Abstract: A latching system for live bolts as in a door retains the live bolts within the door until the door is closed. A latch holds a live bolt link against travel that would insert the live bolts into the door body jamb until a link lifter forces the link out if the latch against the bias of a hold-down spring. The link lifter can take the form of an inclined surface on a cam mounted on the hinge side of the door. The cam engages the door body jamb as the door closes and travels into the door until the link lifter engages and lifts the link out of the latch.

Abstract: Image-dependent tone and color reproduction processing of digital images is accomplished by creating a spatially blurred and sub-sampled version of the original image, and applying knowledge of the capture device physical characteristics to obtain statistics related to the scene or original captured. The statistics are used for image-dependent linearization of the captured image data based on an OECF model, and in conjunction with information about the output medium, to calculate image-specific preferred tone reproduction curves based on a preferred reproduction model. These curves may be applied to the red, green, and blue channels of RGB-type images to produce preferred tone and color reproduction, or to the luminance channel of luminance-chrominance type images to produce preferred tone reproduction. Alternately, the linearized image data may be reproduced directly.

Abstract: Directional control valves are arranged with restrictable center passageways connected in series to a fixed displacement pump and with restrictable power and exhaust passageways straddling loads connected in parallel to the same fixed displacement pump. Pressure responsive valves located between the loads and the restrictable exhaust passageways reduce interactions between the loads. Another pressure responsive valve located between the fixed displacement pump and the restrictable center passageways maintains an appropriate division of flow between the restrictable center passageways and the restrictable power and exhaust passageways.

Abstract: In a conventional rubber track of the type supported and driven by wheels mounted on a vehicle, the terrain-contacting lugs are modified specially for use on high speed multi-terrain vehicles to increase energy efficiency of track operation. The thickness of each terrain-contacting lug is only tapered outboard of the central portion of the basic carcass/belt that is in direct contact with the rubber-tired supporting wheels so that, when traversing flat and hard terrain (e.g., when on pavement), these tapered portions are substantially out of contact with the terrain, thereby reducing the frictional drag of the lugs. However, as the terrain softens, the contact between these same tapered portions and the terrain increases to provide additional traction when traversing uneven, wet, or snow-covered surfaces.

Abstract: Printed electrochemical display cells are arranged in layer form with two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer occupying distinct areas of a substrate. When activated, an electrochemical reaction progressively increases the area occupied by the electrolyte layer and progressively decreases the area occupied by the thin-film electrode layer. The thin-film electrode layer recedes at a boundary in common with the electrolyte layer and provides an irreversible indication of change at a rate governed by the electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: A reel and pole combination facilitates winding and unwinding of light strings for outdoor displays. One or more reels have male threads on one axial end and female threads on an opposite axial end to mate with poles having male threads on one end and female threads on another. This allows a pole to be threaded to a reel in an orientation that lets a user turn the pole and reel for winding or unwinding light strings without loosening the threaded connection between the pole and the reel. Reels can be threaded together and threaded onto poles, and poles can be threaded together to increase the height of reach.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus for depositing a thin film (66) of magnetic material on a substrate (26) is modified to include a plate-shaped electromagnet (34, 44, or 70) for orienting magnetic domains within the film (66). The electromagnet (34, 44, or 70) has conductive windings (38; 46, 48, and 50; or 72) that are arranged for producing a magnetic field (42 or 52) within a plane (60) corresponding to a surface of the substrate (26). Field strength vectors (68) vary in absolute magnitude between points located along a first axis (62), but have substantially uniform components of magnitude at the same points measured in a common direction along the first axis (62).

Abstract: A pillow bag is modified to include an air input port that allows inflation of an interply region of the bag. As the interply region inflates, an inner ply rises and becomes an advancing wall, raising the bulk material level in the bag, inclining the bottom of the bag, and pulling excess material away from the drain port all at the same time. In another embodiment, the pillow bag is made with half the initial number of layers folded in half to create the upper and lower plies and the non-fold edges are bonded. Where corner drain ports are used, the bag can be arranged so that an interlayer bond parallel to the fold is parallel to a diagonal of a tote in which the bag sits and so that the interlayer bond is opposite the drain port to enhance bag evacuation. An additional optional feature of the invention is the inclusion of an integral filling conduit or snout on the top of the bag, a mouth of which acts as a fill port to ease filling of the bag. The invention can also be applied to fitted bags.

Abstract: Proportional solenoids have low friction bearings formed by molding a pair of annular bearings in imprecise grooves formed in armatures so that radially outer surfaces of the bearings have a precise and low friction fit within precision machined interiors of solenoid housings. The bearings can be formed on body or push rod portions of the armatures and can have different outside diameters that are formed in a single precision mold to ensure concentricity and accuracy without requiring precision machining of armature or bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A fully disposable oil candle comprises a disposable blow-molded exterior resin shell made to resemble a conventional beeswax candle and an inner disposable fuel cell. By configuring the fuel cell to include a separating structure to fit within a radial groove inside the opening of the shell, the cell and the exterior shell can be permanently joined, forming a candle that closely resembles an ordinary beeswax candle. Moreover, the separating structure of the fuel cell acts to provide distance between the fuel cell and the exterior shell, partially insulating the exterior shell from the heat of the fuel cell. By maintaining an insulating distance between the fuel cell and the exterior shell, the exterior shell can be made less robust. The result is a candle that is less expensive to manufacture and ship and more convenient for consumers to use. In addition, the separating structure can act as a safety feature by making it more difficult for individuals to remove the fuel cell from the candle once assembled.

