Abstract: A system and method for deploying a hardware configuration with a computer program. The program may perform an instrumentation, measurement/control, industrial automation, or machine vision function, or other type of function utilizing hardware devices, and the behavior of the program may depend on various aspects of the hardware configuration of the computer system. An installation bundle that includes configuration information related to the hardware devices with which the program interacts may be automatically created and used to deploy the program on a new computer system. The installation bundle may include program instructions operable to install the program on the new computer system and automatically modify the hardware configuration of the new computer system so that the program will execute correctly.

Abstract: Shaving systems are designed to provide greater uniformity to shaving forces over the skin-engaging portion of the skin-engaging element, such as a blade, guard element or cap member. According to one embodiment, at least one, and preferably a plurality of flexible blades are movably connected to a support by biasing members. One embodiment comprises a razor head comprising a plurality of blades which are movably connected to a flexible support structure in a manner which permits movement of the blades independent of the flexing of the blade(s) or the flexible support. According to another embodiment, at least one and most preferably a plurality of blades are connected to a support block which is movably supported in a “floating” manner within a housing by biasing members.

Abstract: A footwear ventilation system that introduces fresh air into a shoe upper using an air displacement chamber actuated by the downward force of a foot. The ventilation system comprises a lasting board and a ventilation unit comprising a one-way inflow check valve, an air displacement chamber positioned in the heel area, a set of non-pinching tubular channels connecting the inflow valve to the displacement chamber, and a one-way outflow check valve that expels air from the displacement chamber to the atmosphere. The lasting board is placed on top of the ventilation unit to evenly distribute the deceleration force produced by the ventilation unit. As a shoe contacts the ground under the user's weight, the foot compresses the displacement chamber, forcing air out of the outflow valve and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Self-ventilating footwear using two simple check valves attached to a midsole insert that comprises a compression member and a displacement compartment, wherein the midsole insert is inserted into the lower part of a shoe. The check valves are located on the forefoot and heel of the shoe and operate by compression of the user's foot which forces air out of the heel valve and, in turn, creates a vacuum in the displacement compartment which draws air in through the forefoot valve. By walking or running, the user repeatedly compresses the displacement compartment and drives the airflow through the displacement compartment. The simple nature of the valve and compartment arrangement improves the ease of manufacture and reduces the cost of the footwear.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-ventilating insert for footwear with a wedge-shape pumping chamber located in the heel of the footwear. The pumping chamber can displace an air volume of at least about 44 cubic centimeters plus 3 times the U.S. men's footwear size. The pumping chamber has convex side and rear walls that fold together as the pumping chamber collapses. Maximum air circulation is achieved as the upper and lower surfaces of the pumping chamber come into full contact with each other. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the pumping chamber is between 30% and 60% of the length of the sole. The internal air duct, in a preferred embodiment, has a thin, wide cross-section with a plurality of tubes that resist kinking and pinching action near the flex zone of the footwear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for equalizing a received quadrature amplitude modulated signal is disclosed. To equalize the signal, a band edge equalizer (BEE) is used in combination with a symbol spaced equalizer (SSE) and possibly a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The equalizer's are used along a series path to equalize the QAM signal in a series of equalization operations. By separating the equalization of the signal to separate equalizers, the cost of the equalization can be reduced without substantially affecting performance. In particular, band edge equalizing the QAM signal and symbol space equalizing the symbol can reduce the number of multiplies per second required by any particular equalizer. Accordingly, the equalizers used can be less expensive. Also, using a decimating circuit between the BEE and the SSE that decimates the sample rate of the signal being provided to the SSE can further reduce the number of multiplies per second that must be performed by the SSE.

Abstract: A unitary pumping chamber that removes excess heat and moisture from within the footwear to the footwear exterior. The pumping chamber displaces an approximate air volume of 100 cubic centimeters. The placement of the pumping chamber above the midsole but below the foot-enclosing upper allows tension forces generated from flexion of the foot to reinflate the pumping chamber without addition mechanical devices. In addition, the performance of the midsole is not affected because the pumping chamber is not embedded within the midsole.

Abstract: Pointing apparatus and method provide for control of cursor movement and selection of elements on a computer screen. Gyroscopic elements within the pointing apparatus indicate yaw and pitch movements in free space, and a mouse ball and mouse ball encoders indicate movement on a surface. Data indicative of the distance and direction the cursor is to be moved is generated from outputs of the gyroscopic elements and the mouse ball encoders. Certain amounts of movement are deemed unintentional, and, if necessary, the pointing apparatus adjusts the data so as not to indicate movement of such amounts. By doing so, the pointing apparatus minimizes unintentional cursor movement caused by instability of the gyroscopes and the inability of a person to hold the pointing apparatus absolutely motionless.

Abstract: A manifold for use with a hand held pump spray device allowing the spray head to draw simultaneously from two separate reservoirs containing two different fluids such that the spray heads raise a mixture of the two fluids in a predetermined ratio. The manifold includes at least one ball check valve arrangement in the suction line to the chemical concentrate reservoir, the ball check valve being normally biased to a closed position. The check valve presents the pumping of the concentrate when the diluent reservoir is spent and further prevents cross contamination between the fluids in the two reservoirs due to syphoning.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a compact sprocket type drive unit which can be manufactured from reduced number of parts. The invention further provides a method by which multiple drive units for a single conveyor or synchronization between separate conveyors can be achieved without the necessity of costly electrical and mechanical control devices. Because the present invention provides automatically synchronized multiple conveyors, the transfer of work from one conveyor to another can be achieved with vast savings in cost of conveyor design, manufacturing, and installation.

Abstract: An improved method and system of suspending an overhead conveyor rail from an existing structure which may or may not have horizontal structural members. A system of universal beams, brackets, connectors and bracing is arranged to suspend a conveyor rail from the existing structural members without drilling or welding. By the fact that only a few common, universal pieces are necessary, a cost effective system to manufacture and install is made possible.