Abstract: A locking assembly for preventing the unauthorized insertion of an object into, for example, a video cassette recorder through an opening in the recorder with the assembly including a housing having an exterior structure closely corresponding to the opening provided in the recorder and defining an interior space. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism disposed within the interior of the housing and supported by the housing for locking the assembly with respect to the recorder. A stop means is moveable between extended and retracted positions for providing locking contact with the recorder and preventing the removal of the assembly when the stop means is in its extended position. The assembly also includes a lock member which is operable from the exterior of the housing for operatively moving the stop member between the extended and retracted positions. A crank mechanism is operatively connected to the stop member and to the lock member and is rotatable between first and second positions.

Abstract: The invention is a moisture sensor which includes an emitter (18) to emit pulses of radiant energy toward the inside surface (14) of a window (12) at an incident angle (.theta.). The radiant energy is refracted into the window (12) at the air-inside window surface (14) and reflected off the air-outside window surface (16) back through the window (12). The radiant energy is then detected by a detector (20) at a reflection angle (.theta.') equal to the incident angle (.theta.). A support (22) spaces the emitter (18) and detector (20) a distance D between the intersection (I) of the axis (A) of the emitter (18) with the inside window surface (14) and the intersection (E) of the axis (B) of the detector (20) with the inside window surface (14) which is determined by the formula:D=2T cos .theta.(n.sup.2 - cos.sup.2 .theta.).sup.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp cleaning assembly and method for use in a vehicle includes cleaning means (27) which are energized when the headlamps (10) collect residue. The headlamp (10) includes a transparent lens (12), a light source (14) and a housing (16) with a reflective interior surface (18). The assembly includes sensing means (20) within the housing (16) which sense the light source radiation generated by the light source (14) sensed by a first sensor (22) and the backscattered light radiation reflected off residue on the exterior surface of the lens (12) sensed by a second sensor (24). A control circuit (26) compares the light source radiation and the backscattered light radiation. When the amount of backscattered light radiation has exceeded a predetermined magnitude, the cleaning means (27) is actuated.

Abstract: A rain sensor for selectively supplying power from a constantly available power source to a wiper means (14) to remove moisture from a vehicle window (12) when moisture has collected. A passive circuit (18) is supported on the window (12) and has an initial self-resonant frequency to sense moisture. A generating means (20,120) creates an electromagnetic field having a range of frequencies wherein the initial self-resonant frequency is within the range of frequencies. An moisture collects about the passive circuit (18), the resonant frequency of the passive circuit (18) shifts away from the initial self-resonant frequency, indicative of less coupling with the generating means (20,20). A detector (28,128) detects the coupling between the passive circuit (18) and the generating means (20,120) to actuate the wiper means (14) by a control means (30,130) when a predetermined decoupling magnitude is exceeded.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheeting combination of the type for being applied to an article 10 to imprint a design thereon including a substrate 12, a design coating disposed on the substrate 12 and an adhesive layer 22 disposed on the design coating for adhesively securing the design coating to the article 10. The combination is characterized by the substrate 12 including a releasing agent coat 22 disposed between the design coating and the substrate 12 for facilitating the removal of the substrate 12 from the design coating after the application thereof onto the article 10.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheeting combination of the type for being applied onto a fibrous article (10) to imprint a design thereon including a substrate (12) and a design coating (14) disposed on the substrate (12). An adhesive layer (24) is disposed on the design coating (14) and is responsive to heat and pressure for adhesively securing the design coating (14) to the article (10) and is characterized by the adhesive layer being transformable in response to the application of heat and pressure to a stretchable adhesive layer. A method of manufacturing the heat transfer includes the steps of applying a design coating (14) over a substrate (12) and applying an adhesive layer (24) being transformable after the application of heat and pressure to a stretchable adhesive layer over the design coating (14).

