Abstract: A back lit alphanumeric sign module having a printed web which includes opaque and transparent regions that define alphanumeric characters. The web is trained between end plates having illumination cutouts and which support a spring biased take-up-roller, drive roller, a pair of transparent idler rollers and tie rods. A spiral wound spring at the take-up roller continuously tensions the web. A biased latch arm and slot at the take-up and drive rollers define web stop limits. A split, spring biased ratchet collar is provided in manual modules. The split ratchet collar at the manual drive roller provides a one-way geared rotation and cooperates with a pole engaged loop to vary rotation and sign information. A pulse modulated motor controller drive is provide at the electric module. A remote controller at the electronic module provides programmed and operator entered spread spectrum drive signals over a power line carrier circuit to the drive motor to vary sign information.

Abstract: A joint forming device for use in forming a joint between two members comprising an elongate fastening element, a tightening element having at least one arcuate camming surface for cooperably engaging an engaging portion of the fastening element and at least one housing for the fastening element and the tightening element with the or each camming surface and the engaging portion positioned for the cooperable engagement. The housing includes a first housing for housing the tightening element, a second housing for housing at least an expansion portion of the fastening element and at least one member connecting the first and second housings. The first housing and the second housing are adapted for cooperative engagement with the tightening element and the fastening element, respectively. In use, the first housing is fitted to a recess in one of the joint members and the second housing is fitted to a recess in the other the joint members to form a joint therebetween.

Abstract: A display stand comprises collapsible elements which are quickly and easily assembled into a stable configuration without the use of tools. The elements can be shipped in a substantially flat container to reduce shipping expenses. Vertical supports are mounted to a base to securely hold display units having messages and/or photographs for viewing. The display units have curved outer surfaces to facilitate viewing from other than directly in front or from the rear of the display stand. A header can be attached to the top of the display stand to further draw the attention of individuals.

Abstract: A joint comprising a body member defining an annular groove and a pair of tangential notches intersecting the annular groove at diametrically opposed positions. A socket member is comprised of a preferably semispherically shaped frame having an open side and a pair of diametrically opposed knob or pin member. Each knob or pin member is engagable with one of the tangential notches to snap fit the body member within the semispherically shaped frame and within the annular groove. The body member is secured to a mounting bar and the semispherically shaped frame has an elongated slot and the mounting bar passes through the slot. The arrangement is such that the slot defines one path of rotation of the shaped frame member relative to the body member and the annular groove defines a second path of relative rotation between the body member and the shaped frame.

Abstract: A motor-driven window regulator for use with a horizontally sliding window installed in the rear window opening of a pickup truck cab. The sliding window is moved between a closed position wherein it fills a gap between two fixed, outboard mounted windows and an open position wherein it slides to overlap one of the fixed leaving the gap open. The sliding window is actuated by a pair of linear actuation cables, each of which is attached to the sliding window at a first end and to a motor-driven cable drive drum at a second end. The linear actuation cables extend away from the sliding window in opposite directions parallel with the direction of sliding movement and wrap around the cable drive drum in opposite directions so that rotation of the cable drive drum in one direction places a first cable in tension to pull the sliding window toward the open position and rotation of the cable drive drum in the opposite direction tensions the second cable to pull the sliding window toward the closed position.

Abstract: A hatch cover locking mechanism for securing a roof member onto a hatch opening of a railway hopper car is provided. The hatch cover lock utilizes camming engagement between an operation handle and a keeper member in order to lock or unlock the keeper member over a hinge pin associated with the hatch roof member. A hook rotates along an orientation generally the same as that of the keeper, and the hook retains the hinge pin as desired when the hinge pin is not locked down by the keeper.

Abstract: A picture holder and frame having a graphical image applied to a flat front surface and having a photo recess in the front surface sized to accept a photograph. The graphical image on the front surface provides an ornamental design, and the perimeter edge of the picture holder is conformed to follow the outline of the ornamental design. The rear surface of the picture holder includes a pivotal leg for serving as a stand support member and a magnetic strip for applying and adhering the picture holder to a metallic surface.

Abstract: A tube clamp assembly is provided having a one-piece clamp or casting with four clamping and aligning lugs projecting from each side of the casting. The four lugs on the first side of the casting are symmetrically arranged at the corner of an imaginary square and have two sets of clamping and aligning surfaces that lie in planes perpendicular to each other. The surfaces are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the faces of a first tube so that the casting can embrace the tube sides in either a first position or a second position rotated 90 degrees from the first position. On the second side of the casting, four lugs similar to the lugs on the first side project the opposite direction and also define two sets of clamping and aligning surfaces.

Abstract: A medical table includes a base. The medical table also includes a number of rollers, supported by the base, which collectively define a bed surface for supporting a patient, wherein each roller of the number of rollers (1) defines a fluid impervious bag having a void therein, and (2) contains a plurality of beads within the void of the fluid impervious bag, and further wherein the number of rollers includes a prime roller having a shaft extending therefrom. The medical table further includes a motor mechanically coupled to the shaft of the prime roller. The medical table also includes a vacuum source in fluid communication with each void of the number of rollers. A method of moving a patient from a first position to a second position is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns decompression locks releasing a flap or plate from their closed position in the event of overpressure. A decompression lock, employing the known principle of overcoming the retaining force of a spring (14) to achieve opening, employs a bolt (11) rotatably supported in a longitudinally displaceable support carriage (8). A detent spring (14) keeps the bolt (11) in the closed position and will release it at a predetermined overpressure. During assembly or in the event of forced opening, the decompression lock is moved into the closed position solely by closing the flap or plate.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint includes a journal (1) having a ball (2) on one end. A plastic housing (3) has a socket and an opening through which the ball (2) is inserted into the socket. The socket is defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced segmented bearing surfaces (3b) having a partially spherical shape and being formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending slits (3a). The plurality of slits (3a) extend axially from the opening to at least an equator (3e) of said socket. The housing (3) includes a ring groove (3f) extending axially from the opening to at least the equator (3e). The ring groove (3f) encircles the plurality of segmented bearing surfaces (3b). A locking ring (4) is in the ring groove (3f) in the housing (3). The locking ring (4) elastically deforms the plurality of segmented bearing surfaces (3b) to position the ball (2) in a first position in the socket against the plurality of segmented bearing surfaces (3b).

