Abstract:
An adjustable surround for use with a fireplace. The surround includes first and second top members arranged end to end in a generally horizontal orientation to define a width of the surround. The first and second top members are movable relative to each other to alter the width of the surround. The surround also includes first and second side members that extend generally vertically on opposing sides of a combustion chamber enclosure of the fireplace, and first and second overlap members configured to be coupled to respective first and second side members. Relative movement between the first and second side members and respective first and second overlap member adjusts a height of the surround.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic imaging system employs a processing circuit which enables the imaging system to accurately display the location of an element in a body by utilizing a transducer which provides an electric signal when an ultrasonic wave impinges thereon. The electric signal is processed to determine the maximum amplitude signals during an entire frame of the ultrasonic imaging system. The signals are characterized in terms of the line at which the signal appears or the ray at which the signal appears and the pixel or location along that line. This information regarding ray and pixel serves as X-Y coordinates enabling one to accurately locate the element and transducer on the displayed image by intensifying the display at that location or by adding color or by producing some other visual effect such as blinking, and so on. Thus the disclosed apparatus in its various forms provides ultrasonic position indication without adjustment whereby one shows the exact location of the localizing transducer.
Abstract:
A hidden compartment apparatus supporting an illusion that an object has disappeared from a first position of a holder slide member is provided. The hidden compartment apparatus includes a holder slide member that is slidably coupled to the bottom of a holder slide cover with a stationary opening, a plurality of inserts capable of holding objects placed in integral holder slider pockets, and actuating means. The actuating means being configured to move the holder slide member between a first position and a second position within the housing and positioning the integral transport slider pockets in the stationary opening to reveal one insert at a time based on user operated controls.
Abstract:
A building element (1) that is suitable for use as a structural element in wet areas or external docking. The building element (1) comprises a rigid substrate (2) having an upper face (3). Over the first face (3) lies a radiation curable resin (4) into which a layer of reinforcing material (5) is at least partially embedded. The reinforcing material (5) and resin (3) can be applied separately or together onto the first face (3) of the rigid substrate (2) or in some cases can be applied to both faces. An apparatus and method for producing the building sheet are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Accelerated sub-string searches on large data sets can be performed using filtering processes that can improve or optimize run time performance. A first filtering process can include partitioning a binary tree into sections to enable an exact search to replace a substring search for part of the binary tree and for part of the binary tree to be potentially excluded from substring searching. A second filtering process can include comparing count representations of entries in the binary tree and of a received input string to potentially further exclude entries from substring searching.
Abstract:
A cementitious composite article incorporating a powder coating on at least one surface is provided. The composite article includes a surface treatment adapted to facilitate application of the powder coating onto the article. The surface treatment can include modifications to surface porosity, surface, and/or application of a sealer to the surface so as to make the cementitious surface more conducive to powder coating. One method of manufacturing the cementitious composite article includes first applying a sealer coating to a surface of a fiber cement substrate, partially curing the substrate to a gel-like state, applying a powder coating to the article, processing the article to a curing device in which the powder coating and sealer coating are co-cured to form a hardened film.
Abstract:
A composite building article is configured with one or more subsurface interfacial zones provided to improve the durability of the article. Each subsurface interfacial zone is made of a matrix of fiber cement and radiation curable material. The radiation curable material forms an interlocking network with the fiber cement to provide a interfacial zone against ingress of environmental agents that can degrade the article. The number, configuration and distribution of the subsurface interfacial zones can vary dependent on the desired characteristics of the final product. The subsurface interfacial zones also improves the adhesion between exterior coatings and the substrate as the interfacial zones can be integrally formed with the substrate as well as exterior coating layer.
Abstract:
A building element (1) that is suitable for use as a structural element in wet areas or external docking. The building element (1) comprises a rigid substrate (2) having an upper face (3). Over the first face (3) lies a radiation curable resin (4) into which a layer of reinforcing material (5) is at least partially embedded. The reinforcing material (5) and resin (3) can be applied separately or together onto the first face (3) of the rigid substrate (2) or in some cases can be applied to both faces. An apparatus and method for producing the building sheet are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for modifying the appearance of a flame to maximize the size of the flame for a given amount of fuel, increase a burn rate efficiency of the flame, or change the shape of the flame. The shape and size of the flame may be modified by applying a secondary source of fluid to the flame. The secondary source of fluid may cause turbulent fluid flow within the combustion chamber enclosure in which the flame is produced to change the appearance of the flame. The secondary source of fluid may be generated by a blower or fan and may include, for example, a source of fresh combustion air, additional flammable gas such as natural gas, or other fluid additives for enhancement of the flame color, shape, and size.