Abstract: A method and apparatus for a battery powered networked irrigation controller that communicates with a backend server to implement updated watering schedules as needed, rather than the irrigation controller waiting until the next scheduled watering event of the obsolete watering schedule. A local wireless network transceiver can be accessed locally by a mobile device to prompt the irrigation controller to wake up from a sleep mode and communicate with the backend server to verify or obtain the updated watering schedule, allowing for changes in the horticultural conditions in the region watered by the irrigation controller, such as the laying of new sod.

Abstract: A vehicle light monitoring system for allowing a user to determine if a vehicle's headlights and taillights are functioning properly. The vehicle light monitoring system includes a console mountable within the interior of the vehicle, wherein the console includes a representation of a vehicle thereon that shows the vehicle's headlights and taillights. The system further includes fiber optic cables each having a first end and a second end, wherein the cables are positioned such that the first end of the cable is adjacent to a headlight or taillight of the vehicle, and the second end is secured to the console and is arranged so that it is disposed on the headlight or taillight portion of the vehicle representation. Thus, when a vehicle's headlights or taillights are illuminated, the end of the fiber optic cable on the console will also be illuminated.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation apparatus supports a magnetic element in a magnetic field. A control system controls a variable magnetic field to maintain the magnetic element at an equilibrium location relative to an unstable axis. In some embodiments the variable magnetic field has a gradient in the direction of the unstable axis but no field component. In some embodiments the magnetic field is provided by an array of four discrete magnets. In some embodiments additional magnets provide increased field intensity at the equilibrium location this increases stability of the levitated magnetic element against overturning. Light and electrical power may be supplied to the levitating magnetic element.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation apparatus supports a magnetic element in a magnetic field. A control system controls a variable magnetic field to maintain the magnetic element at an equilibrium location relative to an unstable axis. In some embodiments the variable magnetic field has a gradient in the direction of the unstable axis but no field component. In some embodiments the magnetic field is provided by an array of four discrete magnets. In some embodiments additional magnets provide increased field intensity at the equilibrium location this increases stability of the levitated magnetic element against overturning. Light and electrical power may be supplied to the levitating magnetic element.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation apparatus supports a magnetic element in a magnetic field. A control system controls a variable magnetic field to maintain the magnetic element at an equilibrium location relative to an unstable axis. In some embodiments the variable magnetic field has a gradient in the direction of the unstable axis but no field component. In some embodiments the magnetic field is provided by an array of four discrete magnets. In some embodiments additional magnets provide increased field intensity at the equilibrium location this increases stability of the levitated magnetic element against overturning. Light and electrical power may be supplied to the levitating magnetic element.

Abstract: A rigid wire lath product having a backing material which may be used to reinforce coatings, such as stucco, applied to building surfaces. The product comprises a mesh of longitudinal wires and transverse wires having a plurality of spaced indentations. A layer of backing material having apertures which straddle the indentations is interwoven in the mesh by longitudinal retaining wires extending along the bottom of the indentations. A method of manufacturing the product by providing a mesh of longitudinal and transverse wires welded together at their intersections substantially in a plane, and forming rows of spaced indentations in the transverse wires. A planar material is overlaid on the mesh such that said portions of the indentations protrude through apertures in the material. A plurality of wires are welded along respective rows of the protruding indentations to sandwich the material between the mesh and the wires.

Abstract: A welded wire corner bead comprising at least one and preferably two continuous wires defining a periodic wave form extending from side to side of the bead, the bead being bent lengthwise along an axis.

Abstract: Corrosion resistance is achieved for fabricated wire products such as welded or woven stucco mesh, by fabricating the products from pre-galvanized strands of wire, followed by a post-fabrication chromate treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the strands are pre-galvanized by a first hot galvanization step followed by applying a thin electro-galvanization layer.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation apparatus supports a magnetic element in a magnetic field. A control system controls a variable magnetic field to maintain the magnetic element at an equilibrium location relative to an unstable axis. In some embodiments the variable magnetic field has a gradient in the direction of the unstable axis but no field component. In some embodiments the magnetic field is provided by an array of four discrete magnets. In some embodiments additional magnets provide increased field intensity at the equilibrium location this increases stability of the levitated magnetic element against overturning. Light and electrical power may be supplied to the levitating magnetic element.

