Abstract: Embodiments of a hair cutting device for use with automated hair cutting systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hair cutting device comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutter head is attached to the distal end of the body, the cutter head configured for manipulating and cutting hair. The hair cutting device further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the body for sensing a position of the cutter head relative to a user's head.

Abstract: A solid food, such as cheese, dispenser is provided having a reusable container including a housing with removable top and bottom covers and an interior push member for receiving cheese therein. The push tube contains a push plate for forcing a selected portion of cheese from the top end of the push tube, and a cutting string for slicing of the selected portion. The cutting string is attached at one end to the top end of the housing with the other end attached to the top cover and is manually wound about and pulled through the cheese thereby dispensing the selected portion. Removing the bottom cover provides access to the push plate.

Abstract: A safety cutting device includes a slidable insert that moves longitudinally within a cavity of a housing. The slidable insert has a cutting blade attached and moves within the housing from a safe position in which the blade is covered to an exposed position for cutting. The safety device has a release button positioned near an anterior end of the housing. A biasing member automatically retracts the blade when the release button is activated.

Abstract: A pair of scissors and a manufacturing method therefor involves forming an overmold comprising ABS material over a pair of blade members. TPR material is injection molded over the overmolds in limited amounts so that substantial portions of the overmolds remain exposed. The produced workpieces are pivotally joined to form a pair of scissors. One or more caps of ABS material or TPR material may be affixed to the overmolds to cover the pivot fastener.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a first and a second element having a handle in a first end and a cutting element in a second end. A spring element is arranged between the first and second element to move the handles away from each other, and an adjustment mechanism sets a maximum opening angle for the handles. The adjustment mechanism includes a groove in a side surface of the first element, an adjustment ring is arranged to a side surface of the second element, and a shaft which is rotatably arranged to protrude through a hole in the second element, a first end of the shaft engaging the engagement surface of the adjustment ring and a second end of the shaft having an eccentric part protruding into the groove in the first element.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter includes a frame rod assuming a pole and having a front end and a rear end; a cutter head mounted on the front end of the frame rod and including a rotary cutter and a drive motor connected to the rotary cutter; controller head mounted on the rear end of the frame rod and including a control circuit for controlling the drive motor; and a handle fixed to the frame rod to be held by hands of a user. The cutter head includes a cutter frame for enclosing the drive motor therein, rotatably supports the rotary cutter below the cutter frame and is connected to the frame rod. The cutter frame is comprised of a wall member formed with a plurality of ridgelike ribs projecting inward from a platelike member, each rib having a height between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

Abstract: A three-sided, multi-edged disposable cutting blade for use within a utility knife. The cutting blade features between three and six distinct cutting edges. The cutting blade may be rotated and flipped such that each cutting edge may be presented from the utility knife as the active cutting edge. Features of the cutting blade include a wear-coat indicator which is located at or near each cutting edge and indicates when an edge has been used; grippable locations on the body of the blade to increase the grippibility of the blade when removing and handling the blade; multiple mounting-hole orientations; and mass-reducing punch-outs which reduce cutting friction of the blade against the object being cut.

Abstract: A hand or power tool which can be used as a planer such that the movement of the tool along a workpiece causes a portion of the material of the workpieces to be removed by at least one cutter blade provided on the tool at a baseplate of the tool which contacts with the workpiece. The tool is provided with at least one movable portion which can be moved with respect to the baseplate and hence the tool. The movable portion can be angularly movable to allow a chamfer cut to be accurately achieved and/or can be slidably movable with respect to the baseplate so as to protrude from an edge thereof to allow greater cutting accuracy to be achieved. In a further embodiment the movement portion can be provided so as to be moved to allow user access to at least one debris conduit.

Abstract: A bow sight with at least one sight pin mounted to a frame assembly. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The optical fiber is exposed to gather ambient light and to transmit light to a sight point located within the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly includes an optical structure mounted to the frame assembly including a sight point of an optical fiber located near a proximal end of the optical structure and a lens with alignment indicia located at a distal end of the optical structure. An adjustment system permits the optical structure to be reoriented relative to the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the shooter relative to the bow in at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A theft detection method for a rotary laser tool includes using a motion sensor incorporated into a base unit of the rotary laser tool to detect movement of the base unit, monitoring duration of movement of the base unit as indicated by the motion sensor using a control system of the rotary laser tool, and activating an alarm indicator in response to the duration of movement being greater than a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for determining the direction of a magnetic field, in which a mobile electronic compass device is used to measure three field vectors of the magnetic field the desired number of times. From each measurement, a data point (p1-p6) is formed in a three-dimensional co-ordinate system, for which measured data points a common reference point (C) is calculated. The location of the device is determined relative to the reference point in said co-ordinate system and the co-ordinates of the reference point obtained are compared to the co-ordinates of at least one previous reference point, and the co-ordinate values of the reference point are calibrated, after which the direction of the magnetic field is indicated with the aid of the reference point.

