Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine air flow through an air filter and/or a plurality of air filters. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus to illustrate the differences in air flow and air restriction between a plurality of different air filters and filtration media. The apparatus and system utilizes a common plenum which subjects the plurality of air filters to the same differential pressure. The air flows through a first side of the air filter and is measured on the second side of the air filter by utilizing a wind meter or similar device to gauge the amount of air flow velocity of the second side of the filter. Additionally, the apparatus and system utilizes a display means to illustrate the differing air velocity through the second side of the air filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide communications to a subscriber level of a network using a hybrid communication network. Preferred embodiments of a hybrid communication network of the present invention provide communications using both fiber media and electrically conductive media. Preferred embodiments of the present invention bring fiber optic cables to a point just beyond the last transformer before a subscriber in the power grid. At a point on the subscriber side of the last transformer, e.g., a low voltage subscriber distribution point transformer, the communication signal is preferably coupled from the fiber optic cable of the preferred embodiment to the power transmission line.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine oil migration and oil displacement from a pre-oiled air filter. The present invention may also be utilized to determine if oil is displaced from the air filter onto a portion of the apparatus for visualization to a user. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus having a system for forcing air through the oil subjected air filter thereby attempting to force displacement of the oil from the air filter. The apparatus utilizes a blowing means whereby the oil infused air filter is subject to higher than normal air flow and whereby the apparatus has a deflection portion whereby if oil is displaced from the air filter, it is deflected onto the deflection portion where it would be physically viewable to an observer present in the vicinity of the apparatus.

Abstract: System and method for executing a graphical program on a first computer and providing a user interface of the graphical program on a second computer, where the graphical program includes a plurality of interconnected function icons representing graphical data flow of a function. Information indicating a plurality of graphical programs on the first computer, e.g., a list, may be displayed on the second computer, and user input specifying the graphical program on the first computer received to the second computer, e.g., selecting the graphical program from the list of graphical programs. The graphical program is executed on the first computer, and information describing the user interface of the graphical program is provided to the second computer during said executing. The user interface of the graphical program is displayed on the second computer, facilitating interaction between a user of the second computer and the graphical program executing on the first computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine air flow through an air filter and/or a plurality of air filters. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus to illustrate the differences in air flow and air restriction between a plurality of different air filters and filtration media. The apparatus and system utilizes a common plenum which subjects the plurality of air filters to the same differential pressure. The air flows through a first side of the air filter and is measured on the second side of the air filter by utilizing a wind meter or similar device to gauge the amount of air flow velocity of the second side of the filter. Additionally, the apparatus and system utilizes a display means to illustrate the differing air velocity through the second side of the air filter.

Abstract: A golf card game comprises a plurality of cards, each having a point value associated with the card, and indicia related to a feature associate with an aspect of golf. A selected group of the cards form a hand for each player, and the point values of the cards in the hand are combinable to define a hand score. A scoring guide is provided that has a scoring conversion system for converting the hand score of a hand to a numerical golf score corresponding to the scoring convention for an actual round of golf. A first range of hand scores corresponds to a par score, a second range of hand scores corresponds to a birdie score, a third range of hand scores corresponds to a hole-in-one score, a fourth range of hand scores corresponds to a bogey score, a fifth range of hand scores corresponds to a double bogey score, and a sixth range of hand scores corresponds to a triple bogey score.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing the rate of the firing cycle of a semi-automatic firearm includes a base that is adapted to support any one of a variety of semi-automatic firearms. The base includes a trigger extension with a grip, a slide mount, and a slide housed within the slide mount. At least the receiver, barrel, and trigger assembly of the firearm are secured to the base so that they may move as a single unit upon the base between a rearward position upon discharge of the firearm and a forward position. A biasing means continuously biases the receiver, barrel, and trigger assembly upon the base toward the forward position to effect successive discharges of the firearm.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program which accesses registers of a hardware device. In one embodiment, a register access node or primitive may be included in a graphical program, such that when the graphical program is executed on the computer system, the register access node is operable to access (i.e., either read or write) registers of a hardware device in the computer system. The method may comprise first displaying a register access node in the graphical program in response to user input. For example, the user may select the register access node from a palette and drag and drop the register access node onto a window of the graphical program being created. The user may then configure the register access node to access one or more registers of a selected hardware device, e.g., by using a user interface for performing this configuration.

Abstract: A “timed loop with frames” node may be included in a graphical program. The “timed loop with frames” node may combine a timed loop with a timed sequence such that the timed sequence is executed at each iteration of the timed loop. The “timed loop with frames” node may be configured with first execution timing information that controls execution timing for the iterations of the loop. A plurality of graphical code portions may be included in the “timed loop with frames” such that a sequential order of execution for the graphical code portions is specified. The “timed loop with frames” node may be configured with second execution timing information that controls execution timing for the graphical code portions executed at each iteration.

Abstract: A combination structure node is provided by a graphical programming development environment for use in a graphical program, where the combination structure node is operable to perform two or more control flow functions. For example, the combination structure node may be operable to perform two or more of: iteration, looping, conditional branching, sequencing, timed execution, event-driven execution, or other control flow functions. A user may include the combination structure node in a graphical program and associate a graphical code portion with the combination structure node. During execution of the graphical program, the combination structure node is operable to cause the associated graphical code portion to execute according to the two or more control flow functions performed by the combination structure node.

