Compounds of formula (I)

The present invention relates to a class of pyrazine compounds which are useful in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders and to their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to their use in the treatment of such disorders and to methods of preparing them.
Numerous phenyl pyrazine derivatives are known in the prior art. For example, Synthesis (1987), (10), 914-915, describes phenyl pyrazine derivatives including, inter alia, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-pyrazinamine. No pharmaceutical utility is however described in that prior art document.
The present invention relates to a series of pyrazine derivatives which are sodium channel blockers. These compounds are particularly good anti-convulsants and as such are useful in the treatment of CNS diseases such as epilepsy.
Accordingly, the invention provides a compound of formula (I)
wherein
R1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms, naphthyl and naphthyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94NH2 and xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))Ra;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94NRbRc, xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))Ra and hydrogen;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl), xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl) substituted by one or more halogen atoms, xe2x80x94CN, xe2x80x94CH2OH, xe2x80x94CH2OR and xe2x80x94CH2S(O)xRd;
wherein
Ra represents C1-4 alkyl or C3-7cycloalkyl, and
Rb and Rc, which may be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen and C1-4 alkyl, or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocycle, which heterocycle can be further substituted with one or more C1-4 alkyl;
Rd is selected from C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms;
x is an integer zero, one or two;
and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof;
with the proviso that R1 does not represent;
when R2 is xe2x80x94NH2, and both R3 and R4 are hydrogen.
By pharmaceutically acceptable derivative is meant any pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the compounds of formula (I), or any other compound which upon administration to the recipient is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of formula (I) or an active metabolite or residue thereof (eg. a prodrug). Reference hereinafter to the compounds of formula (I) includes the compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
Suitable prodrugs are well-known in the art and include N-acyl derivatives, for example at any of the nitrogens in the compounds of formula (I), for example simple acyl derivatives such as acetyl, propionyl and the like or groups such as Rxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2-nitrogen or Rxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94C(O)-nitrogen.
As used herein, the term halogen atom includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
The term C1-4alkyl as used herein includes straight chained and branched alkyl groups containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and in particular includes methyl and isopropyl.
The term C3-7cycloalkyl includes groups containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and in particular includes cyclopropyl.
The term heterocycle as used herein includes 6 membered heterocycles containing at least one nitrogen heteroatom, and preferably two nitrogen heteroatoms. A particularly suitable heterocycle is piperazinyl.
R1 is aptly selected from unsubstituted naphthyl and phenyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms. Particularly R1 represents phenyl substituted by more than one halogen atom, such as di- or tri-halogenated phenyl. Preferably, the halogen substituent in R1 is chloro. Suitably R1 is selected from 2,3,5-trichlorophenyl, 2,3-dichlorophenyl, 2,5-dichlorophenyl, 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl. In particular, R1 is 2,3,5-trichlorophenyl.
Suitably R2 is selected from xe2x80x94NH2, isopropylcarbonylamino and cyclopropylcarbonylamino. R2 is preferably xe2x80x94NH2.
Suitably R3 is selected from hydrogen, xe2x80x94NH2, dimethylamino, 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl, acetamido, isopropylcarbonylamino, cyclopropylcarbonylamino. R3 is preferably xe2x80x94NH2.
Suitably R4 is selected from hydrogen, xe2x80x94CN, xe2x80x94CH2OH or methyl. R4 is preferably xe2x80x94CH2OH or, more preferably, hydrogen.
More preferably, R2 and R3 are both xe2x80x94NH2.
A preferred class of compounds of formula (I) includes those wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above and R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl) and xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl) substituted by one or more halogen atoms.
A preferred compound of formula (I) is wherein
R1 is 2,3,5-trichlorophenyl; R2 is xe2x80x94NH2; R3 is xe2x80x94NH2; and R4 is hydrogen.
According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a compound of formula (Ia)
wherein
Hal represents a halogen atom selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine;
n is 2 or 3;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94NH2 and xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))Ra;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94NRbRc, xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))Ra and hydrogen;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl), xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl (preferably methyl) substituted by one or more halogen atoms, xe2x80x94CN, xe2x80x94CH2OH, CH2ORd and xe2x80x94CH2S(O)xRd;
wherein
Ra represents C1-4 alkyl or C3-7cycloalkyl, and
Rb and Rc, which may be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen and C1-4 alkyl, or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocycle, which heterocycle can be further substituted with one or more C1-4 alkyl;
Rd is selected from C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms;
x is an integer zero, one or two;
and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
It will be appreciated that R2, R3 and R4 as defined above for formula (Ia), are substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to formula (I).
Particuarly appropriately in formula (Ia), R2 and R3 both represent xe2x80x94NH2. Aptly R4 represents xe2x80x94CN, methyl or, more appropriately, xe2x80x94CH2OH or, even more appropriately, hydrogen.
Aptly Hal in formula (Ia) represents chlorine. Suitably n is 3, and appropriately the resulting tri-substitution represents a compound of the following formula (Ib)
wherein R2, R3 and R4 are substantially as defined above with reference to formula (Ia);
and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
Preferred compounds of the present invention are
2,6-diamino-3-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2,6-diamino-3-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2,6-diamino-3-(1-naphthyl)pyrazine,
2,6-diamino-3-(2-naphthyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-(4-methyl-piperazinyl)-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-dimethylamino-3-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-dimethylamino-3-(1-naphthyl)pyrazine,
2,6-dicyclopropylcarbonylamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-cyclopropylcarbonylamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2,6-diisopropylcarbonylamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-isopropylcarbonylamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-isopropylcarbonylamino-6-amino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-cyclopropylcarbonylamino-6-amino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-acetamido-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-acetamido-3-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
2-amino-6-acetamido-3-(2-naphthalene)pyrazine,
5-methyl-2,6-Diamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
5-cyano-2,6-Diamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine,
and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
Further preferred is the compound 5-hydroxymethyl-2,6-diamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
A particularly preferred compound according to the present invention is 2,6-diamino-3-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)pyrazine and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.
It is to be understood that the present invention covers all combinations of particular and preferred groups described herein above.
The compounds of formula (I) are particularly useful as anticonvulsants. They are therefore useful in treating epilepsy. They may be used to improve the condition of a host, typically a human being, suffering from epilepsy. They may be employed to alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy in a host. xe2x80x9cEpilepsyxe2x80x9d is intended to include the following seizures:xe2x80x94simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, secondary generalised seizures, generalised seizures including absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic seizures, tonic clonic seizures and atonic seizures.
The compounds of formula (I) are additionally useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder, alternatively known as manic depression. Type I or II bipolar disorder may be treated. The compounds of formula (I) may thus be used to improve the condition of a human patient suffering from bipolar disorder. They may be used to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder in a host. The compounds of formula (I) may also be used in the treatment of unipolar depression.
The compounds of formula (I) are useful as analgesics. They are therefore useful in treating or preventing pain. They may be used to improve the condition of a host, typically a human being, suffering from pain. They may be employed to alleviate pain in a host. Thus, the compounds of formula (I) may be used as a preemptive analgesic to treat acute pain such as musculoskeletal pain, post operative pain and surgical pain, chronic pain such as chronic inflammatory pain (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis), neuropathic pain (e.g. post herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia and sympathetically maintained pain) and pain associated with cancer and fibromyalgia. The compounds of formula (I) may also be used in the treatment or prevention of pain associated with migraine.
The compounds of formula (I) are further useful in the treatment of functional bowel disorders which include non-ulcer dyspepsia, non-cardiac chest pain and in particular irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder characterised by the presence of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without any evidence of organic disease. The compounds of formula (I) may thus be used to alleviate pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The condition of a human patient suffering from irritable bowel syndrome may thus be improved.
The compounds of formula (I) may also be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer""s disease, ALS, motor neuron disease and Parkinson""s disease. The compounds of formula (I) may also be useful in neuroprotection and in the treatment of neurodegeneration following stroke, cardiac arrest, pulmonary bypass, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or the like.
