Abstract: A device for stiffening an axle of a vehicle in the vicinity of a weld connecting the axle to a suspension beam of the vehicle has a cradle portion to be aligned along the axle. Radially extending flanges are attached along the side edges of the essentially semi-cylindrical cradle portion. The flanges provide a site for apertures for the conventional U-bolts which connect the axle to the suspension beam. In an alternate embodiment, the ends of the device are further stiffened by the addition of webs mounted transverse to the axis of the cradle portion. If the webs are paired at each end in a spaced apart relationship, they can provide a site for use of additional U-bolts to affix the device to the axle. The cradle portion effectively covers one half of the circumference of the axle when in position.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly for a drum brake of a vehicle is improved by the addition of a moisture-impervious coating material applied to the brake shoe, and especially the brake shoe table upon which a friction liner will be removably secured. This coating material is effectively bonded to at least the portion of the outer surface of the brake shoe table which will be covered by the friction liner before the friction liner is removably secured. The moisture-impervious coating material is substantially non-adhesively bonded to said friction liner and is preferably a cross-linkable polymeric material, especially an epoxy-based adhesive.

Abstract: A reciprocating comb comprised of a stationary and a sliding comb member. Both the stationary and sliding comb members consist of elongated rectangular bases having teeth extending therefrom and perpendicular to the orientation of the base. The stationary comb member includes a recess running along the base for accepting the corresponding base of the sliding comb member. In the preferred embodiment, magnets embedded within the elongated base of both the stationary and sliding comb members provide for releasable fastening and automatic reciprocation of the stationary and sliding comb members.

Abstract: Anti-gear hopping device for a power transmission mechanism for an automotive vehicle. The power transmission mechanism may be a torque transfer case of a four wheel drive system. The anti-gear hopping device prevents undesired shifting between high range speed and low range speed modes of operation. The anti-gear hopping device comprises: (A) a fluid pressure mechanism for controlling the movements of a shift member; (B) a valve mechanism for actuating the fluid pressure mechanism; and (C) a valve actuator. The fluid pressure mechanism may include either a diaphragm or a piston which divides a chamber into two cavities which may be at different pressures. An output member linked to the diaphragm or piston controls shifting.

Abstract: An integrally joined two-piece motor vehicle steering knuckle assembly which includes a first component, preferably having a steering knuckle, a brake mounting bracket, a tie rod arm and, if needed, a steering rod arm, and a second component, preferably having a wheel spindle. The first component and the second component are integrally joined together by a process such as interference fit, welding and/or adhesive bonding, in the case of welding, most preferably friction welding, to form an integrally joined two-piece motor vehicle steering knuckle assembly.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a head and shaft. The shaft enters the head at a point at least about 70% of the length of the putter away from the front face. The shaft is angled about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. toward the front face of the head and angled about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. toward a user grasping the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing and positioning the head, shoulder, and torso region extending down to the mid thigh of the human for radiographic examination or treatment. The device consists of a base board with an extension, a head and shoulder form, a pair of chest side forms and a pair of side rails. A foam mixture is applied to the upper surface of the baseboard and the entire device is placed into a large flexible container or bag. A patient's head, shoulder and torso region are placed on the device in a supine position. The patient remains in a fixed position while the foam mixture expands around the patient's body and the apparatus. After a brief period of time, the foam sets or hardens and a mold or template is formed. This mold serves to immobilize the head, shoulder and torso region extending down to the mid thigh of the body during radiographic examinations and treatment as well as other procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of an A and B adhesive reacting together through a scrim material in a laminated combination, and wherein the B adhesive has great adherence characteristics to a vinyl nitrile foam, and the A adhesive has great adherence characteristics to itself. Thus a laminate of the A adhesive/scrim/B adhesive to each side of a slit in a vinyl nitrile foam tubular insulation, with appropriate release liners covering the outside A adhesive, has been found to be particularly effective. When the release liners are removed and the A adhesives pressed together, a very strong bond is created closing the slit in the vinyl nitrile foam insulation holding the tubular vinyl nitrile foam in place on the tubular member to be insulated. Normally, this is utilized in an air conditioning application with the piping or tubes running from the compressor to the air conditioning unit, and wherein vinyl nitrile foam insulation has proven to be the best insulating material for this application.

Abstract: A device for applying annular paper labels to compact discs is disclosed. The device has a base for holding the discs and a cap for centering the labels on the discs. The process for using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ophthalmoscopic or gonioscopic lens system as well as an adapter lens systems for use with such an associated lens apparatus. The indirect ophthalmoscopy lens of the invention for use in examination or laser treatment of a patient's eye comprises a hand-held, pre-set or fixed system having at least two lens elements, each having first and second surfaces. At least one of the lens elements includes an aspheric surface of revolution. The at least two lens elements are positioned adjacent one another in a housing, such that the refractive properties of each are combined to converge light from an illumination light source to the entrance pupil of the patient's eye to illuminate the fundus thereof and form a fundus image to be viewed. The adapter lens systems of this invention are designed for use with an associated ophthalmoscopic lens, enabling selective modification of the optical characteristics of the ophthalmoscopic lens system in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The invention discloses a starch graft poly(meth)acrylate blast media which is effective in paint removal. The media is superior to a physical blend of the components (i.e., starch and acrylic polymers) and to either a starch polymer or an acrylic polymer used singly. The hardness of the media is between 65-90 Shore D.

