Abstract: Compressible lock washers for use in catheter connectors. One such lock washer (60) includes a support ring (62) and tube engagement flanges (64) extending centrally therefrom, oblique to the ring and each extending from the same side thereof. The tube engagement flanges (64) define a tube receptacle (72) through which a catheter tube (58) may be inserted. Upon compression of the lock washer (60), the tube engagement flanges (64) are force toward the ring (62), decreasing the diameter of the tube receptacle (72). Thus, during compression of the lock washer (60), the tube engagement flanges (64) engage the catheter tube (58) which runs through the tube receptacle (72), securing the catheter tube within the catheter connector (20) with which the lock washer is associated.

Abstract: A virtual memory system including a local-to-global virtual address translator for translating local virtual addresses having associated task specific address spaces into global virtual addresses corresponding to an address space associated with multiple tasks, and a global virtual-to-physical address translator for translating global virtual addresses to physical addresses. Protection information is provided by each of the local virtual-to-global virtual address translator, the global virtual-to-physical address translator, the cache tag storage, or a protection information buffer depending on whether a cache hit or miss occurs during a given data or instruction access. The cache is configurable such that it can be configured into a buffer portion or a cache portion for faster cache accesses.

Abstract: A knee pad construction includes a shaped cushion element with a concave interior with a recess having a flowable gel insert therein. The recess and insert are shaped to accommodate the left knee or the right knee of an individual.

Abstract: A garment designed to protect the clothing of a child from food and drink spills while a child is eating is constructed generally by two pieces, a back flap and a lower piece. The back flap covers the upper back and shoulders of the child wearing the garment and provides a counterbalance to the lower piece, which covers the arms, body, and most of the legs of the child. The back flap and lower piece, when joined together, form an opening for a child's head and a side closure for securing the garment to the child. The arm, body, and leg portions of the lower piece are specifically shaped to provide optimal protection to the child's clothing, while also allowing relatively free movement of the child's arms. The garment is also designed so that it may be worn by a child sitting in a conventional high chair.

Abstract: This invention concerns a protective body vest/vest/jersey for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities. The invention comprises a multi-layered, one-piece garment comprising a vest/jersey sized and shaped to be worn on the torso of an athlete with a protective padding that can be customized by the wearer based on safety, comfort and athletic performance concerns. The invention further comprises a pair of shoulder portions with a fastening means therein for attaching or accommodating the attaching of a shoulder pad type object, an anterior portion, a pair of lateral portions and a posterior portion. The invention further either utilizes an offset opening or offset openings located off set from the medial line of a human torso to protect the heart, or is donned/removed in an over-the-head, pullover manner. The invention may further utilize an overlap or flap to cover and protect the region of the offset opening.

Abstract: A hospital gown for medical procedures such as inserting catheters, heart monitoring, wound dressing and the like and reducing exposure of the patient's “private areas”. The gown has a large upper opening extending across the front of the gown from about the area of the left clavicle of the patient to about the area of the right clavicle of the patient and an arcuate lower portion extending downwardly to about the descending aorta of the patient; a detachable panel for covering the large upper opening; a narrow opening extending across the front of the gown for uncovering portions of the patient's abdomen; a panel for covering the narrow opening; a storage pocket on a front portion of the large upper opening panel; a pair of divided lower side portions for uncovering portions of the patient's groin; and a plurality of fasteners for joining the panels to peripheries of the openings.

Abstract: An article of safety outerwear has a body including: a trunks outerwear part, adapted to receive the lower region of the torso of a wearer in use and having apertures through which the legs of the wearer protrude; and a pair of tubular leg parts, each adapted to receive therethrough a leg of the wearer and extending between an upper end, connected to the trunks outerwear part, and a lower end disposed adjacent to the ankle of said leg. Each leg part includes a tubular vent portion, extending from about the knee to about the ankle of the leg received in the leg part in use. The vent portion is constructed substantially from mesh. The mesh has an open texture for high breathability, presents a smooth surface to the legs in use, and is adapted to provide the wearer with protection against abrasion in normal working and athletic activities.

