Abstract:
A stabilization and support strut for use in rescue operations in buildings, trenches, vehicle accidents, and the like has secure deployment features including first and second inter-fitting collar assemblies, the first collar assembly including a first collar, circumferentially based spring-biased piston-retaining pins mounted in the collar for fitting into orifices in a piston body, and a locking pin for precluding rotation and axial movement of the first collar on the strut; and the second collar assembly including a second collar rotatingly secured on the barrel with a portion of the second collar underlying the first and having a circumferentially inclined ratchet surface for snugly engaging the piston-retaining pins upon rotation of the second collar, the second collar further including rotatable studs for engaging the barrel and precluding rotation of the second collar about the barrel when snug against the piston-retaining pins.
Abstract:
A password recovery technique includes generating words by sequentially selecting a character for each character position of the word from a character string. The order of the characters in the character string is individually selected for each position of the word. Each sequentially generated word may be entered until the password is determined.
Abstract:
A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system, configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.
Abstract:
An arrowhead includes a threaded stud at the front end of the body for accepting an arrowhead tip. A longitudinal finger is disposed coaxial with the stud and projects forward therefrom. Engagement means are operatively associated with the tip for engaging the finger when an arrowhead tip is screwed onto the body to inhibit the tip from becoming unintentionally loosened with respect to the body. In another aspect of the invention, a blade is pivotably mounted to an arrowhead body such that the blade is pivotably movable between first and second positions. The blade lies adjacent the body when in the first position. A slot is formed in the body adjacent the mounting position so as to receive a portion of the blade therewithin when the blade is in the first position, and a recess is formed around the slot to provide a means of escape for mud.
Abstract:
An extended life ball transfer unit has a housing with a well of generally cup-shaped configuration with at least the lower portion of its surface being defined by a pair of radii mutually offset to opposite sides from its vertical axis to generate a gothic church arch cross section. A passage extends therethrough at the base of the housing well. Sealed in the well is a spherical conveyor ball having a radius of smaller length than the radii defining the lower surface of the well, and the well defining radii having their origins above the center of the conveyor ball. A multiplicity of spherical bearing balls is disposed between the conveyor ball and at least the lower portion of the well. The bearing balls support the conveyor ball and transferring the load from the conveyor ball to the housing over an annular area defined by an arc of about 5-15° with its center spaced about 30°–40° upwardly from the passage. A annular cap is seated in the upper portion of the well and has an inner surface portion bearing against the surface of the conveyor ball to provide a sealing action limiting debris from passing into the lower portion of the well.
Abstract:
A laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby are provided. The system processes the targeted surface material within a region of a workpiece while avoiding undesirable changes to adjacent non-targeted material. The system includes a primary laser subsystem including a primary laser source for generating a pulsed laser output including at least one pulse having a wavelength and a pulse width less than 1 ns. A delivery subsystem irradiates the targeted surface material of the workpiece with the pulsed laser output including the at least one pulse to texture the targeted surface material. The pulsed laser output has sufficient total fluence to initiate ablation within at least a portion of the targeted surface material and the pulse width is short enough such that the region and the non-targeted material surrounding the material are substantially free of slag.
Abstract:
An open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges. The mechanism includes a firing bolt having a bolt face configured to engage a programmable cartridge and force the programmable cartridge toward a barrel of the weapon. The mechanism also includes a cradle connected to the bolt for holding the programmable cartridge in a position adjacent to the bolt. The cradle stabilizes the cartridge so that fusing information may be transferred to the programmable cartridge.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a percentage of consumer spending is rebated to the consumer for payment of premiums or the like for an account with an insurance company. In one version, an applicant provides a benefiting insurance account number to which the rebate is credited based on the rebate amount. The rebate is automatically submitted by the card issuer to the insurance account and, depending on the sizes of the rebate and premium, the cardholder may receive a bill reflecting a reduced premium or even a credit from the insurance concern. In another version, the rebate is submitted as a two-party check which can be cashed by the consumer or submitted by the consumer to the insurance company for cashing.
Abstract:
A method is provided for determining the identity of at least two discrete single bases each adjacent to a predetermined nucleotide base sequence in a target sample having one or more types of polynucleotide chain. The method includes incorporating a capture group into the target sample and immobilizing the target sample by means of the capture group; mixing the target sample with (i) nucleotide primers which are complementary to predetermined base sequences such that they anneal to them at positions adjacent to the bases to be identified and (ii) at least two types of dideoxoy nucleoside triphosphate (ddNTPs), each type labelled with a distinguishable fluorescent group, and (iii) a nucleotide chain extending enzyme such that ddNTPs complementary to the bases to be identified are incorporated into the nucleotide primers; eluting the extending nucleotide primers, separating the types of extended nucleotide primer on basis of size or charge and identifying the ddNTPs incorporated into each type of nucleotide primer by reference to the fluorescent characteristics associated with the distinguishable groups. Primers and a test kit are provided for use in performance of the method.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for private cloud computing and for the development and deployment of cloud applications in the private cloud. The private cloud computing system and method of the present invention include as components at least a cloud controller, a cloud stack, Service Registry, and a cloud application builder.