Abstract: A hybrid driving unit in which a first electric motor (20), a second electric motor (23), a transmission (22) and a power splitting planetary gear (21) are disposed in order from the front side (the side of an internal combustion engine) on an axis within a casing member (14). Since the first electric motor (20) and the second electric motor (23) are disposed adjacently to each other, partial cases for storing these first and second electric motors (20) and (23) may be combined, thus facilitating the accommodation for producing the unit in series.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine (8) to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device including an engine-stop switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism in the differential state, upon stopping of the engine, so that the engine speed can be rapidly lowered to zero by controlling the first electric motor in the differential state of the differential mech

Abstract: A first reduction section of a hybrid power unit reduces an output of a motor when a transmission is shifted. A charge determining section determines whether charging of a battery is permitted. If the charge determining section determines that charging of the battery is not permitted in a period where the first reduction section reduces the output of the motor, a second reduction section reduces a power generation amount of a generator. Therefore, a shift shock is reliably prevented without generating response delay in an output rotation in the hybrid power unit.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a workstation or other heavy object which is easily moved, yet steady and stable when parked. Underneath this object is attached a multiple air-bearing device having a backplate, a membrane which is selectively bonded to the backplate, and a stencil and dimple which further prevent separation of the membrane from the backplate and which also provide a bearing surface for the workstation to rest with stability against the floor. Pressurized air is introduced through the base and behind the unbonded portions of the membrane, inflating the membrane and creating lift, and additionally forming a pneumatic seal against the floor. Air passages through the membrane and within the sealed footprint allow air to flow into and through the region between the membrane and the floor, creating an air-lubricated bearing that allows nearly frictionless motion of the heavy object.

Abstract: A regenerative braking control apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, includes: a regenerative braking unit arranged to produce a regenerative braking effort for the vehicle; and a control unit connected for signal communication to the regenerative braking unit, and configured to perform the following: measuring a wheel speed deviation defined as a difference between a speed of a front wheel set of the vehicle and a speed of a rear wheel set of the vehicle; and controlling the regenerative braking effort in accordance with the wheel speed deviation during cornering. The control unit is configured to control the regenerative braking effort to decrease with an increase in the wheel speed deviation during cornering braking, and configured to perform braking for the vehicle in accordance with an operation of slowdown request, prioritizing a regenerative braking effort for one of the front wheel set and the rear wheel set of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control adapter for use with an existing dual lever lawn tractor that allows an operator to use a single hand in operating tile dual lever lawn tractor. Existing dual lever lawn tractors require an operator to use one hand on each lever to operate the lawn tractor. The control adapter of the present invention is operatively connected to the first control lever and to the second control lever of the dual lever lawn tractor which allows the operator to use a single hand in operating the dual lever lawn tractor.

Abstract: A first vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a magnet, a Hall sensor, and a valve. The steering torsion bar has a first end fixedly connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The magnet is movable in a first and an opposite second longitudinal direction with respect to the steering torsion bar and is constrained to move in the first longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the right by a driver and is constrained to move in the second longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the left by the driver. The Hall sensor has an output and is positioned proximate the magnet. The valve is operatively connected to the output. A second vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a ring-magnet support cylinder, a ring-magnet assembly, a ball-and-ramp assembly, a spring, a Hall sensor, and a valve.

Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus that urges a steering shaft or a rack shaft with an assist load using the drive force of a motor by a transmission mechanism via reduction gears, the reduction gears includes a rotation angle sensor assembled integrally therewith.

Abstract: An exhaust gas control valve includes a valve seat, a valve plate having a first exhaust gas pressure receiving area corresponding to an opening area and a second exhaust gas pressure receiving area larger than the first area; and a spring for closing the valve. In a closed state, gas pressure during a low engine speed operation acts on only the first exhaust area for shutting the opening. In an intermediate state, the pressure during a the middle engine speed operation acts on the first and second areas for opening the opening but closing the valve by overlap of wall portions of the valve plate and the valve seat overlap. In an opening state, the pressure during a high engine speed operation acts on the first and second areas for forming a gap between the wall portions to pass the gas therethrough.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine having two banks of cylinders by which pulses of exhaust gas are alternately directed to a diverter subassembly. The diverter subassembly, which is located in the muffler, includes a perforated gas decelerator chamber which divides each pulse of exhaust gas between two exhaust outlets and causes a low pressure wave to occur in the exhaust system to enhance scavenging of a subsequent pulse of exhaust gas and thereby improve engine performance and mileage. The muffler further includes one or more cores and may or may not include a dead air space chamber to provide attenuation and tonal balance to the exiting exhaust gas.

