Abstract: A joist suitable for use in a composite concrete floor is disclosed. The joist comprises a top chord, a bottom chord; and a vertically extending intermediate web having a top end secured to the top chord and a bottom end secured to the bottom chord. The top chord comprises a pair of longitudinally continuous symmetrical chord members facing each other and embracing the top end of the web. Each of the chord members includes a vertical portion secured to the top end of the web and a slanting upper extension extending above and away from the top end of the web, thereby providing a shear connecting portion and a flared opening, between the two facing chord members, giving access to the web and improving access of a welding tool to the area between the symmetrical portion of the top chord and the web member that must be joined together.

Abstract: A composite sheet, and a process of making the same, including cured modified urea formaldehyde reinforced by glass fibers. The modifier is an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. A roofing shingle, formed by coating the composite sheet with filled asphalt, represents a major application of the composite sheet.

Abstract: A system for inspecting seal integrity of a sealed package including a visual inspection system and a medical packaging system having an integral peel testing device.

Abstract: Packets of prismatic geometry referable to a longitudinal axis, presenting two larger side faces, two smaller flank faces and two end faces, are overwrapped by a method including a step in which each packet, enveloped initially by a tubular wrap projecting beyond the two end faces, is inserted into a holder of a transfer wheel in such a way that two appendages of the tubular wrap projecting at either end from a first flank face of the packet are flattened over the end faces; the appendages are pinned immediately along two lines coinciding substantially with the corner edges of the end face as the packet enters the relative holder, and held stably in position during a subsequent step of transferring the single packets from a feed station to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: An improved sealing gasket for a vacuum-sealing station of a vacuum packaging machine which is made such that the outer perimetric portion thereof is made of a greater hardness than the rest of the sealing gasket, whereby the sealing heat-elements of a reciprocal heating element only substantially contacts against the softer material of the sealing gasket, allowing this softer material to conform to the uneven or non-level condition of the heating element. In the preferred embodiment, the outer-most perimeter of the sealing gasket is made of a greater hardness in the approximate durometer-hardness range of between 60-85 Shore A, while the remainder of sealing gasket is made of less hardness in the approximate durometer-hardness range of between 30-50 Shore A.

Abstract: A portable vacuum device for extracting fluid in a container having an opening includes a handheld housing, a fluid extracting nozzle, a vacuum device and a sensor switch. The fluid extracting nozzle has a vacuum pressure corresponding to an interior pressure of the container, extended towards the handheld housing for communicating with the opening of the container. The vacuum device is supported in the handheld housing to generate a vacuum effect within the fluid extracting nozzle. The sensor switch includes a movable conductive member driven with respect to the vacuum pressure of the fluid extracting nozzle and a control member normally positioned spaced apart from the movable conductive member to allow the vacuum device to be operated, wherein when the vacuum pressure drops below a predetermined threshold pressure, the movable conductive member is driven to electrically contact with the control member to deactivate the vacuum device.

Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for attachment to a lawn mower such as a commercial lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the catcher includes at least one baffle for causing a venturi effect during grass cutting operation. The presence of such a baffle may allow for reduced grass clogging and/or improved grass packing in the catcher during mower operation in certain example instances.

Abstract: A wire rope which has an independent wire rope core (IWRC) and outer strands laid around the core. This wire rope has an improved fatigue life when the outer wires of the core and of the outer strands are galvanized. The wire rope may be either fully or partially impregnated with plastic, if desired.

Abstract: A chain has chain links (110) having basically spherical geometry (116) and four flattened surfaces (118) equally distributed in the circumferential direction. A chamber (120) is formed in the chain links (110) in which a connecting member (112) is retained. A back side of the chain links (110) is furnished with a spherical joint surface (124). The connecting member (112) has on its side remote from the said joint surface (124) a head (150) which is furnished with a concave joint surface (162) which runs spaced apart from the outer surface of the chain link (110) and interacts with a complementarily convex joint surface (143) which is carried by the adjacent chain link (110) in the interior of the chamber (120).