Still further, the compounds of formula (I) are also useful in preventing or reducing dependence on, or preventing or reducing tolerance or reverse tolerance to, a dependencexe2x80x94inducing agent. Examples of dependence inducing agents include opioids (eg morphine), CNS depressants (eg ethanol), psychostimulants (eg cocaine) and nicotine.
There is therefore further provided by the present invention, use of a compound of formula (I) in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disorder substantially as hereinbefore described. The present invention further comprises a method of treating a patient suffering from, or susceptible to, a disorder substantially as hereinbefore described, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). The term xe2x80x9ctreatmentxe2x80x9d as used herein includes the treatment of established disorders, and also includes the prophylaxis thereof.
Compounds according to the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, especially epilepsy.
The precise amount of the compound of formula (I) or salt thereof administered to a host, particularly a human patient, will be the responsibility of the attendant physician. However, the dose employed will depend upon a number of factors including the age and sex of the patient, the precise condition being treated and its severity, and the route of administration.
The compound of formula (I) and its salts may be administered at a dose of from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight per day and more particularly 0.5 to 5 mg/kg body weight per day, calculated as the free base. The dose range for adult human beings is generally from 5 to 1000 mg/day, such as from 5 to 200 mg/day, preferably from 10 to 50 mg/day, calculated as the free base.
While it is possible for the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof to be administered as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation. The formulations of the present invention comprise the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof together with one or more acceptable carriers or diluents therefor and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be xe2x80x9cacceptablexe2x80x9d in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.
The formulations include those suitable for oral, parenteral (including subcutaneous e.g. by injection or by depot tablet, intradermal, intrathecal, intramuscular e.g. by depot and intravenous), rectal and topical (including dermal, buccal and sublingual) administration although the most suitable route may depend upon for example the condition and disorder of the recipient. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing into association the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof (xe2x80x9cactive ingredientxe2x80x9d) with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation.
Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets (e.g. chewable tablets in particular for paediatric administration) each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste.
A tablet may be made by compression or moulding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, lubricating, surface active or dispersing agent. Moulded tablets may be made by moulding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein.
Formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of a sterile liquid carrier, for example, water-for-injection, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.
Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with the usual carriers such as cocoa butter, hard fat or polyethylene glycol.
Formulations for topical administration in the mouth, for example buccally or sublingually, include lozenges comprising the active ingredient in a flavoured basis such as sucrose and acacia or tragacanth, and pastilles comprising the active ingredient in a basis such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia.
The compounds of the invention may also be formulated as depot preparations. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds of the invention may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.
In addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above, the formulations may include other agents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example those suitable for oral administration may include flavouring agents.
Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing an effective daily dose, as herein above recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof, of the active ingredient. Conveniently that may be from 5 mg to 1000 mg, more conveniently from 5 mg to 200 mg (eg. 5, 25 and 100 mg) and most conveniently 10 mg to 50 mg, calculated as the free base.
When compounds of formula (I) are used in combination with other therapeutic agents, the compounds may be administered either sequentially or simultaneously by any convenient route.
Compounds of formula (I) (which does of course also include compounds of formula (Ia) and (Ib)) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof may be prepared by methods known in the art for the preparation of analogous examples. In particular, the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by the methods outlined below and which form a further aspect of the invention. In the following processes R1, R2, R3 and R4, unless otherwise specified are as defined herein above for formula (I).
According to a general process (A), a compound of formula (I) may be prepared under suitable reaction conditions from a compound of formula (II)
where Hal (B) represents a halogen atom, suitably chloride. For example, Hal(B) may be converted to xe2x80x94NRbRc by reaction with an appropriate amine in a solvent, such as ethanol.
A compound of formula (II) may suitably be prepared from a compound of formula (III)
by reaction with a compound of formula (IV) R1B(OH)2. Examples of compounds of formula (IV) R1B(OH)2 include 2,3,5-trichlorobenzeneboronic acid, 2,3-dichlorobenzeneboronic acid, 2,5-dichlorobenzeneboronic acid, 1-naphthaleneboronic acid and 2-naphthaleneboronic acid. Appropriately, Hal(A) in above formula (III) is more reactive than Hal(B), and suitably Hal(A) is selected from bromide and iodide, whereas Hal(B) is aptly chloride. Compounds of formula (IV) are either commercially available or can suitably be prepared from commercially available benzene analogues e.g. 1-bromo-2,3-dichlorobenzene or 2-bromo-4,6-dichloroaniline as described herein after in greater detail in the accompanying Examples.
A compound of formula (III) can be suitably prepared by further halogenating a compound of formula (V)
for example by reaction with a halogenating agent, such as N-bromosuccinimide, with stirring at room temperature for several hours.
A compound of formula (V) can be prepared from a di-halo compound of formula (VI)
by reaction with R2H, where Hal(B) and Hal(C), which may be the same or different halogen substituents. Aptly both Hal(B) and Hal(C) are chloride. Compounds of formula (VI) are commercially available.
According to a further general process (B), a compound of formula (I) can be prepared from a compound of formula (VII)
where Hal represents a halogen atom, suitably bromide or iodide, by reaction with a compound of formula (IV) as described above.
In the case where both R3 and R4 represent hydrogen, a compound of formula (VII) may be commercially available. Alternatively, a compound of formula (VII) can be prepared from a compound of formula (VIII)
where Y is a group easily convertable to R3. For example, in the case where Y represents NH2, this can be converted to xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))CH3 by reflux in the presence of an acetylating agent, such as acetic anhydride.
A compound of formula (VIII) can be prepared from a compound of formula (IX)
by reaction with R2H under suitable conditions. For example a compound of formula (IX) can be reacted with ammonia in an autoclave for several hours.
A compound of formula (IX) can be prepared from a compound of formula (X)
which in turn can be prepared from commercially available compounds of formula (VI) described above.
According to a further process, C, compounds of formula (I) where R2 represents NH2 may be prepared by cylisation and oxidation of a compound of formula (XI)
or a salt thereof according to conventional procedures, for example by neutralising a salt of a compound of formula (XI), e.g. with lithium hydroxide in a suitable solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. methanol, under which conditions spontaneous oxidation to a compound of formula (I) occurs.
Compounds of formula (XI) may be prepared by reacting compounds of formula (XII) R1C(O)H with compounds of formula (XIII)
or a salt thereof, in the presence of a cyanide source, for example potassium cyanide. Compounds of formula (XII), where R1 is trihalo-substituted phenyl, for example 2,3,5-trichlorobenzaldehyde, are known and may be prepared according to the methods described in WO95/07877. Compounds where R1 represents alternative values are either known or may be prepared according to methods known for the preparation of known compounds.
Compounds of formula (XIII), for example aminoacetamidine, may be prepared according to known procedures, for example, those described in Chem. Berichte, 89, 1185 (1956).
According to a further process, D, compounds of formula (I) may be converted into corresponding compounds of formula (I) by employing suitable reaction techniques. For example, compounds of formula (I) wherein R3 represents xe2x80x94NHC((xe2x95x90O))Ra may be converted into compounds wherein R3 represents xe2x80x94NH2 by hydrolysis, for example by reaction with aqueous hydrochloric acid. In addition, compounds of formula (I) wherein R4 represents hydrogen may be converted into compounds where R4 represents xe2x80x94CN by first halogenating by reacting with a halogenating agent, such as N-bromosuccinimide, followed by reaction with a suitable source of cyanide ions, for example a mixture of sodium cyanide and copper (I) cyanide. Further, compounds of formula (I) wherein R4 represents CN may be converted into compounds wherein R4 represents xe2x80x94CH2OH via the formyl derivative which may be prepared by reacting the xe2x80x94CN compound with diisobutylaluminium hydride in toluene, followed by hydrolysis. The formyl derivative is then reduced to the xe2x80x94CH2OH compound using, for example, sodium borohydride in ethanol. Compounds wherein R4 represents xe2x80x94CH2OH may be converted into compounds wherein R4 represents xe2x80x94CH2ORd by alkylation. In addition, of formula (I) wherein R4 represents xe2x80x94CN may be converted into compounds wherein R4 represents methyl via the formyl derivative, prepared as desribed above, which is then converted into the tosylhydrazone, by reaction with p-toluenesulfonhydrazide, followed by reaction with catecholborane in chloroform/tetrahydrofuran.
The various general methods described above may be useful for the introduction of the desired groups at any stage in the stepwise formation of the required compound, and it will be appreciated that these general methods can be combined in different ways in such multi-stage processes. The sequence of the reactions in multi-stage processes should of course be chosen so that the reaction conditions used do not affect groups in the molecule which are desired in the final product.
The following Examples which should not be construed as constituting a limitation thereto are provided to illustrate the invention.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I)

