Abstract: A vehicular slope apparatus (1) includes a first slope section (10) that is rotatably connected to a body of a vehicle, and a second slope section (20) that is slidably connected to an extension side of the first slope section (10), the first slope section (10) including assistance mechanism (50) that applies an assistance force (Mf) in a direction in which the first slope section (10) rotates upwardly and, the assistance force (Mf) being larger than a downward moment that occurs at a center of gravity (M1) of the entire apparatus (1) when the entire apparatus (1) is horizontalized in a state in which the second slope section (20) is received within the first slope section (10), and is smaller than a downward moment that occurs at a center of gravity (M2) of the entire apparatus (1) when the second slope section (20) is extended from the first slope section (10) to a maximum extent, and the first slope section (10) rotating when the second slope section (20) has been extended to a predetermined extent so that

Abstract: A prefabricated steel bridge or viaduct structure, which is formed essentially of three blocks fabricated and pre-assembled in factory, and assembled together to the construction site. Once the blocks mounted thereon the concrete pillars, a surface drain for evacuating water is installed thereof to be casted therein a concrete slab and after covered from asphalt with drip slope.

Abstract: Detailed are swimming pool cleaners and components including discs and bumpers. Discs may include upwardly-extending hooks or similar features connecting directly with the bumpers. The direct connections additionally may be configured to allow substantial (i.e. non-trivial) upward movement of the discs from their normal locations while preventing substantial downward movement of the discs that might cause the discs undesirably to fold in use.

Abstract: The dental treatment instrument includes a toothbrush having common brush head dimensions and a nozzle on the backside of the bristle pad thereof. The tip of the nozzle points backward relative to the bristle pad and is inclined away from the handle end of the toothbrush. The bristle pad is used as a rest pad laid against the cheek wall of the user for steadying the movement of the nozzle. In another aspect of the present invention, the toothbrush has a push-button-operated valve mounted in the handle end of the toothbrush for selectively letting water flow through to the nozzle. The push button is partly enclosed in a shroud. The push button is mounted in the shroud with a sliding fit. The shroud prevents water and toothpaste from seeping below the push-button.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a eraser wheel for cleaning viscose, which comprises a eraser wheel body and a coupling member. The eraser wheel body has an axial hole and a plurality of slots thereon. The axial hole is located at a central portion of the eraser wheel body. The slots are located beside the axial hole. The coupling member includes a coupling axle and a plurality of coupling ribs. One end of the coupling axle is provided with a connecting unit, and another end of the coupling axle is connected with the coupling ribs. The coupling axle is inserted through the axial hole. The coupling ribs are positioned in the slots. Accordingly, it is only required to replace with a new eraser wheel, without making a replacement of the coupling member. Besides, the eraser wheel can be produced alone, which simplifies the production procedure.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly is provided that includes a pole, a cleaning tool, an neck-connecting device, and an axial-rotational adjusting member. The pole has a first threaded end and the cleaning tool has a second threaded end. The neck-connecting device connects the pole and the tool to one another. The axial-rotational adjusting member adjusts a rotational position of the tool about an axis of the neck-connecting device. A window cleaning assembly kit is also provided. The kit includes an angled neck-connecting device and a least one adapter configured to interconnect the angled neck-connecting device to a cleaning tools and/or a pole.

Abstract: A toilet brush includes a handle and head, which has both bristles and wiping members. The bristles provide a scrubbing surface and define under-rim extensions, the wiping members provide a wiping or scraping surfaces in addition to the scrubbing surface for removal of more stubborn debris.

Abstract: A mop including a spinning member, a spiral rod, an extendable rod, a mop head, and a pressing rod is provided. The spinning member includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a spiral hole axially configured through the spinning member from the first end to the second end of the spinning member. The spiral rod is further provided with a unilateral bearing sleeved over the spiral rod. The spiral rod is sleeved inside the pressing rod. In operation, the mop is put in a basket which is free for rotation and is axially then applied with a downward pressure, and the extendable rod is withdrawn inside the pressing rod. The extendable rod thus synchronously carries the extendable rod, the mop head and the basket to rotate, thus applying a centrifugal force to remove the water content contained in the mop away from the basket.

