A fastening assembly is provided for a roof add-on part of a motor vehicle, which has a roof skin element, an outer roof side frame, and a roof-add-on-part fastening element, which has a thread for detachably fastening the roof add-on part. The roof-add-on-part fastening element is fastened to a support plate. The support plate is arranged on a flange of the outer roof side frame and is fixed by a blind rivet only to the flange of the outer roof side frame, in such a way that the support plate and the flange of the outer roof side frame are jammed, in particular against each other.

The present invention relates to a fastening assembly for a roof add-on part of a motor vehicle, wherein the fastening assembly has an outer roof skin element, an outer roof side frame and a roof add-on part fastening element, which has a thread for detachably fastening the roof add-on part.
From DE 102004026773 A1, for example, a fastening means for a roof carrier of a motor vehicle is known. Here, the fastening means is developed at the bottom of a roof gutter that is formed by an outer roof frame body panel and a vehicle roof. A support plate has a projection with an inner thread to which the roof carrier or the like can be fastened. The support plate is, in t connected to the bottom of the roof gutter via a plurality of blind rivets. In particular, the respective blind rivet penetrates a flange of the vehicle roof, as well as the flanges of three body panels of the roof side frame. Fastening openings for fastening the support plate at the bottom of the roof gutter are developed afterwards in the roof gutter. To fasten the support plate, the support plate is positioned with through-openings that align with the fastening openings, the blind rivet is introduced into the respective fastening opening, and in this way, the support plate is fixed at the roof of the vehicle by jamming the flanges of the body panels against each other.
The object of the present invention is to provide a fastening assembly for a roof add-on part of a motor vehicle comprising an outer roof skin element, an outer roof side frame and a roof add-on part fastening element with a thread for detachably fastening the roof add-on part, wherein a production of the fastening assembly is simplified.
This and other objects of the invention are achieved by a fastening assembly for a roof add-on part of a motor vehicle having an outer roof skin element, an outer roof side frame and a roof add-on part fastening element having a thread for detachably fastening the roof add-on part. The roof add-on part fastening element is fastened to a support plate. The support plate is arranged at a flange of the outer roof side frame and is fixed by a blind rivet only at the flange of the outer roof side frame—in particularly jamming the support plate and the flange of the outer roof side frame against each other.
In this way, the roof add-on part fastening element is connected only to the flange of the outer side frame. In particular, the blind rivet only connects e support plate to the flange of the outer roof side frame so that no other aligning through-boring is required in other body panel elements. In this way, a through-boring for the blind rivet can be introduced into the outer roof side frame already even before the outer roof side frame is assembled with the motor vehicle body and, therefore, in particular already before any painting process, without having to take into account production tolerances of other body panel parts and joint tolerances of said body panel parts. A position of the roof add-on part fastening element is therefore determined by the through-boring.
The support plate is in particular developed in a locally limited fashion, which is to say, it reaches only over a locally limited part of the flange of the outer roof side frame. Thus, the width of the support plate preferably corresponds approximately to a width of the flange of the outer roof side frame. The support plate can also be developed a bit wider or a bit less wide than the flange of the outer roof side frame. The support plate can extend in longitudinal direction of the flange over an area that is shorter than a one-digit multiple of the width of the flange.
The blind rivet preferably connects the support plate and the flange by jamming the same against each other.
The roof add-on part, for example, can be a roof carrier for transporting loads and luggage or athletic equipment. In particular, the roof add-on part can be a conventional roof carrier for a passenger motor vehicle.
At least or more roof add-on part fastening elements with a respective associated support plate can be provided at a right outer roof side fame, and correspondingly, two or more roof add-on part fastening elements with a respective associated support plate can be provided at a left outer roof side frame. Preferably, four fastening assemblies are thus provided for the roof add-on part, so that the roof add-on part is connectable to the motor vehicle at at least four points that are spaced apart from each other.
The outer roof side frame and the outer roof skin element preferably form at their interface a groove that runs in longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is also called a gutter.
According to a preferred modification, the roof add-on part fastening element is developed by the blind rivet. In this way, the blind rivet forms a fastener of the support plate at the outer roof side frame as well as a fastening element for the roof add-on part.
According to another preferred modification, the flange of the outer roof side frame has a flange through-boring, and the support plate has a support plate through-boring, with the flange through-boring and the support plate through-boring being in alignment and developed to guide the blind rivet through.
Because the support plate is a locally limited element developed independently of vehicle body elements and has only a supporting function, the support plate through-boring can be arranged particularly easily to align with the flange through-boring. No subsequent boring is required to realize aligning through-borings with narrow tolerances, and the blind rivet can be guided easily through the flange through-boring and the support plate through-boring so that it can connect the flange of the outer roof side frame and the support plate by jamming the same easily into each other.
According to a preferred modification, the support plate is arranged at an inner side of the flange of the outer roof side frame. In particular, the inner side of the flange of the roof side frame is a side that is opposite to an outer side of the car body.
Because of this, the support plate is barely or not at all visible from the outside.
Advantageously, the outer roof skin element of the fastening assembly according to the present invention has a roof flange. The roof flange is connected to the flange of the outer roof side frame. Furthermore, in the area of the blind rivet, the roof flange advantageously has a cutout that is sufficiently larger than the head of the blind rivet.
In this way, the outer roof skin element is connected to the outer roof side frame in a conventional manner, whereas the outer roof skin element does not overlap with the blind rivet because of the cutout in the roof flange. In this way, the blind rivet does not form a positive or non-positive connection between the outer roof skin element and the outer roof side frame.
The cutout can be developed sufficiently large to compensate for production tolerances of the outer roof skin element, wherein the outer roof skin element does not overlap with the blind rivet.
According to a preferred modification, the outer roof skin element is made of a different material than the roof side frame. In particular, the material of the outer roof skin element has a different thermal expansion coefficient than the material of the outer roof side frame. For example, the outer roof skin element can be developed of a light metallic material, in particular an aluminum material or fiber plastic composite material. The outer roof side frame can be developed of a steel material.
Different materials with different thermal expansion coefficients normally lead to problems at the connecting points, wherein with the present invention, there is advantageously no connection between the elements with the various materials and various thermal expansion coefficients, at least not via the roof add-on part fastening element. By selecting a sufficient size of the cutout of the roof flange in the area of the blind rivet, an overlapping of the roof flange and the blind rivet can be avoided over a large temperature range to which motor vehicles may be subjected.
Preferably, the roof flange is joined to the flange of the outer roof side frame by gluing. Is way, the outer roof skin element is glued to the roof side frame.
According to a preferred modification of the fastening assembly, the outer roof side frame and an inner roof side frame together form a roof side frame hollow profile. Thus, a flange of the inner roof side frame is connected to the flange of the outer roof side frame. Preferably, the flange of the inner roof side frame has a cutout in the area of the blind rivet, which is at least larger than a blind rivet bead.
In this way, the flange of the outer roof side frame is principally connected to the flange of the inner roof side frame, but the blind rivet only connects the support plate and the flange of the outer roof side frame. For the blind rivet, in particular the head of the blind rivet, not to overlap with the flange of the inner roof side frame in an assembling of the blind rivet, the flange of the inner roof side frame has the cutout in the area of the blind rivet.
According to further advantageous modification of the fastening assembly according to the present invention, the support plate is arranged between the flange of the outer roof side frame and the flange of the inner roof side frame.
Thus, the support plate can be fixed between the flange of the outer roof side frame and the flange of the inner roof side frame.
The fastening assembly with the outer roof side frame and the inner roof side frame can furthermore have a roof side frame reinforcement that is arranged between the outer roof side frame and the inner roof side frame. Thus, a flange of the roof side frame reinforcement is arranged between the flange of the outer roof side frame and the flange of the inner roof side frame and connected to the flange of the outer roof side frame and the flange of the inner roof side frame. The support plate is arranged between the flange of the outer roof side frame and the flange of the roof side frame reinforcement and the flange of the roof side frame reinforcement can have a cutout that is developed at least sufficiently larger than the blind rivet and/or a blind rivet bead.
In this way, the flange of the roof side frame reinforcement also does not overlap with the blind rivet bead and/or the blind rivet connection.
According to a preferred modification, the support plate is additionally connected in a firm bond to the flange of the outer roof side frame, for example by gluing or welding. Furthermore, the support plate can be additionally connected in a firm bond to the flange of the inner roof side frame and/or the flange of the roof side frame reinforcement, if there is one, for example by gluing or welding.
In this way, the overall fastening assembly is very stable.
According to an especially preferred modification, the blind rivet is developed as a blind rivet nut.
This facilitates an especially easy assembling with few components, wherein an internal thread of the blind rivet nut simultaneously can be the thread for connecting the roof add-on part by use of a screw element.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fastening assembly for a roof add-on part of a motor vehicle

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


According to one embodiment, a weather data processing apparatus includes a storage configured to store weather data observed by a weather radar, and a processor. The processor is configured to acquire three-dimensional data of a cumulonimbus from the weather data; to detect a core of the cumulonimbus by using a principal component analysis process of the three-dimensional data; to calculate core detection data for displaying the core; and to execute a display process for effecting three-dimensional display of the cumulonimbus, and display of the core, based on the three-dimensional data of the cumulonimbus and the core detection data.

