Abstract: An article carrying device is provided for balancing upon a single shoulder of a person. The device includes front and back extended end members having a plurality of clips provided along middle and distal portions of the ends members. The clips secure packages to the article carrying device such that when packages of equal weights are attached to both ends of the carrying device, the device balances upon the shoulder of the person and does not require human hand intervention to maintain its position. The article carrying device is interchangeable and can be employed on either shoulder of the person. A hinge mechanism can be provided at an apex of the device for permitting the collapse of said device for transport or storage when not is use.

Abstract: An organizer attached for use in combination with a vehicle sun visor. The vehicle sun visor has inside and outside major visor surfaces. The sun visor is pivotable between a raised position wherein the inside visor surface resides adjacent an interior ceiling of the vehicle, and a lowered position wherein the outside visor surface resides adjacent a front windshield of the vehicle. The organizer attachment includes an organizer panel having opposing planar inside and outside major panel surfaces. The inside panel surface defines a first fastener area incorporating one of hook and loop fasteners. At least one visor strap is attached to the sun visor, and is separate and detachable from the organizer panel. The visor strap defines a second fastener area incorporating one of hook and loop fasteners adapted for releasably mating with the first fastener area of the organizer panel. The organizer attachment is readily removed from the sun visor and the visor strap for transport outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roof rack including at least two forward recesses and at least two rear recesses within a roof panel; a vertically extending stanchion in each of at least two forward and rear recesses, a forward transverse recess starting at one forward recess and ending at an opposite forward recess; a forward transverse bar in said transverse recess having pivoting connections with said vertically extending stanchions; a rear transverse recess starting at one rearward recess and ending at an opposite rearward recess; and a rear transverse bar in said transverse recess having pivoting connections with said vertically extending stanchions in each of said at least two rear recesses, wherein said each of said rear transverse bar and said forward transverse bar having a stored position with a vertical height below an upper surface of said roof panel and a deployed position above said upper surface of said roof panel.

Abstract: A tool caddy is for use with a wheelbarrow that has an external side panel. The tool caddy includes a substrate, first a plurality of pockets, a second plurality of loops and an attaching mechanism. The substrate covers the external side panel. The pockets are disposed on and mechanically coupled to the substrate. Each pocket is adapted to receive a tool. The loops are disposed in a serial and concentric alignment and mechanically coupled to the substrate and are adapted to receive a tool with an elongated handle that is disposed in each loop.

Abstract: A spare tire and wheel assembly is stowed on a rear tail gate of a motor vehicle by a carrier. The carrier is pivoted to rigid vehicle frame structure beneath the rear tail gate for vertical swinging movement about a transverse horizontal axis from a generally upright stowage position downwardly to a rearwardly extending, lower position. A latch mechanism releasably latches the carrier to the tail gate in the stowage position. The tire and wheel assembly is releasably mounted on the carrier.

Abstract: A simple holder for hand-held garden tools comprising a casing, a belt clip, a securing device to prevent inadvertent slippage, and a blade guard to prevent damage to the inside of the casing. Attaching the belt clip to the user's belt permits hand-held garden tools to be carried conveniently by the user without requiring the use of his hands.

Abstract: A holster for a pepper spray canister includes a holster body, a trigger pivotably attached to the holster body for movement between a latching position and a release position and a biasing mechanism attached to the holster body and in operative engagement with the canister to eject the canister from the holster body when the trigger is moved to the release position. When the trigger is in the latching position, the trigger is directly engaged with the canister and the canister is retained within the holster body against a force of the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet of brittle material, such as glass, flat or bowed, is separated along a score line by applying vibration energy through a probe into previously scored sheet material. The separation time is less than 1 second with smooth edge quality. The brittle material can be in the form of a moving ribbon of glass sheet, where a vibrational load is applied transverse to the score line to enhance crack propagation along the score line. A controller operates the probe at selected vibration frequencies, amplitudes, contact velocities, contact forces of impact, alignment with the score line, and the like, depending on material properties and structure, and depending on optimal process parameters.

