Abstract: A clamping and/or braking device with a basic body (3) has a clamping and/or braking region for pressurizing an element (9). Basic body (3) has an actuating mechanism which, upon actuation, causes a substantially elastic deformation of the basic body (3), so that the clamping and/or braking region is moved into or out of a pressurizing position or that the pressurizing force which the clamping and/or braking region exerts on the element (9) is changed. The actuating mechanism comprises a minimum of one chamber (15), which can be pressurized and which is located on or incorporated in the basic body (3) and which is bounded at least in part by a minimum of one wall (13), at least partial regions of which are flexible but tension-proof and/or pressure-resistant.

Abstract: A case locking system (10) includes two pairs of independently movable split levers (16). Split levers (16) are connected to top (12) and form more than two separate latches (20 and 22) movable between an open position and a closed position. Latch receivers (34) are connected to bottom (14) and are conformed to independently receive and retain each separate latch (20 and 22). In a preferred embodiment, two pairs of independently movable split levers (16) form four separate latches (20 and 22). In a further preferred embodiment, locking ramps (36) are connected to bottom (14) for automatically opening latches (20 and 22) when the top (12) is placed on to the bottom (14). In a further embodiment, alignment guides (56) and alignment posts (48) are utilized to automatically position latches (20 and 22) and latch receivers (34) when the top (12) is placed on the bottom (14).

Abstract: An expandable accessory box (10) may be configured in either a retracted configuration or an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the expandable accessory box (10) may be used in connection with a first primary box (51) to accommodate both the base piece of equipment or base component, such as a portable computer for example, and a first volume (A) of accessories to be shipped together with the base component. The first primary box (51) snugly receives both the base component and the accessory box (10) in the retracted configuration. However, the accessory box (10) may be placed in the expanded configuration and used with a second, larger primary box (61) to contain both the base component, the first volume (A) of accessories, and an additional volume (E) of accessories. The second primary box (61) is sized to snugly receive the base component and the accessory box (10) in its expanded configuration.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method is provided for transistor level calculation of the precharge time of a domino logic circuit. In one version of the invention, the domino logic circuit has a plurality of cascaded stages, at least one stage having an unclocked evaluation path. In this version, the method includes the steps of determining a reset time for at least one stage of the domino circuit, determining a total reset time for the stages upstream of the at least one stage, and summing the reset time of the at least one stage with the total reset time of the cascaded stages upstream of the at least one stage to determine the precharge time. In another version, the method includes the step of performing a circuit analysis of the channel connected transistors in the at least one stage having an unclocked evaluation path.

Abstract: An un-coated valve (11) is connected between a first and a second pipe component (12, 12a). Each pipe component (12, 12a) includes a length of a pipe (21, 21a) with a flange (22, 22a) that is secured at one end. The valve (11) is positioned between the two pipe components (12, 12a), forming a first and a second sealing connection between the valve (11) and the pipe components (12, 12a). Each sealing connection is made between a valve sealing surface (25, 25a) and the flange (22, 22a) on the respective pipe component (12, 12a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeper frame for a track system for railborne vehicles, particularly for a ballasted track, consisting of several cross-ties (1) provided in the direction transverse to the track, and one or several longitudinal supports (2) connected with the cross-ties, wherein one cross-tie (1), respectively, substantially forms the outer delimitation of the sleeper frame in the longitudinal direction, with outer bearings (4) and fixtures (3) for the rails (6) being provided on the outer cross-ties, and with a continuous or quasi-continuous bearing for the rails (6) being provided between the outer rail bearings (4).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for splicing webs, in particular, paper webs for manufacturing corrugated cardboard, with a splicing unit (9) for preparing and splicing the rear end of a nearly empty active roll (5akt) to the front end of a web (5spl) to be spliced, and with the splicing unit (9) containing one respective intake (11) for the active web (5akt) and for the web (5spl) to be spliced. The device also contains a web unrolling device (13) that serves for accommodating several web rolls (21), with the web unrolling device (13) being constructed in such a way that it is able to accommodate at least three web rolls (21) such that a first web of the three webs delivered from the web rolls (21) can serve as the active web (5akt), a second web of the three webs (21) can serve as the web (5spl) to be spliced to the active web and the third web roll (21) can be simultaneously exchanged and/or the web in question can be prepared for the next splicing process.

Abstract: A method according to the invention includes determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game. The method next includes associating or mapping different pattern sets to each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns and their respective pattern probabilities are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the individual pattern probabilities included in each pattern set add up to the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated.

Abstract: A packaging system (1) includes a telescoping platform assembly (100) having a guide mount (30) and an extension platform (40). The packaging system (1) incorporating the telescoping platform assembly (100) includes a panel (22) and a flap member (26). The flap member (26) is connected to the panel (22) along a pivot axis (27) and is adapted to move between a first position with respect to the panel (22) and a second position with respect to the panel (22). The guide mount (30) includes a guide mount slot (33) whereas the flap member (26) includes a flap guide slot (28) extending outwardly from the pivot axis (27) through the flap member (26). The extension platform (40) is mounted on the guide mount (30) and the flap member (26) and is adapted to slide between a stowed position and a deployed position along guide mount slot (33) and the flap guide slot (28).