In recent years, it is possible to three-dimensionally observe a condition of a cumulonimbus by a weather data processing apparatus which employs a phased array weather radar (PAWR). For example, by using a volume rendering technique, an observation result of a cumulonimbus can be three-dimensionally displayed on a screen of a computer.
Here, in the observation of the cumulonimbus, it is important to observe a central part of the cumulonimbus, which is called a core (mass of raindrops) that has a highest density. By observing the condition of generation of the core, the occurrence of torrential rain, for instance, can be predicted.
In a conventional weather data processing apparatus, the weather data collected by the PAWR is processed, and the observed cumulonimbus can be displayed as a three-dimensional (3D) image on the screen of the computer. Here, in the observation of the cumulonimbus, it is preferable that not only the 3D image of the entirety of the cumulonimbus, but also the observation result of the core of the cumulonimbus can be displayed. However, it is not easy to exactly detect the core of the cumulonimbus, without requiring complex weather data processing, and to display the image of the core of the cumulonimbus, together with the 3D image of the entirety of the cumulonimbus.
This being the case, there is a demand for realizing a weather data processing apparatus which can exactly detect the core of the cumulonimbus by relatively simple weather data processing, and can display the image of the core together with the 3D image of the entirety of the cumulonimbus.

Weather data processing apparatus and method using weather radar


System and method embodiments are provided for very short pitch detection and coding for speech or audio signals. The system and method include detecting whether there is a very short pitch lag in a speech or audio signal that is shorter than a conventional minimum pitch limitation using a combination of time domain and frequency domain pitch detection techniques. The pitch detection techniques include using pitch correlations in time domain and detecting a lack of low frequency energy in the speech or audio signal in frequency domain. The detected very short pitch lag is coded using a pitch range from a predetermined minimum very short pitch limitation that is smaller than the conventional minimum pitch limitation.

Traditionally, parametric speech coding methods make use of the redundancy inherent in the speech signal to reduce the amount of information to be sent and to estimate the parameters of speech samples of a signal at short intervals. This redundancy can arise from the repetition of speech wave shapes at a quasi-periodic rate and the slow changing spectral envelop of speech signal. The redundancy of speech wave forms may be considered with respect to different types of speech signal, such as voiced and unvoiced. For voiced speech, the speech signal is substantially periodic. However, this periodicity may vary over the duration of a speech segment, and the shape of the periodic wave may change gradually from segment to segment. A low bit rate speech coding could significantly benefit from exploring such periodicity. The voiced speech period is also called pitch, and pitch prediction is often named Long-Term Prediction (LTP). As for unvoiced speech, the signal is more like a random noise and has a smaller amount of predictability.


Identifying objects in an image. An image is received. One or more objects in the image are identified, based on a database of identified objects, and wherein one or more other objects in the image are unidentified based on the database of identified objects. One or more salient objects in the image is identified, based on execution of a saliency algorithm. A generic location for the image is determined, based on the one or more identified salient objects and a database that associates objects with generic locations. One or more of the unidentified objects are identified, based on the determined generic location for the image.

The present invention relates generally to a identifying objects in an image, and more particularly, to identifying objects based on determining a generic location for the image.
Current object recognition systems are not able to easily distinguish between objects present in a photograph, as they use feature-model mapping. It is even more difficult to recognize objects in a video sequence or when they are displayed sub-optimally (e.g., rotated or blurred), or partially obstructed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An electro-optic fluid level sensor includes a body having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion. A light source is disposed at the first end portion of the body. A first light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. A second light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. The second light detector is axially offset from the first light detector.

Numerous components in numerous different fields are dependent on the presence or absence of liquid, or a certain amount of liquid. Sensors have been developed for detecting the presence of fluid. One type of sensor is a single-point electro-optic sensor. The single-point electro-optic sensor includes a light source, a light detector, and a refractor (e.g., a prism). While single-point electro-optic sensors are accurate for determining when a fluid level reaches a specific point, single-point electro-optic sensors cannot provide continuous fluid level measurement. Another type of sensor is a multi-point electro-optic sensor. Multi-point electro-optic sensors can include multiple light sources and multiple light detectors disposed along a sensor body. However, these sensors also only determine when a fluid level reaches specific points. Therefore, there is a desire to provide an electro-optic sensor that is capable of continuous fluid level measurement.

Continuous electro-optic fluid level sensor comprising plural light detectors oppositely disposed at the second end portion of a body