Abstract: A method for making decorative staple strips includes: cutting a thin metal sheet into a plurality of metal strips; assembling the metal strips; applying an adhesive to the assembled metal strips; subjecting the bonded metal strips to a punching process so as to form a non-folded strip unit in a unit length of the bonded metal strips such that the non-folded strip unit has two opposite pin-forming holes formed in the unit length of each of the bonded metal strips, each of the pin-forming holes having two opposite sides confined respectively by two pin-forming portions in the unit length of each of the bonded metal strips; separating the non-folded strip unit from the bonded metal strips; and folding the pin-forming portions of the non-folded strip unit.

Abstract: A catalyst (22) suitable for reduction of the NOx in an exhaust gas by ammonia in the presence of excess oxygen is arranged in the exhaust passage (18, 21) of an internal combustion engine. An aqueous urea solution is fed through a flow control valve (33) to the inside of the exhaust passage (21) upstream of the catalyst (22). When the temperature of the catalyst (22) is low, a large amount of the aqueous urea solution is fed to make the urea contained in the aqueous urea solution be stored in the catalyst (22). When the engine is accelerated and the temperature of the catalyst (22) rises, ammonia is released at a little at a time from the inside of the catalyst (22) and the NOx in the exhaust gas is reduced by the released ammonia.

Abstract: The nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) content of lean-burn engine exhaust is beneficially prepared for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of these oxides to nitrogen by two sidestream additions to the exhaust. An ozone-containing air stream is added to the exhaust to affect oxidation of NO to NO2. And a hydrocarbon(s) fuel constituent is added to a second humidified ozone-containing air stream and that mixture subjected to UV radiation. Strongly oxidizing hydroxyl radicals are formed by interaction of ozone, water, and UV radiation for reaction with the hydrocarbon. The resulting partially oxidized hydrocarbons (Pox) are added to the exhaust, providing effective reduction materials for the SCR of NO2 to nitrogen and water.

Abstract: A DPF is used in an internal combustion engine for trapping PM discharged from an engine body. Presence and absence of an abnormality in the DPF is evaluated using differential pressure, which is between the front and the rear of the DPF. The differential pressure considerably decreases or considerably increases due to breakage or plugging of the DPF in an exhaust emission control device. The abnormality in the DPF is evaluated when a large deviation arises between a PM amount calculated in accordance with differential pressure, which is between the front and the rear of the DPF, and a PM amount calculated through integration of a PM discharge amount measured in accordance with an engine operating state. Thereby, presence and absence of the abnormality such as plugging and breakage in the DPF can be correctly detected.

Abstract: An air gap-insulated exhaust manifold for internal combustion engines. The manifold includes a flange with openings for fastening elements and further openings, which align with the cylinder exhaust ports of the internal combustion engine. A gas-tight outer shell is connected to the flange. An inner shell is provided with openings, which align with the cylinder exhaust ports of the internal combustion engine. The outer shell has a trough-shaped lower part and a hood-shaped upper part, which is welded gas-tight to the lower part. The inner shell has a trough-shaped lower part and a hood-shaped upper part. The outer shell is connected to the flange in a gas-tight manner. The inner shell is firmly attached to the outer shell at only one place.

Abstract: To keep one of three hydraulic pumps unaffected by variations in torque of the remaining hydraulic pumps when the three hydraulic pumps are used, displacements of the first and second hydraulic pumps are controlled based on their own delivery pressures P1,P2 and a pressure P3? obtained by reducing through a reducing valve 14 a delivery pressure P3 from the third hydraulic pump, while a displacement of the third hydraulic pump 3 is controlled only by its own delivery pressure P3. The pressure oil delivered from the third hydraulic pump 3, therefore, remains unaffected by variations in delivery flow rates from the first and second hydraulic pumps 1,2, in other words, by variations in their torque consumptions, so that the third hydraulic pump is assured to provide a stable flow rate.

