A tray for storing and splicing optical fibers in a cabinet-type enclosure. The tray includes a base. Extending from opposite sides at the front of the tray are fiber entrances, through which optical fibers from a cable positioned outside the tray enter the tray. A fiber splice area in which the splicing of optical fibers can be performed is located in the front portion of the tray. A storage area in which the optical fiber are stored is located in the rear portion of the tray and includes a plurality of retainers that extend from the base of the tray. The retainers are located in positions such that when the optical fiber is stored in the tray, the retainers prevent the fiber from being bent beyond its minimum bend radius. Each retainer comprises a small tab that projects generally vertically from the base of the tray. The tray is slidably mounted within a mount. The mount includes left and right side rails that are slidably inserted into slots on the inner left and right sidewalls of the cabinet. In this manner, the mount is slidably situated within the cabinet such that the exposure of the tray is increased and the entire contents of the tray can be accessed by sliding the mount outwardly from the cabinet and sliding the tray outwardly from the mount.

The use of fiber optic cable as a transmission medium is common in communication systems, including cable television systems. A fiber optic cable is typically a single cable within which is provided a plurality of individual optical fibers. Each optical fiber within the cable may be used to transmit information such as voice or data via light signals.
The proper transmission of light signals is dependent upon the integrity of the cable and the fibers within the cable. Because optical fibers are somewhat delicate and prone to damage, it is imperative that the fibers within the cable be installed and maintained free of any kinks or other damage.
One of the most important parameters of an optical fiber is its "minimum bend radius." The minimum bend radius of the fiber may be different depending upon parameters such as the diameter of the particular fiber. If a fiber is bent beyond its minimum bend radius, the fiber will sustain damage that will degrade its transmission performance. Therefore, it is important that an optical fiber is stored such that it is prevented from being bent beyond its minimum bend radius.
Fiber optic communications systems typically include many interconnections, or "splices," of optical fibers, in which one optical fiber is connected to another optical fiber. Optical fibers are typically stored and spliced in a cabinet-type structure that typically includes a plurality of trays in which excess lengths of different fibers are stored and spliced. Each tray within the cabinet must maintain the integrity of the optical fibers, particularly the minimum bend radius of the fibers, to prevent damage to the fibers stored in the tray.
Typically, the cabinet-type structure consists of a frame containing a plurality of trays for storing the excess cable. Each tray typically stores at least two optical fibers and includes a a "splicing tray" in which the splicing of the optical fibers can be performed by service personnel. Each tray usually includes a fiber entrance for each fiber, a storage area, and a splicing tray. Each tray is typically slidably mounted within the cabinet to allow service personnel to pull each tray outwardly to access to its contents.
There are several existing cabinets for storing and splicing optical fibers in a plurality of trays. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,229 describes an optical fiber distribution apparatus having a plurality of trays slidably mounted within a frame. Each tray includes a pair of circular drums around which the excess fiber is stored. However, the circular drums undesirably limit the storage area of the tray by defining a fixed path for the stored fiber. Also, there is only a single-stage sliding mount provided on the tray which desirably increases the depth of the tray in order to provide access to the entire tray. Furthermore, the splicing tray is located between the two storage cylinders which does not provide the optimum access to the splicing tray.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,449 describes an apparatus for organizing cable splices. This apparatus includes a base plate having two fiber entrances on a single side of the base plate. Fibers are inserted into the tray through each respective entrance and are then wrapped around at least one cylinder extending from the base plate to store the excess fiber. The tray includes a splicing tray spaced from the base plate to permit passage of optical fiber underneath the splicing tray. However, the cylinders extending from the base plate severely limit the storage area of the tray and define only a fixed path for the fiber. Also, the fiber entrances are not located on opposite sides of the tray, thus requiring the cables containing the respective fibers to be run in very close proximity to each other.
Therefore, a need exists for a tray for storing and splicing optical fiber that is easily accessible. A need exists for a tray that does not include fixed cylinders or drums that limit the path for the storage of the fiber. Also, a need exists for a tray that is slidably mounted such that the exposure of the tray is increased such that the entire contents of the tray are accessible without increasing the depth of the tray.

Apparatus for storing and splicing optical fibers


A data disc handling, storage, and retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed which utilizes parallel storage racks and a parallel bank of data disc drives with a transport assembly for transferring data discs between the storage racks and the disc drives. The transport assembly includes two clamps oriented back to back and a lifting arm to raise the discs out of the storage racks to the clamps.

