Abstract: There is provided a plug 2 provided with a valve hole (main flow passage) and sub flow passages 17 and a socket 1, which is provided with a valve hole (main flow passage) and sub flow passages 46, and which is able to be fitted together with the plug 2 at an arbitrary angle of torsion, and which forms an annular flow passage 60 with the plug 2 when fitted together with the plug 2. When the plug 2 and socket 1 are fitted together, these valve holes communicate with each other, and the sub flow passages 17 and the sub flow passages 46 communicate with each other via the annular flow passage 60. Namely, an improvement in work efficiency is achieved by the easy coupling of different types of liquid flow passages.

Abstract: A vending machine operated by a chip card includes a housing having a window to display goods to be sold, multiple selection buttons (13) associated with the appropriate goods, a display to show the sum of money recorded on the chip card and an access bin from which the goods are obtained from the vending machine. The vending machine further includes an electronic control unit for storing information about prices for the goods, an inductive card reader for reading information from and writing information on the chip card by induction, a checker for checking the stock of the goods, a transporter for transferring the goods to the access bin, multiple indicators to show what goods are out of stock, and multiple lamps to indicate what goods are available based on the sum of money recorded on the chip card. The inductive card reader is electrically connected to the electronic control unit to which the checker, the transporter, the indicators, the buttons and the lamps are electrically connected.

Abstract: With a grooved-inner-surface heat transfer tube, an inner circumferential surface of a metal tube is formed with fins bent at bent portions in a zigzag and extending consecutively around a circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface, and at at least a part of the bent portions of the fins, the height of the fins is set at 30 to 90% of the height of the fins excluding the bend portions. With such a heat transfer tube, pressure loss can be suppressed while increasing heat exchange performance.

Abstract: A method of fusing a joint between two bones, comprising boring a hole through one of the bones across the joint therebetween and into the other bone, placing the leading end of a screw into the hole, where the screw has a threaded region having a pitch that is larger toward a leading end of the screw and smaller toward a trailing end of the screw, and driving the screw into the bone until the threaded region spans the joint.

Abstract: A method and device for improving putting. The device includes a representation of a green on which a plurality of putting benchmarks are projected. The representation may also include elevation indicia and indicators of the speed and predominant grain direction of the green. The device is used to enable golfers to accurately read the green and determine the speed and direction along which a particular ball should be putted. Methods of using and creating the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite frame member and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the frame member is a door frame including a plurality of framing members, each including a core formed from a foamed or cellulosic material that includes a wall surface adapted to be mounted within a cavity formed in the wall of the house or other building with which the frame is to be used, and a door surface is opposed to the wall surface and is adapted to extend within the cavity. The core preferably includes an elongate base member and an elongate stop member mounted on the base member in a parallel relationship to the base member. Each framing member further includes a resilient shell, which is preferably formed from a waterproof material, and which, in some embodiments, may be snap-fit on the core. A brickmold member is also disclosed, as well as various methods for making the invented frame and brickmold members.

Abstract: A high speed system for locating and decoding glyphs on documents is disclosed. The system includes acquiring one or more images of a document containing a glyph. One-dimensional projections of the images are correlated against a reference function to locate the glyph in the images. The position of the glyph is refined by correlating against a kernel designed to have a maximum response when aligned over a corner of the glyph. Symbols in the glyph are decoded utilizing a kernel which generates a positive response for one symbol type and a negative response for the other.

