Abstract: A waterless urinal has a fixture including a backsplash and side walls joining a bowl at the bottom. Mounted on the top of the fixture is a fluid reservoir, a valve and a controller. The controller periodically opens the valve to release a quantity of a cleansing sealant from the reservoir onto the non-wetted surfaces of the fixture. The cleansing sealant cleans the non-wetted surfaces and then flows into the bowl where it collects to replenish the trap seal.

Abstract: A multi flush volume flush valve is in communication with an automatic flush control. The flush control determines the presence of a user and the amount of time the user uses the toilet. The usage time is compared to a predetermined time value to determine the appropriate flush volume based on an assumption regarding usage time and flush volume needs. The comparative value statistically adjusts to the restroom traffic.

Abstract: In a handle arrangement, in particular an aid to help persons rise, for example in the bathroom area, having a gripping rod (12), on which at least one suction head (14) with a suction plate (15) or a suction piston (50) and an actuating device (17) for the suction plate (15), or respectively suction piston (50), are arranged on at least one handle end (13a, 13b), or between both handle ends (13a, 13b), so that the at least one suction head (14) can be attached by suction to a porous surface by activating the actuating device (17) for forming a vacuum acting between the porous surface and the suction plate (15), or respectively the suction piston (50), and can be released therefrom by releasing the vacuum, a vacuum loss indicator device (22) is provided, which reacts to the reduction of the vacuum.

Abstract: An adjustable plumbing fitting has a piston rotatably and telescopically engaged in a housing, with one end of the housing adapted to be connected to a first plumbing part, and a cylindrical extension on the piston projecting from an opposite end of the housing and adapted to be connected to a second plumbing part. In one embodiment, two housings and associated pistons are integrally joined together to form a T-fitting for connecting the overflow and drain of a bathtub. In another embodiment, the housing is integrally formed with a J-shaped drain trap, and in another embodiment the housing and/or piston is integrally formed with a water closet flange.

Abstract: A patient transfer device includes a mat, with an upper side and a gas permeable lower side. The mat includes a chamber between its upper and lower sides, which is operable to be in fluid communication with an air source such that when air flows into the mat, the air will flow into the chamber and through the gas permeable lower side to form an air film between the mat and a surface on which the mat is supported at its lower side. In addition, the lower side of the mat is substantially planar when the mat is inflated. A system for controlling the inflation of the mat may be used that automatically adjusts for the inflation of the mat during patient transfer.

Abstract: A multi-purpose air mattress apparatus is disclosed for use in at least a bed of a vehicle having an opposing pair of inwardly protruding wheel wells. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, an inflatable air mattress having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each defining a lateral recess sized for accepting at least a portion of the wheel wells therewithin and further defining recess ledges that selectively sit atop the wheel wells. With the apparatus positioned within the vehicle bed and the wheel wells positioned at least partially within the lateral recesses, the recess ledges in combination with a perimeter ledge cover substantially any exposed portions of the wheel wells, while a set of upper and lower perimeter chambers further maintain a stable structure of the apparatus during use both within a vehicle bed as well as on any other relatively flat surface in otherwise conventional fashion.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a mattress support attached to an end panel of adjustable height. The panel comprises a lower frame and a movable upper frame defining between them two spaced vertical uprights, of telescopic structure, an actuating cylinder, and an extension amplification mechanism.

Abstract: A body-support apparatus comprises a support assembly including two couplers and a cross-member and a plurality of body-support portions supported on the support assembly and moveable relative to the support assembly. The body-support apparatus is configured to be mounted on a patient-support apparatus which has generally parallel spaced apart members.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base configured to mount on a frame, a post coupled to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, a head support for supporting the head of a patient lying in a prone position on the frame, and a lockable joint coupled to the post and coupled to the head support to position the head support above the base. The lockable joint, when locked, prevents movement of the head support along the post and prevents movement of the head support relative to the post about a plurality of axes. The lockable joint, when unlocked, allows movement of the head support along the post and allows movement of the head support relative to the post about the plurality of axes.

Abstract: An orthopedic pillow has a plurality of foam layers. The plurality of foam layers includes a top foam layer made of memory foam. The top foam layer is constructed and arranged to receive a user's head. The plurality of foam layers also includes a middle foam layer made of latex foam, the middle layer defining a central opening, and a bottom layer made of latex foam. The orthopedic pillow also has a high density foam tube affixed to an edge of the top foam layer. The high density foam tube is constructed and arranged to support the user's neck.

