Abstract: A cut optical disk is provided. The optical disk includes a data region which may be read by and optical disk reader (CD/CD-ROM/DVD reader). Ticket/pass information as well as anti-counterfeit feature may be provided in a graphics region or in the data region or both. The data region may be provided with audio and/or video data. The data region may also have multimedia presentations which may be presented on a personal computer or through a DVD reader etc. The data region may also have data which is read for gaining access to the event or facility. The graphics region also may have machine readable features such as bar codes. Additionally, most printing techniques may be used in the graphics region to provide information and aesthetic attributes and attributes to avoid counterfeit problems. The cut optical disk includes a standard central opening (of a CD/CD-ROM/DVD type). The data region is provided in a region around the central opening. The data region may be on both sides of the disk.

Abstract: A case for retaining disks therein. The case is preferably a two-piece structure formed of a lid and a base detachably coupled together. The base is formed to include a disk retainer that is rotatable with respect to the base. The retainer is coupled to a wall of the base using a living hinge that permits rotation of the retainer well away from the interior surface of the base. The retainer includes a modified hub for capturing the disk. The modified hub has a tongue-and-capturing-structure combination permitting easy application of the disk to the hub and removal therefrom with little stress on the disk. The lid is coupled to the base using a pair of rotatable cams that allow the lid to be rotatable well away from the base. The two-piece structure with the rotatable disk retainer and lid make the case of the present invention compatible with an array of automated disk packaging processes and equipment.

Abstract: A paving assembly including a plurality of paving elements interconnected by a joining mesh. The mesh has a number of spaced-apart flat portions between the paving elements and a number of reinforcing portions of generally triangular shape extending into the body of the paving elements. A mold base has recesses to receive settable cementitious material and an insert tool is used to insert the mesh into the settable material. On setting, the paving assembly thus formed is readily removed from the mold base by inverting the base.

Abstract: A die apparatus includes a first die configured to telescopingly engage an end section of a tubular bar, including one or more “floating” mandrels configured to extend into cavities of the tubular bar, and further including a stationary die member spaced from the mandrel(s). The mandrel(s) and the stationary die member include angled cutting edges that are aligned so that the cutting edges are engageable from a single transverse direction. The mandrel(s) is movably supported on the first die to float parallel the single direction toward and away from the stationary die member. A cutting die has a shearing punch configured to move along the single direction to sequentially engage the angled cutting edges to shear off an angled portion of the end section.

Abstract: A bumper beam construction including an elongated tubular beam of high strength but characteristically flexible to absorb substantial energy on impact having a mounting bracket attached at each end of the center section and at least one stiffening bracket attached to each mounting bracket. The mounting brackets extend from the rear wall of the tubular beam and facilitate attachment to a vehicle frame. The stiffening brackets are attached to the mounting brackets and the end sections of the tubular beam outboard of the center section. The stiffening brackets improve the comer impact strength of the tubular beam without adversely affecting the flexibility of the center section. This comer construction arrangement provides for optimal distribution of stress during corner impacts.

Abstract: A bumper construction for a vehicle includes a swept tubular bumper beam having a pair of spaced-apart brackets and a pair of towers configured to attach to the brackets and support the bumper beam on a vehicle. The towers each include a platform configured for attachment to one of the brackets, and further include an elongated portion configured for connection to the vehicle. A swivel connection connects the tower to the bumper beam. The connection includes a protruding section on one of the bracket and the tower, and a socket receiving the protruding section on the other of the bracket and the tower. The protruding section and the socket are configured to draw the tower toward an impacting force during a catastrophic impact, such that the tower is more likely to crush with a high-energy absorbing, accordion-like collapse (as opposed to a low-energy absorbing parallelogram-like collapse).

Abstract: A vehicle bumper bar includes a swept B-shaped beam section and one-piece end pieces attached to opposing ends of the beam section for forming a compound angle along a front of the bumper bar. The end pieces are tubular and include circumferentially overlapping flanges that allow the shape of the end piece to be circumferentially adjusted to a best-fit condition on the ends of the beam section, and further include attachment tabs that longitudinally engage the ends of the beam section. The attachment tabs extend from the end piece longitudinally and circumferentially onto the beam section, in order to provide optimal impact and attachment strength of the end piece on the beam section. A method includes positioning the end piece on an end of the beam section, clamping the end piece onto the end including shaping the end piece circumferentially to a best-fit shape, and securing the end piece to the beam section by welding.

Abstract: A ferroresonant ballast for regulating the current level of gas discharge lamps includes a magnetic core for supporting coil windings. A first or input coil is wound about the magnetic core for supplying a changing input voltage. A second or capacitor coil is wound about the magnetic core and is induced by the first coil to generate an output voltage across an output or resonant capacitor. A third or lamp coil is wound about the magnetic core and coupled to a gas discharge lamp which is regulated at a constant voltage in response to the voltage generated across the output capacitor. The ferroresonant ballast may include a control circuit and inductor that is switchable coupled to the output capacitor for simulating core saturation.

Abstract: A ferroresonant transformer includes a three-legged magnetic core. The core includes a center leg, and first and second flanking legs. Each of the center and flanking legs have respective first and second longitudinal ends. The first flanking leg is positioned at an opposite side of the center leg relative to the second flanking leg. A first end-connecting portion magnetically couples the first ends of the center and flanking legs, and a second end-connecting portion magnetically couples the second ends of the center and flanking legs. The center leg defines a substantially non-magnetic space, such as an air gap, along a magnetic flux path extending along the center leg from the first end-connecting portion to the second end-connecting portion in order to reduce the total harmonic distortion of the ferroresonant transformer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end bumper for vehicles constructed from a single sheet of high-tensile strength steel roll-formed to provide two side-by-side tubular sections. Each section has a front wall, an outer side wall, a rear wall, and an inner side wall, the inner side walls being spaced one from the other and connected together by a web roll-formed integrally with the inner side walls. The front walls each have extended ends overlapping and abutting the web. The extreme ends of the front walls also form an abutting juncture which is welded together and also welded to the web. The bumper has a sweep formed by a sweep-forming mechanism having curvilinear an external guide mechanism and internal mandrels conforming to the outer configuration and inner configuration of the bumper so as to provide a passageway therebetween for receiving the bumper. The bumper is passed through the passageway while the roll-forming of the bumper takes place upstream of the mandrels.

Abstract: A multiple panel assembly which is an improvement in the panel assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,997 in which the four parts of said patent forming the hanger bracket and connector assembly mounted on the opposing edges of two adjacent panel edges is replaced by a unique one-piece hanger bracket/connector strip. Such strip is substantially less costly to manufacture and install on the panel. Within a more narrow aspect of this invention, the wedging members that draw the panel edges toward each other are uniquely configured to accommodate use of the hanger bracket/connector strip with the hanger bracket and connector assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,997.