Abstract: An indexing system for signs consisting of a plurality of indicia bearing vane faces wherein the vane faces are sequentially exposed to view in the manner of a "wave", such sequential revealing of the sign vane faces generating interest in the sign's message. Each sign vane is rotated by a transmission and the transmissions are interconnected in such a manner as to sequentially operate the vanes to produce the "wave" action and detents associated with each transmission lock the sign vane in the desired position.

Abstract: A rotatable vehicle laundry brush comprising a center shaft and a plurality of axially stacked hollow blow-molded spacers which are pinned and clamped together with felt discs sandwiched between the spacers and extending radially outwardly therefrom so as to translate in an edgewise manner when the brush rotates. The felt discs are made up from pie-shaped or rectangular brush elements the outer peripheries of which are subdivided into sample and/or compound fingers by a pattern of long and short slits. Brush elements are also provided which translate in a facewise manner. Brush material is minimized and reconstruction of the brush is made more efficient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a palm print scanner where a palm is placed on the exterior of a transplant cylinder. A light source rotatably positioned within the cylinder rotates about the circumference of the inner surface of the cylinder so that partial palm print images are propagated from the cylinder. The partial palm print images are captured by an imager and sent to an image memory where they are combined to form a composite palm print image.

Abstract: An improved weldable vapor vent valve assembly comprising a non-weldable (heat-resistant) valve body and a weldable connector portion attached to an upper end of the valve body for welding onto the outer surface of a polymeric fuel tank. The weldable connector portion secures the valve body in place using vertical anti-leak ribs extending downwardly from the weldable connector and upwardly from the valve body which mate axially in an interlocking, sealing fit. The anti-leak ribs form a labyrinth-type seal that prevents liquid fuel and fuel vapor from leaking between the assembled portions of the vent valve assembly.

Abstract: An object cleaning device for cleaning objects such as golf balls is disclosed. The device comprises a cleaning element including an inlet end for receiving objects and an outlet end for discharging objects, the cleaning element further comprising a rotatable body including at least a first interior object cleaning surface, and a stationary track interior of the rotatable body. The stationary track defines a path of travel for objects between the inlet and outlet ends of the cleaning element. A drive mechanism rotates the rotatable body relative to the stationary track such that rotation of the rotatable body relative to said stationary track causes the movement of objects from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cleaning element along the stationary track.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for use in an underbalanced drilling process using exhaust gases wherein some constituents of the exhaust gas combine with water to form acids. The present invention provides a means of deacidifying drilling fluids. The pH of the drilling fluid is monitored and adjusted to prevent corrosion of equipment by acidic drilling fluids. The drilling fluid may also be optionally treated with anti-scaling agents. The drilling fluid may be a gas, a liquid or a combination of both or it may be gasified oil based drilling fluid.

Abstract: A floating connector assembly allowing for axial movement of joined wire harness terminal connectors as a unit, thereby preventing rubbing and wear of their electrical contacts or terminals. The floating connector assembly comprises a first connector having electrical terminals and a spring-receiving surface, and a spring bracket assembly which secures the first connector to a fixed surface on a vehicle with axial spring force greater than a terminal-connecting force between mating electrical terminals of the first connector and a second connector. A bellows-type seal designed to accommodate the axial spring compliance of the connector is also disclosed. The spring bracket assembly is loaded into a compressed state when the second connector is placed in a final position by a mounting surface or electrical device. Forces tending to loosen or disengage the mated electrical terminals of the first and second connectors are absorbed by the spring bracket assembly.

Abstract: A composite interlocking vinyl or other veneer siding having an elongated insulating member bonded to a vinyl panel with a permanently flexible adhesive that is compatible with both vinyl and insulation material and does not harden. The insulating member is configured such that a front face of the insulating material exactly coincides with the profile of the front face of the vinyl member. The insulating member forms a shallow shelf at an upper edge of the insulating member and an adjacent insulating member forms another shelf to overlap the adjacent shallow shelf to form a shiplap seal when assembled. Horizontal and vertical edges of the vinyl siding and insulating member are configured to overlap when mounted.

Abstract: A net type cargo storage system is for use within a motor vehicle having a trunk, a trunk opening periphery being formed from sheet metal, and a trunk seal extending thereabout. The storage system comprises an automotive storage net member having an in-use length, opposed upper side areas, a storage area for receiving cargo, and a mounting member disposed on each of the upper side areas. Two clips each comprise a body having a first end and a second end, the first end being formed in a U-shape mounted over the trunk opening periphery sheet metal and beneath the trunk seal. A mechanism is disposed on the body for lockingly engaging the clip to the trunk opening. An attachment member is disposed on the body second end and within the trunk, the attachment member being matingly and releasably engageable with the net member mounting member. The two clips are opposedly spaced at a distance accommodating mounting of the storage net member at its in-use length.

