Abstract: A vehicular headlamp in which the radial beam of radiated light is continuously adjustable between a first position and a second position. Semi-cylindrical lamp shields surround a lamp. The lamp shields are attached to gears which operate to rotate the lamp shields radially about the lamp. An actuator is attached to the gears, such the actuator can turn the gears in order to rotate the lamp shields. The actuator is controlled by a circuit which prevents over-rotation. The actuator may move in very small increments, such that the lamp shields may be continuously adjustable between the first position and the second position. The lamp shields are thus continuously adjustable to vary the projected radial beam of the headlamp.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the direction of a light beam from a headlamp assembly comprises a condenser lens which is movable along an arcuate path. As a vehicle turns a corner, the system moves the condenser lens along the arcuate path, so as to direct the light beam in the direction that the vehicle is moving. Because the condenser lens follows an arcuate path, the light beam is not distorted, allowing for greater angular displacement of the light beam.

Abstract: An automated event ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. The bid information records correspond to bids for one or more seats within a venue and corresponding to at least one particular event, wherein the venue has a plurality of sections, each section having a plurality of seats. The automated event ticket auctioning system includes a memory storing a plurality of previously accepted bid information records, the previously accepted bid information records each including identification information, section identification, quantity information and bid price information. The system further includes a central controlling computer operably connected to the memory. The central controlling computer is operable to first receive a message including a received bid information record from one of a plurality of remote terminals through a communication system.

Abstract: A test administration system comprises a central computer and associated database containing a plurality of tests that may be distributed to a test taker. The central computer provides a website to be accessed by the test administrator and the test taker at remote personal computers when using the test administration system. The website includes an administrator workspace for use by the test administrator and a testing workspace for use by the test taker. The administrator workspace provides the test administrator with the ability to order any number of the tests contained in the database. After ordering a number of tests, the test administrator uses the system to generate test identification codes for a chosen set of ordered tests. The system automatically provides the test identification codes to those test subjects taking a test, and provides the test subject with access information and instructions for using the system to take the test.

Abstract: An automated nodal calling system comprises a database having a plurality of phone numbers and associated geographic identifiers. In the event of an emergency, an emergency calling area is defined and a message is recorded for delivery to the callees in the emergency calling area. The system generates a call request for all phone numbers having an associated geographic identifiers within the emergency calling area. Each call request contains various pieces of information important to proper completion of the phone call identified in the call request. All of the call requests are stored in a queue and the system determines whether to process each call request from a local node or a remote node. A call request to be processed from a local node is delivered to a template program which connects to the telecommunications system and completes the call request to the identified phone number. After the local node completes the call request, a call response is generated to identify the result of the call request.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for at least one array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) comprises at least one metal circuit board and mounting bracket. The circuit board has one or more LEDs attached to it and at least one first engaging opening and at least one second engaging opening formed through the circuit board. The first engaging opening is key shaped with a larger portion and a narrowed elongated portion so that engaging surfaces are formed adjacent opposite edges of the narrowed portion. The mounting bracket is formed of a electrically non-conducting material such as plastic with at least one first engaging tab and at least one second engaging tab formed thereon. The first engaging tab is configured to have a narrow portion and a larger portion connected to the outward end of the narrow portion so that there is a gap formed between the edges of the larger portion and the mounting surface.

Abstract: A movable reflector with integrally molded bulb assembly retention features. The movable reflector comprises a bore at the center of the reflector for receiving a bulb assembly and retention features integrally molded on the rear side of the reflector to retain the bulb assembly. The movable reflector further comprises mold voids spaced around the bore adjacent to the retention features and extending through the movable reflector so that the structure of the retention features and the movable reflector may be molded in one injection molding step without additional tool movement.

Abstract: An automated calling system includes a database comprising phone numbers and one or more data fields associated with each phone number. Phone numbers (callees) in the database are selected based on the data fields associated therewith. A recorded voice message is transmitted to callees through a plurality of outgoing phone lines, and callees are prompted to enter one of several vocal or TOUCH TONE responses, which is recorded. The database record for the callee is automatically updated based on the vocal or TOUCH TONE response, so that the updated field may be used to select whether to send a future call to the callee.

Abstract: An automated calling system includes a database comprising phone numbers and one or more data fields associated with each phone number. Phone numbers (callees) in the database are selected based on the data fields associated therewith. A recorded voice message is transmitted to callees through a plurality of outgoing phone lines, and callees are prompted to enter one of several vocal or TOUCH TONE responses, which is recorded. The database record for the callee is automatically updated based on the vocal or TOUCH TONE response, so that the updated field may be used to select whether to send a future call to the callee.