An inflator comprising a housing having an integrally formed mounting flange adapted to be heat-sealed directly to an inflatable article. A sleeve is injection molded in-situ inside the housing in which a pierce pin assembly is reciprocatably mounted within a central bore thereof. The sleeve within the housing allows the wall thickness of the housing to be significantly reduced and assures that the escaping gas from the cylinder always contacts the housing material. The sleeve includes a skirt extension with a socket defining the blind hole for receiving the end of the pivot pin of the firing lever to allow the injection-molding of a blind hole for the pivot pin without the need for subsequent drilling of the hole.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an inflator for inflating articles such as personal floatation devices, rafts, buoys, and emergency signaling equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to inflators whose housings may be directly heat-sealed to the inflatable article while assuring that the inflatable article remains inflated even when the gas cartridge of the inflator is removed.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently, there exist many types of inflators designed to inflate inflatable articles such as personal floatation devices (life vests, rings and horseshoes), life rafts, buoys and emergency signaling equipment. Inflators typically comprise a body for receiving the neck of a cartridge of compressed gas such as carbon dioxide. A reciprocating pierce pin is disposed within the body of the inflator for piercing frangible seal of the cartridge to permit compressed gas therein to flow into a manifold assembly of the inflator and then into the article to be inflated. Typically, a manually movable firing lever is operatively connected to the piercing pin such that the piercing pin pierces the frangible seal of the cartridge upon jerking of a ball lanyard. U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,288, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, illustrates one particular embodiment of a manual inflator.
Water-activated actuators have been incorporated into manual inflators so that in an emergency situation such as downed aviator, injured person or a man overboard, the inflator is automatically actuated to inflate the inflatable article to which it is connected. Representative automatic actuators for inflators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,059,814, 3,091,782, 3,426,942, 3,579,964, 3,702,014, 3,757,371, 3,910,457, 3,997,079, 4,223,805, 4,267,944, 4,260,075, 4,382,231, 4,436,159, 4,513,248, 4,627,823, and 5,076,468, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
As disclosed in the above-referenced patents, inflators, whether manually or water-activated, are typically connected to the inflatable article by means of the manifold assembly that consists of a metal manifold having a lower flange which is molded in situ with a rubber flange to establish a flow path between the flange and the metal manifold. A one-way valve, such as a schraeder valve, is installed in the manifold. During installation, a hole is formed in the inflatable article and the manifold is positioned therethrough. The flange of the manifold assembly is then heat-sealed to the wall of the inflatable article. Notably, the one-way valve in the manifold permits inflation of the inflatable article while precluding deflation once inflated. Representative patents relating to manifold assemblies are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,080,402, 5,058,933, 5,058,932, 4,216,182, 3,809,288 and 3,754,731, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Correspondingly, typical inflators comprise a manifold hole which is configured and dimensioned to receive the manifold of the manifold assembly. A locking nut is threaded onto the end of the manifold to secure the inflator. An O-ring seal is provided to prevent leakage between the manifold and the inflator.
During use, upon firing of the inflator, either manually or automatically, gas from the compressed gas cartridge flows into the manifold hole of the inflator and then into the manifold. The gas then flows past the one-way valve in the manifold and into the inflatable article. Since the one-way valve of the manifold assembly precludes deflation of the inflatable article, the gas cartridge may be removed from the inflator and the inflatable article will remain inflated.
While manifold assemblies have been in extensive use in the industry for many years, they are relatively expensive to manufacture and require additional assembly operations. Accordingly, there existed a need in the inflator industry for an inflator which may be heat-sealed directly to the inflatable article thereby obviating the need for manifold assemblies and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,036, the disclosure of which is hereby. incorporated by reference herein, discloses an inflator which may be heat-sealed directly to an inflatable article thereby obviating the need for manifold assemblies and the like. The heat-sealable inflator as shown in such patent includes a mounting flange integrally formed about the housing of the inflator. The housing together with the integral mounting flange are composed of a plastic or similar material which may be heat-sealed to inflatable articles composed of conventional plastic or other materials. The housing includes a reciprocal pierce pin and a firing lever. A pair of compression springs are provided at opposing ends of the pierce pin to exert forces thereon in opposite directions. A pair of O-rings is also provided at opposing ends of the pierce pin. During firing upon jerking of the manual firing lever, the cammed end thereof exerts a force on the rearward (stronger) spring and causes the pierce pin to move forwardly and pierce the gas cartridge. The cammed end of the manual firing lever is configured such that upon further movement of the lever, the pierce pin may be blown-back fully rearwardly by means of the forward (weaker) compression spring combined with the pressure exerted by the gas from the gas cartridge. The bore of the housing in which the pierce pin is reciprocatably positioned is configured in such a manner that when the pierce pin is blown-back fully rearwardly, the gas may flow through a port into the inflatable article. However, once the gas has escaped from the gas cartridge into the inflatable article, the lost pressure allows the rearward (stronger) spring to return the pierce pin assembly to its rest position. The bore of the housing is configured so that when the pierce pin is in its rest position, the O-rings seal the port both forwardly and rearwardly in the bore thereby precluding the gas from the inflatable article from escaping.
Unfortunately, the specific design of the heat-sealable inflator as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,036 is expensive to manufacture due to the necessity of dual springs and its other components. Moreover, it appears that the specific design could undesirably prevent inflation if the firing lever was only moved partially through its path of travel (see FIG. 5 thereof).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,478, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein discloses an improved heat sealable inflator having a design that is significantly easier to manufacture and less costly. The heat sealable inflator as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,478 comprises a housing with an integrally formed mounting flange that is injected molded. A pierce pin assembly is then assembled within a bore in the housing. A firing lever is then pivotally connected to the pierce pin assembly such that upon actuation of the firing lever, the pierce pin assembly is actuated to pierce the frangible seal of a gas cartridge threaded therein, thereby allowing inflation of the article to which the inflator is heat sealed. Unfortunately, however, the inflator of U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,478 requires thick wall sections for a metal thread insert that threadably receives the gas cartridge, thereby increasing cycle times and costs during injection molding. Moreover, the escaping gas contacts the heat sealable material along with the metal components of the pierce pin assembly, which could lead to leaks to the outside if adequate sealing adhesion is not attained between such components. Moreover, the pivot pin on which the firing lever pivots is installed through a hole that must be drilled through the housing. Since the main bore core pin, during injection, has water running through it, thereby precluding the possibility of positioning a pin for the pivot hole through the core pin. It is noted that the running water through the main bore core pin is required to maintain the type of tolerances required by the O-ring that seals the bore in the assembly. Accordingly, there presently exists a need for a more easily manufacturable and assemblable heat sealable inflator that allows thinner wall sections and obviates the need for manual drilling of the hole for the pivot pin of the firing lever.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the inflation art.
Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator for inflatable articles having a housing with a mounting flange integral thereto, the housing and the flange being composed of a material that is capable of being easily sealed to the type of materials that are typically utilized in the construction of inflatable articles.
Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator which utilizes a minimal number of components and is therefore economical to manufacture.
Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator having a design which precludes deflation of the inflatable article once inflated even if the gas cartridge threaded into the housing is removed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator having a design which eliminates a condition of non-inflation even if the firing lever thereof does not move through its full path of travel.
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A method for providing codebase modification assistance includes receiving training data including learning application code prior to modification and the same learning application code subsequent to modification, the modification being of a known type. Portions of the learning application code that have been changed by the modification are detected. One or more substrings are identified from names associated with the detected portions of the learning application code that have been changed. A target application code that is to be modified according to the known type of modification of the training data is received. The identified one or more substrings are searched for from names associated with portions of the received target application code. The portions of the target application code for which the one or more substrings have been found within associated names are displayed.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to code modification and, more specifically, to the provision of code base modification using automatic learning of code changes.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There are many occasions in which code for a particular application needs to be reworked to satisfy particular requirements or concerns. For example, code may be reworked in order to migrate an application from one platform or environment to another platform or environment. Code may also be reworked in order to achieve parallelization, which is the ability for application threads to be handled in parallel by multiple microprocessors or microprocessor cores. Code may also be reworked to protect against certain types of security threats. In each of these cases, as well as with other types of code changes, there may be commonality between the way one application is reworked and the way other applications are reworked when the applications are reworked to satisfy the same requirements or concerns. For this reason programmers may often repeat the endeavor of determining which elements of the code need to be changed for each application under development, even when some of the underlined changes that go into satisfying the particular requirements or concerns may be similar from application to application.

Provision of code base modification using automatic learning of code changes

International Business Machines Corporation


A switch is disclosed having a switch housing defining a housing interior and an access opening that extends through a wall of the housing to the housing exterior. An actuator assembly including a shaft constrained by said housing moves along a path from a normal position to an actuated position as well as a momentary position. The shaft has an actuating portion which extends outwardly from the housing interior through the access opening. A shaft body inside the housing including a generally planar contact support that supports a number of switch contacts. A housing base positions a number of terminals having conductive surfaces for biased engagement with selected switch contacts to form an electrical path between terminals when the actuator assembly is in one of either the normal, actuated or momentary positions.

Electrical switches using push button or plunger type switch actuators have many applications including use in automobile car doors, ignition circuits, power take-offs for lawn mowers and the like. These push buttons may be normally open, normally closed or a combination of the two.
It is possible to construct switches having more than two terminals which combine the features of normally open and normally closed switches. For example, a "double-pole double-throw" switch behaves as a normally open switch and a normally closed switch in parallel operated by a single plunger. When the plunger is in a normal position, one pair of normally closed terminals is bridged and a pair of normally open terminals is isolated. Alternatively, when the plunger is moved to an actuated position, the normally open terminals are bridged and the normally closed terminals are isolated. A "single-pole double-throw" switch behaves like a double-pole double-throw switch in which one of the normally open terminals is coupled to one of the normally closed terminals. When the plunger is in the normal position, a common terminal is bridged with a normally closed terminal while a normally open terminal is isolated. Alternatively, when the plunger is in the actuated position, the common terminal is bridged with the normally open terminal while the normally closed terminal is isolated.
Several proposals have been made with respect to switches in which torsion springs, leaf springs or "V"-springs are carried by plungers and used to bridge gaps between spaced terminals when the plungers are appropriately positioned. Such springs must be secured to the plungers so that the springs do not pull loose as the plungers move them into or away from engagement with the terminals. One such proposal uses a wire torsion spring having a central coil mounted on a post projecting from a surface of the plunger. An advantage of this mounting technique is that the spring may be coupled to the plunger without resort to grease to hold the parts together during assembly prior to welding. A drawback to this technique is that forming the loop which engages the post increases the cost of the spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,007 to Williams (incorporated herein by reference) concerns a plunger switch having a plunger, a retainer, a pair of terminals and an electrically-conducting wiper contact having a curved or bent middle portion defining two oppositely directed legs on either side of the middle portion. The retainer cooperates with the plunger to carry the wiper contact as the plunger moves between a normal and an actuated position. The terminals have facing contact surfaces for biased engagement with the portions of the legs exposed by the plunger and retainer to form an electrical path between the terminals when the plunger is in the actuated position. The plunger and the retainer are coupled together by arms which project from either the plunger or the retainer. The wiper contact is secured between the plunger and retainer without the need for forming a central loop in the wiper contact for engagement by the plunger.


