Abstract: A hook-like carrier adapted for attachment to and support by the belt of a user includes an attachment member having a pair of generally vertical, spaced slots which are adapted to receive the user's belt. Attached to an outer portion of the attachment member is a first element of a foldable hook. The first hook element is pivotally coupled to a second hook element such as by a first hinge and the second hook element is, in turn, pivotally coupled to a third hook element, such as by a second hinge. The hook elements are pivotally movable between a first folded configuration, such as when not in use, and a second extended configuration for engaging and supporting an article and maintaining the article securely in position in closely spaced relation to the user's waist.

Abstract: An absolute or relative pressure sensor formed of a monolithic plastic body (2) includes a carrier body (3) and a membrane (4). A printed circuit including wire strain gauges and comprised of a polymer paste is disposed on the membrane (4). The membrane (4) is shaped so as to be very soft affording high pressure sensitivity, while the circuit includes electric terminals (7) which may be embedded in the monolithic body (2) during manufacture to eliminate subsequent mounting of these terminals in simplifying production and reducing cost. By connecting the membrane (4) to an element embedded in the monolithic body (2), membrane elasticity may be adjusted to provide the pressure sensor with a desired sensitivity for a specific application. The embedded element is preferably formed as a core of the membrane which is completely surrounded by the plastic monolithic body (2) using a vacuum container (8).

Abstract: A multi-section roll-up curtain is raised and lowered by plural support/rotational drive mechanisms disposed in a spaced manner along the length of the curtain. Each drive mechanism is symmetrically loaded with a curtain section attached to opposed sides of each drive mechanism. Each curtain section includes plural vertically spaced curtains which are simultaneously rolled-up and unrolled. Each drive mechanism includes plural vertically spaced drive motors each connected to first and second curtain-bearing roll-up tubes disposed on opposite sides of a drive motor. A generally vertical guide member is coupled to each drive motor by a respective carriage assembly allowing the drive motors to travel up in rolling up the curtains and down in unrolling the curtains. This arrangement accommodates the large torques encountered in operating long curtain sections permitting multi-section curtains 600? and longer in length to be reliably and safely operated without using large, powerful motors.

Abstract: An ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) having an average grain size between 3 and 5 nanometers (nm) with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm. A method of manufacturing UNCD film is also disclosed in which a vapor of acetylene and hydrogen in an inert gas other than He wherein the volume ratio of acetylene to hydrogen is greater than 0.35 and less than 0.85, with the balance being an inert gas, is subjected to a suitable amount of energy to fragment at least some of the acetylene to form a UNCD film having an average grain size of 3 to 5 nm with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm.

Abstract: A casing spacer comprised of high strength plastic includes two complementary nut and bolt connected members each having an arcuate inner portion adapted for tight-fitting engagement with a pipe's outer surface and plural linear ribs (risers) extending radially outwardly from the arcuate inner portion and adapted to engage an inner surface of an outer casing maintains the pipe in fixed position within the casing. The arcuate inner portion of each member is flexible so that its entire inner surface contacts the pipe's outer surface for a range of pipe diameters, permitting only two members of fixed size to be used with variously sized pipes. Each casing spacer member includes an aperture in its flexible, arcuate inner portion which is disposed between aligned risers and is adapted to receive and retain a non-slip member frictionally engaging the pipe's outer surface for maintaining the casing spacer in fixed position on the pipe.

Abstract: A roll-up curtain assembly includes plural, vertically spaced, horizontal roll-up rods extending across an opening. Each roll-up rod is coupled to a respective flexible curtain section and an electric motor. Actuation of the electric motor in a first direction of rotation causes rotation of the roll-up rod in a first direction for rolling the flexible curtain section onto the rod and moving the curtain assembly to the retracted, or open, position. Actuation of the electric motor in a second, opposed direction of rotation lowers the roll-up rod resulting in an unwinding of the curtain section from the rod allowing the curtain assembly to assume the extended, or closed, position. Plural vertically spaced curtain sections each having a respective motor/roll-up rod combination are coupled together and move upward or downward in unison.

