Abstract: A system and method provides for repair/reconstruction of bridge and culvert constructions. Geosynthetically confined soils are used in combination with soil nails. The soil nails provide additional tensile strength below the areas reinforced with the geosynthetically confined soils. The soil nails may include both horizontal and vertical soil nails. Various forms of vertical tensioning support can be provided to include soil nails, micro-piles, sheet piling, and the like. The confined soils are installed at locations under and adjacent to the man made constructions, and can be provided in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations. For bridge constructions, the confined soils may be installed at a desired depth under the bridge girders, and under other primary support members of the bridge. Horizontal nails may be installed under and adjacent to the confined soils.

Abstract: Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may turn feet, rather than entire bodies, to change direction and may provide water-flow paths through the bodies that are oriented vertically. Thus, unlike existing disc-based cleaners, the APCs may reduce influence of connected hoses on their movements within pools.

Abstract: A control assembly that may be used with a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) cleaning unit may include a linkage arm that extends and retracts, a load cell sensor that senses a force on the linkage arm, and a motor. The motor may drive the linkage arm to an extended or retracted position to cause a scrubber brush assembly of the cleaning unit to move away from or into contact with a substrate to be cleaned. In response to a force sensed by the load cell sensor, the motor may adjust the position of the linkage arm to cause an adjustment of the scrubber brush assembly position relative to the substrate being cleaned. Methods of controlling a scrubber brush force are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly includes a main body having a first end with a handle portion and a second end with a removable cleaner head; a motor contained with in said main body; an actuator operatively associated with said motor; a rotational shaft operatively associated with said motor and with a rotational cleaner head support; and a cleaner head removably attached to said rotational shaft.

Abstract: A buffing apparatus has a shaft assembly connectable to a drill or other stationary motorized buffer/polisher. A stator is fixedly mounted on the shaft and a rotor is rotatably mounted on the shaft, and each of the stator and rotor includes a respective hub and two or more arms extending radially from the respective hub, and each of the two or more arms defines a hole. A pad having first and second holes is mounted on the shaft with an arm of the stator extending through a first hole of the pad and an arm of the rotor extending through a second hole of the pad. The pads are secured in place with a connector extending through the hole of an arm of the stator and through a hole of an arm of the rotor so that the pads are sandwiched between the shaft assembly and the connectors.

Abstract: A toothbrush including a handle and a head mounted to one end of said handle, the head having a cleaning block forming a front surface of the head. A plurality of cleaning elements extend outwardly from the front surface of the head. A depression is formed into the front surface of the head, the depression having a floor. A dispenser is at least partially disposed within the depression. The cleaning elements and the cleaning block are unitarily formed of the same material.

Abstract: An oral care implement including a head, a gum massaging element extending from proximate a peripheral side of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements positioned on the head. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements including a side tooth cleaning element positioned inwards and adjacent the gum massaging element. The gum massaging element provides transverse support to the side tooth cleaning element during brushing.

Abstract: A toothbrush provides a unique opportunity to integrate health monitoring sensors into an object widely used by the mass population daily. A toothbrush is provided with various health monitoring sensors including an orientation sensor, oximetry sensor, capacitive sensor, pressure sensor, and temperature sensor. Further, the toothbrush is comprised in a system including a data transfer medium (i.e. “smartphone”) and the Cloud, which allows for data transfer between multiple platforms from the toothbrush. The system further allows for passive participation in social games with awards and incentives. The system and toothbrush further provide for active participation in brushing games to encourage proper brushing techniques. Further, the toothbrush also provides a user identification system utilizing capacitive coupling of the human body and a mobile unit that is optionally a “smartphone.

Abstract: A manual toothbrush having oral hygiene elements arranged in polygons with an oral hygiene element at each apex, and having plural polygons nested within each other. The oral hygiene elements may be bristles, which may be of two different types, or elastomer elements and may contain tooth-polishing additive. The toothbrush head surface may be flat or may have its region distal from the handle angled up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brush head with an integrated ultrasonic transducer and with a plurality of bristle tufts that are arranged on a baseplate and can be caused to vibrate by the ultrasonic transducer during operation, wherein the bristle tufts are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows aligned symmetrically relative to a central longitudinal axis or central plane of the baseplate, wherein a first row and at least one second row are provided in the transverse direction as viewed from the central longitudinal axis or central plane, and wherein all bristle tufts of a row are the same length. Such a The brush head is to be improved so that a particularly thorough and reliable cleaning of the teeth is possible when a fixedly installed brace is present. For this purpose, the bristle tufts of the second row are designed according to the invention to be longer than the bristle tufts of the first row.

