Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A vacuum electronic switch detection system allows multiple user selectable vacuum modes to be chosen with only one micro-controller input available for performing the multiple selectable modes. The switch detection system provides multiple voltage ratio control signals indicative of multiple switch position possibilities.

Abstract: In a blower, an engine is carried on the back, and a blower portion having a fan is held through a holding member by hand. One end of a flexible shaft, is connected to an output shaft of the engine and the other end of which is connected to a rotary shaft of the fan. The flexible shaft has a flexible outer tube for connecting a casing of the engine with a housing of the fan, and a rotary shaft formed of a helical coil rounded helically around the axial line of the outer tube and extending axially in the outer tube, one end of the rotary shaft being connected to the output shaft of the engine and the other end of the rotary shaft of the flexible shaft being connected to the rotary shaft of the fan. The rotary shaft of the flexible shaft is connected to the rotary shaft of the fan through a power transmitting direction varying device.

Abstract: A leaf and lawn vacuum bagger has a housing that is attached to the exhaust outlet of a conventional leaf and lawn blower/vacuum or mulching device, and an air permeable bag releasably connected to the exhaust outlet has a fastener closure at a bottom end. A flexible sleeve is secured at one end to the housing and the air permeable bag is releasably connected at the opposed end for capturing the vacuumed yard debris. A closure member attached to the housing is selectively closed to allow exhaust gases from the lawn blower/vacuum or mulcher device to exit through the pores of the air permeable bag to the atmosphere, and leaves and yard debris exhausted through the blower/vacuum or mulcher falls down through the interior of said air permeable bag, through said sleeve, and are collected in the housing interior, and when opened, the collected leaves and yard debris falls through the housing and into the attached disposable bag, and the attached bag is then removed and replaced as needed.

Abstract: A hinge for a packaging or cargo box or the like, having a first and a second hinge leaf, the second hinge leaf has a first bushing and a second bushing located at a distance therefrom, between which a bushing of the first hinge leaf can be rotated about a mutual hinge axis. An axial tube is rotationally fixed to the bushing of the first hinge leaf and is pivot-supported in the bushings of the second hinge leaf. A torsion spring is disposed in the axial tube and attached to one end of the axial tube. A torque support connects the other end of the torsion spring to the second hinge leaf in a rotationally fixed manner. A damper for the hinge movement is connected to the second hinge leaf and the axial tube.

Abstract: An appliance hinge assembly includes: a support member configured to be secured to an appliance; a claw pivotally coupled to the support member; and a lock member pivotally coupled to the claw, wherein the claw and the lock member can be coupled together to create a bounded space therebetween.

Abstract: A hinge assembly has a pintle, a torque assembly and a resistance assembly. The pintle has a head formed on the pintle. The torque assembly is mounted on the pintle at a first side of the head to provide a force to automatically open the cover relative to the body to a first angle. The resistance assembly is mounted on the pintle at a second side of the head to provide a frictional force to hold the cover at a second angle relative to the body when the cover is closed relative to the body. Accordingly, the cover can be pivoted open relative to the body automatically with the torque provided by the torque assembly.

Abstract: A faucet handle includes a handle having a containment space, the containment space having an assembly aperture on a top surface, the assembly aperture accepting a limiting member, with two limiting ribs disposed adjacent to two opposite sides of the assembly aperture. An adjusting member has a through aperture and two engaging columns adjacent to a side of the through aperture. Each engaging column is inserted between the two limiting ribs of the handle. The adjusting member also has two engaging slots adjacent to another side of the through aperture and an assembly device having an assembly base. The assembly base has an assembly space and two positioning columns adjacent to the assembly space, and each positioning column engages with an engaging slot of the adjusting member.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting an ornament to the surface of a textile is provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for connecting an ornament to the surface of a textile may include a bottom plate; a plurality of posts coupled to a surface of the bottom plate; and a top plate having at least one connection arm comprising a plurality of hooks moveably coupled thereto, wherein the at least one connection arm and the plurality of hooks are configured to interface with the plurality of posts to removably couple the top plate to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A clip is adapted to be secured to an item fitted using a closure device. The item is typically a shoe that is laced wherein the closure device is a shoelace. The clip includes a base extending between a back end and a forward end. The base defines a bottom surface. A loop extends over the base to receive a portion of the shoelace therethrough. The clip also includes a fastener fixedly secured to the forward end for selectively securing an ornament thereto to display the ornament on top of the shoe over the tongue thereof.

