Abstract: An apparatus for using liquids in bathing, to be used as a cleanser in bathing, comprises a pouf attached by a support to a squeezable container that contains a bathing liquid such as a liquid bathing detergent, a liquid soap, or either or both of these, combined with lotions or the like. When the squeezable container is squeezed, it delivers liquid from the squeezable container to the pouf to apply the liquid to the skin of the bather. A check valve admits replacement air to the squeezable container but keeps the liquid in when the squeezable container is not squeezed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying or dispensing fluids such as surgical prep solution are disclosed. The applicator includes a distributor element and a container of surgical prep solution. The distributor element includes a projecting element that separates at least two orifices in the distributor element to provide uniform distribution of the surgical prep solution.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a twist up pen type dispenser comprising a brush applicator that is capable of receiving material from a reservoir.

Abstract: A stepless rotational joint that is able to attain a more precise and smooth operation than a conventional art does. The stepless rotational joint includes a shell body, a lower mount, a driving element with two driving planes, a rotational disk, an upper mount, and a switch device. When a torque is applied along a selected rotational direction, the rotational disk will be driven to rotate along the selected direction because the top and the bottom end surfaces of the rotational disk are respectively engaged with an oblique plane of the upper mount and one of the driving plane of the driving element. The rotation of the rotational disk will further drive the lower mount to rotate synchronously along the selected direction.

Abstract: A coupling device for a piston rod type damper used to open and close a movable body on a main body is interposed between the main body and the movable body, and has a part of the damper attached so as to be capable of rotation. The device includes a clip having a shaft part with an encircling groove projecting on the upper side of a flange part, a locking leg projecting on the lower side of the flange part, and a cap capable of coupling with the encircling groove. The locking leg is locked in an attachment hole provided on a movable body or main body, and the shaft part is inserted through a shaft hole provided in the damper to prevent the shaft part from slipping out of the cap. The device provides both excellent coupling operability and reliability, and desirable external appearance characteristics.

Abstract: A movable barricade for use in controlling vehicle travel through a traffic control locus of a security perimeter, such as the fenced-in boundary often found around a building, a plant, an industrial area, or other infrastructure. Barricades structured according to certain aspects of the invention are capable of disabling forward progress of even large cargo-carrying vehicles, such as 18-wheeled trucks and trailers, or large-capacity tanker trucks. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a high-mass barrier element, such as a concrete Jersey Barricade, adapted to be rolled into a blocking position to obstruct the flow of traffic, and rolled into an open position to permit unobstructed flow of traffic though an access control point. Certain embodiments of the invention also provide control of pedestrian traffic through the locus.

Abstract: A transition structure between two different restraint systems with different compliances set up along roads is configured such that the restraint systems are connected with each other, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the system with greater compliance comprises damping elements (20a-20i) reducing the compliance section by section and being arranged on the side averted from the roadway.

Abstract: An expanding grass or weed inhibitor around a growing tree or shrub trunk with a series of overlapping, semi-circular wings (16) attached to the base (10), rotating via multiple pivot bolts (18). With an expanding trunk (14) diameter, the pressure of the trunk forces the semi-circular winds to move away from the trunk. Due to the overlapping of the semi-circular wings, their mutually-applied pressure blocks sturdier grass or weeds from uplifting the wings (16) or permeating the base (10). Along the perimeter of the base (10), a barrier wall (12) prevents the semi-circular wings from rotating too far respective to the trunk (14). For the purpose of mounting, base (10) pivots via a pivot bolt (18) while opening along slit at pivot side of base (26). On the opposite side of the base (10), slit at opening side of base (24) opens to account for a wide range of trunk diameters. To secure the base (10), lockable bolt (20) transects a hole connecting to lockable bolt (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A manhole channel liner includes a plurality of channel liner sections. The manhole channel liner routes the flow between at least two pipes that enter a wall of a manhole. Each channel liner section includes a flow channel formed in a top thereof. The plurality of channel liner sections are laid in the manhole to connect the flow from at least one inlet pipe extending through a wall of the manhole to at least one outlet pipe. The manhole channel liner is preferably held in place with a wet pour material, after thereof have been aligned. The plurality of channel liner sections may be retained in place with at least one alignment key.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lining ditches is provided. The apparatus and method for lining ditches, according to the present invention, includes a plurality of substantially corrugated liner sections, preferably made of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. Each liner section is designed to be assembled by detachably engaging ends of ditch liner sections. A sealant that does not bond with the material from which the liner sections are made may also be included. An inlet/outlet channel is included. The inlet/outlet channel is removably connectable with at least one end of a liner section by snapping together the two components. A liner section in the form of a splitter section also is provided. A splitter section permits rerouting the flow of water in a variety of directions through a ditch lined with the apparatus of the present invention. Also, a diverter section is included for diverting water from one flow direction through the ditch to a point or area of application of water.

