Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a flexible hinge comprising first and second layers; the first layer comprising an elastomer and the second layer comprising a composite fabric.

Abstract: A positionable hinge includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first leaf and a first hinge barrel secured thereto. The first hinge barrel has a first barrel surface. The second section also includes a second leaf and a second hinge barrel secured thereto. Each of the first and second barrel have barrel surfaces at an interface. These barrel surfaces are opposed textured mating surfaces that allow the hinge to be held in place in any desired position.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process of making a fibrous structure, wherein roughly graded material is provided to rotating, apertured drums. The drums have at least one needle roll in their inside. The roughly graded material is agitated inside the drums, whereby fibers or small fiber clusters are separated from each other. These fibers and small fiber clusters are flung through the apertures to the outside of the drum, where they are directed onto a foraminous carrier to form a fibrous structure. The fibrous structures are especially useful in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A double layer zipper includes two zipper tapes, each zipper tape having a seal strip covered on transverse top and bottom edges and one longitudinal side edge thereof and stitched with the associating interlocking series of teeth, and an interlocking series of teeth formed of a series of coils and respectively fastened to each of opposing top and bottom sides of each of the zipper tapes, each coil having a coil head and a coil body connected to the front side of the coil head, the coil body having a recessed face disposed adjacent to the associating coil head, two flank portions disposed at two opposite lateral sides of the recessed face and a neck connected between the recessed face and associating coil head so that each coil has a tadpole-shaped profile.

Abstract: A vacuum press fit zipper assembly designed for watersports apparel and gear and other water related applications. Overmolding construction forms an effective seal around the entire perimeter of the fastener assembly, and a vacuum fit is created between the two mating portions of the zipper assembly.

Abstract: A fastener is provided with a snap-fitting leg to be pushed through an opening of a panel, the snap-fitting leg including a flat rigid core which extends in an axial direction and at least one curved flexible flange having an inner longitudinal edge running alongside the core which is separated from a free outer longitudinal edge of the flange by a web with a concave inner surface. A stiffening rib is provided on the concave surface of the web of the flange. The rib connects to the free outer longitudinal edge of the flange at two remote points substantially aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: A shoe lace cover helps keep singled knotted laces tied and uses a pair of generally coextensive panels with one panel positioned in the tongue opening of a shoe between the tongue and laces and the other panel is positioned atop the laces, the panels removably secured to one another at their respective sides using cooperating hook and loop material. Each panel also has a tail that is secured to the other tail below the bottom of the laces and a strap is attached to the upper panel overwraps the knot of the laces and secures to the lower panel.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a piezoelectric vibrator includes inserting a filling member formed with a through hole inside of a ring having a substantially cylindrical shape, and inserting one piece of a lead to the through hole of the filling member to project from both sides of the ring. The method further includes sintering the filling member along with the ring and the lead to integrate in an airtight manner, subjecting an exciting electrode of the piezoelectric vibrating piece to a bump connection with an inner lead portion of the lead projected from the ring, subjecting another exciting electrode on a side of the piezoelectric vibrating piece opposed to the other exciting electrode to wire bonding with the ring, and press-fitting the ring to an opening portion of a case and sealing the piezoelectric vibrating piece connected with the inner lead portion inside of the case in an airtight manner.

Abstract: A structure with an integrated circuit (IC) and a silicon condenser microphone mounted thereon includes a substrate having a first area and a second area. The IC is fabricated on the first area in order to form a conducting layer and an insulation layer. Both the conducting layer and the insulation layer further extend to the second area. The insulation layer is removed under low temperature in order to expose the conducting layer on which the silicon condenser microphone is fabricated. The silicon condenser microphone includes a first film layer, a connecting layer and a second film layer under a condition that the connecting layer connects the first and the second film layers. The first film layer and the second film layer act as two electrodes of a variable capacitance.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tool and method for removing sweeper bristles from a railway track broom are disclosed. An exemplary tool may include a tube member for insertion into a sweeper bristle gripped onto a nipple element, wherein two or more slits split a front portion of the tube member into flexible prongs each having outward-facing gripping elements near its tip. A plunger element, located inside the tube member, can be propelled forward into a front end of the tube member to cause the flexible prongs to substantially expand at least part of the front portion of the tube member, thereby loosening the sweeper bristle's grip on the nipple element. A hydraulic assembly coupling the plunger element to a hydraulic pressure source is controlled by a trigger mechanism to supply hydraulic pressure to propel the plunger element.

