Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes a housing which sealingly receives a tubular endform latched in the housing by a movable retainer. An axially slidable top hat is mounted in the bore in the housing and has axially extending posts with ends disposed in the path of movement of the retainer when the top hat is in a biased first position. Biasing members are formed on the retainer to normally bias the retainer to the first position. The biasing members are cantileveredly movable by contact with the inner surfaces of the bore in the housing under forced insertion of the endform into the housing through contact between the annular flange on the endform and the posts on the top hat enabling the endform to be fully sealingly inserted into the bore in the housing before of the retainer can be moved to the latched position to latch the endform in the housing.

Abstract: A nozzle device for ejecting a liquid onto vehicle windows or headlight lenses. At least one rotation chamber is formed inside a nozzle body. The liquid enters the chamber, is rotationally displaced in such a way that it is then ejected as a homogeneous fan jet via at least one slit-like nozzle opening.

Abstract: A plastic connector having a terminal position assurance (TPA) component receives a radio frequency terminal having a cylindrical casting as a portion thereof in snap lock relationship within the interior of the connector body. The TPA may be resiliently snapped between the outermost “preset” and innermost “set” positions, the former permitting operation of the snap lock lance which comes into play when the terminal is inserted into the connector body. In the latter position, the TPA blocks movement of the lance and provides a semi-circular stabilizing cradle in conforming contact with the terminal body to protect it against rocking motion while at the same time allowing rotation of the terminal about its own axis or symmetry. The TPA may also be moved from the “preset” position to a “service” position which allows access to the connector lance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new configuration for a laser resonator for use in combination with a solid-state laser gain medium contained within the core of a planar waveguide. The resonator has a substantially confocal negative branch unstable resonator configuration in a lateral direction, a low loss waveguide resonator configuration in a transverse direction, and the focal point of the unstable resonator is disposed outside the planar waveguide to avoid optical damage or breakdown in the gain medium. The preferred embodiment includes an effective means of transverse mode selection for the case when the planar waveguide is of the multi-mode type. The invention also provides a new low loss waveguide resonator configuration which may be used with planar waveguide gas lasers.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly in which the rear end of the piston defines an arcuate concavity opening in the rear face of the piston, a retainer having an arcuate configuration matching the arcuate configuration of the piston concavity is positioned in the concavity and defines a spherical socket capturing a spherical front end of the pushrod of the assembly, and a clip coacts with a circumferential groove on the interior surface of the concavity and an external groove structure on the retainer to fixedly secure the retainer to the piston and preclude displacement of the retainer and captured pushrod from the concavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively positioning a shade along an arcuate path to cover at least a portion of an arched window and to correctly align the shade within a window frame to prevent gaps or over-extensions of the shade with respect to the window. The apparatus includes a linear rail for securing the shade, an actuating device for extending and retracting single or dual shades simultaneously and an alignment device to correctly align the outer peripheral edges of the shade to the peripheral edges of the window. The actuating device can include a spring-loaded cord system to simultaneously rotated arms carrying portions of the shade. The actuating device can also include a gear and hinge device. The alignment device includes an arcuate ramp that corresponds to the configuration of the window for eliminating gaps between the shade and the outer periphery of the window when the shade is in a closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating window regulators of the type having a reversible electric motor connected to a slide/carrier plate by means of cables. The apparatus comprises a first transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer or a laser for generating a first signal quantity related to periodic noise produced by the motor during operation thereof, a second transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer for producing a second signal quantity representing transient noise produced by irregularities in the slide/carrier plate assembly during travel of the carrier plate along the slide, and a processor for decoding the first and second waveforms and using data derived therefrom as a basis for identifying unacceptably noisy window regulator assemblies. The method comprises placing the window regulators on a test fixture, operating the window regulator with a simulated glass load, and generating and processing the first and second signal quantities as described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: The invention is a scent containment system for hunting blinds. A hunting blind is provided with scent impervious walls and removable light transmissive scent impervious windows. The scent impervious windows are remarkable in that they are designed to be readily penetrable by a projectile such as an arrow or a bullet, and are of low cost and disposable.

