Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a cushioning member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface, a bottom sheet connected to the cushioning member and having an engagement surface opposite the cushioning member, a top sheet having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the engagement surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a selective gliding assembly positioned between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet has at least one end connected to the bottom sheet, and the top sheet further has a slip resistant material positioned on the top surface. The selective gliding assembly includes engagement members positioned on the engagement surface and on the bottom surface of the top sheet, and the engagement members engage each other to resist forward sliding of the top sheet and to permit rearward sliding of the top sheet.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a wedge having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex. The wedge is positioned under the sheet such that the base wall confronts the supporting surface of the bed and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface of the sheet. The bottom surface of the sheet and the ramp surface of the wedge have engagement members forming a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the sheet with respect to the wedge in at least one direction and permits movement of the sheet with respect to the wedge in at least one other direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a cushioning member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface, a bottom sheet connected to the cushioning member and having an engagement surface opposite the cushioning member, a top sheet having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the engagement surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a selective gliding assembly positioned between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet has at least one end connected to the bottom sheet, and the top sheet further has a slip resistant material positioned on the top surface. The selective gliding assembly includes engagement members positioned on the engagement surface and on the bottom surface of the top sheet, and the engagement members engage each other to resist forward sliding of the top sheet and to permit rearward sliding of the top sheet.

Abstract: A control system and method for an automated mechanical transmission system (10) including an engine braking mechanism (14A) is provided for allowing operator request for an automatic direct downshift into the selected ratio (GR.sub.EB) automatically determined to provide optimum engine braking under current vehicle operating conditions. Retaining the control lever (1) in a displaced position for longer than a reference period of time (REF), such as one or two seconds, while the engine brake is active, will initiate the automatic determination and shift into the selected ratio (GR.sub.EB) determined to provide optimum engine braking under current vehicle operating conditions procedure.

Abstract: A control system and method for an automated mechanical transmission system (310) operable in a hold mode of operation (H) is provided. When operating in the hold mode of operation, if override conditions (ES>ES.sub.MAX, ES<ES.sub.MIN, cruise control resume mode) are sensed, the hold mode is overridden and a shift from the currently engaged gear ratio (GR.sub.C) into a desirable gear ratio (GR.sub.D) is automatically initiated.

Abstract: A control system and method for automated mechanical transmission systems (10) of the type interpreting a first predetermined combination of parameters as a request or requirement for a direct shift to a predetermined default start ratio (GR.sub.DS) is provided. The control provides a predetermined series of actions by which the vehicle operator may manually select a new default start ratio such as, for example, by manipulation of shift selection device (1) displaceable in a first direction to select upshifts and in a second direction to select downshifts.

Abstract: Open-circuit and closed-circuit faults in a solenoid controlled actuator are detected using shunt resistors (R1, R4) across the solenoid (1), a transistor switch (4), and a voltage monitor (7) and/or (14) across one or both of these which can detect a faulty open-circuit solenoid that is not energized, or a faulty closed-circuit solenoid that is energized. According to the present invention, before each change in actuator position, the solenoids are all caused to assume an opposite energization condition for a period of time insufficient to move the actuator, but enough to check the voltage monitor responses. In this way, both open and closed circuit faults are detected.

Abstract: A fuel control system (100) for controlling the fueling of an internal combustion engine (E), and a fault detection system therefor, is provided. Signals (12, 17, 15, 16) indicative of the positioning of an operator controlled master unit (2) and of the slaved actuator (6,1) are compared to sense the existence of faults.

Abstract: An emergency device (2) for allowing manual limp home/get off road shifting of an automatic/semiautomatic mechnical transmisssion of the type having an electrically controlled shifter (30) including a plurality of electrically initialed shifting drivers (solenoids S1-S6) is provided.