Abstract: A linear operating device is provided that includes a way of converting a rotational motion into a translational motion, realized in the form of a nut, a rotating drive unit and a spindle acting in conjunction with the nut; and the nut is connected to the spindle with the ability to rotate. The rotating drive unit is connected to the nut with torsional strength, or it exercises a force in the axial direction of the spindle. Applications for the invention can be found in space travel, particularly in the context of solar generator unfolding systems.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate with a gate assembly. An extendible member slides within an outer member with minimal friction. When the gate is in its open position, gravity retracts the extendible member to hollow member. When the gate is in its blocking position, gravity causes the extendible member to move out of the hollow member to a final blocking position.

Abstract: A method is described for testing a train control system configured to control at least two locomotives. The train control system includes a control unit on each locomotive and is configured to control the locomotives using communication links between the control units. The method includes establishing communication between a testing device and a first locomotive control unit, and emulating a second locomotive control unit using the testing device. The testing method allows control system testing to be performed using a hand-held testing device in place of a second locomotive and facilitates testing of repeaters.

Abstract: An adjustable gage plate assembly having a pair of gage plate ends each with rail seats that are connected at their inner ends to swivel slide plates of an adjustment assembly which enables the gage plate ends to be moved laterally and angularily relative to each other such that the gage plate assembly may be adjusted to a specified lateral distance and angle between the gage plate end rail seats.

Abstract: A pneumatic lockout device is disclosed. The device includes a first disc having a first slot and a first tab, and a second disc having a second slot and a second tab. The first disc is secured to the second disc. The device further includes a pneumatic fitting having a fitting groove positionable within the first slot and the second slot. The pneumatic lockout device is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, while the fitting groove is positioned within the first slot and the second slot.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a portable hair dryer which has a handle and a nozzle, the assembly comprising a cradle having upper and lower portions to respectively support the nozzle and handle, a mounting arrangement for securing the assembly to a substrate such as a wall or table, and a connecting assembly which permits movement of the cradle in different directions. The assembly permits hands-free use of a portable hand-held hair dryer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an adjustable balancing force are provided. This mechanism can be used as a lifting force, a counter balancing mechanism or as a horizontal or other force mechanism. A stand in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a first component that is slidingly coupled to a second component. A spring mechanism provides a balancing force between the first component and the second component. In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the magnitude of the balancing force is substantially equal to a first load. In some advantageous embodiments, a friction force is provided for resisting relative movement between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A durable sign post assembly is provided with weatherproof sign posts for mounting a laminated sign board. The sign posts are made of a plurality of laminated sheets of a high molecular weight high density polyethylene sheets. An adjustable bracket means is attached inside each sign receiving slot for mounting and supporting the sign between the sign posts.

Abstract: A device for lifting an item such as an article of furniture to gain access underneath for performing a variety of tasks. The device comprises a horizontal actuating beam attached via a hinge member to one or more horizontal support beams that are affixed to the object frame. The horizontal actuating beam is also connected to the one or more horizontal support beams by one or more biasing members. The horizontal actuating beam includes a pivoting axle at one end that is attached to the one or more horizontal support beams and a wheel at the other end that presses downward on a surface and acts as a support point when the front of the object is raised up off of the surface.

Abstract: The invention concern a stand, in particular for a surgical microscope, in which provision can be made, by means of adjustment devices on the stand itself and not on the stand foot (2), for the pivot axis (30) of the carrier arm (11) to be plumb.

Abstract: A support component comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a top surface joining the front and back portions; and a securing element, wherein the securing element comprises at least one horizontal tab, a first set of vertical tabs, or a combination comprising a horizontal tab and a set of vertical tabs, wherein: the horizontal tab(s) extends through a space formed between the front and back portions; and the first set of vertical tabs comprises a first vertical tab disposed on the front portion and in direct alignment with a second vertical tab disposed on the back portion; wherein the horizontal tab(s) allows the support component to rest lengthwise on an anchoring surface, and the set of vertical tabs allow the support component to rest crosswise on an anchoring surface. Further disclosed herein are grounded holding devices comprising the support component(s) disclosed herein, and methods of use.

