Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle tracking and security system which allows immediate response in case of vehicle theft, an accident, vehicle breakdown, or other emergency. Guardian and tracking functions are provided through Mobile Units installed in hidden locations in vehicles to be monitored. The Mobile Units communicate with a Control Center. Preferably, the Mobile Unit provides vehicle theft and intrusion protection using an in-vehicle alarm and security system linked to the Control Center by a transceiver in the Mobile Unit. Also, a keypad or other human interface device is provided, allowing a vehicle driver or occupant to signal the Control Center that a particular type of assistance is needed. The vehicle's location may be automatically transmitted to the Control Center along with any automatic alarm signal or manually entered request, the location being precisely determinable anywhere in the world through use of Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing the overall production efficiency of any pumping well based on accurate measurements of the time-averaged rate that fluid exists the wellhead. The improved apparatus includes temperature compensated, hermetically sealed electronic sensors that accurately measure the instantaneous rate of both pulsating and steady-state flow, and devices for processing measured flow-rate information to ascertain the performance of downhole equipment and fluid reservoirs. The apparatus is self-calibrating on any well, and automatically compensates for normal changes in both downhole equipment and reservoir performance that typically limit the operation of conventional well-control devices. The apparatus may be easily installed at ground level without major changes to existing wellhead equipment, and readily adapts to the efficient control of pumping equipment utilized with any other type of fluid reservoir.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful irrigation and drainage method and apparatus, the apparatus comprising a pump for raising water via a well from a subsurface water table; a subsurface perforated piping network for distribution of water at a level between the level of the water table and the ground surface to create an artificial water table; and structure for connecting an outlet of the pump with an inlet of the piping network. Drainage piping may be provided connected to an outlet of the piping network.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting partially through the layers of a laminate. The invention uses a roller having a resilient surface of specified hardness over which are stretched a number of wires extending helically about its circumference, so that the wires are supported on the tool surface by the resilient layer. A cooperating hard surfaced roller applies a controlled amount of pressure to the sheet material in a nip formed with the scoring roller. This arrangement provides highly even score lines.

Abstract: A tube and tube shield assembly comprises a cylindrical tube having a lug extending radially therefrom and a tube shield. The tube shield includes a semi-cylindrical shield member having a diameter substantially equal to that of the tube, the shield member having a slot formed therein for receiving the lug, and a retainer for retaining the shield member in engagement around the tube. The tube shield has an upper end and a lower end, and the slot is formed either extending inwardly of the lower end, for use with vertically-oriented tubes, or the tube shield has the slot formed intermediate its ends, for use with horizontally-oriented tubes. The retainer can comprise at least two U-shaped straps, each of the straps having opposed ends attached, for example by welding, to the tube shield.

Abstract: A combination disconnect/reversing switch for use in explosive environments for isolating an electrical power source from a three-phase motor or for reversing the operation of a motor. The disconnect/reversing switch comprises a handle, mounting plate, front insulator plate, mounting flange, front contact holder, moveable contact holder, rear contact holder, and rear contact retainer. The handle actuates the moveable contact holder between open circuit, or load-grounded, (or reverse in the case of a reversing switch) and closed (or forward) positions. The moveable contact holder contains three electrically conductive pin members which engage corresponding electrical contacts on either the front contact holder, corresponding to the open (or reverse in the case of a reversing switch) position, or rear contact holder, corresponding to the closed (or forward) position.

Abstract: A method of making a cage for use in a roller bearing comprises the steps of forming an inner circumferential groove centrally in an annular-shaped workpiece made of metal to define a circumferentially-extending side ring section on either side of the groove, punching the workpiece to form a plurality of axially-extending, circumferentially spaced-apart pockets for receiving rollers, and roughly abrading the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece. The punching and abrading steps inherently cause the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece at the side ring sections to become wavy, with a plurality of alternating recessed and raised portions. As a result of the abrading step, the difference in depth between the tops of the raised portions and the recessed portions is in the range of between approximately 60 .mu.m to 70 .mu.m.

Abstract: A trash tank includes a tank body which has a top open end and a partition which divides the tank body into an upper section and a lower section. The upper section receives a trash bag with a mouth disposed on a periphery of the top open end of the tank body. An elongated pedal member has a first end pivoted to an internal wall of the lower section of the tank body and a second end extending out of the tank body. A clamping device is provided for clamping detachably the mouth of the trash bag. The clamping device is disposed on the top open end of the tank body. An actuating device is provided for actuating the clamping device by means of pedaling the elongated pedal member. A fastening device is provided for fastening the mouth of the trash bag after the clamping device is detached from the mouth of the trash bag.

Abstract: A method of treating erectile dysfunctions in mammals and men, by administering to the mammal or man a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Abstract: The drive shaft drive mechanism of the invention converts straight-line motion into rotary motion, or rotary motion into straight-line motion. The mechanism is provided with a pivot-pin connected to one or more pistons, an internally-toothed ring gear, a planet gear in contact with the ring gear, and an eccentric disk driven by the planet gear, such that the pivot-pin connected to the pistons have a straight-line motion, and the conversion of the direction of the motion is achieved without the insertion of a crank shaft.

