Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ivy Geranium plant named ‘Duepawiteimp’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; freely flowering habit; large light pink-colored semi-double flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Duepotpiropi’, characterized by its compact, mounding and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; light purple-colored flowers with red purple-colored venation; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘Pink Splash’, characterized by its upright plant habit; intermediate plant size; uniform plant habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; relatively short crop time; fancy-type leaves with dark green-colored venation, red purple-colored interveinal areas and dark green-colored margins; and good landscape performance.

Abstract: Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.

Abstract: An optical disk reader or read/write system for CD or DVD formats. First and second laser diodes operating at different wavelengths have their output beams collimated and directed at a single element objective lens, and are then reflected off the disk back through the lens to a photodetector. The single element objective lens has a central aperture zone and an outer aperture zone, the central zone being profiled to operate at a first numerical aperture at approximately 0.45 and the output beam of the first laser diode is confined to the central aperture zone. The outer aperture zone together with the central aperture zone are profiled to operate at a second numerical aperture, for example 0.60 wherein the output beam of the second laser diode has ray fans extending across the full aperture of the single element objective lens.

Abstract: Systems for dynamic reallocation of bandwidth and modulation protocols is provided. In one embodiment, a radio head interface module comprises: a transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from a signal processing module and store the data stream as a page of data samples having a page header; a transmit engine; a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter; a configuration management unit adapted to receive reconfiguration information from the signal processing module, the reconfiguration information including at least one of air interface protocol parameters and bandwidth allocation information; and a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters. The configuration management unit is accesses the memory to lookup associated digital upconverter parameters based on the reconfiguration information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal caused by infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) by administering to the animal at approximately three (3) to ten (10) days of age, a single dose of an effective amount of a M. hyo vaccine. The M. hyo vaccine can be a whole or partial cell inactivated or modified live preparation, a subunit vaccine, or a nucleic acid or DNA vaccine. The M. hyo vaccine administered in accordance with the present invention can be synthesized or recombinantly produced.

Abstract: The invention refers to a composition comprising one or more tannase-producing strains of Lactobacillus having the ability to adhere to the human intestinal mucosa in combination with tannin. New tannase-producing strains of Lactobacillus plantarum are a.

Abstract: Methods, systems and kits for the simultaneous or sequential analysis of one or more hormones by mass spectrometry are disclosed. The methods require minimal sample size and minimal preparation time. The methods include ionizing the hormones and analyzing the hormones by mass spectrometry. In addition, methods, systems and kits for the simultaneous or sequential analysis of thyroid hormones are disclosed including ionization of the thyroid hormones in the negative mode using an electrospray source.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for the receipt of high-speed sequential data streams. It utilizes the concept of banked memories to reduce the required speed and size of the input buffers used to receive the data streams. This allows the device to employ large, relatively slow memory elements, thereby permitting large amounts of sequential data to be stored by the receiving device. Using control information that was written as the data was being stored in the memory banks, a reordering element is later able to retrieve the data elements from the plurality of memory banks, in an order that is different from that in which the stream was received, and to reassemble the data stream into the original sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured with one or more sensors arranged to detect a first shape-related parameter, one or more control elements arranged to provide a force, and circuitry operably connected to the one or more sensors and the one or more control elements to determine the force provided to the one or more control elements.

Abstract: Safety helmet of the type comprising a chin guard rotatably pivoted to the shell between a pulled down position, at the lower end of the front opening of the shell, and at least one raised position over said front opening, and at least one reversible locking device of the chin guard in such at least one raised position, the reversible locking device comprising at least one follower, integrally rotatable with the chin guard, and at least one corresponding countering element, constrained with at least one degree of freedom to the shell, or vice versa, such countering element being intended for its engagement with the aforesaid at least one follower at least in proximity of said raised position of the chin guard, as well as means for manually regulating the position and/or the motion of said at least one countering element.

