Abstract: A decorative wheel cover for the wheel of a truck. The center cap is provided with wings or other decorative embellishments and is affixed to the cover plate by tabs. The nuts have an annular groove are used for securing the wheel cover over the lug nuts mounting the wheel. The cover plate has a plurality of nut-shaped projections which, together with the securing nuts, are covered with finishing caps.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a three-layer plate member having an electrolyte layer, an oxygen electrode attached to one face of the electrolyte layer and a fuel electrode attached to the other face of the electrolyte layer. The cell also has a separator affixed only to the oxygen electrode and an oxygen-containing gas flow passage formed between the oxygen electrode and the separator. A plurality of fuel flow passages are formed between an adjacent pair of the cells as assembled. First and second partition wall members are respectively disposed tightly adjacent a pair of opposed end faces of the cell to which faces the oxygen-containing gas flow passage is closed by the separator. Third and fourth partition wall members are respectively disposed along a pair of opposed cell edge portions where the oxygen-containing gas flow passage is open between the pair of cells. The first and second partition wall members have end portions thereof projecting relative to the cell.

Abstract: A parachute game includes a hand-tossable parachute assembly that is held by a player and is tossed at a target hoop. The parachute assembly comprises at least one hemispherical canopy attached to a body portion by a number of conically arrayed cords. The body portion includes at least one ring at its top end for cord attachment. In one embodiment, the body portion includes axially-placed stabilizing vanes. At its bottom side, the body portion may have defined therein a concave depression to assist in retarding the free fall of the body as it travels through the air. The target may either be a single marker or may be a series of concentric markers. Alternatively, the target may be a sheet that appears to be a view of land and may include miniature vehicles, buildings, monuments, pools of water, natural elevations and the like. An announcing system may be provided to alert the player as to the scoring of points. The body of the assembly may have the shape of a space craft, a human or an imaginary alien.

Abstract: A blowing agent composition and method of use that is not destructive to the ozone while producing a polyurethane integral skin foam product having high dimensional stability with minimal or no shrinkage. The blowing agent of the present invention is comprised of specific ratios of two or more components having no known ozone depleting characteristics. The components include methylene chloride, methyl formate, and one or more of n-pentane, isopentane, and cyclopentane. In one embodiment, the resulting product also demonstrates fire retardancy.

Abstract: A method of injection molding a container cap with a precision thread having a tamper indicating band depending from the bottom of the cap skirt. Collet jaws form at least a frangible connection between the bottom of the cap skirt and the top of the tamper indicating band, and these jaws are moved radially outward specified amounts during the molding process to provide clearance for stripping an inwardly directed retaining element on the band from the core and for ejection of the finished cap.

Abstract: A filtration system for use in a settling tank includes a star shaped filter having equally spaced radial panels with the filter septums forming the downwardly extending sidewalls of each panel or compartment. The framework of the filter allows radial removal of the filter septums for cleaning and maintenance. A unique pressurized wet seal seals the filter to a clean liquid vacuum delivery duct and can also seal the system pump in the settling tank to the vacuum duct.

Abstract: A washing and cleaning machine and method of cleaning to debur and completely remove all types of contaminants such as oil and grease. The workpieces to be cleaned are loaded into a fixture chamber, and the chamber is filled with an abrasive cleaning media such as steel pins. The workpieces are directly vibrated through fixturing in the confined media as working fluid continuously flows through the fixture chamber, removing contaminants.

Abstract: An air-fuel optimization logic for an electronic engine control system for optimizing the efficiency of a heat engine. The engine control system has a governor generating fuel command signals to maintain speed of the engine at a desired speed, means for generating a reference air-fuel ratio signal, means responsive to the fuel command signal and the air-fuel ratio signal for supplying air to the engine, and means responsive to the fuel command signal for supplying fuel to the engine. The air-fuel optimization logic has means responsive to a change in the fuel command signal to generate an optimized air-fuel ratio offset signal which when summed with the a reference air-fuel ratio signal produces an optimized air-fuel ratio signal. The air-fuel optimization logic increments the reference air-fuel ratio signal to find a lean offset and decrements the reference air-fuel ratio signal to find a rich offset. The lean and rich offsets are averaged to generate the optimized air-fuel ratio offset.

