Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making an item of jewelry. The method includes the steps of providing a chain comprising a plurality of links; providing at least one bead having an opening defined therethrough; providing a press having a support member, a hammer, and at least one pin; positioning the bead on the chain; resting the bead on the support member; positioning a first link on the at least one pin; and actuating the press, whereby the first link is widened. In a preferred embodiment the item of jewelry is a rosary.

Abstract: A container closure assembly that includes a base that is adapted to be connected to a container, a spout extending upwardly from the base, and a cap removably secured on the spout. The spout defines an interior and includes a nozzle, the interior of which is spanned by a membrane that includes at least one score line defined therein. The cap includes a ring depending from and frangibly connected thereto, and includes a puncturing mechanism depending downwardly from a top thereof. Rotation of the cap in a first direction breaks the frangible connection between the cap and ring and causes the puncturing mechanism to puncture the membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane includes a pair of intersecting score lines that tear when the membrane is punctured. In another preferred embodiment, the container closure assembly includes a leash that connects the cap and ring and that has a thickness and a width.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing calibration of sensor signals in a sensor having a measuring sensor and a reference sensor. The method includes receiving a sensor signal and a reference signal from the measuring sensor and the reference sensor, respectively. The method further includes providing a first compensation signal to the sensor signal based on a gain characteristic and providing a second compensation signal to the reference signal based on the gain characteristic and an offset characteristic; combining the first compensation signal and the sensor signal, and the second compensation signal and the reference signal to create a compensated sensor signal; and, adjusting the compensated signal for temperature effects by coupling a component having a high thermal coefficient to the sensor. An apparatus is also described herein.

Abstract: A threading device that includes an elongated tube having first and second opposite ends and a fiberoptic core. The elongated tube includes an interior and an eyelet defined therein. The first end of the elongated tube includes a blunt tip affixed thereto and the second end includes a threaded connector. The blunt tip is translucent. The fiberoptic core includes at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube that illuminates the translucent tip when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.

Abstract: A master cylinder assembly for a bicycle disc brake having a housing defining a cylinder, a piston received in the cylinder, a lever pivotably attached to the housing, and an adjustment guide body that is operatively associated with the piston. The piston is moveable within the cylinder between a select starting position and a pressurized position. The lever is operatively associated with the piston to move the piston from the select starting position to the pressurized position as the lever is pivoted between a rest position and a fully-actuated position. The adjustment guide body is pivotable between a first position and a second position for adjusting the select starting position of the piston.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus that includes an outer housing defining an intake vent and an exhaust vent, an inner housing disposed within the interior of the outer housing, and an air path defined between the outer housing and the inner housing. The outer housing includes a cover, a top and a plurality of side walls that define the interior, and the inner housing includes a top and a plurality of side walls that correspond to the top and plurality of side walls of the outer housing. The air entering the outer housing through the intake vent travels along the air path and exits the outer housing through the exhaust vent.

Abstract: A weight measurement system is disclosed for measuring the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is positioned at the rear portion of the vehicle seat and a load transfer link is used to transfer the weight from the front portion of the vehicle seat to the rear portion, to be measured by the sensor. The transfer link is a selectively compliant beam having a first rigid section and a second rigid section connected to each other via a flexible area. The first and second rigid sections preferably include wing portions for increasing the rigidity of the sections. The flexible area is more compliant than the rigid sections. The load transfer link is configured to transition a load placed on the front portion of the link to the rear portion. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the load transfer link is made of a high strength, low alloy steel.

Abstract: A method for monitoring pressure is described herein. The method includes the steps of performing an accurate measurement of pressure and performing an approximate measurement of pressure. Then, providing a notification signal if a difference between the approximate measurement and the accurate measurement is greater than a predetermined value. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.

Abstract: Photochemical demethylation reactions in solutions of thiazine dyes, in which the dye molecules act as both sensitizer and substrate, are reduced by quenching triple-state dye molecules, returning them to the unreactive ground state.

Abstract: A dual lever hydraulic brake assembly is described. The brake assembly comprises two levers operatively connected to a hydraulic brake system. A hydraulic assembly is also described wherein a lever is operatively connected to a master cylinder such that moving the lever in an actuating direction moves the master cylinder in a first direction.