Abstract: An improved acoustic lens and an improved ultrasonic transducer system comprising an improved acoustic lens and related methods are provided. The improved acoustic lens may have a uniform loss along an elevation axis or may have a loss along the elevation axis that provides for an apodization of an acoustic signal. The improved acoustic lens may be a multi-component lens. In a two-component lens embodiment, the inner lens component, for interfacing with a transducer, may have a concave outer surface and the outer lens component may have a flat or convex outer surface. In a three-component lens embodiment, the inner lens component, for interfacing with a transducer, may have a concave outer surface, the middle lens component may have a concave outer surface and the outer lens component may have a flat or convex outer surface.

Abstract: A variable geometry muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine; the muffler displays: a tubular body, which displays an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a labyrinth which determines a path for the exhaust gases from the inlet opening to the outlet opening; and a bypass valve, which is arranged within the tubular body to modify the geometry of the labyrinth according to the exhaust gas pressure; the bypass valve displays a lid, which is coupled to a bypass opening and is mobile from a closed position of the bypass opening to an opening position of the bypass opening by effect of the exhaust gas pressure and against the bias of an elastic body which tends to maintain the lid in the closed position; the elastic body consists of an elastic foil, which is folded as a “U” and displays a mobile end which supports the lid and a fixed end which is opposite to the mobile end and which is integral with a fixed part of the muffler.

Abstract: An air intake device includes an inner pipe member having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining therein an air intake passage by a wall portion of the inner pipe member, and an outer pipe member which surrounds a periphery side of the inner pipe member to define therebetween a space. The air intake passage communicates a surge tank with an atmosphere intake port through which air is introduced into the surge tank. The wall portion of the inner pipe member has at least one sound transmission portion through which sound is more readily transferred than other portions of the wall portion. The space has one end which is opening and positioned at a side of the atmosphere intake port, and the other end which is closed and positioned at a side of the surge tank.

Abstract: An acoustic insulating material, especially for a sound damper in compressed air devices, is provided which includes fibres of a thermoplastic material comprising structures or profiled elements which are moulded or embossed in the surfaces thereof and which raise the surfaces or specific surfaces thereof. The fibres are processed to form braided or woven tubing, the ends thereof being welded such that an approximately rectangular tubular section is created, forming the acoustic insulating material when rolled into a woven tubular element.

Abstract: An acoustical panel comprising a continuous phase of an interlocking set gypsum matrix and a method of preparing an acoustical panel are disclosed.

Abstract: A tall structure external emergency escape system comprises a platform which is movable to and from a generally vertical position of non-use and a generally horizontal position of use. A cable system is mounted to the platform. The cable system includes a cable having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is mounted to an anchor mechanism on the platform. The free end is capable of extending downwardly from the platform to a receiving area. The system further includes a sling/harness which would be worn by a person. A clamp mechanism secures the sling/harness to the cable.

Abstract: A harness is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the harness is a safety harness used by, for example, a hunter when the hunter is, for example, positioned in a tree stand.

Abstract: A ladder stabilizer comprises a central section and two side sections extending in substantially the direction from opposed ends of the central section. When the stabilizer is placed with the free ends of the side sections in contact with a vertical wall of a building and the side sections and the central section lying substantially in a horizontal plane, the central section provides a substantially planar surface facing away from the vertical wall and lying at an angle of from about 12 to about 23 degrees, and desirably about 17.5 degrees, to the vertical. This enables the side sections to extend horizontally even when the ladder is used at its normal inclination to the vertical.

Abstract: A ladder safety mat for securing the base of a ladder to a supporting surface including a flexible body having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface providing a frictional resistance to the supporting surface; and two open vertical sockets located on the first surface and spaced apart from each other for accepting in each the lower end of a stile from the ladder, wherein the body and the vertical sockets are one molded piece. In another embodiment, the ladder safety mat includes a retaining ridge extending upward from the top surface of the ladder safety mat for retaining the lower ends of the stiles of the ladder. In yet another embodiment, the ladder safety mat includes recessed sockets for retaining the lower ends of the stiles of the ladder.

Abstract: A climbing tree stand according to the invention comprises a seat support assembly and a standing platform assembly. Each of the respective support assemblies has a pair of arms which are attached to a standing frame member and a main frame member. The arms are pivotally movable relative to the foot and main frame member, respectively. A flexible attachment is used to affix the arms to the platforms allowing the climbing tree stand to more easily climb trees that may not have ideal surface features or relatively consistent diameters. This allows the user of the climbing tree stand to have more options with respect to the type and size of tree used to climb and secure the tree stand. The flexible arms permit the tree stand to adjust slightly around obstacles on the trunk of the tree, such as limb stumps while alternately moving each assembly up the tree.

