Abstract: A fiber optic stripping device and replaceable structures for use with the device are disclosed. The replaceable structures include a blade including an edge with a generally semi-circular stripping notch, the notch having a diameter of about 0.0096 inches for stripping a tight-buffer cable that includes optical fiber with a diameter of about 125 ?m and a coating with a diameter of about 250 ?m surrounding the fiber, the buffer of 900 ?m being bonded to the coating. A centering structure for aligning the cable horizontally and vertically with respect to a pair of blades is also disclosed. The centering structure includes a body with an offset protruding portion defining a top contact surface acting as a vertical stop for the cable laid on the surface.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing assembly having a first housing portion and a second housing portion supported for pivoting movement relative to the first housing portion about a pivot axis. The first housing portion supports a motor. The second housing portion includes a chuck for supporting a tool element. The power tool also includes a gear supported within the housing assembly for rotation relative to at least one of the first and second housing portions about the pivot axis. The gear is operable to transfer drive force from the motor to the tool element.

Abstract: A variable compression tool comprising a retaining surface attached to a lever arm and a cam surface attached to a second lever arm. The two arms are moveably connected through a fixed pivot point. The profile of the jaw pocket may be of various shapes. In one instantiation, the jaw pocket conforms to at least two sides of a nut. The orientation of the cam surface to the jaw pocket is such that the force generated by closing the jaws forces the nut into the retaining surface. Adjustment of the cam lever arm is regulated by an eccentric cam adjuster bearing which changes the effective center of rotation of lever arm two in two dimensions simultaneously by rotation of the bearing.

Abstract: A screwdriver has an elongate handle generally defining an axis and a substantially uniform elongate shank arranged along the axis. One end of the shank is embedded within the handle and defines a cylindrical surface and having another end provided with a driver tip arranged within a cylindrical envelope defined by the cylindrical surface and is configured for engaging and driving a fastener by rotating the fastener about an axis substantially coextensive with the handle axis. An auxiliary driver means is arranged within the cylindrical envelope for driving a fastener about an axis substantially normal to the handle axis.

Abstract: A brake tensioning system and method are described herein for use on vehicles. The system includes a tool, and the method includes the use of the tool to effectuate tensioning of a brake system conveniently, accurately, and repeatably.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ax or hammer with firm connection including an ax or hammer head (1) and a grip (2). The ax or hammer head (1) has a fitting hole (11), the grip (2) has a fitting end (21). Characterized in that the outer surface of the fitting end (21) of said grip (2) has a longitudinal flute (23), the surface of the fitting hole (11) of the ax or hammer head (1) has a longitudinal convex arris (24), and after the fitting end (21) of the grip (2) is fitted into the mounting hole (11) of the body of the ax or hammer, the convex arris (24) is embedded into the flute (23). The ax or hammer with firm connection according to this invention has advantages of simple fitting process, firm fitting and high security in use.

Abstract: A covering is provided for exterior or interior application on solid surfaces such as garage floors, patios, and walkways. The covering is formed as tiles formed of a top layer of fibrous material, such as carpet, and a bottom layer of adhesive applied in spaced bands, lines, strips or rows that allow the tile to be removed from the surface after installation if desired. A release sheet, preferably formed of plural pieces, is secured over the adhesive for removal during installation. A portion of the release sheet can function as a positioning strip to assist in accurately placing the tiles. The covering is manufactured by coating the bottom surface of a strip of material in beads of adhesive, smoothing the beads into bands, lines, strips or rows, and then cutting the strip into tiles using a non-mechanical cutter such as a laser.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing selected tissue are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first cutting element including a distal end and a cutting edge at the distal end and a second cutting element including a distal end and a cutting edge at the distal end of the second cutting element. The second cutting element is positioned relative to the first cutting element such that the cutting edge of the first cutting element and the cutting edge of the second cutting element cooperatively produce a shear force on a region of an object when the first cutting element moves in a first direction and the second cutting element moves in a second direction, different from the first direction. The second cutting element defines a conduit configured to convey a fluid from the region of the object.

