Abstract: A body support such as a cushion, mattress, chair or the like has at least one inflatable air chamber. A pressure sensor senses interface pressures at different locations on a surface of the air chamber. Indicators derived from the interface pressures indicate the onset of a trend toward bottoming out. A controller controls air pressure within the air chamber based at least in part on values of the indicators. The controller may be implemented as a state machine.

Abstract: A patient support is disclosed as including a frame and a foot section having an upper surface, the foot section operatively coupled to the frame and movable between a use position for providing support for a patient and a lowered position for storage. The patient support is also disclosed as having an onboard storage location for the foot section.

Abstract: A patient transport cot comprises a height adjustment component coupled to the patient transport cot and configured to raise or lower the cot to a plurality of heights. The patient transport cot further comprises a mechanical height indicator, which comprises at least one height setting, wherein each height setting corresponds to a target cot height. The mechanical height indicator further comprises a moving height marker configured to move with the cot as the cot is raised or lowered, wherein the cot is adjusted to the target cot height when the moving height marker is aligned with the height setting.

Abstract: A sound generating device having a flexible three-dimensional and substantially planar shaped body including a soft interior encased within a durable exterior covering. A pair of speakers are arranged within the body at first and second locations proximate an upper facing surface. The padded body is adapted to being placed underneath an existing cushion for delivering an audio output, and which is selectively audible to an individual whose head is supported upon the cushion.

Abstract: A pneumatic control valve and power reserve in the form of pressurized gas in a pressurization chamber, for elastically deforming a diaphragm without closing off two admission (2) and respectively discharge (3) orifices of said valve and able to place the opening of the valve by depressurization of said pressurization chamber 5 is disclosed. The valve may be used for total and rapid deflation of a therapeutic mattress having a plurality of compartments that are inflated with air, including at different pressures.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.

Abstract: A mattress configured to support a patient including a foot section having a leg portion, a heel pressure relief portion, and a raised calf support portion positioned intermediate the leg portion and the heel pressure relief portion.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a washing machine is provided. The drive assembly includes a motor. An input shaft is operatively coupled to the motor and an output shaft is operatively coupled between the input shaft and an agitator. A housing is positioned about at least a portion of the input shaft and at least a portion of the output shaft. A gear assembly is positioned within the housing and drivingly couples the input shaft to the output shaft. A first sleeve bearing is positioned about a bottom end of the input shaft opposing the top end. The first sleeve bearing is configured to radially support the input shaft and define a first radial clearance between the top end of the input shaft and the housing for facilitating radial movement of the top end of the input shaft with respect to the output shaft.

Abstract: Method for sealing seams in shoes having an exterior upper with a lower end, an interior upper with a lower end, an insole with a circumferential edge, and a sole, the lower end of the exterior upper, the lower end of the interior upper, and the outer edge of the insole being sewn together, characterized in that a tape is selected that is provided on both sides with a layer that is adhesive at room temperature, and that this tape is used to join and fix the lower end of the exterior upper to the lower end of the interior upper before the exterior upper, interior upper, and insole are sewn together.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the wafer after CMP is disclosed. A brush module having at least two brushes placed adjacent to each other and having the wafer placed in between. A dummy roller is in contact with an edge of the wafer and follows a rotation of the wafer, wherein when the wafer is rotated, the brushes clean both sides of the wafer, and the dummy roller detects a rotation speed and a rotation direction of the wafer for adjusting the rotation of the wafer.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the ferrule end surface of an optical fiber that has been installed in a connector, such as a connector coupler or bulkhead receptacle, comprises a cleaning head (22a, 22b, 22c). The cleaning head is made from thermally sintered polymers, e.g., thermally sintered particles and/or thermally sintered strands and provides a matrix of open-celled multi-directional pores. The cleaning head has zones (26, 28, 32) of increasing polymer densities from compression zone (26) to sidewall cleaning zone (28) to base zone (32). The cleaning head serves to lift, absorb, trap and remove contamination from the ferrule end faces (14a, 14b, 14c) and the end face of the optical fiber therein. The open-celled structure of the cleaning head (22a, 22b, 22c) allows the contact surface to compress both laterally and radially where it contacts the ferrule end, thus permitting effective cleaning for all ferrule end designs. The cleaning head may be used either dry or with a cleaning solvent.

Abstract: A snake feeding device comprises a base having opposite ends, an actuator pivotally mounted on the base, and first and second sets of drive rolls spaced apart in the direction between ends of the base. Each set includes a roll on the base and two rolls on the actuator for engaging a snake therebetween and displacing the snake relative to the base in the direction between the ends thereof in response to rotation of the snake. The actuator selectively displaces the rolls of each set relative to one another.

