Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant named ‘Victoria Mathilde’, characterized by its uniform, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; uniform and freely flowering habit; and decorative-type inflorescences with red purple-colored ray florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Mandevilla plant named ‘Sunparasuji’, characterized by its upright and vining plant habit; relatively small glossy foliage; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; red-colored flowers with white-colored stripes; and long flowering period.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Coreopsis plant named ‘Coreopram’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and single inflorescences with dark red and yellow bi-colored ray florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Scoparia plant named ‘USSCO401-3’, characterized by its low-mounding and outwardly spreading growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; small yellow-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleia plant named ‘Stellar Pink’, characterized by its upright and relatively compact plant habit; freely flowering habit; intense dark pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named ‘Butterfly Heaven’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; large, fragrant and light lavender-colored flowers with golden orange-colored centers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct Alternanthera plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by an upright, freely branching growth habit, bright pink and dark purple two-toned foliage, small, narrow leaves and small, round white flowers that last 3 months or more during the fall.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Balazdare’, characterized by its dark red-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, and trailing, spreading growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Bergenia plant characterized by foliage with a broad, yellow, variegated margin on new growth, large, bright pink flowers, red winter leaf color, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Colocasia plant named ‘DIAMOND HEAD’ that is characterized by a combination of large dark purple to black leaves with a glossy finish and a small circular-shaped dark burgundy colored ‘piko’ and semi-glossy dark burgundy colored petioles. In combination these characteristics distinguish ‘DIAMOND HEAD’ from all other varieties of Colocasia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Camellia japonica named ‘Kerguelen’, characterized by its variegated foliage with dark green centers and yellow-green to green-white margins, its broadly upright and compact bushy habit, its thick, leathery, evergreen foliage, its fully double flowers that are light coral pink in color, and its cold hardiness to at least in U.S.D.A. Zone 7.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lantana plant named ‘Robpwchp’, characterized by its semi-mounding and outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; dense medium green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and yellow and pastel apricot-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Sarcococca named ‘Sarsid 1’, characterized by its narrow, oblanceolate to elliptic shaped leaves, its dwarf, consistent, and dense but spreading plant habit that is suitable as a groundcover, its vigorous growth habit, and its small highly fragrant flowers that emerge in mid winter.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Gaillardia named ‘FRENZY’ that is distinguishable by compact dwarf habit, medium-green foliage, and large red tubular flowers with bright yellow petal tips, blooming from early through late summer. In combination these traits set ‘FRENZY’ apart from all other existing varieties of Gaillardia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Gaillardia named ‘TIZZY’ that is distinguishable by compact dwarf habit, medium-green foliage, and large red tubular flowers that bloom in late summer. In combination these traits set ‘TIZZY’ apart from all other existing varieties of Gaillardia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of shrub rose, Rosa ‘BAIrage’, characterized by its semi-double flowers that are apricot with a yellow eye when opening and maturing to medium pink with a yellow eye, its everblooming habit, its ability to drop spent flowers cleanly, its rounded habit of medium green, semi-glossy foliage that is resistant to rose blackspot and powdery mildew. ‘BAIrage’ is readily propagated on its own roots and hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 4 to 9.

Abstract: A new and distinct Coreopsis plant named ‘Gold Nugget’ characterized by prolific, large, bright yellow and maroon daisy-type flowers, grass green foliage, very free branching and flowering, long bloom time, and a mounding habit.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Brunnera macrophylla, ‘Mr. Morse’, characterized by its deep green foliage that heavily mottled with silver with its contrasting green margins and veins combined with panicles of white flowers that are present in mid to late spring.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chamaecyparis plant named ‘Lucas’, characterized by its semi-dwarf and hemispherical plant form; green, yellow green to light yellow green-colored leaves; and winter hardy.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rosmarinus named ‘GOLD DUST’ that is characterized by dense upright habit, deep-blue flowers, and thick variegated leaves with dark-green centers and broad gold margins. In combination these traits set ‘GOLD DUST’ apart from all other existing varieties of Rosmarinus known to the inventor.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Miss Ruby’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Moderate vigor resulting in compact growth habit. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. 3. Upright growth habit with flowers borne stiffly on upright shoots. 4. Low female fertility and reduced seed set, resulting in less opportunity for seedlings to originate in the landscape setting. 5. Bright pink flower color, unknown in any other butterfly bush variety known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Sarcococca named ‘Sarsid 2’, characterized by large and broad, oblanceolate shaped leaves, its dwarf, consistent, and dense but spreading plant habit that is suitable as a groundcover, its vigorous growth habit, and its small highly fragrant flowers that emerge in mid winter.

