Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a tissue cutting knife movable through a staple cartridge to perform a staple firing stroke is disclosed. The stapling instrument further comprises a lockout system configured to prevent the tissue cutting knife from being moved through the staple firing stroke if the staple cartridge is missing from the stapling instrument and/or if the staple cartridge has been previously fired. The lockout system comprises a flexible spring that acts on the bottom of the tissue cutting knife at the initiation of the staple firing stroke to push the tissue cutting knife into a lockout recess if the staple cartridge is missing or has been previously fired.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for secure logon. One or more method includes: determining, via authentication information provided by a user of an electronic device, that the user is authorized to access an online account provided by the online account provider; providing the user with a selectable option to enable an expedited logon process by which the user can access the online account by solely providing a particular authentication item of the user; receiving a verification credential in response to a next logon attempt using the expedited logon process; and verifying that the received verification credential matches an assigned verification credential provided to the user for use in conjunction with the next logon attempt using the expedited logon process.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring data between a first device and a second device, the second device being adapted to rotate with respect to the first device. The first device includes a first antenna assembly and a first transceiver assembly for transmitting and receiving signals via the first antenna assembly. The second device includes a second antenna assembly and a second transceiver assembly for transmitting and receiving signals via the second antenna assembly. The rotating antenna assembly is mounted circumferentially about the second device such that the stationary antenna is in capacitive coupling relationship substantially through an entire revolution of the second device.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier with a three point mounting arrangement for carrying bicycles on the rear of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a central upright member with a lower end structure for detachably securing the bicycle carrier to a conventional draw bar hitch which is attached to the motor vehicle. The base end portion of a rearward extending swing arm is pivotally attached to the upper end of the upright member and a short distance below the swing arm there is a lateral member which is centered and fixed to the lateral member. A pair of spaced apart hanger brackets extend longitudinally from attachments to the lateral member, to mount each bicycle at two points on the carrier. The swing arm is releasably rotatable about a transverse axis from a horizontal locked position adjacent to the hanger brackets to an upward position away from the hanger brackets.

Abstract: A compact universal terminal block for connecting single wire conductors to plural wire conductors in series-parallel electrical circuits. The terminal block has a generally rectangular insulative housing with a stepped end portion and plural unitary connectors inside of the housing. Each connector is made from a blank of conductive material and has an input terminal and multiple tubular output terminals for operatively connecting multiple wire conductors to a single wire conductor. The tubular output terminals are arranged in parallel and staggered relationship with respect to each other to minimize the size of the terminal block and the amount of material used for stamping the connectors. Connectors having differing numbers of output terminals are provided in the common insulative housing to serve the requirements of many users.

Abstract: A free standing ceramic fireplace having a refractory base member including a hearth extension adapted to rest on a floor of a mobile home or other type residence. The fireplace has a refractory ceramic outer shell supported on the base and extending upwardly therefrom, and has a refractory ceramic, generally spherical, combustion chamber supported within the shell and closed thereto. There is a combustion air inlet to the combustion chamber extending from below the floor and a combustion gas outlet in the combustion chamber. A flue is fitted in the gas outlet and extends upwardly through the ceiling of the room. There are aligned openings in the shell and combustion chamber for inserting solid fuel into the combustion chamber. A room air passage extends in the shell in a space outwardly of the combustion chamber and the passage has an upper opening through the shell to the room.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles between a pick up station such as a conveyor and a deposit station comprising a conveyor and a transfer car which is supported for movement between the conveyor and a station. The car having interdigitating means thereon adapted to interdigitate with said conveyor when the transfer car is at a position adjacent the conveyor. The interdigitating means is supported on the car for vertical movement such that the interdigitating means may be moved upwardly to lift an article from the conveyor or the station and downwardly to lower the article on the conveyor or the station.

Abstract: A tilting tray sorting conveyor comprising a track, a plurality of carriers on said track, a conveyor interconnecting said carriers and adapted to be driven to move said carriers along said track. Each carrier has a tray pivotally mounted thereon about an axis generally parallel to said track and a tilting yoke fixed thereto. Cam means along said track engage the tilting yoke and move said yoke in one direction to tilt said tray to one side and move said yoke in the other direction to tilt said tray to the opposite side of the track. Latch means are operable to hold said tray in normal upright position or to permit the tray to be tilted to one side or the other of said track. The latch means includes an escapement member mounted for generally vertical movement on the carriage and means yieldingly urging said escapement member to a neutral position corresponding to the upright position of said tray.