Abstract: A body support system for relieving contact pressure on a joint in a body, according to various aspects of the present invention, may be configured to elevate a chest portion of the body with a chest support that may be configured to form a taper disposed between a top portion and a bottom portion such that the weight of the body compresses the chest support, which may result in the chest support assuming a substantially inverted arc shape. The compressed edges of the arc may be occupied by the joint. The chest support may further be adjustable for positioning substantially between a collarbone portion of the body and a xiphoid process portion of the body when the body is in a side rest position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a method for securing a patient for a medical procedure and specifically for an innovative headrest system for securing a patient for an ocular imaging procedure. The approach avoids the need for linkages and sliding rods and such. Instead, it relies on three independently movable face rests (two for the forehead or temples and one for the chin) each with a deformable cushion that is urged into conformity with the patient's head and chin during an adjustment phase of operation. Once a comfortable position and suitable conforming shape is achieved, the positions of the face rests are rigidly fixed and the shape of the cushions are rendered rigid and non-deformable, by application of a light vacuum, for the procedural or imaging phase of operation.

Abstract: A device for supporting a patient during a radiological imaging procedure is disclosed. The device includes a base, a support member pivotally coupled to the base and configured to receive a portion of the patient undergoing the radiological imaging procedure and an adjustment device comprising an inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder has a first portion acting on the base and a second portion acting on the support member. An inflatable state of the adjustment device is controllable to selectively adjust an angular positioning of the support member relative to the base.

Abstract: A diaper changing station assembly includes a mat that has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A top pad is attached to and covers a portion of the top side. A bottom pad has a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. The bottom surface is attached to and covers a portion of the bottom side. A portion of the bottom pad is unattached to the mat adjacent to the peripheral edge to define a bag pocket extending between the mat and the bottom pad. The bag is removable from the pocket after the soiled diaper is changed to receive the mat. The bag is configured to receive the soiled diaper for disposal of the mat and the soiled diaper.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing detachable zipper shoe comprises steps of: I. preparing cardboards: 1) structuring a shoe last, 2) making cardboards, and 3) drawing arrays of marks; II. making a vamp: 1) making a first cutting die, 2) cutting, 3) drawing marks on the vamp, 4) combining the vamp, and 5) combining the vamp and an upper zipper; III. making an outsole: 1) forming the outsole, and 2) combining the outsole and a lower zipper; IV. making an inner sole: 1) making a second cutting die, 2) cutting, and 3) combining the inner sole and the outsole; V. fixing the vamp. The method of the present invention adopts sets of marks predetermined on the vamp, the upper zipper, the lower zipper, the inner sole, and the outsole to be aligned with each other, so as to prevent the combination of the afore portions from displacement. Therefore, one single sole of the same size can cooperate with different types of vamps for satisfying a mass production of shoes.

Abstract: The present invention claims a three-truss continuous steel truss girder-pushing device and an arrangement method thereof. The device comprises three supporting structures of left, center and right, the three supporting structures are provided respectively with left and right side truss slideway girders and a middle truss slideway girder. The front ends of the slideway girder are provided with an operating platform where horizontal continuous pushing jacks are installed; the front ends of the left and right slideway girder and the center slideway girder are each provided with four vertical lifting jacks. The three-truss continuous steel truss girder-pushing device simultaneously pushes the two side trusses of the steel truss beam only, while the center truss slides passively, thereby improving construction efficiency and reducing construction costs.

Abstract: Detailed are components of cleaners of fluid-containing vessels such as pools and spas. The components may incorporate combined discs and footpads and attach to other components of a cleaner other than by receipt of a boundary of a central aperture into a groove. The components nevertheless may continue to include central apertures as appropriate.

Abstract: An apparatus for dressing a weld in an area adjacent a weld bead has a power head, a shaft affixed to the power head such that the power head rotates the shaft, a first brush affixed to the shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and a second brush affixed to the shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom. The second brush is spaced by a distance greater than a width of the weld bead from the first brush. Each of the brushes is a wire brush. A third brush can be affixed to the shaft in side-by-side relation to the second brush on a side of the second brush opposite the first brush.

Abstract: A back massage device comprises multiple rotary brushes mounted on a support, whereby the brushes are driven mechanically by a motor system and the support is embedded in a wall. The device includes a system for moving the brushes perpendicularly to the wall, such that the device can occupy a stowed position in which the brushes do not protrude from the wall and an operating position in which the brushes protrude from the wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor machine pivot joint. The pivot joint utilizes pivot pegs attached to the base of the floor machine which extend from the base into cavities formed in the sides of the yoke which, in preferred embodiments, have either partially spherical or cylindrical shape. The pivot pegs allow the yoke to pivot in substantially one plane with reduced unwanted movement of the yoke and base relative to each other.

