Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly and lifter assembly all powered by hydraulic cylinders to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, and then horizontally as the hydraulic cylinders extend or retract to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The lifter assembly assists in raising and lowering the expandable room so that when the room is extended, the floor of the expandable room will be substantially flush with the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of adding a new connection (c, d) to a time:space:time switch fabric. The fabric has a set I of k input elements, a set M of m switch elements, and a set O of l output elements. Each input element contributes one input to each switch element, and each output element receives one output from each switch element. A state Sm characterizes the switch elements as a set of ordered pairs (i, j), where (i, j) ? Sm if and only if the jth output element is coupled to the ith input element through one of the switch elements. The range of Sm is the set of outputs of Sm such that if j ? range(Sm) then (i, j) ? Sm for some i ? I. The domain of Sm is the set of inputs of Sm such that if i ? domain(Sm) then (i, j) ? Sm for some j ? O.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper made of an outer material, a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer, a lining, an insole, and an injection-molded sole. The upper has an extension made of a porous, permeable material and the insole is joined to the extension of the upper. The functional layer and the lining extend beyond a lower edge of the upper and only partially overlap the extension of the upper. The functional layer is spaced from an edge of the insole and the extension of the upper is penetrated by the material of the sole. A part of the functional layer extending beyond a lower edge of the upper is joined to the material of the sole, and a space between the functional layer and the edge of the insole is filled with the material of the sole as far as the interior of the shoe structure.

Abstract: A waterproof shoe structure having an exterior upper (1), an interior upper including a waterproof, water vapor permeable functional layer (2a) arranged adjacent to the exterior upper (1) and a lining (2) facing the shoe interior, an insole (4, 4a, 4c) and an outsole (6), wherein the interior upper has a lower end region (2b) that extends at least for the most part beyond the lower end of the exterior upper, and which is joined on the one hand to the exterior upper (1) and on the other hand to the insole (4, 4a, 4c). The lower end region of the interior upper that extends beyond the exterior upper (1) is folded outwards in such a way that the functional layer in the entire end region (2b) is turned back on itself, and the interior upper has a lower edge arising from this folding, that the free end of the outwardly folded interior upper is joined to the exterior upper (1), and that the lower edge of the interior upper is joined to the insole (4, 4a, 4c).

Abstract: A linkage assembly for expandable rooms for recreational vehicles to affect the coordinated movement of parallelogram linkage members through the actuation of a glide arm that will extend or retract the expandable room. The glide arm is powered by a hydraulic cylinder and moves generally vertically along a vehicle frame member as the hydraulic cylinder rod extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The glide arm is pivotally connected to one link in each of two pairs of parallelogram linkage members, the linkage members extending between points of pivotal attachment with a second structural member, such as an expandable room member, and the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: The invention relates a method for providing reconnection to a ferrule to a service line from within the bore of a lined host pipe adapted to carry a fluid, comprising lining the host pipe with a liner, locating the ferrule from within the lined host pipe, forming a passage for fluid through the liner to the ferrule, and forming a seal of the liner with the system whereby to obviate leakage of fluid between the liner and host pipe.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable display system which includes plural, hollow, plastic panels having uniquely contoured corners. The panels may be of flat or curved configuration. Most of the plastic panels are fabricated to present smooth front and rear faces. However, some panels are made with at least one slotted face for supporting shelves therein. Straight plastic connector components are designed to accept the corners of the panels, thereby connecting the panels in a manner to form a display area. Hinged plastic connectors are provided so that adjacent panels may be arranged at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred eighty degrees.

Abstract: A supporting structure for vehicles that have an expandable room. Telescoping double tube extension beams are secured to the vehicle structure and combined with hydraulic extension cylinders to move the extendable room from the retracted to the extended position and back again. The inner tube of each extension beam is connected to the outer wall of the extendable room using a pivot connector that includes a mounting plate which has extending from it spaced apart support plates that provide bearing surfaces to support a journal. The journal has a transverse opening extending through it between the support plates, and a connecting member is used to attach the inner tube to the journal and therefore to the room mounting plate.

Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly powered by a hydraulic cylinder to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, as the hydraulic cylinder extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The drive chain is pivotally connected at the proper place on the scissors-type linkage assembly, the links that form the scissors extending and crossing for pivotal attachment to a structural member of the vehicle body and a structural member of the expandable room. The drive chain is constructed and guided to provide the required force for opening and closing the scissors assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the result of the coloration of a substrate by a coloring product. The method and apparatus involve the use of micro-processing system and are especially suitable for quickly and easily determining the result of hair coloration by a commercial hair dye product. Preferably a bar-code scanning device is used to input information relating to the product into the micro-processing system.

Abstract: A vehicle ride-height and automatic suspension control system for a vehicle having an air suspension system. The automatic suspension control system provides the vehicle operator with selectable ride-heights and controls vehicle level as it rounds curves or corners. The system utilizes a series of photoelectric sensors that are linked between the vehicle chassis and axles and are combined with the vehicle steering system. Continuously sampling of the photoelectric sensors by a controller increments or decrements a digital register. When the counter reaches either the upper or lower selected threshold values the appropriate air bag is inflated or deflated for a duration of time. System sensitivity is adjustable by selecting different counter thresholds and by selecting the duration of air bag inflation or deflation.

Abstract: A space saving system to provide stable and supported movement of an expandable room or other moveable structure relative to a vehicle or other base structure is disclosed. The space saving system provides an inner and outer nested tubular member within a floor of the base structure. Low friction bearings are used to separate and support the nested tubular members relative to one another. The inner member is fixed to the base structure and the outer member is allowed to move telescopically relative to the inner member. The outer member is vertically supported by the base structure through use of a low friction bearing. The expandable room is supported upon the outer member.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable display system which includes plural, hollow, plastic panels having uniquely contoured corners. The panels may be of flat or curved configuration. Most of the plastic panels are fabricated to present smooth front and rear faces. However, some panels are made with at least one slotted face for supporting shelves therein. Straight plastic connector components are designed to accept the corners of the panels, thereby connecting the panels in a manner to form a display area. Hinged plastic connectors are provided so that adjacent panels may be arranged at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred eighty degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose solution suitable for extrusion as a seamless tubular film by providing a pulp of substantially open-ended fibrillated softwood fibers having a mean fiber length less than 2.0 mm and then dissolving the pulp in a suitable solvent to produce the cellulose solution. In addition, the present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose food casing from a cellulose solution of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention includes embodiments comprising activin and analogs of activin for neuronal rescue in patients having neurons that are subject to death and/or degradation as a result of neurological diseases. In certain embodiments, an activin receptor agonist can be useful for treating neuralogical diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or other diseases involving neural degeneration and loss of neural function.

Abstract: A cammed vertical arm support system is described for the support and control of an expandable room that may be moved between a retracted position within a vehicle to an expanded position outward from the vehicle. The cammed relationship allows the room floor to lie above and generally parallel with the vehicle floor when the room is retracted and beside and generally flush with the vehicle floor when the room is extended. A moveable housing to conceal vertical arms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe structure includes an upper made of an outer material, a waterproof and water vapor permeable functional layer, a lining, an insole, and an injection-molded sole. The upper has an extension made of a porous, permeable material and the insole is joined to the extension of the upper. The functional layer and the lining extend beyond a lower edge of the upper and only partially overlap the extension of the upper. The functional layer is spaced from an edge of the insole and the extension of the upper is penetrated by the material of the sole. A part of the functional layer extending beyond a lower edge of the upper is joined to the material of the sole, and a space between the functional layer and the edge of the insole is filled with the material of the sole as far as the interior of the shoe structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing a threaded fastener having a sleeved or interference fit into a workpiece. The apparatus of the present invention includes a pulling device for pulling the threaded fastener into the workpiece, an adapter for connecting the threaded fastener and the pulling device, and a collar that fits over the adapter for allowing the adapter to more inside the collar when subject to a pulling force from the pulling device. In addition, the aforementioned apparatus may be used in a method for installing the threaded fastener having a sleeved or interference fit into the workpiece. The method includes inserting the threaded fastener into the workpiece until the threads of the fastener are exposed on the other side of the workpiece, attaching an adapter to the threaded fastener, placing the collar over the adapter and attaching the pulling device. The pulling device is then pressurized so as to pull the threaded fastener into the workpiece until the threaded fastener is fully seated.