Abstract: A watercraft of the jet propulsion type comprising a steering mechanism, a throttle control mechanism, a thrust mechanism, a throttle regulator and a controlled thrust steering system. The steering mechanism has a straight-ahead position. The steering mechanism is able to rotate in a clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a clockwise position and in a counter-clockwise direction from the straight-ahead position to a counter-clockwise position. The throttle control mechanism is biased toward an idle position. The thrust mechanism provides jet propulsion thrust for the watercraft. The throttle regulator regulates thrust provided by the thrust mechanism. The controlled thrust steering system causes the throttle regulator to increase thrust upon the steering mechanism rotating from the straight-ahead position to the clockwise position or the counter-clockwise position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a wearable personal computer that uses a camera, display, protective casing for the display, a computer, a protective casing for the computer, a battery, a protective casing for the battery, and a harness to support the computer and battery from the body of a person using the apparatus.

Abstract: A call is received at an operator station (200). If a position failure occurs at the operator station, the position failure is detected (204). A determination is made as to whether the call is an emergency call (206) by, for example, examining the sequence of called digits. If the call is designated as an emergency call, then a determination is made as to status of the call. Based on the status of the call, a connection is established with an alternate operator station without dropping the call to the caller.

Abstract: An interworking unit (14) for providing an interface between a digital communication network (12) and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) (16) includes a de-vocoder (30), a protocol termination unit (32), and a signal combiner (34) for processing signals being transferred from the digital network (12) to the PSTN (16). A digital communication signal received by the interworking unit (14) from the digital network (12) is processed by both the de-vocoder (30) and the protocol termination unit (32). The outputs of the de-vocoder (30) and the protocol termination unit (32) are then combined into a uniquely formatted signal that is then delivered into the PSTN (12). Similar functionality is also provided for processing signals in the reverse direction. The interworking unit 14 is capable of processing signals traversing the interface between the networks (12, 16) without a priori knowledge of the signal type being processed.

Abstract: An aerosol dispensing system includes a metal cylindrical can having a plurality of wide and narrow recesses in an upper undulating portion and a smooth walled lower portion. A plastic spray dome snap-fits over the top of the metal can and includes a trigger actuator movable against a valve assembly for releasing concentrate and propellant maintained under pressure within the can. The annular recesses are ergonomically located to fit the thumb and fingers of the hand when the index finger is located on the actuator. The annular recesses are preferably recessed into the otherwise straight-walled can but can take a variety of other shapes.

Abstract: A reinforcement bar support system transfers forces perpendicular to a wall to a surrounding frame while permitting movement of the wall with respect to the frame in the direction of the plane of the wall and in the vertical direction. A bar is built into the wall. The apparatus includes a brace that is attached to the frame and a face that projects from the brace. Flanges extend outwardly from the face to receive the bar and limit movement of the bar with respect to the frame in the direction perpendicular to the wall.

Abstract: A system and method for beamforming signals received in sparse, irregular sensor arrays has a network of sensors organized into sensor clusters, a signal processing node for each sensor cluster for beamforming the signals received by the sensors in each sensor cluster and an aggregation node for combining the beamformed responses from each sensor cluster to form a composite response characterized by minimized side lobes and grating lobes.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention intercept and monitor signals of any type associated with a target telephone number in a communications network such that the interception and the monitoring are undetectable. Such methods and systems configure a network by provisioning a route to a collection node in the network, defining a first trigger for intercepting a signal associated with the target telephone number, and by defining a second trigger for routing the intercepted signal on the provisioned route to the collection node. The methods and systems then monitor the signal at the collection node by intercepting the signal based on the first trigger and routing the intercepted signal to the collection node based on the second trigger.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly using conventional signal pins is adapted for use with impedance-controlled cables by dividing the body of the connector into one or more separate channels. Each channel is defined by a perimeter providing electrical shielding. A separate impedance-controlled wire or cable can be terminated at conventional signal pins installed in an insert located within a particular channel. A transition region between a connector plug or receptacle and an incoming wire or cable preserves the correct impedance characteristics of the cable.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing inexpensively manufactured, electrically conductive and mechanically compliant disks to interconnect an area grid array (“AGA”) chip to a printed wiring board. The conductive disk shaped leads are stamped from a thin sheet of conductive material. To increase solderability and protect the disk surface, the disks can be plated with tin or an equivalent material. Each disk is positioned tangent to the surface of an AGA chip in a specific orientation. One edge of each disk is electrically connected and mechanically secured to a corresponding conductive pad located on the surface of the AGA chip. The opposite edge of each conductive disk is positioned to align with a corresponding conductive surface pad on a printed wiring board (“PWB”). Each opposite edge is electrically connected and mechanically secured to the surface of the PWB, thereby establishing a compliant electrical connection between the AGA chip and the PWB.

