Abstract: A method of determining the weight of laundry placed in the drum rotatably mounted in a vertically moveable sudsing container of a washing machine, in which a value representative of the highest position attained by the sudsing container in a previous washing cycle or after connecting the washing machine to network current is compared against the position attained by the sudsing container after laundry has been placed in the drum to derive from the difference a value representative of the weight of the laundry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall. The cleaner defines a suction passageway having an inlet open to pool water and an outlet adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose to the suction side of an electrically driven pump. A resulting suction flow, from the inlet to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter and (2) to drive a turbine for propelling the cleaner. In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: A brush support arm delay and accelerating mechanism for a vehicle washing apparatus having a supporting frame with an upper frame member extending over the path of a vehicle to be washed, includes a mounting arm attached to the upper frame member and having a bracket pivotally mounted thereto with a spring biasing means connected between the bracket and the mounting arm. A pair of bumpers are mounted on the bracket so that one of the bumpers contacts the brush support arm during outward pivotal movement of the brush support arm to retard the outward pivotal movement thereof and the other of the bumpers contacts the brush support arm during inward pivotal movement of the brush support arm to accelerate the inward pivotal movement of the brush support arm during a vehicle washing operation.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus includes a pair of spaced movable brush assemblies mounted on a frame for movement transversely of the path of a vehicle to be washed. Each movable brush support arm mechanism includes a brush support arm pivotally mounted to a carriage. An adjustable bumper assembly is provided in combination with the movable brush support arm mechanisms whereby the bumper arm automatically moves along with movement of the brush support arm mechanisms to control movement of the brush support arms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holding device including a handle and a support member pivotally connected to a front end of the handle for supporting a cleaning wiper. The support member has a pivot axis oriented in a direction crossing a shaft axis of the handle. The support member has sliding surfaces and recesses alternating with each other about the pivot axis. The handle has a locking member capable of engaging in the recesses. The locking member is movable along the shaft axis inside the handle. The locking member is provided along with a biasing member for applying a biasing force to the locking member toward the recesses and an operating member for moving the locking member against the biasing force.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hollow toothbrush adapted for fluid draining comprising a brush head having a neck portion and a bristle portion disposed on the neck portion, and a hollow brush stem form a drain passage with a first opening and a second opening respectively formed at two opposite ends thereof. The neck portion is partially inserted into the drain passage through the first opening and is formed with a plurality of ribs radially extending from the neck portion to the brush stem, so as to securely fix the brush head to the brush stem by the ribs. During teeth brushing, the mixed liquid of dentifrice and saliva flows along the neck portion through the first opening into the brush stem and then flows out the brush stem through the second opening, and thereby the mixed liquid is prevented from contaminating the user's hand gripping the toothbrush.

Abstract: An improved paint roller frame made from a single length of rod having a first 90 degree bend delimiting a first segment formed at one end thereof and adapted to form an axle about which a paint roller can be rotatably mounted, and second and third bends delimiting second and third segments both of which lie in a plane in common with the first segment. The remaining portion of the rod is further deformed at a mid-portion thereof to include a fourth bend in which the rod is wound through 391 degrees about an imaginary axis extending parallel to the first segment and delimiting a fourth segment lying in the common plane and a fifth segment lying in a plane intersecting the common plane at an angle of 31 degrees, the fifth segment being adapted to be affixed to an elongated handle member. When combined with a paint roller and handle, a novel paint roller assembly is provided in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment includes an aerodynamic bell housing, a distribution plate defining blast gate openings, blast gates, and means for biasing each gate toward a closed configuration. The plate attaches to the housing's first end. The gates attach to the plate for selectively covering the gate openings. An outer face of each gate includes an indented configuration. Gate openings may include internal threads. A filter may be positioned in the housing. The housing attaches to the vacuum's inlet port. Vacuum lines are inserted in the gate openings, moving the gates from closed to open configurations. The lines are locked into place by the gates' configurations and biasing means, and attached lines operate concurrently. Size and arrangement of the gate openings maintain the vacuum's airflow velocity and optimal flow patterns. To remove a line, it is withdrawn from the respective gate opening. The biasing means then automatically closes the corresponding gate.

