Abstract: A modular table, such as a conference table is constructed of a plurality of detachable, connected modules. Each module has a three-sided top formed by connecting three three-sided sections. Each three-sided section has a base side forming an outer edge of the module top, a first side and a second side. The first and second sides are joined at an angle of 120°, and are preferably of different lengths, so that a central opening is formed in the top of each module. The base side of at least one section of each module is convex. A base supporting each module preferably has an opening so that utilities can be connected from a floor beneath the table to the table top through openings in the modules and base.

Abstract: An easily removable mitt or pad of a flexible cut-resistant material to be worn on the palm and about the wrist to protect at least the user's palm area. The pad, which preferably has an oval periphery, includes a hand-receiving opening for insertion of the user's hand. The opening has a diameter greater than the diameter of the user's wrist, but greater than the diameter of the user's hand, so that the pad can be easily separated from the palm area and hand beneath the user's hand when it is not needed.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula [I] or an optically active substance or a salt thereof. (In the formula, a bond shown by a dotted line in the five-membered ring means that said five-membered ring may be any of a cyclopentene ring having a double bond and a cyclopentane ring where said bond is saturated and, in the case of a cyclopentene ring, X is OH, Y is ═O and Z is H while, in the case of a cyclopentane ring, X is ═O, Y is OH and Z is OH. R is a residue after removal of an SH group from the SH-containing compound.

Abstract: An improved muzzle-loading firearm which is achieved by modifying the design of the breech plug to include a replaceable aperture adjacent to the firing chamber which can be easily replaced if damaged beyond repair. In the preferred embodiment, the breech plug is adapted to receive an ejectable firing module which permits loading of the firearm as a muzzle-loader, while also permitting the firing module to be inserted and ejected like a cartridge in a conventional breech loading firearm.

Abstract: A workstation including at least two walls, each of the walls having opposed ends, an upper panel, and a lower panel beneath the upper panel, the lower panel including a center plate with horizontal, parallel upper and lower side opening raceways on opposite sides of the plate; and a support post having opposed connection faces, one of the faces being connected to an end of one of the walls and the other face being connected to an end of the other of the walls, the post including conduits extending between the connecting faces, whereby utilities can be connected from raceways on one of the walls to raceways on the other of the walls through the post. Releasable edge and end caps are frictionally attached to the exposed wall edges.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bed rail hook and fastener assembly for hooking bed rails to the bedpost of headboards and footboards. The invention includes a bed rail hook configured to slide into the end of a bed rail and fasteners configured to extend partially through the bed rail and through apertures in the inserted portion of the bed rail hook in order to securely fasten the bed rail hook in the bed rail end. The same or similar fasteners used to secure the bed rail hook may also be oriented in the bedpost in a manner allowing downwardly extending hooks of the bed rail hook to engage the fasteners and securely hold the bed rail to the bedpost. The fasteners include a head, insertion end and a shank extending therebetween having annular ridges. Preferably, the annular ridges are frusto-conical and slope inwardly towards the insertion end. Additionally, a longer version of the hook fastener may be used to fasten a cleat for supporting bed slats along the lower side of the bed rail.

Abstract: A demountable wall system mountable between, but not attached to, the floor and ceiling of a building constructed of a plurality of wall sections, each wall section including at least one upper horizontal framing member having opposed upper and lower slots; a plurality of spaced, parallel vertical framing members having opposed side slots facing side slots of adjacent vertical framing members; at least one horizontal lower member having opposed upper and lower slots; at least one vertical rectangular panel with upper, lower and opposed side edges inserted into facing slots of adjacent framing members; a floor mounting member inserted into the lower slot of the lower horizontal framing member; a vertically adjustable closure member inserted into the upper slot of the upper member to close the space between the ceiling and the upper horizontal framing member; and first and second door jamb attachment plates fitted into facing slots of adjacent vertical framing members for mounting of a door.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring software usage on a network having a network of computers capable of running at least portions of a computer program. One of the computers in the network acts as a node that monitors the usage by users on the network. The monitoring node is programmed to determine active usage of the computer program by the users on various incidents involving the software, ascertain the total number of unique users using the software at a given time, compare the ascertained total number with an authorized number and issue a signal if the ascertained total number exceeds the authorized number. The present invention further includes a method of determining software license fees for software used intermittently by a plurality of users using the software on a network.

