Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening providing access to the interior. A tub can be located within the interior and can at least partially define a liquid chamber. A drum is rotatably mounted within the liquid chamber and at least partially defines a treating chamber. A clothes mover is located within the treating chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis. The clothes mover can include a base and a barrel.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding an analog input signal for optical transmission, including driving a voltage controlled oscillator with an analog input signal to produce a frequency modulated electrical signal having a frequency proportional to the amplitude of the input signal, and applying the frequency modulated electrical signal to a multiple quantum well modulating retroreflector. The retroreflector receives optical energy from a laser source and modulates the optical energy with the frequency modulated signal to produce an output optical signal.

Abstract: Benzocyclobutenes have been found to be an ideal material for growing and cultivating biological materials such as biological cells. This property makes benzocyclobutenes suitable for use in devices for analyzing biological materials. A commercially available benzocyclobutene, namely, B-staged divinylsiloxane-bis-benzocyclobutene (BCB) is a spin-on dielectric material produced in several forms by Dow Chemical. This spin-on dielectric may be used in place of other conventional materials requiring use of a more complicated vacuum based deposition process. The applicant has found BCB to be an excellent dielectric material for fabricating microelectrode arrays.

Abstract: A braking device is arranged around a piston of a hydraulic elevator drive and serves for locking of the piston carrying an elevator car or a cable pulley by engaging at least two brake arms, each rotatable around axes. The brake arms are actuated by a brake drive having a brake cylinder with a plunger biased by hydraulic fluid to release the brake arms. In response to a pressure drop in the brake cylinder, or at an unauthorized downward motion of the elevator drive piston, the brake arms are closed by the brake drive and the elevator drive piston is prevented from moving. A brake control circuit connected to a power supply actuates the brake drive and includes a buffer battery backup in case of failure of the power supply and a storage capacitor backup in case of failure of the battery.

Abstract: This invention includes a brake system for a hydraulic ram or another cylinder, that can be employed as an emergency brake for a lifting elevator. When actuated, the brake arms contact the ram circumferentially to slow and stop the falling ram. The brake arms are preferably lined with an able material that frictionally engages the ram to stop the downward motion of the ram. The brake system may be actuated by loss of hydraulic pressure, by an electronic signal from a hydraulic pressure detector, by down overspeed sensor or by an uncontrolled down motion detector. According to another aspect of the present invention, a controller, which is preferably a programmed control system, compares the actual motion of the elevator as sensed by a detector to a desired motion. Under certain conditions, if the actual motion differs from the desired motion, the controller actuates the brake.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning and illuminating elevator car call button switches includes an individual switch and illumination circuit for each floor served by the car and a control circuit connected in a row/column matrix with the individual circuits for scanning for actuated switches and illuminating push buttons associated with registered calls. Each individual circuit has a switch module which responds to scanning signals from the control circuit by generating a switch actuated signal when the call button switch located therein is actuated. The control circuit generates illumination signals to each individual circuit for which a call has been registered to activate LED's and light the associated push button. The control circuit generates the scanning signal, reads the switch actuated signals and generates the illumination signals during separate timed cycles.

Abstract: An indicating element for an elevator includes a cover plate having an opening formed therein through which a lens extends. Positioned behind the lens is a light diffuser having an area formed in the shape of a symbol to be displayed. A plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on a front surface of a printed circuit board and the diodes extend into the diffuser. The front surface of the printed circuit board, as well as the side walls of the diffuser are white to achieve a better light reflection. The lens, the diffuser and the printed circuit board are mounted on studs extending from a rear surface of the cover plate and are retained by nuts. The light emitting diodes are connected together in separate groups with a first switch for connecting the groups in series to a higher voltage alternating current power supply and a second switch for connecting the groups in parallel to a lower voltage direct current power supply.

Abstract: A pushbutton electrical switch assembly, having a particularly low profile and having uniform illumination, includes a lighting system within the housing of the pushbutton electrical switch assembly, the lighting system having four light diodes that are squarely arranged upon a printed circuit. Switching members in the form of microswitches together with the lighting system are arranged adjacent to each other and transversely to the direction of displacement of a pushbutton that is slidably arranged within the housing. The microswitches take a position in which the direction of movement of the actuation member and the direction of movement of the microswitches are perpendicular to each other. The printed circuit and the microswitches are fitted in a sandwich-type manner between flanges of lower and upper housing portions, with the housing portions being connected without screws.

Abstract: A push button switch provides a visual switch actuation acknowledgement signal when actuated. The switch includes an end ring which extends through a cover plate. A push button extends into the end ring and has a lens cap which is exposed to a switch operator at a front surface of the cover plate. The push button also has a plurality of plungers which extend rearwardly through an adapter to actuate an electrical switch mounted on a switch block. The end ring, the push button, the adapter and the switch block are retained on a pair of studs extending from a rear surface of the cover plate by a pair of nuts. A light reflector is positioned between the push button and the adapter and has a forward reflector portion and a smaller diameter rearward base portion which form a radially extending shoulder. The base portion is inserted into an opening in the adapter and is mounted on the adapter by contact with the shoulder.

Abstract: A sports timing device for referees, officials, umpires, coaches and the like. The timer is ideally adapted for football or basketball officiating and it contains circuit means for generating necessary timing signals for officiating the game. The circuit is initiated manually by depression of a primary switch, and timing alarm signals generated by the circuit actuate tactile stimulation means to vibrate the device enclosure to warn the referee or official without the necessity of him visually observing the apparatus. In the football mode the device preferably provides an alarm after expiration of twenty five seconds. In the basketball mode the device provides three second, five second and ten second warnings. Low battery signalling means are incorporated in the circuitry for immediately warning the user that the battery is weak prior to commencing a timing operation; also, an LED provides an immediate dead battery warning.