Abstract: Wiper lever (10) with a driven wiper arm (12) and a wiper blade (16) linked to it for cleaning windows, particularly those of motor vehicles, which is provided with a band-like, long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element (30), which features, on its lower band surface facing the window, a long-stretched-out, rubber elastic wiper strip (24) that can be applied to it, on whose upper band surface (29), particularly in the longitudinal middle area of the supporting element (30), a coupling part (32) is situated and wind deflector strip partial sections (52) extending to the ends of the supporting element are arranged on both sides of the coupling part (32). An especially harmonic transition between the wiper blade (16) and the wiper arm (12) is achieved in the area of the joint (46, 47) connecting these two wiper lever parts if the wiper lever (10) is provided with a cap (60) to cover the connection area between the wiper blade (16) and the wiper arm (12).

Abstract: An attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner, includes a suction nozzle, a conduit communicating the nozzle with the vacuum cleaner, and a support plate. A pivot joint connects the support plate to the suction nozzle. A cleaning sheet is selectively attached to the support plate for collecting dust and dirt to be cleaned.

Abstract: A manual operated and battery powered device is provided for complete removal of liquid spills by use of both vacuum and blow-drying. The device provides a wheeled cart including a liquid-tight pan on which are retained one or move waste liquid receivers. An electric motor powered blower within an enclosure provides both suction and blown air through attached flexible hoses. In operation, the blower creates a vacuum in the receiver which, through the flexible hoses, is used to suction waste material from a working surface. The waste material is captured in the receiver. The device is small to reduce interference with surrounding activities. The design enables cordless operation with convenient recharging from standard electrical power sources during non-operational periods.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing that includes a separation chamber and collection chamber, a floor unit with a suction opening, and a passage between the suction opening and separation chamber. A suction source establishes a stream of air from the suction opening to the separation chamber for separation of liquids and contaminants. A controller stops the suction source when a level of liquid in the collection chamber rises to a predetermined level. There is a protective structure to shield at least a portion of the controller from circular movement of the liquid in the collection chamber. A structure in the separation chamber defines a path for the stream of air along an internal perimeter of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base plate assembly is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The base plate assembly includes a base plate adapted to fit to a chassis bottom of a vacuum cleaner. The base plate includes one or more nozzle apertures. The base plate assembly further includes one or more trapped components configured to rest against the base plate. The base plate assembly further includes a skid plate that fits to the base plate and that holds the one or more trapped components against the base plate when the skid plate is assembled to the base plate. The base plate assembly further includes one or more fasteners that removably affix the skid plate to the base plate. The skid plate and the one or more trapped components are removably affixed to the base plate by the skid plate and the one or more fasteners.

Abstract: A motor and brushroll mounting system for a cleaning device. The mounting system includes a motor, an agitator, a drive system, and a bracket. The motor has a rotary driving component adapted to rotate about a drive axis centerline, and a motor housing. The agitator has a rotary member having a driven component and at least one agitator, and at least one fixed member. The rotary member is rotatably held by the fixed member such that it is rotatable about a driven axis centerline. The drive system operatively connects the driving component and the driven component. The bracket is attached at a first end to the motor housing and at the second end to the at least one fixed member, and extends substantially directly therebetween to substantially prevent relative translation between the drive axis centerline and the driven axis centerline. A cleaning device nozzle and an alignment bracket are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates a device for suction of waste and similar, in a machine for cleaning roads and similar comprising a suction pipe (2), an inlet aperture (3) of the suction pipe (2), and a sweeper device (4) of the pipe (2) positioned near the inlet aperture (3) and suitable to free the suction pipe (2) of any impediments.

