Abstract: A locking system is utilized to control the locking and unlocking of a lock, such as on a door. The lock includes a magnetic card reader for reading a coded key card into a lock computer which in turn determines functions of and access to the lock. The key card includes a key code, key level code, and key record number stored thereon. The lock includes a memory accessed by the computer which is partitioned and includes a level storage area with level records identified by a lock level code and operational information for the level, and a key storage area for storing lock key records identified by a lock record number and associated with at least one lock level for storing key information associated with the record number. The computer validates a key card by reading and comparing the key level code to the lock level code to determine the level and the key record number to one of the lock record numbers identified with the level in the key storage area.

Abstract: Picking apparatus for picking and dispensing plastic sheet wrapped videocassette packages onto a high speed product gathering conveyor comprises a package dispensing mechanism with a package feed magazine containing a replenishable stack of these packages stacked on a platform of the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is controlled by a computer and has a pair of dispensing belts with cogs that engage the package at the bottom of the stack and dispense it at a prescribed time off the platform and onto the conveyor. A set of nozzles with a pressurized air supply is operated to forcibly direct air between adjacent packages in the stack in a sequential manner to reduce adhesion therebetween prior to their dispensing and a bumper operated by a controlled plunger timely bumps the package at the bottom of the stack to help free it from the one immediately above and start it in the dispensing direction.

Abstract: A right and left hand retractable wheel carriage for a removable vehicle bench seat opposite end latching mechanism. Each carriage includes mounting brackets, caster brackets interconnected by a link, associated casters, and a suitable spring for urging the casters apart and into engagement with the vehicle floor to prevent the casters from rattling during operation of the vehicle. Once the seat's latching mechanism is released, the spring forces the casters into a vertical orientation to thereby lift the bench seat to facilitate manually rolling it out of the vehicle, and then along the ground or floor.

Abstract: A locking fastener in which coacting ramp surfaces are provided on a nut and washer assembly to generate wedging forces in response to backing off movement of the nut which urge the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and the workpiece and in which a spring member disposed radially from the ramp surfaces is biased by the final relative tightening movement of the nut and washer so as to bias the ramp surfaces for movement in the direction to augment the locking action of the fastener. A torque control fastener is disclosed in which the gap between the adjacent ramp shoulders on the nut and washer is indicative of the torque and the damping force exerted by the fastener.

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 coated article (10) and method of making the same is disclosed wherein the coated article (10) includes a substrate (12) consisting essentially of titanium or titanium alloy and an outer coating (14) of thermoplastic resin for protecting the substrate from chemical degradation and maintaining stability during exposure to temperatures of at least up to 260.degree. C. An adhesion primer layer (16) is disposed between the substrate (12) and the outer coating (14). The adhesion primer layer (16) includes an inorganic binder matrix for increasing adhesion to the titanium and titanium alloys. The primer layer (16) further includes a thermoplastic resin in particulate form for increasing adhesion to the outer coating (14).

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a fluid flow apparatus including a discharge nozzle arrangement comprising a single continuous, meandering stainless steel strand to create a planar screen operatively connected at its outer periphery to a diffuser chamber. The screen is adapted to retain a volume of fluid thereabove until the fluid is forced under pressure through the openings between adjacent segments of the strand. Portions of the screen are adapted to flex resiliently downwardly, out of the plane of the outer periphery, to provide additional clearances between adjacent segments of the screen, in the event particulates should tend to build-up, to thereby resist clogging by flushing same. The round cross-section of the strand facilitates continual cleanliness, and serves to produce better-behaved flow out of the nozzle, thereby reducing foaming of the product being discharged during the filling operation.

Abstract: A water cooled resistance welding assembly includes a tubular housing with an internal coolant system for efficiently removing heat from the inboard surface of a flat faced electrode for resistance welding either studs or nuts.

