Abstract: A high performance, durable sputter coated, heat-treatable glass which after heat-treatment exhibits about 76% or more visible transmittance, a hemispherical emissivity (E.sub.h) of about 0.16 or less, and a normal emissivity (E.sub.n) of about 0.12 or less is formed by sputter coating a layer system on a glass substrate which includes an undercoat and overcoat of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, a silver layer, and two nickel or nichrome layers on opposite sides of the silver layer, and wherein the lower nickel-based layer is about three times as thick as the other nickel based layer. The increased thickness of the lower nickel-based layer allows the coated glass article to be both heat-treatable, and "low-E" after the heat-treatment. This allows matching with other known glasses in the family of layer components by way of the heat-treatment process.

Abstract: A clamping device which includes an elongate element, a fixed jaw coupled to the elongate element, a movable jaw slidable along the elongate element, and a clamping mechanism coupled to the movable jaw operative to move the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw slightly while being clamped to the elongate element.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing the periphery of a door relative to a frame. The sealing system includes a multi point finger seal having at least three fingers of differing height and spacing so that a first finger may contact the door and contact of the first finger and s second finger is precluded. A second finger is sized and spaced from a third finger so that a free edge of the second finger abuts the base of the third finger. A security seal is located at the bottom of the door and includes a security flap biased into the door, wherein a cam on the frame engages the flap upon closure of the door to urge the security flap toward the floor.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display and corresponding method are provided for reducing display image reflections off of a reflection point on an external medium (e.g. cockpit canopy or automotive windshield). A retarder is provided on the front side of the display so that the polarization direction of the display image is substantially parallel to the plane of incidence when the image reaches the reflection point. Additionally, the angle of incidence .THETA..sub.i is substantially matched to the Brewster angle .THETA..sub.P in order to maximize the reduction of reflection at the reflection point. The retarder has a retardation value of from about 220-320 nm according to certain embodiments, and is a 1/2.lambda. retarder according to preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A normally white liquid crystal display is provided with a positively birefringent uniaxial retardation film having a retardation value of from about 100-200 nm. The retardation film is provided on one side of the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal being sandwiched between a pair of orientation or buffing films which orient the liquid crystal molecules adjacent thereto in predetermined directions. The optical axis of the retardation film is rotated from about 2.degree.-20.degree., most preferably from about 6.degree.-10.degree.relative to the buffing direction on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer. This rotation of the retardation film optical axis allows for the high contrast ratio viewing zone of the display to be shifted vertically into either the positive or negative vertical viewing region depending upon the direction of rotation of the retardation film optical axis.

Abstract: A normally white twisted birefringent liquid crystal display having first and second retardation films having retardation values of about 80-200 nm on opposite sides of a liquid crystal layer for the purpose of expanding the viewing angles of the display. Also, the viewing zone of this normally white display can be shifted vertically by rotating the optical axes of the retardation films so as to position the viewing zone away from an inversion area.

Abstract: A multinutrient nutritional supplement is provided that is designed to be most effective in increasing the immunity and decreasing the instances and severity of infection particularly among older persons.

Abstract: A sputter-coated glass layer system particularly useful in insulating glass units ("IGs"), which includes dual layers of silver separated by a layer of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 having a thickness of about 700 .ANG.-1,100 .ANG. and further including an undercoat and an overcoat of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 having thicknesses of about 300 .ANG.-550 .ANG. and about 350 .ANG.-700 .ANG. respectively, such that a glass so coated achieves normal emissivity values (E.sub.n 's) of less than about 0.02-0.09 with good durability and very low reflectance.

Abstract: A chemical processing centrifugal pump is provided with a triple cartridge seal arrangement including a single inboard seal and a pair of concentric seals located rearward (i.e. outboard) of the inboard seal, the concentric seals being closest to the pump bearings for stability against vibration purposes. The passageway along the pump shaft between the inboard seal and the radially inwardmost concentric seal is filled with a pressurized barrier inert gas so as to create a gas seal while a barrier chamber defined between the concentric seals is filled with a pressurized barrier liquid. Accordingly, the concentric seals are lubricated by the barrier liquid disposed in the barrier chamber while the inboard seal is lubricated by the fluid being pumped. Optionally, the inboard seal may be lubricated by barrier liquid if such a pressurized liquid is used instead of the inert gas to fill the passageway.

Abstract: A device for accurately locating the blade of a skate mounted in a skate holder so that it may be ground correctly. The device includes a base block mounted to a base of a skate sharpener, a lever pivotally mounted to the block, the block having a blade contacting surface which is substantially perpendicular to the sharpener base, a deflection gauge for measuring the deflection of the lever from a neutral position. A pivotal axis of the lever is parallel to a plane through grinder wheel and parallel to the sharpener base.