Abstract: A device for closing a door, including a spring element, an attachment element for fixing the device to a door, and an actuation element. The actuation element and the attachment element are linked at opposite ends of the spring element in such a way that, when the door is opened, differential rotation of the actuation element and the attachment element cause the spring element to be stretched and the energy stored in the spring element causes the door to close automatically. The actuation element is embodied as a support element that can be placed against the door frame or the adjacent wall regions in a supporting manner, and the attachment element can be removably mounted on an edge of the door without the use of fasteners or adhesive.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable hinge is disclosed. The hinge comprises a wing having an internally threaded knuckle, the knuckle having a knuckle slot and a stop surface disposed along the knuckle slot, an adjustment screw threaded into the threaded knuckle, the adjustment screw having a stop tab positioned to travel along the knuckle slot as the adjustment screw travels in the threaded knuckle, wherein the stop tab engages the stop surface to prevent further travel of the adjustment screw in the threaded knuckle and a leaf having a post dimensioned for insertion in the knuckle and into engagement with the adjustment screw, wherein the position of the leaf relative to the wing is determined by the position of the adjustment screw relative to the knuckle.

Abstract: A tubular handle for a manually guided implement, especially a power chain saw or the like, is provided. The handle has an essentially circular cross-section and at least one mounting portion for fixing the handle to the implement. In the area of the mounting portion, the circular cross-section is flattened to form an at least approximately planar abutment portion, beyond which a circular cross-sectional portion is retained. The abutment portion is provided for fixing the tubular handle to the implement.

Abstract: A pry bar has generally octagonal cross-section handle with a grip portion having four rounded surfaces formed of a soft elastomeric material and four alternating surfaces formed of hard thermoplastic material. The elastomeric material rounded surfaces are formed with pluralities of small orifices. The handle is formed with an inner hard thermoplastic core and molded over outer elastomeric cover. A metal impact cap is fixed secured in the handle proximate end.

Abstract: The fastening device comprises a housing having a joint for connecting to the link, and two coaxial pins for joining it to the object, of which at least one is mounted in a manner that enables it to slide between two positions, one being retracted from the wall of the housing and the other projecting from the wall of the housing for engaging inside an opening of the object, coaxial to a second opening for accommodating the other of these pins. The fastening device also comprises an elastic device for attempting to constantly hold the sliding pin in the retracted position and an activating element associated with a cam for displacing the sliding pin into the other position. When the sliding pin is in the retracted position, the internal extremities of the pins abut against one another, their respective surfaces being adapted for providing a space at the periphery thereof capable of receiving the extremity of a position of the cam.

Abstract: A water repellent slide fastener includes a pair of zipper tapes (25, 26), to which are secured fastening elements (21, 22) which are unfastenable and fastenable through the intermediary of a zipper slide (30), said zipper tapes (25, 26) being water repellent. One zipper tape (25) extends, in the form of an extension (25X), over the other zipper tape (26) to overlap a part of the other zipper tape (26).

Abstract: An integral zipper slide and guard. The integral slide and guard is formed as a single unit, thus alleviating previous problems of attachment of zipper guards to zipper slides. Moreover, the unitary structure of the zipper slide and guard permits a one-step molding operation, thus providing inexpensive manufacture.

Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener having a cover member capable of rotating between a first position at which a pull tag is concealed in an immobile state and a second position at which the pull tag is exposed, wherein engaging/disengaging means for engaging with/disengaging from each other when the cover member is located at the first position is provided at a portion on first end portions side apart from respective rotating portions of second end portions, the second end portion having the rotating portions in which the pull tag and the cover member are coupled so as to be able to rotate relatively, thereby providing the slider a simple structure and costing low, being capable of achieving a pull tag holding performance stable and excellent over a long period and preventing deflections between respective components.