Abstract: The present invention is a folding and telescopic structure that consists of two parallelograms (1) (2), which can be flattened in opposite directions, located on the same plane and joined articulately by two springs (17) from its front (3) and back (4) jambs. These jambs (3) (4), which are “U” shaped and hollow, allow the end (5) and intermediate (6) crossbars to lodge inside to totally occupy the space available inside the hollow jambs. The end crossbar (5) has a groove (8) in which to slide a first shaft (9) of the back jamb (4) at the same time that a it can turn counter-clockwise upon a second shaft (10) of the front jamb (3) . The intermediate crossbar (6) 15 moves in a similar way, but the hinge (13) that receives the second shaft (12) is not fixed on the intermediate crossbar (6), but can be slid across it. FIG. 1.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting polynucleotide hybridization in luminescence-based assays. The methods may include (1) allele-specific hybridization, using luminescence detection, (2) allele-specific oligonucleotide ligation, using dye-labeled oligonucleotide ligation with luminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detection, and (3) allele-specific nucleotide incorporation, using primer extension with luminescence polarization (FP) detection. More specifically, the methods may include (1) locating a sample containing a nucleic acid material at an examination site, (2) illuminating the sample, (3) detecting light transmitted from the sample, and (4) determining the presence, absence, and/or identity of a nucleic acid target in the sample using the light transmitted from the sample.

Abstract: A snow-gliding apparatus is provided. The snow-gliding apparatus includes an elongate member having an intermediate portion positioned between a pair of upturned end portions, and a bottom surface with a substantially planar bottom region configured to slide over snow. The apparatus further includes a traction member positioned above the elongate member, and a channel extending at least partially along the bottom surface of the elongate member. The channel is configured to guide the elongate member over the snow. The traction member typically is a pliant foam layer. A plurality of channels may be formed in the bottom surface of the elongate member.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted automotive display unit mounted in the ceiling of an automobile above the front passenger seat. The unit includes a screen with a viewing surface, the screen being mounted for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is generally parallel to the plane of the ceiling and facing downward to reveal the viewing surface to a reclined front seat passenger, and a deployed position wherein the screen projects downward from the ceiling and faces rearward to reveal the viewing surface to a rear seat passenger.

Abstract: A digital electronic circuit having first and second sections. The first section is adapted to transmit one of N input signals. The second section is adapted to receive the signal transmitted by the first section and one or more control signals. The second section is configured to output either an inverse of the signal transmitted by the first section or a logical 0, or to output either an inverse of the signal transmitted by the first section or a logical 1. The second section also may be selectively configurable.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a pressed-wood composite product from a prepared, pre-assembly mat having opposed facial expanses, and including, between such expanses, selected wood components, such as wood veneer, wood strands or other wood fibrous material, plywood sheets, lumber pieces, and further including between such wood components, inter-component heat-curable adhesive. The proposed method and system feature transporting such a pre-assembly through a processing zone, and, within that zone, creating within the pre-assembly both cyclic compression and cyclic heating. Compression is effected principally utilizing distributed pairs of opposing pinch rolls which act on transported material either through independent platens, or through surface materials which become incorporated in a final pressed-wood product. Cyclic heating is effected through use of microwave wave-guides interleaved effectively with the pressure-applying pinch rolls.

Abstract: A rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle. The rack includes forward and rear crossbars extending across a top surface of the vehicle and a pair of tower bodies associated with each crossbar to secure the crossbars to the vehicle. A wheel mount is attached to a first one of the crossbars. The wheel mount is adapted to support a wheel of the bicycle with a lowest point on the wheel positioned over a range of positions relative to the crossbar including with the lowest point positioned off the wheel mount.

Abstract: A pull-tab gaming set, a progressive pull-tab gaming system and a method of operating a progressive pull-tab game. The gaming set includes a plurality of pull-tab cards, each card having a front portion, a back portion and a selectively revealable gaming section. The gaming section contains indicia of a redemption value of the card which is unascertainable until the gaming section is revealed. There are at least three two classes of pull-tab cards in the gaming set in the form of winners having indicia of a fixed non-zero value, losers having indicia of a zero value and at least one jackpot card with indicia of an undetermined total value. The progressive pull-tab card game system includes a pull-tab dispensing unit, configured to dispense pull-tab cards, a jackpot display, and a control system operatively connected to the dispensing trait to monitor the quantity of pull-tab cards dispensed.