Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for electronically forming a plurality of local areas of commerce on a computerized map. In one aspect, the method includes obtaining, by a processor, mail volume data, census data and vacancy data for the geographical area. The method also includes computing, by the processor, data relationships among the mail volume data, the census data and the vacancy data, identifying, by the processor, longitude and latitude values of the geographical area, and creating, by the processor, an appropriate grid of the geographical area using decimal precision. The method further includes combining, by the processor, the computed data relationships and the created appropriated grid to produce a combined data set and dividing, by the processor, the geographical area into a plurality of strategically plotted locations over time (SPLOTs) based on the combined data set.

Abstract: A walkway assembly (10) for attachment to a support structure such as a roof of a building includes a primary support (13) for on-site attachment to the support structure, a plurality of tread modules (41) each attached relative to the primary support and moveable between a first position and a second position at which a part of each tread module is spaced further from the primary support than when at the first position, and at least one riser unit (48) for supporting the tread modules relative to the primary support in at least the second of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A tread module (10) for a walkway or stairway includes a body of material which defines a load-carrying surface (14), the tread module including at least two sub-module sections (20,21,22) which are formed integrally with one another and inter-connected by at least one severable formation (23) whereby the tread module may be reduced in size by severance of the severable formation(s).

Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety harness includes a plurality of slots each for receiving an end of a harness belt section, each slot having associated therewith a retainer which is moveable into and out of engagement with an abutment surface defined by the end of a belt section, first bias elements normally to urge the retainers to move to a position at which they each engage with an abutment surface of the end of a belt section following insertion into a slot, at least one of the retainers having associated therewith a lever which is pivotable against the action of the first bias elements to move the retainer to a release position at which it is free from engagement with the abutment surface, and an actuation member operable to act on the or each lever whereby the or each lever moves a retainer to the release position.

Abstract: A walkway assembly (10) for attachment to a support structure such as a roof of a building includes a primary support (13) for on-site attachment to the support structure, a plurality of tread modules (41) each attached relative to the primary support and moveable between a first position and a second position at which a part of each tread module is spaced further from the primary support than when at the first position, and at least one riser unit (48) for supporting the tread modules relative to the primary support in at least the second of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety harness includes a plurality of slots each for receiving an end of a harness belt section, each slot having associated therewith a retainer which is moveable into and out of engagement with an abutment surface defined by the end of a belt section, first bias elements normally to urge the retainers to move to a position at which they each engage with an abutment surface of the end of a belt section following insertion into a slot, at least one of the retainers having associated therewith a lever which is pivotable against the action of the first bias elements to move the retainer to a release position at which it is free from engagement with the abutment surface, and an actuation member operable to act on the or each lever whereby the or each lever moves a retainer to the release position.

Abstract: A tread module (10) for a walkway or stairway includes a body of material which defines a load-carrying surface (14), the tread module including at least two sub-module sections (20,21,22) which are formed integrally with one another and inter-connected by at least one severable formation (23) whereby the tread module may be reduced in size by severance of the severable formation(s).

Abstract: A spreader bar device for a patient handling hoist includes a housing connectable to a hoist, a spool which is rotatably mounted on the housing, an elongate flexible hoist attachment element attachable to the hoist and which is extendably windable on the spool, opposing elongate spreader arms which extend from the housing, and a harness attachment element by which a patient harness is attachable to the spreader arms. The spreader arms are pivotable about the housing whereby an angular spacing between the longitudinal extents of the arms is adjustable so that the arms have a plurality of selectable working positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a methodology and computer executable instructions configured to implement a prediction system. The invention deals with the use of a configuration file specifying at least the interactions to be completed between components of the prediction system, where this configuration file is transmitted to an implementation site. At the implementation site the configuration file is supplied as an input to at least one autonomous software agent where this agent or agents run the components of the prediction system as specified by the interactions defined within the configuration file. An extension to this method is also disclosed where the prediction system is built or constructed at the implementation site using the configuration file.

Abstract: An air-taxi stand includes a boarding bridge with an aircraft-proximal end and an aircraft-distal end. The aircraft-distal end includes an aircraft interface. The air-taxi stand is configured to allow for simultaneous ground movement of an aircraft, adjacent a concourse, including forward power-in pushing and forward power-out pushing. A method includes the forward power-in pushing of an aircraft, docking the aircraft, and forward power-out pushing out of the air-taxi docking bay.

