Abstract: Disclosed is a travel pillow for providing the head and neck alignment of a human user resting against a seat back. The travel pillow has an interior shell of a semi-stiff unitary construction. There is a head support region defining a head supporting space for supporting the user's head, a neck support region defining a neck supporting space for supporting the user's neck posteriorly, an enlarged portion bridging together the head support region and the neck support region, the enlarged portion varying in radius from the head support region to the neck support region all elements functioning together as a single unit to maintain the columnar alignment of the user's head directly above the user's neck, and lobes extending upwardly on either side of the head support region to support the head at the intersection of the occipital bone, parietal bone and temporal bones on either side of the head to prevent lateral bending of the neck.

Abstract: A adjustable hairstyle protecting pillow unit complete (FIG. 1) , design and function for providing adjustability to the user due to the many different comfort levels of consumers. A user of this invention can with a push of a button adjust the unit to their desired comfortable position at any comfort level when sleeping or relaxing anywhere the user desire. The unit provides to the user a high density triple layer extremely soft memory foam to sleep and relax on which conforms to the neck ,face or ear. Thus a considerably more versatile hairstyle protecting pillow unit is provided and arisen-that can be adjusted to provide more flexibility.

Abstract: A nursing pillow system for providing support to one or more children during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. The system preferably includes a cover-up which provides privacy during feeding. The cover-up may be removably attached and stored in an integrated pocket in the nursing pillow system. Other features, such as a bolster, belt, back pillow, elastic bands, and pockets may be included to increase the comfort and utility of the system.

Abstract: A mattress system for a patient includes an inflatable mattress having at least one inflatable bladder, each having at least one inflation port and a plurality of selectively sealable deflation pinholes. When fully deflated the inflatable mattress may be rolled up into a compact storage configuration. An air pump is in fluid communication with the inflation port of each inflatable bladder and is adapted to pressurize the bladder with air treated with an ozone generator, sanitizer, or the like. Such an air pump is preferably controlled by a controller circuit that may be included to inflate any of the inflatable bladders and activate or deactivate the air treatment apparatus, based on, for example, a pre-programmed schedule or regiment as directed by a medical professional. Auxiliary attachments, such as an appendage sleeve, a blanket, or the like, may also be inflated with the air pump.

Abstract: A support cushion including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite top surface, a layer of flexible foam having plurality of cells defining a reticulated cellular structure, the reticulated cellular structure cells comprising a skeletal plurality of supports through which substantially open cell walls establish fluid communication between interior of the cell and interiors of adjacent cells, the layer of flexible foam having density no less than about 30 kg/m3 and no greater than about 175 kg/m3, and hardness of no less than about 20 N and no greater than about 150 N at 40% indentation force deflection measured at about 22 degrees Celsius, the layer of flexible foam comprising visco-elastic foam having at least one material property responsive to temperature change in range of 10-30° C., and layer of polyurethane foam located beneath layer of flexible foam, the layer of polyurethane foam having hardness of at least about 50 N.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a sleep system is provided. More specifically, the invention provides a method and apparatus for an adjustable mattress that allows the user to increase or decrease the firmness of the mattress. Furthermore, the adjustable mattress has zones of adjustability thereby allowing two users to adjust the firmness of the mattress of each user's zone. The adjustable mattress is also multimodal. The motorized foundation contains adjustable massaging units that may be used for physical therapy and relaxation. Likewise, the motorized foundation may be used in relax mode to assist in obtaining sleep and awaken mode to gently awake the user by the stimulation of the adjustable mattress.

Abstract: A web cleaning system includes one or more conductive electrostatic cleaning members that may be grounded or electrically biased, and form an electric field. The conductive cleaning member opposes a conductive backing member that may be grounded or electrically biased. The conductive cleaning member contacts the web as it translates through the cleaning system, and charged debris on the web is affected by the electric field formed by the cleaning member.

Abstract: A workpiece system with a reciprocating motion which includes a motor assembly for producing an output drive signal with a periodic force pulse. The drive signal is coupled to a driven member assembly through a magnetic arrangement, wherein the driven member assembly has a workpiece mounted thereon with a return spring assembly. The driven member assembly has a resonant mechanical frequency. As the RPM of the motor increases from zero following startup, the drive signal frequency increases to the point very near resonance, where the energy from the drive signal is transferred into the reciprocating motion of the driven assembly, producing an effective amplitude of workpiece motion.

Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A motorized toothbrush includes a shaft, a tooth brush mounted to a distal end of the shaft, a coil mounted to and surrounding the shaft, a first magnet adjacent to a periphery of the coil, and a second magnet adjacent to the periphery of the coil and on an opposite side of the coil with respect to the first magnet. Passing a current through the coil causes the shaft to rotate alternately clockwise and counterclockwise.

Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A turf cleaning machine includes a bowed plate swept by a cylindrical plate. The bowed plate, when successively swept by a cylindrical brush, catches waste not ejected by the brush into a collecting pan to ensure collection of the waste. The waste is picked up a second time for ejection from the brush into the pan.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: A cleaning implement that is used to clean non-stick surfaces. The cleaning implement has a handle unit. A disposable plastic scrubber head is temporarily affixed to the handle unit. The plastic scrubber head has a base and a continuous flexible peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a beveled top edge. Mechanical fasteners join the handle unit to the plastic scrubber. When a scrubber head is attached to the handle unit and is pressed against a non-stick surface, the peripheral wall deforms to the curvature of the non-stick surface. Simultaneously, the bevel top edge flattens toward the non-stick surface creating a scraper that can dislodge food material from the non-stick surface without scratching the non-stick surface. Once the scrubber head becomes worn, it is removed from the handle assembly and replaced.

Abstract: A grid paint scooping device which is an article of manufacture comprising; a vertical elongated substantially flat grid which is partially immersed into a paint container with a handle at the top of said flat grid and attached at the bottom of the flat grid is an outwardly extending horizontal scooping reservoir which is substantially parallel to the bottom of said paint container during paint scooping events, wherein said grid paint scooping device uses said scooping reservoir for lifting a sufficient amount of paint out of the paint container for the purpose of saturating a roller cover with said paint in the reservoir and removing the excessive paint from the roller cover by use of said flat grid to allow the right amount of the paint to be evenly distributed on the surface of the roller cover before painting objects with the roller cover.

Abstract: A tray for paint or other coatings may be disposed on a horizontal surface and also may be suspended vertically, for example from the belt or waistband of a user. The tray is especially adapted to be used in a vertical orientation with a roller-type coating applicator, and comprises a front wall, back wall, oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom wall cooperating to define a coating receptacle, with the front wall, back wall, and side walls each having a top edge cooperating to define an open top of the coating receptacle. The tray is adapted to be suspended by a bracket at the side of a user, for example by the belt and/or waistband of the user.

Abstract: An extractor comprises a foot assembly supported by at least one wheel at a rearward portion thereof and at least one rotatable agitator at a forward portion thereof, a fluid delivery system, a fluid recovery system and an extension with a first end aligned with an inlet for an extraction path and a second end in register with a surface to be cleaned. The foot assembly can be traversed over the surface to be cleaned in alternating forward and rearward movements. Movement of the foot assembly in a rearward direction supports the forward portion of the foot assembly on the extension in a first position and the at least one agitator and movement of the foot assembly in a forward direction shifts support of the forward portion of the foot assembly off of the extension in a second position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner body, a suction fan and motor operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner body, and a wheel. The wheel has a wheel body having an axis of rotation, a tread surface, and a cushion layer radially interposed between the wheel body and the tread surface. The cushion layer includes a resilient shell having a plurality of resilient cells therein. The shell and the plurality of cells have one or more gasses in them, and are dimensioned to damp vibrations and impacts between the tread surface and a floor surface that the tread surface contacts as the wheel rotates about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Described herein are improved wet/dry vacuum appliance assemblies and associated systems which facilitate the ease of removal of the filter assembly from within the appliance itself. The vacuum appliance assemblies described include a drum, a lid assembly adapted to removably mount on or to hinge on the drum, and a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a removable component such that if the removable component is removed, the filter assembly is accessible.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and having a suction nozzle at a forward portion thereof, at least one agitator mounted for rotational movement within the suction nozzle and at least one ground-engaging wheel mounted rearwardly of the suction nozzle and a cord guard mounted to the housing in a position rearward of the suction nozzle and adapted to block the ingestion into the suction nozzle of a cord on the surface to be cleaned during rearward movement of the base along the surface.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a base frame having a chamber and a stem in the chamber, a mounting frame for mounting, a wheel pivotally mounted in the base frame, and a wheel lock structure consisting of a holder frame, a lift frame, a crank arm, a control knob and a compression spring and operable to lock/unlock the wheel.

