Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a surface cleaning and treatment apparatus that utilizes dual cleaning brushes. Specifically, the cleaning brushes are driven by the same motor, but rotated in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a broom with a flexible neck. The flexible neck is preferably a hollow tube made from rubber. The neck is positioned between the handle and the head of the broom, at the base end of the handle to attach the broom handle to the broom head.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a brush which, while maintaining the superiority of animal hairs in paint holding and discharging performance, is free from the stiffening of the roots of bristles 4 and the expansion of the tips thereof even after its use for applying a water paint, and a method for manufacturing of this brush. To achieve the object stated above, the invention uses as its bristles 4 animal hairs whose pH count is adjusted to be neutral or alkaline.

Abstract: An applicator may include a stick that has a flexible section that is before an end region of the applicator and/or is formed by corrugations, and that may include a plurality of such sticks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper drive comprising a housing, a reversing motor and a gear mechanism connected downstream of the reversing motor, wherein a swaying element for driving at least one wiper arm or a wiper arm rod is provided on the gear mechanism output shaft, and wherein the operating range of the swaying element lies within a pivoting range which is delimited by two mechanical stops, wherein at least one stop is designed such that it can be removed and/or moved in such a way that the swaying element, when the wiper drive is mounted on a support frame, can be moved from a first mounting position, which lies outside the pivoting range, into the pivoting range without being obstructed by the stop. The invention furthermore relates to methods for mounting a wiper drive on a support frame.

Abstract: A mop wringer and handle stabilizer for a mop bucket fitted with a mop wringer and a bucket handle, which in a first embodiment includes a wire clip pivotally mounted on the mop bucket handle and designed for manipulating and tensioning the wire clip on the mop wringer and stabilizing the mop wringer on the mop bucket. A handle bend is optionally provided in the bucket handle for receiving the mop handle of a mop located in the mop bucket and stabilizing the mop in the mop bucket. A wringer handle adaptor is attached to the mop wringer compression handle and is configured and located to optionally receive and stabilize the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer. In a second embodiment the clip element includes a plate shaped to define an engaging member, front leg, top leg and rear leg combination that pivotally mounts on the bucket handle by means of a reverse bend extending from the rear leg.

Abstract: A central vacuum system includes a motor-cooling airflow path that provides sufficient cooling for the motor and its drive components even though the cooling air is partially restricted by a downstream filter that captures airborne carbon dust emitted from the motor's commutator brushes. A divider system creates multiple chambers within the vacuum system's canister, and in some embodiments, air passageways in the canister and in the divider system direct the cooling air through the chambers in a flow pattern that avoids contaminating the drive components with carbon dust.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an upright vacuum cleaner with a swing brush. The upright vacuum cleaner comprises an upright cleaner body having a suction nozzle, a drive unit mounted in the cleaner body for moving the cleaner body forward or rearward, a grip unit slidably mounted to the upper end of the cleaner body, the grip unit having a sensor for sensing a sliding direction of the grip unit, a control unit for controlling the drive unit to be operated, such that the cleaner body is moved forward or rearward, based on information sensed by the sensor, a movement converting unit for converting a rotating movement of the drive unit to an angular reciprocating movement, and a swing brush connected to the movement converting unit for performing the angular reciprocating movement. The swing brush is mounted in a suction nozzle of the cleaner body while being in contact with the floor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing (1), in which a dust compartment (5), which can be closed by a dust compartment cover and is designed to receive a dust interceptor (6), and a fan compartment (7) for receiving a motor-driven fan unit (8) are configured. The vacuum cleaner also comprises a receiving compartment (16) for attachments (17), which extends below the dust compartment (5) and/or the fan compartment (7) and can be accessed by means of an opening (18) in the housing (1). The aim of the invention is to permit users to remove attachments (17) easily from the receiving compartment (16) that is located below the dust compartment (5) and the fan compartment (7). To achieve this, the opening(s) (18) is/are provided in a lateral wall (19) of the housing (1). This permits attachments (17) to be removed, without bringing the vacuum cleaner out of its normal operating position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a housing having a dirt chamber closable by a cover, into which a suction socket extends and in which a filter bag is insertable, with a inlet opening of the filter bag being connectable to the suction socket. In order to design the vacuum cleaner so that it allows simple and hygienic handling when removing the filter bag from the dirt chamber it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the suction socket be held on the housing so as to be displaceable back and forth between a position in which it extends into the inlet opening of the filter bag and a position in which it releases the inlet opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, a hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a first end and a second end, a suction nozzle located at the first end of the housing, and a suction fan and motor assembly located in the housing. A brushroll may be disposed within the suction nozzle. The hand-held vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt cup including an inlet, an outlet, a cyclonic flow chamber, a filter assembly, and a dirt cup door. The dirt cup is rotatably detachable from the housing. At least one nub cooperates with the at least one slot in the dirt cup to rotatably secure the dirt cup to the second end of the housing. In addition, the filter assembly includes at twist on filter cartridge.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned, an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base, a vacuum source, and a dirt receptacle. A lower handle is pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle is pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an automatically-operated lower pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a manually-operated upper pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes a telescoping upper handle with electrical controls attached to the upper telescopic section of the upper handle. In still another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an exhaust vent located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base.

