Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for separating electrical connector assemblies. Electrical connector assemblies typically comprise a male connector, commonly called a plug, and a female connector, commonly called a receptacle. The separation of an electrical connector assembly is accomplished by at least one lever disposed in the body of at least one of the connectors. The lever is attached to the body of the connector such that when the lever is “up” the lower portion of the lever is flush with the mating surface so as not to not interfere with the coupling of the connector. Actuation of the lever, i.e., moving the lever to its down position, causes a displacement of at least one of the connectors comprising the electrical connector assembly. The present invention may be adapted to a wide range of electrical connectors including, but not limited to: standard household plug and sockets, parallel connectors, serial connectors, and inline connectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a manually installable and removable sunroof system comprising a roof with an opening, a roof panel that is removeably secured in the opening, and an upwardly biased and retractable wind deflector assembly stowable within an area near the opening. During installation of the roof panel, the deflector assembly may be held into place by a pivoting and engagingly-biased latch. In one embodiment, as the roof panel is installed, an extension, protruding therefrom, confronts the pivoting latch, at which point the wind deflector is disengaged from the latch and thereafter held in a substantially retracted position by the roof panel. When the roof panel is next removed, the previously retracted wind deflector is automatically deployed into an operational position. In some embodiments, the deflector assembly may be fabricated from a flexible material and may be maintained in a retracted position and subsequently deployed using a manually actuated latch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pop-up vehicle wind deflector. The wind deflector comprises a lower frame member coupled to the vehicle proximate an opening in the roof, an upper frame member pivotably coupled to the vehicle proximate the opening, a flexible material coupled between the upper and lower frame members and a biasing means acting upon the upper frame member effective to extend the upper frame member away from the lower frame member. The flexible or elastic material coupled to the upper and lower frame members provides a wind-confronting surface when the upper frame member is extended away from the lower frame member. The upper frame member may be upwardly bowed to provide additional tension on the central portion of the flexible material when the upper frame member is extended away from the lower frame member.

Abstract: An object that includes a sound chip coupled to a receiving and audio (R/A) device. The sound chip may preferably be either static or dynamic in regards to its recording capabilities in the field, i.e., outside the manufacturing environment. Through this coupling data stored on the sound chip is played back through an audio system in the R/A device. This stored data is correlated to a type of the object, e.g., a person, a color, a shape, a machine, an animal, a planet, a trading card, etc. Optionally, the R/A device can be coupled to a computer, and the stored data in the object can control the computer such that the type of object initiates playback through the computer of either data stored in the computer or related data on the Internet or Intranet. Also, an alternative R/A device has a rotating section so that the object can be seen by more people in an area. Further, the object can have LED circuits to illuminate predetermined parts and motors to move predetermined parts.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a primary section and a multiple voltage secondary section. The multiple voltage secondary section includes a multiple voltage resonance section, a filter section, and a load coupling section. The circuit also includes a transformer, which is operatively configured to couple the primary and secondary sections. The multiple voltage resonance section includes a capacitance, i.e., an Alexander Topology. This capacitance, which is preferable based on series capacitors, operatively generates a predetermined voltage, such that a turns ratio of the transformer is lower than a non-multiple voltage resonance section to generate the predetermined voltage. Hence, this configuration decreases energy loss from the transformer, thereby increasing efficiency.

Abstract: A folding chair having adjustable rear legs for use on flat, even ground and in addition, on sloping terrain from about zero degrees to twenty degrees and being continuously adjustable over this range by a user in a seated position.

Abstract: Sturdy and easily adjustable lawn furniture provides for use on sloped surfaces ranging from zero to thirty degrees. Provisions are made so that adjustment of the furniture made be effected while in use. Additional features include a drink holder and a holder for printed materials.

Abstract: A garment diaper detector for detecting wetness conditions in diapers or undergarments comprising a capacitive sensor located within a housing and affixed to the exterior surface of the garment being monitored. The sensor is comprised of two substantially solid, coplanar conductor plates affixed to a common substrate and has a very high dynamic range. The inside of the garment becomes wet, the capacitance between the spaced conductors rises above a predetermined value whereupon the detector provides an output to a transmitter or an alarm. When the garment is being changed, the detector is removed from the exterior surface of the garment for reuse on the next. In one embodiment of the invention, multiple, uniquely addressed wetness detectors are employed to monitor the wetness conditions in a plurality of garments, such as in a hospital or nursing home. When a garment becomes wet, that unique address is transmitted to a central monitoring station which dispatches a care giver to change the garment.

Abstract: Method for optimizing the print path of an articulated marking head during the application of a data string of segmented characters. The controlling program which implements the optimized marking head sequence provides for skipping unused line segments within a given data string, thus eliminating unnecessary marking head travel and lessening print cycle time.

Abstract: A jig saw accessory is provided that is adaptable to multiple brands of jig saws and mounts to a saw in place of its conventional flat base. The invention is an improved coping foot plate for a reciprocating saw comprising a round or bullet nosed foot plate having a superior, top surface and an inferior, bottom surface opposite the top surface; an proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end; two lateral portions, left and right, opposite each other, each lateral portion being the mirror image of the other as the foot plate is bisected medially from proximal end to distal end; and a means for providing a rounded bearing surface plate for a jig saw with blade whereby triple compound cuts can be made into a material in one motion or movement while maintaining plate bearing contact at the point of blade to material cut or penetration.

Abstract: Marking of a generally planar object at a first surface thereof with one or more indentation-defined pixels. For generating the marking, an anvil member is provided as having an impact surface. A marking head is positioned at a fixed relationship with respect to the anvil member. The head includes a confronting portion opposing the impact surface, and a marker pin having a distal impacting tip issuing from the confronting portion which is reciprocatably actuable along a marking axis from a retracted position to an extended position. With the object disposed intermediate the marking head and the anvil member, and with at least a portion of the second surface of the object being supported on the impact surface of the anvil member, the object may be positioned at a predefined pixel location within a marking locus.

Abstract: A dual lamp fixture having an integral power supply and control circuit. The dual lamp fixture utilizes stroboscopic and incandescent lamps mounted near the focus of a parabolic reflector which may be actuated alternately, individually or simultaneously. Multiple lamps may be connected in parallel to a DC power bus and a differential line, twisted-pair communication bus to achieve a variety of controlled flashing patterns. Each lamp will perform its given tasks when an appropriate command signal is placed on the communication bus. To take full advantage of this distributed control and the advantages in bus-wiring topology, the power supply is located in close proximity to its controller and light fixture.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system controller is disclosed which controls and synchronizes all annunciators installed on a vehicle. The vehicle light control system takes a modular approach to vehicle light control. The first module is an operator module that accepts control commands from an operator and provides visual feedback to the operator. The second module is a central module which processes the commands and controls the attached annunciators and accessories. The vehicle light control system of the present invention has the ability to interface with and control several types of annunciators.