Abstract: A brush support arm delay and accelerating mechanism for a vehicle washing apparatus having a supporting frame with an upper frame member extending over the path of a vehicle to be washed, includes a mounting arm attached to the upper frame member and having a bracket pivotally mounted thereto with a spring biasing means connected between the bracket and the mounting arm. A pair of bumpers are mounted on the bracket so that one of the bumpers contacts the brush support arm during outward pivotal movement of the brush support arm to retard the outward pivotal movement thereof and the other of the bumpers contacts the brush support arm during inward pivotal movement of the brush support arm to accelerate the inward pivotal movement of the brush support arm during a vehicle washing operation.

Abstract: A device for removing accretions of cured concrete from within a mixing drum is herein disclosed. The device includes an impact tool mounted upon a boom that may be inserted into the interior of the mixing drum. The impact tool is mounted upon the boom such that it may be rotated about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of the boom. The boom itself may be rotated about an axis substantially aligned with its own the length. In addition, the boom may be rotated laterally and up and down by positioning mechanism. The device may be mounted in a fixed location or it may be mounted upon a mobile platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning the surface of a motor vehicle that includes multiple wash strips that both move along a circular wash path and rotate relative to the vehicle path. The apparatus includes an overhead wash strip mounting disk having a plurality of individual wash strips that extend downward toward the vehicle. The overhead mounting disk rotates relative to an orbital carriage that is supported by an overhead support frame. The orbital carriage is movable along a wash path spaced from a center axis. During operation of the apparatus, the entire orbital carriage moves along a first motion path while the mounting disk rotates along a second motion path to enhance the conditioning of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.

Abstract: A degradable cleaning assembly (300) which is formed from a plurality of substantially identical layers (10) of a food starch, wherein the layers (10) are coupled together. Particularly, the coupled layers (10) cooperatively form an assembly (100) which is then permitted to soak in a glycerin and soap additive material (250), removed from the material (250), and allowed to solidify, thereby forming the degradable cleaning assembly (300) which selectively degrades or dissolves when exposed to water for a certain amount of time.

Abstract: A washing tool is disclosed which includes a plate joined to a link for engaging a handle for manipulating the plate. A shank on the back of the plate is engaged by a tongue that is normally on the link. A hub hinges the tongue and the shank together, and a pin disposed in the shank at a location which is spaced apart from the hub is arranged to fix the plate in a variety of positions. A washing mitt is disclosed which may be fixed on the plate.

Abstract: The locating structure for the grip of the plaster trowel includes a low profile, a fixation frame on one side of the low profile, and a grip that connects to this fixation frame through the connecting rod. This grip has a groove hole that connects to the connecting rod of the fixation frame; the side groove that locks the groove hole of the grip and each protruding rib of the connecting rod. By this improved structure, when assembling the grip and the fixation frame, the grip may be connected to the connecting rod of the fixation frame to achieve the axial and radial locating effect, which shortens the time involved in assembling to reduce the cost by using simple components.

Abstract: A windshield wiper glove constructed of waterproof and flexible material is designed to fit over and substantially cover a windshield wiper with the exception of the wiper arm. The glove serves the purpose of preventing the accumulation of snow, ice and other materials on the flexible portion of the windshield wiper so as to eliminate interference by these materials with the flexural movement of the wiper blade over a windshield, allowing a clean sweep of the windshield in inclement weather.

Abstract: A wipe-off grid is provided for wiping and cleaning a paint roller. In order to produce a wipe-off grid for a paint roller, which ensures fast cleaning of the paint roller, a cleaning device is integrated and is embodied in the form of a scraping tray. In this manner, a paint roller can be quickly cleaned.

Abstract: A shoe polishing stand provides a shoe holder mounted on a ridge member attached to front and rear legs. The shoe holder includes a clamp assembly biased by a spring to create a downward force and a shoe plate, both attached to the ridge member, so a shoe resting on the shoe plate is held in fixed position by the clamp assembly at a convenient height for polishing.

Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner includes a casing with a motor-driven wheel unit mounted on a lower major wall thereof, and a tactile sensor unit yieldable radially relative to the casing. An electrical control unit is operable to control the wheel unit to operate in a starting mode in which the casing is moved along a spiral path, and, upon receipt of a switching signal generated by the sensor unit in response to a contact of the sensor unit with an obstacle, controls the wheel unit to operate in an edge-cleaning mode in which the wheel unit is initially turned to a normal angle, is then driven to move forward a predetermined distance, is subsequently turned to an activating angle, and is moved towards the obstacle to permit contact of the sensor unit with the obstacle so as to result in generation of switch signal enabling the wheel unit to continue to operate in the edge-cleaning mode.

