GIAN Abondoned Patents Database

A crystalline inorganic fiber or molded body thereof is thermally treated in gas atmosphere containing chlorine. The crystalline inorganic fiber or molded body thereof contains small impurities such as Fe, Cu and Ni. For example, Fe is 15 ppm or less, Cu is 1 ppm or less, and Ni is 0.5 ppm or less.

Disclosed are heat sensitive coatings and record materials that are environmentally resistant and therefore do not require a protective coating. One embodiment includes an environmentally resistant heat sensitive coating that includes an acrylate polymer of the formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, R2 is a hydrogen or a methyl group, and R3 is nitrile or chlorine or wherein, when c is 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, and when c is greater than 0, R4 is methyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, halogen, nitrile or hydroxyl; m is greater than 1; n is greater than 1; b is greater than or equal to 0; and c is an integer from 0 to 38.

The present invention provides 6,7-asymmetrically disubstituted quinoxalinecarboxylic acid compounds and their addition salts, and processes for preparing them, which have antagonism against excitatory amino acid receptors, in particular, an AMPA receptor. The 6,7-asymmetrically disubstituted quinoxalinecarboxylic acid compounds and their addition salts of the present invention are represented by formula (1) wherein Q, R, R1 and R2 are as described in the specification.

The invention relates to novel pyrimidyloxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, to a plurality of processes for their preparation and to their use to fungicides, and also to novel intermediates and to a process for their preparation.

A sulfonamide compound of the formula (I):R1—SO2NHCO—A—R2  (I)wherein R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and the like; A is an optionally substituted heteropolycyclic group except benzimidazolyl, indolyl, 4,7-dihydrobenzimidazolyl and 2,3-dihydrobenzoxazinyl; X is alkylene, oxa, oxa(lower)alkylene and the like; and R2 is optionally substituted aryl, substituted biphenylyl and the like, a salt thereof and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The sulfonamide compound is effective for the diseases treatable based on their blood sugar level-depressing activity, cGMP-PDE (especially PDE-V)-inhibiting activity, smooth muscle relaxing activity, bronchodilating activity, vasodilating activity, smooth muscle cell suppressing activity, and antiallergic activity.

Disclosed is an isocyanate-reactive composition comprising an isocyanate-reactive compound having an equivalent weight of from about 400 to about 12000, and a stabilizing amount of methyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)propionate with optional costabilizers selected from another phenolic, an amine, a phosphite, a thioether, or a lactone stabilizer to form a stabilizer package which may be further used in a process for preparing a flexible polyurethane foam comprising reacting together an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive composition in the presence of a blowing agent to form the polyurethane foam.

The present invention provide a method for color matching of a thermosetting powder coating composition, the method comprising the steps of: (1) dryblending two or more kinds of starting colored thermosetting powder coating compositions of different colors having an average particle size of 20 &mgr;m or less to achieve color matching, and (2) granulating the dryblend to a particle size in the range suitable for powder coating, by heating and agitating the dryblend, or by adding a specific solid binder, or by grinding and classifying a sheet or grains formed by compressing the dryblend. According to the present invention, color matching can be easily made, and a color-matched powder coating composition is obtained which is excellent in application characteristics, finished appearance and film properties.

A process for continuous preparation of filler-containing rubber powders including mixing a filler suspension and rubber latex in the liquid phase. The liquid mixture is passed through a tube, at least a coagulant is added to the tube and filler-containing rubber particles are precipitated. The liquid mixture is passed through at least one throttle position of variable throttle cross-section provided in the tube. The throttle cross-section is adjusted so that the drop in pressure in the liquid mixture achieved across the throttle position is greater than 0.5 bar.

An object of the present invention is to provide a heat sensitive recording material which can develop color at high density by the inclusion of a novel guanidine compound which is strongly basic and superior in diffusion resistance. The present invention for attaining the above-described object is a heat sensitive recording material comprising a substrate supporting thereon a heat sensitive recording layer containing a diazonium salt compound, a coupler which reacts with the diazonium salt compound when heated to develop color, and abase, wherein the heat sensitive recording layer includes as the base at least one of the guanidine compounds represented by the general formula (1): wherein, in the general formula (1), R1 and R2 represent an alkyl group or aryl group and may be the same or different, R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom, alkyl group or halogen atom and may be the same or different, and X represents a divalent connecting group.

Heat-curable aqueous compositions which comprise a carboxyl-containing polymer component and optionally a hydroxyalkylated amine are used as binders for shaped articles.

The present invention relates to an article having a silver layer and a resin composition for a coating material for silver which is used in reflective mirrors of photocopy machines and reflective members for indoor and outdoor lighting appliances, automobile headlights and the like. The article having a silver layer of the present invention has a first cured coating layer (A) comprising a resin having anti-corrosion properties for silver, and adhesiveness for both the substrate and silver or a metal comprising mainly silver formed between the substrate and the silver layer (B); and, formed on the silver layer (B), a second cured coating layer (C) comprising a resin selected from the group consisting of a silicone acrylic resin (c1), a silicone alkyd resin (c2), and a multi-functional silicone cross-linked resin (c3) having a main chain formed by siloxane bonds. This type of article having a silver layer is superior in anti-discoloration (anti-corrosion) properties of the silver layer (B). In addition, since the resin composition for coating materials for silver of the present invention contains a multi-functional silicone cross-linked resin (c3) having a main chain formed by siloxane bonds, it is superior in heat resistance, there is no yellowing of the coating thereof even when exposed to temperatures around 200° C., and it gives superior anti-discoloration (anti-corrosion) properties to silver.

Human Urotensin II polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Human Urotensin II polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

A process for preparing folic acid, which comprises reacting a tetraalkoxypropanol of the general formula I, in which the substituents R are C1-C4-alkyl, with triaminopyrimidone of the formula II and p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid of the formula III

There is provided a compound of the formula[I]: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; andA represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a group of the formula A1: Q represents Q3: when A represents a halogen atom or a protective group for a hydroyl group, A represents Q4:  wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; and when A represents a hydrogen atom, Q is Q2:

A reductive dimerization process of 1,1,1-trifluoro, 2,2,2-trichloroethane (CFC-113a) with hydrogen, with formation of 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2,2,3,3-tetrachlorobutane and 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2,2-dichlorobutene, and mixtures thereof, wherein the catalyst is constituted by metal ruthenium supported on graphitized carbon obtainable by treatment of the carbon at temperatures higher than 2000° C., in inert gas, or aluminum fluoride having an high surface area.

This invention is a tampon wetness detection system which includes a housing (70) having a distal end, a proximal end, the proximal end being shaped, and dimensioned for insertion into a distal end of an absorbent body (12) inserted into a vagina, and the proximal end of the housing being fluid permeable; a radio frequency identification device (16) being implemented in the housing, and the radio frequency device including a transmitter (18); a conductive wetness sensor (20) being in the proximal end of the housing, and in electrical communication with the radio frequency identification device such that when the conductive wetness sensor senses wetness the radio frequency identification device is operable; a remote reporting device including a receiver for receiving a radio signal concerning the wetness of the absorbent body from the radio frequency identification device, and further including a reporting mechanism for reporting a user of the wetness of the absorbent body.

A circuit board assembly including an insulative substrate and a busbar located on the upper surface thereof. There is at least one cavity in the substrate with a boss projecting therefrom. An expanded section of the boss is provided adjacent the bottom of the cavity and the busbar has an insertion opening, corresponding to the shape of the boss, through which the boss projects. The boss is adapted to be pressed toward the expanded portion so as to overlie a part of the substrate, thereby fixing the busbar thereto. This configuration permits the assembly to be made smaller, with attendant savings in production costs and improvements in ease of production.

In a DRAM fabrication process, a first oxide is provided over a transistor gate and over a substrate extending from under the gate. The deposition is non-conformal in that the oxide is thicker over the gate and over the substrate than it is on the side of the gate. A second non-conformal oxide is provided over the first non-conformal oxide. The second oxide is annealed in a boron-containing atmosphere, and the first oxide prevents boron diffusion from the second oxide into the gate and substrate. The second oxide may then serve as an etch stop, a CMP stop, or both.

An electronic structure including a metallic interlocking structure for bonding a conductive plated layer to metal surface, and a method of forming the electronic structure. The method provides a substrate having a metallic sheet within a dielectric layer. The metallic sheet includes a metal such as copper. An opening in the substrate, such as a blind via, is formed by laser drilling through the dielectric layer and partially through the metallic sheet. If the opening is a blind via, then the laser drilling is within an outer ring of the blind via cross section using a laser beam having a target diameter between about 20% and about 150% of a radius of the blind via cross section. A surface at the bottom of the opening, called a “blind surface,” includes a metallic protrusion formed by the laser drilling, such that the metallic protrusion is integral with a portion of the blind surface. The metallic protrusion includes the metal of the metallic sheet and at least one constituent element from the dielectric layer. The metallic protrusion is then etched to form a metallic interlocking structure that is integral with the portion of the blind surface. The metallic interlocking structure includes discrete metallic fibers, with each metallic fiber having a curved (or curled) geometry. Each metallic fiber has its own unique composition that includes the metal, at least one constituent element of the dielectric layer, or both.

A switchgear cabinet monitoring arrangement with a central control arrangement for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet functions, and having a base device with inputs and outputs, in which monitoring and control components and a voltage supply device are arranged. Adaptation to different requirements is achieved because the base device has several function card insertion slots. Several function cards with different monitoring, control, regulation and/or switching functions are provided with an appropriate identification and for selective insertion in the function card insertion slots. An identification device determines which function card insertion slots (2.1, . . . 2N) are occupied and of what type is the possibly inserted function card.

A programmable delay element includes a current source field-effect transistor (FET), a switch device, a precharge device, and an inverter device. The current source FET gates a programmable, predetermined amount of current. The switch device, which is coupled to the current source FET, receives an input signal having a first and second voltage level. The precharge device precharges the node coupled to the drain of the current source FET when the input signal is at a second voltage level. The inverter device, which is also coupled to the drain of the current source FET, outputs a delayed signal when the input signal is at a first voltage level, the delay of the delayed signal defined by the programmable, predetermined amount of current. The inverter device generates an inverter switch point that is substantially independent of parametric sensitivities, such as temperature variations. Also, the relative placement of the current source FET to the switch device of the present invention allows the programmable delay element to quickly reach a linear and predictable state of operation.

A delay circuit for a ring oscillator includes a first electric potential line, a pair of output lines, a pair of two first transistors arranged between the first electric potential line and the pair of output lines, respectively, a second electric potential line, and a pair of two second transistors arranged between the second electric potential line and the pair of output lines, respectively. Respective gates of the first transistors are connected to the pair of output lines, respectively, the first transistors, and the second transistors are connected to each other center-symmetrically, and the output lines are connected to a third electric potential line. Such a circuit can easily realize a differential gain of more than or equal to 1 and an in-phase gain of less than or equal to 1.

A common mode choke coil adapted for surface mount applications minimized in overall size (particularly in height), with an improved bonding coefficient. This common mode choke coil has a structure comprising a ferrite core consisting of a winding core and two square planar flanges with recesses formed therein, the square planar flanges being formed integrally on each end of a winding core thereof, a pair of external electrodes disposed on the square planar flanges, a plurality of windings wound about the winding core of the ferrite core and connected by thermal bonding to the external electrodes at the recesses provided in the left and right sides of each flange, and a ferrite plate adhesively bonded to the outermost surface of the windings to join the two flanges at both ends of the ferrite core, without an adhesive bonding to the flanges themselves. As a result, a closed magnetic circuit structure of a cubic component having a high rate of bonding coefficient is obtained.

An antenna apparatus for a communication device operating in the frequency range of between 800 and 3000 MHz, comprises at least one radiator (1), which is galvanically connected to one end of a spiral conductor (2). This is, in turn, connected to a transceiver (4). An earthed conductor (6) extends along the extent of the spiral (2) to form a capacitance therewith distributed along the spiral.

An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer.

The invention provides a polarizing illumination device in which randomly polarized lights emitted from first and second light source sections, respectively, are directionally separated into two types of polarized lights by a polarization-separating-and-synthesizing optical element, and then, secondary light source images, which are offset in the x direction, are formed and the direction of polarization is unified. In this case, at least two condenser mirror plates of first to third condenser mirror plates are inclined in predetermined directions with respect to three axes passing through about the center of the polarization-separating-and-synthesizing optical element so that secondary light source images of z-polarized light (light polarized in a direction parallel to the z direction) formed by light emitted from the first and second light source sections overlap each other, and so that secondary light source images of x-polarized light (light polarized in a direction parallel to the x direction) overlap each other. Therefore, a polarizing illumination device that is able to utilize both polarized light components by using a plurality of light sources without increasing the illumination angle can be provided.

The invention provides a polarizing illumination device in which randomly polarized light beams emitted from first and second light source sections, respectively, are directionally separated into two types of polarized light beams by a polarization separating optical element to form three types of polarization light beams whose directions of polarization mutually intersect perpendicularly, and then, one of the polarized light beam is returned to the light source sections to rotate the direction of polarization, other two types of polarized light beams are condensed at spatially different positions, and the directions of polarization of the polarized light beams are unified. Therefore, a polarizing illumination device that is able to utilize both polarized light components by using a plurality of light sources without increasing the illumination angle can be provided, and a projector that is able to project an extremely bright projection image can also be provided.

A thin film magnetic head is able to control occurrence of Barkhausen noises attributable to configuration magnetic anisotropy of an upper shield layer. An inductive head is provided with a magnetic material layer having a space for forming a coil layer thereon. A very narrow gap is provided between a front separate layer that opposes a magnetic recording medium and a rear separate layer that opposes the front separate layer. The front separate layer serves also as an upper shield layer of an MR head and a lower core layer of the inductive head.

A DC-coupled data slicer operates on a baseband signal based on a variable threshold and an AC-coupled data slicer operates on the baseband signal based on a fixed threshold. The variable threshold is initially set to a stored threshold value corresponding to a previously used value of the variable threshold. Differences between DC-coupled sliced data and the AC-coupled sliced data are determined and used to adjust the variable threshold. In one embodiment, the AC-coupled data slicer is characterized by a settling time constant. The variable threshold is not adjusted until expiration of a predetermined delay preferably set to be a multiple of the settling time constant. After expiry of the predetermined delay, adjustments to the variable threshold are made to correct any detected variances in the expected duty cycle of the DC-coupled data slicer output. In this manner, the present invention overcomes the problems resulting from settling times inherent in prior art techniques.

A neutron spectrometer is provided by a series of substrates covered by a solid-state detector stacked on an absorbing layer. As many as 12 substrates that convert neutrons to protons are covered by a layer of absorbing material, acting as a proton absorber, with the detector placed within the layer to count protons passing through the absorbing layer. By using 12 detectors the range of neutron energies are covered. The preferred dodecahedron embodiment of the neutron spectrometer comprises a solid, polyethylene dodecahedron assembly with 12 surface facets covered by a solid-state detector stacked on an absorbing layer. In this arrangement, each of 12 surface pentagon-shaped facets provides a polyethylene substrate to convert neutrons to protons, covered by a layer of absorbing material, acting as a proton absorber, with the detector stacked on the absorbing layer to count protons passing through the absorbing layer. The dodecahedron assembly is housed concentrically within a titanium spherical shell that serves as an outer shield. The dodecahedron embodiment is sufficiently lightweight to be suitable for airborne and satellite applications.

A method of finding a Chinese character in an electronic dictionary. The method includes sorting the characters in the dictionary into three groups according to stroke type: horizontal, vertical and slant, identifying which group a character belongs to based on the first writing stroke of the character, locating an original root of the Chinese character from the identified group based on a first three writing strokes of the Chinese character and finding the Chinese character in the dictionary based on the first three writing strokes of the Chinese character that immediately follow the strokes of the located original root.

A camera for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, includes a memory that stores a count indicative of the film frames remaining to be exposed (including a count of “0” to indicate that the final frame was exposed), a magnetic head that magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent each film frame, and a motor that is actuated following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment to permit the magnetic head to record the information on the filmstrip adjacent each exposed frame and that is actuated after the magnetic information is written on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame to rewind the exposed film length rearward. An input receiving control is connected to the memory, the magnetic head, and the motor for delaying actuation of the motor to rewind the exposed film length rearward after the magnetic head has magnetically written the information on the filmstrip adjacent the final exposed frame, to give the user some time to manually input to the control that the information magnetically written adjacent the final exposed frame should be rewritten, and in the absence of the input by the time the delay has elapsed triggers actuation of the motor to rewind the exposed film length rearward.

A storage system for storing photographic film negatives that makes it easier for a consumer to identify the images on each negative. The storage system is made from sleeving material having several individual sleeves for storing strips of photographic film negatives. An index print is affixed to the sleeving material so that the positive images on the index print are located directly above the sleeve holding the negative on which the positive images are based.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention has a photosensitive drum for carrying an electrostatic latent image, an image forming section for forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, a developing unit for supplying a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming section, a transfer charger for transferring a developing agent image which is developed by the developing unit to a sheet, supplying mechanism for supplying the sheet to the photosensitive drum, and a control section for allowing a plurality of electrostatic latent images to be formed at a time in a parallel sheet array on the photosensitive drum as required through an image forming mechanism, in which the supplying mechanism has a supplying section for holding sheets in a parallel array as required and first and second supply sections for allowing the sheets which are held in a parallel array to be picked up in units of one sheet in a parallel array at a time and supplying these parallel sheets to the photosensitive drum.

A wireless control system for use in system having a plurality of periodic noise sources includes an antenna; an RF receiver connected to the antenna for receiving RF noise from an external periodic noise source; a phase synchronization circuit connected to the RF receiver for generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and a noise source control circuit connected to the phase synchronization circuit for receiving the clock signal and controlling a periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.

An oxide superconductive wire having practically sufficient tensile strength and superconductive properties is claimed. A first aspect of the present invention includes a first metallic layer made of a silver based alloy containing a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, antimony, tin, germanium, gallium, indium, zinc, platinum and palladium; a second metallic layer having a tensile strength higher than that of silver and fixed to the first metallic layer; and an oxide superconductor layer formed on the first metallic layer. Another aspect of the present invention provides an oxide superconductive wire having first and a second layers and an oxide superconductive wire. The first metallic layer is made of silver and oriented along crystallographic (210) plane. The second metallic layer has a tensile strength higher than that of silver and is fixed to the first metallic layer. The present invention also provides a superconductive device using each of the oxide superconductive wires. The oxide superconductor layer formed on the first metallic layer of the superconductive device is disposed on the inner side of a coiled oxide superconductive wire.

An automatic automobile headlamp leveling device is provided for a headlamp which is driven by an actuator so that a light axis of the headlamp can be tilted up or down relative to a vehicle body. A vehicle speed detection sensor is provided for detecting the vehicle speed, a pitch angle detection sensor is provided for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle, a storage section is provided for storing a plurality of pitch angle data of the vehicle detected by the pitch angle detection sensor, and a control section is provided for controlling the driving of the actuators. The control section controls the driving of the actuators based on the pitch angle data so that the light axes of the headlamps always stay in a certain tilted state relative to the surface of a road. The storage section is constructed so as to store a plurality of data ranging from latest pitch angle data to pitch angle data detected a predetermined time period prior to the latest data, and the control section controls the driving of the actuator at certain intervals based when the vehicle is at a stop, and when the vehicle is starting, it controls the driving of the actuators based on pitch angle data detected immediately prior to the start of the vehicle by the vehicle speed sensor.

The invention enables a tunneling action that allows a remote processor to communicate with a local processor when the remote processor is coupled to the local processor via a reverse proxy device, a computer network, a firewall and a proxy agent device. Initially, the local processor establishes a communication channel with the remote processor by dispatching a local request message to the proxy agent device. The proxy agent device dispatches the local request message via the firewall and network to the reverse proxy device, thus enabling the firewall to receive a remote response message to the local request message. Thereafter, the remote processor issues a remote request message to the reverse proxy device, which in turn dispatches a remote response message with the remote request message contained therein, to the firewall. Upon receipt by the proxy agent device of the remote response message (via the firewall), the proxy agent device extracts and dispatches the remote request message to the local processor. Dispatch of a local response message by the local processor causes the proxy agent to incorporate the local response message into a local request message and to dispatch the local request message to the remote processor via the firewall and the reverse proxy device.

A furniture frame convertible from a seat to a bed is disclosed. The furniture frame includes side frame members spaced-apart by a supporting rail and a body-supporting member including two sections pivotally connected together and connected to the side frame members substantially toward the rear of the furniture frame. In the disclosed furniture frame the two sections are movable relative to each other between at least a first and second sitting orientations and a bed orientation wherein the second sitting orientation is less upright than the second sitting orientation. The two sections provide a seat section and a back section having transversely spaced apart side section members and upper surfaces inclined relative to each other when the two sections are in one of the first and second sitting orientations.

Assembly of a bed or similar support and an apparatus for movement support for a person moving into or out of the bed/support. The apparatus has a base part and at least one swivelling arm that is pivotable relative to the base pad about an axis of rotation between at least two positions. The swivelling arm is driven by a motor. Positioning apparatus are provided for disposing the apparatus adjacent the bed/support so that—during use—at least a first pad of the swivelling arm can extend in a first position above a person located on the bed/support and in a second position the first part of the swivelling arm can extend along a person located beside the bed/support. Throughout the path between the first and the second position and vice versa, the swivelling arm can transmit a pulling force to the person in a direction towards the second or first position, as desired, to support his or her movements.

A toothbrush which has a brush head to which is mounted an elongated handle. At the free end of the handle is mounted a suction cup mounting device. The handle is integrally attached to the suction cup at the peripheral edge of the suction cup so that when the toothbrush is removed from a vertical surface on which it is attached by merely canting of the handle will result in breaking of the seal of the suction cup facilitating its disengagement.

A tool for positioning or seating a ring seal within an annular groove of a seal fitting is disclosed. Generally, the ring seal seating tool of the present invention includes a first member for receiving a ring seal fitting to support such fitting during seating operations, a second member for at least aligning the ring seal with the ring seal groove of the ring seal fitting, and a third member for advancing the ring seal into the ring seal groove via the second member.

A measuring tape hook (16) snugly fits within a slot (26) formed between first and second sidewalls (22, 24), at one end of a guide attachment (18). The guide portion (28) has a concave side (30) facing in the same direction as the open end of the slot (26) and a convex side (32) facing in the same direction as the end wall (24). The hook (16) at an end of a measuring tape (14) is set into the slot (26) and the measuring tape is extended across an uneven surface (34) with the convex side (32) contacting the uneven surface and guiding itself and the hook end (16) of the measuring tape (14) forwardly over th uneven surface (34).

A body dryer is provided including a housing having an elongated height. Also included is a mirror mounted on the housing. A heating mechanism is situated along the height of the housing for expelling heated air therefrom.

A high capacity grain aeration apparatus (10) is provided which includes opposed, upright, tubular, ported inlet and outlet ducts (24,26) positioned within a grain bin (12) and having inlet and outlet fans (28, 30) adjacent the upper ends of the ducts (24, 26). The ducts (24, 26) preferably present smooth, uncorrugated walls (40, 44). In use, aeration air is directed through the inlet duct (24) and then transversely through the ports (42) to the interior (20) of grain bin (12). Such air flows transversely through the grain within bin (12) and is pulled upwardly through outlet duct (26) by means of outlet fan (30). Additional aeration air enters through vents (50) or the grain inlet port (47) and enters the outlet duct ports (46) by passing through the grain.

An arm body of a working machine has a hollow and triangular cross-section. A bucket-connection bracket is jointed to one longitudinal end of an arm body, and an arm cylinder bracket is jointed to another longitudinal end of the arm body, thereby forming an arm. With the triangular cross-sectional structure, the arm body is less prone to deformation under the stress of a load. The improved triangular cross-sectional structure permits the plate thickness of the arm body to be reduced, and the rigidity of the arm body to be increased without mounting a cross-section restraint material in the arm body. The cross-section of the boom will not deform even though the plate thickness is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the weight of the boom and still prevent deformation of the boom under heavy load. A method of producing an arm body is efficient and simplified since a single sheet of metal may be formed into a triangular shape, with a single welded seem being formed at the seem between abutting edges of the metal material. The various corners of the triangular cross-section may be arc shaped or flat as is desired.

A ground stake is disclosed having a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis. The blades are connected along the length of the axis by at least one conical rib to promote retention of the stake within the ground.

An embossed seal is formed in a cavity in the neck of a corked bottle over a cork using a die having a die surface with a die image. A first molten seal material is introduced into a die cavity. The die cavity is formed in part with the die surface. The introduction of the first molten seal material deposits an embossed seal portion with an embossed surface. The embossed seal portion is allowed to cool. A second molten seal material is introduced into the cavity of the neck of the corked bottle. The embossed seal portion is brought into contact with the molten seal material in the bottle cavity with the embossed surface disposed on top facing away from the molten seal material. The molten seal material partially melts the embossed seal portion to form a single seal upon cooling. The embossed seal portion is sufficiently cooled and solidified to prevent melting and damage of the embossed surface. An automated apparatus is provided for carrying out the two-stage procedure of forming the seal to produce high quality embossed seals at an economically desirable rate. A die truck assembly is used to form the embossed seal portion. The assembly includes three springs to provide a triple telescoping action that allows the assembly to be engaged with the bottle necks and maintains the engagement along a specific travel path to form the seal to seal the bottle. The triple telescoping action also releases the embossed seal portion from the die cavity of the die truck assembly into the molten seal material in the cavity over the cork in the bottle neck. It further allows the die truck assembly easily to self-adjust and compensate for varying bottle heights and varying cork heights so as to exert a generally consistent pressure on the embossed seal portion and molten seal material to form the finished seal.

