow axial cylinder (25) is adapted to receive tether means (50) (50) for shuttling the housing member (20) back and forth between the players.

Abstract: An infant support structure that may be used to entertain and/or pacify an infant. The infant support structure includes an entertainment device.

Abstract: A toy animal formed of molded plastic provides simulated respiration. An aperture in the upper section of the molded plastic animal is covered with a flexible simulated animal pelt. A battery-powered electric motor within the toy animal provides a rotating output which is coupled to the underside of the flexible simulated animal pelt within the aperture utilizing a flexible shaft. This manner rotation of the motor output alternately extends and depresses the flexible simulated animal pelt, thereby simulating respiration.

Abstract: A hand held omnidirectional toy figure manipulator allowing an operator to manipulate a puppet like toy figure concurrently with a variety of miniature toy replica devices such as a skateboard, a surfboard, a bicycle or a motorcycle in a wide variety of associated and disassociated trick style movements. The device works with a one or a plurality of actuators and communicating control rods operating in attachment to the toy replica and using a tubular member attached to the torso of a toy figure.

Abstract: A toy vehicle that is capable of lifting off a travel surface by means of a cam member. The toy vehicle comprises a chassis that has first and second ends and first and second drive wheels disposed between the first and second ends. The first and second drive wheels are aligned along an axis and are coupled to a drive system. To provide the toy vehicle with “tank steering” capabilities, the first and second drive wheels may be controlled independently of each other. One or more cam members aligned along the same axis as the first and second drive wheels are adapted to selectively rotate about the axis so that an outer edge contacts the travel surface, causing the toy vehicle to lift into the air. The cam members may be controlled by a cam motor, which operates independently of the drive system. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle and its cam members are adapted to be fully operable in an upright, first drive position and an upside-down, second drive position.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for process control in chemical mechanical polishing in which an initial pre-polishing thickness of a substrate is measured at a metrology station, a parameter of an endpoint algorithm is determined from the initial thickness of the substrate, a substrates is polished at a polishing station, and polishing stops when an endpoint criterion is detected using the endpoint algorithm.

Abstract: Improperly mounted wafer saw blades can damage wafers cut or diced with the blades. Embodiments of this invention employ sensors to measure a distance to the blade to help indicate if the blade is improperly mounted. In one method of the invention, a the distance to the blade face is measured as the blade is rotated and a variance in this measured distance is determined. If the variance is no greater than a predetermined maximum, the blade may be used to cut the wafer. In one apparatus of the invention, a wafer saw include a blade and a sensor. The sensor is adapted to monitor a distance to a face of the rotating blade. A processor coupled to the sensor may indicate if the distance to the face of the blade as it rotates deviates too far from a baseline position of the blade face.

Abstract: A method of predicting the lapping property of a charged lapping plate uses samples with a known lap surface. The samples are lapped on the plate and a non-invasive sensor is used to determine the lapping rate under a fixed load and rotation speed. The total frictional force of the samples is measured during the lapping to calculate the friction and Preston coefficients of the plate. The samples are held in place while the plate rotates and the sensor measures the distance to the plate. The plate rotates for a specific time so that adequate removal of the pad material has occurred. The lapping rate is determined from a change in the gap distance over a time interval. The lapping rate and friction are then assessed to determine if the plate is lapping worthy.

Abstract: The grindstone is configured so that at least the surface of each abrasive grain is colored differently from the surface of a base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting wear in substrate retainers used for chemical mechanical planarization processes. A substrate retainer is provided that is adapted to enable a sensor to detect when the wear edge of the retainer has worn to a critical wear threshold so that the retainer may be replaced prior to failure.

Abstract: A fluid bearing polishing apparatus for carrying a polishing member for chemical mechanical polishing includes a fluid supply and a fluid dispensing structure to support the polishing member. A method of polishing a workpiece includes supporting a polishing member on a fluid bearing between a first end of the polishing member and a second end of the polishing member and moving the polishing member to polish the workpiece. The fluid bearing has a curved portion at which plane of travel of the polishing member changes from a first plane to a second plane. Advantages of the invention include smooth belt motion in all desired directions of movement.