Abstract: A meter for use in a radio frequency remote metering system comprises an antenna; a transmitter for transmitting meter signals via the antenna; a receiver connected to the antenna for receiving and filtering an incoming radio frequency signal; and a carrier signal detect circuit which is connected to receive the filtered radio frequency signal and which is operable to detect the presence or absence of a carrier signal, and to prevent activation of the transmitter in response to the presence of the carrier signal, to activate the transmitter in response to the absence of the said carrier signal.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for attachment to a conventional lift device such as a forklift or an end loader, or the like, includes a pair of movable side arms each attached to a respective end of a cross member. Each side arm has attached thereto a respective engaging member for engaging lateral ribs of a first seed box for lifting the seed box. The apparatus further includes a pivoting connection for rotating the first seed box to an inverted orientation for positioning on a second seed box in a nested configuration for storage. The first seed box may also be positioned on the second seed box in a stacked configuration for receiving and storing seed by engaging and lifting the first seed box, rotating the first seed box to an upright orientation, and placing the first seed box on the second seed box.

Abstract: A building system includes structural insulated panels having an inner insulating core such as of foam plastic or agri-board and strong thin facings such as of plastic impregnated/reinforced paper on opposed surfaces of the insulating core. The impregnated/reinforced paper provides the panel with high strength and facilitates attaching the panel to dimensional lumber or to similar adjacent panels. The opposed outer facings overlap/extend beyond the insulating core's edges in various configurations so as to provide several different panels, each adapted to satisfy a specific structural purpose. In a first configuration, three edges of the outer facings overlap respective edges of the insulating core for also overlapping a base plate, a top plate and an adjacent stud, panel, window or doorjamb.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The apparatus is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol.

Abstract: The drum assembly of the present claimed invention is used for washing and is comprised of a primary container and a supplementary container integral as a single structure. The primary container may be filled with water and the supplementary container may be filled with any cleansing substance, for example, detergent. The primary container includes a support base and a flattened body of the handle for the mounting or support of the drum where toilet assemblies are not available, such as in trucks, motor vehicles, camping facilities, and any other suitable location.

Abstract: A tube conveyor arranges the location of the output drive roller such that the upper edge of the conveyor belt lies in a plane, defined by the upturned edges of the belt inside the tubular housing. A saver plate is mounted to each side of the output roller to reduce side spillage of particulate matter being transported.

Abstract: A mobile litter pickup vehicle has a pair of forward corner brushes independently mounted on articulated arms so that the brushes may be moved in the event an obstacle is encountered to avoid damage to the brushes or to the object. An air recirculating system is employed for prolonging the life of the final outlet filter, and an impermeable trash bag may be used for disposing of the contents of a primary scrim collection bag.

Abstract: An electron beam device includes an electron beam source, plural spaced plates having aligned apertures through which an electron beam is directed, an electrostatic focusing arrangement, and plural electrostatically charged deflection plates for deflecting the beam and displacing it over a target surface. The apertures in the spaced plates are of deceasing size in the direction of travel of the electron beam for intercepting the outer periphery of the beam and providing a beam of reduced cross section. The electron beam is simultaneously deflected by the deflection plates and focused by the electrostatic focusing arrangement. The electrostatic focusing arrangement includes first and second focusing elements through which the beam is directed which are disposed along the beamline and adjacent the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of the beam deflection plates.

Abstract: An inline electron gun for use in a multi-beam electron gun as in a color cathode ray tube (CRT) includes a main focus lens for focusing the electron beams on the CRT's display screen for providing a video image. The main focus lens includes plural charged grids aligned in a spaced manner along the electron gun's longitudinal axis through which plural (typically three) electron beams are directed. One or more of these charged grids includes at least two aligned common apertures for passing the three electron beams. The layered common aperture arrangement allows for increasing the length of the electron gun as well as the effective diameter of the electron gun's main focus lens for improved video image resolution without introducing electron beam astigmatism.

Abstract: For use in the fabrication of semiconductor devices by electron beam lithography, a transport system provides relative displacement between an array of plural vacuum stations and a first ultra clean room for sequentially transporting each vacuum station through the first clean room. The first ultra clean room and vacuum stations are disposed in a second clean room having an atmosphere not as contaminant-free as the first ultra clean room. Each vacuum station includes an evacuated housing within which is disposed a combination of a semiconductor substrate, or wafer, and plural electron beam sources for forming integrated circuits on the substrate as the vacuum station is transported through the second clean room.