Abstract: An auto-aligning linear motion apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a leadscrew. The apparatus also includes a nut arrangement configured to surround the leadscrew, wherein the nut arrangement includes at least a nut, a nut bracket, and a floating collar. A shoulder screw is inserted through a nut bracket slot of the nut bracket and a nut slot of the nut to rest at least partially within the floating collar. One dimension of the nut bracket slot is larger than a dimension through a cross-section area of the shoulder screw to enable the shoulder screw to move within the nut bracket slot to adjust the nut arrangement as the leadscrew is rotated to maintain a concentric relationship between the nut arrangement and the leadscrew.

Abstract: A pin removal assembly for use with an upper block of a crane includes a sheave support and a pin support. The upper block includes a frame, a plurality of sheaves, and a removable sheave pin that defines and axis of rotation for the sheaves and supports the sheaves within the frame. The pin removal assembly includes a sheave support mountable to the frame of the upper block and a pin support mountable to the frame of the upper block. The pin support is configured to support the sheave pin when the sheave pin is removed from the upper block.

Abstract: A releasable connection connects a first component to a second component. The second component includes and is manufactured from a Shape Memory Polymer (SMP), and defines a pocket. The first component includes a portion disposed within the pocket. The pocket is deformed from an initial shape permitting insertion of the portion into the pocket to assembly the releasable connection into a connected shape wherein the pocket is deformed to secure the first component relative to the second component. The pocket is transformed from the initial shape into the connected shape by heating the SMP material of the second component to a switching temperature. Re-heating the SMP second component to the switching temperature returns the pocket back to the initial shape from the connected shape to disassembly the releasable connection.

Abstract: A method of installing a snap ring, having opposed inner and outer diameters, onto an O-ring located in an annular groove of an anvil of an impact wrench includes providing a deformable base formed with an annular seat, seating the snap ring in into the annular seat, and applying the anvil of the impact wrench through the snap ring and into the deformable base applying the snap ring over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the groove, wherein the anvil interacts with the snap ring in response to applying the anvil into and through the snap ring enlarging inner and outer diameters of the snap ring deforming the annular seat of the base allowing the snap ring to be received over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the annular groove.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing furniture, such as sofas, that have a lower exposed front rail with corner block portions. The method including injection molding the front rail with the corner block and assembling it to side rails and a rear rail whereby there are no exposed junctures at the corner blocks on the front rail.

Abstract: A method for tolerance compensation in an overlap joint between a first and a second body section of adjacent fuselage rings includes introducing a plurality of holes into a first body section corresponding to a pattern of rivets; arranging the first and second body section in an overlapping configuration so as to form an overlap; injecting a filler mass through the plurality of holes into a gap formed in the overlap; and hardening the filler mass.

Abstract: A movable device of acceleration sensors and a vibration device of a gyroscope are formed on the same sensor wafer spaced apart from each other by a wall. A cap wafer having gaps corresponding to the movable mechanical components of the acceleration sensors and gyroscope is provided for the wafer and an adsorbent divided into a plurality of divisional portions is disposed in the gap for the gyroscope. After the sensor wafer and the cap wafer have been bonded together at a temperature of inactivation of the adsorbent and in an atmospheric pressure ambience of noble gas and activated gas, the adsorbent divisional portions are activated in sequence to adsorb the activated gas so as to adjust the pressure inside the gyroscope, thus manufacturing a combined sensor wafer.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an antenna which is minimized and used in a low frequency band. The method includes forming and preparing a radiator for an antenna, mounting the radiator inside a dam molding part including an upper dam molding part and a lower dam molding part, injecting a molding material into the dam molding part through an inlet provided at one side of the dam molding part, the molding material including a composite material with a controlled diameter and content, hardening the injected molding material, and separating the hardened molding material covering the radiator from the dam molding part. Accordingly, a miniaturized antenna can be provided, which can achieve a high integration density, prevent deformation of the radiator caused by external pressure generated in processes, and be used in a low frequency band by covering the radiator with a molding material having a high permittivity and a low-loss characteristic.

