Abstract: An alternative powered evaporative cooler has a squirrel cage fan. A low voltage DC motor is provided to power the squirrel cage fan. A pulley system is coupled to the squirrel cage fan and the low voltage DC motor for transferring energy from the low voltage DC motor to rotate the squirrel cage fan. A low voltage DC power source is provided to power the low voltage DC motor.

Abstract: A purse has an illuminating device. The purse has a main storage area. A flap member is provided and has a first end permanently coupled to the main storage area and a second end removably coupled to the main storage area. A lighting device is coupled to the purse. The lighting device has a power supply and a light element coupled to the power supply. A housing unit is coupled to the flap member of the purse and holds the power supply and light element. A spring loaded switch is coupled to the flap member and automatically causes the lighting device to activate when the flap member is lifted.

Abstract: An drum pedal which allows one to adjust the position and/or angel of the pedal in order to have better control and comfort when using the drum pedal. The adjustable drum pedal has a base plate. A foot pedal is movably coupled to the base plate wherein the foot pedal is able to move vertically along a width of the base plate and is able to rotate about a pivot point. A frame is also coupled to the base plate. A drum beater mechanism is removably coupled to the frame. This will allow one to adjust a position of the drum beater mechanism on the frame. A drive assembly is coupled to the drum beater mechanism and the foot pedal. The drive assembly is used for moving the drum beater mechanism when pressure is applied to the foot pedal and for returning the drum beater mechanism to a starting position when the pressure is removed from the foot pedal.

Abstract: A method and circuit module package for automated switch actuator insertion provides automated assembly of circuit modules having an integrated switch actuator, such as Secure Digital cards. A switch actuator is inserted automatically into a circuit module package housing by a robotic assembler. The housing and switch actuator have mating surfaces to retain the switch actuator within the housing so that shipping and subsequent assembly do not dislodge the switch actuator. The switch actuator/housing assembly can be contoured such that the switch actuator/housing assemblies may be stacked and then fed to a stack-loading feeder for joining of the actuator/housing assemblies to the remainder of the circuit module package housing. The switch actuator may be made from a material having a higher melting point than the housing so that ultrasonic welding may be performed on the circuit module package without joining the switch actuator permanently to the circuit module package assembly.

Abstract: A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions has a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer. A torsion bar is coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame. A rachet mechanism is coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements thereby allowing one to open and lock the door in a plurality of different positions.

Abstract: A low noise method and apparatus for driving electroluminescent (EL) panels provides reduction in EL panel noise, and in the preferred embodiment, voltage compensation as the EL panel ages. The output of a high voltage power supply is applied to the EL panel through a circuit having an optimized time-constant, producing a waveform that reduces EL panel vibration. Additionally, if the time constant is derived in part from the capacitance of the EL panel, the time constant may be chosen such that aging of the EL panel maintains the time constant in the proper range to maintain noise reduction over the life of the panel and compensate for brightness reduction due to aging of the EL panel.

Abstract: A feedback apparatus and method for adaptively controlling power supplied to a hot-pluggable subsystem controls the inrush current of the hot-pluggable subsystem upon application of power. The apparatus and method adaptively control a pass device by detecting the current through the pass device during initial charging of a load capacitance and scaling back the turn-on rate at the pass device control terminal input in conformity with the detected current and a predetermined rate set by a ramp generator. A ramp capacitor is coupled to the control terminal of the pass device through a diode to permit use of the capacitor for timing purposes as well as preventing transient turn-on of the pass device during initial application of power.

Abstract: A system of beam narrowing for resolution enhancement produces a narrowed beam for use in surface imaging. The system of beam narrowing for resolution enhancement uses a Fabry-Perot cavity to sharpen the intensity profile of a light source imaged through the system. The optical distance between reflective surfaces forming the Fabry-Perot cavity is tuned to select one of the surfaces as a target surface. The beam width is thereby optimized to a minimum width at the selected target surface. Multiple Fabry-Perot cavities can be cascaded by interposing one or more additional partly reflective surfaces between a first surface and a second underlying surface. The optical distances between all of the surfaces are tuned to select a target surface. The beam width is optimized at the selected target surface to produce a beam narrower than the beam produced by a single Fabry-Perot cavity.

Abstract: A toy model transportation system has a track. mounted on a ceiling of a room where the system is to be installed. The track is comprised of a tubular member which has a channel which runs along a length of the track. A pair of contact strips are coupled within the tubular member. A power supply is coupled to the pair of contact strips. A caddy is positioned within the tubular member and is coupled to the contact strips and is powered by the power supply through the contact strips.

