Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for measuring the thickness of a coating material using ultrasonic signals. A broad band of frequencies is transmitted by a transducer towards a layer of coating layer on a substrate and a trailing signal is received from the coating layer/substrate interface while a leading backscattered signal from a fluid/coating layer is gated out. The trailing signal is deconvolved into a set of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the coating layer is determined as the frequency with the greatest amplitude. The thickness of the material is calculated as a function of the resonant frequency of the coating layer.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘Little Lamb’, characterized by its upright and outwardly arching plant habit; inflorescences held upright and outward on strong stems; compact, dense and conical-shaped inflorescences; and numerous flowers per inflorescence.

Abstract: A new rose cultivar of the Hybrid Tea class characterized by having two to three clusters at one time of large scarlet flowers, each cluster having 8 to 12 flowers, on a very vigorous healthy plant. This plant is marketed in the U.S. as: Dream Scarlet.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Spiraea plant named ‘Wilma’, characterized by its upright and rounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; red-colored young leaves; freely flowering habit; vibrant pink-colored flowers; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Sanvitalia plant named ‘QuHa 4015/1’, characterized by its low mounding and spreading plant habit; dark green-colored foliage; early and freely flowering habit; and bright yellow-colored ray florerts.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. Vigorous, upright tree growth. 2. Fruit maturing in the early season. 3. Fruit with attractive red skin color. 4. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit. 5. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 6. Fruit with good handling and storage quality.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Landscape Shrub rose plant is provided which abundantly forms on a substantially continuous basis double blossoms that display a bright medium red coloration. The blossoms also display a light fragrance similar to mild honey. The plant exhibits a vigorous, compact and bushy growth habit, and forms attractive foliage that commonly possesses a tint of red-purple when young and assumes a satiny medium green coloration when mature. Good resistance to Blackspot and Powdery Mildew is displayed. The foliage coloration contrasts nicely with the bright medium red blossom coloration. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in parks and gardens.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Lyra’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with pink ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date August 4-9; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Cecaesar’ characterized by its large sized blooms with deep bronze ray-florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date September 8-13; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bougainvillea plant named ‘Vera Lynn’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and compact growth habit; thornless stems; roughly spherical inflorescences with numerous flowers; and pink-colored flower bracts.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Hector’ characterized by its large sized blooms with orange ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date August 11-16; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A new miniature rose which has abundant, light pink flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new garden rose plant of the hybrid tea class which has abundant, mauve flowers and attractive foliage. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘Supalav’, characterized by its compact, mounded, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy plants; freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per plant; anemone-type inflorescence form with pale purple-colored ray florets and orange-colored disc florets that become pale yellow and eventually pale purple with development.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘Supacher’, characterized by its compact, mounded, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy plants; freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per plant; anemone-type inflorescence form with purple-colored ray florets and red purple-colored disc florets that become light purple with development.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘Supalife’, characterized by its compact, mounded, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy plants; freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per plant; double-type inflorescence form with white-colored ray florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Fuchsia plant named ‘Kiecandiro’, characterized by its compact and upright growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; light red and purple violet-colored flowers; and freely and continuous flowering habit.

Abstract: A new garden rose plant of the climber class which has abundant, medium red flowers and attractive foliage. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Yotobago’, characterized by its uniform and outwardly spreading plant habit; strong and freely branching growth habit; dark green-colored foliage; uniform flowering response and habit; typically grown as a spray-type; early flowering habit; decorative-type inflorescences; intense velvety red-colored ray florets that resist fading under low and high temperatures; and good postproduction longevity with plants maintaining good substance and color for about four to five weeks in an interior environment.

Abstract: A new distinct cultivar of Euphorbia milii plant named ‘Eros’, characterized by its bright red floral bracts color from R.H.S. 42B to R.H.S. 45C; very dense and bushy plant form; moderately vigorous growth habit; high number of flowers per plant borne on short green peduncles, R.H.S. 144A.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Comiverd’, characterized by its compact, mounded and cascading plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; and double flowers with dark red-colored petals and petaloids.

Abstract: A new distinct cultivar of Euphorbia milii plant named ‘Kronos’, characterized by its light red to red-purple floral bract color from 50C to 58B; very low and bushy plant form; vigorous growth habit; larger, green flowers on thick gray-brown peduncles, RHS 199B.

Abstract: A snow plowing system utilizing a wireless radio remote control to control a snow plow mounted to the front of a vehicle. The plowing system comprises a snow plow blade, mounting mechanism connected to the vehicle for mounting the snow plow blade to the vehicle, the snow plow blade being connected to the mounting mechanism, a transmitter for transmitting a signal through a receiver to actuate, a mechanism for controlling the snow plow blade, and the receiver being connected to the mechanism for controlling the snow plow blade.

