Abstract: A cover for a C-shaped truck bed extender has an end panel and a pair of opposed side panels joined to first and second panels to form an enclosure for the extender. The enclosure has an opening, and a closure panel is used to open and close the opening to provide a cover encasing the extender. Pocket structures may be provided to receive ends of the extender's leg sections. The cover may include openings in the side panels to allow passage of trunnions on mounting brackets of the extender.

Abstract: A method and a kit is described for cooling beverages. Each employs a naturally occurring, non-porous igneous rock material, such as granite, that may be configured in the form of a polyhedron, such as a cube. The method involves placing one or more masses of the material in a reduced temperature environment for a selected time that may be sufficient to allow the mass to reach equilibrium temperature with the reduced temperature environment. One or more masses are then placed in a vessel along with the beverage to be cooled. The kit houses the masses in a lidded container and one or more vessels are included. A correlation between the size of the masses and the vessels is disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical switching device ensures automatic selected polarity interconnection between terminals of two power sources. A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch has three pairs of contacts. A first pair of leads connect to two pairs of contacts in a manner that reverses polarity when switched, while a second pair of leads connect to the other pair of contacts. A switch controller employs a plurality of coils in electrical communication with the two pairs of leads. The coils are arranged and configured so that, when the two pairs of leads are connected to the respective power sources, the coils cause an actuator to move the switch automatically into the correct polarity state regardless of the connections of the leads. The invention is described as a battery jumper cable and to automatically connect like terminals of a pair of batteries. The invention encompasses the method of this device.

Abstract: A hold down assembly for use in a tubular container transport apparatus comprises upper and lower pieces movably mounted relative to one another. Preferably the lower piece is removably seated on a mounting plate of the transport apparatus and the upper piece is adapted to magnetically interact with a tube holder carrying a filled tube product, such that the tube holder may be retained in registered alignment relative to an ejector rod during ejection of the filled tube product. A tubular container transport apparatus and a methodology for ejecting a filled tube product with a reduced risk of dislodgement are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating a campfire includes a fire pan, a diffuser element in the pan interior and a gas injector extending into the interior. The gas injector has an outlet that introduces vaporized fuel so that the diffuser element disperses the vaporized fuel about the pan interior. Non-flammable particulate material may be provided at a depth sufficient to cover the outlet. A lid may be secured to the pan, for example, by the diffuser element. The fire pan may have a lower chamber portion and an upper pan portion with the outlet terminating in the lower chamber portion. The diffuser element may be centrally located in the pan. The method provides such a fire pan and directs the flow of gas toward the diffuser so that the gas is diffused upwardly to be ignited on the surface of the particulate material.

Abstract: A device and system are provided for monitoring acoustic emissions from machinery to indicate levels of detected sound waves. Each incorporates an acoustic sensing device which incorporates a housing assembly constructed for removable attachment between a surface mounting region of the machinery and a measuring instrument to define a coupled state. An acoustic emissions sensor is disposed in the housing assembly's interior to detect sound waves propagating through the surface mounting region and to produce detection signals for processing by the measuring instrument. A methodology for monitoring acoustic emissions is also provided.

Abstract: A transducer head assembly used in a read/write recording apparatus employs an air bearing that supports a carriage on an air cushion for reciprocal motion. The carriage supports a transducer and is moved by a drive in order to read or write on a track located on a storage tape. The bearing and the carriage may be mutually keyed to prevent relative rotation. The air bearing is shown to be a porous ceramic material such as alumina. The bearing may be triangular in cross-section, and the carriage may be a triangular frame telescopically received on the bearing. The drive may be a conductive coil that interacts with a magnet on the carriage. A dual air bearing and dual carriages is disclosed to support a pair of transducers. A method of supporting and moving a transducer implements the steps of this structure.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge used in a tape transport apparatus that incorporates air bearing technology is provided. The tape cartridge includes a housing for storing the data storage tape and a compressible filter. The filter is located proximate to an opening, or air inlet, that is in communication with the housing interior. The housing may also have a second opening, or air outlet, in communication with the housing interior such that the filter is interposed between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the housing may include a storage region to retain the filter in the compressed state. The filter and the storage region may have congruent geometries. A method of supplying filtered air to a tape transport apparatus is also provided. The method contemplates drawing ambient air through the filter and passing it directly through the outlet opening for use by the tape transport apparatus.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock includes a latching assembly secured to a first structure, a catch piece secured to a second structure, and an electromechanical device. The latching assembly includes at least one latch element movable between a capture and release states to mechanically engage and disengage the catch piece, an arming member movable between a first and second positions wherein the latch element is released and captured, and a biasing element to urge the arming member into the first position. When the electromagnetic device is switched “on”, it magnetically engages the arming member with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force whereby movement of the catch piece away from the received state results in the latch element moving into the capture state to prevent separation of the first and second structures; when the electromagnetic device is switched “off”, the first and second structures may be separated.

