Abstract: The swimming pool floor or spa floor drain assembly of the present invention includes a drain body having a mouth positionable in proximity to the pool wall to serve as a fluid flow inlet, a spaced apart fluid flow outlet positionable below the mouth and a sidewall interconnecting the mouth with the outlet to define a fluid flow chamber. The cross sectional area of the fluid flow chamber decreases from the mouth to the base. A fluid deflecting plug includes a comparatively large area top and a comparatively small area base. A sidewall interconnects the top and base to form the plug with a cross sectional area decreasing from the top to the base.

Abstract: A spa comprised of a fluid enclosure having a floor and an upstanding sidewall includes a therapy station within the enclosure. The therapy station includes an upright seat to accommodate a single person and includes a plurality of fluid jets in the footwell and sidewall of the enclosure at various targeted hydrotherapy locations. Pressurized water is provided to the hydrotherapy locations by a pair of fluid pumps. Each jet at the hydrotherapy locations is provided with a variable flow controller adapted to control the water flow out of the jet. Each hydrotherapy location is also provided with a variable flow controller adapted to control the flow of air into the jet. Each hydrotherapy location is also provided with a directional flow controller. Each jet discharges water flow at one horsepower or more to provide intense hydrotherapy selectably directed to multiple portions of the body simultaneously or individually.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for a multiple bed unit having an elongate bed rail and a bed end including a pair of spaced, substantially vertical posts affixed to a side of the bed rail. Each of the posts includes a rail connector for receiving a rail of another bed. A multiple bed unit includes a first bed having a pair of bed ends, a side rail and a sub-assembly connected between and supported by the bed ends, and a second bed having a bed end and at least one side rail connected between the bed end of the second bed and the bed end of the sub-assembly of the first bed.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible hammock for outdoor use has a body support surface being suspended on a position above and not touching the ground. The hammock also has a support frame comprising a pair of inclined upright arms, between which there is at least one X-scissor linkage connecting the arms. There are two connecting means disposed over the upright arms providing connections to the scissor linkage and a pair of legs. One means is a slidable connector disposed over the upright arms and the other means is fixed at the bottom end of the inclined upright arms. There is a leg/upright arm interface provides a three direction hinged joint for the connectors.

Abstract: A bed skirt system includes a bed skirt that includes a cloth panel that has a perimeter edge, a top side and bottom side. The perimeter edge includes a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A cloth perimeter flap is attached to and extends downwardly from the first side edge, the second side edge and the front edge. A coupler is configured to removably attach the bottom side of the panel to an upper surface of the box spring. The bed skirt is positioned on the box spring and secured thereto with the coupler.

Abstract: An operating table including at least three elements which are moveable in relation to each other; at least two actuators, each controlling displacement of two elements in relation to the other; a controller which drives each actuator; a sensor to detect a risk of collision of one of the elements with an obstacle when executing a displacement request of a first actuator; a controller which determines a corrective command order of a second actuator different from the first actuator upon detecting a risk of collision, wherein execution of the corrective command order by the second actuator causes cessation of the detected risk of collision upon subsequent execution of the displacement request of the first actuator; and a display to view the corrective command order.

Abstract: A flexing head support suspension system for supporting the head, neck, and, face of a subject while the subject receives a treatment. The suspension system comprises a pressure sensitive apparatus for supporting the head, neck, and face. The apparatus includes a face plate and a suspension support unit. The suspension mechanism in the support unit maintains a neutral placement of the head in relation to the body while the subject is undergoing treatment. The apparatus alleviates discomfort and pain that often comes as a result of the pressure on the body during treatment of various somatic modalities. The apparatus may be a stand alone unit or attachable to both standard and non-standard massage tables.

Abstract: A pillow is described herein. The pillow including an upper section, a lower section, and an interconnecting section that interconnects the upper section to the lower section such that a user in a first position can interpose the upper section between his or her arms and can interpose the lower section between his or her legs while his or her legs are bent at the hip at substantially a right angle. Also, the upper section, the lower section and the interconnecting section are dimensioned such that the interconnecting section separates the lower section from the upper section a distance sufficient to space the lower section from the user's crotch when the user is in the first position.

