Abstract: Binding members for alpha chain of receptor for granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSFR?), especially antibody molecules. Use of the binding members in treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergic response, multiple sclerosis, myeloid leukaemia and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A guiding chain carrier system (1) is configured for an installation (2), for deploying and for storing without folding said guiding chain and flexible supply cables and/or pipelines. Said guiding chain carrier system comprises a mobile workstation (6) movable over a work surface (3) and connected to the said cables and/or pipelines, at least one guiding chain (20), connected to a static connection area (7) on one end and to the mobile workstation (6) on the other end thereof, for supporting said cables and/or pipelines; characterized by at least one compensation trolley (8), comprising a compensation system. Said compensation trolley (8) is movable and the compensation system is able to generate a resistance force in order to maintain the guiding chain (20) straight while the mobile workstation (6) moves from an operation location nearest the static connection area (7) until an operation location furthest from the static connection area (7).

Abstract: A system comprising a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) card, a smart phone or device, and a remote server having a database holding safety equipment inspection information is disclosed. The NFC Card/Sticker is attached to or placed near a piece of safety equipment. The NFC Card/Sticker holds information which, when tapped by a smart phone, launches a website onto the smart phone associated with the remote server which, in turn, provides inspection instructions for the specific piece of safety equipment to which it is attached. The website provides the inspection instructions such as a checklist or images required to inspect the safety equipment for functionality and compliance. The user follows the inspection instructions, and then provides inspection results to the remote server via the smart phone. The remote server reports on the functional status of the safety equipment and generates an alert indicating when safety equipment is out-of-compliance or not functioning.

Abstract: A sensor module for use in a low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The sensor module may include a substrate configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor module may further include a force sensing element disposed upon the substrate. The force sensing element may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon, and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a sensor reading. The sensor module may also include a wiring harness connected to the force sensing element. The wiring harness may be configured to transmit the sensor reading to a control module. The substrate may define an aperture configured to surround a fastening element used to fasten the seat to the floor pan of the vehicle.

Abstract: A low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The system may include a sensor assembly configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor assembly may include a plurality of sensor modules. Each sensor module of the plurality of sensor modules may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a plurality of sensor readings. The system may also include a control module connected to the plurality of sensor modules. The control module may be configured to determine a weight of an occupant of the seat of the vehicle based on the plurality of sensor readings.

Abstract: A sensor module for use in a low-cost weight-measurement and sensing system is provided. The sensor module may include a substrate configured to be mounted between a floor pan of a vehicle and a seat of the vehicle. The sensor module may further include a force sensing element disposed upon the substrate. The force sensing element may be configured to sense a force applied thereupon, and generate a reading representative of the force applied thereupon in response thereto to provide a sensor reading. The sensor module may also include a wiring harness connected to the force sensing element. The wiring harness may be configured to transmit the sensor reading to a control module. The substrate may define an aperture configured to surround a fastening element used to fasten the seat to the floor pan of the vehicle.

Abstract: A structural flag assembly includes a structural flag panel and one or more clamps coupled along a first edge of the structural flag panel. The one or more clamps are movable between open and grasping positions. The one or more clamps couple the structural flag panel to a base object. The structural flag panel extends from a first edge to a second edge. In one example, one or more rotatable joints are coupled between the structural flag panel and the one or more clamps. The structural flag panel is rotatable relative to the one or more clamps and with the one or more rotatable joints. In the grasping position, the one or more clamps are static relative to the base object, and the structural flag panel is free to rotate relative to the one or more clamps.

Abstract: An aerostat deployment system includes fore and aft envelope housings with respective folded fore and aft portions of an inflatable aerostat envelope therein. A support frame is interposed between the fore and aft envelope housings, and a payload is coupled with the inflatable aerostat envelope between the fore and aft envelope housings at the time of deployment inflation. One or more of the fore or aft envelope housings includes a brake configured to control unrolling of the folded fore or aft portions. In one example, the folded aft portion of the inflatable aerostat envelope including a tail portion is inflated prior to inflation of the folded fore portion.

Abstract: A laser welding system includes a free-spacing beam delivery laser head having a linear array of at least two laser diodes. Each of the diodes generates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength and spectral width, the laser beams adapted to weld a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component being substantially transmissive to the wavelength, the other component being substantially absorptive of the wavelength. A lens is spaced a predetermined distance from each of the laser diodes, each of the lenses adapted to focus the respective laser beam into a focused laser beam segment, thereby forming a continuous line of laser energy from a substantially serial combination of each focused laser beam segment. The continuous line of laser energy is in a plane containing the workpiece, and is substantially orthogonal to the workpiece translation direction.

Abstract: A bathing toy kit system for use in a bathtub, the bathing toy kit system includes a bathing fluid and a plurality of buoyant decorative play elements for use in the bathing fluid. Each of the decorative play elements is structurally independent of each other element, and has a subject matter relationship to one another to create a predetermined thematic environment in the bathing fluid. A water tinting material colors the water as appropriate to the thematic environment. An aromatic material produces an aroma consistent with the predetermined thematic environment. The decorative play elements are formed of any combination of buoyant floating toys, soap, bubble bath, sponges, fizz-producing materials, and loofa. They are configured in the appearance of vegetables, pasta, insects, human organs, or alphanumeric characters, and are packaged in a reusable and container having openings to provide airflow.

