Abstract: A dasher board assembly, particularly well-suited for an ice hockey rink, includes a number of advantageous structures including an ice dam (ice retainer), puck rebound facilitator backing a kickplate, and a unitary rigid L-shaped anchoring device for the dasher board frame. The ice dam has a main body component and a lip upstanding from the body a distance sufficient to assist in blocking moisture movement past the dasher board and to provide an open space. The rigid L-shaped anchoring device is connected by fasteners to vertical elements of the dasher board frame, and to the ice dam body, to provide stable mounting of the frame. The puck rebound facilitator may be a buckling elastomeric tube that is essentially rigid when a hockey puck impacts the kickplate but buckles to absorb the force of impact if a hockey player strikes the dasher board.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing, a compression chamber disposed in the housing and having at least a first interface operable to vary a volume of the compression chamber, an expansion chamber disposed in the housing and having a second interface operable to vary a volume of at least the expansion chamber, and a thermal regenerator in fluid communication with each of the compression chamber and the expansion chamber. The thermal regenerator is operable to alternatively receive thermal energy from gas flowing in a first direction through the regenerator and to deliver the thermal energy to gas flowing in a direction opposite to the first direction through the regenerator. The compression chamber, the expansion chamber, and the regenerator together define a working volume for containing a pressurized working gas.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to processes that comprise the vacuum extrusion of plant materials. In some embodiments, the plant materials are subjected to a change in pressure of ?3 kPa or more. The vacuum extrusion can be used to break open the cell walls of the plant material and of any undesirable micro-organisms associated with the plant material. In some embodiments, the vacuum extrusion can be used as a step in a process for producing ethanol from plant materials, such as from sugar beets. In some embodiments, the vacuum extrusion can be used in a process for providing a desired plant cell-derived molecule, such as a sugar or starch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth an architecture for optimizing graphics rendering efficiency by advancing the Z-test operation prior to pixel shading whenever possible. The current rendering state, as maintained by the setup engine, determines whether advancing the Z-test function above the shader engine for “early” Z-testing is possible or whether the Z-test function should be deferred until after shading operations for “late” Z-testing. Data is dynamically routed to each processing engine in the pipeline, so that the appropriate data flow for either early Z or late Z is dynamically constructed, as determined by the current rendering state. Efficiency is gained by relieving the shader engine of unnecessary work whenever possible by discarding pixels before they enter the shader engine. The same functional units are utilized in both early Z and late Z configurations, minimizing any additional hardware required for implementation.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly includes a rotation shaft and a housing have a bottom wall including a first aperture for receiving the rotation shaft. The housing also includes a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall defining an interior space. The sidewall includes inner and outer surfaces. A sheave is disposed within the interior space of the housing and has a second aperture that receives the rotation shaft. The sheave also includes a gear member associated with it. Also included is a torque plate having a base, the base having opposing first and second surfaces and a third aperture formed therein. The third aperture has a gear portion formed around a periphery of the aperture. The torque plate also includes an arm portion projecting radially from the base. The gear portion of the torque plate is in operable engagement with the gear member of the sheave.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor is activated when the carrier is in the stowed position. A warning indicator is operably connected to the sensor so that the warning indicator is activated and provides the operator with a warning when the carrier is out of the stowed position and the sensor is not activated.

Abstract: The free-arm shade has radial shade ribs (6), support ribs (7) attached to the latter, and a shade rod slide (8) that is freely attached to support ribs (7). It also has a decentral pole (1) standing outside the shade. One of the shade ribs is vertically displaceably attached to pole (1) by its outer end, and functions as a side arm (2). On its top side, it is connected to pole tip (11) via an articulated rib (4), with this shade rib (2) having a pivot joint (13) between the edge of the shade fabric and the pole. Articulated rib (4) is connected to shade rib (2) via a pivot hinge (12). Shade rib (2) can therefore be pivoted around the axis between pivot joint (13) and pivot hinge (12) so that the entire shade can be tilted sideways in relation to pole (1).

Abstract: The upright shade consists of an upright tube (1) and a shade structure made up of roof struts (7) which are joined to a mobile end crown (4) disposed at the top end of a push tube (3). Push tube (3) can be longitudinally displaced inside upright tube (1). Supporting struts (6) are provided, which are connected at their top ends to roof struts (7) in order to provide support, and at their bottom ends to a runner crown (5) which can be displaced along upright tube (1). Auxiliary struts (8) are also provided to coordinate the opening and closing movements of the roof struts (7) and supporting struts (6). Said auxiliary struts are articulated, and are arranged between a stationary crown (2) disposed at the top end of the upright tube, and the supporting struts (6). A steel or pneumatic spring is fitted inside upright tube (1) for partially automatic opening and closing of the shade. This allows end crown (4) to be moved in a partially automatic manner—i.e.

Abstract: A refreshment center having a modular construction and including a mini door and a frame is described. The mini door is fabricated and assembled separate from the frame, and the mini door includes a hinge system and a trigger. The mini door provides quick and convenient access to the refreshment center by being simple and easy to open and close. The frame, in an exemplary embodiment, is a one piece plastic molded part which serves as the main structural member of the assembly. The frame includes first and second spaced apart planar members, and further includes a keeper slot and a keeper for being inserted within the slot. The keeper extends from the slot and at least partially through a keeper slot in the door trim. The frame further includes a switch cavity for housing at least a portion of a switch assembly. A switch bracket is provided to be secured over the switch cavity and is engaged to the frame by a screw.