Abstract: Maternity wear of the invention accommodates the changing shape of a woman's body during pregnancy, minimizing the need for maternity clothes. In one aspect of the invention, pants or a skirt are worn with the upper end unfastened so as to conform to the shape of the swelling torso in pregnancy, and an elastic band shaped similarly to a tube top is worn generally around the waist, so as to overlap the top of the unfastened pants or skirt and retain them on the body. A top, such as a blouse or shirt, can be worn with its tail end extending over the band. In another aspect of the invention, too-large maternity clothing is worn with the band garment engaged over the upper end. If desired the band garment can be folded over on itself, thus doubling its thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to rotate a previously unrotatable receiver used with helmets, preferably aircraft helmets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield mounting device for a helmet shield in which a helmet shield can be easily assembled and disassembled to/from a helmet body. The shield mounting device for a helmet comprises a mounting protrusion having a flange at an edge thereof; a mounting plate having an arc shaped groove capable of guiding an operation that the flange is inserted and rotated; a base plate having an elastic piece elastically moving in a direction that an external force is applied when the external force is applied to the mounting protrusion; and a locker having an escape prevention for preventing an escape of the mounting protrusion.

Abstract: A dive mask having a pair of replaceable lenses comprises a soft, flexible skirt for bearing against the diver's face, an inner lens frame having a pair of openings for receiving the lenses and a peripheral member integrally molded into the skirt for permanent retention therein and a removable outer lens frame having a pair of lens openings and a peripheral member shaped to bear against the lenses adjacent the skirt. A sealing gasket is preferable molded into the inner lens frame along the lens openings to prevent water leakage into the face side of the lenses.

Abstract: An improved sport goggle for skiing, motorcycling, paintball, racing, and other sports featuring clip-mounted side apertures communicating with the eye cavity of the goggle through adjacent venting apertures. Venting of the eye cavity of the sport goggle is aided by forming of the clip shape to create low pressure zones adjacent to the side venting apertures. The clips are rotationally attached to the goggle to provide an adjustable mount for the strap around heads or helmets while still forming the negative air pressure zone in all rotated positions. The clips may also be provided in a kit of differently dimensioned clips to adjust the negative air pressure venting characteristics of the clips and goggle to the intended sport or task.

Abstract: A pair of swimming goggles comprises a pair of frames, lenses, a connecting portion, a fastening portion having a side cover and a strap apparatus having an adjusting portion and a strap, wherein an operation zone is formed on the side cover. The adjusting portion can pivotally swing to the operation zone and has a partition. The partition separates the operation zone and the adjusting portion to a first wrapping hole and a second wrapping hole, wherein a blocking face formed at a side of the partition and adjoining the second wrapping hole. The strap comprises a plurality of stop-ribs thereon having a vertical face corresponding to the blocking face and a slant face opposite to the vertical face.

Abstract: Female urinal funnel with a rigid, essentially ovoid funnel shape. The funnel shape has side walls that extend vertically down from the entrance lip and then curve inwardly at approximately a ninety degree angle forming a flange that terminates at a centrally located exit orifice. The flange includes a pair of concave finger retaining channels located horizontally at the flanges upper and lower portions and a pair of concave finger retaining channels located vertically at the flanges left and right portions. A resilient water resistant panel shaped to fit snuggly over the labia majora of a female person conforms to the plane of the inside perimeter of the inlet edge of the funnel and extends outward approximately half an inch and having a centrally located ovoid aperture at the center of the panel to allow for urine to exit from the female and into the funnel.

Abstract: A basin drainage system for counteracting standing liquid can include a basin drain having at least one exterior wall defining a drainage channel formed through an interior portion of the basin drain. The system also can include a downwardly sloping flange affixed to the exterior wall of the basin drain. Finally, the system can include axial drainage channels formed in the downwardly sloping flange.

Abstract: An articulated furnishing system consisting of a reconfigurable mattress and a foundation composed of multiple separable components. The articulated furnishing system is adaptable between a bed configuration, a seating area configuration, and a work surface configuration through re-arrangement and re-orientation of the multiple separable components. A light box associated with the foundation is configured with one or more light sources to provide illumination, and to provide one or more surfaces adapted for article storage.