Abstract: The invention concerns a steriliser unit (10) for sterilising an absorbent body (30), such as a sponge. The steriliser unit firstly comprises a container (12) for holding a disinfectant, the container providing a soak position (22) and a discharge position (26). The steriliser unit also includes a discharge unit (14) for cooperation with the container, the discharge unit defines a compression compartment (28) in which the absorbent body can be held. The discharge unit is further movable between a release position in which the absorbent body can be located within the compression compartment and a compression position in which the discharge unit will apply a compressive force on the absorbent body inside the compression compartment. In use the compression compartment can be located within the soak position of the container when the discharge unit is located in its release position, thereby allowing the absorbent body to absorb an amount of disinfectant.

Abstract: A cleaning implement (10) comprising a handle (12) a cleaning end (24) coupled to the handle, and a cleaning head (14). The cleaning head may be removably coupled to the cleaning end, and can include a pair of tabs (30) extending through an aperture (32) in the cleaning end. Each tab may have a finger grip (56), and the finger grips may be generally offset from one another. Each tab may have a ledge (50) for contacting an upper surface of the cleaning end near a perimeter of the aperture to retain the cleaning head to the cleaning end. The tabs may be movable such that the ledges are moved out of contact with the upper surface of the cleaning end when removing the cleaning head from the cleaning end.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a cleaning tool, a tool system, and specific tool head designs. The disclosure is useful for cleaning fryers in restaurants.

Abstract: A cleaning tool including a removable and reversible cleaning member and separate angled scrubbing bristles. The cleaning member can have different cleaning surfaces for both heavy and light scrubbing, or the same cleaning material on both surfaces for longer use of the cleaning member. The cleaning tool may also include connectors for coupling a cleaning cloth or sheet to the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A hair brush and its pin structure thereof, which provide a way of embedding and fixing brush pins onto a brush pin base of the hair comb by a simple insertion without the need of using any other fixing element or adhesive. The hair brush and its pin structure not just facilitate an automated mass production, substantially simplifying the assembling process of the brush pins and a handle of the hair brush, and improving efficiency only, but also add a heat resisting material into the brush pins for improving the heat resisting effect of the brush pins. In addition, the brush pin base of the hair brush can be made of a hard material, and it is no longer limited to be made of a flexible extensible and contractible material anymore.

Abstract: A method of producing a bundle of bristles is provided and includes collecting a plurality of bristles substantially close together and fusing and subsequently hardening ends of the collected bristles to each other by cutting to thereby fuse the ends of the collected bristles using a heated cutter to thus produce a bundle of bristles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a use of a container comprising at least two separate compartments wherein a first compartment comprises a plaque indicating substance, and a second compartment comprises a tooth cleaning substance, for applying the plaque indicating substance and the tooth cleaning substance to a toothbrush, such that the visible surface area of the plaque indicating substance on the toothbrush is larger than the visible surface area of the tooth cleaning substance on the toothbrush.

Abstract: A novel trowel for use by bricklayers comprised of a flat blade having a first face and an opposing second face and containing at least one protrusion on one face.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a wiper blade for wiping a windshield, and more particularly to wiper blade including a spoiler that forms an air flow allowing the wiper blade to be in close contact with the windshield. The wiper blade according to the present invention has a frame, a spoiler receiving the frame therein and forming an upper surface of the wiper blade and a wiper lip extending downwardly from the frame to contact a windshield. The wiper blade includes the following: a frame including an adaptor coupler at a midway portion; a spoiler receiving the frame and provided next to either side of the adaptor coupler, the spoiler having a cross-section including leg sides of a front surface and a rear surface and a topside of a top surface; and an adaptor mounted to the adaptor coupler and connecting the frame to a wiper arm.

