Abstract: A method of covering an opening through an exposed upwardly facing surface that defines an access opening to a conduit assembly defining a communication passage to a below surface location. The method includes the steps of: providing a cover assembly with a non-metallic component; and operatively joining the cover assembly with the conduit assembly so that the non-metallic component is placed against a metal component on the conduit assembly and transmits weight forces applied to at least one of: a) the exposed upwardly facing surface; and b) a surface defined by a cover component on the cover assembly that blocks the access opening and is substantially flush with the exposed upwardly facing surface, to the metal component on the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A method of crimping a load-bearing member and an end fitting together such that the load-bearing member lies displaced from a center of a cross-section of the end fitting. The method includes the steps of inserting the load-bearing member into an aperture in the end fitting and advancing at least one deformation tool relative to the end fitting to deform the wall of the aperture into gripping engagement with the load-bearing member. The extent of the resulting deformation of the wall over a predetermined length thereof varies in dependence on a distance along the length from the load-bearing member.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member.

Abstract: A method for joining components using tensioning bolts, wherein the pressure is linearly increased over time when the tension bolt is hydraulically tensioned by means of a tensioning device. When a target value (Pmax) is reached, the volume is blocked so that no more hydraulic oil is supplied. The pressure decreases when the components show a setting behaviour during a holding time (tH). Pumping is resumed when a lower threshold value (PI) is reached, resulting in a pressure increase up to the target value (Pmax).

Abstract: A method of assembling an orthopaedic implant includes positioning a first orthopaedic component in contact with a second orthopaedic component and coupling the first orthopaedic component to the second orthopaedic component with a bolt. The method also includes applying an empirically-determined starting torque to the bolt such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a first predetermined clamp load. The bolt is then rotated by an empirically-determined rotation angle such that the first orthopaedic component is coupled to the second orthopaedic component with a second predetermined clamp load.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a pre-line forming member having no face line; and cutting the pre-line forming member using a cutter 12 to form the face line on the pre-line forming member. The cutter 8 has a tip part having a cutting surface. The cutting surface has a recessed curved surface c4. An edge of the face line 8 is cut by the recessed curved surface c4. Preferably, the step of cutting is carried out by axial rotation of the cutter 8. Preferably, the cutting surface has a plane part c5 formed on an upper side of the recessed curved surface c4. Preferably, the upper side plane part c5 is perpendicular to a rotation axis rz of the cutter 12. Preferably, the cutting surface has a conical surface Fc formed on a lower side of the recessed curved surface c4.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of beveling gripping holes of bowling balls. A method includes creating a bevel at an edge of a hole of the bowling ball by removing material from the bowling ball using a rotary tool equipped with a shaping bit that extends into the hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor chip through-line for transmitting signals commonly to a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips. The apparatus includes a first test pulse signal transmission unit configured to transmit a first test pulse signal to a first end of the semiconductor chip through-line when a power-up operation is performed; a second test pulse signal transmission unit configured to transmit a second test pulse signal to a second end of the semiconductor chip through-line after the first test pulse signal is transmitted; a first signal reception unit coupled to the first end of the semiconductor chip through-line, and configured to receive signals transmitted from the first and second test pulse signal transmission units; and a second signal reception unit coupled to the second end of the semiconductor chip through-line, and configured to receive the signals transmitted by the first and second test pulse signal transmission units.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a quartz crystal unit comprises disposing a metal film on opposite surfaces of a quartz crystal wafer and then etching the wafer to form a two-line tuning fork resonator vibratable in a flexural mode of an inverse phase. A groove is formed in the opposite main surfaces of both tines, and the length of each groove is determined relative to the length of the resonator so that the series resistance of the fundamental mode of vibration of the resonator is less than the series resistance of the second overtone mode of vibration thereof. The resonator is then mounted in case after which the resonant frequency of the resonator is adjusted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a condenser microphone includes forming a diaphragm module using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques. The diaphragm module includes a diaphragm that is deformable by energy of sound waves, and a diaphragm spacer that extends from one side of the diaphragm and controls a tension of the diaphragm. The method further includes providing a backplate with vent holes, aligning the vent holes of the backplate with a central region of the diaphragm, and connecting the backplate to the diaphragm spacer to construct a transducer unit. The diaphragm spacer, the diaphragm and the backplate cooperate to form an air chamber in fluid communication with an environment external to the condenser microphone. The backplate and the diaphragm cooperate to form a condenser. The method further includes enclosing the transducer unit in a housing that includes a shell and a circuit board to form the condenser microphone.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a stator structure and a micromotor having the same. The method includes: providing a flexible printed circuit (FPC) on which configuration positions of coil windings and a configuration position of at least one position signal generating unit are formed, wherein the FPC is further provided with an interface part; disposing the coil windings and the position signal generating unit on the coil winding configuration positions and the position signal generating unit configuration position, respectively, wherein the interface part is further provided with a connector pattern which is electrically coupled with the coil windings and the position signal generating unit; forming a FPC assembly including the coil windings and the position signal generating unit; and winding the FPC assembly to form the stator. The stator is applied in a micromotor in which a rotor, the stator and a case are disposed outward in a radial direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a rotating electric machine includes the steps of: preparing a plurality of split stator cores annularly arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction so that their inner end portions are aligned with an imaginary circle and a support member positioned inside the imaginary circle in a radial direction to support the inner end portions of split stator cores; mounting a fastening member on outer peripheries of split stator cores to press respective split stator cores inward in the radial direction; and displacing split stator cores pressed by fastening member inward in the radial direction while the support member is supporting split stator cores.