Abstract: A bedding storage system for storing pillows and bedding includes a headboard being positioned adjacent to a head of a bed. The headboard includes a peripheral wall defining an interior space of the headboard. The peripheral wall includes a pair of side edges each defining one of a pair of side open ends. The side open ends permit the pillows and the bedding to be inserted into the interior space. A medial wall is attached to the peripheral wall and positioned in the interior space to divide the interior space into an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of a plurality of shelf assemblies is positioned in the interior space. Each of the shelf assemblies is extendable from one of the side open ends of the headboard to receive pillows and bedding.

Abstract: A sleeping bag includes a sleeping bag body configured to envelope a person lying within the sleeping bag body, and a section of thermal fleece material attached to the inside surface of the sleeping bag body at a designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the designated area. In one aspect of the invention, the designated area includes a foot area. In another aspect of the invention, the thermal fleece material is soft to touch. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag body is configured to couple to another sleeping bag body to form a larger sleeping bag. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide added thermal insulation to a sleeping bag, as well as added comfort to a sleeping bag user, at a designated area of the sleeping bag.

Abstract: The invention being submitted pertains to a bed, consisting of a bedstead (1) and a mattress (2), whereby an air-conduction unit (4) is integrated in the bedstead. Along one or more lateral walls (3) of the bedstead (3), side ducts (6) are provided with lateral escape ports (5) for the out-flow of air from the air-conduction unit (4). Additionally, a mattress air-chamber (10) is provided with the upper escape ports (8) for the discharge of air from the air-conduction unit (4).

Abstract: An air mattress assembly is provided herein, which mainly contains an air mattress, a blanket member, and a mattress cover. The blanket member is laid flatly on top of the air mattress, which contains a heating wire, a cotton blanket, and an insulating cover. The heating wire is layout on and embedded inside the cotton blanket which is in turn wrapped air-tightly inside the insulating cover. A plurality of snap-on devices are configured on a side and along the perimeter of the insulating cover. The mattress cover covers the blanket member and the air mattress, and has a same number of snap-on devices corresponding to those on the blanket member. These snap-on devices join to those on the blanket member so as to position and attach the blanket member to the mattress cover.

Abstract: A bed rail structured to minimize the gap between the mattress and the bed rail and including a leg portion and a rail portion. The rail portion extends upwardly on a first side of the mattress to extend beyond the sleeping surface of the mattress and prevent a person from rolling out of bed. The leg portion is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring and extends toward a second side of the mattress. In one embodiment, the leg portion includes a distal end that is engaged to the second side of at least one of the mattress and box spring such that the distal end and rail portion hug the mattress. In another embodiment, the bed rail includes a relatively rigid cover depending from an upper portion of the rail portion to the sleeping surface so as to cover a gap that may exist between the first side of the mattress and the rail portion.

Abstract: A swaddling blanket to alleviate colic has a back panel long enough to support a child from neck to feet, a leg pouch to loosely contain the child's legs, arm restraints to hold the child's arms against and parallel to the child's torso, a tapered short blanket arm to wrap over the child, and a tapered long blanket arm to wrap around the child more than once from the opposite direction to provide comforting pressure around the child's arms and torso.

Abstract: A protective cover for a comforter has a bottom face and a top face which form a flexible woven fabric envelope. The cover is formed from a single-piece envelope including an edge which is at least partly closed in a permanent manner and three edges having fast opening and closing devices allowing the two faces of the envelope to be partly separated in order for the comforter to be placed on one of the faces of the envelope, so that the comforter is covered by the other face and at least two edges of the faces are joined with the aid of the fast opening and closing devices.

Abstract: A surgical table transfer system comprising a patient support in the form of a table top; a surgical table base in the form of a pedestal; a transporter; and a connection device for selectively connecting the table top to the pedestal or the transporter, the connection device comprising a first transfer block mounted on the pedestal; a second transfer block mounted on the transporter; and a latch mechanism mounted on the table top and adapted selectively to latch with one of the first and second transfer blocks, the latch mechanism comprising a body having first and second opposite mating surfaces, each of which is adapted to mate with a corresponding mating surface of a respective first or second transfer block, and a displaceable catch member mounted on the body which is adapted to be displaceable between first and second latching positions for respective latching engagement with the first and second transfer blocks, the catch member having first and second catch elements on a respective opposite side there

