Abstract: A load warning system for use with a vehicle having a load-support portion, a frame, and a vehicle-support portion movably coupled to the frame. The system has an engagement portion mountable to the vehicle-support portion or the frame and is movable therewith as a unit. A load indicator is mountable to the other one of the vehicle-support portion or the frame, and is spaced apart from the engagement portion when in a first position. The load indicator moves to a second position and engages the engagement portion when the frame moves a selected distance in response to the load applied to the load-support portion. The load indicator provides a signal upon being moved to the second position. A warning indicator is coupled to the load indicator and provides an improper load warning to a user in response to the signal from the load indicator.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device has a tray for holding a liquid at a relatively constant level. A syringe is used for drawing fluid from the tray. A liquid container containing a liquid is positioned upside-down in the tray. Atmospheric pressure on the liquid in the tray and a vacuum inside the liquid container prevents liquid from draining from the container except when the liquid level in the tray drops to a level sufficient to allow air into the liquid container and to allow fluid to flow from the liquid container into the tray. The fluid flows from the liquid container into the tray until the level of liquid in the tray returns to the relatively constant level. The positioning of the syringe for drawing fluid is simplified in that the level of fluid in the tray is maintained at an approximately constant level despite withdrawal of quantities of fluid from the tray.

Abstract: Stimuli-responsive magnetic nanoparticles, methods of making the nanoparticles, and methods of using the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing arcing at a port exposed to a plasma in a plasma chamber use circuit components causing a door sealing the port to provide a short circuit path at excitation frequency of the plasma. In one embodiment, the door is a slit valve door sealing a substrate transfer port of an etch chamber.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed which uses captive fasteners to create secure electrical connections between a printed circuit board (PCB) and an external conductor. The captive fastener provides both a mechanical attachment for an electrical lead and an electrical connection to a circuit on the PCB. The captive fastener may be a captive nut, a captive stud, a standoff, a clip, or another suitable type of captive fastener. The captive fastener may be made of electrically conductive material and it may be in electrical contact with a circuit on the PCB.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device has a tray for holding a liquid at a relatively constant level. A syringe is used for drawing fluid from the tray. A liquid container containing a liquid is positioned upside-down in the tray such that the opening of the liquid container defines a vertical position that is slightly below the liquid level in the tray. Atmospheric pressure on the liquid in the tray and a vacuum inside the liquid container prevents liquid from draining from the container until the fluid level in the tray drops to a level approximately equal to the vertical position of the opening. The positioning of the syringe for drawing fluid is simplified by reason of the fact that the level of fluid in the tray is maintained at an approximately constant level despite withdrawal of quantities of fluid from the tray.

Abstract: A load warning system for use with a vehicle having a load-support portion, a frame, and a vehicle-support portion movably coupled to the frame. The system has an engagement portion mountable to the vehicle-support portion or the frame and is movable therewith as a unit. A load indicator is mountable to the other one of the vehicle-support portion or the frame, and is spaced apart from the engagement portion when in a first position. The load indicator moves to a second position and engages the engagement portion when the frame moves a selected distance in response to the load applied to the load-support portion. The load indicator provides a signal upon being moved to the second position. A warning indicator is coupled to the load indicator and provides an improper load warning to a user in response to the signal from the load indicator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract.

Abstract: A heating element and, in particular, a ceramic heating element, such as ceramic heating elements used in high temperature glow plugs for diesel engines and gas igniters. The heating element includes an electrical insulator and an electrically conductive layer. The conductive layer is formed from a single material and single composition. The method of manufacture includes the steps of forming the insulative layer and molding a conductive layer around the insulative layer.

Abstract: A buckle safety device formed for use with a seat belt assembly. The seat belt assembly includes a tongue and a buckle. The buckle safety device includes a housing having a cutout and a buckle receiving opening. The cutout and the buckle receiving opening communicate with a cavity inside the housing. The cutout is configured for receiving an elongated object for releasing the tongue from the buckle when the tongue is mated therewith. A base receiving member extends from the housing. The base receiving member is arranged proximate the buckle receiving opening and has a base receiving slot extending therethrough.