This invention relates to disc handling, retrieval, and storage devices.
The technique of storing information on a diskette, cassette, or other storage unit has long been known. For example, a musical selection may be recorded in a groove on a vinyl disc and replayed by conventional phonographic techniques. Other examples include 8 track and cassette tapes, floppy discs or diskettes, and hard disks for storing digital data in a magnetic form which can be read with appropriate magnetic sensors. More recently, optical and capacitive discs have been developed which store information in a form which can be retrieved optically or capacitively. The optical disc are sometimes referred to as laser discs because they can be read with light emitted by a laser, or they are referred to as a compact disc because of the amount of information that can be stored on a single, relatively small disc. Because of the information storage capacity of optically based digital data available on discs, it has become feasible to store both audio and video information on a disc.
The audio compact disc is a rigid plastic disc of about 4.7 inches in diameter with a concentric 0.06 inch diameter hole. Video discs can be larger, and other types of discs vary in size from these two types. Also in use today are optically based disc systems for use as digital storage devices for computers, known as CD ROM devices, where CD ROM stands for compact disc read only memory. Further, recordable discs are available which can be written to. In addition to audio and video information, data discs have been used to store many types of information including encyclopedias, scientific monographs, catalogs of books, old news reels, and collections of raw data to name only a few. All of these types of discs will be referred to herein as data discs or simply discs.
A single sided data disk can store over 1 gigabyte of data. Therefore, systems have been developed allowing more than one user to access information on a single data disc. Some data disc systems are available that access multiple data discs. For example, up to a dozen or so compact discs are loaded into a magazine, which is then inserted into a disc player. When a data disc is selected for retrieval or play, a loading mechanism loads the data disc onto the play mechanism or disc drive of the disc player. When another data disc is selected, the first disc must be unloaded from the disc drive and reinserted into the magazine before the next data disc can be loaded into the disc drive.
Other systems have been provided where multiple disc drives are available to access and play multiple discs for different zones or output terminals. The automated systems currently available for storing and retrieving data discs have, however, been subject to certain limitations and disadvantages.
Space for storage of data discs is one consideration. Even though the data disc can store an extremely large amount of information, it is easy to build a large library of data discs. A large library of music data discs, for example, is quickly collected. In the past, the discs have been handled inside of caddies which are enclosures with a movable door to allow access to the disc. The caddie is typically six times the thickness of a disc. Thus, eliminating caddies is a significant advancement. Systems for the storage, retrieval, handling, and play of music data discs in multiple juke boxes, even if a caddie is not used, are large and bulky and, thus, have little application in private homes in which items larger than stereo components are undesirable. Further, available commercial systems for the storage, retrieval, and handling of data discs are too large to fit in standard size commercial component racks.
Storing discs close enough together to reduce the size of the system creates difficulty in handling the discs. For example, there is not enough room to securely grasp the discs, and positioning the disc accurately for placement in a small storage area requires fine adjustments. Consistent retrieval and replacement of data discs from and into a storage area small enough to substantially reduce the size of a system, has not been obtained. At times, discs are only partially inserted into a storage position. The internal moving parts, usually a disc transport assembly, of the system then strike the disc and damage or break it.
This problem is accentuated by orienting the disc drives differently then the storage rack, so that the discs must be rotated or turned relative to the storage and play orientations of the discs. Rotating the data discs requires extra space and increases the possibility of slight errors in placement. Handling discs in a horizontal plane also increases the possibility of slight errors in placement because gravity acts downwardly on the disc to remove the disc from the horizontal place. Movement of the storage rack in which the data discs are stored can also introduce error into disc placement. Moving such a relatively large mass having a relatively large inertia makes it difficult to finely adjust the position of the discs. Further, movement of the storage rack reduces the speed at which discs can be accessed because the heavy rack cannot be subjected to high acceleration, and the rack must be repositioned for the retrieval of each disc.
Thus, increasing the number of data discs storable in a given area and the consistency of retrieval and placement of data discs is desirable to make data disc storage, retrieval, and handling devices more reliable and feasible for home and public use.

