Abstract: A sanding apparatus is disclosed which includes a motor and mechanical drive system for imparting rotational and oscillator motion to an output shaft thereof. The motor shaft extends upwardly through a worktable. In one embodiment, the sanding apparatus is convertible between two or more modes of operation. In a spindle sanding mode, a sanding spindle is coupled to the motor output shaft, such that the spindle rotates and oscillates with respect to the worktable. In a belt sanding mode of operation, a belt sanding belt/pulley assembly is attached to the motor shaft. The belt/pulley assembly includes a drive drum and a driven drum about which a sanding belt is entwined. When operated in belt sanding mode, the entire belt/pulley assembly, including the drive drum and the driven drum oscillate up and down with respect to the worktable. In an edge sanding mode of operation, the worktable is articulated so that at least a portion thereof is angularly adjustable with respect to the belt/pulley system.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for manufacturing in a foam medium a sheet of paper or non-woven. In the invention, the surfactant used to form the foam is a nonionic compound of an ethoxylated alcohol of the Formula I:R--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH (I)wherein n is an integer from 2 to 22 and R is a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or where R is in the form of R'--X wherein X is an aromatic nucleus and R' is a linear or branched alkyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms. In particular, the invention applies to making household papers such as paper towels.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes first, second, and third beverage syrup inlet ports coupled to a respective first, second, and third beverage syrup sources and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. A second annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a second annular beverage syrup channel with the first annulus, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the second annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern.

Abstract: A bicycle has separate chain-and-sprocket drive mechanisms for the front and rear wheels. The front wheel drive includes a cross shaft and a pair of crank arms at the ends of the cross shaft, both of which crank arms extend in the same radial direction from the cross shaft. The cross shaft and crank arms serve the dual function of enabling steering the bicycle similarly to conventional handlebars and also driving the chain-and-sprocket mechanism for the front wheel. At the ends of the crank arms, a pair of outwardly-directed diametrically-opposed axles form bearing surfaces for a pair of freely rotatable hand grips. A drive sprocket on the cross shaft is rotated by cranking the hand grips in a continuous 360 degree rotary motion, and through the chain, driving a driven sprocket associated with the front wheel.

Abstract: A device for sensing angular positions of a rotating ferromagnetic target wheel which has teeth and slots along its periphery. A magnetic sensor is positioned adjacent the target wheel. The sensor has a biasing magnet and three sensing elements mounted on the biasing magnet. The sensing elements are sequentially positioned and equally spaced such that their output signals are equally phase shifted by an angle corresponding to their positions. Each sensing element is responsive to the passage of each tooth adjacent the sensing element. The leading and trailing edges of each tooth represent an angular position of the target wheel. Transition points between the leading and trailing edges are determined by obtaining differential signals between the first sensing element and the second sensing element and between the second sensing element and the third sensing element and then finding their crossover points. The crossover points are used to determine the angular positions of the target wheel.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for filtering mail messages in a distributed computer system. The distributed mail service system includes a plurality of client computers connected to a mail service system via a network. Mail messages are stored in message files of the mail service system. Each mail message is parsed and indexed to generate a full-text index of the mail service system. A query is composed, the query includes terms and operators. The query is stored in the mail service system as a named filter query. A new mail message received by the mail service system is parsed, indexed and searched to determine if the content of the new mail message does not match on the named filter query, in which case an inbox label and an unread label to the new mail message.

Abstract: A fluid coupling is disclosed having a first pipe member and a second pipe member. The first pipe member has an externally threaded end with synchronized thread portions. The second pipe member is configured to be received within the first pipe member. The coupling further includes a nut slidably and rotatably fitted around the circumference of the second pipe. The nut is internally threaded with a pair of synchronized threaded portions for mating engagement with the threaded portions of the first pipe member.

Abstract: A unique sleeve which is capable of supporting two adjacent nets on a single standard or pole at the same height above the ground as well as being adjustable to different heights relative to each other. The standard system includes a pole and a pair of sleeves on the pole having opposed surfaces when adjacent. A lock on each sleeve locks the sleeve at a vertical position on the pole and net surfaces are provided on each sleeve. The opposing surfaces of the sleeves are shaped so that the net support surfaces are substantially planar when the opposing surfaces are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting components to a motor vehicle including a frame having a bonding face and a nut coupled to the frame where the nut has a mounting face protruding a distance from the bonding face. The apparatus further includes a plastic body panel having an inner face and an outer face defining a thickness substantially equivalent to the protrusion distance of the nut. The plastic panel further has an aperture extending through its thickness. The nut is disposed in the aperture. The inner face is coupled to the bonding face and the outer face is substantially co-planar to the mounting face. A vehicle component is secured to the frame by a threaded fastener which engages the nut. The vehicle component abuts directly against the mounting face of the nut so that little or no clamping forces are applied to the plastic body panel.