Abstract: An articulative extension pipe for a vacuum cleaner has a first extension pipe having a joint, a second extension pipe having a joint receiving part in which a joint of the first extension pipe is inserted, a sealing cover enclosing the first and the second extension pipes, and a locking button disposed between the sealing cover and the first extension pipe, and having at least one coupling protrusion on the outer circumference. One of the sealing cover, and the first and the second extension pipes has at least one coupling recess in which the coupling protrusion of the locking button is selectively inserted so that the first extension pipe can rotate with respect to the second extension pipe. The sealing cover further includes a wheel, which rolls in contact with the surface being cleaned, and a cotton flannel is disposed on the outer circumference of the wheel.

Abstract: A caster including a seat body and a wheel pivotally connected between two support arms of the seat body. An upper cover is disposed on the seat body. A support rod extends through the seat body and the upper cover to pivotally connect with a bearing. A first groove is formed on top face of the seat body and the upper cover is formed with a second groove corresponding to the first groove, whereby the first groove and the second groove together form an annular space. Multiple ball bodies are arranged in the annular space.

Abstract: A single axis hinge comprising a pair of leaves (10, 11), one for attachment to a door and the other to a door frame, the leaves having respective tubular knuckles (12, 13) which are axially aligned in the assembled hinge and which receive at least one hinge pin (16, 17) to form a pivotal journal between the respective knuckles. The knuckles and pins are assembled, with annular bushes (15), such that in use, an axial load applied to the hinge is supported in part by the or each hinge pin and in part by the face-to-face abutment of the leaf knuckles. The interengaging and relatively movable parts may be coated by a low friction high wear resistant solid lubricant carbon material.

Abstract: A snap hinge for supporting closure elements, comprising a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral, which share a first lever and a second lever and have, as their base element, respectively a plate for coupling to a component designed to be fixed and a plate for fixing to a closure element, at least first elastic elements which act on at least one of the articulated quadrilaterals, and a device for fixing the coupling plate to the component, and a complementary plate, which is adapted to be superimposed on the coupling plate, elements for anchoring the complementary plate to the component, elements for the rectilinear guiding of the coupling plate so that it slides alternately along a direction which is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the component, the elements being formed in the complementary plate, and elements for actuating the coupling plate so that it slides along the guiding elements.

Abstract: An auxiliary grip comprising an oversized member that fits over the shaft of or for an object to form a handle or grip for the object. The oversized member has an elliptical cross-sectional shape over its entire length.

Abstract: A composite knob including an injection molded translucent core having a side wall and a top wall with light pipe window or a light pipe opening formed in these walls. A trim ring is positioned on the core and has an opening therethrough to align with the light pipe window or opening. A cover is mounted on the trim ring and core and includes an opening aligned with the trim ring opening and the light pipe window or opening. A light pipe located in the light pipe window or light pipe opening is visible through the trim ring and cover openings. An opaque plastic light transmitting barrier is formed between the light pipe window or light pipe and the openings in the trim ring and cover. The light transmitting barrier is molded as a part of a gripping overlay applied to the outer surface of the skirt of the knob.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an all-steel card clothing for rollers and/or cylinders of carding machines. Carding machines comprise rollers which are configured to actively take over raw fiber materials from rollers arranged upstream in work direction. Therefore, such card clothings have a relatively large front angle. The problem is that the stability of the card clothings suffers. According to the invention, the teeth have a head angle of >85° in order to solve this problem. The length of the head surface extending at said angle from the tooth tip to the tooth back corresponds to at least ¼ of the length of the tooth pitch. This achieves a considerably more stable card clothing while maintaining the high carding quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.

