Abstract: An adjustable auto-clasp barrette includes a base, a hinged and clasped locking arm, and a resilient leaf spring positioned between the base and the locking arm. The locking arm and the leaf spring cooperate to engage the hair to secure the barrette in the user's hair. An adjustment coupling permits the positions of the leaf spring ends to be longitudinally adjusted relative to the base to increase or decrease how much the leaf spring deflects and bows outwardly. With the spring ends positioned farther apart the leaf spring is less bowed for holding thicker hair or a larger volume of finer hair. And with the spring ends positioned closer together the leaf spring is more bowed for holding finer hair or a smaller volume of thick hair.

Abstract: A variable attenuator and method of attenuating a signal is presented. The variable attenuator contains an input that receives an input signal to be attenuated. A voltage divider between a resistor and parallel MOSFETs provides the attenuated input signal. The MOSFETs have different sizes and have gates that are connected to a control signal through different resistances such that the larger the MOSFET, the larger the resistance. The control signal is dependent on the output of the attenuator. The arrangement extends the linearity of the attenuation over a wide voltage range of the control signal and decreases the intermodulation distortion of the attenuator.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for determining a margin requirement associated with a plurality of financial instruments within a portfolio is disclosed.

Abstract: A stroller includes a frame having a frame leg and a frame joint at which the frame leg is coupled to the frame. The frame joint is configured to allow retraction of the frame leg to a folded position. A handle is attached to the frame at a pivot joint, the pivot joint being configured for rotation of the handle between first and second operational orientations. The pivot joint is further configured for rotation of the handle from the first or second operational orientations to a storage position aligned with the folded position of the frame leg. In some cases, a front frame leg and a rear frame leg are coupled to the frame joint, the frame joint being configured to allow the front frame leg and the rear frame leg to retract to respective folded positions in which the stroller is supported in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A transmission device is provided. The transmission device is operable to transmit data between a rotor and a stator. The transmission device includes at least two pairs of transmission units with one transmission unit embodied as a transmitter and one as a receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for risk analysis of a portfolio of derivative products is disclosed which is conducted based on a set of flexible rules. The system and method allow creating predefined sets of products for the purpose of future risk offsets. If a futures trade as a subset of that set of products that met a threshold level, then the subset is assigned the offset value (or a pro rata or other portion of the offset value) of the predefined set. For example, assume that the predefined set consists of one S&P 500 futures, one NASDAQ futures, one S&P Midcap 400 futures and one Russell 1000 futures and the threshold is three. If the futures trader holds any three of those four futures, the three futures can be grouped, assigned an offset value, and this group can be used as one asset for purpose of further risk offsets.

Abstract: A bassinet includes a frame and a bed basket supported by the frame. The bed basket defines an infant sleep surface. The frame and the bed basket are pivotably coupled to allow the bed basket to rotate relative to the frame to convert between a first bassinet configuration and a second bassinet configuration. The second bassinet configuration has a greater wall height about the infant sleep surface than the first bassinet configuration.

Abstract: A shoulder joint is provided. The shoulder joint includes a main support, a fold-out arm, first and second carriages arranged on the main support, and a first coupling that is operable to couple the first and second carriages together. The fold-out arm is attached by a pin to the second carriage, and the first carriage is connected to the fold-out arm in such a way that when the first and second carriages are operable to move towards each other, the fold-out arm is folded out by pivoting around the pin. The first coupling is operable to couple the first and second carriages together when the fold-out arm is folded out, and the first and second carriages are operable to move jointly in at least one direction when coupled together.

Abstract: Apparatus (10?) for use as a heat pump comprising: compression chamber means (40?); inlet means (30?) for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means; compression means (60?) for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means; heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means; expansion chamber means (124?) for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means; expansion means (120?) for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means; and exhaust means (100?) for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for factoring in a trader's trading activity into the margin requirements is disclosed. In the securities arena, day traders are assessed different margins than non-day-traders, however, the specific profile of the trader is analyzed (that is, the same rule applies to all day traders).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (2) for reducing the microbial count in particulate bulk material, in particular herbs and spices and other particulate foodstuffs, by treating batches of the bulk material with hot steam. In order to make better use of the thermal energy contained in the steam, the invention proposes that the bulk material is in each case alternately treated with steam in two separate chambers (6, 8), and that, after treatment of the bulk material in a chamber (6 or 8), some of the steam which is supplied to this chamber (6 or 8) is introduced into the other chamber (8 or 6) in order to preheat the still untreated bulk material in said other chamber (8 or 6).

