Abstract: Process for making a tow pre-preg comprising long continuous fibers coated with a thermoplastic polymer. A continuously moving spread tow of long continuous fibers, preferably carbon or glass, is humidified in an atmosphere of essentially 100% relative humidity and coated with particles of a thermoplastic polymer. A polymer particle-laden air stream contacts the moistened continuously moving tow, depositing polymer particles on the fibers. The fiber diameter is about 5-50 microns and the mean particle diameter is about 0.1-40 microns. The fibers with thermoplastic particles clinging thereto are continuously heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion of the thermoplastic polymer. This results in long continuous fibers coated with the thermoplastic polymer. The resulting tow-preg, or tow of coated fibers, is useful in the preparation of structural composites in which the fibers service reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A location board in a covering member of a vehicle seat, which is used in such a seat assemblage which involves bonding at least two cover sections of a covering member to a cushion member and is of such type that can be teared along the sewn jointed portion of those two cover sections for attaining a resultant seat. The location board is formed with a notched portion laying along an imaginary sewing line. In the seat assemblage, the two cover sections of covering member are sewn to one section of the location board, thus forming a series of sewing holes in the location board. The notched portion is elongated in reference to the sewing holes at such a length that permits a tearing to occur from the notched portion towards the sewing holes in a direction to prevent creation of a pointed projection at the teared edge of residual section of location board in the resultant seat at a stage of tearing off another section of the same location board.

Abstract: A structure of a casing for covering a stay of a cantilever-type headrest, in which the headrest is supported via the stay on a seat back of an automotive seat in a cantilever way, and the casing, which covers the stay, has a flat abutment surface formed at the upper end thereof which is abutted against one lateral wall of the headrest body, the flat abutment surface being formed with a cut-away portion for defining an opening therein. Hence, a region of such one lateral wall of headrest body, against which is abutted the flat abutment surface of the casing, is upheaved within the opening, so as to create plural undesired wrinkles only at that region and thus interiorly of the casing, which prevents the wrinkles from appearing on the outer surface of headrest body around the casing.

Abstract: A seat belt device in an automotive seat, which comprises a seat belt extending from a part of the automobile to a floor of the same for restraining a passenger to the seat, and a seat belt guide provided at one upper corner portion of the seat back of the seat.The seat belt guide includes a guide anchor through which the seat belt slidably passes, and a drive mechanism for causing such through guide anchor to be moved in a vertical direction along the longitudinal direction of the seat back. Thus, the initial point at which the seat belt begins to approach a passenger may be set at a desired level via the guide anchor, thereby adapting the seat belt to better fit, and hence better restrain the passenger's trunk to the seat, irrespective of his or her individual physical differences and/or inclination of the seat back.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a cantilever-type headrest in a seat, in which the headrest is inclined at an angle compensating for an illusional headrest inclination which occurs in the eyes of a person looking at such cantilever-type headrest appearance. Further, the headrest is dislocated from a common central vertical line with respect to a seat back of the seat, to thereby offset an illusional headrest dislocation towards a side of seat back where there is no headrest stay.

Abstract: A cross member for use as an avian or animal perch or as a support member for additional cage accessories. The cross member comprises an elongated beam member removably attachable to opposing sides of an open wire or bar cage via corresponding open slots at opposing ends of the beam member and which are slightly offset from parallel to one another.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact lighting device, which may be detachably, rotatably attached to an earpiece of a pilot's earphone headset or to a military pilot's helmet, is primarily designed for use by pilots in the event of a blackout in the cockpit of an aircraft. The search and survival light is convenient to switch off and on by simply rotating a switch activator near the front of the device. The lighting device may be constructed separately for attachment to an earphone or it may be manufactured as an integral portion of a headphone earpiece. In another embodiment, a bracket is included for holding a compass and the device includes a fibre optic cable to light to the compass.

Abstract: A tubing clamp controlling flow within compressible tubing passing through the clamp which is adapted for inserting the tubing sidewise into the clamp upon opening of a hinged side wall. An adjustable flow controller overlies the tubing and is adapted to rotate, bear upon and squeeze the tubing for precise flow control. A lever arm to actuate the flow controller is in ratcheting engagement with an arcuate bar to hold the lever arm and cylindrical surface of the flow controller in the desired rotative position. The selected position of the lever arm can then be recorded. The tubing clamp can be constructed as a one-piece structure by use of a single mold and prepared as a kit to facilitate use for medical purposes. The assembly of the clamp is thus simplified and the method for controlling flow is accomplished by a series of simple steps.

Abstract: A full time four-wheel-drive system for a vehicle is described which uses a unique torque-transfer case assembly. The transfer case includes a torque input shaft for receiving output torque from the transmission assembly of the vehicle, and front- and rear-output shafts connected to front and rear differentials of the vehicle. The transfer case assembly includes continuously variable belt drive connecting the input shaft to the front and rear output shafts, transferring a predetermined amount of torque to each output shaft. The continuously variable drive arrangement will include at least a primary pulley on the input shaft and a secondary pulley on the front output shaft, the pulleys carrying a belt therebetween. Each pulley comprises a pair of sheaves, which are axially moveable in relation to one another. The pair of sheaves of each pulley are shifted axially relative to one another by an assembly which is responsive to divide torque between the front and rear output shafts in a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An arrangement of a headrest on a seat, in a type wherein the headrest is supported via one single stay upon a seat back of the seat, the arrangement being such that the lower portion of the stay is fixed via a sleeve element within a bracket upon a seat back frame. The sleeve element passes through the stay in its diameter-wise direction and both ends of such sleeve element are abutted against the inner walls of both lateral sections of the bracket, to thereby rigidly accept a strong fastening force of bolts which are used to fix the lower portion of stay to the bracket.

