Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time communication of high-quality audio is provided. The system contains a series of audio devices and a series of client devices, where each client device is in communication with an audio device, and each client device is capable of converting analog signals received from an audio device, into digital data. In addition, a series of server devices is provided where each service device is capable of communicating with one of the series of client devices via a network, and each server device is capable of converting digital data received from a client device, into analog signals. A series of server computers is provided, each having a sound card. A connection between a server device and a server computer resulting in analog signals from the server device being directly received by the sound card located within the server computer.

Abstract: A translator demodulates a received digital television signal so as to produce a digital data stream, a symbol clock, and a byte clock, wherein the symbol clock and the byte clock are corrupted by phase noise. The digital data stream is written into a buffer in response to the corrupted byte clock. The corrupted symbol clock is applied to a frequency/phase locked loop having a narrowband loop filter. The frequency/phase locked loop produces a regenerated symbol clock having substantially no phase noise. The digital data stream is read from the buffer in response to the regenerated symbol clock. The digital data stream read from the buffer and the regenerated symbol clock are applied to a modulator for re-broadcasting of the received digital television signal.

Abstract: A translator demodulates a received digital television signal so as to produce a digital data stream, a symbol clock, and a byte clock, wherein the symbol clock and the byte clock are corrupted by phase noise. The digital data stream is written into a buffer in response to the corrupted byte clock. The corrupted symbol clock is applied to a frequency/phase locked loop having a narrowband loop filter. The frequency/phase locked loop produces a regenerated symbol clock having substantially no phase noise. The digital data stream is read from the buffer in response to the regenerated symbol clock. The digital data stream read from the buffer and the regenerated symbol clock are applied to a modulator for re-broadcasting of the received digital television signal.

Abstract: The contents of a container 1 are non-intrusively monitored by probing the container with an ultrasonic signal, and measuring changes in the ultrasound signature of the received signal after the signal has passed through the contents of the container.

Abstract: A stop bar for use in a refuse collection vehicle with a rear hopper having an opening defined by sidewalls, an upper edge, and a loading sill. The stop bar includes an elongated bar with support arms secured to each of its ends. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the sidewalls of the hopper and two stops are provided for limiting the pivoting movement of the stop bar between a first, non-engaged position and a second, fully engaged position.

Abstract: A reference generator includes a memory that stores reference data which, when clocked out of the memory, produces an ATSC compliant VSB reference signal substantially free of sub-harmonics of the clock signal. A digital-to-analog converter converts the clocked out reference data to an analog signal. The analog signal may be at low IF. An up converter is arranged to upconvert the output of the digital-to-analog converter to an RF reference signal. The RF reference signal can be used, for example, to calibrate a VSB demodulator.

Abstract: A standing push/pull exercise machine includes a frame with first and second frame sections located on opposite sides of a midplane, and defining a standing exercise position therebetween. Each frame section includes a pivotal lever which is pivotal against a selected weight resistance, preferably along a movement path which converges toward the midplane with respect to the forward facing direction of an exerciser. One of the frame sections and its corresponding levers is located further rearward of the other frame section and lever, and it is adapted for movement against a weight resistance via a pushing motion, while the other lever is adapted for movement against a weight resistance via a pulling motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a flash-free weld between the ends of thermoplastic members, wherein the members are held in position by holders, the ends of the members are softened by a heater, the members and holders are brought together until the ends of the members are joined to result in a flash-free weld.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a flash-free weld between the ends of thermoplastic members, wherein the members are held in position by holders, the ends of the members are softened by a heater, the members and holders are brought together until the ends of the members are joined to result in a flash-free weld.

Abstract: A body extension exercise machine includes a frame, an elongated support connected to the frame and defining a reclined exercise position for an exerciser and a lever connected to the frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis oriented transverse to and located below the support. A lower end of the lever includes a weight holder for holding a predetermined weight, and an upper end of lever includes a plate. When in the exercise position and reclined on the support, with at least one leg retracted and in contact with the plate, an exerciser pushes outwardly against the plate and against the held weight resistance to pivot the lever with respect to the frame from an initial at-rest position to a leg-extended position. Thereafter, the exerciser reduces the force applied to the plate and allows the lever to pivot back to the at-rest position, corresponding to the legs retracted position.

Abstract: A military press exercise machine for exercising the arms independently against a selected weight resistance includes a frame symmetric with respect to a midplane, a seat connected to the frame to define a declined exercise position for an exerciser, and a pair of levers with rearward ends pivotally connected to the frame on opposite sides of the midplane, above and behind the exercise position. Hubs located near the forward ends of the levers are adapted to hold weighted plates to resist upward movement of the forward ends of the levers with respect to the pivot connections. Handles located adjacent forward ends of the levers are adapted to be grasped by an exerciser in the exercise position and then raised upwardly in a military press motion against the weight of the plates. During upward movement, the handles move toward the midplane. When the arms are extended, the handles reside above the pivot connections of the levers.

Abstract: An abdominal hip/flex exercise machine includes a frame, a seat located at a first end of the frame for supporting an exerciser in an upright exercise position facing the second end of the frame, and a lever pivotally connected to the frame between the first and second ends thereof. At the second end of the frame, the lever includes at least one hub for holding weighted plates, while the opposite end of the lever located adjacent the seat includes spaced pads and handles adapted to be engaged by the arms and hands of an exerciser supported on the seat in the upright exercise position. The exerciser acts on the pads via a downwardly directed abdominal/hip flex motion to pivot the lever about the axis against the weight resistance held at the second end thereof. A leg brace may be included to restrain the exerciser from upward movement during performance of the downwardly directed flexing exercise motion, with the leg brace and the seat being vertically adjustable to suit the height of the exerciser.

