Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle has an upper control arm and an associated lower control arm for mounting a wheel on the vehicle body. A hydro-pneumatic spring is connected between one of the control arms and the vehicle body. A compensating spring is associated with the hydro-pneumatic spring and is operable to act in opposition to the force exerted by the hydro-pneumatic spring as the hydro-pneumatic spring approaches full extension.

Abstract: A manual press for coffee, made from a plate rigid with a stem axially slidable within a first sleeve, members enabling said stem to removably engage said first sleeve), a second sleeve acting on said removable engagement members), a shell internally housing said first sleeve and second sleeve and provided with an operating knob, first elastic means which, when the press is not in use, act on said second sleeve which maintains said members in the condition under which said stem engages said first sleeve, second elastic means which when not in use maintain the discoidal plate at its greatest distance from the knob, third elastic means acting on the stem when, following the pressing of the knob during the use of the press, the engagement members enable the stem to slide relative to the first sleeve, said first elastic means having a rigidity constant less than the second elastic means, said third elastic means having a rigidity constant between that of the first and the second elastic means, said engagement mem

Abstract: An extension fixture for combining the clamping capacity of a first and a second bar I-beam cross section bar clamp. The first and second bar clamps each have a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a primary bar. The movable jaw of each bar clamp has a clamping means configured to provide a clamping force in the direction of the fixed jaw. To use the bar clamps with the extension fixture, the movable jaw is removed from the first bar clamp, and the movable jaw orientation on the second bar clamp is reversed so that the clamping means is then configured to provide a clamping force away form the second fixed jaw. The first and second primary bars are then inserted into the extension fixture, and pinned and clamped in position. The assembly then forms a combined capacity bar clamp.

Abstract: A method and resulting product of generating a bible torah or other religious text personalized to an intended recipient. The person giving the bible selects a characterization of a bible, such as a cowboy bible, truck driver's bible, lawyer's bible, children's bible, woman's bible and the like. Then the giver selects an age group of the intended recipient of the bible. Based on this information the system then presents a form for the giver to select from a list of problems experienced by said intended recipient. The giver is then given an opportunity to select additional passages from the bible or other sacred texts to be highlighted. A personalized message with sections highlighted which related to an intended recipients age and problems.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cutting and processing sheets from a web of printed material comprising first and second side-by-side portions of sheets along a length of the web. A first transport is arranged to transport the web in a first horizontal direction. A web splitter splits portions of the web as they are transported on the first transport. An extended path transport, in line with the first transport, transports the second portion of the web in an extended path. A direct path transport, in line with the first transport, transports the first portion of the web on a more direct path. As a result of these different paths sheets within the first and second web portions are re-sequenced in a manner suitable for processing by downstream modules, such as a right angle turn module.

Abstract: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) by grippers (44, 46) respectively positioned adjacent the end regions of each of the compartments and which are configured to open the products for insertion (22, 28).

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for covering a sheet bundle with a cover sheet includes a creasing unit for making a crease along an end portion of the cover sheet adjacent the edge of the sheet bundle opposite the spine edge of the sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a folding-back unit for folding-back the end portion of the cover sheet along the crease made by the creasing unit.

Abstract: An offset sheet feeder comprises a first stack feeder configured to hold a stack of first sheets and to feed individual ones of the first sheets from the stack of first sheets, and a second stack feeder configured to hold a stack of second sheets and to feed individual ones of the second sheets from the stack of second sheets. The second stack feeder is positioned rearward and at a relative offset with respect to the first stack feeder, such that second sheets fed forward from the second stack overlap with first sheets fed from the first stack by an amount related to the relative offset. Aligned, overlapped pairs of first and second sheets can be fed into a box forming apparatus. The offset sheet feeder may include a glue dispenser for depositing adhesive in the overlap area of second sheets fed from the second stack feeder.

