Abstract: A device, for maintaining body temperature with detection of heart rate and respiratory rate small animals, has a layered structure and includes a sheet-like pressure-sensitive sensor superimposed on a flat-plate heater and sandwiched between thin insulation sheets. A spacer formed of a metallic plate, having a hole into which the pressure-sensitive sensor is fitted, is also provided between the thin insulation sheets.

Abstract: A method of modifying the behavior of an animal including the steps of increasing a stimulation level of a stimulation device in stimulating contact with the animal, the stimulation level associated with one of a plurality of levels, the plurality of levels including a minimum level, applying a stimulation to the animal associated with the stimulation level, determining a compliant behavior of the animal and reducing the stimulation level to one of the plurality of levels between a current stimulation level and the minimum level dependent upon the determining step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying animal behavior when animal performs an undesirable behavior, wherein a user discharging an inert gas stream at an animal body from a distance via the use of inert gas spray canister whereby the animal behavior is modified.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling an animal are disclosed. An animal control device includes a retractable leash assembly for being mounted to a collar or other harness. The retractable leash assembly has a retractable leash that is extendable from and retractable back to the collar via the retractable leash assembly. The retractable leash assembly includes a spool in a housing. The retractable leash is adapted to be wound around the spool in a retracted mode, and extendable from the spool in an extended mode.

Abstract: A protective sleeve is provided for use with a low-profile boot to provide a resilient layer that prevents penetration of debris accumulated at the interface of the boot with the pastern of the horse, especially at the rear of the hoof. The form of the sleeve is tailored so that it conforms to the natural shape of a typical hoof and pastern without creases or other unnecessary accumulations of material that might provide discomfort to the horse. The lower portion of the sleeve is adapted to wrap around and cover the heel bulb, but not the rest of the hoof, in order to retain the ease with which the boot is put on the hoof of the horse. The lower portion of the sleeve is designed to wrap around the pastern and overlap for fastening with a loop-and-hook strap. Also, a retaining flap disposed upon the protective sleeve and located between the horse's hoof and the interior of its boot allows the sleeve to more securely stay in place around the animal's hoof and pastern during movement.

Abstract: An adjustable pet collar comprises a long chain and an adjuster. The adjuster is constructed by a upper cover and seat body, in which a slit is opened on the upper cover and a slanting channel is disposed on the seat body. The chain is placed in the channel, and a sliding groove in which one end thereof is closed perpendicular to the channel is disposed at one side of the channel, and a recess groove is disposed at another end thereof. An inserting pin seat is installed in the sliding groove, and an elastic element is installed between the inserting pin seat and the closed end of the sliding groove. Whereby, the size of the collar formed by the chain is adjusted by the inserting pin seat.

Abstract: An easy-to-manufacture, easy-to-use disposable pet diaper having a lightweight upper portion and an absorbent bottom portion, comprising elongated strips from the upper portion and corresponding slits in the lower portion whereby the diaper may be tied across the back of the pet when used. The diaper is of layered construction, having a superabsorbent portion. The layered construction allows the pet diaper to be constructed in one piece. The diaper also has intersecting slits for holding a pet's tail in place.

Abstract: A combined gasoline and hydrogen fueling system for a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, including, preferably, a rapid-start catalytic reformer for producing reformate gas containing hydrogen from gasoline. The reformate from the reformer is swept by air into the intake manifold of the cold engine where it is mixed with intake air and then drawn into the cylinders and ignited conventionally to start the engine. A computer-based reformer control system optimizes the amount of reformate formed and the resulting reformate/air mixture. The reformer control system interfaces or is integral with a computer-based gasoline and air supply system for the engine, the two systems cooperating to optimize a mixture of gasoline and reformate in the intake manifold at all times during warming of the engine and its exhaust catalyst to steady-state operating temperature. Preferably, flow of reformate is terminated thereafter.

