Abstract: A mop assembly for a mop includes an under side having a first fastener for holding a cleaning cloth, and an upper side parallel with the under side. The upper side is provided with a holder for holding a shaft At least one side surface interconnects the under side with the upper side. The side surface includes second and third fasteners, which are provided opposite of each other on opposite sides of the under and upper sides in order to hold a liquid scraper and a stain scraper such that the mop assembly can handle three difference cleaning functions.

Abstract: A multi-purpose adjustable toothbrush featuring a mechanism for selectively controlling whether the toothbrush and toothbrush head will be used in a rigid or flexible state.

Abstract: A multi-purpose towel for golf equipments includes a towel part having a predetermined geometrical shape, an engaging part attached to the towel part for attachment to a golf equipments, and a golf ball cleaning part. The towel part includes a towel cloth that is suitable to clean golf club or other golf equipments. The towel part is preferably rectangular and its area is between 600 square centimeters and 2600 square centimeters. The engaging part includes hooking clip and attached to an edge of the towel part. The golf ball cleaning part includes a patch of cloth. The patch includes a plurality of bristles of predetermined length and stiffness suitable to brush out dirt from the embossments of a golf ball. Alternatively, the golf ball cleaning part includes a pocket. The pocket has an internal surface made of cloth suitable to cleaning a golf ball.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus wash brush includes a cover encircling a rotatable shaft. Spokes extending radially from the shaft fix the cover relative to the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft, centrifugal forces urge the cover radially outwardly away from the shaft toward a vehicle being washed.

Abstract: The spatula of the present invention is designed to effectively clean and remove residual paint from the inside walls and bottom of a cylindrical paint container. The spatula includes a blade with a protrusion with a curved edge extending from the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the protrusion is located adjacent to but set back from the straight distal edge of the blade so that the distal edge of the blade can be effectively used to scrape residual paint from the bottom of a container. The side edges of the blade form a right angle with the distal edge so that the distal corners of the blade may be used to clean paint from the hard to reach circumferential corner at the bottom of a cylindrical container. Finally, the curved edge of the protrusion may be effectively used to scrape residual paint up the sides and out of the cylindrical container.

Abstract: A laminate lotion application pad having an open cell reticulated polyester polyurethane foam pad body member with a lotion application surface and an opposing surface with a PVC sheet that is self-adhering to plastic covering the opposing surface and attached to the opposing surface by a Myla®r carrier attachment package.

Abstract: A device for cleaning supporting strips of workpiece supports includes a motor feed drive assembly having a feed drive motor and a feed member. The feed member is configured to engage the supporting strip and to be driven by the feed drive motor to provide relative motion between the feed member and the supporting strip along a longitudinal direction of the supporting strip.

Abstract: An auxiliary dust collection system includes a housing configured for substantially directly coupling to a dust hood of a dust and debris-generating power tool. The auxiliary dust collection system further includes a blower assembly contained within the housing. The blower assembly is configured to both draw dust and debris generated by the power tool into the housing and to vent the dust and debris from the housing. A motor is contained within the housing and is operably coupled with the blower assembly. The motor is sized and dedicated for powering the blower assembly and is further capable of electrically coupling to a standard electrical supply. The auxiliary dust collection system is configured for venting solely the dust and debris-generating power tool.

Abstract: A carpet extractor head for a carpet extractor including at least one sonic agitator.

Abstract: A carpet extractor head for a carpet extractor including at least one sonic agitator. The at least one sonic agitator includes a beater portion and an actuating member that vibrates the beater portion. The beater portion includes a hollow roller.

Abstract: A hand cleaning tool for a floor cleaning apparatus includes a wand and a light source that is carried on the wand and oriented thereto for directing light onto a surface being cleaned. A floor cleaning apparatus incorporating the hand cleaning tool is also described.

Abstract: Drive unit (10) assembled inside a structure (11) of an electric cleaning apparatus (12), which comprises an electric motor associated with suction members (33), that create a suction flow inside the structure (11), and command members (26), that selectively command the functioning parameters of the electric motor. The electric motor, the suction members (33) and the command members (26) are assembled and integrated together to form a single body, so as to be able to be arranged unitarily inside the structure (11).