Abstract: A new cultivar of climbing rose, Rosa ‘BAIgirl’, characterized by its clusters of fully double, ruffled, deep pink flowers that are present in May and June and recurrently throughout the season over medium green, semi-glossy foliage that is resistant to rose blackspot and powdery mildew. The new variety has an upright, compact habit, is readily propagated on its own roots and is hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 4 to 9.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Juniper plant named ‘Hulsdonk Yellow’, characterized by its semi-dwarf and pyramidal plant form; yellow and dark green-colored leaves; and winter hardiness.

Abstract: A new and distinct Miniature rose plant is provided which abundantly forms on a substantially continuous basis attractive pink blossoms. A low and compact growth habit is displayed that is well adapted for pot culture. The dense glossy green foliage contracts nicely with the pink blossom coloration. The tolerance to diseases is very good, particularly with respect to Oidium.

Abstract: A method for protecting the video memory on a computer system from being illicitly copied. The invention decrypts a previously encrypted image and displays it on the video screen. During the time the image is displayed, the invention protects it from being copied by other running applications. This is accomplished in multithreaded operating systems by first issuing a multithreaded locking primitive to the video memory resource, and then inserting a pending video hardware request that will take precedence over any subsequent video memory access requests. The pending request serves the purpose of destroying the contents of video memory. The pending request is passive in that it does not execute unless a malicious program has removed the video memory lock.

Abstract: A safety mat for use in bathtubs or shower stalls provides comfortable and safe conditions for users during a bath or shower. The safety mat can be optionally used with a seating aid placed directly on a floor of a bathtub or shower stall, and restrains substantial movement of the seating aid in order to prevent a user sitting on the seating aid from falling therefrom.

Abstract: A combined cushion and protective covering for a patient support having a patient-supporting surface comprises a central section having length and width dimensions corresponding substantially to corresponding dimensions of the support surface. Flaps which are unitary with the central section extend from the side edges of the central section a distance beyond the side edges of the support surface. The flaps are thinner than the central section so as to depend from the central section and lie alongside the patient-supporting surface. The central section and the flaps are formed simultaneously by compressing a block of cushioning material in such manner that the central section forms a pad or cushion unitarily joined at its opposite sides to the flaps. During the compression of the block to form the central pad and the flaps the external surfaces of the pad and flaps are heated to an extent sufficient to enable the surfaces of the pad and flaps to form a smooth, moisture proof skin.

Abstract: A rotating and sitting-up bed includes a height-adjustable base and a support frame, which is connected to the base by means of a rotating articulated element. The support frame can be rotated by 90 degrees relative to the vertical axis with the help of the rotating articulated element. The support frame is divided into a back section, a center section, a thigh section, and a lower-leg section. In the rotated position, the support frame can fold into a Z shape, wherein the back part projects upwards starting from the center section and the lower-leg part hangs downwards from the thigh part. In addition, a crank mechanism ensures that the thigh part is raised by a few cm at its front edge, which is adjacent to the back of the knee of the patient.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for securing an accessory to a rail of a patient support apparatus. The clamp comprises a first jaw adapted to be placed on the rail, a second jaw coupled to the first jaw for movement between an open position and a closed position, a resilient member that is forced against the rail when the second jaw is moved from the open position to the closed position, and a latch coupled to the second jaw and movable relative to the second jaw between a latched position in which the second jaw is locked in the closed position relative to the first jaw and an unlatched position in which the second jaw is movable between the open and closed positions. The resilient member engages the rail with sufficient force to inhibit movement of the clamp along the rail when the second jaw is in the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical table extension features a patient support structure, a large area base, and a support leg. A first joint having at least two degrees of freedom is located between the patient support structure and the support leg. A second joint also having at least two degrees of freedom is located between the base and the support leg. There is a stop limiting the range of motion of the support leg such that a portion of the base area is constrained to be below the first joint irrespective of the position of the base.