Abstract: A sleeping pillow divided by a hinge web into head and neck sections, with a neck recess defining a neck roll formed in the neck section, and with the neck section moveable about web to hinged position with respect to a horizontal head section so that pillow supports a sleeper's head at the head section and neck on the neck roll.

Abstract: A baby crib rail device is provided for assisting an infant with relieving pain associated with teething. The device comprises a plurality of crib rail covers removably secure to the guardrail of a child's crib or playpen. Rail covers consist of channels having an inverted “U” shaped cross-section. The covers are secured to an infant crib guardrail by placing the rail through the open bottom of a crib rail cover and pushing downward to secure its location. Sections of rail cover are removably securable to each other in an end-to-end structure that results in an elongated crib rail cover. The covers may be constructed of a soft, durable, sanitizable material such as rubber or plastic. The surfaces of the different rail covers may have a variety of surface contours to provide different types of gum stimulation for teething infants. Rail covers may be arranged in any desired configuration according to the needs or interests of a child.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating spinal alignment is disclosed. The contoured sleep system facilitates alignment of a person's spine along the Sagittal plane when laying in a sleep-on-side position. An exemplary contoured sleep system has a unibody trunk rest, head rest and spacing member.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for making a shoe outsole and to shoe outsoles made using such techniques. In one such technique, a sheet of composite material is produced by extruding a base material together with a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of composite material is then cut into an outsole component, and a shoe outsole is fabricated using the outsole component.

Abstract: A latch assembly is suitable for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly having a ramp portion coupled to a fixed portion so that the ramp portion reciprocates between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch assembly includes a latch pin attached to the ramp portion. The latch assembly further includes a latch fitting coupled to the fixed portion of the ramp assembly. The latch fitting has a hook portion and a tang. The latch fitting selectively reciprocates between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the hook engages the latch pin to retain the ramp portion in the stowed position. In the second position, the hook portion is disengaged from the latch pin. In the third position, the tang applies a lifting force to the ramp portion.

Abstract: A bridge replacement method is disclosed. The bridge includes a deck supported by a pair of abutments, each abutment having wing walls. The deck is removed, footings are cast in holes dug behind each abutment and a pier is provided on each footing. Substantially parallel and coplanar cambered beams are provided. Each beam spans between and is supported by the piers. A brace assembly reinforces the beam camber. On each adjacent pair of beams, precast deck elements are placed, such that each element of said plurality spans the beam pair, to define at least transverse gaps between the elements and put the upper surfaces of the elements in compression in a transverse direction. The gaps are grouted. After grout curing, the brace is adjusted to reduce the beam camber and cause the upper surface of the elements to also be put into compression in a direction parallel to the beams.

Abstract: Scrubbing apparatus is configured by methods so that discs are quickly cleaned and conveyed by selecting a total number of spiral brush segments, rates of brush rotation, and a pitch length of a helical junction that receives discs for cleaning and transport. A time period for cleaning and transporting discs depends on the pitch length, rotational speed and configurations of the segments. An increase of the cleaning time period may result from use of an increased number of brush segments. A group of discs is cleaned by the same spiral brush, by one-by-one insertion of the discs into the junctions, and transporting the discs through the same segments.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly (2) for an optical device (16) includes a shaft (14) configured for supporting the optical device within an enclosure (4) that is adapted for rotation about the shaft. At least one first sealing element (18) is disposed between the shaft and a mating surface of the enclosure for preventing fluid leakage therethrough. At least one optically transparent window (8) is mounted in association with the enclosure (4), and at least one cleaning element (9, 11) is coupled to the shaft for cleaning a surface of the window (8). The cleaning assembly may include a moisture barrier in the form of a pressure-influenced member (58) such as a bellows (40) having a body of expandable and retractable-volume for containing air that diffuses therein, while equalizing pressure on opposite sides of the barrier.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a handle and a head connected to the handle. A tissue cleanser is positioned on the head and has a textured surface and a plurality of apertures extending therethough. Each of a plurality of tissue cleaning elements extends through one of the apertures and extends outwardly from the head.

Abstract: A head for a toothbrush has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The head includes a first cleaning element carrier and a second cleaning element carrier. The second cleaning element carrier is asymmetrically fixed to the head such that the second cleaning element carrier can move relative to the head about the transverse axis of the head.