Abstract: where R1 is phenyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms, naphthyl and naphthyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 is xe2x80x94NH2 and xe2x80x94NHC(xe2x95x90O)Ra; R3 is xe2x80x94NRbRc, xe2x80x94NHC(xe2x95x90O)Ra or hydrogen; R4 is hydrogen, xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl, xe2x80x94CN, xe2x80x94CH2OH, xe2x80x94CH2ORd, xe2x80x94CH2S(O)xRd and xe2x80x94C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms in which Ra represents C1-4 alkyl or C3-7cycloalkyl, and Rb and Rc, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl, or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocycle, which heterocycle can be further substituted with one or more C1-4 alkyl; Rd is C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; x is an integer zero, one or two; and salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, provided that R1 does not represent:

Abstract: when R2 is xe2x80x94NH2, and both R3 and R4 are hydrogen. The compounds are useful as analgesics, anticonvulsants, for treating bipolar disorder and as neuroprotectants.


Examples are disclosed for techniques associated with error correction for encoded data. In some examples, error correction code (ECC) information for the ECC encoded data is received that indicates the ECC encoded data includes one or more errors. A determination is made as to whether the ECC encoded data includes either a single error or more than one error. If the ECC encoded data includes a single error, an error location of the error is identified. If the ECC encoded data includes more than one error, separate error locations are identified for the more than one error. The single error or the more than one error is corrected and the ECC encoded data is then be decoded.

An error correction code (ECC) may be used to protect data or recover from errors related to a medium via which the data was either transmitted or stored. For example, data may be encoded using an ECC to possibly recover from errors associated with wired/wireless communications, storage to memory devices/mediums or optical readers such as 2-dimensional bar code readers. ECC encoded data received by either reading data from a memory device/medium or barcode or received via a wired/wireless communication channel may be able to identify and correct a given number of errors. Typically, ECC encoded data may include codewords having a combination of data and redundant or parity bits or symbols. Depending on the size of a given codeword and the level of protection desired, codewords may vary in size and also may vary in the complexity of algorithms used to recover from possible errors.
Errors in a given period of time may be referred to as a bit error rate (BER). Technological advances in digital signal transmissions that have greatly increased data transmission speeds have also increased the possibility of a higher BER. Also, memory storage/medium technologies have resulted in increasingly denser storage that may also lead to an increased possibility of a higher BER. In order to reduce the impacts of possibly higher BERs, data may be encoded in larger codewords. These larger codewords may have more parity bits. Large codewords with more parity bits may require complex algorithms implemented with increasing amount of computing resources.

Techniques associated with error correction for encoded data


A sealing system for use in a liquid/flowable product filling apparatus which comprises a hopper for holding the product, one or more filling assemblies, each of which includes a nozzle, a cylinder, a valve for selectively passing product from the hopper to the cylinder and from the cylinder to the nozzle, a piston selectively moveable in the cylinder to draw product from the hopper through the valve into the cylinder or to push product from the cylinder into the valve and out of the nozzle, and a plunger selectively moveable in the valve to prevent the flow of product from the hopper into the valve or prevent the flow of product from the valve and out of the nozzle. The sealing system includes an annular piston seal circumscribing the piston to press against the cylinder walls to provide a seal therebetween. The valve includes an annular wall section through which the plunger moves, and an annular recess formed in the wall section. An annular valve seal is disposed in the recess formed in the annular wall section to press against the plunger as it moves through the wall section, to provide a seal therebetween.

The present invention relates to a liquid/product filling apparatus which utilizes a combination of pistons, cylinders and valves with a seal system for effectively preventing leakage of liquid or flowable products being handled by the apparatus.
Apparatus and process for automatically filling containers, such as cans and bottles, with both food and non-food products have become very sophisticated and efficient. Such apparatus and processes are used to fill containers with liquid, semi-liquid, pasty or products which might contain food products, such as liver paste, baby foods, jellies, vegetable oil, mustard, sauces, etc. and non-foods, such as mineral oil, wax, paints, etc. The apparatus used and the processes employed may take a variety of forms, one of the most popular being the so-called rotary piston filler, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,501,622 and 4,602,964.
Rotary fillers typically include a generally cylindrical hopper made, for example, of stainless steel, a number of filling assemblies spaced apart about the exterior of the hopper, and a container or can conveying system for moving cans into position underneath the filling assemblies to receive product. The filling assemblies each typically include a vertically disposed cylinder, a valve coupling the lower end of the cylinder to the hopper and operable to either allow material to flow from the hopper into the cylinder or to flow from the cylinder into a can positioned below the valve, and a piston moveable in the cylinder to force material from the cylinder into the can. Rotary fillers also typically include a piston support structure for causing the pistons to move upwardly in the cylinders when product is flowing from the hopper into the cylinders, and downwardly when product is being forced from the cylinder into cans. See the aforecited U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,501,622 and 4,602,964.
An important aspect of rotary fillers such as described above is the seal system utilized to prevent leakage and flow of product to other than desired destinations to thus prevent contamination, maintain cleanliness, and reduce the loss and waste of product. One seal structure which has oftentimes been used in rotary fillers (and in many other applications) is the conventional O-ring. However, when used with the pistons, cylinders and valves employed in rotary fillers, it has been found difficult to keep the product from leaking or escaping behind the O-rings, especially if the product is liquid or flowable. Multiple O-rings are generally required to alleviate the problem of leakage in both piston and rotary valves and to provide proper sealing of pistons to develop adequate suction when the piston is used to draw food from the hopper to the cylinder prior to discharge of the food into a can.
The prior pistons and valves utilizing O-ring seals also present a problem during cleaning. Automatic cleaning systems have been suggested, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,622, for cleaning rotary fillers but if conventional O-ring seals were used in such fillers, it would be difficult to properly clean such seals. In fact, health concerns would generally require that these conventional O-ring seals be cleaned by hand since the O-rings would have to be removed from retainer grooves to clean both the O-rings and the grooves. This, of course, would negate some of the advantages of the automatic cleaning system.
One approach to overcoming, or at least alleviating, some of the problems of existing seal systems, as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,481, which discloses a cylindrical seal system which utilizes O-rings in a manner which effectively prevents leakage and also allows for automated cleaning of the system. The present invention is a further improvement of this cylindrical seal system and seal systems especially adapted for use with rotary fillers.

Liquid/flowable product filling apparatus with seal system


A housing of a fluid energy machine which extends along a longitudinal axis, includes a housing casing which extends axially, a housing cover for closing off a housing opening axially on the face side of the housing casing, an annular insert which extends in the housing in a circumferential direction and which bears against the housing casing and against the housing cover, a first seal between the housing cover and the housing casing. To save radial installation space, a second seal is between the housing casing and the annular insert, and a third seal is between the housing cover and the annular insert.

Unless otherwise stated, all directional indications, such as axial, radial and circumferential direction, relate to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In the case of the turbo fluid energy machine, the longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of a rotor carrying the individual impellers. An offset of the axis of rotation and of the longitudinal axis of the housing in a turbo fluid energy machine is generally a result of the alignment of the two components in relation to one another.
Such housings are already known from the patent specification DE 10 2012 223 462 B3.
A spiral groove ring corresponding to the annular insert in the preamble of the main claim is already known from DE 42 25 687 A1.
JP 5500 7914 discloses an arrangement with a multistage centrifugal compressor, in which it is provided that liquid accumulating in the return stages can be blown out as and when required by means of injected natural gas. This corresponding blow-out line is led through an end-face cover into an inner housing ring and continued there, seals being provided for the purpose of sealing this routing of the line between the inner housing ring and the cover.
EP 08400016 A2 discloses a turbo machine in which the inflow and outflow are sealed with respect to one another by means of a seal extending in the circumferential direction between an inner housing and an outer housing and end-face opening closures are likewise sealed with respect to the housing by means of static seals. The corresponding inflow and outflow chambers are filled as planned with the process fluid and are not monitored for a leakage.
DE 4011476 A1 discloses a barrel housing pump that has a seal in relation to an end-face cover.
DE 102012223462 B3 is concerned with an arrangement according to the preamble of the invention. A sealing arrangement with a monitored intermediate chamber is provided here between two seals, the two seals being arranged between the housing and an end-face cover. The arrangement is radially encompassing and must be formed such that the radial installation space of the housing wall thickness is not exceeded by the sealing arrangement.
In particular in the area of radial turbo compressors and radial turbo expanders, the use of such housings is customary.
In the context of this patent application, the term "housing casing" means a preferably substantially cylindrical form of housing along a longitudinal axis, which on at least one axial side has a releasably fastened cover and on the other side is either of a closed form—that is to say is in one piece with a closable end-face cover—or likewise has a releasably fastened cover on the axial end face. In particular, the housing has on at least one axial end-face side a lead-through for a shaft, which transfers torques to or from the rotor of a fluid energy machine in relation to the housing according to the invention. This shaft generally has an axis of rotation that coincides substantially with the longitudinal axis of the housing. An application of the invention is in the area of radial fluid energy machines, though an application in the area of axial fluid energy machines is also conceivable in principle.
The invention is specifically concerned with the static sealing of the housing cover in relation to the housing casing by using an additional annular insert. In particular when the compression or expansion of toxic or explosive or in some other way hazardous fluids is involved, reliable sealing of the cover in relation to the housing casing is operationally necessary for reasons of safety.
To register any failure of the seal between the housing casing and the cover, it is known to provide between an interior of the housing with a potentially hazardous process fluid and the surroundings an intermediate space that is monitored for any escape of the process gas in series arrangement z of at least one seal that seals the cover. Advantageously, this intermediate space is also sealed with respect to the surroundings, so that, in the event of the inner seal being defective, no potentially hazardous process gas can escape into the surroundings and monitoring of the intermediate space indicates the necessity for the inner seal to be exchanged.
It is already known from the aforementioned DE 10 2012 223 462 B3 to save radial installation space by providing in addition to a radial offset between an inner seal, which seals the intermediate space in relation to the interior of the machine, and an outer seal, which seals the intermediate space that is monitored in relation to the surroundings, also an axial offset. As a result, the intermediate space is sufficiently large while having a small radial extent, in that the required size of the intermediate space is not only achieved by radial installation space, but also the possibility of axial installation space is utilized.
Nevertheless, the known sealing arrangement requires more radial installation space than is desired.


