Abstract: Segments formed on a wiring substrate are arranged in a staggered array, and tie bars are provided between the segments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a groove pattern in a light-guiding plate for obtaining high luminance and decreasing processing time, thereby improving yield. The device has a tool unit including a tool guide and a head which is further provided with a heating plate disposed below the tool unit; a stamper disposed under the heating plate; and a plurality of cutting tools extending from a lower side of the stamper at fixed intervals, for forming a plurality of groove patterns in a surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: A material feed system for solid freeform fabrication. The build material is delivered in discrete or quantized amounts by a clamp feed system in a non-flowable state to the dispensing device and the material is then changed to a flowable state prior to being dispensed. The feed system can be used to build three-dimensional objects in color, if desired. The clamped feed system is integrated with a waste removal system.

Abstract: A method of making a variable thickness tubular member for a vehicle includes the steps of providing a tubular member and positioning a mandrel inside of the tubular member. The method also includes the steps of hydroforming the tubular member into a variable thickness tubular member having a variable wall thickness along its perimeter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for molding plastic articles. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a staged sequentially separated apparatus for injection molding of plastic panels having a flap or tab molded therewith in a single molding and forming step. The present invention provides, among other things, a method and an apparatus for forming an injection molded part with an undercut, the undercut lying generally in a plane of a major portion of the part, the undercut having an open elongate opening and being positioned between an elongate integrally molded tongue and panel. The apparatus comprising a first mold half with a first mold cavity defining surface, a second mold half with a second mold cavity defining surface, a tongue member carried by the second mold half and projecting into a mold cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for moulding an article by feeding molten plastics material into a metering cavity, feeding a predetermined quantity of the material from the metering cavity into a mould cavity via a transition passage adjacent the mould cavity and urging the molten plastics material from the transition passage into the mould cavity with a working stroke of a packing piston, until the packing piston closes a port defined between the transition passage and the mould cavity and a leading face of the packing piston forms part of the peripheral wall of the mould. Less than ninety percent of the mould cavity is filled with the molten plastics material when the packing piston starts its working stroke and the packing piston starts its working stroke while molten plastics material is still being fed from the metering cavity.

Abstract: A pocket plate and method of use in conjunction with an angle-shaped form and a void filler material for facilitating the forming of a void in a concrete panel to be poured. The pocket plate comprises a table with legs made of a material that can be easily cut to adjust its height to correspond to a desired thickness of the concrete panel to be poured. An L-shaped table top portion covers a portion of the table and serves as a surface on which an edge of the angle-shaped structural member and void filler material are placed prior to pouring the concrete. The table has one or more frame members extending a predetermined distance from a vertically oriented portion of the L-shaped table top portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making molded structures using a mold and a moldable material is disclosed wherein a substantially smooth finish is provided to the material at an open surface of the mold. The material is released into the mold through a feeder opening comprising an inner door and an outer door displaceable in a plane substantially parallel to the opening. A combined activation of the doors controls a flow of the material from the feeder to the mold. When the mold has been filled and both the inner door and the outer door are closed, the outer door may be reopened to smooth the material at the open surface of the mold. Alternatively, a feeder opening may comprise a single door and a relative displacement between a mold support supporting the mold and the door may be used to provide a like effect.

Abstract: In order to provide a mold and an imprint apparatus which permit adjustment of a depth of an imprint pattern after the imprint pattern is formed, the mold is constituted by a mold substrate including a first material and a surface layer, constituting a projection of the mold and including a second material, for forming a pattern on the photocurable resin material. The first material is more etchable than the second material. The first material and the second material have optical transmittances capable of curing the photocurable resin material with respect to at least a part of wavelength range of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: This invention presented is a method of polymerizing colored patterns inside a mode, comprising a top pattern, a middle pattern and a bottom pattern, enabling a meltable object to be infused into the mode for forming the mold shape. The bottom pattern enables a thermal-transfer film to be put thereon, and then the middle pattern keeps down the perimeter of the thermal-transfer film for fixing the film and forming a vacuity, thereby the thermal-transfer film is able to completely contact the cavity inside the bottom pattern; subsequently, a meltable object is infused into the mold after the mold is closed. Seeing that the thermal-transfer film is a thermoplastic polymer having a similar property to the meltable object, therefore, the thermal-transfer film is able to be directly printed on the meltable object surface by way of the hot temperature of the meltable object. The transfer printing process is then finished after the meltable object inside the mold is shaped.

