Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: This invention provides an evaluation board for evaluating one or more aspects of a surface mount technology system. In one aspect, the evaluation board has a substrate with at least one surface. A plurality of board pad patterns, each including a plurality of board pads, is formed on the surface. The different board pad patterns may have different shaped, sized and spaced board pads, allowing the characteristics of a surface mount technology to be tested on some or all of the board pad patterns at the same time and under uniform conditions. In another aspect, the surface may have a plurality of area-filled board pads similarly allowing a surface mount technology to be tested on the various area-filled board pads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences that confer herbicide resistance in plants, as well as herbicide resistance in plants, plant seeds, plant tissues and plant cells comprising such sequences. In a preferred embodiment, the sequences of the present invention confer a tolerant phenotype in plants in response to a chronic and/or acute inhibitin dose of auxinic herbicides. The present invention also provides homologous sequences with a high degree of functional similarity.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to high-throughput methods of screening DNA for mutations. These methods offer various unexpected advantages over current methods. In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention includes pooling DNA samples from many plants that were subjected to mutagenesis. Methods of the subject invention include highly sensitive means for detecting individual mutants, preferably deletions, in large pools or collections of DNA samples.

Abstract: This invention encompasses the identification and isolation of genes that confer disease control properties in plants, as well as plants comprising such genes. These genes are derived from the following sources: Nicotiana benthamiana, Oryzae sativa (var. Indica IR7), Papaver rhoeas, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Trichoderma harzianum (Rifai 1295-22). The control conferred is against the one or more of the following phytopathogens: Aspergillus flavus, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Fusarium monilforme, Fusarium graminearum, Helminthosporium maydis, Phoma lingam, Phomopsis helianthi, Phytopthera infestans, Pyricularia oryzae, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Ustilago maydis, and Verticillium dahliae. Further, this invention encompasses other homologous and heterologous sequences with a high degree of functional similarity.

Abstract: A multiple part wheel cover comprises a retainer plate, separate axially inner and outer one-piece spoke assemblies, having spokes extending to outer free-standing ends and a hub cover. The retainer plate and inner and outer spoke assemblies are supported coaxially in predetermined axial spacing. Bending force is applied to the spokes to bend them resiliently within elastic limits sufficiently to align their radially outer ends respectively with recesses in the rim. Thereafter the bending force is progressively relaxed and the supported parts are simultaneously and progressively moved coaxially toward each other to cause the outer ends of the spokes to enter their recesses as the spokes straighten resiliently. The parts are then secured together by clamping the hub cover toward the hub of the retainer plate, whereupon removal of the outer ends of the spokes from their recesses is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel trim assembly comprises a molded flange member of hard, lightweight plastic material adapted to provide a form-sustaining backing and reinforcement for a thin outer ornamental layer and has an axial flange portion adapted to fit coaxially within an annular axial flange of a vehicle wheel. The axial flange portion of the trim assembly carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient retainers adapted to engage the wheel flange yieldably at an interference fit for securing the flange member to the wheel.

Abstract: A multiple part wheel cover adapted to simulate a wire spoke wheel when attached to a vehicle wheel comprises a retainer plate, separate inner and outer one-piece spoke assemblies, and a hub cover. The retainer plate has a peripheral rim around a central hub and is adapted to be attached to the vehicle wheel. The rim also has two sets of spoke receiving recesses therein opening generally radially. Each spoke assembly comprises a one-piece injection molded plastic having an annular member of smaller diameter than the rim and integral with the radially inner ends of a plurality of spokes which extend from their inner ends to outer ends confined respectively within one of each of the two sets of recesses. The annular member of the inner spoke assembly lies adjacent to and axially outwardly of the hub of the retainer plate. The annular member of the outer spoke assembly lies adjacent to and axially outwardly of the annular member of the inner spoke assembly.

Abstract: Two different types of retention devices for attaching a wheel trim to a vehicle wheel are provided alternately at circumferentially spaced locations on the trim. Each retention device of one type comprises a generally axially extending barbed retention arm adapted to engage an axial flange of the wheel with spring force to embed its barb into the flange and attach the trim coaxially to the wheel. Each of the latter retention devices also preferably comprises a spring clip cooperable with portions of the wheel trim to prevent excessive bending of the clip during attachment and removal of the trim from the wheel and also to assure substantially coaxial alignment of the trim and wheel in predetermined axially spaced relationship when the trim and wheel are attached.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel trim assembly comprises a molded flange member of hard, lightweight plastic material adapted to provide a form-sustaining backing and reinforcement for a thin outer ornamental layer and has an axial flange portion adapted to fit coaxially within an annular axial flange of a vehicle wheel. The axial flange portion of the trim assembly carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient retainers adapted to engage the wheel flange yieldably at an interference fit for securing the flange member to the wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to decorative wheel covers with resilient fastening clips retained between spaced flanges on the inner periphery of the cover for fastening the cover to the outer surface of the wheel. The clip is made from a strap of spring material having a U-shaped body portion which forms an anchor between the flanges and an arm portion reversely bent and extending thereover for engaging the inner diverging flange of the wheel. The body portion and the arm portion have sharp tangs which are forced into the material of the flanges of the cover and wheel to have the plurality of the clips firmly support the cover outwardly over the wheel surface.