Abstract: A form for casting concrete columns which simulate a stack of stone blocks. The form includes first and second side sections, each including two side panels. The side sections are releasably connected together to form a rectangular frame which has closed and open positions. The frame and a base on which the frame rests supports a column side insert. The column side insert has a central opening in which a column is cast. The column side insert imparts a desired appearance to the exterior sides of the cast column. After a column is cast, the side sections are moved to an open position and the column side insert is separated from the column.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens mold includes a first mold half having a front side and a back side. The front side defines an optical surface. A second mold half has a front side defining an optical surface. Upon alignment of the first mold half with respect to the second mold half so that the front sides oppose each other, a mold cavity is formed between the front sides to form an ophthalmic lens therein from a moldable material. The first mold half includes a first section that transmits curing light and that extends from the back side to the front side. The first section includes at an area of the first mold half optical surface enclosed by an outermost circumference of the ophthalmic lens. A second section is co-molded with the first section and blocks the light.

Abstract: A securing device comprising at least one latch (22) and at least one latch mating-element (26) are used on two mutually displaceable mold-casing segments (14, 16) to close or open a mold casing (10) used in manufacturing molded bodies, in particular concrete pipes, said device securing the mold casing (10) in a position of manufacture. The latch (22) is displaceable by means of a drive unit (24) between a locked position wherein it locks up with a latch mating-element (26) and an unlocked position wherein no locking takes place between the latch (22) and the latch mating-element (26). In the invention, the drive unit (24) can be adjusted due to relative motions between the mold casing on one hand and its manufacturing environment on the other as determined by the manufacturing procedures between a ready-to-unlock position corresponding to the locked position of the latch (22) and a ready-to-lock position corresponding to the locked position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fail-safe valve having a valve element, and a control motor being connected with the valve element via a driveline. It is endeavored to ensure the tightness of the refrigeration system in a simple manner. For this purpose, it is ensured that the valve element is located inside and the control motor outside a closed valve housing, that the drive line has a magnetic coupling, which acts through the housing, and that the valve element is pressure-released. In addition, a resetting device is provided that causes the valve element to be returned to a predetermined position upon the undesired cessation of control motor operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a childproof valve for a swimming pool. In one embodiment, the valve may include a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a flow-passage extending therebetween, a plunger movable within the valve body between closed and open positions to either close or open the flow-passage, a tap mounted to the valve body, and a clutch device interposed between the tap and the plunger and co-operating with the tap such that rotation of the tap will not move the plunger unless the tap is first moved axially.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solenoid valve for controlling a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine, having an electromagnet, an armature having an armature pin which is movably supported with respect to the electromagnet, and an armature plate supported on the armature pin in a manner allowing sliding movement, and a control-valve member moved together with the armature and cooperating with a valve seat to open and close a fuel discharge passage, the armature plate, in response to the control-valve member striking the valve seat during the closing of the solenoid valve, being able to be moved, under the influence of its own inert mass, along the armature pin along an overtravel distance, from a stop secured to the armature pin up to a stationary overtravel stop.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve actuator having an armature, a valve, and a coupler for coupling the actuator to the valve with motion of the armature in a first direction moving the second piston in a second direction. The actuator includes an electromagnet, an armature disposed adjacent to the electromagnetic, and a fluid-containing chamber. The fluid-containing chamber includes a first piston providing a first wall portion of the chamber and a second piston providing a second wall portion of the chamber. The first piston is coupled to the armature and the second piston is coupled to a valve. Activation of the electromagnet moves the first piston in a first direction, such motion of the first piston in the first direction driving fluid in the chamber to move the second piston in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A drain valve including a housing, a poppet, a seal, a follower pin, and a biasing mechanism. The housing defines a passage there-through from a first end to a second end, a cam surface at the second end with at least two detents therein, and at least one slot in the housing fluidly coupling the passage to exterior of the housing. The poppet is disposed within the passage. The seal is disposed between the housing and the poppet. The follower pin is coupled to the poppet near the poppet second end. The follower pin is configured to move along the cam surface and settle in at least one of the at least two detents. The spring is configured to bias the poppet away from the second end.