Abstract: An extendable toothbrush for assisting a person with impaired mobility of the arms. The toothbrush has an extendable neck that locks in place at various lengths. The toothbrush is capable of extending to twice its retracted length, thus allowing a user to reach their mouth without having to raise their arm. Rotating head and brush implements further increase mobility and access to different areas of the mouth. A removable toothpick tool is attached to the handle of the toothbrush for cleaning in between teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brush and a bristle holder. The invention relates in particular to a bristle holder for a brush, the bristle holder having a frame, a bristle anchoring means, and a back part, the back part having a first end area adjacent to the handle part of a connectable brush and a second end area adjacent to the brush end, the first end area supporting at least one first connecting element and the second end area supporting at least one positioning element and at least one holding element. The invention furthermore relates to a brush with and for a bristle holder of the described type.

Abstract: A sectoral reduction gear is arranged between a motor portion and a link mechanism. The sectoral reduction gear rotates in a reciprocating manner in a predetermined angle range on the basis of a forward rotation and a reverse rotation of the motor portion. An outer periphery of the sectoral reduction gear defines an imaginary circle. An inner region of the imaginary circle has an operating range in which the sectoral reduction gear, which rotates in a reciprocating manner, passes, and a non-operating range, in which the sectoral reduction gear does not pass. As seen from an axial direction of an output shaft, a part or the whole of the output shaft is arranged in the non-operating range.

Abstract: A wiper system for a vehicle includes a frame supported by the vehicle and a wiper motor supported by the frame. The wiper system further includes a wiper arm coupled to the wiper motor and configured to be driven by the wiper motor to move in a reciprocating pattern. A water blocking member is wrapped around a portion of the frame to prevent water running along the frame from reaching the wiper motor. The blocking member is flexible and has separate free ends to enable assembly with the frame. A method of assembling the wiper system includes pressing the water blocker onto the frame at a location away from spaced apart ends of the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield wiper blade having multiple cleaning elements which are rotatable to provide a new cleaning surface is herein disclosed. The wiper blade is arranged such that two (2) rubber blades and one (1) bristle brush are in contact with a windshield surface at all times during use. The wiper blade allows is rotatable and lockable in ninety degree (90°) increments as needed, thereby extending a useful life. The wiper blade is supported by a rod structure which is attached to an existing vehicle wiper arm in a conventional manner. As the wiper blade traverses the windshield, the brush scrubs the windshield, removing splattered and stuck-on debris, while the outer blades sweep water and residue away.

Abstract: Floor cleaning machine 1, comprising a cleaning system 2, 3, 4, at least one front wheel 5; 5?; 5a, 5b as well as two rear wheels 6a, 6b, 6a?, 6b? and a drive mechanism 7; 7a, 7b, wherein the drive mechanism is an electric mono wheel drive and wherein the operator 8 is placed on the machine, characterized in that the operator is standing on a platform 9 which is located above the geometrical axis Z between the two rear wheels, wherein the maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 mm. The front wheel can be a castor wheel 5 and the rear wheels 6a, 6b can be independently driven by drive motors 7a, 7b—instead of one castor wheel, two independent castor wheels 5a, 5b can be provided. The front wheel can also be a steered wheel 5? which is powered by a drive 7 and the rear wheels 6a?, 6b? can be independently suspended and not driven.

Abstract: Vibration dampening elements that are made of rubber and/or an elastomer may fail when subjected to vertical and/or horizontal stresses caused by repeated lifting of the cleaning head assembly and/or unintentional bumping of the cleaning head assembly into door frames, walls or other non-movable objects. The present invention includes, among other things, at least one stabilizer element and preferably two stabilizer elements to reduce damage to certain vibration dampening elements caused by vertical and/or horizontal stress. Alternative embodiments of the stabilizer element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with a: nozzle opening, rear housing attached to the base, dirt separator with inlet and outlet passages, vacuum fan, accessory hose, and valve system to connect the separator alternately to the nozzle opening and hose. The valve system has a valve body having a first inlet connected to the nozzle opening and a second inlet connected to the hose, a hose connector that pivots with respect to the valve body, a connector passage through the hose connector, and a flexible outlet hose having a first end connected to the connector passage and a second end connected to the separator inlet passage. The valve inlets are generally equidistant from the connector pivot and the hose connector is pivotable to rotate the first hose end relative to the second hose end to selectively place the connector passage in communication with the first and second valve inlets.

Abstract: A furniture glide is provided that is receivable on a foot of a piece of furniture. The furniture glide includes a rentention boot including a bottom wall, upper wall and a sidewall that define a cavity for receiving the foot therein. The upper wall has a central opening therethrough that communicates with the cavity. A neck projects from the upper wall and extends about the opening. A slider bonded to the bottom wall of the retention boot to facilitate the sliding of the piece of furniture over a supporting surface such a floor or the like.

