Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle including a clamping device, in the opened state of which the steering column is adjustable and in the closed state of which the set position of the steering column is fixed and which has an operating lever and a clamping pin having a longitudinal axis. A clamping part, which can be rotated by the operating lever about the longitudinal axis of the clamping pin in order to open and close the clamping device, is arranged on the clamping pin or is integrated with the clamping pin as one piece. The clamping pin and/or the clamping part includes a toothing, which surrounds the longitudinal axis of the clamping pin and the teeth of which extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamping pin.

Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a shift unit, an operating lever and a connecting member. The shift unit is disposed in the base member between first and second ends of the base member. The operating lever is pivotally mounted relative to the base member about first and second pivot axes. The connecting member operatively connects the shift unit to the first operating lever. The connecting member includes a lever contact portion that contacts the operating lever to transmit movement of the operating lever to the connecting member in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever about the second pivot axis. The connecting member is arranged such that the contact portion passes through a space provided between the first pivot axis and the first operating lever from the top surface side with respect to the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A bicycle component operating device is provided with a base member, an operating lever and an operating unit. The base member includes an insertion opening that is provided on one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the base member to provide access to an interior space within the base member. The operating lever is pivotally mounted on the base member about a first pivot axis extending transverse to the lateral surfaces. The operating unit is disposed in the interior space of the base member. The operating unit has a dimension relative to the insertion opening such that the operating unit is insertable into the interior space of the base member through the insertion opening. The base member is configured such that the insertion opening continuously extends from the first pivot axis toward the first end and the second end with respect to the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a shift unit, a first operating lever, a second operating lever, a first biasing element and a second biasing element. The first operating lever operates the shift unit by pivoting about a first pivot axis between a rest position and a shifting position. The second operating lever operates the shift unit by pivoting about a second pivot axis on the first operating lever between a rest position and a shifting position. The first biasing element biases the first operating lever towards the first rest position to keep the first operating member at the first rest position. The second biasing element biases the first operating lever towards its rest position in response to independent movement of the second operating lever from its rest position to its shifting position while the first operating lever remains at its rest position.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, particularly for controlling an accelerating and braking vehicle system, comprises a knob, associated with a control member such as a handlebar or steering wheel, and including at least a circumferential recess housing herein an end portion of a brake control cable coupled to the vehicle braking system thereby, by turning clockwise the knob the vehicle braking system is operated, the knob further controlling the vehicle fuel supplying system.

Abstract: An Improved Traction Pedal includes a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of traction studs. The plurality of traction studs is disposed upon the first surface. The traction studs are used to create a greater frictional resistance between the pedal and the user's foot.

Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine mounted on a front portion of a vehicle, a motor mounted on the front portion of the vehicle, a transmission mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle, an auxiliary transmission connected to an output shaft of the engine and to an output shaft of the motor, and a connecting shaft connecting an output shaft of the auxiliary transmission to the transmission, wherein the motor is arranged to be closer to a rear portion of the auxiliary transmission than to a front portion of the auxiliary transmission in a front/rear direction of the vehicle and to be below the connecting shaft.

Abstract: The undersigned inventor propounds through the instrumentality of application Ser. No. 13/066,063, a component of enthalpy expansion of secondary cells through the instrumentality of centerline compliant (orthographic projection, top view) and battery plate/grid uniform pitch standard compliant, pleated battery plates/grids, without deviation of said character, of generic essence, and plate/grid peak to trough alignment during assembly of the cell elements, without deviation, to facilitate and expedite the mass production of said secondary cells, for direct applications to pure electric automotive vehicles, and otherwise, as deemed appropriate by competent engineering.

Abstract: Metal seeds for forming single-crystal shape-memory alloys (SMAs) may be fabricated with high reliability and control by alloying thin films of material together. In particular, described herein are methods of forming AlCuNi SMAs by first producing high-quality seeds (ingots) of copper, aluminum, and nickel to produce for pulling single crystal shape memory alloys, in particular superelastic or hyperelastic alloys. The method is applicable to a wide range of alloys in which one or more of the components are reactive. The method is an improvement upon traditional methods such as mixing and melting pellets. In this improved method, a reactive layer (e.g., aluminum) is provided in thin flat layers between layers of other materials (e.g., copper and layers of nickel).

