Abstract: A sheet feed device comprises: a sheet feed tray configured to be enabled to be drawn from a main body of an image forming apparatus; a bottom plate arranged in the sheet feed tray and configured to stack thereon a plurality of sheets; a driving unit configured to move the bottom plate upward; a drive transmitting unit configured to transmit a driving force from a drive source arranged on the main body to the driving unit; and a one-way rotation transmitting unit configured to unidirectionally transmit input from the drive transmitting unit to the driving unit and configured to be arranged on one side of the drive transmitting unit opposite to a side connected to the driving unit.

Abstract: This game-piece launching toy, which is a toy used while playing games in which game-pieces such as marbles are launched, includes a toy body; a flipping member installed on the toy body; a pushing member configured to move a game-piece placed on the toy body toward a tip of the flipping member; and a restriction member installed on the toy body to be movable with respect to the toy body and operated by a user to restrict the flipping member. The game-piece loaded into the toy body is launched from the toy body using a restriction force acting on the flipping member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for playing football (1), comprising a ball (16), a base (7) on which at least one ball holder is provided, an accelerating element (2, 2?), and a drive arrangement for the accelerating element (2, 2?). The drive arrangement carries the accelerating element (2, 2?) and is designed to drive the accelerating element from a starting position (SP) towards the ball holder, such that the accelerating element (2, 2?) impacts on the ball (16) under propulsion. The accelerating element (2, 2?) is fastened to the drive arrangement in a position-adjustable manner by means of a fastening arrangement, such that the impact position (AP) of the accelerating element (2, 2?) on the ball (16) located on the ball holder is adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention is an additional bet to the game of Keno. The last ball drawn is used as a basis for betting. The player may bet any one of five ways: the exact number, whether it is top half or lower half, which quadrant it falls in: lowest, mid low, mid high, highest; whether it is odd or even, or the last digit of the number of the last drawn ball. The betting is added to a Keno betting ticket.

Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.

Abstract: With conventional playing cards, when a game player holds together cards (the hand) in his/her hand during a game, if the cards are held shifted from each other, the indexes of all the cards in the corners thereof can be seen. If someone commits cheating (peeking) for the purpose of fraud, such third person can know all the cards held by the game player. Playing cards of the present invention can prevent fraudulent acts such as peeking in card games. Playing cards (1) form a single deck with fifty two cards, and are made up of two types of cards, namely, cards (1a) having an index (2), which indicates a numerical value that represents a rank, only in the upper left and lower right portions thereof, and cards (1b) having the index (2) only in the upper right and lower left portions thereof.

Abstract: A clearing trap for decelerating bullets including a housing and bullet deceleration material disposed within the housing. The bullet deceleration material may include a plurality of layers of rubber material and metal for safely decelerating a bullet. Further, the layers of rubber material may have different densities and different types of metal may be used to decelerate a bullet. The clearing trap may also include vent holes for dissipation of the force generated from discharging a firearm in the housing and diverters which channel vented gasses away from a shooter.

Abstract: A spinning ball game and game apparatus includes a hollow sphere within which a plurality of smaller spheres, such as metal balls, are captivated. The agitation and movement of the sphere causes orbital and randomized motion of the smaller balls within the sphere's interior. Various game play patterns are provided which utilize the manipulation skills of the game player in maintain a predetermined distribution of the small balls orbiting and moving within the sphere interior. The sphere includes a designated zone on the sphere interior surface. Typically, the sphere is held by a player, during game play, such that the zone occupies the lower portion of the sphere.

Abstract: A device is for supporting within a coating chamber a mechanical seal face (8) having an annular sealing surface. The device includes a frame (1) housing first support means (9) for supporting the seal face when the device is in a first orientation with the annular sealing surface resting on a surface of said first support means.

Abstract: A piston seal assembly including a piston, plate, and seal is provided. The piston is slidably supported on a shaft or in a housing, and includes a recess on an inner or outer radial portion. The plate is fastened to the piston and extends at least partially adjacent to the recess. The seal is located at least partially within the recess of the piston. The seal includes a radial sealing surface that engages the shaft or the housing, and the seal is axially movable between the piston and the plate via hydraulic fluid pressure.

Abstract: A seal apparatus, for sealing around a rotating shaft such as a propeller shaft of a watercraft between the exterior water and an interior lubricant space, includes a multiple seal arrangement with plural seal rings forming seal chambers therebetween, and plural fluid medium lines supplying and/or returning a respective fluid medium to a respective seal chamber. A section of a first medium line is formed as an axial passage through a housing of the apparatus, and a section of a second medium line is formed by a pipe arranged within the axial passage in the housing. A method of making such an apparatus especially by retrofitting an existing seal arrangement involves inserting a pipe into an axial passage in the housing in order to establish two medium lines through the housing where there was previously only one medium line.