Abstract: A sliding and rotating hinge module for supporting a display screen or the like, includes a bracket, a slider and a support member. The slider is capable of sliding movement relative to the bracket and the support member is capable of pivotal movement relative to the slider. A drum is rotationally supported by the bracket. A constant force spring is attached to the drum at one end and to the slider at the other end. The constant force spring is biased to wrap around the drum, the constant force spring unwrapping from the drum as the slider moves toward the retracted position. The constant force spring biases the slider toward the extended position. A damping mechanism damps the rotational motion of the drum relative to the bracket for smooth, non-abrupt movement of the slider.

Abstract: A hinge assembly may be provided to hingeably couple two substrates together to allow one of the substrates to pivot about the center plane of the other substrate. The hinge assembly may include two separable hinge components that are manufactured from lightweight materials and that are configured to provide up to about 180 degrees of swing for a door or other hingeably-coupled substrate. Polymer bushings may be employed to preclude the need for lubrication of the hinge assembly, and a spring loaded tab may be provided on a hinge pin of the hinge assembly to provide for ease of installation, removal or replacement of a hingeably coupled substrate. Flow channels with injection ports may be defined within each of the separable hinge components of the hinge assembly, and configured to evenly distribute injected bonding material around the components of the hinge assembly while they are positioned within respective substrate cavities.

Abstract: A hinge module includes a first hinge part; and a second hinge part confronting the first hinge part. The first hinge part includes a slot; and an annular groove surrounding the slot and formed in a recessed shape in relation to the second hinge part, and an annular gasket inserted into the annular groove and projecting to the second hinge part side. The second hinge part includes a cylindrical projection non-removably inserted into the slot while freely moveable in a longitudinal direction of the slot; and a sliding surface formed around periphery of the cylindrical projection and on which the gasket slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extension for handles of an existing device. In accordance with the current invention, extensions can be connected to the handles and securely adjusted in both generally vertical and generally horizontal directions. Extensions of the current invention are particularly well-suited for use with the handles of rollable devices.

Abstract: A handle housing for a handle for a power tool, the handle housing having a first housing part; and a second housing part adapted to be mounted to the first housing part and subjected to a bending stress when mounted to said first housing part, the said first and second housing parts defining a chamber for accommodating one or more components of the power tool.

Abstract: A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.

Abstract: A shoulder strap assembly and a snap hook structure thereof are presented. A strap of the shoulder strap assembly is combined with a first article through the snap hook structure. The snap hook structure includes a main body and a keeper member. The main body hooks the first article, and the keeper member ensures the main body to keep hooking the first article. The keeper member has a perforation. The user can wind the strap around a second article, and use a lock to pass through the perforation so as to lock the first article with the second article, thereby preventing the first article from being stolen.

Abstract: A device for releasably securing to a support surface, such as a cork board, bulletin board and/or cubicle wall is provided. The device has a body, at least one pin movably coupled to the body for securing the body to a support surface, and an actuator coupled to the body and arranged to move the pin between a first position and a second position. The body may have a cavity and the pin may be movable between a first position where the pin is recessed within the cavity and a second position where the pin protrudes out of the cavity for securing the body to a support surface. In one embodiment, the device is a clip for releasably holding an object, such as paper, to the support device.

Abstract: A zipper closure system for allowing one hand zipping of objects requiring sufficient compressive force to close is provided. The zipper closure system comprises a set of tracks having a row of teeth adapted to mate with each other, a plurality of sliders that are adapted to move along the row of teeth, a connector system comprising a plurality of extenders attached to the pull tabs that allow a user to move the plurality of sliders along the row of teeth, and a connector attached to a third pull tab, where the connector links the third slider with the first and second sliders. The zipper system further includes at least one pull ring and a stopping member.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved wire-gate carabiner system including a frame, gate, and gate biasing system. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame across an opening to form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration. The gate may be referred to as a wire-type gate in that it includes an arch and two ends. The arch is looped over a hook disposed on the keyed region of the frame in the closed configuration. The two ends are pivotably coupled to the frame at two independent gate coupling points on the pivot region so as to utilize the torsional rigidity of the gate structure as the gate biasing system. The keyed region of the frame includes a hook and a cover. The cover is oriented and shaped to laterally shield the arch and hook from undesirable couplings.

