Abstract: A mattress assembly includes an inner core comprising a base core layer comprising planar top and bottom surfaces, and at least one comfort layer comprising planar top and bottom surfaces disposed on the top surface of the base core layer; a side rail assembly disposed about a perimeter of the inner core; and a plurality of air channels extending from a central region of the inner core to the side rail assembly configured to permit the flow of fluid from and to the inner core.

Abstract: An electric massage bed includes a bed frame having a plurality of support brackets, a plurality of mattress sets each having a retaining plate mounted on one of the support brackets of the bed frame and a mattress supported by the retaining plate, and a vibrating motor mounted on a bottom side of the retaining plate of one of the mattress sets. When the vibration generated from the vibrating motor is transmitted to the associated mattress of the mattress set that is equipped with the vibrating motor, the unexpected vibration won't occur in the other mattress sets because the mattress sets are spaced from each other, thereby enhancing the comfort of a user lying down on the mattresses.

Abstract: A cover for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from a foam pad includes upper, lower and side panels, wherein the side panel has an integrated air filter and conductive snap attachment. The panels are installed on and removed from a foam pad via attachable seams between the upper panel and side panel, and the side panel and lower panel. The upper panel, lower panel, and attachable seams are air-tight, forcing air laden with chemical gases through the air filter providing cleaner air in the sleeping environment.

Abstract: A side rail assembly for supporting an edge of a mattress includes a layer of a polyurethane foam comprising an open cellular structure, wherein the open cellular structure comprises about 10 to about 40 cells per inch, a hardness of about 35 pounds-force to about 100 pounds-force, and a density of about 1.2 pounds per cubic foot to about 2.0 pounds per cubic foot, wherein the layer is configured to be disposed about a perimeter of an inner core of the mattress and is configured to permit the flow of fluid from and to the inner core through the layer.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies that provide user comfort via independent suspension and increased airflow generally include a first foam layer; a second foam layer configured with an independent response system overlaying the first foam layer, wherein the second foam layer comprises a floor and a plurality of spaced apart support structures extending at about similar lengths from the floor; and a third foam layer overlaying the second foam layer having a planar top surface facing a user resting on the mattress assembly. In some embodiments, the first foam layer further includes a plurality of channels extending from a top planar surface to a bottom planar surface.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies that provide user comfort and increased airflow generally include multilayered foams having open celled structures. Viscoelastic foams can be utilized having intact windows between adjacent cells of less than 50 percent.

Abstract: A multipurpose hand held tool includes a handle and one or more tools. The multipurpose tool may include an inletted recess defined in the handle, and an accessory tool retained within the inletted recess. The multipurpose tool also may include a rotatable tool and a locking mechanism for locking the rotatable tool in multiple positions. The multipurpose tool further may include a compact spanner wrench rotatably connected to the handle. The multipurpose tool may include a knife assembly detachably connected to the handle. The multipurpose tool also may include a ratcheting bit driver located within the handle. The multipurpose tool further may include a multi-layered plier head. The multipurpose may include a hybrid bearing system. The multipurpose tool also may include a flashlight detachably coupled to the handle. In this manner, the multipurpose tool may incorporate multiple tools and accessories for completing various tasks.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and method for increasing chemical action in a load of laundry associated with the supplying water and treating chemistry to the load of laundry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising protease-sensitive components, anionic surfactant and protease enzyme, and also incorporating a reversible stabilizer for the protease enzyme and methods for making such compositions.

Abstract: A method of operating a domestic washing appliance is provided for fully dissolving impurities in a cleaning fluid and thereby avoiding turbidity in the cleaning fluid. The method determines the degree of impurity in the cleaning fluid in at least one partial program step using wet combustion and the degree of combustion is established and the method is carried out in a water-guiding device.

Abstract: An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes a foundation element and a tensile element. The tensile element may include a base layer and a plurality of strands, with the base layer being joined to an exterior surface of the foundation element. In manufacturing the footwear, a thermoplastic polymer material in the base layer may be utilized to bond or otherwise join the tensile element to the foundation element.

