Abstract: A system for driver-vehicle interaction has a soft key arrangement located on a steering wheel and a display key arrangement located on a dashboard and having a layout corresponding to that of the soft key arrangement. The vehicle has multiple function modes each of which has a set of selectable options in order to affect a behavior of the vehicle. Each function mode is associated with a respective layout of the display key arrangement in order to display the set of options. For each function mode layout, each display key is illustrates and corresponds to a selectable option for each soft key. Actuation of the soft key arrangement both commands changes between the function modes and selects among the available selectable options within the chosen function mode.

Abstract: An input device of an embodiment includes a ring portion (operation body) which has a substantially circular cross-section, of which an outer peripheral surface is used as an operation surface, and which is twist-operated in a cross-section circumferential direction thereof, first sensor members to detect operation position information on the operation surface, second sensor members to detect twist information when the twist operation is performed, and a controller to output the operation position information based on electric changes of the first sensor members and the twist information based on electric changes of the second sensor members, in order to control activation of an electronic device.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism is provided with at least one pair of spherical joints interconnected by a set of tension members. Each joint includes a ball member, a socket member configured to pivotably receive at least a portion of the ball member, and at least one tension member extending through both the ball and socket members parallel to and offset from a central longitudinal axis of the joint.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic arm is provided including a linkage assembly and a strap drive train. The linkage assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled in series together at first, second, and third joints to define a parallelogram with an insertion axis. The strap drive train includes first and second sets of straps coupled to the linkage assembly. As the linkage assembly is moved about a pitch axis, the first set of straps ensures the third link maintains the same angle relative to the first link, and the first and second set of straps ensures the fourth link maintains the same angle relative to the second link.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fixed rotational positioning of a robotic hand assembly using mechanical wrist locking techniques. A wrist is configured to rotate the hand assembly and point grip components in a desired direction (e.g., for pick and place operations). Tolerances of components of the wrist can accumulate to manifest rotational positioning error. Embodiments include wrist locking techniques for locking the wrist in a desired rotational position. Some implementations couple grip components with wrist lock components in such a way that movement of the grip components causes the wrist lock assembly automatically to move between locked and unlocked states. For example, retracting the grip components pushes a wrist lock latch into an unlocked position (allowing the wrist to rotate). Extending the grip components allows the latch to move to a locked position where it interlocks with an alignment feature to lock the wrist into an accurate, predetermined angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of manufacturing and installing an electronic throttle control pedal to a bracket within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of making a customized pedal mounting bracket for a vehicle wherein the customized pedal mounting bracket has universal connecting features. The method further includes mounting the customized pedal mounting bracket to a vehicle and attaching the universal pedal housing to the customized pedal mounting bracket by means of the universal connecting features. An apparatus of the present invention including a universal pedal housing having a rear surface wherein the rear surface includes at least one locating protrusion. The pedal housing further including a plurality of compression tabs. The apparatus including a pedal mounting bracket having a front surface wherein the rear surface of the pedal housing connects to the front surface of the pedal mounting bracket.

Abstract: The pedal assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a mounting bracket and a stationary cross member. The pedal assembly includes a swing bracket, a striker plate, and a pedal arm. The swing bracket is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a pedal pivot axis. The striker plate is pivotally connected to the swing bracket. The pedal arm includes a primary pivotal connection to the swing bracket at a first pivot axis. The pedal arm includes a secondary connection to at least one of the striker plate and the swing bracket, to allow the entire pedal assembly to pivot about the pedal pivot axis upon depression of the pedal pad. During a vehicle collision of sufficient magnitude, the cross member collides against and forcibly rotates the striker plate which disengages the secondary connection to allow the pedal arm to freely pivot about the first pivot axis.

Abstract: There is provided a steering wheel that can reduce the load applied to an elastic body included in a dynamic damper to lengthen the life of the dynamic damper, and that allows the frequency of the dynamic damper to be adjusted easily. An insulator 14 includes a first flange portion 14a provided between a stopper 13 and an elastic body 15, and a second flange portion 14b provided between a coil spring 17 and the elastic body 15. The elastic body 15 includes a first diameter-increased portion 15a increased in diameter to be contactable with the first flange portion 14a, and a second diameter-increased portion 15b increased in diameter to be contactable with the second flange portion 14b. A contact surface of the first flange portion 14a with the first diameter-increased portion 15a has a plurality of linear projections 14c arranged in a substantially radial fashion.

