Abstract: A vehicle window interior shade assembly includes a vehicle shade support structure, a first shade, a second shade, and a trim member. The vehicle shade support structure is configured for installation adjacent to a window opening. The first shade and second shades are movably coupled to the vehicle shade support structure to move between respective retracted positions and extended positions. The trim member is coupled to a first leading edge portion of the first shade and includes an elongated recess configured to releasably receive a second leading edge portion of the second shade to form a continuous shade structure when the first and second shades are in both in their extended positions.

Abstract: A pair of spaced upright masts each support at opposite sides two opposed guides providing respective tracks for travellers. The travellers are independently vertically moveable along their respective tracks by cables wound around motor-driven pulleys at their upper ends. A gas strut inside the upper end portion of each track is engaged by the corresponding traveller when the associated screen approaches and passes through a horizontal plane. The compressive resistance offered by the strut when engaged by the traveller increases the load on the traveller. This increase in load compensates for a reduction in the downward thrust exerted on the traveller by the weight of the associated screen as it passes through the horizontal plane. Instability in the positioning of the screen is thus avoided so that the two screens can be stably positioned in parallel sloping but spaced planes. Thus the area protected from above by the screens can be safely maximized.

Abstract: An electronic menu and concierge system (100) for the travel and hospitality industry. The electronic menu and concierge system (100) is a centralized, Internet-hosted service that is accessible by hotel guests and visitors. The system may provide hotel information, such as hotel events (162), directions (248), and local attractions (166). Food and/or beverages services (270) and merchandise may also be ordered through the system (100).

Abstract: An aircraft display and control system generally includes a processor, a cursor control and selection device, a multifunction keyboard, an aeronautical information database, a geographic database, and a plurality of display devices. Users, such as an aircraft pilot and copilot, can perform flight plan entry and modification by manipulating graphical and textual information on the display devices using the cursor control device and the multifunction keyboard. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an interface to flight deck information systems that is intuitive and easy to use, and which enables flight crew members to easily and effectively enter and modify data displayed by the aircraft flight deck, substantially centralizes avionics controls within one controller, and decreases flight crew “heads-down” time.

Abstract: A display system according to various aspects of the present invention provides systems and methods for an integrated graphical user interface which facilitates the interactive and dynamic display aircraft data. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a user (e.g., a pilot) provides input to a processor and receives visual feedback via a display produced by one or more monitors. The display includes various graphical elements according to the operator's commands and a predetermined set of rules. By adjusting the information on the display, the user may view the desired information according to the operator's current needs and interests.

Abstract: An article of furniture includes two rigid parallel panels spaced apart by removable rigid members and each having a convex under edge serving as a rocker. A platen of spaced and relatively inflexible elements, such as bamboo rods, is draped over the upper edges of the two panels so that it overlaps the panels and provides a surface on which a person can recline. A massaging assembly between the panels is reciprocable along tracks so that the undersides of the elements are engaged in turn by wheels of the assembly to provide a massaging effect on the underside of a person reclining on the platen.

Abstract: A fixture for mounting in soft earth or sand to anchor the lower end of a pole, comprises an upright post (1) having radially extending fins (3) extending along its length. A rectangular steel bar lattice (5) is attached to the post (1) which has a cap plate (2) to which the lower end of the pole can be bolted. The fixture has the post mounted in a post hole and the lattice buried in a well of rectangular cross-section surrounding the upper end-portion of the post. The post and lattice are united with one another so that the lattice resists tilting of the post.

Abstract: An overhead screen of gull wing profile is supported by a traveller running on a mast extending vertically beside one longitudinal edge of the screen. The upper surface of the screen is attached to three, spaced parallel support tubes and its gull wing profile is maintained by members attached to opposite longitudinal edges of the screen. Tie bars converge inwardly towards the ends of a cross tree at the top of an inclined upper portion of the mast, and the tie bars are pivoted at their ends to the cross trees and to intermediate positions on the outer tubes adjacent the mast and can be raised and lowered by a hand winch on the traveller. The screen is movable from the overhead position illustrated, to a vertical position at which it is lowered and lies alongside the mast with the mast accommodated in the central valley of the gull wing profile of the screen.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods which overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing improved control of cursor commands directed by a user (such as a pilot). Various embodiments of the invention include such user interface cursor control enhancements as caging, snapping, hysteresis, combinations of ‘relative’ and ‘absolute’ cursor data, integration of discrete button movement with continuous cursor movement, and different gain algorithms. The invention may be implemented in a cockpit display, a flight simulator, a graphical flight planning application, or in any other application having a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A pendantly-supported swing chair has a mobile stand supporting a cross bar over which passes the upper ends of two parallel ropes. Each rope provides two upwardly extending portions which pass through, and hold in place at vertically-spaced positions, two rigid wooden support members. A bamboo platen has respective end areas providing an overhead sun screen supported by one pair of support members and a seat supported by the second pair of support members. The intermediate area of the screen provides a back rest and may be formed with a lumbar support. Arm rests movable to chosen positions on the ropes may be provided for comfort. Holes through which the ropes pass enable the heights of the seat and sun screen to be varied as well as their angles.

