Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a toilet seat and lid. The apparatus comprises a clamp and a handle which attaches to a toilet lid. A user may open and close a toilet seat and/or lid by grasping the handle, in lieu of directly touching the toilet seat or lid. In preferred embodiments, the clamp contains a wireless controlled lever and motion detector which senses when a user moves away from the toilet, and automatically closes the toilet seat and or lid.

Abstract: A combination dumpster and portable toilet system is disclosed and described. The housing provides an enclosure for collection of refuse. The housing also provides for secure stowage of portable toilets to and from a worksite, as well as protection of the portable toilets from falling debris, theft and vandalism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet bowl flushing water tank device which can largely open a discharge valve element instantaneously and, at the same time, can ensure a relatively large space in the vicinity of a discharge valve device thus enhancing a discharge capacity with a small power. A push button mounted on a tank lid body of a flushing water tank body is arranged at a position offset to one side from a position where a discharge opening is formed, a leverage device is constituted of a lever which is interlockingly connected to the discharge valve element and a pedestal which pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever. The pedestal pivotally supports a middle portion of the lever at a position closer to a push button side than the discharge valve device.

Abstract: A shower mount is mounted to a fixed shower arm in a bathing area for universally receiving a hand-held showerhead. The shower mount is connected to the shower arm and includes a base member with a fluid passageway in communication with the shower arm and a shower hose. Water flows through the fluid passageway and shower hose to a showerhead. A shower saddle is interchangeably mounted the base member to support the showerhead. The shower saddle is selected depending upon the design of the showerhead in order to securely retain the showerhead to the base member.

Abstract: An infant care bed for supporting an infant having incorporated therein, certain testing and evaluation devices to carrying out the evaluation of an infant in a medical care facility. The apparatus can carry out at least one of the following tests on the infant: determining the weight of an infant, determining the sucking strength of an infant, determining the ability of the infant to hear certain frequencies and determining the bilirubin level of the infant's blood. The infant care bed includes a computer with a memory device such that the hospital can input a customized protocol of the tests to be performed on the infant and the criteria for passing the tests. A data input allows the personnel to input test results and a display provides an account of the tests performed and the tests not performed to assure that all of the tests required by the protocol are conducted.

Abstract: A stretch assist cushion includes an upper member with an upper surface serving as a sitting surface in contact with the user's hip directly or through a covering member covering the upper member, the upper member made of an elastic material; and a lower member located below the upper member and with lower surface serving as a bottom surface in contact with a floor directly or through a covering member covering the lower member, the lower member made of a material harder than the material of the upper member. When the cushion is positioned such that the bottom surface is in contact with the floor, the sitting surface has a predetermined tilt angle relative to the floor, and the lower member determines a predetermined distance between the floor and the lowest point of the sitting surface that has the predetermined tilt angle.

Abstract: A patient support includes a first layer, a first air supply coupled to the first layer, a second layer, and a second air supply coupled to the second layer.

Abstract: A multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool includes a spring biased connecting rod, a pair of plier teeth and a pair of friction teeth. The spring biased connecting rod improves the pipe cutting function of the tool by improving the operation of a movable jaw toward engagement of a fixed jaw. The pair of plier teeth positioned on one side of the tool allows a user to firmly grip a pipe or other object to be held in place. The pair of friction teeth positioned on an opposite side of the tool allows a user to more reliably engage an object such as a cap on a can of glue. The inclusion of all of these features in the same tool allows a user to perform multiple functions easily and more rapidly.

Abstract: A tunnel finisher in which the articles of clothing (14) are impinged on with steam pulses in a discontinuous fashion. This lowers the steam requirement. It is additionally provided that other points of the article of clothing (14) are continuously impinged on with steam, as a result of which no damage to the articles of clothing (14) occurs during the steam impingement. It is finally provided that transport hangers (15), on which the articles of clothing (14) hang while being transported through the tunnel finisher, are rotated in opposite directions, as a result of which halves of adjacent articles of clothing (14) alternately assume relatively large and relatively small spacings relative to one another. In this way, the articles of clothing (14) can be impinged on effectively and with steam.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance may include setting an operational temperature for the steam generator based on calcification of the steam generator. A change in the calcification of the steam generator may be determined by behavior of the actual temperature of the steam generator in response to changing a flow rate of water supplied to the steam generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fabric load which has been wetted with a working fluid including the steps of flowing drying gas through a container holding the fabric load, sensing the non-aqueous working fluid concentration and the aqueous working fluid concentration in the wash liquor or in the headspace above the fabric within the container and controlling drying in response to the sensed working fluid concentration.