Abstract: An input disk, a clutch disk and wave washers are installed to an output shaft to form an output shaft assembly of a motor apparatus. The input disk is axially non-detachable from the output shaft and is rotatable about an axis of the output shaft. The input disk is driven by a drive force supplied from a motor main body of the motor apparatus. The clutch disk is supported by the output shaft in such a manner that the clutch disk is non-rotatable relative to the output shaft and is axially movable along the output shaft relative to the input disk. The wave washers apply a resistive force against axial movement of the clutch disk from a coupled state, at which the input disk is coupled with the clutch disk to rotate together.

Abstract: A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.

Abstract: This invention is a new structure of blackboard eraser with cordless vacuum functionality. The main components in the design include a chalk eraser, chalk dust collector and vacuum fan. A brusher mounted in the edge of inlet hole of chalk dust collector removes the chalk dust from the surface of eraser belt shape fabric and then the chalk dust is vacuumed into the collector chamber by vacuum fan. The roller shafts are inserted to the eraser bracket side holes and then go to the center of cylinder rollers. The eraser belt shape fabric covers to the external of the four rollers and eraser bracket. The eraser belt fabric will be conveyed back and forth by the friction with rollers and erase the chalk dust from the blackboard. One filter bag installed in the collect chamber filters the chalk power from the inlet air of the vacuum fan.

Abstract: A manually guided blower having a housing in which is disposed a drive motor that rotatingly drives an impeller. The impeller draws in an air stream via an intake opening and conveys the air stream through a discharge opening of the housing. The blower has at least one attachment that can be detachably connected to the housing in the region of one of the openings. The blower has at least one switch that is actuated when the attachment is secured to the opening, whereby the drive motor is in a ready-to-operate state only when the switch is actuated.

Abstract: An attachment (10) for an inlet pipe (14) to a wet scrubber or other device comprises a sleeve (16) having an open end (18) adapted to be detachably connected to a flanged end (12) of the inlet pipe (14). A shaft (30) is moveable within the sleeve (16), and a scraper (34) is attached to one end of the shaft (30). The shaft (30) forms part of a pneumatic cylinder (40) attached to the other end of the sleeve (16). In use, the shaft (30) is reciprocally moved to cause the scraper (34) to dislodge particulates deposited within the pipe (14). Heated gas such as nitrogen or dry air is injected into the sleeve (16) to prevent scrubbing liquid from condensing within the sleeve (16) and thus inhibit particulate deposition therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle mounting device for use in a refrigerator for mounting a refrigerator door handle onto an outer surface of a door of the refrigerator. The handle mounting device of the present invention is used to mount a handle 50 for opening and closing the door onto an outer surface 40 of the door. The handle mounting device includes a mounting ring member 70 into which one end of handle 50 is fitted and of which a surface is plated, and a handle base 60 which is made of synthetic resin material and of which one end is fitted into the mounting ring member 70 and the other end is fixed onto the outer surface 40 of the door. Further, one end of the handle base 60 is fitted into the handle 50 fitted into the mounting ring member 70.

Abstract: A living hinge includes a hinge body formed of a material. The hinge body has attachment edges and a flexing zone between the attachment edges defining a flexing axis. The material of the hinge body has at least one separation formed therein in the flexing zone. The at least one separation describes an angle with the flexing axis being other than 90°.

Abstract: A single point hinge and a method of thermoforming a plastic container including a single point hinge include a lid, a tray, a single point hinge connecting the lid and the tray. The single point hinge includes an angle formed by a lid chamfer and a tray chamfer. The single point hinge further includes a lid well adjacent to the lid chamfer and a tray well ajdacent to the tray chamfer, and the lid connects to the lid well and the tray connects to the tray well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a height-adjustable door. The body of the refrigerator has at least one storage space having a front opening. The door is coupled to the body so as to cover/uncover the storage space, and a hinge hole is formed on the bottom surface of the door. A hinge frame is fixed to a front surface of a lower portion of the body and has a hinge shaft inserted into the hinge hole so as to rotatably support the door. The hinge shaft is covered with a hinge bush, a part of which is inserted into the hinge hole. The hinge bush has a flange portion on its lower end for supporting the bottom surface of the door. A height adjustment screw is screw-coupled to a screw hole of the hinge frame so as to travel vertically. The upper end of the height adjustment screw abuts the bottom surface of the hinge bush so that, when rotated, the height adjustment screw lifts/lowers the hinge bush, in order to adjust the height of the door.

