The present invention is directed to 5-sec-butyl-2-(2,4-dimethyl-cyclohex-3-enyl)-5-methyl-[1,3]dioxane and a novel process for making the same.

A polymer, optionally made from renewable sources, comprising a specific chemical structure that is a result of the polymerization of α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds (alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds), particularly α-hydroxyaldehydes (alpha-hydroxyaldehydes) and α-hydroxyketones (alpha-hydroxyketones), or glycolaldehyde. A method of polymerization, the method comprising the step of reacting trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate with the cyclic dimer of one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. A method of making said polymer, the method comprising dehydrating a cyclic dimer of one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. An end-capped polymer made from one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds and terminal end-cap groups.

The present invention discloses a method of inhibiting an ethylene response in a plant, comprising step of applying to at least one portion of the plant an effective ethylene response-inhibiting amount of a H1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid salt (CPAS). A method of prolonging the life of a cut flower, comprising applying to the cut flower an effective life-prolonging amount of CPAS and a method for the production a CPAS, comprising steps of (i) preparing 4-bromo-4-pentenoic acid or derivatives thereof; (ii) producing 1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid; and (iii), converting this acid into its water soluble salt, especially its sodium salt are presented. Additionally, a new family of water soluble CPAS inhibitors for ethylene response in a plant is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one propylene-based polymer comprising less than 0.1 wt. % diene-derived units based on the weight of the propylene-based polymer, an antioxidant, and a co-agent. The composition can be at least partially crosslinked by electron beam irradiation in a dose of less than 200 kGy, and may be further formed into articles including fibers, yarns, films, and nonwovens, among others. The propylene-based polymer of the present invention may be a polymer blend formed by forming a reactor blend from of two or more polymers produced in two or more reactors.

A locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft. The arrangement includes a plurality of locking levers which are each pivotably mounted about axes extending perpendicularly to the shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes. The locking levers can each be automatically transferred between an unlocking position and a locking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers are mounted on the rotor and an annular groove is provided on the shaft and engages with the locking levers in the locking position, wherein the locking levers are prestressed in the unlocking position. Advantageously, the rotor can be both installed and removed without tools by merely placing the rotor onto or removing the rotor from the shaft, in each case depending on rotational speed.

A color-changing marking system, including a color-changing marking medium and a substrate. The color-changing marking medium has a nominal color and includes a color developer activator and/or color former leuco dye. The substrate includes a treated portion on which a color former leuco dye and/or color developer activator has been applied. Application of the color-changing marking medium to an untreated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of the nominal color. Application of the color-changing marking medium to the treated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of a changed color in response to a chemical or mechanical reaction between the leuco dye and the activator. The marking medium may a crayon, colored pencil, marker ink or paint.

A method of color laser marking an article having a polymeric foil with at least one colorless layer containing an infrared absorber, a polymeric binder and a color forming compound; including the steps of:—laser marking the colorless layer with an infrared laser using a first laser operation mode to generate a blue or cyan color; and—laser marking the same colorless layer with an infrared laser using a second laser operation mode to generate a black color, wherein the first laser operation mode applies less energy to the colorless layer than the second laser operation mode. Also disclosed is an article, such as a security document, including a polymeric foil and a colorless layer containing laser marked graphical data having a blue or cyan color and laser marked information having a black color.

Masking tapes that changes color when the tape is rubbed down or dispensed onto an adherend and methods of making such tapes are disclosed herein. The tape includes a backing, a layer of adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing, and a release structure on the top surface of the backing that includes a pressure-chromic indicator and a release layer. The pressure-chromic indicator is characterized in that it is not activated by the pressure applied during the manufacturing process, but is activated by the pressure applied when the tape is rubbed or dispensed onto an adherend.

A security document precursor including, in order: a) at least one transparent biaxially stretched polyester foil; b) one colorless color forming layer containing at least an infrared absorber, a colorless dye-precursor and a polymeric binder; and c) a polymeric support; wherein the polymeric binder is copolymer including at least 90 wt % of a chlorinated ethylene and 1 wt % to 10 wt % of vinyl acetate both based on the total weight of the binder. Methods for making the security document precursor are also disclosed.

