Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Berberis thunbergii plant is provided that was the result of controlled breeding. A dwarf, generally compact, broad, and low-mounding growth habit is displayed. New foliage bears a bright red-purple coloration, and the mature foliage displays attractive variegation. The margins of the mature foliage are golden and the center is dark burgundy. A rapid growth rate between internodes of relatively short length is displayed. The plant is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘801’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; strong stems; large durable leaves; large inflorescences; and inflorescences with white-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Primula plant named ‘Kerbelcrem’, characterized by its upright, compact and uniform plant habit; large, double, fragrant and cream-colored flowers that are held upright on strong and erect peduncles; freely flowering habit; and tolerance to low temperatures.

Abstract: An antifriction bearing includes a fixed ring which comprises a steel containing up to about 10% of residual austenite. An alternator for vehicles includes a stator mounted on a frame, a rotor having its rotary shaft rotatably supported by a pair of bearings on the frame and a drive pulley mounted on one end of the shaft projecting outward from the frame. The outer ring of at least the bearing toward the pulley comprises a steel containing up to about 10% of residual austenite.

Abstract: A facemask assembly for night vision goggles comprises a frame assembly, a mount assembly for attachment of the night vision goggles, an adjustment strap assembly, and a neck pad assembly, wherein the frame assembly is generally C-shaped and contoured to extend across the upper forehead of a user, with each end of the generally C-shaped frame assembly extending down around the outside of the eyes and to the hollow of the cheeks of a user, below the cheek bones and above the jaw.

Abstract: A modified towel for use while bathing, lifting and drying babies, where the towel wraps around the caregivers body and remains there securely. It is constructed of absorbent fabric and shaped like a tapered rectangle or elongated trapezoid, with a slit near the tapered end. The tapered end of the towel wrap drapes over one shoulder and is secured in the hip region by pulling either corner through the slit. The wrap is worn while bathing an infant, and is easily transferred from adult caregiver to baby for drying when the bath is done.

Abstract: A tactical shirt helps reduce the weight and bulk of items normally carried on a police officer's duty belt. A hidden front pocket extends essentially from the shirt's placket to the side seam of the shirt, providing a large cavity with an ample vertical opening line that is very conveniently used for a handgun, baton, handcuffs, mace, knife and/or spare magazines. No seam that would reveal the hidden pocket is readily visible, and the pocket's opening seam extends above and below the pocket opening and appears as a design feature of the shirt. With a fabric weight of at least about five ounces per square yard, a considerable weight and bulk of weapons can be hidden in the pocket without being noticeable to others.

Abstract: A shirt collar for dress or sport shirts with an adjustable collar secured to the shirt body by a collar stand. An elongated fabric strip positioned within a fold in the collar band with one end projecting through a slot and with a button secured to its end and with the other end connected to an elastic strip, in turn secured to the collar band. The button may be engaged with the button hole on the other side of the collar band.

Abstract: A cap includes a crown portion for disposing on a head, and a visor portion for shielding a face from sunlight, the visor portion being coupled to the crown portion. The visor portion is provided with a symbol portion formed as an engraved shape or a hole.

Abstract: Protective headgear is provided having cushioned ear guards and a head support connecting the ear guards and cradling a wearer's head to provide a comfortable and stable fit during use. The head support comprises first and second lateral straps interconnecting the ear guards, and a transverse strap having a central portion and forward and rear legs for interconnection with the lateral straps. The ear guards include an outer later having a nylon laminate, a shell portion having a plurality of slots for receiving ends of the head support, a landing pad attached to the perimeter of the shell portion, and an inner layer attached along the perimeter thereof to the outer layer and including a cushioning material that aligns with the landing pad and cushions the head of a wearer. The ear guards also include a plurality of raised ventilation areas in the shell that align with apertures in the outer layer to provide ventilation for the wearer.

Abstract: A protective headgear device comprises a circumferential member composed of a foam material, having an interior that generally conforms to the shape of one's head. The circumferential member has a first opening for viewing and a second open through which the neck of the user extends. A plurality of internal pads is secured to an interior surface of the circumferential member, and the pads are spaced apart from one another, to protect predetermined sensitive areas of the head. Impact plates are affixed to the interior surface of circumferential member, and each impact plate is disposed between the circumferential member and a corresponding internal pad. The impact plates supplement the protection of the internal pads and the circumferential member for absorbing trauma forces applied to the headgear.

Abstract: A sport protective headgear comprising a main section that is to be placed on the occiput of a head from which extends a parietal section that is to be placed against the parietal of a head. Also, integrally connected to the main section is a right side section that is to be placed against the right side of a head and a left side section that is to be located against the left side of a head. Straps secured to the left and right sections hold the main section on the occiput. The straps can be a head strap or a goggle strap. The headgear is designed to absorb shock experienced by a wearer falling during the sport.

