Abstract: A jump form system provided variously with an integral jump shoe lock mechanism, a reversible gang form shear platform, and a pinion lock mechanism for a roll back carriage. The jump shoe lock mechanism includes a lever pivotably mounted to the jump form system frame above a jump shoe bearing portion of a connecting member, a sleeve mounted to the jump form system frame below the jump shoe bearing portion of the connecting member, and a sleeve-mounted safety pin that is mechanically linked to the lever for engagement and disengagement with a jump shoe. The pinion lock mechanism includes a rack and pinion provided on inner and outer portions of a telescoping carriage assembly, respectively, and a lock arm pivotably mounted to the outer portion adjacent to the pinion, with the rack, pinion, and lock arm including complementary teeth which are locked into place upon pivoting engagement of the locking arm.

Abstract: A formwork anchor for tight connection of formwork elements comprises a first anchoring portion which can be anchored on a first formwork element, an at least sectionally conical portion, and a second anchoring portion. The at least sectionally conical portion is provided between the first anchoring portion and the second anchoring portion, and an anchoring element provided to be positioned at the second anchoring portion in a certain anchoring position. The anchoring element can be displaced freely in relation to the second anchoring portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and can be fixed by means of engaging means in relation to the second anchoring portion in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: An automate fluid flow control system includes a valve member for being sealedly disposed within a fluid chamber to seal a flow of fluid flowing from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, a relief valve having a fluid passage extended along the valve member for communicating the fluid chamber with the fluid outlet and including a valve stopper sitting on a top opening of the fluid passage to sealedly close the fluid passage, and a powering assembly including an actuator to move the relief valve between a closed position that the valve stopper is sealedly retained to close the fluid passage and an opened position that the actuator drives the valve stopper to unseal the fluid passage for releasing a pressure within the fluid chamber to allow the fluid passing to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A fluid regulating device comprises an actuator with upper and lower housing components. The upper and lower housing components are secured together at mating flanges via a plurality of fasteners. The upper housing component is formed with a vent to contain a relief valve, which exhausts fluid to the atmosphere under overpressure conditions. The upper housing component is constructed such that it does not require a pedestal or fins extending between the vent and the flange, which advantageously provides a completely unobstructed, continuous, ring-shaped flange for receiving and manipulating the fasteners during assembly and/or maintenance of the regulating device.

Abstract: An electric motor actuated stop/check valve for industrial use such as liquid pumping systems which has a controlled opening and closing rate when liquid flow is in a forward direction but closes quickly upon reverse flow of liquid with no action from the electric motor actuator. Actuation of the valve is by an electric motor which provides movement to an actuator rod which contacts the disc stem. The disc stem and the actuator rod are not connected which allows the valve disc and disc stem free movement. No action by the electric motor is required. A spring biasing the valve disc toward the closed position and a hydraulically operated valve closing-speed regulator reduces or eliminates slamming of the valve disc against the valve seat. In a preferred method of operation liquid surge pressure transients are reduced or eliminated and slamming of valve components is prevented.

Abstract: A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve comprising a housing and a closing member arranged in the housing, from which member a shaft protrudes via which the closing member is rotatable in the housing. In order to provide a working and easy-to-use valve, the closing member comprises a sector closing the opening, a flexible sector having a thinner wall than the closing sector, a guiding sector having the same radius (R) as the inner surface of the housing wall, and an open sector.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a plumbing fixture body having a composition of, by weight percentage, 58-63 of copper, 0.8-1.5 of bismuth, 0.05-0.15 of phosphorous, and a remainder of zinc and any impurities. The plumbing fixture body includes a first opening and a second opening that are arranged to communicate a fluid there through. The first opening defines a first inner diameter D1 and the second opening defines a second inner diameter D2 such that a ratio of D1/D2 is 1.05-2.3.

Abstract: A post removal system having a base plate, a vertical support plate extending upwardly from a top surface of the base plate, and a handle pivotally attached to a top edge of the vertical support plate via a pivot pin, the handle is positioned atop the vertical support plate such that the vertical support plate is at a point between the midpoint and the first end of the handle, the pivot pin is perpendicular to the handle, the handle can pivot upwardly and downwardly about the pivot pin, and a stake gripping component pivotally attached to the first end of the handle via a hinge, the stake gripping component can pivot upwardly and downwardly about the hinge with respect to the handle, the stake gripping component having a slot in a side adjacent to the hinge, wherein the slot is adapted to temporarily accept a stake.