Abstract: An electrical appliance includes a housing carrying a drive motor, a temperature sensor and a controller. The temperature sensor monitors the operating temperature of the drive motor. The controller is responsive to the temperature sensor. The controller adjusts the current applied to the drive motor in response to a high temperature condition detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Floor surface scrubbing and resurfacing equipment including a hydraulic system and adjustable linkages to allow a user to adjust particular features to suit the equipment for different applications.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a main body, a surface treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is rollably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be rolled along a surface. The support assembly also houses a component of the appliance, such as a motor for driving a surface-agitating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the support assembly may accommodate a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow, a fluid outlet for exhausting fluid and a device for acting on the fluid flow received by the inlet such as a filter or suction apparatus.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for dusting furniture and delicate displays with A regular cloth or feather duster. With a hollow handle, ½ inch for easy handling. Both ends of handle is hollow. A soft flexible hose connected to the top end. The hose would enlarge to about an inch in diameter. Other end of hose to be flexible so that it slides over an existing vacuum cleaner hose, and when vacuum cleaner is turned on, the dust will be contained in the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device used with a vacuum cleaner nozzle inlet to clean a selected surface profile, includes a housing with a surrounding sidewall defining a housing interior. A divider is disposed within the housing interior, to separate into a first and second housing interior. The surrounding sidewall terminates in a first opening communicating between the first housing interior and an exterior environment and a second opening communicating between the second housing interior and the exterior environment. The first and second openings are approximately matched in profile to respective selected surface profiles to clean. A divider aperture collar is adjacent to the divider forming a fluid communication between the first and second housing interiors. The divider aperture collar is removably engagable to the nozzle to create a substantially fluid tight communication selectively between either the first housing interior and the nozzle or the second housing interior and the nozzle.

Abstract: In order to ensure that a door can be retained at least in a fully opened position and a slightly opened position by the combination of a smaller number of exclusive parts with a hinge connecting a body and a door in a door retention device used in a process of manufacturing an automobile, the door retention device includes a torsion spring 23 mounted to a first hinge arm 1 of a door hinge H, and a cam 20 formed on a second hinge arm 2 of the door hinge H. The cam 20 is provided with a first positioning recess 20a and a second positioning recess 20b in which a movable arm portion 23c of the torsion spring 23 is brought into engagement in the fully opened position F and the slightly opened position S of the door D, and a projection 20c disposed between the first and second positioning recesses 20a and 20b and adapted to apply a load to the movable arm portion 23c in accordance with the turning of the door D.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for joining a cover (5) to a main housing (4) of a foldable radiotelephone includes a rotation assembly (1). The rotation assembly includes a hollow connecting member formed by two casings (13) each having two slots (131), two shafts (12), and an elastic member (11) with two end hooks (111), the elastic member being received in the connecting member. The shafts are received through the hooks and through holes cooperatively formed by the slots, and are engaged in the cover and the main housing. The rotation assembly thus pivotably connects the cover to the main housing. The shafts are slidable along the holes. When the cover is manually opened, the shafts slide and stretch the elastic member. When the cover reaches a predetermined angle, the elastic member rebounds and drives the shafts to slide in opposite directions, whereby the cover is automatically further opened.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the assembling of a hinge device, hinge-arm angle is temporarily allowed for free setting. Here, between an annular portion of hinge arm and a fixed cam, a stopper is provided which is to prevent against a fitting of between a recess of annular portion and a protrusion of fixed cam. During assembling of the hinge device to a display and main body, setting is made to prevent against a fitting. After assembled, the same is slid to allow for fitting of between them.

Abstract: A hinge pin is suited for use in a hinge for a rotatable arm of a vehicle lift. The hinge pin has a groove formed within its side surface. The groove is configured to permit engagement of the pin with a restraining member configured to prevent rotation of the arm. The engagement of the pin with the restraining member limits longitudinal movement of the pin.

Abstract: A finial is provided for a hinge having a plurality of knuckles and a hinge pin. The finial includes a finial body substantially similar in size to the hinge pin. A finial head is coupled to the finial body, and the finial head is configured to stop the final as it is fit into a knuckle of the hinge. A channel is formed into the finial body. A compressible ring is contained partially within the channel.

Abstract: A first base material having a number of male engaging elements (112) formed of synthetic resin on a surface thereof and a second base material (121) are jointed and secured each other through a column-like joint portion (131). There is provided a male fixing member for sheets, which facilitates attachment operation to clothes or suspension cloths, has a durability, never loses appearance when it is mounted on clothes and allows even an infant to engage or disengage the male fixing members easily by an engagement/disengagement function of a surface fastener.

