Abstract: A bladder shell for inflatable balls having at least a pair of layers of compounded synthetic latex and compounded natural rubber latex or at least a layer of blended synthetic latex and natural rubber latex compounded with anti-oxidant, activators, accelerators, thickening and wetting agents, stabilizers etc. to form a low air permeability and high bounce bladder shell having thickness of between 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm.

Abstract: A bladder shell for inflatable balls having at least a pair of layers of compounded synthetic latex and compounded natural rubber latex or at least a layer of blended synthetic latex and natural rubber latex compounded with anti-oxidant, activators, accelerators, thickening and wetting agents, stabilizers etc. to form a low air permeability and high bounce bladder shell having thickness of between 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm. The present invention also defines a process for the preparation of the bladder shell comprising formation of at least a layer of natural rubber latex and a synthetic latex each. The process of the present invention comprises dipping the former in not only a natural rubber latex bath but also in the synthetic latex bath. In an another embodiment, the process comprises dipping the former in the bath comprising blended natural rubber latex and synthetic latex.

Abstract: A point to multipoint communication channel in a metropolitan area network among a plurality of demarcation points having unique addresses is provided, which includes identifying a particular demarcation point as a root of the channel, and a plurality of client demarcation points as leaves of the channel; and configuring so that client demarcation points can only exchange packets with the root demarcation point, and not with other client demarcation points; and so that the root demarcation point can exchange packets with the plurality of client demarcation points. The channel is managed using source address filtering at switches on the leaves of the channel and a switch at the root of the channel.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network, and a network configured according to such method, provide resilient, redundant connection to an edge device. The system, while not allowing the edge device to participate in the active topology of the network, chooses the active link from the edge device to the network on the basis of the spanning tree information received by the device, but does not allow it to forward or generate spanning tree information. The method manages the redundant connections of an edge device between a first network and a second network, where the second network is managed according to a spanning tree protocol in which spanning tree configuration messages propagate among switches in the second network. The redundant connections are made via a plurality of ports on the edge device coupled to the second network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network, and a network configured according to such method, are provide in which a communication links laid out in a ring in a metropolitan area are partitioned into link segments, and managed according to a spanning tree protocol. The switches are configured to establish unique, mesh or tree type network configurations suitable for application to communication media arranged to support ring-based protocols. The method is used for connecting communication links arranged in a plurality of rings, which traverse a plurality of collocation sites in a metropolitan area. The method comprises configuring switches in the plurality of collocation sites to partition rings in the plurality of rings into a plurality of link segments providing point to point paths between switches at collocation sites in the plurality of collocation sites. The switches and link segments are managed according to a spanning tree protocol.

Abstract: A vise like device that has a pair of oppositely disposed jaws is disclosed. This vise is used to true the roundness of camera lenses. The jaws form arcs of a circle that corresponds to the size of the lens being repaired. The jaws are threaded to protect the threads on the frame. Once the lens frame is secure on the jaws, the vise is slowly opened, pulling the frame around the jaws until the correct diameter is reached and the frame is round. This procedure saves time because the frame becomes true automatically as the vise is opened. Thus, there is no need to continuously check the roundness against a standard as the process continues. Moreover, this process is more forgiving because the frame is gradually and gently trued up. This gradual process also eliminates the need to remove any over correction to the lens shape. Finally, once the lens had be trued, filters and other accessories can again be attached to the lens.