Abstract: A pneumatic load balancing device having an inflatable reservoir establishing via an amplifier a pressure within a lift chamber that is sufficient to balance the weight of an object being lifted. The reservoir is inflated and deflated by inflation and deflation valves that may be operated from an operator control center proximal an end effector of the device. The valves may be actuated via pushbuttons or in a mutually exclusively fashion via a neutrally biased reciprocating actuator. The device allows loads of different weights to be lifted in a semi-automatic fashion with operator involvement to select the load balancing pressure. The device may have an air release system that closes a blocking valve in the event of release of the object and optionally in the event of a loss of air supply. The pressure within the lift chamber is thereby preserved and can be vented at different rates.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly includes a molded plastic retainer that supports a load bearing surface over an opening defined by a frame. The molded plastic retainer includes a first portion attached to the frame, a second portion attached to the load bearing surface, and at least one elastic connector integrally molded with the retainer. The elastic connector is oriented such that it includes a crystalline structure having a greater degree of alignment in one direction than in other directions.

Abstract: A complex wave spring, or Beer Spring™, for electrically coupling opposed electrical contact surfaces or generating a relatively constant force. The spring includes a first wave portion shaped to define a first upward undulation and a first downward undulation, and a second wave portion fixedly arranged relative to the first wave portion. The second wave portion is shaped to define a second upward undulation proximate to the first downward undulation, and a second downward undulation proximate to the first upward undulation. The spring may be formed of electrically conductive material suitable for electrically coupling electrical contact surfaces when the spring is in contact between the surfaces. The complex spring provides unusually constant spring forces over a relatively wide range of compression distances.

Abstract: A compressible resilient elastomeric pad includes a body defining a central axis, the body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of the first and second axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to such central axis. A first raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the first axial end and a second raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the second axial end. A first groove is formed in the flat surface of the first axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the first projection and a second groove is formed in the flat surface of the second axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the second projection.

Abstract: A vibration damping rubber bushing including: an inner cylindrical member; a main rubber elastic body bonded to an outer circumferential face of the inner cylindrical member; a plurality of anti-slip projections provided on at least one of axial end faces of the inner cylindrical member that project axially outward from the axial end face and extend with ribbed shape in a diametrical direction on the axial end face to produce a spokewise pattern overall; and an annular water barrier projection provided on a diametrical medial section of the at least one of the axial end faces of the inner cylindrical member, projecting axially outwardly and extending circumferentially, with the anti-slip projections being disposed to both radially inner side and radially outer side of the annular water barrier projection.

Abstract: A fixing jig is made up of a plate-like jig main body (2) and a close contact layer (3) which detachably holds a work (W) in close contact therewith. The jig main body has: on one surface thereof a plurality of supporting projections (4) to support the close contact layer; and also has, along an outer peripheral portion of said one surface, a side wall (5) which is of substantially the same height as the supporting projections. The close contact layer is adhered to an end surface of the side wall to thereby define a partitioned space (6) between the close contact layer and the jig main body. By sucking the air within the partitioned space via a ventilation hole (7) formed in the jig main body, the close contact layer is deformed. The work is thus surely supported and fixed also in performing a processing in which a force is applied to the work.

Abstract: A creasing device that creases sheets on a per-sheet basis and includes: a first member extending perpendicularly to a sheet conveying direction and including a convex blade; a second member extending perpendicularly to the sheet conveying direction and including a concave blade, into which the convex blade is to be fitted; a drive unit that brings the first and the second members into and out of contact with each other, thereby producing a crease in a sheet interposed between the first and the second members; a sheet retainer driven by the drive unit and brought into contact with the second member with the sheet therebetween to retain the sheet across its full width; and a holding unit that holds the sheet retainer in a retaining state during creasing where the contact between the first and the second members starts at one point and develops in one direction.

Abstract: A disclosed carrying apparatus includes a first rotating unit carrying a sheet-like carried medium in a rotating direction, a second rotating unit carrying the carried medium in the rotating direction, a first driving unit rotating the first rotating unit, a second driving unit rotating the second rotating unit, a first rotational speed detecting unit, a second rotational speed detecting unit, a first rotational speed controlling unit, a second rotational speed controlling unit, and a torque information acquiring unit acquiring torque information acting on the first rotating unit, wherein the second rotational speed controlling unit controls the second rotational speed in response to a comparison result between the torque information acquired when the sheet-like carried medium is solely carried by the first rotating unit and the torque information acquired when the sheet-like carried medium is carried by the first rotating unit and the second rotating unit.

