Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic transmission engaged in a manual transmission in which a gear change is automatically performed based on a speed of a vehicle, and an operation is easy, and it is possible to exchange a manual transmission with an automatic transmission by improving the construction of the manual transmission without exchanging the same.

Abstract: A handle bar locking assembly for rigidly fixing a handle bar grip to a handle bar, the locking assembly engaging with the inside diameter of the handle bar by means of laterally or radially spreading wedge member(s) that are displaced radially outwardly upon the turning of a drive element. The drive element axially displaces a locking member having a surface that engages with a surface of the wedge member(s) to cause the radial displacement.

Abstract: A method is shown for briquetting quicklime fines. A source of quicklime or dolomitic quicklime fines is combined with a binder in the form of a pseudo-plastic carbon containing material which will deform under briquetting conditions of elevated temperature and pressure and flow and which will also return to a solid phase and bind the quicklime fines upon cooling. An external force is applied to the mixture of fines and binder, as with a briquetting machine, sufficient to form the mixture into a briquette having requisite strength and durability characteristics. Suitable classes of carbon containing materials include Gilsonite®, a solid coal tar pitch and recycled plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sintered valve guide guide formed of a sintered alloy consisting essentially of 3.5 to 5% copper, 0.3 to 0.6% tin, 0.04 to 0.15% phosphorus, 1.5 to 2.5% carbon and the balance iron, by mass, and as occasion needs, further containing 0.46 to 1.41% metal oxide, and MnS and/or magnesium silicate. The metallographic structure has: a matrix containing a pearlite phase, a Fe—P—C compound phase and a Cu—Sn alloy phase; pores; and a graphite of 1.2 to 1.7% by mass of the sintered alloy. In the cross section, the ratio of the pearlite phase to the matrix is 90 area % or more, the ratio of the Fe—P—C compound phase is 0.1 to 3 area % of the cross section, the ratio of the Cu—Sn alloy phase to the cross section is 1 to 3% by area, and the ratio of a portion of the Fe—P—C compound phase having a thickness of 15 microns or more is 10 area % or less of the whole Fe—P—C compound phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for the synthesis of a novel kind of high-surface-area structures. A substrate is provided having pores or channels functionalized with an agent capable of binding nanoparticles, said pores or channels having a cross-sectional size of from about several nanometers to about 100 microns. A colloid solution comprising stabilized nanoparticles and a solvent is passed through said substrate, so as to bind and form more than one layer of nanoparticles in the pores or channels, where the bound nanoparticles spontaneously coalesce to form a coherent material having a substantially hollow structure and being composed of nanoparticles, where said structure follows the shape of said pores or channels in the substrate. The structures properties can be modified by deposition of another material, to form structures coated by the other material on their surface.

Abstract: Alloy particles of an alloy having a face-centered cubic structure comprise at least one selected from Fe and Co and at least one selected from Pt and Pd as principal components. The alloy particles have a TEM-measured average grain size (DTEM) of not more than 50 nm, and a single crystallinity (DTEM)/(DX) that is less than 1.50, where (DX) is X-ray crystallite size. These alloy particles can be advantageously manufactured by using the polyol process to synthesize the alloy particles in the presence of a complexing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material package comprising a housing, at least one piece of scrap material contained in the housing, wherein the weight of the housing is from 1 to 5% of the weight of said scrap material, and the housing and the scrap material have melting points that are greater than about 300° F. The present invention further relates to associated methods and products employed with material packages as well as meltable housings, per se.

Abstract: A cutting disc blade having a center hole is equipped with a ultrasonic transducer in the form of ring which is coaxially fixed onto one or both surfaces of the disc blade, to give a cutting tool which can be efficiently vibrated with ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: A system and method for friction stir processing of an industrial blade, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the industrial blade to thereby obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a new method for manufacturing extrusion die tools that eliminates the step of hardening the steel after cutting the steel to form the desired extrusion die tool design. The new method involves the steps of cutting and finishing steel to form the desired extrusion die tool design, coating the die tool, or parts thereof, and hardening the coated die tool. The new method for manufacturing extrusion die tools reduces the time and the cost involved in their manufacture.

Abstract: Drill bit bodies are provided having one portion formed of one composition and a further portion formed of a different composition. The different compositions provide different functional properties to respective portions of the drill bit body. Methods for forming such drill bit bodies are also provided.