A vehicular air conditioning system (10) includes a compressor (110) having a crank chamber (138), a suction chamber (120), and a discharge chamber (122). A refrigerant mixture includes carbon dioxide and oil. A conduit (13) connects the discharge chamber (122) of the compressor (110) directly with an oil separator (14) to route the refrigerant mixture directly to the oil separator (14). A capillary tube (16) is connected between the oil separator (14) and the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110) to cool and throttle oil enroute directly to the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110).

The disclosure concerns a vehicle steering column anti-theft device of the type including a casing in which a rotationally mounted lock rotor drives rotationally a rotary projecting part forming a cam that can cooperate with a bolt to control the movements of this bolt, said rotor being of the type in which its cylindrical front end section is engaged in a rear bore of said projecting part and in which said rotor and said projecting part are immobilized rotationally and axially relative to each other, wherein the means of axial immobilization of said projecting part relative to said rotor include a restraining part in the form of a spring clip carried by said projecting part including an elastically deformable section of which one active end projects radially inwards into said rear bore to engage a notch in the peripheral surface of said front end section of said rotor, and wherein, to enable automatic assembly of these parts, the rotor includes means for automatic engagement of said active end of said restraining part in said notch of said rotor.

A friction testing machine and method for measuring friction characteristics between a test sample and a friction surface. The machine and method are particularly suited for measuring the coefficient of friction between a rubber specimen or a tread element and different friction surfaces at different sliding velocities, contact pressures and orientations. The machine includes a carriage, a friction surface, a motion device, a sample holder, a variable weight loading device, and a force measurement device. The motion device to cause relative movement between the carriage and the friction surface in forward and reverse directions and the sample holder holds a sample in frictional engagement with the friction surface during this forward and reverse movement. The variable weight loading device loads the sample holder so that a selected load can be applied to the sample in a direction normal to the friction surface. The force measurement device obtains a measurement indicative of the frictional force resisting movement of the sample as it is moved in the forward and reverse directions. The processor controls the motion device, controls the variable weight loading device and/or records the measurements obtained by the force measurement device.

A system and corresponding method for bulge testing films (e.g. thin films, coatings, layers, etc.) is provided, as well as membrane structures for use in bulge testing and improved methods of manufacturing same so that resulting membrane structures have substantially identical known geometric and responsive characteristics. Arrayed membrane structures, and corresponding methods, are provided in certain embodiments which enable bulge testing of a film(s) over a relatively large surface area via a plurality of different freestanding membrane portions. Improved measurements of film bulging or deflection are obtained by measuring deflection of a center point of a film, relative to non-deflected peripheral points on the film being tested. Furthermore, membrane structures are adhered to mounting structure in an improved manner, and opaque coatings may be applied over top of film(s) to be bulge tested so that a corresponding optical transducer can more easily detect film deflection/bulging. In certain embodiments, a laser triangulation transducer is utilized to measure film deflection/bulging.

A device for controlling the interaction of a tip and a sample includes a deformable element carrying the tip and means for positioning the tip with respect to the sample. The device also includes at lest two electrodes for creating an electrical field that exerts a force. The deformable element is preferably elastically deformable and includes advantageously a cantilever. According to a method for controlling the interaction of a tip and a sample, the tip carried by a deformable element is positioned with respect to the sample and the interaction of the tip and the sample is controlled by creating an electric field using a voltage between at least two electrodes. This electrical field exerts a force on the tip. Applications are to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and to nano-indentation measurements.

A film thickness distribution measuring method according to the present invention comprises the following steps of measuring a step form lying within a predetermined interval including a substrate exposure region having a coordinate point defined as a measurement reference on a substrate having steps to thereby extract first data L1, forming an organic film over the substrate and thereafter measuring a step form lying within the predetermined interval to thereby extract second data L2, measuring the thickness of the organic film and adding the thickness to the second data L2 to thereby extract third data L3, and determining a difference (L3−L1) between the third data L3 and the first data L1 to thereby measure a continuous film thickness distribution of the organic film formed over the substrate.

An axial-to-rotary motor includes a double acting pneumatic motor of piston-cylinder type. An endless drive belt extends over a first pulley, which is fixed mounted in relation to the pneumatic motor, and over a second pulley mounted spaced from the piston rod. The motor further includes one or more output shafts arranged for being continuously rotated. The piston rod end of the pneumatic axial motor is connected to a yoke which, with the outer frames thereof, encloses the two paths of the drive belt, and which encloses a ratchet device which provides a drive force against one of the drive belt paths at the active expelling stroke of the piston rod. The yoke also provides a drive force against the second drive belt path at the retraction stroke of the piston rod, whereby the drive belt will move in one and the same direction at both piston movement directions.

A control device for controlling a gear shift rod, and having a control shaft connected to the gear shift rod; a linear actuator for effecting given axial displacements or given angular displacements of the control rod to shift between two gear engagement positions in the same range; a first cam guide device for converting, on command, the axial or angular displacements into combined axial-angular displacements, so as to shift between consecutive gears in consecutive ranges; and a second cam guide device for converting, on command, the axial or angular displacements into combined axial-angular displacements, so as to shift between nonconsecutive gears in not necessarily consecutive ranges.

A blanket-mounting mechanism includes a dragging shaft, a rotating device, a correction device, and a deflection suppression device. A dragging-shaft accommodation bore extends axially through a blanket cylinder. A blanket insertion groove extends axially on the outer circumferential surface of the blanket cylinder and extends radially to the dragging-shaft accommodation bore. The dragging shaft has a blanket-end reception groove formed on the outer circumferential surface and adapted to receive one end of a blanket. The dragging shaft is inserted into the dragging-shaft accommodation bore with an appropriate gap maintained therebetween and is supported rotatably. The rotating device is disposed at the side of one end face of the blanket cylinder and is connected to the dragging shaft. The correction device is disposed at the side of the other end face of the blanket cylinder and is able to grip/release the dragging shaft so as to adjust the angular position of the dragging shaft. The deflection suppression device supports the dragging shaft accommodated within the dragging-shaft accommodation bore while permitting the dragging shaft to rotate.

A simple propulsion engine utilizing unheated atmospheric air as the propellant, and driven by a single cycle (unicycle) engine with internal combustion cylinder and free piston is disclosed. A plain piston is slidably displaceable in an elongated cylinder containing cylinder heads on opposite ends. The piston receives a combustive impulse at each end of its stroke. The cylinder also has exhaust/inlet ports and propulsive nozzles at each end with relevant valves and actuators to effect the requisite timing of the combustion, air induction, and propulsion functions. During the piston's traverse of the elongated cylinder's midsection, air is induced into the expanding volume of the moving piston/cylinder chamber while air is compressed and expelled through the nozzle of the decreasing volume chamber, producing usable thrust. The large amounts of atmospheric air induced provides inherent internal cooling and exhaust scavenging of the propulsion engine. The preferred embodiment combines a free piston with an annularly arranged thrust piston to divide a dual-diameter cylinder into two combustion chambers and two thrust chambers. Scavenge feeder lines connected the thrust chambers to the combustion chambers via check valves provide exhaust scavenging, additional thrust output through exhaust nozzles, and feeding of fresh air into the combustion chambers. Also, pressure-actuated fuel injectors utilize pressure changes in respective combustion chambers to inject fuel at the appropriate time. The fuel injector includes an intensifier piston and pintle to raise the fuel pressure.

An overhead valve engine including a cylinder bore having an outer end; and a crankshaft assembly including a substantially straight crankshaft, a substantially cylindrical journal eccentrically mounted on the crankshaft, a one-piece connecting rod rotatably mounted on the journal, and a counterweight mounted on the crankshaft. The engine also includes a cam shaft having at least one cam surface and an axis inward of the outer end of the cylinder bore; two valves having opened and closed positions; two valve stems, each valve stem being attached to a valve; and two generally L-shaped and pivotably mounted valve operating levers, each lever including a first lever arm having a cam follower in contact with the cam surface, a pivot axis about which the lever pivots, and a valve arm in contact with a valve stem, where movement of the lever caused by the cam surface causes the lever to pivot and the valve arm to depress the valve stem and thus open the valve.

In an automobile, the apparatus is interposed between the normally provided spin on oil filter and its point of attachment to the engine block. The device is similar in size and shape to a flat cylinder, possessing an internal chamber filled with numerous discrete magnets, a ring magnet with multiple poles, a magnetic grid or sponge, or other filter media. The cylinder is designed with a number of radially disposed holes which allow the pressurized lubricant fluid coming from the normally provided engine oil pump to pass through the puck and into the spin on filter and into the engine. This is the main flow. The radially disposed holes collectively act as an orifice restriction to the flow of oil. A method is suggested to achieve pressure differential between the two sides of the cylinder due to the orifice restriction. A sealed hollow chamber or duct is provided inside the cylinder. Multiple magnets, or other filter media, are placed inside the sealed chamber. Next, diametrically opposed sets of control orifices, carefully sized with predetermined numbers and diameters, are made on the engine side and on the filter side. The orifices in the upstream side and on the downstream side, effectively become the intake and exhaust of a self-contained magnetic bypass filter respectively. The puck is easily secured by means of a threaded nipple. A set of fins is placed around the cylinder to include the additional function of bypass flow cooling.

A method of operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle provided with a vacuum accumulator which provides an auxiliary energy required for at least one servo function of the internal combustion engine in form of a vacuum and which is acted upon by a vacuum acting in a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine. The method computes a pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator, supplies mass flows to the vacuum accumulator when at least one servo function is performed, and withdraws the mass flows from the vacuum accumulator when a pressure acting in the suction pipe is smaller than the pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator. The pressure acting in the vacuum accumulator is computed from a mass balance of the mass flows supplied to the vacuum accumulator and withdrawn from the vacuum accumulator.

To provide a novel barbecue stove, a cooking stove includes an outer frame and an inner frame having an opening portion at its upper portion and disposed within the outer frame. A flame lattice is provided within the inner frame. A multi-layer structure space partitioned by a partitioning member is formed between the outer frame and the inner frame. The space is formed into an air flow passage through which outside air to be introduced from one position is discharged from the other position.

A water inlet assembly for mounting adjacent an opening provided in a tub of an automatic dishwasher wherein the tub defines a cavity having a volume for washing dishes. The water inlet assembly includes a housing forming a venting chamber and having an outlet opening mounted in sealed relationship about the opening provided in the tub. The venting chamber has a vent opening which may be located above the outlet opening. The housing further includes an inlet nozzle for receiving wash liquid and a conduit for guiding liquid from the inlet nozzle to the venting chamber from which wash liquid can flow through the outlet opening into the tub. A water trap is formed into the housing and is located along the conduit. The conduit has a siphon opening located upstream of the water trap. A pressure actuated valve is positioned to block the passage of air from the tub cavity through the venting chamber and out the vent opening in a closed state and to allow the passage of air from the tub cavity through the venting chamber and out the vent opening in an open state. The pressure actuated valve moves from the closed to the open state in response to an excess of air pressure in the tub cavity.

A device for the retention of multi-fuels which may be built in or used in a portable mode. It will seal at the top of the fuel fillpipe and allow for the insertion of a utility hose nozzle into the top of the fuel fillpipe. When fluid comes out of the fillpipe, it will be contained by deflection shields while still allowing air to escape due to the arrangement of the shields and basin.

The present invention provides a space-out compensating apparatus and method for sequentially and simultaneously landing an anchor seal assembly into a previously run downhole packer, and landing a tubing hanger into a wellhead, so that the integrity of the seals in the anchor seal assembly of the tool is not compromised, and the completion can be concluded in a single run.

A lifting apparatus for mounting to a vehicle includes a base assembly that is adapted to cooperate with the vehicle. Extending from a base of the base assembly is a plurality of columns. The base assembly further includes a connecting mechanism that securely attaches the base assembly to a bed of the vehicle. The lifting apparatus further includes a platform assembly having a platform and a plurality of outer column receivers extending from the platform. The outer column receivers cooperatively engage with the columns of the base assembly to allow sliding engagement therebetween. Cooperating with the platform assembly is a driving mechanism that is adapted to elevate the platform assembly relative to the base assembly. The driving mechanism includes a lifting chain, a motor assembly, and a gear assembly. The lifting chain has a first end attached to the base assembly and a second end attached to the platform assembly. The gear assembly drivingly engages with the lifting chain such that upon activation of the motor assembly the gear assembly moves the platform assembly relative to the base assembly.

A method and apparatus for inhibiting tangling of a plurality of cables. The cable support apparatus includes a support brace having a plurality of legs, together at least partially surrounding a cable run for a plurality of cables. A side of the legs opposite the cable run is formed with a plurality of spaced apart passages for separating and guiding the plurality of cables with respect to the cable run. These passages at least partially surround corresponding cables and may be used together with a detachable clamping plate to retain the cables within the corresponding passages. The method includes passing cables to be connected to a movable member through corresponding cable passages in a first direction along an outer portion of the cable support brace and securing the cables within the cable passages. The cables are turned in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction and passed through an opening in an interior portion of the cable support brace. Finally, the cables are connected to a movable member vertically displaced from the cable guide in the second direction.

The in-line stacker machine for stacking cookies has a frame with a stacking station, and a conveyor on the frame for receiving a line of cookies. A rotary platen mechanism carried on the frame cooperates with the conveyor and includes camming means for elevating alternate cookies from the conveyor onto a shelf spaced above the conveyor. Pusher mechanism is provided for moving a cookie on the conveyor and for moving the cookie on the shelf into substantial alignment with the cookie on the conveyor and then moving the cookies from the stacking station, with the cookies being stacked one on top of the other.

A card package is provided with a viewing window covered by a transparent, plastic window sheet or patch allowing a viewer to see the entire card or a portion thereof while the plastic window patch protects the card against damage. The card package may be in the form of a “C”-folded package assembly having an integral interior end panel, an exterior end panel, and intermediate end panel with the card positioned interiorly between the exterior panel and the intermediate panel. Also, the card package may have an “A,” “V” or “Z”-folded configuration. A transfer tracking strip may be releasably mounted on a panel for removal where the card is a phone package card. A transfer tracking strip may be releasably mounted on a panel for removal where the card is a phone package card. The preferred method of manufacture produces the card assembly from a printed web of sheet material, plastic window patches, a card with the web being folded to form the panels and with the card and patch being adhered to panels of the assembly.

The present invention provides a device for storing or securing objects in a truck bed. The device comprises a collapsible compartment and two or more straps, each strap comprising a first end attached to the compartment and a second end having a fastener affixed to the second end for securing the second end to a rigid component of the truck, such as the truck frame. The storage compartment and system secures objects from sliding around the bed and protects the objects from damage during transport or inclement weather. The device may be installed without invasive modification of the truck bed, conserves cargo hauling capacity of the truck by including a compartment that is collapsible, and, optionally, provides tie downs for securing oversized objects in the truck bed.

An automated energy saving system dispenses HVAC energy from a common energy source to a set of utility zones, typically rooms in a house or commercial building which are dispersed at different locations remote from the energy source, typically a roof top unit. Each utility zone selects locally established operating conditions as operating parameters serviced at a control center, typically located at the energy source site, to distribute available HVAC energy to the independent utility zones of the set in an energy saving mode of operation. The remote utility zones communicate with the common controller by wiring or wireless communication links. At the energy source energy is distributed by off-on control of individual energy conduits to the individual utility sites. The control parameters at the local utility zones define energy-off periods by way of predetermined interactively set temperature ranges in one preferred automated delivery mode for delivering both heating and cooling energy from the HVAC energy source. Timing cycles for energy delivery during reduced energy delivery periods are also interactively defined at local utility sites for initiating automatic control functions at the central control site. Typically energy is supplied intermittently during uninhabited periods at local utility zones in response to either passive temperature range settings or dynamic occupancy detectors to conserve energy in an energy savings mode of operation.

The material processing mill includes a pair of rolls that each preferably have a smooth outer surface, such that material particles passing through the nip defined between the rolls are formed into flakes. One of the rolls is shiftable relative to the other, and shifting of the one roll is controlled by a roll positioning mechanism that includes a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies and associated spring reliefs. The rolls are each powered by a separate drive, which preferably includes a motor drivingly connected to the respective roll by a cogged belt. The drive for the shiftable roll particularly includes a motor base having a shiftable carrier to which the motor is fixed. The drive further includes a belt tensioning device, preferably in the form of a turnbuckle, that adjustably fixes the motor to the shiftable roll. Thus, the motor normally shifts with the shiftable roll, but the tensioning device may be used to adjust the spacing between the motor and shiftable roll to vary the tension on the belt. The piston and cylinder assemblies are single acting and are consequently capable of powering the shiftable roll in only one direction, and the motor base includes a biasing mechanism to urge the motor and roll in the opposite direction.

The fiber slack storage device of the present invention for storing a slack length of a fiber optic strand comprises a spool comprising a pair of diametrically-opposed cylindrical barrels, and a cylindrical housing for at least partially enclosing the spool. The spool is disposed in the housing and is rotatable with respect thereto and the minimum radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical barrels is equal to or greater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic strand.

A collet is rotated to wind a strand and build a package. The strand is reciprocated with a strand reciprocator having a strand guide to lay the strand in a pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. As the package builds, the diameter of the package increases. A method includes a startup procedure for selecting a desired rotational speed or torque of the collet prior to building the package. As the package builds, the torque on the collet is monitored and kept within upper and lower operating curves to control the package density. The method can also monitor the torque of the cam and/or receder to control the force exerted by the strand guide on the package.

A carburetor for a two stroke engine with an air passage and a separate fuel and air mixing passage in a carburetor body and the passages having an air valve and a throttle valve, respectively. A coupling connects a valve shaft of the air valve with a valve shaft of the throttle valve and has an area wherein the valves are rotatable relative to each other corresponding to a difference between an opening and closing angle of the air valve and an opening and closing angle of the throttle valve. Preferably, when the throttle valve is in an idle position, the air valve is closed and the throttle valve can be opened through at least some angle from its idle position before the air valve is moved from its closed position. Also, the air valve is preferably fully opened when the throttle valve is moved to its fully or wide open position. Thus, at idle operation of the engine, the air valve is closed to prevent a scavenging air supply from being provided to the engine to avoid an overly lean fuel and air mixture in the engine. When the engine is moved sufficiently off idle, the air valve is opened to supply the scavenging air supply to the engine which facilitates removal of exhaust gases and reduces the escape of a fresh fuel and air mixture through the engine exhaust ports.

A method of operating a lifting sucker which takes sheets off a pile, the sheets being picked up and lifted by suction, which comprises determining at least one of the physical variables characterizing the method and comparing it with an associated desired value, and initiating countermeasures if there are any deviations from the desired value; and a lifting device operated by the method.

A stamp collecting board game for teaching players about collecting stamps. The stamp collecting board game includes a game board. The game board has a top surface and a peripheral edge. A game path on the game board extends around the game board. A plurality of country indicia is on the game board. The country indicia are generally located in the game path. An ending path extends from the game path to a middle location of the board. A chance means determines movement about the game and ending paths. A plurality of stamps has indicia thereon indicating one of the country indicia. A plurality of game pieces is provided. The players each choose a game piece. The chance means is used to determine movement of the game piece about the game path and the ending path. Players collect a stamp when a player lands on the country indicia. A player wins the game by moving the game piece to an end space of the ending path.

A plate-shaped gasket 23 is inserted between a plurality of parts with an edge of the plate-shaped gasket 23 offset such that portions of mutually joining surfaces of the plurality of parts to be joined to each other (a cylinder block 1 and a cylinder head 4, as well as a chain cover 22 and a sprocket casing portion 20 in the embodiment) directly oppose each other, and a liquid gasket 29 is filled in a gap G formed by the directly opposing portions of the plurality of parts and the offset edge (an inner peripheral edge of a chain accommodating hole 27) of the plate-shaped gasket. As a result, since the thickness of the liquid gasket can be determined by the thickness of the plate-shaped gasket, it becomes unnecessary to form a recessed portion for storing the liquid gasket by machining, so that the number of manufacturing steps is prevented from increasing.

The invention pertains to an airbag device for a motor vehicle with at least one cover flap, behind which is a gas generator with which a gas bag can be inflated, and also moving drive devices that can be actuated by and are connected to each cover flap, where the latter is moved before or during triggering of the gas generator within the airbag device or within a part of the motor vehicle containing the airbag device. Furthermore, it is provided that the drive devices contain at least one piston running within a channel.

A storage apparatus such as a refrigerator includes a heat-insulated housing having a storage compartment defined by a ceiling, a bottom, two side walls, and a rear wall and a front opening, and a partition frame including a horizontal frame and a vertical frame and mounted on the heat-insulated housing so as to partition the front opening into a plurality of access openings, the access openings having doors respectively. The horizontal frame is formed into a single member fixed to both side walls of the heat-insulated housing so as to extend between them. The vertical frame is formed so as to extend between the ceiling of the heat-insulated housing and the horizontal frame and/or between the bottom of the heat-insulated housing and the horizontal frame.

Apparatus for printing an image using image forming materials having nanoparticles less than an average diameter of 500 nm. The apparatus defining a plurality of printing nozzles each of which prints a pixel on a receiver, the nanoparticles being effective in two states, in a first state it aggregates and will not flow through an ink jet printer nozzle and in a second state when subject to a force is flowable so as to be deposited on the receiver, such nanoparticles being bound to each other by Van der Waals forces in the first state and after deposition on the receiver. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving the nanoparticles and defining a cavity into which the nanoparticles aggregate in the first state; and applies a force to the nanoparticles disposed in the hopper to cause them to be effective in the second state and deliver them to the nozzles where such nanoparticles flow and are deposited on the receiver.

A vision test apparatus includes a light occluding casing and viewer connected to the casing which comprises a front lens. A mirror is rotatably mounted to the inside of the casing behind the front lens. An image display is movably mounted to the inside of the casing. An auxiliary lens is movably mounted to the inside of the casing and in alignment between the image display and the mirror whereby an image that is displayed on the image display passes through the auxiliary lens reflects off of the mirror and passes through the front lens.

A public transit vehicle has a vehicle body having a roof defining an interior ceiling surface, two side walls each extending longitudinally of the vehicle including an upper side wall portion connecting to the roof and a row of windows underneath the upper portion, a central aisle and two rows of seats each on a respective side of the aisle and along the side wall at the windows and a lighting fixture supported in the vehicle along the ceiling surface longitudinally of the vehicle at a position above each row of seats. Below the lighting fixture is provided an elongate advertising card support panel member for receiving and supporting an advertising card. The housing is substantially continuous along the vehicle and supports a plurality of fluorescent tubes mounted in the light housing. Between each tube and the next is provided a web member having an inner surface matching that of the housing and an outer surface butting edges of the individual lens/covers mounted on the light housing. The card support panel member carries adjacent the bottom receptacle thereof an elongate pressure switch strip operable at any point along its length for signalling the driver. The reflector is mainly parabolic with a V-shaped center section acting as a beam splitter and a support for a ground wire. The lens includes two upstanding fins each on a respective side of the tube and each carrying a reflective layer to restrict light from passing toward the aisle and the windows.

A hopper assembly for a ready mixed concrete truck having a material off loading position and a material on loading position. The hopper assembly includes a main chute portion and a movable portion movable between an open position for off loading and a closed position for on loading. The movable portion directs material directly into an opening of a mixing drum providing for the rapid on loading from an overhead delivery apparatus when in the closed position. When the movable portion is in the open position or off loading position a passage area between the hopper assembly and the mixing drum is increased thereby eliminating a restricted area to provide for the effective dispensing of high viscosity material such as low slump concrete.

A dual load path spherical bearing (10) comprises a bearing race (12) and a bearing ball (14). The bearing race (12) comprises a bearing race first half (16) and a bearing race second half (22) adapted to interface with the bearing race first half to form a bearing ball cage. The bearing ball (14) is rotatably caged in the bearing ball cage. The bearing ball (14) comprises a bearing ball first half (30), and a bearing ball second half (32) adapted to interface with the bearing ball first half. The bearing race (12) further comprises a bearing race first half (16) having a coupling shaft with an internally and externally threaded half shaft, and a bearing race second half (22) adapted to interface with the bearing race first half (16) to form a bearing ball cage and having a coupling shaft with an internally and externally threaded half shaft.

A method and apparatus for establishing the proper gas flow to pneumatically convey materials from a storage location. The device includes a plate of a size to be complementarily received over a discharge end of a convey line and connected thereto. The plate defines an orifice extending therethrough so that the orifice allows fluid communication between the convey line and atmosphere. The system blower then is used and the speed of the blower is set to establish a predetermined pressure. The blower is stopped, the device is removed, and the blower is restarted at the same speed as set using the device, which is the optimal unloading gas flow for that material.

An isothermal golf ball core molding platen is characterized by the use of isobars for even temperature distribution across the surfaces of the platen. The platen is formed of metal and includes first channels which receive heating elements for heating the platens. Isobars are arranged in second channels adjacent to the first channels. The isobars include an outer sheath defining an evacuated chamber and an inner metallic wick. The isobar is charged with working fluid which changes phase with the application of heat. The phase change provides higher speed heat transfer to eliminate temperature gradients within the platen.

