Abstract: A shaving razor is presented including a shaving razor head and a handle. The shaving razor head includes at least two lubricated strips extending across a length of the shaving razor head; a serrated-edge blade positioned between the at least two lubricated strips; and two side guards for holding the at least two lubricated strips and the serrated-edge blade in place. The handle is connected to the shaving razor head such that the shaving razor head with the serrated-edge blade moves in accordance with movement of the handle. The serrated-edge blade employs a semi-circular concave down pattern.

Abstract: Razor handles are provided for razors having a battery-powered functionality. Methods of manufacturing such handles are also provided. In one implementation, the handle includes a unitary grip portion constructed to receive a razor head at one end thereof, and a battery cover, mounted on the grip portion. The grip portion and the battery cover, when joined, may together define a water-tight unit prior to mounting of the razor head on the grip portion.

Abstract: A shaving cartridge with a housing having a guard and a cap that define a shaving plane tangential thereto. The housing has a first blade with a blade edge positioned between the guard and the cap. A second blade has a blade edge positioned between the cap and the blade edge of the first blade. The first blade defines a plurality of rinse-through openings positioned between the blade edge of the first blade and the blade edge of the second blade.

Abstract: A shaving implement, the form of which is a system of interlinked circular razors having the appearance of a metallic cloth, held together by fabric or metal thread. The flexible shaver is meant to replace razors of the wet shave type, providing greater safety in shaving the skin, and in cleanliness of the shaver itself The cutting areas of the circular razors are each slightly larger than an average hair, greatly reducing the chance of cutting oneself The shaver conforms to the contours of the skin, and increases the efficiency of shaving compared to current depilatory shavers.

Abstract: The disclosed hedge trimmer is provided with a main body, a blade unit supported by the main body and a chip receiver supported by the blade unit. The chip receiver is attached to the blade unit. The chip receiver is positioned at an opposite side of the blade unit from cutting edges of the blade unit and receives branches and leaves cut by the cutting edges. The chip receiver has a concavo-convex shape including a longitudinal rib, traverse rib and projections formed of a edge of the chip receiver, to prevent the received branches and leaves from dropping.

Abstract: A knife is described having a handle that at least partially conforms to the palm of a user and includes an arcuate surface opposite the palm portion of the handle that may be utilized by the user to provide additional leverage and force to a blade cutting edge. The handle also includes finger holds formed in the handle between the palm portion and arcuate portions of the handle. An embodiment further includes an interchangeable blade extending out of the handle from the arcuate surface and may also include an actuable blade lock that fixes a portion of an interchangeable blade within the handle.

Abstract: A plastic cutlery item molded from a plastic material, such as polystyrene, having a metallic coating that imparts to this cutlery item the appearance of metal cutlery or silverware. In one embodiment the plastic cutlery or tableware items are molded using injection molding techniques, and subjected to a vacuum metallizing process in an individualized non-contiguous manner, where a thin metallic layer is deposited on at least one of their surfaces. The resultant items simulate the appearance of metal cutlery or tableware. In one embodiment of the invention the plastic cutlery or tableware articles are molded from a clear polystyrene resin and are coated with a thin stainless steel layer through vacuum sputtering deposition on only one of the sides. The abrasion resistance of the metallic coating can be enhanced by subjecting the articles to a post-metallizing holding period or by applying a clear protective overcoat.

Abstract: An electric hair trimmer includes a handle having a drive motor and a cutter head connected to the handle. The cutter head includes a housing having a pair of cutting blades extending from an end of the housing and disposed adjacent to one another. At least one of the blades is adapted for motion relative to the other blade to cut hair, and each of the blades has a curved shape at a terminal end.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus for a limit stop element of an electric hand tool, in particular a hand circular saw, is disclosed. The fastening apparatus includes a guide, into which the limit stop element can be inserted and along which it can be displaced, and a locking mechanism, which can lock the limit stop element in the displacement direction. The locking mechanism has a spring element, which, in its locked position, clamps the limit stop element with a clamping force directed against the limit stop element and, in a released position, permits a displacement of the limit stop element.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for reducing vibration by counter weights which smoothly operate without linearly reciprocating, in a reciprocating power tool. The reciprocating power tool has first and second bevel gears 123, 147 which are opposed to each other on either side of a pinion 119 and rotationally driven in opposite directions at the same reduction ratio by the pinion 119. Further, the reciprocating power tool has a slider 107 which is caused to linearly reciprocate in a longitudinal direction of a tool bit 111 by a crank 129. The first and second bevel gears 123, 147 are provided with first and second counter weights 143, 145 in positions displaced from their rotation axes, respectively.

