Abstract: A personal care apparatus includes a handle housing a rechargeable battery and a plurality of operating heads such as a vibrating safety razor head and a hair trimming device exchangeably mountable on the handle for assembling different hand-held appliances for performing respective body treatments. A base is included for storing the components of the apparatus when not in use and forms a battery charging device with a socket into which the handle plugs for recharging the battery. The operating heads include electrical devices, in particular electric motors, powered by the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving shaving includes a cutting head which is unbalanced so as to create generally circular movements in the screen. The movement allows hairs extending from the skin at different angles to be cut by the cutting head.

Abstract: A hand-held personal care appliance includes a handle accommodating a rechargeable power supply and having electrical contacts, an operating head detachably mountable on the handle and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle, and a charging device for recharging the power supply and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle. The operating head must be detached from the handle for recharging the power supply. Different operating heads may be mountable on the handle to form a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimmer, etc.

Abstract: A razor including a replaceable shaving cartridge. The replaceable shaving cartridge includes a pivotal frame, a blade unit moveably secured to the pivotal frame and an interconnect member. The blade unit includes one or more blades and has a camming surface. The interconnect member has a pivotal support structure that pivotally supports the pivotal frame for pivoting about a pivot axis. A biasing member that has a cam follower surface extends from the interconnect member to act on the camming surface to bias the blade unit. A handle is releasably secured to the interconnect member.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a wet shaving system includes two integrated components, namely a shaving device (e.g., a wet shave razor) and a base. The shaving device includes a handle and razor cartridge. During use, the shaving device is separated from the base and used by a user to shave. Between uses, the shaving device is stored on the base. The base is operable to detect when a user has removed the handle for the purpose of shaving, count the number of shaves the razor cartridge has been used by the user, and notify the user once a given number of shaves have been completed in order to, for example, prompt the user to consider replacing the replaceable shaving cartridge on the current handle or to begin using a new razor and handle.

Abstract: As shaving system comprises a shaving head structure; a blade frame defining a longitudinal axis; and at least two blades mounted in the blade frame, each having a cutting edge extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The frame is mounted on said structure for oscillatory motion perpendicular to, or about an axis parallel to, said longitudinal axis; and a drive system coupled to said frame produces said oscillatory motion. The amplitude of said oscillatory motion is chosen to exceed 0.4 mm and the frequency exceeds 80 Hz go give an average cutting speed greater than 400 mm per second. In one embodiment at least one blade faces in each of two opposed shaving directions, and the amplitude of said oscillatory motion exceeds the spacing between the cutting edges of said oppositely facing blades. The spacing is preferably in the range 0.6 to 1.4 mm and said amplitude is preferably in the range 0.4 to 2.0 mm.

Abstract: A hair-clipper comprising a stationary blade having a main body provided with a plurality of comb projections having blades formed at their both sides, and a movable blade that has a main body having a plurality of comb projections having blades formed at their both sides and that comes into slide contact with the stationary blade, wherein the comb projections of the stationary blade include a skin-contact surface which abuts against a skin, and a slide surface with which the comb projections of the movable blade come into slide contact, the main body of the stationary blade includes an opposed surface which is opposed to a plane including the skin-contact surface, and a shortest distance between the opposed surface and the plane including the skin-contact surface is equal to or greater than a distance between the plane including the skin-contact surface and the comb projection of the movable blade.

Abstract: A cutting head for an electric razor is described. The cutting head includes a blade support member and a plurality of blades. The blade support member can attach to an electric razor and reciprocate back and forth. The plurality of blades are located on the blade support member, and move in a cutting direction towards a hair to be cut. The plurality of blades meet the hair to be cut at a contact angle that is acute with respect to the cutting direction.

Abstract: A knife has plastic molded body with a handle and distal portion formed with finger-like extensions that hold a blade with its cutting edges exposed. The extensions form an atraumatic profile with the blade to facilitate cutting of an object by the cutting edge. The atraumatic profile extends along a longitudinal direction of the knife and/or a lateral direction of the knife. In one embodiment, the extensions are tapered in both a longitudinal and a lateral direction of the knife, such that there is a smooth transitional region where the extensions and the blade meet. The knife includes a sliding region proximal the cutting edge of the blade which facilitates a swift cutting motion into dough where the extensions follow and functions as part of the blade. The knife also includes a protective cover that is detachable from the knife, or is movable between a position that covers the blade and a position that exposes the blade.

