Abstract: A new cultivar of Cotinus obovatus, ‘Northstar’, characterized by its cold hardiness in U.S.D.A. Zone 3, its heavy bloom of pink inflorescences in mid summer, its red and orange fall foliage color, its drought tolerance once established, and its adaptability for growth in poor soils, a wide range of soil pH, and partial sun.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla named ‘White King’ that is characterized by its very early blooming habit, its ability to re-bloom on new growth after deadheading, its consistently well-formed, large-sized inflorescences that are white in color and are resistant to sun scorching under high light intensity, its foliage that is resistant to powdery mildew, and its compact growth habit resulting in low maintenance.

Abstract: A male asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) hybrid denoted ‘NJ977’. The plant has many desirable traits including vigorous plant growth, high yield, good resistance to rust (Puccinia asparagi) and good field tolerance to asparagus root and crown rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium moniliforme. These desirable traits have been shown to be transmissible to its progenies. The invention relates to plants and plant parts of ‘NJ977’ plant. The invention further relates to hybrid asparagus seeds and plants produced by crossing the male asparagus ‘NJ977’ plant with any female asparagus plant.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Pelargonium named ‘KLEPZ08220’ particularly characterized with orange, shiny inflorescences, medium growth, good performance indoors and outdoors, and early and rich flowering habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by having flowers with a white ray floret color and blue disc florets, medium flower size, flowers that stay open under low light conditions and mounded cascading plant habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct Coreopsis plant named ‘Pink Lady’ characterized by medium sized, clear pink, daisy like flowers, very free flowering, a mounding habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A rotary engine having a housing and a first and second intersecting cavity disposed therein. The rotary engine includes a rotor rotatably mounted in the first cavity, the rotor and the housing defining an annular chamber therebetween, and a piston extending radially from the rotor into the annular chamber. The rotary engine further includes a valve having a combustion chamber rotatably mounted in the second cavity, and a passage formed along a circumference of an inner wall of the second cavity for delivering combustion gases from the combustion chamber to the annular chamber.

Abstract: A MEMs scanning device has a variable resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the MEMs device includes a torsion arm that supports an oscillatory body. In one embodiment, an array of removable masses are placed on an exposed portion of the oscillatory body and selectively removed to establish the resonant frequency. The material can be removed by laser ablation, etching, or other processing approaches. In another approach, a migratory material is placed on the torsion arm and selectively stimulated to migrate into the torsion arm, thereby changing the mechanical properties of the torsion arm. The changed mechanical properties in turn changes the resonant frequency of the torsion arm. In another approach, symmetrically distributed masses are removed or added in response to a measured resonant frequency to tune the resonant frequency to a desired resonant frequency. A display apparatus includes the scanning device and the scanning device scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern.

Abstract: A MEMs scanning device has a variable resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the MEMs device includes a torsion arm that supports an oscillatory body. In one embodiment, an array of removable masses are placed on an exposed portion of the oscillatory body and selectively removed to establish the resonant frequency. The material can be removed by laser ablation, etching, or other processing approaches. In another approach, a migratory material is placed on the torsion arm and selectively stimulated to migrate into the torsion arm, thereby changing the mechanical properties of the torsion arm. The changed mechanical properties in turn changes the resonant frequency of the torsion arm. In another approach, symmetrically distributed masses are removed or added in response to a measured resonant frequency to tune the resonant frequency to a desired resonant frequency. A display apparatus includes the scanning device and the scanning device scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring movement of a person's eye, e.g., to monitor drowsiness. The system includes a frame that is worn on a person's head, an array of emitters on the frame for directing light towards the person's eye, and an array of sensors on the frame for detecting light from the array of emitters. The sensors detect light that is reflected off of respective portions of the eye or its eyelid, thereby producing output signals indicating when the respective portions of the eye is covered by the eyelid. The emitters project a reference frame towards the eye, and a camera on the frame monitors movement of the eye relative to the reference frame. This movement may be correlated with the signals from the array of sensors and/or with signals from other sensors on the frame to monitor the person's level of drowsiness.

Abstract: A printer that enables required data, such as a remaining quantity of each ink, to be written securely even when a storage device having a relatively low allowable frequency of rewriting is applied for a storage element mounted on an ink cartridge. An ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the printer. In the printer, a sequential access-type EEPROM having a relatively low allowable frequency of rewriting is applied for storage elements incorporated in both a black ink cartridge and a color ink cartridge. A print controller in the printer has a memory, for which an EEPROM (or a DRAM) is applicable. Data relating to each ink cartridge, such as a remaining quantity of each ink in the ink cartridge, are stored into both the EEPROM of the print controller and a memory cell included in the storage element of the ink cartridge.

