Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.

Abstract: A multi-purpose utility tool for hockey equipment includes a handle and a plurality of devices pivotally attached to the tool by a plurality of pivot pins. Each device has a storage position within the handle. The tool comprises the following devices: a combination flat screw driving blade and bottle opener; a lace pulling tool; a lanyard mount; a scissor; a pliers; a screwing tool; a pick; and, tweezers.

Abstract: Charm bracelets utilizing new dimensions have specialized clasps that are difficult to open and close without ruining a woman's manicure, at best, and are difficult to manage with arthritis or any other physical impediment. Disclosed is a specialized compressing and opening tool for charm bracelets including a pair of handles distal from a crimper head, a crimper head having a set of nipper teeth for adjustably and releasably securing and closing a charm bracelet barrel clasp, wherein the nipper teeth define an opening to receive said barrel clasp, and a pry end opening tool integral with and manufactured from the compressing and opening tool. With this tool, the barrel clasp of the charm bracelet can be opened easily by the pry end opening tool, the charms can be added, subtracted, or rearranged, and then the crimper head of the tool can be used to close the clasp to re-secure the clasp about the bracelet, thereby securing the charms onto the bracelet in a positive and secure manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved roofing knife comprising an additional blade added to the end of the knife which renders the knife more useful as a tool, safer and increases the reach of the knife. The additional blade added to the end of the knife renders the task easier and more productive. The additional blade on the end allows removal of the excess tar without the need to locate and retrieve an additional tool. The Trowel Roofing Knife is able to complete jobs necessary for utility knives, while also providing an extendable blade that facilitates the spreading of material into hot asphalt while also allowing users to easily and safely remove impurities from hot tar., the Trowel Roofing Knife is a specially designed tool configured for use with roofing knives that turns the tool into a trowel and a spreader, combining several implements into one convenient unit.

Abstract: A method of laundering fabric having the step of contacting a solid laundry detergent composition having a pre-formed peracid, wherein the laundry detergent is contacted to water in such an amount so that the concentration of laundry detergent composition in the wash liquor is from above 0 g/l to 5 g/l, and wherein from 0.01 kg to 2 kg of fabric per litre of wash liquor is dosed into said wash liquor.

Abstract: A method of laundering fabric having the step of contacting a solid laundry detergent composition having bleach to water to form a wash liquor, and laundering fabric in the wash liquor, wherein the composition has a reserve alkalinity of 5.0 or greater, wherein the laundry detergent is contacted to water in such an amount so that the concentration of laundry detergent composition in the wash liquor is from above 0 g/l to 5 g/l, and wherein from 0.01 kg to 2 kg of fabric per litre of wash liquor is dosed into said wash liquor.

Abstract: An insulative blanket is sized and shaped to cover a dock leveler deck and the gaps between the deck and a surrounding dock platform to prevent the transfer of heat through the deck or across the gaps. A batten structure is combined with the blanket such that the combination forms a relatively rigid structure which can be easily placed and maintained in its desired position. The combination is raised and lowered by an attached line and a suspended overhead container is provided to further collapse the combination as it is raised and stored within the container.

Abstract: A pocket ramp for loading objects or cargo onto the floor of a vehicle and which is mounted between the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle. The pocket ramp assembly includes a main frame, a primary slide, a secondary slide, a lower ramp section, an upper ramp section and a latching mechanism which selectively locks the pocket ramp assembly in either of its stowed or operative positions. The main frame is fixed to the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle, the primary side being slidably mounted therein. The secondary slide is slidably mounted in the primary slide. The upper ramp section is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the secondary slide and the lower ramp section is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the upper ramp section.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus including a main body, a dust collection unit detachably installed on the main body and provided with a plurality of inlets, through which foreign substances are introduced into the dust collection unit, and a connection hole, to which an external instrument is connected, a shutter to open and close one inlet, and a cap to open and close the connection hole. The shutter opens and closes the inlet in cooperation with one of whether or not the dust collection unit is attached to or detached from the main body and whether or not the connection hole is opened or closed.

Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush comprising a handle including a body with a tubular member extending outwardly from one end. A replaceable sleeve slides over the tubular member and detachably engages the body. One or more of the sleeve, tubular member and body incorporates a vibration damping zone for reducing vibration transmission from the sleeve to the handle. The damping zone is one of a material that differs in damping properties to the material of the rest of the toothbrush; a hole defined in the one of the sleeve, tubular member and body, and a toothbrush where that hole is filled with an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A three-axis acceleration sensor is mounted to a body of an electric toothbrush. A CPU detects the three-dimensional attitude of the body based on an output from the acceleration sensor and, based on the attitude of the toothbrush, estimates which portion is being brushed. Then, the CPU performs control for switching between operation modes (such as the rotational direction of a motor and the frequency of vibration of the brush) according to the estimated portion being brushed.

Abstract: A three-axis acceleration sensor is mounted to a body of an electric toothbrush. A CPU detects the three-dimensional attitude of the body based on an output from the acceleration sensor and, based on the attitude of the toothbrush, estimates which portion is being brushed. Then, the CPU measures by using a timer a brushing time of the portion being brushed. Results of brushing for each portion are evaluated and outputted based on the measured brushing time.

Abstract: An automatic bicycle freewheel wiper comprises a casing having a receiving space for receiving other elements; a battery for supplying power to other elements; the battery being received within the casing; a motor having one end connected to a power wire which is further connected to the battery; the motor being receiving within the casing; a rotary shaft driven by the motor through a transferring mechanism so that when the motor rotates, the rotary shaft will rotate; and a retaining shaft. A cleaning sheet winds around the two rotary shafts to clean the dirt and grease out from the freewheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for remediating hydrazine from hydrazine contaminated surfaces. Pads or wipes can be utilized to remediate hydrazine spills. In its operational form, the dicarbonyl compound may be present on or in the absorbent material in a dry form or an aqueous solution. The apparatus includes a wipe comprising an absorbent medium pre-treated with a dicarbonyl compound, wherein the surface contaminated with hydrazine reacts with the dicarbonyl compound of the wipe to neutralize and convert the hydrazine into a stable organic compound, thereby decontaminating the surface. The wipe itself may include a porous surface cover surrounding an inert absorbent interior component of the wipe that in turn surrounds an absorbent interior core comprising a dicarbonyl compound that reacts with the hydrazine in order to neutralize the hydrazine on the surface. The absorbent medium generally comprises a porous outer fabric surface covering that draws the hydrazine on the surface to the wipe.

Abstract: A turf cleaning machine includes a bowed plate swept by a cylindrical plate. The bowed plate, when successively swept by a cylindrical brush, catches waste not ejected by the brush into a collecting pan to ensure collection of the waste. The waste is picked up a second time for ejection from the brush into the pan.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an enclosure having a lid has a cleaning element. The apparatus also has a handle connected to the cleaning element. A lifting arm, mounted on the handle, is configured to lift the lid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: A toothbrush head includes a base portion having a first surface and a pivot portion having a first cleaning element holder having a second surface, wherein the second surface is superjacent the first surface. The pivot portion also includes a second cleaning element holder and a third cleaning element holder which extend longitudinally from the first element holder. The head includes a pivot element for pivotally coupling the base portion and the pivot portion.

Abstract: Cleaning cloth includes a cleaning surface and an attachment surface of loop type arranged to allow attachment of the cleaning cloth to a cleaning instrument. The cleaning cloth includes a single textile layer having an activated arming yarn stiffening the cloth. There is also provided a method of producing such a cleaning cloth.

Abstract: A lens cleaner (10) cleans a pickup lens (38) within an optical disk device (12). The lens cleaner (10) includes a disk portion (16) and a grip (20) provided at the rear end thereof. A user inserts the lens cleaner (10) into a slot (14) of the optical disk device (12) with the grip (20) holding with a hand (18) to thereby load the lens cleaner (10) into the interior of the optical disk device 12. When the user turns the lens cleaner (10) right and left with the grip (20) holding, a lens surface is cleaned by a cleaning member upheaving on a bottom surface of the disk portion (16).

Abstract: An intelligent sensing dewaterer includes a main body, mob, dewatering device, sensing unit, driving motor, and a control circuit. The dewaterer will dewater material by centrifugal force through spinning. The main body has a tank, lift, and pouring. The tank is divided by a reservoir and a spinning tank. The spinning tank has a spin basket for placing material for dewatering. The sensing unit is located in a center of the spinning basket to trigger the driving motor so as to spin the spin basket. The driving motor is linked to the spin basket so that the spin basket will rotate to dewater through centrifugal force. The control circuit can be enabled by the sensing unit or a switch. Therefore, the intelligent sensing dewaterer is formed by the above components.

