Abstract: A convection dryer device is disclosed. The convection dryer uses a first fan speed before the leading edge of media reaches a first location in a drying area and a second fan speed, faster than the first fan speed, after the leading edge of media reaches first location.

Abstract: The invention relates to multilane printer for printing packaging material. The printer comprises a first lane for packaging material, a second lane for packaging material, and a printer head arranged in connection with the lanes. The lanes are arranged laterally offset in an overlapping manner, such that the printer head is able to simultaneously print on at least a portion of the packaging material travelling in each lane. The invention also relates to a multilane wrapping machine and a method for simultaneously printing a plurality of lanes for packaging material using one single printer head.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention there is provided a method of printing, with a printer, an image on a substrate, the printer comprising a substrate support. The method comprises obtaining an image to be printed, determining an offset position of a substrate positioned on the substrate support relative to a predetermined reference printing position, and controlling the printer to print the image to be printed at the determined offset position.

Abstract: A separation unit (10) of a label printer includes a metal nip roller shaft (11), a resin nip roller (12) disposed at a center part of the nip roller shaft and is supported so as to be rotatable around the nip roller shaft, and resin supporters (13) that support both ends of the nip roller shaft. The separation unit (10) is attached to the body case (2) to be relatively movable between the normal ejection position and the separation ejection position. Each of the pair of supporters has a part protruding toward the nip roller, and this part is a roller holder (13d) to insert an end of the nip roller shaft. The roller holder and the supporter are integrally formed for enhanced strength of the supporter.

Abstract: An elastic roller includes: a roller shaft; and an elastic member. The elastic roller includes an inner layer side elastic member, and a coating layer. The inner layer side elastic member includes a base layer and an intermediate layer located from the roller shaft in this order. The base and intermediate layers have a rubber hardness of 30 to 80 degrees that is measured by a durometer type A in accordance with the standard of JIS K 6253. The rubber hardness of the base layer is more than that of the intermediate layer. The coating layer is made of a silicone resin, and has a thickness of 10 to 100 ?m. The silicone resin has a hardness of 20 degrees or less that is measured using a spring-based Asker C type in accordance with SRIS 0101 standard. The inner layer side elastic member has a plurality of internal grooves along a circumferential direction. Each of the internal grooves has a width of 25 to 1,300 ?m, and has a depth of 25 to 500 ?m.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including a feeding device configured to feed a sheet in a feeding direction, a platen configured to support the sheet, a recording device configured to eject ink on the sheet, contacting members configured to contact the sheet, a detector configured to detect an end portion position of the sheet in a width direction, and a controller configured to control the feeding device and the recording device is provided. The contacting members are arranged at intervals in the width direction, and the controller performs a suppression process in which at least one of the feeding device and the recording device is controlled to suppress a contact of the sheet with the recording device when the end portion position detected by the detector is a position between the two adjacent contacting members.

Abstract: A fluid application system and method having a support structure for guiding a plurality of pallets along a path of travel through the system. The plurality of pallets for arranging a medium that receives fluid during operation. The system further includes an application assembly for applying fluid and energy to a medium arranged on the plurality of pallets and a conveyance arrangement comprising first and second conveyors for transferring the one or more pallets through the fluid application system. The first and second conveyors have a dedicated trolley selectively coupled to one of the plurality of pallets during movement along a first direction of the path of travel and selectively decoupled from the one of the plurality of pallets during movement along a second direction of the path of travel.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a plurality of liquid ejecting heads that have a nozzle-formed surface; a unit base to which the plurality of liquid ejecting heads are fixed; a lifter that is fixed to the apparatus main body and causes a position of the nozzle-formed surface to move with respect to the apparatus main body; and a non-contact sensor unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and the unit base and identifies a position of the nozzle-formed surface with respect to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An untethered, arbitrary-surface printing device includes a housing, a print head, positioning means, locomotive means, and sensors configured to perform multi-pass high-precision printing (i.e. at least 300 dots per inch) on nearly any surface texture.

