Abstract: A post assembly having a first post member, a second post member positioned within the first post member, and a sleeve member installed in the ground. The first and second post members are insertable into the sleeve member and the second post member is rotatable relative to the first post member and the sleeve member to inhibit separation of the first post member and the second post member from the ground sleeve. The first post member includes a first passage, the second post member includes a second passage having a first section and a second section, and the sleeve member includes a latch pin that travels along the first and second passages. When the latch pin is in a particular position within the first and second passages, removal of the first post member and the second post member from the sleeve member is inhibited.

Abstract: A radioactivity dose calibrator system measures the quantity of radioactive material contained in a sample-vial or syringe without removing the vial or syringe from its primary radiation shield. The system comprises a first radiation detector, a second radiation detector, a transportable, shielded radioactive material sample-holder, a signal-processing circuit and a video display.

Abstract: The inventive arrangement of motorized floating mobile systems (7; 107; 207) for moving mooring booms (4A to 4E) for boats B in inner harbors (P), to translationally move the booms (4A to 4E) perpendicular thereto, to provide maneuvering space for the boats (B), is arranged between at least two adjacent booms (4; 4A to 4E), whereas the other spaces between booms are closed for maneuvering. Each system comprises: means for positioning the booms transverse to the translation direction; means (9, 10) disposed on the two ends of each system for attaching the front portion of adjacent systems together or to an attaching means arranged on the end of a pier or a fixed boom; means for translationally guiding parallel to a pier or a main pontoon, with respect to a fixed point of a pile or dolphin (8); and means for translationally moving the booms in a synchronous manner.

Abstract: The present blade device invention comprises an elongated housing wherein the housing comprises forward and rearward end portions and wherein the forward end portion defines an opening. The invention further comprises a blade holder moveable along a length of the housing toward the forward end portion and an actuator moveable along the length of the housing toward the forward end portion wherein the actuator is associated with the blade holder to impart movement to the blade holder toward the forward end portion of the housing. The invention further comprises a projection secured to one of the blade holder and the actuator wherein the projection extends in a direction transverse to the length, wherein the projection comprises a control surface which extends in a direction nonparallel to the length, wherein the other of the actuator and the blade holder to which the projection is not secured contacts the control surface and wherein the blade holder is movable in the direction nonparallel to the length.

Abstract: A blade holding device comprising a housing and a blade holder positioned within the housing wherein the blade holder is movable in a direction along a length of the housing. The device also comprises an actuator positioned within the housing and associated with the blade holder to move the blade holder along the length of the housing wherein the actuator moves parallel to the blade holder within the housing. Another embodiment of the blade holding device comprises a housing and a blade holder wherein the blade holder is adapted to move in a direction within the housing. An actuator associated with the blade holder for moving the blade holder in the direction and a control surface connected to a rearward end portion of the housing and positioned in a direction nonparallel to the direction in which the blade holder travels wherein the control surface is associated with the coupling arm.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of apparatus, and methods for their use, which are designed to aide in lifting bed mattresses and tucking in bed covers. In some embodiments, kits are disclosed which include wedge apparatus for lifting bed mattresses, and tuck apparatus for tucking in bed covers. In other embodiments, wedge apparatus for lifting portions of bed mattresses are disclosed. In still other embodiments, tuck apparatus for tucking in bed covers are provided. Additional embodiments disclose methods for using the kits, wedge apparatus, and tuck apparatus.

Abstract: A system for searching a data set to identify data elements with the data set that meet user defined criteria. The system comprises a network file system server, a data search engine server communicating with the network file system server, and a query distributor configured to send search queries to the data search engine server. An old data set and a new data set are stored on the network file system server in a manner such that said data search engine server may selectively access and transfer portions of the old data set and the new data set to a data storage memory of the data search engine server, where the data search engine server identifies data elements within the accessed portions of the old data set and the new data set that meet the user defined search criteria.

Abstract: A wave attenuation system having a floating member, at least one anchor member, and a plurality of interconnected wave attenuation members. The floating member has a generally flat top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is configured to be disposed above a waterline and the bottom surface is configured to be disposed below the waterline. The anchor member is disposed below the water line and is interconnected with the floating member through at least one elastic member. The wave attenuation members are connected to the floating member and disposed below the bottom surface of the floating member.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning machine which can be driven over the floor, includes a driven brush for sweeping the floor to be cleaned. The brush picks up dirt and debris from the floor and carries it, assisted by forced air flow, in an overhead motion and through a transfer duct to a pair of dirt containers in the form of buckets located side-by-side at the rear of the machine. A manual linkage at the rear of the machine moves a pivoted carrier frame which holds the dirt containers, between a raised use position in which the upper rims of the dirt containers are sealed to the machine for collection of debris, and a lowered access position for removal of the containers. Each container is independently accessible for emptying, and includes a bail-type handle pivotally attached such that a bucket, the opening of which faces forwardly and upwardly in the use position, extends generally horizontal when removed, to avoid spillage.