Abstract: A centrifugal dehydrating device includes a bucket receiving a cylinder for receiving a mop. A shaft is mounted to a bottom of the cylinder. An annular sleeve is formed on the bottom of the cylinder and engaged with an annular fender on a mounting plate. A water fender includes a skirt having a top portion with an annular groove for receiving a rim of the cylinder. An annular wing extends radially inward from the top portion of the skirt. Water splashing upward from the cylinder during rotation of the cylinder is stopped by the annular ring. A top seat is fixed to a bottom side of the mounting plate and receives a gear train. The gear train meshes with and is driven by a rack on a pedal such that stepping of the pedal causes rotation of the gear train, the shaft, and the cylinder.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, impact-cushioning, scuff- and dent-shielding bumper is easily applied to and reversibly retained on peripheral and upward facing surfaces of an appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner, vacuum suction head, canister vacuum cleaner, or similar appliance. In the bumper, elasticity and stiffness cooperate to conform the bumper to the appliance exterior, facilitating efficient installation and allowing the position of the bumper to be easily adjusted in a manner that would purposefully envelop portions of the appliance prone to causing damage to surrounding surfaces and the appliance itself. Contact adhesive is employed in combination with the hook component of a hook-and-loop fastener interacting directly with the body material of the bumper, permitting repeated easy removal, washing and reinstallation of the bumper or transfer thereof to another appliance not necessarily of the same design make and model.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection assembly are carried on the housing. The dirt collection assembly includes a dirt cup, a shroud concentrically received within the dirt collection chamber defined by the dirt cup and at least one rib projecting from the shroud toward the bottom wall of the dirt cup. The rib is positioned so as to reduce air turbulence in the dirt collection chamber between an airflow guide on the shroud and the bottom wall of the dirt cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suction cleaning module comprising: a first housing, a second housing, a third housing and a fan blower. The second housing, connected to the bottom of the first housing, has a shell section such that a suction channel is formed between the shell section and the first housing and has a dust collection space communicating with the suction channel. The third housing, respectively coupled to the first and second housing, has a filtered flow outlet. The fan blower connected to the third housing has a flow inlet and a flow inlet corresponding to the filtered flow outlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a cavity, an outlet for cleaned air, a filter removably mounted in the cavity upstream of the outlet, at least one device mounted in the body upstream of the filter for separating and collecting dirt and dust entrained in an induced airflow through the cleaner, and a closure for closing an opening in the cavity, the closure being openable for providing access to the filter and separation device through the opening. An arm extends into the cavity for engaging a formation on the filter, the latter holding the arm in a retracted position. If the filter or a component of the separation device is omitted or incorrectly inserted in the body, the arm adopts an extended position and prevents the closure from being closed. In this manner the user is immediately alerted to the fact that the filter or a component of the separation device is not correctly in-situ and remedial action can be taken.

Abstract: The invention provides a wheeling device for a packaged article which may be directly attached to the packaging of the article and which comprises wheeling means. The invention also provides a wheelable package for an article comprising at least one wheeling device according to the present invention, the wheeling device being directly attached to the package. The invention further provides a method of improving the handlability of a packaged article comprising directly attaching to the packaging of the article one or more wheeling devices of the invention.

Abstract: Furniture hinge with at least two fitting parts for fixing to furniture parts, one of the fitting parts being designed as a hinge arm and at least one joint lever which pivots during the hinge movement and a rotation damper for damping a hinge movement, wherein a slide, movably mounted on the hinge arm may be driven by the pivotable joint lever and the slide acts on the rotation damper by means of a transmission mechanism (T).

Abstract: A castor assembly includes an upright support shaft, a leg mounted on the support shaft and a pressing sleeve mounted between the upper end of the support shaft and the leg. The upper end of the support shaft has a retaining groove. The pressing sleeve has an inner wall provided with an inner flange retained in the retaining groove of the support shaft and an outer wall provided with an outer flange. The leg has an end portion provided with a receiving space pressing the outer flange of the pressing sleeve. Thus, the support shaft is combined with the leg by the pressing sleeve to prevent from defining a gap between the support shaft and the leg so that the support shaft will not hit the leg so as to prevent from producing noise or vibration.

