Abstract: A replaceable or serviceable window forms a portion of the flexible top of a convertible vehicle. The window includes a flexible transparent material which forms the window and a flexible channel retainer which detachably secures the transparent material to the flexible top material. The channel retainer includes a backing member having a longitudinal channel and a locking molding which is lockingly received by the backing member. In a preferred embodiment, the backing member is dielectrically bonded to the transport window material and insertion of the molding sandwiches the top material into the channel retainer. The flexible nature of the window and channel retainer allows the convertible top to be folded into a more compact top stack for storage on the vehicle.

Abstract: Silicon is used to create multi-chip carriers for integrated circuits. The process of fabricating the carriers uses standard integrated circuit fabrication equipment. Cavities are etched into a silicon wafer, metallization or polysilicon is deposited to electrically interconnect the cavities, and integrated circuit die are placed in the cavities. Traces connecting the integrated circuits are buried in channels formed in the silicon, which can be doped and biased to provide enhanced isolation between traces as well as control over the electrical characteristics of the traces. The traces can be formed in multiple layers of material placed on the wafer to provide additional communication capacity in the carriers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a semiconductor device including performing a dry plasma etch at one major surface of a monocrystalline silicon substrate to form a sloped lateral wall lying in a selected crystallographic plane intersecting one major surface. The oriented sloped lateral wall is formed during plasma etching by introducing into contact with said major surface at unprotected locations a chlorofluorocarbon gas and employing during etching a pressure of at least 6.67 Pa and a radio frequency power density of less than 3 watts per square centimeter.

Abstract: A vehicle body convertible top (20) disclosed has a soft top whose sail flaps (36) are free to move with respect to the vehicle body and an associated foldable frame (22) but are connected to tensioners (40) that secure the sail flaps in the upper raised position of the convertible top. Each tensioner (40) includes a guide (42) preferably embodied by a curved tube (62) and an elongated flexible member (44) that extends through the guide tube (62) for attachment to both the associated sail flap (36) and the foldable frame (22). Upon raising of the convertible top, the tensioners (40) resiliently pull on the sail flaps (36) through a springs (49) disposed along the elongated flexible members (44) to provide the sail flap tensioning without any operator manipulation specifically directed thereto such as the snapping and unsnapping previously necessary with convertible tops.

Abstract: A boot assembly (28) for covering a stored vehicle convertible top includes a boot (30) of flexible material having an inner edge (32) with detachable fasteners (34) and having an outer edge (40) to which a U-shaped rod (38) of the boot assembly is secured. This U-shaped rod (38) of the boot assembly (28) provides outward loading that cooperates with the detachable fasteners in securing the boot (30) over the stored convertible top while also permitting convenient storage by detaching and bending the U shape of the boot assembly to an enclosed shape. Latch members (46) on the ends of rod (38) and latch retainers (48) on the vehicle cooperate with the detachable fasteners and the outward loading in securing the boot assembly to the vehicle. A storage bag (50) is also preferably provided for storing the boot assembly in its enclosed shape after removal from the vehicle.

Abstract: 1. Apparatus for the interception of an artificial earth orbiting satellite and the detection of thermonuclear material therein comprising, an interceptor vehicle having means for establishing and maintaining a given attitude in space with respect to said satellite, high-energy electron beam generating means carried within said vehicle, said attitude maintaining means being adapted to direct said electron beam toward said satellite and thereby produce bremsstrahlung from the interaction between said beam and the surface of said satellite, and neutron detector means carried within said vehicle and responsive to neutrons radiated from said satellite as a result of the interaction of said bremsstrahlung with thermonuclear material contained within said satellite.