Abstract: A connection system for securing a mop head to a mop handle. The system uses a handle connector component secured to the mop handle and a mop head connector component secured to the mop head. Through holes in the handle connector component are aligned with through holes in the mop head connector component. A resilient clip with protruding tabs is positioned in and around the mop head connector component, such that the tabs of the resilient clips extend through the aligned holes in the connector components. The resiliency of the clips compels the tabs into the holes, thus securing the components.

Abstract: An airfoil shaped tower the size of a skyscraper for the production of electrical power using turbines. The turbines are located at the base of the tower and are fed by ambient air. Power to turn the turbines comes from the pressure drop generated by the wind moving over a changing surface of the airfoil. (Bernoulli's Equation). The areas of negative pressure on the exterior surface are covered by a plurality of bleeder vents that conduct air from the high-pressure (ambient air) interior to the low-pressure exterior. The invention is further improved by the construction of several towers in close proximity. Adjacent towers augment the air velocity thus increasing the pressure differential. The power of the turbines is greatly increased because power is proportional to the effective wind velocity cubed.

Abstract: A system and method of booking an itinerary on at least one of a multiplicity of host environments include a plurality of host adaptor modules. Each host adaptor module is configured to interact with one of the plurality of host ticketing environments. A booking engine is provided for receiving commands related to booking the air travel itinerary and determining an appropriate host ticketing environment for processing the commands based on a number of predefined criteria. When the booking engine receives a command it forwards the command to a first host adaptor module which is associated with first host ticketing environment selected by the booking engine for processing the command. The host adaptor module receives the command and issues the command to said first host ticketing environment. The first host adaptor module in turn receives a response from the first host ticketing environment and determines whether the response comports with an expected response.

Abstract: A boot-retaining unit of a ski binding secures one end, in particular the toe end, of a ski boot using two boot sole holders pivotable about vertical axes, which engage an end region of the sole periphery or ski boot from the side, front and/or top and interact with a spring arrangement, which biases the boot/sole holder against the boot/sole periphery and allows the ski boot to be disengaged counter to a disengaging resistance. The sole holders are double-armed levers, with the lever arms of the sole holders distal from the sole interacting with pistons which are displaceable in a direction transverse to the ski binding's axis and, by a spring which is clamped between and engages the pistons, are forced against the lever arms which are remote from the sole.

Abstract: A corn head includes plural pairs of first and second laterally spaced rotating stalk rolls each having outer fluting and plural outer arrays of spaced knife members extending along the length of each stalk roll. Corn stalks are directed by rotating pick-up cones each disposed forward of a respective stalk roll into the space between adjacent stalk rolls, where the stalks are directed downwardly through the inter-roll space and are reduced by the cutting action of the rotating knives. Each pick-up cone and its associated stalk roll rotate in opposite directions as do the two stalk rolls. Disposed above and extending along the length of the stalk rolls are a closely spaced upper auger and stripper plate which remove an ear of corn from the stalk and direct the ear to the combine for further processing. A skid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of each pick-up cone.

Abstract: A bollard assembly having a post and a sleeve. The post has a cylindrical post wall forming a cavity and a passage in the post wall. The passage has a first section that extends longitudinally along the post wall and a second section that intersects the first section and extends crosswise to the first section. The sleeve has a cylindrical sleeve wall forming a cavity and a latch pin that is attached to the sleeve wall and extends into the cavity. The sleeve is adapted to receive the post such that the latch pin travels through the passage in the post wall.

Abstract: A system for loading data to a search system configured to process requests and present data meeting criteria specified in the request. A first server is configured to monitor a second server for the availability of a new data set, to request a transfer of the new data set when the second server indicates that the new data set is available, and to store the new data set. A third server is in communication with the first server and is configured to transfer the new data set from the first server and simultaneously store an old data set and the new data set. A fourth server is in communication with the third server and is configured to simultaneously operate a first search process and a second search process. The first search process processes requests searching the old data set and the second search process processes requests searching the new data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning devices adapted to sweep floors with an attached squeegee, and to methods of manufacturing such cleaning devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a squeegee blade may be molded out of a first material. Subsequently, a head member may be molded, out of a second material of greater hardness than the first material, to a first portion of the previously molded squeegee blade. Bristles and a handle may be attached to the head member.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a planter, having a telescoping tongue for placing the implement in either a transport or field use configuration, includes an hydraulic pump located on the planter frame, preferably toward the rear, for powering the planting functions. A mechanical drive line from the PTO of the tractor to the remote hydraulic pump is disengaged as the planter frame begins to move from the planting position. The drive line permits the tractor to make full 90° turns in the field.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector including two mating connectors. A first plug section includes a receiving sleeve which encircles the first coupling section and which carries a locking element which includes flexible tabs movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and which are pre-stressed in its locking position. Held displaceably on the receiving sleeve is a sliding or release sleeve which may be manually moved axially to engage the locking element and release the mating connector. The second plug section has a plug tube which surrounds the second coupling section. When the plug tube is inserted in the receiving sleeve, the locking element rests on the outside of the plug tube in its locking position whereby the plug sections are connected. The connectors can be released by actuating the sliding sleeve to move the locking element into its unlocking position.

Abstract: Methods of cutting and applying RFID straps including microchips, by means of rotating vacuum and cutting cylinders to vary the feed rate of the strap web and/or the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder to avoid contact between the cutting blade and the superposed element on the strap web while severing the strap web at the desired cutting position. In one embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web is controlled. In a second embodiment, the strap web is fed at a substantially constant rate while the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder is controlled to avoid damage to the microchips. In a third embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web adjacent the desired cutting position is reduced and then accelerated and returned to normal by a deflecting arm.

Abstract: A casing spacer includes a pair of generally semi-cylindrical metal shells disposed on opposed outer surface portions of a carrier pipe for securely maintaining the pipe in fixed, spaced relation from the inner surface of an outer casing. Opposed ends of the shells are connected together by nut and bolt combinations for securely attaching the casing spacer to the carrier pipe. Plural runners are directly attached in a spaced manner to the outer surfaces of the metal shells by respective nut and bolt combinations inserted through apertures in the casing spacer's metal shells for engaging the outing casing's inner surface in maintaining fixed spacing between the pipe and outer casing.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve integrally formed with a section of conduit in a closed system for pumping cementitious material eliminates any dead space in the system within which the cementitious material may flow and set, and thus avoids system disassembly for cleaning following use and the possible replacement of clogged system components. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow cylindrical housing disposed on a conduit. First and second elongated linear slots are aligned with the cylindrical housing's longitudinal axis and are disposed in opposed portions of housing, with one slot in flow communication with the conduit. A cylindrical drum having a third elongated linear slot disposed within the cylindrical housing is freely rotatable therein. A handle attached to one end of the drum allows for manual rotation of the drum for aligning the three slots permitting the discharge of cementitious material and release of pressure in the system.

Abstract: A storage compartment and method of locking the storage compartment to an arm rest of a chair are provided. The storage compartment may include a housing having a cavity for receiving articles and a cover movable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. Openings may be defined in opposing sides of at least one of the housing and the cover for receiving an arm rest of a chair. The storage compartment may also include a locking mechanism moveable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition such that the housing and cover can be positioned around an arm rest of a chair and the locking mechanism can prevent removal of the storage compartment from the arm rest.