Abstract: A new distinct pear variety is described. This interspecific variety results from crossing between ‘Nijisseiki’ (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) (not patented) and ‘Max Red Barlett’ (Pyrus communis) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 741). The new variety has been named ‘Prem2P’ and was selected because of its crisp texture and ‘Bartlett’ type flavor. The fruit of this new variety is characterized by its pyriform shape, smooth yellow skin, crisp texture and ‘Bartlett’ type flavor when fully ripe.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Fragaria×ananassa is disclosed. ‘Yuval’ grows from September and produces fruit starting in November and lasting until the following summer. The production of the fruit beginning in November (Northern Hemisphere, latitude 30-33 degrees) is two months earlier than short day varieties of Fragaria species. The fruit of ‘Yuval’ is characterized by a unique, uniform color, as well as a very desirable taste, texture, shape and size.

Abstract: ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ is a new variety of Regal Geranium having compact growth and variegated lavender colored flowers with a distinctive eye.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Bbvolbro’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; freely flowering habit; double flowers with light yellow and red bi-colored tepals; and excellent flower longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of climbing rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a nearly continuous basis attractive single blossoms that are salmon-pink with a yellow eye. The vegetation is vigorous and the growth habit is upright and climbing. Attractive ornamental satiny green foliage is formed. Excellent disease resistance to blackspot is displayed. The hardiness of the new variety is excellent for a climber. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lychnis plant named ‘Rolly's Favorite’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely basal clumping growth habit; dense and bushy plants; freely flowering habit; and bright red purple-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Penny Lane’, characterized by its upright, broadly spreading and compact plant habit; numerous purple-colored flowers with dark purple venation; and long flowering period.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Memories’, characterized by its upright, broadly spreading and compact plant habit; numerous red purple-colored flowers with dark purple venation; and long flowering period.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Regal Geranium plant named ‘Regvel’, characterized by its upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; and large red purple-colored flowers.

Abstract: A device for transmitting motion between the rotor of a synchronous permanent-magnet motor and the working part, having an increased free rotation angle, which comprises at least two motion transmission couplings which mutually cooperate in a kinematic series. Each coupling is constituted by at least one driving element which is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to a first component of the motion transmission system and by at least one driven element, which is also eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to the component arranged kinematically after the preceding one. The angle covered by the elements of each coupling is, as a whole, less than a round angle. The intermediate components of the kinematic transmission have both a driven element and a driving element for receiving the motion from the preceding one and transmitting it to a subsequent one.

Abstract: A method of using a face protector includes providing a face protector including a lens and a face plate configured to protect the forehead, eyes, cheeks, jaw, chin, mouth, ears, and nose of a user without protecting substantially the remainder of the user's head; applying the face protector to the user's head; wearing the face protector during an activity; and removing the face protector after the activity.

Abstract: A bikini assembly includes a bikini top having a first panel and a second panel. A first strap and a second strap are each elongated and each has a first end and a second end. The first strap extends through the first panel. The second strap extends through the second panel. The first and second straps are looped together such that the first panel is attached to the second panel. The first and second straps form arm openings. A bikini bottom includes a third panel having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A third strap is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The third strap extends into the front and back edges so that leg openings are formed between the third strap and each of the first and second side edges.

Abstract: For a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, a protective garment has an outer shell, an inner liner providing thermal insulation, and a moisture barrier between the outer shell and the inner liner. The outer shell has a surface of high visibility and a surface of low visibility and is reversible. The outer shell has reflective trim on the surface of high visibility but not on the surface of low visibility. The inner liner and the moisture barrier are attachable detachably to the outer shell so as to be wearable within whichever surface becomes an inner surface of the outer shell. The protective garment with the surface of high visibility facing outwardly and with the inner liner and the moisture barrier worn within the outer shell conforms to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971 standard for “Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a garment comprising a first and second sleeves, a flap, and a pocket. The arms of a wearer are fitted through the first and second sleeves. The first and second sleeves have first and second openings, respectively. The flap is provided along the first sleeve and is adapted to be positioned between open and closed positions. The closed position constricts the first opening of the first sleeve. The pocket is disposed between the flap and the first sleeve.