Abstract: An automatic pill cutter includes mechanisms for bringing pills to a cutting location, for centering and locating the pills at the cutting location, and for cutting and dispensing the cut pills.

Abstract: A water jet assembly and method of use comprising a tank with cutting fluid, fuel and oxidizer lines, and a tank discharge lines. In operation, the tank is filled with oxidizer; the oxidizer line is closed and cutting fluid is supplied compressing the oxidizer. When the fluid reaches a level, the fluid line is closed and fuel is injected. A spark generator ignites the fuel/oxidizer mixture thereby raising the tank pressure. As the pressure rises, a low pressure valve simultaneously closes at a prescribed level. The vent line and a discharge to a nozzle are opened thereby, forming a gas bubble. When the bubble reaches a desired size and pressure drops below a level, the vent closes, allowing combustion expansion to force fluid through the nozzle to form a cutting jet. The bubble allows the jet to retain coherence between the nozzle and a cutting surface.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a panel placement system for punching presses wherein a feed slide is moved between the punching die of the punching press and a transfer position located in front of the punching press. A first connection mechanism of the feed slide, in the transfer position, seizes a panel in the rear area to advance it stepwise through the punching press in response to the cycle of said punching press, wherein the panel is gripped exclusively from above in a rear edge area which is located between the rear edge and the surfaces to be punched out.

Abstract: A miter saw has a base unit, a cutting unit, and a supporting unit. The base unit supports a workpiece. The cutting unit has a rotary cutting blade having two side faces, a motor for driving the rotary cutting blade, and a housing having a blade cover for covering a part of the cutting blade and a motor housing provided to the blade cover on one side face of the rotary cutting blade for accommodating the motor. The supporting unit is supported to the base unit for pivotably supporting the cutting unit. The supporting unit is configured to move the cutting unit toward and away from the base unit in a first direction. The support unit has a guide unit supported to the base unit, and a sliding unit having a pivot shaft pivotably supporting the cutting unit. The guide unit extends parallel to a second direction and having a front end. The sliding unit is guided by the guide unit to move between a front position and a rear position in the second direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.

Abstract: A saw blade assembly for a cutting saw is provided, which includes an effectively circular polygonal disc with an outer edge defined by multiple flat sides, and numerous saw tooth holders, each saw tooth holder removably mounted on a corresponding flat side along the outer edge of the polygonal disc. Preferably, each saw tooth holder straddles the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc. The saw tooth holder may have a body with a flat abutment surface abutting the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc, a first leg extending from the body along a first surface of the polygonal disc, and a second leg extending from the body along a second surface of the polygonal disc. For each saw tooth holder, the saw blade assembly may also include fastening means removably mounting the saw tooth holder to the polygonal disc.

Abstract: A pick for playing a non-bowed stringed instrument, such as a guitar, comprises a main body having a front surface and a back surface, and a peripheral edge adjoining the front surface and a back surface. At least a substantial portion of the main body comprises a doming mixture. The pick is formed by providing a thin flat backing having a front face and a back face; placing the thin flat backing onto a curing tray with the back face against the curing tray and the font face facing generally upwardly; introducing a doming mixture onto the front face of the thin flat backing; permitting the doming mixture to cure, thus forming a hardened resin mixture pick having a bottom surface and a domed top surface; and separating the thin flat backing from the hardened pick.

Abstract: This invention relates to a musical instrument case with a built-in tuner. The tuner gives a musician the ability to tune their instrument quickly without the need to carry a separate tuner or look for their tuner elsewhere.