Abstract: A method for making an assembly of chips equipped with radiofrequency transmission-reception means, including successively: making a plurality of chips, on a substrate, each chip having at least one reception area, connecting the reception areas of the chips of the assembly in series with an electrically insulating flat ribbon having a plurality of metallic patterns electrically insulated from one another, each pattern forming at least a part of a flat antenna electrically connected at the level of at least one connection area of the antenna to a corresponding reception area, and separating the chips at the level of the substrate, the chips being mechanically connected to one another by the ribbon.

Abstract: A method provides a pole of magnetic recording transducer. A nonmagnetic stop layer having a thickness and a top surface is provided. A depression that forms a bevel is provided in the stop layer. The bevel has a depth less than the thickness and a bevel angle with respect to a remaining portion of the top surface. The bevel angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees. An intermediate layer having a substantially flat top surface is provided over the stop layer. A trench is formed in the intermediate layer via a removal process. The trench has a profile corresponding to the pole. The stop layer is a stop for the removal process. The method also includes providing the pole in the trench. The pole has a leading edge bevel corresponding to the bevel in the stop layer.

Abstract: A method fabricates a transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The method includes providing at least one near-field transducer (NFT) film and providing an electronic lapping guide (ELG) film substantially coplanar with a portion of the at least one NFT film. The method also includes defining a disk portion of an NFT from the portion of the at least one NFT film and at least one ELG from the ELG film. The disk portion corresponds to a critical dimension of the NFT from an ABS location. The method also includes lapping the at least one transducer. The lapping is terminated based on a signal from the ELG.

Abstract: Methods of providing arc resistant switchgear enclosures for dry-type transformers are provided. The enclosures have one or more arc-resistant features, including arc channels, arc fault dampers, and arc fault plenums. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises providing a base structure with a dry-type transformer seated thereon, providing walls and a roof, wherein at least the front wall contains at least one longitudinal seam covered by an arc channel.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining the direction installation of an electronic lock is disclosed. The method achieves automatic determination of the electronic lock installed on the left-handed or right-handed door by controlling rotational directions of the rotational actuator and determining the touching sequence of switch units, so as to enable the electronic lock to be adapted to both the left-handed door and right-handed door, thereby significantly broadening the application scope and convenience of the electronic lock.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention includes ejecting a melt 61 of a solid electrolyte onto at least one electrode plate selected from a positive electrode plate 20 and a negative electrode plate 30, thereby depositing the melt 61 onto the at least one electrode plate, and compressing the positive electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 30 while sandwiching the melt 61, thereby forming a layered body including the positive electrode plate 20, an electrolyte layer 62 including the solid electrolyte, and the negative electrode plate 30. In accordance with this manufacturing method, a thin lithium secondary battery having excellent characteristics can be manufactured in a highly productive manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a transformer core includes a drawing which draws magnetic sheet materials in parallel from winding bodies. A cutter cuts the sheet materials at predetermined positions substantially simultaneously to form sheets each with a different length. An overlapping unit forms a block-shaped laminate by laminating the cut magnetic sheet materials in length and forms a resultant laminate by laminating the formed block-shaped laminates. An annulation unit forms an annular structure of the resultant laminate so that the longer block-shaped laminate forms the outer annular portion and the shorter block-shaped laminate forms the inner annular portion. Both ends of the magnetic sheet materials are abutted or overlapped to locate the abutted or overlapped portions at annularly different positions between adjoining layers of the magnetic sheet materials. A control unit controls the drawing unit, cutter and overlapping unit.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting system and an electronic component mounting method which can execute component mounting work on a plurality of boards simultaneously, concurrently and efficiently so that high productivity and responsiveness to production of many items can be achieved consistently.