Abstract: A strand of bags includes bags that are connected to one another at their lower and upper edges. Opposing side edge areas of the bags are folded inwards towards the longitudinal axis of the bag on the front and/or back side of the bags. The upper edge of the front and/or back side of a bag is detachably connected at at least two spaced-apart first and second sections with the lower edge of an adjacent bag, defining an outlet opening. Further disclosed is a bag dispenser that includes a base or support device, a front extraction edge, and a severing device in front of or above the extraction edge suitable for engaging in an outlet opening between two adjacent bags of the strand of bags. Opposing side walls each have a guiding device for a rotary axis for at least one wound roll of bags.

Abstract: A nailer with an illumination device located adjacent to the muzzle thereof comprises a nailer and an illumination device. The nailer has a muzzle defined at a front end of a housing thererof, between the muzzle and the housing is arranged a panel and a protection hood covered on the panel, and on the protection hood is formed a notch aligned with the muzzle. Beneath the protection hold is disposed a circuit board, on the circuit board is battery. A positioning hole is defined in a side of the protection hood facing the housing. A buffer is disposed in the positioning hole of the protection hood in such a manner that a part of the buffer protrudes out of the positioning hole and is to be pressed against the housing. The illumination device is disposed beneath the protection hood of the nailer and located correspondingly to the notch.

Abstract: A cylinder structure of a nail driver comprises a cylinder having a head and a body; the head having a first threaded area; and the body having a second threaded area which is engaged to the head. The head has a receiving portion for receiving a gun mouth and a nail cartridge and a pneumatic hole for guiding air to the gun mouth; and another end of the head has the first thread area and an annular insertion opening for connecting the body. A periphery of the body has a plurality of stop annular blocks and one end of the body has a through hole for being filled with air.

Abstract: A stapler includes a housing having a hand grip portion constructed and arranged to be manually grasped by an operator, a staple drive track disposed in the housing, a staple feed track leading to the staple drive track configured to guide staples toward the drive track, and a staple driver mounted within the staple drive track, the staple driver configured to drive staples into a workpiece. The stapler further includes a guide pivotally mounted in a body portion of the housing. The guide has an elongated member receiving region. The guide is configured to pivot between a stored position in which the guide is disposed within the housing and a deployed position in which the guide extends out of the housing.

Abstract: A linear surgical stapler adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an anvil structure and a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners and a knife. The cartridge housing and anvil structure are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners from the cartridge housing to be driven against the anvil structure. The firing mechanism includes a slide bar at its distal end adjacent the cartridge housing. A lockout mechanism interacts with the cartridge housing for selective activation and deactivation.

Abstract: An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector. An articulation mechanism is positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A rotating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective rotation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector and includes a longitudinal axis. The end effector is coupled to the support shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the stapler.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] When a multiplicity of columns are to be connected to a ceramic substrate of a ceramic column grid array, a mounting jig is placed over the ceramic substrate, and the columns are inserted into holes of the mounting jig. If the columns are inserted into the holes of the mounting jig one by one, productivity is degraded, and the production cost increases. The present invention is a column suction-holding head capable of inserting columns into all the holes of the mounting jig collectively at once. [Solution Means] The body of the column suction-holding head has elongate holes at the same positions as those of electrodes installed on a ceramic substrate of a ceramic column grid array, and suction holes are provided at the bottoms of the elongate holes. The column suction-holding head is superimposed on an alignment jig having columns aligned therein, and suction is applied from the suction holes.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus including a preheating conveyor belt to convey a printed circuit board with electronic components mounted thereon, at least one preheating heater to preheat the printed circuit board conveyed by the preheating conveyor belt, a soldering conveyor belt positioned adjacent to the preheating conveyor belt to convey the printed circuit board preheated by the preheating heater, the soldering conveyor belt being driven at a different driving speed from a driving speed of the preheating conveyor belt, and a soldering unit to solder the electronic components to the printed circuit board conveyed by the soldering conveyor belt.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web and webs including one or more stretched zones. Each of the stretched zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the downweb direction. The stretching can be performed continuously on the web as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The method for stretching an extensible web in the cross direction generally is practiced on a substantially continuous cross-directional extensible web. The web is traveling in a first downweb direction at a first speed. The extensible web has a width and substantially continuous length in the first downweb direction. The crossweb stretching occurs in an orientation zone established between at least two moving nip points. The nip points are in a plane of the web with a leading nip downweb of a trailing nip with the at least two nips offset in the cross direction.

