Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a leveling assembly configured to be secured to an appliance. The leveling assembly supports the appliance on a floor, and includes a base having a column integrally connected to a ledge, which is integrally connected to a stem. The assembly also includes a spring positioned around the stem, and a sleeve secured to the stem and positioned around the spring. The spring exerts equal and opposite forces into the sleeve and the ledge, respectively.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is provided for a dishwasher dispensing assembly including a detergent dispenser actuator and a rinse agent dispenser actuator. Shape memory wire is connected to each actuator and is used to open a detergent reservoir and a rinse aid reservoir by operating the actuator through contraction of the shape memory wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.

Abstract: An idler arm and belt tensioner defines a low-function trough biased against a drive belt in a belt drive system. An anchor end of the tensioning arm is secured by a bracket to a fixed body. The bracket defines a lip disposed in a slot of the fixed body so that only a single fastener is required to secure the anchor bracket to the fixed body.

Abstract: An airflow control device has a fixed damper element and a movable damper element. Shape memory wires are connected to the fixed damper element and the movable damper element. The shape memory wires are alternately electrified to cause the contraction thereof to move the movable damper element in opposite directions. A heater can be provided along with the damper elements to overcome frost buildup in cold environments, such as refrigeration systems.

Abstract: An airflow control device has a fixed damper element and a movable damper element. Shape memory wires are connected to the fixed damper element and the movable damper element. The shape memory wires are alternately electrified to cause the contraction thereof to move the movable damper element in opposite directions. A heater can be provided along with the damper elements to overcome frost buildup in cold environments, such as refrigeration systems.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is provided for a dishwasher dispensing assembly including a detergent dispenser actuator and a rinse agent dispenser actuator. Shape memory wire is connected to each actuator and is used to open a detergent reservoir and a rinse aid reservoir by operating the actuator through contraction of the shape memory wire.

Abstract: A beverage cup and cupholder system made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a beverage cup 10 and a cupholder 50. The beverage cup 10 includes a sleeve 13, a liner 19, and a base 20. The base 20 includes an O-ring 22, a plate 23, a heating element 27 and spring terminals 28a, 28b. The heating element preferably exhibits a variable PTC effect. The base further includes a contact ring 25 and a contact disk 29. The cupholder 50 is adapted to mate with the base 20 of the beverage cup 10. Preferably, the cupholder 50 has recessed land areas 57, 58 which lie below a plane of support 53 for the beverage cup 50. The recessed land areas 57, 58 are electrically isolated from each other. The cupholder includes spring contacts 52, 54 which are adapted to receive connections from an external source of electrical current. The spring contacts 52, 54 extend into the recessed land areas 57, 58. The beverage cup 10, when filled with a hot beverage, is placed into the cupholder 50.

Abstract: An accelerator module comprises a printed circuit board having resistance elements mounted thereon, and an actuator pivotably mounted upon the printed circuit board and having a wiper member mounted upon a first end of the actuator. A rotary input shaft, connected to an accelerator pedal of an electric vehicle, has an input shaft arm fixedly mounted thereon, and the input shaft arm is pivotably connected to a second end of the actuator whereby the structural arrangement defines a mechanically advantaged linkage system whereby a predetermined pivotable movement of the rotary input shaft and its associated input shaft arm translates into an enhanced, enlarged, or magnified pivotable movement of the actuator and its associated wiper member for movement along the resistance elements of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A switch structure is provided for use in computer pen-based applications which can be easily adapted to perform either as a "writing" pen, an "artist" pen, or a "CAD" pen. The switch structure includes a top compression spring, an actuator, a bottom compression spring, a pair of PCB-connectible terminal pins, a printed circuit board having a pair of fixed spaced-apart electrodes and a cover plate which are especially arranged within a housing. The pair of terminal pins are in engagement with a respective one of the pair of electrodes. In one preferred embodiment, one end of the bottom compression spring contactly engages the pair of terminal pins to produce an electrical connection between the pair of electrodes when the actuator is in its fully extended position. The components of the switch structure can be easily modified so as to be utilized in each of the three common pen applications, thereby reducing cost in manufacturing and assembly.

Abstract: A switch structure is provided for use in computer pen-based applications which can be easily adapted to perform either as a "writing" pen, an "artist" pen, or a "CAD" pen. The switch structure includes a top compression spring, an actuator, a bottom compression spring, a pair of terminals, and a cover plate which are uniquely arranged within a housing. The pair of terminals are disposed in the opposite sides of the housing. In one preferred embodiment, one end of the bottom compression spring contactly engages the pair of terminals to produce an electrical connection therebetween when the actuator is in its fully extended position. The components of the switch structure can be easily modified so as to be utilized in each of the three common pen applications, thereby reducing cost in manufacturing and assembly. The unique switch structure allows a circuit between the pair of terminals to reliably break at relatively small displacements of the actuator, with a relatively small amount of force.

Abstract: An electron beam deflection yoke for use in a cathode ray tube (CRT) includes a plastic housing within which are symmetrically positioned a pair of horizontal coils and on the outside of which are symmetrically mounted a pair of vertical coils wound on respective halves of a cracked ferrite core. Integral with and on the outside of the housing, or yoke liner, are two pairs of flexible members, or ribs, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, positioned 180.degree. from each other around the circular circumference of the housing, and adapted to engage an inner surface of a respective one-half ferrite core between the coil windings thereon. The flexible ribs are adapted to receive core elements having a wide range of thicknesses and inner dimensions and to maintain the one-half ferrite cores, which are coupled together and held in position by resilient clips, concentric relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: An adjustable yoke assembly for a CRT (cathode ray tube) is described for optimizing the orthogonality and concentricity between the yoke's horizontal and vertical fields in order to obtain a desired raster shape. The yoke assembly includes a liner which carries one deflection winding, a core which carries another deflection winding and which is mounted on the liner, and an adjustment ring which is mounted on the liner and fixed to the core. The liner includes at least one elongated member which projects radially outwardly from the liner so as to engage detent means, such as serrations, carried by a finger which projects outwardly from the adjustment ring. When the core is manually rotated on the liner to adjust the relative position of the deflection windings, the adjustment ring rotates with the core in a detented manner to provide accurate positioning of the core's winding and optimum orientation of the yoke's horizontal and vertical fields.