Abstract: A stacking block for supporting one or more lattice boom crane elements in a stacked storage condition. The stacking block may be formed of a lightweight plastic or resilient material that can easily be lifted overhead. The stacking block provides the space needed in between boom elements in order to safely stack the elements on a ground surface or on top of one another, without damaging parts.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for an app provider to deliver information—such as notifications, alerts, messages, and other data—between client devices without the use of a third-party push token. When receivers are connected to the app provider system, the app provider will deliver a notification and the communication to the receivers without the use of a third-party push token. When receivers are not connected to the app provider system, the app provider may cache communications and notifications until the next time the receiver connects to the app provider.

Abstract: A four-wheel shopping cart includes a substantially rectangular base surrounded by vertical side, front and rear walls to form an open-topped, cargo basket. The front wall opens fully to provide access to the cargo area, while the rear wall is shorter than the others to allow easy access from behind while shopping. A transverse axle mounted below the rear wall supports hinged legs that fold upwards alongside the side walls so the cart can be placed conveniently into a vehicle for transportation. The legs unfold and lock to support the cart on castors for shopping, and may include height adjustment means for lowering the basket to a comfortable level for usage and for raising it to place it into the shopper's vehicle. A pair of small, adjustable wheels mounted on opposite front corners of the base pivot partially to facilitate maneuvering the cart within the vehicle.

Abstract: A four-wheel shopping cart includes a substantially rectangular base surrounded by vertical side, front and rear walls to form an open-topped, cargo basket. The front wall opens fully to provide access to the cargo area, while the rear wall is shorter than the others to allow easy access from behind while shopping. A transverse axle mounted below the rear wall supports hinged legs that fold upwards alongside the side walls so the cart can be placed conveniently into a vehicle for transportation. The legs unfold and lock to support the cart on castors for shopping, and may include height adjustment means for lowering the basket to a comfortable level for usage and for raising it to place it into the shopper's vehicle. A pair of small, adjustable wheels mounted on opposite front corners of the base pivot partially to facilitate maneuvering the cart within the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a disk drive during manufacture of the disk drive has a cell having a mounting arrangement to which a disk drive can be mounted and having walls defining a volume in which the disk drive is received when mounted to the mounting arrangement during manufacture of the disk drive. At least one wall of the cell adjacent said volume is heat conductive and is arranged such that a disk drive when received in the volume does not touch said at least one wall. An air-agitating device agitates air between the at least one wall and a disk drive when received in the volume to encourage heat transfer between said at least one wall and a disk drive when inserted into the volume. The air-agitating device is mounted so as to be vibrationally isolated from a said disk drive when mounted in the cell.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the enrichment of 235U in Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) utilizing synthesized X-rays which are directed at a container test zone containing a sample of UF6. A detector placed behind the container test zone then detects and counts the X-rays which pass through the container and the UF6. In order to determine the portion of the attenuation due to the UF6 gas alone, this count rate may then be compared to a calibration count rate of X-rays passing through a calibration test zone which contains a vacuum, the test zone having experienced substantially similar environmental conditions as the actual test zone. Alternatively, X-rays of two differing energy levels may be alternately directed at the container, where either the container or the UF6 has a high sensitivity to the difference in the energy levels, and the other having a low sensitivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a disk drive with a rotating disk about a disk axis and an arm which pivots over the disk about an arm axis. The disk axis and the arm axis are perpendicular to the plane of the disk. The apparatus includes a disk drive carrier having a disk drive receiving portion where disk drive can be received, and a housing in which the carrier can be received. A mounting arrangement is provided for supporting the carrier within the housing such that the center of rotation of the carrier is outside the disk drive receiving portion of the carrier. Additionally, a mounting arrangement is provided for supporting the carrier within the housing, comprising a forced pivot at or towards the opposite end of the disk drive carrier, and about which the carrier is fixed for pivotal movement in the housing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining the enrichment of 235U in Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) utilizing synthesized X-rays which are directed at a container test zone containing a sample of UF6. A detector placed behind the container test zone then detects and counts the X-rays which pass through the container and the UF6. In order to determine the portion of the attenuation due to the UF6 gas alone, this count rate may then be compared to a calibration count rate of X-rays passing through a calibration test zone which contains a vacuum, the test zone having experienced substantially similar environmental conditions as the actual test zone. Alternatively, X-rays of two differing energy levels may be alternately directed at the container, where either the container or the UF6 has a high sensitivity to the difference in the energy levels, and the other having a low sensitivity.

Abstract: An illuminating garment for making people more visible is disclosed. One or more illumination members and a power source provide a means for illuminating the garment. Pedestrians, construction workers, crossing-guard, motorcyclists and bicyclists are just a few examples of persons which benefit from the illuminated garment. More particularly, a motorcyclist version includes illumination members electrically connected to the motorcycle's brake and turn signal light system. Accordingly, as the motorcyclist operates the brakes and turn signals, a corresponding light source of the garment illuminates in unison with the motorcycle's brake light and turn signals, respectively. A similar system for bicyclists includes a control unit for the bicyclist to enter brake and turn commands. In one version, the illumination members comprise a series of light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A wireless system for illuminating garments is disclosed. One or more illumination members provide a means for making the intentions of motorcyclists and bicyclists known to others. A motorcycle version includes wireless signals being sent to the illumination members in response to the motorcycle's brake being applied and/or turn signals being activated. Accordingly, as the motorcyclist operates the brakes and/or turn signals, one or more illumination members illuminate to notify others of the braking and/or turning of the motorcycle. A wireless system for disseminating and controlling display information via a network of individuals, including motorcyclists and bicyclists, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical filter having at least one optical fiber component and a thermal compensation device which includes a first, second and third member in which the thermal compensation device has a first and a second fixing point, the first, second and third members are made from materials having first, second and third thermal expansion coefficients, the optical fiber component is attached to the thermal compensation device at the first and the second fixing points thus defining a composite thermal expansion. The optical filter is such that the composite thermal expansion compensates for thermal behavior of the optical fiber component.

