Abstract: A transmission shift control system includes a transmission shift control module that executes an upshift or a closed-throttle downshift, a shift stage determination module, and a clutch control module. The stage determination module determines a stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift when a downshift is requested. The clutch control module determines a downshift type based on the stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift and selectively executes a downshift before the upshift or the closed throttle downshift is completed.

Abstract: A vehicle simulation system may include: a platform positioned within a three-dimensional workspace, at least six upper support members positioned outside the three-dimensional workspace, at least six upper adjustable cables routed from corresponding upper support members and secured to the platform to apply at least a portion of upward tension to the platform, and a vehicle secured to the platform. The vehicle may provide one or more occupants with a simulated experience within a three-dimensional virtual environment as the upper adjustable cables are adjustably extended and retracted in a coordinated fashion to maneuver the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus associated with a cable robot system is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: an end-effector platform adapted to be positioned and maneuvered within a three-dimensional (3D) workspace, three vertical support members adapted to be positioned outside the 3D workspace, and three adjustable cables adapted to be routed from each vertical support member and releasably secured to the end-effector platform to apply upward and downward tension to the end-effector platform. The adjustable cables are adapted to be adjustably extended and retracted in a coordinated fashion to maneuver the end-effector platform such that an adjustable portion of each adjustable cable spans from the corresponding vertical support member to the end-effector platform. At least two of the adjustable portions associated with each vertical support member are generally in parallel relation to each other.

Abstract: An ergonomic wheelchair handle for use on a wheelchair handle bar is provided. The wheelchair handle bar has a horizontal section and a vertical section. The wheelchair handle comprises a first handle portion having a first end and a second end with the first handle portion attachable to the horizontal section of the wheelchair handle bar. A second handle portion is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the second handle portion pivotally connected to the second end of the first handle portion. A locking mechanism releasably locks the rotation of the second handle relative to the first handle.

Abstract: An apparatus associated with a cable robot system is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: an end-effector platform adapted to be positioned and maneuvered within a three-dimensional (3D) workspace, three vertical support members adapted to be positioned outside the 3D workspace, and three adjustable cables adapted to be routed from each vertical support member and releasably secured to the end-effector platform to apply upward and downward tension to the end-effector platform. The adjustable cables are adapted to be adjustably extended and retracted in a coordinated fashion to maneuver the end-effector platform such that an adjustable portion of each adjustable cable spans from the corresponding vertical support member to the end-effector platform. At least two of the adjustable portions associated with each vertical support member are generally in parallel relation to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that applies a predetermined force function to the surface of a test subject with a probe and measures the displacement of the probe as a function of applied force facilitates measurement of tissue properties accurately and quickly, in vivo, in a non-invasive manner. A haptic device may be used to apply the force function to the test subject according to a preprogrammed force function and to measure the resulting tissue displacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mathematically calculating an optimal transmission input torque value for the inertia phase and the torque phase of a ratio change. Engine output is then altered by an amount necessary to change the actual value of the transmission input torque to the calculated optimal value of transmission input torque. The timing of the clutch elements during the power-on skip through neutral downshift is established by calculating delay periods for the off-going and on-coming clutches such that a predetermined desired shift time is met. The power-on skip through neutral downshift is thereafter adaptively controlled so that aberrations are diagnosed and corrected during subsequent downshifts. The invention is carried out by monitoring engine and/or transmission characteristics including input speed, output speed and shift duration during a downshift and identifying departures from acceptable patterns.

Abstract: The invention consists of an active scaffolding system adapted to hold a payload, said active scaffolding system comprising: (a) a plurality of adjustable links and rigid links connected by joints; (b) a plurality of actuator devices associated with the adjustable links so as to change to length of the adjustable links; (c) a microprocessor to determine how the lengths of each of the adjustable links throughout a number of time steps; the microprocessor being provided with computer program instructions to resolve the Cartesian end point translational and rotational motions; and (d) the adjustable links, rigid links, and actuator devices forming an active scaffolding adapted to move a payload around environmental obstacles while supporting said payload against the force of gravity.

