Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly having a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem. The set of steel beams is constructed and arranged to hardware mount to a set of aluminum beams of a vehicle. Although the sets of beams are made of different materials, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other making the vehicle well suited for a variety of conditions.

Abstract: Immersion probes and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, the probe comprises a shaft with a spiral strake disposed along at least a portion of the length of the shaft and/or a porous shroud extending from a distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly having a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem. The set of steel beams is constructed and arranged to hardware mount to a set of aluminum beams of a vehicle. Although the sets of beams are made of different materials, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other making the vehicle well suited for a variety of conditions.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed for automatically identifying and validating information associated with real estate properties using data aggregated from multiple sources. The systems and methods can automatically identify the tax agency and/or tax identifier for real estate properties without substantial user interaction. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can automatically identify the real estate property and/or parcel based at least in part on received tax information without substantial user interaction. A confidence score and/or error rate may also be calculated based on one or more rules to provide information about the relative error rate in any of the identifications provided.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a first rebar segment and a second rebar segment. The assembly includes a first wedge and second wedge, each defining a hollow for receiving the first and second rebar segments, respectively. A first barrel and a second barrel each define a passage for receiving the first and second wedges, respectively. The passages are tapered for mating engagement with the wedges for driving the wedges radially inwardly in response to the wedges being in the passages and axially engaged by the barrels to tighten the wedges about the rebar segments. A cap defines an opening, a stopping surface, and a channel that extends axially between the opening and the stopping surface, receiving the first and second barrels in axial alignment with one another. A coupling connects the cap and one of the barrels, inhibiting axial movement of the barrels out of the channel of the cap.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus (1) comprising two upright walls (3a, 3b), each having an inner surface. A plurality of game pieces (9) are located in the space (5) between the walls (3a, 3b), each of the game pieces (9) being in contact with the inner surface of at least one of the walls (3a, 3b).Each of the game pieces (9) comprises a drive assembly for moving the game piece over that inner surface, the drive assembly comprising a traction element (11), such as a wheel, for generating traction against the inner surface and an actuator for moving the traction element relative to the surface. At least one, and preferably both, of the walls (3a, 3b) are transparent, for example they are glass, such that a user can observe the game pieces (9) within the space (5), from outside the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A method and assembly for anchoring a segment of rebar and a plate to a mass. The assembly includes a barrel extending about and along an axis and defining a bore extending therethrough along the axis with the bore being tapered. A wedge having a frustoconical shape extends about and along the axis. The wedge is tapered in conformity with the bore of the barrel for being received by the barrel. A cap is connected to the barrel for closing the barrel. The method includes the step threadedly tightening the cap about the barrel in axial abutment to close the barrel, and further the step of compressing the wedge axially into the bore of the barrel to drive the wedge radially inwardly to provide for a biasing force of the wedge against the rebar prior to said step of threadedly tightening the cap about the barrel.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed for automatically identifying taxes for real estate properties. The systems and methods can automatically identify the tax agency and/or tax identifier for real estate properties without substantial user interaction. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can automatically identify the real estate property and/or parcel based at least in part on received tax information without substantial user interaction. A confidence score and/or error rate may also be calculated based on one or more business rules to provide information about the relative error rate in any of the identifications provided.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a first rebar segment and a second rebar segment. The assembly includes a first wedge and second wedge, each defining a hollow for receiving the first and second rebar segments, respectively. A first barrel and a second barrel each define a passage for receiving the first and second wedges, respectively. The passages are tapered for mating engagement with the wedges for driving the wedges radially inwardly in response to the wedges being in the passages and axially engaged by the barrels to tighten the wedges about the rebar segments. A cap defines an opening, a stopping surface, and a channel that extends axially between the opening and the stopping surface, receiving the first and second barrels in axial alignment with one another. A coupling connects the cap and one of the barrels, inhibiting axial movement of the barrels out of the channel of the cap.

Abstract: A method and assembly for anchoring a segment of rebar and a plate to a mass. The assembly includes a barrel extending about and along an axis and defining a bore extending therethrough along the axis with the bore being tapered. A wedge having a frustoconical shape extends about and along the axis. The wedge is tapered in conformity with the bore of the barrel for being received by the barrel. A cap is connected to the barrel for closing the barrel. The method includes the step threadedly tightening the cap about the barrel in axial abutment to close the barrel, and further the step of compressing the wedge axially into the bore of the barrel to drive the wedge radially inwardly to provide for a biasing force of the wedge against the rebar prior to said step of threadedly tightening the cap about the barrel.

Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material, a first deformable member, and a second member. In at least one embodiment, the crown connects the first member and the second member, however, after the crown has been dissolved, the first member is unconnected to the second member and, as a result, the first and second members can move relative to each other. Accordingly, the staple can be rigid during the early stages of healing and can be flexible during the latter stages of healing, for example. In various embodiments, the first and second members of the staple are also comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material. In these embodiments, the first and second members can be constructed so that the crown and first and second members dissolve at different rates and/or dissolve away at different times.