Abstract: A bullet seal tail section is reconfigured from a groove flanked by tapered surfaces that engage an o-ring seal to an end design on the bullet seal that has tapered surfaces that meet at a first angle and a pin with an end taper that has counterpart surfaces that slope more with respect to an axis of the seal. The o-ring is on an opposite side of the pin from the tail of the bullet seal. Large differentials evenly push out the bullet seal tail and uniformly compress the o-ring for a larger contact area at greater contact force than previously known. The o-ring is reformed into a generally quadrilateral shape from round due to the applied loading.

Abstract: A permanently lubricated film gasket for providing a fluid-tight seal between a corrugated pipe and a smooth annular section of an outer pipe or section when the corrugated pipe and the outer pipe or section are in a relative surrounded and surrounding relationship. A first portion of the gasket is shaped to fit within a groove or recess of the corrugated pipe. A second portion of the gasket extends from the first portion. The second portion is at least partially comprised of permanently lubricated film for facilitating in the connection of the pipes along a single direction.

Abstract: A stationary part sealing structure 10 of an embodiment has an insertion groove 20 formed annularly across a circumferential direction in a wall surface 111a and having a groove part 21 and projections 25, 26 projecting respectively from both side faces of the groove part 21 so as to narrow an opening 22 of the groove part 21, an insertion groove 30 formed annularly across a circumferential direction in a wall surface 110a which opposes the insertion groove 20 and having a groove part 31 and projections 35, 36 projecting respectively from both side faces of the groove part 31 so as to narrow an opening 32 of the groove part 31, and a platy annular sealing member 40 having an outer diameter side end 41 inserted in the insertion groove 20 and an inner diameter side end 42 inserted in the insertion groove 30.

Abstract: A device for clamping a collet in a machine tool having a rotatable spindle and a spindle nose thereon includes a mounting portion fastenable to the spindle and a clamping portion extending from the mounting portion. A bore is defined through the clamping portion and the mounting portion. At least one moveable ring is located within a portion of the bore defined by the clamping portion, the moveable ring being configured to receive the collet or any other appropriate clamping tool. At least one screw is mounted in the clamping portion and can be tightened against the moveable ring. The collet or clamping tool is attachable to the spindle nose of the machine tool and is drawn into the bore of the clamping portion. A method of clamping a collet includes providing the clamping device, attaching the device to the machine tool, inserting the collet into the clamping device, and attaching the collet to the spindle nose.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck assembly including a dielectric layer with a top surface to support a workpiece. A cooling channel base disposed below the dielectric layer includes a plurality of inner fluid conduits disposed beneath an inner portion of the top surface, and a plurality of outer fluid conduits disposed beneath an outer portion of the top surface. A chuck assembly includes a thermal break disposed within the cooling channel base between the inner and outer fluid conduits. A chuck assembly includes a fluid distribution plate disposed below the cooling channel base and the base plate to distribute a heat transfer fluid delivered from a common input to each inner or outer fluid conduit. The branches of the inner input manifold may have substantially equal fluid conductance.

Abstract: A tool system having a hand-held machine tool including a tool holder for receiving an insert tool; and a mounting interface configured for mounting thereon: an angle attachment that includes an angle locking section for locking on the mounting interface and an angle drive unit; and an eccentric attachment that includes an eccentric locking section for locking on the mounting interface and an eccentric drive unit.

Abstract: Provided is a wheelchair having a frame and a wheels mounted thereto, the wheelchair including: a removable seat having a rigid mount portion, a frame mounting element rigidly coupled to the frame and configured for rigidly coupling to the mount portion, and an adjusting mechanism coupled to the mounting element for adjusting the disposition thereof with respect to the mount portion.

Abstract: A stroller frame with an automatic brake mechanism actuatable by hand detecting includes at least a first rear wheel, a first locking mechanism, a second rear wheel, a second locking mechanism, a battery and a hand-detecting handle. The hand-detecting handle is capable of detecting the caregiver's hand by a change of capacitance on its surface, generating a first control signal to a power supply circuit when the caregiver's hand is near, and generating a second control signal to the power supply circuit when the caregiver's hand is absent. The power supply circuit may provide currents in different direction to the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism according to the first control signal and the second control signal, so as to lock the rear wheels once the caregiver's hand has left the hand-detecting handle, and unlock the rear wheels when the caregiver's hand near the hand-detecting handle automatically.