Abstract: The invention relates to the hydrometallurgical treatment of laterite ores in order to recover valuable metals. More specifically, the invention presented relates to a method for improving precipitation and solid-liquid separation in conjunction with the leaching of laterite ores. According to the method the slurry exiting the leaching of laterite ores is neutralised, after which part of the slurry is routed to solid-liquid separation. Iron is precipitated from the solid-liquid separation overflow by neutralising the solution and the solution that is formed, which includes jarosite seeds, is routed to an appropriate point in the process to control the precipitation of iron and to enhance the filterability of the solids.

Abstract: The invention provides a bottle cap opener capable of sliding into an adjustable position along the bill of a cap with minimal peripheral vision of the opener. The bottle cap opener may be removed by a user to engage a bottle cap for removal from an associated bottle, then slidably replaced on the cap bill. The bottle cap opener comprises a contoured profile to match the contoured profile of the cap bill to minimize peripheral vision involvement and a curved shaping that is complementary with the curved shaping of the cap bill to maximize closeness of fit between the opener and the surface of the cap bill. The opener further comprises a space for individualized customization.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver includes an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly is selectively changable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the adjusting assembly is in the first position, a rib is located between the first and second ends of a slanting slot. First and second pawls are engaged with a ratchet portion. A position assembly is engaged in a first bore. A shank is able to drive the screwdriver bit in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. When the adjusting assembly is in the second position, the shank is able to drive the screwdriver bit in the clockwise direction. When the adjusting assembly is in the third position, the shank is able to drive the screwdriver bit in the counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: An open-end wrench includes a jaw portion having two engaging portions and an opening between the engaging portions. Each engaging portion includes a driving face having a tip. A corner is formed between a bottom end of the opening and each driving face. A first length is defined between the bottom end in a direction perpendicular to an imaginary line passing through the tips. A spacing between the tips is larger than 0.95 times the first length and smaller than 1.05 times the first length. Two corners of a fastener received in the opening are located on the imaginary line and flush with the tips. Each engaging portion has a width at an associated corner in a direction perpendicular to an associated driving face. The width is the maximum distance from each driving face to an outer surface of the associated engaging portion. The width is larger than 0.2975 times a width between two parallel sides of the fastener and smaller than 0.4025 times the width of the fastener.

Abstract: A wrench with a quick rotatable driving head includes a handle, a driving head and a quick-disengaging unit. The quick-disengaging unit is composed of a fixing member secured with the driving head, an operating member inserted through the handle and fitted around the fixing member, and a restraining element transversely provided between the fixing member and the operating member and the handle. The handle and the driving head can be separated by the quick-disengaging unit so that the driving head, with the quick-disengaging unit acting as a pivot, can quickly screw or unscrew a thread locking member, and the operating member can be restrictedly positioned on the fixing member by the restraining element, able to prevent the handle and the driving head from separating.

Abstract: A thread chaser device is provided for clearing, cleaning, and repairing damaged, dirty, or otherwise impaired threads on a threaded object, such as a bolt or other like objects. In a preferred embodiment, the thread chaser comprises half a die welded into both jaws of a wrench. Alternatively, the thread chaser may include removable die-blocks containing multiple half dies for use with bolts or threaded objects of various sizes and diameters. The thread chaser may optionally include a means for locking the jaws in a closed position around the threaded object.

Abstract: A tool to drive fastening elements into a substrate, with a prefastening position for a fastening element, with a driving element that drives a fastening element in the prefastening position in a fastening direction into the substrate, with a transporting element, which can he meshed with a fastening element or a strip embracing a fastening element, so as to transport the fastening element in a transporting direction into the prefastening position, wherein the driving element has a fastening element that actuates the transporting element for the transporting of the fastening element into the prefastening position, is provided.

Abstract: A device for loosening and untying knots including a body having a first section and a second section having a plurality of channels, a pusher rod positioned slidably within the first section of the body, a shaft positioned slidably within the first and second sections of the body and being engaged with the rod, and a plurality of prongs, each including a base, a nose and a rail. The rails slidably fit into the channels of the body, and a head of the shaft is engaged with the bases of the prongs. The prongs move between a retracted position, in which the noses are juxtaposed with one another and inserted within a knot, and an expanded position, in which the noses are spaced apart from one another when the shaft is moved within the body, the noses loosen and untie the knot when the prongs are expanded.

