Abstract: Thin, lightweight footwear made of a polyethylene material that is composed of a top part and a sole part that are sewn together such that when fitted properly to the wearer's foot the footwear encompasses the foot and extends to the level of the ankle. The top part is porous allowing the ingress and egress of soap and water. The sole has slip resistance properties due to the material from which it is made and the texture of its outer surface. The finished product can be folded and compressed for storage, then later unfolded and worn without the folding adversely affecting its intended function of providing a barrier between the wearer's feet and the tub or shower floor on which the wearer stands while the wearer showers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having an insole being of a rigid material for providing structural integrity to be secured to an outsole, an upper secured to the insole, and a hole in the insole for enhancing flexibility of the insole. The insole is then secured to both the outsole and the upper. The invention also relates to a method for providing the shoe.

Abstract: The invention provides a plush toy and methods for associating the plush toy with a shoe having at least one shoe strap with hooks and loops on an interior surface of the shoe strap. To associate the plush toy with the shoe, the shoe strap is threaded through an entrance and an exit of the plush toy. Next, hooks and loops of the shoe strap are engaged to attach the plush toy to the shoe. If there is a second shoe strap, the second shoe strap is threaded through a second entrance and a second exit of the plush toy to attach the plush toy to the shoe.

Abstract: An elongate spring pad for a sheet ironing machine includes an elongate backing strip, coil springs, and top plates. The backing strip encircles a roller of a sheet ironing machine. The coil springs are longitudinally spaced along the backing strip. Each coil spring has a connecting portion at a first end engaging the backing strip and a fixing portion at a second, opposite end that transverses the coil spring. Each of the top plates is provided on the second end of the respective coil spring. Positioning means on each top plate engage the respective coil spring. A claw projects outwardly from the top plate for releasably engaging a felt cover. Each top plate contacts an adjacent top plate so that there are no spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A display suspending frame is disclosed. The first frame is locked to the wall by two supporting frames. A second frame can be locked to the backside of the display by the second two supporting frames. An upper transversal rod and the lower transversal rod passing through the two supporting frame of the first frame run across the two supporting frames of the second frame. Then, a latch passes through the penetrating hole of a left linkage of the first frame and trenches of the two supporting frames of the first frame and the recesses of the two supporting frames of the second frame. When the latch passes through the two linkages, the latch will fall into lower sides of the trenches of the two supporting frames of the first frame so that the two ends of the latch are confined by the linkages without moving transversally.

Abstract: A collapsible display arrangement has a base unit for placing against and resting or supporting the collapsible display arrangement upon a support surface with sheet being formed from a rollable material. The sheet is adapted to be rolled or unrolled. The sheet has an image that appears thereon. The collapsible display arrangement has a first rod as a support for co-operating with the base unit and for retaining the sheet in an exposed state. The sheet in the exposed state has an upper edge section, a first lateral edge section, and a second lateral edge section. The upper edge section is connectable to a second rod provided with a plurality of permanent magnets. At least one of the plurality of permanent magnets is on an end portion of the second upper rod. Each of the permanent magnets is oriented and has a magnetization direction.

Abstract: A changeable display sign system which comprises a track component having a mechanism for securing track component horizontally to a support surface, a plurality of indicia panels and a mechanism for suspending the indicia panels in a removable manner from the track component, wherein the indicia panels will hang down from the track component to be viewed.

Abstract: An electrical discharge weapon projectile for immobilizing a live target that includes a shock circuit having a low power consumption, a high power efficiency, and/or a low weight. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a high efficiency circuit that would reduce the weights of shock circuits while providing a more effective and safer power level, so that the circuits may be entirely contained within the projectile to eliminate the need for range limiting trailing wires.

Abstract: A muzzle break for a gun comprising a baffle, a series of slots in the housing of the muzzle break in which the slots exhaust gas of a pressure wave deflected by the baffle during firing of the gun. A membrane seals the slots for underwater use and is separable by the deflected exhaust gas. Another membrane seals a sabot separation chamber of the muzzle break adjacent to the baffle and in a projectile path from the baffle. The membrane for the separation chamber is detachable by a projectile fired from the gun.

Abstract: An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a firearm. The ammunition clip includes an elongated housing having an internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned cartridges, said elongated housing having a loading end and an opposing end, a movable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the loading end and a spring that urges the movable carriage towards the loading end, said spring being disposed completely outside the internal chamber, said spring being coupled on a first end to the elongated housing and on a second end to the movable carriage and being operatable in a direction of spring pressure that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal housing.