A method applied in a routing node, and a forwarding engine implemented in a routing node, are provided for handling data packets received at the routing node. A N-tuple comprising N elements is extracted from a first header of a data packet. A default meta-field is added to the N elements, providing a N+1-tuple. The N+1-tuple is used to make a first lookup of inspection rules. The default meta-field makes the inspection rules apply to the first header. The data packet is handled according to a result of the first lookup, wherein a possible outcome is a finding of a second header within the data packet. If a second header is found, a new meta-field value is set and a second lookup is made. The second lookup of the inspection rules is made according to N elements from the second header and the new value of the meta-field.

Today's routers, servers, gateways and like network nodes receive, process and forward data packets at a very fast rate. In a typical router, a forwarding engine may comprise rules to apply specific actions to packets that match certain criteria. Typically, such rules are applied to parameters comprised in an internet protocol (IP) data packet header. FIG. 1 (Prior Art) shows a representation of an IP version 4 data packet. The IPv4 data packet 100 comprises a variable length data 110 portion, also called payload, and a header 120. The header comprises many fields; for the purposes of the present description, important fields comprise a source address 122, a destination address 124 and a protocol 126. The protocol 126 may have different values such as transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), IP-in-IP (tunneling), and the like. If the protocol is TCP or UPD for example, a TCP or UDP header is added to the packet. FIG. 2 is a prior art representation of a TCP header. Important elements of the TCP header 200 comprise a source port 210 and a destination port 220. A typical router applies forwarding rules to a N-tuple comprising N elements extracted from a data packet. A 3-tuple may comprise the destination address 124, the source address 122, and the protocol identifier 126. A 5-tuple may comprise the same elements to which are added the destination port 220 and the source port 210. FIG. 3 is a prior art representation of a 5-tuple. The 5-tuple 300 comprises the source address 122, the destination address 124, the source port 210, the destination port 220 and the protocol 126. These 5 elements are not found in the order shown on FIG. 3 within a typical data packet. The 5-tuple is rather an easy-to-use representation of the elements that are used in a forwarding engine for making routing decisions.
Forwarding engines are generally capable of taking routing decisions based on a first, or outer header of a data packet. If a data packet has been tunneled by use of IP-in-IP, the data packet comprises a first (outer header) and an enlarged payload. The enlarged payload further comprises an inner header and an original payload. Making a forwarding engine inspect a plurality of headers within a packet would slow down its processing.

Handling data packets received at a routing node


A neck construction for a stringed instrument such as a guitar has an asymmetric, preferably trapezoidal, profile of the neck. The asymmetry is opposite at the distal end, depicted in FIG. 9, and proximal end, depicted in FIG. 10. As the musician plays the instrument, the hand will move between the proximal and distal ends of the neck, using the thumb and palm as a support to press the fingers against the front portion of the neck. By changing the angles of the surfaces denoted as (15) and (19), and (16) and (20) from the proximal to the distal end, the musician's wrist is encouraged and guided to move in a comfortable and relaxed angle throughout the playing range of the instrument, while the musician's muscles and tendons are supported, thereby reducing the risk for the musician to develop repetitive strain injuries and allowing the musician to play better.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is a novel cross-sectional profile of the neck of a stringed instrument such as a guitar or bass. The design of the neck profile increases the efficiency of the tendon system of the hands, wrists and arms, thereby reducing the risk for the musician to develop the repetitive strain injuries to which guitar and bass players are prone.
2. Description of Related Art
A guitar typically has two main components, a neck and a body. The musician squeezes the strings of the guitar against frets that are on the neck in order to change intonations of the strings. The design of the neck is therefore an important part of the guitar's performance and ergonomics.
The neck is sometimes manufactured as a separate part that is bolted on to the body portion, sometimes the neck is glued to the body, and sometimes, the neck is manufactured from a piece that is an integral part of the body. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a so called bolt-on neck. The cross section of a conventional guitar neck most commonly describes a semi-circle as depicted in FIG. 2. As a matter of preference, musicians choose a flatter or rounder, thinner or thicker profile.
When the musician plays the instrument, the thumb or palm of the hand presses against the rear portion (4) of the neck depicted in FIG. 2 while the fingers press the strings against the fingerboard (3). The semi-circular shape allows placement of the thumb at any place along the section. Pushing the thumb or palm against this semi-circular is inherently unstable and muscles in the thumb, palm, forearm and upper arm are all engaged. The hand constantly adjusts, attempting to maintain balance on this small contact area. The spacing between the strings of most stringed instruments increases from the distal end to the proximal end, in order to allow more room to pluck the strings near the proximal end. Because of this generally increasing spacing, the embodiments herein are shown with a wider cross section at the proximal end, but this should not limit the invention to neck shapes with different widths of the distal and proximal end.
A profile that supports the muscles of the hand better than the conventional shape is depicted in FIG. 3. This shape is depicted in prior art U.S. Design Pat. No. D630,676, and a variant as in FIG. 4 is depicted in U.S. Design Pat. No. D635,182. These neck profiles allow the musician to play more relaxed by providing a larger and more stable contact area for the thumb, and thereby preventing injury of the tendons in fingers and hands, and allowing the musician to play longer and faster.
An area which is not addressed in the previously discussed prior art is relieving tension of the muscles in the wrist. To change the intonation of the strings, the musician will press the strings against the fingerboard at varying locations along the length of the neck. Often, multiple strings are depressed at the same time in patterns to form chord voicings. Forming these chord voicings at different locations of the neck affects the angle of the wrist acutely, often requiring the musician to bend the wrist at a sharp angle when playing at the distal end 1 of the neck in FIG. 1 while having a more relaxed angle at the proximal end 2 of the neck in FIG. 1.
There is prior art for a solution that addresses providing a more relaxed angle of the wrist throughout the range of play in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,308, which describes twisting the neck along its axis, providing a 5°-65° rotation of the distal end (5) in FIG. 5 compared to the point where the strings are anchored in the body, leaving the proximal end (6) parallel in relation to the body or at some angle. This solution, however, is a radical departure from common construction techniques, is complex to manufacture and does not allow many common maintenance operations using standard tools or knowledge.
Lastly in the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,450 describes a way to position the frets, which provide fixed intonation positions on which the strings can be depressed, in a "fan" shape that provides sonic advantages. Such a fanned layout, however more subtle than what is described in the prior art, of the frets is depicted in FIG. 6. The result of fanning the layout of the frets is that each string has its own scale length. Depending on the size of the musician and the playing style, a difference in scale length between the longest and the shortest scale of no less than 12 mm and no more than 37 mm can affect the wrist angle of the musician in a positive way throughout the range of play.