Abstract: A fluid filled body padding for fall protection includes a flexible inner pouch holding a shock absorbing fluid. A flexible outer pouch encapsulates the inner pouch. A fluid interface is provided between the inner pouch and the outer pouch. The fluid interface serves to pressurize and rigidify the inner pouch containing the shock absorbing fluid when a localized force is exerted upon the outer pouch. This body padding is suitable for a variety of fall protection applications, such as hip protectors for senior citizens.

Abstract: A lavatory system is disclosed. The lavatory system comprises a base, a commode having a front and a rear coupled to the base and movable relative to the base between a deployed position and a stowed position, a first projection engaged between the base and the commode, and a first member adjacent the front and coupled to the projection so that the commode can be disengaged from the base. An apparatus for a lavatory system is also disclosed. The lavatory system has a commode with a front and a rear coupled to a base and configured to pivot between a deployed position and a stowed position, and a detent engaged between the commode and the base. The apparatus comprises a member adjacent the front of the commode and operatively coupled to the detent, the member configured to disengage the commode from the base by actuation of the detent so that the commode can be moved from the deployed position toward the stowed position.

Abstract: A flush toilet comprises a toilet body having a bowl for storing wash water as water seal, first means for supplying the toilet body with pressurized wash water and second means for discharging the wash water substantially horizontally along the upper peripheral portion of the inner surface of the bowl to swirl it along the inner surface of the bowl.

Abstract: An ultra-light weight portable toilet seat and supporting leg assemblies for backpacking, camping and travel use, comprised of a folding seat and multiple adjustable legs for height variation. The seat is comprised of a top surface and a bottom surface, a back section and a front section, and an open center. The multiple legs attach into the bottom section and angle downward to meet the ground. The bottom section of the seat has an interior space designed to receive the adjustable legs which when fully retracted will friction fit into place by the designed form. The back section and the front section are held together by a center axis to allow the seat to close, concealing the legs in a clamshell fashion. The portable toilet assembly can be used over a pre-dug hole or with the waste container.

Abstract: A mounting device for securing a sink to a countertop including a mounting plate and a support member. The mounting plate has a plurality of perforations which are sufficiently large to permit seaming compound to flow therethrough. The support member includes a mounting flange and a support flange. The mounting flange is adapted to secure the support member to the mounting plate, and the support flange is adapted to contact and support the sink flange.

Abstract: A convertible sofa bed for recreational vehicles having a storage compartment under the seat bottom provides access to the storage compartment by enabling the raising the seat bottom and supporting the seat bottom by a ratcheting mechanism enabling the seat bottom to be raised to a storage access position, and raised again to unlock and then lowered to a seating position, this motion being accomplished without the use of a separate release for a dead bolt type lock.

Abstract: A combination headboard and stowable tray characterized as having a vertically extending front surface and vertically extending back surface being spaced apart from one another to create a tray stowing compartment. A tray is pivotally appended to the bed headboard oriented substantially in a vertical orientation when stowed within the headboard and between the vertically extending front and back surfaces. The tray is rotatable about a first pivot to extend the tray outwardly from between the vertically extending front and back members while maintaining its vertical orientation. A second is pivot is provided for rotating the tray to a substantially horizontal orientation for its deployment as a tabletop.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting an individual during repositioning. A handle permits a user facing a first direction to traverse the perimeter of the handle to face a second direction. Thus, the user moves from a first position to a second position while maintaining contact with the handle with at least one hand. The handle has an arcuate portion that permits a user to slide one or two hands such that the user pivots about the arcuate portion to face another direction while retaining a grip. The apparatus may further include a base coupled to the handle that supports the user during movement around the arcuate portion. A hinge connects the handle to the base and permits the handle to rotate between a storage position and a support position. A bar mounted to the base enables lateral slidable adjustment of the handle along the bar.