Abstract: A sock is provided having a first compression area 1 which raises the compressive force in a wale direction from a position A behind the toe area of a sole portion of the sock to a position C which includes the boundary between an arch portion B and a heel portion 6, a second compression area 2 provided on the periphery to raise the compressive force in a course direction at the position A behind the toe area, a third compression area 3 provided on the periphery to raise the compressive force in a course direction at an ankle portion D, and a fourth compression area 4 provided on the periphery to raise the compressive force in a course direction from the position C which includes the boundary between the arch portion B and the heel portion 6 to a position E at the base of the instep portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically conductive textile yarn for production of protective garments, comprising a first element which is made electrically conductive by means of a layer of silver, and a second element which is different from the said first element, and is provided with good resistance to fire; the first element can be in the form of filaments or fibers. The present invention also relates to a garment produced by means of a yarn of this type and to a method for production of the yarn itself.

Abstract: A hazardous materials protective garment may use a two-stage evaporative cooling process to ease heat strain on the wearer of the garment. The garment may include an impermeable inner layer and a wicking outer layer. One or more reservoirs may be disposed interior to the inner layer for collecting condensed and/or unevaporated sweat. One or more pumps may move the sweat to the exterior of the impermeable layer for distribution in the wicking layer and evaporation from the garment.

Abstract: A mechanism (100) composed of three primary assembled components, a housing assembly (10), a cable assembly (50), and a lift arm assembly (70) that work in unison to lift a toilet seat (102) via the application of pressure to a foot pedal (32).

Abstract: The present invention discloses urinal that introduces a water use reduction method for flushing which supplies an accommodating solution for men and women as well. The water conserving urinal comprising an open-top funnel with a flexible hose thereon terminating in a rigid tube with a U-shaped gas trap section. In one of the embodiments of the present invention the apparatus is stored in the inside of a vanity cabinet. The instant application also discloses a completely new way to install the portable urinal in residential, and even commercial locations with the objective to conserve up to 12½ gallons of water per day per person.

Abstract: In a nozzle device a spray hole for spraying washing water and a pipe forming a first flow path that introduces the washing water to the spray hole is provided. Further, the spray hole is provided in a cover that surrounds the pipe. The cover is integrally formed of a cylindrical metal whose front end is closed. A space between an outer surface of the pipe and an inner peripheral surface of the cover member forming a second flow path that introduces the washing water to the spray hole. Further, the second flow path surrounds surface of the pipe in a circumferential direction of the cover member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a child's potty seat that utilizes a combination waste collection bowl with an integral backrest and handle to isolate the handle away from the bowl contaminated with bodily wastes. The potty seat is made up of a seat portion and a removable bowl portion that is sanitary easy to clean and can be used as a handle.

Abstract: A shower door apparatus is disclosed being secured to the top rim of a bath tub. The shower door apparatus has a base plate extending outward from, and beyond, the top rim of the bath tub. A shower door frame assembly having at least one shower door is secured to the base plate near the edge distal to the bath tub.

Abstract: A bed sheet to cover a mattress may include a top sheet to cooperate with the substantially the top surface of the mattress, and a connector sheet to cooperate with the top sheet to stabilize the top sheet with respect to the mattress. The connector sheet and the top sheet may define an aperture to cooperation with a bottom corner of the mattress. The aperture may be substantially a rectangle, and the connector sheet may be substantially T-shaped. The connector sheet may be an inverted T-shaped sheet, and the connector sheet may include a base portion to connect the bottom edge of the top sheet. The connector sheet may include a top portion to connect to a side edge of the top sheet.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a base, a lifting mechanism, a rotating frame configured to rotate horizontally relative to the base, and a patient support surface pivotally secured to the rotating frame. The patient support surface includes a back section, a seat section, and foot section that articulate relative to each other. The patient support surface translates from a bed configuration to a side-egress chair configuration. The foot section includes a plurality of panels that translate relative to each other from a substantially co-planar relationship when the patient support surface is in a bed configuration to a relationship where one of the foot section panels is substantially orthogonal to another foot section panel when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration. A mattress supported by the patient support surface has a retractable foot portion that adjusts its length in response to translation of the foot section panels.