Abstract: A method for fitting a safety line cable on a tensioner, wherein a section of the cable is crimped in a sleeve (11) formed by the tensioner. According to the invention, the following operations are carried out: passing the cable through the sleeve (11), keeping the cable under tension at its end projecting from the sleeve (11), crimping the cable in the sleeve (11). A tensioner for a safety line capable of carrying out this method is disclosed. Application to the installations for the safety of personnel working under dangerous conditions.

Abstract: A pivotally foldable ladder module apparatus, for use by hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, includes upper and lower body segments which are pivotally connected to one another. The apparatus includes a locking fastener for temporarily fixing the position of the lower body segment relative to the upper body segment. The apparatus may also include an adjustable strap attached to a central shaft of the upper body segment, to permit fastening of the apparatus to a tree. The apparatus is pivotally movable between an extended position and a folded position used for storage and transport. Each segment includes a central shaft, and a pair of tree-contacting bracket members for aligning the apparatus with a tree. When the apparatus is in the folded position, the tree-contacting bracket members are displaced from one another, and the respective central shafts are spaced apart from one another and are oriented substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A lifting platform (1) for the maintenance and repair of light vehicles, such as quad bikes, motorcycles, lawn mower tractors or the like, of the type including a load-bearing platform and a lift mechanism (2) that acts on the load-bearing platform, whereby the load-bearing platform, with a longitudinal axis that is viewed in the direction of movement of a vehicle on the surface of the platform, comes in the form of a number of decks (3, 4, 5) that work with a support chassis (6). This platform is characterized in that the decks (3, 4, 5) of the load-bearing platform are mobile decks (3, 4, 5), optionally removable, sliding on the chassis (6) in a direction that is orthogonal or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the platform to constitute an adjustable surface support area.

Abstract: An elevator brake assembly (16) includes a plate (26) having damper assemblies (28) including at least one spring (30) for controlling movement of the plate (26) relative to a magnetic field generator (20). A biasing member (36) forces the plate (26) into engagement with a disk (22) fixed to a rotating shaft (18). A force created by the magnetic field generator (20) overcomes force of the biasing member (32) to draw the plate (26) into contact with the magnetic field generator (20). The impact between the plate (26) and the magnetic field generator (20) is controlled by the damping assembly (28) to substantially reduce impact noise.

Abstract: A device (40) for providing information regarding the position of an elevator car door (34) relative to a hoistway door (30) includes a reflector (42) supported on the hoistway door (30). A sensor (44) supported on an elevator car door (34) includes a plurality of sensing elements (46-50) for emitting radiation toward the reflector (42). Received radiation reflected from the reflector (42) provides an indication of the position of the car door (34) relative to the hoistway door (30).

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An electrically actuated brake assembly includes a brake disc, a brake pad, and an electric motor having a rotatable output shaft. A service brake transmission in operative rotational communication with the output shaft causes service braking of the vehicle in response to rotation of the output shaft, and an adjuster mechanism is operable to adjust a distance between the brake pad and the brake disc. An adjuster transmission operatively connected between the output shaft and the adjuster mechanism causes operative rotational communication between the output shaft and the adjuster mechanism when the adjuster transmission is engaged so as to transmit rotational movement of the output shaft to the adjuster mechanism, and causes there to be no operative rotational communication between the output shaft and the adjuster mechanism when the adjuster transmission is disengaged so as to not transmit rotational movement of the output shaft to the adjuster mechanism.

Abstract: A deenergization operation type electromagnetic brake device (1), comprising a plurality of conical springs (8) for pressing an armature disk (5) against a fixed disk (7) through a friction disk (6) held therebetween. The conical springs (8) are inserted into the spring insertion recessed parts (15) of the yoke (11) of an electromagnet (4), and held between the bottom faces of the recessed parts and the armature disk (5) in a compressed state. Since the conical springs (8) are shorter than cylindrically coiled springs in a compressed state, the spring insertion recessed parts (15) can be made shallower and the thickness of the yoke (11) determined by the recessed parts can be reduced. As a result, the electromagnetic brake device (1) can be advantageously formed flat.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to suppress an unnecessary movement of pads, which are respectively arranged at both sides of a disc rotor, and also suppress generation of brake noise and abnormal noise. A pair of torque frames are firmly fixed to a caliper of an opposed-piston type disc brake apparatus. Pad spaces are formed in the respective torque frames, in order to assemble pads such that movement of the pads is restricted in radial and rotational direction of a rotor disc but movement of the pads is accepted in an axial direction of the rotor disc. A braking force is generated when the pads are pushed in the axial direction, and a reaction force of the braking force is received by the caliper via the torque frames.

