Abstract: A load bearing suspension system having a belt having one or more belt attachment devices; a harness having one or more harness attachment devices, wherein the number of harness attachment devices corresponds to the number of belt attachment devices, and wherein each harness attachment device is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment device; and an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment device to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment device is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment device.

Abstract: A protective headgear assembly for preventing burns to the skin that may include an outer layer of a burn-proof material that has a top end, a bottom end, and a pair of enlarged regions. The assembly may include an inner layer that has a thermal insulating material barrier that has an inner top end, an inner bottom end, and a pair of inner enlarged regions. The inner layer may be connected to the outer layer along the corresponding top end, the bottom end, and the pair of enlarged regions. There may be a void space configured between the outer layer and the inner layer, the void space having an elastomer disposed therein. The pair of enlarged regions may be configured for protecting the entirety of a user's ears.

Abstract: A pocket arrangement for a protective garment, the pocket arrangement comprising a first pocket having a first width, a first depth, a front face, a first internal chamber and a first opening to the first internal chamber. The pocket arrangement further comprising a second pocket positioned on the front face of the first pocket. The second pocket having a second width and a second depth and defining a bottom end and a top end. The second pocket further comprising a second internal chamber, a second opening to the second internal chamber and a tool-positioning wall for narrowing the width of the pocket towards the bottom end of the second pocket. The tool-positioning wall providing an angled surface against which a portion of a tool rests when positioned within the second internal chamber of the second pocket for preventing the tool from changing positions within the second pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to men's underwear that provides options with respect to waist size and pouch size. The pouch size may vary in order to accommodate males of varying genital sizes. For a given waist size there may be at least two pouch sizes, wherein each pouch size is different from the other. The present invention provides multiple options for pouch size within each waist size. Therefore, rather than being limited to selecting from waist size only, providers and/or user may also select from varying pouch sizes. This effectively increases the number of undergarment options.

Abstract: Articles of apparel for providing improved supportive features and slimming effects to the body are provided, the articles of apparel including supportive reinforced fabric placed in specific regions of the apparel. The supportive reinforced fabric may be ‘hidden’ (e.g., by being included in an inner liner of the apparel), or may be included directly in an outer “exterior” layer of the apparel itself. The supportive reinforced fabric includes a reinforced mesh-like fabric which is stretchable and breathable, yet has highly resilient and supportive properties. Exemplary materials from which such reinforced lining may be made include spandex, Lycra and any fiber composites incorporating elasticized and/or resilient properties.

Abstract: A garment includes a garment body formed of at least one fabric. At least one padded portion is coupled to the garment body so as to extend inwardly of the garment body and at least partially occupy a volume defined by a space between a portion of the garment body and a correspondingly positioned portion of a wearer's body. A method includes disposing padding configured to be accommodated in a region of a body of the wearer which is spaced apart from a portion of a garment body of the exercise garment when worn so as to be inwardly projecting of the garment body in a position generally corresponding to the region of the body of the wearer, to thereby insulate and/or wick moisture away from the skin.

Abstract: A garment includes a moisture barrier layer and a thermal barrier layer connected to the moisture barrier layer by at least one seam extending along a perimeter portion of the thermal barrier layer and enclosing a space between the moisture barrier layer and the thermal barrier layer. The garment also has an inspection port in the thermal barrier layer, the inspection port spaced apart from the perimeter portion of the thermal barrier layer, wherein the space between the moisture barrier layer and the thermal barrier layer is accessible through the inspection port.

Abstract: A garment adapted for use by insulin pump users, for example, infants, juveniles or geriatric users, that includes an upper body garment having an outer face, an inner face and front side and a back side for covering the front and back torso of the wearer. A pouch is preferably provided on the inner face of the back side of the garment and is positioned in the garment to reside along the spine of a wearer between about the T3 and T7 locations on the vertebral column out of sight and reach of the wearer. A top opening in the pouch is provided for receiving an appropriately-sized insulin pump, and complementary fastener elements are positioned on opposite sides of the top opening for closing the top of the pouch to retain the insulin pump. The fastener elements, when the pouch is closed, are positioned to leave a sufficient space in the top opening for a pump tubing system and a subcutaneous insertion set to extend outwardly from the pouch for being applied to the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A grip assist apparatus that may be worn on either hand that includes a symmetrical non-slip gripping portion that includes a substantially stiff palm arch support, a wrist portion, and a releasable wrist fastener.

