Abstract: Draw a polymer composition by providing a polymer composition containing an orientable polymer having a softening temperature and a filler; conditioning the temperature of the polymer composition at or below its softening temperature; and drawing the polymer composition at a draw rate of at least 127 centimeters per minute in order to achieve an oriented filled polymer composition demonstrating a stable extent of cavitation with draw rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a concrete product with a substantially horizontal slipform casting process, wherein the concrete mix is fed at least in one step through a limited cross-section moving progressively along with the cast, whereby the height of the product forming part (1) is changed during the cast. The invention also comprises a product forming part (1) having an adjustable height.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a mold includes a circulation pipe provided in the mold, a heating water circulation section to provide heating water to the circulation pipe to pre-heat the mold, a cooling water circulation section to provide cooling water to the circulation pipe to cool the mold, and a compressed air circulation section to provide compressed air to the circulation pipe to eject remaining heating water or cooling water within the circulation pipe. The compressed air circulation section is adapted to supply the compressed air to the circulation pipe to eject remaining fluid within the circulation pipe before heating water or cooling water is provided to the circulation pipe.

Abstract: A gas assisted method for molding a substrate is described, as a well as an apparatus for performing this molding process. Generally, this molding method will involve using a mold with a core side and a cavity side. The mold is designed to mold a substrate when filled with the thermoplastic. A quantity of thermoplastic is injected into the mold. Once the plastic is in the mold, gas is vented to the core side of the mold as the thermoplastic cools. The gas is introduced via sintered vents that have been added to the mold. In general, the gas will have a pressure less than 500 psi. Once the thermoplastic cools, the substrate is formed and can be ejected from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of freeform fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) objects by depositing polymer colloidal particle based building materials in a predetermined pattern, preferably for biological and/or medical applications. The process of the present invention includes formulating a polymer colloidal dispersion for use as a building material; delivering the dispersion material to a solid freeform fabrication system, and depositing the extruded filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a three-dimensional (3D) object.

Abstract: A tool (20) and a method for shaping an elongated deformable member for a hearing aid (1). The tool is manufactured using a rapid prototyping process. The tool comprises a first holding means (21) for a first end of the elongated member, a second holding means (31) for holding a second end of the elongated member, and positioning means (26,28) for positioning and holding intermediate parts of said elongated member between said first end and said second end in a fixed desired shape. The shaping a of the deformable elongated member comprises the steps of placing the first end of the elongated member in a predetermined position, positioning said intermediate parts of said elongated member in a predetermined position, placing the second end of the elongated member in a predetermined position, heating said elongated member, and cooling said elongated member.

Abstract: In a method of molding a substrate, a molding structure including a release film and flat plate-shaped epoxy molding compound (EMC) is placed on an upper face of a lower die. The substrate is held by a lower face of an upper die facing the lower die. The molding structure and the substrate are compressed using the lower die and the upper die to form a preliminarily molded substrate. The lower die is then downwardly moved from the upper die to form a molded substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding a case for housing an object, such as a tool, is disclosed generally comprising first and second mold portions located adjacent each other to create separate cavities for forming base and lid portions of a case and a punch for each portion corresponding to the outline of an object. In certain embodiments, the punch protrudes into the cavity during blow molding to create a sidewall to facilitate a press fit. In some embodiments, additional punches and/or recesses are provided to produce additional apertures or flanges in the walls of the tool case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallurgical vessel (1), particularly a converter (2), with support consoles (10) arranged on the wall (3) of the vessel. Said consoles are fixed to a support body (4) that does not fully surround the periphery of the vessel by means of a fixing system (9) which comprises clamping means (12) that engage with the support consoles (10) and can be pivoted into and out of a position of engagement. The vessel (1) can be removed from the support body (4) and can be reconnected therewith when the clamping means (12) are not in a position of engagement. According to the invention, the clamping means (12) comprise a clamping lever (13) which is engaged on one side and which describes a pivoting movement by means of a hydraulic pressure unit (17).

