Abstract: A vertical storage system for efficiently storing large items in a vertical manner thereby conserving floor space. The vertical storage system includes a frame, a plurality of connecting members slidably connected between the platforms and a winch device connected between the platforms and a winch device connected to the uppermost platform. Lifting the uppermost platform results in the raising of the next platform beneath the uppermost platform and so forth. Lowering the uppermost platform lowers all of the platforms until the lowest platform is at the bottom with the remaining platforms lowered until stacked upon one another.

Abstract: A vertical storage system for efficiently storing large items in a vertical manner thereby conserving floor space. The vertical storage system generally includes a frame, a plurality of platforms slidably positioned within the frame, a plurality of connecting members slidably connected between the platforms and a winch device connected to the uppermost platform. Lifting the uppermost platform results in the raising of the next platform beneath the uppermost platform and so forth. Lowering the uppermost platform lowers all of the platforms until the lowest platform is at the bottom with the remaining platforms lowered until stacked upon one another.

Abstract: A user interaction synthesizer is described in the context of an application program running on a computer system having diverse user interaction devices attached to it. The user interface for the application is dynamically designed and synthesized based on the states of individual application objects that are used by an interaction facilitator to traverse a framework of interaction elements and match situation variables to appropriate elements by a specialization process. Interaction elements are selected by the interaction facilitator to create an interaction space designed to satisfy the information needs of the current active objects in the application. Finally, a number of modules are used to convert the elements in the interaction space to generate a user interface as a function of the resources and devices available for the user.

Abstract: A portable cooking assembly is provided having a plurality of removable cooking surfaces. The cooking surfaces can each be positioned and locked within the cooking assembly for cooking of foods thereon. Additionally, the cooking surfaces are stackable within the cooking assembly allowing for ease of storage and transport.

Abstract: A VCSEL with nearly planar intracavity contact. A bottom DBR mirror is formed on a substrate. A first conduction layer region is formed on the bottom DBR mirror. An active layer, including quantum wells, is on the first conduction layer region. A trench is formed into the active layer region. The trench is formed in a wagon wheel configuration with spokes providing mechanical support for the active layer region. The trench is etched approximately to the first conduction layer region. Proton implants are provided in the wagon wheel and configured to render the spokes of the wagon wheel insulating. A nearly planar electrical contact is formed as an intracavity contact for connecting the bottom of the active region to a power supply. The nearly planar electrical contact is formed in and about the trench.

Abstract: A VCSEL with undoped mirrors. An essentially undoped bottom DBR mirror is formed on a substrate. A periodically doped first conduction layer region is formed on the bottom DBR mirror. The first conduction layer region is heavily doped at a location where the optical electric field is at about a minimum. An active layer, including quantum wells, is on the first conduction layer region. A periodically doped second conduction layer region is connected to the active layer. The second conduction layer region is heavily doped where the optical electric field is at a minimum. An aperture is formed in the epitaxial structure above the quantum wells. A top mirror coupled to the periodically doped second conduction layer region. The top mirror is essentially undoped and formed in a mesa structure. An oxide is formed around the mesa structure to protect the top mirror during wet oxidation processes.

Abstract: A VCSEL with undoped top mirror. The VCSEL is formed from an epitaxial structure deposited on a substrate. A doped bottom mirror is formed on the substrate. An active layer that includes quantum wells is formed on the bottom mirror. A periodically doped conduction layer is formed on the active layer. The periodically doped conduction layer is heavily doped at locations where the optical energy is at a minimum when the VCSEL is in operation. A current aperture is used between the conduction layer and the active region. An undoped top mirror is formed on the heavily doped conduction layer.

Abstract: An adjustable keyboard or workstation tray supported by a pair of articulating arms that are linked together in key locations by torsion tubes. The assembly is attached to the bottom horizontal surface of the user's desk or workstation and used from the desk edge it originates from. This assembly has lift assistance through adjustable torsion springs that are incorporated in the six pivot hubs forming the range of motion of the entire assembly and secures the assembly from movement with their normally latched mechanisms. The user changes the elevation of the keyboard tray by grasping the handles and using his/her thumbs to depress the mechanism release triggers. The first release increment will allow only angular adjustment of the keyboard tray itself by releasing only two pivot hubs at the handle subassemblies. Further depression of the trigger to the next increment allows movement of six pivot hubs, thus enabling movement from under the desk to above or any range between.

Abstract: A mobile mower apparatus comprises a mower boom which is pivotally connected to a mobile vehicle for lateral extension therefrom. A mower frame is suspended from the boom. The mower frame has two frame sections which are connected to each other to allow the frame sections to pivot relative to each other about a generally horizontal pivot axis. A mower blade is mounted on each of the frame sections for relative pivotal motion corresponding to the motion of the frame sections. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mower frame to allow a human operator to control the relative angular positions of the first and second frame sections while mowing. The mower blades defining cutting lines which approximately intersect the pivot axis.