Abstract: A safety module electrical distribution system comprises a wiring module adapted to mount within an electrical box, the wiring module having a functional side and a wiring side. A terminal set is disposed at least partially within the wiring module and is adapted to terminate a power cable proximate the wiring side. A plurality of structured sockets are disposed on the functional side, the structured sockets incorporate a portion of the terminal set. A functional module having a front side and a back side is adapted to removably install in the wiring module proximate the functional side. A contact set is disposed at least partially within the functional module and is adapted to conduct electrical power to an electrical distribution function accessible from the front side. A plurality of shielded plugs are disposed on the back side. The shielded plugs incorporate a portion of the contact set.

Abstract: An electrical wiring assembly comprises a wiring panel and an electrical module. The wiring panel has a front side and a back side and is installable within an electrical box. The electrical module has a front cover and a back cover, and the front cover provides a user accessible electrical function. Panel fixtures extend generally perpendicularly from the front side of the wiring panel and shield panel contacts. Breakaways are configured to be removable so as to isolate a first portion of the panel contacts from a second portion of the panel contacts. Module fixture extend generally perpendicularly from the back cover of the electrical module and shield module contacts. The module fixtures are configured to engage the panel fixtures so as to electrically connect the module contacts with the panel contacts.

Abstract: A tilt control is adapted to rotate a louver between at least a partially open position and a partially closed position within a shutter frame. The tilt control comprises a stile adapted as a portion of the shutter frame and a gear rotatably retained within the stile. A rack slideably retained within the stile. The gear engages the rack so that linear movement of the rack causes a corresponding rotation of the gear. The louver removably connected to the gear so that rotation of the gear rotates the louver.

Abstract: A pixel-based display utilizes persistence-of-vision to sweep text and graphics in a cylindrical plane, including time and date, custom messages and animations. The display is generated from a light array with a column of modulated light emitting elements, which is mounted on a rotating display assembly. Power and data are combined on a fixed control assembly and inductively coupled to the display assembly. A control assembly processor interprets a display application language that describes display-specific tasks to generate command, mode, character and graphic data for the display assembly. The control assembly processor also reads a trigger position sensor and adds a trigger delay to generate a virtual trigger command, which provides for flexible display positioning and scrolling display effects.

Abstract: An electrical distribution apparatus comprises a body and a mounting bracket attached to the body. The mounting bracket is adapted to install the body within an electrical box. A plurality of terminals are disposed within the body and adapted to terminate a power cable. A terminal guard is mounted on the body and movable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position, where at least a portion of the terminals are accessible in the open position and covered in the closed position.

Abstract: A blocking outlet and corresponding locking plug provide a completely enclosed safety electrical connection system for supplying electrical power from a wall fixture. The blocking outlet installs in a conventional wall-mounted electrical box, providing access to building electrical wiring. The outlet has receptacles that retain spring-loaded covers, which have a closed position generally flush with the front side of the face plate. The springs provide sufficient tension to the covers to block small children from inserting fingers or foreign objects into a receptacle, preventing inadvertent exposure to hazardous voltage. Yet adults can easily insert a corresponding locking plug directly into a receptacle without cover removal. Regardless, the interior of a receptacle has no exposed contacts. Small access apertures in the interior of an outlet receptacle contain recessed contacts.

Abstract: A process for the full disclosure of potential detrimental conditions affecting property transactions organizes the spectrum of disclosure issues that are important to lenders and prospective buyers. The real estate disclosure reporting method includes the compilation of a comprehensive list of items of disclosure based upon federal, state, lender and market requirements. These items of disclosure are classified according to condition categories that provide a systematic procedure for researching and a logical organization for reporting known conditions. A disclosure form provides a listing of the items of disclosure according to these categories. A particular form lists over one hundred items of disclosure under ten separate categories. The disclosure form is completed through a process of researching primary, secondary and third-party sources for information regarding a particular property. Primary sources of information include a property walk-through and an owner interview.

Abstract: A shutter is manufactured by laminating a surface of a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut into boards that are edge-milled and laminated and cut to length so as to create prefinished shutter components. These components are then assembled into a completed shutter. In one embodiment, the substrate is medium density fiberboard (MDF), the surface laminate is a hot roll laminate of decorative paper and the second laminate is a heat transfer foil. The combination prefinished, MDF substrate shutter components and associated construction methods achieve a high-quality shutter at a much reduced cost over conventional shutters constructed entirely of indigenous wood that is spray-painted after assembly.

