Abstract: A metal-to-metal bearing comprising a bearing housing of a first material and a ball of a second material held within the housing, the interface between the housing and the ball comprising two bearing surfaces, wherein one of the first and second materials is a titanium alloy having a diffusion zone near its surface to which is adhered a coating of titanium nitride to provide one of the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving combined beamforming and transmit diversity for frequency selective fading channels in a communication system having a base station with multiple transmit antennae and a mobile terminal with at least a single receive antenna, the method comprising the steps of: providing a signal to be transmitted; space-time encoding the signal to produce at least two separate signals, each on a respective output; feeding each output signal to a multiple access transmit processor to produce an output signal; applying respective selected transmit beamforming weights to each output signal; feeding the respective weighted signals to a signal combiner to perform a summing function of the signals and produce a signal for transmission; feeding the summed signal to each of the multiple transmit antennae for transmission; transmitting the signals over respective physical channels; receiving the transmitted signal at at least a single receive antenna; feeding the transmitted signal to a multiple a

Abstract: An end configuration for a bat includes in one embodiment an end cap that has a base that is shaped to fit within the open end of the bat thereby to attach the end cap to the bat. The end cap also includes a convexly contoured end surface that is exposed when the end cap is attached to the bat. The end surface is roughened to reduce the aerodynamic drag when the bat is swung, thereby to increase the momentum of the bat for a given amount of force applied to swing the bat.

Abstract: A slide fastener and related pull are disclosed. The pull is formed of an elongate strip of material defining a handle portion between a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the pull is attached to the article bearing an elongate set of engaging structures for the slide fastener. A slide for operably engaging the set of engaging structures is attached to the pull toward the opposite second end. Accordingly, the handle portion forms an easily graspable quasi-pull chord for opening and closing the pull fastener. In a preferred embodiment, a tab portion of the pull extends from the slide attachment point on the pull to the second end of the pull, and it is detachably secured to the article when the slide fastener is in its closed position. Accordingly, the pull itself can be used as a storage device to hang objects such as a towel, a pair of shoes or the like therefrom. The pull can also serve as a protective cover for the pull fastener and have surface ornamentation thereon.

Abstract: A travel trailer having a two-level chassis supporting at least two discrete floor sections at at least two different heights above the ground with at least one of those floors having a bathroom portion being supported by an upper chassis beam is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the chassis has a substantially horizontal forward upper portion and a substantially horizontal rearward lower portion, and an upper floor is secured to the upper portion and a lower floor is secured to the lower portion with an intermediate floor positioned below the upper edge of the upper portion of the chassis to a height intermediate that of the upper and lower floors. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the intermediate floor is suspended below the upper chassis portion. The area underneath the intermediate section and above the bottom of the trailer defines a storage area that is not blocked or limited in size by the width of the chassis beams.

Abstract: An optical conduit is bundled with one or more fluid carrying conduits such that the bundled conduits are axially aligned near their distal ends. Light and fluid emitted from orifices at the terminal ends of the conduits are emitted along substantially coaxial paths. A ferrule is preferably used to bundle the conduits together at the distal ends of the conduits, and elsewhere along their combined lengths if desired. The fluid conduit may comprise an outer tube and a smaller coaxial inner tube, one tube for delivering a first fluid and the other tube for delivering a second fluid. The optical conduit comprises optical fibers for delivering light through the end of the bundle. Because the conduits are bundled near the distal ends of the aligned tubes, the light and fluid delivered through the conduits are precisely aimed at the intended point.

Abstract: A thrust bearing and method of assembling a thrust bearing, the bearing comprising: an outer housing having a substantially circular base, wherein a cylindrical side wall and a central post are upstanding from the base; an outer ball seated on and at least partially within the outer housing; and an inner ball mounted on the central post, wherein the outer ball is sandwiched between the inner ball and the outer housing.

Abstract: An active power factor pre-converter having AC voltage input from a mains AC power supply and a DC output voltage, the pre-converter comprising adjustment means to adjust automatically, in operation, the DC output voltage as a function of the rectified AC voltage input.

Abstract: A chain ring protector having a substantially planar mounting bracket operably secured to the bottom bracket sleeve of a vehicle with a durable semi-circumferential guard extending therefrom is disclosed. The durable guard has a substantially arcuate outer edge sized to approximate the outer diameter of a chain ring, and it is operably secured to the planar mounting bracket such that the outer edge extends slightly beyond the outer diameter of the portion of the chain ring extending below the bottom bracket sleeve.

Abstract: A golf putter has a clubhead that includes a ball striking surface defined by a curved concave surface over which a coating material has been applied. The outer surface of the coating material is substantially flat. The coating material is selected according to desired functional characteristics and hardness.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation, the device comprising: an elongate sample of a quasi-three-level laser material; a source of pumping radiation; and a concentrator configured such that at least some of the pumping radiation emitted by the source of pumping radiation is concentrated by the concentrator and subsequently enters the sample through a side surface thereof.

Abstract: A phallic device mount for operably securing a phallic device thereto and a method of use are disclosed. The mount is positioned adjacent to and supported by a bed. A substantially planar bed-engaging portion is positioned below the mattress of the bed and extends to the mount thereby holding the mount in place during use. Preferably, the substantially planar bed-engaging portion is retractable within the mount for easy concealment of the mount when not in use, and it is slideably secured between a box spring and mattress of the bed during use of the mount. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the planar bed-engaging portion and the height of the phallic device are both independently adjustable by a user.

Abstract: A bearing assembly and method of manufacturing a bearing assembly exposable to transmission fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bearing housing (2) having: a base; an annular wall (11) upstanding from the base having an inner (6) and an outer surface; and a flange (10) extending from the base; providing a ball (3) at one end of a stem (4); forming a hemi-spherical cup in the base of the bearing housing encircled by the annular wall, the cup having an inner surface; seating the hall in the cup; and swaging the annular wall onto the ball.