Abstract: There is disclosed a clamping device mountable to a bench top for setting an edge piece to an edge thereof such that the edge piece projects from the bench top at a predetermined angle, with interengaging surfaces of the edge piece and edge being formed with mating mitres whereby a mitre joint is formed between the edge piece and the bench top, the clamping device comprising a body, a first clamping means supported from the body for clamping the device to the bench top, a second clamping means supported from the body for applying clamping pressure to the mitre joint, and first and second locators carried by the body and engageable with the edge piece and bench top respectively to maintain them in the required configuration during clamping. There is also disclosed a related method of attaching an edge piece to an edge of a bench top.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing light panels having at least one re-entrant turning feature. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, providing a cover layer, and coupling the cover layer to the base layer to form at least one re-entrant turning feature between the base layer and the cover layer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, forming at least one receiving space in the base layer, providing at least one prismatic block, and coupling at least a portion of the prismatic block into the receiving space such that re-entrant turning features are formed between the prismatic block and the base layer.

Abstract: A smart card processing system allowing for processing of a plurality of smart card portions on a smart card panel substantially simultaneously. The system may include a transfer member for moving card panels within the system. Smart card panels may be loaded into an input magazine capable of elevating the panels with respect to a processing station. A transfer member may be operative to transport smart card panels from the input magazine to the processing station wherein one or more pre-personalization operations may be conducted on each of the smart card portions. The transfer member may also be operative to move the smart card panels from the processing station to a marking station such that defective smart portions may be marked. The transfer may also move panels from the marking station to an output magazine wherein a plurality of smart card panels that have been initialized may be stored.

Abstract: In a method of making an ultrasonic transducer, a piezoelectric ceramic material that is at least partially covered by metal plating is provided. A plurality of substantially parallel cuts is formed in the plating so as to define a plurality of transducer elements and a ground element. A plurality of conductors is provided. An end portion of each conductor is operatively connected, such as by ultrasonic bonding, to a respective one of the transducer elements or the ground element. Next, a backing material is bonded to the plurality of transducer elements and the ground element such that the end portion of each conductor is sandwiched between the backing material and a respective one of the transducer elements or the ground element. The conductors are bent to allow for operative connection to an ultrasound system. The operative connection between the conductors and the transducer elements is maintained during the bending step.

Abstract: Transformer core manufacturing apparatus and method having magnetic thin plates aligned with high accuracy are provided for manufacturing the transformer core using the thin and lightweight magnetic plates.

Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the past adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous batter grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor. The method includes the steps of: contacting a lithium supplying source to an anode directly; pre-doping lithium ions into the anode by immerging the anode and the lithium supplying source into a doping electrolyte solution; forming an electrode cell by sequentially stacking the lithium ions on the pre-doped anode and a cathode with placing a separator therebetween; cleaning the doping electrolyte solution absorbed to terminals of the electrode cell; fusing the terminals; and sealing the electrode cell with exposing the fused terminal.

Abstract: The system for installing shower walls includes a pressure transfer member for urging a shower wall against a back up support during bonding of the shower wall to the support. An adjustable force development device engages the pressure transfer member to force the pressure transfer member against the shower wall. A support member engages the pressure transfer member when the force development device exerts a predetermined force against the shower wall. A fixation device holds the support member to maintain the pressure transfer position of the pressure transfer member. The fixation device includes a cam that moves a shower wall into a tight corner fit with an adjacent shower wall.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for saving power of an air conditioner during sleep. According to the present invention, a curtain is mounted above a bed to enclose a small space to form a small air conditioning space, and by placing an indoor unit of a split-typed air conditioner above the small space, the power consumption of the air conditioner during sleep can be reduced.

