Abstract: A seat for a disabled driver or passenger at the door of an automotive vehicle, the door moving between closed and open positions at a doorway through which the seat is accessible. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component remote from the doorway and a transport cushion component adjacent to the doorway, the transport cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The transport cushion component, when in extended position, is located downwardly and outwardly of its retracted position. The transport cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a manual actuator for maintaining movement between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The actuator is accessible to constant manual control at a handle bar that moves with the transport cushion.

Abstract: An novel lampshade and process of its manufacture are disclosed. The lampshade is characterized by an understated elegant look. The lampshade looks as if stretched on the outside, and features a contoured lining. Essentially, the lampshade comprises a cover that serves as a rigid shell that defines upper and lower perimeters. The lining is secured at the perimeters to the shell and is separated therefrom by a form.

Abstract: A load-bearing plastic orthopaedic joint implant, formed aat least partially of UHMWPE or HDPE material, and a process of subjecting at least the load-bearing surface thereof to ion implantation so as to improve its surface characteristics are disclosed. Such improved surface characteristics result, inter alia, from the formation in the treated surfaces, of increased carbon to carbon bonds, diamond-like carbon chain scissions and wherein the implanted ions do not form precipitate chemical compounds with the plastic material.

Abstract: A universal mounting bracket for U-locks of the kind featuring a U-shaped shackle and a cross bar for securing motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and the like is disclosed. The universal mounting bracket is adjustable to mount U-locks of sizes varying from about 2" to about 6" as measured between the legs, as well as the legs ranging in lengths from about 5" to about 12", and with the thickness of the respective legs varying from about 1/2" to about 3/4". Essentially, the universal mounting bracket includes a base plate, a vise removably attached thereto at one end, a cam member mounted thereto with limited rotational displacement at the other end, and means for securing the bracket to a motorcycle, scooter, moped or the like.

Abstract: An improved surgical implant, formed of cobalt-chromium and its alloys in contact with a bearing surface formed by UHMWPE, and a process of its manufacture are disclosed. The improved surgical implant is designed to reduce the wear of the UHMPE component of the surgical implant, enhancing its useful life. The process essentially includes the ion implantation of the cobalt-chromium component, with a resultant increase in its microhardness and a decrease in its coefficient of friction, particularly when articulating against the UHMWPE component.

Abstract: A process of improving the sensing function of biocompatible electrodes and the product so made are disclosed. The process is designed to alter the surfaces of the electrodes at their tips to provide increased surface area and therefore decreased contact resistance at the electrode-tissue interface for increased sensitivity and essentially includes rendering the tips atomically clean by exposing them to bombardment by ions of an inert gas, depositing an adhesion layer on the cleaned tips, forming a hillocked layer on the adhesion layer by increasing the temperature of the tips, and applying a biocompatible coating on the hillocked layer. The resultant biocompatible electrode is characterized by improved sensitivity, minimum voltage requirement for organ stimulation and a longer battery life for the device in which it is employed.

Abstract: A process of making strain-free, heavily carbon-doped p-type epitaxial layers for use in high performance devices and at least one such device so made. The process essentially includes the epitaxial deposition of a strain-free, carbon-doped p-type layer in a GaAs HBT device to form the base layer thereof in a manner that includes the balancing of the strain of the crystal lattice structure caused by the carbon doping by co-doping the base layer with an isovalent and isoelectric dopant. The co-doping also improves device performance. It also effects alloy hardening, which inhibits further defect formation, improves mobility and carrier lifetime of the base layer and, by narrowing the energy gap, it improves ohmic contact formation.

Abstract: A stream of gaseous source compounds and their ranges of relative ratios useful in the deposition of thin film ferroelectric materials by CVD are disclosed. The stream of gaseous source compounds are used in combination with a CVD reactor flushed with an inert gas and maintained at a predetermined internal pressure and, a substrate disposed within the CVD reactor and maintained at a predetermined temperature. The steam of gaseous source compounds include a Zr source compound, a Ti source compound, a Pb source compound, an oxidizing agent compound, and an inert gas, as well as their ranges of relative ratios to deposit lead-zirconate-titanate, related ferroelectrics, specifically including lead-lanthanum-zirconium-titanate.

Abstract: Improved methods for the treatment of spherical surfaces designed to improve their physical and chemical properties are disclosed. The methods include the provision of a fixture by which a plurality of spherical workpieces are presented to a treatment source in a way that their entire respective spherical surfaces are uniformly treated and to a uniform predetermined depth. The fixture is mounted for motion about two axes normal to each other. The methods include randomization of the motion about one of the two axes of motion by interrupting one of the two motions for a predetermined period of time. The treatment sources include: pulsed electron beam and light sources, plasma sources, reaction chambers for CVD or MOCVD, sputtering, sputter enhanced ion implantation sources and physical vapor deposition in conjunction with an ion beam source.

Abstract: The construction system of the present invention comprises a plurality of connectors and a plurality of struts, each of the connectors including three discrete flat elements interconnected in three mutually perpendicular planes, each of the three flat elements being composed of a semi-rigid material, each of the three flat elements having a plurality of outwardly directed prongs, and each of the struts being tubes into which the prongs project. The three flat elements are connected by engaging notches and slots. The prongs and the struts are connected by engaging catches and apertures. At least two of the elements have central openings presenting internal profiles and outer peripheries presenting external profiles.