Abstract: An adjustable yield rock bolt that comprises an elongated tensile support member that interacts with at least one gouging member and a receiving member capable of receiving the elongated tensile support member and hold the gouging member segment there between, wherein the elongated tensile support member extends beyond the receiving member a length that corresponds to a predetermined amount of yield before ultimate failure. The bolt has adjustability by allowing for controlled yield by gouging of the elongated tensile support member for any length of displacement.

Abstract: The bead-trimmer with a shaving breaker device includes a support (2) having at an end thereof a through-hole (3) which bears, on an entrance edge thereof a cutting element (4) arranged and conformed to remove, during a cutting motion, an external weld bead (20) and to direct a resulting shaving (21) through the through-hole (3), the through-hole (3) bearing, in proximity of an exit edge thereof, elements for chopping (5) the shaving, predisposed to fragment the shaving coming from the through-hole (3).

Abstract: A miter dowel jig comprised of two plates that when assembled form a complete unit. This unit may be used as a jig fixture to drill holes in various materials for the preparation of the placement of dowels in a mitered joint of various angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread cutting tool with a shank and a cutting part, the cutting part having several cutting lands (3) with interjacent flutes and the cutting lands (3) having a starting taper (3a) and a guide part adjoining same. In order to produce a thread cutting tool with the features named at the outset which experiences less wear and must be reground less often than conventional threadd cutting tools of the type described previously, it is proposed according to the invention that the cutting teeth (5) have a chamfer (6) or rounded area (7) at their corners.

Abstract: A drill having a replaceable cutting head, modified to eliminate forces which would distort the pocket of the drill shank and otherwise concentrate stresses which would cause failure of the drill. The cutting head has a frustoconical depending connecting member received in a receptacle formed in the shank. In different embodiments, contact between the pocket formed in the shank and the cutting head connecting member is limited. In one embodiment, angle of drive surfaces is modified from prior art practice. In another embodiment, transition of at curved joints between vertical and horizontal surfaces is made more gradual. The drill preferably has flutes formed collectively by the shank and cutting head when assembled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable cutting tip and, more particularly, to such cutting tips attachable to the cutting tip holders by a threaded connection. The cutting tip for a cutting tool includes a working end portion disposed along an axis of the cutting tip and including one or more cutting edges for machining a workpiece, and a mounting portion disposed along the axis of the cutting tip. The mounting portion includes a frustoconical supporting surface tip portion and a frustoconical threaded portion. The present invention also relates to a cutting tool per se.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

Abstract: An anchor (910) for mounting to a hollow wall (W) made of friable material comprises a proximal flanged end (918) adapted to be engaged by a rotatable tool (B) to rotate the anchor (910) about a longitudinal axis (A) thereof and to cause is to gradually engage the wall (W). The anchor (910) also includes a distal end (912) adapted to cut through the wall (W) as the anchor (910) is rotated, and a shank (920) extending between the proximal and distal ends (918, 912). The shank (920) includes at least one expandable leg (924) that is in a collapsed position thereof when the anchor (910) is rotated to mount it to the wall (W) and that is located distally beyond a non visible surface of the wall (W) once the anchor (910) has been mounted to the wall and is in a first position thereof. The wall anchor (910) includes an outer thread (922) that securely engages the wall (W). A threaded fastener (B), e.g.

Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener device comprising a clip (200) and a fastener element (100), the clip (200) being formed by a main plate (210) and a backing plate (220) interconnected by a connection strip (230), and the fastener element (100) comprising a tube (110) secured to the main plate (210) and provided with an internal channel (120), the device being characterized by the fact that, at rest, the backing plate (220) is of non-rectilinear shape being convex towards the tube (110).

Abstract: A method of forming a bound document includes providing a text body defining a first sheet and a last sheet, aligned edges of the sheets defining a spine, the spine being bound with an adhesive strip to define a first wing and a second wing of the adhesive strip, wherein the first wing extends beyond the first sheet of the text body, and the second wing extends beyond the last sheet of the text body. The method further includes compressing the first wing of the adhesive strip against the first sheet to form a first exposed adhesive bead; compressing the second wing of the adhesive strip against the last sheet to form a second exposed adhesive bead; and applying a cover over the text body and against the first and second exposed adhesive beads to attach the cover to the bound text body as a floating cover.

