Abstract: Connector receptacles that may be used in a variety of applications, may have a desirable aesthetic appearance, may be durable and reliable, and may be manufactured in a simplified manner. One example may provide a receptacle that may be used in a number of different devices to avoid having to redesign a receptacle for different devices. Another example may maintain a desirable appearance by reducing the chance of marring or functional damage during insertions of an insert.

Abstract: This approach generally pertains to a miniature receptacle terminal with a connection section and a mating section. The mating section has a dual primary contact beam component that includes contact springs having resilient contact beams and a secondary beam. Each contact beam has a contact point opposing the opposing wall of the receptacle terminal, which can include a contact bump. A distributed and balanced contact force is exerted on a male terminal pin that is inserted between the primary contact beams and the contact bumps. Overstress protection of the contact spring is provided and the terminal is economical to produce.

Abstract: The USB female connector contains an insulating base and a shielding casing enclosing the insulating base. On the insulating base, there is mainly a ground terminal having a flat ground contact section at an end on the insulating base. From the ground contact section, the ground terminal is extended away from the insulating base and forked into a first ground extension section, a second ground extension section, and a third ground extension section. Through the forked first, second, and third ground extension sections, the high-frequency crosstalk problem is effectively resolved.

Abstract: The present invention provides an audio jack and electronic apparatus containing the same. The audio jack includes a hollow insulated housing, wherein the insulated housing includes: a fixed portion and a rotating portion rotating relative to the fixed portion and on which at least two elastic terminals are arranged; and the at least two elastic terminals of the rotating portion being in contact with different pins of a printed circuit board of the audio jack respectively when the rotating portion is in a first position and rotates relative to the fixed portion to a second position. The audio jack and electronic apparatus containing the same of the present invention are applicable to the insertion of plugs of different specifications, increasing the range of application of the electronic apparatus on the premise of reducing the cost of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: Electrical connectors and associated methods for coupling to a first busbar extending in a first direction to a second busbar extending in a second direction are disclosed. A connector has a first mounting portion including a receiving portion configured to receive an end portion of the first busbar. A clamping portion is coupled to the receiving portion and configured to extend over the first busbar. The clamping portion is configured to impart a clamping force in a third direction toward the second busbar when the second busbar is disposed between the clamping portion and the first busbar. The connector also includes a second mounting portion coupled to the clamping portion, the second mounting portion arranged to be coupled to the first busbar to fixedly hold the second busbar between the clamping portion and the first busbar and to electrically couple the second busbar to the first busbar.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the wires in a hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a terminal connector for a hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) system may include a base; a wire clamp moveably disposed with relation to the base along an axis; a reflector shield extending from the wire clamp in a first direction along the axis; and a tensioner coupled to the base and wire clamp to bias the wire clamp in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Universal Serial Bus (USB) head comprises: locating metal sheets with both ends being closed into a first mold and performing a first injection molding; removing a sprue portion and a fixing portion at top of the metal sheets from a product subjected to the first injection molding, to obtain a first-injected-product; locating the first-injected-product into a second mold and performing a second injection molding; removing an exposed fixing portion of the metal sheets from a second-injected-product, to obtain the USB head desired. In the USB head, four metal sheets are arranged with a certain spacing, and the metal sheets are closed at both ends.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide a cooling arrangement for a system are described. The system includes a component coupled to a heat sink. A signal associated with a temperature control of the component is asserted. A target temperature of the heat sink is adjusted based on the signal. In one embodiment, a temperature control loop of the heat sink is operated. The temperature of the heat sink may be monitored using one or more sensors placed on the heat sink. An operation of the component, a cooling unit coupled to the heat sink, or both, may be adjusted based on a relationship between the temperature of the heat sink and an adjusted target temperature. Adjusting the target temperature of the heat sink based on the asserted signal increases efficiency of the system while decreasing cooling.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that is amphibious to include submersible operations. The vehicle has wings configured to generate a sufficient dive force to oppose buoyancy of the vehicle, when desired, which are disposed on opposing sides of a central hull. The vehicle is configured to enable easy transition from land operations to water operations, to include water surface travel as well as submerged travel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outboard drive device (10) comprising an outboard motor (11) having a crankshaft (16), wherein said outboard drive device (10) further comprises a propeller which propeller is below the hull (13) of a boat when said outboard drive device (10) is operated, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor (11) to the propeller. The power coupling system comprises a power transfer device (17) for transferring output power from the crankshaft (16) to a transmission drive shaft (19) of a transmission (18), and a power transfer means (20) for transferring output power from the transmission (18) to a drive shaft (21) of an endless loop flexible drive coupling (22) operatively connecting said transmission (18) to a propeller shaft (12) for driving said propeller, wherein the crankshaft (16) is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the propeller shaft (12) when said outboard drive device (10) is operated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for body surfing which provide the body surfer a means to stabilize his ride and control his direction/position on a wave are described herein. According to one aspect, a body surfing apparatus includes a body suit having a torso and legs; a plurality of fins located on the torso; and one or more fins located laterally on the legs. The fins are preferably attached to the body suit via an adhesive or mechanical means and the fins and suit are preferably covered with a buoyant layer, the buoyant layer having a minimum thickness of 1 mm.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for providing strength and/or rigidity to lightweight materials. In certain embodiments, provided are compositions and methods for providing strength, rigidity and/or improving performance of flotation devices such as surfboards.