Abstract: A metalized composite material has an outer layer, a metalized layer and an insulation layer. The metalized layer has a surface coated with metallic material where the metallic surface faces away from the outer layer. Radiant heat from the skin of a wearer of a garment made with the metalized composite material is reflected back toward the skin surface of the wearer tending to keep the wearer warm in cold environments. The metalized composite material can be used to make garments and various types of articles of clothing and accessory applications for protection from cold and wet weather.

Abstract: Neck warmer is a device designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping a wearer warm and comfortable. The neck warmer utilizes chemically warming packet insert(s) in an efficient manner, allowing the user to enjoy cold weather activities for longer periods of time. The neck warmer is ideal for use while hunting, ice fishing, skiing or simply being outside during the colder seasons.

Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: A helmet has shell with a front opening covered by a faceguard of elongated wire segments. Loopstraps engage around wire segments at sides and a crown of the shell and fasteners connect the loopstraps to the shell. The fasteners each have a nut extending from an inside of the helmet shell out into a hole of the shell and an aperture of the loopstrap, and a stud removably connected to the nut by pushing and turning the stud by about a quarter turn to lock the stud to the nut. A tension spring between a head of the stud and the loopstrap urges the stud away from the nut when the stud is rotated to unlock the stud for facilitating a quick removal of the stud from the nut and a quick disconnection of the loopstrap and faceguard from the helmet shell.

Abstract: The present invention is transparent, high-impact window panels fused within sidewalls of a football helmet. The transparent portion on each sidewall maintains as one piece with the helmet. The transparent sidewalls increase lateral vision for the wearer, thus enhancing performance and safety for the wearer as well.

Abstract: A toilet seat lift apparatus with sanitary features including removability and metal mixtures having high microbicidal activity either coated onto its surface or incorporated into the material from which it is fabricated. The handle attaches to the underside of a toilet seat and extends beyond the outer edge of the seat, thereby providing a means to lift the seat without direct manual contact with the seat. The gripping portion of the handle may include or ring or other gripping member to facilitate easy handling. The handle is attached to the underside of the toilet seat by hook-and-loop adhesive strips, thereby allowing the handle to be periodically removed, washed, and replaced, or simply discarded. The antimicrobial material incorporated into or coated onto the handle enhances sanitation between periodic washings.

Abstract: A water closet bolt comprises an upper end and a lower end with a threaded body extending therebetween. The lower end includes an oblong foot and the upper end includes a male or female notch for visually indicating the orientation of the long axis of the oblong foot. The notch also serves as a gripping surface to aid the installer in the installation of the toilet. Furthermore, the bottom of the notch acts as a break-off point to aid the installer in removing an excess portion of the bolt after the completing the installation.

Abstract: A child's potty (10) comprises a bowl (12) within a substantially continuous surrounding skirt (40), seat portions (16) being formed on the rim of the bowl between the bowl and the skirt, and a raised backrest (30) at the rear of the potty, and a discharge spout (20) extending from the bowl under the backrest to an outlet (22) at the rear of the potty, to allow the potty to be emptied hygienically without contamination of the sides and seat portions.

Abstract: A formation aid, for use in the forming of receptacles in a swimming pool, includes a three-dimensional body having an essentially conical shape. The three-dimensional body of the formation aid includes a narrow end, for placement near an interior edge of the swimming pool during formation of the swimming pool; and a wide end, for placement remote from the interior edge of the swimming pool, in order to form a receptacle.

Abstract: A drop-in mounted bath tub has a peripheral rim that is uniquely shaped to both support the tub on a mounting platform and provide integral handgrips used to assist the bather in entering and exiting the tub. The rim curves out from the top of the basin downward toward the mounting platform. The rim extends down further at the end walls of the basin than at the side walls so that it contacts the mounting platform only at the end walls while being spaced up from the mounting platform at the sides. The contoured rim provides a stable, comfortable surface for the bather to grasp. One or more partition walls extending from the rim between the basin side walls and the outer edge of the rim provides for sealing the basin to the mounting platform as well as keeping items from falling between the tub and the mounting platform and preventing the bather from touching or viewing the rough unfinished outer shell of the basin.

Abstract: A convertible sofa-bed which is easy to convert between a sofa configuration and a bed configuration is provided. From a sofa configuration, a buttock-foot member may be pulled outward. Simultaneously, a head rest member and back rest member which are initially at a generally vertical position are traversed to a generally horizontal position. When the buttock-foot member is fully traversed outward (i.e., extended position), the head rest member, back rest member and the buttock-foot member are generally substantially co-planar and generally horizontal. This provides a firm bed surface upon which a person may comfortably sleep. From the bed configuration, head rest member and the back rest member may be buckled to allow the buttock-foot member to be pushed inward. The buttock-foot member is then pushed fully inward (i.e., retracted position) until the head rest member and the back rest member are in the generally vertical position.

