Abstract: A pivot connection includes a ball stud head that creates strong anti-rotation characteristics while retaining substantially full pivotability. The ball stud head includes a mid-section that grips the interior of the socket so as to resist rotation. The improved ball stud head is useful in connection with quarter turn style ball sockets and quarter turn headlamp adjusters.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mounting bracket that may be permanently mounted to a vehicle, such as by riveting. The mounting bracket includes at least one deflectable tab that is deflected away from a main plane of the bracket when the lamp assembly is pressed against it. The lamp assembly includes an extending surface which interacts with the mounting bracket tab in order to deflect the tab. Subsequent rotation of the lamp assembly in a clockwise direction causes the lamp extending surface to move under the mounting bracket, allowing the deflected tab to return to its quiescent position Any attempt to remove the lamp assembly from the mounting bracket by turning the lamp assembly in a counter-clockwise direction is prevented by interaction between the lamp extending surface and the now non-deflected mounting bracket tab. Theft of the lamp assembly is thereby prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight lamp having a metal-plastic cap whose electric connections are constructed as contact lugs (16, 17). According to the invention, the two contact lugs (16, 17) in each case have a groove (16c, 17c) in which in each case a supply lead wire (12, 13) which is guided out of the lamp bulb is fixed to the corresponding contact lug (16, 17) by a welded joint. Furthermore, the contact lugs (16, 17) are equipped with means (16f, 17f) for threading the supply lead wires (12, 13) into the respective groove (16c, 17c) and the lamp cap has at least one cut-out (18) which serves the purpose of carrying out the welding of the supply lead wires (12, 13), arranged in the grooves (16c, 17c), to the contact lugs (16, 17).

Abstract: A stirrer for mixing a sample solution. In order to make a structure wherein drops are not liable to remain in a channel without an increase in flow resistance in a microtube, ultrasonic vibrators are arranged in the stirring tube and plural sample solutions to be mixed are stirred and mixed by an acoustic streaming from ultrasounds generated by the vibrators.

Abstract: A homogenization valve includes a housing and stacked valve members within the housing. The valve members have central holes therethrough defining a high pressure volume. Each valve member includes a valve seat defining, with a valve surface, gaps through which fluid is expressed radially from an inside high pressure volume to the low pressure volume. The actuator acts on the valve members to control the width of the gaps. The valve member includes circumferentially spaced, compressible spacing elements to maintain the gap. The actuator controls substantially all of the gap widths by compressing the spacing elements. Annular springs are positioned within the high pressure volume in spring-grooves in the valve members to align adjoining pairs of valve members to maintain the stacked member configuration.

Abstract: A mixer is used for producing multi-component pastes at a mixing ratio other than 1:1. A deviating channel 20 is provided between the inlet opening 16 for the component of the larger volume proportion and the mixing chamber, to delay the feed of this component with respect to the other component. The presence of this deviating channel 20 causes all components to enter the mixing chamber simultaneously, thereby obtaining a paste which has the desired mixing ratio from the start.

Abstract: A stirring device achieving high stirring efficiency and easy to wash and maintain, is provided. The stirring device includes a vertical cylindrical stirring vessel, a rotary shaft vertically extended within the stirring vessel for rotation, and a stirring vessel constituted of two or more basically rectangular vane plates vertically supported on the rotary shaft in symmetrical relation with each other with respect to the rotary shaft. On an upper portion of the stirring vane, a recess is formed for forming a cone about the rotary shaft when the stirring vane rotates. A lower end of the stirring vane is arranged in the vicinity of a bottom surface of the stirring vessel.

Abstract: A self-winding electric power generation watch capable of having an additional function structure besides a time indication and an electric power generation function by virtue of an efficient arrangement of train wheels and motors for watch, electric power generation, and additional function in a watch case. An electric power generation motor 12 for conducting self-winding electric power generation by means of rotation of a rotary weight 41a, a watch motor 11 driven by electric power of the electric power generation motor 12, a storage battery 14 for storing the electric power of the electric power generation motor 12, and a chronograph motor 13 driven by the electric power of the electric power generation motor 12 are arranged in a watch case so as to surround a center part of the watch. Watch train wheels 20 and 30, an electric power generation train wheel 40, and a chronograph train wheel 50 are disposed in a two-layer form in a region surrounded by the motors.

