Abstract: A highly flame retardant, impact modified polyolefin alloy is described, the composition of which includes: at least one polyolefin; at least one halogenated organic flame retardant; at least one semi-crystalline ethylene copolymer impact modifier, the copolymer optionally being functionalized, at least one oxygen-containing metal compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Group III, IV, V, and VI of the Periodic Table; and at least one fluorocarbon, at least a portion of which is fibrillated or fibrillatable. Optionally, the alloy will contain at least one of a functionalized silicone polymer, a hydrated metal silicate, a hydrated metal borate, a primary antioxidant, and a secondary antioxidant. Such thermoplastic polymer blends/alloys can be produced by combining all ingredients in a melt and applying shear to the melt through means of a high shear internal/continuous mixer or an extruder.

Abstract: A patch applicator for easy application of a transdermal patch is disclosed, wherein the applicator is especially suitable for a small transdermal patch of size 20 cm.sup.2 or less. The patch applicator includes a rigid release liner and a flexible transdermal patch releasably attached to the release liner. The release liner has a first and second poritons separated by a slit, and pulltabs affixed to the portions. The pulltabs can extend beyond an end margin of the transdermal patch, and preferably extend outwardly at an acute angle for use, so that a patch user may easily grasp the pulltabs and remove a first portion of the release liner from the patch. The patch is then applied to the skin or mucosa, followed by removal of the second portion and final application of the patch. The patch applicator reduces loss in manufacturing yield, and especially benefits the elderly population.

Abstract: A pet ball which is formed from two (2) hollow semi-spherical half members and which is readily mobile along a hard surface, for example the ground. A weight, for example, a fishing sinker, is suspended within the pet ball. The weight is suspended by an elastic member, for example, an elastic rubber band, which is attached to the inside wall of the pet ball. The weight can be attached to the elastic member in such a manner that it can move along the elastic member or it can be fixed at a stationary position along the elastic member to create different desired effects. When a force is applied to the pet ball, it will roll. With the weight being suspended from the elastic member, the center of gravity of the pet ball changes as the pet ball rolls, thus resulting in erratic movement or a path which follows no definite or consistent direction or pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer fuse apparatus that provides bypass fuse protection. A polymer bypass fuse is comprised of an electrical conductor wherein a portion of the conductor is surrounded by an internal electrode, which is then surrounded by a layer of polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material, which is then surrounded by a conductive material similar to that of the internal electrode.Various hybrid combinations are also contemplated where in-line and/or bypass fuses are combined with other circuit components. One example is, a plurality of in-line and bypass fuses combined with a differential and common mode filter, which itself consists of a plurality of common ground conductive plates maintaining first and second electrode plates between the various conductive plates, all of which are surrounded by a material having predetermined electrical characteristics to provide fail safe filter and circuit protection.

Abstract: A railcar has a substructure, a superstructure and side webwork joining the substructure and the superstructure, leaving an interior space suitable for carrying automobiles. The number of automobiles carried within the railcar structure, and the versatility of the railcar, are improved by using an adjustable decking structure which allows vehicles of different sizes to be carried. The decking is moveable to permit a lower, or main deck to be loaded before loading other decks. The decking structure is also movable between a two deck and a three deck configuration. Middle and upper decks may be adjusted and loaded in a suitable manner. Provision is made for the adjustable decks to be driven positively both upward and downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting and positioning an anchor bolt within a masonry construction block wall to allow the frame of a building to be secured or tied to the anchor bolt. Masonry construction block walls are typically constructed so that the hollow vertical cores in the construction blocks are partially aligned so as to form a hollow channel or conduit traveling down through the wall. The apparatus includes a base designed to fit within a construction block wall to provide a support to which the lower end of an anchor bolt may be attached by clips or otherwise. This allows the upper end of the anchor bolt to extend upward through the channel and above the top layer of blocks. The base also serves to plug or fill the channel formed by the cores in the blocks so as to facilitate the process of permanently securing the anchor bolt by pouring cement into the channel around the anchor bolt.

Abstract: A children's activity book is disclosed comprising illustrated pages having openings thereon for the placement of edible candy. When the page is turned the edible candy passes through the opening and is deposited onto and completes an illustration on a subsequent page. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, edible candy is placed into a portal at one position of an illustrated page and passed through a passageway before exiting from an outlet at a second position of the illustration. The book is designed to encourage reading by making it more enjoyable. The book has the added feature of teaching young readers about change observed through the transformation of candy from one meaning on a first page to a second meaning on a subsequent page.

Abstract: The present invention is a drilling system for cutting flat bottomed holes in work pieces. The tool has two opposing angled cutting edges extending from a rotational axis, with the inner portions of these cutting edges extending upwardly to create an overlapping web at the center. The overlapping web strengthens the center portion of the cuttings edges of the tool. The angle at which the inner portion of the cutting edge is inclined can be increased to create a center point on the cutting surface of the tool. The center point adds stability to the tool as it rotates along its longitudinal axis. The cutting edge has a rake surface with a positive rake angle that lessens the forces on the insert and also allows for better formation of chips of stock material being removed. Chip breakers can be cut into the cutting edges of the insert, further aiding in the removal of stock material.

