Abstract: The heat blanket (10) comprises an operative unit (20) and a control/power supply unit (40) which can be electrically connected on one side to the power mains and on the other side to the operative unit (20). The operative unit (20) comprises a foldable sheet (21) and a linear heating element (22) distributed in the sheet (21), with a first and second conductor extending one along the other, separated by a first electrically insulating material and enclosed by a second electrically insulating material; the first and second conductor are electrically connected to the control/power supply unit (40) and have respective first terminals inside the panel which are connected together. The control/power supply unit (40) comprises a power supply group (41) for the heating element (22), intended for the connection to the electric mains, and a microprocessor configured to control the power supply for the heating element (22).

Abstract: An air mattress includes a first inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body. The first compartment is composed of at least two layers of vinyl, one layer of vinyl forming the top of the compartment and the second forming the bottom. A second inflatable compartment extends generally the length and width of the first compartment and is attached to the first compartment through a perimeter seal that is recessed from the periphery of the air mattress. The second compartment is tufted and may also contain a layer of resilient material.

Abstract: A water-tight compartment for containing a penetration point on the hull of an amphibious vehicle, comprising a bottom panel comprising the hull of the amphibious vehicle; a forward panel of the box comprising a forward bulkhead of the amphibious vehicle; a rearward panel of the box comprising a rearward bulkhead of the amphibious vehicle; two lateral panels; and a top panel; wherein the panels are joined together in a water-tight manner and wherein there is a water-tight penetration point for a drive shaft in at least one of the panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for selective eductive dispensing of multiple chemical fluids from separate fluid containers includes a motive fluid inlet; an eductor in fluid communication with said motive fluid inlet; a selector switch defining at least one inlet and an outlet therein, said inlet and outlet in fluid communication with one another and said outlet in fluid communication with said eductor and wherein said selector switch inlet is in selective fluid communication with said fluid containers depending on the position of the selector switch; and a valve located between said motive fluid inlet and said eductor, said valve selectively opened and closed by movement of said selector switch.

Abstract: A method of building a levee or an island is disclosed. The method includes dredging material from a surface of a body of water with a dredge assembly mounted to a hull and supporting a hopper with the hull. The hopper is adapted to receive the material. The hopper includes a floor with a portion of the floor moveable to permit movement of the material in the hopper, and depositing at a desired location dredge material from the dredge using a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A collapsible football tackling block includes a base; a pad support, wherein the pad support is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge; a detachable support between the pad support and the base; a detachable connection between the one end of the detachable support and an intermediate portion of the pad support; and a detachable connection between a second end of the detachable support and an intermediate portion of the base, wherein the pad support is foldable against the base for storage by detaching at least one of the connections of the detachable support.

Abstract: An improved support belt, support apparel, along with a process for creating such products. A mechanism by which support belts provide protection to the user is disclosed, which mechanism is generally applicable to all human joints.

Abstract: The system supports monitoring of receiver network status by providing an email return path for receiver status information. Remote locations provide access to an internet capable LAN, which the integrated receiver decoders use to send parameter information to the central server using the internet protocol. Unit status and parameter information is sent in a binary format using standard email protocols to transfer the data. The server translates the binary data and stores the receiver status, allowing the user to browse the latest status of any receiver which has sent back a report.

Abstract: A lighting unit for vehicles has a plurality of semiconductor light sources distributed in a grid. The grid of semiconductor light sources is divided into at least two grid segments, the grid segments being each activatable independently of each other and/or assigned to a different light functions, with an optical element in the beam path of a light beam emitted by the semiconductor light sources. The semiconductor light sources (3) are arranged on a common carrier substrate (5), with a chip cover (6) transparent to light in the direction of light propagation, in that the chip cover (6) is filled with a light-scattering and/or light-converting auxiliary material (8) and in that a shading device (9) is provided such that, in the boundary region between the activated grid segment (10) and the unactivated grid segment (11), a relatively steep transition of light intensity is adjustable to form a light/dark boundary.

Abstract: A pipe cutting supplemental apparatus and method prevents thin-walled pipe from collapsing when being cut with a standard pinch roll cutter. The tool may be embodied as a solid cylindrical insert, or a hollow cylindrical sleeve.

Abstract: A method of reinserting Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data in a digital video signal includes creating a gray scale palette in a an On Screen Display (OSD) memory; sizing a VBI area in an OSD memory; locating a VBI area in an OSD memory; generating a VBI luma waveform bitmap; and overlaying the VBI luma waveform bitmap in a DVB video bit stream according to the gray scale palette, size and location data stored in the OSD memory.

Abstract: A process of pre-applying a vapor, water and ice layer to a sheathing panel before the sheathing panel is assembled onto rafters of a roof is disclosed, comprising the steps of positioning a face of the sheathing panel for accessibility, removing a plastic film from the vapor, water and ice layer, thereby exposing an adhesive surface of the vapor, water and ice layer, joining the adhesive surface of the vapor, and water and ice layer to the face of the sheathing panel to form an assembly, thereafter, transporting the assembly to the roof, and securing the assembly to the rafters of the roof.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for a seat comprising a pair of parallel lateral rails, wherein each of the lateral rails has a lower end and an upper end, a support panel having a top end and a bottom end, the support panel pivoting at the top end while remaining fixed with respect to the lateral rails, a rail bracket slidably attached to the lateral rails, a spring operatively connected to the rail bracket, wherein the spring biases the rail bracket in a first position, a cable operatively connected to the rail bracket, wherein the cable pulls the bracket from the first position to a second position, and a lift wire pivotably attaching the support panel to the rail bracket.

Abstract: An ergonomic support mountable on various seat frames has a static portion (52) with anchors and mounts. The mounts adapt to fix said static portion to varying seat frames. An active portion (54) is operatively engaged with the anchors of the static portion such that the active portion can move in and out of a plane defined by the frame of the seat. The active portion has a pressure surface with a smooth base level (64). There are convexities (62) in the base level that impart a massage effect on a seat occupant. At least one actuator engages the active portion but only by an actuating linkage.

Abstract: A seat support includes a lumbar, a foam pad, trim wires, and an actuator. The lumbar is supported by and actuated between trim wires which are embedded within the seat's foam pad. The actuator is connected to and adjusts the lumbar relative to the foam pad. The foam pad preferably includes passages through which fasteners can extend between the lumbar to the trim wires.

Abstract: A system, method and data structure for error correction for use in the transmission of content data distribution networks uses a compressed memory, for example a bitmap, to identify portions of transmitted content data files where transmission errors have occurred. The error memory, is used to generate an error status report that is returned to a transmission controller via a low bandwidth back channel, for example the Internet. The information in multiple error status reports is aggregated by the control system of the transmitter and used to re-transmit those portions of previously transmitted content data files that were not properly received due to error. By re-transmitting only the data packets of the transmitted content data files that contain errors, overall transmission speed is increased and bandwidth usage is conserved.

Abstract: A method of treating ocular disorders involving angiogenesis includes the steps of providing a trans-scleral drug delivery device comprising an insert stabilizer for attachment to a scleral surface and having an interlock opening and a replaceable implant having a reservoir adjacent the scleral surface and an interlock tab, wherein said insert stabilizer and said replaceable implant are removeably connectable by mating said interlock tab and said interlock opening; providing an anti-angiogenic factor; introducing said anti-angiogenic factor into said reservoir; and attaching said insert stabilizer to the scleral surface. The reservoir can be refilled by disengaging the implant from the stabilizer, inserting a new dosage of anti-angiogenic factor, and reconnecting the implant to the stabilizer or injecting a new dosage of anti-angiogenic factor into the reservoir through an injection port in the stabilizer.