Abstract: An apparatus for mitigating noise in a printer can include a plate having a plurality of holes distributed across the plate and extending through the plate. A portion of the plurality of holes can be dimensioned and configured to absorb acoustic noise across a given frequency band and another portion of the plurality of holes can be dimensioned and configured to absorb acoustic noise across another frequency band in a media path of a printer. The apparatus further can include an acoustic baffling material to cover the plate and that can be configured to dampen the acoustic noise across the given frequency band and the other frequency band.

Abstract: A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users' accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

Abstract: A device 300 for printing a succession of sheets, includes a platen press 310 for depositing colored or metalized film on each sheet by stamping between a stationary platen 320 and a movable platen 330. A heating element 340 brings a stamping tool integral with the stationary platen 320 to a given temperature for a stamping operation. The heating element 340 is displaced between an operating position between the stationary platen 320 and each stamping tool associated with that platen 320, and a maintenance position in which the heating element is outside the platen press 310.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for forming images comprising Braille, raised print, regular print, or a combination is described. The architecture for the printing of Braille dots using marking material such as UV gel ink. The UV gel ink is deposited on a drum that has an array of closely packed raised features like mesas that are cup-shaped. The mesas on drum are filled with the UV gel ink and transferred to paper or another substrate. Partial curing can occur on the drum and the dots can be fully cured after transfer to the substrate. The mesas are shaped so that the dots take on a final shape consistent with usual Braille features.

Abstract: Microwave dryer of a print system with modulation of the microwave source using FSK. In one embodiment, a microwave dryer includes a microwave source coupled with a waveguide. The waveguide transports electromagnetic energy to dry wet colorant applied by a printer to print media. The microwave source provides the electromagnetic energy at an operating frequency. The microwave dryer also includes a processor coupled with an FSK modulator that modulates the operating frequency of the microwave source. The processor determines a modulating signal with a modulating frequency based on a period of time for the print media to traverse the waveguide, and applies binary values that represent the number of frequencies to an input of the FSK modulator to cause the FSK modulator to output the series of discrete frequencies over the period of time to vary intensity positions of the electromagnetic energy across the width of the print media.

Abstract: A printing pad (2) having a double structure comprising a roughly quadrangular pyramid-shaped elastic body (2a) and a coating layer (2d) which covers a definite range of a side face (2b) including an apex (2c) of the elastic body (2a), wherein said elastic body (2a) and the coating layer (2d) contain a silicone oil to ensure ink transfer (receiving and delivering) and impart elasticity (flexibility), and the coating layer (2d) is made harder (i.e., containing the silicone oil in a smaller amount) than the elastic body (2a).

Abstract: A two-sided hinged note comprises a generally planar sheet, an adhesive, and a hinge. The sheet has opposing front and back sides, both of which are suitable to be written upon at least in part. The adhesive, which may be pressure-sensitive and re-adherable, is on an adhesive area of the back side of the note and is capable of adhering to a surface of an item such that the sheet is flat against the surface thereby presenting the front side of the sheet facing outward from the surface. The hinge is proximate the adhesive area, wherein the hinge is operable to pivot approximately 180° to thereby present the back side of the sheet facing outward from the surface as a the sheet is approximately flat against the surface of the item.

Abstract: There is described a printing machine for printing sheets, in particular sheets for the production of securities, banknotes, passports, ID cards and other valuable documents, comprising at least a sheet feeder, a printing unit, a delivery unit with delivery piles for the printed sheets and a sheet transport system for transporting the printed sheets along a transporting path from the printing unit to the delivery piles. The printing machine further comprises a laser perforating unit with at least one laser head disposed along the transporting path of the sheet transport system for perforating the printed sheets, and a first aspiration unit to maintain the printed sheets against an aspiration surface during perforation by said laser perforating unit.

Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents such as for example banknotes and identity documents against counterfeit and illegal reproduction. In particular, the invention relates to optical effect layers (OEL) showing a viewing-angle dependent optical effect, devices and processes for producing said OEL and items carrying said OEL, as well as uses of said optical effect layers as an anti-counterfeit means on documents.

Abstract: A plastic plate clip comprises a bottom plate, a hook and a torsional spring. The hook comprises rotating shafts provided on two sides of the front end, connecting portions are provided on two sides of the middle part, and a fixed portion is provided at the rear end, the two ends of each of the connecting portions are connected to an end of the respective rotating shaft and one end of the fixed portion, respectively. The bottom plate is a plastic plate, and the front end of the plastic plate arches upward to form an arc-shaped groove into which the other end of the rotating shaft is inserted. The torsional spring is sleeved onto the rotating shaft, and one end of the torsional spring is riveted to the rotating shaft while the other end thereof detachably presses against the bottom plate.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a document storage tray includes a tray body and a document panel defining a document storage region. The tray further includes two internal alignment rails disposed in the interior of the tray body. The internal alignment rails are configured to facilitate an alignment of documents that are stored in the document tray via a plurality of alignment rods coupled to the rails and a plurality of document storage sleeves, configured to receive and house documents. A document stored in the document tray may be viewed, read, or accessed without requiring removal from the document storage tray. In this way, the embodiments may save the user time and allow the user to store and organize documents in a manner that will preserve the organization when the document is viewed or read.

Abstract: A hook-and-loop fastening structure for a clipboard contains: a cover and an accommodation box rotatably connecting with the cover. The accommodation box includes an accommodating chamber, a fixing slot defined on one of two inner peripheral sides of the accommodating chamber, and two opposite insertion portions, wherein each insertion portion is arranged on each of two inner ends of the accommodating chamber. Each insertion portion has a recess and a through hole defined between and communicating with a bottom of the recess and the accommodating chamber. The fixing slot of the accommodating chamber is configured to house a clamper for clamping papers/documents, and a hook-and-loop fastener is connected with the two opposite insertion portions so as to fix an object (such as a mobile device or a tablet PC) in the clipboard, after inserting the hook-and-loop fastener into the recess and the through hole.

Abstract: Laser printable, dry-erase substrates, along with their methods of formation and use, are provided. The laser printable, dry-erase substrate can include a base sheet defining a surface and a dry-erase coating on the surface of the base sheet. The dry-erase coating comprises a film-forming polymeric material (e.g., a polyacryl, a polymethacryl, a polyurethane-polyacryl mixture, a polyurethane-polymethacryl mixture, an urethane-acryl copolymer, or a mixture thereof) and a wetting agent (e.g., a nonionic surfactant that has a polyethylene oxide chain and an aromatic hydrocarbon lipophilic or hydrophobic group). The film-forming polymeric material melts and flows at a laser printing temperature so as to bond to toner ink.

Abstract: The Beading Design Tool is a tool for creating bead designs utilizing the actual beads intended for the design. The beads are arranged on the Beading Design Tool, either in straight stitch or offset stitch configuration. The Beading Design Tool can accommodate various sized beads. The beader can easily alter a design, or correct an error, by simply removing those beads no longer wanted in the design and replacing them with other beads. Manipulating the design is easy and fast. Upon completion of the creation, the beader may transpose the beads on the Beading Design Tool to the loom, or free hand composition, thereby minimizing the possible error of adding, deleting a bead or selection of an incorrect color. The beader may also elect to keep the design on the Beading Design Tool as a guide and create the finished piece using a second set of beads.

