Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor. The sensor includes a first sensor portion physically contained within the first retainer portion and a second sensor portion physically contained within the second retainer portion. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, and a sensor comprising a motion detector and an alarm. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and activate the alarm to alert a user in a vehicle if movement of the retainer apparatus is detected.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a transceiver, and a sensor comprising a motion detector. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and transmit a warning signal, via the transceiver, to a controller within a vehicle comprising the retainer apparatus to alert a user in the vehicle if the movement is detected.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a transceiver, and a sensor comprising a motion detector. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and transmit a warning signal, via the transceiver, to a controller within a vehicle comprising the retainer apparatus to alert a user in the vehicle if the movement is detected.

Abstract: This invention is a novel system for blast protection. It consists of lightweight, sectional or continuous barriers made of a novel blast resistant fiber reinforced polymer resin matrix composite, which may be fabricated on site. The barriers are lightweight and thin enough that they may be used in many spaces where barriers made from conventional construction materials are impossible, impractical, or undesirable. The novel barriers of this invention have the additional advantage of allowing for aesthetically appealing and architecturally harmonious designs. In order to minimize weight, the barriers may be designed such that the cross section varies with height, providing adequate resistance in areas of high blast loading, but allowing for thinner cross sections in regions of lowering load.

Abstract: This invention is a novel system for blast protection. It consists of lightweight, sectional or continuous barriers made of a novel blast resistant fiber reinforced polymer resin matrix composite, which may be fabricated on site. The barriers are lightweight and thin enough that they may be used in many spaces where barriers made from conventional construction materials are impossible, impractical, or undesirable. The novel barriers of this invention have the additional advantage of allowing for aesthetically appealing and architecturally harmonious designs. In order to minimize weight, the barriers may be designed such that the cross section varies with height, providing adequate resistance in areas of high blast loading, but allowing for thinner cross sections in regions of lower loading.

Abstract: The invention is a safety control system for vehicle safety mechanisms. The novel control system uses acquired and stored data about the configuration of a vehicle passenger compartment at the time of an emergency event to determine the type, sequence and degree of safety device deployment. In one embodiment, the invention contains a novel power system employing a supplemental power supply specifically included to provide extra power beyond what is typically available from the power distribution system in conventional passenger compartment vehicle power systems. The novel power supply is routed to the appropriate safety mechanisms when the vehicle emergency event sensors, ie rollover, impact etc. detect a condition when the safety mechanism should be deployed and the extra power supply is required.

Abstract: A method for controlling consumer exposure to audio dosage for a composite audio signal, the method comprising: sampling the composite audio signal; transforming the sampled audio signal, using a fast fourier transform algorithm, to produce a signal representative of the amplitude of component frequencies of the audio signal; comparing the transformed audio, signal with a predefined impulse control threshold profile, representing the target maximum amplitude for each frequency component for the audio signal threshold profile to produce a configuring signal representative of the difference between the broadcast signal and the profile; using the configuring signal to automatically configure in real time a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter so that it attenuates the amplitude of the transformed audio signal in frequency bands centred on the frequencies at which the target threshold is exceeded; and outputting the attenuated audio signal for consumer exposure.

Abstract: The invention is an explosive resistant liner, located inside an enclosed space, and made from a blast resistant material. The liner is preferably constructed inside the enclosed space, consisting of lay-up, curing and assembly steps utilizing a collapsible tool. The invention is particularly applicable to blast protection for aircraft cargo holds.

Abstract: This invention is vehicle seat, which provides enhanced occupant protection in the event of a vehicle rollover. The seat includes a rollover sensor and mechanisms compatible with power-adjustable seat design, that cause rapid distancing of the occupant from the vehicle roof in the event of a rollover. The mechanisms include high-speed motors operating reclining, lateral position, and seat lowering mechanisms, as well as pyro actuators for these mechanisms.

Abstract: This invention is vehicle seat, which provides enhanced occupant protection in the event of a vehicle rollover. The seat includes a rollover sensor and mechanisms compatible with manual reclining seats. These mechanisms allow for rapid reclining of the seat during a rollover, by unlocking the reclining mechanism and automatically reclining the seat.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to facilitate the installation and replacement of mechanical devices, particularly plumbing compression fittings such as an angle-stop valve. The wrench has a first member that includes an open-end wrench and associated jaw surface and a hollow handle extending therefrom. A second member also includes an open-end wrench and a handle extending therefrom, the handle of the second member being of a diameter small enough to slidably fit within the handle of the first member. The handles of the first and second members preferably including mating means so as to enable the temporary locking of the two members for use and or storage of the two-piece wrench apparatus. The handle of the second member further includes a lug extending therefrom and having a certain size and shape so as to allow the lug end of the wrench to engage an inner diameter of the angle-stop valve during its installation.

Abstract: A ring type binder for perforated sheets or the like in which two members are coaxially secured so that a slot is formed along each longitudinal edge of the members. Another partially open ring member is provided that is configured to be slidably received in the slots so that ring member may be moved from an opened to a closed position. A locking device is provided so that the binder may be selectively locked in the closed portion, thereby preventing the unwanted shifting of the members.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a body that may be attached by straps to a structural member of a vehicle having a spoked wheel. The body carries an indicator that may be moved relative to the body. The indicator extends towards the rim of the bicycle to indicate the position of the rim with respect to the structural member of the bicycle. The indicator shows areas of the rim that are not true and which require adjustment. The tension of corresponding spokes can then be adjusted to bring the wheel into "true". Also included in the present invention is a method of truing a bicycle wheel including the steps of fastening the system to a structural member of the bicycle, aligning the indicator with the rim of a wheel, adjusting the indicator to contact the rim of the wheel, rotating the wheel to determine contact points between the rim and the indicator and adjusting the spoke tension to achieve uniform contact between the rim and the indicator.

Abstract: A process for recovering N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from an effluent stream in a poly(arylene sulfide) process containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone contaminated with acidic compounds and high boiling contaminants by contacting the kettle liquid from a heavies fractionation zone with an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth oxides and alkaline earth hydroxides in an amount effective to reduce the acidic compound content of the kettle liquid, and introducing the treated kettle liquid into a thin film evaporation zone to produce an overhead product containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and a bottoms stream containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone soluble reaction products of the acidic compounds with the inorganic compound, unreacted acidic compounds and high boiling contaminants.

Abstract: Responses of a human subject may be by voice, hand or foot movement, or bodily secretions, as examples. A hiatus of such responses may be termed a lapse in the continuity of the response, including a hesitation pause in the voice, hesitation in the movement of writing, a movement of hand or foot on a monitored control of a motor vehicle or vehicle simulator, or pulsatile bodily secretions on a monitored control of an implantable insulin pump. In a voice response, the hesitation pause may be more than about one second in the voice of a subject during a dialogue or monologue. The hiatus rate of such responses is indicated by the present apparatus, as in the average hiatus duration for two or more hiatus rates. The dominant hiatus rate is also determined and indicated. A microprocessor is utilized in such determination.

Abstract: A coin sorter is described for sorting coins of different denominations by means of ramps and flaps, the sorted coins being directed to different chutes, one chute being provided for each coin denomination, the chutes and coin exit openings at the ends of chutes as well as the ramps being formed in two complementary parts of the coin sorter. The sorter may be provided either in a coin operated assembly for use in an existing coin operated vending machine or in a new machine and in either case is best used in conjunction with a coin totalizer having a ratchet wheel, a price cam and at least two circular cams, the price cam and circular cams being rotatable with the ratchet wheel when the latter is rotated by a trip wire-lever, the degree of rotation being determined by the chute through which a given coin passes.