Abstract: A towing arrangement includes a pivotal handle which allows a user to position the handle more comfortably that would otherwise be possible with a conventional towing arrangement. The relative motion of the handle can also increase the maneuverability of a piece of luggage by eliminating the need for a person to reposition his or her hand on the handle when attempting to redirect the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A composite handle for a carrying case and for being collapsably self-pivoting downward to an unobtrusive and decorative position on the carrying case after being released. The carrying case has a top and is carried by a user. The composite handle includes a pair of handle components. Each handle component connects to an opposite side of the carrying case. The pair of handle components are movable between an inactive mode where the pair of handle components lay substantially flat on the top of the carrying case and an active mode where the pair of handle components are proximate, but not connected to each other to form the composite handle gripped by the user. The pair of handle components are arranged to be movable relative to each so as to allow each handle component, when released by the user, to return to the inactive mode thereof by itself, with one handle component overlapping the other handle component unobtrusively and decoratively.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relates in part to selectively shutting off the flow of water through a water supply pipe to a building, such as in the event of a broken water pipe. The embodiments disclosed herein also optionally discontinue electrical power to a water heater to minimize the risk of water heater elements burning out in the event a water heater is at the risk of being drained of water, such as due to a broken water pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate in part to water flow sensors, and also to such water flow sensors in combination with a system used to selectively shut off the flow of water through a water supply pipe to a building, such as in the event of a broken water pipe. Such systems included in the combination can also optionally discontinue electrical power to a water heater to minimize the risk of water heater elements burning out in the event a water heater is at the risk of being drained of water, such as due to a broken water pipe.

Abstract: A retaining assembly includes a first portion capable of being attached a strap, a second portion capable of being secured to the first portion, the second portion including a retaining portion capable of cooperating with a harnessing member; and a member capable of sliding over the retaining portion and cooperating with the second portion in a plurality of positions. When the member is in a first position, the combination of the retaining portion and the member is capable of retaining the harnessing member, and the retaining assembly is prevented from pivoting around the harnessing member.

Abstract: A home agent, attached to a home network, receives, adapts and forwards messages intended for a mobile node attached to one of a plurality foreign networks. The home agent, having received a message, passes the message on to a processing unit to assess whether the message should be adapted so as to be compatible with the destination foreign network and to adapt the message accordingly. The adapted message is returned to the home agent to be encapsulated and tunnelled to a foreign agent attached to the destination foreign network. The foreign agent decapsulates the message and passes it on to the mobile node. This method has the advantage that the mobile node is able to receive messages regardless of the type of network to which it is attached.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relates in part to selectively shutting off the flow of water through a water supply pipe to a building, such as in the event of a broken water pipe. The embodiments disclosed herein also optionally discontinue electrical power to a water heater to minimize the risk of water heater elements burning out in the event a water heater is at the risk of being drained of water, such as due to a broken water pipe.

Abstract: A mobile telephone network stores a list of short dialling codes in association with each user's identity so as to define the short codes which each individual user is permitted to use for providing access to a data conversion device which gives access to a private network. When a short code is dialled on a mobile station, calling data comprising the short code together with caller identification data derived from the mobile station are transmitted over the radio link to the mobile switching center. Prior to routing the call, the identity of the dialling station is authenticated. The short code in the calling data is then compared with the permitted list of short codes to determine whether the user is permitted to make the call. If the caller is permitted to make the call, the call is routed to a destination corresponding to the data conversion device. Thus, only permitted users may access the data conversion device.

Abstract: A computer carrying case has an outer receptacle with walls of flexible material joined to form a fully enclosed volume. The outer receptacle receives a computer receptacle having front and back walls that include substantially rigid panels and that are coupled together at the ends by devices that permit the width of the computer receptacle between the front and back walls to be adjusted so that laptop computers of different thicknesses can be accommodated reasonably snugly.