Abstract: In spite of an increase in the size of a liquid crystal display panel, it is possible to prevent the defective connection of a flexible wiring board to a transparent substrate of the liquid crystal display panel. A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of transparent substrates arranged to oppose each other across a liquid crystal, for which they are utilized to form a chamber, a plurality of pixels formed along a spreading direction of the liquid crystal, driving circuits for supplying video signals to the pixels, and a flexible wiring board for supplying signals to the input sides of the driving circuits from a substrate on which a control circuit is mounted, the flexible wiring board being divided into a plurality of portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory such as a dynamic RAM having memory mats each divided into a plurality of units or sub-memory mats. Each sub-memory mat comprises: a memory array having sub-word lines and sub-bit lines intersecting orthogonally and dynamic memory cells located in lattice fashion at the intersection points between the intersecting sub-word and sub-bit lines; a sub-word line driver including unit sub-word line driving circuits corresponding to the sub-word lines; a sense amplifier including unit amplifier circuits and column selection switches corresponding to the sub-bit lines; and sub-common I/O lines to which designated sub-bit lines are connected selectively via the column selection switches. The sub-memory mats are arranged in lattice fashion.

Abstract: A constrained-envelope digital-communications transmitter circuit (22) in which a binary data source (32) provides an input signal stream (34), a phase mapper (44) maps the input signal stream (34) into a quadrature phase-point signal stream (50) having a predetermined number of symbols per unit baud interval (64) and defining a phase point (54) in a phase-point constellation (46), a pulse-spreading filter (76) filters the phase-point signal stream (50) into a filtered signal stream (74), a constrained-envelope generator (106) generates a constrained-bandwidth error signal stream (108) from the filtered signal stream (74), a delay element (138) delays the filtered signal stream (74) into a delayed signal stream (140) synchronized with the constrained-bandwidth error signal stream (108), a complex summing circuit (110) sums the delayed signal stream (140) and the constrained-bandwidth error signal stream (108) into a constrained-envelope signal stream (112), and a substantially linear amplifier (146) amplifies

Abstract: A device worn upon a carpet installer's lower leg, provides an impact hammer for installation tools, including carpet stretching devices, the device protecting the knee of the installer during use and also optimizing the amount of horizontal impact which can be delivered to the installation tools. The device may be adjusted to fit the lower leg of a variety of installers and the device also provides an adjustable weight suited to the comfort and needs of the particular carpet installer. The device, having a smooth lower surface, is also provided to assist in the seaming process of carpet installation, providing a smooth, flat vertical force required for proper flooring seam adherence.

Abstract: This invention is for a composite structure and a garment constructed from the composite structure which can be worn next to the skin or as outerwear as well as a process for making the composite structure and garment. The garment provides microclimate control for the wearer by means of at least one three-dimensional passageway formed by an outer cover material which is secured to a first substrate layer. The passageway contains a filler material which adds support to the walls of the passageways and allows a fluid to flow through the filler material. The passageway provides a thermal insulation by its bulk or by allowing a fluid to be pumped through it. The first substrate layer is breathable to increase the comfort level of the wearer.

Abstract: A safety harness system to facilitate attachment and storage of a safety harness. The safety harness is secured to a garment to allow the safety harness to be removed and stored with the garment, thereby preventing entanglement and loss of the safety harness during removal and storage. By securing the safety harness to the garment, the safety harness is less likely to become tangled, lost or damaged during storage.

Abstract: A safety vest is claimed and described. In preferred embodiments, the vest includes a front panel formed from a first section and a second section. The vest also includes a donning fastener having a first and second side. The first donning fastener side connects to the first section of the front panel. The vest also includes a safety fastener having a first safety fastener side and a second safety fastener side. In most embodiments, the first side of the safety fastener is positioned on the second donning fastener side. The second safety fastener side is connected to the second section of the front panel. The vest can be donned, secured, and removed with the donning fastener and, because of safety fasteners, will safely break away from a wearer under tension.

Abstract: Shown herein is an example embodiment of a garment or other article of clothing with EL lighting and tear away functionality. In one example embodiment, the garment or article is a safety vest that includes an EL lighting assembly wherein the vest and the assembly are adapted to allow at least a portion of the article to be torn away in the event the article is accidentally caught in a machine or vehicle. In one embodiment, tear away functionality is provided by providing a line of weakness in the article at the shoulders that allows the article to separate if pulled with sufficient force, and also with a “pull-apart” connector in the EL lighting assembly that is positioned at about the location of the line of weakness.