Abstract: An elevator system has on each floor hall call buttons that are inter-connected with piconet modules (15), such as modules conforming to BLUETOOTH™ specifications; similar piconet modules (16) may be associated with hall fixtures such as lanterns and gongs; similar piconet modules (50) may be associated with hoistway doors, on each floor, so as to form a wireless communication system with a similar piconet module (19) at the controller (18); and a piconet module (40) may be associated with the car operating panel. A module (43) may be interconnected with the car door lock switch; a module (44) may be interconnected with a safety switch; modules (48) and (49) may be interconnected with lower and upper limit switches; and a module (49) may be interconnected with an overspeed detector, so as to form a safety chain.

Abstract: An elevator group control system is provided which stably keeps cage's position in temporally equal interval condition over a long period of time. The present invention provides a system comprising: reference route generating means, which for each elevator, generates a reference route which the elevator should follow with respect to the time axis and position axis; and assignment means which selects an elevator for assignment to a generated hall call so as to make the actual trajectory of each elevator closer to its reference route. Since reference routes which guides the cage's trajectory into temporally equal interval condition are generated and car assignment is executed so as to make the respective cages follow their reference routes, it is possible to allow the cages to settle in temporally equal interval condition over a long period of time.

Abstract: A damper for an airplane landing gear leg comprises a main strut (11) and a rod piston (13) co-operating with the strut (11) to define a main chamber (15) and annular chamber (16) for hydraulic fluid, and presenting internally two adjacent chambers (19, 20) that are isolated from each other by a separator piston (21). The damper (10) further comprises a first secondary strut (26) telescopically Slidable on the above-mentioned rod piston (13), and a second secondary strut (37) telescopically slidable on the other end of the first secondary strut (26). The two second annular chambers (31, 40) as defined in this way are respectively connected to associated control circuits thus enabling the total length of the damper to be shortened or lengthened respectively for the purpose of causing the landing gear to contract or to be extended.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes: a primary mass defining a substantially, ring-shaped chamber that is divided into at least two portions; a secondary mass relatively rotatably connected to the primary mass; and a plurality of damping units disposed in the divided portion of the ring-shaped chamber for coupling the primary and secondary masses to each other in a rotatable elastic manner. Each of the damping units includes a plurality of coil springs, and outer and inner wedge-shaped friction guides. The coil springs are situated in series and disposed one after the other within the divided portions of the ring-shaped chamber. The outer and inner wedge-shaped friction guides face each other along facing surfaces thereof. Each of the facing surfaces of the outer and inner wedge-shaped friction guides are entirely slanted with respect to a radial direction of the primary mass.

Abstract: An item of expandable luggage is provided with a muiltipositional locking expansion mechanism that includes a lock release actuator for unlocking the expansion plates that is located near or on a handle on the sliding plate situated towards the upper portion of the expandable body for easy accessibility, thereby permitting the user to adjust the inner volume of the luggage storage space when the compartment is fully packed. The extendable gusset is provided with one or more resilient members that retract the gusset into the interior of the luggage when it is not extended.

Abstract: A one-way clutch of package type which includes a one-way clutch comprising an inner race, an outer race and a torque transferring member for transferring torque between the inner race and the outer race and in which a bearing is integrally incorporated between the inner and outer races of the one-way clutch and wherein a biasing member is interposed between an axial end face of at least one of projections of the inner and outer races of the one-way clutch and an axial end face of an inner race or an outer race of the bearing.

Abstract: A coin denomination discriminating device for improving coin dispensing devices which incorporates components formed of non-magnetic material including a non-magnetic rotor having a coin receiving portion and a non-magnetic reference guide to guide coins from a storage coin holding bowl to a coin conveying device capable of selectively releasing coins of various denominations. Magnetic sensor units can be positioned along the coin movement path to provide characteristic signals representative of the coins independent of influence of metallic components in the transporting path. The non-magnetic members can be formed from wear resistant plastic material and relatively inexpensive magnetic sensors with coil and ferrite coils can be utilized adjacent the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coin return process applicable in coin returns in which at least two types i of coins of different values coexist in a single storage area. The process has the steps of: obtaining a total value to be returned; assigning different initial weights Weighti0 to each of the at least two types of coin, i<=2; identifying the coin to be extracted or recovered by the return prior to its extraction or recovery; Weightsi? is equal to a pre-established value, in which case the coin is extracted. Then, modifying, after the identification of, Weighti? the coin to be extracted or recovered by the return, the weight assigned to the identified coin, where the Weighti? being the modified weight; and, checking if the modified weight, Weighti? is equal to a pre-established value, in which case the coin is extracted.