Abstract: A sheet-handling apparatus includes a base, a second motor and a sheet-fetching assembly driven by the second motor. The sheet-fetching assembly has a passive gear and a floating gear. When the passive gear rotates, the floating gear revolves around the passive gear. A plurality of driving rollers are driven by a first motor. A plurality of driven rollers are driven by driving rollers, respectively. A prop assembly includes a brace arranged in the base, a prop axel engaged in the brace, a twist arm fixed at the prop axel and having a plurality of teeth for contacting with the floating gear, a swimming arm sleeved and firmly engaged with the swimming arm and a spring component installed on a support board of the swimming arm. The passive gear drives the floating gear descending and ascending. There are two motors provided in the sheet-handling apparatus in order to simplify the structure of the sheet-handling apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a separator are disclosed.

Abstract: A paper-releasing mechanism includes a paper-feeding device for feeding papers, a supporting shelf arranged under the paper-feeding device, a driving roller and an idle roller arranged in the front of the paper-feeding device and an elastic unit engaged with the idle roller and the supporting shelf. The elastic unit includes a connecting arm, act arms bending from the ends of the connecting arm respectively, two helixes each of which extends from the act arm and forms an aperture and two follow act arm each of which extends from the helix and forms a ring at the end thereof, the ring being sleeved on the rolling pivot of the idle roller, the apertures being sleeved on a pivot formed on the supporting shelf.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section which forms an image on a sheet material; a curl correcting mechanism which interposes and conveys the sheet material on which the image has been formed by the image forming section. Pressure applied to one surface of the sheet material during an interposing operation and a conveying speed of the sheet material can be changed, the curl correcting mechanism changes the conveying speed from an initial speed vs to a target speed vo higher than the initial speed (vo>vs) while the sheet material is pressed, and the curl correcting mechanism changes the pressure to a high pressure in response to a change of the conveying speed, whereby a curl of the sheet material is reduced.

Abstract: A device for effecting the positionally accurate conveyance of flat articles to be sorted to an input device for a sorting conveyor has a draw-off unit and a feed unit. The draw-off unit periodically separates the flat articles to be sorted, and feeds them in separated form onto a conveyor line. The feed unit transfers the separated articles with a defined advance to the input device after these articles have reached a predetermined conveyance location of the conveyor line. A section of the conveyor line immediately preceding the predetermined conveyance point is arranged substantially vertical and includes a pair of belts for guiding the article to be sorted, with one belt of the pair running around two rollers and the other belt of the pair configured to be raised for a predetermined time.

Abstract: After an image was formed, a position in the width direction of the sheet stacked on a stacking portion is aligned by fixing one of aligning plates which can independently be driven and moving the other aligning plate in one direction. When the image is formed onto the sheet, a side edge of the sheet on the side which is come into contact with the aligning plate on the side fixed as a reference wall upon aligning is used as a reference and the image is formed.

Abstract: An offsetting device for use in a mail stacking system receiving a plurality of mailpieces at a receiving end for stacking the mailpieces along a line. The offsetting device has a nip to engage with the mailpieces, and a plurality of rollers to change the moving speed of the mailpiece so as to cause the aligning edge of the mailpiece to misalign with line so as to provide a break in a stack. Alternatively, the rollers can be used to align a mailpiece in relation to the line so as to true stacking.

Abstract: A transport and alignment system is provided for handling stacked sheet material on a support deck including first and second belts each having a portion thereof disposed parallel to the support deck. Each of the belts includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers which engage the edges of the stacked sheet material and define a pocket therebetween. The transport and alignment system further includes a drive mechanism for independently driving the first and second belts to effect concurrent and relative motion of the fingers. Concurrent motion of the fingers transports the stacked sheet material along the support deck while relative motion of the fingers opposed edges of the stacked sheets of material. The transport and alignment system is described in the context of a stitcher and chassis module of a mailpiece inserter.