Abstract: A shutter member has a shutter with a substantially rigid wall, which has a side profile with a substantially arc of a circle shape and is provided with a hole adapted to be engaged by a motor vehicle control lever; the substantially rigid wall is supported by a fastening device, fixing the shutter member to the control lever; the shutter is provided with a tab, which defines a longitudinal extension of the substantially rigid wall and is elastically flexible.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rocker arm shaft and a rocker arm shaft/bush assembly including a rocker arm shaft, and a rocker arm bush which encloses the rocker arm shaft, in which the rocker arm shaft has a surface on which minutely processed concave-convex portions are formed, thereby achieving excellent lubricative characteristics and as a result having excellent abrasion resistance.

Abstract: An inertial flywheel includes a wheel body defining an axis of rotation and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall axially spaced apart from the first sidewall, a peripheral wall surrounding the axis of rotation and interconnecting the first and second sidewalls, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart mounting seats connected to the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls and the peripheral wall cooperatively define a chamber dispersed with a cementing material. Each of the mounting seats has a counterweight-receiving groove adapted for insertion with one of counterweights of a counterweight unit.

Abstract: A flywheel includes a disc mounted around a central shaft. An energy-storing section and an energy-releasing section are defined in two sides of the second side. A plurality of rods is slideably mounted on the disc. The rods are arranged in a radiant manner and spaced from one another in a circumferential direction about the central shaft. Each rod has an inner end spaced from the central shaft and an outer end having a spacing to the central shaft larger than the inner end. Each rod slides toward the central shaft under action of gravitational force while the rod is moving through an upper portion of the energy-storing section. Each rod slides away from the central shaft under action of the gravitational force while the rod is moving through a lower portion of the energy-releasing section. A plurality of weights is respectively mounted to the outer ends of the rods.

Abstract: A glue-on attachable flywheel weight adds rotational mass to a flywheel allowing for a vehicle operator to alter the power characteristics of an engine. Different flywheels require different shapes of attachable weights. The attachable weights can be machined to fit a multitude of different flywheels to add the rotational mass. Applying an adhesive secures the weight onto the flywheel and adds the rotational mass in a user-friendly convenient manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pendulum mechanism that includes a pendulum flange and pendulum masses which are fastened on both sides of the pendulum flange by means of a spacing bolt accommodated in a curved cutout of the pendulum flange to form a pair of pendulum masses, where the pair of pendulum masses is guided relative to the pendulum flange by means of the at least two rollers and can be pivoted restrictively because of a stop, where the rollers are accommodated in curved guide tracks in the pendulum masses and in complementary curved guide tracks in the pendulum flange and can be rolled, and at least two pairs of pendulum masses are arranged so as to be circumferentially adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A rotational speed-adaptive centrifugal force pendulum for a shaft that can be rotated about an axis, having a pendulum flange on which at least two axially opposite absorber masses that are connected to each other via a spacing element are arranged. The absorber masses and/or the pendulum flange of the centrifugal force pendulum have at least one cutout in which the spacing element of the absorber mass is guided. The cutout is designed as a curve that deviates from a circle or a circular segment starting from a neutral position, by a radius increase of the cutout in one region starting from the neutral position and by a radius reduction of the cutout in the other region starting from the neutral position.

Abstract: A steering rack housing (20, 100, 100?, 100?) for a power steering system that surrounds a steering rack in a tubular manner and includes a hydraulic region (32), a mechanical region (34), and as an inner supporting bearing (38), wherein the supporting bearing is held in the steering rack housing (20, 100, 100?, 100?) by at least two cross-sectional contractions (46) of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a reverse idler shaft supporting structure for a transmission characterized in that a case-side support portion is formed in an end wall, which is disposed at an axial end portion of a transmission case, the case-side support portion extending to the vicinity of another axial end portion of the reverse idler shaft along the reverse idler shaft; an arm portion is formed on a support bracket, the arm portion extending to the case-side support portion from the periphery of a support hole which is formed on the support bracket; a curved surface portion which takes on a circular arc shape centering on a shaft center of the reverse idler shaft and is joined with one another is formed on the case-side support portion and the arm portion, respectively; and a bolt is disposed such that the central axis thereof passes through each curved surface and is oriented toward the shaft center of the reverse idler shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle may include a first input shaft that may be connected with a first clutch and receives power from an engine, a second input shaft that may be connected with a second clutch and receives the power from the engine, an output shaft that may be aligned in parallel with the second input shaft and has a motor-driven gear of which a rotational force may be restricted, and a motor that has a motor-driving gear at an end of a motor shaft to be tooth-engaged with the motor-driven gear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular system of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine (3) which has a dual-mass flywheel (5) with a hub (4), having a transmission (8) and having a hybrid module (10) which has an electric motor (9), wherein the transmission (8) has a transmission input shaft (6) and the hybrid module (10) has a hybrid module input shaft (7), wherein the transmission (8) or the hybrid module (10) can be connected alternatively with its respective input shaft (6, 7) to the hub (4) of the dual-mass flywheel (5). Particularly flexible production is made possible in this way.