Abstract: The Actuator Tool is designed to allow easy removal of saucer-shaped irrigation flow control devices known by many names such as irrigation actuators, automatic adapters, automators, etc., that are part of an irrigation valve assembly. The Actuator Tool has a unique design allowing it to circumvent the saucer-shaped diaphragm housing to allow easy access to said irrigation actuators' said grip point when the irrigation valve assembly is obstructed by a tree, wall, irrigation valve box, etc., or in cases where the irrigation valve assemblies have been installed too close together to allow access to the said actuators' hexagonal square or similar shaped said grip point. The preferred configuration is “U” shaped with a jaw on either end, two holes to accommodate a ½? drive breaker bar as a handle on both ends, and two flat areas to allow the use of a pipe wrench as a handle.

Abstract: An electric wire testing apparatus tests the condition of an end portion of an electric wire including a plurality of core wires and a sheath for covering the core wires. The electric wire testing apparatus includes an imaging device arranged to photograph an end surface of the core wires that have been exposed by stripping off the sheath, a counting unit arranged to count the number of the core wires from an image photographed by the imaging device, and a determining unit arranged to determine pass/fail of the condition of the end portion of the electric wire based on whether or not the number of the core wires counted by the counting unit matches a predetermined number.

Abstract: A facility for forming lithium ion cells 1 preferably comprises an object support for the lithium ion cells 1 to be formed, and a forming system which contains an electrical circuit having an AD/DC converter unit 3, with multiple DC outputs 4, as needed, to which the lithium ion cells may be connected in an electrically conductive manner. To allow energy-optimized forming in this manner, a battery management system 6 is connected to each of the DC outputs 5, and is connectable to at least one lithium ion cell 1.

Abstract: A wiring placement method of placing a plurality of wirings of different lengths in parallel on a plane includes placing a longest wiring and a shortest wiring alongside each other among the plurality of wirings (a) placing a longest wiring from among remaining wires which have not been placed yet, alongside an outside of a space surrounded by the wirings already placed and on a side of a shorter wiring of the wrings placed at outermost ends, (b) placing a shortest wiring from among remaining wires which have not placed yet, alongside an outside of a space surrounded by the wirings already placed and on a side of a longer wiring of the wirings placed at outermost ends, and alternately repeating (a) and (b) to place the plurality of wirings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flex-rigid wiring board, including preparing a flexible wiring board having a flexible base material and having a conductive layer over the flexible base material, making a cut in the flexible wiring board to form a cut portion, and folding at least one portion of the flexible wiring board using the cut portion to form one or more folding portions such that the flexible wiring board is extended in length, and connecting the flexible wiring board to a rigid wiring board including a rigid base material and having a conductive layer over the rigid base material.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a multi-piece board includes: checking whether pieces (printed wiring boards) are defect-free or not; forming a first recess in a joint portion between a defective piece and a frame; forming a first fitting portion at the frame by separating the defective piece; cutting out a defect-free piece having a second fitting portion from another board; forming a second recess in the second fitting portion; fitting the second fitting portion into the first fitting portion; flattening a joint portion; and filling an adhesive in a third recess which is formed by the first recess and the second recess, and curing the adhesive to adhere the frame and the defect-free piece.