Abstract: A valve assembly to avoid or minimise the effect of “compression setting” which occurs when valves control the flow of some hazardous and/or corrosive fluids, especially when at en elevated temperature. The valve assembly includes a valve stem having a head portion which engages with a valve seat in order to close and seal the valve and an elastically deformable portion. In order to allow fluid to flow through the valve, the elastically deformable portion of the valve stem is deformed to allow fluid to pass between the head portion and the valve seat. An additional biasing element such as a cylindrical or conical compression spring is provided to urge the head portion towards contact with the valve seat. In this way, should “compression setting” of the elastic portion of the valve stem take place, the additional spring will ensure that the valve head is still able to be engaged with the valve seat to thereby close the valve.

Abstract: A valve for a control system of a vehicle includes a plunger slidably supported in a valve housing. Within the housing is a valve seat member that defines a valve seat configured for engaging the plunger in a closed configuration. The edges of the valve seat member are slightly spaced from the housing, and a resilient support element such as an o-ring is disposed between the valve seat member and the housing to permit lateral motion of the valve seat member relative to a long axis of the plunger as the plunger moves to the closed configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprising a valve stem threaded with a translator having a flow modulating region, in which rotation of the valve stem about its axis causes the translator to move axially relative to the valve stem. In one aspect, the threads on the translator and the valve stem threads have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. In another aspect, a protrusion limits axial movement of the valve stem in one direction, the valve stem has at least one protuberance, at least one gland is engaged with the valve body, and at least one shim is positioned between the protuberance and the gland so as to limit axial movement of the valve stem relative to the valve body in an opposite direction. There are also disclosed power generating systems including such valves, and methods of constructing such valves.

Abstract: An electronically controlled butterfly valve comprising a valve body, a valve seat formed in the valve body, a butterfly disc adapted to engage the valve seat, a shaft on which the butterfly disc is keyed, an electric motor coupled to the shaft by means of a gear transmission having a final gear keyed on the shaft, a spiral return spring adapted to rotate the butterfly disc towards the closed position, and an opposing spring adapted to rotate the butterfly disc towards a limp-home position defined by an abutment body against the action of the return spring; the opposing spring is a flat leaf spring and is mounted on a moving member which is mounted coaxially and idly on the shaft and has a projection adapted to engage in abutment against the abutment body, an end of the opposing spring being free and ending in a projection which is disposed so as to be superimposed on the trajectory followed by a member rigid with the final gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filling valve which affords an excellent sterilization capability and a high maintenance capability. The valve includes a tubular nozzle 4, an operating rod 6 which is fitted in the nozzle 4 so as to be elevatable, and an opening/closing valve 22 formed by a valve seat 10a on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at its bottom end and a valve element 6a formed at the bottom end of the operating rod 6. A portion 10c of a reducing diameter which gradually reduces the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in a downward direction and a portion 10e of an increasing diameter which gradually increases the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in the downward direction are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at an upper portion thereof. A plurality of straightening vanes 36 are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at a location below the portion 10e of an increasing diameter.

Abstract: The valve includes a dome shaped diaphragm clamped between a base and valve body with the base having an inlet and an outlet opening to the diaphragm and a plastic button having a concave central portion surrounded by an annular convex portion for abutting against the diaphragm to move it to a closed position against a valve seat to block fluid flow between the inlet and an outlet. In a valve open position, the button central portion abuts against the diaphragm central portion while, as the button moves to a valve closed position, the closing force is applied to the diaphragm further radial outwardly. An actuator is operable for moving a plunger against a larger diameter insert mounted in a button recess which is axially opposite the diaphragm.