Abstract: Variable turbocharger apparatus comprising a housing, a compressor, a turbine, a chamber which extends around the turbine, a bearing assembly for the turbine, vanes mounted in the chamber, a piston positioned between the housing and the turbine, a control device controlling the piston, a piston end nearest the bearing assembly defining a gap, which is variable in size to control exhaust gases acting on the turbine, at least one bypass aperture which opens to allow exhaust gases that are not required for acting on the turbine to bypass the turbine, and sliding of the piston being such that the piston is always maintained in a position which enables the turbine speed to be controlled through the gap alone when there is no bypass and through the gap and the bypass aperture when there is bypass.

Abstract: A turbine engine exhaust diffuser assembly having a tuneable exhaust velocity profile is disclosed. The assembly includes structure that generates a desired, tunable velocity profile within working fluid exiting the exhaust diffuser assembly. The exhaust assembly includes an concentric boundary sleeves that extend along a central axis and form an exhaust flowpath between them. A flow deflecting member disposed within the flowpath longitudinally divides the flowpath into a first region and a second region. The first region is characterized by a first predetermined velocity profile, and the second region is characterized by a second predetermined velocity profile. The second velocity profile is determined by at least one pre-selected dimension of the flow deflecting member. Methods of maximizing HRSG energy extraction capacity and extending HRSG lifespan are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine includes coupling an anti-resonant frequency system to a combustor including a premixer assembly and a plurality of damper tubes, and adjusting the anti-resonant frequency system until the anti-resonant frequency of the damper tubes is approximately equal to the combustor resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system of increasing overall fuel efficiency of a facility including a gas expansion engine for receiving a supply of pressurized gas of a first pressure and first temperature and outputting a tail gas of a second lower temperature and lower pressure. The expansion engine having a rotatable shaft as an energy output. An electric generator and/or other rotatable machinery is coupled to the rotatable shaft of the gas expansion engine. A heat exchanger may be used to transmit coldness from the tail gas of the expansion engine to an HVAC apparatus or an ice making apparatus or other plant process cooling equipment. A method of increasing overall fuel efficiency for a facility utilizing the afore described equipment is taught in the present invention.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine, including a first compressor, a second compressor, and a turbine, coupled together in serial flow arrangement. The method includes channeling compressed airflow discharged from the first compressor through an intercooler having a cooling medium flowing therethrough, operating the intercooler such that condensate is formed in the intercooler from the compressed airflow, and channeling the condensate to an inlet of the first or second compressor to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for power generation from biomass and other carbonaceous feedstocks are provided. The process integrates a pulse combustor steam reformer with a gas turbine to generate electricity such that (i) efficiency is higher than those of conventional and current advanced power systems, (ii) emissions are lower than those proposed in the new environmental regulations, and (iii) performance is comparable to that of combined cycle, even though a bottoming cycle is not included here. The pulse combustor steam reformer generates a hydrogen-rich, medium-Btu fuel gas that is fired in a gas turbine to generate electricity. The apparatus may be configured to produce only power or combined heat and power.

Abstract: A device for forming ice around an exterior surface of a container has an upper piece. The upper piece is an elongated tubular member having a hollow interior section and an open bottom and top end. A gasket assembly is coupled to an upper interior section of the upper piece. The gasket assembly creates a seal around a neck of the container to prevent water from rising above the neck of the container. A lower piece is provided and has an open top end and an opening formed in the bottom surface thereof. The open bottom end of the upper piece will mate with the open top end of the lower piece to form a watertight seal. A raised floor is formed in a bottom interior section of the lower piece. The raised floor allows water to collect and freeze underneath the bottom of the container. A cap is provided to close the opening in the bottom surface of the lower piece.