Abstract: Low levels of quaternary ammonium compounds are effective antimicrobial agents in drinking water and potentiate the antimicrobial power of organic acids used as antimicrobials for such purposes. The method is effective against both Gram (?) and Gram (+) bacteria, including but not limited to, Salmonella sp., E. coli, Campylobacter sp. as Staphylococcus sp. and Listeria sp. The combination of quaternary ammonium compounds and one or more organic acids can also be effectively used as antimicrobial washes for fruits, vegetables, meat, and animal carcasses.

Abstract: A regional aircraft boarding module can be provided at an airport concourse in place of or in addition to a conventional large aircraft boarding bridge. The regional aircraft boarding module includes regional aircraft rotunda between a number of secondary passenger bridges that are coupled to the regional aircraft rotunda. A method of using the regional aircraft boarding module includes an activity selected from docking a regional aircraft thereto, interfacing a large aircraft boarding bridge thereto, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An increase in specific antioxidant activity of extracts from rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) is obtained by the use of a blend of tetrafluoroethane and acetone in the extraction process. A blend of tetrafluoroethane, acetone and methanol improves total yield. A tetrafluoroethane and acetone blend has higher efficacy but comparatively lower yields. The methods yield a liquid and oily extract that is readily mixed with a liquid product such as soybean oil for addition to animal feeds and human food.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a handrail installation comprises two connector components one of which locates within the bore of an end of a tubular member of the handrail installation and the other of which connects to a second member of the handrail installation, each connector component comprising a head portion and a location portion and the head portions of the two handrail connector components being provided with apertures to receive a retention means for holding the two connector components in interconnected relationship, said apertures and the retention means each having a major axis thereof extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said bore of the end of a tubular member of the handrail installation whereby, during construction of a handrail installation, the retention means may act as a pivot to allow the two connector components to pivot one relative to the other about an axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, a first of said connector components p

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus, that allows a towing vehicle to tow a towed vehicle, has a hitch member, a pair of tow bars, and a pair of socket members. The hitch member is adapted to engage a tow bar receiver of the towing vehicle. The pair of socket members are adapted to be attached to the towed vehicle. Each of the pair of tow bars includes a plate ball member at a first end for pivotally engaging one of the pair of socket members. Each of the pair of tow bars further includes a second end, the second ends of the pair of tow bars being joined to form a hitch ball member that pivotably and rotatably engages the hitch member.

Abstract: A braking apparatus used to brake a vehicle has a brake actuator that actuates at least one brake of the vehicle through a cable that mechanically interconnects the brake actuator to the brake pedal of the vehicle through a cable shield tube that is anchored to a first anchor point and a second anchor point. The first anchor point is separated a fixed distance from the brake actuator by a base plate, and the second attachment point is separated a fixed distance from the brake pedal by attaching the second attachment point to a firewall of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus, that allows a towing vehicle to tow a towed vehicle, has a hitch member, a pair of tow bars, and a pair of socket members. The hitch member is adapted to engage a tow bar receiver of the towing vehicle. The pair of socket members are adapted to be attached to the towed vehicle. Each of the pair of tow bars includes a plate ball member at a first end for pivotally engaging one of the pair of socket members. Each of the pair of tow bars further includes a second end, the second ends of the pair of tow bars being joined to form a hitch ball member that pivotably and rotatably engages the hitch member.

Abstract: The invalid lifting device comprises a first mast upstanding from a first elongate chassis member and a second mast upstanding from a second elongate chassis member which is parallel or substantially parallel to the first chassis member. The lifting device also comprises a lifting arm supported by and extending between the first and second masts, the lifting arm comprising two parts pivotable relative to one another so that the distance between the masts can be varied. One part is supported by the first mast and the other part is supported by the second mast. Power operated means are provided for moving the two chassis members towards and away from one another. Each part of the lifting arm comprises a parallelogram linkage to maintain the chassis members in parallel or substantially parallel relationship as the two chassis members are moved towards and away from one another.