Abstract: A component assembly (10) used for picking and placing the component assembly includes a component (14-30) having a geometry incapable of being picked and placed or having a geometry that is unstable when placed through a reflow oven. The assembly includes a support member such as a detachable clip (11) having a pick and placeable surface such as a top flat surface (12). The clip attaches to the component to modify a center of gravity to form a stable component assembly once attached to the support member. The component assembly can further include conductive elements (such as a center conductor (17) of a coaxial cable (16) and at least one ground conductor (15)) used for registration with apertures or other surface locations on a substrate (19).

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method for creating a silicone encased flexible cable using manufacturing machinery including automatically arranging plural individual conduits, into custom grouped arrangements including electrical wiring, pneumatic tubing and fluid tubing, inserting the custom grouped arrangements including connectors and flexible silicone junction devices into a shaped silicone encasement extrusion apparatus, depositing a mixture of silicone and additives to the custom grouped arrangements encasement using the extrusion apparatus, customizing the mixture of silicone and additives to create differing characteristics of the custom grouped arrangements, using the extrusion apparatus to create a singular encasement and to cure the singular encasement to a desired shape of the custom grouped arrangements and integrating one or more encased flexible junction box to the custom grouped arrangements, wherein the one or more flexible junction box contains at least one incoming and two outgoing conduit con

Abstract: A forming apparatus for forming a wire joint portion including a connection portion and an insulative tube covering the connection portion is provided. The forming apparatus includes: a production information acquiring unit which acquires production information; a connection portion forming unit which fixes a plurality of wires selected on the basis of the production information, and then electrically connects conductor portions of the wires together to form the connection portion; a first fusing unit which fuses one open end portion of the insulative tube to close the one open end portion; an inserting unit which moves the wires so as to insert the connection portion into the insulative tube through the other open end portion of the insulative tube; a second fusing unit which fuses the other open end portion of the insulative tube and insulative sheaths of the wires together so as to form the wire joint portion.

Abstract: A sensor, and methods of making, for determining the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in a biological fluid such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. The sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and may include an insertion monitoring trace to determine correct positioning of the sensor in a connector. The sensor is calibration-adjusted, eliminating the need for a user to enter a calibration code or for the meter to read a calibration code.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a fold-up case formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case is of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Side wall closure members are extruded of aluminum defining self-engaging attachment features for affixing to the case, providing electrical self-grounding with the wire screen and thermal grounding with internal power devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wafer scale heat slug system includes: dicing an integrated circuit from a semiconductor wafer; forming a heat slug blank equivalent in size to the semiconductor wafer; dicing the heat slug blank to produce a heat slug equivalent in size to the integrated circuit; attaching the integrated circuit to a substrate; attaching the heat slug to the integrated circuit; and encapsulating the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to methods and arrangements for using a thin foil to form electrical interconnects in an integrated circuit package. In one embodiment, a foil carrier structure is formed by ultrasonically bonding portions of a conductive foil to a metallic carrier. The bonded portions define panels in the foil carrier structure. In some embodiments, the foil carrier structure is cut to form multiple isolated panels that are sealed along their peripheries. Each isolated panel may be approximately the size of a conventional leadframe strip or panel. As a result, existing packaging equipment may be used to add dice, bonding wires and molding material to the panel. The ultrasonic welding helps prevent unwanted substances from penetrating the foil carrier structure during such processing steps. After the carrier portion of the molded foil carrier structure is removed, the structure is singulated into integrated circuit packages.

