Abstract: A lightweight, high-strength composite fabric suitable for use in carpet backing, roofing and membranes and other products which employ rugged fabrics. The composite fabric comprises a layer of nonwoven material disposed between a layer of low shrinkage warp strands and a layer of low shrinkage weft strands. The layers are stitched or knitted together and the resultant fabric may be coated with a resin or sizing to prevent slippage between the several layers of the fabric and impart a measure of stiffness to the fabric. The fabric may be manufactured in sheet or, more preferably, roll form and may be coated with materials suitable for desired end applications, e.g., bituminous material whereby the fabric may function as a ready-to-use roofing membrane or other high-strength fabric product.

Abstract: A plastic sheet exterior finishing panel is provided which includes an inner layer of foamed plastic material and an outer layer of non-foamed plastic material joined to the inner layer and defining a facing surface formed to convey a desired aesthetic effect. At least the outer layer includes at least one organic, cellulosic additive for enabling the facing surface to be painted or stained. The panel may also be supported by at least one rigid support spine disposed at least along a portion of the length of the sheet. The support spine may be formed integrally with the panel. Alternatively, the support spine may be formed as a separate material having a flexural modulus which is greater than the flexural modulus of the thermoplastic sheet so as to stiffen the panel during handling, installation and use; the separate support spine is fastened or bonded to the rear of the panel, or coextruded.

Abstract: A musical instrument stand holds at least one and preferably a number of musical instruments by a supporting structure that partly includes the structure of a case having top and bottom halves that are hinged together. The top and bottom halves are pivoted open to place the top half in a substantially vertical position where the top half holds a supporting yoke for holding an instrument, such as the neck of a guitar resting against a pad in the bottom half. A frame mounted to the case has two vertical legs mounted on the top half and a laterally extending support between the legs. Each leg is pivotally fastened in spaced relation to the other and is pivoted down for storage in the case or up to hold the lateral support and the instrument(s). In the pivoted-up position the legs snap resiliently into cutouts in a front edge of the top half, which provides part of the structural support for the instrument. The lateral support is coupled to and extends between the two legs at a selectable height.

Abstract: An inner and outer pressure difference alleviating device for an air tight case (10) is provided including a housing (20) and a cover (30). The cover is adapted to close an opening in housing (20). A diaphragm portion (34) that is made from a flexible material is formed integrally with cover (30) or a side wall of the housing (20). When a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the airtight case (10) is produced by heat generated by electric and electronic components contained in housing (10) diaphragm portion (34) elastically deforms to change the inner volume of airtight case (10) and eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside of airtight case (10) automatically, while retaining the air-tightness of the airtight case (10).

Abstract: An insulating structure includes a first silicon nitride layer, a tantalum pentoxide layer formed above the first silicon nitride (SiNx) layer, and a second silicon nitride layer formed above the tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) layer. The SiNx cladding layers prevent difflusion of the tantalum during heating. A high dielectric constant is provided. The thermal stability of the insulating structure is improved. The insulating structure may be included in a capacitor or a shallow trench isolation structure. An exemplary capacitor is formed with a substrate, a lower electrode, the three-layer SixNy/Ta2O5/SixNy structure and an upper electrode. The lower electrode may include a TiN layer formed over an aluminum layer, or a TiN layer formed over a polysilicon layer, or a polysilicon layer having an oxide barrier layer formed on it. The upper electrode may be a TiN layer or a polysilicon layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the corrosion and wear resistance of a transport trailer surface. More specifically the present invention relates to a method of laser alloying the surface of a transport trailer to enhance the corrosion and wear resistant properties of the surface.

