Abstract: A casting method includes: forming a seed, the seed having a first end and a second end, the forming including bending a seed precursor; placing the seed second end in contact or spaced facing relation with a chill plate; contacting the first end with molten material; and cooling and solidifying the molten material so that a crystalline structure of the seed propagates into the solidifying material. The forming further included reducing a thickness of the seed proximate the first end relative to a thickness of the seed proximate the second end.

Abstract: A hinge for a swinging gate includes a base plate, a hinge base pivotally secured to the base plate and a mounting member connected in spaced apart relation to the hinge base by an elongate bolt. A gate-engaging member is secured to the mounting member so that pivoting of the hinge base effects conjoint pivoting of the mounting member, the gate-engaging member and a gate that it engages. An upstanding post has a pair of laterally spaced apart T-shaped slots that extend along its height. A bolt disposed within a T-shaped slot is disposed horizontally and cannot rotate. The bolts housed in a T-shaped slot screw-threadedly engage apertures formed in the corners of the base plate to secure the base plate to the upstanding post. In a second embodiment, a cantilever gate supported by a trolley assembly is secured in cantilever relation to at least one upstanding post.

Abstract: A hinge for a swinging gate includes a base plate, a hinge base pivotally secured to the base plate and a mounting member connected in spaced apart relation to the hinge base by an elongate bolt. A gate-engaging member is secured to the mounting member so that pivoting of the hinge base effects conjoint pivoting of the mounting member, the gate-engaging member and a gate that it engages. An upstanding post has a pair of laterally spaced apart T-shaped slots that extend along its height. A bolt disposed within a T-shaped slot is disposed horizontally and cannot rotate. The bolts housed in a T-shaped slot screw-threadedly engage apertures formed in the corners of the base plate to secure the base plate to the upstanding post. In a second embodiment, a cantilever gate supported by a trolley assembly is secured in cantilever relation to at least one upstanding post.

Abstract: A hinge for a swinging gate includes a base plate, a hinge base pivotally secured to the base plate and a mounting member connected in spaced apart relation to the hinge base by an elongate bolt. A gate-engaging member is secured to the mounting member so that pivoting of the hinge base effects conjoint pivoting of the mounting member, the gate-engaging member and a gate that it engages. An upstanding post has a pair of laterally spaced apart T-shaped slots that extend along its height. A bolt disposed within a T-shaped slot is disposed horizontally and cannot rotate. The bolts housed in a T-shaped slot screw-threadedly engage apertures formed in the corners of the base plate to secure the base plate to the upstanding post. In a second embodiment, a cantilever gate supported by a trolley assembly is secured in cantilever relation to at least one upstanding post.

Abstract: An off axis hydraulic pump for an automatic motor vehicle transmission includes an integrated chain and sprocket assembly. A first, chain drive sprocket is mounted on a shaft driven by an input to a torque converter and a second, driven chain sprocket is attached to a stub shaft which drives the pump. A multi-link chain encircles the sprockets and transfers drive torque from the torque converter input to the stub shaft. The first, chain drive sprocket is retained on the input shaft by a retainer cap which includes seals between both the shaft and a torque converter housing. The second, driven chain sprocket is retained on the stub shaft by a snap ring or similar component.

Abstract: A bolt includes a body and a threaded portion formed on the body. The bolt further includes a phosphate base coat, which covers at least the body and is in direct contact with the body. The bolt also includes a PTFE overcoat, which substantially covers the phosphate base coat and is separated from the body of the bolt by the phosphate base coat.

Abstract: An off axis hydraulic pump for an automatic motor vehicle transmission includes an integrated chain and sprocket assembly. A first, chain drive sprocket is mounted on a shaft driven by an input to a torque converter and a second, driven chain sprocket is attached to a stub shaft which drives the pump. A multi-link chain encircles the sprockets and transfers drive torque from the torque converter input to the stub shaft. The first, chain drive sprocket is retained on the input shaft by a retainer cap which includes seals between both the shaft and a torque converter housing. The second, driven chain sprocket is retained on the stub shaft by a snap ring or similar component.

Abstract: An on-line community for individuals with similar interests to meet and play/discuss their favorite casino games and for casinos and individuals to negotiate terms and conditions of a gambling vacation is provided. Such an on-line community provides a location for gaming content developers to have on-line digital version of their casino games vetted by the individuals who would play the live version of the games on a casino floor and, also, have their games reviewed and purchased/leased by casino operators.

Abstract: A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.

Abstract: A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.

Abstract: A device and system for monitoring food is described. The food monitoring device has a temperature sensor and a temperature sensor base. The temperature sensor base has a transmitter and a microphone. The temperature sensor base is electrically coupled to the temperature sensor. A monitor having a speaker and a receiver communicates with the transmitter of the temperature sensor base. The transmitter of the temperature sensor base transmits a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and an audio signal produced by the microphone.

Abstract: A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.

Abstract: A process is provided to stabilize and/or reactivate an olefin production catalyst system which comprises contacting an olefin production catalyst system, either before or after use, with an aromatic compound.

Abstract: A finger protection device for a musician for preventing injury to the fingertips of a person playing a stringed instrument. The finger includes a glove having palm portion, a back hand portion, a thumb receiving member and a plurality of finger receiving members. The glove has an opening therein for receiving the hand of a user. Each of the finger members includes an end portion. The tips of the fingers of the user are extendable into the end portions such that the end portions cover the tips of the fingers. Each of the end portions comprises an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A distributed network data management system implementing centralized management control over the transfer of data files from data servers to remote client computer systems, where the data file transfers are performed in response to requests issued by the remote client computer systems. The distributed network data management system includes a control server system having a control file store coupleable through a communications network to a client computer system. The control server system can provide a predetermined control file to the client computer system in response to a request provided by the client computer system autonomously determined by the client computer system based on a prior provided control file. The control file includes an identification of data files and a set of data servers from which the data files can be requested for transfer to the client computer system.

Abstract: A roof structure for enclosures for swimming pools, spas, or patios and the like includes a plurality of laterally spaced angled roof beams each having a plurality of vertically spaced tracks on facing sides of adjacent beams for sliding receipt of one roof panel in each opposed set of tracks. The trailing ends of each higher panel is releasably latched to the leading end of each succeeding lower panel within their respective tracks, whereby the succeeding lower panels can be successively used to push or pull the preceding higher panels by hand along their respective tracks during assembly and removal of the panels from the roof structure.

Abstract: A flip-flop is provided having a data gate circuit for receiving input data and generating therefrom first and second complementary internal data signals representative of the input data. A master circuit is coupled to the data gate circuit for receiving a clock pulse and for latching the internal data signals during a predetermined portion of the clock pulse. A slave circuit is coupled to the master circuit for storing the internal data signals. A reset circuit supplies a synchronous reset signal to the master circuit for resetting the first and second complementary internal data signals on the occurrence of the next clock pulse.

Abstract: A halter type nursing bottle support comprising a flexible strap adapted to be extended around the neck of a person holding an infant in one arm, and a flattened loop of elastic strip material being secured to one end of said strap in coaxial relationship therewith and adapted to be extended around the midportion of a nursing bottle to support the same in suspended manner from the neck of the person holding the infant. Snap-type fastening means connect the opposite ends of the flexible strap together in adjustable manner to determine the preferred position of the nursing bottle relative to the neck of the wearer.