Abstract: In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

Abstract: In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

Abstract: An improved chair seat design is disclosed comprising a foam cushioning unit having top, middle, and bottom layers of foam secured together into a single unit. The bottom layer of foam includes a recess or slot sized to accommodate a void cell cushioning layer. The void cell cushioning layer is inserted into the recess/slot of the foam cushioning unit. Preferably, the void cell cushioning layer comprises an upper layer having an array of smaller cells with peaks pointing downwardly and pockets facing upwardly into the foam cushioning unit, and a lower layer having larger cells with peaks pointing upwardly and pockets facing downwardly relative to the foam cushioning unit. The foam cushioning unit with void cell cushioning layer inserted is then preferably attached to a contoured seat pan to form an improved office chair seat.

Abstract: An improved chair seat design is disclosed comprising a foam cushioning unit having top, middle, and bottom layers of foam secured together into a single unit. The bottom layer of foam includes a recess or slot sized to accommodate a void cell cushioning layer. The void cell cushioning layer is inserted into the recess: slot of the foam cushioning unit. Preferably, the void cell cushioning layer comprises an upper layer having an array of smaller cells with peaks pointing downwardly and pockets facing upwardly into the foam cushioning unit, and a lower layer having larger cells with peaks pointing upwardly and pockets facing downwardly relative to the foam cushioning unit. The foam cushioning unit with void cell cushioning layer inserted is then preferably attached to a contoured seat pan to form an improved office chair seat.

Abstract: In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining presence and absence of one or more individuals in an occupancy space. The apparatus comprises a processing apparatus and a memory, the memory being configured for storing data indicating that expiry of a timer was responded to, and data indicating that a signal from a sensor was responded to. The processing apparatus has a number of modes in which it is responsive to a signal from a sensor and/or responsive to expiry of a timer so as to determine presence and absence.

Abstract: A system comprises a first detector for detecting whether a multi-occupancy space is occupied by at least one individual and a plurality of second detectors for detecting whether an individual is present in each of a respective plurality of spaces within the multi-occupancy space. A controller is configured to monitor whether an individual is present in the multi-occupancy space based on a signal derived from the first detector. If the presence of at least one individual is detected based on the signal derived from the first detector, the controller determines occupancy of the multi-occupancy space based on signals derived from the plurality of second detectors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an expandable device adapted to forcibly separate spaced components having generally parallel opposed surfaces defining a cavity therebetween, the expandable device having a jaw assembly with a pair of opposing jaws and actuating means for opening the jaws, the actuating means including a separating member configured to be driven between the jaws so as to push apart the jaws such that the jaws are openable between a contracted configuration where the jaws are receivable in the cavity to an expanded configuration where the jaws are forced apart by the actuating means such that the outwardly directed surfaces of the jaws are engageable with the opposed surfaces and exert oppositely directed forces thereon. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus configured to carry at least one said expandable device, and an assembly comprising two said apparatus.

Abstract: In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to engage and support a heavy vehicle brake assembly to facilitate removal and installation. The apparatus comprises a drum and hub engagement assembly configured to engage an accessible portion of an in-situ drum and/or hub assembly and to support the drum and/or hub assembly when so engaged for transport between an in-situ position and a removed position. The apparatus includes a lifting assembly having an upright guide assembly and a lifting device for raising and lowering the drum and hub engagement assembly. The lifting device is configured to raise and lower the drum and hub engagement assembly and the drum and/or hub assembly engaged thereby along the upright guide assembly in a vertical line. The apparatus is configured to be positionable relative to the brake assembly and movable away from the vehicle to facilitate removal of the brake assembly.

Abstract: Non-architectural posts and beams of the kind used as cubicle backbone structures are now used to support open racks as skeletons for hanging diverse user-selected panels. The open racks have upright standards joined by spaced-apart transverse rails. A pair of brackets join an open rack to a beam. Each bracket has a beam gripping face and a rack gripping face. The rack gripping face has clefts that engage spaced-apart rails and have mass relief for light weight. Panels are freely hung on the rails and may be selected from whiteboards, bulletin boards, shelving, book cases and window panels for user personalization.

Abstract: A small group of service providers, including specialists in various workplace issues, provides workplace services, such as human resource, legal, tax, accounting, environmental, financial, regulatory, governmental, technological, medical, consulting and marketing services to an organization by using a database of information concerning the organization and its contacts. An initial contact is made by a workplace resources office to the organization to gather background information on the contacts and the organization. The database is then initially populated with this background information. Later, when a situation arises that requires an answer to a specific workplace question, a contact places a telephone call to a specialist. The specialist accesses the database over a network and uses the pre-entered client-specific information to tailor advice to the specific question raised by the contact. The call and the response as categorized by the specialist are then stored in the database for later reference.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer-based method for generating a representation of a query for use in performing said query.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling playback of VOD content is provided. The system comprises at least one receiving station for receiving and playing VOD content; and a control station for remotely controlling the VOD content over a communication network, the control station selectively transmitting a control signal to the at least one receiving station for controlling initiation of the VOD content. A method for remotely controlling content is also provided. The method comprises identifying at least one receiving station to control; transmitting a control signal over a communications network to the at least one receiving station; and controlling the content at the at least one receiving station.

Abstract: A combination ergonomic chair and bifurcated QWERTY apparatus integrally defined in the armrests of the chair. The combination apparatus includes a pair of adjustable arms for selectively orienting the armrests with respect to the operator. A standard QWERTY keyboard is bifurcated such that each half of the keyboard is defined on each of separate respective armrests. Each keyboard unit is attached to the armrests via a ball-in-socket arrangement and includes half of a QWERTY keyboard on one side, and a ten key numerical pad on the opposite side. A unique arrangement reduces stress, fatigue and injury associated with data entry work by facilitating proper postures to reduce upper extremity cumulative trauma. Each keyboard unit has a curve surface for provided palmar support to the hand while accessing the keypad. The chair and keyboard apparatus also includes a pair of rotary encoders integrally defined in the keyboard support structure to simulate a mouse.