Abstract: The invention pertains to chlorine-free extreme pressure metalworking fluid additives and lies in the recognition of the improved hydrolytic stability of alkanoic acid esters of cyclohexane dimethanol and other esters embodying similar structures. The various derivatives which are effective as extreme pressure additives include those which fall within the generic description ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 through R.sup.4 are independently selected from the group hydrogen and C.sub.1-24 hydrocarbyl groups and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently selected from the group C.sub.3-24 hydrocarbyl groups.

Abstract: The invention encompasses the pattern coating of a thick layer of adhesive on a single substrate. The adhesive strips may be continuous or discontinuous on the single substrate. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate is a release liner and the adhesive is a hot melt, thereby not requiring the use of an extruder in the application of the adhesive onto the substrate. When it is desired to produce a non-foamed product, the web is chilled on a chilled drum. Elimination of this chilling step, results in the formation of a foamed tape product, due to the evaporation of the moisture which is typically contained within the silicone-coated paper web. The product is a thick (10-100 mils), free (no carrier) film of adhesive made to the desired width (3/8" to approximately 6") of a high cohesive strength adhesive, with good temperature resistance (>196.degree. F.), with low bubble content (appears clear), wound into rolls containing from 100-800 feet or greater in length.

Abstract: The improved sprinkler shield comprises a rigid body having a lip extending outward from the top portion of the body which lies on the ,round surface with the body embedded in the ground. Soil gripping vanes may be provided along the outside of the body. The base of the body includes an aperture disposed within providing an interface connection between sprinkler head and the water supply. A sprinkler head retention member, such as a retention disc, having an aperture therein is releasably mounted to the inside of the body near its top. The head retention member provides lateral support to sprinkler heads mounted in the body and through the retention disc. The retention disc may have a variably sized aperture enabling the shield to accommodate various sizes and configurations of sprinkler heads. The shield provides protection to sprinkler heads from lateral and downward impacts.

Abstract: A patient support fashioned of a core of carbon-fiber material and a synthetic material for binding the carbon-fiber material. The carbon-fiber core has a greater proportion of carbon fibers oriented substantially in lengthwise directions than in other directions. As a result of this construction, the patient support is substantially inflexible along its longitudinal axis yet flexible along its lateral axis. The sides of the support can be drawn up and around the patient, to hold the patient immobile within the support, which is especially helpful when transporting trauma patients and those with back and neck injuries. The support is also transparent to radiation, making it particularly suited to use with radiation imaging devices. Finally, the exterior surface of the support is formed of low-friction material, further facilitating practical use thereof. The support can be fashioned as a backboard or a patient transfer device and has a wide range of advantageous applications in a hospital environment.

Abstract: An animal bathing and drying system includes a recirculating bathing system which comprises a water input conduit having a first manually operated valve therein, a drainage output conduit having a second manually operated valve therein, a pump to bring the water input conduit and the drainage conduit, and a recirculation loop which includes a recirculating water supply conduit for supplying recirculated water from the system through a nozzle to a bathtub for bathing an animal, and a return conduit for returning water from the bathtub back to the system. The nozzle is preferably hand held and is surrounded by air. This enables a user to direct an aqueous stream through the nozzle and at an animal which is in the bathtub. Preferably, the water input conduit, the pump and the drainage output conduit and parts of the recirculated water supply conduit and the water return conduit are housed in a portable housing.

Abstract: A portable accessory container for mounting on a supporting structure, such as a rear wall of a hand-drawn wagon. The container comprises a receptacle portion for carrying articles and an attachment or mounting portion for attachment to a supporting structure, such as a vertical wall. The receptacle portion is preferably an open-top structure having a horizontal bottom wall and four vertical side walls, which may be either slatted or imperforate. The attachment or mounting portion may comprise either a pair of spaced hooks or an inverted U-shaped sheet attached to the receptacle portion. Either hooks or an inverted U-shaped sheet are adapted to extend over an upper edge of a rear wall of a hand-drawn. A container assembly comprising a container mounted on a wagon provides appreciably more storage space for articles than does the wagon alone. Various modifications and improvements are possible.

Abstract: A video camera or equivalent sensor is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect the lane markings on the road (usually the white painted lines). An associated signal processor (11) estimates the vehicle's lateral position in relation to the lane markings. An electric motor (4) coupled to the steering mechanism (1) is used to provide a torque input to the steering which may either assist or oppose the steering torque from the driver. The processor (11) is designed to assist the driver to maintain the vehicle's lane position by holding the vehicle at a set-point using a biasing torque. This simulates the effect of the lane being cambered upwards towards the lane edges. However the driver is able to override or cancel the effect if the driver applied steering torque exceeds a prescribed torque threshold.

Abstract: The method is practiced such that the material is alternately repeatedly placed in low temperature and high temperature active gas atmospheres, the material is subjected to low temperature contraction and high temperature expansion due to the endothermic reaction of active gas, and a part of the active gas adhesively adsorbed to the material during low temperature contraction is detached from the material due to high temperature expansion.