Abstract: An air bag cover door for a steering wheel mounted air bag module includes an inner cover, an outer cover, a horn actuator attached to the inside surface of the outer cover, and one or more protrusions extending between the inner and outer covers about the horn actuator. The protrusions prevent the inner cover from compressing the horn actuator under the pressure exerted by the stored material of the air bag. The outer cover, including its inside surface, is deformable upon hand pressure being exerted thereon and the horn actuator is responsive to such deformation to activate the vehicle horn. The horn actuator can be a transducer, such as a variable resistor, adhered to the inside surface. The inner cover is permanently secured to the base of the air bag module by, for example, rivets, while the outer cover section is removably secured to the base by, for example, screws.

Abstract: An emergency illumination device for elevator cabs and the like that includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. When the primary power source is "on", a charging circuit maintains a constant charge on an emergency battery source while providing battery source power to an emergency alarm device that can be activated by a push button on the control panel of the elevator. When the primary power is off, the emergency battery source is activated by a circuit that will continue to provide power to the alarm device and also will provide general illumination to the interior of the elevator and spot illuminate the push button so that it can be easily located and operated by occupants in need of assistance.

Abstract: A test slide (10) for performing diagnostic tests for detecting the presence of cells, their enzymes, metabolites and other cellular derivatives. The test slide (10) comprises a support strip (14), a coating (34) comprising a carrier and a diagnostic reagent disposed on the support strip (14), and a mount (12) comprising a front wall (18) and a rear wall (20). The coating (34) has the properties of being dry and stable, and water soluble. Further, the coating (34) and the diagnostic reagent are capable of rehydration. The support strip (14) is disposed between the front wall (18) and the rear wall (20) of the mount (12). Both the front (18) and rear (20) walls can have coinciding openings (28,28a) that overlie the support strip (14) thereby allowing spectroscopic, visual and microscopic examination of the support strip (14).

Abstract: A cautery, for performing surgical operations through the application of heat to soft tissue, is provided with a smoke removal apparatus to remove smoke and vapors from the immediate area of an operation during use. In a preferred embodiment, the smoke removal apparatus includes a tube disposed proximate to a cutting tip of the cautery, the tube being connected at an opposite end thereof to a vacuum source.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a single color coded composite image from a plurality of multiparameter magnetic resonance image sets. The plurality of magnetic resonance image sets are spatially aligned and are acquired using different pulse sequences to contrast various parameters of anatomical, physiological and pathological features. The method includes acquiring the gray-tone images, and plotting a histogram of the average pixel signal intensities for selected regions of interest in each image. This provide quantitative data to support qualitative assessments of tissue contrast behavior in each of the images which acts as a basis for color coding. Based on the histogram, color coefficients of red, green and blue channels are assigned to each image so that the final combination of colors will produce a semi-natural appearing composite image. Monochrome images are created based on the gray-tone images and color coefficiency tables.

Abstract: An invisible airbag door arrangement is integrated into a decorative automotive instrument panel to create an opening for airbag deployment. The arrangement comprises two self hinging sheet metal doors that are attached to a substrate frame and a cast polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic (PVC) shell that forms part of the decorative covering of the instrument panel. The back side of the PVC shell is reinforced with a urethane adhesive coating that also the bonds PVC shell to a layer of elastomeric urethane foam that is foamed in place beneath the PVC shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making preforms from a fibrous material such as glass fibers. The apparatus includes a porous mold form that, in carrying out the method, is attached over the open face of a charge box. The charge box and mold form are then rotated as a single unit to dump glass fibers or other fiberous reinforcement held in the charge box onto the mold form. Air is drawn through the porous mold form to thereby retain a layer of the glass fibers against the mold form. The mold form and charge box are rotated back to their initial position and then disconnected. A binder is sprayed onto the glass fibers if not otherwise already applied thereto. The binder is then cured, resulting in a unitary glass fibers preform.

Abstract: An assembly (10) is disclosed for making a cam shaft from a plurality of cam lobes (14) having apertures (16) disposed therethrough and a hollow tubular shaft (12). The assembly (10) comprises a support arrangement (18) for supporting the cam lobes (14) along the hollow shaft (12); a solid or liquid propellant (20) disposed within the shaft; and a deflagrator (22) for deflagrating the propellant to introduce a sudden increase of gas pressure in the hollow tubular shaft (12) to expand the shaft radially and into engagement with the cam lobes (16) thereby securing the cam lobes to the shaft and preventing movement therebetween. The propellant (20) is disposed axially along the length of the shaft (12) to promote even radial expansion of the shaft. The propellant (20) is distributed evenly along the length of a thick plastic tube (24) which is inserted in the shaft (12).

Abstract: A down lighting system for elevator cabs and the like includes halogen lights in standard and emergency light fixtures. Both types of fixtures are connected to the ceiling by a clamp arrangement which is universally adaptable to a wide variety of ceiling types without changing the light housing dimensions. The clamp arrangement fastens light housings against rotation with respect to the ceiling and it is adjustable to different height ceiling configurations merely by connection to different vertical positions of the outer surface of the fixture. The standard fixture includes a halogen bulb with its own reflector. The emergency lighting fixture includes a halogen bulb/reflector unit with the emergency self focusing bulbs concentrically spaced around it. Both light sources pass focused light directly into the space below the ceiling for meeting test point candle power requirements.