Abstract: A method for producing nodular cast iron by using a nodulizer and a spheroidizing device, the method including spheroidizing, the spheroidizing including the following steps: a) placing an integrated rare earth magnesium ferrosilicon nodulizer coated with a rectangular steel tube at a preset position inside a spheroidizing ladle, disposing a strut head on the spheroidizing ladle, and fixing the strut head; b) inputting a ferrosilicon inoculant into the spheroidizing ladle; c) inputting melted iron into the spheroidizing ladle for spheroidizing; and d) removing the strut head from the spheroidizing ladle after spheroidizing.

Abstract: Provided is a method of leaching copper ore which contains chalcopyrite, the method includes a first leaching stage based on an oxidative leaching reaction of copper by iron (III) ion, and a second leaching stage, in succession to the first leaching stage, using a solution containing iodide ion and iron (III) ion.

Abstract: A pneumatic driven ratchet wrench comprises: a wrench housing; a pneumatic motor; a ratchet wheel unit; two gear members; an urging member for biasing the gear members to engage the ratchet wheel; a transmission unit connected to the gear members and driven by the pneumatic motor; and a gear-selecting unit including an operating knob, a switching member and two pushing members, The operating knob is mounted on the wrench housing and is disposed distal from a head section of the wrench housing for driving movement of the pushing members. Each of the pushing members pushes a respective one of the gear members to move away from the ratchet wheel unit when moved from a releasing position to a pushing position.

Abstract: A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a drive head, the drive head entering a contracted stated during extension of a rod of a hydraulic cylinder, and entering an expanded state during the retraction of the rod of a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A nutdriver that includes a socket configured to receive and engage a hex nut to rotate the hex nut relative to a threaded rod. The socket includes a socket opening. The nutdriver further includes a shank including a first end, a second end, and a shank aperture that extends through the first end and the second end of the shank. The nutdriver further includes a handle including a front end, a back end, and a handle aperture that extends through the front end and the back end of the handle, and the second end of the shank is coupled to the handle for co-rotation. The socket opening, the shank aperture, and the handle aperture are aligned and in communication to allow the threaded rod to extend through the socket opening, the shank aperture, the handle aperture, and beyond the back end of the handle while the socket rotates the hex nut.

Abstract: A tool may be configured, in various embodiments, with a handle capable of housing house a gear in an aperture. The gear can have at least a predetermined number of facets and an orbital ring. A securing feature can have a first notch that is adapted to engage the orbital ring to allow rotational movement while securing the gear within the aperture.

Abstract: A rotatable tool handle comprises a first part and a second part which can be switched between an in-line position and an angle position. Further, the locking structure for fixing the first and second parts is disposed between the connecting structures of the first and second parts, so that the engaging points of the first and second parts lie on the rotation axis of the two parts. Moreover, the portion of the first part for forming the recess is harder than the rest of the first part, and the portion of the second part for forming the pivot portion is harder than the rest of the second part, so as to enhance the structural strength of the engaging structure of the first and second parts of the handle.

Abstract: An open wrench includes an elongate body with a head located on an end of the body. The head includes two jaws and a mounting hole is defined between the two jaws. One of the jaws has a curved recess, a curved guide slot and a notch defined in the inside thereof. The other jaw has a curved convex contact face protruding from the inside thereof. An engaging member is movably located in the curved guide slot and a resilient member biases the engaging member which performs as a ratchet wrench. Two covers are respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the head to cover up the engaging member and the resilient member.

Abstract: A structure of locking pliers includes a movable joint pulling and pushing mechanism directly mounted to a tail end of a second handle. The mechanism includes a movable pulling bar forming a front-end arc recess that is positioned against a middle projection of a movable locking arm straddling between first and second handles of the pliers. The movable pulling bar of the pulling and pushing mechanism is provided with a U-shaped groove, which has a side projecting to form a wing projection, in a portion thereof that is engageable with the tail end of the second handle. The wing projection functions as a safety and protection device so that the movable joint pulling and pushing mechanism is provided with a hand push-way function to protect a user's hand from clamping and injury.

Abstract: Sprinkler repair pliers include a pair of opposed plier halves, each having a handle, an overlapping middle section, and a top section forming a semi-circular gripping jaw. A fulcrum pin connects the middle sections in a see-saw manner, and a spring imparts a pressure onto each handle to maintain the pliers in the closed position. The pliers acting to engage a tubular device via the gripping jaws by imparting a uniform pressure across a 360 degree diameter.

