Abstract: An improved screw-type implant is designed to be in dynamic equilibrium relative to forces generated at the implant site for bone lamination and osteocompression within physiologic limits. The threads of a selected implant vary in size and pitch relative to the modulus of elasticity for a particular bone region where the implant is to be placed together with a mechanical apparatus for abutment splinting and for an immediate clinical implant fixation.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and apparatus for the correction of spatial non-uniformities in brightness that arise from materials, manufacturing, operational and lighting parameter variations in electronic color, flat-panel displays. The methods apply both to gradual non-uniformities usually found in monolithic displays as well as to abrupt variations present in displays composed of a multitude of tiles. Corrections are performed on the electronic drive signals used to control the brightness of selected display pixels. Parameters required for these corrections are acquired via brightness measurements over selected pixels and stored after suitable transformations. The stored parameters are then used to scale and/or interpolate drive signals in real time. Corrections are performed such that any remaining gradual and abrupt brightness non-uniformities fall below the detectable threshold under the intended viewing conditions.

Abstract: A hunting hood is described that can be worn on the head of a hunter, in both summer and winter. The hood has several comfort-providing features, such as an adjustable eye window and an attachable and detachable hinged flap for exposing an opening for the mouth of a hunter. These adjustable features allow the hood to be contoured to the face of each individual hunter.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method wherein a printed circuit board can be fabricated in an electroless process with a minimum number of manufacturing steps using mild etchant conditions on an intermediary seed layer to produce low-defect, fine conductive line printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A modularly constructed, turf enforcing outfit, consisting of a flack-jacket body portion supporting snap-on extension portions for forearms. In rumbles and other violent confrontations, the forearm and upper arm portions of a garment usually receive the most abuse. The snap-on, interchangeable, forearm portions allow for ease of repair or replacement.

Abstract: A large flat panel display having a plurality of tile display modules with capability in the range of 12 or more lines per inch, being precisely manufactured and aligned such that the interpixel spacing between two adjacent tiles maintains the uniformly periodic spacing of the interpixel spacing within tiles. The display is addressed as a single monolithic display, without reference to the plurality of individual tiles making up the display. All of the interconnections between tiles are located between tiles in the “shadow area”, unless all tiles can have an edge around the periphery of the display. Also disclosed are methods of making and assembling the tiles and the displays.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a transaction printer at a point-of-sale, to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage two MICR read heads with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer in a single, sequential operation.

Abstract: The present invention features flat-panel displays having a mosaic of tiles, and methods of constructing and sealing them. Sealing designs are described to maintain appropriate vacuum levels for FEDs, PFPDs and LCDs. The mosaic of tiles forming a flat-panel display may include subassembly tiles, with each consisting of two, unsealed, substantially parallel plates having a structure positioned between them; these are known as s-tiles. The tiles may be enclosed by a cover plate and backplate. Non-permeable material may be deposited on the cover plate and the backplate, with solderable metal overlaid on the non-permeable material. A metallized, non-permeable spacer/connector is also located between the cover plate and backplate for hermetically sealing the perimeter of the display. A set of electrical-interconnection, metal feed-throughs can also be positioned in the non-permeable spacer/connector.

Abstract: A weed trimmer or whacker which has an improved drive belt system. The cutting blades carried by a pulley driven belt have dual cutting edges, so the belt can be reversed after one side of the blades becomes dull. The reversal of the belt allows the other cutting edge to be used, thus effectively doubling the useful life of the belt. The drive system has either a V-shaped belt or a timing belt to reduce the probability of dislodging the belt from about the pulleys, when the cutting blades impinge upon an obstacle.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and apparatus for the correction of spatial non-uniformities in color only, and color and brightness combined, that arise from materials, manufacturing, and operational variations in tiled, color flat-panel displays. Such uniformities can introduce gradual or abrupt color and brightness variations in monolithic and tiled displays. Correction methods are based on control of the manufacturing and assembly process, and/or remapping of the colors of the display to match uniformity requirements of the average human observer. Correction methods can be implemented using serial and parallel versions using electronic circuits commonly used in video signal processing. Apparatus for a self-calibration method are also described.

