Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enveloping a thread of execution within an IDT-based secure sandbox. In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method performed in a computer system, the method receiving an instruction from an execution thread where the computer system can be configured for redirection of instructions from the execution thread. The method can determine whether the instruction includes at least one of an interrupt instruction, a system call instruction and a system enter instruction. In response to determining that the instruction includes at least one of the interrupt instruction, the system call instruction and the system enter instruction, the method can further: (i) eliminate the redirection, (ii) modify a stack to specify return of control, and (iii) thereafter, pass the control to an operating system kernel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enveloping a thread of execution within an IDT-based secure sandbox. In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method performed in a computer system, the method receiving an instruction from an execution thread where the computer system can be configured for redirection of instructions from the execution thread. The method can determine whether the instruction includes at least one of an interrupt instruction, a system call instruction and a system enter instruction. In response to determining that the instruction includes at least one of the interrupt instruction, the system call instruction and the system enter instruction, the method can further: (i) eliminate the redirection, (ii) modify a stack to specify return of control, and (iii) thereafter, pass the control to an operating system kernel.

Abstract: A brake caliper assembly on a utility vehicle includes a brake caliper arm pivotably mounted to a stationary actuator, and a pair of brake pads on each side of a disc coupled to a driven shaft of the utility vehicle. One of the brake pads has a pair of holes with a mounting sleeve inserted through each hole. The brake pads are moveable with respect to the mounting sleeve in response to pivotal movement of the brake caliper arm to urge the brake pads into contact with the disc. Elastomeric stabilizers are positioned in the brake pad holes around each mounting sleeve.

Abstract: This erosion control or stabilization blanket stapling apparatus is designed to be used in conjunction with all terrain vehicles for the purpose of securing erosion control or stabilization blankets on sloping construction surfaces. A framework is mounted to the all terrain vehicle for holding the staplers in position while allowing them to follow uneven terrain. The vehicle is also equipped with compressed air to power the staplers.

Abstract: A washing device is provided for removing debris from an underside of a mower having a multi-chamber cutting deck. The device includes a mounting apparatus allowing the device to be attached to a flange of the deck. Connected to the mounting apparatus is an assembly for dispersing liquid such as water and delivering the water to all portions of the underside of the deck. To accomplish this delivery, the assembly includes first and second liquid dispersion plates attached with each other and also connecting with the mounting apparatus to allow the delivery of water therethrough. Provided in one of the plates is a channel having divided end portions which elevate water upon contact so as to lift the water over an included cutting blade. Coupled with this plate is yet another plate enabling connection of the dispersion assembly to the deck and also providing a vent between the two plates. Creation of this vent then allows an emission of water reaching across the width of each of the included chambers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for printing to a selected destination in a computer system. A centralized print manager provides the implementation and control of operation for print services, such as tile printing or color separations. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes: generating print events to provide a specific print service to a client application, where the print events request information from the client application according to the specific print service; and receiving responses to the print events from the client application, where at least one response includes print data to be printed to a destination.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly is provided for a synchronous belt drive on a mower deck. A plurality of idlers are mounted for rotation on bracket. One end of the a bracket engages an abutment surface mounted on the deck which restricts its movement, whereas a second end of the bracket is acted upon by a tensioning member which acts in substantially the same direction as the abutment surface. The bracket includes an elongated slot disposed between one of the idlers and the abutment surface, and a member fixed to the deck is engageable with the slot for confining movement of the bracket.

Abstract: A fastening assembly is adapted for attaching a composite insert to a mower deck. The insert has an opening extending therethrough and a recessed portion adjacent the opening. The recessed portion has a shoulder and a first abutment surface. The assembly includes a spacer receivable in the recessed portion adjacent the shoulder. The spacer has a passage therethrough alignable with the opening in the insert, the passage having a second abutment surface. The spacer also has an outer periphery, a portion of which forms a third abutment surface alignable with the first abutment surface for non-rotatable engagement therewith. The assembly also includes a fastening member which has a head and a shank. The shank includes a threaded portion and a further portion adjacent to the head. The further portion has a fourth abutment surface engagable with the second abutment surface whereby the fastening member is non-rotatably receivable within the spacer passage and the insert opening.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly is provided for a primary drive employed in supplying rotary power from a vehicle to at least one sheave associated with a blade on a mower deck which, upon being driven, creates a tight side and a backside in a belt on opposite sides of a sheave. A bracket is pivotably supported on the mower deck and carries rotatably thereon first and second idler pulleys on respective first and second portions of the bracket. The first pulley engages the tight side of the belt, and the second pulley engages the backside of the belt. A resilient member is operatively coupled to the bracket for biasing the first and second pulleys mounted thereon toward a tensioning position wherein each of the first and second pulleys effectively lengthen a path of the belt, thereby tensioning the belt.

Abstract: A three wheeled sod laying apparatus is provided that employs a hydrostatic power system which allows the drive function and sod dispensing function to be operated at different speeds. This configuration enables the operator to vary the speed at which the sod is dispensed from the apparatus in relation to its forward speed to compensate for varying terrain or for inconsistences in the sod roll itself. The three wheeled configuration allows for a highly maneuverable vehicle that can straddle new sod as it is laid. Thus, the present invention allows for the laying of sod from large commercial sod rolls while avoiding the problems of sod buckling or tearing encountered while using presently available equipment.

Abstract: A multi-layer abstraction bucket mechanism connected between applications programs and at least one data source and providing to the users transformations of data and the results of processes performed on the data. The multi-layer abstraction bucket mechanism includes hierarchically connected abstraction layers, each including a methods object for storing methods for performing operations on data received from a data bucket of a hierarchically next lower abstraction layer, a data operation object for selecting a method to be executed by the method object, a data bucket for storing the results of an executed method, and a map for storing information for constructing the data bucket and for relating requests to methods residing in the methods object. The mechanism includes a data extraction layer and an abstraction layer. At least one abstraction layer is a data transformation layer while others include a data processing layer and a rules transformation layer for performing the rule based decision operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to database data by applications programs executing on a computer system wherein a database bucket mechanism is interposed between one or more application programs and one or more databases. The bucket mechanism is comprised of an applications interface communicating with each of the applications programs in their native modes and a bucket engine generating "buckets" containing "bucket objects". Each bucket represents a group or class of database data members and contains one or more bucket data objects containing members of the databases, a database object mapping the bucket data object to the databases and an access object containing methods for accessing the databases in their native modes. Buckets and bucket data objects are constructed by the bucket engine according to information stored in an object map and a table map.