Abstract: A driver tool provides an apparatus and method for installing shaft objects such as casing, pipes, poles, bars, rods, piles or tubes into the ground or other surrounding media. The driver tool has a steel tower on which is mounted a pneumatic or hydraulic hammer. The hammer is attached to a chain-driven mounting plate controlled by a hydraulic or air-driven motor so that the hammer slides in either direction along the tower. In a typical operating position, the tower is generally vertical to the ground and positioned over a shaft section so that the hammer can drive the shaft object into the ground at a manually controlled rate. The hammer and tower are mounted on a chassis having turf tires for rough terrain capability. In its transport position, the tool is positioned on its tires, with the tower generally horizontal to the ground. As a result, the driver tool can be easily moved and operated by one or two men and operated in limited access areas.

Abstract: A blocking outlet and corresponding locking plug provide a completely enclosed safety electrical connection system for supplying electrical power from a wall fixture. The blocking outlet installs in a conventional wall-mounted electrical box, providing access to building electrical wiring. The outlet has receptacles that retain spring-loaded covers, which have a closed position generally flush with the front side of the face plate. The springs provide sufficient tension to the covers to block small children from inserting fingers or foreign objects into a receptacle, preventing inadvertent exposure to hazardous voltage. Yet adults can easily insert a corresponding locking plug directly into a receptacle without cover removal. Regardless, the interior of a receptacle has no exposed contacts. Small access apertures in the interior of an outlet receptacle contain recessed contacts.

Abstract: A conflict detection method for a disk drive controller is used to handle a conflict potentially occurring if the execution sequence of queued commands sent from a host to a controller is reordered to optimize disk drive transfers. The conflict detection method determines if there is an address range overlap between two queued commands. If an overlap exists, a conflict flag is set. The controller microprocessor utilizes this flag to restrict command reordering and prevent a conflict from producing erroneous data. Conflict detection and command reordering restriction are facilitated by a queued command RAM and a command FIFO. The queued command RAM stores command parameters indexed by command tag values. These parameters include command direction (read or write), LBA, block count, a valid flag and a conflict flag. The conflict detection method compares the address range of a new command with the address range of valid commands in the command RAM to determine range overlaps.

Abstract: An electrical outlet and switch system allows snap-in installation and snap-out removal of outlet and switch modules without exposure to high-voltage conductors. The system includes an electrical box, a wiring panel, an outlet or switch module and a corresponding face plate. The wiring panel back side has attachment points for a power cable to be routed through a back portion of the electrical box. The wiring panel front side has a fixture configured to accept an outlet or switch module. The wiring panel physically isolates, yet electrically connects the attached power cable and the module. Module contacts provide electrical connection to the panel contacts. The panel fixture has protective structures that prevent inadvertent exposure to and short circuiting of the panel contacts. The electrical box is configured for internal placement of the wiring panel, allowing electrical box wiring and verification and electrical system activation prior to wall panel construction.

Abstract: A portable extraction tool facilitates soil stabilization applications that utilize compaction grouting. Compaction grouting involves installing grout injection casing into the ground in fixed-length sections to depths limited by soil compaction or bedrock. The casing is then removed in stages. Between stages, grout is pumped through the casing and into the soil at high pressure. The extraction tool provides the power, gripping strength, stability and operator control required to pull casings from the ground at a desired rate. Pulling power is provided by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. Gripping strength is provided by a progressive chuck mechanism that secures injection casings on upward movements of the cylinders and releases casings on downward movements, without damaging the reusable casings. Stability and strength are provided by a heavy, large-footprint base plate.

Abstract: A flexible circuit can be cut and spliced to replace a device connected to a removable portion of the circuit. The cut and splice procedure is facilitated by three components, including a service segment integrated into the flexible circuit, a slider assembly that attaches to the flexible circuit within the service segment and a contact assembly that connects to the slider assembly. The service segment is configured with a number of contact pads protected by a detachable insulation layer, which is removed prior to attaching the slider assembly. The flexible circuit can be cut anywhere within a cut zone portion of the service segment in order to detach the removable portion. The slider assembly snaps onto the service segment and provides a convenient straightedge guide within the cut zone. The slider assembly also provides rigid support to the severed end of the remaining flexible circuit, forming a splice plug in conjunction with the contact pads.