Abstract: A coil component, in which a space on an outer periphery of a winding interposed between a pair of flange portion is coated with a resin with magnetic powder, has a problem of long-term reliability that a thermosetting resin expands and contracts due to change in a temperature and the flange portions are fatigued to be broken. An object of the present invention is to provide the coil component of which core is hardly broken even when the resin with magnetic powder expands and contracts and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A disk drive is assembled to have a cover that includes a hole therethrough, and an annular gasket continuously encircling the hole and being adhered to an undersurface of the disk drive cover. A breather filter is adjacent the disk drive base. The breather filter includes a breather filter housing having a top surface and an entrance port. The annular gasket is in compressive contact with, but not adhered to, the top surface of the breather filter housing. The annular gasket encircles the entrance port. In certain embodiments, this method of assembly may facilitate disk drive rework.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting component attachment of the present invention includes a detection head for detecting presence or absence of a component or whether or not a component is attached, and a driving mechanism for driving the detection head in an attachment direction of the component. The detection head includes a movable element having a distal end portion capable of being brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the component, a guide passage for guiding the movable element in the attachment direction so as to be capable of reciprocal motion, a fluid passage for passing a fluid when the distal end portion is brought into contact with the predetermined portion and pushed and the movable element is moved to a predetermined position, and a detection portion for detecting a pressure or a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A device to transfer a tiny hearing aid battery to the battery compartment of a hearing aid. Pressure on a button at the top creates contact to a single AAA battery, thus energizing an electromagnet which then holds the hearing aid battery. When the pressure at the devices's top button is released, the AAA battery is turned off and the battery is released undisturbed in the hearing aid's battery compartment.

Abstract: Methods for producing a substrate for mounting a device and for producing a semiconductor module are provided. The methods comprise preparing a metal plate on one major surface of which a plurality of projected electrodes are provided. An insulating resin layer is formed on the major surface so as to cover the top surface of the projected electrodes. The top surface of at least one of the plurality of projected electrodes is exposed by removing the insulating resin layer so that a major surface of the insulating resin layer opposite to the metal plate is level. A plurality of counter electrodes is arranged having a counterface to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes or a semiconductor device having a plurality of device electrodes is arranged to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus mounts a component (A) on a board (W). The mounting apparatus is provided with a head unit (40) wherein a plurality of heads (41) for picking up components (A) are arranged in a prescribed direction, a head unit transfer device (4) for moving the head unit (40), a board imaging camera (21) (board imaging device) disposed on the head unit (40) for capturing an image of the board (W), and a camera moving device (25) (imaging device moving device) which moves the board imaging camera (21) relative to the head unit (40) in the arrangement direction of the heads (41).

Abstract: A resist film is formed on a conductor layer of a two-layered base material composed of a carrier layer and the conductor layer. Next, the resist film is exposed and developed, so that an etching resist pattern is formed. A region of the conductor layer that is exposed while not covered with the etching resist pattern is removed by etching. A conductor pattern is formed by removing the etching resist pattern. Then, an adhesive layer precursor is applied on an entire surface including an upper surface of the conductor pattern. The adhesive layer precursor is exposed and developed, so that an adhesive pattern is formed on the conductor pattern. After that, a base insulating layer is joined onto the conductor pattern with the adhesive pattern sandwiched therebetween. Finally, a carrier layer is separated from the conductor pattern, so that the FPC board is manufactured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer printed circuit board having interlayer insulating layers and conductor layers repeatedly formed on a substrate, via holes formed in the interlayer insulating layers, and establishing electrical connection through the via holes, including containing an electronic component in said substrate, forming a positioning mark on said substrate based on a positioning mark of said electronic component, and conducting working or formation based on the positioning mark of said substrate.

Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.

Abstract: A method can produce a liquid discharge head including a liquid discharge energy generating element, a liquid discharge port, a liquid flow path, an electric circuit for driving the liquid discharge energy generating element, a first electrode pad for exchanging electrical signals with the exterior and a second electrode pad for testing the electric circuit. The method includes preparing a substrate provided with a conductive layer for forming the first electrode pad and the second electrode pad, forming a protective layer directly on the second electrode pad, after forming the protective layer, forming a metal layer by an electro less plating method on the conductive layer, removing the protective layer after the metal layer is formed, and providing a layer comprised of a resin on the second electrode pad after the protective layer is removed.

Abstract: A method of assembling an inkjet printhead comprising providing a printhead chassis; providing a support surface; affixing a printhead die to a die location portion of the support surface; affixing a portion of an attachment surface of a flexible circuit to the support surface adjacent to the die location portion of the support surface; electrically connecting the printhead die to the flexible circuit; affixing a spacer member to a surface of the flexible circuit that is opposite the attachment surface; applying an encapsulating material in contact with the printhead die, the flexible circuit, and the spacer member; and curing the encapsulating material.

Abstract: A method of mounting a grate adapter unit beneath a stormwater collection grate includes steps of providing a grate adapter unit having a plurality of outwardly extending mounting flanges, each mounting flange being adapted to fit a different size commercially common stormwater collection grate. The grate adapter unit is trimmed, either at the factory, at the contractor's facilities or at the installation site, at the desired location to select a desired one of the mounting flanges that is appropriate for the collection grate to which the grate adapter is being fit. The grate adapter unit is then mounted beneath the stormwater collection grate using the selected mounting flange. A stormwater remediation unit may be pre-mounted to a lower end of the grate adapter unit or mounted to the lower end after installation.