Abstract: Production of a non-woven tissue from wood pulp on a wet strip is known. The above has a cardboardy, paper-like feel to it. In order to achieve a web with sufficient resilience, the desired wood pulp fibres used to advantage in the hygiene industry for absorbing liquids are thus always mixed with chemical fibres as support fibres. According to the invention, a consolidated tissue with a soft feel and high fluid absorption is obtained by means of needling a non-woven pure wood pulp tissue with water.

Abstract: A machining apparatus for conducting at least one of a cutting process and a grinding process, comprises a stationary base; and a working device mounted on the stationary base and having a degree of freedom of more than two axes to conduct at least one of a cutting process and a grinding process, the working device comprising a first working bench which is formed of a ceramic material and is movable linearly with a degree of freedom of not less than one axes or more while holding a work piece or a tool.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing screw threads in hard material workpieces with a series of taps. The present invention employs a threaded bore formed in a bracket assembly to align and position multiple taps on a rotary machine. The taps are used in sequence to cut threads progressively deeper into a substrate. The present invention provides a method of aligning and orienting each progressive tap to begin its cut at the same initial starting point.

Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a direct drive spindle assembly including a main fork formed by a base and a parallel pair of spaced fork arms and rotated about a first rotational axis. Moreover, the direct drive spindle assembly includes a first drive established by a hollow housing, a first motor stator and a first motor rotor, wherein the first motor rotor coupled with the base of the main fork drives the main fork to rotate about the first rotational axis. Furthermore, the direct drive spindle assembly includes a second drive contained in a room between the fork arms of the main fork and established by a second motor stator concentric with a second rotational axis, a second motor rotor and a rotor transmission ring, wherein the second rotational axis is perpendicular to the first rotational axis and the second motor stator is coupled with the fork arms of the main fork. In addition, the direct drive spindle assembly includes a spindle box having an orthogonal cross structure.

Abstract: A collapsible core device for molding articles around the core device in a mold cavity includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve and an expansion member. The first sleeve includes a plurality of first ribs extending from a first base in an axial direction and defining a discontinuous first perimeter surrounding a channel. The second sleeve includes a plurality of second ribs extending from a second base in an axial direction and defining a discontinuous second perimeter surrounding the central channel. Each of the second ribs is arranged between adjacent ones of the first ribs. The expansion member is fittable within the central channel to displace the first and second ribs outwardly to form an overall perimeter defined by the first and second ribs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotary electric machine stator includes inserting straight portions of conductor segments into a plurality of slots of a stator core. The conductor segments are then bent so that connection ends of the conductor segments that are disposed adjacent to each other in a radial direction can incline in opposite circumferential directions to cross one another. Pairs of the connection ends crossing each other are then welded.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconducting wire is provided. The method is provided with the steps of filling a raw material powder in a metal pipe, the raw material powder being composed of an oxide superconductor or a precursor to become an oxide superconductor through heat treatment; heating the metal pipe filled with the above-described raw material powder to 400° C. or more and 800° C. or less; depressurizing the inside of the above-described heated metal pipe to 100 Pa or less; sealing an opening at an end portion of the metal pipe under the above-described depressurized condition; and subjecting the sealed metal pipe containing the above-described raw material powder to wire drawing, wherein the packing density of the above-described raw material powder is controlled at 10 percent or more and 40 percent or less and, thereby, the degasification of the inside of the metal pipe is adequately performed, so that the critical current density can be increased.

Abstract: A process for achieving tighter reader and writer track width control is disclosed. The write gap layer is used as the plating seed on which the upper pole is electro-formed. This allows the write gap layer to then be deposited through a precisely controllable process such as sputtering. Since less material needs to be removed during pole trimming, a thinner layer of photoresist may be used, resulting in improved dimensional control.