Abstract: A crimp usable in attaching terminal tackle, such as a hook, to a fishing line. The crimp may include a preattached pin extending from the crimp. The pin may be used to facilitate attachment of a baitfish to the hook. In at least one embodiment, the pin may be used to attached a baitfish to a hook by inserting the pin through a lower and upper jaw of a baitfish. The crimp may also include a pin securement insert for retaining the pin in the body of the crimp.

Abstract: In a device for the connection of an end part (5) of a band (1) to a rigid part (2), in particular a watchband to a watch casing, a pin (3) arranged at the end part (5) of the band (1) and extending, with its longitudinal axis, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the band (1) can be engaged with at least one recess (7) of the rigid part (2).

Abstract: A method of sealing the join between two tapes to which the teeth of a waterproof zip are attached and two edges of a garment composed of a first or waterproof layer and a second or fabric layer, which comprises: a) applying to a first side of each tape, a strip of heat-weldable textile material attached to it, by at least one weld line, such that each strip comprises a first and a second flap; b) welding the edge of the first layer to one face of the flap furthest from the teeth; c) attaching the edge of the second layer to the second side of each tape; d) folding down the flap nearest to the teeth of the zip; and e) forming another weld that hermetically joins the outline of the outer edges of the flap to the corresponding tape around the area.

Abstract: A fastener element 3 is attached to a first edge part 12 of a fastener tape 2 and the fastener tape 2 is sewn in the vicinity of the installation part 5 of the fastener element 3 with a sewing thread 6 continuously extending in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape 2. The fastener tape 2 is easily subjected to plating to form a shield coating 7 or to coating of a fire-resistant additive and thus the fastener tape 2 can obtain electromagnetic wave shield performance and further fire-resistant performance.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to interlocking closure devices including two closure elements arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length. The closure elements permit the venting of fluids when the closure elements are in their occluded vented position. The closure elements have an occluded closed position which creates a seal and prevents fluids from passing between the interlocking closure elements. The closure fastening device may be utilized with a flexible container and is advantageous in permitting a user to vent excess air from the interior of the flexible container prior to sealing the container.

Abstract: A closure device having first and second fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length is provided. Each of said first and second fastening strips includes first and second closure elements separated by an intermediate area, wherein the first closure element on the first fastening strip is arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length with the first closure element on the second fastening strip, and the second closure element on the first fastening strip is arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length with the second closure element on the second fastening strip. Each of the closure elements may be colored with a colorant. For example, the closure elements on one fastening strip may be colored with an opaque pigment, and the intermediate area on that fastening strip may colored with a first translucent pigment.

Abstract: A buckle comprising a female part having a hollow body with a front wall, a back wall, an open top, a cavity between the top and bottom walls and at least one locking slot extending through the hollow body and communicating with the cavity. The top and bottom walls have a cutout that communicates with the open top. There is a male part that has a base, at least one locking leg and a central leg. The central leg has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the cutout in the female part. The central leg also has a mesh portion that reduces the weight of the buckle. Inserting the male part into the open top of the female part causes the central leg to rest in the cutout of the female part and the locking leg to engage the locking slot to lock the male part to the female part.

Abstract: A buckle which is an insertion type, wherein looseness between a buckle main body and an insertion body is eliminated and generation of impact sound or vibration sound is prevented, and in a resin buckle including the buckle main body formed of a housing and the insertion body having insertion leg portions on both sides, a concave guide groove is provided in a longitudinal direction of a center of an inner face of each of an upper face plate and a lower face plate of the housing of the buckle main body, while a guide lever which can be inserted into the guide groove provided in the housing is provided in a protruded form in a center of a proximal lever of the insertion body. A sliding contact portion which is elevated to make pressure contact with an opposing face is provided in part of the guide groove or the guide lever, or both the guide groove and the guide lever.