Abstract: An improved bicycle lock, featuring a U-shaped shackle, a cross bar and means for securing one to the other, is disclosed. The means for securing the shackle to the cross bar also functions as a fulcrum, permitting a tilting movement between the two parts, required in assembling and dissassembling them. The means further includes a locking mechanism removably mounted in the cross bar in between the shackle's legs, and features a dead bolt. The cross bar extends beyond the shackle's legs less than twice the diameter of one of those legs, resulting in a compact and sturdy design. A plastic cover encloses at least the cross bar and is preferably formed of two parts slidably fitted over the cross bar, with means for securing the two parts to one another. Preferably, an environmental protection means is provided for the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An improved method and an apparatus for the ion implantation of spherical surfaces are disclosed. The method includes the provision of a revised fixture by which a plurality of spherical workpieces are presented to a large area ion beam in a way that their entire respective spherical surfaces are uniformly ion implanted to improve their surface characteristics. The fixture includes a disc mounted for motion about two axes normal to each other, a plurality of holes formed in a the disc loosely to accommodate therein a plurality of spherical workpieces, each of the plurality of holes formed with a spherical bottom and having a cleaning orifice, cooling means disposed on one side of the disc, a thermocouple operatively mounted in association with the disc, and a cover plate mounted on a second side of the disc and provided with a plurality of apertures concentric with the plurality of holes formed in the disc.

Abstract: An improved fastener for releasably securing bicycle accessories to a bicycle frame is disclosed. The fastener is formed with an integral body of a hard resilient polymer including a pair of opposed retainer portions and a medial portion therebetween. One retainer portion has an opening defined by a flexible pair of jaws with inner surfaces presenting a curved seat for snugly receiving a part of a bicycle frame ranging in diameter from one to about 11/2 inches. The medial portion acts as a buffer for mechanically and flexibly isolating the pair of retainer portions from each other and features a cusped opening. The other retainer portion is formed with a cross sectional opening including circular, rectangular, oval, crescent-shaped, pentagonal, hexagonal and octogonal. The pair of jaws are secured to the bicycle part by either a bent bolt, a straight bolt or a sex bolt.

Abstract: An improved photovoltaic cell and a process of making it are disclosed. Essentially, the process merges the technology of ESB with the phenomenon of total internal reflection to provide a photovoltaic cell of improved conversion efficiency and comprising a solar cell formed of a semiconductor material and provided with a front contact, a cover plate formed of a glass having a thermal expansion coefficient matching that of the semiconductor material, with the back surface of the cover plate provided with a plurality of V-grooves overlying the front contact and being electrostatically bonded to the solar cell. The V-grooves serve both as clearance slots for the front contact and its converging facets as reflecting surfaces to direct incident light onto the cell's surfaces in between the front contact grid lines.

Abstract: An improved process of making a ferroelectric electronic component, such as a non-volatile RAM or an electro-optic switching array, is disclosed. The process essentially includes the separate formation of two subassemblies and then connecting them by placing one on top of the other. Electrical contacts are made by "bumping" or other "flip chip" techniques.

Abstract: A seat for disabled driver or passenger at the door of an automotive vehicle, the door moving between closed and open positions at a doorway through which the seat is accessible. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component remote from the doorway and a lift cushion component adjacent to the doorway, the lift cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The lift cushion component, when in extended position, is located upwardly of its retracted position. The lift cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a manual actuator for maintaining movement between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The actuator is accessible to constant manual control at the window sill of a front door of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An improved bicycle lock, featuring a U-shaped shackle, a cross bar and means for securing one to the other, is disclosed. The means for securing the shackle to the cross bar also functions as a fulcrum, permitting a tilting movement between the two parts, required in assembling and dissassembling them. The means further includes a locking mechanism removably mounted in the cross bar in between the shackle's legs, and features a dead bolt. The cross bar extends beyond the shackle's legs less than twice the diameter of one of those legs, resulting in a compact and sturdy design. A plastic cover encloses at least the cross bar and is preferably formed of two parts slidably fitted over the cross bar, with means for securing the two parts to one another. Preferably, an environmental protection means is provided for the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide, for use on a limited site, an integrated architectural structure comprising particular personal occupancy space, particular automotive vehicle parking space, and particular access space communicating therebetween, all intimately juxtaposed. The personal occupancy space contains a plurality of personal occupancy units, i.e. apartments or offices, and at least one personal occupancy elevator and stairwell. The vehicle parking space contains one or more elevator lifts of specific design, namely, a lift that is movable only vertically and that includes a vertical array of levels, each level of which includes a horizontal array of automotive vehicle locations. Movement of this parking lift to selected vertical positions is such that selected levels of the vertical array communicate with the access level at selected times for vehicle storage or vehicle retrieval.

Abstract: An improved method and an apparatus for the ion implantation of spherical surfaces are disclosed. The method includes the provision of a revised fixture by which a plurality of spherical workpieces are presented to a large area ion beam in a way that their entire respective spherical surfaces are uniformly ion implanted to improve their surface characteristics. The fixture includes a disc mounted for motion about two axes normal to each other, a plurality of holes formed in a the disc loosely to accommodate therein a plurality of spherical workpieces, each of the plurality of holes formed with a spherical bottom and having a cleaning orifice, cooling means disposed on one side of the disc, a thermocouple operatively mounted in association with the disc, and a cover plate mounted on a second side of the disc and provided with a plurality of apertures concentric with the plurality of holes formed in the disc.

Abstract: The present invention enables visualizing, identifying and ordering speed reduction gearing configurations, particularly enclosed worm gear configurations, by a system comprising a mechanical display and a digital computer, which cooperate in a novel manner. The mechanical display includes sequences of adjustable slide media, each having at least a stationary base component and a rotatable disk component of sufficiently large size for convenient visual and manual access. The digital computer includes a host computer and a plurality of dedicated terminals that communicate with the host computer through telephone lines. Each of the terminals contains a programmed read only memory which guides the terminal user, through a sequence of inquiries, to automatically telephone the host computer, to transmit input data from the mechanical display to the host computer, and to display the result data received from the host computer for confirmation or rejection by the user.