Abstract: A knee pad construction includes a shaped cushion element with a concave interior with a recess having a flowable gel insert therein. The recess and insert are shaped to accommodate the left knee or the right knee of an individual.

Abstract: A pocket former includes an outer barrel having a first rim, a second rim and a frustoconical body portion extending from the first rim to the second rim. A center barrel is connected to the outer barrel and has a proximal lip adjacent the first rim of the outer barrel, a distal lip adjacent the second rim of the outer barrel, and a tubular body portion extending from the proximal lip to the distal lip, and extends beyond both the first rim and the second rim. An annular flange curves out and away from the second rim of the outer barrel. A spiral surface is located on the frustoconical body portion of the outer barrel. A nut surface is located on the tubular body portion of the center barrel adjacent the distal lip.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining employer compliance in determining employment eligibility requirements in accordance with federal immigration regulations. Compliance alerts and compliance tips are displayed for guiding employers in verifying employment eligibility. Completed employment eligibility forms are automatically audited to analyze whether the employer has accurately completed the employment verification. The completed forms are audited by applying various compliance rules to a completed employment eligibility form, presently a Form I-9, to determine compliance with the applicable regulations. A listing is provided of various errors and additional data required to complete the audited form. The method is preferably administered by a single service provider for multiple employers, to assure that changes in the applicable regulations are regularly incorporated.

Abstract: A shrimp container for precooked shrimp has an integral serving tray that slidably receives a transparent cover, the tray and cover cooperatively defining a cavity enclosing a plurality of shrimp. The serving tray includes a cup holder that is surrounded by an annular shelf for supporting the shrimp. A plurality of transverse grooves intersects the shelf radially to drain liquids away from the shrimp. Annular drain grooves disposed at the inner and outer periphery of the shelf receive the drained liquids from the radial grooves. A condiment cup is removably insertable into the cup holder. The cup holder includes a cylindrical wall that extends upwardly higher than the annular shelf, thereby precluding the shrimp from sliding over the cup holder.

Abstract: A pipe section (112) that is operable to be installed in tubing (120A and 120B) of a jetted bath to render the tubing adaptable to accept a close fit device (130). The pipe section includes a removable hollow center segment (116) disposed between end fittings (118A and 118B) and grooves (117A and 117B). The grooves (117A and 117B) on the pipe section (112) define the hollow center segment (116) guide post-installation cutting of the pipe section at predetermined locations. The hollow center segment (116) may be selectively removed leaving the end fittings (118A and 118B) coupled to the tubing (120A and 120B). Once the center segment is removed, the close fit device may be installed between the end fittings (118A and 118B). In another aspect of the present invention, the center segment (416) is removed by unfastening the center segment from the end fittings (418A and 418B).

Abstract: An improved media server interconnect to subscriber terminals is accomplished with a plurality of media servers at a headend where each media server provides one or more programs for distribution to the subscriber terminals. An array of modulators connects a requested media asset, such as a video program or WEB page, from a media server to a requesting subscriber terminal. A connection manager responds to a media asset request from the requesting subscriber terminal and selects a source server to provide the requested media asset and selects a modulator in the array to send the requested media asset from the source server to the requesting subscriber terminal. The array of modulators acts as a two stage switch between the source server and the requesting subscriber terminal. A selected modulator in said array is the switch point in the two stage switch. The connection manager controls a first stage of the switch by selecting the selected modulator to receive the requested media asset from the source server.

Abstract: A sole for footwear comprises an outer sole (12; 22; 31) housing a plurality of pressure-stimulation elements (15; 24; 33) movable perpendicularly, relative to the bearing surface of the outer sole, through the thickness of the outer sole and, in the absence of stresses, extending below the bearing surface of the outer sole by a predetermined distance in order, when the sole is pressed against a bearing surface, to exert, through a resilient intermediate element (17; 27; 35) comprising a soft inner sole of the footwear, a pressure localized at predetermined nerve centers in the sole of a foot on which the therapeutic footwear is worn.

Abstract: A monolithic single crystal Si rate-gyro consisting of in the preferred embodiment, an outer torsional frame, self resonating with a substantial amplitude, as controlled by a four-terminal piezo torsion sensor, connected to an inner frame by torsional hinges. The inner frame itself is connected to a fixed inner post, by a set of torsion hinges, defining an axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis. Rotation of the axis of oscillation of the outer body causes the moving mass and the inner frame to tilt and oscillate at the outer frequency due to Coriolis forces, thereby periodically deforming the inner hinges in torsion. These inner hinges are likewise equipped with a four-terminal piezo voltage torsion sensor, giving an indication of the rate of rotation of the sensor. The design allows for good sensitivity, due to the substantial swing of the outer oscillator, its high moment of inertia, excellent Si spring characteristics, and excellent sensitivity of the torsional sensors.

Abstract: Disc brake having a caliper (18) mounted for sliding on a fixed support (10) by way of two axial pins (14, 16) passing through openings (20, 22) formed on arms (24, 26) of the fixed support (10). According to the invention, pins (14, 16) and arms (24, 26) are placed in a central opening (54) in the caliper (18). The pins (14, 16) are formed by bolts urging toward one another the portions (60 and 62) of the caliper (18) which are placed one on each side of the disc in order to increase the rigidity of the portions (56, 58) of the caliper passing above the disc.