Abstract: A binding system comprising a binding upper comprising a plurality of fastening straps affixed to the upper and a substantially rigid binding base comprising a bottom surface for attachment of the fastening straps. The binding base includes a plurality of apertures, wherein one or more of the fastening straps passes through one or more of the apertures and is fastened to the bottom surface of the binding base. In various exemplary embodiments the fastening straps are stapled and/or glued to the bottom surface of the binding base. In various exemplary embodiments the fastening straps attach to the lacing loops on the binding upper or form the lacing loops on the binding upper.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a glow in the dark flotation device that increases the likelihood of quickly locating individuals lost in water by increasing the visibility of the user, and more particularly to a durable conventional life jacket having a phosphorescent portion that emits visible light under low-light conditions.

Abstract: A white-light emitting device and its preparation method are provided. The white-light emitting device comprises an ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) chip, a first phosphor, and a second phosphor, wherein the UV LED chip generates a first radiation; the first phosphor is composed of Zn(C3N2H4)2 powder and is excited by the first radiation to generate a second radiation; and the second phosphor is excited by the first radiation and/or the second radiation to generate a third radiation. The third radiation is then mixed with the first radiation and/or the second radiation to generate a white light.

Abstract: A method for making field emission electron source array includes following steps. An insulating layer is coated on outer surface of a linear carbon nanotube structure. A field emission electron source preform is formed by locating a plurality of conductive rings on outer surface of the insulating layer, wherein the plurality of conductive rings is space from each other, and each conductive ring comprises a first ring face and a second ring face opposite to the first ring face. A field emission electron source array preform is formed by aligning a plurality of field emission electron source performs side by side. The field emission electron source array preform is severed to form a plurality of field emission electron arrays by cutting the plurality of conductive rings.

Abstract: A diving stick of the type that, after being tossed into a swimming pool, sinks to the bottom while maintaining an upright posture so that it be can easily grasped by a diver. The stick includes a soft hollow shank designed to prevent accidental impalement.

Abstract: A toy car apparatus includes a toy vehicle including a housing and a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing has a front end, a rear end and a pair of lateral sides. An odometer is mounted in the housing and is engaged with one of the wheels. The odometer is coupled to an electronic memory to record a distance traveled by the toy vehicle.

Abstract: A toy doll is provided having a torso defined by a front surface and a back surface. The doll may additionally include legs extending from a lower portion of the torso, an image sensor located on the back surface of the torso, and an image display located on the front surface of the torso. The doll may additionally include a control panel integrated into the pelvic region of the torso, operatively interconnected with the image sensor and the image display, so that that the image sensor and the image display are controllable by using the control panel. The doll may further include fabric clothing covering the image display, permitting a user to create the appearance of personalized graphic clothing for the doll.

Abstract: A toy figure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the toy figure may include a head; plural facial-expression structures movably mounted to the head and configured to move independent of each other; plural cams configured to rotate about a first axis and to move the plural facial-expression structures; and an elongate cam drive configured to rotate about a second axis spaced from the first axis, and to contact and rotate the plural cams about the first axis, the elongate cam drive having a constant outer diameter.

Abstract: Provided are a conditioner of a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for polishing a substrate over a platen pad that rotates and a method thereof. The conditioner includes a disk holder, a piston rod, a housing, and a load sensor. The disk holder secures a conditioning disk that finely cuts a surface of the platen pad. The piston rod delivers a normal force to the disk holder. The housing covers at least a portion of the piston rod. The load sensor is installed to receive the normal force that the piston rod delivers to the piston rod and measuring the normal force.