Abstract: A patient transportation device includes a rigid backboard with means for securing a patient thereon. At least one handle is extendibly coupled to the backboard, and at least one connector is coupled between the backboard and the at least one handle to suspend the backboard from the handle when the handle is extended from the backboard. The at least one connector and the at least one handle are retractable with respect to the backboard.

Abstract: A diaper changing article comprising a flat circular body preferably having a plurality of fold lines therein, wherein the body is adapted to be folded about the fold lines to open and close the changing article; preferably, a storage area radially arranged about a center of the circular body, wherein at least one pocket in the storage area has an opening proximal to the center of the circular body; and at least one handle coupled to the outer edge, wherein a handle is adapted to carry the body is exposed in the closed position and a second handle is adapted to maintain the body in the closed position. In one embodiment, the article has at least one pocket which has an opening that is proximal to the outer edge of the circular body. The diaper changing article preferably has a polygonal shape, such as a square, when folded closed.

Abstract: A support pin matrix features a number of support pins densely two dimensionally arrayed and individually springily suspended such that a patient's body or body portions may be bedded directly on the support pins. The pins are preferably pressurized by a fluid pressure system for highly balanced contact pressure irrespective the individual pins' load deflection. A control system may provide a pin retraction wave of the support pins. A body resting surface accessing device may be moved across the support pin matrix and beneath a bedded patient in conjunction with the pin retraction wave. The resting surface accessing device may be configured for cleaning, drying, inspecting, irradiating, and/or massaging the body resting surface and/or for maintaining the body support pin matrix. A body carrying net may be retracted and raised in between the body support pins to lift the patient off the support pin matrix.

Abstract: A mattress.

Abstract: A process of extracting liquid from a fabric having a first content of liquid includes the steps of creating a surfactant surface layer including at least one surfactant at an air-liquid interface of the liquid on the fabric, wherein the surface layer has a first surface tension, and adding at least one co-surfactant different from the surfactant. The surfactant and said co-surfactant have substantial chain length compatibility. The co-surfactant reduces the surface tension at the air-liquid interface. The fabric is then subjected to mechanical extraction for a period of time to reduce the liquid content of the fabric from the first content of liquid to a second liquid content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in constructing a bridge comprised of a superstructure and a substructure that supports the superstructure and is comprised of foundations and piers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of a truss structure, a trolley that is supported by the truss structure and used to move materials used to build the bridge along at least a portion of the truss, a support structure for supporting the truss structure, and rotatable lead that can receive a substructure related element from the trolley and be used to rotate the element to a desired position to further the construction of the bridge.

Abstract: A portable submersible cleaning device includes a housing that has axillary opposed top and bottom apertures. The housing has a frusto-conical shape, and includes a handle and an access door removably attached thereto. A cleaning head is pivotally and removably attached to a distal end of the housing, and an exterior receptacle is abutted to an outer surface thereof. A mechanism inhales a predetermined volume of debris-saturated water upwardly through the cleaning head and along a unidirectional passageway such that debris is extracted from the debris-saturated water while clean water is expelled outwardly from the housing and reintroduced into the aqueous environment. The exterior receptacle is isolated from the aqueous environment such that power is transmitted to the inhaling mechanism while the housing is submerged beneath a water line of the aqueous environment.

Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A recirculation flap is mounted contacting a lower rear portion of the brush. The recirculation flap deflects debris that has traveled over the top of the brush back into the brush to be recollected at the conveyor.

