Abstract: A cam cleat has at least one cam mounted on a base. The cam has a fairlead projection that is spaced from the base and that rotates with the cam. When the cam is in its idle position with no line gripped by a jaw of the cam, the fairlead projection is rotated out of alignment with a gripping path that a line to be gripped by the cam cleat occupies. When a line is gripped by the cam, the cam rotates into a gripping position where the fairlead projection is rotated into alignment with the gripping path. The fairlead projection is aligned with the gripping path when the line is gripped in the cam's jaw. When so aligned, the fairlead projection resists tension in the line directed upward from the cam cleat that might otherwise cause the line to slip from the grip of the cam's jaw.

Abstract: An assembly contained within a housing slideably connects device leads to apparatus terminals with predetermined forces. Parallel slots through the housing contain “S” shaped rotatable contacts. The connection force is obtained by compressing two elastomeric members extending through holes perpendicular to the slots and opposite to the contact ends by rotating the contacts. The leads and terminals are opposite and parallel to opposite ends of the contacts, and their connection is provided by this contact rotation. The contact rotations are provided by the nose ends of the contacts extending outward slightly from the slots such that, when the device under test is pressed against the housing, the contacts will be forced within the housing to rotate the contacts and compress the elastomeric members. This provides both a sliding and predetermined force electrical connection between the leads, terminals and contacts.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a data processing system employing a multiple level cache memory system. The efficiencies result from managing the process of flushing old data from the second level cache memory. In the present invention, the second level cache memory is a store-in memory. Therefore, when data is to be deleted from the second level cache memory, a determination is made whether the data has been modified by the processor. If the data has been modified, the data must be rewritten to lower level memory. To free the second level cache memory for storage of the newly requested data, the data to be flush is loaded into a flush buffer for storage during the rewriting process.

Abstract: The retractable roof comprises several rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) able to move between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored inside the rear boot (4) of the vehicle, so as to be superimposed substantially horizontally under the lid (5) of the rear boot (4). The assembly consisting of the roof elements (1, 2, 3), stored inside the rear boot (4), is mounted so as to pivot on an axis (6) situated within the boot (4), so that it is possible to raise this assembly upwards during or after the opening of the lid (5) of the boot (4) from rear to front.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus for providing radiant heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Heated fluid is transported from a heat source positioned outside of the passenger compartment. A supply manifold selectively dispenses heated fluid into a plurality of tubular members extending into the passenger compartment. The heated fluid provides radiant heat for heating the passenger compartment. The fluid is transported within the tubular members to a return manifold, wherein said fluid is recycled to the heat source.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an arch is architectural panels including a drive section and an arching section. Each of the drive section and arching section have at least one roller and cooperating follower with the rollers being adapted to engage the underside of the panel with a groove in the followers accepting side legs of the panel. In a preferred embodiment, two cooperating followers float along a common shaft in association with each roller.

Abstract: A temperature detection and switching assembly comprising a solid state low temperature cut-out, operatively linkable to a remote controller, is provided. Preferably, the solid state low temperature cut-out comprises a plurality of spaced apart programmable temperature switches supported by an elongate flexible substrate. An elongate, flexible yet rugged casing is further provided for housing the solid state low temperature cut-out, as is a mounting fixture comprising a fitting, for receiving the casing, a flange extending therefrom, and a gasket for sealing between the flange and a mounting surface.

Abstract: An article of furniture made of a quasi-rigid foam material. The furniture includes a base for sitting thereon. A back support member is wrapped around the base such that a portion of the support member extends upwardly with respect to the base. The support member has a pair of ends that wrap around at least half of a cylindrical surface of the base to translate a force from an upwardly extending portion of the support member to the ends and prevent tearing of the support member from the base.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article and method for supplementing scalp hair. The article includes a body having at least one aperture formed therethrough and a plurality of fibers. Each fiber is threaded through an aperture and around the body. Scalp hair is threaded through a body aperture and body position adjacent the scalp. Crimping of the body secures the article to the scalp hair.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a tool driven by a motor at high speeds is provided, more particularly, an apparatus including a housing moveable over the ground surface for mounting the tool, and a ground engaging member disposed to follow the ground surface as the housing moves over same, the ground engaging member being moveable relative to the housing. The apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the relative distance between the housing and ground engaging member, and apparatus for selectively stopping the motor upon the distance between the ground engaging member and the housing exceeding a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle.

