Abstract: Portable computing devices, such as notebook and palm top computers are provided which include top and bottom housing portions connected by a hinge in which a set of keys is disposed in the bottom portion and a display screen is disposed in the upper portion. These devices further include a leather grain layer disposed on an exterior facing side of the top portion.

Abstract: A reduced size, hermetically sealed semiconductor transducer and methods for fabricating the same. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer comprises a transducer wafer including a diaphragm which deflects upon the application of a force thereto. At least one semiconductor transducer element and one electrical contact are disposed on a top surface of the transducer wafer, with the electrical contact coupled to the semiconductor element and extending to a peripheral portion of the wafer. A cover member is provided that is dimensioned to surround the semiconductor element. A peripheral glass frit bond is formed between the cover member and the transducer wafer, and between the cover member and at least a portion of the electrical contact. An aperture is formed in a top portion of the cover member, positioned above a region bounded by the peripheral glass bond. This aperture functions to prevent air gap formation in the peripheral glass frit bond.

Abstract: The invention provides an incinerator adapted for disintegrating metal needles and lancets such as are used in the medical profession. An incinerator is provided that includes first and second electrodes, each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to one another. The second electrode is rotated relative to the first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between the contact edges. A controlled power source is selectively interconnected to the first and second electrodes, with both being supported by a housing. The housing defines an opening adjacent to the electrodes for receiving metal, such as hypodermic needles, interveinous needles, lancets, etc., to be incinerated by the electrodes. In another embodiment of the invention, a residue collection drawer is slidably mounted within the housing adjacent to the electrodes so as to capture residue from the incineration.

Abstract: Radiant heat deflection system for use when a person is subjected to high temperature conditions during athletic activity. The heat deflection system is capable of deflecting radiant away from the wearer's head or body, thereby reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the person. The invention also relates to heat retaining inserts and apparatus for use during athletic activity, to increase heat retention in cold temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides a connector boot having an integral latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector to switch the latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position. In one embodiment, the boot includes a housing having exterior walls that define an internal cavity sized to accept a portion of the connector. The boot includes a latch release cowl that is integrally formed on one of the exterior walls of the housing. The release cowl comprises side walls and an outer wall that joins the side walls to form the cowl. Slots are formed in each of the side walls so as to form a cantilevered beam in a portion of the outer wall. Thus, when the connector is positioned within the internal cavity of the boot, the cantilevered beam of the release cowl is positioned in operative relation over the latching mechanism of the connector.

Abstract: A corona detector for detecting a corona associated with a remote object under outdoor daylight conditions. A selective optical filter filters light from the remote object, wherein the optical filter passes one or more of the corona emission bands centered at wavelengths below approximately 290 nanometers (nm) and rejects radiation at wavelengths above approximately 290 nm. A operatively coupled to the optical filter forms an image of the remote object, the lens having high transmissivity in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: A mold has at least one vent hole formed in the mold. The vent hole is positioned to allow egress of air from the mold. The vent hole has an inside end and an outside end. The vent hole has a cross section that increases in area from the inside end to the outside end. The vent hole may have a shape of a trapezoidal prism, a truncated pyramid or a truncated cone; the cross section of the vent hole may be a rectangle. A preferred mold has three air vent holes at three corners of the mold. An integrated circuit is placed within the mold. A material to be molded is injected into the mold to encapsulate the integrated circuit. Mold cleaning is facilitated by the shape of the vent, and plastic flashes may be easily removed through the vent hole.

Abstract: A web transfer belt is provided having a good paper releasability with good paper releasability and having stable surface features. The web transfer belt includes a high-molecular weight elastic member 2 having a web-receiving face 2b for receiving a web P to transfer, and a surface layer forming member 3 disposed on the high-molecular weight elastic weight member 2. A portion of high-molecular weight elastic weight member 2 is exposed on web-receiving face 2b, with one of the web-receiving face 2b and surface layer forming member 3 being made of a hydrophobic material. In this way, water-repellent portions and water-condensing portions are dispersed on the web-receiving face, with recesses and protrusions at fine scales, which can break a water film formed between web-receiving face 2b and web P, and can be easily formed on the web-receiving face 2b.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing shaped polymeric articles by substantially continuous vacuum forming. The method includes providing a sheet of hot polymeric material which is disposed onto a rotating belt having a mold impression. Vacuum pressure is applied to the polymeric material through the belt so as to draw the hot polymeric material into intimate contact with the mold impression to form a patterned sheet portion and a remaining sheet portion. This method thereafter cools at least the patterned sheet portion below a heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material, forms the remaining sheet portion, and then cools the remaining sheet portion below the heat deflection temperature so that features other than the central pattern, such as nail and butt edges, can be mechanically worked into the polymeric sheet.