Abstract: A variable length character string detection apparatus comprises a character collating part which registers a character string and compares each character of an input character string with each character making up the registered character string so as to output character string collating signals which respectively indicate whether or not each character of the input character string coincides with one of the characters making up the registered character string, a partial character string detecting part for carrying out predetermined logic operations on the character string collating signals and for outputting partial character string collating signals which respectively indicate whether or not the registered character string which coincides with the input character string and partial character strings thereof exist, and a detection pattern control part for carrying out a predetermined logic operation on the partial character string collating signals and for outputting collating result signals which respectivel

Abstract: A proportional valve comprises two electrically actuated proportional throttle valves, each having an outlet connected to a non-return valve, to each of which a seat valve is connected, each seat valve being pilot-controlled by one of the proportional throttle valves; the electric actuation of the proportional throttle valves proportionally controls and regulates the functions of a hydraulic cylinder. The two throttle valves and the two seat valves are mounted on a housing block which has a planar face at which are connections to a pressure line, a tank line and working lines.

Abstract: A rotatable package display rack comprises a post made of four vertically extending boards, two of the boards being spaced and parallel boards, and the other two boards being spaced and parallel, and perpendicular to the first two boards. An edge of one board engages the side of another board, and a hollow provided by faces of the vertical boards receives and journals a shaft extending upwardly from feet which support the post. The boards are notched, to receive cross arms, the cross arms supporting hangers from which packaged products may be suspended. Each cross arm is in engaging relationship with notches in two of the boards of the post, and engages the faces of the other two boards of the post.

Abstract: A box member is provided for containing electrical distribution circuits, including circuit breakers, and which has a front wall, a back wall, side walls and end walls, with an electrical inlet receptacle located on one end wall of the box. A receptacle support member extends rearwardly from the box back wall and has a rear surface, side surfaces and end surfaces. The side-to-side width of the support member is substantially smaller than the side-to-side width of the box member, and the support member is preferably centered with respect to the side walls of the box member so as to form a "T" shape configuration. At least one electrical outlet receptacle is also located on each side surface of the support member, and each outlet receptacle extends outwardly and downwardly from its support side surface but does not protrude beyond a side wall of the box member.

Abstract: The meshing between a rack which moves according to steering operation and a sector gear meshed with the rack is adjusted by the movement of an output shaft in its own axis direction which is united with the sector gear. A through hole is formed along the axis center line of the output shaft, and a threaded shaft is inserted into the through hole. The threaded shaft is screwed into the output shaft. One end of the threaded shaft is accessible for rotating from the side where a steering mechanism member is mounted. The other end of the threaded shaft is connected to a housing in a manner that the threaded shaft is rotatable around in its own axis but that the threaded shaft is unmovable in its own axis direction.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful removable lid, particularly adapted for commercial sized containers of the type which holds oils, grease, bulk food stuffs and the like. The lid comprises a central lid area which has parallel upper and lower surfaces. A continuous channel extends about the periphery of the lower surface. The channel has inner and outer walls for releasably receiving therebetween the upper lid of a container. A skirt downwardly depends about the periphery of the lid area. The skirt forms part of the outer wall of the channel. Means at the bottom of the channel act as a seal between the lid and the container when the lid is in position on the container.

Abstract: A noise eliminating apparatus includes a first feature extracting block for individually extracting a feature quantity X(f) (f =1, 2, . . . , n) of an input speech containing a noise for n channels (n is an integer), and a second feature extracting block for individually extracting a feature quantity N(f) of the noise for the n channels. The apparatus also includes a noise eliminating block for deriving a first noise eliminating variable k(f) and a second noise eliminating variable d(f) from the feature quantity X(f) of the input speech containing the noise provided for each of the n channels and the feature quantity N(f) of the noise provided for each of the n channels and for generating a feature quantity S(f) of a noise-eliminated input speech in accordance with the following formula:s(f)=X(f)-k(f).N(f)-d(f).

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a golf tool comprises an upper tee portion including a tee cup, and a lower green repair portion including a body portion adjacent to the upper tee portion and a pair of prongs extending downwardly from said body portion. A ball marker is removably attached to the body portion. In a second embodiment, the inner edges of the prongs comprise a range-finder for determining the distance between a golfer holding the tool and a pin of known height, and a golf tee is attached to the tee portion by a cord. The golf tee and cord function to position the range-finder a predetermined distance from the eyes of the golfer. In a third embodiment, the golf tool comprises first, second, and third members, and cords respectively attaching the second and third members to the first member. The first member includes a body portion and a pair of prongs extending downwardly from the body portion, the inner edges of the prongs comprising a range-finder.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter is mounted on the end of an articulated boom supported for horizontal and vertical movement on a relatively small tractor by removable frame means. The frame means includes front to rear extending left and right longitudinal side frames which are connected by a U-shaped frame extending over the motor housing of the tractor and connected at its lower end portions to the side of the frame members. A rotary vegetation cutting housing is pivotally attached to the outer end of the articulated boom by a unique linkage means permitting the housing to be pivoted about a horizontal pivot through an arc in excess of 180.degree.. A hydraulic motor on the cutter housing drives a cutter blade through a unique non-tapered cutter shaft which is held in the housing in the event of bearing seizure by unique drive means which precludes the rotating blade from dropping from the housing to create an accident hazard.