Abstract: A transport module for deskewing and accumulating sheets of insert materials before the sheets are inserted into an envelope for mailing. Retractable gates are used to stop the sheets as they are separately moved into the transport module by a plurality of endless belts. Idlers are used to apply normal forces on the belts at various locations to provide traction between the sheet and the belts for moving the sheet forward. If a sheet is skewed when it enters the transport module, one corner on the leading edge of the sheet encounters one of the side gates and the advancing sheet can align itself by an angular motion using the contact point as center of rotation. As such, the leading edge is registered against the retractable gates at both sides of the leading edge. The transport module can also be used as a conveyor without the accumulation function.

Abstract: A game is provided that generally includes a structure having a first playing surface. The playing surface includes a plurality of marked spaces. A first group of marked spaces form a perimeter, a second group of marked spaces extend from the first group of marked spaces and form a series of starting regions, and a third group of marked spaces extend from the first group of marked spaces and form a series of home regions. Each of the adjacent starting regions has an equal number of marked spaces from the first group disposed therebetween. Each of the adjacent home regions has an equal number of marked spaces from the first group disposed therebetween. Movable pieces are provided that are configured for movement between the marked spaces. A move-determining structure configured for determining a number of marked spaces that a player may move one of his movable pieces is also provided.

Abstract: An entertainment and educational board game which simulates the U.S. economy. The game require participants to play roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President (represents all branches of government), Chairman of The Federal Reserve System, Banker, Venture Capitalist, Pension Fund Manager and Stock Holders. The game includes travel about a playing path generally along the periphery of the board and the simulated purchase by the players of various companies in different business industries and in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. CEOs can conduct activities such as increase Market Share, introduce new products, sell stocks, introduce new technology, Outsource, Downsize, Inversion, obtain bank loans, obtain Venture Capital investment, purchase Government Securities, win Bid Contracts, win No-Bid Contracts, mergers and acquisitions.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aggregation of cards. The aggregation may have at least one card deck, a first quantity of first species wild card, and a second quantity of second species wild card. Each card deck may have a plurality of cards having respective fixed values. Each first species wild card may have a value selectable within a first set of values. The first set of values has less than all of the respective fixed values. Each second species wild card may have a value selectable within a second set of values. The second set of values is not identical to the first set of values. The second quantity is different than the first quantity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blackjack wagering game including the steps of: wagering a first amount on an underlying blackjack game involving a player playing against a dealer; wagering a second amount on a side bet bonus game integrated with the underlying blackjack game, wherein the wager includes selecting at least one particular suit; providing one or more cards to the player and the dealer to form a player's initial hand and a dealer's initial hand; determining the outcome of the side bet bonus game wager, wherein the outcome depends on at least one of card of one of the initial hands including one or more cards of the at least one selected suit; and playing the underlying blackjack card game to determine a final outcome for the blackjack wager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a poker game with a unique betting format is disclosed. The card game is somewhat similar to traditional games of poker and, more specifically, to Hold 'Em poker. The unique gameplay disclosed herein allows for two specific variations on the traditional gameplay associated with standard Hold 'Em. First, one variation of the present invention will incorporate one or more “wild cards” into the game, typically in the form of jokers. These additional cards, when added to the standard 52 card deck of playing cards, can be used to represent any other card in the deck. A second variation of the present invention incorporates at least one additional round of betting into the gameplay. In this version, after the betting on the “river” card has occurred, the next player in turn to bet can choose to “check” or initiate another round of betting.

Abstract: A player makes a wager and initiates game play, dealing a first hand of at least five cards all face up to the player. The player may hold none, one or more of the face up cards and draw replacement cards for the unheld cards. The player also has the options to wager on and duplicate none, one or more of the dealt cards into one or more five-card hands. If the player holds none of the cards and duplicates the dealt cards only, the player can hold the cards in the dealt hand and the duplicated hands in any traditional manner the player selects. The player is also given the option to select none, one or more winning outcomes for one or more of the five card hands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc toss putting game and method of playing the game. The game involves the use of a game target, at least one disc for tossing at the game target, at least one golf ball, and at least one ball striking implement such as a putter. The game is played by one or more players who initially place the game target at a desired location. Then, each player tosses his disc at the target. The location where each player's disc lands determines where each player must putt from, if required, to complete the hole. The players can continue to repeatedly play the same hole or can move the target to other locations for different holes. The game target can have markings which make it easy for the players to determine where to putt a ball from and the game may include a mat with markings to facilitate target and ball placement and to identify the disc tossing location.