Abstract: A method of assembling a differential gear set includes installing a first bushing into a carrier, installing a second bushing into the carrier, and inserting a first planet gear into an interior portion of the carrier. The first planet gear includes a first planet gear shaft. A second planet gear including a second planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier. The first and second planet gear shafts are installed into the first and second bushings. A third planet gear including a third planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier and a fourth plant gear including a fourth planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the housing. The third and fourth planet gear shafts are passed into corresponding bushing receptors in the carrier. Third and fourth bushings are installed on the third and fourth planet gear shafts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil spring using a helicoid reduction mill includes supplying a coil spring material linearly unrolled by a prestraightener to a surface treatment machine and then short-blasting or scarfing its outer surface to surface-treat the coil spring material; primarily heating the surface-treated coil spring material to a predetermined temperature using a first heater; sequentially supplying and pressurizing the primarily-heated coil spring material in a stepwise fashion such that the coil spring material has the same diameter as that of a coil spring to be manufactured; measuring the diameter and the length of the coil spring material and then cutting the coil spring material to a desired size; secondarily heating the cut coil spring material to a predetermined temperature using a second heater; forming the secondarily heated coil spring material into a coil spring using a coiling machine; and oil-quenching and then tempering the formed coil spring.

Abstract: There is provided a method for assembling a rail vehicle. The method includes positioning a plurality of motor combos on a fixture frame. The fixture frame may be adapted to hold each of the plurality of motor combos positioned for an assembly into a rail vehicle truck. The method further includes positioning a plurality of springs on each of the plurality of motor combos. The plurality of springs are positioned for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck. Additionally, the method includes simultaneously lifting a plurality of motors such that a truck frame may be coupled to the motors. The plurality of motors corresponds to the plurality of motor combos. The method also includes connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors, attaching a spring compression fixture to the truck frame and the fixture frame, and compressing the plurality of springs for assembly into the rail vehicle truck.

Abstract: A razor which includes a head, at least two spaced apart razor blades mounted to the head, and structure for expelling a shaving composition from the head, at least between the blades, onto a surface to be shaved.

Abstract: A shaving blade unit has a plastic housing having a front portion and a rear portion and two side surfaces extending from the front portion to the rear portion. A shaving blade is disposed between the front portion and the rear portion and has a blade length extending along a blade axis. A guard is disposed at the front portion of the housing. The guard includes an elastomeric member forming at least one passage extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of the elastomeric member.

Abstract: A handheld fruit and vegetables slicing apparatus having a plurality of linked together rotatable knives connected to a frame. One of the knives being attached to a rotatable adjustment element on the frame, such that when the adjustment element is rotated the plurality of knives rotate from an original upright state to a flat state for rinsing.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a safety folding knife comprising a blade having an end pivotally coupled to an end of a handle, such that the other end of the blade can be rotated out of or into the handle. The handle includes an elastic stop plate therein, which has an end fixed onto the handle and the other end tilted and extended towards a side of the blade. When the blade is turned fully out of the handle, the other end of the elastic stop plate can be abutted against the end of the blade so as to maintain the blade in a fully opened state, and a resisting block installed inside the handle then moves and firmly blocks the elastic stop plate to avoid the blade from being accidentally turned backward to the handle.

Abstract: A scissors includes a pair of scissors constitution bodies which have a cutting portion and a holding portion formed continuously from the cutting portion. The cutting portion has cutter blades formed on both sides in a width direction. The pair of scissors constitution bodies are rotatably joined by a shaft portion in a base end portion of the cutting portion. The pair of scissors constitution bodies cross and rotate in both directions through the shaft portion. The holding portion includes a handle portion mounted therein so as to be visually unrecognized from the outside, the handle portion projected only in one width direction. A slider provided in the holding portion is operated to form a handle portion.

Abstract: A circular saw includes a base plate, a saw blade assembly pivotably mounted to the base plate, and a bevel adjustment assembly operable to adjust the bevel angle of the saw blade assembly by rotation of an axle supported on the base plate. A release mechanism includes two torsion springs each having a coil portion wound around the axle, an anchor leg held in a substantially fixed position relative to the axle and a release leg arranged to move relative to the axle. A manually operable release element is configured to substantially simultaneously move the release leg of each of the torsion springs in a direction to unwind the coil portion of each spring from about the axle.

