Abstract: A starting aid for a luminaires includes a trigger circuit for supplying a trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied by a photodetector, a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage and means, responsive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lamp to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lamp cycling or lamp out condition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roadway luminaire is provided which includes the steps of molding a two part upper housing from a composite material and applying a reflective substance directly to an inner surface of a domed portion of the housing to create a reflector. The luminaire further includes a lower housing hingedly attached to the upper housing which supports a lens therein and is pivotable into an open position and latched to the upper housing in a closed position. Means are provided for mounting the luminaire to a pole.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for medical treatment of a variety of pathological conditions associated with bone environments and musculoskeletal environments, including the treatment of ischemic conditions such as bursitis. The method involves applying a sufficient number of acoustic shock waves to the site of a pathological condition including micro-disruptions, non-osseous tissue stimulation, increased vascularization, and circulation and induction of growth factors to induce or accelerate the body's natural healing processes and responses.

Abstract: The handle of the present invention is formed from a sheet of pliable material having a periphery with two opposed convex edges separated by two opposed concave edges. Two parallel fold-lines join the concave edges. When the sheet is folded, the body forms symmetrical walls that are fastened together using a tab, located on the edge of one symmetrical walls of the handle, and a groove formed on the edge of the second symmetrical wall of the handle, for receiving the tab. In its folded state, the handle resembles a taco shell with a bite taken from each end. The bite resemblance is formed by the two opposing concave edges and help to limit the length of the flat base formed by the space between the parallel fold lines. A correct base length allows the bag handles to naturally droop from the weight of the contents, so that the taut bag handles do not cut through the pliable body material or weaken the base.

Abstract: A plane having an easily removable blade positionable in use flush against the work surface. A magnet attached to the underside of the handle of the plane secures the blade to the handle. The blade may be positioned on the handle with the cutting edge exposed or simply reversed to store the cutting edge of the blade under the handle.

Abstract: Searching a file in a format unsupported by a search engine by creating term-topic links with associated probabilities. A file is retrieved comprising a compressed HTML file or a webpage. The file is parsed to retrieve data associated with title tags and body tags. In addition, user queries are received so that the user may associate a query with the title data. Term-topic links are created by linking terms from the retrieved data and the query with a topic. Heuristics are then used to determine the probability associated with each term-topic link. Term-topic links having a term containing nouns are assigned a higher probability than verbs, verbs are assigned a higher probability than adjectives, and adjectives and adverbs are assigned the same probability. The term-topic links are trained by adjusting the assigned probabilities based on a user defined query and an associated target topic.

Abstract: A counter is used to count tokens in a pusher-type game machine. The counter has a sensor unit (25) arranged in a path (23) through which tokens (19) fall. The sensor unit is a part of a capacitance sensor (51) for detecting a capacitance change in the path. A reference capacitance change corresponding to a single token failing through the path is stored in an MPU (47) in advance. A capacitance change detected by the capacitance sensor is compared with the reference capacitance change, to determine the number of tokens failing through the path.

Abstract: A frangible insert that is inserted in a pre-positioned bushing in the wall of a manhole form from the convex, easily reached side of the inner form wall. A key in the insert is received in a keyway in the bushing in the form wall so that the insert is properly oriented in the form. Concrete is then poured into the form, enveloping and affixing the insert within the man hole wall. A weakened, frangible region is provided on the insert in a position immediately adjacent to the form wall so that after the concrete is cured, the manhole and form can simply be separated, causing the portion of the insert embedded in the concrete to separate from the insert portion in the form bushing.

Abstract: Target elements of a search query are selected by referring to elements or listings within a data structure called a memory map module. Each target element is pre-validated against data available within a database (related to the memory map module). The memory map module has an index to the data as well as relationship information between the data. The memory map module is searched to find listings related to the target elements of the search query. In one embodiment, the memory map module is searched by determining a range reference using a first table of the relationship information. A range is determined using the range reference to a second table of the relationship information. The range is used to search the index to find the listings. In another embodiment, a string space of the relationship information is searched for each instance of the target element. An offset for the instance is determined and is mapped back to a matching listing in the index.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for converting a trailer to an observation stand. The sports utility trailer has a chassis frame hingeably connected to a tailgate platform. At least one wheel on the bottom of the chassis frame supports the chassis frame above the ground when the sports utility trailer is a trailer. A ladder mounts to the chassis frame to provide access from one end of the chassis frame to the other when the frame is supported in an upright position where one end is raised substantially higher than the opposing end of the frame. A tongue guide is mounted to the front end of the frame to support a conventional ball hitch socket for towing or transporting the sports utility trailer behind a vehicle. Removable legs from the chassis frame mount to the bottom side of the tailgate platform. When the legs are mounted beneath the tailgate platform, the tailgate platform is raised above the ground so that the legs and the upright chassis frame support the tailgate platform above the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding data encoded in the horizontal overscan portion of a video signal. A video data detector is configured to decode data encoded in a video signal in a first type of video signal format, such as NTSC. When the detector receives the video signal, it enters a “fast acquisition” loop in which it attempts to decode a sequence of valid data from several consecutive frames of the video signal. If the detector cannot decode a sequence of valid data from the consecutive frames of the video signal, the detector is reconfigured to decode data encoded in the video signal in a second type of video signal format, such as PAL. The detector then attempts to decode a sequence of valid data from the next several consecutive frames of the video signal. If the detector is unable to decode a sequence of valid data from the consecutive frames, the detector is reconfigured for the first type of video signal format and the above process repeats.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus has a cooking vessel (1), a bottom heater (3) for heating the bottom (13) of the cooking vessel, a heat exchanging jacket (5) for passing steam to exchange heat with the body of the cooking vessel, a fluid source (7) for supplying and draining the steam to and from the heat exchanging jacket, a weighing unit (9) for detecting the gross weight of the cooking vessel and heat exchanging jacket, a memory (11) for storing a reference weight change corresponding to a water-content change, and a controller (11) for controlling the bottom heater and fluid source to attain the reference weight change.

Abstract: Flooring systems including a metal raised access flooring panel (10) that is solid or is perforated by oval or oblong openings having major axes not parallel to any panel edge. The major slot axes may, for instance, be at a 45° angle to each panel edge. The slots (28) may be arranged in “clusters” of six slots, with one pair of slots above another pair and one slot to each side of, and mid-way above and below, the stacked pairs. Alternatively, the panels (10) may be perforated by circular holes arranged in a similar pattern. Adjacent panels may be interlocked with retractable pins extending from one panel (10) to another. Pedestal heads and stringers are adapted to accommodate panels of different sizes.

Abstract: A floor game including tiles which are laid on a playing surface forming a playing area, and an optical instrument. Each tile is covered by a polarized film. A path across the playing area is revealable by utilizing the optical instrument available to a game facilitator. The players see a design on the playing area. A path across the playing area is invisible to players not wearing the optical instrument. Each player traverses the path with assistance of the game facilitator and by observing steps taken by the previous players. The object of the game is for players to discover and traverse the path across the playing area from end to end through a team effort. In an alternative embodiment, the game is played with one or more teams utilizing one or more playing areas with each team trying to complete a path on their respective playing area.

Abstract: Validating a signed program prior to execution time or an unsigned program at execution time. A program is validated by checking the input parameters to the instructions of the program to prevent errors associated with executing an instruction using an invalid input parameter. Both signed programs and unsigned programs are accommodated. A signed program is validated during the signing process, whereas an unsigned program is validated at execution time.