Abstract: A pivotal hinge has multiple washers, positioning spacers and an oil-retaining collar mounted around the washers and the positioning spacers filled with lubricating oil. The oil-retaining collar prevents the lubricating oil from flowing out of the pivotal hinge, prevents the components from wearing away, keeps the pivotal hinge rotating smoothly and has hooks formed separately on the two edges. The hooks hold the collar securely around the pivotal hinge.

Abstract: A rotatable slide hinge has a stationary leaf, a moving leaf, a spring, a pivot pin assembly and a guide pin assembly. The stationary leaf has a top and a bottom. The moving leaf is mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf, sliding and turning relative to the stationary leaf and has a top surface. The spring is attached to the top of the stationary leaf and has a stationary end and a moving end. The pivot pin assembly connects the stationary leaf and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf. The guide pin assembly extends through the moving end of the spring, the stationary leaf and the moving leaf to connect the stationary leaf, the spring and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic apparatus includes: a main body that has an input unit placed on a top surface of the main body; a display panel that has a display surface and a rear surface on an opposite side to the display surface; a hinge mechanism that joins the display panel to the main body, the hinge mechanism having a pivot shaft, a rotation shaft, and a pivot support member; an engagement part that is provided on the pivot support member; and a reception part that receives the engagement part. The reception part is provided on the main body, wherein the pivot shaft pivotably supports the display panel. The rotation shaft rotatably supports the display panel to be openable about an axis provided along one side of the display panel, and the pivot support member supports the pivot shaft and the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A boutonniere attachment device comprises a backing member and a pin member. The pin member is attached to the backing member and extends from the backing member to a pointed terminal end. The backing member can be engaged with a non-exterior surface of a portion of a garment while a portion of the pin member that includes the pointed terminal end is positioned external to the garment, and while at least part of the portion of the pin member extends at least partially through the stem of a boutonniere in a manner such that a portion of the stem is biased against the exterior surface of the portion of the garment and such that the portion of the garment is biased between the portion of the stem and the backing member.

Abstract: A clamp comprising a band (10) having, at one end, a pair of axially spaced jaws (16, 18) comprising an upper jaw (16) and a lower jaw (18) and, at the other end, a tongue (28) that can be inserted between the jaws. The tongue has an upper surface and a lower surface and the top jaw (16) has a lower surface that includes a single engagement tooth (20). The upper surface of the tongue includes an engagement tooth (29) having a cavity (30) behind it that can accommodate the engagement tooth (20) of the upper jaw to hold the clamp in a closed position. The lower surface (48) of the tongue is provided with a recess (40) that accommodates the lower jaw (18) when the clamp is in the said closed position.

Abstract: An elongated shaft configured to receive the expeditious attachment of a line thereto, the shaft having adjacent to a first end a short length radially extending post, the shaft having a recess therein at the first end so that thereby the portion of the shaft from about the position of the post to the first end is tubular providing a tubular wall, and a V-shaped notch formed in the tubular wall, the notch extending from about the post to the shaft first end, the notch being configured to provide a portion of the tubular wall that is tooth-like, the post serving to receive a loop from a bight of the line after which the bight can be wrapped around the shaft and then looped in the notch and beneath the tooth-like portion, an end of the line extending out the shaft tubular end.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly with a buckle has male and female mating parts, in which the male part includes features to prevent disengagement operation by a child. The child resistant features include added ribs, webbing in the form of flanges or struts, or barbs or prongs that increase the difficulty for disengaging the buckle. The female part can have an arcuate outer surface to increase the overall durability of the buckle and resist damaging external forces or damaging misuse. The female part can also be provided with lateral shoulders to make the female part harder to withdraw and thus more child resistant. The seatbelt assembly with the child resistant buckle can be operated easily by an adult, while remaining secure from disengagement by a typical child.

Abstract: A method for a piezoelectric actuator and an ink-jet head uses, for forming a lower electrode on a vibration plate, metal-nano particles which can start to sinter with a low temperature as a conductive material; and uses, for forming a piezoelectric layer, an aerosol deposition method requiring no calcination step. Accordingly, upon forming the lower electrode and piezoelectric layer, any calcination under severe condition is not needed. In addition, the calcination of the lower electrode can be advanced simultaneously with an annealing step required after forming the piezoelectric layer. Accordingly, the thermal cycle during producing process can be minimized, thereby suppressing the exfoliation of layers and diffusion of material forming vibration plate into the piezoelectric layer due to thermal history, and consequently lower the degradation of piezoelectric characteristics.

