Abstract: A litter comprising two arm shafts. The first arm shaft being the lock receiving frame arm and having a first locking member and a locking shaft having a second locking member. The second and first members interact to releasably retain the two arm shaft adjacent one another. Strap retaining means, each interacting with a strap, are place separately along the first arm shaft. The second arm shaft is a strap receiving arm with at least one ratchet dimensioned to receive a strap. A one torque limiter prevents each strap from being tightened beyond a preset tension point. A ratchet shaft, with a handle, is within the second arm shaft and in rotatable connection with each ratchet. Each arm shaft has a lockable handle rotatable around each end, able to rotate to serve as handles or legs.

Abstract: The invention provides a device to relieve stress in the form of a favored theme pillow stuffed with multiple similar or coordinated smaller pillows. This device provides users an entire line of fun and creative pillows with which to engage in friendly mock physical conflict involving pillow fighting, thus relieving stress.

Abstract: A multi-functional demolition tool is disclosed including a head assembly having a tip, a plurality of blades, and one or more movable talons; a handle shaft connected to the head assembly; an actuating mechanism for engaging and disengaging the talons; and a handle assembly, which may include a hammer end and/or pry bar end. The demolition tool is useful for, among other things, firefighters. The tool may be used to puncture a ceiling or other structure and to remove the ceiling material with the aid of the movable talons. The movable talons will automatically disengage if they hit an obstruction. The movable talons can be manually disengaged to prevent the tool from getting stuck in the ceiling or other structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand tool system having an electrical circuit testing indicator for use in a hand held tool used by technicians to determine electric circuit conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator makes use of an electric circuit condition indicating means within a hand tool device having a plurality of bits and tool ends that, in use, will indicate information to determine the circuit condition (live circuit or not). Optionally, light, vibration, and audible indications may be provided to indicate the same information to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a washing machine, which ensures the operation stability of the washing machine through proper control such as sensing freezes or preventing freezes even in an environment such as in a wintertime environment in which the temperature is low causing the washing machine to freeze, and which achieves an improvement in a management aspect such as a countermeasure taken upon the occurrence of freezing and a countermeasure taken for preventing freezing, wherein the counter measures are taken based on the accurate information on whether or not the washing machine is frozen.

Abstract: A washing machine and a controlling method thereof may automatically set a customized washing cycle according to a wearing environment of laundry. The washing machine includes a user input configured to receive wearing environment information of the laundry from a user, and a controller configured to determine washing characteristics of the laundry based on the wearing environment information of the laundry and automatically set a washing cycle based on the washing characteristics of the laundry.

Abstract: The invention discloses a laundry article used for cleaning fabrics comprising a water-insoluble nonwoven substrate and coated thereon into at least one zone each a detergent composition and an enzyme-containing composition. The enzyme-containing composition comprises an enzyme embedded in a thickened matrix.

Abstract: A method of delivering a primary active agent and a secondary active agent to a locus. The method uses a polymersome containing composition. The composition comprises a plurality of polymersome vesicles containing the secondary active agent and a liquid matrix comprising the primary active agent. The polymersome vesicles are capable of being disrupted by the application of mechanical shear.

Abstract: Tanned leather, skin or pelt is produced by non-metal tanning, comprising the step of tanning a bated hide, skin or pelt with a tanning agent (A), the tanning agent (A) being at least one compound of formula (I), wherein Hal signifies chlorine or fluorine, X signifies N or CR Y signifies hydrogen, C1-8-alkyl, C1-4-alkyl-carbonyl, C1-4-alkyl-sulphonyl or a radical of formula (Ia), or (Ib) —(—C2-3 alkylene-O—)q—H??(Ib) R signifies hydrogen or chlorine, q is 1 to 10 and M signifies hydrogen or an alkali metal cation or an ammonium cation, the ammonium cation being a protonated tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium cation, in a tanning bath, the tanning bath having a pH of from 6 to 10 at the beginning of the tanning step.