Abstract: An escalator or moving walk has a truss that is supported in the area of its extreme ends. In the area between its two extreme ends, the truss has at least one tension element which, at a first end, is connected mechanically to the truss, and at a second end is connected to a fastening point. The tension element is constructed and tensioned such that it exerts a tensile force on the truss that acts at least partly in the direction of the earth's gravitational force.

Abstract: A pusher mechanism for pushing bottles formed in an I.S. machine from a dead plate to a conveyor. The pusher mechanism includes a pusher finger assembly which is supported by a housing and is movable about an axis of support and about the parallel axis of rotation of the housing. The axis of the two drive gears for effecting these rotations are coaxial.

Abstract: The tie bar supporting a feed tray (moving mass) is attached to the reaction mass using one leaf spring and one elastomeric spring. The elastomeric spring comprises first and second elastomeric pads which sandwich a portion of the tie bar to which the feed tray is attached. The elastomeric spring operates in shear with the spring rate of the elastomeric spring being adjusted by increasing/decreasing the compressive force exerted by the first and second elastomeric pads on the tie bar. The adjustable vibratory feeder has demonstrated greatly enhanced stability over other existing systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of the cavities and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A blister package housing a contact lens is described. The package generally includes a base member including a cavity having a bottom surface, for containing a contact lens immersed in a liquid medium. The base member can include a grip region including a curved top surface shaped to accommodate a thumb and a curved bottom surface shaped to accommodate an inner curve of a forefinger. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses located in the liquid medium have a reduced tendency to stick to the bottom surface of the cavity without requiring a surfactant and/or a surface modification of the bottom surface.

Abstract: A personal hygiene article comprises an individually packaged sanitizing wipe, a second package, a graspable member and means for attaching the second package to a different article. The individually packaged sanitizing wipe includes a first package having a sanitizing wipe contained therein. The second package has the individually packaged sanitizing wipe contained therein. The graspable member is attached to a surface of the package in a manner enabling grasping and pulling of the graspable member to at least one of open the package and detach the package from the different article. The means for attaching the second package to a different article is attached to the second package.

Abstract: Compressor packing member which can pack compressors in many tiers is disclosed. The compressor packing members includes a pallet having first pins projected from an upper surface for holding mounting plates of compressors, and supporting surfaces formed in the upper surface for supporting lower parts of the compressors, and a pad inserted between tiers of compressors stacked on the pallet in multiple tiers for protecting the compressors. The pad includes platforms each arranged at corners of each loading lot for supporting corners of the mounting plate of the compressor, reinforcing ridges each projected between adjacent platforms for preventing deformation of the platforms, thereby stacking, and packing multiple tiers of a plurality of compressors.

Abstract: A system for manual delivery of mail to a series of recipients includes a stack of mail holders each comprising a front flap, a back flap and a central fold. One or more mail pieces are disposed in each holder, such that all of the mail pieces in each holder are to be delivered to the same recipient. The holders are stacked in a predetermined order for a carrier delivery route, and may be banded or otherwise secured together until the time of delivery.

Abstract: A merchandise display hook for mounting on a display structure includes a one-piece elongated U-shaped rigid member having a pair of spaced parallel rods and a connecting base. A sleeve is secured to the base and telescopically receives a shaft therethrough forming a pivot. A pair of lugs are fixed to outer ends of the shaft and have L-shaped ends which extend through openings in the display structure. Downward movement of the base along the support structure while the rods remain in a horizontal position pivotally move the lugs through and behind the support structure to a securely mounted position on the support structure eliminating the need for any upward angled movement of the display hook to install the hook, enabling the hook to be installed in a confined area.

Abstract: A molding die assembly includes an upper die and a lower die, wherein at least one of the upper and lower dies is provided with a cavity corresponding to the shape of a rubber member to be molded, wherein at least one of the upper and lower dies is provided with an annular projection around a cavity. The distance between the upper and lower dies at the annular projection is made smaller than the distance between the opposed surface portions, other than the cavity, of the upper and lower dies. A rubber member produced by the above mentioned molding die assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A bottle closure including a shell having an open first end, a closed second end, an inner wall and an outer wall, the combination forming conical space and a tapered core having a first end, a second end and conical surface positioned between the first end and second end wherein the tapered is located in the shell conical space.

