Abstract: A watercraft docking system for receiving watercraft along side of a dock. The watercraft docking system having a first and a second support member which are coupled to an elongated roller to allow the elongated roller to rotate on the longitudinal axis. The watercraft docking system is mounted on a dock, where the dock has a support structure and a dock platform having a walking surface. The first and second support members are secured to the support structure to hold the elongated roller at a predetermined distance from the dock.

Abstract: Routing information between an origination module and a destination module using a routing architecture. After an origination module (OM) receives information, a packet is transmitted to a routing architecture (RA) for routing to a destination module (DM) designated by the router packet. The RA interprets the router packet and adaptively routes the router packet to the DM so that the router packet is quickly processed by the DM. If the DM's queue is empty and the DM is not processing any other packets, the RA places the router packet in the queue and the DM reads its queue to process the router packet. If there is another router packet being processed by the DM, the RA adapts by placing the router packet in the queue. Once processing of the other router packet is complete, the DM processes the router packet in the queue. If there is already another router packet pending within the DM's queue, the RA adapts by creating another DM in memory to process the router packet.

Abstract: After an origination module (OM) receives information, a packet is transmitted to a routing architecture (RA) for routing to a destination module (DM) designated by the router packet. The RA interprets the router packet and adaptively routes the router packet to the DM so that the router packet is quickly processed by the DM. If the DM's queue is empty and the DM is not processing any other packets, the RA places the router packet in the queue and the DM reads its queue to process the router packet. If there is another router packet being processed by the DM, the RA adapts by placing the router packet in the queue. Once processing of the other router packet is complete, the DM processes the router packet in the queue. If there is already another router packet pending within the DM's queue, the RA adapts by creating another DM in memory to process the router packet.

Abstract: An improved toothbrush enables the user to brush more effectively the front and back of the upper and lower front teeth and vertically on the back teeth with the toothbrush handle perpendicular to the toothbrush allowing a more natural stroke of the hand and arm which will in turn provide for a more effective cleaning of the front teeth. For all other teeth, simply rotate the brush or handle to be in parallel with each other to offer the present day design for brushing teeth. For the parallel, fixed device, offering a round, square or hexagon head design, the ease of operation is created by bristles not only running thinly parallel with the handle as with present day brushes. This device offers wide bristles and accessibility to difficult areas to brush vertically or horizontaly without rotating the head handle. The extra widened bristle design with rows of bristles running vertically and horizontal. Present day toothbrushes have a narrow bristle construction that is limited by the width of the handle.

Abstract: An index associated with a database is dynamically processed in an information retrieval system to create a set of questions for use when processing a data inquiry from a user. The index, a structured guide used when searching the database, has different information domains. After one of these domains is selected, a particular order of the index categories within the selected domain is determined, typically by referring to the order lookup table within the index. A script corresponds to the selected domain. Within the script, there are questions corresponding to each index category within the selected domain. These questions are dynamically used to prompt the user. Only the questions corresponding to active index categories are arranged into the set of questions having a question set order corresponding to the particular order of the index categories. In an iterative process, the first question is identified and used to prompt the user to select a term from a scaled down vocabulary of terms (i.e.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating animal skins or hides (10) comprises stretching the hide to extend it and to open the structures and mounting the hide in a frame (15) by ties (12) extending between the hide edge attachments (11) and the frame. The hide (10) while in the frame. The hide (10) while in the frame passes through multiple process operations involving sequentially applying treatment fluids under pressure. A pressure differential maintained across the hide thickness enables the fluids to pass through the flesh surface (10a) and emerge from the grain surface (10b). The hide (10) can be supported on a porous backing membrane (45) during treatment. The treatment fluids are collected and processed for recycling, recovery of by-products and disposal.

Abstract: A leak check blind, according to the present invention, allows an in-line valve seat to be tested without removal of the valve from the line. The leak check blind is inserted in the flow line upstream from the valve to be tested. The blind is connected to a pressurized fluid supply for injecting a flow (pressure) to the valve and external flow measuring devices are provided for monitoring any flow of the test fluid. Any test fluid flow is indicative of a leaking in-line valve. If the detected leak is outside prescribed limits, the valve is then removed from the line and either repaired or replaced with a new valve. If the leak is within acceptable limits, the valve is simply reconnected and put back in service.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer converts a word processing file to a computer program source file, which generates an output stream when run. The word processing file includes a linear sequence of characters having segments marked by beginning and ending tags. The method of the present invention translates the linear sequences of characters in the word processor file that are not surrounded by the tags to output statements in the computer program source file. The output statements cause the computer program generated from the source file, when executed, to reproduce the linear sequences of characters from the word processor file not surrounded by the tags in an output stream generated by the computer program. The method translates the linear sequences of characters in the word processing file that are surrounded by predetermined tags into computer source code statements.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system includes a notebook interface having a plurality of notebook pages, each of which may contain a spread of information cells, or other desired page type (e.g., Graphs page). Methods are provided for rapidly accessing and processing information on the different pages, including displaying a plurality of page identifiers for selecting individual pages, and further including a preferred syntax for referencing information. Additional methods are provided for editing cells and blocks of cells.

