Abstract: A device for connecting an external electrical power cord to an engine block heater in an automotive vehicle. The device is permanently mounted in the vehicle grille and includes a flanged electrical inlet whose terminals are hard-wired to the heater, and a housing which is pivotable upwardly to allow the female plug of the power cord to be connected to the inlet prongs. The original grille escutcheon is attached to the pivotable housing.

Abstract: An elevated column base for supporting a wood column subjected to high mechanical loads and protecting the column lowermost portion from rot and other deterioration due to exposure to a tropical environment. The column base includes a stanchion, a diaphragm, and a cap, each monolithically molded from a thermoplastic. A first embodiment of the stanchion adapted for a 6.times.6 or 8.times.8 column includes a solid base portion with a cavity which is filled with concrete and plugged with the diaphragm. The stanchion has two pairs of side walls attached to the base portion. Opposed gussets attached to the upper portions of one pair stiffen the side walls against transverse loads. Most of the load carried by the wood column is borne by the concrete and by two horizontal bolts. The diaphragm acts to spread the load force to the base portion and side walls. The load on the diaphragm acts to create a seal against moisture entering the cavity. A second embodiment of the stanchion adapted for a 4.times.

Abstract: A protocol for wireless direct user-to-user DSSS TDMA digital communication at a data rate of the order of one to several megabits per second in the 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz or 5725-5850 MHz band includes a sequence of transactions, each transaction consisting of a predetermined sequence of subpackets, and each subpacket consisting of a predetermined number of bytes preallocated to a subpacket element or element portion. Network communications among a plurality of stationary and/or mobile users such as personal computers, each equipped with a (Remote Unit) transceiver, are organized and directed by a Master Unit transceiver. Master Unit and Remote Unit transceivers have identical circuitry. Using a first pseudorandom code sequence (M-code), the Master Unit intermittently transmits a DSSS signal enabling Remote Units to synchronize to the Master Unit and so receive scheduling directives.