Abstract: A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. The mechanism of the present invention relies upon a pair of torsion springs held axially on the blade axis pin and within a pair of bushings that are stationary relative to the knife handle. There is one spring and one bushing on each lateral side of the blade. One leg of each spring is fixed to the bushing. The opposite leg of the spring rides in a pocket formed in the surface on the blade axially around the opening through which the blade axis pin is inserted. When the blade is in the closed position the torsion springs are “loaded” but do not apply their spring force to the blade, instead applying their force against the stationary bushing.

Abstract: A pair of scissors includes a handle unit, a knife unit and a connective unit. The handle unit includes two handles. The knife unit includes two knives. Each of the knives includes two different blades. The connective unit is used to connect the first and second handles to the first and second knives in a releasable manner. Thus, a selected one of the blades of each of the knives is exposed from a related one of the handles for use.

Abstract: A hair trimming device is detachably mounted on a handle housing a battery for supplying electric current to a motor located in a drive unit of the trimming device. A trimmer unit includes a plurality of trimmer blade assemblies with different configurations and is rotatable on the drive unit for moving a selected one of the blade assemblies to the operative position in which it is coupled to be driven by the drive unit whilst the other blade assembly which is not in the operative position is uncoupled from the drive output of the drive unit.

Abstract: A cutting device comprises a holder body having a handle and a rabbet edge guide. The rabbet edge guide is disposed along one edge of the handle body and comprises a rabbet with an extending rear face. Adjacent the rabbet on the front face of the holder body is a blade holder mechanism comprising a V-shaped indentation in the holder body and a securing mechanism for a blade. In use, a blade is secured to the blade holder mechanism so that a cutting edge of the blade extends beyond the holder body and into the rabbet, parallel to the extending rear face. A rabbet cut is made in a ceiling tile by pressing the rear face of the holder body against the edge of the tile to be cut, and running the blade along the tile, to create a straight cut that penetrates only a portion of the depth of the tile. The tile is then rotated 90 degrees, and another cut is made into the edge of the tile, with the rear face of the holder body resting against one of the faces of the tile.

Abstract: A blade 1 comprises a strip 2 having a main body portion 4 and an edge portion 6. Cutting medium 8 in the form of a grit is secured to the strip 2 by braze material. The grit may be diamond, tungsten carbide, cubic boron nitride, a ceramic material, a ceramic-based material or a cermet material. The edge portion 16 is thinner than the main body portion 14.

Abstract: A wet shaving razor case suitable for storage of a razor wherein the razor includes a cartridge and adjoining handle and wherein the case comprises an upper portion comprising a handle-receiving recess and a lower portion joined to the upper portion wherein the lower portion comprises a lower spacing member disposed between a forward leverage support and a rear leverage support wherein the cartridge engages with the forward leverage support upon insertion of a leading front surface of the razor into the case.

Abstract: A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.

Abstract: A method of laying out a grid of points across an area comprises designating a starting reference point; projecting with the laser beam a first reference line intersecting the first reference point and extending in a first direction relative to the area; designating the set of first line reference points along the first reference line; projecting with a laser beam a second reference line from each of the set of first reference line points in a direction at least partially across the area; designating a set of second line reference points at or near the area along each of the second reference lines, so that a grid of points across the area correlated to at least one laser beam projection is created. In this manner, the laser provides a quick and accurate straight line for referencing points in the grid. The method could be used to just lay out a grid of lines.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a collapsible level comprising a first segment; at least one additional segment, physically independent of the first segment and operable with the first segment to form the level; a leveling vial supported in at least one of the segments; and a linking member operable with the segments to permit the segments to be assembled and to secure an assembled relationship between the segments, as well as to maintain a connection between the segments when disassembled. In an alternative embodiment, the linking member is removed and the segments link together magnetically. The present invention further provides means for longitudinally extending the length of the collapsible level, thereby providing the collapsible level with the ability to level a wide range of shaped and sized surfaces.

Abstract: A ruler in which one pair of parallel cuts are put in one raw material plate, a supporting point part is formed by narrowing both ends of the parallel cuts or making the both ends like a fork, a bent cut or a linear cut reaching to an end part of the raw material plate is put so as to surround the supporting point part or extend along it, and an arch part, in which a part included between the parallel cuts is bulged upward by heating, pressure friction, injection molding or chemical treating, is formed monolithically with the raw material plate, or made one in which a slip stop is applied wholly or partially in a back face of the arch part.

Abstract: A sensor is provided that measures web caliper using optical and magnetic measuring devices. The optical measuring devices may employ a confocal chromatic aberration method to accurately determine the distance to the moving web and the magnetic devices may be ferrite core coil and target. Means of stabilizing a moving web are included for improving dynamic measurement accuracy.