Abstract: A process is described, for preparing a container provided with a container opening, having a substantially inherently rigid outer layer and at least one inner layer, each of a different thermoplastic plastics material. First of all a preform of at least two coaxial molten polymer tubes (2,3) which are of a sufficient length to produce the container is produced in a blow-molding method between the closed individual parts of a blow-mold (4). The rigid inflating mandrel (5) with a balloon (6) mounted thereon is passed through the mold into the interior of the preform, after which the balloon (6) is inflated in the region of the container opening, such that the minimum of two layers are pressed against the blow-mold (4) and hardened there. Finally, pressure is introduced through the inflating mandrel (5) into the interior of the preform.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic article comprising the steps of providing a plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition comprising an inorganic ceramic powder batch composition; a liquid vehicle; and an organic binder system comprising at least one organic lubricant grafted to a cellulose ether binder. An extruded green body can be formed from the plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition and subsequently fired under conditions effective to convert the extruded green body into a unitary ceramic article. Also provided are ceramic articles manufactured by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device includes a fluid chamber divided by a partition member into a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber. The partition member has a first and a second member axially superposed together. A locking projection is formed on one of the first member or the second member and a locking hole is formed on an other, with the locking projection being inserted through the locking hole to effect locking so as to constitute a locking mechanism for holding the first and second member in a superposed state. Outer circumferential faces of the first member and the second member held in the superposed state by the locking mechanism are fastened fitting into a second mounting member via a seal rubber layer, and the first or second member having the locking hole includes a cover portion that covers an opening of the locking hole from a side thereof to which the locking projection projects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic antivibration device having two rigid strength members interconnected by an elastomer body partly defining a working chamber, a compensation chamber partly defined by a flexible wall, and a cover covering the flexible wall. It is characterized in that the flexible wall has a peripheral area integral with the rim.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp system and method for extending the jaw opening of an adjustable clamp are presented. The adjustable clamp system includes a first slide-adjustable clamp and a second slide-adjustable clamp, with each clamp having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The system further comprises, for each of the slide-adjustable clamps, a rail, along which the movable jaw travels. The ends of the rails of the two adjustable clamps, relieved subsequent to the removal of the fixed jaw member, are engaged. Upon engagement of the rails, a coupling member suitably aligns and secures them, so as to maintain the joining thereof. The jaw opening of the adjustable clamp is formed by the jaw member movably attached to the first rail and the jaw member movably attached to the second rail, being substantially increased thereby.

Abstract: A conduit clamping device has an elongated substantially rigid base having a longitudinal axis. At least one axially extending elongated generally U-shaped channel is formed in the base and sized to receive at least a portion of a length of conduit of a given diameter. A lid is hingedly coupled to the base and relatively hingedly movable between an open position for permitting conduit to be placed in or removed from the channel and a closed position for grippingly engaging the conduit between the lid and the channel. A quantity of resilient material is mounted to at least one of the lid and the channel for resiliently, grippingly engaging the conduit when the lid is in the closed position.

Abstract: A booklet-loading device includes: a carry-out unit that conveys plural of booklets sequentially; and a transfer unit that transfers the plural of booklets sequentially conveyed from the carry-out unit, and arranges the plural of booklets in a partly overlapped state; a loaded unit that is loaded with the booklets transferred by the transfer unit; and a transfer control unit that controls a transfer amount per booklet in the transfer unit to a transfer amount depending on a quantity of booklets loaded on the loaded unit.

Abstract: An improved sloped stack detection system for a multi-function finisher includes a reflective sensor which suspends the conveying of stapled sets to an output tray when staple build-up in small stapled sets causes the stacked output to become sloped.

Abstract: An improved method for monitoring stack quality in a finisher of a printer includes examining the net displacement of a compiling tray after each set has been ejected. A deviation from the normal increments of displacement for each set triggers a “tray full” condition which alerts a user to empty the tray.

Abstract: A document feeder includes an exterior cover that is openably and closably attached to the body of the document feeder such that it exposes a portion of a document transport path therein, and a movable unit including an exposed portion on the surface thereof that is exposed when the exterior cover is opened and an unexposed portion on the surface thereof that is not exposed when the exterior cover is opened, the movable unit attached to the body of the document feeder such that it is possible to expose the unexposed portion. The movable unit includes a handle that protrudes from the exposed portion and has an observation hole to allow the exposed portion to be observed from the front side of the document feeder.

Abstract: An image on a fed document is read, and recording paper on which an output image is formed based on the read image is discharged onto a first tray. When overlapped feeding is detected at the time of feeding a document, page numbers of the overlapped documents are recorded, and an image on a document fed after the overlapped documents is read, an output image is formed on recording paper based on the read image, and the recording paper is discharged onto a second tray to notify the occurrence of overlapped feeding. When the documents are set again by the user and fed, an image on a document of a page number matching a recorded page number is read, an output image is formed on recording paper based on the read image, and the recording paper is discharged onto the first tray.