A method for preparing a color laser marked article comprising the steps of: a) infrared laser marking a security element including a polymeric support and a color forming layer comprising a color forming compound, an infrared dye and a polymeric binder comprising vinyl acetate and at least 85 wt % of vinyl chloride based on the total weight of the binder; and b) exposing the laser marked security element with light having a wavelength higher than 440 nm. The light exposure of step b) hinders the falsification of an issued security document without significant increase of background density.

A security document precursor including, in order, at least: a) a transparent biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate foil; b) a colorless color forming layer containing at least an infrared absorber, a color forming component and a polymeric binder; and c) a polymeric support; wherein the colorless color forming layer contains at least one component forming a compound having a melting temperature of less than 20° C. upon laser marking the colorless color forming layer with an infrared laser. Methods for securing a security document using the security document precursor are also disclosed.

A lead for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a distal lead element, at least two proximal lead elements, and a junction coupling the distal lead element to each of the at least two proximal lead elements. The distal lead element includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of electrodes and extending along a longitudinal axis of the distal lead element. Each of the at least two proximal lead elements includes a plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of terminals and extending along a longitudinal axis of the proximal lead element. The junction includes a circuit arrangement electrically coupling each of the conductive wires of the distal lead element to at least one of the conductive wires of at least one of the at least two proximal lead elements.

The implantable electrode system of the preferred embodiments includes a conductor, an interconnect coupled to the conductor, an insulator that insulates the interconnect, and an anchor that is connected to both the conductor and the insulating element. The anchor is mechanically interlocked with at least one of the conductor and the insulator.

A method for making apertures in a web comprising providing a precursor web material; providing a pair of counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers, wherein a first roller comprises circumferentially-extending ridges and grooves, and a second roller comprises teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the second roller at the base, the base of the tooth having a cross-sectional length dimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension; and moving the web material through a nip of the counter-rotating, intermeshing rollers; wherein apertures are formed in the precursor web material as the teeth on one of the rollers intermesh with grooves on the other of the rollers.

Template and method of making high aspect ratio template, stamp, and imprinting at nanoscale using nanostructures for the purpose of lithography, and to the use of the template to create perforations on materials and products.

The invention relates to a gas burner for a gas cooking appliance with at least one gas hob and/or one gas oven, wherein the gas burner (10) comprises a heat source (18) and an electric ignition system (24), and wherein an electric or electronic control circuit (38) is provided for controlling the electric ignition system (24). According to the invention the gas burner (10) includes a photovoltaic generator (20) for generating the electric power for the electric ignition system (24).

An exhaust treatment system may include a burner, a flame sensor assembly and a control module. The flame sensor assembly may be at least partially disposed within the burner and may include an insulator and an electric heating element in heat transfer relation with the insulator. The control module may be in communication with the flame sensor assembly. The control module may determine whether a flame is present in a combustion chamber based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may detect contamination on the insulator based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may operate the heating element in a first mode in response to detection of a contamination in which the control module causes electrical power to be applied to the heating element to raise a temperature of the heating element to burn contamination off of the insulator.

A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.

Support devices for a woodwind musical instrument, and methods for making such support devices. A support device includes a strap for hanging from the neck of the user. Attached to the strap is a brace shaped to receive the instrument. This way the instrument is suspended from the neck of the user. Preferably the brace is such that the strap is attached so that no portion of the strap contacts the instrument, when it is so supported.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining whether a reported position of a wireless transmitter is sufficiently accurate in accordance with an accuracy metric based at least in part on a calculated range between an estimated position of a mobile station and the reported position and also based at least in part on one or more measurements taken from one or more signals transmitted by the wireless transmitter.