Abstract: A badge holder for attachment to a garment includes a planar clip body having an opening therein forming a periphery structure in the clip body. A planar flexible spring member appends from a top portion of the periphery structure, with the free end terminating within the opening near a bottom portion of the structure and is coplanar therewith. The gap between the edge surface of the spring member and the interior wall of the periphery structure decreases in width from the bottom portion of the peripheral structure to the top portion of the peripheral structure. A plurality of projecting elements project from the surrounding edge surfaces of the spring member and from the front surface to assist in firmly holding the fabric in the clip. A badge mounting member projects from the front surface of the periphery structure upon which a badge can be mounted.

Abstract: An improved fence tie and methods of using that fence tie are disclosed. Dimensions for bending wire are described for bending a wire to form a helical section, two straight ends and a straight section adjacent to the helical section in a configuration having a form that generally resembles certain known twist type fence ties.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a connector and a method of using a connector. A connector for joining a cable with an anchor comprises a first end, a second end and a spacer extending between the first end and the second end. An opening is disposed at the first end. The opening has a configuration that mirrors a configuration of the anchor. A guying portion for joining the cable to the connector is disposed at the second end. An extension is disposed adjacent the spacer for facilitating juncture of the cable and the connector. In a method, the anchor is applied to a support surface and the first end and the anchor are joined. A tool that moves the cable in proximity to the guying portion is connected with the extension. The tool is activated to bring the cable closer to the guying portion. A portion of the cable is inserted into the guying portion for joining the cable to the connector. A further connector comprises a first end and a second end.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator includes a first polarization of a piezoelectric body; polishing the piezoelectric body; first heating step of heating the piezoelectric body to a temperature which is not lower than a Curie point of the piezoelectric body and performing a re-polarization of the piezoelectric body in a second polarization of the piezoelectric body having been heated in the first heating step.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus designed to separate and spread apart pipe flanges used in industrial type piping systems comprising a screw-driven wedge assembly is herein disclosed. The jacking apparatus provides two (2) jaw assemblies which fit between a pair of mated flanges. The jaw assembly is held in place during the prying process by a tethered metal pin which extends through one of the pipe flange bolt holes. A pair of safety restraint straps support the apparatus during use. Once the apparatus has spread apart the flanges, flange gasket material therebetween can be changed as well as other repair, maintenance or modification activities such as inserting an isolation blind. The apparatus is available in multiple sizes to fit various pipe diameters and flange sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method is provided for installing clamps. The system comprises pliers and an awl. The pliers have a pair of bifurcated jaws, each jaw generally narrow and of substantially equal width and thickness. A first jaw is pivotally mounted in relation to a second jaw such that spaces between furcations of the jaws substantially align as the jaws open and close. The distance between the jaws is adjustable, and the jaws can be releasably locked in position. The clamp is placed around a structure and an elongated shaft of the awl is passed through holes in ears of the clamp. The jaws compress the ears. The shaft is bracketed by the furcations of the jaws. The awl is removed, and a fastener inserted through the holes in the ears and secured to the clamp. At least five clamps can be secured together using just one bolt.

Abstract: A device and method of use for aligning structural elements to be connected is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to providing an end of a first structural element and an end of a second structural element; providing an aligning device including a head configured to be removably secured proximate the end of the first structural element, the aligning device further including an alignment element attached to the head, the alignment element having a rotatably secured plunging body extendable from the head; extending the plunging body from the head to non-rotatably engage the second structural element; and moving the non-rotatably engaged second structural element via extension of the plunging body to align the end of the second structural element with the end of the first structural element.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of installing a bathtub liner in a bathtub, with a liquid adhesive. The method steps include removing the bathtub drain and overflow protection device, templating and cutting the bathtub liner to properly fit into the bathtub, cleaning the bathtub, forming a foam rail gasket, setting the bathtub liner into place and forming the bathtub liner drain, removing the set bathtub liner and cleaning the bathtub liner, applying tub and wall adhesive and sealant between the bathtub and the bathtub liner, resetting the liner into place and installing the bathtub drain and stopper, installing any accessories, pouring the liquid adhesive between the liner and the bathtub, flushing away any unnecessary liquid adhesive and catalyzing the liquid adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly apparatus for supporting a fuselage section of an aircraft or spacecraft in an adjustable assembly position, with at least one stiffening bow for detachably stiffening the fuselage section and a rotational support, which rotatably supports the at least one stiffening bow. Also provided is a method for the assembly of a fuselage section of an aircraft or spacecraft in which an assembly position of the fuselage section is prescribed. In further steps, the fuselage section is reinforced with a stiffening bow and the stiffening bow is rotatably supported. The stiffening bow is then turned in such a way that the fuselage section rotates into the assembly position.

