Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Zoysia japonica turfgrass, called `SS-300`, is characterized by a short, narrow leaf blade, compared to other varieties of Zoysia japonica. The growth habit is low and compact. `SS-300` has a rapid establishmentrate.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which has been given the designation `AC Harflame`, that is cold hardy, disease resistant, productive and bears an attractively colored fruit of good size and quality that is suitable for long distance shipping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous metal tube having a plurality of electrical conductors disposed therein, by using a spring member to depress the electrical conductors while a flat metal strip is formed into a tubular member and welded to enclose the electrical conductors. The spring member functions to protect the electrical conductors from heat damage. The welding occurs completely downstream of the spring member in order to avoid excessive heat buildup in the spring member.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing provided with at least one fixed contact part and one switching contact part, which moves in cooperation therewith. At least one actuating element is movably mounted in the housing. The actuating element influences switching positions of the switching contact part. Also disclosed is a camform which defines the switching positions and which interacts with a spring-loaded plunger associated with the actuating element in order to create operating forces. Moreover, a displaceable spring-loaded retaining device is disposed within the housing which enables the electrical switch to be held firmly in a locked position .Iadd.within a receptacle.Iaddend.. Finally, at least one actuating element cooperates with a retaining device through a transfer device so that by use of increased force, the actuating element is brought into a functional position which does not correspond with any of the switching positions. The retaining device is brought into its unlocked position .Iadd.

Abstract: A elongated article carrier is provided for releasably affixing on the bed of a pickup truck. The elongated article carrier includes a longitudinal member supported by vertical posts and two parallel transverse bars allow two or more canoes to be securely and releasably attached during transportation. The elongated article carrier is lightweight and can be lifted and installed by a single adult.

Abstract: The invention provides a semi-conductor light valve device and a process for fabricating the same. The device comprises a composite substrate having a supporte substrate, a light-shielding thin film formed on said supporte substrate and semiconductive thin film disposed on the light-shielding thin film with interposing an insulating thin film. A switching element made of a transistor and a transparent electrode for driving light valve are formed on the semiconductive thin film, and the switching element and the transparent electrode are connected electrically with each other. The transistor includes a channel region in the semiconductive thin film and a main gate electrode for controlling the conduction in the channel region, and the light-shielding thin film layer is so formed as to cover the channel region on the side opposite to said channel region, so as to prevent effectively a back channel and shut off the incident light.

Abstract: An insulation film is interposed between a first-level wiring layer and a second-level wiring layer. A contact hole is formed in the insulation film on the first-level wiring layer to electrically connect the first-level wiring layer and second-level wiring layer. The contact hole is larger than the width of the first-level wiring layer and second-level wiring layer. The second-level wiring layer is formed on a side wall and a bottom portion of the contact hole and electrically connected to the first-level wiring layer.

Abstract: A glass panel 3 for a glass tube for a cathode ray tube has a flat panel face portion 7 and a reduced thickness while maintaining a sufficient strength without increasing a difference of brightness, and with less shrinking deformation due to the cooling and solidification of the glass panel.Compressive stress layers 20, 21 having a thickness of t.sub.o /10 or more are formed in outer and inner surfaces of the face portion 7 of the glass panel 3 respectively. The relation to the wall thickness t.sub.d of the central portion of the face portion to the wall thickness t.sub.o of a portion near an edge portion on a diagonal line is 1.0.ltoreq.t.sub.d /t.sub.o .ltoreq.1.2. Compressive stress layers 22, 23 are formed in outer and inner surfaces of a skirt portion 6 wherein the compressive stress value of the face portion 7 is larger than the compressive stress value of the skirt portion, and the compressive stress value of the outer surface 20 of the face portion is larger than that of the inner surface 21.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with power conservation includes a number of functional blocks, each of which includes a digital circuitry and at least one output control line, and a power controller coupled to the control lines. The output control lines develop clock control signals based upon a functional block's knowledge of the direction of data flow. The power controller the reduces power by deactivating functional blocks that are not needed as indicated by the clock control signals. More specifically, a system with power conservation includes a number of functional blocks capable of processing data, each of the functional blocks including a modulated clock input and N+1 clock control lines which reflect the direction of data flow, where N is a number of neighbors of a particular functional block, and a clock controller having an input clock, the clock controller being coupled to the modulated clock inputs and the clock control lines of the functional blocks.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a function in two dimensions where the function is made up of numerous independent variables and at least one dependent variable. A new independent variable value can be defined having values which correspond to the multiple dependent variables. The variable values are read into a computer and the independent variables are then ranked by the user from fastest- to slowest-running variable. Each dependent variable corresponding to the new independent variable is plotted along the Y-axis. The independent variable values are plotted along the X-axis in a hierarchical manner. The hierarchical manner involves a nesting of fastest-running variables within slower-running variables. Rectangles are then drawn to correspond to each variable value. Each rectangle horizontally encloses the faster-running variables associated with it.