Abstract: A reflector providing directional control of visible and infra-red radiation emanating from a lamp held within the reflector. The reflector includes a first, optical interference coating applied to the interior surface of the dome-shaped portion of the reflector which is operable to transmit infra-red radiation while reflecting visible light. A second coating which is non-transmissive to IR radiation is applied to selected portions of the reflector body, and preferably to the area adjacent the neck portion of the reflector whereby components placed rearwardly of the reflector are protected from IR radiation. Various application techniques are disclosed, and the second coating may be applied in manners allowing for coding of reflectors of different types, as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing effect on surfaces illuminated by the IR radiation transmitted rearwardly of the reflector. Visible light escaping from the neck portion of prior art reflectors is also addressed by the present invention.

Abstract: Barcode patterns or other meaningful patterns are printed with a differentially conductive ink. A sensor incorporating a plurality of capacitive couplings distinguishes features of the patterns by comparative measurements that are largely independent of variations between the sensor and the patterns affecting all of the couplings. The patterns can be distinguished despite being hidden from view, such as inside sealed envelopes.

Abstract: A speckle reduction system divides pulses of coherent radiation into successions of temporally separated and spatially aberrated pulselets. One or more beamsplitters divide the pulses into the successions of pulselets that are circulated through delay lines. Spatial aberrators located along the delay lines modify wavefront shapes of the pulselets. Together, the temporal separation and spatial aberration of the pulselets produce a succession of different speckle patterns that can be averaged together within the integration interval of a detector to reduce speckle contrast.

Abstract: An applanation tonometer with a replaceable prism for contacting a cornea has emitter and detector ports arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis, with the ports aimed at about 45 ° to the longitudinal axis. Light from an emitter then passes through the emitter port and crosses the prism axis to be incident and reflected from an emitter-reflecting surface of the prism and become incident on the applanation surface. Light reflected from the applanation surface is incident on and reflected from a detector-reflecting surface opposite and parallel with the emitter-reflecting surface to proceed across the prism axis to the detector port. Such an arrangement produces reliable applanation signals and varies the spacial intensity of light reflected from the applanation surface so that the tonometer can automatically distinguish between concentric and eccentric contact of the applanation surface with a cornea.

Abstract: A thermometer stem is inserted into a thermally controlled receptacle housed by the calibrator to bring the thermometer to a calibration temperature. A socket in the housing engages and holds the adjustment nut of the thermometer so that the casing of the thermometer can be adjusted while the thermometer remains inserted in the calibrator. The socket includes multiple openings of progressively smaller dimension to allow calibration of thermometers using different size adjusters without having to attach or remove an adapter. A wrench can be included for rotating thermometer casings, enhancing ease of use of the device.

Abstract: The contents of sealed envelopes are accessed by detecting and digitizing a change in capacitance produced when a pattern of dielectric or conductive ink is passed by a sensitive capacitance sensor. The capacitance changes are converted into corresponding electrical patterns for further processing.

Abstract: A continuous care treatment platform includes a first service junction at a head end and a second service junction at a foot end. The first service junction delivers physiological surfaces to a patient supported by medically related utilities available from either an onboard supply or an offboard supply through the input service junction. An umbilicus, which includes a bundle of lines for conveying the utilities, has a first head end that connects to any of a plurality of standardized offboard service junctions and a second end that connects to the second onboard service junction at the foot of the platform. The standardized offboard service junctions make available larger quantities of the medical utilities. Continuous care is maintained by switching between the onboard supplies and offboard supplies available through the umbilicus.

Abstract: Two shafts in a double universal joint system are linked so that swivel of one shaft about a first pivot point in one universal joint results in a corresponding amount of swivel in the other shaft about a second pivot point in the other universal joint. Two mechanical paths couple swivel of the shafts. The two paths work in concert to couple swivel of the one shaft about a first axis to equal swivel of the other shaft about a corresponding axis, and the same two paths work in contrast to couple the swivel of the one shaft about a second axis to equal swivel of the other shaft about a second corresponding axis. This mechanism can be used to assure constant velocity operation of a double Cardan universal joint directly, or this mechanism can be used as an external harness to control the positioning of a double universal joint.

Abstract: A chuck having two distinct portions mounts a substrate within a vacuum processing chamber. A first sealing stage confines a gas within a heat-transfer interface between one portion of the chuck and the substrate. A second sealing stage collects gas escaping from the heat-transfer interface within an intermediate space bounded by the two portions of the chuck and the substrate. Pressure in the intermediate space is reduced with respect to pressure at the heat-transfer interface to inhibit leakage of gas from the heat-transfer interface into the vacuum processing chamber.

Abstract: A modular track suspension system is readily adapted for attachment to any presently manufactured full-size automotive vehicle built with a load-carrying frame, being easily substituted for the vehicle's conventional wheeled undercarriage either during or following final assembly. The module uses a pair of endless rubber tracks, one track under each respective side of the vehicle; and each track is frictionally driven by tandem pairs of dual-wheels with rubber tires, each tandem pair of wheels being driven, respectively, by an intermediately positioned drive-unit axle. The dual-wheels are each movable in a vertical plane, and each dual-wheel can move separately and independently of the similar independent movement of the other dual-wheel with which it is tandemly paired. Each dual-wheel is also resiliently biased in the direction of the terrain on which the vehicle is standing or moving.