Abstract: A power tool including a sliding member slidably received in the power tool and a pair of lock plates, each of the pair of lock plates including an opening, and the lock plates being configured such that the sliding member slides within the opening. First ends of each of the lock plates are pivotably attached to a support at a first side of the sliding member, and second ends of each of the lock plates being biased toward one another at an opposite side of the sliding member. A first contact portion of the lock plate contacts a first surface of the sliding member at the first side of the sliding member, and a second contact portion of the lock plate contacts a second surface of the sliding member at the opposite side of the sliding member, wherein the sliding member is secured with respect to the support.

Abstract: A physical template for deploying an earth-based sensor network. The physical template includes a physical mesh. The physical mesh is configurable as a surface-covering structure that includes a plurality of nodes. A node of the plurality of nodes is to position a sensor for deployment of the sensor within a specified distance of a location on a surface of the Earth. A sensor-network-deployment system including the physical template for deploying an earth-based sensor network, and a method for deploying an earth-based sensor network utilizing the physical template are also provided.

Abstract: A disclosed sensor assembly for detecting movement and a position of a wing flap includes a sensing device that generates a signal corresponding to a position of the flap. The sensor assembly includes a linkage that is attached to the movable flap for mechanically communicating movement of the flap to the sensing device. The linkage includes a first pivot shaft mounted to the flap that is disposed about a first axis and a second pivot shaft attached to the first pivot shaft for movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

Abstract: A ruler includes a base which has a plurality of one-inch wide measurement stations which include numerical indicia. The numerical indicia can be selectively exposed or covered by an associated pivoting flap. When a measurement is made, the appropriate flap is opened so the numerical indicia can be utilized in making a measurement. The numerical indicia can include both fractional numbers and decimal numbers.

Abstract: A tape measure calibrator includes a base with a slot with a pull reference surface and a push reference surface, the slot being configured to receive an end hook of a tape measure. The base also includes a pull calibration band on the base with a centerline of the pull calibration band indicating a first distance from the pull reference surface. The base also includes a push calibration band on the base, a centerline of the push calibration band indicating a second distance from the push reference surface, n which the first distance and the second distance are substantially equal.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine includes: a probe for measuring an object; a movement mechanism for moving the probe; and a motion controller for controlling the movement mechanism. The motion controller includes: a current value detecting unit that detects a current value for moving the probe by the movement mechanism; and a load judging unit that judges a status of a load applied on the movement mechanism based on the current value detected by the current value detecting unit and a threshold that is set in accordance with a target speed for moving the probe by the movement mechanism. The target speed is in proportion to the threshold.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement device comprises an articulated arm having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of jointed arm segments therebetween. Each arm segment defines at least one axis of rotation. A laser scanner assembly is coupled to the second end of the arm and is rotatable about a last axis of rotation of the articulated arm. The laser scanner assembly comprises a laser and an image sensor. The laser is positioned on an opposite side of the last axis of rotation from the image sensor.

Abstract: Caliper mounts are provided that include a shallow channel for receiving a caliper scale bar, a retainer with a stepped cone washer positioned adjacent one side wall of the channel, and one or more shelves cantilevered over an opposite side wall of the channel. The shelves and retainer cooperate to retain the scale bar of a conventional sliding caliper in the channel. One caliper mount is formed as a rectangular miter slot base configured for insertion into the miter slot of a saw or router table. Another caliper mount is formed as cylindrical housing that incorporates a permanent disc magnet. Container shells and molded platforms adapted to mount a sliding caliper perpendicular to an elongated miter slot are also provided.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for dehydrating a mop. The drive mechanism includes a base (10); a driven gear (12) rotatably mounted on the base; a propeller shaft (121) having a lower end rotated by the driven gear and an upper end to rotate a rotation barrel (21); a driving gear (11) meshing with the driven gear; a spinning shaft (111) to rotate the driving gear; a drive member (13) having a spinning shaft hole (131) meshing with the spinning shaft; an elastic member (14) biased between the drive member and a housing (20) to move the drive member downward relative to the spinning shaft; and a pedal (15) pivotally mounted on the base to move the drive member upward relative to the spinning shaft. The driving gear has a diameter greater than that of the driven gear to drive the driven gear to rotate the rotation barrel easily and quickly.

Abstract: A dryer has a drying chamber to receive damp items and a process air duct to feed process air into and extract process air out of the drying chamber. The process air duct has a heat source and a heat sink to heat the process air before the process air enters the drying chamber and to cool the process air after the process air leaves the drying chamber, respectively. A cleaning device has an accumulator for a liquid; a rinsing line connected to the accumulator; a control organ in the rinsing line; a distributor connected to the rinsing line to distribute the liquid conveyed through the rinsing line on a lint filter and to receive the lint caught by the lint filter; and a drain line to drain the liquid with the received lint away from the lint filter and towards the accumulator.

Abstract: A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.