Abstract: A basket web comprising a front web in which a plurality of slits are laterally formed in a substantially central part excluding a peripheral part thereof and stripes are formed between these slits; a back web in which a plurality of slits are formed from an upper side to a lower part in a substantially central part thereof and stripes are formed between these slits, and by passing these stripes through the slits of the front web to be woven, the back web is superposed on the front back and both are fixed; and a reinforcing member in which a plurality of slits are formed and by passing the stripes of the front web through these slits, the reinforcing member is superposed on the front web and the back web to be woven.

Abstract: A headwear piece has a crown defining a receptacle for the head of a wearer and a rim projecting angularly away from the crown. The rim has a core layer that is made from at least one of an animal hide and a synthetic animal hide, and a second layer. The core layer has an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface and at least part of one of the upwardly facing surfaces and downwardly facing surfaces is covered by the second layer.

Abstract: Security underwear is a protective cover for female genital and anal opening against illicit sex and risk of contracting venereal diseases. It is made up of a unit for the genital which has an opening for urine passage and another unit for anal opening which allows free passage of stool. The cover for the genital is further composed of urine receiving channel and flaps to cover the said opening. The cover for anal opening has a lid which is hinged to a frame around anal opening which is in turn fastened to the back side portion of the belt. The two units are connected at the crotch. The channel, the flap and the lid, each opens and closes on its own by spring action. This enables the wearer to urinate and pass stool without taking off the protective covers. The unit for the genital can be worn either in combination with the anal cover or without it. In deployment the unit for genital cover is fastened by a strap to the front portion of the belt.

Abstract: Closed air space devices and methods of use for full body bio hazard type suits that eliminates condensation and fogging from forming on the face masks and the window visors of the suit. The devices and methods have a sealed closed air space that can be formed from flexible see-through plastic in a cone shape that can be sealed between the mask and the visor. The closed air space can be pre-sealed to the visor/outer wall of the suit and have a second end fitted with an elastic type band that allows the wearer to attach and detach the closed space by wrapping the band about their face mask. Other embodiments use flat see-through plastic sheets, and sheets that attach about the neck of the user to form the closed air spaces between the face mask and the window visor of the suit.

Abstract: A height adjustable protective garment including an outer shell shaped to fit about the chest, torso and legs of a wearer and having a waist portion shaped to be located at or adjacent to a waist of a wearer. The garment further includes an adjusting strip having an attachment portion directly or indirectly coupled to the outer shell and a free end which is generally spaced apart from the attachment portion. The free end is releasably attachable to the outer shell or to the strip of material to adjust the height of the protective garment, and the adjusting strip is located at or adjacent to the waist portion.

Abstract: Breathable, lightweight football shoulder pads include left and right torso pads which present a foam body. The foam body includes a hard inner layer, and first and second layers of breathable, lightweight foam secured to opposing surfaces of the hard, inner layer. The layers present a sandwich configuration. A breathable, lightweight fabric layer, such as mesh, extends around the periphery of the foam body. The hard inner layer includes spaced apart openings which allow air or moisture to flow through the foam body. The football shoulder pads can include adjustable and selectively removable cap pads attachable to the shoulder portion of the football pads. The cap pads include a member for securing the cap pad to the wearer's arm. The football shoulder pads can further include adjustable and selectively removable deltoid pads and attachments for securing football pad accessories, such as a neck roll or rib protector, to the shoulder pads.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a convertible multi-use writing instrument includes a quick-use arrangement including a quick-use writing instrument and a quick-use cap for encapsulating the quick-use writing instrument. The quick-use arrangement is convertible to a full-size arrangement. The convertible multi-use writing instrument also includes the full-size arrangement. The full-size arrangement includes a full-size writing instrument that is convertible to the quick-use arrangement.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifter means is described, using a minimally simple lever and cam means with a counterweight balanced action arm. The device is adaptable to all standard toilets available today, an improved version of these inventor's prior invention. The new lifter offers a minimum number of moving parts and no springs or pulleys, is easier to manufacture and assemble, and possesses improvements to support the needs of disabled individuals.

Abstract: A spa apparatus and method for cleaning the same are disclosed. The spa apparatus includes a basin for retaining fluid, a removable foot rest plate positioned within the basin, an impeller coupled to the basin, and a motor drivably coupled to the impeller.

Abstract: A shower system includes a shower area defined by a shower stall or primary wall having at least one misting nozzle coupled thereto. The primary wall is enclosed by a shower stall housing or a secondary wall, whereby an air channel is defined between the shower stall and the shower stall housing. A controller directs misted air through the misting nozzle and further activates an air flow system such that misted air within the shower area flows through and is dried in the air channel.