Abstract: A button-type fastener for a garment has an easily changeable appearance. The fastener is a button head connected with a grommet post and base for securing through a grommet in an article of clothing. The button head and base are separable from each other for changing the button head to one with a different appearance. In an alternate embodiment, button head covers are provided for changing the appearance of the button head.

Abstract: A cord attachment device is provided for sewing into a garment, bag or other structure and includes a receiver for holding an end of a cord therein. A sew tab has ribs for strengthening and is stitched into the structure. The receiver has a limited opening through which a knot of a cord cannot be pulled and a plurality of cleats on an inner surface for holding the cord.

Abstract: The adjustable magnetic system pertains to a length of ½? by 8?-12? magnetic fiber stripping or strips sewn into a section of material on a given side of clothing or item. A series of small magnetic circles or squares are sewn into the opposite side, independently of each other at one to three inch intervals. This technique enables the consumer, or the wearer of the article, to quickly adjust the item to the exact size needed and to attach, remove or reattach with ease.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided to overcome the following problem: when plural capacitors are linked, a large coupling space is required because an anode and a cathode are brought out through the opposite ends, so that downsizing the capacitors is difficult. The capacitor also allows easy electrical and mechanical coupling, reducing the coupling space and unnecessary resistance. A structure of the capacitor is this: Capacitor element (2) is enclosed in mechanical housing (3) of which opening is sealed by terminal plate (4). Terminal slip (5), which includes rib (5b) to be coupled to a first electrode of capacitor element (2) and terminal (5a), is insert-molded into terminal plate (4). A second electrode is coupled to an inner bottom face of metal housing (3). One of the anode or the cathode is brought out through terminal (5a), and the remaining one is brought out through metal housing (3), thus a lower resistance is expected.

Abstract: A mandrel device includes a spindle for rotatably attaching to a machine tool, a rotating device for selectively rotating the spindle, and a driving device for selectively driving the spindle in different speed or different torque when the rotating device do not rotate the spindle. The rotating device includes a motor coupled to or engaged with the spindle for rotating the spindle. A housing may be attached to the machine tool for rotatably supporting the spindle, and the motor may be disposed in the housing and engaged with the spindle. The driving device includes a gear attached to the spindle, a worm movable toward or away from the gear, and a motor coupled to the worm for rotating the spindle with the gear and the worm.

Abstract: A support assembly useful in supporting a plumbing fixture in the course of effecting connections thereto includes a base provided with a vertical tube segment supporting a nut assembly threadably engaged to a rod partly received in the segment with the upper rod end supporting an adapter conformed to the supported fixture. An offset bar fixed to the rod exterior engages a lateral recess on the segment to fix the rod in rotation as the nut assembly is turned. The assembly may include rods of differing lengths and adapters of various forms.

Abstract: An arrow extractor particularly useful for removing a broadhead or field head arrow embedded in a tree stump, three-dimensional target or other solid object and further designed to pull directly on the arrow shaft whereby such pulling force can be applied evenly and linearly and in parallel with the shaft of the arrow such that the likelihood of damage to the arrow is diminished. The arrow extractor includes two opposed hollowed out arrow grippers attached to pivoted lever arms through which gripping force is applied to the arrow shaft. A further benefit of the invention is that harmful forces are minimized upon the wrists and arms of the person using the device.

Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing plastic holsters for handguns which utilize a standardized outer shell which is bonded with an inner shell. The interior surface of the inner shell is configured to correspond to the surface features of a handgun. The inner shell is bonded to the outer shell to form one unitary piece. A mold core may be used, with the core including ridges which form ribs in the inner surface of the holster or the inner shell of the holster, with the ridges being closely configured to match the surface features of the specific handgun for which it is adapted. By modifying the depth of the grooves between ridges on the core, interior surfaces for holsters for various models of handguns can be quickly and inexpensively designed.

Abstract: A method of making an ice dispense agitator of a type as may be used in ice and beverage dispensing machines is characterized by manufacturing the agitator as an integral unit by cutting the agitator from flat metal stock and then bending the agitator into a desired final shape.

