Abstract: A ring and ball tossing game apparatus is provided for use in playing a ring and ball tossing game according to a method of play. The game apparatus includes a ring-shaped element called a “root”, at least two stakes, and a ball. The root has a shape which permit easier rolling of the ball into the root. The game is played by players on opposing teams standing behind their respective stakes which are separated a distance apart, throwing the root toward their opponent's stake, and then throwing the ball toward either the root or the opponent's stake. Points are scored according to where the root and ball land, how they land, what they contact, and where the ball travels when it is tossed or thrown. Game play ends when a player's score reaches a set number of points or when a player lands the ball within the root which itself encircles the opponent's stake.

Abstract: A seal setting mechanism is provided that includes a pair of cross-members and a pair of downwardly extending force transfer members. The cross-members are linked with a linking member. When the cross-members are pivoted downwardly, the force is transferred through the force transfer members to a spring associated with each force transfer member. The spring applies a force on a sealing member. The sealing member is thus pressed against the floor, and held in place by the springs.

Abstract: A plastic packaged integrated circuit (20) having a thick copper plated top surface level interconnection structure. A semiconductor integrated circuit (20) is formed having devices at the surface of a semiconductor substrate (23). First and second metallization layers (27, 31) are formed over the substrate and contacting selected ones of said devices. The first and second levels of metallization may be in contact with one another through vias. A thick top surface level metal interconnect layer (35) is then formed over the second metal layer (31), either physically contacting it or selectively electrically contacting it. The surface level metal (35) is fabricated of a highly conductive copper layer. The thick surface level metal layer (35) substantially lowers the resistance of the interconnect metallization of the device (20) and further eliminates current debiasing and early failure location problems experienced with integrated circuits of the prior art.

Abstract: A plastic packaged integrated circuit (20) having a thick copper plated top surface level interconnection structure. A semiconductor integrated circuit (20) is formed having devices at the surface of a semiconductor substrate (23). First and second metallization layers (27, 31) are formed over the substrate and contacting selected ones of said devices. The first and second levels of metallization may be in contact with one another through vias. A thick top surface level metal interconnect layer (35) is then formed over the second metal layer (31), either physically contacting it or selectively electrically contacting it. The surface level metal (35) is fabricated of a highly conductive copper layer. The thick surface level metal layer (35) substantially lowers the resistance of the interconnect metallization of the device (20) and further eliminates current debiasing and early failure location problems experienced with integrated circuits of the prior art.

Abstract: A vertical movement accommodating apparatus for use with a wall panel includes a cap mounted on a ceiling structure of a room, and a support assembly mounted on a top edge of the wall panel and at least partially disposed within the cap for vertical movement with respect to the cap. The cap is a U-shaped member opening down. The support assembly includes an upper rail, a lower rail, and a truss assembly interconnecting the upper and lower rails. A sealing member is disposed between the upper rail and the cap to provide a sound reducing seal therebetween. The lower rail defines a channel in which a roller mounted on the upper edge of the wall panel is allowed to roll in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A thick plated interconnect (80) may be fabricated by forming a metal layer (20) above a semiconductor layer (12). A dielectric layer (22) may be formed on the metal layer (20). A via (24) may be formed in the dielectric layer (22) to expose the metal layer (20). A copper lead (50) may be formed electrically coupled to the metal layer (20) through the via (24) of the dielectric layer (22). A barrier member (88) may be formed on the copper lead (50). A bondable member (86) comprising aluminum may be formed on the barrier member (88).

Abstract: A multi-layered iridescent reflective coating for a fishing lure and the method for applying the coating to the surface of the lure. The coating preferably comprises a base layer, an optical stack comprising at least 3 layers of refractive material, and a protective layer. The layers of refractive material are vacuum deposited on a lure pre-coated with an ultraviolet cured polymer base layer. The optical stack can be applied to painted lures, pre-colored lures, or undecorated lures. The substrate, or lure surface, does not affect the process but can yield varying iridescent effects, depending on the texture and color of the substrate surface. The relative thickness of each optical layer and its relation to the other layers in the optical stack combine to achieve a variety of iridescent effects. A protective layer having a low refractive index is applied over the finished optical stack.

Abstract: A thick plated interconnect (80) comprising a copper lead (50) and a bonding cap (84) coupled to the copper lead (50). The bonding cap (84) may include a bondable member (86) formed from a bondable layer (62) comprising aluminum. A barrier member (88) may be formed from a barrier layer (60). The barrier member (88) may be disposed between the bondable member (86) and the copper lead (50).

Abstract: A ring and ball tossing game apparatus is provided for use in playing a ring and ball tossing game according to a method of play. The game apparatus includes a ring-shaped element called a "root", at least two stakes, and a ball. The root has a shape which permit easier rolling of the ball into the root. The game is played by players on opposing teams standing behind their respective stakes which are separated a distance apart, throwing the root toward their opponent's stake, and then throwing the ball toward either the root or the opponent's stake. Points are scored according to where the root and ball land, how they land, what they contact, and where the ball travels when it is tossed or thrown. Game play ends when a player's score reaches a set number of points or when a player lands the ball within the root which itself encircles the opponent's stake.

