Abstract: A parcel drop box for receiving a parcel in the presence or absence of a receiver of the parcel. The parcel drop box includes a cuboidal enclosure with an open-top. A lid pivotally covers the open-top and can be lifted for gaining access into the interior of the enclosure. A pair of flaps coupled inside the enclosure to the sidewalls and just below a periphery of the open-top. The flaps can pivot between a horizontal position and a downward vertical position. The lid is coupled to the pair of flaps, such as pivoting of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps. Opening of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps to a horizontal position which restricts the access to the interior of the enclosure from the open-top i.e., the pair of flaps substantially cover the open-top when in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A parcel drop box for receiving a parcel in the presence or absence of a receiver of the parcel. The parcel drop box includes a cuboidal enclosure with an open-top. A lid pivotally covers the open-top and can be lifted for gaining access into the interior of the enclosure. A pair of flaps coupled inside the enclosure to the sidewalls and just below a periphery of the open-top. The flaps can pivot between a horizontal position and a downward vertical position. The lid is coupled to the pair of flaps, such as pivoting of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps. Opening of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps to a horizontal position which restricts the access to the interior of the enclosure from the open-top i.e., the pair of flaps substantially cover the open-top when in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A database table is defined as a load isolated table (LDI table) that supports a current table version number, multiple row versions, and special load protocols. An isolated loading statement on the LDI table is identified in a Data Manipulation Language (DML), causing the table to be placed in an isolated loading state associated with an incremented new value of the table's current version number. A designated group of DML operations in one or more sessions are then used to load/modify rows in the table, and affected rows are marked with the uncommitted new version. Read-committed queries supported for LDIs ignore the uncommitted rows during an isolated load, seeing only previously committed versions of the rows. When an end isolated loading on the table is identified, the table's version is updated to the new incremented value, causing the newly loaded/modified rows to be recognized as committed by subsequent read-committed queries.

Abstract: A database table is defined as a load isolated table (LDI table) that supports a current table version number, multiple row versions, and special load protocols. An isolated loading statement on the LDI table is identified in a Data Manipulation Language (DML), causing the table to be placed in an isolated loading state associated with an incremented new value of the table's current version number. A designated group of DML operations in one or more sessions are then used to load/modify rows in the table, and affected rows are marked with the uncommitted new version. Read-committed queries supported for LDIs ignore the uncommitted rows during an isolated load, seeing only previously committed versions of the rows. When an end isolated loading on the table is identified, the table's version is updated to the new incremented value, causing the newly loaded/modified rows to be recognized as committed by subsequent read-committed queries.

Abstract: A powered apparatus having an elongate pole with a tool at a proximal region and a drive for operating the tool. A first operating component is repositionable between first and second positions to change a state of the drive. A second operating component is repositionable between: a) a locked position; and b) a released position wherein the first operating component can be changed from the first position into the second position. A handle assembly has a gripping portion with an extent that can be grasped by the user's one hand at a plurality of different locations along the extent of the gripping portion to control the operating components, including at a first location in a manner wherein with the elongate pole vertically oriented, a majority of a vertical weight force component of the apparatus is directed generally parallel to the length of a user's forearm below the user's one hand.

Abstract: A powered apparatus having an elongate pole, a drive at a proximal region of the elongate pole and operable to rotate a first component on the drive, a tool at a distal region of the elongate pole with a second component that is rotatable to operate the tool, and a power transmission assembly for transmitting a drive force generated by rotation of the first component to the second component to thereby operate the tool. The power transmission assembly has a flexible drive link with a flexible length located between the drive and at least one other substantially inflexible drive part that is downstream of the drive link. The flexible length of the flexible drive link is greater than four (4) inches.

Abstract: A portable powered tool having an elongate housing with a central axis, a working component on the elongate housing, a drive for the working component on the elongate housing and having different states, and a control with a grip that is configured to be grasped by a user by extending a user's one hand at least partially around the grip and thereby the central axis of the elongate housing to thereby situate the user's one hand in an operating position. The user's one hand, grasping the grip in the operating position, is usable to: a) support and reposition the portable powered tool; and b) move the grip around the central axis of the elongate housing to change the state of the drive.

Abstract: A portable powered tool having an elongate housing with a central axis, a working component on the elongate housing, a drive for the working component on the elongate housing and having different states, and a control with a grip that is configured to be grasped by a user by extending a user's one hand at least partially around the grip and thereby the central axis of the elongate housing to thereby situate the user's one hand in an operating position. The user's one hand, grasping the grip in the operating position, is usable to: a) support and reposition the portable powered tool; and b) move the grip around the central axis of the elongate housing to change the state of the drive.