Abstract: A game material set is provided for playing a game of chance for monetary prizes and includes a plurality of individual playing cards each having one or more groups of game symbols printed thereon and selectively concealed under break-open windows. The game symbol groups provide a first level of game play whereby players with winning game symbol groups can receive instant prize awards. A master game card is provided which includes a sign-up area for players having contingent money-match bonus prize qualifier symbols printed on their individual play cards. A master card window selectively conceals a winning bonus prize symbol list comprising a subset of the contingent money-match bonus prize qualifier symbols. Opening the master game card window to expose the winning bonus prize symbol list identifies the players who receive prizes in the bonus level of play.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method infers mental states of a person from eye movements of the person. The method includes identifying elementary features of eye tracker data, such as fixations and saccades, and recognizing from the elementary features a plurality of eye-movement patterns. Each eye-movement pattern is recognized by comparing the elementary features with a predetermined eye-movement pattern template. A given eye-movement pattern is recognized if the elementary features satisfy a set of criteria associated with the template for that eye-movement pattern. The method further includes the step of recognizing from the eye-movement patterns a plurality of eye-behavior patterns corresponding to the mental states of the person. Because high level mental states of the user are determined in real time, the method provides the basis for reliably determining when a user intends to select a target.

Abstract: A device for protecting the arm of a user consists of a protective sleeve and a tubular pouch sized to fit around a user's upper arm. The protective sleeve is made of a preselected protective fabric and is extendible from a retracted position to an extended position for deployment. The protective sleeve is shaped and sized such that in the extended position, the protective sleeve envelops the user's lower arm. An adjustable hand opening at the lower end of the protective sleeve is sized to allow a user's hand to extend out of the protective sleeve. The upper end of the protective sleeve is affixed to an inner portion of the pouch. The tubular pouch is shaped to form a circumferentially extending storage cavity for storing the protective sleeve in a retracted position. This cavity is closed by a closure mechanism when the protective sleeve is stored inside the pouch. The pouch has an attachment mechanism for attaching the pouch to the upper arm portion of the user's shirt.

Abstract: A clothing protection system comprises a generally flat rectangular bib portion. The bib portion has a front face and a rear face. The rear face has a top edge. The rear face has a bottom edge. A pair of parallel side edges is provided between the top edge and bottom edge. A generally rectilinear receptacle portion is provided. The receptacle portion has a base face. The base face has an inner edge. The base face has an outer edge. The inner edge is coupled to the bottom edge of the bib portion. The receptacle portion has a front face coupled to the outer edge of the base. A pair of side faces is coupled between the base face, the front face and the bib portion. The side faces have creases. Attaching components are also provided.

Abstract: A protective hood, such as a firefighter's hood, has an upper head-covering section, an anterior head-covering section having a window, through which portions of a wearer's face are exposed, a posterior-head covering section, and a lower shoulder-covering section. The anterior head-covering section is made from comparatively heavier, thermally insulative material, whereas the upper head-covering section and the other sections, or a selected one of the other sections, are made from similar, comparatively lighter material, such as mesh or netting, whereby to allow heat to pass readily through those sections made from comparatively lighter material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clothing and more particularly to a garment designed to hold portable electronic devices and other items such as wallets, keys, etc. The garment has at least one and preferably more than one pocket to hold an electronic device, i.e., cell phone. Each pocket includes an internal passageway that leads to an interior side of the vest. The garment also includes a central passageway system which includes two passageways that are on opposite sides of the central opening of the garment. The passageways are segmented and allow for the installation of wires. The garment further includes a horizontal passageway that passes from the left side of the interior of the vest around the central portion of the back to the right side of the vest. The central passageway system, one or more wires can be removed and installed from an individual passageway segment without disturbing other wires neatly fastened in other passageway segments.

Abstract: A chemical/biological protection helmet is provided with a filter system. In order to provide for improved balance control and visibility, the filter system is positioned in the rear of the helmet. By rotating the visors, provided in the front of the helmet, the filter system can be actuated as the helmet is sealed.

Abstract: An eye shield assembly useful in training students in non-deadly force, firearms and martial arts has an opaque first eye shield which is coupled to an apertured second eye shield by connecting together adjustable straps on both eye shields. One eye shield covers the eyes while the other eye shield forms a portion of the head strap. The opaque first eye shield simulates substantial or complete blindness while the apertured second eye shield simulates tunnel vision, both conditions being possible during an encounter with an adversary. By utilizing the eye shield assembly, the trainee becomes acclimated to sight impairment and learns to employ the skills obtained by his or her training in situations where there is sight impairment.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards an apparatus for securing and adjusting a strap. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a buckle assembly having a pivotable member pivotably attached to opposed regions of the buckle frame. In one embodiment, a sport-goggle assembly has a pivotable buckle assembly attached to one end of a strap. In another embodiment, a sport-goggle assembly has a pivotable buckle assembly attached to each of the two straps. In other embodiments, the pivotable buckle assembly can be used in association with a strap-lengthening member.