Abstract: Methods of making metal/dielectric/metal structures include casting copper slurry onto a fugitive substrate to form the first electrode and subsequently casting dielectric and copper slurries onto the first electrode, removing the fugitive substrate and co-firing the structure, wherein the dielectric comprises glass in an amount that is less than 20% by weight of the total inorganic composition and the dielectric achieves substantially complete densification. Alternatively, a metal tape and a dielectric tape, comprising glass in the above amount, may be formed and laminated together to form a metal/dielectric/metal green tape structure, which is co-fired, such that the structure achieves substantially complete densification.

Abstract: A forced puller includes a central seat having a threaded hole centrally defined therein and extending therethrough. The central seat has two opposite sides each having a rod perpendicularly extending therefrom relative to an axis of the threaded hole. Two hook members are respectively slidably mounted to a corresponding one of the two rods. Each hook member is formed with a hook engaged to a workpiece that is purposed to be detached. A main threaded rod is screwed through the threaded hole in the central seat. The main threaded rod has a polygonal head formed on a first end thereof for user to forcefully rotate the main threaded rod and a push portion is formed on a second end of the main threaded rod to securely and longitudinally abut against the workpiece after rotating the main threaded rod.

Abstract: A garbage disposal installation tool for installing garbage disposal units under sinks providing two degrees of height adjustment that consists of a flat base portion, a hollow cylindrical housing portion that has an operable locking system attached to the base portion, a hollow cylindrical shaft portion sliding longitudinally inside the housing portion, wherein sliding position temporarily secured and locked by the locking system, a flat top platform portion having an externally threaded rod portion extending perpendicular to the top platform, and a rotatable lever bar nut having an internally threaded center through hole with screw threads matchingly corresponding with the threaded rod portion, wherein rotation of the lever bar nut causes axial motion of the externally threaded rod portion resulting in raising and lowering of the top platform portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a hydroformed part remains in a hydroforming die cavity under hydroforming pressure while an attachable fastener nut is operated to pierce and form a collar in the part by forced insertion of the nut into the part and wherein the nut is fastened to the collar by friction welding, friction skip welding or mechanical locking depending on the form of the fastener nut.

Abstract: A method of producing a countertop upon a workspace furnishing such as floor cabinets by casting a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound thereupon has some of the following steps. Given the workspace furnishing, temporarily attaching edging forms or flow checks around all the free edges of the top deck thereof, both of which the forms the and flow checks operate to check the flow of the casting compound at least to the height of a given rise. Following that, pouring a polymer-modified cementitious casting compound over the countertop to the height of the given rise and as checked within the edging forms and flow checks. The edging forms have depending-flange relief cavities that descend below the plane of the deck that give the hardened casting compound an appearance of a virtual thickness that disguises in part the actual thinness of the rise over the deck.

Abstract: A process for skiving a substrate is described, wherein the substrate is skived with a roller or a device or apparatus including the roller. The roller provides a cleaner skive than previously known methods without damage to underlying materials.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a die having an applicator slot for translating an applicator liquid through the die. The slot is in fluid communication with a die cavity. An expansible chamber device is disposed within the die cavity and changes volume in response to changes in fluid pressure within the expansible chamber device, which may be regulated by a means for controlling the volume of the expansible chamber device. In some embodiments, the die has a single rectangular applicator slot, and the expansible chamber device is an expandable cylindrical tube disposed within the die cavity. In other embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device may be selected to be a compressible gas. In further embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device may be selected to be an incompressible liquid.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional (3-D) object is provided. The method may include dispensing an interface material to form a lower part of the three dimensional object, inserting an insert into a recess present in the lower part and dispensing the interface material on the lower part to form the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of producing a speaker which is manufactured by bonding a plurality of speaker components, including steps of humidifying a joint portion which bonds at least two speaker components among the plurality of speaker components; and bonding the speaker components by humidifying the joint portion and thereafter painting a moisture-curable adhesive on the joint portion, to thereby reduce a time for bonding the speaker components by easily and quickly drying regardless of materials of the speaker components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a sensor element and to a sensor element. In the method, both surfaces of a sensor film are provided with metallic electrodes. The sensor element is produced by cutting it from a larger amount of sensor element material. In the manufacture of the sensor element material, the electrodes are produced as a continuous process from roll to roll and the sensor element material is formed by laminating as a continuous process from roll to roll. At least the signal electrode consists of repeated electrode patterns (41) which are at least partially connected to each other via one or more narrow connecting strips (42), and a sensor element of a desired length and/or shape is produced by cutting the material across the region of the connecting strips.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power tool includes forming an armature by placing an electrically insulative sleeve on an armature shaft, securing a lamination stack having slots therein on the armature shaft with the insulative sleeve disposed therebetween, securing a commutator on one end of the armature shaft with the insulative sleeve disposed therebetween, winding magnet wires in the slots in the lamination stack and securing ends of the magnet wires to the commutator, and molding thermally conductive plastic to at least partially encase the magnet wires in plastic. The armature is then disposed in a stator to form an electric motor and the electric motor is disposed in a power tool. In an aspect, electrically insulative plastic is molded in the slots of the lamination stack to form slot liners and around the ends of the lamination stack to form end spiders.