Abstract: A self-priming siphon tube for maintaining a trickle flow of fluid through a toilet tank reservoir and a toilet bowl. A water supply line is in fluid communication with the tank by virtue of a ball cock valve, the tank reservoir fluidly interconnects with the bowl by an overflow tube. The siphon tube includes an elongated and interiorly hollowed body having first, second and third fluidly interconnecting and parallel extending lengths. An interconnecting end associated with the second and third extending lengths is inserted into the overflow tube and an end of the water supply line connected to an end of the third conduit, causing a trickle flow of fluid to be drawn from the tank reservoir, by vacuum pressure, into the first length, and out into the bowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid from the supply line into the tank reservoir.

Abstract: This invention describes a transfer stretcher, harness and method designed to lift, transfer or support a person, more specifically a heavy weight, large size (oversize) person. Stretchers are generally used by hospitals or by rescue/emergency units to lift or carry a person from one location to another. The transfer stretcher covered by the present invention is made of a supporting canvas equipped with lifting straps and rings, a removable washable comfort cloth, and maybe used with a removable safety harness that can be used with a stretcher basket and a sling frame. The transfer stretcher can be used to move a body manually with the help of several persons, or in combination with various lifting equipment.

Abstract: A combination jackknife bed and couch for a mobile vehicle. The jackknife bed and couch allows drivers to wake up and fold their sheets and pillow away from a seamless sleeping surface without the need to remove the sheets, blankets, pillows or other bedding materials. The sheets stay made within the folded up bed now turned into the couch. The couch may be unfolded with the sheets fully made so the driver may catch some well deserved post socializing rest without having to re-install the sheets. These features are made possible by folding the bed in and half and keeping it in the backrest of the couch. The sheets are held in place by stretchable retaining surface that may be extended over the bedding materials. When returned to the bed mode, the stretchable retaining surface must be released and potential energy in the winder may be used to retract the retaining surface.

Abstract: A versatile dust ruffle includes means for vertically adjusting the position of the dust ruffle on any box spring and bed frame combination. Further, the dust ruffle includes means for adjusting the dust ruffle to fit the perimeter of any size mattress. One or more resilient strips affixed to the dust ruffle and one or more adjustable straps joining ends of the dust ruffle facilitate the unique attributes of the dust ruffle. Importantly, the placement of the dust ruffle is accomplished without having to move or adjust a subject mattress. The one-size-fits-all dust ruffle disclosed herein eliminates the necessity of time-consuming dust ruffle placement which often requires two people. In the past, one person lifts the mattress while the second person positions the dust ruffle. Moreover, the one-size-fits-all also eliminates the necessity of multiple different dust ruffles to accommodate different mattress sizes. In this manner, dust ruffles can be switched from bed to bed without regard of the mattress size.

Abstract: An arm positioning device for scanning devices and the like is described. The device has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first leg and a second leg. Each of the legs has a first end and a second end. The first end of each leg has a height less than the height of the second end of each leg. The second ends of the legs are connected to a body portion. The body portion has a height greater than the first ends of the legs.

Abstract: An inflatable lifting cushion for an articulated chair including a five-sided polygon capable that is longitudinally aligned on the seat and back of the chair. The cushion includes triangular side walls and at least one interior plenum having an air inlet port enabling air to enter and exit the plenum. A system for transferring a patient is provided including an articulated chair having a back and seat that are arranged to cooperate with one another for movement between an upright position and a reclining position. An inflatable lifting cushion is longitudinally positioned upon the back and the seat of the articulated chair. The inflatable lifting cushion comprises a five-sided polygon including triangular side walls and at least one interior plenum having an air inlet port enabling air to enter and exit the plenum.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supporting a patient during a medical procedure includes a bead bag (18) that is filled with compressible beads (20) and that forms a lower layer of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) also includes a layer of foam material (30) that is located above the bead bag and an air cell grid (36) that has a plurality of inflatable air cells (38). The air cell grid (36) forms an upper layer of the apparatus (10) and provides a soft surface upon which the patient lies. The bead bag (18), when subjected to a vacuum, becomes rigid for supporting the air cell grid (36) against the patient for helping to maximize a surface area of contact between the patient and the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A spring assembly including a helical coil formed from a multi-strand cord.