Abstract: A bed to a sofa conversion frame includes a backrest, a footer (optional) and a pair of armrests adapted to be solid state or assembled together to form a sofa frame around a traditional bed and it base frame. The pair of armrests forms a base for mounting the backrest and the footer via corresponding mounting hardware and mounting slots. Both the backrest and the footer may be a solid state unit or an assembly and/or foldable to provide easy storage.

Abstract: A bed-making apparatus for changing a sheet set on a bed has a delivery guide and a rotatably mounted receiving roller for mounting at ends of a bed. A continuous web of sheet sets is formed by releasably fastening head edges of bottom sheets to foot edges of adjacent bottom sheets, and a plurality of top sheets are attached to the continuous length of bottom sheets. A rotation mechanism is operative to rotate the receiving roller and pull the continuous web of sheet sets from the delivery guide, across the upper surface of the bed, and onto the receiving roller. A locking mechanism is operative to exert a tension on the continuous web of sheet sets in place on the bed.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a siderail coupled to the frame for movement between raised and lowered positions. The patient support apparatus has a display screen that, in one embodiment, is coupled to the siderail and in another embodiment is coupled to the frame with a flexible arm. The display screen displays a first graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a first position and a second graphical user interface when the display screen is positioned at a second position.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a wheeled gurney having an upper support frame with at least one open side. A front support plate and a rear support plate are attached to the upper support frame, with the rear support plate spaced apart from the front support plate to correspond to the at least one open side. There is a first registration element positioned on the front support plate and a second registration element positioned on the rear support plate. The first and the second registration elements are repeatably moveable between a first registration configuration and a second registration configuration. A method of positioning a patient support on a gurney begins by identifying a registration feature on a surface of a patient support and then identifying a mating registration feature on wheeled patient gurney that corresponds to the registration feature.

Abstract: A special bed and apparatus, having a fixed section and a movable section, supports a person lying face up, and allows self to restrain two regions of self's body, one on the fixed section and another on the movable section, and further allows the person to self induce traction force between the restrained regions.

Abstract: One embodiment of this patient transferring device is that it remains flexible. This flexible, split apart stretcher provides a way to convey patients from one location to another. This application has flexible rubber tubing 22 for a frame to help the materials used keep its shape while remaining flexible. This application provides reliable handgrip openings 20 that allow users to hold directly onto the rubber tubing frame 22 sewn into the lateral edges. This application utilizes a low density polyethylene center spline 14 that gets inserted through alternating loopholes 16 off of the left 10 and the right 12 sides of the application. The center spline 14 going through the alternating loopholes 16 allow for this application to be split apart and removed from under a patient. Removal of this application is done by withdrawing the center spline 14 from the loopholes 16 and pulling both the left 10 and the right 12 sides of the application out from its respective side.

Abstract: The present invention provides dye mixtures containing a dye of the formula (I) and a dye of the formulae (II) where Z is —CH?CH2 or —CH2CH2Z1 and Z1 is hydroxyl or an alkali-eliminable group; and M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or one equivalent of an alkaline earth metal. The invention also relates to a process for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator that realizes reciprocal rotational motion of an electric toothbrush, for example, without utilizing a drive transmission mechanism that is separate from the drive source. In the actuator, a fixed body (120) has a coil (128) that is disposed around a magnet (160) and faces the magnetic planes with different polarities within the magnet (160) at individual prescribed distances, and an outer yoke (150) that covers the outer periphery of the coil (128). The fixed body (120) rotatably supports a movable body (110), which holds the magnet (160), via a coil spring that is an elastic member (130) made from a wire. An alternating current supplying part (140) supplies an alternating current having roughly the same resonance frequency as that of the fixed body (120) to the coil (128) to cause the movable body (110) to vibrate in a reciprocal rotational motion. The coil spring that is the elastic member (130) uniformly disperses stress generated by the vibration.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: A rotary mop is provided in which an inner rod body is arranged to be coaxial with an outer rod body. The outer rod body is attached with a transmission stem which is provided with a ratchet block. A drive block inserted with the transmission stem is to engage with the ratchet block. A sleeve is assembled in the inner rod body and helical grooves are provided on the peripheral wall of the sleeve for engaging with guiding posts provided on the drive block. A mop section is mounted on the bottom of the sleeve. In this manner, the transmission stem can move the drive block to rotate the sleeve when the outer rod body is repeatedly pushed and pulled, and the mop section mounted on the bottom of the sleeve can be stably rotated to drain out the water contained in mop strings.

