Abstract: A point detection system for a railway switch machine having a housing includes a point detector bar positionable in a normal point position and a reverse point position, and point detecting sensors positioned within the housing for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. The point detecting sensors may include a first proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and a second proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. Preferably, the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are inductive proximity sensors. A method of point detection for a railway switch machine is also provided.

Abstract: Enclosures for a harmonica are disclosed wherein the wall of the enclosure surrounds the harmonica, provides a mouthpiece opening and an outlet opening, and forms at least one resonance chamber. A lip groove, a bulge, a cradle and a diffuser are disclosed forming a saddle-shaped surface which is concave along a front-to-back axis and convex around the ends of the enclosure. A key benefit of this arrangement is the improved control of the sound by the player's hands. Another key benefit of this arrangement is the enhanced tone and increased loudness of the sound produced by the harmonica. Supporting members are disclosed that constrain movement of the harmonica relative to the enclosure. Single-piece and multi-piece enclosures are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inducing apoptosis in a cell. The method includes providing an impenetrable and nonmetabolizable material, such as paraffin or agar, and introducing the cell into a contacting relationship with the material. The method also includes providing a substrate and coating the substrate with the impenetrable and nonmetabolizable material.

Abstract: A programmable device driver and system thereof are provided for segregating functions and hardware in a railway signaling environment The device driver includes a central processor with a memory and a timebase which is programmable to perform a function. The central processor may be detachable from the device driver. The central processor may be encapsulated in resin or potted to provide resistance to the environment. The device driver may be provided with voltage and current sensing inputs, a power input connected to a power conditioning circuit, one or more outputs, a conditional power supply, and mounting brackets. Each input may be provided with surge protection. The device driver may be provided with terminals for the inputs and outputs or pigtail leads for increased moisture resistance. The device driver also may be provided with a serial port for communicating with other programmable device drivers, a multifunction central processor, or other external device.

Abstract: A collapsible box made of corrugated plastic, which has improved hand holds in its side walls. The hand holds are formed by U-shaped lines cut through the plastic and having downwardly concave ends on the cut line.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of blades around its periphery and a pivotable door associated with each blade. Each door has a pivot axis that is inclined outwardly toward the bottom of the turbine so that gravitational forces will pull the doors toward an open position. The doors are designed to move toward a closed position to at least partially block wind forces from the blades when the rotor rotates at potentially damaging speeds. The turbine has mating coils on the rotor and the support column to generate electrical energy when the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A floor assembly includes at least two elongated extrusions disposed adjacent to each other where each extrusion includes a pair of outer leg members and a pair of inner leg members that are connected by a connector which engages the inner leg member and the outer leg member of one of the extrusions and the outer leg member and the inner leg member of the other extrusion. The connector includes a base and first and second end flanges where the first end flange engages the inner leg member of one of the extrusions and the second end flange engages the inner leg member of the other extrusion. A method of making a floor assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An explosion relief system for a building having a wall includes an explosion relief panel substantially covering an opening in the wall and a blast shaft mounted adjacent to the explosion relief panel. The blast shaft includes a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is adapted to permit at least a portion of a force of an explosion to escape therefrom and the second opening allows rain, snow and the like to pass through the blast shaft when the explosion relief panel substantially covers the opening in the wall. The second opening is substantially covered when the explosion relief panel is forced away from the opening in the wall when the explosion occurs. A blast shaft substantially as described above and a building including the explosion relief system described above are also provided.

Abstract: A crossing guard maintenance system is disclosed for use with a disabled crossing guard control system. The crossing guard control system has a motor mechanically coupled to a crossing guard arm and a counterweight arm. The motor is used for moving the crossing guard arm between up and down positions. The maintenance system includes a function switch for alternating between normal and maintenance modes of the system. In maintenance mode, a diode is electrically connected to the motor to form a motor/diode circuit that provides a path for current when the polarity of the motor is reversed and it operates as a generator. The maintenance system also includes an electrical power source connected to a momentary switch for providing power to the motor. A method for using the maintenance system is also disclosed for use in repairing a disabled crossing guard mechanism.

Abstract: A crowd control barrier including a frame and a base rotatably mounted to the frame and lockable in at least a first position and a second position. The crowd control barrier also includes a pin for securing the base to the frame, the pin being in a first locked position when the base and the frame are locked in the first position, the pin then being rotated into a second locked position so that the base can rotate to the second position, and the pin then being rotated again back to the first locked position when the base and the frame are locked in the second position.

