Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching a heating element to a glass substrate. The heating element is formed of a plurality of conductive polymer thick film inks screen printed on the substrate. The heating element includes a resistive strip or resistor, conductive strips or conductors, and terminal portions, which form part of an electrical circuit. Electrical power applied to the terminal portions causes current to flow through the resistive strip, which generates heat through resistive heating. The heat is transferred to the substrate. The method of applying the heating element to the substrate includes, in one embodiment, screen printing polymer thick film materials onto a surface of a glass substrate to form the circuit conductors and resistive elements and surface mounting other components of the circuit on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing lighted areas on a surface. The apparatus comprises a glass substrate having at least a first surface that includes a substantially clear substantially conductive layer, and a second surface that does not include a substantially clear substantially conductive layer. The present apparatus also includes a polymer thick film phosphor ink layer applied to the first surface of the glass substrate, a polymer thick film dielectric layer applied to at least a portion of the phosphor ink layer, and a polymer thick film conductive layer applied to at least a portion of the dielectric layer. Further, the apparatus includes power connectors for connecting electrical power to the polymer thick film conductive layer and to the substantially clear substantially conductive layer of the glass substrate. When power is applied to the power connectors, the polymer thick film phosphor ink layer illuminates and light substantially shows through the second surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to and for holding an electrical or electronic device. The apparatus generally comprises a glass substrate having at least a surface. The apparatus of the present invention also includes a conductive strip applied to the surface of the glass substrate and a second strip applied to the surface of the glass substrate wherein the second strip covers at least a portion of the conductive strip and wherein the second strip is selected from the group consisting of a conductive strip, a resistive strip, and an insulating strip. The apparatus of the present invention further includes device connective means for connecting the electrical or electronic device to the apparatus and power connective means. The device connective means is in direct contact with at least a portion of the conductive strip and receives power for the electrical or electronic device from the power connective means through the conductive strip. A method for producing such an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching a heating element to a glass substrate. The heating element is formed of a plurality of conductive polymer thick film inks screen printed on the substrate. The heating element includes a resistive strip or resistor, conductive strips or conductors, and terminal portions, which form part of an electrical circuit. Electrical power applied to the terminal portions causes current to flow through the resistive strip, which generates heat through resistive heating. The heat is transferred to the substrate. The method of applying the heating element to the substrate includes, in one embodiment, screen printing polymer thick film materials onto a surface of a glass substrate to form the circuit conductors and resistive elements and surface mounting other components of the circuit on the substrate.

Abstract: A control head for remote actuators on a vehicle heater/air conditioner system comprises variable resistors operated by control knobs to provide variable motor control voltages to the actuators which comprise servo-actuators or a pulse width modulated blower motor. The control head has a molded plastic housing with embedded conductive runners terminating in wipers. A control disk rotatable with each knob has an arcuate resistive film and a pair of arcuate conductors connected to ends of the film. The wipers engage the arcuate elements to apply a supply voltage to the conductors and pick off a control voltage from the resistive film. Alternatively the arcuate elements are on the housing and the wiper is on the control disk.

Abstract: In automatic assembly apparatus operating under electronic vision control, features on components to be assembled must be recognized and located in position and orientation so that a gripper mechanism may be directed to one component to pick it up and move it into correct position and orientation relative to the other component for assembly. The invention provides a known parallel projection optical system 8, 9, at the location of each component which provides a plan view for an electronic camera 11 of the components 20, 22 at constant scale regardless of lateral or axial component movements. The grey-level picture of each component provided by the camera is thresholded into a binarized picture at a threshold level which selects a primary component feature 27 within a part of the camera field of view which is certain to contain this feature.

Abstract: An improved block and tackle type sash balance that can be installed in single and double-hung windows by a single workman without the necessity of removing the window sashes from the window frame and reassembling the window unit.

Abstract: Free-flowing polyolefin molding compositions having a very high filler content are obtained, if instead of the individual fillers there is used a mixture of wood flour and chalk or talc.

Abstract: An extender for a combined double hung, double sash guide and weather strip unit is disclosed. The extender is slidably received in the open upper end of the parting bead of the weather strip unit and carries at its upper end prongs. When the extender is driven upwardly, as by raising the window sashes, the extender closes the air gap between the upper edge of the weather strip unit and the head jamb and at the same time the prongs are driven into the head jamb so that the extender also serves to attach the weather strip unit into the window frame thus eliminating the need for top staples or nails.