Abstract: A scouring material is disclosed that comprises upstanding flock fibres secured to a substrate web material by an adhesive. The colours of the fibres and adhesive being such that the apparent colour of a flocked area of the substrate changes as the flock fibres in that area wear away.

Abstract: Spattle for wiping and smearing liquid materials, namely binders over surfaces, namely curved, is composed of a flexible base plate (1) which is connected to the spattle's handle (14) through mutually connected levers (5, 9), that evenly transfer the pressure conducted on the spattle's handle (14) over the whole length of the base plate (1), where the amount of levers is not fixed.

Abstract: A hand tool adapted to mechanically remove materials such as ice, frost, and/or snow from surfaces such as automobile window glass comprises a longitudinally-extending handle having a front end and a rear end, a scraper disposed adjacent the front end of the handle, a rear grip disposed adjacent the rear end of the handle, and a front grip disposed adjacent the front end of the handle. The rear grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally parallel to the length of the handle to move the scraper along a surface to be scraped, and the front grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the handle to urge the scraper against the surface to be scraped.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly is provided that includes a pair of leaf spring elements supported generally parallel to each other with a space therebetween, each leaf spring element having a locating hole at an intermediate portion thereof, a flexible blade supported within the space between the leaf spring elements, and a bracket fixed to the intermediate portion of the pair of leaf spring elements and supporting said pair of leaf spring elements to provide the space therebetween. The bracket includes a pair of pressure distribution tabs, each pressure distribution tab extending from opposite sides of the bracket, and each pressure distribution tab being received in a corresponding one of the locating holes of the pair of leaf spring elements to locate the bracket at the intermediate portion of the pair of leaf spring elements.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine comprising a support trolley (2), on which support trolley (2) at least a floor-cleaning group (7) is installed, which floor-cleaning group (7) is provided with at least a flexible blade (70) and is mobile on board the support trolley (2) between a work position, in which the flexible blade (70) is in contact with a floor, and a rest position, in which the flexible blade (70) is distanced from the floor, the floor-cleaning machine comprising magnetic means (26) which are destined to block the floor-cleaning group (7) in the rest position.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine comprising a support trolley (2), on which support trolley (2) at least a floor-cleaning group (7) is installed, which floor-cleaning group (7) is provided with at least a flexible blade (70) and is mobile on board the support trolley (2) between a work position, in which the flexible blade (70) is in contact with a floor, and a rest position, in which the flexible blade (70) is distanced from the floor, the floor-cleaning machine comprising magnetic means (26) which are destined to block the floor-cleaning group (7) in the rest position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode by use of a hose is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a hose clamping unit capable of protruding outside the cleaner body or retreating back to the cleaner body according to a mode change of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A dust receptacle a receptacle body that is attached to and detached from a cleaner body is disclosed. The dust receptacle includes the bottom of which is opened; a handle, which is disposed on the receptacle body in a longitudinal direction; an exhaust cover, an end of which is hinged with a lower end of the handle, and which is used to expose a bottom of the receptacle body; and an operating lever that locks or unlocks the exhaust cover.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.

Abstract: A dust separator for a vacuum cleaner including a body having a pair of spaced apart ends, a first air inlet formed in the body and being configured to receive an air flow containing dust, and a dust outlet formed inwardly of the spaced apart ends and apart from the first air inlet to discharge dust separated in the body, is provided. In addition, a cross-sectional area of the body at the dust outlet is greater than a cross-sectional area of the body at the first air inlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed that includes a dust-separating apparatus, a shutter unit, and a dust receptacle. The dust-separating apparatus can be fixed to a cleaner body and includes a dust outlet. The shutter unit is formed on the dust-separating apparatus to selectively open and close the dust outlet. The dust receptacle is detachably attached to a lower portion of the dust-separating apparatus. The dust receptacle opens the shutter unit when attached to the dust-separating apparatus and closes the shutter unit when detached from the dust-separating apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body housing a cyclone dust separating unit therein, a dust receptacle removably mounted in the cyclone dust separating unit, a carrying handle movable at a front of the dust receptacle to protrude out or withdraw in, for carrying of the dust receptacle, and a lifting unit to move in accordance with the protruding or withdrawal of the carrying handle, so as to lock the dust receptacle with the cyclone dust separating unit when the carrying handle is withdrawn in the dust receptacle, and to unlock the dust receptacle from the cyclone dust separating unit when the carrying handle protrudes out of the dust receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed related to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a dust collector mount part is formed; a dust collector attached and removed at the dust collector mount part, and having a dust storage part in the inside; at least one of the compressing member reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust storage part as arranged in the dust storage part movably; a power transfer unit transferring the driving force to the compressing members from outside as connected with the compressing members; and a control unit deciding the amount of the dust stored in the dust storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed related to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a dust collector mount part is formed; a dust collector attached and removed at the dust collector mount part, and having a dust storage part in the inside; at least one of the compressing member reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust storage part as arranged in the dust storage part movably; a power transfer unit transferring the driving force to the compressing members from outside as connected with the compressing members; and a control unit deciding the amount of the dust stored in the dust storage unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel carried on the housing and a suction generator carried on the housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a dirt collection chamber and a spiral air guide providing a spiral air path to improve cleaning efficiency. The spiral air guide includes an inlet at a first end and a split outlet at a second end. The split outlet includes a head wall at a particular included angle with respect to the airflow path. The suction generator is provided in fluid communication with the suction inlet, the dirt collection vessel and the spiral air guide.

