Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed. The pulse generator includes a DC source; a plurality of switches, a transformer; and a pulsing output. The pulse generator can be coupled with a plasma chamber. The pulsing output outputs high voltage pulses having a peak-to-peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a voltage portion between consecutive high voltage bipolar pulses that has a negative slope that substantially offsets the voltage reduction on a wafer within a plasma chamber due to an ion current. The resulting voltage at the wafer may be substantially flat between consecutive pulses.

Abstract: Systems involving generation of electrical power are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: two rechargeable batteries; a DC-to-AC inverter; and a self-recharging system operative to alternately recharge a first of the batteries using charge provided from a second of the batteries, and recharge the second of the batteries using charge provided from the first of the batteries; wherein the DC-to-AC inverter is operative to direct charge from the first of the batteries to a load during recharge of the second of the batteries, and to direct charge from the second of the batteries to the load during recharge of the first of the batteries.

Abstract: Systems for aerating soil are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a plurality of aerating members, each of the aerating members having circumferential ends, longitudinal end portions, an aerating portion and aerating stud members, the end portions of the aerating members being angled with respect to the aerating portion; and a plurality of aerating stud members extending from the aerating portion of the aerating members; the aerating members being configured such that a circumferential end of a first of the aerating members attaches to a corresponding circumferential end of an adjacent one of the aerating members.

Abstract: A cover assembly for use on a recessed in-floor fitting. The cover assembly includes a flange configured to be mounted along the surface of a floor and a cover rotatably connected to the flange and configured to be moved with respect to the flange from a closed position covering the interior of the in-floor fitting to an open position allowing access to the interior. The cover includes a gasket that forms a radial seal along an inner wall of the flange when the cover is in the closed position and at least one door that is movable from a closed position that covers up an egress passageway in the cover to an open position that exposes the egress passageway. The door is configured to slide under a top surface of the cover when moved between the open and closed positions and is biased toward the closed position.

Abstract: A recessed electrical outlet box for mounting in a floor. The outlet box includes a body made at least partially of intumescent material and configured to retain at least one receptacle and a retention structure receiving the body. The retention structure is configured to retain the body within a hole in the floor and contain the expansion of the intumescent material.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment comprises a plurality of aerating members with each aerating member having two opposing end portions, an aerating portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The end portions of the aerating members being angled with respect to the aerating portion. A plurality of linking members are moveably coupled with fasteners to the end portions such that an alternating series of linking members and aerating members form a loop of such members for attaching to a tire. A plurality of stud members are attached to the aerating portion of the aerating members.

Abstract: A poke-thru fitting includes a plurality of stacked modules, each of the plurality of stacked modules being configured to retain at least a power receptacle and a communication receptacle, wherein an axial cross-sectional envelope of the fitting remains constant despite the number of the plurality of stacked modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing streaming media with multiple output devices. One or more media servers serve media streams to one or more output devices (i.e., players). For playback synchronization, one output device is the “master”, whereas the remaining output devices are “slaves”. More data is requested from the media server by the “master” device to maintain a nominal buffer fill level over time. The “slave” devices receive streamed data from the media server at the rate determined by the master device's data requests, and the average rate of data flow over the streaming network is thus controlled by the frequency of the single “master” device's crystal. “Slave” devices make playback rate corrections to maintain respective buffer fill levels within upper and lower threshold levels. For slow networks, each media data packet timestamp is calculated from the time the master's buffer reaches nominal level.

Abstract: A keyless chuck having both an automatic locking feature and a manual locking feature. The automatic locking feature provides for automatic locking of the chuck in a tightened state when a predetermined tightening torque has been exceeded. The chuck can be utilized with only the automatic locking feature engaged. If desired, a manual locking feature can also be engaged wherein rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the body is prevented. A retaining feature can be employed to inhibit the movement of the manual locking feature between a locked and unlocked position. The retaining feature thereby avoids accidental engaging or disengaging of the manual locking feature.

Abstract: A poke-thru fitting includes a plurality of stacked modules, each of the plurality of stacked modules being configured to retain at least a power receptacle and a communication receptacle, wherein an axial cross-sectional envelope of the fitting remains constant despite the number of the plurality of stacked modules.

Abstract: A grip for attachment to a firearm is provided. The firearm grip includes a housing having an internal storage cavity and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body and a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for preventing water infiltration into an in-floor receptacle fitting, such as a poke-thru fitting. The fitting includes an internal compartment which is accessible through an opening in the surface of the floor. The cover assembly includes a trim flange which overlies the floor opening. The trim flange supports at least one receptacle, such as a power receptacle, within the fitting such that the receptacle can be interconnected within the inner compartment with source cables that enter the fitting from below the floor, and can be interconnected from above with a connector such as a male electrical plug. A cover plate is mounted on the trim flange and overlies the receptacles carried by the fitting. The cover plate includes a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors is movable between a first position at which it overlies an associated receptacle to prevent access thereto and a second position at which the associated receptacle is exposed and accessible from above.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for preventing water infiltration into an in-floor receptacle fitting, such as a poke-thru fitting. The fitting includes an internal compartment which is accessible through an opening in the surface of the floor. The cover assembly includes a trim flange which overlies the floor opening. The trim flange supports at least one receptacle, such as a power receptacle, within the fitting such that the receptacle can be interconnected within the inner compartment with source cables that enter the fitting from below the floor, and can be interconnected from above with a connector such as a male electrical plug. A cover plate is mounted on the trim flange and overlies the receptacles carried by the fitting. The cover plate includes a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors is movable between a first position at which it overlies an associated receptacle to prevent access thereto and a second position at which the associated receptacle is exposed and accessible from above.

Abstract: One embodiment of a non-metallic floor box for use in electrical in-floor power and communication distribution systems for office buildings and the like includes a closed housing having a base, a top and vertically extending side walls defining an interior volume. The floor box prevents concrete from entering the housing during pouring and setting of the concrete floor, and is adapted to be cut off substantially flush with and parallel to the concrete floor in which it is set. The floor box housing includes gradient markings disposed on at least one of its side walls to indicate the interior volume of the housing and/or the depth of the concrete floor.

Abstract: A non-metallic floor box for use in electrical in-floor power and communication distribution systems includes a plurality of sets of vertically aligned indexing teeth formed in the interior of the housing side wall. An adapter ring is sized for insertion into the housing interior for supporting an activation kit above the housing interior compartment. The adapter ring has flanges extending from its periphery which are positioned to reciprocally mate with the vertical rows of teeth when the adapter ring is inserted into the housing interior compartment. The flanges and teeth are constructed to permit the ring to be inserted into the housing but to restrict its removal from the housing after its insertion therein. An activation cover is securable to the top of the adapter ring and extends beyond the perimeter of the side wall to limit the distance the adapter ring can be inserted into the housing.

Abstract: This patent discloses a method and apparatus for activation of services in a concrete floor of an office building from below floor slab distribution systems. Void-forming boxes that are secured to a conventional metal deck sheet and surrounded by the concrete floor slab provide chambers in which in-floor activations are mounted. An insulating block in the void-forming box restores fire resistance, prior to installation of an activation kit, that is lost by displacement of concrete by the void-forming box. An in-floor activation kit may be installed within the void-forming box and connected to a below floor slab distribution system through an activation opening cut in the metal deck sheet. Connection hardware is secured to the metal deck sheet for connection to a conventional below-floor slab service distribution system providing communication from the interior of the void-forming box to the below-floor slab service distribution system.