Abstract: A paintball target holder includes a frame having plural parts that are movable relative to one another in order to fold the frame and thereby reduce a volume encompassed by the frame. The plural parts include a front part, a back part, and a bottom part. The paintball target holder includes a target mounted to the front part, layers of material mounted between the target and the back part, where the layers of material receive a paintball through the target, and a paintball loader mounted to the bottom part. The paintball loader receives the paintball from the layers of material via the bottom part.

Abstract: A mechanical seal support system may facilitate feeding barrier fluid to a mechanical seal. A predetermined difference in pressure between the barrier fluid at a position before and after passage through the seal is detected. The flow of barrier fluid to the seal may be reduced when the predetermined pressure difference is detected.

Abstract: A self centering, floating brush seal assembly for a machine housing including a seal channel disposed circumferentially about a rotating shaft. The seal channel is typically configured to accommodate a ring seal. The ring seal is removed and a radially floating brush seal is installed in the seal channel but the brush seal is not fixed to the machine housing. The typical brush seal includes a front plate, a back plate, and a plurality of bristles sandwiched between the front plate and the back plate and having free radially extending ends disposed circumferentially about and contacting the rotating shaft. A radially extending rub feature is associated with at least one of the front plate and the back plate. The rub feature is disposed circumferentially about and contacts the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An axial and dynamic brush seal system wherein a mating ring is attached to a rotor and has a sealing surface. The bristles of the brush seal are disposed about the rotor and extend axially so that the terminal free ends of the bristles engage the sealing surface of the mating ring.

Abstract: A device which is used to guide at least two flow media having different pressures with a shaft or similar force-transmitting element, and a pressure insulating element such as a housing surrounding the shaft or similar. Areas arranged next to each other in the direction of the axis are determined between the force-transmitting element and the pressure-insulating element by sealing elements; at least one of the preferably magnetofluidic sealing elements is leakage-free, and two areas for fluids (A, B) having different pressures flank an area for an auxiliary liquid (H), whereby said area is subdivided by a device into two partial areas for two different pressure areas. A conveying medium is allocated to the area at high pressure and ambient air is allocated to the area at low pressure. The auxiliary liquid (H) is a carrier oil of the magnetofluid, optionally a silicon oil, allocated to the sealing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable clearance packing ring arrangement including a packing ring, wherein the packing ring includes a sealing face. The variable clearance packing ring arrangement also includes an actuating arrangement internal to the packing ring.

Abstract: A method for operating a compliant abradable sealing system includes biasing a radially movable sealing element to contact a mating radially fixed sealing element. The radially fixed sealing element is rotated relative to the radially movable sealing element. The radially fixed sealing element is provided on a rotor. The radially movable sealing element is provided in a stator housing. The radial movement of the movable sealing element is limited by a stopping device provided between the movable sealing element and the stator housing. A plurality of permanent sealing grooves are formed in the radially movable sealing element to form a zero-clearance labyrinth seal.

Abstract: By providing a projection 24 at the root of a seal lip 22, the mechanical loss caused by the seal lip is reduced while restraining the turn-over of the seal lip 22, while maintaining a stable sealing performance by letting the first side surface 24a or the second side surface 24b of this projection 24 exhibit a suction function of returning the fluid that has leaked from the lip tip end of the seal lip 22 to the sealing fluid side O when the shaft and the seal lip 22 are relatively rotated.

Abstract: A bearing seal that is designed so that it can be mounted between one element and the other element of a bearing rotating relative to each other, thereby sealing the bearing. The bearing seal includes a seal ring and a seal body. The seal ring and seal body being adapted to be fitted on and secured to the one element and other element of the bearing rotating relative to each other, respectively. The seal ring includes a first cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction of the bearing and adapted to be fitted on and secured to the peripheral wall of the one element rotating relative to the other element of the bearing, a flange portion extending from the first cylindrical portion toward the radial direction, and a second cylindrical portion extending from the forward end side of the flange portion toward the axial direction of the bearing.