An interchangeable handle assembly includes a spindle, a coupling member removably coupled to the spindle, and a handle. Two grooves are defined in an outer circumferential face of the spindle. The coupling member includes two arms and an intermediate section between the arms. The arms are engaged in the grooves of the spindle. Each arm includes a coupling section on a distal end thereof. The handle includes a shank having a hole for removably coupling with the spindle. A circumferential wall delimiting the hole of the shank includes two coupling sections for respectively coupling with the coupling sections of the coupling member when the handle is coupled with the coupling member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interchangeable handle assembly for a lock.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate a conventional handle assembly 1 comprising a spindle 11 and a handle 12. The spindle 11 includes a slot 112 in a circumferential wall thereof. The spindle 11 further includes two diametrically opposed grooves 113 in an outer circumferential face 111 thereof. The handle 12 includes a shank 121 having a hole 122 that has a diameter slightly greater than that of the spindle 11. An engaging plate 14 is biased by a spring 13 to extend through the slot 112 into an engaging groove 123 in a circumferential wall delimiting the hole 122 of the shank 121, thereby coupling the handle 12 with the spindle 11. Two diametrically opposed protrusions 124 are formed on the circumferential wall delimiting the hole 122 of the shank 121 for coupling with the grooves 113 of the spindle 11, improving the engaging strength between the handle 12 and the spindle 11. A spring device 15 is mounted around the spindle 11 for returning the handle 12 after a torque applied to the handle 12 is released.
The protrusions 124 on the handle 12 enhance the engaging strength between the spindle 11 and the handle 12 at the cost of sacrificing the interchangeability of the handle 12. More specifically, a typical handle for a door lock is formed by forging a copper material that has excellent anticorrosive and mechanical properties and that allows easy surface treatment or by pressing a stainless steel material. Formation of the protrusions 124 can only be made by casting some suitable materials. As a result, the handle 12 could not be simply replaced with another made of copper or stainless steel without detaching the spindle 11. In other words, the spindle 11 also has to be detached when replacing the handle 12 with a handle made of copper or stainless steel. Manufacture and interchangeability of the handle are largely limited.

Interchangeable handle assembly for lock


A device for removably attaching a dispensing unit of a hot melt adhesive system to a support surface. The device generally includes a mounting plate having a mounting surface that is capable of being secured to a support surface, one or more engaging members, and one or more coupling members. The engaging and coupling members may be flanges extending outwardly from the mounting surface. The engaging and coupling members are arranged about the mounting surface for securing a base of the dispensing unit to the mounting plate after the device is secured to the support surface. The dispensing unit includes securing members that releasably couple with the engaging members to provide a secure interconnection with the mounting plate.

Hot melt adhesives are dispensed by dispensing systems having one or more dispensing guns coupled by heated hoses to a melter, which is sometimes referred to as a dispensing unit. The melter may include a tank for melting the hot melt adhesive, a manifold having multiple distribution outlets for coupling with a heated hose, and a pump for transferring the hot melt adhesive from the tank through the manifold. Adhesive material is supplied to the tank in solid or semi-solid form, where it is melted and heated by a heater to a desired temperature.
Conventional dispensing units for hot melt adhesive dispensing systems, as described above, are typically mounted to a structural member, such as a planar table top of a bench or a frame of the machine with which the dispensing system is associated. The dispensing unit usually has a base and may include downwardly-extending supports, such as flanges, feet or legs, that project from the underside of the base. The supports may be affixed to the table top or frame. The table top or frame required that holes be machined in the table top or frame that coincided with the positions of clearance holes in the support. After the dispensing unit is positioned such that the clearance holes are aligned with the holes in the table top or frame, bolts or other fasteners are used to finish the mounting procedure.
Once a mounting device is mounted to a support surface, the dispensing unit is mounted to the mounting device. According to the principles of the invention and in one embodiment, the mounting device includes a mounting plate configured to be mounted to the support surface. The mounting plate includes a first edge and a second edge spaced longitudinally from the first edge. The mounting plate further includes at least one coupling member adjacent to the edge and at least one engaging member adjacent to the first edge. The engaging member and coupling member cooperate to secure the hot melt adhesive dispensing unit with the mounting plate so that the base portion has a contacting relationship with the mounting plate. The engaging member is releasably engageable by the corresponding securing element for selectively securing the hot melt dispensing unit against movement relative to the mounting plate and the support surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, the mounting device has a mounting plate with a planar surface and a pair of spaced-apart side flanges extending outwardly from the planar surface. The mounting plate is configured to be mounted to the support surface. The side flanges have a spaced relationship sufficient to receive therebetween the dispensing unit on the planar surface. The base of the dispensing unit is then releasably securable with the side flanges.
The invention is further directed to a method for releasably attaching a dispensing unit to a support surface. The method may include detachably fastening a mounting plate to the support surface and subsequently securing the dispensing unit to the mounting plate so that the dispensing unit is secured against movement relative to the mounting plate.
The elimination of conventional support features may operate to reduce the effective height of the dispensing unit. This may result in the dispensing unit being more compact. In one embodiment, the sub-base of the invention simplifies installation of a dispensing unit because the sub-base can be easily manipulated for attachment to the support surface and, thereafter, the bulkier and heavier dispensing unit is coupled with the sub-base.


A semiconductor device includes a die body having a frontside and a transistor having an active area formed in the die body, the active area being bounded by an outer periphery. An interconnect structure is formed over the frontside of the die body and contains patterned electrically conductive material defining first, second, and third contacts electrically coupled to first, second, and third subregions, respectively, within the active area of the transistor. A frontside input/output (I/O) interface is formed in an outer portion of the interconnect structure. The frontside I/O interface contains first, second, and third contact pads, the first contact pad being electrically connected to the first contact, the second contact pad being electrically connected to the second contact, and the third contact pad being electrically connected the third contact, wherein the third contact pad is positioned at a location overlying the active area of the transistor.

A power amplifier typically includes a module substrate and at least one radio frequency (RF) power die, which is mounted to the module substrate in an upright or non-inverted orientation. The module substrate may be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), a ceramic substrate, or another substrate having electrically-conductive routing features with which the RF power die is electrically interconnected. A given power amplifier may contain a single RF power die or multiple RF power dies in addition to any number of other microelectronic components, such as discretely-placed capacitors and resistors.
By conventional design, an RF power die often includes a metallized backside serving as a backside contact (e.g., ground) of the RF power die, which is electrically coupled to a corresponding terminal of a transistor circuit integrated into the die. For example, in the case of a field effect transistor (FET), the source terminal of the FET may be electrically coupled to ground through such a backside contact. Contacts to the other terminals of the transistor (e.g., the gate and drain terminals in the case of the FET) may be formed as input and output bond pads located on the frontside of the RF power die and, specifically, formed in an outer terminal surface of a multi-layer system formed over the frontside of the die body. When installed within a given system (e.g., a power amplifier), wire bonds may be formed between the frontside input and output bond pads and corresponding electrical routing features of the module substrate to complete electrical interconnection of the RF power die.

Transistor with flip-chip topology and power amplifier containing same


An ovonic threshold switch comprises a thin film composed essentially of Si, Ge, Se, As, and an amount of a chalcogen that is effective to passivate oxidation of the composition in the presence of water vapor, wherein the chalcogen is selected from the list consisting of: Te and S. In one or more embodiments, the chalcogen is S. In one or more embodiments, the chalcogen is Te. In one or more embodiments, the effective amount of the chalcogen is greater than 1% by atomic percent. In one or more embodiments, the effective amount of the chalcogen is less than 10% by atomic percent. In one or more embodiments, the composition of matter comprises 10% Si, 15% Ge, 40% Se, 30% As, and 5% chalcogen by atomic percent.

The present invention relates to the electrical, electronic, and computer arts, and more specifically, to semiconductor device fabrication.
Phase-change-memory has been proven to be a good candidate for storage class memory and it has been commercialized. For Cross-Point Memory, Phase-change-material (PCM) should incorporate a selector material (e.g., a chalcogenide) as a single storage unit. Phase change memory materials have amorphous and crystalline phases and phase change is accomplished by supplying current through a resistive element (e.g., TiN) to heat the materials briefly and rapidly (to switch to the amorphous phase) or slowly and for a longer time (to switch to the crystalline phase). In the amorphous phase, a PCM has very high resistance; in the crystalline phase, however, a PCM has low resistance. Cross-point memory also incorporates ovonic threshold switches (OTS), which use a chalcogenide material that electrical conduction transitions between an off-state (highly resistive) or on-state (highly conductive), by applying voltage. The OTS material is important to prevent sneak current in cross-point memory array. One requirement is that the off-current of single OTS device should be low enough during the read operation on x-point memory array. (Off current is typically measured at ½ threshold voltage (Vt) of OTS material). For example, if the read current of a cross-point array is 1 micro-amp in a 1000×1000 element array, the off-current at ½ Vt should be lower than 1 nano-amp in a single OTS device.

