Abstract: A self adjusting parking brake system which automatically removes slack from a parking brake cable includes a fixed support and a hand-operated lever pivotably connected to the support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions. A locking mechanism releasably maintains the lever in the brake-engaging position. The locking mechanism includes a main ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a main pawl having a pawl tooth engaging the plurality of ratchet teeth. A self-adjust mechanism connects the cable with the lever. The self-adjust mechanism includes an adjuster ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and an adjuster pawl having a plurality pawl teeth. Only one of the plurality of pawl teeth fully engages the ratchet teeth at any one time. The adjuster pawl pivots about a pivot axis and has an approach angle of greater than forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A parking brake system of the self-adjust type for automatically removing slack from a parking brake cable includes a fixed support and a hand-operated lever pivotably connected to the support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions. A locking mechanism releasably maintains the lever in the brake-engaging position. The locking mechanism includes a main ratchet fixed relative to the support and having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a main pawl pivotably connected with the lever and having a pawl tooth releasably engaging the plurality of ratchet teeth of the main ratchet. A self-adjust mechanism releasably connects the cable with the lever. The self-adjust mechanism includes an adjuster ratchet connected with the cable and having a plurality of ratchet teeth and an adjuster pawl pivotably connected with the lever and having one of three pawl teeth releasably engaging the ratchet teeth of the adjuster ratchet. The adjuster pawl is pivotable relative to the lever about a pivot axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for directing a pre-recorded audio file to a speech recognition program that does not normally accept such files, such as IBM Corporation's Via Voice™ speech recognition program. The method includes: (a) launching the speech recognition program to accept speech as if the speech recognition program were receiving live audio from a microphone; (b) finding a mixer utility associated with the sound card; (c) opening the mixer utility, the mixer utility having settings that determine an input source and an output path; (d) changing the settings of the mixer utility to specify a line-in input source and a wave-out output path; (e) activating a microphone input of the speech recognition software; and (f) initiating a media player associated with the computer to play the pre-recorded audio file into the line-in input source. The method may additionally save and restore the original configuration settings of the mixer utility.

Abstract: A four component sewer coupling arrangement for recreational vehicles and the like is disclosed including a recreational vehicle sewer outlet fixed to the vehicle, a threaded closure cap for closing the outlet when the vehicle is in transit, a tether line connecting the closure cap and outlet so that the closure cap is not inadvertently lost or mislaid, and a flexible drain hose having a threaded connector at one end for connecting the drain hose to the outlet when the closure cap is removed so that an end of the flexible drain hose opposite the threaded connector may be connected to a sewage disposal location for discharging sewage from the recreational vehicle by way of the flexible drain hose to the sewage diaposal location. A quick release spring coupling may be substituted for the threads. Both the closure cap and threaded connector are provided with means for facilitating their tightening and loosening relative to the fixed outlet thereby providing a good seal to the outlet.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus which is readily convertible for conventional radiographic or tomographic operation includes an X-ray source and an imaging device movably supported on opposite sides of a patient support. For tomographic procedures, the source and the imaging device are interconnected by shielded drive system components to effect coordinated movement of the source and the device. For conventional radiography, the drive components are disconnected to permit independent movement of the source and the imaging device. The drive components are disconnected for conventional radiography by lowering the X-ray source and by operating a latch located near the imaging device. The drive components are connected for tomography by raising the X-ray source and by operating the latch. Other improvements such as the use of rotary encoders to provide a digital readout of the location of a tomographic examination plane and to control the operation of the source during tomographic procedures are described.

Abstract: Relative translational movement between a pair of X-ray apparatus components is selectively arrested by a bidirectional lineal lock structure including an elongated locking rod carried by one of the components and a locking unit carried by the other component. The locking unit is movable along the locking rod and includes two sets of balls which selectively engage the peripheral surface of the rod. Two clamping systems normally wedge the balls into clamping engagement with the peripheral surface, preventing relative, component movement. A pair of electromagnets are operative, when energized, to bias the clamping systems toward release positions to permit relative componet movement. Either of the electromagnets may be selectively energized to permit unidirectional relative movement between the components. An energizing circuit is provided for briefly reversing the polarity of the electromagnets immediately before they are de-energized, to faciliate re-establishment of the clamping engagement.