Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A security component allows users to establish trusted relationships by requiring mutual consent and disclosure of identifier and phone number information for each trusted user. Location information can be blocked among trusted users or obfuscated on the display of the mobile devices of the other users.

Abstract: An adjustable hanger is adapted to be secured to a surface to support and object. The hanger includes a support member with a longitudinal channel defining a raceway that is mountable to the surface. A slide member is slideably received in the raceway. Cooperative ratchet structures in the raceway and on the slide member engage one another to permit sliding movement in one direction but to resist sliding movement in the opposite direction. A hook is formed on the slide member to mount the object. A kit is disclosed to include a plurality of hangers, a level device and a flexible tape measure. Fasteners may also be included. A chart may be provided that is correlated to the width of the object, and the tape measure may be is color-coded to correspond to the chart.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a functional relationship between a recognized disease condition and a polymorphism in the nucleotide factor kappa B promoter (NFKB1). This relationship provides a platform for methods of altering promoter activity and for determining similar relationships between specific pathologies and identified polymorphisms. A statistically significant risk of developing ulcerative colitis was shown to be correlated with the presence of an ATTG insertion/deletion in the NFKB1 promoter and is likely to apply also to a variety of other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an internalized fuel system of a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a support portion and a valve retainer arm attached about the support portion. The support portion has a body and first and second ends. The first end has a connecting flange configured to engage the fuel tank and the second end has a reduced cross-sectional portion attached thereto to provide flexibility to the fuel tank from pressure and vacuum forces. The valve retainer arm has an attachment end attached about the support portion. The attachment end extends to a valve retainer end for retaining the internalized fuel system within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A method, used in a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an engine, a secondary power source, and a step-change automatic transmission for driving a load, controls an upshift from a current gear to a next gear and includes the steps of establishing first shift points of a demanded engine output and a corresponding vehicle speed, at which the upshift would occur if the engine were the only power source. The length of a first period in which energy is available to the secondary power source is determined. The length of a second period for the current vehicle speed to increase to a target vehicle speed of a first shift point whose corresponding demanded engine output is equal to a combined current demanded output of the engine and secondary power source is determined. The upshift is produced if the length of the second period is equal to or greater than the length of the first period.

Abstract: A system for amending implementation instructions for any number or combination of Emergency Auxiliary Services, the Emergency Auxiliary Services being effected according to the implementation instructions regarding at least one predetermined receiver after a triggering communication is placed from a subscribing communication instrument includes: (a) A change ordering means for effecting the amending. The change ordering means is exercised by a service requesting entity using the subscribing communication entity. (b) An instruction amending means coupled with the subscribing communication entity. The instruction amending means responds to the change ordering means to effect the amending.

Abstract: A method, used in a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an engine, a secondary power source, and a step-change automatic transmission for driving a load, controls an upshift from a current gear to a next gear and includes the steps of establishing first shift points of a demanded engine output and a corresponding vehicle speed, at which the upshift would occur if the engine were the only power source. The length of a first period in which energy is available to the secondary power source is determined. The length of a second period for the current vehicle speed to increase to a target vehicle speed of a first shift point whose corresponding demanded engine output is equal to a combined current demanded output of the engine and secondary power source is determined. The upshift is produced if the length of the second period is equal to or greater than the length of the first period.

Abstract: The apparatus is propelled or towed in a longitudinal direction over a field and the apparatus components engage the field surface to inject fluid beneath the field surface. Generally, the apparatus is a frame and at least one series of fluid distribution discs rotationally coupled at end portions of an arm assemblies pivotally suspended from the frame. The fluid distribution discs include a plurality of fluid distribution channels that radiate from the fluid distribution disc origin to conically shaped tines connected at the perimeter of the fluid distribution disc. The fluid distribution channels are aligned with similar channels within a bushing securable to the fluid distribution disc radial portion. A stationary plate or disc valve has a disc valve fluid channel in a disc valve radial surface, which is in contact with the rotating bushing radial surface resulting in a periodic alignment between the disc valve fluid channel and each of the bushing channels.

Abstract: A device that is adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a polymeric fuel tank includes a body, a weld foot adapted to be inserted into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and having a support surface adapted to control insertion of the weld foot into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and to position the device relative to the inner surface, and a break zone positioned between and interconnecting the weld foot and the body and having a structural cross section that is weaker than the weld foot and the body such that under sufficient force, the break zone will fracture and allow the body to separate from the inner surface of the fuel tank, thereby leaving the weld foot embedded within the inner surface of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A two-step blow molding machine (10) having flexible cavitation which includes a plurality of stations, a preform loading station (12), a thermal conditioning station (14) where preforms are heated and thermally conditioned prior to blow molding, a blow molding station (16) having a plurality of molds, the number of which defines the cavitation of the blow molding station, and an article unloader station (18). The machine includes a plurality of carriers (22) adapted to receive the preforms thereon at said preform loading station. The carriers are transported about the machine in an unrestrained manner where spacing of the carriers does not correspond with cavitation of the machine. First and second conveyors and associated drives convey the carriers at different rates. The first and second conveyors and their associated drivers are independently controllable from one another such that the first and second rates are independently variable which allows changeable cavitation.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle running board. The lighting device includes an enclosure and a light source coupling mechanism. A light source is coupled to the light source coupling mechanism. A first lens has a plurality of optical elements. The first lens is coupled to the lighting device enclosure. A second lens having optical elements may be provided. Light emanating from the light source is directed by the plurality of optical elements and substantially along the vehicle running board.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle running board. The lighting device includes an enclosure and a light source coupling mechanism. A light source is coupled to the light source coupling mechanism. A first lens has a plurality of optical elements. The first lens is coupled to the lighting device enclosure. A second lens having optical elements may be provided. Light emanating from the light source is directed by the plurality of optical elements and substantially along the vehicle running board.

