Abstract: A method of beacon rebroadcast for use in a packet-based, centrally-controlled, wireless network includes embedding auxiliary network information in a header portion of a packet transmitted over the network by a central controller; receiving a packet having auxiliary network information therein by a device in the network; rebroadcast, by the device in the network, of the packet having auxiliary network information therein in a predetermined time slot, wherein the predetermined time slot is predetermined by the central controller; and receiving, by a device not already on the network, of the auxiliary network information bearing packet, thereby allowing the device not already on the network to join the network.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly is intended for use in a computer, which computer includes a case, a motherboard, a power supply and at least one expansion slot. The circuit board assembly includes an expansion card which is operatively connected to the expansion slot and includes a connector carried on one end thereof. The end of the expansion card having the connector is located adjacent the periphery of the computer case. An extension circuit board is provided and is constructed and arranged to operatively mate with the connector on the expansion card. The extension circuit board extends beyond the periphery of the computer case, and may include multiple ports thereon for connecting peripheral devices to the computer. The extension circuit board is contained within an RF shielding container and is secured to the computer.

Abstract: A universal connector pad is intended for use on a printed circuit board and is used to connect a variety of connector types to the printed circuit board, without having to provide a specific connector pad layout which is unique to a specific connector type. The connector pad includes multiple rows and columns of solder pads, which receive a variety of connectors, wherein at least some of the solder pads are usable by more than one type of connector.

Abstract: A trailer cycle (10) includes a trailer cycle frame (52) having a main tube (54) which extends toward the lead cycle (12). A hitch mechanism (14) is located between the lead cycle and the trailer cycle. A lead-cycle hitch portion (34) is joined to the lead cycle substantially vertically above the hub of the lead-cycle rear wheel (26). A flexible hitch portion (82) is interposed between the trailer cycle frame and the lead cycle hitch portion and is housed in an orthogonal member (84) which contains an adjustable vertical, or pitch, pivot mechanism and a similarly adjustable yaw pivot mechanism. The orthogonal member is constructed and arranged to prevent motion about the roll axis of the trailer cycle relative to the lead cycle. A lead-cycle-hitch engaging member is located at the lower end of the yaw pivot mechanism and selectively engages and releases the lead-cycle hitch portion. A locking mechanism is provided which secures the trailer cycle to the lead.

Abstract: An improved model railroad coupler incorporates a coupler shank, having a joining element at one end thereof and a coupler head at the other end thereof. A coupler-knuckle receiver is located within the coupler head and receives a coupler knuckle. The knuckle is provided with limited, rotational movement within the coupler head, through a predefined arc. The coupler head has a first knuckle stop located thereon which limits rotational movement of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head in a first direction of rotation. A second knuckle stop is located on one side of the coupler head adjacent to the shank. A knuckle limiter is located on the coupler knuckle. The second knuckle stop and the knuckle limiter are constructed and arranged to abut one another when the coupler knuckle is shifted to an open position, thereby stopping rotation of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head.

Abstract: A distributed variable-size cache placement architecture includes plural cache storage units (CSUs), each of which includes a CSU control logic, an address director, a data director, a placement array, placement logic (i.e., distribution controller), and a set associative memory for caching data. All CSUs in the architecture are connected over a communication network to a single processor interface and mainstore and which provides information to all CSUs about the status of each of the other CSUs. Any number of CSUs may be connected in parallel to provide a variable size cache. All CSUs sharing a processor interface utilize the same placement block size, contain the same number of sets of cache elements and use the same CSU placement mechanism.

Abstract: A model railroad remote uncoupler mechanism is intended for use with a signal-receiving mechanism and a self-centering coupler. A coupler is mounted on a unit of model railroad rolling stock, and is shiftable between a coupled condition, wherein the coupler engages a coupler on another unit of rolling stock, in an uncoupled condition. The remote uncoupler mechanism includes an electromotive actuator, which is activated by the signal-receiving mechanism, and a connector, which extends between the electromotive actuator and the coupler for shifting the coupler between its coupler position and its uncoupled condition. A power supply is provided for the remote uncoupler mechanism, which power supply may be carried on-board the rolling stock, or may include a pick-up mechanism for collecting power from the energized rails of the model railroad layout.

Abstract: A model railroad truck structure includes a truck bolster which has a side-frame keeper on each end thereof for maintaining a side frame in position on the bolster. An elongate truck side frame is carried on each end of the truck bolster, which is received within a bolster receiver therein. A spring retainer is provided for receiving a spring thereon and for maintaining the spring in position between the truck bolster and the side frame. The spring retainer may be located on the bolster or on the side frame.

Abstract: A wild fire suppressor includes a base wrap, including a fire-resistant, groundcontour-following base panel for installation about the base of a utility pole, and base panel anchors for holding the base panel in place on the ground. A pole wrap includes a rigid pole panel, and fasteners for fastening the pole panel to the utility pole.