Abstract: A coupling is designed for sealingly connecting two fluid conduits such as automotive fluid lines in axial end-to-end relationship. The conduits have respective telescopically interengaging male and female end sections and the coupling comprises a base member to be carried on one of the fluid conduits and a retaining structure mounted on the base member and having two C-shaped arms which can be interconnected around the other conduit end section. A releasable lock acts between the arms to lock the retaining structure in engagement. In the locked condition the axially oriented abutment surfaces in the retaining structure engage peripheral shoulders on the conduits to prevent axial separation of the latter. The coupling can be fabricated from integral plastic components and preferably includes a guard arrangement to shield the releasable lock against inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).

Abstract: System and method for enabling a program to call into graphical program code via a shared library. A graphical programming system may export a graphical program to a shared library, such as a Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL), Unix Shared Library, etc. A program, e.g. a text-based program, may then use the shared library to call into the graphical program. Graphical programs or subprograms may have associated inputs or outputs of various data types. When creating a shared library, a functional interface specifying parameterized versions of these inputs and outputs may be specified, either automatically or interactively. A program may then utilize this functional interface to construct an appropriate call into the shared library. A user interface enabling users to specify the mapping of graphical program inputs and outputs onto parameters of the functional interface is described. Multiple graphical programs or subprograms may be exported to a shared library.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for collecting and analyzing data of a wireless communication network including “micro” or “pico” wireless networks. The system collects wireless network performance data utilizing a monitoring device, correlates this information with the monitoring device's location and transmits this time-correlated information to a display device. The system tracks the monitoring device in real-time and provides precise location information of the monitoring device. The system has a built-in self-correction mechanism in a navigational module to verify a test operator's location. In addition, the system also includes an analysis device for post-test processing of the collected cellular radiotelephone network's performance information. The system is portable with long-lasting battery power.

Abstract: System and method enabling client computer(s) to connect to a server computer and receive a graphical program user interface panel(s) for providing input to and/or displaying output from the graphical program, thereby comprising a distributed virtual instrumentation system, wherein a block diagram executes on a server computer to perform a measurement or automation function, and the panel(s) is/are displayed on the client computer(s), enabling users to remotely view and/or control the function. The user may specify the server, i.e., by entering a URL into a web browser and may also specify the graphical program desired. The user interface panel may be dynamically updated during execution of the program. The user may interact with the panel on the client computer to provide input to the graphical program executing on the server, and may also request and receive a block diagram for the remote graphical program, e.g., to view and/or remotely edit the program.

Abstract: System and method for executing a graphical program on a first computer and providing a user interface of the graphical program on a second computer, where the graphical program includes a plurality of interconnected function icons representing graphical data flow of a function. Information indicating a plurality of graphical programs on the first computer, e.g., a list, may be displayed on the second computer, and user input specifying the graphical program on the first computer received to the second computer, e.g., selecting the graphical program from the list of graphical programs. The graphical program is executed on the first computer, and information describing the user interface of the graphical program is provided to the second computer during said executing. The user interface of the graphical program is displayed on the second computer, facilitating interaction between a user of the second computer and the graphical program executing on the first computer.

Abstract: A coupling is designed for sealingly connecting two fluid conduits such as automotive fluid lines in axial end-to-end relationship. The conduits have respective telescopically interengaging male and female end sections and the coupling comprises a base member to be carried on one of the fluid conduits and a retaining structure mounted on the base member and having two C-shaped arms which can be interconnected around the other conduit end section. A releasable lock acts between the arms to lock the retaining structure in engagement. In the locked condition the axially oriented abutment surfaces in the retaining structure engage peripheral shoulders on the conduits to prevent axial separation of the latter. The coupling can be fabricated from integral plastic components and preferably includes a guard arrangement to shield the releasable lock against inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual instrumentation system including a host computer and an embedded system or device, wherein graphical programs created using the computer system can be downloaded to the embedded system for execution in a real-time or more deterministic manner. The present invention thus provides a method for automatically generating an embedded application in response to a graphical program created by a user. This provides the user the ability to develop or define instrument functionality using graphical programming techniques, while enabling the resulting program to operate in an embedded real-time system. The invention includes a novel method for configuring the embedded system. During execution of a graphical program in the embedded system, the block diagram portion executes in the embedded system, and the host CPU executes front panel display code to display on the screen the graphical front panel of the graphical program.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual instrumentation system including a host computer and an embedded system or device, wherein graphical programs created using the computer system can be downloaded to the embedded system for execution in a real-time or more deterministic manner. The present invention thus provides a method for automatically generating an embedded application in response to a graphical program created by a user. This provides the user the ability to develop or define instrument functionality using graphical programming techniques, while enabling the resulting program to operate in an embedded real-time system. The invention includes a novel method for configuring the embedded system. During execution of a graphical program in the embedded system, the block diagram portion executes in the embedded system, and the host CPU executes front panel display code to display on the screen the graphical front panel of the graphical program.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire changing and balancing machine. On the same shaft used to mount and demount a tire, a wheel assembly is balanced. A tire on a wheel assembly is placed between a breaker blade and a breaker pad. The breaker blade collapses the tire. The wheel assembly is then mounted on a shaft. A mounting and demounting head is used to remove the tire from the wheel assembly. A new tire is placed on the wheel assembly. The mounting and demounting head is then used to mount the new tire on the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly and mounted tire are then spun on the shaft and balanced.