Suppressing oxidation of silicon germanium selenium arsenide material


An electronic circuit includes an electronic switch with a control terminal and a load path between a first and a second load terminal, and a drive circuit with an output terminal coupled to the control terminal of the electronic switch. The drive circuit includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, a first drive unit coupled between the first input terminal and the output terminal and including a charge pump and drive unit, and a second drive unit coupled between the second input terminal and the output terminal and including a further electronic switch coupled between the output terminal and a terminal for a reference potential.

Electronic switches, such as MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors) or IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors), are widely used as switches in a variety of different electric or electronic applications.
Automotive on-board power supply systems in modern cars include at least two power supply sub-systems each having a battery. A first sub-system includes the starter, while a second sub-system includes other electric loads, such as lamps, a radio, a car navigation system, window lifters, seat adjustments, etc. The first sub-system may further include a generator for charging or re-charging the batteries in both sub-systems. The two sub-system are connected via an electronic switch so as to balance the voltage in the two sub-systems and so as to allow the generator to charge the batteries in both sub-systems.
When the starter is actuated in such a power supply system it draws a huge current which may cause the supply voltage of the battery in the first sub-system to drop. In order to prevent a voltage drop of the supply voltage in the second sub-system, the electronic switch can be opened in those time periods in which the starter is actuated. When the switch is open, the battery in the second circuit supplies the loads of the second sub-system, so that actuating the starter does not cause these loads to be deactivated or switched off.
The electronic switch used to connected or disconnect the two subsystem may be implemented as a high-side switch that is driven using a charge pump, where the switch is switched on when the charge pump is activated by a control signal and is switched off when the charge pump is deactivated by the control signal. However, high-side switches that are driven using a charge pump have a relatively long switching delay. The "switching delay" is the time delay between the time of applying the control signal to the charge pump and the time of switching off the electronic switch. This delay may be in the range of several 10 ms (microseconds).
The electronic switch may be switched off each time an operating state is detected that indicates that the voltage in the second system is about to drop. However, due to the delay time, the voltage may significantly drop between the time at which this operating state is detected and the time at which the electronic switch interrupts the connection between the two sub-systems.
There is, therefore, a need to provide an electronic circuit with a switch, in particular with a high-side switch, in which the switch can be switched off with a low delay time.

Charge pump driven electronic switch with rapid turn off


Light emitting devices formed in an array on a first substrate are transferred to an insulating material, to form a sheet-shaped device substrate. The sheet-shaped device substrate is cut along an array direction of the light emitting devices into long-sized line-shaped device substrates. The line-shaped device substrates are arrayed on a second substrate such that the line-shaped device substrates are enlargedly spaced from each other. The line-shaped device substrates divided from the second substrate are arrayed on a third substrate such as to be enlargedly spaced from each other.

The present invention relates to a method of efficiently arraying light emitting devices, and a method of fabricating an image display unit using a mounting method.
The assembly of an image display unit by arraying light emitting devices in a matrix is performed in two manners. For a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a plasma display panel (PDP), the light emitting devices are directly formed on a substrate, and for a light emitting diode display (LED display), single LED packages are arrayed on a substrate. In particular, for an image display unit such as an LCD or PDP, device isolation cannot be performed and accordingly, in general, at the beginning of the production process, devices are formed such as to be spaced from each other with a pitch equivalent to a pixel pitch of the image display unit.
Conversely, for an image display unit such as an LED display, LED chips are packaged by taking out LED chips after dicing, and individually connecting the LED chips to external electrodes by wire-bonding or bump-connection using flip-chip. In this case, before or after packaging, the LED chips are arrayed with a pixel pitch of the image display unit. However, such a pixel pitch is independent from an array pitch of the devices at the time of formation of the devices.
Since an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light emitting device is expensive, an image display unit using such LEDs can be produced at a low cost by producing a large number of LEDs from one wafer. Specifically, the cost of an image display unit can be lowered by reducing the size of an LED chip from an ordinary size, about 300 m square to several ten m square, and producing an image display unit by connecting such small-sized LED chips to each other.
When taking out LED chips after the dicing step and individually mounting the LED chips, since each of the LED chips has a micro-size, the step of mounting the LED chips is significantly complicated, to thereby significantly degrade the productivity. Also, when individually mounting LED chips, there occurs a problem associated with positional accuracy, for example, a difficulty in mounting the LED chips with a constant array pitch.


A plasma etching apparatus comprises a chamber, a holding table for holding samples, such as a semiconductor substrate to be etched, in the chamber, a plasma-generating device for generating a plasma within the chamber, and a magnetic-field-forming device which forms a magnetic field perpendicular to the surface of the sample placed on the holding table and parallel the inner wall of the chamber.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a plasma etching apparatus and more particularly to improvements in uniformity of etching.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
FIG. 5 shows a conventional plasma etching apparatus of a parallel plate electrode type. Within a cylindrical chamber 1 is arranged an upper electrode 2 opposing a lower electrode 3. The upper electrode 2 is grounded and the lower electrode 3 is connected to a high-frequency power source 7 disposed outside of the chamber 1. The lower electrode 3 also serves as a sample table, upon which samples 4 to be etched, such as a semiconductor substrate, are placed. The chamber 1 is provided with a gas inlet 5 and a gas outlet 6. Permanent magnets 8 are arranged in the periphery of the chamber 1 encircling it. As shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnets 8 are so disposed along the periphery of the chamber 1 that the N and the S poles thereof are alternatingly arranged. With this structure, lines of magnetic force 9 parallel to the surface of the sample 4 are present in the chamber 1.
In operation, reaction gases, such as for example, CF4 and CCI4, are fed through the gas inlet 5 and at the same time the gases are discharged through the outlet 6 to constantly maintain gas pressure in the chamber 1. Under this condition, a high-frequency voltage is applied across the upper and lower electrodes 2, 3 in order to generate a gas plasma within the chamber 1. The gas plasma is enclosed in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 8 so that the surface of the sample 4 placed on the lower electrode 3 is etched by exposure to the gas plasma.
However, as is clear from FIG. 6 since the lines of magnetic force produced by a plurality of permanent magnets 8 for enclosing the plasma go in and out among the permanent magnets 8, the magnetic field intensity of the permanent magnets is unequally distributed along the internal circumference of the chamber 1. Further, because these lines 9 are parallel to the surface of the sample 4, the lines 9 tend to cover the area close to the sample 4. Therefore, the density of the ions and the radicals in the gas plasma also becomes unequal, causing a lower etching rate and non-uniformity of etching. This is a problem with a conventional plasma etching apparatus.

Plasma processing apparatus including an electromagnet with a bird cage core


A hydraulic block is described for a braking system of a vehicle including at least one check valve, which is situated in a check valve receiving bore extending partially through the hydraulic block, including a valve seat and a valve body, the check valve receiving bore being formed as a stepped recess into the hydraulic block including a first subarea having at least one minimum diameter and an inner second subarea having at most one maximum diameter smaller than the minimum diameter; the valve seat is inserted onto and/or into the check valve receiving bore in a direct contact with at least one inner wall of the check valve receiving bore; and the valve body being inserted cageless and adjustable within the first subarea of the check valve receiving bore. A braking system for a vehicle and a manufacturing method for a hydraulic block for a braking system of a vehicle including at least one check valve are also described.

A braking system for a vehicle, which is equipped with a motorized piston-cylinder device for autonomous brake pressure buildup, is described in German Published Patent Application No. 10 2014 215 311. During the autonomous brake pressure buildup, a standard pedal feeling is able to be ensured for a driver actuating a brake pedal of the braking system with the aid of at least one simulator device. Both the at least one simulator device of the braking system and the motorized piston-cylinder device are each connected via a check valve to a brake fluid reservoir of the braking system.