Abstract: A jar/bottle opener has a housing, a first pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle and a second pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle closure. A driven shaft operates the first and second jaws and turns the second jaws relative to the first jaws.

Abstract: A multi-accessory hammer is provided having an rapid release accessory change mechanism that includes a housing mounted to the butt end of a hammer and having an opening therein. A resilient means such as a spring is mounted within the housing, and an accessory locking device is mounted over the spring. One end of this locking device extends through the opening in the housing and is capable of rapidly hooking onto an accessory. The locking device also has a side arm extending along the exterior of housing and is capable of urging the locking device against the resilient means to allow unhooking of the accessory from the locking device.

Abstract: The invention is a tool that generally enables the application of force to a bolt end along the longitudinal axis of a bolt. In the embodiment described herein, the invention involves the servicing of automobile hub by providing a means for safely and effectively removing the hub stud bolts that have seized to the steering knuckle or other component to which it is mounted. The invention eliminates the realistic probability of damaging the hub stud bolts' threads, ensures that striking force can be applied without bending or breaking the hub stud bolts, and provides a surface suitable for applying a sufficient striking force to free a seized hub from a steering knuckle or other component to which it is mounted. The invention can be manufactured in a straightforward manner. In the disclosed embodiment, the invention provides for the safe and effective removal of a hub from a steering knuckle, through the use of the invention, that can reduce the labor time and material costs in hub servicing an automobile hub.

Abstract: A power tong or back-up tong has a jaw assembly that is advanced into engagement with a pipe through a cam follower that contacts the camming surface on the inside circumference of a ring gear, the cam follower being in the form of a series of roller elements arranged as a circulating bearing. In a preferred form, the roller elements are cylindrical roller bearings and the jaw assembly is mounted for sliding advancement towards the pipe to be engaged. In an alternate variant the cam follower includes an indexing guide that maintains the cylindrical roller bearings in proper alignment.

Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning torsion spring, shaft-mounted in association with a spring cone, has a central ratchet assembly with two spaced, cogged ratchet wheels, slotted to allow the assembly to be rotatably positioned over the shaft. The ratchet assembly is connectable to the spring cone so that the spring cone will rotate with the ratchet assembly. The ratchet wheel slots are closed off by cogged bridging elements that create a continuous cogged perimeter around each ratchet wheel. Pawl-equipped levers are positioned over the ratchet wheels with the pawls engageably aligned with the ratchet wheel cogs, and then operated in alternating fashion to rotate the ratchet assembly and spring cone, thus tensioning the spring. Upon achieving a desired spring tension, the spring cone may be secured to the shaft, whereupon the bridging elements may be retracted from the ratchet wheel slots to permit removal of the apparatus from the shaft.

Abstract: A wrench comprises a ratchet device in a ratchet box portion and including a downward bar, a lateral recess having first and second walls, and a bore in communication with the recess; a rotating disc including a shaft extended into the bore, and an actuation member on one side of the shaft; and a locking member in the recess and including an outer ratchet adapted to engage with the ratchet of the handle, an inner groove for receiving and being engaged with the actuation member in the recess, and third and fourth walls at both sides of the groove, either the third or fourth wall being adapted to contact the first or second wall when the locking member pivots to one of left and right positions in the ratchet device. Rotating the rotating disc opposite to the rotation of the handle will switch a direction of exerted force.

Abstract: A wrenching tool with an anchored flexible strap that is placed around the rotating part of a screw type connector, the strap then being slide fitted and adjusted in one of two angular slots on the tool for the purpose of tightening or loosening the connector. With proper fitting and adjustment of the strap, a rotation of the tool, which is generally parallelingly in line but offset from the axis of the connector, causes a bight by the strap being restricted on the connector that will, depending on the slot used, tighten or loosen the connector.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: Pliers having, for example, needle-nose and blunt-nose heads are manipulated using handles connected to pivot and move between a needle-nose head, grip-ready, position and a blunt-nose head, grip-ready, position. Each handle has a stop member having two faces. One face of each stop member is adapted to abut a needle-nose head and the other face is adapted to abut a blunt-nose head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for servicing a telecommunication junction box. The method enables a reduced number of tools to be utilized to service a telecommunication junction box.

