Abstract: An apparatus is provided for centering a workpiece on a machine tool that includes first and second guide plates having respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position. The centering pin cooperates with a workpiece such as a fan rotor blade of a turbine engine for positioning the workpiece in a predetermined position relative to a metal shaping operation to be carried out by the machine on the workpiece. At least one spring cooperates with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias for urging the centering pin into the use position. A lock locks the centering pin in the use position.

Abstract: A grinder designed to provide an automatic grinding operation for the manufacture of a semiconductor device wafer. The grinder includes a base, a rotatable index table mounted to the base, and a grinding wheel assembly including a grinding wheel for grinding a flat surface on the wafer. The index table includes a wafer holder for receiving and holding the wafer. A dressing station, including a dressing element, is positioned adjacent to the index table for dressing the grinding wheel. The dressing station is rotatable between a first position and a second position where the grinding wheel is dressed by the dressing element.

Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end for being pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end for resting on a second structure. The convertible dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot about the upper end. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a substantially flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration. A safety stair tread deflects upward as needed to prevent trapping a user's foot.

Abstract: An ankle brace of the type adapted to extend along the lateral and medial aspects of an injured ankle and lower leg for supporting the ankle during healing. A medial and lateral side support are provided for extending along the respective medial lateral aspects of the ankle and lower leg and includes an elongate, rigid support members, each having a lower end of sufficiently narrow width and thinness to fit inside a shoe being worn by a wearer of the brace, A soft, flexible perimeter edge portion is mechanically adhered to and extends outwardly in overlapping, non-interfitting relation to the support members for protecting the leg and ankle from irritation resulting from contact with edges of the support members. A connector connects the medial side support and lateral side support together at their respective lower ends and extend under the foot of the wearer of the brace.

Abstract: A masonry anchor system is disclosed for anchoring two spaced apart masonry walls together to form a single wall structure. The masonry anchor system includes a ladder or truss type support frame for positioning on top of a mortar joint in one wall, and a connecting bracket having a pair of elongate arms connected by a cross-member affixed to the support frame. The cross-member is curved to provide two spaced apart points on the cross-member for contacting the support frame and affixing the cross-member thereto. The elongate arms extend transversely from the support frame and are sized to extend into the space between the two walls. Each of the arms have an eye portion formed at the end opposite the cross-member to receive a connecting member connected to the second wall. The support frame and the bracket reside in the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes a shroud for being mounted around a last stage of the low pressure turbine rotor. The shroud includes an arcuate body having spaced-apart forward and aft ends and spaced-apart circumferential ends. Attachments are provided for securing the shroud body to the surrounding engine case. An arcuate extension member protrudes rearward from the aft end of the shroud body. The extension member has an inner surface which defines a portion of the gas flowpath through the engine. Seals may be provided to prevent leakage between adjacent shroud segments. The shroud is especially useful for protecting a downstream turbine frame from debris and thermal stress.

Abstract: A convertible protective top for a vehicle. The top including a retractable canopy and at least two mounting brackets. The canopy includes at least two spaced-apart side members; at least two spaced-apart cross-members, and a cover attached to the cross-members. The cross-members are positioned between and slidably engaged with the side members, wherein the cross-members and cover are moved along the side members to retract the cover. The mounting brackets are attached to a front end and a rear end of the vehicle. Each of the mounting brackets include at least two vertical tubular members for receiving respective ones of the side members for securing the canopy to the vehicle.

