Abstract: A fold-up treadmill apparatus for in-place walking, jogging, and running exercise is provided. The treadmill apparatus includes a base assembly and a treadmill assembly. The treadmill assembly has a forward end and a rearward end. According to the presently most preferred embodiment, the forward portion of the treadmill assembly is pivotally mounted to the base assembly and the rearward end is free. The treadmill assembly includes a means for raising and lowering the forward end of the treadmill assembly, whereby the incline of the treadmill assembly can be adjusted between about zero degrees to the horizontal and about fifteen degrees to the horizontal when the rearward end of the treadmill assembly is supported on a floor.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: A portable collapsible shelter having particular use as a hunting blind. The shelter includes a plurality of generally C-shaped frame members and the upper ends of the frame members are connected to an upper connecting plate, while the lower portions of the frame members are connected to a lower connecting plate. A flexible cover is attached to the frame members and provides an enclosure. The frame members can be pivoted between a folded condition, where the frame members are in generally parallel relation, to an extended condition where the frame members extend radially from the connecting plates. The cover is provided with an access slit which extends the full height of the cover and can be closed through a fastener such as a zipper. An auxiliary panel can be connected to the side portion of the cover on either side of the slit. The panel extends outwardly from the cover and can be held in an outwardly bowed position by a ground stake.

Abstract: Dust emission is controlled by a preferably short fill at the expulsion end of each chamber, and selective venting of residual pressure through the air-inlet end. This selective venting is accomplished through use of a novel seal or "pad" that has an extension for tightly covering and sealing the material-exhaust end of each chamber while the chamber is in a dust-control plenum. The pad extension is notched so that it leaves the air-inlet end uncovered, permitting pressure venting through the notch and the air-inlet end. To provide truly effective sealing of the pad extension against the wear plate above the chamber that is in the plenum, the extension is reinforced by a strong metal plate which is embedded in the pad. Careful contouring of the main material-conveying ports in the pad optimizes the performance. A new all-pneumatic pad-clamping pressure-control system has been found to provide excellent control of pressure and uniformity of wear, with a minimum of working parts and adjustments.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight assembly includes a snapping engagement between a bezel, a housing and a lens. The snapping engagement positions all three pieces relative to each other during a manufacturing or assembly process. The light bulbs of the headlamp assembly are supported on the internally aimed reflector by bulb retainers that snappingly engage openings in the reflector. The bulbs preferably include housings that bias tab members on the bulb retainers into engagement with the reflector. The reflector is moved within the housing to direct the beam of light from the bulbs. Socket retainers snappingly engage the reflector. Ball members on conventional adjustors are received within the socket retainers so that the adjustors support the reflector within the housing and provide the ability to adjust the angular position of the bulbs and reflector relative to the remainder of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular electronic sign having a plurality of display units assembled on a mounting track and connected to a sign controller. Each display unit has a circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a pattern thereon A microprocessor in each display unit is in communication with the sign controller and adjacent display units. Each display unit is environmentally sealed to avoid a separate enclosure for the modular sign. A plurality of standoffs are used to electrically connect the display units to power and communications conductors and mechanically connect the display units to the mounting track.

Abstract: A bracket structure retains a radar detector at an interior surface of a vehicle, wherein the bracket provides a universal adjustment between the mounting plate attached to the interior surface and the supporting structure which carries the radar detector. A flexible arm on the bracket may be formed of a wire or other material which does not cold work during deformation to thereby provide an infinite number of adjustment positions for the radar detector. The supporting structure comprises a pair of legs which slidingly engage one another to accommodate radar detectors of various widths.

Abstract: A bag tossing game target having first and second generally planar, equally sized panels that are connected together by a hinge. The first and second panels are moveable between a first, in-use configuration in which the first and second panels are coplanar, and a second, folded configuration in which the first and second panels lay back-to-back to each other. The first panel has a hole therein which is sized such that a bag can be tossed therethrough. The first and second panels each include an elongated hole adjacent one edge to form a handle by which the folded target can be carried. The panels are formed of a lattice structure to render the target lightweight. Further, the thickness of the lattice structure is reduced whereby a series of pockets are defined between the panels when folded.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel design to fabricate a ring-like capacitor in a semiconductor memory device for increasing the area of the capacitor electrodes. The ring-like conductive structure of the electrode of the capacitor includes a mushroom-shaped member having a flat-headed cap and a stem coupled to the source region of the semiconductor memory device, a solid cylindrical member disposed on the cap of the mushroom-shaped member, and a side-wall spacer being a hollow cylindrical member disposed on the cap of said mushroom-shaped member to increase the area of the capacitor electrodes thereby increasing the capacitance of the capacitor to provide a sufficient capacitance while maintaining high integration in semiconductor memory cells.

