Abstract: A stapler configured such that the stapler can be used both as a desktop-type stapler and as a hand-held stapler. The stapler includes a base, a staple magazine pivotably coupled to the base, a cover assembly coupled to the base, and a staple driver coupled to the cover assembly. The base includes a front end, a rear end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a first flat portion near the front end of the base, a second flat portion near the rear end of the base, and a recess positioned between the first and second flat portions such that the flat portions and the recess together extend along the entirety of the base length. The recess includes a curved portion that extends across the width of the stapler base and is raised upwardly from a plane defined by the flat portions along the entire length between the first and second flat portions.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly includes a drape bar extending adjacent a rotatably supported roller tube to suspend a portion of a flexible shade fabric windingly received by the roller tube. The drape bar includes a fabric-receiving portion that is shaped along at least a portion of its length to be non-linear so that the suspended portion of the shade fabric defines a curve across its width. The fabric-receiving portion of the drape bar may be continuously curved. Alternatively, the fabric-receiving portion may include substantially straight segments each longitudinally misaligned with adjacently located segments.

Abstract: A stapler includes a base, a staple storage chamber coupled with the base, a staple pusher assembly positioned at least partially in the staple storage chamber, and a low staple indicator distinct from the staple pusher assembly and movable between a first position indicating the presence of a staple at a location in the staple storage chamber and a second position indicating the absence of a staple at the location in the storage chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet comprises an evacuation system for evacuating an insulation space of the cabinet when pressure inside such space is higher than a predetermined value. It comprises a sensor device having an insulation reference element located on one side of said insulation space and temperature sensors for assessing the differences of temperature across the insulation space and across the insulation reference element, such sensor device being suitable for providing the evacuation system with a signal related to the ratio of the above differences of temperature.

Abstract: A stapler and detachable accessory combination includes a stapler having a base with an accessory storage chamber. A detachable accessory defines an operating end, a non-operating end, and a grasping portion intermediate the operating and non-operating ends. The detachable accessory is insertable into and removable from the storage chamber such that the operating end leads during insertion into the storage chamber and the non-operating end leads during removal from the storage chamber. The accessory can be a staple remover, a hole punch, a pencil sharpener, or other office tool.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet comprises an evacuation system for evacuating an insulation space of the cabinet when pressure inside such space is higher than a predetermined value. The cabinet presents sensor means comprising a temperature sensor and a heater both located within the insulation space and a control system for activating the heater according to a predetermined heating cycle and for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor, such control system being able to provide the evacuation system with a signal related to the insulation level within the insulation space.

Abstract: A stapler and a method for holding a stapler open to inhibit the stapler from closing unexpectedly. The stapler includes a base, a magazine for receiving staples, and a cover assembly pivotable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the magazine. The stapler also includes a holding device coupled to the stapler that holds the cover assembly in the open position with respect to the magazine when the cover assembly is pivoted to the open position.

Abstract: A stapler including a staple support device. The stapler includes a base, a magazine for holding staples having a front portion, and a staple driver for driving staples out of the magazine in a staple driving plane. The stapler also includes a nose piece coupled to the front portion of the magazine and a support device coupled to the nose piece. Staples in the magazine are supported on an outer surface by the magazine and on an inner surface by the support device.

Abstract: A roller shade assembly includes a drape bar extending adjacent a rotatably supported roller tube to suspend a portion of a flexible shade fabric windingly received by the roller tube. The drape bar includes a fabric-receiving portion that is shaped along at least a portion of its length to be non-linear so that the suspended portion of the shade fabric defines a curve across its width. The fabric-receiving portion of the drape bar may be continuously curved. Alternatively, the fabric-receiving portion may include substantially straight segments each longitudinally misaligned with adjacently located segments.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting system includes a pair of assemblies for limiting sagging in a roller shade tube. The assembly includes a single bearing supported by a shaft to position the bearing at a distance from an end of the tube. Alternatively, the assembly includes a bearing pair supported by a shaft to define spaced support points for applying a reaction moment the roller tube. The assembly further includes an attachment member secured to the shaft at a first end and to the structure at an opposite second end, either directly, or to a mounting bracket secured to the structure. The mounting assembly may further include a deflection adjustment member engaging the attachment member and a fixed support member to provide variable control of roller tube deflection.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting system includes a pair of assemblies for limiting sagging in a roller shade tube. The assembly includes a single bearing supported by a shaft to position the bearing at a distance from an end of the tube. Alternatively, the assembly includes a bearing pair supported by a shaft to define spaced support points for applying a reaction moment the roller tube. The assembly further includes an attachment member secured to the shaft at a first end and to the structure at an opposite second end, either directly, or to a mounting bracket secured to the structure. The mounting assembly may further include a deflection adjustment member engaging the attachment member and a fixed support member to provide variable control of roller tube deflection.