Abstract: In one aspect, a polishing pad includes a homogeneous unitary polishing layer having a polishing surface, an opposed bottom surface, a recess in the polishing surface extending partially but not entirely through the polishing layer, and a solid light-transmissive window is secured in the recess. In another aspect, a polishing pad includes a polishing layer having a polishing surface, and the polishing surface includes a first region having a first plurality of grooves with a first depth extending partially but not entirely through the polishing layer and a second region surrounded by the first region and having a second plurality of grooves with a second depth extending partially but not entirely through the polishing layer, the second depth greater than the first depth.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes: a spin chuck for supporting and rotating a semiconductor wafer; a polisher comprising a polishing pad for planarizing a surface of the semiconductor wafer, the polisher moving along the surface of the semiconductor wafer by a polishing arm; and a polisher supporting device for supporting the polisher and maintaining the polisher in a horizontal state, while polishing an edge part of the surface of the semiconductor wafer, in order to improve polishing uniformity of a center part and the edge part of the semiconductor wafer. Accordingly, polishing uniformity of the center part and edge part of the semiconductor wafer may be improved, and a height of the polisher supporting device may be optimized according to a polishing degree. Also, the polisher may be easily supported, wear and tear of the support head may be minimized, and the support head may function as a conditioner.

Abstract: A method of cutting a workpiece made of a highly-hard material is provided. The workpiece is cut by a machining device including a workpiece holder that holds the workpiece, a spindle device that rotates the workpiece holder, a tool holder that holds a tool, and a relative moving mechanism that relatively moves the workpiece holder and the tool holder at least in two axial directions orthogonal to each other. In the machining device, positioning errors in the axial directions are within 5 nm.

Abstract: A method for polishing a vehicle wheel, the wheel includes a plurality of holes and a cylindrical rim. A polishing media storage tank holding abrasive media is vibrated to cause the medium to flow in an upwardly or downwardly vortex. The vehicle wheel is dipped into the medium such that the rim portion is disposed between the upward or downward flow of the medium, to polish the wheel.

Abstract: A seasoning plate is placed on a polishing pad and performs seasoning of the polishing pad by abrading the polishing pad through the friction caused by rotation of the polishing pad. The seasoning plate includes: conditioners that abrade the polishing pad; a round flexible substrate that has the conditioners attached to the lower face thereof; an O-ring that is placed on the upper face of the flexible substrate, the O-ring forming a circle concentric with the flexible substrate; and a weight plate serving as a weight portion that is placed on the O-ring and applies weight for deforming the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A sheet of sandpaper includes a backing layer having opposed first and second major surfaces, an adhesive make coat on the first major surface, abrasive particles at least partially embedded in the make coat, thereby defining an abrasive surface, and a non-slip coating layer on the second major surface. Methods of making and using such sandpaper are also provided.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes a wafer polishing unit producing a used slurry; a slurry treatment system for receiving and treating the used slurry to thereby produce an extracted basic solution; and a post-CMP cleaning unit utilizing the extracted basic solution to wash a polished wafer surface. The post-CMP cleaning unit includes a plurality of rollers for supporting and rotating a wafer, a brush for scrubbing the wafer, and a spray bar disposed in proximity to the brush for spraying the extracted basic solution onto the polished wafer surface.

Abstract: A protective hood of portable electric power tools, and a portable electric power tool is described, and wherein a protective hood is provided and which can be selectively located relative to a rotating drive shaft, and wherein a clamping band is provided which mounts a screw that can be radially threadably advanced toward the rotating drive shaft and which further carries an anti-rotation locking element having claws which mechanically engage a machine neck thereby reliably and securely fastening the protective hood to the power tool.

Abstract: A counter-rotating polisher includes: an enclosure, an electric motor, a polishing arrangement and a counter-rotating arrangement. The electric motor is fixed to the enclosure and includes a driving axle. The polishing arrangement includes two polishing device. The polishing devices respectively include a fixed tray and a polishing material that are fixedly connected to an outside of the fixed tray. The fixed tray is perpendicular to the driving axle. The counter-rotating arrangement includes a first driving wheel, a second driving wheel and a change-direction wheel. The first driving wheel is connected to the driving axle and driven by the driving axle. The second driving wheel is fixedly connected to the second fixed tray. The change-direction wheel is connected to the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. The driving axle rotates the first polishing material positively. The change-direction wheel reversely transmits the rotation to the second driving wheel.