Abstract: A unique self-drilling anchor screw is configured so that it can be set and used to secure a first object to a second object using only one tool to save time and effort. A nut of the screw engages a nut stop when turning in reverse, thereby driving rotation of the screw in reverse. The screw has a drill bit tip adapted for drilling a hole while turning in reverse. A hole is drilled using the drill bit tip while turning the nut in reverse with a socket wrench of the one tool. After drilling the hole, the nut is turned in the forward direction with the socket wrench to engage a sleeve member of the screw, which sets the screw in the second object. Then, the nut is further turned forward using the socket wrench to tighten the nut against the first object located between the nut and the second object.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant. The implant includes a metal portion having an internal three-dimensional cavity, the cavity having an opening to an outer surface of the metal portion, a ledge circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the opening, and a porous metal insert formed in a three-dimensional shape conforming to the shape of the cavity and enclosed by the cavity without being bonded to the cavity. The insert is retained inside the cavity by the ledge.

Abstract: Axially expandable spacers (51, 53) are insertable between a nut (20), on a bolt (19) to be tensioned, and a face (F) on a component (C) and have ramp faces (52, 54) to take up the space as the bolt (19) is tensioned by an hydraulic tensioner (25), where the puller bar (35) is engaged with an extension (121) on the nut (120). A segmented collar (60) has radially movable segments (61) to allow quick engagement/release between the puller bar (35) and the end of the bolt (19) on the nut (120).

Abstract: A joining method for joining a second member to a first which is a tubular member having a plurality of hollow portions partitioned by a partition wall portion is provided. The first member 1 is inserted into an insertion hole 6 formed in the second member 5. A die segment 11a of a die 11 and a wedge portion segment 19a of a mandrel 18 are disposed in each hollow portion 3 of the first member 1. Next, in a state in which the partition wall portion 4 is held by and between both wedge portion segments 19a and 19a, each wedge portion segment 18a is inserted into the corresponding wedge hole portion segment 14a of the die segment 11a to thereby move each die segment 11 of the die 11 radially outward of the first member 1. With this, the inserted portion 2a of the first member 1 inserted in the insertion hole 6 and both portions 2b and 2b axially adjacent to the inserted portion are expanded to thereby join the first member 1 and the second member 5.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for an end effector assembly is provided. The method includes providing a pair of jaw members. A step of the method includes forming one or more seal plates positionable on one of the pair of jaw members. Etching a dam along a side of the one or more seal plates is a step of the method, wherein the etched dam inhibits the flow of a plastic on the one or more seal plate such that a height of the plastic with respect to the at least one seal plate during an overmolding process may be controlled. The method includes positioning the one or more seal plates on the one of the pair of jaw members; and overmolding the seal plate to one or more of the pair of jaw members.

Abstract: A processing module positioning system for window blind slats utilizes a position adjustment assembly to move plural processing modules to predetermined positions. The position adjustment assembly includes a servo motor employed to drive a connecting strap. A position control frame is fixed on the connecting strap, so that when the connecting strap is driven to move, the position control frame will be moved by the connecting strap to drive the processing modules connected on the position control frame to move. The position control frame can be connected to and disconnected from the processing modules.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor having improved pinned layer stability at small track widths. The method includes providing a substrate, and depositing a plurality of sensor layers. A layer of material that is resistant to removal by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP stop layer) and an antireflective coating layer are deposited. A photoresist mask is formed on the antireflective layer, and a reactive ion etch (RIE) is performed to remove portions of the ion mill resistant mask that are not covered by the photoresist mask, the RIE being performed in a plasma chamber having a platen, the performing the RIE further comprising applying a platen power of at least 70 W. An ion milling is performed to remove a portion of the sensor layers, the ion milling being terminating before all of the sensor materials have been removed.

