Abstract: An appliance drawer construction allows, upon the press of a button, the extension of the drawer from a housing. At the same time, inadvertent unintended opening caused, e.g., by a person's body brushing past or up against the appliance, may be avoided. In another aspect, the invention provides a simple and effective latch release linkage which is particularly well suited to a drawer, like a laundry washer additives dispenser drawer, that requires an offset of the latch from the operation push-button, due to the placement of an additive storage compartment portion of the drawer directly behind the front console of the drawer, and the space constraints within the housing that receives the drawer.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tape preform as a layer onto a substrate during the manufacture of a layered resistive device is provided. The apparatus includes at least one positioning member, wherein the positioning member defines a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The apparatus also includes a contact member adapted to engage the tape preform against the substrate. The contact member and the distal end portion of the positioning member are configured to position the tape preform onto the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods of generating an alert comprise receiving a broadcast radio transmission at a communication device, wherein the broadcast radio transmission comprises primary content and supplemental content having a relationship to the primary content. Further, the primary content comprises a first audio data, and the supplemental content comprises a non-audio data. The devices and methods further include detecting the receiving of the supplemental content, and generating an alert signal operable to activate an alerting device to output a non-visual notification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods enhancing radio programming include receiving a broadcast radio transmission at a communication device. The broadcast radio transmission includes primary content and supplemental content having a relationship to the primary content. Further, the primary content includes a first audio data, while the supplemental content includes audio data. Additionally, the apparatus and methods include converting the supplemental content into converted supplemental content, maintaining the relationship to the primary content. Moreover, the converted supplemental content includes second audio data converted from the non-audio data. Thus, the described apparatus and methods allow the communication device to output signals for generating audible representations of both the primary content and the supplemental content.

Abstract: A method for endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue transport and delivery to a recipient's eye, such as in DLEK, DSEK and DSAEK procedures, comprises the steps of: attaching endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue to a tissue holder, wherein the attachment between the tissue holder and the donor tissue is not on the endothelial layer of the endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue; placing the tissue holder and the attached donor tissue within a surrounding insertion tip; transporting the insertion tip to a position adjacent an access opening in the recipient's eye; inserting the tissue holder with the attached donor tissue through the opening and extending the tissue holder from within the insertion tip to position the donor tissue within the recipient's eye; and separating the attached donor tissue from the tissue holder with the tissue holder within the recipient's eye. An associated apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products are provided for locating, tracking and/or recovering a wireless communication device that has been misplaced, lost or stolen. In addition, the aspects provide for tracking or surveillance of the location or user in instances in which the wireless device has been loaned or is being used for covert surveillance. The aspects include communicating a locating state code to the targeted device, which detects the code and executes one or more routines that are associated with the respective code. In this regard, the targeted device is capable of carrying out different routines or sequences of actions depending on the state of the device, such as a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state or the like, which is based on the respective code.

Abstract: This invention provides a class of binding proteins with a range of binding specificities and affinities based upon variation at select amino acid positions within a scaffold. The variable positions may be readily modified to produce a library of binding proteins with different binding specificities and affinities. The library may be screened to identify one or more as binding a ligand of interest. Compositions comprising the binding proteins, as well as methods of using the binding proteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a system for transmitting data through downhole environments comprising a downhole network integrated into a downhole tool string. The downhole tool string comprises a plurality of downhole components. Each downhole component also comprises a conductor intermediate and operably connected to mating communication elements proximate the ends of the downhole component. The mating communication elements comprise magnetically conductive portions with different curie temperatures. The magnetically conductive portion may comprise segments or solid portions adapted to operate in the harsh downhole environments with temperatures ranging from 25 C to 275 C. Each downhole component is selected from the group consisting of drill pipes, drill collars, bottom hole assemblies, reamers, jars and/or production pipes.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly is provided that is configured for latching engagement with a receptacle assembly. The module assembly comprises a module housing having an exterior envelope and an interior cavity. The exterior envelope of the module housing is configured to be plugged into the receptacle assembly. A release mechanism is joined to the module housing. The release mechanism is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The release mechanism is configured to unlock the module housing from the receptacle assembly when the release mechanism is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. A detection switch is located within the interior cavity of the module housing. The detection switch monitors a position of the release mechanism and provides latched and unlatched state signals based on the position of the release mechanism. The latched state signal indicates that the module housing is locked in the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: A heat sink and light pipe assembly is provided for an electronic module configured to be mounted on a circuit board. The assembly includes a bracket configured to be held proximate the electronic module. The bracket includes a light pipe mounting post and the bracket defines an opening therein. A heat sink includes a base having a portion configured to extend through the opening in the bracket to engage the electronic module. A light pipe is held in the light pipe mounting post. The light pipe is configured to convey a status of the electronic module.