Abstract: In a laser printer wherein a photoconductive drum is scanned by utilizing a plurality of laser beams, there are detected spacings between the plural laser beams, such detection being confined to a blanking time. On the basis of the detected results, the spacings between the plural laser beams are controlled; and this state is maintained for a printing time. With this arrangement, it is possible to accurately detect the spacings between the plural laser beams thereby to obtain the practicable laser printer employing the plural laser beams.

Abstract: A memory array MA.sub.0 is divided into four sub memory arrays by sense amplifier strips. Word drivers belonging to each sub memory array are connected to a corresponding segment boosted signal line. A fuse is connected to each segment boosted signal line. By blowing out a fuse, the sub memory array corresponding to the blown out fuse is no longer used. The sub memory array that is no longer used is exchanged with a spare sub memory array of a spare memory array.

Abstract: Improved polymer batteries and improved methods of manufacturing such polymer batteries are provided. One improved method of manufacture involves the formation of a laminated array structure that includes a number of individual battery cells. After formation of the laminated array the individual batteries are singulated from the array by cutting, shearing or stamping. Other manufacturing improvements include the use of a printing process (e.g. stenciling) to form the cathodes, the use of permanent mask layers to contain and insulate the cathodes and anodes, and the use of a molten lithium deposition process for forming the anodes.

Abstract: A trans-epithelial appliance having a hemidesmosome formation-inducing protein composition derived from rat bladder carcinoma cells deposited thereon. This composition stimulates cell attachment and may be either the cell matrix or a soluble factor isolated from the conditioned medium. The appliance will be useful for diminishing inflammation and/or infection at the site of entry of the appliance. The appliance may also be used to stimulate gum junctional epithelium adhesion in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. The composition may be used to maintain tissues ex vivo.

Abstract: A connection assembly includes a coaxial cable to microstrip flexible circuit connector and a mating microstrip flex circuit to electronic circuit connector. The coaxial cable to microstrip flex circuit connector comprises a portion which is mechanically attached to the coaxial cable and a portion which is mechanically attached to the microstrip flex circuit. The coaxial cable attachment portion includes a first electrical connector electrically connected to the center conductor and a second electrical connector electrically connected to the shielding conductor of each coaxial cable. The microstrip flex circuit attachment portion includes a third electrical connector electrically connected to each trace and a fourth connector electrically connected to the ground plane conductor. The flex circuit to electrical circuit connector comprises a plurality of unsupported extensions of a trace or the ground plane conductor.

Abstract: Fault tolerance in a redundant array of disk drives is degraded when error conditions exist in the array. Several methods for rebuilding data of the array to remove the degradation are described. Data rebuilding for entire disk drives and partial data rebuilds of disk drives are described. All rebuild methods tend to reduce the negative affect of using array resources for the data rebuild. In one method rebuilding occurs during idle time of the array. In a second method rebuilding is interleaved between current data area accessing operations of the array at a rate which is inversely proportional to activity level of the array. In a third method, the data are rebuilt when a data area being accessed is a data area needing rebuilding.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant upper arm armor piece, for protecting the arm scye, thout restricting arm movement, includes a front lobe, a back lobe connected to the front lobe, and means such as an elastic strap with a hook and loop fastener, for securing the lobes to a user's upper arm so that a portion of the front lobe extends around a front portion of the user's torso and a portion of the back lobe extends around a back portion of the torso. The lobes have an upper edge and a lower edge, and together the lobes form a concave portion along the lower edge. The piece also includes means, on the upper edge of the lobes, for interconnecting the lobes to a garment worn by the user. The piece is constructed from a durable outer shell material, which encases an insert composed of multiple layers of ballistic resistant materials.

Abstract: A fastener for a shin guard mounted on the leg of an athlete including upper and lower bands connected at their ends by diagonal bands, fork bands connecting the outer ends of the upper and lower bands to each other, a band of pile fabric extending outwardly from one of the fork bands, and a band of hook fabric extending outwardly from the other of the fork bands.