Abstract: A magnetic compass is provided which features a stationary central pointer which extends outwards to the inside of a rim displaying graduated angular indicia, said rim being integral with a pivoting disc which is magnetically coupled. The central pointer assumes the graphic shape of a craft, such as a ship's hull, the stationary disposition of which offers a more intuitive realisation of the directional heading of a vessel with respect to the cardinal axes of a compass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measurement apparatus for measuring a shape of an object to be measured, comprising a measuring head configured to perform measurement in a first measurement mode and perform measurement in a second measurement mode having measurement accuracy higher than that of the first measurement mode, a detection unit configured to detect an occupancy region of the object to be measured, and a control unit configured to control the measuring head, wherein in the first measurement mode, the control unit moves, based on a detection result of the detection unit, the measuring head not to touch the object to be measured, and in the second measurement mode, the control unit moves, based on a measurement result in the first measurement mode, the measuring head to satisfy an allowable condition in the second measurement mode.

Abstract: A nail gauge tool is provided for quickly and accurately measuring nail shape and nail size. The nail gauge offers several arch-shaped openings for matching to and measuring a natural nail. As the measurement result, the nail arch shape information and nail arc length information along the natural nail's width direction are obtained for manufacturing custom-fit artificial nails. The nail gauge tool is advantageously small and suitable for use inside a nail salon.

Abstract: A footgauge having a foot support plate having an upper surface on which the foot is placed with the heel against a fixed heel abutment. A touchscreen computer device (TCD) is inserted in a tray below the surface and engages a movable toe abutment. The toe abutment is moved into engagement with the foot and the user then and the user then presses a fixed pointer into contact with the screen of the TCD. The TCD is programmed and calibrated so as to give a foot length reading which is dependent on how far the toe abutment is moved towards the heel abutment.

Abstract: A flatness measuring apparatus includes a measuring assembly and a movable assembly. The measuring assembly includes a measuring unit. The measuring unit includes a supporting base, a loading block, and a limiting block mounted above the supporting base. The supporting base defines a receiving hole. The loading block is removably received in the receiving hole. The loading block is coplanar with the supporting base and cooperatively defines a limiting channel. A distance between the limiting block and the supporting base is substantially the same as a maximum allowable height of a workpiece, thereby only allowing qualified workpieces to slide therethrough and catching unqualified workpieces. The movable assembly connects to the measuring assembly to drive the loading block to disengage from the receiving hole and make the unqualified workpieces drop down from the measuring unit.

Abstract: An alignment device allows hinges from an old door being replaced to be transferred to a new door in the corresponding position to ensure that the new door is properly aligned in the door frame. The tool has an elongate channel that is placed next to the door in the height direction. A stopper aligns a comparable tool with a top edge of the door having its hinges removed. Brackets secure the channel to the door and ensure that the channel is parallel to the door. Once the tool is fixed relative to the door, the hinges can be attached to the channel. After the hinges are attached to the channel, they are removed from the existing door. The tool can now use to install hinges on a new door at a remote time or place from the hinges.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a drum rotatably supported within a cabinet and configured to receive laundry therein, a connection duct into which air inside the drum is discharged, and a discharge duct that extends in a longitudinal direction of the drum and that is connected to the connection duct. The laundry treatment apparatus also includes a filter assembly including a filter unit located in the discharge duct to filter air and an impurity remover unit configured to remove and compress impurities remaining on the filter unit.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a connection duct into which air inside a drum, which provides a laundry accommodation space, is discharged. The laundry treatment apparatus also includes a discharge duct configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of the drum and connected to the connection duct and a filter assembly including a filter unit located in the discharge duct to filter air and an impurity remover unit configured to remove and compress impurities remaining on the filter unit. The laundry treatment apparatus further includes a drive unit secured to the impurity remover unit. The drive unit is configured to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction of the filter unit to allow the impurity remover unit to reciprocate over a predetermined area of the filter unit.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a connection duct into which air inside a drum, in which laundry is received, is discharged, and a discharge duct that extends in a longitudinal direction of the drum and that is connected to the connection duct. The laundry treatment apparatus also includes a filter assembly that has a filter unit located in the discharge duct and configured to filter air introduced into the discharge duct and an impurity remover unit configured to separate, from the filter unit, impurities remaining on the filter unit. The laundry treatment apparatus further includes an impurity storage device separable from the discharge duct. The impurity storage device is located below the filter unit and configured to store impurities separated from the filter unit by the impurity remover unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solar dryer with improved. The dryer consists of a solar absorber/collector (9) and a drying chamber (6). One end of the collector is connected to a forced draft fan (10) and the other end connects the drying chamber. The drying chamber has a drawer in which the material to be dried is kept on a wire mesh. The dryer further has the provision for placing color indicative silica gel under the wire mesh when operated in recirculation mode. The other end of the drying chamber has an induced draft fan (11). Both the dc fans operate using a 10 watt photovoltaic panel (3). V-trough reflectors (4,5,7,8) made from anodized aluminum are fixed on the collector and optionally on the drying chamber. A tracking circuit is incorporated to auto-track the dryer. A locking mechanism (14) is also incorporated to help the unit withstand high wind load.

Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. The laundry machine is provided with a discharge part arranged in a drum not only to cause movement of the laundry in the drum but also to directly supply, to the laundry, the air supplied to the drum through an air supply unit when the drum rotates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealed and ventilated receptacle for storing equipment, such as firefighter turnout gear, that generally includes a base, at least one sidewall extending from the base, and a top wall that covers the opposite end of the sidewall. A sealable door may be positioned on the sidewall to access the inside of the receptacle and to prevent any contaminants from exiting the receptacle. The receptacle may also include an intake fan and exhaust fan that are each connected to a duct for providing fresh air to and removing contaminated air from the inside of the receptacle. The receptacle may further include a temperature control unit for regulating the temperature inside of the receptacle. Additionally, a hook for hanging a firefighter coat, trousers, or other items may also be included on the inside of the receptacle.

Abstract: A drying device for a washing machine includes a rotatable drum configured to house laundry items; a tub having the drum therein; a driving unit on the tub and connected to the drum, configured to drive the drum; a drying unit configured to store liquid water and circulate air in the drum to remove moisture from the laundry; and a control unit configured to control operations of the drying unit.

Abstract: An insole for a shoe includes at least a plate of thermoplastic material and a heating element. The thermoplastic plate is fully customizable. Fully customizable soles for shoes with heating elements, and a method for obtaining insoles or soles, especially for winter shoes are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating thermal energy (heat) from human locomotion is proposed and used to provide heating of the user's footwear. The apparatus takes the form of a pair of flexible, liquid-filled chambers connected by an energy-generating tube. One chamber is located in the heel region of a footwear insole, with the other in the toe region, such that as a person walks, the liquid moves back and forth within the tube. This movement is used to also move an energy-producing element (either an electromagnetic arrangement or viscous liquid) back and forth within the tube and convert the captured human locomotion energy into thermal energy, thus warming the footwear.

Abstract: An arrangement for regulating the interior temperature of footwear takes the form of an insole (or midsole) and includes a heat generator and a heat storage and release element, The heat generator may be configured to capture mechanical energy in the form of human locomotion and convert the captured energy into heat. Other types of heat generators may also be used. The heat storage and release element comprises one or more phase change materials that function to absorb generated heat (to keep footwear from overheating), as well as release the stored heat when the ambient temperature of the footwear drops below the transition temperature of the material.

Abstract: A shoe sole according to an aspect to the invention has ventilation function and has a double-landing function. The shoe sole includes a main groove, and sole including a pressure pad of a flat shape and connection portion. The main groove is formed on a bottom surface at a heel area and communicates with a ventilation groove supplying air into an inside of a shoe to supply the air into the inside of the shoe. The pressure pad convexly protrudes toward the ground at an area corresponding to the main groove. The connection portion connects the pressure pad and the sole. The shoe sole has a double-landing process. In the double-landing process, a bottom surface of the pressure pad is in contact with the ground and is introduced into the groove, and then, the bottom surface of the sole is in contact with the ground. The connection portion is thinner than the pressure pad so that the pressure pad is easily introduced when landing.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear. The article of footwear having an upper for receiving a foot and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include at least one support member. In addition, the sole structure may include a tensile member associated with the at least one support member and a tensioning device configured to selectively alter one or more properties of the at least one support member, by tightening and loosening the tensile member.