Abstract: A heat pump for use in a variable temperature cushion includes a housing with an inlet and a blower motor to draw in outside air to a two stage Peltier effect module that forms a sealed wall between a sub-cool side and a warm side of the housing. At the bottom of the housing are a pair of outlets and a condensate trap spanning across that facilitates condensate transfer from the cool side to the warm side for evaporation out of the warm side outlet. The heat pump also preferably includes a heat pipe from the warm side to the cool side to transfer heat and reheat the air (at a lower relative humidity) exiting through the cool outlet. Applications of the heat pump include a variable temperature cushion such as a seat and backrest, or bedding such as a pillow. An air conditioned pillowcase includes a pair of air impervious layers connected together forming a plenum with tubular spacer material inside and having a plurality of outlet vents around the perimeter.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprises a pulse tube refrigerator (A) having a pressure source (1), a cold reservoir (6), a condenser (7), a pulse tube (9), a radiator (10), and a phase adjuster (12); and a low-temperature container having a liquid reservoir (21) fixed to a vacuum tank (31) through heat-insulating support members (36) and (37). The condenser (7) is fixed to a cold end (6b) of the cold reservoir (6), and is disposed in a gas phase portion (21a) of the liquid reservoir (21). A hot end of the pulse tube (9) is fixed to the vacuum tank (31) and is disposed in such a manner that a cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is located lower than the hot end and is located in a liquid phase portion (21b) of the liquid reservoir (21). The cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is disposed outside the liquid reservoir (21) but within the vacuum tank (31), and the cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) and the condenser (7) communicate with each other through piping (8).

Abstract: The superconducting winding comprises a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis with a superconducting winding in a thermally conducting winding support. The winding support comprises a central coolant cavity, with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding support connected thereto. A cold head of a refrigeration unit is connected to a condenser unit for condensing refrigerant and is arranged outside the rotor. A fixed heat tube, supplying the refrigerant, is coupled to the condenser unit, extending axially into the rotating lateral cavity and is sealed relative to the cavity. The refrigerant is a mixture of several components having different condensation temperatures.

Abstract: There is a cooling system and method for its use that cools carcasses prior to their being placed into cold storage units, such as refrigeration units or freezers. The cooling system includes cooling units having a wall therein, to redirect airflow in a circular pathway from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall. The cooling unit includes at least one cooling apparatus positioned proximate the first side of wall, for directing airflow of cooled air produced in the cooling apparatus, vertically downward in a direction toward the floor, and over the animal carcass. The wall is above the floor, such that this cooled air moves from the first side of the wall to the second side of the wall, and completes the circular pathway by returning to the area proximate to the cooling apparatus. An apparatus for creating condensation can be placed on the second side of the wall, such that condensation falls to the floor, and not into contact with the animal carcasses.

Abstract: A submersion tank for on-board brine freezing of whole or nearly whole fish, and a method for freezing fish employing such tank. One or more pivotable screen baskets are provided in tank containing refrigerated brine. The pivotable screen baskets are provided in a normal, fish receiving position immersed in refrigerated brine. Once fish are frozen, the pivotable screen baskets are pivoted upward to a fish unloading position for delivery of frozen fish for bagging and storage.

