Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided that allows an end user to monitor and/or control various data streams appearing on one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) interfaces of a residential gateway, even where the data streams are of different types such as voice, video or computer data. The invention provides a user interface, implemented as part of a CPE device or as a stand-alone device, that is accessed by an end user to transmit commands to a residential gateway. A processor within the residential gateway executes gateway monitoring and control software that receives the commands and, in response, performs the necessary routing and conversion of data streams to execute the desired monitoring and/or control functions.

Abstract: A portable brining apparatus in which salt beds can be fully utilized between charges while simultaneously producing saturated brine in bulk is claimed. The apparatus comprises at least two salt dissolving tanks, each tank being generally cylindrical in shape and having a conical bottom in which a perforated exit pipe extends upwardly along the centerline thereof. Surrounding the exit pipe is a gravel bed which rests on the conical bottom and serves as a filter. Each tank in the apparatus is initially charged with a bed of salt placed atop the gravel. Valving allows one to maximize salt uptake in flows of water going into and out of the two tanks. When fully charged, the tanks are utilized in a parallel flow mode: water is introduced through spray nozzles placed near the top of each tank and then flows downwardly, in succession, through its salt bed, gravel filter and finally perforated exit pipe. The flows discharged from both tanks are combined in the final effluent.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for securing a paint roller tray to a paint bucket is provided. The bracket includes a cradle for receiving a paint tray in an angled relation above the bucket. The cradle is centrally fixed atop a first rod, the first rod having a top and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a securing element to secure the paint tray to the cradle. The bottom portion includes a rectangular support element which is affixed centrally and perpendicularly to the bottom portion of the first rod. Intermediate the top portion and the bottom portion is an U-shaped cover which is nested in a downward fashion atop the first rod. The cover has a pair of legs affixed thereto in parallel relation which straddle the rim of the bucket. The legs depend downwardly from intermediate the two lips of the cover. The legs are secured to the lips. A first leg remains outside the bucket, is adjustable in height, and acts as a stabilization support for the main portion of the bracket.

Abstract: A device for mechanically checking the growth of noxious weeds within the growing containers of potted plants is shown. The device includes a mat of porous construction adapted to fit within the open top of a pot and engage a side wall thereof for inhibiting weed growth by shading the pot interior from light. A retainer, for positioning atop the mat, frictionally engages a side wall of the pot and retains the mat securely within the open top thereof. The pot may be provided with an overhanging and inwardly directed lip proximate the top of its side wall for engaging the retainer and locking such in place. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the retainer is formed as a ring, having an inverted U-shaped cross section, integrally joined to the outer edge of the mat for frictionally securing the mat to the pot. The device may also be provided with one or more chemical treatments such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers for promoting the growth of specified plant materials.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial cultch for mollusca formed of coal or lignite combustion by products (CCBP) such as fly ash and bottom ash with an optional binder, lime or Portland Cement The cultches are hemispherical or round-shaped and may be randomly stacked in a reef with interstitial void spaces for mollusca growth. The invention also provides a method of mass-producing these cultches.

Abstract: Glazing absorbing heat and intended for automobiles consists of a clear or tinted glass covered with a layer of TiC and an overlayer of ITO deposited by cathode sputtering. It is particularly suited to systems of glazings whose transmission decreases by degrees from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A keyless electronic combination lock is adaptable for placement on a door, and operates independently of any other locks and without a central control system. The lock has a keypad for entering combinations, a random access memory (RAM) into which the entered data is loaded, a microprocessor, and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). One or more entry codes for opening the lock are stored in the EEPROM and loaded into the RAM when the lock is powered-up. To open the lock, one of these codes or a master entry code must be entered at the keypad. Each entry code can be individually prevented from opening the lock by entering a corresponding individual lock-out code. All of the entry codes can be locked-out by entering a master lock-out code, by entering all of the individual lock-out codes or by throwing a dead bolt. The master entry code works regardless of the lock-out status and regardless of the dead bolt. To change lock-out status, the lock-out code is simply reentered.

Abstract: An electronic security device has at least one lock and a control center for generating keys to the lock. When a new key is generated, a new (second) combination is generated by applying a predetermined algorithm and randomly generated (first) calculation data to the previous (first) combination. To calculate a next new (third) combination, another randomly generated (second) calculation data is applied to the second combination using the same algorithm. The control center stores, on the key, the third combination, and the second calculation data used to obtain it and the first calculation data used to obtain the second combination. At the lock, the third combination is compared with a stored combination and if there is no match, the lock calculates a possible second combination by applying an algorithm, which is the inverse of the predetermined algorithm, to the stored combination using the second calculation data read from the key.

Abstract: An internal pipe cutter comprises a rotatable mandrel having a cutting drum and a guide drum mounted thereon. The guide drum is longitudinally adjustable relative to the cutting drum and controls the depth at which the cutting drum is received inside the pipe. The cutting drum includes a slidably mounted cutter which is projected outwardly into engagement with the pipe by centrifugal force. The cutter comprises a slider block having a radially adjustable cutting blade. In addition, one surface of the cutting drum has an access slot which communicates with the slider block enclosed inside the drum. The access slot allows a tool to be inserted into the cutting drum as necessary to unjam the cutter without having to dismantle the cutting drum.