Abstract: Aspects for pooling lottery winnings are disclosed. In a first aspect, a relationship structure is generated among nodes having a lineage of related nodes arranged in a hierarchy. A series of numbers are respectively assigned to a portion of nodes and a winning node is identified. Compensated nodes are then selected that include the winning node and at least one non-winning node. In another aspect, nodes are monitored over a series of lottery games in which winning nodes are tracked and compensated nodes are identified. Nodes are then valuated based on a corresponding historical winning metric according to lineage taken over the series of lottery games. In a further aspect, nodes are placed in a relationship structure and a winning node representing an actual lottery game win is identified. A distribution of a corresponding payout among compensated nodes is then ascertained.

Abstract: Aspects for pooling lottery winnings are disclosed. In a first aspect, a relationship structure is generated among nodes having a lineage of related nodes arranged in a hierarchy. A series of numbers are respectively assigned to a portion of nodes and a winning node is identified. Compensated nodes are then selected that include the winning node and at least one non-winning node. In another aspect, nodes are monitored over a series of lottery games in which winning nodes are tracked and compensated nodes are identified. Nodes are then valuated based on a corresponding historical winning metric according to lineage taken over the series of lottery games. In a further aspect, nodes are placed in a relationship structure and a winning node representing an actual lottery game win is identified. A distribution of a corresponding payout among compensated nodes is then ascertained.

Abstract: Aspects for pooling lottery winnings are disclosed. In a first aspect, a relationship structure is generated among nodes having a lineage of related nodes arranged in a hierarchy. A series of numbers are respectively assigned to a portion of nodes and a winning node is identified. Compensated nodes are then selected that include the winning node and at least one non-winning node. In another aspect, nodes are monitored over a series of lottery games in which winning nodes are tracked and compensated nodes are identified. Nodes are then valuated based on a corresponding historical winning metric according to lineage taken over the series of lottery games. In a further aspect, nodes are placed in a relationship structure and a winning node representing an actual lottery game win is identified. A distribution of a corresponding payout among compensated nodes is then ascertained.

Abstract: A load adapter and method for terminating an optical fiber in a small form factor connector having a ferrule portion and a barrel portion that include a pre-loaded thermoplastic adhesive material, and a housing. The load adapter includes a thermally conductive body having a base section and a connector mounting section extending axially therefrom. The base section is adapted to be inserted/placed in an oven port of a portable heat source. The connector mounting section has a substantially cylindrical shape adapted to surround a substantial portion of the small form factor connector housing and includes at least one slot. The connector mounting section includes a mount adapted to receive the small form factor connector. The mount includes a stem having a substantially cylindrical structure adapted to slidably receive the ferrule portion of the small form factor connector, where an end of a received ferrule portion of the small form factor connector extends beyond an edge of an inner wall of the stem.

Abstract: A optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. The housing comprises a polymer material that does not deform when exposed to temperatures of at least 210° C. The optical connector further includes a ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule portion and a barrel portion. The ferrule assembly is preloaded with a thermoplastic adhesive material. The thermoplastic material can be a polyamide-based hot melt adhesive. The thermoplastic mater can be an ultra high temperature hot melt adhesive. These optical connectors can be terminated in the field in a short amount of time.

Abstract: An article for temporarily retaining an optical fiber cable including a stripped terminal portion of at least one optical fiber requiring cleaving followed by polishing of an end face thereof. The article comprises a housing having a recess for a demountable optical fiber holder. A demountable optical fiber holder includes a base-plate having at least a first fiber channel to receive at least one optical fiber. The base plate has a number of pockets. A cover plate for the demountable optical fiber holder includes a spring clamp, at least a first upper channel and a number of posts to mate with the pockets of the base-plate to assemble the holder. The article further includes a guide plate attached to the housing to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. A rotatable lid attached to the housing rotates between an open position and a closed position. The article temporarily retains the optical fiber cable for cleaving and polishing the end face thereof when the lid is closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catheters and like devices for passage into a body cavity.In the invention the device has a stem portion comprising at least a first tube disposed within a second tube, the tubes being joined at one pair of ends by a flexible member covering the opening of the passage formed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The flexible member is arranged such that the tubes are movable relative to each other and by movement of the inner tube away from or towards the one end of the outer tube the flexible member respectively either can be drawn within the adjacent one end of the outer tube to be enclosed within the outer tube or pushed outside the adjacent one end of the outer tube to expose a balloon. The balloon can be inflated within the body cavity using a fluid under pressure supplied to the balloon from outside the body through said passage.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 918,506, filed Oct. 14, 1986, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.