Abstract: A brush roller assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a spindle rotatable within a vacuum cleaner housing. A first airflow enhancing device (AED) may be attached to the first end of the spindle. When rotated, the spindle may increase the flow of air from the end of the spindle toward the central portion of the spindle and thereby improve the vacuum cleaner's edge cleaning capability.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable caster comprising a reversible mounting bracket offering added flexibility in adjusting the height of the caster and configured to removably attach to a structure to be supported by the vertically adjustable caster; an internally threaded sleeve mounted to and extending from the mounting bracket, the sleeve having proximal and distal ends and a sleeve axis extending there between; an externally threaded stem configured to be removably threaded into the sleeve at either the distal or proximal end; a caster wheel assembly attached to the stem; and a vertical adjustment assembly operatively associated with the stem and fully accessible to a user of the caster when the caster is assembled and the mounting bracket is attached to the caster-supported structure, the vertical adjustment assembly configured to adjust the vertical displacement of the stem along the sleeve axis.

Abstract: A hinge, particularly for doors, having a support element (11, 12) for a hinge-pin (13), the support element having a hinge-plate (11) for installation in a door casing, and a lower sleeve (12) which is designed to support a hinge-pin (13). The hinge-pin (13) supports an upper sleeve (14), which is connected to an upper hinge-plate (15), for connection with the door leaf. On the hinge-pin (13) is arranged at lest one sleeve (23), particularly of a plastic material. The sleeve (23) has an axial hole (25), for a part (19) of the hinge-pin (13), where the hole (25) is eccentrically located in relation to the axis of the sleeve and to its outer surface, as the sleeve (23) is arranged to be pivotable in the accommodating sleeve (12).

Abstract: A hinge unit comprises a supporting bracket, a hinge shaft assembly, and a pressing member. The hinge shaft assembly is connected to the supporting bracket to rotate between first and second positions. The pressing member presses the hinge shaft assembly toward the first position (for example, a closed position) when the hinge shaft assembly is located in the first position.

Abstract: An electronic device and a hinge assembly thereof. The electronic device includes a base, an elastic member, a first cam, a second cam, and a third cam. The elastic member is disposed on the base. The first cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the first cam is abutted by the elastic member. The first cam rotates in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the second cam is abutted by the first cam. When the first cam rotates in the first direction, the second cam rotates along with the first cam. The third cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the third cam is abutted by the second cam. When the first cam rotates in the second direction, the second cam is blocked by the third cam and does not rotate along with the first cam.

Abstract: A handlebar fixing device of a motorized cart including a head tube formed on the upper section and a seat formed on the lower section, a connection tube formed with a shifter structure, a handlebar having a fan-shaped connection plate formed on the lower section with holes, a holder formed above the seat of the head tube, a spring formed inside the hollow of the holder, and a rod having a section extending inside the spring, a stopper formed on the lateral, and a bolt hole formed on the lower section connecting to the base of the connection tube. By pressing down the handlebar, the stopper presses the rod down to the head tube, restraining the handlebar from moving right or left. With the stopper pressing the rod and a locking rod of the shifter structure being pushed, the handlebar being prevented from moving up or down.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for providing ergonomic grasping for a category of tool users. The assembly may be sized for ergonomic grasping by the hand of a user belonging to a category, such as large, medium, or small. The assembly includes a generally flat surface and a surface generally shaped for reception in a user's palm. The assembly of the present invention may be employed with a power tool or pneumatic tool, such as a hand held tool. A securing extension for securing the base to a tool is mounted on the generally flat surface.

Abstract: A pry bar has generally octagonal cross-section handle with a grip portion having four rounded surfaces formed of a soft elastomeric material and four alternating surfaces formed of hard thermoplastic material. The elastomeric material rounded surfaces are formed with pluralities of small orifices. The handle is formed with an inner hard thermoplastic core and molded over outer elastomeric cover. A metal impact cap is fixed secured in the handle proximate end.

Abstract: A portable hand-held grip for commuters of public transportation having a nylon strap (30) with a loop-handle (20) at each end and a piece of flexible non-slip material (10) sewn in the center between the two loop-handles.

Abstract: The flow of cotton toward gin stands in a cotton gin is done by providing at least three level sensors in an overflow bin downstream of the gin stands. Cotton overflowing the gin stands accumulates in the overflow bin. When cotton is detected by the lower and at least one intermediate sensor, a signal is generated to slow down the disintegration of a cotton module in a module feeder. When cotton is detected only by the lower sensor, a signal is generated to speed up the disintegration of the module in the module feeder. Sensors in the gin stands are used in cooperation with the level sensors to control operation of the module feeder.

Abstract: A web position adjusting device comprises a frame defining a first web engaging surface, and a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame and defining a second web engaging surface The device is configured to receive a first web therethrough between the frame and the web clamping member with the first web normally clamped between the first and second web engaging surfaces. The web clamping member is movable relative to the frame to move the second web engaging surface away from the first web engaging surface to allow travel of the first web through the device. The device is further configured to receive and allow unimpeded travel therethrough of a second web.

