Abstract: A floor assembly for a cargo space of an automotive vehicle includes a floor support adapted to be mounted in the cargo space. A floor panel is mounted on the floor support for movement along a predetermined path of travel from a first position totally within the cargo space to an extended position at least partially outside the vehicle. Locking mechanism releasably locks the floor panel in the desired position. The locking mechanism may also be capable of locking the floor panel in several intermediate positions between the first position and the extended position. The locking mechanism preferably includes locking detents in spaced apart relation along the path of travel, and a locking lever engageable with any one of the detents to lock the floor panel in a selected position.

Abstract: Among other things, a giver is enabled to buy a gift online for a recipient and to control the provision of a puzzle for the recipient to solve before the gift is to be delivered, and the gift is caused to be delivered only under circumstances related to the solving of the puzzle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting unauthorized boots and adjusting security policy. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the BIOS stores boot information in a data store from which it can later be distributed on a network and/or accessed by security software. The security software compares a signature of the operating system booted by the computer to a signature of a trusted, or authorized, operating system. The security software is capable of determining whether an attempted boot is authorized and can adjust security policy in response to the boot information.

Abstract: A floor assembly for a cargo space of an automotive vehicle includes a floor support adapted to be mounted in the cargo space. A floor panel is mounted on the floor support for movement along a predetermined path of travel from a first position totally within the cargo space to an extended position at least partially outside the vehicle. Locking mechanism releasably locks the floor panel in the desired position. The locking mechanism may also be capable of locking the floor panel in several intermediate positions between the first position and the extended position. The locking mechanism preferably includes locking detents in spaced apart relation along the path of travel, and a locking lever engageable with any one of the detents to lock the floor panel in a selected position.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld, manually operable fluid applicator, particularly suited to the needs of surgeons, for dispensing a multi-component fluid applicator, for example fibrin and thrombin components of a tissue adhesive. A preferred applicator has a body containing reservoirs for the sealants and a detachable dispensing head which can be removed to refill the reservoirs. In the mixing head, the sealant components undergo turbulent mixing, for mixing efficacy, in a mixing chamber provided in a one-piece flexible and resilient manifold have “self-sealing” inlet and outlet ports. To enhance mixing, the mixing chamber has an increased cross-sectional area over the combined areas of the component supply passages and the fluid flows are directly opposed to impinge on each other in the mixing chamber. The applicator body and mixing head each have a housing with an ergonomic, streamlined or otherwise smoothly contoured shape and esthetic appearance.

Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous fluid with a fluid reagent is described comprising providing an untreated aqueous fluid stream having at least one contaminant, combining the untreated aqueous fluid stream with a portion of a treated aqueous fluid stream to produce a treatment fluid stream having at least one contaminant, and effecting a reduction in the fluid pressure of the treatment fluid stream sufficient to effect a fluid pressure differential between the treatment fluid stream and a source of a fluid reagent to thereby induce introduction of the fluid reagent from the source of the fluid reagent to the treatment fluid stream, such introduction of the fluid reagent to the treatment fluid stream effects reaction of at least a portion of the at least one contaminant in the treatment fluid stream with at least a portion of the fluid reagent to produce the treated aqueous fluid stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate type ozone generator having flat plate electrodes separated by ceramic dielectric plates. The generator comprises a plurality of perforated metal electrode plates separated by ceramic dielectrics stacked on top of one another. Ozone is produced when an oxygen containing feed gas is passed through a corona discharge between each electrode and dielectric in the stack. The feed gas acts to cool the generator. The ozone generator is housed in a fiberglass case with all the necessary power and monitoring circuitry also located in said case. The ozone generator produces a relatively low amount of heat and requires only one small fan and two small aluminum heat sinks for cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld, manually operable fluid applicator, particularly suited to the needs of surgeons, for dispensing a multi-component fluid applicator, for example fibrin and thrombin components of a tissue adhesive. The sealant components undergo turbulent mixing in a mixing chamber which causes a sharp change of at least 60 degrees in the direction of flow of each sealant component, to provide effective mixing and a quality sealant product. The mixing chamber has an increased cross-sectional area over the combined areas of the component supply passages and the fluid flows are directly opposed to impinge on each other in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is incorporated in a novel one-piece flexible and resilient manifold. Dual nozzle spray applicators with poppet valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld, manually operable fluid applicator, particularly suited to the needs of surgeons, which can dispense multiple medically useful fluids, for example fibrin and thrombin components of a tissue adhesive, and which has a smooth feel and action. The applicator has a novel actuator mechanism providing a comparatively higher mechanical advantage in a commencement phase of the actuator stroke and a comparatively lower mechanical advantage in a completion phase of the actuator stroke.

