Abstract: A queuing apparatus associated with a processor includes at least one static queue (11), an index generator (34), at least one index queue (37), and a static queue accessing arrangement. Each static queue (11) has a number of static queue locations (12), each for storing a static queue entry and an availability indicator (14) for indicating an availability status of the respective static queue location. The index generator (34) uses information from the static queue (11) to provide a unique index value for each static queue entry, the index value for a particular static queue entry identifying the static queue location (12) containing the particular static queue entry. Each index queue (37, 42) has a number of index queue locations (40), each for storing one of the index values provided by the index generator (34).

Abstract: A system and a method are both described for transferring data throughout computer systems, computer networks, data transmission facilities, and the like from an originating location to destination devices (50) at various physical locations. An electronic package data structure (10) is also described that includes document references (14), destination references (16), and package attributes (18, 28, 40). The document references (14) may be document names and locations or actual document contents. Destination references (16) identify printers, e-mail addresses, facsimile machines, electronic pagers and the like. A graphical user interface or GUI (140) serves to allow a user (52) to select documents, destinations, and additional package attributes that create the electronic package data structure (10). Once the components and attributes are assembled, the GUI is used to send the package (10) to a delivery service (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying protective material (48, 58) having a stand (12) and at least one support arm (14) moveably connected to the stand (12). At least a pair of counter-rotatable shafts (16 and 18) are connected with the support arm (14) and endless moveable belts (20) for moving objects (54) so that an upper and lower surface (38 and 40) are formed by the belts (20) and each surface moves together at the same time, in the same direction. The protective material insertion apparatus (32) includes pivotal moveable upper support tray (42) and stationary lower support platform (44). After moveable upper support tray (42) is open and sheet-like protective material (48) is inserted with an end (50) protruding therefrom, the moveable upper support tray (42) is closed. Once closed, end (50) is wrapped on top of moveable upper support tray (42).

Abstract: An irrigation spray head includes a plurality of orifices each for directing irrigation water in a substantially continuous stream to an impact location within an area around the spray head to be irrigated. Each orifice has associated with it a mechanism for adjusting the flow area and thereby adjusting the flow rate through the orifice and the distance between the spray head and the impact location associated with the respective orifice. Each substantially continuous discrete stream emitted through one of the orifices is at a flow rate higher than the local hydraulic loading rate associated with the soil in the respective impact location. Thus, each stream of water from the spray head produces localized runoff and a wide wetting pattern around each impact location. The flow rate for each stream is chosen so that the wetting pattern associated with each impact location combines with the other wetting patterns to substantially cover the entire area to be irrigated.

Abstract: Bones (10) with meat attached thereto are suspended in a substantially fluid medium (14). The fluid medium or matrix (14) includes meat, fat and other soft material (16) which behaves similarly to a fluid when a pressure is applied thereto. The substantially fluid medium (14) also includes a substantially compressible material (18) such as a gas included in voids within the matrix. Once the bones (10) are properly suspended, the entire matrix of material (14) is compressed from an initial pressure to a detachment pressure which may be in a range of 5 pounds per square inch over atmospheric to 1000 pounds per square inch over atmospheric. The meat attached to the bones (10) within the matrix (14) tends to migrate away from the bone and eventually detach from the bone. However, since of all of the bones (10) remain suspended in a substantially fluid medium, pressure is applied evenly across the entire surface of the bones without breaking the bones and contaminating the meat with bone fragments.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the scheduling of tasks may be used to schedule telephone contact attempts through an automated dialing system (20). The method includes receiving an account data file comprising account information for a plurality of accounts to be processed over a processing period. This processing period is divided into a plurality of contact attempt periods. The method also includes producing for each of the plurality of accounts an action result probability for each contact attempt period. The method also includes producing or determining a priority value for each of the accounts, determining a quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, and determining resource costs for each contact attempt. These quantities or values, along with the action result probability, represent parameters over which the scheduling may be optimized. Once the parameters are determined the method includes producing a contact attempt value for each account and each contact period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pulling fence posts having fulcrum stand (B) with an action lever (A) movably connected to one end (A1) of fulcrum stand (B) by hinge (B2). A receiving box (A2f), for encompassing the object to be moved, is connected to the action lever (A). An action handle (A3) is attached to the receiving box (A2f) and the fulcrum stand (B), and a moveable gripping pawl (A2d) is connected to the action handle (A3) for engaging the object to be pulled as the action handle (A3) is raised. The movable gripping pawl (A2d) includes two edges, an engagement edge and a non-engagement edge, and a connector (A2g) to connect the gripping pawl (A2d) to the action handle (A3) so that the object to be pulled is raised by the engagement edge as the action handle (A3) is raised.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing (10) defining a housing cavity (18) and at least one connector (15) for connecting the housing to an irrigation conduit (26) so that the housing cavity (18) is exposed to irrigation water flowing through the irrigation conduit (26). A first electrode (13) is positioned within the housing cavity (18) and is made from a growth inhibiting metal. A second electrode (14) is electrically isolated from the first electrode (13) and includes a surface exposed within the housing cavity (18) in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode (13). A voltage source (30) is connected to the first electrode (13) and to the second electrode (14) for applying an electric potential across the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A first antenna (16) at a user location (14) receives signals at a first frequency where the signals are travelling only within a first directional reception range as measured from a centerline (28) of the first antenna (16). The first antenna (16) has its centerline (28) aligned to receive direct broadcast satellite signals transmitted from a satellite in geosynchronous orbit about the earth. A second antenna (18) at the user location (14) receives signals at the first frequency where the signals are travelling only within a second directional reception range as measured from a centerline (30) of the second antenna (18). The second antenna (18) is aligned to receive signals transmitted at the first frequency from a terrestrial transmitting location remote from the user location. A terrestrial transmitter transmits signals at the first frequency and directionally within a terrestrial azimuth range from the terrestrial transmitting location.