Abstract: Simple, rapid and low-cost assembly methods of a LED lamp are provided. A standard lamp base having two electrodes and a cavity is soldered with a resistor to the first one of the electrodes, and then filled with a thermally conductive electric insulator in the cavity. A circuit board is attached onto the thermally conductive electric insulator and then soldered to the second electrode and the resistor. An LED device is soldered onto the circuit board such that the LED device and the resistor are serially connected between the electrodes. Preferably, the circuit board has a through hole through which a thermally conductive member is inserted into the thermally conductive electric insulator with its lower end, and the LED device is placed onto the upper end of the thermally conductive member.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a ceramic substrate includes: preparing a ceramic substrate; disposing a metal mask having a plurality of holes at an upper side of the ceramic substrate; and injecting a polyimide resin into the holes of the metal mask to form a polyimide thin film on the ceramic substrate. A thin film is formed on a ceramic substrate in a simpler manner, so the fabrication cost can be reduced and a fixed time can be shortened, thus increasing the efficiency of a product.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for manufacturing a circuit board comprises forming a plurality of electroplated layers arranged apart from each other in a planer view on an underlying layer, wherein each of the electroplated layers comprises a first layer formed on the underlying layer by direct current electroplating, a second layer formed on the first layer by periodic reverse electroplating and a third layer, which is the outermost layer of the electroplated layer, formed on the second layer by direct current electroplating; etching a portion of the underlying layer between the electroplated layers in the planer view; forming an insulating layer on the third layer; forming a penetrating hole through the insulating layer to expose a part of the third layer at the bottom surface of the penetrating hole; forming a sputtered layer on an inner wall surface and the bottom surface of the penetrating hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods electrically connect a first electronic device or electrical component, having a external electrical connector, to a circuit board of a second electronic device. A low-cost, user-installable connection system isolates mechanical stresses imposed on the external electrical connector to within the user-installable connection system, thereby preventing the mechanical stresses from reaching the circuit board in the second electronic device. If the connection becomes faulty, only the low-cost, user-installable connection system must be replaced.

Abstract: A method of forming a bowl in a top surface of a piston for an internal combustion engine includes machining the top surface of the piston to form a spherical depression in the top surface wherein the top surface comprises a dome prior to the machining and a center of the bowl is displaced from a center of the piston by at least one-quarter of a diameter of the piston. In one embodiment, the method includes machining recesses in the top surface aligned, respectively, with intake valves, an exhaust valve, and spark plug when installed. Because the bowl is smooth and shallow, the surface area of the combustion chamber is less than with a deeper bowl of complicated shape. Lowering surface area in the combustion chamber leads to improved fuel economy.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle may be repaired by severing the inner band from the vanes and outer band, which may then be discarded. A replacement nozzle is cast to include replacement vanes extending between a replacement outer band and an inner web, with the replacement outer band and vanes conforming with the original outer band and vanes. The new web is configured differently than the old inner band and includes a tie bar. The inner band is machined to form vane seats. The web is machined to form plinths atop the tie bar at each of the replacement vanes. The plinths and tie bar are assembled through the vane seats and bonded to the machined inner band to collectively form the repaired turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A method for recontouring a blade of a gas turbine includes systematically melting a portion of a leading edge of the blade using an energy beam so as to form a new contour of hardened material substantially without incorporating additional material.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head, the liquid ejection head including: a substrate having an energy generating element that generates energy for ejecting liquid; and a flow path forming member having, on an upper side of the energy generating element, an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid and a bubble generating chamber communicated with the ejection orifice, the method including: preparing a negative photosensitive resin as a material constituting the flow path forming member; and performing first exposure treatment for forming a first image constituting a side wall of the bubble generating chamber and second exposure treatment for forming a second image constituting a side wall of the ejection orifice so that a side wall of the first image and a side wall of the second image cross each other diagonally.

Abstract: When protective portions are independently provided for each energy generation element, a leakage current inspection between the protective portions and the energy generation elements cannot be performed at once. Therefore, there is a concern that the inspection in manufacturing a substrate for liquid ejection head requires time. Therefore, the substrate for liquid ejection head is manufactured by performing a leakage current inspection between a connecting portion that is electrically connected to plurality of protective portions and a terminal to which the plurality of energy generation elements are connected, and thereafter removing the connecting portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head, which includes providing a substrate on which a solid member that becomes a flow path wall member is disposed to surround a region that becomes a flow path, forming a mold made of a metal or a metal compound inside of the region, disposing a cover layer made of a resin to cover the solid member and the mold, and removing the mold to form the flow path.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a two-phase heat exchange device is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a container having an opening and a first wick structure disposed on the inner surface thereof, adding a predetermined material into the container, providing an cover and joining the cover with the container to construct a main body of the two-phase heat exchange device, wherein the cover seals the opening to form a closed space within the main body, and forming a second wick structure on the inner surface of the cover, wherein the first and second wick structures form a continuous structure covering the entire inner surface of the main body.

Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing method for a vehicle hub unit in which a hub wheel is arranged radially inward of an outer ring via rolling elements, an inner ring member is fixed to an end portion of a hub spindle of the hub wheel by clinching, a spline tooth portion that meshes with a tooth portion of a constant velocity joint that transmits driving force to the hub unit is formed at a clinched portion of the hub spindle, and a protruding portion is formed at a radially inner side portion of a bottom of the spline tooth portion. The clinched portion is formed by plastically deforming a cylindrical end portion of the hub spindle outward with a clinching tool. The clinching tool includes a punch and an oscillating spindle to which the punch is non-rotatably attached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a coil spring using a helicoid reduction mill, which can greatly decrease the weight of a coil spring at the time of manufacturing a coil spring requiring uniform strength, which can manufacture a coil spring in an environment-friendly manner, and which can manufacture spring coils having various material diameters using one coil spring material.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rolling bearing by deformation of the outer ring (OR) and/or the inner ring (IR) comprising, before said step of deformation, determining the theoretical position (1?, 2?) that the two extreme rolling elements should occupy so as to allow inserting at least one supplemental rolling element (11) in said space (13), said theoretical position defining an acute application angle (?2) determining the value of forces (F1) to be applied from outside to said outer ring (OR) at three application points, one central point at said nearest or contact location of both inner an outer rings in said symmetry plane and two lateral points at an angle (2?2) equal to the double of said acute application angle with respect to said symmetry plane, verifying that the deformation of the outer ring (OR) resulting from the application of said forces remains elastic and in that case, applying said forces and inserting at least one supplemental rolling element in said space.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a razor head component that includes the steps of providing a strip of material elongated along a first direction (X), the strip having first and second rounded extremities parallel with the first direction (X). The strip includes a first portion having a first extremity, a second portion having a second extremity, and an intermediate portion intermediate the first and second portions, bending the intermediate portion of at least a part of the strip about a bending axis, and fixing a razor blade onto the second portion of the part.

Abstract: An elongated apparatus for releasably retaining a plurality of utensils in a grouping includes an elongated base and at least one protrusion. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending from the elongated base. The at least one protrusion is configured to be removably coupled to a handle end of a utensil such that coupling of the handle end occurs via movement of the handle end along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base. Upon coupling of the handle end of the utensil to the at least one protrusion, the utensil is restricted from rotating about the longitudinal axis so long as the handle end of the utensil is coupled to the at least one protrusion.

Abstract: A garden scissor having an auxiliary blade contains a first handle and a second handle, both of which are axially connected together, and a holder and a cutting blade, characterized in that: the holder includes a receiving groove mounted thereon and an auxiliary blade movably received in the receiving groove to be axially connected with the holder so that the auxiliary blade rotates axially to be moved outward based on requirement, thereby the garden scissor is portable and used easily to enhance operation value, and the griping method is not changed after rotating the auxiliary blade outward to cut the object, thus operating comfortably and conveniently.

Abstract: A folding knife (or tool) having opposing handle halves and at least one knife blade (or tool) pivotally attached there between by an adjustable pivot. The adjustable pivot is configured to rigidly connect the opposing handle halves at the pivot point under load from fully tightened fasteners. The distance between opposing handle halves is both adjustable and rigidly fixable, resulting in improved assembly resistance to deflection from shear and torsion loads and reduced tendency of the blade (or tool) to loosen under hard use.

Abstract: Pocket safety cutter devices include ergonomic blade housing and handle portions adapted to be safely folded together into compact closed configurations.

Abstract: A hair feathering razor including first and second interconnected handles that move between open and closed positions, a biasing element tending to open the handles, a razor blade extending outwardly from the first handle, and a hair guiding bar extending outwardly from the second handle, wherein the hair guiding bar and the razor blade are in parallel alignment and move toward one another in the closed position. The hair feathering razor can further include a roller rotatably carried on the hair guiding bar.

