Did You Know...
...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 5582279 | Acceleration reaction clutch with override capability A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an eng... | 12/10/1996 |
| 5582461 | Infinitely adjustable linear actuator A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element fixedly mounted about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted withi... | 12/10/1996 |
| 5575531 | Vehicle power seat adjuster with end driven lead screw actuation A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gea... | 11/19/1996 |
| 5570508 | Method of making a high strength automotive seat frame A motor vehicle seat recliner includes an upper member (34) which is supportive of a seat back (22) and a lower member (36) which is supportive of a seat cushion (21) and is carried for longitudinal adjustment within a host vehicle. An adjuster (40) is op... | 11/05/1996 |
| 5568946 | Squeeze-to-release quick connector with snap-in retainer A quick connector formed of a housing has an internal stepped bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged angular flange. A retainer has deflectable fingers which snap into receivers formed on the housing. A cylindrical sleeve is f... | 10/29/1996 |
| 5566720 | Elongated fuel and vapor tube having multiple layers and method of making the same An elongated fuel and vapor tube suitable for conveying fluids containing hydrocarbons having a first layer disposed radially innermost and having an inner surface capable of prolonged exposure to the hydrocarbon-containing fluid made up of a melt process... | 10/22/1996 |
| 5556137 | Fluid connector assembly A fluid connector assembly having a spacer for positioning at least two quick connect conduit members in a predetermined position with respect to one another in order to reduce assembly time and ease serviceability. The spacer provides at least two means ... | 09/17/1996 |
| 5556165 | Infinitely adjustable linear actuator for vehicle seat A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element threadingly engaged about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted w... | 09/17/1996 |
| 5542772 | Articulated joint fitting for automotive vehicle seat The invention is related to an articulated joint fitting preferably for automotive vehicles with a wobble gearing to create a swivelling motion of the joint parts. As a development of the articulated joint fitting, a reduction of costs is achieved in that... | 08/06/1996 |
| 5542716 | Quick connector with snap-on retainer A retainer for releasably locking the male and female component of a quick connector together. The retainer is releasably insertable into a transverse bore formed in the female component and includes a recess engageable with a radial flange on the male co... | 08/06/1996 |
| 5537727 | Release tool for quick connector with integral release member A tool for releasing a connector from a fitting coupled together by a retainer element through movement of an integral release member mounted in the connector. The tool includes a pair of pivotally connected jaw levers, each with a bifurcated jaw end. The... | 07/23/1996 |
| 5533761 | Quick connector release member A release member for a quick connector engagable with a fitting. The release member includes a body formed of a resilient material and having first and second end portions, with a slot extending longitudinally through the first and second end portions for... | 07/09/1996 |
| 5529349 | Mounting apparatus with reduced resistance bead seal A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, ... | 06/25/1996 |
| 5528829 | Method of making a high strength automotive seat frame A motor vehicle seat recliner includes an upper member (34) which is supportive of a seat back (22) and a lower member (36) which is supportive of a seat cushion (21) and is carried for longitudinal adjustment within a host vehicle. An adjuster (40) is op... | 06/25/1996 |
| 5524673 | Multi-layer tubing having electrostatic dissipation for handling hydrocarbon fluids An elongated multi-layer tubing is disclosed for connection to a motor vehicle system to handle fluids containing hydrocarbons. The tubing includes a first layer disposed radially innermost and having an inner surface capable of prolonged exposure to a fl... | 06/11/1996 |
| 5520223 | Extruded multiple plastic layer coating bonded to the outer surface of a metal tube having an optical non-reactive inner layer and process for making the same A multi-layer tube having a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface. The zinc layer being selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, ... | 05/28/1996 |
| 5509175 | Vehicle door hinge with compound roller structure having one piece spool, synthetic bearing sleeve and pliable annular ring An automotive door hinge assembly is provided with a hold-open device with a leaf spring member carried on a first part of a hinge assembly, and a compound roller carried on a second part of the hinge assembly, wherein the compound roller engages the leaf... | 04/23/1996 |
| 5507552 | Rotatable seat belt buckle mounting bracket for a vehicle seat adjuster with a catcher bracket buckle brace A track assembly for a vehicle includes an upper track slidably mounted in a lower track. A seat belt buckle mounting bracket is attached to the upper track and connects a fixed seat belt to the upper track. The seat belt buckle mounting bracket includes ... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5499788 | Manual seat adjuster A vehicle seat adjuster includes a pair of spaced upper tracks, each slidably mounted in one of a pair of lower tracks. A seat support arm connected to each upper track slidably extends through a slot formed in each lower track. A rod extends between each... | 03/19/1996 |
| 5490542 | Composite metal tube and method of making the same A composite small-diameter tubing resistant to interaction with materials conveyed therethrough such as liquids containing alcohols or corrosive agents which includes a cylindrical outer metal conduit having a hollow central shaft extending longitudinally... | 02/13/1996 |
