Abstract: A hydraulically actuated electronically controlled unit injection system comprises a pressure intensifier associated with a hydraulically controlled differential valve (HDV) having a poppet valve opening into a working chamber of the pressure intensifier wherein there is a throttling slot between the poppet valve chamber and the working chamber with either at least a bypass channel between the poppet valve chamber and the working chamber or a bore connecting the working chamber to a control chamber of the HDV.

Abstract: A cutting tool for piercing a sealant surrounding a vehicle windshield including a cylindrically shape body which is internally hollowed and first and second blade housing members which, upon assembly, are axially slidably mounted within a first selected end of the body and form a blade receiving cavity. A blade includes a first insertable portion with at least one aperture and a second cutting portion extending at a desired angle with respect to the insertable portion. A spring loaded tang is mounted within the second blade housing member and is upwardly biased so that an upwardly projecting button portion engages through the at least one aperture of the blade insertable portion in a first blade retaining position. An inwardly displaceable disengaging member is axially slidably mounted within a second selected end of the body and is contoured along a forward face so that it unseats the spring loaded from the blade aperture in a second blade release position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a supporting insert, such as a seat insert (bun) for a vehicle, into a cover, such as a seat cover for a vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention includes a bench upon which a cover holding assembly and a stuffing bracket are provided. The holding assembly comprises four self-adjusting blades which are substantially grouped together at the beginning of the fitting cycle. After an inside-out seat cover's open end is fitted onto the blades, the blades move away from each other into the corners of the cover to expand the cover to its maximum size. The insert is then positioned between the top (closed) end of the covering material and the stuffing bracket. The stuffing bracket then drives the seat insert into the inside-out covering material, gradually turning the material outside-out as the insert is moved forward.

Abstract: Angioplasty apparatus comprises a hand-held unit which reciprocates a wire within a catheter. It is found that, by using a highly flexible wire and a reciprocation frequency of 50-1000 Hz a diffuse vibration is caused at the distal end of the wire which enables the wire to pass relatively easily through difficult blockages.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing instability in hydraulic systems are disclosed. A flow control device having an output fitting and a spring-biased piston reciprocally movable in a cylinder past a bypass hole is disclosed. The improvement consisting of metering passages formed in a flow control device to provide hydraulic resistance to dampen the piston. Alternatively, disclosed is a flow control piston having a valving sub-assembly which is resiliently biased. The valving sub-assembly is movable to substantially suppress the flow rate ripple by bypassing a dominant portion of the flow rate ripple. Finally, methods for dampening the resonance, creating resistance, as well as bypassing the flow rate ripple are disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal free electrical connector. The connector includes a housing having a plurality of apertures formed therein for the introduction of electrical leads. A wire frame fits into the housing and has a plurality of arrayed throughbores, into which the leads are inserted. The wire frame includes a slot which leaves a portion of each lead exposed. Electrical contact may thus be maintained between the exposed portions of the leads in the wire frame and either a mating electrical connector, or a flat contact surface. A method connecting electrical leads without the use of terminals is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated transaction tax reporting/collection system. The system includes individual point of sale terminals disposed at each remote vendor location. The point of sale terminals are networked to a central computer, preferably via a plurality of intermediate data collection sub-stations. Each terminal includes means for inputting and storing data regarding taxable transactions, as well as for storing data reflecting the tax accrued on each transaction. This stored data is collected on a periodic, rotating basis by the corresponding data collection sub-station according to control signals generated by the central computer. All of the collected data is ultimately transmitted to the central computer, which is operative to generate reports reflecting the transaction tax due from each remote vendor location. These reports may then be sent to the taxing authority, the individual merchants, and/or to other taxing authorities, such as the federal government.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a container for use in storing, cleansing, and moistening a guide wire or other flexible, elongated medical device between uses during medical procedures. The container has a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. A continuous side wall extends upwardly from the base forming a basin for retaining a coiled, flexible medical device such as a guide wire. A retaining flange is attached to the side wall and extends across at least a portion of the base to retain the free ends of the guide wire in the basin. A guide arm is attached to the side wall, and extends across at least a portion of the base so that the guide arm guides the coiled medical device onto the upper surface of the base as the medical device is inserted. The container may also have a plurality of ribs to keep the coiled guide wire from touching the base of the container.