Abstract: Wick-Containing apparatus capable of separating fluids and methods of separating fluids using wicks are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for purifying exhaust gas, especially a solvent-containing exhaust gas from refrigerator recycling, wherein the dried, pressurized exhaust gas is cryogenically condensed, the condensed components are separated from the remaining exhaust gas, the cold and purified pressurized exhaust gas is passed through an adsorber to adsorbe the remaining condensed components, the adsorber is purged with a warmed gas stream, namely either a warmed inert gas stream or the purified exhaust gas respectively at reduced pressure, and the desorbed gas is recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method for a multiple heat pump. In the control method, when one of multiple indoor units operates in the heating mode and the other indoor units shut down, electronic expansion valves of the shutdown indoor units are controlled to have an opening degree higher than a standard opening degree if an outlet temperature of compressors is higher than a preset temperature, so as to permit a liquid refrigerant, remaining in the shutdown indoor units, to be more readily recovered to the compressors. This eliminates a refrigerant shortage phenomenon of the compressors and prevents deterioration of heating performance as well as reduction of life-span of the compressors.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a non-contact temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a predetermined area of a passenger compartment in non-contact, an air conditioning unit that controls an air conditioning state in the passenger compartment based on at least the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor, and an air conditioning ECU for controlling the air conditioning unit. The ECU determines whether the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor is abnormal, and informs a determination result to a user by using a light emitting diode. Thus, it is possible to notify the user whether the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor is abnormal. The determination whether the detected temperature of the non-contact temperature sensor is abnormal can be performed by using at least one of the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor and an environment condition.

Abstract: A system for detecting at least one environmental condition in a room. The system includes one or more detecting devices having a sensor configured to detect the at least one environmental condition and to display the detected at least one environmental condition. The system also includes one or more reader devices configured to image the one or more detecting devices and a controller configured to communicate with the one or more reader devices. The controller is operable to control the one or more reader devices and to receive the images from the one or more reader devices. In addition, the controller is configured to determine the at least one environmental condition based upon the images of the one or more detecting devices. The system further includes a memory accessible by the controller, and the controller is configured to store the at least one environmental condition in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cooling suit for allowing comfortable feeling even with a lesser power consumption and a simple structure. The cooling suit includes a cloth part 10a having an upper portion made of a highly air-permeable material, and having those portions other than the upper portion which are made of a substantially air-impermeable material. Formed at a reverse surface of the cloth part 10a are airflow passages between the cloth part 10a and an undergarment. Provided at a lower portion of the cloth part 10a are air outlets 50a for extracting air-streams within the airflow passages to the exterior; and provided at those positions of the reverse side of the cloth part 10a which correspond to the air outlets 50a, are fans for forcibly causing the air-streams within the airflow passages.

Abstract: A water producing system adapted to condense water from the air and collected in a storage tank were the water is purified and bacteria is killed. One form of killing the bacteria is utilizing an ozone injection system with a filter system to remove the ozone before the water is dispensed. In one form, a dual fluid circuit is utilized where an operating fluid dumps heat to a second circuit such as a refrigeration cycle and the cooled operating fluid lowers the temperature of a water condensation member.

Abstract: A heat pump system operates in heating and cooling modes. The heat pump is provided with both a reheat function and economizer circuit. The economizer circuit provides augmented performance to the heat pump, while the reheat coil allows enhanced control over temperature and humidity of the air supplied to the conditioned space. A bypass line around an outdoor heat exchanger is also provided to achieve additional flexibility of control for a sensible heat ratio. Selective operation of the abovementioned components and subsystems allows precise control over system operation parameters and hence satisfaction of a wide spectrum of sensible and latent load demands and improved reliability.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with an airflow passage for an ice making compartment of the refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a main body has an opened side, and a door selectively closes the opened side of the main body. An ice making compartment is formed in the door, the ice making compartment being insulated from the outside and being kept at a low temperature. A duct is formed in the main body for exchanging cooling air with the ice making compartment, and a cooling air passage is formed at an outer surface of the ice making compartment to connect the duct with the ice making compartment. A switching unit closes the cooling air passage when the door is opened, and opens the cooling air passage when the door is closed. With this arrangement, the cooling air can be sufficiently supplied to the ice making compartment without the penetration of foreign substance.

Abstract: A novelty enclosure for trapping dry ice in a drinking glass. The novelty enclosure includes a fixed portion, a replaceable portion, and apparatus. The fixed portion is positioned within—and is attached to—the bowl of the drinking glass, and traps the dry ice. The replaceable portion is replaceably attached to the fixed portion allowing the fixed portion to be filled with the dry ice. The apparatus allows the fixed portion and/or the replaceable portion to permit vapor from the dry ice to rise there through and up through and out of the drink giving an illusion of a witches brew.