Abstract: A pillow to provide predictable support for a reclining person during sleep or therapy. The preferred embodiment of the invention is formed by a continuous portion forming two openings, at which are joined side panels. The pillow is generally shaped as an adjustable wedge, which can be used by a person in the stomach lying, back lying, or side lying positions to provide proper support and comfort. The pillow is filled with a material that allows the user to shape the pillow to conform the pillow to the individual physical makeup and personal preferences of the user. In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of internal panels, each one adjacent one of the side panels, divides the pillow into compartments which can be individually filled. This embodiment of the invention constitutes a large triangular shaped wedge pillow with internal panels that mirror the side panel angle that creates a pair of secondary wedges upon which are formed the support areas of the person's cheekbone and forehead areas.

Abstract: A composite pillow which prevents difference in level and a depression from being formed at a contact surface between divided core material parts, thereby prevents discomfort to a user. The composite pillow has core parts of different material or different hardness located at proper positions. The composite pillow is divided into a central part and a holding part for holding the central part by face-to-face contact and the parts are arranged in parallel. The central part and the holding part differ in hardness or material; and right and left contact surfaces of the holding parts contacting the central part and corresponding contact surfaces of the central part are diagonally formed.

Abstract: A pillowcase alone and in combination with a unique pillow design which provides an interior pocket open at an outer margin thereof for receiving and protectively storing small articles or objects such as a watch, jewelry, small personal mementos, notes and cards, photos, soft sculptures and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the pillowcase has a generally rectangular shape adapted to receive and cover two thin pillows together, or alternately, a conventional pillow. A pocket, smaller than the main portion of the pillowcase, formed continuously with, or as an extension of, each side panel of the pillowcase, is sewn together around exposed outer margins thereof. When folded inwardly, the pocket is positioned or tucked within the interior of the pillowcase against a conventional pillow, between or against two thin pillows, or within or against a pillow with a pocket-receiving cavity. The pocket is then open to receive the articles.

Abstract: An air mattress or bed is disclosed. The air mattress has a first panel, a spaced second panel, and at least one side panel extending between the first panel and the second panel, each panel being joined to the other along their common peripheral edges to define a single air chamber therebetween. At least one mattress coil is disposed within the air chamber and is affixed to and extends therein from the first panel to the second panel. The air mattress further comprises at least one side support beam extending in the lengthwise direction of the at least one side panel. The side support beam has a first edge affixed to the at least one side panel and a spaced second edge affixed to at least one of the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool includes a plurality of elongate handles and a plurality of jaw members pivotally connected to same. A plurality of locking mechanisms are disposed adjacent one opposed end portion of the plurality of handles respectively and preferably include a guide tube and a sliding member including an elongate lower portion selectively movable within the guide tube. A spring member is disposed about the elongate lower portion and limits the movement of the sliding member between relaxed and stretched positions so that plurality of auxiliary tools can be moved between corresponding locked and unlocked positions respectively. A punch tool is removably engageable with the plurality of jaw members and includes a chuck for cutting wires.

Abstract: A method for washing laundry and a wash path for laundry in bath change and/or counterflow operation, in which the laundry to be washed when passing through said wash path moves through different treatment zones with chambers 1 to 16, wherein the individual baths are composed of fresh water and waste water of other baths, wherein the waste water of at least one bath without intermediate storage and directly is at least partly supplied to another bath, and wherein no waste water is intermediately stored in the water circulation during washing.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wring mop with a lever handle. The handle adds leverage and torque to the wringing operation of the mop head. A more thorough wringing is achieved with more liquid removed from the mop.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an arrangement for cleaning ducts and chimneys, such as air conditioning ducts. The arrangement comprises a guide wire cable having a cleaning end and a feed end, a brush or some other tool being connected to the cleaning end of the guide wire cable, and a drive unit connected to the feed end of the guide wire cable, the arrangement further comprising transmission means for moving the brush by means of the drive unit. According to the invention the drive unit comprises a hydraulic pump, the transmission means are provided by hydraulic pipes arranged inside the guide wire cable, and the primary drive unit for the brush being a hydraulic motor connected to the cleaning end of the guide wire cable.