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 single column or multiple column support structure for car wash installations. Each column is a hollow aluminum extrusion having a cross-section defining a smooth rounded figure such as an oval and a pair of longitudinally continuous external channels formed in opposite sides of the column to provide routes for wires and hoses. Snap in plastic covers are associated with the channels. Interior channels received fastener inserts for assembling the columns to base plates, top plates, cross-bridges and the like. Two or more columns may be assembled in parallel spaced relationship with spacers therebetween.

Abstract: An anti-smear cleaning swab for cleaning delicate surfaces, comprising a body defining an elongated shaft having two opposite ends. An enlarged blade is carried at one end of the handle. A number of bores are made through the blade, these bores enabling both fluid flow therethrough and also some retensive capture of fluid droplets. A fluid absorbing cloth sheet pocket generally encloses by folding same around the blade, and is sized to fit snugly therearound.

Abstract: A cleaning tool and an effective technique for realizing a higher cleaning effect in the cleaning tool having a cleaning element for wiping a region to be cleaned is provided. A representative cleaning tool for wiping a region to be cleaned includes an elongate cleaning element holder, and a cleaning element having an outer surface which has predetermined dimensions and can extend in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder. The cleaning element is attached to the cleaning element holder. When the cleaning element is attached to the cleaning element holder, the cleaning element is wrapped in a helical form around an outer surface of the cleaning element holder in such a manner that the cleaning element outer surface moves toward the outer surface of the cleaning element holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade latching device, for coupling a wiper blade (10) to a wiper arm (12), having at least one wiper unit (14) which has at least one latching means (16, 18), which can be deflected counter to a tensioning force, and at least one guide means (20, 22). It is proposed that the latching means (16, 18) is at least partially decoupled from the guide means (20, 22).

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus with a recovery tank that has side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can include a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.

Abstract: To provide a dust collector which, even when it is used in a poor power supply situation, can detect the dust loading of a filter accurately, can remove dust automatically and can reduce power consumption. In the dust collector, there is provided a control circuit which can detect the dust loading of a filter by comparing the threshold value of the dust loading pressure to be determined by the internal pressure of the filter, the operation of a suction device, the power supply frequency of the suction device and the supply voltage of the suction device with the filter internal pressure just before the suction device stops, and, when the filter is dust loaded, can operate a dust removing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaner employing the same that forms an upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants. The multi-cyclone dust collector for the vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone unit causing dust-laden air sucked through a lower portion of the first cyclone unit to form a first upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants from the dust-laden air by centrifugal force, and a second cyclone unit disposed under the first cyclone unit and making partially clean air, which is discharged from the first cyclone unit and then sucked in a lower portion of the second cyclone unit, to form a second upwardly whirling air current so as to separate dust from the partially clean air by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus includes an upper body, a lower body, a shaft whose lower end portion is rotatably installed in the lower body, a piston whose outer circumference is slidably installed along the inner surface of the lower body, a rotational/linear motion converter which converts a rotational motion of the shaft into an axial linear motion of the piston, a damping unit provides a damping function selectively where the piston ascends according to return of the door, a torsion spring rotates the shaft in the door closing direction, and a clutch unit for stopping the elastic force due to reverse twisting of the spring or for restoring the elastic force of the spring.

Abstract: A foldable electronic equipment comprising a first part (2) and a second part (3) that are interconnected through a hinge (4). The hinge (4) comprises at least one leaf spring (17) that is connected to the first part (2) and the second part (3) and is arranged to force the first part (2) and the second part (3) away from each other. Additionally, a camera is provided on the hinge, the camera being aligned with an opening on the hinge when the first part and the second part are forced away from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge, preferably a furniture hinge, comprising a hinge arm which is pivotably supported on a joint axle which is non-displaceably held in a cup-shaped hinge part and which is provided with a tongue projecting beyond the joint axle or with a cam eccentric with respect to the joint axle or with a control edge which slide on a leaf spring whose one end region is held at the pivotable hinge part and which generates a closing torque in the closing region. In accordance with the invention, the leaf spring has at least two portions of different widths, with the at least one narrower portion of the leaf spring passing through a center recess of the hinge arm, with a tongue being cut from the lower edge of said recess. The at least one wider portion of the leaf spring is pressed against the base of the hinge cup by a transversely extending pin and thus fixedly held by a transversely extending pin.