Abstract: The present invention features a securing device for securing at least one object for storage or transport, wherein the securing device comprises: (a) an elongate bendable member having first and second ends, the elongate bendable member comprising at least one inelastically deformable component having load bearing capabilities, and means for reinforcing the inelastically deformable component, wherein the means for reinforcing is situated about at least a portion of the inelastically deformable component, and wherein the means for reinforcing also has load bearing capabilities that contribute to the overall securing capabilities or strength of the securing device. The securing device further features a first loop provided at a first end of the elongate bendable member and a second loop provided at a second end of the elongate bendable member, wherein the first and second loops are deformable and configured to receive a loop of the same or another securing device.

Abstract: The invention provides a high-quality slider for a slide fastener provided with an automatic locking device, wherein the slider comprises a body, a pull, and the spring with the locking pawl, the spring is formed in an inverted U-shape comprising an upper and lower elements by cutting and bending a linear material having a same cross-sectional shape, a locking pawl is provided at a front end of the lower element, the body comprises a front and rear side attaching portions, a housing groove is provided at each attaching portion to house the spring so as to fix it to the upper element, a projection amount regulating portion of the locking pawl is provided on a wall of a pawl hole to elastically contact a base portion of a pawl element thereto, and a rear face of the upper element attached to the rear side attaching portion regulates an upward movement of the pawl element.

Abstract: A lower stop arrangement for a concealed zipper includes a block fixed on a first tape of the zipper and an end piece fixed on a second tape of the zipper. The block includes a compartment in which a wall is provided, separating the compartment into a first subcompartment and a second subcompartment. The end piece includes a first inserting section and a second inserting section that are respectively inserted into the first subcompartment and the second subcompartment of the block.

Abstract: A combination assembly includes a string and an adjusting and fastening device. The adjusting and fastening device is a hollow cube. The cube includes two lateral holes and a bottom formed respectively at two lateral sides thereof and a bottom side thereof for communication with inside space thereof and outside. The string is inserted through the lateral and bottom holes to be combined with the cube, having two ends exposed outside the bottom hole. While applied to a shoelace or a chinstrap or other condition requiring tightening/loosening, the combination assembly are good at length adjustment, fixture, and appearance of the string as well as convenient operation thereof.

Abstract: A shoelace protector that serves to protect a shoelace at or near the eyelet. The shoelace protector generally comprises a tube with a shaft and a base. The shaft protects the shoelace from damage and the base prevents the tube from being pushed or pulled completely through the eyelet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the tube is detachably secured to the shoe by inserting said tube into the eyelet and lacing the shoelace therethrough. In another embodiment of the invention the tube is permanently secured to the eyelet or upper of the shoe.

Abstract: An aesthetic cushion assembly includes an aesthetic layer and a fiber cushion bonded to the aesthetic layer. In one example, the aesthetic layer extends beyond a periphery of the fiber cushion to provide flaps that can be used to secure the aesthetic cushion assembly to a commercial product, such as a chair. The flaps can also be used to form a finished product such as a mattress. The aesthetic cushion assembly can be manufactured using a variety of methods. In one example, the fiber is blown onto the aesthetic layer and the fiber and aesthetic layer are heated together. In another example, the fiber is blown into a cavity and separately heated or a simple batt is generated by non-woven manufacturing methods. The fibers are molded into a desired article shape to form a fiber cushion. The fiber cushion and/or aesthetic layer are then trimmed, if necessary, to provide a finished article shape. The aesthetic cushion can then be shipped to a customer and only requires installation onto a commercial product.

Abstract: A workpiece according to the invention has a recess that is compressed by means of a plastic deformation, which reduces one dimension or an inner diameter of the workpiece and thus joins this workpiece to an inner piece in a positively and frictionally engaging manner.

Abstract: A tool for removing a nut plate after the nut plate has been installed in an aperture in a workpiece. One version of the tool is for removing the nut plate from the nut side using a power tool, while another version of the tool is for manually removing the nut plate from the nut side. Still another version of the tool is for removing the nut plate from the bolt side using a power tool, while another version of the tool is for manually removing the nut plate from the bolt side. Another aspect provides a tool for conditioning a hole, such as for conditioning a hole prior to installing a nut plate.