Abstract: A product location display system and method are provided that allow travel related product information, such as the geographic location of hotels, to be displayed on an interactive display. An application server of the product location display system receives user inputted criteria for a travel product search. A location management system determines a location for the travel product being searched based on the inputted criteria. Sub-locations associated with the geographic location being searched are pre-defined as being within the searched geographic location and stored within a location database memory component coupled with the location management system. A display configuration component of the location management system arranges and displays results of the search for the travel product by the sub-locations defined as being within the searched location.

Abstract: Implements including handles and working ends and product lines thereof are described. The implements are typically cleaning implements, such as mops mad brooms, but may be garden implements such as hoes and rakes. Various methods for using such implements are described. In one aspect, the methods relate to shipping the implements, each of which includes the same overall, length. In another aspect, the methods relate to displaying the implements, most often in a retail environment for presentation to consumers.

Abstract: A power sweep for an agricultural grain bin includes a powered belt conveyor adapted to unload the grain when desired. The inboard end of the belt conveyor includes an idler roller which is frictionally coupled to the inner surface of the belt and, through a power transmission, may be actuated, by means of a clutch, to drive a power sweep for cleaning residual grain from the bottom of the storage bin after the belt conveyor has removed the bulk of the grain.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying an implement comprising a handle and a working end comprises an engagement member for releasably securing a handle to the apparatus and a receptacle positioned in substantial alignment with the engagement member. The engagement member may be a post comprising a catch or a threaded section positioned on a front surface of the apparatus. The apparatus may further include first and second receptacles for retaining at least a portion of the handle of the implement.

Abstract: A post assembly having a first post member, a second post member positioned within the first post member, and a sleeve member installed in the ground. The first and second post members are insertable into the sleeve member and the second post member is rotatable relative to the first post member and the sleeve member to inhibit separation of the first post member and the second post member from the ground sleeve. The first post member includes a first passage, the second post member includes a second passage having a first section and a second section, and the sleeve member includes a latch pin that travels along the first and second passages. When the latch pin is in a particular position within the first and second passages, removal of the first post member and the second post member from the sleeve member is inhibited.

Abstract: A process to prepare stoichiometric-nanostructured materials comprising generating a plasma, forming an “active volume” through introduction of an oxidizing gas into the plasma, before the plasma is expanded into a field-free zone, either (1) in a region in close proximity to a zone of charge carrier generation, or (2) in a region of current conduction between field generating elements, including the surface of the field generation elements, and transferring energy from the plasma to a precursor material to form in the “active volume” at least one stoichiometric-nanostructured material and a vapor that may be condensed to form a stoichiometric-nanostructured material. The surface chemistry of the resulting nanostructured materials is substantially enhanced to yield dispersion stable materials with large zeta-potentials.

Abstract: A combination pawl and coin wheel for use in a vending machine is disclosed. The pawl has a beveled disk-engaging tooth adapted to engage a disk or coin at a coin corner so as to urge that coin against wheel surfaces and thereby inhibit coin rotation while the coin is in the pocket. Coin wheel wear is thus inhibited, and vending machine maintenance is minimized.

Abstract: A software-based application dynamically updates user lists and enables communication between various network communication devices within a wireless network. The software-based application automatically builds and maintains a list of available users associated with the network communication devices in real-time, without reliance on a centralized server for authentication. Various types of communication, between network communication devices of the wireless network including text-based messaging, audio and video communication and file transfer are performed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the speed of an aircraft having a preprogrammed speed profile when transitioning from a manually set target speed to the preprogrammed speed profile. In operation, an input is received indicating that a user desires to transition from a manually set target speed to the preprogrammed speed profile. A determination is then made as to whether the manually set target speed satisfies one or more selected conditions for qualifying as a constraint speed of the preprogrammed speed profile. If the manually set target speed satisfies the one or more selected conditions, the preprogrammed speed profile is updated to include the manually set target speed as a constraint speed and the speed of the aircraft is controlled using the updated speed profile.