Abstract: A cold plate unit includes a coolant system and a fluid system in heat exchange relationship, and a metallic unit. The coolant system has inlet and outlet manifolds and a plurality of coolant lines each including a plurality of loops. The fluid system includes at least one fluid line preferably also including a plurality of loops, and preferably is interleaved with the coolant lines. The metallic unit incorporates the coolant and fluid systems. An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes a cold plate and a dispenser unit. The cold plate unit includes a coil basket having a fluid system and a coolant system. The fluid system includes a plurality of fluid lines each comprising a plurality of loops. The coolant system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines, at least one inlet manifold, at least one outlet manifold and a plurality of coolant line segments each comprising a plurality of loops.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a beverage, through the special design of a vessel for dispensing a beverage, is disclosed. The beverage is cooled while it is inside an upper portion of the vessel, through contact with a consumable substance with a lower temperature than the beverage. The consumable substance is located in a freezable reservoir, and is substantially frozen before the beverage is introduced into the vessel. The beverage and the consumable substance make contact through a neck separating the upper portion of the vessel from the freezable reservoir. As the consumable substance melts, it gradually mixes with the beverage, continuing to cool the beverage over a period of time, without ice floating to the top of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide for the safe and effective removal and neutralization of ammonia from a stream of waste oil or other liquid. The apparatus consists of a receiving tank, a treatment tank, circulation piping, associated controls, pumping and monitoring mechanisms. The primary utility for the invention is with commercial and industrial refrigeration units. The neutralizing solution in the treatment tank is circulated through the piping which includes a venturi that is used to induce a negative gauge pressure in the receiving tank by creating a suction that draws gases from the receiving tank. The negative pressure allows the receiving tank to pull the mixture of waste oil and entrained ammonia from the drain port of the refrigeration system even when the system is below atmospheric pressure. The venturi also removes ammonia gas from the receiving tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing pressurized gaseous product by air separation. A compressed air stream is cooled in an exchanger to form a compressed cooled air stream. The stream is then cryogenically compressed in a first compressor to form a first pressurized gas stream. The first pressurized gas stream is further cooled in the exchanger, cryogenically compressed in a second compressor, and then it is cooled and partially liquefied. The cooled and partially liquefied product is then fed to a system of distillation columns. A liquid product is removed from the system of distillation columns. This product is then pressurized, vaporized and warmed in the exchanger to yield pressurized gaseous product.

Abstract: An integrated cooling apparatus and process which includes a source of compressed gas; a cooling unit for cooling the compressed gas to form cooled compressed gas by heat exchange with water having a first purity, thereby producing a stream of cooled compressed gas and a stream of warmed water having the first purity; a first heat exchanger for warming a stream of water having a second purity, the second purity being lower than the first purity, by indirect heat exchange with a stream of water having the first purity; and a conduit for sending cooled water having the first purity to the cooling unit.

Abstract: A multimode to low-mode optical fiber is constructed by forming a plurality of multimode optical fibers into a fiber bundle. The bundle is then selectively heated and drawn to form a bi-tapered fiber bundle having a central straight portion in which the multimode fibers are fused into a single length of fiber. During the drawing step, measures are taken to provide an aperture extending through the bi-tapered bundle, including the single straight portion of the bundle. An optical fiber having a low-mode or single-mode core is inserted through the aperture into the straight section of the bi-tapered bundle. The bi-tapered bundle and the low-mode core fiber are heated to a temperature at which cladding of the low-mode core fiber fuses to the straight portion of the bi-tapered bundle. The bi-tapered bundle is then cleaved in the straight portion to provide the multimode to low-mode optical fiber combiner. In one example, the multimode fiber bundle is formed around a metal wire before the drawing operation.