Abstract: A glove with grip areas which facilitates the manipulation of sewing implements and fabrics.

Abstract: A protective ear appliance including two ear protectors with a band and a slidable coupling between the band and the ear protectors. The band encircles a portion of a wearer's head, has a curved shape with two ends and inner and outer curved surfaces. There is a slidable coupling between each of the ear protectors and the band so that each ear protector can slide independently with respect to the band to adjust the distance between the two ear protectors along the band so that the ear protectors can seat in the wearer's ears. The band can be formed with a central band hingedly coupled to the two end band portions. The ear protectors are coupled to the end band portions and slide relative to the end band portions. The protective ear appliance is designed to be worn with the central band around the back of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A pair of pants with attached skirt has first and second leg portions. Each of the leg portions has an inner side and an outer side. An abdominal portion has an upper end and a lower end and connects to the leg portions at the lower end. The abdominal portion has a waistband at the upper end. A skirt attaches to the waistband. When the pair of pants with attached skirt is worn, the skirt will cover a wearer's buttocks and thus provide modesty for the wearer. The skirt may surround the entire abdominal portion or may surround only the front or rear section of the abdominal portion. The skirt may be permanently or removably attached to the pants. The skirt may be formed at the rear as a pair of flaps meeting at a center point on the waistband.

Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a head unit over which a hood or a toga suspended. Internal to the head unit is a ventilation fan, a light for illuminating the surgical field and communications system for communicating with others. The head unit includes a head band. The ventilation fan is adjustably mounted to the head band so it can be positioned at a location to minimize the strain imposed on the wearer.

Abstract: A full-face-type helmet such as an off-road driving helmet, in which ventilation of the interior of the full-face-type helmet is performed well by external air flowing in from a chin region, and a ventilation through hole extending through an impact absorbing liner substantially in the direction of its thickness need not be particularly formed in a region including the side head region and its vicinity of the impact absorbing liner for the external air flowing in from the chin region. The impact-on-the-chin absorbing portion of the impact absorbing liner disposed inside an outer shell having a first ventilation opening in the chin region includes a liner main body portion, and a sheet-like backing plate which is arranged on the inner surface of the liner main body portion.

Abstract: A helmet which can ventilate the interior of a head protecting body well by a ventilator mechanism and can decrease the degree of injury or the like of a wearer that may increase by the presence of the ventilator mechanism. At least one of a plurality of attaching mechanisms that attach a cover member or air current deflecting member to the shutter attaching member of the ventilator mechanism includes an engaging projection portion and an engaging hole having a gap. The engaging projection portion is configured to be relatively pressed into the gap and then relatively inserted and held in the engaging hole through the gap.

Abstract: A mount for monocular enhanced night vision goggles having an ocular preference adjustment, an interpupillary adjustment, an eye relief adjustment, a tilt adjustment, a vertical adjustment, a quick stowage feature and a flip-up stowage feature is disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention has a housing secured to headgear. A vertical block is slidably coupled to the housing allowing it to translate vertically. A chassis is rotatably coupled to the vertical block allowing it to rotate between an in-use and flip-up position. A monorail is rotatably coupled to the chassis allowing it to rotate between an in-use and a quick stowage position. A carriage is slidably coupled to the monorail allowing for an eye relief adjustment. Enhanced night vision goggles are attached to a socket assembly which is movably coupled to the carriage allowing relocation in front of either eye while facing the same direction.

Abstract: A chin guard apparatus has a shell having a cup suitable for fitting upon a human chin, a resilient layer received within in the cup of the shell and having a periphery overlying an outer peripheral edge of the shell, a first strap affixed to one side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second strap affixed to an opposite side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom. A bladder is affixed to a surface of the resilient layer opposite the shell. Strap splitters are associated with each of the first and second straps so as to allow portions of the strap to be attached to different hook-ups of the helmet.

Abstract: A chest protector to reduce risk of commotio cordis. The chest protector includes an inner protector member and an outer shell. The inner protector member includes a protector plate and one or more supporting members. The protector plate has a first surface facing the user's chest and a second surface facing away from the user's chest, and the first surface has a central portion and side portions. The one or more supporting members are attached to the side portions of the first surface of the protector plate but not to the central portion of the first surface such that an air space is defined by the central portion of the first surface and the one or more supporting members. The protector plate and the one or more supporting members are configured such that the central portion of the first surface of the protector plate is spaced apart from the chest.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a toilet between a position where it is accessible to a person of restricted mobility and a storage position when not in use. The apparatus comprises two cooperating platforms, a first platform which rests on the floor of a room which houses the apparatus and a second platform. The first platform has a guide along an edge, and the second platform has an edge that is slidably received in the guide, and is supported so that it is capable of limited translational movement without rotation relative to the first platform. A physically impaired person can occupy a chair on the first platform, and can slide the second platform relative to the first to move a portable toilet on the second platform between a position in which it can be used and a storage position.

