Abstract: An improved method of holding a key (20) in a keyway (31) includes the steps of: forming an elongated keyway in the member, the member having at least one sharp corner (34) facing into the keyway adjacent either end thereof; forming a key (20) to fit in the keyway, the key being so dimensioned, proportioned and configured that the part of the key immediately adjacent each sharp corner will be recessed with respect to the surface of the member at the corner; placing the key in the keyway; and plastically deforming portions (40) of the member at the sharp corners into the keyway so as to permanently hold the key in the keyway.

Abstract: A automated sealing assembly for rotary machines including: a seal guide assembly, the seal guide assembly aligns and holds a caulk wire and a sealing strip in a rotor groove for peening; a peening tool, the peening tool peens said caulk wire to deform the caulk wire and secure the caulk wire and the sealing strip in the rotor groove; an actuator, the actuator controls a movement and preload force of the peening tool producing a rotor groove seal having a predictable pull out strength; and a base for securing the seal guide assembly, the peening tool, and the actuator.

Abstract: A method for using a clamp for detachable connection of a column tray to a support ring in a column including using a clamp which includes a bolt lower clamp part connected to the bolt. The lower clamp part has at least one orifice through which a liquid present in the column can flow away.

Abstract: A lift tool and method useful for installing a repaired clutch assembly or flywheel in a vehicle bell housing. The tool includes (a) a mounting bracket which can be secured to existing threaded openings in the bell housing, (b) an elongated lift arm pivotably attached to the mounting bracket, (c) a rail supported by the elongated arm, (d) a hook carried by the rail and being moveable along the rail, (e) a hanger bracket which is connected to the hook and which is able to support the clutch assembly or flywheel, and (f) power source for selectively raising or lowering the elongated arm. With proper safety precautions, the lift tool can also be used in the removal of a clutch assembly or flywheel from a bell housing.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensor house assembly which contains a reference cavity, in which a vacuum exists, and a getter capable of being thermally activated. The getter is activated by directly contacting the getter with an exterior heated body, conducting heat from the exterior heated body, maintaining the exterior heated body in direct contact with the getter for a predetermined period of time, and removing the exterior heated body.

Abstract: A stator is provided for an electrical device (e.g., a motor) comprised of one or more stator segments formed by the compaction of one or more powdered metallic materials. Each stator section has at least one tooth that forms a substantially toroidal path for magnetic flux entering and leaving the stator segment. Each stator segment also has a continuous insulated electrical winding that is associated with the stator segment such that a magnetic field is induced in the stator segment when a current is passed through the continuous insulated electrical winding. The current that is passed through the continuous insulated electrical winding of any one stator segment is not of the same electrical phase as the current that is passed through the winding of any adjacent stator segment.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine has a stator core and a winding. The winding has a plurality or sub-winding sets which are mounted on the stator in the order. Each of the sub-winding sets has a plurality of phase windings. Each of the phase windings is made of a continuous wire. The sub-winding sets are formed into a cylindrical shape having a plurality of straight portions and turn portions before the sub-winding sets are mounted on the stator core. The turn portions are regularly arranged to avoid collisions between the turn portions. It is possible to avoid collisions since the winding is mounted on.

Abstract: Method of producing superconducting cables by using cold plastic deformation operations only including the step of obtaining a bar-like semi-finished product of prefixed dimension through the steps of: forming round-section, mono- or multifilament, superconducting copper bars of relatively long length; assembling the bars about a cylindrical copper core of substantially the same length, using assembly templates, the templates having through holes arranged in a circle to support the bars, and a central through seat for supporting the core; tying the bars onto an outer lateral surface of the core; sliding onto one end of the bar/core assembly a number of metal supporting rings, while sliding the templates off the opposite end thereof; sliding a copper tube onto the bar/core assembly while cutting the ties in axial sequence and sliding off the supporting rings; and subjecting the assembly to a number of drawing operations.

