Abstract: A distributed computing network has a packet routing system for routing packets among packet lists accessible to tasks. Packets are routed and attached to lists identified within a packet header or selected from router tables. Access to packet lists is managed according to data stored within packet list headers. Several types of packets are used for exchanging data, executing remote instructions, maintaining communication between network nodes, and supplying initialization instructions to network nodes. An inductive booting mechanism uses the packet routing system to initialize nodes and to re-boot failed nodes. Interface tasks manage transmission and reception of packets between nodes in order to provide asynchronous communication between tasks in a multitasking distributed computing environment.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue damage comprises applying a negative pressure to a wound sufficient in time and magnitude to promote tissue migration and thus facilitate closure of the wound. The method is applicable to wounds, burns, infected wounds, and live tissue attachments. A wound treatment apparatus is provided in which a fluid impermeable wound cover is sealed over a wound site. A screen in the form of an open-cell foam screen or a rigid porous screen is placed beneath the wound cover over the wound. A vacuum pump supplies suction within the wound cover over the treatment site.

Abstract: A lifting truck is provided with a folding rail assembly for confining workers to an elevated platform. The folding rail assembly includes a plurality of link members pivotally connected relative to the platform and to a protective railing structure. The link members permit movement of the protective railing structure between a lowered position and an elevated position relative to the platform. One or more latch members are pivotally connected with respective link members for preventing movement of the railing from the elevated position. The latch members are configured to allow the railing to be lifted directly to the elevated position. The latch members comprise handles for exerting an opposing force against the bias of a spring for releasing the latch members to permit the railing to be lowered after use.

Abstract: An echo canceler is connected to an ISDN Primary Rate Interface. The echo canceler is provided with an activation processor for monitoring call control messages on the D-channel and for selectively enabling or disabling echo cancellation on any of the B-channels in response to information contained within the call control messages. In particular, the activation processor decides whether to enable cancellation depending upon the Information Transfer Capability and Protocol Identification fields of the Bearer Capability portion of a call SETUP message. Additionally, the Channel Identification field of the SETUP message is used to identify the B-channel or channels affected by the SETUP message. When a channel is released, the activation processor maintains enabled echo cancellation as the default condition of the released channel. Other signal processing functions can be controlled by the activation processor in a similar manner.

Abstract: A switch actuation apparatus for a firearm-mounted flashlight having a switch mechanism. The apparatus is mounted to a firearm having a grip area for being held by a hand. A support base is adapted to be mounted from the grip area. A slide is movably supported by the support base for causing actuation of the switch mechanism for operating the flashlight. The flashlight is supported by one of the support base or slide. The apparatus further includes an actuating member coupled to the slide for movement relative to the support base. The actuating member has an operating surface accessible to at least a finger of a hand holding the grip area of the firearm for moving the slide to operating the flashlight. In this arrangement, the user of the firearm can easily operate the flashlight without moving a hand from its usual position for holding and operating the firearm.

Abstract: An interchangeable head wringer mop with telescoping handle is provided. The device includes a handle and a mounting head. Rotatably connected to the mounting head is a wringer for wringing a sponge head. A plurality of interchangeable sponge heads having different configurations is provided. Each sponge head is removably connectable with the mounting head and is operable in connection with the wringer. Also provided are a pair of living hinges about which the sponge head bends during the wringing operation. Further, an extension telescoping within the handle is provided having two fixed positions.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for determining the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio T.sub.c /T.sub.c (max), or state of doping of a material capable of exhibiting superconductivity when cooled below its critical temperature, by measuring the thermopower of a sample of the material above the critical temperature of the material and determining from the thermopower the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio T.sub.c /T.sub.c (max), or state of doping of the material as to whether it is underdoped, overdoped or optimally doped. The sample may be differentially heated and/or cooled to generate a temperature difference across the sample, the temperature difference across the sample measured, the voltage across the sample measured, and the hole concentration or similar determined from the measured temperature difference and the measured voltage. Means for determining the hole concentration, transition temperature, or doping of the material is also claimed.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials having a high concentration of particulate matter. The spray gun is connected to a source of pressurized air and a source of spray materials. The air and spray materials mix in a nozzle, atomizing the fluid in the spray materials before the mixture is discharged from the spray gun. A valve is provided to control the flow of the spray materials. A conduit passes through the valve to provide a secondary source of air to atomize the fluid in the spray materials. The valve is also configured to ensure that no spray materials can enter the chamber of the valve when the valve is the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel metal oxide materials which exhibit superconductivity at elevated temperatures and/or which are useful in electrode, electrolyte, cell and sensor applications, or as electrochemical catalysts. The metal oxide materials are generally within the formulaR.sub.n+1-u-s A.sub.u M.sub.m+e Cu.sub.n O.sub.w (1)where n.gtoreq.0 and n is an integer or a non-integer, 1.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.2, 0.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.0.4, 0.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.4, and 2n+( 1/2)<w<(5/2)n+4, with the provisos that u is 2 for n.gtoreq.1, u is n+1 for 0.ltoreq.