Abstract: An internet telephone system uses a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). An internet network is coupled to the PSTN. At least two telephone stations are part of the system wherein one of the at least two telephone stations is a DSL telephone station which is coupled to the PSTN. The DSL telephone station has a Plain Old Telephone Set (POTS) splitter coupled to the PSTN for directing low frequency signals to a first line and DSL signals to a second line. A DSL line interface is coupled to the POTS splitter for driving and terminating the second line. A DSL transmitter is coupled to the DSL line interface. A DSL receiver is also coupled to the DSL line interface. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is coupled to the DSL transmitter and the DSL receiver. A telephone interface is coupled to the first line. An audio transceiver device is coupled to the telephone interface. A CODEC circuit is also coupled to the telephone interface. A ring and hook detect/control circuitry is coupled to the DSP.

Abstract: A device for installing and removing a carabiner and for threading a rope within the carabiner has a main body section. A carabiner capture arm is movably coupled to the body section and is used for supporting the carabiner to be at least one of installed or removed. A rope holding arm is moveably coupled to the body section and is used for installing the rope within the carabiner.

Abstract: An assembly and method for mounting thick integrated circuit packages within a low-profile circuit module provides a low cost alternative to special integrated circuit packaging requirements. Pre-packaged thin-small-outline-packages (TSOP), thin-plastic-quad-flatpack (TQFP) and other similar surface mount packages may be used within a low-profile circuit module, using the techniques and structures of the present invention. A straight lead package is mounted within a cavity in the circuit module substrate, so that the effective height of the integrated circuit package is reduced. Curved lead packages are used by straightening or sawing the leads before mounting.

Abstract: A system which allows for a face plate to be locked to an electrical box. The system has a male connector which is rotatably coupled to the face plate. A female receptacle receives the male connector. A partial turn of the male connector will lock and unlock the face plate to the electrical box.

Abstract: A time conversion device has a body section having a table of time zones printed thereon. A tubular sleeve is provided and fits over the body section. The tubular sleeve has a fixed portion which displays a local 12 hour column and a window which shows the corresponding time zones as printed on the body section. A fastening device is used for rotatably coupling the tubular sleeve to the body section.

Abstract: A method of using a desiccant for the absorption of moisture from a spill location. The method of using a desiccant for the absorption of moisture from a spill location comprises the steps of: identifying a spill perimeter of a liquid spill, removing standing liquid from within the spill perimeter, dispersing a layer of desiccant within the spill perimeter substantially covering the liquid spill, waiting a period of time until the desiccant is substantially saturated with moisture from the liquid spill, removing the moisture saturated desiccant, evaluating if moisture is still present at the spill location, and if moisture is still present, dispersing another layer of the desiccant within the spill perimeter substantially covering the liquid spill, waiting another period of time until the desiccant is substantially saturated with moisture from the liquid spill, removing the moisture saturated desiccant and repeating as necessary.

Abstract: An improved garbage can defining apertures around an open end and a closed end of a receptacle in order to maintain equilibrium of air pressure within the receptacle so as to avoid the suction-cup effect when inserting and removing a garbage bag from the receptacle.

Abstract: A machine that produces, dispenses and automatically bags ice. The machine will have at least one ice producing unit for producing ice. An auger mechanism is coupled to the ice producing unit for collecting and moving the ice that has been produced by the ice producing unit. A volumetric drum is coupled to the auger mechanism. The volumetric drum stores the ice moved by the auger mechanism and measures the amount of ice to be bagged by volume. A heat sealer coupled to the bagging mechanism is provided to seal the bag once the bag has been loaded with ice. The machine further has a freezer compartment which stores the bag when the bag has been loaded with ice and sealed. The machine has a monitoring and communication system which monitors operating conditions of the machine and sends information on the operation of the machine to the manufacturer.

Abstract: An improved and more efficient apparatus and method for singulation of integrated circuit array devices. A relatively inexpensive piece of equipment is used for singulation of IC array devices. The equipment has a primary die and a secondary die as main modules. The primary die and the secondary die comprise a top die tool and a bottom die tool having means for protruding, that is generally V-shaped. The protrusions applying pressure for singulation of the IC array devices.

Abstract: A downward extendable and retractable shelving system has a cabinet assembly. A support panel is coupled to a wall from which the system is to be mounted. The support panel is used for mounting the cabinet to the wall. An extendable and retractable mechanism is coupled to the cabinet and to the support panel for lowering and raising the cabinet.