Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a carburetor. The internal combustion engine includes a choke valve disposed within the carburetor, and a choke lever interconnected with the choke valve for movement with the choke valve. The engine also includes a throttle valve disposed within the carburetor and a throttle lever interconnected with the throttle valve for movement therewith. An intermediate lever is disposed between the throttle lever and the choke lever for movement with the choke and throttle levers, the intermediate lever including a slot for sliding engagement with one of the choke and throttle levers. In one embodiment, the engine includes a connecting link coupled between the choke and intermediate levers, the connecting link movable with movement of the choke lever such that movement of the choke lever is translated into movement of the intermediate lever.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a carburetor. The internal combustion engine includes a choke valve disposed within the carburetor, and a choke lever interconnected with the choke valve for movement with the choke valve. The engine also includes a throttle valve disposed within the carburetor and a throttle lever interconnected with the throttle valve for movement therewith. An intermediate lever is disposed between the throttle lever and the choke lever for movement with the choke and throttle levers. In one embodiment, the engine includes a connecting link coupled between the choke and intermediate levers, the connecting link movable with movement of the choke lever such that movement of the choke lever is translated into movement of the intermediate lever.

Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: For the production of piston pins having a hard peripheral area, a relatively inexpensive chill casting method is used. A chill form having a mold cavity for a piston pin is embedded in a casting mold, cast iron is poured into the mold cavity of the chill form, and then the peripheral area of the piston pin that results from this process is cooled by means of the chill form, is white-solidified, and thereby forms a hard wear-resistant surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting and processing data related to food, beverages, and associated goods and services are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for obtaining consumer data relating to cereal includes providing a menu to a customer in a quick-serve restaurant setting. The menu can include at least one selection that allows the customer to choose two different, competitively-branded breakfast cereals from a list of competitively-branded breakfast cereals. The method can further include receiving a request from the customer for two of the competitively-branded breakfast cereals on the list. In response to receiving the request, the method can additionally include recording information related to the request in a database, and providing at least a portion of the recorded information to a third party user.

Abstract: The method provides hydraulic pressure for mechanical work from an engine lubricating system in an internal combustion engine by supplying oil to an engine lubrication gallery for lubricating the engine and to at least one variable oil demand accessory. Each of the variable oil demand accessories has an individual pressure regulator. The output of the variable displacement pump is regulated based on the sum of fluid flow required by the engine lubricating system and the engine accessories, regardless of the engine output. The demand for fluid is determined by the individual pressure regulators on each of the engine accessories. In a preferred embodiment, an accumulator stores high-pressure fluid to be used to power the hydraulic accessories.

Abstract: A device having a first and second rocker arm, and a control linkage. The first rocker arm has a first end receiving a first roller and a second end riding on a camshaft lobe. A second roller travels along an upper surface of the first rocker arm. The upper surface of the second rocker arm receives the first roller. When the control linkage is in a first position, the first rocker arm and roller slides along the upper surface of the second rocker arm towards the first end of the rocker arm, such that the valve head has maximum duration and lift from the valve seat. When the control linkage is in a second position, the first roller slides along the upper surface of the second rocker arm towards the second end of the rocker arm such that the valve head has minimum duration and lift from the valve seat.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing food, beverages, and associated goods and services are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing breakfast cereal in a quick-serve restaurant setting includes displaying multiple readily-recognizable, competitively-branded, breakfast cereal boxes in view of customers. The method further includes receiving a request from a customer for a first portion of a first one of the breakfast cereals and a second portion of a second one of the breakfast cereals. In response to receiving the request from the customer, the method additionally includes combining the first and second portions of the breakfast cereals together in a carry-out container and presenting the container to the customer in exchange for payment.

Abstract: A business software application generation system and method are described.

