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 process for producing clad pipe comprises forming a hollow body (S10) of base material, bonding a cladding material metallurgically to the base material (S12) to form a composite body and subsequently extruding the composite body to form a pipe. This process allows the metallurgical bond to be validated using non-destructive methods prior to extrusion. Any areas that are unbonded will be detected, thereby reducing wastage. Moreover, because the metallurgical bond is achieved prior to extrusion, the cladding thickness is controlled during the extrusion process, avoiding migration of the clad material into the base material by disproportionate amounts.

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: Remote printing using incremental font subsetting. A document to be printed on a remote printer is analyzed page-by-page to determine the fonts used on each page and which characters, or glyphs, from each font are needed to print the page. For the first page on which a particular font is used in the document, a “subsetted font” comprising only the glyphs used on the page by that font is generated and copied to a spool file. For each subsequent page on which a font is used, a “font delta” is created in the spool file comprising only the glyphs used on the page which have not been previously copied to a record in the spool file. Once all of the subsetted fonts and font deltas for a given page have been written to the spool file, the text information for the page is written to the spool file and the page may be printed by the print spooler. This process continues for each page in a document to be printed on a remote printer.

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 pin router arm for attachment to a router table, and a mechanism that attaches to a plunge router to conveniently and accurately move the router body relative to the router base in order to adjust the position of a router bit in the router relative to the router table. Substantial excursions in router bit position are made by moving a handle up or down using a handle or a foot pedal, and small excursions are made using a micro-adjust mechanism that has a detent set screw and cooperating structure to facilitate adjustment of the micro-adjust mechanism by very small predetermined increments. The pin router arm can hold interchangeable sizes of guide pins and is easily and quickly mounted on and removable from the router table.

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: A system and method for the prevention of restenosis uses a source of radiation to treat the blood vessel. An intra-vascular ultrasound system acquires precise two-dimensional images of a treatment volume. The intra-vascular ultrasound system enables medical personnel to obtain precise measurements of the distance between the radiation source and the lesion. Whereas conventional techniques for measuring this distance relied upon external imaging devices, the intra-vascular ultrasound system obtains in-vivo images allowing precise measurements to be taken at the point at which the radiation will be delivered. A computer-based treatment planner acquires the images from the imaging system and reconstructs a three-dimensional image of the treatment volume. From a dose prescription, the treatment planner calculates and optimizes the dose and also registers the dose with images of the treatment volume. A voice recognition unit allows medical personnel to provide voice commands for operating the system.

Abstract: A dowel maker having a first rough-sizing blade attached to a body with a micro-adjust assembly for adjusting blade position and a second finish-cutting blade also attached to a body with a micro-adjust assembly for adjusting blade position. Dowel diameters smaller than the largest diameter the body can accommodate may be produced using interchangeable front insert guides, and interchangeable rear guides are also used for different diameter dowels. A workpiece with a square cross-section end is driven through the dowel maker with a square recess socket driven by an electric hand drill.

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 carpet sample book is provided which is constructed from a single sheet of material, such as cardboard. Tab and slot fasteners are used to avoid the need of adhesives. The samples are supported in the facing pages of the book by slots which are cut into the cardboard surface. The slots are cut in a “C” shape which allows the samples to be held at an angle.