Abstract: An anti-tamper locking assembly for locking a position of a block, such as a locking bolt in an electronic lock, electrically moves a pin to engage or dis-engage the block. When dis-engaged, the block can be moved and access or the like can be made. The pin is selectively moved electronically in order to allow access, entry or the like. The pin can be moved with, e.g., a solenoid. The pin has an overhanging portion, or a head portion. In order to prevent an individual from forcing the pin into an un-locked position, the head portion operates in conjunction with at least one spring-arm member and a blocker which are fixed to the block to prevent a user from being able to strike the device with a hammer or the like to "temporarily" move the pin to a position allowing the block to be moved and access or the like to be made.

Abstract: A fiber optic track lighting fixture and method with independent focusing and aiming of the individual light beams therefrom. The fixture comprises subassemblies easily assembled to form the fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are uniformly shaped swellable devices comprising polymeric materials, as well as apparatuses and processes for their manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to load bearing implant devices for use in tissue repair. The implants consist of a resorbable, swellable implant body which is formed from a dehydrated crosslinked biocompatible polymer. As such, the implants are capable of swelling after insertion to become anchored in place. The implants function to enhance the structural integrity of the hard tissue into which they are placed, and thereby improve the load bearing capacity of such tissues. The implants are particularly well suited for use in attaching a second (hard or soft) tissue to the first (hard) tissue into which the implant is inserted. They may also be used as a site for attachment of a surgical device such as a screw, rod or pin.

Abstract: A railway grade crossing apparatus comprises at least one rectangular gauge panel of precast concrete with resilient bumpers on opposing sides for closely fitting between the rails and rectangular field panels of precast concrete, each having a resilient bumpers on one side for placement between the outside of each rail and the adjacent road abutment, the gauge and field panels having means for attaching lifting a device to the top surface of the panel, and the method of installing said apparatus comprising lifting the panels into place with a bumper abutting the side of a rail, and exerting a lateral force on the panel toward the rail to compress the bumper whereby the opposite side may be urged downward into place and releasing the lateral force to allow the resilience of the compressed bumper to adjust the lateral position of the panel to a final position between the rails or rail and road abutment.

Abstract: A process and system for separation of foreground information from background information in a document is described. In an initial stage, at least two images of a document are created, each with different filtering. One of the images is filtered so that only foreground information, or fragments thereof, remain. This image serves as the initial image for subsequent image restoration, while the remaining images represent reference images for the image restoration. In a second stage, the image restoration is carried out so that as much as possible of the foreground information which was lost by filtering from the initial image is restored again. By comparing information from the initial image with information from at least one reference image, the information remaining in the initial image is supplemented by foreground information from at least one reference image.

Abstract: A rear suspension bicycle having a rear wheel with an axle, a frame including a seat tube and a down tube having a top and bottom ends, a pair of drop link members, one for either side of the rear wheel, each having a top attachment point and a bottom attachment point, and an axle attachment point for receiving the axle. A seat stay assembly including a front end and a rear end, and having a front pivotal attachment point adjacent the front end for attachment to the down tube defining a first pivot point, and a pair of rear pivot points, each for pivotal attachment to the top attachment point of one of said drop link members, forming together the second pivot point.

Abstract: A device (20) for the retrieval of a ferromagnetic object (22) from a remote area is provided. The device (20) contains a retractable tape measure (24) and a magnetic gripping head (26). The tape measure (24) has a blade (30) with a first end (64), an opposing second end (66), a longitudinal axis (68) extending between the first and second ends (64, 66), and a zero hook (32) coupled to the first end (64). The gripping head (26) has a housing with a gripping opening (40) in a face (42) thereof and a coupling opening (62) in another face (70) thereof. The gripping head (26) also has a magnet (38) within the housing (34). The housing (34) and magnet (38) are configured so that a portion of the magnet (38) protrudes through the gripping opening (40) to effect magnetic engagement with the ferromagnetic object (22) during retrieval.

Abstract: A prosthetic stentless aortic tissue valve includes a substantially annular valve body having a leaflet carried therein for occluding blood flow therethrough. A root extends generally coaxially from the valve body. Visual marking are provided on the root and act as a sculpting guide for a surgeon during implantation of the prosthetic heart valve to sculpt portions of sinus areas of the root.