Data disc handling, storage, and retrieval apparatus and method


A Z-fold print media handling system for printing banners and the like uses an inkjet printing mechanism without a tractor-feed. A series of stuttering stopping and starting steps generates varying static and dynamic frictional forces to separate the first sheet of a Z-fold stack from the remainder of the stack. Both conventional cut-sheet media and Z-fold media are fed using the same printing mechanism, which pulls the media toward a printzone through frictional engagement with a first surface of the media. To prevent printhead crashes and smearing the image near the perforations joining the Z-fold sheets, the printhead to media spacing is increased for Z-fold media over the standard spacing used for cut-sheet media. A cam feature is incorporated into the media drive clutch disk to determine whether an operator has set a selector lever for cut-sheet or Z-fold printhead to media spacing.

Inkjet printing mechanisms use cartridges, often called "pens," which shoot drops of liquid colorant, referred to generally herein as "ink," onto a page. Each pen has a printhead formed with very small nozzles through which the ink drops are fired. To print an image, the printhead is propelled back and forth across the page, shooting drops of ink in a desired pattern as it moves. The particular ink ejection mechanism within the printhead may take on a variety of different forms known to those skilled in the art, such as those using piezo-electric or thermal printhead technology. For instance, two earlier thermal ink ejection mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,584 and 4,683,481, both assigned to the present assignee, Hewlett-Packard Company. In a thermal system, a barrier layer containing ink channels and vaporization chambers is located between a nozzle orifice plate and a substrate layer. This substrate layer typically contains linear arrays of heater elements, such as resistors, which are energized to heat ink within the vaporization chambers. Upon heating, an ink droplet is ejected from a nozzle associated with the energized resistor. By selectively energizing the resistors as the printhead moves across the page, the ink is expelled in a pattern on the print media to form a desired image (e.g., picture, chart or text).
To clean and protect the printhead, typically a "service station" mechanism is mounted within the printer chassis so the printhead can be moved over the station for maintenance. For storage, or during non-printing periods, the service stations usually include a capping system which hermetically seals the printhead nozzles from contaminants and drying. Some caps are also designed to facilitate priming, such as by being connected to a pumping unit that draws a vacuum on the printhead. During operation, clogs in the printhead are periodically cleared by firing a number of drops of ink through each of the nozzles in a process known as "spitting," with the waste ink being collected in a "spittoon" reservoir portion of the service station. After spitting, uncapping, or occasionally during printing, most service stations have an elastomeric wiper that wipes the printhead surface to remove ink residue, as well as any paper dust or other debris that has collected on the printhead.
To print an image, the printhead is scanned back and forth across a printzone above the sheet, with the pen shooting drops of ink as it moves. By selectively energizing the resistors as the printhead moves across the sheet, the ink is expelled in a pattern on the print media to form a desired image (e.g., picture, chart or text). The nozzles are typically arranged in linear arrays usually located side-by-side on the printhead, parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the scanning direction, with the length of the nozzle arrays defining a print swath or band. That is, if all the nozzles of one array were continually fired as the printhead made one complete traverse through the printzone, a band or swath of ink would appear on the sheet. The width of this band is known as the "swath width" of the pen, the maximum pattern of ink which can be laid down in a single pass. The media is moved through the printzone, typically one swath width at a time, although some print schemes move the media incrementally by for instance, halves or quarters of a swath width for each printhead pass to obtain a shingled drop placement which enhances the appearance of the final image.
The picking and movement of print media through the printzone of an inkjet printing mechanism is the subject addressed herein. The print media, may be any type of substantially flat material, such as plain paper, specialty paper, card-stock, fabric, transparencies, foils, mylar, etc., but the most common type of medium is paper. For convenience, we will discuss printing on paper as a representative example of these various types of print media. The media may be supplied to the printing mechanism in a variety of different configurations. For instance, in desktop inkjet printers, paper is typically supplied in a stack of cut-sheets, such as letter size, legal size, or A-4 size paper, which are placed in an input tray. Typically, sheets are sequentially pulled from the top of the stack and printed on, after which they are deposited in an output tray. Other types of inkjet printing mechanisms feed the paper from a continuous roll, such as an inkjet plotter. Upon completion of plotting an image or drawing on a portion of the continuous roll, the plotter has a severing mechanism to cut the newly printed sheet from the remainder of the roll.