Hydraulic block and manufacturing method for a hydraulic block including at least one check valve


A JEEP®-type vehicle cover and attachment system formed of lightweight, form-fitting waterproof/water-resistant material. A shaped bracket attached to the cover secures the cover to a rear portion of the vehicle. The cover when deployed completely protects the entire interior of the vehicle and the side mirrors. An adjustable elastic cord sewn into the periphery of the cover secures the cover at the sides and front of the vehicle. A cover storage pocket hangs from the bracket at the rear of vehicle. A bow creates a dome over the front passenger compartment to avoid pooling of water when the cover is deployed in heavy rain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of protective covers for automobiles and more specifically to an easily deployed cover and attachment system for JEEP®-type or open recreational vehicles and a connecting system which fastens the cover to the vehicle in a secure fashion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When owning a JEEP®-type vehicle the convertible top does not open and close with a push of a button as other convertible vehicles perform. With a JEEP®-type vehicle the top, when removed or reclined, usually stays removed for an extended period of time. When the traditional top is reclined the interior of a JEEP®-type vehicle is exposed to many harmful elements. The sun causes the interior to fade and crack, the rain can cause mildew and condensation in the dash, morning dew although not rain can certainly dampen the exposed interior of a vehicle and dust blowing around settles into the interior. All of these elements can rapidly age and ruin the exposed interior of a vehicle. Animals, such as cats or dogs tend to climb into a JEEP®-type vehicle, while the top is removed and urinate or bring more dirt into the vehicle. Bird droppings and leaves or sap from trees tend to end up in an exposed interior. Leaving items unattended in an open cab vehicle also invites a criminal element to steal those items. People dislike all of this exposure to elements that ruin a vehicle. Theft of belongings also occur when a criminal element can easily reach inside a vehicles cab. This damage to the interior can be prevented by covering the vehicle when parked, which also aids in the prevention of theft. The cover must be very quick and easy to deploy, to be a suitable option for daily use. A cover that takes seconds to deploy, that can be easily stowed and that effectively can be a part of a JEEP®-type vehicle people is the best solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,155, issued Nov. 15, 1994 to Kuwahara, provides a car cover that has a bag for storing the cover. The bag can be stably mounted on the trunk, and in this state the cover can be put on the car smoothly. A pair of triangular sheets are connected to the bag. The bag is secured to the cover member through a gusset provided between the triangular sheets. A belt connected to the free ends of the triangular sheets is put around the hinges in the trunk room. A mounting sheet is stitched to the edge of the opening of the bag and is fastened to the interior surface of the trunk by hook-and-loop fasteners provided near its front edge. After supporting the bag on the rear wall of the trunk by fastening the triangular sheets and the mounting sheet, the trunk door is closed and the cover member is taken out of the bag and put on the car. The locking mechanism of the trunk door can pass through a gap between the triangular sheets or a hole formed in the mounting sheet, so that the trunk door can be closed and locked
U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,857, issued Jul. 25, 2000 to Rivas, shows a car cover assembly incorporating a container that is adapted to be anchored to a portion of an automobile. The car cover assembly includes an anchor member in the form of an elongate pipe or tube that is attached to the container containing the cover via straps. The pipe is adapted to be deposited in the trunk of the automobile and the trunk lid can then be closed on the straps so as to anchor the container to the rear end of the automobile. The cover is stored within a cavity defined by the container and the cover includes a handle which is accessible by the user. The user grasps the handle and extracts the cover from the container while the container is anchored to the rear end of the automobile and then correctly positions the cover about the automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,207, issued Jan. 3, 1989 to Clarke, discloses a vehicle cover useful for small trucks such as pickups and vans, comprising a central panel having a width of about the width of the vehicle and a length slightly longer than the side elevational profile taken along the front, top and back of the vehicle; a pair of side panels having a shape generally corresponding to the side elevational profile of said vehicle; the side panels being attached to the central panel along the length thereof to form junction seams which define a pair of parallel vertical planes spaced apart by the width of the vehicle; and an elastic band member having a relaxed state slightly less than the rectangle defined by the length and width of the vehicle, the band being circumscribed by the lower terminal edge of the panels. Clarke is too cumbersome by covering the entire vehicle and does not have a reliable means for preventing complete removal. Clarke's design would take too long to deploy to produce the desired effect of daily protection for an exposed interior.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,286, issued Apr. 25, 1995 to Huang, shows a protective cover apparatus for the passenger compartment of an automobile that includes a cover, a semi-pliable metal hook linked to a handhold on the cover by a cord for securing the cover to the front of the automobile, a storage pouch for storing the cover and an adjustable belt fixed to the storage pouch for securing the pouch and the cover to the trunk of the automobile. In a second arrangement, the front end of the cover is secured to the windshield by suction pads under the handhold. The storage pouch is replaced by a pair of tie-down straps and a roll-up sheet. The tie-down straps tie the folded cover to the roll-up sheet before the roll-up sheet wraps up the cover for storage. Both arrangements are similar in operation but have different advantages in manufacturing. The first arrangement is capable of fitting automobiles of different sizes or styles with one single size while the second arrangement requires specific sizing to fit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,245, issued Sep. 14, 1993 to Kashino, is for embodiments of a vehicle top cover, each having a roof panel and two flexible side panels that form a vehicle-top shape and a means for holding down the rear of the vehicle top cover on the vehicle. The roof panel covers most of the front window, roof, and back window, and is held down on the front window by the windshield wipers or, optionally, is tied to the wipers. The side panels extend from the roof panel and are shut in the vehicle doors to secure the cover to the vehicle and to hang down inside the vehicle interior along the inside of the side windows. The rear edge of the vehicle top cover may be held down by a flap or a weighted flap that is shut in the trunk or by a weight attached to the rear edge of the vehicle top cover that lies on the outside of the vehicle. The flap may also be a stuff bag which is turned inside out and stuffed with the roof panels and side panels for storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,203, issued Nov. 4, 2003 to Everett, claims a windproof and theft proof vehicle cover having a retaining piping disposed along an edge thereof to tether the cover to a vehicle or other object. Retaining piping is preferably disposed such that a portion of the cover passes through an opening in the vehicle and the retaining piping cannot pass through the opening, thereby preventing the removal of the cover from the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,728, issued Jan. 24, 1989 to Akers, describes a cover for a vehicle body including a hood fixed to a bag by a strap, which bag can be placed inside a vehicle door and the door closed to prevent unauthorized removal. The bag is also sized to contain the cover for storage. Additionally, a hook assembly including a semi-pliable member is fixed to the strap and used to hold the hood on the vehicle while allowing easy adjustment of the strap length. Akers does not have rear of cover permanently attached and strap from pocket to cover could easily be severed to allow removal of top.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,418, issued Jun. 24, 1986 to Koh, indicates a vehicle cover for protecting a vehicle having a front, a trunk, an outer surface, and an underside. The cover has a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the vehicle and also has an inside surface, a front, two opposite sides, and a rear. A connecting member is attached to the inside surface at the rear of the cover while a ring member is fixed inside of the trunk of the vehicle. A string fixes the connecting member to the ring member. Hooks are attached to the underside of the vehicle along the two opposite sides of the vehicle while holes, made along edges of the two opposite sides of the cover, secure the cover to the hooks attached to the underside of the vehicle. Koh is not suitable for a vehicle without an existing trunk such as a jeep-type vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,007, issued Aug. 28, 1990 to Shahrokh, puts forth a cover for protecting vehicle used to transport people and a releasable connecting system which releasably connects the cover to vehicle outside of vehicle. The cover is a flexible sheet that is sized and shaped to cover the exterior surfaces of the passenger compartment of vehicle. The opaque and reflective qualities of cover prevent compartment from getting uncomfortably hot or damaged from exposure to summer sun. Use of cover during winter shields the vehicle's windows from ice and snow. The cover and connecting system also serve to deter and resist entry of unauthorized persons into vehicle. The first typical embodiment of the connecting system includes arm, fastener, and anchor. The arm is an elongated member with one end joined to cover and the other end releasably connected by fastener to anchor. The fastener is accessible from outside vehicle. The anchor is initially attached to vehicle by sliding anchor on vehicle's door edge. The anchor pinches door edge and can be removed from door only when door is open. The anchor remains attached to vehicle when the cover is on vehicle or removed from vehicle. For any embodiment of cover and connecting system, no doors or other closure members need to be opened to allow removal of cover from vehicle. The Shahrokh patent does not have a permanent attachment to vehicle when stowed making the design more time consuming and difficult to deploy and also lacks proper attachment around the front of the vehicle to prevent wind disturbance.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,433, issued Aug. 30, 1955 to Rawlings, concerns a protective covering for the turret portion of turret type automobiles including front side and rear windows. The cover comprises a rectangular sheet of flexible waterproof material for placing over the turret portion of the automobile, a plurality of spaced eyes affixed to the outer side of the perimeter of said sheet, a cord disposed through said eyes and having its end portions exposed to permit drawing the edge portion tightly about the lower of the turret portion of the automobile. The sheet has reinforced tape located at the portions that will engage the front and rear of the turret type automobile body. The sheet also is provided with a pair of stretchable straps extending from each longer side of said sheet. Each strap has a hook embedded in its free end portion for further securing the sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,749, issued Aug. 30, 1960 to MacDonald, illustrates a quick attachable and detachable cover for the open seating compartment of convertible vehicles. The cover comprises a rectangular lightweight plastic sheet having sleeves on the rear and forward edges thereof. A pair of flexible resilient cables having hooks on each of their ends are provided, one cable is loosely threaded through each sleeve. Once the cover is placed over the seating area, the hooks are engaged with the fenders of the vehicle to secure the cover in place. MacDonald does not provide a means for permanent attachment and prevention of unauthorized removal. MacDonald's cover would also take longer than the present invention to deploy again making the design less practical for daily use.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,667, issued Aug. 6, 1957 to Curran, is for a cover which protects the upper portion of an automobile. The cover comprises a waterproof, flexible rectangular sheet with U-shaped loops on its forward and rear ends that engage a portion of the vehicle's respective bumpers. The sheet further comprises a hem around its peripheral edge, which creates a sleeve for holding a cinching cord for further securing the cover to the automobile. Curran (1957) has a tension adjustment in periphery of top but does not stay attached to vehicle when stowed and would take too long to deploy. Curran's design also protects the entire vehicle causing the invention to be too impractical for daily use.
U.S. Pat. No. D384,324, issued Sep. 30, 1997 to Barker, provides the ornamental design for a removable fabric top for off-road vehicles.
What is needed is an easily deployed cover and attachment system for JEEP®-type vehicles and a connecting system which fastens the cover to the vehicle in a secure fashion.

