Abstract: A headrail for a double shade has a modular construction in which a portion of the headrail holds a roller shade and a second portion holds a pleated shade and the two portions are separable from one another. In one embodiment the portion that supports the pleated shade is configured to hold a conventional headrail of a pleated shade. In another embodiment a front assembly supports a pleated shade and contains a base and a curved front wall attached to and extending over the base. A semicircular wall extends between end caps that hold a roller shade. The semicircular wall has a slot that receives a tab on the front wall of the front assembly. A bracket has a top leg with a hook that engages a tab on the semicircular wall and a shoulder on a side leg that carries the rear edge of the semicircular wall. A spring extends from the side leg of the bracket to the front wall retaining the tab on the front wall within the hook on rear wall.

Abstract: A railway truck side bearing with multi-purpose mounting points for securing the bearing cage to a railway truck bolster, such that one of the mounting points can serve a dual function of locating a resiliently deformable bearing element in the bearing cage and permitting positioning of a rigid bearing element within the bearing cage midway between the mounting points, which may also correspond to the bolster centerline.

Abstract: A hand-held dental instrument has an elongated handle and a blade shaped like a human foot. The blade has ankle, arch and instep edges that curve inwardly and are of different depth and curvature. There is a shank portion between the blade and the handle with the angles between the shank and the handle and between the shank and the surface of the blade preferably being 150° and 120° respectively. These angles allow the user to reach all areas of the mouth. The blade is thin enough to allow the instrument to reach between the lower front teeth.

Abstract: An arrow, according to the preset invention, is provided for improved big game tracking. The arrow includes an elongate shaft formed along a longitudinal axis and having a first end configured for attachment to an arrowhead, a second end having an arrow nock or other structure configured for abutment with a bow string, and a tubular wall defining a shaft cavity extending between the first and second ends. The elongate shaft includes at least one aperture formed in the tubular wall generally adjacent in the first end and in fluid communication with the shaft cavity. The elongate shaft further includes an additional at least one aperture formed in the tubular wall generally adjacent the second end also and in fluid communication with the shaft cavity. Typically, the elongate shaft has a cylindrical cross-section, with fletching attached to the elongate shaft generally adjacent the second end.

Abstract: An integrated electrical and pneumatic train line connector is provided. In a typically glad hand connector for connecting the pneumatic lines on either end of a train car, each glad hand also includes an integrated electrical connector for the train electrical line which runs along the length of the train. Each glad hand comprises an inner and outer face to which are connected respective male and female connectors for the electrical train line. The male contact is preferably provided on the lower portion of the glad hand and a correspondingly figured female connector is provided on the upper portion of the glad hand. When a glad hand from one railcar is attached to the glad hand of a second railcar the cooperating male and female connectors of each of glad hands are automatically connected as the pneumatic line is connected. One step electrical and pneumatic coupling is therefore provided for railroad cars.

Abstract: A flexible plastic tie molded from a plastic having a durometer of from 60 to 95 has an elongated spine with a plurality of rod-like projections attached to the spine. The projections are arranged in spaced apart pairs such that each pair of projections is co-linear and there is a selected distance between the distal ends of each pair of projections. A fastening head is attached to one end of the spine. There is a generally rectangular slot passing through the fastening head. The slot has a width not less than the width of the spine and less than the selected distance between the distal ends of each pair of projections, such that the slot and the outside surface define a wall encircling the slot. The projections have a height of greater than 1 mm.

Abstract: A keyboard support includes one or more retractable auxiliary support platforms. The keyboard support is constructed of a keyboard platform and a bottom plate which include complementary interior surfaces which form one or more pockets therebetween into which the auxiliary support platforms are slidably retracted. Each auxiliary support platform further includes a top plate and a slider plate. The top plate has a top surface which matches that of the keyboard platform to provide a uniform appearance. The profile of the auxiliary support platforms generally matches that of the pockets so as to be substantially hidden when in the fully retracted position. The top plate is rotatable with respect to the slider plate, and also the keyboard support, so as to enlarge the useable work surface of the auxiliary support platform.

