Abstract: A shipping method including shipping specialized pallets from a factory to a distribution center, shipping specialized pallets from a distribution center to a customer, returning specialized pallets from the customer to the factory, and reusing the specialized pallets, wherein the specialized pallets separate batteries of battery packs during the shipping.

Abstract: A battery pack with a housing and a plurality of cells disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to provide a storage capacity between about 2.17 and 2.67 ampere hours with an equivalent lithium content between about 6.5 and 8.0. The plurality of cells includes a first battery disposed in the housing and including a first plurality of cells connected in series and a second battery disposed in the housing and including a second plurality of cells connected in series, wherein the first battery and the second battery are operable in a storage mode and a use mode.

Abstract: A battery pack packaging system and method includes a kit box with a body, a first receptacle in the body operable to receive at least one of a cordless device and a charging device, a second receptacle in the body, and a battery container removably received by the second receptacle, the battery container configured to meet regulatory rules for shipping a battery pack with a cordless device or separately from a cordless device.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.

Abstract: An operator interface for a control system for a bulk material baler includes interface means such as a touch screen or keyboard for an operator to enter process parameters into a control system memory. A display shows process parameter fields into which an operator may enter desired control parameters. The display also displays data feedback from baler process sensors. The baler control system then controls baling parameters as the operator directs including: strap feed position, strap feed speed, strap feed torque, strap release tension, tying cylinder position, tying cylinder speed and tying cylinder torque. The operator may also control carriage movement, alarm limits, shut off limits and monitor on the display baler processing data both currently and historically. Other aspects of automated baling may be optionally monitored or controlled through the operator interface of the present invention.

Abstract: A battery pack with a first battery and a second battery, wherein each battery is a plurality of cells connected in series, and operable in a storage mode and a use mode, a storage mode defined by isolating the first battery from the second battery, and a use mode defined by electrically connecting the first battery to the second battery. The storage mode may include: electrically isolating said first plurality of cells from said second plurality of cells or physically isolating said first plurality of cells from said second plurality of cells.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball. The cordless power tool and battery pack combination may additionally include the battery pack having a modular interface section that interfaces with the power tool and a battery cup section mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power and a cordless power tool and battery pack includes the battery pack having a modular interface section that interfaces with the power tool and a battery cup section mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A method for electrically isolating a portable, electrically-operated device, in which a converter module for converting electrical power from an external power source to a desired DC voltage for the device may be adapted to be removeably attached to the device. The converter module may include a switch mode transformer for electrically isolating the external power source from the device.

Abstract: A method for the placement of subterranean electrodes is disclosed and which includes the steps of providing an earth engaging drill; forming a bore hole in the surface of the earth with the earth engaging drill; providing an electrode; and delivering the electrode into the bore hole by employing the earth engaging drill.

Abstract: A panelized container system has a plurality of modular panels that are rigid and incapable of significant flexing. The modular panels assemble into a polygonal container for holding soil and growing plants through a plurality of openings in the panels. The panels connect by a union of female and male connecting members. Elongate connecting rods having trapezoid shaped appendages of 45-degree, 90-degree, 180-degree or combined orientation join elongate trapezoid shaped channels formed along the vertical edges of the panels. A selection of panels and connecting rods may be combined into a kit, which may include a tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving the security of computer networks by providing a means operating passively on the network for detecting, reporting and responding to intruders. The system is comprised of a plurality of intruder sensor client computers and associated event correlation engines. Resident in the memory of the client computer and operating in the background is a Tactical Internet Device Protection (TIDP) component consisting of a passive intruder detector and a security Management Information Base (MIB). The passive intruder detector component of the TIDP passively monitors operations performed on the client computer and emits a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap to an event correlation engine when it identifies a suspected intruder. The event correlation engine, through the use of a behavior model loaded in its memory, determines whether the user's activities are innocent or those of a perspective intruder.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.

Abstract: A method of conducting a sealed-bid auction is disclosed that herds the bids into a smaller range than might otherwise occur. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, each bid is classified into exactly one of a plurality of buckets. Each bucket, and the bids in the bucket, if there are any, are published at different times in accordance with a bid publishing schedule. The bids in each bucket are published simultaneously, and the bid publishing schedule dictates that buckets comprising bids that are more advantageous to the auction solicitor are published before buckets comprising bids that are less advantageous to the auction solicitor.

Abstract: An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surface mountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normal to the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers a cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open end of the sidewall and provides, at mutual right angles, a pair of cap engagement features, one fixed to the fastener, thereby holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base. The other feature receives a towel or tissue rod. A lamp is mounted on the base for transmitting light through the transparent cylindrical sidewall for illuminating a space.

Abstract: An illuminated rod standoff has a base with a recessed surface mountable to a wall, and an axially positioned fastener oriented normal to the recessed surface. The fastener engages a cap which centers a cylindrical sidewall resting on the recessed surface within a close-fitting peripheral edge. The cap closes an open distal end of the sidewall and provides a fastener holding the cap securely to the cylindrical sidewall and the cylindrical sidewall to the base. A towel or tissue rod my be engaged with the cap. A pair of lamps are mounted on the base for transmitting light through the cylindrical sidewall in a highly uniform manner.

Abstract: A method for conducting an auction in which bidders are encouraged to make more aggressive bids than they might otherwise make because they know that such bids will result in an ancillary advantage to themselves. The auction variables are those aspects of the auction that become the contract terms of the contract. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a relationship between a first auction variable and a second auction variable is defined and published, and the relationship is such that changes in the first auction variable in a direction favorable to the auction solicitor result in changes in the second auction variable in a direction favorable to bidders. This positive feedback mechanism encourages bidders to make more aggressive bids than they might otherwise make.