Abstract: A sprag and bearing system including a sprag is disclosed. The sprag includes an integral body having an oblong cross sectional circumference at least one actuator configured to selectively rotate the body about an axis in a first direction. The sprag also includes at least one spring configured to bias the body to rotate about the axis in a second direction.

Abstract: The power-off electromagnetic brake (2) attracts an armature that is pressed by spring force to a rotating member by magnetic attraction force that is generated by energizing an exciting coil, and brake force that is acting on the rotating member is released. A voltage control circuit (12) continuously energizes the exciting coil for a fixed length of time and generates a considerable magnetic attraction force in order to attract the armature to a yoke when a brake power source (14) is switched on during brake release. After the armature has been attracted to the yoke, the voltage control circuit (12) intermittently energizes the exciting coil at a set cycle and a set on/off duty ratio to hold the armature in an attracted state to the yoke, thereby reducing power consumption and heat generation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a brake system creating redundancy in electromechanical brakes. At least two drive units are provided at each single brake for activation of the brake. The at least two units may be controlled and/or energized separately. To safeguard the function the control and/or energy source systems are formed in two nets. The at least two units of each brake are connected to separate nets. The at least two units may be separate electrical motors.

Abstract: A braking device removably attachable to a skateboard having a plurality of wheels, the device comprising a plurality of wheel engaging means, each for engaging a wheel of a skateboard, said device being operable to restrain the wheels against rotation relative to the skateboard.

Abstract: A backing plate comprises a front side configured to engage a friction material, a rear side opposite the front side, a first edge, a second edge generally opposing the first edge, and at least one channel disposed between the front side and the rear side and extending from the first edge toward the second edge. The rear side is configured to engage a caliper assembly. The backing plate is configured to achieve a resonant frequency that attenuates vibration.

Abstract: The lining or functional body includes a carrier (11) in form of a ground plate, for example a carrier plate or a carrier sheet, of a thin-walled rough ground carrier (15; 15?) made of a metal sheet or of another appropriate material placed on the carrier (11; 11?), of a rough ground (20?) made of a support base (20; 20?; 21) sintered on the surface (15a; 15?a) of the rough ground carrier (15; 15?) which is turned away from the lining carrier (11; 11?), this support base being made of single moulded bodies (22?) with undercuts, recesses or the like which are positively and frictionally connected with the rough ground carrier (15; 15?), and of a functional block (25; 25?) fixed on the rough ground carrier (15; 15?) with the rough ground (20?), this functional block being made of a friction material, a synthetic material, in particular of such a synthetic material which is not appropriate to be glued together or to be applied in another manner, for example of a polymer or Teflon, whereby the rough ground carrie

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses using both VPEA and fixed load energy absorbers (FLEAs) that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed. A semi-active control absorption system, comprising a VPEA and FPEA configured to work in series, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shock absorber, in which external gas is sucked by movement of a piston rod to obtain compressed gas, which is used for inhibiting the “lag” phenomenon. A piston valve is connected to one end of a piston rod received in an inner shell and moved between rebound and compression strokes, an inner space of the inner shell being divided into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber by the piston valve. A reservoir chamber is provided in an outer shell outside of the inner shell to supply oil to the compression chamber in the rebound stroke and to recover oil in the compression stroke. The shock absorber has a high pressure tank with a high pressure chamber installed outside of the outer shell, and a self pumping unit for sucking gas and pumping it into the high pressure chamber using energy generated by movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A portable organizing device is provided, which further comprises a connecting mechanism for removably attaching the device to a tray table commonly found on commercial airliners. This device can be used to secure or contain items commonly carried by travelers, such as pens, tissues, medicines, books, and playing cards, and can be folded and carried as a small handbag, which can also be used to transport the same items. The connecting mechanism can be comprised of straps which further comprise VELCRO for attaching one strap to another around the tray table.

Abstract: This invention provides an article of luggage comprising a system of one or more ducts for e.g. running a wire or cable connector to equipment in the luggage so as to eliminate or reduce the presence of a loose and exposed wire or cable connector.

