Abstract: A coupler assembly to interpose between the arm of the vehicle and a parallel pinned implement having two docks, one on each of the two members able to be caused to slide relative to each other, each dock engagable outwardly to its pin with at least one pin being captive in its dock by a pivoted retention member.

Abstract: A flexible duct including: a first, inner layer that includes multiple helical windings of a strip of thin flexible material; a second layer overlying and adhered to the first, inner layer and including multiple helical windings of a tube containing insulating material; and a helically wound reinforcing element.

Abstract: Improved inductive electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inductive device module comprising N inductors and N+1 core elements. The core elements comprise ferrite core pieces that are optionally identical to one another. These core elements are stacked (e.g., in a longitudinal coaxial arrangement) such that the back of one core element associated with a first inductor provides a magnetic flux path for a second inductor. Form-less (bonded) windings are also optionally used to simplify the manufacture of the device, reduce its cost, and allow it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB.

Abstract: A back hoe bucket assembly of a kind having a bucket defining cavity bounded by spaced end plates, a cutting edge plate, one or more other plates spanning between the end plates, and a hitch assembly on the bucket for attachment to a complementary boom attachment. An angle plate extends above the bucket to span to each of the end plates, to define, together with the or a spanning plate(s), a hollow rigidifying form, and the hitch assembly is fixably attached directly in part, or indirectly in part, to said angle plate.

Abstract: One embodiment of a multi-use, adjustable fit cement washout waste containment apparatus having the capability to be easily and quickly affixed to different types of common cement transport equipment and tools specific to the cement trade. The amply wide adjustable circular opening (10), fitted with a locking drawstring assembly, or toggle, can be sized to readily be affixed to the discharging ends of common cement transport equipment, namely; cement transport truck chutes, cement pump assembly chutes, power buggies, wheelbarrows, etc. Once properly affixed, the containment apparatus acts to contain solid components of the water/uncured cement slurry which results from the washout processes of such equipment and allows partially filtered water to pass through the body (14) of the apparatus. Subsequently, the apparatus, containing the filtered cement waste, can be easily removed from the cleaned equipment and transported to a municipal disposal or reclamation site. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Methods for controlling performance enhancement systems by a media display system include displaying performance information on the media display system, determining a state of the media display system, and controlling one or more performance enhancement systems based on the state of the media display system.

Abstract: Improved inductive electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inductive device module comprising N inductors and N+1 core elements. The core elements comprise ferrite core pieces that are optionally identical to one another. These core elements are stacked (e.g., in a longitudinal coaxial arrangement) such that the back of one core element associated with a first inductor provides a magnetic flux path for a second inductor. Form-less (bonded) windings are also optionally used to simplify the manufacture of the device, reduce its cost, and allow it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB.

Abstract: Improved over-voltage protection apparatus and associated methods useful in e.g., telecommunications applications. In one embodiment, the over voltage protection apparatus comprises a gas discharge tube, common mode inductor, coupled inductor, secondary over-voltage protection device, filter circuitry, coupled inductor and common mode inductor. In one embodiment the over voltage protection apparatus comprises a gas discharge tube, common mode inductor, coupled inductor, secondary over-voltage protection device and filter circuitry. The arrangement of said inductive components being optimally connected in such a manner as to provide a high impedance circuit for all surge events to the gas discharge tube, so as to protect the filtering circuitry. Methods for the manufacture of the filter protection apparatus so as to be maximally independent of component tolerances are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-core inductive device assembly for electrical or electronic applications. In one embodiment, the device assembly comprises a multiple core component structure providing multiple inductive devices (for example, that has N inductors and two core elements). Conductive windings are disposed between the core elements. The core elements comprise risers for each of the inductive devices which permit, among other things, individual control of the gap formed between the risers, and hence the magnetic and other performance aspects of each inductive device. This topology allows for a multi-element (N) inductor array with substantial isolation properties, and which allows for individualized control of saturated output power performance for each of the N inductors. Methods for use and manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: A robot apparatus and a barcode scanner to be used for collecting positional data parallel to the scan direction in, for example, a library storage system is provided. In one embodiment, the robotic apparatus includes a barcode scanner having a scan path and an attenuation surface within the scanner scan path. The barcode scanner scans the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction parallel with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target. The central position of the target in a parallel direction to the scan path is determined based on the readability of the barcode target and the correlating positional data. The barcode scanner can also scan the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction perpendicular with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target.

Abstract: A data storage library having two inward facing storage arrays and two outward (i.e., back to back) facing arrays between the two inward facing arrays, such that an access device positioned to access one of the outward facing arrays can perform a rotation to be positioned to access one of the inward facing arrays. Thus a single access device can access all four arrays only by performing translations and rotations as necessary.

Abstract: A scoring system for a ball activity area is provided. The ball activity area includes a plurality of activity stations, each of which has one or more hoops or tubes through which balls can be thrown. The hoops and tubes are provided with sensors which determine when a ball passes through the hoop or tube, or contacts the hoop. The sensors are in communication with a controller which receives the signals from the sensors. When the controller receives a signal from a sensor, it adds a predetermined number points to a counter, and displays the point total on a score board. The points awarded for different activity stations can be varied depending on the difficulty of passing a ball through the hoop or tube in an activity station.

Abstract: A data storage library having two inward facing storage arrays and two outward (i.e., back to back) facing arrays between the two inward facing arrays, such that an access device positioned to access one of the outward facing arrays can perform a rotation to be positioned to access one of the inward facing arrays. Thus a single access device can access all four arrays only by performing translations and rotations as necessary.

Abstract: A robot apparatus and a barcode scanner to be used for collecting positional data parallel to the scan direction in, for example, a library storage system is provided. In one embodiment, the robotic apparatus includes a barcode scanner having a scan path and an attenuation surface within the scanner scan path. The barcode scanner scans the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction parallel with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target. The central position of the target in a parallel direction to the scan path is determined based on the readability of the barcode target and the correlating positional data. The barcode scanner can also scan the target while the robotic apparatus is moved in a direction perpendicular with the scan path. Positional data is collected in conjunction with the readability limits of the barcode target.

Abstract: A 2N redundant power system and method is disclosed that uses cross-coupled AC power transfer. Two cross-coupled AC Transfer switches always connect power converting hardware to an active AC source so that the 2N redundant power system prevents changes in the operating conditions when the loss of one AC source occurs. The system includes a first power source for providing power to a load through a first branch, a second power source for providing power to the load through a second branch and a pair of AC transfer switches cross-coupling the first power source to the second branch when a failure to the second power source is detected, and vice versa. A first and second contactor arrangement each include a first contactor and a second contactor connected in series. A control circuit includes a first coil system for controlling the first contactor arrangement, a second coil system for controlling the second contactor arrangement, and a coil system selection circuit.