Abstract: A vent device connectible in a fill pipe of an underground fuel storage tank having a cylindrical housing with a drop tube and a J-shape tubular fitting with two open ends. The first open end is open within the drop tube and directed toward the underground fuel tank and the second open end is exposed through the wall of the cylindrical housing into an upper portion of the underground fuel storage tank. The tubular fitting has an expansion chamber vertically disposed between the two open ends for holding a float ball therein. The float ball is confined within the expansion chamber by a lower seat of the chamber and a barrier extending across the diameter of the chamber to prevent the float ball from sealing the upper seat of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing wire harness terminal connectors to the underside of an electrical junction block in a blind assembly operation. The apparatus includes a flotation bracket with chambers for receiving the connectors in a mechanical snap-fit in which the connectors are free to float up and down over a limited range within their respective chambers. The connector-containing bracket is next placed in a lower cover, which then fits over the underside of the junction block. Bolts rotatably mounted in the junction block are located to automatically engage captive nuts held in the connectors. As the bolts are subsequently threaded through the captive nuts, the connectors are drawn up in the bracket chambers from a lower rest position to an upper electrical engagement position where the terminals in the connector are placed in electrical engagement with bus bars in the junction block.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve such as is used to relieve over-pressure in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle has valve flaps which are retained in connection with a housing by molded-in-place retainer strips. The valve is manufactured by an injection molding tool having a pair of mold halves defining a first mold cavity for forming the housing and a second mold cavity for forming the flaps. After the housing and flaps have set, the mold is opened, with the housing remaining in contact with one mold half and the flaps remaining in contact with the other mold half. One mold half is then moved relative to the other to place the housing and the flaps in alignment with one another, and the mold halves are closed again to place the flaps inside the housing and define a third mold cavity extending along the lines of desired attachment between the flaps and the valve seats.

Abstract: A vacuum cup actuator for applying and releasing vacuum to a workpiece engaging vacuum cup wherein a housing provides a passageway for communicating vacuum to the vacuum cup, and a vacuum is actuated in response to the relative position of the vacuum cup with respect to the housing. A piston is slidably disposed within a stepped bore of the housing, and a valve is slidably disposed within the piston for relative movement therein. A valve cover is connected to the piston and disposed above the valve. The passageway extends through a port provided through a side wall of the housing and extends through the piston and the valve to the vacuum cup. A flexible seal is circumferentially connected to the valve for engaging and disengaging a shoulder of the piston thus closing and opening, respectively, the passageway. A quick connect releasable mount is provided for releasably connecting the vacuum cup to the valve to place the vacuum cup in communication with the passageway.

Abstract: A laundering implement is provided for cleaning an external surface of a vehicle. A plurality of spacers are supportable with respect to a path of travel for a vehicle to be cleaned and are arranged in first and second stacked or sandwiched groups of spacers for oscillating or rotating movement about a common axis of rotation or axial shifting oscillation along a common axis. Each spacer in a group moves in unison with adjacent stacked spacers of the same group. Each spacer has opposite complimentary faces matable with an opposing face of an adjacent spacer. A plurality of cloth elements are interposed between adjacent stacked spacers for movement in concert therewith. At least a portion of a cloth cleaning element is interposed between adjacent spacers. The interposed portion of the element is anchored on an anchoring pin extending between the adjacent spacers, and the cleaning element and adjacent spacers are compressively sandwiched toward one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined approach of image and template correlation, and vector correlation wherein edge detection and pattern searching are joined in a single operation to provide great flexibility without requiring extensive computational facilities. A template is devised from a sparse set of coordinate points that model only the important edges of an object to be located within an image. Different templates are dynamically reconstructed as an estimation of the object location within the image becomes more precise.

Abstract: An entry control and security system in the form of a pre-assembled door and door frame unit having an electric light, a motion detector, a radiant energy receiver and an electromechanically actuated latch all disposed on and built into the door frame. The invention provides an economically manufactured and easily installed unit which allows persons to unlatch a door by remote control in order to gain access to a building, as well as providing illumination in the vicinity of the doorway during periods of darkness. A radiant energy receiver, such as a radio frequency receiver, is disposed on the door frame and is electrically coupled with at least one electromechanical door latch also disposed on the frame. A keychain-sized remote control transmitter unit is carried by a person desiring access to the building. When a button on the remote control unit is pressed, the remote control unit transmits a coded signal which is received by the radiant energy receiver.

Abstract: A method of improving the structural integrity of polymer electrolytes of electrochemical cells by employing lithiated fillers that are represented by the formula Li.sub.16-2x D.sub.x (TO.sub.4).sub.4 where 0<x<4, D is Zn or Mg and T is Si or Ge.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly having a guide track and sliding pane geometry which ensures that the sliding pane maintains a vertical, untilted orientation when it is slid along the guide track to a closed position. The sliding pane is retained along its lower edge in the guide track for sliding horizontal sliding movement between open and closed positions. The pane has a projection extending downwardly from its lower edge adjacent its trailing edge when the pane is sliding toward the closed position, and the upper surface of the guide track along which the pane slides is generally horizontal except for an inclined section which slopes upwardly toward the closed position of the pane. The inclined section is located along the length of guide track so that it is immediately beneath the projection of the pane when it is in the closed position.

Abstract: An orthopedic splint for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and similar disorders has a rigid brace adapted to be worn on the front of the lower leg while leaving the rear of the leg, ankle and heel uncovered. This configuration makes the invention splint comfortable when the patient is laying on his/her back or side, because there is no rigid structure to come between the patient's leg or foot and a mattress or other surface on which the leg may be resting. Alternative embodiments of the invention splint contact either the top or the bottom (dorsal or plantar surfaces) of the foot.