Abstract: A ball assembly for a trailer hitch has a ball and an extended length neck connected to a threaded shaft. The ball assembly is made of a steel material such as 4140 or 4142 carbon steel which has a tensile strength of at least 95,000 psi to better withstand lateral and torsional forces.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method measure a reflectivity and/or transmittivity of an optical surface. The apparatus includes a pulsed coherent white light source for generating pulsed coherent white light, wherein the apparatus is adapted to irradiate the optical surface with at least a part of the generated pulsed coherent white light.

Abstract: A passageway is formed through a trailer hitch bar allowing an electrical conductor to be threaded through the hitch bar. At a proximal end of the hitch bar the wires are attached to the first half of an electrical conductor. Within a receptacle, a second half of the connector is located to interconnect with the connections on the first half. Conductors are connected to the connector halves and are coupled to electrical contacts on a draw bar on a towing vehicle which connect to an electrical coupling on the vehicle. The wires within the electrical conductor are now connected to the electrical connections already existing in the vehicle allowing the towed vehicle to respond to activations of brakes, turn signals, hazard warnings, headlights, and also engaging the transmission in reverse to activate a solenoid to release trailer brakes to allow a trailer to be moved in reverse.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method measure a reflectivity and/or transmittivity of an optical surface. The apparatus includes a pulsed coherent white light source for generating pulsed coherent white light, wherein the apparatus is adapted to irradiate the optical surface with at least a part of the generated pulsed coherent white light.

Abstract: A media converter, a system and a method for converting packet based data into serial data and vice versa are provided. The media converter comprises a first interface configured to receive and provide a first type of data stream based on data packets, a second interface configured to receive and provide a second type of data stream based on a continuous serial bit stream, and a signal processor connected to the first and second interfaces and configured to convert said first type of data stream into said second type of data stream and vice versa on the basis of a block encoding/decoding algorithm and a line encoding/decoding algorithm. Thus, enhanced bit error rate may be obtained, thereby allowing the use of optical transmission channels of increased length.

Abstract: A media converter, a system and a method for converting packet based data into serial data and vice versa are provided. The media converter comprises a first interface configured to receive and provide a first type of data stream based on data packets, a second interface configured to receive and provide a second type of data stream based on a continuous serial bit stream, and a signal processor connected to the first and second interfaces and configured to convert said first type of data stream into said second type of data stream and vice versa on the basis of a block encoding/decoding algorithm and a line encoding/decoding algorithm. Thus, enhanced bit error rate may be obtained, thereby allowing the use of optical transmission channels of increased length.

Abstract: An article packaging system for an automated article dispensing mechanism includes a plurality of clamshell-like containers attached together by side support rails. Each clamshell includes two semi-cylindrical halves pivotably mounted together and pivotable between open and closed positions. Resilient elongated bands bias the cylindrical halves in the direction of closure. When two adjacent pairs of rails are pivoted in one direction with respect to one another, the clamshells are maintained closed. Conversely, when two pairs of side support rails are pivoted in another direction with respect to one another, the cylindrical halves pivot with respect to one another to open a clamshell. The dispensing mechanism may be guided through the use of a sprocket or sprockets or, alternatively, side supports with guide slots receiving pins extending laterally from the side support rails may be employed.