Abstract: A lifting device is configured to support a bridge cap when lifting the cap onto columns under a bridge deck. The lifting device includes an upper bracket arm configured to extend over an upper surface of the deck, and a lower bracket arm configured to extend under a bottom surface of the deck, and to selectively engage the cap at opposite ends of the cap. A side bracket portion connects the lower and upper arms, and is configured to transmit a force associated with a weight of the cap to the upper arm. The upper and lower arms and the side bracket portion are configured to define an open space extending from free ends of the upper and lower arms to the side bracket portion. The space is configured to receive the deck when the lifting device is supporting the cap as the cap is being lifted onto the columns.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle for cleaning collector mirrors in solar thermal energy installations, includes an operating cab (2), a body (3) for housing and holding the different items, a rolling system for moving the vehicle, a clean water tank, an assembly for discharging the clean water, at least one structure for spraying clean water (100)) onto the surfaces of the mirrors (22) and a tray (46) for collecting the water used in cleaning the mirrors; a set of lifting columns (5, 6); and supports (53, 63) for the cleaning and/or drying assemblies able to slide along the lifting columns, and in which the cleaning assembly includes a structure fitted with a rigid bar (91), which assumes the profile of the mirror to be cleaned, the bar being provided with an external rotation assembly for a brush.

Abstract: A dry wipe for cleaning an article or surface comprising: a non-woven fibrous substrate pre-loaded with microcapsules containing a cleaning composition.

Abstract: A window cleaning implement (10) comprises a tubular body divided into two rear (12) and front (14) sectors inserted telescopically one inside the other and connected by a threaded ring nut (16); the front sector supports a cleaning head (24) fitted with hooking devices for a cloth in microfibre or other suitable material. Said implement comprises, in addition, a removable reservoir (20) for the washing liquid which is drawn from it by means of a manual pump incorporated in said implement, channelled along a flexible hose (32) and dispensed through at least one nozzle (30) placed next to said cleaning head (24).

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly can include a plurality of bristles and a toothbrush body. The toothbrush body can include an indicator to provide information to a user using the toothbrush during a teeth cleaning session. The indicator can operate independent of any power supply external to the toothbrush assembly. A sensing mechanism can provide an electric signal to the indicator responsive to the user using the toothbrush assembly during the teeth cleaning session. An energy scavenging mechanism can provide operating power to the indicator responsive to the user using the toothbrush assembly during the teeth cleaning session.

Abstract: A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit.

Abstract: An infant oral hygiene device comprising a sleeve releasably securable over the finger of a user. The sleeve is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends. The first end receives the finger of the user. The sleeve has one or more openings in its second end. The one or more openings expose a portion of a fabric received over the finger of the user and between the user's finger and the sleeve thereby permitting the fabric to be drawn across the teeth and gums of an infant.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly can include a plurality of bristles and a toothbrush body. The toothbrush body can include an indicator to provide information to a user using the toothbrush during a teeth cleaning session. A sensing mechanism can include at least one electroded sheet and provide an electric signal to the indicator responsive to the user using the toothbrush assembly during the teeth cleaning session.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for picking up stickers in grassy or other ground areas. A roller is rotatably mounted on a frame and a stretchable fabric is removably mounted and stretched on an outer surface of the roller. The fabric is of a construction and thickness to pick up stickers as the roller is moved by the frame and rotated in engagement with a grassy or other ground surface. When the fabric is full of stickers, it is removed from the roller and replaced with a new unused stretchable fabric that is removably mounted on the roller.

Abstract: A paint roller with an end-surface blocking structure is provided with a mounting stem coupled to a handle, a roller sleeved on the mounting stem, a connecting sleeve sleeved on the mounting stem, and an end-surface blocking piece pivoted to the connecting sleeve. The pivot connection of the connecting sleeve with the second pivot allows the connecting sleeve to pivot around the first direction and allows the end-surface blocking piece which is pivoted to the connecting sleeve to pivot around the second direction, so that the end-surface blocking piece is capable of rotating in two different directions, which improves flexibility when operating the paint roller.

Abstract: The present document describes a sweeping blade device comprising a blade portion comprising at least one bushing hole and a lower edge for sweeping a ground; a resilient material layer onto the blade portion; and a resilient material bushing in the bushing hole.