Abstract: A manual transmission modular clutch assembly has a flywheel, pressure plate and interposed clutch plate mounted in a cover that is adapted to be connected to an engine crankshaft and wherein separate spring-torque straps connect the pressure plate and the flywheel to the cover for rotation therewith. At assembly the flywheel is positioned against the force of its spring-torque straps by travel limit pins that are retained on the cover, press fitted in the flywheel and contact with the pressure plate when in its clutch engaging position. A diaphragm spring normally clamps the pressure plate, clutch plate and flywheel together and is adapted to be connected to a clutch pedal to release the clutch. As wear occurs, the pressure plate is allowed to move further in the direction of the flywheel and forces the flywheel travel limit pins to move in their press fit by the same amount.

Abstract: The invention provides an impact beam assembly and method for making the same. The method includes (a) deforming a tubular beam to provide an arcuate channel that extends inwardly from one end of the beam and that has a depth which decreases with increasing distance from the end of the beam, and (b) securing the beam to a mounting fixture near the deformed end of the beam. An arcuate channel and mounting fixture can also be provided at the other end of the impact beam. The arcuate channel provides a tapered profile to the end or ends of the impact beam, while preserving much of the beam's inherent tube strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and counting coins is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus is battery powered and includes a magnet which moves between two positions upon a coin moving along a coin path. Movement of the magnet activates a reed switch that wakes up a microprocessor controlled circuit from a low power quiescent state. The circuit is then operable to count the coin and to then take appropriate action. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a second magnet located near the coin path and opposite a second reed switch. This magnet keeps the contacts of the reed switch closed until a ferromagnetic object passes therebetween and shunts the magnetic field away from the reed switch. A photointerrupter is used to detect U.S. coin currency and other non-ferromagnetic objects not detected via the second reed switch. Thus, the apparatus can distinguish ferromagnetic objects from U.S.

Abstract: A process of making an enriched artificial rice product comprising by dry weight 50% to 98% of at least one starch or starch derivative, 2% to 45% of at least one enriching material, and 0.1% to 10% of at least one gelling hydrocolloid whereby the enriched artificial rice product can be prepared with the cooking water being at least twice the volume of the rice.

Abstract: The machinery transport trailer (10) includes a main frame (12) with a pair of fore and aft extending parallel beams (34 and 36). A pair of axle assemblies (14) support the rear of the main frame (12) transverse beams (22) are attached to the bottom of the main frame (12) to provide a support platform. A torque tube (48) is attached to the front ends of the parallel beams (34 and 36) of the main frame (12). A goose neck (16) with right and left beam assemblies and a transverse frame member 58 are connected to the torque tube (48). The goose neck (16) defines an open area (66) which is sufficiently wide to allow the elevator of a combine harvester separator 24 that is being transported to pass between the right and left beam assemblies and to allow the front wheels 30 of a combine harvester separator to move forward to a position at the front of the main frame 12.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) including a conduit (12), and a motion transmitting core element (14) moveably supported by the conduit (12). A terminal (22) is attached to one end of the core element (14) for attachment to a member to be controlled. The terminal (22) adjusts the effective length of the core element (14) by manually locking the terminal (22) into any one of various locking positions and includes three members. The first member (24) includes a first (46) and second (48) plurality of teeth (50) inclined away from one another and is attached to the core element (14). The second member (26) is attached to the control member. The third member (28) includes a first (46') and a second (48') plurality of teeth (50') adapted for matingly interconnecting the first and second members (24, 26) and is moveable between an unlocked position, allowing relative movement between the first and second members ( 24, 26) and a locked position for preventing such relative movement.

Abstract: A reusable cassette assembly (14) for an ambulatory medical infusion pump (10) with a reservoir bag (22) has a pump plate 16 removably attached to the shell (18). The pump plate includes a retainer (30) and latch (50) that have distal ends (44) and (56) spaced from the upper surface (26) of the pump plate to allow the tube (22) of the reservoir bag (22) to be laterally engaged or disengaged thereunder. The plate has a slot (25) that is opened or closed by a removable wall section (63) of the shell (18) to allow the tube to laterally disengage from the slot (25).

Abstract: A thermal wrap is disclosed for application to body members, especially joints and limbs. It comprises a pouch for containing a thermal medium and which is constructed of a flexible elastic cloth. The pouch is mounted on a support member, also constructed of a flexible elastic cloth, which is adapted to wrap around a limb or joint. The support member is provided with a wrap fastener such as a hook and loop fastener which is adjustable to establish the desired degree of compression on the affected area. The wrap is provided with cinch bands which encircle the limb at locations above and below the pouch. This arrangement provides compression under the bandwidth of the pouch which is independently adjustable relative to the compression under the cinch bands. Additionally, a pressurized air bladder may be provided to independently adjust the compression under the bandwidth of the bladder.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly 10 of the type for transmitting motion along a curved path comprising a conduit 12, a flexible motion transmitting core element 14 movably supported within conduit 12, and an adjustment member 16 connected to one of the conduit 12 and core element 14 for adjusting the effective length thereof. The adjustment member 16 comprises an adjustment housing 24 having a first opening 30, a slider member 26 movably disposed in the housing 24, and a locking member 28 movably disposed in the first opening 30 between a locked position to prevent adjustment of the slider member 26 relative to the housing 24 and an unlocked position to allow adjustment of the slider member 26 relative to the housing 24. The housing 24 has bridges 74 extending across the first opening 30 for alternatively holding the locking member 28 in the locked and unlocked positions.