The properties of a dichromated hydrophilic colloid photosensitive composition are improved by the incorporation of certain copolymer latices. More particularly, the copolymer particles in the latex conform to the structure: EQU --A).sub. (B --.phi.-a. wherein A is a polymerized monomer or monomers having the structure: ##STR1## and B is a polymerized monomer or monomers having the structure: ##STR2## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently hydrogen or methyl;. R.sup.2 is phenyl, substituted phenyl or a straight- or branched-chain alkoxycarbonyl group of about 2-8 carbon atoms; PA1 R.sup.3 is --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 or --OR.sup.6 wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl of about 1-8 carbon atoms including substituted alkyl, and alkyl containing hetero atoms in the alkyl chain, and R.sup.6 is hydroxyalkyl of about 1-8 carbon atoms; and PA1 a represents a weight percent of about 75-95.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to photosensitive compositions and the use of these compositions in forming solid-state imaging devices. More particularly, the photosensitive compositions of the present invention contain a hydrophilic colloid, e.g., gelatin, a dichromate photocrosslinking agent and a latex copolymer.
2. Discussion Relative to the Prior Art
One of the earliest known photosensitive compositions was a composition containing a natural colloid such as gelatin and a dichromate photocrosslinking agent. Exposure of this composition produces hardening of the gelatin in the exposed areas, while the unexposed areas can be easily washed away with water. This composition, which is commonly referred to as dichromated gelatin, has been used in a variety of processes. For example, a support coated with such a composition can be used as a lithographic plate.
One use for dichromated gelatin has been in the preparation of additive color screens. (See, generally, Friedman, History of Color Photography, American Photographic Publishing Company, 1944, chapter 13.) In a typical process for producing an additive color filter screen or color filter array, the first step is to coat a suitable support with a dichromated gelatin composition. The resulting layer is then exposed in those areas where it is desired to have the individual color filter elements, and the layer is processed to wash off unwanted areas of the gelatin layer. The resulting islands or stripes of gelatin are then dyed with a suitable dye solution to form a set of colored filter elements. This process is repeated any number of times to produce any kind of desired multicolor filter array. This process has been used to produce an additive color screen for a diffusion transfer transparency material. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,208 to Land.)
Another process in which the dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition is useful is in the heat-transfer process of preparing color filter arrays. This process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,277 by Brault et al issued Mar. 28, 1978. In this process, the individual color filter elements are made by heat-transferring dye into a dye-receiving layer. The dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition is used as a photoresist. The dichromated gelatin layer is exposed to the negative of the pattern of the desired filter elements and then processed to produce window areas which correspond to the filter elements in the final array. The heat-transferable dye is then transferred through the window areas of the dichromated gelatin photoresist into the dye-receiving layer, either from dye-coated paper or a hot dye solution to form the individual filter elements.
It will be readily appreciated that, either where the dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition is to be used to form islands or stripes or where it is to be used as a negative-working photoresist, it must meet several stringent requirements. Perhaps most importantly, the dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition must have extremely high resolution. In both of the above-identified processes, the dichromated gelatin photoresist determines the resolution of the individual filter elements in the color filter array. Further, in the heat-transfer process the dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition must adhere well to the polymeric dye receiver, typically a polyester. Finally, the dichromated gelatin photosensitive composition must be reproducible.
The art suggests some ways in which the properties of simple dichromated gelatin compositions can be altered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,687,958 suggests that polymeric amides of acrylic acid can be used in place of all or part of the colloid. This is said to improve uniformity of the light-sensitive layers. However, it has been found that these compositions do not adhere adequately to polyester layers.
It is known in the art to produce a dichromated gelatin photoresist which, when exposed, becomes soluble rather than insoluble. Compositions of this type include, in addition to the gelatin and dichromate sensitizer, a latex which is comprised of polymer particles which are substantially completely hydrophobic. Useful hydrophobic latices for these compositions include aqueous dispersions of poly(methyl acrylate) or poly(ethyl acrylate) or a copolymer of ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile. Compositions of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,388 by Staehle issued July 22, 1952. Compositions of this type, i.e., those which contain latices which are substantially hydrophobic, do not provide adequate adhesion to polyester layers.
While the dichromated gelatin photoresists of the prior art can be used in both of the processes for making color filter arrays discussed above, further improvements in the areas of resolution, adhesion and reproducibility have continued to be sought. More particularly, it would be desirable to provide a high-resolution, negative-working, dichromated gelatin photoresist which can be used directly in making color filter arrays by the "wash-off" method or which can be used in making color filter arrays using the heat-transfer process. In the latter process, it is imperative that the improved dichromated gelatin photoresist have excellent adhesion to polymeric dye-receiving layers, particularly polyester layers.

Dichromated hydrophilic colloid-latex copolymer compositions


A unified connector interface adapter apparatus which is adapted to provide electrical connection with any one of a plurality of towing vehicle round wiring harness receptacles. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus has a housing at the second end adapted for securement within a towing vehicle trailer harness receptacle located near the rear of a towing vehicle. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus is adapted at first end to receive a selected round towed vehicle plug having a plurality of connectors extending from the towed vehicle wiring harness. The unified connector interface adapter apparatus is also adapted to provide an interface between complimentary round and non-complementary connectors between a towing and towed vehicle. The housing may also be sized to receive a circuit board therein, which aligns the connectors on the first end with the appropriate connectors on the second end. Said circuit board may also electrically interconnect said connectors with circuit breakers and/or diagnostic visual illuminators.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for releasable securing electrical connectors between separate vehicles, and more particularly to a unified connector interface adapter apparatus adapted for securement to the rear of a towing vehicle, one end of the unified connector interface adapter to mate with a round towing vehicle plug receptacle configured with five or more electrical connectors, and the opposite end of the unified connector interface adapted for connection with a round vehicle plug extending from a towed vehicle with four or more, electrical connectors.
2. Background of the Invention
In recent years, the rising popularity of outdoor recreational activities, such as boating and camping, has led to an increase in the use of trailers, campers, and other towed vehicles. Moreover, many state and federal laws require that towed vehicles have on-board electrical systems for providing brake lights, turn signals, etc. These on-board electrical systems are usually controlled by the electrical systems of the towing vehicle. For example, when the brake lights on the towing vehicle are energized, the brake lights on the towed vehicle are also energized. This is also true for the turn signals, backup lights, etc.
Generally, a hard-wired electrical connection is installed to connect the electrical signals generated on the towing vehicle with responsive electrical signals on the towed vehicle. Hard-wired electrical connections typically include a plurality of mating plug and receptacle connections to enable the user to releasable secure the electrical connection, so that the vehicles may be easily separated when they are not joined together.
Typically, each vehicle includes a wiring harness, to which the mating plug and receptacle connections are secured. Each wiring harness includes a harness connector with male and/or female terminals in a pin and/or blade configuration in order to establish a releasable electrical interconnection between the wiring harness receptacle on the towing vehicle with the wiring harness plug on the towed vehicle.
The towed vehicle typically employs a wiring harness plug having an array of female pin or blade receptacles for releasable insertion with a complimentary array of male pin terminals within the wiring harness receptacle on the towing vehicle.
Trailer, campers and other towed vehicles have been rapidly evolving, and are now more sophisticated and larger in size. These towed vehicles are often equipped with a multitude of more complex accessories, such as towed vehicle electrical braking systems, separate air conditioners, stove and refrigerators, etc. These additional accessories require higher electrical currents and power, which require heavier and greater number of electrical interconnections. Electrical harness connectors having six or seven wires are becoming common on both towing and towed vehicles.
In order to conserve space, these larger and more complex wiring harness connectors are being arranged in circular configurations, resulting in round electrical connectors. These round harness connectors are often adapted for use with pin and/or blade, as well as with male and/or female terminal connectors. Four, six and seven round terminal connectors are now being used in the trailer industry.
Multi-terminal, round style, trailer harness connectors have become more popular in recent years. Since the number of terminals within a given trailer harness varies between vehicles, it is a common occurrence when one wishes to tow a vehicle equipped with a round trailer harness plug which does not mate with the round trailer harness receptacle of the towing vehicle. For example, the towing vehicle harness receptacle has seven terminals and the towed vehicle harness plug has six terminals, or both harnesses have the same number of terminals, but the style or pattern of each harnesses terminals do not match or mate.
Another problem occurs when the terminal pattern of electrical orientation is different between vehicles. If both towing and towed vehicle harnesses have seven terminals, the functional wiring pattern of each harness may not match. For instance, the location of the left turn signal light function terminal of the towing vehicle receptacle may have a different location than that of the appropriate mating terminal on the towed vehicle harness plug. Therefore electrical interface requires the ability to make proper electrical orientation between separate vehicles.
Another problem occurs when attempting to releasably secure a round trailer harness plug into a dissimilar sized towing vehicle round harness receptacle. If the towed vehicle plug diameter is too small, proper securement together can not be achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,393 by C. Jeter, issued in Nov. 1, 1988, discloses a trailer light convertor having a conversion box mounted between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle, wherein jumper adapters are manually moved to adapt to various plug configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,853 by R. Orbanic, issued in Jan. 12, 1988, discloses a four pole electrical connector having variably position able switches for selectively connecting various electrical circuits of a first vehicle to corresponding electrical circuits of a second vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,960 by E. Hopkins et al., issued Feb. 9, 1993, discloses a trailer light connection system having a T-shaped connector, utilizing a modularized tap plug.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,524 by R. Hopkins et al., issued Jun. 27, 1989, discloses a T-shaped connector for mack lighting systems having three terminals, utilizing a modularized tap plug, with split wire connectors to simplify system installation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,697 by E. Rodgers, issued Jul. 11, 1989, discloses a cable for interconnecting the lighting systems of a towing vehicle and a trailer, utilizing a plurality of individual wire, each with individual wiring connectors, which are manually positioned to match the layout of the incompatible wiring connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,644 by E. Feder, issued Sep. 13, 1988, is representative of a seven pin disconnectable, multi pole round connector, which requires a complimentary mating connector.


