Abstract: A buffer cartridge for absorbing energy having a hydraulic component coupled with an energy-absorbing material component, the hydraulic component having a cylinder-piston arrangement, the cylinder being surrounded by a stack of pads made from resilient energy-absorbing material, each pad being separated by a spacer. The free end of the piston emerging from the cylinder is connected to an intercoupling member which can simultaneously apply a force to both the piston and the stack of pads. A stretchable accumulator seal surrounds a piston rod within the cylinder and provides a sealing sliding path for the piston rod to isolate the moving portion of the piston rod from hydraulic fluid. The piston rod terminates in a piston having a piston hub encapsulated in resilient material and provided with orificed passageways for flow of fluid to both sides of the piston.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is disclosed having a rotatable intermediate drum having a thermally conductive surface on which the ink droplets are printed from the printhead. The drum surface material is a suitable film forming silicone polymer having a high surface energy and surface roughness to prevent movement of the droplets after impact thereon. The printhead is located relative to the intermediate drum surface so that the ink droplets impact the drum surface with a large contact angle and the ink droplet image is transferred at a second location spaced from the printhead to minimize contaminating particles from the recording medium from reaching the printhead nozzles. The intermediate drum surface is heated to dehydrate the ink droplets prior to transfer from the intermediate drum to the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of producing useful hollow bodies and the resulting products. The hollow bodies are formed by providing a block of thermoplastic elastomer material having a selected initial axial height and providing the block with a selected axial core opening. An axial force is applied to said block sufficient to compress said block a substantial extent to reduce the free height of the block and expand the core opening transversely outwardly to define sidewalls for the hollow body. The axial force is removed, and the hollow body is prepared for use as a compression spring or other useful device.

Abstract: Toner dispensing apparatus comprising a toner hopper the walls of which form an elongated opening from which toner is capable of being dispensed and a dispensing roll to dispense toner from the hopper through the elongated opening into the developer chamber. The dispensing roll is a cylindrical resiliently deformable foam roll having a plurality of depressions of predetermined size, shape and volume uniformly disposed on the roll and being capable of holding finely divided toner. The deformable foam roll including the depressions has a thin toner impermeable surface. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions are a plurality of longitudinal surface grooves parallel to the axis of the roll and uniformly spaced around the circumference of the roll. The roll is positioned relative to top and bottom lobe members in the toner hopper such that it provides a seal between the toner hopper and the developer chamber.

Abstract: A timer for monitoring the use of hot water in the home to conserve energy is shown. The entire timer apparatus is enclosed inside the hot water control knob so that when the control knob is rotated to turn ON the hot water, the timer is activated. After predetermined time intervals, various visual and audio alarms are given, the alarms thus encouraging the conservation of energy by using less hot water. Also, the timer monitors the number of times the hot water has been used during a given period of time, such as a month or year. The timer, in addition to its primary energy saving function, is ideally suited for use as the hot water control knob of a bathroom shower.

Abstract: A preform is made by casting a copolyester polymer elastomer into a block. While the block is solidifying, pressure is supplied to the central portion thereof. After a block is formed, it is annealed and a precompression force is applied thereto sufficient to compress the block to an extent greater than thirty percent of the original dimension of the block as measured parallel to the precompression force. In one embodiment a cushioning unit using the block is made by placing a pair of multi-apertured metal plates on opposite sides of the block with projections on the plates extending against the block and applying a second precompression force to the block and plates sufficient to cause the copolyester polymer elastomer to flow into the apertures in the plates and form a mechanical bond between the block and the plates.

Abstract: A hollow plunger extends into the cavity of the draft gear body. The inner end of the plunger is expansible. One or more wedges are held by the body adjacent the inner end of the plunger, and shoes are positioned between the wedge(s) and the inner side of the inner end of the plunger. Spring elements positioned within the plunger are in compression between the outer end of the plunger and the shoes. When the plunger is forced into the body the shoes are wedged outwardly against the expansible portions of the plunger which in turn are forced into contact with the body. There may be one or a plurality of successive stages of wedges and shoes.