Abstract: An electrical connector for insulated conductors includes a housing containing a chamber and having a conductor opening communicating with the chamber, a bus bar mounted in the chamber adjacent the conductor opening, a compression spring mounted in the chamber for biasing the bare end of an insulated conductor inserted into the chamber via the conductor opening into electrical engagement with the bus bar, a retaining device normally retaining the spring in a retracted inoperable condition, and a manually operable release member for releasing the spring to its operable condition. In one embodiment, the release member is connected for sliding movement between releasing and retaining positions, and the housing contains a reset access opening. In a second embodiment, the release member includes a pair of rigid sections joined by a flexible section, the release member being movable between retaining and releasing positions by operating buttons at exposed ends of the sections.

Abstract: A method for actively detecting link failures on a high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. A probe packet is sent, and a probing timer is set whenever either a specified number of bad packets are received, or an idle timer expires. If a response to the probe packet is received before the probe timer expires then the link is deemed valid, otherwise the link is presumed to have failed. Preferably, either the node boards or the switch fabric boards are configured to properly handle a probe pack, which preferably has identical source and destination addresses.

Abstract: A two-part bucket stabilizing apparatus for use with cylindrical joint compound buckets or the like during the mixing of the contents thereof includes a horizontal base member containing an opening for receiving the bottom of the bucket, and a support member having a first edge portion pivotally connected with the base member, and a remote edge portion containing a semi-circular recess. The support member is pivotally operable from an initial horizontal position upwardly and inwardly toward a clamping position above the base portion in which the wall of the semi-circular recess is in clamping engagement with the outer circumferential wall surface of the bucket.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the information held in a switching database associated with a switching function of a data switching node, with a data network node identifier record associated with a management processor enabling a managed mode thereof is provided. An entry of the switching database is modified. A status specifier corresponding to the modified entry is set to signify the modification thereof. An inspection of the switching database is initiated on the expiration of an adjustable timer, and the information held in modified switching database entries is synchronized with the data network node identifier record. This method of synchronization of the information held in the switching database spreads out of burst changes thereof over time. The advantages are derived from the use of a more economical management processor while providing the same or enhanced levels of service of the data switching node.

Abstract: A Virtual Access Core (VAC) manages and controls access to virtual machines. A Virtual Instruction Routine (VIR) protocol is used by all components of the system to pass instructions and information about a Virtual Session. The VAC issues commands in the VIR protocol language causing virtual machines to start and stop. A VIR host that hosts virtual machines responds to VAC commands. Web clients access the system via links, which a web server uses to send access requests to the VAC. The VAC responds by searching through process memory and database tables for information about free slots on a plurality of VIR hosts grouped into a Host Array. When one or more free slots have been identified, the VAC issues VIR Protocol commands instruction one or more VIR Hosts to load and start specific virtual machines in Specific Slots.

Abstract: A sectional electrical connector for flat cables includes separable lower and upper horizontal sections formed from a relatively hard synthetic plastic material, at least one electrical contact having a horizontal bus bar portion mounted in the lower section, and a vertical portion extending upwardly toward the upper section, and seal strips integral with and arranged between the sections to seal the space between the sections surrounding the contact vertical portion, the seal strips being formed from a relatively soft synthetic plastic material. In one embodiment, the contact vertical portion comprises an insulation piercing contact for engaging the conductor of an insulated conductor contained in the flat cable. In a second embodiment, the vertical contact portion comprises a pin for connection with one or more components of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement taps off electrical current from a plurality of coplanar parallel input insulated conductors and supplies the same to a plurality of output conductors, respectively. A rectangular base member is provided having a horizontal upper surface that supports a plurality of parallel coplanar longitudinally-extending input conductors, respectively. A pair of pivot members are connected with the ends of the base member for pivotal movement about transverse horizontal pivot axes, respectively. As the pivot members are pivoted from disengaged positions toward engaged positions parallel with and directly above the base member top surface, bifurcated insulation-piercing knives on the pivot members pierce the insulation layers of the insulated conductors and electrically engage the conductors.

Abstract: A plug-in electrical bridge connector includes a pair of parallel bridge contacts that extend through contact openings contained in an insulated bus bar housing arrangement for electrical engagement with bus bars mounted in chambers contained therein, respectively. A locking device is arranged in at least one of the bus bar chambers for automatic locking engagement with the associated bridge contact, thereby to retain the bridge contact in engagement with the associated bus bar. A release device is moveably mounted on the bridge connector body for displacement from a retracted position toward an operable extended position in which the release member unlocks the locking device from the bridge contact, thereby to permit removal of the bridge connector from the bus bar housing arrangement.

Abstract: A distributor is provided for selectively connecting with a plurality of voltage sources a plurality of electrical load devices, such as the sensors or actuators of an electrical and mechanical installation. A pair of voltage supply connectors mounted on a housing include first pins that are connected to continuously supply power from a first voltage source to the internal electronics circuitry of the distributor, and second pins that are connected via a jumper switch to selectively connect a second voltage source with the groups of electrical load devices.

Abstract: A disposable shipping cart for live plants includes a rigid frame mounted on casters for rolling transport, which frame is formed from an inexpensive non-metallic material and includes a plurality of vertically spaced shelf supports upon which are fastened cardboard shelves that are fastened to the frame. Preferably, each shelf is folded from a cardboard blank having side and end walls that are foldable to vertical positions in which the end portions thereof are arranged for fastening to the corner posts of the frame, respectively.

Abstract: A distributor is provided for selectively connecting with a voltage source a plurality of electrical load devices, such as the sensors or actuators of an electrical and mechanical installation, characterized by the provision of an illuminating field that illuminates the addressing switches and/or the changeover switches of the distributor.

Abstract: A pool table or the like (10) is formed from a trough (20) whose edges support the bed (12) of the table and have the cushions (34) attached to them. The trough includes means for directing potted balls in a particular manner, which may be in the form of channels (28). Sound-deadening material may be provided on the trough. The cushions can be attached to the trough by clips (56), pegs (90) or conventional means. The invention also extends to the trough itself, and to a method of assembling a table with a trough.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector arrangement includes a male plug member that is normally locked in engagement with a female socket member by a plurality of radially inwardly directed spring fingers that engage the threads of an externally threaded portion of the plug member, together with an annular quick-release member that is axially displaceable relative to the socket member to release the spring fingers from the threads on the plug member, thereby to permit separation of the plug and socket members.

Abstract: A projectile for a weapon comprises an axially movable firing pin, an initiator actuable when impinged by the firing pin, a plurality of external peripheral fins movable from a radially inward position to a radially outward position when the projectile leaves the weapon, fin engaging means for moving each fin from the radially inward position to the radially outward position and for maintaining each fin in the radially outward position, and internal actuating means for actuating the fin engaging means to engage and thereby move the fins to deploy from the radially inward to the radially outward position as the projectile leaves the weapon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a failure detecting system that enables the detection of a break in a rail and the like by a simple network configuration. Detecting units (20 and 50), relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C) and terminal units (40 and 70) are arranged along rails (11, 11A and 11B). Using the rails (11, 11A and 11B) as transmission media, ultrasonic waves transmitted from the detecting units (20 and 50) are transmitted to the terminal units (40 and 70) by the relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C), and when the terminal units (40 and 70) receive the ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves are returned from the terminal units (40 and 70), relayed by the relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C), and transmitted to the detecting units (20 and 50). Thus, it is judged whether there is a break in the rails (11, 11A and 11B), based on the ultrasonic wave reception state in the detecting units (20 and 50).