A twist-lock connector assembly for securing an engaged electrical plug to an electrical outlet which includes a rotatable cylindrical sleeve for enclosing an electrical plug and a modified cover plate for replacing the conventional cover plate of an electrical outlet, such as a wall socket or a portable power box. The forward end of the rotatable sleeve includes a plurality of external thread members. Each socket hole of the cover plate includes an inner cylindrical wall having a plurality of radially inwardly projecting nubs formed thereon. In use, the electrical plug is inserted into the socket portion of the wall outlet and the cylindrical sleeve is rotated about a ¼ turn. This causes the external threads on the rotatable sleeve to lockingly engaged the nubs disposed surrounding the socket opening(s) of the cover plate and thereby prevent the electrical plug from being accidentally pulled loose from the outlet by its connection with cover plate. In an alternate embodiment, a twist-lock connector assembly for securing an engaged electrical plug to a female socket portion of an extension cord is disclosed. The female socket is enclosed by a retractable sleeve provided with engaging nubs adapted to lockingly engage the external threads of the rotatable sleeve for the electrical plug. In another embodiment, the connector assembly is configured to provide rapid twist-locking connection between a female connector of an extension cord and the male connector end of a whip end or handle portion of an outdoor garden power tool.

A plug connector with a hollow, cylindrical, metallic housing (1), within which is centrically disposed an inside contact pin (8, 9, 10) extending at least approximately over the entire axial length of the housing (1). In order to make contact with the reciprocal plug connector, the inside contact pin (8, 9, 10) is accessible at a first front side of the housing (1). The first front side is open toward the plug side of the plug connector, such that a latch interlock (6, 7) and a contact basket (5), which extends out of the open front side of the housing (1) and which is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), are disposed co-axially with the inside contact pin (8, 9, 10). The contact basket (5) makes permanent electrical contact with the metallic housing.

A new technical advancement in the field of precision aluminum optics permits high quality optical polishing of aluminum monolith, which, in the field of optics, offers numerous benefits because of its machinability, lightweight, and low cost. This invention combines diamond turning and conventional polishing along with india ink, a newly adopted material, for the polishing to accomplish a significant improvement in surface precision of aluminum monolith for optical purposes. This invention guarantees the precise optical polishing of typical bare aluminum monolith to surface roughness of less than about 30 angstroms rms and preferably about 5 angstroms rms while maintaining a surface figure accuracy in terms of surface figure error of not more than one-fifteenth of wave peak-to-valley.

The invention resides in a method and apparatus for conditioning an inner surface of a tube. A pressurized mixture of air and grit and is supplied to a nozzle having an opening with a given diameter through which diameter the pressurized grit and air pass. An elongated nozzle adapter is connected to said nozzle. The nozzle adapter has a passage having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said nozzle and said nozzle adapter is connected to said nozzle such that the opening in said nozzle and said passage are aligned with one another. The nozzle adapter is inserted into a tube and is axially moved and rotated in order to condition the inner surface thereof with a pressurized mixture of air and grit.

A lightweight, portable device to assist one-armed limited humans to simulate a two-handed golf grip that may may have been lost due to a stroke, accident or illness. The device features an arm cuff (10) attached to a golf club shaft tube (12) which extends a sufficient length to encapsulate a majority portion of a golf club handle (28). At the opposite end of the shaft tube 12 is a elastic retaining cord (14) which fits over the wrist of the active arm (26) thereby holding the device snugly to the arm, both at an area around the wrist and at an area around the upper forearm due to the arm cuff. A retaining leaf (22) on the side of the shaft tube acts to help stabilize oscillation of the club handle yet permits easy movement of the club handle either for length of grip positioning or extraction/insertion of a golf club.

A golf putter has a putter head which is ring shaped with a flattened front wall defining a striking face. A hosel is supported by a web cantilevered from a rear wall to locate the hosel at the center of mass of the putter head, to minimize any tendency for twisting as the ball is struck. Sighting marks are recessed into the web and at the top center of the front wall.

A simulated image of a batter facing a pitcher is provided for use in pitching practice. The lower portion of the batter includes one or more stakes which are inserted into the ground and provide a stable support. By positioning the simulated batter in an appropriate place near “home plate”, a pitcher can use the batter as a reference to determine the location of the strike zone. The size of the batter can be adjusted to vary the size of the strike zone. A ball detection apparatus and audio output can be provided to indicate when a pitch is detected and whether the pitch is a ball or a strike.

A hydraulic system for pressure control of a variator (7) of an automatic transmission having an electronic transmission control is connected with a lubricant circuit (10) in which at least one lubrication valve (14) and one radiator (13) are situated. Oil is fed to the hydraulic system with the lubricant circuit (10), from an oil source (4). At the same time, a hydraulic emergency device is provided which has at least one emergency valve (29) to provide a constant pressure ratio between a primary pulley set (19) and a secondary pulley set (20) of the variator (7). In addition, the system has for reducing the thermal load in the emergency operation at least one device (35, 37, 43, 45, 46, 51) by means of which in emergency operation the oil flow through the radiator (13) is increased and the pressure on one output side of the radiator (13) is reduced.

A hollow roll assembly for cutting, advancing, and folding segments when used in a folding machine, including discreet transversely extending vacuum conduits superposed against the inside surface of a rotating roll. The conduits have closed ends, apertures in one surface connecting the conduit to vacuum ports on the surface of the roll, and open sliding connections communicating with vacuum grooves in a non-rotating vacuum valve. The conduits also have apertures in another surface to communicate with vacuum grooves in the inside of the roll and extend vacuum to side margins of the segment. Similar conduits are provided for air with connections to surface apertures at one end and a pressurized air source at the other end. In another embodiment of the roll assembly, anvils and roll stiffening means are provided. In other embodiments, rolls include a pre-molded section having air and vacuum conduits for use in single or double fold applications. In all embodiments, the pre-molded plastic or prefabricated tubing can have a closed end and an end with sliding connections on both ends to cooperate with two stationary valves. In the preferred embodiment, a single vacuumized roll with anvils completes a singlefolded product versus two vacuumized rolls required for present art machines, and can complete a doublefold with one roll versus three vacuumized rolls with present art machines.

The invention relates to a device for protecting a cover. According to the invention, said cover is flexible and tubular in shape being closed at one end and open at its other end, and said cover is disposed at least in part inside a hollow tubular protective element referred to as a protective tube, which element is open at both ends. The device of the invention is particularly suited for use in the medical field, in particular for covering, preferably in sterile manner, a tool that is to be inserted in an animal or a human being, in particular in a natural passage such as the esophagus, the urethra, the rectum, or a blood vessel.

An ankle and foot therapeutic device for use in supporting a patient's foot and leg and selectively immobilizing the patient's ankle. The brace is of a multiple part configuration having a heel portion, leg portion and foot portion. The leg portion and foot portion being interconnected by a range of motion assembly. The range of motion assembly having a pivot point for adjustable plantar and dorsi flexion by the patient's foot. The heel portion having a configuration to provide a space with the patient's heel.

A sanitary pad including a wide portion, a narrow portion connected to the wide portion, defining two lateral notches dividing between the wide portion and the narrow portion. At least two fold lines are preformed on the narrow portion and inwardly emanate from the two lateral notches and curve downwardly away from the wide portion toward the longitudinal median of the narrow portion. In a preferable embodiment the at least two fold lines include a lower pair of fold lines preformed on the lower surface of the narrow portion and an upper pair of fold lines preformed on the upper surface of the narrow portion. The pad may also feature a traverse fold line preformed across the wide portion between the notches. In another preferable embodiment the upper part of the sides of the narrow portion overlap under the lower part of the sides of the wide portion.

The catheter coupling is intended for providing the proximal end of a catheter with a plug connector forming a fluid transfer connection. The catheter coupling comprises two pivotable jaws enclosing a wavy channel. One of the jaws is provided with a hose in which the catheter may be inserted. When the other jaw is closed, the hose and the catheter is deformed to a wave-shape without any significant change in cross section. Thus, the catheter is secured against being pulled out.

An improved aneurysm liner is used for treating an aneurysm in a parent vessel. The parent vessel defines a lumen. The aneurysm includes a neck and an inner wall defining a cavity in fluid communication with the lumen. The liner device is configured for deployment within the cavity. The device includes an extender inside an expandable aneurysm liner. The proximal pusher end of the extender receives force from a distal end of a delivery catheter for maneuvering the device into a deployment position. The device is arranged such that, when deployed within the cavity, the liner is expanded to fill the cavity. In treating an aneurysm, the liner device is directed to the aneurysm site by a guidewire that extends through the extender. Upon removal of the guidewire, the extender is released within the liner and the liner is expanded to fill the cavity.

An apparatus and method is used to cut a substantially oblong corneal flap to facilitate reshaping of a live cornea. In particular, the method and apparatus of cutting a substantially oblong corneal flap is used during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery to correct hyperopia. A cornea holding device is positioned over the live cornea such that a portion of the cornea extends through a substantially oblong opening in the cornea holding device. The portion of the cornea conforms to the oblong shape of the opening and is cut to form a substantially oblong corneal flap. The substantially oblong corneal flap is folded over to expose an oblong inner corneal surface. A laser is directed at the oblong corneal surface to ablate a ring-shaped region. The oblong shape of the corneal flap and the exposed inner corneal surface allows the laser ablation to occur without damaging the connecting portion of the corneal flap or corneal blood vessels which extend vertically in the cornea. When the corneal flap is repositioned, the laser ablation in the ring-shaped region changes the shape of the cornea in a way that will increase curvature of the cornea and correct hyperopia.

A dust collector for handling high temperature process gases such as air containing dust and dirt. The collector includes a cylindrical filter housing and a clean air plenum mounted over the housing. A series of ceramic filter tubes are mounted in a tube sheet situated between the housing and the plenum and hot dirt containing process air is drawn from the housing into the plenum through the filter tubes. A blowdown system is mounted in the plenum over the filter tube for periodically pulsing a jet of dirt removing air into the filter tubes with sufficient force to remove dirt and dust collected upon the filter tubes. The valves and the inlet piping to the blowdown tubes are protected from the heat generated in the housing by a pair of spaced apart heat shields that are designed to conduct a natural flow of cool ambient air over the pipes. Heat exchanger fins are mounted upon the pipes to further enhance the cooling process.

A bottom pour electroslag refining system refines raw material into refined liquid metal. The bottom pour electroslag refining system comprises an electroslag refining crucible; a slag; a bottom pour structure that comprises an orifice from which refined liquid metal from the electroslag refining crucible can flow as a stream of refined liquid metal; and a current path. The current path is defined in the bottom pour electroslag refining system for applying current to the raw material for melting and refining the raw material. The melted and refined raw material forms a refined liquid metal pool in the electroslag refining crucible. The current that is applied by the current path is sufficient to provide the refined liquid metal in the refined liquid metal pool with a viscosity under which the refined liquid metal can flow through the orifice under its own viscosity.

The present invention relates to powder-metallurgically produced composite material comprising a matrix of a metal with a melting point of at most 1,200° C. and a granular additive which consists of at least two refractory components embedded in said matrix, characterized in that the refractory components are present as mixed crystals or intermetallic phases. In one embodiment of the invention one or a first group of refractory component(s) has a melting point in the range of 1,500 to 2,400° C. and the second or the second group of refractory component(s) has a melting point above 2,400° C. The composite material is produced by heating a pulverized mixture of the refractory components, thus converting it into a mixed crystal or an intermetallic phase, and then combining the powder obtained by cooling and pulverizing with a metal matrix having a melting point of at most 1,200° C. by means of powder-metallurgy. The composite material of the present invention is suitable as switching contact in electrical vacuum switch boxes.

A composite nonwoven fabric is provided for use as a one-piece topsheet and barrier fabric for disposable absorbent articles including diapers, catamenial products, and adult incontinence products. The fabric is engineered to have a strikethrough region that is normally surfactant treated for receiving insults and transporting them to an absorbent core material for storage. The strikethrough region is bounded by liquid barrier regions that are suitable for defining containment structures, including diaper leg cuff. The barrier and strikethrough regions can be designed to have excellent low rewet characteristics and to have balanced properties comparable to or better than conventional spunbonded topsheet at comparable or lower basis weights.

The present invention provides plating solutions, particularly metal plating solutions, designed to provide uniform coatings on substrates and to provide substantially defect free filling of small features, e.g., micron scale features and smaller, formed on substrates with none or low supporting electrolyte, ie., which include no acid, low acid, no base, or no conducting salts, and/or high metal ion, e.g., copper, concentration. Additionally, the plating solutions may contain small amounts of additives which enhance the plated film quality and performance by serving as brighteners, levelers, surfactants, grain refiners, stress reducers, etc.

An improved transparent optical member, preferably a glass sheet, comprising a nanostructure layer with an enhanced geometry and a balance of chemical (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) characteristics can be formed on a surface. The geometry and chemistry of the layer combine to obtain improved washability. The layer can be manufactured by forming a layer comprising a silicon compound coating, including a silicon oxide coating, a silicon carbide coating, a silicon nitride coating or mixtures thereof. The coating can have a having a thickness of about 1 to 100 nm (10−9 meter). The layer has a preferred roughens from a random or ordered array of structure. The layer can be doped with di tri or polyvalent metal compounds. Such coatings have been found to have increased washability and such coatings have been found to preferentially bind to aqueous solutions applied to the glass. The hydrophilicity and preferential binding to aqueous solutions (wetability) tends to displace any soil deposited or contacted with the glass surface. As a result, the glass tends to associate with aqueous solutions and to disassociate soil when contacted with aqueous solutions substantially increasing the ease of cleaning the glass surface using water, aqueous cleaning solutions, etc.

The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of metals from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. The process is illustrated with cobalt removal and recovery with unexpected results, such as unexpectedly high cobalt fluxes and a very high cobalt concentration in the strip solution recovered. This process can remove other metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, lead, cadmium, silver, europium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, gadolinium, and selenium, from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

A process is provided for the direct recovery of nickel and cobalt from a nickeliferous oxide ore leach slurry by ion exchange. A nickeliferous ore is leached with mineral acid to solubilize the metals. The resulting leach slurry is contacted with ion exchange resin, which selectively loads the nickel and cobalt from the pulp. The resin is separated from the leach slurry by screening and then stripped with an acidic solution. After stripping, the resin is returned to the loading cycle. Nickel and/or cobalt can be recovered in substantially pure form from the eluate by known processes. The metal-depleted slurry proceeds to waste treatment and disposal. This process eliminates the difficult solid/liquid separation, which would otherwise be required to recover metals values from the pregnant leach slurry.

Hair conditioning shampoo compositions are provided which contain a combination of conditioning agents including emulsified silicones, cationic polymers and certain fatty acid polyesters of polyols. Suitable fatty acid polyesters are sucrose pentalaurate, sucrose tetraoleate, sucrose pentaerucate, sucrose tetraerucate, sucrose tetrastearate, sucrose pentaoleate, sucrose octaoleate, sucrose pentatallowate, sucrose trirapeate, sucrose tetrarapeate, sucrose pentarapeate, sucrose tristearate and sucrose pentastearate, and mixtures thereof. The compositions give improved hair conditioning benefits, especially to hair which has been damaged, e.g. through environmental exposure or harsh mechanical or chemical treatments such as heat styling, perming or bleaching.

The present invention provides a human prostate-associated protease (HUPAP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HUPAP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, antagonists, and antisense molecules. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HUPAP.

A cosmetic stick product, especially an antiperspirant and/or deodorant is disclosed which is made with a combination of dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate and stearyl alcohol. This stick employs the deliberate use of diethyl phthalate even in a system which is free of added fragrance to achieve improved stability and allow for the use of reduced amounts of dipropylene glycol.

Milk is concentrated by filtering with an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, after which casein is removed by acidification and the resulting liquid is concentrated and/or dried to produce a milk calcium composition having the following components' ratios (1) and (2):(1) −1.3≦log{(% by weight calcium in composition)/(% by weight protein in composition)}≦0.26;(2) 0.9≦log{(% by weight calcium in composition)/(% by weight sodium in composition)}.

Hitherto, glazing defects have arisen during glazing of ceramic substrates with an electrostatically applicable coating powder. This problem is solved by the coating powder CPAB and the coating method. The electrostatically applicable coating powder CPAB contains 1 to 50 wt. % of a glass-forming composition A which begins softening at 400 to 750° C. and 99 to 50 wt. % of a glass-forming composition B which begins to soften above 750-1,100° C. Preferably, the coating powder consists of 2.5 to 25 wt. % A, 75 to 97.5 wt. % B and 0 to 20 wt. %, specially 2 to 10 wt. % of thermally or chemically activatable adhesive agents. The coating powder CPAB is electrostatically applied as a single powder. Alternately, coating can be applied in two layers, wherein the CPU powder contains at least 5 wt. % of glass-forming composition A as a lower layer and the powder CPO contains at least 50 wt. % of glass-forming composition B as an upper layer.

A solid agglomerate for components used for building, interior decoration or the like which comprises a combination of granular inert materials such as marble, granite or similar, binding resin and granular glass in a quantity, quality and piece size such that light can pass between opposite parts of the solid.

A label for displaying information regarding a container and suspending the container from a support and a method for forming the same. The label includes a base label having a lower surface. A base adhesive is disposed on the lower surface for affixing the label to the container. The label further includes a hanger having at least two interconnected legs defining an opening therebetween, each of the legs having a respective end. Each of the ends of the legs are secured to the base label. The hanger includes at least first and second superimposed layers. The layers are preferably formed of polymeric film. Preferably, the first layer has a tensile strength greater than the second layer and the second layer has a tear resistance greater than the first layer.

A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one sulfite additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a solvent mixture that includes ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The preferred additive is an alkyl sulfite compound.

A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one sulfate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a solvent mixture that includes ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The preferred additive is selected from a silyl sulfate, tin sulfate or an organic sulfate.

A process of growing silicon oxide to a highly calibrated thickness is provided. In one embodiment, a silicon precursor material is deposited to a first thickness on a substrate, such as a fused glass substrate used for forming microlithography masks. The precursor material is then selectively exposed to ionization and the non-ionized portions of the precursor material are then selectively etched leaving only the implanted portion of the precursor material of the first thickness. The implanted material is then oxidized resulting in an oxide structure having a thickness that is directly correlated to the initial thickness and the coefficient of oxidation. In one embodiment, a selective etch, such as TMAH, is used to remove unimplanted silicon which results in less than one percent etching of the implanted silicon. Hence, the process can be used to form phase shift structures on phase shift photolithography masks wherein the thickness of the phase shift structure can be formed to within a specific tolerance to achieve a desired phase shift of light traveling through the phase shift structure.

A thin-film two-terminal element including first metal film functioning as a wiring layer and a first electrode, a first insulating film formed on the first electrode of the first metal film and having a non-linear resistance property, a second metal film formed on the first insulating film and functioning as a second electrode, and a third metal film formed in a wire layer portion of the first metal film and having a smaller stress and a smaller electrical resistance than the first metal film, and a thin-film two-terminal element including, on a resinous substrate as an insulative substrate, a first metal film functioning as a wiring layer and a first electrode, a first insulating film formed on the first electrode of the first metal film and having a non-linear resistance property, a second metal film formed on the first insulating film and functioning as a second electrode, and a second insulating film formed under the second metal film except on a portion thereof which electrically functions with the first electrode via the first insulating film.

The method of making a dry film decorative panel covered with paint or covered with metal or plastic sheet film designed to look like metal includes providing a substrate, at least one sheet of dry photoresist film, developer wash for the dry film and at least one art work stencil. Preferably, any line art work can be utilized as the art work stencil. The dry film is placed intermediate the art work and on the substrate thereby forming a layered composite. The layered composite is exposed to UV light to polymerize the exposed areas. The art work is thereafter removed. Non-UV exposed dry film layer portions are washed away utilizing developer wash. The resulting UV exposed and polymerized dry film portions create relies on the substrate. Multiple layer relies are created by repeating the aforementioned steps. The relief and supporting substrate is painted to form a decorative panel or is covered with metal or metal-like plastic sheet foil. In another embodiment, the method of repetitively reproducing decorative panels from resinous or cast able material utilizes a press plate cast from the dry film decorative panel. Rather than painting or covering the relief, the relief and supporting substrate are used to create an inter negative using suitable molding compounds, such as resin, plastic, silicone rubber, plaster, etc. A positive press plate is then created from the inter negative. The positive press plate bears substantially the same decorative design as the dry film decorative panel. By repetitively pressing the resulting press plate into the resinous or cast able material and other substrates such as paper or other formidable substrates which harden when removed form the mold, multiple decorative panels are created having substantially the same decorative design as the dry film decorative panel.

A method for the direct analysis of the presence of an analyte which becomes embedded in keratinized structures, e.g., hair, fingernails and toenails, from the bloodstream of a subject which comprises preparing a mixture containing dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol (“DTT”), an enzyme suitable for the digestion of the keratin structure and a sample of the keratin structure; permitting the enzyme to digest the sample of keratin structure to form a digest solution, followed by the addition of a salt of a metal of copper, zinc, manganese, iron, lead, cadmium, mercury, silver and cobalt to deactivate the DTT; and finally subjecting the digest solution to analysis to determine the presence of the analyte in the keratin structure sample. The protease enzymes papain, chymopapain, and proteinase K are preferred for use in the invention.

The inventors have modified the amino acid sequence of a pullulanase to obtain variants with improved properties, based on the three-dimensional structure of the pullulanase Promozyme®. The variants have altered physicochemical properties, e.g. an altered pH optimum, improved thermostability, altered substrate specificity, increased specific activity or an altered cleavage pattern.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method can reduce thermal budget in node contact application. It includes mainly the following processes. A substrate is first provided, then a dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. Next, a node contact opening through the dielectric layer to top surface of the substrate is formed by coating the dielectric layer with a photoresist layer, patterning the photoresist layer with pattern of a node contact by exposure and development, then etching the dielectric layer until top surface of said substrate exposed using said patterned photoresist layer as a mask. Subsequently, the photoresist layer is removed. Finally, a silicon nitride layer is formed on inside wall of the node contact opening by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD).

The present invention provides methods of forming in situ doped rugged silicon and semiconductor devices incorporating conductive rugged silicon. In one aspect, the methods involve forming a layer of doped amorphous silicon on a substrate at a substantially constant deposition temperature; and converting the amorphous silicon layer into hemispherical grain silicon by annealing the amorphous silicon layer at substantially the deposition temperature while varying pressure. In another aspect, the methods involve forming a discontinuous first layer of doped silicon on a substrate; forming a second layer of amorphous silicon on the first layer of doped silicon and the substrate not covered by the first layer of doped silicon; and annealing the first and second layers. In yet another aspect, the methods involve forming a discontinuous first layer of silicon on a substrate and forming a second conformal layer of doped amorphous silicon on the first layer of doped silicon.

A SEG combined with tilt implant method for forming semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure which comprises an active area in between isolation regions in a substrate with the active area having a gate electrode formed thereon, wherein a spacer is formed on the sidewall of said gate electrode. Then, selective epitaxial growth regions are formed on the active area and the gate electrode. Next, the active area is implanted with an angle to form source/drain regions beside the bottom edge of the gate electrode. Then, the salicide process and backend processes are performed.

The present invention relates generally to novel amine substituted oxindole compounds and compositions. Such compounds and compositions have utility as pharmacological agents in treating diseases or conditions alleviated by the inhibition or antagonism of protein kinase activated signalling pathways in general, and in particular in the pathological processes which involve aberrant cellular proliferation, such as tumor growth. In particular, the present invention relates to a series of substituted oxindole compounds, which exhibit protein tyrosine kinase and protein serine/threonine kinase inhibition, and which are useful in inhibiting tumor growth via inhibition of tumor-related angiogenesis.

The present invention relates to novel 3-(cycloalkano-heteroarylidenyl)-2-indolinone compounds and physiologically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof which are expected to modulate the activity of protein tyrosine kinases and therefore to be useful in the prevention and treatment of protein tyrosine kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.

This application relates to novel compounds of formula (I) (and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts), as defined herein, processes and intermediates for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the novel compounds of formula (I), and the use of the compounds of formula (I) as thrombin inhibitors.

Disclosed herein is a game ball and method for making the same. The game ball has an ionomeric cover which includes a combination of ionomeric crosslinks and covalent crosslinks. The game ball cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover that does not have covalent crosslinks but is otherwise substantially identical in composition. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.

A formulation of conductive putty is disclosed for forming a uniform coating on the surface of a metallic product prior to painting. The formulation of the putty comprises a ketone solvent, epoxy resin, calcium carbonate clay, pigment and metallic powder having a specific conductance. Use of the putty simplifies the finishing procedure, decreases the weight and thickness of the finished product, decreases handling cost and results in a product having an improved appearance.

The present invention relates to dispersion powders comprisinga) at least one base polymer from the group consisting of the vinyl ester, vinyl ester comonomer, vinyl ester/ethylene, (meth)acrylate and styrene/acrylate polymers,b) from 1 to 25% by weight, based on the base polymer, of at least one protective colloid,c) from 1 to 25% by weight, based on the base polymer, of at least one partially acetalized, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol,d) from 0 to 20% by weight, based on the total polymer weight, of anticaking agent ande) if required, further additives,the use of these, and process for their preparation.