Abstract: A system for teaching music and an associated method of teaching music. The system and method for teaching music use multiple bodies that are each associated with a unique letter that corresponds to the letters A through G from the Latin alphabet and each body has a natural music notes on at least the top or bottom face and an accidental music note of the same letter on at least the front or back face.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying the parts and components of a musical work, where analysis and time dedicated to studying are combined in a color based system which uses multicolor musical scores to indicate specific components of the musical work. Each of the components of the musical score, such as melody or theme, transition or bridge, accompaniment, counter-song, coda, etc., is denoted by separate colors. In addition, the most difficult sections of a musical work are identified by indicia to assist the student or musician when learning a particular musical work.

Abstract: A method for classifying music includes providing music classification data, providing an unclassified piece of music to be classified, and deriving for each music class within the music classification data a respective Gish distance value. A finite set of a finite number of Gish distance values is descriptive for the relation of the unclassified piece of music to be classified with respect to a discrete and finite set of a finite number of music classes. Alternatively, for a given piece of music to be classified, music classification data of a n-tuple of at least three numbers are obtained, which are representative for the mood of the piece of music. From the n-tuple of numbers of the music classification data a pair of two dimensional coordinate values are determined, which are representative for the mood of the piece of music.

Abstract: A networked karaoke system, comprising an electronic device comprising a karaoke module configured to transmit karaoke content over a communication network for output by at least one other electronic device, the karaoke module configured to receive sing-along content from a user of the at least one other electronic device.

Abstract: A musical performance processing apparatus that provides better assistance for student's practice. The apparatus includes a main unit in which music data including performance information of right- and left hand parts is stored, and a performance terminal having a keyboard divided into two key ranges by a split point. Each key range is set as a tapping or normal performance key range. The main unit generates a musical tone when input with performance information generated by depression of a key in the normal performance key range, and automatically reproduces performance information of designated part of music data for the number of beats corresponding to key depression, when input with performance information generated by depression of a key in the tapping performance key range. Sounding is stopped, if there is a deviation between a tempo of teacher's tapping performance and timing of student's performance.

Abstract: A karaoke system, comprising a plurality of electronic devices each configured to output karaoke content, at least one of the plurality of electronic devices configured to calculate a group karaoke score corresponding to respective users of the plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: Resonators generate resonance sound data of given resonant frequencies based on sound signal data corresponding to a pitch of a key. Each resonator includes a delay circuit which delays an input based on delay time data, a second adder which adds an output from the delay circuit to input sound signal data, and a low-pass filter which performs filtering depending on a filter control signal on the output from the second adder. An output from the low-pass filter is input to the delay circuit, and a first adder adds outputs from the resonators. A storage device stores a coefficient table containing items of delay time data to be provided to the resonators, and the items of the delay time data do not match with frequencies corresponding to pitches of keys.

Abstract: The invention relates to a missile container retaining structure (1a) for a missile launch device of the type comprising a plurality of cells for receiving a missile container (2) and at least one duct (3). The structure is constituted by metal plates (101, 104) which are pre-cut so as to comprise complementary elements which can be fitted one inside the other, the plates being assembled so that the complementary elements of two adjacent plates are fitted one inside the other.

Abstract: A primer loader assembly (10) comprises a loading and feeding assembly (26) for receiving an elongate magazine (28) containing primers (24); an advancement member (30) for advancing the magazine (28) along its longitudinal axis, through the primer loader assembly (10) to bring a primer (24) in register with the said primer chamber (22); and a push rod (32) for loading the primer (24) into the primer chamber (22) by moving the primer (24) from the magazine (28) into the chamber (22). The magazine (28) defines a plurality of individual separate tubular openings (28.1) for containing the primers (24) separate from each other. The magazine (28) further defines a plurality of curved guide slots (28.5), for engaging the advancement member (30) and to advance the magazine (28) step-wise along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a layered armor concept, combining engineered and naturally-occurring materials, to mitigate damage to a vehicle from explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), particularly those projectiles with impact velocities greater than 2.25 km/s, reducing the velocity of the impacting projectile to less than 1.5 km/s upon exiting the composite armor system. The composite armor system incorporates a structural framework that contains and constrains a geometrical structure of rigid rods with the void spaces between the rods filled with a particulate matrix material. Because the composite armor can incorporate naturally-occurring particulate matrix materials that are readily available, the armor can be transported with less bulk system weight, allowing for additional weight reduction in air or sea transport applications.