Abstract: A invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head is provided, capable of forming a magnetic pole layer as easily as possible. By etching a lower insulating layer and the upper insulating layer by RIE using a fluorine-based gas (CF4 or CHF3) or chlorine-based gas (Cl2 or BCl3), a magnetic pole formation space R1 is formed so as to have a uniform width in an upper insulating layer by and a magnetic pole formation space R2 is formed in the lower insulating layer so as to have a width gradually narrowed from width W1 to width W4 with distance from the magnetic pole formation space R1. After that, a plating film is grown in the magnetic pole formation spaces R1 and R2, thereby forming a main magnetic pole layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an HAA includes a step of fixing a first lead conductor member onto a suspension, a step of attaching a second lead conductor member to at least one actuator arm, a step of fixing the suspension onto the at least one actuator arm, a step of electrically connecting the first lead conductor member fixed on the suspension with the second lead conductor member attached on the at least one actuator arm, a step of, thereafter, fixing a head slider provided with at least one head element onto the suspension, and a step of electrically connecting the at least one head element with the first lead conductor member.

Abstract: A suspension for use in a disk drive is disclosed. The suspension has a hinge and load beam which are separately formed and subsequently joined together. The load beam is formed from a material which has improved damping characteristics. The load beam additionally has ribs constructed in order to balance the mass of the suspension about the torsional rotation axis. The location of the torsional rotation axis can be designed to intersect the head gimbal pivot point.

Abstract: Various models of engines and transmissions can be installed in an engine room model in a relatively easy manner. As a result, efficiency of inspecting the engine room is optimized by using the engine room model and various potential problems which may occur in a mass production of vehicles are discovered and can be prevented in advance.

Abstract: A coil forming apparatus includes a twisting formation unit that twist-forms a predetermined number of U-shaped conductor segments. The twisting formation unit includes a first twisting formation jig composed of a first inside ring and a first outside ring and a second twisting formation jig composed of a second inside ring and a second outside ring. Each of the first and second inside rings has the same number of circumferentially disposed holding slots as the stator slots to hold one of each pair of straight portions. Each of the first and second outside rings has the same number of circumferentially disposed holding slots as the stator slots to hold the other of each pair of straight portions of the U-shaped conductor segments. The first and second inside rings and the first and second outside rings are coaxially coupled to shift relative circumferential position between the inside rings and the outside rings by a predetermined angle to twist the turn portions of the U-shaped conductor segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and merging a head stack assembly with a disc stack of a data storage device. The head stack assembly comprises a cantilevered flexure which supports a transducer at a distal end thereof. A carrier includes a carrier support surface arranged to contactingly support the distal end of the flexure. A merge tool is adapted to merge the transducer with a recording surface of the disc stack. The merge tool includes a merge support surface arranged to contactingly support a medial portion of the flexure while the carrier support surface is disposed between the merge support surface and the transducer. The transducer is merged by aligning the merge support surface with the medial portion of the flexure, and using the merge support surface to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and advance the transducer to a final position.

Abstract: An origin detection method for a component placement head includes setting an axial origin for each elevation nut section, of the component placement head, by detecting a rotational angle of a drive section corresponding to the elevation nut section. The elevation nut sections are then individually moved down from the axial origin so that light emitted from a light-projecting section is received by a light-receiving section without being interrupted. Then, it is confirmed that the axial origin of each elevation nut section is an origin of elevation by detecting interruption of light, emitted from the light-projecting section, by the elevation nut section at a position corresponding to the elevation nut section having been lowered from the axial origin by a prescribed light interruption dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating rigid flexible PCBs. In the method, a self-detachable adhesive tape is used to separate a wafer and a substrate from each other in the course of conventionally fabricating a semiconductor wafer, is employed to avoid inherent problems occurring in the conventional method of fabricating rigid flexible PCBs.

