Abstract: A backrest for a chair comprising two parts constructed and arranged to interlock around chair back supports. Each part is preferably molded, and has a rib structure which provides positioning means for assembly on the supports. A hook and hook receiver arrangement provide a locking means for firm attachment of the parts to the supports. Decorative cushions can be applied to the parts before or after locking them to the supports. The invention is not limited to folding chairs.

Abstract: A telephone handset sterilization apparatus and method having ultraviolet sterilization of the mouthpiece and earpiece of a telephone handset. The invention has an ultraviolet source within the earpiece and mouthpiece cradles of a telephone handset cradle. The telephone handset engages a seal around the earpiece and mouthpiece which blocks UV illumination from a user and seals in ozone gas that is produced by UV source below 200 nm. The UV source illuminated the earpiece and mouthpiece of a telephone handset when the handset is in the on-hook position. When on-hook, the handset engages a switch which signals a timer/power circuit which provides a timed application of power to the UV source(s). The duty cycle of the UV source os timed for substantially complete sterilization of the telephone handset. Minute amounts of ozone gas surround the earpiece and mouthpiece of the telephone handset providing more complete sterilization. An alternate embodiment can be retrofit to existing telephones.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved multi-layer general purpose stretch film products. The products comprise at least a core layer, adjacent inner layers and outer layers. The outer layers represent from 8 to 25 percent by weight of the film and comprise a blend of a linear low density polyethylene, a metallocenes catalyzed linear low density polyethylene, and a flexible very low density polyethylene. The inner layers represent from 15 to 35 percent by weight of the film and comprise a blend of linear low density polyethylene and a metallocenes eatalyzed linear low density polyethylene. The core layer represents from 15 to 35 percent by weight of the film and comprises linear low density polyethylene. The linear low density polyethylene components are either single products or blends of products. The final film exhibits improved properties needed in stretch wrap films such as puncture resistance and load retention.

Abstract: Protocols for antitachycardial pacing including biphasic stimulation administered at, or just above, the diastolic depolarization threshold potential; biphasic or conventional stimulation initiated at, or just above, the diastolic depolarization threshold potential, reduced, upon capture, to below threshold; and biphasic or conventional stimulation administered at a level set just below the diastolic depolarization threshold potential. These protocols result in reliable cardiac capture with a lower stimulation level, thereby causing less damage to the heart, extending battery life, causing less pain to the patient and having greater therapeutic effectiveness. In those protocols using biphasic cardiac pacing, a first and second stimulation phase is administered. The first stimulation phase has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The second stimulation phase also has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The two phases are applied sequentially.

Abstract: A system and method for the use of stored value cards when either a consumer or a merchant does not possess a stored value card. A consumer value acquirer receives funds from the bank account of a given consumer. The consumer value acquirer also has a pool of stored value cards that are not assigned to any specific consumer but which are used on behalf of consumers wishing to purchase goods or services via stored value card transaction. The consumer value acquirer acts as a proxy for the consumer and uses one of the pool of stored value cards on behalf of the consumer in a transaction with a merchant that uses stored value cards. Once funds stored value card funds are transferred to the merchant during a transaction, the consumer account with the consumer value acquirer is debited the amount of the transaction.

Abstract: System for issuing and developing investiture certificates and other documents for highlighting and memorializing significant and special life events, and for conferring titles or standings. A series of logically connected/hyperlinked options permit the user to customize an investiture certificate or other document issued by the system. Such investiture certificates/documents may be produced on a variety of materials, including regular or fine paper, parchment, wood, glass, plastic, leather, etc. A first level of options includes borders, text, designs, and materials, and, optionally, surface finish. Second level options are tailored to each of the first level options. The present system produces a palpable representation of legally conferred titles and standings, and may only be issued upon the authorization of a person or entity having the authority to do so.

Abstract: A portable measuring device for comparing the size of a body to an article of clothing. The invention comprises a measuring tape having either absolute or relative measurements imprinted thereon. The circumference of a body location is measured and a dimension, either relative or absolute, is determined. The measured dimension is then compared to a series of nested, rigid templates, each template representing a specific circumferential dimension. A template is selected based upon the circumference measured. That template is then used to compare the size of an article of clothing to the circumference of the individual being measured. The rigid template is inserted in the article of clothing and the fit is determined based upon how well the template fits inside the article of clothing desired.

Abstract: A point of sale system designed to read information from a consumer's check, credit card, or manual input with a subsequent debiting of a consumer's account and crediting merchant's account for the goods or services provided. Point of sale terminals are designed to accept a form of credit card with a consumer's bank account information encoded thereon or in the alternative to read the MICR number from a consumer's check in order to verify that a consumer has an appropriate balance to conduct the transaction with a given merchant. Thereafter the transaction of that information is transmitted to a central computer system which verifies the consumer's credit worthiness and stores the transaction event information for subsequent bank reconciliation via the ACH or other competing network. The invention eliminates the need for paper checks with all bank reconciliation being accomplished electronically.