It would be desirable to have an inkjet printing mechanism which can print on both Z-fold media and conventional cut-sheets of media. A Z-fold or accordion folded stack of media has each sequential sheet joined to the adjacent sheet along a fold, with the sheets being bent back onto one another into a Z-shape when viewed from the side. Along each side, conventional Z-fold paper has border extensions with a series of evenly-spaced holes therethrough which are engaged by sprockets of a tractor-feed mechanism on the printer to advance the media through the printzone. Typically Z-fold paper came supplied in a letter sized stack, with perforations along the folds at the top and bottom of each sheet to assist in separating the sheets upon completion of the print job. The border extensions with the tractor feed holes are also joined to the side edges of the media at perforations, which enables separation of the borders from the sheet upon completion of the print job. Unfortunately, the tractor-feed mechanisms were very expensive to build, and often noisy in operation. Furthermore, most of these tractor-fed printers were bulky, increasing the overall size or "footprint" of the printer, so excessive desk top space in the work environment was occupied by these earlier printers.
Yet it would be desirable to use Z-fold paper in a conventional cut-sheet inkjet printing mechanism without a costly tractor-feed. Z-fold media is particularly useful for printing banners, extended graphs, continuous scrolls or outlines of text, and a variety of other images, such as artwork and the like. The versatility of an inkjet printing mechanism would be greatly enhanced if it could feed not only cut-sheets of paper but also Z-fold media. Unfortunately, conventional inkjet printing mechanisms are unable to feed a Z-fold stack of paper from a cut-sheet input tray. By tearing the border extensions off of a Z-fold paper stack, the Z-fold paper will fit in the input tray, but conventional inkjet printing mechanisms are unable to pick the Z-fold media from the tray. Because the Z-fold sheets are physically attached to one another, often the conventional printer tries to pick the entire stack all at once, leading to a significant paper jam. This problem is often encountered in cut-sheet media feeding, and is known in the art as a "multiple pick," where several sheets are picked from the input tray all at once.
For cut-sheet media, this multiple pick problem is often remedied by using a friction separator pad at the edge of the input tray, where media begins to enter the feed zone. The media drive rollers feed the sheet through the feed zone. If the second sheet from the top of the stack moves with the first sheet, the second sheet is driven over a friction separator pad. The coefficient of friction of the friction separator pad to the media is higher than the coefficient of friction between the two media sheets. Thus, the second sheet stops on the separator pad and does not continue to be fed through the mechanism. This prevents a multiple pick. Unfortunately, this conventional manner of preventing multiple picks with cut-sheet media does not work with a Z-fold stack of media because the sheets are all attached, and the first sheet pulls in the second sheet, the third sheet, etc.
For cut-sheet media, sheets left on the separator pad are pushed off the separator pad by a kicker. As the first sheet moves through the feed zone, the trailing edge of the first sheet eventually passes across the feed zone entrance. This trailing edge releases or activates the kicker which pushes the second sheet off of the separator pad and back into the input tray. Without a kicker, the number of multiple picks would increase. For instance, if this partially fed second sheet was not kicked back and the operator added more media on top of the existing media in the input tray, then a multiple pick usually occurs near this remaining partially fed sheet and the new media which has been loaded on top of it. Thus, kickers play an important role in preventing multiple picks when using cut-sheet media. Unfortunately, this conventional kicker method of pushing media off the friction separator pad is totally ineffective to prevent Z-fold media multiple picks. Since the kicker is not mechanically activated until the trailing edge of the last sheet passes through the feed zone entrance, any multiple picks of the Z-fold stack have already occurred when the kicker is finally activated. Thus, the kicker has no function in Z-fold media picking.
Other solutions were also tried to feed Z-fold media. An earlier system tested by the inventors used a hinged guide wall that was elevated by a user when feeding Z-fold paper. Unfortunately, this system was extremely cumbersome. This system required removal of the output tray, and an elaborate threading scheme to insert the leading edge of the Z-fold stack into the media pick area. This loading technique was complex and not very "user friendly." It required a good degree of manual dexterity to thread the media, and it was not intuitive or easy to remember. Most users want to see their image printed, and they do not want to be bothered by elaborate and time-consuming media loading schemes.
Thus, a need exists for a versatile, compact and economical inkjet system mechanism, capable of feeding both cut-sheets of media and Z-fold media, which is quiet and easy to use.