Abstract: A surface treating head includes a main body; a brush unit; and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit relative to the main body between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drive mechanism includes a pressure chamber and a valve unit for varying the pressure within the chamber. The valve unit includes a housing, a valve located within the housing and, disposed on the housing, an actuator moveable relative to the housing through engagement with a surface to be treated for operating the valve and at least one surface engaging member extending downwardly beyond the actuator. The housing is moveable relative to the main body to maintain the surface engaging member in contact with the surface to be treated.

Abstract: A turbine brush unit and a vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The turbine brush unit may include a turbine brush case, a brush member mounted in the turbine brush case, and a turbine fan unit having a plurality of wings and rotating the brush member. Each of the plurality of the wings may have a curvature point, a primary collision surface with which a primary inlet wind drawn through the inlet portion of the turbine fan unit collides and a secondary collision surface with which a secondary inlet wind collides. The primary and secondary inlet winds apply a force in the rotation direction of the turbine fan unit.

Abstract: An accessory unit of a vacuum cleaner, alone, with a vacuum cleaner conduit, and with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory unit has a housing, a first tool end, and a second tool end for releasable connection to a vacuum cleaner conduit. The first tool end has a first nozzle for vacuum cleaning, and the second tool end has two pivotable arms for forming second and third nozzles. Each arm has distal and proximal ends. The distal ends are arranged to be brought together for forming the second nozzle, and to be spread apart for forming the third nozzle. Furthermore, the arms are folded together to bring the distal arm ends in vicinity of each other for releasable connection of the second tool end to the vacuum cleaner conduit by at least partial insertion into said vacuum cleaner conduit.

Abstract: A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels, bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt. To enable the surface treating head to be used to treat both carpeted floor surfaces and hard floor surfaces, the surface treating head may be provided with a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A surface treating head includes a main body, a suction cavity in the main body including first and second suction channels, each of which is bounded on one side by a working edge, an air duct interposed between the first and second suction channels for conveying air towards the working edges, a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position in which the air duct is open to the atmosphere and a deployed position in which the air duct is closed.

Abstract: An eccentric grommet wherein the width, measured radially, is greater through a portion of its circumference. The grommet comprises a body and a washer. The washer or, alternatively, the body may be eccentric, or both. The wider portion of the grommet may have one or more openings formed therein to facilitate attachment of cords, bead chains, or other flexible connectors. The wider portion may be used to in connection with draperies and other window treatments to facilitate opening and closing of the draperies and to add an ornamental design feature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a castor having a brake device, having a housing (10) with a substantially vertically aligned receiving opening (12) for a runner pin (14) for connecting the castor to an object to be supported by the castor, and having an axle bolt (16) which extends through the housing transversely with respect to the receiving opening and which bears at least one wheel (18, 18?), with the brake device having a brake slide (20) which can be moved by means of an actuating lever (22) from the outside from a free-running position into a braked position. To provide inter alia a locking facility independently of the rotational position of the wheel, it is proposed according to the invention that the brake slide (20) bears an elastic brake lining (36) which faces toward a braking section (32) of the at least one wheel.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, a first fixing member, and a second fixing member. The first fixing member can extend through the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The first fixing member includes a first magnet. The second fixing member can extend through the second connecting member and be received in the first connecting member. The second fixing member includes a second magnet. The first fixing member is engaged with the second fixing member under the magnet force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A system for holding a headset cord comprises a female side, a male side that releasably couples to the female side and a first groove that receives and releasably holds a cord. In some embodiments, the male side comprises a cover which removably couples to a surface of the male side to cover the headset cord when it is placed into the first groove. In some embodiments, the male side couples to an interior of the female side. Alternatively, the male side is able to couple to an exterior of the female side. In some embodiments, the first groove has a diameter that is less than or approximately equal to 2mm. In some embodiments, the female side is integrally formed within a closure mechanism that releasably couples a first portion of an article to a second portion of the article.