Abstract: A power driver may include a housing, a tool chuck and a power take off mechanism. The tool chuck may have an input shaft mounted for rotation on the housing. The input shaft may support chuck jaws. A chuck actuating shaft may be mounted for rotation on the input shaft. The power take off mechanism may be connected to the tool chuck. The power take off mechanism may be adjustable into a DRILL DRIVE MODE to rotationally drive the input shaft and the chuck actuating shaft together as a unit, and a CHUCK MODE to rotationally drive the chuck actuating shaft relative to the input shaft. The power take off mechanism may be internal of the housing. The power take off mechanism in the CHUCK MODE may rotationally fix the input shaft to the housing.

Abstract: An actuator for an active chassis of a motor vehicle is proposed which includes a body spring and a vibration damper, and which incorporates a hydraulic or pneumatic positioning cylinder (3) and a compensation spring (2). The actuator (1) is so designed and positioned that the static body mass (13) is borne by the compensation spring (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a caster control apparatus for a suspension of a vehicle. When the vehicle travels on a road which causes a vehicle body to lean to one side, the caster of a lowered wheel is increased, and the caster of a raised wheel is decreased, such that the casters of the wheels on both sides are offset with each other. Therefore, the vehicle is inhibited from leaning due to the lateral slope of the road, and the straight-line stability of the vehicle can be reliably maintained.

Abstract: A two-piece snowboard includes an improved bottom shape and connector. The bottom surface of each snowboard section facilitates three primary functions: riding in a straight line, turning, and stopping. The bottom surfaces are concave or substantially flat, and grooves or ribs are provided along bottom edges of the sections to provide for turning and/or braking. Thus placed, the grooves and/or ribs do not interfere with straight line riding. The connector is somewhat stiff, and resists twisting. An example of a suitable connector is a length of reinforced hydraulic hose. The connector allows both vertical and horizontal flexing to facilitate riding over irregular terrain, while resisting twisting between sections to facilitate control.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of moveable storage racks and/or partitions that can be installed in existing buildings without the necessity of installing guide rails for them. In addition, the movement may be controlled so that the partitions move either in a parallel fashion or they can be rotated through an arc. The partitions are supported on drive and guide belts that are mounted on the underside thereof and which eliminate the need for the guide rails and spread the weight of the partition over a greater area of the floor so as to permit use in buildings which were not originally designed for such systems.

Abstract: A skate brake particularly suited for an inline skate includes a braking carriage formed of left and right plates spaced apart by axles that support rollers thereon. The rollers engage the wheels of the skate when the carriage is maneuvered to the appropriate elevation, and the momentum of the wheels is arrested as a result of a frictional bearing of the rollers against the carriage surface. The carriage is raised and lowed by a rocker mounted below the skate and coupled to the carriage plates, where rotation of the rocker drives the plates and the carriage downward such that the rollers contact one or more wheels. The rocker is actuated by a linkage that includes a pushrod and a second rocker that is mounted to the skate boot, allowing the user to control the braking carriage by applying pressure to a rear location of the boot.

Abstract: A trailer slider assembly includes a handle that moves a trailer slider locking mechanism between an unlocked position and a locked position. A suspension side rail has a retaining feature that holds the handle in the unlocked position. A release mechanism releases the handle from the retaining feature in response to a release of a parking brake. This prevents a vehicle from driving off with the trailer slider locking mechanism in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A height adjusting device for a bike seat includes a seat tube, a fixing base, a seat post, a movable block, two bolts, plural plastic ornamental sleeves and a twinkling light. The seat tube is shaped as a water drop in its cross-sectional view. The fixing base shaped the same as the seat tube is to be fitted in and welded with the seat tube and provided with a tube hole and a sliding slot in communication with the tube hole. The movable block is screwed with two bolts able to keep the movable block suspended and moved back and forth, enabling the movable block to loosen or squeeze the seat post.