Abstract: A point detection system is provided for use in a typical switch machine with a typical indication system, wherein a point detector bar is slidably captivated within a point detector sleeve, and wherein a target that is integrally engaged with the point detector bar is sensed by at least one sensing device, thereby to detect movement of the point detector bar. The point detector sleeve is supported by a track side bearing affixed to a track side wall of the switch machine, and by a field side bearing affixed to an opposing wall of the switch machine. The point detector bar extends outside the switch machine from only the track side bearing, thereby eliminating the bearings and the pinch point between the hand throw lever and the two piece point detector bar that otherwise extended from the related art switch machine. The sensing device may be mounted upon a slide mechanism to adjust the sensing device relative to the target.

Abstract: A water purifier capable of magnetizing water and adding ceramic components into the magnetized water. The water is magnetized by a rotating permanent magnet, such that its molecular structure is changed into the hexagonal ring structure, and, the dissolved oxygen content of water is increased by passing through a plurality of micro holes or fine grooves on the inside surface of a ceramic filter. Also, mineral components disposed in the double wall of the ceramic filter are added to the water passing through it. Accordingly, the water may be converted into condition suitable to the human body.

Abstract: A fixed rail mounted railroad switch point indicator is provided, wherein proximity detectors are mounted to the fixed stock rail to sense the position of the switch relative to those stock rails. Preferably, eddy current sensors are used as the proximity sensors to indicate the distance of the switch points relative to the fixed rails. A microprocessor converts a current reading from the proximity detectors into the distance measurement, such as by indicating an "on/off" state of the sensor. Additionally, the microprocessor provides information as to the operation of the sensors to provide the reliability of the signals received.

Abstract: A railroad switch machine gear box having a low vertical profile is provided, wherein a compound gear rotatably mounted within a housing along a first vertical axis cooperatively engages an adjacent main crank gear. The main crank gear is rotatably mounted within the housing about a main crank shaft that extends vertically within the gear box housing along a second vertical axis that is different than the first vertical axis. A bevel gear fixedly mounted to a hand throw shaft rotatably mounted within the housing along a first horizontal axis cooperatively engages the compound gear, thereby to rotate the compound gear when the hand throw shaft is rotated, typically with a hand throw lever affixed to the hand throw shaft external to the housing. The hand throw shaft may be rotatable about an eccentric shaft that is independently mounted and rotatable with the housing along the first horizontal axis.

Abstract: A clamp for securing apparatus such as end-of-train equipment to a railroad coupler head includes a first finger member that is mounted to pivot about a pivot pin in scissors-like manner between a fixed second and third finger member affixed to a housing, a threaded rod and cooperating piston for pivoting the first finger member away from the fixed second and third finger members, a rail member for abutting against an outside surface of the coupler head, and a crank and handle for tightening the grip of the first, second and third fingers on the inner surfaces of the core hole when the crank is rotated.

Abstract: A motion detector for detecting movement of a rail based vehicle and the direction of that movement is provided. The motion detector can be integral with or attachable to an end-of-train unit and can include a single axis accelerometer mounted at an angle from the rails for detecting acceleration in both the lateral and vertical directions. A systems controller, which can include an analyzer, can be provided to receive and analyze output from the accelerometer to determine a motion state and a direction. A power controller can be provided for supplying power to the accelerometer on an intermittent basis to conserve power. A calibration unit can be provided to both initially calibrate and to subsequently recalibrate the accelerometer after a stopped motion state is detected. Additionally, an input/output port and an output driver for conditioning the signal for output to the end-of-train unit can be provided.

Abstract: Two-wire signal transmitter and method in which a very low-level Alternating Circuit (AC) input signal sensed at a remote circuit at a first end of a signal path is added to a low-level Direct Current (DC) bias signal provided by a local circuit that is located at a second end of the signal path. In a preferred embodiment, the remote circuit is electrically coupled to and powered by the local circuit through a two-wire path interconnection, typically a shielded twisted-pair cable. The DC bias signal has sufficient level to overcome minimum ratings of electrical contacts, thereby to pass the sensed very low-level AC input signal reliably through the poor electrical contacts that are used, for instance, for connecting electronic circuits that run the length of a railway train.