Abstract: A sign for display on a basketball backboard includes a substantially rigid sheet of material having indicia to be displayed on a front surface thereof. The sheet of material includes a notch formed in a lower edge of the sheet of material for engaging rim. When the sign is mounted on the backboard with the rim disposed in the notch, one or more attachment devices secure the sheet to the backboard. Various attachment devices including straps, hooks, and elastic cords are disclosed. At least some of the attachment devices are reversible, such that either side of the sign can be displayed.

Abstract: A keyed antenna apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for adapting a wireless access point (12, 12a, 12b) to an external antenna (52, 54) or an external antenna group (22). A plurality of notches (62, 64) in a keyed jack (26, 26a, 26b, 26c) accept a keyed plug (28, 28a, 28b) having thereon key projections (72, 74). The key projections (72, 74) produce signals by depressing microswitches (76), contacting electrical contacts (78), or the like. The signals selectively cause an antenna switch (18) to switch a signal path (19) between internal antennas (50, 20a, 20b) and external antennas (52, 54). Further, the signals selectively cause a wireless adapter (16) to modify radio frequency signal characteristics, such as power.

Abstract: Self measuring roll goods includes a pliable substrate, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface includes fiducial markings to facilitate the quick and easy measurement of the roll goods. The fiducial markings include an array of symbols, and at least a portion of the peripheral edges of the symbols are spaced apart from the peripheral edges of adjacent symbols. The pitch of the array defines a gross measurement scale. In a particular embodiment, the peripheral edges of the symbols intersect tangentially. In another particular embodiment, the symbols are completely spaced apart. Examples of the symbols include closed curves, polygons, and linear symbols. Optionally, marks on the perimeters of the symbols and/or the vertices of the symbols provide a fine measurement scale.

Abstract: A method and device for switching power semi-conductors on and off, especially for IGBTs and MOS-FETs with inductive loads, and how they would be employed with torque-variable asynchronous machines, in ignition systems for spark ignition engines, in switch mode power supplies and power factor controllers. During a switching operation of the power semiconductor, a voltage across the semiconductor and the current through the semiconductor are measured, a time function of the voltage as well as a time function of the current are controlled, and the control of the voltage time function and the control of the current time function are effected essentially one after the other.

Abstract: A tank lifting attachment (10) is disclosed for allowing a tank, such as a wine press tank (12) to be lifted by a conventional lifting device (100) such as a crane or block and tackle. A center section (16) has a pair of inside grip plates (26) to abut the inner walls of the wine press tank (12). A first outside grip plate (28) and a second outside grip plate (42) are slidably affixed to the center section (16) such that the weight of the wine press tank (12) will cause a pair of under lip projections (38) affixed thereto to be secured under a portion of a lip (14) on the wine press tank (12). In an embodiment of the invention the tank lifting attachment (10) is secured to the lifting device (100) by a plurality of lifting straps (94).

Abstract: A multiplexed pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a first voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal, a common electrode, and a plurality of multiplexers each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the first voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements. A controller is configured to sequentially write each bit of multi-bit data words to the storage elements, and assert, while each bit is stored in the storage elements, a first predetermined voltage on the first voltage supply terminal, a second predetermined voltage on the second voltage supply terminal, and a third predetermined voltage on the common electrode, for a time dependent on the significance of the stored bit. Various alternate controllers facilitate the use of additional driving schemes.

Abstract: A case (12) for a computer monitor (10) having a tub (16) with a case aperture (38) therein adapted for receiving a subpanel (26). The subpanel (26) has a plurality of electrical connectors 28 which are user accessible thereby. A beveled flange (40) on the subpanel (26) is received within a receiving flange (44) on the case aperture (38). A structural grid (32) within the case (12) has a flexible portion (34) which includes an electronics enclosure (33) having a screw receiving aperture (42) therein such that a screw (30) is passed through a subpanel screw aperture (48) in the subpanel (26) and secured within the screw receiving aperture (42), thereby flexing the flexible portion (34) to hold the subpanel (26) firmly within the case aperture (38).

Abstract: A novel door for an access opening in an electronic component housing includes a bracket pivotally connected to the housing, and a cover elastically mounted to the bracket. In a particular embodiment, the bracket includes a wing spring for biasing the cover to the bracket, and the cover includes a channel for receiving the wing spring. Optionally, the cover and the bracket include an alignment feature and a complementary alignment feature, respectively, that moveably engage one another to facilitate relative movement between the cover and the bracket. The door is pivotally connected to the housing by a pair of L-shaped hinge members to rotate about an axis adjacent the opening in the housing. The bracket and the cover mount together to form the door assembly, and the assembly includes a smooth rear surface for slidably abutting devices (e.g., optical disk trays, etc.) moving through the opening.

Abstract: A personal computer protection device for disconnecting a computer system from a communications channel during power down periods. The personal computer protection device includes a power sensor for sensing power drawn by the computer system, an input port for connecting to a communications channel, an output for connecting the input port to a communications channel input of the computer system and a relay connected between the input port and output port. The relay selectively disconnects the input port and output port when the sensor senses the power drawn is below a threshold value thereby indicating the computer system is in a powered down or sleep state.