Abstract: A wiper for a vehicle includes an elongated wiper strip, a backing extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiper strip, and a blade holder for holding the wiper strip and the backing. The blade holder includes a pair of side surfaces that face in opposite directions. The wiper also includes a coupling member and a wiper arm. The coupling member has a pair of side walls, which face the corresponding side surfaces, and is attached to the blade holder. The wiper arm has a distal coupling portion attached to the coupling member. When the distal coupling portion is attached to the coupling member, side cover walls of the distal coupling portion are each engaged with the corresponding side wall of the coupling member.

Abstract: A wiper device having an improved function of separating a wiper blade. The wiper device includes: a wiper blade including: a wiper rib for cleaning a glass of a vehicle; a lever member supporting the wiper rib; and a rotary shaft disposed across opposite side walls of a penetration hole formed in a center portion of the lever member, and including a rotary shaft that has a non-circular cross section; a retainer including a receiving recess including an opening corresponding to the non-circular cross section so as to detachably receive the rotary shaft; and an index unit indicating a position where the wiper blade is coupled to or separated from the retainer while the wiper blade is rotated with respect to the retainer within a predetermined angle range.

Abstract: A wiper device having improved durability includes: an arm head having one end fixed to a pivot shaft installed on a vehicle; and a retainer having one end coupled to the arm head to rotate relative to the arm head and the other end coupled to a blade for wiping a glass of the vehicle, wherein the retainer includes: a body formed of synthetic resins; and a reinforcement member that is coupled to a portion of the retainer, which is adjacent to the arm head, and is formed of a metal material.

Abstract: A wiper blade includes a wiper strip, a backing, a blade holder coupled to the wiper arm, and two opposed cases arranged at two longitudinal ends of the blade holder. The blade holder includes a blade holding portion, which surrounds a base portion of the wiper strip and the backing at a longitudinally central portion of the wiper strip and the backing. The blade holding portion restricts movement of the wiper strip and the backing in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Each case includes a case holding portion that surrounds the base portion of the wiper strip and the backing. The case holding portion restricts movement of the wiper strip and the backing in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A cord retainer and cord wrap system for use with a portable (e.g., handheld) electric blower, and a blower incorporating the same. The system may allow for storage of the cord onboard the blower when the latter is not in use. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a portion of the blower housing to form one winding surface for the cord. A second winding surface may be provided by a cord retainer that may be secured in place along the extension tube of the blower, e.g., via interference fit. Other embodiments may include two or more nozzles that may be selectively inserted into the extension tube to permit selective tuning of blower performance.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body including a suction source configured to generate a suction force, a suction inlet body configured to inhale dust on a surface to be cleaned using the suction force of the suction source, a dust bucket detachably installed on the cleaner body, a cyclonic unit formed inside the dust bucket and configured to centrifuge the dust from air flowed in through the suction inlet body, and a paper-shredder installed on a top of the dust bucket and configured to communicate with the top of the dust bucket so that shredded pieces of paper are dropped inside a dust collecting space of the dust bucket.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.

Abstract: A vacuum appliance is provided including a dirt collection container for sucked-in vacuumed material, a suction unit for subjecting the dirt collection container to the action of negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle for holding the battery on the vacuum appliance. The vacuum appliance includes a filter cover transferrable from a closed position in which the filter element is covered, to a removal position in which the filter element is removable from and insertable into the vacuum appliance on the clean space side, and vice versa, and which filter cover includes the battery receptacle for the battery.

Abstract: A hand-held electric blower includes an air-guiding pipe comprising a proximal portion or suction pipe provided with an air inlet, a distal air outlet portion or exhaust nozzle, and a fan. The blower is characterized in that the fan consists of an axial fan, and in that the suction pipe has, upstream from the axial fan, an elbow, the proximal end of which defines the air inlet and is directed downward in terms of a working position of the device, in which the operating handle of the blower is positioned above said elbow.

Abstract: A flexible eraser bracelet fabricated from an elastomeric compound, capable of erasing marks, such as pencil markings, ink markings, the like, or indicia from a surface.

