Abstract: A sealing member having an elongate body formed of an elastomeric material has a generally planar sealing surface adapted to provide an outward sealing force in a direction generally perpendicular to the sealing surface. The seal further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending hollow regions formed within the sealing member which are bounded at least in part by longitudinally extending and transversely spaced apart structural partitions. A layer of elastomeric material on a side opposite the sealing surface spans the structural partitions thus enclosing the hollow regions. The seals are useful in constructing segmented tunnels, ducts, and the like, and are particularly adapted to withstand high pressures.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells.

Abstract: An improved object tracking and control system is provided and is particularly suited to implementation at an automobile dealership. The system includes a Key Track system adapted to control access to and log the check out and check in of keys to vehicles on the lot. RFID tags are provided on the vehicles and tag readers are embedded at selected locations within the dealership parking lot to detect movement of vehicles. In one embodiment, the lot is subdivided into zones and the readers are located at transition regions between the zones. Information about the check out and check in of keys from the Key Track system is combined and integrated with information about the movement of vehicles about the lot to reach conclusions regarding authorized movement and to provide useful information to dealership management.

Abstract: A chlorination device attaching directly to a water recirculation system that redirects a portion of the water flow stream in the water recirculating system through one or more flow indicators and control valves, into a chemical holding compartment, and then back into the water flow stream through a check valve. The chlorinator includes a chemical compartment located above and in direct fluid communication with a section of pipe, which in turn is attached directly to the water recirculation system of the pool, spa, hot tub, or other water bath. On the upstream end of the pipe, on the inside diameter, at least one intake scoop extends centrally from the pipe wall a certain distance toward the center of the pipe and redirects water flowing through the recirculation system into at least one side path that leads ultimately to the chemical compartment.

Abstract: A wagering system is provided in which the payment on either side of a “neutral” bet, or center point, increases as the amount of win or loss diverges from the center point. The system is particularly applicable to bets placed in legalized bookmaking establishments, which set a line for sports betting and permit bettors to wager on either side of the line. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of win or loss increases arithmetically with the departure of the final result from the center point. The system also includes the potential for placing caps (maximums) on the win/loss multiples, and providing cushions (i.e., deviations proximate to the center point) before which the increased wins and/or losses commence.

Abstract: The invention relates to control systems for data storage media. More particularly, the invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for forming various frequency modulation patterns on storage media for providing position error signals. The invention also relates to forming various frequency modulation patterns on storage media for providing position error signals having a continuously varying frequency that is proportional to the position of a read/write transducer head within a track defined on a storage medium. The invention also relates to providing a demodulated signal that is proportional to a continuously varying position error signal frequency and thus to the position of the read/write head within a track defined on a storage medium.

Abstract: A condenser system for generating a beam of radiation includes a source of radiation light that generates a continuous spectrum of radiation light; a condenser comprising one or more first optical elements for collecting radiation from the source of radiation light and for generating a beam of radiation; and a diffractive spectral filter for separating first radiation light having a particular wavelength from the continuous spectrum of radiation light. Cooling devices can be employed to remove heat generated. The condenser system can be used with a ringfield camera in projection lithography.

Abstract: A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate and in real time determination of factors relating to the state of health of a storage battery. The system measures the values of battery temperature, voltage and current flow into and out of the battery. This data is multiplexed into a computer and the battery's internal resistance (IR), polarization resistance (PR), state of charge (SOC) and its cold cranking amp (CCA) capability are computed and displayed. The presence of shorted and mismatched cells also can be determined and displayed. The state of health of the battery is related to these displayed measured values and calculated factors which are made known to the user of the battery.

Abstract: An angularly-adjustable steering system is provided for an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile or an ATV. The steering system employs a modular handlebar-angling mechanism interfaced between the steering column and the handlebar apparatus of the steering system. The angling mechanism operates by pivotal mechanics to enable a user to position the handlebar apparatus of the steering system to any desired angle of tilt along a radial tilt range, and then to lock the apparatus into position using a cable-assisted lever or other mechanical control. The steering system is utilized in side-hilling and other difficult maneuvers for the purpose of improving stabilization of the vehicle over sloping terrain, improving the balance of a user operating the vehicle from a running-board position, and decreasing muscular strain on the user.

Abstract: A container with an integrally molded flap for covering an opening has a top that is deflected during cooling to provide a self-closing capability. This capability is provided by causing the top to cool to room temperature when the flaps are closed into a warped shape, either concave or convex in which the hinge formed integral with the flap and the rest of the cover is curved with the flaps closed. This could be done by careful design of the cap such that it warps this way during cooling naturally, or by pressing on the cap during cooling to “set” the cap and hinge in a curved shape. When the flap is opened, the arrangement of the flap and hinge reduce the chance that the flap will return to its as-molded position and jam.