Abstract: A computer (10) having a monitor housing (12) within which is affixed a logic module (24) having thereon a processor (36), a memory module (38), an internal power connector (39), a fixed disk drive (40), an internal data connector (41), and an external connector panel (46) all generally housed within a sheet metal housing (42) having therein a plurality of perforations (44) for allowing air from a fan assembly (30) to pass therethrough. A power supply (28) and monitor screen (14) are provided in the monitor housing (12) such that when the logic module (24) is mounted and electrically connected within the monitor housing (12) a generally complete computer (10) unit is provided. An auxiliary drive (16) is optionally provided and affixed to the logic module (24) such that the auxiliary drive (16) is externally accessible when the logic module (24) is affixed within the monitor housing (12).

Abstract: A multi channel video engine (10) for accepting, dividing, modifying and recombining light to project an image. A housing (12) encloses an optical assembly (28) having a dichroic mirror assembly (58) and a color cube (60). A plurality of LCD assemblies (30) accept light from the dichroic mirror assembly (58), modifies it, and reflects it to the color cube (60). A lens assembly (16) is affixed to a bulkhead (24) of the housing (12) using a lens cradle (14) and lens retainer (18). An output prism (54) aligns light onto a second plane (70) to coincide with an optical axis (72) of the lens assembly (16).

Abstract: A novel a circuit for driving a fan includes an output terminal for supplying the fan with drive power, a pulse width modulation driver, and a limiter. A first power terminal of the fan is held at a first voltage (e.g., 0V), and a second power terminal of the fan is coupled to the output terminal of the driver circuit. The PWM driver provides a series of fan drive pulses on the output terminal, and the limiter prevents the voltage on the output terminal from falling below a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage is greater than the first voltage at which the fan's first power terminal is held, and is sufficient to keep the fan in motion even when the duty cycle of the PWM signal is 0%. In a particular embodiment the limiter includes a voltage clamp. In a more particular embodiment, the voltage clamp is a diode. In another particular embodiment, the limiter includes a switch for combining a PWM signal with a DC voltage at an output.

Abstract: A chemical ratio proportioning apparatus (100, 200) intended primarily for use in a wash bay (10) of a vehicle wash system. A gantry (14) and spray wands (18) are used for washing a vehicle (12). A quantity of solvent such as water (109) is provided under pressure from water pumps (104, 202). A chemical (114, 114a) is provided under pressure from chemical pumps (124, 206, 206a), mixed in correct proportion under control of a control unit (120) and flow sensors 112 and 118. The control unit controls metering devices such as a metering pump (124) and/or one or more proportioning solenoid valves (208, 208a) to control the quantity of chemical (114, 114a) entering the system.

Abstract: A novel guide is disclosed for fixing to a cutting tool for cutting a piece of sheet material having a plurality of fiducial lines marked thereon. The guide has a set of alignment marks and a plurality of measurement scales associated with the alignment marks. Each measurement scale corresponds to at least one of the fiducial lines, such that when one of the alignment marks is aligned with a particular fiducial line, the measurement scale corresponding to the particular fiducial line indicates the distance of the blade of the cutting tool from an edge of the sheet material. Particular embodiments of the guide include a flat portion attached to the front of the cutting tool, or alternately, a laser guide rotatably fixed to the front of the cutting tool. Novel methods for cutting a predetermined distance from an edge of a piece of sheet material using the guides of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reflective LCD array (10) configured to minimize distortion in mirrors (14) thereof produced by attachment of a plurality of vias (16) to the mirrors (14). The vias (16) electrically connect the mirrors (14) to a metal layer (12) having circuitry thereon associated with the mirrors (14). The vias (16) are positioned equidistant about a center (30) of the mirrors (14) such that spacing of the vias (16) is generally equidistant from an X axis (26) and Y axis (28) of the reflective LCD array 10. The vias (16) are positioned such that such symmetry is retained even where circuitry associated with adjacent mirrors (14) is a reflected image copy of the reference mirror (14). Where even spacing about either the X axis (26) or the Y axis (28) is not practical, the vias (16) are grouped near the center (30) of the mirror (14) along that axis such that the effect is that of there being only a single via (16) along such axis.

Abstract: The invention involves a papilloma pseudo-virus that can induce immune response after oral intake as well as its preparation. It is characterized in that HPV or BPV pseudo-virus are made by disrupting HPV-VLP or BPV-VLP, mixing them with plasmids (plasmids or DNA vaccine), and reassembling them into the pseudo-viruses (VLPs with plasmids inside). Oral administration of the pseudo-viruses will result in delivery to mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues and induce immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. The pseudo-virus induces stronger immune response than DNA vaccines. Additionally, the pseudo-virus can be applied in gene therapy by bringing the therapeutic genes into lymphoid tissues in the human body.

Abstract: A magnetic chuck (10) for temporarily holding an LCD imager (14) to a convergence device (12) during an alignment or convergence operation. A substrate (16) of the imager (14) is made of a magnetically permeable material. A knob (38) turns an armature assembly (22) such that in an on position 10b a second magnetic flux path (46b) is allowed to permeate the substrate 16 thereby holding the imager (14) to a grip face 18 of the magnetic chuck (10). When the knob (28) is rotated to shunt flux through a first magnetic flux path (49a) through a pair of steel grip shoes (20), then the imager (14) is released form the grip face (18).

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: Construction materials such as 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of plywood, drywall, and similar materials have fiducial markings for quick visual reference of the user. Imprinted lines of equal spacings indicate to the user the location of wall studs at 16-inch or 24-inch spacings, and the sheet of material can also include oblique lines and one or more circles, for reference of the user in quickly determining the size of remnants. Similar markings may also be applied to roll-stored materials such as carpeting.