Abstract: A gunsight reticle defines a system of dimensioned indicia spaced at specific separations to improve aiming accuracy of a gun. The indicia may include perpendicularly intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and four (or more or less) horizontal range-marker lines disposed at specific angular separations below the horizontal hairline in bisected relationship with the center vertical hairline. Spacing of the range marker lines below the center horizontal hairline is proportional to bullet drop at selected ranges, depending upon ballistic characteristics of bullet used. Relative lengths of said range-marker bars on each side of the central vertical crosshair are proportional to a specific crosswind (say 10 mph) at target range reflected by respective range marker. The method involves employing this reticle to determine distance to target, and using distance thus determined to ascertain a precise aiming point on the reticle.

Abstract: A combination fishing accessory device including a line clipper, flashlight, hook sharpener and tape measure for attachment to a fishing rod making it easier and faster for an angler to clip lines, change rigs, sharpen hooks, shine light and measure fish. The device has a body having an underside including a plurality of needle-like protrusions. The body includes two hook and loop fasteners and brackets for securing the body to the fishing rod.

Abstract: The invention entails a plant container having a grid pot with a carrier insert and a cover jacket detachably connected to the carrier insert.

Abstract: A glass run for use in a motor vehicle, which is capable of preventing seal lips from closely contacting inner surface of side walls thereof, and accordingly preventing the generation of noise therein. An opening-side groove is formed in an inner surface of an outside wall near an open end thereof to define a space between the inner surface of the outside wall and a base of the outside seal lip when an end of an outside seal lip contacts the inner surface of the outside wall. And a bottom-side groove is formed in the inner surface of the outside wall so as to receive the end of the outside seal lip which is pushed by the door glass. A protruding part having a rib is further formed in the inner surface of the outside wall so as to contact the widthwise middle of the outside seal lip which is pushed by the door glass.

Abstract: A shelter and a method of providing a shelter are provided. The shelter includes a roof structure supported by a plurality of wall structures. The wall structures are anchored securely into at least one foundation. A display panel extends adjacent to at least one of the wall structures but is structurally separate therefrom. The display panel includes advertising materials.

Abstract: The invention presents the concept of a residential building which is constructed on the principle of staggered dwellings. The staggered dwellings each have a single-storey dwelling part (10, 23) and a two-storey dwelling part (11) with outdoor area. The living area (10 and 11) of the dwelling is open and allows individual living requirements to be realized with a variability which has not been known up until now. The division of space is not fixed by the static system. The type of accommodation presented can be realized in all types of urban construction such as blocks of flats, block-edge developments or high-rise buildings from two storeys upwards. The sizes of dwellings may be determined in accordance with the location and the target group. Combining the accommodation with service-related and commercial use is made possible in a completely new way using this principle.

Abstract: A protective shelter and methods for manufacturing are disclosed. The shelter is capable of protecting individuals from significant wind velocities and other catastrophic damages that occur from dangerous conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes and the like. Prior to the pouring the floor slab of a home, the shelter is fixedly attached to a plurality of supports that have been fixedly attached to a portion of the foundation of the home. When the floor slab is poured, enough concrete is poured to cover the supports up to essentially the top edges of the channel frame base rails to form the base of the shelter, thus incorporating and anchoring the shelter into the foundation of the home.

Abstract: A domed building or mold constructed with flexible, lightweight curved panels snapped together using grooves and ridges formed in the panels to form a building wall, a tension ring holding the panels in place and a top cap overlying and secured to upper edges of the panels.

Abstract: A foundation shock eliminator includes an upper block, a lower stationary base, an interconnecting assembly and an energy damping coating. The lower stationary base is mounted under the upper block. The interconnecting assembly is mounted between the upper block and the lower stationary base and includes an upper track, a lower track and a track joint. The upper and the lower tracks are respectively attached to the upper block and the lower stationary base and are arranged in a cross. The track joint is slidably mounted between the tracks. The energy damping coating mounted in the foundation shock eliminator absorbs shock energy. Consequently, the upper block will move relative to the lower stationary base to counterbalance the most horizontal shock effects and cooperates with the energy damping coating absorbing the shock energy in both horizontal and vertical directions so that reduction of shock is efficient.

Abstract: A method of replacing an existing wood window in the framework of a building in order to retain the original wood window appearance is disclosed. A non-wooden double hung window is inserted into a wood frame, including horizontal and vertical members, and a center member, such that the vertical and horizontal members of the non-wooden double hung window along with the non-wooden elements of the upper and lower sash are substantially hidden when viewed from the exterior of the building, thus preserving the original, wood window appearance. The non-wooden double hung window and wood frame combination is fastened to the wood frame and then attached to existing window casings of the building.