A planar omni-directional inlet assembly is provided for installing on a device, such as a dry filter unit, that draws a fluid medium, such as ambient air, to collect particulate matter suspended in the fluid medium onto a filter. The inlet assembly includes an annular platform removably positionable on the device; an annular nozzle to direct the air from the platform; an annular impactor disposed downstream of the nozzle; a housing that disposes the filter downstream of the impactor; and an exit for passing the air from the filter to the device. The impactor presents a flow obstacle for a portion of the particulate matter. The housing directs the air through the filter. The housing includes a base with a first cavity and a lid with a second cavity such that the filter is disposable between the first and second cavities.

The invention relates generally to the sampling of moving fluids such as moving airflows, and more particularly to a sampling system that extracts samples of a moving fluid passing thereover. The moving fluid as a medium may represent a variety of gases. Matter to be sampled may represent solid particles or liquid droplets or other material physically or chemically distinguishable from the suspension medium.
As an example, airflows may be sampled in support of a variety of flow monitoring applications for determining aerosol content, or conforming microbiological presence, using standard microbiological techniques. The Dry Filter Unit (DFU) 1000 represents an exemplary air sampling device for collecting, for example, bio-particulates from suspension in ambient air for analysis. The DFU-1000 provides a pressure differential to draw air within, thereby enabling particles to be collected. Note that "ambient air" corresponds in this document to nominal temperature of 20° C. (degrees Celsius) and pressure of 101 kPa (kilopascals).
Particles smaller than a specific size may be categorized under an Environmental Protection Agency standard as specified under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). For example, particle measurement PM-10 under 40 CFR §50.6(c) corresponds to particles having effective diameters no larger than 10 μm (microns). Similarly, PM2.5 under 40 CFR §50.7(a)(1) corresponds to particles no larger than 2.5 μm. FIG. 1A shows an exemplary isometric view of the DFU-1000.
The DFU-1000 houses a pump/blower and is configured in a one-person portable carrying case for 40,000 hour-life continuous duty. The DFU-1000 may use commercially available power at 120/240 VAC (volts) from alternating current at 50/60 Hz (hertz) or else direct current sources adaptable using an optional auxiliary power pack of 24 VDC. The DFU-1000 has dimensions of 15 in (inches) high, 13 in wide and deep, a mass of 42 lbm (pounds-mass). The power requirements are 5.6 A (amps) at operation and 17 A starting at 120 VAC.
The DFU-1000 may be conventionally equipped with an open-top tandem-chamber inlet assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1B in isometric view as an exploded diagram. Air flows over a top-facing orifice 110 into which particulate matter descends entrained in an air stream at low velocity to an entrance chamber 120. The air stream passes from the entrance chamber 120 through a forked pair of twin filter chambers 130 and rejoins in an exit chamber 140 to enter a top port of the DFU-1000, which draws in the air.
Each of the twin chambers 130 houses a cylindrical filter holder 150 that secures a polyester mesh filter 155 having a diameter of approximately 1.5 in. Each chamber 130 incorporates a foam seal 135 to avoid pressure drop losses between the inlet 110 and the exit 140. The filter 155 traps particles larger than those that pass through its mesh. The resulting collection from the filter 155 may include particles of interest for further analysis as well as others larger than desired but collaterally entrapped nonetheless.
The holder 150 may comprise two halves 160, 165 pivotably connected to a molded hinge 170 and securable together when closed by a latch 175. The holder 150 may be opened by disconnecting the latch 175 to remove and replace the filter 155. Contents collected on the removed filter may then be analyzed at a separate facility. When the holder 150 is open, the filter 155 may be inserted into recesses 180, one of which being equipped with baffles that prevent the filter 155 from being dislodged by the pressure differential produced by the DFU-1000.
Artisans of ordinary skill will recognize that the air intake described for the DFU-1000 represents an example application, and will recognize that other devices for drawing or otherwise moving fluid medium to enable particulate matter collection may be contemplated, accordingly.