Abstract: A measuring technique and method are provided to simultaneously determine the molecular density of several molecular species and the temperature within a closed process room in a melting or combustion process. In such processes in the industry, e.g. in metallurgic process industry, it is important to determine the temperature and the contents within the gas or flame without physically connect to or disturb the process. This has shown to raise large problems especially at high temperatures. The radio signal over a frequency band is measured on the outside of the process room through a window in the mantel covering as a function of frequency and registered on a computer as a radio spectrum. The system is calibrated by using a known signal transmitted through the process room. The spectral lines are identified by their frequency from a database. The temperature is determined from several lines of the same molecular specie and the molecular densities are determined from the intensities of the lines.

Abstract: In a three-wire RTD interface, a known current is connected to a first lead during a first measurement interval. In this configuration, current is directed to the first lead and into an RTD. This results in a first signal indicative of a first voltage drop resulting from the voltage drops across the RTD and the lead resistance of the first lead. During a second measurement interval, current is directed through a second lead having a lead resistance substantially identical to the lead resistance of the first lead. This results in a second signal indicative of the voltage drop resulting from the second lead. The first signal, the second signal, and the known current are then combined to eliminate the effect of the lead resistance and to determine the resistance of the RTD.

Abstract: A device for moving an X-ray table 1 or the like, wherein a crosshead 3 engages with a first actuator 5a of a first linear motive unit 4a, 6a, 7a, 8a, and with a second actuator 5b, which can move parallel thereto, of a second linear motive unit 4b, 6b, 7b, 8b, and that it is possible to rotate the crosshead 3 through a different speed of movement and/or direction of movement of the first actuator 5a and second actuator 5b.

Abstract: A laminated film includes an outer-layer-film, a water-soluble film, and an intermediate layer interposed between the outer-layer-film and the water-soluble film. The intermediate layer contains high-pressure polyethylene oxidized to a prescribed degree on a surface thereof contiguous to the water-soluble film. The outer-layer-film and the intermediate layer adhere fast to each other. The intermediate layer and the water-soluble film directly contact each other and adhere so weakly to each other as to be peelable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sealed pouches, and apparatus and processes for producing the same. The pouch includes contoured first and second lateral edges, with each lateral edge having concave and convex surfaces. The concave surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the convex surface of the second lateral edge and the convex surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the concave surface of the second lateral edge. Accordingly, a distance between the first and second lateral edges is substantially the same for all elevations of the pouch.

Abstract: A plastic package with a fastener composed of a plastic package body and a sealing sheet disposed in an internal portion of the package, wherein a first side of the package body and the sealing sheet are capable of being opened and closed by the fastener at an inlet portion of the package body, and a second side of the package body and the sealing sheet are sealed and the first side of the package body and the sealing sheet are bonded by peelable bonding portion(s) at a more internal side and/or external side of the package than the fastener. The package of the present invention has excellent filling, opening and resealing abilities even if the contents are liquid, as well as excellent pressure resistance.

Abstract: The dynamic pressure bearing device is structured such that the pores of porous material as they are are disposed in the surfaces thereof forming the negative pressure cancel portions 15b and a lubricating fluid is supplied to the negative pressure generating areas thereof through the pores of the negative pressure cancel portions 15b, whereby, even if recess-shaped grooves forming the negative pressure cancel portions 15b are formed shallow in depth and wide in width, or even if such grooves themselves are not formed at all, the dynamic pressure bearing device is able to fulfill its negative pressure cancel function in a sufficient manner. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for provision of the conventional recess-shaped grooves which are formed deep and narrow, thereby eliminating the need to execute an expensive operation such as a cutting operation or the like, so that the negative pressure cancel portions 15b can be formed at a low cost by inexpensive means such as by molding or the like.

Abstract: A bicycle crank axle comprises an axle, which is provided with two fitting portions located at both ends thereof. Each of the two fitting portions is fitted into a tapered sleeve, which is in turn fitted into a fixation seat. The fixation seat is provided with a tapered center hole in which a tapered fixation ring, a tapered bearing seat, a C-shaped ring, a pillar holder of a tapered construction, a plurality of tapered pillars, a washer, and a fixation seat cover are provided. The tapered pillars are intimately held by the pillar holder to provide the axle with protection against idle running and mechanical wear.

Abstract: A bearing assembly adjustable spacer may include an end portion, a deformable portion, a transversely inward face portion, and a transversely outward face portion. The end portion may be configured for generally axial abutment (e.g., with a shoulder portion) at a location about a spindle portion. The deformable portion may allow the spacer to be provided with a desired adjustment (e.g., a preload, an adjustment to an axial dimension of the spacer, and/or a compression of the deformable portion of the spacer). The inward face portion may be generally directed radially relative to an axis of the spacer. Further, the inward face portion may be configured for generally radial abutment (e.g., with a surface portion) at a location about a spindle portion. The outward face portion may have a generally axially curved portion. The curved portion may be largely directed obliquely away from the end portion of the spacer. Also, the curved portion may be configured to interface with a generally axially curved part (e.g.