Abstract: A compressed gas tank for a motor vehicle includes a metallic gas container having opposite container walls which are constructed with a profiling to increase rigidity, and at least one tie element extending across the gas container. The profiling is realized by stamping a plurality of wall portions from the plane of the container walls to assume a convex and/or concave configuration.

Abstract: A temperature-retaining food container includes an outer shell having an inner chamber that can be filled with a temperature storing medium. The shell is shaped to provide an expansion zone within the chamber to permit expansion of the medium. A support is formed to provide additional volume to the chamber and the expansion zone. The support structure can optionally be provided to automatically expand in response to an increase in pressure within the chamber. A lid is provided which covers the container and further operates as a serving platter. The shell of the container can optionally be formed from a plurality of separate portions, which interlock to form the complete serving container and disassemble for storage or use with smaller or crowded appliances.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: The disk feeder removes disks from the bottom of a stack of disks by pushing them one at a time with a ram traveling back and forth under a tower holding the stack of disks. The tower has a gap at the base for allowing one disk at a time to be pushed out by the ram. The tower may be tilted to provide for a stack of disks, which rest partly on a wall of the tower to reduce the weight of the stack on the bottom disk. The workstation fed by the disk feeder can be a disk destroyer, a printer, a writer or any other disk processing device. Combinations of disk feeders and workstations can produce batches of copies of disks with labels printed on them. The disk feeder provides a low cost reliable way to feed disks to work stations.

Abstract: A pressurized sprayer comprises a pump attachment. The pump attachment includes a body that defines a chamber in which a piston is reciprocally mounted. The piston is coupled to a handle by a shaft. The piston separates the chamber into a first portion and as second portion. The second portion in communication with an inlet valve and outlet passage. A spray nozzle is in communication with the outlet passage and is rigidly attached to the pump attachment.

Abstract: A closure for dispensing product from a container having a film seal across the mouth of the container finish includes a base having a deck that is adapted to overlie the film seal on the container finish and a dispensing opening in the deck. A lid is secured by a hinge to an edge of the base for overlying the deck. A spud is aligned with the dispensing opening and secured to the cover by one or more frangible elements. The spud is adapted, after rupture of the frangible elements, to move into the dispensing opening in the deck either directly or through an intervening spout, to pierce the film seal, and thereafter to function as a plug seal when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A pipe tensioner machine for offshore pipelaying operations comprises adjustable tension banks for the transfer of tension to the pipe string. Four tension banks (14, 16, 18 20) are provided in an angle of substantially 90 degrees to each other mounted inside a framework (12). The tension banks are movable along guides. The tension banks (14, 16, 18, 20) comprise revolving tracks (22) carrying traction pads (24) transmitting the squeeze force to the pipe (26). The lower tension banks (18, 20) are longer than the upper tension banks (14, 16).

Abstract: A combustion-powered nail gun drives nails into a workpiece when both a head switch and a trigger switch are turned ON while a safety switch is turned ON. The nail driving operation cannot be performed if the safety switch is not ON even if both the head switch and the trigger switch are ON. The head switch is turned ON when a push lever is urged against the workpiece. Fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber is ignited when the head switch and the trigger switch are turned ON irrespective of an order in which the head switch and the trigger switch are turned ON, whereby “successive-shot driving” can be performed in which the trigger switch is maintained in its ON position while successively driving a plurality of nails at different locations of the workpiece by repeatedly pushing and releasing the push lever toward and away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably coupled to the housing and include a first surface. An adjustment element can have a second surface and a threaded aperture. The second surface can be engaged to the first surface such that rotation of the knob effects corresponding rotation of the adjustment element. An adjustment rod can be threadably received into the threaded aperture. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. A locating formation can be coupled to one of the housing and the knob. An indexing member can be coupled to the other of the housing and the knob. The indexing member can engage the locating formation to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing.

