Abstract: A magnetic actuator, for example a magnetic bearing, embodies a fixed part and a mobile part. These parts are ferromagnetic and form an airgap between them extending parallel to a predetermined first direction. The magnetic actuator further embodies a nonmagnetic wall interposed in the airgap. The wall is that of a confinement chamber, for example. In this magnetic actuator one of the fixed and mobile parts embodies fingers penetrating the nonmagnetic wall and directed towards the other of the fixed and mobile parts.

Abstract: A tool retention apparatus for retaining a cutting tool in a tool holder which has a wedged shaped securing arrangement to hold the cutting tool against a pair of precision ground supports. The securing member provides both a vertical securing force and a radial location of the cutting tool to facilitate installation and removal of the cutting tool from a machine.

Abstract: A press for producing compacts from powdery material. The press has a die with a cavity that receives particles therein. A lower punch moves towards an upper punch to press the particles within the cavity. A cam disk moves the lower punch by way of a movable base-plate. Motion is transmitted through a sliding block to the base-plate and a cylinder having a piston causes movement of the die during at least a portion of the movement of the lower punch over its path of travel to the upper punch.

Abstract: A golf bag alarm that is removably attached to a golf bag. The alarm provides an audible signal when a club is removed from the bag, or the bag is removed from its resting place. Interconnecting straps run between the clubs and a pin on the alarm. When the pin is removed from the alarm, the alarm sounds an ear piercing signal. The interconnecting straps are fixed to a predetermined length that causes the pin to dislodge from the alarm, activating the alarm if any one of the clubs or the bag is moved any distance beyond the predetermined length of the interconnecting straps, thereby drawing attention to the attempted theft.

Abstract: A modular retaining wall composed of prefabricated concrete elements incorporating a panel with rearwardly extending legs, and a method of constructing the modular retaining wall in a straight or drafted configuration. The rearwardly extending legs have holes that can be used for lifting and moving the individual elements. The holes can also be used for attaching mechanical elements that anchor the panel to the earth if the conditions of the slope require the retaining wall to be reinforced and anchored. The holes are in the legs, and not on the panel. Therefore, the integrity of the panel remains structurally sound and is not compromised, improving the overall stability of the wall. All that is required to produce a drafted wall is to rearrange the positioning of the panel with respect to the ground under the wall.

Abstract: A device for assembling an element, such as a washer, to the end of a fastener, such as a bolt, in a reliable, high-speed fashion wherein the assembling device includes the washers being supplied in a position to be picked up by an end of the shank of the bolt and slides along a ramp causing the washer to be positioned closer to the head of the bolt. The bolts are supplied to the assembling machine in an upright, in-line position. The bolts are conveyed through the assembling machine utilizing a screw having a thread designed to receive a portion of the shank of the bolt within the thread and cause the bolt to catch the hole of the washer and be assembled therewith into the assembled bolt and washer.

Abstract: A tube mounting assembly for connecting a suction line tube and a liquid line tube to a housing, such as a compressor or evaporator, primarily consists of a mounting block having a first passage extending inwardly from one side thereof and a second passage also extending inwardly from a second side of the mounting block for receiving the suction line and liquid line tubes, respectively. Each of the first and second passages has a pair of opposing slots positioned adjacent their respective edges for receiving an insert designed to secure the respective suction line and inlet line tubes with the passages. The insert has a first side which corresponds with the suction line tube and a second side which corresponds with the inlet line tube and a pair of winged tabs for insertion into the opposing slots located adjacent the edge of the mounting block in the passage. The winged tabs of the inserts are designed to be press fit in the slots.

Abstract: A pressure vessel suitable for use in an automotive air-conditioning system includes a cylindrical body (10, 40) including an annular wall (14, 44). The cylindrical body preferably includes an opposite closed end, an initially opened end (12, 42), and a closure member (20, 50) inserted into the open end of the cylindrical body. The closure member and the cylindrical body each have extensions or annular flanges (28, 58) which are spin welded together. The cylindrical body is fused to the closure member when the annular flange (28, 58) of the closure member is spin welded to an annular, outermost portion (18, 48) of the cylindrical body. The closure member and the cylindrical body are further locked together by inwardly rolling a portion of the annular wall into an annular groove (30, 60) and an outermost surface of the closure member.

Abstract: A golf swing teaching aid designed to be removably attached to a golf club grip and having a planar member with an opening that encircles the golf club grip and the golfer's hands gripping the club, such that the planar member does not interfere with the golfer's hands or swinging of the golf club. The planar member attaches to the grip at two points, preferably with a friction fit, and locates the edges of the planar member about the grip aligning the planar member with the longitudinal axis of the club. The golfer's hands are located within the opening of the planar member and normally wrap around the grip. The planar member includes a highlighted or contrasting edge to aid the golfer in observing and assessing the position and alignment of the golfer's hands and the golf club face during the swing. The planar member provides the golfer or an instructor with an instantaneous visual picture of the true hand position and swing plane of the golfer's swing to provide for correction of the golf swing.