Abstract: A preformed body (12) from powder material of metallic and nonmetallic compositions and combinations thereof, is consolidated to form a densified compact (12") of a predetermined density. An outer container mass (20), capable of fluidity in response to predetermined forces and temperatures and which is porous to gases at lesser temperatures and forces than said predetermined force and temperature, surrounds an internal medium (22). The internal medium encapsulates the preformed body (12) within the container mass (20) and is capable of melting at the lesser temperatures to form a liquid barrier to gas flow therethrough. The internal medium (22) is capable of rapid hermetic sealing during the early stages of preheat. External pressure is applied by a pot die (16) and ram (14) to the entire exterior of the container mass (20) to cause the predetermined densification of the preformed body (12) by hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: An oil monitor assembly (10) comprising a support (12) for removable attachment to an oil reservoir, a first electrode (14) extending from the support (12) for immersion in an oil in the reservoir and a second electrode (18) extending from the support (12) in spaced relationship to the interior of the first electrode (14). An electrical insulation (22) spaces the second electrode (18) within the first electrode (14) at the distal ends and presents a surface (24) in a plane facing the support (12). Perforations (16) in the first electrode are spaced circumferentially thereabout and axially therealong with some of the perforations (16) overlapping the plane of the surface (24) of the insulation (22) and extending toward the support (12) to prevent retention of oil within the first electrode (14) on the surface (24). A temperature sensor (26) is disposed within the second electrode (18).

Abstract: A propeller (10) including a hub (12) and a plurality of blades (16) having a leading edge (22), outside edge (24), tail edge (26) and inside edge (28). Each of the blades (16) extend substantially radially from the hub (12) and include a body portion having a regressive pitch from the leading edge (22) to the tail edge (26) and cupped portions (30) and (32) extending along the inside edge (28) and outside edge (24), respectively. A method of making the propeller (10) includes the steps of forming the hub (12) and forming the plurality of blades (16) having a regressive pitch and extending substantially radially from the hub and forming the first cupped portion (30) extending along the inside edge (28) and the second cupped portion (32) extending along the outside edge (24).

Abstract: An oil monitor assembly (20) comprising a support (22) for removable attachment to an oil reservoir, a first electrode (24, 24') extending from the support (22) for immersion in an oil in the reservoir and a second electrode (28) extending from the support (22) in spaced relationship to the first electrode (24, 24'). An electrical circuit (34) is supported by the support (22) and is in direct electrical contact with the electrodes (24, 24', 28) for measuring the resistance (RRP-29) of the oil over its operational temperature range including the very high resistance of the oil at very cold temperatures to provide a signal in the absence of conducting oil between (29) the first (24, 24') and second (28) electrodes. The electrical circuit (34) includes a degradation circuit (48) for measuring the resistivity of the oil due to contamination and degradation while compensating for changes in resistivity of the oil due to changes in temperature.

Abstract: The cup printing assembly (10) including ink transfer rollers (20,22,24) for forming an ink image from an ink reservoir (14) and transferring the ink image to a cup (16). An ink reservoir (14) stores the ink to be transferred. The assembly (10) is characterized by the ink reservoir (14) being an absorbent continuous belt member (18) for retaining ink thereon.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path includes a terminal member (20) for operatively interconnecting an extending length of a core element and a control member (22). The control member (22) has a body portion (32) and a ball pin (36) extending therefrom. The terminal member (20) includes a passageway (38) defining an opening having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of flexible fingers (40) defining a portion of the passageway (38). The flexible fingers (40) have an engaged condition for engaging and retaining the ball pin (36) disposed within the passageway (38) and a disengaged condition for releasing the ball pin (36). The assembly (10) is characterized by including a cap member (42) for radially outwardly spreading the fingers (40) to the disengaged condition during insertion and removal of the ball pin (38).

Abstract: A snorkel valve assembly (34) including a sleeve (28) having a rim (30) and defining an opening (32). The assembly (34) includes a diaphragm member (36) having a peripheral sealing surface (38) for selectively sealing off the opening (32) by sealing engagement of the sealing surface (38) with the rim (30). The diaphragm member (36) has a pushed closed position wherein fluid flow within the sleeve (28) draws the sealing surface (38) of the diaphragm member (36) into sealing engagement with the rim (30) and a neutral position when there is no fluid flow within the sleeve (28) space wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface (38) is spaced from the seating rim (30).