Abstract: A frame assembly for vehicle passenger seat, including at least one leg unit, including a cantilevered transverse main beam carried by a fore and aft-extending seat leg for being mounted to the floor of the vehicle, a transversely extending front beam positioned forward of the seat leg, a backshell attached to and carried by the transverse main beam, a seat back carried on the backshell, and a seat bottom carried by a perimeter frame mounted on the backshell.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle, including a frame for being attached to a floor of the vehicle, a fixed backshell attached to the frame, and a seat back attached to the backshell. A seat bottom is attached to the backshell, and a headrest assembly attached to the backshell at a position above the seat back. The headrest assembly includes left and right spaced-apart side wings, each of the side wings comprising a rigid support and a wedge-shaped cushion attached to the rigid support by a pivot. The left and right cushions are each translatable in a direction parallel to the rigid support to selectively increase or decrease the effective width of the headrest assembly by increasing or decreasing the distance between the left and right side wings. The left and right cushions are each mounted for rotation about the pivot for selectively changing the angle of a forward face of the cushion relative to the rigid support to thereby permit selection by a seat occupant of a desired cushion position.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, cut-resistant composite yarn has a core including at least one cut-resistant strand, and a cover including at least one strand wrapped around and enclosing the core. At least one strand in either the core or the cover is treated with and incorporates an antimicrobial compound. In addition, the yarn can include one or more channel fibers to facilitate movement of moisture within the composite yarn so that the moisture contacts the antimicrobial compound, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the antimicrobial compound. The yarn can be used to fabricate cut-resistant garments, such as gloves, worn by meat cutters and others who work with knives, saws and other sharp implements. The antimicrobial effect reduces bacteria, mold and fungi growth on the garments between washings.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a turbulent fluid flow field includes the steps of: creating a mathematical model of a physical object; simulating a flow field around the model, wherein the flow field is at least partially turbulent; generating time series flow data output data representative of the flow field; and identifying repeating turbulent flow patterns in the flow data. These features are identified by selecting at least one frequency range of interest; filtering the flow data based on the frequency range; and observing coherent structure in the filtered data. The method may be implemented as a software program running on a computer.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a seat back; and a seat bottom. The seat bottom is selectively moveable between a first, generally flat position for supporting a passenger in an upright seating position with the passenger's hips located at a first height above the floor, and a second, raised position for supporting a passenger in a semi-standing position wherein the passenger's hips are positioned at a second height above the floor substantially greater than the first height.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a chip module 20 and a method for producing a chip card module that comprises a chip module with a chip carrier 21 and a chip 22 that is contacted with strip conductors 25, 26 of the chip carrier, wherein the chip carrier comprises a flexible carrier material and the strip conductors respectively extend over the length of the carrier substrate, and wherein the chip carrier 21 contains two longitudinal regions 35, 36 of identical length which are offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the chip carrier and respectively assigned to one strip conductor 25, 26.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring traveler (10) for ring spinning or ring twisting machines, with a core (20) consisting of a ferrous material, a covering layer (24) being arranged on at least parts of the core. The covering layer (24) in this case contains fine-crystalline chromium nitride, vanadium carbide or titanium carbonitride. As a result of the covering layer, the ring traveler according to the invention has good abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A crib, which is convertible to a plurality of other furniture pieces, has four legs, a front panel, a rear panel, two side panels, and two stabilizing posts. The stabilizing posts are positioned adjacent and parallel to the two legs supporting the front panel. Each stabilizing post is removably engaged to a leg, and is structurally independent of the front panel. All components of the crib can utilized when the crib is converted to another furniture piece, so that no components are discarded.

Abstract: A frame is mounted to a front surface of a previously mounted mirror so that recesses in the back side of the frame receive protruding portions of fasteners which attach the frame to a supporting structure. Guide structures are temporarily mounted to the front surface of the mirror to facilitate the mounting of the frame to the mirror. The guide structures are used to suspend the frame in a position forward of the mirror. Then, while the frame is suspended by the guide structures, the frame is pushed toward the mirror so that the frame slides along the guide structures. As a result, adhesive strips, which are mounted to the back of the frame, engage the front surface of the mirror and become adhered thereto, so that the frame is mounted to the front surface of the mirror by the adhesive strips.

Abstract: A fastener shield for use in a fluid flow path within a gas turbine engine for reducing fluid drag and heating generated by fluid flow over a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts. The fastener shield has a radially-extending, downstream-facing mounting flange with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes positioned to receive respective engine mounting bolts therethrough and to attach the mounting flange to elements of the turbine engine. A curved, upstream-facing fastener shield cover is positioned in spaced-apart relation to the mounting flange for at least partially covering and separating an exposed, upstream-facing portion of the bolts from the fluid flow to thereby reduce drag and consequent heating of the bolts. A plurality of closely spaced-apart, spirally-oriented channels are formed in the fastener shield cover for deflecting the fluid flow impinging on the fastener shield cover, thereby increasing the tangential velocity and lowering the relative temperature of the fluid flow.