Abstract: A structure according to the invention comprises a series of interconnected structural members. The structural members, such as panels, are made of a composition comprising as its first essential ingredient a cured (cross-linked) resin having sufficient strength when filled as described below to support weights up to about 700 pounds without significant buckling, but which has sufficient resilience to flex and rebound from impacts such as low speed collisions with small boats or dropping of heavy human-carried objects without cracking or breaking. The cured resin matrix contains a first filler consisting essentially of inorganic particles effective to improve the impact resistance and flame resistance of the structure, and an amount of a second filler consisting essentially of fibers effective to enhance the rigidity of the structure and reduce crack propagation therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for managing investments having one or more characteristics. The present invention creates three or more investment agents, each investment agent having one or more characteristics, and selects an investment for each investment agent by comparing the investment agent's one or more characteristics to the investment's one or more characteristics. The selected investment for each investment agent is then acquired if the selected investment is not currently owned by the investment agent.

Abstract: A cooling system for the head, neck, and spine to reduce swelling caused by trauma to the brain is disclosed comprising a head device having a front panel and a back panel, a neck brace supporting the head device using a front rigid member and a back rigid member, and a cooling medium that cools the head device when activated.

Abstract: A portable air blower includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan rotatably mounted in the housing, a gear train attached to the housing to rotate the fan, a drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the gear train to operate the gear train, and a crank arm secured to the second end of the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft manually.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacement of an existing non-frangible pipeline includes creating open access to opposite ends of an pipeline and threading a cable having a wedge mounted thereon through the pipeline so that the wedge is positioned proximate one of the ends of the pipeline. The wedge is pulled through the pipeline from the other end of the pipeline so that the wedge slits the pipeline to form a slit pipe in a borehole. The slit pipe is removed from the borehole and a rear end portion of the slit pipe is attached to a front end portion of the replacement pipe . As the slit pipe is pulled out of the borehole, the replacement pipe is drawn into the borehole. The boring apparatus has a braided cable and a boring head having an expander sleeve and a lengthwise bore of sufficient diameter so that the cable can pass therethrough.

Abstract: An umbrella is disclosed that has a panel and a frame that has a shaft, an upper nest and a main runner movably mounted on the shaft. A plurality of main ribs having one end pivotally attached to the upper nest. A plurality of stretchers having one end pivotally attached to the main runner and the other end pivotally attached to the corresponding main rib to support the main rib. A secondary runner is movably mounted on the shaft between the upper nest and the main runner, and a plurality of secondary ribs, which are shorter than the main ribs, correspondingly have one end pivotally attached to the secondary runner and the other end attached to the free end of the corresponding main rib. Whereby the umbrella frame is strengthened enough to resist a strong wind.

Abstract: A drying machine includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a first control device mounted in the first chamber and including a first main condenser, a first secondary condenser, a first main evaporator, and a first secondary evaporator, a second control device mounted in the second chamber and including a second main condenser, a second secondary condenser, a second main evaporator, and a second secondary evaporator, and a common compressor supplying a refrigerant to the first control device and to the second control device. In such a manner, when the first control device performs a cycle to increase the temperature in the first chamber, the second control device performs a cycle to decrease the temperature in the second chamber, and when the first control device performs a cycle to decrease the temperature in the first chamber, the second control device performs a cycle to increase the temperature in the second chamber.

Abstract: A brake lever device includes a grip part and a mounting arm extending transversely from the grip part wherein the mounting arm is pivotally connected to a body mounted to the handlebar. The mounting arm has a first slot with a pin movably extending therethrough which is connected to a bracket to which the cast lug barrel of the brake cable is fixedly connected. The mounting arm has a second slot with a sleeve movably extending therethrough and an adjusting bolt extends through the second slot and threadedly transversely extends through the sleeve. A connecting device connected between the pin and the sleeve. The second slot is oriented substantially in parallel with the direction of the tension force of the brake cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing samples on a slide comprising a slide mover positioned to hold a slide, a imaging spectrometer positioned in the path of light from the slide to split the light line into a light array, a light amplifier may be positioned between the imaging spectrometer and a camera, is disclosed. The camera can detect the entire spectrum of light produced by the imaging spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, computer program and system for managing data. The computer program has at least one code segment to control system data stored in a first database and client data stored in a second database and several code segments that define a first set of objects linked to the first database, a second set of objects linked to the second database, and one or more minions. In addition, there are code segments to allow interaction with one or more agent processes. There is also a code segment to provide an interface between an external application and the code segment to manage the job queue.

