Abstract: A grafted poly(vinyl chloride) having at least one pendant chain which comprises poly(&agr;-methylstyrene). The graft copolymer has only a single glass transition temperature of from about 100° C. to about 130° C. The poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(&agr;-methylstyrene) can be utilized as a high heat distortion poly(vinyl chloride) material, as the single glass transition temperature is considerably higher than that of homopolymer poly(vinyl chloride). The molecular weight of the pendant poly(&agr;-methylstyrene) chain is less than about 10,500 g/mol number average.

Abstract: Fifth wheels are used to establish an articulated connection between a truck tractor and a semi-trailer. They consist of a plate (1) which is attached to the truck tractor and generally has at least one arched slideway lining (4a,4b) acting as a bearing surface and fitting into corresponding recesses of the fifth wheel plate (1) where it is fastened. According to the invention, fastening is provided in the form of a positive fit connection, whereby the lower part of the slideway lining (4a,b) and the upper part of the plate (1) have joining elements (6,8) to ensure a rotationally locked positive fit, thus enabling thermal dilation to occur in the fifth wheel plate (1). Preferably, the positive fitting joining elements for the lower side of the slideway lining (4a,b) are configured as ribs (6) extending radially outwards from a virtual center point (7) and the positive fitting joining elements for the upper side of the fifth wheel plate (1) are configured as complementary grooves (6).

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for copper electrowinning and a modified lead electrode for use in such method. The modified electrode is suitable for use as an oxygen anode in low current density, oxygen-evolving applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone plate having at least two and up to ten ringed eyelets for receiving anchoring bone screws in a modified ball-and-socket joint. The eyelets are longitudinally aligned and joined to neighboring eyelets by curvilinear, bendable ribs extending between pairs of eyelets. The ribs are of a longer length than the distance between the external surfaces of adjacent rings which allows the longitudinal spacing of the rings to be increased or decreased by bending the ribs.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus are disclosed for injection molding highly filled conductive resin compositions. These compositions include one or more of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resin; a copolymer having a terminal ethylene group; and at least about 50 weight percent of an inorganic particulate conductive filler, an initiator, and a rheological modifier to prevent phase separation between said resin and said conductive filler during molding. The method of the present invention allows these compositions to be molded into highly intricate and thin electrically and thermally conductive specimens without significant post process machining. The method involves the use of an injection molding apparatus that has a hopper with an auger having a vertical component in its positioning to feed into the feed throat of an injection molding machine which has a phenolic screw that has been modified to have a constant inner diameter and a constant flight depth.

Abstract: A novel hydrophilic ampholytic polymer synthesized by reacting polymerizable amino and carboxy functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, together with a non-ionic hydrophilic monomer, to provide a polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) above about 50° C., and optionally hydrophobic monomer(s), and cross-linking monomer(s). The copolymer is precipitated from a polymerization media which includes a suitable organic solvent. The resulting copolymer is in the form of a fine powder, with submicron particle size. As such it is suitable for use as a thickener or rheology modifier in personal care formulations, such as shampoo, conditioner, and the like, as a bioadhesive, and for other pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: Liquid organic phosphites of low volatility, based on pentaerythritol, alkyl alcohols and alkyl phenols, which are essentially phenol-free are disclosed. These phosphites are excellent stabilizers for polymers, especially PVC resins. The phenol-free phosphite stabilizers are compatible with mixed metal stabilizers and give excellent color and processing stability.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a constant center of gravity tilt assembly which can be connected to any type of frame structure. A chair is pivotally attached to the tilt assembly which includes a slidable guide member. The guide member is slidably attached to a guide rail which can be mounted on the frame. An actuator for moving the chair forward and backward is operatively connected at one end to the slidable guide member and at the other end to the wheelchair frame. A link arm has one end operatively connected to said frame and the other end pivotally connected to the seat of the integral chair. Upon actuation of the actuator, said guide member moves said chair forward or backwards and as a consequence thereof, said seat is tilted backward or forward by said link arm to substantially maintain the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair.