Abstract: A pin is used to anchor an end of a brake shoe to a boss in a brake spider. The brake shoe has a pair of spaced apart ribs, each of the ribs having an aperture at an end thereof. The pin is a two-piece assembly with first and second elongate members. A first end of each of the elongate members has a trunnion formed on it, and the second end of the elongate members are sized and adapted to telescope one into the other. The trunnions are sized to be received in the rib apertures while an intermediate portion of the pin between the trunnions is sized to be received in the brake spider boss. The first and second trunnions can be compressed towards each other a sufficient distance to permit the trunnions to be disengaged from the rib apertures. A biaser is located inside the pin to urge the first and second elongate members apart from each other, to assist in maintaining the trunnions in the respective rib apertures.

Abstract: An improved mouse cleaning apparatus having a cleaning ball for temporary insertion into the cavity formed on the underside of the mouse. In one embodiment, the cleaning ball includes a core which is encased within an outer shell of polymeric material such as a foamed rubber compound. This core may be metallic, polymeric, or made of another sufficiently dense material, and is provided to ensure that the cleaning ball is sufficiently heavy to properly roll in response to movement of the mouse across a mouse pad or the like. The core may alternatively be covered with absorbent fibers, which may be synthetic or organic in nature, rather than a polymeric coating. In another embodiment, the cleaning ball is made entirely of a polymeric or elastomeric material having sufficiently high weight and/or density or is sufficiently compressed such that a weighted core is not required.

Abstract: Interconnected vents for a motor vehicle axle assembly, transmission or transfer case which interconnects multiple vents at different locations together with another vent positioned at the highest point the lubricant travels. This allows the lubricant to flow out of one vent and return to the other vent without leaking onto the ground. Such an interconnected vent arrangement will minimize the extent of external lubricant leakage due to such factors as foaming of the lubricant, air entrapment in the lubricant, volumetric expansion of the lubricant due to elevated operating temperatures, pumping or splashing of the lubricant by internal rotating or moving parts, flow of the lubricant due to tilting of the motor vehicle, and thus the motor vehicle axle assembly, transmission and transfer case, and/or acceleration or deceleration of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disc brake backing plate with an edge hole which comprises the steps of first forming two substantially parallel grooves on the outer surface of the backing plate to define a raised section between the grooves. A channel is then formed within the raised section to define two ridges bounding the channel. Finally, the ridges are bent toward each other to define the hole.

Abstract: A machine and method for coating food or other product with a coating material may include a product conveyor belt and at least one roller assembly positioned to cooperate with the conveyor and accept product discharged therefrom. The roller assembly may include a roller and plate which are positioned adjacent one another and define a space therebetween. Products introduced to the roller assembly are pressed between the roller and plate to press the coating material into the product, thereby maximizing percentage pick up of the coating on the product. Additionally, the outer surface of the roller is configured to produce surface characteristics or textures in the coating material which are desired. Different surface characteristics or textures can be created by varying the outer surface configuration or by rotating the roller at a different speed relative to the plate.

Abstract: The chlorination of paraffins is carried out in the presence of water and in the absence of an organic solvent. In this way, it is possible to prepare highly chlorinated paraffins in a simple manner. The presence of hydrochloric acid even at high temperatures, has no deleterious effect on the quality of the product. The separation of the chloroparaffin from the hydrochloric acid is very good. An emulsion layer which hinders the transport of the chloroparaffin into downstream equipment does not occur.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the invention provide conversion of a wide range of utility voltages found worldwide, to a fixed nominal voltage level. The invention therefore provides the ability to "plug in" to virtually any power source, and produce a desired nominal voltage for operation of electrical equipment either alone or in conjunction with a UPS device. The voltage selection apparatus provides standard nominal levels of electrical power to equipment while utilizing power sources of varying voltage and frequency. The device is dynamically adaptive to the input power source, and maintains its output within a nominal range even where the input source varies to a substantial degree. The voltage selection apparatus comprises an input for receiving input AC voltage from a power source, and a transformer to produce an output voltage which is coupled to the input.

Abstract: An angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) to transmit movement between two (2) shafts not aligned on the same axis to each other to provide an infinite variable ratio instead of the fixed ratios present in known prior art gear driven angular transmissions by controlling the magnetic field applied to the magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) through the use of one (1) or more electric coil(s) generating a magnetic field. In particular, the angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of conical shaped hollow heads, one connected to an input shaft and one connected to an output shaft, the input shaft, the output shaft and the conical shaped hollow heads being assembled inside of a housing where the input shaft and the output shaft are mounted at an angle to each other (i.e.

Abstract: Motor vehicle wheel end assembly for a driving and steering axle of a motor vehicle including a constant velocity (CV) joint having an outside member or race which acts as a spindle and incorporates an outside diameter mounted bearing assembly which is retained by a snap ring in an outwardly extending snap ring groove located in a bore extending through the steering knuckle such that the outside diameter of the outside member or race of the constant velocity (CV) joint provides a pilot for a hub flange mounting member and a hub flange including a wheel on which the motor vehicle tire is mounted which is rotationally coupled to the hub flange mounting member.

Abstract: A dust shield for the inboard side of a brake assembly of a vehicle wheel end is formed from a pair of planar members which are shaped and adapted to be fitted together to form an annular disc having an external diameter and an internal diameter. An internal periphery is defined by the internal diameter which preferably includes a flanged surface for affixing the annular disc to the wheel end. The pair of planar members are semicircular annular portions, having an arcuate outer edge and an inner edge, the inner edge comprising two straight portions with an intermediate semicircular portion. Complementary means, preferably sets of corresponding tabs and mating slots, for affixing the first and second planar members to each other to form the annular disc are provided on the inner edges of the planar members.