Abstract: A semi-solid link solenoid 10 comprises windings 22 held within a housing 20, and a spring biased plunger 24 which is free to slide axially within the windings. The plunger 24 slideably engages a contact rod 26 having an end knob 58. The end knob 58 of the contact rod 26 is contained within a center chamber 46 of the plunger 24 between a shoulder 47 and an abutment pin 50. A contact disc 28 is fixed to an opposite end of the contact rod 26. When the windings are energized and the plunger is pulled completely into the windings, the contact disc 28 is forced into contact with the terminals 30a and 30b. After electric current is removed from the windings, the plunger returns to its non-energized position. When returning to this position, the shoulder 47 slams against the end knob 58 with a large amount of force to pull the contact rod 26 and contact disc 28 away from the terminals 30a and 30b. In this manner, the force to disengage the contact disc 28 from the terminals 30a and 30b is significantly increased.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves setting a penetration threshold as well as a maximum weld time when hot staking armature conductors to the slots of a commutator. To perform each weld, an electrode is forcibly contacted with the top conductor in one of the slots of the commutator. Next, electric current is delivered to the electrode, causing the conductor to heat and begin to deform within the slot. During this time, the electrode moves further into the slot. If the electrode reaches the penetration threshold in the commutator slot before the maximum weld time is reached, current to the electrode is terminated. After terminating current to the electrode, the electrode remains in contact with and applies force to the conductor until the maximum weld time is reached. After the maximum weld time is reached, the electrode is removed from contact with welded conductor.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly comprises a lamp housing, a lens, and a closeout sub-assembly. The closeout sub-assembly comprises a closeout and a template attached to the closeout. The closeout sub-assembly is created by forming the closeout around the outer periphery of the template such that the outer portion of the closeout is located adjacent to and outside of the peripheral edge of the template. The vehicle lamp assembly is created by affixing the closeout sub-assembly to the outer periphery of the inner surface of the lens and attaching the lens to the housing such that the closeout sub-assembly is located between the lens and the housing and such that the outer portion of the closeout is located adjacent to and outside of the peripheral edge of the lens.

Abstract: A marine integrated starter alternator troller device (ISAT) includes a stator portion and a rotor portion connected to a drive shaft. The ISAT is incorporated into an engine assembly power train which includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft connected to an electric clutch. The electric clutch is operable to connect or disconnect the drive shaft and the crankshaft. Thus, the ISAT may be connected to or disconnected from the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. When connected to the engine by the electric clutch, the ISAT device is operable to receive electrical power from a battery and act as a cranking motor to provide starting torque to the internal combustion engine. The ISAT may also be driven by the internal combustion engine and act as a generator to provide power to re-charge the battery or drive other electrical devices.

Abstract: A composite metal laminate coin planchet comprises commercially pure aluminum cladding layers metallurgically bonded to a zinc alloy core. The zinc alloy core may contain a hardening agent, such as copper or titanium, used to increase the hardness of the alloy above that of pure zinc. Trace amounts of other elements may also be present in the zinc alloy core or in the commercially pure aluminum cladding layers which do not affect their pertinent properties. The coin planchet is produced by a process comprising providing a strip or sheet of a zinc alloy core and creating a strip or sheet of composite material by metallurgically bonding commercially pure aluminum cladding layers to the zinc alloy. The coin planchets are then removed from the strip or sheet of composite material, and the remaining composite material is heated above its melting point to produce a zinc-aluminum alloy useful in die-casting.

Abstract: A microwave steam tray is made of a thermo-formed co-polymer polypropylene quality food grade plastic. The microwave steam tray comprises a plastic container having a dish portion and a connected lid. The dish portion includes a bottom surface with four sidewalls extending therefrom to define a dish interior. A plurality of ribs are raised from the bottom surface to provide a cooking plane. Steam channels are formed between the ribs. The ribs extend radially from a moisture reservoir positioned within the dish interior. The moisture reservoir includes a retaining wall having a cup portion formed within the retaining wall. Recesses are formed within the retaining wall. Liquid based food products may be placed in the moisture cylinder during cooking. Steam generated from the moisture reservoir easily travels down the radial steam channels.

Abstract: An air compressor device and method for producing compressed air. The device comprises a rotatable cylinder assembly having a drive shaft extending along a central axis and three equally sized combustion chambers extending parallel to the center axis. The drive shaft is connected to a turbine or other drive means which provides rotational movement to the drive shaft and cylinder assembly. Two circular end plates are concentrically positioned with the central axis on each end of the cylinder assembly. The end plates are stationary with respect to the rotatable cylinder assembly and comprise an intake plate and an outlet plate. Openings are provided on the end plates to allow for communication of a gas into and out of the combustion chambers at designated times during operation of the compressor. A fuel injector is positioned upon the intake plate along with an ignition means. The device operates on a modified Schmidt-type pulsejet cycle. Fresh air is received in each of the chambers and compressed.

Abstract: A board game bag is made of non-transparent flexible material and includes a main body and a mouth. An elastic member is disposed within the mouth, allowing the mouth to open when the elastic member is stretched and causing the mouth to partially close when the elastic member is allowed to relax. The board game bag is designed to hold game pieces to be drawn during game play. To this end, the board game bag is placed in a cylindrical plastic sleeve that provides support for the bag so that the bag is held upright as players draw game pieces from the bag. Following game play, all game pieces placed on the board are easily removed from the board by stretching the mouth of the bag over all four corners of the game board and flipping the board over, thus causing the game pieces to fall into the bag. The mouth of the bag is then removed from the four corners of the board and the elastic member causes the mouth of the bag to constrict.

Abstract: A microwave steam tray is made of a thermo-formed co-polymer polypropylene quality food grade plastic. The microwave steam tray comprises a plastic container having a dish portion and a connected lid. The dish portion includes a bottom surface with four sidewalls extending therefrom to define a dish interior. A plurality of ribs are raised from the bottom surface to provide a cooking plane. Steam channels are formed between the ribs. The ribs extend radially from a moisture reservoir positioned within the dish interior. The moisture reservoir includes a retaining wall having a cup portion formed within the retaining wall. Recesses are formed within the retaining wall. Liquid based food products may be placed in the moisture cylinder during cooking. Steam generated from the moisture reservoir easily travels down the radial steam channels.