Abstract: An assembly is described that consists of a gallium arsenide die chip and a fiber optic coupler bonded together about their respective mating surfaces. The chip includes laser light emitters. The fiber optic coupler has fiber optic light transmitters that require precise alignment with the laser light emitters of the chip about their mating surfaces. After alignment of the emitting/receiving and transmitting elements, the mating surfaces of the chip and coupler are bonded together.

Abstract: A credit or smart card reader for processing bent, bowed, or warped credit or smart cards. A standard reader has an insertion slot for inserting a card to be read and processed. A normal, undamaged card is inserted into a slot provided in the insertion slot. The normal card travels along a processing path contacting a supporting card ramp. A bent, bowed, or warped credit or smart card, however, misses the supporting card ramp and is confiscated. A deflection guide in accordance with this invention is provided for redirecting the deformed card into the processing path.

Abstract: Insulation compounds are described that have been formulated for use in a refrigeration environment. The materials consist of crosslinkable compounds made from ionomer (EAS), polyether block amide (PEBA), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) homo- or copolymers, and/or polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF). The insulation compounds are intended for use as wire insulation and in the fabrication of gaskets and liners. The compounds show superior resistance to refrigerants such as HCFC-22, HCFC-123, and HFC-134a. Crosslinking provides resistance to creeping under heat and pressure.

Abstract: A system is described for remotely controlling the dimming level of ballasts for fluorescent lamps through standard two-wire AC power wiring normally used within buildings. The system makes use of a unique dimming control that creates a small positive-negative voltage asymmetry, or DC offset, and encodes this control signal onto the power lines that supply the ballasts to be dimmed. The control unit can be integrated with a wall switch as part of a variable dimming control to supply “local” remote control. It can be interfaced to a building control computer. A small decoding module preferably located in the lighting fixture near the ballast recovers the control signal from the applied asymmetry of the power voltage, processes it if necessary, and feeds it to the ballast. To minimize power losses in the dimming control, a DC offset of zero volts, or no asymmetry, produces full light output. For full dimming, an offset of about 15 volts is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for reworking a printed circuit board having plugged vias and plated through holes. The printed circuit board, supported by a movable local support, is heated from only the bottom side by a heating device near the area on the PCB that contains the plated through hole or holes to be reworked. The heating device is removed when the solder in the plugged PTH is completely melted. At that time, blast air is turned on to remove and blow off the excess solder in the PTH. The compressed air is more effective in displacing the molten solder than is vacuuming, and has less chance of damaging the PCB than do conventional reworking methods, due to the non-contact nature of the invention.

Abstract: Laces for shoes, sneakers, or other wearing apparel that adjust easily, but stay tied. In one embodiment, the novel design is a flat lace having an upper and lower surface made from different materials. The surfaces have a relatively low coefficient of friction with respect to a shoe's eyelets. Upon being tied, the surfaces have a high coefficient of friction when they are in contact with one another. An alternative design includes a brush-like array of tiny fibers protruding from the lace surface. Another embodiment consists of a middle portion having material properties different from its end portions. An alternative design has two sets of opposing sides with different material properties. The inventive designs minimize the possibility of laces coming untied.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a simplified process for fabricating high density printed wiring boards using a semi-additive process. A roughened copper foil is laminated to a dielectric substrate. The foil is subsequently removed from the dielectric to create a roughened, irregular surface on the dielectric substrate. Vertical angle through holes and blind holes are formed in the substrate. A uniform copper commoning layer is electrolessly plated to the roughened dielectric substrate and through holes. A photoresist is applied on the surface of the electroless plated layer and irradiated through a mask having printed circuit features. After developing the photoresist the uncovered electroless layer is electrolytically plated to create the final features and circuitry. After stripping the remaining photoresist the unplated electroless copper layer is etched to electronically isolate the copper features and circuitry lines.

Abstract: A universal metal working kit is described. The kit has a plurality of interchangeable elements that combine with a master bushing to perform different workpiece locating and holding functions and objectives.

Abstract: A coupling device has a female part secured to a rigid endpiece. A stepped bore is provided that presents a large diameter section beyond an axial latch that is movable between two positions. A banding ring is housed in a removable manner inside the large diameter section and fitted on its inside surface with at least one retaining projection. The projection is used to axially link the tube to the banding ring by biting into the outside surface of the tube. An axial latch has two positions: one opposing axial displacement of the banding ring away from the rigid endpiece, the other releasing the banding ring.