Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic component, an assembly of an electronic component and an electronic carrier substrate, and a method of connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the electronic component has a second CTE. The assembly further comprises a conductive material on the carrier substrate for connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate, and the electrical component is connected to the carrier substrate by heating and then cooling this conductive material. The electronic component includes an expansion joint to allow the electronic component to expand and contract relative to the carrier substrate during the heating and cooling of the conductive material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB) having embedded resistors, including providing a PCB on which internal layer circuit patterns, including electrode pads, are formed; layering insulating layers on the PCB; forming first via holes on the electrode pads and simultaneously forming second via holes at predetermined locations on the internal layer circuit patterns; forming contact pads for connecting the electrode pads with resistors by filling the first via holes with oxidation-resistant conductive material and flattening the oxidation-resistant conductive material; forming the resistors so that ends of each resistor are connected to two respective contact pads, which are spaced apart from each other; forming circuit patterns on the PCB, in which the second via holes are formed; and layering insulting layers on the PCB having the formed circuit patterns, and forming external layer circuit patterns.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus resulting from the method, for fabricating a circuit board suitable for mounting electronic components. The method includes drilling a plurality of through-holes in a plurality of dielectric sheets, forming a conductive film on at least one side of each of the plurality of dielectric sheets, and substantially filling each of the plurality of through holes with a conductive material. The conductive material is both electrically and thermally uninterrupted from a first face to a second face of each of the plurality of dielectric sheets. The plurality of dielectric sheets are then sequentially mounted, one atop another, to form the circuit board. The sequential mounting step is performed after the steps of drilling the plurality of through-holes, forming the conductive layer, and substantially filling the plurality of through-holes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: forming a plurality of electrode assemblies wherein each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises a respective plurality of segmented electrodes angularly separated by ribs formed in one or more segments of thermoplastic tape; electrically coupling a conductor to each segmented electrode; molding polymer material around each segmented electrode of the plurality of segmented electrodes to interlock each segmented electrode with polymer material to form a distal end of the medical lead; and fusing the one or more segments of thermoplastic tape of each of the plurality of electrode assemblies with the polymer material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: providing a plurality of wires; increasing an exterior surface area of each wire of the plurality of wires; arranging the plurality of wires angularly around a longitudinal axis; extruding polymer material of the plurality of wires; forming a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end after performing the extruding; and forming a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body; forming a plurality of segmented electrodes at a distal end of the lead body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead comprises: providing a splicing tube having a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal grooves; placing a first plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves defined on an exterior surface of the splicing tube; placing a second plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves and adjacent to the first plurality of conductors such that a portion of the distal ends overlap a portion of the proximal ends; positioning conductive filler material adjacent to the overlapped portions of the distal and proximal ends; electrically coupling the proximal ends of the first plurality of electrodes to respective proximal ends of the second plurality of electrodes; molding insulative material about at least the electrode assembly and the splicing tube; and fusing the splicing tube with the insulative material from the molding and the lead body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable comprising the steps of providing a preformed substrate member comprising a podium member, at least one electrical connector and at least one insulated electrical wire attached to an electrical contact positioned within the at least one electrical connector; placing the preformed substrate member in a mold; and injecting a dielectric material into the mold containing the podium member to form an overmolded terminal block, wherein the dielectric material covers the at least one insulated electrical wire and a portion of the electrical contact positioned within the at least one electrical connector.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a method of maintaining a constant or variable water temperature in kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, baby tubs, pet dishes (stop from freezing in the winter) and a wide variety of liquid containers such as cattle and horse water troughs, banquet food warmers (to replace sterno heat source) commercial sinks an portable liquid containers. For example, keeping the water warm or hot enough to do more dishes without draining the sink of cold water in order to replace it with warm or hot water, could potentially save millions of gallons of water across the country every day.