A mode-based method of social networking comprising storing in a database profile information for a plurality of users, event information for a plurality of events and a mode associated with each event, receiving by a plurality of computerized user devices a selection of a mode and one or more geographic proximity parameter selections from a each of plurality of users, displaying, event information for an event having a same mode as the first user, profile information for one or more other users among the plurality of users having selected the same mode as the first user and located within a geographic proximity parameter selected by the first user, and a density of a plurality of users located within the geographic proximity parameter selected by the first user wherein the density is represented by a color corresponding to the mode.

Various aspects of a method and system for low-latency networking are provided. Latency requirements of traffic to be communicated along a network path comprising one or more Ethernet links may be determined. A maximum size of Ethernet frames utilized for communicating the traffic may be determined based on the latency requirements. The maximum size of the Ethernet frames may be determined based on a data rate of one or more Ethernet links along the network path. A single device may utilize different maximum packet sizes for different ports/links on which it communicates. One or more messages indicating the determined maximum size may be communicated among devices along the network path to coordinate maximum packet sizes.

In the present invention, one or both of an active wheel or a passive wheel is composed of an eccentric transmission wheel and is combined with a synchronous transmission belt for forming an eccentric wheel transmission wheel series, so that when the feet input forces at different angles from the treadle shafts of the treadles to an active wheel shaft combined on the active wheel through cranks, the active wheel forms different transmission speed ratios relative to the passive wheel according to the treadle angle, and random inward packing is performed to the transmission belt (100) of the engage end of the eccentric passive wheel (413) during the transmission for stabling the operation.

The present invention discloses a high intensity ultrasonic treatment method and apparatus that is used in conjunction with an existing commercial dough or batter mixer to enhance the rheological, aeration and textural properties of the dough or batter. This change in properties is a result of the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation induced in the dough or batter by treatment with high intensity ultrasonic waves. The present invention discloses a mixing bowl (20) of an existing mixer system that is preloaded with dough or batter, the bowl (20) is located at the center of an ultrasonic bath tank (101) filled with a working fluid. The effect of ultra-sonic waves with power levels above 1 kW can be observed over the entire or partial mixing period of the dough or batter. The ultra-sonic waves of the present invention are generated by a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators (104A, 104B) and piezoelectric transducers (1) mounted on a stainless steel tank (101). The electrical energy received in each transducer (1) will be converted into appropriate mechanical expansion and contractions in the piezoelectric ceramics of the transducer (1) thus leading to pressure waves being transmitted to the dough or batter to be mixed. The generation and transmission of high intensity ultrasonic waves to the dough or batter affects its rheological, aeration and textural properties.

The invention includes a method, and a component made according to the method having at least one thread pattern formed thereon from a stamping method. The invention includes a tubular member comprising a body having a wall formed from a wrapped sheet of stock to define an interior wall and an exterior wall, a seam in the wall defining a first and second end of the wrapped sheet of stock, and a thread pattern stamped on the exterior wall. The method comprises the steps of forming a blank from sheet of stock having a first surface. A thread pattern is formed onto the first surface while in a substantially sheet-like form. A bending operation then forms the sheet stock into a tubular member such that the thread pattern, located on the tube's external surface, is substantially aligned about its circumference.

A full-round head nail having an offset head is configured with a gusset formed integrally between an undersurface of the offset head and a superior portion of a shank. The head of the nail is relatively thin, and the shank is positioned radially off center of the round head such that no heel is formed at a point tangential to both the head and the shank. The gusset has a lofted surface tapering radially from a roundness at the zero heel to a taper at the toe. The gusset reinforces the junction of the shank with the head, supports the toe of the head, and distributes the force of a load on the head through a longitudinal axis of the shank, preventing the toe from bending or yielding and prevents the shank from yielding to the stresses of the load applied.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved designs of railroad spikes and improved methods of manufacturing the same. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a railroad spike may comprise the steps of: preparing a metal blank having a substantially circular cross-section; subjecting the metal blank to at least one cold heading process and at least one cold extrusion process to form a railroad spike having (a) a circular head with a fillet at its bottom side that is angled to engage a railroad tie plate or rail base and (b) a non-threaded shank with a substantially square cross-section and a chiseled tip; and coating the railroad spike with an anti-corrosion material.