Abstract: A coupler adaptor is intended for use with rolling stock that has a coupler mounted thereon, and is used between the coupler mount and a coupler draft box having a coupler mounted therein. The adaptor includes an adaptor plate having a post thereon. A spring is provided and has opposed, extensible arms, and draft-box capturing fingers located at the ends of the arms. A spring coil is located intermediate the arms and is sized to fit over the post. When the individual elements are combined, the coupler may rotate relative to the draft box and the draft box may rotate relative to the adaptor plate, which is fixed on the rolling stock, thereby providing for significantly greater angular movement of the coupler than what would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A sign includes a frame having plural battens therein. A web is disposed over the frame. The web has opposed, co-extensive sides which form a pocket therebetween. The frame is located inside the pocket of the web. A support for the sign is provided which is attached to at least one of the frame battens and is contiguous therewith. At least one of the frame battens is fixed to the web and at least one of the frame battens is removable from the web.

Abstract: A male incontinence treatment device a flow-restricting device which is worn in a position such that the urethra is compressed between the device and the pubic bone of the wearer. A fixing mechanism for holding the flow-restricting device in place is provided, which fixing device may take the form of an undergarment.

Abstract: An adjustable gate is suitable for use with a fence and includes a pair of spaced apart vertical members, upper and lower first slip members, which are attached to the vertical member, upper and lower second slip members, which extend between the upper and lower first slip members, respectively, and which are slip-fit thereon and slidable relative thereto, allowing the gate width to be slidably adjustable to a predetermined distanced such that the gate substantially fills an opening in a fence. Upper and lower fixed-length members are mounted on the assembled upper and lower slip members for fixing the gate to a selected width. The upper and lower first slip members may be pivotally attached to the vertical members and a truss provided, which mass extends between the upper portion of one vertical member and the lower portion of the other vertical member to maintain the gate in a predetermined parallelographic orientation.

Abstract: A model railroad coupler centering system includes a draft box and a coupler. The coupler includes a coupler head and a coupler knuckle. An elongate coupler shank extends between the coupler head and a coupler mounting structure. The coupler mounting structure includes a mounting plate, which may have forwardly diverging sides thereto. Plural centering springs are fixed on each side of the coupler mounting plate such that when the coupler is centered, the centering springs make touching, non-flexed contact with the interior of the draft box and, when the coupler is pushed off-center, one of the centering springs makes flexed contact within an interior side of the draft box and the other centering spring does not make any contact with the other side of the draft box.

Abstract: A climbing harness includes a waistband and a pair of leg loops. The leg loops have an adjustable girth for fitting about the user's thigh. The leg loops are joined to the waist band. An adjustment mechanism is provided which allows the user to adjust the rise of the leg loops relative to the waist band and also to adjust the girth of the leg loop.

Abstract: An exercise device includes an attachment mechanism which is located adjacent the fingertips and thumb tip on the user's hand. A first resilient member is attached to the attachment mechanism. An anchor mechanism is located at a fixed point relative to the user's wrist, and is attached to the first resilient member. As the user's wrist is extended, and the user's fingers and thumb are abducted, the user encounters resistance, thereby providing resistive exercise to the extensor muscles of the user's forearm.

Abstract: A through-hull cable plug provides for a water-tight passage of cable through a bore formed in a boat hull. The cable plug of the invention includes an elongate stuffing tube having a pre-determined diameter and including a cable-receiving slot which extends along the length thereof, and opens through a side thereof. The plug includes a head having a size greater than that of the pre-determined diameter, which head is located at one end of the stuffing tube and which also has a cable-receiving slot formed therein. The cable-receiving slot of the head is contiguous with the cable-receiving slot of the stuffing tube. A fastener is provided and is received on the other end of the stuffing tube. The fastener is conformal with the stuffing tube and is movable along the length thereof to form a compression, water-tight fitting along the length of the stuffing tube between the head and the fastener.

Abstract: A collapsible sign (20) includes a frame (26) having a hub (30) and plural arms (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) extending therefrom. A web (28) is disposed over the frame (26) and is secured thereto. A support (52) for the sign is attached to at least one of the arms of the frame. At least some of the arms (42, 44, 46, 50) include a hinge element (42H, 44H, 46H, 50H) which is rotatably mourned about a pivot point (38P, 40P) on the hub. The arms may be divided into web-support arms (46, 48, 50) and sign-support arms (42, 44), wherein the sign-support arms may be fixed to a handle (53) or other standard for support the sign. The sign-support arms may also double as web-support arms in aiding to support the web in an expanded condition. In some instances, one of the arms (48) may be fixed to the hub in a non-rotatable condition. The web may be either fully-attached to the frame, or may be partially attached thereto.