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a cooling device for a blast furnace that may prevent an excessive amount of coolant from entering the blat furnace and may be easily installed in a conventional blast furnace. Systems and methods may provide a cooling device for a blast furnace that may prevent an excessive amount of coolant from entering the blast furnace and may be simple and cost effective to manufacture. The end of a heat pipe (202) that is outside of the furnace may be configured to interact with a heat sink (210). The heat sink (210) may be for example, a separate amount of coolant that is circulated outside of the furnace, an evaporative cooling system, and/or any other system or method of cooling the heat pipe (202) that transfers heat from the heat pipe (202) to the heat sink (210). Because the coolant within the heat pipe (202) is sealed within the heat pipe (202), only the small, fixed amount of coolant that. is within the heat pipe (202) will enter the furnace should the cooling plate (200) rupture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.

Abstract: A wave spring, in which a multiply annularly wound spring comprises a wave portion in which peaks and troughs are alternately formed in a winding peripheral direction and a ring-like mounting portion that is substantially flat in the winding peripheral direction, with an inner periphery or an outer periphery of the mounting portion being mounted upon engaging with an outer periphery or an inner periphery of an member to be mounted, wherein the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the mounting portion is provided with an engaging urging portion which enables engagement through elastic contact with respect to a radial direction.

Abstract: Isothermal work piece holding system uses vibration-damping, low thermal conductivity, low TCE polymer-composite holding body(ies) to damp machine tool vibration and chatter while accurately, rigidly maintaining the work piece in position by vacuum and/or mechanical clamps during machining. Cooling fluid channels having high thermal conductivity plates in contact with the work piece transfer thermal energy to/from it to maintain it isothermal during machining, inspection and assembly, eliminating dimensional changes and increasing process repeatability. Minimizing chatter reduces cycle time and improves surface finish which eliminates manual re-work. The system employs vacuum and coolant fluid pumps, heater/cooler(s), temperature sensor(s) and controller(s) to achieve highly accurate dimensional tolerances machining of parts which reduces error stack-up and assembly costs. Isothermal fixtures are disclosed for assembling parts and automated rivet settings in precise locations with reduced use of shims.

Abstract: The Invention is an improved work holding apparatus and method for a Swiss turning machine. A tube selectably bears upon the apron of a collet. A belt crank selectably bears upon the tube and a conical actuator selectably bears upon the bell crank. Movement of the conical actuator along its longitudinal axis is translated by the bell crank into longitudinal motion of the tube causing the collet to engage or disengage the work piece. The improvement of the Invention is to make the engagement between the conical actuator and the bell crank a rolling engagement. The improvement of the Invention is also to provide a wear member for the tube-engaging portion of the bell crank.

Abstract: Tray means for stacking sheets, pickup means for separating and for conveying sheets into a single sheet on the tray means, and sheet conveyance means for conveying a sheet separated by the pickup means to a predetermined processing position are provided. Projecting guide means project from a sheet support surface of the tray means into a notched opening of the sheet is provided; and an oblique surface is formed to prevent a trailing side edge of the opening from catching on a leading side edge of the opening of a lower sheet when feeding an uppermost sheet to the projecting guide means. This makes it possible to feed only the uppermost sheet downstream without an opening edge formed in the uppermost sheet from interfering with an opening edge of a lower sheet.

Abstract: In one aspect of a sheet conveying device, a sheet member is guided from a sheet feeding port through a reading position to a terminal end positioned above the sheet feeding port on a first path, guided from the terminal end through the reading position to the terminal end again on a second path, and guided from the terminal end through the reading position to a sheet discharging port on a third path. A transfer member rotates a conveying member and halts the rotation of the conveying member respectively according to first and second rotations of a driving source. A first detecting unit is provided downstream of the sheet feeding port on the first path. A control unit switches the driving source from the first rotation to the second rotation on the basis that the first detecting unit detects a trailing end of the sheet member.

