Abstract: A unitary nutplate for a fluid filter assembly provides a threaded mounting interface between an engine block mounting base and the remainder of the fluid filter assembly. The unitary nutplate is designed with an enlarged inside diameter in order to reduce the moment arm between the outer shell of the fluid filter assembly and the filtering element. With the enlarged inside diameter, the annular sidewall of the unitary nutplate does not include any flow passageways for the entering fluid and accordingly other flow passageways are created. In one arrangement, the nutplate has a generally cylindrical lower wall which cooperates with an inner seal which is designed with fluid flow passageways. In an alternate nutplate design, depending projections from the lower edge of the nutplate provide a series of flow passageways therebetween and the cooperating inner seal does not include flow passageways.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a fluid filter assembly which is constructed and arranged to threadedly mount onto an engine block mounting base includes an inner seal and an outer seal. The fluid filter assembly includes an outer shell, a filtering element located within the outer shell and defining therewith an annular clearance space. The fluid filter assembly further includes a nutplate which is anchored to the outer shell and which includes an internally-threaded center aperture for threaded engagement onto the engine block mounting base. The inner seal is positioned between the nutplate and the filtering element and cooperates with the nutplate in order to provide a plurality of flow paths between the inner seal and the nutplate from the engine mounting base to the annular clearance space. The outer seal is positioned between the engine block mounting base and the nutplate and includes a pair of spaced-apart ribs which provide a sealing interface against the engine block mounting base.

Abstract: A switch panel for use in dispensing equipment which includes a switch plate having a plurality of switch positions with each having an area for receiving and mounting a first electrical switch component thereat, and at least one switch activating selector button having a second electrical switch component fixed thereto. Mounting means are provided for pivotally mounting a selector button at each selected switch position by pressing mounting ears on the selector button through appropriate slots in the switch plate until openings in the selector button are engaged by pivot pins in the switch plate, all without using any tools or connecting elements.

Abstract: The invention discloses a transgenic method for producing parthenocarpic fruits or fruits with reduced seed number. It involves the temporal expression of a plant hormone or precursor or other such gene so that gibberellin or other similar hormonal activity involved in initiating fruit set activity is potentiated. The gene is operably linked to a regulatory promoter so that expression is timed prior to pollen development or fertilization. Expression of the hormone causes fruit development in the absence of fertilization. The method also results in a fruit that has diminished or very little seed. The invention also includes transgenic constructs, vectors, and methods for production of the parthenocarpic plants.

Abstract: A fuel filter constructed and arranged with a heater and designed for fuel-water separation includes a unitary housing (casting) which has an open top to be closed by a threaded lid and a closed base which in combination with a surrounding sidewall defines an interior space. A fuel filter cartridge including a filter element, centertube, and top and bottom endplates is disposed in the interior space such that there is a water collection space between the bottom endplate and the closed base of the housing. The lid includes a plurality of snap-fit fingers arranged in an annular array for press-on attachment to the top endplate. A heater ring is provided within the housing and is positioned around the filter cartridge. The heater ring provides both a flow path for entering fuel and a plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient stones which assist in the heating of the fuel. Control of the heater ring is provided by a heater connector and thermostat combination.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a vehicle having a vapor recovery system having a fuel dispenser configured to deliver fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle, a vapor recovery system operatively associated with the fuel dispenser having a vapor path for removing fuel vapor expelled from the fuel tank of the vehicle during a fueling operation, and a hydrocarbon vapor sensor associated with the vapor path for sensing the fuel vapors in the vapor path, wherein when the vapor sensor does not sense fuel vapor during the fueling operation, the fuel dispenser determines the vehicle contains an onboard vapor recovery system. Once a vehicle having an onboard vapor recovery system is detected, the vapor recovery system is either shut off or adjusted during the fueling operation to minimize fugitive emissions.

Abstract: The invention discloses a transgenic method for producing fruit with diminished or very little seeds or fruits with reduced seed number. It involves the temporal expression of a cytotoxic gene or combination of genes targeted toward arresting seed development at a time sufficiently after pollination that fruit development and maturation is normal while early enough in seed development that seed maturation per se is minimized. The invention also includes transgenic constructs, vectors, and methods for production of the fruit with diminished or very little seed bearing plants.

Abstract: A threaded fastener which is constructed to be turned in one direction by a square socket drive includes a threaded stem and an integral modified head arranged with four raised projections which are circumferentially spaced. Each of the four raised projections includes a substantially flat wall portion and a curved and inclined ramp portion. The four flat wall portions effectively define a square center region which is compatibly sized to receive a one-half inch square socket drive. Rotation of the square socket drive in a counterclockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to engage the flat wall portions so as to turn the threaded fastener in a counterclockwise direction. Any attempt to rotate the square socket drive in a clockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to ride up along the ramp portions and ride out of engagement with the modified head of the threaded fastener.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle access preventive device for use with a vehicle having a door closable against a door frame, includes a hook member adapted to engage a post on the inner surface of the door frame, and an outer module adapted to abut against an outer surface of the door. A strap is attached between the hook member and the outer module and is adapted to lie in a space between the door and the door frame. A locking bar, used in a four-door vehicle for example, includes a hook end for engaging with a rear wheel skirt of the vehicle and an opposite end connectable with the outer module. The outer module includes a roller rotatably mounted therein, with one end of the strap attached to the roller and wound thereabout, and a spring rotationally biasing the roller to wind the strap such that the strap can be tightened between the outer module and the hook member, and a restraining assembly for releasably restraining the roller to prevent loosening of the strap.

Abstract: A media disk storage container includes a lid and a base connected by a hinge, both the lid and the base having inner and outer surfaces for receiving separate sheets of printed paperboard. The outer surfaces of the lid and base are recessed to protect the paperboard sheets adhered thereto from being damaged by contact with other surfaces. The base includes a recessed spine for receiving an extension of the paperboard sheet which covers the outer surface of the base, so that identifying printed matter can be displayed on the spine. Likewise, the lid includes a recessed section along its upper sidewall for receiving an extension of the printed paperboard sheet which covers the outer surface of the lid.

Abstract: A real-time data processing system employs a control computer which defines a pre-processing arrangement of data channels to speed processing, and an arrangement of output data channels to provide a desired output format. The data channels are samples and arranged into a data packet which is passed to an array of digital signal processors (DSPs) arranged in a series of stages, with at least one DSP per stage. A front-end DSP receives the data packet and appends a control field having commands addressed to specific DSPs to the data packet along with adding a monitor field. The DSPs monitor the control field for commands addressed to it and then executes those. The status of the operation is written in the monitor field and the data packet is passed to DSPs of the next stage for `pipelined` processing. DSPs of the last stage collect the process portions of the data packet, assemble them according to the desired output format and pass on the completed data packet.