Abstract: A personal care implement is disclosed having a water insoluble absorbent/adsorbent layer attached to a water insoluble scrubbing layer and a mild, low active, low viscosity cleansing composition contained in the absorbent/adsorbent layer. A sufficient quantity of the composition is transferred on demand to the scrubbing layer by squeezing the implement. The implement produces copious quantities of lather foam and mild cleansing.

Abstract: A brush including a gripping handle combined with a cleaning head, wherein the cleaning head has a base forming an extension of the handle, including a peripheral wall and an end wall. The latter is located opposite the handle. Cleaning elements in the form of hairs are attached to the base. The base is, for example, substantially planar and has a rectangular cross-section. The hairs are arranged on two opposite sides of the base and at the end thereof, i.e. in the same plane as the base.

Abstract: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a broadened flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly outwards from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.

Abstract: An oral care implement is described herein. The oral care implement has a base having a handle region, an oral engaging region and a neck between the handle region and the oral engaging region. A recess surrounds the handle and/or the neck and has a first boundary and a second boundary, and the first boundary is further from a distal end than the second boundary. The first boundary has an angle of greater than about 90 degrees with respect to a mold parting line of the oral care implement. The base has a first material, and a collar made of a second material which is different than the first material, is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: An oral cleaning section is disclosed. The oral cleaning section includes a first carrier having a cleaning side on which at least a first cleaning element is mounted and a second side opposite to the cleaning side, a second carrier having a cleaning side on which at least a second cleaning element is mounted, at least one aperture being formed in the first carrier such that the aperture extends from the cleaning side to the second side, with the second cleaning element extending through the aperture. The second carrier is arranged underneath the first carrier such that the cleaning side of the second carrier is underneath the second side of the first carrier and laterally extends beyond the aperture in at least a first direction. The first carrier and the second carrier are arranged for relative movement to each other.

Abstract: A leaves collection system for use with a portable blower/vacuum in the vacuum mode with a lid allowing the rejection of debris in a plastic or paper bag. The lid (of round shape with a lateral groove) has three main openings, one for the entrance of debris and two for the outlet of air as well as holes to attach the various elements to the lid with cable ties. The lid is inserted into the opening of the bag and the bag is held in place on the lateral edge of the lid by a bungee cord in the groove. Ribbed pipe connects the fan outlet of the blower/vacuum to the lid and sends debris towards the lid and the bag. A membrane under the bag protects the bag from the roughness of the ground.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool for removing animal hair from nearly any hand-held grooming tool is disclosed. A vacuum grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning a grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support and may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the cleaning tool to the vacuum source during its engagement by a hand-held grooming tool being cleaned. This pivot-action mechanism can switch the vacuum off to a connected vacuum grooming tool and on to the cleaning tool, such that the airflow through the cleaning tool does not have to compete with any vacuum or airflow through the vacuum grooming tool during its cleaning.

Abstract: A cleaning bullet for use in a track can include a compressible body to clean the track, and a motorized device to propel the body through the track. In some embodiments, the motorized device includes wheels rotatably coupled to the device, a motor to drive the wheels, and a power source to supply power to the motor. Also, in some embodiments, one or more wheels engage an inner or outer surface of the track to move the motorized device along the track.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system has multiple vacuum sources. The multiple vacuum sources are connected through pipes to wall valves. In use a hose is plugged into one of the valves. A handle is connected to the hose. A wand extends from the handle. Attachments such as a power brush are connected to the wand. Switches apply power from one or more power sources to the vacuum sources. The application of power by the switches is controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a housing configured with a working element. The device also includes a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device also includes a power control module which may be electrically connected with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. Electric current is provided to the motor by the first and/or the second power source configurations. The first power source configuration may be electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration may be electrically connected to a power inverter which may receive AC power and output DC power to the second power source configuration. The motor may be one of a permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motor, a universal motor and an induction motor, the motor receiving power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.

