Abstract: A sub-surface pole and pole foundation remover having a portable frame, a cylinder mounted on the frame and configured to receive pressurized fluid, a lifting piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a grapnel connected to the lifting piston and having a plurality of lower arms that extend from a bottom circular support and that are configured to grip a sub-surface pole located below ground, and a control lever configured to direct the pressurized fluid to the cylinder that is actuated to cause the lifting piston to extend and push the grapnel upward relative to the portable frame to remove the pole from the ground. The grapnel may have a top circular support and a middle circular support connected to the top circular support by a plurality of flexible cables. A cinching cable may be used to grip the pole, the grapnel may have gripping teeth and fluid may be hydraulic.

Abstract: A database manager is disclosed that retrieves database records having binary encoded data from a database and instantiating objects in an in-memory database. Binary encoding compresses data, allowing many subrecords to be stored a single blob field of a database record. Retrieving chunks from storage reduces transfer time by reducing the size of data and the number of operations needed to retrieve all the subrecords. The database manager receives database access requests from a database application. Changes made to the database objects and committed by the application are written back to the persistent database as versioned delta records. In a subsequent session, loading the database from storage includes first loading the most recent snapshot record, then applying changes to the data stored in delta records. The changes stored in the delta records are applied to the data in the snapshot record in the order in which they were made.

Abstract: A mounting unit is mounted to the frame cross member of a vehicle. The mounting unit includes a bottom unit which is bolted to the frame cross member and a top unit which is bolted to the transmission/transfer case adapter. The top and bottom units are bolted to one another. The mounting unit allows the motor, transmission, and transfer case to move freely with respect to each other during hard use conditions, including extreme four-wheeling, without damaging the mounting unit.

Abstract: An Internet search provider and incentive system includes a database and a processor. The database contains user account data, data relating to items available, and a rule set for obtaining the items. A software system can receive a selection for a search to be performed and interface with an Internet search engine. The Internet search engine can perform the user-selected search and increment a user account by a reward unit. The search results are displayed, and also an available reward. Available purchase options are displayed for obtaining an item based upon the associated rule set. A first option is based upon a reward unit total in the user account; a second option, upon a monetary total; and a third option, upon a combination of reward units and a monetary amount. A user selection can be received relating to the item to obtain and relating to a purchase option.

Abstract: A toilet training apparatus according to the present invention includes a processor that is in data communication with a timer, a first alarm, and a presence sensor. At a predetermined time, the processor actuates the first alarm to awaken a sleeping toddler to urge him to go to the bathroom and, thus, proactively, avoid wetting the bed. The first alarm may include an audio or vibratory alarm, or both. The apparatus includes a presence sensor, such as a RFID tag/reader combination, for sensing if the toddler has in fact moved from his bed to the bathroom. Upon sensing the expected movement, the first alarm is reset for a next predetermined waking event. If this movement is not sensed in a predetermined time, the processor actuates a second alarm to awaken a parent to assist in awakening the toddler.