Abstract: A support pillow includes a pillow body having a medial region and two curved arms that extend from the medial region. The pillow body has a curved exterior periphery and an interior periphery that defines a well when the pillow is in an open position. A first flap portion extends from the exterior periphery of a first one of the curved arms and a second flap portion extends from the exterior periphery of a second one of the curved arms. A fastening mechanism is configured to couple the first and the second flap portions to each other when the pillow body is folded in half to place the pillow in a closed position, with the first and the second arms being generally adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An infant adaptable system includes a rectangular-shaped base member that is made of a soft, flexible material and has a plurality of holes formed between, and parallel to, the sides of the base member. A first cushion and a second cushion are mounted on the base member between the holes and a respective side of the base member. Fasteners are provided along each side of the base member for engagement with each other to configure the system for wear on an arm of a user or for attachment to an infant carrier. Toys can be selectively engaged with the holes on the base member, and held on the base member, to distract the infant during a use of the system.

Abstract: A diver's rescue knife including a handle with a threaded stud at the butt end, a hammer screwed onto the stud and mounting a hard pin with a sharp point.

Abstract: A washing machine and a washing control method of the same that is capable of controlling laundry to be effectively washed with bubbles depending upon load of the washing machine. The washing control method includes supplying wash water and detergent into a water tub, heating concentrated detergent liquid including the wash water and the detergent mixed with each other, generating and supplying bubbles into the water tub when the temperature of the heated concentrated detergent liquid reaches a predetermined bubble generation temperature, and washing laundry with the supplied bubbles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ramp insert for insertion between rails and/or rungs of a ramp. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body that may have an adjustable length. The body may include a first section that may include a track portion and a second section that may include a groove portion. The groove portion may be capable of fitting together with the track portion. The first or second section may be capable of slidably moving with respect to the other section via the track portion and the groove portion. The ramp insert may be placed between the rails and/or rungs of the ramp whereby the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths. Since the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths, the ramp insert may fit many different kinds of ramps having various widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for shining shoes is provided in which an oil shoe polish containing 5˜20 volume % of an oil ingredient is substantially coated on a shoe surface by using a rotating sponge and is maintained for a certain time period under a high temperature environment of above 60° C. by introducing a heat wind, so that it is possible to obtain an excellent shoe shining effect similar to that of a manual shoe shining work or a higher shoe shining effect than the same.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a floor includes a base body, a rotatable roller brush disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a liquid container configured to receive a cleaning liquid disposed on the base body; and a sponge configured to receive a soiled cleaning liquid disposed on the base body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the partial removal of coating from pipes, in particular from metal pipes, having a base body, an accommodation area for a pipe formed on the base body, at least two supporting means for supporting the pipe arranged on a first side of the accommodation area, and a scraper head arranged on an opposite side of the accommodation area, wherein the scraper head has two prismatic scraper edges. The invention furthermore relates to the use of a device according to the invention for the at least partial removal of coating from pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a burner by a burner cleaner. The method comprises removing a burner nozzle, partly inserting the burner cleaner into the burner, connecting a threaded guide of the cleaner to the burner at a thread of an inlet pipe, bringing a shaft being a part of the burner cleaner and partly surrounded by the guide to rotate by a motor, thereby bringing a flare brush connected to the other end of the shaft to hit inner surface of the burner and remove deposit from it, and moving the shaft with the flare brush in the guide enabling the flare brush to clean the inner surface of the burner. The invention further provides a burner cleaner, comprising a shaft, an annular, threaded guide mounted around and co-axially with the shaft, and being shorter than the shaft, a flare brush connected at one end of the shaft, and a motor connected to other end of the shaft.

Abstract: A device for treating a target surface, such as occurs when cleaning a window. The device has a squeegee blade or other member to apply pressure to the target surface. A sheet movably covers the blade, to present a fresh covering to the target surface with each use. The fresh surface provides for improved removal of the liquid from, or improved treatment of the liquid on, the target surface. Additionally a sheet may comprise a prewetted substrate to apply the liquid to the target surface. One or both of the sheets may be disposed in a cartridge insertable to and removable from the device.