Abstract: A pruning hook includes a fixed seat, a cutter pivotally mounted on the fixed seat, a link connected with the cutter, a drive arm pivotally mounted on the fixed seat and connected with the link, a pull cord connected with the drive arm, and a restoring spring biased between the fixed seat and the drive arm. The cutter has a sliding slot provided with a plurality of locking teeth. A driving bolt secured on the link is movable in the sliding slot and is detachably locked onto one of the locking teeth. Thus, when the pull cord is pulled and slightly loosened in a staggered manner, the driving bolt is driven to engage each of the locking teeth to drive the cutter to pierce an object step by step, so that the cutter can shear the object in a multi-stage manner.

Abstract: For manually actuated shears with a ratchet mechanism it is proposed to provide an additional locking member that circumvents the ratchet mechanism and enables the operation of the shears in a direct cut mode in which a single closing process of the handle levers also causes complete closing of the blade arrangement.

Abstract: A pivoting hand tool is provided including handle structures which control the relative angular position of pivotable arms to allow disassembly and reassembly and to prevent accidental disassembly during use. Handle structures includes an elastic interference portion which provides a first interference between the first arm and second arm at the predetermined angle to prevent angular displacement of the arms from exceeding a first predetermined angle until a disassembly pivoting force is applied to the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A bolt for attaching a blade to a rotating blade carrier has a conical shoulder section with a conical wall tapering inward from bottom to top and a shoulder top edge above the conical shoulder section. A shank extends upward from the top shoulder edge, and is configured to extend through a shank hole in the carrier, and the shoulder top edge extends laterally outward from part of the shank. A threaded portion extends upward from the shank. A blade defines a vertical mounting hole with a conical portion with a slope corresponding to the conical portion off the bolt.

Abstract: An easy to operate, extremely quiet, efficient can engagement and opening mechanism is provided for use in an opener for a can, and that provides a pair of missing teeth operating endpoints at opposite ends of its opener cycle, along with an eccentrically operating idler gear and cutter gear urging mechanism that produces a non-jamming foolproof mechanism that can be urged forward to a closed and operating position or reversed to a disengagement and non-operating position.

Abstract: An electric shaver generally includes a handle assembly and a head assembly mounted on the handle assembly. The head assembly is pivotable between a first orientation and a second orientation. A biasing element is fixed to one of the head assembly and the handle assembly and is free from being fixed to the other of the head assembly and the handle assembly. The biasing element is configured such that when the head assembly is pivoted from the first orientation into the second orientation the biasing element contacts a surface of the other of the head assembly and the handle assembly and bends to apply a counteracting force that biases the head assembly back toward the first orientation when the head assembly is not held in the second orientation.

Abstract: A straight edge clamping device having an elongated hollow base and a clamping device for holding a workpiece on the base is provided. The base having a constant cross-section and comprises: a flat top portion; a flat bottom portion; and frictional bands disposed along the flat bottom portion of the base in a direction of length of the base. The frictional bands increase a friction against the workpiece so as to keep the straight edge clamping device from skidding on the workpiece. The straight edge clamping device may further comprise installing grooves for installing the plurality of frictional bands, and the installing grooves may be disposed on the flat bottom portion in a direction of length of the base. Each of the frictional bands may have a cross-sectional shape substantially same as a corresponding installing groove.