Abstract: Described is a method of making an apparatus for oxygenating and controlling the temperature of blood in an extracorporeal circuit, the steps comprising: providing a core through which blood can be supplied to the apparatus from a patient; providing a heat exchanger about the core such that blood from the core can move radially outward through the heat exchanger; providing an oxygenator about the heat exchanger such that blood from the heat exchanger can move radially outward through the oxygenator; and placing the core, heat exchanger and oxygenator in a housing that includes an inlet in communication with the core and an outlet that is located radially outward from the inlet in order to define a flowpath for blood through the apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible heat exchanger is incorporated into a ridge vent to form an assembly. The heat exchanger operates by collecting thermal energy (heat) from heated air exhausting from the attic space via the ridge vent. Air in the attic space is typically heated by the solar energy falling on the roof. Heat from this air is transferred through the wall of heat exchange tubes integrated into the ridge vent. The flow of heated air around the outside of the tubes is driven by the column of heated air that forms in the attic space, similar to the draft in a chimney. The chimney effect in the attic space circulates the flow of outside air into the soffit vents through the attic space where it is heated and then exhausted out the ridge vent, passing by and around the tubes before it exits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making muffler systems wherein the muffler polymeric bodies have a cross section that is constant over the length of the muffler polymeric body. The muffler systems are inexpensive to make and install.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water heater includes the steps of providing a water heater tank having an interior and an exterior, the tank also including a first aperture communicating between the interior and exterior, providing a spud having an internally threaded aperture and placing a membrane between the spud and the tank such that the membrane covers the first aperture. Thereafter, the method also includes the steps of welding the spud and the membrane to the tank, and thereafter forming a second aperture in the membrane so that the threaded aperture of the spud communicates with the interior of the tank via the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A method for producing a fabricated vehicle wheel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rim blank; (b) providing a first tooling fixture for subjecting the rim blank to a preforming operation wherein the cylindrical shape is reshaped to produce a rim preform; (c) providing a second tooling fixture defining a sealed internal chamber and having a tooling member having a predetermined inner surface contour, the sealed internal chamber in fluid communication with a source of high pressurize hydraulic fluid; (d) positioning the rim preform in the internal chamber with an outer surface thereof adjacent the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (e) supplying the high pressure hydraulic fluid to the internal chamber whereby the rim preform is pressed against the adjacent inner surface contour of the tooling member so as to produce a wheel rim having a contour which matches that of the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (f) removing the wheel rim from the second tooling fixture; and (g) securing th

Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing device for vehicles capable of detecting a change in magnetism with high accuracy. A rolling bearing device H for vehicles in accordance with the present invention includes a rolling bearing 13 having an inner ring 11, which is a rotating ring, and an outer ring 12 , which is a fixed ring, and rolling elements 3 and 4 interposed between both of the races 11 and 12; a magnetized element 14; a magnetic sensor 15; and a cover 16. The cover 16 is formed by demagnetizing a nonmagnetic material having being pressed.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a safety carton cutter comprises a first frame member pivotably connected to a second frame member to form a housing. Inside the housing mounted on the first frame member is a blade receptacle having a latch, a blade carrier, a biasing member and a follower. The follower is adapted to communicate with a cam profile located on a cam in the first frame member. The configuration of the follower and cam profile provides an extending and retracting mechanism that keeps the blade in a constant exposed position before and during the cutting process, and then allows the blade to retract immediately after the cutting process is complete.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically operated shaving appliance (25) comprising a drive element (4) that can be driven by an electric motor in a back-and-forth movement and drives at least one cutting system (28, 32), the shaver housing (1) thereof being displaceable into a pulled-out or inserted position by means of a guiding arrangement (29) that can also be moved in relation to the shaver housing (1). Part of the movement of the drive element (4) is deviated by a deviation device (2) in the direction (X, Y) of displacement.