Abstract: A ballistic optimizing system for use on a rifle comprises an axially movable weight threadedly secured to the end of a rifle barrel such that movement of the weight can be used to change vibrational characteristics of the rifle when it is fired. By damping vibrations of the barrel at the muzzle, a bullet can exit the barrel at the point of minimal vertical deflection so that accuracy is improved. To secure the weight element into a desired position, a tooth on a spring carried on the weight is received into one of a plurality of axial grooves equally spaced around the circumference of the rifle barrel. Additionally, a compression spring in an annular space between the barrel and the weight applies greater frictional engagement between the threads of the weight and the threads of the barrel so that alignment of the weight with respect to the barrel is improved.

Abstract: A seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a left webbing having a shoulder portion and a lap portion separated by a tongue assembly, a right webbing having a shoulder portion and a lap portion separated by a right tongue assembly, and a buckle for receiving each of the tongue assemblies. Each tongue assembly includes a tongue defining a latch plate and a webbing slot. In addition, the tongue assemblies include a webbing guide having a channel extending from the top of the webbing assembly to adjacent the slot, the channel maintaining the tongue in substantial alignment with the shoulder portion of the webbing.

Abstract: A buttstock formed with a single piece of molded synthetic materials and contains two slots so that the rifle may be carried using a sling in multiple positions. The buttstock is designed to have the same size and occupy the same exterior envelop as a standard M-16 rifle buttstock but with far fewer parts and lower weight but without compromising strength. The buttstock comprises a buttplate, a shoulder, and a flange all held in spaced relationship with and integral with a panel. Two slots are formed in the panel near the buttstock, one parallel to the shoulder and the other parallel to the flange. Each slot is dimensioned to receive a sling.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a high density capacitor for use in semiconductor memories. High etching selectivity between BPSG (borophosphosilicate glass) and CVD-oxide (chemical vapor deposition oxide) is used to fabricate a capacitor with a plurality of horizontal fins. First, a nitride layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A stacked layer consists of BPSG and silicon oxide formed on the nitride layer. Then a contact hole is formed in the stacked layer and the nitride layer. A highly selective etching is then used to etch the BPSG sublayers of the stacked layer. Next, a first polysilicon layer is formed in the contact hole and the stacked layer, subsequently, a dielectric layer is formed on the first polysilicon layer. Then, undoped hemispherical-grain silicon (HSG--Si) is formed on the dielectric layer. Next, a portion of the dielectric layer is etched using the HSG--Si layer as a hard mask to expose a portion of the first polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A lockable fuel cap is provided including a closure member having a drive tooth and a removal hub. The hub includes a drive lug and moves between a lock position in which the drive lug is spaced-apart from the drive tooth and a release position in which the drive lug engages the drive tooth. An outer shell is also provided and includes an interior wall defining a guiding slot to receive the drive lug and guide movement of the removal hub between the two positions. The shell is drivingly coupled to the hub so that the member remains stationary upon rotation of the shell when the drive lug is in the lock position. The member rotates upon rotation of the shell when the drive lug is in the release position.

Abstract: The dockboard in one embodiment includes three upper members and two lower members which can be stored and shipped unassembled and readily assembled in the field for use. Each of the members includes a plurality of spaced apart locking members extending from one side between opposite side edges. The locking members are spaced apart from each other between opposite support edges. The five members are assembled to form a dockboard by engaging selected locking members of the two lower members with selected locking members of the center upper member such that the center upper member overlaps adjacent support edges of the two lower members and sliding the center upper member and the two lower members together. Selected locking members of the two outer end upper members are engaged with the outer locking members of the two lower members and the two outer end upper members are slid onto the assembly to form the dockboard.