Abstract: A transverse fiber sheet is lapped by being guided in a substantially radial direction back and forth along a path between circumferentially outer and inner edges of the sheet, with the transverse sheet being reversed at each end of its path, the width of the transverse sheet being narrowed between the outer circumferential edge and the inner circumferential edge, the transverse sheet being held in place as it is lapped. Substantially mutually parallel yarns or tows are pulled to form a helical longitudinal sheet of density per unit area that decreases between its outer edge and its inner edge. The transverse sheet and the helical longitudinal sheet are superposed and advance continuously in flat rotation, and they are assembled together to form a helical two-dimensional sheet which is removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery and a battery current collector having an electrically conductive substrate that includes a reticulated vitreous carbon plate with a metallic alloy on surfaces of the reticulated vitreous carbon plate includes thermal spray coating the reticulated vitreous carbon plate with the metallic alloy by, for example, plasma spraying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removing method of a tube. Upon removing a tube 3 increased in diameter and fixed to a tube-sheet 1, an inserted portion 3a which is fixed to a tube-hole 2 of the tube-sheet 1 is heated and then cooled, thereby reducing its diameter. The inserted portion 3a is loosened from the tube-hole 2. Then, a region 3h opposed to a groove 4 formed in an inner circumference of the tube-hole is heated to a red-hot state, and the tube 3 is stretched in its axial direction, the red-heated region 3h is stretched to reduce its diameter and cut the region 3h, thereby pulling out the tube 3 from the tube-sheet 1.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing sterile containers such as specimen containers includes one or more moulding machines to manufacture vials and cooperating caps from thermoplastic materials. After moulding and cooling the vials and caps are transported under sterile conditions to an assembly station where the caps and vials are combined to form closed containers. By maintaining the sterile conditions between manufacture and assembly of the container parts, the interior of the container is also maintained sterile thereby avoiding the need for further, post production sterilization.

Abstract: An automated method of attaching an item to a display board using elastic staples is described. A table having pivotable fixtures for containing and stabilizing items is automatically rotated to various work stations. At a selected station an item to be boarded is placed proximate a fixture pivotally mounted on the table with a pre-positioned board therebeneath. The table indexes to a conventional dual needle tack or staple gun which drives an elastic staple over the item and into the board below, securing the item to the board. One or more staples may be employed depending on the particular size and shape of the item being boarded. The table then rotates further allowing the boarded item to be removed and placed in a storage bin for collection and shipment to a retail store or other location for display purposes.

Abstract: A ball and socket housing incorporating a thick housing wall of deformable material adjacent a central bore opening to provide a closure system utilizing a deformable cover-plate. The deformable cover-plate is formed to a desired configuration within the central bore to achieve a consistent internal socket preload. The cover-plate is deformed into the housing opening beyond an elastic limit to control resiliency or spring-back characteristics, thereby achieving a high-degree of repeatability and precise control of the ball and socket preload during the assembly process. The deformed cover-plate is retained in the socket housing at the cover-plate seat by swaged or rolling the perimeter of the housing to capture the perimeter of the deformed cover plate within the housing central bore opening.

Abstract: An intake or exhaust port molding core of a cylinder head includes a plurality of protruders on the core to form a plurality of depressed grooves in the intake or exhaust port during casting of the cylinder head. The disposition and orientation of the intake or exhaust port formed inside the cylinder head can then be easily and precisely measured via the depressed grooves.

Abstract: A method for producing a cover, wherein a special steel blank is deep-drawn and can be placed on an end of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe. Immediately successive method steps makes it possible to economically produce a one-piece cover without subjecting the surface to deterioration and subsequently working the same.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for installing a stator core, or portions thereof, into a power generator frame 2 that comprises assembling the stator core inside of a container 60, and then moving the container to the power generator 1. The container 60 is horizontally aligned with the power generator 1, and the stator core is transferred from the container to the power generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the horizontal stacking of laminations 10 and donuts to form a stator core. A stator generator frame 2 has multiple keybars 6 that run the axial length of the frame. The laminations 10 have grooves 12 there-in that engage the keybars to provide a secure fit of the laminations to the generator frame. By extending two or more of the keybars 6, these extensions 7 may be used as rails on which the laminations may be horizontally inserted into the stator frame.

Abstract: A mover assembly of a reciprocating motor includes: a mover body disposed at a gap between an inner stator and an outer stator; permanent magnets fixed at an outer circumferential surface of the mover body and reciprocally moved together with the mover body in a direction of an induction magnetic field between the inner stator and the outer stator; and a mixed member made of a fiber and a resin to cover and fix the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are arranged at an outer circumferential face of the mover body, covered with the mixed member obtained by mixing a fiber and a resin, and hardened to be fixed. Therefore, the permanent magnets can be firmly and easily fixed at the mover body. In addition, by molding the mover body with a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, leakage of the magnetic force of the permanent magnets can be prevented.

Abstract: Antennas are fabricated using fabric substrates, and, in some embodiments, known stitching techniques to fabricate the conductive members required, including connecting wiring and radiating and/or receiving elements. In one embodiment, one or more “patch antennas”, that is, planar radiating and/or receiving elements, are connected to transmitting and/or receiving electronics by means of a connector and feed line structure. The antenna structure comprises multiple layers of fabric, some of which may contain patch antenna and/or feedline patterns made of conductive fabric, made by embroidery using conductive thread or yarn, or onto which patch antennas may be bonded. A ground plane layer may be fabricated similarly. Between the fabric layers containing the conductive patterns, there are one or more layers of insulating fabrics that separate the conductive fabric layers by a dielectric layer. Additional sheets of adhesive between the fabric layers may be used to attach the fabric layers.