Abstract: This invention provides an article of luggage comprising one or more removable media components compatible with a personal media device.

Abstract: A torque transfer device, in particular in the power train of a motor vehicle, for transferring torque between a drive unit and a shaft that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, in particular a transmission input shaft, having a hydrodynamic torque converter, which includes a converter cover that is connectable to or connected to the drive unit, which converter cover may be coupled via an impeller to a turbine wheel to transfer torque, which turbine wheel is bridgeable, to transfer torque, by a torque converter lockup clutch, which includes a piston that is movable to a limited extent in the axial direction and is constructed as a multi-plate clutch with a plate pack that includes outer plates which are connected to an outer plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection, and inner plates which are connected to an inner plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston assembly for arrangement in a pressure cavity in a force transfer device for operating a first and a second actuatable clutch device, comprising a piston element associated respectively with an actuatable clutch device. The invention is characterized in that the piston element of the second clutch device is guided at the piston element of the first clutch device movable against a stop, forming an additional second cavity, loadable with pressure means, wherein the first piston element is movable in an axial direction, relative to the piston element of the second clutch device.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch is disclosed including a driver adapted to engage and to be rotated by an input shaft, a drum adapted to engage a driven component, a plurality of shoes located between the driver and the drum, and a plurality of springs, each spring engaged with adjacent shoes for urging the shoes together. The shoes are radially movable between an outward position in which the shoes contact the drum and an inward position in which the shoes are spaced apart from the drum. Each shoe has an asymmetrical contacting member for engaging the drum, the contacting member having a toe protruding circumferentially therefrom in one direction. Each shoe is capable of being independently installed into the clutch with the toe of the contacting member facing either towards or away from the direction of rotation of the driver, provided that the driver remains rotationally balanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spur toothing on at least one coupling element for transmitting torques about a rotational axis, said spur toothing axially engaging with a corresponding mating cutting. The face cutting is provided with teeth from a material of the coupling element that has been plastically shaped in an at least partially non-cutting manner.

Abstract: A friction plate for a wet-type multiplate clutch is provided with a core plate and friction linings bonded on opposite sides of the core plate, respectively. Each of the friction linings is composed of plural segment pieces each have at least one first oil groove and at least one second oil groove. The first oil groove opens to a radially-inner side of its corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in a radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. The second oil groove opens to a radially-outer side of the corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in another radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. Each segment piece is provided with at least one press-formed oil groove as one of the first and second oil grooves and at least one punched-out oil groove as the other one of the first and second oil grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article-dispensing machine. The inventive machine comprises: a structure (1), a removable container (2) for articles, and a dispensing mechanism on the base of the container (2), which is actuated by an actuation shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a coin or token selector (6) which is mounted in the structure (1) in order to dispense one or more articles from the container (2) through a delivery outlet (7) following the introduction of one or more coins or tokens. According to the invention, when the door (15) is in the closed position, a single closure device (55), which is associated with said door (15), can be used to lock the container (2), the coin selector (6) and a coin or token collection box (52) in the respective operating positions thereof. When the aforementioned door (15) is open, the container (2) can be refilled or removed, the coin selector (6) can be removed and the collection box (52) can be accessed without the use of tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bill recycle machine, in which a separation part for separating bills from each other and a push plate are installed at the same level as a bill receiving space, and an elevation plate is removed, so that a simple structure and small volume thereof can be achieve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bill recycle machine including a push plate exerting pressure on bills, which can apply separation pressure required for separating bills and also can be elevated upward and downward so as to prevent the push plate from being interfered with by a pickup roller when untaken bills is collected again.

Abstract: Travelator, which comprises a frame (2) installed on top of a fixed base (1), such as the floor or other support, a conveyor (3), which is supported on the frame (1), an electrical power unit (4) for driving the conveyor, an entry ramp and/or departure ramp (5, 6) or similar, which forms a walking surface and which is arranged on top of a fixed base, such as the floor or other support, in the conveying direction of the conveyor before the conveyor and/or likewise after the conveyor, and electrical devices (7, 8, 9). The entry ramp and/or departure ramp (5, 6) or similar comprises a frame casing (10), in which is a hollow interior space (11), into which the electrical devices (7, 8, 9) of the travelator are placed.

