Abstract: The invention is a wedge-shaped support adapted to be fastened to a user's lower leg to provide comfort when the user is kneeling on an inclined roof, used in pairs. Each shin wedge comprises a wedge of lightweight material capable of supporting the user's weight. The acute dihedral angle of each wedge is approximately equal to the pitch angle of the roof on which the wedge kneepads are being used, thereby providing a substantially horizontal upper kneeling surface when the wedge is oriented towards the peak of the roof. The wedge's lower surface typically comprises a durable pad that prevents premature abrasion of the lightweight material and improves grip onto the inclined surface. Each wedge's upper surface typically includes a soft layer that serves as an ergonomic kneeling pad for the user. An attachment harness secures the wedge kneepad to the user's shin and thigh or knee.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has a pair of opposing bead portions 14, each bead portion 14 has a bead core 23 and a bead apex 24; at least one carcass reinforcing ply 12 having radially oriented steel cords 22, the at least one carcass reinforcing ply 12 has a main portion 18 and two turnups 20, one turnup 20 extending from each end of the main portion 18 and having a terminal end 21, the carcass reinforcing ply main portion 18 extends between the opposing bead cores 23 and turnups 20 are located axially outward of the bead core 23 and a portion of the bead apex 24; and two pairs of steel cord reinforced chippers, one pair adjacent each turnup, each pair having one inner chipper 40 being adjacent and on an axially inner side of the turnup 20 and one outer chipper 30 being adjacent on an axially outer side of the turnup 20, the inner and outer chippers 40, 30 being adjacent the turnup 20 each have a terminal end 41, 31 extending radially outward of the terminal end 21 of the turnup 20.

Abstract: A tire tread 2 for a vehicle tire has a plurality of tread elements 10 extending radially outwardly from a tread base 24 to a radially outer surface. Each tread element 10 is defined by adjacent grooves 12, 14. The tread 2 has at least one tread element 10 projecting from the tread base 24 and having one or more tread wear indicators TWI 20. Each TWI 20 is located at the intersection of two grooves 12, 14 adjacent or integral to the at least one tread element 10.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for automatic installation and maintenance of hardware and/or software in the system nodes of a distributed computer system, in particular in a distributed automation system, comprising a system installation and/or system maintenance tool that can be activated from every system node of the distributed system. The system installation and/or system maintenance tool (WZ) selects a software package and/or a functional component, and automatically executes the maintenance steps of the selected software package and/or of the selected functional component as regards the distribution, installation and/or configuration of the software package and/or of the selected functional component in a defined sequence on the system nodes (SK) of the distributed system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the automatic installation, verification and configuration of functionality that is stored in installation, verification and/or configuration files for system components that are located in a distributed network. Said system comprises a system design tool for generating, checking and configuring the installation, verification and/or configuration files for the respective system components. According to the invention, the system design tool transmits the installation, verification and/or configuration files to the system components for installation, the installation, verification and/or configuration files required in the respective system components are checked and configured in a predetermined sequence and manner and a complete system is formed once the system components have been configured.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the distance between the pupils to yield values representative of lenses properly aligned with the patient's pupils when mounted in the sockets of a spectacle frame. The apparatus consists of a calibration device having spaced fixed marking for placement in the plane of lenses, a camera with a zooming arrangement for taking an image of the subject, and a computer for generating parametric values relevant to the lenses to be ground as a function of the distance between the camera and the subject, the position of the zooming device at the time the image is taken, and the size of the image on the focal plane of the camera.

Abstract: A multi-chambered piston actuator incorporates partitioned pressure chambers, each chamber delivering an actuation force to a common target object based on multiple presence signals and/or resources. The chambers are formed in part by one or more tiers, each tier having a surface area on which one or more pressure signals act. The resultant force on the tiers move the common target to control, for example, a valve.

Abstract: The filtration of thickened gluten which is obtained as by-product during the production of corn starch can be improved by the reaction of an amylase- and proteinase-activity-free xylanase, hemicellulase and/or glucanase and leads to more rapid draining and retention of the starch content of the thickened gluten.