Abstract: A method to generate a group of entities from a plurality of participating entities, the method comprising: one of the participating entities expressing by indication which others of the participating entities they wish to meet; selecting to be a first member of the group an entity which has indicated at least one other of the participating entities it wishes to meet; adding a new entity to the group by selecting the new entity from the set of indications of the last member added to the group.

Abstract: A fastener system for connecting a first member to a second member is described. The fastener system includes a flexible shell having therein a flexible reinforcement member in the form of a frame. The shell and frame can be placed through holes in the two members and filled with a filler material that hardens to form a rigid fastener in order to connect the first and second members together. The fastener system and method can be used even when the holes in the two members are misaligned or are of different sizes.

Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a frame, a rotary pawl, a locking member, a handle, and a lock plug. The frame is adapted for attachment to the first member. The handle is pivotally attached to the frame and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking member retains the pawl in the latched position when the locking member is in an undeflected configuration. The handle causes the locking member to deflect and release the pawl from a latched position when the locking member is in an unlocked position and the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the frame and can selectively move the locking member to a locked position where the locking member cannot be actuated by the handle.

Abstract: An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.

Abstract: An activity walker has three wheeled legs positioned about an adjustable trunk surround member. The trunk surround member is hinged to open and is curved to approximate a users oval-shaped midriff. An adjustable closure on the torso/trunk surround member compensates for users of various girths. A flexible sling support extends across the interior of the surround member from its rear portion to its front portion, with fixed rearward attachments and a releasable front attachment to the interior of the surround member. This sling support is shaped to pass between a user's legs and provides body/trunk support when the user is standing upright. A length of each leg may be adjustable. The lateral extension of each leg outwardly from the surround member may be adjustable to reconfigure the stance/footprint of the walker. A friction pin may be utilized to adjust the rolling rate of each wheel.

Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.

Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a striker in a rotary pawl latch. The latch assembly includes a housing, a rotary pawl, and an actuator. The housing can have one sidewall having a notch for receiving the striker. A trigger can be pivotally attached to the housing such that the actuator releases the rotary pawl thus opening the latch.

Abstract: A rotary pawl latch has a lock bar that engages with the pawl when the pawl is latched and that moves toward the center of the pawl to release the pawl for unlatching. This lock bar never completely becomes disengaged from the envelope of the pawl. There are cutouts in the pawl which allow the pawl to rotate as the lock bar is actuated.

Abstract: A device has a closed position and at least first and second open positions. The device includes a base. A hinge assembly is engaged with the base. The hinge assembly has first and second axes. A hinged portion is engaged with the hinge assembly. The hinged portion is individually pivotable with respect to the base about each of the first and second axes of the hinge assembly. Pivoting of the hinged portion about the first axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the first open position. Relative pivoting of the hinged portion about the second axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the second open position.

Abstract: A tracheotomy cannula apparatus with a shield plate is provided for fixedly gripping the cannula with a housing assembly portion of the apparatus. A pair of wing structures form a portion of the apparatus and are attached to the housing assembly, which wing structures assist in holding the cannual apparatus to a patient. The housing assembly includes a housing member through which the cannual is passed. A shield plate is affixed to one side of the housing member, which side is intended to face a patient, and whereby the cannula passing through the housing member also passes through the shield plate. A prestressed spring structure is positioned within a housing member to normally apply pressure against the cannula, thereby holding it in fixed relationship to the housing member. This spring structure has a release actuation member which when operated permits a slide movement of the cannula through the housing member.

Abstract: An articulated hinge is provided which is capable of supporting a panel member and permitting the panel member to be moved away from an opening and at the same time permit the panel member to be rotated approximately 90 degrees. The hinge has a scissor arm mechanism which provides for smooth opening and closing of the hinge thereby eliminating a possible sticking of the hinge during opening.

Abstract: A latch has a pop-up knob that provides a handle for pulling on a door when the knob is extended. The door can be closed with the knob either up or down. With the knob up, the latch pawl can be disengaged from a keeper attached to the door frame by pulling the door open. With the knob down, the latch pawl remains in an extended position behind the keeper and the door cannot be pulled open. The knob can be selectively retained in the down position, and placing the knob in the down position results in the rotational movement of the latch pawl being blocked.

Abstract: A structural member for a vehicle has a slot extending into one structural wall thereof, for receiving and holding a bolt, wherein said structural member including said slot has been formed by extrusion. The slot extends the length of the structural member for slidably receiving the head of one or more bolts wherein the land area of each bolt head extends beyond the slot opening to overlay the wall area carrying the slot. Each bolt carries at least two flat faces below its head wherein the juxtaposed edges of the slot carrying wall retains, i.e., refrains, the bolt from rotating. The slot includes an interior wall or sidewalls continuous with the slotted structural wall. The structural member may include an I-beam, a rectangular tube, a C-channel and the like. Corners are radiuses and right angles are avoided to reduce or remove stress risers.

Abstract: A child resistant blister packaging having an upper cover sheet with at least one aperture, a bottom backing card with at least one scored exit port, and a blister laminate situated between the cover sheet and the backing card, the blister laminate includes at least one blister containing a cavity for receiving a pill and a foil layer adhered to the a bottom surface of the sheet. The blister protrudes through the aperture in the cover sheet and is arranged on a carrier tab that will not line up in registry with the scored exit port in the backing card. Upon the application of sufficient force, the blister can be moved to align the pill-receiving cavity with the scored exit port and the blister can be collapsed to force a medicament stored in the cavity through the foil layer and the scored exit port.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by coating mineral particles with a clay-silicate binder including a metal oxide algaecide and small organic particles. When the particles are heated to cure the binder, the organic particles pyrolyse to form pores in the coating. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules.

Abstract: A latch has a pawl, a handle connected to the pawl, a manual lock for preventing movement of the handle between a closed position and an open position, an electrical lock for preventing movement of the handle between the closed position and the open position, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable between an engaged position in which the handle is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position in which the handle is permitted to move from the closed position to the open position. Upon deenergization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to deenergization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to deenergization.

Abstract: A metal injection-molding feedstock is heated and plasticized. Supercritical carbon dioxide is injected into the feedstock to form micropores when the pressure is reduced and a parts mold is filled. The micropores are retained when the green parts are debindered and sintered.

Abstract: An XOR circuit, a RAID device which can recover several failures and method thereof are provided. A Galois field data recovery circuit having two or more sets of Galois Field engine circuits which are used in the XOR circuit, is one which can generate high efficient parity engine and high efficient flow data route and which at the same time correct the three or more failures during operation of the RAID device.