Abstract: A method for centering and securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a chamfer and a countersink on the top of the spindle motor shaft center. During the hard disk drive assembly process, a disk centering tool engages and uses these features to locate and center the disks that are installed on the spindle motor. The features are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the media disks with respect to the hub and the spindle motor. The present design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly. As a result, the overall part cost is reduced and the manufacturing yield is improved.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises at least one of a magnetoresistive device and an electromagnetic transducer, and a heater adapted to generate heat upon energization. A method of making this thin-film magnetic head comprises a heater forming step of forming the heater, and an annealing step of annealing the heater formed by the heater forming step.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head comprises the steps of forming a first pole layer, forming a gap layer on a pole portion of the first pole layer, and forming a second pole layer on the gap layer. The second pole layer incorporates a first layer adjacent to the gap layer, and a second layer including a track width defining portion. The step of forming the second pole layer includes the steps of: forming a magnetic layer for forming the first layer on the gap layer; forming the second layer on the magnetic layer; and etching the magnetic layer to align with a width of the track width defining portion, so that the magnetic layer is formed into the first layer and the width of each of the first layer and the second layer taken in a medium facing surface is made equal to the track width.

Abstract: A GMR read head for a magnetic head, in which the hard bias layers are fabricated immediately next to the side edges of the free magnetic layer, and such that the midplane of the hard bias layer and the midplane of the free magnetic layer are approximately coplanar. The positioning of the hard bias layer is achieved by depositing a thick hard bias seed layer, followed by an ion milling step is to remove seed layer sidewall deposits. Thereafter, the hard bias layer is deposited on top of the thick seed layer. Alternatively, a first portion of the hard bias seed layer is deposited, followed by an ion milling step to remove sidewall deposits. A thin second portion of the seed layer is next deposited, and the hard bias layer is then deposited.

Abstract: An armature for a brush commutated electric motor having a distributed coil winding arrangement for reducing brush arcing and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The winding pattern involves segmenting each coil into first and second subcoil portions with differing pluralities of turns. Each subcoil portion is wound around separate pairs of spaced apart slots of a lamination stack. Adjacent coils are wound such that one subcoil portion of each is wound in a common slot to therefore form an overlapping arrangement of each pair of adjacently coils. The winding pattern serves to “shift” the resultant magnetic axes of each coil in such a manner so as to significantly reduce brush arcing and the EMI resulting therefrom. The reduction in EMI is sufficient to eliminate the need for EMI reducing components, such as chokes, which have typically been required to maintain EMI to acceptably low levels.

Abstract: A method is described for producing tubular substrates having parallel spaced concentric rings of electrical conductors that can be used as the drift tube of an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS). The invention comprises providing electrodes on the inside of a tube that are electrically connected to the outside of the tube through conductors that extend between adjacent plies of substrate that are combined to form the tube. Tubular substrates are formed from flexible polymeric printed wiring board materials, ceramic materials and material compositions of glass and ceramic, commonly known as Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC). The adjacent plies are sealed together around the electrode.

Abstract: A micro device using assembly system for feeding, programming, and placing micro devices on circuit boards includes a robotic handling system capable of picking up and placing the micro devices on the circuit boards on a conveyor system. A control system controls the conveyor system and the robotic handling system. An input feeder provides the micro devices and a programming system is capable of programming a plurality of micro devices in sockets which are in line parallel with the input feeder. The input feeder responds to communication with the control system to feed the unprogrammed micro devices while the programming system programs the micro devices and communicates to the control system. The robotic handling system responds to communication of the programming system with the control system to pickup and places the programmed micro devices on the circuit boards at high speed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a magnetic tape cartridge where an opening, through which a magnetic tape is drawn out, is provided in part of a sidewall of a cartridge case across a lower half and an upper half of the cartridge case. A slide door that opens and closes the opening is mounted between guide portions provided in the cartridge lower and upper halves, while stressing the slide door with a spring member toward a position in which the opening is closed. During mounting, the slide door is stressed with the spring member toward the position in which the opening is closed by fitting a lower edge of the slide door into the guide portion of the lower half A mounting position of the slide door is retained by holding an end of the slide door facing a direction in which the slide door moves to close the opening.

Abstract: A method for contacting printed conductors terminating at the edge of a circuit board with printed conductors of a MID component includes: on a panel which includes the circuit board, producing the printed conductors of the circuit board in a layout in which the printed conductors are extended past a partition line which defines the edge of the circuit board; providing the panel with through holes along the partition line in the region of the printed conductors; electroplating through the through holes; isolating the circuit board from the panel; and positioning the circuit board in relation to the MID component and soldering the printed conductors of the circuit board to the printed conductors of the MID component. Rear electrical contacting areas are provided on a back side of the panel near the partition line, and the printed conductors are connected to the rear electrical contacting areas via the through holes.

Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer ceramic substrate having a cavity formed therein includes punching a through opening corresponding to the cavity in green sheets constituting a laminate, and printing a conductor at a predetermined position of the green sheets, laminating the green sheets to constitute a green sheet laminate, and applying a pressure to the green sheet laminate by using a compression member having a projection at a position corresponding to the cavity to thereby compress the green sheet laminate. The projection has a height which is equal to the depth of the cavity multiplied by compression ratio of the green sheet laminate, and the green sheet laminate is compressed by applying the pressure such that compression ratio of the bottom of the cavity is identical with the compression ratio of other parts of the green sheet laminate.

Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.

Abstract: In an electrically shielded connector, conductive material covers an outer surface of said body and is spaced away from a conductive structure included in the connector to create electrical isolation therebetween. A channel in which the connector is situated is either plugged when conductive material is applied to the connector during manufacturing or is counter bored to create the electrical isolation.

Abstract: A method for forming a conductive circuit on a substantially non-conductive substrate includes indenting a major surface of a substrate with a plurality of features, plating the major surface and the indentations formed with a conductive layer, and removing a portion of the conductive layer leaving at least one of the plurality of the indentations filled with conductive material separated from at least one other of the plurality of the indentations filled with conductive material separated by non-conductive material. An electrical device formed includes a sheet of insulative material having grooves therein. The sheet of insulative material has a first planar surface, and a second planar surface. A conductive material is positioned within the grooves. The conductive material within the grooves forms electrical traces in the electrical device. The conductive material within the grooves fills the groove and includes a surface coplanar with at least one of the first planar surface or the second planar surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, which includes preparing a dielectric substrate, coating surfaces of the dielectric substrate, filling a via hole with a conductor, peeling mold-releasing films, compressing the dielectric substrate and forming metal foils. The dielectric substrate has patterned wiring layers on both surfaces, and the wiring layers are connected electrically with each other by the conductor. The dielectric substrate is made of a glass cloth or a glass nonwoven fabric impregnated with a thermosetting epoxy resin mixed with fine particles, and the conductive filler in the conductor has an average particle diameter larger than that of the fine particles. Accordingly, the printed circuit board has an improved moisture resistance as a whole and also excellent connection reliability and repair resistance. In addition, the dielectric substrate of the printed circuit board has an improved mechanical strength such as flexural rigidity.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a circuit board involves obtaining a plane-shaped structure having layers of circuit board material integrated together, and carving a hole within the plane-shaped structure (e.g., using a single countersinking drill bit). The carved hole includes an inner portion having a substantially uniform inner portion diameter and a connecting portion disposed between the inner portion and an outer surface of the plane-shaped structure. At least part of the connecting portion has a diameter which is larger than the substantially uniform inner portion diameter of the inner portion to improve access to the inner portion. The technique further involves performing a plating process on the plane-shaped structure to provide plating over the hole carved within the plane-shaped structure. The provided plating forms a countersunk via which provides an electrical pathway from the outer surface of the plane-shaped structure to an internal circuit board trace.

Abstract: A locking device for a connector that can be readily adapted to an existing electronics enclosure such as personal computer. Preferably the locking device has one or more sheathing members that form a hollow space for at least partially retaining a connector. The sheathing member has one or more openings connecting the hollow space inside the sheathing member with the space outside of the sheathing member. The openings are adapted to permit the connector to be connected to a mating connector and to provide for at least partial entry of a cable that is associated with the connector. Finally, the sheathing member has one or more projecting members for securing the connector locking device to the electronics enclosure.

