Abstract: An electrical connection for a surface-mount circuit device, and a method for forming the electrical connection. The electrical connection includes a solder stop that promotes the accurate location of a solder joint that electrically connects the surface-mount device to the conductor. In accordance with the invention, the solder stop also promotes stress relief of the electrical connection during thermal cycling, such that thermal cycle fatigue cracking occurs in the solder stop instead of the conductor and solder joint. As a result, thermal stresses are absorbed and dissipated by the solder stop, and do not adversely affect the continuity and mechanical integrity of the electrical connection. The solder stop preferably has a composition that contains an inorganic particulate filler in a glass matrix, the latter being present in an amount that forms a weak bond between the inorganic particles and between the solder stop and conductor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a wafer in an electron beam lithography system. This method includes the steps of positioning a scanned probe microscope in the lithography system, and determining the distance between a preset location on the scanned probe microscope and a reference position in the lithography system. The wafer is brought into physical contact with that preset location, and then the wafer is moved a predetermined distance from the preset location on order to position the wafer at the desired focal plane in the lithography system.

Abstract: A container assembly that includes a container having a body with a cylindrical neck and an integral lug projecting radially inwardly from the neck. A fitment has a cylindrical wall adapted to be received within the container neck. The fitment wall has internal threads for receiving a container cap, and an axial slot adapted to be received by snap fit over the lug in the container neck. The neck lug thus cooperates with the slot in the fitment wall for both retaining the fitment axially within the neck, and preventing circumferential rotation of the fitment within the neck. The fitment and cap are provided to a packager as a subassembly separate from the container. The container is rapidly filled with product through the relatively large opening in the container neck, and the cap/fitment subassembly is then snapped into the container neck to complete the package assembly.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus is provided for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and includes a support bracket assembly for mounting on the vehicle. The support bracket assembly includes a horizontal support plate and a hoist-axle-reception channel depending downward from the horizontal support plate. A hoist assembly is provided and is supported by the support bracket assembly. The hoist assembly includes a hoist axle received in the hoist-axle-reception channel and includes a hoist base plate supported by the horizontal support plate. Game, such as a deer, can be supported by the hoist assembly and rotated around the support bracket assembly on the hoist axle and the hoist base plate. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the support bracket assembly includes mounting plates for mounting on the rear of the vehicle. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the support bracket assembly is mounted on a side of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a Data Access Transport Service (DATS), Data Service Providers (DSPs) share dial-in access (e.g. analog modem or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) access) resources from a common pool maintained by a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) (or potentially a DSP. A system is disclosed wherein a Network Controller (NC) performs the role of DSP service partitioning, quota enforcement, and resource load balancing to ensure that a DATS provider can provide a high quality of service (availability, response time & consistent bandwidth) to subscribed DSPs and their end-users. The Network Controller assists in Internet Data call establishment and tear-down, with the ability to refuse calls when the associated DSP has exceeded its service quota. The Network Controller also assists in the routing of calls to one of the DSPs Network Gateways (or data routers), using a load balancing scheme that maintains a pre-defined relative load on given DSP Network Gateways.

Abstract: An article of composite design for attachment to another fabric article, comprising an underlying layer of twill on one side of which an ink portion of the composite design has been screen printed and heat cured. The twill is cut into a desired shape so that the twill and the ink portion form the composite design, the portion of the twill without ink printed thereon forming a substantial portion of the composite design. Methods of making and attaching the composite design are disclosed.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a magnetic reader for processing transactions and payment by check at a checkout point of a retail establishment. The printer includes a magnetic or MICR reader located at a predetermined point on the printer's document travel path and a print head located at the same point on the document travel path but laterally offset from the MICR reader to allow the printer to print customer receipts and a journal as well as reading MICR information from checks and endorsing the check after it is cleared. A pressure pad is used with the magnetic read head of the MICR reader which utilizes a pressure film which flexes when a document is inserted between the magnetic read head and the pressure film to provide a spring loading force on the magnetic read head while still allowing the document to be moved smoothly past the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A tandem brake booster having a housing with a first front chamber separated from a first rear chambers by a first wall and a second front chamber separated from a second rear chamber by a second wall. The first and second front chambers are connected to the first and second rear chambers through passages in a hub which retains a control valve. In a first or ready mode of operation, the first and second front and rear chambers have a substantially identical first fluid pressure while in a second or actuation mode of operation, the control valve responds to an input force to allow a second fluid pressure to be communicated to the first and second rear chambers and create a pressure differential with the first fluid in the first and second front chambers. The pressure differential develops an output force which moves the first and second walls as a function of the input force applied to the control valve.