Abstract: A combustion-engined setting tool (10) for driving in fastening elements such as bolts, nails, and the like in a constructional components includes an inlet/outlet valve arrangement (20) that connects the combustion chamber (13) of the setting tool (10), which is filled with an air-fuel mixture, with at least two tool openings (33, 34), has an inlet (21) connectable with a first tool opening (33) and an outlet (22) connectable with the second tool opening (34).

Abstract: A rocking mechanism through which linear reciprocating movement of a piston of an internal combustion engine can be transferred, from the remote end of a connecting rod on which the piston is mounted, to a crankshaft. The mechanism includes a rocking member; mountings by which the rocking member is mountable in relation to the crankcase for the engine, for reversible rocking movement on a first axis (X1); a link member pivotally connected at one end to the rocking member so as to be pivotable relative to the rocking member on a second axis (X2) between two extreme positions; and a holding device.

Abstract: A combustion engine comprising; a pair of opposed cylinder elements (2, 3) having a common axis, each cylinder element being provided with a piston (28) reciprocable between first and second locations in the cylinder element the first and second locations respectively representing compression and expansion elements of the piston stroke, each piston having a forward side and a rear side; a combustion chamber (38) for each cylinder element comprising the forward side of the piston (28) and the walls (2) of the cylinder element; combustible gas compression means (37b, 37c) for each combustion chamber; supply passage means (41) arranged to deliver combustible gas to each combustible gas compression means; an induction chamber (37a) for each piston arranged to receive compressed combustible gas from the combustible gas compression means; transfer passage means (39) for directing compressed gas from each induction chamber to the respective combustion chamber, and cam means (13) rotatable about the common axis the c

Abstract: A VCR engine includes a crankshaft, a driveshaft, a plurality of crankshaft-driveshaft arm assemblies, a means to lift the crankshaft up and down, and a transmission assembly. The crankshaft-driveshaft arm assembly is a piece of metal to which a bearing that holds the crankshaft and another bearing that holds the driveshaft are affixed. The means to lift up and down the crankshaft of the preferred embodiment of this invention includes a plurality of jackscrew assemblies. When the crankshaft is lifted or lowered, the crankshaft will only move around the driveshaft with a fixed radius. The transmission assembly, which is generally a set of gears, transmits rotational movements of the crankshaft to the driveshaft.

Abstract: A manifold assembly includes a pressure feed orifice that directly connects an inlet circuit to a control circuit of the manifold. This direct connection between the pressure inlet to the control circuit allows air to be bled out of the manifold assembly. Low pressure fluid in the assembly pushes out air through the orifice out of the assembly, ensuring prompt solenoid response during manifold assembly operation.

Abstract: An air-cooled internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinder bores disposed in parallel to each other, a cylinder head secured to an upper portion of the cylinder block, a crankshaft, two camshafts disposed in a parallel, juxtaposed relationship to each other so as to extend perpendicularly to a forward and backward direction of a vehicle on which the engine is mounted at an upper portion of said cylinder head and positioned on front and rear sides of the engine relative to each other, and a camshaft driving mechanism for transmitting rotational driving force of the crankshaft to the camshafts. A cooling space into which wind can be introduced is formed below that one of the camshafts which is positioned on the front side of the engine. The entire cylinder head is thus cooled efficiently, including portions corresponding to the cylinders disposed at intermediate positions of the engine.

Abstract: A resin cylinder head cover includes an attaching portion and a sleeve. The attaching portion is formed of resin, and is a portion of the cylinder head cover to which the oil control valve is to be attached. The sleeve is embedded in the attaching portion. The sleeve has an interior space that permits the oil control valve to be accommodated therein and oil holes. Each oil hole is selectively connected to one of ports of the oil control valve accommodated in the interior space of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed of material having higher rigidity than the resin forming the attaching portion. Therefore, the cylinder head cover maintains highly reliable attachment of an oil control valve without a large number of high precision machining steps and prevents deformation of the attaching portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rocker actuator (1) switchable to different cam travels. The inventive rocker actuator (1) comprises an external lever (2) which is arranged between the arms (3) and to which an internal lever (4) is pivotally connected.

Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine comprising a tappet and a hollow tappet pushrod that is actuated by said tappet, said tappet pushrod comprising on one end, a first support for an at least indirectly contacting pressure piston of a hydraulic lash adjuster of said tappet that follows a periodic driving element, typically a cam, a second support for a follower member, typically a rocker arm, being arranged on a further end of the tappet pushrod, said first support comprising a passage for hydraulic medium that can be routed out of the pressure piston during operation of the internal combustion engine into an interior of the tappet pushrod, and the second support comprising a passage for the hydraulic medium to the follower member, wherein a one-way valve body is arranged in the interior of the tappet pushrod and extends for free axial displacement between a complementary valve seat facing the first support and a stop for the one-way valve body, typically a disc, facing the second support, which st

Abstract: Mechanical compression and vacuum release mechanisms which are of simple construction and which significantly reduce the effort required to start an internal combustion engine. In several embodiments, the compression and vacuum release mechanisms include a centrifugally responsive flyweight pivotally mounted to the camshaft, the flyweight coupled to a pair of compression and vacuum release pins which include respective compression and vacuum release cams that are in lifting engagement with the valve actuation structure of one of the intake or exhaust valves of the engine during engine starting to relieve compression and vacuum within the combustion chamber and thereby facilitate easier engine starting. After the engine is started and reaches running speed, the flyweight pivots responsive to centrifugal force and in turn pivots the compression and vacuum release cams out of engagement with the valve actuation structure of the intake or exhaust valve to allow the engine to operate normally.

Abstract: An air intake apparatus has an air intake port opening outside, and an air intake path communicating the air intake port with a combustion chamber of an engine. For suppressing noise getting out from the air intake port, with respect to walls partitioning the air intake path, an opening is provided at a part of said walls corresponding to an antinode region of resonance mode of standing wave in a full length of the intake path, or at a part of noise pressure level being high in the intake path. The opening is closed with a permeable member and a noise insulating wall is disposed outside the permeable member for suppressing emission of transmitting noise passing through the permeable member. Alternatively, a vibration control member for suppressing face-vibration of the permeable member and reducing radiant noise from the permeable member is provided instead of the noise insulating wall.

Abstract: A synthetic resin intake manifold body and a synthetic resin passage structural member are respectively provided with a body side joining flange and a structural member side joining flange that are continuously formed along a joining line. A protrusion is provided on the body side joining flange and a welding protrusion and an inside and an outside control wall are provided on the structural member side joining flange. When the synthetic resin passage structural member is positioned and aligned with respect to the synthetic resin intake manifold body along the joining line prior to welding, a volume of an inside burr retaining groove is set to be larger than a volume of an outside burr retaining groove.

Abstract: A coil starter formed so that the rotation of a rope reel is transmitted to a cam member via a coil spring-like damper spring both ends of which are engaged with the rope reel and cam member respectively, wherein the rope reel or cam member is provided with a boss portion the length of which is substantially equal to that of a wound portion of the damper spring, the inner circumferential side of substantially the whole length of the damper spring being supported on the boss portion, the wound portion of substantially the whole length of the damper spring being thereby wound uniformly and tightly around the outer circumferential surface of the boss portion when the damper spring is elastically deformed due to the engine starting resistance.

Abstract: A primary housing for a motorcycle engine includes an inner housing that defines internal coupling apertures, transmission coupling apertures, and external coupling apertures. Internal fasteners extend through the internal coupling apertures and the transmission coupling apertures to couple the inner housing to the crankcase and the transmission. An outer housing defines coupling apertures that align with the external coupling apertures and fasteners extend through the coupling apertures, through the external coupling apertures, and into the engine crankcase to couple the inner and outer housings to the crankcase. A resonant damping device is rigidly or moveably coupled to an anti-node region of the outer housing to reduce noise emissions from the outer housing during engine operation.