Abstract: A explosive device is disclosed for collapsing an expansion-fit metal tube from within a hole of a metal plate of a boiler or the like. The device includes a connecting rod inserted into the tube and extending outwardly from top and bottom ends of the tube. The portion of the connecting rod extending out of the top end of the tube is encapsulated by a blast chamber containing an explosive charge. The portion of the connecting rod extending out of the bottom end of the tube is secured via a retaining plate held by a washer and nut threaded to the connecting rod.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride joined body comprising two pieces of aluminum nitride sintered body plates joined together without using adhesive, and a metal layer formed on a portion of the junction interface thereof, wherein, as viewed on a side section passing through the center of the joined body, a plurality of voids are existing in the directly joined region where the sintered body plates are directly facing each other on the junction interface, the voids having an average length L of 0.5 to 4 ?m along the junction interface, thereby forming non-joined portions due to the voids, and a non-joined ratio Q on the side section as calculated by the following formula (1), Non-joined ratio Q=(X/Y)×100??(1) where X is a length of the non-joined portion in the direction of junction interface expressed by the sum of lengths L of the voids existing in the directly joined region, and Y is a length of the directly joined region where the voids are existing, is in a range of from 0.1 to 0.5% on average.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to manufacture a wiper blade (10) as well as a device to perform the method and a wiper blade (10) that is manufactured accordingly, wherein the wiper blade (10) features at least a basic body (56) featuring a wiper strip (24) and a supporting element (12). According to the method, the basic body (56) is supposed to be positioned in a holding device (58) in such a way that a clearance (63) remains between the supporting element (12) and holding device (58) at least in areas. The wind deflector strip (44) is gripped, at least one claw (46, 48) formed on the wind deflector strip (44) is threaded on the supporting element (12) and the wind deflector strip (44) is placed over the supporting element (12).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a double walled pipeline comprises directly coupling an inner coupling tube and an outer coupling tube on a bulkhead section to an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member on a pipeline.

Abstract: A device and method of use for aligning elements is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to the device having particular features and the method for its use for axially aligning and welding elements together, especially pipe elements. Disclosed is a device for aligning the pipe elements which includes a head for surrounding the elements, a plurality of alignment elements for axially aligning the pipe elements, and a pressure mechanism for applying a selectable pressure to the pipe elements. Also disclosed is a device for receiving pipe elements which includes a reversibly attachable alignment head for surrounding the pipe elements, a plurality of multi-axis alignment elements, and a pressure mechanism for applying a selectable pressure to the pipe elements.

Abstract: A method of forming a press connection between at least two adjacent cables (6, 7, 10), by pressing a sleeve (5) enclosing at least two cables (6, 7) by compression forces (K), acting approximately radially inwards on two opposing circumferential sections across more than 90 degrees of the circumference in each case, until a flowing of the sleeve material takes place.

Abstract: A single technician large windshield installation tool includes a door glass anchor and a windshield glass anchor. The door glass anchor includes a door glass clamp and a pivot structure. One end of the pivot structure extends from the door glass clamp and a pivot rod extends from the other end thereof. The windshield glass anchor includes a windshield glass clamp and a pivot extension that extends from the windshield glass clamp. The inner slide tube is slidably retained in the pivot extension. The pivoting end is formed on one end of the inner slide tube to receive the pivot rod. A second embodiment of the installation tool includes a door glass anchor having one end of a swinging pivot structure pivotally engaged with the other end of the pivot structure. The pivot rod extends from the other end of the swinging pivot structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a maneuverable topiary frame for instant application to topiary related shrubs, trees, plants, and foliage. The embodiment allows for instant use to already existing plants thereby significantly reducing the time required for filling out the topiary frame as required of conventional topiary frames used for plants in their early stages of growth. The frame of the embodiment of the present invention is maneuverable, having extremities or extensions hinged about the frame to allow for opening and closing; and is thereby adapted to meet the needs of manipulating grown branches of mature plants or growing plants very easily within the frame to fill in extremities or extensions of the frame designs.

Abstract: A process generally includes contacting a surface of at least one workpiece with a reconfigurable pad of a fixture device, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to conform to the surface of the at least one workpiece, and fixturing the contacted workpiece.

Abstract: A pair of disk-shaped guide members abut on opposite end surfaces in the axial direction of a conductor wire wound round into a coil shape by using a separable jig. The guide members are biased toward each other by engaging a part of the conductor wire with engaging portions formed at circumferences of the pair of guide members. Then, the jig is separated from the center of the conductor wire, thereby maintaining the coiled shape of the conductor wire to create a bobbinless coil having an exposed inner peripheral surface. In addition, the pair of disk-shaped guide members are biased toward each other by utilizing a part of the conductor wire, and therefore a special biasing member is not needed.