Abstract: A stackable riser having a substantially smooth outer surface has a first open end defined by an edge and a second open end defined by a pair of adjacent channels, so that the edge defining the first open end of a first riser can mate with one of the channels defining the second open end of a second riser. A detachable anchor tab extends radially from the outer surface about the circumference of the riser. A plurality of risers can be stacked one on top of another, with, for example, the bottommost riser embedded in concrete and the risers above it embedded in soil. Preferably, the anchor tab of the bottommost riser remains attached to the riser and the anchor tab of the risers above it is removed.

Abstract: A projectile fuze detects transitions between target layers by an electronic antenna radiating laterally into the target material and coupled to a pullable oscillator whose frequency shifts as the target material changes while the projectile penetrates. A frequency shift threshold detector relates the observed frequency shifts to a stored target profile to detonate the projectile after the desired layer penetration.

Abstract: A method for assembling an impedance controlled connector using conventional connector shells and inserts and corresponding connector pins and sockets. Controlled impedance cables are prepared and physically arranged for termination in a conventional connector shell in a configuration which enhances the impedance control characteristic of the assembled connector. Assembly of the connector is effected using conventional materials and tools.

Abstract: A saddletree (10) comprising a headiron (16) associated with pommel portion (12) and reaching into skirt ends (15). Saddletree (10) has a cantle portion (13) supported by an arcuate cantle-supporting member (25) and longitudinal spring members (17) extending between the pommel and cantle portions (12, 13). Headiron (16) is provided on both sides with resilient headiron end sections (21).

Abstract: A watertight door apparatus includes a door, a door frame, a number of dogging elements, and an actuator mechanism for toggling the dogging elements between a latched condition and an unlatched condition. The dogging elements include roller elements for reducing friction between mating parts. A detent mechanism is provided to prevent inadvertent operation of the actuator mechanism. The dogging elements can be configured to rotate into and out of the latched condition, or they can be configured to slide into and out of the latched condition.

Abstract: A mid-line coupling comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube includes a male member formed of the first tube and an upset formed a given distance from the end of the first tube. The second tube includes a female body formed of the second tube. The male member is insertable into the female body until the terminal end of the female body abuts the upset of the first tube.

Abstract: A device for storage of electronic data has a sealed hard drive component that can be mounted directly to a circuit board. The device can house a plurality of individual hard drives in a stacked configuration. The stacked hard drives are encased within a hermetically sealed housing, the exterior of which has connectors suitable for mounting directly to a circuit board. At least two of the hard drives encased within the housing can be controlled by a single hard drive controller located inside or outside the housing.

Abstract: A motorcycle goggle includes a supply magazine and a take-up magazine mounted to opposite sides of a goggle frame and contain a transparent film which moves across the outer surface of a main lens to protect the main lens from mud or external matter. The main lens includes a plurality of projections attached to the lens to raise the transparent film off the main lens surface. The projections can be formed by transparent ink droplets which are printed by a silk screen process onto the outer surface of the main lens, and consist in one form of two types of ink forming each raised ink droplet.