Abstract: The invention is a device for securing a wheelchair to a vehicle. The invention incorporates a pair of belts disposed near a wheelchair station in a vehicle, the belts being remotely operable between tension and release positions. When not in use, the belts are stowed in compartments beside and underneath the floor of the vehicle to eliminate potential obstacles. The rear of the wheelchair is secured to the vehicle using remotely lockable anchor elements which are also retractable when the wheelchair station is not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus controls flow of a fluid from at least one inlet port to at least one outlet port. A support has a rigid, non-flexible portion, at least one pivotable relatively rigid, non-flexible, folded-back arm portion extending from the rigid portion, at least one surface connected to folded-back arm portion for movement relative to the support, and a rigid, non-flexible force transfer member operably positioned for driving the pivotable folded-back arm portion with a loss of motion of less than 40%. An electrically operated actuator operably engages between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to pivot the folded-back arm portion in response to an electrical activation of the actuator. A manifold includes a fluid passage communicating with at least one valve seat and operably engageable with respect to at least one corresponding valve body for movement between a closed position and an opened position.

Abstract: The invention is a portable, collapsible enclosure for protection from the elements in an outdoor environment. The tent-like enclosure is provided with one or more fabric coverings each bearing at least one color or camouflage pattern. The coverings are easily removable from the enclosure, and may be reversible, bearing one color or camouflage pattern on one side, and a different color or camouflage pattern on the reverse side. In this fashion, the same portable enclosure can be made to present a variety of appearances, depending on which covering is attached to the enclosure, and which side of the attached covering is exposed or outermost.

Abstract: An abrasive sheet is made from an abrasive media mounted to a polymeric foam support member forming a one-piece abrasive sheet that is easily cut into any desirable configuration. The abrasive sheet is easily mounted to a holder adaptable to hand-held manual or powered tools.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for vaporizing a liquid where provided is a boiler in heat-transferrable contact with a plenum that receives a heated medium. The boiler receives a liquid through a liquid inlet, the liquid being in mist or droplet form. The boiler also receives a transport gas through a gas inlet. The transport gas serves to carry the liquid through the boiler where the liquid is vaporized. Also provided is a method of vaporizing a liquid where a transport gas is used to carry a liquid in mist or droplet form through a heated boiler for vaporization.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for inspecting contours formed along a predetermined region of a surface on a workpiece formed of an electrically conductive material using eddy current. A probe includes a longitudinal axis and is moveable along a path of travel to a static testing position stationary with respect to the predetermined region to be inspected on a workpiece. At least two coils are spaced longitudinally from one another and supported by the probe to be electrically excited with a predetermined frequency and amplitude while at the static testing position with the stationary probe. Sensors are provided for measuring the excitation voltage of each coil as eddy currents are induced in the electrically conductive material of the workpiece by the coils supported on the probe stationary at the static testing position with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and an apparatus for evaluating objects having three dimensional features. One method involves using both two dimensional data sets to improve the processing of three dimensional data sets. The two dimensional data set can be used to pre-qualify the three dimensional data set, or may be used to locate that data within the three dimensional data set that is characteristic of the three dimensional feature. The invention may include a sensor configured to capture both three dimensional and two dimensional data. The present invention provides for an efficient technique to evaluate three dimensional data. The present invention also solves heretofore unrecognized problems associated with geometric distortion.

Abstract: The specification discloses a wetting composition and method of making the same, the wetting composition comprising an aqueous carrier having dispersed therein a gelled polymer comprising one or more hydrocarbon-containing oils cross-linked by one or more cross-linking agents, wherein the one or more cross-linking agents have at least one functional group.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch output by providing an interruption in a conductive ground or switch trace on a printed circuit board in which the ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces to generate distinct analog voltage outputs when each switch trace is connected to the ground trace by the contactor. Interruption of the switch trace output and/or the ground trace changes the state of the output which defines a wake-up command.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes first and second rotatably, non-axially movably engaged housings. A retainer is mountable in the second housing for lockingly coupling a fluid operative element to the second housing. The first housing has an annular recess at one end which receives a collar extending axially from the second housing. Projections extend radially from the collar and engage the recess in the first housing to rotatably interconnect the first and second housings.