Abstract: A shellfish cracking utensil has a handle portion and a head portion, with the head portion comprising (a) a base region having a lower part and an upper part, with the lower part being connected to one end of the handle portion, and (b) first and second tines connected to, and extending outwardly from, the upper part of the base region. The tines are preferably of substantially equal length, extending in substantially parallel relationship and defining a gap between them for inserting a shell portion of a shellfish. The two tines are substantially prong-shaped with the second tine wider than the first tine. The second tine has a bump portion on an edge thereof facing the first tine, preferably near the end of the second tine.

Abstract: Meat processing, especially but not exclusively for bone-in-meat product (for example, chicken), uses a combination of equipment or process parameters to obtain high quality ground or boneless meat. Particular equipment implementations include a piston pump in combination with an extrusion screen, and particular process parameters include speed, temperature, pressure and screen configuration.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting.

Abstract: In a hybrid working machine including a power storage device serving as a power source for a generator motor and a controller for controlling this power storage device, the power storage device and the controller being each made up of a main body and casing covering the main body, the power storage device is arranged on the upper side of a top plate of a stand provided on an upper frame, the controller is arranged on the lower side, an intake port is provided in the casing of the power storage device, an exhaust port is provided in the casing of the controller, a ventilation port is provided in the top plate, and the cooling air is fed into the interior of the power storage device and the controller, so that the power storage device and the controller are cooled down.

Abstract: An air conditioning register includes a retainer having an elongated opening, a first fin, and a plurality of second fins. The first fin is arranged along long sides of the opening at a downstream position in the retainer. The second fins are arranged along short sides at an upstream position in the retainer. The retainer includes a pair of facing inner wall surfaces corresponding to the long sides of the opening. First inclined surfaces that are continuous with the long sides of the opening and second inclined surfaces that are continuous with the first inclined surfaces through ridges are each formed in the corresponding inner wall surface of the retainer.

Abstract: The door insert of the present invention balances air pressure in a closed environment. It includes a frame that defines a slot. A pair of tabs emanates from opposing sides of the frame to attach the frame to a door. Media, which has a plurality of apertures therethrough, resides in the slot. The frame, with media installed therein resides within a notch in an edge of a door. Air is permitted to flow through the door insert to balance the air pressure within an environment divided by the door. The frame is preferably ABS plastic and the media is preferably paper. The appearance of the frame and media may be modified to aesthetically match the decor of the door, door hardware and surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method for unloading crop stored in a grain tank of a self-propelled combine harvester into a drivable collecting container equipped with a drive unit includes positioning the collecting container relative to the combine harvester and moving the collecting container parallel thereto while the crop is fed to the collecting container directly or indirectly by way of a grain tank discharge pipe equipped with an outlet chute, simultaneously with the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A data collection and analysis system tracks motion of ball for analysis of a competitor's performance in a sport, such as golf or baseball. The data collection and analysis system comprises a ball equipped with a positioning receiver and a transmitter to acquire and transmit position data, and a handheld unit to receive and process the position data.

Abstract: A sports videogame such as a baseball videogame allows a user to control the release time of a pitch in order to control the timing of a break on the pitched ball. Other implementations of a baseball videogame allow a user to put extra spin on a pitched ball to thereby create a greater break on the pitch or allow the user to play in a hero mode which enables the user to control a videogame character in a series of specific game play scenarios designed to allow the user to immediately control the videogame character to perform unique skills. Game play may also be customized by allowing the user to incorporate user-created images into screens of game play and/or allow the user to incorporate recorded audio messages into game play.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for implementing game play in a video game. A plurality of characters are provided, and a character may be captured and controlled by a user for gameplay such as fighting, crafting, and the like. The capture and control is for a limited time, such as a predetermined time that is generally short compared to the overall game duration. After the predetermined time, the character is released and the user free to grab another character.

Abstract: An exemplary game system and the like which do not impair ease of playing a game are provided. An exemplary game system for performing game processing includes: an operation processing section configured to control a player character in a virtual space on the basis of an operation of a player; a condition determination section configured to determine whether or not a positional relationship between the player character and a predetermined object meets a predetermined condition; and an adjacency processing section configured to perform a process which makes the player character less likely to be close to the object, on the basis of the determination of the condition determination section.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for multiple plays for free games. Some games of chance, or of skill, or of mixed skill and chance are only or can only be proposed for free to players. Enabling players to play many more times for free associated with a paid-for service of generation of multiple free plays is the main purpose of the invention. It comprises, namely, an embodiment for a free lottery and an embodiment for a financial forecasting game. It comprises an additional description, for a financial game, of automatic or semi-automatic generation of forecasts.

