Abstract: A clamping device for mounting an alignment head to the hub of a vehicle which comprises a frame; a shaft upon which the head is mountable connected to the frame; a first clamping member connected to the frame and comprising a first groove for engaging at least a first bolt of the hub; and a second clamping member movably connected to the frame and comprising a second groove for engaging at least a second bolt of the hub.

Abstract: An automotive service equipment system for measuring vehicle or vehicle component characteristics is disclosed which includes an expert system so that operators at all skill levels may operate the system efficiently and relatively error free. Such systems as vehicle wheel aligners, vehicle wheel balancers and vehicle brake lathes are described in conjunction with a corresponding expert system.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A passive unit is upgraded by with a circuit having connectors that separates the AC from the RF signal. The signals are split in the upgraded passive unit. The AC signal is fed to a power distribution unit which generates an AC output signal that is surge protected, RF filtered and current limited. The RF signal and AC output signal are separately fed to a customer interface unit where the RF signal is decoded and transmitted to a subscriber. By providing a passive unit where the AC and RF signal are separated in the same unit, the system can be upgraded with a power distribution unit when AC signals are required to supply power to subscriber equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and automatically calibrating the primary sensors of a vehicle wheel aligner comprises secondary sensors for signaling the control means of the wheel aligner when the wheels are in known angular orientations. The outputs from the primary angle determining sensors of the wheel aligner are recorded when the secondary sensors signal the control means, and the control means calculates a calibration relationship between the outputs and the known angles to apply to future outputs of the primary sensors.

Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus comprising eight sensors for measuring the toe angles of the wheels of a vehicle and a computer for calculating toe angle information from any six companion sensors and for comparing the toe angle information calculated using the six sensors with the toe angle information calculated using at least the remaining two sensors to determine if the wheel alignment apparatus is in calibration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the vertical distance between a point on a vehicle and a reference line comprises a linear measuring device, a fixture to aid in the taking of linear measurements of the point along two oblique angles, and a computer for calculating the vertical distance from these two measurements.

Abstract: The electrical wiring device 20 for power control having low voltage input includes a first electrical connection element 46 for interconnection to conductors in a first group, a second electrical connection element 50 for interconnection to conductors in a second group, a mounting strap 52 for mounting the wiring device 20 in an electrical device box 84, a housing 22 in which the first electrical connection element 46 is located, and a tubular projection 32 mountable on the housing 22, the projection 32 separating the conductors in the first group from the conductors in the second group. The first group of conductors includes power-limited Class 2 and Class 3 conductors. The second group includes electric light, power, Class 1, or non-power limited fire protection signaling conductors.

Abstract: Extraneous and undesirable particulate matter is suppressed in a reaction chamber for treating semiconductor materials by depositing a thin layer of polymeric or equivalent insulating material over the entire interior surfaces of the reaction chamber prior to any treatment therein of semiconductor wafers or the like. This process is repeated as necessary after the initial treatment of the wafers has begun, and this treatment will typically include the layer deposition and layer etching on the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers. The periodic intervals between subsequent polymer layer deposition within the reaction chamber is selected in proportion to measured etch or deposition rates therein to thereby optimize the stability and uniformity of these etch and deposition rates, while simultaneously maintaining a maximum degree of cleanliness within the reaction chamber and minimizing down time therefor.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system is disclosed which measures the angles between the planes of the wheels on the same side, at the front and diagonally opposite on a four wheel vehicle. The measurements are processed to provide wheel toe, relative wheel plane orientation, front wheel offset and front and rear wheel setback relative to the vehicle frame to assist in damage assessment.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to apparatus and method for finding the orientation of a steering pivot axis for a wheel in a pair of steerable wheels in a vehicle suspension system, wherein arbitrary steering directions are imparted to the wheels and measurements are taken of the steering directions and the other steerable wheel alignment characteristics of interest. The measurements are transmitted to a computer which serves to calculate caster, steering axis inclination and the orientation of the steering pivot axis relative to a defined three dimensional alignment coordinate system.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an alignment system and method which provides improved accuracy measurement of vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, guidance for an operator through known yet obscure adjustment procedures, an interface between system alignment sensors and the system controller which provides efficient handling of system generated data and system inputs and outputs, and live measurements and display of all alignment quantities so that interdependent changes between adjustable alignment quantities are observable.

Abstract: A hand operated tool for terminating the conductors of a hybrid cable to insulation displacement contacts contained in a connector. The tool includes a ratchet actuated cam which drives a ram and presser plate toward an abutting member upon which the connector assembly is secured. Free ends of the abutting member pass through the connector housing to provide adequate support. The free ends are then structurally supported by a bar that can be latched in place during operation of the tool. An interlock precludes operation of the tool without the support bar being in place. The operable handle which drives the ratchet is automatically disengaged when the ram has advanced to its fullest. A release mechanism provides for return of the ram to its starting position.