Abstract: A form-fitting chest protector. In one embodiment, the chest protector includes a pair of detachably secured wing portions. A main portion of the chest protector has a variable thickness and substantially overlies the chest and abdomen of the athlete to absorb impacts to the athlete from a projectile. The wing portions are separate from the main portion, but are detachably secured to the chest protector to permit each wing portion to be adjustable when the chest protector is worn by the athlete. The wing portions facilitate a constant form-fit no matter how the body of the athlete flexes.

Abstract: A portable controller (110) for controlling the level of water in a swimming pool, including: a container (111) adapted to rest in a predetermined position adjacent the pool in which the water level is to be controlled, said container having a base (112) and one or more side walls (113, 114, 116, 117) extending upwardly from said base, an inlet in one of said one or more side walls for receiving water into the container and an outlet in or over at least one of said one or more side walls above said base for discharging water into the pool, said base and said one or more side walls at least in part defining a water storage chamber (124) below said outlet sized to weight said container to retain it in a predetermined position adjacent the pool when said chamber is full of water; an on/off valve (122) in fluid communication with said inlet for controlling flow of water into said container; and a float (132) operatively connected to said on/off valve and adapted to float in the pool when said container is in the

Abstract: An improved assembly is disclosed for clamping the perimeter flange of a sink snugly down upon a countertop where the sink is being installed. The assembly utilizes a stud extending downwardly from the underside of the perimeter flange and a link connected to the stud having a displacement member, such as a threaded bolt, which engages the underside of the countertop adjacent the hole in the countertop where the sink is located. As the displacement member is manipulated against the underside of the countertop, the link holding the displacement member draws the stud downwardly to pull the flange snugly against the upper face of the countertop adjacent the sink installation hole.

Abstract: A sofa equipped with a radiant heating mattress for fomentation and/or massage, wherein a bed part equipped with the radiant heating mattress and a heating system internally built therein is mounted on one side of a seat part of the sofa, thereby allowing a user to rest comfortably and to enjoy fomentation and health massages by anions and far infrared rays from the radiant heating mattress of the bed part, with the use of sofa. The sofa has the seat part, a back part, an arm part and a frame, wherein one side of the seat part constitutes the bed part which is formed of a flat board having a wide area and is equipped with the radiant heating mattress produced with a board made of jade, gold-coated board, stone, mixture of yellow earth and hardwood charcoals, or ceramics so as to emit anions and far infrared rays.

Abstract: A comprehensive means of providing protection to a bed frame by covering various locations about the bed frame with plastic shields. The plastic shields are adapted to enclose the various locations about the bed frame including the ends of side rails, the junction of side rails and cross members, leg assemblies and the side rails themselves. The shields comprise a pair of housings joined together with a living hinge such that the free ends can be affixed together to surround and enclose the various locations where sharp edges are present. The use of the shields provides overall protection to all of the locations where there may be sharp edges that could harm a person striking the location and thus there is a comprehensive approach to full protection of the bed frame.

Abstract: A spring element for supporting a seat cushion or mattress includes a base body adapted to be attached to a foundation member. The base body includes a plurality of spring arms. Attached to the base body is a support body which includes at least two support arms. The support body is rotatable relative to the base body about an axis to displace the support arms between a supporting position to limit the deflection of the spring arms, and a non-supporting position to exert no influence on the spring arms. Therefore, the flexibility of the spring element can be adjusted by rotation of the support body.

Abstract: An air mattress device includes an air mattress member, and a temperature regulator coupled to the air mattress member with a hose, to supply the regulated air into the air mattress member via the hose. The temperature regulator includes a casing disposed in a housing, a heat exchanging member disposed in the casing, to exchange heat with the air flowing into the casing. A heat dissipating device is disposed in the housing, a heat exchanger includes two conductors disposed between the heat dissipating device and the casing, to transmit heat between the heat dissipating device and the casing.

