Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for encoding trim geometry for application in a GPU. For a UV trim polygon associated with a surface, the UV trim polygon is recursive subdivided into a predetermined number of tiles to produce a set of tiles. Each tile of set of tiles is represented by a value in an array, where the value indicates whether the area of the UV trim polygon corresponding to the tile is entirely solid, is entirely void, or for a case where the tile includes both a solid portion and a void portion, provides an index into an associated linear trim array that stores a trim expression. The set of tiles, and the portions of the linear trim array pointed therefrom, are applied in the GPU to render a trimmed representation of the surface.

Abstract: A document construction and management system is described. In one embodiment, documents are assembled by combining one or more modules. In one embodiment, the modules are combined according to one or more construction rules. The modules can be provided to a number of subscribers, each subscriber having one or more users. Access to each of the modules can be controlled on a subscriber basis and/or on a user basis based on different users or user classes. When new modules or new versions of an existing module are added to the database of available modules, access to the new module or version can be restricted until the new modules or versions have been reviewed and accepted. During the review period, the previous version of the module is made available to users for construction of documents. In one embodiment, one or more access rules are used to control which modules are available to which users. In one embodiment, search rules are provided to facilitate searching for a desired module.

Abstract: A document construction and management system is described. In one embodiment, documents are assembled by combining one or more modules. In one embodiment, the modules are combined according to one or more construction rules. The modules can be provided to a number of subscribers, each subscriber having one or more users. Access to each of the modules can be controlled on a subscriber basis and/or on a user basis based on different users or user classes. When new modules or new versions of an existing module are added to the database of available modules, access to the new module or version can be restricted until the new modules or versions have been reviewed and accepted. During the review period, the previous version of the module is made available to users for construction of documents. In one embodiment, one or more access rules are used to control which modules are available to which users. In one embodiment, search rules are provided to facilitate searching for a desired module.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp stabilizing assembly for holding a vehicle ramp in a stationary position relative to a vehicle driving onto the ramp includes an attachment assembly, a belt portion, and a length adjustment assembly. The attachment assembly attaches to the ramp around a front wheel of the vehicle to permit adjustment and positioning of the ramp even after a rear wheel of the vehicle engages the belt portion.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost conditioned air vestibule for use on a doorway of a refrigerated storage room permits unobstructed passage of vehicles while effectively reducing the exchange of air through the doorway and substantially eliminating precipitation both inside and outside the doorway.

Abstract: Objects are represented in a coordinate space which is twice scanned by scan lines, once in one direction and then once in another direction. At each scan line, a list of line segments is generated, where each line segment represents the intersection of the projection of a polygon and the scan line. The segments are then examined to determine which are visible segments, using the z values of the end points of the segments. The visible segments of a scan line are compared to the visible segments of a previous scan line or an accumulation of visible lines, and if the end points of a visible segment taken from a polygon differ by less than a threshold amount, the lines formed between end points in one scan line and the adjacent scan line are considered to be visible lines. Where the two scans are a horizontal scan and a vertical scan, the threshold amount for vertical scans is the distance between horizontal scans and the threshold amount for horizontal scans is the distance between vertical scans.

Abstract: A thermal probe has a premolded single unitary plastic outer shell forming an open end adapted to receive a connector unit and having an inboard end defining a probe portion. The plastic outer shell has deformable walls forming a bore. A pair of terminals and wire leads connected to a thermistor have a plastic mounting member premolded thereon; the plastic mounting member is slideably press fit in the bore to position the thermistor within the bore and to axially locate the thermistor in spaced relationship to the inboard end of the outer shell. Side segments on the terminals extend outwardly of the plastic member and are embedded in the deformable walls of the bore to interlock the thermistor in place within the outer shell.

Abstract: A laser guide comprising an outer sheath enveloping a series of sections of aser material in end-to-end relationship, the sections being angled to one another along the length of the guide and arranged so that a laser beam projected from one section enters the next successive section, thereby allowing transmission of the beam along the guide without significant loss of intensity.

Abstract: An improved, low cost conditioned air vestibule for use on a doorway of a refrigerated storage room permits unobstructed passage of vehicles while effectively reducing the exchange of air through the doorway and substantially eliminating precipitation both inside and outside the doorway by providing spaced inner and outer movable doors in a portal and extending across the doorway to define a closed entrance vestibule, and circulating conditioned air through the vestibule. Heated air is directed downwardly from adjacent the top of the doorway through the vestibule along substantially its full width and adjacent the surface of the inner or cold side door and air is withdrawn from the vestibule at the top of the doorway adjacent the outer or warm side door. The doors are spaced close together and actuators are provided for opening and closing both doors simultaneously to permit unobstructed passage of vehicles.

Abstract: A solar collector assembly is provided comprising an absorber means adapted to transfer heat to a fluid, a solar energy transmitting cover member, and a housing adapted to receive said cover member and to contain said absorber means, said housing having a bottom wall and foot sections adapted to receive an after-defined elastomeric mounting means; and elastomeric mounting means being fastened to said foot sections and being adapted to cooperate with a fastener means associated with a mounting bracket to movably secure said housing to said bracket.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system having a gas flow-control device that houses an inflator-diffuser combination and that is formed with an elongated horizontally orientated nozzle combined with a pair of retarder members for providing a controlled deployment of the restraint cushion.