Abstract: A method for matching a vehicle with a user including receiving a user ride request for a vehicle from a plurality of available vehicles from a user, receiving a threshold vehicle risk score preference for the user, receiving a user risk score for the user, receiving a threshold user risk score preference for the plurality of available vehicles, identifying a subset of the plurality of available vehicles having a vehicle risk score at or below the threshold vehicle risk score preference of the user and a threshold user risk score preference at or above the user risk score of the user, and presenting the user with ride options for selecting one of the subset of the plurality of available vehicles of the subset of available vehicles for the user ride request.

Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

Abstract: The invention described herein shows a high surface area anode. The high surface area anode contains a flat surface on one side and a ribbed surface on the opposite side. On the ribbed surface there is a first edge-lip on its first-end and a second edge-lip on its second-end. Both the first edge-lip and the second edge-lip run parallel to each other. The high surface area anode further contains a plurality of ribs and groves between the first edge-lip and the second edge-lip also running parallel to each other. The high surface area anode is manufactured using a continuous casting method that includes the following steps; dissolving the anode metal into the holding furnace shaping the anode metal using a high surface area graphite mold; solidifying the anode metal using a liquid while extruding the anode metal through the high surface area mold; solidifying the anode metal by using a secondary cooling source; and extracting the now solidified and shaped high surface anode metal.

Abstract: A plurality of particles comprising a crosslinked aromatic epoxy vinyl ester polymer, wherein a particle from the plurality of proppant particles swells not more than 20 percent by volume when submerged in toluene for 24 hours at 70° C. is disclosed. A plurality of particles comprising a crosslinked aromatic epoxy vinyl ester polymer, wherein a particle from the plurality of particles maintains at least 75 percent of its height under a pressure of 1.7×107 Pascals up to at least 135° C. is also disclosed. Mixtures of the plurality of particles and other particles, fluids containing the plurality of particles, methods of making the plurality of particles, and methods of fracturing a subterranean geological formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A side door impact reinforcement beam incorporates a cantilevered member that is welded at one end thereof internally of the impact reinforcement beam and projects forwardly thereof. Upon side impact, the bending of the impact reinforcement beam deploys the cantilevered member outwardly from within the section of the reinforcement beam to strike an energy transfer block placed on a forward portion of the inner door panel to engage the outwardly projecting cantilevered member and receive impact energy therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement beam has a hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is formed with a pipe welded at a rearward portion thereof to project forwardly to be positioned for engagement with the energy transfer block when projected outwardly during impact bending of the reinforcement beam. The energy transfer from the outwardly deploying cantilevered pipe directs impact loads away from the pelvic region of the occupant toward the femur region.

Abstract: A side door impact reinforcement beam incorporates a cantilevered member that is welded at one end thereof internally of the impact reinforcement beam and projects forwardly thereof. Upon side impact, the bending of the impact reinforcement beam deploys the cantilevered member outwardly from within the section of the reinforcement beam to strike an energy transfer block placed on a forward portion of the inner door panel to engage the outwardly projecting cantilevered member and receive impact energy therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement beam has a hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration that is formed with a pipe welded at a rearward portion thereof to project forwardly to be positioned for engagement with the energy transfer block when projected outwardly during impact bending of the reinforcement beam. The energy transfer from the outwardly deploying cantilevered pipe directs impact loads away from the pelvic region of the occupant toward the femur region.

Abstract: A portable lighting system that is disclosed for use in coordination with a glow-in-the-dark golf ball. Various predetermined locations on the golf course are illuminated so that a golfer can see the general layout and various hazards of each golf hole on the golf course. The golf course, other than the predetermined illuminated locations, however, remains substantially unlit so that a high contrast is created between the glow-in-the-dark golf ball and the golf course backdrop. The lighting system comprises various portable recharged lights that are hauled between different golf courses in a trailer. The trailer contains a power supply that recharges the illumination units after a night golf session. A light-stick is used to illuminate the area around a golfer while navigating around the golf course. The carrying stick is inserted into the ground before a golf shot to illuminate the area immediately surrounding the golf ball.

Abstract: The valve spring wear plate is proposed for use in a locomotive engine cylinder head to protect the areas of the cylinder head each acting as a valve spring seat from becoming grooved by the action of the spring thereagainst. The wear plate accommodates one spring seat at each end thereof, the two end portions being connected together by a narrow bridge portion, the bridge portion keeping the ends from rotational movement caused by action of the spring thereagainst.