Abstract: A sectional bed (10) having a bedframe (34), a mattress section holder (16) attached to the bedframe (34) and a number of independent mattress sections (14) for support, removably attachable to the mattress section holder (16). A traveling frame (36) movably connected to the bed (10) and a shuttle (48) connected to the traveling frame (36) for use in removing and replacing each of the several independent mattress sections (14) are provided. By this means, the ability to independently separately remove sections of the bed (10) is provided. As a result, this present invention eliminates and/or alleviates four of the major problems associated with the care of bedridden patients; those being: 1) bedsores; 2) bedpan usage; 3) linen changing; and 4) patient bathing.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus (10) includes a conduit housing (14) with at least one elongated, flexible irrigation conduit (12) received in a retracted position therein. A water supply arrangement associated with the conduit housing (14) allows water to be supplied through the housing to a proximal end (20) of each irrigation conduit (12). Also, a conduit deployment arrangement associated with the conduit housing (14) allows the irrigation conduits (12) to extend from the housing to an extended position in response to water supplied to the housing through the water supply arrangement. In the extended position, each irrigation conduit (12) extends over an area to be irrigated, and emitters along the length of each conduit emit water to efficiently irrigate the area under and immediately surrounding the extended conduit. A conduit retracting arrangement (32) retracts the irrigation conduits (12) back to the retracted position once the water pressure is withdrawn from the device.

Abstract: A water ride includes a flume (10) defining a ride path. Patrons of the ride travel in rafts (24) along the flume (10) with the rafts riding on a thin layer of water introduced into the flume. To induce the rafts (24) to spin at desired locations in a controlled fashion, the rafts each include raft features (30) located on a bottom surface (32) of the raft. Flume features (34) are positioned at desired locations along the ride path in position to make contact with the raft features (30). This contact between the raft features (30) and the flume features (34) induces a controlled spin to the raft (24). The raft features (30) preferably include projections (36) extending downwardly from the bottom surface (32) of the raft at locations offset from a raft center of rotation. The flume features (34) preferably comprise alternating depressions (38) and ridges (40) extending transversely to the ride path along one side of the flume (10).

Abstract: A tibial prosthetic implant includes a base or base plate with an offset tibial stem. The base includes an inferior surface adapted to abut a resected surface of a patient's tibia and forms a base for articulating surfaces adapted to articulate with the patient's femoral condyles. The longitudinal center axis of the tibial stem extends from the inferior surface of the base and is offset from a center of the base. The offset places the stem in position to extend into the central canal of the tibia so that it does not substantially interfere with the cortical bone when the inferior surface of the base substantially abuts and aligns with the resected surface of the tibia.