Abstract: This invention provides with an electric wire press fitting method, in which an aluminum core wire of each of two aluminum wires are stranded to each other and inserted into a sleeve, and the aluminum core wire of each of the two aluminum wires are compressed and swaged along with the sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a main body made of copper or a copper alloy; and the compression is performed on the aluminum core wire of each of the two aluminum wires at a compression ratio of 50 to 85% by the main body.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for injecting a thermoplastic material in the fluid state, including: a dispenser adapted to be maintained at an injection temperature higher than the temperature limit at which the material is in a fluid state; an injection nozzle defining at least one portion of a transition passage; a stopper mounted inside the transition passage so as to slide between a blocking position and an opening position thereof; and control means for alternately sliding the stopper, wherein the control means comprises a jack with a rod parallel to the sliding direction of the stopper, and which is secured in an offset manner on the dispenser via a flattened beam, and a lever arranged so as to tilt about an axis so as to transmit the movements of the jack rod to the stopper.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing cams for composite camshafts with the steps hot-forming a cam 11 such that a cam outside contour is produced and a cam bore 13 is punched and axially and radially calibrating the cam 11, wherein the calibration comprises the steps inserting the cam into an undivided mold 21 that defines the calibrated cam outside contour 12, inserting an arbor 23 into the cam bore 13 that defines the calibrated cam bore 13, and axially shortening the cam 11 between a lower die 22 that is situated between the mold 21 and the arbor 23 and on which the cam 11 lies with a first end face 14 and an upper die 25 that is guided between the mold 21 and the arbor 23 and acts upon the second end face 15 of the cam 11.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixturing an airfoil stub during linear friction welding are described. Critical clamping support structures are manufactured by a direct digital manufacturing process such as direct metal laser sintering to minimize time and expense of the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fabrication and/or repair of an integrally bladed rotor, specifically of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor, is disclosed. At least one rotor blade is joined to a main rotor body for fabrication and/or repair. The joining is carried out by diffusion welding.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a single-piece bladed disk, including: using an abrasive water jet to cut a block of material so as to create blade preforms extending radially outwards from a disk, while keeping material to form a connecting mechanism between at least two directly consecutive blade preforms; then milling on the blade preforms so as to obtain profiled blade blanks; then removing the connecting mechanism; then a finishing by milling of the blade blanks, so as to obtain blades with a final profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat sink of a large area, in which a heat-dissipating body is further provided in its limited space. The method for manufacturing a fin includes the steps of providing a fin, cutting the fin to form a foldable piece thereon, folding back the foldable piece to be overlapped on the fin and form an accommodating hole, and punching the folded piece and the fin to form two overlapped through-holes. The fin, the heat-dissipating body and heat pipes are assembled together to obtain the heat sink. Since the fins and the heat-dissipating body dissipate the heat of the heat-generating element simultaneously, the heat-dissipating efficiency of the heat sink can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination of a bracelet and a device for assisting in attaching a bracelet of the type having a clasp at one end and a receiver at the other end and being flexible between such ends. The device comprises a dangling member attached to the bracelet, which dangling member is of sufficient length so that at least one finger of the wearer's involved hand can engage the dangling member against the involved hand and thereby position said receiver at or near the wrist while the wearer's other hand manipulates the clasp at the other end of the bracelet so as to bring such clasp into proximity with the receiver and then so as to attach the bracelet. In another embodiment of the invention, a detachably attachable dangling member is disclosed that can be retrofitted to a typical bracelet. In another embodiment of the invention, the dangling member is permanently attached near one end of the bracelet and is detachably attachable elsewhere on the bracelet.

Abstract: An article of jewelry and method of manufacture, including a pliable strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces, which itself is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned such that the opposing ends of the magnetic insert have the same polarity thereby creating repulsive forces between each of the plurality of objects along the strand.

Abstract: A method includes providing a journal bearing blank that includes an axis, an inner surface disposed at an inner diameter, an outer surface disposed at an outer diameter, a first axial surface, a second, opposing axial surface, and a lubricant opening that extends between the inner surface and the outer surface; along the inner surface, milling a well that spans an azimuthal angle about the axis, milling an arm that spans an azimuthal angle about the axis and that extends from the well to the first axial surface of the journal bearing, and milling an opposing arm that spans an azimuthal angle about the axis and that extends from the well to the second axial surface of the journal bearing; and inserting the journal bearing in a bore of a turbocharger center housing. Various other devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a safety carton cutter comprises a first frame member pivotably connected to a second frame member to form a housing. Inside the housing mounted on the first frame member is a blade receptacle having a latch, a blade carrier, a biasing member and a follower. The follower is adapted to communicate with a cam profile located on a cam in the first frame member. The configuration of the follower and cam profile provides an extending and retracting mechanism that keeps the blade in a constant exposed position before and during the cutting process, and then allows the blade to retract immediately after the cutting process is complete.

