Abstract: A connector for connecting elongated members has a connector body having two configurations. In a first configuration, the connector connects two elongated members in a fixed relative position. In a second configuration, the connector connects the two elongated members by selectively positioning one elongated member relative to a second elongated member. A threaded lock is provided that is operated to configure the connector in one of the two configurations.

Abstract: An improved shuttlecock for playing a game involving hitting the shuttlecock back-and-forth between players includes a base having a number of stems, each stem extending outwardly from a central axis of the improved shuttlecock by a non-zero angle (e.g., from 2 to 30 degrees). Each stem has a receptor. The base has a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the plurality of stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the plurality of stems. A nose has a striking end and a lip that is distal from the striking end. The nose is connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base. Several feathers are included (equal number as the number of stems), each has a quill end. The quill end of each feather is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.

Abstract: A peripheral stimulus system for maintaining an active state computer includes a peripheral input/output device connected to the computer, a peripheral stimulus device connected to the peripheral input/output device, the peripheral stimulus device generating a stimulus received by the computer to maintain the computer in an active state.

Abstract: A material deposition unit includes a radiation unit designed to emit electromagnetic radiation in a directed manner onto a workpiece along a beam axis, and a powder discharge device that has multiple powder discharge units configured to discharge powder in a directed form onto the workpiece through powder-outlet openings. The material deposition unit further includes a powder division unit having multiple powder channels. A number of powder channels corresponds to a number of powder discharge units. The powder division unit is designed to distribute a central powder stream guided to a feed channel uniformly over the powder channels. Each respective powder channel is connected to a respective powder discharge unit by an exchangeable connecting element. At least one powder discharge unit has an exchangeable powder discharge element, which is elongate, has a first end and a second end, and is arranged at least partially within the corresponding powder discharge unit.

Abstract: A game system having a net and a shuttlecock for playing a game involving hitting the shuttlecock back-and-forth between players located on opposite sides of the net. The net is supported above a ground surface and has an opening formed therethrough to provide passage of the shuttlecock through the net when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the net. The shuttlecock has a plurality of flexible feather fins that are specifically configured and arranged to provide airspeed braking of the shuttlecock when in flight to control the speed and the distance that the shuttlecock may be hit.

Abstract: A game net for playing a game involving hitting an object back-and-forth between players located on opposite sides of the net. The game net has a netting or panel that is supportable on a frame or otherwise above a ground surface and is movable from location to location. The netting or panel has an opening or window formed completely therethrough to provide passage of the object through the netting or panel when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the netting or panel. With the game net, players must direct the object more accurately through the window with a higher degree of precision than what is required to pass an object over existing game nets.

Abstract: A striking subassembly has lower and upper components. The lower component has a hemispherical lower section and a cylindrical upper section. A chamber within the lower component terminates above with an annular projection. The upper component has upper and lower disks. An annular recess is between the upper and lower disks offset from the annular projection. Feathers extend upwardly from the upper disk. An electrical assembly has a printed circuit board with a periphery. The periphery is secured within the chamber to the upper component. A light emitting diode extends downwardly from the printed circuit board. A battery powers the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for performing initialization operations for a graphics processing unit (GPU). The approach includes detecting errors while performing one or more initialization operations. Further, the approach includes releasing a holdoff on a communication link that couples the GPU to a memory bridge and causing debug output to be displayed to a user that indicates the error.

Abstract: An access node, resource database, network gateway node, methods, and computer program product for use in a broadband access network is described. According to an embodiment of the invention, an access node is configured to determine at least one characteristic in the access node pertaining to the uplink capacity of a logical link between the access node and an aggregation network node in the broadband access network, determine the uplink capacity of the logical link based on the at least one determined characteristic in the access node, and provide a network gateway node in the broadband access network with access to the determined uplink capacity of the logical link.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for performing initialization operations for a graphics processing unit (GPU). The approach includes detecting errors while performing one or more initialization operations. Further, the approach includes releasing a holdoff on a communication link that couples the GPU to a memory bridge and causing debug output to be displayed to a user that indicates the error.