Abstract: A take-up mechanism for a read/write recording apparatus includes a hub with an outer surface about which a tape medium is to be wound. A recess is formed in the outer surface, and a receiver block is reciprocally movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When retracted, an end surface of the receiver block registers with the outer surface of the hub to form a smooth winding surface for the tape. The receiver block has a bay sized to engage the leader block on the tape such that the leader block is enclosed within the hub when the receiver block is retracted. A rotatable drive rotates the hub to wind the tape thereon. This mechanism may be incorporated into a read/write apparatus including a read/write recording head, bearing members to support the tape during transport and a threading assembly to thread the tape through the device.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a mounting element secured to a vehicle and having an upright post with a cylindrical end portion provided with a key structure and a hitch ball that is keyed to be mated on that end portion in one rotational state. The hitch ball may be rotated to a second rotational state wherein the key structure is trapped in a cavity in the ball. A latch notch is provided in either the ball or the post, and a latch element in provided the other of them. The latch element can move between a latch position to prevent rotation of the ball thereby to maintain engagement and an unlatch position to permit rotation and thereby separation of the ball from the post. A spring clip may be used to hold the latch element in the latch position.

Abstract: A cushion for supporting an infant is provided. The cushion includes a pad that may be formed of a resilient foam material. The pad includes a lower surface and an upper surface oriented at an acute angle thereto such that the upper surface is inclined relative to a support surface. The acute angle formed thereby may be between 20° and 30°. The cushion may be received within a polyester casing, but may simply include a top panel to be disposed on the pad's upper surface. The cushion includes at least one positioning member, but preferably two positioning members, with means for releasably fastening to the top panel to support the infant. Preferably, the positioning member includes a filaform strip for releasably attaching to a fabric material such as 100% polyester tricot and is formed of a resilient foam material.

Abstract: A docking apparatus and method is used in a read/write recording assembly (10) and includes a bay structure, such as a sub-frame (50), adapted to receive a tape cartridge (18) The sub-frame (50) is disclosed to pivot relative to the assembly's main frame. A pawl element (78) is controlled by a cam assembly (40) in a first mode so as to move from an advanced position to a withdrawn position thereby to move the cartridge (18) from a received/extended position to a received/retracted position. The cam assembly (40) also mounts the cartridge (18), for example, by pivoting the sub-frame (50) relative to the main frame. Driving the cam assembly (40) in a second mode reverses this operation. The cam assembly (40) may use a single rotatable cam element (72) to accomplish the loading and mounting of the cartridge (18), and a suitable drive actuates the cam assembly (40).

Abstract: A garment structure in the form of a brassiere, halter-top, or bathing suit for supporting an individual's breasts, and methodology for wearing the same that has a flexible breast support piece, a left and a right bottom connector and a left and right side connector. The garment structure may also include an additional left and right bottom connector and an additional left and right side connector. The connectors may be in a variety of forms such as hooks, eyes, buttons, openings, snaps, and rings, and are adapted to receive a variety of support components that may be in the form of straps, beads, or a scarf. The appearance of the garment structure may altered by changing the configuration of the support components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrowinning metal from ionic solutions is provided wherein ionic solution is subject to nanofiltration. An electrowinning cell (10) includes a reservoir (12) adapted to receive an ionic solution (14). During operation, metal ions in solution (14) electroplate onto cathode (18). Nanofilter (20) is in fluid communication with the reservoir and receives solution (14) from a location (22) proximate to the cathode (18). Retentate (52) is formed as a first portion (26) of the solution (14) which passes through the membrane (21) of the filter (20). Permeate (54) is formed as a second portion (28) of the solution (14) which passes through the membrane (21) of the filter (20) to a second region (29) on the opposite side of membrane (21) from the first region (27). Permeate (54) has a second concentration of metal ions lower than the first concentration in first portion (26). Retentate (52) is returned to the reservoir (12) to intermix with solution (14).