Abstract: A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anesthesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or cementum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser is contained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing tooth structure, such as dentin and enamel, for bonding with a composite material. The method includes the steps of creating a fluid stream laden with an abrasive material, such as aluminum oxide. The fluid stream is directed towards the tooth structure so that the abrasive material laden fluid stream impinges upon the tooth structure and roughens it for enhanced bonding with composite material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing an improved control valve having input and return flow passages that are hydraulically-balanced by virtue of each having a similar flow configuration for fluid flow therethrough. The input and return flow passages are formed to define input and return flow control orifices, respectively, configured for minimizing the possibility of the jet flow issuing from either input or return flow control orifices from impinging upon a surface in juxtaposition to the flow control orifice itself. Thus, the possibility of partial "flow back" into the flow control orifice is eliminated which, in turn, also prevents any significant reduction in the flow control orifice area.

Abstract: An improved balloon for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The improved balloon has a working section with a length greater than about 30 mm and a frusto-conical shape when inflated. The frusto-conical working section being tapered from the proximal end to the distal end to conform to the shape of the vessel to be dilated. The balloon may be used in connection with any dilatation catheter.

Abstract: A gas flow detection device having an inlet for connection to a source of gas and an outlet for connection to a gas-using appliance is disclosed. Gas for feeding a pilot flame of the appliance flows through a permanently open orifice. When the appliance is switched on the pressure at the devices outlet drops and a piston which is in a tube is lifted by gas pressure at the device's inlet. Gas then flows from the inlet to the outlet. A light source and a light sensitive cell provide a signal that indicates that the piston has lifted. A monitoring system which makes use of the signal provided by the cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicular power steering system having an "open-center" control valve that has substantially zero hydraulic flow gain at zero input deflection angle and yet has minimal control orifice area. Improved valving arrangement is desirable in that it leads to rapid restoration of hydraulic flow gain at relatively small input deflection angles. The improved valving arrangement includes small transverse leakage slots formed in a valve spool that are positioned in parallel with either input or return flow distribution slots. The leakage slots are configured to form parasitic flow orifices which fluidically interconnect the output slots formed in the valve sleeve and which communicate with the fluid chambers formed on opposite sides of the piston in the power cylinder. Accordingly, a selectively variable leakage path is provided across the power cylinder.

Abstract: A connection assembly for vehicle engine coolant circuits, wherein a tubular element is connected to a branch pipe via snap-on connecting means and fluidtight sealing means located between the tubular element and the branch pipe and supported on respective tubular bodies. The snap-on connecting means comprise two projecting portions supported on diametrically-opposed appendixes on the first tubular body, and designed to fit partially inside a respective annular groove formed on the other tubular body.

Abstract: A collapsible shipping container formed on a supporting pallet and made up of a base and cover tray, separator members and rectilinear partition tubes, all made of sheet material such as corrugated paper. The separator members are made up of a pair of trays fixed to each other to form a cover for a lower layer of partition members and a receiving tray for an upper layer of partition members. All of the sheet material elements are foldable for stacking in a folded condition in the order in which they are used for movement as a unit to the packing area where packing is accomplished by removing layers of the folded components in the order of which they are used to erect an interlocked shipping container in which the various layers of material resist shifting relative to each other.

Abstract: A truck bed divider system for placement within the bed of a truck includes at least one primary divider and at least one secondary divider. The primary dividers include brackets at each end that provide a frictional fit against the interior side of the walls of the bed of the truck. By a slotted interrelationship, the primary dividers are situated within the bed at their preferred positions and are thereafter adjusted by extending the brackets outward relative to the divider body to their maximum extent whereby they are pressed against the side of the bed and held thereto by tension, thus eliminating the need for fasteners. The secondary dividers are provided with hooks at their ends and are interfittable between the primary dividers by being hooked into slots perpendicularly defined in the body of the primary dividers. Both primary and secondary dividers are preferably provided with shelf extensions for the placement of shelves thereupon.

Abstract: A suspension framework for a chair or piece of sleeping furniture, which is able to oscillate, is comprised of a support member 13, 22 which is connected to the sitting or sleeping surface and arranged on both sides thereof, and which is connected with a base support member 1, 26 via rope-type pendulums 5, 6, 11, 24. At least two rope-type pendulums engage the support member on each side thereof. This will enable, in a system having satisfactory stability characteristics, a high degree of sensitivity in response to very minute movements of the human body or under oscillating conditions occurring in the human body that is seemingly at rest.

Abstract: A divider system for the cargo area of a vehicle is provided comprising one or more dividers and inserts for bracing the dividers. The inserts are of two embodiments. In the first embodiment, a tapered, V-shaped insert is provided for attachment to the slots conventionally provided in a vehicle bed liner. In the second embodiment, an insert is provided that is attachable to the inner wall of a vehicle's cargo area which does not necessarily attach to a liner. The second embodiment is held in place by either an adhesive or a clamping assembly.