Abstract: A highly versatile exercise apparatuses is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to a cable crossover exercise apparatus including a central weight stack and opposed extension arms. The invention also relates to a functional lift exercise apparatus including a central weight stack and substantially parallel extension arms. The invention further relates to a cable type exercise apparatus employing a pulley assembly with a 4:1 load ratio.

Abstract: A display controller system for use with a selectively adjustable exercise apparatus is disclosed. The hiking display controller system comprises a display device, a controller, and a selectively adjustable exercise device. The controller enables adjustments in the exercise apparatus according to a mountain exercise profile having trail workout segments that are digitally coded to enable the selectively adjustable exercise device. The mountain exercise profile may use topographical maps, GPS coordinates, or portable hike monitors to design the actual exercise program. A mountain exercise profile may also be obtained through an external interface located in the controller. The user can develop a virtual trail. These preprogrammed trail workouts are created by a trail workout designer who identifies the density of the trails and digitally codes the necessary adjustments for a specific exercise device.

Abstract: A spinal vertebral implant includes a substantially rectangular shaped base section made from a solid piece of bone. A nose section extends integrally from the substantially rectangularly shaped base section and preferably has a generally tapering shape to foster entry between adjacent vertebrae. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Serrated sides assist the implant in gripping adjacent upper and lower vertebrae and in being maintained therebetween. The serrated sides are angled in a manner that encourages the implant to be placed between the vertebrae and locked therebetween upon such placement. First and second implants may be placed into respective left and right sides of an intervertebral space. A method for placing one or more implants between the adjacent vertebrae comprises forming a slot configured to receive an implant and inserting the implant into the slot.

Abstract: A seed planting system providing optimal seed spacing in an agricultural field. The seed planting system includes a mobile seed planter having one or more planting shoes, or members being adapted for towing by a farm vehicle or being self-propelled. Sensors, disposed proximate to respective planting shoes, detect seed planting events and send corresponding signals to a computer. Contemporaneously, a geospatial locator acquires, and transmits to the computer, the geospatial location of each planted seed. The computer correlates the geospatial location data with the seed deposition data and generates a seed distribution profile indicating the location of each seed planted in a zone of interest to enable the control of speed spacing.

Abstract: A weight lifting system features (i) one or more weights; and (ii) a weightlifting bar configured to selectively engage the one or more weights. A weight of the present invention has an upstanding first end, an upstanding second end, and a cross member extending therebetween. Each of the first and second ends of the weight has an aperture therein. The weight lifting bar features (i) a handle having opposing ends; and (ii) a mechanism for selectively attaching each end of the handle to a corresponding end of the weight when the handle is disposed between the first end and second end of the weight. The mechanism for selectively attaching each end of the handle to a corresponding end of the weight preferably includes: (i) a pinion gear rotatably disposed within a channel of the handle; (ii) a first rod movably disposed within the channel; and (iii) a second rod movably disposed within the channel. Each rod has teeth formed along a length thereof which engage the pinion gear.

Abstract: Performing graphics rendering without the computational expense of hither plane clipping and with only a minimum of display image clipping. Where a three dimensional polygon crosses to both sides of a hither plane, any vertices on the back side of the hither plane are translated to the hither plane, producing polygons which occupy only the area in front of the hither plane. A display image memory, from which display images are generated, is located within a larger guard memory such that many images which would need to be clipped to fit in the display image memory may be written to the guard memory without clipping.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a flexible media bag having an outlet spout projecting therefrom. A passageway longitudinally extends through the outlet spout and communicates with the interior of the media bag. A diptube connector is mounted to the outlet spout. The diptube connector includes a stem having a first end with a barb radially projecting out therefrom and an opposing second end with an annular flange radially projecting out therefrom. The flange has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the passageway in the outlet spout. The first end of the diptube connector is received in sealed engagement within the first end of the diptube. The second end of the diptube is passed through the passageway in the outlet spout such that the flange on the diptube connector rests on the outlet spout. The outlet spout having the diptube connector mounted thereon is received in sealed engagement within a delivery tube.

Abstract: In a digital thermo-optic switch and an optical ADM filter of the present invention, functional components such as a splitter and a grating structure part formed in the course of an optical circuit as a component are composed of silicone materials which are superior in heat resistance, reduced loss, and low birefringence, thereby achieving sufficiently practical thermal stability, low loss at 1.55 to 1.58 .mu.m band, wavelength selectivity, and cost reduction.

Abstract: A lineshaft turbine pump includes a packing container having a passageway longitudinally extending therethrough. Rotatably disposed within the passageway is a packing sleeve having a channel longitudinally extending between a threaded first end and an opposing threaded second end. A threaded first end of a line shaft is loosely threaded within the second end of the packing sleeve. Disposed within the channel of the packing sleeve is a thrust shaft. The thrust shaft has a second end biased against the first end of the line shaft. A threaded second end of a drive shaft is screwed into the first end of the packing sleeve such that the drive shaft biases against the first end of the thrust shaft, thereby applying longitudinal force against the line shaft.