Abstract: To assemble a belt including a plurality of elements and a ring for fastening the element efficiently. A belt assembling apparatus for fastening a plurality of plate-like elements being juxtaposed in a same orientation annularly by a ring includes a load applying mechanism, which applies a load to the ring or to the elements which have already been fastened by the ring during a process of fastening the elements sequentially by the ring, thereby widening a clearance in an array of the elements being fastened by the ring. Therefore, the clearance to which the last piece of the element to be fastened by the ring is inserted can be widened relatively so that the element is allowed to be inserted into the clearance easily.

Abstract: There is a need for providing an electronic component mounting apparatus, a component supply apparatus, and an electronic component mounting method capable of reducing inadvertent insertion of component supply tape and ensuring high reliability or capable of reducing wrong insertion of component supply tape, supplying new electronic component tape, and ensuring a high operation rate. Supply tape is inserted into an insertion entry of a component supply apparatus. An electronic component mounted on the supply tape is absorbed and is mounted on a printed board. Information about the electronic component mounted on the supply tape is read. Based on the read information, the component supply apparatus for inserting the supply tape is selected. The insertion entry is opened while it is closed when no supply tape is mounted.

Abstract: A system for joining tubular members comprising: a U-shaped joining member, with a first leg, a bottom of the U in communication with the first leg, and a second leg in communication with the bottom of the U, and wherein the first leg and second legs have a taper such that the cross-sectional surface area of the first leg is at a minimum at generally the far end of the first and second legs, and the cross-sectional surface is at a maximum at generally the beginning end of the first and second legs; an anchor member configured to fit generally in the bottom of the U; a first tubular member configured to fit abutting the anchor member, and between the first and second legs; a wire made of anisotropic material configured to be wound about the first leg, second leg, and a portion of the first tubular member located between the first leg and second leg; a second tubular member configured to structurally attach to the first tubular member, U-shaped joining member, anchor member, and anisotropic material; a pluralit

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for a production of cable harnesses, said device having a stand, a rotor, at least two rotor arms and at least two mounting boards, said rotor rotatably mounted on said stand and said rotor having said at least two rotor arms on which said at least two mounting boards are mounted, wherein each mounting board of said at least two mounting boards is configured to allow producing at least one cable harness. In a preferred embodiment each mounting board of said at least two mounting boards is mounted on two rotor arms of said at least two rotor arms in a vertically adjustable manner, and said rotor has a rotor post which extends upward from said stand and to which said at least two rotor arms are mounted.

Abstract: A board removal apparatus for a wooden pallet includes a frame, and a carriage carried by the frame. The carriage includes a pair of spaced apart tables with a fixed gap therebetween. The carriage is movable between a pallet receiving position and a board removal position. The pallet includes spaced apart stringers and boards on top and bottom surfaces thereof. The pallet is positioned on the carriage when in the pallet receiving position so that a board to be removed overlies the fixed gap. A board removal assembly is carried by the frame and includes a push rod and a board removal foot pad pivotally coupled thereto. The push rod and the board removal foot pad are inserted between adjacent stringers when the carriage is in the board removal position. The board removal foot pad overlies at least a portion of the board to be removed and overlies at least a portion of the fixed gap between the pair of spaced apart tables.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating microfluidic structures featuring substantially circular channels are provided. The methods involve (a) providing a patterned wafer comprising at least one exposed electrically conductive region and at least one exposed electrically insulating region; (b) electroplating an inverse channel portion with substantially semicircular cross section onto the wafer, thereby forming a first master mold; (c) employing the first master mold so as to emboss a channel portion in a first polymer sheet; and (d) aligning and bonding the first polymer sheet with a second polymer sheet having a corresponding channel portion such as to define a first channel with substantially circular cross section between the polymer sheets.

Abstract: A printed circuit board with an electronic component embedded printed circuit board and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with an embedded electronic component having a groove formed on one surface thereof and an electrode formed inside the groove includes: forming a first circuit pattern on one surface of a first metal layer; pressing the first metal layer against a first insulator; forming a first conductive protrusion by selectively etching the other surface of the first metal layer; and mounting a first electronic component by disposing a conductive adhesive layer such that an electrode of the first electronic component and the first conductive protrusion are electrically connected to each other. Thus, an electronic component without its electrode protruded outward can be mounted easily and reliably and the manufacturing time can be shortened.

