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 stowable container holding assembly (10) for a vehicle. The assembly (10) includes a carrier (12) mounted in a vehicle support structure. A tray (18) having a container receptacle (22) is supported by and moveable with respect to the carrier (12). A motor (34) receives energy and converts it to motion. The motion is transmitted to the tray (18) and drives the tray (18) through an actuation assembly (32) between a retracted stowed position and an extended use position. The motor (34) is activated by a switch (48). Movement of the tray (18) is limited by a plurality limit switches (50). When the tray (18) is in the extended position, a lamp (62) is illuminated, and sensors (58) detect the presence of an object in the receptacles (22) and will not permit the tray (18) to return to the stowed position if an object is present. The tray (18) can be moved between the stowed and use positions manually in the event of power failure.

Abstract: A closure for an air bag assembly includes a door having an edge portion of the door that defines a segment of a deployment opening for the air bag when the door is opened and the door is held in a normally closed position by a fastener tab that includes a lip thereon that will cover the edge portion of the door to prevent the air bag from engaging the edge portion during deployment.

Abstract: A cover normally concealing a safety air bag is adapted to rupture to form an opening for air bag deployment into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The cover is formed of plastic material that tends to become embrittled and fragment when torn or pierced below a certain ambient temperature. A heater is provided behind the cover that is adapted to heat the rupture area in the event of air bag deployment. A heater control operates the heater to maintain this critical area above the fragmentation temperature when the vehicle is being operated at low ambient temperatures that would cause plastic embrittlement.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an automotive vehicle includes a substructure that extends across the width of an automotive vehicle passenger compartment and is secured to side pillars of an automotive vehicle body. A pair of laterally spaced knee bolsters each include a retainer that has a rearwardly facing wall that is located at knee height, and a pair of integrally attached, vertically spaced struts that are attached to a lower channel of the substructure to form a first box structure for absorbing impact energy. A front channel is disposed in front of the lower channel and securely attached to the substructure of the instrument panel. The attached channels provide a cross car duct for wiring or air distribution and a second box structure for absorbing energy when the knee bolster is impacted in a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) includes a backrest member (14) pivotably coupled to a seat member (12) for enabling the seat to pivot between a generally upright design position (D) and a reclined position (R). An inertia responsive latch mechanism (18) is operative in response to the assembly (10) being subjected to sudden acceleration forces, as when the vehicle is involved in a rearend collision, for locking the back rest member (14) against rearward pivotal movement toward the reclined position (R).

Abstract: A snowmobile construction comprising a body frame and having slide rails suspended from the body frame through a front and rear suspension arm, and an endless track which runs under tension upon a drive and a plurality of driven wheels rotatably borne on the slide rails. The rear suspension has front and rear suspension arms which connect the body frame and the slide rails in parallelogram linkage fashion. Compression coil springs and shock absorbers are operatively mounted between the slide rails and the front and rear suspension arms. An inclined slide block and slot coupling interconnects the rear suspension arm and each slide rail to automatically react both front and rear suspension arms upon initial encounter of the slide rails with a snow bump. This coupling also urges the chassis of the snowmobile into an upwardly pitched condition upon acceleration with the forward ends of the slide rails digging into the ground surface for enhanced traction.

Abstract: An adjustable container return device for use with a lift arm of a variable stroke lifter system for lifting variable height containers. The return device includes a vertically oriented rod threadedly movable at its bottom end relative to the lift arm; a laterally extending member operatively connected to the top end of the rod for vertical movement therewith; a retention mechanism operatively connected to said rod for retaining the laterally extending member in a selected radial direction so as to extend across an upper edge of an adjacent container; and an actuator mechanism for rotating the rod while permitting the rod to slidably move longitudinally, and thereby threadedly raising and lowering the rod relative to the lift arm, such that the laterally extending member accommodates different height containers.

Abstract: A composite vehicular wheel assembly (10) has a permanent ornamental surface treatment. The wheel assembly (10) includes an annular rim (12) having two rim flanges (14). A spider (20) is fixed within the rim (12) and attaches to a rotating hub (22). The spider (20) includes a plurality of radial spokes (24). Lug stud holes (32) are formed in the spider (20) and are circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the assembly (10). A stamped sheet metal applique (34) conforming to the outer surface curvature of the rim (12) and spider (20) is adhesively attached with an epoxy (42). The applique (34) is chrome-plated to simulate a conventional prior art electroplate chrome wheel assembly. The applique (34) includes vent openings (40) positioned between the spokes (24) of the spider (20), and apertures (52) aligned over each of the lug stud holes (32) of the spider (20) for passage of tile lug studs (31). A separately detachable center cap (29) attaches to the spider (20) and/or the hub (22).