Abstract: An outfall valve structure of great water volume comprises a base and a hollow pipe. The base is integrally formed with a coupler and a cylinder, while the interiors of the coupler and the cylinder are communicable with each other. In addition, the cylinder is provided with an opening at one end surface, and a plug on the interior of the other end surface. A locking ring is provided at an appropriate position on the interior sidewall of the cylinder. Thereby, the hollow pipe is adapted to the communicable coupler and cylinder, and forms a large-sized outlet to ease the user to drink the liquid contained in the water bag.

Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.

Abstract: A jack for a vehicle includes a main frame fixed to an underside of a vehicle. A screw rod extends through two end plates that are respectively formed on two ends of the main frame. A movable member and a fixed member are respectively mounted on the screw rod. A lower supporting member includes a lower end in contact with the ground and an upper end pivotally connected to the movable member. The connecting member includes a first end pivotally connected to the fixed member and a second end pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the lower supporting member. The lower supporting member and the connecting member are moved to a position for supporting the vehicle when the screw rod is turned in a direction. The lower supporting member and the connecting member are folded when the screw rod is turned in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A radial disc impeller for use with a liquid or liquid suspension mixing assembly, having an axis of rotation. The radial disc has a hub and at least one disc extending radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc is connected to the hub at first axial location. The disc impeller includes a first blade connected to the disc. The first blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. The disc impeller also includes a second blade connected to the disc. The second blade has an extension that extends radially away from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method and device for introducing a liquid-vapor mixture into a radial feed cylindrical fractionating column (1). The method includes separating the liquid-vapor mixture into two opposite and horizontal flows (6, 7), and directing the flows toward the lower part (4) of the column (1) to reduce the entrainments of liquid toward the upper part (5) of the column. The device includes elements (9a, 9b) for separating the liquid-vapor mixture into two opposite and horizontal flows and elements for directing the flows toward the lower section of the column. The elements cooperate to reduce the entrainment of liquid toward the upper section of the column. The method and device can be applied in the oil industry, namely in crude oil refineries as well as in chemistry and petrochemistry.

Abstract: The rotational spring includes a base member which is in the form of a ring and includes elements for fixedly attaching it to a body of an appliance, such as a power toothbrush, which includes a drive element such as a drive shaft portion of a motor. Also included is an upper member in the form of a disc having a central opening through which the drive shaft is fitted, such that the disc member rotates with rotation of the drive shaft. Three leg members extend between the upper disc member and the base ring member. The spring is made from a material and is so configured and arranged that it has a symmetric spring rate for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus converts the rectilinear motion of a cylinder into the rotary motion by means of a toggle mechanism to clamp a workpiece by using an arm. A release projection is covered with a top cover made of metal, preferably with a top cover coated with a material excellent in smoothness. When the arm is going to be unlocked by using the release projection, a tongue of the top cover is lifted upwardly to open the top cover, and the release projection is pushed and moved downwardly.

Abstract: A device for holding workpieces in a releasable manner is proposed, comprising a mounting plate (2) with a clamping pin (3) for mounting a workpiece and an end plate (5) for connecting in a supporting manner to a machining apparatus for machining the workpiece, a hydraulically or pneumatically movable piston (11), a ball sleeve (15) with balls (16), which are arranged in such a way that they can be moved with respect to the clamping pin into the ball sleeve by the piston, and at least one spring (19) acting against the clamping force being provided between the mounting plate and the end plate as means which transmit the clamping force, and the mounting plate (2) having a centring region (21) which interacts with the clamping pin (3) and is designed in one piece and in an annular-disc shape.

Abstract: A pressing member is provided on a shutter member provided in a main body of an apparatus and adapted to open and close a folded sheet discharging port upon upward and downward shifting movement of sheet stacking means in such a manner that, after folding processing is performed by folding means as the shutter member is lowered, a sheet discharged onto folded sheet stacking means is pressed down by the pressing member. Further, if there is any sheet on the folded sheet stacking means, by stopping the sheet stacking means at a predetermined position where the shutter member lightly abuts against the sheet discharged on the folded sheet stacking means, the sheet is prevented from being pinched between the shutter member and the sheet stacking means.

