Abstract: A multi-piece valance body is configured to extend lengthwise along the front of an adjacent headrail (e.g., of a covering for an architectural opening) between opposed lateral ends. The valance body may include a first valance body portion and a second valance body portion, with the body portions configured to be coupled together via a joint defined between the body portions in the lengthwise direction across the length of the headrail (e.g., a width of the architectural opening) to form the complete valance body structure.

Abstract: A multi-piece valance body is configured to extend lengthwise along the front of an adjacent headrail (e.g., of a covering for an architectural opening) between opposed lateral ends. The valance body may include a first valance body portion and a second valance body portion, with the body portions configured to be coupled together via a joint defined between the body portions in the lengthwise direction across the length of the headrail (e.g., a width of the architectural opening) to form the complete valance body structure.

Abstract: A vehicle trim component is disclosed. A method for forming the trim component is also disclosed. The trim component is configured to support an airbag chute providing an airbag. The airbag is configured to be deployed through an opening. The trim component may comprise (a) a substrate a structure, (b) a cover comprising a skin made of a thermoplastic material (e.g. TPO having a substantially constant thickness of less than 0.7 mm) and a support layer coupled to the skin, and (c) a thermoplastic (e.g. foam) layer between the cover and the substrate. The thermoplastic foam) layer may be configured to attach the cover to the substrate. The airbag chute may be secured between the thermoplastic (e.g. foam) layer and the substrate. The support layer may be made of a foam material (e.g. polypropylene and/or polyethylene foam).

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising HMB. Methods of administering HMB to an animal are also described. HMB is administered to induce an acute endocrine response. HMB is administered to increase circulating concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

Abstract: The present invention is related to a desk structure. The desk structure comprises a writing surface, and a book box which is secured to the writing surface. A plurality of receiver sleeves are integrally molded with the book box. Each receiver sleeve has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall of the receiver sleeve has a slot and a plurality of radially spaced ribs. The inner wall defines an opening. The desk structure further comprises a plurality of legs. Each leg has an upper leg portion. The upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve. Additionally, each upper leg portion includes a detent. The detent is adapted to engage a corresponding inner wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve. Thus, the detent both secures the leg to the book box and positions the upper leg portion within the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a desk structure. The desk structure comprises a writing surface, and a book box which is secured to the writing surface. A plurality of receiver sleeves are integrally molded with the book box. Each receiver sleeve has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall of the receiver sleeve has a slot and a plurality of radially spaced ribs. The inner wall defines an opening. The desk structure further comprises a plurality of legs. Each leg has an upper leg portion. The upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve. Additionally, each upper leg portion includes a detent. The detent is adapted to engage a corresponding inner wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve. Thus, the detent both secures the leg to the book box and positions the upper leg portion within the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a desk structure. The desk structure comprises a writing surface, and a book box which is secured to the writing surface. A plurality of receiver sleeves are integrally molded with the book box. Each receiver sleeve has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall of the receiver sleeve has a slot and a plurality of radially spaced ribs. The inner wall defines an opening. The desk structure further comprises a plurality of legs. Each leg has an upper leg portion. The upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve. Additionally, each upper leg portion includes a detent. The detent is adapted to engage a corresponding inner wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve. Thus, the detent both secures the leg to the book box and positions the upper leg portion within the opening.

Abstract: A apparatus for sensing a surface of material in a storage container is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a motor assembly, a swing arm assembly, an optical assembly, a material surface detector, and an electronic control circuit. The motor assembly has a motor and a reel carrying a cable. The swing arm assembly has a swing arm with a magnet and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit monitors a magnetic flux to determine a surface detector position. The optical assembly has a measuring wheel, a code wheel, and an optical encoder circuit. The optical encoder circuit monitors rotation of the code wheel. When the surface detector is moved between first and second positions based upon input from the sensor circuit, the control circuit receives input from the optical encoder circuit based on the rotation of the code wheel. As such, the surface of the material is sensed.