Abstract: A device for pressing a book casing onto adhesive-coated outer surfaces of a book block includes a circulating conveyor having a perpendicular section and saddle plates arranged to be conveyed upward in the perpendicular section. A press on device, with a press-on region and operating synchronously with the circulating conveyor, includes press-on rollers arranged opposite each other in the press-on region. The rollers respectively press one cover of the casing onto one adhesive-coated outer surface of a book block which is positioned straddling on one of the saddle plates conveyed upward in the perpendicular section of the circulating conveyor. A support plane is provided so that a book casing can be positioned and evenly spread out to match a length of the book block conveyed on the saddle plate. The support plane is arranged so that the book casing thereon can be supplied transversely to the perpendicular conveying section to a holding position for takeover by the book block.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An un-baling system for transforming substantially rectangular bales of farm product into smaller substantiality rectangular sized bales of farm products. The un-baling system incorporates a first rail mounted conveyor subsystem connected to a first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem. The first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem is connected to a platform conveyor subsystem in such a way as to enable the first rail mounted conveyor subsystem to convey the farm product to the first rail mounted conveyor-thrasher subsystem wherein the farm product is thrashed. The thrashed farm product is gravity fed onto the platform conveyor subsystem. The platform conveyor subsystem then feeds the thrashed farm product into the baling machine. A plurality of un-baling systems may be ganged together to further increase the volume of production in transforming large substantially rectangular bales of farm products into smaller substantiality rectangular sized bales of farm products.

Abstract: A cassette stocker includes a plurality of cassette storage shelves positioned adjacent a cleanroom wall above a cassette docking station, and a cassette mover to carry a cassette between the shelves and the docking station. An interstation transfer apparatus includes an overhead support beam and a transfer arm adapted to carry a cassette between processing stations.

Abstract: An automatic warehouse 8 is provided parallel to a running rail 4 for an overhead travelling carriage 6. Open shelves 16 each of which is open on its side are provided in a rack 10. According to the present invention, articles can be transferred directly to and from a shelf in the automatic warehouse.

Abstract: A transfer robot system with a manipulator.

Abstract: A power sweep for an agricultural grain bin includes a powered belt conveyor adapted to unload the grain when desired. The inboard end of the belt conveyor includes an idler roller which is frictionally coupled to the inner surface of the belt and, through a power transmission, may be actuated, by means of a clutch, to drive a power sweep for cleaning residual grain from the bottom of the storage bin after the belt conveyor has removed the bulk of the grain.

Abstract: A system for distributing unit load freight carriers, in particular pallets, which are transported on a main route or feeder route, among a plurality of secondary paths adjoining the main route or feeder route transversely, by means of a transfer element. In order to provide a device for distributing unit load freight carriers which has a significantly increased throughput capacity in comparison with the known solutions accompanied by a low level of structural complexity, it is proposed that the transfer element (11) is embodied as a wagon (8) which can be moved underneath the main route (2) or feeder route (2) and has arranged thereon a transfer element (11) which can be raised and lowered out of a transfer position which can be positioned underneath the transporting level of the main route (2) or feeder route (2) into a transfer position which is aligned with one of the secondary paths (7a to 7d) above the conveying level.

Abstract: A refuse receptacle lifter is disclosed which is movable between a retracted and a dumping position for lifting and inverting refuse receptacles of the type including spaced apart upper and lower engagement surfaces. The lifter may include an actuator with a rotary output shaft, a lift arm attached to the rotary output shaft, an upper engagement member carried at least in part by the lift arm, a first actuator arm pivotally mounted to the lift arm and a second actuator arm pivotally mounted to the base. The actuator arms are attached to an extension assembly that carries a lower engagement member. Upon rotation of the output shaft, the upper engagement member is moved between a lower retracted position and a raised position and the lower engagement member is moved between a retracted position and an extended position, for lifting and inverting a refuse receptacle.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an automatic door opener is provided that includes (1) a platform adapted to support a substrate carrier; (2) a door opening mechanism adapted to open a door of the substrate carrier while the substrate carrier is supported by the platform; and (3) a tunnel. The tunnel is adapted to extend from an opening in a clean room wall toward the platform and at least partially surround the platform. The tunnel is further adapted to direct a flow of air from the clean room wall toward the platform and out of the tunnel. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A refuse disposal system includes a relatively small refuse collection truck including a chassis and a hopper, including a packer, for receiving refuse. A body has a bottom, side walls, and a cover and defines an opening in a side wall. The chassis includes detachment and manipulation apparatus with the body being detachably mounted on the detachment and manipulation apparatus in communication with the opening for moving refuse thereto with the body in a collecting position. The detachment and manipulation apparatus is designed to move the body from the collecting position to a hauling position and to detach the body in the hauling position. A relatively large haul vehicle has a chassis with a plurality of body receiving frames mounted thereon positioned to receive the body from the collecting truck when the body is moved by the detachment and manipulation apparatus from the collecting position to the hauling position.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for storing and transporting material in the bed of a pickup truck. The material is stored in a canted orientation in a configuration that utilizes the existing bed of the truck to secure the material for transport.