Abstract: A hinge barrel (30) is mounted in a housing of a portable electronic device (20). The housing defines a receiving hole (222) surrounded by an inner wall (223). The inner wall defines two grooves (226). The hinge barrel includes an outer peripheral wall (35), and two ribs (38) formed in the outer peripheral wall. A length of the ribs is less than that of the hinge barrel, and the ribs are received in the grooves.

Abstract: A device holding captive a hinge pin in a housing of a cover element, such as a grate or a lid, of a manhole. The device has a cotter pin attached in a removable manner to the cover element to axially retain a hinge pin in a housing of the element against a restoring force of an elastic inserted between the pin and the bottom of the housing. The invention can be applied to roadway equipment.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a first casing and a second casing in a movable manner, comprising a first coupling member provided at the first casing, a second coupling member provided at the second casing, and coupled to the first coupling member in such a way that the first casing and the second casing move relative to each other, and a cleaning mechanism that cleans a clearance between the first casing and the second casing or the second coupling member. The cleaning mechanism has a wiper blade that moves in the clearance with movement of the casings, air injection means that injects air to the clearance, and/or a hinge cover that is displaceable within the clearance.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for opening and closing a door that provides access to the interior of a motor vehicle body is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a body-side hinge strap secured to the body and providing a first axis, a door-side hinge strap secured to the door and providing a second axis spaced laterally from the first axis, a hinge mid-strap supported on the body-side hinge strap to pivot about the first axis and being pivotably supported on the door-side hinge strap at the second axis, and a lockout bracket secured to the door-side hinge strap and secured to the hinge mid-strap at a location between the first axis and second axis for preventing the door from pivoting about the second axis.

Abstract: A hinge assembly connects a cover to a base and further has a pressing member. The pressing member has a stationary pressing spacer and a rotating pressing spacer. Each of the pressing spacers has at least one inclined protrusion formed on an abutting surface. The inclined protrusions of the pressing spacers correspond to each other. When the cover is opening until an upper edge of one inclined protrusion corresponds to a lower edge of another inclined protrusion, people may open the cover lightly and fast. Alternative, when the cover is closing until the upper edges of the inclined protrusions and the lower edges of the inclined protrusions respectively correspond to each other, people may close the cover heavily and slowly to prevent the base from being stricken by the cover.

Abstract: The invention describes a handle including a grip element and a fastening element, which are situated spaced apart from each other by at least one damping element; at least one of the contact surfaces of the grip element or fastening element, which are oriented toward each other via the damping element, is embodied as profiled so that the contact surface is enlarged.

Abstract: Cable terminations having features which reduce stress in the transition between the potted region and the freely flexing region of a cable when the cable flexes laterally with respect to the anchor. Several favorable geometries are disclosed. The use of a supplemental buffer material to reduce stress is also disclosed.

Abstract: The magnetic garment fastener is a releasable closure for fur garments. The magnetic garment fastener includes first and second magnets, each magnet having first and second opposed magnetic poles. The first and second magnets are sealed within first and second pockets, respectively. Each of the pockets has opposed front and rear panels, with the first magnetic pole of each magnet being positioned adjacent the front panel of the respective pocket. The first and second pockets are attached to the garment adjacent a pair of free edges, preferably sealed within the pelt of the edges to hide the magnets from the exterior of the garment, such that positioning the rear panel of one of the pockets adjacent the front panel of the other pocket releasably fastens the pair of free edges of the garment together.