Abstract: A reciprocating electric shaver with a shaving unit which includes an outer cutter(s) an inner cutter(s), a motor, and a drive mechanism all formed into a single unit and is provided to make a pivot motion in left and right directions, the shaving unit being supported in the grip section of the shaver by a pair of pivot parts provided on the front and back sides of the motor, and the head part, which includes the outer cutter(s), the inner cutter(s), and the drive mechanism, being provided to pivot front and back with respect to the motor.

Abstract: A safety razor blade unit has two or more blades (19,20,21) with parallel cutting edges (24,25,26) mounted in a frame (10) between guard and cap surfaces so that the average inter-blade span is not greater than 1.25 mm, and the wash through index, a measure of the rinsability obtained by a method defined in the specification, is not less than 0.20. The combination of narrow inter-blade spans and good rinsability enables enhanced comfort levels during shaving to be achieved.

Abstract: A preferred vegetable peeler includes a handle and a tool head, with the tool head being configured to removably hold a blade. The blade may be formed in any of a variety of ways, including a standard straight peeling blade, a serrated or scalloped blade, or other configurations. The tool head or blade holder in accordance with the present invention includes two branches extending away from a proximal end of the handle in order to hold the blade at an angle that is preferably substantially perpendicular to the handle. A cavity in the handle is configured to store one or more replacement blades.

Abstract: A portable cutting device having a cutting tool for cutting a material. The cutting device includes a motor driving the cutting tool and a shroud at least partially enclosing the cutting tool. The shroud defines a debris accumulation chamber for gathering debris created by the cutting tool cutting the material. An impeller is operatively coupled to the motor and driven by the motor to create suction pressure to draw the debris out of the debris accumulation chamber and into a collection bag.

Abstract: A hair thinning scissors is provided. The hair thinning scissors includes a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge. The first cutting edge is configured with a plurality of arc shaped cutting teeth. A notch is configured between each two neighboring cutting teeth. Each of the arcuate cutting teeth has a radian by the pivotal axis of the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge as an arc center, and a distance from the pivotal axis to the tooth as an arc radius, so that when the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are actuated to rotate one toward another, each of the cutting teeth moves along a tangent of the arc form of the cutting tooth, thus achieving a more smoothly shearing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method for motor-driven shears. The control method for the motor-driven shears of the present invention requires that both the power supply module and the control system used to drive the motor be active simultaneously for the shears to operate. The power supply module requires a switch be pressed to activate the power supply module and to provide the resultant power to the MCU. Further, upon releasing the switch, the MCU is be able to maintain the power supply module in a discharging state long enough to allow the control system controlling the motor to rotate the movable blade to an open position. Finally, when the movable blade is opened to a maximum position, the MCU may direct the motor to stop rotation and shut off the power supply module.

Abstract: A pair of gardening shears include a first pivot base having a first blade and a first handle, a second pivot base pivotally connected with the first pivot base and having a second blade and a connecting portion, a mounting base having a second handle connected with the connecting portion to drive the second pivot base relative to the first pivot base, and a plug having an insert which extends through the mounting base, the first pivot base and the second pivot base and has an inner portion provided with a finger hole. Thus, when a user is operating the first handle and the second handle, the finger hole of the plug allows passage of the user's finger, so that the user can hold the first handle and the second handle stably to operate the shears smoothly.

Abstract: A labor-saving garden scissors comprises a first handle having a first blade; a second handle having a first toothed portion; a second blade having a second toothed portion mating with the first toothed portion; a connection bar having first, second and third pivotal points, wherein the third and second pivotal points are respectively pivotally-coupled to the second blade and second handle; a first pivotal element pivotally-coupling the first and second blades; a second pivotal element pivotally-coupling the second blade and third pivotal point; a third pivotal element pivotally-coupling the second handle and second pivotal point; and a fourth pivotal element pivotally-coupling the second blade, first blade and first pivotal point with the second blade arranged between the first blade and the connection bar. The effort lever arm between the second and third pivotal points is greater than the resistance lever arm between the first and third pivotal points.

