Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of chemical/mechanical polishing of substrates. In particular the invention relates to methods of producing improved membranes for use in chemical/mechanical polishing systems. The present invention provides a method of improving the properties of a flexible membrane for use in chemical/mechanical polishing, the method including subjecting the membrane to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A power sander (2) having a housing (4) and a motor within the housing is disclosed. A gripping portion adapted to be engaged by a hand of a user of the sander comprises blister packs (30), (36) comprising first and second flexible sheets defining a gel-containing chamber therebetween and containing a vibration damping gel material, the first and second sheets being sealed to each other at the periphery of each gel-containing chamber. Clamping plates (34), (40) include a body portion and pins (not shown) adapted to extend through the periphery of a corresponding blister pack and to protrude inwardly of the surface of the housing (4). The pins are then deformed by means of heat or ultrasound to secure the clamping plates (34), (40) to the housing (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a chamfer on an upper edge of a concrete slab includes a hub designed for installation on the threaded output spindle of an angle grinder, and a specially-modified diamond-grit-edged rotary blade which mounts on the hub. For a preferred embodiment of the hub, an attachment collar is unitary and concentric with both a blade mounting flange having countersunk attachment screw holes and a blade centering shoulder on the flange. The attachment collar has at least one pair of flattened parallel sides for receiving a wrench used to tighten the hub on the output spindle. The blade, which is equipped with both countersunk attachment holes and a central positioning aperture sized to fit closely over the blade centering shoulder, is attachable with countersinking screws to the mounting flange so that the head of each screw is flush with the surface of the blade.

Abstract: CMP pad dressers with increased pad dressing work loads on the centrally located abrasive particles during dressing of a CMP pad, and methods associated therewith are disclosed and described. The increase in work load on centralized particles improves pad dressing performance and also extends the service life of the pad dresser.

Abstract: A tension adjustment apparatus for a sander includes a first rigid portion and an opposed second rigid portion. A pair of elongated members are attached to the second portion and slideably received within the first portion. A pair of edge cavities are provided within the first portion each exposing a portion of the elongated member having a notch. A wheel is disposed within each edge cavity and caged by the notch of such elongated member. The wheel has axially disposed threaded apertures engaging a threaded fastener employed for attaching the wheel to the first portion for enabling linear motion of the elongated member and a corresponding linear motion of the second portion in a first direction away from the first portion to apply a predetermined tension in a sanding element and in a second linear direction towards the first portion to release the applied tension during reciprocal rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: Provided are encapsulated belts and encapsulated pads for use in a variety of polishing application, including the chemical-mechanical polishing and planarization of semiconductor wafers and other workpieces. The encapsulated belts and pads are characterized by a robust seal between a polishing layer of the pad or belt and the edges of the subpad layer of the pad or belt. The robust seal is accomplished by casting a polymer directly over the subpad layer. The edges of the subpad layer may include one or more functional features that promote the formation of a watertight and slurry-resistant seal when the subpad layer is covered with a cast polymer. Also provided is a method of producing a robust seal between the polishing layer and the edge region of the subpad by encapsulating a subpad layer with a polymeric material.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a method of preparing a poultry drumstick, particularly chicken drumsticks, for cooking, and the food product produced therefrom. Chicken drumsticks, featuring a centrally disposed elongated bone between a thigh end and a foot end, including a quantity of meat surrounding the bone. The method comprises the steps of making an annular cut about the bone, followed by making a pair of opposing vertical cuts along the bone, from the annular cut, and through the meat to define two essentially equal sections. Thereafter, the two sections are peeled downwardly away from the bone and brought together to form a ball of meat. Before cooking, any skin may be removed such as by twisting and separating the skin therefrom.

Abstract: A coin dispensing device is provided that prevents a returning of a first coin to prevent a clink noise. The coin dispensing device has a rotating disk that dispenses coins to a guiding unit one by one. The dispensed coins are guided upwards by the guiding unit in a line. A coin return preventing unit prevents the first coin going backward which is located adjacent to the rotating disk. The first coin dispensed by the rotating disk is prevented from moving backwards.