Omni-directional inlet for particulate collection

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A vehicle mounted backing distance gauge is provided, in which an activator bar carried by two side arms, normally biased to an extended position, extends approximately ten inches behind the vehicle, and as the vehicle is backed toward an object such as a loading dock, the activator bar comes into contact with the object and retracts toward a front end of the vehicle. The activator bar is coupled to a plunger beam carried within a casing mounted on the vehicle that moves in concert with the activator bar, and through the use of a bevel gear pair and a follower arm controllably moved by the forward end of the plunger beam, an indicator sign is rotated or pivoted by a shaft coupled to one of the bevel gears from a first position parallel to the side of the vehicle and extending toward the rear of the vehicle, to a diametrically opposed position parallel to the vehicle, but extending toward the front of the vehicle. The movement of the indicator sign is monitored by the driver, and the last increment of approach is highly visibly represented as a bright or high contrast flange face carried by the sign begins to, and ultimately does, disappear behind a wall of a sign housing protruding from the side of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device to aid drivers of vehicles, truck drivers in particular, in backing the vehicle to a desired spacing from another object.
2. Description of Related Art
Vehicle drivers, particularly drivers of tractortrailer vehicles or other trucks, are frequently required to back the vehicle into a parking space or loading dock. In the case of a loading dock, the trailer or truck must be backed into substantial contact, or into a very close spacing, with the loading dock, so that freight can be loaded and/or unloaded from the vehicle. This docking requirement, in the past, has led to numerous instances in which the wall of the loading dock, and/or the trailer, are damaged by the truck making contact at a slightly elevated speed, because the driver is unaware, until making contact, of the distance between the truck and the dock. Resilient dock bumpers tend to decrease this problem, but still provide little or no indication to the driver that the truck is nearing contact with the dock, as the bumpers readily compress and no impact is felt. The bumpers also do not provide a distance indication.
Devices have heretofore been proposed in the art for use in assisting the driver of a vehicle in backing the vehicle toward another object. One of these, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,418,034, issued to Tennent, provides an indicator to alert the driver of the distance between the body of the vehicle and an object to the rear of the vehicle. That device has significant disadvantages that would essentially prevent its use on modern-day cars and trucks. The Tennent device relies on the use of a retractable or compressible bumper in gauging the distance, and, with the current laws mandating the use of impact-resistant bumpers, a bumper that is designed to retract or compress at very low speeds is likely to be illegal. Further, a disadvantage of that design is that it relies on a cable system linking the bumper to the indicator in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, which, while possibly acceptable for cars, would not be acceptable for vehicles such as tractor-trailers, in which the tractor is separable from the trailer, and in many instances is used with numerous trailers.
Having an indicator in the passenger compartment, as shown in Tennent, is not as advantageous as it might first appear to be. In backing up a vehicle, the driver is generally looking outside the vehicle, either into the rearview mirror, or, more commonly, into the side view mirrors. This is particularly true of a driver backing a tractor trailer into, for example, a bay at a loading dock, in picking up or delivering the freight or cargo carried inside the trailer. The same is true of an automobile driver backing into a parking space between two other cars. If it were necessary to look in the passenger compartment to determine the current spacing between the rear of the vehicle and an approaching object, the driver would have to take his or her eyes off the mirrors, thus increasing the chances of inaccurately aligning the vehicle at the loading dock or in the parking space.
Other warning-type devices have been disclosed in the art, but generally do not provide any continuing indication of the decreasing distance between the vehicle and the object it is approaching. Examples of such devices can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,187,710 and 4,967,180. A sighting device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,706, issued to Smith.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a device to be mounted on a vehicle that will function as a distance gauge for use in alerting a driver backing up a vehicle of the distance between the rear of the vehicle and an object behind the vehicle.
It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a device that will provide a truck driver with ample advance warning of the decreasing distance between the rear of the truck and an object, such as a loading dock, so that the truck may be slowly and controllably backed into contact with the dock for loading and/or unloading freight or cargo.
It is an additional important object of the present invention to provide a vehicle mounted device providing a distance gauging function that is readily adaptable for effective use with vehicles of different sizes and constructions.
It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a rear distance gauging device that is viewable by the driver either in a side view mirror, or when the driver extends his or her head out the window and looks to the rear of the vehicle.
It is another important object of the present invention to provide an actuating bar extending across the width of the back of the vehicle, and linkage to the distance indicator device.


Problematic code changes that broke a software build can be identified. For example, a system can identify a broken software build and a last stable software-build associated with a software project, and generate a history of code commits associated with the software project based on commit logs from commit repositories. The code commits in the history were applied to the software project after the last stable software-build and before the broken software build. The system can then iteratively test the code commits in the history to determine a problematic code-commit that is at least partially responsible for the broken software build.