Abstract: A versatile paper feeding device of an image forming apparatus includes a pick-up roller, a paper support tray under the pick-up roller to stack paper on, a paper support expansion tray to be able to freely slide toward or away from the paper support tray to support the trailing edge of the paper, a forward positioned paper alignment guide on the paper support tray to align a leading end portion of the paper, and a second paper alignment member formed on the paper support expansion tray to align a following end portion of the paper. When the versatile paper feeding device is used to print images on paper of various sizes, the paper can be properly positioned and straightly fed without skewing.

Abstract: The present invention presupposes a paper supply tray for an image forming device which comprises a handhold having a recess of a specified form. In such a paper supply tray, a groove is formed peripherally on the inside surface of the recess. Thereby, force can be applied to the paper supply tray and the paper supply tray can be easily withdrawn regardless of the angle at which fingers are inserted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises a sheet feed cassette adapted to be insertingly mounted in a sheet feed section of an apparatus body in such a manner that it can be pulled out frontward, a cover member attached to an upper edge of an opening which is formed in a rear portion of the apparatus body to allow a rear portion of the sheet feed cassette mounted in the sheet feed section to protrude rearward therefrom, and adapted such that, when the rear portion of the sheet feed cassette is located to protrude from the opening, it covers an upper surface of the protruded rear portion of the sheet feed cassette, and a noise absorbing material attached onto a surface of the cover member adapted to be located in opposed relation to the sheet feed cassette.

Abstract: A mail piece stacker system includes a back wall and a side wall. A platform is mounted adjacent to the back wall and side wall and is moveable in a vertical direction. The platform is adapted to support a stack of mail pieces, such as mail pieces, and has means connected to the platform to position the platform in a first vertical position when no mail pieces are on the platform and to position the platform in a different vertical position lower than the first vertical position when mail pieces are on the platform. The platform may be positioned at an acute angle with respect to the back wall and the side wall to help in registering mail pieces being stacked on the platform. The stacker may employ the method of moving mail pieces seriatim onto a platform. The platform is moveable in a vertical direction and is moved in a downward direction as mail pieces are stacked on the platform.

Abstract: A multi-sheet feed detection system comprises a photosensor configured to receive light emitted in a non-visible spectrum by a transmitter through at least one sheet, and a detection module configured to detect a multi-sheet feed condition based on an amount of non-visible light received by the photosensor.

Abstract: A paper sheet break detection unit having a light source which emits light to a card deformed by the pressure of flanges of front- and back-side lower rollers, a control unit which judges that a card includes a break, based on the reception of light by a light-receiving sensor, and a moving mechanism which moves the flanges of upper and lower rollers along a conveying surface in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveying a card K, by moving the upper and lower rollers.

Abstract: Example embodiments of a diaphragm are shown and described.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type scratch ticket game where a scratch ticket has a plurality of two-card, known, starter hands and five unrevealed community cards. A player reveals the community cards. Each starter hand is combined with the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a predetermined amount if any of the complete hands is found in a pay table. Optionally, the predetermined amount is based on the rank of the hand. Optionally, there is more than one set of community cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing card game, comprising a half-round gambling table (2), having multiple player's fields (21) formed in the plate of the gambling table (2) and a dealer's field (25), a radial dealer arm (4) is arranged under the plate of the gambling table (2) and pivotably supported on a vertical shaft (3) placed in the centre of curvature of the half-round gambling table (2), at the end of the dealer arm (3) near the shaft a card magazine (61) and a dealing device (65) are arranged, on the dealer arm an endless belt-conveyor (41) is supported having a horizontal carrying surface extending between the card magazine (61) and the outer end of the dealer arm (4), each player's fields (21) contain a card showing window (22), a display (24) and a keyboard, the outlines of the card showing windows are fitted to the sizes of the cards, the cards are of soft magnetic sheet, the lower edges of the card showing windows (22) are provided with permanent magnets (27), two card lifting devices (48, 49) are mounted

Abstract: An interactive learning game having a gameboard bearing a plurality of consecutive spaces, some of which include open ended personality revealing discussion questions. The novel game also includes cards bearing moral, spiritual, ethical and philosophical questions and references to answers from different points of view. The novel gameboard also includes alternative paths interconnecting the plurality of spaces that provide a player with the option to advance the player's marker, move back another player's marker or to altruistically assist another player's marker. The novel game may be played on the computer by computers connected to the internet or an intranet. The game is designed for players to challenge their way of thinking while enjoying interaction and learning different points of view and perspectives on ethical, moral, religious, scientific and philosophical points of view.