Abstract: An L-shaped torsional wrench is provided. The wrench includes a shell body, an elastic member, an L-shaped rod and a handle. A pushing member is assembled in the shell body and is movable between a first position and a second position along the shell body. The elastic member is compressed by the pushing member when the pushing member is located in the first position for compressing the elastic member. The pushing member is noncompressed by the elastic member when the pushing member is located in the second position so that the elastic member recovers from said compression for slowing the fatigue of the elastic member, extending the durability of the elastic member and keeping the torsional accuracy of the wrench.

Abstract: A tool module for a machining apparatus including a rotatable portion. The tool module includes at least one adjustment clamp supported by the rotatable portion. A module base is supported by the at least one adjustment clamp and defines a linear movement track. A tool slide is configured to support a cutting tool and is movable along the linear movement track. The at least one adjustment clamp is movable from a release position to a locking position and vice versa, and in both the release position and the locking position the at least one adjustment clamp is connected to the rotatable portion. In the release position the at least one adjustment clamp permits the module base to translate relative thereto, and in the locking position the at least one adjustment clamp engages the module base to inhibit the module base from moving relative thereto.

Abstract: A pizza cutter includes at least one blade, a handle attached to the blade, and extenders for positioning the cutter in a pizza box to cut uniform slices of pizza. The blade may be a single blade or two blades forming a 90 degree “X”. The handle is attached across the top of the blade and may include slots to better grasp the handle. The extenders are attached to opposite ends of the cutter and may be fixed or rotating, and intersect opposite corners of the pizza box to align the blade to cut uniform slices.

Abstract: A web cutting system is provided for use with a single transfer insert placement mechanism having at least one puck for transferring a discrete web and a continuous web feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous web wherein first and second rollers having substantially parallel axes and being aligned with one another form a nip at their juncture, an anvil is attached to one roller, a die is attached to the other roller, a vacuum source is coupled to one of the rollers, a plurality of vacuum apertures is formed in the same roller. One of the rollers is positioned adjacent to the single transfer insert placement mechanism and to the continuous web feeding mechanism. The continuous web is applied to one roller and at least one discrete web is transferred from the puck to the same roller after which a die cutting process of the webs occurs at the nip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: A circular saw with a moving mechanism includes a base, a moving unit and a cutting unit. The base has a worktable which has a front side and an opposite rear side, and defines a first plane which extends substantially horizontally from the rear side toward the front side. The moving unit is disposed above the worktable and includes a supporting frame disposed on the worktable. A first sliding shaft and a second sliding shaft are located parallel to each other and disposed at an interval relative to each other on the supporting frame. A moving member is also disposed on the first and second sliding shafts. A second plane is defined as a plane extending through an axis of the first sliding shaft and an axis of the second sliding shaft. Moreover, an included angle is formed between the first plane and the second plane and ranges from greater than zero degrees to smaller than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A miter saw includes a base, a table disposed on the base and having a top surface extending between a front end and a rear end of the table, a cutting assembly overlying the table, the cutting assembly including a rotatable cutting blade having a peripheral cutting edge, and a motor for driving the cutting blade. The miter saw has at least one guide rail interconnecting the table and the cutting assembly for guiding sliding movement of the cutting assembly over the table between a rear-most position and a forward-most position. A locking assembly is coupled with the cutting assembly for locking the cutting assembly in only one position between the rear-most position and the forward-most position. During a cutting operation, the locking assembly remains coupled with the cutting assembly while the cutting blade moves downwardly for preventing sliding movement of the cutting assembly.

Abstract: A configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and corresponding methods are provided. The cutter mechanism may comprise a rotary cutter mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. A fixed blade assembly may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The fixed blade assembly may extend across the width of the paper path. A controller may be provided for controlling a variable length of travel of the rotary cutter across the width of the paper path. The paper path runs between the rotary cutter and the fixed blade assembly.

Abstract: A knife structure including a knife body having a cutting surface, a relief surface and a knife clamp surface. The cutting surface and the relief surface intersect at an apex region of the knife body. The knife clamp surface intersects with an end of the relief surface opposite an end of the relief surface that intersects with the cutting surface at the apex region. In one embodiment, the apex region is comprised of an alloy of a base material for the knife body and a boron containing compound. The thermally conductive plating is present on at least the knife clamp surface, the cutting surface and the release surface of the knife body. The thermally conductive plating is not present on the apex region.