Abstract: The invention refers to a slow-down mechanism that prevents moving furniture units like covers, doors, etc. hitting the other side and making noise in cases of fast opening and closing actions towards fixed furniture units and thus enabling soft opening and closing actions for such moving furniture units, comprised of at least an arm (2), a bowl (3) and a internal and external knuckle element (6, 5) connecting the arm and bowl, and located inside the hinge. The invention refers especially to the capability to canceling the damper (18) belonging to the above-mentioned slow-down mechanism inside the hinge (1) and adjusting the damper's stroke depending on the weight of the moving furniture.

Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge includes a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. The base includes: (i) a channel located between the first and second side walls; and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base. The cam includes: (i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, with a first end of the camshaft located in the first notch portion and a second end of the camshaft located in the second notch portion; and, (ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft. The hinge assembly includes a biasing spring that comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. The outer end of said spring is located outside the channel.

Abstract: A door stop having a first member and a second member, the second member reciprocally telescopically engaged with said first member with a springing element responsive to the movement of the second member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling structure of glasses frames and glasses legs in which the frames and the legs can be easily coupled or uncoupled to/from each other, which enables lenses to be easily coupled to the frames, and which provides elasticity when the legs are folded or unfolded. The coupling structure of the present invention includes: a hinge piece tightly inserted between end pieces split at a distal end of the frames such that the hinge piece protrudes, wherein the hinge piece has a stopper groove; an elastic member having a slot for the insertion of the hinge piece; and legs having a rotation pin and an operating slot such that a front end of the legs can be fitted into the stopper groove while elastically pressing the elastic member.

Abstract: A movable hinge to pivotally couple a base and a back panel of an electronic device includes a first slide portion and a second slide portion slidable against the first slide portion. The first slide portion includes a track portion and a first sloped surface connected to the track portion. The second slide portion has a first pin with two ends respectively running through the track portion and fastening to the base, a butting portion coupled on the first pin and slidable thereon, and an elastic element interposed between the butting potion and base. The butting portion is pushed by the elastic element to press the first slide portion to slide against the second slide portion and drive the back panel to move against the base.

Abstract: Bolt-on clamp extrusions for fastening a track to support base extrusion for providing customers with a simple-to-assemble, customizable, reconfigurable, and user-friendly solution for reliable linear motion track assembly. A back-to-back track configuration provides a low-profile track assembly. Custom made base extrusions include deformable fingers disposed in the slot to ensure proper fit despite a variance in track size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for compacting a sliver (V) on a spinning machine, the sliver being delivered by a pair of delivery rollers (7, 8) of a drafting system unit (2) to a suctioned guide surface of a suction zone (Z) of a subsequent driven, revolving compaction element (17) that is acted on by suction air. At least one rotatably supported nip roller (33) is associated with the compaction element downstream from the suction zone (Z) to form a nip line (P). To retrofit existing spinning machines with a compaction device, heretofore additional complex drive means have been installed, sometimes requiring a very high expenditure of time for installing such devices.

Abstract: Heat exchanger (1) for a system for solidification and/or for crystallization of a semiconductor material, comprising a first member (2) and a second member (3), the first and second members being movable with respect to each other, characterized in that the first member comprises a first pattern of relief (21) and the second member comprises a second pattern of relief (31), the first pattern of relief being designed to cooperate with the second pattern of relief.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

Abstract: Latch mechanism devices for attaching components within a device and methods of use are provided herein. In one aspect, the latch mechanism includes a pair of deflectable members between which a protruding latch member, such as a latch pin, is inserted thereby separating the deflectable members. A latch pin can have a distal insertion portion and a proximal locking portion, the locking portion having a reduced profile so as to resiliently receive the deflectable members displaced by insertion of the latch pin so as to couple the latch pin between the cords. The latch pin can have insertion faces and locking faces angled so as to control the force required to insert and retract the latch pin from the cord pair. The latch mechanism may utilize releasing mechanisms for separating or reducing tension in the deflectable members to facilitate retraction of the latch pin.