Abstract: A tool has at least one point, at least one working edge, at least one edge, which connects to the point and is located opposite of the working edge and which has at least one first edge region that is straight and forms an inclination angle between 0° and 2.5° with the working edge. The edge has a second edge region, which has a different inclination than the first edge region.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing and having an output shaft, a planetary transmission coupled to the output shaft and having an output carrier, a dual-eccentric scotch yoke mechanism coupled to the output carrier and drivable by the planetary transmission in response to rotation of the output shaft, and a blade coupled to the dual-eccentric scotch yoke mechanism for movement in a reciprocating manner.

Abstract: A physical template for deploying an earth-based sensor network. The physical template includes a physical mesh. The physical mesh is configurable as a surface-covering structure that includes a plurality of nodes. A node of the plurality of nodes is to position a sensor for deployment of the sensor within a specified distance of a location on a surface of the Earth. A sensor-network-deployment system including the physical template for deploying an earth-based sensor network, and a method for deploying an earth-based sensor network utilizing the physical template are also provided.

Abstract: A universal precise leveling measuring device and measurement method thereof, comprising: a plate-shaped horizontal base, a round bubble level set at the center of an upper surface of the base, and three outriggers set on the base, wherein at least one through-hole is set at one end of each of the outriggers far from the base, and a point contact bolt set in the through-hole; the three outriggers are extended in different directions and in the same plane parallel to the base, and included angle of two adjacent outriggers is smaller than 180°. With the universal precise leveling measuring device of the present invention, the prior art manual levelness measurement of foundation flange of wind power generator carried out by using a scale and a level is modified into dynamic measurement only by using the universal precise leveling measuring device, thus increasing the measurement precision and simplifying the measurement procedures.

Abstract: A framing square may be used with wood or metal framing material. The framing square may be designed to exactly fit the size of the framing material, so as not to overhand off a side of the framing material. The framing square may, for example, allow for use when laying out door and window openings when the frame is laying down.

Abstract: A device locates an apparatus to the center of a hole in a structure. The device includes a hub adapted to have the apparatus mounted thereon and a plurality of locator elements spaced around the hub which extend at least partially into the hole. Means coupled with the locator elements and the hub are used to displace the locator elements outwardly into engagement with the edges of the structure and to move the hub into axial alignment with the center of the hole.

Abstract: An apparatus of checking dimensions of an object includes a checking platform. The checking platform has a checking slot extending from one side and arriving at another side thereof. The checking slot is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall, wherein the first side wall has a front section connecting to a rear section. The second side wall has a middle section connecting to a front section and a rear section, wherein the distance between the front section of the first side wall and the front section of the second side wall is greater than that between the rear section of the first side wall and the rear section of the second side wall, and is smaller than that from a connecting location to the middle section of the second side wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring a desired length and a method of using the device, where the device comprises: a metal casing; a retractable tape measure extending from the right side of the metal casing; and numerical markings on the tape measure, where the numerical markings increase from right end of the tape to the left toward the metal casing when the tape measure is extended from the metal casing. The numerical markings may designate either inches or centimeters and may include sub-units thereof.

Abstract: A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze drying apparatus having a shelf and bulk product or a number of vials in different areas on the shelf which contain product to be freeze dried. Temperature sensors are positioned in selected locations or vials which are representative of the different bulk product areas or the positions of all of the vials in different areas of the shelf. The temperature sensors are monitored and compared to determine the selected location or vial having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. The shelf temperature is controlled based on the selected location or vial with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. When the temperature sensor in the highest temperature selected location or vial is no longer in ice, another selected location or vial with the highest temperature and a temperature sensor therein that is still in ice is then used to control the shelf temperature.

