Abstract: A communication system comprises a plurality of transceivers and logic. A first transceiver is configured to communicate via a first subscriber line with a transceiver located at a remote premises. A second transceiver is configured to communicate via a second subscriber line with a transceiver located at the remote premises, and a third transceiver is configured to communicate via a third subscriber line with a transceiver located at the remote premises. The logic is configured to switch communication from the first transceiver to the third transceiver in response to a detection of a communication problem associated with the first subscriber line. The logic is further configured to switch communication from the second transceiver to the third transceiver in response to a detection of a communication problem associated with the second subscriber line.

Abstract: A trailer includes a floor engageable with a load and a longitudinally extending support member. The support member has an upper portion connected to the floor, a lower portion connectable to a suspension system, and a web extending between the upper and lower portions and transverse to the floor. The lower portion has a lower flange extending transverse to the web and connectable to the suspension system. The lower flange has a first portion extending from a first side of the web a first distance and a second portion extending from a second opposite side of the web a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail. A flooring section may also be formed as one piece with the outer side rail wall. The one piece side rail structure may be formed of extruded metal.

Abstract: A transceiver comprises a communication line interface, memory, and logic. The memory stores predefined noise spectra, and the logic is configured to analyze an initialization signal received from the communication line coupled to the communication line interface during an initialization phase that precedes a data phase. The logic is configured to automatically select one of the predefined noise spectra based on the initialization signal and to combine the selected noise spectrum with the initialization signal to calculate a value. The logic is configured to perform a comparison between the value and a threshold and to make a determination, based on the comparison, whether a data signal to be communicated in the data phase will be spectrally compatible, if the data signal is transmitted at a data rate of the initialization signal. The logic is further configured to select a data rate for the data signal based on the determination thereby ensuring that the data signal is spectrally compatible.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from a tool has a head, and the head has a tool-shaped opening with an inner wall. The apparatus further has a blunt point contiguous with the head for inserting into the ground such that a tool in the shape of the opening can be inserted into the opening, contacted with the inner wall, and removed from the opening thereby removing unwanted debris from the tool.

Abstract: A fifth wheel with a removable bearing plate includes a load structure comprising frame walls and inner bracing, and including a plurality of flanges, each of said plurality of flanges having an aperture disposed therethrough, said load structure also having at least two pivot bearings; and a bearing plate having a plurality of fasteners extending from an underside of said bearing plate disposed at locations corresponding to the disposition of said apertures configured to permit removable attachment of said bearing plate to said load structure and plurality of ridges disposed upon the underside to form a seat for said frame walls.

Abstract: A system and method of secure PIN processing in a network transaction includes a transaction manager that sends terminal data to a terminal. The terminal generates corollary data from user input and the terminal data. The corollary data is sent to the transaction manager. The transaction manager then sends the corollary data and HSM data to a hardware security module. The hardware security module generates a PIN from the corollary data and the HSM data, encrypts the PIN and generates a PIN block. The transaction manager uses the PIN block and transaction data to send a transaction request to the ATM Network.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and a transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span across parallel longitudinal truck frame members and it includes mounting flanges extending generally downward from either lateral side where the mounting flanges have a plurality of apertures for receiving suitable fasteners inserted therein for mounting said beam member to the truck frame members. The transverse member also includes a plurality of pivot bearing pairs to receive the journal bearings of the fifth wheel which is coupled thereto by a trunnion.

Abstract: A method for distributed ignition is disclosed wherein a combustion fuel and an ignition mixture are combined where the ignition mixture comprises ignition agents and fuel and where ignition agents can be nano-metallic particles in combination with single-walled carbon nano-tubes (SWCNTs). The combination of ignition mixture and combustion fuel in the presence of oxygen are exposed to light causing heating of the ignition agents and combustion of the fuel within which the ignition agents are interspersed. A system for igniting fuels using the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An orientation-independent compartment pressure relief valve comprises a housing with a throughflow channel having an intake and an exhaust. A flange disposed around the inner wall of said housing defines an aperture within the throughflow channel and sealing flap is secured to the flange sealingly covering said aperture. Sealing flap is comprised of a relatively pliable layer and a relatively rigid layer and is oriented such that relatively pliable layer is in contact with flange. Pliable layer allows sealing flap to flexibly open in response to compartment pressure and rigid layer acts to close sealing flap irrespective of pressure relief valve's orientation in relation to a gravity vector.

Abstract: A water-resistant electric motor includes a housing for receiving an electric motor armature therein and an end cap for closing an open end of the housing. The housing includes a drive shaft aperture within a cylindrical recess that receives a journal bearing and a ring seal. The end cap includes a wire access hole for receiving power supply wires. Surrounding the wire access hole is a ridge with cut-outs. A wire cover plate is seated on top of the ridge and includes cut-outs that correspond to the cut-outs in the ridge so that the power supply wires are accommodated therein when the cover plate is secured to the ridge. The wire access hole includes a grommet to seal the hole.

Abstract: A decorative trim for an automotive vehicle which simulates the exhaust stack of an automotive motor is claimed. The exhaust stack simulator comprises a base plate from which multiple tubes protrude which simulate pipes exhausting from the engine of an automobile. A gasket is installed between the base plate and the vehicle surface to protect the surface and to adjust for irregularities in the surface of the vehicle. A backing plate on the interior surface of the vehicle distributes the weight of the base plate across the surface of the vehicle. Studs affixed to support brackets on the base plate pass through openings in the gasket, the vehicle and the backing plate, and the components are joined together with standard fasteners.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting bracket is provided. Said mounting bracket allows for the transfer of the load placed on the hitch plate through the mounting pin rather than through its contact surface with the saddle bearing of the hitch plate.

Abstract: A system for determining depth, height and other reference information with respect to features on a workpiece is disclosed. A camera is mounted in a CNC toolholder so that the lens of the camera is coaxial with a rotational axis of the CNC toolholder. A laser is mounted radially outward from the camera, and directs a laser beam angularly toward the workpiece and within the field of view of the camera. With knowledge of the precise angle of, the laser beam with respect to the rotational axis of the toolholder, height and depth information of features on the workpiece may be obtained from where the reflection of the laser beam falls on the CCD array of the camera. A computer, which may be the computer of the CNC machine, may be provided with the height, depth and other reference information.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing flow of a substance in a sewer system determines a first flow velocity at a first location and a second flow velocity at a second location. Using a processor, the travel time between the two locations is determined using only the flow velocities and a constant. The travel time may then be used to provide a substantially accurate determination of net flow between the two locations.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for compacting and baling leaves, grass clippings, sticks, pine straw and other debris on lawns, yards, or fields is provided. The apparatus 10 may have diagonal brushes 26 to gather debris for processing though a crusher 28, a conveyor belt 30 to transport the crushed debris, and a baler 32 to compact and bale the debris. The baler 32 may compact the debris by rotating the debris in a continuous band 52, into which baling material 72 may be inserted to bale the debris. Alternatively, the debris may be gathered and feed into a crusher 28 that deposits the crushed debris directly into the baler 32 for compacting and baling. Further still, the apparatus 10 may gather the debris with brushes 26 and feed it onto a conveyor mechanism 30 that then introduces it into a crusher 28. The crushed debris may then be feed into a baling mechanism 32 that compacts and bales the debris for easy removal and disposal.