Abstract: A tow hitch assembly for attachment to a towing vehicle. The tow hitch assembly includes a tow hitch arm, attachment means, positioning means and lifting means.

Abstract: A patient support and powered transport apparatus are provided. The powered transport apparatus is provided to assist a caregiver in moving the patient support from one location in a care facility to another.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method to unload bulk powders from large bulk containers. The system and method are particularly useful for unloading bulk cohesive powders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device, in particular, a vertical lifting device for cargo transfer. The lifting device according to the present invention includes hydraulic lifting assemblies 1, a fixture 2 and a lifting platform 3. The lifting platform 3 is connected to the fixture 2 via the hydraulic lifting assemblies 1. One end of each of the hydraulic lifting assemblies 1 is secured to the fixture 2 while the other end of each of the hydraulic lifting assemblies 1 is secured to the two sides of the lifting platform 3 respectively. The joints of the hydraulic lifting assemblies with the platform are located at the two sides of the platform instead of its near side. It is therefore possible that the panel of the lifting platform can be made of thinner plate. Accordingly, the slope of the platform is sufficiently reduced and less energy is required during the cargo transporting process.

Abstract: A dual purpose tow lift is described that enables a primary vehicle to lift and tow a secondary vehicle and, when not used for towing, provides a supplemental rear bumper. The tow lift includes three major portions of a sway member, a telescope member, and a swing member. The sway member pivotally attaches to the primary vehicle and is slideably engaged with a telescoping member, which extends for towing and retracts for storage. A swing member is pivotally attached to telescope member such that when the telescope member is extended, wheel mounts attached to swing member may engage the tires of the secondary vehicle. When the sway member is locked in the stored position and when the telescope member is substantially retracted into said sway member, then the swing member rests in a transverse position near the rear bumper of the primary vehicle. The swing member is configured to align with the rear bumper and to provide additional protection of the primary vehicle rear end in the event of a rear end collision.

Abstract: A fairway dragging apparatus can remove dew and break down grass clippings from golf course fairways. Mounting saddles can be used to easily secure the apparatus to a golf course utility vehicle. The apparatus can include a pair of telescoping tube assemblies mounted transverse to the vehicle such that the tubes extend oppositely away from either side of the vehicle. Brackets for attaching weighted ropes can be mounted on the end of the innermost tube of each assembly that extends furthest from the vehicle. The ends of a weighted rope are attached to brackets on oppositely extending tubes. The rope can be much longer than the distance between the brackets, e.g., 2 to 3 times longer, such that the rope can drag on the ground when pulled by the vehicle. The tubes can be retracted to approximately the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic force control system is disclosed for controlling the clamping force applied to a load by the clamp arms of a clamping attachment of a load-lifting vehicle to prevent the arms from over- or under-clamping the load. The system includes a force control circuit interposed between the vehicle's conventional hydraulic circuit and clamp cylinders of the attachment that operate the arms. When a manual control valve in the conventional circuit is moved to operate the clamp arms, a load sense cylinder in the control circuit lifts a load carriage of the attachment, causing the pressure side of the sense cylinder to sense the weight on the load carriage. Carriage movement actuates a sequence valve in the control circuit to hydraulically connect the pressure sides of said sense and clamp cylinders so that clamping force applied to a load by the clamp arms is proportionate to the weight of the load.

Abstract: An article transport apparatus is provided with a path that is arranged along a plurality of article transferring locations and that has a first end and a second end, a plurality of article transporting vehicles that run along the path, and a controller that controls movement of the plurality of article transporting vehicles, and that processes transport request data that includes information specifying an article transfer location for transfer among the plurality of article transfer locations. The controller selects an article transporting vehicle for a transport process from the plurality of article transporting vehicles based on the transport request data, and moves the selected article transporting vehicle for a transport process to the article transferring location for transfer.

