Abstract: An inflatable platform that is utilized on the ocean or other bodies of water for relaxation, entertainment, or other recreational purposes includes two floating bodies. The larger floating body has a recess with a mesh panel so the user may access water filtered by the mesh panel while relaxing on the larger floating body. The user may place the smaller floating body next to the larger floating body to create more space for another user or may put the smaller floating body into the recess and use the present invention as a swim platform, tanning deck, or other recreational purpose.

Abstract: An inflatable platform that is utilized on the ocean or other bodies of water for relaxation, entertainment, or other recreational purposes includes two floating bodies. The larger floating body has a recess with a mesh panel so the user may access water filtered by the mesh panel while relaxing on the larger floating body. The user may place the smaller floating body next to the larger floating body to create more space for another user or may put the smaller floating body into the recess and use the present invention as a swim platform, tanning deck, or other recreational purpose.

Abstract: A powder fluidizing system, comprising a pressure vessel, a powder container removably mounted within the pressure vessel, and comprising a bottom sieve; a vibrator generating vibrations and transmitting the vibrations to the powder container above the sieve; and a guide directly secured under said powder container to the bottom sieve; wherein a bulk powder fed within the powder container is vibrated within the powder container and flows through the sieve to the guide, and a powder fluidizing method, comprising feeding a bulk powder within a powder reservoir maintained under pressure; vibrating the powder reservoir; and passing the powder through a sieve positioned at the bottom of the powder reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing of a sliding door with a foot along a sliding axis, including: a base securable to the sliding door, the base defining base first and second ends and a base longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the base longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to the sliding axis when the apparatus is operatively secured to the sliding door, the base defining opposed base first and second surfaces each extending between the base first and second ends, the base second surface facing the sliding door when the apparatus is operatively secured to the sliding door; a first protuberance extending from the base first surface; and a second protuberance extending from the base first surface, the first and second protuberances being spaced apart from each other along the base longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A powder fluidizing system, comprising a pressure vessel, a powder container removably mounted within the pressure vessel, and comprising a bottom sieve; a vibrator generating vibrations and transmitting the vibrations to the powder container above the sieve; and a guide directly secured under said powder container to the bottom sieve; wherein a bulk powder fed within the powder container is vibrated within the powder container and flows through the sieve to the guide, and a powder fluidizing method, comprising feeding a bulk powder within a powder reservoir maintained under pressure; vibrating the powder reservoir; and passing the powder through a sieve positioned at the bottom of the powder reservoir.

Abstract: A filter package is provided with a support structure, a filter device having terminals, impedance matching circuits formed on the support structure and electrically connected to at least some of the terminals of the filter device, and at least one electrical ground structure electrically connected to the impedance matching circuits. Moreover, the filter package has an outer housing to contain the support structure, filter device impedance matching circuits, and at least one ground structure.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes an antenna, a multi-port path selection structure having an antenna port connected to the antenna, and plural ports connected to respective one or more receive and transmit paths of the wireless communications device. The multi-port path selection structure has a transmit band reject filter connected to the transmit path and a second filter connected to the receive path.

Abstract: The polarization maintaining optical fiber, or preform therefore, can be of the panda type with a pedestal based on a multi-component silica glass doped with a thermal-expansion-coefficient-reducing dopant which can counteracts the thermal-expansion-coefficient-increasing side-effect of the refractive index-increasing dopant, such that when the preform is drilled to make the stress member channel in a heterogeneous region having both a pedestal portion and a cladding portion, the thermal expansion coefficients are sufficiently close to manage damage which could otherwise be caused by uneven thermal expansion caused by drilling heat.

Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided which includes a gain medium having an optically-active phosphosilicate glass, wherein the phosphosilicate glass includes at least one active ion dopant and from about 1 to 30 mol % of phosphorus oxide. The phosphorous oxide may be present in an effective amount for reducing any photodarkening effect and increasing the saturation energy of the system. The active ion dopant may be a rare earth dopant. The light-emitting device may include an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including the gain medium. The optical waveguide may have a core and at least one cladding, and the gain medium having the phosphosilicate glass may be found in the core and/or in one of the cladding.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes an antenna, a multi-port path selection structure having an antenna port connected to the antenna, and plural ports connected to respective one or more receive and transmit paths of the wireless communications device. The multi-port path selection structure has a transmit band reject filter connected to the transmit path and a second filter connected to the receive path.