Abstract: A bond pad (18, 58) may comprise a base (20, 60) of bondable material. The base (20, 60) may have a periphery (26, 66). A segment of an interconnect (24, 64) may contact an extended section (28, 68) of the periphery (26, 66) to electrically couple the interconnect (24, 64) to the bond pad (18,58). The interconnect (24, 64) may comprise a material less resistive than the bondable material.

Abstract: A Plug-and-Play (PnP) configuration driver initilization routine and PnP configuration utility for use in PCI bus architectures supporting dynamic I/O bus configurations. The PnP configuration driver includes a logical-to-physical PCI bus mapping scheme maintaining a PCI bus mapping table, and creating a logical-to-physical map table at start-of-day. PCI device drivers access devices through the logical bus numbers, thereby avoiding errors resulting when physical bus numbers change as a result of the addition or removal of buses within a computer system supporting dynamic I/O bus configurations.

Abstract: The invention is to a header for a power semiconductor device and a method for making the header. A ground pin is mounted or formed on the header mounting base and a header ground lead is placed over the ground pin and fused to the pin by a laser beam.

Abstract: A fire resistant panel includes at least four parallel vertically extending sheets of gypsum. The sheets are fastened together in a spaced apart arrangement with two outer sheets and two inner sheets positioned between the outer sheets to define a member having first and second opposite vertically extending sides. Vertically extending sheets of steel are in contact with and cover both sides of the member. The upper support for the member defines a circuitous path from one side of the member to the other. A bottom seal is supported by the member and includes a weight mechanism attached to the bottom seal. The weight is pivotally movable and biases the bottom seal downwardly for engagement with a floor.

Abstract: Poultry parts are exposed to a marinade so that the marinade is absorbed by the parts and the outer surface of the parts has an adhesive myosin protein binder disposed thereon. The parts are then coated with a mixture including sugar to form a glazable outer coating, which coating glazes upon cooking.

Abstract: A multi-directional carrier includes a track and first and second ledges on the track. The ledges are relatively spaced vertically and horizontally. First and second discs are supported on a bolt in vertical spaced relation. One of the discs engages one of the ledges on one side of the bolt and the other disc engages the other ledge on the other side of the bolt. The underside of each disc has an angled surface and the upper side of each of the ledges has a complementary angled surface which is engaged by one of the disc angled surfaces. The angles of both said disc and ledge surfaces are substantially equal, being in the range of 2.degree. to 8.degree. to the horizontal, specifically 5.degree.. The discs can be made of metal and the underside of each disc can also be provided with rings of suitable bearing material engaging the ledges.

Abstract: A system of movable panels supported from overhead tracks by carriers engaged in the tracks. The panels are movable between a storage area and operable positions by moving the carriers along the tracks. The tracks are provided with an arrangement of bars which are selectively positioned at the junction between angularly related track sections. These bars, in cooperation with a preselected portion or portions of the carriers, permit only certain panels to move from one track section into another and blocking the entry of others. In addition, an arrangement of diverters are selectively positioned in the track sections in the area of the junction between track sections. These diverters, in cooperation with a preselected portion, or portions, of the carriers prevent certain panels from continuing along a given track section and divert those panels into an adjacent, angularly related track section.

Abstract: A multidirectional carrier and track generally comprising a disc, a track, and structure on the track defining a disc supporting surface. The disc is supported for rotation about an axis. The disc is in engagement with the disc supporting surface and has first and second ball bearing assemblies. The ball bearing assemblies have inner and outer races, the inner races mounted adjacent one another along the axis. The disc also has an outer cylindrical rim portion, the rim portion have an inner-facing surface, an outer-facing surface and upper and lower surfaces, the inner-facing surface engaging the outer races and the lower surface contacting the track. Structure on the inner-facing surface defines axially spaced faces projecting radially inward towards the axis in step-wise fashion, forming two axially-facing shoulders projecting from the inner-facing surface.

Abstract: A steam cooker processes large quantities of food products such as meat, fish, poultry and produce passed therethrough in a spiral conveyor path. The continuously running conveyor is provided with loading and unloading stations outside the cooker and with a continuously operable spray detergent cleaning bath.Efficient cooking is achieved without loss of humidity, flavor or appearance by maintaining water drop free steam at near 100.degree. C. and 100% humidity at a pressure greater than atmospheric and by features of the apparatus including control of steam flow out of the cooking chamber and introduction of cold air thereinto.Two separate steam sources, internal and external, are provided with the internal source comprising a heated pool of water on the floor of the cooker chamber, which is agitated for heat transfer efficiency and to remove fat or drippings from the cooking products.

Abstract: A steam cooker processes large quantities of food products such as meat, fish, poultry and produce passed therethrough in a spiral conveyor path. The continuously running conveyor is provided with loading and unloading stations outside the cooker and with a continuously operable spray detergent cleaning bath.Efficient cooking is achieved without loss of humidity, flavor or appearance by maintaining water drop free steam at near 100.degree. C. and 100% humidity at a pressure greater than atmospheric and by features of the apparatus including control of steam flow out of the cooking chamber and introduction of cold air thereinto.Two separate steam sources, internal and external, are provided with the internal source comprising a heated pool of water on the floor of the cooker chamber, which is agitated for heat transfer efficiency and to remove fat or drippings from the cooking products.