Abstract: A shape measuring machine 100 which measures the shape of an object to be measured by bringing the surface of a probe 124 into direct contact with the object to be measured 102 has a photocatalyst film 124b on the tip end surface of the probe 124. The shape measuring machine 100 may be provided with a light source for activating the photocatalyst film 124b. The photocatalyst film 124b may have a metal oxide. The photocatalyst film 124b may contain at least one of carbon and nitrogen. Thereby, organic contamination can be removed by subjecting the surface to self cleaning due to decomposition of organic substances and such dirt that requires cleaning can also be easily removed by controlling the hydrophilic property.

Abstract: A positive load alignment mechanism comprises a platform device in which are disposed a plurality of driving devices, movable devices and movable bearing platforms. The driving device is connected to the movable device, and the movable bearing platform firmly supports a movable platform of the platform device. The driving devices are used to drive the movable devices to perform the back-and forth or left-and-right or rotating movement, and the movable bearing platforms firmly support the movable platform. By such arrangements, it can achieve the objectives of high pressure resistance, simplified structure, high security, high accuracy and all-direction displacement.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring and marking shapes to be duplicated. Such shapes can include electrical outlets, window cutouts, stair step cutouts and such features on drywall or similar panels. The device has a base, a linear measure rotatably attached to the base about a point of rotation, the linear measure being capable of measuring a distance to corners of an outline of a feature to be copied and capable of rotating from a designated point through at least an angle defined by the outline of the feature to be copied. A distance indicator operatively associated with the linear measure indicates the distance from the point of rotation to each corner of the feature to be copied, and an angle indicator operatively associated with the linear measure indicates each angle to which the linear measure has been rotated when each distance measurement was taken.

Abstract: A caliper includes a first leg and a second leg pivotably connected together at first ends thereof First and second abutting portions are respectively formed on second ends of the first and second legs. First and second slots are respectively defined in the first and second legs and between the first and second ends thereof An indicator is slideably received in the first and second slots. The indicator is slideable along the first and second slots to move the first and second abutting portions toward each other until the first and the second abutting portions respectively abut against two opposite sides of an object to be gauged by the caliper. The size of the object is indicated by an indicating portion of the indicator that points to a scale on one of the first and second legs.

Abstract: A ductless type clothes drier comprises a dew condensation preventing cover configured to remove moisture included in finally exhausted air discharged to a wall surface behind a body via the heat exchanger. Accordingly, finally exhausted air including moisture is prevented from directly contacting a wall surface, thereby preventing dew condensation phenomenon occurring as moisture included therein is condensed on the wall surface. As a result, can be solved the conventional problem that stains or fungi are reproduced on the wall surface thus to cause appearance degradation and sanitary problems.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method that reduces a moisture content of an agricultural product, particularly by using moisture sensors and/or temperature sensors. The apparatus includes at least one moisture sensor, optionally at least one temperature sensor, a controller, a flow regulator and/or a dryer. The method includes obtaining a moisture content and a temperature to calculate a product flowrate and optionally an energy input. A product flowrate signal is used to vary the flow regulator and an energy input signal is used to vary the energy regulator.

Abstract: An overshoe unit for indoor use made up of soft, flexible yet durable material consisting of a sole component, walling circumferentially affixed thereto, an overarching roofing component affixed to lateral portions of the walling and flexible anchoring flange components with upwardly inclined extension components extending from the topsides thereof, with all anchoring flange components and upwardly inclined extension components being affixable to the inner aspect of the roofing component with each flexible anchoring flange component being featured by the presence of upwardly inclined slits in each, thereby serving to create flexible fingerlike extensions in each, all functioning to dependably, hold the overshoe unit about footwear inserted therein and with a tail component posteriorly affixed thereto.

Abstract: A supporting pad for high heels has a heel part, an arc part, and a concave portion on the top surface of its body. Each part is designed according to the curve of the human foot, so as to in close contact with the heel, the foot arc, and the metatarsus between the foot arc and the toes. The bottom surface of the body is also tightly attached to the sole of the high heel. Such a support provides a stable and balanced surface at the bottom of user's feet. This complete support can effectively distribute pressure imposed on the foot and relieve discomfort due to the impacts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a midsole (22) for a healthy shoe, which is easily and simply manufactured and comprises a tunnel portion (28) or an airbag (128) formed therein so that impact caused by the landing of a heel of the healthy shoe on the ground in a landing step and a gravity center-transferring step is uniformly applied to the heel of the shoe due to the rolling of the heel on the ground and discontinuous impact is not transferred to various parts of the body of a user, such as an ankle joint and a leg, and a method for manufacturing the same, thereby allowing the user to smoothly land on the ground and walk stably.

