Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for playing a series of discrete digital selections, such a MP3 files, from a selection database selected at least in part on user preference ratings, receiving user preference feedback for a particular selection while the particular selection is playing, and altering the user preference rating for the particular selection based upon the user preference feedback received. The user preference feedback may be provided in the form of a new user preference rating or an instruction to increment or decrement the current user preference rating. Alternatively, the user preference feedback may be determined by user interaction with standard controls, such as an increase in a user preference rating for a selection upon determining that a user has replayed the selection.

Abstract: Rather than using a command interpreter or dispatch table, commands within a messaging system are given a name which matches the filename for the class file implementing the command. A command name, or command number, may be subsequently passed to a server in a messaging system and used to dynamically load and instantiate a message command by loading a class of the same name. Additional command classes may therefore be added or deleted, at runtime, from client or server code without halting the application. An error condition is signaled when the command name is unrecognized, when the command code is unavailable or when there are problems instantiating an instance of the command class. Once the class code is loaded, a new instance of the class is created and the command object may be utilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorbing assembly including a steering assembly for a vehicle, such as a mobile crane, and consisting of a shock absorbing leg including an outer tube securable to the frame of the vehicle, a wheel carrier telescopically extensible downwards from the outer tube by a piston/cylinder unit, and a steering assembly for the wheel carrier. The steering assembly includes a steering input coupler at the top end of the shock absorbing leg for transmitting steering forces to the wheel carrier through the piston/cylinder unit.

Abstract: A steering system for a multiple-axle vehicle includes a front axle steering arrangement steering at least one pair of front wheels connected to at least one front axle, a middle axle steering arrangement steering at least one pair of middle wheels connected to at least one middle axle, and a first connector operationally connecting the middle axle steering arrangement to the front axle steering arrangement. A rear axle steering arrangement steers at least one pair of rear wheels connected to at least one rear axle, and an adjustable connector adjustably connects the middle axle steering arrangement to the rear axle steering arrangement. A controller controls the middle axle steering arrangement based on sensor output indicative of a ratio of a steering deflection angle of the front wheels to a steering deflection angle of the rear wheels.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a display unit, for use in a motor vehicle for digital presentation of vehicle operational data, is located within a housing having a display face. A multi-way push button is accessible on the display face and extends into the housing for operating at least two switches. The push button is pivotally mounted for operating different ones of the switches when specific operational data is desired.

Abstract: A document feeding mechanism including a feed chute pivotally mounted on an axle to enable positioning of the input location for the documents is formed to include a power transmission mechanism for the document transport elements which power transmission mechanism is also carried by the same axle.

Abstract: In a mercury switch composed of a closed tubular glass envelope and at least one pair of electrodes extending through one end of the envelope and presenting terminals located within the region enclosed by the envelope and adjacent the one end thereof, the envelope is formed to have two indentations located opposite one another, spaced from the ends of the envelope, and spaced at a greater distance than the terminals from the one end, the indentations projecting toward one another to define, within the region enclosed by the envelope, a gap for the passage of mercury between the ends of such region.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for manufacturing a load-bearing structural element, and a housing for such manufacture. The method includes positioning outer shell assemblies in the housing to form a hollow space, and positioning honeycomb plates and a central support assembly within the outer shells. The outer shell assemblies are thereafter forced toward each other whereby the edges of the plates are firmly pressed against the adjacent surfaces of the assemblies. The plates and shell assemblies are rigidly interconnected by welding, with the atmospheric conditions in the hollow space being controlled as desired. The housing includes means to initially space the components in the housing prior to pressing and welding.

Abstract: An improved light-transmissive building element useful for walls, ceilings, roofs, windows, or the like consists of at least two light-transmitting flat sheets, such as panels, panes, and the like, which, together with a suitable frame, define a hollow space in which sound- and heat-insulating means are arranged. A number of transparent, static flat sheets, such as foils of plastic or elastically tensioned, flexible, thin plastic panels which may be coated with light-transmissive metal layers or the like are inserted in said hollow space at a small distance from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of blank areas of sheet metal otherwise coated with layers of synthetic materials, lacquers, foils or the like, wherein apparatus is provided for covering the blank areas with tape or cord by temporarily moving a means for applying the tapes or cords towards, along and away from the sheet material and, if desired, pressing the same on and/or drying the same on the sheet metal.

Abstract: A wall unit having a vapor-proof evacuatable envelope and a supporting core in the envelope. Wall shells form the outer sides of the element, and screw means extend through and rigidly interconnect the wall shells and thus the element, the screw means having flanges which can be adjusted toward or away from each other to adjust the pressure applied to the wall element by the screw means. Horizontal and vertical reinforcement means are pre-stressed and cast in the outer wall shell.

Abstract: A hollow-chamber composite structural element is capable of carrying high load and is prestressed in the direction of its length and against the direction of loading. The element comprises two outer structural shells connected with each other, with supporting elements arranged between them. A stressing spindle is arranged within the structural element parallel to the outer structural shells and coinciding with the intended main direction of loading of the structural element. The spindle bears axially spaced threaded sleeves which are fastened in non-rotating manner in the structural element and have flange-like transverse supports which are operatively connected at their free edges with said outer structural shells.

Abstract: A loadbearing construction unit which is compression-resistant and bending-resistant and formed of at least one shell and associated support elements. The support elements comprise at least two plate or rodlike elements which are tensioned with respect to each other to obtain a compressive or tensile stress on the elements.

Abstract: An improved heat and cold insulating flexible composite element comprises at least one radiation chamber with walls of flexible material having reflecting surfaces. Opposite walls of said chamber are resiliently spaced from each other by suitable spacing elements. Preferably the chambers are enclosed by an envelope which may also be formed of flexible reflecting sheets.

Abstract: Electroplating of the unprotected cut edges of sheet metal panels coated with an electrically non-conductive protective coating as said edges are formed on cutting the panels to shape, is effected in a highly economical manner by forming a pile of said panels so that the cut edge portions of said panels are substantially aligned with the edge portion of the electrically non-conductive protective coating, bringing at least one side face of said pile with the cut edges in contact with the electroplating electrolyte, connecting each single panel to an electroplating current source, and electroplating the cut edges of each panel. Sheet metal panels without coating or with an electrically conductive coating are electroplated in the described manner by interposing electrically non-conductive layers between the sheet metal panels at least at their margins to prevent penetration of the electrolyte between the panels and conductive contact of the panels with each other.

Abstract: A wall unit comprising oppositely disposed panels defining a cavity between them, the cavity containing insulating means and being filled with dry air or other dry gas, for example nitrogen, the cavity being connected to a volume compensation device for the air or gas.