Abstract: The present invention is a wiper die assembly that combines the performance of a solid-body wiper die with the economy of a inserted wiper die for high-pressure rotary-draw tube-bending. The key features of the present invention are: [1] A wiper insert attached to the wiper holder by a mechanical means that retains the bore of the insert as a smooth, uninterrupted working surface, and [2] radius face support shoe attached to the wiper holder that can be adjusted to support and stabilize the entire wiper assembly against the cavity of the bend die.

Abstract: Suppression of the Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF)-Met signaling pathway by targeting the Met protein tyrosine kinase was tested as strategy for suppressing tumor growth. Using RNA interference (RNAi) technology and adenoviruses carrying siRNA (Ad Met siRNA) target sequences dramatically reduced Met expression in mouse, dog and human tumor cells. Met was suppressed using Ad Met siRNA in mouse mammary tumor (DA3) cells and Met-transformed (NIH3T3 (M114) cells as well as human prostate cancer, sarcoma, glioblastoma, gastric and ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, the Ad Met siRNA infection reversed transformed cell morphology. Ad Met siRNA killed cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. RNAi targeting Met suppressed HGF/SF-mediated scattering as well as ligand-mediated invasion activity and growth of tumor cells. Met siRNA infection also abrogated downstream Met signaling to molecules such as Akt and p44/42 MAPK.

Abstract: A drywall sander includes a replaceable sanding pad having a layer of resilient material, and an abrasive surface. The sanding pad includes one or more edge portions that project beyond the edges of a sander head. The edges of the sanding pad can be deformed during use when the sander is used in a corner or the like to thereby prevent scuffing or other damage to adjacent orthogonal surfaces.

Abstract: A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.

Abstract: A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.

Abstract: A thermoforming process capable of coining and flowing material is provided, such as for making a thermoformed energy absorber for self-attachment to a vehicle bumper beam. The energy absorber includes a thermoplastic sheet with first thickness shaped by a thermoforming process to include a base and lobes configured to absorb energy. The sheet further has integrally formed attachments with solid heads formed from material flowed from adjacent areas into the attachment during the thermoforming process. Many other structures can be formed, such as ringed ridges, thinned regions, snap-attachments, hooks, living hinges, bosses, and the like. The present invention further includes an apparatus and a method for accomplishing the above, such as a heater for heating the sheet, and a die for stretching and shaping the sheet, where heated material is flowed by opposing coining die components to form selectively-shaped 3D structures.

Abstract: A handle includes highly flexible locking tabs at opposite ends. Each of the opposed ends includes a generally triangular tab with a longitudinally extending slit aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle for allowing the triangular tab to deflect for ease of insertion into an aperture in a tray or pot. The handle ends also include a secondary locking tab which is spaced in alignment with the longitudinally extending slit inwardly of the generally triangular tab. The locking ends include inwardly extending slots which define shoulders which engage a side of the tray or pot opposite the triangular tab for stabilizing the end of the handle in its locking engagement with the tray or pot.

Abstract: A power drive unit system includes a vehicle door, a slide member, a motor, first and second cable guide members, first and second cables, an external spool, a door inner panel and one guide track. The internal spool unit includes an internal spool. The motor operatively communicates with the internal spool. The first cable guide member is associated with a first cable and the external spool. The first cable is attached to the internal spool and the external spool. The second cable guide member is associated with a second cable and the external spool. The second cable is attached to the internal cable spool the external spool, which in turn communicates with an output gear. The motor actuates the internal cable spool to pull the second cable, thereby causing rotation of the external spool and the drive shaft. The rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the door relative to the body; after which the door slides open.

Abstract: A chair includes a lower back frame, a back construction, including a back support attached to the lower back frame, a cushion assembly attached to the back support, and a vertically adjustable lumbar frame positioned between the back support and the cushion assembly. The lumbar frame includes a transition shell and a vertically sliding lumbar device having a plurality of horizontal flexible wires. A lower edge of the transition shell is positioned on top of an uppermost horizontal flexible wire of the lumbar device. The lumbar device is operably slidably mounted between the outer shell and cushion assembly and the transition shell upper edge slides between the outer shell and the upholstery cushion assembly. Also disclosed is a chair including a Y-shaped lower back frame having two uprights and a cross-piece attached to the back support. The uprights and cross-piece of the lower back frame include an overlap flange and the back support includes a channel-shaped flange having detents.