Abstract: A sheet transporting device including: a sheet feeding section that feeds sheets to a transporting path; a pair of upstream transporting rollers and a pair of downstream transporting rollers arranged with a predetermined space; a double feed detecting section that detects a length of a double feed portion; a determining section that determines whether the length of the double feed portion is shorter than the predetermined space or not; and a transport control section that controls the drives of the upstream transporting rollers and the downstream transporting rollers, wherein the transport control section controls speeds of the upstream transporting rollers and the downstream transporting rollers so as to separate the delaying sheet from the preceding sheet of the overlapped sheets, in a case where the determining section determines that the length of the double feed portion is shorter than the predetermined space.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes a guide surface arranged on a paper feed cassette and a roller arranged on a cassette storage unit. When the paper feed cassette is moved along a storing direction thereof inside the cassette storage unit, the guide surface placed on the roller is slidably moved by rotation of the roller. In the paper feeder, since the cassette storage portion includes a placement surface on which the guide surface is placed by surface contact at a storage position where the paper feed cassette is stored in the cassette storage unit, the stored paper feed cassette can be maintained in a stable condition, and oscillation of the paper feed cassette generated when the papers are transported can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport path and a guide assembly. The transport path is configured to convey a recording medium. The guide assembly is configured to guide the recording medium in the transport path. Further, the guide assembly includes a surface member and a base member. The surface member has first and second surfaces of a similar shape on opposite sides thereof. The base member is configured to support the surface member. The surface member and the base member are removably connected in one of first and second assembled forms. The first surface serves to receive the recording medium and the second surface faces the base member in the first assembled form. The second surface serves to receive the recording medium and the first surface faces the base member in the second assembled form.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes conveying suction belts which have a function of rotating an adsorbed sheet and a function of conveying the sheet; a suction fan 112 which adsorbs the sheet to the belts; CCDs which detect a position and an skew in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction while the sheet is adsorbed to the belts; and a control device for driving the belts to rotate the sheet according to signals of CCDs in order to correct an attitude of the sheet adsorbed to the belts.

Abstract: The invention provides a transportation apparatus for transporting a transportation target medium in a predetermined transportation direction. The transportation target medium transportation apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes: a transport driving roller that is operated rotationally; a transport driven roller that is urged against the transport driving roller and follows the rotary movement of the transport driving roller; and a control unit that controls the movement of the transport driven roller between a contact position at which the transport driven roller is in contact with the transport driving roller and a non-contact position at which the transport driven roller is not in contact with the transport driving roller.

Abstract: A sheet waste processing device includes: a sheet processing tool that generates piece-like sheet wastes by processing for sheets; a waste receiver that is provided freely movably under the sheet processing tool between a setting position where the sheet wastes generated by the sheet processing tool are housed and a non-setting position where the sheet wastes housed are disposed of; and a transporting/guarding member that is provided between the sheet processing tool and the waste receiver, transports the sheet wastes into the waste receiver located at the setting position, and blocks direct touching the sheet processing tool from a waste receiver space generated by movement of the waste receiver under the condition that the waste receiver is moved to the non-setting position.

Abstract: Card shoes, systems and methods for determining a dealer's hand status are disclosed. An image of a last dispensed card captured by an image sensor in a card shoe is analyzed. A value of the card is determined by evaluating the image. A dealer's hand status is indicated on a notification element. In another method, the beginning of a round and a number of cards dealt is determined. A dealer's hand value is determined by determining a value of the last card dealt in the round and a value of a first dealer card dealt in the hand. Determining card values is performed by analyzing an image of the cards captured by an image sensor in a card shoe. Finally, the method includes notification of the dealer's hand status.

Abstract: A global property trading board game having a game board with a continuous travel path divided into stations being associated with respective countries and having markings, including economic values representative of the respective countries' gross domestic product. Movement of a game-piece along the travel path is determined by a chance-controlled device. Each player is allocated a line of credit represented by international business cards in various monetary denominations. The respective players are further assigned a global region constituting a trade-bloc of countries. A player may acquire the assets of any country corresponding to the station in which the game-piece is located, assuming the assets are not owned by another player, by payment of the designated economic value utilizing the player's international business cards. When a competing player's game-piece is located within a station wherein the assets are owned by another player the competing player must pay a tax to that player.

Abstract: A strategy game to be played in competition by multiple players. The game includes a map, partitioned into a grid of hexagonal cells, and accompanying game elements to be placed and interacted with on the grid. The game includes means of play designed to maximise the player's utilisation of strategic decision making skills to achieve tactical and logistical superiority.

