Abstract: A guardrail assembly comprising a first bracket coupled to a first vertical surface and a second bracket coupled to a second vertical surface spaced from the first vertical surface. The first bracket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket supports a first horizontal rail and comprises a first support surface and two walls extending from the first support surface to define a gap therebetween to receive the first rail. The first socket defines an opening at an end of the two walls to allow the first horizontal rail to be removed from the first socket by lifting the rail. The second socket is similar to the first socket and supports a second rail. The second bracket is similar to the first bracket, with a third socket supporting a second portion of the first rail, and a fourth socket supporting a second portion of the second rail.

Abstract: A guardrail assembly comprising a first bracket coupled to a first vertical surface and a second bracket coupled to a second vertical surface spaced from the first vertical surface. The first bracket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket supports a first horizontal rail and comprises a first support surface and two walls extending from the first support surface to define a gap therebetween to receive the first rail. The first socket defines an opening at an end of the two walls to allow the first horizontal rail to be removed from the first socket by lifting the rail. The second socket is similar to the first socket and supports a second rail. The second bracket is similar to the first bracket, with a third socket supporting a second portion of the first rail, and a fourth socket supporting a second portion of the second rail.

Abstract: An engagement index reflects a user's level of engagement with a digital resource. Actions of the user, such as the amount of time spent on a page, the number of pages accessed, the amount of time spent in a session, and the number and type of annotations made may be used as factors in the determination of the engagement index. Data values corresponding to one or more of the factors are received and are validated to eliminate any extreme values and to make the values comparable with one another. Different validation methods may be used for different factors. Once the data values are validated, weighting coefficients are applied to the validated values. The system then determines the engagement index by summing the weighted values. Once calculated, the engagement index may be aggregated with other engagement indexes or compared to engagement indexes for other users.

Abstract: An engagement index reflects a user's level of engagement with a digital resource. Actions of the user, such as the amount of time spent on a page, the number of pages accessed, the amount of time spent in a session, and the number and type of annotations made may be used as factors in the determination of the engagement index. Data values corresponding to one or more of the factors are received and are validated to eliminate any extreme values and to make the values comparable with one another. Different validation methods may be used for different factors. Once the data values are validated, weighting coefficients are applied to the validated values. The system then determines the engagement index by summing the weighted values. Once calculated, the engagement index may be aggregated with other engagement indexes or compared to engagement indexes for other users.

Abstract: A collapsible artificial Christmas tree that opens and retracts like an umbrella has an elongate trunk with a branch hinge connected to a trunk. A tree branch is rotatably connected to the branch hinge. A slide ring is slidably connected to the trunk. A branch lift rod is rotatably connected to the slide ring. The branch lift rod is rotatably connected to the tree branch for moving the tree branch when the slide ring slidably moves on the trunk.

Abstract: A polymeric surfactant comprises the reaction product of ethylentcally unsaturated monomers at least 40 percent by weight of which are acid group containing monomers, including a combination of both acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, at least a portion of the acid groups being neutralized by a base. Also disclosed is an aqueous acrylic latex made by polymerizing a second polymer from ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of said polymeric surfactant, whereby the latex comprises polymeric particles containing two polymers. The latex may be used to advantage in very low V.O.C. coatings that may be spray applied.

Abstract: There is provided herein a stable water-based internally-crosslinkable unsaturated polyurethane composition containing unsaturated groups comprising an allyl group and another ethylenically unsaturated group that can react with the allyl group to form a solvent resistant coating.

Abstract: A method of forming a multilayered coating on a substrate involves the steps of:(I) applying to the surface of a substrate an aqueous based film forming composition comprising color pigments and an aqueous polyurethane dispersion comprising the reaction product of:(a) a substantially branched, isocyanate containing prepolymer; and(b) a polyamine having primary and/or secondary amino groups;(II) applying a clear film forming composition over the basecoat of step (I);(III) allowing the clear composition of step (II) to at least partially dry or cure to form a transparent topcoat over said basecoat.

Abstract: A coating composition contains;A. an ungelled Michael adduct formed by reacting, under conditions sufficient to form a Michael adduct,(a) a material containing one or more primary and/or secondary amino groups and at least two hydroxyl groups;(b) a material containing at least two alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated moieties; with the proviso that the reactants (a) and (b) are selected such that the resultant Michael adduct contains hydroxyl functionality; andB. a curing agent adapted to crosslink with the hydroxyl functionality present on the Michael adduct; said adduct being stable under the curing conditions for the coating composition.The aforedescribed coating compositions are particularly useful as anti-chip primers.

Abstract: A coating composition has as its principal constituents(i) an isocyanate terminated urethane containing material; and(ii) a phosphatized polyepoxide essentially free of oxirane groups.The coating composition has excellent elongation and is particularly useful as a coating applied directly to metal. The coating composition is also useful as a primer in the preparation of multilayer coatings having good flexibility.

Abstract: A coating composition is composed of a material or mixture of materials adapted to provide a source of:(i) carbonate moieties;(ii) isocyanate groups; and(iii) phosphatized polyepoxide essentially free of oxirane groups.The coating composition has excellent elongation and is particularly useful as a coating applied directly to metal. The coating composition is also useful as a primer in the preparation of multilayer coatings having good flexibility.