Abstract: An escutcheon assembly for a door having two escutcheon members which may be applied to opposite sides of the door and can be attached to each other by at least one attachment system. The attachment system includes at least one first attachment member and at least one second attachment member, wherein the at least one first attachment member is located on the back of one of the escutcheon members and the at least one second attachment member is located on the back of the other escutcheon member, and wherein the at least one first attachment member can be firmly attached to the at least one second attachment member. The at least one second attachment member features an accommodating element into which the at least one first attachment member can be inserted. The accommodating element is reversibly deformable such that through the insertion of the at least one first attachment member, the at least one first attachment member can be firmly anchored in the accommodation element.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle includes a body and at least a first hinge assembly rotatably coupled to the body. A primary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly and biases the body from an open position into a stowed position. A secondary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly, and biases against the primary spring when the body is between the open position and an intermediate position to resist rotation of the body into the stowed position, and biases with the primary spring when the body is between the intermediate position and the stowed position to assist rotation of the body into the stowed position.

Abstract: A handle for a cane has a holding apparatus for a hand. The apparatus is attached or can be attached to a handle and includes an attachment section, which encloses the hand at the side of the back of the hand at least in the region between the thumb and index finger, and a wrist section, which is connected to the attachment section and substantially encloses the wrist or the back of the hand and which is connected to the handle by another attachment section on the side of the palm. The wrist section has an adjustment apparatus so that the circumference of an opening defined by the wrist section can be varied. A closing apparatus is provided separate from the adjustment apparatus which, when open, allows the hand to be removed from the holding apparatus and inserted into the holding apparatus.

Abstract: Anchorage devices are disclosed for use in an anchorage system, especially for vehicle seats, using a floor track having a longitudinal channel whose opening has opposed lips with a series of periodic circular cut-outs. The anchorage device has enlarged slidable feet (104) which are insertable into the opening of the track channel at the cut-outs, and when slid along are held captive beneath the lips of the track. A releasable locking mechanism is provided for locking the device longitudinally to the track, so that the feet (104) can be held in the captive position. Preferably the device has an elongate body, with the locking mechanism operated by a lever at one end. The top surfaces (143) of at least some of the feet (104) are longitudinally inclined relative to the longitudinal direction. When slid to the captive position they come into contact or near contact with the underside of the track lips, reducing or preventing rattle relative to the track.

Abstract: Drapery hardware wherein a slider (10) is adapted for sliding movement in a track (11) of a curtain pole (12). The slider includes a clip or cradle (18) for attachment to an eyelet ring (M) of a curtain for the purposes of creating a smoother drawing action of the curtain.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, a bag closure device is disclosed. The bag closure device comprises a receiving member that comprises a securing fin. The bag closure device also comprises a guide member. One end of the receiving member is coupled to one end of the guide member.

Abstract: Methods of cyclically heating and cooling an article formed of a static dissipative ETFE resin, such as to reduce an electrical resistivity and/or to increase a tensile strength of the article, and methods of irradiating an article formed of a static dissipative ETFE resin, such as to increase a tensile strength of the article. Also disclosed herein are articles formed of a static dissipative ETFE resin, and processed in accordance with methods disclosed herein. Such an article may include, for example and without limitation, a cable strap to wrap, support, and/or secure one or more wires or cables, such as a cable tie.

Abstract: Tie-wraps of practically infinite length are disclosed that can be cut to any desirable size at the time of use. These tie-wraps allow wrapping of any size object and comprise a flexible strap part and a locking part, both of which can be reused numerous times. To use the tie-wrap, the user cuts a piece from the flexible strap bundle and inserts its ends into a locking part and pulls one or both ends of the strap until it is tightly wrapped around the object. In other embodiments the ends of the strap may enter the locking part from one side or from multiple sides. In alternative embodiments the locking part or the strap may have a single pawl or multiple pawls which are made of plastic, metal, or other materials. Disclosed tie-wraps may be used, in addition to wrapping, to form handles or tag holders for the wrapped object.

Abstract: A fastener with a base part and a pair of arms connected to the base part. The base part includes a wide portion and a body portion which is narrower than the wide portion and the body portion has a first end at the wide portion and extends from the wide portion and terminates at a second end. The second end of the body part includes an insertion opening, the arms including an insertion portion which is inserted into the insertion opening and connect the arms to the body portion. The arms also an angled portion, the angled portion extending at an angle from the insertion portion, towards the wide portion and outwardly from the body portion. The arms additionally include a concave portion adjacent to the angled portion and further extending toward the wide portion, a peak being defined between the angled portion and the concave portion.

