Abstract: A stanchion with enhanced stability and user safety is provided. The stanchion includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a central opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the central opening in the base having an inner surface with a locking protrusion coupled thereto, and an elongated body with a bottom end rotatably mounted to the central opening of the base and having a pair of tabs. The elongated body is designed to rotate to a first position to permit one of the pair of tabs to engage with the locking protrusion on the base, thereby locking the elongated body to the base. The elongated body is designed to rotate to a second position with the pair of tabs disengaged from the locking protrusion on the base, thereby unlocking the elongated body from the base.

Abstract: A retractable canopy for use with a portable spa hot tub is provided. The retractable canopy includes a U-shaped bow having a pair of end members pivotably mounted to the spa hot tub, each end member of the U-shaped bow having a gear mechanism, a pair of spring-loaded levers coupled to the spa hot tub, each spring-loaded lever having a protrusion that communicates with the gear mechanism of one of the end members of the U-shaped bow, and a fabric member coupled to the U-shaped bow and spa hot tub. The U-shaped bow pivotably adjusts to one of a plurality of locking positions to expand or collapse the fabric member and may include lighting along the bow perimeter.

Abstract: A method of texturing a multifilamentary article having filaments comprising a desired oxide superconductor or its precursors by torsionally deforming the article is provided. The texturing is induced by applying a torsional strain which is at least about 0.3 and preferably at least about 0.6 at the surface of the article, but less than the strain which would cause failure of the composite. High performance multifilamentary superconducting composite articles having a plurality of low aspect ratio, twisted filaments with substantially uniform twist pitches in the range of about 1.00 inch to 0.01 inch (25 to 0.25 mm), each comprising a textured desired superconducting oxide material, may be obtained using this texturing method. If tighter twist pitches are desired, the article may be heat treated or annealed and the strain repeated as many times as necessary to obtain the desired twist pitch.

Abstract: A method for facilitating negotiated fee-based billable communication on a network that is comprised of forming a business relationship between a third party and a plurality of business service providers, facilitating communication between the business service providers and clients of the business service providers via the network, facilitating real-time negotiation between the business service providers and the clients for a flat or time-based communication fee and facilitating automatic billing of the client and automatic payment of the business service provider for a billable communication session.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing method for fabricating a superconducting magnetic coil using a mandrel having a consumable component. When exposed to a final processing step, the consumable component is mechanically weakened through oxidation or thermal decomposition. The mandrel can then be easily removed from the coil without straining the conductor, thus preserving the coil's electrical and mechanical properties.