Abstract: A module having a stacked magnetic device and semiconductor device, and method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the module includes a printed wiring board including a patterned conductor formed on an upper surface thereof. The module also includes a magnetic core mounted on the upper surface of the printed wiring board proximate the patterned conductor and a semiconductor device mounted on an upper surface of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A wired circuit board has a metal supporting board, a metal foil formed on the metal supporting board to have a thickness of less than 2.0 ?m, a first insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board to cover the metal foil, and a conductive pattern formed on the first insulating layer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved electrochemical sensor that has a simplified electrode assembly. The electrode assembly incorporates electrodes into or onto a single polymeric substrate. The working electrode can be porous, to enable an analyte, such as a toxic gas, to access an electrode-electrolyte interface. Ionic connection between electrodes can be made by an electrolyte on a back side of the electrode assembly, and external electronic circuitry can be connected directly to the electrode assembly. This construction dramatically simplifies the sensor, resulting in reduced costs and potentially improved performance. The construction is compatible with batch fabrication methods.

Abstract: Provided is a wiring substrate, a semiconductor device package including the wiring substrate, and methods of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device package may include a wiring substrate which may include a base film. The base film may include a mounting region and a non-mounting region. The wiring substrate may further include first wiring patterns on the non-mounting region and extending into the mounting region, second wiring patterns on the first wiring patterns of the non-mounting region, and an insulating layer on the non-mounting region, and a semiconductor device which may include bonding pads. At least one of side surfaces of the second wiring patterns adjacent to the mounting region may be electrically connected to at least one of the bonding pads of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-layer substrate and a manufacturing method of the multi-layer substrate. By employing a carrier to alternately form dielectric layers and metal structure layers thereon. Each dielectric layer adheres with the adjacent dielectric layer to embed the metal structure layers in the dielectric layers corresponding thereto. Comparing with prior arts, which have to use prepregs when hot pressing and adhering different layers of different materials, the present invention takes fewer processes, thus, fewer kinds of materials without using prepregs. Therefore, the present invention can promote the entire quality and yield of manufacturing the multi-layer substrate to satisfy mechanical characteristic matching of the multi-layer substrate and to reduce cost of the whole manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal about an electrically conductive core of a cable having an insulative outer cover and a terminal includes the steps of providing a lead of the core extending beyond an axial edge of the insulative outer cover; spraying a conformal coating onto the lead; crimping the terminal onto the cable while the conformal coating is still wet to displace the conformal coating from between the lead and the abutting contact surfaces of the terminal and to cover and seal remaining portions of the lead not in direct contact with the terminal with the conformal coating and curing the conformal coating over the remaining portions of the lead.

Abstract: A method for crimping terminals of an electric wire includes conveying an electric wire from one side of a plurality of electric wire crimping units to another side allocated in a row in a conveying direction of the electric wire, without the electric wire being grip-substituted. The method also includes crimping the terminal by stopping conveyance of the electric wire at a discretional one of the plurality of electric wire crimping units. The method also includes the following steps carried out in this order: measuring the electric wire and cutting the electric wire in a predetermined length; stripping a jacket at both ends of the electric wire; crimping the terminal to an end of the electric wire; regulating a position of the terminal of the terminal-attached electric wire; and inserting the terminal-attached electric wire to a connector housing.

Abstract: A method of adding material to a nickel-based superalloy component, such as a gas turbine rotor disk, without damaging the underlying material and without creating an unacceptable level of cracking. The method is advantageously applied in the repair of Alloy 706 turbine rotors having experienced operating failures in the steeple region of the disk. Once the damaged material is removed, replacement nickel-based superalloy material is added using a welding process that protects both the underlying material and the replacement material. The replacement material may be added by welding, with the preheat temperature maintained no lower than 100° C. below the aging temperature of the deposited alloy and with the interpass temperature maintained below the solution annealing temperature of the alloy. Alternatively, the replacement material may be preformed and welded to the original material using a friction welding process.

