Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a bore and a male member capable of being received in the bore of the female member. A trigger assembly is disposed between the male and female members and includes an actuator, housing, and biasing member. The male member includes an engagement mechanism to engage the trigger assembly and facilitate axial movement of the actuator. Axial movement of the actuator induces expansion of the biasing member and the engagement of the actuator and the male member. Accordingly, the male member is urged or propelled into the bore of the female member upon expansion of the biasing member. To disconnect, the male and female members are utilized to return the trigger assembly to an inactivated position.

Abstract: An essentially rectangular, flat, foldable building structural panel has a series of horizontal and oblique flexible joints made of silicone rubber impregnated fabric located on the inside of the panel. The horizontal and flexible joints create a series of geometric triangles that can be formed and folded into multiple configurations. The geometric configurations are composed of rigid triangular facet sections and flexible joints between adjacent edges of the triangular facet sections. Alternating the direction of the folds allows the user to create a three-dimensional freestanding structure of various dimensions and geometric configurations. Poles can be included for the purpose of raising the structure to produce a canopy. Since the triangular facets are rigid and the joints between the edges of the facets are flexible, quick erection of the structure may be accomplished. The structure is fastened to the ground by use of ground grommets and stakes.

Abstract: A lighting control system is disclosed. The lighting control system is electrically coupled to a load circuit for controlling indoor and/or outdoor lighting. The lighting control system includes a control module with a night light for providing low-level night light illumination and one or more sensors for operatively controlling the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and the night light in response to measured light levels and/or detected motion. The system is preferably configured to provide low-level night light from the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are below threshold values and to automatically turn on the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and simultaneously turn off the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are above the threshold values.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a bore and a male member capable of being received in the bore of the female member. A trigger assembly is disposed between the male and female members and includes an actuator, housing, and biasing member. The male member includes an engagement mechanism to engage the trigger assembly and facilitate axial movement of the actuator. Axial movement of the actuator induces expansion of the biasing member and the engagement of the actuator and the male member. Accordingly, the male member is urged or propelled into the bore of the female member upon expansion of the biasing member. To disconnect, the male and female members are utilized to return the trigger assembly to an inactivated position.

Abstract: A computer system and method for repairing address blocks and ZIP codes numerical groups before segmentation of the ZIP code in an optical character recognizer. The system repairs the image based upon classification of the image as normal or otherwise. If the class is otherwise, background inclusions and gaps are filled in. If the class is normal, small noise pixel elements are eliminated. Once the ZIP code is located, non-horizontal and horizontal gaps are filled in between strokes and small strokes. The amount of dilation of the strokes and small strokes depends on the size of the strokes. The strokes are dilated and then the dilated area is eroded and shaped to conform to the original strokes. The repair connects strokes before segmentation of the ZIP code block into individual digits.

Abstract: A shipping rack for flat glass sheets and the like including a base for supporting the sheets on edge and an integral inclined rear wall against which they are supported. Vertical corner posts are affixed to the base behind the inclined wall. A removable split gate, comprised of two individual sections having interconnecting cross bar segments, is provided at the front of the rack. The rear frame is adapted to store the individual sections of the front gate when not in their working position, whereby the gate sections remain with the rack and a number of empty racks can be stacked in nested relationship for storage and return shipment.