Abstract: Unimolecular micelles, generally referred to as cascade polymers, are constructed via the addition of successive layers, or tiers, of designed monomers, or building blocks, that possess a predetermined, branched superstructure consisting of connected physical matter inherently defining an internal void volume or void area within the molecular framework. Reactive sites located on the framework and hence within the void regions are capable of being chemically transformed to allow covalent and noncovalent incorporation of one or more guest species into the said void regions. Further, a method is described for making such cascade polymers that includes the steps of forming a unimolecular micelle containing internal void areas with accessible reactive sites capable of bonding to at least one guest after construction of the said unimolecular micelle. The guests are contained within the internal void volume of the cascade polymer and are available and accessible for additional chemical modification.

Abstract: A monomeric diacid derivative includes at least two fatty acids coupled by a hydrolytically or enzymatically degradable bond. In a biological environment, the bond degrades forming naturally occurring fatty acid products thereby allowing elimination.

Abstract: A golf board game comprises a game board (10) marked out into a plurality of golf holes (12). Each of the golf holes (12) comprises a tee area (14), a fairway area (16), an obstruction area (20) and a golf green area (18) having a pin and a plurality of distinct place markers (T1 to T6, FA1 to FA5, FB1 to F5, BB1 to BB5) on or about each golf hole (12). A bank of devices (66) comprising five discs (68) fortuitously determines the result of the tee stroke. Each golf hole (12) has at least a first card (76) having an indication of the place marker (T1 to T6) to which a golf ball travels as a result of the tee stroke. The first card (76) also has an indication as to the nature of the subsequent stroke or strokes to be played, and one or more further cards (76) correspond to the nature of the next stroke to be played. The devices (66) fortuitously determine the results of the or each subsequent stroke.

Abstract: A piece of footwear (12) includes a stroboscopic display device (10). The display device (10) includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (14) along a single array. The plurality of LEDs 14 are strobed or switched on and off through a set non-random fashion such that the plurality of LEDs (14) display a two-dimensional graphic image when the footwear (12) is moved through a step. A control (16) calculates the velocity of the step to determine the rate at which the LEDs (14) are to be strobed.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (16), for spraying a liquid such as a urethane prepolymer on a substrate, has a liquid spray nozzle (28) with a center line (56). Air nozzles (30), with center lines (62) that are substantially parallel to the center line (56) of the liquid spray nozzle (28), are provided in the nozzle assembly (16) around the liquid spray nozzle. Air passing from the air nozzles (30) surrounds and encloses the liquid spray and decreases the size of the liquid spray fan pattern (58 or 70). The air spray nozzles (30) can be positioned in the nozzle assembly (16) to change the shape of the liquid spray fan pattern (58 or 70) as well as the size. Mixing of air and liquid is minimized by spraying air and liquid in parallel paths.

Abstract: A chassis dynamometer is described which is especially adapted for road simulation. A torque transducer is connected in the roll assembly so that the torque signal is not influenced by bearing friction. The torque transducer outer element is rigidly attached to the roll and the inner element is rigidly attached to the roll shaft.

Abstract: A collapsible arm rest for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a flexible skin or covering, a layer of foam material underlying the flexible skin to provide a cushion and soft feel for the collapsible arm rest, a back plate for securing the collapsible arm rest to a generally vertical panel of a motor vehicle, and an insert embedded in the foam layer for strengthening the arm rest. The insert comprises a hollow bellows shaped thin walled shell that is attached to the back plate so that the shell collapses in the lateral direction when the arm rest is subjected to a side load of the type experienced in a side impact automobile collision. The shell defines an empty chamber that communicates with ambient air in the exterior environment of the arm rest via a small open vent and a large vent that is covered by a rupturable membrane that ruptures when the shell collapses in the lateral direction to avoid pneumatic delay in the lateral collapse of the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a cover for an air bag deployment opening, the cover having a tear seam defined by a reduction in thickness of the cover. The cover can be formed as an unitary part of an outer skin layer for an automobile interior trim structure. The apparatus includes a thin shell having an inner surface upon which a thermoplastic material is cast to form the outer skin. A multiplicity of pins are disposed on and extend away from a backside thereof to transfer heat to the inner surface. The density of the pins is reduced on the portion of the backside of the shell proximate the portion of the inner surface upon which the tear seam of the outer skin is to be formed. The shell can be heated or cooled by using a plurality of nozzles to impinge heated or cooled air onto predetermined locations of the backside. A cover and tear seam construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic connector assembly (10) for adjustably connecting a socket (22) with a prosthetic limb includes an end plate (12) having a top side (16), a bottom side (18), and a central opening (14) therein. A socket (22) extends upwardly from the top side (16) of the end plate (12) and an attachment member (66) is supported on the bottom side (18) thereof. An oblong washer (26) is disposed within the socket (22) and is supported by the top side (16) of the end plate (12). A bolt (84) extends through the attachment member (66), washer (26), and central opening (14) in the end plate (12) to retain the washer (26) and attachment member (66) against the end plate (12) while permitting relative adjustment of the attachment member (66) with respect to the end plate (12).

Abstract: A coupling between optical fibers, one of which rotates respective a light ensor coupled to another such fiber. The light emanating from the end of the fiber facing the sensor reaches such sensor directly or it is focused onto it by a lens. The area of the sensor is larger than the fiber diameter, which is axially mounted in the rotating body, so as to cancel out misalignments resulting from high speed rotations of the fiber respective the sensor.

Abstract: A light display structure (10) includes a plurality of arm braces (12) mounted together with a decorative shield (22) fastened thereon. Each arm brace (12) includes a short arm (16) and long arm (15) angularly extending from a central bite section (14). The plurality of arms can be mounted at the bite section to form a central hub (18) or mounted at the distal ends (94) of each arm to form a five pointed star with the bite section forming the outer points of the star.