Abstract: Container liquid catch rings which can be placed on a liquid container to catch and collect residual liquid from the container may include a ring body configured for placement on the liquid container in surrounding and substantially liquid-sealing relationship thereto. A ring opening may be formed by the ring body. The ring opening may be substantially sized and configured to accommodate the liquid container. A catch channel may be provided in the ring body in exterior concentric relationship to the ring opening. Liquid container and container liquid catch ring combinations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A design mount includes a design cutout having a design printed or adhered to the design surface and an adhesive tape on the back of the design cutout to mount the design cutout to any design surface. A plurality of design cutouts may be printed on a single sheet of material, and the design cutouts then cut out of the sheet. The design mount may also provide an artwork holder, having a shape that matches the shape of the design cutout. The inner perimeter of the holder may be about 1 mm smaller than the outer perimeter of the design cutout. The artwork holder may be heated, and the design cutout secured within the holder while the holder is heated. The holder then cools, providing a tight fit of the design cutout within the artwork holder.

Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, an annular hoop structure for supporting a load on the tire, a means for attachment to a vehicle rim, and a ply structure secured to a first axial limit and extending radially outward and between the hoop structure and the tread portion and further extending radially inward from between the hoop structure and tread portion to a second axial limit. The ply structure is secured to both the first axial limit and the second axial limit. The tread portion is secured to a radially outer surface of the ply structure. The hoop structure is secured to a radially inner surface of the ply structure.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface that includes a hub having a first axial direction of rotation. A plurality of rollers are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction. The wheel includes at least one magnet that is mounted to the hub. The hub is made of a magnetically inducible material that concentrates the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed. A method for traversing a magnetically inducible surface using the multidirectional wheel is further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclic mechanism for engaging or disengaging a switch with the stage of the cycle being determined by a height to which a first object is lifted relative to a second object. The mechanism has few moving parts, is inexpensive to manufacture, is reliable, can be incorporated into a wide range of devices or structures, and operates as an incident to raising or lowering a first object relative to a second.

Abstract: Device to avoid the aquaplaning problem on a vehicle (10), the device being applicable at least on the drive wheels (28) of the vehicle and including a tank (12) of fluid under pressure that is connected to a plurality of fluid ejectors (26) associated with the respective wheels and suitable to shoot jets of pressurized fluid onto the road surface, and sensors (18) suitable to detect the conditions of the road surface to actuate the fluid ejectors. The fluid ejectors (26) are injector nozzles controlled by a central processing unit (CPU), which receives the signals from the sensors (18), and are operated in a manner coordinated with the physical position of the respective wheel so as to be continually oriented in the direction of travel of the same wheel.

Abstract: Heavy load pneumatic radial tire according to the present invention includes: tread rubber 6 having laminated structure of cap rubber 5 and base rubber 4; and four or more belt layers 3a-3e disposed radially inward of tread rubber 6. A radially outer side of a width direction side edge of at least one of radially outermost belt layer 3e and widest-width belt layer 3c is covered by reinforcing rubber layer 7 that terminates on a radially inner side of tread rubber 6 without reaching tire equatorial plane E. Relative relation between reinforcing rubber constituting reinforcing rubber layer 7 and base rubber 4 in terms of modulus of rebound elasticity satisfies the condition: reinforcing rubber<base rubber 4.

Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

Abstract: A tire includes a tread, a crown with a crown reinforcement, first and second sidewalls, two beads, and a carcass reinforcement anchored to the two beads and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The tread includes a thermoplastic elastomer that is a block copolymer, which includes at least one elastomer block and at least one thermoplastic block. A total content of the thermoplastic elastomer in the tread is within a range varying from 65 to 100 phr (parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer).

Abstract: A car seat occupancy alert system includes an occupancy sensor imbedded in or positioned atop the seat portion of an infant car seat in a vehicle. The alert system includes an engine sensor configured to detect when a vehicle engine has been turned off. The occupancy sensor may be electrically connected to a controller (e.g. a control circuit or process). When the engine is deactivated, the controller determines if the car seat is still occupied after a predetermined time and, at first, energizes a dash light as a gentle reminder for the driver to retrieve the child and, later, actuates more aggressive audio and visual alarms to alert the driver and public to a child left in the vehicle. The alert system also provides an interrupt so that a user can add additional time before an alarm is actuated.