Abstract: A welding method for manufacturing welded structures having excellent properties to prevent the propagation of brittle fracture occurring in welded joints, characterized by the step of forming a repair weld having a greater toughness than that of a butt weld and an outer edge whose angle ? with respect to the longitudinal direction of the butt weld is not less than 10 degrees and not more than 60 degrees, by applying repair welding to a region to arrest a brittle crack in a butt-welded joint where a brittle crack is likely to propagate after removing part of the butt-welded joint, in said region, by gouging or machining.

Abstract: A method for weldbonding at least two work-pieces together includes applying an adhesive to a first surface of a first work-piece, and bringing the first surface of the first work-piece into contact with a surface of a second work-piece. The first work-piece and second work-piece are then friction stir or friction stir spot welded together, and the adhesive is cured. The use of bonding tools to maintain the two work-pieces together during curing of the adhesive is eliminated.

Abstract: Methods of bonding two components may include positioning the components relative to one another to obtain a desired orientation. Once the desired orientation is obtained, the components can be bonded in the desired orientation with metal wherein a temperature of both components is maintained below a melting temperature of the metal while bonding. Related structures are also discussed.

Abstract: A process for producing a high temperature-resistant structure having at least one at least partially structured metallic layer includes applying a bonding agent to at least one joining portion of the at least one layer. The bonding agent is applied in drop form to form a bonding layer with a layer thickness of less than 0.05 mm. The structure is at least partially shaped. A brazing material is applied so that the latter is at least partially fixed to a bonding layer. A heat treatment is carried out. The process allows accurate application of glue and brazing material to metallic honeycomb structures preferably used for exhaust-gas treatment in automotive engineering.

Abstract: A method of stress relief for stainless steel combustion turbine components includes vibrating the components during welding at a subharmonic frequency. The proper frequency is selected to be below a harmonic frequency, and to produce an amplitude in the range of ¼ to ½ the amplitude produced by a harmonic frequency. The component to be repaired is vibrated during and after welding at this frequency.

Abstract: A material forming tool and a method for forming a material is described and which includes a shank portion; a shoulder portion which releasably engages the shank portion; a pin which releasably engages the shoulder portion, and wherein the pin defines a passageway; and a source of a material coupled in material flowing relation relative to the pin and wherein the material forming tool is utilized in methodology which includes providing a first material; providing a second material, and placing the second material into contact with the first material; and locally plastically deforming the first material with the material forming tool so as mix the first material and second material together to form a resulting material having characteristics different from the respective first and second materials.

Abstract: There is provided a friction stir spot joining device in which a pin can be simply and surely caused to come in or come out from a tip end of a joining tool by driving a pin extraction motor when the pin extraction motor is used so as to cause the pin to come in or come out from the tip end of the joining tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for diffusion bonding, brazing, or joining between respective surfaces of two parts, e.g., the exterior wall of a first annular cylinder and the interior wall of a concentric second annular cylinder, includes a cylindrical body having a circumferential cavity positioned between upper and lower ends thereof. A flexible annular membrane is disposed concentrically over the cavity, and respective upper and lower ends of the membrane are each sealingly hinged to the body. The body is assembled coaxially within the first cylinder, and the assembly then inserted coaxially into the second cylinder to the desired axial bonding position. The cavity is pressurized, causing the membrane, and responsively, the first cylinder, to expand radially within the second cylinder. The temperature of the parts is then raised and maintained for a selected period of time to bond the respective walls of the two cylinders to each other.