Abstract: A sheet folding and accumulation system and method inverts folded sheets onto a saddle where the sheets are accumulated and bound into a booklet. The inverting of the sheets onto the saddle for accumulation and binding eliminates the need for the saddle or other sheet collection member to translate or pivot for location of the sheets onto the saddle. A sheet folding and accumulation system includes a folding mechanism configured to form a fold in a sheet, a saddle for collecting folded sheets into a booklet for binding, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the folded sheet and placing the folded sheet onto the saddle with the peak of the fold in the sheet pointing upward.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device includes a placement unit for placing a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus; a discharging unit for successively discharging the sheet on the placement unit; and an offset unit for shifting an edge of a stitching sheet from an edge of a non-stitching sheet on the placement unit by a predetermined distance depending on whether the sheet discharged on the placement unit is subjected to a stitching process. A stitching unit stitches only the edge portions of the stitching sheets in a stack in a state that the edges of the stitching sheets are shifted from the edge of the non-stitching sheet by the offset unit.

Abstract: A method of printing, stacking and binding pages is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) printing on the pages using a printing station; (b) applying adhesive to the pages using an adhesive station; (c) delivering pages one after to another to a support tray, the support tray including an adjustable support surface and at least two side walls for guiding the pages into a stack; (d) vibrating the support tray during and/or after delivery of the pages, thereby aligning the pages in the stack; (e) adjusting the height of the support tray relative to a press device, such that an upper page of the stack is positioned at a predetermined level relative to the press device; and (f) applying a compressive force to the stack using the press device, thereby providing a bound stack of pages.

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus feeds sheet media between a feed roller and a separating member pressed into contact with the feed roller, and separates and conveys sheet media held between the feed roller and the separating member one by one by utilizing differences in frictional coefficients between the feed roller, the separating member, and the sheet media. The sheet media are separated and conveyed while periodically changing the pressurizing force of the reverse roller against the feed roller.

Abstract: An on-edge stacker having a deck surface to support a vertical mail stack, which is allowed to expand from the upstream end to the downstream end. A paddle, movably mounted on a linear support member, is used to support the downstream end of the mail stack. The linear support member is positioned at a level lower than or substantially the same as the deck surface so that the mail can be swept from the deck surface from either longitudinal side of the stacker. A toggle switch is disposed near the downstream end so that when the paddle moved by the expanding stack reaches beyond a certain point, the toggle switch is triggered to indicate that the stack is full or almost full. The paddle has a wedge-shaped blade so that it can slide the stacked mailed on the deck surface without damaging the mail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting skew of an advancing sheet responsive to the detection of one or the other of aligned fiducial marks located near each of the opposite side edges adjacent the sheet leading edge. Upon detection of a first of the fiducial marks, the advance of the side edge of the sheet associated with the detected fiducial mark is repeatedly dithered rearward and then forward while the opposite side edge of the sheet continues to advance. The dithering of one side edge while continuing the advance of the opposite side edge continues until the other of the fiducial marks is detected after which the advance of the sheet is resumed.

Abstract: A sheet processing device of the invention has an upper conveying guide, being rotatable in the vertical direction, for guiding the upper surface of the sheet, a lower conveying guide, on which the sheets are stacked, for guiding the lower surface of the sheet, upper and lower sheet-discharging rollers, for discharging the sheet, on the downstream side of the upper conveying guide, an arm for shifting the upper sheet-discharging roller in the vertical direction, a cam for pushing the arm upward, a stapler for stapling the sheets stacked on the lower conveying guide, a link portion and a link lever for shifting the upper conveying guide upward when the arm is shifted upward by the cam, a reference wall for receiving the sheets, stacked on the lower conveying guide, and a sheet lift preventing member, which moves away from the sheet when the downstream end of the upper conveying guide is located at the lower position and which holds the sheet when the downstream end of the upper conveying guide is shifted upwar

Abstract: This is a novel two-player board game which uses addition and subtraction to initiate the movement of a player's pieces. The game is comprised of two sections; each section consists of a plurality of spaces containing integers. The interior section is comprised of opposite sides separated by zeros, one side containing negative integers and the other positive. Pieces are provided to each player for separate use in the exterior and interior sections. Movement is initiated by positioning pieces in the exterior section on spaces whose integers produce a difference of two integers found in the interior section, thus enabling pieces to move from one space to another. The object of this game is to be the first player with all his/her pieces positioned within the interior section on spaces whose integers when added together equal zero.