Abstract: A blade assembly of an autonomous cleaning device. The blade assembly includes a blade having a first part fixed to the main body and a second part extended from the first part toward a floor and a support member having at least a portion disposed adjacent to the second part of the blade to restrict movement of the second part of the blade to within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A new drum vacuum cleaner has a 0.02 to 0.035 inch thick stainless steel wall that that substantially surrounds a molded inner tank that extends downwardly from a tank collar. The lower end of the wall is positioned between an inward-facing edge of a recess on a wheeled base and an outward-facing edge on the molded inner tank, and is supported on a supporting face on the base that also supports the tank. The upper end of the wall is positioned within a downward-opening slot in the tank collar. When the molded inner tank is connected to the base, the metal wall is trapped in place between the tank collar and the base, providing an exposed stainless steel section that is at least three inches in height and can extend to within less than 1? of the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle capable to adjusting the height with regard to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner lint brush accessory system having a lint brush and cradle. The lint brush has longitudinally opposed handle and brush portions. The brush portion has a brush material adapted to remove fibrous substances from a surface to be cleaned. The cradle has a chamber opening leading to a chamber. The chamber extends in the longitudinal direction and is adapted to longitudinally receive at least the brush portion of the lint brush, the chamber has at least one brush cleaning pad adapted to engage the brush material and remove the fibrous substances from the brush material. The chamber further includes an air outlet spaced from the chamber opening. The air outlet is selectively connectable to a vacuum passage of a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner, and more particularly to a robot cleaner for shielding particularly an air inlet of a foreign material storage unit. The robot cleaner includes a main body including a drive unit for providing a suction force, a main cover for shielding a side of the main body, a foreign material storage unit separably disposed on the main cover, the foreign material storage unit having an air inlet for introducing air containing foreign materials, a foreign material cover disposed on the main cover, the foreign material cover selectively shielding a side of the foreign material storage unit, and a shield member disposed on the foreign material storage unit, the shield member selectively shielding the air inlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning head includes a pressure chamber having a first chamber section and a second chamber section which is moveable relative to the first chamber section in response to a pressure differential thereacross from a first position to a second position, and a control mechanism located within the pressure chamber. The control mechanism has a first state for inhibiting the movement of the second chamber section in response to said pressure differential beyond a third position intermediate the first and second positions, and a second state for allowing the second chamber section to move in response to said pressure differential to the second position. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to a movement of the second chamber section from the third position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) bounding an inlet (2) for guiding aspirated air through the nozzle (1). The nozzle (1) comprises a rim (3, 4) along an outer end contour of the inlet (2) for contacting a floor surface area (6) when in an operating position on the floor surface (6), wherein at least a rim portion (3, 4) is movable between a 5 lowered position for contacting a floor surface (6) and a lifted position for leaving a spacing between the rim portion (3, 4) and the floor surface (6). A rim operating structure (21) is adapted for leaving the rim portion (3, 4) in the lowered position during an initial portion of a movement stroke of the nozzle over the floor surface (6) in a direction and for subsequently, during a later portion of the stroke, starting the lifting to the lifted position. This improves the aspiration of larger particles.

Abstract: A door closer is described, which has an output shaft, on which a cam disc is torsion-resistantly disposed, and has a pressure roller. By means of an operational connection, a closer spring presses the pressure roller against a running surface of the cam disc. In relation to an axial center of the output shaft, the pressure roller is disposed such that, during opening or closing of a swing leaf coupled to the output shaft, the pressure roller is movable along a path. Due to the fact that the path bypasses the axial center of the output shaft and on account of the configuration of the running surface of the cam disc, at a respective opening angle of the swing leaf, in different modes of operation of the door closer, a very similar or identical torque is respectively applied to the output shaft.

Abstract: A spring power setting indicator for a closing apparatus for a wing such as a door or window, including a closer housing in which a compression spring is disposed. The spring power setting indicator includes a collar defining a threaded opening adapted to engage an adjustment screw for adjusting the bias of the compression spring. The collar may be substantially disc-shaped, and has a peripheral side that defines an annular channel in which a magnetic ball is disposed. An indicator housing with indicia of closer size may be mounted to the closer housing. Another magnetic ball may be disposed in the indicator housing. The magnetic balls are attracted to each other, and the ball in the indicator housing follows the ball in the channel as the collar moves in response to turning of the adjustment screw, permitting external reading of closer size with the indicia based on ball position.

Abstract: A locking hinge including barrel members with a cylindrical female recess and a multi-sided center bore. A medial barrel member has a center bore and first and second cylindrical male portions rotatably inserted into one of the female recesses, and a multi-sided center bore, such that the bores are in axial alignment. First and second hinge pins have a cylindrical portion and a multi-sided portion slidably inserted through the aligned multi-sided center bores. A spring disposed in the medial barrel member urges the hinge pins apart. When in a fully locked configuration, the multi-sided portions of the hinge pins engage the multi-sided center bore of a male portion and a barrel member; when in an unlocked configuration, at least one or both of the hinge pins is depressed such that its multi-sided portion is disengaged from the multi-sided center bore of the barrel member through which it is slidably inserted.

Abstract: A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design.

