Abstract: This invention provides a touch bar exit device on a door. The exit device has a touch bar assembly having two ends supported at one end by an active case attached to the door and an inactive case fastened to the door at the other end. There is a means for creating tension on the touch bar assembly between the two ends when a load is applied against the touch bar assembly. Alternatively, the means for creating tension on the touch bar assembly between the two ends can occur in the absence of a load applied to the touch bar assembly.

Abstract: A porous membrane is provided by biaxially stretching a film of high density polyethylene (HDPE), including particles of an incompatible material. This film has a meshed network of HDPE fibers and striations of layers coplanar with the plane of the film. This film is porous in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film and has a void content of at least 20%. The porous membrane may have one or more nonporous backing layers. The membrane may be used as filter or battery separator.

Abstract: An electrical termination arrangement 70 including a multiple lead conductive flexible tape 14 has first and second ends, the first end being operatively associated with a first member. A stamped terminal has pins 73 corresponding to multiple leads 17 of the tape 14. The pins have first ends 80 for connection with a second member non-positionally affixed with respect to the first member. The pins 73 are parallel spaced from one another and are serially increasing in length. The pins 73 have contact areas 97 with the conductive flexible tape leads 17 in a serially laterally increasing manner.

Abstract: Readily castable high density polyethylene (HDPE) films, preferably containing broad molecular weight distribution HDPE resin having treated upper skin layers and untreated lower skin layers, preferably coextruded, on each side, wherein a particulate cross-linked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane is present in the untreated lower skin layer to reduce coefficient of friction and enhance machinability. The treated upper skin layer is derived from a polymer, e.g., ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer, and the lower skin layer is derived from a polymer such as ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer and LDPE compounded with silicone oil.

Abstract: Label applicator apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface which is movable relative to the apparatus. The label is carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship. The apparatus includes an edge over which the web is drawn whereby, when a force is applied along the web which exceeds a peeling threshold, the web is peeled away from the label and the label is dispensed at the edge. The apparatus includes pressing means located a set distance from the edge for pressing the label against the surface as it is dispensed, thereby adhering the label to the surface, and means for applying a peeling force which is greater than the peeling threshold during dispensing of at least an initial portion of the label which spans the set distance to initiate dispensing of the label.

Abstract: Label applicator apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface which is movable relative to the apparatus. The label is carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship. The apparatus includes an edge over which the web is drawn whereby, when a force is applied along the web which exceeds a peeling threshold, the web is peeled away from the label and the label is dispensed at the edge. The apparatus includes pressing means located a set distance from the edge for pressing the label against the surface as it is dispensed, thereby adhering the label to the surface, and means for applying a peeling force which is greater than the peeling threshold during dispensing of at least an initial portion of the label which spans the set distance to initiate dispensing of the label.

Abstract: A reverse opening vehicle door is provided (10), including a door body (16) having a fore portion (18) and an aft portion (20), a catch mechanism (50), and a hinge mechanism (70). The catch mechanism (50) and the hinge mechanism (70) permit the door body (16) to move between at least three positions including a closed position (22) having a fore closed position (30) and an aft closed position (32), an intermediate position (24) having an aft intermediate position (34) located outboard and rearward of the aft closed position (32) and a fore intermediate position (36) located rearward of the fore closed position (30), and an open position (26) in which the fore portion (18) is rotated rearward about the aft intermediate position (34).

Abstract: An LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) driver circuit having low sensitivity to fabrication process variation, power supply noise voltage variation, and operating temperature variation (PVT). The LVDS driver circuit includes a predriver having an input coupled to an internal circuit. The predriver is coupled to a current source. The current source includes a first resistance and is configured to produce a reference current through the first resistance. The reference current is coupled to the predriver to control an output swing of the predriver, the output swing determined by a ratio of the first resistance and a second resistance in the predriver. The ratio of the first and second resistance is such that the output swing is constant across PVT. An output driver is coupled to the predriver to receive the output swing. The output driver has an output for coupling an output signal to an external circuit.

Abstract: A bored-in latch assembly for an exit device having a latch tube which extends past the face plate and past at least a leading edge of the scalp where the leading edge of the scalp is adjacent to the face plate, thereby providing a bearing surface for the latchbolt within the latch tube and in which the bearing surface is free of any edges of the face plate and an edge of the scalp which is adjacent to the face plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a pitching machine for use in batting and fielding practice for baseball and softball. The pitching machine of the present invention uses an expanding gas to propel a ball down a barrel toward the intended target. While the expanding gas could be created by a variety of means without departing from the scope of the present invention, including a piston, ignition of a combustible fuel, or a chemical reaction, the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses compressed air in a reservoir. The compressed air is held in a reservoir and released into the barrel behind the ball using a quick release valve. Spin is imparted on the ball by means of an engageable friction surface which forms a portion of the barrel, thereby allowing the pitching machine of the present invention to simulate any type of pitch. The barrel is able to rotate relative to the pitching machine to allow the engageable friction surface to contact the ball at any angle.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for cooling compressor oil in a refrigeration system by passing the oil through a heat exchanger cooled by evaporating refrigerant. The refrigerant is pumped into the heat exchanger by a liquid refrigerant pump. The use of the pump avoids the requirement of a mixing pipe with an internal venturi nozzle, while also providing oil-cooling that is relatively free of noise and disturbance to those in the vicinity of the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A cardiac catheter testing apparatus having a support structure including a plurality of receptacles adapted to removably receive a first probe of an electrical continuity measuring device. The support structure also includes electrical contact prongs adapted to removably receive the connective end of a cardiac catheter, which catheter has at least one electrode at the end of the catheter substantially opposite the connective end. The testing apparatus also includes electrical contact elements electrically connected to the receptacles to form an electrical path between the first probe when inserted in one of the receptacles, the electrical contact elements and the signal generating electrode. A second probe is electrically connected to the electrical continuity measuring device which displays a value indicating the presence or absence of electrical continuity between the electrode and the connective end of the catheter when the second probe is brought into contact with the electrode.

