Abstract: An audio effects control for and method of controlling the application of special audio effects applied to an audio signal, comprises a sensor configured to sense movement associated with the generation of the audio signal, wherein the sensor produces a control signal in response to detecting the movement, and the control signal is transmitted to an audio effects unit to control application of an audio effect on an audio signal.

Abstract: One embodiment is a computer chassis for housing modules of a computer system. According to this embodiment, the chassis features a chassis base, first and second bays for first and second motherboards, a fan assembly for mounting fans, a backplane for I/O connections mounted to the chassis base, and at least two compartments for electronic components. The first bay and the second bay are laterally adjacent so that, when in use, the first and second motherboards are in substantially the same plane. The fan assembly is mounted to the chassis base so that, when in use, fans in the fan assembly cause airflow in a substantially lateral direction over the first and second bays. The two compartments for electronic modules are laterally to the side of and in substantially the same plane as the first and second bays.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a computer chassis for housing modules of a computer system. According to this embodiment, the chassis features a chassis base, a first tray for a motherboard removably engaged with the chassis base, and a second tray for a motherboard removably engaged with the chassis base. The second tray is oriented above the first tray when engaged in the chassis base. This embodiment also features a plurality of drawers for storage equipment, such as hard drives, where each drawer is removably engaged with the chassis base. The drawers are oriented laterally to the first and second trays in the chassis base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pill splitter designed for cutting pills in a relatively safe manner. The pill splitter includes a main body with a top housing and a bottom housing having a blade mounted thereto. The top housing has a slot defined therein for receipt of the blade. The top housing moves relative to the bottom housing. A lid is hingedly connected to the top housing. A locking mechanism is positioned on the lid for controlling the movement of the top housing relative to the bottom housing and the blade. In the protected position, when the locking mechanism is engaged, the top housing resides in front of the blade to prevent a user from contacting the blade. In the cutting position, when the locking mechanism is disengaged, the blade is routed through the slot in the top housing thereby exposing a cutting edge thereof for cutting a pill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pill splitter that is designed for cutting pills in a relatively safe and reliable manner. The pill splitter includes a main body with a top housing and a bottom housing having a blade mounted thereto. The top housing has a slot defined therein for receipt of the blade. The top housing moves relative to the bottom housing between a protected position, unexposed blade, and a cutting position, exposed blade. In the protected position, the top housing resides in front of the blade to prevent a user from contacting the blade. In the cutting position, the blade is routed through the slot in the top housing thereby exposing a cutting edge thereof for cutting a pill.

Abstract: A shock tool is adapted to a bottom hole tool assembly for isolating a zone in a subterranean formation accessed by a wellbore. Fracturing fluid such as nitrogen is accumulated at fracturing pressures uphole of the shock tool for subsequent and rapid release to the formation. Coal bed methane seams are particularly well suited to such a shock fracturing methodology. The tool assembly can be suspended from a conveyance string in which fluid is accumulated for shock release through a valve of the shock tool and through an injection tool to the zone isolated by the injection tool. After a first zone is shocked, the tool assembly can be moved to a new zone, or multiple shocks can be applied cyclically at the selected zone.

Abstract: A support rod for curtains and the like has telescoping sections the ends of which are threaded for being screwed onto respective receivers mountable on facing walls in axial alignment. The receivers are fixed to the walls by fasteners which are concealed within the bore of at least one of the rod section or its mating receiver. A decorative flange may be mounted between each receiver and its respective rod section.

Abstract: A method of managing project time/resource data and documents in response to commands given by a user. The method includes setting up a user interface for bidirectional communication with a user of a computer system. The user interface displays symbols to the user and receives a selection made by the user via a pointer. The user interface displays several first symbols simultaneously to show project time/resource data, and several second symbols to show identifiers of the corresponding documents. Data is received about a second symbol selected by the user, and in response thereto, the user is at least provided with an opportunity to open a document corresponding to the second symbol.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint is provided featuring a liner with a deforming seal which quickly and easily seals a top bore in an acetabular cup of the artificial hip joint, such as to prevent the passage of fluid, wear debris or other material through the top bore in the acetabular cup. The acetabular cup is adapted to be secured to a hip bone and is generally hemispherical and sized to receive the generally hemispherical liner therein. The liner is secured to the acetabular cup by a locking ring which nests within both an acetabular groove in the annular cup and an annular seat in the liner. The liner provides a hemispherical bearing surface for a head at an upper end of a femur.