Abstract: An overshoe for a shoe whose soles have a plurality of extending spikes, cleats or similar surface engaging elements to protect surfaces from being disturbed or damaged by contacting such elements includes a two-layered substantially flat sole with a toe hold and a heel retaining member. The two-layered sole includes a soft upper layer interconnected to a hard lower layer, and is formed in an oblong generally rectangular configuration that is oversized relative to the soles of conventionally sized spiked sport shoes. The lower layer is sufficiently firm or tough enough to resist puncturing by spikes or cleats extending from a sole of a covered shoe, and is preferably made of hard rubber, so golf spikes will not penetrate the sole and scuff or mark putting greens. The upper layer is soft or flexible to accommodate depressions formed from spikes or cleats extending from a sole of a covered shoe, and is preferably made of soft rubber or foam.

Abstract: Input values are data encoded for improved signal characteristics (e.g., limited maximum run length and limited cumulative DC-offset) so as to form "data codewords," and then a number of the data codewords, collectively referred to as a block, are error protection encoded, preferably using a conventional linear and systematic forward error control ("FEC") code, to yield an FEC code block. Preferably, an FEC code block is formed by generating a number of check bits or FEC bits equal to the number of data codewords in the block, and then concatenating one FEC bit and its binary complement with each data codeword, so that one FEC bit and its complement is interposed between each successive codeword.

Abstract: It is common practice to apply a shrink sleeve to a weld joint in a pipeline. The success of such application depends upon the ability to transport equipment from joint to joint and the adaptability of the heating apparatus to a variety of pipe sizes. A relatively simple apparatus for meeting the above defined requirements includes a skeletal frame carried by rollers for movably supporting the apparatus on a pipe to be heated, a clamp on the frame for releasably engaging the pipe to stabilize the apparatus, and heaters pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation between a closed position around the pipe and an open position permitting movement of the apparatus to another joint. By making the height of the frame variable, the apparatus can be adapted to pipes of different diameters.

Abstract: Input values are data encoded for improved signal characteristics (e.g., limited maximum run length and limited cumulative DC-offset) so as to form "data codewords, " and then a number of the data codewords, collectively referred to as a block, are error protection encoded, preferably using a conventional linear and sytematic forward error control ("FEC") code, to yield an FEC code block. Preferably, an FEC code block is formed by generating a number of check bits or FEC bits equal to the number of data codewords in the block, and then concatenating one FEC bit and its binary complement with each data codeword, so that one FEC bit and its complement is interposed between each successive codeword.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a length of pipe and/or sleeve mounted thereon includes a main frame defined by a pair of posts for mounting on the pipe on each side of the area to be heated and a guide bar extending between the top ends of the posts parallel to the pipe; a screw extending between the posts above the pipe in the use position; a carriage mounted on the screw for movement longitudinally of the pipe when the screw is rotated; a bifurcated heater carrier frame, the arms of which are pivotally connected to the carriage for rotation between an open position and a closed position in which the heaters surround the pipe and any sleeve mounted thereon, whereby, with the heaters in operation, the carriage and consequently the heaters can be moved along the pipe to heat the latter uniformly.

Abstract: In general, catalytic heaters which rely on ambient air for operation are self limiting. A simple, effective solution to the problem includes a casing with an open front end, a screen on such front end, a catalyst pad in the casing behind the screen, and diffuser pads for receiving a gas/air fuel mixture from a mixer which creates the mixture and introduces the mixture through the rear wall of the casing. Channels or dikes in the diffuser pads ensure even distribution of the gas/air fuel mixture to the catalyst pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data blocks, each data block representing one of a plurality of characters, between a transmitting station and a receiving station of a distributed processing system. The characters are encoded in the transmitting station according to a code set so that each transmitted data block has an equal number binary ones and zeroes and a distance of at least four. The code is self-clocking and allows one bit error correction and AC coupling.

Abstract: A lighting fitting for hazardous areas comprises a central hub. Each lateral face of the hub incorporates a connector into which a module containing control equipment for the fitting may be housed. A further connector is disposed in the underside of the hub to receive the lamp. The hub houses a microswitch, which may be flameproof, through which the power supply to the connector is controlled. Springs in the connectors, a locking plate and an actuator shaft combine to prevent operation of the microswitch unless and until a lamp and all modules are connected to their respective connectors. This construction aids manufacturing flexiblity and economy and enhances safety.