Abstract: A cover or housing member for an electronic device comprises a central region and a perimeter region surrounding the central region. The central region comprises an elevated pattern of radial ribs and elliptical elevations elevated above a generally planar lower surface, such that the cover has multiple vibrational modes of natural resonance in which a maximum deflection of the cover occurs in a first mode at a central point of the cover.

Abstract: A product display apparatus for use with a slotted wall for the display of a shoe, the apparatus is defined by having a mounting bracket with an end fitted to the slotted wall and a second end secured to the back of a shelf portion. The shelf portion includes a front section and side sections connecting the front to the back. The shelf portion has a rim extending inwardly around an interior defined by the back, front, and sides. An interchangeable shelf platform is removably secured to the rim of the shelf portion. The shelf platform has an upper surface to showcase an outer sole defined by the shoe. The apparatus further has a frame removably secured to the shelf platform. The frame has a base and sides extending therefrom and a top connecting the pair of sides. The top having a slot for receiving a removable informational card.

Abstract: A product display used with a slotted wall for the display of a shoe. The display includes a frame member having ends separated by a lateral member, a placard holder secured to the frame member, a mounting bracket to fit into the slotted wall and for securing to the placard holder, a frame bracket for securing the placard holder about one end of the lateral member, and a shoe holder extending from the lateral member. The shoe holder having a member extending from the lateral member. The upwardly extending member having a curved section defined to curve toward the rear of the frame member, whereby the placement of the shoe on the shoe holder, places a toe section of the shoe about the curved section of the shoe holder such that an outer sole of the shoe is displayed towards the front of the member.

Abstract: An inflatable cast system for immobilizing a lower extremity of a human. The system includes a pair of outer shell members shaped to conform to the lateral and medial sides of the lower extremity, respectively. A base member is fastened to the shell members to form a substantially U-shaped stirrup member. The upstanding sidewalls of the shell members are maintained in position relative to the lower extremity by a plurality of elongated, circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced, flexible fastening straps. A pair of inflatable air bags are attached to inside surfaces of the shell members. The air bags include at least one chamber and a valve that is sealed along one edge of the air bag and is adapted to allow the chamber to be automatically sealed once the brace is attached to the extremity of the user. A unidirectional air pump is provided to allow the chamber of the air bag to be selectively inflated and deflated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removably attaching one or more optical fibers so as to be in alignment with a respective electro-optic component on a circuit board within an enclosure. In a first embodiment, the header attaches to an aperture of an enclosure, thereby protecting the circuit board from dust and liquids. In a second embodiment, the header and protective enclosure are one integral unit. The invention enables one or more optical fibers to be detachably attached to a first side of a header or header/enclosure, and for a circuit board having one or more electro-optic components precisely positioned thereon to be attached to the other side thereof and accessed by the attached fiber by a through-hole in the header. A ferrule surrounds at least one optical fiber near an end thereof and includes a seating surface which seats on the exterior side of the header or header/enclosure.

Abstract: An optical seed flow monitoring system for monitoring seed flow through the primary and secondary seed tubes in an air seeding system. The primary seed tubes include a primary seed sensor having a plurality of emitter lens bodies and receiver lens bodies. Optical fibers connect the emitter lens body to an optical beam generating device and the receiver lens body to an optical beam detecting device both positioned remotely from the seed tubes. Alternately, one or more of the secondary seed tubes can include a secondary seed sensor having an emitter lens body and a receiver lens body.

Abstract: A method for shifting a powershift transmission of a vehicle in accordance with the load being experienced by the engine as estimated from certain engine operating parameters. A turbocharger associated with an engine operating at a given engine speed generates a turbo boost pressure. The turbo boost pressure is monitored by a sensor and a turbo boost signal is generated therefrom. Similarly, the engine speed is monitored by a sensor and an engine speed signal is generated therefrom. The turbo boost and engine speed signals are used to estimate the engine load based on empirical data stored in the transmission controller's memory, and a percentage load is computed therefrom. The percentage load is then used to generate an appropriate duty cycle and time value for a pulse-width-modulated shift signal which controls the modulation of an on-coming directional clutch into engagement at a desired rate of engagement dependent upon the load being experienced by the vehicle.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: An optical seed counting system for counting seeds that are dispensed through a plurality of seed tubes associated with a multiple row seed planter. Each seed tube includes an optical sensor having an emitter and a receiver. The emitter and the receiver each include lens components for shaping an optical beam. Optical fibers connect the emitter to an optical beam generating device and the receiver to an optical beam detecting device both positioned remotely from the seed tubes. The optical components of the emitter generate a substantially spatially uniform optical beam across a sensing area within the seed tubes. The detecting device generates a pulse signal where the period of the pulses represents the intensity of the optical beam in the sensing area. Seeds that are dispensed in the seed tubes interfere with the optical beam in a manner that affects the light intensity of the beam. Therefore, the change in intensity of the beam indicates the number of seeds.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: An electronic transmission control system for a self-propelled off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission controls the powershift transmission and provides the at least on control signal to the engine for selecting the speed at which the engine is to operate. The system preferably includes a first electronic controller that provides transmission control signals required to command the powershift transmission to shift to and operate in any particular one of its forward gears, and a second electronic controller that provides at least one engine control signal required to command the engine to operate at one of a number of different desired engine speeds and to monitor the actual engine speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling shifting of a powershift transmission of an agricultural vehicle in accordance with a boost pressure developed by a turbocharger of an engine associated with said vehicle. The turbocharger generates a turbo boost pressure which is indicative of the engine torque being produced by the engine at a given time. The turbo boost pressure is monitored by a sensor which generates a boost pressure signal in accordance with the sensed boost pressure. This signal is then modified in accordance with the sensed engine speed of the vehicle to produce a compensated turbo boost signal. The compensated turbo boost signal is compared against predetermined full-load and no-load turbo boost values to determine the percentage value of full-load boost pressure, and thus the load on the engine, at a given time.

Abstract: An electronic transmission control system for a self-propelled off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission. The control system controls the powershift transmission and provides at least one control signal to the engine for selecting the speed at which the engine is to operate. The system includes a first electronic controller that provides transmission control signals required to command the powershift transmission to shift to and operate in any particular one of its forward gears, and second electronic controller that provides at least one engine control signal required to command the engine to operate at one of a number of different desired engine speeds and to monitor the actual engine speed.

Abstract: An expandable, modular microcomputer system for an off-road vehicle having a controller which is operable to generate a plurality of independent pulse-width modulated control signals and a plurality of independent on/off control signals to a corresponding plurality of metal oxide silicone field effect transistors (MOSFETS). An RS-485 bi-directional serial communications interface enables the system to communicate with at least one other ingredient, external, controller. Thus, the control system can be modularly expanded to handle the needs of increasingly complex powershift transmissions. A watchdog circuit monitors operation of the controller and is supplied with a regulated voltage independent of the regulated voltage used to power the microcomputer. The watchdog can provide a reset signal to the microcomputer when spurious operation of the microcomputer is detected, as well as initiate operation of a back-up voltage supply circuit.