Abstract: A paper container for fluid having a spout plug, in which the spout plug (16) formed of a spout (14) positioned on a spout hole part for cutting and opening (12) and incorporating a rotary opening blade (13) and a cap (15) is fitted to a top panel (9) having the spout hole part for cutting and opening (12) in which a spout hole (10) formed in a paper base material (3) is sealed by a sealing layer (11), and a cut and opened piece fall prevention mechanism (26) capable of preventing a part of the cut and opened piece (11a) of the sealing layer (11) produced when the sealing layer (11) is cut and opened by the rotary opening blade (13) of the spout plug (16) from being cut off and giving hinge function to the uncut part of the cut and opened piece in the spout hole part for cutting and opening (12).

Abstract: A consumer product package. In one embodiment the consumer product package includes a first surface defining a first window and a first hinged flap associated with the first window. The first hinged flap is movable between a first position wherein the first window is exposed and a second position wherein the first window is obscured by the first hinged flap. In one embodiment a first attachment mechanism is associated with the first hinged flap and the first attachment mechanism maintains the first hinged flap in the second position.

Abstract: A holding pattern aid apparatus to enable a pilot in instrument conditions to instantly visualize a holding pattern and determine an appropriate entry procedure, is disclosed. The aid is configured to attach to a kneeboard while permitting the pilot to flip the display from right to left holding pattern with one hand or even the flick of a finger. The apparatus also indicates the appropriate teardrop outbound course and parallel intercept course, as well as providing instant reciprocal headings and a DME Arc aid. A lanyard attach point enables the pilot to quickly find the holding pattern aid when loose and prevents the aid from becoming lost in the cockpit should it become detached form the kneeboard.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and method of automatically counting the loaded electronic components in a carrier tape. A pair of detectors is arranged respectively above and below the carrier tape, and a counting wheel having teeth on the periphery is operatively coupled to the keyholes of the tape and reel machine. An encoder is utilized having its axis coupled to the counting wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that detects a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device; and obtains an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

Abstract: This invention relates to the banknote serial number processing method and its device. Including: banknote serial number recording step, that is to convert the banknote serial number into image signal by using image capture device; banknote serial number recording decoded step, i.e.

Abstract: A system for providing credit card sub-accounts with varying credit limits is useful to consolidate many accounts into one account. The present invention allows a user to add others to an existing account with the safety of setting credit limits for each sub-account to prevent sub-account holders from abusing the user's account features, funds, credit limits, and the like. Credit limits for sub-accounts can be configured by an exact amount, a percentage of the total credit limit, a percentage of the credit available, or a combination of these methods, and can also be per transaction, type of establishment where transaction takes place, or types of products or services attempting to be purchased.

Abstract: A method and a system complete a transaction with an identification card and/or a point of sale system. A customer tenders an amount of money to a retailer for purchasing a product and/or a service offered by the retailer and/or for completing a retail transaction with the retailer. The retailer may owe a monetary value to the customer from the retail transaction. A financial account associated with the identification card of the customer is identified by the point of sale system. The point of sale system and/or the retailer transfers the monetary value to the financial account associated with the identification card of the customer. The identification card is associated with a balance of the financial account. The balance of the financial account is redeemable with the retailer to complete an additional retail transaction. The point of sale system transmits information relating to the identification card and/or relating to the financial account to a server via a network.

