Abstract: My invention is a computer implemented system for conducting escrow controlled reverse-auction eCommerce transactions for a membership group on the Internet. Firstly, my invention greatly increases the safety of eCommerce transactions by the automated escrow control of the Buyer's money, whereby the Buyer's funds are held by the system and not released until the purchased item is received in ‘As Described’ conditions; Secondly, my invention determines the price of the item for sale by first displaying the item in an eShowcase at a fixed price for a chosen length of time and then lowering the price, in a reverse auction, until an accredited member decides to buy, where upon the automated escrow system takes over. The entire process of enrolling and vetting buyers and sellers (members), information exchange between the system and its members, money management via escrow and the variable item price control is a fully integrated software apparatus that runs on a stand-alone basis.

Abstract: An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to laser ablation spectrometry systems. In one aspect, a system comprises a microscope, a laser, a continuous flow probe, and a gas confinement device. The laser is positioned to emit light through an objective lens of the microscope. The continuous flow probe is coupled to a spectrometer. An end of the continuous flow probe is positioned proximate a sample and between the sample and the objective lens. The gas confinement device defines a gas inlet, a chamber, a platform, a wall surrounding the platform, a plurality of vents, and a plurality of channels. Each of the plurality of vents is positioned to direct a gas substantially parallel to the platform, and each of the plurality of vents is defined in the wall. The plurality of channels is operable to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the plurality of vents.

Abstract: A flow control system including a mandrel having one or more ports; one or more seals in sealing contact with the mandrel; a housing positioned about the mandrel and one or more seals and in sealing contact with the one or more seals. One or more diffusers placed in a fluid pathway of the flow control system. The one or more diffusers including an inner race having a bearing surface; an outer race having a bearing surface; an axially oriented wedge in contact with both the inner race and the outer race and configured to increase distance between the inner race bearing surface. The outer race bearing surface with wedge movement in one direction while permitting distance between the inner race bearing surface and the outer race bearing surface to decrease with wedge movement in an opposite direction.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to laser ablation spectrometry systems. In one aspect, a system comprises a microscope, a laser, a continuous flow probe, and a gas confinement device. The laser is positioned to emit light through an objective lens of the microscope. The continuous flow probe is coupled to a spectrometer. An end of the continuous flow probe is positioned proximate a sample and between the sample and the objective lens. The gas confinement device defines a gas inlet, a chamber, a platform, a wall surrounding the platform, a plurality of vents, and a plurality of channels. Each of the plurality of vents is positioned to direct a gas substantially parallel to the platform, and each of the plurality of vents is defined in the wall. The plurality of channels is operable to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the plurality of vents.

Abstract: A drink container with convertible spouts is provided. The drink container includes a lid that can be removably coupled to a container body having a volume to hold fluids. The lid can include a rigid spout. A flexible spout can be removably coupled to the lid. When the flexible spout is coupled to the lid, the flexible spout can be positioned to extend through the rigid spout and can be adjustable from an extended configuration, wherein at least a portion of the flexible spout extends above a top end of the rigid spout, to a retracted configuration, wherein all or substantially all of the flexible spout is at or below the top end of the rigid spout. The drink container can also include a spout cap rotatable with respect to the lid, which seals both the rigid spout and the flexible spout when the cap is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A system and method allows the operation of a remotely located tool in an application where there is a telescoping space out joint in such a manner that the hanger need not be released. A hydraulic piston is surface actuated to move gripping teeth against the pipe and then take the pipe with the gripping teeth so that a tool that is engaged by the string can be remotely operated while safety features for the well can remain operative. The shifted position is held with maintained control line pressure. Some release of the control line pressure will not allow the operating piston to return. Rather, a check valve holds the shifted piston position until a differential pressure on the check valve drops to a predetermined value so that the check valve acts as a dump valve. The system operates off annulus pressure if the control line is damaged.

Abstract: A flow control system including a mandrel having one or more ports; one or more seals in sealing contact with the mandrel; a housing positioned about the mandrel and one or more seals and in sealing contact with the one or more seals. One or more diffusers placed in a fluid pathway of the flow control system. The one or more diffusers including an inner race having a bearing surface; an outer race having a bearing surface; an axially oriented wedge in contact with both the inner race and the outer race and configured to increase distance between the inner race bearing surface. The outer race bearing surface with wedge movement in one direction while permitting distance between the inner race bearing surface and the outer race bearing surface to decrease with wedge movement in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A system and method allows the operation of a remotely located tool in an application where there is a telescoping space out joint in such a manner that the hanger need not be released. A hydraulic piston is surface actuated to move gripping teeth against the pipe and then take the pipe with the gripping teeth so that a tool that is engaged by the string can be remotely operated while safety features for the well can remain operative. The shifted position is held with maintained control line pressure. Some release of the control line pressure will not allow the operating piston to return. Rather, a check valve holds the shifted piston position until a differential pressure on the check valve drops to a predetermined value so that the check valve acts as a dump valve. The system operates off annulus pressure if the control line is damaged.

Abstract: At a client device, upon user selection of a respective bookmark, a document is downloaded from a network location associated with the bookmark, and then displayed at the client device. The bookmark contains a URL or parameter that references one or more content feeds to which the user has subscribed. The client device, in response to the user selection of the respective bookmark, transmits to a server a request specified by the respective bookmark, and receives in response to the request a redirect to a network location associated with the document. The downloaded document corresponds to a content feed to which the user has subscribed.

Abstract: At a client device, upon user selection of a respective bookmark, a document is downloaded from a network location associated with the bookmark, and then displayed at the client device. The bookmark contains a URL or parameter that references one or more content feeds to which the user has subscribed. The client device, in response to the user selection of the respective bookmark, transmits to a server a request specified by the respective bookmark, and receives in response to the request a redirect to a network location associated with the document. The downloaded document corresponds to a content feed to which the user has subscribed.