| 5489127 | Mounting apparatus with reduced resistance bead seal A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, ... | 02/06/1996 |
| 5487573 | Unitary assembly of tubing and a pressed on, interference fit, terminating fitting A unitary assembly of tubing and an end fitting. The end fitting includes a threaded fastener fitting having a tubular bore extending therethrough. A conical transition is coaxially provided to the bore at the thread/hex interface where the bore constrict... | 01/30/1996 |
| 5485899 | Floating-frame spot-type disc brake for high-torque automotive vehicles A floating-frame spot-type disc brake is described comprising a floating frame (1) guided in a manner axially displaceable on a brake carrier (12), and being furnished with two brake cylinders (2, 3) and two brake pistons (4, 5) directly acting on two axi... | 01/23/1996 |
| 5476284 | Energy absorbing collapsible steering apparatus An energy absorbing apparatus includes first and second telescopingly arranged members. A non-deformable ring is mounted on one end of one of the members and engages a plurality of projections extending from the side wall of the other member. The projecti... | 12/19/1995 |
| 5474106 | Solenoid valve for hydraulic brake units with slip control A solenoid valve for hydraulic brake units with slip control is described which has a magnetic armature (2) surrounded by a valve dome (14), the magnetic armature (2) positioned by energization of a magnet coil (16), so that a valve needle (1) which is ca... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5473958 | Spindle drive for an adjusting mechanism for vehicle seats A spindle drive for a vehicle seat connected with an upper rail. According to this invention, an upper rail slides on the surface of a drive nut preferably made of plastic whose internal thread is engaged by the spindle. Advantageous further developments ... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5473809 | Method of manufacturing a steering column stalk switch apparatus A method of manufacturing a steering column stalk switch apparatus includes the steps of fixedly engaging a hub attached to an elongated shaft to one end of a hollow housing having apertures formed at opposite ends, movably mounting a button in one of the... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5472016 | Quick connector stuffer pin A stuffer pin for mounting seals and a retainer element in a quick connector used with fluid conduits. The stuffer pin includes an integral shaft, an enlarged stop and a handle. Annular seal mounting portions are formed on the shaft for releasibly support... | 12/05/1995 |
| 5469892 | Corrugated polymeric tubing having at least three layers with at least two respective layers composed of polymeric materials dissimilar to one another A multi-layer tube suitable for use on motor vehicles composed of a cylindrical wall having an outer surface, and an inner surface essentially parallel to the outer surface. The cylindrical wall has a first region having an essentially uniform cross-secti... | 11/28/1995 |
| 5467957 | Vehicle power seat adjuster with self-aligning drive nut A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gea... | 11/21/1995 |
| 5466017 | Squeeze-to-release quick connector A squeeze-to-release quick connector for engaging a flanged male member includes a cylindrical body portion which is open at one end for receiving the male member and forms a conduit receiving adapter at its opposite end. An annular retainer ring is axial... | 11/14/1995 |
| 5464077 | Floating-caliper spot-type disc brake for high-powered vehicles The invention is related to a spot-type disc brake with a stationary brake carrier (19) at which a floating caliper (1) is slidingly guided which straddles the edge of a brake disc (10), with two brake cylinders (11, 12) which are positioned on the intern... | 11/07/1995 |
| 5460771 | Process for producing corrugated multi-layer tubing having layers of differing plastic characteristics A method for producing polymeric tubing which is resistant to permeation by organic material contained therein which has at least one region defined by a plurality of outwardly extending annular ridges. In this method, tubular polymeric material having a ... | 10/24/1995 |
| 5456439 | Vehicle power seat adjuster with self-aligning lead screw actuator A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gea... | 10/10/1995 |
| 5452501 | Hinge and check assembly A hinge and check assembly for checking the door of a motor vehicle when in the open position. The assembly provides a base having check profiles formed therein to establish predetermined check positions. The assembly also provides a strap that provides a... | 09/26/1995 |
| 5453588 | Steering column stalk switch apparatus A steering column mounted stalk switch apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a hub fixedly mounted at one end. The hub fixedly engages one end of a hollow knob housing. An aperture is formed in the opposite end of the housing and movably receives a... | 09/26/1995 |
| 5449258 | Retainer clip and shaft fastener apparatus and method A combined retainer clip and shaft for axially fastening a mechanical element to the shaft includes a shaft being hardened to a predetermined hardness. The retainer clip is formed of an annular body with a frusto-conical annulus surrounding a generally ce... | 09/12/1995 |
| 5447179 | Non-corrosive double-walled steel tube characterized in that the steel has a face-centered cubic grain structure A seamless double-walled metal tube which has an outer wall composed of steel having a face-centered cubic grain structure, an inner wall concentrically disposed within the outer wall, the inner wall composed of a steel having a face-centered cubic grain ... | 09/05/1995 |
| 5445354 | Track assembly for vehicle power seat adjuster A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gea... | 08/29/1995 |
| 5443097 | Arrangement for closing off fluid passages An arrangement and method for closing off fluid passages is disclosed. The arrangement includes first and second closure members inserted one behind the other in the fluid passage, the second closure member slidably fit into the passage with a clearance a... | 08/22/1995 |