Abstract: A music education apparatus for teaching musical concepts, comprising note meaning and pitch recognition, music reading, instrument playing, tempo, staccato, degrees of loudness, note duration, rhythm, harmony, chords, trills, the sonic characteristics of different instruments, and music writing. The music education apparatus comprises a block with visual representations on each side designating musical notes, letters representing musical notes, and physical portions on musical instruments, wherein the musical note(s) designated on the other sides are highlighted on the keyboard or other designated physical portion of an instrument. The music education apparatus may also serve as an alarm clock that can be set to sound at a selected time by conventional means, or by light, sound, temperature, or other stimuli. Voice programming may be featured, whereby a word, name, sentence, etc., is spoken or sung when the alarm sounds.

Abstract: A process of bonding metal parts to one another to form seamless, hollow metal articles, particularly made from beryllium. Tooling is assembled to the parts, prior to hot pressing, to cause pressure to be applied to selective portions of the parts. The parts, assembled together with the tooling, are then subjected to hot isostatic pressing at a temperature of about 1700° F. to 1750° F., and at a pressure of about 2000 psi to 2500 psi, for around 3 hours. The tooling surrounding the metal parts functions to limit the amount of compression of the parts. Articles formed by this process are particularly useful in space flight applications because they are formed of a homogeneous material. Strength of the bond is enhanced because no filler metal is used. The absence of a filler metal also eliminates any thermal stress problems as a result of differences in coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A computer level 1 cache memory design with cache windowing divides a large level 1 cache into smaller sizes called windows, allowing the cache to provide more data faster to the CPU. Cache windowing provides the fast access times of a small level 1 cache through fewer, shorter paths and less circuitry than a large cache with multiple associative cache sets. Cache windowing allows context switching to occur with a simple change in cache window designation, eliminating the wait for cache reloading. Simulations of real cache implementations show an average of approximately 30% improvement in CPU throughput with cache windowing, scaling with CPU speed increases. The resulting system 1) maintains or improves CPU utilization rates as CPU speeds increase, 2) provides large level 1 caches while maintaining cache access times of one CPU clock cycle, and 3) provides high CPU utilization rates for those processing applications where locality of memory references is poor (e.g., networking applications).

Abstract: A method of and a formulation for treating hyper-excited sensory nerve functions are provided. The method comprises administering to a patient in need of treatment thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of 2-Amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)(4-chlorophenyl) methanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The disorder treated include hyperesthesia, dysesthesia, allodynia, hyperalgesia, tinnitus, ganglionic dysfunction and combinations thereof. The co-administration of adenosine is not needed. The pharmaceutical preparation is suitable for oral administration. The pharmaceutical preparation is useful in the reduction of neuropathic pain in a conscious human. The use of the pharmaceutical preparation does not result in medically adverse cardiovascular symptoms associated with administration of adenosine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier over which waste water must flow in order to reach the outlet of a wastewater treatment plant. The barrier provided by the weir allows wastewater to exit the plant, while keeping solids that are in suspension to remain. The weir has a scum baffle mounted on its front that acts as a shield against solids that are floating on the surface of the wastewater. The self-leveling ability of the weir is provided by the use of two floats and a coupling to the outlet pipe that has rotational freedom. The floats are mounted on either side of the weir in such a way so that they are partially submerged in the wastewater. The buoyant forces that result cause the weir to align itself parallel to the surface of the water at all times. One advantage of the present invention is that it is self-adjusting, thus eliminating the need for calibration or adjustments after installation.

Abstract: A pen cap stylus (or screen operator) is useful in combination with a conventional writing implement, such as a pencil or an ink pen. The manner in which the pen cap stylus screen operator engages to an end of a writing implement is analogous to how a pen cap engages either end of the pen for which it was designed. To form a hybrid instrument for use both as a computer stylus and as a writing instrument, the pen cap stylus is placed on the end of the writing instrument opposite the writing element. The pen cap stylus has a pointy tip for engaging a touch screen of a computer device to selectively actuate microswitches therein. The writing element disposed at the other end of the writing instrument maintains its conventional utility.

Abstract: A screen operator or artificial finger tip for entering commands and data into a personal data device, such as an electronic notebook, by contacting the screen of the personal data device. The screen operator comprises a partially rigid base that encircles the finger, generally conforming to the finger, and a rigid tip member which projects forwardly from the base to contact the screen. The extreme tip of the tip member is of reduced diameter at the point of contact with the screen. The base is tubular (preferably with a gap) and resiliently grips the finger. A hook member extends downwardly and back from the tip member to engage the underside of the user's finger tip. The hook member functions to retain the screen operator on the user's finger tip.

Abstract: A network audio-link alarm monitoring system for sensing the sound from triggered alarms and reporting the arm to alarm authorities. The system and method of the invention relies on the aural sound produced from alarms that have been triggered. The system, implemented on a PC or other processor on premises, differentiates the sound coming from different alarms, characterizes the sound as from a particular alarm via FFT processing and reports the alarm over the Internet, public switched telephone, or other communication link to a central station which then reports the alarm to the alarm authority. In another embodiment, the reporting of the alarm is done directly by the PC at the residence or business to the alarm authority over the Internet or other communication link.