A full-round head nail having an offset head is configured with a gusset formed integrally between an undersurface of the offset head and a superior portion of a shank. The head of the nail is relatively thin, and the shank is positioned radially off center of the round head such that no heel is formed at a point tangential to both the head and the shank. The gusset has a lofted surface tapering radially from a roundness at the zero heel to a taper at the toe. The gusset reinforces the junction of the shank with the head, supports the toe of the head, and distributes the force of a load on the head through a longitudinal axis of the shank, preventing the toe from bending or yielding and prevents the shank from yielding to the stresses of the load applied.

A locking device for preventing unauthorized retraction of a telescopic prop is made up of an adjustable clamp which can be fitted round the outer circumference of the prop together with a fastener for tightening the clamp, such as a nut and bolt with anti-tamper heads and a shield to prevent access to the head with a gripping instrument. The device can be placed around the outer circumference of an extended prop adjacent to the collar such that once the clamp is tightened the collar is sandwiched between the locking device and the pin. Alternatively the device can be placed around the outer circumference of the inner tube of the prop adjacent to and abutting the end of the outer tube of the prop in order to prevent unauthorized retraction of the prop.

A method for making a circuit board includes separating a plurality of versatile circuit boards from a collective board by cutting a connecting portion of the collective board, the plurality of versatile circuit boards being connected each other via the connecting portion, and cutting a part of a wiring formed on each of the plurality of versatile circuit boards to produce the circuit board. The cutting of the part of the wiring is conducted within the separating of the plurality of versatile circuit boards.

Methods and apparatus for making and using tools, for example concrete cutting blades. The tool includes a first layer and second layer that are oppositely disposed. The first and second layers include working surfaces that support at least one working element when the working element is applied to a work piece. Additionally, an intermediate structure is included between the first and second layers. The intermediate structure can include a plurality of components extending in the area between the structural surfaces and the working surfaces.

A carboxylate detergent prepared by the process comprising (a) alkylating a hydroxyaromatic compound with at least one normal alpha olefin having from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms per molecule that has been isomerized to obtain an isomerized alpha olefin having 15-98 wt % branching and a residual alpha olefin content of between from about 0.1 to about 30 wt %, thereby producing an alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound; (b) neutralizing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound with an alkali metal base; (c) carbonating the alkali metal salt from step (b) with carbon dioxide; (d) acidifying the salt produced in step (c); and (e) overbasing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid.

Provided is a lubricating oil composition for sizing which is excellent in machinability and degreasing efficiency and which is excellent in compatibility with an impregnating oil and a sintered metal of oil impregnated bearings. A lubricating oil composition for sizing, including (A) a lubricating base oil having a kinematic viscosity of 0.5 to 100 mm2/s at 40° C. and compounded therein (B) an extreme-pressure agent in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by mass, and (C) a metal deactivator in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass, each based on a total amount of the composition.

The present invention provide a two-component anti-seizure agent for hot metal working process comprising the first aqueous solution and the second aqueous solution, wherein the first aqueous solution contains 10˜30 mass % of sodium silicate equivalent to anhydride to 100 mass % of total mass of the first aqueous solution, and the second aqueous solution contains at least one kind selected from a group consisting of: an organic acid and water-soluble amine salts thereof, an inorganic acid and water-soluble amine salts thereof, a water-soluble amine, a water-soluble alcohol, and a water-soluble metal chloride. When the two-component anti-seizure agent is applied onto disk-roll type guide shoes, it can be provided and maintained on the circumferential surface of the disk-roll type guide shoes without washed away by rolls' cooling water. Thereby, the anti-seizure agent does not adhere to rolls and the rolls and a pipe material do not cause slippage each other. Thus, it is capable to carry out piercing-rolling of the pipe material.