Abstract: A knife specially designed to trim flower stems at the correct oblique angle allowing the user to apply full force behind the blade while protecting the thumb. The invention comprises a knife with thumb rest in which an extension of the knife blade is equipped with a resting surface for the thumb.

Abstract: A pizza cutter has a body portion, a front cutting wheel rotatably coupled to the body portion, and a rear cutting wheel rotatably coupled to the body portion. The front cutting wheel and the rear cutting wheel are aligned in a cutting direction. A top of the body portion opposite the front cutting wheel and the rear cutting wheel has a graspable handle. Adjacent to the handle and positioned generally over the front cutting wheel and/or the rear cutting wheel the body portion is provided with an upswept corner. The body portion also provides a front cutting wheel well and a rear cutting wheel well with the front cutting wheel well covering a portion of one side of the front cutting wheel, the rear cutting wheel well covering a portion of one side of the rear cutting, and the opposite sides of the front cutting wheel and the rear cutting wheel remain exposed.

Abstract: The Linear Marking Apparatus that which includes an embedded marking substance (chalk) reel during use, allowing a single worker to effectively snap a marking line over the work surface. In various embodiments, the Linear Marking Apparatus the tool can also be utilized as a measuring device, a straight edge, or a level. Potential uses of the Linear Marking Apparatus include marking lines on walls, ground, vehicles, concrete, roofing, floors, window, boats, furnishings, ceilings.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a coordinate measuring machine body and a controller. The coordinate measuring machine body has a probe having a measurement piece and a drive mechanism for driving the probe. The probe has a drive unit for driving the measurement piece. The controller includes a first measuring unit and a second measuring unit. The first measuring unit measures a displacement of the measurement piece driven by the drive unit. The second measuring unit measures a displacement of the probe. The measurement accuracy of the second measuring unit is lower than the measurement accuracy of the first measuring unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning system for positioning and/or measuring a movable object, wherein the movable object (10) has an object position that is defined with respect to a at least two axes (X, Y) extending in at least two different directions. The movable object (10) has a first surface (SX) and a second surface (SY) having mutually different orientations. The first surface (SX) makes a first angle (?) with the first direction and the second surface (SY) makes a second angle (?) with the second direction.

Abstract: A measuring device and a method for measuring exercise progress wherein a belt/measuring device with size ruler indicia for a user to measure the circumference of his/her waist, arm or thigh, and can be used to determine the progress of an exercise routine.

Abstract: An air intake structure is located on an airflow guiding casing of a hand dryer communicating with gaps formed between motor blades in the airflow guiding casing. It includes a flow directing frame located on the airflow guiding casing, an axle located in the center of the flow directing frame and a plurality of flow directing blades located between the flow directing frame and the axle.

Abstract: A chamber optimized for drying a substrate is provided. The chamber includes opposing sidewalls having fluid channels extending therethrough. The fluid channels deliver a fluid to interior inlet ports of the chamber. Outlet ports positioned below corresponding interior inlet ports are in communication with a vacuum source in one embodiment. A loop flow path extending into the interior of the chamber from opposing sides is provided. The loop flow path is swept across the interior of the chamber by alternating the fluid flow from the inlet ports or outlet ports.

Abstract: A drying device including: a travelling unit and a drying unit. The travelling unit transports a sheet-like substrate in a travelling direction. The sheet-like substrate includes a thin film body wherein at least one surface of the thin film body is coated with a coating material including an active material. The drying unit dries the thin film body. The drying unit includes a radiative heater and a first nozzle. The radiative heater irradiates an infrared ray to a to-be-dried surface of the thin film body. The first nozzle blows a dry air to the to-be-dried surface in a direction opposite to the travelling direction of the sheet-like substrate.

