Abstract: A portable, non-power operated cutting tool for cutting sheets of building materials in a straight fashion without splintering or cracking. The cutting tool includes a base, a blade holder with a blade, a handle with an eccentric cam rotatably connected to the base, and a support arm to hold the building material against the base, where the blade holder moves between an open position and a closed position by rotating the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting sheets of building materials, such as, for example, laminate baseboards, chair rails and crown molding, at an angle. The cutting tool includes a base connected to a cutting platform with a hinge connection. The cutting platform can be set to a range of angles relative to the base by a cutting platform actuator. The cutting platform further includes a blade that can be moved downward on the cutting platform to cut the building material.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting building materials, such as vinyl and PVC flooring, in a straight and predicable manner using an arc cutting motion. The cutting tool utilize a cam to force a pivot connected blade holder with a blade downward through a piece of building material placed under the blade.

Abstract: Raman spectrometers are provided that illuminate a sample with two or more different beams of light, each characterized by a different primary frequency. Scattered light from the sample is separated into multiple Raman spectra, one for each primary frequency. The multiple Raman spectra can be evaluated individually, or they can be added together to form a composite spectrum that is then evaluated.

Abstract: A portable or handheld mass spectrometer making use of a cryogenic pumping, ion pumping or getter pumping system. The portable mass spectrometer contains a cryopump, ion pump, or getter pump, and operates in conjunction with a fixed docking station. The docking station contains a backing pump to bring the mass spectrometer manifold down to operating pressure prior to being placed into portable operation using the cryopump, ion pump, or getter pump. The individual pumps may be operated either separately or simultaneously. This configuration permits the portable mass spectrometer module to be small, lightweight and rugged, and yet be easily and quickly recharged and regenerated for use in either a field or laboratory environment.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting sheets of building materials, such as, for example, laminate baseboards, chair rails and crown molding, at an angle. The cutting tool includes a base connected to a cutting platform with a hinge connection. The cutting platform further includes a blade that can be moved downward on the cutting platform to cut the building material. The hinge connection allows the cutting platform to be angled relative to the base to cut the building material at a range of angles from 0°, vertical, to 60° or more.

Abstract: A hand operated cutting tool for cutting building materials, such as trim pieces, at an angle. The hand operated cutting tool includes a base, a blade holder with a blade, a handle with a cam rotatably connected to the base, and a working table for aligning the material to be cut with the blade. The hand operated cutting tool moves the blade between an open position and a closed position by rotating the handle.

Abstract: A spectrograph having multiple excitation wavelength ranges is disclosed. The spectrograph can include a wavelength switching mechanism to switch between different wavelength ranges in accordance with the wavelength of an incoming light signal. The wavelength switching mechanism can include multiple optical assemblies (or elements) corresponding to the different wavelength ranges for processing the incoming light signal. The mechanism can also include a switching component for switching the optical assemblies to align the appropriate assembly with the incoming light signal. Each optical assembly can include one or more transmission gratings to disperse the incoming light signal into multiple wavelengths within a particular wavelength range and a reflecting mirror proximate to the grating(s) to reflect the wavelengths of light back through the grating(s) to photodetectors for measuring to wavelengths to generate a light spectrum. The spectrograph can be used in Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting sheets of materials, such as, for example, sheets of building materials. The cutting tool includes a base defining a support surface. The base includes a slot extending through the support surface along at least a portion of the base. The cutting tool further includes a handle having a proximate end pivotally engaged with respect to the base. The handle is pivotally movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. The cutting tool further includes a blade integrated or positioned with respect to the proximate end of the handle. The blade includes a plurality of generally flat cutting surfaces arranged in a polygonal profile. When the handle is in the closed position, the slot receives at least a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A spectrograph having multiple excitation wavelength ranges is disclosed. The spectrograph can include a wavelength switching mechanism to switch between different wavelength ranges in accordance with the wavelength of an incoming light signal. The wavelength switching mechanism can include multiple optical assemblies (or elements) corresponding to the different wavelength ranges for processing the incoming light signal. The mechanism can also include a switching component for switching the optical assemblies to align the appropriate assembly with the incoming light signal. Each optical assembly can include one or more transmission gratings to disperse the incoming light signal into multiple wavelengths within a particular wavelength range and a reflecting mirror proximate to the grating(s) to reflect the wavelengths of light back through the grating(s) to photodetectors for measuring to wavelengths to generate a light spectrum. The spectrograph can be used in Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A portable, non-power operated cutting tool for cutting sheets of building materials in a straight fashion without splintering or cracking. The cutting tool includes a base, a blade holder with a blade, and a handle with an eccentric cam rotatably connected to the base, where the blade holder moves between an open position and a closed position by rotating the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting sheets of materials, such as, for example, sheets of building materials. The cutting tool includes a base, a support connected to the base and a cam with an increasing radius is positioned over a portion of the base and pivotally connected to the support. The cutting tool further includes a blade holder and blade which are engaged with the cam and positioned over the base. The blade holder and the blade are moveable between an open position and a closed position or cutting position by pivoting the cam.