Abstract: A sole adapted to provide improved leverage during the toe-off stage of gait comprises elongate elements (2a-e) along the horizontal surface of the sole. The elongate elements (2a-e) are adapted to tauten in response to longitudinal forces on the sole, increasing the rigidity of the midsection of the sole and providing effective propulsive assistance to the athlete.

Abstract: The invention included footwear such as a shoe with at least one interior interface surface on the shoe interior, at least one exterior interface surface on the shoe exterior and a removable design strip attached to the interior interface surface and the exterior surface to provide a looped design strip. The invention also includes a kit with a shoe and a removable design strip attachable to the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe includes a first part wore by wearers and a second part which includes a C-shaped resilient plate which is fixed to an underside of the first part by its top. A first pin and a second pin are respectively connected to the front end and the rear end of the resilient plate. A base includes a front end which is pivotably connected to the first pin on the resilient plate and two lugs extend from the top of the rear end of the base. Each lug has an elongate slot and the second pin is movably engaged with the two elongate slots of the two lugs. The resilient plate is moved up and down when the second pin is moved within the elongate slots of the base.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.

Abstract: Atheletes and avid recreationalist playing on artificial surfaces or grass, professional or amateur when ready to play sports want to begin the activity quickly. Footwear that's quickly attached for these uses are important. I can see manual dexterity for some to attach the ‘Ready Cleat’ may be an effort for some the vertical tie-ons must go underneath and over the horizontal at the heel and ankle area. This insists that you should tie each on separately one at a time. The toe level horizontal straps should connect over the vertical straps at the toe level though. But because of the suction mesh connection and the ability to pull each strap after its gone thru its aligning buckle the snugness of the fit can't be denied. The amount of material used, the structure of the cleat at the bottom and the tie on apparatus make this a viable product in the atheletic footwear market today.

Abstract: The sole device contains a bottom sole, a middle sole, and a top sole stacked in this order from bottom to top. A large number of air chambers are formed between the top and middle soles. The air chambers are interconnected with lateral ducts and the ducts are connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the top and middle soles by a number of vertical channels, respectively. The ducts and air chambers are further connected to one-way valves configured around the circumferences of the middle and bottom soles. As a user walks, the air chambers are periodically pressed to expel warm and humid air to the outside of the shoes via the ducts, channels, and the one-way valves. The one-way valves prevent water or rain from permeating into the shoes.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a cooling system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a sole system. The sole system includes a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber, each configured to compress during motion. The compression of the first compression chamber and the second compression chamber creates a pressure imbalance that facilitates the exchange of air throughout the article of footwear by means of apertures disposed along the upper sole portion, and channels configured to transfer air to the apertures.

Abstract: A cutter head for dredging soil, which is mountable to the ladder of a suction dredger for dredging soil, and connectable on a suction pipe for removing loosened soil, the cutter head comprising a cage-shaped support construction which is mountable to a drivable rotation shaft extending mainly in extension of the ladder and which has a circumferential surface provided with a number of cutting tools for penetrating the soil, the cutting tools comprising a number of disc-shaped penetration bodies of which the disc planes extend substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft, so that they can transfer forces to the soil via their peripheral edges.

Abstract: Soil is captured into a bowl attached to a frame of a scraper machine by maneuvering the machine while a cutting bit attached to the bowl slices through the underlying soil. The bowl is supported on the frame, and the soil cutting is accomplished via a spade bit attached to the bowl at a cut opening. The spade bit has a cutting edge with a forward protrusion flanked by swept back segments. A top surface of the spade bit may be contoured with a central ridge flanked by a twist contour surface to urge soil towards opposite sides of the bowl.

Abstract: A steam generator having a steam generation tube defining a chamber for receiving water and converting the water to steam, and a heating element wrapped around the tube and having a first portion emitting a greater thermal output than a second portion.

Abstract: The present Invention is an apparatus for displaying a medallion in an item of memorabilia, such as a hockey puck or a model of a tire. A medallion is selectably retained by a cavity defined by the item of memorabilia. A light-emitting capacitor is disposed either in front of or behind the medallion, illuminating the surface of the medallion.

Abstract: An attachment for name tags that is easily replaceable and a system of displaying additional information on name tags. The name tag includes at least one projection, and the attachment includes a corresponding cutout in the shape of the projection. The attachment can be secured to a name tag by a friction fit between the projection and the cutout. Likewise, the attachment can be easily removed by removing the projection from the cutout. As a result, the promotional information displayed on name tags can easily be changed by adding and removing attachments.