Abstract: /A cleaning tool including a first support member, an absorbent member disposed below the first support member; and a plurality of brush bristles which extend into the absorbent member. Further embodiments of the present invention provide a cleaning tool including a first support member and a second support member, an absorbent member disposed below the second support member, an elastic compressible substrate sandwiched between the first support member and the second support member; a plurality of brush bristles which extend into the absorbent member; and an adjusting mechanism for varying the position of the second support member relative to the first support member, such that the cleaning tips of the brush bristles can be inside, outside or coincident with the absorbent member.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes modular components to form a customizable brush for different applications with ease and at a low cost. The system and method utilizes three main components: a base, a plurality of rails, and a plurality of strip brush elements. The plurality of rails is fastened to the base and the plurality of rails holds the strip brush elements to the base to form a brush. All three components may be made of a thermoplastic or thermoset, non-metallic material which can be either rigid or flexible to allow the resulting brush to be easily recyclable.

Abstract: A windshield wiper comprises a wiper blade including a squeegee portion for contacting a surface and a body supporting the squeegee portion. A primary spline is engaged with the body and has a first closed end and a second open end. A support structure is provided to attach the wiper to a wiper arm on a vehicle. At least one spoiler is slidingly disposed on the primary spline above the secondary spline. A secondary spline is slidingly disposed between the body and the support structure, whereby the secondary spline is retained in place by caps disposed at the first and second ends of the primary spline. The secondary spline is removably disposed between said wiper blade and said support structure and retained in place by end caps.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an improved filter locking arrangement. A locking tab protrudes upwardly from a motor housing. The tab is received within an aligned slot in the filter housing and extends into a pocket formed in the filter frame. The tab prevents the filter frame from being rotated with respect to the filter housing and the motor housing while the filter housing is mounted to the main housing.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a plurality of frusto-conical cyclones arranged in parallel. Each cyclone has a relatively wide, rigid frusto-conical portion and a relatively narrow, flexible frusto-conical portion connected to the relatively wide portion. The relatively wide portion includes at least one dirty air inlet, and the relatively narrow portion includes a dirt outlet. The relatively narrow portion vibrates during use of the appliance is dislodged dirt from the inner surface of the relatively narrow portion, the dislodged dirt being expelled from the dirt outlet.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable agitator and an agitator chamber housing the agitator. The agitator includes a flexible body and surface engaging members mounted on the body. The agitator chamber includes a downwardly-directed opening through which debris energized by the surface engaging members enters the cleaner head. The opening is located in a plane. The cleaner head includes a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator about a rotational axis which is inclined both relative to the plane of the opening and towards the rear of the opening so that, with rotation of the agitator, the surface engaging members protrude through the opening towards the front of the opening.

Abstract: Provided is a clip for fixing a mat on a carpet of a vehicle, the clip including: a lower plate disposed on a bottom surface of the carpet, and includes an insert groove on a front portion; an upper plate disposed on a top surface of the carpet, includes a hook coupled to the inserted groove in the front portion, and includes a projection at a top to which the mat is inserted; a pillar penetrating through a hole of the carpet, and connects a rear portion of the lower plate and a rear portion of the upper plate in upward and downward; a first hook formed on a bottom surface of the rear portion of the upper plate corresponding to an inner side of a front portion of the pillar; and a second hook formed on a top surface of the rear portion of the lower plate corresponding to the inner side of the front portion of the pillar, and hooked to the first hook through the hole, when the lower plate moves upward toward the upper plate based on the pillar.

Abstract: A method for hanging an object and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes an apparatus comprising a track, an upper flange attached to a track, and a carrier disposed in said track. The carrier is laterally moveable along the length of the track. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a top unit and a base unit. The top unit comprises pins, a track, at least one carrier, and a lower flange. The base unit is affixed to a ceiling, and the top unit is affixed to the base unit via the pins. In one embodiment the anchors are not visible from below. Further, in one embodiment, the lower flange acts as a moisture barrier to protect the anchors.