Abstract: A single-piece optical fiber coupling (1) is specified which has a housing (2) with at least two holder openings (3a, 3b), which are arranged coaxially and run towards each other, for the optical fiber ends (4a, 4b) to be connected, the holder openings (3a, 3b) each having an outer section (3c, 3d) with a threaded crimp (3g) and an inner section (3e, 3f) with a thread (3h) of lower depth.

Abstract: An instrument that analyzes chemical properties of a specimen includes a probe that is used in place on the specimen for spectroscopic analysis. The probe has a probe body with a proximal end and a distal end, and a first optical fiber extends from the proximal to the distal ends. A temperature sensor is included in the probe body and is used so insure that the probe does not exceed a rated temperature limit or to monitor specimen temperature while, simultaneously, chemical composition information of the specimen is transmitted by the optical fiber. The probe can be inserted into a container holding the specimen and can yield both temperature and chemical composition information. The probe includes a plurality of metal coated fibers with the distal ends of the fibers positioned inside a bore in the probe. Braze material is placed on the probe near the bore and the braze material is then brazed to the metal coating on the ends of the fiber.

Abstract: In a semiconductor laser module which contains a semiconductor laser 31 installed in a package 10 with an optical fiber 21 is fixed through support members 41, 43 to a submount 30 on which the semiconductor laser 31 is mounted. A ferrule 21 is fixed to the support members 41, 43 at first portion close to the leading end of the ferrule 21 and second portion apart forn the leading end of the ferrule 21. The support members 41, 43 and the ferrule 21 are not contact with the package 10 but placed in the same temperature condition as that of the semiconductor laser 31.

Abstract: A method for maximizing the coupling efficiency of a fabricated fiber-optic laser module by deforming the module. In a first embodiment, the method can use a plurality of previously determined influence coefficients to determine how to deform the module, wherein such deformation aligns the focal point of the optical fiber and the laser to maximize the coupling efficiency. Alternatively, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the method is implemented without the use of influence coefficients, wherein the changes in the coupling efficiency resulting from deforming the module are observed to determine which deformations will maximize the coupling efficiency. Irrespective of which embodiment of the present invention is used, the module is deformed to account for its elastic properties by deforming the module beyond the final shape it attains when the coupling efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device having at least one exposed region. First and second metal seals bond and/or secure with, and surround, the exposed region of the device. An enclosure seals the device between the first and second metal seals. The enclosure has a first substrate and a second substrate, each with end surfaces including a deformable metal layer. The deformable metal layer seals the corresponding surfaces in response to the application of a compressive force and/or energy to the first and second substrates. The enclosure may be constructed to include a cavity, and/or constructed of relative short length. The enclosure may be used to secure to a portion of an optical fiber, fiber optic device and/or device, and/or may be used to encase a portion or all of an optical fiber, fiber optic device and/or device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thermally expanded core (TEC) fiber including the steps of arc-fusion splicing two optical fibers having different clad outer diameters, and cutting boundary surface between an optical fiber having a small clad outer diameter and an optical fiber having a large clad outer diameter of the two optical fibers to obtain the thermally expanded core (TEC) fiber. Also, the method further includes the step of polishing the cutting face of the optical fiber having a small clad outer diameter of the two cut optical fibers.

Abstract: A system for locating and monitoring electronic devices utilizing a security system that is secretly and transparently embedded within the software, firmware, or hardware of a computer. This security system initiates the client computer to periodically and conditionally call a host system to provide unique identifying indicia and location information. In one embodiment, the security system calls the host through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits the indicia in encoded form. In an alternative embodiment, which may be incorporated concurrently with the PSTN application, the security system calls the host system through the Internet and provides the host with indicia encoded within the DNS query sent. The host system is able to identify the calling computer from the indicia and is able to physically locate the computer through either caller identification or by referencing the Internet links which were used to connect the calling computer with the host system.

Abstract: An adjustable camera support comprises a lower pistol grip clamp for rapidly securing the support to an object, a flexible intermediate gooseneck portion for adjusting the camera as determined and an upper platform support for mounting the camera. The platform support includes adjusting mechanisms for moving the camera vertically through 180° and horizontally through 360°. A wide range of adjustments for camera sightings is achieved expeditiously by the gooseneck portion and the platform adjustment.