A water-dispersible polyurethane resin is disclosed. The resin comprises recurring units of an alkoxylated phenolic resin, a carboxylate-containing diol, and a multifunctional isocyanate. The resin, which can be neutralized, and/or chain-extended, is dispersed in water to form a polyurethane dispersion. Coatings derived from the polyurethane dispersions have excellent acid and chemical resistance.

The invention involves an isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein that has a molecular weight of about 55 kD to about 72 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. Also described is a peptide derived from this isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein. Diagnostic uses for each of these molecules are discussed.

The present invention concerns molecules which bind and neutralize the cytokine interferon-gamma. More specifically, the present invention relates to sheep-derived antibodies and engineered antibody constructs, such as humanized single-chain Fv fragments, chimeric antibodies, diabodies, triabodies, tetravalent antibodies, peptabodies and hexabodies which can be used to treat diseases wherein interferon-gamma activity is pathogenic. Examples of such diseases are: septic shock, cachexia, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis.

In a process for the preparation of pentaacetyl-&bgr;-D-glucopyranose by reacting D-glucose with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate catalyst, the improvement is provided wherein 5-10 mols of acetic anhydride are used per mol of D-glucose and the reaction is performed in an organic solvent. Pentaacetyl-&bgr;-D-glucopyranose is useful as intermediates for the synthesis of raw materials for industrial chemicals, medicines, cosmetics and the like.

Selective inhibitors of the cPLA2 enzymes are provided which are of use in controlling a wide variety of inflammatory diseases. The inhibitors of the present invention have the general formula where (R′), p, D, Y, Z, Ra, Rb and A are as defined in the specification.

This invention relates to an improvement for the preparation of bis(3-hydroxypropyl) dicarboxylate monomers using 1,3-propanediol and a dialkyl dicarboxylate in the presence of a catalytic amount of such yttrium and/or samarium compounds as yttrium/samarium acetylacetonate or tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) yttrium/samarium which act as a catalyst for the transesterification reaction

Malonic esters of the general formula where R is C1-10-alkyl, C3-10-alkenyl or aryl-C1-4-alkyl, are prepared by reacting an alkali metal salt of malonic acid with a halide of the general formula R—X (II), where R is as defined above and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, in the presence of water and a phase-transfer catalyst.

Polyether polyols can be prepared by reacting polyols with epoxides in the presence of basic catalysts, by treating the polyether polyols containing the basic catalysts with OH-functional solid compounds of metals of groups III to VIII of the periodic system of the elements (Mendeleyev), the compounds being insoluble in the polyether polyols and having BET surface areas of from 10 to 1000 m2/g, isolating the solid inorganic compounds laden with the basic catalysts from the polyether polyol and using them in the reaction of polyols with epoxides, or bringing the isolated inorganic compounds laden with the basic catalysts into contact with the polyols that are to be used in the reaction with epoxides, separating those polyols from the inorganic compounds and delivering them to the reaction with epoxides.

A drum hoop having an asymmetrical cross section for use in combination with hand drums. The drum hoop upper inner edge is connected to a lower inner edge having a larger diameter producing a drum hoop inner surface having an angular orientation to the central axis of the drum. The angular orientation of the inner surface maximizes clearance between the drum hoop and the variable diameter exterior surface of the drum shell. Added clearance allows a drum hoop constructed according to the invention to accommodate variations in exterior surface diameter often encountered in hand made drum shells common in the art.

A new device and method for providing strain relief to soft-jacketed cables includes a base with a mounting portion and a tubular extension having a plurality of deflectable arms, each of which are provided with a pad. Upon tightening of a nut having a tapered inner channel, the deflectable arms and pads radially converge about the cable. The pads evenly spread the gripping forces created by the convergence of the deflectable arms, thereby preventing damage to the wires within the soft-jacketed cable.

A wire harness protector for double doors at the rear of a vehicle body is provided. The protector 10 consists of a first fixed member 11, a second fixed member 12, and a pivoting member 13. The first fixed member 11 has a tubular axle 11b protruding from the central portion of a closed-off cylindrical base face. The second fixed member 12 is approximately the same shape as the first fixed member 11. The pivoting member 13 is provided with a connecting frame 13d which connects a first cylindrical member 13a-1 and a second cylindrical member 13a-2, both of which have closed-off cylindrical upper faces and on central portions of which an outer fitting cylinder 13b-1 and an outer fitting cylinder 13b-2 are respectively provided. The tubular axles 11b and 12b of the first fixed member 11 and the second fixed member 12 are inserted into the first cylindrical member 13a-1 and the second cylindrical member 13a-2 of the pivoting member respectively, these joining in a state wherein they can swivel. When a door D′ is pivoted, joining members of the wire harness protector 10 pivot to 270° C.

An inventive method for sorting integrated circuit (IC) devices of the type having a substantially unique identification (ID) code, such as a fuse ID, includes automatically reading the ID code of each of the IC devices, and sorting the IC devices in accordance with their automatically read ID codes. The inventive method can be used in conjunction with an IC manufacturing process that includes providing semiconductor wafers, fabricating the IC's on each of the wafers, causing each of the IC's to store its ID code, separating each of the IC's from its wafer to form IC dice, assembling the IC dice into IC devices, and testing the IC devices. The inventive method is useful for, among other things, culling IC reject bins for shippable IC's, sorting IC's from a wafer lot into those that require enhanced reliability testing and those that do not, and allowing IC's fabricated using both a control fabrication process recipe and a new fabrication process recipe under test to be assembled and tested using the same equipment to reduce unintended test variables introduced when the IC's are assembled and tested separately.

An electronic cooker time switch (1) having a display panel, input elements for time data and switching times, a control circuit, a relay for automatically switching an electric load on and off, and a change-over switching device for switching over from an automatic to a manual mode, wherein there are provided a display portion (2) which has a time switch with digital display and a circuit board (15) with mains unit and control electronics, and an operating portion (3) which is arranged separately from the display portion. This modular design unit that it is possible to use different kinds of operating portions (3) with one and the same display portion (2). The operating portion (3) and the control electronics on the circuit board (15) in the display portion (2) are electrically conductively connected together by way of a flat ribbon cable (4), while data transmission between the operating portion (3) and the control electronics is effected in encoded fashion so that different operating portions can be detected by the control electronics.

A deterioration sensing device comprises a laser diode (LD), a voltage-current converter supplying electric current to the LD to radiate a laser beam which is received by a photo-diode, and an APC circuit outputting electric voltage in accordance with the intensity of the laser beam sensed by the photo-diode. The voltage-current converter is controlled based on the electric voltage so that the intensity of the laser beam is kept constant. An LD deterioration circuit is provided with a comparator, in which the electric voltage is compared with a reference voltage. An LD deterioration control unit is provided in the LD deterioration circuit to output a deterioration signal when the electric voltage becomes higher than the reference voltage, so that an alarm, indicating that the LD has deteriorated, is output, and the electric current supplied to the LD is decreased.

There is provided a quantum thin line producing method capable of forming a quantum thin line that has good surface flatness of silicon even after formation of quantum thin line and a complete electron confining region with good controllability as well as a semiconductor device employing the quantum thin line. A region of a nitride film 3 which covers a semiconductor substrate 1 on which a stepped portion 2 is formed is etched back with masking, consequently exposing an upper portion of a semiconductor substrate 1. Next, an oxide film 5 is formed by oxidizing the exposed portion of the upper portion of the semiconductor substrate 1, and a linear protruding portion 6 is formed on the semiconductor substrate along a side surface of the nitride film 3. Next, the oxide film 5 on the protruding portion 6 is partially etched to expose a tip of the protruding portion 6. Next, a thin line portion 7 is made to epitaxially grow on the exposed portion at the tip of the protruding portion 6. Then, after removing the nitride film 3 and the oxide film 5, there is formed a quantum thin line 7a that is insulated and isolated from the semiconductor substrate 1 by an oxide film 5A formed through oxidation of the semiconductor substrate 1.

A number of integrated circuit dies having on board protection against electrical overstress (EOS) transients are provided. Generally, the devices have an integrated circuit die with an outer periphery and a functional die area. A plurality of conductive input/output pads are formed on the integrated circuit die. Typically, a first conductive guard rail is disposed on the integrated circuit die and forms a gap between each one of the input/output pads. A voltage variable material is disposed in the gaps between the conductive guard rail and the input/output pads. Typically, a plurality of electrical leads are electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of conductive input/output pads. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material is non-conductive. However, in response to an EOS transient, the voltage variable material switches to a low resistance state, providing a conductive path between the conductive guard rail and the input/output pads.

A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device including a driving portion, a movable portion, a fixing portion for holding the driving portion and the movable portion, the movable portion being coupled with the fixing portion via the driving portion, and a hole formed by inner walls of the driving portion, movable portion, and fixing portion. The driving portion includes a pair of mutually opposing thin plate portions and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive (P/E) element. A P/E operating portion of the P/E element is arranged on at least a part of an outer surface of at least one of the thin plate portions, such that one end thereof exists on the fixing portion or the movable portion and the other end thereof is arranged on the thin plate portion. At least one end of a P/E layer of the P/E element exists on the fixing portion or the movable portion, and the other end is arranged on the thin plate portion. The Young's modulus Y1 of a material composing the thin plate portions and the Young's modulus Y2 of a material composing the P/E layer have a relationship satisfying 1 Status Category:
Patent Expired Due to NonPayment of Maintenance Fees Under 37 CFR 1.362

A composition for forming a conductive film, a method for preparing the same, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) employing the conductive film formed using the composition are disclosed. In the composition for forming a conductive film according to the present invention, conductive black pigment particles are bonded to a network of an organic-inorganic composite sol and are uniformly dispersed in the network. Thus, the conductive film prepared using the composition of the present invention is stable even under a change of conditions such as temperature or humidity. Further, a CRT employing the conductive film formed using the conductive composition of the present invention is excellent in view of contrast characteristics, resolution and film properties, and has an improved body color and a good picture image.

A lighting device and control means therefor is disclosed. The lighting device consists of a plurality of White LEDs (WLEDs) provided in separate chains all connected parallel. A small number of WLEDs is connected in series in each chain, and a number of such chains are wired together in parallel between a pair of voltage lines from which current is drawn. Current measurement and adjusting means is provided firstly between a high voltage line and all the parallely connected chains, and secondly in each chain. Each current measurement and adjusting means is controlled ideally by a microprocessor which monitors both the total current drawn by all the chains together and also the individual currents flowing in each chain. WLEDs have a tendency to fail when subjected to sudden current increases, and also when operating at extreme temperatures as temperature affects the operating characteristics of diodes in general. It cannot however accurately be predicted whether a particular WLED will fail in open or closed circuit and the invention provides a means of mitigating the effect of failure of one WLED on those which remain functioning in the circuit. The control means immediately increases or reduces the total current flow to all the chains depending on whether a WLEDs fails in short or open circuit. The control means also detects operating temperature and user light intensity requirement and adjusts various currents accordingly.

In a circuit arrangement for the dimmable operation of a fluorescent lamp at the operating frequency (f1), having an apparatus for switching the operating frequency (f1) on and off at a dimming frequency (f2), the pulse width (W2) of the dimming frequency (f2) being variable, and where f2f1.

The present invention illustrates about the managing device for batteries which expands the durability of batteries and enhances the charging effect by maintaining the termination voltage of the rechargeable batteries used in all kinds of electrical devices and managing method for rechargeable battery thereof. The present invention provides a managing system for rechargeable batteries comprising a plurality of cells, a closed loop circuit method which connects the cells in parallel connection electrically, an electrical load means having regular voltage which is the sum of the maximum output voltage among the plurality of cells and being in parallel connection with the rechargeable cells which are connected in parallel with the closed loop circuit method, a switching means inserted between the plurality of cells and the electrical load means in order to cut off the current flowing in the electrical load means in case it reaches the discharge termination voltage of the plurality of rechargeable cells.

In case that the power source voltage rises fast, the reset signal is set in the low level when the power source is supplied, so that the PMOS transistor T1 is switched ON and the node N1 is shifted to the high level. Because the node N1 is connected to the earth line VSS through the NMOS transistor T2, the NMOS transistor T2 is switched ON when the power source voltage reaches the predetermined value. Thus, by giving a small resistance value to the resistor R1, the node N1 can shift from the high level to the low level without delay, whereby the nodes N2 and N3 are set to the high level, thereby setting the reset signal to the high level. In addition, while the reset signal stays in the high level, the PMOS transistor T1 is switched OFF to cut the current. Consequently, it has become possible to provide an integrated circuit which can save the standby current consumption and at the same time output the reset signal properly in response to the power source voltage at any rising rate.

There is provided a high frequency current detecting apparatus which can measure a high frequency current with high precision without cutting a circuit conductor. The high frequency current detecting apparatus includes a core having a hollow portion, a first conductive material inserted in the hollow portion of the core and having both ends respectively protruding from both ends of the hollow portion to form probe portions, a second conductive material electrically insulated from the first conductive material and inserted in the hollow portion of the core, a resistor for generating a voltage corresponding to a high frequency current flowing through the second conductive material while the first conductive material is made a primary coil and the second conductive material is made a secondary coil, and a shield provided around the core.

A dynamic impedance adjustment circuit that reduces overshoot and undershoot noise while achieving fast slew rates. The dynamic impedance adjustment circuit has an output driver for selectively driving or drawing current providing source or sink current. The dynamic impedance adjustment circuit also has an a variable impedance output driver for selectively providing a dynamic current (source or sink) for a predetermined time after transitions from a logic low level to a logic high level or from a logic high level to a low logic level in the input signal. An impedance adjustment control circuit is coupled to the variable impedance output driver for automatically detecting the transitions in the input signal and for changing the impedance of the variable impedance output driver based on the input signal, enable signal, and the output node.

The function module enables generation of a second current which has a relationship to at least one first current of the type y=xk/j, in which x is the value of the first current and y is the value of the second current, k and j being respective different positive integers which can be freely selected.It comprises a series of sections (C1, C2, . . . , Cj, . . . ), each section comprising a variable conductance (G*j) whose value is proportional to the current flowing in the variable conductance of the section which preceded this section in the series.The conductance (G*1) of the first section is proportional to a reference current (I0).

A described embodiment of the invention is known as a brake strobe system (BSS) providing a state of the art visual warning system designed to prevent accidents and multi-car pileups. When a driver quickly and forcefully applies his brakes, a strobe light (which is built into the third brake light or all brake lights) is activated. The harder a driver brakes, the faster and brighter the strobe blinks, thereby warning other drivers of potential hazards. The BSS also has the ability to brighten or dim the strobe to compensate for weather and day or night driving conditions. It also has the ability to change modes or presets according to the speed of the vehicle. In the event that a car's airbag deploys, the brake strobe system will automatically activate to warn other drivers and alert emergency response personnel. Also included is a manual on/off feature to augment the car's hazard lights (which vary in speed and intensity according to the vehicle's speed) and provide better visibility and safety for roadside stops or other emergencies. Since the strobe is activated when the hazards are on or the airbag is deployed, it will also trigger the optional audible alert system.

A system for monitoring the operability of fire event sensors having a programmable logic circuit which automatically and continuously analyzes whether readings obtained from fire event sensors satisfy multiple predetermined parameters. Parameters defining operability may include the mere receipt of a signal from a sensor, elapsed time between a request for data by the circuit and receipt of said data, substantive quality of signals, sensor sensitivity, strength of power source, or other parameters. The parameters are modifiable to facilitate many different types of sensors without the addition of any additional circuitry. The system also monitors operability of the self-checking routine itself as well as checking the circuitry of a fire detection unit and strength of power source.

Digital calibration of an A/D converter, which converts an analog signal into a digital signal, is performed by first sequentially inputting two analog signals of different values to the A/D converter, then calculating an offset calibration value and gain calibration coefficient on the basis of two digital converted signals generated from the A/D converter and then calibrating a digital signal output from the A/D converter on the basis of the thus-calculated offset calibration value and gain calibration coefficient. Digital calibration of a D/A converter, which converts a digital signal into an analog signal, is performed by first sequentially inputting two digital signals of different values to the D/A converter, then calculating an offset calibration value and gain calibration coefficient on the basis of two analog converted signals generated from the D/A converter and then calibrating a digital signal input to the D/A converter on the basis of the thus-calculated offset calibration value and gain calibration coefficient.

A method and apparatus for forming an image that is larger than the photoprinting plate by on-the-go formation of web alignment holes in a resist covered web and using the on-the-go web alignment holes to position the photoprinting plates so that a sequence of images can be formed from a single photoprinting plate with the sequence of images laterally positioned so that the images are in lateral registration so that the sequential formed images can appear as a single continuous image.

A method of measuring the spectral properties of broadband waves that combines interferometry with a wavelength disperser having many spectral channels to produce a fringing spectrum. Spectral mapping, Doppler shifts, metrology of angles, distances and secondary effects such as temperature, pressure, and acceleration which change an interferometer cavity length can be measured accurately by a compact instrument using broadband illumination. Broadband illumination avoids the fringe skip ambiguities of monochromatic waves. The interferometer provides arbitrarily high spectral resolution, simple instrument response, compactness, low cost, high field of view and high efficiency. The inclusion of a disperser increases fringe visibility and signal to noise ratio over an interferometer used alone for broadband waves. The fringing spectrum is represented as a wavelength dependent 2-d vector, which describes the fringe amplitude and phase. Vector mathematics such as generalized dot products rapidly computes average broadband phase shifts to high accuracy. A Moire effect between the interferometer's sinusoidal transmission and the illumination heterodynes high resolution spectral detail to low spectral detail, allowing the use of a low resolution disperser. Multiple parallel interferometer cavities of fixed delay allow the instantaneous mapping of a spectrum, with an instrument more compact for the same spectral resolution than a conventional dispersive spectrometer, and not requiring a scanning delay.

A gyro includes a laser device for generating a first and second laser beams to be propagated circuitally in opposition directions. An electric signal is taken out from the laser device. A third laser beam having an oscillation frequency different from that of the first laser beam is led to enter the laser device so as to be propagated circuitally in the same direction as the first laser beam.

An interference-type distance measuring device generates a reference beam having a first frequency and detection beam having a second frequency and directs these beams toward a moving detection unit which reflects these beams toward an interference system, where these beams are used to generate a detection interference wave. A reference interference wave generated by the interference system is converted into a first sine-wave signal, the interference detection wave is converted into a second sine-wave signal, first and second cosine-wave signals are generated from the first and second sine-wave signals, and the position of the motion detection unit is detected based upon these four signals.

A progressive scan architecture for displaying a two-dimensional image by alternately scanning two or more laser beams, one after the other with a time delay between adjacent beams. The beams are arranged to become incident upon a polygon scanner in a row with an approximately uniform spatial separation and an approximately equal angle between adjacent beams. The polygon scanner scans horizontally and a galvanometer-driven mirror scans vertically. Adjacent lines are progressively scanned in sequence from top to bottom, which advantageously reduces or eliminates psycho-visual effects and is tolerant of non-linearities in the vertical scanner, allowing use of a low-cost galvo mirror. Typically, the beams in the row are arranged in pairs, and only one beam from each pair will be scanning at any one time. Embodiments are described in which the duty cycle is slightly less than 50% and the laser illumination is switched between two interleaved beam scans thereby allowing a single modulator to be used for both beams which provides significant cost advantages and improves system efficiency. For full-color images, each of the beams described can incorporate separate red, green and blue (RGB) components which are individually modulated by separate red, green, and blue modulators. The system can be scaled up with one or more additional pairs of beams to improve resolution and/or increase pixel count without requiring a high-speed polygon scanner or a highly-linear galvo scanner. Furthermore, the height of each facet in the polygon mirror need be only one beam diameter and its length need only be two beam diameters, which allows the system to approach the minimum pixel size attainable, which is useful to provide high efficiency and high brightness in the image.

A fixing apparatus of a data storing device comprises a lower case an upper case, and two combining elastic pieces. The left and right sides of this lower case each has a combining portion having a combining elastic piece thereon. The upper case is installed above the lower case; and two combining elastic pieces each has a buckling portion and a movable portion, the movable portion can drive the buckling portion, and the two combining elastic pieces is connected to left and right sides of the upper case. The data storing device can be disposed between the upper case and the lower case, and then the buckling portions of the combining elastic pieces connected to the left and right sides of the upper case are buckled to the combining holes of the lower case so that the data storing device is clamped and fixed between the upper case and lower case.

A method and apparatus for supplementing electrical power production during peak demand power consumption is presented. A solar power conditioner converts DC electrical power provided by solar panels (or otherwise) to AC power and uses this to supplement main AC electrical power generated by a power utility (or otherwise) when needed. Both the DC power and the main AC power are digitalized by analog to digital (A/D) converters and continuously monitored by a central processor (CPU). The CPU aims to match the generated AC power of the inverter to that of the main AC power and, after tripping a breaker, supplements the main AC power with that of the converted power provided by the solar panels. In such a supplementary role, the solar power conditioner can be inserted into a utility's distributed power grid.

A DRAM includes first to third voltage lowering circuits for lowering a power supply voltage supplied from the exterior and supplying the lowered voltage to an internal circuit. The first voltage lowering circuit is a feedback type circuit for creating a first potential by lowering the power supply voltage supplied from the exterior and supplying a thus created lowered power supply voltage to a {overscore (RAS)} signal input buffer, {overscore (CAS)} signal input buffer and {overscore (WE)} signal input buffer. The second voltage lowering circuit is a feedback type circuit is a source follower type circuit for creating a second potential by lowering the power supply voltage supplied from the exterior and supplying a thus created lowered power supply voltage to a VBL generating circuit for generating a bit line precharge potential and a VPL generating circuit for generating a cell plate potential. The third voltage lowering circuit is a source follower type circuit for creating a third potential by lowering the power supply voltage supplied from the exterior and supplying a thus created lowered power supply voltage to all of the other internal circuits except the above circuits.

Structures and methods are provided for programmable decode circuits which utilize non volatile depletion mode, p-channel floating gate driver transistors. The driver transistors of the present invention have ultra thin gate oxides. The decode circuits of the present invention will work with voltages around one Volt. The decode circuits of the present invention can be programmed with voltages in the range 2.0 to 3.0 Volts. This allows the fabrication of low voltage programmable memory address decode circuits which operate with low voltage power supplies which will be used with CMOS technology which has feature sizes of the order 0.1 &mgr;m, 1000 å, or 100 nm. The address decoder structure includes a number of address lines and a number of output lines which form an array. A number logic cells are disposed at the intersections of output lines and address lines. Further, a number of depletion mode p-channel memory cells are disposed at the intersections of the address lines and at least one output line. The depletion mode p-channel memory cells have a control gate and a floating gate separated from the control gate by a dielectric layer. According to the teachings of the present invention an oxide layer of less than 50 Angstroms (å) separates the floating gate from a p-type doped channel region between a source and a drain region in the substrate. According to the teachings of the present invention the floating gate is adapted to hold a fixed charge over a limited range of floating gate potentials or electron energies.

An X-ray exposure apparatus includes a partition structure for defining therein an ambience of one of an atmospheric pressure and a reduced pressure, for accommodating an X-ray mask and an article to be exposed, an X-ray window provided on the partition structure for spatially isolating the inside of the partition structure and an X-ray source, and having a function for transmitting therethrough an X-ray beam with which the article as placed inside the partition structure can be exposed through the X-ray mask, and a scanning mechanism for scanningly moving the X-ray window in a direction intersecting with an optical axis of the X-ray beam, in a single exposure and without interruption at least from just before the start of the exposure to just after the end of the exposure.

Apparatus and methods for identifying a note that has been destroyed or dispensed. The apparatus and methods determine and record the image of the note just prior to or as the note is being engaged by shredding tines or a note feeder. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with an OCR system such that the serial code of each note destroyed or dispensed is determined automatically by the OCR system.

The present invention is an optical harness and method for an optical cross-connect. The optical harness is defined primarily by a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the optical harness comprises a number M of fiber optic row cables where each fiber optic row cable comprises an array of a number N of fiber optics arranged on a first plane. The first plane on which each fiber optic row cable is disposed is substantially parallel to each of the other first planes on which a fiber optic row cable is disposed. The second portion of the optical harness comprises a number N of fiber optic column cables where each fiber optic column cable comprises an array of a number M of fiber optics arranged on a second plane. Each fiber optic column cable is disposed on a second plane being substantially parallel to each of the other second planes on which each other fiber optic column cable is disposed. The optical harness further comprises a holding mechanism disposed intermediate the first portion and the second portion of the optical harness. The orientation of the first planes on which the fiber optic row cables are disposed is arranged at a defined angle relative to the second plane on which the fiber optic column cables are disposed. The holding mechanism is arranged and configured to transition the fibers from one configuration toward the first portion to the second configuration toward the second portion and to prevent the separation of the fibers from the optical fiber row cables from progressing toward the first portion of the optical harness.

A camera for exposing latent images on successive frames of a filmstrip having magnetic recording capacity, includes a control that actuates a motor following exposure of each film frame to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment, and a magnetic head that magnetically records user-selected information on the filmstrip adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames as the filmstrip is advanced forward. The control first actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip rearward one frame increment when it is desired to change the existing information magnetically recorded adjacent the most-recently exposed one of the film frames to some new information, and then actuates the motor to advance the filmstrip forward one frame increment for the magnetic head to magnetically record the new information adjacent the same frame in place of the existing information.