Abstract: An insulated concrete panel having one or more tendons positioned in the insulation layer inside the panel which are put into tension after the concrete panel has been formed.

Abstract: A chair has a receiving area and a plurality of separate legs extending downwardly from the receiving area. Each of the separate legs has a first portion extending in an angle outwardly from the receiving area and a second portion extending from an end of the first portion opposite the receiving area. The second portion extends vertically downwardly or inwardly from the end of the first portion. The first portion has a length substantially greater than a length of the second portion.

Abstract: An anchor system for attaching a series of structural members to a wall comprises an elongate horizontal track and a plurality of anchor plates. The horizontal track has a pair of spaced apart sidewalls defining therebetween an upwardly facing channel with a restricted opening. The anchor plates each include an enlarged head portion, nailing plate and a relatively narrow strap extending between the head portion and the nailing plate. The head portion is sized to fit within the channel and engage the sidewalls to retain the anchor plates at selected longitudinal positions. The strap is sized to pass between the sidewalls to position the nailing plate normal to the track for attaching a structural member thereto.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A method transforming by eliminating with vacuum bulk and size of a marketplace diaper to a substantially size-reduced condition, preparatory to a traveled-to site of use, wherein the reduced size adds to convenience value during the travel.

Abstract: Deep draw packaging includes placing an object (C) in a concave container portion (1) formed by molding a film with small shrinkability (A), that is a film having a residual thermal shrinkage rate at 100° C. of 1 to 15 %. The film (A) is formed by stretching a film having deep draw moldability and then thermally relaxing the film. The film has a surface which is formed of a heat sealable material which becomes the inner wall of the container portion. The concave container portion (1) is thereafter transferred to to a vacuum packaging apparatus (5) where it is covered by a cover portion (2) formed of a film (B) which can be heat welded to the film (A). A side face portion (11) and a bottom face portion (12) of the concave container portion (1) are thermally shrunk into close contact with the object (C). Less curling is exhibited when an upper peripheral portion (13) of the concave container portion (1) is sealed with the film (B).

Abstract: An introduction device for introducing a roll of wrapping material to a wrapping device includes a support for supporting a roll of wrapping material, the support being movable between a loading position and an operating position, an actuating device having a pivotable pressure arm and a roller mounted onto the pivotable pressure arm, the actuating device adapted to pivot the pressure arm and bring the roller into contact with and to exert pressure onto the roll of wrapping material during the wrapping operation, and a device for activating the actuating device based upon the position of the support.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a harvesting device for harvesting crop heads of stalk-like plants. The stalk roll is provided with a roll body having projecting drivers distributed around its periphery. The pull-in speed of the stalk rolls in a picking region where the crop heads are removed is less than in a region of the stalk rolls situated farther downstream after the crop head has been removed. The diameter of the roll body in the picking region is greater than in the region situated farther downstream. In addition, it is proposed that upstream of a picking region the stalk roll have an inlet region which cooperates with the parts of the plants beneath the crop heads, where the pull-in speed of the stalk roll is greater than in the picking region.

Abstract: An roller assembly for attachment to a lawnmower. The roller assembly generally includes a tow arm having first and second links. The first link is configured to be supported at least indirectly on the lawnmower frame. The second link is connected to a shaft mounted with one or more rollers. A spring is disposed between the first and second links and configured to bias the second link downwardly relative to the first link, thereby biasing the rollers against a ground surface. The roller assembly further includes a quick connect assembly for rapid attachment and detachment of the roller assembly to the lawnmower. The roller assembly yet further includes latch assembly configured to hold the second link and shaft of rollers in a raised position relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: An investment cast, stainless steel chain link is provided for chains used in water and wastewater treatment. The chain link comprises a pair of spaced apart, elongated sidebars having forward ends and rearward ends. The forward ends are spread apart and are provided with outwardly and laterally extending bosses having transverse boss pin bores coaxially aligned with each other. The rearward ends are interconnected by a cylindrical barrel having a barrel pin bore extending through each of the sidebars. The sidebars are formed with outwardly and laterally projecting reinforcing ribs extending between the bosses and the barrel pin bore along a substantial length of the sidebars. A freely rotatable chain pin is inserted through aligned boss and barrel pin bores from either end thereof for interconnecting first and second pairs of sidebars. An arrangement is provided for preventing the lateral dislodgement of the chain pin from the sidebars.