Abstract: A shelter is formed by joining a resilient sleeping pad at its edges to a thin, flexible, waterproof, vapor-breathable shell. The sleeping pad, being the floor of the shelter, eliminates material otherwise used for this purpose. An opening in the shell for the user's face, is edged with a sleeve containing a drawstring for closing the opening to the extent desired. A zippered separation in the shell extends from the opening, to provide easy access into the shelter. A canopy, attached to the shelter, is supported above a user by long, resilient wands attached to the canopy material. Various embodiments are disclosed for combining a canopy with the basic shelter, for supporting the canopy above the user, and for providing entry into the resulting shelter.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and method for positioning a patient with a patient positioning system. The system includes a patient positioning surface for supporting a patient. The system also includes a lift subsystem for adjusting elevation of the patient positioning surface, a longitudinal subsystem for moving the patient positioning surface in a longitudinal direction, a lateral subsystem for moving the patient positioning surface in a lateral direction, a tilt subsystem for tilting the patient positioning surface, and a rotation subsystem for rotating the patient positioning surface. The system further includes a control subsystem for controlling operation of the patient positioning system and a base affixed to a floor for securing the patient positioning system. The control subsystem may perform iso-center tracking to maintain a region of interest of the patient in an image area during tilt. The control subsystem may also avoid collision with the ground and/or predetermined objects.

Abstract: A reclining device (1) is described having a support (10) which can be moved back and forth between different positions automatically and continuously, so that the spinal column and other joints, for example of the hip, knee, leg, can be moved and exercised specifically.

Abstract: The patient positioning device of this invention relates to an apparatus used to assist a patient into a supine position and additionally through which traction is applied to the spine, such as physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. The patient positioning device is preferably a stand alone portable device that can be readily transported and adapted to almost any horizontal surface, such as a treatment table. A primary application of the leg support of this invention is in raising and supporting a patient's lower legs during before, during, and after traction is applied to a patient. The device includes a lower support frame, vertical supports, and a leg support coupled to a top frame. The patient positioning device may also have a motor which powers the leg support to rotate from a lowered position, in which a patient's lower legs rest on the leg support, to an elevated position in which a patient's lower legs are elevated.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly having a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of said strings of springs comprises a row of interconnected pockets, each of the pockets containing at least one spring encased in a fabric pocket. An inflatable member is sandwiched between a lower scrim sheet and some strings of springs. When inflated, the inflatable member preloads select areas of the product.

Abstract: A shoe and a method of coating a shoe. The method includes assembling the upper on the sole; applying at least one layer of flexible or semi-rigid polymer in liquid state in predetermined areas of the upper; and allowing the polymer to dry. The polymer is applied with a brush or by spraying. Preferably, the polymer is applied so as to straddle the upper and the sole.

Abstract: A brush device has a plurality of different size annular brushes encircling a single cylindrical brush. All brushes are mounted on a drive shaft associated with an electric motor which can be powered by a battery pack or by utility power. The cylindrical brush will fit into a water jet, while the annular brushes will clean the outside of the water jet. A brush head encircles the annular brushes and is located and shaped to engage a planar surface adjacent to the water jet being cleaned.

Abstract: In a scrubber adapted to clean a semiconductor wafer, the torque of a brush rotation motor is monitored while a scrubber brush is in contact with the wafer and is being rotated by the motor. The position of the brush relative to the wafer may be adjusted based on the monitored torque to regulate the pressure applied to the wafer by the brush. Open loop positioning or closed loop control may be employed.

Abstract: A window washing system for cleaning a window mounted in a dwelling wall having an inner surface and an outer surface includes a window squeegee assembly that is attached to the outer surface. The assembly includes a pair of supports that are each elongated and attached to the outer surface on either side of the window. An elongated elastomeric blade is attached to and extends between the supports. The blade has a contacting edge abutting an outer surface of the window. A driving assembly is mechanically coupled to the pair of supports for selectively moving the blade upwardly or downwardly. A liquid dispenser for selectively dispensing liquid on the window. A reservoir is fluidly coupled to the dispenser by a conduit.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. A link assembly is operably connected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly includes a link connected to the claw and a lever connected to the link. A glide member is connected to the lever and movably engaged with said channel. The glide member is slidably movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of the channel relative to the claw between first and second positions, respectively. A spring is operably connected to a first end of the lever and biases the glide member into engagement with the channel.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first leaf assembly with a first leaf and two barrels. A pintle has a cylindrical part extending through a first of the barrels and a non-cylindrical shaft extending through the second barrel. A second leaf is mounted on the pintle. A collar with a non-circular opening is provided outside the shaft. A resilient member is provided between the cylindrical part and the collar. Two channels are defined at a side of the collar facing the second barrel for alternately receiving at least one lug formed on the second barrel. Whereby, when the pintle is turned about the barrels, the first leaf can be positioned at multiple points about the second leaf.

Abstract: In order to simplify a step of forming a conductive layer for external connection and improve the reliability thereof, at least either internal individual electrodes or internal common electrodes, which comprise of a piezoelectric vibrator, are connected with each other at through holes situated spaced away from an end face of the piezoelectric vibrator and connected to either a segment electrode of a common electrode, which are formed on one surface in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric vibrator. According, it is not necessary to form a conductive layer on the end face or a corner portion where such a layer is hardly formed. Furthermore, even if such portions are slightly broken, the conductivity can be maintained.

