Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage extending in a longitudinal direction from a nose to a tail, a nose wheel located at the nose, a tail support located at the tail, and a main wheel assembly located between the nose wheel and the tail support in the longitudinal direction. The main wheel assembly is positioned such that the aircraft is operable to selectively land in a first operating mode in which the main wheel assembly and the nose wheel support both the aircraft during the landing process, and the tail support does not support the aircraft during the landing process, and a second operating mode in which the main wheel assembly and the tail support both support the aircraft during the landing process. A method for operating the aircraft, an aircraft with a movable wheel assembly, and a movable wheel assembly are also provided.

Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage extending in a longitudinal direction from a nose to a tail, and a main wheel assembly having a first main wheel spaced in a transverse direction from a second main wheel, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. One or more pivots connect the main wheel assembly to the fuselage. The one or more pivots have a rotation axis extending in the transverse direction such that the main wheel assembly is pivotable relative to the fuselage between a first fixed position with the first main wheel and the second main wheel in a first longitudinal position behind a center of gravity of the aircraft, and a second fixed position with the first main wheel and the second main wheel in a second longitudinal position behind the center of gravity of the aircraft.

Abstract: An authorized client communication system seeking access to a host communication system may be identified by locating a memory segment within the client communication system that stores client software used to access the host computer system. The memory segment then is examined to determine whether the client software stored in the memory segment corresponds to client software for an official client communication, system. Communications from the client communication system are terminated when the client software in the memory segment is determined to diverge from software for an official client communication system.

Abstract: Interactions between users of a computer network may be facilitated by transmitting a first user's proposal for a communications session to another user, the proposal comprising one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed communications session, receiving a response from the other user, the response comprising a counterproposal having one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed communications session, with at least one of the parameters of the counterproposal differing from a corresponding parameter of the proposal, and automatically engaging in the proposed communications session using the parameters included in the counterproposal upon acceptance of the counterproposal by the first user.

Abstract: An authorized client communication system seeking access to a host communication system may be identified by performing a mathematical computation on a client communication system-specific identifier and an access password. Communications from the client communication system are terminated if the result of the mathematical computation does not correspond to an authorized client communication system. Another aspect involves storing information about an authorized client communication system.

Abstract: Interactions between users of a computer network may be facilitated by transmitting a first user's proposal for a communications session to another user, the proposal comprising one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed communications session, receiving a response from the other user, the response comprising a counterproposal having one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed communications session, with at least one of the parameters of the counterproposal differing from a corresponding parameter of the proposal, and automatically engaging in the proposed communications session using the parameters included in the counterproposal upon acceptance of the counterproposal by the first user.

Abstract: An authorized client communication system seeking access to a host communication system may be identified by locating a memory segment within the client communication system that stores client software used to access the host computer system. The memory segment then is examined to determine whether the client software stored in the memory segment corresponds to client software for an official client communication system. Communications from the client communication system are terminated when the client software in the memory segment is determined to diverge from software for an official client communication system.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for intervertebral implant anchorage. An implantable device for insertion into an intradiscal section between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The implantable device includes at least one anchor plate which comprises a plate member sized to be positioned within an intradiscal section between adjacent vertebrae and a plurality of anchoring elements extending from a surface of the plate member, each anchoring element including a distal portion capable of being introduced into the vertebra through the vertebral end plate; and an intradiscal component coupled to the anchor plate.

Abstract: Interactions between users of a computer network are facilitated by transmitting a first user's proposal for an activity to another user, with the proposal including one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed activity. A response received from the other user may include a counterproposal having one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed activity, with at least one of the parameters of the counterproposal differing from a corresponding parameter of the proposal. The users automatically engage in the proposed activity using the parameters included in the counterproposal upon acceptance of the counterproposal by the first user.

Abstract: An authorized client communication system seeking access to a host communication system may be identified by locating a memory segment within the client communication system that stores client software used to access the host computer system. The memory segment then is examined to determine whether the client software stored in the memory segment corresponds to client software for an official client communication system. Communications from the client communication system are terminated when the client software in the memory segment is determined to diverge from software for an official client communication system.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for intervertebral implant anchorage. An implantable device for insertion into an intradiscal section between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The implantable device includes at least one anchor plate which comprises a plate member sized to be positioned within an intradiscal section between adjacent vertebrae and a plurality of anchoring elements extending from a surface of the plate member, each anchoring element including a distal portion capable of being introduced into the vertebra through the vertebral end plate; and an intradiscal component coupled to the anchor plate.

Abstract: A hydrant refueler is provided for refueling an aircraft. The hydrant refueler is suitable for use in an airport having a hydrant for supplying fuel. The hydrant refueler includes a hydrant cart and a self propelled land vehicle. The hydrant cart includes a fuel hose for coupling to the hydrant, and a delivery fuel hose for coupling to a fuel intake valve of the aircraft. The land vehicle includes a platform for supporting a refueling operator during transportation and during refueling. The platform may be raised and lowered. The platform has controls for operating the land vehicle, and for raising and lowering the platform. The hydrant cart may be attached to the land vehicle for transporting and controlling the hydrant cart. During operation, one end of the delivery fuel hose is raised with the platform to a height for coupling with the aircraft fuel intake valve for conducting fuel to the airplane. The land vehicle and hydrant cart are detached from one another for maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A hydrant refueler for aircraft is provided with a plurality of decks each at a different fixed height above ground to enable the refueler operator to connect to the fuel tanks of aircraft having wings at different heights above ground. The uppermost deck is provided with foldable side guard railings which when lowered will permit the refueler vehicle to clear the wing of a low wing aircraft and which when raised will provide necessary safety protection to a refueler operator as he services a high wing aircraft. A rigid cross bar guard is provided at at least one end of the foldable side guard railings.

Abstract: A fuel transport land vehicle formed by a tractor and a trailer carrying fuel in which the tractor has a plurality of axles all of which are steerable. The tractor and trailer are detachably coupled so that they remain along the same general longitudinal axis and sideways relative motion between the tractor and trailer is prevented. A pumping module is removably coupled to the vehicle and has disposed therein means for pumping, filtering and modulating the flow of fuel from the trailer.

Abstract: A fuel transport land vehicle formed by a tractor and a trailer carrying fuel in which the tractor has a plurality of axles all of which are steerable. The tractor and trailer are detachably coupled so that they remain along the same general longitudinal axis and sideways relative motion between the tractor and trailer is prevented. A pumping module is removably coupled to the vehicle and has disposed therein means for pumping, filtering and modulating the flow of fuel from the trailer.

Abstract: A fuel transport land vehicle formed by a tractor and a trailer carrying fuel in which the tractor has a plurality of axles all of which are steerable. The tractor and trailer are detachably coupled so that they remain along the same general longitudinal axis and sideways relative motion between the tractor and trailer is prevented. A pumping module is removably coupled to the vehicle and has disposed therein means for pumping, filtering and modulating the flow of fuel from the trailer.