Abstract: A mop with an attached wringer cup has a set of perforations near the outwardly tapering lower end of the wringer cup. The wringer cup includes a rib. Along a side portion of the rib a plurality of perforations may be provided. In an embodiment the perforations may increase in size toward the end of the wringer cup. A connector may be provided to secure the mop head to the handle. In an embodiment the connector may accept a collar without requiring the collar to have a particular rotation orientation.

Abstract: A car wash brush is constructed using elements of pleated synthetic material. In one form, radially-pleated fabric discs are stacked on a shaft. In another form, a single length of material is laterally pleated and punched to form a continuous pattern of holes along one edge, and assembled onto a spring or flexible cable which can be wrapped around a rotatable drive shaft.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a top of a beverage can. The top of the beverage can to be cleaned is inserted into a can-receiving cavity in the body of the cleaning apparatus, and the top of the can contactingly engages an actuator that opens a valve to a source of pressurized air. First air jets in communication with the air source expel air onto the lip around the top of the can and also onto the lip groove adjacent the lip, thereby cleaning the lip and the lip groove. Second air jets may also clean the top of the beverage can and its mouth. The cleaning is assisted by condensed moisture on the top of the can that is blown by the air expelled from the air jets. Venting ports allow air expelled from the air jets to escape from the can-receiving cavity.

Abstract: A wheel assembly has a support unit, a rotating unit and an arresting unit. The support unit includes a sleeve, a stop hole and a recess. Brackets respectively extend from opposing sides of the sleeve. A rotating shaft pivots the wheel between the brackets. The rotating unit includes a base. An axis portion extends from a surface of the base for movably engaging with the sleeve. A tooth-like surface is formed on a side of the axis portion. The arresting unit includes a limiting portion movably pivoted between the brackets and in the vicinity of the wheel. A pressing plate pivots to an end of the limiting portion movably. A link portion movably links the limiting portion and the pressing plate and forms an abutting portion. The limiting portion forms a stop portion thereon. The arresting unit limits movement and rotation directions of the support unit and the wheel simultaneously.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half.

Abstract: A hinge for connecting a first folding element to a second folding element. The hinge includes a fixing element which comprises a first fixing face by means of which the fixing element is contactingly fixable to the second folding element; a first arm connected to the fixing element so as to be pivotable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position; a second arm having a fixing device by which the second arm can be fixed to the second folding element, and is connected to the first arm so as to be pivotable around a second pivot axis extending parallel to the first pivot axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first arm encloses a smallest angle relative to the fixing face and, in the second position, encloses a greatest angle relative to the fixing face.

Abstract: A hinge assembly could be installed between a panel and a base of an LCD and has a body, an active leaf and two mounting leaves. The body has two sides and two protrusions formed on the two sides respectively. The active leaf has two mounting portions mounted pivotally with the mounting leaves respectively and each mounting portion has a retainer. The mounting leaves are mounted pivotally on the two sides of the body and each mounting leaf has a slide slot with a folding end and an active slot with a latching end. The slide slots hold the protrusions respectively and the active slots hold the retainers. When the protrusions reach the folding ends, the panel and the base is folded into a flat status and encasing or transporting of the LCD is convenient.

Abstract: A hinge for a notebook extension pad is mounted in an expansion pad of a notebook and has a pivoting assembly, a positioning disk, a limiting stationary leaf, a limiting disk, a pressing assembly and a locking assembly. The expansion pad has a mounting segment and a pad having an external lock. The pivoting assembly is mounted securely on the pad and has a shaft. The positioning disk is mounted around the shaft. The limiting stationary leaf is adjacent to the positioning disk, is mounted rotatably around the shaft and connects with the mounting segment. The limiting disk limits movement of the pad relative to the mounting segment. The pressing assembly provides friction against movement of the hinge. The locking assembly is mounted around the shaft and allows a user to lock the pad at a designed angle to achieve a comfortable height and angle for operating the notebook.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pintle supporting a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The second coupling member includes two protrusions formed on two opposing faces. Two position limiting members simultaneously abut against the protrusions respectively when the hinge assembly is fully opened. A biasing means include a plurality of resilient members that provides non-continuous contact with the pintle.