Abstract: A feed pump 28 that is driven by the axial torque of an internal combustion engine 10 is installed. An electric scavenge pump 36 is installed. A base value for the ratio (S/F ratio) between the discharge volume of the scavenge pump 36 and feed pump 28 is calculated. The base value is corrected so that the S/F ratio is lower in a region where the engine speed is high than in a region where the engine speed is low. The discharge volume of the scavenge pump 36 is controlled in accordance with the S/F ratio that is corrected in the above manner.

Abstract: The invention is intended to simplify a default mechanism of a throttle valve opening and closing device for the purpose of improving mountability of the device to a vehicle. When a motor generate no driving forces, a throttle valve is held in a position (1) by a return spring. In this position, gaps are formed between the throttle valve and a wall surface of an intake passage. Spherical recesses are formed in parts of the wall surface of the intake passage. In a position (2) where the throttle valve is opposed to the spherical recesses, the gaps are minimized in an operating range of the throttle valve.

Abstract: Provide is an engine intake control device in which components such as attachment brackets, attachment screws for attaching respective solenoid valves around an engine are not required, and the number of attachment operations is reduced. The engine intake control device includes: a throttle chamber (1); a throttle valve (5) rotatably provided in the throttle chamber (1) using a valve shaft (2); an electric motor (6) provided outside an air passage (50); a coupling mechanism (51) for transmitting a driving force of the electric motor (6) to the valve shaft (2); a cover (7) provided on one side of the throttle chamber (1) to cover the coupling mechanism (51); and a solenoid valve (10) attached to the throttle chamber (1) for applying a negative pressure in a surge tank to an external negative pressure actuator and interrupting application of the negative pressure to the external negative pressure actuator. The solenoid valve (10) is provided integrally with the cover (7).

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle powertrain that employs active control to reduce NVH, particularly during idle. The method includes selectively operating the powertrain in at least a non-idle condition and an idle condition; receiving vibration signals from a sensor disposed on an internal combustion engine; controlling spark timing of the internal combustion engine based on vibration signals received from the sensor; and during the idle condition, modifying a speed and/or a load of the internal combustion engine based on vibration signals received from the sensor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an air intake tract which comprises at least one inlet pipe leading to one intake duct per cylinder of the internal combustion engine. It also has at least one exhaust gas duct per cylinder of the internal combustion engine, at least a first actuator which is disposed in an inlet pipe or in an intake duct or in an exhaust gas duct and influences the gas exchange in the respective cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engines having multiple hydraulic devices. For instance a multi-cylinder diesel engine might include both an a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake. Traditionally, each of these hydraulic devices has been controlled by an individual actuator control valve. However, engineers have learned that decreasing the number of engine components can increase engine robustness. In addition, engineers have learned that de-coupling fluid pressure to the needle valve member hydraulic surface from fluid pressure lines to other injector components can result in greater control of the injector. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a single actuator control valve to control both hydraulic devices for an engine cylinder and to provide independent control of fluid pressure to the needle valve member closing hydraulic surface.

Abstract: Known pressure regulating valves have a valve closing body, which cooperates with a valve seat, and a restoring spring, which acts on a valve closing body in the direction facing away from the valve seat. It is disadvantageous that the restoring spring is disposed in a pressure chamber, which has the valve seat and through which aggressive blowby gases flow out of the crankcase. The blowby gases for instance have a corrosive, etching effect on the material of the restoring spring, shortening the service life and lessening the spring force of the restoring spring. This has a highly adverse effect on the regulation of the pressure in the crankcase. In the pressure regulating valve of the invention, the service life of the restoring spring is increased. According to the invention, the restoring spring (31) is embodied as a tension spring and is located on the side of the valve closing body (15) facing away from the valve seat (12).

Abstract: An intake-negative-pressure-increasing apparatus is disclosed, for use with an engine, and comprises a bypass passage extending from an intake pipe portion in the neighborhood of the throttle valve to an intake pipe portion downstream of the intake pipe portion in the neighborhood of the throttle valve. A negative pressure is generated by the air flowing through the bypass passage and is supplied to an actuator operated by the negative pressure as the driving power.

