Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing redundant power and redundant fan speed control to a plurality of fans is provided. A first power supply input is electrically connected to a second power supply input to provide a combined power supply input. First and second fan speed controllers each having an input and an output are provided, along with first and second power converters each having an input and an output. The combined power supply input is electrically connected to the input of the first fan speed controller and the input of the first power converter. The combined power supply input is also electrically connected to the input of the second fan speed controller and the input of the second power converter. The output of the first fan speed controller is electrically combined with the output of the second fan speed controller to provide a combined fan speed control signal. The combined fan speed control signal is electrically connected to the plurality of fans.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion.

Abstract: A locking spring for a circuit board ejector includes a body portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion includes a manually operable portion. The manually operable portion includes a plurality of ridge portions to allow a user to apply a load to the manually operable portion at an optimum location along the manually operable portion to unlock a circuit board ejector.

Abstract: A shared slot PCI/ISA bus extender apparatus includes an ISA Card, a PCI Card, and first, second and third standoffs. The ISA Card includes a digital input/output device. The PCI Card is electronically connected to the ISA Card. The first, second and third standoffs are positioned between the two Cards to join the two Cards together. The bus extender apparatus may then be inserted into a shared slot on a motherboard, and be used simultaneously.

Abstract: A keyboard mounting apparatus and method for stowing a keyboard on a sub-compact, computer-based information appliance. In particular, the apparatus includes an extending portion located at the rear of the appliance housing and a corresponding interlocking portion located on the keyboard which allows a user to easily stow and retrieve the keyboard from the housing of the appliance.

Abstract: An interface panel for providing telecommunication signals to a plurality of electronic modules housed within an electronics cabinet is provided. A bracket member includes a plurality of openings. A plurality of connectors for receiving a plurality of input cables is positioned within the plurality of openings and is mounted to the bracket. Each of the plurality of connectors includes at least fifteen conductive pins. A plurality of output cables operatively coupled to each of the plurality of connectors is also provided. Each of the plurality of output cables is operatively coupled to a predetermined set of the at least fifteen conductive pins. Each of the plurality of output cables includes an adapter for connection to one of the plurality of electronic modules.

Abstract: A stroller that accepts and supports various types of child's car seats is easily converted from its operational state to its storage state by actuating a latching mechanism. The stroller includes a lever which facilitates the removal of the child's car seat. A seat assembly can be attached to the stroller to convert the stroller from a child's car seat carrier to a toddler stroller. The seat assembly remains in the upright position when the stroller is converted from the storage state to the operational state.

Abstract: “An improved vacuum regulator for a breastmilk pump comprising a rotary member having an internal groove that is positionable over at least one port on a nub that is adapted to be in communication with a volume of a breast pump in which negative pressure is periodically generated.

Abstract: A system for distributing power to a plurality of electronic modules housed within an electronics cabinet includes an electronics cabinet and at least one power filter mounted to the electronics cabinet. At least one electronic module is housed within the electronics cabinet. A first bus bar is positioned within the electronics cabinet for receiving at least one power input cable. A second bus bar is positioned within the electronics cabinet and is electrically connected to the first bus bar and to the power filter. The second bus bar routes input power from the first bus bar to the power filter and routes filtered power to the at least one electronic module.