Abstract: A handle for receiving an elongate medical device is provided. The handle includes a housing defining an elongate hollow interior portion, the hollow portion defining a first portion proximate the distal end and the aperture, a second portion. A core is slidably disposed within the interior portion and includes a ramp portion extending from an outer surface of the core at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis, and two or more arms extending outwardly from a proximal end of the core and biased toward an extended configuration where a proximal end of each arm extends radially outside of an outer surface of the core, wherein the two or more arms combine to define the proximal opening. A button is movably disposed within the aperture substantially blocking communication with the hollow portion through the aperture, comprising an inclined surface that slidably engages the ramp surface.

Abstract: In the cutting transferring device according to the present invention, the cut film sheet is configured to be sucked onto the outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll at a position where both side edge regions of the cut film sheet and a front end region thereof in a proceeding direction face an edge area 41B-1 in 41B of the second region while a remaining region of the cut film sheet faces a center area 41B-2 in 41B of the second region. And a suction holding force in the edge area 41B-1 is stronger than a suction holding force in the center area 41B-2.

Abstract: A covering device for a cutting machine includes a fixing cover provided on a base and covering a disc-shaped rotary tool provided at an end of the cutting machine. The fixing cover includes a tiltable body coupled to the fixing cover such that the tiltable body can be tilted in an up-down direction. The amount by which the rotary tool projects downward from the base can be changed by changes of the tilt position of the tiltable body with respect to the fixing cover. The fixing cover further includes a variable member having a plurality of abutment portions that are brought into abutment with the tiltable body along with a downward tilt of the tiltable body, and allows the tilt position to be selected from different tilt positions in accordance with an operation to select from the plurality of abutment portions.

Abstract: An optical aid that improves the precision of cuts made by power tools by using reflecting surfaces to project an image of the cutting surface to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting device for sugar cane harvesters that includes support discs, where several radial blades through fixing bolts are fixed, and that is characterized in that the radial blades (3) have through-slots (6) comprising a larger section allowing the passage of the head of the fixing bolts (4) and at least one narrower section that does not allow the passage of the head of the bolts (4), and through which are inserted the fixing bolts (4), said head of the bolts (4) being arranged in correspondence with the narrowest sections of the slots when the radial blades (3) are in the active working position, in which case the head of such bolts (4) presses against the free face of the radial blades (3) in areas adjacent to the narrowest sections of the through-slots (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a complete cutting station for separatingly cutting out packaging units from a film composite by means of a movable complete cutting tool configured for severing the film composite. The complete cutting station further comprises a conveying system having a plurality of conveyor elements for conveying a respective separated packaging unit, wherein each conveyor element in turn comprises a head portion for engaging with a respective packaging unit. The invention is characterized in that the head portions of the conveyor elements are movable between a first position in which packaging units that they gripped are at a first distance to each other defined by the film composite, and a second position in which the packaging units are at a second, smaller distance from each other or at least partially overlap in at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: A bell unit of a portable bell system, including a support structure, a plurality of bells mounted on the support structure, a bell shell including a plurality of segments, at least one of which is displaceable to allow a size change of the bell unit. The bell shell is configured to be in a first position when the plurality of segments form a shell that is of a shape of a bell, and hangs over and partially encloses the support structure and the plurality of bells, and is in a second position when the at least one segment is displaced to effectuate the size change.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements to a stringed musical instrument, and more particularly to guitar design for use with transposing vibrato mechanisms. Vibrato devices for guitars are known. The present device and method improve the ability to of a player to bend entire chords in a manner that maintains harmonic relationship between the individual strings. The invention also included improved manual controls and means to extend the transposing range of such a vibrato device.

Abstract: A drum coupling system is configured as a coupling system for coupling various marching drums such as a snare drum, a tenor drum, and a bass drum to marching carriers and drum stands for the various marching drums, respectively. In the drum coupling system, a coupling structure for the various marching drums to the respective marching carriers and a coupling structure for the various marching drums to the respective drum stands are the same.

Abstract: The degree of wash occurring in a hi-hat cymbal set with upper and lower cymbals is controlled by exerting a controllable resilient force on the upper cymbal to bear at least part of the weight thereof. The force can be exerted by a number of means, such as a resilient spring, felt spacers, and compressed air.

Abstract: In conventional dance textbook, since there was no correlation between dance choreography and music, it was not easy to grasp the pace of dance upon dancing to the music. A ‘printed material with musical score’ 1 of the present invention, which is a musical score for expressing dance to the music, comprises a ‘first area for placement’, wherein an ‘area for dance motion’ 3, for expressing a ‘dance form’ 2 corresponding to each beat of the music is placed. According to this configuration, it is possible to learn a dance matching to the pace of music without the music by the correspondence between the beat of the music and the dance form.