Abstract: A method of converting a variable bit rate of a transmitted sequence of cells having F cells per frame and a peak cell transmission rate P into an effective peak rate of transmitted cells for each frame. The steps include determining a number of ghost cells for each frame which when added to the actual number of cells in each such frame produce a peak rate of cells for that frame and transmitting in cells of a subsequent frame a number corresponding to the number of ghost cells determined for the preceding frame.

Abstract: A drag brake mechanism prevents rotation of the shaft of a truck mounted connect-disconnect, clutch-operated, power takeoff device when the clutch is in its disconnect mode, by applying a constant braking force to the shaft which cannot be overcome by inadvertent frictional forces within the discs of the clutch that may occur despite the clutch being in its disconnect mode. The constant force selected, however, is insufficient to create undue heat during normal shaft rotation and is easily overcome when the clutch is placed in its connect mode.

Abstract: A dental retraction cord (or tape) for placement between a tooth and its adjacent gum tissue during dental impression taking and restorative procedures includes a thermoplastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (i.e. PTFE or Teflon) so that the cord is resistant to shredding, tearing, and sticking to dental restorative and impression taking materials. Additionally, chemical treatment of the cord may be avoided so as to reduce the risk of harmful side effects in chemically sensitive patients.

Abstract: A position indicating mouse or trackball device is provided which includes first and second sensors for detecting rotation of the ball, the first and second sensors being arranged orthogonal to one another and mounted inside of the rotatable ball. In certain embodiments, the rotatable ball includes an inner ball positioned inside of an outer ball wherein the outer ball is rotatable relative to the inner ball and cursor position indicating data is transmitted to a display system by way of a wireless (e.g. RF) transmitter positioned inside of the rotatable ball.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including an array of thin film transistors. Each thin film device in the array includes gate, source and drain electrodes. At least one of the source and drain electrodes include first and second metal layers offset with respect to one another so as to reduce the channel length of the transistors. Because of the reduced TFT channel length, the TFT channel width can also be reduced while maintaining the same ON current. Thus, the gate-source capacitance is reduced which in turn reduces pixel flickering and image retention and improves gray level uniformity. The first and second source-drain metal layers are of different materials so that the etchant for the second metal does not etch the first metal layer deposited. The TFT may be either a linear TFT or a ring-shaped TFT according to different embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) having a reduced channel length and method of making same are disclosed for liquid crystal display (LCD) applications. The method of making the TFT includes the following process steps: (i) depositing and patterning the gate on a substrate; (ii) depositing and patterning an intrinsic a-Si layer, a n+ a-Si layer, and a source metal layer (e.g. Cr) over the gate; (iii) depositing and patterning an ITO layer to form a pixel electrode portion and a TFT source portion; (iv) etching the source metal layer so that it remains only under the ITO source portion so as to form the TFT source electrode; (v) depositing and patterning a metal (e.g. Mo) to form the drain of the TFT; and (vi) etching the n+ a-Si layer in the TFT channel area so that only the intrinsic semiconductor layer remains between the source and drain. The resulting TFT has a reduced channel length (e.g. less than about 4 .mu.m) less than the feature size of the lithography used so as to maximize I.sub.ON /C.sub.

Abstract: An LCD heater includes a substantially transparent ITO heating layer deposited on a transparent glass rear cover sheet, the ITO layer being mounted adjacent a planar surface of the display's rear polarizer. The ITO layer has a pair of substantially parallel flex circuit buss bars adhered thereto, the buss bars being sandwiched between the rear polarizer and the ITO heater layer.

Abstract: A kickboard for a swimmer which has a rigid, smoothly contoured, buoyant body symmetrical about a longitudinally extending notional plane perpendicular to its top surface and passing through a center thereof. When referenced to the kickboard being supported by a flat horizontal support surface, the top surface is inclined rearwardly, along the intersection with the notional plane, from a front peripheral edge and upwardly from the support surface reaching a maximum and then curving downwardly toward the sides and in a rearwardly direction. A central curvilinear opening extends from proximal the maximum with opening peripheral side edges extending rearwardly, spaced away from respective outer peripheral side edges of the body so as to provide contoured elongated arm receptacles. A bottom surface of the body follows a similar profile as the overlying top surface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for easily and accurately aligning confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscopes having scanning disc hole diameters as small as 20 microns are described. The method involves the observation and analysis of Moire and other patterns of light occurring within the microscope, and using the apparatus to make very sensitive adjustments that result in a fully aligned, rugged, and stable confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscope offering improved resolution, contrast, and optical slicing capability.