Abstract: A concrete deposition device includes at least a concrete delivery unit and a leveling element in a single unit. The device can be moved across an edge of a concrete mass under deposition to simultaneously place and level plastic concrete. The device may also include a screed trailing the leveling element to provide additional compacting and control of the top surface of the concrete mass. In a preferred embodiment a carrier translates the deposition device along a predetermined path to provide for improved ease and accuracy in the formation of the concrete mass.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle. The roof section and boot dimensions allow the roof sections to fit into the boot.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for reinforcing a vehicle, in particular, a vehicle equipped with a retractable roof comprising of a rigid ring (3) enclosing the vehicle passenger compartment (4), the rigid ring (3) comprising elements (5,6,7) secured to the fixed parts of a body of the vehicle and of mobile elements (8,9) integrated in an upper part of vehicle doors (1,2), the mobile elements (8,9) being located in an extension of the fixed elements (5,6,7) when the doors (1,2) are closed, each mobile element (8,9) comprising at each of its ends locking devices mobile between an unlocking position and a locking position wherein the mobile elements (8,9,) are rigidly linked to the fixed elements (5,6,7) and form together a ring (3) having a uniformly distributed rigidity about the vehicle passenger compartment (4).

Abstract: The present invention includes an interconnect contact and system. The contact generally includes a first contact element, a second contact element, and a biasing member. The first contact element has a contacting surface and an engagement surface. The second contact element has a contacting surface and an engagement surface. The engagement surfaces of the elements are generally constructed to contact each other. The biasing member provides a mechanism to move at least one element of the contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article and method for identification, classification, and inventory tracking of articles in bulk. The article has a first state and a second state. The state is the condition of the article including such states as new, used, broken, or depleted. When the article is new, it will have a perception indicating its state. The perception will be different from other perceptions of the article because of an identifiable characteristic which differentiates it from articles being in other states. The article has a second perception that is representative of a second state of the article. The second perception may be fixed upon or within the article or, in the alternative, the first perception may be such that, when the article changes state, the first perception changes into the second perception.

Abstract: Adaptor and twister apparatus, which adapts an existing bender apparatus to also twist vertically oriented metal stock, is provided. Removing the alternate function's parts avoids interaction between them. The twister has an adjustable clamp which grips the supporting pedestal, having an attached adjustable stock bottom locator. A vertical opening in the adaptor offset from the pedestal receives stock to be twisted, and pivotably mounts a lever for twisting the stock. The stock extends along the side of the pedestal through the lever, the vertical opening and the clamp. Vertical aligned holes in the clamp and the lever, which are also aligned with the vertical opening in the adaptor, are arranged to grip the stock cross-section, which results in only the stock between these parts being twisted. The location of the clamp and bottom locator can be changed to adjust the length and the location of the twisted portion.

Abstract: The retractable roof for a vehicle comprises several rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3), able to move between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment (4) of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored inside the rear boot of the vehicle, the roof elements (1, 2, 3) being, when they cover the passenger compartment (4), connected to each other and to the front and rear parts of the bodywork by locks controlled by rods (7) extending inside the roof elements, driven in rotation by an electric motor (8) housed in a rear roof element.

Abstract: A method of monitoring fiber optic circuits. Included is manipulating a first switch between a first state, with first connection points optically linked along a first optical signal pathway and second connection points optically linked along a second optical signal pathway, and a second loopback state, with the first and second connection points of a first pair of connection locations in communication along a path along a portion of the first and second optical signal pathways. With the first switch in the first state, a third pair of connection locations are linked to the first optical pathway and the optical throughout observed. The third pair of connection locations are then linked to the second optical pathway and the optical throughout observed. These steps are repeated as long as the first and second optical pathways transmit the optical throughout normally.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implement mounting fixture for mounting an implement to a work machine. The implement mounting fixture includes a frame having a hitch tube for mounting to a work machine. A pair of upper lift arms extend outwardly from the frame on opposite sides of a transverse beam. A cylinder extends from a lower portion of the frame to the transverse beam such that a force applied by the cylinder causes the upper lift arms to pivot with respect to the frame. A link arm is pivotally connected to the frame for linking to an implement.