Abstract: A mixing valve for a faucet has a ball valve (16) mounted for pivotable motion about a longitudinal axis (76) and a second perpendicular axis (86) that is fixed with respect to the pin (84) that extends through the spherical section (42) of the ball valve. Distal ends of the pin are connected to a collar (46) that is fitted about the spherical section (42). The collar has cam stops that abut an edge (102) of the upturned flange (104) of the seating ring (48). The spherical section (42) has inlet openings (90,94) that are configured with convex and concave sections to produce a desired flow pattern.

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 motor vehicle is provided with an air bag system having a singular air bag that deploys downward from the ceiling to cushion the front and both sides of both the driver and a front seat passenger from over their head and to at least their shoulders to prevent their impacting with upper interior portions of the vehicle and with each other in a collision. The air bag includes an elongated front section that extends transverse of the vehicle along the front of the seats, elongated side sections that extend rearwardly from the front section along the outer side of the respective seats, and an elongated intermediate section that extends rearwardly from the front section between the seats.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metallized part comprises the following steps. A part is provided made from a substrate material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), TPU alloys, polyester alloys, nylon, thermoplastic olefins (TPO) and aluminum. A single protective layer (combined primer/basecoat) is spray deposited, flashed and cured over the substrate. Over the combined primer/basecoat layer, a layer of corrosion prone metal is vacuum deposited to form a discontinuous film covering the combined primer/basecoat layer. A layer of clear resinous protective dielectric topcoat is spray deposited and cured to completely cover the layer of vacuum deposited corrosion prone metal material and fill channels formed in the discontinuous film layer.

Abstract: A cover for an air bag unit having a patterned tear seam therein defined by an integrally bonded, thermoplastic filler strip as the cover material and including a material having properties different than that of the cover material. Apparatus for forming the cover includes a thin shell mold having an inner surface that is heated to melt thermoplastic material cast thereon. A powder box adapted to contain thermoplastic material therein for distribution onto the thin shell mold carries a gasket having a shape corresponding to the tear seam shape. The powder box and gasket are adapted to be connected to the thin shell mold for forming a sealed footprint on the inner surface during distribution of the cast material against heated surface portions of the thin shell mold to form a thermoplastic cover with an opening therein that has the tear seam pattern. The opening is later filled with the lesser strength thermoplastic material to form an integrally bonded thermoplastic filler strip.

Abstract: Described is a method of treating Alzheimer's disease in a patient comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of tacrine in combination with a P450 1A2 oxidase inhibitor. Preferably, the inhibitor is a heterocyclic guanidine.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metallized part using the island coating method, including spray depositing a primer layer, basecoat layer, or combined primer/basecoat layer. Each layer contains an increased amount of film forming polymer by using liquid CO.sub.2 as a supplemental carrier along with a reduced amount of organic solvent carrier thereby reducing waste disposal costs and environmental concerns. Further, this modified island coating system can be used to deposit layers of 1.5 to 2.0 mils thick and maintain the aesthetic properties of the metallizing island coating system at a reduced cost and with minimal variability among parts.

Abstract: Described is a biologically pure culture of an immortal human parotid based epithelial cell. The present invention is concerned with the establishment in serum-free medium of normal diploid epithelial cell lines from the human parotid gland. The terms "diploid chromosome complement" mean that, as determined by karyotype analysis, the cells have neither gained or lost any chromosomes and do not appear to show any structural alterations.

Abstract: A steering wheel (12) incorporates an air bag unit (22). The air bag unit has a cover door (30) with a transducer (38) molded in a deformable front wall (35) of the cover door. The transducer can be a force sensitive resistor (38) which is operably connected to an electrical circuit (42) that actuates a horn (44) when the circuit senses a change in the resistance of force sensitive resistor (38). The force sensitive resistor (38) produces a suitable change in resistance when hand pressure is exerted on the front wall (35).

Abstract: An automobile door having an interior trim panel with air flow control openings at a bottom edge thereof. The air flow control openings direct outside air entering the normal drain holes in the door onto the floor of the passenger compartment to thereby prevent this air from entering the passenger compartment through partially sealed openings in the trim panel in which a door release handle and power door and power window switches are received.

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 the lug studs (31). A separately detachable center cap (29) attaches to the spider (20) and/or the hub (22).