Abstract: This application discloses devices, articles, and methods useful for producing lyophilized cakes of solutes. The devices and articles provide for a method of freezing liquid solutions of the solute by the top and the bottom of the solution simultaneously and at approximately the same rate. The as frozen solution can then provide a lyophilized cake of the solutes with large and uniform pores.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column.

Abstract: In a washing machine, a power management apparatus and a method of controlling the same, washing operation and drying operation commands are input by a user, power rate information for each time period is received from an EMS, a drying operation execution time is confirmed, and power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are determined based on the power rate information for each time period. Then, the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are compared with the standard power rates to determine whether the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates, and an algorithm of a final spinning mode in the washing operation is adjusted if the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates.

Abstract: A fitness insole is applicable to various sandals, beach shoes, slippers and general-purpose shoes. The fitness insole has a soft substrate deposited on an upper pad or between the upper pad and a lower pad, so that the fitness insole forces a wearer to make an effort to balance his/her body, thereby increasing the wearer's calorie consumption and facilitating the wearer's weight loss.

Abstract: An insole which generates an air flow during use, which assists in cooling or warming the foot of a user is disclosed. In a first embodiment, air flow facilitated by said insole provides for convective heat transfer away from the plantar surface of the foot. The insole is intended for insertion into a shoe which is ventilated, preferably an athletic shoe with a ventilated upper. The bottom layer defines a plurality of ridges and a channel lining portion which together define a plurality of air channels. The bottom layer also defines a heel recess in which a heel pad is situated. In a second embodiment, an insole which collects, retains, and provides heat from and to a user's foot is disclosed. Said insole further comprises a middle layer of thermal reflective material secured to and coextensive with a top layer and a bottom layer secured to said middle layer.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper with a tongue and an outer shell in which the tongue has a bulging extension on the medial side, in which the outer surface of the tongue has a connector that is aligned with a connector on the inner surface of the outer shell. When the connectors are aligned together, the tongue is secured to the outer shell.

Abstract: A footwear device including a resilient member having first and second ends. The first end can be configured for being connected to a user's foot, and the second end can be configured for being connected to the user's leg above the ankle joint. The resilient member can be configured and positioned for resiliently and rotatably biasing the user's foot about the ankle joint.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe, at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has increased flexibility The grid structure is irregularly formed by lines which are determined on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve through the toe joints between the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx of the big toe and between the respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of the second, third, fourth and toes, and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes when the sole is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot. In the same way, a shoe having an outsole of the kind described above is also proposed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved shoe comprising: a shoe having a heel; a cavity defined in said heel; and, a spring assembly for being received in said cavity and attached to said shoe having a plurality of leaf springs. The invention can also include a vibration damping element carried by each of said leaf springs. The invention can also include non-slick coverings carried by each of said leaf springs.

Abstract: A boot for sealing out environmental elements is disclosed. In one example, the boot includes a drawstring seal between the boot and a leg of wearer. The boot can limit the intrusion of environmental elements to the interior of the boot at least during some conditions.

Abstract: Customizable studs for articles of footwear having variable ground interaction characteristics are disclosed. A customizable stud may generally include a fastening member formed of a fastening member cap and fastening member shaft, a plurality of rings, and a washer. The fastening member cap and the plurality of rings define the ground interaction characteristics of the stud. To vary the ground interaction characteristics, the contour, height, and material makeup of the stud may be altered by varying the shape, number, thickness, length, and material of the rings. The stud components may be sold as a kit with at least one fastening member and a plurality of rings with varying characteristics. The kit may also include at least one washer.

Abstract: The strap-on is a small functional and ornamental piece, not attached to a shoe, with an almost circular base and a long oval shaped strap-like top that is worn on a shoe and foot, engaging the shoe at the heel, to fasten the shoe to the foot. With a strap-on, the wearer can conveniently wear 1, 2 or 3 shoes sizes higher than the wearer's normal shoe size. The strap-on can exist with one long strap or with two straps placed adjacently. The strap-on can be made from leather, rubber, plastic and cloth. The strap-on can include hooks, buttons, snaps, buckles and other mechanisms or attachments all of which could be made of rubber, plastic, leather, precious jewels or metals thus having the secondary function of being ornamental. The strap-on is worn in pairs, one for the left foot and one for the right foot.

