Abstract: A vehicle design utilizing a turbine driven by the exhaust from the vehicle internal combustion engine is disclosed. With this design, one or more of the car accessories are directly driven by one or more turbines powered by the internal combustion engine through one or more common mechanical linkages. The linkages may be a belt, shaft or other mechanical means. The accessories may include any or all of the following: the alternator that generates electricity for the vehicle electrical system, the air conditioning compressor, the power steering pump, the water pump, the oil pump, the hydraulic pump, the radiator fan, and the air pump for the exhaust emissions system. A compressor for boosting intake air flow may also be included with the accessories.

Abstract: A method of activating a drive system with a portable power source includes performing at least two actions between the power source and the drive system to effect activation. Performing any one of the two actions without the other of the two actions will not activate the drive system. The power source is preferably a hand-held power drill or a power pack.

Abstract: A lift system is coupled between a work platform and a mast on a mast lift. The lift system includes at least one lifting rope connected between the work platform and the mast via an idler roller and a hoist drum connected to the work platform. The idler roller is displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based on an amount of tension on the lifting rope. A spring is connected to the idler roller and urges the idler roller toward the engaged position. A carriage latch assembly includes a carriage latch hook coupled with the idler roller and a pin secured to the mast. When the idler roller is disposed in the engaged position, the carriage latch hook is engageable with the pin.

Abstract: A load equalizing rope termination serves to prevent a load imbalance between a pair of rope leads of a rope termination. The rope termination includes an end section such as an end loop and the pair of rope leads attached to a pair of rope ends. A rope termination fitting includes a base support member over which the end section is supported, and a pair of load equalizing support members disposed upstream of the base support member and over which the rope ends are supported. The engagement between the rope ends and the equalizing support members prevents a load imbalance of the rope leads.

Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.

Abstract: A method of activating a drive system with a portable power source includes performing at least two actions between the power source and the drive system to effect activation. Performing any one of the two actions without the other of the two actions will not activate the drive system. The power source is preferably a hand-held power drill or a power pack.

Abstract: A slip clutch acts between a shaft and a housing. The slip clutch includes an oil reservoir within the housing and one or more slipping surfaces disposed in the oil reservoir that are keyed to the shaft and possibly alternately to the housing. The slipping surfaces may include stacked plates or washers. Each of the washers includes an oil groove or other structure on one surface thereof that maintains a consistent film of oil on the washer surfaces. The stacked washers slip relative to one another such that the shaft rotates relative to the housing upon an application of torque that exceeds a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A retractable wheel assembly includes a wheel frame supporting a wheel, and a pivot bracket assembly secured to the wheel frame. The pivot bracket assembly is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing mechanism is coupled with the pivot bracket assembly.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a body where the body has a plurality of load bearing and track engaging wheels that allow the body to move back and forth along a track that comprises an actuator attached to the body that is manually or mechanically driven, a non-load bearing drive wheel that is attached with respect to the body so that it engages a stationary surface adjacent the body and a drive coupling means between the actuator and the drive wheel wherein actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the drive wheel which moves the body along the tracks. The invention provides a convenient means of attaching a drive mechanism to a body and to enable easier movement of track mounted bodies.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded portion of a first version of an image. The processor decodes this encoded portion directly into a decoded portion of a second version of the image, the second version having a resolution that is different than the resolution of the first version. Therefore, such an image processing circuit can decode an encoded hi-res version of an image directly into a decoded lo-res version of the image. Alternatively, the image processing circuit includes a processor that modifies a motion vector associated with a portion of a first version of a first image. The processor then identifies a portion of a second image to which the modified motion vector points, the second image having a different resolution than the first version of the first image.

Abstract: A foldable infant seat includes a base, configured to support the seat on a surface, and an upper frame. Each side of the base includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected together. Each side of the upper frame includes a third frame member and a fourth frame member pivotally connected together. The first frame member of the base and the third frame member of the upper frame on each side of the seat are pivotally connected together. The infant seat also includes a link on each side of the seat that is pivotally connected to the base and to an intermediate portion of the upper frame. The base, the upper frame, and the link are moveable between an in use position and a folded position, and a length of the base is greater in the in use position than in the folded position.