Abstract: A guitar controller for a tablet computer is disclosed. The guitar controller includes a body having a cavity formed therein sized and dimensioned to receive a tablet computer. The body has an edge on a front of the body defining an opening into the cavity. The edge has a thickness forming a lip into the opening wherein the lip is configured and arranged to be received partially over the tablet computer. A neck extends from the body and has a plurality of simulated fret positions thereon. An electronic circuit is included and configured and arranged to transmit a message encoded with presses of the simulated fret positions to the tablet computer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a portioning and packing device as well as a process for the production of explosives containing detonating devices. The portioning and packing device contains a conveyor for the explosive, which exhibits a pump for the generation of a volume flow; a filling pipe connected to the conveyor, which is set up to provide a reserve supply of a tubular packing sleeve. At the same time, the tubular packing sleeve can be pulled off the filling pipe with the explosive ejected through the filling pipe. A closing device located downstream of the filling pipe is set up to constrict the filled packing sleeve locally to a hose plait during the filling process and close around the hose plait with at least one means of closure. The filling pipe further exhibits a means of introduction, which is set up to introduce a detonating device into the explosive.

Abstract: An encapsulated propellant charge comprised a sealed combustible container comprised of a consumable material and having a substantially cylindrical shape. The sealed combustible container comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall therebetween. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a chamber; which contains a propellant composition.

Abstract: A firearm includes a receiver and a bolt carrier disposed in the receiver. The bolt carrier is moveable between a firing position and a rearward position. A rod is fixed relative to the bolt carrier and a hand guard is coupled to the receiver about the rod. A handle assembly is slideably supported by the hand guard and is moveable toward the receiver to define a charging motion and away from the receiver to define a forward assist motion. The handle assembly receives the rod during both of the charging and forward assist motions. An arm is coupled to the base and is moveable between a disengaged position spaced from the rod and an engaged position abutting the rod. When the arm is in the engaged position, the handle assembly is moved to move the rod and the bolt carrier in either of the charging and the forward assist motions.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, devices, systems, and methods are disclosed in which two substantially parallel flanges are provided with rupture areas, respectively, located in the same element of the elements to be connected. In the disclosed device, the rupture areas and the portions of the flanges outside the rupture area are arranged so as to prevent the connected elements from catching after the separation thereof, and to limit the vibrations induced in the element in said rupture areas.

Abstract: A combined breech and ammunition drive is provided for a breech of a weapon and/or for introducing ammunition by a feeding star using an external drive, wherein the respective drive is selectively engaged and disengaged. A selector drum that interacts with the drives has slots for the selective engagement and disengagement, and elements are guided in the slots, the slot moving component which engage into the drives in a form-fitted and force-closed manner and which can thereby engage and disengage same. The component being 3-way jaw clutches for example.

Abstract: A breech ammunition drive for the breech of a weapon using an external drive is provided. A long connecting rod converts the rotational movement into a linear breech movement, and a short connecting rod moves the breech. The rear end or pin of the long connecting rod is fixed on or in the drive, and the front end engages onto a rack that is fixed to the weapon and onto a slider of the breech support or the breech via a toothing. The short connecting rod is retained in the slider and guided by same, and the connecting rod engages into a transverse slot introduced above the connecting rod and below the breech support. The short connecting rod is guided in the slot fixed to the weapon, the slot having a rear end point into which the connecting rod is inserted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a passive locking device for preventing an ammunition belt from sliding across the top of an internal wall of an ammunition magazine used in conjunction with a belt feed weapon. In one embodiment the passive locking device is movable between a locked position in which a locking end is in close proximity to the top of the internal wall, and an unlocked position in which the locking end is spaced apart from the top of the wall.