Abstract: A method for assembling a case (5), such as integral play station, a simple screen for a DVD reader or for a play station, a loudspeaker, on a cushion (2) such as a headrest or a set back cushion, fitted with a protection cover (4) includes fastening the case (5) directly on the protection cover (4), before mounting the cover (4) on the cushion (2).

Abstract: A bolster plate is attached to a printed circuit board and acts as a stiffener that reduces bending in the overall assembly during the attachment of an integrated circuit chip to the printed circuit board under a heavy applied load. The bolster plate is provided with a shim that compensates for bending of the bolster plate under load, thereby preventing damage to the integrated circuit chip. The dimensions of the shim may be selected according to computer model results representing bow deformation in the bolster plate without the shim.

Abstract: The present invention springs from the discovery that mild acids could be utilized to shear undesired metals away from desired precious metals that have been plated onto circuit board runners or contacts. This shearing action occurs at a high rate when metal scrap segments are immersed in mild acid and excited by application of an electromagnetic field at specific frequencies and power levels. These frequencies and power levels are based on the end metal desired and the metals contained in the scrap and the acid utilized. When mild acid saturated with copper sulfate and loaded with scrap metals is subjected to an electromagnetic field at the appropriate frequency and power levels copper and nickel molecules are sheared rapidly and absorbed into solution, leaving only the desired metal, such as gold, in a 99.5% pure flake which can be skimmed off the surface of the solution or filtered from the solution.

Abstract: A golf club head composed of a damascene patterned metal, such as a Damascus steel, is disclosed. The golf club head may be a putter head or an iron-type club head with a majority of the club head body formed of the damascene patterned metal, or a wood-type club head or an iron-type club head with a damascene patterned metal face insert.

Abstract: The gripping unit comprises a pallet (16) that supports gripping systems (18) through orientation systems (22). The pallet (16) also supports at least one control box (28) capable of activating orientation systems (22), and possibly gripping systems (18) to modify the position or orientation of the block of material to be machined when the gripping unit is placed in a machine tool (12). The control system (28) takes actions in response to orders issued by the control system (40) of the machine tool (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a mounting apparatus with a beam which is free from adverse effect on its performance due to thermal distortion and misalignment of its guide rails, on which the beam for mounting operation travels. One end of the beam is rotatably supported on a slide, which moves along the guide rails. Another end of the beam is also rotatably supported on another slider through a moving element. The slider and the mounting element move along the guide rail. The moving element moves in a direction perpendicular to the guide rails.

Abstract: A method of supplying suction nozzles with electric components supplied from feeders each of which is operable to feed the electric components to its component-supply portion and which are arranged in a direction intersecting a direction of feeding of the components, the suction nozzles being held by nozzle holders supported by a movable member and arranged in the direction arrangement of the feeders, the movable member being movable to permit each suction nozzle to hold the component by suction, wherein a distance between axes of adjacent ones of the selected suction nozzles in the direction of arrangement of the feeders is adjusted, and/or a component-supply position of each feeder at which the component is located after each feeding action of the feeder is adjusted, so that the selected suction nozzles are aligned with the components at the component-supply positions, and the selected suction nozzles are operated to simultaneously hold the components located at the component-supply positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing leadframe items of two or more types to form integrated circuit packages. The leadframe items are delivered along respective input paths and are received into holders, which are moved alternately between a processing region and a respective leadframe item reception position on a respective input path such that each of the holders moves to the processing region at a time when the other of the holders moves to its respective reception position. The leadframe items are delivered from the respective reception position to the processing region, and are then sent for encapsulation.

Abstract: A method of forming a printed circuit card with a metal power plane layer between two photoimageable dielectric layers is provided. Photoformed metal filled vias plated through holes are in the photopatternable material, and signal circuitry is on the surfaces of each of the dielectric materials connected to the vias and plated through holes. A border may be around the card including a metal layer termination in from the edge of one of the dielectric layers. Copper foil with clearance holes is provided. First and second layers of photoimageable curable dielectric material are on opposite sides of the copper. Patterns are developed on the first and second layers of the photoimageable material to reveal the metal layer through vias. Through holes are developed where holes were patterned in both dielectric layers. The surfaces of the photoimageable material, vias and through holes are metallized by copper plating, preferably using photoresist.

Abstract: A method is provided for embedding electronic components including electrochemical cells within a circuit board substrate. The method includes micromachining the printed circuit board substrate to a selective depth to form a recess. A component is inserted into the recess and an electrical connection is established between the electrical component and a metallized pattern of the circuit board substrate using, e.g., laser direct-write.