Abstract: A combination castor brake system includes a linking device, and a plurality of castor assemblies connected with the linking device. Each of the castor assemblies includes an operation unit, a braking unit connected with the operation unit, and at least one roller connected with the braking unit. The operation unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a mounting seat, a slide, and at least two limit rods. The braking unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a housing, a top cap, a control shaft, an elastic member, and a braking member. The roller of each of the castor assemblies is rotatably mounted on the housing of the braking unit. Thus, the linking device can drive and operate the castor assemblies to brake and position the castor assemblies simultaneously.

Abstract: A friction wheel includes a hub, two bearings mounted in the hub and each having an axle, and a friction member mounted between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings. Thus, the friction member is mounted between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings to increase the friction between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings so that the user has to apply a larger force to overcome the friction between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings so as to move the cart forward, thereby preventing the cart from being moved freely.

Abstract: A hinge includes a base, an arm, a mounting member, a hinge spring, a fixing pin member, and a damping device. Two ends of the arm are pivotably connected to the base and the mounting member, with the hinge spring exerting elastic force on the base and the arm. The damping device is mounted in the base and includes a fixed seat mounted in the base, a sliding block movably received in the fixed seat, a damping member mounted between the sliding block and the fixing pin member and abutting the base, and an elastic element. The sliding block includes a front portion facing the arm and a rear portion connected to the elastic element pressing against the fixed seat.

Abstract: A drive carriage for a sliding curtain including a first carriage portion which is movable along a rail by at least one wheel assembly mounted thereto and a second carriage portion which is also movable along the rail and wherein the first and second portions of the carriage are connected by a coupling piece which is selective mounted in at least two positions with respect to the first and second portions so as to adjust a length of the drive carriage.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism 1 includes a rotation shaft 3 connected to a monitor and serving as rotating central axis X; a base 2 pivotally supporting the shaft 3 rotatably, and having click recesses 2b1, 2b2 and a housing position determining recess 2c on a circumference centering the axis X; a plate 5 attached at the end of the shaft 3; and a leaf spring 4 located between the base 2 and plate 5, fit-in by the rotation shaft 3, and having a click projection 4b that fits in the click recesses 2b1, 2b2 and recess 2c to hold the monitor in a predetermined rotation angle position. A sliding friction projection 4c sliding with pressed into contact with the base 2 is formed on the side opposite from the click projection 4b across the axis X, while a cutaway 2e entered by the projection 4c is formed in the base 2.

Abstract: A hinge for a swingable body part of a vehicle includes a hinge element having an attachment part, and at least one connection element for securing the attachment part of the hinge element to a body part or vehicle shell structure. The attachment part of the hinge element is constructed to move in relation to the body part and/or vehicle shell structure without disengagement when a load limit is exceeded.

Abstract: An auxiliary pole handle assembly includes a sleeve positioned on a shaft. A grip is pivotally coupled to the sleeve and includes a tube including a peripheral wall that has an open first end and an open second end. The peripheral wall has a pair of breaks therein. Each of the breaks extends through each of the first and second ends such that first and second portions of the grip are defined. The first and second portions are hingedly coupled together and are positioned in an open condition or in a closed condition. The first end of the grip is pivotally coupled to the sleeve. The grip is releasably positioned in a stored position defined by being in the closed condition extending around the sleeve or the grip is movably positioned into a deployed position extending outwardly away from the sleeve.

Abstract: A cookware handle with a soft non-slip surface is formed by molding elastomeric composition around a core or elongated member that connects a flange portion and the terminal end or hanging portion of the handle. The core or elongated member has a relatively narrow cross-section to minimize heat transfer from the pot so that the gripping portion remains cool during cooking.

Abstract: A buckle includes a coupling block engaged with a body of swimming/diving goggles. A pressing block is mounted to an outer side of the coupling block. A pin is mounted to an inner side of the pressing block and has a spacing to a pressing edge of an insertion hole of the coupling block. The inner side of the pressing block includes first and second surfaces. A fulcrum is located between the first and second surfaces and abuts a pressing face on the outer side of the pressing block. A section of a head strap is received in the insertion hole and wound around the pin. The pressing block can be pivoted about the fulcrum to move the pin away from the pressing edge of the coupling block to increase the spacing between the pin and the pressing edge, allowing loosening of the head strap.