Abstract: A bungee cord assembly and related methodology is provided for securing an object (e.g., a truck-bed-covering tarp) to a vehicle by threading a bungee cord portion of the assembly through an opening in the object (e.g., an eyelet) and then adjusting bungee-cord operative length for a desired tension. A hook member on a first end portion of the bungee cord enables a user to secure the first end portion to the vehicle. A second-end-portion-engaging keeper member is included that enables the user to secure a second end portion of the bungee cord to the rest of the bungee cord after threading the second end portion through the opening in the object in order to secure the object with user-adjustable bungee-cord tension. The keeper member is hookless to avoid hook-related damage by the adjustable keeper member to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with an elliptical exercise machine comprises a front strap encircling a front portion of a foot pedal affixed to the elliptical exercise machine, a rear strap over a rear portion of the foot pedal, an ankle strap affixed both medially and laterally to the rear strap, and a keel strap connecting the front strap and the rear strap wherein the keel strap is positioned on the underside of the foot pedal. The front strap of the apparatus secures a user's forefoot on a top side of the foot pedal and the rear strap along with the ankle strap secure the user's back foot on the top side of the foot pedal. The apparatus provides a resistance in a return stroke of both forward power stroke and reverse power stroke thereby allowing active participation of eccentric and concentric muscle groups in each forward and reverse power strokes and prevents the slippage and lift-off of user's foot that is typically associated with exercises performed using an elliptical exercise machine.

Abstract: A functionally decorative fastening system includes first and second fastener portions, each fixable to an article, so as to selectively allow for the articles to be secured together purposes such as transit, storage or laundering. Complementary mating surfaces of each fastener portion include decorative features, such as artwork, logos, trademarks, or the like. The decorative mating surfaces serve functionally to selectively lock the two fastener portions together when aligned and pushed together. Such integrated fastening is accomplished via mechanical interaction between the decorative mating surfaces.

Abstract: A carpet is having a raschel fabric to the back face. The raschel fabric consists of wefts which are inlay-yarns and warps which are chain-stitched yarns. The warp consists of chain-stitched ground yarns 3a, 3b, and a pile yarn 4 which forms standing loop piles on specified courses and which is chain-stitched with the ground yarns except said specified courses. The pile yarn consists of two mono-filaments 5, 5. The two mono-filaments 5, 5 are twisted at least one time per the length of each loop pile. Cut piles are formed by mechanically cutting the each loop pile near the top thereof. The two mono-filaments in the cut pile are disjoining each other and standing with inclination at random direction on the raschel fabric. When the carpet is placed on the surface of a mat, each mono-filament which is formed on the back face of the carpet, bites into the surface of the mat. Therefore, it is prevented that the carpet is displaced.

Abstract: The invention can firmly and easily remove a finely divided weft piece without leaving the weft piece by constituting a method and an apparatus of removing weft from a cord fabric for a topping sheet in a calender line for topping rubber on a number of pieces of aligned cords by a calender roll. In the midst of transferring a cord fabric transferred to a calender apparatus, weft is finely divided by passing the cord fabric through weft dividing means, thereafter, a plurality of blades arranged movably in a width direction on an upper face side of the cord fabric are reciprocally moved in the width direction over an entire width thereof to be brought into contact with the cord fabric, and the divided weft piece is wiped off to remove by respectively striking respective cords of the cord fabric by the respective blades.

Abstract: A working machine includes a base, at least one z-axis track mounted on the base, a secondary z-axis track mounted on the base, at least one z-axis saddle mounted on the z-axis track, a secondary z-axis saddle mounted on the secondary z-axis track, at least one x-axis track mounted on the z-axis saddle, at least one x-axis slide mounted on the x-axis track, at least one upright support mounted on the x-axis slide, and at least one y-axis track mounted on the upright support. Thus, the y-axis track is disposed at a vertical state so that the y-axis track is operated exactly and stably to facilitate operation of the working machine and to enhance the working precision and stability of the working machine.