Abstract: A tube of material comprising a decorative portion with an inner layer having an attachment member(s) inserted therein. The attachment member(s) is connected to the rim of a boot through user interaction with the boot. Various jewelry items have connection member(s) attached to the inner layer. Each of the connection member(s) is attached to another connection member and or to a decorative jewelry item. A tube comprising a decorative portion; an inner layer sewn at its border to the decorative portion; and a sock sewn to a top side of the sewn border so that it folds inwards into the sock. A connection member(s) is attached to the inner layer. Each of the connection member(s) is further attached to another connection member and or to a decorative jewelry item. The connection member(s) is from the group of: a spring activated jeweler's lock, a keychain ring and a strip of material.

Abstract: A system for attaching a tool to a boot or other footwear includes a first coupling element which is attached to the outside of the boot, and a second coupling element which is attached to an implement and is releasably attachable to the first coupling element. The coupling elements may include a securing element which holds the second coupling element on the first coupling element.

Abstract: An illuminant shoe has a body, an outsole and an illuminating device. The body has a putting segment, a lifting cover and an insole. The putting segment has a heel lining and a through hole. The lifting cover is connected to the heel lining. The insole is mounted in the putting segment. The outsole is mounted on the putting segment and has a mounting chamber. The illuminating device is mounted in the mounting chamber and has an illuminating module, a controlling module and a switch. The illuminating module has first wires, multiple illuminating elements and a first electrical element. The controlling module is connected to the illuminating module and has two second electrical elements, multiple second wires, a controlling unit, a battery and a protecting casing. The switch is mounted in the putting segment, is connected to the controlling module and has a third wire and a third electrical element.

Abstract: A modular footbed comprised of a forefoot portion, a heel portion, a bridge and arch support can be fashion to place the knee in dynamic alignment with the femoral head of the femur and the ankle. Standing on one leg and repetitively extending and flexing the knee of the supporting leg, one can observe side-to-side deviations of the knee from a natural position. Various components of the modular footbed are incorporated so as to enable the knee to remain aligned throughout its range of motion.

Abstract: A snowblower for removing snow from a paved surface, such as roadways and airport runways. The snowblower includes a blower assembly having a blower housing that encloses a pair of rotating side augers and a rotating impeller. The blower housing includes an upper hood. The upper hood is angled from a trailing edge to a leading edge such that the angled upper hood provides enhanced visibility of the operator of the snowblower. Each of the side augers is driven by a hydrostatic drive motor that is positioned above the upper hood to remove the drive motors from within the open interior of the blower housing. The drive motors are driven from a power source separate from the power source used to rotate the impeller. The lower, leading edge of the blower housing includes a V-shaped lower edge to further enhance the direction of snow into the blower housing.

Abstract: A device and method which implements a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for controlling the door of a shovel bucket. In one embodiment, an adjustable connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to a shovel bucket. A fixed connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to the adjustable connecting rod and pivotally connect to the door of the shovel bucket. The proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod may move in a direction towards the shovel bucket when the door is closing in order to lock the door. An eccentric assembly may be configured to move the proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from the shovel bucket after the door has closed in order to unlock the door.

Abstract: A foldable display device includes a first display panel which displays a portion of an image; a second display panel which displays a second portion different from the first portion of the image; a first protecting window on the first display panel; a second protecting window on the second display panel; and a flexible material layer between the first and second protecting windows. Side surfaces of the first and second protecting windows which contact the flexible material layer, respectively, are inclined with respect to a surface of each of the first and second protecting windows.

Abstract: The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object.

Abstract: A road sign mounting apparatus for displaying a road sign attached to a mounting bracket. The road sign mounting apparatus is adapted for being carried by a circular base having an open interior and a rim, and an upper profile and lower profile. The road sign mounting apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of legs carried by and extending outward from the body. Each of the plurality of legs is intended for being carried by the circular base. A road sign support is pivotally carried by the body and has a first position wherein the road sign support is carried beneath the upper profile of the circular base when carried by the circular base and a second position wherein the road sign support extends in a general vertical direction intersecting the plane defined by the upper profile of the circular base. The road sign support includes a locking mechanism for locking the road sign support in the second position. The road sign mounting apparatus may be carried by a tire having reflective surface.