Abstract: The return spring (33) of the actuating rod bears upon a collar (30) which is mounted so as to slide on the rod (21) and which incorporates, on the opposite side from the return spring (33), first (34) and second (35) bearing surfaces intended to cooperate, respectively, with an abutment (39) formed on the rod and a fixed abutment (43) advantageously formed by the end, which is folded back, of a tubular abutment component (40) which is firmly fixed to the casing (1).

Abstract: The hydraulic assistance device incorporates a casing (10) enclosing first and second sliding components (18, 20) arranged in line, the first component (18) being capable of being displaced under the effect of the displacement of a pushrod (34) and the second component being capable of being displaced through the intermediary of a hydrostatic connection, and associated with each component (18, 20) is a valve mechanism (36, 46) in a respective hydraulic circuit between a source of fluid under pressure and a respective braking circuit (I, II), characterized in that the first and second components (18, 20) each constitute a piston sliding in a bore (14) in the casing (10) and each encloses a valve assembly (26, 40; 36, 46) each controlled by a plunger (30, 44), the plunger (30) of the first valve assembly (26, 36) being actuated by the pushrod (34), and the plunger (44) of the second valve assembly (40, 46) being actuated by the hydrostatic connection between the two pistons (18, 20).

Abstract: In a body (3) enclosing at least one brake-pressure control device actuated manually (1, 1') there is mounted an isolating and pressure-reducing solenoid valve mechanism (18, 24) which selectively establishes communication between a brake circuit (22) and, on the one hand, the fluid outlet (8) of the device (1) and, on the other hand, a reservoir (10), the solenoid valve mechanism comprising a discharge end (30) emerging in an extension (33) of the reservoir (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a brake actuator with automatic adjustment incorporating a screw and nut actuator mechanism (32, 34) whose elongation is controlled by a screw and nut device with reversible pitch (44) and a unidirectional clutch (56) sensitive to the relative movement between the fixed body (20) and a control piston (24). The brake actuator incorporates an automatic device (68) momentarily disengaging the actuator mechanism (32, 34) when the rotational torque of the nut (32) becomes too great. The brake actuator also incorporates a manual device for resetting the automatic adjustment to zero.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brake actuator with automatic adjustment, of the type incorporating a screw and nut system with reversible pitch (46, 48) situated between a working piston (40) and a control component (34), the screw and nut system transmitting a force between the control component (34) and the working piston (40) when relative rotation between the screw and the nut is locked by a locking device (50-54). The brake actuator incorporates an automatic relative axial positioning device (56) between the control component (34) and the working piston (40) providing a predetermined approach travel between the working piston (40) and a friction component (42) capable of being pushed by the brake actuator.

Abstract: The spring comprises a lateral mounting portion (21) in the shape of a U whose branches (22, 23) are elastically engaged with a transverse bulkhead portion (15) defined between two lateral spaces (13, 14) extending from the central opening (12) of the caliper arch (6), the upper branch (23) of the U being extended by folding into a bearing portion (24) overhanging in the opening (12) and defining a line of bearing contact (26) on a protuberance (30) of the pads (10) parallel to the disc axis. The spring (20) is made from spring steel sheet.

Abstract: Braking booster servomotor for actuating a master cylinder and comprising at least a rigid force transmitting stirrup member disposed about the two shells constituting the casing of the servomotor, the member also contributing to the closure of the casing.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a disc brake with automatic adjustment of the type incorporating a caliper (10) mounted to slide on a fixed support by way of at least one axial pin, a brake motor (34) acting directly on a first friction element (26) and as a result of reaction via the caliper (10) on a second friction element (30). The brake motor (34) incorporates a mechanical control (48, 50, 54) acting on a hydraulic control piston (36) via an automatic-adjustment device. The automatic-adjustment device is formed by a screw (68) -and-nut (88) system of reversible pitch, which is actuated by the piston (36) beyond a predetermined stroke of the latter. According to the invention, a monitoring piston (80) immobilizes a sleeve (114) fixed in rotation to the nut (88), when the hydraulic control pressure reaches a predetermined value. The invention is used for the braking of motor vehicles.

Abstract: The attachment device incorporates a bearing zone (78) and a projection (80) formed in the web (16) of a shoe of a drum brake. A portion (68) of the component (46) to be attached to the shoe is retained in a working position between the bearing zone (78) and the projection (80) by a spring (82).

Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic amplifier for a braking system incorporating a body (10, 110), a first component (18, 124) capable of being displaced in the body (10, 110) under the effect of the operation of a brake pedal, between a first position causing a first chamber (16), joined to a braking circuit, to communicate with a low pressure reservoir (44, 138), and isolating this chamber (16) from a high pressure source (32, 130), and a second position isolating the chamber (16) from the low pressure reservoir (44, 138) and causing it to communicate with the high pressure source (32, 130), characterized in that it incorporates a second chamber (12, 112) formed in the body (10, 110), a circuit (42) causing this second chamber (12, 112) to communicate with the low pressure reservoir (44, 138), and a valve means (34, 116) responsive to the pressure of the high pressure source (32, 130) normally closing this circuit under the effect of the pressure of the high pressure source (32, 130).