Abstract: A satellite embodying at least one surface intended mainly for exposure to solar radiation and extending away from the satellite in a predetermined direction (Y), an on board computer having connected thereto an attitude sensing system, an orbit control system for imparting thrust to the satellite along predetermined axes, and an attitude control system. The satellite further embodies a device for controlling the tilt of the surface in parallel with a plurality of planes containing the predetermined direction; and, therefore, particularly in parallel with the plane of a solar panel forming the surface. The tilt control device is controlled by the on-board computer. The tilting can generate a moment of pitch or relocate the center of gravity onto the axis of the orbit control system.

Abstract: A method for plating a high impact resistant plastic, particularly a polycarbonate substrate which has been modified with up to about 50 percent by weight of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The surface of the plastic is first conditioned with a halogenated organic solvent conditioner, preferably 1-3-dichloro-2-propanol, prior to electroless plating and the electrochemical deposition of the desired metal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling to an automotive wheel an overlay composed of a solid plastic panel member that is directly attached to the surface of the wheel. In one aspect, an intermediate positive fixing element is provided for temporarily positioning and securing the overlay to the wheel during an interval in which a slow-curing, high strength adhesive that permanently adheres the overlay to the wheel is allowed to cure. An interrelated aspect involves the selective placement of adhesive between the overlay and the wheel so as to improve the overall manufacturability, performance, and consumer-perceived quality of the resulting wheel assembly.

Abstract: A halter top made from recycling a pair of pants. The halter top embodies a body strap formed from the waistband of the pair of pants, a right and a left breast cup formed from the back pockets of the pair of pants, and connecting straps for holding the halter top in place formed from the seams of the pair of pants. The method of making the halter top involves detaching pieces of the pair of pants in nearly a single sequence and reassembling the pieces to form the top.

Abstract: A device enabling air-blast nozzles to be replaceably mounted in the walls of reaction chambers, or ovens used for processing materials, in order to remove material caked or accumulated on the inside surface of the walls (2). Fitted in the wall (2) is an exchangeable pipe (1) which extends from the outside through part of the wall towards the inside surface, a nozzle (5) being mounted at the oven end of the pipe.

Abstract: A protective cover for use in covering a portion of an ice hockey skate, the protective cover having a first portion covering a front tongue portion of the skate, a second portion covering an inside portion of the skate and a third portion covering an outside portion of the skate. The protective cover is a relatively thin, constant thickness layer made of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate, and includes a plurality of straps having a hook and loop material thereon for fastening the protective cover to the skate. The straps each have a pad on one end thereof and located between the skate and the protective cover to create a gap therebetween and the straps each extend through a respective hole in the cover to fasten appropriately. A method for manufacturing and attaching the protective cover to the skate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bed extension for use with vehicles equipped with cargo beds. The bed extension is configured to enable oversized cargo to be securely carried on a cargo bed while minimizing the hazards commonly associated with carrying such oversized loads. The bed extension is constructed of struts and/or tubing, including an internal truss arrangement, that promotes the structural rigidity of the extension while contributing minimal weight. When stowed, the bed extension preferably occupies the same space as would a stock tailgate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a control panel having an axis of pedal arm rotation which is capable of pivotably adjusting the control pedal relative to a reaction member, such as the eyelet of a cylinder pushrod for a brake pedal or a flexible cable in case of an accelerator pedal. The adjustment device allows the control pedal to be positioned to suit the needs of a particular driver. The control pedal can be pivotably attached to a frame in any conventional manner, such as with a pivot pin. The adjustment device is mounted alongside the control pedal and to the pushrod eyelet without the need of additional support hardware other than a device for acting on the control pedal. The adjustment device includes a rotatable member for causing pivotable movement of the pedal arm relative to the reaction member. The adjustment device is maintained a predetermined distance from the pivot of the control pedal arm by a spacing device, such as a link.

Abstract: An inspection device for inspecting production threaded members wherein the threaded members are routed to a test station to functionally inspect the thread profile of each threaded member to ensure that when the threaded member is matched with a corresponding threaded hole in an engine block or, in the alternative, a threaded nut, the threaded member will mate properly to serve its intended purpose.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved separator, commonly referred to as a "lath", "stick", "sticker", or "crosser", that is used in the lumber industry to separate pieces of lumber in a stack or bundle. The separator features, in one embodiment, a plurality of grooves extending transverse to the length of the separator to permit air circulation within the grooves, and a plurality of ridges between the grooves to support the pieces of lumber. In another embodiment, a second plurality of grooves extending transverse to the length of the separator and the first grooves to form a cross-hatching of grooves to permit air circulation within the grooves, and a plurality of protrusions to support the pieces of lumber over the grooves.