Abstract: A combination tire and rim assembly match mounting, match grinding and balancing machine has a load roller for contacting the mounted tire periphery with a predetermined force. The displacement of the roller provides a measure of tire radial runout and either a vision system or mechanical probes provide a measure of rim radial runout. A controller operates to calculate the least square best fit between the tire and the rim and to control the match grinding to provide improvement in the tire and rim assembly operating vibration characteristics.

Abstract: A glenoid prosthesis and method for affixing the same to a resected portion of a glenoid cavity on the head of the scapula. Th glenoid prosthesis has a lateral surface for articulating with the humeral head and a flat medial surface which engages a flat surface resected from the glenoid cavity. In a first embodiment, a pair of pegs extend medially from the flat medial surface of the glenoid prosthesis which are positioned in a pair of holes and the mating flat surfaces and pegs and holes are bonded with cement. The flat mating surfaces resist rocking under applied superior-inferior loading. Resection of the bone is simplified by providing a flat resected surface and holes drilled substantially perpendicular thereto. Preferably, grooves are provided in the pegs to provide an increased area for bonding, and preferably the grooves are graduated in depth to provide greater strength at the proximal end of the pegs where the highest stresses occur.

Abstract: A convenience outlet assembly having a wall box which can be mounted relative to a stud in light frame construction is suitable for use with a hybrid cables containing both power and signal conductors. The assembly includes a mounting bracket attachable to a stud and a wall box which can be attached to the mounting bracket with a peripheral frame on the front of the wall box being precisely positioned relative to the exterior of a wall panel, even through the position of the mounting bracket can vary. A cable tap subassembly attachable to provided for interconnection of various modules in the assembly. This cable tape subassembly can be part of the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: Cable tap and splice assembly for selectively connecting tap conductors to cable wire conductors comprises a housing having a cable wire locator for locating the cable wires in predetermined coplanar positions. A plurality of bus conductors are provided in the housing and extend parallel to the cable wires with each bus connector being dedicated to, and associated with, a single cable wire. The bus conductors have receptacle sites which are accessible from the exterior of the housing so that terminals can be mated with the bus conductors. Connecting devices extend from the bus conductors to the cable wires. The assembly has a major surface having defined zones, each of which receives an electrical connector that has male terminals which are mated with specific cable wires when the connector is coupled to the major surface. The bus conductors can also connect two connecting devices engaging two wires in separate cables positioned in abuttment with a central, removable, partition in the cable clamp.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly in the form of a cable tap for use with a flat cable having wires of different sizes includes insulation penetrating terminals having sharp points on opposite sides of an insulation displacement slot. These sharp points are spaced apart and configured to reduce the tendency of the slots to diverge prior to engagement with the wires. Each slotted plate has inner and outer sloping edges with a slope of the inner edge relative to the center line of the slot being less than the slope of the outer knife edge so as to reduce the resultant force tending open the slot prior to engagement of the terminals with the wires. Additonally, the sharp points of a given terminal are spaced apart a lateral distance of from 1 to 1.5 times the diameter of the wire to be terminated therebetween. The terminals are positioned within the housing which is matable to a clamp having cylindrical grooves adapted to closely fit the curved outer cylindrical crest surrounding the ground wires in the cable.

Abstract: Cable tap assembly for selectively connecting tap conductors to cable wire conductors comprises a housing having a cable wire locator for locating the cable wires in predetermined coplanar positions. A plurality of bus conductors are provided in the housing and extend parallel to the cable wires with each bus conductor being dedicated to, and associated with, a single cable wire. The bus conductors have receptacle sites which are accessible from the exterior of the housing so that terminals can be mated with the bus conductors. Connecting devices extend from the bus conductors to the cable wires. The assembly has a major surface having defined zones, each of which receives an electrical connector that has male terminals which are mated with specific cable wires when the connector is coupled to the major surface.

Abstract: Electrical connecting device such as a bus bar comprises a folded section of sheet metal having a bight and arms extending from the bight. Receptacle portions are provided in the form of openings in the bight so that a tab contact can be inserted into one of the openings and will engage the opposed internal surfaces of the arms. In addition, contact sites are provided on the distal ends of the arms for contacting the devices which have wire-receiving slots on their ends. A conductor in a cable can thus be connected to a plurality of second conductors which are attached to the tab members that are inserted into the receptacle portions in the bight.

Abstract: A glenoid prosthesis and method for affixing the same. The glenoid prosthesis has a lateral surface for articulating with a humeral head and a flat medial surface which engages a flat resected surface on the scapula head. In a first embodiment, an integral plastic prosthesis has a pair of pegs extending from a flat medial surface which are positioned in a pair of holes drilled in the bone. The mating flat surfaces and pegs and holes are bonded with cement. The flat mating surfaces resist rocking under applied superior-inferior loading and resection is simplified by providing a flat resected surface and holes drilled substantially perpendicular thereto. Grooves are provided in the pegs to provide an increased area for bonding and the grooves are of graduated depth to provide greater strength at the proximal end of the pegs where the highest stresses occur.