Abstract: A curved surface cutting method in which a surface of a material is cut by a bite to form a specified curved surface, a cutting edge of the bite is provided with a flat section and corner sections at both ends of the flat section; the posture of the cutting edge of the bite is adjusted such that a ridge line along the flat section of the cutting edge of the bite is in parallel with a tangent drawn at the curved surface; and the surface of the material is cut with the cutting edge of the bite retained in the posture while feeding the cutting edge in a predetermined feeding direction, thereby forming a first band-like cut surface having a width corresponding to the width of the cutting edge of the bite.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cutting a sheet-like piece into one or several smaller pieces by using camera means and a controllable cutting apparatus, the directions and values of the coordinate systems of which are calibrated to correspond to each other. In the method the following measures are taken: the piece to be cut is placed on a cutting surface located within the recording area of the camera means, the piece is photographed by the camera means and on the basis thereof the outlines of the piece are determined and the information on the outlines of the piece is input into the positioning system, where the cutting paths are established and input into the control system of the cutting device, which determines necessary parameters for the cutting and on the basis of these, controls the cutting of the piece into parts according to given instructions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and design of a fusion welded pipe wherein the effects of an inner bead of the fusion weld are minimized. The internal shape of the pipe prior to welding may be configured in several different shapes so that the beads or lips produced by the fusion welding process are unobtrusive and do not interfere with the function of the pipe. In a likewise manner, the outer shape of the pipe prior to welding may be configured so that the lips are unobtrusive on the external surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for registering a sheet material article in a sheet material article handler includes sequentially engaging, using a movable backstop, a leading edge portion of a sheet material article moving in a direction of movement of the sheet material article along a path of movement of the sheet material article in the sheet material article handler so as to register the sheet material article relative to the sheet material article handler. The backstop is moved along an arcuate path in the direction of movement of the sheet material article from a first position out of the path of movement to a second position in the path of movement using a driver.

Abstract: A tubing cutter includes a cutter head assembly apparatus having first and second jaws coupled to permit adjusting a jaw span. A lever arm carrying a blade is pivotably coupled to the first jaw. A spring applies a spring force to the lever arm for biasing the blade towards the second jaw.

Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having a blade adapted to cut workpieces, and an actuating mechanism operable to move the blade toward the workpiece. The machines also include a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a user and the blade, and a reaction system configured to stop the movement of the blade toward the user upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool device for high-speed crosscutting, comprising a striking unit (10), a tool housing (20), a damper unit (30), a movable crosscutting tool (40) and a fixed crosscutting tool (50), wherein the tool housing (20) has at least two curved supporting surfaces (218) for the movable crosscutting tool (40), which supporting surfaces (218) have the same radius®, and wherein between the said supporting surfaces (218) there is a recess (217) for a striking piston (11) belonging to the striking unit (10). The invention also relates to a crosscutting tool for high-speed machine-working.

Abstract: A punch device for punching parallel slots in sheets so that card-like objects can be mounted on sheet. The device comprises a male plate on which at least one pair of projections are mounted, each member of the pair diagonally placed on the male plate, and separated from each other by a distance slightly smaller than the diagonal of the card-like object to be mounted. The device also comprises a female plate moveably hinged to the male plate by means of a hinge assembly, through which rectangular slots are formed each slot being so positioned as to correspondingly face one of said cutting projections in the male plate when the punch device is closed thereby ensuring that the projections penetrate the slots. The punch device also includes a hinge assembly comprising an axle part and a swivel part. The axle part comprises cams and the swivel part comprises grooves.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a fixing seat, a crank axle pivotally mounted on the fixing seat by a pivot shaft, a first saw blade mounted on the pivot shaft, a second saw blade mounted on the crank axle to move therewith, a motor mounted on the crank axle, and an adjusting unit mounted between the fixing seat and the crank axle to drive the crank axle to move relative to the fixing seat. Thus, the adjusting unit is operated to drive the crank axle to pivot, so that the second saw blade mounted on the crank axle is moved downward or upward, thereby adjusting the height of the second saw blade relative to the first saw blade so as to fit workpieces of different thickness.

Abstract: A panel saw has a first cutting blade for cutting stock in a first axis and a second cutting blade for cutting the stock in a second axis. The first blade moveable from a cutting position to a position in which stock can be slid between the cutting blade and a supporting frame of the panel saw. The panel saw allows repeated cross cuts and rip cuts without changing the cutting location of the first cutting blade. A control system is configured to retract the first cutting blade from contact with the stock if the current draw exceeds a value. The control system may also retract a cutting blade when it senses the end of a panel being cut.

