Abstract: A switch-lock assembly for securing a circuit breaker in one of a plurality of circuit breaker positions, comprising a switch-lock attachment and an anti-twist insert. The switch-lock attachment includes a spring member adapted to engage a retaining area of the circuit breaker, a support member adapted to accommodate the spring member, and a locking member connected with the support member via the spring member. The insert includes a securing end adapted to engage a first area of the circuit breaker for limiting the movement of the insert relative to the circuit breaker, and an interface area adapted to engage the switch-lock attachment for limiting the movement of the switch-lock attachment relative to the insert.

Abstract: A wiper driven by a motor-driven drive shaft which has a variably-oriented axis and a guiding section of the drive shaft is held between two surfaces of a slide. One of the slide surfaces is carried by a friction plate whose external surface cooperates with a deformable member interposed between the friction plate and a stationary wall of the slide to permit a displacement of the friction plate along a transverse direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The formable member acts on the plate, when the guiding section is held in the slide, such that the guiding section rests simultaneously against the two surfaces of the slide.

Abstract: In an electric circuit using a plurality of power semiconductor devices 1, the power semiconductor devices have heat radiation metallic parts 5 to which the electrodes in the power semiconductor devices are electrically connected within a package of the semiconductors. Among the plurality of power semiconductor devices, the heat radiation metallic parts of those having electrodes of the same potential connected to the heat radiation metallic parts are conductively fixed to a single radiator 6 having conductivity. Thus, the radiators are used as a single connection terminal. Besides, the plurality of radiators are conductively fixed to a single heat radiating plate 7 having conductivity, and the heat radiating plate is used as a single connection terminal, or the radiator is electrically insulated and fixed to another radiator 11.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a motor vehicle wiper motor comprising steps which consist in: determining at least a range related to an operating parameter of the motor and capable of having several non null values; comparing said range with a predetermined threshold (high LS, low; HS, high INT, low LS, low INT); and controlling the motor on the basis of the result of the comparison. The range is determined when the rotor of the motor occupies a determining position corresponding to a predetermined point on a trajectory of a blade driven by the motor.

Abstract: A method for performing power conversion provides a converter output AC waveform from a converter input AC waveform, the convertor input waveform having an input power level, an input frequency, an input waveform shape, and an input voltage/current characteristic. The converter input AC waveform is applied to a converter switch with a switch frequency and the switch is operated at the switch frequency to provide a switched waveform having a plurality of switched waveform notches with a notch repetition rate substantially equal to the switch frequency. A filter performs filtering of the switched waveform to provide the converter output AC waveform with an output power level substantially equal to the input power level, an output frequency substantially equal to the input frequency, an output waveform shape substantially similar to the input wave form shape, and an output voltage/current characteristic substantially different from the input voltage/current characteristic.

Abstract: The invention features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects or cardiovascular disease. The invention also features therapeutic methods for reducing the risk of neural tube defects, colon cancers and related cancers. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Device for the installation in an air-gas feeding duct, a standard thermocouple to provide both a cold safety function in case of extinction, and a hot safety function, without any additional device, in case of internal combustion. The downstream portion of the bulb side (4) of the thermocouple penetrates into the air-gas duct (2). Its probe tip (3) is immobilized against the inner surface of the diffusion chamber (5) at the center of the combustion chamber (6). Its connector (16) is secured to its exit point from the duct (2) at a marker-projection (17) by a lock (15). The life span of the thermocouple is considerably increased through permanent cooling by the fresh air-gas mixture of the elements proximate to combustion. In case of internal combustion, the inversion of temperature gradients of the cold and hot junctions of the thermocouple causes the generated electromotive force to fall rapidly. The device is designed for high temperature confinement burners.

Abstract: A filter housing assembly including a substantially frusto-conical shaped housing member having an open end portion and a substantially closed dome shaped portion, the housing member being adaptable for receiving a filter member therewithin and having at least one opening extending through the dome shaped portion for allowing air to enter therewithin. A first end cap member adaptable for engaging one end portion of a filter member is receivable within the housing member, and a second end cap member adaptable for engaging the opposite end portion of a filter member is engageable with the housing member. The second end cap member includes an opening for allowing air to exit the housing member. The housing member includes a centering mechanism engageable with the first end cap member for facilitating centering of the filter member within the housing member when the first end cap member is positioned within the housing member.

Abstract: &agr;- and &bgr;-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

Abstract: The invention relates to substituted aryl and heteroaryl (R)-Chiral Halogenated 1-Substitutedamino-(n+1)-Alkanol compounds useful as inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP; plasma lipid transfer protein-I) and compounds, compositions and methods for treating atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases. Novel high yield, stereoselective processes for the preparation of the chiral substituted alkanol compounds from chiral and achiral intermediates are described. Preferred (R)-Chiral 1-Substitutedamino-(n+1)-Alkanol compounds are substituted (R)-Chiral fused heterocyclic amino compounds.

