Abstract: An ecological fabric having protection from ultraviolet radiation incorporated therein is disclosed in which the fabric is treated by a method comprising the steps of dissolving zinc acetate or other zinc salt in a liquid to form a solution containing Zn(II) ions, adding a fabric to the solution, mixing the solution and the fabric, and adding a base to the solution when the solution and the fabric are being mixed to form a suspension of zinc oxide nanoparticles in contact with the fabric. Other methods are disclosed such as modifying a fabric by carboxylation or phosphorylation of the fabric followed by binding of the UV-blocking nanoparticles to the modified fabric and modifying UV-blocking nanoparticles with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) or polymer layer containing an active chemical group capable of binding to the fabric and depositing the UV-blocking nanoparticles on the fabric.

Abstract: A caster brake assembly is disclosed which comprises a yoke having a stem, a wheel rotatably supported by the yoke the wheel having a pair of interior rims with the rims having teeth, and a lock lever installed on the yoke having gears that are adapted to engage the teeth to prevent movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A modular block system comprises a first block, a second block, a third block, a fourth block, and a capstone, the first block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side being slanted from the front face toward the back face, the second block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first and second sides being slanted from the front face toward the back face, the third block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side being slanted from the front face toward the back face, and the fourth block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side and the second side being from the front face t

Abstract: A method for determining a premium for insuring a security comprising the steps of determining an insurance risk premium based upon a security to be insured, determining an expense and profit load, and combining the insurance risk premium and the expense and profit load to determine a total gross premium. A system for determining a premium for insuring a security comprises a computer system capable of having entered information related to a security to be insured, the computer system having a program for calculating an insurance risk premium based upon a security to be insured, for calculating an expense and profit load, and for combining the insurance risk premium and the expense and profit load to determine a total gross premium.

Abstract: A wood joint is disclosed which comprises a first heading having a first profile comprising an upper lobe, a lower lobe, and a valley section intermediate the lobes, a second heading having a second profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a ridge section intermediate the sockets, and the first profile for engaging the second profile for securing the headings together.

Abstract: A method for determining a premium for insuring a security comprising the steps of determining an insurance risk premium based upon a security to be insured, determining an expense and profit load, and combining the insurance risk premium and the expense and profit load to determine a total gross premium. A system for determining a premium for insuring a security comprises a computer system capable of having entered information related to a security to be insured, the computer system having a program for calculating an insurance risk premium based upon a security to be insured, for calculating an expense and profit load, and for combining the insurance risk premium and the expense and profit load to determine a total gross premium.

Abstract: A wood joint is disclosed which comprises a first heading having a first profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a flat section intermediate the sockets, a second heading having a second profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a flat section intermediate the sockets, and a spline member having a pair of tongue portions with each of the tongue portions having an upper lobe and a lower lobe, the spline member for fitting within the first profile and the second profile.

Abstract: A card reader device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into the card is disclosed in which the card reader device comprises a read head for passing a magnetic stripe of a card by to read data stored on a magnetic stripe and for producing a signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, a signal setting device for setting an amplitude of the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, and an output jack adapted to be inserted into a microphone input associated with a cell phone for providing the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe to a cell phone. Data stored on the card and sensed by the card reader device is decoded by components such as a microphone amplifier, an analog to digital converter, and a microprocessor already resident in a cell phone.

Abstract: A card reader device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into the card is disclosed in which the card reader device comprises a read head for passing a magnetic stripe of a card by to read data stored on a magnetic stripe and for producing a signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, a signal setting device for setting an amplitude of the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, and an output plug adapted to be inserted into a headset jack associated with a host device for providing the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe to a host device.

Abstract: A cross bar system for supporting a bed having a pair of bed rails is disclosed in which the cross bar system comprises a cross bar member, a bracket member for attachment to one of the bed rails with the bracket member for receiving the cross bar member, and a leg member for attachment to the cross bar member for supporting the cross bar member.

Abstract: A relay assembly for a fog light is disclosed which comprises a relay housing having a first terminal adapted to being connected to a switch for operating another light and operation of the switch for illuminating a fog light.

Abstract: A wood joint is disclosed which comprises a first heading having a first profile comprising an upper lobe, a lower lobe, and a valley section intermediate the lobes, a second heading having a second profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a ridge section intermediate the sockets, and the first profile for engaging the second profile for securing the headings together.

Abstract: A card reader device for reading a card having data stored on a magnetic stripe incorporated into the card is disclosed in which the card reader device comprises a read head for passing a magnetic stripe of a card by to read data stored on a magnetic stripe and for producing a signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, a signal setting device for setting an amplitude of the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe, and an output jack adapted to be inserted into a microphone input associated with a cell phone for providing the signal indicative of data stored on a magnetic stripe to a cell phone. Data stored on the card and sensed by the card reader device is decoded by components such as a microphone amplifier, an analog to digital converter, and a microprocessor already resident in a cell phone.

Abstract: An adjustable firmness mattress assembly is disclosed which comprises a duvet, a first section of foam material having a top surface and a bottom surface with the surfaces capable of supporting a user, a second section of foam material having a top surface and a bottom surface with the surfaces capable of supporting a user, and a cover for enclosing the first and second sections with the cover having a top surface and the duvet adapted for being positioned on the top surface of the cover.

Abstract: A wood joint is disclosed which comprises a first heading having a first profile comprising an upper lobe, a lower lobe, and a valley section intermediate the lobes, a second heading having a second profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a ridge section intermediate the sockets, and the first profile for engaging the second profile for securing the headings together.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling operation of a machine is described. The system includes a first control system connected to a first electronic control module, a second control system connected to a second electronic control module, and a first data link connected between the first electronic control module and the second electronic control module for transmission of data between the first control system and the second control system. The first data link provides transmission of data at a high speed.

Abstract: A joystick is disclosed which comprises an operator member mounted to a pivotal member, the operator member for moving the pivotal member, a position sensor associated with the pivotal member, a linear solenoid having a pair of plunger members each being positioned within the solenoid on opposite sides of the solenoid, and a cable member connected to the operator member and the plunger members with the cable member for centering the operator member when the solenoid is energized.