Abstract: A game piece has a continuous wall closed on itself so as to define a hollow space within. The wall is made-up of a plurality of flat plates, where each of the plates is shaped as a polygon with straight side edges. Corresponding pairs of the side edges of adjacent pairs of the plates are aligned in parallel, and each pair of the adjacent side edges of the adjacent plates is joined by a rigid compression clip having opposing C-clamps.

Abstract: A hand-to-hand game that uses a touch pad sensor and a controller to count the number of times the touch pad sensor is touched. The controller and touch pad are a wearable electronic scoring device that is attached to the body of a person through an attaching device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slot piston ring (1) for the pistons of internal combustion engines or compressors, having a peripheral recess (9) (a so-called scraper ring) that extends close to the slot (2) on the external periphery (3) of the piston facing away from the combustion chamber. The aim of the invention is to reduce oil consumption and the amount of leakage gas of such a piston. To this end, the recess is configured to extend from a zone (10) diametrically opposite the slot, starting with a maximum height (12) which gradually decreases to zero (13) in the direction of the slot or close to the slot.

Abstract: A seal system for use in high speed, high pressure applications including a rigid retainer and a resilient body covering the retainer having pressure balancing control. Reduced clearance of the metal case retainer prevents seal extrusion.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket is provided for an engine with low rigidity and a high maximum pressure. In the cylinder head gasket, it is possible to enhance the secondary sealing without greatly affecting the primary sealing. The cylinder head gasket is formed of a first metal plate with a first full bead under a folded portion around a cylinder bore, and a second metal plate with a second full bead around the first full bead. The second metal plate is made of a material with elasticity greater than that of the first metal plate, and is arranged with a gap relative to an outer edge of the folded portion so as not to overlap. The first full bead and the second full bead have top portions facing in opposite directions.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket is provided for dealing with gas leak between cylinder bores of an engine with a reduced size and rigidity. A cylinder head gasket is formed of a single metal plate provided with beads around cylinder bores. The bead has a portion formed in a wave shape only between adjacent cylinder bores. The wave shape portions may be arranged to enter with each other. The adjacent beads may be arranged such that the wave shape portions face each other. Alternatively, the adjacent beads may have a common wave shape portion.

Abstract: A lift axle suspension includes an axle and a first suspension air bag acting one of directly or indirectly in a downward direction upon the axle. A lever is provided having a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum selectively positioned between the first end and the second end. The first end is linked to the axle. A second lift air bag acts in a downward direction upon the second end of the lever. This causes the lever to pivot about the fulcrum such that the first end of the lever, which is linked to the axle, is raised. An air diverter selectively supplies air to either the first suspension air bag to lower the axle or the second lift air bag to raise the axle.

Abstract: A sliding apparatus on snow comprising: a sliding plate in the shape of a snow board, a front stay having a lower end attached to a front portion of the sliding plate pivotably only in a front and rear direction and which extends in a skewed rear upper direction therefrom, a handlebar at an upper end of the front stay, a frame stay having a front end pivotably attached at a middle portion of the front stay and which extends in a bifurcated shape rearward and downward in a central position over the sliding plate, wherein at each of end of the frame stay having the bifurcated shape, a frame extension portion is connected, each frame extension portion extending along edges of the sliding plate and fixed thereto, a feet supporting plate between the two frame extension portions, a supporting stay having front end pivotably attached to an upper portion of the front stay and which extends rearwardly and downwardly, and a rear end attached pivotably to the feet supporting plate, a feet holding belt attached to the fr