Abstract: A magnet rotor includes a drive arm with a rotary shaft and a hollow cylindrical-shaped permanent magnet bonded by a light curable resin. The drive arm is composed of a light transmitting resin, and the permanent magnet is an anisotropic magnet with an axis of easy magnetization. During fabrication, the light curable resin is applied to the rotary shaft, and a hollow portion of the magnet is fitted to the rotary shaft. While holding the magnet in a position where a direction of the axis of easy magnetization corresponds to a magnetic field direction, the drive arm is irradiated with light to cure the resin and bond the drive arm and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A compensating unit for a tool unit for inserting an element into a workpiece, in particular a setting unit for inserting a joining element into a workpiece. The tool unit is fastened to a mounting and being mounted, oriented in an axial direction, in such a way that, during the machining operation, a compensating movement in a plane oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the axial direction is made possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring the alignment of the support socket with other structural components during the fabrication of a leg prosthesis comprising a stand with base, a means to secure the lower aspect of the leg prosthesis to the stand base, and a laser source attached to the top of the stand that emits visible cross-beams downward onto the leg prosthesis when the prosthesis is mounted on the stand base. The method of the invention uses the described apparatus with leg prosthesis mounted thereon to mark points on the inside of a check or test socket that coincide with the laser cross-beams; transferring these marks from the check socket to the permanent support socket; and re-aligning the permanent support socket with the lower aspect prosthetic components by mounting the leg prosthesis with permanent support socket on the alignment apparatus and matching the marks to the laser cross-beams.

Abstract: A wire insertion tool for a push-in wire connector has a frame and a slide assembly mounted for reciprocating motion on the frame. The frame includes a carriage on which a push-in wire connector is mounted. The slide assembly carries a wire holder which mounts an electric wire opposite the wire connector. An actuator extends to advance the slide assembly and carry a wire in the holder in a direction parallel to the axis of the wire. Advancement of the wire holder inserts the wire into the connector. The wire holder is then released and the slide assembly is retracted to prepare for the next insertion cycle.

Abstract: A monolithic or essentially monolithic single layer capacitor with high structural strength and capacitance, a printed circuit board having the capacitor mounted thereon, and a method of making. Sheets of green-state ceramic dielectric material and glass/metal composite material are laminated together, diced into individual chips, and fired to sinter the glass and the ceramic together. The composite material contains an amount of metal sufficient to render the composite conductive whereby the composite may be used for one or both electrodes and for mounting the capacitor to the printed circuit board. Vertically-oriented surface mountable capacitors and hybrid capacitors are provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bump of a probe card is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the bump has a high aspect ratio, a high elasticity, a high durability suitable for testing a high speed device. The bump is formed using a sacrificial substrate as a mold to have a shape of ? or II for elasticity and durability.

Abstract: A probe card for testing dice on a wafer includes a substrate, a number of cantilevers formed on a surface thereof, and a number of probes extending from unsupported ends of the cantilevers. The unsupported ends of the cantilevers project over cavities on the surface of the substrate. The probes have tips to contact pads on the dice under test. The probe card may include a compressive layer above the surface of the substrate with a number of holes through which the probes extend.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a wiring board and a semiconductor device at low cost and by a simple process, without performing complicated steps many times is proposed. Furthermore, a manufacturing method of a wiring board at low cost and with fewer adverse effects on the environment, and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using the wiring board are proposed. A pattern of a conductive material is formed over a first substrate, a conductive film is formed over the pattern by an electrolytic plating process, the pattern and the conductive film are separated, an IC chip including at least one thin film transistor is formed over a second substrate, and the conductive film is electrically connected to the IC chip.

Abstract: A stable and high quality circuit forming substrate is provided even when the work size is increased in the circuit forming substrate. In a stacking step, prepregs that are B stage substrate materials, are arranged lined with respect to a first metal foil, and stacked on the first metal foil. A C stage substrate material is stacked on the B stage substrate materials. Further, the prepregs that are two or more B stage substrate materials, are stacked on the C stage substrate material and a second metal foil is stacked thereon.