Abstract: A wireless biometric cardholding apparatus is disclosed. The invention facilitates remote reading and writing smartcards after a user has been biometrically authenticated. The invention promotes secure, wireless exchange of data between standard smartcards and an application, via a remote external RF transceiver. This invention enables enrolled users to access physical, logical, or financial resources and/or other protected assets. The cardholding apparatus holds a conventional identifying card, badge, or smartcard. One preferred embodiment is constructed of clear plastic and/or is of sufficiently open design that it displays visible ID credentials. The invention actively reads identification data from the smartcard, cryptographically protects data, and transmits it by means of radio or other wireless communications to a reader terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary mail processing systems and methods, including systems and methods for retrieving paper sheets, statements, inserts and/or cards, and inserting same into an envelope. In one embodiment, an apparatus (200) includes a paper feeding mechanism (210) to feed sheets of paper into a collection bin (220) that is adapted to receive in a stack the sheets of paper. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism (230) to remove a bottom one of said sheets of paper from the stack, and a deionizer (240) that reduces static electricity in the vicinity of the stack. In this manner, the deionizer helps facilitate removal by the retrieval mechanism of only one of the sheets of paper at a time, by reducing static electricity on the sheets.

Abstract: A security device comprises a portable magnetic stripe reader and computing functionality associated with the magnetic stripe reader, such as a credit card reader, drivers license reader, debit card reader, club card reader, or any other element that can be mechanically read. A single device may be needed for evaluation of each type of stripe carrying product, or a single device may have multiple functions and can be used (with or without switching to specific identification sequences) for evaluation of different magnetic stripe carrying products. It may be used as a law enforcement device, particularly to combat identity theft and financial fraud.

Abstract: The invention facilitates the computation of expected approval rates based on historic transaction data relating to transaction classes, approved transactions and declined transactions. The invention provides a system and method by which a program administrator for a company may model varying client-imposed limit scenarios in order to determine one or more optimal monthly and/or transactional spending limits. Further, the present invention provides a means for setting varying monthly and/or transaction spending limits for purchases from any number of industries. Providing card members with information regarding optimal spending limits reduces the occurrences of declined credit transactions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a user identification infrastructure system which does not depend on a user identification device (token) and which sets user identification to be independent of an application (Ap) which requests or uses the user identification and to which Ap-related data can easily be added. A virtual token memory (VETM) service server stores virtual region management information (a user ID, a user access key and/or a user encryption/decryption key, an Ap access key and/or an Ap encryption/decryption key and information of a data file storage place): acquires an Ap ID from a VETM corresponding client by an operation of a VETM corresponding Ap; acquires information of the file storage place based on the user access key and/or the user encryption/decryption key uniquely derived and produced from a user identifier or the like received from the token and the Ap ID; decrypts the information with the Ap encryption/decryption key; and/or accesses the information with the Ap access key.

Abstract: A method and a computer-controlled, multi-function device for generating and dispensing retail cards such as gift cards and loyalty cards and for collecting customer survey information. The device includes a reader such as a magnetic strip reader for receiving payment for the gift card from the customer. A card inspector determines whether the gift card is electronically readable and if not, disposes the card in a bad card hopper. If the card is readable, the device dispenses the card to the customer. An electronic survey apparatus obtains customer information and stores it in an external server. The customer information may include customer responses to survey questions or customer contact information. An external interface enables survey questions to be automatically uploaded to the device and for responses and customer contact information to be downloaded from the device.

Abstract: An antifraud device for use with a self service terminal having a fascia formed with an entry slot accessed by a bank card and a keypad has a control system for disabling the terminal in the event of tampering. A cover overlying the entry slot has an opening aligned with the entry slot of the card reader. The cover has a selected thickness thereby allowing the card to pass through it without allowing additional travel should something capable of reading the card be placed over the cove the entry slot. The cover has a breakaway contact adapted to sense unauthorized removal. A detector is provided to sense the presence of an unauthorized object proximate to the entry slot or keypad or both. A control system responsive to the breakaway contact and detector disables the terminal if the cover is removed or if the entry slot is covered by an unauthorized reader.