Abstract: In the case of the parasol or sunshade the bearing forces for holding the awning (1) are transferred laterally by means of an awning bar (3') constructed as a supporting arm, so that the said forces are transferred by means of its associated spreader bar (4') laterally to the central shaft of its spreading open device (5) and from the latter to the other awning bars (4). For this purpose, adjacent to the edge of the awning (1), the awning bar (3') is pivotably retained on a joint (10), which is provided on a holding device (9) displaceable on the parasol post or pole (6). The awning (1) is opened with the aid of a rope (12), which passes from a fixing point (13) below the holding device (9) to a spreading open device (5) located on the parasol top (2). By an upward sliding of the holding device (9) and simultaneous swinging out of the awning bar (3') away from the post (6), a tensile stress occurs on the rope (12) and as a result the awning (1) is opened.

Abstract: The apparatus has several carrying bars which can be spread in radial manner from a central headpiece (2) and several shielding flat elements (17, 18), which are in each case fixed between two carrying bars. The multipart construction of the carrying bars from longitudinally displaceable, interengaging bar elements (4, 5) makes is possible to slide flat elements (17, 18) over one another, so that the apparatus, when in use, can provide different shielding surface sizes starting from a compact, slid together and collapsed form. By sliding over one another limited light-transmitting flat elements, it is possible to individually adjust the shielding action.

Abstract: The sunshade has several carrying bars (1) which can be spread in radially directed manner away from a central headpiece and several screening surface structures (17), which are in each case fixed between two carrying bars (1). In order to prevent a sag of the surface structure (17) in the case of incomplete spreading of the sunshade and in order to permit an easy closure to give a compact shape, it is made from pleated awning material, which in the relaxed state and with the sunshade collapsed assumes a pointed, zig-zag cross-sectional shape. In addition, with spring pulls cords (35) extend between the carrying bars (1) in the circumferential direction of the sunshade. Stiff envelope surfaces (14, 15) provided on either side of the carrying bars (1) give a columnar shape to the compact, collapsed sunshade.

Abstract: The apparatus has several carrying bars which can be spread in radial manner from a central headpiece (2) and several shielding screen elements (17, 18), which are in each case fixed between two carrying bars. The multipart construction of the carrying bars from longitudinally displaceable, interengaging bar elements (4, 5) makes it possible to slide screen elements (17, 18) over one another, so that the apparatus, when in use, can provide different shielding surface sizes starting from a compact, slid together and collapsed form. By sliding over one another limited light-transmitting screen elements, it is possible to individually adjust the shielding action.

Abstract: The clothes arm for hanging up articles of clothing comprises several telescopically interengaging, hollow arm elements (5-11), so that it can be telescoped in space-saving manner when not in use. Clothes hooks (3) are shaped onto the arm elements (5-11). In order that the clothes hooks (3) do not limit the telescoping together, the arm elements (5-10) have longitudinally direct recesses.

Abstract: Xylanase is prepared by cultivation of a fungus in a nutrient medium which contains corn cobs. The fungus is preferably Thermomyces lanuginosus DSM 5826 which produces an exo- and endo- cellulase-free xylanase.

Abstract: The invention provides a clothes drying apparatus with a central post member, a collar member axially displaceably mounted on the supporting post member and a plurality of support arms. A plurality of clothes line portions of a first clothes line extend between the support arms.Operating means are provided to spread the support arms from a rest position into a extended position in which the clothes line portions extending between the support arms are in an essentially stretched condition. In order to provide the possibility to dry a few pieces of clothing only without the need of putting the entire apparatus into its operative position, a supply of a second clothes line may be pulled out from the apparatus and fixed at a distantly located anchoring member. Upon releasing the end of the second clothes line, it is automatically drawn back. During use it may be locked at the top of the clothes drying apparatus.

Abstract: The clothes drying apparatus (1) comprises four support arms (3) pivotably attached to a collar member (4) movable along a post member (2). Struts (8) are associated with respective arms (3). The clothes drying apparatus is folded by displacing the collar member (4) along the post member. Portions (7') of clothes line (7) extending between arms (3) hang down loose in the folded condition of the apparatus (1). A portion (7a) of a clothes line can be pulled out without extending the clothes drying apparatus to accommodate a small load or separate pieces. A locking device locks the pulled-out clothes line portion in a predetermined position. A pull-back device (16) may be provided for retracting the pulled-out portion (7a) inside of the folded apparatus (1).

Abstract: The invention provides a clothes drying apparatus with a central post member, a collar member axially displaceably mounted on the supporting post member and a plurality of support arms. A plurality of clothes line portions of a first clothes line extend between the support arms.Operating means are provided to spread the support arms from a rest position into an extended position in which the clothes line portions extending between the support arms are in an essentially stretched condition. In order to provide the possibility to dry a few pieces of clothing only without the need of putting the entire apparatus into its operative position, a supply of a second clothes line may be pulled out from the apparatus and fixed at a distantly located anchoring member. Upon releasing the end of the second clothes line, it is automatically drawn back. During use it may be locked at the top of the clothes drying apparatus.

Abstract: A telescopic clothes drier comprises two telescopic arms of which is formed of a plurality of slides. The slides have bearing stubs thereon for receiving the ends of clothes supporting rods extending between the telescopic arms. All of the slides except the foremost one have cut-out slots for receiving respective clothes supporting rods when the telescopic arms collapse. A hood extends between the two telescopic arms and is pivotally suspended on the two rearmost wall-side slides. The hood covers the clothes supporting the rods which are located in the zone of the slots of the two rearmost wall-side slides.

Abstract: Eyeglasses which have removable and replaceable lenses to meet individual vision requirements with respect to focal length and strength. In one embodiment, the lenses are slidably and removably mounted to a rod-like holding element. The position of the lenses relative to one another can be changed by sliding the lenses along the holding element. This allows the eyeglasses to accommodate differences in the eye spacing among people. The lenses can also be removed and replaced should an individual desire or need lenses of different focal lengths or strengths.