Abstract: A roll bar protection system for motor vehicles comprising an outer box profile forming a case for the components of the roll bar protection system, being mounted firmly on the vehicle, an inner box profile, able to move in the outer box profile via guide elements which is designed as a roll bar and accommodates a fast drive for its extension into the upper end protection position in event of danger, and a drive arrangement for a continuous movement of the inner box profile, consisting of an electric motor/gearing arrangement with a threaded spindle of predetermined length, as well as a tie-bar which can be moved in the outer box profile, having a nut for engagement with the threaded spindle, and which is detachably connected to the inner box profile.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes two side frames (1L and 1R) consisting of respective lower frame parts (1′L and 1′R) and respective upper frame parts (1″L and 1″R). Each side frame has transverse, horizontal, tilt pivot axis (3) between its upper and lower parts. Forwards of each axis (3) is a tilt adjustment device (4) acting between the lower frame part and the upper frame part. Each device (4) may take the form of a gas spring, an electric motor or a screw device. The lower frame parts (1′L and 1′R) are linked by a pair of shear braces (5L and 5R) with a vertical pivot axis (6) in the center. The upper frame parts (1″L and 1″R) are linked by one or more pairs of transverse braces (8L and 8R) with a pivot axis (9) in the center. Seat plates are fixedly mounted at the top surfaces of the respective braces (8L and 8R). The seat plates can form the whole or part of the seat, or can be the basis for other seating elements, such as cushions and seat shells.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition in a liquid or solid form comprises at least one solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible material, dispersed in at least one cationic-curable or free-radical curable composition or mixture thereof. The solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible materials comprise glasses and other suitable materials that transmit (i.e., are transparent to) at least about 40% of radiation having a wavelength from about 180 to about 600 nanometers. The solid forms of the radiation-curable compositions of the invention are useful as powder coatings for coating decorative and functional objects and that would be cured by a thermal heating flow process followed by radiation exposure. The cured compositions of the invention are useful as coatings and inks for metal, paper, plastics, glass, ceramics, and wood, as adhesives, as sealants, and as composite materials and other articles and in biomedical and dental applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical switching element for altering the propagation direction of at least one light beam, comprising a transparent base body (21), said base body being provided with a recess (20) for forming at least one boundary surface (19) between an optically denser medium and an optically more translucent medium. The incident light strikes this boundary surface (19). The recess (20) is filled partly with a liquid (26) and contains a moveable body (16). The liquid (26) and the moveable body (16) have approximately the same refractive index as the transparent base body. To switch the switching element (15) to a transmitting switching state, the moveable body is positioned in the recess in such a way that the gap between the boundary surface and the surface of the moveable body is filled completely with the liquid. If the moveable body is positioned in the recess in such a way that the boundary surface is free of the liquid, the incident light is reflected on said boundary surface.

Abstract: An orthopedic crutch is provided which has a parallel vertical support members which oppose a central longitudinal axis of the crutch. The support member include apertures on the opposing surfaces to form parallel pairs of apertures. An adjustable hand crutch includes a locking member which engages the aperture for each vertical support. The handgrip further has a support terminating in the collar on either side which encircles the corresponding vertical support. A yoke member cooperates with the inner portion of the collar relative to the longitudinal central axis of the crutch. The yoke member can be slid inwardly to disengage the locking element from the pairs of apertures. The locking member is retained in the retracted position until the next aperture is encountered.

Abstract: An electrode is disclosed having a coating on part of the electrode, e.g., a front face, comprising the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal. Another part of the electrode, such as a back face, has a coating comprising the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal. The electrode can be generally plate-shaped and most desirably has at least one chamfered corner. The electrode is particularly useful in a cell wherein brine electrolyte is electrolyzed to prepare a disinfectant solution containing hypochlorite. The disinfectant solution can be especially serviceable, such as in maritime application, for treating water, e.g., freshwater as represented by desalinated water.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly is provided which has a stabilizer rod clamped into position within an anchor by means of a sliding closure member including a mating set screw or hook. The exterior faces of the anchor are contoured to optimize interface in the surgical setting. The anchor includes a U-shaped channel having multiple undercut surfaces such as grooves, which mate with flange like projections or “dovetails” of a closure member which is slid in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The closure member has on either side a flange mating with opposing recesses formed at the top of the U-shaped channel so as to lock the closure member in place. The set screw has an external hex head for tightening, and a plurality of radically extending prongs which are undercut and which mate with the recesses in the top of the U-shaped channel of the anchor. The hex head sheers at a necked area above the radial collar to provide for a flush surface relative to the closure member.

Abstract: Copolymers containing repeating units polymerized from at least one polycyclic monomer and at least one acrylic monomer are disclosed. The copolymer is formed by addition polymerization in the presence of a Group VIII transition metal catalyst. The copolymers contain hydrocarbyl and/or functional substituents pendant from the polymer backbone. In one embodiment the copolymer contains pendant ester substituents containing acid labile groups. The copolymers are useful as resist materials that are sensitive to imaging radiation.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: The invention addresses a rollover protection apparatus for motor vehicles with a protection system assigned to each vehicle seat. The invention provides that the profile unit is designed in the form of a box profile rigidified against bending with guide elements on the narrow sides of the profile elements and one single spring drive mechanism disposed centrally in the profile bar unit and with a pawl/ratchet mechanism mounted parallel to the bar width in a curved projection of the profile bar unit. These measures create a rollover protection apparatus that comprises only a few parts, is simple to manufacture and the depth of which can be kept very shallow.

Abstract: A universal platform support assembly (10) provides for vertical and horizontal adjustment to secure the assembly to a wide array of walker (W) styles and sizes. A forearm receiving member (20) can be pivoted for comfort of the user and a push handle (24) associated therewith may be selectively positioned fore and aft, as well as rotated, for additional fit and comfort. Enlarged knobs (32) that may be conveniently grasped and manipulated secure the various adjustable components together allowing assembly and adjustment to proceed without using tools.