Abstract: Service carts are provided that can be advantageously used to hold both diagnostic tools and repair tools and can be flexibly configured or customized for different work environments or worker preferences. The service carts include a cabinet having two side outer-walls, a back outer-wall, a bottom, and a top. The cabinet can include a plurality of configurable storage spaces with each storage space having a height that is approximately an integer multiple of a minimum storage space height. The cabinet can also be configured to provide electrical power into storage spaces in the cabinet. The cabinet top can comprise a plurality of slots adapted to hold mounting brackets adjustable along a length of the slots. The cabinet may include a fan that pulls air into the cabinet through a filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus to grow cells where the cultivation chamber (1) is partially filled with liquid cultivation medium and cells. Mixing and aeration is achieved by generating intermittently one single large gas bubble (6) at the bottom of the column bioreactor, the single large bubble width representing from 50 to 99% of the tank width, preferably from 60 to 99%, more preferably 98.5%. The culture medium flows out as a film between the large bubble and the inner wall of the bioreactor. This rising bubble allows mixing and aeration of the bulk. As the design of the invention is very simple, it is possible to manufacture it with flexible plastic material and use the apparatus as a disposable system. Moreover, such a mixing/aeration principle minimizes cell damages usually due to shear stress and small bubbles and allows easy and efficient scale-up from small scale to a larger one. Such a large-scale, efficient and disposable culture system can largely reduce production costs.

Abstract: A clamp type mortising jig is described that allows the user to create a slot mortise in a workpiece clamped in the jig, using a plunge router. The jig includes a clamp that includes a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw with a template carriage slidably mounted between them. Router guide templates can be replaceably mounted in the template carriage.

Abstract: Programmable wireless sensors are provided. Particular programmable wireless sensors comprise a power supply, a sensing component, a transmitting component adapted to transmit information obtained by the sensing device or information derived from information obtained by the sensing component, a receiving component adapted to receive software, a memory component adapted to store received software, and control logic. The control logic includes logic operable to execute stored software. The stored software, when executed, is operable to program at least one operating characteristic of the programmable wireless sensor. Also provided are systems useful in selecting software to program or reprogram programmable wireless sensors. The programmable wireless sensors may be programmed or reprogrammed to emulate conventional wireless sensors, such as conventional TPMS sensors.

Abstract: An agent defeat bomb including a payload with at least one metal-based high thermal component, effective for producing high temperature, and a plurality of oxidizer components, such that the high thermal component and oxidizer are progressively stacked through the length of the projectile and react within the body of the bomb.

Abstract: A clamp type mortising jig is described that allows the user to create a slot mortise in a workpiece clamped in the jig, using a plunge router. The jig includes a clamp that includes a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw with a template carriage slidably mounted between them. Router guide templates can be replaceably mounted in the template carriage.

Abstract: Programmable wireless sensors are disclosed that comprise a power supply, a sensing component, a transmitting component adapted to transmit information obtained by the sensing device or information derived from information obtained by the sensing component, a receiving component adapted to receive software, a memory component adapted to store received software, and control logic. The control logic includes logic operable to execute stored software. The stored software, when executed, is operable to program at least one operating characteristic of the programmable wireless sensor. Also disclosed are systems useful in selecting software to program or reprogram programmable wireless sensors. The programmable wireless sensors may be programmed or reprogrammed to emulate conventional wireless sensors, such as conventional TPMS sensors.

Abstract: Programmable wireless sensors are disclosed that comprise a power supply, a sensing component, a transmitting component adapted to transmit information obtained by the sensing device or information derived from information obtained by the sensing component, a receiving component adapted to receive software, a memory component adapted to store received software, and control logic. The control logic includes logic operable to execute stored software. The stored software, when executed, is operable to program at least one operating characteristic of the programmable wireless sensor. Also disclosed are systems useful in selecting software to program or reprogram programmable wireless sensors. The programmable wireless sensors may be programmed or reprogrammed to emulate conventional wireless sensors, such as conventional TPMS sensors.

Abstract: When implemented on a single access point, the system autonomously adjusts the operating channel of an 802.11h compliant network so the network operates on the channel with the least interference. When deployed on the access nodes in a campus or urban setting, the system rapidly converges to a stable interference-minimizing frequency re-use pattern with the average reduction in interference realized by each 802.11 cluster in the range of 19 dB (as device density increases, the expected reduction in interference increases with the exact gain in interference reduction a function of the specific propagation environment and network topology). Significant, though smaller, expected reductions in interference are also realized by legacy systems which are not implementing the algorithm but operating in the presence of the enhanced access points. When new access points are added to the network, the network automatically converges to a near optimal frequency reuse pattern.