Abstract: A convertible garment comprises a jacket and optional pants. The pants which are attached at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the jacket include a pair of flexible leg panels each having adapted to be reversibly displaced between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closed position, each leg panel forms a hollow pant leg capable of surrounding a user's leg, whereas, when the leg panels are in the open position, the leg panels can be bundled up adjacent the lower end of the jacket in a storage position of the pants such that the garment only acts as a jacket. A pocket is formed on the inside of the lower end of the jacket to accommodate the pants in their storage position.

Abstract: A survival vest having a broad central strip forming the stem of a "Y" covering the back of the wearer, with left and right front strips (forming the twin forks of the "Y") dividing from the stem of the "Y" at the back of the neck and running down along each of the front shoulder/armpit areas of the wearer. The tips of each fork of the "Y" expand to form large, pockets which cover the front of the chest, abdomen, and (partially) the sides of the wearer. The twin large pockets are formed using a heavy-duty zipper, sewn around the periphery of each pocket area and are completely detachable. A webbing harness reinforces the vest across the inside of the twin pockets and along the forks of the "Y"-shape of the vest, from the base of the pockets to the point at which they join to form the collar of the vest, and along the outer edges of the stem of the "Y" which forms the back of the vest. A number of hook-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro.RTM.

Abstract: A novelty noisemaker and hand sign comprising a hand-shaped foam rubber body portion having a front panel and a rear panel. The invention has a vinyl plastic or other like material covering which is affixed continuously to said front panel. The rear panel contains five digit slits in a pattern such that the spectator can press his or her fingers into the slits to wear the novelty hand. The invention has an orifice in one of the comers of the bottom of said foam rubber body and a hand strap which is connected to the body through the orifice. The covering can be affixed with team logos, colors, slogans or the like such that the spectator can visually communicate his or her support.

Abstract: A novel sweat band absorbs perspiration on the forehead, permits unrestricted air flow to portions of the head other than the forehead, and does not dishevel the wearer's hair. The sweat band secures to a person's head in a manner other than encircling the head or securing to or being part of an article which encircles or rests upon the head, preferably by adhering to the forehead. When worn, the sweat band preferably is positioned on the forehead and does not contact the wearer's hair on the sides of the forehead.

Abstract: Pants for use when performing work involving heavy lifting which providing removable back support to the wearer. The pants are constructed with an attachment apparatus, such as Velcro.RTM. brand hook and loop type fastener material, affixed to the waist area. A back support is also provided which has an attachment apparatus designed to fasten securely to the attachment apparatus of the pants. While attached to the pants the back support is comfortable and remains in a supportive position, yet may be easily removed when unnecessary or when cleaning the pants.

Abstract: A sock and its associated method of manufacture, wherein the sock reduces chafing experienced by the foot. The sock includes an inner sock layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The inner sock layer is fabricated from at least one first thread made from a conventional garment material and a second thread made from a fluoropolymer material, wherein the conventional garment material is predominant on the interior surface of the inner sock layer and the fluoropolymer material is predominant on the exterior surface of the inner sock layer. The sock also includes an outer sock layer that surrounds the inner sock layer. The outer sock layer also has an interior surface and an exterior surface.

Abstract: A trouser belt, including a single-piece band with a first and second extremity, a box (1) fixed to the first extremity of the band, a plate (14) mounted so as to slide within the box (1) following the longitudinal direction and able to be linked to the second extremity by way of a buckle pin (12), at least one serration (18) longitudinally formed on the sliding plate (14), at least one tappet (25, 26) assembled in co-operation with the box in a longitudinal direction and including a protruding pin (21, 22), a helical spring (24) mounted so as to push the tappet (25, 26) in a position to lock the pin in the teeth of the serration. The mutual longitudinal movement of the box and the plate is therefore avoided, while pressure applied to the tappet against the pressure applied by the spring frees the pin from the serration to allow for the mutual longitudinal movement. A single coaxial spring (24) is implemented to at least one of said tappet (25, 26).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved waistline belt for keeping pants, jeans and skirts in place, and retaining the shape of the belt. The improved waistline belt includes a buckle, split leather straps and a spring-tempered stainless steel plate. A method of constructing the belt is also provided. With the leather belts split apart, an adhesive substance is applied on both inside portions of the split leather straps. A precut spring-tempered stainless steel plate is set into an end portion of the belt between the split leathers opposite to the buckle. The split leathers are glued together. The split leathers are also stitched together along their respective edges to seal the steel plate between the leathers and retain the buckle at an end of the belt opposite to the apertured end. Holes formed in the straps and insert hook the buckle end into a select one of the holes to adjust the belt to the user's waistline.