Abstract: An automatic nailing system pulls wire from a coil, cuts the wire into lengths desired for the size of the respective items being nailed and delivers the nails to nailing guns which affix them to the pieces intended to be joined together.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making drainage elements in a vertical manner. In one embodiment, a vertically disposed hollow rotatable mandrel with a screw-threaded flight is used for guiding a length of perforated pipe and filling an annular space between the pipe and a cylinder of mesh material secured at one end to the pipe with aggregate. A hopper is used for directing the aggregate into the space between the mandrel and a cylindrical outlet of the hopper. A motor for driving the mandrel may be reversed at a slower speed than the forward speed to stop delivery of aggregate and to allow time for the upper end of the cylinder of mesh material to be severed and secured to the pipe to form a drainage element as well as to allow severance of the pipe. In another embodiment, the perforated pipe is driven through the hopper and the aggregate flows under gravity into the mesh sleeve.

Abstract: Drainage elements are made by delivering loose fill elements under gravity from a container into a sleeve of netting that is tied at one end to a pipe, or other endless element, that is passing through the container. The sleeve of netting is supplied from an apertured cage extending below the container. In one embodiment a blower and chute arrangement is used to blow air downwardly into the drainage element being formed to increase the rate of flow of the loose fill elements into the sleeve of netting.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver for rotationally driving a piece and having a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and being capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. A cap is rotatable relative to said handle and it has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear. Through the selective rotation of the cap, the setting of the pawls is established. A spring positions the pawls in driving positions, and the cap has surfaces which disengage the pawls from the gear upon rotation of the cap. A method of arranging the driver is included.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a jack or hydraulic, pneumatic and/or oleopneumatic cylinder including a tubular cylindrical body at whose ends a bottom and a head are fastened Inside, a piston slides integral with a rod. In order to irremovably fasten the head and the bottom to the tubular body of the jack without threading and/or welding procedures, it includes at the end of the tubular body a controlled plastic deformation extended to the whole thickness of the tubular body itself, apt to locally deform the ends thereof by generating on each of them at least a circumferential ring radially projecting inwards so as to insert in at least a specific groove arranged on the bottom and on the head inserted in the tube itself, respectively, so as to lock them in sito. The plastic deformation guarantees the mechanical seal of the coupling between tube and bottom and tube and head.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacture of metal components where a plurality of relatively thin, substantially planar sheets are selected and then cut using a laser cutter+or similar cutting means. The sheets are then layered upon one another and bonded or pressed together to form a final, laminated component.

Abstract: A method (20) of fabricating a large component such as a gas turbine or compressor disk (32) from segregation-prone materials such as Alloy 706 or Alloy 718 when the size of the ingot required is larger than the size that can be predictably formed without segregations using known triple melt processes. A sound inner core ingot (12) is formed (22) to a first diameter (D1), such as by using a triple melt process including vacuum induction melting (VIM), electroslag remelting (ESR), and vacuum arc remelting (VAR). Material is than added (26) to the outer surface (16) of the core ingot to increase its size to a dimension (D2) required for the forging operation (28). A powder metallurgy or spray deposition process may be used to apply the added material. The added material may have properties that are different than those of the core ingot and may be of graded composition across its depth. This process overcomes ingot size limitations for segregation-prone materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple side processing machine for processing several surfaces or sides of a workpiece. The processing machine includes at least two processing units for processing a workpiece and at least a positioning device having a clamping device means for clamping a workpiece. According to the invention, the positioning device is arranged on a displacement device with which a clamped workpiece can be moved between the processing positions of the at least two processing units and wherein the clamping device can be rotated or pivoted around a longitudinal axis (A) and/or a transverse axis (B).

Abstract: This invention discloses an electrochemical method for the preparation of single atom tips to replace the traditional vacuum evaporation method. The invented method for preparation of single atom tips includes the following steps: A substrate single crystal metal wire etched electrochemically to form a tip. The surface of the metal tip is cleaned. A small quantity of noble metal is plated on the apex of the tip in low concentration noble metal electrolyte. Annealing in vacuum or in inert gas ambient to diffuse the additional electroplated noble metal atoms and thus a single atom tip is formed on the surface of the substrate. The present invention also discloses the single atom tip so prepared. The single atom tip of this invention has only a very small number of atoms, usually only one atom, at its apex.