Abstract: A fluid flow distributor, to be used with a steam trap, has a single valve body which includes a steam inlet operatively connected to a steam feeding pipe, a steam outlet operatively connected to the steam trap inlet and in selective fluid communication with the steam inlet through a first valve element provided in this fluid communication, and which selectively allows and blocks said fluid communication, a condensate inlet operatively connected to the steam trap outlet, and a condensate outlet which is open to the outside of the single valve body and provided with fluid communication with the condensate inlet thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for signaling a cooking state for at least one cooking item, such as an egg, a potato, a pepper, rice, noodles, that are being cooked in a liquid cooking medium. The device includes an at least partially floating jacket, a temperature sensor arranged in thermally conductive communication with the floating jacket, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital computing unit and a signaling device. The digital computing unit includes a digital delay portion to delay a temperature value of the liquid cooking medium that is measured by the sensor and digitized with the analog-to-digital converter. The delay portion has at least one thermal time constant to provide a thermally delayed inner temperature value as an output of the delay portion. A switching device is provided to activate the signaling device once a first temperature threshold is reached by the output of the delay portion, for signaling a first cooking state of the at least one cooking item.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device for producing an output proportional to an applied pressure irrespective of vibration and acceleration of the device, the device including: a first deflecting diaphragm formed in a first wafer and including a first plurality of piezoresistors mounted thereon, the first diaphragm being responsive to the applied pressure and vibration of the device; and, a second deflecting diaphragm formed in the first wafer and including a second plurality of piezoresistors mounted thereon, the second diaphragm being responsive only to vibration of the device; wherein, the first and second pluralities of piezoresistors are electrically coupled together to provide a common output such that they cooperatively at least partially cancel a portion of the common output associated with the vibration of the device.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring body impedance comprising a voltage source having a predetermined frequency and a current source; a first pair of electrodes adapted to receive one portion of the body for applying said current source to said body; a second pair of electrodes adapted to receive another portion of the body for sensing a voltage therebetween; a comparator having first and second inputs and an output for producing an output signal based on signals applied to said first and second inputs; an instrumentation amplifier arrangement coupled to one of said comparator inputs and responsive to the voltage across the second pair of electrodes for providing an input signal to said first comparator input; a variable resistor coupled to the second input of said comparator and responsive to said voltage source for developing a first voltage signal applied to said second comparator input; and a processor responsive to the output signal of the comparator for controlling the resistance of the variable resistor to cause a

Abstract: A clip for mounting a thermoplastic part on a support, the clip integrated with the part having a body extended by a nose carrying rims for snap-fastening on the support, ribs coming into abutment against the outside surface of the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic antilock brake system which comprises an electromagnetically actuated release arm capable of adjusting the position of a cam or other motion linkage to result in a controlled application of brake shoes to a brake drum. The invention further comprises a control system for controlling the actuation and release of the ABS.

Abstract: A light fixture which is adapted to accommodate either tungsten filament and gas discharge light bulbs in an adjustable carriage to permit an operator to adjust the focus of the light and to switch bulbs to illuminate a scene, such as the scene of a motion picture film, with different lighting effects.

Abstract: A system is provided for photographing an open surgical procedure, comprising a high resolution endoscopic video camera, a surgical lamp having a handle covered by a sterile, compressible sheath and being positioned in spaced relation to the open surgical site, and a clamp for securing the video camera to the handle. A preferred clamp for securing the video camera to the handle is also provided.

Abstract: A low noise band-gap voltage reference utilizes pairs of NPN and PNP transistors operable with supply voltages of less than 3 volts. This voltage reference utilizes pairs of bipolar transistors. Each pair has a NPN and a PNP transistor configured such that the base of the NPN transistor is coupled to the emitter of the PNP transistor. The base of the PNP transistor of each pair is coupled to the emitter of the NPN transistor of another pair. Collectors and emitters of the transistors are coupled to current sources providing current proportional to absolute temperature. The transistors are configured such that the largest voltage developed across the core of transistor pair is approximately equal to the band-gap voltage.

Abstract: A sheath for at least partially covering a tubular member, includes a helically wound strip having an electrically conductive portion extending through the strip from an inner surface of the strip to an outer surface of the strip. The conductive portion also extends continuously substantially helically along at least part of the length of the sheath. The sheath, and in particular the strip, may be formed from a flame retardant material.

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus and a method for altering the orientation of a mirror of the fiber optic apparatus using a laser. The fiber optic apparatus comprises an optical wave guide with at least one optical fiber, a retaining structure, and a mirror. The retaining structure includes at least one lens disposed therein. The optical wave guide is coupled to a first end of the retaining structure and the mirror is coupled to a second end of the retaining structure so that the lens is disposed between the wave guide and the mirror. When the apparatus is being assembled, a portion of the retaining structure is illuminated with a laser to correct misalignments of the components of the apparatus.