Abstract: An air vent for a ventilation system in a vehicle is disclosed that has an air circulation chamber (1) defined by a housing (9) that has a generally bulged shape. An inflow duct (2) is connected to this housing and opens into the circulation chamber (1), the housing having a perforated wall area (3). An air stream, in use, enters the circulation chamber (1) through inflow duct (2), circulates through the air circulation chamber and exits through the perforated wall area. The air vent further comprises a movable air deflection member disposed to deflect the air stream transversely to an axial direction of the inflow duct.

Abstract: A louver heat vent for a chassis of a computer, which is mounted in an opening of the chassis, has two shafts and multiple slats. The shafts each have a channel, into which fasteners of the slats can be inserted. The slats are stacked to conceal and shield the interior of the computer chassis yet allow heat to be dissipated quickly.

Abstract: A feeder drum for a self-propelled combine harvester has a feeder drum element, and a plurality of feeder aids associated with the feeder drum element and having effective surfaces which are wedge-shaped and tapered.

Abstract: A method for playing a game in which one or more contestants endeavor to transform a list of personal desired wishes into awarded prizes. The game offers two mechanisms-knowledge version and luck version for realizing these wishes. External participants may become involved in the game and fulfill their own personally selected wishes. The external participants may obtain the unfulfilled wishes lost by the contestants. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a website “arena” is provided, which uniquely connects personal needs and desires of individuals with potential suppliers of these desired products and services. The arena enables participants to accumulate credit points. The game—typically a TV game show—stimulates the general public to take part in the arena, promotes it, and creates a competitive advantage over e-commerce sites.

Abstract: This invention relates to a poker game implemented on a video gaming machine wherein the player is provided with an opportunity to place two wagers, a first wager wherein the player bets that each final hand will contain any one of a plurality of preselected card combinations, and a second wager wherein the player bets that one or more of the final hands will contain a specific card combination. During a “round of play,” the player is initially dealt a hand of cards after making the first wager. After reviewing the hand, the player chooses which cards, if any, he or she wishes to “hold” and whether to draw additional cards in an attempt to improve the value of his or her hand. Thereafter, the player may place a second wager that the final hand will contain a particular combination of cards that improves the ranking of his initial hand.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided that comprises determining a first strategy for play of a game and a second strategy for play of the game, selecting at least one final outcome of the game that cannot result from the first strategy, and increasing a payout ratio associated with the selected at least one final outcome.

Abstract: A method and system for simulating games of chance using cards are disclosed using a shuffler to shuffle a set of cards and dispensing one or more cards. Current regulations prohibit certain game operators from using certain games such as traditional craps and roulette. By simulating those games with cards, operators can still provide players with games they recognize and thereby develop excitement and new gaming alternatives for their players, as well as draw new players to such games through their familiarity with the indicia on the cards.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein the success or failure of a current selection directly affects the player's chances for success in a later selection. The probabilities of success are related to the number of previous successful attempts by the player.

Abstract: An interactive wagering application is provided that displays information areas on various wager creation screens. The information areas may be configurable. Information such as promotions, weather information, jockey information, trainer information, odds, or any other suitable information may be displayed in the information areas. The interactive wagering application may create a wagering ticket that reflects the amount of a user's wager and the total amount of the user's wager when multiple runners are taken into account. The interactive wagering application may record the user's position within the application and the user's recent wagering selections, so that this information may be used to assist the user in restarting the application after exiting or when creating additional wagers.

Abstract: In a data delivery system utilizing a network 400, a data delivery server 100 receives a recording medium specifying information stored in a recording medium 300 from a video game device 200, generates and administers an authentication information and a password used to permit the delivery of an event information to the video game device 200 while relating them to the video game device 200, transmits the generated authentication information and password to the video game device 200, and delivers the event information to the video game device 200 upon receiving the password as a response from the video game device 200. The video game device 200 includes a password storage means for receiving the authentication information and the password from the data delivery server 100 and saving the password.