Abstract: In a stator for an automotive alternator, the inner circumferential surfaces of the bridge portions are placed in contact with the end surfaces of the stator core without any gaps so that the spatial ratio occupied by the clusters of stator windings belonging to the bridge portions in the coil ends of the stator coil is at high density. The method of manufacture comprises a step of manufacturing a parallelepiped laminated body having a plurality of slots by laminating a plurality of comb-shaped strips each having a band portion and a plurality of teeth, a step of inserting into the slots from the side of the openings of the slots a stator coil comprising bridge portions and axially parallel portions having current generating portions, a step of extending the ends of the teeth of the laminated body in the longitudinal direction of the laminated body, and a step of bending the laminated body to form a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes an opening 1C through which a magnetic tape is drawn out, and a slide door 6 that slides along a sidewall 1D provided with the opening 1C to open and close the opening 1C. The opening 1C is provided in part of the sidewall 1D across a lower half 1A and an upper half 1B of the cartridge case 1. At least one of a lower half portion and an upper half portion of the sidewall is provided with a holding groove 1L that receives a front end portion 6A of the slide door 6 when the opening is closed. Therefore, the upper half 1B and the lower half 1A of the magnetic tape cartridge may be smoothly combined.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a current control device is presented. The method impregnates a pressure conduction composite within a current control device with a fluid additive via suffusion. The suffusion process is performed by placing the pressure conduction composite within a bath of a liquid additive. The method generally includes the steps of mixing a compressible non-conductive matrix and conductive filler, forming a pressure conduction composite composed of the non-conductive matrix having the conductive filler electrically isolated therein, suffusing the composite within a bath so as to impregnate the composite with an additive, and attaching a pair of conductive plates to the composite. Alternate methods include attaching non-conductive plates to the composite, forming pores within the pressure conduction composite, and inserting a temperature responsive material into a porous composite.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a unitized electrode assembly for a polyelectrolyte membrane is disclosed. The process includes providing a gas diffusion medium and a membrane electrode assembly, printing an adhesive on the gas diffusion medium, locating the gas diffusion medium relative to the membrane electrode assembly and pressing the gas diffusion medium and the adhesive against the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include inspecting the pick operation in pick and place machines by collecting images of the pick event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By detecting and displaying this information as it generated on the machine, the operator or machine can take prompt and effective corrective actions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electromechanical device includes the step of forming electrical connections to drive circuitry on a wafer substrate. A first sacrificial structure is formed on the wafer substrate. The first sacrificial structure corresponds at least to a mechanical arm to be formed on the sacrificial structure, spaced from the wafer substrate. At least the mechanical arm is formed on the sacrificial structure. A second sacrificial structure is formed on the wafer substrate such that the second sacrificial structure corresponds at least to a heater element to be connected to the electrical connections, isolated from and overlying the mechanical arm. The heater element is formed on the second sacrificial structure.

Abstract: A circuit board layer 2 in accordance with the present invention includes a conductive sheet 4 sandwiched between an insulating top layer 10 and an insulating bottom layer 14. The top and bottom layers 10 and 14 and the conductive sheet 4 define the circuit board layer 2 having an edge that includes an edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4. An insulating edge layer 18 covers substantially all of the edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrical connector comprising an insulative housing with a base side and an opposed side and lateral sides interposed between said base side and said opposed side and at least one conductive contact extending from the base side of the insulation in a first leg and then laterally adjacent the top side of the housing in a second leg. In this method there is provided a mold comprising a first die and an opposed second die all defining an interior cavity and an exterior area. A molding compound input port extends between the exterior area and the interior cavity and a contact receiving aperture extending through the first die from the exterior area to the interior cavity. The conductive contact is then positioned so that the first leg extends upwardly from the exterior area through the contact receiving aperture into the interior cavity. The first leg extends through said interior cavity, and the second leg extends laterally adjacent the opposed die.

Abstract: An assembly method includes a step of press-fitting a second valve 27 to a valve shaft 29 to which a first valve 25 is press-fitted and secured while measuring and adjusting a distance L2 so that it becomes equal to a distance L1. Thus, the first valve 25 and second valve 27 are press-fitted to the valve shaft 29 and those components are swaged together so that the first and second valves are secured to the valve shaft, and oil is placed in a press-fitted portion. When components, such as the first valve 25, are sintered parts, oil contained in the sintered parts themselves is used for increasing a joining force that occurs in the press-fitted portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a beam exhibiting non-parallel opposing surfaces including the steps of unreeling, in sheet form, a selected running length of a roll material and forming the steel roll into a generally three-dimensional and tubular shape exhibiting a closed cross section. Additional steps include heating the tubular shaped material inwardly displacing at least one of first and second opposing surfaces associated with the tubular shaped material, relative to one another, and concurrent with imparting an overall arcuate shape to the material.