Abstract: A fuel cell (1) having an electrode comprising an electrocatalyst (32) on a support, wherein the support is a mesh (30) of conductive material such as a metal, metal alloy and metal composite (e.g. titanium or titanium alloy), is disclosed, as well as a method of operating such a fuel cell by contacting a fuel and an oxidant on said electrode. The electrolyte of the fuel cell may be an ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: Multi-type pull style golf cart towing device. Composed of a high-density polyethylene material, a lightweight, non-metallic material, thus preventing the unnecessary scratching of existing models of pull carts. Integrated into said device are two (2) quick attach, release and adjustment segments. Set in two (2) key positions, thus allowing our apparatus to accommodate people measuring 4 ft. to over 6 ft 6?. Main Bar accommodates the integration of the scorecard holder, which is found on all common golfing pull carts. A golfer need only once set this apparatus to fit their physique before their 5 mile walk around the golf course. The novel construction includes a lightweight, extremely stable, non binding padded belt attachment that is adjustably attached to this device, keeping the mechanism flowing with the natural walking gait of the user.

Abstract: An improved method of blast suppression involves forming a foam barrier in proximity to a bomb or other suspicious device. The foam is maintained in position by a containment structure which is inflated and kept in an inflated state by the foam used to form such barrier. Various containment structures and methods are disclosed for suppression of compression waves and combustion effects caused by an explosive event.

Abstract: A cleaning composition contains the components for a pH step reaction, held apart or in stasis in needed, until they are delivered to the locus to be cleaned. The composition may include standard cleaning agents such as surfactants. The composition undergoes a change in pH at the locus, promoting effective cleaning.

Abstract: An entertaining and educational sports calendar that would encourage good behavior in children. The appealing features of the calendar would be its ability to be used to encourage proper behavior in children. The versatile calendar could also provide positive reinforcement and structure for the family. The calendar is intended to facilitate communications between parents and children regarding facts and attitudes in the area of children's responsibility. The calendar will provide learning experiences, which will lead to improved communication between parents and children. The calendar will feature colorful graphics and would be easy to hang in any prominent location. The calendar is 0.30×0.24 made on poster paper. It is a wall calendar with all twelve months showing. There is a section where daily chores and responsibilities would be listed. When a chore is completed yardage is gained. There is an area to place chores that are not done.

Abstract: A backer plate (40) secured to leading end portion (20) of flexible film circuit (10), providing rigidity to facilitate manipulation of the circuit during mating with and unmating from a receptacle connector (26). Backer plate (40) may either be molded of insulative material or be conductive to serve as a ground connection. Backer plate (40) has side walls (48) beside the flex film that provide flanges (54) to precisely guide mating with connector (26) along slots (32), and may also provide detents (56) for retention in the connector. Backer plate (40) may also provide bosses (60) to stop forward movement at a precise location aligning the strip circuits with connector contacts (30). Flanges (54) offset from the central plane of the strip/backer plate assembly, line up with slots (32) offset from the central plane of cavity (24) in order to permit insertion only when the assembly is properly oriented, thus serving to polarize the assembly.

Abstract: A paste composition having a high thermal conductivity and a relatively low viscosity is used to provide a thermal conductive connection between an electronic component and a cooling device to increase the heat transfer rate between the component and the device cooling the electronic component. The paste composition comprises a non-aqueous dielectric carrier, thermally conductive filler particles and a specially defined dispersant comprising the self-condensation reaction product of a hydroxy fatty acid, the reaction product having an acid number of about 30-100. A 12-hydroxy stearic acid self condensed reaction product is the preferred dispersant.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector (10) including a housing (12) with a mating face (16), a rear face (18) opposite to the mating face (16), a side (20), and an end (26), the end (26) having a holding feature (30) thereon. The housing (12) is mountable onto a surface of a substrate with either the rear face (18) or the [mating face] side (20) being placed against the surface. A hold down (40) is securable to the housing feature (30). The hold down (40) has a substrate securing portion (42) and housing securing portion (46). The housing securing portion (46) is securable to the holding feature (30) in at least two orientations to secure the housing (12) to the substrate when it is mounted in either orientation.

Abstract: A scent-bearing ring adaptable for at least semi-permanent engagement with the neck of an incandescent bulb that generates both light and heat. The ring comprises an annular body having an inner layer formed to engage the bulb neck and an outer layer containing a scent or vapor-releasing agent actuable by heat. The inner layer is formed from a moldable material at least capable of resisting without substantial damage the heat generated by the bulb when the bulb is operated in a base-down position and capable of transferring the heat to the outer layer, the outer layer being moldable and porous.