Abstract: A method of construction of an inkjet printhead having a large array of inkjet nozzle arrangements by defining a single inkjet nozzle arrangement for the ejection of ink from a single nozzle and utilizing a series of translations and rotations of the single inkjet nozzle arrangement to define all the inkjet nozzles of the inkjet print head. The utilizing step can comprise: initially forming those nozzles in a pod; forming a group of pods corresponding to each color utilized in the print head; forming a firing group of pods; forming a segment of the printhead; forming each segment of the print head. The inkjet nozzle arrangements can include a series of layers deposited and etch utilizing a mask.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an input pinion for an automotive differential that includes: providing a shaft; forging a pinion with a plurality of teeth such that each tooth is formed to at least a near-net size, forming a hole in the pinion, pressing an end of the shaft into the hole in the pinion, and securing the shaft to the pinion.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing liquid from the liquid bearings of a spindle (1) carried in liquid bearings (3, 5) distinguished in that with the help of pressurized gas, the liquid, together with the gas, is forced to exit the spindle during the operation of the spindle via at least one first channel (12), and that when the spindle is shut down, is forced to exit via at least one second channel (13) with a smaller flow-through cross-section than the first channel.

Abstract: A motor spindle includes a spindle shaft for receiving a tool. The spindle shaft is accommodated in the housing of the motor spindle in a fixed bearing and a loose bearing. The received tool enters into contact with the machined workpiece in a tool interface when the spindle shaft is driven and the tool interface is displaced in an axial direction of the spindle shaft when a workpiece is machined. A displacement sensor is provided on the spindle bearing in order to determine the axial displacement of the tool interface. There is also a motor spindle including a spindle shaft for receiving a tool. The spindle shaft is accommodated in the housing of the motor spindle in a fixed bearing and in a loose bearing with an axially displaceable bearing bushing. The tool enters into contact with the machined workpiece at the tool interface when the spindle shaft is driven, and an adjusting element which is used to adjust the axial displacement of the bearing bushing of the motor spindle is also provided.

Abstract: A rigid drive axle assembly includes a support beam member having a substantially flat central plate section, a differential assembly module secured to the central plate section through at least two threaded studs extending from the central plate section. The differential assembly module includes a differential carrier frame member having two bearing hubs receiving differential bearings. A method for verifying a predetermined bearing preload of the differential assembly module comprises the steps of preloading the differential bearings to the predetermined bearing preload, inserting mounting bores in the bearing hubs of the frame member onto the mounting studs, and determining that the differential bearings are properly preloaded if the mounting studs are received in the mounting bores in the differential carrier frame member without substantial resistance, or determining that the differential bearings are not properly preloaded if the mounting studs may not be received in the mounting bores easily.

Abstract: A shaving aid delivery system for a shaving system includes a razor head having a resilient reservoir for holding a shaving aid and a piezoelectric ceramic disposed adjacent the resilient reservoir. The delivery system also includes a shaving strip disposed within the razor head, an actuator and an ejection port. The shaving strip is oriented to engage the skin of a user during a shaving stroke and the actuator electrically couples to the piezoelectric ceramic such that, upon activation, the actuator causes deformation of the piezoelectric ceramic which, in turn, deforms the resilient reservoir and forces the shaving aid from the reservoir through the ejection port. Alternatively, the actuator may include a shape memory alloy which, upon transformation between states, deforms the reservoir and forces the shaving aid from the reservoir through the ejection port.

Abstract: An art design knife structure that includes a case, the case including a left case half and a right case half that are assembled together, a blade frame capable of sliding back and forth disposed within the interior section of the case, and a push button sleeved onto the upper edge at the tail end of the blade frame. The push button projects through a slot hole in the case and, furthermore, the push button consists of two perpendicularly and individually disposed L-shaped push blocks, while the push button is capable of rotating 90 degrees. As such, when cutting objects from the left or the right, the angle and orientation is selectable by an optimal push button direction, the structure of present invention thereby increasing art design knife utility and, furthermore, enhancing their industrial practical value.

Abstract: A portable working machine has a motive power source for producing a rotational motion, a cutting blade mounted to undergo linear reciprocating motion, and a reduction mechanism for reducing a speed of the rotational motion produced by the motive power source. A motion conversion mechanism converts the rotational motion reduced in speed by the reduction mechanism into a linear reciprocating motion of the cutting blade. A case accommodates therein the reduction mechanism and the motion conversion mechanism and has a lower surface. A cover member covers the lower surface of the case. The cover member has a first part connected to the lower surface of the case and a second part contiguous to the first part and extending to underlie a part of the lower surface of the case located below the reduction mechanism with a space defined between the part of the lower surface of the case and the second part of the cover member.