Abstract: A cleaning member provided with a sheet structure in which fiber bundles having a structure in which multiple fibers are bundled together are joined to a base sheet, the cleaning member being configured such that a support handle insertion part having an insertion space to which a support handle for supporting the sheet structure can be inserted at a predetermined direction is formed on the sheet structure, wherein the base sheet is formed in a tubular shape, a space is formed in the interior of the base sheet, the fiber bundles are joined to the outer peripheral surface of the base sheet in the sheet structure, and the space of the base sheet and the insertion space of the support handle insertion part are formed apart from one another.

Abstract: A non-woven elongated non-rolling floor applicator comprising an elongated cylindrical-shaped housing having a first end, a second end, a slot extending along a length of the housing from the first end to the second end of the housing and an interior surface supporting a plug portion of a conventional T-bar flooring tool therein, and a plurality of fibers each having a length of less than 0.150 inches located on an exterior surface of the elongated cylindrical-shaped housing with the plurality of electrostatically flocked fibers forming a shed-resistant high density layer of non-woven microfibers, the layer of non-woven microfibers distributing at least 1,000 square feet per gallon of floor coating materials in a streak-free and bubble-free manner along a floor surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fingernail/toenail care sponge for caring for fingernails/toenails that is aesthetically pleasing and that can perform quickly and correctly through simple operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic device for washing continuous surfaces, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic panels, continuous glazed building walls and similar surfaces, comprising at least one cleaning machine, at least one motor and a support. The cleaning machine includes a translation device that includes a torque shaft driven into rotation by the motor and connecting at least a first and a second translation unit arranged on the cleaning machine at the respective ends of the torque shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a wiper blade wherein: a pair of accommodation sections are disposed in both sides in the short direction of a holder main body (31) so as to sandwich a holding section (31a) therebetween; a pair of vertebrae that elastically deform a blade rubber (20) to match the curvature of a front glass are accommodated in each accommodation section; an insertion opening (O) capable of inserting a main body section (21) is disposed between an end cap (60) and the holder main body (31); and a guiding section (61e) that guides the main body section (21) towards the holding section (31a) is disposed on the end cap (60) side where the insertion opening (O) is formed.

Abstract: A tread surface cleaning system has a cleaning element mounted to a truck frame of a steering truck in a position facing a tread surface of a wheel. The cleaning element moves freely to come into contact with and to move away from the tread surface. A pressing-load application spring biases the cleaning element toward the tread surface and a stopper restrains the cleaning element from approaching the tread surface. A forward and backward movement of a wheel axle 2 in the travel direction caused by steering is used so that the cleaning element makes contact only on the inner rail side toward which the tread surface of the wheel approaches when passing through a curved section. The cleaning element does not make contact on the outer rail side from which the tread surface moves away when passing through a curved section and when traveling through a straight section.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. The apparatus includes a dustpan having a base and a wall, a handle, and a plurality of protrusions. The base is configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and includes a front lip over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front lip and is configured to contain debris in the dustpan. The handle is coupled to a top edge of the wall opposite the front lip and extends away from the wall and downwardly from the top edge so that an end of the handle is disposed approximately even with the base. The plurality of protrusions extend inwardly from the wall and are configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor housing, a motor and fan assembly in communication with the motor housing, a housing forming a receptacle in fluid communication with the motor housing, and a filter assembly removably insertable into the receptacle. The filter assembly includes a filter supporting a filter. The filter assembly further includes a seal and a lock member movable relative to the tray between a locked position and an unlocked position. Movement of the lock member to the locked position engages the seal with the housing when the filter assembly is inserted in the receptacle.

Abstract: An attachment for a blower vacuum device comprising a collection bag; a coupler for removeably coupling the attachment to an air outlet of the blower vacuum device and for directing air from the air outlet into the collection bag; and a rotatable cuff fixed to the collection bag and rotatably mounted to the coupler such that the collection bag is rotatable with respect to the air outlet.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a door stop extension adapted for installation in a door frame. The door stop extension is adapted to increase a height of a door stop by a predetermined amount. The door stop extension can be adapted to cause a correction of a non-compliance of a door system with National Fire Protection Association's publication 80 specifications.