Abstract: There is described a time base comprising a resonator (4) and an integrated electronic circuit (3) for driving the resonator into oscillation and for producing, in response to the oscillation, a signal having a determined frequency. The resonator is an integrated micromechanical ring resonator supported above a substrate (2) and adapted to oscillate, according to a first oscillation mode, around an axis of rotation (O) substantially perpendicular to the substrate, the ring resonator comprising a central post (5) extending from the substrate along the axis of rotation, a free-standing oscillating structure (6) connected to the central post and including an outer ring (60) coaxial with the axis of rotation and connected to the central post by means of a plurality of spring elements (62), and electrode structures (9; 9*) disposed around the outer ring and connected to the integrated electronic circuit.

Abstract: A collapsible bag or container includes first and second major pockets separated by a connecting web into which a metal frame is removably inserted. Alternatively, a plastic or rigid board member is substituted for the metal frame. Loops and handles project through the web for attachment of a carrier strap or manual handle.

Abstract: A butterfly sponge mop (1) which has a mop handle (2) which can be set at a desired angle with respect to the wings (12,14) of the mop. The handle is attached to a swivel housing (34) which is provided between the wings, by a swivel connector (32) provided with a swivel pin (38). The axis of the swivel pin is at an angle to the axis of the handle so that rotation of the handle and swivel connector sets the angle of the handle.

Abstract: A machine for producing packets of cigarettes, each packet having a group of cigarettes enclosed in packaging material, has a number of conveyors, each having a respective given number of respective members which are brought into contact with the groups and/or the packaging material, and cooperate with the members of at least one adjacent conveyor; the number of members of each conveyor being equal to a multiple or to a divisor of the number of members of an adjacent conveyor.

Abstract: The resonator according to the invention, which is intended to be mounted in a case, includes a tuning fork shaped part (42) with two parallel arms (44, 46) connected to each other by a base (48) and carrying electrodes (52, 54) to make them vibrate, these electrodes being connected to connection pads (60, 62) intended to be electrically connected to the exterior of the case. In accordance with the invention, the resonator (40) also includes a central arm (50) attached to the base (48) and located between the arms (44, 46) of the tuning fork shaped part (42), substantially equidistant from them, this central arm (50) having a greater mass than that of the arms of the tuning fork shaped part and the connection pads (60, 62) are carried by this central arm. This resonator (40) is mounted in a case of parallelepiped shape by fixing its central arm (50) to at least one support secured to the bottom of the case.

Abstract: An overhead door and associated mating panels include a hinge guard which is used in conjunction with each of the hinges of a multi-panel or sectional door. The hinge guard includes a base that is screwed, bolted or otherwise secured to a lower one of the door panels or a stile on the lower panel. The base is designed and configured to fit between the spaced hinge arms of an upper hinge leaf of the door. The hinge guard also includes a pair of protective side flanges that are connected by a bridge to a common edge of the base. Each flange extends generally parallel to a respective side of the base and is spaced from the side to provide a gap through which one of the hinge arms of the upper hinge leaf pivots. The protective flanges are positioned on the outboard or external side of the hinge arms to thereby block or inhibit foreign objects from interfering with the movement of the hinge arms during articulation of the hinge.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming a tobacco bead, whereby a forming conveyor conveying the tobacco bead cooperates with a pressing device for compacting portions of the tobacco bead equally spaced with a given spacing, and cooperates with a shaving device; and whereby a distance between the pressing device and the forming conveyor is regulated independently of a distance between the shaving device and the forming conveyor, and as a function of a linear travelling speed of the forming conveyor or a physical quantity related to it.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, a compartment containing the beverage ingredient or ingredients and an outlet for the beverage produced from the beverage ingredients, characterized in that the cartridge incorporates in the beverage flow path, prior to or at outlet, a device for producing a jet of the beverage, at least one inlet for air and a device to generate a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby in use air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles.

Abstract: The present invention is a motor which has a motor casing (5) and a reduction gearing casing (7) integrally formed, a hole (8) formed on a portion shared by these casings, through which an output shaft (3a) of a rotor (3) extends from the motor casing side to the reduction gearing casing side, and a lubrication oil (9) filling the reduction gearing casing. And, a method for producing a motor comprises the step of charging a resin (11) into and curing it in the motor casing to adhere the resin to a coil of an armature and the inner surface of the motor casing. Besides, the motor casing (5) has a first casing member (510), a second casing member (520) and a third casing member (530) for covering a control section (4), and the first casing member is assembled with the second casing member, and the first casing member is assembled with the third casing member.

Abstract: A spray gluing unit in a machine for wrapping products advancing along a pass line comprises a gluer equipped with a nozzle having an outlet from which adhesive is directed onto a wrapping material enveloping the products, and a cleaning station equipped with a first movable member carrying a scraper blade and a wetting pad to which silicone oil is supplied; the scraper blade and the wetting pad are designed to interact with a flat surface of the gluer and with an end face of the outlet, occupying substantially the same plane, so as to remove any residual adhesive from the gluer and keep the outlet moistened.