Abstract: Collapsible seats may be installed on a track or rail system to allow the collapsible seats to move laterally within a vehicle's interior. The track system also may permit removal of the collapsible seats from the vehicle. The collapsible seats may include a seat back with multiple sections joined by flexible hinges that permit folding of the seat pan and seat back in a lateral direction. In certain embodiments, the seat pan or the headrest also may include multiple sections joined by flexible hinges. The flexible hinges may allow the seats to collapse laterally to reduce the width of the seats. The available space for seating or cargo storage may be adjusted by selectively collapsing, expanding, and removing the collapsible seats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrated ATM surveillance of an area of interest, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), is presented. An embodiment includes a surveillance system for an ATM utilizing multiple cameras aimed at the user, the card slot, the cash dispenser, the surrounding areas and internally in the card reader (to link the card used to the ATM user). The cameras are constantly powered and begin to record images after a sensor is activated. A buffer of recorded imagery is maintained such that when the sensors are activated, the video processing equipment can store a pre-defined amount of time before the sensor is activated. The buffer allows for the video capture of events just prior to the activation of the sensor. A time stamp and any other relevant data from the cameras may also be included with the stored recorded video.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a securitized image comprising: obtaining a host image which is to be visible to an observer, obtaining a latent image to be concealed within the host image, adjusting the saturation of regions of at least one of the host image and the latent image such that when the latent image and the host image as adjusted are subsequently combined, the saturation of the combined regions will more closely approximate the saturation of corresponding regions of the original host image; and combining the latent image, and host image as adjusted to form a securitized image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for measuring magnetic force response time due to the magnetic viscosity of materials and for measuring total energy exchanged due to relative motion of magnetic materials. Voltage and current versus time through an electromagnet is measured and recorded. Corresponding force versus time is measured for magnetic forces applied to a material under test in response to energizing the electromagnet to determine effects of magnetic viscosity of the material under test. A test system is also provided for measuring energy exchanged due to the relative motion of magnetic materials. Absolute values of transferred mechanical energy and electrical energy are combined to determine the total energy exchanged by interaction of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

Abstract: A test system for measuring a rotary load comprises a stepper motor drives a gear box that is mounted at one end of a frame. A torque sensor provides a measurement signal transmission. The gear box's output shaft is connected to one of the torque sensor's stubs by means of a universal joint coupling. On the other side of the torque sensor a second universal joint coupling connects the sensor to a stainless steel shaft. A low friction flange bearing is used to provide support for the shaft. An angle encoder is disposed on the end of the shaft distal to the gear box. The gear box's output shaft, the torque sensor's cylindrical shaft hubs and associated couplings are arranged such that they are directly aligned with the shaft. The test system has been designed to take automated torque and angle readings from a shaft capable of rotary motion.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

Abstract: A target wheel for a camshaft phaser stamped and drawn from sheet metal stock. The hub region of the target wheel may be drawn such that it extends through the phaser cover plate and seals directly against the face of the rotor, allowing a shorter cam bolt and resulting in reduction in mass and cost of the phaser. Alternatively, a separate hub is formed and then attached to a simplified stamped and drawn target wheel, or a target wheel hub is formed integrally with the rotor and extends through the cover plate to mate with a simplified stamped and drawn target wheel. Preferably, the hub is formed having a neck extending through a central opening in the target wheel, which neck is peened over during assembly to secure the wheel to the hub.

Abstract: A target wheel/rotor pre-assembly for a camshaft phaser. A phaser rotor includes a central bore. A target wheel axial extension having a plurality of barbs is entered into the bore to fix the target wheel to the rotor, both axially and rotationally, prior to assembly of the rotor into a phaser stator during manufacture of the phaser. Simple gauge blocks or a fixture can be used to index the target wheel to the rotor such that all such rotor/wheel subassemblies are substantially identical, to a high degree of precision. Alternatively, the axial extension may be formed without barbs, the extension inserted into the rotor bore, and then the extension immobilized as by stamping of the barbs, tack welding, or the like. For another example, the axial extension may be formed as a separate intermediate barbed retainer that engages both the rotor bore and the target wheel.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

Abstract: In a computer game, game state is saved when indicated and a history of previous game play is also recorded. Upon resumption, the history of previous game play is presented to the user and the game does not accept user input to alter the replaying game sequence. Then, once the replay is at an end, the game resumes with user control and with the saved game state. In this manner, the user can be refamiliarized with the particular instance of the game that was saved before having to take control of the game. The games might be fantasy games, sports games, adventure games, or other types of games. In a specific embodiment, as the game is played, the events of the game are stored in a circular buffer of some determined time period. The determined time period might be user settable or set by the game designer based on memory available and the type of game.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pressure tank valve socket are disclosed which may be used to safely remove the valve from a propane or other pressure tank without damaging the valve. The pressure tank valve socket applies force only to the sturdiest part of the valve and, thus, prevents injury to the more delicate parts of the valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pressure tank valve socket are disclosed which may be used to safely remove the valve from a propane or other pressure tank without damaging the valve. The pressure tank valve socket applies force only to the sturdiest part of the valve and, thus, prevents injury to the more delicate parts of the valve.

Abstract: A box for electrical and communication receptacles is mounted in an opening in a furniture unit, and in particular, the top surface of an office conference table. The box has an opened top, and a cover is pivotably mounted to the opened top and movable between an opened position for providing access to the electrical and communications receptacles within the box, and a closed position in which access to within the box is restricted. The electrical receptacles within the box are coupled to an external source of electrical power by an electrical cord, and the communication receptacles within the box are coupled to external communication lines. The box is electrically grounded by the electrical cord coupling the box to the external source of electrical power. A wire is coupled between a surface of the grounded box and the pivotable cover to be in permanent engagement with the pivotable cover for providing continuous electrical grounding of the cover.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controllably directing pressurized engine oil to deactivation valve lifters to activate or deactivate the associated engine intake and exhaust valves. Passages to the lifters are controllably opened or closed by a solenoid control valve responsive to signals from a computerized engine control system. Preferably, the hydraulic control system includes a top plate having a first pattern of channels and bores formed in its underside, and a bottom plate having a second such pattern formed in its upper surface. The top and bottom plates are joined to form a hydraulic distribution manifold mounted on the engine. In a presently preferred embodiment, a gasket plate having bores and patterns of resilient gasketing material is provided between the top and bottom plates to simplify fabrication of the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controllably directing pressurized engine oil to deactivation valve lifters to activate or deactivate the associated engine intake and exhaust valves. Passages to the lifters are controllably opened or closed by a solenoid control valve responsive to signals from a computerized engine control system. Preferably, the hydraulic control system includes a top plate having a first pattern of channels and bores formed in its underside, and a bottom plate having a second such pattern formed in its upper surface. The top and bottom plates are joined to form a hydraulic distribution manifold mounted on the engine. In a presently preferred embodiment, a gasket plate having bores and patterns of resilient gasketing material is provided between the top and bottom plates to simplify fabrication of the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for slurry incorporating particulate solids in suspension to provide an initial inlet port opening clearance corresponding to the exposed area of overlap between the port and each corresponding cylinder opening sufficient to permit substantially uninterrupted passage of particulate solids at the commencement of each suction cycle, the cylinder openings and following the initial overlap the total cross-sectional flow area exposed to each of the ports is generally constant irrespective of the rotational position of the barrel within the housing such that a constant volummetric flow rate of the driving fluid tends to effect a corresponding substantially constant volummetric flow rate of the fluid to be pumped.