Abstract: An electrical utility box is configured to contain an electrical device. The box includes a bottom wall, two opposing side walls, two opposing end walls, a mounting boss, and a shield structure. The mounting boss has a bore configured to receive a fastener that fastens the electrical device to the box. The shielding structure is configured to block an uninsulated wire from contacting a portion of the fastener that protrudes from an open lower end of the bore.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely triggering a predetermined program at a host computer system using a telephone ring signal is disclosed. The host computer system includes a ring detection and triggering circuit, a control monitor program, and at least one activation script, wherein the activation script could be a series of commands which create a connection between the host system and the Internet. A ring signal on a phone line connected to the host system is detected by the ring detection circuitry, and subsequently a trigger signal is generated by a trigger circuit which is detected by the control monitor program running on the host system. The control monitor program responds to the trigger signal and executes the activation script, thereby causing a connection to be established between the host system and the Internet. Other features, such as multiple activation scripts, remote user authentication, and feedback validation tones are also disclosed.

Abstract: An undercarriage for a vehicle such as a toy truck or an adult size riding vehicle where the undercarriage allows a vertically directed tilt force to engender a turning movement of the wheels. The undercarriage is simply constructed of two spaced apart brackets having oblique slots through which an axle running between the wheels pass. The axle is also engaged by a fulcrum located midway between the brackets and two biasing tabs which are located between the fulcrum and each of the brackets. In straight ahead movement, the axle is slightly biased by the tabs to be located about the mid-point of the slots. However, when a tilt force is applied to the vehicle, then the axle will move to a lower portion of one of the slots and the upper portion of the other slot. At the same time one of the tabs is flexed so as to increase its biasing force on the axle. When the tilt force is removed, the biasing force of the tab pushes the axle to its mid-point position in the slots.

Abstract: Electrodes for a transparent electrically conductive film provided on a transparent panel of a shield panel have metal foils. The metal foils extend along the transparent electrically conductive film while electrically connected to the transparent electrically conductive film. Therefore, a resistance of each of the electrodes is low and potential drop is less prone to be caused in the electrodes. Thus, a voltage applied between the electrodes is effectively applied to the transparent electrically conductive film, and even if a power source voltage is not high, the transparent panel is effectively heated, and a defogging effect is high. As a result, it is possible to provide a shield panel having high defogging effect and less expensive manufacturing cost, and to provide a helmet having such a shield panel.

Abstract: A hand holdable pump spray apparatus is disclosed where the pump mechanism is in the hand holdable wand rather than in a spaced apart liquid container. The wand may be held with one hand while a pump handle is extended with the other hand. This creates a pressure differential which allows liquid to flow from the container, passed a check valve and into the wand. After filling, a biased spring provides a force against the liquid creating a higher pressure in the wand than ambient pressure. This closes the check valve. When an operator depresses an actuator, another valve opens allowing the liquid in the wand to be ejected through a nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus communicates a diagnostic device with a telecommunications service source, or alternatively with a telecommunications service subscriber device, through a remote network unit. The apparatus includes a test plug structure receivable in operative engagement with a panel of over-voltage protection receptacles in the remote network unit. The apparatus further includes an engagement structure which connects the test plug structure with the diagnostic device in a plurality of selectable alternative conditions. These include a first condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device with the service source through the test plug structure, and a second condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device alternatively with the subscriber device through the test plug structure.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer system for modifying a database which comprises a computer that modifies records stored in a database. In the process for modifying records in the database, addresses to memory locations in a disk storage unit are accessed during the commit phase by first checking the address space in a transaction log. The computer system of the present invention operates by committing transactions without locking out readers. This is possible because any changed data in the database is reflected in the transaction log and the log must be accessed prior to reading from the disk storage unit. As a result, the user sees changed data when the log is accessed, or if data has not been changed, the log merely directs the computer to the address in the original database storage where unchanged data is stored.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having bushings attached thereto, the bushings having sockets for receiving bullet connectors on a circuit breaker.

Abstract: Compressed mixtures of blends of coconut coir pith and selected horticulturally acceptable non-coir/non-peat materials such as composted yard waste; composted bark; composted manure; sand; peat humus; composted agricultural waste; composted animal byproducts; treated sewage sludge; animal and/or vegetable-based landfill waste; wood and lignocellulose derivatives; vermiculite; perlite, glass beads; foamed plastics, and mixtures thereof are prepared in a manner such that, upon decompression, a total volume of decompressed coir pith and decompressed non-coir/non-peat material is produced which exceeds the sum of the initial volumes of coconut coir pith and non-coir/non-peat material in the blends.

