Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting an interval of polling a peripheral device (e.g., a printer) based on a change in the working status of the peripheral device. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the peripheral device being monitored is in the process of performing a job or has experienced an interrupt/alert, the length of the polling intervals may be shortened to provide increased monitoring of the peripheral device. If the peripheral device is idle, the length of the polling intervals may be longer to provide less monitoring of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the operational condition of a machine is disclosed.

Abstract: The loading of samples into wells that are formed in a vertical slab gel is facilitated by a needle guide that provides expanded openings that taper toward the wells, the openings being separated by partitions that help the user distinguish between the wells and the barriers of transparent gel material between the wells.

Abstract: A hold-down device for a mechanical dock leveler which is spring loaded so that when the hold-down device is released the deck will rise and the lip will extend. When the deck is walked down, the hold-down device maintains the deck in contact with the truck bed. This is accomplished by means of the interaction and geometry between a brake actuating arm and a brake release arm and the associated pins. As the dock leveler is lowered, the perpendicular distance from an anchor pin to the centerline of a slot in the brake actuating arm increases. This causes the brake actuating arm to move upward increasing tension on the brake band. The brake release arm moves and increases the braking force. As the dock leveler is raised the braking force is reduced.

Abstract: A manual lock for a vertically storing lock leveler. The leveler has a locking bar on the side thereof which rides on a cam surface of the lock. The lock has a spring biased latch member with the cam surface and a locking recess. When the leveler is in the vertical stored position, the latch overtravels to have the lockbar engaged in the recess so that positive locking occurs. The lock is released by a manual foot or hand release.