Abstract: A roller assembly comprising: a roller housing comprising first and second side walls and first and second end walls forming an enclosure; a carriage assembly comprising a carriage body and at least two carriage wheels rotatably attached to the carriage body, wherein the carriage assembly is located within the enclosure such that the at least two carriage wheels are arranged to protrude from the bottom of the enclosure during use; wherein the carriage body comprises a support portion and at least two concentric pivot points arranged to locate within slanted passages formed in the first and second side walls to allow the carriage body to rotatably pivot about the pivot points; an intermediate adjusting mechanism slidably engaged with the roller housing and arranged to move lengthwise within the enclosure, the intermediate adjusting mechanism comprising a first engagement surface located on an extending member, wherein the extending member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise mov

Abstract: A mechanical device includes a long, narrow element made of a rigid, elastic material. A rigid frame is configured to anchor at least one end of the element, which is attached to the frame, and to define a gap running longitudinally along the element between the beam and the frame, so that the element is free to move within the gap. A solid filler material, different from the rigid, elastic material, fills at least a part of the gap between the element and the frame so as to permit a first mode of movement of the element within the gap while inhibiting a different, second mode of movement.

Abstract: A holding hinge assembly provided is for being installed between, for example, a jamb and a hatch. The holding hinge assembly includes a pivotal pin; and at least one hinge leaf having a pivotal hole for frictionally, rotatably receiving the pivotal pin so that a friction exists between an inner wall of the pivotal hole and a periphery of the pivotal pin, and the hatch is allowed to rotate with respect to the jamb when receiving an external force applied thereon that is sufficient to surpass the friction. The friction provides a resistance to prevent or at least hinder the hatch from rotating with respect to the jamb under gravity or rebounding inertia. Thereby, the holding hinge assembly can hold the hatch at its opened position without using any additional hardware, so as to save costs and space.

Abstract: An outer handle device for a vehicle door, in which a supporting arm portion provided on one end portion of an operating handle which houses an electronic component unit and is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle door is turnably supported by a base member fixed to the vehicle door, a groove housing part of a harness connected to the electronic component unit and routed from the operating handle into the vehicle door is provided in the supporting arm portion, and a guide portion holding the harness between the guide portion and the supporting arm portion is disposed to cover part of the groove, wherein the guide portion is formed integrally on the base member. Accordingly, the outer handle device can hold a harness while reducing the number of components.

Abstract: A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.

Abstract: A sling strap retention device is provided. The sling strap retention device includes a structure with a first flexible member and a second flexible member, the first flexible member and the second flexible member further comprising a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a front surface, and a back surface, wherein the first and second flexible members may be oriented one over the other with the back sides of the first and second flexible members in opposition and coupled along a length of the members. The first and second flexible members may be configured to flex and couple to one another to form opposing closed loops. These closed loops may be configured to couple to and retain therein a sling strap of a weapon.

Abstract: A two piece crimping bead is provided with a through bore. The through bore is adapted to have beading cable passed therethrough. The through bore has a diameter of between 0.15 and 0.35 inch. The crimping bead also has a crimping bore intersecting the through bore and a crimping plunger disposed therein in interference fit with the crimping bore.

Abstract: Implementations of a quick connect and disconnect (QCD) system for connecting and disconnecting a load via a rope to a pulling force include a primary load bar connected to a first rail and a second rail and a compression pin assembly to be inserted between the first rail and the second rail. The rails may be in a variety of configurations to accommodate different hitching systems for a pulling force. The rope, the primary load bar, and the compression pin are used to form a knot that may be tied and untied relatively quickly. One end of a QCD system can be attached to a pulling force and one leg of the knot formed on the QCD may be connected to a load. In this way, a load can be connected to and disconnected from a pulling force relatively quickly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relating to a detachable belt buckle for application with a belt strap are disclosed. The buckle comprises a main buckle body having, at one end, a first fastening means and, at an opposite end, a second fastening means. The first fastening means is adapted for attaching a first end of a belt strap to the buckle. The second fastening means is adapted for attaching a second end of the belt strap to the buckle. The buckle is detachable from the belt strap separately at each respective end of the belt strap via the first fastening means and the second fastening means, such that no removal of the belt strap from a garment is required.

Abstract: An improved hose clamp having an annular band having an inner face, tensioning means, and an annular spring liner; the spring liner having a circumferential shoulder near an edge of the liner; and a central, cylindrical, flat, contact portion of smaller circumference than the shoulder, and of smaller width than the inner face of the band. The shoulder is adapted to abut the inner face and the contact portion is adapted to contact a hose or other article to be clamped.