Abstract: A cleaner is provided for cleaning the end surface area of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector. The cleaner includes a housing having a mating portion for mating the cleaner with the connector. A cleaning head is movably mounted on the housing for movement across the end surface area. A motor is mounted on the housing and is coupled to the cleaning head for moving the cleaning head in response to operation of the motor. An air jet is mounted on the housing for directing a stream of a cleaning medium toward the cleaning head to remove residue from the end surface area. An exhaust is provided on the housing for removing and evacuating residue from the end surface area. A plurality of the cleaners are mounted on a dummy circuit board for cleaning the end surface areas of the ferrules of a plurality of fiber optic connectors mounted in a given pattern on a backplane of a chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft of a tool or the like with an adjustable length, the shaft comprising a first shaft section (2) and a second shaft section (10) which are attached to each other by adjusting means and move telescopically with respect to each other when the shaft length is adjusted. In that case, the adjusting means for adjusting the shaft length comprise a sleeve (4) provided in the second shaft section (10) and an at least partly toothed spindle (6) provided in the first shaft section (2), the first end of the spindle being taken through the sleeve (4). The sleeve (4) and the spindle (6) attach the first (2) and the second (10) shaft section adjustably to each other so that the sleeve (4) and the spindle (6) can be turned with respect to each other into a position preventing the adjustment of the shaft length and into a position allowing the adjustment of the shaft length where the spindle (6) can move in the sleeve (4) in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for a vehicle door in which a body-mounting plate has a spherical convex surface in moveable contact with a corresponding spherical concave surface at the base of a hinge plate permitting adjustments in the pivot axis of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic or virtual hinge defining a virtual hinge axis includes first and second plates of non-magnetic material, and first and second magnets disposed in the respective plates adjacent the hinge axis for movement therewith. The first and second members are movable about the hinge axis between closed and open orientations.

Abstract: A new hinge design is used to connect a base unit and its display panel of a notebook computer. The new hinge design consists of a hinge bracket and a hinge shaft. The hinge bracket consists of a horizontal band, a vertical band, a barrel part and a bent band. The horizontal band and the vertical band are both mounted inside the base unit via holes thereon. The bent band bends from the vertical to the desired direction so as to shift a position of the hinge shaft. Owing to the position shift of the hinge shaft, the center of gravity of a notebook computer will also shift. The hinge shaft includes an attachment plate for mounting on the display panel.

Abstract: A mounting structure of an inner handle for a vehicle having an inner handle serving as an emergency hammer to break or smash the windows of a vehicle in the event of the emergency. The mounting structure of the inner handle includes an inner handle having a grabbing part and connecting parts perpendicularly extending from both ends of the grabbing part. A hammer head made of a high-strength material, the hammer head installed to the end of the connecting part. A locking means rotatably mounted around the circumference of the hammer head and the connecting part and a stopping means preventing unintentional rotation of the locking means. The vehicle pillar trim being configured to receive the inner handle.

Abstract: A knob assembly for use with cooking utensils, which includes a hand graspable metallic knob, a metallic bezel for the knob, a first heat insulating separator between the knob and the bezel and a second heat separator between the bezel and the cooking utensil to which the knob assembly is to be attached. The double heat insulators prevent the conduction, as well as radiation of heat, from the hot surface of the cooking utensil to the bezel and from the bezel to the metallic knob. When the assembly is tightened together, only the metallic knob and the bezel are visible and accessible, allowing for easier cleaning of the knob and for maintaining improved hygienic conditions.

Abstract: A mounting hook for a wire array mountable on a seat frame has a first portion having a seating member running longitudinally along the first portion, a second portion having a channel running across the top of the hook and outboard of the hooking surface, and a hooking member running transversely to the channel and parallel to the seating member. The first, second and third portions define a hooking surface. A method of seat assembly consists of a wire array connecting to mounting hooks by running a mounting wire through the wire seating member of the mounting hook. Such wire is then bent to a transverse angle. After such wire is bent, the mounting hook is slid to the bent area. The bent area is then placed into the channel. The wire array is then ready for mounting on the seat frame through the use of the hooks.

