Abstract: A safety mud flap for trucks or other vehicles includes a plurality of integral lights. A first set of lights is configured as a series of sequentially sized outlines of directional arrows, preferably yellow or amber in color, and is activated as a turn signal (e.g., with the arrow outlines going from smaller to larger), or as hazard lights. A second set of lights is in the form of a larger outline of a directional arrow configured around the first set of arrows, is preferably white in color, and is illuminated only when the vehicle is backing up. An audible backup beeper or alarm is preferably co-located within the series of arrows, and is also activated when backing up. A third set of lights is configured as a running light/brake light in the form of a separate red circle or oval preferably located near the bottom of the mud flap. Each set of lights is connected to the corresponding circuit in the vehicle's wiring system.

Abstract: A portable barbecue apparatus (1) comprises a base unit (2) adapted to contain a source of heat, a support structure (6) for the base unit by which the base unit (2) can be mounted outdoors for use, and a plurality of cooking units (3, 4, 5) selectively mountable on the base unit for achieving different types of cooking. A user of the barbecue apparatus (1) is able to attach one or more cooking units (3, 4, 5) to the base unit (2) depending on the required cooking activity. One of the selectively mountable cooking units is a kettle unit (3) capable of holding and dispensing water which is heated by the source of heat until it is boiling.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a back pack from a user comprises a substantially u-shaped harness, the harness having a rear neck portion and a pair of front portions extending therefrom. The apparatus further comprises at least one top harness connector suspended substantially downwardly from the rear neck portion, the at least one top harness connector being selectably attachable to the top of a backpack and a bottom harness connector extending from each front portions, each of the bottom harness connectors being selectably attachable to a bottom of a backpack. A system for supporting a load from a user comprises a harness and a first pack having at least one pack top connector and at least two bottom pack connectors. The harness may be located within an article of clothing.

Abstract: An apparatus for teaching proper technique for the Heimlich or Abdominal Thrust maneuver. When the Heimlich or Abdominal Thrust maneuver is applied to the apparatus by a user, an indicator is provided to show the user whether proper technique was used. The apparatus can take the form of a wearable garment or a form, either of which may mimic the shape of a person. The apparatus is scalable, and may be made to mimic the shapes of persons of various sizes, including infants and animals, if desired. Indicators can be included to measure the effectiveness of other techniques often used in conjunction with the Heimlich or Abdominal Thrust maneuver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses and methods for providing a graphical user interface on the display device, where the graphical user interface includes a graph viewing tool for charting data. The graph viewing tool includes: (a) a first display area displaying a first axis and a second axis of a graph, the first axis representing a first parameter of the data over a first range of values; (b) a second display area displaying a third axis representing the first parameter over a second range of values; and (c) a first tool and a second tool displayed in the second display area proximate the third axis, wherein the first tool and the second tool are configured such that they can be moved relative to each other and relative to the third axis to increase or decrease the first range of values displayed along the first axis in the first display area.

Abstract: A method of determining an orbit of an orbital object includes computing predicted tracking measurement values based on the orbit computed from the initial conditions factoring in any modeled environmental forces and realistic maneuvers; computing the differences between the actual and predicted tracking measurements; determining an improved estimate of the initial conditions that reduces the measurement errors using a minimization or root finding algorithm; after the algorithm has converged, reviewing the hypothetical maneuvers in the force model, taking each value and determining which values came up as near-zero in the minimized solutions and which values came up as those of measurable thrust; determining overall burn duration using the first and last burn times; determining the thrust profile of the orbital object over the observation period using the integrated thrust values; and determining the actual maneuver based on the observation data.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microstructured fiber, includes: providing a preform having a plurality of elongate holes; mating at least one, but not all, of the holes with a connector to connect the hole(s) to an external pressure-controller; drawing the preform into the fiber while controlling gas pressure in the hole(s) connected to the pressure-controller.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a hinged sports post or goal post is provided. The device includes a frame with a ground engaging member and an upwardly extending post. Wheels are connected to a medial portion of the frame, and the wheels are adapted to be out of ground contact when the ground engaging member is in an operating position. A winch it is connected on an opposite end of the frame from the ground engaging member. A controller is connected to the winch and is operable by a user in order to raise or lower the hinged post that is connected to the winch cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an epoxy film composition, comprising: novolac resin; solvent; a photoacid generator having the structure A+B? and having a pKa of ?5 or less; and a photolabile quencher generator having the structure C+D? and having a pKa greater than ?10; wherein B? and D? are different; wherein the amount of the photoacid generator ranges from 0.1 to 7 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition; and wherein the amount of the photolabile quencher generator ranges from 0.1 to 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the photoacid generator. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling photospeed in a negative photoresist.