Abstract: A game which combines aspects of pocket billiards and poker begins with determining the order of play for the pocket billiards portion and determining the ante amount and the raise amount for the poker portion. Cards are then dealt for the poker portion after which the players bet on their poker hands. Ante amounts and penalty values are set for penalty cards before the pocket billiards play begins. Pocket billiards is then played until all billiard balls corresponding to the poker cards of a player have been pocketed, and that player is the winner of the pocket billiards portion and receives the pocket billiards payout. The best poker hand is then determined, with the winner receiving the poker portion payout.

Abstract: A method of playing a baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play a simpler version of baccarat with the winning hand having a hand value closest to nine based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt. The baccarat-type card game of the present invention is both easier to understand, capable of being played by more players than standard baccarat, and provides each player with the opportunity to decide when to receive an additional card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a card tournament with elimination hands is presented. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for a multi-round blackjack tournament with periodic hands wherein players with the lowest chip or point total are eliminated from the game. A home/portable edition implementation is also provided for, allowing players to conduct a card game tournament in venues outside of the traditional casino environment.

Abstract: A poker game that uses a five card hand in making certain determinations related to player payouts is provided. The game has one or more community cards that can be used by each player and, preferably also, by the dealer in deciding the best five card player and dealer hands. The player payouts can include a predetermined hand and higher payout and a bet payout. The predetermined hand and higher payout does not depend on whether the dealer hand is a qualified hand. The bet payout does depend on whether the dealer hand is a qualified hand. The community card by itself can also be used in determining a player payout.

Abstract: A bouncing practice net is provided, including at least two plies of nets. The mesh size of the back ply is smaller or equal to the mesh size of the front ply, and both plies are arranged in an asymmetrical or interleaved manner, and are tightly stretched and attached inside a frame. The practice net can provide bouncing trajectory that is unpredictable to simulate the actual batting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature live-action surfing attraction and associated surf game specifically adapted for use with one or more surf toy action figures. The surf toy action figures are mountable to a surf board appropriately sized and weighted to provide relatively stable or semi-stable surf-riding action upon a sheet flow of water flowing up an inclined ride surface of the reduced scale attraction. Various surf action figures may be set free upon the ride surface, or they may be constrained or partially constrained by wires, strings, magnets or the like, as desired. Alternatively, or in addition, they may be controlled via a remote control, or radio control transmitter, as desired. Thus, a fun and entertaining game is created that provides realistic live-action surfing within a relatively small or confined area.

Abstract: An amusement device in the form of a balancing tube game is described. In typical use, the balancing tube is balanced in a vertical orientation on a user's palm, finger, head, elbow, foot or wherever they wish to balance it. The balancing tube game comprises an elongated cylindrical tube with built-in tilt-sensing electronics and audible, visual and tactile feedback. The tilt-sensing electronics are adapted to sense whenever the tube tilts off-vertical by more than a predetermined critical angle. The built-in electronics comprise a microprocessor, tilt sensor, lights, a noise-generating element, such as a speaker, and a vibrator. Optionally, a motion sensor can be added so that game can confirm that it is being manipulated (rather than simply fixed in a vertical orientation). While playing the game, the user progresses through a predetermined series of game levels, each level being characterized by a specific set of lights, sounds and/or vibrations emanating from the game.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing a space between two members relatively rotating in concentricity, comprising: a slinger fixedly fitted into one of the members, a core member fixedly fitted into the other of the members, and an elastic seal member attached to the core member, the elastic seal member having a seal lip elastically and slidably contacting with the slinger. The slinger has a fitting cylindrical portion to be fitted into the one member and a flange portion extending from the fitting cylindrical portion in its radial direction, whereas the seal lip has a base portion fixed to the core member and constitutes an axial lip elastically and slidably contacting with the inner surface of the flange portion of the slinger.

Abstract: A mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith.

Abstract: Provided is a low friction, self-lubricating sleeve for use with a reciprocating piston in the compressor and/or the expander subsystem of a cryogenic cooler or other compressor type system. The sleeve is bonded to an outer surface of the piston, thereby positioning the sleeve between the piston and an inner wall of a piston cylinder. The sleeve is manufactured using a polyetheretherketone base material, as well as varying percentages of carbon and/or polytetrafluoroethylene fillers. The sleeve may include a dry lubricant such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, and may extend for all or part of the length of the piston. The sleeve demonstrates negligible wear over thousands of hours of use in the cryogenic cooler, thereby minimizing system gas blow-back and maximizing system efficiency/performance.