Abstract: A device for closing swinging doors of the type utilizing a rotating member to compress a spring during door opening to store energy in the spring to effect a closing of the door is provided with a driving connection to a d.c motor/generator effective to cause rotation of the motor during a closing movement of the door. The motor/generator acts as a generator during the closing with the generated electrical energy fed back to the motor/generator to retard rotation of the rotor, providing a brake on the closing movement of the door. The feedback circuitry includes a switch disabling or diminishing the braking during the final degrees of closing movement as well as a variable setting device allowing control of braking force.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for an instrument delivery system having a base, a slide tray, movable relative to the base between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the latching mechanism comprises: an actuating unit, including a push button mounted on the slide tray, for moving a member from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the push button from an extended position to a depressed position; and a latching unit for latching the slide tray in at least one of the opened position and the closed position when the member is in the first position and for unlocking the slide tray when the member is in the second position.

Abstract: A device for controlling swinging doors utilizing an externally powered motor to compress a spring during door opening to store energy in the spring. The motor is not used to open the door, but only to compress the spring, thereby utilizing a minimum amount of electrical energy and allowing for a very easy opening of the door. The motor acts as a generator during the closing of the door with generated electrical energy fed back to the motor to retard rotation of the rotor, providing a brake on the closing movement of the door. The feedback circuitry includes a switch for varying the braking during the final degrees of closing movement as well as a variable setting device allowing control of braking force.

Abstract: A rod casing for activating vertically arranged latch bolts, the casing and latch bolts arranged in an active stile of a door and engageable to a door frame. The rod casing provides a vertically slidable actuator cam engageable by both a lock/unlock actuator and a delatch or dogging actuator. The lock/unlock actuator and the delatch actuator are rotatably mounted upon a spindle piece which itself is rotatable by a user such as by a key-activated lock cylinder. The lock/unlock actuator when rotated slidingly abuts the actuator cam and drives the actuator cam vertically upward to cause unlatching of the latch bolts. The delatch actuator, upon rotation of the spindle piece in an opposite direction underlies the actuator cam and dogs the actuator cam in its vertically risen position. To deactivate the delatch actuator, the lock/unlock actuator can be rotated to interfere and displace the delatch actuator to release the actuator cam from the dogging position.

Abstract: A rod casing for activating vertically arranged latch bolts, the casing and latch bolts arranged in an active stile of a door and engageable to a door frame. The rod casing provides a vertically slidable actuator cam engageable by both a lock/unlock actuator and a delatch or dogging actuator. The lock/unlock actuator and the delatch actuator are rotatably mounted upon a spindle piece which itself is rotatable by a user such as by a key-activated lock cylinder. The lock-unlock actuator when rotated, slidingly abuts the actuator cam and drives the actuator cam vertically upward to cause unlatching of the latch bolts. The delatch actuator, upon rotation of the spindle piece in an opposite direction underlies the actuator cam and dogs the actuator cam in its vertically risen position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for use with a panic exit device, particularly a top latch having a U-shape which engages a stem portion of a T-shaped receiving lug mounted overhead to a top member of the door frame. The U-shaped top latch is pivotably mounted to the active stile of the door. The latch assembly causes the U-shaped latch to pivot upward to capture the stationary T-shaped receiving lug, or pivot downwardly to disengage from the T-shaped receiving lug. The latch member is in sliding and abutting engagement with a latch cam which pivots in one direction to retain the latch member in an upward orientation to capture the T-shaped receiving lug, and pivots in an opposite direction to allow the latch member to pivot downwardly upon opening pressure on the door and actuation of the panic exit device, to release the latch member from the receiving lug.

Abstract: An improved security hinge is provided in which security control wires pass through only one or two knuckles of a hinge whereby improved structural integrity of the hinge is achieved. Slots are cut through the body of the hinge which extend only part way through the thickness of the body of the hinge, and which are located between fastener openings whereby the integrity of the body of the hinge is not impaired. Furthermore, the security control wires extend through only one or two knuckles of the hinge, leaving one or more knuckles undisturbed, whereby the structural integrity of the knuckle portion of the hinge is not impaired. In an alternative embodiment, a hollow sleeve is formed from hardened steel through which the security control wires pass, whereby even greater structural integrity is achieved.

Abstract: A variable support apparatus for supporting anatomical body weight. A supporting cusion, such as a mattress or a seat cushion, is provided with at least one relief device at a given location normally under a particular anatomical body area of a user. The relief device is periodically drawn inwardly or toward the bottom surface of the supporting cushion, compressing at least a portion of the cushion, to thereby provide pressure relief at that given location.