When developing a software application, developers often run a battery of tests that validate code changes on a periodic basis (e.g., weekly, nightly, etc.). Examples of these tests include system tests, integration tests, acceptance tests, and unit tests. In some cases, a software build may break due to a code change causing the software or the underlying computing device to malfunction. Because software development projects are usually gated when submitting the code changes to a code base, it is usually a dependent library change that causes the malfunction, because they usually do not cross the development gate. For example, if a library is developed as part of a number of software development projects, the software projects that are dependent on the library may obtain and install the latest version of the library during a code update. But certain changes to the library could cause parts of one or more of the software development projects to cease working or malfunction.


A multi-mount heavy bag designed for a single user for striking with the intent of developing and conditioning users muscles and skill with at least one unique sculpted body side having contoured features and developed striking areas with at least one forward extended head like appendage that creates for the user a unique orientation to the bag simulating an opponent: providing a distinct opponent posture and specific exposed set of target areas. A bag that can be suspended from either the top, or mounted to a surface below that will provide multidirectional movement. A device of three embodiments of construction each has an option of a digital data analysis package that consists of appropriate components and software for: data storage, retrieval and or wireless transmission for displaying a visual and auditory measure of the intensity of the strike and providing analysis and comparison of performance data.

Like all sports equipment people are always striving to improve its training utility and the heavy bag is no exception. One problem is selection of equipment/bag type; the durability of, weight and often the construction of bags built for training for power vary depending upon the skill level of the person using them. The heavy bag is and has historically been an elongated force absorbent cylinder that in its entirety is the target that may be struck anywhere. The existing literature regarding heavy bags can be looked at by dividing it into five basic areas; traditional suspended cylindrical bags, traditional central body as a suspended bag with additions, suspended heavy bags with central cylindrical changes, bag like targets that are not suspended (tower and pedestal bags) and the new concept of the current invention of a multi-mount bag having a sculpted body side.
Another problem the current invention seeks to remedy is the ability to provide a specific orientation for the user and ability to practice attacks on specific on-guard stances. As the existing literature is reviewed it becomes apparent that although there have been modifications to the bags the focus has not been to create an orientation for the user regarding target areas. The term orientation has been used in a context of looking at from a perspective as in how the bag is supported, the areas it is used, or modifications to the bag to accentuate training utility such as adding of appendages to block or modifying a part of the bag such as making a conical shape on it to improve striking ability for various attacks. The current invention has specifically been designed to improve orientation; meaning how the user senses the posture or on guard stance presented on the contoured body side of the bag which simulates an opponent regarding the striking areas and contours which may or may not limit what striking areas are available.
The term multi-mount means that the owner has the option of suspending the bag from an overhead suspension point/mount which will allow for multidirectional movement or affixing the bag from a horizontal mounting surface below the bag that may come from the ground, floor or may be attached to a wall or beam that will also provide multidirectional movement.
Traditional suspended cylindrical bags have been used since the beginning of recorded military history and are usually suspended by chains or ropes for learning and practicing how to throw powerful body punches. This type of bag is clearly identified for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,489 to Nicholson who patented a method for filling the bag. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,674 to Ferry the traditional suspended cylindrical bag concept is maintained but Ferry patents involves the insertion into the body of a two-liter soda pop container. U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,476 to Chu provides a modular inflatable cushion design for the interior creation of the traditional suspended cylindrical heavy bag. These patents are similar to many others in this category that have to do with modifications to the interior of the traditional suspended cylindrical bag to gain a specific training advantage of what the bag feels like when struck.
The second category of traditional central body as a suspended bag with additions can be clearly identified for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,872 to Stronsick, Jr. et al. entitled "Martial Arts Training Device" the normal three dimensional heavy bag is still used only leg and arm like extensions are added to the body of the bag. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,421 to Commeau entitled "Reactive punching bag device" ads to the traditional central body as a suspended bag with additions by including an assembly to simulate arm like extensions. Neither device deviates from the traditional cylindrical body three dimensional suspended bag target concept; like others in this category they use the traditional suspended cylindrical concept and make additions to the exterior. The problem is that the bag needs arms and their answer is to create attachments to the bag unlike the current invention that has the arm contours made integral to the bag, out of the same material, being a substantial component thereof.