Abstract: A multimedia video and audio playing device includes a main part, a wireless receiver, and a connecting member; the main part has a built-in wireless transmission module, and a holding room thereon, in which the connecting member is received in a separable manner; the connecting member has a holding space thereon, on which a multimedia playing appliance is fitted; the main part allows various connecting members to be connected thereto, which connecting members are provided for holding various playing appliances with different dimensions and different functions; various sockets for image transfer and various transfer wires are provided on the main part for allowing the multimedia video and audio playing device to be used with various playing devices.

Abstract: At least part of the cooperating parts of a game is made luminescent to glow in the dark or under appropriate lighting conditions. The luminescence may be due to self illuminating internal stored energy (phosphorescent) of the part or alternatively coated with material that is stimulated light of a wavelength out of a normal viable spectrum, such as ultraviolet. All or selected surface areas of parts are made sufficiently visible that a player is able to recognize that parts and correlate movement between the parts required to play the game in the darkness. The invention applies to table tops or portable game boards for such purposes as providing boundary markers to find field of play and other areas and marking game pieces. Alternatively, the game may involve a court or field or a specially provided stand or table to support a playing area which requires the marking of target areas as well as the field of play, and game pieces.

Abstract: DRAW FOR BATTLE is a strategic dueling card game, combining an art instructional component as part of interactive card game play. Players must first draw the characters chosen from the PRIMARY DECK during game play before placing them onto the battlefield for combat through assigned numerical STRENGTH levels and SMARTS levels. The game includes a PRIMARY DECK, which itself includes ADD cards, DRAW cards, MORPH cards, and WILD cards, and the THINK DECK, which describes an intellectual way of defeating the brute through various THINK cards, and if it was successful or not. The BATTLE CARD TABLET is a set of preprinted oversized cards, with a grid pattern for guidance during drawing, in tablet form to create battle cards. The MASTER DECK is a series of oversized cards that provide the basic instructions for illustrating the characters and their back-story.

Abstract: Mahjong wagering games are disclosed in which a player or players place a wager on which mahjong tile will be selected, the mahjong tile being selected with a mahjong roulette style wheel or by being revealed after selection from a boneyard. The wagers are based on a bet type provided in a bet table that comprises a matrix of mahjong tiles arranged in columns, rows or groups.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game has a player betting a first single part wager to participate in a casino three-card poker-type game. A dealer deals a hand consisting of three cards to each of the dealer and to a player who placed a first wager. The dealer resolves each player's first single part wager against a paytable or against a dealer's hand according to a predetermined hierarchy of three card poker hands. Individual players place a side bet progressive wager that the individual player's three card hand are one of a defined set of a specific rank of hands.

Abstract: A gaming device having a primary Three Card Poker game is provided. The Three Card Poker game includes three cards dealt to the player and the dealer, where all cards are dealt face-up. First, the player has an option to replace one card from the players hand. Then, the dealer may replace one card according to a set of predetermined rules. The player makes a primary wager and an optional secondary wager. A primary award is provided if the players hand beats the dealer's hand. In the secondary wager is placed, a secondary is award is provided if the either the player's or the dealer's hand is of a predetermined value.

Abstract: A game table television and method that allows for more frequent or continuous use of the game table by enabling additional and/or simultaneous use as a television, which may be conveniently enjoyed and/or controlled by the participants and/or spectators of the table game.

Abstract: An induction frame for a dartboard is positioned on the front surface of the dartboard according to predetermined shape and number so as to define a plurality of scoring areas thereon. The induction frame is inductive and has conductive ends that are used to penetrate the dartboard. On the front side of the respective frames is formed guiding surface that is located in the direction in which the dart is tossed. The abovementioned design enables the respective frames to be directly connected to the electronic scoring unit for scoring, thus effectively simplifying the structure, reducing the complexity and cost of the circuit.