Abstract: A method for protecting a write head coil during write pole notching using ion mill resistant mask formed by reactive ion etching is disclosed. Ion mill shaping of the write pole is performed after depositing an ion mill-resistant material to protect the coil.

Abstract: A sealed electronics package comprising a tubular case wall including first and second conductive portions electrically separated by an insulative partition, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the first conductive portion, a hermetic seal between the insulative partition and the second conductive portion, end caps, and a hermetic seal between the end caps to the tubular case wall.

Abstract: A component placement device includes: (a) an elongated transport device by means of which substrates to be provided with components can be moved in a transport direction parallel to the transport device; (b) at least one component feeder that is located along a longitudinal side of the transport device; (c) at least one component pick-and-place unit by means of which in operation a component can be picked-up from the component feeder and placed on a substrate; and (d) a substrate support, which is located along a longitudinal side of the transport device opposite to the component feeder.

Abstract: A fixture can be placed onto a printed circuit board in an aligned position and a component can be guided into the fixture and onto the printed circuit board. The fixture coarsely aligns the component with the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A press-connecting head of a pair of press-connecting pliers for connecting a coaxial terminal, it is composed of an inserting/retracting member and two pressing dies respectively provided on two mutually opposite sides of the inserting/retracting member; wherein the inserting/retracting member is assembled with the press-connecting pliers by an inserting mode, hence by a simple action of inserting/retracting, different pressing dies of the same press-connecting head can be mutually changed to be exactly aligned with a fixed block, or the press-connecting head can be changed for another one with pressing dies of other specifications. And then the press-connecting pliers using the press-connecting head structure can allow execution of press-connecting operation of the coaxial terminals of different specifications with a coaxial signal line; thus the range of application of the press-connecting pliers can be enlarged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating rigid flexible PCBs. In the method, a self-detachable adhesive tape is used to separate a wafer and a substrate from each other in the course of conventionally fabricating a semiconductor wafer, is employed to avoid inherent problems occurring in the conventional method of fabricating rigid flexible PCBs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for reinforcing the connection between a wire formed on a substrate and a flat cable member with a reinforcing material. The method includes the step of supplying fluid and the step of hardening the fluid to form the reinforcing material. The step of supplying the fluid includes the step of bringing the substrate connecting to the flat cable member close to a jig and then supplying the fluid to a region in which the reinforcing material is to be formed while preventing the outflow of the fluid with the jig.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for removing material from a turbine wheel dovetail slot. A tool is applied to a turbine wheel cooling slot. Material is removed from a selected portion of the cooling slot with the tool. And, stress concentrations are reduced within the slot through the removal of material.

Abstract: Processing method of a semi-processed product for obtaining a rotor equipped with a series of blades integral therewith by means of a rotating tool such as a cutter, integral or with inserts, said processing method comprises phase a) forming a series of cavities on said semi-processed product by means of said rotating tool to create said series of blades, characterized in that said phase a) comprises phase b) forming a hole in said semi-processed product and phase c) removing material from said semi-processed product by advancing said rotating tool along its rotation axis, and in that said rotation axis of said rotating tool is misaligned with respect to the axis of said hole.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a nozzle plate formed with nozzles which eject liquid droplets, the method comprises the steps of: forming and patterning an opaque metal film onto a transparent substrate; forming photosensitive resin over the opaque metal film and the transparent substrate; exposing the photosensitive resin to light from a side adjacent to the transparent substrate; developing the photosensitive resin which has been exposed to the light; forming a metal layer on the opaque metal film after the developing step; and separating at least the transparent substrate from the metal layer, wherein the nozzle plate comprises at least the metal layer, and a liquid droplet ejection surface of the nozzle plate is on a side where the transparent substrate has been separated in the separating step.

Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. The vehicle body front end preassembly includes a frame to which an integrated front end module formed by an injection molding process is secured. The integrated front end module extends transversely across the vehicle and is provided with a plurality of fastener receptacles that are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. A plurality of reinforcement ribs are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. Unpainted body panels are secured to some of the fastener receptacles. The frame, injection molded integrated front end module, and body panels are then hot dipped in an electro-coating bath. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle and integrally molded reinforcement ribs that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer.