Abstract: A launched swing amusement ride has a carrier (100) for carrying a rider, wherein the carrier is suspended to swing from a support (400) by at least one elongate suspension member (413, 423) and is arranged to swing in more than one direction along an arcuate path, the arcuate path having a lowest point; a launch mechanism (200) located outside of the arcuate path; and a tether (300) that is arranged to releasably couple the carrier (100) to the launch mechanism to accelerate the carrier (100) in a first direction through a portion of the arcuate path between an engagement position and a release position, and to decouple the carrier (100) from the launch system (200) at the release position to propel the carrier (100) on an upward trajectory on the arcuate path.

Abstract: A launched swing amusement ride has a carrier (100) for carrying a rider, wherein the carrier is suspended to swing from a support (400) by at least one elongate suspension member (413, 423) and is arranged to swing in more than one direction along an arcuate path, the arcuate path having a lowest point; a launch mechanism (200) located outside of the arcuate path; and a tether (300) that is arranged to releasably couple the carrier (100) to the launch mechanism to accelerate the carrier (100) in a first direction through a portion of the arcuate path between an engagement position and a release position, and to decouple the carrier (100) from the launch system (200) at the release position to propel the carrier (100) on an upward trajectory on the arcuate path.

Abstract: An amusement ride having a track (15) with a curved portion, a carriage (1) for holding an occupant (7) that is movable along the track, and a braking system. At least part of the carriage (1) will move in response to at least one inertial force acting upon the carriage as the carriage traverses the curved portion of the track, in the absence of a counteraction by an occupant of the carriage. The braking system operates in response to the movement of the at least part of the carriage (1) to inducing a braking force. Upon an action by an occupant of the carriage (1) to counteract the induction of the braking force, the braking force acting on the carriage is reduced or substantially avoided.

Abstract: An amusement ride having a track (15) with a curved portion, a carriage (1) for holding an occupant (7) that is movable along the track, and a braking system. At least part of the carriage (1) will move in response to at least one inertial force acting upon the carriage as the carriage traverses the curved portion of the track, in the absence of a counteraction by an occupant of the carriage. The braking system operates in response to the movement of the at least part of the carriage (1) to inducing a braking force. Upon an action by an occupant of the carriage (1) to counteract the induction of the braking force, the braking force acting on the carriage is reduced or substantially avoided.

Abstract: A drag racing roller coaster amusement ride has at least two sets running rails, each set having at least one running rail and an embark point. At least two carriers (109) are arranged to carry at least one rider on a respective set of running rails with the rider(s) in a substantially prone position. Each carrier is arranged to slidingly engage with the respective set of running rails to enable the carriers to traverse the ride. The ride has an indicator (109) to provide a ride commencement indication. A launch system is configured to provide a powered initial motion to each carrier. Each carrier has a ride activator controllable by a rider of the carrier to trigger the launch system to commence the ride for the carrier following the ride commencement indication. Launch systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drag racing roller coaster amusement ride has at least two sets running rails, each set having at least one running rail and an embark point. At least two carriers (109) are arranged to carry at least one rider on a respective set of running rails with the rider(s) in a substantially prone position. Each carrier is arranged to slidingly engage with the respective set of running rails to enable the carriers to traverse the ride. The ride has an indicator (109) to provide a ride commencement indication. A launch system is configured to provide a powered initial motion to each carrier. Each carrier has a ride activator controllable by a rider of the carrier to trigger the launch system to commence the ride for the carrier following the ride commencement indication. Launch systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses peptides that selectively activate the VPAC2 receptor and are useful in the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating a patient with depression comprising continuously providing a therapy to treat the patient's depression. The therapy, in one embodiment, comprises stimulating a patient's vagus nerve for about 30 seconds at a current of about 0.75 mA followed by a cessation of vagus nerve stimulation of about 5 minutes. Further still, the therapy comprises a pulse width of about 500 ?s and a frequency of about 20 Hz. In another embodiment, the therapy comprises stimulating a patient's vagus nerve for about 25.07 seconds at a current of about 0.85 mA followed by a cessation of vagus nerve stimulation of about 4.07 minutes. This latter therapy also comprises a pulse width of about 415.20 ?s and a frequency of about 20.07 Hz.

Abstract: A label printer assembly has a support for a supply roll of labels on a flexible web which is fed into an ink jet printer for printing onto a label without contacting the label. After printing, the web carrying the printed label is fed beyond a tear strip to permit removing the printed label by tearing off the web at a space between the labels carried on the web. A feed roller is used to provide a slack loop on the output side of the supply roll that is controlled as to its size during printing, so the drag of the web on the printer feed rollers is reduced. The printer will selectively print bar codes onto the labels.

Abstract: An amusement ride including a non-continuous track supported over a curved path and extending between a high end and a low end for transporting riders. The track includes at least two independent running rails. The amusement ride also includes at least one carrier arranged to carry at least one rider on each running rail of the track. The carriers include attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the running rails to enable the carriers to descend carrying the riders from the high end to the low end.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A label printer assembly has a support for a supply roll of labels on a flexible web which is fed into an ink jet printer for printing onto a label without contacting the label. After printing, the web carrying the printed label is fed beyond a tear strip to permit removing the printed label by tearing off the web at a space between the labels carried on the web. A feed roller is used to provide a slack loop on the output side of the supply roll that is controlled as to its size during printing, so the drag of the web on the printer feed rollers is reduced. The printer will selectively print bar codes onto the labels.

Abstract: A driving simulator. The driving simulator may include a processor; a display connectable to the processor; a plurality of input devices, such as a steering wheel, a brake pedal, and an accelerator pedal, where each of the plurality of input devices is connectable to the processor; and a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A processor, such as a laminator for laminating a film onto a disc, such as a CD, DVD or the like has a tray for holding a disc for movement from a loading position to a processing position. The tray has a recess for receiving the disc, when the disc is properly positioned for processing. A sensor is provided to sense when a disc is not properly located in the recess, or when more than one disc, a warped disc or some other anomaly is present that may damage the processor. As shown, the processor is a laminator for laminating a film onto an upper surface of a disc.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A resistor grid assembly has a continuous resistor weave with a plurality of generally parallel, plate-like electrical elements. U-shaped bends join two adjacent elements at adjacent ends. The U-shaped bends are located in a bottom group and a top group. There is a top electrical insulating member adjacent the U-shaped bends in the top group and spaced from the U-shaped bends. There is a bottom electrical insulating member adjacent the U-shaped bends in the bottom group. Stop U-shaped pins having a pair of legs with a pair of shoulders are supported by the bottom electrical insulating member. The legs of each stop U-shaped pin extends into a pair of holes in the bottom group of U-shaped pins and rest upon the shoulders which are spaced from the insulator. Wire U-shaped pins are supported by the top electrical insulating member. The wire U-shaped pins have legs inserted into holes in the U-shaped bends in the top group. The U-shaped bends in the top group are spaced from the top insulator.

Abstract: A heat dissipating fabricated resistor grid for the dynamic braking of electric motors has a zigzag resistor supported by insulating members within a frame. The zigzag resistor is made up of a plurality of resistor elements formed from sheet metal, each element containing at least one "U" shaped bend, that are connected by welded joints between the legs of adjacent resistor elements. The resistor elements may be embossed to stiffen them. Various types of clips may be utilized to hold the tabs and the resistor elements together to facilitate welding and the clips are welded to the other components and become part of the zigzag resistor. Various types of connecting joints are provided to connect the zigzag resistor to the insulating members. Various types of securing devices are provided to secure the insulating members to a supporting metal frame.

Abstract: A resistor grid for dynamic braking of diesel electric locomotives has a rigid frame that includes outer metal side pieces and metal dividers within the frame between which are positioned columns of fan-folded resistor ribbon. The dividers carry support plates having transverse aligned tabs along both sides fixed normal to the support plate, each tab having a notch in its inside edge, and supported plates for the resistor ribbon which slide in those slots longitudinally. The supported plates and the folds of the resistor ribbon carry studs and bushings which interfit by movement normal to those plates.

Abstract: An improved frame supported resistor grid used for dynamic braking of electric motors is provided. The resistor grid has a metal frame and fan-folded strips of resistance material arranged in columns within the frame. The strips of resistance material are supported by studs affixed to the folds of the strips and the studs are, in turn, supported in ceramic bushing insulators. An intermediate member is affixed to the frame and receives the individual ceramic bushing insulators.

Abstract: A fan-folded resistor ribbon is provided for use in resistor grids that are used for dynamic braking of diesel electric locomotives. The resistor ribbon is formed, from a continuous strip of resistance material, into flat portions that are connected by semi-tubular end loops. The outer surface of each semi-tubular end loop is an arcuate cylindrical surface that extends an angular distance of more than 180.degree. between the intersection lines where the flat portions join each of the end loops. The flat portions of the ribbon are embossed with one concave embossment and one convex embossment to further stiffen the ribbon material.