Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a pair of relatively rotatable bearing components, where at least a portion of one of the bearing components is journalled to at least a portion of the other one of the bearing components. One of the first bearing component includes an outer, annular journalled surface and the second bearing component includes an inner, annular journalled surface, and one of the outer or inner and inner journalled surfaces include a plurality of recesses disposed there about. Each of the plurality of recesses are filled with an insert formed from a solid, abrasion resistant, self lubricating material; and the insert protrudes outwardly from the recesses, thereby providing a bearing surface for wearing against the other one of the annular journalled surfaces. Preferably, the solid, abrasion resistant, self-lubricating material is a polyamide resin material.

Abstract: A firefighting garment including: an outer shell of abrasion, flame and heat resistant material selected from a group consisting of an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, PBI material, and a blend of aramid and PBI materials; a thermal liner, positioned within the outer shell, the thermal liner including a batting, needlepunch or nonwoven aramid material or a blend of such aramid materials stitched to a first face cloth layer of aramid material; and a second face cloth layer of aramid material, positioned within the thermal liner; where the material of the outer shell, the thermal liner, and the second face cloth layer are all treated with a durable, water repellant finish.

Abstract: For storage of storage media (22), a sleeve (10) having one or two storage pocket (20) formed between an optional substrate (16) and two cover plates (18). The sleeves (10) in turn may be mounted on a spine (12) having a plurality of vertebrae (56) connected by flexible hinges (60). The sleeves (10) mount on respective vertebrae (56) by slidable insertion of mounting slots (54) onto mounting tracks (58). The flexible hinges (60) then permit easy user access to and review of the storage media (22) contents of individual sleeves (10) in an intuitive roll-and-tumble manner. The sleeves (10) and the spine (12) may in turn also be stored in a clam-shell style case (88) or a wallet style case (108), or loose sleeves (10) may be stored in a tray (118).

Abstract: A toddler booster car seat is disclosed. The toddler booster car seat comprises a rigid frame including a generally horizontally disposed seat portion with an upper surface for receiving the seat of a child and a lower surface for being positioned on the seat of a vehicle. The frame also includes a back portion integrally formed with the seat portion and extending generally upwardly from the rear edge of the seat portion. The rigid frame of the back portion is formed with rigid lateral edges. A plurality of apertures is formed in the back portion of the frame. At least one positioning member is formed with a plurality of apertures located therethrough adjacent to its inner edge with a plurality of notches extending inwardly from the outer edge. Each notch has a narrow linear radial extent terminating in an enlarged circumferential extent adapted to receive the fabric of a vehicle seat belt. A plurality of fasteners extend through the apertures of the frame and positioning members.

Abstract: A infant carrier base positionable on a vehicle seat for coupling and uncoupling with respect to an infant carrier. The base has an upper surface for the receipt of an infant carrier thereon and a lower surface for being received upon the seat of a vehicle. The base has a foot end, a head end, and generally parallel side walls therebetween. Coupling mechanisms on the base are cooperable with an infant carrier including a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism includes an inverted J-shaped hook extending upwardly from the foot end of the base. The hook is provided with an upwardly extending recess with an upper surface beneath the central portion of the hook adapted to receive the upper edge at the foot end of an infant carrier therein.

Abstract: A drain valve for controlling the flow of water from a source of standing water to a drain, the drain valve comprising: a valve body, an inlet in said valve body connectable to said source, an outlet in said valve body connectable to a drain, a fluid passageway through said valve body running from said inlet to said outlet, a cavity in said valve body intersecting said passageway, a gate disposed in said cavity, said gate being movable between an open position wherein water can flow through said passageway to a closed position wherein the flow of water through said passageway is blocked, a water supply line for supplying water under pressure to said cavity on one side of said gate, and a water supply valve for controlling the flow of water from said supply line to said cavity, whereby when said water supply valve is open, water flows into said cavity and moves said gate from said open position to said closed position and when said water supply valve is closed, said gate returns to said open position.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula:A-L.sup.+ D.sup.-where A is a moiety which absorbs radiation and enters an excited state in which it accepts an electron; D.sup.- is a moiety which donates an electron to the excited state A and releases a free radical; and L.sup.+ is a cationic linking group which tethers electron acceptor moiety A to electron donor moiety D.sup.-. Cationic linking moiety L.sup.+ has the formula:-L'-G-where L' is a moiety which forms a stable radical with acceptor moiety A upon transfer of an electron from donor moiety D.sup.- to electron acceptor moiety A, and G is a moiety which forms a leaving group upon transfer of the electron from donor moiety D.sup.- to acceptor moiety A.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical coherence tomography system and involves estimating the impulse response (which is indicative of the actual reflecting and scattering sites within a tissue sample) from the output interferometric signal of an interferometer according to the following steps: (a) acquiring auto-correlation data from the interferometer system; (b) acquiring cross-correlation data from the interferometer system having the biological tissue sample in the sample arm; and (c) processing the auto-correlation data and the cross correlation data to produce an optical impulse response of the tissue.

