Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a reduced turning radius comprising a directional wheel assembly for turning the vehicle and a drive wheel assembly for driving the vehicle. The drive wheel assembly has a first and a second drive wheel independently driven by a first and a second motor through a control circuit. A counter-rotation circuit counter-rotates the first and second drive wheels upon a major turning position of the directional wheel assembly to enhance the turning of the vehicle. A reducing circuit reduces the speed of the motors upon a minor turning position of the directional wheel assembly. The vehicle may include a slide mechanism for providing a reduced wheelbase to further reduce the turning radius of the vehicle. One embodiment of the invention includes an improved steering device for controlling the directional wheel assembly.

Abstract: A static device and method of making is disclosed for mixing matter flowing therethrough. The invention comprises a tube having a polygonic cross section defining a plurality of corners. The tube is spirally twisted with the plurality of corners forming a plurality of helixes for causing the matter flowing through the tube to rotate in accordance with the plurality of helixes. A center section of the spirally twisted tube is formed in an arc having an arc center disposed normal to said axis of said twisted tube.

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed for locking a signaling body coupled to a holding device of a traffic beacon by a coupling device. The locking device comprises a locking bar extending over at least a portion of the coupling device. A fastener device fastens the locking bar to the holding device.

Abstract: An improved aerosol dispenser is disclosed for mixing and dispensing a first and second fluid. The improved aerosol dispenser comprises a valve body sealably mounted to the aerosol container. A first and a second channel is defined in the valve body for providing fluid communication with a valve body cavity of the valve body. A first and a second inner container are located within the aerosol container for communicating with the first and second channels, respectively. A valve assembly comprising a first and a second valve element enables the mixing and dispensing of the first and second fluids from a terminal orifice upon the simultaneous actuation of the first and second valve elements. The invention is also incorporated into the process of filling an improved aerosol dispenser with a first and a second fluid products and an aerosol propellant.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for in-situ fabricating a semiconductor component imbedded in a substrate. A substrate is ablated with a first laser beam to form a void therein. A first conductive element is formed in the void of the substrate with a second laser beam. A semiconductor material is deposited upon the first conductive element with a third laser beam operating in the presence of a depositing atmosphere. A second conductive element is formed on the first semiconductor material with a fourth laser beam. The process may be used for fabricating a Schottky barrier diode or a junction field effect transistor and the like.

Abstract: A static device and method of making is disclosed for mixing matter flowing therethrough. The invention comprises a tube having a polygonic cross section defining a plurality of corners. The tube is spirally twisted with the plurality of corners forming a plurality of helixes for causing the matter flowing through the tube to rotate in accordance with the plurality of helixes. In a first embodiment of the invention, the static device provides a static mixing device. In a second embodiment of the invention, the static device includes a plurality of apertures defined in the helix for providing a static separating device.

Abstract: A bottom dispensing aerosol device is disclosed comprising an aerosol container with an aerosol valve located at a bottom portion of the aerosol container. A coupling mounts an undercap to the aerosol container with a top portion of the undercap being adjacent to a bottom portion of the aerosol container. A bottom portion of the undercap supports the aerosol container on a supporting surface in an inverted position. An actuator is provided for opening the aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product from the aerosol container when the bottom portion of the undercap is supporting the aerosol container in the inverted position on a supporting surface.

Abstract: An improved regulator system is disclosed for controlling a field winding of an alternator to regulate the charging of a battery. The improved regulator system comprises an internal regulator mounted onto the alternator. The internal regulator has an internal regulator control circuit for monitoring the battery and for controlling the field winding. An electrical connector actuates the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the internal regulator. The electrical connector enables an external regulator to be connected to the alternator thereby bypassing the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the external regulator. The improved regulator system facilitates the connection of an upgrade external regulator with the internal regulator functioning as a reserve regulator in the remote event of a malfunction of the external regulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: A pre-impact inflation air bag system for a vehicle having a preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and an object is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of nested inflatable air bags. A plurality of inflators are provided for inflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags, respectively. A collision sensor produces a collision sensor output upon detecting the object with the preselected decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object. A controller receives the collision sensor output for simultaneously inflating each of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags between vehicle and an object. A plurality of pressure relief members are connected to the plurality of nested inflatable air bags for sequentially deflating the plurality of nested inflatable air bags upon sequential impact of the plurality of nested inflatable air bags with the object.

Abstract: An inverted aerosol dispensing device is disclosed having an undercap rotatably secured to the aerosol container with a bottom portion of the undercap supporting the aerosol container on a supporting surface to store the aerosol dispensing device in an inverted position. The undercap is rotatable into a first rotational position for enabling an actuator to discharge an aerosol product in a generally downwardly direction. The undercap is rotatable into a second rotational position for inhibiting the actuator from moving the valve stem.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for dispensing sheet material from a roll comprising a base supporting a shaft for extending through a core of a roll of the sheet material. A handle is slidably mounted relative to the shaft with a magnetic force located therebetween. The magnetic force spaces a stop surface of the handle from the roll of the sheet material for enabling the roll of the sheet material to rotated about the shaft to dispense sheet material from the roll. The handle enables an operator to slide the stop engaging surface against the roll of the sheet material for inhibiting rotation of the sheet material about the shaft to tear the dispensed sheet material from the roll.

Abstract: A retractable armrest is disclosed for a foldable chair. The chair has a seat and a backrest with the backrest being pivotably mounted to the seat by a chair pivot for movement between an operating position and a folded position. A link pivotably operates between armrest and the seat for enabling the armrest to be rotated into the retracted position when the backrest is in the operating position. The link rotates the armrest from the extended position to the retracted position upon the backrest being moved from the operating position to the folded position. The foldable chair is suitable for use on a personal mobility vehicle such as a scooter, a power wheel chair, a foldable personal mobility vehicle or any other suitable chair.

Abstract: A cable winder guide is disclosed comprising a cylindrical drum having a cylindrical surface with a shaft rotatably mounting the cylindrical drum. A drive is provided for rotating the cylindrical drum about the shaft. A helical groove is defined in the cylindrical surface of the drum for retrieving and releasing the cable upon rotation of the cylindrical drum. A cable retainer is disclosed for resiliently engaging the cable when the cable is located within the helical groove for maintaining the cable within the helical groove.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for printing a document such as a negotiable instrument in a first and a second color for increasing the security of the document. A major portion of the document is printed with a first information in a first color from a first printer. A second information is created from at least a portion of the first information for proving a security pattern. The security pattern is printed over a minor portion of the document in the second color from a second printer to increase the security of the document. The process may be used for printing a check in a magnetically readable first color and a non-magnetically readable second color including colors having a color spectrum located outside of the color spectrum range of a conventional color photocopier.

Abstract: An improved hoist is disclosed to reposition a load relative to a vehicle compartment such as a trunk of a vehicle. The hoist comprises a base for location on a generally horizontal lower surface of the vehicle compartment. A horizontal telescoping shaft has a first and second distal end extending from opposed sides of the base for engaging with opposed generally vertical surfaces of the vehicle compartment. A horizontal expander coacts between the first and second distal ends for applying a horizontal engaging force between the opposed generally vertical surfaces of the vehicle compartment for horizontally stabilizing the base within the vehicle compartment. A vertical telescoping shaft having a distal end extends vertically from the improved hoist for engaging with a upper generally horizontal surface of the vehicle compartment.