Abstract: A weeder which a user can use in a standing posture, comprises an operating shaft having a longitudinal bore and a grip provided at an upper end thereof, the operating shaft having a length long enough to allow the user to operate the operating shaft in the standing posture while grasping the grip, a support rod telescoped in the longitudinal bore of the operating shaft, a chuck mechanism arranged at a lower end portion of the shaft for pulling out the weeds by the roots, the chuck mechanism including a pair of first and second frames and a pair of first and second chuck pawls for pinching the roots of the weeds, the first frame supported to a lower end portion of the rod, the second frame pivotally supported to the first frame, the first chuck pawl provided at a lower end of the first frame, the second chuck pawl provided at a lower end of the second frame, each of the first and second chuck pawls having a lower sharp end and adapted to be stuck into the ground when the shaft is pushed down against the groun

Abstract: A variable resistance golf training device is disclosed. The device incorporates a frame attached to the end of a shaft. A plurality of vanes are rotatably mounted within the frame in a parallel spaced array. The vanes are incrementally operable between open and closed positions to incrementally vary the wind resistance of the device.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispenser is provided with a shuttle member having a fluid inlet for withdrawing fluid from within the dispenser. A rigid guiding member is provided for guiding the shuttle member axially when the container is moved between respective upright and inverted orientations. One end of a helical flexible tube is connected in fluid communication with an internal fluid passageway formed in the shuttle member. The other end of the flexible tube is connected in fluid communication with a conduit formed in the guiding member. The conduit is connected with an externally-actuatable valve. Translation of the shuttle member upon the guiding member allows the dispenser to be operated in the respective upright and inverted orientations.

Abstract: A device for marking a vehicle is provided having a base for attaching the device to the vehicle. A cantilevered support rod is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the rod relative to the base. A hollow marking sleeve having an outer transparent tube and an inner fluorescent liner disposed within the tube slidably mounts onto the support rod for marking the vehicle. The sleeve engages the support rod with sufficient contact force to retain the sleeve in position on the support rod. The sleeve is slidably removable from the support rod so that the sleeve may be pulled from the support rod.

Abstract: A coin counting machine for the valuation of large, multidenominational aggregations of coins is comprised of a rotating disk assembly that determines the coins value according to its size as it passes over a photoelectric unit. Large mixtures of coins are dumped into a cylindrical coin deposit tray that is centrally disposed upon two circular disks with grooves or passageways formed therebetween. The tray has a plurality of equidistantly spaced exit recesses in its walls that connect with the passageways. As a motor spins the disk assembly, coins disposed within the bin are flung outwards through the recesses and along the passageways where a photoelectric sensor unit records the value of each coin according to its size and relays the information to a microprocessor control unit.

Abstract: A ferritic, stainless steel alloy containing in weight percent about 0.05% max. C, 2.0% max. Mn, 0.70-1.5% Si, 0.1-0.5% S, 15-20% Or, 0.80-3.00% Mo, 0.10-1.0% Nb, 0.06% max. N, and the balance iron and impurities, provides a unique combination of magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, and machinability.

Abstract: A flashlight is provided with a conductive casing and a resilient sleeve positioned on the conductive casing. The sleeve is mounted on the casing by conducting a flow of pressurized gas through the casing, aligning the sleeve with the rear end of the casing to inflate the sleeve, and then urging the sleeve onto the casing. The sleeve is configured to expose the forward end of the casing, which is threaded to rotatably engage a head assembly. The head assembly includes a spring positioned therein for mounting a conductive rim of a lamp socket in abutment with the forward end of the casing.

Abstract: A table device for a vehicle comprises a table body, a support mechanism for attaching to a side of a vehicle seat for pivotally supporting the table body, a linkage mechanism provided between the table body and the support mechanism for facilitating maintaining of the table body in a horizontal state during use of the table body and facilitating collapsing of the table body after use of the table body, and an operating mechanism for operating the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A system for providing cross-platform portability of object-oriented structures employs a set of canonical definitions of objects to produce an archive of an object-oriented structure in a standard format. The archive may be provided within object-oriented environments utilizing different operating systems to reproduce the archived structure using native objects specific to the respective operating systems. An archiver is provided for producing portable archives of native object-oriented structures. A de-archiver is provided for constructing native object-oriented structures within an object-oriented environment as specified in a portable archive. The archiver and the de-archiver are adapted to store and to retrieve custom, or operating system-specific, information within canonical object references in the portable archive.

Abstract: A disruption generator is provided for use in an electronic animal confinement system for preventing undesirable correction of the animal in the vicinity of incidental conductive structures capable of coupling and re-radiating a transmitter signal for controlling the animal. The disruption generator produces a disruption signal for masking, preventing, or otherwise interfering with reception of the transmitter signal by an animal control receiver device mounted on the animal. The disruption generator can be connected to such incidental conductive structures as utility conduits, door frames, household wiring, and the like, to prevent undesirable correction of the animal in the vicinity thereof due to inductive or resonant coupling of the transmitter signal by such structures.