Abstract: A monitoring, detection and alarm for water systems includes a plurality of sensing components for detecting the presence of target contaminants in water and for measuring the overall quality of the water. The apparatus contains water sensing components, a database for storing sensor data and processors for data analysis using artificial intelligence. The apparatus provides control logic to take responsive action based on the results of the detection of the target contaminants. Responsive action includes, but is not limited to, generation of reports and alarm signals that are delivered in near real-time to users of the system.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for requesting, gathering, evaluating, and scoring knowledge. The system includes a first user interface for allowing a first group of users to define prompts and response choices, a second user interface for allowing a second group of users to view prompts and select response choices and view prompts without response choices and enter responses, and a third user interface for allowing a third group of users to evaluate previously-entered response by viewing the responses and selecting response choices. The system may automatically score the responses of the second group using scoring elements embedded in the response choices. The system may also include a relational database of related tables for storing the prompts, response choices, responses, evaluations, and user information. The system may also limit a user's access to various records based on the user's profile or a user responsibility associated with the user.

Abstract: An artificial hip joint is provided including a generally hemispherical acetabular cup with a generally hemispherical liner mated within the acetabular cup and with a locking ring to secure the liner within the acetabular cup. The acetabular cup is adapted to be secured within a hip bone. The liner includes a hemispherical inside surface for pivotably supporting a head at an upper end of a femur. The locking ring resides within an annular groove in the acetabular cup and an annular seat in the liner. The locking ring includes a captured end and a free end. The captured end includes a slot which cooperates with a post in the acetabular cup to slidably hold the captured end to the acetabular cup. The locking ring removably attaches the liner to the acetabular cup.

Abstract: An improved dual threaded fastener for composite materials having a head and a shaft. The head is affixed to one end of the shaft and the shaft includes a point at its other end. The shaft includes an upper threaded portion and an upper threaded portion. The diameter of the shaft within the lower threaded portion is greater than the diameter of the shaft within the upper threaded portion. In this manner, as the fastener is rotated within the workpiece, producing remnants may be stored in the area surrounding the upper threaded portion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved reclosable bag having first and second walls and an open top. The open top has first and second flexible fastener strips attached thereto. One of the strips has a profile portion forming a groove; the other strip has a profile portion forming a rib with a portion of the rib received and retained in the groove when the bag top is closed. Each of the fastener strips has a base connected to the respective walls. The bag has a slider mounted on the fastener strips which is movable longitudinally along the fastener strip to progressively separate the rib from the groove to open the bag, and is movable in the opposite direction to progressively return rib to a retained condition in the groove and create a leak-proof seal. A cradle is formed near one end of the fastener strip which is sized, constructed and arranged to receive and retain the base of the slider when the fastener strip is sealed to prevent leakage from that end of the fastener strip.

Abstract: A laser system 1 comprises six solid state diode laser modules 37.1 to 37.6 whose output beams are directly coupled into beam steering devices 38.1 to 38.6 and thereby routed to laser combining dichroic mirrors 39.1 to 39.6, which combine the individual laser beams into a single, co-aligned beam. The combined laser beam is directed into an optical fibre 41.1 for delivery to a target optical instrument such as a microscope. The output beam from delivery optical fibre 41.1 is coupled to the target instrument via fibre output collimating optics 42.1. The output of each of the diode lasers 37.1 to 37.6 is controlled by direct modulation of the lasers' control (drive) currents.

Abstract: An end of a curtain rod is provided with a hook for grasping a mounting tube extending transversely from a wall-mounted flange. The hook may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the curtain rod to permit two rods with similar offset hooks to the mounted end to end, in axial alignment, on a common mounting tube. Alternatively, one rod may be provided with a centrally mounted hook and the other rod with a claw having spaced hooks for receiving the single centrally mounted hook of an axially aligned rod therebetween. Each hook and claw may be mounted on a connector which can be fitted over the end of a segment of a tubular curtain rod, with or without an adapter, depending upon whether the segment is an inner segment or outer segment of a telescoping curtain rod.

Abstract: A freestanding portable lamp package for product display that can be placed on a store shelf or the like. The package is freestanding and protects the product contained therein from damage during shipment and display and prevents the need for an individual to remove the product from such packaging and disturb the contents within, while displaying the product to the public. The package utilizes a minimum of packaging materials. The package features a handle on the back side to make it easy for the customer to carry the product and package.