Abstract: A system mitigates the effects of a market spike caused by the triggering and the election of a conditional order in an automated matching system. Conditional orders submitted to a trading engine are evaluated to compare a price of an order to a predetermined price range. Matching of the orders may be delayed when the price of the orders lies outside of the predetermined price range. An opening price to be used by the trading engine is derived and a time interval is used to delay a matching of the orders until the opening price is within a predetermined price range up to a maximum delay time set by a control center. Implied spreads are also removed until other instruments within a trading unit are verified open.

Abstract: A hair clip has two body members pivotally coupled together by a spring-biased hinge mechanism. Each body member has a handle section and a hair-gripping section with the hinge mounted between them. The hair clip can have at least one handle-deflecting opening in each handle section to form at least one handle-flexing region where the handle sections can deflect outwardly into a low-profile flexed position. A mechanical stop may be provided to limit inward deflection. The hair clip can also have at least one teeth-deflecting opening in each hair-gripping section to form at least one teeth-flexing region where the hair-gripping sections can deflect into a low-profile flexed position.

Abstract: A juvenile product includes an electrical device, a structural assembly configured to structurally support the electrical device, and a power delivery path configured to carry power to the electrical device. The structural assembly includes first and second structural components, and is formed via a structural connection of the first and second structural components. The power delivery path is disposed within the first and second structural components, respectively, and includes first and second electrical contacts positioned relative to the first and second structural components, respectively, such that the structural connection between the first and second structural components establishes an electrical connection between the first and second contacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for dissolving solid bodies with a liquid, in particular for bringing solid bodies of different shapes and sizes, but mainly very course bodies, in contact with liquids, in order to dissolve them by a chemical reaction or dispersion. The device comprises a closed container (1) that is partially filled with the liquid and into which the solid bodies are introduced before being received inside the container (1) into a basket (2) that is movable relative to the container (1), and the solid bodies inside the basket (2) are brought into contact with the liquid. For the solid bodies to be introduced more easily, quickly and also more uniformly into the basket inside the container (1), in order to be dissolved, the basket (2) is suspended inside the container (1) in an oscillating manner, such that it can be moved back and forth, after it is filled with a bulk load of solid bodies, in alternating directions of rotation relative to the container (1).

Abstract: A clutch with a first clutch disk and a second clutch disk is provided. The first clutch disk includes at least one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in a displaceable fashion in each instance so as to press against a spring. The second clutch disk, which, for each shaft of the first clutch disk, includes a recess for partially receiving a sphere.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying objects packaged in electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection packaging is disclosed. The system includes an ESD protection package and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is affixed to the object prior to being inserted into the ESD protection packaging. A RFID interrogation device having a transmitter, an antenna and a receiver is used to interrogate the RFID tag and output the identification data to a display or to a computer. The method includes affixing an RFID tag to an object prior to placement in the ESD protection packaging, providing a RFID interrogation device including an antenna in proximity to the packaged object, and reading the data stored by the RFID tag for identifying the object.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to radiotherapy methods and devices that use local field enhancements induced by metal particles in order to irradiate a target volume with a lower intensity as compared to conventional treatment methods. The metal particles may be coupled to vehicles and administered to a patient's body. As vehicles may have a higher affinity to the target volume than to the rest of the body, metal particles may concentrate within the target volume. When in irradiating the target volume, the metal particles cause local field enhancements of the treatment radiation, thus allowing irradiating the body with a lower overall intensity. Local field enhancements may be determined and used to control a radiation therapy device.

Abstract: A system mitigates the effects of a market spike caused by the triggering and election of conditional orders in an automated matching system. The system monitors trading that takes place as a result of the cascading triggering of conditional orders. When an order is executed beyond a predetermined price threshold, an instrument may be flagged, allowing matching to take place only at or within the predetermined price threshold. Orders within the price threshold are matched at the price threshold against orders beyond the price threshold, in order to dampen any instantaneous damaging effects of the price spike. The system may adjust the price threshold when market appropriate, allowing the order flow to bring the market back to whatever is the true price level.

Abstract: A baking apparatus or tin, particularly for baking bread, comprising an outer housing able to accommodate a first dough, and one or more insertable, separable sleeves able to accommodate at least a second dough.