Abstract: A modular carrying apparatus includes a base unit and an accessory unit. The base unit includes a first portion (or part) of a fastener and the accessory unit includes a second portion of the fastener. The base unit may removably couple with an object, while the accessory unit is configured to hold materials, for example, building materials, cooking materials, seamstress materials, art materials, and the like. The fastener, having the first portion coupled with the base unit and the second portion coupled with the accessory unit, releasably couple with each other.

Abstract: A digital, radio-frequency (RF) transceiver is modified by coupling an infra-red (IR) communication subsystem thereto. The subsystem includes an IR transmitter and receiver which may be coupled selectably by a switch to a data signal channel or source in the transceiver. Preferably, the IR receiver includes an inductor and a diode coupled in parallel, such that the IR receiver detects an IR signal, in significant part, by resonating such signal substantially at a detection or RF baseband frequency.

Abstract: A PCMCIA package with a shielded package for radio electronics is inserted into a selected PCMCIA slot with only one edge of the shielded package being immediately accessible. A microwave and radio frequency transparent containment is mounted at a selected edge of the shielded package. An antenna is mounted within the microwave and radio frequency transparent containment for electromagnetic communication through the microwave and radio frequency transparent containment.

Abstract: In a bus system including a bus, a plurality of nodes including a primary node, and a bus access coordinator, bus utilization efficiency is improved by operating the coordinator at the same clock frequency as the primary node. The primary node is the node in the bus system which accesses the bus most frequently. By running the coordinator synchronous with the primary node, the need for synchronization events between the two components is eliminated. Since the primary node accesses the bus most frequently, eliminating synchronization events with the primary node eliminates most of the synchronization events in the bus system. Thus, synchronization events are minimized which, in turn, improves bus utilization efficiency.

Abstract: A float finish machine includes a rotor with a disk supporting a set of trowel blades, accommodated in corresponding radial slots, that are angularly adjustable with respect to the rotor about axes that are substantially parallel to the floor. The machine includes an engine and a speed reducer having an output shaft with a sliding collar positioned thereon. An idle spacing element, having a hub that is ensheathed by a sleeve, and that is rotatably coupled with the shaft through the sliding collar, has a diameter greater than the disk and is positioned on the shaft to freely rotate about the axis of the shaft. The sleeve operates in conjunction with a device for setting the angular position of the trowel blades.