Abstract: A shell assembly configured for holding one or more weighted articles includes an outer shell having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity configured for receiving the article(s) therein, with an opening providing access to the cavity, a closure configured for selectively opening and closing the opening, and a securing structure configured for securing the article(s) within the cavity to limit movement of the article(s). The securing structure includes a plurality of adjustable straps each connected to the inner surface of the outer shell at a first securing point and a second securing point on opposite sides of the opening. Each of the straps is adjustable with respect to the outer shell to increase or decrease an effective length of the respective strap between the respective securing points, to increase or decrease a distance between the respective securing points and thereby constrict or expand the outer shell.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means may receive information about a party potentially entitled to receive a stream of future payments in connection with an insurance policy, such as a workers' compensation insurance policy, between an insurer and an insured. A computer processor of a present value calculation platform may automatically calculate a nominal value associated with the stream of future payments based at least in part on the information about the party potentially entitled to receive the stream of future payments and insurance risk factor data. A discount value may also be automatically calculated, such that reduction of the nominal value by the discount value results in a present value of the stream of future payments. A portion of the discount value to be allocated to the insured may be automatically determined, and an indication of that portion may be transmitted.

Abstract: A transmission clutch cooling system includes a clutch housing defined between a drive hub of a drive member and a clutch hub of a driven member and a clutch assembly housed in the clutch housing. The clutch hub includes a hub deck having a plurality of bores therethrough, an inner annulus extending axially from the hub deck, and an outer annulus extending axially from the hub deck, the outer annulus including a plurality of radial orifices therethrough and a lip flange extending from a distal end towards the inner annulus. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of clutch plates secured to the drive hub and a plurality of friction plates secured to the driven member. A piston assembly is provided for engaging or disengaging the plurality of friction plates against the plurality of clutch plates to cause or release integrated rotation of the drive member and the driven member.

Abstract: A transmission clutch cooling system includes a clutch housing defined between a drive hub of a drive member and a clutch hub of a driven member and a clutch assembly housed in the clutch housing. The clutch hub includes a hub deck having a plurality of bores therethrough, an inner annulus extending axially from the hub deck, and an outer annulus extending axially from the hub deck, the outer annulus including a plurality of radial orifices therethrough and a lip flange extending from a distal end towards the inner annulus. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of clutch plates secured to the drive hub and a plurality of friction plates secured to the driven member. A piston assembly is provided for engaging or disengaging the plurality of friction plates against the plurality of clutch plates to cause or release integrated rotation of the drive member and the driven member.

Abstract: A wooden piece of furniture for changing shoes has a cabinet with two parallel benches upon the sides of the cabinet. Each bench has a seat and storage rack beneath the seat. At the end of each bench, a cabinet stores slippers, footwear, and outerwear upon shelves behind doors and within a drawer. This furniture also includes a compartment within the cabinet for hanging storage of items, hooks within the compartment, seats stiffened by rails and a beam, and a cabinet stiffened by panel diaphragm action. This furniture can store both footwear and articles of clothing temporarily placed thereon by guests and other visitors.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of generating a fast-rise time voltage step to produce an overvoltage condition for a dielectric barrier plasma discharge involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap and at least one dielectric disposed in the gap; generating fast-rise time voltage step such that the rise time to achieve said overvoltage condition is equal to or less than the time required to generate the plasma thereby establishing the overvoltage condition prior to current flow across said electrode gap. Power from storage capacitor banks discharge into the electrode gap through a switch. The switch is capable of standing-off voltage sufficient to create the overvoltage condition when the switch is open. The discharge current pulse across the said electrode gap is terminated by charging properties of the said dielectric(s) in the said electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier plasma discharge device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap. A dielectric is disposed between the electrodes. The electrode gap is provided with a gas at a specified pressure. A rapid rise time voltage pulse generator produces a voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. Due to the high voltages and high current densities, the product yields an extremely high instantaneous power density. This extreme overvoltage condition is also believed to lead to production of shock waves and runaway free electrons. The resulting plasma can be utilized to carry out many potential tasks including, but not limited to etching, deposition, and sterilization.

Abstract: A wooden piece of furniture for changing shoes has a cabinet with two parallel benches upon the sides of the cabinet. Each bench has a seat and storage rack beneath the seat. At the end of each bench, a cabinet stores slippers, footwear, and outerwear upon shelves behind doors and within a drawer. This furniture also includes a compartment within the cabinet for hanging storage of items, hooks within the compartment, seats stiffened by rails and a beam, and a cabinet stiffened by panel diaphragm action. This furniture can store both footwear and articles of clothing temporarily placed thereon by guests and other visitors.

Abstract: Disclosed are software assisted systems and methods for analyzing biological data sets to generate hypotheses potentially explanatory of the data. Active causative relationships in the biology of complex living systems are discovered by providing a data base of biological assertions comprising a multiplicity of nodes representative of a network of biological entities, actions, functional activities, and concepts, and relationship links between the nodes. Simulating perturbation of individual root nodes in the network initiates a cascade of virtual activity through the relationship links to discern plural branching paths within the data base. Operational data, e.g., experimental data, representative of a real or hypothetical perturbations of one or more nodes are mapped onto the data base. The branching paths then are prioritized as hypotheses on the basis of how well they predict the operational data. Logic based criteria are applied to the graphs to reject graphs as not likely representative of real biology.

Abstract: A piece of furniture for changing shoes has pairs of slippers, a bench, and a cabinet. The bench has a seat and a shoe display or shelf beneath. A front leg, an armrest, and a rear leg assist guests at the end of a bench. A backrest spans from the rear leg to the cabinet. Opposite the front leg, a cabinet stores slippers in compartments behind doors. Alternatively, the furniture has two benches and the backrest omitted. Upon entering a house, a guest sits upon the bench, removes his shoes, places them upon the shelf, and puts on slippers from the cabinet. To leave, a guest places soiled slippers in a drawer inside the cabinet, dons their shoes, and returns to the street. Later, a homeowner retrieves the soiled slippers, cleans them, and returns them to the compartment for use by their next guests.

Abstract: A telephone switching device which includes a detector for identifying a call waiting (CW) signal when the incoming telephone line is in use. The detector device automatically switches the incoming telephone line to the second call and monitors for additional coded function signals such as a facsimile machine calling (CNG) signal indicating that a data transmission is desired. Appropriate switching functions are provided to connect attached telephony data devices for receiving the incoming data transmission. A microprocessor is used for receiving various function signals and performing the switching of the telephone line and attached apparatus. This allows the reception of an incoming data transmission on a single telephone line while the line is already in use. A voice message can be provided before the switching of the telephone line in response to the CW signal warning the first caller of the impending switch.

Abstract: A module in the form of a carrier with an optional decorative body is mountable on an exterior surface of a vehicle lift gate and provides a mounting platform for a plurality of components. The components include at least two of light sources in the form of LEDs or incandescent bulbs, an actuatable switch, a camera, a key lock cylinder and a movable handle. The carrier is affixed to the body and is alignable with apertures in the body for transmission of light from the light sources exteriorly of the body as well as to provide a field of view for the camera. The electric switch is actuatable through a resilient membrane.