Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for determining the average length of a reinforcing fiber of a composite material comprising a resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers encapsulated therein. In addition, a fiber separating apparatus for dividing a sample of reinforcing fibers into fractions defined by the relative lengths of the reinforcing fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A conveying device that permits the continuous accumulation and intermittent injection a molding material is herein disclosed. The conveying device comprises a housing having a bore with an inlet and an outlet and a shaft reciprocable disposed within the bore. The shaft and bore are constructed and arranged to form an annular space therebetween. A slip ring is slidably captured on the reciprocable shaft and may travel longitudinally on the shaft between a forward position and a rearward position. When the shaft is retracted from the bore, the slip ring moves to its forward position on the shaft and the molding material may flow between an inner surface of the slip ring and the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into the bore, the slip ring moves to its rearward position and the slip ring acts as a piston head and forces the molding material from the bore and into a downstream molding or handling mechanism.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.

Abstract: A polyketone is provided wherein the polyketone is water soluble and curable. A method to make a such a polymer is also disclosed, the method including the steps of: providing a polyketone, the polyketone comprising 1,4-diketone units; contacting the polyketone with a diamine wherein the diamine comprises one nitrogen which is more reactive than another of the nitrogens under conditions effective to incorporate the more reactive nitrogen in the polyketone; contacting the polyketone having the diamine incorporated into the polyketone with maleic anhydride under conditions effective to react the less reactive nitrogen with the maleic anhydride; contacting the polyketone having maleic anhydride incorporated thereto with a strong base; and recovering a functionalized polyketone wherein the functionalized polyketone is water soluble and curable.

Abstract: A process for the pollution-cleaning treatment of air combines the actions of dehumidification, thermal control, washing of the gases, fixing of the particles, disinfection, spraying and vaporization. An apparatus is provided for implementing the process, and includes a cyclone exchanger or a pseudo-cyclone exchanger which includes a nozzle for injecting a fixing liquid into the inlet stream.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly includes a cover having a plurality of mounting posts extending downwardly from the cover and a gasket attached to the mounting posts. The air bag cover assembly further includes a reaction plate captured between the cover and the gasket and a membrane horn switch captured between the reaction plate and the cover. Thus, attachment of the gasket to the mounting posts securely attaches the reaction plate and the membrane horn switch to the cover during air bag deployment. Preferably, the mounting posts and the gaskets are integrally fused together by heat welding.

Abstract: Combination of at least two different food components for consumption in the freshly mixed state and packed in a sealable beaker or cup, comprising an aqueous, creamy or pasty fresh milk product and a hydrophilic, granular or flake-like dry cereal product. Both the aqueous fresh milk product and the hydrophilic dry cereal product are packed in the same cup. A premature softening of the dry cereal product is prevented by a hydrophobic fat barrier between the fresh milk product and the dry cereal product.

Abstract: A device for removing (i.e., suction, capture and trapping) vapors and products carried by the vapors, for placement above a system for cooking food products in water or oil, circulates the exhaust gases in a cyclone having cooled walls to cause cold-wall condensation of the exhaust gases over the flow path through the cyclone.

Abstract: An improved powder delivery system for use in dispensing powder to a printing press. The improvements include an agitator system for the powder reservoir, a wiper block for use with a curved feed roller, a split air flow amplifier which is openable for cleaning, a flow-through rotary manifold for distributing powder to press and an improved powder spray block. The foregoing elements minimize the flow restrictions and enhance air and powder flow through the system. A control panel is provided at the operator's console which is remote from the mounting position for the powder delivery apparatus. The control panel provides for, among other things, the delivery of powder at a fixed rate regardless of press speed or in accordance with variations in press speed. For example, in accordance with a factory determined linear relationship or an operator entered relationship. Such data can be stored for future reference and use.

Abstract: An end cap in the form of a plate which is connected by an attachment part to the side wall at the open end of a tubular member. The plate part is pivotal relative to the attachment part and therefore can be rotated between a closed position overlying and spanning the open end of the tubular member, and an open position exposing the open end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A power-operated, exterior rear view mirror, normally mounted on each side of large or long vehicles, having motor assemblies within the mirror housing which provide adjustment capabilities in both visual planes, vertical and horizontal. The mirror can be mounted on the vehicle using the existing mounting hardware and can be wired into the existing electrical system of the vehicle. A remote-control switch, located inside the vehicle within easy reach of the driver, controls the adjustment of the mirror, making the task of adjusting the mirrors virtually effortless and providing for safer vehicle operation.

Abstract: A power-adjusted exterior rear-view mirror for large or long vehicles, having a motor and a remote control switch which permits the driver of the vehicle to adjust the mirror while seated in the driver's seat. The mirror can be mounted on the vehicle using existing attachment brackets and can be wired into the existing electrical system of the vehicle. Upon activation of the switch, the mirror rotates from side to side a short distance in a slow and continuous motion until proper adjustment is reached and the switch is turned off. A spring located inside the mirror assembly provides tension to hold the mirror in its adjusted position, and to permit the mirror to give way to a force applied rearwardly on its outside edge and to turn toward the vehicle, then to return the mirror to its original position when the force is removed.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism for towing and maneuvering mobile and modular home sections, in which a frame structure is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle and a carriage is connected to the frame structure and supports a hitch head for connection to the towed vehicle. A first, second and third power means are provided for moving the hitch head laterally, vertically and longitudinally, the power means preferably being hydraulic cylinders operated by the hydraulic system of the towing vehicle. The frame structure is mounted on the towing vehicle and supports the power means for moving the hitch head and the adjacent end of the mobile and modular home sections laterally, vertically and longitudinally to assist in distributing the load for towing and to place the mobile or modular home section in the desired position at the location.

Abstract: A digital hysteresis circuit which generates delayed, clock-synchronous output pulses from input pulses having a random timing relationship with the clock. Input pulses slewing generally in or out on a repetitive clock defined time base may back up from the direction they are slewing by a predetermined time interval without changing the time position of the clock-synchronous, time-delayed output pulses which they successively generate. The circuit is useful in reducing jitter in the read-out of a digital counter while the counter is operating by preventing a load command pulse occurring at counter transition time from effecting a read-out at that instant, and further effective in reducing jitter in the commanded read out from a digital counter where system uncertainty might otherwise cause shift of successive input commands from their normally predictable time positions.

Abstract: A fast search system for DME generates range gates at the time an analog sweep voltage rises to the magnitude of an analog integrator waveform, the latter having a slope less than that of the sweep voltage and provided with a constant current source input. The current source is selectively inhibited by digital control means responsive to the relative time occurrence of range gates and reply pulses such that the range gate occurs during an instant interrogation period at a point in time corresponding to a predetermined percentage of the time at which appeared the first received reply pulse in a preceding interrogation period.