Abstract: A gas blower device for blowing gas onto a face of a traveling strip of material. The device has at least one hollow box fitted with a plurality of tubular nozzles pointing towards the face in question of the strip of material. On the side facing towards the face in question of the strip of material, the hollow box presents a surface of profile (P) that varies in at least one given direction (D) symmetrically about a midplane (Q) perpendicular to the plane of the strip. The tubular nozzles are fastened via their roots to the varying-profile surface in such a manner that their respective axes are essentially orthogonal to said varying profile at the point in question, said tubular nozzles having respective lengths that are selected so that the outlet orifices lie in a common plane substantially parallel to the plane of the strip.

Abstract: A running shoe stores the shock during landing as energy and releases the stored energy when kicking off the toe portion, thereby making running and walking more efficient. The running shoe includes a shoe main body 10 into which the foot is inserted and a plate spring 5 that is large enough to cover an entire length of the shoe main body 10, is attached to a lower portion of the shoe main body 10, and is closed at a heel end portion thereof. The plate spring 5 is attached to a lower surface of the shoe main body 10 at only a toe end-side of the shoe main body 10.

Abstract: A sports shoe has a sole S absorbing a shock of landing, an upper U covering an instep of a foot, and a fastening member 3 fitting the upper U to the instep of the foot. The upper U has a first opening 1 from which a leg extends upwardly during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue, and the first and second openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other in a front-rear direction, the upper comprises a medial side portion 7 covering a medial side surface of the foot, a lateral side portion 8 covering a lateral side surface of the foot, and stretchable portions 71, 81 forming a part of the medial side portion 7 and/or the lateral side portion 8, and the second opening 2 inclines toward the medial side of the foot along a ridge line of the foot as the second opening extends toward a front of the foot.

Abstract: The hollow pneumatic sole sneaker creates an unstable condition, forcing the user to employ balance and equilibrium which is controlled and executed automatically by the brain through the core and leg muscles without conscious thinking. In an unstable position the human body's censoring systems (vestibular system, visual system, muscle, tendon and joints censoring system) create and send continuous signals to the brain of the body's position and movements. The signals are analyzed, interpreted and integrated in the brain and then the motor cortex creates a plan to execute the necessary muscle contractions to automatically maintain balance and equilibrium through the core and primary muscles of the body. Thus the unstable position of the human body has created the natural unconscious automatic possibilities to train the brain and muscles of the sneaker user.

Abstract: An orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe may have an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer. Features including an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region, and a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup may be configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical. An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup may be included to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.

Abstract: Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.

Abstract: A shoe can be tied using only one hand if provided with a tying aid in the form of a generally T-shaped unit comprising a leg having two laterally extending ears. The leg is secured between rows of eyelets on the opposed flaps of the shoe by one or more of the lengths of lace extending across the gap between the flaps. The lengths of shoelace that would otherwise be tied in a bow are instead wrapped around the ears of the tying aid in alternating fashion, preferably twice around each ear, in a manner similar to the manner in which a mooring line is secured to the cleat of a boat.

Abstract: A sole structure includes a soft body, a hard inner layer member, and a plurality of soft engaging members; wherein the body is made of soft-fiber composite materials without adding thermoset epoxy resin (such as carbon fiber/glass fiber) and formed in a laminate sole shape with a peripheral member, on a bottom surface of the body are formed a plurality of holes; the hard inner layer member is made of engineering plastics and fixed to the bottom surface of the body and includes a number of apertures in response to the holes; the soft engaging members are injection molded from soft composite materials (such as TPU, TPR, etc.) and integrally coupled with the hard inner layer member on the body, such that the soft body, the hard inner layer member, and the soft engaging members are integrally coupled together to form the sole structure.