Abstract: The novel process forms a first recess, such as a contact hole, within a first dielectric layer upon a semiconductor substrate. At least one diffusion barrier layer, selected from a group consisting of ceramics, metallics, and intermetallics, is formed within the first recess and at least partially conformably formed upon the first dielectric layer. A first electrically conductive layer is then formed within the recess over a said diffusion barrier layer. Preferably, the first electrically conductive layer is substantially composed of tungsten. The first electrically conductive layer is planarized above the recess thereby forming a top surface thereof. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and said first electrically conductive layer. A second recess is formed in the second dielectric layer. The second recess extends from an upper surface of the second dielectric layer to the top surface of the first electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a seed drilling implement (10) which comprises a frame (11), a coupling device (12) at the forward end of the frame (11), drilling elements (13) mounted on the frame (11) at or near the rear end of the frame, coulters (14) mounted on the frame (11) forwardly of the respective drilling elements (13), forward packer elements (15) mounted on the frame (11) forwardly of the coulters (14) and arranged at least partly to support the frame (11) in order to control the operating depths of the coulters (14) and the drilling elements (13), and an associated rear packer element (16) mounted rearwardly of the respective drilling element (13), and arranged to exert a soil-packing operation over each seeded row formed by the drilling element.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the surface area of a top region of a silicon wafer by initially depositing a monolayer of hexamethyldisilizane over the surface area of the silicon wafer. The silicon wafer is then positioned within a vacuum environment. Next, oxygen is introduced into the vacuum chamber so that the HMDS substantially reacts with the oxygen to form products such as carbon dioxide and water. At least one of the water and the carbon dioxide are measured from the known volume of the vacuum chamber. Based on the amount of product formed, the amount of HMDS covering the surface area is determined. Finally, from the amount of HMDS calculated to be originally positioned on the surface area, a value for the surface area is determined.

Abstract: A portable personal sporting net includes a tapered cylindrical or funnel-like tubular, pliable, porous net having an enlarged entrance aperture which is supported by a collapsible pole. In one embodiment, a suspended exit aperture is formed at the opposing end of the netting. A ball capture bag communicates with the exit aperture to catch balls hit into the netting. In an alternative embodiment, the opposing second end of the netting is closed against the ground surface. A pair of flaps are mounted on opposing sides of the entrance aperture and radially extend forward and outward therefrom. The flaps assist in directing stray balls into the funnel-like netting.

Abstract: A safe, efficient hooping machine preferably driven by pneumatic power comprising an adjustable hoop push plate, an angle head which is for inserting an inner ring into an outer ring and a safety feature which allows hoopers to keep their hands from becoming seriously hurt when a hooping ram is lowered.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a particle packed, highly inorganically filled, cellular matrix are disclosed. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together a starch-based binder, a solvent, inorganic aggregates, and optimal admixtures, e.g., fibers, mold-releasing agents, rheology-modifying agents, plasticizers, coating materials, and dispersants, in the correct proportions to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures have a predetermined viscosity and are heated between molds at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce form-stable articles having a desired shape and a selectively controlled cellular, structure matrix. The molded articles may be placed in a high humidity chamber to obtain the necessary flexibility for their intended use.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for rinsing and drying of a silicon wafer. The methods involve cleaning the silicon wafer with hydrofluoric acid, immersing a silicon wafer in either boiling deionized water or a boiling hydrochloric acid solution, and then drawing the silicon wafer to dry from the boiling deionized water or the boiling aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. The aqueous hydrochloric acid solution preferably has a pH value of about 2.5. Oxidation of the surfaces of a silicon wafer is minimized by immersing the silicon wafer in either boiling water or a boiling aqueous hydrochloric acid solution thereby yielding a wafer having surfaces which are oxide free. A silicon wafer boiled in an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution experiences minimal surface roughening and has relatively smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A method of sputter deposition for improved side wall and bottom coverage of high aspect ratio features on a substrate includes alternatingly exposing the substrate having high aspect ratio features to a collimated sputtered particle flux and a less-collimated sputtered particle flux until a desired deposition thickness is reached. A confining magnetic field may be used to reduce electron losses at process chamber walls, allowing for improved collimation of the collimated flux. The substrate may also be heated or biased during exposure to the less-collimated flux to increase the good side wall and step coverage of the less-collimated flux, and cooled or reverse-biased during exposure to the collimated flux to increase the good bottom coverage of the collimated flux. Alternatively, the substrate may be exposed to only a collimated flux, but good sidewall coverage by be achieved by alternating the temperature and/or bias of the substrate to provide the desired side wall and step coverage.