Abstract: In a tongue used in a seat belt system, a tongue main body 25 including a belt insertion hole 23 in which to insert a seat belt 3 is provided with an insertion part 27 in a projecting manner. The insertion part 27 is capable of being inserted in a buckle in the seat belt system, and includes a lock hole 27a to which a lock piece included in the buckle is capable of being locked. A front surface of the insertion part 27 is formed into a concave and convex surface by being provided with multiple convex parts 29 or multiple concave parts. The convex parts 29 or the concave parts included in a rear surface of the tongue are formed corresponding to the convex parts 29 or the concave parts included in the front surface. A height of each convex part 29 from a reference position or a depth of each concave part from the reference position is 0.01 mm to 0.10 mm.

Abstract: A device for the connection and the locking of two parts (30a, 30b), including a female part (10) comprising two bars (12), a male part (21) cooperating with this female part (10), and a hinged flap (17). Each bar (12) contains two balls (2a, 2b) and at least one movable inner stop (5) arranged between the balls (2a, 2b). The axial length of the movable stop (5) plus the diameters of the two balls (2a, 2b) is greater than the distance between the two lateral faces of the branch (11a, 11b) in which the ball bar (12) is situated. Also provided is a method for the connection and the locking of two parts, a ball bar, and a method for producing the latter and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: Metallic one-side teeth include an upper inclined plane declining toward the side of interlock dent portion provided between the opening edge of the interlock dent portion and the apical edge of an interlock head portion.

Abstract: The security buckle includes a first body member having one or more walls defining a receiving cavity and one or more mating slots; and a second body member adapted to engage the receiving cavity, the second body member including one or more latching tabs for engaging the one or more mating slots wherein the second body member is inhibited from disengagement while the one or more latching tabs engage the one or more mating slots, and wherein the first body member includes a portion of the one or more walls defining a security slot adapted for receiving an interfering object that includes an engagement mode for insertion and removal from the slot and an interfering mode for inhibiting the one or more latching tabs from disengaging from the one or more mating tabs until the interfering object is transitioned to the engagement mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fabric has a drum with an elliptically-shaped cross-section having a pair of narrow sides and a pair of broad sides. Each of the narrow sides have an impact edge. Each of the pair of broad sides has a sliding surface. The drum has a differential helical expander formed on an outer surface thereof. A bearing and drive shaft set are affixed to the drum so as to impact rotational motion to the drum.

Abstract: A cremation urn includes a base and a lid. The base has a wall defining an opening through the wall. The wall has an internal surface and an external surface. The wall defines a rim. The lid includes a cover for engagement with the base and an integral catch. The catch includes a protrusion extending from the cover and sized to fit into the opening to selectively secure the lid to the base. The protrusion includes a wall engaging surface for engaging the wall and an external surface extending from the wall engaging surface in a direction opposed to the cover, the wall engaging surface having a width less than a length of the external surface in a direction opposed to the cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water bar comprising nozzle parts for a suction chamber to apply jets to fabrics, knitted fabric webs, or nonwoven fabrics copoosed of staple fibers, endless filaments, or cellulose fibers, also in several layers, or mixtures thereof, and a suction area which is located on the bottom side of the suction chamber and is used for sucking off spraying water. The aim of the invention is to largely prevent spraying water or spraying mist in the region of the water jet that is discharged from the water jet beam. Said aim is achieved by assigning an air supplying device to the water bar and/or the suction chamber, said air supplying device being provided with at least one outlet which is located in the region of the water bar and extends to the region of the nozzle ports of the water bar.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a duplexer. The method includes fabricating an embedded PCB having an isolation part built therein and forming pads on certain areas of an upper side of the embedded PCB to connect with an external terminal. Further, a first filter and a second filter are separately fabricated, each having at least one film bulk acoustic resonator which is fabricated by depositing a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode in this respective order. Thereafter, the first and second filters are bonded onto the pads formed on the embedded PCB. The entire surface of the embedded PCD is packaged at a predetermined distance from the first and second filters.

Abstract: Surface texturing is employed to modify the topography of one or more surfaces (radial or cylindrical) of the bearing system for a roller cone rock bit. The surface texturing results in a dimpled surface which retains additional lubricant helpful in reducing friction in the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. Shot peening is disclosed as one method for texturing the desired surface.