Abstract: Connector (10) including a connector subassembly (20) with a pair of covers (16) secured thereover extending from a mating face (24) to a cable exit to define a strain relief section (36) extending along a portion of cable (12). A pair of latch members (60) is secured in the connector, each in a respective channel (22) defined in the covers along opposite sides of subassembly (20). Actuating sections (68) protrude rearwardly along strain relief section (36) and are deflectable theretoward during actuation to release latching sections (64) from a mating connector for unmating. Protuberances (72) of the actuating sections 68 are received into recesses (40) of the strain relief section (36), for transmitting rearwardly directed unmating force from the latch members (60) to the strain relief section of the covers (16).

Abstract: Movies are distributed and stored within a movie on demand or near movie on demand system having a number of levels of interconnectivity between and including at least one headend and at least one hub serving a plurality of end users. Distribution is determined as a function of the storage cost of a movie at each level of the system, a connection cost of each level to an end user, and a selection probability of each of the movies. Distribution of the movies between the various servers in the cable system is performed in accordance with the calculated optimal distribution.

Abstract: A reservation based bandwidth management system for a data processing system network allocates network resources to client computer systems requesting access to other computer systems within the network based on a bandwidth predicting algorithm. The bandwidth predicting algorithm utilizes an autoregressive integrated moving average trend analysis to forecast future values of bandwidth capacity at a link or system level used by elements that do not conform to a reservation policy. The bandwidth predictor may utilize a utility that analyzes the bandwidth utilization trend over a previous period of time and generates appropriate seasonal coefficients to be used by the predictor algorithm.

Abstract: Connector assembly (10) secured to cable (12) having a pair of shield members (34,36) around the connector housing (42). Lower shield (34) has a cable crimping portion (90) having a pair of upstanding side arms (94,96) that are to be crimped around the cable to ground the shielding braid (24) thereof. Upper shield (36) includes a crimp support section (104) extending rearwardly along and against the cable so that the side arms (94,96) are crimped over the crimp support section (104), whereby the upper shield is integrated into the crimped connection (102).

Abstract: Assembly (10) for terminating to cable (12) including a pair of covers (40,90) defining a cable exit (20). Channels of the covers at the cable exit have cable-clamping surfaces dimensioned to compress the cable outer jacket upon full assembly The covers include interlocking sections at the cable exit defined by latching arms (62,92) and latch-receiving recesses (72,94). Upon full assembly the latching arms latch in the recesses, and the now-compressed cable presses the latching arms to enhance maintenance of the latched condition.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) terminating a multi-wire cable (56) and adapted for mating contact with another such connector of identical construction. The connector comprises a plurality of hermaphroditic contact members (12) retained within a housing (14,16). The housing includes channels (52) for holding the wires (54) of the cable and the contact members further have insulation displacing contact portions (36) adapted to engage respective ones of the wires. The housing is formed of two parts with a latching mechanism (58,60, 62,64).

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) including at least one audio jack (36,38,40) stacked in a housing (24) with an electrical connector (80). The connector assembly is arranged for surface mounting to a circuit board (12) which is orthogonal to a metal panel (14) having openings (16,18,20,22) which provide access to the audio jacks and to the connector of the connector assembly. A ground clip (62) captured between the audio jacks and the connector assembly housing engages ground terminals (50) of the audio jacks and includes a projecting spring arm (66) which engages the metal panel, thereby providing electrical grounding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing a plurality of databases are provided for a plurality of geographically dispersed computers in receive-only communication. Each change made to a master database in a central computer is broadcast to a plurality of remote computers, each containing a replica of the master database, via a packet having an assigned next-broadcast-number and a sequential next-sequence-number. Each remote computer has means for comparing the next-broadcast-number and next-sequence-number of each received packet with the last-broadcast-number-received and last-sequence-number-received from a previous packet, and for selectively updating its replica database.

Abstract: A method of moving bed electrolysis, in which a packed bed comprising (at least superficially) conductive particles moves as a packed bed in electrolyte between two electrodes and in electronic contact with one of them, the particles emerging from the downstream end of the moving packed bed being transported, outside the electric field between the two electrodes, to a location from which they rejoin the moving packed bed at its upstream end or join the upstream end of a succeeding moving packed bed between two electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a taximeter for calculating a taxi fare based upon predetermined distance and time factors. An oscillator produces a time base pulse train and a transducer produces a distance pulse train. A modifier is controlled by the distance pulse train and modifies the time base pulse train when the distance pulse train exceeds a predetermined level. A counting device adds the modified time base pulse trains and provides a signal to a display device for indicating the taxi fare.