Abstract: A dross compression apparatus and method includes one or more air nozzles for directing cooling air across the top of a compression head for cooling the compression head. The air may be vented through air vents in a wall of the apparatus after passing across the top of the compression head. Also a plurality of ribs may extend across the top of the compression head in the direction of the air vents in the wall of the apparatus for directing the air across the top of the compression head and out the air vents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston adapted for reciprocal movement within the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The piston includes a body having a crown formed at the uppermost margins of the body and a skirt, depending from the crown, adapted for relative sliding motion with respect to the cylinder. The piston further includes a coating bonded to the piston skirt so as to be juxtaposed between the skirt and the cylinder. The coating has a plurality of recesses formed thereon so as to define a predetermined pattern of recesses on the surface of the skirt that retains lubricant between the skirt and the cylinder wall. The coating may also direct lubricant along the outer circumference of the piston skirt during reciprocal movement of the piston within a cylinder. A method of applying the coating to the piston skirt is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of stimulating homologous recombination by creating at least one nick in a targeted polynucleotide sequence. Wherein nonhomologous recombination is suppressed resulting in increasing the ratio of targeted to nontargeted events. A method of increasing double strand break-initiated gene targeting by inducing a nick in a targeted polynucleotide sequence, wherein overall recombination levels are increased. A method of increasing homologous recombination employing a recombinase that releases the ends in living cells by stimulating homolgous recombination to higher levels than those attainable with standard nucleases. A composition for stimulating homologous recombination including a nicking mechanism for creating nicks in a polynucleotide, wherein the nicking mechanism stimulates homologous recombination. A composition for stimulating homologous recombination including a nicking endonucleases. Various kits for stimulating homologous recombination.

Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: The invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an MMP inhibitor and a statin, said composition being useful for treating vascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the Formula I The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula I and methods of treatment of atherosclerosis, obesity, restenosis, coronary heart disease, hyperlipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving one or more RJ series plugs and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250).

Abstract: A dual temperature control system as part of an engine cooling system. In one aspect, a valve is regulated as a function of engine load and disposed in a by-pass line between the radiator and the coolant pump. The valve is designed to normally block the by-pass line, but permits coolant to by-pass the thermostat and be conveyed from the radiator to the engine when the load of the engine approaches a wide-open-throttle condition. In another aspect, both high-temperature and low-temperature thermostats are employed and a normally closed valve is actuated when the load of the engine approaches a wide-open-throttle condition to permit coolant to be conveyed through the low-temperature thermostat and on to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel pump for an engine may include a cylinder, a piston displaceably disposed in the cylinder, and a cam driven by the engine. The cam engages the piston to form a cam-follower mechanism so that the rotation of the cam generates a reciprocal movement of the piston inside the cylinder. The cam preferably includes a variable cam lobe having a maximum radius that is a function of engine speed so that the displacement of the piston generated by the variable cam lobe is a function of the engine speed. The cam may also include a weight that is subject to a centrifugal force when the ram is rotating. Alternatively, the maximum radius of the variable cam lobe may be a function of pump outlet pressure so that the displacement of the piston generated by the variable cam lobe is a function of the pump outlet pressure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for modifying a television broadcast signal. In one embodiment, the system includes a memory that stores an alternate commercial signal, and a controller that is coupled to the memory and receives the broadcast signal. The broadcast signal includes a program signal and commercial signals. The controller substitutes the alternate commercial signal for one of the commercial signals upon determining that a first condition has been met, for example, upon the sensing two video/audio blank periods in the broadcast signal separated by a predetermined time period. In another embodiment, a broadcast signal including a series of screen signals alternating with a series of blanking signals is embedded, at an upstream location, with additional information relating to alternate commercials or commands during the blanking signals. At a downstream location, a controller processes the additional information and modifies the broadcast signal in response.

Abstract: Benzene butyric acid compounds and derivatives are described as well as methods for the preparation and pharmaceutical compositions of same, which are useful as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, particularly gelatinase A, collagenase-3, and stromelysin-1 and for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, atherosclerotic plaque rupture, aortic aneurysm, heart failure, left ventricular dilation, restenosis, periodontal disease, corneal ulceration, treatment of bums, decubital ulcers, wound healing, cancer, inflammation, pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, renal disease, or other autoimmune or inflammatory disorders dependent upon tissue invasion by leukocytes or other activated migrating cells, acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders including stroke, head trauma, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, prion diseases, myasthenia gravis, and Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.