Abstract: An iterative approach is used to find maximum likelihood sequence estimates of a transmitted symbol sequence. Each possible transmitted signal is represented by an indicator vector which selects the transmitted symbol from a symbol library vector. Channel estimates are generated representing the estimated impulse response of the communication channel to each transmitted symbol. The channel estimates are used to form a matched medium response vector and an interaction matrix. The matched medium response vector represents the matched medium response of the receiver to both a transmitter and the channel for each transmitted symbol. The interaction matrix represents the ISI between symbols. The matched medium response vector and the interaction matrix are fed to an estimated symbol probability vector generator which calculates in an iterative manner the estimated symbol probability vectors corresponding to each transmitted symbol.

Abstract: A knitted glove including a thumb and a body, a crotch defined between the thumb and the body, and a thickened knitted portion along at least a portion of the crotch. The present invention is further directed to a method and apparatus for forming such a knitted glove.

Abstract: A kit adapted to be connected to the oil pan of a vehicle for draining oil therefrom. The kit comprises an adapter that is attachable to the oil pan such that the adapter is generally axially aligned with a drain opening formed in the oil pan. A main body is provided and such is attachable to the adapter. The main body forms a reservoir that includes an outlet port. Contained within the reservoir is a socket and shaft that is operative to unscrew a drain bolt normally secured within the drain opening of the oil pan. In addition, the same socket and shaft is operative to secure the drain plug within the drain opening once oil has been removed from the oil pan.

Abstract: An elongated rubber ejector is mounted to a die board that forms a part of a cutting die and the ejector functions to engage cut corrugated board and eject the same from the cutting die. The rubber ejector includes upper and lower faces or surfaces with each face including a series of spaced apart raised lugs with a series of spaced apart voids or relief areas disposed between the lugs. Lugs and relief areas formed on one face are staggered with respect to the lugs and relief areas formed on the other face. In practice, the lugs are compressed during a die cutting operation. Once the corrugated board has been cut and the die board and an opposed anvil have been moved apart, the lugs and the ejector expand and in the process the rubber ejector engages the cut corrugated board and ejects the same from the cutting die.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one capillary in a moldable material. The capillary has a large length in relation to its cross-section. A closed cavity is created within the moldable material and the material is stretched in at least one direction so that the cavity forms a substantially elliptical or parabolic capillary whose length is large in relationship to its cross-section. The material may be heated before stretching so that the cavity is expanded and shaped into an essentially spherical form. Suitable materials for the practice of the invention include glass, plastic, quartz, silicon, or metal.

Abstract: The sports racquet of the present invention utilizes a series of interlocking string clamping assemblies which are adapted to be received within a corresponding series of passageways formed in the surrounding frame structure of the racquet, and wherein each clamping assembly is adapted to receive and grip a length of playing string which passes therethrough. The clamping assembly is generally comprised of a gripping wedge member and a clamping member, wherein the gripping wedge includes a fastener which secures the wedge to the racquet frame structure prior to application of the clamping member. With the gripping wedge member so positioned and secured within the frame structure, the clamping member is inserted between the wedge and the frame passageway, thereby causing the wedge member to engage and grip the adjacently disposed segment of playing string.

Abstract: A tap-resistant security circuit. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conduit including an electrically conductive wire surrounded by a gas-filled, gas impermeable sheath. At one end of the conduit is a pressure switch which is normally open but is maintained closed by the pressure in the gas-filled conduit. The other end of the conduit is sealed. If the gas-filled conduit is disturbed, for example, if an attempt is made to cut the wire, the gas within the conduit escapes, the pressure holding the switch closed drops and the circuit is opened. As a result, any attempt to by-pass or "tap" the wire results in the current through the wire being interrupted.

Abstract: An athletic shoe with anti-inversion protection includes an upper attached along its lower extent to a sole portion. The sole portion includes an integrally formed wing member projecting outwardly from the lateral side of the sole portion. The wing member is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the sole portion and is located between the ankle and the ball of the user's foot. When the ankle begins to overturn, the tip of the wing member engages the ground to resist overturning.

Abstract: A magnetically detectable bobbin for a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a substantially non-metallic detectable bobbin core. The core includes a substantially non-metallic cylindrical body having a detectable dopant in the cylindrical body. In the preferred embodiment, the dopant is magnetite. The thread supply is wound about the bobbin core after a frictional outer surface is applied to the bobbin core to aid in windability of the thread supply.

