Abstract: Semicrystalline polyethylene-2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate (PEBF) homopolyester or copolyester with up to 5 mole percent isophthalate or up to 2.7 mole percent terephthalate, based on the diacid component, or up to 2.5 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), based on the diol component, prepared by esterifying or transesterifying the diacid and the diol components with a catalyst including about 10 to about 50 ppm wt metal, and polycondensation, wherein the bifuran polyester has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.4 g/dL and a semicrystalline melting peak (Tm) with ?Hf equal to or greater than 5 J/g on the second heating ramp.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position, and a counterbalance. The counterbalance includes a compression spring and an engagement fitting associated with a first end of the spring. A first bearing element is operably coupled to the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the stowed position engages the first bearing element with the engagement fitting to move the first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring. A second bearing element is operably coupled to the ramp portions of that movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the deployed position engages the second bearing element with the engagement fitting to move the first end of the spring toward the second end of the spring.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly further includes a counterbalance that provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position. A shaft rotates in a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. A crank is fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled at a first end to the crank about a first axis and at a second end to a cylinder. The cylinder is coupled for rotational movement about a second axis.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A counterbalance is associated with the ramp portion and includes a drive element with a spring fitting. The drive element is rotatably coupled about a first axis of rotation that moves along an arcuate path. A restraint is slidably coupled to the drive element and is also rotatably coupled about a fixed axis of rotation. An end stop is associated with the restraint. A compression spring is disposed between the spring fitting and a portion of the restraint so that the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position, and a counterbalance. The counterbalance includes a restraint slidably coupled to a driving element having a spring fitting. The drive element includes a first engagement surface for engaging a first bearing surface associated with the ramp portion and a second engagement surface for engaging a second bearing surface associated with the ramp portion. A compression spring is disposed between a portion of the restraint and the spring fitting so that the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position, and a counterbalance. The counterbalance includes a compression spring and an engagement fitting associated with a first end of the spring. A first bearing element is operably coupled to the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the stowed position engages the first bearing element with the engagement fitting to move the first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring. A second bearing element is operably coupled to the ramp portions of that movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the deployed position engages the second bearing element with the engagement fitting to move the first end of the spring toward the second end of the spring.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly further includes a counterbalance that provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position. A shaft rotates in a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. A crank is fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled at a first end to the crank about a first axis and at a second end to a cylinder. The cylinder is coupled for rotational movement about a second axis.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A counterbalance comprises a shaft and a crank fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled to the crank with an end fitting, and an end stop is slidably coupled to the rod. A compression spring is disposed between the end fitting and the end stop, wherein the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A counterbalance is associated with the ramp portion and includes a drive element with a spring fitting. The drive element is rotatably coupled about a first axis of rotation that moves along an arcuate path. A restraint is slidably coupled to the drive element and is also rotatably coupled about a fixed axis of rotation. An end stop is associated with the restraint. A compression spring is disposed between the spring fitting and a portion of the restraint so that the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A counterbalance comprises a shaft and a crank fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled to the crank with an end fitting, and an end stop is slidably coupled to the rod. A compression spring is disposed between the end fitting and the end stop, wherein the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly has a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position, and a counterbalance. The counterbalance includes a restraint slidably coupled to a driving element having a spring fitting. The drive element includes a first engagement surface for engaging a first bearing surface associated with the ramp portion and a second engagement surface for engaging a second bearing surface associated with the ramp portion. A compression spring is disposed between a portion of the restraint and the spring fitting so that the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.

Abstract: A lift assembly 20 includes an enclosure 24 secured to the bottom floor F of the baggage compartment BC, a carriage 28 reciprocally mounted within the enclosure 24, and a lift platform 32 pivotally coupled to the carriage 28. The lift platform 32 may be equipped with a variety of safety features, such as a ramp barrier, a bridge barrier, a pair of handrails, and combinations thereof for providing protection and a sense of security for a passenger while on the lift platform.

Abstract: A drive assembly (100) for a wheelchair lift is provided. The drive assembly (100) includes an actuating assembly (104) in communication with a component of the wheelchair lift. The actuating assembly (104) is configured to selectively apply a driving force to move the component between at least first and second positions. The drive assembly (100) also includes an overload assembly (102) coupled to the actuating assembly (104). The overload assembly (102) is configured to redirect application of the driving force from the component to the overload assembly (102) when a force applied to the component exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A ramp assembly (20) having a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor is disclosed. The ramp assembly further includes a platform coupled to a portion of the frame, a ramp having a weight, and a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform coupled to a portion of the frame. The ramp assembly also includes a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load. The reciprocating mechanism counterbalancing the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions.

Abstract: A lift assembly 20 includes an enclosure 24 secured to the bottom floor F of the baggage compartment BC, a carriage 28 reciprocally mounted within the enclosure 24, and a lift platform 32 pivotally coupled to the carriage 28. The lift platform 32 may be equipped with a variety of safety features, such as a ramp barrier, a bridge barrier, a pair of handrails, and combinations thereof for providing protection and a sense of security for a passenger while on the lift platform.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing and presenting data such as advertisements from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves preloading data from the host server to the browsing device though the communications network, storing the data in the browsing device, detecting a second period of idle time in browsing device operation, and presenting the data through the browsing device upon detection of the second period of idle time.

Abstract: A system for targeting information on a computer network. The system involves categorizing a plurality of address pointers according to the content designated by the address pointer. The system further involves reading the address pointer which designates the content received by the user and determining which category or categories, if any, the address pointer is within. Information packets, such as advertisements, are targeted to selected categories. Once the category of an address pointer has been determined, an information packet targeted to that category is selected and transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A ramp assembly (20) having a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor is disclosed. The ramp assembly further includes a platform coupled to a portion of the frame, a ramp having a weight, and a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform coupled to a portion of the frame. The ramp assembly also includes a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load. The reciprocating mechanism counterbalancing the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing and presenting data such as video advertisements from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves detecting an extended period of nonuse of the browsing device, establishing contact between the browsing device and the host server, preloading data from the host server to the browsing device, storing the data in the browsing device, detecting a start-up operation of the browsing device, and presenting the data through the browsing device.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing and presenting data such as advertisements from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves preloading data from the host server to the browsing device though the communications network, storing the data in the browsing device, detecting a second period of idle time in browsing device operation, and presenting the data through the browsing device upon detection of the second period of idle time.