Abstract: A carbon material useful as an electrode in supercapacitors and a method for preparing the same. In one method, a phenolic resin powder, optionally combined with a carbon powder, is formed into a layer less than 0.01 inches thick; the temperature of the resin is increased at a rate of approximately 0.1 to 4.degree. C. per minute, thereby melting the resin into a porous network; the network is carbonized, hydrogenated in a hydrogen atmosphere and sulfonated.

Abstract: A coupling assembly to removably join a bassinet to a playyard including two rectangular playyard blocks locatable on interior faces of each upper corner bracket of a playyard and spaced from the apex thereof and with vertically extending undercut regions on the edge of each playyard block facing the apex an a cooperable bassinet block removably receivable within each playyard block, each bassinet block having outwardly facing cylindrical apertures at right angles with respect to each other for the receipt of adjacent bassinet rails during operation and use and with a vertically extending projection positionable from above to within the undercut regions of the playyard blocks and with an abutment surface thereabove to limit downward motion of the bassinet blocks when located within the playyard blocks.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor comprising an annular array of a plurality of circumferentially spaced work piece support members for receiving a corresponding plurality of work pieces. They conveyor further include a first drive ring coaxially associated with the array for rotating the work pieces in the work piece support members. The drive ring is rotatable with respect to the array such that relative movement between the drive ring and the array causes the work pieces to rotate. The invention further includes a rotary oven for depositing and curing resin on work pieces having a shaft thereon. The oven comprises an annular array having a plurality of circumferentially spaced work piece support members. Each work piece support member has a sprocket mounted on its radially inward end and is shaped so as to receive a work piece in its radially outward end.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a firefighting garment, is provided that is relatively lightweight, possesses relatively high resistance to liquid water absorption, and also possesses high moisture vapor transport characteristics when compared to conventional firefighter garments. The garment of the present invention comprises at least an outer shell, and thermal liner positioned within the outer shell. A discrete moisture barrier layer is not required, but is utilized in certain embodiments. At least the insulating material of the thermal liner is treated with a durable, water repellant finish to reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by the thermal liner. Preferably, the outer shell, and optionally, the fabric substrate of the thermal liner may also be treated with a durable, water repellant finish to minimize liquid transfer therethrough.

Abstract: A method for lithiating a metal compound with lithium metal in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the lithiated metal compound is useful as a cathode in an electrochemical battery, is described.

Abstract: A drainage receptacle support system for use by a post operative patient. The support device includes an adjustable belt and a plurality of pockets for individually receiving a drainage receptacle. A loop is provided on the back of the pockets for slidably receiving the belt, so that the pockets may be positioned directly underneath an insertion point for the drainage tubes. The loop is positioned so that the pockets are held in a generally upright position. Preferably the support device is lightweight and washable, and the pockets and the loop include padding to distribute the weight of the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for constructing a prosthetic limb socket. The method involves the steps of: a) creating a positive cast of a patient's residual limb; b) positioning a mechanical press on a distal end of the positive cast; c) molding a prosthetic socket component over the positive cast and over the mechanical press; and d) activating the mechanical press such that the prosthetic socket component is pushed apart from the distal end of the positive cast. Preferably, the mechanical press includes a spacer component adapted to abut a distal surface of the positive cast, a pusher component adapted to abut a proximate surface of a socket component formed over the positive cast, and an actuator for moving the pusher component from the spacer component. Thus, the method preferably also involves the step of activating the actuator to move the pusher component from the spacer component.