Abstract: A stand-up, ride-on work vehicle adapted for multiple applications. The vehicle comprises a base unit, an articulating joint, and one of a plurality of interchangeable equipment chassis. The base unit has at least one ground supporting member, and provides power and mobility to the work vehicle. The articulation joint is supported on a front end of the base unit. An operator station extends from a back end of the base unit. Each of the plurality of chassis comprises at least one ground support member and is pivotally connected to the base unit by the articulation joint. Each of the plurality of chassis may be a dedicated equipment chassis or a universal equipment chassis. Each dedicated chassis comprises a dedicated work tool. Each universal chassis comprises an attachment surface for connection to one of a plurality of work tools. The ground supporting members may be any combination of drive wheels, trail wheels, tracks, or work tools.

Abstract: A trailer may be purchased by a consumer from a store and the trailer may be quickly, easily and readily towed away from the store. In particular, the trailer may be essentially or completely ready to be towed away from the store and the trailer may require no or virtually no assembly. For example, a towing arm may be quickly and easily moved from the storage position to the use position. Advantageously, because the towing arm may be connected by pins to the trailer, no tools may be required to position the arm in the use position. In addition, because electrical wiring may be disposed within the arm and the arm may be simply moved forwardly when the trailer is ready to be towed, the lights for the trailer may be functional.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snowboard binding in which the heel strap (5) is fixed to the base plate (1) so as to be pivotable about an axis (6) that extends perpendicular to the base plate (1). Even the center of the lower edge portion of the high-back shell (7) rests against the heel strap (5) in the riding position. A fixing device is provided for fixing the pivot angle of the heel strap (5).

Abstract: A lightweight stroller 10 is provided. The stroller 10 includes front legs 12, rear legs 14, a seat support frame 70 connected to the front legs 12, a backrest support frame 34 connected to the seat support frame 70, a headrest plate 52 connected to an upper part of the backrest support frame, and a pair of side plates 50 disposed on the opposite sides, respectively, of the backrest support frame 34. A base sheet can be stably hold by the backrest support frame 34, the headrest plate 52 and the side plates 50 without increasing the length of connecting rods.

Abstract: A trailer that may include a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. A first slot in the first side wall may be sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the first end wall and a first slot in the second side wall may be sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the first end wall. In addition, a second slot in the first side wall may be sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the second end wall and a second slot sin the second side wall may be sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the second end wall. The trailer may also include lips that are sized and configured to help retain the walls in the desired positions. In addition, the trailer may include engaging members that are sized and configured to bias the walls into a desired position. Advantageously, the walls may be interchangeably connected to the trailer.

Abstract: A trailer may include a weight indicator that is sized and configured to indicate at least a portion of the load carried by the trailer. The weight indicator may include a pointer that is connected to a suspension member, such as a leaf spring. Advantageously, the pointer may be connected to other suitable portions of the trailer such as a frame, bracket or the like. Advantageously, the trailer may also include two weight indicators to collectively indicate whether the trailer is loaded evenly.

Abstract: A transport vehicle includes a bed formed in the rear end thereof. A base is seated on the bed and supports a load-bearing platform opposing the bed forming a storage space therebetween and an opening therebetween into the storage space at the rear end of the vehicle. A wheeled trailer is also provided, which is positionable in the storage space, is removable from the storage space, and has a hitched drawbar engagable to a tow bat secured to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transport vehicle includes a bed formed in the rear end thereof. A base is seated on the bed and supports a load-bearing platform opposing the bed forming a storage space therebetween and an opening therebetween into the storage space at the rear end of the vehicle. A wheeled trailer is also provided, which is positionable in the storage space, is removable from the storage space, and has a hitched drawbar engagable to a tow bat secured to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interior trim assembly including vehicle roof structure that supports a headliner-mounted component and a headliner, a separating means proximate a mounting location perimeter of the headliner-mounted component for maintaining a mounting integrity of the headliner-mounted component upon deployment of an inflatable restraint.