Abstract: A road sweeper is provided with a rotatingly drivable sweeping brush, a sweepings container, a suction blower in flow communication with the sweeping brush for taking in dust-containing air, and at least one filter for separating dust from the air drawn in, wherein the filter can be acted upon on the clean side with external air stored in a pressure container and subject to pressure, via at least one external air valve for cleaning. In order for the filter to be cleaned off with as small an amount of external air as possible, the pressure container can have a pressure container wall located opposite the clean side of the at least one filter, the at least one external air valve being arranged on the wall, wherein a section of a suction conduit extends between the pressure container wall and the clean side of the filter.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a surface (11) comprises at least one rotatable brush (3,4) which is provided with flexible brush elements (18) for contacting the surface (11) and picking up dirt particles (10) and liquid which are present on the surface (11) during a dirt pick-up period of each revolution of the brush (3, 4), and means for driving the brush (3, 4). A linear mass density of the flexible brush elements (18) is chosen such as to be lower than 50 g per 10 km, at least at tip portions, and an acceleration at tips of the brush elements (18) is set such as to be at least 3,000 m/sec2, at least at some time during another period of each revolution of the brush (3, 4) than the dirt pick-up period, namely a period in which the brush elements (18) are free from contact to the surface (11).

Abstract: A personal care device is disclosed. The personal care device includes an electrically powered driving unit for driving a working implement of the personal care device at a desired speed and/or amplitude and/or frequency; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit in response to load onto the working implement. The control unit includes a detector for detecting an operating parameter of the driving unit responsive to load onto the working implement, and a powering unit for varying the electrical powering of the driving unit in response to a detected change of the value of the operating parameter such that speed and/or amplitude and/or frequency of the working implement is changed from an idling value to an operation value.

Abstract: A linear electro-polymer motor includes a fixed member, a linear shaft having an axis, a polymer actuator, and a bias member. The polymer actuator includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The bias member includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The polymer actuator changes length after receipt of voltage to linearly move the linear shaft along the axis.

Abstract: An oscillatory system for a motorized drive unit for the generation of a rotary oscillatory movement is provided. The system includes a first oscillatory component and a second oscillatory component, the components capable of oscillating relative to one another around an axis of oscillation; and at least two elongate spring elements, each spring element having a first fastening point and a second fastening point spaced apart from one another. The spring elements are elastic in the direction of the rotary oscillatory movement. For each spring element the first fastening point is connected to the first oscillatory component and the second fastening point is connected to the second oscillatory component such that the spring elements intersect at the axis of oscillation, the axis of oscillation having an angle of intersection different from 0 degrees.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a handle, a head mounted to one end of the handle that includes a first face having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom and a second face, a store of dentifrice retained at the head, and a film matrix retained at the head containing at least one rapidly releasable agent. A soft tissue cleaner can be included on the second face. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the film matrix. In addition, dentifrice can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the store of dentifrice. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can include, for example, a flavoring agent, a dentifrice, or a therapeutic agent. The toothbrush can be small in size and lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for extracting material from a container includes a handle and a knife blade. The handle has a neck and a primary axis. The knife blade is coupled to the handle and has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is configured to conform to a bottom surface of the container. The second edge is configured to conform to an interior wall of the container. An oblique angle is formed by the first edge and the second edge. Another oblique angle is formed between the primary axis of the handle and the first edge of the knife.

Abstract: A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body and a surface configured to enable an instrument having contaminants to be inserted into the body. The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument.

Abstract: A wiper blade connector releasably secures a wiper blade to a wiper arm, thereby forming a windshield wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade connector comprises an elongate body member having opposite facing side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The opposite facing sidewalls include means for receiving and releasably securing to the mounting base on a wiper blade. At the front end of the elongate body member, a first tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding front tongue of a wiper arm. At the rear end of the elongate body member, a second tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding rear tongue of a wiper arm. A locking mechanism, such as a partially rotatable door member, releasably locks the wiper blade member to the wiper arm.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a self testing method thereof. The robot cleaner performs a self test when being initially operated or when required by a user. This may prevent malfunctions or breakdowns of the robot cleaner. Furthermore, the robot cleaner senses states of components and sensors mounted therein, and performs a self test based on characteristics, output values, etc. of the components and the sensors. This may prevent accidents or errors which may occur as the robot cleaner operates.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator and a vacuum cleaner which efficiently separates dust, collect the dust without re-scattering it and make low noise are provided. In a primary cyclone portion 10, a primary swirl chamber 12 swirls air containing dust sucked from a primary inlet 11, and thereby, separates a first dust and a second dust from the air containing dust to collect them respectively in a zero-order dust case 114 which is provided at a side of the primary swirl chamber 12 and communicates with a zero-order opening portion 113 provided at a side wall, and a primary dust case 14 provided at a lower side of the primary swirl chamber 12.

