Abstract: A shock tube comprises a driver section, an expansion section connected to the driver section, and an extension connected to the expansion section. Shock absorbent material is disposed within a cavity defined by the driver section and extension section. At least one active vent is disposed over respective holes in the extension section that are connected to the cavity. The extension section is adjustable between one of at least two positions such that a length of the extension section in a first position is longer than a length of the extension section in a second position. The length of the gas column contained within the driver section can also be adjusted by the position of a movable bulkhead.

Abstract: A method for derecognizing the commitment of a lessor in an operating lease having a lease liability including the steps of holding by a lessee an operating lease wherein the operating lease has a future value S1 and determining the present value P1 of the operating lease in accordance with the future value S1. The method also calls for buying the operating lease by a buyer entity for a value P2 greater than the present value P1, thereby providing a first net gain and holding the lease liability by the buyer entity for a period of time and discharging a lease liability of the operating lease at the end of the period of time for a value S1 that is less than a future value S2 thereby determining a second net gain. The present value P2 is determined according to the present value P1 and according to a time t years prior to the time at which the value of the lease liability reaches S1.

Abstract: A method for reducing risk including the steps of holding by a seller a liability having a future value S1 and determining the present value P1 of the liability in accordance with the future value S1. The method also calls for buying the liability by a buyer entity for a value P2 greater than the present value P1, thereby providing a first net gain holding the liability by the buyer entity for a period of time and discharging the liability at the end of the period of time for a value S1 that is less than the future value S2 thereby providing a second net gain. The present value P2 is determined according to the present value P1 and according to a time t years prior to the time at which the value of the liability reaches S1. The present value P2 is determined according to the value S2 and the future value S1 is known at the time of the determining of the present value P1. The first net gain is a net gain for the seller and the second net gain is a net gain for the buyer entity.

Abstract: An operation control system includes a data recorder for recording data representing the features of behavior of a vehicle in a memory card and an operation control assisting apparatus for analyzing the driving tendency of the vehicle. The operation control assisting apparatus reads measurement data out of the memory card, classifies the measurement data into a set of data about the low-speed range, a set of data about the intermediate-speed range, and a set of data about the high-speed range, extracts behavior features in each speed range from the classified measurement data, and creates judgment information for judging the driving tendency by a driver of the vehicle in an ex post facto way based on the results of the extract.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing burn injury to underlying tissue from a flammable material. The apparatus includes an artificial human tissue and a plurality of temperature sensors located at predetermined locations in the artificial human tissue to measure temperature of the artificial human tissue during a flammability test. The apparatus further includes a heat sink device for simulating the heat sink properties of a human body. The apparatus further includes a heat exchange tank for maintaining the artificial human tissue at a regulated temperature, the heat exchange tank being filled with a fluid. The apparatus further includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the fluid in the heat exchange tank. The apparatus further includes a water supply device for supplying water to the interior of the heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes a data acquisition system attached to the plurality of temperature sensors for recording the temperature of the artificial human tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the effect of strangulation. The apparatus includes a model of a human having an artificial neck, and at least one sensor for measuring physical characteristics of the artificial neck during application of an applied force on the artificial neck. In one aspect, the model further includes a circulation system for circulating a fluid, and the at least one sensor includes a plurality of flow sensors to measure a flow of the fluid in the circulation system at predetermined locations and a plurality of pressure sensors to measure a pressure of the fluid in the circulation system at predetermined locations. In another aspect of the invention, the model includes a closed tube, and the at least one sensor includes a pressure sensor to measure the pressure of the air in the closed tube. The invention also includes a method for measuring the effect of strangulation on a model of a human.

Abstract: Children, particularly those younger than 4 years, frequently place foreign objects such as toys and small parts of consumer products in their mouths, nasal cavities and ear canals. These actions not infrequently lead to injury or death. To asses the risk of injury or death in children at the critical stages of child development, accurate computerized and physical models of anatomical areas including the oral cavity, orbit, ear canal and nasal passages that are most often severely injured by foreign body impaction are created. These computer and physical anatomical models are used in combination with computer and physical models of products to assess the possible hazards inherent in a product design and to communicate the risks associated with product design to manufacturers and marketing groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved mattress comprising an inner spring assembly from a used mattress wherein the inner spring assembly has been stripped of its outer covering of ticking and padding material, heat treated to provide stress relief to the components of the inner spring assembly having received only partial stress relief or no stress relief when the assembly was new, and covered with new ticking and padding material. Prior to the heat treatment, the used inner spring assembly has any bent border wires and connecting wires straightened, and displaced components returned to their proper position, and any damaged components replaced with good quality new or used replacement components resulting in the same inner spring assembly structure as when the assembly was new. The resulting mattress has improved load bearing capacity compared to the original mattress when it was new.

Abstract: A financial rebate program provides a rebate to purchasers or sellers of energy such as electrical power and natural gas for a deviation from expected weather conditions. In one example, the buyer of a block of electrical power for a given winter month pays a premium as a percent of the value of the transaction. If the weather is warmer than normal, the heating degree days would be less and the demand for electrical power would also be less because of reduced electrical heating load. As a result, the buyer might have to sell the excess power at a discount. The buyer would receive a rebate based on the number of degree days below a given strike, such as ninety-five percent of normal, helping to offset the discount thereby minimizing a component of financial risk of the transaction.

Abstract: A pediatric biomechanics model provides accurate information regarding the types and magnitudes of forces that children can apply to products such as toys. The model is used to obtain measurements of the actual forces that children can generate, which permits product designers to design products that will not be easily broken by children. Based on these measurements, manufacturers can design their products to reduce the risk of injury a product may pose to a child as well as to keep the product from breaking.