The lubricating oil composition of the invention comprises a lubricating base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1-20 mm2/s, and a viscosity index improver having a ratio M1/M2 of 0.20 or greater, between the total area of the peaks between chemical shifts of 36-38 ppm M1 and the total area of the peaks between chemical shifts of 64-66 ppm M2, with respect to the total area of all of the peaks, in the spectrum obtained by 13C-NMR. The lubricating oil composition of the invention has excellent effects, with a sufficiently high HTHS viscosity at 150° C., and a sufficiently low kinematic viscosity at 40° C., a sufficiently low kinematic viscosity at 100° C. and a sufficiently low HTHS viscosity at 100° C.

Polymeric compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. The polymeric composition can include a first ethylene-based copolymer and a second ethylene-based copolymer. The first ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on a weight of the polymeric composition (EA) ranging from about 35 wt % to about 52 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwA) of less than or equal to 130,000. The second ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on the weight of the polymeric composition (EB) ranging from about 65 wt % to about 85 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwB) of less than 130,000.

The refrigerating machine oil of the invention includes an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, wherein the molar ratio of C4-C6 fatty acid and C7-C9 branched fatty acid in the fatty acid is between 15:85 and 90:10, the C4-C6 fatty acid includes 2-methylpropanoic acid, and the ratio of the total C4-C6 fatty acid and C7-C9 branched fatty acid in the total fatty acids composing the ester is at least 20 mol %. The working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine according to the invention comprises the refrigerating machine oil, a difluoromethane refrigerant and/or an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant.

Disclosed are rheology modifiers comprising compositionally disperse polymeric compositions and/or crystallinity disperse polymeric compositions that may be useful in modifying the rheological properties of lubrication fluids, and methods for making such compositions. The compositionally disperse polymeric composition are formed from at least two discrete compositions of ethylene copolymers. The crystallinity disperse polymeric composition are formed from ethylene copolymers having at least two discrete values of residual crystallinity.

Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. A fuels hydrocracking process typically has less stringent requirements for the sulfur and nitrogen content of a feed as compared to a lubricant base oil. Additionally, depending on the nature of the feed for the fuels hydrocracking process, the bottoms fraction may contain a relatively high level of aromatics compounds. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction.

An oil-soluble lubricating oil additive composition comprising (a) at least 3.5 wt-% of at least one friction modifier selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid esters, and alkane diols which have a melting point of greater than 30° C.; (b) at least 10 wt-% actives dispersant; and (c) a sufficient amount of surfactant to make said additive composition haze-, sediment-, and skin-free, provided that said additive composition contains at least 150 mm surfactant per kg of said lubricating oil additive composition.

A water-soluble metalworking oil agent is provided by blending the following components A, B, C and D: (A) at least one of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid, and a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a monovalent carboxylic acid with an alcoholic hydroxyl group of a condensed fatty acid obtained by dehydration-condensing a ricinoleic acid;(B) an ester compound provided by a dehydration condensate of a monovalent or multivalent alcohol and a monovalent carboxylic acid;(C) an amine compound; and(D) water. A blend ratio of the component A is 10 mass % or more of a total amount of the oil agent and a blend ratio of the component B is 5 mass % or more of the total amount of the oil agent.

It is known by the inventor that a universal synthetic lubricant additive that can greatly enhance the performance standards of existing lubricants, petroleum based or synthetic, imparts a new and desirable property not originally present in the existing oil or it reinforces a desirable property already possessed in some degree can greatly benefit the consumer. Although additives of many diverse types have been developed to meet special lubrication needs, their principal functions are relatively few in number. This universal synthetic lubricant additive (invention) with micro lubrication technology, when used as directed will reduce the oxidative or thermal degradation of the host oil, substantially reduce the deposition of harmful deposits in lubricated parts, minimize rust and corrosion, control frictional properties, reduce wear, temperature, sludge, varnishes and prevent destructive metal-to-metal contact, reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions while improving performance through increased horsepower and torque.