Abstract: A folding knife in exemplary embodimentsTong comprises a handle portion, a blade, a locking cross-bolt, and a motion limiting member coupled to the handle. When the blade is in the closed position, the motion limiting member is in a first position that prevents the cross-bolt from moving to its locked position. When pivoting the blade to the open position, the motion limiting member moves to a second position that does not prevent the cross-bolt from moving to its locked position. A biased safety mechanism can also be used to block the cross-bolt from moving to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. A torsion spring is retained axially on the blade axis pin and within a bushing that is stationary relative to the knife handle. One leg of the spring is fixed relative to the handle. The opposite leg of the spring extends through and rides in a partial annular groove in the bushing and acts on the blade as it is moved between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A level including an elongate hollow frame with two sidewalls and a topwall extending therebetween. A topnotch is formed by removal of a topwall section and adjacent sections of sidewalls including notch-defining bottom and side edges. A central vial is within the topnotch. The frame includes an inner horizontal wall extending between the sidewalls at the notch-defining bottom edges. A central-vial reference surface is formed in the inner horizontal wall parallel to the top and bottom measuring surfaces and defining a notch-bottom. The central vial is supported against the central-vial reference surface in accurate orientation without calibration. The central vial is secured with respect to the inner horizontal wall by mechanical fasteners. The frame further preferably includes an integral inner vertical wall extending between the top and bottom walls thereby reinforcing the frame along the frame length.

Abstract: An adjustable construction square is provided that comprising an elongated blade member and an elongated cross member. An end of the cross member has a contour, and an end of the blade member has a contour. The adjustable construction square includes a clamping jig that enables the construction square to be quickly secured into a desired angular position. The clamping jig includes a clamping device, a wedge device, and an arm that work in combination to secure the adjustable construction square in a desired position.

Abstract: The invention concerns to a method and arrangement for a suspension system that may be constituted by a harvesting trait of a forestry harvester and which suspension system is of the type that has a wheel supported and provided with an angle sensor in order to form a measurement wheel for the measurement of length, with an arm pivotably attached to a frame in such a manner that the wheel can be adjusted from positions in contact with and out of contact with a surface of the object whose length is to be measured while the object is fed in its longitudinal direction past the measurement wheel running against the circumference of the measurement wheel, whereby the said object may be constituted by a tree trunk taken up into a harvester unit.

Abstract: A pair of pneumatic cylinders is used to counterbalance the weight of a large gantry supporting the optical head of an interferometric profiler. The gantry is supported by the cylinders within pairs of linear-bearing rail that provide a large vertical travel. The pressure in the cylinders is adjusted so as to provide an upward force sufficient to oppose the weight of the gantry and prevent its descent, but not so great as to cause it to rise. In essence, the counterbalance pressure is adjusted to equilibrate the weight of the gantry in such a way that a small force applied manually upward or downward will cause the gantry to move easily in either direction, thereby making it possible for an operator to position the optical head rapidly and with minimum effort as required for the initial alignment with a test object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member having a mounting portion attached to the elongated blade and a hook portion. The end hook member is capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The rule assembly has a magnet assembly removably attachable to the elongated blade. The magnet assembly has a mounting portion and a magnet. The mounting portion is configured to removably fix the magnet assembly relative to the blade such that a forward surface of the magnet is removably fixed at a position that is aligned with or approximately aligned with a forward surface of the hook portion with the end hook member in its retracted position.

Abstract: A domestic appliance for drying laundry having a component around which process air flows. The component has a substrate made of metal and the substrate has a surface facing the process air. The surface carries a coating that prevents adhesion of foreign particles and the coating has a surface energy of no more than 40 mN/m. The surface has a section that is directly impinged by the process air and that is essentially completely covered by the coating. The component has edges in the section covered by the coating and each of the edges is essentially completely covered by the coating.

Abstract: A dryer and a foreign material removing apparatus thereof are provided. The dryer and the foreign material removing apparatus can clearly remove foreign materials adhered to a filter using only a simple operation without the user effort.

Abstract: An enclosure for storing of moisture sensitive devices (MSD's). The enclosure includes a plurality of compartments, each continuously purged with dry air supplied by a commercially available de-humidifier. MSD's housed in said compartments are thus protected from absorbing moisture which could cause cracking of the devices after being mounted on printed circuit boards and subjected to the high temperatures associated with wave solder and solder reflow processes.

Abstract: A household appliance for drying a laundry item, the household appliance having a treatment chamber and a closed process air circuit to feed process air through the treatment chamber. The process air circuit includes a blower to move the process air; a condenser to condense out moisture in the process air; a heater to heat the process air; a measurement device to determine a temperature of the process air; and a controller to control the blower and the heater as a function of the measurement signal. An analyzer determines an energy requirement to dry the laundry item prior to initiating a drying process for the laundry item. An integrator determines an energy input to the process air via the heater up to a respective measurement time. A comparator compares the energy input with the energy requirement and ends the drying process when the energy input matches the energy requirement.

Abstract: Ventilating insole boards, self-ventilating footwear devices and self-bailing footwear articles and devices are provided.