Abstract: A tool blade for use with a handle includes a pan having a top surface and bottom surface opposite the top surface, the pan having a top edge and a cutting edge opposite the top edge and having a pair of opposed side edges extending between the top edge and the cutting edge. The top edge of the pan includes a handle sleeve defining a channel configured to receive an end of the handle. The bottom edge is integrally connected to the pan and is sharpened so as to penetrate a ground surface. A plurality of grating teeth is formed on the pan, each grating tooth having a scoop projecting outwardly from the pan and a cutout. A cutout traverses through the pan and defines an opening connecting the top and bottom surfaces. A respective scoop includes a portion partially covering the cutout and having an arcuate cutting edge.

Abstract: A combination apparatus includes a food storing and preserving machine and an electronic information center. An insulated cabinet provides a door enabling access to a refrigerated interior space within the cabinet. The door incorporates an electronic circuit including a computing unit with a digital data processor, data storage module, and a touch-sense display panel. A plurality of LCD panels are each enabled for displaying photos and other indicia composed from indicia data within the data storage module. A data port is configured for receiving information transmitted by wireless means. A software program in conjunction with the computing unit receives information at the data port and stores the information in the data storage module. Operational options may be displayed on the touch-sense display unit for manually directing the computing unit for displaying the indicia on the LCD panels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Abstract: A weed cutting apparatus removes top growth of undesirable plants penetrating cracks, crevices and surface interfaces relative to a ground surface. The apparatus has an elongate linear handle for pulling it along while standing or walking. A pair of spaced apart wheels are mounted at one end of the handle and fixedly mounted between the wheels is a cutting tool. The cutting tool is oriented relative to the handle such that with the wheels in contact with the ground surface, the cutting tool is positionable at a selected cutting angle relative to the ground surface with a cutting edge of the cutting tool thus positioned above, below or in the plane of the ground surface depending on the angle at which one holds the handle relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A shovel apparatus for extracting soil plugs, has a linearly extensive tubular member engaging, a handle at one end and a pair of spaced-apart, opposing, shovel blades at the other. Each of the shovel blades has a blade base with an extensive stem placed approximately vertically. The blades provide a blade tip configured for insertion into a soil medium. Each of the extensive stems is pivotally joined with an actuating link. An actuating rod moves linearly within the tubular member and is joined with the actuating links for providing pivotal motion to The actuating rod is further joined with a lever arm extending laterally from the tubular member. Lever action of the lever arm moves the actuating rod linearly within the tubular member, and thereby moves the actuating links in rotational angular motion, and thereby draws the extensive stems of the shovel blades toward and away from each other for first gripping a plug of the soil medium, and then releasing it.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature sensor on the basis of a thermocouple constituted by two different metals. The first metal is provided in the form of an electrically insulated wire, having a blank uninsulated portion. The second metal is constituted by a jacket member enclosing the insulated wire. The jacket member is in electrical contact with the insulated wire via the blank uninsulated portion to thereby form a measuring junction. As a feed line, an electrically insulated copper wire is provided whose free end has a blank portion. The first wire is wound around the copper wire and projects over the free end thereof. The jacket member extends over the blank uninsulated portion of the carrier wire and is in electrical contact therewith. Due to the fact that the same material is chosen for the jacket member and for the carrier wire, i.e. copper, the carrier wire can be used as electrical feed line.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature sensor on the basis of a thermocouple constituted by two different metals. The first metal is provided in the form of an electrically insulated wire, having a blank uninsulated portion. The second metal is constituted by a jacket member enclosing the insulated wire. The jacket member is in electrical contact with the insulated wire via the blank uninsulated portion to thereby form a measuring junction. As a feed line, an electrically insulated copper wire is provided whose free end has a blank portion. The first wire is wound around the copper wire and projects over the free end thereof. The jacket member extends over the blank uninsulated portion of the carrier wire and is in electrical contact therewith. Due to the fact that the same material is chosen for the jacket member and for the carrier wire, i.e. copper, the carrier wire can be used as electrical feed line.

Abstract: A shovel apparatus for digging holes has an H-shaped frame providing at one end, a handle integrally joined to the frame, and at the other end, a blade mounting support. A pair of spaced apart shovel blades are pivotally engaged with the blade mounting support for drawing the blades from essentially parallel rest positions, toward each other, to form a modified cone-shaped enclosure. A draw arm assembly is engaged for sliding within a pair of opposing slots in the H-shaped frame. The draw arm assembly is engaged with the shovel blades through a pair of links to move the shovel blades toward each other when the draw arm assembly is pulled toward the handle.

Abstract: The apparatus for determining the dew-point and/or the content of vapor in the air, particularly for the use in radio sondes, comprises a dew-point mirror assembly, including a source of light, a reflector, a cooling element thermally coupled to the reflector, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the reflector, and a detecting sensor for receiving the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the reflector. The detecting sensor is located in a temperature stabilized region of the apparatus and optically coupled to the reflector by means of a light wave conductor. The light source is an incandescent lamp. A sensor head is provided that receives the reflector, the cooling element, the light source, and the input end of the light wave conductor. The sensor head is heated by means of an active heating element.

Abstract: A portable barcode and RF ID tag reader that gathers information about items to be purchased etc by reading barcodes or RF ID tags. A store host computer gathers information about items to be purchased from the portable barcode/ID Tag readers and then the items are bagged by the customer at the checkout stand or by employees of the store at the checkout stand or in a separate warehouse from which the customer picks up the order. The portable barcode/RF ID tag reader can also be used in authenticating articles by accessing a factory computer using a serial number for the article scanned from an RF ID tag on the article. The portable barcode/RF ID tag reader is comprised of a microprocessor coupled to a bar code reader, an RF ID tag reader, a spread spectrum RF transceiver, a communication port, an audible feedback device, a touchscreen or light pen and display, a thermal printer and a magnetic stripe card reader and a smart card reader.