Abstract: A low-friction bush for a vehicle may include an inner pipe having a spherical portion being convex toward the outside, a bearing seat configured to be in rolling contact with an outer surface of the spherical portion of the inner pipe, wherein each entrance of the bearing seat may be spaced from the spherical portion of the inner pipe, a sealing member sealingly mounted between each end of the inner pipe and the entrance of the bearing seat, a plastic housing integrally injection-molded on an outer surface of the bearing seat and an outer surface of the sealing member, an outer pipe spaced from an outer circumference of the plastic housing, and a vibration-proof rubber filled in a space between the outer pipe and the plastic housing to integrate the outer pipe and the plastic housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handle arrangement for a machine component which vibrates in the operating state thereof, with a connecting part for connecting to the machine component and with a handle which is coupled to the connecting part, wherein the handle is assigned an elongate handle section with a hand engagement point and wherein the handle has a damping mass element, the mass center of gravity of which is arranged such that a decrease in vibration in the hand engagement point is achieved.

Abstract: A plain stepped splice lay-out scheme is presented that can be used for splicing strips to one another that comprise longitudinally arranged cords. The strips can take the form of a conveyor belt, transmission belt, timing belt, elevator belt, a rubber track or a reinforcing strip. The splice is optimised for uniform bending stiffness and maximum strength retention. The cross section of the strip and the splice are substantially equal: there is no increase in thickness or width at the splice. The splice lay-out is characterised by the fact that the abutments (130)—those positions where cord ends (111, 121) meet—are positioned sufficiently far away from one another and by preference as far away from one another as possible. Preferred embodiments in terms of length common between cords of the different strips and local strength are given.

Abstract: An assistive device for releaseably engaging a button and manipulating it into and out of a button hole is disclosed. The device is preferably provided as a continuous metal wire structure. The structure defines a receiving aperture for receiving and slideably engaging a button between the lower surface of the button and the fabric on which the button is affixed by means of threaded button stitches whereby the threaded stitches slide between one of a pair of opposing sets of rails, thereby permitting the user to easily manipulate the button into and out of a button hole.

Abstract: A bi-directional tensioning apparatus including one or more elongate resilient members, one or more support members, one or more first guide members, and one or more optional second guide members is provided. A method of using the bi-directional tensioning apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Engaged portions formed on a tab holder are elastically engaged and attached to engaging portions formed on a first column portion and the rear side of a second column portion on an upper blade, and a pair of protrusions formed on the inner side of the tab holder are fitted in a recession formed on an inclined surface of the first column portion and a recession formed on an inclined surface of the second column portion. Further, stepped portions formed at both edge portions of both front and rear ends of the tab holder are brought in contact with end surfaces and inner sides of support walls installed at both edge portions of inclined surfaces. The slide fastener can improve attachment strength of the tab holder, implement excellent durability for a long period of time, excellent external appearance, and excellent assembly performance.

Abstract: A clip assembly includes a clip and a thumb screw mechanism. The clip includes two jaws each including two ends. The first end of the first jaw is connected to the first end of the second jaw. The thumb screw mechanism includes a bore defined in the first jaw, a screw extending into the bore from the second jaw, and a nut engaged with the screw. The nut includes a screw hole for receiving the screw, a first abutment unit for abutment against a side of the first jaw when the nut is rotated on the screw in a first direction and a second abutment unit for abutment against an opposite side of the first jaw when the nut is rotated on the screw in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Snap fastener for fastening a first thin wall to a second thin wall, having a base part to be arranged in a through-opening of the first thin wall. A head part extends away from the base part. The head part presents a guide for two holding elements which are pressed by a spring so that they project out over the end of the guide. The head part includes a housing with fastening projections, and can be snapped into the through-opening so that it grips only one thin wall. Unlocking devices, via which the holding elements can be pulled back into the housing from the front, are provided in the housing. The holding elements are formed by the ends of a two-armed lever which is held on a shaft in the housing so as to be rotatable at an angle of approximately 45 to 90 degrees against spring force.