Abstract: A camera uses a film cartridge for automatically guiding out a film when the film cartridge is mounted into a film cartridge chamber. A film cartridge unit has the film cartridge chamber. A rail plate unit is formed independently of the film cartridge unit and is also mechanically connected to the film cartridge unit. The rail plate unit faces the film for guiding the move of the film from the film cartridge chamber. The film cartridge unit has a guide route for securely guiding the film from the film cartridge chamber to the rail plate unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a strip of photosensitive media having image exposure area having an undeveloped exposed portion thereon. The media include heat activated developer thereon. The apparatus includes a transport mechanism for moving the photosensitive media along a processing path; and a mechanism positioned along the processing path for selectively heating the undeveloped exposed portion of the strip of photosensitive media so as to develop the images thereon. The apparatus further includes sensors for determining the location of the undeveloped exposed portion of the image exposure area. A scanner may be provided for scanning the strip of photosensitive media so as to obtain a digital record of the images developed thereon.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a printer apparatus connected to a host computer, in such a manner that permits bidirectional communication, has a nonvolatile memory that allows its contents to be rewritten and read from the host computer. Allocated to the nonvolatile memory is an area for retaining a plurality of types of information for identifying the printer apparatus. Each piece of information comprises a key for identifying the type of information and a terminator indicating the end of the information. Thus, efficiently storing a plurality of pieces of information regarding the printer apparatus in the nonvolatile memory permits flexible change or addition of information.

Abstract: A sheet having at least one self-adhesive special purpose label arrangement set having a postage indicia label, an addressee label, and a sender label, wherein the maximum printable area of the sheet is made available for the labels, and a process for printing these special purpose label arrangement sets. In the process, a computer system with a printer is provided. A postage computer program for preparing and printing the labels is provided, and information concerning the addressee, the sender, and a mail piece to be mailed and how it is to be mailed is inputted into the postage computer program. The postage computer software will interface with and direct the printer to print the label set with the postage indicia, the addressee information, and sender information, preferably in a single pass through the printer. The postage value can be obtained via the Internet or in other manners.

Abstract: A method of verifying data matrix print quality utilizing center offset for dot peen or inkjet marks, and size offset for laser etched or printed marks. The method of the present invention builds on the AIM specification and provides additional measures to determine the quality of the data matrix marks. Center offset and size offset measurements are employed to determine the data matrix quality.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism includes a vibration isolating attachment system for securing a drive belt to an inkjet printhead carriage for increasing print quality by isolating the carriage from multi-directional vibrations generated by a carriage drive motor while propelling the carriage during printing. The vibration isolating member is of a resilient material having a first end coupled to a drive mechanism interface member which is joined to the belt, a second end coupled to a carriage interface member supported by the carriage, and a body section between the first end and the second end. Two or more vibration isolating members may be used, with a preferred shape being an I-shaped cross section. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a vibration isolating attachment system, and a method of method of isolating an inkjet printhead carriage from vibrations generated by a carriage drive motor, are also provided.

Abstract: A label-printing process for obtaining a desired optical density and a desired color tone with a substantially light-insensitive elongated imaging material comprising: selecting an elongated imaging material, the selected elongated imaging material having a support and a thermosensitive element; supplying image data to a processing unit of a thermal printer including a printhead having energizable heating elements arranged in a column C; converting the image data which are not zero into at least one activation pulse per pixel to be printed; energizing the heating elements printing-line by printing-line adjacent to the selected substantially light-insensitive elongated imaging material thereby producing an image; transporting the imaging material past and adjacent to the printhead in a transport direction with a transport system; forming an image dot with a heat energy of 50 to 200 mJ/mm2 of heating element surface area; wherein the thermosensitive element contains a substantially light-insensitive orga

Abstract: An improved image forming apparatus is provided for performing a printing operation on a series of paper and having a serial paper feeding device and a single sheet feeding device. The apparatus causes no paper jams of the series of paper while returning the series of paper to switch from a serial paper feeding mode to a single sheet feeding mode. The image forming apparatus includes a tractor wheel for conveying a series of paper to a printing area and for retreating the series of paper, and a tractor shaft for pivoting the tractor wheel. The image forming apparatus for feeding the series of paper by a serial paper feeding device causes a certain backlash in an initial pivotal movement of the tractor wheel and the tractor shaft.