Abstract: A weighting assembly for a roller shade fabric includes an elongated hem bar having opposite open ends and defining an internal cavity communicating with the open ends. A spline secured to an end of the fabric is slidingly received in a pocket defined within the cavity through one of the ends. The pocket includes an opening communicating with the rest of the cavity for passage of the fabric to an exterior through an elongated slot in the hem bar. After the fabric is wrapped on an exterior surface of the hem bar, a portion of the fabric is fed into the cavity through the slot to form a loop for slidingly receiving an elongated rod through one of the ends. The rod has a diameter that is greater than a width of the slot to prevent removal of the rod through the slot.

Abstract: A device is discovered on a network by means of a discovery protocol operated by a proxy and a protocol address for the device is obtained if required by the proxy, which requests a protocol address in accordance with a dynamic host communication protocol, then in the absence of response to that request attempts automatic private addressing and finally if necessary allows manual entry of a protocol address for the device.

Abstract: A shade system includes a plurality of panels that are supported by opposite first and second tracks for translation of the panels between retracted and extended positions. The shade system further includes an extension panel supported for translation with a terminal shade panel. An extension panel support assembly includes mount members translatably secured to the tracks and deployment members that position at least a portion of the extension panel beyond an end of the tracks when the shade system is in the extended position. A drive system engages the deployment members to translate the extension panel with respect to the tracks and to deploy the extension panel beyond the end of the tracks.

Abstract: A folding shade system includes a shade having a plurality of panels secured in an end-to-end fashion and cables suspended from opposite tracks to define a first curved profile. The folding shade system further includes at least one receiver for each of the cables secured to the shade to define a cable-receiving pathway extending across the width of one of the panels. The pathway defined by the at least one receiver has a second curved profile substantially matching the first curved profile of the cable. The at least one receiver for each cable may be a continuous sleeve defined by lines of stitching in joined end portions of adjacent panels or, alternatively, may include separate receivers each secured to the shade by a connector.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting system includes a pair of assemblies for limiting sagging in a roller shade tube. The assembly includes a single bearing supported by a shaft to position the bearing at a distance from an end of the tube. Alternatively, the assembly includes a bearing pair supported by a shaft to define spaced support points for applying a reaction moment the roller tube. The assembly further includes an attachment member secured to the shaft at a first end and to the structure at an opposite second end, either directly, or to a mounting bracket secured to the structure. The mounting assembly may further include a deflection adjustment member engaging the attachment member and a fixed support member to provide variable control of roller tube deflection.

Abstract: A weighting assembly for a roller shade fabric includes an elongated hem bar having opposite open ends and defining an internal cavity communicating with the open ends. A spline secured to an end of the fabric is slidingly received in a pocket defined within the cavity through one of the ends. The pocket includes an opening communicating with the rest of the cavity for passage of the fabric to an exterior through an elongated slot in the hem bar. After the fabric is wrapped on an exterior surface of the hem bar, a portion of the fabric is fed into the cavity through the slot to form a loop for slidingly receiving an elongated rod through one of the ends. The rod has a diameter that is greater than a width of the slot to prevent removal of the rod through the slot.

Abstract: A shade system includes a plurality of panels that are supported by opposite first and second tracks for translation of the panels between retracted and extended positions. The shade system further includes an extension panel supported for translation with a terminal shade panel. An extension panel support assembly includes mount members translatably secured to the tracks and deployment members that position at least a portion of the extension panel beyond an end of the tracks when the shade system is in the extended position. A drive system engages the deployment members to translate the extension panel with respect to the tracks and to deploy the extension panel beyond the end of the tracks.

Abstract: A folding shade system includes a shade having a plurality of panels secured in an end-to-end fashion and cables suspended from opposite tracks to define a first curved profile. The folding shade system further includes at least one receiver for each of the cables secured to the shade to define a cable-receiving pathway extending across the width of one of the panels. The pathway defined by the at least one receiver has a second curved profile substantially matching the first curved profile of the cable. The at least one receiver for each cable may be a continuous sleeve defined by lines of stitching in joined end portions of adjacent panels or, alternatively, may include separate receivers each secured to the shade by a connector.

Abstract: A network device which is for use in an Ethernet packet-based communication system has at least one port which is capable of auto-negotiation to select between half duplex and full duplex working on a link to which the port is connected. The device includes means for monitoring the existence of late collisions between packets on said link, means for monitoring the existence of packet fragments on the link, and monitoring means for detecting and correcting for a duplex mismatch on the link partner. This monitoring means is operative to determine whether there are any late collisions and in the absence of a detection of fragments to configure the port from a half duplex mode to a full duplex mode. The monitoring means is also operative to detect the presence of fragments when the port is in full duplex mode and thereby to provide an indication that a rule relating to network size is infringed.