Abstract: A feeding device includes: a sheet housing unit; a sheet conveying unit having an endless belt member, which faces a topmost sheet of sheets stacked in the sheet housing unit, and a suction unit disposed inside the belt member; a sheet lifting unit that lifts the topmost sheet to a position where the topmost sheet is attracted on a surface of the belt member by a negative pressure generated by the suction unit; and an external device sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet fed from another feeding device connected to the feeding device to a gap between the topmost sheet in the sheet housing unit and the belt member. In feeding the sheet fed from the other feeding device to the subsequent step, the sheet lifting unit is stopped while the suction unit, the belt member, and the external device sheet conveying unit are operated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for which a control method is performed includes a recording unit, a conveying device conveying a recording medium to the recording unit, a feeding device supplying the recording medium to the conveying device, a recording medium conveying pathway along which the recording medium travels, and a control device controlling the conveying device and the feeding device. A first partial length of the recording medium conveying pathway extending from the feeding device to the recording unit is shorter than a conveyance direction length of a maximum usable size recording medium. When the leading end of the recording medium is located between the conveying device and the recording unit after the conveying device is driven to convey the recording medium, the control device switches the feeding device from a driven state to a non-driven state to move the feeding device by the recording medium.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for compressing media in a media stack. In various embodiments, a paddle moves between various positions. During the move, the paddle is configured to compress the media stack.

Abstract: A supply device includes: a supply roller that rotates around a first axis and supplies a medium; a rotary unit that rotates around a second axis in a determined direction to move the roller from a first position to a second position; a restriction part that, when the roller is at the first position, restricts rotation of the rotary unit in the determined direction; a member that rotates around a third axis; and a swing part that, when rotation of the rotary unit in the determined direction is restricted, swings in a first direction and makes the member separate the restriction part from the rotary unit to move the roller to the second position, and that, when the roller is at the second position, swings in a second direction and rotates the rotary unit in a direction opposite to the determined direction to move the roller to the first position.

Abstract: An air blowing apparatus includes: a paper stack accommodating section which forms a paper stack accommodating space for accommodating a stack of paper; and an air blowing device which blows air toward an edge of each sheet of paper of the stack of paper accommodated in the paper stack accommodating space, wherein the paper stack accommodating section includes a curved surface which faces a paper surface of the stack of paper, and the curved surface extends in an air blowing direction of the air blowing device and has a curvature in a direction perpendicular to the air blowing direction of the air blowing device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a holding tray in which a second recording material can be set and a transportation driving roller that transports a first recording material and the holding tray. A front edge of the holding tray is set back from an outer edge of the second recording material set in the holding tray.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle cube is generally described. The three-dimensional puzzle cube may include multiple blocks that are interconnected and movable, an output device, and a control unit that generates a control signal to the output device when the control unit determines that the blocks are arranged in a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A method of managing a blackjack game is provided. A blackjack game bet comprising a bet against a house entity on a blackjack hand is received from a player. A pair of cards is determined for a hand for the house entity, and another pair of cards is determined for a hand for the player. The odds of the occurrence of one or more subsequent events are determined based at least in part on one or more of the pair of cards selected for the house entity's hand and one or more of the pair of cards selected for the player's hand. The odds for an additional bet are determined based at least on the determined odds for the one or more subsequent events, and the additional bet is offered to the player at the determined odds for the additional bet.

Abstract: A game system for use with an object tossing game board such as a cornhole game board is disclosed for simulating a sport. The game system includes a plurality of playing cards so that one of at least a first player and a second player draws one of the plurality of cards during a player turn, each of the plurality of playing cards having tossing instruction information including identification of an award representing an activity involved in the sport and identification of an attempt number representing a number of tosses in which one of the first player and the second player has to successfully toss the object to the object tossing game board during the player turn to obtain the award.