Abstract: A lower gun mount, which can be mounted in a standardized way on a ship or a permanent ground foundation, is used so that a gun can be mounted with minimal effort quickly, reproducibly and without slip, and later dismounted. This standardized lower gun mount is mounted geometrically correctly on a foundation or ship by so-called standardized ISO corners, which can be fixed in place on supports specially provided for this purpose and a mounting frame that assists the mounting. This makes it possible for the gun to be mounted rigidly and without play.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit may have a variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump may have a fluidic displacement control configured to vary a flow of pressurized fluid based on a fluid signal and an electronic displacement control configured to vary the flow of pressurized fluid based on an electronic signal. The flow of pressurized fluid may be controlled by the one of the fluidic and electronic displacement controls that requests the smallest flow of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic circuit may also have a control valve connected between the pump and the fluidic displacement control, and the control valve may be configured to transmit the fluid signal to the fluidic displacement control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic piston engine (1) which is based on the floating cup principle and comprises a first swash plate (16) and as well as a second swash plate (17). A first cylinder drum unit (11, 14) rests against the first swash plate while a second cylinder drum unit (12, 15) leans on the second swash plate (17). A first group of pistons (10) and a second group of pistons (12) are connected in a fixed manner to a drive shaft (5) of the hydrostatic piston engine (1). The first group of pistons (10) engages into the cylinder cavities of the first cylinder drum unit (11, 14) while the pistons (12) of the second group engage into cylinder cavities of the second cylinder drum unit (12, 15). The first and second cylinder chambers embodied by the pistons (10, 12) and the cylinder drum units (11, 14; 12, 15) can be connected to a first hydraulic circuit and a second hydraulic circuit, respectively.

Abstract: An axial piston hydraulic device. The device has a housing that uses a servo piston in order to control the displacement of a swashplate within the device. By using a servo member disposed within a cavity of an end cap on the housing the axial piston hydraulic device is able to provide three operating positions depending on the angle of the swashplate.

Abstract: A sliding device 1 includes a swash plate 3 rotated in association with a rotating shaft 2 and a plurality of semispherical shoes 4 sliding on the swash plate 3. The semispherical shoe 4 is formed of a ferrous material, and the swash plate 3 is manufactured using high-strength brass as a material. On a sliding surface 4A of the shoe 4, a large number of minute annular expandingly projecting parts 7? are formed by laser hardening, and a lubricating oil passage 10? consisting of a reticular concave part is also formed. Thereby, the sliding device 1 having excellent seizure resistance as compared with the conventional sliding device can be provided.

Abstract: Method for producing oxygen from air, in which, for this purpose, a generator is used that generates oxygen at its outlet, from air introduced at its inlet. According to the invention, the generator operating continuously, use is made of: at least two buffer tanks for storing the oxygen generated by the generator, which are placed in parallel, and a control system for at least adjusting the flow rate and/or pressure of the oxygen produced, to the demand in flow rate and/or pressure of the application.

Abstract: In one embodiment an electronic device comprises a housing defining a chamber, a circuit board positioned in the chamber and comprising at least one integrated circuit, an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed in the housing, a fluid flow generator to generate an air flow across the circuit board in the chamber, and an electrostatic air filtration system to filter air entering the chamber from the air inlet port.

