Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of device and demand response rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. In a first embodiment, the shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle and a hard screw-anchor embedded within the elastomer insert. In additional embodiments, the shaft lock comprises a collared male plug removably or integrally formed within said lacrosse head for joining said head to a hollow lacrosse handle. The collar surrounds the core plug such that a gap exists between the core plug and the collar for receiving the wall of said handle. The core plug may comprise four or more rotationally-symmetric ribs to correspond to one or more interior shapes of said handle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of device and demand response rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for providing instant rebates before a transaction is completed. This involves ingest of customer and rebate data from two or more utilities, where the data is parsed and normalized into a standard format across all of the utilities. The customer data is then stored in an accounts database, while the rebate data is further processed along with utility rebate rules to determine a set of rebate eligibilities for a variety of scenarios. The resulting rebate profiles can be stored in a rebates database and linked to corresponding customer account data in the accounts database. Third-party frontends can then request rebate eligibility based on a customer identifier and retail channel, and various services can work in tandem to query the rebated database and return a set of eligibilities with so little latency that the eligibility check appears instant from a customer's standpoint.

Abstract: A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. The shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle. A hard screw-anchor is embedded within the elastomer insert, and the insert is anchored inside the handle by at least one screw threaded through the handle into the screw-anchor from top-to-bottom, the screw(s) engaging the screw anchor and compressing it against the elastomeric insert. The threaded engagement of the screw(s) through the wall of the handle and into the screw-anchor compresses the elastomeric insert, maintaining a constant tension against the screw(s) and against the interior walls of the handle.

Abstract: A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. In a first embodiment, the shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle and a hard screw-anchor embedded within the elastomer insert. In additional embodiments, the shaft lock comprises a collared male plug removably or integrally formed within said lacrosse head for joining said head to a hollow lacrosse handle. The collar surrounds the core plug such that a gap exists between the core plug and the collar for receiving the wall of said handle. The core plug may comprise four or more rotationally-symmetric ribs to correspond to one or more interior shapes of said handle.

Abstract: A ladder-like shooting/catching section for a lacrosse stick pocket defined by at least two elongate runners (flat strips) extending from proximate the scoop of the head toward the throat, and a plurality of generally V-shaped chevrons straddling the runners and overmolded thereto. Alternately, the chevrons and runners are formed from a single material. The chevrons have a three-dimensional profile and each is slightly concave along its length, such that the chevrons collectively define a passing/catching chute. The chute increases surface contact with the ball and improves feel. This in combination with the shock-absorbing living hinge function provided by the chevrons makes throwing and catching smoother as well as more consistent, generally improving playability of the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: A ladder-like shooting/catching section for a lacrosse stick pocket defined by at least two elongate runners (flat strips) extending from proximate the scoop of the head toward the throat, and a plurality of generally V-shaped chevrons straddling the runners and overmolded thereto. Alternately, the chevrons and runners are formed from a single material. The chevrons have a three-dimensional profile and each is slightly concave along its length, such that the chevrons collectively define a passing/catching chute. The chute increases surface contact with the ball and improves feel. This in combination with the shock-absorbing living hinge function provided by the chevrons makes throwing and catching smoother as well as more consistent, generally improving playability of the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. The shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle. A hard screw-anchor is embedded within the elastomer insert, and the insert is anchored inside the handle by at least one screw threaded through the handle into the screw-anchor from top-to-bottom, the screw(s) engaging the screw anchor and compressing it against the elastomeric insert. The threaded engagement of the screw(s) through the wall of the handle and into the screw-anchor compresses the elastomeric insert, maintaining a constant tension against the screw(s) and against the interior walls of the handle.

Abstract: A lacrosse head having inwardly beveled top sidewall rails that extend along the length of the sidewalls, toward the center of the pocket. In this manner, when a player attempts to receive a thrown ball and fails to catch the ball in the pocket of the head cleanly without obstruction from the head frame, the top sidewall rails rebound the ball back inside the lacrosse head frame, thereby aiding in control of the ball. The present invention further includes a transverse wall at the distal end of the head with an inside surface having a scallop, groove or channel extending along substantially the length of the wall in which the edge of the mesh pocket is received and secured. The sidewalls of the head of the present invention are further provided with indicia associated with some or all of the stringing holes to assist in the stringing process.

Abstract: An integrated process for preparing &agr;-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-N-tert-butylnitrone and its salts is disclosed in which N-tert-butylhydroxylamine acid addition salt is incompletely neutralised so as to leave catalytic amounts of acid and the neutralisation product is condensed with an appropriate aldehyde.

Abstract: An integrated process for preparing &agr;-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-N-tert-butylnitrone and its salts is disclosed in which N-tert-butylhydroxylamine acid addition salt is incompletely neutralised so as to leave catalytic amounts of acid and the neutralisation product is condensed with an appropriate aldehyde.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of &agr;-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-N-tert-butylnitrone diacids and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof by the reaction of the corresponding disulfophenyl aldehyde with N-tert-butylhydroxylammonium acetate is disclosed.