Abstract: In a door closure assembly, the combination comprising a latch bolt element; carrier structure to carry the bolt element to pivot between door unlatched and latched position; and means carried by a fire resistant portion of the assembly to be responsive to an increase in temperature to a level T to move into position to block door unlatching movement of the bolt element from door latching position.

Abstract: An audible product information tag comprised of a pair of panels folded one over the other along a fold line. An electronic program circuit is located in a housing secured to an inner face of one of the panels. A switch actuator is connected at one end to an inner face of the other of the panels and has a switch contact operating connection at an opposed end to enable and disable the electronic programmed circuit. A speaker is connected to the programmed circuit for transmitting an audible message when a switch contact is enabled by the switch actuator upon displacement of the other of the panels a predetermined distance away from the other panel towards an open position. A detachable connection is provided to maintain the panels folded one over the other to a closed position with the switch contact disabled.

Abstract: An improved printed circuit board wedge assembly having a center segment with sloped surfaces at its opposite ends and two end wedge segments having surfaces that abut against opposite ends of the center wedge segment. A drive shaft has a first ratchet member at one end, the first ratchet member engaging a second ratchet member having an elongated hex shaped member extending therefrom. The hex member is adapted to slide in a hex socket formed in an adjacent sleeve member. The drive shaft, having a threaded portion, extends lengthwise through a channel in the center wedge segment and connects together the two end wedge segments. A retaining ring is provided for captivating the driver portion of the assembly to the wedge segments. When the drive shaft is rotated in one direction, the two end wedge segments, together with the shaft, move transversely to the center wedge segment to fasten the PCB in place. The hexagonal shaped member transmits torque from an external drive to the first ratchet member.

Abstract: The device is distinctive in that tooth (D) and matching adapter (A) are both designed with matching shapes to allow, after assembly, the formation and definition of one or more spaces (V) of variable shape, as appropriate, the adapter and tooth being made with one or more openings allowing the filling and application of a special-purpose material (M) in the above-mentioned space(s), said special-purpose material fulfilling the functions of locking the tooth relative to the adapter by absolute contact between the tooth and adapter by forming a contact cushion that ensures distribution of the stresses and strains in all the areas filled by the material.

Abstract: An interlocking display panel assembly comprises a pair of end elements for attachment to a supporting surface, at least one intermediate element having an indicia displaying surface locatable in an interlocking relationship between the end elements to form an integral planar assembly, illumination devices in the intermediate elements. Each element interlocks with an adjacent element by means of a tongue-and-groove arrangement, male and female portions of the tongue-and-groove arrangements on opposite sides of the intermediate elements being arranged in a complementary manner so that as many intermediate elements can be fitted together in a row as desired. Respective contacts are provided on opposing surfaces of adjacent interlocking elements so as to transfer electrical power between adjacent elements. One of the end elements includes a device for providing power to the assembly.

Abstract: A reusable lightweight folding screen or partition is composed of slim shallow panels interconnected in edge-to-edge abutment by a plurality of elastic thread means. The elastic thread means are disposed within each panel and extend between adjacent panels through corresponding apertures in the contacting edge wall of neighboring panels. The elastic thread means are adapted to maintain said panels in abutment and to permit the screen to fold along said edges. An anchorage flap adapted to anchor one end of the elastic thread means and to facilitate rigidity in the panel by spreading the load developed in the elastic thread means over an area of the panel is provided within each panel. Said anchorage flaps are positioned such that the elastic thread means extend without abrupt changes in direction between their anchorage points. Each panel comprises a rectilinear backing frame overlaid by a rectilinear cover sheet to provide a neat sharp edge about one face of the panel.

Abstract: A sealing structure for sealing an inner side of a door glass in a door of an automobile includes a door trim having a downwardly extending trim flange facing toward the door glass; an inner door panel disposed adjacent the door trim with a clearance therebetween, the inner door panel having a downwardly extending panel flange facing the trim flange; an inner weather strip attached to the trim flange to form a seal between the door glass and the door trim; and an air sealing portion protruding from a lower edge of the inner weather strip. At least a part of the air sealing portion contacts the downwardly extending panel flange to shut-off or reduce air flow through the clearance.

Abstract: The location recorder assembly consists of a pair of disks, each bearing location site information about their periphery. The disks are held together by a pair of indicator studs, the heads of which are independently rotatable and which bear designation devices to permit a particular location site to be designated by the rotational orientations of the disks and the indicator studs.

Abstract: A one-piece brace includes a body portion and a pair of elongate leg portions. The leg portions are joined to the body portion at areas of relative flexibility, which provide joints about which the leg portions can turn for displacement. The brace can be packaged and shipped in a compact configuration, and the leg portions can be spread in such manner so as to minimize their distortion and to maximize the level of reinforcement imparted to the implement on which the brace is installed.