Abstract: A quick release door hinge system has a locking pin and two flaps: A jamb flap that is fixedly attached to a door jamb and a door flap which is fixedly attached to a door. The door flap has built-in downwardly pointing pins that are configured and sized to fit into channels found on the jamb flap. Once the two flaps are connected, the locking pin is inserted so as to block any upward motion of the door flap which could result in an inadvertent release of the door from its hinges.

Abstract: A rotating module includes a fixing member, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the fixing member, a swinging arm and a first elastic member. The swinging arm includes a first end and a second end. The first end is hinged to the rotating member, the second end is slidably and rotatably mounted to the fixing member. The first elastic member is fastened between the fixing member and the second end, the rotating member is rotated relative to the fixing member to drive the second end to slide on the fixing member to compress or release the first elastic member.

Abstract: An improved top pin assembly is provided for a traffic door which integrally is provided with a hold open device for maintaining the door in either one of opposite fully open positions.

Abstract: Provided is an opening-and-closing mechanism that can be latched at a predetermined opening angle, wherein the latching can be disengaged with a small force in the opening direction whereas the latching is gradually disengaged in the closing direction. An opening-and-closing mechanism includes first and second supporting members disposed relatively rotatable around a rotary axis; a plurality of protruding portions provided on the first supporting member; and a plurality of depressed portions provided on the second supporting member and engaged with the plurality of protruding portions, wherein, when the first and second supporting members are in a plurality of predetermined relative alignments, some of the plurality of protruding portions and some of the plurality of depressed portions are engaged, and wherein forces required for disengaging the protruding portions and the depressed portions by rotating at least one of the first and second supporting members differ first and second rotation directions.

Abstract: A casement window hinge protects against sash sag by providing a guide arm that substantially fills the space between the sash and the window frame when the window is closed. This space-filling guide arm may be produced with lightweight thermoplastic material whose pivoting connection to the sash arm may be strengthened through a wood screw providing an axis for the pivot that may be stabilized within the sash into which the screw is driven.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door fixture with decorative panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a door fixture comprising a handle attached to a door plate, a handle panel attached to the handle and a door plate panel attached to the door plate, the door plate being affixed to a door.

Abstract: The fleece layer for laying down a card web to form a fleece has a cross-lapping upper carriage, through which the card web is guided; a cross-lapping laying carriage, through which the card web coming from the upper carriage is guided and which serves to lay the card web down onto an output conveyor belt; and at least two card web conveyor belts for guiding the card web to the upper carriage and from there to the laying carriage. A cover belt is arranged to enclose the card web lying on the upper run of a first card web conveyor belt from above. The cover belt is smooth and is not moved when the card web is moved, thus serving as a stationary cover of the card web.

Abstract: A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar part. The main part has first and second side members and first and second end members. The bar part defines an opening, and the first side member extends through the opening. The bar part is displaced to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within the central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is displaced such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.

Abstract: A clamping device includes a holding member including a space for allowing an item to be disposed therein, and a tightening mechanism operable to make the holding member clamp the item in the holding member. The space is varied in size depending upon the external diameter of the clamped item. Additionally, the tightening mechanism is provided for enabling a satisfactory securing condition for any size of items.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip including: a flange to be abutting a panel having an attaching hole; and a leg portion to be inserted into the attaching hole. The leg portion includes: an engaging part; and a guide part connected thereto. The guide part include: a distal-end tapered part formed to be gradually reduced in an outer diameter toward an inserting direction of the leg portion; a base-end reversely tapered part formed to be gradually reduced in an outer diameter toward the opposite direction; and a diameter enlarged part formed therebetween to have an outer diameter largest among the guide part. The largest outer diameter of the diameter enlarged part is larger than that of a distal end part of the engaging part.