Abstract: A pull-cord keeper is provided for a window treatment assembly with a pull-cord for operation. The pull-cord keeper includes a wall-mountable housing adapted for permanently mounting to the wall at a desired height above the floor, the housing further including a cavity defined therein and an opening in communication with the cavity, and at least one fastener for securely mounting the housing to the wall. The pull-cord keeper further includes a spool adapted for rotational movement within the cavity to reel and collect through the opening a length of the pull-cord, and a spring for biasing the spool in a rotational direction for automatically and continuously collecting any loose length of the pull-cord.

Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing an induced intracranial noise or vibrational signal within a patient's head due to a drilling or cutting medical instrument. The apparatus includes a mechanism for sensing the intracranial vibrational signal induced within the patient's head. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for adaptively generating an intracranial vibrational suppression signal from the intracranial vibrational signal as a function of time. In addition, the apparatus provides a mechanism for applying the intracranial vibrational suppression signal to the patient's head for suppressing the induced intracranial noise or vibrational signal.

Abstract: An object tracking system is provided for tracking the removal of objects from a location and the replacement of the objects at the location. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to each of the objects to be tracked and each tag has an antenna. When activated, the RFID tag of an object transmits a unique code identifying the object. A storage unit is provided at the location and the storage unit has a plurality of receptacles configured to receive objects replaced at the location. Each receptacle has an associated antenna for activating the RFID tag of an object in the receptacle and receiving the radio frequency transmitted code of the object. The antennae of the system can be capacitive plates for conveying the radio frequency transmissions through capacitive coupling or inductive loops for conveying the transmissions through inductive coupling.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of reducing an HIV infected subject's HIV-1 viral load which comprises administering to the subject an effective viral load reducing amount of an antibody which (a) binds to a CCR5 chemokine receptor and (b) inhibits fusion of HIV-1 to a CD4+CCR5+ cell, so as to thereby reduce the subject's HIV-1 viral load to 50% or less of the subject's HIV-1 viral load prior to administering the antibody to the subject.

Abstract: A pull-cord keeper provided for a window treatment assembly, where the keeper comprises a housing configured for secure mounting attachment on a wall near an upper portion of the window treatment assembly, the housing further defining a cavity therein; an opening in communication with the cavity; a spool adapted for rotational movement within the cavity to reel and collect through the opening a length of a slender, flexible material; and spring bias means for biasing the spool in a rotational direction for reeling the length of the slender, flexible material during a constant spring-loaded state.

Abstract: A system for maintaining reliable packet distribution in a ring network with support for strongly ordered, nonidempotent commands. Each consumer node on the network maintains a record of the sequence of packets that have passed through that node, and the state of each of the packets at the time it passed through, including a record of the last known good packet and its sequence number. When a producer node detects an error condition in an acknowledgement for a packet, resends all packets beginning with the last known good packet. Each consumer node is able to process or reject the resent packets, including packets that may already have been processed, which it is aware of due to the packet and state records for all packets.

Abstract: A position sensor for an electronic control pedal is carried by the pedal mounting bracket and includes a linear potentiometer having a slider operable along a substrate in only a linear direction for providing an output voltage representative of slider displacement. A drive arm is connected to the pedal shaft for rotation during pedal movement. A coupler connected to the slider is slidable within a slot in the drive arm for providing the linear displacement through a rotational movement of the shaft. The drive arm has an inner arm in a telescoping connection with an outer arm for setting the drive arm at a desired length after potentiometer calibration. The longitudinal axis of the slot is at an non-zero angle to the longitudinal axis of the drive arm for desensitizing the sensor calibration and adjustment process.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for inserting into and covering an opening (22) of an instrument panel (12) comprises an air bag module (14). The air bag module (14) has an air bag (50), which is inflatable through the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12) for protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash condition. The apparatus (10) further comprises a door (16) for covering the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12). The door (16) is attached to the air bag module (14) and is movable relative to the air bag module (14) to locate the door (16) relative to the instrument panel (12). The door (16) and the instrument panel (12) have respective interlocking portions (34 and 90), which snap together to attach the door (16) to the instrument panel (12). The interlocking portions (34 and 90) snap together when the air bag module (14) is inserted into the opening (22) in the instrument panel (22) and the door (16) is moved relative to the air bag module (14) into a position to cover the opening (22).