A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

The present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners, and more specifically to a vacuum cleaner brushroll having improved cleaning capability.
An example of a vacuum cleaner brushroll and a brushroll mounting assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,785 dated Dec. 18, 1993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The disclosed brushroll mounting assemblies include stub shafts which are fixed in the ends of the brushroll spindle, bearings which have their inner races press fitted on the projecting ends of the stub shafts, and outer end members, e.g. end caps, that receive the outer races of the bearings and serve as a means for mounting the brushroll in the mouth of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
Certain prior art brushrolls include metal ferrules that embrace the outer ends of the spindle. In a typical construction, the stub shafts extend through center openings of the ferrules into the spindle ends. The metal ferrules can have expanded end openings that receive projecting portions of the end caps in order to guard against threads and dirt entering the bearings.
Conventional brushroll spindles have a pulley belt drive surface near one end and carry rows of bristle tufts which agitate the carpet to loosen the dirt as the brushroll is rotated. Typically, the rows of bristle tufts terminate inwardly of the ends of a brushroll spindle. This is particularly true in the case of brushrolls which have metal ferrules, since they cannot be drilled with conventional wood drills to permit tufting at the ends of the spindle. Thus, a brushroll with metal ferrules at its ends necessarily has poor edge cleaning capability and a cleaning path no longer than the length of the spindle.
The invention is a new and improved vacuum cleaner brushroll having bristle tufts that are angled outwardly to extend beyond the ends of the brushroll spindle. These angled end tufts widen the normal cleaning path of the brushroll, provide improved edge cleaning capability, and enhance the overall cleaning characteristic of the brushroll.
In the disclosed embodiments, a sleeve is press fitted over each end of the brushroll spindle. The sleeves are made of plastic or other material that can be drilled with a conventional wood drill to form angled tuft holes very near the ends of the spindle. The sleeves prevent cracking or splitting of the spindle ends when they are drilled. The angled end tufts are fixed in the holes and extend outwardly through the sleeves beyond the ends of the spindle.
Moisture changes in wooden spindles can cause shrinking and swelling of the wood. In many conventional constructions, swelling can result in the pins or stub shafts which mount the spindle bearings from loosening the holes of the spindle, thereby causing brushroll rattle and general unsatisfactory operation. The end sleeves of the present invention avoid this difficulty. As the spindle swells against the sleeves, the wood is compressed to maintain a firm grip on the pins or stub shafts that are fitted in the ends of the spindle.
Another feature of the invention is an end sleeve as described above which includes a co-molded drive pulley that takes the place of the enlarged pulley drive surface heretofore formed as an integral part of the wooden spindle near one end. The pulley that is integrally made with the end sleeve can be of any suitable shape that will coact with the vacuum cleaner drive belt. For example, the pulley may have belt engaging grooves or it may be formed to coact with a timer belt drive.
In one disclosed embodiment, the brushroll further includes one piece plastic ferrules at each end of the brushroll. Each ferrule has a peripheral skirt that embraces the end portion of the adjacent sleeve, a hollow pin that is pressed into the end of the spindle and receives the bearing mounting stub shaft, and a web connecting the pin and skirt.
Still other features, advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Brushroll having improved cleaning capability


As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a pneumatic tire of the present invention, block-shaped land portions 18 are divided by main grooves 14 and lug grooves 16 on the tread 12 of a studless tire 10 and a plurality of transverse sipings 20 is formed on each of the block-shaped land portions 18. Each sipings 20 is formed from a first linear portion 20A, a second linear portion 20B, and a sloping line portion 20C. The first linear portion 20A essentially extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface 18A of the block-shaped land portion 18 and contacts the surface 18A, the second linear portion 20B essentially extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface 18A and is separated from the surface 18A, and the sloping line portion 20C inclines to connect the ends of the first linear portion 20A and the second linear portion 20B. In each of the sipings 20, the position D1 of the sloping line portion 20C is set to 10% to 60% of the siping depth D. As a result, deterioration of ground-contacting performance when the number of sipings is increased is prevented. In this way, wet grip performance, braking performance on ice, traction performance, and irregular wear resistance can be improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire, and more particularly to the improvement of a pneumatic tire which has excellent running performance on snow or icy road surfaces.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to prevent dust pollution caused by spikes or studs projecting from tread portions, the use of spiked tires has been banned. Since then, various types of tires which do not have spikes and which have excellent running performance on snow or icy road surfaces have been developed. These are generically called studless tires. The characteristics which are substantially common to studless tires, include having the tread divided into a plurality of block-shaped land portions. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of vertical and transverse sipings 72, which extend straight in the depth direction of the block-shaped land portion 70, are formed on each of the divided block-shaped land portions 70. The tread land portions are formed block-shaped so that their grip on ice is improved, and the block-shaped land portions are subdivided by the transverse sipings so that the coefficient of friction on ice (edge effect) is improved by the plurality of block square portions which were formed by the subdivision.
However, in order to obtain a higher coefficient xcexc of friction on ice using conventional technology, it is necessary to increase the number of sipings. When the number of sipings is increased, ground-contacting performance deteriorates due to a decrease in the rigidity of the block-shaped land portions and the overall performance is not improved. In addition, irregular wear (heal-and-toe) is generated due to the deterioration of ground-contacting performance.
The present invention was developed in light of the above drawbacks, and an object thereof is to provide a pneumatic tire in which the deterioration of ground-contacting performance while increasing the number of sipings can be prevented, and as a result, wet grip performance, braking performance on ice, traction performance, and irregular wear resistance can be improved.
A pneumatic tire according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pneumatic tire provided with a tread divided into a plurality of block-shaped land portions, the periphery of each of the block-shaped land portions being bordered by a plurality of main grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the pneumatic tire, and by a plurality of lug grooves extending in the transverse direction of the pneumatic tire and intersecting the main grooves, and each of the block-shaped land portions having a plurality of sipings, the siping""s comprising: a first linear portion which essentially extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the block-shaped land portion and contacts the surface; a second linear portion which essentially extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the block-shaped land portion and is separated from the surface of the block-shaped land portion; and a sloping line portion which connects the first linear portion and the second linear portion and is inclined in a direction towards the wall surface of the block-shaped land portion, wherein the position of the sloping line portion is set to between 10% to 60% of the siping depth.
Accordingly, in the pneumatic tire according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the position of the sloping line portion is set to the relatively shallow position of 10% to 60% of the siping depth, even when the number of sipings is increased, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portion is maintained and deformation is prevented. In this way, because the increase in the amount of deformation of the block-shaped land portions when the number of sipings is increased is less and deterioration of ground-contacting performance can be prevented, wet grip performance, braking performance on ice, traction performance, and irregular wear resistance can be improved.
A pneumatic tire according to a second aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the tread includes block-shaped land portions each having at least four rows of sipings aligned in a transverse direction, and wherein the position of the sloping line portions of the outer sipings on the block-shaped land portions is at a shallower depth than the position of the sloping line portions of the inner sipings.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the second aspect of the present invention, as the position of the sloping line portion of the outer sipings is set at a shallower depth than the position of the sloping line portion of the inner sipings within the block-shaped land portion, even if the number of sipings is increased, the bending rigidity of the outer portions of the block-shaped land portion is maintained and deformation is further prevented. In this way, the increase in the amount of deformation of the block-shaped land portion when the number of sipings is increased is further reduced and deterioration of the ground-contacting performance can be further prevented. Consequently, wet grip performance, braking performance on ice, traction performance, and irregular wear resistance can be further improved.
A pneumatic tire according to a third aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the sipings are disposed symmetrically with respect to a center line of each of the block-shaped land portions.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portion is distributed evenly around the center line of the block.
A pneumatic tire according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to any of the first through third aspects, wherein the distance between the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the siping (i.e., the step) is not more than half the distance between adjacent sipings.
A pneumatic tire provided with a tread divided into a plurality of block-shaped land portions, the periphery of each of the block-shaped land portions being bordered by a plurality of main grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the pneumatic tire, and by a plurality of lug grooves extending in the transverse direction of the pneumatic tire and intersecting the main grooves, and each of the block-shaped land portions having a plurality of sipings, wherein: a wall surface of each of the block-shaped land portions on the lug groove side has a stepped configuration, and the base portion of the block-shaped land portions is larger than the tread portion of the block-shaped land portions.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, because the wall surface of the block-shaped land portions on the lug groove side has a stepped configuration and the base portion of the block-shaped land portion is larger than the tread portion thereof, even when the number of sipings is increased, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portion is maintained and deformation is prevented. In this way, the increase in the amount of deformation of the block-shaped land portion, when the number of sipings is increased, is reduced and deterioration of the ground-contacting performance can be prevented. Accordingly, wet grip performance, braking performance on ice, traction performance, and irregular wear resistance can be improved.
A pneumatic tire according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sipings have a stepped configuration along the wall surface.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, because the sipings have a stepped configuration, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portions is reliably maintained and deformation is prevented.
A pneumatic tire according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sipings are disposed symmetrically with respect to a center line of each of the block-shaped land portions.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portions is distributed evenly around the center line of the block.
A pneumatic tire according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the position of the stepped portion of the wall surface is set closest to the tread surface, and the closer the siping is to the center line of the block-shaped land portion, the deeper the position of the stepped portion of that siping is set, i.e., the closer to the bottom of the lug groove.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portion becomes gradually higher from the center line of the block to the wall surface of the block-shaped land portions at the lug groove side. Thus, the bending rigidity of the outer portions of the block-shaped land portions is maintained and deformation is further prevented.
A pneumatic tire according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to any of the fifth through eighth aspects, wherein the size of the steps of the wall surfaces is less than 4 mm.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to any of the fifth through eighth aspects of the present invention, since the volume of the groove portion can be guaranteed by a predetermined amount or more, reduction of wet braking performance can be prevented.
A pneumatic tire according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to any of the fifth through ninth aspects, wherein the depth of the stepped portions of the wall surfaces is 10% to 60% of at least one of the height of the block-shaped land portion and the siping depth.
Therefore, in the pneumatic tire of the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the pneumatic tire according to any of the fifth through ninth aspects of the present invention, because the position of the stepped portion of the wall surface of the block-shaped land portions at the lug groove side is set relatively closer to the tread surface, even when the number of sipings is increased, the bending rigidity of the block-shaped land portions is maintained and deformation is prevented.
A pneumatic tire according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the pneumatic tire according to any of the fifth through tenth aspects, wherein the size of the steps of the sipings is not more than half the distance between adjacent sipings.
The pneumatic tires according to the first through eleventh aspects of the present invention can be manufactured in accordance with a present tire manufacturing method.


