Abstract: A detachable waist belt for use with book bags and day packs significantly reduces the problems associated with carrying too much weight on the back. The waist belt and clamping system provide a retrofit system usable with any backpack or book bag. The system is especially beneficial to school children who are increasingly carrying too much weight in book bags.

Abstract: A node device for providing secure communication services over a data network, such as the Internet or another public or private packet switched network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network. The node device includes a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device. The node device also includes a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information. For example, the encrypted communication tunnels are implemented using the IPsec or PPTP protocols. The node device includes a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database.

Abstract: A load hauling trailer assembly adapted for on and off road use includes a towable mobile chassis, a storage container body mounted on the mobile chassis and having an open top, a top cover having an outer side and being mountable on the storage container body and movable between opened and closed positions relative to the open top of the storage container body, and a carrier rack mounted on the outer side of the top cover and adapted to carry gear thereon when the top cover is mounted on the storage container body and moved to the closed position. The mobile chassis includes a frame structure, a pair of wheel subassemblies, and suspension and frame structure height adjustment subassemblies mounted to and extending transversely of the frame structure and mounting the wheel subassemblies to the frame structure.

Abstract: An anchorage assembly (100) is interconnected between a support structure (90) and a safety line (160, 161). The anchorage assembly (100) routes the safety line (160, 161) about a corner and accommodates passage of a slotted coupling device movably mounted on the safety line (160, 161).

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the stereoselective synthesis of heterocyclic enantiomers. The methods of the present invention incorporate the stereo-preferred oxidation of quinolone thiomethyl intermediates by optically active camphor based oxaziridines to provide R(+) or S(−) quinolone methylsulfinyl derivatives.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A system for frequency stabilization and control is provided. The circuit according to the invention consists of three major subsystems; namely, a display and control module, an integrator module, and a voltage controlled oscillator. The electronic system disclosed provides a highly flexible method of frequency stabilization and control. The system is programmable and may be used in a wide variety of applications, offering a variety of advantages over conventional systems such as PLLs.

Abstract: A base unit has a microprocessor onboard and is programmable via a keypad. A drive is operable in accordance with a program input into the microprocessor in order to provide motive power to move the movable element. The base unit may be derived from a telephone unit of conventional type, and have wheels/axles drivable in accordance with the microprossesor program. The base unit may serve as a base for a consructional toy (which may have elements driven by the axles) and functions as an educational aid to introduce basic computer programming.

Abstract: A multimedia kiosk authoring system for use in developing and maintaining user interface screens for multimedia kiosk systems. The authoring system enables the user interface for each individual kiosk to be customized quickly and easily within wide limits of variation, yet subject to constraints adhering the resulting interface to good standards of aesthetics and user friendliness. The system may be used to provide custom interfaces expeditiously even for hundreds of kiosks presenting information from numerous independent information sources. The authoring system uses the methods of object oriented programming to define specialized object classes for instantiation on individual kiosk interface screens subject to pre-defined limitations on variability. Links are provided to an appropriate database for multimedia presentations on an interface screen of content bearing information from the information providers.

Abstract: An ergonomically improved kayak paddle and a method for making the same is provided which improves the overall strength of the paddle while substantially reducing hand and arm fatigue for a user. The kayak paddle utilizes non-concentric gripping regions between a substantially longitudinal shaft and paddle blade sections. The gripping regions are interconnected to the shaft at non-abrupt predetermined angles of curvature and in a geometric configuration which reduces structural stress and fatigue at critical portions of the paddle while allowing a paddler to orient the paddle by touch alone.

Abstract: A skid pad has an actuatable drain for use with baggage carrying wet gear. A mesh compartment is provided in the bottom interior of the bag. Slidingly carried in the compartment is a valve member. The mesh compartment is in fluid communication with an opening provided in the bottom of the baggage. A skid pad having a plurality of holes thereon, is provided on the bottom of the bag for covering the opening in the bottom of the bag. When the valve member is removed, fluid may freely drain through the mesh compartment, the opening in the bottom of the bag, and ultimately through the holes provided in the skid pad. Because the holes in the skid pad are in recessed portions, and because of the configuration of the mesh compartment, fluid is allowed to drain from the baggage, but dirt and foreign debris is substantially prohibited from entering into the baggage through the drainage openings.

Abstract: A method for compacting and storing date information in multiple calendar systems. Alphanumeric data corresponding to the day, month and year are entered, including "?" characters for values or individual digits that are unknown or uncertain. The year data is converted to a base eleven number for compaction and then further converted to a binary number for storage.

Abstract: A golfing game dart board including a plurality of landing zones having distance indicia thereon which correspond to distance indicia on a plurality of floor markers spaced from the golfing game dart board. An associated golfing dart game and a method of playing a golfing dart game are also disclosed.

Abstract: An amusement ride for slingshotting and bouncing humans with bungee cords. The ride is similar to a bungee jump, except that two separate bungee cords are used, and the jumper (rider) starts on the ground. The ride keeps most of the thrilling sensations of bungee jumping, but reduces or eliminates many of the dangers, including hitting the ground, swinging into a tower, and getting tangled in the cords. The slingshot ride consists of two elevated supports (10). In between the two elevated supports is a carrier (24). Two spring members (12) connect the carrier to the top of both supports (picture the letter "M"). A rider is strapped into the carrier that is secured to the ground with a release mechanism (28). The two springs are stretched with a tensioning mechanism (22). The release mechanism is triggered by the operator, and the rider is shot up into the air. The strapped-in rider bounces up and down about four times before being lowered to the ground.

Abstract: A tool holder slides over a tool protecting it from water and other rust inducing conditions. The tool holder comprises a cover having an internal cavity that holds two retainer sections of polyethylene. The retainer sections are sized to conform with the exterior profile of the tool and press firmly against opposite exterior surfaces of the tool as it is being inserted inside the tool holder. The retainer sections hold the tool snugly inside the cover cavity providing a highly effective insulation barrier. A lubricant is insertable inside the cover cavity and absorbed by the retainer sections and is automatically applied to the exterior surface of the tool as it is being inserted into the tool holder. The inside face of each retainer section have an abrasive surface that automatically scrubs the exterior surface of the tool while it is being inserted and removed from the holder.

Abstract: A system provides for transmission of information between an article carrying information and an apparatus for processing the information, in which the article includes an arrangement for modulating the reflectance of at least one area of a liquid crystal device as a function of information to be transmitted to the processing apparatus. The system includes a reader having a station for receiving the article, and an optical arrangement at the station which is sensitive to the reflectance of the area of the liquid crystal device to form signals representative of information given out by the article. Also included is an arrangement for the transmission of these signals to the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections. A distributor at the forward end of the sieve has a pair of sprockets and a chain extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sieve. Fingers protrude longitudinally from the chain. The chain is driven when the combine leans.

Abstract: This device validates participation of an individual in an operation where coded information on an information bearing medium must be read. It comprises: an input interface, processing means comprising means of validation on the basis of said participation, which means being adapted to prevent said validation if a variable numeric value contained in said information coincides with variable numeric values previously held in memory; at least one memory inaccessible from said input interface and managed by said processing means in order to store in memory, for a predetermined period, information representative of said variable numeric values, and input interface for outward transmission from the device of an output code X representative of participations validated by the processing means, and electric power source for the various electric circuits in the device. It applications are in televised, radio, or other games.