Abstract: A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for compensating for a speed differential between an imaging system and an on-line development/finishing processor in an electronic pre-press system using a transfer buffer having a plurality of storage devices. Each storage device comprises a first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, and a system for securing the first and second sections together to form a storage device, wherein the storage device has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing a leading end of the media, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot, and wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sections form an exterior surface of the storage device.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for producing a double roll fabric construction useful as a receptacle for, e.g., eyeglasses. The construction is comprised of adjacent rolled up portions disposed in side by side relation so as to be unrollable to form a receiving space therebetween. The rolling device includes a pair of spindles disposed in parallel relation and adapted to respectively receive opposite ends of a stretchable fabric so that rotation of the spindles causes rolling up of the fabric around the spindles. Respective pinion gears are mounted on the spindles and are disposed in engagement with, and ride along, a rack member. A drive unit produces movement of the pinion gears toward each other along the rack member so as to produce rotation of the second spindles and resultant wrapping of the fabric around the respective spindles to produce respective fabric rolls of the double roll fabric construction. After the construction is removed from the spindles, the ends are sewn to produce the receptacle.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to a hose winder for coiling hose, particularly firefighting hose, comprising a fixed back plate with a rotating hub containing a plurality of tines and an inner plate having a plurality of holes through which the tines protrude. The hose winder produces consistently circular coiled hose and the fire hose can be pushed away from the back plate by the inner plate, via foot pedal, moving the fire hose away from the back plate for easy removal of the fire hose by a single operator.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to a hose winder for coiling hose, particularly firefighting hose, comprising a fixed back plate with a rotating hub containing a plurality of tines and an inner plate having a plurality of holes through which the tines protrude. The hose winder produces consistently circular coiled hose and the fire hose can be pushed away from the back plate by the inner plate, via foot pedal, moving the fire hose away from the back plate for easy removal of the fire hose by a single operator.

Abstract: A control mechanism that loads/unloads data storage tape is part of a tape drive that receives a removable tape cartridge. The tape cartridge stores the data storage tape that is movable using the control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a plurality of gears, together with a cam. A leader assembly is operably connected to the control mechanism. At least portions of the leader assembly are movable in connection with loading or unloading the data storage tape relative to the leader assembly. A leader pin is joined to an end of the data storage tape. When the loading operation is performed, portions of the leader assembly are moved generally linearly into the tape cartridge and then the control mechanism causes such portions to pivot in order to engage the leader pin and remove it from its seat. When the unloading operation is performed, the portions of the leader assembly are moved in substantially opposite directions from the loading operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a film has a cutting mechanism for cutting an elongate film, first and second feed mechanisms disposed on respective opposite sides of the cutting mechanism, an inserting mechanism for inserting an end of the film into a spool, and a cam switching mechanism for changing the timing of operation of the cutting mechanism depending on sized films having various different lengths. The sized films having various different lengths can automatically and easily be inserted into spools with a simple arrangement.

Abstract: A floor cover removal tool having a rigid roller of substantially cylindrical shape with an internal clamp for holding the end of the floor covering being removed.

Abstract: A roll photo film includes a spool which has a cylindrical core. A light-shielding sheet has a front end portion and a rear end portion. The front end portion is secured to the core. A first end of a photo filmstrip is secured to one securing position on the light-shielding sheet. The photo filmstrip is wound about the core in a roll form with the light-shielding sheet. A roll photo film producing apparatus includes a punch/die set, which has a trimming punch and a trimming die, and trims the rear end portion with a reduced width. A hole-forming punch and a hole-forming die are incorporated in the punch/die set, and cut a retaining hole through the rear end portion in a simultaneous manner with trimming of the rear end portion.

Abstract: A winding device for fire hoses (40, 42), loading straps, etc., comprises a freely rotatably mounted, sleeve-shaped coil (12) having a longitudinal cavity (36) which, circumferentially, is defined between two clamp faces (14a, 14b). Within the cavity (36) is disposed a clamp means (34) firmly connected to a crank device (26′, 26, 24, 32) and pivotal from a first position, resting against a first clamp face (14a), to a second position, resting against a second clamp face (14b). The clamp means (34) is a straight, rod-shaped element connected to the crank shaft (24) through a lateral crank arm (32) outside the inner cavity (12′) of the coil (12). A starting portion of a fire hose, e.g. a loop-shaped portion (42) at the center of a double-laid fire hose (40), can be placed around such a clamp means (34), whereupon the hose is wound up.

Abstract: An improved tape drive (10) includes a cartridge receiver (18) and a buckler (20). The cartridge receiver (18) receives a cartridge (22) having a cartridge leader (28). The buckler (20) selectively retains a drive leader (32) of the tape drive (10). The tape drive (10) and cartridge (22) include a buckle (30) that securely couples the drive leader (32) of the tape drive (10) to the cartridge leader (28) of the cartridge (22). The buckler (20) includes one or more buckler retainers (96) and a deflector (121). The buckler retainers (96) selectively engage the drive leader (32) and move the drive leader (32) relative to the cartridge leader (28) to couple the drive leader (32) to the cartridge leader (28). The deflector (121) selectively deflects a portion of the drive leader (32) during buckling to enhance the reliability of buckling with certain types of cartridges (22).

Abstract: A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for coiling a fire hose includes a base and a main support extending generally vertically and having upper and lower opposed ends, the lower end being attached to the base. The upper end includes a hose reel having an axle that is rotatably mounted to the upper end and which has an axle distal end. A crank is coupled to the axle of the hose reel to rotate the hose reel as the crank is correspondingly rotated. The crank has first and second opposed ends, the first end being releasably coupled to the axle distal end and the second end being configured to be gripped by a user. Next, the apparatus includes a retainer for coupling the fire hose to the hose reel, retainer including a handle and a pair of elongated rods that are spaced. To operate the apparatus, a portion of the fire hose near the male hose end is positioned between the elongated rods of the retainer, and then the retainer is coupled to the hose reel.