Abstract: A door handle and liquid dispensing apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to an associated door and a porous material. The housing at least partially defines a reservoir configured to hold a liquid for cleaning a person's hand when the person opens the associated door. The porous material is disposed in and extends from the reservoir. A portion of the porous material is disposed adjacent a location typically touched by the person's hand when opening the associate door.

Abstract: A door handle and liquid dispensing apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to an associated door and a porous material. The housing at least partially defines a reservoir configured to hold a liquid for cleaning a person's hand when the person opens the associated door. The porous material is disposed in and extends from the reservoir. A portion of the porous material is disposed adjacent a location typically touched by the person's hand when opening the associate door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation. After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation. After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brightening and dimming a brake light of automotive vehicle for enhanced display indication of braking includes a pulse width modulation unit to be electrically connected to a brake lamp for sequentially modulating the supply energy to the lamp to generate a brightening and dimming of the lamp. A time extent of the modulation is detected so that the modulation can be stopped after a preselected time period and the light will be continually on as in a conventional braking operation After the brake is released by the operator, a second preselected time period for locking out the sequential interrupting is timed down, for avoiding repetitive flashing during stop-and-go traffic.

Abstract: An electrothermal actuator includes a housing containing a working fluid and a heater disposed in the fluid within the housing. A piston is slidably disposed in the housing for movement in response to heating and cooling of the working fluid. An output member is coupled to the piston and movable between first and second positions for transmitting a drive force from the piston to a load. A latch mechanism is operatively connected to the output member for releasably latching the output member in the second position without continuously heating the working fluid. The latch mechanism includes a coil and a magnetic member that releases the latch in response to a force produced by a magnetic field generated when a current flows through the coil. The output member can move linearly or rotationally.

Abstract: A spray control device for controlling the lateral discharge of spray generated by the rotation of a wheel of a wheeled vehicle during its forward movement over a wet surface, comprises a hollow body mountable to a sidewall of the vehicle above and laterally outwardly in relation to the wheel of the vehicle. The hollow body has a vertically elongated forwardly opening inlet at a forward end thereof for intaking air into the hollow body during forward movement of the vehicle, a horizontally elongated laterally inwardly directed outlet at a lower edge of the body, and at least one channel extending from the inlet to the outlet for directing air flow from the inlet to the outlet, which channel decreases in cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet whereby air flow speed is increased to create a high velocity air screen directed inwardly above and across the wheel toward the center of the vehicle.

Abstract: A level warning device for dump trucks comprises a light transmissive tubular trackway having raised, closed ends and a mount for securing the tubular trackway to a transverse member of the bed of the truck. The trackway includes a detent at a central location which defines a pocket lateral of the passage defined within the trackway. The trackway itself comprises straight, tubular segments which are inclined with respect to a horizontal axis at angles equal to the critical angle at which the truck would likely start to turn over. Positioned above a central region of the trackway is a photo-electric switch. Optically aligned with the photo-electric switch from below the trackway is an element for emitting an infra-red beam through the tubular element. A ball which is sized to roll freely in the trackway and the pocket is held within the detent pocket while the bed is in a lowered position by reason of the inclination of the detent at such conditions.

Abstract: An exercise device for simulating cross-country skiing in which the user stands on a pair of foot plates moveably mounted on a pair of tracks extending along a base frame. A pair of endless flexible belts extends about rollers located at the front and rear of the frame and extend along the tracks beneath the foot plates. An eccentric cam is mounted on the bottom of each of the foot plates and drivingly connects the foot plate to its respective belt by clamping the belt against a bracket upon movement of the foot plate in a rearward direction and which releases the clamping engagement with the belt upon movement of the foot plate in the forward direction to simulate movement of a pair of cross-country skis. An adjustable brake provides resistances to the movement of the belts when the foot plates are moved in the rearward direction. A pair of hand manipulated tension cables are mounted on a pedestal to provide resistance to arm movement of the users to simulate operation of ski poles.

Abstract: Inflation apparatus for hollow flexible wall objects, such as playballs, in which the source of inflation gas or air is normally inoperative until the object to be inflated is moved into engagement with a gas injection needle for energizing the source of inflation gas, and the source of inflation gas is returned to its normally inoperative state upon the object reaching its desired inflated size. Upon the removal of the inflated object the apparatus is returned to a condition where a subsequent object to be inflated can be supplied with the inflation gas.

Abstract: A flexible coiled linear actuator linkage is disclosed. The linkage couples the piston rod of a linear actuator to a rotatable control arm having a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of the piston rod during its power stroke. The linkage is threaded onto the piston rod of the linear actuator for a positive anchorage at one end and is secured by a connection loop onto a thrust lever of the control arm at the other end. During a positive displacement of the piston rod, the linkage transforms the longitudinal linear motion of the actuator into a pivotal rotary motion by a bending flexure of its body. A plurality of release loops for facilitating the disassembly of the connection between the actuator and the control arm are further provided according to another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A panic stoplight system for automobiles includes a fluid pressure switching device connected through a flasher with signal lights for operation by the automobile braking system. The fluid pressure switching device closes for flashing the signal lights only when the force applied to the actuator of the braking system is representative of panic braking. Time delay means keeps the system energized for a predetermined time after panic braking ceases.