Abstract: A target comprises a pair of hinged panels with circular openings and parallel slots. The target is supported by a set of two like planar supports hinged to an edge of each panel at opposite target edges. The slots have a length of about the same dimension as the circular opening diameter in one embodiment. Openings with different diameters may be combined with slots of different lengths than those diameters. Discs known as Frisbees are thrown at the target to try to throw the discs through the slots or openings. Frisbees have a configuration wherein when thrown with a spin tend to fly toward a target in a horizontal orientation and are controllable to some degree in the direction of flight. Points are assigned. The relative dimensions of the openings and slots to the discs can vary the degree of difficulty or by orienting the panels at different angles to the disc thrower. Different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A seal ring 10 for sealing between first and second members 12, 14 each having an outer groove surface 16, 126 and inner groove surface 18, 127 includes a metal seal body 26, 42, 52, 60, 70, 80, 92, 110, 122, 140 for engagement with the outer groove surface on the first and second members, and a metal flexible flange 30, 32, 44, 46, 54, 56, 62, 64, 76, 78, 88, 90, 94, 96, 112, 114, 128, 144, 146 with a cantilevered end of a flexible flange providing substantially line contact sealing engagement with the inner groove surface on respective first and second member. The metal flexible flange is configured for being fluid pressure energized, and is deformed beyond its elastic limit when securing members secure the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A shaft sealing assembly includes a sealing device and a stirring unit. The sealing device includes a plurality of non-rotational members and a plurality of rotational members. The non-rotational members include a main body and a fixed frictional ring. The rotational members include a shaft tube and a rotational frictional ring. The fixed frictional ring abuts against the rotational frictional ring, forming an abutting section between the fixed frictional ring and the rotational frictional ring. The stirring unit is provided on one of the rotational members for driving a liquid adjacent to the abutting section to create stirring currents for stirring the liquid adjacent to the abutting section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a static pressure type non-contact gas seal which, even when supply of seal gas 6 to the space between sealing end surfaces 3a and 4a has stopped unexpectedly, can be safely used with no possibility that the sealing end surfaces 3a and 4a collide severely against each other and consequently the sealing end surfaces 3a and 4a are damaged or destructed. In this static pressure type non-contact gas seal, the seal gas 6 is supplied to the space between the sealing end surfaces 3a and 4a from a seal gas passage 5, thereby generating an opening force that acts on the stationary sealing ring 4 in a direction that the space between the sealing end surfaces 3a and 4a is opened.

Abstract: The invention concerns a safety device for preventing overpressure occurring in the oil part (3) of a transfer pump supplying a fuel such as high-pressure gasoline to an engine characterized in that it consists of a rotary sealing joint (10) separating the oil part (3) of the pump and the oil part (7) of said engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal for sealing off the bearing interior of a bearing, in which seal a first sealing lip between an annular pilot chamber and the outer circumference of the seal is angled outward proceeding from a base of the seal as far as at least one first sealing contact, and in which seal a second sealing lip between the bearing interior and the pilot chamber is angled inward proceeding from the base at least as far as a second sealing contact, and in which seal the first sealing lip is provided with at least one ventilation opening which leads into the pilot chamber from the outside.

Abstract: The invention is directed to develop for the high capable of shaft seals by means of applying rubber bushing which is fixed on the shaft in co-rotating operation and is kept in touch with the opening of the housing with the elastic cover sustained with plastic stuff such as grease filled up in the half round ditch caved on the oblique line of the cylindrical trapezoid bushing at the opposite side in the inside view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing ring (1) for push-fit socket connections. The sealing ring (1) is characterized by consisting of a high-quality elastomeric plastic material or an elastomer as an element of the scaling ring and comprises, on the seal base, an end piece (2) from a harder plastic material, such as PP, as the care which is at least partially surrounded by the sealing material (3), thereby forming a base element. The end piece (2) as the core of the inserted sealing (1) is associated, at the seal base in the direction of insertion of the pipe, with the bead (5) and its end section is configured without sealing material (3) at the seal base.

Abstract: A connector including seal bodies having an excellent sealing characteristic is provided. The seal body puts an electric wire between the seal body and the other seal body so as to maintain a watertight characteristic between the electric wire and the seal bodies. The seal body includes: an abutting surface of the seal body, which abuts against a mating abutting surface of the other seal body when the seal bodies overlap each other; a groove which positions the electric wire inside the seal bodies; a lip part which projects from an inner surface of the groove and from the abutting surface.