Abstract: A method of attaching particles to a substrate, comprising the steps: providing a substrate having a surface providing an interlayer on the surface which conforms to the surface of the substrate, forming a melt pool in the interlayer, depositing a material within the melt pool, allowing the material to solidify, applying a powder containing dispersed particles to the solidified material, and applying heat to attach the dispersed particles to the substrate.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method of fabrication are provided for facilitating removal of heat from a heat-generating electronic device. The method of fabrication includes: bonding a plurality of thermally conductive pin fins to a surface to be cooled, each pin fin including a stem with a bulb structure on its distal end; depositing material onto the plurality of thermally conductive pin fins to integrally form a jet impingement structure with the pin fins, wherein the distal ends of the plurality of thermally conductive pin fins form part of the jet impingement structure; and controlling the depositing of material onto the distal ends of the pin fins to form a plurality of jet orifices in the jet impingement structure, with the depositing resulting in the plurality of jet orifices automatically self-aligning between the plurality of thermally conductive pin fins.

Abstract: A method of releasably connecting a cable to a post in a manner such that the cable will release from the post when the post is deformed toward ground level, the method includes the steps of providing a post having an interior cavity and a slot formed through a post face wall extending from the top end of the post; disposing a cable within a loop formed in an elongated section of a connector; hanging the connector from the top end of the post, the elongated section positioned substantially within the cavity and the loop and the disposed cable positioned exterior of the cavity; and tensioning the cable.

Abstract: A garden shears includes a pressing member, a holding member, a cutting member and a ratchet. An aperture of the cutting member combines with an aperture of the pressing member for a pivot. The holding member and the ratchet are assembled together at an assembling portion of the pressing member, and teeth of the ratchet engage with a pawl of the cutting member such that the pressing member, the holding member and the ratchet have different pivot points. An opening between the blade and the anvil is smaller than an opening formed between the handle and the holding member. Since the opening formed between the handle and the holding member is larger than the cutting opening between the blade and the anvil, a stronger cutting torque is applied to increase the clipping strength derived from the anvil and the blade.

Abstract: A trimmer head assembly has a housing that defines an interior. A spool is provided. The spool can be inserted into the interior of the housing either in an upright configuration or in a flipped inverted orientation. A spring is provided in the housing that biases the spool into a first position within the housing. A ratcheting mechanism exists between the spool and the housing that enables the spool to rotate only in a first direction when in said first position. The direction of rotation permitted by the ratcheting mechanism depends upon the orientation of the spool within the housing. In this manner, a single trimmer head assembly can be made to operate on a clockwise trimmer or a counterclockwise trimmer merely by inverting the spool.

Abstract: A collapsible saw including a saw blade with teeth and a saw frame. The frame is made of four parts; a handle, a front piece, a support body and a lever piece. The four frame units fold flat and enclose both sides of the blade and fold out to form a generally U shaped saw frame, with the saw blade stretched between the two ends of the U shaped frame. The frame parts are connected to each other, and the saw has a sawing and a transport mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring apparatus for pulling a measurement from an underlying base structure. In one aspect, the present invention is a measuring apparatus having a rigid body and means for coupling the body to an underlying base structure. The rigid body includes a first laser and is adapted to receive a portion of a tape measure therein. The means for coupling the rigid body to the underlying base structure can be one or more conventional fasteners, such as, but not limited to, a bar clamp, suction cups, screws, bolts, nails, pins, hooks, hook and loop fastener, snaps, clips, brackets, and/or sleeves. Generally, the first laser is oriented such that light emitted from the laser is projected about 90 degrees from the face of the underlying structure.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus calibrates a geomagnetism sensor at a suitable timing. When a key is operated in a power-saving mode, the power-saving mode ends, and a detection value of a geomagnetism sensor is calibrated. The calibration is executed in a state where a user tries to view a screen of a display part, therefore the calibration is executed in a state where an angle of housings with respect to the horizontal plane is suitable, and a calculation precision of a bearing is improved. By executing calibration during activation of the navigation application useless calibration is not carried out, and an increase of power consumed is suppressed.

Abstract: A spirit level includes a profile body having a recess, a vial disposed in the recess of the profile body, and an evening-out part. A step is formed between the vial and the profile body on a side face of the profile body, and the evening-out part covers the step and spans the recess of the profile body. The evening-out part is flush with the side face of the profile body, and may have a magnifier effect.