Abstract: An assembly of releasably interconnected circuit substrates is provided. The assembly has a first and second circuit substrate. Each substrate provides an electrical connector for mating electrical engagement of the first and second substrates. The assembly also has a two-position lock that is operable between a first and second position. In the first position of the lock, the first and second circuit substrates are in locked interconnection with each other. In the second position of the lock, the first and second circuit substrates are separable from each other.

Abstract: A pier-repairing and reinforcing panel is used in a method of repairing and reinforcing a pier. The panel includes locking members, locking ribs, reinforcing ribs, and clips. The method includes the steps of: installing a watertight caisson around a pier and removing water from the gap between the caisson and pier. Impurities are removed from the pier's surface, and a plurality of panels are installed around the pier while sealing the junctions of the panels. A plurality of reinforcing steel bars are arrayed in the gap between the pier and panels, and the panels are then affixed to the steel bars or the pier using anchor bolts. The gap between the pier and the panels are then filled with concrete. The pier is effectively repaired and reinforced while separating the reinforced concrete from water, thus protecting the concrete and steel bars for a desired lengthy period of time.

Abstract: A redundant memory architecture having an active memory and an inactive memory. The active memory supports in-service storage operations. The inactive memory is updated with stored contents of the active memory. Stored contents of the inactive memory are defragmented prior to an activity switch that results thenceforth in the inactive memory assuming the in-service storage operations and the active memory being updated with the stored contents of the inactive memory. The redundant memory architecture further has a data structure to maintain correspondence between the stored contents of the active memory and those of the inactive memory.

Abstract: An automotive hinge comprises: a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closing panel, the door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pivot arm; the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating the door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.

Abstract: A method of repairing and reinforcing a pier using stones. The method includes installing a watertight caisson around a pier and removing water from the gap between the caisson and pier prior to repairing the pier. The method can also include removing impurities from the pier's surface; arraying a plurality of reinforcing steel bars around the pier; laying stones outside the arrayed steel bars while fixing the stones to the steel bars or the pier, and filling the gap between the pier and the stones with concrete.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle kingpin bolt-replacement tool is disclosed manufactured from a rigid material, which facilitates bolt removal. The tool allows a baseplate to be inserted along two perpendicular intersection channels. A first channel engages the baseplate to prevent movement upon application of force while the second channel allows sufficient clearance for the kingpin bolt that is bound to the baseplate to be forcefully struck and removed from the base plate. A method is also disclosed for using the tool of the present invention to remove a kingpin bolt from a baseplate upon application of force.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the descent of a moveable element pivotally attached to a rigid structure. The moveable element is pivotally attached to the rigid structure, and is then pivotally connected to a compressible strut, which is pivotally attached to a linkage pivotally connected to the rigid structure. The descent of the moveable element is controlled using a microcontroller and a motor attached to the linkage, and the control path for the linkage is selected based on a comparison of the angle between the linkage and rigid structure and the angle between the moveable element and the rigid structure.

Abstract: A retractable animal tether, comprising a hand-held support; a spool rotatably mounted on the support; and a flexible cord wound on the spool, said flexible cord having an end which is connected to the spool and a second end which may be connected with the animal. The application of a first force F1 to a free end of the flexible cord causes a portion of the flexible cord to unwind from the spool. The tether also includes a means for preventing the remainder of the flexible cord from unwinding from the spool unless a second force F2 is applied to the free end of the flexible cord, said force F2 being greater than said force F1.

Abstract: A medicinal composition for treating pain resulting from an inflammatory response comprises at least one pain relieving and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical and at least one nutraceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable base. The pharmaceutical is preferably acetaminophen or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The nutraceutical is preferably an immune booster, an anti-oxidant, a liver protectant, or a joint relief agent. Methods of using these compositions to treat pain caused by inflammation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of storing solutions of reduced glutathione for extended periods of time, by dissolving reduced glutathione in an aqueous medium having a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 to produce a reduced glutathione solution; reducing the temperature of the reduced glutathione solution to a predetermined temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent oxidative dimerization of glutathione without freezing the aqueous medium; and storing the reduced glutathione solution at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A device for feeding bees, comprising a rigid heat-absorptive housing having a chamber therein, where the chamber has a bottom surface with a plurality of holes passing therethrough. The housing has an access port which allows a viscous syrup to be poured into the chamber. The port may be reversibly sealed. The device further includes a system for mounting said housing on top of a beehive. The plurality of holes in the bottom of the chamber are large enough to allow a bee to access the viscous syrup through the holes, but small enough to prevent the viscous syrup from dripping through the holes.