Abstract: A foldable infant seat includes a base, configured to support the seat on a surface, and an upper frame. Each side of the base includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected together. Each side of the upper frame includes a third frame member and a fourth frame member pivotally connected together. The first frame member of the base and the third frame member of the upper frame on each side of the seat are pivotally connected together. The infant seat also includes a link on each side of the seat that is pivotally connected to the base and to an intermediate portion of the upper frame. The base, the upper frame, and the link are moveable between an in use position and a folded position, and a length of the base is greater in the in use position than in the folded position.

Abstract: A utility power line cable selector system used by a lineman to eliminate guessing which buried cable in a ditch has been de-energized when compared to similar buried cables that are still energized with high voltage 60 Hz. power line current and disposed next to the de-energized cable. The selector system includes a battery operated low power 1 Hz. pulse generator adapted for connecting to a near end of a de-energized cable. The generator is designed to deliver a dc current spike and excite the otherwise de-energized conductor at one second intervals. At a far end of the de-energized cable is connected to a jumper cable. At a location midspan or between the near end and far end of the de-energized cable, the lineman holds a portable hand-held signal pick up clamp and cable detector unit. The signal pick up clamp is placed around a portion of each of the cables in the ditch.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded portion of a first version of an image. The processor decodes this encoded portion directly into a decoded portion of a second version of the image, the second version having a resolution that is different than the resolution of the first version. Therefore, such an image processing circuit can decode an encoded hi-res version of an image directly into a decoded lo-res version of the image. Alternatively, the image processing circuit includes a processor that modifies a motion vector associated with a portion of a first version of a first image. The processor then identifies a portion of a second image to which the modified motion vector points, the second image having a different resolution than the first version of the first image.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded portion of a first version of an image. The processor decodes this encoded portion directly into a decoded portion of a second version of the image, the second version having a resolution that is different than the resolution of the first version. Therefore, such an image processing circuit can decode an encoded hi-res version of an image directly into a decoded lo-res version of the image. Alternatively, the image processing circuit includes a processor that modifies a motion vector associated with a portion of a first version of a first image. The processor then identifies a portion of a second image to which the modified motion vector points, the second image having a different resolution than the first version of the first image.

Abstract: A retention device and method for retaining a gas delivery system provide improved safety and comfort for the recipient of oxygen or other gaseous mixture. The retention device includes a tube holder for maintaining a tension on a supply tube of a gas delivery system and an ear stop for transferring the tension of the supply tube to the back of an ear of the recipient. The device is generally molded from a flexible plastic material and includes a tube holder portion defining a cylindrical cavity therethrough for receiving and applying tension to a supply tube and an ear stop portion extending downwards from and end of said tube holder portion so that the tube holder portion may be placed over the recipient's ear and the ear stop placed behind the recipient's ear. A pair of the retention devices will generally be used, one for each ear.

Abstract: A reusable spacecraft system having two substantially identically reusable return flight space vehicles, one of which is preferably a booster and the other an orbiter, each of which have identical flight control and propulsion systems and have identical but selectably installable components, such as thermal protection disposed on the orbiter but not on the booster. Each vehicle further includes identical payload bays for receiving mission specific payloads, that may be for example, a propellant tankage payload for the booster and a manned mission payload for the orbiter. The use of identical booster and orbiter vehicles reduces costs of development, production and reusable missions.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded portion of a first version of an image. The processor decodes this encoded portion directly into a decoded portion of a second version of the image, the second version having a resolution that is different than the resolution of the first version. Therefore, such an image processing circuit can decode an encoded hi-res version of an image directly into a decoded lo-res version of the image. Alternatively, the image processing circuit includes a processor that modifies a motion vector associated with a portion of a first version of a first image. The processor then identifies a portion of a second image to which the modified motion vector points, the second image having a different resolution than the first version of the first image.