Abstract: A magnetic particle damper apparatus is provided for damping motion between two relatively movable members. The damper apparatus comprises first and second conductor members each attachable to one of the relatively movable members. The conductor members are disposed with confronting surfaces having a gap therebetween filled with a quantity of magnetic particles. A magnetic element is attached to one of the conductor members, producing magnetic flux which is substantially confined to a magnetic flux path defined by relatively magnetically permeable regions and relatively magnetically non-permeable regions of the conductor members to flow across the gap and through the magnetic particles. The magnetic field causes the magnetic particles along the flux path to adhere to one another and to the confronting surfaces of the conductor members producing a force opposing relative motion between said movable members and dissipating energy when the conductor members move relative to one another.

Abstract: A computer implemented transaction processing system is presented for processing transactions between an application and one or more transaction processors. The system utilizes a first communication link between the application and a transaction processor interoperability component. Then, the system determines which of the one or more transaction processors will process transactions for the application and establishes a communication link between the transaction processor interoperability component and the transaction processor that will process transactions for the application.

Abstract: A joint is provided for coupling a pair of elongated members such as a sonde housing and starter rod end to end. Such a joint includes a projection extending in a lengthwise direction from one end of one of the elongated members and a socket in an end of the other of the elongated members, which socket is sized to slidingly receive the projection. A set of alignable transverse openings are provided in the projection and in a wall defining the socket, which openings are configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking the projection in the socket. An interlock mechanism, such as a spline and groove connection, prevents relative rotation between the elongated member (e.g., housing and starter rod) when the projection is fully inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A long life softball bat comprising a bat and a plurality of positional reference marks is disclosed and claimed. The positional reference marks provide a frame of reference which enables a user of the bat to distribute the impact force of a batted ball about the surface of said bat.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for biologically treating water. The inventive process preferably comprises the steps of: (a) adding a sulfur-containing oxygen scavenger to the water in an amount effective for at least reducing the amount of dissolved free oxygen contained in the water; (b) removing at least a portion of a substance from the water by exposing the water to microorganisms effective for biologically removing the substance therefrom; and (c) feeding a biostimulant to the microorganisms effective for increasing the rate at which step (b) occurs. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises a system for adding the sulfur-containing oxygen scavenger to the source water stream and a system for feeding the biostimulant to the microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making and harvesting ice. Gaseous refrigerant is directed from a suction accumulator to a compressor, then to a condenser wherein the gaseous refrigerant is condensed into a liquid and through an expansion valve which reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, which is then directed into the ice making plates to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the plates while water from a water supply circuit is flowed over a cold outer surface of the ice making plates allowing ice to form. During a harvest cycle, gaseous refrigerant from the compressor is directed into the ice making plates to be condensed into a liquid in the ice making plates, warming the plates to release the ice. Liquid refrigerant from the plates is directed to harvest gas generation plate and water is flowed over an outer surface of the gas generation plate, warming the refrigerant to a gaseous state, while cooling the water in preparation for the next ice making cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for safely and efficiently controlling a ventilation hood having at least one blower unit disposed within a hood. The blower unit operates at a first speed which is substantially below a threshold speed when a speed controller is in a first setting and a sensor does not detect a trigger condition. The blower unit also operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a first setting and the sensor detects the trigger condition. In addition, the blower unit operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a second setting, and deactivates when the speed controller is in a third setting.

Abstract: A fan driver is provided to drive a DC brushless fan. The fan driver has a pulse generator for receiving a signal indicating the phase of a rotor in the fan from a Hall element and generating two pulse signals whose phases are inverted by about 180.degree.. Two driving units activated by the two pulse signals, respectively, are provided to alternatively apply current to the two coils thereby generating magnetic fields to rotate the rotor of the fan. Two switch elements are connected to the two driving units so that anti-electromotive voltage generated by one of the two coils can be transferred to the other coil.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein comprises a sprocket having circumferentially spaced teeth that are axially aligned and engageable with a positive drive belt, the sprocket having first and second guide flanges extending radially outward on opposite sides of the sprocket and a spacer member disposed adjacent to the first guide flange, encircling the sprocket and engaging the teeth of the sprocket such that the positive drive belt is disposed between the spacer member and the second guide flange, thereby reducing the required width of the positive drive belt.