Abstract: A drift tube linear accelerator (DTL) incorporating an improved drift tube design, wherein the DTL comprises a resonance chamber maintaining a vacuum and having an inlet port and an exit port, an RF field source producing an oscillating radio frequency field within the chamber, and a plurality of substantially cylindrical drift tubes comprising a hollow body having a low energy end and a high energy end and housing a magnet, a low energy end cap attached to the low energy end of the hollow body and a high energy end cap attached to the high energy end of the hollow body, and a stem extending from said hollow body to an inner surface of the resonance chamber.

Abstract: Processes for washing zeolites, preferably less than about 0.5 micron in size, with a microfiltration system employing a washing liquid, such as an aqueous solution or water (preferably deionized water), to produce zeolite crystals having a zeolite pH in the pH range of 9.4 to 10.0 are provided. The zeolite pH is determined by a special procedure. The preferred washing processes include slurring the zeolite crystals with water (or an appropriate wash solution), initially concentrating the slurry with a microfilter to a preselected initial concentration, washing the crystals by adding make-up water at the same rate as the fluid loss due to permeate flow until the permeate pH is below a preselected value, then stopping the make-up flow and concentrating the slurry to a preselected maximum final concentration. A sample of the zeolite is dried and tested for its pH and if within the desired range, the batch of maximally concentrated slurry is dried.

Abstract: A spring-loaded hinge for a training golf club comprises first and second hinge members (10, 20) pivoted to each other by a transverse pivot pin (30). Member (10) has a tongue (13) terminating in a generally circular arc (14) having a depression (15) therein, and member (20) has a pair of arms (23, 24) forming a fork between which the tongue (13) of member (10) is received, the pivot pin (30) passing through both arms and the tongue. Member (20) has an axial bore (25) containing a spring-loaded detent element (27) which bears against the circular arc (14) and engages in the depression (15). Member (20) is threaded externally at (43) towards the end opposite the pivot pin (30) and is slotted at (41) in the same region to provide communication with the bore (25) containing the spring (26).

Abstract: An image statements preparation process and system uses a profile management facility for assigning system management profiles including statement group cycle profiles to group multiple statements according to cycles for preparation and processing, and to allow statements preparation work to be performed concurrently upon successive and overlapping statement cycles. A statements interactive session workstation and host are provided to allow profile-managed operator selection of statements by statement cycles on which data, including image data, reconciliation work is required. A statements interactive session workstation display presents account information including missing image items along with a list of unassigned image items so that image reconciliation can be performed by a statements interactive session operator. Missing image items can be scanned into memory at the statements interactive session workstation.

Abstract: A gaming board system includes a plurality of gaming boards indicating various sports. Each of the gaming boards utilizes a plurality of playing pieces and goals. The playing piece is a triangular shaped device that can either be held vertically and propelled by striking the lower end thereof or laid flat on the surface of the gaming board and propelled by striking one side thereof to urge it in a forward direction. Goals are provided at either end of the gaming boards and disposed in an upright position to allow the player to propel the playing piece vertically upward and over the goal. Alternatively, the playing piece can be disposed flat on the gaming board to allow the gaming piece to be propelled along the surface of the board into the goal. Inclined side surfaces are also provided to maintain the playing piece in the playing area.

Abstract: Wind energy is converted in a system having a telescoping, rotating, tiltable tower. A variable number of airfoil members is unfurled in accordance with the area of wind stream to be swept. The tiltable windmill rotating mast is a telescoping tower, which is retracted into storage mode, usually during dangerous windstorms. Each intermediate telescoping member carries a supporting member for an airfoil above and below such support, so that all sails are taut only when the tower is fully raised. Sails can be flapping when only partially raised. The number of sails unfurled is adjustable by reason of such telescoping mast. Resilient means urge the rotatable mast into a truly vertical position, while permitting such mast to tilt not more than a controlled angle in response to the wind, thereby permitting the airfoils more efficiently to rotate the mast.

Abstract: Seasonal greeting cards, other cards, and bulletins are fastened with a stapler to one, or several spaced sturdy tapes held stretched just off a vertical wall or door or in a doorway. Each tape may be looped over an upper slat hooked or otherwise fastened on a molding, and adjustably looped below on a double hook slung by resilient means to a lower slat fastened to a baseboard. Spacing off plane vertical surfaces is provided by slat mountings consisting of lengths of Z-section extrusions or the like. Space is allowed for the lower jaw of the stapler to slip behind the tape. The lower portion of the tape is passed around the middle of the double hook and adjusted for length and tension by a slide. A slot over the middle of each hook guides and stabilizes the tape. Tapes may be mounted horizontally, and also singly, by suitable links in the shape of stirrups, frames, and the like.

Abstract: A shoulder piece, adjustably bolted to side bars, includes a latch controlling the height of a notched stem extending upward surmounted by a clamp holding a horizontal tube on which are mounted a pair of padded shoulder hooks made from flat strips of light resilient metal given an arch. Another shoulder piece, alternatively, has on the upper crosspiece of the frame two clamps, each tightened by two bolts with wing nuts for receiving and adjustably holding the flat back ends of the shoulder hooks. Flexible straps with quickly adjustable buckles join the front ends of the hooks with the frame down low. A padded C-shape of resilient metal the curve of which is controlled by a flexible belt and buckle closing the gap forms a weight-bearing hip piece, pivotally joined in back to the lower crosspiece of the frame, the motion restricted to rocking with up and down movements of the hips.