Abstract: An articulated arm can include a plurality of articulated arm members, a probe, a receiving portion at a distal end comprising a threaded portion, and a base at a proximal end. A base plate can kinematically mount on the receiving portion and have a hole positioned such that the probe passes through the hole. The base plate can also couple to a laser and an optical sensor located on opposite sides of the hole. A nut can threadably mount to the threaded portion of the receiving portion. Further, a wave spring can mount on the receiving portion between the nut and the base plate. Thus, movement of the nut along the receiving portion can cause the wave spring to urge the base plate against the articulated arm to secure the kinematic mount. The wave spring can then mechanically isolate the base plate from the articulated arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring distance on a loose surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a wheel operatively coupled to the frame. The wheel rotates relative to the frame. Further, the wheel includes a hub for operatively coupling the wheel with the frame. The hub rotates relative to the frame in response to one of pushing and pulling of the frame. To increase traction between the wheel and the loose surface, a plurality of spikes is provided on a peripheral surface of the wheel, projecting outwardly away from the hub. As the peripheral surface rolls on the surface, the distance traversed by the wheel is measured by calculating the number of rotations made by the wheel. A counter is operatively coupled to the wheel for tracking the number of rotations made by the wheel as the peripheral surface of the wheel rolls on the loose surface.

Abstract: FIGS. 1,2, and 3 show front and side views of an improved tape measure having a hinges or pivots (16) making segments or sections or tip measures (14). This pivoting action gives means to measure horizontally in out of reach areas. Comprised of front tip (12) that is the beginning of the tape measure and zero inches. Tip measure (14) is a first means of segmentation. An alternative is a plurality of sections along the tape measure. The pivot (16) allows movement in any direction at section's back tip (18). Angle hold (20a) and (20b) give traction or grip facing each other on the base measure (22) and the tip measure (14). The tape measure when in straight position will recoil into the housing (24). FIGS. 4 and 5 show exploded and a close view at pivot (16). Viewable is the Lock lever (26) and wedge (27) attached to bolt (28) that go through washers 30a and 30b and through pivot (16) of both segments and or tip measures (14) and base measure (22).

Abstract: An upper cabinet of a rotary-drum laundry dryer outer casing can include a rear wall. The rear wall can include a sink-shaped bulge or recess. The bulge or recess can project outwards of the upper cabinet, be roughly centered to a rear rim of a dryer drum, and include a through opening. The upper cabinet can also include a substantially circular, basin-shaped lid or cover fixed to the inner face of the cabinet rear wall substantially coaxial to the drum. The lid or cover can be shaped so as to completely cover and close the outwards-projecting bulge or recess on the cabinet rear wall. This can form, on that rear wall, a cavity which communicates with the inside of drum and also with a hot-air generator via the through opening.

Abstract: A circular sealing gasket can be interposed between a rear rim of a laundry dryer drum tubular body and a rear wall of the dryer casing. The laundry dryer may also comprise a substantially circular, basin-shaped lid or cover fixed to the rear wall, substantially coaxial to the tubular body, so as to form a cavity on the rear wall that communicates with a hot-air generator. A circular gasket-supporting collar may have a nominal diameter greater than that of the tubular body rear rim. The collar may be fixed to the periphery of the basin-shaped lid or cover and/or to the rear wall, coaxial to the tubular body. The circular sealing gasket can be force fitted into the gasket-supporting collar so as to come in abutment against a periphery of the basin-shaped lid or cover around the perimeter thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hopper of an injection molding machine, which comprises a combined hopper, an electric heating air-blasting system and a temperature control system, wherein the combined hopper comprises two or more than two sub-hoppers; each sub-hopper is provided with an independent sub-feed inlet, an independent sub-discharge outlet and a branch air-blasting port capable of being controlled independently; all the sub-discharge outlets of the sub-hoppers are communicated with a thermostatic chamber arranged below the sub-discharge outlets; a main discharge outlet and a main air supply port are arranged at the lower part of the thermostatic chamber; and the thermostatic chamber and each sub-hopper are provided with independent temperature control systems respectively.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying laundry with ultraviolet radiation is provided. One or more ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation, which, in various embodiments, is transmitted through a UV-radiation permeable transparent drum containing the wet laundry and other wet articles to be dried. Also provided is a dryer having ultraviolet light sources centrally situated with respect to the drum, wherein the ultraviolet light sources emit ultraviolet radiation directed at laundry in the drum.