Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tagging, or otherwise marking, a perpetrator or suspected perpetrator are provided. The apparatus includes a marker delivery device configured to mark the perpetrator, for example, with a canine scent or fluorescent marker; and a trigger configured to actuate the marker delivery device, for example, a button or switch. The marker delivery device may deliver a fluid or a solid to the clothes or accessories of a perpetrator when activated. The apparatus may also include a sensor adapted to detect the presence of the perpetrator, for example, an optical or mechanical sensor. The sensor may be adapted to detect the presence of the perpetrator in a target area of the marker delivery device. Methods of tagging are also disclosed. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted for convenience store or gas station security, but can also be applied in residential and office environments, among others.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tagging, or otherwise marking, a perpetrator or suspected perpetrator are provided. The apparatus includes a marker delivery device configured to mark the perpetrator, for example, with a canine scent or fluorescent marker; and a trigger configured to actuate the marker delivery device, for example, a button or switch. The marker delivery device may deliver a fluid or a solid to the clothes or accessories of a perpetrator when activated. The apparatus may also include a sensor adapted to detect the presence of the perpetrator, for example, an optical or mechanical sensor. The sensor may be adapted to detect the presence of the perpetrator in a target area of the marker delivery device. Methods of tagging are also disclosed. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted for convenience store or gas station security, but can also be applied in residential and office environments, among others.

Abstract: A system and method for providing backstop liquidity for an extendable commercial paper issue used to finance asset-backed securitization transactions through an up-front commitment from a highly rated entity to purchase fixed-income securities. A conduit that issues extendable commercial paper backed by a plurality of asset securitization transactions obtains a triple-A rated guaranty for each of the plurality of asset-backed securitization transactions and secures an up-front commitment from a highly rated backstop provider to purchase fixed-income securities to be issued in the future by such conduit (or an affiliated conduit) to retire such conduit's outstanding extendable commercial paper in the event that the conduit is unable to retire such commercial paper before the end of its extension period. The extendable commercial paper includes secured liquidity notes (SLNs) and the fixed-income securities include asset-backed medium-term notes (MTNs).

Abstract: A tapping tool for repairing damaged threads on PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings (e.g. T-connectors, elbows, etc.) includes an elongate shaft with a handle member fixed to a proximal end and a head fixed to an opposite distal end. A threaded tap formed of hardened steel is positioned and disposed on the head for forced, threaded engagement with the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting. Manual rotation of the handle serves to advance and withdraw the head along the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting as the tap cuts and reshapes damaged threads, thereby restoring the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting to a uniform, functional condition.

Abstract: A tapping tool for repairing damaged threads on PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings (e.g. T-connectors, elbows, etc.) includes an elongate shaft with a handle member fixed to a proximal end and a head fixed to an opposite distal end. A threaded tap formed of hardened steel is positioned and disposed on the head for forced, threaded engagement with the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting. Manual rotation of the handle serves to advance and withdraw the head along the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting as the tap cuts and reshapes damaged threads, thereby restoring the threads of the PVC pipe or fitting to a uniform, functional condition.

Abstract: A UHF antenna has an electrically insulative cylindrical core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5, and a three-dimensional antenna element structure disposed on or adjacent the outer cylindrical surface of the core. The antenna element structure is coupled to a coaxial feeder passing axially through the core. To reduce the effect of unwanted resonant modes associated with the resonant length of the feeder inside the core, the core is spaced from the outer conductor of the feeder by an intervening layer of insulative material having a relative dielectric constant which is much lower that that of the core material.

Abstract: A frequency selective surface includes at least one frequency selective layer (1) made up of an array of electrically conductive elements (2, 2a, 2b), at least one frequency selective layer (3) having an array of non-conductive apertures (4) therethrough overlaying the element layer (1) and a dielectric layer separating the two layers (1, 3). The element layer (1) is complementary in plan view to the aperture layer (3). The element layer (1) and the aperture layer (3) are rotated through 90 degrees in plan with respect to each other and substantially parallel to one another and the element array and the aperture array have the same periodicity.

Abstract: An adjustable latch assembly for the lock assembly of a pull-down door used to close a container space such as the cargo bay of a van or van body of a truck or similar vehicle. The adjustable latch assembly includes a face plate designed to be mounted flush with the floor of the truck bed. The face plate has elongated openings on either side thereof for receiving the locking tongue of a lock assembly. The opposing openings are separated by a bridge surface which covers the adjustable latch mechanism of the present invention. The adjustable latch mechanism includes opposing legs protruding from either side of the bridge with a foot on the opposite end of each leg. Each of the legs has an elongated slot that serves as a guide mechanism for the adjustable latch striker extending beneath the bridge and substantially parallel to it. The striker has opposing ends with holes bored through each opposing end.

Abstract: A hand tool for the manipulation of coil springs includes a handle and a shank portion fixedly secured thereto at one end thereof, the free or other end of the shank being integrally provided with a coil spring hook-type engaging portion disposed perpendicularly to the shank portion such that such components, when viewed together, form, in effect, a substantially L-shaped tool bit. The dimensions of the shank and hook portions, as viewed along three mutually orthogonal axes, is substantially the same and are of such a value as to permit the tool to be inserted and properly disposed within the central coil portions of a coil spring.