Abstract: The force transfer body comprises a first, essentially annular partial body, preferably of cast steel, and a second partial body, preferably of a castable mortar mass capable of hardening. The second partial body is cast in one piece with the first partial body. An inner conical aperture is lined with a funnel-shaped plastic part, which overlaps at least a section of the first partial body. The first partial body has an abutting surface, turned away from the part of the structure, serving the firm contact with an anchor head containing individual members. The prestressing forces arising concentratedly with the anchorage are conveyed from the anchor head via the first partial body into the second partial body, and from there into the part of the structure. The second partial body is designed essentially frustoconical, the truncated cone extending, tapering, away from the first partial body. In the area of the outer generated surface of the second partial body there is a circumferential constriction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diagnostic or therapeutic contact lens for use in examination or treatment of the eye of a patient. The diagnostic or therapeutic contact lens comprises a lens body, constructed of a rigid, transparent material, and includes a concave posterior surface to be selectively positioned on the cornea of an eye. The posterior surface will preferably have a curvature substantially conforming to the curvature of the cornea and will be translationally movable on the cornea during observation or treatment to facilitate examination procedures. The posterior surface of the lens body may include channels for permitting the egress of air from between the posterior surface of the lens body and the surface of the cornea of the eye being examined.

Abstract: A negative birefringent film, useful in liquid crystal displays, and a method for controlling the negative birefringence of a polyimide film is disclosed which allows the matching of an application to a targeted amount of birefringence by controlling the degree of in-plane orientation of the polyimide by the selection of functional groups within both the diamine and dianhydride segments of the polyimide which affect the polyimide backbone chain rigidity, linearity, and symmetry. The higher the rigidity, linearity and symmetry of the polyimide backbone, the larger the value of the negative birefringence of the polyimide film.

Abstract: An environmental day-lit chamber for plant growth analysis having therein a growth chamber with a perforated or slotted plant supporting floor for allowing air to be forced vertically through the plant space. The transparent and frameless exterior of the chamber shell allows equalized distribution of sunlight with minimal impedance into the growth chamber. A vertical surface at the rear of the plant growth chamber forms a return air plenum for ducting air through the growth chamber and back to an air conditioning compartment beneath the growth chamber for reconditioning the air. A gasketed door at the front of the chamber shell provides reach-in capacity for entry into the plant growth chamber and expedites the ability to sealing close the growth chamber upon completion of operations therein.

Abstract: A tire sealant and inflator composition for the repair of puncture wounds in pneumatic tires and the like. The composition utilizes a sealing component consisting of an acrylic resin dissolved in a suitable solvent and a hydrochlorofluorocarbon and/or hydrofluorocarbon propellant component to deliver the sealing component from an aerosol container into the tire to a driveable state.

Abstract: The invention described herein pertains generally to an improved design over conventional drinking straws and is particularly suitable for individuals, such as runners, who need to intake liquid refreshment while in motion.

Abstract: A decorative framing border or enclosure device is described. The border or enclosure device contains transparent polymer or copolymer outer framing members positioned along at least one peripheral edge of a base framing member. The composition of the base framing member can be varied to be an acrylic resin, a polystyrene, a polycarbonate, a polyester resin, a non-crystalline polyolefin, and an unsaturated polyester resin copolymerized with styrene, a corkboard, a mirrored surface, a pegboard, etc. The transparent polymer or copolymer outer framing members are adapted to accommodate appearance-altering material therein. The border or enclosure device is so constructed as to permit the changing of a picture or mat which surrounds the picture without simultaneously affecting the appearance-altering material disposed within the outer framing members by isolating the two components to opposing surfaces of the base framing member. The decorative framing border or enclosure device is also described in a kit form.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and capable of all-wheel or two wheel drive has an input shaft connected to a carrier of a planetary gear differential having a ring gear connected to a first output shaft for driving a first pair of wheels and a sun gear connected to a second output shaft for driving a second pair of wheels. A clutch is provided on the planetary gear differential for selectively locking the first and second output shafts together for concurrent rotation when the planetary gear differential clutch is engaged, thereby providing all-wheel drive. A brake is provided for selectively preventing the second output shaft from rotating so that when the second output shaft brake is applied and the planetary gear differential clutch is disengaged, the first output shaft will rotate at an overdrive gear ratio relative to the rotational speed of the input shaft, thereby providing two-wheel drive at an overdrive gear ratio.

Abstract: A seat with a trim cover assembly having plural stitches thereon, wherein the stitches are arranged in a non-parallel relation with one another on one unitary sheet of the trim cover assembly which is affixed over a cushion body. Those patterns of stitches are formed at one time by means of a multiple-needle sewing machine.