Abstract: A handheld maintenance module may be provided with a display unit capable of generating video images, a wireless transceiver device capable of wireless dats transmission and reception and adapted to be wirelessly coupled to a maintenance controller, and a module controller coupled to the display unit and the wireless data transceiver device. the module controller may be programmed to allow a person to receive a gaming unit maintenance work order that represents a request for a repair of a gaming unit, to cause a video image representing the gaming unit maintenance work order to be displayed on the display unit, to cause a video image of one or more instructions to repair the gaming unit to be displayed, to allow the gaming unit maintenance work order to be closed upon completion of the repair of the gaming unit, and to forward repair data to the maintenance controller.

Abstract: A video gaming device includes a game computer which is connected to a central computer and a plurality of player stations connected to the game computer. Connection of the player stations may be effected using an interface device which includes at least one serial port which has a transmit line for transmitting data to a player station and a receive line for receiving data from a player station, input ports and output ports for communication with the game computer, and a processor for routing data between the said serial port and the input and output ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating gaming machine software is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus is used to authenticate the contents of a removable media. Use of a removable media provides means to store large amounts of software on a single media to install software, perform software updates, diagnose gaming machines, authenticate software, or configure gaming machines. An authentication file may contain a listing of each file on the removable media and an associated hash value calculated with a hash function. The hash values are calculated and stored in an authentication file and encryption of the one or more hash values may occur. A hash value re-calculation is performed on each file at a later time to determine the hash value at the time of use. The re-calculated hash values are compared to the decrypted hash values stored in the authentication file.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a yoke connected to a cruciform by bearing cup assembly. The bearing cup assembly includes a bearing cup, a bearing and an integral seal deflector retainer. The bearing cup assembly is rotatably coupled to a trunnion of the cruciform. The integral seal deflector retainer includes a case engaging the cruciform to retain the bearing assembly on the trunnion.

Abstract: A fixed constant velocity joint is provided, which is suitable for an application where a rotational backlash should be avoided. A pressing member is attached to a shaft, and simultaneously a receiving member is attached to a cage. Then, an elastic force of an elastic member elastically bring a pressing part of the pressing member in contact with a receiving part of the receiving member. As a result, an inner race and a cage relatively travel in the axial direction, balls are pushed toward a direction along which wedge-shape ball tracks narrow, and consequently a track clearance in the axial direction decreases.

Abstract: A pool cue tip repair apparatus comprises a cue clamp including a pair of opposing jaws having mating recesses defining a passage adapted to grip a pool cue stick, and a clamping device adapted to apply the jaws to the pool cue stick; and a tip clamp member detachably mountable on the cue clamp and having an operating screw axially oriented so as to be generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the passage.

Abstract: A combination construction for a tip and point ferrule of a billiard cue. The tip is manufactured from an epoxy resin reinforced glass fiber material that is used in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards. The material is formed into a rivet (mushroom) shape to allow the outer most part of the shaft that is shaped into a small cylindrical shaped object to be inserted into the cavity of a bush shaped point ferrule in order to connect with the small cylindrical object beneath the tip, and to allow the compression packing located between the tip and point ferrule to absorb the counter force of striking a billiard ball such that the tip and point ferrule are not damaged during impact.