Abstract: The present invention entails an elongated upright post that includes a series of supports secured on and around the elongated post and which are movable up and down adjacent the post. Each of the supports includes an elongated section that runs adjacent the post and an outwardly projecting section that extends outwardly with respect to the post for supporting a flower or plant-type hanging basket or other object. A series of set screws are attached adjacent the supports. The set screws are operative to engage a support and to effectively retain the support in a fixed vertical position. However, the set screws can be released from the supports and the supports can be moved up and down so as to adjust their vertical height.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a cuff from a continuous supply of tubular material. The apparatus includes a material feed for advancing the tubular material. A cutter is disposed adjacent the material feed for severing the tubular material to form a circular band. A holding fixture receives and holds the circular band severed from the tubular cuff material in an open position. The holding fixture includes gripping means formed in the holding fixture for gripping the circular band between the ends thereof. A folding mechanism folds the circular band on the holding fixture upon itself to form a double-layer cuff which is subsequently attached to the garment either automatically or manually.

Abstract: A lance tube formed of a tubular conduit having an inner end to be joined to a source of pressurized fluid, a closed distal end, a continuous wall between the inner and distal ends, and a plurality of tube discharge openings in the continuous wall; and a plurality of axially positioned fluid direction tubes within the conduit, each tube having a straight intake section generally axially aligned with the conduit and having an intake opening toward the conduit inner end, a straight discharge section having a discharge opening at one of the discharge openings in the conduit wall, and an intermediate curved section joining the intake and discharge sections, whereby fluid entering the conduit will be directed through the fluid direction conduits, and will be discharged in laminar flow from the discharge openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a cuff into a sleeve of a garment. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for holding the cuff in a generally open configuration. A sleeve opener opens the sleeve of a garment sufficient to allow insertion of the cuff into the sleeve. The sleeve opener includes a support surface for supporting the sleeve and a pick-up head for engaging an upper layer of the sleeve. The pick-up head is mounted for vertical movement relative to the support surface to lift the upper layer of the sleeve and includes means for effecting relative movement between the holding fixture and the sleeve opener to insert the cuff into the sleeve.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser having a filter status sensor includes a fuel delivery path for delivering fuel from a station storage tank to a vehicle; a fuel filter in the delivery path for filtering fuel flowing in the delivery path; a flow monitor in the delivery path for measuring fuel flow in the delivery path; and a controller associated with the flow monitor adapted to determine and compare a first flow rate taken during a first cycle with a second flow rate taken during a second cycle. The controller provides a filter status signal when the first and second flow rates differ by more than a predetermined difference indicative of an unclean fuel filter.

Abstract: The present invention entails a method and apparatus for automatically glue-bonding scrim to a non-woven fiber mat. The fiber mat and scrim are both conveyed or advanced towards a pair of compression rollers. Prior to reaching the compression rollers, a series of glue guns direct a spray of glue onto one side of either the fiber mat or the scrim. Thereafter, the fiber mat and scrim are fed through the pair of compression rollers that press the scrim and fiber mat together to form a bonded fiber mat-scrim composite. From the compression rollers, the final formed fiber mat-scrim composite is conveyed to a take-up station where the composite is overlapped or wound into a roll.

Abstract: A gas sealing device for a gas-operated firearm having a piston with a land surface positioned between a lateral flange and a peripheral rib, and a piston seal radially mounted on the land surface and positioned between the lateral flange and the peripheral rib. In operation, the piston and the piston seal can remain interlocked, but still operational so that upon firing, the piston is deflected towards the magazine tube due to the force applied by the piston seal. The piston seal exerts the force on the piston due to the impingement of a propellant gas charge on the piston seal.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel dispenser for a dispensing system having a receiver capable of receiving fueling parameters transmitted from the vehicle. The fueling parameters relate to information about tank size, ullage, maximum allowed fueling rates and maximum fueling rates as a function of ullage, among others. Based on these fueling parameters, the fuel dispenser controls the fueling operation to optimize fuel delivery and minimize fuel spillage. Control of the fueling operation may vary from simply adjusting the delivery rate to a maximum allowed by the vehicle to defining a fueling schedule for the entire fueling operation wherein the fueling schedule defines a fueling process which varies flow rates throughout the fueling operation as necessary to optimize fueling. Additionally, the dispenser may continuously adjust the maximum fueling rate throughout the fueling operation based upon a fueling parameter defining the maximum fueling rate as a function of ullage.