Abstract: A system and method of positioning a head of a subject to be photographed by a single camera uses a mirror and at least one collimated light beam. The single camera is positioned so that there is a selected specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which the head or eye of the subject is desired to be positioned. A light source directs a collimated light beam or light sheet so that the light beam or light sheet intersects a line running from the mirror through the selected specific location in space and can be seen by an eye at the selected specific location in space that is looking at the mirror. The user is told to position his head across from the mirror and move his head until he sees the collimated light beam or light sheet and his eye in the mirror. When the subject is so positioned the single camera can take an image of the eye from which the subject can be identified. If desired a second mirror can be used in place of the light source.

Abstract: A manifold protective valve enclosure can have a bottom portion and a valve mounting subbase portion disposed on the bottom portion. A portion of the perimeter of the bottom portion can be surrounded by side walls which surround a valve which can be mounted on the subbase portion. A cover can be provided over the side walls to completely enclose and protect both the subbase and the valve. A portion of at least one side wall can form a side of the subbase, or integral conduit members can provide fluid communication between the side of the subbase and the side wall. The subbase can have the requisite ports configured to mate with the ports in the valve and can also have an override port configured to connect to an external device. The subbase can further include a receptacle for an electrical connector on the valve. The subbase can also include accessory devices such as mufflers, shut-off valves and flow controls.

Abstract: A double sided adhesive element, and methods for securing an article of clothing, having a flexible support member having a first side coated with an adhesive, and a second side coated with the adhesive. The adhesive element has a shape adapted to substantially conform to a portion of the wearer's protective pads.

Abstract: A multi-adjustable armrest assembly for a chair can be adjusted in a variety of different aspects including laterally, vertically, forwards and backwards, and rotationally. Such an armrest assembly can include an armrest base securable to a chair and having a tubular portion, an armrest support having a vertical leg and a horizontal leg slidably disposed in the tubular portion, a shroud slidably disposed on the vertical leg, a post member attached to the shroud, a collar connected to the post, and an armrest connected to the collar. Additionally, the armrest can have a bottom portion slidably connected to the collar and the collar can be rotatably connected to the post. Furthermore, a positive adjustment mechanism can be provided to control each adjustable aspect of such an armrest assembly.

Abstract: In a venetian type blind the bottomrail incorporates a take-up system to increase or decrease the effective operating length of the venetian blind to fit a specific window length by allowing the effective operating portion of the ladders to be adjusted, with the unused portion of the ladders stored inside the bottomrail. The excess length of the ladders are pulled along the length of the bottomrail and can be pulled from the bottomrail to lengthen the blind after shortening. In one embodiment the ladders are attached to a slide that can be moved along the length of the bottomrail and positioned at any desired location. The slide may contain a series of hooks and can be attached to a pull cord that runs through a clamp in an end cap. In another embodiment a series of hooks are provided within the bottomrail to hold selected ladder rungs.

Abstract: An brake application solenoid valve arrangement for use in an electronic freight train brake control system on a railway car. Such braking system having a brake pipe normally charged with fluid at a certain pressure, separate compartment auxiliary and emergency reservoirs charged at certain pressures with fluid from the brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device. Flow of pressurized fluid from the separate auxiliary and emergency reservoirs can be selectively supplied concurrently to the brake cylinder device via the single brake application valve. Backflow check valves between each reservoir and the brake application valve prevent the transfer of pressurized fluid between the reservoirs. The electronic controller can operate the application valve to control the braking and release functions responsive to electrical command signals. A pneumatic control valve can also be operatively incorporated into the brake control system.

Abstract: In a cording arrangement for large blinds having several lift cords one end of at least some of the lift cords is attached to the headrail and then the lift cord is routed into the bottomrail, over a pulley in the bottomrail, back up to the headrail and through a cord lock forming a generally U-shaped cording arrangement. The cords are attached to the headrail and routed through the headrail in such a manner that the cords are of equal or nearly equal length. Preferably the outermost cords are descending. The cords are laced around or through the rungs of the ladder. Preferably each descending cord has more passes through the rungs than each ascending cord.

Abstract: A method for producing a fully dense powdered metal helical gear can include the steps of placing powdered metal in a preform die wherein it can be compacted axially by rotating punches to create a helical gear preform. Next the preform can be sintered. The preform can then be heated to an appropriate temperature and inserted into a hot forming die wherein it can be impacted axially by a rotating punches to fully densify the helical gear preform. Next the densified helical gear can be inserted in a burnishing die where it can be forced through a helical profiled die cavity to impart more precise external dimensions. Process temperatures and impact forces can vary depending on the properties of the powdered metal and desired characteristics of the finished part. Secondary treatments, such as rolling, shaving, heat treating, chining to length and inner diameter sizing can be subsequently performed.

Abstract: A method for making a material structure which has at least one section of first material spaced apart from at least one section of second material. A number of thin, elongated strands connect the first material to the second material. The strands may adhere to the first and second material along a transverse edge of each material or may instead adhere to a side of the material sections at some distance from the edge. The resulting material structure may be incorporated into clothing or into window shade structures, for example. The method is performed by positioning an adhesive applicator such that adhesive can be dispensed to form strands which contact and bond the first material. The applicator is moved away from the first material so as to form an elongated strand between the first material and the applicator. The applicator is then moved such that the strand contacts the second material so that the strand connects the first material to the second material.

Abstract: An offset cantilevered support leg for a height adjustable desk which resists lateral forces is provided. Each support leg is connected to the underside of the desk top at the lateral ends thereof by an L-shaped bracket. A primary support arm provides the cantilevered support for the desk top while a secondary support arm, angularly offset from and generally oriented perpendicularly with respect to the primary support arm, provides support against lateral forces directed against the legs. By orienting each of the respective support arms of the L-shaped bracket with the rear corners of the work surface, the legs provide adequate support against vertical and horizontal loading while maximizing the available space underneath the desk, and thus eliminating the need for a horizontal stretcher between the cantilevered support leg.

Abstract: In a method of reducing NO.sub.x a water-fixed nitrogen solution is injected into a furnace near the exit from the furnace where the temperatures exceed 2000.degree. F. and combustion is occurring. Preferably the solution is injected through a combination of atomizing nozzles and spray jets into a region of the furnace which does not exceed 2700.degree. F. A calcium compound to react with sulfur dioxide may also be added.

Abstract: A Christmas tree lawn ornament has a pole with one end attached to a base which is anchored to the ground and a connector at the top. The pole is preferably assembled from several segments. Multiple guide wires are provided with one end attached to the connector and the other end anchored to the ground in a generally circular pattern at some distance from the base of the pole. Alternatively, a single stand of guide wire can be looped from headpiece, to stake, to headpiece, and so forth in a sinusoidal pattern. Multiple light holders are attached along the guide wires to which strings of decorative lights can be attached. A decorative star or other ornament is attached atop the connector.

Abstract: In a method of image subtraction a series of frames of a subject are taken using a video camera The subject is illuminated in a manner so that illumination is alternately on then off for successive fields within the image frame. A single frame is grabbed and an absolute difference between the odd field and the even field within that single image frame is determined. The resulting absolute difference image will represent the subject as illuminated by the system illumination only, and not by any ambient illumination, and can then be used to identify the subject in the image.