Abstract: A device for and method of calibrating a microphone, comprising a loudspeaker (3) for converting a loudspeaker input signal (5) into sound; a microphone (4) for converting received sound into a microphone output signal (16), and calibration means for calibrating an output power of the microphone relative to a desired power level. The calibration means comprise impulse response estimating means (7) for estimating an acoustic impulse response of the microphone by correlating the microphone output signal (6) and the loudspeaker input signal (5) when the microphone (4) receives the sound from the loudspeaker (3), whereby the output power of the microphone (4) is estimated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a musical instrument, in which method a musical instrument is manufacturing for one or several parts and of which parts at least one part is manufactured of plastic material compound, which includes thermoplastic polymer. The present invention relates also to a musical instrument, which instrument has been manufactured of one or several parts and of which parts at least a part has been manufactured of plastic material compound, which includes thermoplastic polymer. Characteristic to the method in accordance with the invention is the fact that plastic material compound is made by mixing natural fibres to thermoplastic polymer and that a musical instrument or its parts are manufactured of plastic material compound by injection moulding such that the natural fibres in plastic material compound are directed mainly in certain, desired direction in respect of the musical instrument or its part while moulding.

Abstract: A stand for a musical instrument having a neck includes the case for the instrument which comprises a pair of case half sections hinged along one side edge and closable to form a rectangular housing for receiving the instrument and openable to a partly open angle where a bottom edge of the half sections can rest on a floor surface with the case standing upwardly from the floor surface, such that the hinge is vertical, to a top edge of each half section which is generally horizontal and a plate member which is shaped and arranged to sit on top of the half sections spanning the partly open case, the plate member having a front edge which has a recess therein shaped and arranged to receive the neck of the instrument so as to support the instrument between the sections within the open case above the floor surface.

Abstract: Music information display apparatus includes an electronic paper, and a control section that controls the electronic paper to switch to a display of music information, corresponding to a music piece being reproduced, in synchronism with reproduction of the music piece. When music information is to be displayed on the electronic paper, an instruction is given, in consideration of a response time necessary for display switching of the electronic paper, for starting a display switching operation a predetermined time earlier than display-switching timing so that switching to a display of the music information corresponding to a currently-reproduced music piece section can be completed by the display-switching timing. In this way, the music information automatically updated in synchronism with the reproduction of the music piece can be displayed on the electronic paper, so that an easy-to-view and easy-on-the-eye display can be provided with minimized power consumption.

Abstract: A wind turbine including a frame, a driveshaft rotatably mounted on the frame, and a body adapted to be driven by a wind. The body includes one or more spiral vanes attached to the driveshaft. The vanes may be assembled from a number of vane layers. The axis of rotation of the wind turbine is intended to be normally vertical, but it could be operated at other angles, including horizontal.

Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and/or methods that generate playlist(s) for a library or collection of media items via selecting a plurality of seed items, at least one of which is an undesirable seed item. Some of the seed items are desirable indicating that a user prefers additional media items similar to the desirable seed items and others are undesirable indicating that the user prefers additional media items dissimilar to the undesirable seed items. Additionally, the seed items can be weighted to establish a relative importance of the seed items. The invention compares media items in the collection with the seed items and determines which media items are added into the playlist by computation of similarity metrics or values. The playlist can be regenerated by adding desirable seed items to the playlist and removing media items from the playlist (e.g., undesirable seed items).

Abstract: System and method expanding and generalizing string selection aspects of an autoharp and applying to general forms of string arrays. String vibration may be sympathetic or induced by strumming, plucking, and/or electrical drive transducers. Volume of individual vibrating strings within arrays of strings may be mechanically or electronically controlled by chord buttons or a music keyboard. Electronic control can also be made with foot switches or incoming MIDI control signals. These controls may be used individually or in combination. Keyboard keys may be provided with key-travel sensors, key-surface sensors, or other sensors for continuously controlling volumes and octave mixings of subgroups of individual strings. Incoming MIDI control signals may also be used for controlling volumes and octave mixings of subgroups of individual strings.

Abstract: An interchangeable modular insert for a electric stringed instrument is mounted in a cavity cut into the rear of the instrument. The rear insertion module provides rapid exchange of electronic components of different manufacturers. Placement of a module into the instrument automatically positions the module and electrically connects the same with the module being retained in the guitar body by a threaded fastener.