Abstract: A lancing assembly is pivotally coupled to a housing and includes an actuator and a leaf spring carrying a lancet. When the actuator is in its set position, the leaf spring and lancet are in their set position with the leaf spring engaging a catch member of the housing. When the actuator is moved to its actuated position, the leaf spring pivots and deflects against the catch member, thereby storing a drive charge. The leaf spring then releases from the catch member as the stored charge launches the lancet to its lancing position. The leaf spring recharges towards the end of the lancing stroke, which return charge then retracts the lancet back into the housing.

Abstract: A lancing device has a housing, an activation/retraction control assembly, and a lancet. The control assembly and the housing have cooperating engagement structures such as detents that disengage after a predetermined launch force is applied to the control assembly. In this way, the lancet is driven to its puncturing position without the use of a drive spring. In addition, the control assembly and the lancet have cooperating releasable engagement structures such as notched sections and tamped protrusions that disengage when the lancet reaches its puncturing position, thereby freeing the lancet from the control assembly. And the control assembly has angled retraction structures that engage the freed lancet to bias it back safely into the housing.

Abstract: An improved call center architecture includes a switch which communicates with agents either over a broadband network or through a conventional legacy PBX. The hybrid configuration also includes N+1 fault tolerance and the ability to linearly expand the capacity of the system by simply adding new switching chassis.

Abstract: A blood glucose measuring system includes a lancet assembly and a meter for use with the lancet assembly. The lancet assembly has a lancet member with a lance, a lancet body having a drive wing extending outwardly from a side, and a sinuous portion, and an elongated carrier having a lancet member recess to contain the lancet member. The elongated carrier has an open end, a closed end, a side elongated opening for receiving the drive wing therethrough, and an anchoring member operatively connected to the end of the sinuous portion. The meter includes a measuring circuit, a lancet trigger, and a lancet driver where the lancet driver includes a driver piston engageable with the lancet trigger and a charging member that operatively engages with the driver piston to move the driver piston into an armed position and to stop the driver piston when released from the armed position.

Abstract: A lancing device having a substantially narrow profile housing, optionally configured for attachment in place of a battery cover of a blood-glucose testing meter. A miniature lancet has an oversized sterility cap with a T-shaped end for ease of handling and loading into a lancing device. A flattened portion of the sterility cap is angularly offset, for example generally perpendicular to, a flattened portion of the lancet body, such that twisting the sterility cap into alignment with the lancet body serves to detach the sterility cap from the lancet body.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a syringe and injecting fluid from the syringe. The apparatus includes a barrel having a bore extending therethrough for receiving a body portion of the syringe, a drive spring, a drive mechanism movable under the influence of the drive spring to advance the syringe from a retracted position within the barrel to an advanced position wherein a needle portion of the syringe extends outwardly of the barrel, and to compress a plunger portion of the syringe relative to the body portion of the syringe to inject the fluid through the needle portion, and a retraction plunger movable within the drive sled between an advanced position and a retracted position, to permit the needle of the syringe to retract back into the housing after the injection is complete.

Abstract: A lancet, a housing for the lancent, and a combination depth and activation control assembly. The lancet includes a needle, a needle-holding section, and an operating section with an opening. A drive spring is mounted within the opening and between the lancet body and the housing. The control assembly includes a control member with a control interface knob and a control shaft. The control shaft has multiple stop surfaces that are alignable with an engagement surface on the lancet body to control the lancing depth. And the control shaft has a release surface that engages the release member to disengage the engagement member to activate the lancing stroke. Additional features includes a safety interlock for preventing accidental activiation of the lancing device, ridges on the housing for providing discrete locked and depth setting positions, and a keyed sterility cap for preventing accidental removal of the cap.

Abstract: A blended contact center arrangement is disclosed wherein designated agent terminals may facilitate agent customer interaction with respect to a variety of different contact center applications. The agent terminals are logged on to both inbound and outbound contact center applications, and may switch between the two on a dynamic and flexible basis. Other types of agent customer interaction, such as email, webchat, etc. may be implemented as well.