Abstract: A filter package is provided with a support structure, a filter device having terminals, impedance matching circuits formed on the support structure and electrically connected to at least some of the terminals of the filter device, and at least one electrical ground structure electrically connected to the impedance matching circuits. Moreover, the filter package has an outer housing to contain the support structure, filter device impedance matching circuits, and at least one ground structure.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes an antenna, a multi-port path selection structure having an antenna port connected to the antenna, and plural ports connected to respective one or more receive and transmit paths of the wireless communications device. The multi-port path selection structure has a transmit band reject filter connected to the transmit path and a second filter connected to the receive path.

Abstract: A filter package is provided with a support structure, a filter device having terminals, impedance matching circuits formed on the support structure and electrically connected to at least some of the terminals of the filter device, and at least one electrical ground structure electrically connected to the impedance matching circuits. Moreover, the filter package has an outer housing to contain the support structure, filter device, impedance matching circuits, and at least one ground structure.

Abstract: A filter package is provided with a support structure, a filter device having terminals, impedance matching circuits formed on the support structure and electrically connected to at least some of the terminals of the filter device, and at least one electrical ground structure electrically connected to the impedance matching circuits. Moreover, the filter package has an outer housing to contain the support structure, filter device, impedance matching circuits, and at least one ground structure.

Abstract: An optically active glass and an optical fiber comprising such glass, having reduced photodarkening properties are provided. The optically active glass is mainly composed of silica representing from about 50 to 98 mol % of the glass. It also includes at least one active ion, such as a rear-earth ion, which induces a photodarkening effect in optical properties of the glass. Moreover, the glass includes an effective amount of phosphorus oxide providing the photodarkening reducing effect, preferably in an amount of from about 1 to 30 mol %. A method for reducing a photodarkening effect in optical properties of an optically active glass including the step of introducing phosphorus oxide to the glass is also provided.

Abstract: A filter package is provided with a support structure, a filter device having terminals, impedance matching circuits formed on the support structure and electrically connected to at least some of the terminals of the filter device, and at least one electrical ground structure electrically connected to the impedance matching circuits. Moreover, the filter package has an outer housing to contain the support structure, filter device, impedance matching circuits, and at least one ground structure.

Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided which includes a gain medium having an optically-active phosphosilicate glass, wherein the phosphosilicate glass includes at least one active ion dopant and from about 1 to 30 mol % of phosphorus oxide. The phosphorous oxide may be present in an effective amount for reducing any photodarkening effect and increasing the saturation energy of the system. The active ion dopant may be a rare earth dopant. The light-emitting device may include an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including the gain medium.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes an antenna, a multi-port path selection structure having an antenna port connected to the antenna, and plural ports connected to respective one or more receive and transmit paths of the wireless communications device. The multi-port path selection structure has a transmit band reject filter connected to the transmit path and a second filter connected to the receive path.

Abstract: An optically active glass and an optical fiber comprising such glass, having reduced photodarkening properties are provided. The optically active glass is mainly composed of silica representing from about 50 to 98 mol % of the glass. It also includes at least one active ion, such as a rear-earth ion, which induces a photodarkening effect in optical properties of the glass. Moreover, the glass includes an effective amount of phosphorus oxide providing the photodarkening reducing effect, preferably in an amount of from about 1 to 30 mol %. A method for reducing a photodarkening effect in optical properties of an optically active glass including the step of introducing phosphorus oxide to the glass is also provided.

Abstract: A programmable switch, particularly adapted for vehicle dashboards. The programmable switch includes a control circuit and a microprocessor connected to the control circuit for controlling operation of the switch. The microprocessor operates the switch in either one of an operating mode and a programming mode. The switch also includes first and second microswitches connected to the control circuit. A simultaneous pressing of the first and second microswitches activates the programming mode. The switch also includes an actuator having a first button area and a second button area mounted over and in register with the first microswitch and the second microswitch respectively for alternately selecting either microswitch. The actuator is removable to provide simultaneous access to the first and second microswitches. Hence, the switch is programmable without the use of external tools. The switch structure can also be made waterproof. A method for programming such a switch is also disclosed.