Abstract: A hinge, particularly for movable pieces of furniture, has at least two stop parts connected in an articulated manner (which is to say a hinge arm and a hinge cup) for fastening to pieces of furniture. The hinge has a damping device for damping the hinge movement, and has a restoring mechanism, by which an actuating element of the damping device can be moved into a starting position for the next damping stroke after damping has taken place. The damping device and the restoring mechanism are disposed as separate components on the hinge cup. The damping device, which has no restoring mechanism, is disposed on a lateral wall of the hinge cup, and the restoring mechanism is disposed on an opposing lateral wall of the hinge cup.

Abstract: A hinge has two leaves (11?), (13?) connected by a hinge pin (42?) retained in alternate sleeves (17?), (19?) on the facing edges of the two leaves, with limited axial movement of the hinge leaves relative to one another along the pin. A spring (46?) biases the leaves towards one end of this movement, where sleeves (19?) on one leaf (13?) have slots (74, 84) at one axial end and sleeves (17?) are axially preceded by flanges (76) which, according to the angular opening of the hinge, either abut the ends of the respective sleeves (19?) or enter one or other of the slots (74, 84). When the flange (76) abuts the sleeve end, the hinge is free to rotate, but when the hinge reaches an opening angle at which spring pressure causes the flange (76) to enter one or other of the slots, the hinge is locked. It can be released by manually sliding the locked sleeves (17?), (19?) apart against the spring pressure.

Abstract: A modular hinge for mechanically connecting first and second parts of a handheld electronic device, said modular hinge comprising at least two hinge elements, each hinge element comprising an arm and a boss with a through hole for receiving wiring for electrically connecting the first and second parts, said arm being rotatably mounted on said boss, and wherein the hinge elements are mounted on a bracket with said through holes in alignment.

Abstract: Shutter (or door) fitting for fastening a furniture shutter (or door) in a pivotable manner on a basic cabinet structure, having at least one actuating arm, which is provided for moving the furniture shutter, and having at least one shutter-mounted fitting part, which can be connected to the actuating arm, characterized in that the shutter-mounted fitting part has a rotation-prevention means for temporarily fixing the pivoting position of the at least one actuating arm, preferably in the fully open position thereof, wherein the rotation-prevention means, in a first operating position, arrests the at least one actuating arm in its pivoting position relative to the shutter-mounted fitting part and, in a second operating position, allows the actuating arm to pivot.

Abstract: The invention includes a belt clip for mounting objects to a user's belt. The belt clip has a resilient U-shaped member portion and a hollow hanger member. The resilient U-shaped member portion having an upper end and a lower end with a U-bend portion at the upper end and parallel inner and outer walls extending downwardly from the U-bend. A gap is defined between the inner and outer walls for slidably engaging a belt. The hollow hanger member portion protrudes outwardly from the outer wall of the U-shaped member portion and has a generally downwardly facing wall with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture provides a means for mounting objects to the belt.

Abstract: A buckle includes a strap slidably looped around a strut proximate a front opening of a housing, a spring-biased, lever-like ratchet having front and rear sections and a front engagement tooth adapted to matingly engage with one of a plurality of rack teeth on an upper surface of the strap, and two opposite pivotal arms extending outside of the housing. Pressing the arms will push down the rear section to lift the front section to disengage the engagement tooth from the rack tooth, thereby adjusting the buckle in discrete increments to tighten the strap.

Abstract: An energy absorption (EA) member is provided with a clip, and a structure for securing the EA member. A clip 20 has a flange 21, a shaft 22 projecting from the flange 21, an anchor 23 spreading from an end of the shaft 22, a cut 24 provided in the anchor 23, and a locking section 30 projecting from the flange 21 on a side opposite the shaft 22. The locking section 30 has a cylindrical upright segment 31 standing upright from the flange 21, and a resilient locking piece 32 projecting laterally from the side surface of the upright segment 31. The EA member 1 is put on metal panel 2A or 2B while the clip 20 is inserted into a hole 4 provided in the metal panel 2A or 2B. A projecting point 40 is passed through the hole 4, to hold the EA member 1 to the metal panel.