Abstract: A line printer with a hammerbank having print hammers with printing tips and a ribbon supported for impact by the tips for printing on media and a metal platen for supporting the media. An elastomer on the metal platen supports the media and has a layer of material harder than the elastomer extending inwardly from its surface which receives the impacts of the hammer tips. The harder material can be particles extending inwardly randomly from the surface of the elastomer of a ceramic having a sphericity exceeding 0.50 up to 35 percent of the thickness of the elastomer, and in the range of 20 microns to 400 microns in size.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a cartridge body and a holder for holding a stick cosmetic and movable forward/backward in accordance with a screw movement. A container body includes an outer cylinder for rotatably holding the cartridge body, a clicking rod movable forward/backward, a rotor rotated by a cam mechanism while moving forward together with the clicking rod when a clicking operation is performed, and a rotation rod for transmitting the rotational force of the rotor to the holder. The holder and the rotor engage with the rotation rod in the rotating direction and are slidable forward/backward. When a clicking operation is performed, the holder rotates to move forward in accordance with the screw movement. When a clicking operation is not performed, the cartridge body is rotated to move the holder forward/backward.

Abstract: An elevator cup for receiving and supporting a cosmetic pomade in a cosmetic dispenser, comprising a hollow tubular body having a side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end for receiving a pomade; and one or more flexible tabs for positively engaging said pomade extending from an inner surface of the side wall. The flexible tabs are movable between a first position, wherein said flexible tab forms an acute angle with the side wall opening toward said bottom end, and a second position, wherein said flexible tab is substantially flush with said inner surface of the side wall. The flexible tab is deflectable from the first position to the second position upon receipt of a pomade and positively engages said pomade by returning to said first position by a spring force created in the flexible tab by the deflection from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser arrangement includes a self-contained pump and a discharge head. The pump has a liquid reservoir, while the discharge head has an applicator construction and an aperture. The aperture will be in liquid flow communication with the liquid reservoir. The discharge head is constructed and arranged to selectively take in liquid from an external liquid source through the aperture and convey the liquid to the liquid reservoir, when a pressure differential is established between the liquid reservoir and the external liquid source by the pump. The discharge head is also constructed and arranged to selectively eject liquid from the liquid reservoir through the aperture for distribution by the applicator construction. The applicator construction preferably includes a molded, flexible member with the aperture being in a portion of the flexible member. Methods of assembly and use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A writing instrument, notably a pen, comprising a body (1a, 1b) characterized in that this body or a fitted piece comprises at least one housing (6) having a transparent outer wall (7). The height of this housing (6) between its bottom and said transparent outer wall (7) is substantially constant, at least one movable decorative element (9) such as a diamond being movably mounted inside said housing (6), at least one of the dimensions of the movable element perpendicular to said height being substantially less than the corresponding dimension of the housing (6). This movable decorative element (9) is mounted in a support comprising two guide surfaces (10a, 10b) adjacent to the said bottom (6a) and to said transparent wall (7) respectively, these surfaces allowing random movement in translation and in rotation of said decorative element (9) about itself inside said housing (6).

Abstract: An adhesive, paint and adhesive film removal tool provides different scraping edge configurations for different substrates. The removal tool has a gripping portion which acts also as a bottle cap and a blade portion having a gently curved portion, a straight edge portion and a sharp edge portion allowing one to remove adhesive, paint and adhesively bound film from a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A capillary writing medium colorant reservoir system for a writing instrument and process for producing the colorant reservoir. The main problem in such colorant reservoirs is the storage time. During this time, the writing capacity of new writing instruments declines since the walls of the writing instruments are, if only slightly, permeable to solvents. In the long run a stored writing instrument thus dries out and loses the major proportion of its original writing capacity. To this end, the invention has a colorant reservoir with an elongated reservoir body made of fibrous material. The reservoir body is surrounded by a sleeve which is permeable to liquids and gases and gives the reservoir body its shape. The reservoir stores colorant to produce liquid writing medium, the colorant being stored between the fibers of the fibrous material of the reservoir body in dry form. A single-part or multipart wick projects from either side of the reservoir body.

Abstract: The writing implement 1 comprises a shaft barrel 4 and a tail plug 2. The shaft barrel 4 includes an ink storing body 7 stored in an interior portion thereof and a pen point 8 mounted on a front end portion thereof. The tail plug 2 is removably mounted on an opening formed at the rear end of the shaft barrel 4. The tail plug 2 includes a flange portion 21 which is provided backwardly of the rear end portion of the shaft barrel 4. Between the front surface of the flange portion 21 and the rear end portion of the shaft barrel 4, there is formed a groove 5 for forcibly opening. The groove 5 is formed more deeply inwardly in the diameter direction of the shaft barrel 4 than the inner surface of the rear end opening of the shaft barrel 4.

