Abstract: A reduced-thickness backlighter for an autostereoscopic display is disclosed having a lightguide and at least one light source parallel to an edge of the lightguide so as to be substantially coplanar with the lightguide. The lightguide is provided with a first surface which has a plurality of reflective linear regions, such as elongated grooves or glossy lines, parallel to the illuminated edge of the lightguide. Preferably the lightguide further has a second surface which has a plurality of lenticular lenses for reimaging the reflected light from the linear regions into a series of thin vertical lines outside the guide. Because of the reduced thickness of the backlighter system, autostereoscopic viewing is enabled in applications requiring thin backlighter systems. In addition to taking up less space, the reduced-thickness backlighter uses less lamps and less power.

Abstract: A bioremediation apparatus for removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from a contaminated air stream generated from the subsurface remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated ground water and soil is described. The apparatus includes an above ground multilevel biofilter which holds a biologically active media at each level, the levels forming a stack of interlocked levels in series such that the media in each level does not directly contact the media in the adjacent levels. The biofilter includes, a perforated support plate having a multiplicity of holes, the holes having a maximum diameter sufficiently small to prevent significant amounts of the bioactive media from passing there through and a minimum diameter sufficiently large to prevent clogging, the spacing between adjacent holes being selected to produce an overall ratio of total hole area to total plate area of between from about 20% to about 35%.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for limiting the movement of hinged panels such as doors and more particularly to a door stop that can be mounted directly on a door hinge. The door stop comprises a continuous sleeve having a semi-cylindrical inside surface surrounding the hinge barrel and two contact surfaces to engage the hinge plate of a hinge to prevent the door from opening beyond a predetermined angle. Preferably, one contact surface has a greater surface area than the other contact surface. At least one end plate containing a pin aperture is attached to one end of the sleeve. The pin aperture is sized to receive a standard hinge pin shaft therethrough.

Abstract: A sensor for the seat of a motor vehicle includes a compressible, preferably foam layer disposed between two conductive sheets. In one embodiment, the capacitance between the conductive sheets is measured to determine what and whether an object is disposed on the sensor, while in another application, apertures are formed through the compressible layer to allow the conductive sheets to contact one another through the apertures. One embodiment having relatively low resistivity to produce a short circuit, and another embodiment has higher resistivity in which the magnitude of the change and resistance may be used to determine the nature of an object.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaluating a design includes a memory for storing data representing a current design for the device; a host processor connected to the memory and having a change input for receiving an input signal representing a change in the design, an event output for generating an event signal representing at least that a change has occurred; a plurality of advisors, each advisor having an event input for receiving the event signal; a data input connected to the memory, an advisor processor for generating scoring signals representing a selected quality of the design, and presenting the scoring signal to an advisor scoring output; an advisor backplane connected between the host processor and the advisors, the advisor backplane having an event input coupled to the host processor for receiving event signals, an event output coupled to the advisors' event inputs, and a scoring input connected to the advisors' scoring outputs for receiving the scoring signals from the advisors and for combining the scores for gen

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ removal of biodegradable contaminants from ground water or soil , or both by injecting oxygen gas into ground water containing a biodegradable contaminant in a volume low enough to avoid migration or volatilization of the contaminant but high enough to enhance the rate of biodegradation of the contaminant are described.

Abstract: A pump enclosure assembly including a submersible pump within an elongate chamber and connected to an excess chamber having a detachable fitting extending through the access chamber to allow easy retrieval and maintenance of the pump. The pump enclosure assembly of the present invention is a sturdy, efficient, inexpensive assembly to promote the efficiency and safety of the pump itself.

Abstract: A collapsible anvil assembly and applicator instrument for use with a surgical stapler. The collapsible anvil assembly includes an anvil shaft and a plurality of anvil segments, having staple clinching buckets thereon, flexibly affixed to the anvil shaft which are movable between a collapsed or radially inwardly deflected condition and an expanded or radially outwardly deflected condition. Immobilizing means in the form of an axially slidable locking ring is provided to fix and maintain the anvil segments in the expanded condition. Mounting element are also provided for subsequent detachable mounting of the anvil assembly on a surgical stapler. The collapsible anvil assembly may also include a suction purse stringing device which attracts and holds a surrounding tissue section within the anvil segments. Additionally, an axially slidable tissue holding ring or snap cap is provided to lock the held tissue section within the anvil segments.

Abstract: A trash receptacle including a container having a variable upper periphery to hold the opening of a plastic trash bag in tension and to ease the removal of a full bag of trash from the container. In one embodiment, the container has a peripheral frame having spaced apart ribs or protrusions, a slider bar mating with the spaced apart protrusions, a spring disposed intermediate the frame the slider bar to urge the slider bar away from the frame, thereby holding a plastic trash bag in a secure and open position within the trash receptacle. In another embodiment, a vertical section of the container is biased away from the main body of the container by gravity or springs. Thus, when the bag is placed within the container and wrapped around the lip of the container, the upper periphery of the vertical section is biased away from the upper periphery of the main body to hold the opening of the trash bag in tension.

Abstract: A rotatable wheeled tool for simultaneously inserting and staking a weatherstrip into a slot, said tool comprising a body having a channel extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, said channel configured to accommodate a length of weatherstrip through the body having sides extending a distance beyond the second end to form two legs and a rotatable wheel having an inserting edge and a staking edge, and mounted axially between said the legs with both the inserting and staking edges extending beyond the legs.

Abstract: An ultrashort optical pulse amplifier that incorporates a gain medium preferentially cooled along a crystalline axis for partially ameliorating the thermally induced distortions and losses created by cylindrically symmetric cooled designs. The ultrashort pulse amplifier can be pumped with higher pump powers without degradation of the output spatial mode structure and the overall efficiency of extraction of energy from the gain medium is improved. The gain medium preferably has a rectangular cross section and cooling means are provided in thermal contact with only selected opposing surfaces of the gain medium so that thermal gradients lie approximately along a crystalline axis to reduce thermally-induced birefringence.

Abstract: A greeting card kit which includes a greeting card containing a "hidden message." The greeting card includes an imprinted crossword puzzle type lattice having open squares and spaced numbers each keyed to either an "across" or a "down" heading. A recipient of the greeting card solves the crossword puzzle using clues and deciphers the hidden message through a mask of the greeting card.

Abstract: A method for creating a decorative contrast design on motorcycle and automobile parts by acquiring a decorative design into a computer connected to a laser and X-Y positioning galvanometers and controlling the laser pulse rate and fluence as the beam is scanned across the part according to a program to effect the acquired decorative contrast design on the part surface.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to filters for removing impurities from liquids, and more particularly to a replaceable filter cartridge having a barrier for preventing contaminants from draining from a spent cartridge, as it is being replaced. The barrier comprises a layer of filter media closely surrounding an inner perforated conducting conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for viewing depth images having different depth image scenes being projected at different viewer orientations. A frame is rotatably mounted to a stand for rotation about an axis, wherein the frame includes at least one viewing port. An interior of the frame is back lit to illuminate the viewing port. The frame includes a retainer for securing a depth image to the frame. The frame is rotated about the axis by a drive assembly to present at least one cycle of information from the depth image to a stationary viewer.