Abstract: The present invention relates in general to ear muffs and in particular to an earmuff that are to be used in conjunction with headphones for portable radios, cassette players and the like. The outer surface of the earmuff is a solid shape resembling a standard earmuff while the inner side that faces the ear breaks apart into 2 C-shape donut halves to accommodate the placement of the headphone speaker. This design allows the earmuff to be positioned around the headphone speaker by means of the 2 C-shape donut halves and reconnect together around the headphone speaker in order to stabilize against the headphone and allow space for the headphone band and speaker wire between the connected respective halves of the donut. The earmuff makes use of the unique donut design to accommodate various styles of portable headphones while providing maximum insulation to the ear. The earmuffs are detachable and can be exchanged.

Abstract: The present invention provides safety confirmation or hazard warning to a technician in the field, e.g., by scanning an equipment identification label and comparing the identification to a schedule of equipment inactivation times. The systems and methods of the invention can optionally provide remote interactions to reschedule inactivations or to protect the technician by lock-out from a hazardous condition.

Abstract: A system and a method store, display and report outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls from a subscriber's telephone. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to an interface server in another network via a generic data interface. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database and sends the call data and the additional information to an outgoing call log database, which stores the call data and the additional information as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing polymers which contain as polymerized units hydrophobic monomers wherein a stable emulsion is formed and the formation of suspension particles is minimized. The process includes making a concentrated monomer emulsion, diluting the concentrated monomer emulsion with water, feeding the diluted monomer emulsion to a reactor, and polymerizing the monomer.

Abstract: This application describes a method and system for transmitting information from a vehicle, machine or equipment in order to conduct its prescribed maintenance. The method sources the data from either of distance traveled, hours operated or its condition. The typical maintenance is defined by preventive or condition monitoring or service activities. The system generates the appropriate signal to deliver, via wireless, the signal to alert or alarm that the critical set point measurement is arrived at, or exceeded. This signal informs by email and further selects the elements of maintenance activities from an electronic database and forwards it to conduct the said service activities.

Abstract: Variable valve timing is provided to control compressors and expanders in a fuel cell powering system in order to provide for matching the displaced volume of the compressor and expander over a range of pressure delivery requirements. A movable timing edge is positioned adjacent inlet and/or discharge ports to cooperate with a movable valve element with inlet and outlet slots to adjust the time and time period of open and close operations. Several embodiments are presented.

Abstract: An electrical connector support system that includes a bracket having a base with a rear portion and a front portion and a second base positioned above and in front of the front portion of the base. An electrical connector is attached to the bracket and positioned over the second base so as not to be supported on the second base.

Abstract: Fluid displacement apparatus with a set of opposing pistons in traveling chambers and a set of opposing pistons in stationary bores; a second embodiment with all pistons in traveling chambers; a third embodiment with all pistons in stationary bores. In each embodiment the displacement of the pistons can be different and the displacement can be variable. The apparatus is connected to a fuel cell stack to supply compressed gaseous fluid from a portion of the chambers and receive exhaust from the fuel cell stack in other chambers to perform an expander function. The apparatus can also be connected to a fuel cell stack and a reformer to supply compressed gaseous fluid to both and to receive exhaust from both as an expander. The chambers are sized differently to provide a pressure ratio across the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The task indicator decals imprinted with coding means including informative colors, symbolic pictographs, alphanumeric descriptors and/or bar codes and having adhesive backing means for mounting on equipment or equipment components to express preventive maintenance or condition monitoring task information at the point of service. Computer directed processes of making task indicator decals and the use of task indicator decals in preventive maintenance or condition monitoring systems.