Abstract: A ceramic cutting tool (100) is for high speed cutting of light, thin and soft materials. The ceramic cutting tool includes an upper blade (10) and a lower blade (20) both made of ceramic material. The upper and lower blades therefore possess extremely high hardness, and excellent wear resistance and heat resistance. This increases an operating lifetime of the ceramic cutting tool. Furthermore, the lower blade can alternatively be a lower blade assembly (30). The lower blade assembly includes a metal base (32), and a ceramic edge insert (31) detachably mounted in the metal base. If the ceramic edge insert becomes worn or is damaged, it can be easily replaced by a new ceramic edge insert. There is no need to replace the metal base.

Abstract: A chain saw includes an engine, a chassis, and a clutch cover. A guide bar is adjustable relative to the chassis and the clutch cover, but stationary while in a secured position. An adjustment arrangement moves the guide bar to tension a chain, and includes a member operatively connected to the bar, intermeshed drive components to move the bar, and a manually engaged member that is operated without use of any tool. A guide bar securing arrangement has a knob rotatable between a tightened and loosened positions. In the loosened position, the guide bar may be adjusted. A knob handle of the securing arrangement is pivotable between a stowed position and an operation position. A lock arrangement, associated with the knob and knob handle, includes portions that cooperate to prevent the knob from rotating when the knob handle is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Celestial object location devices with sensor arrays of having less that one sensor for each of three orthogonal components of gravity and magnetic field vectors. The accuracy of position sensing is enhanced by estimating “missing” sensor input based on input from two orthogonal sensors provided, or determined with limitations from the two gravitational sensors provided.

Abstract: Laser alignment methods and apparatus are disclosed whereby pipe and similar materials may be aligned. The methods and apparatus are adapted to be utilized on the end of pipe or other material and thereby using as a reference point that pipe or other material with the reference beam generated by the laser providing a center reference point from the pipe on which the laser is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the laser apparatus mounting is threaded so as to be used in mating relationship with the ends of complementarily threaded pipes. A preferred embodiment has a mounting adaptor for the laser that either has tapered steps or is shaped like a tapered cone so that a single adaptor can be friction fitted into pipes of different diameters.

Abstract: A self-leveling laser alignment tool and method thereof which provides a laser beam in a substantially truly level or plumb orientation are disclosed. Magnetic attraction is used to compensate for leveling errors of an approximately or partially leveled pendulum platform that is suspended from a flexible support member having a predetermined material stiffness. The material stiffness of the suspension member is compensated by using magnets which pulls the pendulum platform into an orientation that is substantially truly level and plumb.

Abstract: Provided a method and apparatus for using a magnetic field. The method includes: measuring and storing magnetic field data indicating magnitudes of a magnetic field in different directions at each time by rotating sensors over a space; and checking whether a disturbance of the magnetic field exists, using curve fitting parameters such as amplitude and offset of at least one of magnetic field trajectories formed by the stored magnetic field data.

Abstract: A geomagnetic sensor includes a geomagnetic detection module configured to output an electrical signal having a magnitude corresponding to a magnetic field; a memory configured to store an azimuth measured in a horizontal plane; an accelerometer module configured to measure a tilt at present, and to compute a tilt angle therefrom; and a controller configured to calculate a dip angle by using the electrical signal outputted from the geomagnetic detection module, the tilt angle, and the horizontal azimuth. A method for detecting a dip angle by a geomagnetic sensor includes outputting an electrical signal having a magnitude corresponding to an external geomagnetic field; detecting an azimuth in a horizontal plane and storing the detected azimuth; measuring a tilt at present and computing a tilt angle thereof; and calculating a dip angle by using the electrical signal, the tilt angle, and the azimuth measured in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for gauging the dimension of an object. The apparatus has a wall with a generally flat front surface, facing a first direction, and a peripheral edge. Space graduations are provided on the wall relative to which a dimension of an object placed in front of the wall can be gauged. The surface on the wall reflects an image of an object located in front of the wall. At least one of i) a depiction of at least one of a) an animate object; b) an inanimate object; and c) a scene; ii) at least one word; iii) a design; and iv) a logo is provided on the wall and is viewable from in front of the wall in conjunction with the spaced graduations and a reflected image from the surface on the wall.