A method and apparatus for forming a single-exposure synthesized image on film is provided where an instantaneous image is combined with an image from a prepared picture on film. The preparation picture is reflected by a reflective mirror, and then is refracted by the objective lens of the camera to form a prepared image. The reflective mirror has a central hole that is located in front of the objective lens. The prepared picture also has a central hole, or a central transparent portion, and is located in a space between the objective lens and the reflective mirror, so that the reflecting surface of the reflective mirror faces the picture and the objective lens. Light rays from the prepared picture are reflected by the reflective mirror, pass through the central hole or the central transparent portion of the picture and through the objective lens to image the prepared picture image on the circumferential portion of the film. The light rays from the subject being photographed pass through the central of the reflective mirror, and the central hole or the central transparent portion of the prepared picture, and the objective lens to form an image on a central portion of the film. A synthesized image is thus composed.

A method for dispensing blended fertilizer to a customer at a dispensing site, which may be remote and unmanned. The fertilizer dealer enters the blend of standard fertilizer ingredients required to provide the customer's desired nutrients into a database identified with the customer. The customer identifies himself to a dispensing site based computer which recognizes the blend and operates a blending and dispensing apparatus to dispense the desired quantity of blended fertilizer to the customer. A plurality of blends may be available to the customer.

A system for performing antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance testing is automated using software and robotics. The system includes a transfection apparatus, an infection apparatus and a plate reading apparatus. One or more of the apparatuses may be automated.

In an Internet system having a plurality of applications, and a plurality of servers for attachment from a plurality of web browsers, a system supports connection oriented applications over a connectionless protocol. At least one of the servers is a master server work station gateway owning a well-known port, and the other servers are slave servers supporting established web browser-to-application state sessions. Dynamic session authentication checking is done by the server to prevent the occurrence of screen spoofing by providing authentication keys which are unique to each session and each panel.

The present invention is a hand tool incorporating a wire stripper, a wire cutter, and a punch-down tool all in a single unit. The punch-down tool is retractable and is located at one extremity of the body of the tool. The wire cutting apparatus, using a basic scissoring motion to cut wires, is mounted along either side of the tool body, or within the tool body, depending upon the particular embodiment of the invention in question. The wire stripping apparatus utilizes the pressure of the user's fingers to press a wire or set of wires against a razor blade.

A grill knife and scraper for cutting food items and scraping clean the surface of a grill having a handle and a blade connected to the handle. The handle is heat resistant to prevent it from becoming too hot when placed on or near the hot grill or other hot surfaces. The proximal end of the handle is smooth for ease of holding the tool in the palms of the hands. The blade protrudes from the generally planar surface at the distal end of the handle. The proximal end of the blade is secured inside and to the handle. The distal end of the blade extends one to three inches from the planar surface and can be shaped and configured to be tapered so as to provide a more effective cutting and scraping edge.

A window paint scraper for scraping paint from a window while protecting the window frame from the blade. The window paint scraper includes a head portion, a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of sides. The distal end has a slot therein adapted for removably receiving a blade. A sharp edge of the blade extends away from the distal end. The sharp edge has a width generally equal to a width of the distal end. A handle portion is elongate and is integrally coupled to the proximal end of the head portion. A pair of spacing members places a distance between the sides of the head portion and a window frame. Each of the spacing members is integrally coupled to one of the sides of the head portion. Each of the spacing members is abutted against a junction of the sides and the distal end of the head portion. A bumper protects the widow frame from the sharp edge of the blade. The bumper is integrally coupled to and extends away from the distal end of the head portion. The bumper extends away from the distal end such that the bumper will prevent the blade from touching the window frame when the blade is abutted against the widow pane.

A can opening appliance is provided herein. The appliance includes a primary housing having a front surface including a can opening mechanism and a rearwardly facing locking surface. A base includes at least one upwardly extending projection for slidable engagement with the primary housing and at least one forwardly facing interlock structure for releasable engagement with the locking surface of the primary housing. A housing release button, which causes the forwardly facing interlock structure and the locking surface to enter into and out of engagement, allows the primary housing to attain a plurality of vertical positions relative to the base.

A flower stem cutting apparatus includes a cutting receptacle wherein a cutting chamber passage is defined, with the cutting chamber passage extending between an open cutting chamber top (wherein plant stems may be inserted for cutting) and an open cutting chamber bottom (from which cut plant stem ends may fall). A cutting blade is movable across the cutting chamber passage, whereby the blade may cut any plant stems therein. A cutting chamber floor is provided, with the cutting chamber floor being movable across the cutting chamber passage below the cutting blade so that it may, when actuated, at least substantially obstruct the cutting chamber passage. As a result, plant stems may be inserted within the cutting chamber passage until they rest on the cutting chamber floor, at which point the cutting blade may be actuated. A fluid conduit opens onto the cutting chamber passage from a point above the cutting blade and cutting chamber floor, so that water dispensed from the fluid conduit may collect in the cutting chamber passage to provide a submerged cut at the cutting blade when the cutting chamber floor is closed. A first bin is situated beneath the bottom of the cutting chamber to capture the water and cut plant stem ends falling from the cutting chamber. The first bin has a foraminated bottom, and a second bin is then situated beneath the first bin so that it may catch the water draining from the first bin's bottom. The cut plant stem ends are therefore maintained in the first bin for easy disposal. The aforementioned fluid conduit extends from the second bin so that water collected in the second bin may be recirculated back to the cutting chamber passage for reuse.

A mounting rail for siding and ceiling members featuring a locking member to maintain siding and ceiling members on the mounting rail. The mounting rail has (i) a siding support member having a horizontal leg extending forwardly with a vertical leg extending downwardly from its front edge as is typical in the art, (ii) a web member extending upwardly from the back edge of said horizontal leg, and (iii) a siding maintenance member extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper edge of the web member.

The invention relates to a portioning device for packaging in containers such as trays a pre-established amount of foodstuff such as ground meat, supplied through an extrusion plate of a grinder, which lays down a mass of ground meat in a continuous strip on a belt conveyor.The portioning device generates metered portions of ground meat by a cutting element which operates in cooperation with a fixed element located above the belt conveyor.

An augmenter includes an insert which reduces thermal stresses caused by hot combustion gases impinging the augmentor. The augmentor also includes a plurality of radial flameholder gutters and at least one outer circumferential flameholder connected to the radial flameholders to form a radial cap. The insert is contoured to conform to the radial cap and is attached to the radial cap. The insert shields the radial cap and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of openings extending therebetween. The openings permit the insert to be attached to the radial cap.

In a refrigerating cycle with a by-pass line 5 detouring the condenser 2 in an auxiliary heating mode the amount of circulated refrigerant is controlled in accordance with load, etc. so that the heating can be suited to such conditions. A regulator 20 for controlling the outlet pressure of the evaporator to a fixed level allows to use an evaporator 4 having ordinary pressure resistance. An accumulator 6 for temporarily storing low-pressure refrigerant liquid is provided between the outlet of evaporator 4 and a compressor 1. In an auxiliary heating mode the amount of the circulated refrigerant passing the by-pass line 5 is controlled by the accumulator 6. Simultaneously the regulator is controlling the outlet pressure of the evaporator to an essentially fixed level.

In a casing unit of the automotive air conditioner, an expanding portion of a mixing door with which an air flow is brought into direct contact is curved toward an upstream side of the air flow in a convex fashion.

The invention disclosed and claimed in this patent is an improved refrigerated speed rail apparatus. The speed rail permits organized storage of beverage containers and provides easy and rapid access to those containers. The included refrigeration system chills beverages stored in the speed rail apparatus thereby enhancing the flavor of those beverages.

A cleaning apparatus adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium comprises a body member, a door connected to the body member and together with the body member forming a pressure vessel, a basket disposed within the body member, a motor contained within the pressure vessel, and a drive mechanism contained within the pressure vessel for rotating the basket with the motor. Because the motor and drive mechanism are both contained within the pressure vessel, the need for a rotating shaft that penetrates the pressure vessel, and which must be sealed at least in part against the high pressure liquid contained therein, is obviated.

An inspection system and method for inspecting a container are disclosed. The method comprises directing gas under pressure at the container, then detecting any gas which passes through the container material. Also provided is an inspection system which is integrated into a system for manufacturing the containers, and methods for integrated manufacture and inspection of containers.

A working device, especially a ramming device for compacting soil, or a hammer, has a crank mechanism for producing a controlled vibration. The crank mechanism is coupled with a set of springs. According to the invention, the crank disk belonging to the crank mechanism is provided with a counter-mass whose center of gravity is shifted around an angle not equal to 180° from the center of gravity of a crank pin on the crank disk, in relation to the axis of rotation of the crank disk. This prevents vibrations which would be unpleasant for the person operating the device from occurring.

A generally disc-shaped flywheel which is an integral one-piece forged structure formed by forging of a carbon steel blank and consisting of an inner portion having a friction surface and an outer ring gear portion disposed radially outwardly of the inner portion. The flywheel is formed by forging the carbon steel blank to obtain an intermediate product consisting of the inner portion and the outer ring gear portion, hardening the friction surface of the inner portion of the intermediate product, and shot peening the hardened friction surface to form a multiplicity of recesses in the hardened friction surface.

A butter dish for storing and dispensing specific sized slices of butter. The dish has two a base plates movable relative to each other and a removable lid pivotally connected to one of the base plates such that an interior space for holding a stick of butter is defined. The lid also includes a cutting edge opposite the pivotal connection for slicing the butter. The other one of the base plates includes a scale to indicate the size of the slice to be cut.

A position sensor holder for a powered lift system includes a polymeric member having a mounting surface on one side for attachment to the housing of a lift system and an elongated socket for receiving a magnetically responsive sensor positioned on an opposite side for providing a control signal as a magnet on a movable element of the lift system approaches the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the socket comprises a pair of upwardly extending resilient legs for snap-receiving the sensor and including an undercut for receiving a cover element which covers the sensor and wires extending along the elongated socket coupling the sensor to a control circuit for the lift system.

A telescoping and rolling cover assembly for a barge includes a plurality of cover sections that travel along a track or tracks provided on the barge coaming. The cover sections may be provided with anti-derailment clamps that engage a vertical lip of the barge coaming to prevent the covers from being pulled off the track. The clamps may further be provided with wind latch extensions that secure the cover sections when in a stacked position. The cover sections may be provided with a stacking shelf that provides a surface on which an overlying stacked cover may rest. The cover sections may travel along one or more tracks provided on the sides of the barge coaming. A portion of some cover sections may travel along tracks attached to underlying cover sections. The cover assembly may be made of fiber reinforced plastic.

Two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engine (M1), operating by admitting a carburated mixture or by admitting fresh air with the direct or indirect injection of fuel, the engine having at least one cylinder (1) defining a variable-volume combustion chamber in which an engine piston (4) coupled by a connecting rod (7) to the wrist pin (8) of a crankshaft (9) executes a reciprocating movement, and a compressor associated with each cylinder in order to supercharge the cylinder with carburated mixture or with fresh air, characterized in that said compressor is a compressor with at least one stage, in the compression chamber (14a, 14b) of which there moves a compressor piston (212) which is coupled to the crankshaft by a link rod (111) articulated to an eccentric (10), said eccentric being mounted on the shaft of said crankshaft.

The present invention is a safety formed in a sporting pellet or air rifle which prevents the accidental firing of the rifle even when it is loaded. The safety utilizes a loading pull lever, a crescent-shaped portion positioned generally at the middle of the loading pull lever, a pusher located at an end of the loading pull lever, a piston positioned within the barrel of the rifle so as to be cooperative with the pusher, a piston stopper connected to an end of the piston, a hand-activated safety, a safety base supporting the stem of the safety, a trigger having a particular shape for cooperation with the safety, and a retaining lever which is movable so as to touch the piston stopper and is movable downwardly to secure the rod of the piston. The lever is positioned in front of the trigger so as to prevent the firing of the rifle before the pull lever has been fully depressed. The crescent-shaped portion of the pull lever is rotatable during the loading action so as to obstruct the trigger from engagement by the fingers of the user.

A snorkel tube holder integrally made of injection molding plastics includes a hollow circular body for securely holding the snorkel tube and a clip for fastening the holder to a strap of a goggle mask. The body has a curved first arm with a bent first lug, a curved second arm pointing in opposite direction against the first arm and has a bent second lug, and a slot separating the first and second arm. By pressing the first and second lug against each other with two fingers of one hand, the holder may be moved quickly along the snorkel tube for adjusting the position of the holder on the tube.

Servocontrolled valve for regulating air-conditioning apparatuses with fan-convectors, inductors and the like, with water distribution by means of the so-called “four pipe system”, comprising a stationary ceramic collector disk (1), a movable ceramic distributor disk (2) with rotational movement controlled by a control pin (5) and a metal case (8) wherein hydraulic connections are provided, with closing lid (9). On disk (1) three pairs of ports are provided (11, 12; 13, 15; 14, 16) one of which is connected with the single thermal exchange heat exchanger and the other two with the hot water and refrigerated water pipes, rigorously sequentially, one of the pairs being always shut off by movable disk (2). With such a six-way rotating valve also the proportionality between the flow rate of the cooling or heating fluid being fed to the heat exchanger and the angle of rotation of movable disk are ensured, as a function of the signal given to the servocontrol.

An intermittent gas lift well pumping system containing an accumulator, a gas line, a liquid discharge line, and a battery operated controller. By using one or more constrictions in the gas line and acoustical techniques, accurate liquid level is determined in the pumping system for optimum production. Bypasses are connected between the gas line and the liquid discharge line. Each contains a valve that opens at a preset absolute pressure in the gas line, an orifice, and a one-way valve. The bypasses are strategically placed to prevent overloading of the system. A liquid slug sensor on the upper end of the liquid discharge line and a rabbit in this line enables optimum production and gas conservation.

A flexible swage comprises a swage cup and a support receivable in a swage cup. The swage cup and support are separable in order to promote distinct purposes. The first purpose is to allow the swage to act as such and reform a deformed junction when the support is engaged with the swage cup thus supporting it against deflection. The second purpose is to remove the swage from the deformed junction at which time deflection in the swage cup is beneficial. Thus, the support is removed from engagement with the swage cup thereby allowing the swage cup to deform and be removed from the reformed junction more easily.

A garden tool for planting flower bulbs and ornamentals includes an elongated shaft culminating at one end in a boring bit for starting a planting hole. A pair of fins, each radiating at a non-perpendicular angle from each side of the body of the boring bit for widening the hole and breaking up the dislodged soil. The pulverized soil remains in the hole for covering the seed or bulb after planting. The garden tool cultivates to a depth of approximately 6 inches. The tool is driven from the other end of the elongated shaft by a conventional ⅜ inch to ½ inch electric drill. The tool is suitable for use by the landscape professional doing volume planting or the home gardener and can be used in either prepared or unprepared seed beds. The tool presents an easy to use device which greatly reduces the time and labor associated with the planting process.

A unidirectional rotating assembly, a bicycle powering mechanism, and a bicycle using the same are disclosed. The unidirectional rotating assembly allows a chainring to rotate while the crank and axle remains still. The bicycling powering mechanism combines the unidirectional rotating assembly with a powering device. The powering device is coupled to the unidirectional rotating assembly through a drive ring. This allows the powering device to drive the unidirectional assembly, thereby driving the chainring. When the bicycling power mechanism is part of a bike, the chainring is connected to the rear wheel of the bike through a chain and rear sprockets. Because of this, the bicycling powering mechanism can propel the bike while the cranks are stationary. Additionally, a person using a bike having this configuration is still able to shift gears. Thus, the bicycling power mechanism need not be designed with gearing. The unidirectional rotating assembly can also be applied to a multi-passenger bicycle for two or more individuals riding a bicycle together.

A vibration damping system for absorbing shock loads includes a hydraulic damper containing a piston slidably reciprocating within an oil filled chamber and dividing the chamber into a pair of subchambers. A hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and located between the subchambers and is controlled by a field responsive fluid, such as an electrorheological (ER) actuated device. The hydraulic motor transforms fluid motion into rotating motion by a pair of meshing gears. The ER device is a flow cell and is connected to a shaft of one or both of the meshing gears. The magnitude of an electric field applied to the ER fluid controls the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor by controlling the resistive force to the rotary motion of the gears. A plurality of check valves controls the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic motor and the subchambers.

A continuous single-ply endless belt made of a woven material and coated with a non-stick material. The continuous single-ply endless belt has a uniform thickness in a peripheral direction. The woven material of the endless belt is made of a plurality of warp fibers and fill fibers of at least one of a fiberglass material, an aramid material, a lightweight fire-resistant nylon fiber material and a new high temperature fiber. The non-stick material coats at least a portion of the fibers positioned at or near an outer periphery of the woven material and mechanically attaches to the fibers of the woven material.

A multipurpose rack structure. The structure includes a frame and two vertical plates which are provided on lateral plates of the frame, and inner sides of the two vertical plates are symmetrically provided with horizontal engaging rails that form rail clamps for insertion of compact discs and video tapes, etc. The structure includes movable lugs that are provided in the rail clamps. The movable lugs are provided with an elastic restoration function so that when articles are placed in the rail clamps, the movable lugs are pressed by a pressing force and the articles are held in place by an elastic clamping force. When the articles are taken out of the rail clamps, the movable lugs are released back to their original positions.

An apparatus for sealing and pressurizing a bottle having an opening in a top end section and external threads extending around the end section includes an internal cap section having a bottom end with a bottom opening, a top end, and a generally cylindrical side wall located between the two ends. This cap section forms a chamber adapted to receive at least a portion of the top end section and has internal threads formed in this chamber and adapted for engaging the external threads in order to detachably mount the apparatus on the bottle. An annular compressing plate is mounted on the cap section so as to be movable upwardly or downwardly thereon. This compressing plate is non-rotatable relative to the cap section. A resilient, expandable and compressible bellows is located above the compressing plate and around the cap section. There is an exterior cover member that has a cylindrical side wall with interior threads in operative engagement with the edge of the plate. Rotation of the cover member to a sufficient extent causes the bellows to be compressed by upward movement of the plate.

A lid for a container having an opening is configured to close the opening. The lid includes a base adapted to fit the container opening and an actuator configured to engage the base. The base includes a deformable portion which, when deformed, will pass the contents of the container therethrough. The actuator is moveable between a closing position and an opening position and is operable to deform the deformable portion such that, when the actuator is in its closing position, the contents of the container are blocked from passing through the deformable portion and, when the actuator is in its opening position, the contents of the container will pass through the deformable portion.

This invention relates to a payoff device particularly suited for coiled wire which is packaged without a reel. The device includes a clamp assembly rotatably supported at one end by a frame which may be affixed to a truck or other vehicle. The clamp assembly has a mandrel featuring a plurality of clamp pads connected to a main rotatable shaft by a scissors linkage which may be stationary or may push the pads in a radial direction against the interior surface of the coiled wire. Two end plates support the coil laterally and one of the end plates is removable so that the coil can be placed on the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is supported by a frame whose upper portion is rotatable such that the payoff direction can be changed. The device also includes a brake and a stop pin to prevent unwanted rotation of the clamp assembly and a locating pin to prevent the unwanted rotation of the upper portion of the support frame.

A reel configured to store an extended length of composite coiled tubing has a plurality of sections. In one embodiment, the reel has a drum and pair of detachable sidewalls. Each side wall includes a plurality of flanges. In another embodiment, the reel includes a radial splitline that defines substantially identical securably matable sections. Preferably, the reel can store at least 20,000 feet of composite coiled tubing.

A roll bar protection system for motor vehicles comprising an outer box profile forming a case for the components of the roll bar protection system, being mounted firmly on the vehicle, an inner box profile, able to move in the outer box profile via guide elements which is designed as a roll bar and accommodates a fast drive for its extension into the upper end protection position in event of danger, and a drive arrangement for a continuous movement of the inner box profile, consisting of an electric motor/gearing arrangement with a threaded spindle of predetermined length, as well as a tie-bar which can be moved in the outer box profile, having a nut for engagement with the threaded spindle, and which is detachably connected to the inner box profile.

A vehicle seat has a backrest which can be tilted forward about a swivelling axis displaced toward the front with respect to the backrest into an alternate position for facilitating the entry and the exit. The backrest is fixed in its tilted-back end position by way of latching devices arranged on both sides on the seat cushion part, after which the latching devices can be synchronously unlocked in a remote-controlled manner by a common actuating element. For the swivel bearing and for the support of the backrest with respect to the seat cushion part, lateral support fittings are provided, on which, at a distance behind the forward swivelling axis, a hinge is arranged for adjusting the inclination of the backrest. The support fittings each have a rearward-projecting holding leg which ends at a distance behind the assigned hinge of the backrest, the free leg end of the holding leg in the tilted-back end position of the backrest being lockable on the seat cushion part.

A bicycle brake disc hub is provided for use with tangential bicycle spokes. The bicycle hub basically has a hub axle and a hub body with a brake rotor attachment portion integral formed therewith as a one-piece, unitary member. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein. The hub body also has a set of first spoke openings circumferentially arranged around the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion is located at a first end section of the center tubular portion. The first spoke openings are located adjacent the brake rotor attachment portion. The first spoke openings extend through the first end section of the center tubular portion of the hub body. The brake rotor attachment portion having a plurality of through bores. The through bores receive a bolt therethrough with a nut coupled the end of the bolt

A method for furnishing a perceptor with apparently continuous illumination over an extended target area, in which at any instant only part of said area is illuminated, but every part thereof is intermittently and repeatedly illuminated by discontinuous flashes. With regard to any one part of said target area, the flashes are repeated at time intervals not less than the decay period of the response elicited in the perceptor.The method is performed by means of a device which comprises a beam-generating arrangement (1) that focuses a beam of radiation (5) upon a rotatably-mounted light-deflector (6), which is rotated under control at a suitably high speed by mechanical means (9, 10, 11 and 12) so as repeatedly to illuminate a target area (15) with a narrow flash to radiation (16).

A guide member for a linear movement guide, which guide member is arranged on and can execute movements in longitudinal direction along a rail (1). Guide members (2) of this type are provided with at least one roll body circuit (6a-6d), wherein each roll body circuit comprises a return channel, a bearing zone (11), as well as two deflection channels (13) that connect the return channel (12) and the bearing zone (11). Each roll body circuit contains several roll bodies (7), wherein guide means are provided for guiding the roll bodies inside the roll body circuit. A roll body circuit of this type is intended to dispense with the feeding of lubricants. For this, the invention suggests that at least some of the guide means, at least in the region of the running surfaces for the roll bodies, be provided with a plastic material having at least two components. The first component is embedded in the form of particles in the second component. The first component has a lower friction coefficient than the second component, relative to a metal or ceramic friction partner, and the respective guide means are created by spraying on the plastic material with the aid of an injection-molding technique, at least in the region of the running surfaces.

A casing for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, including a first casing portion having a substantially arcuate section and a split-line flange extending from each end thereof and a second casing portion having a substantially arcuate section and a split-line flange extending from each end thereof. The first and second casing portions are mated at each end by connecting together respective pairs of the split-line flanges. A channel is formed in at least one mating surface of the split-line flanges to provide an axial passage therethrough so that air flow provided to the axial passage reduces a temperature gradient between the arcuate sections and the flanges of the first and second casing portions. The gas turbine engine casing also includes a first radial channel formed in at least one mating surface of the split-line flanges to provide an entrance to the axial passage and a second radial channel formed in at least one mating surface of the split-line flanges to provide an exit to the axial passage so that flow communication is established between a flowpath through the casing and the axial passage.

The invention pertains to the field of jet technology and relates to an operating process of a multiple-stage pump-ejector-separator system which essentially includes bypassing a motive liquid from a second-stage separator into a first-stage one and subsequent delivery of the motive liquid from the first-stage separator to the suction port of a pump. The invention also relates to a device for realizing the process which essentially constitutes a multiple-stage pump-ejector-separator system, wherein the suction side of a pump is connected to a first-stage separator, the first-stage and second-stage separators are interconnected by a vertical U-tube acting as a hydro seal, where the height of the U-tube above the motive liquid level in the second-stage separator is not less than the height of the liquid column created in the U-tube by the motive liquid from the second-stage separator under a pressure difference between the two separators. There is another variant of the system where the second-stage separator is equipped with a level gage, the suction side of the pump is connected to the first-stage separator, the first-stage and second-stage separators are interconnected by a pipe, and the pipe is furnished with a flow regulator connected to the level gage. The described operating process and related multiple-stage pump-ejector-separator system provides a higher reliability and a higher capacity.

A variable displacement compressor compresses gas supplied from an evaporator of an external refrigerant circuit and discharges the compressed gas to the refrigerant circuit. A check valve is located between the compressor suction chamber and the evaporator. The check valve prevents gas flow from the suction chamber to the evaporator. When the compressor is stopped, a displacement control valve increases the pressure in a crank chamber of the compressor to move a swash plate to a minimum inclination position. The pressure in the suction chamber is increased by gas supplied from the crank chamber. Closing the check valve accelerates a pressure increase in the suction chamber. When the pressure in the suction chamber is increased, the control valve limits a further pressure increase in the crank chamber. As a result, the force that decreases the inclination of the swash plate is limited.

A displacement type fluid machine which is easier to machine and assemble than a scroll type fluid machine and has high performance and low cost. A displacer is revolved in a cylinder having an inside wall formed by a curve such that a planar shape is continuous, whereby a working fluid is discharged through a plurality of discharge ports, there is provided a driving unit in which the orbiting radius of the displacer is variable along the shape of a movement line contact portion of the cylinder and the displacer.

