Abstract: A lifting device for the controlled vertical movement of objects, especially such objects, to which is conveyed an electric current through a line, such as chandeliers, is described. It is especially characterized by the combination of a relatively longitudinal support, provided with a longitudinal guide. A threaded, preferably trapezoidally-threaded driving shaft journaled in the ends of support which shaft is driven by a motor via worm gear unit. A carriage guided by the longitudinal guide which carriage is movable in the longitudinal direction of support with a nut fastened to carriage, cooperating with the driving shaft. A shaft provided perpendicularly in support carrying a first ring gear and chain relatively heavy and stable to turning, running over first ring gear, chain being driven by carriage to change its position in relationship to support as the position of carriage is changed in relationship to support by driving shaft, chain carrying in a first end the object.

Abstract: A method for removing any single component or mixture of fats, oils and greases which have been added to or rendered out of an animal or vegetable product during cooking, thereby leaving the remaining commodity substantially fat-free without removing the water and water soluble flavor and nutrient salts. The product nearly instantaneously absorbs said fats, oils and greases onto a fabric substrate which is hydrophobic or repels water and oleophilic or attracts and absorbs hydrocarbons. The method works effectively on animal and vegetable fats, oils and greases through a temperature range from ambient or room temperature through boiling. The method removes fats, oils and greases from sauces, gravies, soups and any other cooking product regardless of type of cooking or type of fat, oil or grease and has the same removal effectiveness when used in waste treatment processes. The products are safe for use in microwaves.

Abstract: An attractive and portable object holder which can grip, hold, and contain objects, e.g., pens, pencils, tools, and artists' paint brushes, and the like, is disclosed. The rectilinear holder, along with its interior gripping bristles, is injection molded with polyethylene, polypropylene, or other similarly resilient plastic in a single mold. The flexible bristles act to grip and hold objects that are inserted between the bristles. The bristle qualities are chosen to be resilient and flexible to repeatedly grip, hold, and contain quantities of inserted objects without the bulky design or the ineffective grip-and-hold associated with the prior-art devices.

Abstract: A device and a method for engaging and disengaging of a towing line from a tow boat to and from a ship. At the ship there is a hawse hole (5), a bollard head (1) and a working for inhauling of a messenger rope (4), attached to the lop of the towing line (3). The device is especially characterized in that a guide means, like a hook (2), is attached to the ship in such a way, between the bollard head (1) and the working (7), so that the messenger rope (4) guided by the second guide means (2) can pull the loop of the towing line (3) near and above the bollard head (1) so that this easily can be engaged around the bollard head (1), whilst the messenger rope (4), free from the second guide means (2), by the working (7) can lift the loop inwardly, up above the bollard head (1) so that the towing line can be taken on board by the tow boat.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for measuring force components, acceleration, and/or angular rate, formed from a single crystal (monocrystalline semiconductor substrate) comprises at least one cantilever beam inclined to the main surface of the monocrystalline material of the monocrystalline semiconductor substrate. At least one interial mass may be coupled to a corresponding at least one cantilever beam and be integrally formed from the monocrystalline semiconductor substrate. The angle of the cantilever beam to the main surface of the monocrystalline material of the monocrystalline semiconductor substrate is achieved through etching of the monocrystalline semiconductor substrate and is defined by the inclination of crystal planes constituting the beam. The bending of the inclined cantilever beam principally occurs in a direction toward the beam.

Abstract: A pallet and pallet foot is made of corrugated materials such that the entire pallet and pallet foot may be recycled with other corrugated materials (e.g., boxes or the like). The pallet foot is made from shredded corrugated waste which is then placed, along with an adhesive, in a mold under pressure and elevated temperature to form a molded pallet foot. The pallet foot may be glued to a corrugated deck provided with cutouts in the deck surface. Cutouts accept pallet feet from another pallet such that multiple pallets may be stacked in a nesting manner. The pallet feet have high resistance to dampness and may be further fortified with a water resistant coating. The resulting pallet is lightweight, strong, and readily recyclable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount coupons, rebate or gift certificates or the like tracks each coupon using a consumer ID number printed on the coupon. Coupons may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out selected coupons displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Each coupon may be printed only a limited number of times. Each coupon may be imprinted with a consumer ID number, preferably in the form of a bar code. Once redeemed, consumer ID information and coupon information may be retrieved from coupons forwarded to a coupon clearing house.

Abstract: A graphics controller circuit for upscaling source video image to generate an upscaled video image. The graphics controller circuit generates additional pixel data for the upscaled video image by interpolating source video pixel data of a one scan line and an another scan line. However, when source video pixel data of the another scan line may not be available for interpolation, the graphics controller circuit generates additional pixel data from source video pixel data of only the one scan line. Source video pixel data of the another scan line may not be available, for example, as a bus that transfers the pixel data may not have sufficient amount of bandwidth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling devices in a multiple bus system such as a system having two or more ISA type buses. Separate ISA bus controllers may be provided for each ISA bus, linked on a common bus system such as a PCI bus. One ISA controller may be designated as a primary ISA controller whereas other ISA controllers in the system may be designated as secondary ISA controllers. Each ISA controller in the system is provided with IRQ (interrupt request) enable bits to enable different interrupts for the corresponding ISA bus. Each secondary ISA controller outputs a signal IRQSER as a PCI sideband signal to the primary ISA controller to indicate which IRQs have been asserted on the respective ISA buses. The primary controller receives the IRQSER signal as well as the IRQ signals asserted on its own bus and converts these interrupt requests to PCI bus cycles.

Abstract: A pallet and pallet foot is made of corrugated materials such that the entire pallet and pallet foot may be recycled with other corrugated materials (e.g., boxes or the like). The pallet foot is made from shredded corrugated waste which is made into a slurry and molded, using a wet pulp process, to form a molded pallet foot. The pallet foot may be glued to a corrugated deck provided with cutouts in the deck surface. Cutouts accept pallet feet from another pallet such that multiple pallets may be stacked in a nesting manner. The pallet feet may be further fortified with a water resistant coating. The resulting pallet is lightweight, strong, and readily recyclable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving performance of bit block transfers in display controllers during clipping functions without significantly increasing gate count. In a clipping function, particularly when transferring a portion of a monochrome bit map and color expanding same or in pattern copying, a source start address may not lie on a byte boundary. In order to avoid using time consuming shift left operations in software, the source start address may be adjusted in hardware to an earlier byte boundary. Upon writing data to a destination address, a hardware byte mask may be employed to prevent writing of the additional data retrieved due to the adjustment of the source start address. The source start address and byte mask hardware may be implemented in hardware using bit block transfer engine components and a small amount of additional hardware. The remainder of the clipping functions may remain in software, for example in a display device driver.

Abstract: A device for automatic testing of electrical high voltage lines is described, comprising a support (1), a driving wheel (2) for lying against the line (3) with a remotely controlled device (4) and a means for remotely controlled automatic measurement of physical data at the joint (11) in question). Means for the transfer of measurement data to a receiver is provided along with a shielding means (15) to shield the transfer means. The device is characterized primarily in that it is provided with a guide rails means (7,8,9) for steering of the device, carried by a lifting means such as a helicopter or crane for lying the driving wheel against a line. Physical measurement may comprise contacting as well as non-contacting measurement in the vicinity of and at a joint in question. To compensate for voltages which may be induced in the measuring means, a compensation circuit is provided. The compensation circuit may be provided with a flat coil which may be rotated by a stepper motor or the like.

Abstract: A coupling device for a tractor provided with a three point hitch. The coupling device has a first coupling frame, and a second coupling frame, provided with at least an upper and two lower fastening links for hinged fastening of a tool, the first coupling frame being provided with a first coupling element in longitudinally and directionally variable rotation connection with the rotating shaft of the tractor. The second coupling frame is provided with a second coupling element being rotatably connectable with the first coupling element, to transfer the effect of the rotating shaft to the tool. The coupling frames are provided with cooperating upper and lower fastening elements. The upper fastening element of the first coupling frame consists of two fastening hooks turned from the tractor, provided at a spaced horizontal distance from each other symmetrically from the vertical symmetric axis of the coupling frame, converging upwards towards each other.