Abstract: A welded wire lathing material for mounting stucco plaster and the like onto a building frame. This lathing material comprises intersecting transverse and primary longitudinal strands substantially located in a first plane. It also comprises secondary longitudinal strands also substantially placed in first plane and closely spaced with, some of primary longitudinal strands, thus forming longitudinal slots located at predetermined spaced intervals extending across the lathing material. The slots are wider than the shaft, but narrower than the head, of fasteners predetermined for attaching the lath to building frames. The longitudinal and transverse strands are welded together where they intersect to form a rectangular mesh approximately located in the first plane.

Abstract: A self-furring wire lath comprises a mesh of transverse and longitudinal wires welded at their intersections. Stiffening trusses are formed by bent sections in the transverse wires and longitudinal wires attached to the shoulders of the bent sections. A barrier layer material is retained in the lath between the apex of the bent sections and the principal plane of the lath mesh. The barrier layer material has apertures that coincide with the intersections only at the bent sections to enable mesh size reduction without compromising the barrier layer but still allow the fabrication of the lath. The lath provides good embedment in the stucco, reduces cracking and wastage of stucco while remaining easy to work with.

Abstract: A vertical conduction MOSFET having a reduced on resistance RDSON as well as reduced threshold voltage Vth, and an improved resistance to punchthrough and walkout has an extremely shallow source diffusion, of less than 0.3 microns in depth and an extremely shallow channel diffusion, of less than about 3 microns in depth. In a P channel version, phosphorus is implanted into the bottom of a contact trench and into the channel region with an implant energy of 400 keV for a singly charged phosphorus ion or 200 keV for a doubly charged ion, thereby to prevent walkout of the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A vertical conduction MOSFET having a reduced on resistance RDSON as well as reduced threshold voltage Vth, and an improved resistance to punchthrough and walkout has an extremely shallow source diffusion, of less than 0.3 microns in depth and an extremely shallow channel diffusion, of less than about 3 microns in depth. In a P channel version, phosphorus is implanted into the bottom of a contact trench and into the channel region with an implant energy of 400 keV for a singly charged phosphorus ion or 200 keV for a doubly charged ion, thereby to prevent walkout of the threshold voltage.

Abstract: To ensure bulk breakdown when the mesa diode with a positive bevel angle is reverse biased, the diffused region is formed with thinner edge portions. This eliminates corner or edge effects which create conditions of high electric field, resulting in decreased breakdown voltage and clamping voltage levels. The edges of the surface of epitaxial region are covered with a narrow oxide layer prior to diffusion. The middle portion of the surface remains uncovered. Diffusing through the oxide results in a diffused region which is thinner along the edges of the device than in the interior region below the exposed surface portion. The oxide thickness controls the depth of the edge diffusion.

Abstract: A tray/shroud shipping container which is convertible to a display container upon removal of the shroud. The container is preassembled before being filled with packaged goods from two separate blanks which are joined together to form the container. The container is made from a tray blank for forming the tray and a shroud blank for forming the shroud. The shroud telescopes within the tray and is releasably secured within the tray and covers and protects the packaged goods. The container includes two diagonally opposing vertical fold lines which comprise two substantially parallel lines of weakness. The lines of weakness of each pair are spaced apart by distances least as great as the thickness of the container so that the container can be folded along the lines of weakness thereby collapsing the container to a generally flat condition.

Abstract: A generally-flat bayonet handle is provided having an elongated handle section for gripping by the consumer. Extending from each terminus of the handle section is an elongated neck section having a width less than the width of the handle section. Respective ends of the bayonet handles are formed by barb heads attached to the neck sections. Each barb head has thereon at least two barbs which, when inserted into appropriately placed apertures on the sides of a soap or detergent powder carton, are ensnared on a lip of the apparatus and thereby maintain the engagement of the handle on the carton. The combination of the bayonet handle and the carton provide a novel soap or detergent powder package.

Abstract: A container for housing granular materials and a blank for forming the container. The container is a six sided enclosure including a top wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, a front wall and two end walls. The front wall has an inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer has a transverse tear strip therein and is attached to the inner layer below this tear strip. A glue flap is attached to the interior surface of the top wall and also attached to the top edge of the inner layer of the front wall along a perforated cut line. This configuration prevents the granular material from migrating between the layers of the front wall during shipping. Each end wall is comprised of several layers. Included are two main layers which together have a top edge. A tear strip panel extension is attached to the main layers below the tear strip. An ear is attached to the tear strip panel extension above the tear strip and also attached to the top wall.