Abstract: A connector housing for an electrical terminal includes a base member configured to engage a top member having two discrete segments. One of the segments engages the base member so as to retain an electrical terminal therebetween in a preconnection mode which exposes a portion of the terminal so as to permit electrical connection to be made thereto. A second segment of the top member engages the base member so as to enclose the electrical connection which was made to the terminal so as to provide a closed, assembled electrical connector.

Abstract: The measurement of ejection tonnage in a die in forming process uses an embedded, in-die sensor and signal filtering methods for a more refined interpretation of the weaker signals associated with die vibrations. In particular, a self-tuning (adaptive) filter, matched to the embedded sensor, is used to reconstruct the stimulus of the die vibrations to reveal otherwise non-measurable knock-out tonnage parameters from the strain signal output by the sensor. Necessary information is obtained by means of a suitable dynamics identification procedure. Information necessary for self-tuning is obtained by means of a suitable die-set dynamics identification procedure.

Abstract: A virtual-reality system provides a full-body, digitally programmed, kinesthetic display in the form of a foot-haptic system incorporating a pair of footpads, one associated with each foot of a user, and a multi-axis electromechanical interface responsive to user position and orientation. A computer, in communication with the electromechanical interface, permits the user to interact with a virtual terrain, vertical features, or other users. In a preferred physical realization, the system includes three major components: a locomotion simulator, a ground plane 104, and a vertical feature emulator. A head-mounted display provides all visual clues. The system may be operated in a first mode of operation, wherein the user's feet and the footpads remain in constant contact with each other, or an alternative mode of operation, wherein the user makes and breaks contact with the footpads in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: A sports analysis and testing system includes a plurality of high-speed digital video cameras, each aimed at a player from a different perspective to record their movements and those of a ball in play. In a baseball application, a programmed computer interfaced to the video cameras and various optional sensors includes application software to generate performance statistics as a function of the pitch, hit, and bat swing. If previously obtained batter performance data are available, the system may also be used to generate a database containing historical performance statistics, including real-time measurements of many characteristics, including pitched and batted ball speeds and trajectories, bat swing timing, speeds, and swing angles, location over the plate, and ball-bat contact location.

Abstract: A mold assembly for creating a resin casted countertop exhibiting a built-up edge having a non-constant radius. The mold assembly includes a substantially horizontally planar and upwardly facing mold surface and a plurality of elongated member which are releasably securable upon the planar mold surface to create an outline of a countertop product to be produced. Each of the elongated members include a planar edged top, a likewise planar edged bottom, a rear face and an inwardly contoured front face. The inwardly contoured front face includes a first constant center radius throughout a first degree of angular rotation and at least one additional upper and/or lower constant center radii throughout additional degrees of angular rotation proximate the top and bottom locations of the inwardly contoured front face.

Abstract: A golf club divider assembly for use with a golf bag creates a desired plurality of subdivided and axially extending compartments for receiving a plurality of golf clubs. A plurality of elongated divider members are inserted axially within the golf bag and each divider member includes a plurality of either three or four outwardly and axially extending vane portions. A like plurality of sleeve members may be slidably engaged over the divider members to facilitate the creation of the individual club carrying compartments. Axially repositionable golf club head covering assemblies are provided and are secured to upper ends of the divider members in association with each of the club carrying compartments. The covering assemblies are repositionable in a vertical manner to cover an upwardly projecting club head of a golf club and to isolate and protect the golf club from the remaining golf clubs.

Abstract: An optical mounting assembly includes a frame, preferably in the form of a shaped wire form, having a proximal section attachable to a headband or to the bridge portion of a pair of eyeglass frames, a mid-section extending downwardly along and in spaced-apart conformity with the ridge of a user's nose, and a distal section which is bent upwardly with respect to the mid section. Optionally, the mid-section may include an adjustable nose pad which is adapted to make contact against the ridge of the user's nose. This provides for improved weight distribution, with the distal section being configured to mountably receive one of a variety of accessories such as light sources, imaging apparatus, face shields, etc.

Abstract: A match design exhibiting burn preventative safety stem construction with a match head having an ignitable composition formed thereon. An elongate stem includes a first end and a second end with the match head being formed onto the first end. The elongate stem is subdivided into a first section extending a selected distance from the first end. A second section extends beyond the first section a further selected distance and terminates in the second end. The first section is impregnated with a scenting composition and the second section is impregnated with a flame resistant composition such that, upon striking and ignition of the match head, flame travel along the stem is limited to the first section to release the scenting composition.