Abstract: A slider for slide fastener in which locking portions formed on a front surface of a first post portion and a rear surface of a second post portion and engaging pieces formed on inner surfaces of front and rear end portions of a substantially lateral C-shaped pull holding body are elastically engaged and fixed with each other, and at the same time, the pull holding body is fitted and fixed between support walls raised at right and left end edges of the first and second post portions, so that a holding force for the pull holding body in a back and forth direction, a right and left direction, an oblique direction, and an up and down direction against a strong force by operation of a pull is increased, thereby making a structure of the slider simple and economical and achieving miniaturization of the slider.

Abstract: A side release buckle is disclosed to have a center lock formed of a hooked portion at the free end of the center bar of the male buckle member and a hook hole in the bottom wall of the female buckle member to reinforce the strength of the connection between the locking bars of the male buckle member and the respective side notches of the female buckle member. The locking bars each have a wedge block for lifting the free end of the center bar to unlock the center lock when the user squeezed the locking bars inwards to disengage the locking bars from the side notches of the female buckle member.

Abstract: A base disk has a top face with a coaxial coupling pin with a pointed tip, spacer portions and notches. A coupling housing has a lower surface with an aperture. The housing has a releasable coupling mechanism. Male and females ends of the coupling mechanism are situated opposite each other and around the aperture. The male and female ends have biasing means and each has a pair of inward flanges with apertures and an outward tab. A supplemental member couples to the upper surface of the coupling housing.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one piezoelectric element includes depositing a piezoelectric ceramic material onto a surface of a first substrate to form at least one piezoelectric element structure. Then an electrode is deposited on a surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. Next, the at least one piezoelectric element structure is bonded to a second substrate, the second substrate being conductive or having a conductive layer. The first substrate is then removed from the at least one piezoelectric element structure and a second side electrode is deposited on a second surface of the at least one piezoelectric element structure. A poling operation is performed to provide the at least one piezoelectric element structure with piezoelectric characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric thin film element with superior piezoelectric properties in which the condition of the crystal of the piezoelectric thin film is appropriately controlled, and a manufacturing method thereof, as well as a inkjet recording head, inkjet printer, or other liquid ejecting apparatus employing the same. The piezoelectric thin film element 40 comprises a top electrode 44, a bottom electrode 42, and a piezoelectric thin film 43 formed between the top electrode 44 and the bottom electrode 42, wherein the piezoelectric thin film 43 is structured so as to comprise a first layer 431 located nearest to the bottom electrode and second layers (433–436) that are located nearer to the top electrode than the first layer and that each have a thickness greater than that of the first layer 431.

Abstract: A method of producing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device having a base including a pair of movable parts opposing each other, a fixing part that connects the movable parts with each other at one end thereof, and mounting parts that extend for a predetermined length while holding slit-shaped gaps of a predetermined width along inside surfaces of said movable parts by being turned around at the other end of said movable parts, said piezoelectric/electrostrictive device having a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element disposed on at least one outside surface of said movable parts of said base, wherein a base block obtained by laminating and calcining a large number of ceramic green sheets is adopted as a material for forming said base, and the base including said movable parts, said fixing part, and said mounting parts is formed by cutting said base block at a predetermined site along a lamination direction of said ceramic green sheets.

Abstract: A micromachined piezoelectric microspeaker and its fabricating method are disclosed. The micromachined piezoelectric microspeaker comprises a diaphragm and a plurality of contact pads. The diaphragm comprises an active area which is flat, and a non-active area which is wrinkled and surrounds the active area. The plurality of contact pads for electrodes are located outside of the diaphragm and over a wafer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for making a pillow comprises cutting at least one piece of fabric to form a pair of skins that each comprise a midsection and two arm sections. The two skins are sewn together near their outer edges except for a portion of the mid section to form a shell defining and interior and having a middle region with an opening into the interior and two opposing arms extending from the middle region to form a well region. A fill material is blown into the interior of the shell until the pillow has a firmness defined by an IFD of at least about 20 Newtons with 25% deflection, and the opening in the middle region is closed.

