Abstract: A wire kitchen utensil that is safe for use on non-stick cookware with an array of flexible wire loops, each loop having two ends secured to the inner end of the handle. The utensil has resilient tubing surrounding each wire loop to render it heat resistant but non-abrasive for use on non-stick coating surfaces. Resilient tubing together with internal wire loops preserves the superior whipping action of flexible wire with the non-stick non-abrasive properties of a heat resistant resilient surface. The wire loops and associated tubing may be disposed in any conventional configuration such as that of a pastry blender, potato masher, piano whisk; an egg whisk; a flat whisk; a balloon whisk; or a Swedish style/helical wire configuration.

Abstract: A chair back support arrangement of a type including an upright supporting a back support arranged to slidably engage the upright, and interlocking means to maintain a selected support height for the back support, the interlocking means including a rack either affixed to or being part of the upright an engaging member supported by the back support and arranged to selectively interlock with the rack and being able to be activated to effect a change from interlocking to not interlocking by a change by relative positioning of the back support with respect to the upright. A catch is supported by the support back so that in one position, it can catch and hold in a non-engaging position, the engaging member clear of the rack, and in another position, it will release such engaging member to effect an interengaging action with the rack.

Abstract: A wire whisk that is safe for use on non-stick cookware with an array of flexible wire loops, each loop having two ends secured to the inner end of the handle. The whisk has silicone tubing surrounding each wire loop to render it heat resistant but non-abrasive for use on non-stick coating surfaces. Silicone tubing together with internal wire loops preserves the superior whipping action of flexible wire with the non-stick non-abrasive properties of a silicone surface. The wire loops and associated tubing may be disposed in any conventional whisk configuration such as that of a piano whisk; an egg whisk; a flat whisk; a balloon whisk; or a Swedish style/helical wire configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly comprises a bumper armature and a front portion of a subframe both attached by brackets to the front of crumple zones in longitudinal parts of the body structure and to the side sections of the subframe. The subframe front portion is longitudinally level with the armature but vertically below it, and an outer bumper panel covers both the armature and the subframe front portion.

Abstract: A terminating ferrule (10) for connecting a screen (34) of a screened cable (30) to an electrical connector (46) and a method for its installation. The ferrule (10) comprises inner (12) and outer (14) tubular portions with front ends connected by an annulus (18) and forming a rearwardly - opening cavity (22) into which the screen (34) and jacket (32) of the cable (30) can be inserted to make electrical contact between the screen and the ferrule and to mechanically hold the ferrule to the jacket. The ferrule is engaged with a rearward projection (50, 54, 62) of connector body (56, 60) to provide an electrical connection between the screen (34) and connector body.

Abstract: In a piston and cylinder gas compressor having a cylinder block, a valve plate and a cylinder head the sealing means between the cylinder head and the valve plate is designed to constrain the delivered air and/or coolant fluid to flow in an extended fluid flow path to enhance the heat flow from the delivered air before arrival at a delivery port.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder air compressor has a valve plate between an upper end of the cylinder and a cylinder head, the valve plate having a generally diametrically located recess at the inward surface thereof accommodating a suction valve reed, the valves being located above apertures at least to one side of said recess the arrangement being such as to minimize the operating clearance volume of the compressor.

Abstract: A system (100) and method of improving activation security allows a remote device (104) to identify that there is a difference between a first signal transmitted by a central site (102) and a first signal received by the remote device. A derived number is used. The derived number can be displayed to the user for verbal verification by the user, or the derived number can be used internally of the remote device, or the central site, for verification that is transparent to the user. A significant amount of security is added without substantially altering the communication protocol.

Abstract: A cannula for use as for example on the inflow end of an implantable intravascular heart pump. The stiffness of the cannula is differentiated along its length, wherein its proximal end is stiffer than its distal end, while a substantially constant wall thickness is maintained along its entire length. Attached to the flexible distal end, is a rigid tip component having inlet ports and an interior surface profile that minimizes the risk of hemolysis and thrombogenisis.

Abstract: A device and method for generating a frothed milk product from a milk composition employs a planar agitator blade having opposed, smooth flat faces extending perpendicularly of a longitudinal axis of rotation, and a smooth cylindrical outer wall between the flat faces; the outer wall has a circumferential length significantly greater than the distance between the opposed faces. The device produces thick milk shakes even when employing no-fat or low fat milk or yogurt in place of normal homogeneous milk. A blender having a blender blade with opposed flat surfaces and a smooth cylindrical outer blade wall, and having ribs extending radially outwardly along the opposed surfaces, serves to puree fruit or vegetable morsels with the milk composition, to produce fruit or vegetable flavored milk shakes.