The present invention relates to a method for producing partially expanded bodies with a PVC-based embryo cellular structure comprising the steps of filling a plurality of molds (1) with a paste containing PVC, loading these molds (1) onto a press provided with heating and cooling means designed to subject the paste to the combined action of an increase in pressure and variation in temperature, expansion of the paste inside the molds (1) and consequent forming of partially expanded bodies with an embryo cellular structure. In accordance with the present invention, during the expansion step, a step involving transfer of a first excess amount of paste from a main compartment (4) of the mold (1) to a secondary compartment (5) of the mold (1) takes place.

A device for holding lubricating compounds on a sportsboard for use by a sportsperson includes a flexible support for receiving a reservoir for lubricant. The support can be anchored to the board, and the reservoir can be removed from the support as required. When removed, it can be used by the sportsperson. The support includes a flexible netting material which is anchored directly or indirectly to an aperture on a board such as a wakeboard.

A character (2) capable of forming facial expressions is provided. The character includes a hollow head (4) with a face defining a mouth (6) thereon. The mouth has a length and includes a first end portion (6A), a second end portion (6B), and a central portion (6C). The character further includes, externally or within the hollow head, a mechanism (7) for causing various facial expressions. The mechanism includes a main frame plate (8), a mouth assembly (10) fixedly mounted on the main frame plate, and a drive assembly (12) also mounted on the main frame plate. The mouth assembly includes an upper lip chain (14), which is formed from a plurality of links (16) and has a first end (14A), a second end (14B), and a center portion (14C). The upper lip chain is disposed to underlie the mouth. The drive assembly is adapted to move at least one of the first and second ends of the upper lip chain or an intermediate portion thereof and, hence, the corresponding portion of the mouth, to cause various facial expressions, such as a smile, frown, or mumbling mouth.

A roof-mounted wind turbine includes turbine vanes that are linear-shaped and do not have the conventional convex curvature. Additionally, the turbine vanes are made in common with one another or with a common turbine component, so that each vane does not require individual handling nor individual attachment to the turbine assembly as is required in the construction of conventional wind turbines that are commercially available today. This is accomplished by producing the vanes by molding or extruding techniques that are commonly used in making plastic assemblies or components.

A method of generating a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule to optimize performance characteristics of a lean capable, multiple combustion mode engine with a time-variant after-treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a lowest cost value for fuel economy and vehicle emissions as a function of an engine operating mode, wherein the engine operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a homogeneous stoichiometric mode, a homogeneous lean mode, and a stratified mode. The lowest cost value is stored in a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule along with the engine operating parameters that achieved the lowest cost value.

A milling machine includes a bi-directional, variable speed, rotary workpiece-holding table, a table drive sized to achieve relatively high acceleration and deceleration rates, a cutting tool mounted to a single or dual axis head, and a control system adapted to achieve a high degree of tool position and table rotational position accuracy cooperating to permit high-speed machining operations, including substantially dome-shaped parts characterized by circumferential surface portions interrupted by radial wall portions. A dual table drive and interchangeable head arrangement make the machine also suitable for conventional turret lathe operations.

Ophthalomogical implant device and procedure employing improved haptic structure, improved suture guide device or both.

A printed cloth in which a dye is deposited in dots on the cloth to form a desired printed pattern. Said dot deposition is formed in a length of 0.05 to 0.3 mm to the longitudinal direction of the fiber in single fiber unit of the yarn constituting said cloth. A fine printed pattern is deposited clearly in good reproducibility. The printed pattern can be formed by using the dyes of the three primary colors or of the three primary colors and black color. It is preferred that Dyes I , II and III having a perceived chromaticity index (a) and (b) defined in the color range [CIE 1976 (L, a, b) space] on the cloth within the following range are used as said dyes of three primary colors and DyeIV is used as said black dye.IYellow:(a)−20˜0 (b)  50˜90IIRed:(a)  50˜70(b)   0˜20IIIBlue:(a)−50˜−1(b)−50˜−20IVBlack:(a)−6˜6(b)−6˜6Such a printed cloth can be prepared by a procedure in which a printing ink is deposited in dots on the surface of a cloth by using a dye spraying device having a nozzle of 80 dots/mm or more and controlled based on the image signal.

For applications as nutrient for field plants, vegetables, fruit trees and vines, and for decomposition of organic materials, like straw, composts, wood scraps and municipal wastes there is prepared a liquid fertilizer comprising from 10 up to 65% of mass of dry matter of organic residues and up to 50% of mass of dissolved urea and/or agrochemical matter containing phosphorus, the agrochemical matter being preferably in a form of suspended particles.

The present invention relates to an air filter having an inorganic material layer in which the following adsorbent is fixed on the surface of the supporter using powder of an inorganic substance as a binder. That is, the adsorbent is prepared by impregnating a salt of an inorganic acid to powder of an inorganic substance consisting of at least one of diatom earth, silica, alumina, a mixture of silica and alumina, aluminum silicate, activated alumina, porous glass, activated clay, activated bentonite, or synthetic zeolite. The air filter according to the present invention can adsorb and remove both of gaseous basic impurities and gaseous organic impurities, thus making a very effective filter for manufacturing semiconductor and LCD.

For producing ultra pure materials a first station has a porous gas distributor. A material supply supplies material to the porous gas distributor. A gas source supplies gas to the distributor and through the distributor to the material in contact with the distributor. A heater adjacent the porous gas distributor heats and melts the material as gas is passed through the material. Dopant and a treatment liquid is or solid supplied to the material. Treated material is discharged from the first station into a second station. A second porous gas distributor in the second station distributes gas through the material in the second station. A crucible receives molten material from the second station for casting, crystal growing in the crucible or for refilling other casting or crystal growth crucibles. The material and the porous gas distributor move with respect to each other. One porous gas distributor is cylindrical and is tipped. The material supply is positioned above a lower end of the cylindrical porous gas distributor, and the discharge is positioned adjacent an opposite, raised end of the distributor. The cylindrical distributor is tippable for emptying material. Multiple parallel stations discharge multiple materials into a subsequent station or crucible.

whereinR1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;R2 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;R3 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;Z is halogen selected from F, Cl, Br and I;x is from about 5 to about 45 mole %; andy is from about 55 to about 95 mole % are useful as wet strength resins and creping adhesives. Methods of producing such resins, and the use of such resins in wet strength and creping applications, as well as compositions suitable for such applications, and combinations of cellulosic product and such resins are also disclosed.

The invention concerns an equipment in a paper/board machine for regulation of the difference of draw. In the solution in accordance with the invention, the difference of draw in the web is regulated on the basis of the measured tension of the web. Preferably, the regulation of the difference of draw takes place by regulating the drives at the inlet and/or outlet of a web run not supported by a wire.

An improved pulp-forming mold-releasing machine having a turnaround table being reciprocatingly rotatable at a prearranged position within the machine body. A net mold (pulp-sucking mold) includes protruding forming members on the surface thereof while the turnaround table of the machine frame body can be fitted with a lower mold (male mold) having a heating pipe therein on the other surface thereof. A reciprocating slide frame is disposed on the top of the machine frame body and includes an upper mold driving device with an air-oil-pressure diversion cylinder adapted to drive the upper mold (female mold) with a heating pipe to lift. An elevating pulp material container is disposed under the net mold of the machine frame body. The forming members of the net mold turn over to an upward direction after sucking pulp fiber.

A continuous process is used to make concrete building products with an expanded polystyrene core. The expanded polystyrene is fed into the inlet of an elongated guiding channel which has a longitudinally split mold. The expanded polystyrene is guided along the guiding channel without any means for pulling the expanded polystyrene. Concrete is then pumped into the split mold first through an first aperture in a first mold section of the split mold and then through another aperture, in a second mold section of the split mold, so that the concrete is coated on at least two opposing sides of the expanded polystyrene.

An ergonomic, manually precisely controllable return springless air displacement pipette relying on the friction of a piston seal to maintain a plunger unit of the pipette in any axial location established by a user of the pipette.

The current invention relates to an active factor present in homogenized brain tissue which inhibits antigen-driven proliferation of lymphocytes in culture, but stimulates proliferation in response to most mitogens. The inhibitory activity can be destroyed by treatment with proteases or neuraminadase. The activity is in the insoluble fraction of the homogenate, but becomes soluble in 0.04 M NaOH. After gel filtration chromatography of the NaOH soluble material, the suppressive activity is in the high molecular weight fraction which elutes in the void volume of the column. This fraction contains protein and carbohydrate. The activity is not affected by neutralizing antibodies against regulatory cytokines, does not depend on Fas or FasL, and is not due to the presence of gangliosides. These data suggest that a brain glycoprotein which is either membrane-bound or part of the extracellular matrix has powerful immune regulatory effects in culture.

Nut-based products are prepared by reconsolidating ground nuts of all small particle size by means of one or more consolidating binders, preferably water soluble binders. The particle size is small enough that persons having diverticulosis may eat the nut-based products without causing diverticulitis.

A thermal barrier coating (TBC) system for components designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as the turbine, combustor and augmentor sections of a gas turbine engine. The TBC system employs a thermal-insulating ceramic topcoat that is compatible with known metallic bond coats, such as diffusion aluminides and MCrAlY and NiAl coatings. The ceramic topcoat is formed of zirconia partially stabilized by about one up to less than six weight percent yttria and further stabilized by about one to about ten weight percent of magnesia and/or hafnia, to exhibit improved impact resistance.

A steam reformer for producing H2 from a low pressure hydrocarbon gas (preferably propane) is comprised of a short and narrow cylinder, loosely packed with pelletized catalyst, into which cylinder the low-pressure gas is drawn in by the high-pressure steam that flows from one end of the cylinder to the other, by making the extent that the gas tube protrudes into the cylinder substantially greater than the steam tube, such as by cutting the latter flush with the inside of the end cap. The cogenerated electricity and H2O vapor or liquid at elevated temperature are put into use through a switching converter and heat exchanger, respectively.

Novel fluorinated boronate-based compounds which act as anion receptors in non-aqueous battery electrolytes are provided. When added to non-aqueous battery electrolytes, the fluorinated boronate-based compounds of the invention enhance ionic conductivity and cation transference number of non-aqueous electrolytes. The fluorinated boronate-based anion receptors include different fluorinated alkyl and aryl groups.

Charged-particle-beam microlithography methods and apparatus are disclosed that employ a segmented reticle and provide high-accuracy pattern transfer even under conditions of drift of the charged particle beam. Beam-drift test patterns are defined on a reticle at the termini of deflection fields at one or both lengthwise ends of certain reticle stripes. Corresponding beam-test marks are situated on or at the wafer. A charged particle beam passing through a beam-test pattern on the reticle is a “detection beam” that is directed to and scanned over the corresponding beam-test mark on the wafer. Before performing actual pattern transfer, the beam-test marks on the wafer are scanned by the detection beam passing through the corresponding beam-drift test patterns on the reticle, and electrons emitted by impingement of the detection beam on the wafer beam-test marks are detected. The positions of the beam-test marks are detected multiple times and the corresponding data is used to measure beam drift. The beam-drift measurements provide data usable to perform a correction of the beam position so as to reduce or eliminate effects of beam drift.

The present invention provides a silver halide photographic material free of cyanide ions but having a higher photographic speed than ever. A novel silver halide photographic material is provided comprising a support having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, wherein there is contained a complex in which an organic compound having no electric charge which doesn't form coordinate bond with metals or metal ions other than the central metals or metal ions occupies more than half of the central metals or metal ions as coordination site.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of obtaining at least one monosaccharide from corn fiber the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10 to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan; and (g) hydrolyzing the arabinoxylan from step (f) in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, thereby providing a mixture comprising at least one monosaccharide. In a further aspect, the invention pertains to methods of separating the monosaccharides obtained from corn fiber according to the methods disclosed herein.

A method for the purification of human platelet heparanase using chromatographic techniques is described. The method comprises detergent-aided solubilization of a heparanase-containing fraction followed by purification of the heparanase therefrom by concanavalin A, Zn2+-chelating Sepharose, a Blue A or Reactive Red matrix, octyl agarose and gel filtration chromatography. Heparanase so purified has a molecular mass (Mr) of about 50 kDa and degrades both heparin and heparan sulfates.

An in-vessel composting apparatus and process for continuous processing of food waste into a two component end product consisting of a bulk organic compost material and a compost-rich, liquid tea. The apparatus consists of a shredder/particle sizer feeding a horizontal drum having at least three chambers with connecting ports of sequentially increasing diameter, and through to a bulk collection container. The apparatus is further equipped with motorized drum rotation and provision for draining excess fluid from the first chamber, holding a batch volume at elevated temperature for a period of time, and then percolating it through the finished compost product in the third or final chamber to make compost tea.

A built-in circuit for wafer level burn-in of a die. The burn-in circuit includes a main burn-in control circuit, a word line control circuit and a bit line control circuit. A number of internal probing pads are also provided to receive voltages for stressing a gate oxide or capacitor oxide layer. A burn-in test system has a plurality of programmable power suppliers and programmable relays for providing control and power signals to a membrane or micro spring probe card used for the wafer level burn-in of multiple dice at the same time. Wafers are loaded and aligned in a prober with an automatic probing station and a hot chuck for the burn-in. The wafer level burn-in reduces the burn-in time of an integrated circuit chip from several days to several minutes.

A non-volatile memory cell having a oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) capacitor merged with a polysilicon strap diffusion region is obtained by forming a film stack on a surface of a substrate, said film stack comprising at least a floating gate oxide layer, a floating gate polysilicon later, an oxide layer and a nitride layer; forming an opening in said film stack so as to expose a portion of said floating gate polysilicon layer; forming oxide spacers in said opening; forming an oxide-nitride-oxide capacitor in said opening; forming polysilicon spacers on said oxide-nitride-oxide capacitor; providing a contact hole in said opening so as to expose a portion of said substrate; forming an oxide liner on exposed sidewalls of said contact hole; forming a source region in said substrate; forming oxide spacers from said oxide liner, wherein during the forming a portion of said substrate is re-expose; filling said opening and contact hole with doped polysilicon; and planarizing down to said nitride layer of said film stack.

A method is provided for forming silicided source/drain electrodes in active devices in which the electrodes have very thin junction regions. In the process, adjacent active areas are separated by isolation regions, typically by LOCOS isolation, trench isolation or SOI/SIMOX isolation. A contact material, preferably silicide, is deposited over the wafer and the underling structures, including gate and interconnect electrodes. The silicide is then planed away using CMP, or another suitable planing process, to a height approximate the height of the highest structure. The silicide is then electrically isolated from the electrodes, using an etch back process, or other suitable process, to lower the silicide to a height below the height of the gate or interconnect electrode. The wafer is then patterned and etched to remove unwanted silicide. The remaining silicide typically forms silicided source regions and silicided drain regions that extend over a portion of the adjacent isolation regions such that the silicided source/drain regions are larger than the underlying source/drain regions to provide a larger contact area.

A method of forming an isolation structure includes the steps of: providing a silicon substrate; forming an upper pad oxide layer superjacent a top surface of the substrate, and a lower pad oxide layer subjacent a bottom surface of the substrate; forming a nitride masking layer superjacent the upper pad oxide layer, and a lower pad silicon nitride layer subjacent the lower pad oxide layer; patterning and etching the nitride masking layer to expose a portion of the upper pad oxide layer; applying a first etching solution to the exposed portion of the upper pad oxide layer to expose a portion of the substrate substantially defining the boundaries of an active area, and simultaneously forming an undercut cavity by removing a portion of the upper pad oxide layer under the exposed edges of the nitride masking layer surrounding the exposed portion of the substrate; performing an oxidation process to form an etching stop layer over the exposed portion of the substrate and in the undercut cavity, the oxidation process also forming an upper thin oxide layer over the nitride masking layer, and a lower thin oxide layer subjacent the lower pad silicon nitride layer; and applying a second etching solution to substantially remove the upper thin oxide layer and the lower thin oxide layer for the purpose of eliminating the occurrence of silicon nitride residual after the performance of subsequent processing steps.

There is provided a method of forming an interlayer insulating film having a dual-damascene structure, a contact hole and a deep trench mask using an organic silicon film. The shape of polysilane or the like is processed so that polysilane is used as an interlayer insulating film having a dual-damascene structure to control the shape and depth and prevent borderless etching which must be solved when a trench is formed. Polysilane and an insulating film are formed into a laminated structure so as to be integrated with each other after a dry etching step has been completed to easily form a contact hole having a high aspect ratio. The surface of polysilane is selectively formed into an insulating film so as to be used as a mask for use in a dry etching step. Polysilane for use as an anti-reflective film or an etching mask is changed to an oxide film or a nitride film so that films are easily removed. Hence it follows that a device region and a device isolation region of a densely integrated circuit can be smoothed, a self-aligned contact hole and metallization trench can be formed with a satisfactory manufacturing yield and the pattern of a gate electrode can be formed.

Compounds of formula: whereinA is an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic or non-aromatic, monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical wherein a ring nitrogen atom may have been replaced by a group R1 is hydrogen or C1-C3alkyl;R2 is hydrogen or C1-C3alkyl;R3 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl or C2-C6alkynyl group, or C(═O)—R5,R5 is C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, phenoxy or benzyloxy group, or N(R6)2,each R6, independently of the other, is hydrogen, C1-C4alkyl or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl,X is CH—NO2, N—CN or N—NO2 andn is from 1 to 3,in free form or in salt form, and, where appropriate, tautomers of those compounds and the salts thereof, can be used as agrochemical active ingredients and can be prepared in a manner known per se.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention, treatment, or management of gastrointestinal disorders or symptoms thereof, employing two or more agents or compounds to provide a triple site action on 5-HT3 receptors, 5-HT4 receptors, and at least one of H2 receptors and proton pumps.

This invention provides new thiazolindinedione derivatives and new arylacetic acid derivatives. These compounds are useful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, certain endocrine diseases, certain inflammatory diseases, certain neoplastic (malignant) and non-malignant proliferative diseases, certain neuro-psychiatric disorders, certain viral diseases, and diseases associated with these viral infections as discussed herein.

The invention relates to the use of trimebutine [2-dimethylamino-2-phenylbutyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoate hydrogen maleate] or its corresponding stereoisomers for the preparation of a medicament to prevent and/or treat arthritis, osteo-traumatic pain, and neuralgias.

This invention provides compounds and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, pharmaceutical formulations of said compounds, and methods for treating hyperglycemia associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes and for treating hyperlipidemia.

The present invention comprises a composition for coating synthetic grain leather having both dynamic water repellency and oil repellency comprising a copolymer or blend of copolymers and a polyurethane resin in solvent.

The invention provides a method of making an amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blend comprising the steps of preparing a silicone polymer emulsion comprising a silicone polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; introducing the silicone polymer emulsion into an amide-type polymerization reaction medium prior to or during the reaction, wherein the reaction medium comprises 1) a diacid component and a diamine component, an oligomer of a diacid and a diamine component, or a mixture thereof; and polymerizing the components of b)1, thereby providing an amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blend. A amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blends are also provided.

The present invention provides an adhesive comprising a polyester polyol or polyurethane polyol possessing structural units represented by the following general formula (I) within its molecular structure, and an organic polyisocyanate in which the isocyanate groups may be protected: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents lower alkyl. The adhesive of the present invention exhibits an excellent initial adhesion strength; and provides adhered objects that exhibit an excellent permanent adhesion strength, hot water resistance, flexibility, flexibility at a low temperature, and fatigue resistance, and is useful in adhering plastic, metal, and the like. In addition, the present invention provides a method of mixing the aforementioned components and using the mixture for adhesion, and a use of the mixture of the aforementioned components.

A flame retardant epoxy resin composition containing not more than 10% by wgt. of halogen, comprising an epoxy resin, stated concentrations of phosphoric acid ester, nitrogen—containing cross-linking agent having an amine functionality of at least 2 and a catalyst capable of promoting the reaction of the phosphoric acid ester with the epoxy resin and promoting the curing of the epoxy resin with the cross-linker, and optionally a Lewis acid in a stated amount.

Patched-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Patched-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Dyes of the formula in which Me, R1, X1, A, u and q are as defined in the specification are particularly suitable for dyeing cotton and produce dyeings with good all-round properties.

Sulfinic derivatives such as zinc dithionite, sodium dithionite, zinc or sodium hydroxymethyl sulfinate or zinc or sodium hydroxy-ethyl sulfinate, their condensation products with ammonia, and aminoiminomethanesulfinic acid are stabilized to degradation by admixture of potassium carbonate.

The present invention relates to the use of diureides of dicarboxylic acids of the formula I in whichR is hydrogen or SO2OM⊕,M is lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, ammonium, copper, silver, 0.5 iron, 0.5 calcium, 0.5 magnesium, 0.5 manganese, 0.5 zinc or 0.5 cobalt andX is a saturated or monounsaturated, straight-chain or branched C1-to C8-alkyl which may be interrupted by oxygen or NH and which may have attached to it C1-to C4-alkoxy, hydroxyl and/or amino groups, as slow-release fertilizersand to novel diureides of the formula Ia in whichR is SO2OM⊕M is lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, ammonium, copper, silver, 0.5 iron, 0.5 calcium, 0.5 magnesium, 0.5 manganese, 0.5 zinc or 0.5 cobalt andn is 1,2,3 or 4,and a process for their preparation.

The educational music instrument is a musical toy that allows one or more musical sequences to be played. The toy includes a base with a signal processing unit and five receiving portions. The toy also includes five blocks which are configured to be inserted to the receiving portions. When the blocks are engaged with the receiving portions, a musical sequence or phase is played by the toy. The musical sequence played by the toy is dependent upon which face of the block is engaged with the receiving portion and different blocks preferably cause different musical sequences to be played. Accordingly, the musical toy can play numerous different musical sequences depending upon location and orientation of the blocks in the receiving portions.

An electrical device, in particular a car radio, which requires less manufacturing outlay. The electrical device includes a display device and operating control elements. A transparent panel is provided, in front of which is arranged the display device. The panel has a contact strip with connection contacts for the display device. Arranged on the panel are contact surfaces, which are able to be contacted via the operating control elements. The contact strip has connection contacts for the contact surfaces.

An apparatus for producing a chip-substrate connection, in particular by soldering a semiconductor chip on a substrate. The apparatus has a support, on which the substrate is temporarily supported, and a heating device which is provided for forming the chip-substrate connection. The heating device has a radiation source in the form of a laser in the infrared wavelength range. The support is formed by a heat body, which is assigned to the chip-substrate connection and is heated with thermal radiation by the radiation source. A surface of the heat body is coated with a material, in particular a material containing chromium, exhibiting high absorption with respect to the light radiation emitted by the radiation source.

A delivery apparatus comprising a container and a heater is provided. The container is provided for holding an article in thermally conductive contact with the heater. The heater includes a heating grid constructed to provide a output watt density of greater than 2.5 watts per square inch. A heat sink is provided in thermally conductive contact with the heating grid for receiving and storing heat energy from the heating grid. The heater also includes a cover and a power cord. In another embodiment a delivery apparatus includes a controller. The controller provides information to the user about the status of the delivery apparatus by changing the state of a light source. A method of delivering food is also provided.

A light transmitter/receiver is shielded against high-power radio-frequency radiation by a window having a first light-transparent plate, a second light-transparent plate disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first light-transparent plate, a frame receiving the first light-transparent plate and the second light-transparent plate therein, and a liquid filling the space between the first light-transparent plate and the second light-transparent plate. The liquid includes water. The window is positioned between the light transmitter/receiver and a source of radio-frequency radiation with the first light-transparent plate facing the source. The radio-frequency radiation has a frequency exceeding about 0.9 GHz and a power exceeding about 1 milliwatt per square centimeter measured at the first light-transparent plate.

A ceramic piezoelectric transformer is provided which includes a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism is made up of, for example, a bolt and a nut which add a given compressive stress to a transformer body in a lengthwise direction thereof for absorbing a tensile stress arising from oscillations of the transformer body during operation, thereby allowing output energy from the transformer to be increased. In a modified form, a weight block is mounted on an end of the transformer body to increase the range of the output energy.

Electronic sensing circuits monitor multiple sized EL cells, referred to as a lamp, and compensate for variations in contrast between cells, while maintaining a fixed contrast between the luminance of the cells and the ambient lighting. In one embodiment, three separate feedback loops monitor the ambient lighting, cell-luminance, and frequency of the excitation voltage and make appropriate adjustments to an adjustable luminance reference. In another embodiment the circuit which drives the EL cells includes a timer and a microprocessor. The timer measures the elapsed time during which the EL display has been operating. The microprocessor adjusts the drive signal to the EL display to correct for aging, based on the elapsed time measured by the timer and an empirically-determined aging parameter. All these adjustments are accomplished while a microprocessor sequences through a large assortment of electroluminescent cells of various sizes.

A DC/DC charge and supply converting module has a function of constant-current charging an electrical appliance, and a function of supplying constant voltage power to an electrical appliance. The converting module includes a DC/DC converter and a charge module connected with an input end of the DC/DC converter. The charge module includes a comparator, a constant current source connected with a first input end of the comparator, and a bleeder circuit connected to a second input end of the comparator. The comparator is used for controlling an output voltage of the DC/DC converter to remain constant. The constant current source provides a constant current to the corresponding input end of the comparator and allows the DC/DC converter to output a constant current for the purpose of charge.

