Abstract: A pocketed coil spring unit and associated method of assembly combines top and bottom sheets with bonding of the sidewalls of adjacent rows of pocketed coil springs. With this combination, a posturized spring unit is produced in a commercially efficient manufacturing process. The top and bottom sheets extend perpendicularly to the rows of pocketed coil springs and the adjacent rows of pocketed coil springs are bonded on the sidewalls of the fabric pockets in the absence of the top and bottom sheets. As such, the spring unit can be customized for posturization to provide a firmer supporting foundation at the locations of the top and bottom sheets and a more individualized flexible construction in the regions of the inter-row sidewall bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus, latch assembly, keeper and installation method for use in slidable partition applications utilize a keeper formed of first and second angle members that are secured together in an overlapping relationship to define a U-shaped channel within which is disposed a tubular guard projection for protecting a latch from tampering by unauthorized personnel. Optional guard members may also inhibit access to the U-shaped channel when the slidable partition is engaged in a closed orientation.

Abstract: An implantable system for treating male impotence by delivering a vasodilator agent directly to the erectile bodies of the penis comprising an implantable supply pump; deformable reservoir; conducting catheter; and a dispensing catheter. The supply pump is implanted into the abdominal wall. It includes a fluid chamber for holding a vasodilator substance and pressure chamber for exerting a pressure on a plate positioned between the two chambers for delivering the substance into a conducting catheter. The pressure chamber is either spring driven or driven by a liquid-vapor pressure reservoir. The deformable reservoir is preferably implanted in the scrotum and being manually deformable for forcing the substance therefrom and into a dispensing catheter to the erectile bodies of the penis. The dispensing catheter tip is preferably expandable and is operable to expand when the substance is forced into the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method access electronic program information in response to a determination that a showing of a television program has been interrupted to locate one or more repeat showings of the interrupted television program. Then, if a repeat showing is located for an interrupted television program, a number of different activities are performed, including but not limited to notifying the user of the repeat showing (either immediately or at a later time), setting a timer to remind the user of the repeat showing, automatically displaying the repeat showing, or automatically recording the repeat showing, among others. The determination that a showing of a television program has been interrupted may be responsive to manual input by a user (e.g., depression of a button on a remote control), or may be automated to be responsive to tracking what programs are being viewed in a television system (e.g., by tracking viewing times for one or more television programs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a block-protected braking system for a vehicle, comprising an electronic controller (22, 24) arranged in a housing (12), a valve block (14) to accommodate solenoid valves for controlling the hydraulic fluid in the braking system, and a pump motor (16) for a pump which delivers hydraulic fluid, with the solenoids (20) of the valves being accommodated in an intermediate body (18) which is arranged between the valve block (14) and the housing (12) of the electronic controller, said intermediate body (18) comprising electric connecting means (34, 38) for connecting the electronic controller with the solenoids (20), and said valve block (14) and said housing (12) of the electronic controller being connected with each other by means of the intermediate body (18).

Abstract: A poppet valve assembly is provided for use on a fuel tanker truck which enables the truck's driver to determine whether fuel is flowing through the valve assembly and whether fuel is present in the valve assembly. When a threshold flow rate through the valve assembly is reached, fluid flows inside a flow channel. The flow channel has a fluid indicator and a flow indicator therein mounted in a sight glass. When fluid is flowing in the flow channel both indicators rise. When fluid is present but not flowing in the flow channel only the fluid indicator rises. The fluid and flow indicators, being different colors, may be easily seen at a distance.

Abstract: A support deck for a sofa bed having a plurality of support members is interconnected at joints such that when a force is applied to one side of the deck the deck will yield but when a force is applied to the opposite side, the deck will be relatively resilient. The support members consist of molded plastic links which are serially and pivotally interconnected to form the deck from a number of generally parallel longitudinal columns of links. Each link includes a planar upper surface for supporting the mattress and a reinforcing rib on the lower surface for added strength. Pivot pins are used to interconnect the links and a stop is provided on each end of the link to restrict the upward flexing or movement of the joined links. The links are economically and easily manufactured thereby providing a commercially competitive sofa bed without the detrimental aspects associated with prior sofa bed structures.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: Physiologically acceptable and non-corrosive silicone compositions are used for treating surfaces such as glass, porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, metal, coated metal, plastic, wood, painted wood, cement, leather, textile, cloth, and other hard or soft composite surfaces, to render them water and soil repellent. Volatile organic compound (VOC) free cream, paste, powder and solid compositions are provided by the inclusion of particulate stabilizers in the silicone compositions. Solventless silicone compositions provide numerous advantages with improved water and soil repellency qualities.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material with different configurations of air assisted fiberization or filament movement (e.g., meltblowing, controlled fiberization). In particular, front access for mounting a selected nozzle only requires adjustment of one lever and one fastener. Features of the lever and nozzle allow assisted ejection of the nozzle, even when the nozzle has become adhered to a die body through use. In addition, a nozzle mounting surface of the die body provides a universal interface to the various types of nozzles. An air cavity in the die body and air troughs in selected types of nozzles balance and adjust air flow.

