Abstract: A dual-band antenna assembly configured to be mounted on a dielectric substrate such as an automobile window glass. The dual-band antenna assembly is adapted to transmit and receive signals in two distinct frequency bands, particularly the cellular frequency band, 800-900 MHz and the PCS frequency band 1.8 GHz. The antenna assembly is further configured to couple signals in either frequency band through the dielectric so that signals originating on a first side of the dielectric substrate may be coupled to the antenna-radiating element located on the opposite side of the dielectric substrate and signals received by the antenna on the second side of the dielectric substrate may be coupled through the dielectric to a mobile telephone located on the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a Cu interconnect pattern on a ZnO film of a printed circuit board without using a metallic catalyst on the ZnO film includes the steps of replacing Zn in the ZnO film by Cu in an aqueous solution of copper sulfate to form a CuO film, reducing the CuO in the CuO film to Cu in an aqueous solution of hydrogenated boron potassium to form a metallic Cu film, and plating the metallic Cu film with a plating Cu film in a plating liquid. The absence of the metallic catalyst improves the insulation resistance of the Cu interconnect pattern in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A drawing tool comprising a protractor portion at one end and an elongated radius arm portion extending therefrom, with a pivot disc rotatably mounted in the tool, and an adjustable radius indicator slideably mounted in the radius arm portion, the pivot disc having an open circular pivot point and the adjustable radius indicator having means for automatically resisting unintended indicator movement.

Abstract: A dental hygiene system handle including a proximal grip section, a central control section, and a distal brush section, the central control section including four elastomeric lands for receiving the thumb and forefinger of a user on opposite sides of the central control section.

Abstract: A front lighting unit comprises a protective member fixedly attached to one side of a light conductive member to define therebetween a closed space. This closed space provides seal between the light conductive member and the protective member. A liquid crystal display incorporating the front lighting unit comprises a reflective liquid crystal panel. The light conductive a member is fixedly attached to one side of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: The invention provides a pullout for carrying goods behind a semitrailer, which extends at approximately the same elevation as the cargo floor of the semitrailer. When the improved pullout is in a closed position, it is concealed by a decorative panel that presents an attractive, finished appearance. The rear turn signal lights and brake lights of the semitrailer are mounted in openings in the panel. The panel serves to partially enclose and protect the semitrailer's lights and associated wiring. The panel also provides a protected storage space for a support chain. A crash guard extends rearward from a housing for the new pullout so as to protect the electrical wiring and structural members of the semitrailer in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift having a foldable platform including a first platform portion foldably coupled to a second platform portion, a lifting frame, at least one lifting arm with one end pivotally coupled to the lifting frame and the other end connected to the second platform portion and adapted to pivot the lifting arm between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A post extends from the lifting arm and a locking assembly is pivotably coupled to the lifting frame. The locking assembly includes a lever arm pivotably coupled to the lifting frame, a gas spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which operates to resist pivoting of the lever arm, and a mechanical spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which exerts a biasing force operating to pivot the lever arm to engage the post.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tape locking device for tape measures. The tape locking device comprises a locking lever hinged to an upper portion of the wall of the housing in such a way to be rotated frontward and rearward around a hinged joint, and provided with a connecting piece downwardly extending from the locking lever. A cylinder is connected at its first end to a hole formed at the lower portion of the connecting piece, with a coil spring fitted over the cylinder. A wedge-shaped stopper is connected to the second end of the cylinder, and having a desired frictional force. This stopper is elastically biased by the coil spring to be wedged in the gap between the outer circumferential surface of a wound part of the tape around the bobbin and a linear part of the tape led to the slot when releasing the locking lever after drawing a desired length of tape from the slot, so the drawn tape is automatically locked by frictional contact between the stopper surface and the drawn tape surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is claimed for measuring the distance between a slider and a transparent disk with sub-nanometer resolution. The flying height is measured by applying ellipsometry. The measurement is done by: providing a sampling light beam with adjustable initial polarization state by phase modulation, and with variable incident angles relative to the air film and reflecting the sampling light off of the specimen at a detection site forming a reflected light beam that is then reflected at the detection site again and then guided to both detectors for detecting the intensity and phase change of the light beam to determine the gap's thickness as well as passing some light to a microscope used for observation of the detecting site on the specimen.

Abstract: A signal estimator is provided that can track a large frequency offset. A received signal distorted in a transmission path is phase-rotated by the phase rotator (102) and is then estimated by the maximum likelihood sequence estimator (MLSE) (103). The phase detector (105) detects a phase difference between a signal obtained by delaying the phase-rotated signal and information about a minimum path metric in the Viterbi algorithm operation by the MLSE. After the phase difference signal is filtered, the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) receives the filtered signal. Then, the phase rotation is controlled with the output of the VCO.

Abstract: A uniquely shaped plate may be transmitted through a card printer designed to print on only a card having a standard size and shape. The plate includes a laminate including a card having a sheet of backing material affixed thereto, preferably by an easy release adhesive. For example, the card may have a backing, such as release paper. If the plate is a flexible material, the backing material is a rigid sheet. The standard card is kiss cut through its thickness to form segments having contours for making said unique shape. However, the kiss cut does not cut the sheet of backing material, which continues to hold the segments in place. Therefore, the card retains its standard size and shape so that it may be sent through the card printer with the segments in place. Then, the segments are separated.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes at least one polarizer located interior or internally of substrates of the display. In certain embodiments, the polarizer may be spin-coated onto the interior of one of the substrates, preferably the passive substrate of the display. Such a polarizer may also be located interior of color filters on the copassive substrate. Thus, light being transmitted through the display proceeds through the front polarizer prior to being de-polarized by the color filters. The result is improved contrast ratios in the display due to the minimization of the de-polarizing of color filters. In certain embodiments, the internal polarizer(s) may be photo-patternable by way of ultraviolet photo-imaging.

Abstract: A molded product is made comprising a low-density product having an impermeable surface. The impermeable surface integral with the low density interior is suitable for receiving various types of brightly colored finishes. It is also contemplated that a non-porous plastic film may be molded in place on the surface of the molded product.

Abstract: An architecture for performing the two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform includes a transform module including a first stage and a second stage for decomposing an input image into four bands, and among the four bands, the band having the low frequency in both horizontal and vertical direction serves as the input image for next level decomposition operation; a multiplexer for selecting the band having the low frequency in both horizontal and vertical direction as the input image to feed into the transform module; and an optional memory module for storing the band having the lowest frequency in both horizontal and vertical direction.

Abstract: A modular system is provided for mounting a gravity feed dispenser that allows one or more fixtures to be mounted in front of, and in working relationship with, the dispenser. The gravity feed dispenser is mounted on a support structure in such a way that other fixtures such shelving, hangers, rods, or other storage and display fixtures can be mounted in front of the dispenser in a number of different configurations. A workstation featuring one or more gravity feed dispensers is provided by mounting a work area and shelves in front of and in working relationship with the dispensers.

Abstract: A nonwoven, metal fabric is formed by providing a mass of loose fibers with sufficient lubricating oil for them to be carded without disintegration of the fiber web. The fiber web is then lapped and needled to form a metal fabric of superior strength, density, and thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A plastic encased hexagonal shaped metal weight made from steel rod is provided with engagement regions at its ends capable of engaging the ends of other such weights, so as to enable nested, engaged stacking of two or more of such weights. The weights can be color coded as to their weight.