Abstract: A stable packaged bicarbonate solution for use in dialysis treatment and for treating anemia, iron deficiency, or reducing the required dose of recombinant erythropoietin to treat anemia includes a bicarbonate solution into which ferric pyrophosphate is dissolved. The amount of ferric pyrophosphate dissolved in the bicarbonate solution is sufficient to provide a therapeutic effect for the treatment of anemia, iron deficiency or to reduce dose of recombinant erythropoietin needed to treat anemia when the bicarbonate solution is combined with other dialysis components to form a dialysate used for dialyzing a patient. The ferric pyrophosphate is stabilized in the bicarbonate solution by holding the solution in a polyolefin container or container liner, such as a high density polyethylene container or liner.

Abstract: Axle lifting device for a vehicle, in particular for vehicle axles with pneumatic suspension, comprising a supporting element, a lifting element, and a lever element, the supporting element and the lever element being connectable to one another via the lifting element such that when the lifting element is actuated, the supporting element is supported on a frame element of the vehicle and the lever element exerts a preferably vertical force on an axle control arm of the vehicle in order to lift the axle control arm, and the lever element is mounted essentially in a stationary manner so as to be rotatable or pivotable with respect to a distal end of the axle control arm and/or the frame element, and the supporting element is rotatably or pivotably supported on the lever element.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner mounted center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) including a light source disposable between a vehicle roof base layer and headliner generally aft of a vehicle, and a CHMSL frame disposable between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner adjacent the light source. The CHMSL frame may be releasably mountable to the vehicle roof base layer by a fastener for mounting the headliner to the vehicle roof base layer. The invention also provides a method of mounting and servicing a CHMSL, including the steps of attaching the CHMSL to a vehicle roof base layer and/or a headliner, such that the CHMSL is disposed between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner generally aft of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process employing a rack having an article carrier that is movably supported on a frame and mechanically coupled for translating movement from a motor to the article carrier to effect movement of an article during processing to provide more uniform surface treatment, reducing or eliminating the need for shielding.

Abstract: A circuit synchronizes the actuation of multi-dimensional separating valves with a system clock also coupled to a data acquisition circuit such that signals from a detector are synchronized and no signal information is lost. The system comprises an acquisition clock coupled to a data acquisition logic system and to a modulator valve control. The modulator valve control is, in turn, coupled to a multi-dimensional separation technique valve unit for controlling the valves for introduction of the eluant from a first separation column to a second, faster column in synchronism with acquisition of data by a detector.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet defining an internal space and a front side. The cabinet has an opening in the front side for providing access to the internal space. A door is movably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an open position providing access to the internal space, and a closed position wherein the door substantially closes off the opening in the cabinet. The door has an enlarged opening defining generally vertical spaced apart side edges. At least one screen is mounted to the door, and extends across at least a substantial portion of the opening in the door, the screen having an outside surface. A generally horizontal cross member extends across the enlarged opening, and has opposite ends positioned adjacent the vertical side edges.

Abstract: A compensator for cables includes a housing and a spring wrapped around inside the housing to form a loop. An inner strand of a Bowden cable or the like extends through the coil spring, and thereby forms a loop. The looped configuration of the coil spring provides a higher effective spring constant, and thereby permits a smaller coil spring to be used. The dimensions of the compensator can also be reduced, thereby reducing the space required for the compensator.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable armrest includes a tubular support constructed for attachment to a chair, an armrest assembly telescopingly positioned in the tubular support, the armrest assembly including a sleeve and a post, the sleeve including an opening adapted to receive an operative member on one side, and the post including positional detents extending down the length of a first vertical surface. The height adjustment mechanism is slidably received in the armrest assembly and includes an actuator rod having an angled ramp, an inclined surface, and a pair of angled surfaces, a locking member having teeth which are biased to selectively mate with the post detents, an inclined surface, and at least one pair of lateral followers. The actuator rod operatively engages the locking member with the inclined wedge mateably engaged with the inclined surface and the angled surfaces slideably engaged with the lateral followers.

Abstract: A stack-on panel assembly is supported on a base panel having tubular uprights disposed adjacent opposite sides thereof with open tops and a fastener end extending into an interior of the uprights. A stacker panel has a bottom portion abuttingly supported on a top portion of the base panel, a vertically extending slot along one side thereof, and a first latch member adjacent to the slot. A connector bracket has a lower portion received in the interior portion of the frame upright, and an aperture shaped to receive the fastener end to vertically locate the connector bracket relative to the base panel. The connector bracket is received in the slot to horizontally locate the stacker panel relative to the base panel, and has a second latch member selectively engaging the first latch member on the stacker panel.