Abstract: A device for keeping stethoscopes in place when not being used for healthcare personnel. This device allows the tubes on the stethoscope to slip into the stethoscope keeper and when the need arises to use said stethoscope, it will quickly and easily slip out through the same slots to be used. This device will protect patients and allow healthcare personnel to know where their stethoscope is at all times. A secondary use is to use this device as a fastening device, for keeping intravenous tubes and lines together and keep them organized. Like the stethoscope, said tubes and lines can be quickly and easily placed into and moved out of said device.

Abstract: In a hook fastener having a sliding closure for closing the mouth of the hook, a keeper prevents opening of the closure. The hook fastener includes a body having a base portion and a hook portion extending from an end of the base portion to define a gap between the hook and the base portion. An opening formed in the base portion has an elongate mouth intersecting an external face on the base portion. The closure includes a shaft part and a grip part, the shaft part received in the opening, the grip part protruding from the shaft part through the mouth for manipulation by a user. A spring urges the closure such that the shaft part extends out of the opening into the gap. The keeper is received to rotate upon the external face, being located between the grip part and abutment on the body. A slot in the keeper extends parallel to the mouth, the keeper preventing the user retracting the closure from the gap, except when the slot is rotated so as to be angularly aligned with the mouth.

Abstract: A strap hook retainer mounted alongside a platform retains the strap hook of a tie down strap for securing cargo onto the platform. In a first embodiment, the strap hook retainer includes a hook opening between an upright retainer flange and a lower flange in which the lower flange portion is offset outwardly in relation to the upright retainer flange portion to define a supporting surface which supports the strap hook when the tie down strap is slack. In a second embodiment, the retainer is mates with a mounting track of the platform such that the base of the retainer is slidable along the track. The strap hook is hooked onto a retainer flange spaced below the base to receive the strap hook therebetween. A stop flange below the retainer flange portion serves to support the strap hook when the tie down strap is slack in this instance.

Abstract: A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes at least one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The body portion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip. The body portion further includes at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, the spring biasing leg extends an operative length away from one side of the body portion for contacting, flexing relation with the first sidewall.

Abstract: Metallic one-side teeth that attain preventing of colliding contact at interlock, enhancing of rigidity against moment by horizontal pull force and construction of simple structure; and a two-way slide fastener utilizing the metallic one-side teeth. An upper inclined plane (8) declining toward the side of interlock dent portion (5) is provided between the opening edge (5a) of the interlock dent portion (5) and the apical edge (7) of an interlock head portion (3). By virtue of the upper inclined plane (8), at insertion in the interlock dent portion (5), there can be prevented any insertion of an interlock convex portion (4) as an interlock counterpart-side while making colliding contact with the interlock head portion (3). Accordingly, the sliding movement of slider for opening/closing of a two-way slide fastener can be smoothed.

Abstract: A hook (2) for attaching a sheet material to a mould-formed body includes two base plates (20, 20?), a first protrusion (3) and a second protrusion (3?) protruding projectingly from the base plates (20, 20?) so that the end tips (32, 32?) of the protrusions are situated at a certain distance from each other, to engender an entry aperture (40) which leads to an anchoring seat (4) adapted to anchor an attachment element (9; 109; 209), and a bridge (21) joined to the base of the protrusions (3, 3?), so as to form a seat (23) between the edges (22, 22?) of the base plates. The seat (23) can be engaged by a tubular element (5) so as to cause the protrusions (3, 3?) to draw together to close the entry aperture (40) between the tips (32, 32?) of the protrusions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary buckle assembly for harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.

Abstract: A fastener includes a push pin, a plug and an elastic member. The push pin includes a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a clipping foot extending radially from the shaft. Two through receiving holes are defined in the head. A snapping hole is defined in the head and communicates with the receiving holes. The shaft and the clipping foot are between the receiving holes. The plug includes a handle, and two insertion portions extending from the handle. A raised point extends from each of the insertion portions. The insertion portions of the plug can extend through the receiving holes respectively until the raised points are snapped in the snapping hole and the insertion portions extend adjacent to the clipping foot. The elastic member can engage with the push pin to supply an elastic force pointing from the clipping foot to the head to the push pin.