Abstract: Conventional telephone sets normally include a microphone housing defining an opening to the exterior which communicates with a cavity in the microphone housing within which is located an internal microphone, and leads connecting the internal microphone with a PCB. An improvement is proposed, namely the provision of an external microphone connected to a plug which is receivable snugly within the opening, thus to substantially block external sound from reaching the internal microphone. Contact devices link the PCB with portions of the plug and thus with the external microphone.

Abstract: A helmet with an air supply/exhaust hole serving as a hole to be shared by an air supply hole portion for an air supply path for introducing air outside an outer shell into a head protecting body, and an exhaust hole portion for an exhaust path for exhausting air in the head protecting body to an outside of the outer shell. According to this helmet, a predetermined region in the head protecting body can be ventilated well. The air supply hole portion for the air supply path and the exhaust hole portion for the exhaust path can be formed in the outer shell easily. An outer shell with a high strength can be obtained easily. Design limitations on the outer shell can be reduced.

Abstract: A unitary boot-type ankle brace is provided having the capability of stabilizing an ankle against inversion and eversion without limiting normal plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle and while simultaneously providing focal compression of the anterior talofibular ligament. The brace is preferably constructed of a flexible material and includes a medial side portion dimensioned and configured to extend along a medial side of a user's leg and foot, and having a lateral side portion dimensioned and configured to extend along a lateral side of the leg and foot. The side portions are joined to a forwardly extending forefoot sleeve portion and to a base portion. In a primary aspect of the invention the side portions define a rear opening for insertion of the foot with a strap for selectively connecting the side portions adjacent the user's heel.

Abstract: A method of compressing audio data comprising the steps of receiving a stream of digital audio samples; masking a predetermined number of lower order bits from each one of the samples; and shifting an identical number of higher order bits from an adjacent one of the digital audio samples into the respective samples so as to occupy bit locations of the lower order bits which have been masked.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus couples a container of colorant to a feeder structure for a polymer processing machine. The coupling apparatus includes a tubular structure with an outlet portion that engages the feeder structure, and an inlet portion that receives and supports the container above the outlet portion. The inlet portion has an upright position in which it supports the container in an overturned position from which the colorant can flow out of the container under the force of gravity. A joint, which is preferably a hinge, supports the inlet portion for movement to an overturned position. The inlet portion can then receive the container in an upright position from which the colorant will not spill from the container. Preferably, a releaseable locking device interacts with the joint to retain the inlet portion of the tubular structure releaseably in its upright position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a handheld device. The apparatus includes a panel configured to provide support for the handheld device, defining an aperture and having a mating structure located in the aperture. The apparatus further includes a clip assembly operative to engage an article of clothing and configured to releasably attach to the mating structure, and thereby to impart a first configuration to the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a replacement insert configured to releaseably attach to the mating structure in place of the clip assembly, and thereby to impart a second configuration to the apparatus.

Abstract: An analog processor for use with digital satellites is disclosed. The analog processor is connected between the receiving circuitry of the satellite and a pool of digital on-board processors, and segments the bandwidth of uplink RF beams into sub-bands that can be processed more readily with standard, low-risk, low-power digital processors. Using the present invention, the risk of employing a particular digital processor technology can be managed and optimized. The present invention also provides for the dynamic allocation and reallocation of the available on-board digital processing bandwidth based on the anticipated traffic pattern and changes in the traffic pattern. In addition, the present invention facilitates the use of standard and non-standard redundancy schemes at minimal hardware expense.

Abstract: A cooling and heating system using a vortex tube is disclosed. The system is attached to an equipment enclosure used for telecommunications, cable television and the like where a cold airstream from the vortex tube is directed to the sealed upper chamber of the enclosure, the upper chamber typically containing heat generating electronic components. The hot airstream generated by the vortex tube can be used to maintain an elevated temperature which prolongs the life of certain batteries and enhances their efficiency. Cold plates, heat exchangers, air jets and the like may be used in conjunction with the vortex tube to increase the cooling or heating of preselected components or items.