Abstract: A problem where a tool is deformed when a retaining ring is fitted on a shaft is solved. Plate members (2, 2a) positioned at at least one side of a full back surface of a retaining ring (W) are arranged at a holder (1) provided at the head of a tool body. A contact portion (3), a portion opposite an opening portion (Y) in the outer periphery of the retaining ring (W), is provided more backward than the heads of the plate members (2, 2a). A fall-off prevention structure (4) from which the retaining ring (W) can be easily detached is provided at the holder (1). There are sheltering spaces (5, 5a) arranged outside both side portions of the retaining ring (W) in its installed state. When the retaining ring (W) is installed to the holder (1), the retaining ring (W) does not fall off because of the fall-off prevention structure (4).

Abstract: An adhesively mounted single-sided clamp-like device for producing a compressive force or tensile force includes a body, a plunger movably connected with the body, and a double-sided stretch releasing adhesive attached to at least one of the body and the plunger. The body and/or plunger can be firmly adhesively bonded to a surface or object and later cleanly removed from the surface or plunger without damaging the surface and without leaving adhesive residue by stretching the adhesive.

Abstract: The device used to protect/repair a debris chute is a sheet of material adapted to fit over and between the conical funnel sections of construction debris chute. Two chain segments are attached to the sheet to allow a user to connect the sheet to the two chute support chains, which support the conical funnel sections of a construction debris chute. Each of the chain segments are connected to a clevis, shackle, or bolt for connecting the chain segments to the support chains. The sheet of material is of a suitable material and of suitable size and thickness to properly withstand the impact of falling material that would typically be dropped down a construction debris chute.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming positioning grooves on torsion wrench, which is not only able to overcome the problem of high cost in milling grooves on torsion wrench, but also able to reduce material cost, the method including the steps as: First, Forming a base body of a torsion wrench; Second, Extrusion-forming positioning sleeve; Third, cutting the positioning sleeve; Fourth, assembling the positioning sleeve to the base body of the torsion wrench: Fifth, assembling adjustable ring and adjustable bushing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of left hand control hydrostatic transaxles and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluid quick connect includes steps forming a housing having a split end retainer slidably mounted in a recess in at least one end of the housing. A first angular recess is formed in the housing adjacent the first end. The first recess communicates with a bore extending from the first end of the housing. The retainer is captured in the recess by deforming an extension of the first end of the housing angularly inward. In one aspect, a conical surface is formed inward of the extension to form the recess in conjunction with the deformed extension. The retainer and recess may be used at one end of the housing for connection with one endform or at both ends of the housing to fluidically couple two endforms.

Abstract: Methods for the production of a board (11) with printed circuit (12) shielded against interfering radiation and having electronic components (14) comprise the steps of positioning of the electronic components (14) on contact points (15) designed for them, and the application of a shield (20), comprising a preformed metallized plastic film (30) over the top of the electronic components (14) and in electrical contact with the earth (13) on the board (11) with printed circuit (12), and also fixing the electronic components (14) on the board (11) with printed circuit (12) by means of an electrically conducting fixing agent (16); and fixing of the shield (20) on the board (11) with printed circuit (12).

Abstract: A method for increasing the copper to superconductor ratio of a superconductor core wire by forming a copper-based strip about the core wire which at least partially encloses the core wire in contact therewith by deforming the strip longitudinally into a U shape nested about the wire; and soldering the wire and strip in the assembly of step (a) to form a strong mechanical, electrical and thermal bond therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetoresistive head which can realize high sensitivity and low noise even when the reading track is being reduced. Longitudinal biasing is performed to a ferromagnetic free layer whose magnetization is rotated according to an external magnetic field by providing unidirectional magnetic anisotropy by exchange coupling to an antiferromagnetic layer. A hard magnetic film is arranged at the edge of a magnetoresistive film to reduce an effective reading track width.

