Abstract: A plow assembly comprises a blade, structure attached to the blade and adapted to be attached to a vehicle for mounting the blade to and supporting the blade from the vehicle, and a wing attached to an end of the blade. The wing has a first portion mounted to the blade for translational movement relative thereto, and a second portion mounted to the first portion for rotational movement relative thereto. An actuator has a cylinder and first and second oppositely movable piston rods. The first piston rod and the cylinder operable to move the first portion of the wing relative to the blade, and the second piston rod and the cylinder are operable to move the second portion of the wing relative to the fist portion of the wing.

Abstract: A remote conferencing system. Prior to a conference, visual images are distributed to computers of conference participants. Also, conference participants are supplied with pictures of all other participants. During the conference, one participant, a leader, periodically issues selection signals to all computers, causing them all to select one of the distributed images, and display it. In addition, the participants hold a telephone conference while viewing the images. The selection signals and the telephone conference are carried by a single voice-grade telephone channel.

Abstract: A method for providing information stored on a primary network server to clients linked to the server through a distributed hypertext Internet or intranet network wherein stored information is contained in hypertext documents or “web” pages. One or more satellite servers, each containing a copy of the information contained in the primary server are placed strategically throughout the network so as all potential clients are close to a server. The primary or “home” server examines the IP address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a requesting browser client to determine the satellite server closest to the client. The home server then returns a home page to the requesting client which includes embedded links pointing only to the satellite server closest to the requesting client and the copy of information, i.e., duplicate web pages, contained therein.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a voice response system with visual menus along with audio menus is provided. The system includes a voice response host computer, a touch tone phone, a personal computer with a display screen and a communications interface for converting DTMF signals or other tones to digital signals. The personel computer has a program to display visual menus on the screen. The user interface of the voice response system provides both audio and visual menu listings.

Abstract: An encryption device. A user wishes to identify himself to a remote party, over a telephone line. The remote party provides a Transaction Number, TN, to the user. The TN is given to the encryption device. The user gives the encryption device a Personal Identification Number, PIN. The encryption device generates a random number, combines it with the PIN and TN, to form an Authorization Number, AN, and encrypts the AN into cypher text. The cypher text is transmitted to the remote party, together with the user's name. The remote party de-crypts the cypher text, to obtain the TN and PIN. Using the name received from the user, and a table of names, and their associated PINs, the remote party verifies whether the PIN obtained from the AN matches the PIN assigned to the name given by the user. If so, the user's identity is considered verified, but without requirement that the user disclose a PIN, in plain text form, over a telephone.

Abstract: A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a mount frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the mount frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attachhed to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow.

Abstract: This patent relates to a hydraulic system for a vehicle mounted, power operated plow blade. The power unit attached to the vehicle in the front bumper area includes a fluid reservoir, a pump in the reservoir and the lift cylinder for producing vertical movement of the blade. The hydraulic system includes four way, three way, and two way valves, all along with the necessary passages and ports provided in a unitary, manifold block attached directly to the side of the power unit. The four way valve controls flow to and from the reservoir relative to the three way valve and one of the angling cylinders for the blade. The three way controls flow to and from the four way valve relative to the other angling cylinder and the lift cylinder. The two way valve controls fluid flow to and from the lift cylinder relative to the three way valve.

Abstract: A log splitter comprising a frame generally in the shape of a right triangle having three legs lying in a vertical plane. The frame includes an elongated horizontal member forming the first leg of the right triangle, the elongated horizontal member including a first end, a second end, and an upper surface adapted to support a log. The frame also includes an elongated second member forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle and being positioned below the elongated horizontal member, the elongated second member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated second member is fixedly attached to the first end of the elongated horizontal member. The second end of the elongated second member is adapted to rest on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly adapted to be conveniently mounted on a vehicle. The snow plow assembly includes a vertical frame assembly adapted to be mounted to the vehicle bumper and secured to the vehicle frame. Bracket members are fixedly secured to the opposite lateral sides of the vertical frame and each include a forwardly extending portion bolted to the bumper and a rearward portion bolted to the vehicle frame. Also included is a thrust member having opposite ends, one of its opposite ends being fixedly secured to the lower portion of the vertical frame and an opposite end secured to the vertical frame. The snow plow assembly also includes a plow blade, a frame member having opposite ends and for supporting the plow blade, one of the frame member opposite ends supporting the plow blade and the other of the frame member opposite ends being pivotably joined to the vertical frame. Also included is a motor for lifting the plow blade.

Abstract: The present invention includes a snow plow assembly adapted to be carried by a vehicle and including a snow plow mounting frame adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle frame, a plow blade, means for supporting the plow blade for vertical movement and a plow blade supporting member pivotally attached to the mounting frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and for carrying a plow blade. Means are also provided for selectively causing vertical movement of the plow blade and including a linearly extensible member having a screw connected to the snow plow mounting frame, a threaded member threadably housing an opposite end of the screw, and an electric motor drivingly connected to the threaded member for selectively and alternatively driving the threaded member to cause relative rotation of said threaded member whereby the plow blade is moved vertically.

Abstract: More specifically, the invention includes a single lever control mechanism for controlling the operation of hydraulic cylinders and including a control housing, a manually operable lever, and a support member housed in the control housing and having a supporting surface. The single lever control mechanism also includes a pivot member rigidly connected to the lower end of the lever and supported on the supporting surface of the support member for rocking movement from a neutral position in a first pivotal direction and in a second pivotal direction transverse to the first direction. The control mechanism also includes a first cable attached to one side of the pivot member and being adapted to be operably connected to a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating that hydraulic cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the lever and the pivot member in the first direction.

Abstract: A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a .?.mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the .?.mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attached to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow.