Abstract: An adjustable hand-held exercise weight with pulse detection and remote infrared control is disclosed, including a handle contoured for grasping by a user and having a plurality of buttons thereon, a printed circuit board mounted within the handle, a sensor mounted to said printed circuit board which senses a pulse signal, a radio frequency transmitter which transmits the pulse signal, a first slotted bar, a second slotted bar, at least one weight slidably locked in the respective slots between the first and second slotted bars, and an infrared frequency transmitter communicatively connected to the printed circuit board and mounted substantially within the handle. Also disclosed are combinations including at least one of the features of adjustability, pulse detection, and remote infrared control in a hand-held weight.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling a charging voltage of the battery during charging to recognize potential adverse conditions within the battery; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery at a plurality of points during each current-free period to identify potential overcharge conditions in the battery; lowering the charging current if any of the above-identified adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if the potential adverse charging condition is not identified; and terminating charging when a negative slope on a chemical polarization versus time curve is identified below a pre-determined minimum level.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling a charging voltage of the battery during charging to recognize potential electrolyte decomposition; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery at a plurality of points during each current-free period to identify potential shunting and unequal states of charge among individual cells of the battery; lowering the charging current if any of the above-identified adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if the potential adverse charging condition is not identified; and terminating charging when the charging current is lowered below a pre-determined minimum level.

Abstract: A product display board for display of a plurality of product lines of memorial products having a plurality of design features. The product display board includes samples of memorial products of each product line arranged in rows with related design features arranged in columns.

Abstract: A method of forming a film having enhanced reflow characteristics at low thermal budget is disclosed, in which a surface layer of material is formed above a base layer of material, the surface layer having a lower melting point than the base layer. In this way, a composite film having two layers is created. After reflow, the surface layer can be removed using conventional methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods whereby flexible walled containers may be automatically pressure tested at a pressure testing station for the purpose of determining the presence of defective containers. Detected defective containers may thereafter be transported to an ejector station and ejected physically from their respective supporting tray. The pressure testing station is provided with an array of pressure testing heads which are moveable reciprocally towards and away from the containers while supported in their tray. Each of the pressure testing heads thus makes sealing contact with the rim of an individual respective one of the containers supported in the tray. The ejector station is provided with an array of ejector assemblies equal in number to the number of containers supported on a tray and oriented at an angle relative to a vertical cross-machine plane. If a container is determined to be defective (i.e.

Abstract: A security enhanced computer system arrangement includes a coprocessor and a multiprocessor logic controller inserted into the architecture of a conventional computer system. The coprocessor and multiprocessor logic controller is interposed between the CPU of the conventional computer system to intercept and replace control signals that are passed over certain of the critical control signal lines associated with the CPU. The multiprocessor logic controller arrangement thereby isolates the CPU of the conventional computer system from the remainder of the conventional computer system, permitting separate control over the CPU and separate control over the remainder of the computer system. By controlling the control signals that are normally passed between the CPU and the remainder of the computer system, the multiprocessor logic controller permits the coprocessor to perform highly secure operations.

Abstract: A magnetic system and apparatus having a multi-dimensional gradient for continuous, on-line separation of components from a mixture of chemical entities which comprises at least one separation chamber with a plurality of channels and a plurality of magnets, and a method is provided for continuously and magnetically separating and treating components of a mixture of chemical entities using a multi-dimensional gradient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring two frequencies of electromagnetic energy to and from a portion of a living body for the purpose of blood oxygen saturation measurements. The two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transferred to the portion of the living body through a single optical fiber cable (which could be a bundle) to a coupler and then through a short section of optical cable to an optical element adjacent to the portion of the living body. After the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transmitted through the portion of the living body they are received by another optical element and transported away from the portion of the living body to a coupler through a short section of optical cable where they may be converted to electrical signals. Alternatively, the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are carried away from the coupler.

Abstract: In a method for installing an offshore tension leg platform, a freely floating platform structure (7) is coupled to previously mounted tension legs (1) without the use of temporary motion compensating coupling mechanisms between the upper ends of the tension legs and the platform structure. Instead, permanently installed coupling elements (5) at the ends of the tension legs (1) are used and during the transition of the platform structure (7) from freely floating condition to moored condition by means of the tension legs (1), the coupling elements (5) are allowed to impact quite heavily against the corresponding connecting means (9) on the platform structure during its wave induced movements until it is held continuously by the tension legs.

Abstract: An electronic sourcing system includes a computer that maintains a catalog database of data including product information (such as product identification and descriptive information) relating to catalog items available from vendor product catalogs, and a means for building (generating) a requisition including at least one requisitioned item. Information at least partially identifying an item desired to be requisitioned is entered by a user, and utilized by a means for searching the database for catalog items matching that information and for selecting at least one catalog item located as a result of the search. Text describing the catalog items, and images of the items, may be viewed. Data identifying selected catalog items are communicated to the requisition building means, which generates a requisition including entries for items corresponding to the selected catalog items.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse capable of expressing a reporter gene regulated by human elastin promoter is provided. Mouse fibroblast cultures derived from this transgenic mouse are also provided. In addition, methods of identifying compounds capable of inhibiting cutaneous photodamage with this transgenic mouse or fibroblast cultures derived from these mice are provided.

Abstract: Restriction enzymes are used to remove from DNA a complete and undamaged structural gene coding region for the expression of DNA polymerase I (polA) without the gene's natural promoter or with only a significantly damaged portion of the gene's natural promoter. Also by the use of restriction enzymes, a segment from a plasmid cloning vector is excised at a position adjacent to a promoter which is conditionally controllable and may be more powerful than the damaged or removed promoter. The gene for DNA polymerase I is enzymatically cloned into said vector at the position of said removed segment and adjacent to said conditionally controllable promoter. Multicopies of the cloned vector are introduced into a host baterial strain (E. coli). The host strain is then cultured so that the cell colony grows and replicates new generations containing replicated foreign plasmid. During such said replication the activity of said controllable promoter is repressed.

Abstract: A folding treadmill is disclosed which includes a treadmill frame, a carriage connected to the treadmill frame, a lift motor mounted to the carriage, a lift screw connected to the lift motor, a lift arm connected to the lift screw which is extended by turning of the lift screw, and a swinging arm connected to the treadmill frame and to the lift arm. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the swinging arm controls the angular orientation of the treadmill frame with respect to the carriage.

Abstract: A slow-release insect repellent composition comprising an insect repellent, an oleophilic chemical soluble in the insect repellent, and a carbohydrate matrix wherein the combination of the insect repellent and oleophilic chemical is entrapped in the matrix such that the repellent is released from the matrix, a fabric substrate containing the composition and method for preparing the composition.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to optic devices such as ophthalmic lenses, lens blanks, and lens preforms, made from a thermoplastic material of a specific formula and a process for forming the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a scanning light beam for scanning a target using a light beam scanning system. In response to actuation of the scanning system by a user, only a single non-periodic pulse of current is provided to a scan element. The single pulse of current causes the scan element to move a light beam from a stationary equilibrium position to a first position at a first extreme end of a scan line that intersects the target. Immediately after the light beam reaches the first extreme end of said scan line, the scan element moves the light beam from the first extreme end of the scan line to a second extreme end of the scan line without application of external current. Thereafter, immediately after the light beam reaches the second extreme end of the scan line, the scan element brings the light beam back to the stationary equilibrium position without application of external current.

Abstract: This invention relates to decorative ribbons, and to methods and machines for making them. More specifically, the invention relates to fabric ribbons that are edged with wire and trimmed with an overlay of decorative thread.According to the invention, a run of fabric ribbon is simultaneously edged with wire and tightly bound with a binding filament (such as monofilament) and a trim filament (such as decorative thread). This is done in a single operation. The result is a unique ribbon construction, which has many desirable properties. The new ribbons are flexible, but will retain their shape when bent, twisted or tied into a desired configuration. They are elegantly simple in design and provide a novel streamlined finished product with components that are firmly bound together. The ribbons provide an improved edge and trimming where the wire meets the fabric.