Abstract: A method of effectively reducing a length of shift register (SR) latches used in scan design testing for testing macro structures embedded within very large logic structures eliminates tester hardware buffer limitations required to load and unload a long chain SR. A plurality of shift register latches are connectable in a chain for scan design testing. Each shift register latch is composed of an L1 and an L2 latch receiving A and B clocks, respectively, to shift data into and out of the shift register latch. First specific shift register latches in a chain of shift register latches are used to generate test data inputs to an embedded macro structure, second specific shift register latches in the chain of shift register latches are used to receive test data outputs from the embedded macro structure. A separate B' clock is applied to the L2 latches of the first and second specific shift register latches while maintaining the B clock for the L2 latches for other shift register latches in the chain.

Abstract: There is described a downhole stabilizer (10) for use in a drill string adjacent the drill bit. The stabilizer (10) includes a hollow and generally cylindrical casing (12) the outer surface of which defines three angularly spaced protrusions (24, 26, 28), the radially outer surfaces of which define a diameter which is marginally less than the diameter of the bore to be drilled. Two of the protrusions (24, 26) carry radially extensible and retractable spacer members (42-52) which are interconnected so that radially outward movement of one member (42-46) results in radially inward movement of the other member (48-52) and vice versa, effectively to vary the radial length of the respective protrusions. A control mandrel (56) is mounted within the casing (12) and is selectively movable between first and second positions.

Abstract: A color wheel comprised of two or more interference filters deposited on or bonded to a substrate 30 without the use of a frame or spokes. Filters 32, 34, and 36 preferably abut and are typically made from multiple layers of materials having different indices of refraction. The color wheel does not require extensive machining or balancing, and is very optically efficient because the duration of single color light periods is maximized. The color wheel does not have a frame or spokes and is therefore more aerodynamically efficient resulting in less work required to spin it and less wind noise.

Abstract: A tool actuator which comprises a casing containing a pipe, which is movable from a locking position to an unlocking position, under the action of a fluid pumped through the casing. When the pipe is in the locking position it locks a mandrel in an activating or deactivating position. When the pipe is in the unlocking position it does not contact the mandrel which is therefore free to move between the activating and a deactivating positions. The fluid pressure will be different for each of the positions of the pipe and mandrel and consequently their position can be monitored by monitoring the pressure of the fluid, for a given fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A lead cut and tape attach apparatus (10) for automatically cutting leads on one side of a semiconductor I.C. quad device and subsequently cutting and attaching a piece of tape over the gaps formed between the cut leads and for sequentially cutting the leads and attaching tape thereover on the remaining sides of the quad device includes a double-acting punch assembly (34) formed of an inner punch blade (58) and an outer punch (56). There is provided upper and lower cams (68, 78) for actuating the inner punch blade relative to the outer punch so that on a first downward stroke the inner punch blade is extended to cut the leads of the quad device. On a second downward stroke of the punch assembly, the inner punch blade is retracted and the outer punch cuts and attaches the tape.

Abstract: There is described a downhole stabilizer having a number of spiral fin-like blades. Each blade is provided with a pocket each of which carries an omni-directional rolling element bearing in the form of a ball which is engaged against the wall of the drilled hole.

Abstract: A device for clipping fingernails and toenails which includes an enclosure having an open side facilitating insertion of a nail-carrying digital member, and having a nail clipper aperture therethrough on its opposite side from the open side. The enclosure has a transparent top panel having a portion configured as a magnifying lens. A retention element is secured to the inside of the enclosure at a location adjacent the nail clipper aperture. The nail clipper has a portion thereof carrying clipper jaws extended through the aperture into the enclosure, and there detachably engaged by the retainer element.

Abstract: There is described a directional downhole stabilizer for use in a drill string. The stabilizer has an effective diameter which is selectively variable between a minimum diameter and a maximum diameter depending on the load on the drill string. The effective diameter is determined by radially movable spacers which are caused to move radially on relative movement of a mandrel which telescopes within the stabilizer casing and which has cam surfaces which engage the radial spacers. The telescopic movement of the mandrel within the casing is controlled via a mechanical detect arrangement which is actuated by the compressive force on the stabilizer.