Lubricant systems are provided in which a polyolefin or polyolefin/polytetrafluoroethylene blend functions as a lubricant in a polymer matrix material. The resulting polymer composites containing about 1 to 30 weight percent of the novel lubricant or lubricant blend have greatly improved friction and wear properties, including lower coefficients of friction and increased surface wear resistence. The polyolefin does not remain as discrete, identifiable particles after mixing with the polymer matrix, and has an average molecular weight of less than 500,000.

The present invention relates to polyolefin lubricant systems and polymer composites containing such polyolefin lubricants. More particularly, the invention is directed to the use of polyolefin or polyolefin/polytetrafluoroethylene blends as lubricants in polymer matrices to provide greatly improved friction and wear properties in the polymer composites.
It is known that various solid and liquid lubricants can be dispersed in a polymeric matrix by melt mixing for the purpose of reducing the coefficient of friction, increasing the wear resistance and increasing the limiting pressure velocity (LPV) of the resulting polymer composite. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,377 teaches that the incorporation of molybdenum disulfide lubricant particles in polyamides results in a lowering of the coefficient of friction. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,288 teaches that the addition of degraded polytetrafluoroethylene particles to a resinous binder, including a variety of thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers and rubbers, reduces the surface friction of the parent plastic material which may be used to form bearings or similar items.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,458,596 teaches that the addition of discrete, identifiable particles of polyolefin having a molecular weight greater than 500,000 to polyamides and polyacetals results in improved wear resistance and lowered coefficients of friction only if discrete particle phases are preserved during processing (melt mixing). As used herein, the term "molecular weight," will be understood by one skilled in the art to mean weight average molecular weight.
To our knowledge, polyolefins having a molecular weight lower than about 500,000 or polyolefins in which the particles do not remain as discrete particles after processing have not previously been recognized as lubricants for polymer matrices or as providing improved friction and wear properties to polymer composites.

Polyolefin lubricant systems and polymer composites containing such lubricants


The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis microbes with activity against select coleopteran pests e.g., Diabrotica sp., Hypera sp., and various flea beetles. For example, the B.t. isolates of the invention are active against alfalfa weevils--AW (Hypera brunneipennis), rape flea beetles--RFB (Phyllotreta cruciferae) and corn rootworms--CRW (Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata). Thus, these microbes can be used to control these pests. Further, genes encoding toxins active against these pests can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes. The transformed microbes then can be used to control susceptible coleopteran pests.

Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) produces an insect toxin designated as .delta.-endotoxin. It is synthesized by the B.t. sporulating cell. The toxin, upon being ingested in its crystalline form by susceptible insect larvae, is transformed into biologically active moieties by the insect gut juice proteases. The primary target is insect cells of the gut epithelium, which are rapidly destroyed.
The reported activity spectrum of B.t. covers insect species within the order Lepidoptera, many of which are major pests in agriculture and forestry. The activity spectrum also includes the insect order Diptera, which includes mosquitos and black flies. See Couch, T. L. (1980) "Mosquito Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis," Developments in Industrial Microbiology 22:61-76; Beegle, C. C., (1978) "Use of Entomogenous Bacteria in Agroecosystems," Developments in Industrial Microbiology 20:97-104. Krieg, et al., Z. ang. Ent. (1983) 96:500-508, describe a B.t. isolate named Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis, which is reportedly active against two beetles in the order Coleoptera. These are the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Agelastica alni.
In European Patent Application 0 202 739 there is disclosed a novel B.t. isolate active against Coleoptera. It is known as B. thuringiensis var. san diego (B.t.sd.). U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,765 discloses the coleopteran-active Bacillus thuringiensis isolate B.t. PS86B1. European Patent Application 0 337 604 also discloses a novel B.t. isolate active against Coleoptera. This isolate is B.t. PS43F.
Coleopteran-active strains, such as B.t.sd., B.t, PS86B1, and B.t. PS43F, can be used to control foliar-feeding beetles. The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), for example, is susceptible to the delta-endotoxin of B.t.sd. and larvae are killed upon ingesting a sufficient dose of spore/crystal preparation on treated foliage.
There are a number of other beetles that cause economic damage. For example, Chrysomelid beetles such as Flea Beetles and Corn Rootworms and Curculionids such as Alfalfa Weevils are particularly important pests. Flea Beetles include a large number of small leaf feeding beetles that feed on the leaves of a number of grasses, cereals and herbs. Flea Beetles include a large number of genera (e.g., Attica, Apphthona, Argopistes, Disonycha, Epitrix, Longitarsus, Prodagricomela, Systena, and Phyllotreta). The Flea Beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae, also known as the Rape Flea Beetle, is a particularly important pest. Corn rootworms include species found in the genus Diabrotica (e.g., D. undecimpunctata undecimpunctata, D. undecimpunctata howardii, D. longicornis, D. virgifera and D. balteata). Corn rootworms cause extensive damage to corn and curcubits. The Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle, D. undecimpunctata undecimpunctata, is a pest of curcubits in the western U.S. Alfalfa weevils (also known as clover weevils) belong to the genus, Hypera (H. postica, H. brunneipennis, H. nigrirostris, H. punctata and H. meles), and are considered an important pest of legumes. The Egyptian alfalfa weevil, H. brunneipennis, is an important pest of alfalfa in the western U.S.

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates selectively active against certain coleopteran pests


A power control apparatus is provided that receives an input power voltage from a power source and supplies a corresponding output power voltage to a device. The apparatus contains a counter, a processor, and a switch. The counter inputs a power control signal and outputs a count signal that corresponds to a lapsed time from when the power control signal is input. The processor inputs the count signal and outputs a time out signal. The time out signal has a first value if the lapsed time and a predetermined time have a certain relationship, and the time out signal has a second value if the lapsed time and predetermined time do not have the certain relationship. The switch receives the input power voltage from the power source and the time out signal. If the time out signal has the second value, the switch does not output the output power voltage to the device. On the other hand, if the input power voltage is received and the time out signal has the first value, the switch outputs the output power voltage to the device. In addition, a method performed by the power control apparatus is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the supply of power to a device when a power on/off command is input. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus that protects a device by waiting for several seconds before supplying power (or stopping the supply of power) to the device after a power on/off command has been input. Also, the present invention relates to method that is performed by the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Abruptly supplying power or stopping the supply of power to many devices may damage them. For example, when the power of a computer is turned off, the supply of power to peripheral devices (e.g. a hard disk) typically stops. However, the actuator of the hard disk continues to rotate towards a parked position due to the force of inertia. As the rotation of the disk gradually decreases, the actuator continues towards the parked position where it is secured and protected against shocks and vibrations. However, if a user turns the power on again before the actuator is parked, the rotation of the disk increases to a high speed. As a result, the actuator or the head of the actuator may contact the hard disk and severely scratch the surface of the disk.
Abruptly supplying or stopping the supply of power can also damage various electronic components such as capacitors. Specifically, if power is turned on while a capacitor is discharging, an instantaneous current abruptly flows through the capacitor and may damage the capacitor. A similar problem can also occur when power is turned off immediately after power is turned on.
In order to prevent the damage to hard disks mentioned above, an operating system for computers has been provided that parks a hard disk by using a special parking program, and the parking program is executed when a user activates a computer shut down function. However, unless the user knows about this function and actually activates it before turning of the computer, the hard disk can still be damaged.