Abstract: There is provided a hinge with torque setting function for connecting two objects by a hinge shaft adapted to be assembled with precision and to be tightened easily. In order to reduce the diameter of the curvature portion 42 of the holder 40 through the brake member 30 on the hinge shaft 20, there is attached by the screw the adjusting member 46 which can vertically move within the latch portions (vertical grooves) 42G of the curvature portion 42 individually from an angular movement of the curvature portion 42 when it is tightened. The screw 5 can be tightened by vertical movement thereof without being restrained by the angular movement of the curvature portion 42 and therefore, the tightening of the holder 40 can be carried out with high precision and effectiveness of operation.

Abstract: A hinge profile (2) fixable in a supporting profile (1) intended to be used for a sheet unit e.g. in the form of a door, said supporting profile (1) is in the first place intended to be fastened to a wall.

Abstract: A handle assembly that may be used on an appliance is provided. The handle assembly can include a handle that is received into one or more receptacles and can be installed without tools or the use of additional fasteners such as screws, bolts, and the like. The handle assembly can be installed onto doors, drawers, or other components of a variety of different appliance types.

Abstract: An assist grip of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a grip body including hinge cavities on opposite bases and hinge assemblies pivotally supported inside the hinge cavities at opposite sides, respectively, and secured to mounting locations inside a vehicle via the hinge assemblies. Mounting clips are inserted into rectangular openings of hinge bodies of the hinge assemblies, respectively. Each of the mounting clips is formed by bending a pair of resilient legs having spring resiliency into a substantially U-shape, and includes resilient bulging portions bulging outward in the resilient legs at both sides. Each of the resilient bulging portions includes a retention portion to be retained by a mounting location of a vehicle body. The retention portion of the resilient bulging portion includes a recess portion that is recessed inward and provided with an extended region in a pull-out direction of the mounting clip.

Abstract: A strap having increased column stiffness includes a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap. A crush region is formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges. The crush region is defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region. The crush region forms a line along which a bend may be formed in the strap. The bend increases the column stiffness of the strap at least about 67 percent over that of a comparable flat strap. The bend defines an acute angle and an obtuse angle in the strap as viewed in cross-section.

Abstract: A fastener including a pair of base members formed in the shape of a band and a claw unit formed between the pair of the base members, and the claw unit engages the base members with each other and seals a gap between the base members. The claw unit includes a sealing unit and an engaging unit. The sealing unit includes a male claw and a female claw that receives the male claw so as to make an area between the claws liquid-tight or air-tight. The engaging unit includes a pair of hooks. A side wall of the female claw of the sealing unit is formed as a restricting part that prevents a displacement of one hook of the engaging unit in a separation direction.

Abstract: Active material based fasteners that are reversible are provided. These fasteners can be in the form of, for example, cable ties and twist ties. In an embodiment, a fastener for securing an object comprises: a flexible elongated member capable of at least partially surrounding the object; and an adjustment mechanism in operable communication with the flexible elongated member, the adjustment mechanism comprising an active material capable of undergoing a change in a property upon exposure to an activation source, wherein the elongated member is configured to engage or release the object in response to the change in the property.

Abstract: A webbing clamp incorporating a hollow base frame adapted to receive elongated webbing segments in threaded relation through a pair of opposing slot openings and a hinging camming door structure rotatably mounted within the base frame about an axis of rotation. The camming door structure includes a lever projection for user engagement and a camming ear portion extending below the lever projection for disposition at the interior of the base frame. The camming door structure is mounted transverse to the threading direction of the webbing segments and rotates about an axis generally aligned with the threading direction of the webbing segments. Upon closing the hinging door structure, the camming ear portion engages the webbing segments in a compressing manner thereby blocking relative sliding action with the webbing clamp.

Abstract: Techniques for detachably joining a first component and a second component includes a band clamp, a tensioning device, a plurality of shoes, and a plurality of brackets. The band clamp is configured to cause the plurality of shoes to engage an abutting cylindrical flange of each of the first component and the second component and to provide a sufficient clamping pressure to join the first component with the second component. Each of the plurality of brackets is attached to one of the first component and the second component. The sufficient clamping pressure results from redundant, independently inspectable, sources, a primary redundant source being circumferential tension in the band clamp, caused by tightening the tensioning device, to produce a first radial restraining force on the shoes, and a secondary redundant source being a second radial restraining force, applied by way of the plurality of brackets, to the band clamp.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching solar panel grids to standing seam roof structures. The clamp includes opposing clamp halves having inter-engageable projections and recesses. One or more fasteners engage the halves to draw them together. A first set of recesses on one clamp half receives a first set of projections on the other half. A second set of recesses on the other clamp half receives a second set of projections. When loose, the first set of projections engage the first set of recesses like a detent, while the second set of projections are spaced apart from the second set of recesses to enable the clamp to be slid down onto the vertical seam of a standing seam roof. Tightening the fasteners causes the second set of projections to deform the seam into the second set of recesses, fixing the clamp to the seam.