Abstract: An integrated parking brake and clutch control system for a vehicle is provided that includes a clutch perch configured for mounting on a handlebar assembly of a vehicle. A clutch lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and clutch-applied positions, and between the rest position and a parking-brake-applied position. A brake lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and depressed positions. A lock pin is supported by and moveable with the brake lever. The clutch lever defines a pin-receiving aperture and is configured to receive respective ends of a clutch cable and a parking brake cable. The lock pin is selectively insertable into the pin-receiving aperture when the clutch lever is in the parking-brake-applied position, which prevents the clutch lever from pivoting to either the rest position or the clutch-applied position.

Abstract: A carrier rack for a vehicle is provided that includes a tubular frame member and a plurality of strapping members. The tubular frame member includes at least four corner portions and defines an outer perimeter of the carrier rack and also defines a carrier plane. Each of the strapping members is secured to a respective one of the corner portions, and is spaced apart from the carrier plane and positioned entirely interior of the outer perimeter of the carrier rack. The carrier plane is generally horizontally oriented, and each of the strapping members is below the carrier plane, when the carrier rack is attached to a vehicle and oriented to carry objects.

Abstract: A method of determining an orbit of an orbital object includes computing predicted tracking measurement values based on the orbit computed from the initial conditions factoring in any modeled environmental forces and realistic maneuvers; computing the differences between the actual and predicted tracking measurements; determining an improved estimate of the initial conditions that reduces the measurement errors using a minimization or root finding algorithm; after the algorithm has converged, reviewing the hypothetical maneuvers in the force model, taking each value and determining which values came up as near-zero in the minimized solutions and which values came up as those of measurable thrust; determining overall burn duration using the first and last burn times; determining the thrust profile of the orbital object over the observation period using the integrated thrust values; and determining the actual maneuver based on the observation data.

Abstract: Proteins that bind to IGF-II and/or IGF-IIE and methods of using such proteins are described. Also disclosed are new methods for treatment of cancer. Cancer is treated by administration of an IGF-II/IGF-IIE binding protein and an additional therapy such as a growth hormone/growth hormone releasing hormone pathway modulator or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microstructured fibre, includes: providing a preform having a plurality of elongate holes; mating at least one, but not all, of the holes with a connector to connect the hole(s) to an external pressure-controller; drawing the preform into the fibre whilst controlling gas pressure in the hole(s) connected to the pressure-controller.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a processor configured to generate a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having: (a) one or more rectangular base icons of a first size, (b) a grid where the cells of the grid are of the first size, and (c) one or more content fields having a size that is a multiple of the first size and being aligned with the grid. The apparatus further includes a communication interface configured to communicate the graphical user interface to a user terminal for display on the user terminal. The graphical user interface is further configured such that the user can move the one or more base icons and the one or more content fields to other locations within the grid provided that the one or more base icons and one or more content fields are aligned with the grid at the other locations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses and methods for providing a graphical user interface on the display device, where the graphical user interface includes a graph viewing tool for charting data. The graph viewing tool includes: (a) a first display area displaying a first axis and a second axis of a graph, the first axis representing a first parameter of the data over a first range of values; (b) a second display area displaying a third axis representing the first parameter over a second range of values; and (c) a first tool and a second tool displayed in the second display area proximate the third axis, wherein the first tool and the second tool are configured such that they can be moved relative to each other and relative to the third axis to increase or decrease the first range of values displayed along the first axis in the first display area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and method for customizing a bank card. For example, the apparatus includes a communication interface and a processor operatively coupled to the communication interface. The communication interface is configured to interact with a user terminal and receive user input from the user terminal, the user input including at least one user-selected bank card option. The processor is configured to provide, via the communication interface, a graphical user interface to be displayed on a display of the user terminal. The graphical user interface includes an image of the bank card having the at least one user-selected bank card option and showing the user's name on the image of the bank card.

Abstract: An integrated parking brake and clutch control system for a vehicle is provided that includes a clutch perch configured for mounting on a handlebar assembly of a vehicle. A clutch lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and clutch-applied positions, and between the rest position and a parking-brake-applied position. A brake lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and depressed positions. A lock pin is supported by and moveable with the brake lever. The clutch lever defines a pin-receiving aperture and is configured to receive respective ends of a clutch cable and a parking brake cable. The lock pin is selectively insertable into the pin-receiving aperture when the clutch lever is in the parking-brake-applied position, which prevents the clutch lever from pivoting to either the rest position or the clutch-applied position.

Abstract: A carrier rack for a vehicle is provided that includes a tubular frame member and a plurality of strapping members. The tubular frame member includes at least four corner portions and defines an outer perimeter of the carrier rack and also defines a carrier plane. Each of the strapping members is secured to a respective one of the corner portions, and is spaced apart from the carrier plane and positioned entirely interior of the outer perimeter of the carrier rack. The carrier plane is generally horizontally oriented, and each of the strapping members is below the carrier plane, when the carrier rack is attached to a vehicle and oriented to carry objects.