Abstract: A system for repairing a continuous loop chain includes a plurality of pairs of chain links, each link having a pair of straight, substantially parallel side bars. Each pair of chain links has an outer link having a first width between the outer link side bars, and an inner link having a second width between the inner link side bars. The second width is less than the first width such that the side bars of the inner link are adapted to fit between the side bars of the outer link. The outer links and inner links are pivotally joined to each other. A repair link having a pair of offset side bars is adapted to connect on one end to the inner link of one of the pairs of chain links and on the other end to the outer link of another one of the pairs of chain links. In this way, a defective link, or a pair of defective links, can be replaced by one or more of the repair links.

Abstract: A method for controlling a combustor of an engine, the combustor having a fuel to oxidant ratio, the fuel to oxidant ratio being defined as a ratio of an amount of fuel supplied to the combustor divided by an amount of oxygen in an oxidant stream supplied to the combustor includes controlling the fuel to oxidant ratio of the combustor as a function of the amount of oxygen in the oxidant stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turbomachine (1) for an aircraft comprising a gas generator (4) designed such that hot gases are ejected from a combustion chamber (28) towards the upstream side of the turbomachine, and also comprising a plurality of hollow mixer struts (40) connected to an output (36) from the gas generator through which hot gases can pass, each mixer strut comprising an output mixer portion (40c) located inside the annular fan duct (8) so as to mix the secondary air and the hot gases ejected by these output mixer portions towards the downstream side of the turbomachine.

Abstract: A particulate filter (41) which traps particulate matter in the exhaust gas of a diesel engine (1), regenerates when a controller (31) performs an exhaust gas increase operation which includes decreasing the opening of an intake throttle (42). The controller (31), during regeneration of the filter (41), determines whether or not the required load of the diesel engine (1) is increasing from an accelerator pedal depression sensor (32) or a fuel injection amount (S3), and prevents output decrease of the diesel engine (1) by interrupting the exhaust gas temperature increase operation when the required load is increasing (S5).

Abstract: A compact electrothermal actuator includes a housing having a longitudinal axis. A slot extends through the housing. A chamber within the housing contains a working fluid that changes phase upon heating. A piston is slidably disposed within the housing and movable along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions. A spring biases the piston toward the first position. The piston slides from the first position to the second position in response to heating of the working fluid. The piston includes a guide pin extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and protruding into the slot. The slot may be linear or helical for sliding of the piston between the first and second positions without or with rotation of the piston. The length of the actuator, measured along the longitudinal axis, is constant, independent of the position of the piston within the housing.

Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine having an after-treatment device for treating exhaust gas discharged from the turbocharger, wherein exhaust gas from the engine is passed through a variable-geometry mechanism for regulating power produced by the turbine.

Abstract: In the gas-turbine engine control system having a first control inputting the outputs of sensors and controlling supply of fuel to the engine based on at least one of the inputted outputs, the first control channel includes a comparator inputting the outputs generated by the sensors and comparing change rates of the outputs with corresponding threshold values once every predetermined time period, and a transient/steady-state discriminator discriminating that the engine is in a transient state when the number of the outputs found to be equal to or greater than the corresponding threshold values are equal to or greater than a predetermined value, while discriminating that the engine is in a steady state when the number of times that the outputs are found to be smaller than the threshold values is more than half of number of comparison time.

Abstract: A method according to the invention and a corresponding device (1) designed to cool the exhaust gas (15) of a gas turbine to below its dew point. Water (25) accumulating hereby can be used for the power plant operation, so that the provision of (make-up) water for the power plant operation can be dispensed with or at least reduced, especially in areas ill-supplied with water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixer for a gas turbine combustor comprising a plurality of generally annular walls interconnected by at least a plurality of first vanes. The vanes are oriented at angles, so as to create a shear layer between the two flows. A fuel is then injected so as to penetrate the shear layer for enhanced mixing. The mixture passes through an extended mixing passage to provide sufficient time and distance for improved mixedness prior to ignition. Multiple embodiments of the present invention are disclosed comprising a plurality of first vanes and a plurality of first and second vanes.

Abstract: A combustion chamber 10 for a gas turbine that operates in a highly diluted mode of combustion has a substantially toroidal plenum 30. At least one combustion fluid injector is located at the periphery of the plenum. The shape of the plenum and the disposition of the combustion fuel injectors are such that a vortex flow 2 is established in the combustion chamber in use. Gasses are entrained in the vortex which provides high enough levels of flue gas re-circulation to allow for the onset of highly diluted combustion.

Abstract: A process is provided for the control of the amount of cooling air of a gas turbine set. Suitable means are provided in the cooling system to enable the amount of cooling air to be varied. The control of this means takes place in dependence on an operating parameter (X). This operating parameter is made dependent on the fuel type used.