Abstract: A laser welding system includes a free-spacing beam delivery laser head having a linear array of at least two laser diodes. Each of the diodes generates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength and spectral width, the laser beams adapted to weld a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component being substantially transmissive to the wavelength, the other component being substantially absorptive of the wavelength. A lens is spaced a predetermined distance from each of the laser diodes, each of the lenses adapted to focus the respective laser beam into a focused laser beam segment, thereby forming a continuous line of laser energy from a substantially serial combination of each focused laser beam segment. The continuous line of laser energy is in a plane containing the workpiece, and is substantially orthogonal to the workpiece translation direction.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus has a plurality of axially elongated flotation elements and a flexible web with a plurality of slits that accommodate the elongated flotation elements as a woven array. The slits each have a semicircular, S-like, or wave-like configurations. Respectively associated pairs of slits are oriented in inverted manner with respect to one another to form a supportive region between each pair of slits. At least one flexible web element is configured in some embodiments to have an elongated central portion with first and second slits therethrough for accommodating respective ones of first and second end terminations of the flexible web element after wrapping around respective ones of the first and second noodle elements. One or two flexible web elements wrap snugly around the respective ones of the first and second noodle elements.

Abstract: A laser welding system includes a free-spacing beam delivery laser head having a linear array of at least two laser diodes. Each of the diodes generates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength and spectral width, the laser beams adapted to weld a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component being substantially transmissive to the wavelength, the other component being substantially absorptive of the wavelength. A lens is spaced a predetermined distance from each of the laser diodes, each of the lenses adapted to focus the respective laser beam into a focused laser beam segment, thereby forming a continuous line of laser energy from a substantially serial combination of each focused laser beam segment. The continuous line of laser energy is in a plane containing the workpiece, and is substantially orthogonal to the workpiece translation direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for squeezing pipes, comprising a first jaw having a first squeezing surface and a second jaw having a second squeezing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw are interconnected for relative displacement at proximal ends through a first shaft of the apparatus and at distal ends through a second shaft of the apparatus. The first squeezing surface and the second squeezing surface are separated by a gap adapted to receive a pipe therein. The first jaw is rotatable with respect to the first shaft and engageable with the second shaft such that the apparatus is mountable about a pipe with the pipe being positioned in the gap between the first and the second shaft.

Abstract: A laser welding system includes a free-spacing beam delivery laser head having a linear array of at least two laser diodes. Each of the diodes generates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength and spectral width, the laser beams adapted to weld a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component being substantially transmissive to the wavelength, the other component being substantially absorptive of the wavelength. A lens is spaced a predetermined distance from each of the laser diodes, each of the lenses adapted to focus the respective laser beam into a focused laser beam segment, thereby forming a continuous line of laser energy from a substantially serial combination of each focused laser beam segment. The continuous line of laser energy is in a plane containing the workpiece, and is substantially orthogonal to the workpiece translation direction.

Abstract: A nursing bottle includes an outer open body which houses a flexible casings that is intended co contain the fluid food product, a flexible nipple which is used to dispense the product, a check valve which is disposed between the opening in the casings and the nipple and, close to the end of the nipple which is pierced with at least one slit, a second check valve which can open and close depending on whether or not suction and/or pressure respectively is/are being applied. The nipple is provided with a mechanism to enable the slit to switch from a closed position in an impervious manner to an open position such that the food product can pass therethrough when a predetermined pressure is exerted by the mandible. In this way, the slit forms the second check valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for squeezing pipes, comprising a first jaw having a first squeezing surface and a second jaw having a second squeezing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw are interconnected for relative displacement at proximal ends through a first shaft of the apparatus and at distal ends through a second shaft of the apparatus. The first squeezing surface and the second squeezing surface are separated by a gap adapted to receive a pipe therein. The first jaw is rotatable with respect to the first shaft and engageable with the second shaft such that the apparatus is mountable about a pipe with the pipe being positioned in the gap between the first and the second shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of provisioning communication service attributes for a subscriber accessing a node in communication network. In an embodiment, the method comprises: (i) creating a profile of said communication service attributes, each of said attributes being assigned a value; and (ii) selectively associating said profile with a particular subscriber for access to said communication network. In another embodiment, the profile of said communication service attributes is embodied in a subscriber service provisioning profile for storing shared subscriber service attributes that are common to a plurality of subscribers in a class; and the subscriber accesses the communication network through a subscriber service, the subscriber service being associated with the subscriber service provisioning profile.

Abstract: An ion thruster has a hollow cathode assembly including a heater with an inner ceramic sleeve and an outer ceramic sleeve. The outer ceramic sleeve overlies the inner ceramic sleeve with a filament volume between the two sleeves. A wound filament has windings disposed within the filament volume, and a mass of ceramic powder fills the remaining portion of the filament volume between the windings of the filament. A cathode is disposed within the inner ceramic sleeve of the heater. The heater is assembled by preparing the filament and forming it into a wound cylinder, and then encapsulating it and the powder between the inner and the outer ceramic sleeves. The hollow cathode assembly may serve as a portion of a plasma source or as a portion of a charge neutralizer.

Abstract: An ion thruster includes a source of a plasma of ions and electrons, and an ion-optics system located in sufficient proximity to the source of the plasma to extract ions therefrom. The ion-optics system has at least two domed grids arranged in a facing-but-spaced-apart relationship to each other. Each grid has a local reference vector that is perpendicular to the surface of the grid and a reference plane perpendicular to the reference vector. Each of the grids is formed of anisotropic pyrolytic graphite having an “ab” crystallographic plane that lies substantially in the reference plane. In one form, the “ab” crystallographic plane lies coplanar with the reference plane at all locations on each domed grid made of pyrolytic graphite. In another form, the “ab” crystallographic plane has a constant orientation at all locations on the domed grid.