Abstract: The invention concerns electrophoresis and methods and electrolyte compositions for decoupling or isolating the dual functions of the electrolyte composition in order to increase separation selectivity or reduce electromigration dispersion, or both. An electrolyte composition is used in electrophoresis to separate a charged analyte having a mobility .mu..sub.a in an electric field. The composition includes a buffer system having an ionic component that controls the pH of the composition and mobility matching ions having a mobility .mu..sub.2 in the electric field, such that .mu..sub.a /.mu..sub.2 equals about one. Alternatively, the buffer system may maintain the composition's pH and a complexing agent may complex with the buffer system to alter the mobility .mu..sub.2 of an ionic component of the buffer system, such that .mu..sub.a /.mu..sub.2 equals about one. The pH of the composition is within a pH range selected based on the analyte to be separated, and .mu..sub.

Abstract: A return mail piece includes a generally rectangular sheet of material with a delimited mailing address zone, a bar code zone in the lower right corner of the sheet, and a subclassification zone in the upper left hand corner of the sheet. Site location indicia is printed within the mailing address zone to identify the address of the site location. Separate subclassification indicia is printed within the subclassification zone so as to identify one of a plurality of end locations as the site location.

Abstract: A return mail piece includes a generally rectangular sheet of material with a delimited mailing address zone and a bar code zone on the front of the sheet, and a subclassification zone on the rearward surface of the sheet. Site location indicia is printed within the mailing address zone to identify the address of the site location. Separate subclassification indicia is printed within the subclassification zone so as to identify one of a plurality of end locations as the site location.

Abstract: A return mail piece includes a generally rectangular sheet of material with a delimited mailing address zone, a bar code zone in the lower right corner of the sheet, and a subclassification zone in the upper left hand corner of the sheet. Site location indicia is printed within the mailing address zone to identify the address of the site location. Separate subclassification indicia is printed within the subclassification zone so as to identify one of a plurality of end locations as the site location.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the maintenance and derivation of embryonic stem (ES) cells in culture. The ES cells are maintained and/or derived from animal embryos by culturing said cells or embryos in a culture medium containing an effective amount of LIF for a time and under conditions sufficient to maintain and/or derive said ES cells. The ES cells may be passaged in LIF and used to make chimaeric animals.

Abstract: Conductive terminals (40) are plastically deformed whereby to connect electrically and mechanically to one or another of a pair of tubular electrical conductors (10,20) of a triaxial connector. Each terminal has an annular groove (41) therein received within a respective notch (13) in a lip extending from one of the respective tubular conductors (20, 30) and the terminal is struck to deform the walls of the groove around the lip. The other end of each terminal (40) is connected to the connector housing (1) by a plastic potting compound (50).

Abstract: A gyroscopic referenced electronically operated grade and slope attitude indicator enabling a heavy equipment operator to build a slope and/or grade by visual readout. It is a system using a gyro output to compute the grade and slope for display thereof on a dual steering bar indicator. An angle calibration along with cancelling switches allows an equipment operator a selection of slope and grade ratios to work to in a work approach making staking and restaking of a slope and/or grade unnecessary other than for a surveyed starting point with a toe-stake or its equivalent.

Abstract: The invention is a method for mounting tubular electrical conductors (10, 20) of a triaxial connector to the connector housing and the connector thus formed (1) and is characterized by a plurality of electrically conducting terminals (40) that have an annular groove (41) therein that mate with a respective notch (13) in the respective tubular conductors (20, 30). The other end of each terminal (40) is connected to the housing (1) by a plastic potting compound (50).

Abstract: A conventional tooth brush is combined with a tongue cleaner as a single instrument, adapted to provide cooperative improved personal user hygiene. A tooth brush has a handle integrally extending coextensively from the conventional tooth brush bristle segment, the opposed handle terminating in an integral arcuate tongue scraper member, centrally secured on the arcuate structure curve at the opposed handle terminus. The arcuate scraper member can also be formed to be removable from the tooth brush handle. The terminal arcuate scraper structure is provided to the tooth brush user to scrape the user's top tongue surface, removing food particles and the like which can decay and provide offensive odors and tooth decay agents. The tooth brush user can wash the user's teeth with conventional tooth cleaner material in the conventional manner, then reverse the tooth brush in their hand and scrape the top surface of the user's tongue, further removing food particles and the like.

Abstract: A headdress or headcovering which includes an inflatable, helmet portion for positioning and retain the same upon one's head and an inflatable caricature portion attached to the helmet portion thereof. The helmet portion including a formable, resilient portion of sheet material to conform to the head of the user and having an inflatable peripheral portion to surround the lower edge thereof and hold the same about the user's head, the inflatable caricature portion including an attachment portion for attaching the same to the helmet portion and including a separate inflation unit for the inflatability of the same.