Abstract: A golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool that includes a base portion having a grip affixed to its top side and a blade attached to its substantially planar bottom side. The blade extends substantially normal in relation to the planar bottom side of the base portion and includes substantially planar sides and a bottom cutting edge, a maximum width equal to or less than 0.035 inches (0.9 mm) and a depth equal to or less than 0.020 inches (0.508 mm), and wherein the substantially planar sides are either substantially straight and parallel from the base portion to the bottom cutting edge or taper from the base portion to the bottom cutting edge.

Abstract: A grid paint scooping device which is an article of manufacture comprising; a vertical elongated substantially flat grid which is partially immersed into a paint container with a handle at the top of said flat grid and attached at the bottom of the flat grid is an outwardly extending horizontal scooping reservoir which is substantially parallel to the bottom of said paint container during paint scooping events, wherein said grid paint scooping device uses said scooping reservoir for lifting a sufficient amount of paint out of the paint container for the purpose of saturating a roller cover with said paint in the reservoir and removing the excessive paint from the roller cover by use of said flat grid to allow the right amount of the paint to be evenly distributed on the surface of the roller cover before painting objects with the roller cover.

Abstract: A control system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The control system includes a control pad for generating a number of user inputs. The control system further includes a serial controller for reading the state of the number of inputs and generating serial data in response thereto. The control system yet further includes a processor adapted to receive the serial data and generate control signals that controls a number of electric devices on the vacuum cleaner. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a device for dispensing atomized liquid, the device having a reservoir for holding liquid and an ultrasonic transducer arranged to atomize the liquid in the reservoir. An airflow is created through the reservoir via the exhaust gasflow from the vacuum cleaner, the airflow carrying the atomized liquid via an elongate tube to dispensing outlet provided on a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner. The ultrasonic transducer is simple and inexpensive, yet is able to reliably atomize the liquid for dispensing.

Abstract: The aero-acoustic duster invention disclosed herein provides for high particle removal rate from surfaces with low energy expenditure relative to competing vacuum-based devices. The device removes particulate matter from a surface using a two-step process: 1. Acoustic radiation is used to break the adhesive bonds between dust and the surface, forcing particles into a mode where they continuously bounce up and down on the surface; and, 2. A bounded vortex is generated over the surface, with suction in the vortex center and jets for blowing air along the periphery. The jets are tilted in the tangential direction to induce vortex motion within the suction region. The vortex is said to be bounded because streamlines originating in the downward jets are entrained back into the central vortex.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a housing having a suction opening for admitting an air flow to the head, an agitator for agitating a surface to be cleaned, the agitator having an active state and an inactive state, a duct for receiving the air flow from the housing, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a vacuum cleaning head having a suction opening, the head having a first state and a second state, a fan unit for drawing an air flow through the suction opening, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the head.

Abstract: A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To vary the air flow into the conduit, the control mechanism includes a first manually operable actuator located on the handle for moving both of the first and second valves away from the aperture, and a second manually operable actuator is located on the handle for moving only one of the first and second valves away from its respective portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A device for recovering a liquid disposed on a solid surface is provided. The device for recovering a liquid comprises a suction device for providing suction to a pickup head and a blowing device for providing an airflow to the pickup head. The pickup head comprises at least an input port for receiving an airflow and a blower opening for providing the airflow to the solid surface. A blower deflector directs the airflow through the blower opening at an acute angle to the solid surface. The airflow and an airborne portion of the liquid is received at a suction opening which is in fluid communication with at least an output port for being connected to a suction device providing suction. The received airflow with the airborne portion of the liquid is provided through the at least an output port. A divider is disposed between the blower opening and the suction opening. A separator is in fluid communication with the suction device and the at least an output port of the pickup head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a pressure chamber having a first chamber section and a second chamber section which is moveable relative to the first chamber section in response to a pressure differential thereacross from a first position to a second position, and a control mechanism located within the pressure chamber. The control mechanism has a first state for inhibiting the movement of the second chamber section in response to said pressure differential beyond a third position intermediate the first and second positions, and a second state for allowing the second chamber section to move in response to said pressure differential to the second position. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to a movement of the second chamber section from the third position.