Abstract: An opening and closure mechanism for a zipper, the mechanism comprising a resilient elastic band or strap secured to the zipper handle with opposing ends of the resilient elastic strap being secured to at least one side of the waist band closure, and preferably opposing ends of the resilient elastic strap being secured to opposing sides of the waist band closure such that separating the waist band closure causes the resilient elastic strap to open the zipper closure mechanism by retracting the zipper handle downwardly; and closure of the waist band fastener releases tension on the resilient elastic strap allowing the resilient elastic strap to retract the zipper upwardly to a closed position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clip assembly configured to securely connect a first component to a second component. The clip assembly may include a rotatable pin and a housing. The rotatable pin includes a shaft connected to a neck, which is, in turn, connected to a head having a first dimension and a second dimension. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension. The housing is configured to receive and retain the rotatable pin and includes a pin chamber and opposing flex arms extending into the pin chamber. The first dimension of the head is configured to spread the flex arms open into a locked position, and the second dimension of the head is configured to allow the flex arms to retract to an unlocked position. The rotatable pin is configured to be rotated between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a clamp assembly for holding a set of seal elements to a rail, the assembly including an arm sub-assembly and a locking mechanism. The arm sub-assembly includes first and second arms which are pivotally attached by a pin. The first arm includes an elongate first link portion and a first engagement portion extending substantially transversely to the first link portion. The first engagement portion includes a first contact part which is adapted to engage a selected one of the set of seal elements. In addition, the second arm includes a second link portion and a second engagement portion extending substantially transversely to the second link portion. Also, the second engagement portion includes a second contact part adapted to engage another one of the set of seal elements.

Abstract: An auger clip assembly configured to be secured to a foam panel may include a main body having a cylindrical main wall that define a central chamber, a first set of opposed threads radially extending from the main wall and a connection stud secured to the main body. Each of the threads includes a leading edge connected to a trailing end, which is in turn connected to a stop flap that outwardly extends from the main wall. The connection stud is configured to securely mate into a reciprocal hole of a structure, such as a vehicle frame. The main body securely connects within a mating hole of the foam panel through a quarter turn.

Abstract: A karabiner including a generally C-shaped body having opposed free ends with a gap therebetween and a gate for closing the gap through constraint. The gate is formed of a wire member located on one free end of the body and includes a shaped free end. The other free end of the body is configured to receive the shaped free end of the gate, and includes a shape that corresponds substantially with the shape of the shaped end of the gate. In one embodiment, the loop is oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the karabiner body, and in another embodiment, the second free end of the body includes a recessed seat. A locking means on the gate or karabiner body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member that has two female coupling arms each with a forwardly extending coupling hole and a side opening, and a male buckle member that has two spring arms and two male coupling arms respectively supported on the spring arms and insertable with the spring arms into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms for engagement with the side openings of the female coupling arms. The female coupling arms are elastically outwardly deformable to lower the insertion force of the male buckle member. Disengaging the male coupling arms from the female coupling arms does not cause the female coupling arms to deform elastically outwards, and therefore a high deplugging force is required. An adapter may be provided to secure the female buckle member to an external object.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member that has two coupling holes axially disposed at two sides of a female buckle base thereof and two side openings transversely disposed at an outer side relative to the coupling holes, and a male buckle member that has two male coupling arms for insertion into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms, a male buckle base, and two spring arms respectively connected between the male coupling arms and two distal ends of the male buckle base, each spring arm having a buffer space and a ?-shaped buffer arm portion connected between the associating male coupling arm and the male buckle base at an outer side of the buffer space for allowing elastic deformation of the spring arm during connection/disconnection between the male buckle member and the female buckle member, achieving the effect of low insertion (plugging) force and high extraction (deplugging) force.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member, which has two female coupling arms each having a forwardly extending coupling hole and a side opening, a male buckle member, which has two forwardly extending spring arms and two male coupling arms respectively forwardly extending from the spring arms and insertable with the spring arms into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms for engagement with the side openings of the female coupling arms, and an adapter member, which has a mounting base that is inserted into a receiving space between the female coupling arms of the female buckle member before connection of the male buckle member and locked thereto after connection of the male buckle member and a coupling device at the top side for fastening to an external object.

Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.

Abstract: An inventive retaining device which can be adjusted in three spatial directions, in particular for fastening a first component to a second component, includes a first plate, which can be fixedly connected to the second component, as well as a second plate, which can be adjusted in a first spatial direction relative to the first plate, and a third plate, which can be adjusted in a second spatial direction relative to the second plate and a centering pin, which can be fixedly connected to the first component and can be adjusted in a third spatial direction relative to the third plate. The inventive retaining device allows a particularly flexible regulation of tolerances and facilitates an assembly and/or disassembly of the components.

Abstract: A buckle assembly especially for use in securing gas cylinders such as scuba air tanks to a diver's backpack. A ratcheting feature of the buckle eliminates the need to reposition the buckle position to lengthen or shorten the band. The band in a preferred embodiment, is separated into two separate portions, but could be also one continuous element eliminating two separate attachments to the backpack. One belt portion is attached to the buckle at one end and is fixed to the backpack at the other end. The other belt portion contains the teeth at one end for receiving the buckle and the other end is fixed to the backpack. To secure the tank into the backpack, the tank is placed into the desired position, then the toothed end of the belt is placed into the receiving end of the buckle. The buckle is open to its longest position. The band end containing the teeth is slid into the ratchet portion of the buckle until it is tight.

Abstract: The Shoe Lace Holder is an invention specifically designed to secure a tied shoe lace, thus preventing the unraveling of the shoe lace. The Shoe Lace Holders offer multiple advantages: Parents and caregivers of the young or elderly may use this device as a safety measure to prevent accidents caused by untied shoe laces. The Shoe Lace Holder, may be beneficial to individuals with mental and or physical impairments such as carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. The Shoe Lace Holder may also be used across a wide spectrum of areas, i.e. securing the tied strings on handbags, purses, sweatpants or athletic apparel or any clothing that utilizes a drawstring or tying mechanism. The Shoe Lace Holder comes in four distinct Styles. The Velcro Shoe Lace Holder, the Button Fastener Shoe Lace Holder, Snap On Button Shoe Lace Holder, and the Slide Back Shoe Lace Holder.

Abstract: This invention is about a structure for supporting clothes to be decolorized and for aiding in the process of decoloration, to a method of forming the same, and to a method of using the same to decolorize clothes. It includes manufacturing a semi-finished product for supporting clothes and manufacturing the supporting structure as well as a the method of decolorizing clothes using the supporting structure to have various decolorizing textures and styles.

Abstract: A turbine wheel hole plug that includes: 1) an approximate cylindrical body, the cylindrical body sized such that the cylindrical body fits snugly into a turbine wheel hole; 2) a first flange at a first end of the cylindrical body, the first flange being approximately cylindrical in shape and having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the turbine wheel hole; and 3) a second flange at a second end of the cylindrical body, the second flange comprising a flared flange. The first flange and the second flange may lock the cylindrical body into a preferred position in the turbine wheel hole.

Abstract: A vibrating piece manufacturing method includes: (a) preparing a supporting body having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces defining a thickness while being directed toward opposite directions, the supporting body including a base and a plurality of arms, the arms extending side-by-side in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the thickness from the base, a lower electrode film being disposed on the first surface of each of the arms, a piezoelectric film being disposed on the lower electrode films, at least one upper electrode film being disposed on the piezoelectric film, at least a part of the second surface of each of the arms being an exposed area; and (b) etching the exposed area of the second surface so as to reduce the thickness to reduce flexural rigidity of the arms with respect to the thickness direction.

Abstract: A burnishing tool includes a bushing portion, a burnishing component connected to the bushing portion, and a detector disposed in the bushing portion, for measuring a burnishing force performed on the burnishing component.

Abstract: At least one embodiment generally relates to an installation assembly for an opening in a workpiece that includes a swaged collar, an inner member, and an outer member. The swaged collar has a first end, a second end, and a main body extending between the first end and the second end. The main body includes an inner surface defining a passageway through the collar. The inner member has a mandrel section for expanding the outer member. The inner member is used to expand the outer member and to keep the outer member in an expanded state.

