Abstract: A dual-mode steering system (12) for an automotive vehicle (14) includes a first steering mechanism (36) and a second steering mechanism (38). A locking mechanism (72) is mechanically coupled to the first steering mechanism (36) and the second steering mechanism (38). The system (12) also includes a locking switch (40) having a first state and a second state. A controller (22) is electrically coupled to the locking mechanism (72) and the locking switch (40). The controller (22) locks the first steering mechanism (36) to the second steering mechanism (38) when the locking switch (40) is in the first state and disengages the first steering mechanism (36) from the second steering mechanism (38) when the locking switch (40) is in the second state. A method of operating the dual-mode steering system (12) is also provided.

Abstract: A counterflow evaporator for refrigerants, in particular for zeotropic refrigerants, where elongated inner members are inserted in the elongated tubular members of the evaporator to form an annular passage through which the refrigerant can flow. Resilient support members maintain the elongated inner members in position within the elongated tubular members.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a first force applied to a movable element in a first position of the movable element by a force applying device, the force applying device applying a second force to the movable element in a second position of the movable element. The method includes connecting the movable element and a base element with a scissors-type linkage; mounting the force applying device to the scissors-type linkage at a first mounting point; mounting the force applying device to the base element at a second mounting point; and moving at least one of the first and the second mounting points along a constant force curve, so that the second force remains constant as the first force is adjusted. A device for adjusting a first force applied to a movable element in a first position is also provided.

Abstract: A device for guiding a travelling web comprises a first movable angle bar and a second movable angle bar located in respective positions in a first operative mode to guide the travelling web from an entering direction to an exiting direction and to define a first print-to-cut registration setting. In a second operative mode the exiting direction of the travelling web is changed and the print-to-cut register is maintained, whereas in a third operative mode the print-to-cut register is changed and the exiting direction is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting a user's hands has a spray chamber or an open spray zone with an opening for a user to insert his or her hands into the chamber. A supply of a disinfecting solution is provided, and preferably comprises a storage tank with a concentrated solution. This solution is mixed with an incoming freshwater supply, e.g. in a venturi valve, and supplied through spray nozzles into the chamber. A sensor detects the presence of a user's hands and automatically operates the spray nozzles for a predetermined time. The apparatus can also include a fan with its own timer, to provide a supply of drying air. Thus, a user can insert his or her hands, disinfect them with the disinfecting solution, remove the hands and dry them, without requiring any manual operation.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided which is engageable with a hand brake assembly on a railway vehicle for operation of an application cylinder for applying the hand brake assembly. This apparatus includes a source of fluid pressure which is engageable with the railway vehicle. A pneumatic actuation valve which is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure. A force regulating valve which is connected to the pneumatic actuation valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the actuation valve and a mechanically driven valve is connected to the force regulating valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the force regulating valve and for communicating the fluid pressure to the application cylinder to apply the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: A printing press comprises a cylinder having an outer surface and a plurality of air holes for providing air to the outer surface. A sound-damping material is located on a section of the outer surface and an axially-removable printing sleeve fits over the outer surface. Also disclosed is a method for reducing noise from a printing press comprising the steps of providing air through air holes in a cylinder having a free end to aid in placement or removal of an axially-removable printing sleeve, and providing a sound-damping surface to an outer surface of the cylinder at the free end.

Abstract: A vehicle steering command module as disclosed wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of a vehicle, and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. The vehicle steering command module includes a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port. The connection port releasably connects the command module to one of a pair of spaced apart mating connection ports on an instrument panel of the vehicle, thereby completing a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module includes at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit. A cover of the steering command module is moveable between a closed position and an opened position, and includes a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit.

Abstract: A printing press comprises a cylinder having an outer surface and a plurality of air holes for providing air to the outer surface. A sound-damping material is located on a section of the outer surface and an axially-removable printing sleeve fits over the outer surface. Also disclosed is a method for reducing noise from a printing press comprising the steps of providing air through air holes in a cylinder having a free end to aid in placement or removal of an axially-removable printing sleeve, and providing a sound-damping surface to an outer surface of the cylinder at the free end.