Abstract: An articulating bed frame includes a main frame; a back section connected to the main frame by first and second linkage assemblies, each of the first and second linkage assemblies being pivotally connected at first and third ends to the back section and pivotally connected at opposing respective second and fourth ends to the main frame; an upper leg section connected to the main frame by a third linkage assembly and a support link assembly, the third linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to the upper leg section and the main frame, respectively, and the support link assembly being rigidly connected at a seventh end to the upper leg section and being slidably and pivotably connected at an opposing eighth end to the main frame; a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to the back section and the upper leg section; a lower leg section pivotally connected to the upper leg section and freely supported atop a forward end of the main frame; and, a drive assembly conne

Abstract: A patient positioning device and method of operation that is simple in construction, is easy to install, is positioned outside the sterile operating field, yet permits the surgeon to readily position, adjust, and re-position a patient during a surgical procedure is provided and includes a support adapted to be positioned against a predetermined portion of a patient's body, a drive mechanism for moving the support along a generally linear path, a source of power for the drive mechanism, a bracket for mounting the drive mechanism to an operating table, and a remote device for actuating the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A cushioning device for a body support such as a mattress, seat, sofa, or the like where support is obtained from a fluid. The cushioning device is self-inflating, self-adjusting, and provides a low interface pressure under the entire contact surface of a patient. Shear force scraping damage is prevented by a sleeve apparatus. A support system apparatus provides separately adjustable pressure support zones. For physical therapy, an alternating pressure system provides alternating lifting and lowering pressure zones under a patient.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product is provided comprising a pocketed spring assembly made up of a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each string of springs comprises a row of interconnected pocketed springs. The pockets of fabric are vertically shortened with seams to create pockets of the same height, each containing a spring. The springs are vertically offset from one another due to the location of the seams. Upon an initial load, only some of the pocketed springs are compressed.

Abstract: Oral devices are provided, including oral brushes that include bristle tufts and a rotatable member having radially extending protrusions constructed to wedge between a user's teeth and, among other things, cause compression of the papilla.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle (4) and a possibly electrically drivable brush head (2), which is connected to the handle (4) via a neck part (5). In order to provide advantageous construction conditions, a guide (6), which encloses the neck part (5) with movement play, forms a bite support.

Abstract: This invention is a compressed air vaccum that attaches to an air hose and forces air down the handle. The air is then is forced through a venture, which causes vacuum to occur. It has a baffle deflection piece that stops the liquid and debris from coming up into the venture thus allowing the debris and liquid material to be dropped back into the canister of the vaccum. The handle, venture, and baffle are all one piece. The canister with the pick up tube for sucking is a separate piece and then they snap together. The canister is removable from the handle piece for easy clean up.

Abstract: An insert-and-play caster assembly. The assembly includes a base frame and a caster for assisting transporting loads. The base frame can be easily inserted and fixed to the downward surface of a load, and thus one or more such insert-and-play casters are attached to a load so as to facilitate delivering the load. One section of the base frame is an insertion section composed of a number of staggered insertion plates. The insertion section is inserted into a seam of a load, such as a packing box. The insertion section provides a firm attachment to the load, and then the caster underneath the base frame becomes capable of assisting transporting loads, leading to the benefits of simple applicability and effort saving.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed between the side piece (2) and the endpiece (1) of the frame of a pair of glasses. The side piece and the endpiece are parts (1, 2) made of wire, of which one bears a hinge body (6) which serves as a hinge axis with a coaxial, peripheral groove (7) for receiving a bearing eye which consists of the bent end (3) of the wire of which the other part (1) is made. The bearing eye forms a peripherally open eyelet (8) which can elastically engage the peripheral groove (7). In order to achieve advantageous manufacturing conditions, the wire of which the part (2) that bears the hinge body (6) is made has a bent, hairpin-shaped end piece (3) which form-fittingly holds between its branches (4, 5) the hinge body (6) on both sides of the peripheral groove (7). The crosspiece (10) located between the two branches (4, 5) of the end piece (3) covers the outer side of the eyelet (8), which forms the bearing eye of the other part (1).

Abstract: A pivot bearing mechanism includes a main body and a pivot shaft. The main body is fixedly mounted on a first member, and is provided on a top thereof with an axially extended slit and near the top with an internally threaded hole transversely extended through the slit, such that a screwing element can be tightened into the threaded hole to narrow the slit. The pivot shaft has a first end rotatably supported on the main body and a second end fixedly connected to a second member. By tightening the screwing element into the threaded hole by different degrees, the slit is forced to narrow or widen to allow adjustment of a tightness of contact between the main body and the pivot shaft, allowing the pivot shaft to bring the second member to rotate and locate at a desired position, relative to the first member.

Abstract: A toilet seat hinge and base assembly to retain toilet seats on a toilet bowl uses a pair of hinge bases and a pair of hinge leafs for each base. The base is adapted to be secured to a toilet bowl, with the leaf hinges securing the toilet seat ring and toilet seat cover to the hinge bases. Each leaf has the same shape and can be used to secure either the ring or the ring cover to the hinge base thereby simplifying installation or replacement procedures. The hinge base can also be used with molded seat covers and rings that include attachment tabs. The tabs interface with the hinge bases to form the seat assembly.