Abstract: A pendantly-supported swing chair has a mobile stand supporting a cross bar over which passes the upper ends of two parallel ropes. Each rope provides two upwardly extending portions which pass through, and hold in place at vertically-spaced positions, two rigid wooden support members. A bamboo platen has respective end areas providing an overhead sun screen supported by one pair of support members and a seat supported by the second pair of support members. The intermediate area of the screen provides a back rest and may be formed with a lumbar support. Arm rests movable to chosen positions on the ropes may be provided for comfort. Holes through which the ropes pass enable the heights of the seat and sun screen to be varied as well as their angles.

Abstract: The tape head of the present invention has a substrate and a closure separated by a gap. The tape head is of the type having a flat closure module. The gap layers disposed in the gap include a recording track layer and a patterned gap layer. The recording track layer has a nonplanar topography along said gap that is defined by at least one of a read track and a write track. The patterned gap layer is disposed over substantially an entire surface of the gap side surface of the closure. The patterned gap layer is etched so as to selectively define a topography along said gap that inversely corresponds to the nonplanar topography of the recording track layer. As a result, the patterned gap layer fills any localized air space that would otherwise exist in the gap due to the nonplanar topography of the recording track layer. By filling the localized air space in the gap, microchipping is reduced and/or eliminated in the tape head of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying real time navigational information on a vehicle including an informational database which is loaded and stored on an electronic medium within the vehicle. An intermediate database is created from the informational database and stored on the electronic medium. The contents of the intermediate database are transmitted to a color display unit for continuous real time display to the vehicle's operator based upon a desired reference point. In one embodiment, the intermediate database is created by fusing preselected information from the informational database and projecting the preselected information to correspond to a common graphical coordinate axis.

Abstract: A long range internal pipe inspection/maintenance system comprising an elongated, flexible push snake including an outer protective sleeve for insertion in the pipe and for carrying pipe inspection equipment, and a driven mechanism for applying tension to the snake to facilitate movement of the snake through the pipe to increase the snake inspection range.

Abstract: A microfilter (4) for fitting into a filter-box of an infants incubator comprises a pad (22) of non-woven filtering material enclosed in an envelope (21) of water-repellent cohesive and non-woven material which is highly permeable to air and oxygen. The envelope prevents the escape of fibrous particles from the pad and has one side colored differently from the other to reduce the risk of being replaced back-to-front in the filterbox. The envelope may be placed in a similar envelope. It may also have one face of multilayer construction with the layers individually removable so that they can be discarded when dirty.

Abstract: A microfilter (4) for fitting into a filter-box of an infants incubator comprises a pad (22) of non-woven filtering material enclosed in an envelope (21) of water-repellent cohesive and non-woven material which is highly permeable to air and oxygen. The envelope prevents the escape of fibrous particles from the pad and has one side colored differently from the other to reduce the risk of being replaced back-to-front in the filter-box. The envelope may be placed in a similar envelope. It may also have one face of multilayer construction with the layers individually removable so that they can be discarded when dirty.

Abstract: Trimerized isocyanates having improved solubility in polyisocyanates are prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with a low equivalent weight polyol to form a first prepolymer, forming a cotrimer from said first prepolymer by reaction of same with diphenylmethane diisocyanate or polymeric derivatives thereof, and forming a second isocyanate terminated prepolymer by reacting said cotrimer with a second low equivalent weight polyol. The resulting cotrimer can be diluted in a polyisocyanate and used to prepare polymers, particularly polyurethane foams, having excellent properties.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foams having improved flame resistance and "guide factor" are prepared by reacting a copolymer polyahl, isocyanate-terminated prepolymer containing a cotrimer of MDI and a blowing agent.