Mesoscopic magnetic field sensors which can detect weak magnetic fields (typically 0.05 Tesla) over areas as small as tens of thousands of square nanometers (e.g. 40 nm×400 nm). The combination of enhanced magneto-resistance in an inhomogeneous high mobility semiconductor, having special electrode arrangements, with the use of island lithography, enables the production of special semiconductor/metal nano-composite structures, and has made possible the fabrication of an entirely new type of magnetic field sensor which exhibits very superior magneto-resistive behavior.

A test socket for integrated circuits includes a socket body for making electrical connection between leads or pads of an integrated circuit and a load board. A lid assembly is pivotally connected to the socket body by a hinge and is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The lid assembly is removable from the socket body without tools. The lid assembly includes a frame member secured to the hinge, and a pressure plate and actuation member contained within the frame member. The bottom surface of the pressure plate includes a plurality of channels extending from an open central portion to the circumference of the pressure plate for permitting thermal air flow over the integrated circuit. A preferred embodiment of the lid assembly provides a visual indication to the user when an integrated circuit is undergoing testing.

A single-flux-quantum digital device includes a first superconducting line extended in a large ring, a second superconducting line connected to the first superconducting line, a superconducting single electron transistor for regulating a supercurrent flowing through the second superconducting line, and a small tunnel junction device for detecting a change in the supercurrent flowing through the first superconducting line. The first superconducting line is extended in a large ring. The second superconducting line divides the large ring into two small rings which are substantially the same in shape and area. The small tunnel junction device is connected to a point where the first and the second superconducting line are joined.

A power switch device includes a switch body with a switch contact device pivotally connected to a switch cover body. An alloy piece is connected to one of two contact terminals and a second contact joint to which the other contact terminal disengagably contacts when the circuit is closed. The switch contact device has a movable member retractably received therein and the alloy piece contacts one end of the movable member. The end of the movable member is normally supported on a plate in the switch body so that when the current is overloaded, the alloy piece is thermally deformed to push the end of the movable member away from the plate and the switch contact device is therefore pivoted to release a conductive plate pressed by the switch contact device so as to shut the circuit.

Devices and methods for facilitating the delivery of EM energy between microstrip transmission lines and dielectric-filled waveguides are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a transition for transferring EM energy to and from a microstrip transmission line incorporates a longitudinally extending housing with a first end and a second end, and defining an interior therebetween. An element feed is disposed at least partially within the housing, with a first end of the element feed being configured to electrically communicate with the microstrip transmission line. Additionally, a dielectric material preferably surrounds at least a portion of the element feed and is disposed at least partially within the housing so that the housing and the dielectric material form a dielectric-filled waveguide. So configured, the transition is able to transmit EM energy between the microstrip transmission line and the dielectric-filled waveguide.

A driving method of a plasma display panel for gray-scale display using subfields, in each of which an address step, a sustaining discharge step, and a reset step are performed. The method includes dividing the unit frame into unit drive periods corresponding to the number of gray scales, trisecting each unit drive period into a unit address period, a unit sustaining discharge period, and a unit reset period, dividing each unit address period into the same number of time intervals as there are subfields and allocating the divided time intervals to the respective subfields, starting the respective subfields sequentially with a time interval corresponding to the unit drive period and overlapping one another, and applying an address voltage between the scan electrode line and the address electrode line corresponding to the first unit drive period of the subfields during the time interval allocated to each unit address period, applying a sustaining discharge voltage between the common electrode lines and all the scan electrode lines during all the unit sustaining discharge periods, and applying a reset voltage between the common electrode lines and the scan electrode lines corresponding to the last unit drive period of the subfields during each unit reset period.

A mounting slider bracket for a card printer thermal printhead is supported between a spring and the printhead, and can be adjusted laterally relative to the printhead to shift the center of force that loads the printhead against the ribbon and a card that is being printed. The ability to change the location of the application of force on the printhead permits centering the force when a card of different width is fed from a supply through the printhead. Uniform printing will occur on cards regardless of the width, when properly adjusted by the operator.

In a wafer thickness measuring apparatus and a method thereof, detection values are obtained from a sample piece (for example, a wafer chip) at a plurality of measurement points thereon by first and second detectors for absolute measurement of distances, and at the same time, measurement values of the fluctuations, for relative measurement of distances, are obtained by the optical heterodyne interferometer, and those measurement values are memorized as a plurality of measurement data being related with those measurement values. When measuring the thickness of a wafer, the measurements are performed at measurement points on the wafer which has a front surface and a reverse surface in height lying within the height of the sample piece, on which such a correspondence is obtained, thereby obtaining the detection values of the first and second detectors. Searching conversely from those detection values by referring the correspondence data, the respective detection values are converted into the data of the relative fluctuations therefrom upon the basis of the thickness of the sample piece, thereby obtaining the relative amounts of fluctuation in positions (i.e., the distances) upon the basis of the thickness of the sample piece, respectively. Then, by conducting addition and/or subtraction of the fluctuation amount on the front surface and the reverse surface from the thickness of the sample piece as a reference, it is possible to calculate out the thickness of the wafer to be measured.

An on-line automated printing system quickly produces consistent printed materials. The system includes front-end customer setup and product setup modules available on a web server. A Print Ready File is produced embodying the product to be printed. The Print Ready File is compiled and all operations on the file can be completed via reference to the information contained therein. A state flag is associated with each element of the file, the flag having states such as preview, print, both, or none. The file is stored on an asset management file server. The file (unchanged) may be previewed or printed using internal flags and logic built-in to the PostScript language. A batcher service batches print jobs. A plater service accepts the Print Ready Files and outputs a plate file to a print vendor's ordering system. Over the Internet the plate file is sent to a vendor computer. The plate file is sent to a raster image processor (RIP) which outputs a bitmap to be printed. Included within the system is a PostScript to bitmap conversion subsystem. A client application requests conversion of a file to bitmap format and pulls conversion parameters from an image logic information database. The client sends the parameters along with input and output files to a master service. The master service selects a lower-level service for conversion. A PostScript to bitmap conversion module (with hardcoded parameters) executes the software application Alchemy to perform conversion of the file and outputs the result.

A method for remotely selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: sending a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher; developing the photographic film to produce visible images and scanning the visible images to create a digital image file at the photo finisher; producing an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with an index number associated with each image and an order number; sending the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; ordering photographic prints via telephone from the customer's home to the photofinisher, specifying the order number and the index numbers associated with the images for which prints are desired; and making photographic prints of the selected images at the photofinisher and sending the photographic prints to the customer.

An optical amplifier assembly integrating wavelength selective input and output filters. Integration of wavelength selective filters with a doped fiber optical amplifier stage provides a modular amplifier for use in wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems. In one embodiment, a center tap provides access to the selected light signal after a first amplifier stage, allowing signal modification before returning the light signal to a second amplifier stage of the integrated amplifier. In a further embodiment, a pump interconnect is provided between the first and second amplifier stages to allow operation of both amplifier stages from a single pump light source.

The present invention provides an optical function device which is capable of inverting and amplifying an optical signal of the optical communication wavelength band, and executing operation of an image optical signal, and is operable in a wide temperature range, said optical function device composed of a light transmitting medium containing a rare earth element, comprising a portion thereof doped with 1×1023 per 1 m3 or more of the rare earth element for inverting an optical signal and a portion thereof doped with 1×1021 per 1 m3 or more of the rare earth element for amplifying the optical signal with an excitation light superposed thereto.

The present invention provides a device in the form of a filter which is useable in conjunction with a plasma display panel, which is applied to the front face of a display, and which functions to reduce reflection after assembly to acceptable levels, to increase contrast enhancement ratios, to reduce EMI emissions to levels which comply with consumer safety or other governmental or other regulations or standards and to reduce infrared transmission in the 800 nm-1000 nm range to a level which does not interfere with IR remote control operation. The present invention also relates to a method of making such a plasma display panel filter and device.

A novel system and method for viewing optical images with enhanced apparent depth is disclosed. The present invention utilizes the combined effects of a polarizing layer and a magnifying layer to achieve the enhanced apparent depth of the images being viewed. In a preferred embodiment, a polarizing layer is used in combination with a Fresnel layer having concentric circles to enhance the apparent depth of the images being viewed.

The present invention provides a chassis mount for mounting an electronic equipment chassis to a rack that has parallel mounting columns with opposing front and rear flanges. The chassis mount has front brackets that are fixedly attached to the electronic equipment chassis and positively engageable with the front flanges of the mounting columns. The chassis mount also has rear brackets movably attached to the electronic equipment chassis and locatable proximate to the rear flanges of the mounting columns. A binding mechanism is coupled to the front and rear brackets to form a clamp therewith that binds the columns between the front and rear brackets and secures the electronic equipment chassis to the rack.

A filter configuration for a demodulated QAM signal has a first channel for a cosine demodulated component of the QAM signal, a second channel for a sine demodulated component of the QAM signal, a filter circuit, which receives the two signal components and for each signal component has one transfer function that is composed of terms in phase with this signal component and terms phase-shifted from it by &pgr;/2 and/or −&pgr;/2. The circuit configuration also includes a cross branch for picking up signal portions from the respectively other channel that correspond to the phase-shifted terms of the transfer function. In a first state, the circuit configuration connects the input of the cross branch to the first channel and the output of the cross branch to the second channel, and in a second state connects the input of the cross branch to the second channel and the output of the cross branch to the first channel. A slope detector especially suitable for use with this filter configuration is also provided. The circuit configuration requires a reduced amount of circuitry and can be integrated on a small surface area of a semiconductor substrate.

A diffraction grating for a waveguide or for externally incident light. The grating includes a substrate and an electrooptic structure extending over it. The electrooptic structure may include a waveguide having a propagation axis. A first and a second electrode structure are provided on either side of the electrooptic structure so that an electric field is generated in the electrooptic structure when a potential is applied to the electrodes. The first electrode structure has an interdigitated configuration defining a plurality of fingers. In use, respective potentials V0 and V0+&Dgr;V are applied to adjacent fingers. The diffraction grating induced in the electrooptic structure by the periodic electric field advantageously has a refractive index adjustable by varying V0 and &Dgr;V and a spatial periodicity adjustable by varying &Dgr;V.

A lens barrel includes a cam tube having a female helicoid and a cam formed in an inner wall thereof. A first tube which holds a lens and has a male helicoid formed on an outer wall thereof engages the female helicoid. The first tube is arranged to be moved in an optical axis direction by rotation of the cam tube. A lens holding member holds a lens and has a cam pin provided thereon for engaging the cam of the cam tube. The lens holding member is arranged to be moved in the optical axis direction by a cam action of rotation of the cam tube. The female helicoid and the cam of the cam tube respectively have loci which are continuous and uninterrupted without interfering with each other.

A flash control system remotely controls a an external flash by a camera. In the camera, a first factor is calculated to determine an amount of a flash-light to be emitted from a built-in flash of the camera, and a second factor to determine an amount of a flash-light to be emitted from the external flash, a total amount of both the flash-light emissions of the flashes corresponding to a proper exposure with which an object should be photographed. The built-in flash emits two light signals therefrom at a time interval such that the second factor is represented by the time interval between the signals. An amount of the flash-light emission of the external flash is controlled according to the time interval such that the flash-light amount of the external flash coincides with the second factor.

A camera substantially simultaneously captures a film image of a subject being photographed and an electronic image of the subject which corresponds to the captured film image. The captured electronic image of the subject corresponding to the captured film image of the subject is displayed to permit one to verify they got the captured film image they wanted. The camera includes an optional-use self-timer used to delay film image and electronic image capture of the subject. When the self-timer is intended to be used, the camera electronically captures a preview image without capturing a film image of the subject, and displays the electronically captured preview image to determine whether the camera is correctly positioned to take a picture of the subject.

This invention relates to wilderness camping and backpacking, specifically to increasing the overall comfort of tent sleeping by elevating the sleeper and tent from ground contact and conditions while keeping pack weight comfort of the invention conducive to backpacking use.

A toothbrush that is suitable for an individual to use to brush the teeth and gums of another, and which is also suitable to brush his or her own teeth and gums. The toothbrush includes a cylindrical handle with an attached neck, and an oval shaped bristle head extending from the neck, at an angle in the range of 142 to 155 degrees, with the handle having an upper indentation to engage the index finger of the user, and a lower indentation for engagement by the thumb of the user, the toothbrush being useful for either hand of the user.

A floor cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning element and a vibratory agitation device. The cleaning element is configured to adjoin a floor in scrubbing engagement with the floor. The vibratory agitation device has an output member, and is operative to impart oscillation to the output member. The output member is connected with the cleaning element to impart oscillation to the cleaning element upon operation of the vibratory agitation device when the cleaning element is in scrubbing engagement with the floor.

This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises side structures, preferably connected to form a U-shaped structure. The two side structures have multiple engagement springs comprising pairs of recesses and respective peaks. The number of these pairs is different on one spring than the number of pairs on the other springs. The spring fastener may further comprise an elastic or resilient body under the top end of the fastener, thus providing noise elimination or dampening. In a different embodiment, the fastener may also comprise rigid supports over the two extremities of its top end, which rigid supports force the resilient body all the way around on the fastened article, so that this configuration provides, in addition to noise elimination or dampening, excellent waterproofing properties.

A fixture for aligning the leads of SMT components with the corresponding pads of the printed circuit board, which is to receive such components, before soldering the leads to the pads. The fixture includes clamps for applying forces directly to the leads of the SMT components, alone or in conjunction with the clamping forces which are traditionally applied to the body of the component, the applied forces sufficient to seat the leads on the corresponding pads. In a preferred embodiment, the forces are applied by providing the fixture with a series of rocker-type clamps, each having an edge for engaging the several leads associated with a particular SMT component to be joined to the printed circuit board. The clamp is preferably constructed of a non-wettable material so that the edge of the clamp will not be wet by the molten solder during the soldering procedure, and the edge is preferably thin so that the clamping surface in contact with a particular lead is minimized. Openings are provided in the clamp, above each of the leads of the SMT component, to allow radiant and convective heat transfer to and from each of the solder joints. Such clamping allows SMT components to be wave soldered or soldered in a reflow oven.

Disclosed herein is a children's ball pen for use in the home. The ball pen is made from a floor and sidewall of corrugated plastic sheets which are sonically welded together. Molded bottom anchors between the floor and sidewall together with rings hold resilient polymeric foam covered vertical posts in the desired upright position. A metal rod surrounds the top of the sidewall to give added rigidity and provide an anchor for the vertical post rings. A net and a top complete the ball pen and hold balls therein during play.

A chain saw for cutting branches of up to 200 mm in diameter and above, including a main body, a self-priming pump, a joint, a positioning washer, a collar bracket, an oil sump, hook supports and a blade. It falls within the technical field of human requirements and within the application field of instrument and tool manufacturing. It will cut branches within arm's reach and if a telescopic extension is fitted it will cut branches at any desired height. It is easily operated and as a result of the ease with which the parts may be replaced it is easily maintained and therefore very reliable.

In a process for drying paper, in particular whole books but also other absorbent and in particular organic materials present in particular in layered or laminated form, to achieve residual moisture contents of 1% and below in the shortest possible time and without other disadvantageous effects on the paper or the books, in particular as a first treatment step in the mass deacidification of paper, the paper is heated by being acted upon with warm air and dried by being acted upon with reduced pressure. The operation of acting upon the paper with reduced pressure is effected periodically.

A multi-sided display includes a frame and a display sign housing having at least two display surfaces. The housing is supported on an extendable-retractable base which rotatably supports the sign. The display sign can be rotated when the support base is extended, to display a selected one of the display surfaces. The display sign is supported for viewing of the selected surface when the support is retracted. An electrically illuminated light source within the housing is provided for illuminating the display surfaces. The base is preferably supported for extension and retraction by at least one, and usually two telescoping arms. A pair of slide strips located on opposite side edges of a top surface of the base slidably support the housing. The housing is preferably rotatably supported on the base by a central bearing. A latch mechanism is actuatable to release the cabinet for retraction, and after retraction, for rotation.

A seamless floor-to-wall baseboard for providing a sanitary, easy-to-clean transition from a resilient thermoplastic floor residing on a subfloor to a spaced-apart wall. The baseboard is fabricated from resilient thermoplastic flooring material having the same thickness as the floor. A plurality of longitudinally-extending parallel spaced-apart grooves are formed in one side of the baseboard for permitting the baseboard to be folded along its length to define a transition zone between a subfloor-engaging portion and a wall-engaging portion of the baseboard. The subfloor-engaging portion includes a distal side edge adapted for being abutted against and joined to a proximal edge of the floor to form a smooth, easy-to-clean joinder line. The wall-engaging portion is adapted to engage the wall at substantially right angles to the subfloor-engaging portion and at an angle relative to the transition zone of greater than 90 degrees.

A machine and a method for wrapping an elongated object, such as a drinking straw, with a plastic film are disclosed. The machine has a drive for continuously advancing a thin narrow film strip from a supply roll to a wrapper loading and forming station. The wrapper loading and forming station has a trough former for folding the advancing film strip into a film trough. An inserting device positions spaced-apart elongated objects, such as the drinking straws, into the film trough of the advancing film strip for engagement by the film trough. The objects are supplied by a dispenser and disposed in a pre-oriented manner to be grasped by the inserting device. The film trough is advanced through sealing and severing stations wherein individually wrapped elongated objects or straws are produced.

The invention relates to a device and a method for reducing emissions in catalytic converter exhaust systems for a vehicle provided with a combustion engine. The invention comprises a control unit adapted to control the air-fuel being fed to the engine so that a high concentration of hydrogen is generated in the exhaust gas during start-up of the engine. Furthermore, secondary air is supplied downstream of the engine during cold starting thereof for foaming a gas mixture with the exhaust gas. This gas mixture is oxidized, so that heat energy generated by means of this oxidation is supplied to the catalyst, thereby providing a reduction of the light-off time of the catalyst.

A method and an apparatus are provided by which a high temperature superconductor can be cooled to a lower temperature easily and conveniently at a low cost. In the cooling method and apparatus according to the present invention, a high temperature superconductor constituting a cable (50) is cooled by liquid refrigerant (41). The refrigerant (41) is cooled by a refrigerator (10) to or below the freezing point which is given by the refrigerant having a stationary state in the cooling system. The cooled refrigerant is forced to flow and circulated by a pump (34), and such a physical action maintains the refrigerant in a fluid state at a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing point. A viscometer (61) may be used to measure the viscosity of the refrigerant to modulate the flow rate of the refrigerant according to the measured viscosity. According to the present invention, liquid nitrogen is maintained in a fluid state at approximately 45 K, for example.

Each spacing member (3) between the internal tube (2) for the transfer of fluid and the external envelope (1) have a contact zone (30) at least with the envelope (1) having an angular extent less than 90°, the contact zones with the envelope (30) and with the tube (31) being angularly offset. The spacing member (3) is made of a non-metallic material with low thermal conductivity and is coated, at least on its axial surfaces, with a layer of reflecting product, typically a metallic deposit.Use in the transfer of super-cold fluids, in particular liquid helium.

An operation method of an absorption heat pump is disclosed. This method includes a step for measuring a temperature of a refrigerant vapor passed through the above-described rectification process, a step for comparing the measured temperature and a previously set temperature and estimating a refrigerant density passed through the rectification process, and a step for controlling a heat exchange amount between a rich solution and a refrigerant vapor during the rectification process based on the estimated refrigerant density for thereby obtaining a high purity and density of a refrigerant vapor and a high and stable COP even when a load and an outdoor temperature are changed by changing the amount of a heat exchange performed by a rectifier in accordance with the density of a refrigerant estimated by a temperature of a refrigerant vapor flown into a condenser.

The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle steering column anti-theft device of the type including a casing in which a lock is mounted rotationally between an angular locking position in which a legitimate key can be axially introduced (conventionally from the rear towards the front) or removed, and at least one angular utilization position, in which said key cannot be extracted from the lock, said lock including a rotary projecting part forming a cam that can cooperate with a control finger carried by a bolt to control the axial movements of said bolt which can slide in said casing in an axial direction between two positions: a retracted position in which it is retracted into said basing, and a forward anti-theft position towards which it is pushed elastically and in which it projects from said casing axially via a hole in said casing and prevents a part on the steering column from rotating when said lock is in said locking position with said key extracted, wherein said bolt carries a locking finger projecting radially towards the axis of said casing and penetrating a locking recess formed in a lateral face of said projecting part when said bolt is in said forward anti-theft position, to prevent or limit movement of said bolt towards said retracted position; said locking finger is automatically pushed out of said recess during rotation of said lock from said locking position into said utilization position; and said bolt is held in said retracted position, in the presence of said key, by a mobile restraining mechanism which move to an inoperative position in which said bolt is no longer held when said key is withdrawn.

A device for electrically locking the steering shaft of a motor vehicle steering device, which comprises an electric motor with actuator connected downstream, for displacing a blocking element which is arranged so that it can be displaced from its unlocked position into its locked position, and a switching device fore activating the electric motor. To ensure that the arrangement can be of very compact design and can be fitted without major changes in vehicles produced by different manufacturers, the invention proposes that the arrangement be composed of two separate subassemblies: a locking device with a first housing, in which the electric motor with actuator connected downstream and the blocking element is arranged, and manufacturer-specific electronic switching device, which can be attached o the outside of the first housing.

A method for validating permeation measurements through closed containers including closure members, by making a first measurement of permeation through a container of a first size, and making a second measurement of permeation through a container of a second size, both with the same closure members, and subtracting the permeation measurement contributions respectively made by the closure members.

An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus that has a leakage checking means that detects the conditions of change in the internal pressure of the fuel tank when said fuel tank is closed after being placed under a negative pressure, and a judgement means that judges the presence or absence of leakage in the fuel tank on the basis of the detection results obtained by the leakage checking means and correction checking means. The apparatus further includes a pressure variation checking means which detects the degree of pressure variation in the fuel tank, and then opens the fuel tank to the atmosphere and judges whether or not the pressure inside the fuel tank has dropped. Judgement prohibition means is provided that prohibits a judgement of the presence or absence of leakage from being made by the judgment means in response to a judgement by the pressure variation checking means that the pressure has dropped. Accordingly, a judgement of the presence or absence of leakage in the tank system is prevented from being performed in cases where such a judgement might be inaccurate.

An automated change speed gearbox is provided. The gearbox includes at least two shafts arranged parallel to one another, in which fixed gears are arranged in an axially nondisplaceable and rotationally fixed manner coaxially with the first shaft, these fixed gears meshing at least indirectly with free gears which are arranged in an axially nondisplaceable but rotatable manner coaxially with the second shaft, both an annular sliding sleeve and a frictional-torque transmission device being arranged, likewise coaxially with the second shaft, between the first free gear and the second free gear arranged next to the latter, this annular sliding sleeve being displaceable axially in the direction of the first free gear by means of an actuator to establish a rotationally fixed and positive connection between the first free gear and the second shaft, whereas the frictional-torque transmission device can be displaced axially in the direction of the second free gear to transmit a frictional torque from the second shaft to the second free gear. To provide a simple and low-cost change-speed gearbox which allows rapid engagement of a gear, the invention envisages that the annular sliding sleeve should have internal teeth which engage in external teeth arranged concentrically and in a rotationally fixed and axially nondisplaceable manner relative to the second shaft, and in that the frictional-torque transmission device can be displaced by means of the annular sliding sleeve.

A mechanical timer to control multiple steps of a process comprising a first cam having a shaft, and a second cam having a shaft, wherein the shaft on the first cam extends into the shaft of the second cam. The rotational relationship between the first and second cams determines the length of time for at least one process step. First and second user adjustable elements are attached to the first and second cams. These user adjustable elements do not require any disassembly of the mechanical timer by the user or require any tools. A plurality of switches engage the cams to control various process steps.

The invention concerns a hydraulic, in particular clutching, actuator for receiving control data from a hydraulic circuit in the form of pressure variations. The concentric-type actuator (8) for hydraulic control comprises a fixed part (9) consisting of an external body (21) and a guide tube (22), both cylindrical and coaxial, and a piston (11) mounted sliding coaxially to the fixed part (9) and defining therein a chamber with variable volume (13) designed to be connected to the hydraulic control hydraulic transmitter, the external body (21) comprises on its internal face (35) a groove wherein is inserted a radial edge (31) with which the guide tube (22) is provided at one of its ends and which partially constitutes the variable volume chamber (13) bottom.

Dot-gain information representative of the dot gain of ink is input for each ink type to be used in printing by a dot-gain information input section (80), and spectral-density information representative of the spectral density of the ink is input by a spectral-density information input section (82). Based on the input dot-gain information and spectral-density information, a perforation-size control section (84) outputs a heating signal (ENS) and a voltage control signal (S) so that the size of a perforation becomes a predetermined printing dot size at all times.

A dampening unit of a planographic printing machine has a pan roller, a transfer roller, and a dampening unit roller. The transfer roller is held in bearing contact against the dampening unit roller with a regulating force such as, in particular, a spring force FF. The transfer roller, together with the pan roller, is pivotable about a pivot axis that is offset relative to the roller axis of the pan roller, and/or the pivot axis lies essentially on a tangential line running through a circumferential contact point which is formed by the transfer roller together with the dampening unit roller.