Abstract: The present invention is for novel high performance cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes and the use of such membranes for separations such as for CO2/CH4, H2/CH4 and propylene/propane separations. More specifically, the invention involves the preparation of cross-linkable and cross-linked mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The cross-linkable MMMs were prepared by incorporating microporous molecular sieves or soluble high surface area microporous polymers (PIMs) as dispersed microporous fillers into a continuous cross-linkable polymer matrix. The cross-linked MMMs were prepared by UV-cross-linking the cross-linkable MMMs containing cross-linkable polymer matrix such as BP-55 polyimide. Pure gas permeation test results demonstrated that both types of MMMs exhibited higher performance for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations than those of the corresponding cross-linkable and cross-linked pure polymer matrices.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorption unit for recovery of volatile hydrocarbons which emanate from several sources and which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere through the air cleaner of an automobile engine when the engine is shut-off. The unit is positioned in the air intake system such that all air flowing through the engine passes through the unit. The unit comprises a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The housing contains a substrate and a volatile hydrocarbon adsorber material coated on the surface of the substrate. The adsorber material may be silica gel, a molecular sieve and/or activated carbon. The material further contains a binder that will cause the material to adhere to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A volatile substance filter comprises volatile substance adsorber material particles on plastics material support surfaces extending parallel to the direction of gas flow through the filter.

Abstract: A coffee maker including a base, a housing, a hopper, a burr grinding assembly, and a brew basket is provided for automatic self-metered grinding and brewing of coffee. A cover is provided for the brew basket to prevent moisture from reaching the whole coffee beans in the hopper.

Abstract: A device and to a method for delivering drinkable liquid, in particular, milk or syrup, is provided wherein the device includes at least one pump, which can be connected to at least one container for drinkable liquid, so that, using the pump, the drinkable liquid can be delivered from the container. The device includes at least one sensor for measuring the fill level of the container, and the pumping process is stopped as a function of a measurement signal from the sensor when the measurement signal falls below or exceeds a given measurement signal limit. The sensor is constructed as a pressure sensor and the pressure sensor is arranged such that the pressure in the container for drinkable liquid can be measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a drip filter coffee maker that includes features to improve the taste of the brewed coffee and to enhance to ease of use. In one embodiment, an integral plate burr grinder sends coffee ground down a coffee chute that feeds the filter cone. A chute door at the end of the coffee chute prevents vapours or condensation from entering the coffee chute. In another embodiment, the eject tray that carries the filter cone may be coupled with a dampened spring biasing mechanism which moderates the eject motion. Further, a pivot float may be provided within the carafe so that the user may read the carafe fill level easily.

Abstract: A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic indexing device that can be connected to a conveyor, the device firmly holding a golf ball in a particular orientation for the purposes of printing of indicia and logo on the ball when device and ball move along the conveyor. The device includes a stationary base portion and a rotating cup portion which are magnetically coupled to each other. Each portion has recesses for housing magnets to create a magnetic field of attraction which firmly locks the two portions together. When rotation of the cup portion to the base portion is required, the rotation is substantially friction-free because of a thrust bearing ring set in the base portion. The cup portion is caused to rotate 45° or 90° upon being biasly urged by station locks located on the conveyor.

Abstract: A printing press, comprising: two mandrels positioned with axes aligned and in parallel; a plurality of wheel elements, with a different one of the wheel elements disposed around each end of each of the mandrels, wherein at least one of the wheel elements on one of the mandrels is a drive wheel; a rotary screen extending lengthwise between and around the wheel elements at the ends of the mandrels; and an ink repository positioned to provide ink to the rotary screen.

Abstract: A printing press system includes a first machine line of a printing press, which is embodied as a newspaper printing press, and is provided with at least one first printing unit having printing group cylinders of a first maximum effective printing width. A second printing press, which is equipped with at least one second printing unit with printing group cylinders that have a second maximum effective printing width, is part of the first machine line. A dryer is located in alignment with the second printing unit. A former structure, having an effective width that is defined by the width of one, or of several formers disposed next to each other, and perpendicular to the feeding direction of the web to be folded, is also provided in the printing press system. At least one turning device is usable to transfer a web or a printed web, which has been printed in the first printing unit, to the former station.