Abstract: A tire having a crown reinforcement (5), comprising at least one crown layer (51), and a carcass reinforcement (6), comprising at least one turned-up carcass layer (61), the turned-up carcass layer (61) comprising mutually parallel reinforcers turned up, within each bead, from the inside towards the outside of the tire around a bead wire (7), to form a turn-up (8) comprising a free end (E). The turned-up carcass layer (61) comprises a crown portion (611) and a lateral portion (612), the crown portion (611) extending axially between a first and a second end (E1, E?1) which is symmetric about the equatorial plane (P), the lateral portion (612) extending radially inwards, from a first end (E2) as far as a second end (E3). The reinforcers of the lateral portion (612) and the reinforcers of the turn-up (8) form, with the circumferential direction (X), specified angles.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass layer, a belt layer that is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the carcass layer, and a tread rubber that is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the belt layer. The pneumatic tire also includes at least three circumferential main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of land portions that are defined by these circumferential main grooves. The belt layer includes an inner-side cross belt and outer-side cross belt having belt angles of not less than 51° and not more than 80° as absolute values with respect to the tire circumferential direction, the belt angles having mutually opposite signs, and a circumferential reinforcing layer having a belt angle that satisfies a range of ±5° with respect to the tire circumferential direction.

Abstract: A vehicle tire including a tread intended for a rolling contact against a foundation, the tread having a tread pattern which includes circumferential and transverse grooves for removing water from a contact patch between the foundation and the tire, and anti-skid studs mounted in the tread and including a stud body and a hard metal pin secured thereto. An end of the metal pin, intended against a foundation, is formed as an inclined surface, whereby the metal pin has its end provided with the inclined surface acting on the foundation in an axial direction of the metal pin to a varying depth and the inclined surface being placed relative to a rotating direction of the tire in such an orientation that, as the tire is rolling freely forward, a leading edge of the hard metal pin to impinge first on the foundation is lower than a trailing edge.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a side wall having a side surface and dimples formed on the side surface. The side surface has the tire maximum width point, the dimples are aligned along circumferential rows in concentric form with respect to the tire axis such that the dimples form lateral ribs and longitudinal ribs, the lateral ribs each have radially outer side surface and radially inner side surface and include first and second ribs, the first rib is formed such that the height from the dimple bottom at the inner side surface and the height from the dimple bottom at the outer side surface are equal, the second rib is formed such that the height from the dimple bottom at the inner side surface is greater than the height from the dimple bottom at the outer side surface, and the second rib is positioned radially inward from the maximum width point.

Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a pair of beads, a carcass and a pair of bead fillers laminated outward with respect to the beads in the axial direction, respectively. Each bead includes a core and an apex, the carcass includes a carcass ply folded back around the core and having a main portion and a folding-back portion, each bead filler has an outer edge, an inner edge and a fitting portion to fit to a rim, the fitting portion includes a bottom surface to make contact with a seat surface of the rim and an outer-side contact surface to make contact with a flange of the rim, and the outer-side contact surface has inner-side, outer-side and middle portions such that when not mounted to the rim, the middle portion is recessed inward with respect to imaginary straight line L1 passing through outer edges of the inner-side and outer-side portions.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass having at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a belt structure disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure includes at least one layer of a three dimensional fabric including a frame structure of fabric and open cells defined by the frame structure.

Abstract: A run flat tire having improved run flat durability is provided. The run flat tire has a side wall part reinforced by a side reinforcing rubber part, and the side reinforcing rubber part is formed by a rubber composition which comprises 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber containing natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber, and from 0.1 to 4.0 parts by mass of a mercaptobenzimidazole compound.