Apparatus and method for controlling the supply of power to a device when a power on/off signal is input


In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) card having a first size and carried as part of a surrounding card having a second size larger than the first size, the IC card including an IC, the IC card having a perimeter defining the IC card within the surrounding card; and printing a payment card account number within the perimeter. In accordance with some embodiments, an identification token includes a carrier having a body; a card including an RFID integrated circuit and information printed within a perimeter of the card; a bridge joining the card to the carrier; an antenna; and an electrically conductive connection running along the bridge, the electrically conductive connection coupling the RFID IC to the antenna. In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing a carrier having a body; providing a card including an RFID integrated circuit and a perimeter; providing a bridge joining the card to the carrier; providing an antenna and an electrically conductive connection running along the bridge, the electrically conductive connection coupling the RFID IC to the antenna; and printing information within the perimeter. In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) card attached to a surrounding card, the IC card including an IC, the IC card having a perimeter defining the IC card within the surrounding card; and printing information within the perimeter.

Proximity payment cards are in widespread use. A well known standard for such cards has been promulgated by MasterCard International Incorporated, the assignee hereof, and is referred to as "PayPass". Proximity payment cards typically include a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) embedded in a card-shaped plastic body. An antenna is also embedded in the card body. The antenna allows the card to receive a power signal from a point of sale terminal. The antenna is also used by the RFID IC to transmit the payment card account number, and possibly other information as well, to the POS terminal.
It has been proposed to provide an RFID IC card that is installable in a wristwatch or other device so that such device may function as a proximity payment device.


A clamp assembly for securing a piping system or the like to a support surface. The clamp assembly includes a U-bolt having a flattened interior surface which allows even distribution of the load from clamping on the piping system as the U-bolt is secured to the piping system. The clamp assembly also has a saddle which snaps into place over each threaded leg of the U-bolt and receives the pipe within its web. The saddle has two open cylindrical portions facing in opposite directions which interlock with the threaded legs. Preferably, the entire assembly is non-metallic allowing its use in harsh and corrosive environments.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to clamp assemblies for securing a piping system to a surface and more particularly to a clamping assembly which is non-metallic yet able to outperform conventional steel U-bolts in corrosive environments.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In the art of securing cylindrical members to support surfaces, problems have surfaced and still plague the industry especially when the entire system is exposed to a harsh environment. Various plastics are now used as piping in many applications. Generally, although less expensive, these plastic piping systems cannot withstand the same clamping forces as conventional stainless steel pipe. Common U-bolts have the disadvantage in that they tend to contact the pipe along a relatively narrow line and create a large load at that line. The effect is somewhat similar to subjecting the pipe to the force of a dull knife and failure of the pipe can result. Even if the piping system is stainless steel, it is possible to distort or damage the piping system with improper use of common U-bolts as clamping means.
Consequently the prior art has tried in many ways to provide a clamping system in which the load on the pipe due to securing the U-bolt is minimized. A search of the prior art has revealed the following list of possible relevent patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date ______________________________________ 4,249,759 Heckethorn 2/10/81 4,393,559 Heckethorn et al 7/19/83 4,388,749 Sassak 6/21/83 4,488,334 Goforth 12/18/84 4,934,635 Sherman 6/19/90 5,014,940 Sherman 5/14/91 ______________________________________
These patents all show various clamp assemblies and their components which are used for securing cylindrical members to a support surface. In general, the features disclosed in these patents are different in structure or function when compared to the present invention. Arguably, the closest reference in this array of patents would be the Sherman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,940). Sherman uses a conventional U-bolt with special cushion. The cushion fits within the semi-circular part of the U-bolt and forms a saddle to receive the pipe to be secured. The cushion is retained by the U-bolt when the U-bolt is tightened and transmits the clamping force from the U-bolt across the full width of its inner surface to the pipe, thereby distributing that load. The present invention has the same objective in mind, i.e., a distribution of the clamp force across the greatest possible surface of the secured pipe. The means to achieve that end, however, are different than those proposed by Sherman in the '940 patent. The present invention does not teach a cushion as does Sherman and has the advantage of reducing the cost of the clamping assembly, yet distributes the load across a relatively large concentric surface of the pipe. Sherman's cushion can have the disadvantage of being cost prohibitive in this very competitive art. The present invention, therefore, addresses the problem solved by Sherman, but at a lesser expense. Further, in Sherman's system, the steel U-bolt and elastomeric cushion have a different chemical compatibility. In the present invention, the U-bolt and saddle are made from injection molded thermoplastic and are chemically compatible.
A further disadvantage of a conventional metal U-bolt can be seen in certain situations involving PVC coated or painted pipes in corrosive environments. The conventional metal U-bolt, when tightened down due to line contact and hardness, may break the coating of the pipe, thereby exposing the pipe directly to the corrosive environment. The present invention has the advantage in this situation of distributing the stress on the pipe evenly due to its interior flat surface. Further, the U-bolt of the present invention is preferably thermoplastic and similar in hardness to the coating or paint used on the pipe, thereby minimizing the abovementioned problems.


A cluster and a cluster are linked by a link frame. The link area includes postamble, post guard, and a slice/PLL area, as well as a link data area. Substantially the same data as that recorded in clusters is recorded in the link data area. The capacity of a rewritable disc can thus be increased.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a recording/reproducing device and method and discs applied therein, and more particularly to a recording/reproducing device and method and discs applied therein for recording data on a rewritable disc in higher density or reproducing data therefrom.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the method for addressing an optical disc (RAM disc) from and onto which data can be reproduced and rewritten, it is well known in CDR (Compact Disc Recordable), for example, that guide grooves (groove tracks) for recording or reproducing data are wobbled according to address information. The method of recording addresses by wobbling has the merit of improving redundancy, compared with the method of recording addresses in advance as pre-pits by embossing or the like. Without the need to produce pre-pits by embossing, this method also has the advantage of providing compatibility with reproduction only ROM discs recorded in the form of CLV.
In a rewritable disc on which data is not always recorded continuously, a link area must be formed between a cluster and a cluster, wherein the link area must not only include a PLL area where clocks for data recording/reproducing are recorded and a slice control area where data for controlling a slice level for transforming a reproduction RF signal into a binary value is recorded, but also contain frame synchronizing signals for providing frame synchronization.
However, since no substantial data is recorded in each frame of the link area, there has been the problem that the capacity of conventional rewritable discs cannot be increased, compared with ROM discs.

Recordable disc and device for recording data in the same disc


Provided is a circuit board based connector with raised projection section, which is formed by applying substrate bonding and formation techniques to make a connector that features a raised projection section. The circuit substrate has an end that is provided with conductive terminals and an opposite end that is provided with flat cable connection terminals for connection with a flat cable. The circuit substrate has a first surface on which the projection section is formed. A shielding layer covers the projection section and a portion of the first surface. The circuit substrate has a second surface on which a second shielding layer is selectively formed. When the circuit substrate is inserted into an insertion space defined in a connection socket with the conductive terminals thereof, the shielding layer and the projection section of the circuit substrate are put into engagement with and thus retained by the insertion space of the connection socket to thereby fix within the connection socket.

Connectors are commonly incorporated in the layout of circuit for various electrical equipments, such as computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, global positioning systems (GPSs), liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and measuring instruments and controlling devices, for connecting a signal cable, a coaxial cable, or a flat cable to a circuit board, a circuit module, or an electrical device to realize transmission of electrical signals. A regular connector comprises conductive terminals that form electrical engagement with contacts included in a circuit layout on a circuit board to form electrical connection.
A conventional connector comprises conductive terminals and flat cable connection terminals. The conductive terminals are used to mate and engage counterpart conductive terminals set inside a connection socket. The flat cable connection terminals are connected to a flat cable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Circuit board based connector with raised projection section