Abstract: A sheet having two opposing sides and a fiber orientation, comprising: a first section on one side of the sheet; and a second section on another the other side of the sheet and substantially parallel to the first section, wherein the sections are not transverse to the fiber orientation of the sheet, and wherein the sections are dimensioned and arranged so that respective separation lines and separation regions formed on the respective sides of the sheet when the sheet is torn result in a homogeneous outlook where respective separation regions are hidden from view.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a vibrato device which can be used in most stringed musical instruments as an integral unit to effectively vary and return the instrument to pitch/in tune. The vibrato device can include a plurality of flush tension springs, a mounting plate and a pivoting element to change the tension of the strings and change tune accordingly. Additionally, the combination of the mounting plate and pivoting bridge element can allow for easy interchangeable parts when desired and for strings to stay in pitch in the event one or more strings break.

Abstract: A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument includes an elongated airflow passage extending along a path between a front end and a rear end of the mouthpiece. A forward section of the passage includes a window defining an opening of the passage, a pair of generally opposed sidewalls along the window and a baffle connecting the sidewalls and positioned generally opposite the window. The baffle defines a first section and a second section with the first section and the second section each being generally parallel to the path of the elongated passage. The first section is a high baffle section and the second section is a low baffle section.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument includes a generally cylindrical body between a front end and a rear end and an elongated airflow passage extending along a path between the front end and the rear end. A window defines an opening of the passage generally adjacent the front end and the body includes a table upon which a reed may be mounted. The rear end has an enlarged generally cylindrical tenon section integrally formed therewith and the tenon section is larger than the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument includes a generally cylindrical body, a passage extending through the body, a window defining an opening of the passage, and a table upon which a reed may be mounted such that a mounted reed extends across at least a portion of the window. A pair of ligatures are mounted on the mouthpiece with each ligature being configured to engage and secure the reed to the table. The ligatures are independently movable along the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device which is designed to improve the accoustics of a drum. The device has two halves, and it attaches about a hole formed in the drum head. One or both halves have portions which can be flared to a variety of degrees, e.g., 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 360 degrees or more.

Abstract: A drumstick mountable mutable tambourine comprises a body mountable to the drumstick. A block may be attached to the body on which one or more mutable sound making devices are mountable. A muting device may be capable of actuation for muting the mutable sound making devices.

Abstract: A stick type drumstick is disclosed which includes a drumstick design featuring a hole drilled longitudinally at the striking end and an enlarged solid area positioned at the hole base. The purpose of the hole is to accommodate an insert of rods, nylon tube or a drumstick tip which when played produce different sounds. The purpose of the solid enlarged area is to provide a strong defined optional striking area, it can be struck harder to produce louder focused sounds assuring the stick area around the drilled hole is not struck and damaged which could compromise its ability to hold the insert. Striking with the area of the insert material provides additional sound possibilities. The result; combining these materials and features is a multi task drumstick. The combination of features utilized in this drumstick design cannot be found in the prior art of singular drumstick designs.

Abstract: The audiovisual teaching apparatus (2) for demonstration purposes before a group of students has a frame (6) on which is mounted a board (4). The front surface of the board (4) includes an area (5) treated to function as a whiteboard surface on which standard dry-maker pens can be used to removably write and draw on the surface. The whiteboard surface (5) is pre-printed with a plurality of musical staves (8) and has an array of substantially parallel conductive tracks aligned with the lines and spaces of the musical staves (8). The conductive tracks are connected to sound reproduction apparatus and a hand-held wand (24), which includes a localized antenna, is adapted to select an individual line or space of the musical stave (8) so that the selected note is played by the sound reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a musical performance device by which the arrangement of a virtual musical instrument set is suitably changed based on the position of the instrument player, and whereby the instrument player need not play in an uncomfortable position. In the present invention, set layout information includes standard set layout information that serves as reference for the arrangement of a plurality of virtual pads, and a CPU judges whether an operation to form a square has been performed with a pair of drumstick sections. When judged that this operation has been performed, the CPU uniformly adjusts the arrangement of the virtual pads based on preset position coordinates on a captured image plane corresponding to the standard set layout information and the position coordinates of the drumstick sections on the captured image plane at the time of the operation to form a square.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes memory that stores layout information defining regions arranged on a predetermined virtual plane, and a position sensor that detects the position coordinates on the virtual plane of a music playing member that can be held by a player. First, it is determined whether the position coordinates of the music playing member belong to a region arranged on the virtual plane based on the layout information, at a timing at which a specific music playing operations is made. Herein, in a case of having determined as belonging to a region, the generation of sound of a musical note corresponding to this region is instructed, in a case of having determined as not belonging to a region, the layout information stored in the memory is modified in order to modify this region so as to include the position coordinates of the music playing member.