Abstract: A header detect method and apparatus for an optical media decoder circuit includes one or more comparators which compare target header information to header information read from the optical media for a current sector and each subsequent sector until the header information read from the optical media matches the target header information. The target header information is programmed into one or more target header registers. The information stored in the target header registers is then compared to the header information read from the optical media. Multiple comparators are used, to compare the header information read from the optical media for the current sector and a number of previous sectors to the target header information programmed into each of the target header registers, in order to provide a redundancy within the system and allow the apparatus to locate the target header even if one or more of the registers contain errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating 3-D images utilizes an MPEG decoder to decode/decompress animated texture maps into a half-frame buffer. The MPEG decoder may act as a PCI bus master to assert control of the host system bus to the exclusion of all other system devices to transfer animated texture maps into an off-screen portion of video memory. A graphics subsystem generates a 3-D image from 3-D image data stored in display memory portion of video memory and superimposes the 3-D image with texture map data from the off-screen portion of video memory. Texture map data may be continually updated by MPEG decoder 360 on a periodic basis without interfering with the operation of the graphics subsystem. The resultant 3-D image with animated texture maps may provide a more realistic display, particularly for animated objects, such as a human face.

Abstract: A para-plane (parachute or parafoil airplane), ultralight, or the like is provided with a ducted propeller or fan to increase efficiency of the powerplant, thus reducing the size of the powerplant required. In addition, the duct may reduce propeller and/or engine noise and enhance safety for pilot, passengers and bystanders. Axial vanes may be provided upstream or downstream of the propeller within the duct to counteract the torque effect of the propeller. In another embodiment, a novel inflatable parafoil may be provided to reduce the effort required to initially inflate a prior art parafoil and reduce the incidence of ground strikes of the parafoil. The inflatable parafoil may be inflated with a buoyant gas such as helium or hot air to further reduce ground contacts and provide limited buoyancy to the aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with standard television (TV) for superimposing images, captions, titles, or other information over the television scene. Synchronization of the superimposed images with the television scene is brought about by phase locking the images to the horizontal synchronization pulse train of the television scene. A joystick input device allows the television viewer to select from a library of superimposed images and to move the images to any location over the television scene. The viewer may continue to move the superimposed images over the television scene to set up and maintain humorous or other expressive effects. The apparatus can also be used as an educational tool in conjunction with appropriate broadcasted or recorded programming. Closed-graphics information received with a television signal may generate and control locally generated graphic overlay images to provide interactive gaming or educations applications.

Abstract: A memory controller, particularly for use in a video controller, is provided which reduces the effect of page misses during memory access. A video port FIFO is provided for buffering data from a video port to a display memory. A CRT FIFO is provided for buffering data from a display memory to a display. If, during a video port FIFO cycle, a page miss is encountered, the video port FIFO cycle is terminated and processing passes to a CRT FIFO CYCLE. If a page miss is encountered during a CRT FIFO cycle, the subsequent video port FIFO cycle will shortened by a number of memory cycles to compensate for the additional memory cycles required by the page miss. Additional data accumulated in the video port FIFO may be transferred to the display memory during a retrace interval. In this manner, memory bandwidth is optimized by removing a non-aligned page miss as the worst case of memory bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: A toothbrush holder comprises a generally planar support plate having at least one L-shaped slot formed at the periphery thereof, the L-shaped slot has a necked portion for retaining the toothbrush. The L-shaped slot may have a major axis and a minor axis. The minor axis of the L-shaped slot may intersect the periphery of the support plate. The necked portion may be provided at a position on the major axis of the L-shaped slot, positioned approximately halfway along the major axis of the L-shaped slot. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the L-shaped slot may be provided with a countersunk or counterbored portion provided along the major axis of the L-shaped slot to retain a toothbrush. The countersunk or counterbored portion may be provided at an end of the L-shaped slot furthest from the minor axis. In a third embodiment of the present invention, a milled portion may be provided along the major axis of the L-shaped slot to retain a toothbrush.