Abstract: A footbed for use in footwear. The footbed includes a first molded layer having a size and shape adapted to support at least a first portion of a foot of a wearer of the footwear. The first layer has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. A second molded layer has a size and shape adapted to support at least a second portion of the foot of the wearer of the footwear. The second layer also has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. A foam layer is attached to the top surface of the second molded layer. The foam layer and the second molded layer are positioned over at least a portion of the top surface of the first molded layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole that includes a plurality of vertical grooves is disclosed. The plurality of vertical grooves may be disposed on a sidewall and a lower portion of the sole. The vertical grooves can facilitate twisting of the sole.

Abstract: A float mechanism for movably attaching an implement to a vehicle has a mounting frame that connects onto the vehicle and a fixed frame that affixes to the implement. A pivot bracket pivotally attaches to one of the frames and is slidably connected to the other to accommodate a limited degree of translational motion. The pivot bracket can slidably connect to the frame by a pair of guides in combination with a pair of sleeves. Rotational motion between the fixed frame and the mounting frame can be limited by slots in one of the frames that are slidably engaged by a stabilizing element on the other frame. When the stabilizing element is a horizontal bar, it can engage a pair of vertical slots. To optionally eliminate the free motion between the frames, movable blocks can be employed to limit the motion of each stabilizing element in its slot.

Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall that collectively define a cavity. The sidewalls each have a large downward taper of at least about 7 degrees in at least its forward area. In an alternative embodiment, the sidewalls each have an upward taper in its rearward area which alleviates the need for a spreader bar. The dragline bucket collects earthen material with minimal disruption of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved ripper boot which includes a carrier section, and a ripper tooth section having a high tensile tip adapted to be press fit into a contact end thereof. In operation, the carrier section is placed over and conformed to fit over a ripper boot shank of a bulldozer, or one or more excavator loader bucket shanks. In using a press fit high tensile tip, less maintenance is required on the ripper boot during operation, which means that the machinery does not need to idle so often, saving considerable time and expense. The reason for this is that the tip is made of a high tensile metal such as tungsten which is less susceptible to wear and tear so it can be used for considerably longer periods before it becomes worn. Furthermore, hard and abrasive rock in front of the tungsten tip has been found to “explode” in its path resulting in the location of precious stones which would otherwise have been missed using conventional equipment.

Abstract: An expandable card form is described that includes a plurality of foldable leafs that are foldable onto one another at fold lines which separate each adjacent pair of foldable leafs. A slot can be cut through the fold line separating one of the adjacent pairs of foldable leafs. The plurality of foldable leafs can be connected to one another linearly and can include adhesive sections so that, when assembled, the foldable leafs form an expandable card. One end leaf can include a projecting panel attached thereto. The projecting panel can be extended through the slot when the card is expanded and can be retracted so as not to be visible when the card is oriented into its closed configuration. The expandable card can include information printed thereon to create a business card, a place setting card, a medical information card, or a gift card.

Abstract: A labeling system for placement of at least a portion of a label on a multi-chamber beverage container is described. The system includes a label materials engine for selection of a label for placement on the multi-chamber beverage container, where the label comprises at least one talent for endorsing at least one of a first and a second beverage constituent within the multi-chamber beverage container. The at least one talent is selected responsive to selection of at least one of the first and the second beverage constituent, such that the talent at least partially endorses a beverage created by the dissolving of the at least one second constituent in the first beverage constituent.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein can include one or more labels, each label having an indicia receiving surface adapted to receive indicium or indicia. The indicia receiving surface can provide a permanent, durable writing surface. A key for operating a mechanical lock can include one or more labels. The key can include a key main body and at least one label coupled to the key main body. The key main body comprises a head and an elongate body coupled to the head. The elongate body is configured to physically engage and operate a lock, such as a mechanical lock. The label can define an indicia receiving surface adapted to receive indicium or indicia.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provides for managing solar power to a LED illumination device such as a street sign so that the power from a power storage device is monitored and variations in applied power to the LED device can be dynamically made to preserve power or increase power as appropriate. A controller may control the power management based on preprogrammed time periods, environmental factors, and solar availability. Historical tracking of available power may provide a basis for computing available power.