In a multitasking machine tool, a first tool post including a tool spindle configured to allow a tool to be detachably attached thereto is configured to be slidable in predetermined directions, while a second tool post is configured to allow a tool to be detachably attached thereto. A tool-change part includes at least one gripper configured to hold a tool to be attached to the second tool post. An automatic tool changer is configured to detachably attach the tool-change part (as well as to change the tool installed) to the tool spindle of the first tool post positioned in a first tool-change region. Change of the tool attached to the second tool post is carried out by a motion (sliding and/or rotation of the tool spindle) of the first tool post (with the tool-change part attached to the tool spindle thereof) located in a second tool-change region.

A ceramic mass transfer packing element that includes a planar end surface which intersects an internal wall's geometric plane at an acute angle is disclosed. A process for making the packing element and an apparatus that uses the packing element are also disclosed.

An integrated swept wavelength tunable optical source uses a narrowband filtered broadband signal with an optical amplifier and self-tracking filter. This source comprises a micro optical bench, a source for generating broadband light, a tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a narrowband tunable signal, an amplifier, installed on the bench, for amplifying the tunable signal. The self-tracking arrangement is used where a single tunable filter both generates the narrowband signal and spectrally filters the amplified signal. In some examples, two-stage amplification is provided. The use of a single bench implementation yields a low cost high performance system. For example, polarization control between components is no longer necessary.

A sheet holder for holding a sheet of paper and exposing an edge of the sheet, has a press for holding the paper sheet and exposing the edge, and a lever for operating the press. The lever is movable between a released position for placing of the edge of the paper sheet in the press and a holding position for operating the press. There is also an abutment for abutment by the edge of the paper sheet to position the edge relative to the press while the lever is in the released position. The abutment is associated with the lever for moving away from the edge of the paper sheet when the lever moves towards the holding position, thereby exposing the edge of the paper sheet.

A scrapbooking page alignment device for temporarily aligning at least two adjacent scrapbook pages having retention receivers extending from their respective spine edges, the device comprising (i) a base; and (ii) two or more spaced retention posts extending from said base; where said retention posts are dimensioned to temporarily receive the retention receivers of the two adjacent scrapbook pages.

A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages has a housing having a cavity formed in the underside of a central portion of the housing. A pair of hinge plates are disposed between the sides for pivoting movement relative to the housing to open and close rings of the mechanism. The mechanism has an actuator moveable relative to the housing for opening and closing the rings. The actuator has a body, an opening arm extending from the body, a closing arm extending from the body, and a locking finger extending from the body. The closing arm extending into a space between the hinge plates and the central portion of the housing. The hinge plates extend between the opening and closing arms. The locking finger extends into the cavity in the central portion of the housing when the actuator is in the closed position.

This invention is provides a means of playing LP records with minimal distortion. Low distortion is achieved by eliminating tracking error normally associated with pickup cartridges mounted to pivoting tone arms. This invention discloses a tone arm that constrains the motion of the stylus to straight radial path, mimicking the cutting path of the record lathe, supported on parallel rails by free rolling spherical bearings. Unlike many previous linear tracking tone arms, this invention does not rely on air pressure or servo motor mechanisms. The use of free rolling bearings or axles between parallel tracks fashioned from rails, rods or tubes, eliminates all sources of lateral friction other than pure static and rolling friction of the balls on the rails, rods or tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed rods or tubes are driven synchronously, thereby eliminating static friction of the supporting rolling balls. Friction is further reduced using magnetic or buoyant support of the tone arm to reduce bearing load to that amount minimally sufficient to maintain full contact between the rolling balls and the upper and lower rods.

In a walking assistance device (10) that can transmit the power generated by a power generator (26, 28) to a femoral part of a user, a swing arm (60, 62) is attached to an output member of the power generator at a base end thereof, and is connected to a femoral support plate (68, 70) at a free end thereof via a pivot joint (64). The pivot joint includes a spherical projection (100) provided on the free end of the swing arm and a socket (112) provided on the femoral support plate, the socket defining a spherical recess (110) configured to receive the spherical projection to permit a tilting movement of the femoral support plate at least in two directions with respect to the free end of the swing arm. Thereby, the femoral support plate is enabled to accommodate the build and/or the movement of the femoral part of the user.