Abstract: An enhanced safety hook includes a hook body, a latch member, an operation handle and a spring member. The hook body includes a hook hole having a hook opening, a hook end formed at a top end thereof, a pin slot at a position below the hook opening, and a guide slot. The latch member includes a main plate and two side plates define an upside-down U-shape frame, a peripheral edge bridged between the two side plates in such a manner that a top end of the latch member constructs a mouth for receiving the hook end, a guide arm connected to the two side frames to couple with the guide slot, and a pin element coupling with the pin slot.

Abstract: A snap hook for an animal leash is configured to include a main body, a ring, a slide bar and a spring. The main body may include a base, a hook portion extending from the base, a sleeve portion having an end and being provided with a slit formed along a direction of the length of the sleeve portion, and a restraining plate extending from the base and between the hook portion and the sleeve portion toward the connection part. The ring may be rotatably connected to the base and the slide bar may be encased in the sleeve portion. The spring may bias the slide bar toward the end of the hook portion.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base provided with a belt attachment; a pair of legs projecting from the base; an engaging portion formed to the legs; and a connecting portion connecting the legs to each other. The socket includes: a body provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space formed in the body and housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening; an engaged portion formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a cutout dented toward the insertion opening from an edge of the belt attachment. The cutout is formed over an area surrounded by the legs and the connecting portion when the legs and the connecting portion are housed in the housing space while the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged.

Abstract: A ratchet strap tensioner and methods of using the same where the ratchet strap tensioner comprises a first arm pivotally mounted to a second arm by means that include a bush member which allows pivotal movement of the first arm relative to the second arm subject to the restraint of a ratchet mechanism; and further comprising a two-part winding spindle located partly within the bush member; the first part of said winding spindle being fixed to said bush member and the second part of said winding spindle being adapted to allow lateral movement (with respect the winding axis) from a closed position alongside said first part to an open position and thereby allow a strap to be attached without threading the strap through the tensioner and without bending the strap.

Abstract: The invention defines a mechanical fuse (20) for a neck cord (30). The mechanical fuse opens the neck cord when a pulling force component in a predetermined direction (70) exceeds a predetermined fuse force at which a rupture element (50) included in the mechanical fuse is designed to break. The rupture element has a break plane (51) at which breakage will occur when the pulling force component causes the stress in the break plane to exceed the value determined by said fuse force. The mechanical fuse further comprises a housing (60, 61, 62) that is arranged to guide the component of the pulling force in said predetermined direction (70) to the break plane whereas the transfer of a force component having another direction is suppressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for fastening a shoelace comprises a housing which comprises a ratchet gear; a rotating cover; a reel part; and a restricting member.

Abstract: A press tool, such as a press sling for pressing in particular tubular workpieces, comprises a plurality of articulated press elements connected to one another in the form of a chain. The press tool is open between two end press elements for forming a closing site between two end press elements. In order to unlatch the press tool from a closed position in which the closing site is substantially closed, a handling element is provided according to the disclosure. Said tool alternatively also serves for releasing a press jaw mounted on a press jaw carrier.

Abstract: A wheel weight tool includes a handle connected to a hammer head on a first end and having a first hook on a second end. The first hook may be adapted for removing a wheel weight. The hammer head has a soft end and a hard end. The hard end may include a second hook.

Abstract: An improved device for application to metal material extruding press assemblies, for quickly replacing a heel element and/or a slotted tie-rod element applied to the press assemblies, characterized in that said device comprises a hydraulic cylinder for driving the slotted tie-rod element and that said heel element supports an auxiliary hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder having a recess for engaging therein a rear end portion of said slotted tie-rod element and that said auxiliary cylinder comprises an auxiliary cylinder pushing piston designed for performing a longitudinal translation and rotary movement thereby allowing said slotted tie-rod element and/or heel element to be assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor positioned at a first location that senses a pallet identifier associated with a transfer pallet. A component is associated with the transfer pallet. A second sensor positioned at a second location remote from the first sensor senses the pallet identifier associated with the transfer pallet. A marking machine proximate to the second location marks the component with a component identifier associated with component unique birth data based on the pallet identifier.

Abstract: Specialized tools and methods are presented for use on blowout preventers on oil and gas rigs. The specialized tools releseably attach to a threaded, blowout-preventer head to remove the same. In one instance, the tool has a longitudinal shaft, a lifting eye member at one end and a head-mounting member at the other. The head-mounting member attaches to the threaded, blowout-preventer head. In some instances, one or more torque arms may be included to add additional torque. Other embodiments and methods are also included.