Abstract: A passenger service vehicle includes one or more suspension mounts. Each suspension mount attaches a front axle to a chassis. In some cases, the axle is a drop beam axle. The or each suspension mount is further mounted with one or more suspension components of the following: suspension arm links, suspension air springs, suspension dampeners, anti-roll bars and Panhard rods.

Abstract: A leveling valve for discharging and supplying air from and to a plurality of utilization elements comprises a valve disc arrangement configured to direct air between a source of pressurized air, an exhaust port, and the utilization elements. The valve disc arrangement comprises a first and a second valve disc, which are rotatable with respect to each other such that the valve is switchable between multiple switching positions, and, in some switching positions, either the source of pressurized air or the exhaust port are in fluid communication with the utilization elements. The valve discs provide a stepped increase in flow cross-section in a respective flow path to or from the utilization elements. The stepped increase is dependent on the angle of rotation between the valve discs.

Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially defines a first spring chamber therebetween. A damping chamber wall at least partially defines a damping chamber. A damper piston is received within the damping chamber and is operatively connected between the first and second end members and within the first spring chamber. A suspension system that includes a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.

Abstract: The present application provides a rubber spring, including a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, the first mounting plate having a first V-shaped plate with an opening angle larger than 90°, and the second mounting plate having a second V-shaped plate with an opening angle larger than 90°; and a plurality of rubber layers arranged between the first V-shaped plate and the second V-shaped plate, wherein each two adjacent rubber layers are separated by an intermediate plate, the intermediate plate is a V-shaped plate with an opening angle larger than 90°, and openings of the first V-shaped plate, the second mounting plate and the intermediate plate are facing the same direction. The present application further provides a rubber suspension system and a truck.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the stability of bicycles fitted with at least one seat for transporting children, by recentering and lowering the centre of gravity of the child via a specific frame structure, optionally in combination with a choice of reduced wheel diameters and/or an increase in the spacing of the pedals. The location for the feet (31) of the child is inside the supporting structure (9, 10?) of the bicycle linking the seat tube (4?) to the rear wheel axle (14).

Abstract: A recumbent cycle includes a toothed belt drive system and rear suspension. It also includes a double A-arm suspension assembly and at least one transmission having a planetary gear arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a road holding ability mechanism applied to a motorcycle with two wheels in front. The mechanism may be configured on a three-wheeled motorcycle which has two front wheels and a single rear wheel or on a four-wheeled motorcycle with two front wheels as well as two rear wheels. Under any operating condition, the mechanism enables the two front wheels to offer great road holding ability, that is, to remain stable when moving so as to ensure the motorcycle against rollovers. The present invention includes a simple and innovative structure.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitching system adaptable to quick coupling with both ball and pintel hook trailer couplers without the need to remove the pintel hook trailer coupler. The system incorporates an improved trailer hitch ball capable of meeting or exceeding all the Class I-V trailer hitch ball load requirements and dimensional tolerances yet with enhanced protection against crack development at the ball/ball stem. The ball can be sized for different purposes without being removed from the tow vehicle. It also includes a removable trailer hitch alignment system that can align both pintel hooks and the various sizes of trailer tongues.

Abstract: A stroller for carrying a child or child restraint system, that may comprise an additional storage area or child support system when expanded. The frames include a mechanism whereby the base of the frame is expanded rearward to create a storage space roughly behind the baby seat, and optionally where a top to the storage area folds up from the rear of the frame to complete the storage area. The stroller may include detachable wheels. The stroller may also include handles or push bars that may optionally include mechanisms to assist in expanding or contracting the storage area. The stroller may also be constructed so as to be collapsible for storage.

Abstract: A collapsible or foldable cart, shopping cart, utility cart or supermarket cart. The cart includes: a basket mounted on top of a plurality of wheels; and a bridge element to engage with an edge of a vehicular trunk. The bridge element is connected at a point located between the basket and the wheels. The bridge element is moveable on one or more fixed rails that are connected within the cart underneath the basket substantially in parallel to an axis of the basket. The rails are an integral part of the cart and are not fixedly attached to the vehicular trunk.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a steering system, a first through-hole is formed in a stationary bracket secured to vehicle body. A second through-hole is formed in a movable bracket that is movable relative to the stationary bracket in a prescribed direction at the time of a secondary collision. A pin passed through both the first through-hole and the second through-hole breaks at a position between the first through-hole and the second through-hole at the time of the secondary collision, thereby allowing the movable bracket to move relative to the stationary bracket. An under plate attached to the movable bracket closes the second through-hole from below.