Abstract: A handle unit for shopping trolley formed of a molded material comprising a central housing having hand grip portions extending from either side thereof and wherein a front face of the housing includes an information panel adapted to provide information to a user and wherein the housing includes electronically operated equipment including a bar-code reader which may be connected to an electronically operated display screen.

Abstract: A heat fusible laminate for imprinting a design on an article of stretchable fabric such as polyamide, polyester and other synthetic materials. The laminate includes a release layer, a first adhesive layer, at least one ink layer of heat fusible composition and a second adhesive layer. The laminate is responsive to heat and pressure, when placed with the second adhesive layer against the fabric article, for securing the design to the fabric and allowing removal of the release layer therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for combining a first digital generated image and one or more prestored digital images. The system include means for selecting one of the prestored digital images for and the steps of selecting an output format for printing the first digital generated image and the selected prestored image, providing the first digital generated image, combining the first digital generated image with the selected prestored digital image such that the generated image is placed in the predetermined location so as to form a merged image in accordance with the requirements of the selected output format, and for printing out the merged image in a desired format.

Abstract: Headphones for acoustical reproduction of music or various audio signals and an electronic metronome device included therein.

Abstract: A skate assembly has a skate chassis, a boot and a motive member such as rollers or an ice blade. The skate chassis having an elongated body, a heel member and a toe member. The body having concave portions which reduce torsional flex on the chassis. Raised ribs and channels of the body and the members are engaged so as to allow the members to slide longitudinally along the body. The boot can be mounted on the heel and the toe members, and the motive member can be attached to the chassis, thus forming a skate assembly. The toe member having a curving plate for preserving the shape of the boot. Moreover, the heel and toe members can be positioned at numerous distances from one another on the body, thus supporting different boot sizes and providing different positions for the boot on the body.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a magnetic reader for processing transactions and payment by check at a checkout point of a retail establishment. The printer includes a magnetic or MICR reader located at a predetermined point on the printer's document travel path and a print head located at the same point on the document travel path but laterally offset from the MICR reader to allow the printer to print customer receipts and a journal as well as reading MICR information from checks and endorsing the check after it is cleared. A pressure pad is used with the magnetic read head of the MICR reader which utilizes a pressure film which flexes when a document is inserted between the magnetic read head and the pressure film to provide a spring loading force on the magnetic read head while still allowing the document to be moved smoothly past the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a magnetic reader for processing transactions and payment by check at a checkout point of a retail establishment. The printer includes a magnetic or MICR reader located at a predetermined point on the printer's document travel path and a print head located at the same point on the document travel path but laterally offset from the MICR reader to allow the printer to print customer receipts and a journal as well as reading MICR information from checks and endorsing the check after it is cleared. A pressure pad is used with the magnetic read head of the MICR reader which utilizes a pressure film which flexes when a document is inserted between the magnetic read head and the pressure film to provide a spring loading force on the magnetic read head while still allowing the document to be moved smoothly past the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A continuous flow method and system is provided for converting environmentally pollutant by-product waste gases emitted during the manufacture of a product in a first manufacturing plant to a useful product in a second manufacturing plant such that release of the gases into the atmosphere may be prevented.