Abstract: A probe head includes a housing and a probe element. The probe element has a longitudinal axis and stop faces and is able to shift from a rest position along the longitudinal axis into a stop position relative to the housing. The probe head further includes counter-support faces, which are arranged in a stationary manner relative to the housing. For limiting the path of the probe element, in a stop position, the stop faces of the probe element contact the counter-support faces at stop points. In the rest position, a geometric plane may be spanned orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the probe element. The stop points are arranged such that in the stop position, the longitudinal axis intersects the geometric plane at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A device for easy positioning, leveling, marking and hanging of all types of pictures, sconces, decorative shelves, mirrors, and other devices to be mounted on a support surface. It has elongated vertical and horizontal support members attached together, each preferably with resilient legs. The vertical support has a handle at one end, a surface rest at its other end, and a rotatable sliding level. Sliding hook clips are positioned along the horizontal support, each having a front hook for holding an item to be hung while positioning and marking with an opposed marking implement take place. One or more hook clips can be used simultaneously. Flexing or compression of legs, soft pads, vertical support member, and/or horizontal support member reduces the wall stand-off distance of the device and causes the aligned marking implements to contact and mark the wall exactly where the held item should be permanently mounted.

Abstract: An improved rotary shell or drum dryer (10) is provided having an elongated, horizontally disposed, axially rotatable shell (12) with product and air inlets (14, 18) and an outlet (16) at opposite ends of the shell. Internally, the dryer (10) includes axially spaced apart first and second drying sections (26, 28) each having a turbulator (30, 32) and a downstream serpentine flow section (34, 36). The turbulators (30, 32) are designed to divert portions of a product/airstream in different directions respectively to achieve the intense mixing similar to that obtained in an impingement dryer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave mixer/dryer/reactor for industrial use. The inventive machine has a three-fold purpose, namely to: a) mix solid products with solids, solids with liquids and solids with very viscous fluids; b) dry aforementioned products; and c) initiate reaction between said products by means of suitable microwave discharge from a generator which is specially connected to the shaft of the machine. Said machine can be used to perform one or two of said functions or all the functions together.

Abstract: An athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes an arch bridge that is visible from beneath the shoe.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing shoe structure having adjustable elasticity is disclosed. The shoe structure includes a buffering mechanism having a bottom holding plate, a buffering module, and a top holding plate. The buffering module includes a base seat, an elastic tube body, an end mount, a connection element, a pivotal seat, a rotating button, a securing screw rod, a top swinging arm, and a bottom-swinging arm. By rotating the rotating button, the elastic tube body is compressed and released via a connection element. Thus, the elasticity and the buffering effect of the shoe can be adjusted.

Abstract: Sole with stretchable structure, a footwear article provided with such a sole and its assembly method. The invention relates to a footwear sole where the forepart is associated with a stretchable material making it possible to fit differing foot widths easily; it also relates to the footwear equipped with such a sole and the method for mounting this footwear. It is constituted of a sole base (1) comprising openings (4) in which the lugs (3) of the stretchable part (2) are positioned in a sealed manner. The insole (5) comprises a deformable structure (6) in its forepart. When the wearer's foot is put into a footwear article provided with such a complex, it exerts pressure on the edges of the upper (10) thus causing deformation of the sole. This ability of deforming the sole avoids feelings of compression of the foot. The device according to the invention is intended in particular for the manufacture of footwear with the ability of adapting to differing foot anatomies.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly. A plurality of ribs is positioned on an exterior surface of at least one of the upper and the sole assembly, with each rib including a plurality of faces and each face having an image thereon.

Abstract: A snow removing machine including a control unit for controlling lifting and lowering of an auger housing by an electrohydraulic cylinder. The control unit has the functions of presetting per-unit-time lifting and lowering distances as constants; setting the lowest position as a lifting time measurement starting point upon lifting of the auger housing; setting the highest position as a lowering time measurement starting point upon lowering of the auger housing; measuring a time of movement from the measurement starting point depending on a lifting or lowering operation; and estimating the current vertical movement position by multiplying the lifting or lowering time with a corresponding one of the constants.

Abstract: A scrolling sign apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a web having a number of signs connected in a loop. The web includes a bead along each longitudinal edge thereof. The apparatus includes a housing which has a window for displaying the signs. The web is wound on a number of rollers located in the housing which advance the web through the window. Each roller has two circumferential grooves located near the ends of the roller. The grooves engage the beads along the edges of the web.