Abstract: A vacuum controlled fixture is provided for positioning columns on sites of an electronic substrate. The fixture includes an internal chamber having spaced apart first and second surfaces extending beneath its principal face. A regular array of column receiving holes extends from the principal face through the first surface of the chamber, and a plurality of vacuum ducts extend from ports in the second surface of the chamber to a vacuum source to evacuate the internal chamber. The ports in the second face of the chamber are laterally offset from the receiving holes in the first face of the chamber to allow seating of the interior ends of the columns on coplanar portions of the rear surface. The ports are preferably centered, equidistant from the closest adjacent receiving holes, thereby providing centering of the columns by means of a vacuum driven air flow around the latter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making circuitized substrates using a continuous roll format in which layers of conductor and dielectric are fed into the apparatus, bonded, and passed on to other nearby work stations in which various processes such as hole formation, circuitization and, finally, segmentation occur. The resulting substrates can then be individually bonded to other, like substrates to form a larger multi-layered substrate with a plurality of conductive thru-holes, conductive and dielectric layers as part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a printed circuit board having embedded multi-layer passive devices, and particularly, to a method of fabricating a printed circuit board having an embedded multi-layer capacitor, in which a capacitor is formed to have multiple layers in the PCB to increase capacitance.

Abstract: The invention describes, in combination, a pin and a pin holding device and discloses a method for electrically and mechanically connecting the stranded center conductor of a microcoaxial cable to the pin without the use of traditional soldering or crimping methods. The invention allows a cable installer to connect an end of a microcoaxial cable having a stranded center conductor to a male coaxial cable connector which requires a solid center conductor such as a pin for greatest reliability. The invention provides a stranded conductor to solid wire adaptor. In a preferred embodiment, the invention utilizes a twist-wirelock section to affix a stranded wire center conductor to a solid pin.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluid ejection device includes providing a sacrificial structure substantially overlying a semiconductor substrate. The structure has a shape configured to define an ink chamber, ink manifold, and a nozzle. The method also includes providing a first metal adjacent the sacrificial structure and substantially overlying the substrate and removing the sacrificial structure to form the ink chamber and the nozzle. The method further includes removing a portion of the first and second sacrificial materials to form the sacrificial structure.

Abstract: A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. The knife may be either automatic or semi-automatic. In one embodiment a pair of spring arms, one located to each lateral side of the blade is interconnected at their forward ends with a pin and a roller sleeve. The spring arms apply pressure to the tang of the blade when the blade is closed.

Abstract: An ice chopper having a blade for initially engaging ice with a small force followed by an impact of a larger force to break up the ice. The ice chopper has a tube for a handle having a second tube inside with a compression spring. The second tube has a blade attached, which engages ice and pushes the second tube up inside the tube simultaneously compressing the compression spring. When a stop is reached the second tube stops retracting and the impact force of the downward movement of the tube is absorbed by the blade for breaking the ice. The ice chopper is then lifted off the ice, the compression spring pushes the second tube and the blade downward and the ice chopper is ready for another stroke. An ergonomic handgrip is attached at the top of the tube for gripping the ice chopper.

Abstract: A cable cutter for attachment to a power drill has a housing, first and second cutting blades connected to the housing for movement relative to one another and a drive assembly releasably engageable with the chuck of the drill and operatively engaged with at least one of the cutting blades. The drive assembly includes a worm mounted on a drive shaft, a worm gear and a drive gear mounted on a main shaft, and a segment gear formed on one of the cutting blades. The worm and worm gear which are in engagement, as are the drive gear and segment gear. The main shaft is supported in the housing by three bearings. A torque arm is attached at one end to the housing and adapted at its other end to engage the handle of the drill. A reversible stabilizing handle attaches to the housing to allow the user to securely grip the housing during cutting operations.

Abstract: A dual line protractor fixed to a central axis which has two housings, each housing having a spool with retractable lines, the housings and spools being rotatably attached to the central axis. The spools and housings rotate independently of each other on the central axis. The lines can be extended from the spools and the tips of the lines are attached to anatomical landmarks on first and second body members. The protractor is placed on a joint between the first and second body members. The lines extend from the spools and housings over degree marks on the protractor. The difference between the degree marks provide the angle between the body members at the joint. The application of the dual line protractor for these measurements is simple and rapid, requiring only a few minutes, so that the range of motion of several joints with several repeat measurements can be performed in a relatively short period of time.