Abstract: A device to aid golfers in improving their putting game comprising in combination with a putter, a straight edge guide and an attachment for the putter head, the putter head attachment comprising an elongated flat vertical base plate which extends horizontally and is adapted to slide against a horizontal flat surface on the guide, a first vertical arm extending perpendicularly in a vertical plane from the base plate, a horizontal arm extending from an upper edge of the first vertical arm in a horizontal plane from an end of the first vertical arm opposite its attachment to the base plate, the horizontal arm extending in spaced relation with respect to the base plate, the horizontal arm forming a right angle with the first vertical arm so as to extend over an uppermost portion of the putter head, a second vertical arm attached to an end of the horizontal arm opposite from its attachment to the first vertical arm and extending downwardly in parallel relation with the first vertical arm, the putter head being gr

Abstract: A replaceable hosel assembly for a golf club that enables a golfer to adjust an inclined angle of a putter shaft to a putter head, so as to satisfy a user's preference. A replaceable hosel assembly has an upper end adapted to fit the club shaft and the lower end fitted to the putter head. A plurality of removable hosel assemblies having pre-selected angles between the ends of the component, determines the golfer's preferred angle of inclination or lie angle.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core (1), intermediate layer (3), and cover (5), wherein the intermediate layer (3) is provided with a plurality of apertures through which the core (1) is exposed, wherein the outer surface of the intermediate layer (3) and the surface of the core (1) exposed through the apertures are on substantially the same spherical surface, and wherein the hardness of the intermediate layer (3) is greater than that of the core (1). The golf ball achieves both a high ball resilience and a soft impact feel.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball exhibits a good profile of rebound, feel and durability suited for low head speed amateur players when it satisfies the requirements that (Shore D hardness of the cover)?(Shore D hardness of the intermediate layer)>0, (initial velocity (in m/s) of the core enclosed with the intermediate layer)?(initial velocity (in m/s) of the core)>?0.2, 0.90?(Deflection amount of the core enclosed with the intermediate layer)/(Deflection amount of the core)?1.00, the total of the thickness of the intermediate layer and the thickness of the cover is up to 3.0 mm, and the ball has a coefficient of lift (CL) when hit of at least 0.165 at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and a spin rate of 2,000 rpm, and a coefficient of drag (CD) when hit of not more than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and a spin rate of 2,520 rpm.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core. The outer cover layer has a surface formed with a plurality of three types of dimples such that a product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer and a proportion VR (%) of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces satisfy one of: (1) 1,500 to less than 2,000 VR: 0.8 to 1.1% (2) 2,000 to less than 2,500 VR: 0.75 to 1.05% (3) 2,500 to less than 3,000 VR: 0.7 to 1% (4) 3,000 to less than 3,500 VR: 0.65 to 0.95% (5) 3,500 to 4,000 VR: 0.6 to 0.9%.

Abstract: A ball composed of a ball body and a single- or multi-layered coating film covering the ball body, wherein the coating film includes a coating layer having good scratch or scuff resistance and high resilience. The ball keeps a good appearance even after repeated hitting because of its good scratch or scuff resistance and its ability to repair scratches automatically with the lapse of time even though it is temporarily damaged.

Abstract: Golf ball 2 has a core 4, a mid layer 5 and a cover 6. This mid layer 5 includes 20 parts by weight or greater and 60 parts by weight or less of a styrene block-containing thermoplastic elastomer having a material hardness of less than 10, and 40 parts by weight or greater and 80 parts by weight or less of an ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer-based ionomer resin having a material hardness of 50 or greater and 70 or less. This mid layer 5 has a hardness of 35 or greater and 50 or less, and a thickness of equal to or less than 1.2 mm. The golf ball 2 has numerous double radius dimples and numerous triple radius dimples on the surface thereof. Proportion of the double radius dimples is 20% or greater and 42% or less, and proportion of triple radius dimples is equal to or greater than 50%.

Abstract: An equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball is provided having a substantially horizontal playing surface with first and second ends. A plurality of playing walls, disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extends perpendicularly away from the playing surface. A first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall.