Abstract: A method for resupplying a remote cassette assembly (14) for an ambulatory medical infusion pump (10) with a new replacement tube (22a) includes the steps of disassembling a used tube assembly (22) from the cassette assembly (14) by removing a luer lock (34) located at the end of microbore tubing (32) by severing the tubing (22), removing the tubing (22) by passing it through apertures (30), (25) and (47) in the cassette assembly (14), inserting a new unused tubing (22a) into the access slot (40) to the interior of said cassette, and by inserting tubing (22a) such that the tubing (22a) is pulled through the apertures (47), (25) and (30).

Abstract: An assembly (10) for holding a tree (12) in an upright position above a level surface (14) includes a base (22) for supporting the tree (12). A rim (24) holds a quantity of water (20) on the base (22) and in contact with the tree's trunk end (16). Four retainer pins (60) hold the trunk end (16) centrally on the base means (22). A back-up retainer (32) limits trunk end (16) sliding or twisting while allowing the quantity of water (20) to flow to the trunk end (16). Guy elements (28) engage the trunk (18) of the tree at an elevated position above the trunk's end (16) and resist tree-tipping forces. Clamps (30), disposed at spaced locations around the rim (24), hold the guy elements (28) to the rim (24). Each clamp (30) has a lever arm (118) that adjustably and releasably clamps the guy elements ( 28) to the base (22) as the lever arm (118) is pivoted between engaged (A) and disengaged (B) positions. A reservoir fence (176) prevents objects, such as tree skirts from contacting the water (20).

Abstract: A trolley wheel assembly (10) securely sealed to prevent loss of lubricant therefrom and entrance of contaminants therein. The assembly (10) comprises an inner race (12) disposed about an axis of rotation (14) and an outer race (16) concentrically disposed in a spaced relationship about the inner race (12). A plurality of ball bearings (18) are disposed between the inner race (12) and the outer race (16). An outer sealing ring (20) extends radially inwardly from the outer race (16) toward the inner race (12). An inner sealing ring (22) is rotatably disposed about the inner race (12), extending radially outwardly and contiguous the outer sealing ring (20). A wave washer (24) disposed about the inner race (12) biases the inner sealing ring (22) into constant friction engagement with the outer sealing ring (20). A plurality of backup inner sealing rings (26,27) provide a secondary seal about the inner race (12).

Abstract: Unimolecular micelles, generally referred to as cascade polymers, are constructed via the addition of successive layers, or tiers, of designed monomers, or building blocks, that possess a predetermined, branched superstructure consisting of connected physical matter inherently defining an internal void volume or void area within the molecular framework. Each of the branches define a flexible arm from a central core atom and terminate with a hydrodynamic reactive group. A method is described for manipulating such cascade polymers.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle wash system maintains blower air bags (18) at a predetermined distance from the vehicle providing forced air against the vehicle for water removal. Ultrasonic sensors (66) are provided on the nozzles (26) of the bags (18) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance. Control circuitry (40) controls a motor (42) to control movement of the air bags (18) to maintain the predetermined distance. The wiring interconnecting the control circuitry and motor (38) and sensor (66) extends through the interior of the air bags (18) and support air plenum (13, 14) to avoid damage thereto. The control circuitry (40) allows for manual adjustment of the sensitivity of the sensors (66). The circuitry in the sensors (66) is minimized to only the transmitter, receiver and amplifier. Furthermore, each bag (18) is controlled by separate control circuitry (40) so that failure of one air bag and associated circuit does not effect any other bag's operation.

Abstract: A laminated instrument panel has a door cover for concealing a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system in a vehicle passenger compartment that includes a skin flap that is an integral part of the skin of the instrument panel. The skin flap is cast out of position and collapsed into the correct position when an elastomeric foam layer is foamed in place beneath the cast skin. This forms slanted grooves in the skin at the juncture of the flap and the adjacent skin of the instrument panel that have little or no gap at the surface of the skin. The skin flap can be shaped to provide a flush door or a raised door with an overlapping front edge.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag comprises a front part (20) and a rear part (22), or front, rear and side parts joined together by at least one tear seam (24) comprising stitching of tortuous pattern.

Abstract: A rotary capping machine (10) includes a nonrotating center shaft (26) about which a turret (28) is rotatably mounted. The turret (28) is rotated by a motor (30) whose speed can be adjusted to alter the bottle through put rate of the capping machine (10). A plurality of spindle shafts (44) are supported on the turret (28) in a circle about the center shaft (26). A rotary capping head (48) is positioned on the end of each spindle shaft (44) and includes a clutch mechanism. A drive motor (68) supported on the center shaft (26) rotates each of the spindle shafts (44) in unison through a compound and planetary gear train. As the spindle shafts (44) revolve about the center shaft (26), they are linearly reciprocated by a barrel cam (50) arrangement. A rotary encoder (78) senses the instantaneous rotational speed of the turret (28) and sends feed back signals to a CPU to control the drive motor (68) so the spindle shafts (44) always rotate at a field determined constant speed regardless of the turret speed.

Abstract: A plate (12) for use with stemware (14) that has a center portion (16) and an outer periphery (24) with a notch (28) therethrough that lead to an aperture (30) that passes through the plate. The aperture is substantially surrounded by a rim (32) that is coplanar with the upper edge of the periphery and a lower lip (36) that is coplanar with the central portion. A base foot (20) is under the central portion and elevates the lip to allow a stemware foot flange (58) to fit under the lip when the stem and plate are seated flat on a table surface (19).