Abstract: A conduit coupling device for joining conduits including a lock ring, a lock nut and a body, the body have an end adapted to receive the lock nut and the lock ring. The lock ring has an anti-shear and pull-out resisting construction adapted for resisting lock ring shear and conduit pull-out. The lock nut is adapted to receive the lock ring and compress the lock ring onto the conduit as the lock nut is received by the body end. The lock ring has proximal and distal ends with a bore being adapted to receive the conduit said bore having an inner surface F with an inner liner bonded to the inner surface of the bore. The anti-shear and pull-out resistant construction may include the inner liner having sawtooth ridges or grit particles to help resist lock ring shear and conduit pull-out and convert the conduit pull-out force to a shear force. In addition, the lock ring may include an annular flared rim forming an annular, concave shear engagement surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a container, mixing the contents contained in the container, and cleaning the container by removing its contents using a single tool. In removing the contents, the tool has a sharpened edge with a radial curvature for scraping the sides of the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a safety belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.

Abstract: An applicator head apparatus disposable on the end of a handle, including an applicator valve and a wiper head. The applicator valve further including a socket mounted on the wiper head and a coupling assembly with one end connected to the handle and the other end having a cylinder member rotatably mounted in the socket, the applicator valve having a first position preventing flow and a second position permitting flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a container, mixing the contents contained in the container, and cleaning the container by removing its contents using a single tool. In removing the contents, the tool has a sharpened edge with a radial curvature for scraping the sides of the container.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling data congestion affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network. The system and method employs a congestion detector adapted to determine that data congestion exists in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and a congestion controller, adapted to control downlinking of data from the network controller to at least one select group of the user terminals and uplinking of data from at least one select group of the user terminals to the network controller, in response to the data congestion. The congestion controller and control downlinking and uplinking of data to and from the select group or groups of terminals based on criteria such as user terminals which are all located within a single uplink cell or user terminals which are located within all uplink cells in said network.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling interference affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network, by establishing and using virtual cells which are independent of the cells formed by the spot beams generated by the satellite. The system and method employs an interference detector which is adapted to detect interference in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and an interference source identifier which is adapted to identify a source of the interference by deactivating at least one select group of the user terminals based on criteria independent of the respective cell or cells in which the user terminals reside, to locate those terminals whose ability to communicate in the network is being interfered with by the detected interference.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the availability of a satellite communications system is provided. A spare satellite is brought online by loading updated software in the satellite while the satellite is moving toward a new orbital position. The time required to bring the spare satellite into operation, and therefore restore service in the communication system, is thereby reduced.

Abstract: An applicator head apparatus disposable on the end of a handle, including an applicator valve and a wiper head. The applicator valve further including a socket mounted on the wiper head and a coupling assembly with one end connected to the handle and the other end having a cylinder member rotatably mounted in the socket, the applicator valve having a first position preventing flow and a second position permitting flow.

Abstract: A cartridge unit is for use with a toner cartridge assembly of an image developing device. The cartridge unit has a cartridge including a toner bottle coupled with a cap assembly, where the toner bottle includes an elongate cylindrical structure which has a central axis. The cap assembly is coupled with the toner bottle and includes a mouth portion. At least one scoop is coupled within the mouth portion of the cap assembly, where the scoop is adapted for drawing developer from the toner bottle through the mouth portion as the toner bottle is rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A cartridge unit is for use with a toner cartridge assembly of an image developing device. The cartridge unit has a cartridge including a toner bottle coupled with a cap assembly, where the toner bottle includes an elongate cylindrical structure which has a central axis. The cap assembly is coupled with the toner bottle and includes a mouth portion. At least one scoop is coupled within the mouth portion of the cap assembly, where the scoop is adapted for drawing developer from the toner bottle through the mouth portion as the toner bottle is rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A toner cartridge assembly is provided including a cartridge rotatably mounted with a cap component. The cap component has an opening and a sweeper assembly rotatably coupled therewith. The cartridge has a sealing area on one end which seals the opening of the cap component. Longitudinal toner guiding ribs are provided on the cartridge for agitating the toner to be guided by the internal surface of the cartridge. A safety ring is provided on an external surface of the cartridge, and has a gap therein. The safety ring prevents removal of the toner cartridge assembly due to engaging components of the hopper. The cartridge assembly can be removed from the hopper when the gap of the ring is aligned with the engaging components, which also simultaneously requires the sealing area of the cartridge to cover the opening of the cap component.

Abstract: Inbred maize lines designated as 4SQ601 and 4SQ602, plants and seeds of such maize lines, methods for producing maize plants by crossing said lines with themselves or another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing said inbred maize lines with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-level memory system with a multi-level memory structure and methods for allocating data among the levels of memory based on the likelihood of imminent future use. The multi-level memory structure includes a first level memory that stores the data most likely to be imminently accessed, a second level memory that stores data transferred from the first level memory when the first level memory is full, and a third level memory that stores data that is the least recently used when the second level memory is full. According to the invention, predetermined criteria and statistics are used to determine which data is likely to be imminently accessed. Once the first level memory has been full, data stored in that memory level may be rearranged based on when it is likely to be accessed. The first level memory also provides for faster access than the second level memory which in turn provides faster access then the third level memory.

Abstract: A computer system performs memory to memory transfer, task scheduling and I/O request handling via a group of dedicated processors (e.g. a memory interface unit, an I/O unit, a data transfer unit, and a task control unit). The memory interface unit facilitates data interaction between the memory and the remainder of the system. The I/O unit is coupled to the memory interface unit and performs high level I/O job functions including I/O job scheduling, I/O job path selection, gathering of job statistics and device management. The data transfer unit is coupled to the memory interface unit and moves data between memory locations. The task control unit, coupled to the memory interface unit, allocates and deallocates events, maintains the status of tasks running on the system and schedules the execution of tasks. A hierarchical error reporting scheme is used by all of the processors.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for open or closed flap diskettes is provided wherein the diskettes are singulated and withdrawn from the bottom of a stack of diskettes disposed in a hopper, transported to a work station where the diskette is duplicated and tested, then withdrawn from the work station and deposited in one of several bins depending upon the results of testing.The diskettes are supported in a hopper upon first and second support surfaces, the first being at the front of the hopper and slightly above the second. The lowermost diskette is moved rearwardly from beneath the stack until its front edge is deposited onto a third support surface below the first support surface, then engaged by a clamp and advanced beneath the first support surface to the work station.