Abstract: A word forming game for plural players, requiring formation of words from letters displayed on dice and cards. The cards may display plural letters, which may be color coded. Players forming a word may be restricted to using letters of one color coding scheme. The successful player must indicate manually such as by picking up a designated object that he or she is prepared to spell a word. Successful spelling results in a point award. A plurality of rounds of forming words is practiced. Cards utilized to spell a word in any one round are discarded and replaced, after which the next round is performed. The dice displaying letters are thrown to modify which letters are displayed for word forming purposes. After a number of rounds, that player having the highest cumulative point total is declared the winner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing device that is configured to form a seal around a pipe by use of an air flow in order to prevent a fluid from passing the sealing device. The sealing device includes an air inlet for the inflow of compressed air and configured to be connected to a source of compressed air; one or more channels connected to the air inlet, the channels extending along a substantially annular trajectory and configured to—in use—extend substantially around the pipe; a plurality of outlet points or an annular outlet groove connected to the one or more channels, the outlet points being configured to blow the compressed air in the region of the pipe wall, in order to create an air flow about the pipe in order to prevent a fluid from passing the sealing device.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pump, a gas spring, and an accumulator. The gas spring assembly includes a cylinder, a rod, and a chamber for supporting gas. The rod is coupled to the cylinder and moveable relative to the cylinder. The chamber is formed between the cylinder and the rod, where movement of the rod relative to the cylinder changes the volume of the chamber. The accumulator is configured for receiving, storing, and releasing potential energy from gas of the chamber. The accumulator is coupled to the chamber, and is in gaseous communication with the chamber such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator when the accumulator is receiving or releasing the potential energy.

Abstract: A safe roller shoe structure contains a body and a base, the base includes four rollers, characterized in that a pedal is lower than an upper periphery of each roller to lower a gravity center of legs in exercise; the pedal includes the four seats four integrally formed and extending from two sides thereof to correspond to the four rollers.

Abstract: A triple action roller skate steering and suspension mechanism includes upper and lower cushions clamped on either side of a skate truck, plus a third action comprising a floating cushion mechanism supporting and surrounding the pivot cup portion of a pivot joint mechanism. A pivot pin is threaded into the skate truck and can be preloaded against the pivot cup and floating cushion mechanism, thereby providing improved shock absorbing, durability and adjustability. The roller skate base plate is a unitary structure including a hollow arch for lightweight structural reinforcement.

Abstract: An improved braking system for a hand cart is disclosed. The braking system has a split axle which is rotatably connected to the cart frame. Braking components are affixed to each of the split axle sections. An actuator is connected to a caliper system, which caliper system is used to push the braking components together to lock the split axle into a single axle for braking or controlling the cart.

Abstract: A foldable handcart includes a handle, a cart frame, a carrier board, two wheel seats and two wheels. Two frame seats are deposited on the carrier board for pivoting the carrier board on the cart frame. A front side and a top side are defined on the frame seat. A corner formed by the front side and the top side is a round corner. Therefore when the foldable handcart is not in use, a user presses down the foldable handcart and the wheel seats contact with the corners to rotate the carrier board up slightly according to the lever principle. The user further folds the foldable handcart easily. Furthermore, the carrier board is completely escaping the ground when the foldable handcart is folded.

Abstract: A modular utility cart comprising a body defining a door opening; wheels attached to a lower portion of the body for supporting the body; and a door operatively attached to the body and adapted to mate with the door opening, wherein the body is adapted to receive a utility module thereto is provided. A method of assembling a modular utility cart is also provided. A kit of utility cart and utility module(s) is equally provided herein.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the rack device allow the carrying capacity of a cart system to be selectively expanded to increase the carrying capacity. The rack device increases the carrying capacity of existing carts with limited capacity by piggybacking a rack onto the existing cart to cradle in bracket members large bulky beach items such as surfboard and kayaks on the side of, on top of or outside of the existing cart. A cart system is also provided. The cart system selectively expands the capacity of the cart system with bracket members to cradle large bulky beach items.

Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, a skateboard deck comprises a carbon-fiber shell surrounding a longitudinally-extending interior space. The carbon-fiber shell has an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface opposite the upper inner surface; and a longitudinal beam disposed within the interior space. The longitudinal beam has an upper flange bonded to the upper inner surface of the shell, a lower flange bonded to the lower inner surface of the shell, and a web interconnecting the upper flange and the lower flange. The skateboard deck further comprises a generally rigid exterior portion encasing the core member. The exterior portion comprises at least one layer of wood disposed above or below the shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-piece folding scooter whereof the front and rear wheels are fixed on two side bases (b) and (c). Each wheel is hinged to a central base formed from two oblong openings in which the wheels retract respectively when the side bases are folded down flat against the central base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rack bar supporting device of a rack and pinion type steering apparatus for a vehicle. The disclosed device can prevent free movement from increasing by automatically adjusting a predetermined free movement even when wear occurs in a support yoke after degradation of driving durability of the vehicle, and can prevent a noise from occurring caused by an increase of free movement when the support yoke collides with a yoke plug by an impact reversely input from an uneven road surface, etc. This can provide a comfortable steering feeling to the driver.