Abstract: A punch tool includes a housing, a ram bar, and a floating punch assembly. The housing includes a cap having a lip defining an opening, and elongated slots. The floating punch assembly includes a floating punch having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion with ledges formed at the intersection of the three portions. One ledge is larger than the opening in the cap. The floating punch also includes a bore, and a retaining pin extends through the slots in the housing and the bore.

Abstract: A drainable oil filter for an engine of a motor vehicle which comprises a cylindrical canister having a closed first end and a second end adapted to be screwed onto the engine of a motor vehicle. A mechanism on the closed first end of the cylindrical canister is for draining residual oil from the cylindrical canister. After oil in a crankcase of the engine of the motor vehicle is drained and before the second end of the cylindrical canister is unscrewed from the engine of the motor vehicle, the draining mechanism when operated by a person will allow the residual oil in the cylindrical canister to exit safely therefrom into a suitable container, without soiling the person positioned under the draining mechanism.

Abstract: A fitting device and a fitting method, by which the fitting process can be carried out without damaging workpieces, even when a sufficient moment cannot be detected by pressing the workpiece in the fitting direction. The device includes a fitting status judging part adapted to judge whether a second workpiece is in motion in a fitting direction relative to a first workpiece; a workpiece orientation searching part adapted to change a current orientation of the second workpiece when it is judged that the second workpiece is not in motion in the fitting direction, and search a proper orientation for the second workpiece based on a detected force or speed of the second workpiece in the fitting direction, during the change of the orientation; and a fitting motion commanding part adapted to command a robot which grips the second workpiece to continue the fitting operation, by using the searched proper orientation.

Abstract: Vibratory tumblers for processing workpieces and methods for manufacturing such vibratory tumblers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vibratory tumbler includes a base, a support member movably coupled to the base, a bowl configured for removable attachment to the support member, and a motor attached to the support member for moving the bowl relative to the base. The bowl is sized and configured such that the support member and at least one-fourth of the base can be received within the bowl while the support member is coupled to the base.

Abstract: A connector comprises a male component, a female component configured to receive an end portion of the male component, and a rotatable collet mounted on the male component. The collet and the female component comprise respective complementary inter-engaging lugs configured to secure the male and female components together in an engaged position. A latch is provided on the collet to lock the male and female components together.

Abstract: To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly have—the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. The gauge of the needle of a fixed needle syringe could also be ascertained by its color coded needle protective housing. Color coded markings that correspond to the gauge of the needle may also be printed onto the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of connecting of strips to an endless strip with a clamping arrangement (110, 120) with a clamping device (110-r, 120-r) on the inlet side and a clamping device (110-1, 120-1) on the outlet side, a cutting arrangement (155) with an upper cutter (150) and a lower cutter (130) and with a joining arrangement, wherein in a first step the clamping devices are opened and two strip ends are introduced, and in a subsequent step in the next step the strip ends are introduced, and in a subsequent step in the next step the strip ends are cut by means of the cutting arrangement, before they are moved into a joining position and are joined there.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver is disclosed. The transceiver comprises a plurality of OSAs, an optical member and a plurality of inner fibers to couple the optical member with OSAs. The inner fibers each provides an inner connector to couple with one of OSAs. The housing, which installs the OSAs, the optical member and the inner fiber, is made of metal and has a grooves into which the inner fibers is set so as to arrange them orderly.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to an ice toggle for establishing a removable anchor in a body of ice during ice climbing activities. One embodiment of the ice toggle is comprised of a flexible stem, a toggle that is pivotally attached to one end of the stem, a trigger mechanism for rotating the toggle relative to the flexible stem, and an engagement surface in the form of a loop that is associated with the other end of the flexible stem and capable of receiving a carabiner or runner.

Abstract: A gangway comprises at least one component formed from a continuous piece of metal. The at least one component formed from the continuous piece of metal may be a support structure or an underbody, a platform, a ramp, a step, or other support surface. A method for manufacturing such a gangway comprises forming the at least one component from the continuous piece of metal.