Abstract: An automatic gain compensation circuit for actively adjusting the gain of an amplifier caused by in-loop and/or out-of-loop influences on system gain. Two matched RF detectors convert pre- and post-amplified signals to input and output voltages representative of the power of the RF signals. A gain control circuit which may include a Digital Analog Converter (DAC) utilizes an offset voltage that is weighted along with the input and output voltages to produce an error voltage. The error voltage is used to drive a voltage-controlled attenuator within the amplification path. Operational amplifiers may be used in the weighting circuits for weighting the input, output, and offset voltages in order to prevent loading of the RF detector outputs and to obtain rapid settling time. During amplifier operation, the offset voltage is adjusted by a processing unit to compensate for gain changes in the amplifier due to out-of-loop temperature-related influences on system gain.

Abstract: A solid blunt and a needle assembly having a solid blunt. The solid blunt helps to prevent accidental needle sticks. In one exemplary embodiment, a solid blunt has an outer dimension (e.g. outer diameter) which is nearly equal to an inner dimension (e.g. inner diameter) of a cannula of a needle which is configured to contain the solid blunt. In one example, the solid blunt substantially blocks fluid flow in a first circumferential portion of an inner diameter of the cannula and allows fluid flow in a second circumferential portion of the inner diameter. The solid blunt is typically capable of longitudinal movement through the cannula and is prevented from moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. A needle assembly, in another exemplary embodiment, includes a solid blunt, a cannula and a clip which couples slidably the solid blunt to a frame which is coupled to the cannula.

Abstract: A modular form panel and a method of employing the same are provided for use when forming a rectilinear concrete column form. The form panel comprises a first side edge and a second side edge, with the first side edge having a plurality of attachment holes arranged in a plurality of vertically oriented gage lines. The form panel also includes a top edge and a bottom edge extending between the first and second side edges, and has a generally planar interconnecting skin, with the skin having a plurality of attachment holes arranged in a plurality of vertically oriented gage lines. Thus, a plurality of like panels may be arranged to define a rectilinear column form of predetermined cross-sectional dimensions by securing the first edge of the panel to the skin of an adjacent like panel by attaching a selected one of the first edge gage lines to a selected one of the skin gage lines on the adjacent like panel.

Abstract: A right-angle gluer for applying a transverse bead of an adhesive to a blank being conveyed in a machine direction orthogonal to the transverse direction of glue application. The right-angle gluer includes a coating head operable for applying the transverse adhesive bead and a pivotal mounting assembly that permits adjustment of the positioning and orientation of the coating head relative to the machine direction. The right angle gluer further includes a backup plate positioned upstream of the coating head that reduces or prevents buckling of the conveyed blanks.

Abstract: The method involves using multiple aperture multiplexing, with display of image composite in fast sequences such that viewer does not detect changes. The method involves using a screen and an optical closure device in the beam path that can be blocked or made transparent for the segment. The observer is positioned within a defined distance and angular range with respect to the associated device. Perspective views are acquired in real time or non-real time using one or more or one moving image acquisition devices. This provides digital data sets that are converted into suitable image composites and displayed on a screen by a multiplex method. A controller opens one or more closure device apertures to display the image composite, in a sequence so fast that the observer does not detect the changes.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention prevents the formation of pin-holes during stretching of strip laminates in the cross-machine direction (CD). Pin-holes are prevented by creating slack areas (10a) along the length of the laminate (10) where the edges of the non-woven strips (14) meet with the polymer film (12), pressing the slack areas (10a) into the interdigital stretching rollers (26) without stretching the slack areas (10a), and stretching the remainder of the laminate (10) in a typical manner. The slack areas (10a) are formed prior to interdigitation by, for example, formation of a furrow, a fold or a corrugation.

Abstract: Highly hydrophilic indole and benzoindole derivatives that absorb and fluoresce in the visible region of light are disclosed. These compounds are useful for physiological and organ function monitoring. Particularly, the molecules of the invention are useful for optical diagnosis of renal and cardiac diseases and for estimation of blood volume in vivo.