Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows the aggregation of the demands of various buyers, providing an incentive for suppliers to bid to supply those demands in an auction. The system and method operates by scanning a database which contains a listing of goods or services sought by various people or entities. Thereafter, similar goods or services are grouped together and presented to various vendors. The vendors are given the opportunity to bid on the group of similar goods or services. Such a bid may vary from the originally purchased goods or services as long as the bid is within a predetermined range. The vendor which presents the optimum bid within a predetermined period of time is selected as the provider of the goods or services and proceeds to supply the goods or services at the bid upon amount.

Abstract: A treadle motion therapeutic device and a method of providing treadle motion therapy to a user which may be used as part of therapeutic modalities. The treadle motion therapy device adapted to receive at least one foot of a user in contact with a treadle such that the treadle pivots between a heel of the foot and a front portion of the foot to allow the user to move the treadle by using the front portion of the foot or by using the heel of the foot. The treadle motion therapy device having a capacity to store kinetic energy to assist in maintaining the treadling motion during a treadling session. Variations for other devices and methods are suggested.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows the aggregation of the demands of various buyers, providing an incentive for suppliers to bid to supply those demands in an auction. The system and method operates by scanning a database which contains a listing of goods or services sought by various people or entities. Thereafter, similar goods or services are grouped together and presented to various vendors. The vendors are given the opportunity to bid on the group of similar goods or services. Such a bid may vary from the originally purchased goods or services as long as the bid is within a predetermined range. The vendor which presents the optimum bid within a predetermined period of time is selected as the provider of the goods or services and proceeds to supply the goods or services at the bid upon amount.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows the aggregation of the demands of various buyers, providing an incentive for suppliers to bid to supply those demands in an auction. The system and method operates by scanning a database which contains a listing of goods or services sought by various people or entities. Thereafter, similar goods or services are grouped together and presented to various vendors. The vendors are given the opportunity to bid on the group of similar goods or services. Such a bid may vary from the originally purchased goods or services as long as the bid is within a predetermined range. The vendor which presents the optimum bid within a predetermined period of time is selected as the provider of the goods or services and proceeds to supply the goods or services at the bid upon amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering an opening in a structure may include spaced rails positioned at opposed sides of the opening. Each rail includes a channel and a is curtain movable along the rails to cover and uncover the opening. A locking bar is attached to one end of the curtain. The locking bar has opposed end portions received in the channels, and a locking channel is positioned close to the ends of each rail to receive the bar. The locking channel is disposed at an angle relative to the channel and the bar is selectively received in the locking channel to lock the curtain in a position covering the opening. In some embodiments the locking bar includes a length that spans the distance between the side rails and is selectively locked in the sill along at least thirty percent of the length.

Abstract: An exercise and physical therapy device using inertia and momentum to provide both resistance training and passive assisted movement for a user's foot or feet. A foot pedal is mounted for pivoting movement in a frame. The pivoting movement of the foot pedal is translated into rotational movement of a flywheel. As a user begins pivoting motion of the foot pedal, the flywheel provide resistance to this movement. The user may continue to use the foot pedal for resistance training. Once the flywheel is in motion a user may rest a foot or feet on the foot pedal and the rotational movement of the flywheel caused by the flywheel's momentum will cause pivoting motion of the foot frame. This presents passive assisted movement to a user's foot and legs until the momentum of the flywheel is dissipated.

Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.

Abstract: An automated method and system for refunding the unused portion of an electronic ticket are provided. In accordance with the method, an aging period is set and is added to the scheduled departure date of the issued ticket. If the schedules departure date plus the aging date is earlier than the current date, a determination is made as to whether the ticket has been used. If the ticket has not been used, the residual value of the ticket is calculated and a refund is issued.

Abstract: A partition panel and method for open office space and the like which includes a rigid skin shaped to cover at least a portion of a face of the panel and including a connector flange which extends along an upper edge of the skin and has a downwardly opening configuration defining a connector channel with at least one downwardly extending tab. A connector bracket is connected with the panel and extends across the face thereof in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one connector clip is supported on the connector bracket and includes a resiliently flexible finger to detachably, yet positively, support the skin on the frame in a hanging fashion. The tab is inserted behind the finger and is resiliently drawn toward the frame by the finger to mount the skin in a manner which permits the skin to be shifted horizontally while the skin remains attached to the frame.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching an accessory, such as a light, to a partition frame is disclosed. In one form, the adapter includes two opposed brackets. Each bracket has a base, a side wall extending downwardly from the base, a flange extending inwardly from the side wall, and a wall extending upwardly from the base. The brackets may be installed to the partition frame by inserting the flange of each bracket in a slot in the side of the partition frame. When the brackets are installed to the partition frame, a post structure including the upright walls is formed. The post structure is used for attaching the accessory. In another form, the adapter includes a post and a support member. The support member may mounted to the partition frame or to a mounting bracket attached to the partition frame. The post may be used for attaching the accessory.

Abstract: An automated method and system for refunding the unused portion of an electronic ticket are provided. In accordance with the method, an aging period is set and is added to the scheduled departure date of the issued ticket. If the scheduled departure date plus the aging date is earlier than the current date, a determination is made as to whether the ticket has been used. If the ticket has not been used, the residual value of the ticket is calculated and a refund is issued.

Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows the aggregation of the demands of various buyers, providing an incentive for suppliers to bid to supply those demands in an auction. The system and method operates by scanning a database which contains a listing of goods or services sought by various people or entities. Thereafter, similar goods or services are grouped together and presented to various vendors. The vendors are given the opportunity to bid on the group of similar goods or services. Such a bid may vary from the originally purchased goods or services as long as the bid is within a predetermined range. The vendor which presents the optimum bid within a predetermined period of time is selected as the provider of the goods or services and proceeds to supply the goods or services at the bid upon amount.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and computing the location of a baseball as it is pitched over a plate is disclosed. Infrared receivers are disposed at corner locations on opposite sides of a target zone which is aligned with the plate. First and second arrays of infrared emitters are mounted on opposite sides of the target zone for transmitting infrared light pulses to the opposite corner receivers. The infrared emitters are sequentially energized and transmit infrared pulse signals having relatively short durations in a scan cycle. Digital data words representative of the reception and nonreception by the receivers of the optical pulse signals are generated during each pulse interval of the scan cycle. Computer circuitry calculates the coordinates of the baseball within the target zone as a function of predetermined angular data retrieved computer memory.