Abstract: A therapeutic article is provided which includes an enclosure containing at least a single structure for overlaying a pressure point, and a viscous fluid substantially surrounding the at least a single structure. The at least a single structure is free to be selectively positionable within the viscous fluid, and along a length and width of the elongate enclosure. The viscous fluid is suited for selectively heating or chilling in furtherance of therapy enhancement. The article is further adapted for use as a wrap structure for affixation about an body portion for receipt of therapy.

Abstract: An improved test socket for use in testing integrated circuits. The test socket includes a housing having one or more slots formed therein. Contacts can be received within respective slots and maintained therein with rear ends of the contacts in engagement with traces on a load board. Mounting is accomplished by means of a pair of elastomers, and the elastomers maintain each contact such that, when the front end of a contact is engaged by the lead or pad of the device to be tested and urged into its corresponding slot, an arcuate surface at a rear end of each contact rolls across its corresponding trace with virtually no translational or rotational sliding.

Abstract: A game call for use during hunting various species of animals. The game call includes a housing at opposite axial ends of which are mounted a pressurized gas reservoir and a nozzle. Pressurized gas in the reservoir passes through an egress port and into a plenum formed in the housing. Gas metered by the plenum of the housing passes through an ingress port into a chamber within the nozzle. A sound-producing member mounted in the chamber is actuated by the gas exhausted through the nozzle.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle comprising at least one front roof element (4) and one rear roof element (3), these at least two elements being mobile between a covering position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a storage position in which they are folded away in the rear boot of the vehicle, the roof also comprising two pivoting arms (1, 2) mounted such as to pivot around axles of rotation (9, 10) on the rear roof element (3) between a longitudinal position in which they extend between the front end of the rear element (3) and the rear of the windscreen on either side and all along the front roof element (4), and a transverse position in which they overlap each other transversally in relation to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interfacial force microscope includes a differential-capacitance displacement sensor having a tip mounted on an oscillating member. The sensor generates displacement signals in response to oscillations of the member. A scanner is adjacent the sensor and supports a sample to be imaged. The scanner is actuable to move the sample relative to the sensor to bring the tip into intermittent contact with said sample as the member oscillates. A controller is in communication with the sensor and the scanner. The controller includes a sensor feedback circuit receiving the displacement signals and an AC setpoint signal. The AC setpoint signal has a frequency generally equal to the frequency at the peak of the displacement versus frequency curve of the sensor. The output of the sensor feedback circuit is applied to the sensor to oscillate the member. The controller also provides output to the scanner in response to the displacement signals to control the separation distance between the sensor and the sample.

Abstract: An operator-propelled, four-wheel vehicle uses a treadmill to drive two rear wheels through a bicycle type derailleur and sprocket gear shifter which provides gear changing capability. The front wheels, each of which have disk brakes, are steered by an automotive type steering apparatus. A vertical extension from the steering mechanism at the front of the vehicle mounts a horizontal steering bar to provide steering control. The steering bar also mounts control grips and cables for the front disk brakes and clutch assembly, as well as the gear shifter. An automatic breaking system ensures that an unmanned vehicle will remain in place.

Abstract: A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

Abstract: A monitor display carried by a vehicle. The monitor display is mounted proximate a rim of a corresponding motive wheel of a vehicle. A rim of the motive wheel has a surface which is contoured to substantially conform to an inner surface of the monitor display. The monitor display is rigidly maintained in a non-rotating fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of an individual at a transmission source who has initiated a message relating to an emergency. The system includes means for determining the specific location of the message initiator.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a tool driven by a motor removes motor power under certain circumstances. The tool includes a housing moveable over a ground surface for mounting the tool, and a ground-engaging member moveable relative to the housing and disposed to follow the ground surface as the housing moves over same. The apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the relative position of the housing relative to the ground engaging member. Motor control apparatus selectively stops the motor upon the ground-engaging member and the housing reaching a predetermined relative position.

Abstract: Safety apparatus to reduce injury to occupants of a convertible in the event of its rollover. The apparatus utilizes opposed curved bars slideably stored within mating, hollow, arcuate receptacles attached to the vehicle with one end open upward across and adjacent to the top rear of an occupant's seat. The bars each have springs arranged to deploy one end of the bar upward and outward from the top of a receptacle. A trigger mechanism secures the bars within the receptacles against the force of the spring. The trigger is arranged to release both springs in the event of impact, thus permitting the bars to be deployed outward opposite the top of the vehicle. When deployed in this manner, locks secure the bars in the deployed position.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter to be mounted on a support vehicle for transport and deployment, has a housing with a rotating blade therein. The housing has a roller mounted for rotation forming the bottom edge of a side of the housing. The roller supports the cutter, allowing the cutter to slide along the ground when moved in a forward direction. When the support vehicle changes direction, the roller rotates, reducing the required force for turning the vehicle and cutter.

Abstract: A contact test set for use in testing integrated circuits. The set includes a housing having oppositely-facing surfaces and one or more slots extending through the housing between the surfaces. A first surface, during use of the test set, is approached by an integrated circuit to be tested, and a second surface is proximate the load board at a test site. A contact is received in a slot, each contact having a first end engagable by a lead of the integrated circuit device. A second end of each contact is in engagement with a corresponding terminal. Each contact is movable between a first orientation, unengaged by a corresponding lead of an IC and a second orientation in which the IC is engaged by the corresponding lead of an IC and urged into its slot. An elastomer biases the contact to its first orientation. The contact, when moved between its first and second orientations, does not slide across a terminal of the load board.

Abstract: The invention concerns a retractable roof consisting of at least two elements (1, 2) for a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (7) and a rear deck (6), said roof including a front element (2) and a rear element (1) mobile between a first position wherein they cover the passenger compartment (7) and a second position wherein they are superimposed horizontally in the rear deck (6), the displacement of the rear element (1) towards the rear deck (6) being driven by at least an arm articulated (5) at one first of its ends to the chassis, and the front element (2) being linked to the rear element (1) via two levers (13, 14) articulated each at one first (15, 16) of its ends to said front element.

Abstract: A computer implemented management domain for controlling the production of low volume advanced technology articles of manufacture is provided. The management domain includes an information library, an integrated manufacturing intelligence, and an interrogation network which includes a plurality of analyzers. The information library includes a plurality of databases, each of which include objects of an object schema. Objects of the object schema of any one database are linked or linkable to dependent objects of objects of an object schema of another of the databases. The integrated manufacturing intelligence includes a plurality of processors for processing data of the databases. Each analyzer of the plurality of analyzers executable with regard to an advanced technology article of manufacture and/or any object of the objects of said object schema of the databases.

Abstract: A barrel latch safety for a grenade launcher having a barrel slidable upon a receiver via actuation of a barrel latch is provided. The barrel latch safety includes a locking plate and elongate member extending from a portion thereof so as to define a crotch between the elongate member and a side edge of locking plate. The subject safety is adapted to be positioned on their receiver such that a surface adjacent the side edge of the locking plate prohibits barrel latch actuation upon translation of the safety relative to the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable car roof, comprising several rigid roof elements that can be moved between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored in the vehicle's rear luggage compartment. This roof comprises the following: at least one rear central roof element (5) and one front central roof element (6); rear (7) and front (8) lateral roof elements; the rear central roof element articulated to the chassis of the vehicle around a first transverse axle (9) and the front central roof element articulated to the rear central roof element around a second transverse axle (10); the rear lateral elements articulated to the chassis and the front lateral elements articulated to the rear lateral roof elements.

Abstract: A spring-loaded device conceals a recessed sprinkler head. Heat releases the spring and exposes the sprinkler head.