Abstract: A tire position determination system is provided with: a plurality of tire air pressure transmitters each capable of transmitting a first radio signal including air pressure data and a tire ID; a plurality of axle rotation detection units each generating axle rotation information; and a receiver mounted to a vehicle body and capable of receiving the first radio signal. Each of the plurality of tire air pressure transmitters includes a specific position detection unit capable of detecting the arrival of the tire air pressure transmitter at a specific position on a trajectory of rotation of the tire, and a transmission control unit that, based on a result of detection, generates a second radio signal including data indicating the arrival of the tire air pressure transmitter at the specific position on the trajectory of rotation of the tire and the ID. The receiver includes a position determination unit that determines a tire position of the plurality of tires based on the second radio signal.

Abstract: A device for Controlling pressure is disclosed which comprises a pump (28) having opposed pistons (30) which reciprocate in cylinders (40) carried by a casing (38). The pistons (30) are at the outer ends of rings (50) which are themselves fitted to an eccentric (26). The eccentric (28) is integral with a clutch plate (24). A second clutch plate (22) is fixed to a non-rotating axle (18) which itself forms part of a hanging counterweight structure (20). A piston (84) pushes the eccentric and clutch plate (26, 24) against the clutch plate (22) thereby to prevent the eccentric (26) tire from rotating with the rings (50) upon a sensor detecting that a tire has a low pressure in it. Stopping the eccentric initiates the pumping action of the pistons (30).

Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

Abstract: A hitch mount assembly selectively securable to a hitch ball receiver is shown and described. The hitch mount assembly may include a mount body operatively engaged with an underside portion of the hitch ball receiver, where the mount body has an attachment feature to be selectively secured to an article such as a brush, and a clamp body selectively secured to the mount body and positioned on a top portion of the hitch ball receiver. The hitch mount assembly may also include at least one fastener selectively securing the clamp body to the mount body with the hitch ball receiver positioned between the clamp body and the mount body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a towing assembly that is used in towing operations to avoid damage or injury to persons when a soft tow apparatus, such as a tow strap, tow rope, or cable, fails during vehicle recovery operations. The assembly comprises: (a) a recovery strap that can be connected to a towing vehicle and a vehicle to be towed; (b) a diffuser strap that can be connected to a towing vehicle and a vehicle to be towed and (c) two or more sleeves disposed on the diffuser strap. The diffuser strap captures and dissipates the kinetic and potential energy that is released when the recovery strap breaks.

Abstract: In the case of a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, including a cross member, which is connectable to a motor vehicle body, and a bearing unit, which carries a ball neck that at a first end is connected to the bearing unit and at a second end carries a coupling ball, and a holding base, which carries the bearing unit and is connected to the cross member, it is proposed according to the invention that the holding base should have a flange unit, for receiving the bearing unit, and two holding elements that project from the flange unit and in so doing run at a spacing from one another and act on the cross member.

Abstract: A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

Abstract: A swing arm having a reduced number of parts in which manufacturing cost can be reduced. In a swing arm including: vehicle-body-side support portions that are supported on a vehicle body side by a first rotary shaft; wheel-side support portions that are supported on a wheel side by a second rotary shaft; and a pair of arm portions that connect the vehicle-body-side support portions and the wheel-side support portions to each other, cross members that extend in an axial direction of the first rotary shaft is arranged on the pair of arm portions so as to extend between the pair of arm portions, and the cross members have a U shape in cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the cross members, thus forming opening portions that open so as to face a direction that the pair of arm portions extends.

Abstract: A leaf spring bearing for a vehicle with a transverse leaf spring. The leaf spring bearing includes an upper bearing block and a lower bearing block between which a portion of the transverse leaf spring can be interposed. Each bearing block is formed at least partially of elastic material and comprises an upper support surface and a lower support surface. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has a bearing core and an insert positioned in the elastic material between the upper and lower support surfaces so as to define three layers of the elastic material within the at least one bearing block. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has two support plates arranged either outside the elastic material or at least partially surrounded by the elastic material in the area of the upper and lower support surfaces of the bearing block.