Abstract: A card guide unit for use in guiding and positioning circuit boards in a card cage, which guide unit is integral, having front and rear cross members that are integral with machined elongated card guides, having machined spaces between the card guides, and which guide units are inter-connectable to side walls of a card cage, providing identical precisioned alignment between circuit boards in the card guides so that precise electrical connections can be made between the circuit board and electrical connectors on the back plane.

Abstract: A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells.

Abstract: A stackable weight plate for an exercise machine weight stack has a front edge, a rear edge, opposite side edges, an upper face, a lower face, and an aperture extending between the upper and lower face for receiving a weight stack selector stem. The front and rear edges having a matching arcuate curvature with one edge being convex and the other edge being concave, and the side edges are tapered at an angle from the front edge to the rear edge.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a laser module system includes the processes of connecting testing equipment used for laser calibration to the laser output; setting preamplifier gain to nominal; connecting input of preamplifier to ground; turning off the DC bias for laser; canceling the offset voltage of the preamplifier; recording the monitoring photodiode dark current; incrementing the DC bias to the laser; reading PL; computing dPL/dIL; setting the DC bias to threshold; recording PLTH; recording the photodiode current IPT; recording the temperature of laser module; connecting the preamplifier to provide a VREF input signal to the laser module input increment preamplifier gain G1 while reading power output PL with instrument; determining the preamplifier gain GF needed to obtain full scale output of laser power (PLM); determining the corresponding photodiode current for above condition IPM; calculating the effective responsivity Reff of the module containing the laser and the photodiode; and storing the effective

Abstract: A dual membered sound wall panel constructed of two pre-formed half-panels. The half-panels have an inner surface that contains a plurality of connectors around their periphery and an outer surface. The outer surface may be textured if desired. The half-panels are each of concrete material with an embedded layer of mesh re-bar. The half-panels are oriented so that their inner surfaces are facing each other and the embedded connectors on each face are secured to each other. Additionally, between the half-panels are contained multiple spacer plates.

Abstract: An exercise arm apparatus has a stationary frame member, a first pivoting arm pivoted to the frame member at a location intermediate its ends for rotation about a first pivot axis, a second pivoting arm pivotally connected to the frame member for rotation about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis, and a connecting link pivotally connected to the first arm and second arm to form a four-bar linkage. The first arm is an exercise arm with handles at one end for gripping by a user, and the connecting link is of sufficient weight to form a counter-weight to counter-balance the first exercise arm into a rest position corresponding to a start position for an exercise movement. In one example the connecting link is a solid, elongate bar of heavy metal or equivalent material.

Abstract: The method identifies a Pixon element, which is a fundamental and indivisible unit of information, and a Pixon basis, which is the set of possible functions from which the Pixon elements are selected. The actual Pixon elements selected from this basis during the reconstruction process represents the smallest number of such units required to fit the data and representing the minimum number of parameters necessary to specify the image. The Pixon kernels can have arbitrary properties (e.g., shape size, and/or position) as needed to best fit the data.

Abstract: A fast data transfer collection system using message authentication and contactless RF proximity card technology in non-contact storage and retrieval applications. The system is generally comprised of Host computers (application computer systems), Target radio frequency (RF) terminals, and a plurality of portable Tags (“smart” or “proximity” cards). A Host provides specific application functionality to a Tag holder, with a high degree of protection from fraudulent use. A Target provides control of the RF antenna and resolves collisions between multiple Tags in the RF field. A Tag provides reliable, high speed, and well authenticated secure exchanges of data/information with the Host resulting from the use of a custom ASIC design incorporating unique analog and digital circuits, nonvolatile memory, and state logic. Each Tag engages in a transaction with the Target in which a sequence of message exchanges allow data to be read(written) from(to) the Tag.

Abstract: A process for applying a portion of a closed zipper inside a container of flexible material, in which a segment or portion of a closed zipper-strip is first applied by a fixing device upon the inner sides of a film of flexible material, prior to cutting of the zipper strip portion from the remainder of the zipper strip. The zipper portion is applied in such a position that it will not interfere with the subsequent sealing along transverse seal lines defining the opposite sides of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus used for gas purification in a manner that allows for higher flow rates without an unacceptable increase in the pressure vessel diameter. The purifier contains inner and outer filter sleeves. Between the sleeves is contained a purification medium that allows for radial flow of the gas from the inner filter sleeve to the outer filter sleeve, via the purification medium, in order to be released from the purifier.