Abstract: A camouflage material comprising an electromagnetic energy (EME) absorbing layer comprising an array of carbon nanotubes and a plurality of energy transmitting element embedded within the absorbing material. The energy transmitting elements are operative to convey energy to at least a portion of an outer surface of the absorbing layer.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a ballistic structure comprises a front pellet layer configured to face a ballistic threat and rear pellet layer therebehind, each of the pellet layers comprising a plurality of pellets, which can be made of a ceramic material, having cylindrical bodies with their height axes in both layers being substantially parallel to each other, the pellets being arranged in a honeycomb pattern within a binder matrix, the pellet layers being codisposed such that all interior spaces (i.e., spaces which are surrounded on all sides by pellets) of each pellet layer are entirely overlapped by an area of the other pellet layer that is free of such spaces, the two layers being by an intermediate layer having such a width and being made of such a material as to allow the rear layer to rigidly support the front layer.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer ceramic composite which includes one or more particulate ceramics and a mixture of polymers. There is further provided methods of manufacture and application of the polymer ceramic composition. The composition finds use as a mouldable armour strike face, particularly in personal protective equipment and in vehicle or aircraft armour.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a ceramic composite material may be formed by a method comprising the steps preparing a solid solution comprising aluminium oxide, a second component comprising a cation in a first valent state, and a dopant, wherein the dopant is present in an amount of not more than 1000 ppm by weight of the solid solution; and carrying out a treatment on the solid solution to form the ceramic composite material, wherein the treatment changes the valent state of said cation to a second valent state, forming a ceramic composite material comprising grains containing aluminium oxide and a precipitate of particles comprising the cation in the second valent state. The materials may be useful in the manufacture of various products, including wear resistant products and armour.

Abstract: A negative-emission pressurized air or other compressible gas operated high-efficiency reciprocating or rotary piston engine, as autonomously considered or as part of a complex system, comprises at least a tank, at least a turbo-alternator and one or more optional fluid heaters.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of a new air filter installed in an HVAC system are disclosed. In one example, an input that indicates a new air filter has been installed may be accepted, and in response, the HVAC system may be automatically operated in an air filter verifying mode, in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter. While in the air filter verifying mode, a measure related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter may be received. A status of the new air filter may be determined based, at least in part, on the received measure related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter of the HVAC system. Once the status of the new air filter is determined, an indication may be displayed on a display, which may communicate the determined status of the new air filter to a user.

Abstract: A nonwoven felt for hot gas filtration. The fibers have a polyarylene sulfide (PAS) component that contains a zinc compound. In one embodiment, the PAS comprises at least one zinc(II) salt of an organic carboxylic acid. Also a method for filtering hot gases employing a bag made from a PAS component that contains a zinc or a zinc based additive.

Abstract: A clean air filter may be used to set an air filter change threshold value for an air filter monitor installed in an HVAC system. The air filter change threshold value may be used to determine a status of an air filter (e.g., clean or dirty).

Abstract: A blocking panel may be used to set an air filter change threshold value for an air filter monitor installed in an HVAC system. The air filter change threshold value may then be used to determine a status of an air filter (e.g., clean or dirty).

Abstract: This application discloses porous self-sealing media comprising a sintered mixture of an absorbent material and a thermoplastic. The self-sealing media block passage of organic solvents or organic solvents in aqueous mixtures, wherein the organic solvents are at concentrations greater than about 40%. The self-sealing media also block acidic solutions. The self-sealing media are useful in a variety of applications such as a pipette tip filter, in line filter, vent, non-mechanical check valve, safety valve, and suction canister.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of purifying H2Se by removing H2S and H2O.

Abstract: A CO2 recovery unit includes an absorber that reduces CO2 in flue gas (101) discharged from a combustion facility (50) by absorbing CO2 by an absorbent, a regenerator that heats the absorbent having absorbed CO2 to emit CO2, and regenerates and supplies the absorbent to the absorber, and a regenerating heater that uses steam (106) supplied from the combustion facility (50) for heating the absorbent in the regenerator and returns heated condensed water (106a) to the combustion facility (50). The CO2 recovery unit further includes a condensed water/flue gas heat exchanger (57) that heats the condensed water (106a) to be returned from the regenerating heater to the combustion facility (50) by heat-exchanging the condensed water (106a) with the flue gas (101) in a flue gas duct (51) in the combustion facility (50).

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency and environmental compatibility of combustion systems, preferably for heat recovery from a wet flue gas and/or for flue gas purification, especially of flue gas from the combustion of high water-content fuels, such as biomass, especially wood, and for reducing the volumetric flow of the flue gas and/or for recovery of water from the flue gas, wherein the flue gas is brought into contact with a measured quantity of concentrated hygroscopic in at least one absorber unit and the measured quantity of hygroscopic material is diluted and heated with absorption of water from the flue gas. Heated is extracted from the heated and diluted hygroscopic material after which it is concentrated in at least one separating unit by separation of water and the resulting measured quantity of concentrated hygroscopic material obtained is routed at least partially to the absorber unit.