Abstract: A crossbow having an improved firing assembly. The improved assembly attaches to a bowstring at a single point and draws the string back to have the string retained between a first string retainer and a second string retainer. By allowing the string to be drawn utilizing a single contact point on the bowstring as opposed to the prior art methods of dual engagement points with the bowstring, the cost, maintenance and undesired variance in string retention associated with the prior art are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus capable of uniformly heating and cooking food laid on a grill unit using thermal energy radiated from a heating unit, includes a cabinet opened at a top surface thereof to provide an opening over which the food to be cooked is laid. A grill unit is seated in the opening of the cabinet so as to support the food over the opening. A heating unit is installed in the cabinet at a position offset from an effective grill part of the grill unit so that a front surface of the heating unit faces the grill unit to transmit thermal energy to the grill unit supporting the food laid thereon. The cooking apparatus also includes a heat blocking member to block a part of the thermal energy transmitted to an edge of the grill unit, thus allowing the thermal energy to be uniformly transmitted to the food laid on the grill unit. Thus, the cooking apparatus of the present invention allows food laid close to the edge and food laid on a central portion of the grill unit to be uniformly heated and cooked.

Abstract: There is provided a safety apparatus for a portable gas range, by which safety measures are conducted before an internal pressure of a canister is rapidly increased to an abnormal high pressure due to radiant heat or the like in use to prevent the canister from being overheated and thus obviate explosion of the canister, and a method for operating the safety apparatus. When the internal pressure of the canister reaches a predetermined pressure P0 just below a danger pressure P1, a desired amount of gas is discharged from the canister to a burner for combustion of the gas by operating a safety operating member 11 urged by a resilient spring S0, thereby maintaining the canister at a low pressure. If the low pressure is continuously maintained, the gas range is returned to its original combustion state, and the process is repeated, thereby improving a thermal efficiency of the gas range using the combustion of the gas.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism is installed to change the operating angle and lift amount of an intake valve in accordance with the rotation position of a control shaft. A worm wheel is secured to the control shaft. The worm wheel is coupled to a motor actuator via a worm gear. The motor actuator is controlled during a normal operation so that the rotation position of the control shaft changes within a normal rotation range. A low-end stopper and high-end stopper are installed outside the normal rotation range to mechanically restrict the rotation of the control shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for advancing an endotracheal tube through and along the length a patient's larynx with a laryngeal mask airway in place and without interrupting ventilation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a breathing-controlled inhalation device for dry powders, having an air guide unit consisting of an essentially cylindrical body, said air guide unit comprising a flow passage provided alternately with constrictions and in each instance following enlargements, said constrictions and enlargements passing continuously one into another, and the flow passage for the air flowing through the air guide unit being of three-dimensional meander-like conformation.

Abstract: A facial mask includes a mask body that is adapted to be coupled to a patient's face. A valve system is coupled to the mask body to permit the inflow of respiratory gasses into the mask body and to permit the outflow of respiratory gasses from the mask body. A metronome is coupled to the mask body to produce a repeating chest compression signal to facilitate the performance of regular chest compressions when performing cardio pulmonary resuscitation. The metronome may also produce a ventilation signal to facilitate the proper ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: Regulator for underwater breathing devices including a relatively hard material box-like body having a pipe for the connection with a mouthpiece, at least one air inlet duct and at least one opening on which-it is positioned one air exhaust valve. The regulator box-like body is externally covered by at least one layer of a suitably shaped relatively soft material.