Abstract: The clamp comprises two substantially L-shaped members, arranged opposite each other, articulated on an intermediate support on which rest the lateral profile sections of the frames of the panels to be clamped, one of the arms of each of the L-shaped members having an end profile adapted for its coupling to the profile sections to be clamped, while the other arm of each of said L-shaped members receives a displacement action in order to effect its rotation from a mechanism incorporated in the intermediate support, intended to effect the opening and closing of the L-shaped members of the clamp.

Abstract: A clasp which is lockable in both an open and a closed position includes a body having a first opening, a second opening, and an internal space; a connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain; a first spring; and a moveable connector. The movable connector, inseparable from the body, is movable to a locked closed position by the first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force. The movable connector includes a first latch piece within the internal space of the body, and extends through the first opening. A button extends through the second opening. The button includes a second spring and a second latch piece that interfaces with the first latch piece. In a first position of the button, the second latch piece locks with the first latch piece.

Abstract: A self-piercing blind fastener comprising a mandrel having an elongate cylindrical shell mounted on a stem of such mandrel and which extends co-axially about a central elongate axis of the blind fastener, the shell having a radially extending flange at one end and a tail-end portion at the opposite end for insertion through a workpiece, the mandrel further having a mandrel head in operative engagement with the tail-end of the fastener for transmitting a setting force thereto during setting of such fastener, the blind fastener further comprising a longitudinally extending indenting member extending co-axial with and away from the tail-end of the blind fastener, which indenting member having a cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of the shell.

Abstract: This invention provides a swing type electrode chip replacement apparatus which enables an electrode chip to be attached/detached without damaging a shank even if the shank is bent. The swing type electrode chip replacement apparatus comprises a fixed plate 20 located in the vicinity of a spot welding machine and a movable plate 21 slidable in the back-forth direction on the fixed plate 20, its front end being swingable in the right-left direction. An attaching unit 1 for attaching an electrode chip 95 to the tip of a shank 90 of a spot welding machine or a magazine of the electrode chip 60 for removing the electrode chip 95 is loaded on this movable plate 21, which is slidable in the back-forth direction and swingable in the right-left direction when the shank 90 comes into contact with the attaching unit 1 or the magazine of electrode chips 60.

Abstract: A method for forming or remanufacturing a component to have an internal space. A refractory metal blocking element is formed, in situ, with at least a portion to be within the internal space. A material is added by at least one of welding, laser cladding, and diffusion brazing, the blocking element at least partially blocking entry of the material to the internal space. The blocking element is removed.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent to a support element is disclosed, the method comprising: positioning a polymeric stent around a support element; heating the stent, wherein the heated stent is above ambient temperature; and allowing the heated stent to radially contract onto the support element, wherein the heated stent radially contracts at least partially due to heating the stent.

Abstract: An article of cookware is assembled by the riveted attachment of a handle. Novel rivets are first attached from the interior of the cookware article via a flush hole such that the deformation of the cookware article around the rivet locks the rivet to the cookware article yet leaves the rivet head flush with the interior surface of the cookware article. The handle is subsequently attached by deforming the opposite end of the rivet.

Abstract: An article of cookware is assembled by the rivet attachment of a handle. The rivets are simultaneously attached to both the cookware vessel and the handle. The co-aligned holes for receiving the rivet in the wall of the cooking vessel and the handle flange are bevel such that exterior of the rivet is relatively flush with the interior of the cookware article and the exterior of the handle flange. Deformation of the rivet head also deforms the beveled edges of the through hole in the cookware article, locking it with the corresponding portion of the handle flange through hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching parts. A composite male fastening component is placed through at least a first part and a second part. The composite male fastener component preferably has a threaded portion. A composite female fastener component is positioned adjacent to and surrounding the threaded portion of the male fastener component. A portion of the composite female fastener component is caused to flow around and form into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component. The portion of the composite female fastener component that flowed around and formed into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component is re-solidified and re-consolidated such that the composite female fastener component is securely attached to the composite male fastener component thereby joining the mating parts.

Abstract: A system for molding and assembling a fluid spray device, said system comprising two multi-cavity molds (B, C; B?; C?) for molding two different parts (100, 200) of said fluid dispenser device, the system being characterized in that the first part (100) is a spray head and the second part (200) is an insert for assembling in said spray head (100), said system comprising means for assembling parts coming from each of the cavities of the first multi-cavity mold (B; B?) in pairs always with parts coming from a corresponding respective cavity of said second multi-cavity mold (C; C?), such that the same insert (200) is always assembled in the same spray head, thereby guaranteeing constant spraying performance for each dispenser device assembled from the same pair of cavities.