Abstract: A photographic chrogenic and substantially dry dye-diffusion-transfer element is disclosed, wherein said element is activated by heat and comprises contacting dye-receiver and dye-donor layers and further comprises a layer which contains a thermal solvent according to formula (I) wherein Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 are substituents, the Hammet sigma paameters of Z2, Z3, and Z4 sum to at least −0.28 and less than 1.53; the calculated logP for I is greater than 3 and less than 10.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A counterflow evaporator for refrigerants, in particular for zeotropic refrigerants, where elongated inner members are inserted in the elongated tubular members of the evaporator to form an annular passage through which the refrigerant can flow. Resilient support members maintain the elongated inner members in position within the elongated tubular members.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly for mounting auxiliary tools and attachments on vehicles includes a plate having a rectangular tubular mounting sleeve extending at right angles from one side thereof and a pair of receiving channels defined by parallel spaced apart sidewall members extending from the other side thereof. The receiving channels receive and engage the mounting blades of a conventional vehicular snow plow hitch, so as to support the rectangular mounting sleeve in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The mounting sleeve, thus securely attached to the vehicle, allows auxiliary apparatus or "tools" having rectangular mounting "prongs" to be quickly and easily attached to and separated from a vehicle in place of a snow plow, without precluding rapid repositioning of a snow plow when desired.

Abstract: This invention pertains to personal watercraft and to brace assemblies for use on personal watercraft. The brace assembly enables a rear-facing rider to be stabilized so that the rider is not uncomfortable and does not readily fall from the watercraft. Such rear-facing rider spots for a water skier being pulled by the personal watercraft. The brace assembly includes an engagement structure, a support column supporting the engagement structure, and a support housing supporting and containing the support column. The support column raises the engagement structure to a first raised position and retracts into the support housing at a second lowered position. Height adjustment apparatus controls moving the engagement structure between the raised and lowered positions. Mounting apparatus, including a mounting bracket, mounts the brace assembly to the personal watercraft. Fasteners preferably mount the brace assembly to a boarding handle of the personal watercraft.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: An aqueous-developable chromogenic photographic heat-transferable non-aqueous dye-diffusion-transfer photographic element is disclosed, wherein said element comprises radiation sensitive silver halide, a dye-providing compound that forms or releases a heat-transferable image dye upon reaction of said compound with the oxidation product of a primary amine developing agent, a hydrophilic binder, and a thermal solvent for facilitating non-aqueous diffusion transfer according to formula (I) ##STR1## wherein AH is a hydrogen bond donating group with an aqueous pK.sub.a value for proton loss of greater than 6;L.sup.1 and L.sup.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for use in a vehicle having a recessed compartment. The tray assembly includes a housing slidably mounted on the recessed compartment for movement between an open position and a closed position in which the housing is substantially concealed within the recessed compartment. The tray assembly includes generally planar tray portions pivotally connected to the housing for movement between a laterally outward deployed position when the housing is in the open position and a laterally inward folded position when the housing is in the closed position. A cupholder portion is disposed on the housing. The cupholder portion is preferably located between tray portions when the tray portions are in the deployed position.

Abstract: A slider for use in a disc drive data storage system is disclosed. The slider includes an air bearing surface, a top surface and a first surface extending between the air bearing surface and the top surface. The first surface is oriented relative to at least one of a plane of the air bearing surface and a plane of the top surface such that the first surface forms an oblique angle with the plane to thereby provide increased surface area on the first surface.

Abstract: Digitized audio information is compressed by retrieving a first audio sample from a digitized audio signal and storing it in its entire, uncompressed, form. The next audio sample is then retrieved and a signed difference between the first audio sample value and the next audio sample value is computed. If this difference value can be represented in fewer data segments than would be required to represent the next audio sample, the difference value is stored, rather than the value of the next sample, otherwise the next sample is stored. The invention proceeds in this fashion until the entire PCM audio signal is compressed and stored. The compressed data stream is decompressed to generate an output data stream by retrieving a stored sample and examining it to ascertain whether it is a difference value or a flag which indicates that the following data represents a coded amplitude value.