Abstract: A health care management system for use by hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and others in the health care field includes a processing unit and health condition guidelines. A user inputs information related to the health condition of an individual and guideline treatment options are identified. The user also inputs actual or proposed and final recommendation treatments for the same individual. The resulting comparative information can be used to modify the actual or proposed treatment, or provide explanatory information as to reasons for the difference between the final recommendation treatment and guideline treatment options. Also, the comparative information can be used by a reviewer for evaluation or utilization purposes.

Abstract: A window blind assembly is provided. A header mounts near a window. A window blind is moveable between a raised position near the header and a lowered position over a portion of the window. A shaft is rotatably mounted in the header and connected to the blind such that rotation in a first direction raises the blind, and rotation in a second direction lowers the blind. A brake engages the shaft to prevent rotation in the first direction, but allows rotation in the second direction to lower the blind when a downward force is applied to the blind. A brake release is engaged with the brake and is configured such that activation of the brake release releases the brake, allowing the shaft to rotate in the first direction and raise the blind, until deactivation of the brake release causes the brake to reengage the shaft.

Abstract: An automated system for use in decision-making, comprises input, output processing and storage capabilities. The storage and processing portions of the system include a number of components which receive information and data specific to a selected topic of decision-making. The components perform data collection, screening and decision-making functions. The system compares received data to previously stored data and identifies received data which does and does not correspond to the previously stored data. If the data does correspond, the system implements a first decision operation. If the received data does not correspond, the system determines the nature and degree of such non-correspondence, and implements a decision operation which is reflective of the nature and degree of the non-correspondence. If the nature and degree of non-correspondence cannot be determined, additional data pertaining to the selected topic is requested and compared to the previously stored data in an iterative manner.

Abstract: A system funds future losses incurred by an insurance carrier on active workers' compensation insurance claims. Statistical models are used to predict future costs and durations of claims. The statistical models are generated by applying statistical analysis techniques to representative historical insurance claim data with the aid of a professional statistician. Forecasting accuracy is improved by generating several models wherein each model represents a predefined type of insurance claim. Each model is applied to active claims of the corresponding type to obtain cost and duration predictions for those claims. A total cost prediction for a claim is proportioned among various cost categories to more accurately reflect actual and predicted claim costs. For each claim, a reserve amount is calculated which is the predicted cost minus the amount of money paid to date on the claim.

Abstract: A solid necktie including a rounded coupling segment which has apertures extending therethrough. Also included are a plurality of supplemental segments. Each supplemental segment has a pair of apertures which extend therethrough and positioned as continuations of the apertures of the coupling segment wherein the apertures of the supplemental segments are in communication with the apertures of the coupling segment. Further included is an elastic cord material which has a central section positionable around the neck of a wearer and with portions thereof extending first through apertures of the coupling segment and then through apertures of the supplement segments for holding the segments in a generally planar orientation when worn.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for funding future losses incurred by an insurance carrier on active workers' compensation insurance claims. The system uses statistical models to predict future costs and durations of an insurance carrier's claims. The statistical models are generated by applying statistical analysis techniques to representative historical insurance claim data with the aid of a professional statistician. Forecasting accuracy is improved by generating several models wherein each model represents a predefined type of insurance claim. Each model is applied to the carrier's active claims of the corresponding type to obtain cost and duration predictions for those claims. A total cost prediction for a claim is proportioned among various cost categories to more accurately reflect actual and predicted claim costs. For each claim, a reserve amount is calculated which is the predicted cost minus the amount of money paid to date on the claim.

Abstract: A health care management system for use by hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and others in the health care field includes a processing unit and health condition guidelines. A user inputs information related to the health condition of an individual and guideline treatment options are identified. The user also inputs actual or proposed and final recommendation treatments for the same individual. The resulting comparative information can be used to modify the actual or proposed treatment, or provide explanatory information as to reasons for the difference between the final recommendation treatment and guideline treatment options. Also, the comparative information can be used by a reviewer for evaluation or utilization purposes.

Abstract: A method for demonstrating lifting technique includes providing a substantially rectangular box in a first stationary position on a ground surface, inserting a first weight into the box, approaching the box in the first stationary position at approximately a 45.degree. angle such that one's feet are wider than shoulder distance apart when one is adjacent the box, bending one's knees such that one's body is close to the box, and lifting the box from the first stationary position. The box has an internal storage area formed by a top wall, a bottom wall contacting the ground surface in the first stationary position and being movable to provide access to the internal storage area, a front wall, a back wall, and first and second opposed side walls. The first and second side walls each have handles thereon adjacent the top wall so that the box may be lifted with or without the handles.

Abstract: A temperature regulated control arrangement for an elevator controller includes a mounting panel and at least one semiconductor electrical device attached to the mounting panel. The panel is at least partly thermally conductive and is mounted on a housing which defines at least partly a fluid passageway. Couplings connect liquid conduits to the passageway, and the conduits communicate a liquid to and from the passageway. The volume of liquid in the passageway is sufficient to absorb enough heat to keep the semiconductor devices within their operating temperature limits for a period of time even after failure of the liquid circulating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the insurability of a potentially insurable risk has data bases for storing information, and the ability to correlate selected elements of information in respective data bases. Certain elements are assigned weights on the basis of predetermined relationships existing between elements of information in one data base and corresponding elements of information in another. Information is displayed from a data base for use by an underwriter in assigning a weight to a selected element, or an expert module corresponding to the selected element is identified and used for assigning the weight. A risk classification is determined for the potentially insurable risk from the weights assigned. The system can identify additional elements of information required for evaluating the potentially insurable risk, and can request entry of such information for subsequent storage.