Abstract: Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of allocating poker pots based on the true odds of winning the hand. The pot allocation is at the election of the two or more players involved in the hand after no more bets are possible (i.e., one or more players all in). Once no more bets are possible, the two or more players may elect to allocate the pot based on the true odds of each player winning the pot. The house or game operator may charge a fee in order for players to utilize the pot allocation option. In one version, players may allocate a percentage of the pot and play the hand out for the remaining percentage. In yet another version, if one player declines the pot allocation option, the house or operator may buy the player's hand and play it out. In yet another version, the pot allocation option may be offered to players multiple times during a poker game with the true odds changing based on newly displayed/dealt cards.

Abstract: A gaming system including a multiple player persistent game, such as an ongoing community game. This ongoing community game includes a community game matrix which is continuously displayed to at least each of the players. The community game matrix includes a plurality of displayed positions which may be associated with an award or an award opportunity. In operation, at least each of the players playing the gaming devices of the gaming system are associated with a displayed participant that moves (either randomly or based on the player's control) to different of the displayed positions of the community game matrix. If a player moves their associated participant to a displayed position that is associated with an award or an award opportunity, the gaming system provides the player any associated award or enables the player to participate in any associated award opportunity to potentially win an award.

Abstract: A wagering game developer can support an online wager gaming community and provide digital representatives to members to enhance real-life wager gaming experience. A wagering game establishment server imports a digital representative of a wagering game player from the online wager gaming community. The server determines wagering game activity of the wagering game player at one or more electronic wagering game machines. The server determines an update for the digital representative based on the determined wagering game activity of the wagering game player, and then associates the update with the digital representative. The update includes a second executable code. Later, the server exports the digital representative with the second executable code associated therewith to the online wager gaming community.

Abstract: A method for a game includes providing a plurality of individual gaming machines for playing a base game, where an outcome of each gaming machine is determined at least in part by chance, and communicatively coupling a progressive bonus apparatus to said plurality of individual gaming machines. The method includes creating value elements and inserting them onto individual gaming machines in a bank of gaming machines. The value elements can be seen visually by players so that the players can monitor the status of the bonus game while playing the base game. Also disclosed is an apparatus capable of carrying out the above method as well as a media carrying an instruction set for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: An electronic game system (100, FIG. 1) displays game element images (246, FIG. 2) within multiple game element areas (240). If a triggering event occurs (312, FIG. 3), a set of video images (402, FIG. 4) is overlayed over one or more of the game element images. Portions of the game element images may be visible during at least a portion of the duration of the set of video images. Various game element images (504, FIG. 5) can be replaced with altered images (608, FIG. 6) and/or other game element images (702, FIG. 7) while the set of video images is being displayed, thus causing the appearance that the set of video images is interacting with the game elements. Embodiments are incorporated into a wagering game system, such as an electronic slot machine game.

Abstract: A reel assembly includes a mounting bracket including a substantially planar mounting bracket body. A reel motor is connected to a first lateral side of the mounting bracket and a reel superstructure is connected to be driven by the reel motor about a rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mounting bracket body. A mounting flange is located at a top edge of the mounting bracket. This mounting flange includes a substantially planar surface lying in a plane extending transversely to the plane of the mounting bracket body, preferably forming a “T” shape with the planar mounting bracket body as viewed in transverse section. A stabilizing structure is located at a rear edge of the mounting bracket in a spaced apart relationship with the mounting flange, and a locking structure is located at an intersection of the top edge of the mounting bracket and the front edge of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a gaming apparatus. The gaming apparatus includes a primary display area, a wager data device, a secondary display area, and a controller. The wager data device receives wager data indicative of a wager submitted by a player. Results of the base game are displayed on the primary display area. Credits earned in the base game are converted to points in the secondary game. Results of the secondary game are displayed on the secondary display area while the base game is being played, in relation to predetermined point levels for each round of the secondary game. Based on the achieved point levels and the predetermined point levels for each round of the secondary game, it is determined whether to advance the player or to end the secondary game.