Abstract: A steering shaft bearing unit for rotatably mounting a steering shaft of a steering column for a motor vehicle includes an outer metal sheet having at least one circumferentially closed region for accommodating at least one bearing for rotatably mounting the steering shaft, and at least one securing region for securing the steering shaft bearing unit to a console part of the steering column. In the securing region, the outer metal sheet has an opening delimited by at least two opposite securing flanges which project freely from the outer metal sheet and which are part thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle for transporting passengers can include a passenger section, an elevated passenger section, a subfloor discontinuity, and a retractable step. The subfloor discontinuity can be located between the passenger section and the elevated passenger section. The subfloor discontinuity can span the elevation change. The retractable step can be located at the subfloor discontinuity. The retractable step can include a housing, a riser door, and an articulating tread. The housing can at least partially surrounds a volume. The riser door can be in rotatable engagement with the housing such that the riser door rotates into and out of the volume of the housing. The articulating tread can be in rotatable engagement with the housing such that the riser door rotates into and out of the volume of the housing. The retractable step can articulate between a step position and a ramp position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle for transporting passengers can include a chassis, a support member, and a labyrinthine girder. The support member can be rigidly engaged to and project from the chassis. The labyrinthine girder can include a coupling platform that is coupled to the support member. The labyrinthine girder can form a partial enclosure that surrounds a portion of the frame rail. An offset distance can be disposed between the labyrinthine girder and the frame rail.

Abstract: A clipboard case having an interior compartment, a top writing surface, which top writing surface includes a dry-erase board. The clipboard case combines the functions of a clipboard with those of a paper-carrying case and a white board writing surface. The clipboard case is hinged along its left side to allow a user to open it and access interior compartment for storage and has a latch for closure. At the back of the top surface may be situated a spring-loaded clip assembly for retaining papers on the top writing surface. In one embodiment, a calculator is attached to the clip assembly. The top writing surface includes a non-porous, dry erase surface, also known as a whiteboard which may be recessed into the top writing surface thereby making it flush with the top surface. The whiteboard is utilized to write upon using a dry erase pen.

Abstract: An erasable loop scheduler with a board and a loop system is disclosed. The board has a first and second side, each having a viewing pane that displays a different portion of the loop system. The loop system includes a grid system that can be configured like a calendar. A user can write out a full month of dates and appointments on the first side of the board and another full month of dates and appointments on the second side of the board. Once a row of events has passed, the loop system can be advanced, at which point the row of past events moves to the second side of the board. The user may then erase that row of events and replace with upcoming dates and appointments. Alternatively, the user may keep the row of events for future reference.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optically variable element as well as a method for the production thereof. In a first area the optically variable element has at least one first color region which in the event of illumination generates a color dependent on the angle of observation and/or angle of illumination. The first color region has two or more zones (41 to 47) arranged next to each other. The two or more zones arranged next to each other have in each case a width and/or length dimension of less than 300 ?m. In at least one first zone (41) of the zones (41 to 47) of the first color region a thin-film interference filter (15) is provided with at least one interference layer (17). The interference layer (17) of the thin-film interference filter (15) has a first average thickness (d1) in the first zone (41).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vacuum attachment for reaching smaller spaces includes a gasket and narrow tubing. The gasket includes i. a cap member sized to fit over an open end of a vacuum hose, the cap member having an inner surface and a central hole to accommodate a narrow tube; ii. an inner wall extending from the central hole of the cap and gripping the narrow tube; and iii. an outer wall extending from the cap member to a distal edge and accommodating the vacuum hose; iv. a middle wall between the inner and outer walls, the middle wall stiffening the gasket for more convenient and accommodating an additional size of vacuum hose, the outer and middle walls being equipped with ribs on the internal sides of the walls, the ribs extending from the cap to the distal ends of the walls; and v.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a fluid line to a housing section of a turbomachine is disclosed. A lower and an upper pair of flanges are arranged offset from each other about a channel axis of a fluid channel and are arranged without a space between each other in a direction of the channel axis, where the feed-throughs of the upper pair of flanges are open circumferentially.

Abstract: A fitting for joining pipe elements together includes housing portions held preassembled in spaced apart relation to permit pipe elements to be inserted without disassembly of the fitting. Elbow and tee fittings include sealing elements which support the housing portions in spaced relation. Angled surfaces on each housing portion interact with one another to rotate the housing portions in opposite directions to form a rigid joint between the fitting and the pipe elements.