Abstract: An axle-and-hub assembly for a trailer which includes an axle with opposing ends, first and second connecting devices respectively positioned at the opposing ends of the axle, and first and second hub arrangements which are removably secured to the first and second connecting devices.

Abstract: A suspension includes first and second arms that connect a rigid axle to a frame structure. The first arm has one end configured for connection to a rigid axle structure and an opposite end adapted for connection to one lateral side of the frame structure. The second arm has one end configured for connection to the rigid axle structure and an opposite end adapted for connection to an opposite lateral side of the frame structure. The suspension includes a first air spring associated with the first arm and a second air spring associated with the second arm. The first and second air springs are configured to be positioned laterally outboard of the frame structure.

Abstract: A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.

Abstract: A propulsion system of a lever propelled bicycle that utilizes a right and left side assembly consisting of two sets of linear chain links with an offset connection to one another by a spacer means, wherein each assembly is able by said spacer connection means to wrap around separate radial drive members at least 1¾ revolutions without wrapping around itself, therefore providing the rotational pulling means of it's connected radial drive member with a propulsion that is consistent in range and torque. The propulsion system also provides means of rewrapping each chain assembly around its radial drive member for reciprocal rotational pulling action by alternate levers when a rider applies force to each pedal.

Abstract: Bike comprising a first frame element extending from one end carrying a front wheel housing to a lower end, a second frame element extending to a lower end rigidly fixed to the first lower end, a rear fork comprising a chainstay extending from the first element to a spindle support and a seat stay extending from the spindle support to the second element, a crankset having a lateral chainring, a rear wheel driven by a sprocket inside the fork, a belt engaged with the chainring and the sprocket. The chainstay has a major portion arranged below a straight line passing through the lower ends of the chainring and of the sprocket. The belt extends through the triangle formed by the second frame element, the chainstay and the seat stay, which form an irremovable assembly.

Abstract: A trailer assembly including a load deck and a detachable gooseneck. The load deck includes a rotatable shaft and latch wedge and the detachable gooseneck includes a hook. The attachment of the gooseneck to the load deck will result in the rotation of the shaft and latch wedge and engage the latch wedge and hook preventing detachment of the gooseneck and load deck. Misalignment of the gooseneck and load deck may be compensated for by a chamfer of the hook and a v-shaped groove.

Abstract: A means for electrically connecting a vehicle electrical system to a trailer is disclosed which automatically connects the same when the hitch of the trailer is mounted on the vehicle hitch. Four different embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Upper coupler assemblies for mounting coupling devices to trailers, and methods for inspecting upper coupler assemblies. The upper coupler assemblies include a housing having first and second members that define a cavity therebetween. At least the second member has a through-hole adapted to receive a coupling device, such as a kingpin. The cavity contains at least one fluid-tight chamber, more preferably multiple gas-tight and liquid-tight chambers by walls within the cavity. The coupler assembly has at least one fluid inlet for introducing and/or withdrawing a fluid (liquid and/or gas) from one or more of the chambers. The integrity of the upper coupler assembly can be evaluated by introducing or removing a gas from the one or more chambers and detecting the presence of any gas leaks in the one or more chambers.

Abstract: A vehicular collision protection device is provided. The device includes a plastic shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion and extending along a longitudinal axis. The first end portion is received in a vehicle hitch receiver. The plastic shaft has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and are spaced apart from one another. At least one of the plurality of apertures receives a locking pin therethrough that removably couples the plastic shaft to the vehicle hitch receiver. The device further includes a plate member coupled to the second end portion of the plastic shaft.

Abstract: A sports board, such as a snow board, has a board core structure that provides desired structural characteristics localized to select regions of the board while maintaining predictable produceability and optimum operating qualities of the board. In an embodiment, the sports board includes a plurality of layered elements or segments, of which certain elements or segments are joined using interlocking elements.

Abstract: A baby carriage includes a frame and a seat mounted onto the frame. The frame includes a support rack and a pair of handle sets coupled on the support rack. The handle sets have respectively an elevation set and a folding set connected through a flexible member. The elevation set can adjust the height of a handgrip located at the upper end of the handle set. The folding set has an elastic pin and is inserted into the support rack. Through a driving member located on the upper end of the handle set, the latching state between elastic pin and the support rack can be released to rapidly fold and retract the frame. Usability is therefore improved and the folded size can also be reduced.

Abstract: A multi-mode hand truck is convertible to assume a hand-truck mode, a reclined load-assist mode, and a push-cart mode.