Abstract: An electrical conductor establishes electrical contact between planar faces of a first terminal and a second terminal. The connector includes a resilient contact plate disposed between the faces, and locking assembly for retaining the terminals in engagement. A sealing gasket may be included, and the connector may be configured to join a number of separate wire pairs.

Abstract: A line sychronizing apparatus includes a conveyer 1 for conveyance of a work, a first transport rail 2 mounted above and in parallel with the conveyer, a main assembly 10 slidably supported on the first transport rail by a plurality of rollers, a second transport rail 14 mounted in parallel with the conveyer, and an operating assembly P slidably supported by the second transport rail by a plurality of rollers. The apparatus prevents the heavy weight of the main body of the apparatus from being applied to the work. The apparatus performs each assembling operation in a synchronized condition while the work is being transported.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel p-hydroxycinnamoyl-containing substrates which can be used in catalyzed reporter deposition to amplify the detector signal and improve assay detection limits.

Abstract: A personal cart for easily transporting several shopping articles when shopping or small packages, files, tools, and other small articles by other users such as professionals. The personal cart includes a lower frame structure having a lower frame extending vertically and a lower platform pivotally connected to and extending at an angle to the lower frame. A lower platform face extends about the lower platform when the personal cart is in an open position and forms a shelf resting an object. An upper frame structure extends from and is supported by one end of the lower frame structure. The upper frame structure includes an upper frame and an upper platform pivotally connected to and extending at an angle from the upper frame. An upper platform face extends about the upper platform when the personal cart is in an open position and forms a shelf for resting additional objects. The upper platform is completely collapsible within the upper frame and lays flush with the upper frame in the collapsed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cart corral assembly of the type employed by stores, such as grocery stores, to encourage the consumer to temporarily store grocery carts in the parking lot before bringing the cart within the store structure. The cart corral includes a first set of two spaced apart vertical rails in a base support extended between these rails. The base support supports the vertical rails in an upright position. At least two spaced apart horizontal rails are provided and are removably engaged with the vertical rails in a position abut the base support. The horizontal rails form an obtuse angle with the vertical rails. A second set of two spaced apart vertical rails are provided opposite the first set of vertical rails and are removably engaged with the horizontal rails. A second base support extends between the second set of vertical rails and supports the vertical rails in an upright position. Removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing surrounds each of the vertical and horizontal rails.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic welding of plastic members to form a high strength interconnection between the members in the form of a low profile, illuminated electrical plug. High-frequency (ultrasonic) energy is transmitted by the ultrasonic welding apparatus to compatible plastic parts of the low profile electrical plug. At the intersection of the two parts, a combination of applied force and surface and/or intermolecular friction increases the temperature until the melting point of the thermoplastic is reached. Upon removal of the ultrasonic energy, a bond is produced between the plastic parts, effectively affixing them together in the desired fashion.

Abstract: A combined optical diffuser and light concentrator uses a layer of optically transmissive material having a first surface to receive light at a range of angles of incidence and a second surface from which the light emerges at a range of angles of emergence, the second surface including a relief pattern featuring a multiplicity of minute projections, the shape and distribution of the projections resulting in diffused light at a range of angles of emergence narrower than the range of angles of incidence. The projections may be produced in accordance with various techniques, including the processing of a photoresist layer exposed to a random speckle pattern or microlithography, including e-beam/x-ray sources.

Abstract: Laser band-pass filter and/or band-reject filters are located at the end of an optical measurement probe by placing an appropriate Bragg grating proximate to the tip, and within, one or both of the optical fibers that make up the probehead. Thus, where an optical fiber is used to carry excitation energy of a nominal wavelength to a sample, the distal tip of this fiber will have included therein an optical filter to selectively pass energy of the nominal wavelength. Similarly, where an optical fiber is employed to carry stimulated emission from the sample to an analytical instrument such as a spectrometer, this fiber will have included within it at its distal tip an optical filter to selectively reject energy associated with the nominal wavelength.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for killing a live well after activation of a well blowout preventer is described. This is achieved by providing apparatus in the form of a shear or kill sleeve (34) in a string (26) above a sub-sea test tree and which is located between the pipe rams (22, 24) and shear rams (18) of a blowout preventer (12). In the event that the shear rams (18) are activated and seal the string above the kill sleeve (34), the sleeve includes a pressure sensitive valve (84) which may be opened, by pressurising between the blowout preventer rams (18, 22), to permit fluid to be pumped from the blowout preventer (12) through the valve (84) and into the string (40), to choke or kill the well. After the well has been killed, the blowout preventer (12) may be opened to permit removal of the well tools. Embodiments of the invention are described.