Abstract: A polishing apparatus (10) comprises a main arm (12) mounted for horizontal and vertical movement. The arm (12) is provided with a rotating belt (32) of abrasive material for polishing purposes. An article to be polished, for example a dished end is mounted on a table drive (24). The arm (12) carries an X-Y plate (28) including a contact wheel (30) movable relative to the arm (12) along two orthogonal axes. Cylinders (38, 40) bias the contact wheel toward the article to be polished. In use, the arm (12) is swept across the radius of the dished end so as to "map" the profile to be polished and thereafter the arm (12) follows this profile at a preset "off-set" of 50-75 millimeters. Minor irregularities of the surface are "ridden" by the X-Y plate (28) against the constant bias of the pneumatic cylinder without being ground away.

Abstract: A child restraint seat (22) is disposed in a cavity (20) of the backrest (14) in an adult passenger seat (10) for restraining a child in a vehicle. The child seat (22) comprises a seat portion (24) pivotal between a folded position recessed in the cavity (20) forming a lower portion of the adult backrest (14) and an unfolded position resting against the adult seat portion (12). A child backrest (26) is disposed in the cavity (20) and pivotal between a first position parallel with the inclined position of the adult backrest (14) and a second child backrest inclined position. The child seat (22) further includes a headrest (54) pivotal in an arcuate path about an axis of the adult backrest (14) between a folded position forming the upper portion of the adult backrest (14) and an unfolded position raised above the backrest (14) and forming an extended child backrest portion (26).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indenting the ocular coats for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The method includes the steps of (1) gripping the eye at the intra-forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member having a centripetally expanding surface; and(2) applying pressure to the ocular coats to cause indentation as determined by the controlled filling of the inflatable member.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a joint (26) for joining the end (28) of a coolant tube (12) to a header (14). The header (14) includes an aperture (22) extending therethrough with a ferrule (24) circumferentially disposed thereabout. At least one tab (32) extends upward from the ferrule (24) for providing attachment to the end (28) of the coolant tube (12).

Abstract: Described herein is the .beta..sub.3 -adrenergic receptor protein and DNA which encodes the protein, vectors containing the DNA, host cells transformed with the vectors and methods of using the protein, the DNA and the transformed host cells.

Abstract: A refrigerated compartment is disclosed for food preparation tables. The compartment is generally rectangular and extends laterally across the table and has an access opening at the top allowing exposure to ambient room air. A lower section of the compartment comprises a cold wall pan with air circulation and defines a lower cooling zone. An upper section of the compartment comprises a pair of oppositely disposed heat sink walls defining an upper cooling zone open to the room air. Plural open-top food pans are removably supported side-by-side in the compartment with the pans extending into the lower cooling zone and tops of the pans being disposed adjacent the bottom of the upper cooling zone.

Abstract: The musical wireless alerting system includes several detectors (12) which transmit rf signals to a common receiver (14). The detectors (12) include manual switches thereon to allow manual selection of a song or melody. The selection is coded in the form of an audio code which is transmitted to the receiver (14). The receiver (14) detects any rf transmissions and verifies that the received transmissions are identifiable with the receiver (14). Upon verification, the receiver reads the audio code and compares same to a plurality of stored songs or tones within memory for transmission to a speaker which plays the tone or song. Each of the detectors (14) may sense different predefined conditions and indicate different audible indications to be played. The detectors may sense conditions such as opening of the door or depression of a door bell.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an instrument panel construction that includes a structural instrument panel carrier of plastic material for mounting instrument panel components. The carrier is attached to side pillars located at a juncture of passenger and engine compartments so as to form a cross beam. The instrument panel construction has its external appearance determined by adding facial instrument panel coverings to the instrument panel carrier after the instrument panel components are mounted on the instrument panel carrier. The structural instrument panel carrier may also be integrated with a front of dash (FOD) panel that may be composed of the same material and that provides a second cross beam.

Abstract: A seating assembly (10) including a hinge joint (30) rotatably connecting an articulated member (21) to a support member (28). The hinge joint (30) includes a cover (26) having a face plate (32) positioned adjacent to the hinge joint (30) for preventing ingress of foreign materials into the joint from an axial direction. The cover (26) further includes flexible strips (34, 34') extending circumferencially about the hinge joint (30). Channels (56, 56') are attached to the articulated member (21) at a location adjacent the hinge joint (30) and slidably receive and guide the strips (34, 34') circumferencially about the hinge joint (30) to prevent ingress of foreign materials into the hinge joint (30) from a radial direction.