Abstract: A capillary tip for deforming a bonding wire during bonding of the wire to a bonding surface comprises a bottom face along an inner periphery of the capillary tip for pressing the bonding wire against a bonding surface, an outer radius along an outer periphery of the capillary tip, and includes a first inclined face adjacent to the bottom face and extending obliquely to the bottom face as well as a second inclined face adjacent to the first inclined face and extending obliquely to the first inclined face.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wrap-around carrier which is held together by a single locking system, which is a secondary locking system in which the secondary male locks are formed as an extension of an outer secondary locking flap with an inner bottom flap having a secondary female opening for each secondary male lock. Assistance in holding the secondary male locks in the vertical locked position between two containers in the carrier is provided by a female flap formed in the female opening in the inner bottom flap. Further assistance is provided in holding the secondary male locks in the vertical lock position between two containers by the containers having flexible side walls and carrying a liquid whose weight pushes out against the walls of the container and creates tension in the wrap-around carrier thereby holding the secondary male locks in the vertical locked position.

Abstract: A package and two part blank for forming a package for carrying one or more articles comprising a carton having a plurality of wall panels for forming a tubular structure wherein each end of the carton is closed by a first panel hingedly connected to one of the wall panels, an intermediate panel hingedly connected to another wall panel of the carton and adapted to be placed in face contacting relationship within the inner face of the first panel. There further comprises within the carton an insert structure for supporting the one or more articles including a second panel. An aperture or recess is provided in the intermediate panel such that glue applied to an outer face of the second panel and the intermediate panel secures together said first, second and intermediate panels when placed together in face contacting relationship to close the end of the carton.

Abstract: A mailbox comprises a mailbox body, a door and a see-through window. The mailbox body has an interior space therein and an access opening through which the interior space is accessible. The interior space includes a cavity extending below a bottom edge of the access opening. The door is movably attached to the mailbox body adjacent the access opening and has a window opening extending therethrough. The door is movable between a first respective position covering effectively an entire portion of the access opening and a second respective position enabling access to the interior space through the access opening. The see-through window is attached to the door and at least partially covering a window opening in the door.

Abstract: A calculator is provided that includes an input pad that includes a sales tax button and a currency pad, which includes a change due button and a number of currency keys. The currency keys can be depressed in order to enter numeric values associated with currency. The change due button may be used in order to produce a resultant between data provided in the input pad and the currency pad.

Abstract: A shelf tag to be attached to a display shelf for displaying commercial products, includes: a commercial product name and a price of the commercial product and a dimensional value indicating a display position of the commercial product to be displayed in a row direction on the display shelf printed on the tag.

Abstract: A system for enabling competition entry is provided using a printed product label provided on a product item. The system has a sensing device and a computer system. The sensing device senses coded data from the label attached to the product item and generates interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data. The coded data is uniquely indicative of the product item and the label has regions including information fields, buttons and/or entry fields. The computer system receives the interaction data and correlates the interaction data with a competition.

Abstract: A method for screening for potential fraud in commercial paper is provided. For example, a method of the invention comprises steps of presenting a check for cashing to a check cashing agent (e.g., a bank teller); scanning or inspecting the check for data; selecting data for analysis; analyzing selected data with a commercial paper fraud detection system (“CPFDS”); and reporting results of the fraud detection system analysis to the check cashing agent. The commercial paper fraud detection system provides a means for predicting if commercial paper is potentially fraudulent. For example, the commercial paper fraud detection system may detect stolen checks, altered checks, and fabricated or counterfeit checks, among other types of fraud. Also provided is a computer program product for detecting fraud in commercial paper.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting bank account information from an individual and authenticating the individual prior to allowing the bank account to receive an electronic fund transfer comprises providing a website; allowing the individual on the website to enter bank account information to which funds will be transferred; delivering application forms with a unique bar-coded identifier over the internet to the individual; electronically receiving and storing the application forms after being completed by the individual and linking the bar coded identifier with the individual's bank account information; visually comparing by at least first and second customer support representatives information provided on the forms with information provided on the website to verify the identity of the individual; and validating payment to the individual if the individual's identity is verified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handheld system for associating a selected audio content with an object includes an identifier applied to a surface of the object and having a predetermined graphical format that is configured to encode the selected audio content, and a handheld device operable to encode the identifier and further operable to detect an audio content associated with the identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a biometric identification system, method and product for facilitating a transaction in a point of sale environment. In one embodiment, the biometric identification system facilitates creating or updating a biometric template based on biometric samples received from an existing customer belonging to an existing predetermined customer group, and approving a transaction at the point of sale terminal based on a validated biometric sample received from a verified customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the authenticity of an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing an authentication code, determining the positions of particles being distributed in an object, encoding of the positions to provide a check-code, using the check-code and the authentication-code to determine the authenticity of the object.