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting forces along a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element (16) movably supported in a flexible conduit (12). The assembly includes a support member (22) adapted to be connected to a support structure (24) (such as a bulkhead) and the conduit (12) includes a slider member (32) slidably disposed in a passageway extending longitudinally through the support member. The support member includes a transverse guideway (36) in which is disposed a metal L-shaped latch member (38) having an aperture in one leg through which the slider member extends. The bottom of the aperture in the latch member has a tooth (48) which coacts with ratcheting teeth (46, 47) on the slider member. A coil spring (44) urges the tooth of the latch member into engagement with the ratcheting teeth of the slider member. A temperature-responsive slug (50) is disposed in parallel with the coil spring.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit for switching power to an electrical load including an N-channel MOS-FET (20) having a drain (22) and source (24) and gate (26) terminals with the drain terminal (22) connected to the positive power supply lead (16) and the source terminal (24) connected to the load lead (12). The MOS-FET (20) is driven into conduction by being supplied voltage from a voltage multiplier (28-34) which is in turn supplied by a gated oscillator (36) which receives its power from an amplifier (38). Resistors (74, 76) may be added for slowly allowing the MOS-FET (20) to move into full conduction and/or for slowly decreasing the conduction of the MOS-FET. All this is in response to an electrical signal on a low level signal input lead (18).

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, disposed in a first thermal jacket (32) to retain the heat within the material (10) to be consolidated. The first thermal jacket (32) is placed within a second thermal jacket (34) which is, in turn, disposed in a cavity defined by two elastomeric components (22, 24) retained between a ram (16) and pot die (14) of a press whereby upon closure of the press, the ram (16) enters the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) to apply external pressure to the entire exterior of the elastomeric components (22, 24). A seal (36) of material harder than the elastomeric material (22, 24) is disposed within the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) for preventing the elastomeric medium (22, 24) from leaking between the sliding surfaces of the ram (16) and the pot die (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container (12) having a receiving passage (14) with material and sealing the receiving passage (14) with a spherical sealing plug which is larger than the receiving passage (14) of the container (12) with the container (12) being subjected to a vacuum before and while being filled. A snout assembly (54) is movably mounted on a support structure (20, 22, 24) and includes a large piston-like portion (59) in sliding engagement within a guideway (28) in a housing (26) with a smaller tubular snout member (62) extending downwardly and into a fill passage (30) which is in sealing engagement with the receiving passage (14) of the container (12). The larger piston-like portion (59) of the snout assembly (54) has a material-receiving chamber (63) and a tubular valve member (68) engages a valve seat (66) to control the flow of material from the material chamber (63) to the delivery passage (56) and out the discharge end (58) of the smaller tubular snout member (62).

Abstract: A quantity of material (10), which is at less than a predetermined density, is disposed within a sealed container (12) which is, in turn, disposed in a first thermal jacket (32) to retain the heat within the material (10) to be consolidated. The first thermal jacket (32) is placed within a second thermal jacket (34) which is, in turn, disposed in a cavity defined by two elastomeric components (22, 24) retained between a ram (16) and pot die (14) of a press whereby upon closure of the press, the ram (16) enters the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) to apply external pressure to the entire exterior of the elastomeric components (22, 24). A seal (36) of material harder than the elastomeric material (22, 24) is disposed within the cavity (26) of the pot die (14) for preventing the elastomeric medium (22, 24) from leaking between the sliding surfaces of the ram (16) and the pot die (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of a vehicle (26) including a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid bags (12) including an inlet (14) for introducing air under pressure into the bag (12) and an elongated opening at one end of the bag (12) defining a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than the inlet (14) for emitting a stream of air. A support structure including an air distributor (18) supports the bag (12) to extend toward the object (26) wherein the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) lies in the path of motion of the object (26) to cause physical engagement between the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) and the object (26) to bring the stream of air emitted from the nozzle opening into close spacial relationship with the surface of the object (26) to strip fluid from the object.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit for switching power to an electrical load including an N-channel MOS-FET (20) having a drain (22) and source (24) and gate (26) terminals with the drain terminal (22) connected to the positive power supply lead (16) and the source terminal (24) connected to the load lead (12). The MOS-FET (20) is driven into conduction by being supplied voltage from a voltage multiplier (28-34) which is in turn supplied by a gated oscillator (36) which receives its power from an amplifier (38). Resistors (74, 76) may be added for slowly allowing the MOS-FET (20) to move into full conduction and/or for slowly decreasing the conduction of the MOS-FET. All this is in response to an electrical signal on a low level signal input lead (18).