Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for formation of high quality plastic sheet in a continuous fashion. Also disclosed are a variety of optical and electronic display applications for high quality plastic sheet produced in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a first thread to “share” its remaining time quantum with a second thread when the first thread is blocked. A thread may be blocked, for example, if it is waiting for a resource such as a data file or a lock. A thread may also be blocked if it is waiting for an event, such as a user keystroke. If there is a thread on the run queue that “owns” the resource needed by the consumer thread, the blocked consumer thread transfers its right to execute for a remaining time quantum to the owner thread, and the owner thread executes next. If the threads are in a same process, this transfer means that no process context switch is required, since the consumer thread and the owner thread are threads of the same process. In addition, this transfer means that the time before the resource becomes available to the blocked consumer thread will be short.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for formation of high quality plastic sheet in a continuous fashion. Also disclosed are a variety of optical and electronic display applications for high quality plastic sheet produced in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: A prosthetic system comprising a patellar unit to replace the femoral surface of the patella with a convex prosthesis constructed from a low-friction material and an elongate femoral prosthesis for replacing the trochlear groove without use of bone cement. The femoral prosthesis has a arcuate indentation on its upper surface to accommodate the patellar prosthesis and a lower surface with diverging, protruding vanes. The lower surface and the vanes are made of a biocompatible material that promotes bonding to living bone. The femoral prosthesis is inserted by first driving a guide rod into the distal end of the femur. Then a guide frame is inserted onto the rod to guide an instrument in the cutting of a groove in the trochlear portion of the femur. Then a second guide frame replaces the first guide frame and acts as a template for cutting slots sized to receive the vanes of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic system comprising a patellar unit to replace the femoral surface of the patella with a convex prosthesis constructed from a low-friction material and an elongate femoral prosthesis for replacing the trochlear groove. The femoral prosthesis has a trough-like indentation on its upper surface to accommodate the patellar prosthesis and a lower surface with protruding vanes. The lower surface and the vanes are made of a biocompatible material that promotes bonding to living bone. The femoral prosthesis is inserted by first driving a guide rod into the distal end of the femur. Then a guide frame is inserted onto the rod to guide an instrument in the cutting of a groove in the trochlear portion of the femur. Then a second guide frame replaces the first guide frame acting as a template of cutting slots sized to receive the vanes of the prosthesis. Finally, the guide frame and rod are removed, and the prosthesis is pressed into the cut groove with the vanes occupying the slots.

Abstract: A game board comprising a playing surface having indicia thereon defining an oval race track, with toy vehicles adapted to be moved around respective lanes of the track, and additional indicia on the playing surface for advancing vehicle positions, for indicating the number of laps completed by each vehicle, and for determining any of various troubles encountered during the race. Player-actuated wheelies, and means for launching same, cooperate with the indicia on the playing board, to determine the movement forward or backward of each vehicle, generally in response to the degree of skill of the player.