Abstract: A lighting display system including a channel for mounting on a suitable display surface, a light secured within the channel, and an electrical means for powering the light. Preferably, the channel conforms to the shape of the light, which is a rope light, in order to releaseably retain the light. The channel can be interconnected with other channels, with caps including pivot caps, to form a lighting display suitable for mounting to an underlying surface of some types, such as a commercial or residential structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily storage of paint roller sleeves, the roller cage, and a portion of the handle assembly. The apparatus consists of an enclosure receiving the roller sleeve, the roller cage, and a portion of the handle assembly and also fully enclosing the roller sleeve and the roller cage.

Abstract: A twin-hulled, single-person, collapsible boat, has a pair of open, canoe-shaped hulls; a removable, collapsible frame connecting the hulls together; and a removable, one-person seat assembly connected to the frame between the hulls.

Abstract: A suspension for a tracked vehicle providing a wide range of performance characteristics via a user-adjustable spring system within a rear suspension portion. An optimum spring force can depend on the both operator characteristics and local operating conditions. A user is afforded the ability to adjust a rear suspension system to provide desired ride characteristics. A suspension system particularly for long-tracked snowmobiles is disclosed.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for clamping objects has wide, stable feet that prevent the clamp from tipping over. The feet are of such a height that the clamp handle can be rotated by the user without interference from the bench on which the pipe clamp rests. The clamping faces have holes drilled through them to allow jigs or cauls to be attached to the clamping faces to clamp unusually shaped objects. The clamp also has a hook on the foot for convenient hanging of the clamp for storage.

Abstract: A system and method for continuously monitoring the intake of a fresh water system to detect pathogens, chemicals, and other biological contaminants. The apparatus consists of a number of monitoring and containment facilities which are inserted into a fresh water intake pipe at various locations. The monitoring and containment facilities detect a hazard in the incoming water, send a signal to shut down the main intake pump, and collect samples of water immediately adjacent the monitoring and containment facility that detected the hazard. A signal may also be sent to a regulatory agency and to the Department of Homeland Security. The method consists of conducting a qualitative and quantitative analysis of water in a fresh water intake pipe; testing for hazards, and shutting down the main intake pump if a sufficient level of hazard is detected. The method also consists of collecting water samples for later analysis and of notifying the appropriate agencies.

Abstract: A data processing method and apparatus for maintaining and customizing a list of words, phrases, and abbreviations that are standard in a profession, industry, trade or occupation, for insertion of abbreviations from the list into the text, for converting selected words and phrases in the text to abbreviations, for converting selected abbreviations in the text to words and phrases, and for automatically converting a number of words and phrases to abbreviations, and abbreviations to words and phrases, throughout the text, comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a first data structure encoding a plurality of words and corresponding abbreviations; storing in a memory a second data structure encoding a plurality of abbreviations and corresponding words; selecting a word in the text to be converted to an abbreviation and converting the selected word to a corresponding abbreviation using the first data structure; and selecting an abbreviation in the text to be converted to a word and converting the abbreviatio

Abstract: A system for cooking and then cooling food products by immersion in a heat transfer fluid, consisting of a vessel (200) to contain the heat transfer fluid and a system (500) for homogenization by blowing gas bubbles into the heat transfer fluid from a gas bubble formation system (530). The vessel (200) is closed by a cover (250) leaving a space above the maximum level of the free surface of the heat transfer fluid. Homogenization is accomplished by closed circulation of gas contained in the space above the heat transfer fluid which generates bubbles in the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A spread-spectrum signal generator includes four differential input signal terminals, a differential output signal terminal, four interconnected mixer control subcircuits, a 4-input differential mixer, a first current source having a magnitude which sets the mixer's 3 db bandwidth, and a second current source having a magnitude which controls a frequency difference between the differential output signal the differential input signals. In a preferred embodiment, this frequency difference and the frequency of the differential output signal are modulated through the modulation of the second current source magnitude. The frequency of the modulation is equal to the frequency of the second current source modulation, and the magnitude of the output signal frequency modulation is proportional to the magnitude of the second current source modulation.

Abstract: An efficient, long lasting identification and trail light that is suitable for marking trails and objects for nighttime identification includes a translucent housing with an internal cavity. A folding tack is mounted on the housing and is movable from a folded away storage position to an extended position for temporarily tacking the housing to an object. An electrical control circuit with a battery are suitably mounted within the cavity. A light is mounted on the housing and is connected to the control circuit. A photocell is connected to the control circuit to actuate battery power to turn on the light in darkness to identify an object or illuminate a trail.

Abstract: A mixer system includes a multi-phase signal generator, a mixer, and a mixer control circuit. The multi-phase signal generator generates a plurality of mixer input signals, where each has a frequency equal to the others, and a phase, and where the phases are distributed between 0 to 360 degrees. The mixer control circuit generates a plurality of mixer control voltages which are controlled by digital state control input signals. Each mixer control voltage controls the influence of a corresponding mixer input signal on the mixer output signal. In a preferred embodiment, the mixer control voltage is generated by storing a charge on a capacitor, and said charge is increased or decreased through the combined action of the digital state control input signals and the mixer control voltages by means of interconnected mixer control subcircuits.

Abstract: A door and frame combination for an air handling unit consists of a frame, a hinged door with a hollow core filled with insulating material, and a gasket having a flexible gasket wall with anti-roll extensions. The gasket may have a friction-reducing material on its surface to assist in preventing roll-over by the closing door. Optional thermal pockets in the door and frame are filled with high-density polyurethane to provide further protection against air leakage.

Abstract: A conference system of the type that comprises a bridge (10) to which a plurality of terminals (1 to 4) can be connected to participate in a conference, said bridge (10) being equipped to receive the audio and/or video and/or data flows of each terminal (1 to 4) and to retransmit them to the other terminals, wherein the flows transmitted by said terminals (1 to 4) are coded by means of hierarchical coders and wherein said bridge (10) is equipped with means (21 to 24, 210 to 243) for processing the audio/video/data flows coming from the terminals (j) so that they have a hierarchical level (q) in the flow intended for the terminal (i) and means (20) for determining said hierarchical level (q) based on decision-making criteria relating to the status of said conference system.

Abstract: A strap for a bow string release is provided to form a semi-closed (or open) hand receiving condition wrist strap for facilitating quick attachment and detachment of the strap to the wrist. The strap facilitates one-handed coupling about an archers wrist by selectively maintaining the semi-closed (or semi-open) hand receiving condition so that the archer does not have to manually insert a first end of the strap through a second end of the strap.