Abstract: A gasket which can uniformize the facial pressure on the thickened part more securely is to be provided. A gasket comprises a pair of base plates and stacked above and underneath, in which combustion chamber holes and bolt holes are bored, a doubling plate and shim plates intervene between these base plates. On this doubling plate, a second bead, which permits plastic deformation, extends in the circumferential direction of each combustion chamber hole. As the second bead is deformed according to the magnitude of the fastening load, the gasket height lowers where the fastening load is heavy and the facial pressure on the peripheries of combustion chamber holes is uniformized after fastening.

Abstract: A gasket which can secure a sufficient sealing capability even for compact, light and less rigid high-performance engines is to be provided. The gasket comprises a metallic base plate and a shim plate stacked around each of combustion chamber holes in the base plate. A base plate bead consisting of a full bead is formed along the circumference of each of the combustion chamber holes. The shim plate is large enough to be arranged opposite a first flat part, a base plate bead formation position A and a second flat part in the base plate. A plurality of strips of auxiliary beads are formed in the part of the shim plate opposite the base plate.

Abstract: A metal laminate gasket is formed of at least three metal plates, i.e. first to third metal plates assembled together. A connecting portion is formed for partially connecting the first and second metal plates. The third metal plate has an opening located at a position facing the connecting portion for receiving the connecting portion therein. Thus, local pressure formed at the connection portion when the gasket is tightened is eliminated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping and/or braking device with a housing, in which at least one plate-like element is held, which is supported, with a first end, opposite a stop area of the housing and which, with a second end, transfers clamping and/or braking forces to an object, or acts on a pressurizable element, which transfers clamping and/or braking forces to an object, wherein the plate-like element has at least one bending area which is convex in the starting state, which is constructed pressure-resistant and nevertheless elastically deformable so that the bending area forms an elastic element between the stop area of the housing and a pressurizing end of the plate-like element, wherein an essentially airtight pressure space is formed between the convex side of the at least one bending area of the at least one plate-like element and the housing, wherein the pressure space can be acted on with the excess pressure of a pressure medium which can be supplied to the housing, and wherein the at least one pla

Abstract: A workholding assembly for releasably holding a work piece includes a master variable-volume fluid chamber disposed between a machine and the machine's axially-movable draw bar such that the workholding assembly converts the mechanical axial force/movement of the draw bar into fluid pressure/fluid flow. The resulting fluid pressure operates a fluid-driven gripping assembly such as a radial-piston-based hydraulic collet assembly or a diaphragm-based hydraulic gripping assembly. The hydraulic collet assembly may be a quick-change assembly that enables an operator to quickly and easily change between differently sized or shaped collets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moveable working device, particularly an auto concrete pump, comprising an undercarriage (10) provided with two front and two rear supporting extension arms (22,24) which can be extended from a travel position into at least one support position, which can be supported on a foundation (36) and which are respectively provided with a supporting leg (28), also provided with a respective measuring member (38) for determining the support load acting upon the supporting legs (28). If the telescopic supporting legs (28) with the telescopic member (30) fixed to the extension arm are coupled to a support leg casing by means of a coupling bolt (32), it is possible to configure the coupling bolt as a measuring member (38) in order to determine the support load, using particularly simple means. The measuring members can be incorporated into a stability monitoring device comprising a computer-assisted evaluation electronics system (68,74).

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus and method for removably securing an article of footwear suitable for walking, running, or bicycling to a wheeled skate. Further, the present invention also teaches a brake device for use with a wheeled skate. In addition, the present invention teaches a wheeled skate including a suspension system that can be propelled with the use of linear or side stroke skating techniques. Moreover, the present invention teaches a quad wheeled skate having advantageous structure and function for recreational skating and aerobic exercise.

Abstract: The quad parabolic snowmobile ski is an elongated body having a top side, a bottom side, a tip at the front end, a rear end, a pair of symmetrically opposed ski parabolic cutting edges disposed longitudinally along the bottom of the ski, and a keel. The keel is attached to the bottom of the ski and has a central median ridge, i.e., a keel rail, a substantial portion of which protrudes below the bottom of the ski to form a central and longitudinal point of contact with the snow. The keel defines symmetrically opposed snow-funneling channels along the opposite sides of the central median ridge. Varying radii of curvature of the channels form parabolically-shaped channel outer sidewalls. Symmetrically opposed keel parabolic cutting edges are formed by contouring a keel body width to follow the contour of the parabolic shaped outer sidewalls at a constant cutting edge width.