Abstract: An insert system for an article of footwear includes an outer assembly, a first insert assembly and a second insert assembly. The outer assembly is configured to interchangeably receive the first insert assembly and the second insert assembly. The first insert assembly includes a first sleeve member and a first midsole configured to provide enhanced cushioning and support. The first sleeve member includes a tongue and a fastening member that wraps around the tongue. The second insert assembly includes a second sleeve member and a second midsole configured to enhance speed. The second sleeve member is open at a forefoot portion and at a heel portion. The outer assembly includes an aperture on a sidewall of an outer sole portion, where the midsole inserted within the outer assembly is visible through the aperture.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed toward footwear containing a central flex zone comprised of a novel combination of a central flex channel with a central flex element that imparts either bidirectional or multi-directional flexion to the shoe, according to various embodiments, thereby allowing more natural flexibility and allowing all surface contacting members to independently engage and disengage from the contact surface of the user as the wearer's weight shifts. The flex zones also naturally adapt to the amount of stress put on the sole from ground elements, such as rocks or branches that the sole encounters during wear and to adjust to different terrain due thereby being particularly useful in applications such as construction boots and athletic footwear.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for designing and manufacturing customized footwear, and components thereof. An example method includes a method of designing at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear customized for a user. The method includes the steps of determining at least one input parameter related to a user, analyzing the at least one input parameter to determine at least one performance metric of a foot of the user, and determining at least one customized structural characteristic of at least a portion of a sole of an article of footwear for the user based on the performance metric.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes toe protection for the user. A toe shield is incorporated into, or otherwise provided in or on the athletic shoe, to provide protection to the user's toes while allowing for full athletic performance.

Abstract: A rock removal skid steer attachment includes a connection portion that has a rear face, a lower edge, and an upper edge. The connection portion is configured for engaging a skid steer. A pair of side plates extends from the connection portion. The side plates are spaced from each other. The distal section of the side plates relative to the connection portion includes a barbed portion. Each of the side plates has a top edge and a lower edge. The top edges taper toward an associated one of the lower edges as the side plates extend away from the connection portion and towards the barbed portions. The side plates are configured to be extended into a ground surface to extract boulders from the ground surface with the barbs.

Abstract: A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

Abstract: A multipiece wear assembly including an adapter and a wear part. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The wear part is assembled onto the adapter nose portion by relative longitudinal movement and defines a blind cavity opening to a rear thereof. The blind cavity of the wear part has a second predetermined configuration. In one form, the second predetermined configuration defined by the blind cavity is greater than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion such that a relief is provided between the adapter nose portion and the blind cavity when the adapter and wear part are arranged in operable combination relative to each other. Lock structure is provided on one of the adapter nose portion and wear part for maintaining the wear part and adapter nose portion in operable combination.

Abstract: A folder with multiple dividers is provided. The folder may include a first cover and a second cover, each having a top end, a bottom end, an open side and a closed side. The first cover and the second cover may meet at the closed side. At least one cutout portion may run from the top end to the closed side of at least one of the first cover and second cover. The cutout portion may create a plurality of dividers so that a user may organize paperwork within them.

Abstract: An illuminated display that may display a decorative translucent placard from a window of a house or building is provided. The illuminated display may include a front portion with a sign holder and a plurality of lights configured to project a light on a sign when the sign is within the sign holder. The illuminated display may further include a slot configured to store additional signs. Therefore, a user may display one sign from the sign holder and then change the sign to display another sign when desired.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an advertising lightbox including a source of background lighting for a transparent or translucent panel, which includes advertisement indicia and/or graphics. The background light source includes an LED array that extends along a longitudinal axis. The light source also includes a reflector having a plurality of planar sections elongated substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the LED array. The elongated planar sections of the reflector are positioned on both sides of the LED array at different offset positions along a lateral axis, and are inclined at different angles of inclination in a positive vertical axis towards the panel. The desired illumination effect upon the advertisement panel depends on the type or characteristics of the LED array, the parameters (number of sections, angles of inclination, height, width, reflective material, etc.) of the reflector, and the distance between the panel and the LED array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poster holder (10,10?,10?,10??,1000) comprising a support (3,3?,3?,3*, 3000) intended to be suspended on a wall and provided with at least one engagement seat (6, 600,6?,6*,6??) and with a bar (4,4?,4?) comprising in turn a fixed length lower portion (18, 18?,18?) comprising a gripping device for engaging an edge of a poster (5) and at least one slider (11,11?,11?,11??,1100) slidably associated to said lower portion (18, 18?,18?), said slider (11,11?,11?,11??,1100) being insertable into said engagement seat (6, 600,6?,6*,6??) such to make a connection between said support (3,3?,3?,3*) and said bar (4, 4?,4?).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a trigger mechanism and a controller coupled to the trigger mechanism. The controller is configured to disable the trigger mechanism when the apparatus is within a gun-restricted zone.