Abstract: A stream (A) of first foodstuff has a first pH and a stream (B) of second foodstuff has second pH. The first pH and second pH are oppositely related to a third or target pH for the foodstuff such that one pH level is above the target level while the other pH level is below the target level. The two streams (A) and (B) are combined in a proportion to produce a combined or third foodstuff at the target pH. One or both of the first pH and second pH are sensed or otherwise determined, preferably on a continuous basis, and then these pH values are used to determine the proportion at which the stream of first foodstuff and stream of second foodstuff are combined and mixed. Particularly, the pH modification can be loosely controlled to produce an over-modification in the first foodstuff and then the stream (B) of second foodstuff may be combined with the stream (A) first foodstuff to produce a stream (C) of material having the target pH.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain at least partially in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. The treatment process may include physically manipulating the foodstuff in multiple cycles to enhance microbe kill.

Abstract: A dynamic node keeper device for a dynamic strobe circuit is controlled by the signal at the intermediate node, that is, the signal at the output of the strobe component. By controlling the dynamic node keeper device through the strobe component output, the keeper device is active or conductive only when necessary to protect against noises in the pull down network for the strobe circuit. At all other times in the course of operation of the dynamic strobe circuit, the dynamic node keeper device according to the invention is nonconductive or inactive. Thus, the dynamic strobe circuit according to the invention reduces power consumption.

Abstract: At least one physical designation (16) associated with an object (12) available in a game draw is mapped to a preferably randomly generated virtual designation (32). The resulting map relating the physical designation (16) to a virtual designation (32) is not available to the game operator. When the physical designation (16) is drawn and entered into the game system (10), the system converts the entered physical designation (16) to the mapped or related virtual designation (32), and this virtual designation is the designation actually used in the play of the game. Thus, the operator is unable to cooperate with a player to cheat in the game by simply calling the physical designation (16) needed by the player to win.

Abstract: A gaming method according to the invention utilizes a first level game and a plurality of second level or daughter games. Each game at a particular level comprises a separate lottery-type game having a number or plurality of game records. Each game record includes a predetermined result. According to the invention, each first level game result is associated with a single value common to the result in each other first level game record. However, the result associated with each second level game record varies between various predetermined prize values.

Abstract: A satellite receiving antenna (16) at a user location (14) receives satellite signals at a first frequency from a satellite (12). The satellite signals travel along a satellite signal route (42) within a look angle about the centerline (28) of the antenna (16). A terrestrial transmitter (20) transmits signals at the first frequency along a wireless transmission route (40) from the transmitter to the user location (14). The terrestrial transmitter (20) is located with respect to the user location (14) so that the wireless transmission route (40) is at a relatively large angle to the centerline (28) of the first antenna (16). The angle of the wireless transmission route (40) to the satellite antenna centerline (28) is large enough so that the terrestrial signals present at the location (14) result in terrestrial input signals from the antenna (16) which are less than an interference level with respect to satellite input signals produced by the antenna.

Abstract: A locking device (1) includes a first clip member (20) and a second clip member (40). The first and second clip members (20, 40) include a first and second clip base (21, 41), respectively. A first jaw (22) extends outwardly from the first clip base (21) whereas a second jaw (42) extends outwardly from the second clip base (41). The first and second clip members (20, 40) are connected together so that they may move with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first and second jaws (22, 42) cooperate to form a locking loop (6). The locking loop (6) is adapted to fit through and lock with a locking feature (32) on an object to be secured. When the first and second clip members (20, 40) are moved to the open position, the first and second jaws (22, 42) are separated by an opening.

Abstract: A string assist apparatus and method (10) includes a support (12) and a resilient extension (14) connected to the support (12). When placed in position on an instrument (20), one end (18) of a string (16) is connected to a bridge (22). The string (16) is passed over the top of resilient extension (14) and connected to tuning post (26). As string (16) is wound around tuning post (26) tension is applied by resilient extension (14) keeping the end (18) of string (16) in place on bridge (22) and freeing both user's hands to attend to the winding process. A connector (42) for removably attaching the invention to the instrument (20) and a height adjuster (62) for adjusting the height of the resilient extension (14) are also provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a heating arrangement for a moving material web, particularly a pre-heater for a corrugated cardboard facility, with a rotating heating roll (3) which can be wrapped around by the material web (13) to be heated at a predetermined looping angle, and with at least two guide mechanisms (7, 11) for the material web which can pivot around the periphery of the heating roll while maintaining their relative positions to each other. The looping angle is determined by means of the position of a first (7) of the at least two guide mechanisms. A second (11) of the at least two guide mechanisms is arranged relative to the first guide mechanism such that in the position of the guide mechanisms defining the maximum looping angle, the material web (13) not directly wrapping around the heating roll (3) is guided at a distance from the heating roll by means of a second guide mechanism (11).

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and removing a flexible first material into a second material (20) includes a moveable carriage (22). An adjustable clamp (24) is connected to the moveable carriage (22), adjustable between an open position and a clamped position on the first flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, a receiver stiffener casing (26) is configured to receive and support the flexible first material as the flexible first material is inserted into and removed from the second material.