Abstract: A swimming pool gap securement assembly prevents the accessibility of persons, animals or other objects into swimming pools, because of gaps left between the edges of a swimming pool cover and the surfaces of vertically rising decorative landscape obstructions associated therewith. The assembly provides one or more protective extensions of a swimming pool cover which covers any gaps present when a swimming pool cover encounters these vertically rising obstructions. These panels, one for each gap encountered, are generally of triangular shape, of the same fabric as the main pool cover or any other pool cover materials, and are sewn into, or otherwise attached to, the reinforced webbing at the edge of the pool cover. The lower horizontal edge and the vertical end edge of the wing extension panel have an attached edge strip with a linear array of holes engageable with one or more anchors imbedded into the deck or on the side of the obstruction itself.

Abstract: A disposable patient transfer mattress includes a rectangular top sheet, a rectangular bottom sheet, internal baffles, and a receptacle configured to receive a connector for supplying air to inflate the mattress. The bottom sheet corresponds to the top sheet, and the periphery of the bottom sheet is joined to the periphery of the top sheet. The internal baffles extend between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. Each baffle is a rectangular sheet with first and second parallel edges, and each baffle is joined to the top sheet along the first edge and to the bottom sheet along the second edge. The bottom sheet has a plurality of holes configured to provide a continuous cushion of air under the mattress when the mattress is inflated. The top sheet, bottom sheet, and internal baffles are made of fabric backed with a thermally weldable material, where the thermally weldable material faces the interior of the mattress for facilitating thermal welding of the baffles to the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A wheelchair transfer device is configured for moving an invalid patient from a flat surface to a seated position for transport in the seated position on the transfer device. The transfer device includes a rolling base supported by casters and convertible low profile rollers that are configured to fit under the base of a hospital bed and convert to a larger diameter wheel without altering the height of the transfer device. The transfer device includes a leg portion, a torso portion and a seat portion configured to be coplanar for adaptation to a hospital bed, so that an invalid patient can, with assistance, roll onto the device. The seat portion can then be raised against the patient's buttocks, generally perpendicular to the leg and torso portions, and the whole assembly can then be rotated to a vertical position, with the seat portion supporting the weight of the patient.

Abstract: A multi-functional hammock assembly for providing user comfort and enjoyment may include first and second elongated rectilinear poles, a hammock, and first and second sleeves slidably positioned about the bottom ends of the first and second poles. The hammock assembly may further include at least one accessory and a mechanism for effectively anchoring the at least one accessory to the first and second poles. The assembly may further include a mechanism for synchronously rotating at least one of the first and second sleeves and the first and second poles about a centrally registered longitudinal axis passing through the one pole to thereby conveniently assist a user to penetrate the one sleeve into a ground surface.

Abstract: A bed enclosure for a hospital bed, the enclosure including a tent with four side walls and a mattress cover, further including two connecting panels at the head end of the tent joining the mattress cover to the tent and allowing the mattress cover to be articulated upward.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support, a removable section configured for movement to a position wherein the removable section is aligned with patient support wherein the removable section can be coupled to the patient support, a second position wherein the removable section is adjacent to, but spaced from the first position and a third position spaced apart from the patient support. The patient support apparatus further includes a locking mechanism that is configured to sense when the removable section is properly aligned with the patient support so that the removable section can be mounted to the patient support.

Abstract: A pillow. The pillow comprises a viscoelastic sleeve defining a cavity and a plurality of loose pieces of filler material substantially enclosed within the cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizing platform, a diaper changing pad which includes the stabilizing platform and a diaper changing bag.

Abstract: A support structure includes a mattress, a bottom sheet, at least one side guard and at least one positioning assembly. The mattress has a plurality of bladders. The side guard is disposed on any one lateral side of the top surface of the mattress. The positioning assembly can fix the side guard to the mattress. The side guard can protect two sides of a bedded person and prevent the bedded person from falling from the mattress. When the side guard is pushed by an external force, the bedded person does not fall into the vertical gap.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to firefighting tools, including multi-purpose firefighting tools that may incorporate the capabilities of axes, Halligan bars, K-tools, spike poles, flashlights, etc. The multi-purpose tool may include a removably securable inner shaft and an outer shaft configured to slidably receive the inner shaft. The tool may also include a housing and a locking mechanism. The inner and outer shafts may include various implements. The housing may be disposed on one of the ends of the outer shaft and may include a recess.