Abstract: A hanging file support apparatus having a rectangular top for receiving hanging file folders. The top contains circular support rods of identical cross section fitted into modular cornerpieces having three orthogonal extensions for receiving the rods. A pair of clip-on dividers with a rod extending between them may be attached to the top. The top may be attached to the top edge or inside of a drawer or other workspace through holes in the cornerpieces. The top may also be supported by vertical support rods that are received by the cornerpieces. The vertical rods may be mounted into holes in a drawer, shelf or other workspace. Alternatively, the vertical rods may be mounted into a base comprised of cornerpieces and rods.

Abstract: A dyeing system composition for use in printing articles formed from cellulose prior to dyeing. The dyeing system composition includes the use of both a dye blocking print paste and a dye enhancing print paste to selectively decrease or increase the shade of dyed portions of a cellulose article such as a woven cotton fabric.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed fiber optic coupler for packaging end joined optical fibers. The device includes at least one first optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a first free end and a second optical fiber having a glass-based portion having a second free end joined to the first free end of the glass-based portion of the first optical fiber to form an end joint. The device further includes an outer chamber having at least one open end, the outer chamber surrounding the end joint, the outer chamber and the end joint being hermetically sealed with a thermosetting plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the device also includes a primary tubular sleeve, positioned between the end joint the outer chamber; epoxy for tacking the glass-based portions of the first and second optical fibers to the primary tubular sleeve; and thixotropic epoxy for hermetically sealing the ends of the primary tubular sleeve.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for workflow automation includes a server computer and a plurality of client computers. Each client computer has an electronic coupling to the server computer for transmission of information between the server computer and each of the client computers and data entry elements and form interfaces for a user to fill out using the data entry elements. The server and client computers are configured to have a main spreadsheet on the server computer and client spreadsheets on the client computers with data entered in the form interfaces also appearing in the client spreadsheets, links from cells in the main spreadsheet to cells in the client spreadsheets, and directional instructions for sequentially routing data from client and server spreadsheets according to a workflow plan.

Abstract: A needle clamp is used to clamp and manipulate a suturing needle having a given radius of curvature. The clamp includes a pair of opposed arms that have an open position for insertion of the needle and a closed or clamping position. The arms are rotatable together about a rotational axis, and the needle is held in a curved convex groove positioned from the rotational axis at a distance approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the needle, so that the needle rotates about its curvature. The replaceable clamp is held along the rotational axis by an instrument handle that includes opposed clamp-engaging members, with the clamp and instrument handle having mating projections and recesses. The instrument also includes a manipulator to rotate the clamp about the rotational axis. The needle clamp may be permanently affixed on the clamp-engaging members or may be releasibly engaged such that various different needle clamps may be interchangeably affixed on the instrument handle engaging members.

Abstract: A device for disconnecting an electric appliance or a component thereof from a source of electricity including a circuit connecting the appliance or component thereof to a power source through a relay or other component to open the circuit; and a timer circuit connected to the relay. The timer circuit includes a processor for setting the timer circuit, and a manually operated switch in communication with the processor. The timer circuit is activated for a predetermined time increment by closing the switch, and the relay is closed while the timer circuit is activated. When the switch is closed again while the timer circuit is activated, an additional time increment is added to the activation period.

Abstract: A dyeing and printing system for use in color printing articles or fabrics formed from cellulose prior to dyeing. In the preferred embodiment, the dyeing system composition includes the selective use of a dye blocking print paste, a color binder print paste and a dye enhancing print paste to selectively decrease or increase the shade of the dyed portions of a cellulose article, such as a woven or knitted cotton or cotton/polyester article or fabric while, at the same time, permitting the resisted areas to be colored differently.