Abstract: A therapeutic bed is arranged so that its inclination is adjusted by a bed inclination adjusting device provided to a rotation drive device disposed in a Y-direction moving device. The bed inclination adjusting device supports the therapeutic bed at three points by its three inclination adjusters. Each of the inclination adjusters converts the rotation of a motor into the rectilinear motion of a slider, and varies the level of a universal joint provided to the therapeutic bed by a support rod rotatably attached to the slider. This allows the inclination angle of the therapeutic bed to be varied. The provision of the bed inclination adjusting device reduces the number of drive devices for positioning the therapeutic bed, thereby decreasing the cumulative value of errors in all drive devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed to adjust a slope of the bed according to brain waves and a method thereby, to adjust the slope to generate the maximum alpha waves of brain waves which are generated by the change of the blood amount to be provided in a bed user's brain.

Abstract: A fire retardant pillow top mattress has a base which is covered by a fire barrier material. A ticking covers the fire barrier material. Sheets of these combined materials are formed into a top, a bottom and sidewalls for the mattress. In a pillow top mattress, the pillow top and the gusset between the mattress and the pillow top are formed in a like manner. The intersecting planar surfaces are mated between a flame-retardant treated edge binding tape. The mated surfaces are sewn with a flame retardant thread and the mattress, pillow top and gusset are encapsulated with fire retardant components. The edges of the sidewalls and the mattress cover are serge stitched with a flame retardant thread.

Abstract: An inflatable bed includes an enclosure member defining a receiving space, an inner partition sheet disposed within the enclosure member and dividing the receiving space into first and second chambers, an air valve attached to the enclosure member and communicating fluidly with the first chamber, and a unidirectional air inlet unit attached to the inner partition sheet and communicating fluidly with the first and second chambers. Air from the first chamber enters the second chamber through the unidirectional air inlet unit.

Abstract: A mattress spring structure (10) is provided with a strengthened central area (C) thereon to provide greater support for a user's body lumbar region when received thereon. The support is provided with a strengthening structure (30) having a continuous frame member (54) and a strengthening pattern (53). The continuous frame (54) encircles coil springs (12) over a major expanse of the mattress's central area (C); this frame is connected to mattress coils along the frames longitudinal (34, 36) and traverse (38, 40) segments. The strengthening pattern (53) has two metal bars (51, 52) arranged inside and connected to the continuous frame member (54). The strengthening pattern (53) may be connected to the spring coils (12) and contain additional metal straps (56, 59).

Abstract: A generally impermeable mattress cover having expandable sidewalls is provided to enclose a mattress to provide protection against allergens, dust mites, fluids, and other spills and spoils. The cover comprises generally impermeable top and bottom walls, and sidewalls connected at edges between the top and bottom walls. The sidewalls are formed of a double wall construction comprising a generally impermeable inner wall of a fixed height joined at edges to an elastic outer wall. The outer wall stretches and the inner wall extends to accommodate mattresses of different thicknesses. The outer wall can be relaxed and the inner wall retained neatly against the mattress and by the outer wall. An aperture can be provided in the bottom wall for allowing insertion and removal of a mattress and a fastener can be used to close the aperture.

Abstract: An escape hammer for breaking reinforced glass or other barrier screen material to enable personnel to escape in an emergency, for example, from a high rise building or from a vehicle or other enclosure and comprising a handle (10) and enlarged head (11) with a pointed striking tip (12). The handle is ridged (as at 13) to provide a grip, has a chisel-end (15) to act as a levering tool, and a formation (17, 18) to assist in the removal of broken glass pieces. The whole tool is of steel or of a material of like mass.

Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duster for use in a vehicle for cleaning the exterior of the vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a duster for use in a vehicle that can maximize cleaning efficiency with a small force since the duster is closely adhered to the exterior of the vehicle by means of magnetic force. The duster for use in a vehicle having a frame into which a sack-shaped dust cloth is inserted and a handle formed to extend toward one side of the frame includes an insertion groove formed in the bottom of the frame, wherein the magnetic sheet having magnetism is inserted into the insertion groove so that the magnetic sheet forms a flat surface along with the bottom of the frame. Therefore, the duster is closely adhered to the exterior of the vehicle by means of magnetism. It is thus easy to use the duster.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent structure for cleaning surfaces. The absorbent structure has areas or sections or mixtures comprising different material, these areas, sections or mixtures having either a primarily absorbent effect or a primarily cleaning effect. The structure has a support structure to which the cleaning material has been applied. The aim of the invention is to provide an absorbent structure with greater potential for variation and variants in terms of its cleaning and absorbency properties and/or effects. To this end, the inventive absorbent structure has a pocket or bag-shaped cavity in which pieces or strips of highly absorbent materials are located.