Abstract: The electromechanical trigger guard protective enclosure is a safety device intended to prevent access to the trigger of any firearm with an accessory rail. The present invention has a keypad, which activates the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism either covers the trigger or slides open revealing the trigger for use. The protective enclosure is affixed to the accessory rail on a gun, ensuring that it is able to be used at all times, preventing any inability to properly enclose the trigger. This protective sheath allows for the weapon to remain loaded and ready to fire at all times, aiding greatly in times of self-defense.

Abstract: A forearm-gripping stabilizing attachment for a handgun that has a support structure extending rearwardly from the rear end of the handgun is provided. The forearm-gripping stabilizing attachment includes a body having a passage longitudinally extending therein. The support structure of the handgun is telescopically receivable by the passage to secure the stabilizing attachment to the handgun. The body is further configured to receive and grip a user's forearm such that the support structure extends along the user's forearm. The stabilizing attachment is particularly useful in aiding a physically disabled user with handling the handgun because the handgun essentially becomes an extension of the user's forearm such that the user may actually release his or her grip from the handgun to relax the user's hand between firing while still maintaining proper control of the handgun at all times.

Abstract: A foregrip for a firearm may comprise a mounting device configured to attach to a mounting rail of a firearm and a grip body. The grip body may include a top portion configured to be removably attached to the mounting device and a lateral side portion configured to be gripped by the hand of a person using a firearm. A cavity may be disposed within the grip body, and a blade may be disposed at least partially within the cavity, wherein the blade is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position relative to the grip body.

Abstract: Shooting rests having elevation adjustment assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a buttstock spaced apart from a forestock. The shooting rest includes a first base portion carrying a first support for supporting the buttstock and a second base portion coupled to the first base portion and carrying a second support for supporting the forestock. The second base portion includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a height adjustment member slideably positioned in the opening. The height adjustment member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a plane that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the height adjustment member. The height adjustment member is attached to the second support and configured to adjust a height of the second support.

Abstract: Gun support apparatus for supporting a gun or components of a gun for assembly, servicing, cleaning, or other gunsmithing operations. A vise may include one or more gun supports for supporting a gun. A gun support may include a magazine well insert receivable in a magazine well of a gun. The support may be pivotable and may include a hammer stop. A gun support may include a channel of tapering width which is pivotable for positioning a desired width of the channel for receiving a portion of a gun to be supported in the channel. A bolt support device may be used to mount a bolt for cleaning or servicing.

Abstract: A gun rest system comprises a gun support member comprising a gun support coupling apparatus having a first arm and a second arm, a first leg frame coupled to the first arm, and a second leg frame coupled to the second arm. The gun rest system may be moveable between a disengaged position with the first leg frame and the second leg frame disposed in a substantially parallel orientation and an engaged position with the first leg frame and the second leg frame disposed in a generally angled orientation. The gun rest system may further comprise a base and an adjustable limb coupled between the base and the gun support member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the mounting and programming of a camera for the capturing of the images of a target, and/or the shooter, at the time around the discharge of a gun, bow, or shooting device. More particularly, the present invention relates to the process of mounting a digital video camera onto a gun barrel or shooting device and the programming of the video camera for the shooting environment associated with being mounted on a gun barrel or shooting device. This invention will allow a camera to survive repeated vibration and shock from the gun discharges and allow the user to program the camera for their specific shooting device characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a digital optical scope including software-extensible functionality. The digital optical scope includes a display, an interface configured to receive data including software modules, and an optical sensor configured to capture video data associated with a view area. The digital optical scope further includes a processor coupled to the optical sensor, the display, and the interface, and includes a memory. The memory is configured to store a plurality of instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive a software module from the interface, to store the software module in the memory, and to execute the software module to install a capability of the digital optical scope.