Abstract: A three-sided channel coupler for connecting the upper and lower portions of a U-shaped sign post, the coupler comprising two U-shaped elements, an outer three-sided, U-shaped element and an inner, three-sided U-shaped element, the three sides of each element comprising a transverse face and two lateral legs, the inner element being smaller than the outer element, a plurality of cross-braces attached to the two lateral legs of each element to hold the two elements together and a plurality of vertical ribs on the inner surface of the outer element and on the outer surface of the inner element.

Abstract: A channel sign assembly is provided having a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides which define the figuration of the sign assembly or shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a screw-less retainer cap secured to the sign assembly.

Abstract: Signage is presented comprising an in-mold plastic plate portion having a slot. The signage has a flexible tongue having a neck portion that extends outwardly from the plate portion and has a locking tip extending from the neck portion and the locking tip is formed to be received by the slot. The plastic plate portion is made of a filler material and a detectable additive such that the signage is easily detected by a metal detecting machine.

Abstract: A breech device (100) for a handgun has an impact base (120) in a central recess (110) in said breech device (100). The impact base (120) is in the form of a front end face of an impact-base member (160) in the central recess. A main functional region (150) is between said impact base (120) and a rear end face (140) of said breech device. At least one percussion member (300) for firing a cartridge and also a surface of a cartridge slide (211) are in the main functional region (150). The surface of the cartridge slide (211) is adapted to abut cartridges mounted in a magazine (100) in a neutral position of the breech device.

Abstract: A muzzleloading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and the barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug including a seal element closely received by the bore. The seal element may be a set of piston rings that are received in a circumferential groove about a forward end of the plug, or may be a cup at the forward end, with a forward rim that flares under pressure to provide a gas seal.

Abstract: A device for selectively engaging and depressing the slide lock of a firearm includes a pair of engagement tabs that may be utilized in the field stripping of a firearm. In particular, the tabs have slots that are configured to accept the slide lock of the firearm, and facilitate disengagement of the lock to the slide assembly of the firearm.

Abstract: A rifling angle calculating method according to the present invention expands a rifling angle by combining a Fourier function and a polynomial function to take only the advantages of the two functions, and thus boundary conditions at the start and end points of the rifling angle may be faithfully satisfied, and an optimum rifling angle for minimizing the maximum rifling force may be calculated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for networking accessories to a firearm or weapon wherein the accessories are inductively powered from the rail and data is transferred between the accessories and the rail via inductive coupling. In one embodiment, a weapon is provided, the weapon having: an upper receiver; a lower receiver; a powered accessory mounted to a rail of the upper receiver; and an apparatus for inductively networking a microcontroller of the powered accessory to a microcontroller of the upper receiver and a microcontroller of the lower receiver, wherein the data is exclusively provided to the powered accessory from one of a plurality of coils located within the rail; and wherein the powered accessory further comprises a plurality of coils and the powered accessory is configured to determine when one of the plurality of coils of the powered accessory is adjacent to the one of the plurality of coils of the rail.

Abstract: Systems and methods for loading and unloading a magazine are comprised herein. An apparatus described herein includes a magazine that has chamber for storing ammunition. A toll that is used for loading and unloading ammunition into the magazine. The tool includes a reservoir container that is defined by three sides of the tool. The reservoir container is configured to hold ammunition cartridges. A funnel interacts with a proximal end of the reservoir container and is configured to route ammunition from the reservoir container into a single row in a repository channel. A loading press that is sized for insertion into the reservoir container and the repository channel, is used, when inserted, to guide ammunition through the tool and into the magazine.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention describes a telescopic gun sight comprising an objective lens, a reticle, an image erecting means, an eyepiece lens, and a pair of prisms, wherein said pair of prisms are positioned between said objective lens and said reticle so that changing the linear separation between the prisms adjusts the point of aim. Other embodiments are described and shown.