Abstract: A traction pattern for a striking face of a striking tool has a plurality of indentions in the striking face, the indentions each forming a rectangular interface at the striking face. The indentions are arranged in a rectangular matrix in the striking face, producing thereby a striking surface being the areas at the striking face between the interfaces of the indentions at the striking face. The indentions can be in the form of four-sided truncated pyramids, each indention therefore having a rectangular bottom surface and four sides extending at a common obtuse angle from the bottom surface. Several unique traction surface patterns are taught, being formed by spacing between indentions and special treatment of the traction surface between the intersections of the indentions.

Abstract: Manufacturing couplers for optical fibers having thin precision dimensions for precision alignment and low-loss coupling of optical fiber segments are disclosed. The couplers can be formed by depositing material on a precision mandrel, removing the mandrel, and then further machining the couplers if necessary. Design variations include simple sleeves and sleeves having ends that are flanged outward so that the ends taper to the correct diameter.

Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for processing biological material, such as heart valves and vascular grafts.

Abstract: A UV curable, flexible, paintable composition is disclosed. The disclosed composition has enhanced durability, thick and thin film adhesion, resistance to mold growth and dimensional changes while reducing solvent emissions. The disclosed composition reduces, if not eliminates, runs and drips during the thermal bake cycles which are associated with using conventional compositions in automotive applications.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly including an internal combustion engine including an engine block having at lest one cylinder, a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocal movement in the cylinder, a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the cylinder, the fuel injector initiating a fuel injection event at a predetermined time and a circuit for generating a spark in the cylinder a predetermined amount of time after the injection event to cause combustion of fuel in the cylinder.

Abstract: A gas burner mounting assembly includes a gas injector having a main body portion positioned between a chassis member of a gas cooking appliance and a ceramic based cooktop of the appliance. The gas injector also includes an upper body portion which extends through an aperture formed in the cooktop. A burner retention bracket is interposed between the main body portion of the gas injector and an underside of the cooktop. A resilient support preferably acts between the gas injector and the cooktop, although no rigid attachment is made between these elements. The gas injector is mechanically, fixedly secured to the cooktop in order to allow the gas injector to flex with the cooktop.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently interconnecting a plurality of ICs, thereby improving the electrical performance of the overall system while reducing contact degradation due to stress that results from differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the various components during thermal cycling.

Abstract: A zero roll suspension system for a vehicle is proposed which includes a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly having an axis of rotation about which a wheel of the wheel assembly rotates. The suspension system substantially eliminates rolling of the vehicle frame and includes a first weight bearing member and a second weight bearing member, each having a first end and a second end. One of the first and second ends of each of the first and second weight bearing members are rotatably connected to a portion of the wheel assembly and the other of the first and second ends of each of the first and second weight bearing members are rotatably connected to the vehicle frame. The first and second weight bearing members are oriented in substantially parallel planes between the wheel assembly and the vehicle frame and cross one another in superposition along a crossing axis, substantially prohibiting the vehicle frame from rolling during a cornering operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch release is provided for engaging a latching mechanism of a connector. The latch release includes a housing cooperatively associated with the connector having a passageway that defines a first open end and a second open end. The second open end of the passageway is positioned adjacent to an operative portion of the latching mechanism. A rail is slidably positioned within the passageway and includes a front end that projects outwardly from the second open end of the passageway adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism. A rear end of the rail projects outwardly from the first open end of the passageway so that when the rail is slid through the passageway, the front end of the rail engages the operative portion of the latching mechanism thereby releasing the connector. A method of unlatching a connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed for certifying the authenticity of an application program and for securely associating certified application programs whose certification has been verified, with persistent application data that they own. The invention prevents other application programs, including certified application programs whose certifications have been verified, from accessing data not of their own.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, detecting level and blockages in an ore pass or other near-vertical shaft is described. The level and blockage detector includes a flexible metal strip in which a plurality of strain gages have been located, spaced apart from one another, preferably at known distances. A plurality of anchors secure the metal strip to the interior surface of the shaft such that the metal strip is displaced a fixed distance from the interior surface. The anchors are located intermediate the strain gages. When the ore pass fills up with bulk material, the bulk material causes the metal strip to deflect toward the interior surface of the shaft. This causes the resistance of the strain gage in the region of the deflection to change. To detect the location of the blockage, a microcontroller cycles through each strain gage, placing it as the fourth arm of a bridge circuit.

Abstract: A computerized medication dispensing cart and system for dispensing prepackaged unit-dose medications to a patient in a medical facility including a computer system on the cart for storing medication information regarding each patient provided by a pharmacy and a plurality of dispensers on the cart that automatically dispense prepackaged unit dosages of prescribed medications at the request of nursing personnel while making rounds. A separate dispenser on the cart is used to dispense each type of medication. An input device, such as a touch screen monitor, is mounted on the cart to permit nursing personnel to access the medication information regarding the patient and to request that the cart dispense the prescribed medications. A detector is mounted on each dispenser that detects the administration of the medications to the patient and records the time and date that the medications were administered.

Abstract: An operator input device is configured to provide position information based on relative movement of the surface and the operator input device. The operator input device includes an image detector which is configured to detect an image on the surface and provide an image signal corresponding to the image detected. A controller is coupled to the image detector and is configured to receive the image signal and provide the position information based on a position of the image relative to the image detector.

Abstract: A conveyor belt that uses cleats to more effectively transfer materials through a curvilinear structure into a deposit receptacle. The cleats are either in the form of a notched cleat or slit cleat. In both forms, the cleat is adaptable to conforming from a flat conveyor belt to a curved conveyor belt within the curvilinear structure. The resulting cleat on the conveyor belt provides increased support for the prevention of backflow of materials during transportation of the materials through the curvilinear structure.

Abstract: A tie-down system for a vehicle transporter comprises a tie-down apparatus for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter, comprising a vehicle support assembly, including a front deck and further including a rear deck that is variably positionable with respect to said front deck. At least four variably positionable securement devices are associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective flexible tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices to enable nonuniform variations in relative positions of the securement devices, each tension member portion capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds comprising glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor-binding benzodiazepine derivatives covalently linked to metal ion chelators. The compounds of the invention may be labeled with a radionuclide such as 99mTc and used to image thrombi.

Abstract: An electronically controlled automatic transmission hydraulic valve system for an automotive vehicle transmission having multiple forward-drive ratios and a reverse ratio. Clutch and brake means controls motion of gearing elements for establishing forward torque flow paths and a reverse torque flow path, the clutch and brake means including a reverse drive clutch and a forward drive clutch. Each clutch, when engaged, completes a torque flow path from a vehicle engine to torque input elements of the gearing. The forward clutch and reverse clutch each includes friction elements that are frictionally engaged by a pressure-actuated piston. Regulated pressure strokes each piston. An engagement valve system triggers normal forward clutch and reverse clutch operation during torque delivery and for establishing a neutral idle capability in both forward and reverse.

Abstract: This invention involves compounds having the structure (I) as described in the claims, and enantiomers,optical isomers, stereoisomers, diastereomers, tautomers, addition salts, biohydrolyzable amides and esters thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such noved compounds. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for preventing or treating disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.