Abstract: An anti-asphyxia valve includes at least one flap having a first portion adapted for mounting to the housing and a second portion adapted to flex between a first open position allowing gas to pass from the patient side to the housing interior through the at least one port, and from the blower side through the at least one port, to atmosphere when a difference in gas pressure in the housing interior and atmosphere is below a predetermined operating threshold, and a second forcibly closed position substantially occluding the at least one port when the difference in gas pressure between the housing interior and atmosphere is substantially equal to or above the operating threshold.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube includes a proximal tube shaft and a distal tube shaft coupled to the proximal tube shaft. The proximal tube shape defines a proximal lumen and the distal tube shaft defines a distal lumen extending from the proximal lumen. The distal tube shaft includes two or more curved portions configured to be inserted into the trachea when the tube is inserted into a patient. The proximal tube shaft includes a substantially straight or a slightly curved portion. A method of intubating a patient includes advancing a tube having a distal portion with at least two curved portions into the trachea of the patient, and delivering gas through the tube to the patient's lungs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for improving a user's breathing includes an upper arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's upper teeth and a lower arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's lower teeth. A hook having a substantially rounded end is coupled to the upper arch. The lower arch includes a substantially rounded recess adapted to receive and position the substantially rounded end of the hook to pull the lower arch forward to facilitate improved breathing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating heart failure includes applying a bioabsorbable material around at least a portion of a patient's heart. The bioabsorbable material can be applied in conjunction with a nonbioabsorbable structure such as a cardiac harness or in lieu of such a harness. The harness and/or bioabsorbable material is configured to apply a mild compressive force on the heart.

Abstract: A glove can be worn on a person's hand and, using several different techniques, can be used in styling a person's hair to produce curly or straight hair. The glove can be used to curl hair in a fist closing-type motion while hot drying air is applied. Hair may also be curled around the fingers, or the fingers may be used to put tension on hair to straighten it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved applicator device for liquid and semi-liquid products. In particular, this invention relates to an improved applicator device for cosmetic products, such as mascara that eliminates the build-up and subsequent loss of product, resulting in reduced cost through use of a greater percentage of the product stored in the bottle. The improved applicator includes a handle, a shaft, and an applicator brush attached to the end of the shaft for insertion in a product container holding a liquid or semi-liquid product. Attached to the shaft is a sliding collar that is interconnected to a wiper. When the applicator is withdrawn from the product container, the collar is retracted, and this closes the wiper radially about the shaft of the applicator. Residue liquid remains on the inside wall of the container. When the applicator is partially inserted back into the container the collar is slidably moved downward on the shaft.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hair accessory includes providing a hair clip having a plurality of tines, providing at least one support member having a plurality of strands extending therefrom and coupling the at least one support member to at least one of the plurality of tines.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hair accessory includes forming a loop with a member having a first end, a middle, and a second end, wherein the loop is formed in the middle of the member. The method further includes attaching a plurality of hair strands including at least one of natural hair and synthetic hair to at least one support member, and spirally wrapping the at least one support member around at least one of the first end, the middle, and the second end of the member.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is a convertible ponytail holder/headband designed to remain secure during prolonged use and physical activities or when wet. The device includes a long strand of material and a bead with a through-bore. Both ends of the strand are threaded into the through-bore to form a closed loop. The positioning of the bead is adjustable, but remains secure once set due to friction and tension. For optimal friction and tension, the strand is formed of a seamless tubular material that while slightly elastic readily retains its shape. The diameter of the bead through-bore is approximately 0.6 times the width of the strand. In operation, the ponytail holder or headband is looped around a hair bundle or the wearer's head, respectively. To secure the device the bead is moved towards the loop and the loop is tightened.

Abstract: Hair ornament with a resilient attaching clip comprising a pair of complementary transversally elongated limbs (12, 14) having handle portions (30, 32) and which are connected by hinge and spring means (16) and having suitably shaped prongs (18) extending from each elongated limbs (12, 14) and forming a pair of clipping portions wherein each elongated limb comprises a socket (20, 22) having a hollow cylindrical recess and which forms at the inner opposite end abutting sliding planes (23, 25), as well as a bushing (24) which is received in a recess provided in the respective socket of each limb, whereby the limbs are pivoted to each other and a spring (26) inserted in the bushing extending into the sockets and being attached at both ends by suitable means at the outer end of the sockets in order to bias the limbs in the closed position.

Abstract: An improved dental floss and a manufacturing method thereof is disclosed, comprising a plurality of threads, preferably consisting of POY polyester filaments, which are texturized, twisted at a density ranging between 60 and 120 twists/meter, and entangled without adding binding agents.