Abstract: A system (100) and method of improving activation security allows a remote device (104) to identify that there is a difference between a first signal transmitted by a central site (102) and a first signal received by the remote device. A derived number is used. The derived number can be displayed to the user for verbal verification by the user, or the derived number can be used internally of the remote device, or the central site, for verification that is transparent to the user. A significant amount of security is added without substantially altering the communication protocol.

Abstract: The instant invention is novel uses of known cyclic amino acids. Such compounds as gabapentin are useful in the treatment of anxiety and in the treatment and/or prevention of panic attacks.

Abstract: A device and method for generating a frothed milk product from a milk composition employs a planar agitator blade having opposed, smooth flat faces extending perpendicularly of a longitudinal axis of rotation, and a smooth cylindrical outer wall between the flat faces; the outer wall has a circumferential length significantly greater than the distance between the opposed faces. The device produces thick milk shakes even when employing no-fat or low fat milk or yogurt in place of normal homogeneous milk. A blender having a blender blade with opposed flat surfaces and a smooth cylindrical outer blade wall, and having ribs extending radially outwardly along the opposed surfaces, serves to puree fruit or vegetable morsels with the milk composition, to produce fruit or vegetable flavoured milk shakes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for surgically securing bone parts, in particular for transsternal bilateral thoracotomy. The apparatus comprises a base piece from which are protruding two posts welded or attached thereto which are internally screwthreaded and adapted to receive screws, and a plate with holes is adapted to be positioned over the posts and secured relative to them by the screws. In the method of securing the bone parts using the apparatus, the posts are inserted into holes drilled in each respective bone part, so that the bone parts are held together with their sawn surfaces mutually opposing, and the plate is positioned above the bone parts and screwed into position into the posts by the screws through the holes and the plate.

Abstract: Radio frequency based cellular telecommunication systems often require both subscriber units and communication units of a fixed network communication system to maintain secret data which may be used to verify authenticity as well as provide encrypting variables for message encryption processes. An efficient real-time authentication method and apparatus are provided which use a single message to provide authentication and communication link setup information. Further, an authentication method and apparatus are provided which uses instant-specific information such as a time of day, radio frequency carrier frequency, a time slot number, a radio port number, access manager identifier, a radio port control unit identifier, or a base site controller identifier to enhance the reliability of the authentication process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating a roaming subscriber. In a preferred embodiment, a subscriber receives a challenge that is in a format of a local authentication protocol, and determines whether the local authentication protocol is the subseriber's home system authentication protocol. If it is not, the subscriber converts the challenge into a format (e.g., bit length) compatible with its home system authentication protocol, and processes the converted challenge with the subscriber's secret key and authentication algorithm into an authentication response. The authentication response is converted to be compatible with the local authentication protocol, and transmitted to a local system communication unit. The challenge and response is then forwarded to the subscriber's home system for similar conversion and processing, and subscriber's response is compared against a home system generated response.

Abstract: The invention described is a silicone rubber composition useful as an opacifying coating comprising a organopolysiloxane and an opacifier. The opacifying coating is particularly useful as an opacifying layer on translucent material such as glass.

Abstract: A flexible, breathable, non-linting, composite is provided. The laminate comprises a middle layer of a padding and a top and bottom layer comprising a sheet of porous water impermeable, moisture-vapor-permeable film bonded to the middle layer. Preferably the top and bottom layers comprise (a) a flexible, first sheet of hydrophobic material having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m.sup.2 .multidot.day; and (b) a continuous hydrophilic sheet attached to or penetrating the first sheet, the hydrophilic sheet having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m.sup.2 .multidot.day and forming a barrier to passage of fluids. The composite is useful in diverse applications such as a padding under orthopedic casts and as thermal insulation in wearing apparel.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing compositions comprising ethylene copolymers, such as ethylene-acrylate or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, and compatible liquid hydrocarbons which act as inexpensive plasticizers or extenders, the process enabling large quantities of inert, e.g. inorganic fillers to be incorporated more simply than previously proposed processes. The hydrocarbon is compatible if it satisfies the test that there is no observable exudation of hydrocarbon from the copolymer when 50 g. of powdered copolymer are mixed with a quantity of hydrocarbon in a metal dish which is first heated to 120.degree. C. to fuse the copolymer, second cooled and held at a temperature of -20.degree. C. for 18 hours, and third warmed to room temperature.