Abstract: A method for mounting parts may include recognizing a particular part feeder where a part to be mounted is contained among a plurality of part feeders, moving a head unit to a position for picking up a part on the part feeder, moving an image sensor installed to be capable of moving to a position close to the particular part feeder, picking up a part from the particular part feeder with a suction nozzle installed at the had unit, moving the head unit to a position above the image sensor, detecting an image of the part held by the suction nozzle, moving the suction nozzle to a printed circuit board from the image sensor, and aligning the part with the printed circuit board while determining and compensating for an error generated when the part is picked up, and mounting the aligned part on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method enables replacement of a gas turbine engine combustor liner. The combustor has a combustion zone formed by inner and outer liners. A plurality of cooling features are formed by overhanging portions of the inner and outer liner liners. The method comprises cutting through at least one of the combustor inner and outer liner aft of an overhanging portion, wherein the portion of the combustor liner upstream from the cut remains coupled within the combustor, removing the portion of the combustor liner that is aft of the cut, and installing a replacement liner within the combustor such that the replacement liner extends aftward from the portion of the combustor liner that is upstream from the cut.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electromechanical fluid ejection device includes the step of forming a first layer of a sacrificial material on a substrate incorporating a drive circuitry layer. A first electrically conducting layer, a first structural layer and a second electrically conducting layer are formed on the sacrificial material with the first structural layer interposed between the electrically conducting layers. The sacrificial material is formed so that the first electrically conducting layer defines a heating circuit connected to the drive circuitry, and the electrically conducting layers and the first structural layer define a fluid ejecting member connected to an actuator arm that is displaceable on heating and subsequent expansion of the first electrically conducting layer. A second layer of sacrificial material is formed on the second conducting layer layer. A second structural layer is formed on the second layer of sacrificial material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a composite coil spring includes the following steps: preparing a mold, winding a coil former around a mandrel of the mold, winding composite material pre-preg, compressing and heating, opening the mold and detaching the mandrel and the coiled coil former.

Abstract: A portable roof panel structure assembly mechanism that may be transported to a construction site and that is used to automatically assemble roof panel structures at the site. The assembly mechanism includes a purlin feeder, subpurlin clamping mechanisms and feeders, and a diaphragm feeder. The purlin feeder lifts a purlin into position, and advances the purlin into an assembly station. The subpurlin feeders insert a subpurlin into each of a plurality of subpurlin clamping mechanisms, and the clamping mechanisms advance into the assembly station and hold the subpurlins against the section of the purlin that has been advanced. The diaphragm feeder places a diaphragm onto the subpurlins and the purlin at the assembly station. The components are attached by automatic nailers.

Abstract: A method for making a composite structural member. The composite structural member has a flange having a base wall and two side walls extending from the base wall, the base wall and side walls forming a pocket to receive a portion of a web. Each side wall of the flange is doubled with an inner wall panel and an outer wall panel joined along a fold line spaced from, and parallel to, the base wall. Fasteners are formed from each side wall adjacent the fold line, each fastener having inner and outer wall panel sections joined by a section of the fold line and extending transversely from its side wall toward the other side wall. The flange is used with the web, a portion of the web mounted in the pocket with the side walls of the flange adjacent the sides of the web and the fasteners pressed into the sides of the web to secure the flange to the web.

Abstract: A hair clipping device includes a housing, a bladeset engageable upon the housing and including at least one stationary blade and at least one moving blade configured for reciprocal movement relative to the at least one stationary blade. The stationary blade has a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge, the at least one moving blade including a first moving edge configured for reciprocal movement relative to the first cutting edge, and a second moving edge configured for reciprocal movement relative to the second cutting edge. The housing defines a cutting location for the blades and the bladeset is rotatably engageable on the housing between a first position in which the first edges are employed, and a second position in which the second edges are employed. The housing encloses an apparatus for creating a vacuum, and defines a vacuum intake.

Abstract: A single-use disposable shaving set composed of three pieces; first piece being a shaving foam cartridge containing pressurized shaving foam sufficient for a single shave, second piece being an aftershave liquid cartridge containing a kind of after shave liquid sufficient for a single shave, and the third piece being a blade assembly having at least a blade coupled thereto; all three of the pieces contained in a wrapped box slightly bigger than a standard matchbox without being mounted in order to occupy the smallest space possible, under a hygienic condition; the foam cartridge and the aftershave liquid cartridge forming the handle of a shaving machine when mounted together and all forming a shaving machine when the blade assembly is mounted to the handle; the set featuring all the minimum requirements of a well wet shave; the entire set to be disposed off after a single use.