Abstract: A flywheel safety support system isolates the flywheel and its motor-generator from the driving environment of an electrically powered motor vehicle. A suitable liquid, placed between the outer and vacuum housings of the flywheel assembly, provides buoyancy and damping to the vacuum housing, cooling of the motor-generator, and serves as one of the barriers to rotor energy and angular momentum transfer in the event of an accident or failure. During normal operation, a shearable mechanical gimbal system keeps the vacuum housing centered in the outer housing, reacts the spin moments generated by the motor-generator, and provides a path for the electrical leads into the vacuum housing. In the event of bearing seizure or rotor failure, the mechanical gimbal will shear and allow the vacuum housing to gradually spin down against the fluid. A fiber barrier provides an additional layer of protection to passengers.

Abstract: A sun visor system for use in a vehicle having a window is provided with a finger-operable swing arm. The system includes a mount attachable in the vehicle and a swing arm pivotally coupled to the mount. The swing arm, which provides two degrees of freedom for positioning a visor panel and the mount, which provides an additional two degrees of freedom, allows the visor to be disposed between a user and an unwanted light source. The finger-operable lock allows the user selectively to lock the swing arm, preventing the swing arm from pivoting, and to release the swing arm, permitting pivotal motion.

Abstract: A display unit is provided, the display unit including a housing configured for mounting to the ceiling of an automobile, and a screen mounted on the housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is at least partially embedded in the ceiling and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface of the screen. When the screen is deployed, the viewing surface typically is at an angle of between approximately 45-degrees and 90-degrees from horizontal, promoting viewability of the screen.

Abstract: A display unit is provided, the display unit including a housing configured for mounting to the ceiling of an automobile, and a screen mounted on the housing for pivot about a first axis between a stowed position wherein the screen is embedded in the ceiling and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface of the screen. The screen also is pivotal about a second axis transverse to the first axis, promoting viewability of the screen.

Abstract: An articulable projecting plug is disclosed that provides for interchangeable mechanical connection between one of several electronic-signal ports such as video-signal ports, and housing/support structure associated with an electronic device such as a flat-screen television. The plug also accommodates video communication between a video-signal source and such television. The plug includes joining structure constructed to bring the plug into contact with the port and hold them both in such joined relationship. The joining structure includes an outer surface and holder structure for holding the first end of an elongate conductor so that joinder of the plug with the port will also result in contact between such first end and the port. The plug also includes an elongate projecting member terminating with first and second ends, with the first end being operatively connected to the joining structure so that the projecting elongate member extends from it and away from the port.

Abstract: A stowable display apparatus is disclosed that includes a base adapted to be mounted on the ceiling of a vehicle, such as an automobile, and a display unit that is mounted on the base. The display unit is pivotal with respect to the base in a range of positions between a stowed position, in which the unit is retained proximate the base and generally parallel to the ceiling of the vehicle, and a deployed position, in which the unit is pivoted away from the base into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The display unit further includes a push-button mechanism that selectively engages the display unit to retain the unit in the stowed position. The mechanism includes a push-button actuator that is moveable between a rest position, in which the mechanism is positioned to engage the display unit, and a depressed position, in which the actuator is moved toward the base and the mechanism freed from engagement with the display unit, thereby enabling the display unit to pivot away from the stowed position.

Abstract: A single use pen-like marking device is disclosed which is useful for marking skin to form marks which persist for a least a week and which are invisible under ambient light but fluoresce under ultraviolet light and to reveal cracks and caries in teeth which are difficult to see under normal light and for visualizing plaque on teeth without leaving a stain visible under normal light. It has a flexible housing with a dry wick-type marking nib in one end which communicates with the interior of the housing and which is impregnated with a skin fluorescing furanone. Inside the housing is a sealed fragile glass tube therein which contains a solvent for the furanone. The marking device is activated by bending the housing until the glass tube breaks and releases the solvent, which saturates the marking nib and dissolves the furanone therein.

Abstract: A sun visor monorail system, which includes a monorail mounted adjacent a window in a car or airplane cockpit and a sun visor which is selectively positionable along the monorail and selectively stowable away from the window or deployable next to the window, is provided with a gripping system for selectively releasing the sun visor from, and locking the sun visor onto, the monorail. The gripping system includes a first gripping member having a surface for contacting the monorail, a second gripping member having a surface opposed to the first member's surface for contacting the monorail and holding the monorail between the two surfaces, a mounting mechanism supporting the members, and a locking mechanism coupled to the members. The locking mechanism includes a cam mechanism for transforming a rotational force, applied by hand to the locking mechanism, into a gripping force applied to the monorail through the gripping members.

Abstract: A stowable support apparatus is disclosed and includes an elongate, horizontally oriented track with a slide mounted and reciprocally movable thereon. A support arm is pivotally coupled to the slide, and a mounting bracket that receives a display unit and includes a handle is pivotally coupled to the support arm. The apparatus further includes a lock mechanism that selectively secures the slide in a defined position on the track and includes a bias mechanism that urges the slide away from the lock mechanism. The apparatus, including a supported display unit, is selectively adjustable from a stowed position, in which the display unit is stored within a box-like housing on which the track is mounted, and a user-viewable position, in which the display unit is pivoted out of the housing and presented in an elevated viewing position.

Abstract: Topical compositions and methods are disclosed for the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae and ingrown hair. The compositions comprise acetylsalicylic acid, propylene glycol, glycerine, and isopropyl alcohol. The method involves the step of applying the composition to the beard areas of the face after shaving. The acetylsalicylic acid is dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising propylene glycol, glycerine, and isopropyl alcohol. The acetylsalicylic acid is present in the range of between about 5 percent by weight per unit volume of the solvent mixture up to saturation of the solvent mixture. The solvent mixture comprises propylene glycol in the range of about 5 to 15 percent by volume, glycerine in the range of about 1 to 10 percent by volume, and the balance of the volume made up with isopropyl alcohol alone or a solution comprising at least 50 percent by volume of isopropyl alcohol.

Abstract: A stowable support apparatus is disclosed and includes a base with a support arm pivotally coupled to the base. The support arm is pivotal between a stowed position and a display position, and it has a display unit coupled thereto distal the base. The apparatus further includes a lock mechanism that is configured to retain selectively the support arm in the stowed or the display position, and the lock mechanism is housed substantially, or completely, within the support arm. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting and indicating when the support arm is in its stowed position. In other embodiments, the apparatus further includes a mounting bracket mounted on the support arm distal the base. The display unit is mounted on the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket enables pivotal and rotational movement of the display unit with respect to the support arm.

Abstract: A bearing system for positioning and supporting a rotor having a vertical shaft (20) coincident with a main rotation axis included in a flywheel (10) used for energy storage and high surge power in vehicular applications. The bearing system includes upper and lower radial force generators (110, 210) containing only electromagnets, and upper and lower axial force generators (120, 220) including an electromagnet and a permanent magnet. According to one aspect of the bearing system, each of the bearings includes control circuitry having simple and complex lead networks so as to permit the force generators to rapidly respond to vehicular transients while maintaining a preferred bearing stiffness. The bearing system also includes upper and lower touchdown ball bearings (130, 230) which are engaged only when the radial force generators are unable to maintain the rotor in a predetermined cylindrical volume within the flywheel (10).