Abstract: An omniwheel is provided, which includes an omniwheel shaft, two wheel covers fixed at two ends of the omniwheel shaft, and a plurality of roller sets. The roller sets are coupled between the two wheel covers. Each of the roller sets has a plurality of rollers and at least one coupler, and each of the rollers has a roller shaft. The roller shafts are coupled with each other via the coupler, and each of the roller sets is respectively coupled to the wheel covers via the rollers disposed at two ends of the roller set. The omniwheel shaft and the roller shaft are inclined with respect to each other at an angle.

Abstract: A conveying system is provided wherein a conveying member rotates about a plurality of rollers, wherein one roller is pivotally displaceable with respect to another roller. Preferably, the displaceable roller can be urged toward or away from the conveying member to adjust the tension of the conveying member.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transporting articles throughout a fabrication facility according to assigned priority levels. Systems of the present invention are directed to conveyor systems that may include parallel conveyors and nodes where articles can be switched between conveyors. Accordingly, high priority articles can be routed around traffic by switching between parallel conveyors and/or lower priority articles can be rerouted or buffered to make a chosen route for a high priority article less congested. Methods are directed to selecting the most appropriate route for an article amongst the various possible routing alternatives.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a height of objects on a moving surface comprising providing a linear image sensor positioned transverse to a direction of travel of the moving surface, and at least one light source positioned collinear to the linear image sensor and proximate to an edge of the moving surface so that the light source projects a unique patterned light sequence across a width of the moving surface, detecting a transverse shift in a portion of the unique patterned light sequence with respect to the direction of travel of the moving surface as an object passes through the unique patterned light sequence, determining an amount of shift of the portion of the unique patterned light sequence, and determining a height of the object based on the portion of the unique patterned light sequence shift.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous feeder which, through a power source, can continuously drive a fixing clip to move back and forth equidistantly and also a mobile clip at the top of the fixing clip, so that when the fixing clip arrives the return point, the material can be downwardly clipped or upwardly released for achieving a continuous feeding. The present invention not only can precisely adjust the moving distance of material in processing for continuously and accurately driving the material to the operation tool, but also can change the driving method for the material to be pull or push in response to the hardness degree of the material.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for guide rail adjustment on a conveyor, the arrangement comprising a set of guide rails, a set of mounting elements, which each support at least one moveably suspended guide rail, and means for simultaneous individual adjustment of said set of mounting elements, the means permitting simultaneous adjustment of the position of the guide rails moveably supported by the mounting elements.

Abstract: A data processing system including a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium. Within said data processing system, a system electronics is operatively coupled to a sensor and to said data storage device. When the sensor senses a change in gravitational or inertial acceleration of said data processing system, it alerts system electronics to temporarily park a read/write head in a safe position.

Abstract: A safety lockout system deactivates a safety switch to interrupt unintentional electrical current flow or signals controlled by a safety switch which is used on door-like closures. The switch generally comprises two components: one mounted on a moveable closure and the other mounted on an adjacent fixed member, such as a door frame. When the two components are aligned and closely adjacent to each other, as when the closure is in closed position, the switch allows current to flow to an electrically powered device. But when the closure is in its open position, the components are not aligned or closely arranged next to each other so that the lockout system automatically deactivates the switch which then prevents unintentional current flow to the device. The closure and the adjacent fixed member are normally locked together by a slider element which engages a keeper element when the closure is in its closed position.

Abstract: A micro switch device includes a switch substrate, an electrostatic cover which is separated from the switch substrate, and a bezel which limits a movable area of the electrostatic cover. An input terminal, an output terminal, a first driving electrode, and a second driving electrode are formed on the switch substrate, and the electrostatic cover is physically separated from the switch substrate. In this instance, since the electrostatic cover is physically separated from the switch substrate, the electrostatic cover is not supported by the switch substrate and is able to move within a range, predetermined by the bezel. The electrostatic cover is electrically connected to the second driving electrode, and is able to easily operate with an electrostatic force at a lower power.

Abstract: In an electrical switch, in particular an electrical microswitch, has at least one electrical contact designed as a hollow-shape section of a component of an electrically conducting material. In this electrical switch, the occurrence of vibrations with the introduction onto an opposing contact is prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for closing and/or opening a movable part (2) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, a rear flap or the like, with a housing (3), and a rotatably mounted touch element (4) which, upon actuation, acts on a switch (6) arranged behind the touch element (4) in a shielded interior space (5). According to the invention, it is provided that the touch element (4) is mounted pivotably in such a manner that the volume of the interior space (5) is essentially the same in every position of the touch element (4).