Abstract: A powered apparatus having an elongate pole, a drive at a proximal region of the elongate pole and operable to rotate a first component on the drive, a tool at a distal region of the elongate pole with a second component that is rotatable to operate the tool, and a power transmission assembly for transmitting a drive force generated by rotation of the first component to the second component to thereby operate the tool. The power transmission assembly has a flexible drive link with a flexible length located between the drive and at least one other substantially inflexible drive part that is downstream of the drive link. The flexible length of the flexible drive link is greater than four (4) inches.

Abstract: A powered apparatus having an elongate pole with a tool at a proximal region and a drive for operating the tool. A first operating component is repositionable between first and second positions to change a state of the drive. A second operating component is repositionable between: a) a locked position; and b) a released position wherein the first operating component can be changed from the first position into the second position. A handle assembly has a gripping portion with an extent that can be grasped by the user's one hand at a plurality of different locations along the extent of the gripping portion to control the operating components, including at a first location in a manner wherein with the elongate pole vertically oriented, a majority of a vertical weight force component of the apparatus is directed generally parallel to the length of a user's forearm below the user's one hand.

Abstract: A trimmer having first and second cutting blades. The first and second cutting blades are mounted so that first and second flat surfaces, respectively thereon, face and are substantially parallel to each other. A drive causes at least one of the first and second cutting blades to move relative to the other of the first and second cutting blades. At least one fastening assembly has first and second facing shoulders between which the first and second cutting blades reside. The at least one fastening assembly further has at least one biasing element that produces a force that biasably urges the first and second flat cutting blade surfaces towards each other.

Abstract: A decoration device may include a backlit panel inside an interior space of an ornament structure. The panel may include a decorative scene that is viewable from outside the ornament structure, and one or more light sources may be substantially aligned with certain elements of the scene (e.g., candles, a fireplace, stars, or the like) so that those elements have the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene.

Abstract: A trimmer having first and second cutting blades. The first cutting blade has a generally flat first surface residing in a first plane and a first cutting edge. The second cutting blade has a generally flat second surface residing in a second plane and a second cutting edge. The first and second cutting blades are mounted so that the first and second flat surfaces face and are substantially parallel to each other. A drive causes at least one of the first and second cutting blades to move relative to the other of the first and second cutting blades to thereby produce a repetitive cutting action between the first and second cutting edges. At least one fastening assembly has first and second facing shoulders between which the first and second cutting blades reside.

Abstract: A decoration device may include a backlit panel inside an interior space of an ornament structure. The panel may include a decorative scene that is viewable from outside the ornament structure, and one or more light sources may be substantially aligned with certain elements of the scene (e.g., candles, a fireplace, stars, or the like) so that those elements have the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a decoration apparatus may have an attractive appearance and multi-functional capabilities. The decoration apparatus may include one or more internal light sources that provide lighting effects in combination with decorative elements formed in the structure. In addition to providing internal lighting effects, the decoration apparatus may include a projector device, which is capable of displaying a light pattern on a remote surface, such as a wall or a ceiling.

Abstract: One or more decoration devices may include an internal light source that projects light through apertures formed in the outer surface of the ornament structure. Each decoration device may be equipped with a translucent divider panel that prevents viewability between a first set of apertures and an oppositely disposed, second set of apertures.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention described herein includes a stackable container. The stackable container includes a main body comprising a fill port that includes a fill portion and an offset portion wherein the fill portion and offset portion are offset from the main body to provide clearance for filling.

Abstract: The invention modifies conventional head coverings by adding flexible material. This material is stored and sealed within a pouch within the top of the head covering except during use. The pouch is sealed by a zipper or other closure apparatus when the flexible material is stored within the pouch. The center of the material is attached to the center of the interior of the pouch to permit full deployment of the material from the pouch. The material can be sized and shaped to enclose the either the head, the head and neck, or the head, neck and body. The material can also be selected to provide a variety of barriers useful for hunting and fishing such as providing camouflage for a hunter, transparency or other useful characteristics for outdoor use. The barrier provided by the flexible material, while permanently attached to the head covering, is stored out of the way within the pouch when not in use.

Abstract: A load management controller (LMC) can include a power distribution circuit to supply and regulate current to a plurality of low voltage devices. In certain embodiments, the LMC may receive power from an AC power source and may further include an AC-AC transformer, a microcontroller to regulate voltage and current to user programmable levels, one or supplementary current limiters, and a plurality of receptacles to removably and electrically couple the LMC to the plurality of low voltage devices. In various embodiments, the low voltage devices comprise lights, motors, actuators, and/or audio devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for coordinating a plurality of sub-tasks performed by a group of nodes of a parallel processor computer system. An application subdivides a function into the plurality of sub-tasks and assigns the sub-tasks to a group of participating nodes. A message is transmitted by the application to the group of participating nodes, wherein the message spawns one or more threads on each participating node and the threads are encapsulated by a virtual processor to perform a desired one or more of the sub-tasks. A channel object is created in all participating nodes and a coordinator node in response to the transmitted message, wherein the channel object in the coordinator node includes a data element identifying the group of participating nodes performing the sub-tasks.