Abstract: A molded resin folding chair having a pair of uprights generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other being connected by at least one cross piece forming a backrest. At least a portion of each upright has a generally C-shaped channel. A seat has a rear portion and opposite sides thereof provided with a tab that is slidably engaged in the C-shaped channel of a respective upright. A pair of struts each have an upper end rotatably attached to the seat and a medial region rotatably attached to respective uprights. The folding chair is folded by sliding the rear of the seat upwards, causing the front portion to move downwards, via the tabs sliding in the C-shaped channels. The struts rotate about the rotatable attachments to the seat and uprights, such that the uprights, struts and the seat fold as flat as possible.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring information received from a patient-worn medical device is disclosed. A medical device, such as a portable or implantable device, collects patient and operational information, which information is transmitted to central location, such as a doctor's office or device manufacturer's location. The data collected can be analyzed to monitor both the patient health parameters as well as the operation of the device. Trend analysis can be performed in order for a physician to diagnose the patient's health and a medical device technician can insure correct functioning of the device itself. Communication between the central location and the medical device is preferably done through a modem connection, and software and other updates can be automatically transmitted to the medical device during data download from the device to the central location. Physicians and technicians can access the central location from any home or office computer via the internet.

Abstract: A tubular probe has spaced apart bands or patches of the same material as the probe body attached to the probe body by an electrically insulating, high temperature material. A series of cooling tubes are provided within the probe body to direct cold air to the regions near each band. One or more probes is placed in a furnace or boiler above the ammonia injection zone. When ammonium bisulfate forms on the probe it completes an electrical circuit between the probe body and the bands and will also cause corrosion of the probe. The presence of ammonium bisulfate is detected by a change in resistance between the bands and the probe body. Electrochemical noise is generated during the corrosion process. A corrosion rate can be determined from the level or amount of electrochemical noise that is detected.

Abstract: A method of conducting a fantasy sports game is provided which includes increasing the points available for winning picks in later rounds and allowing participants to trade teams. The points awarded for picking the winning team may also be based on the Round of the tournament and the “seed” of the winning team. The number of trades available to participants may be decreased in later rounds, or discontinued in the final round. The game is also applicable to Internet based fantasy sports competitions.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and compositions of solutions for chromate-replacement coatings for aluminum and aluminum alloys. A preferred method includes forming a boehmite coating layer that includes Al (III) ions on an aluminum surface, and applying an ionic conversion coating solution to the coating layer. The ionic conversion coating solution comprises hexavalent and trivalent ions. The trivalent ions are selected from the group consisting of Ce, Ga, Mn, Sc, Ti, Te and V. The hexavalent ions are selected from the group consisting of Mn, Mo, Se and W. It is contended that the resulting coatings provide corrosion resistance and self-healing effect in any defects present in the coatings.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of phenol extracted into an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide uses a measurement of the pH of the solution, from which the equivalents of phenol relative to alkali metal hydroxide in solution is determined. A method for optimizing the use of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide in a phenol recovery process uses pH measured to regulate the feed rate of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A chirp signal source includes first and second lasers formed on a solid-state chip or substrate. Each of the lasers has a resonator or cavity which incorporates or includes electrooptic material which changes refractive index in response to an electric field. The lasers are pumped, and the resulting laser beams are coupled to a light-to-electric converter which combines the light beams to generate an electrical difference frequency. The change in refractive index allows the lasers to be swept or chin,ed at a much higher rate than thermal or piezoelectrically operated lasers. This structure has the advantages of tending to reduce temperature effects on the difference frequency. It has the further advantage of a high sweep rate, which can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A radar or lidar ranging system according to an aspect of the invention uses multiple solid-state lasers, which are thermally coupled together.

Abstract: A ramp actuating mechanism for a rail vehicle having a movable ramp and a movable draft arm and coupler arrangement, wherein a spring assisted apparatus can be associated with the movable draft arm and coupler arrangement to counterbalance the load of the movable draft arm and coupler arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for hanging rope lights on a gutter. The light holder has a spiral that fits over the lip of a gutter and a hook at an opposite end sized to receive a rope light. The body is shaped so that the hook is opposite a curved portion of the front wall of the gutter, at the intersection of the front wall and the bottom of the gutter or below the bottom of the gutter. Curved sections may be provided on the body between the hook and the spiral to receive additional rope lights. A hook may be provided to mount rope lights above the top lip of the gutter or adjacent the flat portion at the top of the gutter.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat exchanger member can be formed from multiple stacked ring shaped tubular members wherein an inlet and outlet of each ring shaped member terminate at a single header interface, thus permitting access to the inlet and outlet of each ring shaped member at a single location which enables rapid configuration of an combination of flow paths through the multiple ring shape members as well as simple and efficient cleaning of each ring shaped member.