Abstract: A seal structure in which a sealing member 510 fitted in the seal holding part 120 is elastically deformed to hermetically seal a flow passage joining portion. The seal holding part 120 opening on a flow passage side and including a first retaining surface 121, a second retaining surface 122, and a circumferential surface 123. The sealing member 510 includes a first surface 511 in contact with the first retaining surface 121, a second surface 512 in contact with the retaining surface 122, and an inner surface 513 located inside the seal holding part 510 and tapered to have a diameter becoming smaller from the first surface 511 side to the second surface 512 side. An engagement portion 515 engaged in the seal holding part 120 is formed protruding from an outer surface 514 located on the circumferential surface 123 side and on the first surface 511 side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal structure of a high-pressure tank capable of properly securing seal efficiency. The seal structure of the high-pressure tank includes a plurality of seal members that have mutually different seal properties and that are installed between a ferrule of the high-pressure tank and a valve body attached to the ferrule. One of the plurality of seal members has low temperature resistance, and the other has high temperature resistance. A first seal member is an O-ring formed of butyl rubber or silicone. A second seal member is an O-ring formed of EPDM. Furthermore, the two O-rings are different in gas permeability from each other. This seal structure can be applied between the ferrule and the valve body, in addition, between the ferrule and a liner, between the ferrule and a shell, and between the valve body and the shell.

Abstract: A holder for a bit is disclosed. The holder may include a base assembly, a second locking element, a follower assembly, and a bias assembly. In some embodiments the bias assembly may be configured to urge the bit away from a hole of the base assembly. In some embodiments, the bias assembly may move the follower assembly from a second position in which the follower assembly allows the second locking element to move from a locking position to an unlocking position, to a first position in which the follower assembly supports the second locking element in the locking position, when the bit is inserted in the second hole against urging from the bias assembly. In some embodiments, the bias assembly may be configured to urge the follower assembly away from the first position.

Abstract: An active, independent suspension system has dual piston, compressible fluid struts (22). Each of the dual piston struts (22) has an outer cylinder (24) and an outer piston rod (30), which each respectively define exterior peripheries for an outer pressure chamber (32) and an inner pressure chamber (54). Pressures applied to a compressible fluid (56) in respective ones of the outer and inner pressure chambers (32, 54) urge the outer piston to extend from within the outer cylinder (24). A control system (240) is provided for actively controlling an amount of compressible fluid (56) disposed within each of the outer and inner chambers (32, 54).

Abstract: Apparatus for the active stabilization of the rolling of a vehicle that has at least two axles that each have at least two wheels. The axles are each equipped with a transverse stabilizer that is hydraulically actuated by a directional control valve. The transverse stabilizers are operated by respective hydraulic motors. A pressure supply pump applies different hydraulic pressure levels through respective pressure limiting valves. The directional control valve is actuated hydraulically by a directly controlled control valve.

Abstract: A stabilizer control device for a vehicle includes a first and second stabilizer bars, a housing fixed to an end portion of the second stabilizer bar so as to arrange an end portion of the first stabilizer bar adjacent to the end portion of the second stabilizer bar, a rotational torque reducing mechanism having an input portion fixed to the first stabilizer bar and the housing and reducing a relative rotational torque between the housing and the first stabilizer bar and outputting, a hollow member including the first stabilizer bar so as to rotatably support the first stabilizer bar within the housing and fixed with an output portion of the rotational torque reducing mechanism so as to rotatably support the output portion within the housing, and a clutch mechanism arranged between the hollow member and the housing for engaging and disengaging therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport device for a load. The transport device includes at least one device configured to alter the orientation of the load relative to at least a portion of the transport device. At least one sensor is adapted to detect if at least one of the following occurs: the portion of the load becomes substantially non-planar and the portion of the load becomes substantially non-level. Electrical components are in communication with the sensor and are adapted to adjust the at least one device such that the portion of the load maintains at least one of the substantial planarity and the substantial levelness.

Abstract: A gate-and-seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate, a backrest, and a seat. The gate has a first end pivotally mountable to a rear portion of a shopping cart. The backrest includes a back support and a pair of legs with the back support defining a slot. The pair of legs extends from the back support and is pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the gate to enable pivotal movement of the backrest relative to the gate. The seat is pivotally mounted to the gate via at least one pivot mechanism and slidably extends through the slot of the back support. The seat includes a pair of ears extending laterally outward from the seat in opposite directions with each respective ear being releasably engageable relative to a rear surface of the back support of the backrest. The entire gate-and-seat assembly is made entirely from a plastic material.