Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for exposing photosensitive material to form high quality continuous tone and/or color images thereon. The preferred apparatus includes an imaging head comprised of a plurality of red light sources, a plurality of green light sources, and a plurality of blue light sources. The light produced by said green light sources is passed through a first filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the green spectral range. Similarly, the light produced by said blue light sources is passed through a second filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the blue spectral range.

Abstract: A soaking apparatus utilizing a soaking basin and a disposable liner configured to fit within the basin cavity. The basin is comprised of a material layer formed to define an integral floor and a peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The basin floor and peripheral wall together define the boundary of a basin cavity. An elongate protrusion protrudes from the floor into the basin cavity between left and right foot areas. The liner is comprised of a thin (e.g., 3-12 mils) material layer formed to define an integral floor and peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The liner floor and peripheral wall are dimensioned to closely nest within the basin cavity. The liner floor also defines left and right foot areas spaced by a protrusion projecting into the liner cavity. The underside of the liner protrusion forms a concave recess for accommodating the basin floor protrusion.

Abstract: A quilting apparatus for enabling a user to freely move a stack of fabric layers across a planar bed relative to an actuatable stitch head. The apparatus includes a motion detector which detects the movement of the stack and controls the actuation of the stitch head. Consequently, the apparatus functions to synchronize the delivery of stitch strokes by the head with the manually controlled movement of the quilt material stack. This frees the user to move the stack over a wide range of speeds, to start or stop movement at will, and to guide the stack in any direction across the planar bed.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a gas shock absorber is connected between the primary cylinder and the secondary cylinder. The flow regulator allows a user to adjust the rate of flow of fluid from the primary cylinder to the secondary cylinder thereby varying the damping properties of the shock absorber. The adjustment is effected by rotating one of a plurality of orifices of different sizes into the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A method for applying variable electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) to an exercising person includes a belt having a plurality of electrodes placed around the abdomen at the rectus abdominis and obliques. The person then gets into an exercise apparatus which has a rotatable component. Attached to the rotatable component is a transducer that senses the position of the component. An EMS generator is connected to the belt through the transducer. As the user exercises in a first direction, increasing stimulation is applied to the subject muscles. As the user moves the rotatable component in the opposite direction, decreasing stimulation is applied to the user. In an alternative embodiment, the belt has at least one pair of electrodes connected to a common adjustment control so that as the voltage increases to one of the electrodes, it decreases to the other electrode of the pair, and vice versa. A toggle switch makes possible the selection of a particular pair.

Abstract: A single use product tag configured for use with a filament fastener to attach the tag to a manufactured article, e.g., a garment. The tag comprises a housing having an access channel leading to an interior cavity. The crossbar end of a filament fastener can be inserted through the access channel for placement into the interior cavity. A closure device is mounted in the tag housing for movement from an open position to a sealing position to block the access channel so as to prevent removal of the crossbar end of the fastener and prevent the insertion of another fastener.

Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission throttle valve allows the transmission response to be quickly adjusted. The system includes an adapter assembly which is mounted on the rotatable throttle member of a fuel management device. A cam assembly is selectively positionable on the adapter assembly so as to adjust the rate of throttle valve cable pull. The cam assembly has guide pins which move within guide slots on the adapter assembly. The cam assembly also has an adjustment slot which receives an adjustment screw connected to the adapter assembly. The cam assembly is positioned on the adapter assembly so that the adjustment screw occupies a desired location along the adjustment slot, and then the adjustment screw is tightened to lock the cam assembly in place.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for exposing photosensitive material to form high quality continuous tone and/or color images thereon. The preferred apparatus includes an imaging head comprised of square pixel image generators, e.g., fiber optic tubes mounted to form a rectangular array. The pixel image generators are inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to the scan direction. As the print head scans, each fiber optic tube can expose a pixel image onto the photosensitive material. The exposure levels of the pixel images are preferably specified in a digital file representing an image to be printed. As a result of being inclined at 45 degrees, the pixel images exposed onto the photosensitive material are diamond shaped. Each pixel image overlaps its neighbor by substantially 50% of the center to center distance between pixel images.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hairpiece includes attaching a plurality of hair wefts to an elastic band. The hair wefts are individually stitched to the elastic band leaving small gaps between adjacent hair wefts. In this fashion the elastic band can still expand after the hair wefts are attached. In a preferred embodiment, some of the hair wefts are double thickness to provide enhanced hair body.

Abstract: A wideband receiver system capable of simultaneously receiving multiple independent RF input signals from different sources which signals can be polarized (linearly or circularly) differently and exhibit different scan angles.

Abstract: A case system and method includes a first case and a second case. The first case has wheels and an extendable handle having two handle shafts. The second case has two parallel grooves which receive the two handle shafts. The second case also has two latches which lock the two handle shafts in place within the two parallel grooves, so that the two case are secured together and may be wheeled about as a single unit. In a second embodiment of the invention, the first case has a top half and a bottom half, the top half being removable from the bottom half. When the bottom half is stacked on top of the top half, two cavities in the top half receive the two wheels of the bottom half so that the bottom half resides in a level orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a transistor array for enhancing the array's performance and/or reliability and/or longevity by sensing the temperature of each transistor in the array and initiating corrective action to maintain its temperature within a desired operating range. Each array transistor has a temperature sensor closely thermally coupled thereto preferably mounted within the transistor package, in close physical proximity to the transistor junction.

Abstract: A method and device for steering a heavy load transport vehicle includes a variable length strut which cooperates with a power steering valve. The length of the variable length strut changes as a function of tow bar rotation. This length variation is mechanically coupled to the power steering valve, which in turn controls an automatic steering system. The present invention permits mechanical steering of the transport vehicle even in the event of failure of the automatic steering system, and does so without placing mechanical stress upon the power steering valve.

Abstract: A supply system for providing water from a bottled water cooler includes a pump which pumps water from an upright bottle of water. A pressure sensor turns the pump off when the bottle of water is empty. A prime pump control starts the pump to initiate the flow of water from a new bottle of water.