Abstract: A printing system is provided with a first printing machine that includes at least one printing unit and a first folding funnel which is located at an exit of the printing unit. A second printing machine, with a second printing unit and a drier, together with a folding funnel at its exit, is also part of the printing system. The first and second folding funnels differ from each other in the number of formers that are placed next to each other in a machine plane, or vary in an effective width of one or more folders. A web, or a partial web, which is printed by the second printing unit, and which is guided through the drier, can be guided either to the second folding funnel structure, or can be guided to the first folding funnel structure, which differs from the second funnel structure in at least one of numbers and width.

Abstract: A printing machine system includes a first printing machine which is configured as a newspaper printing machine and which has at least two first printing units that are structured as printing towers, each with a plurality of superimposed printing groups that are usable for multicolor printing. The first printing machine also includes a first folder structure which is arranged in a machine alignment of the at least two first printing units. A second printing machine has at least one second printing unit and a second folder structure. The first printing units and the at least one second printing unit are arranged in one row. The first printing units, which are configured as printing towers, differ from the at least one second printing unit in at least one of their effective printing length and a circumference of imaging printing group cylinders.

Abstract: An elongate stamp device (1) having a pin-shaped base member (2) with two opposing ends (2?, 2?), a stamp wheel (3) being arranged on the one end (2?) of the base member (2) in a rotatably mounted manner on a rotational axis (10), wherein an end cap (4, 4?) fastenable to the base member (2) is provided for receiving the stamp wheel (3) in a transport position, wherein a further inking device (7, 15) is provided on the opposing end (2?) of the base member (2), a further end cap (8, 8?) fastenable to the base member (2) being provided for receiving the further inking device (7, 15) in a transport position, and the base member (2), in its cross-section, is substantially rectangular or elliptical and the rotational axis (10) of the stamp wheel (3) runs parallel to the longer one of the two cross-sectional axes (18?, 18?).

Abstract: A device for removably fixing a sleeve (5) to a cylindrical support shaft (3) of a printing machine. The inventive device is characterised in that: the inner face (5b) of the sleeve (5) includes at least one cylindrical stiffened area (24); and the support shaft/sleeve assembly is equipped with (i) elements which, in the operating position and under the action of members that supply a clamping force (21, 32, 32?), apply at least one pressing member (15, 30, 40) against the stiffened area (24) in order to render same solidly connected to the sleeve (5), and (ii) elements which, in the mounting/disassembly position and under the action of members that supply a releasing force, release the pressing member (15, 30, 40).

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate of a first material and a second material coating at least a portion of the substrate, where the second material is different from the first material, where the first and second materials, upon being thermally energized, react with each other in an exothermic and self-sustaining alloying reaction that propagates from a first location within the structure along a travel path to a second location within the structure at a rate that depends upon one or more characteristics of the first and second materials.

Abstract: A housing (1; 100, 104, 102) of a cartridge for a device for firing a projectile has separate first and second chambers (10, 12; 106, 114), each of which contains a respective charge (34, 36; 108, 110, 116, 120) of propellant material. Gas produced by the detonation of one of the charges exits the first chamber to propel the projectile, whilst gas from the detonation of the second charge exist rearwardly from the device so as to counteract recoil. A one way valve may also be provided to help to achieve a high pressure difference between the chambers, where the cartridge has a common igniter assembly.

Abstract: A drag racing roller coaster amusement ride has at least two sets running rails, each set having at least one running rail and an embark point. At least two carriers (109) are arranged to carry at least one rider on a respective set of running rails with the rider(s) in a substantially prone position. Each carrier is arranged to slidingly engage with the respective set of running rails to enable the carriers to traverse the ride. The ride has an indicator (109) to provide a ride commencement indication. A launch system is configured to provide a powered initial motion to each carrier. Each carrier has a ride activator controllable by a rider of the carrier to trigger the launch system to commence the ride for the carrier following the ride commencement indication. Launch systems are also disclosed.