Patent classifications
Y10T29/49877
Collapsible containers
Collapsible portable containers having a foldable wall section with shape-retaining characteristics are disclosed. In particular, collapsible, wheeled suitcases and trolleys are provided. One or more casters of a collapsible suitcase may be retractable to permit a folding region of a wall section to overlap the depth dimension of the casters when in the collapsed position. The folding region may include foldable tiers of a flexible material, each tier having at least one stable, relatively expanded position and at least one stable, relatively collapsed position; and an intervening, non-folding tier. The non-folding tier may be of the same material as the flexible tiers but stiffer due to its geometry, or it may be composed of a different, relatively rigid material.
Active Mattress Spinner
A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation. In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In this embodiment, in order to reduce movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress.
ANTI-VIBRATION DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD
Provided is an anti-vibration device manufacturing method of press-inserting an anti-vibration bush having a rubber elastic body famed on an outer periphery of a cylindrical body into an attachment hole formed in a press-insertion object, the anti-vibration device manufacturing method including: a press-inserting step of moving the anti-vibration bush in a first direction to be press-inserted into the attachment hole; a returning step of moving the anti-vibration bush press-inserted into the attachment hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a strain relaxing step of relaxing a strain of the rubber elastic body by stopping the anti-vibration bush while regulating the movement of the anti-vibration bush between the press-inserting step and the returning step.
Active mattress spinner
A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation. In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In this embodiment, in order to reduce movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress.
Luggage items with expandability
An item of luggage, comprising: a plurality of sides sufficient to define a first volumetric space, an expandable section disposed within the space between first and second opposing sides, wherein at least the first opposing side defines a boundary for the volumetric space and provides an exterior surface for the item of luggage; the expandable section having a first configuration wherein it is stored within the space and has an expandable side that is adjacent to the first opposing side, and a second configuration wherein the expandable side extends a predetermined distance from the first opposing side to define a boundary for a second volumetric space that is the same as or different from the first volumetric space.
Coupling
A displacement compensating coupling comprises a first coupling member, a second coupling member and connecting elements for connecting the coupling members. The coupling members are each made in one piece from composite material and have a first flange portion for attachment to one of the drive elements, a diaphragm portion that extends radially outwardly from the first flange portion, a second flange portion and a tube portion extending from an outer circumference of the diaphragm portion to the second flange portion. Each of the tube portions has two or more recesses that are spaced from each other in circumferential direction. In a first relative position of the coupling members, the recesses of the first coupling member face the recesses of the second coupling member, and in a second relative position the recesses of the first coupling member and of the second coupling member are offset in circumferential direction.