Abstract: A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument includes a frame, a plurality of keys, a plurality of biasing members, a plurality of weight members, and a position-adjusting unit. The keys are mounted to the frame. Each of the keys has a front operating portion and a rear weight-mounting portion, and is tiltable from a normal rest position to a lower stop position in response to a stroking action at the front operating portion. The biasing members bias the keys toward the normal rest position. The weight members are mounted on the rear weight-mounting portions of the keys, and are movable relative to the front operating portions of the keys. The position-adjusting unit is operable so as to adjust concurrently positions of the weight members relative to the front operating portions of the keys.

Abstract: A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument includes a frame, a key mounted to the frame, and a circuit board. The key has a front operating portion and a rear actuating portion, and is tiltable from a normal rest position to a lower stop position in response to a stroking action at the front operating portion. The rear actuating portion has a topside that is provided with an actuator. The circuit board is mounted to the frame, is disposed above the rear actuating portion of the key, and has a lower surface provided with a contact. The actuator actuates the contact when the key is tilted to the lower stop position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic unit with a piston (2) contained in a hydraulic cylinder (1), wherein the piston (2) can be moved from a first end position (E1) located at one end of the hydraulic cylinder (1) to a second end position (E2) located at the opposite other end position of the hydraulic cylinder (1), wherein the hydraulic cylinder (1) is hydraulically connected with a delay unit (8) which is equipped with an auxiliary cylinder (9) containing an auxiliary piston (10), with which a movement of the piston (2) can be delayed in a middle section located between the first (E1) and the second end position (E2), and wherein the auxiliary cylinder (9) has a first (16) and a second opening (17) for incoming and outgoing hydraulic oil. To be able to precisely set an attenuation point, the invention suggests that a shutoff valve (10a, 14, 20) provided on the auxiliary cylinder (9) or piston (10) be connected in the flow path.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston and cylinder unit comprising the combination of a cylinder assembly defining a cylindrical chamber, a piston member mounted in the cylindrical chamber for reciprocating movement therein in response to movement of hydraulic fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber, and a piston rod member connected to the piston member for movement therewith and extending from one end of cylinder assembly. The members have meshing threads thereon configured to be meshingly interengaged when the members are rotationally moved into an assembled position relative to one another in one direction.

Abstract: A combination of a piston and a chamber, wherein the chamber defines an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis, the chamber having, at a first longitudinal position thereof, a first cross-sectional area thereof and, at a second longitudinal position thereof, a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being 95% or less of the first cross-sectional area, the change in cross-section of the chamber being at least substantially continuous between the first and second longitudinal positions, the piston being adapted to adapt itself to the cross-section of the chamber when moving from the first to the second longitudinal position of the chamber. The piston may comprise an umbrella-like support structure or a fibre enforced deformable container comprising a foam or a fluid. The combination may be used in a pump, a linear actuator, a motor, or a shock absorber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by improving performance and possibly incorporating multiple filtration functions into a unitary filter. The filter includes flow layers which improve filter performance. Filtration functions include a passive adsorbent assembly and can include a combination of inlet, or breather filter and adsorbent filter. Moreover, recirculation filter, diffusion tube and outside mount functions can be added to the filter depending on desired functionality within the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by improving performance and possibly incorporating multiple filtration functions into a unitary filter. Filtration functions include a passive adsorbent assembly and can include a combination of inlet, or breather filter and adsorbent filter. Moreover, recirculation filter, diffusion tube, and outside mount functions can be added to the filter depending on desired functionality within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for removing harmful substances in a vent gas containing a halogen or halogen compound gas remaining in the pipeline of a cylinder cabinet, which comprises contacting the vent gas with a treating agent comprising an alkaline earth metal compound, an alkali metal compound, zeolite, and a carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A system for concentrating gas, using the concentrated gas to pump liquid, and recycling the gas and liquid is disclosed. The system comprises a body of liquid, a down pipe in fluid communication with the body of liquid, a gas injection apparatus for introducing gas into the liquid that passes through the down pipe, a separator for separating compressed gas from the liquid, and a gas-liquid recycle loop. The down pipe and the gas injection apparatus are structured and arranged to compress the gas. The gas-liquid recycle loop comprises a compressed gas storage vessel containing the separated gas, a reservoir containing liquid separated from the compressed gas, and a gas-liquid pump. The gas-liquid pump has a gas inlet in communication with the gas storage vessel, and a fluid inlet in communication with the reservoir. The gas-liquid pump is structured and arranged for pumping the liquid back to the body of liquid and delivering the gas to the gas injection apparatus.