Abstract: A sheet material which may be used for a closure system adapted to receive surface fasteners. The sheet material may be used for the manufacture of containers, such as bags and provides a primary form of closure as well as a secondary form of closure which allows for tamper proofing an packaged product prior to its initial opening followed by a one or two part secondary closure system.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door opening and closing system comprises a continuous, powered belted drive system and a clamp arrangement capable of fixably and releasably attaching the automotive sliding door to the belt drive system so as to be automatically driven along a predetermined path and capable of releasing the belt drive system under predetermined conditions. The powered belt drive system is located so as to be combined with one of the door's standard sliding door hinge systems. The clamp arrangement is a rotary device biased into a pinching engagement on the belt of the belt drive system via a cam and spring arrangement.

Abstract: An improved medicinal composition includes an effective amount of a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical and an effective amount of a nutraceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable base. At least one of the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical treats a condition caused by an immune response of the respiratory system, particularly an immune response that triggers the cough reflex. The pharmaceutical is preferably a cough suppressant, an expectorant, or a decongestant. The nutraceutical is preferably an immune booster, an anti-oxidant, a liver protectant, a nutraceutical which sedates the cough reflex, or a combination thereof. Methods of using these compositions to treat conditions caused by a respiratory immune response are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved medicinal composition includes an effective amount of a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical and an effective amount of a nutraceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable base. At least one of the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical treats a condition caused by an immune response to a virus, a microorganism, or an atmospheric pollutant or allergen. The pain relieving and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical is preferably acetaminophen or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The medicinal composition may additionally include a pharmaceutical decongestant or antihistamine. The nutraceutical is preferably an immune booster, an anti-oxidant, a liver protectant, or a combination thereof. Methods of using these compositions to treat conditions caused by an immune response are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for digitally editing an image of a real-life person for attaching the image to a soft-bodied doll having a generally planar face. The process includes electronically importing an image into a computer by use of a scanner, a digital camera, a compact disc, or an attachment to an e-mail, to produce a digital image file. The image is then digitally edited using any image editor. The face is masked while the neck of the person and background of the image are deleted. A portion of the person's cheek is then sampled and lightened slightly to form a neck color which then fills in the previously deleted portion. In a second embodiment, only the eyes, nose and mouth are masked while the rest of the image is either tinted to a chosen color corresponding to the color of fabric used in producing the doll, or partially erased to allow the chosen background color to blend through and create a color match between the facial images and the cloth body.

Abstract: A licence plate adapted for illumination, which has an opaque face plate having outward-facing and inward-facing faces, and cut-out areas corresponding to numerals, letter, symbols or designs; and a translucent, heat-deformable backing plate heat-pressed against the inward-facing face of the face plate to force portions of the backing plate into the cut-out areas, such that when the licence plate is illuminated from a point inward of the backing plate, the portions of the backing plate within the cut-out areas are illuminated for viewing from a point outward of the face plate.

Abstract: A method of providing complementary fastener strips for securing one item to another item is disclosed. A dispenser allows for complementary fastener strips in a prebound configuration, to be dispensed and used in applications such as the manufacture of outdoor furniture cushions. The invention facilitates the efficient and cost effective manufacture of articles which utilize multiple strips of complementary fastener strips.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate lift system comprises an energy storage device located within a vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a bellcrank arm that is pivotally attached to the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an actuation shaft that is coaxially aligned with a tailgate pivot axis, a pivot bracket assembly that incorporates a pivot bearing arrangement to facilitate a robust rotary joint about the tailgate pivot axis, and comprising a coupling arrangement between the tailgate and the actuation shaft, such that relative rotary motion of the tailgate and vehicle body results in linear movement of the energy storage device and maximum energy storage at the tailgate fully open position.

Abstract: An improved medicinal composition includes an effective amount of an antihistamine pharmaceutical and an effective amount of a nutraceutical in a pharmaceutically acceptable base. At least one of the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical treats a condition caused by an immune response to a virus, a microorganism, or an atmospheric pollutant or allergen. The medicinal composition may additionally include a pain relieving pharmaceutical or a decongestant. The nutraceutical is preferably an immune booster, an anti-oxidant, a liver protectant, or a combination thereof. Methods of using these compositions to treat conditions caused by an immune response are also disclosed.