Abstract: An attachment construction for attaching a front loader having booms to a front of a tractor vehicle body is disclosed. The construction includes a pair of support tables projecting from the front portion of the tractor body to the right and left outer sides thereof, an engine constituting the vehicle body being disposed forwardly of the support tables, a front axle frame being secured to right and left sides of the engine, a pair of main frames disposed erect on the respective support tables for supporting the booms, and a pair of attaching brackets secured to right/left inner ends of the respective support tables for attaching the support tables to the vehicle body. Each attaching bracket includes a front attaching portion secured to the front axle frame and a rear attaching portion projecting rearwardly of the support table associated therewith and secured to a fore-and-aft intermediate portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A bucket apparatus, removably attachable to a skid-steer loader, for transporting and dispensing flowable materials, such as concrete slurry, or particulate material, comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing sidewalls defining at a top end thereof, a generally rectangular opening for the loading of flowable material. The opposing sidewalls are sloped, forming a hopper configuration terminating at the lower end, adjacent the lower end of the front wall, in a bottom exit opening and gate adapted for the controllable discharge of flowable material from the bucket. The gate may be manually controllable, pneumatically controllable, or hydraulically controllable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a position of an object to compensate for tilt includes providing a rotatable base supporting an object and directing the object relative to the base such that the position of the object is controlled relative to a first axis. The object is stabilized along a second axis. The object is positioned relative to the base using first and second bearing arms. The first and second bearing arms movably couple the object to the base at a first position relative to a third axis and a fourth axis. The first bearing arm couples to the object at a first pivot point. The second bearing arm coupled to the object at a second pivot point. Each bearing arm includes a first portion and a second portion, which are coincident with the third axis and fourth axis, respectively. The object is adjusted to a second position using the first and second bearing arms to maintain the first axis when a tilt angle of the base is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying empty-bag group including a belt conveyor which conveys empty bags manufactured by a bag-making machine, a slide conveyor which conveys empty bags that are supplied from the belt conveyor at a specified pitch with the bag bottoms facing forward and which releases these bags from the front end of slide conveyor, and a stacking conveyor which receives the empty bags that are released from the slide conveyor; the front end position of the slide conveyor being movable and caused to move toward the bag mouths intermittently by a specified distance at a time at the above-described pitch, resulting in that an empty-bag group in which empty bags are stacked with the upper empty bags being successively shifted toward the bag mouths by a specified distance at a time is formed on the stacking conveyor.

Abstract: A method for separating two consecutive interfolded sheets, during the production of packages of paper products, even if there is present at least one tear-off line or “tab bond”. The sheets are fed in an interfolded way from interfolding rollers on a table by means of suitable folding arms. At a predetermined height of the stack a first plurality of separators, arranged along the length of the stack and at opposite sides with respect to it, are inserted in the same stack. This introduction divides the formed stack from the growing stack. Between the separators and the table a side of a sheet stretching board is introduced. The formed stack is then arranged between the table and the sheet stretching board. These are lowered vertically and move away from each other autonomously from the separators up to cause the disengagement of the growing stack from the formed stack.

Abstract: A ventilation exhaust fan is provided, and in some embodiments includes a housing adapted to interchangeably receive a first module having a first support plate and a second module having a second support plate. Each of the first and second modules have at least one of a motor and a fan wheel operable to generate a flow of fluid into and out of the exhaust fan. At least one of the motor and fan wheel of the first module is different from the motor and the fan wheel of the second module, respectively.

Abstract: A combinative standing fan includes a vertical shaft fan, a first, and a second tubular cover. The first and the second tubular cover respectively consist of a front half cover and a rear half cove. The front half covers of the two tubular covers are provided with plural wind inlets, and the rear half covers of them are provided with plural wind outlets. The first tubular cover has a guide groove in an upper end, and the second tubular cover has a bottom edge at the bottom to fit with the guide groove so the second tubular cover may rotate relative to the first one, with the guide groove and the bottom edge. When the shaft fan operates, air comes in the wind inlets of the two tubular covers and blows out of the wind outlets of them. The second tubular cover is rotatable to the first one, letting the fan blow winds in many different angles or directions simultaneously.

Abstract: Annular or ring-segment-shaped cavities (2, 7) which are formed in particular in multi-shell (11; 12, 13) casings of turbomachines are preferably provided with suitable means for compensating for forming temperature stratifications. According to the invention, an overflow passage (14) connects two points of the cavity to one another which are situated in different circumferential positions. Arranged in the overflow passage (14) is an ejector (17) which can be operated with a motive fluid and which serves to drive a flow through the overflow passage from an upstream end (15) to a downstream end (16).