Abstract: A table saw for cutting materials, such as, for example, porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, stone and glass. The table saw includes a base and a working table slidably positioned on the base. The table saw further including a power tool detachably mounted to the base and having a separate utility apart from the table saw. The power tool including a cutting element that extends at least partially through a slot in the working table. The working table movable along the base and with respect to the cutting element.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting sheets of materials, such as, for example, sheets of building materials. The cutting tool includes a base defining a support surface. The base includes a slot extending through the support surface along at least a portion of the base. The cutting tool further includes a handle having a proximate end pivotally engaged with respect to the base. The handle is pivotally movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. The cutting tool further includes a blade integrated or positioned with respect to the proximate end of the handle. The blade includes a plurality of generally flat cutting surfaces arranged in a polygonal profile. When the handle is in the closed position, the slot receives at least a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A system, terminal, receiver and method are provided for receiving and processing a signal received from a spread-spectrum downlink channel. The method includes receiving the signal from the downlink channel, and generating an estimate of a transmitted chip sequence in accordance with an iterative process. In this regard, the iterative process includes calculating statistical information, such as a mean and covariance, for a previous iteration of a transmitted chip sequence, the statistical information being selectively calculated based upon one of soft bits and soft symbols associated with the previous iteration of the transmitted chip sequence. The estimate for a current iteration of the chip sequence is then generated based upon the statistical information.

Abstract: A method for space-time-frequency coding pieces of data includes receiving a stream of a plurality of pieces of data in a multi-antenna transmission system, where the data may comprise a stream of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) symbols, orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols or the like. The pieces of data are then coded across space, time and frequency dimensions based upon a plurality of space-time-frequency (STF) codes. The pieces of data are coded such that one or more STF codes in the frequency dimension differ from one or more other STF codes in the frequency dimension. In this regard, the frequency dimension can include a plurality of frequency bins such that the pieces of data can be coded in a manner whereby the plurality of STF codes sequentially circulates through sets of at least one frequency bin in the frequency domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and process for facilitating customer-driven sales of products having multiple configurations, preferably automobiles and trucks. The apparatus is a computer network comprising a server with a product database thereon, an intermediary subsystem, and a seller subsystem. The server, intermediary subsystem, and seller subsystem function together and communicate with each other to allow an intermediary, on behalf of a customer, to configure a feasible product, transmit a request for quote (RFQ) to a target set of sellers in the customer's geographic area, receive quotes from the target sellers in response to the RFQ, and transmit the customer's acceptance of one of the quotes to the appropriate seller. The apparatus may also include a customer subsystem by which the customer may configure their own feasible product and transmit their feasible product information to the intermediary.

Abstract: A description language providing a hierarchical data structure that includes a public portion, hierarchically storing product information including identification of the product and standard and optional features desired for the product. The data structure further includes a private portion for secure storage of customer information. The discloser includes a system comprising a server with a product database, an intermediary subsystem, and a seller subsystem. A product is configured which stores the configured product and features in the data structure. A request for quote (RFQ) is transmitted, with the data structure, to sellers in the customer's geographic area, based on a comparison of product features with sellers stock. Quotes are returned from the sellers in response to which the customer sends an acceptance of a quote to the appropriate seller. While the invention is applicable to any product available in multiple configurations, specific embodiments are directed to vehicle implementations.

Abstract: A work table including a base forming a slot on a top surface of the base. A rotatable cutting blade is mounted to the base, with at least a portion of the cutting blade extending through the slot. A motor is housed within the base and in operational communication with the cutting blade effective to rotate the cutting blade. A guide element is positioned with respect to the top surface and a support surface is movable in a cutting direction along a length of the guide element and with respect to the cutting blade. The support surface has a work area for supporting a work piece and forms a passage aligned with the cutting blade.

Abstract: A work table having a tool movable in a cutting direction. The work table includes a support surface having a work area for supporting a work piece and forming a cutting channel through the work area in the cutting direction. A guide bar is mounted with respect to the work area and extends along the work area in the cutting direction. The guide bar has a length along which the tool moves, a width and a height, wherein the width is greater than the height. A tool base including a saddle is positionable with respect to the guide bar and slidably movable along the guide bar with respect to the cutting channel. The tool is mountable on the tool base and has a blade aligned with the cutting channel.