Abstract: An S shaped hook with one open end with an opening sized to fit over and removably secure to a top edge of a vertical bathroom stall or door of a public restroom to position its other open end to act as a hanging hook.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic body and devices therefrom. The method comprises mixing a piezoelectric ceramic powder with a polymer binder and surfactant to form a slip mixture, casting the slip mixture into a mold and setting to the slip mixture in the mold to form a green body, cutting the green body to form a cut green body with an array of micron-sized ceramic elements and separation, and sintering the cut green body to form a sintered ceramic body. The sintered ceramic body can be further process to encasing in a polymer material to form a piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite. The piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite can be further processed to form devices such as acoustic transducers and sensors.

Abstract: The capacitor forming method utilizes a plurality of metal sheet manipulating rollers and a glass supply, which, in combination, make a metal-glass laminate and glass or devitrifying glass dielectric to form a capacitor. Several embodiments of the method manufacture ferroelectric crystal dielectrics by utilizing heat-treatment and annealing to form and devitrify glass while the glass is in a metal-glass spool or flat form.

Abstract: A hand tool (1) for compressing first and second spaced apart surfaces of a caliper unit of a vehicle disc-brake assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing the damaged portion of a flow-line of a Corrugated Metal Pipe is disclosed. A containment mold is created on the interior surface of the CMP using a series of overlapping rigid sheets that are attached to the CMP along the damaged flow-line. This mold is provided with injection ports through which a hydro-insensitive expanding polymer may be injected. External pressure is applied to the rigid sheet during injection and hardening of the polymer. The result is a single monolithic structure forming a patch over the damaged CMP flow-line.

Abstract: A debonder apparatus for debonding two via an adhesive layer temporary bonded wafers includes a top chuck assembly, a bottom chuck assembly, a static gantry supporting the top chuck assembly, an X-axis carriage drive supporting the bottom chuck assembly, and an X-axis drive control. The top chuck assembly includes a heater and a wafer holder. The X-axis drive control drives horizontally the bottom chuck assembly from a loading zone to a process zone under the top chuck assembly and from the process zone back to the loading zone. A wafer pair comprising a carrier wafer bonded to a device wafer via an adhesive layer is placed upon the bottom chuck assembly at the loading zone oriented so that the unbonded surface of the device wafer is in contact with the bottom assembly and is carried by the X-axis carriage drive to the process zone under the top chuck assembly and the unbonded surface of the carrier wafer is placed in contact with the top chuck assembly.

Abstract: A pin puller includes a coupler to connect a pull rod to an end of a pin. A follower attaches to a tail end of the pin. The coupler may comprise a pair of mating shells having features to engage the pin and pull rod. An actuator is configured to apply tension to the pull rod. The pin puller may be used to remove and install pins and associated bushings in truck suspensions and other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for loading a bronchial flow control device into a container, such as into a delivery catheter. The assembly includes a funnel housing and a puller housing that mate with one another. The funnel housing defines a funnel-shaped loading cavity that receives a flow control device and that gradually reduces in size moving in a first direction. The puller housing is removably attached to the funnel housing and is also removably attachable to a bronchial flow control device that can be positioned in the loading cavity. The puller housing pulls the bronchial flow control device in the first direction through the funnel housing to gradually contract the bronchial flow control device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to the expanded size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for harvesting light from displays. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a substrate having a first and a second surface, an edge and a luminescent dye. A photovoltaic transducer is positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current. In one embodiment, the method of harvesting light from an illuminated electronic display including the steps of providing a light source, providing a substrate having a first and a second surface and an edge; and a luminescent dye; and providing a photovoltaic transducer positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized, and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current.

Abstract: A method for final assembly of at least two aircraft includes assembling the at least two aircraft in a transverse direction on a carousel, the at least two aircraft disposed side-by-side, and rotating the carousel on a vertical rotation axis 360°.

Abstract: The invention includes a work platform and support system that includes a hub and joist configuration, wherein the hubs and joists are capable of articulation, or pivoting. One method of installation allows for sections of new work platform system to be extended from an existing suspended work platform system. The system is also capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied to it.

Abstract: A mesh pocket for a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The mesh pocket is defined by a plurality of strands, which are inter-engaged. A wax is impregnated into at least a portion of at least some of the strands. Additionally, a process for applying a wax to a mesh of a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The process comprises providing a wax-permeable layer having a first and second opposed sides, and positioning the first side in contact with the mesh. The process further comprises providing molten wax to the second opposed side of the wax-permeable layer. The molten wax passes through the wax-permeable layer to the mesh.