Abstract: To avoid repeated damage to a lower section of a metal roll-up door, the lower section is replaced by a more impactable curtain assembly. The curtain assembly is so readily scalable, horizontally and vertically, that much of it can be manufactured and field assembled right at the installation site. The curtain assembly may comprise one or more strips of fabric that are cut from a roll of a certain width. The length of the fabric strips corresponds to the width of the doorway, and the number of strips is based on the vertical span of the door section that is being replaced. Windbars can be attached where adjacent strips connect to each other. A weighted, semi-rigid bottom bar reinforces the lower edge of the finished roll-up curtain. Under impact, the bottom bar has sufficient flexibility to allow the curtain to resiliently break away from within the door's vertical guide tracks.

Abstract: A bumper for use at a loading dock has two ranges of front-to-back movement: one range for sealing the gap that might otherwise exist between the rear edge of a truck and the front face of the bumper and a second range for absorbing the impact of the truck backing into the dock. In some cases, a spring provides a relatively light sealing force between the bumper and the truck, and a compressible core provides a much greater impact-absorbing force that helps stop the rearward movement of the truck. In some embodiments, the bumper pivots by gravity when operating in the sealing range.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: An electronic module and a method of assembling the electronic module. A circuit board is connected to a chip substrate by an array of connectors, and a base member is on the side of the circuit board away from the chip substrate and connector array. An elastomeric structure is placed between the circuit board and the base member. The elastomeric structure has voids between a first defining plane adjacent the circuit board and a second defining plane adjacent the base member, with the voids adapted to permit local deformation of elastomeric material in the structure. The method includes applying a compressive force between the circuit board and base member to at least partially compressing the elastomeric structure to improve load equalization on the circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine the amount of misalignment between a chip carrier and socket by the use of an inspection master. The inspection master is tailored to the perimeter size of the chip carrier and contains alignment marks on the same array as the electrical contact pads of the chip carrier. The inspection master allows bad sockets to be screened out prior to use on a chip carrier and also provides a quantified characterization of the socket array positional error which can be used to adjust the socket fabrication process.

Abstract: Vibration isolators for a steering column which are optimized to adjust the resonance frequency of the steering column so that it is not at the same frequency as the engine firing pulses of a DoD engine operating in the full economy mode window, nor at road travel vibration frequencies. The vibration isolators are composed of a resilient grommet and a rigid insert, and are located at each mounting bracket of the steering column. Adjustment of grommet durometer, grommet dimensions and grommet width relative to insert length provide a selective compression and resiliency of the grommet which selectively adjusts the resonance frequency of the steering column below the range of frequencies of the engine when operating in economy mode.

Abstract: A protective railing system includes at least two extruded posts, two post-mounted extruded brackets, and at least one extruded rail. The rail can be selectively installed with infinite adjustability both vertically and rotationally. Each post includes an outer tube and an inner tube with reinforcing ribs extending between the two. To secure the post to a floor, a floor-mounted anchor extends up into the inner tube. The anchor and inner tube are preferably rectangular to restrict relative rotation between the post and the anchor. When two or more rails are installed between two posts, the two rails can be interlocked, or the rails can be spaced apart to support a spacer therebetween. In some cases, the spacer is a sign or a fabric mesh.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: The current invention provides a visual or audio-visual programming environment for life science and bioinformatics. It is based on the VIBE platform, which is a flexible, extensible, and integrated workflow construction and management platform. The current invention enables researchers to consolidate molecular profiling data from complementary experimental techniques, intelligently reduce the volume of the data, construct disease-specific molecular fingerprints, construct relationship networks among functionally significant genomic, transcriptomic, metabonomic, and proteomic data, integrate information from existing biological databases into those networks, optimize the process through iterative feedback loops, and to generate and validate hypotheses based on the above process. The uses of this integrative, systems-based approach include, but are not limited to, the identification of potential biomarkers, characterization and classification of diseases and pathogens, and discovery of drug targets.