Abstract: A display structure for displaying an object includes a display container defining a container inner volume for containing the object. The display container has a substantially elongated configuration and allows at least partial visual access into at least a portion of the container inner volume. The display container defines a container aperture leading thereinto located substantially adjacent a container first end. The display structure also includes a container cap mountable to the display container in a closing configuration for substantially closing the container aperture. The display structure further includes a base member for at least partially supporting the display container. The base member has a container receiving aperture extending at least partially therethrough. The container receiving aperture receives a portion of the display container so as to at least partially support the display container in a supported configuration.

Abstract: In a processing method of a slotted hole for processing a hole in a processed subject and further processing a slot intersecting the hole, a process for generating a compressive residual stress c is applied to an inner diameter portion of the hole before the slot is processed.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool that makes prying possible without need of a lever point. The tool comprises a pair of handles pivotally connected at an intermediate pivot joint, each handle comprising a gripping section, an intermediate section and a front tip section all located on a same side of the pivot joint such that movement of the gripping sections towards each other spreads the front tip sections apart. The pivot joint, situated between intermediate handle sections, includes a substantially circular pivot pin on a substantially planar base and a protective cover for situating over the pivot pin and further rotationally joining both handles.

Abstract: A method of repairing the surface of a formwork panel made of plastic. The invention provides for a surface coating of the formwork panel to be removed by machining, for example by a milling cutter, and for the formwork panel to be recoated with the same thickness as the removed surface coating. For the repair, the formwork panel can remain in its frame.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for reworking or re-machining the surface and, in particular, the slide tracks of a slip ring while the slip ring is in a built-in state in an appliance or machine using the slip ring. The slip ring is rotated by a drive provided in the appliance for rotating the slip ring during normal operation, or by an auxiliary drive, while a surface-removing cutting tool or surface deforming tool held in a tool holder or carrier adapted to be attached to the appliance or machine is applied to the surface of the moving slip ring to re-machine or recondition the surface. The invention avoids the necessity of dismantling the appliance or machine for the purpose of removing the slip ring for repairs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing packaged lancets. The steps of the process include providing a tape comprising a plurality of lancets comprising a lancet tip and a lancet body, enveloping at least the lancet tip with at least one foil, whereby the at least one foil forms a first and a second portion that overlap at least partly, and sealing the at least one foil with a laser beam at least at the edges of the first and second portion of the overlapping foil.

Abstract: An information handling system enclosure is formed from a metal panel having a thickness, such as approximately 1 mm, by stamping a raised edge from the panel so that the height of the edge appears as a thickness of the panel, such as 2.5 mm. The raised edge is stamped to have a raised edge of slightly greater than the final edge height and then punched into a corner tool to provide the raised edge with a desired height. Punching into the corner tool forms the edge along the outer circumference of the panel to have a substantially square appearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting a needle guard onto a syringe body that is provided with a needle. The device includes a retaining device for retaining the syringe body, a needle guard receptacle for receiving the needle guard, a compressed air system for providing compressed air, a first displacement device for displacing the needle guard receptacle in a vertical direction, and a rotation device for at least partially rotating the needle guard receptacle. The needle guard receptacle is disposed beneath the retaining device while the compressed air is fed to the needle guard receptacle such that the needle guard is suspended on an air cushion in a floating manner. The needle guard receptacle can be displaced in a vertical direction by the first displacement device. The invention further relates to a method for mounting the needle guard onto the syringe body.

Abstract: A method for joining elements together, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the elements relative to one another; enhancing the formability of at least a portion of at least one of the elements using a laser; and joining the elements together using a mechanical fastening method.

Abstract: The invention provides an enhanced method and system for machining an array of components. A holding mechanism is provided for holding an array of components in a machining process. The holding mechanism comprises: a rigid base plate and at least one support for holding a raw material while machining, one end of each support being coupled to the rigid base plate. The holding mechanism is further provided with a secure plate movably coupled to the rigid base plate. The secure plate is provided with one or more holding parts such as double-sided tape or guiding pins for holding the raw material. The secure plate can be elevated to hold the raw material during a machining operation such as peripheral machining.

Abstract: A continuous cable processing apparatus for producing cable sections with processed ends comprises a cable transport apparatus having at least one transporter for moving and holding the cable in the axial direction and, transversely thereto, a processing station. According to a special variant, two transporters are arranged in the longitudinal cable direction on both sides of the processing station and, after the cable has been cut through, each hold one of the cable end regions produced on cutting, so that the end regions are movable in the longitudinal cable direction. At least one of these end processing stations is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal cable direction, adjacent to the processing station and at least one transporter is movable transversely with respect to the longitudinal cable direction so that a cable end region can be fed to the end processing station.