Abstract: Embodiments of tool mounted structural positioning devices and techniques are described. In one embodiment, a positioning device includes mountings to mount the device directly to a tool device configured to travel a path and perform a manufacturing operation on an element. Engagement mechanisms coupled to the positioning device are aligned to the predefined path and are configured to exert a clamping force upon the element such that the element is secured and positioned by the positioning device in constant relation to the predefined path as the operations are performed.

Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon electrode for melting an object to be melted by arc discharge, includes: a rubbing step of rubbing the surface of the carbon electrode before power is supplied with a rubbing material of the same type as the object to be melted.

Abstract: A method for assembling a direct drive generator assembly includes the steps of placing a rotor over a stator, leaving a gap therebetween. A magnetic hub is assembled using adjacent columns of magnets having opposed orientation, and placed in the air gap. Application of an input torque to generate cogging torque in first direction that offsets coggery torque in second direction.

Abstract: A rotor pole crossover connection joint for use in a rotating electrical machine is disclosed. The connection joint integrally couples a bottom rotor coil strap to a rotor pole crossover connector with a single piece connector that reduces, distributes or otherwise tolerates stress concentrations in the connector. A corresponding method of forming a rotor pole crossover connection and a rotor assembly including a rotor pole crossover connection joint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A component mounting system and apparatus are provided that include a component mounting apparatus with a substrate holding device, a component supplying device, a head support portion, a mounting head and a forcing means. The mounting head is detachably attached to the head support portion. The mounting head of the system has a recording medium in which information relating to the mounting head is recorded. The system has an external storage portion that stores a plurality of batches of information relating to a plurality of mounting heads. The system further includes a recognizing portion that obtains and recognizes information from the external storage corresponding to the mounting head that is attached to the support portion.

Abstract: A set head for setting clip nuts on workpieces by means of pushing, having at least one channel embodied in the set head, which (channel) ends at one front end of the set head in an output or mounting opening, with which the set head can be positioned for setting the clip nuts on workpieces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an element substrate including: forming a release layer on a first support substrate; forming a metal layer having a predetermined pattern on the release layer; applying a sol-gel solution including a material for an inorganic substrate to the first support substrate; removing a solvent from the sol-gel solution by heat treatment to form the inorganic substrate; and removing the metal layer from the first support substrate by decomposing the release layer to transfer the metal layer to the inorganic substrate.

Abstract: In order to mount an electronic component, a connection terminal of the electronic component is bonded to electrodes of a substrate. This is done by using solder paste which mixes solder particles in a thermosetting adhesive. The solder paste is supplied to the electrodes and a recess. Solder print parts are formed. The electronic component is mounted and the connection terminal and the main body of the electronic component are adhered to the solder print parts, and are heated in this state by reflow. As a result, the connection terminal and the electrodes are bonded by a solder junction.

Abstract: Planarization methods for maintaining planar surfaces in the fabrication of such devices as BAW devices and capacitors on a planar or planarized substrate are described. In accordance with the method, a metal layer is deposited and patterned, and an oxide layer is deposited using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) process to a thickness equal to the thickness of the metal layer. The HDP CVD process provides an oxide layer on the patterned metal tapering upward from the edge of the patterned metal layer. Then, after masking and etching the oxide layer from the patterned metal layer, the patterned metal layer and surrounding oxide layer form a substantially planar layer, interrupted by small remaining oxide protrusions at the edges of the patterned layer. These small remaining oxide protrusions may be too small to significantly disturb the flatness of a further oxide or other layer or they may be further mitigated by the application of another HDP CVD oxide film.

Abstract: An electronics component support assembly and an electronics system assembly employing the component support assembly are provided. The component support assembly includes a rotatable base support and a component connector assembly. The rotatable base support is sized to reside within an electronics enclosure and to operatively support multiple electronics components thereon. The component connector assembly is associated with the rotatable base support, and at least some electronics components of the multiple electronics components couple thereto when operatively supported by the rotatable base support. Rotation of the rotatable base support facilitates access to the multiple electronics components, and the component connector assembly allows for rotation of the rotatable base support with the multiple electronics components operatively supported on the rotatable base support.