Abstract: A spray arm for a dishwasher is provided, comprising a first portion having a first engaging surface extending about an outer surface periphery thereof, and a second portion having a second engaging surface extending about the outer surface thereof and complementarily configured with respect to the first engaging surface. The engaging surfaces form a laterally-extending, non-linear interface upon engagement such that the first and second portion outer surfaces are directed away from each other. The second portion also includes a flange extending about the outer surface, and disposed laterally outward of and spaced apart from the second engaging surface, to define a channel having a depth extending across the interface. A securing material is introduced into and substantially fills the channel, and extends across the interface and about the first portion outer surface periphery, to secure the first and second portions together. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A spray arm feed tube assembly for a dishwasher is provided, comprising an elongate tubular member adapted to extend from a sump of the dishwasher, through an interface, and along a tub wall of a tub portion disposed outwardly of the sump. A banding member is operably engaged with the tubular member about the interface, wherein the banding member is adapted to cooperate with the tub portion and at least one separator member, about the interface, to prevent particulate matter from passing into the sump from the tub portion about the tubular member. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.

Abstract: A filter device for a dishwasher and associated apparatus and method are provided. The filter device includes an elongate housing having opposed ends, with one of the ends defining a fluid inlet. The housing is configured to define a channel therein extending between the opposed ends and has an upper wall and substantially vertical opposing side walls extending therefrom. The upper wall comprises a solid member, and at least one of the side walls comprises a fine mesh filtering screen, wherein washing fluid directed into the fluid inlet is filtered by the fine mesh filtering screen such that soil suspended therein is retained within the channel while the washing fluid passes through the fine mesh filtering screen and out of the channel.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided, comprising a base portion adapted to support a tub portion. A control unit is configured to be in communication with at least one dishwasher operational component and with at least one control switch device remotely disposed with respect to the base portion. The control unit is responsive to the at least one control switch device to control the at least one dishwasher operational component. The control unit is disposed about the base portion and is selectively accessible from a forward side thereof. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: Spray devices for distributing a fluid include nozzles that are configured so that the fluid as it is discharged from the nozzles is disseminated into a spray pattern in the form of a sheet of fluid. In a particular aspect, the spray pattern is in the form of a three-dimensional sheet of the fluid. The spray devices that incorporate the nozzles can comprise rotatable spray arms for automatic dishwashers, including spray arms located above the upper racks of the dishwashers.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a risk assessment are disclosed. The method includes receiving intelligence from at least one intelligence source, and generating a risk assessment report based on the intelligence.

Abstract: A method and system for providing travel information to a consumer are disclosed. The method includes acquiring information from at least one information source, which may be a variety of sources such as external or consumer-driven sources; characterizing the acquired information by its pertinence to travel; transforming the characterized travel information into a useable format; applying rules to this transformed travel information in connection with the consumer-specific travel profile; and, delivering a report to the consumer of the results of this application. The associated system performs these functions, among others, to provide information for a traveler planning a trip to a particular destination or destinations.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system optical target assembly incorporating an adaptor for attachment of an optical target to a vehicle wheel assembly. The adaptor includes at least three contact points for abutment against surfaces of a vehicle wheel assembly, and an attachment mechanism configured to grip surfaces of a tire mounted to the wheel rim to hold the optical target assembly in contact with the wheel assembly surface. The optical target is secured to the adaptor, and maintained in a fixed relationship to the wheel assembly thereby during a vehicle wheel alignment measurement procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjoining along a mating axis a first and second circuit board to directly mate a first integrated connector of the first board with a second integrated connector of the second board is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an attachment plate to be supported in a substantially horizontal plane; a plurality of extension arms extending downward from the plate to suspendingly restrain the first board away from the plate; at least one stop configured to be secured to the distal end of one of the plurality of extension arms to support the first board in suspension away from the plate; and a plurality of attachment elements to secure the plate to the second circuit board without applying substantial forces to the first circuit board.

Abstract: A method of steering a fluid drilling head in an underground borehole drilling situation is provided by rotating the flexible hose through which high pressure is provided to the drilling head and providing a biasing force on the drilling head. The hose can be rotated from a remote surface mounted situation by rotating the entire surface rig (13) in a horizontal plane about a turntable (24) causing the vertically orientated portion of the hose (11) to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The biasing force can be provided in a number of different ways but typically results from the use of an asymmetrical gauging ring on the fluid drilling head.