Abstract: A controlled release capsule comprises a male plug (2) formed of a water swellable hydrogel which is engaged within a neck portion (4) of a female body (6). The capsule contains a pharmaceutically active material. In contact with an aqueous medium, such as in the gastrointestinal tract, the hydrogel plug swells and becomes disengaged from the body, thereby releasing the active material. In order to facilitate insertion of the male plug into the neck of the body, the body has a flared mouth portion (14) which is wider than the neck. The neck itself may be wider or narrower than the remainder of the body. A water-soluble cap (8) has detentes (18) which clip over the flared mouth portion so as to lock the cap thereto.

Abstract: A door restraining assembly for use with a door hingedly connected to a surrounding door frame. At least one pin member includes a cylindrically shaped body and is positioned within a recess drilled into either or both a hinge side and door side of a door. A seating portion extends laterally from the pin member past the door surface. At least one receiving member includes a pin receiving portion and a reduced diameter reinforcing portion and is mounted within a corresponding recess drilled within the door jamb. The recess for the reinforcing portion extends well past the door jamb and through one or more of the vertically extending wall studs of the wall structure surrounding the door frame. According to further embodiments, a restraining assembly is provided on each the hinge side and latch side of the door frame. A method for installing a restraining assembly according to the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable divider assembly for use with an open-top mold for creating a countertop with a built-up edge, the mold being rectangular in shape with a flat planar surface, first, second and third built-up and inwardly contoured edges and a fourth open edge. A U-shaped divider bar includes a central elongated member and first and second side elongated members which is pivotally attached along the four open edge of the mold using a pin and slot type arrangement and is rotated into the mold so that the elongated members of the divider bar are arranged in a desired spaced apart fashion relative to the opposing contoured mold surfaces. Suspending members extend forwardly from the central elongated member and position the bar at an elevated position above the planar mold surface. A first pour of plasticized resinous material is applied over the planar mold surface according to a predetermined depth, following which the divider bar is attached and rotated into an installed position within the mold.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve includes a shut-off valve member (1) capable of shutting off the valve in response to an egressive air thrust. The valve includes a blow-off valve member (2) of a design such that the valve can open in response to an overpressure in the trachea which exceeds a given value. This blow-off valve member limits the maximum achievable overpressure behind the valve. Coughing is possible without prior operation of the valve and leakage due to excessive overpressure in the trachea is prevented. The valve may contain a tissue connector and a housing to be connected thereto.

Abstract: An athletic shoe has an upper and a sole extending along the bottom of the upper. The sole has a ball portion along the front of the sole and a heel portion along the rear of the sole as well as a lower surface which lies in a substantially predetermined plane. A plurality of elongated recesses are provided in the sole so that the recesses extend radially outwardly from a preset point in the central part of the ball of the sole and so that the recesses are circumferentially spaced from each other. An elongated resilient member is positioned in each recess and each resilient member is dimensioned so that it is spaced inwardly from the sides of its associated recess and also so that the resilient member depends downwardly from the predetermined plane of the sole. In practice, when the person wearing the athletic sole pivots around the preset point in the ball of the sole, the resilient member collapses to one side of its associated recess depending upon the direction of the pivot.

Abstract: A moisturizing attachment for use with a conventional hand held hair dryer, the hair dryer having a handle portion and an air emitting nozzle portion. The attachment includes an internally hollowed body having a first end with a first annular lip portion and a second end with a second annular lip portion. The attachment is secured to an end of the hair dryer nozzle portion and a moisturizing insert is arranged within the body to intercept a flow through path of the heated air from the hair dryer. The moisturizing means is pre-immersed in a fluid such as water and is arranged within the attachment body such that, upon activation of the hair dryer, a steady stream of a micro vapor spray mist is issued from the attachment and operates to partially replenish the moisture content within the user's hair without interfering with the desired function of the hair dryer.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a system for opening or closing windows and other apertures having a plurality of conditions ranging from fully open to fully closed. The system includes a panel which is moved over an aperture by a movement mechanism, and an electrical switch having a plurality of touch positions, with the switch in electrical communication with the movement mechanism. Each touch position corresponds to an aperture condition from fully opened to fully closed. Upon actuation of one of the touch positions, the panel is moved to a particular position corresponding to the touch position actuated.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting plastic closure elements or snaps on fabric includes a pair of parallel holding bars. Rows of closure elements are formed between the holding bars. The mounting assembly is positioned on the fabric and a sewing machine having a slide with a pair of guide bars is positioned over the holding bars. The holding bars of the mounting assembly provide a track for the sewing base during the stitching process. The base portions of the closure elements are stitched onto the fabric. After stitching the holding arms are torn off the closure elements and discarded. The sewing base includes a pair of guide bars for guiding the sewing base along the holding bars.