Abstract: A pile knitting method by a weft knitting machine is provided in which a compound needle can be used to form a pile stitch and simultaneously hold other stitches. After a hook of a needle body receives a fastening yarn fed thereto, a carriage brings together a yarn feeder for feeding a pile yarn and the hook receives the pile yarn. On a front needle bed, the needle body is raised to a tuck position in a state where an old loop is set on a tongue of a slider. The hook of the needle body holds therein the fastening yarn. When the pile yarn is fed to the hook from the yarn feeder, the hook holds therein the fastening yarn and the pile yarn. The pile yarn is set also on a tongue of a slider on a rear needle bed, which tongue has been already raised and advanced into a needle bed gap.

Abstract: A novel latch needle has a sawslot (11) which is provided with facets or surfaces (22, 25) both at its frontal and its rearward end surfaces (18, 19). The surfaces (22, 25) are preferably parallel to one another and are oriented perpendicularly to the direction of length (L) of the shank. By virtue of this arrangement the surfaces are so oriented that the latch (6), as it opens or closes, pushes any dirt past the respective surfaces through the sawslot (11) and thus an accumulation and compacting of dirt cushions on the noted surfaces is avoided. Generally stated, the sawslot (11), particularly in the region of its end surfaces (18, 19) is thus void of any surface regions which represent an obstacle to the opening or closing latch (6).

Abstract: In order to switching yarns used for knitting by switching a plurality of yarn feeders, a knitting member switching apparatus is provided. The knitting member switching apparatus includes a plurality of holders provided on a side of a carriage, a stopping device provided on an end portion such as a left side end on a needle bed. The stopping device includes a plurality of stopping stands and switching mechanisms in correspondence with the holders, and is further provided with a control device for letting the carriages travel and for selecting knitting needles based on knitting data.

Abstract: A washing machine is provided which has a structurally reinforced apparatus for accurately sensing a water level. The washing machine includes a housing, a tub installed in the housing, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, and a water level sensing apparatus for sensing a water level in the tub/drum so as to provide an appropriate water level for each washing step. The water level sensing apparatus includes an air chamber installed in communication with the tub. The air chamber stores a predetermined amount such that the water present in the system develops a pressure on the stored air. The water level sensing apparatus also includes a sensor installed at an end of a tube connected to the air chamber which determines a water level by sensing an air pressure in the tube, and a protecting member which prevents disassembly and breakage of the air chamber and the tube during operation of the washing machine.

Abstract: A washing machine including a casing provided with an opening for introducing laundry into the washing machine; a tub supportably installed in the casing; a drum rotatably located in the tub; driving means for rotating the drum; and a door installed at the casing for opening and closing the opening of the casing, and provided with air suction ports for drawing external air into the drum. The washing machine dries a small quantity of the laundry without application of any additional drying pipe or heater.

Abstract: A cable lockout assembly includes a base and a cover. The cover is rotatably fixed relative to the base for rotation about a center axis between a lock position and an unlock position. A cable is wound around the center axis between the base and the cover. The cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed relative to the lockout assembly, and the second end extends from the cable lockout assembly a predetermined length. In the unlock position, the second end is detachably fixable to the cable lockout assembly. In the lock position, when the second end is fixed to the cable lockout assembly, the second end is not detachable from the cable lockout assembly.

Abstract: A gate latch including a bolt portion, a sleeve portion and a channel bolt. The sleeve portion is mounted on a generally U-shaped clamp assembly that is adapted to fit around tubular gate members. The sleeve portion further includes a receiving notch and a padlock portion. The padlock portion is adapted to receive a standard padlock and to surround the shackle of the padlock so as to deter attempts to attack the shackle with cutting tools. The bolt portion includes a C-shaped channel adapted to be secured around tubular gate members and a sleeve in which the channel bolt slides. The channel bolt generally includes an elongate channel, an adjustable stop, a dead stop, a handle and a locking notch.