Abstract: A fireplace adapted for attachment to a flue pipe assembly including an exhaust pipe and a surrounding fresh air pipe is provided. The fireplace comprises an interior housing. The interior housing forms a combustion chamber. The fireplace also comprises a top wall, a rear wall and side walls. These walls define an exterior housing about the combustion chamber. A combustion air flowpath is defined within the housing through which air for combustion is brought from outside the housing into the combustion chamber. The fireplace also comprises a top port formed in the top wall and a rear port formed in the rear wall. Each of the top and rear ports include a first portion that communicates with the combustion chamber and a second portion that communicates with the combustion air flowpath. Finally, the fireplace comprises a vent pipe assembly. The vent pipe assembly includes an inlet air pipe member and an outlet air pipe member. The outlet air pipe member is connectable with the selected port at the first portion.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for detecting the source of a telephone tone signal includes a signal detector for detecting the telephone tone signal, a memory storage device for storing a message, and a controller for stopping playback of the message in response to the telephone tone signal wherein the controller determines whether the telephone tone signal is present while playback of the message is stopped. A timer is operatively connected to the signal detector to designate a period of time for the signal detector to detect for the presence of the telephone tone signal while playback of the message is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI) for a disk drive includes a body portion for operatively securing to the disk drive. The body portion includes a flange portion. The flange portion includes a plurality of tab portions that substantially surround a perimeter portion of the body portion to allow a force applied to the body portion to deflect the plurality of tab portions and bias the plurality of tab portions against a contact surface to form a positive contact between the plurality of tab portions and the contact surface thereby shielding EMI.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recharging a handheld computing device using solar power is provided. A recharger housing includes a first slot for receiving a handheld computing device. A solar panel support member is slidably attached to the recharger housing. A solar panel is connected to the solar panel support member for recharging the handheld computing device when the solar panel support member is in an extended position.

Abstract: A motorized pump is disclosed that includes a flexible diaphragm fitting within a rigid member, a motor drive mechanism for drawing a puller member attached to the diaphragm away from the rigid member to create a space between the diaphragm and the rigid member and form a negative pressure region within that space, and an outlet communicating with the negative pressure region. In one embodiment, the pump provides a negative pressure in a single chamber which can be used to operate one or two breast shield assembles. In another embodiment, the pump is particularly adapted for double-pumping and provides two chambers which generate vacuum.

Abstract: A modem and associated method with both an RS-232 interface and a USB interface connects to a host. The modem detects which of the two interfaces is connected to the host and determines an appropriate data path. For connections to the USB interface, data is routed through a USB processor and over a serial link to the modem processor responsible for modem communications and the transfer of modem data to the POTS. The serial link between the USB processor and the modem processor is used to transfer both modem data and processor communications. A plurality of control lines are used to indicate the type of data being transferred over the serial link. For RS-232 connections, the modem data is transferred to the modem processor. Thus, one modem device may be used for either USB or RS-232 connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating an infant includes a frame for supporting the infant, and a source of radiation positioned below the frame and the infant. The frame includes a fully transparent section for allowing the radiation to pass therethrough to the infant. The apparatus further includes a therapy blanket detachably connected to the frame to cover the infant. The therapy blanket includes a transparent section through which radiation can pass to the infant. The therapy blanket forms a restraining garment and defines a pouch having a pair of sleeves for passively restricting the infant to be treated.

Abstract: A cleaning tool is particularly adapted for cleaning gutters from a position below the gutter, such as on the ground. The tool has members which are movable relative to each other by a mechanism that is manipulated by the user on a pole that allows the members to be placed at an elevated site and then closed upon the material to be removed, then lifted and the material released.

Abstract: A laminated filter apparatus for reducing electromagnetic interference includes a first conductor having a first side and a second side. The laminated filter apparatus also includes a second conductor having a first side and a second side. A first insulative member is positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor and contacts the second side of the first conductor and the first side of the second conductor. A second insulative member includes a first side and a second side, the second side of the second insulative member contacts the first side of the first conductor. A third insulative member includes a first side and a second side, the first side of the third insulative member contacts the second side of the second conductor. A third conductor contacts the first side of the second insulative member and the second side of the third insulative member.

Abstract: A retention clip for retaining a compact flash drive on a PC board includes a flash drive contact portion. The flash drive contact portion includes first and second leg portions extending in an outward direction from the flash drive contact portion. The first leg portion includes a first foot portion extending at an angle from the first leg portion to allow the first foot portion to be inserted into a first opening formed in the PC board. The second leg portion includes a second foot portion extending outward from and parallel to the second leg portion to allow the second foot portion to be inserted in a second opening formed in the PC board. The flash drive contact portion secures the compact flash drive in a fixed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping and dispensing pureed food is provided. A mold includes a back wall having an opening formed therein. A handle is attached to the mold and a lever is pivotally attached to the handle. A plate is disposed within the mold and has a shape substantially conforming to the back wall. A bracket member extends through the opening formed in the back wall of the mold and includes a first end portion attached to a back side of the plate and a second end portion attached to the lever.