Abstract: An improved calf exercise machine includes a frame with a seat for supporting an exerciser in an exercise position with the legs extended horizontally, a lever pivotally connected to the frame in front of and below the seat, and an engagement plate secured to the lever and adapted to be engaged and acted upon by the upper portions of the feet of the exerciser via an outward toe extension movement followed by a rearward toe retraction motion. This movement arcuately rotates the lever about its pivot axis, with a corresponding flexion and then extension of the calf muscles. Weight holding hubs connected to the lever hold a selected number of weighted plates to provide a desired weight resistance to pivotal extension of the lever via the outwardly directed foot movement. This machine optimally isolates the calf muscles during calf flexion/extension.

Abstract: A shop towel is wrapped around a retainer having a base with a ratchet bar extending upwardly from one surface of the retainer base. The ratchet bar extends into a recess of a handle of a body portion having a contoured surface for receiving at one end the retainer and at the opposite end the hand of an operator. The ratchet bar is advanced into engagement with a spring actuated-pawl that extends transversely through the handle body portion. The pawl is axially movable in the handle and maintained by a spring in engagement with the ratchet bar. The ratchet bar is freely advanced into the recess and engaged by the pawl to maintain the retainer movably connected to the handle body portion. The engagement of the pawl with the ratchet bar prevents the retainer from being inadvertently disconnected from the handle until the pawl is pulled by a lever out of contact with the ratchet bar.

Abstract: A high row exercise machine includes a frame symmetrical with respect to a vertical midplane, a seat connected to the frame adapted to support an exerciser along the midplane in a forward facing direction, and a pair of spaced levers pivotally connected to the frame above and behind the seat on opposite sides of the midplane. The levers pivot through vertical planes of motion which converge with respect to the forward facing direction of the seat. Each of the rearward ends of the levers is adapted to hold a selected weight resistance, and each of the forward ends of the levers includes an angled handle located in front of and above the exerciser supported on the seat. An exerciser supported on the seat reaches up and grasps the handles, with palms facing forward, and then pulls downwardly and slightly forwardly in a high row exercise motion to pivot the levers against the selected weight resistances held by the hubs.

Abstract: A behind the neck pulldown exercise machine includes a frame, a seat connected to the frame to support an exerciser facing a forward direction and a pair of pivotal levers connected to the frame on opposite sides of the seat. The forward ends of the levers include hubs for holding selected weight resistance while the rearward ends include angled handles located above the seated exerciser's head when the levers are in an at rest position. The handles are adapted to be grasped by the seated exerciser and pulled downwardly in a behind the neck pulldown motion to pivot the levers with respect to the frame through planes which tilt downwardly toward the seat. Pads located in front of the seat engage the tops of the thighs of the seated exerciser to prevent upward movement of the exerciser during pulldown.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing an incline press includes a frame, a declined seat connected to the frame along a vertical midplane and two independently maneuverable levers with upper rearward ends pivotally connected to the frame above the seat, on opposite sides of the midplane. The lower, forward ends of the levers are adapted to hold removable weights. Handles also extend inwardly, rearwardly and upwardly from the lower ends of the levers. Each handle is adapted to be grasped by a person supported on the seat and upwardly extended and adducted in an incline press motion against the held weights to move the respective lever along a vertical plane that converges inwardly with respect to the vertical midplane. This incline press exercise machine accommodates the natural musculoskeletal movements of the arms and shoulders of a person, thereby maximizing muscular benefit while minimizing joint stress.

Abstract: A rotary cuff exercise machine includes a frame, an elongated platform aligned along a vertical midplane through the frame, and two sides rotatably connected to the frame on opposite sides of the midplane. Each rotatable side includes a horizontally pivotal lever, a hub for holding removable weights on one end of the lever, at least one actuating pad connected to the lever away from the hub for pivotally moving the weighted lever and an elbow rest located below the actuating pad for supporting the elbow during pivotal movement. With elbows supported on the elbow rests, and the hands bearing against the actuating pads, an exerciser lying face up on the platform may pivotally move the weighted levers, through either an internal rotation or an external rotation, depending upon the direction the exerciser is pointed, to exercise the muscles associated with the rotary cuff joint.

Abstract: A lateral raise exercise machine includes a frame, a seat and backrest supported by the frame along a vertical midplane and two levers pivotally connected to the frame on opposite sides of the midplane behind the seat and backrest. Each lever includes a hub adapted to hold at least one removable weight, a counterweight mounted opposite the pivot point from the hub, a connector that extends forwardly alongside the backrest and seat, and an actuating pad mounted at a forward end of the connector. The levers pivot about axes that converge forwardly toward the vertical midplane. With the forearms engaging inner surfaces of the actuating pads, an exerciser supported on the seat and backrest may pivotally raise the levers upwardly against the weight supported on the hubs via a lateral shoulder abductive motion, thereby to exercise the deltoid muscles.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing an incline press includes a frame, a declined seat connected to the frame along a vertical midplane and two independently maneuverable levers with upper rearward ends pivotally connected to the frame above the seat, on opposite sides of the midplane. The lower, forward ends of the levers are adapted to hold removable weights. Handles also extend inwardly, rearwardly and upwardly from the lower ends of the levers. Each handle is adapted to be grasped by a person supported on the seat and upwardly extended and adducted in an incline press motion against the held weights to move the respective lever along a vertical plane that converges inwardly with respect to the vertical midplane. This incline press exercise machine accommodates the natural musculoskeletal movements of the arms and shoulders of a person, thereby maximizing muscular benefit while minimizing joint stress.