Abstract: A method and lock detector for detecting lock between a reference signal and a feedback signal of a PLL circuit. A number of clock cycles of the feedback signal is counted during consecutive test intervals defined by the reference signal. A feedback comparator determines whether the number of clock cycles of the feedback signal during a given test interval is within an expected range. Before lock has been indicated, a qualification counter is either incremented or reset after each test interval in accordance with the expected range determination. A lock indication signal indicating that lock has been achieved is provided if said qualification counter exceeds a qualification threshold.

Abstract: A protector panel receives plug-in protector modules. The panel has a plurality of pin receiving holes. The panel has a plurality of members depending from its bottom. Each of the at pin receiving holes has a respective pair of the depending members adjacent to and on opposite sides of that hole. Each member has a boss at an end of the member. A printed wiring board is attached to the panel, beneath the depending members. The printed wiring board has wirings on its surface. The printed wiring board has a plurality of holes, each aligned with a respective pin receiving hole of the panel. The printed wiring board has a resilient elongated member adjacent to each hole of the printed wiring board. The elongated members have a conductive material on them. The conductive material forms an electrical connection between the wirings and pins of the plug-in protection devices, while the pins are at least partially inserted into the holes of the panel.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the location of faulty components in a computer memory array on a chip and for providing a software repair procedure. According to the method, the location of faulty components in a computer memory array is determined by successively reading and writing to locations in the array according to an algorithm. If a faulty component is detected, it is determined whether a spare component in a spare memory array on the chip is available. If a spare component is available, a spare component is designated to correspond to the faulty component. A look up table on the same chip stores information representing the location of the faulty component associated with information representing the location of the corresponding spare component.

Abstract: A geotextile fabric constructed as a bi-axially oriented, open grid of high modulus of elasticity strands impregnated with resinous material which is flexible when cured. The fabric may be stored and installed in roll or sheet form and provides high-strength, low-strain reinforcement of earthen structures which is resistant to abrasion, water and chemical attack from soil.

Abstract: A strap cutting and removing device comprising a pole having a handle end and a gripping and cutting mechanism connected to a gripping actuating means. The device is capable of holding and cutting a strap, wherein the strap remains held as the strap is severed. A method for removing straps is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus which aligns a ball grid array (BGA) device over a substrate. The apparatus preferably includes a cup-shaped member for cupping and holding the solder balls of the BGA device, and an elongate member attached to the cup-shaped member. The cup-shaped member is attached between the BGA device and the substrate at two or more different positions so that the solder balls of the BGA device become aligned over the terminals of the substrate by operation of gravity.

Abstract: A combined cosmetics compact and cellular radiotelephone device having a casing which includes the working components of a radiotelephone and a mirror. One of the working components of the radiotelephone is a display. The display operates in a first mode as the mirror. The display can include an apparatus for projecting information associated with the operation of the radiotelephone on the mirror when the display is operated in a second mode. The casing can include a first housing member and second housing member. The housing members and the working components of the radiotelephone form a cellular flip-radiotelephone. At least one receptacle for storing cosmetics can be provided in the casing. The battery of the device can be used for selectively operative for heating the receptacle. A cosmetics applicator can also be provided in the casing.

Abstract: A stirring machine and method for automated mixing of multi-part encapsulants used for coating microelectronic devices such as integrated circuits. The stirring machine includes a variable speed motor; a stirring rod coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a lead screw for vertical adjustment of the stirring rod; a stirring head secured to the stirring rod, the stirring head including at least two spaced apart arms, each of the arms being radially equidistant form the axis of rotation; and a control system for varying the rotational rate and height of the stirring head and the duration of stirring. The stirring machine and method significantly reduce the amount of air entrained in encapsulants in accordance with existing manual methods of production, thereby reducing the time required for de-airing encapsulants.

Abstract: A vehicle for temporary support of intermodal cargo containers, especially a trailer for a tractor/trailer rig, has deployable locating pins placed centrally along the length of a chassis, for locating containers placed end-to-end. The locating pins center containers of different lengths relative to the chassis, which is long enough to accommodate the longest standard length of container or two short containers. The locating pins are resiliently mounted such that a long container or misplaced containers that are set down on the pins, cause the pins to be depressed into the chassis. Stop pins define an endpoint for an end of a container, and two resiliently mounted engagement pins on each side, are positioned for engaging the corner fittings of intermodal containers when abutted against the locating pins.