Abstract: There is provided a slider for slide fastener, including a slider body and a pull tab. A pair of supporting parts rotatably supporting the pull tab are provided on an upper surface of the slider body, and a claw for snapping elements of the slide fastener is provided on the pull tab. The pull tab is rotatable between a first posture in which the pull tab is placed down on the slider body and a second posture in which the pull tab is erected from the slider body. A stop member is provided on at least one of the slider body and the pull tab. The stop member limits the pull tab in an erect position of the second posture such that a front end of the claw is located within a protection space.

Abstract: This redesigned suspender clasp alleviates the problem of suspender clasps coming unfastened when the wearer slides across a surface such as a vehicle seat by extending the middle toothed plate upward beyond the top (lever) plate.

Abstract: A fastener system comprising a strap incorporating a plurality of teeth and comprising a buckle incorporating a plurality of slots. The strap can be engaged by the buckle such that the strap resists disengagement by a separating force applied generally equally across the width of the strap and the buckle, but will disengage upon application of an asymmetrical force applied proximate either just to the top edge or just to the bottom edge of the buckle and strap. The fastener system can be associated with a cuff or other article so as to releasably maintain two opposing side edges of the cuff in proximity to each other.

Abstract: A system for externally binding a stack of loose-leaf paper, fabric or other flat media by hand for presentation purposes without a need for creating a spine, hole-punching paper, permanent covers or insertion into pre-constructed sleeves. It employs a slim, external bar made of a dense material, placed in the margin area on the front side of a paper or fabric stack and a rigid backing board on the rear side. The entire assembly is held together firmly by threaded bolts and adjoining screw posts that are adjusted depending upon the quantity of sheets included and their thicknesses. The stack is compressed and decompressed by tightening or loosening the threaded bolts whenever sheets are added or removed. The low-profile system firmly grips paper or fabric with unlikely slippage, requires no heat or adhesives, and provides the ease of turning the pages or sheets as typical in a perfect-bound book. It accommodates common lengths of paper stock and fabric swatches, and multiple thicknesses within the same stack.

Abstract: A drawstring fastener includes a female member, a male member movably fitted inside the female member, and an urging device urging the male member in a direction of protruding from the female member. An operating string is pulled out through a pass-through hole provided at a lower end of the female member. By a pulling force of the operating string, the male member can move in an inward entering direction in the female member against an urging force. The male member includes an inner space passing through the periphery, and a pass-through hole passing through the inner space and a lower end face, and disposed coaxially with the pass-through hole of the female member. A string upper end of the operating string is locked after passing pass-through holes of the female member and the male member and entering the inner space.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for strengthening, in particular needling, a continuously fed material web (21), wherein the material web is strengthened in a strengthening zone and is drawn out of the strengthening zone by a drawing apparatus (24). At least one parameter, in particular the material speed, of the strengthened material web (21) is detected in a guiding zone arranged downstream of the fastening zone and before the drawing apparatus (24) by a measuring apparatus (22), preferably without contact, and is optionally used to control the strengthening apparatus.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fireplace screen. The method includes forming a mesh structure. The mesh structure is shaped to cover a fireplace opening and holes in the mesh are configured to promote the inflow of air external to a fireplace through the mesh and a vertical circulation of the air across an interior planar surface of the mesh located outside of the fireplace opening.

Abstract: A separator tool including a handle formed a hub at a first end, the hub defining a through bore that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the handle, a tool head formed with an integral yoke including opposed first and second legs, the tool head being pivotably coupled to the first end of the handle, an indexing stud slidably disposed within the through bores of the hub and first and second legs of the yoke, and the indexing stud being slidable within the through bores between a first position in which the tool head is secured in a fixed position relative to the handle, and a second position in which the tool head is pivotable relative to the handle.

Abstract: An installation tool for one or more components of a fluid filter includes a first body portion configured to engage a filter socket to advance the tool and filter components into the socket, and a second body portion configured to apply a direct force to one or more filter components. The first and second body portions can rotationally move relative to each other, such that the filter components may not grind against the socket or other filter components, which can, among other things, reduce or eliminate the creation of foreign object debris and/or minimize the amount of human force required to install the filter components.

Abstract: The invention resides in an apparatus for treatment of a substance. The apparatus has a substance tube for enabling a substance to be treated to pass in to the substance tube via the substance-inlet and out of the substance tube through the substance-outlet. The apparatus also has a cleaning chamber, wherein the substance tube is configured in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber to enable a substance to diffuse the permeable membrane between the substance tube and the cleaning chamber such that a substance can be substantially cleaned by a cleaner, the substance comprising blood or plasma and the cleaner comprising a cell culture. The substance tube is removably connectable with the cleaning chamber for inter-changeability or serviceability. The apparatus can further comprise a support compartment configured to connect to, or enclosing, the cleaning chamber, which functions to carry a fluid to substantially maintain the functionality of the cleaner.

Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus is constructed from a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism that are separate from each other. The first working mechanism is provided with a tire holding device for holding a tire and with a temporary tightening device for temporarily tightening nuts onto hub bolts to which the tire is mounted. The second working mechanism is provided with a final tightening device means for finally tightening the temporarily tightened nuts. The final tightening device includes two nut runners and an interval adjuster for adjusting an interval between the two nut runners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tools or devices which are commonly used for extracting or removing damaged or broken male threaded pipe fittings from their female threaded fitting counterparts. Said damaged male pipe fittings are often removed or extracted as a cost savings measure, in order to salvage the female fitting portion. This avoids the necessity and cost of discarding and replacing both the damaged or broken male fitting, as well as the undamaged female fitting or fittings. This salvage process is especially cost effective in cases where the broken or damaged male pipe fitting in question, is part of a larger, more expensive plumbing assembly or system.

Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated tool (10) has a piston (44) whose movement is controlled by a user operated handle (32) which controls air flow to reciprocate the piston through a housing (12). Accessories (70, 80) attachable to one end of the tool are used to remove gears, pulleys and axels, these operations being controlled by the user's movement of the handle.

Abstract: The present invention is to an improved a pneumatic oil filter removal tool. The tool has an outer housing formed of a somewhat rigid body surrounding a pressure sleeve. The pressure sleeve has a high friction surface on its interior surface and is shaped to receive a substantially cylindrical oil filter body. An inflation tool is provided to increase the pressure within the pressure sleeve. As pressure increases in the sleeve, an outer rigid wall provided by the rigid body around the sleeve directs the expansion inwardly. The increased pressure thus expands within the housing until it compresses against the filter body to securely receive the filter body. A high friction surface on the interior of the pressure sleeve allows the filter to be rotated as the pressure sleeve and housing are turned. This unique combination forms a pneumatic tool for grasping and turning an oil filter or similar body to be rotated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shield by fabricating a plunger plate to include outwardly extending blades on one surface thereof and coupling the plunger plate to a body of damping material with blades of the plunger plate adjacent the body of damping material. The damping material is configured to transition from a solid to a non-flowing viscous fluid state locally near the blades of the plunger plate as they are driven into the body.

Abstract: A mask assembly fabrication apparatus includes a first dustproof apparatus formed on a base surface, a first surface plate formed on the first dustproof apparatus, stages formed on the first surface plate, a mask frame placed on the stages, a second dustproof apparatus formed on the base surface to be separate from the first dustproof apparatus, a second surface plate formed on the second dustproof apparatus to be separate from the first surface plate, and a driving unit formed on the second surface plate and configured to move a mask.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of protecting at least a liner of an explosive charge from an environment comprises: applying a material onto or adjacent to the liner of the explosive charge, wherein prior to the step of applying, the liner is capable of being exposed to the environment, and wherein the material is capable of providing a protective barrier to at least the liner against the environment.

Abstract: A method of applying electroluminescent material to furniture or the like, the method including the steps of providing a suitable electroluminescent material with attached wiring and also providing a suitable power source, preparing the surface of the furniture or the like for receipt of the electroluminescent material with attached wiring including providing a passageway for the wiring, adhering the suitable electroluminescent material to a surface of the furniture or the like via a double sided adhesive, and passing the wiring through the passageway, placing a clear material above the electroluminescent material, which clear material includes translucent printing, placing an essentially opaque material provided with cut-outs over the clear material so that the printed design may be visible when the electroluminescent material is powered on, sealing the electroluminescent material, the printed clear material, and the essentially opaque material with a clear sealant that is applied over the various components

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a positive seal coupling and a pipe, including a frame, a stationary block assembly attached to the frame and having coupling gripping doors, and a traveling block assembly slidably attached to the frame and having pipe gripping doors. Two hydraulic ram cylinders are attached to the frame that have ram cylinder rods attached to the traveling block assembly so that the hydraulic ram cylinders can move the traveling block assembly toward the stationary block assembly. The coupling gripping doors are axially aligned with the pipe gripping doors so that when the hydraulic ram cylinders move the traveling block assembly toward the stationary block assembly, a pipe held by the pipe gripping doors is inserted into a coupling held by the coupling gripping doors.