Quick cab cover and attachment system for JEEP®-type vehicle


An inlet device for a reactor vessel (5) intended for a separation method comprising retaining a substance on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the reactor vessel (5) which contains the separation medium. The device comprises (a) a distributor block (7) enabling a liquid flow to pass through the block into the reactor vessel (5), (b) an inlet block (3), (c) a distribution chamber (1) defined by a space between the distributor block (7) and the outlet side (11) of the inlet block (3), (d) at least one conduit (I; 13a,13b . . . ) passing through the inlet block (3) from the inlet side (10) to the outlet side (11) of said inlet block (3) and ending in the distribution chamber (1), said at least one conduit being able to distribute liquid into the distribution chamber (1), (e) a gross liquid flow direction going perpendicular to the plane of the interface between the distribution block (7) and the distribution chamber (1). One characteristic feature is that one or more of said at least one conduits (13a,13b . . . ) in the chamber (1) are capable of moving selectively the liquid next to the inlet side surface (11) of the distribution chamber (1) along and/or against said surface (11).

The present invention relates to a device to be used at the inlet end of a reactor vessel in which one or more substances are retained on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the vessel. This kind of separation can be carried out in batch-wise mode or in chromatography mode. The separation medium is typically in form of porous or non-porous particles that may be present as a packed or fluidised bed, the latter encompassing fully disordered fluidised beds (batch-wise mode) or classified or stabilised fluidised beds (chromatography fluidised mode).
The xe2x80x9cterm retained on a separation mediumxe2x80x9d means that the substance(s) are capable of interacting with the separation medium, such as in separations based on (a) affinity adsorption including ion exchange and other kinds of non-covalent bindings, (b) covalent binding and/or (c) on size exclusion.
Various devices to be used at the inlet side of this kind of reactors have been described in the background art. See for instance WO 9218237 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB) and WO 0025883 (application no PCT/SE99/01957, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB), both of which are incorporated by reference.
Typically inlet devices have comprised
(a) distributor means which comprises a block or a plate and permits a liquid flow to pass through into the interior of the reactor vessel,
(b) an inlet block or plate having one or more through-going conduits permitting liquid to pass through the inlet block or plate,
(c) a distribution chamber defined by a space between the distributor means and the inlet block or plate, and
(d) a gross flow direction passing from the distributor chamber to and through the reactor vessel.
A recess in the inlet block typically defines the distribution chamber. The distribution block covers the recess. If the recess is tapered there may be no distinct walls of the chamber. If chamber has walls they are in the context of the invention included in the outlet side of the inlet block or plate, if not otherwise specified.
There has been a recent suggestion in the field to equip the outlet of the inlet conduits in the inlet block with xe2x80x9csprinkler meansxe2x80x9d (nozzles) (WO 0025883, FIG. 4, pages 16-17). The main purpose of the design has been to facilitate an even distribution of liquid to the distributor block. There is a suggestion that this design possibly will assist in keeping the chamber clean from sticky components.
The design with sprinkler means is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present specification. There is a distribution chamber (1) having one or more conduits (2a,2b . . . ) projecting and permitting liquid flow through an inlet block (3) into the chamber (1). The chamber (1) is via distribution means (4) in liquid communication with the interior (5a) of a reactor vessel (5b) in which a separation medium is present. The distributor means may comprise a net/mesh (6) and/or a block (distributor block, 7) having open through passing channels permitting liquid flow between the chamber (1) and the interior of the reactor vessel (5). On the chamber end of each incoming conduit (2a,2b . . . ) there are sprinkler means (nozzles) (8) in form of a cap and openings (9) placed circularly in the wall of the end of the conduit just before the cap. The conduits (2a,2b . . . ) extend from the inlet block (3) from the inlet side (10) to the outlet side (11) (=inlet side/surface of the distribution chamber). The incoming liquid is in the variant shown distributed radially in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction in the conduit concerned, i.e. perpendicular to the central axis (12) of the chamber.
To each of the conduits (2a,2b . . . ) there are connected a tubing (31a,31b) that comes from a common tubing (37) equipped with a pump (38). Between the outlet end (11) and the nozzle (8) the conduit has a central tubular part in form of a central channel (32). At the outlet end of the reactor vessel (5) there is an outlet tubing (35) and an outlet adapter comprising a collector block (33), a collector chamber (34), an end block (36) with an outlet opening (39).
The inlet devices discussed above may be present as a bottom adapter or as a top adapter if the flow through the reactor vessel is upward or downward, respectively. If the flow direction is upward the outlet side (11) becomes the bottom/bottom surface of the distribution chamber.
The outlet side (11) is typically also the inlet side of the distribution chamber (1).
For reasons of simplicity the term xe2x80x9cblockxe2x80x9d in the instant specification contemplates true block dimensions and plate dimensions, if not otherwise specified.
In WO 91 00799 (Upfront Chromatography) there is described certain inlet devices that create a turbulent zone at the inlet end of the reactor vessel and a non-turbulent zone remote from the inlet end. The length of the turbulent zone is dependent on the flow velocity. The turbulent zone is created by the presence of agitating means (for instance a stirrer) in the inlet end of the reactor vessel. In many of the variants described in this publication the use of a distributor block becomes redundant. Liquids may enter through a side-wall of the reactor vessel/distributor.
Problems Associated with Back-ground Techniques
The liquid containing the substance to be adsorbed often contains particulate matters that have a tendency to sediment due to inappropriate flow conditions in various parts of a separation system, such as in inlet devices. Once sedimented, particulate material may start adhering to surfaces due to an inherent stickiness. This is particularly true for biologically derived liquids containing for instance cells, cell debris and/or other sticky particulates and/or sticky solutes. This problem has been found to be most severe for liquids deriving from cell culture broths and/or containing mammalian cells and/or mammalian cell debris. In inlet devices, for instance according to WO 0025883, it has turned out that particles of the separation media may assemble in the distribution chamber even if there is a check valve in the distributor block. Consequently the inlet devices described above are in need to be improved. The present invention has as its major objective to provide solutions to this kind of problems.
Accordingly a first objective of the invention is to provide an improved inlet device that at least partially circumvent the problems just discussed.
A second alternative is to provide an improved method in which these problems are reduced.
A third objective is a method for reducing the same problems.


An architectural light fixture with a mounting includes a rigid yoke with opposed mounts aligned with external cavities located on a housing. The cavities have conical inner surfaces and bottoms with fastener engagements. Yoke pins include conical outer surfaces to operate as yoke locks. Fastener associated with the yoke pins engage to draw the yoke locks into interfering fit with the truncated conical inner surface of the mounting cavity. The light fixture housing has a port with a plug of porous water repellant material. A cover is employed to protect the plug. The light fixture housing also has a flat mounting surface with a wire access hole. The fixture includes a cover to enclose a photocell biased toward the mounting surface and retains an O-ring against the fixture housing.