Abstract: With a device for applying paint onto surfaces, especially ceilings and/or walls, comprising an applicator roll (1) rotatably supported on a bracket (2) fitted onto a stick (3), and a drip cup (5) associated to the applicator roll (1) and fitted displacably onto the stick, said drip cup comprising an opening (7) traversed by the stick (3) and a pipe socket (8) projecting from the opening and enclosing the stick (3) but being shorter than said stick (3), the drip cup (5) being retractable from a working position in which it encloses the stick-sided peripheral area of the applicator roll (1) to a release position in which the applicator roll (1) is pushed out of the drip cup (5), and vice-versa, a simple and easily applicable construction may be achieved in that the drip cup (5) is supported on the stick (3) in a self-locking way by a frictional force which may be overcome manually.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner having a small sized cyclone dust collecting apparatus and dust bag in a dust collecting chamber comprises a main body including the dust collecting chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a motor driving chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet, a suction brush mounted adjacent the main body of the vacuum cleaner, a cyclone dust collecting apparatus detachably mounted on the main body of the vacuum cleaner and having a path connected to the air inlet of the dust collecting chamber for discharging a cleaned air, and a dust bag detachably disposed in the dust collecting chamber to collect the dust and filth separated from an air drawn in through the suction brush.

Abstract: A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing defining a dirt collection chamber, an inlet and an outlet in the housing in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber and a filter holder on the housing external to the dirt collection chamber and downstream from the outlet. A vacuum cleaner incorporating the dirt cup is also provided.

Abstract: A sash window hinge for pivotally connecting a window having a window sash to a window frame. The window hinge includes an elongated track having a track base wall attachable to the window frame. The track also includes a track flange extending from at least a portion of a base wall first longitudinal edge The track flange defines a flange retaining section. The window hinge also includes an elongated sash arm attachable to the window sash and a carriage component pivotally attached to the sash arm. The carriage component is mounted on the base wall in a carriage operational configuration for slidable movement along the track longitudinal axis between an open window position and a closed window position while being guided by the track flange and retained by the flange retaining section. The window hinge further includes a support arm for pivotally linking the sash arm and the track.

Abstract: A plastic clip comprising two jaws united at one end by a hinge permitting them to swing between open and closed positions. The hinge may suitably be of the box type including a hinge blade associated with one jaw that is mounted between opposed cheeks associated with the other jaw by a hinge pin received in an elongated bearing opening in the cheeks, and along which the pin may travel to adjust the nip of the jaws. A spring latch at the opposite end of the jaws preferably permits a plurality of latching positions so as to permit the nip of the jaws at that end to be varied. The elongated bearing opening may permit the assembly of the jaws even where the box structure is relatively rigid and where the pin is integrally formed with the hinge blade.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a section of rope or the like is provided. The clamp includes a link having two side members connected at a first end by a cross member and attached at an opposite end at an apex. A ring is slidably attached to the link and a finger extends from the ring. In use a loop is formed into a section of rope which is passed between the ring and the cross member and is double backed over the ring so that the finger is positioned within the loop. The rope is then pulled removing the slack in the loop thereby pulling the ring towards the cross member and compressing the loop between the ring and the cross member. As a higher degree of strain is applied to the rope the compression force applied to loop by the by the ring and the arcuate cross member is also increased. This action assures the clamp will continuously clamp the rope in a secure manner. Multiple clamps can be used concurrently to secure a rope or the like at many different points along the length of the rope.