Abstract: A washing machine and a controlling method thereof are provided. The washing machine and controlling method use a sensor to sense a load of laundry at a predetermined point during a wash cycle, and controls the rotating speed of a drum based on whether the sensed load of laundry is a small load or a single article, in order to untangle laundry and implement a spin cycle.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first portion and a second portion. A plurality of tuft blocks is mounted to the second portion, with each tuft block having a tooth cleaning element. At least one projection is positioned on one of the first and second portions, each projection engaging one of the tuft blocks and pivoting the tuft block with respect to the second portion. A drive assembly is operably connected to one of the first and second portions to drive the one of the first and second portions in an oscillating manner.

Abstract: A device with a moveable portico for automatically washing vehicles that is made up of a unibody structure, preferably made of metal that moves forwards and backwards along a track. The structure has multiple vertical brushes and a horizontal brush. The brushes are equipped with a washing action in order to adapt to a configuration that follows the vehicle's outline and to wash the vehicle by rubbing, controlling the pressure all of the brushes place on the vehicle by means of electronic devices that measure the energy consumed by each brush.

Abstract: A compact sweeping vehicle has steerable front wheels of variable track with a minimum track dimension for sweeping and a maximum track dimension for travel to and from the workplace. The front wheels are steerable and independently driven by hydraulic motors and are each supported on extendable parts of a telescopic axle beam which is supported on trailing arms supported by ball joints from the chassis of the vehicle. The extendable parts are extended and retracted by track change cylinders and steering is by a hydraulic cylinder extending between the axle beam and a steering arm of a bell crank lever for one of the wheels, which is connected by a forwardly extending drag link to a bell crank forming part of a steering relay mechanism which is connected by a cross link to a second bell crank lever, one arm of which is connected to a rearwardly extending drag link to a steering arm of the other wheel.

Abstract: A brush core for use in cleaning a substrate is provided. The brush core includes an elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated cylinder is configured to receive a drive hub. The second end is configured to receive fluid into an inner cavity of the elongated cylinder. The inner cavity is configured to distribute fluid to a plurality of fluid channels having a first diameter. The plurality of fluid channels are configured to distribute the fluid to corresponding distribution holes having a second diameter. The brush core further including a plurality of non-fluid distributing pockets defined on the outer surface. The corresponding distribution holes and plurality of non-fluid distributing pockets are configured so that a thickness of a solid portion of the brush core is substantially similar. In one embodiment, the first diameter is less than the second diameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning according to various aspects of the present invention include a cleaner and a lighting system. The cleaner, such as a handheld cleaner like a brush or lint roller, cleans the item or area to be cleaned. The lighting system illuminates the area or item to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the lighting system generates ultraviolet light to illuminate debris having phosphor materials.

Abstract: The present invention includes a toothbrush having a handle attached to a head. The head may rotate positions relative to the handle to improve brushing of both teeth and tongue of a user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning sheet to be attached to a cleaning head. The cleaning sheet has an attachment surface coated with a viscoelastic polymer such as SEBS for preventing slipping of the cleaning sheet relative to the cleaning head. Over the working temperature range between ?20° C. and 40° C., the viscoelastic polymer has a stable storage modulus (G?) of 104 to 106.

Abstract: An improved duster for venetian blinds and plantation shutters is disclosed including a handle and cross member with a number of rigid repositionable pins about which a dusting finger freely rotates when drawn lengthwise between the slats of blinds. The process of rotating prevents the bunching of dust unevenly on the dusting finger and provides for a greater removal of dust from the blinds, the dust being evenly distributed about the dusting finger. The dusting fingers may be treated with an anti-static compound to ease intermittent clearing of the dusting finger of dust.

Abstract: A reversible mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head assembly includes a transverse support shaft, a pair of end caps positioned at opposite ends of the transverse support shaft, a pair of opposed substrate support surfaces positioned between and supported by the end caps, and a head mount coupled to the transverse support shaft centrally between the end caps.

Abstract: If a washer switch is turned on in a state in which a wiper determining portion determines that a wiper switch is in an OFF state, and a vehicle speed determining portion determines that a vehicle speed is equal to or more than a predetermined speed, a simultaneous operation control portion ejects the washer fluid in a state in which the wiper is positioned at a lower reversing position. The simultaneous operation control portion causes the wiper to reciprocate at least once simultaneously with the ejection. The simultaneous operation control portion additionally ejects the washer fluid at least once, in a state in which the wiper is positioned at an intermediate position between the lower reversing position and an upper reversing position. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit a lack of the washer fluid from being generated on the surface to be wiped.