The field of the present invention is architectural fixtures and mountings for lighting.
Typical yoke mounted fixtures utilize external opposed parallel surfaces on a fixture housing. These surfaces are either smooth or include radial serrations. The yoke associated therewith has matching inner surfaces alignable with the fixture housing surfaces. Concentrically arranged fasteners compress the surfaces together to create a friction joint that will prevent the yoke from slipping and losing the fixture aim. Smooth surfaces can be unreliable and allow slippage. This can be of concern, particularly for architectural lighting fixtures which may be difficult to access once in place. With serrated surfaces, slipping is unlikely. However, adjustability is limited by the pitch of the serrations.
Concentrically arranged fasteners acting as trunnions are also problematic with larger fixtures. If studs are employed in the housing, the yoke must be bent for assembly or disassembly. Bolts through the yoke can make assembly difficult and provide inadequate pivot members.
Architectural light fixtures have experienced additional issues. The housings typically have cavities which heat and cool with cycling of the light. Air pressure can vary significantly within the housings under such cycling. This can ultimately result in seal damage, leakage and lens distortion or failure.
An additional issue with exterior light housings is the employment of photocells to control the light. For lower wattage fixtures with large housings, internal temperatures do not greatly vary. In such fixtures, button-type photocells are typically employed. These photocells have temperature limitations and are impractical for higher wattage lights. For fixtures where the temperature will vary substantially, external photocell devices are typically employed. These photocells know as "twist lock" type photocells require that they remain in a vertical position to prevent water intrusion and subsequent failures. The external positioning of the cells also detracts from the architectural aesthetics.

Light fixture housing and mounting therefor


Disclosed herein are novel methods and compositions for targeting drug delivery systems to specific cells. One aspect relates to a drug delivery system comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP) component and a ligand selected from the group consisting of an polymeric immunoglobulin receptor binding site in the Cα3 domain of dimeric human IgA (mIgA) and knob capable of either drug encapsulation or drug attachment. Further aspects relate to drug delivery systems comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP) component and a ligand; wherein the ligand specifically binds to a receptor selected from the group consisting of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Further aspects include the novel transcytosing properties of the elastin-like peptide and the ligand, knob. Also provided are methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed therapeutics.

Drug delivery to the eye (e.g. to retina, choroid, vitreous and optic nerve) is important for treating several disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal venous occlusions, retinal arterial occlusion, macular edema, postoperative inflammation, infection, dryness, uveitis retinitis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and glaucoma. Due to anatomic membrane barriers (i.e. cornea, conjunctiva and sclera) and the lacrimal drainage it can be quite challenging to target drugs and achieve therapeutic drug concentrations in the anterior parts of the eye after topical drug administration. Reaching the posterior part of the eye is an even more challenging task because of the anatomical and physiological barriers segregating this part of the eye from the anterior segment. Since those barriers cannot be altered with noninvasive methods, there is a need in the art for improved methods and pharmaceutical compositions that increase ocular bioavailability.
There is a need in the art for improved noninvasive, safe and patient-friendly drug delivery systems that are specific and effective for targeted delivery to the eye. In general, drugs can enter the eye via three distinctive routes, i.e. a) through conjunctiva/sclera after topical application, b) from the anterior part after topical application, and c) from the systemic circulation after topical application, parenteral, oral, and intranasal or other administration routes that deliver drugs to the blood circulation. Then drugs can be delivered to the eye via invasive methods such as direct drug injection into the vitreous humor or subconjunctival injections. Invasive methods can cause discomfort for the patient and can also lead to complications that are even more serious than the disease being treated. In most cases, topical or systemic administration is used to treat posterior diseases despite limited bioavailability from these formulations. There is also a need for sustained retention of drugs administered by topical administration onto the ocular surface since many diseases including inflammatory or infectious diseases require a greater drug concentration than can be achieved by infrequent topical administration due to issues with rapid clearance.
In the past few decades, research has focused on drug loaded nanoparticles, such as liposomes, micelles, dendrimers and polymersomes. Relatively few drug carriers have been approved for use in humans, which suggests that better strategies and materials may be required to generate successful nanomedicines. Traditional drug delivery systems have a number of deficiencies including a lack of targeted delivery, high toxicity, low cellular uptake, and poor biocompatibility. Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved drug delivery systems targeted to parts of the eye.

Methods and therapeutics comprising ligand-targeted ELPs


Methods and systems for registering detection of electronic devices are provided. First, a first signal is wirelessly received by an electronic device, wherein the first signal is broadcasted by a first electronic device, and the first signal at least includes identification data and specific information corresponding to the first electronic device. The specific information includes motion information of the first electronic device, or specific data generated based on the motion information. Then, a registration process is performed for the first signal by first determining whether the specific information conforms to predefined information. When the specific information conforms to predefined information, the identification data corresponding to the first electronic device is registered. Signals having the registered identification data will be further processed in the electronic device.

Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to detection management methods and systems, and, more particularly to methods and systems that can perform a registration process for electronic devices, and perform related detection managements for the registered electronic devices.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks, and other portable devices, have become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For example, portable devices have network connectivity capabilities. Users can use their portable devices to connect to networks at anytime and anywhere. The convenience and new functionalities advanced by modern technology have made these devices into necessities of life.
Furthermore, with the coming of IOT (Internet Of Things) generation, every device or object can connect to networks, and users can access and control these devices or objects via networks. The rapid development of IOT is fortunate that the underlying foundation of wireless network technology is already very mature. Electronic devices can readily connect with each other to perform related applications via wireless networks. Additionally, the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology has solved the prohibitive power consumption issue caused by prolonged connections of electronic devices to wireless networks. For example, a beacon device is a low-cost wireless Bluetooth transmitter implemented with BLE technology, which can transmit Bluetooth signals via a wireless network for a long time. A mobile phone implemented with BLE technology can wirelessly seek Bluetooth signals to discover corresponding beacon device.
Currently, a large amount of innovative applications are developed using beacon devices. In other words, wireless signals corresponding to various applications can exist in the air. The identification data corresponding to beacon devices of an application must be input to an electronic device using the application in advance, such that the electronic device can only handle the wireless signals with the identification data. Conventionally, a user must manually read the identification data from the corresponding beacon devices one by one, and input the obtained identification data to an application in the electronic device. In another conventional art, a user can press a button on the beacon device, thus driving the beacon device to generate the corresponding identification data. At the time, an electronic device can wireless scan related signals to obtain the identification data of the beacon device. Since above conventional arts both need manually operations for the beacon devices one by one, and related users need professional skills to finish the operations, it is inefficient and hard to implement.


A coin feed-in apparatus for a coin handling machine including a rotatable disk for receiving coins, guide ring having an opening for guiding the coins, which were received by the rotatable disk and moved toward the periphery of the rotatable disk by centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the rotatable disk, by the inner circumference thereof, a coin passage communicating with the opening and having a pair of first and second guide rails and a transporting belt for transporting the coins, the coins being transported along the first guide rail disposed on the side of the rotatable disk, a discriminator for discriminating the denomination, genuineness and the like of coins, a counter for counting the value of deposited coins, coin sorting openings for sorting the coins in accordance with their denominations, the respective discriminator, the counter and the coin sorting openings being arranged along the first guide rail, and a guide roller rotatable and disposed upstream of the first guide rail, the guide ring being arranged so that the inner circumference thereof is positioned inside of the periphery of the rotatable disk and the first guide rail being arranged so as to extend onto the rotatable disk. In this coin feed-in apparatus, it is possible to prevent erroneous discrimination of coins, erroneous counting of coin value and erroneous sorting of coins.

The present invention relates to a coin feed-in apparatus for feeding coins into a coin passage for a coin handling machine having a rotatable disk for receiving coins, in which coins are fed to the coin passage one by one by centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the rotatable disk and the discrimination of their denominations, genuineness and the like, the sorting of coins in accordance with their denominations and the counting of their value are carried out.

Coin feed-in apparatus for coin handling machine


A method and systems are provided for controlling degradation in a reboiler using a hydrophobic coating. A reboiler is provided that includes a steam shell and a plurality of tubes. The reboiler includes a low surface-energy coating on a surface of the plurality of tubes.

Gas Plants produce hydrocarbons, such as sales gas, and NGL to supply industrial sectors with power. However, natural gases carry acids, namely H2S, CO2, and COS, which hinder the production and separation of hydrocarbons. For example, the acid gases cause corrosion, and contaminate product streams. Amines, such as alkanolamine solutions are used as absorbance for the removal of acid gas as they are characterized with physical and chemical attributes to effectively absorb acid gas. However, the alkanolamine solutions can be thermally degraded in steam reboilers at high shell temperatures. These degradation products account as solvent losses and operational costs.

Controlling degradation in a reboiler via a hydrophobic coating