A printing plate made of rolled sheet metal strip for extra-wide machines with an increased service life is made having a length and width arranged obliquely to the rolling direction of the sheet metal. A process for producing rectangular panels from rolled sheet metal strip with main directions running obliquely with respect to the rolling direction to produce such printing plates includes cutting the sides of the rectangular panels obliquely to the rolling direction of the sheet metal strip.

When a solid ink printing master plate is constructed by liquefying by heating an ink composition which exists as a solid at room temperature, imparting some jet energy thereto thereby jetting out ink droplets, and then fixing the thus spattering ink droplets onto a substrate, the adhesion strength between the ink composition and the substrate is controlled to 25 g/mm2 or more.

Methods for customizing wallpaper designs that do not include repeating patterns, typical of prior art wallpaper. The method includes making a digital image of a basic design, and displaying visual versions of the designs for customer selection and customization. Customization of the designs includes adding personalized details specified by the customer, selection of color scheme, and a wide variety of other variables that are required to meet customer requirements. The digital image is modified to include the customer-specified information, and a customized digital image is produced. A visual design of the customized digital image is then printed onto a suitable substrate.

An underwater explosive device, comprising a first container containing an explosive suitable for underwater use, and a second container surrounding the first container and containing oxygen gas under a pressure sufficient to enhance the underwater explosive reaction of the explosive.

A portable table including a vertically adjustable upright support, a worksurface connected to the upright support and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position. While the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable. The one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position.

A pallet including a pair of elongate bearers (3) and an upper deck and a lower deck of slats (5a, 5b) supported by the bearers (3). Each bearer (3) is generally trapezoidal in transverse section and includes upper and lower walls and inner and outer side walls (11a, 11b). Each bearer (3) further includes upper and lower openings (9a, 9b) which receive end sections of the slats (5a, 5b). The slats (5 a, 5b are retained securely by the bearers (3) without nails or other fasteners being required by interlocking end sections of the slats (5a, 5b) and the bearers (3).

The breathing humidifier is a reservoir containing a sponge and water. The reservoir is generally shaped to fit the contour of the users face between the upper lip and the nose. The sponge is shaped to fit against the nostril openings. Two openings are located at the bottom of the reservoir into which a gas supply cannula may be inserted. When gas such as oxygen is supplied to the breathing humidifier the gas passes through the water-sponge and heat environment to exit into the nose.

A deionized water temperature control part cools deionized water which is supplied from a deionized water supply source into a processing bath through a pipe after completely cleaning a substrate in the processing bath for maintaining the deionized water at a constant temperature which is lower than the ordinary temperature. A supply port of an IPA.N2 supply part provided in a casing of a multi-functional processing part is directed upward, thereby supplying IPA vapor upward with carrier gas of N2 for forming an atmosphere containing IPA vapor in high concentration above the processing bath. Thus, the substrate cooled to a low temperature is dried in the atmosphere containing the IPA vapor of the ordinary temperature in the upper portion of the processing bath when pulled up from the processing bath. Thus, the amount of the IPA vapor dissolved in the deionized water stored in the processing bath may be small, whereby consumption of the IPA vapor as well as generation of particles can be suppressed.

A novel umbrella structure, comprises mainly a shaft, two surface frames, and two connecting parts; wherein, the connecting parts are formed basically by crossing two ribs with each other, and linking them with an main notch and a main runner provided on the shaft and with an sub-notch and sub-runner provided on the surface frames, such that each surface frame can be linked on both symmetrical sides of the shaft, respectively, by the connecting part. As the main runner provided as a sleeve around the shaft slides up and down, the sub-runner on the surface frame will be driven by the connecting parts and slide up and down correspondingly, and its distance to the sub-notch is exactly equal to the distance from the main runner to the main notch and thereby, the umbrella surface can be completely spread out.

A firefighting monitor having an acceleration sensitive shut off valve that responds to acceleration of the monitor to reduce water flow through the monitor. The acceleration sensitive shut off valve is self-contained and requires no contact with an external surface or device. The valve closing speed may be modulated by a dampener device that slows the rate at which the valve closes to avoid damage from water hammer.

A steel liner (a pipe or vessel) is wrapped with a stack of sheets of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composite arranged in angle-ply pattern. The stack is cured on the liner to bond the sheets together and to the liner. The wrapped liner is then internally pressurized to cause the liner to yield while the composite remains elastic. When de-pressurized, the liner has compressive residual stress and the composite has tensile residual stress. When the resulting hybrid structure is subsequently again pressurized, it is found that the elastic regime of the liner has been extended.

An automatic fueling system includes a pump having a telescoping arm capable of placement in three-dimensional space, a flexibly mounted nozzle on the end of the arm and a docking cone to mate with the fuel port on a vehicle. A camera provides a view of the side of the vehicle on a monitor with guides visible to the operator of the vehicle to assist in locating the vehicle within range of the pump. A light and a camera located adjacent to the nozzle are used to recognize retro-reflective light from an annular target about the intake port. Multiple approximations of the distance and location of the intake port are made with the nozzle moving closer to mating with the intake port. A data link is provided through the mated nozzle with a keypad accessible by the vehicle operator. The vehicle includes a control actuator which selectively couples actuator cables associated with the fuel door and the fuel inlet valve with the emergency brake cable to engage the emergency brake, open the fuel door and open the inlet valve. A vacuum system on an evaporation canister insures that vapor is drawn from the fuel tank as it is being displaced by incoming fuel.

An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed which comprises a steering shaft connected at one end to the handwheel and at its other end to at least one roadwheel, while an electric motor is connected to the steering a gearbox having a non-integer reduction gear ratio. Two sensors are also provided with one sensing the angular position of the motor rotor and the other sensing the angular position of the steering shaft. The presence of the non-integer gear ratio produces a beat frequency between the output of the two sensors from which an unambiguous measurement of the angular position of the steering shaft over a range of greater than one complete revolution can be made. The sensors may comprise either absolute position sensors or index-type sensors.

A brake assembly of a vehicle for enduring corrosive road effects is disclosed. The brake assembly includes a mounting bracket having a bore. An anchor pin extends through the bore of the mounting bracket to rotatably support a brake shoe of the assembly. More specifically, the anchor pin includes first and second end portions and an outer surface, and the brake shoe rotates about the first and second end portions of the anchor pin relative to the mounting bracket. A rubber layer is disposed between the outer surface of the anchor pin and the bore of the mounting bracket to permit rotation of the brake shoe about the mounting bracket in the event the brake shoe becomes corrosively bonded to the pin. In such an event, a flexural stiffness of the rubber layer enables rotation of the anchor pin relative to the mounting bracket, and since the brake shoe is bonded to the anchor pin, the brake shoe also rotates relative to the mounting bracket thereby maintaining operation of the brake assembly.

A conveyor belt scraping apparatus comprises a blade having a blade edge biased against a conveyor belt. The blade is supported at its base and has a blade body extending from the base to support the blade edge. The scraper blade body has a substantially rectangular recess in the base adapted for frictional mounting on a flange for engaging the surface of a conveyor belt for scraping material therefrom. A blade assembly of the present invention includes a mounting having a plurality of radial flanges and one or more scraper blades each having a blade body with an edge distal from its base and at least one substantially rectangular recess in the base frictionally mounted on at least one of the plurality of flanges, but not in mechanical locking engagement thereto.

A paper base having a thin metallization on at least a portion of its surface is folded into a box for accommodating golf balls. The box has an elegant appearance, can be disposed of without problems, and can be effectively manufactured.

A combination of a carrier and cylindrical resistors, the carrier having a base that has a plurality of holding regions, two parallel rails for supporting a resistor in each holding region, each parallel rail having a non-ramped bottom surface, a ramped side surface and an arced surface between the non-ramped bottom surface and the ramped side surface, the two parallel rails being inward of two flexible tangs in each holding region, each of the two flexible tangs having an arm positioned for pushing on each of two wire conductors of each cylindrical resistor, to cause a body of each cylindrical resistor to be pushed against the arched surfaces of the parallel rails.

A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. The straw engages a floating member which is located adjacent to the lid of the container when the container is filled with a fluid. The floating member includes a contoured or cam surface which is engaged by the opening tab of the container to rotate the floating member until the straw aligns with the opening. Various design configurations for the floating member are disclosed.

A toilet paper dispensing system including a mounting member securable to a ceiling within a bathroom. An elongated paper holding tube is coupled with the mounting member. The paper holding tube has a central post extending downwardly therefrom. The paper holding tube has an access opening therein disposed upwardly of an open lower end thereof. An end cap is adapted for removable coupling with the open lower end of the paper holding tube. The end cap has a central post extending upwardly therefrom. A lock mechanism is disposed within the end cap for selectively locking the end cap with respect to the paper holding tube.

A seat post axially slides into an insert sleeve that fits into a bicycle frame in the place of a conventional seat post. The seat post has a long keyway along the front and a narrower keyway or tubular section along the posts back. Along the inner wall of the front keyway is a plurality of holes sized to receive a locking pin. Connected to the inner wall of the insert sleeve is a support key unit that slides within the front keyway of the seat post, as the seat post is moved up and down. In the support key, the height adjusting, locking pin is housed as well as a hanger is formed where one end of the elastic spring is attached. The elastic spring is then brought around a pulley positioned within the bottom portion of the seat post, brought up the rear keyway and is attached at the top of the seat post in a downward pointing hanger. The elastic spring acts as if it were attached from the bottom of the seat post to the bottom of the support key. The elastic spring urges the seat post upwards whenever the locking pin is pulled from one of the plurality of seat post holes. In another embodiment a pawl that contains a downward pointing hook and a pawl that incorporates a supplemental pin would be used instead of the simpler locking pin device. In another embodiment a coil spring is used in place of the elastic cord.

An omnidirectional vibration damping system comprising a pair of dampers of identical make mounted between a carrier rigidly carrying an electronic instrument or like object of protection and a rigid support therefore, the dampers being positioned in axial alignment with each other in positions of symmetry with respect to the center of mass of the object. The carriers have webs laid parallel to a pair of opposed bearing surfaces of the support, each web having formed thereon a hollow boss extending at right angles therefrom. Each damper has a nut extending with clearance through the hollow boss of one carrier and having one end held fast against the bearing surface of the support by receiving a bolt from outside the support. Formed on the other end of the nut is a flange laid parallel to the bearing surface and farther away therefrom than the carrier web. Two damping rings of elastic material and preformed shapes act between nut flange and carrier web, between carrier web and support, between nut flange and support, and between nut and carrier boss, thereby mitigating vibrations both in a plane parallel to the each bearing surface of the support and in a direction at right angles therewith.

A printed product slow down apparatus and method for slowing down printed products, the apparatus and method utilizing a slow down member to absorb the kinetic energy of the printed product thus slowing down the printed product.

A wear sleeve for use with the active face of an associated seal unit. The wear sleeve includes a radial flange and an axial flange having a plurality of grooves therein. The grooves are formed on an inner margin of the blank while the blank is in a flat condition. Thereafter, the axial flange is drawn in a skirt forming die so as to create an outer surface on the axial flange having a hydrodynamic pattern thereon. The grooves are formed in a sinusoidal pattern, and the inner surface of the skirt forming die is free from formations creating interference with the skirt.

A gasket is formed of a gasket member extending substantially throughout an entire area to be sealed, a compressible sealing member, and a hard coating. The gasket member has a first hole to be sealed, and a plurality of second holes for allowing bolts to pass therethrough situated around the first hole. The compressible sealing member is disposed on at least one side of the gasket member to completely surround the first hole without surrounding the second holes. The hard coating is disposed on the gasket member at the same side of the sealing member to surround the second holes. The hard coating is formed independently from the compressible sealing member and has compressibility less than that of the compressible sealing member. The gasket can be formed easily at a low cost.

A chuck includes a generally cylindrical body having a nose section and a tail section. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed with respect to the body to and away from the chuck's axial bore. Each jaw includes a tool engaging surface facing, and generally parallel to the axis of, the axial bore. Each jaw includes a back surface opposite the tool engaging surface and a pair of planar side surfaces extending from the tool engaging surface toward the back surface. The side surfaces are disposed on either side of a plane that includes the axis. The side surfaces define an angle through the jaw between the side surfaces that is greater than 120°.

A skate with shoe feature comprises two springs, two pairs of wheels each having a bore, two axles each having a length conformed to the distance between the pair of wheels, an axially groove, and an elongate pivot member hinged to the axially groove at one end, and a shoe body having two transverse tubes in the front and rear of the sole, and at least two curved fastening members on two sides in the axial direction of the pair of wheels. Whereby the compressed spring sleeved on the axle, one wheel sleeved on the axle, the axle through the bore, and the other wheel sleeved on the axle are secured together by pulling pivot member upwardly to make it perpendicular to axle.

A steering wheel has an airbag module and a separate cap covering the airbag module. The airbag module is connected to a skeleton or hub of the steering wheel using a plurality of vibration damping elements to isolate the airbag module from the hub. The cap, on the other hand has no vibration damping element. As the cap is directly linked to the hub, it oscillates with the hub and the components attached thereto so that no relative movement therebetween exists.

A lock handle assembly for a multi-point casement window is disclosed. The lock handle assembly includes an escutcheon for mounting to the inside surface of the frame. The escutcheon includes an elongated body which features an inner side facing away from the inside surface of the frame and an outer side that extends through the inside surface of the frame. The escutcheon further includes an elongated slot for receiving a handle through the inner side of the escutcheon. The slot comprises an upper end and a lower end defined by upper and lower walls respectively. The handle is pivotally connected to the escutcheon by a shaft having an axis that extends transversely through the slot. The shaft further connects a movable link to the handle. The shaft also passes through a fixed gear which is secured to the escutcheon. The fixed gear includes an arcuate gear. The movable link includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the shaft in a distal end pivotally connected to a drive gear link. The drive gear link includes a distal end pivotally connected to a movable link and a proximate end including an arcuate gear enmeshed with the arcuate gear of the fixed gear. The distal end of the drive gear link also is pivotally connected to the connecting link at a connecting axis. This design enables the handle to undergo a relatively short range rotation ranging from about 100° to about 140° while moving the connecting axis through an arcuate path defined by an angle ranging from about 140° to about 180°. The handle and escutcheon present a relatively low profile on the inside surface of the sash.

A vehicle door has a door outside panel and a door inside panel provided with a large surface area cut-out recess which is covered by a support plate in a sealed manner, so that the door body is divided into a wet cell lying between the door outside panel and the support plate, and a dry cell lying between the support plate and an adjoining door inside trim. There are electrical and/or electronic components prefitted on the support plate, and electrical plug connectors which are arranged on the support plate on the dry cell side. Further, switch elements are mounted on the dry cell side of the support plate for manually controlling the electrical and/or electrical components. No electrical connection exists between the switch elements and the door inside trim. At least one of the switch elements provided for manually controlling the electrical and/or electronic components is an electrical, opto-electrical, optical or magnetic structural element which can be brought into active connection with a mechanical operating element assigned to the door inside trim.

A chair and cover combination includes a cover and a chair having a leg structure, a seat, and a seat back. The cover includes a singular piece of material having an open end to be placed over the chair. The material covers the seat back, the seat, and the leg structure of the chair in such a manner so as to substantially encapsulate the entire structure of the chair. The cover also includes closing structure generally at the open end which closes the open end.

An inflatable infant sitting support device which can be used from the earliest developmental stage of learning to sit upright by an infant or a younger developmentally delayed child, consisting of four inflatable pieces and one cushioned, non-inflatable piece, which acts as the seat bottom for the device. The primary inflatable piece is “U” or horseshoe shaped and is sealed to the top of the cushioned, non-inflatable piece. There is an elongated, rectangular inflatable piece, acting as a support to keep the device from tapping over to the back, sealed to the bottom of the back of the curved section at the back of the primary inflatable piece. There is a crescent-shaped inflatable piece acting as a head and neck support and sealed to the top of the curved section at the back of the primary piece. The final inflatable piece is a detachable safety bar which can be snapped across the top of the front of the device to stop an infant's fall forward and to give an infant or developmentally delayed child something to grasp and try to maintain balance, while still using and strengthening the muscles needed to sit upright without support. The entire chair is made out of vinyl or vinyl-type plastic material so that the device is easy to wipe clean, as well as easy to deflate and fold into a small package to be stored or packed for travel.

A bicycle hub is provided for use with tangential bicycle spokes having a straight section and a bent end with an enlarged head such that straight section extends at an angle of about 95° relative to the bent end. The bicycle hub basically has a hub axle and a hub body. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein. The hub body also has a set of first spoke openings circumferentially arranged around the hub body. Each of the first spoke openings having an insertion portion with a large width that permits the enlarged head of a tangential spoke to pass therethrough and a retaining portion with a width that is smaller than the width of the insertion portion to retain the enlarged head of the tangential spoke therein. Each of the retaining portions of the first spoke openings is defined by a cylindrical surface with a center longitudinal axis that is angled such that said center longitudinal axis of each of the retaining portions does not pass through the center axis of the hub axle.

An overhead storage device includes a storage container that is pivotably or rotatably mounted to an overhead surface, such as a ceiling or a plurality of rafters. The storage container is generally moved by a motorized actuator assembly. The motorized actuator assembly includes a worm drive and follower nut arrangement. The storage container is supported by a frame assembly and is secured to the frame assembly generally at an end of the storage container. The frame assembly also includes a plurality of arms that secure the storage container to the frame assembly. The overhead storage device is sized to allow a motor vehicle to fit below a raised storage container in an average height garage. The storage container is assembled from two generally identical halves that are nestable for shipping and storage.

A glowing coaster composed of a base, an LED light source installed in the base, an upper assembly consisting of an absorbent pad and housing and a wall transformer power source, which when plugged into a wall receptacle, causes the LED to light and create a glowing effect to the outer surface of a portion of the base or the upper assembly allowing the device to be easily located in a darkened room.

Headlamp for motor vehicles, which can generate selectively a full light beam and a dipped/fog light beam, including a reflector which is subdivided into an upper reflective area, and a lower reflective area, and has an optical axis, along which there is disposed a single fixed light source consisting of a bulb with a single filament, a lens, which is disposed in a front position and at right-angles relative to the optical axis, and can converge the dipped/fog light beam, intermediate screens which are partially mobile, and can assume selectively a first position, in which they can intercept part of the said full light beam, in order to convert the latter into the said dipped/fog light beam, and a second position, in which the said full beam is not intercepted, and movement means in order to displace the said intermediate screens between the said first and second positions, which means are disposed on the exterior of a casing, which contains the reflector, the light source, the lens and the intermediate screens.

A line illuminating apparatus comprises a pair of irradiating units 12a, 12b of the same structure. The irradiating unit 12a. The light irradiating unit 12a includes a light source 14a, a first light guide 16a consisting of a large number of optical fibers, a light connector 18a, and three second light guides 20 (20a to 20c). The first light guide 16a permits the light emitted from the light source 14a to be incident as a slender rectangular light ray on the light connector 18a. The light emitted from the light connector 18a is divided by the three second light guides 20. Each light guide 20 is in the form of a thin plate, and the light emitting surfaces of the light guides 20a to 20f are arranged to define a imaginary semicylindrical plane surrounding the irradiating line L of work 28. The particular construction is effective for suppressing the loss of energy required for illumination. Also, the inspection is not adversely affected by the presence of, for example, an irregularity on the surface of the work.

Device for processing photographic material comprising a plurality of treating baths (1-9) containing developing, bleaching, fixing and stabilizing solutions. During the working operations, the treating baths are successively crossed by the photographic material to be treated. The refilling of the treating baths is obtained by means of pumps (41-47) and pipes (31-37) which draw the treating solutions from each restoring container (11-13) as well as the treating water from a water-reservoir (24). A driving device (50) of the refilling pumps cooperates with the level sensors (S1-S6) of the restoring containers in order to stop the refilling process and to actuate an auxiliary pump (71-73) as soon as one of the restoring containers is empty. The auxiliary pump (71-73) removes the residual treating solutions from the restoring containers through an additional pipe (61-63) connected with each restoring container (11-13). The device according to the invention facilitates the maintenance operations and makes simple and economical the disposal of the restoring containers.

A connector assembly that interconnects opposed ends of two walk boards utilized in a scaffolding system. Each connector includes a first plate having a plurality of connector shafts extending therefrom. The connector shafts extend through openings or sleeves formed in the end portions of the respective walk boards. Opposite the first plate is a second plate that includes openings through which the connector shafts extend. Retainers are secured to the respective connector shafts for the purpose of retaining the second plate on the connector shafts while the connector shafts extend through the openings within the walk boards. An interconnecting shaft is extended through a series of openings within the first and second plates of each connector. This interconnecting shaft effectively connects the connectors together and thereby connects the opposed end portions of the walk boards together.

An apparatus and a method (1; 30; 50) for monitoring the laying of an underwater pipeline (7). The apparatus (1; 30; 50) comprises a body member (9, 11; 31) and a monitoring means (23, 27, 29; 33) connected to the body member (9, 11; 31) for monitoring the pipeline (7) as it is laid. A movement means (21) may be provided to assist movement of the body member (9, 11; 31) with respect to the pipeline (7). A means to position (10, 13) the body member (9, 11; 31) a distance from the pipeline dispenser (6; 47) is also provided, which may be in the form of a tether or a cable (10). A pipeline sealing device comprising a body member for insertion into a pipeline (7), where an explosive material is mounted on the body member. An apparatus and a method for deploying an elongate member (10; 13) within a conduit (7) where the apparatus comprises a body (51) which is coupled to the elongate member (10; 13). A positioning means maintains the body (51) substantially in a known position within the conduit (7).

The invention is a device for loading and unloading automobiles from an auto-transport vehicle. The device includes a platform and a telescoping arm mechanism. The platform moves back and forth and up and down continuously in approximately a horizontal position. The platform moves on rails that run from the front to the back and below the chassis of a auto-transport vehicle. When the front end of the platform reaches the back end of the chassis, the platform moves down, in a horizontal position, until it reaches the ground. The rotatable base of the telescoping arm mechanism is attached to the back of the chassis. The front end of the telescoping arm mechanism contacts the bottom of the platform at the back of the chassis to support the platform as it moves back and forth along the rails. The telescoping arm mechanism also supports and moves the platform up and down while maintaining the platform in the horizontal position. Attached to the back end of the chassis are two support legs that support the auto-transport vehicle during loading and unloading. The telescoping arm mechanism can also include a removable clamping or supporting jig or a rotatable pulley for towing a second automobile.

A variable swash plate compressor (10), including a housing (12), a top inlet (14A), a bottom inlet (14B), a pumping chamber (16), a compression piston (18), a top outlet (20A), a bottom outlet (20B), a drive shaft (22), a control surface element (24), a pinnacle element (26), a swash plate (28), a bore (30) and a pocket (32) formed in the swash plate (28), a pivot element tip (38) and fulcrum piston assembly (40). Wherein the angle of the swash plate (28) relative to the drive shaft (22) is varied to bring about a larger or smaller travel path of the double-sided compression piston (18) and thereby increasing or decreasing the output capacity of the variable swash plate compressor (10).

A pressurized air supplying device is coupled to the DC electric power of the vehicle for supplying a pressurized air to a massage device of the vehicle. The pressurizing device includes two membranes secured to two sides of a housing and each having a peripheral portion secured to the housing with a casing. A follower is secured between the membranes. A motor is secured to the housing and has an eccentric axle slidably engaged through the follower to actuate the follower and the membranes to pressurize the air and to generate a pressurized air to the massage device.

A sleeve and post terminals combination, wherein a single piece sleeve terminal which is slidingly interfaced with a smooth surfaced post terminal for high current circuit applications. The sleeve terminal is formed from sheet metal stock, having an inner sleeve component and an outer sleeve component. The inner sleeve component includes three circumferentially spaced electrical contracts. The post terminal is configured to be snugly received by the inner sleeve component, wherein the three contacts are radially forced against the post terminal. The post terminal preferably has a bullet nose and has a smooth surface. In a preferred environment of operation, the post terminal is connected with a BEDC, and the sleeve terminal is connected with a high current capacity wire.

Method in which the positions of the color ray tube and the deflection unit are matched to each other, using a step of recording a displayed image and in which the envelope is oriented upside down during matching.

Before a hopper is mounted in a lower portion of a casing 12, a large number of discharge frames 14 are mounted through an open portion 39 of the hopper by a gate-shaped crane 41 arranged on the upper surface of the casing 12, followed by mounting a large number of movable electrodes 15 so as to be rotated around every other dischargeframe and finally mounting the hopper 13. The particular method permits carrying out efficiently the mounting operation of the discharge framesand the movable electrodes in assembling a movable electrode typed electric dust collecting apparatus.

A method for preparing a non-thermal plasma reactor reactor characterized by multiple concentric exhaust channels and multiple concentric conductor channels having alternating polarity, each connected to its respective polarity via bus paths is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate having a curved, swept shape comprising a thick outer wall surrounding a plurality of channels separated by dielectric barriers, coating selected channels with a conductive material to form conductor channels capable of forming an electric field around uncoated exhaust channels. Masking is employed to effect selective coating of conductive material while preventing the conductive material from being applied to non-value added areas. A first mask is employed to apply conductive material forming conductor channels and bus paths. An additional mask may be employed to cover the conductor channels and bus paths with a sealant. The method minimizes manufacturing steps as compared to prior methods. For example, all of the substrate channels are coated at the same time. Further, firing cycles occur with the entire substrate rather than as multiple pieces coated and fired separately.