Abstract: A mechanism that prevents inadvertent detachment of a concentrator nozzle from an air discharge outlet of a hair blow dryer during hair blow dryer operation. The mechanism may be a button neighboring an air discharge outlet of a hair blow dryer and a plurality of button receiving regions (such as three) neighboring an inlet of a concentrator nozzle attachment. As an alternative, the button may neighbor the inlet of the concentrator nozzle instead and the button receiving regions may neighbor the air discharge outlet instead. A resilient, elastic strip or band may be positioned between the hair blow dryer outlet and the concentrator nozzle attachment inlet.

Abstract: An entry fitting system including a generally rigid body configured to extend through an opening of a containment chamber and a generally flexible seal configured to be positioned in the body. The system further includes an insert configured to be coupled to the body and cause the seal to sealingly engage a pipe received through the body, wherein the seal is configured to enable the sealingly engaged pipe to be oriented in a non-parallel position with respect to a central axis of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying staple belt fasteners to conveyor belts are provided that allow staple belt fasteners to be installed on an end of the belt with the use of a single applicator tool and such that all of the staples of the fasteners in the tool are first initially set and then are finally set. In one form, the apparatus has a base with an anvil mounted thereto with the anvil having both initial and final set portions. The belt fastener applicator tool provides for relative shifting of the anvil and a guide device having through openings to align either the initial or final set portions of the anvil with the guide device through openings. The guide device through openings are preferably configured to receive a staple drive member therein.

Abstract: Described is a bottle and fluid withdrawing assembly for liquids, such as liquid cleaners and the like. The bottle has an integral supply tube formed therein, fluidly connecting the inside of the bottle with the top opening of the bottle. A fluid dispensing mechanism, such as a pump or trigger-sprayers is attached to the top of the bottle to take fluid up through the integral supply tube and dispense the fluid accordingly. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be aligned to allow a direct connection between integral supply tube and the fluid dispensing mechanism. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be attached to the bottle with a snap-fit connection.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes one or more balloon pressurization steps. The balloon pressurization steps are selected to enhance scaffold retention to the balloon while retaining, at least partially, the original balloon folds as the balloon is pressurized and de-pressurized within a crimper head. By at least partially retaining the original balloon folds, a uniformity of scaffold expansion by the balloon is improved.

Abstract: A fastener (102) for installation in a workpiece (120, 122), the fastener comprising a pin (106) and a body (104) comprising a shell (108) and a radially enlarged head (112), wherein a first engaging means comprising a nylon sleeve (110) is located within a bore (116) of the shell, and a second engaging means comprising a plurality of barbs (118) is located on the exterior of at least part of the pin shank (142), and wherein the pin shank is insertable into the bore of the body from an end of the body remote from the head end, such that the first and second engaging means mutually engage.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a mast assembly mounted to a sidewall of the vehicle. The mast is pivotally mounted and can be held in a first stowed position by way of a first clamp member. The mast is pivotal relative to the sidewall, to an essentially vertical and erect position, and held in the second position by way of a second clamp.

Abstract: A blade hoisting element is an intermediate piece placed between the root of the blade and the mobile track of the blade bearing. This piece comprises at least an insert and joins, by a rigid rod or strut with another intermediate piece opposing diametrically. The piece has a hole for connecting to the hoisting point and another hole for connecting to the hub, this latter fastening to the hole of the insert by a long bolt. Two hoisting points are established on the blade, at its root and at the tip; the hoisting point at the root is handled from a single lift point on the hub and the hoisting point at the tip is handled from two lift points: one from the hub and the other from the ground.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus which performs a drawing process on a substrate includes a holding plate having a holding surface configured to be opposed a back surface of the substrate, a vacuum suction port formed in the holding surface and configured to attract the substrate to the holding surface by vacuum suction, and a plurality of Bernoulli suction ports formed in the holding surface and configured to attract the substrate to the holding surface by Bernoulli suction. The holding surface includes a circular region disposed concentrically with the center of the holding surface, and an annular region disposed concentrically with the circular region. At least one of the Bernoulli suction ports is disposed in the circular region, and at least one of the Bernoulli suction ports is disposed in the annular region.