Abstract: A rotatable joint includes a body configured for connecting to an external system and provided with an internal hole arranged for being traversed by pressurised fluid, a tubular element on an end of which a hose can be inserted that is sealingly coupled with the joint and provided with a further through hole that defines, together with the internal hole, a longitudinal channel that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis within which the pressurised fluid flows. The joint further includes an annular closing element fixed to the tubular body by a threaded connection and a rotatable coupling arrangement that acts at least in a longitudinal direction to enable mutual rotation between the tubular element and the tubular body.

Abstract: This invention provides a rotatable joint for use with piping systems, optionally sanitary piping systems such as those used in food processing, pharmaceutical processing, and the like, essentially anything which enters a living body or otherwise requiring a “clean room” manufacturing environment. The rotatable joint offers a structure which can be cleaned in place without disassembling the joint or the piping system in which the joint is embodied. In the joint, a tube fitting fits into a housing, with a seal therebetween, wherein the gap between the fluid-contacting surfaces of the housing and the tube fitting is of limited dimension, and that gap is filled by a circumferential protruding portion of the seal, such that the area of the gap presents only a very small area for potentially housing residual material when the joint is cleaned in place.

Abstract: A telescopic joint for a marine drilling riser has an outer barrel and an inner barrel defining a central lumen for passage of a drill pipe string. The inner barrel is received within the outer barrel, and there is a clearance fit between the barrels for sliding of the inner barrel with respect to the outer barrel while maintaining a coaxial relationship between the barrels. A tubular rolling elastomeric membrane is disposed within the outer barrel and has one end secured to an outer circumference of the inner barrel and another end secured to an inner circumference of the outer barrel for sealing drilling fluid within the central lumen. As the inner barrel slides with respect to the outer barrel, the elastomeric membrane rolls with respect to the inner barrel and the outer barrel so that wear of the seal due to abrasion is eliminated.

Abstract: A loom having pins formed with a base, wherein the pins have a lip that is transverse to the axial shaft of the pin. The base has openings at the juncture of each pin with the base, and each opening is located directly beneath the corresponding lip of the pin when the pins are vertical and extend upward from the base, thereby avoiding the need for any multiple-component mold sections. Mold halves are preferably used to form the loom, the first mold half having fingers that extend into cavities in the second mold half. The lips of each pin are formed between the tip of each finger and the deepest wall of each cavity.

Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are provided. An exemplary system includes a wind driven doubly fed induction generator having a rotor and a stator, the stator providing AC power to a stator bus. The system further includes a power converter coupled to the rotor of the doubly fed induction generator, the power converter providing an output to a line bus, and a transformer coupled to the stator bus. The system further includes a solid-state switch coupled between the stator bus and the transformer.

Abstract: A shovel includes: an engine generating a drive power; a generator performing a generating operation using the drive power transmitted from the engine; an electric accumulator having a plurality of electric storage cells in which an electric power generated by the generator is accumulated, the electric accumulator supplying an electric power to an electric load of the shovel; and an equalizing circuit provided to each of the electric storage cells and including a discharge resistor and a switching circuit in order to equalize capacitances of the electric storage cells. A determination is made as to whether to activate the equalizing circuit based on a variation in outputs of the electric storage cells.

Abstract: A generator-type pressure relief device includes: a housing; a propeller disposed in the housing; a shaft fixed to the center of rotation of the propeller; a generator unit that generates electricity by receiving rotational torque from the shaft; an electricity storage unit that stores electricity generated by the generator unit; an electronic brake operated by an electric signal supplied from the outside to suppress the axial rotation of the shaft; a control unit that sends an electric signal to the electronic brake to control the operation of the electronic brake; and a water pressure sensor provided in the water supply pipe or the water drainage pipe or the housing so as to transfer water pressure information on the water to the control unit, and which allows the control unit to control the electronic brake.

Abstract: An electric apparatus comprises a stator having an array of coils positioned within its periphery and a first rotor having an array of magnet pairs positioned within its periphery. The first rotor has one face adjacent to the stator. A second rotor made of conductive material is positioned adjacent to another face of the first rotor. A coupling mechanism may be connected to the second rotor. The electric apparatus may be connected to an electric power source and act as a motor for driving a mechanical load attached to the coupling mechanism. The electric apparatus may alternatively be connected to an electric load, a turbine being attached to the coupling mechanism for generating electric power. An enclosure may protect components of the electric apparatus against external elements, for example to allow underwater operation.