Abstract: A device for the treatment of an influent with a nonbonded media, and when the media becomes spent, the media is fluidized with a backwash fluid. Concentric inner and outer perforated cylinders contain a column of media therebetween. The influent is passed radially inwardly through the column of media and into the lower portion of the inner perforated cylinder, where the effluent is removed from the device. During a backwash operation, a backwash fluid is forced into the lower portion of the inner perforated cylinder, radially outwardly into the column of media to provide an upwardly directed drag force. When the drag force exceeds the buoyant weight of the media, the media is fluidized so that the contaminants can be removed therefrom by the backwash fluid.

Abstract: A motorcycle towing device (12) for flat bed tow trucks (6) and wheel lift tow trucks (8) has a front wheel support plate (44) having a front wheel lateral support member (48), and a rear wheel support plate (100) having rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). Tie down straps 24 secure a motorcycle (10) to the front wheel support plate (44) and to the front wheel lateral support member (48), and to the rear wheel support plate (100) and between the rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). In one embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to casters (84) for loading the motorcycle (10) onto the flat bed tow truck (6). In another embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to a wheel lift tow truck (8).

Abstract: An erosion control block having male tab members and female socket members providing an interlocking relationship with neighbor blocks so that lateral removal therebetween is prevented. The erosion control block includes cable channels formed therein from respective opposite corners of the block so that an axis of the cable channels forms an “X” in said block.

Abstract: A programmable control system for a crane that senses a hydraulic pressure of the lift mechanism, and controls the movements of the crane apparatus as a function of the magnitude of the hydraulic pressure. As the status conditions of the crane change, sense switches relay such information to a programmable controller and error codes are generated and presented to the operator. The control system can respond to the states of the sense switches and override wireless command inputs to the control system.

Abstract: A wireless winch control system having a wireless remote transmitter for transmitting AM/PWM modulated signals. A processor in the wireless remote transmitter periodically transmits control signals while a forward or reverse button remains pushed. Once the button is released, a Stop command is automatically transmitted to the receiver. A receiver mounted for control of the winch receives the signals, demodulates the same and controls the winch motor in a reliable manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a module (10) having pins (16-24) connected to respective conductor tower strips (46, 48, 50, 52). Pairs (46, 50 and 48, 52) of the conductor tower strips are spring biased toward each other to capture therebetween respective PTC current limiting elements (64, 70). A spring member 60 is connected to a ground pin (24) at one end, and to an overvoltage sensitive assembly at the other end, via a soldered heat transfer member (92). The overvoltage sensitive assembly includes overvoltage semiconductor devices (76, 77, 79) soldered thereto. When an overvoltage condition is sensed, the heat generated by the devices melts the solder between the heat transfer member (92) and the spring member (60), whereby lateral arms (90) of the spring member (60) move and engage the conductor tower strips (50, 52). The tip and ring pins (16, 18) of the module (10) are not only shorted together, but are shorted to ground.

Abstract: A paraffin filter for a paraffin spa includes a first end cap and a second end cap with a filter medium sandwiched therebetween. Each end cap is disk-like body having a respective tubular connection for the input or output of melted paraffin, thus providing a low profile filter. The filter medium comprises a rigid compressed polyester material to filter particulate matter of a given size, a porous polyester felt layer to facilitate the movement of molten paraffin through the filter, and then a polypropylene particulate matter layer to filter particles smaller than that of the compressed polyester filter material.

Abstract: A semiconductor thyristor device that incorporates buried region breakdown junctions laterally offset from an emitter region. By spacing the buried regions around the emitter region, current carriers emitted from the buried regions are distributed over a large area of the emitter region, thereby providing a high current capability during initial turn on of the device. In order to achieve low breakover voltage devices, the buried regions are characterized with high impurity concentrations, with the breakdown junctions located near the surface of the chip. The low voltage thyristor device minimizes the area of high dopant concentration junctions, thus minimizing the chip capacitance and permitting high speed, low voltage signal operation.

Abstract: A method of cabling erosion control blocks of a mat together. The blocks have formed therein cable channels in a cris-cross manner, diagonally between the corners of each block. Cables are threaded through the blocks in a zig-zag manner, from the top of the mat to the bottom of the mat. The ends of the cables are terminated at two opposing sides of the mat so that the mat can be lifted by a spreader bar. The cables at the other two opposing sides of the mat are terminated for attachment to adjacent mats.

Abstract: A service body for a vehicle includes side packs, each of which is formed with a multi-panel face which includes a side panel, a front panel and a back panel. The panels of the multi-panel face are formed integral by laser cutting the face from a single sheet of metal. L-shaped compartment panels are constructed by forming a compartment divider at right angles to a recessed doorjamb. The recessed doorjambs are welded to the interior surface of the side panel. Top, back and bottom panels are welded to flanged edges of the multi-panel face.

Abstract: A technique for determining the last digit of a dialed sequence. Different interdigit time-out periods are pre-assigned to each digit received. If the time-out period expires, it is considered that a full complement of digits has been received, whereupon the received digits are then transferred toward the destination.

Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. The tool has a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has a smooth and non-abrading surface, with one or more depressions formed therein. Each depression includes an abrading mechanism. The abrading mechanism does not protrude above the smooth surface of the working portion of the tool. During operation, once the workpiece has been smoothed by removal of the raised areas by the abrading mechanism, the smooth surface of the tool engages the workpiece and further abrasion of the workpiece is prevented.

Abstract: A thyristor provides overcurrent protection to a low impedance load, such as a transformer, by adding a resistance in series with the transformer winding. As overcurrents attempt to pass through the transformer winding, a sufficient voltage is generated in the transformer so that a thyristor connected thereacross is triggered into conduction. A resistance formed between the thyristor gate and cathode establishes the threshold of current that can pass through the transformer winding before the thyristor is triggered. When triggered into conduction, the thyristor shunts the current and the transformer is thus protected.

Abstract: A drawer (20) of a server system rack (12) includes a flexible cable management arm (114) which is molded of plastic for securing cabling (34) between a moveable tray (38) and an electronic switch (30). The molded cable management arm (114) is preferably formed as a single member (116) having hinges which are defined by hinge regions (120). The hinge regions (120) have oppositely disposed grooves (121, 123), which are formed in opposite sides of the single member (116). Cable retention tabs (140) are integrally molded into the single member (116) and are L-shaped. Adjacent ones of the cable retention tabs (140) extend fromalternating ones of opposite edges (142) of the single member (116), with outer portions (144) of the retention tabs (140) extending across and spaced apart from a main body portion (145) of the molded plastic cable management arm (114).

Abstract: A method of coacting a fluid with a media, such as granular particles. The media is moved to an upper portion in an upright media container, and held there during a treatment cycle in which the fluid is coacted with the media. When the media requires regeneration, the media is allowed to fall to a lower portion of the media container where a regeneration fluid is passed through the media.

Abstract: A dental device for removing an onlay or crown from a patient's tooth. The device includes pliers-type handles for operating a corresponding pair of tips. The tips are equipped with grips adapted for holding an onlay or crown therebetween. The grip edges have a number of rounded projections that are effective to firmly grip the onlay or crown.

Abstract: A telephone communication system having a cordless telephone operating in conjunction with a cellular transceiver. A subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) is controlled by a microprocessor in the cellular transcriber. The SLIC can be controlled to provide standard telephone service to other telephone sets, and includes circuits for testing for foreign voltages on the telephone lines prior to providing SLIC service. Standard RJ-11 jacks are utilized for coupling the telephone sets to the communication system to provide standard telephone service by way of the cellular network.