Abstract: An assembly device includes a shaft assembly having a plurality of pistons installed on an outer peripheral portion of a swash plate via shoes. The assembly device has a shaft support portion which supports a shaft having the swash plate in a vertical axis posture, a guide member, a shoe incorporation mechanism, a carriage which conveys the plurality of pistons in the vertical axis posture, and a piston holding portion which holds the plurality of pistons. The guide member is equipped with a first guide surface and a second guide surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optionally changing damping characteristics of a twin-tube shock absorber. In the method of changing the damping characteristics of the twin-tube shock absorber (10), a threaded hole (11a) is formed in an outer tube (11), oil is drained from the inside of the twin-tube shock absorber (10) through the threaded hole (11a), replacement oil (35) is charged into the twin-tube shock absorber (10), and a check valve (20) is mounted in the threaded hole (11a). Thereafter, in a state that the check valve (20) is positioned on the upper side in the twin-tube shock absorber (10), a gas is sucked out from the inside of the twin-tube shock absorber (10) through a flow channel of the temporarily opened check valve (20), and a replacement nitrogen gas (36) is injected into the twin-tube shock absorber (10).

Abstract: The present invention includes a baluster assembly system comprising: (a) a first baluster portion comprising a first tubular section and having a first attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a first engagement end; (b) a second baluster portion comprising a second tubular section and having a second attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a second engagement end; the first tubular section adapted to slidingly engage the second tubular section, and (c) a locking fixture adapted to fix the position of the first baluster portion with respect to the second baluster portion after the first tubular section and the second tubular section have been engaged.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing the damaged portion of a flow-line of a Corrugated Metal Pipe is disclosed. A containment mold is created on the interior surface of the CMP using a series of overlapping rigid sheets that are attached to the CMP along the damaged flow-line. This mold is provided with injection ports through which a hydro-insensitive expanding polymer may be injected. External pressure is applied to the rigid sheet during injection and hardening of the polymer. The result is a single monolithic structure forming a patch over the damaged CMP flow-line.

Abstract: A reinforced pipe section comprises a metal pipe, a layer of dry fibers disposed around the metal pipe, and an external liner covering the layer of dry fibers. A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe section comprises wrapping a layer of dry fibers over a metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner, thereby forming a first dry fiber wrapped metal pipe. A method of reinforcing a degraded metal pipe comprises wrapping the degraded metal pipe with a layer of dry fibers to increase the hoop strength of the degraded metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner.

Abstract: A method of recycling by reusing protective details that are removed in the course of manufacturing assembly operations is disclosed. The protective details are provided to protect subassemblies prior to final assembly operations. The protective details are collected, washed, inspected and re-certified. The re-certified parts are then reused.

Abstract: A method for constructing a support ring in a curved wall, in particular around an opening in a curved wall of a hot blast stove, where the method includes providing a plurality of standardized wedge-shaped bricks with side faces having tongue and groove profiles for cooperating with the side faces of the neighboring bricks, the thickness of the brick in the axial direction being in excess of the desired end thickness of the brick, and determining the intended location of each individual brick in the curved wall and determining, based on the intended location, the location of a front cut line and a rear cut line for shaping the front and rear faces of the brick, where the front and rear faces of the brick are then shaped in accordance with the above determined front and rear cut lines by a cutting tool.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting components on a vessel having a boss with an adapter and a method of attaching. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an adjustable frame including a support positioned between a first end and a second end, a fixed clamping device attached to the first end of the frame and including a lower plate and pivotally attached upper plate such that at least one of the lower and upper plates has a shaped jaw formed therein to hold a first adapter. The assembly further includes a rotatable clamping device made up of a lower clamping plate along with a lower plate rotatably attached to the lower clamping plate, and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate. At least one of the lower and upper plates have a jaw formed therein to hold a second adapter.

Abstract: An End-Of-Arm-Tooling for a robot that includes at least one tool mounted upon a section of channel having a generally cruciform cross sectional shape that includes lobes having an arcuate-shaped portion, one end of the section of channel being adapted to be attached to a robot arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to bimetallic leaf spring devices (100) that are responsive to changes in temperature, and methods of constructing and utilizing such devices. In one embodiment, the invention includes a clamping apparatus including a first strip (110) of a first material and a second strip (120) of a second material. The second strip (120) may be attached to the first strip (110) at least two attachment locations. The second strip (120) may be spaced apart from the first strip (110) at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and at least one of the first material and the second material may include a thermally expansive material.