Abstract: Locator systems and methods for hose clamps include at least one a locator tab. Each locator tab includes a main body, a clamp end, and at least one flange. The main body includes a crossbar having opposing first and second ends, a first leg extending from the first end, and a second leg extending from the second end. The clamp end extends from the main body and is configured to be secured to a hose. The at least one flange extends from the main body and is configured to retain a band of the hose clamp between the at least one flange and the crossbar until the band is tightened around the hose. The crossbar is non-parallel to the band when the band is retained between the at least one flange and the crossbar.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of locator systems and methods for hose clamps are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a locator tab for a hose clamp includes a main body, a clamp end, and at least one flange. The main body includes a crossbar having opposing first and second ends, a first leg extending from the first end, and a second leg extending from the second end. The clamp end extends from the main body and is configured to be secured to a hose. The at least one flange extends from the main body and is configured to retain a band of the hose clamp between the at least one flange and the crossbar until the band is tightened around the hose. The crossbar is non-parallel to the band when the band is retained between the at least one flange and the crossbar.

Abstract: A context map board system generates a multi-window context map board having multiple coupled interfaces that allow users to simultaneously interact with and visualize data in multiple views. The context map board system may store data in a database as elements with multiple mappings, each mapping associated with an interface. The mappings couple one or more elements to multiple interfaces such that modifications made to one element are propagated to each interface including that element. In one example, the views of the data include a canvas interface, an outline interface, and a table interface.

Abstract: A device for removing shingles having a fork tool and a handle adapted to fit into an air-powered hammer. The fork tool features teeth and has two ends that are joined at an angle. Each tooth has a square-shaped head and a body that extends away from the head of the tooth at an angle. The teeth extend up and away from the fork tool at an angle. The fork tool is removably attached to the handle. In operation, the power tool forces the tool forward under the shingles and the angle of the teeth lifts the shingles slightly off the surface of the roof and the leading edge and the trailing edge of the fork tool forces the shingle upward. The device features a back plate also attached to the handle that has a ridge along its lateral surface that can be used as a fulcrum.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.

Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.

Abstract: An energy absorbing terminal is described that is made up of a plurality of cells partially defined by cambered panels made of thermoplastic or another suitable material. The panels are supported upon rectangular frames. The cambered portion of the panels provides a predetermined point of flexure for each panel and, thus, allows for energy dissipation during a collision. The stiffness of the crash cushion may be varied by altering material thicknesses and diaphragm spacing. In operation, a vehicle colliding in an end-on manner with the upstream end of the energy absorbing terminal will cause each of the cambered panels to bend angularly at its point of flexure and, thus, cause the cells to collapse axially. The use of thermoplastic, such as polyethylene results in a reversible, self-restoring collapse for the terminal, meaning that the terminal is reusable after most collisions.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail system includes at least one cable operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle. The guardrail system also includes a plurality of guardrail support posts spaced apart in relation to one another. Each support post includes a lower portion, a mid portion, and an upper portion. The lower portion is for installing below grade adjacent the roadway. The mid portion lies substantially adjacent the grade and includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a longitudinal axis. The upper portion is releasably coupled to the at least one cable such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the at least one cable when the support post is displaced.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail safety system includes a guardrail beam and a plurality of support posts in spaced apart relation to one another. Each support post is configured to be releasably coupled to the guardrail beam. A plurality of connectors couple the plurality of support posts to the guardrail beam. Each connector includes a head portion that is configured to provide a sufficiently strong connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to support the guardrail beam and a sufficiently weak connection between the guardrail beam and the support post to enable the support post to detach from the guardrail beam when struck by the errant vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail safety system includes a guardrail beam and a support post of a predetermined depth coupled to the guardrail beam. The support post includes a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway, a mid portion that lies substantially adjacent the grade, and an upper portion releasably coupled to the guardrail beam. The mid portion includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a first axis without substantially changing the behavior of the support post about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A flange protector is coupled between the support post and the guardrail beam. The flange protector has a depth that is less than the predetermined depth of the support post.

Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.

Abstract: A cable guardrail release system includes a first number of anchor posts installed adjacent a roadway. Each of the first number of anchor posts secures an end of a respective cable. Each anchor post is operable to release the respective cable secured by the anchor post upon a vehicle impact to the anchor post. The system may include a length of need section that includes a plurality of intermediate support posts each configured to support each of the respective cables. The length of need section may include portions of each of the respective cables running in between the plurality of intermediate support posts. Each anchor post may be configured to resist release of the respective cable secured by the anchor post upon a vehicle impact to the length of need section generally at an angle to the flow of traffic on the roadway.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.

Abstract: An energy absorbing terminal is described that is made up of a plurality of cells partially defined by cambered panels made of thermoplastic or another suitable material. The panels are supported upon rectangular frames. The cambered portion of the panels provides a predetermined point of flexure for each panel and, thus, allows for energy dissipation during a collision. The stiffness of the crash cushion may be varied by altering material thicknesses and diaphragm spacing. In operation, a vehicle colliding in an end-on manner with the upstream end of the energy absorbing terminal will cause each of the cambered panels to bend angularly at its point of flexure and, thus, cause the cells to collapse axially. The use of thermoplastic, such as polyethylene results in a reversible, self-restoring collapse for the terminal, meaning that the terminal is reusable after most collisions.

Abstract: A prefabricated flashing for a weatherhead or other pipe which protrudes through roofs of structures such as a house to prevent rain or water seepage and which is adaptable to conform when assembled to any customary degrees of roof inclinations. The flashing includes an upper half of flashing and a lower half of flashing, each of which has a lip that can be easily secured together to surround a portion of the weatherhead or other pipe which protrudes through the roof. A clamping mechanism is provided for securing the upper half of flashing and lower half of flashing to the weatherhead.

Abstract: An air-to-water surface operating underwater viewing craft which succeeds in providing man with both speed and the same extravagant vision for underwater viewing that he/she possesses above the water with respect to field of view and clarity. This is achieved through proper implementation of a number of factors which are all locked in a perpetual relationship one to the other. The desired results are obtained by employment of a viewing window which is laterally curved around the sides of a prone viewers' face and which extends foreward and backwards sufficiently to exceed mans' field of vision threshold in all directions. The viewers' head is supported by a headrest which provides a viewing reference point for the viewers' eyes. Around this arrangement is built a flotational device which features two stabilizing pontoons positioned on starboard and port sides providing correct craft posture and predetermined draw. A two axis joystick controls two retracting electric thrusters providing full maneuverability.

Abstract: A combination mat, carrying bag and visor includes a substantially rectangular pad having an outer layer of liquid-impervious material and an inner cushioning layer of plastic foam or the like, the pad having a plurality of sections interconnected by fold lines so that the pad in the planar condition serves as an infant diaper changing pad, with releasable fastening strips being provided in a selected arrangement on the various sections of the pad to permit the pad sections to be folded into overlying relationship forming a bag having a closure flap or, into a U-shaped configuration to serve as a sun visor on an infant carrier such as a stroller or the like, with fastening strips being provided which may be attached to the carrier and interengage with the fastener strips on the pad to hold the pad in the visor position. The pad includes a pocket containing a netting which may be withdrawn and used as an insect barrier for the infant in the carrier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for perforating an earth formation from a well bore wherein each perforator unit of a perforator gun utilizes the combination of a shaped charge and a bullet and the perforator unit is adapted to fire the shaped charge responsive to detonation of detonating cord and the bullet is fired responsive to the firing of the shaped charge.