Abstract: The applicators for health and beauty fluid materials (or products) have an elongated reservoir with a dispenser head at one end and a telescoping extender thereon. When extended, the telescoping extender increases the length between the manual grasp and the dispenser head for application of the fluid material onto hard to reach body surface areas. The dispensing head lies at an acute angle to the handle length axis. The dispenser head has a rolling member and a cap which presses the rolling member down to close the dispensing opening through the dispenser head. The rolling member may be a roller, a cone or one or more spheres.

Abstract: A disposable toothbrush assembly has a special hollow handle that contains enough toothpaste for one use. The handle includes a dispensing orifice, preferably at the head. An external plug seals the orifice, and thus also the toothpaste from the exterior. The plug is manually removable to unseal the orifice. A compressed spring within the handle can be released by removing a stop. This causes a piston at the end of the spring to eject the toothpaste through the dispensing orifice on the bristles. The stop is advantageously formed integrally with the plug.

Abstract: A connection device for supporting one of a plurality of accessories with respect to a support surface includes a two piece suction cup. The two piece suction cup has an outer shell and a flexible inner member attached to a plunger which extends through the shell. The plunger terminates in a connector configured to engage with a connection feature on each of the accessories. The connection device acts to support a generally universal connector with respect to a support surface.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable coupling includes two coupling members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis. One coupling member includes a locking rib of circular configuration coaxial with the pivot axis, and the other coupling member includes a pair of pivotal arms having locking surfaces normally engageable with the locking rib to lock the two coupling members against pivotal movement, but manually moveable to release the locking rib and to permit one coupling member to be pivoted with respect to the other to any desired angular position.

Abstract: A tool coupling includes first and second bodies held together by a clamping mechanism. The first body includes a first surface having a first serration formed therein, a first hole extending through the first surface, and a side surface having a second hole extending therethrough and intersecting the first hole. The second body includes a second surface facing the first surface and including a second serration configured to mesh with the first serration. A drawbar projects from the second surface and extends into the first hole. The drawbar includes a plurality of wedge surfaces. The clamping mechanism includes a screw disposed in the second hole and nuts threadedly mounted thereon for movement toward and away from the drawbar. Each nut includes a plurality of wedge surfaces arranged to engage the wedge surfaces of the drawbar to pull the second body toward the first body in a manner bringing the first and second serrations into meshing engagement with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting structural supports from damage when impacted by an object such as a moving vehicle is provided. The apparatus has a shaped component which in the preferred embodiment is a semi-cylindrical component having a body defined by a wall, a top, and a base. The wall has at least one flat wall face and surrounds a hollow interior. An indentation for receiving a structural support is present in at least one flat wall face. A device for securing the shaped component to the structural support and for firmly seating one component at its flat wall face against the second component at its flat wall face when two components are present. Preferably, each component has a plurality of impact absorbing indentations, each having an aperture, a base and a wall extending from the base to an aperture mouth. These indentations function to re-distribute the energy of impact when a collusion occurs between the apparatus and a moving object.

Abstract: A finishing machine for the laying of the asphalt surface having a conveyer, and a hopper for the storage and the distribution of material. The conveyer, that moves material from the hopper to the auger, has a couple of chains connected with one another by transversal splines that are suitable for the transport of the material. The material crawls on a plurality of fixed plates secured to the frame of the machine, and the chains run on the plates. The last plate, which supports the passing material, is floating in comparison with the fixed plate which precedes it. The last plate is on a weighing device, and the device is connected with a control power unit. The control power unit detects a signal relevant to the reading of the weight of the material. The signals are detected at time intervals, depending on the angular speed of the hopper, and allows weighings to take place after all the weighed material has been unloaded from the weighing plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for widening microtunnels and/or for the destruction and replacement of ground-laid pipework and for the laying of new pipework possesses a tool which displaces the earth and/or destroys and/or displaces pipework laid in the earth, having a housing which is provided with an axial linkage seating, for example a housing passage for a linkage and with a linear drive which moves the tool, for example, on the linkage automatically from a launch pit to an arrival pit and simultaneously lays a follow-up pipe or a follow-up cable in the earth.

Abstract: A method and construction for a buoyancy compensator air chamber bellows utilizing a single side coated fabric having air passages for gas communication between the air chambers formed by annular disks which are welded together around and through the air passages to interlock the air chambers into a bellows.