Abstract: A lightweight portable seating unit for a bathtub which unit includes a platform adapted to be supported by and clamped to the sidewalls of the bathtub and on which a seat is slideably carried and pivotably adjustable to facilitate positioning of an individual seated on the unit. In some embodiments the seat may include an adjustable backrest and head support and/or a bidet attachment.

Abstract: An array of disks facing a viewing direction is composed of disks rotatable about an axis approximately perpendicular to the viewing direction between alternating orientations where light and dark surfaces are respectively displayed in the viewing direction. There is provided a row of LEDs located forwardly of the array and out of the normal viewing path located to illuminate the disks of said array. Masking means prevents direct illumination from said LED's being visible in the viewing direction. In a further variant the disks' light surfaces contain a fluorescent component and the LEDs are selected to provide radiation including UV spectra.

Abstract: This invention provides in an article of manufacture having a fabric support surface: a fabric support surface; a peripheral frame for the support surface, said frame having opposed base sections and opposed flexible arch sections extending between the base sections; and arch flexing means for moving the opposed base sections towards each other to flex the arch sections outwardly of each other and for maintaining the base sections from separation whereby to tension the fabric support surface between the arch sections and form a firm support for weight placed thereon and to restrain the effect of weight thereon from moving the opposed arch sections inwardly of each other.

Abstract: A bogie for a railway vehicle which is supported on wheels mounted on at least two axles wherein the bogie includes a chassis which includes at least one housing in the form of a tubular beam which receives a side member which connects the at least two axles. The side member is selected based upon the anticipated use of the railway vehicle to which the bogie is to be secured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding thermoformed sheets of plastic material having lands formed therein such that the lands are welded to one another utilizing tubes which are positioned to be in line with the lands in a stack of thermoformed sheets so as to direct hot and cold gas to the lands to complete the welding process. In some embodiments, a plurality of tubes are inserted from opposite sides of blocks of stacked thermoformed sheets such that the tubes enter cells defined between the sheets of the block.

Abstract: A loom and a weaving mechanism of the Jacquard type for forming the shed in the loom wherein the weaving mechanism is associated with a harness including harness cords secured to heddles. The harness cords are controlled by electric actuators mounted to two panels extending above the heddles and between which a compartment is formed in which a control unit for supplying and monitoring the operation of the actuators is housed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to strengthen an individual hands, fingers and wrists includes at least one resilient band supported by at least one of a plurality of spaced pegs which extend from at least one side of a support base and wherein resistance of the at least one resilient band to manipulation by the fingers and hands is used to exercise and strengthen muscles of the hands and wrists.

Abstract: A railway vehicle bogie made of composite material which includes at least one elongated rigid support secured in a chassis made of composite material. The support is adapted to removably receive fasteners for mounting functional elements of the bogie at a plurality of locations along the length of the support. The process includes disposing the elongated rigid support in a mold before the bogie chassis is cast.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating a food, confectionery or pharmaceutical product wherein the product is prepared in rotary pans and wherein separate adjustable double piston metering pumps are used to automatically supply a coating substance to each pan on a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: A magnetically driven agitator which includes a member adapted to be mounted through a wall of a receptacle and which has a sleeve in which is housed a rotor which supports a first magnetic coupling structure. A propelling screw is disposed around the sleeve and supports a second magnetic coupling structure which cooperates with the first magnetic coupling structure in order to rotate the screw about an axis of rotation. The rotor is moveable parallel to the axis of rotation inside the sleeve between a first position where the first and second coupling structures are generally opposite to provide a maximum magnetic force therebetween to selected second positions where the magnetic force between the first and second coupling structures is varied such that the magnetic force may be reduced or substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A tailgate for an automotive vehicle which defines an insulated liquid storage tank which includes a closeable inlet opening and a dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A middle prosthesis including an element comprising an arched section defining first and second branches which are spaced from one another and are movable relative to one another by the elasticity of the element and wherein the element is formed of a superelastic metal alloy.

Abstract: A marking device including a framework and a mechanism for driving a marking tool with respect to the framework, wherein the mechanism includes an element fixed with respect to the framework and a mobile element which carries the marking tool. First and second linear motor elements are provided to displace the mobile element in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A composite front panel bodywork element for an automotive vehicle which includes a stamped metal reinforcement defining a cavity in which is seated a portion of a plastic support structure for mounting functional elements associated with the vehicle thereto. The plastic support structure is mounted relative to the metallic reinforcement so as to define open channels therebetween.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis, comprising a tibial element and an talar element (30), each provided with anchoring means on the lower extremity of a tibia and on the astragalus, respectively, and each delimiting an articular surface, both articular surfaces being shaped in order to interact as a whole and to provide a relative movement between the two tibial and talar elements around at last one axis. It is especially characterized by the fact that, taking as reference direction the direction of the axis of the tibia on which it is intended to anchor the tibial element, seen in projection on a plane approximately perpendicular to this reference direction, the articular surfaces are curved with a concavity towards the inside of the foot onto which is to be anchored the talar element.

Abstract: A planar magnetic acoustical transducer including a diaphragm with electrical circuit carrying conductors having a width substantially equal to a combined width of a plurality of magnetic fields created by equally spaced opposing rows of permanent magnets carried by opposing frame sections between which the diaphragm is mounted such that substantially the entire active area of the diaphragm is driven to create a smooth frequency response. The electrical circuit includes generally parallel segments which are aligned within the magnetic fields created by the rows of opposing magnets and are spaced at a distance relative to one another generally not less than a distance equal to a width of pole elements which are integrally formed with the frame sections and which pole elements are spaced intermediate each of the rows of magnets so as to be in an opposing relationship with one another on opposite sides of the diaphragm.