Abstract: There is disclosed a commodity information registering apparatus which registers commodity information while a commodity is moved, comprising a radio tag reading section which reads a radio tag within a first field to acquire commodity identification information stored in the radio tag, an optical reading section which reads a code symbol within a second field to acquire commodity identification information described in the code symbol, and a registering section which registers one of the commodity information corresponding to the commodity identification information acquired from the radio tag and the commodity information corresponding to the commodity identification information acquired from the code symbol.

Abstract: A low-power system for use with Wireless Display Tags (WDTs) includes, in one or more exemplary arrangements, various power management techniques, including receiver wake-up, RF logic sharing, RF repeaters and a frequency doubling power amplifier which operates on the absolute value of the input signal.

Abstract: A remote order system includes at least one POS management system such as a restaurant management POS and one or more order taking points capable of entering orders. The one or more order taking points may include, for example, remote agent terminals, one or more remote order centers (ROC) and an order distributor. The RMPOS further includes drive-through order points, an order processing device and a POS system. The order processing device detects a customer presence signal corresponding with an arrival of a customer at a point of sale location and in response sends a destination request to the order distributor. The order distributor sends destination information to the order processing device and in response the order processing device establishes at least on\of: an audio link and/or a data link between the point of sale location and one of at least two point of sale order taking points.

Abstract: A method to prevent email voters from revealing their true choices by using personal voting codes (PVC) in casting their ballots, particularly email absentee ballots. In one embodiment of the invention, voters enter sequential numbers to fill-out the available alternatives for each question on the ballot; for example, Mr. Bush, 3; Mr. Edwards, 4; Mr. Buchanan, 5 . . . ” and so on. If bystanders are in the vicinity of the voter when the ballot is being completed, they would not be able to determine the voter's choice because they would be unable to discern the choice from the markings on the ballot; because of the use of personal voting codes, only the voter would know that the voter's candidate of choice is tagged with their PVC. In a particular example, the voter may have entered the number five (5) as a decision-making mark (a.k.a. PVC), which s/he later uses in the ballot to select the candidate of her/his choice (Mr. Buchanan in the example).

Abstract: An RFID tag includes an RFID unit and an antenna unit. The RFID unit is formed in a form of a minute dipole antenna having a predetermined length and includes an IC chip. The antenna unit includes an antenna pattern and an RFID mounting portion. Lengths of the RFID unit and the antenna unit are substantially identical. The RFID unit and the antenna can be manufactured independently.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of information reading, and more specifically, to an improved information reader in a validator which eliminates the requirement to insert an information source in a particular direction in an information reader.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing or eliminating the likelihood of fraud in a contactless proximity communications apparatus are provided. The apparatus can include a body portion with a body, a communications circuit, and an antenna. The apparatus can also include a signal-disrupting portion that is mounted for motion, such as rotary or linear motion, with respect to the body portion and configured to substantially disrupt RF signals in a first position, and to move to a second position where RF communication is possible.

Abstract: A dual light source voltage-modulated reciprocal control circuit for a scanner. The circuit includes a voltage modulation circuit, a first lamp driving circuit, a second lamp driving circuit and a reciprocal control circuit. The voltage-modulating circuit generates a modulated voltage whose magnitude can be adjusted through pulse width modulation of a square wave. The first lamp driving circuit receives the modulated voltage to drive a first lamp. Similarly, the second lamp driving circuit receives the modulated voltage to drive a second lamp. The reciprocal control circuit redirects the modulated voltage to the first lamp driving circuit or the second lamp driving circuit according to the dictate of a reciprocal logic signal.

Abstract: An information-recorded medium that contains a holographically-recorded bar code and a method for using this medium to achieve enhanced security and authentication of bar code readings in commerce are described. The holographically-recorded bar code is virtually impossible to copy by non-holographic means and is readable using conventional bar code scanners that are currently in use. The holographically-recorded bar code can be made either visible or invisible to the human eye and can be made responsive to electromagnetic radiation in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared regions of the spectrum.