Abstract: An optical filter having at least one optical fiber component and a thermal compensation device which includes a first, second and third member in which the thermal compensation device has a first and a second fixing point, the first, second and third members are made from materials having first, second and third thermal expansion coefficients, the optical fiber component is attached to the thermal compensation device at the first and the second fixing points thus defining a composite thermal expansion. The optical filter is such that the composite thermal expansion compensates for thermal behavior of the optical fiber component.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a hull of a watercraft floating in a body of water includes a waterproof shroud of flexible sheet material suspended from a collar which is floatable in the body of water. The collar includes a buoyant forward section and a controllably buoyant rearward section pivotally connected to the rearward section for pivotal movement between a horizontal floating position and a sunken position. The rearward section includes an interior chamber and an opening or channel that extends from the chamber to provide a water flow path between the chamber and the surrounding body of water. Controllably, the chamber may be filled either with air from an external source of pressurized air or may be allowed to flood through the channel with water from the surrounding body of water. When the chamber is flooded, the rearward section is non-buoyant and pivots to its sunken position. When the chamber is filled with sufficient air, the rearward section becomes buoyant and pivots to its floating position.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a hull of a watercraft floating in a body of water includes a waterproof shroud of flexible sheet material suspended from a collar which is floatable in the body of water. The collar includes a buoyant forward section and a controllably buoyant rearward section pivotally connected to the rearward section for pivotal movement between a horizontal floating position and a sunken position. The rearward section includes an interior chamber and an opening or channel that extends from the chamber to provide a water flow path between the chamber and the surrounding body of water. Controllably, the chamber may be filled either with air from an external source of pressurized air or may be allowed to flood through the channel with water from the surrounding body of water. When the chamber is flooded, the rearward section is non-buoyant and pivots to its sunken position. When the chamber is filled with sufficient air, the rearward section becomes buoyant and pivots to its floating position.

Abstract: A method and system for water conservation relies upon the reduction of evaporative losses from water storages having a high ratio of surface area to depth. The system comprises a plurality of buoyant flexible membrane strips interconnected along adjacent edges and anchored by anchor members about the periphery of the water storage. The membrane strips include spaced apertures to prevent accumulation of rain water on upper surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An optical filter having at least one optical fiber component and a thermal compensation device which includes a first, second and third member in which the thermal compensation device has a first and a second fixing point, the first, second and third members are made from materials having first, second and third thermal expansion coefficients, the optical fiber component is attached to the thermal compensation device at the first and the second fixing points thus defining a composite thermal expansion. The optical filter is such that the composite thermal expansion compensates for thermal behavior of the optical fiber component.

Abstract: A retractable caster system comprises a rectangular, steel box defining a chamber, a plurality of which may be attached to the bottom of a storage container to elevate the container above a surface upon which it rests. Inside the chamber, a caster is mounted to a hinged plate which pivots near the bottom of one sidewall of the chamber. The plate articulates between a substantially vertical position, with the caster fully retracted into the chamber, and a horizontal position with the caster wheel protruding beneath the chamber. A coiled spring biases the plate toward a vertical position, and an automatic locking mechanism holds the caster in its extended position. The caster may be raised and lowered without separately supporting the weight of the container.

Abstract: A retractable caster system comprises a rectangular, steel box defining a chamber, a plurality of which may be attached to the bottom of a storage container to elevate the container above a surface upon which it rests. Inside the chamber, a caster is mounted to a hinged plate which pivots near the bottom of one sidewall of the chamber. The plate articulates between a substantially vertical position, with the caster fully retracted into the chamber, and a horizontal position with the caster wheel protruding beneath the chamber. A coiled spring biases the plate toward a vertical position, and an automatic locking mechanism holds the caster in its extended position. The caster may be raised and lowered without separately supporting the weight of the container.

Abstract: A method and system for water conservation relies upon the reduction of evaporative losses from water storages having a high ratio of surface area to depth. The system comprises a plurality of buoyant flexible membrane strips interconnected along adjacent edges and anchored by anchor members about the periphery of the water storage. The membrane strips include spaced apertures to prevent accumulation of rain water on upper surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A skewed Log Periodic Dipole Array (LPDA) used as the element in a linear or planar array, serves to remove the element spacing restriction and hence eliminates the grating lobe problem. The skewed form of the device has all dipoles greater in length than the shortest one, i.e. the highest frequency one, skewed such that they are "Z" shaped. When the angle between the end and center segments of the Z dipole is 90 degrees, the skewed LPDA has a constant width equal to the length of the highest frequency dipole.