Abstract: Spray devices for distributing a fluid include nozzles that are configured so that the fluid as it is discharged from the nozzles is disseminated into a spray pattern in the form of a sheet of fluid. In a particular aspect, the spray pattern is in the form of a three-dimensional sheet of the fluid. The spray devices that incorporate the nozzles can comprise rotatable spray arms for automatic dishwashers, including spray arms located above the upper racks of the dishwashers.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component, a plurality of incremental detents and at least one projection. The plurality of incremental detents are coupled to one of the circuit board and the electronic component and are retained relative to said one of the circuit board and the electronic component against linear movement in both directions along a first axis. The at least one projection is coupled to the other of the circuit board and the electronic component and is retained against linear movement along the first axis. The at least one projection is received within at least one of the plurality of detents to retain the electronic component relative to the circuit board against linear movement in both directions along the axis.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component and a structure coupling the electronic component to the circuit board. The structure retains the electronic component relative to the circuit board at a selected one of a plurality of positions in both directions along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board. The structure is movably coupled to one of the electronic component and the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the axis at least prior to being coupled to the other of the electronic component and the circuit board.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes an electronic component, a circuit board, a first connector portion coupled to one of the electronic component and the circuit board, a second connector portion coupled to the other of the electronic component and the circuit board, a first alignment member coupled to the first connector portion and a second alignment member coupled to the second connector portion. The second alignment member is configured to interact with the first alignment member to align the first connector portion with the second connector portion in at least one direction prior to engagement of the first connector portion and the second connector portion. The second alignment member extends relative to the second connector portion by a first extent prior to engagement of the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjoining along a mating axis a first and second circuit board to directly mate a first integrated connector of the first board with a second integrated connector of the second board is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an attachment plate to be supported in a substantially horizontal plane; a plurality of extension arms extending downward from the plate to suspendingly restrain the first board away from the plate except to permit the first board to translate along the mating axis toward the plate; an pressure platform extending downward from the plate to apply to the first board a mating-axis force collocated with the first connector; and a plurality of attachment elements to secure the plate to the second circuit board without applying forces to the first circuit board. Forces applied to the plate are transferred to the first board through only the pressure platform.

Abstract: A fluid drilling head has a plurality of nozzles (3, 4, 5, 6) in a rotatable nozzle assembly (2) to provide high pressure cutting jets (7). The head is provided with a gauging ring (10) having an annular clearance (11) to the rotatable nozzle assembly (2) to provide for the passage of rock particles eroded by the cutting action of the jets (7) while regulating the progress of the drilling head in the borehole and controlling drill stalling. A stepped rotatable nozzle assembly having a smaller diameter portion (8) and a larger diameter portion (9) to extend the cutting zone of a reaming jet closer to the outer diameter of the gauging ring(10) is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing travel information to a consumer are disclosed. The method includes acquiring information from at least one information source, which may be a variety of sources such as external or consumer-driven sources; characterizing the acquired information by its pertinence to travel; transforming the characterized travel information into a useable format; applying rules to this transformed travel information in connection with the consumer-specific travel profile; and, delivering a report to the consumer of the results of this application. The associated system performs these functions, among others, to provide information for a traveler planning a trip to a particular destination or destinations.

Abstract: A media collection device for retrieving separation media from a container containing the media and organic or inorganic materials is described. The device has a media collecting sieve, support shaft, handle and vibrating source. The device can further have a retainer for the support shaft, a rotating motor, a sliding mechanism, a stage adjustable in height and/or angle, a media receptacle and a container stand adjustable in angle, height and position relative to the stage. Multiple media collection devices can be joined together to simultaneously collect media from multiple containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent which can be used as a marker to identify individual lanes on an electrophoresis gel which is run on an Automated DNA Sequencer. This reagent is may be included in the loading dye for samples in DNA sequencing, DNA fragment analysis, or linkage mapping analysis. Inclusion of the reagent aids in the identification of the lane in which each sample is individually loaded on the acrylamide gel, such that the data read from each lane by the instrument is correctly applied to the appropriate sample.