Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A card retainer device for securing a card module in a channel of a chassis. The card retainer device includes wedge members which have main portions with integrated brackets integrally attached to the main portions, the integrated brackets form first L-shaped brackets which engage walls of the chassis, surfaces of the card module or a combination thereof. The L-shaped brackets provide bearing surfaces which reduces binding and wear when the card retainer device secures the card module in the channel of a chassis and enhances the conductance of heat through the card retainer device. The wedge members provide heat transfer paths between the card module and the chassis. Mating surfaces of mating wedge member interfaces have compound angles that produces an applied force orthogonal to a flange of the conduction card that is greater than the force applied parallel to the flange of the conduction card.

Abstract: An integrated voting system and method for accommodating paper ballots and audio ballots. The voting system includes a voting device operable to scan a paper ballot with one or more marked voting selections and tabulate the marked voting selections. The voting system also includes an accessible voting station in communication with the voting device. The accessible voting station comprises a voting console operable present an audio ballot to a voter via headphones, and receive one or more voting selections entered in response to the audio ballot from the voter. A printer is also provided to print a printed ballot that includes the entered voting selections. The voting device is operable to tabulate the printed voting selections by scanning the printed ballot or receiving voting selection information extracted from the printed ballot from the accessible voting station.

Abstract: A ballot tabulation device with internal tote bin includes a ballot box having a main compartment for receiving ballots and a tote bin configured to fit securely within an inner cavity of the main compartment. A ballot receptacle in the main compartment receives ballots and directs them downwardly into the tote bin so that the ballots stack into the tote bin. The tote bin includes two hingedly attached flaps that open upwardly to rest against the sides of the internal cavity to form a hopper-like receptacle for the ballots. The tote bin may also include one or more locking mechanisms to secure the lid flaps, and a telescoping handle and wheels for transporting the bin. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor in the inner cavity detects the presence of ballots in the tote bin and provides an alert to an operator when the tote bin is nearly full.

Abstract: An integrated voting system and method for accommodating paper ballots and electronic ballots. The voting system comprises a processing circuit operable to determine whether the voting system is operating in an electronic ballot mode or a paper ballot mode. In the electronic ballot mode, an electronic ballot is displayed to the voter and, in response, the voter enters one or more voting selections via an input device. The entered voting selections are then stored in a memory device and tabulated by the processing circuit. In the paper ballot mode, a scanner assembly is operable to scan a paper ballot with one or more voting selections marked by a voter. The processing circuit is operable to decode the marked voting selections and, preferably, any irregularity associated with the paper ballot (such as an undervote or overvote) is displayed to the voter for possible correction. The marked voting selections are then tabulated by the processing circuit.

Abstract: An integrated voting system and method for accommodating paper ballots and audio ballots. The voting system includes a voting device operable to scan a paper ballot with one or more marked voting selections and tabulate the marked voting selections. The voting system also includes an accessible voting station in communication with the voting device. The accessible voting station comprises a voting console operable present an audio ballot to a voter via headphones, and receive one or more voting selections entered in response to the audio ballot from the voter. A printer is also provided to print a printed ballot that includes the entered voting selections. The voting device is operable to tabulate the printed voting selections by scanning the printed ballot or receiving voting selection information extracted from the printed ballot from the accessible voting station.

Abstract: A pad for musical wind instruments with improved acoustic qualities. The acoustical improvement is achieved by providing a superior sound reflecting surface on the film or skin of the pad that engages with the tonehole. A lubricant for the sealing surface of the pad to prevent the pad from sticking to the tonehole rim. An outer retaining ring used to fasten the film to the pad while an inner collar supports the film and helps to create a smooth pad with a flat surface.

Abstract: A diamond abrasive tonehole file for leveling the tonehole rims of a musical instrument.

Abstract: A pad for musical wind instruments with improved acoustic qualities. The acoustical improvement is achieved by providing a superior sound reflecting surface on the film or skin of the pad that engages with the tonehole.

Abstract: An improved pressure pad is provided for stably floating thin metal strip while heat treating the strip. The pressure pad includes an oval pad housing which is slitted adjacent the strip. An elliptical plenum chamber is disposed within the pad housing with a portion thereof spanning the slit and forming with the slit margins a leading and a trailing slot jet nozzle. Opposing jet streams of gaseous medium exit the slot jet nozzles and collide with one another to provide a zone of pressure which stably supports the strip.

Abstract: A ski rack is described for releasably attachment to a boat for receiving and supporting skis and the like along the gunwale and outboard of the boat hull. The rack includes a pair of frames mountable to the boat along the gunwale by a clamp device at top ends of the frame. Suction cups are provided at bottom ends of the frames for securing the device to the boat hull. Adjustments are provided for extending and retracting the suction cups according to the boat hull configuration and for angularly adjusting the suction cups to match the contacted hull surface. Horizontal sections of the frame are provided with upright ski retainers to receive and secure skis in position thereon. The retainers are spaced apart horizontally and vertically with one set being situated above and along the gunwale and the other set being vertically spaced downwardly from the first set and outboard of the boat hull to receive and support skis or the like.