Abstract: An incontinence system is provided including a reusable undergarment with a first couple attached thereto. Associated therewith is a disposable incontinence diaper with a second couple attached thereto. The incontinence diaper may be removably positioned within the undergarment and the couples may be releasably coupled to maintain fixed relative positioning of the diaper and undergarment.

Abstract: A helmet comprising a helmet front half section, helmet rear half section and a locking assembly. The helmet front half section includes at least one engagement region. The helmet rear half section includes at least one corresponding engagement region. The locking assembly a structure for orientating the locking assembly between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking assembly results in secured engagement of the at least one engagement region of the front and rear helmet half sections with each other.

Abstract: A protective material and a method for the protection of the human head or body from soft tissue damage caused by an impacting object comprises at least two layers of viscoelastic polymeric material to be interposed between head or body and impactor, including at least one first layer of material substantially matched in acoustic impedance to the impacting object and at least one second layer of material selected to produce a large mismatch in acoustic impedance between the first layer and the human head or body. A particular aspect applies the invention to head protection, especially in boxing and like sports, in the form of boxing head guards and boxing gloves.

Abstract: A modular toilet bowl assembly bowl assembly that allows adjustment of the relevant dimensions of the inlet of the outlet as well as the height of a toilet bowl without modifying the toilet bowl body. The toilet bowl includes a toilet bowl and upper drain pipe portion that are formed integrally as a single piece, a lower drain pipe portion that is formed separately from the toilet stool. The lower drain pipe portion may be formed of a series of parts having known dimensions so that by interior moving predetermined parts, the length or height of the toilet bowl can be adjusted.

Abstract: A toilet bowl cover for covering a toilet bowl to prevent use of the toilet. The toilet bowl cover includes a top panel with a lower wall downwardly extending along a front edge of the top panel. A spaced apart pair of securing arms are extended from a pair of rear edges of the lower wall. Each of the securing arms has a hole therethrough adjacent a free end of the respective securing arm. An elongate rod is extended through the holes of the securing arms such that the rod extends between the securing arms.

Abstract: An improved drain cover assembly for a sink is provided. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical basket having a flat bottom. A sealing plate is attached to the underside of the flat bottom. A plurality of apertures sized to permit the drainage of liquids from the sink, but prevent solid materials from passing therethrough, are located on the bottom of the basket about the sealing plate. An externally threaded member extends from the bottom of the sealing plate. The plug may be cylindrically shaped or frustoconically shaped and is press fit into a drainpipe. The plug has an open upper end and a bottom surface. The bottom surface contains a plurality of apertures to allow for liquid to drain but to prevent solid materials from passing therethrough. The bottom surface of the plug has an internally threaded member extending upwardly therefrom which mates with the threaded member extending from the bottom of the sealing plate.

Abstract: A portable hot tub (10) having a pair of upper member covers (14) removably connectable to each other at distal ends by a pair of sliding lock members (18). The portable hot tub (10) further has at least four vertical support members (20). A portable hot tub (10) further has a tub liner (12) is securely fastened around a top periphery to the pair of upper member covers (14) by horizontal support members (13) which are inserted within a wrap of the tub liner (12) within the upper member covers (14). The portable hot tub (10) further has a jet assembly (22) removably positioned within the tub liner (12). A hose nozzle (24BAA) is connected between the first tube elbow (24BA) and an outlet hose (32). The portable hot tub (10) further has a filter assembly (26) connected to a lower end of the first tube (24B) by a filter T-connector (26A). The portable hot tub (10) further has a motor/heater unit (36) is connected to the inlet hose (30) and the outlet hose (32).

Abstract: An attachment for a shower valve assembly provides at least one secure handhold. It may optionally also provide at least one hook for a washcloth, a soap dish and/or a bottle holder for holding items used while showering. The attachment includes a broad base plate that is fastened to the shower valve assembly by screw fasteners in a manner similar to the usual face plate that covers the hole in the wall behind which rests the valve assembly. The handhold and other accessories are securely attached to the base plate. Because the valve assembly is held securely in place by the three or four pipes to which it is attached, all forces on the handhold are transmitted to the pipes, thus ensuring a very firm and secure connection. The attachment is easily mounted with only a screwdriver and no special skills. The original face plate may be mounted over the base plate before the control knob is installed, or the base plate may be constructed to also serve the covering function of the face plate.