Abstract: A lace tightening apparatus including a handle and a gripping platform. The gripping platform is adapted to travel up into the interior of the handle upon a compression force being applied thereto. An anvil is rigidly attached to the handle projecting downward from the underside. One or more springs are disposed within the interior, with the first end of the spring anchored to the handle within the interior and the second end connected to the gripping portion. A stylus is attached to the gripping portion having a post and an L-shaped portion including a lip. The lip is exposed outside of the anvil and projects downward away from the anvil. Therefore, when the compression force is applied to the gripping platform, the lip travels upward toward the bottom surface of the anvil such that a lace can be pinched between the lip and the bottom surface.

Abstract: Object of the invention is a load-strap tensioning device (1), which includes a body (2), at the outer end of which there is a transverse pin 4, to which is fastenable a binding strap (3) having a suitable fastening means at its end, at the opposite end of the body there is a transverse spindle (10) and at a distance from it a ratchet pin (11), which is at least partially transferrable from an opening (17) being between the body, between the spindle and the ratchet pin there is a gap into which an end of another binding element, such as a strap, is settable, to the part formed by the spindle (10) and the ratchet pin (11) are fastened ratchet wheels (8 and 9) and to the body (2) is fastened a catch device (5), which is fastened to the body movably in its longitudinal direction, and to the body is fastened a spring (6) for pressing the catch device against the ratchet wheels (8 and 9), at the end of the body is rotatably fastened a body part (12), which includes a second catch device (13) being pressable agains

Abstract: Provided is a ratchet buckle for helmets wherein an engagement/releasing member having an engagement part is assembled to the buckle, via a pin, between the base member and operating member, and therefore when the operating member is pulled up and rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the front end of the operating member contacts the front end of the engagement/releasing member and the engagement with the tab of the ratchet is released by rotation of the engagement part of the engagement/releasing member, and because the engagement is released by pulling up the operating member by at least twice the conventional pull-up distance, the helmet will not come off from the head as a result of a wrong or inadvertent lever operation and thus safety can be ensured, while the thickness of the ratchet buckle can be kept small.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.

Abstract: Energy absorbing webbings that are generally flat and that have a controllable elongation distance are provided. The webbings are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and ground yarns. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing webbings are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing webbings. In certain embodiments, the webbings are subjected to heat using first and second set of rollers with various feed ratios.

Abstract: A rotor manufacturing apparatus includes a pusher and multiple blades. The pusher presses multiple magnets that are temporarily attached to a rotor core and arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the rotor core from an outer side in a radial direction of the rotor core. The multiple blades are individually inserted into gaps between the magnets pressed by the pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) is provided for forming a trailing edge (52) of a wind turbine blade having first and second shells (40, 42). The first and second shells define a gap therebetween, and the apparatus has a first mold component (62) that is adapted to form the first or second shell, and an engaging element (77). The engaging element is configured to securely support a trailing edge component to be coupled to the first and second shells. The engaging element is coupled to the first mold component. The apparatus may additionally include a second mold component (64) that is adapted to form the other of the first or second shells and which is coupled to the first mold component. In this embodiment, the first and second mold components have a closed position in which the first and second shells are closed over one another so as to define a generally closed profile of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A hand-operated pressing tool, which is suitable in particular for producing pipe connections, for pressing cable lugs, and/or for actuating cutting jaws, comprises a drive device arranged in a housing. The drive device is connected to an energy source. Furthermore, a start button, a display device, and a diagnostic connector are provided. The start button as well as the display device are arranged under a transparent housing cover. Preferably, the housing cover can be opened in order to reach the diagnostic connector.

Abstract: A water heater wrench adapter that comprises a rotating adapter and receiver. The rotating adapter is disposed within a receiver in light interference fit, wherein the rotating adapter is frictionally engaged by the receiver to permit rotation of the rotating adapter within the receiver. The water heater wrench adapter is utilized by frictionally engaging the insulator profile with the rotating adapter, thereby securing the water heater element within the rotating adapter. The hex nut of the water heater element and the hex extension of the receiver are aligned and the hex end of a water heater wrench is disposed to engage the combined hex nut and hex extension. Thus, the water heater wrench can then be utilized to either hold the water heater element in position for installation in a water heater or remove and retain the water heater element from the water heater.