Abstract: A joint apparatus for joining two objects together with end faces in face-to-face engagement includes first and second flat elongate plates for attachment to faces of the respective objects adjacent the end face. Each plate has a first side edge for facing the first side edge of the other plate when secured to the respective object, and the first side edges each have a series of alternating tongues and recesses positioned for alignment with the recesses and tongues of the other plate, respectively. The plates are positioned on the respective objects such that the tongues project out from the end face of the object and engage in the recesses of the other plate when the end faces are abutted, in a zipper-like fashion. The plates may be temporarily clamped together while the tongues are secured to the face of the opposing object, thereby forming the joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate component for protecting hangers associated with electrostatic coating processes. The component is an electrically conductive, pliable, tubular member, and inexpensive relative to the hanger which it serves to protect. The component lessens the cost associated with traditional hanger cleaning and preserves hanger life and integrity. The tubular member may have a longitudinal slit for installing the member over a cross bar of a hanger.

Abstract: An underwater connector has a plug and a receptacle unit each having an internal chamber in which a respective contact module is located. Each module has an end face having contacts for engagement with corresponding contacts on the other module when the units are releasably mated together. Each chamber has a resilient forward end with an opening communicating with the respective chamber, and an actuator in each unit compresses the forward end to seal the opening when the units are unmated. As the units are mated, the actuator in one unit is urged rearwardly and the forward end of the chamber in the other unit is urged rearwardly, such that each end opens to permit the module of one unit to pass into the chamber of the other unit, and into engagement with the other module so that all contacts are engaged for communication between the units.

Abstract: Indicia are formed on the outside surface of drip irrigation tape by deforming the strip of flexible material when it is in a semi-molten state and cooling the strip while it is deformed. The indicia may include alphanumeric characters, logos or symbols that convey information. Indicia forming features in the surface of a shaping drum mold the strip of semi-molten material as the semi-molten material cures to form a flexible strip. The flexible strip is folded and sealed to form the drip irrigation tape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: wherein R1a and R1b are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, alkyl, lower-alkyl, substituted alkyl and substituted lower-alkyl; R2a and R2b are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, lower-alkyl, and substituted lower-alkyl; R3 is —H, lower-alkyl, substituted lower-alkyl and where R3 and R4 are attached together by a lower-alkyl or a substituted lower-alkyl moiety; R4 is —H, lower-alkyl, substituted lower-alkyl and where R3 and R4 are attached together form a lower-alkyl or substituted lower-alkyl bridge; R5, R7, R9 and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, lower-alkyl, and substituted lower-alkyl; R6 is —H, lower-alkyl and substituted lower-alkyl; R8 is —H, lower-alkyl and substituted lower-alkyl; R10 is —H, lower-alkyl and substituted lower-alkyl; R12 is —H, lower-alkyl and substituted lower-alkyl; and

Abstract: This invention relates to a voting system. In particular, this invention relates to a ballot paper which includes an option section and response section, whereby the response section is adapted to be separable from the option section. The option section preferably contains at least two options, the options being generated and/or presented in random order, and the response section preferably includes at least one selection portion for each option presented on the option section. The response section preferably includes a unique identifier which may be utilized to identify each voter, and the response section may preferably include reading means adjacent each selection portion. Preferably a key such as a dongle may be required to produce the ballot paper and be required to count the votes and/or collate the results. A method of conduct a ballot utilizing such a ballot paper is also described.

Abstract: A multi-lenses optical device with high resolution and low cost is provided for converting an image into electronic signals. The optical device includes a plurality of focusing units for focusing a plurality of sections of the image respectively, and correspondingly generating a plurality of focused image sections magnified with the same ratio and having different optical path lengths, a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the plurality of focused image sections to the electronic signals, a switching unit for sequentially having only one of the focused image sections transmitted to the photoelectric conversion unit at an instant, and a light-reflecting unit mounted between the photoelectric conversion unit and the plurality of focusing units for transmitting the plurality of focused image sections to the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: A cover for a connector of a cable is disclosed, which has two interfitting sleeves which are chemically swellable and which are initially in dilated configuration, and which subsequently shrink into place by evaporation of a volatile swelling solvent. Both sleeves are made of a high density elastomeric material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber, preferably (EPDM), neoprene or chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers. The device provides a protective cover for a cable connection or splice which can be easily installed, quickly shrunk into tight vapor resistant protective covering within a matter of a few minutes, and can be installed without the need for any application of heat or use of special tools, equipment or materials.