Abstract: A hinge pin removal and attachment tool for efficiently and easily removing a hinge pin from a hinge. The hinge pin removal and attachment tool generally includes a support including a pounding portion and a handle portion, wherein the pounding portion extends from the handle portion and wherein the pounding portion includes a planar outer surface. A driving member extends from the pounding portion of the support opposite the planar surface, wherein the driving member includes a substantially uniform diameter to extend within a passageway of a hinge.

Abstract: A method for changeover of a blow molding machine without a long dead time is disclosed. The blow molding machine includes a plurality of blow mold holders, each of which carries a multi-part blow mold. At least one part of the blow mold is connected with a media supply. At first, at least two working areas are being assigned at the blow molding machine. Different processes are carried out at each working area. The blow mold holder is opened at least at the first working area and/or the media supplies are released. The parts of the blow mold are removed from the blow mold holder at a second working area and are replaced with a blow mold of another type.

Abstract: The present invention involves a plug unlocking tool which comprises a housing and a probe connected to housing wherein the probe extends in a direction away from the housing. The tool further includes a first and second latch release fingers associated with the housing wherein the first and second latch release fingers are movable relative to the housing and an actuator positioned within and moveable along a slot defined in the housing wherein the actuator is associated with the first and second latch release fingers to impart movement of at least one of the first and second latch release fingers with movement of the actuator along the slot. In addition, the present invention includes a method for unlocking a plug from an electrical connection with the plug positioned within a plug cassette assembly and for unlocking the plug from the plug cassette assembly utilizing the plug unlocking tool.

Abstract: A golf club head is formed with openings respectively on top and bottom sides thereof and a circumferential recessed groove is formed in the club head along a circumference of each opening. Pegs are formed in and spaced along the circumferential grooves. A faceplate and a bottom plate are provided, each having a circumferential edge along which notches are formed in a spaced manner to correspond to the pegs. Thus, when the faceplate and the bottom plate are received in the top and bottom openings respectively to be supported by the circumferential grooves, the notches respectively snugly fit over the pegs to thereby securely and properly hold the faceplate and the bottom plate in position for subsequently welding operation. Thus, the subsequent welding operation can be carried out in a smooth manner without any underside shifting of the faceplate and bottom plate with respect to the club head.

Abstract: An identification clip for a yoga mat includes a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section being joined to the third section via the second section, and the second section having curved edges. The first section includes a user's name cut therethrough. The second section is bent such that the first section and the third section form parallel planes, fitting over a side of the mat, so that the color of the mat forms a background relief for the name cut through the clip.

Abstract: A cutting tool and its method for manufacture involves a blade member having an extension. Together, the blade member and extension are die cut from sheet metal and a cutting edge is then formed adjacent the extension. A metal or plastic handle is formed with a slit, and the blade member is positioned in the slit to leave the cutting edge exposed between the extension and the handle. The blade member is then secured to the handle.

Abstract: An iron core-producing method of the invention includes at least the step of blanking an iron core T from a strip W in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the substantially linear iron core T is inclined relative to a direction of a width of the strip W. An iron core-producing apparatus of the invention for blanking a substantially linear iron core T from a strip W includes at least a punch disposed such that its longitudinal direction is inclined relative to a direction of a width of the strip W, and a die 13 which is provided beneath the punch, and is disposed such that its longitudinal direction is inclined relative to the direction of the width of the strip W.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming motor winding conductors rectangular conductor wire.

Abstract: A method of making a circuitized substrate which involves forming a plurality of individual film resistors having approximate resistance values as part of at least one circuit of the substrate, measuring the resistance of a representative (sample) resistor to define its resistance, utilizing these measurements to determine the corresponding precise width of other, remaining film resistors located in a defined proximity relative to the representative resistor such that these remaining film resistors will include a defined resistance value, and then selectively isolating defined portions of the resistive material of these remaining film resistors while simultaneously defining the precise width of the resistive material in order that these film resistors will possess the defined resistance.

Abstract: A tool for installing connectors on cables includes a base member and a plunger movably mounted on the base member. A lever mechanism on the base member moves the plunger. There is a wheel member that carries a plurality of dog fixtures thereon. A detent mechanism provides engagement between the wheel member and the base member to define a plurality of rotational positions for the wheel member. In each rotational position, a dog fixture is aligned with the plunger. Preferably, each dog fixture on the wheel member is configured to receive a different size cable.