Abstract: A monolithic, multi-layer heating element (26, 126, 226) forms the high temperature tip (22, 122, 222) of a glow plug assembly (20). The heating element (26, 126, 226) includes a conductive core (48, 148, 248) which is surrounded by an insulator layer (50, 150, 250), which in turn supports a resistive layer (52, 152, 252). An optional conductive jacket (172) can surround the resistive layer (152). These layered components are pre-formed in prior operations and then assembled one into the other to form a precursor structure. The precursor structure is transferred to a die (54, 64, 164), where it is compressed to form a so-called green part having dimensional attributes proportional to the finished heating element (26, 126, 256). The individual layers remain substantially intact, with some boundary layer mixing possible to enhance material-to-material bonding. The green part is sintered to bond to various materials together into an essentially solid mass.

Abstract: An insulator including alumina in an amount between about 90 and about 99% by weight and an oxide mixture or glass mixture including Boron Oxide, Phosphorus Oxide, or both Boron and Phosphorus Oxide.

Abstract: A packaging system comprising a plurality of disposable cleaning heads, each of the plurality of cleaning heads including at least one cleaning substrate and a one-piece flexible fitment, the fitment including an engagement member adapted to removably engage a handle, and a shell having a bottom and a top, the top being hingedly connected to the bottom whereby said shell has an open position and a closed position, the bottom including a first cavity adapted to receive and retain at least one of the plurality of cleaning heads, the top including a second cavity adapted to receive and retain at least one of said plurality of cleaning heads. Preferably, the first and second cavities are adapted to receive and retain at least three of the plurality of cleaning heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for offering calling parties a video indicia or segment while awaiting connection to a called party in a telecommunications network. CAMEL-based and switch based embodiments are described in detail, along with various cases for early and late call forwarding, completed calls and uncompleted calls.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems for stored compressed air without use of combustion. The systems can be installed on the customer side of the meter and creates electricity during peak hours after it has been stored in off peak hours. The invention creates a financial incentive for conserving energy costs by building compressed air storage systems which heretofore have seen little application.

Abstract: A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and/or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling.

Abstract: A load warning system for use with a vehicle having a load-support portion, a frame, and a vehicle-support portion movably coupled to the frame. The system has an engagement portion mountable to the vehicle-support portion or the frame and is movable therewith as a unit. A load indicator is mountable to the other one of the vehicle-support portion or the frame, and is spaced apart from the engagement portion when in a first position. The load indicator moves to a second position and engages the engagement portion when the frame moves a selected distance in response to the load applied to the load-support portion. The load indicator provides a signal upon being moved to the second position. A warning indicator is coupled to the load indicator and provides an improper load warning to a user in response to the signal from the load indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configurable circuitry have been disclosed.

Abstract: A small item dispense module. Small items are stored inside a first chamber. The small items are then transferred to a second chamber having a first singulator. The first singulator transfers the small items to a third chamber having a second singulator. The second singulator transfers the small items from the third chamber to a discharge tube having a discharge gate. The discharge gate allows for the dispensing of the small items so that they easily accessible. Preferably, the dispense module further includes: a microcontroller with real-time clock, a unique electronic identification number, an external barcode identification label, and an automatic locking mechanism that can be released electronically and controlled by the microcontroller. The microcontroller also preferably keeps track of dispense and fill requests and inventory. In a preferred embodiment, the small items being dispensed are pills.

Abstract: A buckle safety device formed for use with a seat belt assembly. The seat belt assembly includes a tongue and a buckle. The buckle safety device includes a first housing member having a pair of first arms. Each of the first arms has a first locking member for securing the first housing member to a base of the tongue. The first housing member has a base receiving cavity for receiving the base and a tongue receiving slot communicating with the base receiving cavity for receiving the tongue. A cover extends from the first housing member adjacent to the tongue receiving slot. The cover has an inner surface for positioning adjacent to a release button on the buckle. The inner surface has a recessed surface for allowing limited access to the release button.

Abstract: Compositions and devices for the production of treated wood products are disclosed. A moisture exchange container for treating a plurality of wood pieces with a chemical formulation of interest is described. Also, an adhesive suitable for gluing wood pieces that have been treated, or that are going to be treated, with a chemical formulation of interest is described. Also disclosed are methods and systems using the devices and compositions of the present invention, and treated wood products.