Abstract: Object of the present invention lies on improving a system stability by reducing an allowable eccentricity of laundry below a preset value when a spinning speed reaches to a maximum even if a voltage higher than a rated voltage is applied, by varying a maximum limit of a lead angle with a voltage applied to a drum type washing machine. For achieving the object of the present invention, in a method for controlling a spinning speed of the present invention, a maximum value of a lead angle is set to vary with an applied voltage after detection of the applied voltage.

Abstract: An improved aircraft passenger boarding bridge is constructed wherein the bridge cabin has at least one side wall in which is installed a baggage chute assembly pivotally attached at its lower end to the bridge cabin wall to permit the assembly to be pivoted outward from the bridge cabin and toward the ground.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaning robot is disclosed, comprising a body, a suction head, an unstable valve, a suction pipe having an upper end, a recuperating filter connected to the upper end, and a venturi injector, wherein the unstable valve is activated to activate the robot. The robot combines the advantages of vacuum-fed robots and pressure-fed robots.

Abstract: An electric folding toothbrush in accordance with the present invention includes a handle and a power supply contained within the handle, an arm movably joined to the handle and having bristles disposed at one end thereof, a motor mechanism contained within the arm and operable to move the bristles when activated, and includes the ability to supply power to the motor mechanism when the toothbrush is in an outstretched position. The ability to supply power to the motor mechanism is accomplished with a first electrical contact in communication with the power supply and positioned in the handle, and a second electrical contact in communication with the motor mechanism and positioned in the arm such that when the arm and the handle are in the outstretched position the first and second electrical contacts make an electrical connection such that power from the power supply operates the motor mechanism.

Abstract: A germicidal toothbrush that includes a head with perpendicularly aligned bristles made of an optical fiber capable of transmitting germicidal ultraviolet light. The toothbrush includes a main optical fiber that extends longitudinally inside the handle and terminates inside a brush head cavity. Perpendicularly aligned and attached to the brush head is a plurality of bristles. The distal end of the main optical fiber includes a sloped surface so that coherent ultraviolet light may be emitted at a critical angle so that it enters the ends of the bristles and then travels longitudinally therein to the surrounding teeth and gum surfaces. The ends of the bristles are coupled to a metal bar that connects to a connecting rod. The connecting rod is coupled to an internal electric motor that that causes the bristles to reciprocate back and forth on the head.

Abstract: A flexible coupling device for connecting a motor to a shaft having a rotary brush mounted thereon in a vehicle washing apparatus includes a rubber sleeve, a metal cable embedded in the sleeve and a coil spring mounted around an outside of the sleeve. Connecting means are mounted at each end of the sleeve for connecting the flexible coupling to the motor and the shaft on which the brush is mounted. A retainer ring is mounted adjacent each end of the sleeve for retaining the metal coil spring in place. Safety clips are attached to the retainer rings to hold the ends of the metal coil spring.

Abstract: An improved grill brush for cleaning grill grates and a cleaning system including a grill grate specifically adapted for use with the disclosed grill brush includes a head portion and a handle portion. A plurality of metallic bristles is mounted to and extends from at least one surface of the head. Some of the bristles are made of a first metal and others of the bristles are made of a second metal. In one embodiment, one metal is stiffer than the other metal, the stiffer bristles are shorter than the more flexible bristles, and the bristles are arranged so as to form rows of short, stiff bristles parallel to rows of long, flexible bristles. In this embodiment, the length and configuration of the bristles is generally specified for the grill grate with which the brush is intended to be used to facilitate cleaning the top and side portions of the grill grate. In another embodiment, the bristles are fabricated of at least two different materials and are of the same length.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a handle, wherein the head has a plurality of dense packs of bristles surrounded by a plurality of tufts. The tufts can be inclined, extended farther from the head than the cleaning members to retain dentifrice, and at either end or along the sides of the head.

Abstract: A central vacuum assembly including a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a ventilation apparatus, a heat exchanger for transferring heat energy between air in the vacuum cleaning apparatus and air in the ventilation apparatus. Optionally, a fan for circulating air within the vacuum cleaning apparatus and/or the ventilation apparatus operates in a low speed mode for ventilation and a high speed mode for vacuuming.

Abstract: Handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a handle portion having a tubular hand-gripping portion, a tubular wand-engaging portion and a metal tube extending from the wand-engaging portion. The handle portion defines a cavity at a rear for receiving an adapter terminating a hose and a slot leading to the cavity. An interconnection housing is attached to the handle portion to cover the slot and includes a pair of contacts extending through the slot into the cavity such that when an adapter with contact rings is positioned in the cavity, the contacts engage with the contact rings. A handle for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose to a wand assembly includes the handle assembly and an adapter arranged in the cavity in the handle portion and a hose having a pair of wires which is terminated by the adapter.