Abstract: A door closing mechanism which comprises a hydraulic rotation damper 5, comprising a closed cylinder cavity 20 within a cylinder barrel 19, a rotational damper shaft 22 which extends into the cylinder cavity 20, a piston 21 dividing the cylinder cavity 20 into a first side 20a above the piston 21 and a second side 20b below the piston 21, a one-way valve 33 allowing fluid flow from said first side 20a to said second side 20b of the cylinder cavity 20, and a fluid passage 31 between said first and second sides 20a,20b of the cylinder cavity 20, with a flow restrictor, in particular in the form of a needle valve 32, adjustable through an orifice in the cylinder barrel 19, wherein said second side 20b of the cylinder cavity 20 and said orifice are at opposite sides of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: The invention refers to improvements in or relating to a hinge profile (2) fixable in a supporting profile (1) intended to be used for a sheet unit e.g. in the form of a door, said supporting profile (1) is in the first place intended to be fastened to a wall or the like.

Abstract: An assist grip includes a mounting clip formed of metal having spring resiliency and bent into a generally U shape. The mounting clip includes a pair of resilient legs. Each of the resilient legs includes a bulging portion that bulges outwardly and is provided with a retention portion to be retained by a mounting location of a vehicle body structure. Each of the resilient legs further includes at the leading end a stepped region for engagement against an inner peripheral region of a rectangular opening of a hinge body. The stepped region includes an extended region and a retaining pawl that extends outwardly relative to the extended region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to handles and handle attachments, including a handle attachment comprising a handle end, attached to a strap of nylon, leather, polyprolene or any other suitable material with Velcro hook on one half and loop fastening on the other end. The handle attachment may be secured to an item to be carried by feeding the lower strap around the item or items then through a ring, attaching the Velcro hook end to the loop fastening.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for producing sodium chloride comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a brine having a sodium chloride concentration which is higher than the sodium chloride concentration of the eutectic point but lower than the sodium chloride concentration of a saturated brine by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water; (ii) cooling the resulting brine by indirect cooling in a self-cleaning fluidized bed heat exchanger/crystallizer to a temperature lower than 00 C but higher than the eutectic temperature of the resulting brine, thereby forming a slurry comprising sodium chloride dihydrate and a mother liquor; (iii) feeding the sodium chloride dihydrate to a recrystallizer to form sodium chloride and a mother liquor, and (iv) recycling at least part of the mother liquor obtained in step (ii) and/or step (iii) to step (i).

Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an apparatus and method for avoiding the strangulation of children by dangling cords from window treatments (e.g., window blinds). The preferred apparatus comprises: a substantially flat base; spool means (e.g., a notched spool), extending from an end portion of the base, for physically winding a set of dangling cords (or a looped dangling cord) around from the window treatment; and connection means (e.g., a slide), extending from another end portion of the base, for connecting the apparatus, with the wound cord, into an uncovered top bracket for the window treatment. The preferred connection means is a slide, which either slides or clips into the uncovered bracket. For instances where brackets are unavailable (e.g., Roman shades or some mini-blinds), a suction cup can be used to attach the apparatus to the window frame or window, adjacent the highest point of the window treatment.

Abstract: A push button buckle (20) having a replaceable cover (30). A button (38) is biased into contact with the cover (30) to aid in installation. The cover (30) flexes to snap onto the frame (50), and is removed with a tool (T).

Abstract: A magnetic fastener includes first and second lock bodies engaged with each other. The first lock body includes a first magnet and a fastener body. The first magnet is defined with a through hole extending through the two opposite end surfaces of the first magnet. The fastener body is movably received in the through hole. The fastener body includes a main body, an interface part disposed at one end of the main body, and a plurality of elastic arms extending outward from the other end of the main body. The interface part passes through the through hole. A receiving space is defined between the elastic arms. The inner side of the free end of the elastic arms is respectively provided with a clasp. The second lock body includes a second magnet and a hook body connected to the second magnet. The hook body is provided with a buckling part.

Abstract: Slider assemblies and methods of manufacturing slider assemblies comprising a slider with a locking feature that cooperates with a plurality of coils of a standard zipper component. In some embodiments, the slider is capable of moving freely along the length of the zipper component when sufficient force is applied to the slider, but is capable of being locked in position when sufficient force is no longer applied to the slider. In certain embodiments, the locking feature is generally M-shaped. In some embodiments, the sliders are formed using injection molding techniques.