Abstract: A display marker band is adapted for reversible attachment to a relatively flexible closed-loop member, which loop member has an approximately rectangular cross-section defined by a relaxed width and a relaxed thickness and is adapted to slide over an appendage of a body for mounting thereon. The marker band includes a rigid display sidewall, which is bounded by first and second perimeter edges and has a mark formed therein, and, at least when attached to the loop member, includes flap sidewalls that extend opposite an interior face of the display sidewall and are each bounded by the first and second perimeter edges and a convexly curved perimeter edge. According to some methods, the flexible closed-loop member may be positioned between the display sidewall and the opposing flap sidewalls without deforming the marker band.

Abstract: The invention is an organizational shopping aid that provides categories listing common items that are procured in a supermarket with an embedded magnifying lens to assist in the reading of the small font text found on labels. The objective of this device is to provide an organizational tool that can be incorporated into daily routine and stored easily in a variety of manners that the appeal is not limited to one segment of society.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a soap bubble fountain, having at least one tubular column extending above a catch basin and provided with a sculpting tool, includes generating soap bubbles with the soap bubble fountain, actuating an air source to force the bubbles from an upper end of the at least one tubular column, repeating the foregoing steps at least until a bubble sculpture is formed between the upper end of the at least one tubular column and the catch basin, and sculpting the bubble sculpture using the sculpting tool.

Abstract: A lenticular image display device [10] for displaying a sequence of lenticular images comprises a receiver [20] for holding a lenticular picture [60] securely. The lenticular picture [60] has a series of images [55, 65, 75] designed to be viewed from various viewing angles over an optimum tilt arc ‘a’ and at an optimum rocking frequency ‘f’ which substantially matches the optimum tilt arc and viewing frequency of the lenticular image. The display [10] is designed to rock about a single axis of rotation. A weighting system [90] has an adjustable weight [91] positioned to allow rocking of the display device [10] at the optimum rocking frequency ‘f’, to allow the lenticular images [55, 65, 75] to be viewed clearly without blurring.

Abstract: An billboard (10) includes a substrate (11), a lens array (12) and at least one light source (13). The substrate has two opposite surfaces. A plurality of pattern units formed on one surface of the substrate or formed in the substrate. Each pattern unit includes a plurality of pattern cells for being selectively combined to form at least one independent image. The lens array corresponding to the pattern units is arranged on one surface of the substrate. The lens array is configured for displaying the at least one independent image. The lens array includes a plurality of cylindrical stripe-like lenses. The cylindrical stripe-like lenses substantially extend parallel to each other. At least one light source disposed facing to the other surface of the substrate configured for emitting light rays towards the substrate.

Abstract: A backlit display sign includes a rear sign enclosure element at the back of the sign with a forwardly facing wide mouth opening. Extending across the mouth opening is a front sign element or cover formed from an optically transmissive light guide which extends laterally across the mouth opening of the display. Light diffusing (scattering) reflective layers on the front and rear surfaces of the guide or within the guide itself make the guide a light propagation sustaining channel that serves to funnel light rays laterally and forwardly within itself to an image-producing opening where the light is allowed to be emitted for producing the image of a symbol, letter, number or other indicia that is visible on the front of the display. A light cavity between the front cover and the rear sign enclosure element contains at least one illuminating device, e.g. a light emitting diode (LED), to provide visible illumination that is transmitted from within the light cavity through the guide to the front of the sign.

Abstract: A banner stand having an upright display mode and a collapsed transport mode, the banner stand comprising a banner presenting graphics thereon, a base and a post extending upwardly from the base, a support member selectively operably coupleable with the post to support the banner in an upright display mode, feet selectively changeable from a transport position to a operative position have an exposed alignment surface that cooperates with another such alignment surface on an adjacent banner stand to angularly and positionally control the respective banner stands to position as desired the respective banners. Tops of the banner stands may be coupled, such as by magnets, to further support and control the spacing and positioning of the banners.

Abstract: A sign holder holding an end of each of two signs includes a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, and a connecting wall located between the first and second walls and secured thereto. A first sign holding section is defined by first portions of the first and second walls and is located on a first side of the connecting wall. A second sign holding section is defined by second portions of the first and second walls and is located on a second side of the connecting wall. A channel is defined on the second wall for engaging an associated bracket used to mount the sign holder on a support.

Abstract: A system for supporting display panels from an overhead support, comprising: two or more spaced-apart, elongated, hollow, extruded fixed rails which are attachable to an overhead support together with one or more spaced-apart, elongated, hollow, extruded moveable rails. A plurality of connectors are slidably disposed within the fixed rails, the connectors having a projection extending though an elongated gap in the moveable rail and into slidable receipt in the fixed rail. The moveable rails provide support for a display supporting clip.