Abstract: A wand for a domestic appliance (e.g., a vacuum cleaner) includes a plurality of tubes which are dimensioned to telescope inside one another. Each tube is associated with a securing mechanism for securing the tube in an extended position with respect to another of the tubes. Adjacent securing mechanisms are positioned on their respective tubes such that, when the tubes are retracted, one securing mechanism presses against another to release the other securing mechanism. Thus, a user does not need to separately operate each securing mechanism when extending the wand. Also, the tubes automatically secure themselves in an extended position with respect to one another. A hook on the widest tube cooperates with a collar on the narrowest tube to retain the tubes in a stored position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device used with a vacuum cleaner nozzle inlet to clean a selected surface profile, includes a housing with a surrounding sidewall defining a housing interior. A divider is disposed within the housing interior, to separate into a first and second housing interior. The surrounding sidewall terminates in a first opening communicating between the first housing interior and an exterior environment and a second opening communicating between the second housing interior and the exterior environment. The first and second openings are approximately matched in profile to respective selected surface profiles to clean. A divider aperture collar is adjacent to the divider forming a fluid communication between the first and second housing interiors. The divider aperture collar is removably engagable to the nozzle to create a substantially fluid tight communication selectively between either the first housing interior and the nozzle or the second housing interior and the nozzle.

Abstract: A bumper for absorbing impact when a glove box is opened/closed. The bumper is screwed on a crash pad so as to adjust a protruded degree, thereby being capable of easily regulating a T coordinate when a gap problem occurs.

Abstract: An improved curtain corner support, is disclosed, which is slidably attached to a standard enclosure curtain rod in order to support and extend a curtain inward around the side corner, where the curtain meets the wall, of a shower stall, a booth or a similar enclosure. This apparatus is used to seal the enclosure to provide privacy or to prevent water from escaping from a shower stall. This corner curtain support, suspended from an enclosure curtain rod near a side lateral wall of the enclosure, comprises a counterweighted, cantilevered, right triangular frame, with the hypotenuse edge formed into a concave arc directed into the enclosed region of the frame, from which can be suspended a curtain, forming an approximately right angle corner enclosure barrier about the open side edge of the enclosure, when the corner support, holding the curtain, is pushed against this side wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable handheld work apparatus including a chain saw, a vacuum/blower apparatus or the like. The work apparatus has a handle (2) for carrying and guiding the work apparatus (1). Thumb supports (4, 5) are provided on both sides with respect to the longitudinal axis (3) of the handle (2).

Abstract: A hinge (300) includes a cam (32), a cam follower (30), a torsional spring (31), and a can (33). The cam includes a round flange (321), with a notch (321b) defined therein. The cam follower connects with the cam, and includes an engaging ring (301) around an open end thereof and a projection (303) on an inner wall thereof. The projection is removably engaged in the notch of the cam. The spring is twisted and attached in the cam follower, with one end fixed on the cam follower and the other end fixed on the cam. The can defines a groove (334) rotatably receiving the engaging ring of the cam follower, and a guiding hole (335) movably receiving the cam. The hinge has a relatively simple and stable unified structure.

Abstract: An opening and closing device includes a fixed member, a movable member, a spring and a case. The fixed member is provided at a side with a fixed cam. The movable member is disposed so that it can rotate with respect to the fixed member, and provided at the side opposing to the fixed cam with a movable cam. The spring is for keeping the movable cam and the fixed cam in a state of elastic contact. The case has a substantially round cylindrical shape, and houses these items. There is a guiding mechanism formed between the case and the movable member for supporting the movable member so that it can move in the axis direction, which guiding mechanism is provided with a section of broader width at the end part facing to the fixed member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge mechanism of portable phone having an advanced configuration, which can perform the opening operation and the rotating operation of a phone cover. The hinge mechanism comprises a housing to connect a phone body and a phone cover, which has a rotary chamber and a hinge chamber, a hinge part to open and to close he phone cover, which is disposed in the hinge chamber, and a rotary part to rotate the phone cover, which is disposed in the rotary chamber. A user can play a game or watch a motion picture using the portable phone while looking at the liquid crystal display of the phone cover, because the phone cover can be rotated.