Abstract: A sports-themed game apparatus convertible from a storage configuration to a deployed configuration, and vice versa is disclosed. The sports-themed game apparatus includes a rim and a defense mechanism operable to move from a first position in which the defense mechanism permits a sports implement to pass through the rim, to a second position in which the defense mechanism prevents the sports implement from passing through the rim. The sports-themed game apparatus may further include a return portion configured to return the sports implement to the user after it is propelled/shot toward the rim.

Abstract: A tennis net winder for positioning within a tennis net support post, the tennis net winder comprising a frame having a face plate, having a plurality of apertures for securing the tennis net winder to the support post, the face plate having rearwardly extending support walls secured by a rear wall, the rear wall and face plate having aligned apertures for support of a worm gear member, the extending support walls having aligned apertures for support of a beveled gear and take up drum assembly, the face plate having a generally longitudinal rectangular opening aperture having a guide roller slidably mounted on a cross bar, the tennis net cable passing under the guide roller and through the take up drum, the take up drum being formed with a helical groove such that operation of the worm gear by a crank handle takes up or releases cable on the take up drum, the take up assembly, the winder assembly and frame being coated with a weather impervious coating, such as gold plating.

Abstract: A handle for sports equipment such as a lacrosse or hockey stick including cushioning and grip ribs. In one embodiment, the shaft of the handle defines one or more regions of reduced diameter or thickness such as, in one embodiment, a plurality of elongate longitudinal grooves extending around the periphery thereof in spaced-apart relationship. Interior cushioning ribs are defined in the region of the grooves by a layer of cover or coating material which is applied to the surface of the shaft and fills the grooves. In another embodiment, the shaft includes tapered regions in the shaft and the layer of cover or coating material fills the tapered regions to define cushioning ribs.

Abstract: A vibration damping baseball bat includes a barrel portion and a handle portion. The barrel portion and the handle portion are interconnected in an aligned and spaced-apart relation. The mechanism by which the barrel and handle portions are interconnected dampens vibrations created when a ball contacts the bat and provides limited pivotal movement of the barrel portion relative to the handle portion.

Abstract: A racket frame including a grip part, a shaft part, a throat part, and a head part formed hollowly with a fiber reinforced resin and having a weight not less than 100 g nor more than 270 g. The racket frame is provided with a dynamic damper comprising a mass member and a viscoelastic member mounted on a part of a peripheral surface of the mass member. The dynamic damper is mounted inside the grip part by fixing the viscoelastic member to a position of an inner wall of the grip part located within a range of 0.2 L from a free end of the grip part, supposing that a whole length of the racket frame is L in such a way that inside the grip part, at least one part of the mass member is shakable with respect to the inner wall of the grip part.

Abstract: A handheld device for realigning the strings of a sports racquet, wherein the device is sized to fit into a clothing pocket of the user. The device comprises a body portion from which one or more alternately shaped protrusions extend. The protrusions generally include four-sided shapes that are sized and located along the body portion to be individually progressively received in the openings between the strings of the racquet, but not pass completely through the openings. Possible shapes include generally square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, round, or oval shapes when viewed from the edge. The device is formed of a durable polymeric material that may readily be molded by conventional molding techniques.

Abstract: A field hockey stick including a throat and a head adjoining the throat, the head having an upper portion adjacent to the throat and a lower portion, and at least the lower portion of the head defining at least one depression. The throat can also define a throat depression.

Abstract: A resilient elastic bat grip for baseball and softball bats that covers the knob on the bat handle. The grip has a bulbous shape which is wider then the knob of the baseball bat, and fits snugly in the batter's palm such that the bat is controlled by one or more fingers and swung with the batter's wrist below the end of the bat. The grip does not require all five fingers to hold the bat, and as a result, increases the maneuverability of the wrist which allows greater bat speed and whipping motion. A rounded base enables a single, double or triple finger drop for more bat speed and less wrist rigidity. This also allows added finger support for better control of the head of the bat during the swing as it passes through the power zone.

Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission having a forward clutch is incorporated with a speed-changing hydraulic pressure control system. The control system includes an engaging pressure regulating device for outputting an engaging pressure for the forward clutch. An electronically controlled hydraulic pressure control valve is provided to output a signal pressure which is able to cause the engaging pressure regulating device to set the engaging pressure. A control unit is provided to output a control command signal to the hydraulic pressure control valve, the control command signal causing the hydraulic pressure control valve to output the signal pressure. Here, the engaging pressure regulating device is arranged to output a minimum value of the engaging pressure in response to a maximum value of the signal pressure from the hydraulic pressure control valve, and to output a maximum value of the engaging pressure in response to a minimum value of the signal pressure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a pulley, a shaft body which is rotatable relative to the pulley and is concentrically disposed radially inside of the pulley, a one-way clutch which is interposed at an annular space between the pulley and the shaft body, a rolling bearing which is disposed in the annular space adjacent to the one-way clutch in an axial direction, an inner annular seal which is provided outside the rolling bearing in the annular space, and an outer annular seal which is provided outside the inner annular seal and has a proximal end portion and a distal end side lip. The proximal end portion of the outer annular seal is fixed to one of an inner peripheral surface of the pulley and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft body, and the distal end side lip of the outer annular seal contacts the other peripheral surface.

Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle has an engine unit with a continuously variable transmission. The transmission has a primary sheave and a secondary sheave that are connected by a flexible transmitter such as a belt. The primary sheave, the secondary sheave and the belt are positioned in a transmission case. A starting kick shaft is positioned on the same side of the engine unit as the transmission case but the starting kick shaft is positioned outside of a profile of the transmission case when the engine unit is viewed from a lateral side.

Abstract: Power transmission chains (10, 40, 60) which are suitable for automotive uses as well as other uses and which have a reduced susceptibility to wear and corrosion, in which such chains (10, 40, 60) are constructed to include a plurality of sets (12, 14) of links (11, 13) joined at overlapped ends (11a, 13a) thereof by a pivot (16) including at least one ceramic joint component (16), such as a pivot means (16). Such chains (10) also include means (18a, 18b) to drivingly engage sprocket teeth (37) of a sprocket drive (35).

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt comprising load carrier cord comprising a cord formed from a plurality of strands, wherein the strands comprise fibers of para-aramid and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); and a method for increasing the flexural fatigue resistance and durability of an endless belt, comprising the step of selecting for the belt's load carrier cord a yarn comprising a fiber of para-aramid and PVP.

Abstract: Driving belt provided with an enclosed tension element and metal transverse elements accommodated so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction along the tension element. The transverse elements each comprise a body part, a head part and a neck part therebetween. On either side of the neck part between the body part and the head part two axially oriented openings are present, for accommodating in each a part of the tension element. The body part includes side contact surfaces oriented substantially in an axial direction and diverging from each other in the radial direction, and with a substantially axially oriented tilting line and in which an upper limit of an opening formed by the head part extends in the axial direction at least to an imaginary line, which extends from the radially lower limit to the radially upper limit of the respective opening in line with a contact surface.

Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle structured so as to be able to attain an interrupting state of inertia of a drive motor under a predetermined condition. Therefore, the drive unit for a vehicle has a drive motor able to transmit driving force to a drive wheel, and an operation lever for selecting a shift range for switching the drive motor between drive and non-drive. Further, the drive unit for a vehicle has a control section having a shift position detector for detecting the shift range selected by the operation lever. The drive unit for a vehicle also has brakes for attaining a neutral state by interrupting the power transmission between the drive motor and the drive wheel when the selection of a parking range is detected by the shift position detector.

Abstract: A superposition steering system for tracklaying or wheeled vehicles with nonpivoting wheels with a drive system (1) and a zero shaft (10, 10?) to transfer the drive power from one drive side to the other, via at least one steering differential gear (9), wherein the zero shaft (10, 10?) can be driven from a power fraction branched off from the drive system (1) and at least one electric motor (2, 2?).