Abstract: Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies secured to the shaft are provided. If more than one soil displacement assembly is utilized, each soil displacement assembly is separated by a longitudinal distance. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper helical plate, a lower helical plate and separated from the upper helical plate by a longitudinal plate distance, and at least one soil displacement plate positioned relative to the shaft, the upper helical plate and the lower helical plate.

Abstract: Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies secured to the shaft are provided. If more than one soil displacement assembly is utilized, each soil displacement assembly is separated by a longitudinal distance. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper helical plate, a lower helical plate separated from the upper helical plate by a longitudinal plate distance, and at least one soil displacement plate positioned relative to the shaft, the upper helical plate and the lower helical plate.

Abstract: Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies coupled to the shaft such that the one or more soil displacement assemblies are movable relative to the shaft are provided. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper plate, a lower plate, a reamer between the upper and lower plates and secured to each plate, and at least one soil displacement arm extending from the lower plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the compensation of asset providers and/or communications network providers for the non-consumption of assets provided with programming. In this regard, when users elect not to consume the assets associated with the programming, the asset provider loses the opportunity to present their assets to such non-consuming users and is thereby injured in relation to the price they have paid for the delivery of their assets. In one arrangement, a reporting module at a customer device is operative to identify when a user skips an asset and report that skip event to the network. This information may then be utilized to adjust the bill of the asset provider and/or to bill the user associated with the skip event.

Abstract: A package securement device includes a containment device in the form of either a bag or a box for receiving packages. The containment device includes an opening allowing for removal and insertion of packages. Access may be given to the interior of the containment device through an electronic device with a credential receiver configured to receive a credential input by a user. A communication module with a wireless transmitter connected to the electronic device transmits and receive a wireless communication regarding a status of the containment bag. A remote user interface may be used to monitor and control access to the containment device.

Abstract: A pair of forceps includes a first arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a second arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the second arm connected to the first arm at a pivot point in combination with a first leaf spring coupled to an inner surface of the first arm at a first attachment point and curved toward the second arm and a switch coupled to an inner surface of the second arm and having a switch opening extending therethrough receiving the first leaf spring to form a ratchet mechanism maintaining a desired position of as the first and second arms relative to one another as they are radially compressed to a grasping configuration.

Abstract: Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies coupled to the shaft such that the one or more soil displacement assemblies are movable relative to the shaft are provided. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper plate, a lower plate, a reamer between the upper and lower plates and secured to each plate, and at least one soil displacement arm extending from the lower plate.

Abstract: A package securement device includes a containment device in the form of either a bag or a box for receiving packages. The containment device includes an opening allowing for removal and insertion of packages. Access may be given to the interior of the containment device through an electronic device with a credential receiver configured to receive a credential input by a user. A communication module with a wireless transmitter connected to the electronic device transmits and receive a wireless communication regarding a status of the containment bag. A remote user interface may be used to monitor and control access to the containment device.

Abstract: A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the Internet. In one implementation, a code identifying an item of media content of interest (e.g. television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, radio) is captured and input to an RFI system that includes stored media tags and a search tool for matching inputs to the stored media tags. Upon receipt of the captured code, the RFI system matches the captured code with the stored media tags and provides a response to the user based on the match. The response may include or relate to follow-on or premium information relating to the content of interest. Using this information, an RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lateral support for a shaft of a helical pile, the lateral support including a tubular portion for receiving the shaft and a plurality of fins extending from the tubular portion.

Abstract: A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input (1) to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request (2) to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data (3) from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input (1) with a particular asset. An RFI request (4) can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information (5) back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (6).