Abstract: The system and method for quick release can include a remote release enclosure having a connection side and a trigger side, at least one cable assembly traversing through the release enclosure from the connection side to the trigger side, a trigger assembly coupled the at least one cable assembly, and a plurality of attachment assemblies coupled the other end of the at least one cable assembly. The trigger assembly can be operatively coupled to each of the plurality of attachment assemblies via the cable assemblies. The attachment assemblies can have a male portion having an inner guide post between at least two outer guide posts and a female portion. The cable assemblies can couple the male portions of the attachment assemblies to the trigger assembly such that movement of the trigger assembly can release or disengage the male portion of the attachment assembly from the female portion.

Abstract: A decorative memorial serves to display a sealed, visible portion of cremation ashes.

Abstract: The invention provides tooling and a method for hot forging pieces of sheet metal that are to form metal reinforcement mounted on the leading or trailing edge of a turbine engine blade, by means of bottom and top matrices each presenting a twisted elongate surface for use in shaping an initially plane piece of sheet metal, the shaping surface of the bottom matrix presenting a high portion, a low portion, and two end zones. The bottom matrix includes studs for positioning and guiding the piece, the studs being situated at the periphery of the corresponding shaping surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator is disclosed that includes forming a vibration plate, forming a plurality of electrodes on the vibration plate, forming a piezoelectric layer on the electrodes, and forming a common electrode on the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A parylene C polymer that is electrically poled such that it is piezoelectric is presented. Methods for manufacturing the piezoelectric parylene C polymer with an optimal piezoelectric coefficient d33 are also disclosed. Actuators formed with piezoelectric parylene C are disclosed as well as sensor devices that incorporate piezoelectric parylene C using charge integrator circuits in which the integration time is longer than likely adiabatic temperature transients.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustic wave device includes: adhering wafer-shaped first and second piezoelectric substrates to a front face of a first and second adhesive sheet respectively and dividing the first and the second piezoelectric substrates into rectangles; adhering a third and fourth adhesive sheet to the first and second piezoelectric substrates respectively and moving at least one divided portions of the first and second piezoelectric substrates selectively to the third and fourth adhesive sheet respectively; moving the first piezoelectric substrate on the first adhesive sheet to the fourth adhesive sheet; and moving the second piezoelectric substrate on the second adhesive sheet to the third adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator comprises supporting a piezoelectric vibration element in a case by a conductive bonding member, the piezoelectric vibration element having a metal layer formed on a piezoelectric substrate formed of a thickness shear based piezoelectric material, and adding or reducing a thickness of the metal layer to adjust a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric vibration element to a predetermined value. The method also comprises leaving the case into an atmosphere filled with vapor of a material having a nonbonding electron pair, making the metal layer resultantly exposed to the vapor subject to chemical absorption with the material having the nonbonding electron pair, and hermetically encapsulating the case in a state substituted by an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An electronic component and method for manufacture thereof is disclosed. A plurality of electrodes are positioned in stacked relation to form an electrode stack. The stack may include as few as two electrodes, but more may be used depending on the number of subcomponents desired. Spacing between adjacent electrodes is determined by removable spacers during fabrication. The resulting space between adjacent electrodes is substantially filled with gaseous matter, which may be an actual gaseous fill, air, or a reduced pressure gas formed through evacuation of the space. Further, adjacent electrodes are bonded together to maintain the spacing. A casing is formed to encapsulate the stack, with first and second conducting surfaces remaining exposed outside the casing. The first conducting surface is electrically coupled to a first of the electrodes, and the second conducting surface is electrically coupled to a second of the electrodes.

Abstract: A device (100) for assembling a pneumatic booster (200). A cover (203) of the booster is housed in a support (101). A cylindrical cap (104) whose internal volume (107) is greater than a volume of a cylinder (206) of the booster, covers the cylinder placed on the cover. A gearing element (110) of the device rotates two sets of rollers (109A and 109B) about the booster. An eccentric (118) controlled by the gearing element allows an oscillating movement of the rollers against a wall of the booster. The swaging is achieved by alternately applying the rollers (109A) and (109B). An angle of attack (114A) of the first rollers is greater than an angle of attack (114B) of the second rollers. The invention also relates to a method of swaging a booster and such a booster.