Abstract: Thermal pole tip protrusion is caused by materials in and around head slider expanding during write operations till they protrude, leading to contact with the rotating disk surface, altering the flying height and often wearing down part of the disk surface. While well known that read-write heads expand during writing, the inventors who recognized this situation's significance, particularly as flying height decreases and data rates increase, both required for high areal density disk drives. The inventors realized that they could detect the problem at the spin stand level by testing head gimbal assemblies to reliably, and inexpensively, predict the tendency for thermal pole tip protrusion. This leads to selection of head gimbal assemblies, which do not have the thermal pole tip protrusion tendency. The selected head gimbal assemblies have better reliability, as do actuators and disk drives made with the selected head gimbal assemblies.

Abstract: Currently, the shield-to-shield separation of a spin valve head cannot be below about 800 ?, mainly due to sensor-to-lead shorting problems. This problem has now been overcome by a manufacturing method that includes inserting a high permeability, high resistivity, thin film shield on the top or bottom (or both) sides of the spin valve sensor. A permeability greater than about 500 is required together with a resistivity about 5 times greater than that of the free layer and an MrT value for the thin film shield that is 4 times greater than that of the free layer.

Abstract: A method for forming at least two layers of electrical coils and their supportive resistive layers for a magnetic write head having an ultra-short yoke so that the second and any additional coil layers are formed on flat resistive surfaces to eliminate problems associated with inter- and intra-layer shorting and with shorting between coil and yoke. The resistive layers are formed with flat surfaces and desired apex angles by using a novel two-step photoresist scheme in which a layer of photoresist is first photoexposed and developed, then photoexposed a second time to cure a surface region that will remain flat during a final low temperature curing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for manufacturing flip chip resistors by applying a first electrode layer to a substrate to create at least one pair of opposite electrodes, applying a resistance layer between each pair of opposite electrodes, applying a first protective layer at least partially overlaying the resistance layer, applying a second protective layer at least partially overlaying at least a portion of the resistance layer, and applying a second electrode layer overlaying the first electrode layer, a portion of the resistance layer, and at least a portion of the second protective layer. The present invention provides for higher reliability performance and enlarging the potential soldering area despite small chip size.

Abstract: A sunroof is automatically and precisely positioned to a mounting position by an apparatus including a floating plate movably mounted to a base member. A secondary lift structure is mounted to the floating plate and a centering cylinder unit is disposed between the secondary lift structure and the floating plate such that the centering cylinder unit aligns the floating plate to the sunroof mounting position on the vehicle body.

Abstract: There are provided with a ball given quantity supply apparatus for supplying a given quantity of balls to an apparatus using a given quantity of balls such as a bearing, a ball screw and a linear guide, and a method and apparatus for assembling a ball screw apparatus for use in a feed mechanism employed in various machines.

Abstract: A system for performing an operation to a printed wiring board (PWB) having an apparatus for automatically resetting a PWB supporting device including a supporting table, supporting members which are set on a surface of the supporting table to support the PWB, a supporting-member storing device for storing the supporting members, a holding head for holding each of the supporting members, a moving device which moves the holding head relative to each of the supporting table and the storing device, in a direction parallel to the supporting table surface, so that the holding head takes a prescribed one of the supporting members from the storing device and sets the supporting member at a prescribed setting position on the surface of the supporting table, and takes the supporting member from the setting position and stores the supporting member in the storing device, and a control device which controls the moving device.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting apparatus which holds an electronic part with a mounting head, photographs the electronic part by a line camera 11, processes an image of the electronic part photographed by the line camera to recognize a position of the electronic part by using a recognition unit 16, positions the electronic part to a substrate in accordance with the position recognition result, and mounts the electronic part on the substrate. Offset values which are pre-stored for each recognition system associated with its own light source, a light source for transmission illumination 15a or a light source for reflection illumination 15b, are used for offset values used when a position correction is made, at the time of positioning, based on the position recognition result.