Abstract: A magnetic write head and method for bulk fabrication of the same are provided. A trench is formed in a nonmagnetic substrate. A first magnetically permeable layer is deposited in the trench of the substrate. An optional first insulating layer is deposited in the trench. A conducting circuit is defined in the trench. The conducting circuit creates the magnetic flux. An optional second insulating layer is deposited in the trench. Writer gaps are patterned and then a second magnetic layer is added over the second insulating layer. The substrate is divided to form individual write heads.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a suspension for disc drive includes a process for manufacturing a semi-finished suspension product integrally including a base plate, a rigid body portion of a load beam, and a pair of connecting portions connecting the base plate and the rigid body portion. The method also includes a process for fixing a spring member, formed independently of the semi-finished suspension product, to the base plate and the rigid body portion of the semi-finished product, and a process for cutting off the connecting portions, projecting individually from the opposite sides of the spring member, from the base plate and the rigid body portion after the spring member is fixed to the semi-finished suspension product.

Abstract: A method is provided for planarization of structures which minimizes step heights, reduces process steps, improves cleanliness, and provides increased ease of debond. Structures are placed with working surfaces facing down onto an adhesive layer such that structures remain fixed during heating. A bi-layer encapsulating film is used to achieve planarization. A carrier is bi-laminated with a thermoplastic film layer followed by a chemically inert protective polymer film layer that can withstand etch and cleaning processes. The thermoplastic layer is laminated on top of the carrier; the polymer layer is laminated on top of the joined thermoplastic layer and carrier. The carrier with bi-layer film is then placed onto the backside of the structures to resist chemical attack from the front side during photostrip and enable planarization. When heat is applied, the bi-layer encapsulating film melts and pushes the polymer layer into the gaps between structures thereby achieving complete planarization.

Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for compressing a tube end extended from a conventional drum of a boiler to remove the tube. The device includes a housing comprised of an outer clamping plate and an inner clamping plate pivotally connected by a pin. A grip for receiving the tube extends down from the housing. A hydraulically-powered ram moves the outer clamping plate relative to the inner clamping plate so that the grip closes around and compresses the tube. The power to the hydraulic ram is then shut, springs return the outer clamping plate and the inner clamping plate to their original position, which, in turn opens the grip so that the removed tube can be released from the device. The device is then lifted by a handle and the tube is removed from the drum.

Abstract: A method and an assembly of the invention are intended for connecting two parts via a spacer made from a heat-shrinkable material shrinkable only in one direction. The spacer is sandwiched between the parts and attached to both parts with such orientation that direction of the shrinkage of the spacer coincides with the direction of movement of both parts towards each other. After the parts and the spacer are interconnected, the spacer is heated for causing said parts to move closer to each other. The space between the parts can be filled with an adhesive material so that the parts will be held together without the use of clamps or binding bands while the adhesive is cured. Another application is to attach a heatsink to an electronic device supported by a PC board. Shrinkage of the spacer under effect of heating brings the electronic device into a tight heat-transferring contact with the heatsink and maintains this contact irreversibly.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having at least one layer of conductive traces on an external surface has at least one preformed solder element placed on a conductive trace area of the printed circuit board requiring a greater than standard amount of solder. The at least one preformed solder element is reflowed to form a connection with the layer of printed solder.

Abstract: A component placing head has a first component image-pickup unit capable of capturing an image of a component held by a component holding member from a direction along central axes of the component holding members, and a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing an image of the held component from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members, the images of the component are captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit from the two directions generally orthogonal to each other, and holding postures of the components are recognized on basis of the images.

Abstract: A printed circuit board defective area transplant repair method in which printed circuit boards that are determined to be defective undergo a series of reworking procedures comprised of plotting the printed circuit board area block plan, selecting the printed circuit boards, cutting out the area blocks, cutting the selected area blocks, applying the adhesive and fitting area blocks, adjusting the area block alignment, roller tamping the plastic band, curing the adhesive, and tearing off the plastic band. Following the reworking operations, defective printed circuit boards are restored into a good products capable of continuous use such that printed circuit board fabrication and production is even more economical and environmentally protective and, furthermore, printed circuit board manufacturing reaches maximum utilization rates, thereby effectively increasing practical production value.