Abstract: The downstream end portions of the inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber of the gas turbine are pressed against the inner and outer platforms respectively of the vanes of the high pressure turbine nozzle and they extend thereover substantially to the downstream end of the platforms, and the means for mechanically connecting the turbine nozzle to the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls are formed by connection screws implanted in the airfoils of the vanes of the turbine nozzle, passing through holes formed in the end portions of the combustion chamber walls. Thus, the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls contribute to preventing leakage from the gas stream at the interface between the chamber and the nozzle, and also along the nozzle.

Abstract: The high pressure turbine nozzle is mechanically connected to a downstream end portion of the combustion chamber and inner and outer connection ferrules connect the combustion chamber and turbine nozzle assembly to inner and outer metal shrouds in order to hold said assembly between the shrouds. Locking members are provided to prevent the turbine nozzle from turning about its axis relative to at least one of the metal shrouds so as to prevent the forces that are exerted on the turbine nozzle vanes by the flow of gas coming from the chamber being taken up by the portions of the connection ferrules that extend between the combustion chamber and turbine nozzle assembly and the metal shrouds.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system for attaching a ceramic liner to a non-ceramic combustor head-end component while accommodating different rates of thermal expansion of these components. One end of the liner can be received within a slot formed by the combustor head-end component. The liner can be held in place by a plurality of pins with each pin passing through a pair of aligned openings in the liner and the head-end component. The end of the liner can be spaced from each of the walls of the slot so as to form a series of gaps in fluid communication. The gaps and the pins can accommodate differential thermal expansion between the liner and combustor head-end component. If desired, at least some of the gaps can be tightly controlled so as to regulate air leakage around the end of the liner.

Abstract: A cooling sink is positioned within a cooling chamber having a 0.75-1.50 gallon capacity, for directly contacting pressurized beer therein, the cooling sink having a substantial surface portion in contact with the beer for enabling heat extracted from said beer to be rapidly conveyed to said cooling device. The cooling sink has a deep trench therein for reducing the mass of the cooling portion while increasing the surface area contacting the beer. A valve is employed at the top of the cooling chamber to allow the cooling reservoir to be completely filled with beer during periods of use, and any developing undesired foam can be removed from time to time by opening this valve. Also, the pickup tube attached to the dispensing tap picks up beer from the bottom of the cooling chamber, to minimize foam in the beer dispensed.

Abstract: A method for processing and transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel with a power plant entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas, separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids, and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry pressurized gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. The floating vessel transports the storage modules and elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing tissue specimens for histological study utilizing two connectable sections each with hollowed cylinders for receiving first and second buttons, each button including planar disc and cylindrical stem portions, such that the stem portions can be slideably mounted in hollowed cylinders. The planar disc portions of the buttons are capable of receiving tissue specimens.

Abstract: An ice-full state sensing device for an ice making apparatus is provided. A panel disposed at a side of an ice maker to support components. An ejection unit includes an ejector supported by the panel to eject ice made by the ice maker. A driving unit rotates the ejection unit clockwise or counterclockwise within a predetermined angle range. A link unit operates in relation to the ejection unit. An ice-full state sensing lever is connected to an end portion of the link unit to sense an ice-full state of an ice bank during a vertical movement thereof by the link unit. Accordingly, the device can perform an ice-full state sensing operation in a narrow space, and the apparatus can be installed in a narrow space.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing refrigerant charge in an air conditioning unit comprising a cooling circuit through which a refrigerant flows from a compressor, through a condenser, and through an evaporator, a heat recovery circuit extending from a first terminus between the compressor and the condenser to a second terminus between the evaporator and the condenser, a heat recovery unit located between the first and second terminus of the heat recovery circuit, a first valve located between the condenser and the first terminus, a second valve located between the first terminus and the heat recovery unit, a third valve located on a cooling charge circuit having a first end on the cooling circuit between the condenser and the evaporator and a second end at the evaporator, a fourth valve located on a heating charge circuit having a first end on the heat recovery circuit and a second end at the evaporator, and a logic unit for sensing a saturated temperature and opening and closing the valves based upon the saturated t

Abstract: A method of switching refrigerant flow between a path to a fresh food evaporator in a fresh food compartment and a path to a freezer evaporator in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator, wherein the fresh food evaporator is coupled to a first fan and the freezer evaporator is coupled to a second fan, and wherein the method includes providing a three way valve with at least three operational positions in flow communication with the fresh food path and the freezer path, switching the three way valve between the operational positions, activating the first fan, deactivating the second fan, and delivering the refrigerant.