Abstract: A fastener is adapted to retain one or more holes of a belt or strap beneath a belt frame without passing through the frame. The fastener comprises primarily a frame and a back plate, coupled together for relative rotational movement about an axis parallel to the axial orientation of the strap. The frame also serves as a biasing member to engage a latch mechanism. The back plate anchors the member-to-be-secured, if it is a belt. Otherwise, if the member-to-be-secured is a strap to, for example, close a pocket, then the back plate is mounted to the body on which the pocket is mounted, such as a purse or a piece of luggage. A faux tongue gives the appearance of a known buckle, but the faux tongue does not pass through the belt or strap.

Abstract: A stretch cord hook includes hook members, connecting blocks and an elastic cord. The elastic cord has its ends secured to the connecting blocks, respectively. Each connecting block is integrally formed with a respective hook member. Each hook member has an inner surface provided with protuberances spaced from each other to prevent it from disengagement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slide fastener suitable for providing a water resistant closure between two edges of material. The fastener comprises first and second stringer tapes, each stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements disposed in a row therealong and a slider captively engaged with the opposed rows of coupling elements of the first and second stringer tapes for reciprocal movement therealong and for bringing the coupling elements into and out of interlocking engagement.

Abstract: This application relates to a micro-fastening system and, more particularly, to a mechanical micro-fastening system employing a plurality of mating nanoscale fastening elements (16, 18) and a method of manufacturing a micro-fastening system. The mating nanoscale fastening elements (16, 18) are formed by functionalizing nanotubes having an ordered array of hexagons with pentagons and heptagons at particular heterojunctions.

Abstract: A male fastener element extends integrally from a planar base and includes a primary engagement hook and a secondary engagement structure (e.g., a hook). The primary engagement hook has a stem portion that is integrally molded with the planar base and that extends from the planar base to a distal end. The primary engagement hook also has an overhang portion that extends from the distal end of the stem portion and that has an underside surface overhanging an open volume for receiving loops. The secondary engagement structure, which is shorter than the primary engagement hook, is disposed immediately adjacent the primary engagement hook and extends from a side surface of the primary engagement hook. The secondary engagement structure extends from the base to a distal end that is disposed, in side view, below the underside surface of the overhang portion of the primary engagement hook.

Abstract: A low-profile heavy-duty buckle includes a male member having two forward elastic retaining arms, and a female member having two receiving spaces corresponding to the retaining arms of the male member. The retaining arm is elastically exposed from and retained to a side opening provided on a sidewall of the receiving space when the male member is plugged into the female member. The retaining arm further includes an inward extended extension portion having a first retaining block with a first toothed face provided near a distal end thereof. The receiving space is internally provided with a downward extended second retaining block having a second toothed face opposite to the first toothed face. The first and the second toothed face firmly engage with one another to provide the buckle with an enhanced force-bearing strength when the connected male and female members are subjected to two opposite pull forces.

Abstract: A burial casket has a base portion with a plurality of locking element openings and a top having a plurality of locking elements depending downwardly. A hanger-supporting member is affixed to a lower surface of the top rim of said base, and has a plurality of locking element openings aligned with the locking element openings. Opposed flanges of hangers are disposed in recesses of the hangar-supporting member. A locking bar extends through the hangers. When the top is closed, each locking element extends through one of the locking element openings and through one of the aligned locking element openings. The locking bar engages the plurality of locking elements to restrain the top in closed position. A decorative material-supporting member depends downwardly from the hanger-supporting member.

Abstract: A grave site cover is disclosed comprising a snap-together heavy plastic tube frame, fittings and couplings, an artificial turf cover, transparent identification insert and anchor stakes. The artificial turf cover is rolled over and along the outside frame edge and attached with self-tapping stainless steel flange head screws. Three- and four-way fittings are provided at all four corners for inserting the ground anchor takes, additional fittings are provided at the center point and head marker for inserting ground anchor stakes, used for securely holding the grave site cover in place. The artificial turf grave cover may be fabricated in a variety of colors, with images, text, art or other décor. Said grave site cover can be hand assembled and easily installed, is weather resistant, durable and economical to manufacture, thereby providing a neat, dignified, maintenance-free and durable grave site cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an absorbent composite from continuous tow is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of or means for spreading a crimped tow; de-registering the crimped tow; shaping the de-registered tow to a substantially rectangular cross-section; and distributing a particulate onto the shaped tow. The step of or means for spreading the tow uses at least two banding jets.