Abstract: A ride-on toy vehicle for a pre-school child, the vehicle having a soft and compressible body which functions as a saddle. The body of the toy resembles an animal such as a sea turtle, or a familiar vehicle such as an ice cream truck. The body is mounted on a wheeled chassis whereby a child astride the body and holding onto a rein attached thereto can push and propel the ride-on vehicle with his feet. The chassis which accommodates the body includes parallel side walls having front and rear-end bearing holes. Bridging the parallel walls and passing through the front end bearing holes to join a pair of front wheels is a front axle. Bridging the parallel walls and passing through the rear end bearing holes to join a pair of rear wheels is a rear axle. The underside of the body is provided with front and rear channel pieces, the front axle extending through the front channel piece and the rear axle extending through the rear channel piece, thereby anchoring the body on the chassis.

Abstract: An aerodynamic, neutrally bouyant, mylar toy, comprises itself of a helium filled, mylar brand balloon with its accompaning convenient, flexible one-way valve, which is specifically weighted at its perimeter to exhibit dynamic flight characteristics due primarily to its centrifugal properties.The aerodynamic toy is weighted with a variety of ballasts to achieve a horizontal, neutral buoyant, list-free, static equilibrium attitude. Such ballasts are ingeniously positioned to first offset the intrinsic weight of said fill valve to create a list-free horizontal attitude. Ballast is subsequently added to the perimeter until said toy is counter-ballanced against the forces of gravity. In the case of a round balloon weighted and positioned horizontally, some ballast is added at its southern most concentric axis in order to easily facilitate the return of a neutral buoyant attitude of said toy, due to the inevitable loss of helium,and without effecting its said static, list-free equilibrium.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus (12) includes a voltage regulator arrangement (14), a charging transistor (16), a switching transistor (18), and preferably an operational status indicating arrangement (20). The voltage regulator arrangement (14) receives an input voltage signal from a voltage source (22) and produces a regulated voltage output to be applied to a battery (10) to be charged. The charging transistor (16) is connected with its collector-emitter current path completing a charging circuit from the voltage regulator arrangement (14) through the battery (10) to be charged and is forward biased in normal operation by a signal derived from the regulated voltage output. A switching transistor (18) has its collector-emitter current path connected in parallel with the battery (10) and collector-emitter current path of the charging transistor (16) to complete a bypass circuit around the battery.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel superconducting materials exhibiting superconductivity at temperatures exceeding 90 K. with chemical formula Tl.sub.a Pb.sub.b Ca.sub.c Sr.sub.d R.sub.e Cu.sub.f O.sub.g where R=Y or the lanthanide rare earth elements and where 0.3.ltoreq.a,b.ltoreq.0.7, 0.05.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.1.1,2-c.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.1.95, 0.05.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.1, 1.9.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.2.1 and 6.5.ltoreq.g.ltoreq.7.5. These compounds, which are layered perovskite-like oxides, exhibit a high chemical stability, form readily into nearly single phase, do not require adjustment of oxygen stoichiometry after synthesis and compositions may be chosen allowing superconductivity at temperatures exceeding 100 K. A preferred form of the superconducting materials is the range of compositions given by the chemical formulaTl.sub.0.5+x Pb.sub.0.5-x Ca.sub.1-y Sr.sub.2-z R.sub.y+z Cu.sub.2 O.sub.7.+-..delta.where 0.ltoreq.x, 8.ltoreq.0.3, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.95, 0.05.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1-y of which a preferred form isTl.sub.0.

Abstract: A hygienic dispenser for hard candies and medicaments in wafer form, each package of which is constituted by a stack of such wafers protectively sealed in an inner foil wrapper to create a roll that is surrounded by a removable outer sleeve. The dispenser includes a tubular container for receiving the roll through its open end and to seat it on an axially-advanceable platform which urges the roll upwardly. Covering the open end of the container and pivoted thereto is a cap whose thickness corresponds to that of a wafer. The cap is laterally swingable to a cocked position in which the open end is uncovered to release the roll which is then advanced by the platform to engage a visor projecting from the top of the cap, thereby exposing the uppermost wrapped wafer. When the cap is swung back to again cover the open end, it acts to sever the wrapper and discharge the uppermost wafer, the next wafer in the roll then engaging the cap in readiness for the next operation.