The third category, suspended heavy bags with central cylindrical changes are clearly representative in U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,315 to Dye entitled "Training bag for boxing and the like" which still adheres to the three dimensional central body target concept but variations are now made to the central cylinder to create angled surfaces on the spindle or shaft of the central cylindrical body to allow a larger variety of attacks to be properly applied to the target. The problem is providing a proper surface for bent arm punches like the uppercut and hook. By angling surfaces on the bag they do provide an improvement and the entire bag is still the target. The heavy bag now has surfaces for uppercuts and hooks and a distinction of a head like appendage target is added along the "Y" axis. Roberts, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,315 takes this concept and adapts it with arm and leg like appendages creating and maintaining the three dimensional suspended cylinder shaped mannequin like target with a separate head like target structure on the central "Y" axis. The mannequin or dummy target arms and legs are constructed to rotate/move when the bag like dummy is struck. The arms and legs hang limp and are moved by momentum and certainly are not made for providing any orientation or semblance of an on-guard-position. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,171 to Haselrig entitled "Martial arts training bag" the central cylindrical body portion of the bag is still present as a target and modified with a tapered funnel like addition to add variation to the striking surface for various attacks. This is an attempt to improve the striking areas. The current invention advances this idea by developing specific striking areas that are crafted so specific types of attacks can be done and all strikes can be done with proper technique when applied to the proper target. Haselrig adds to the bag attachable/detachable targets as shown in his illustrations as round bags extended from the tubular portion of the bag on a round extension. These are referred to as "head targets" that can be inflatable or stuffed or "in the form of speed bag assemblies utilizing a conventional boxing-type speed bag." By the definition Haselrig puts forth of his head like target I would argue that it certainly is not. Haselrig's head like target is another striking device already in use a "Boxing-type speed bag" that is being extended from the bag. Since it does not truly resemble a head as does the current invention nor does it have developed striking areas on the head like striking area. I would contend that Haselrig did not provide a head like target but a "speed bag" extending forward of the "Y" axis. In the current invention the head like striking area has specific position, orientation and developed striking surfaces upon it and clearly extends forward of the other striking areas and in no way resembles a speed bag. As an improvement in the evolution of the heavy bag Haselrig creates a hybrid device that bridges both the traditional central body as a suspended bag with additions and the heavy bags with central cylindrical changes category by adding existing targets to his.
In the fourth arena of bag like targets that are not suspended there are two basic areas; pedestal or tower bags and bags that are supported from both the floor and the ceiling simultaneously. None provide the option of mounting from one end or the other as the current invention does. The problem is having the ability to have a multi-directional movement bag and use it in various training locations such as outside. The first category of pedestal or tower bags can clearly be identified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,412 to Wolfe creates a free standing, self-righting bag with sculptured arms and head that is positioned on the central "Y" axis still using the mannequin like design concept where the central body of the bag is the target as is the norm with punching bags. The arrangement of the arms begins to solve the problem of providing for the user an orientation to the target. However, the arms purpose is not to present a specific orientation regarding target areas or to restrict striking to specific target areas as the current invention does. U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,801 to D'Alto provides another self standing pedestal or tower bag that combines the central body bag concept with the addition of a donut shaped portion of the bag having cylindrical changes. U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,194 to Chen, presents a central cylindrical heavy bag mounted on a post with a spring to allow movement however the post spring component is an integral part of the bag apparatus, meaning the bag is not intended to be used without the stand. It differs from the multi-mount bag in that the post is not removable from the bag. U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,249 to Fassl, et al. provides a large pedestal that holds the traditional cylindrical heavy bag from the top. Heavy bags supported from both the floor and ceiling are represented in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,316 to Wang, et al., who creates a cylindrical bag that wraps around a pillar. U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,148 to Tsakiris provides a traditional cylindrical heavy bag on a pole that is affixed to both the floor and the ceiling. U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,485 to Luigi, uses the ceiling and floor mount approach with additions to the traditional cylindrical heavy bag having padded arm attachments that swing unpredictably when the bag is struck based off the inertia of the users strike. All of these previously described targets are designed to be either supported solely from overhead or solely from underneath or from both ends; none provide option for variation of attachment as in the current invention where either one or the other mount point is used as an option thus the multi-mount category. All previous art continues to provide a central cylindrical body for punching without specific development of a developed striking area intended for specific strikes. Some inventors have looked at the problem of identifying a target area on the bag and some bags may have target areas noted on them by printing on the exterior surface, but an intentional shaping of the target area in a heavy bag does not exist except in the current invention.
The inventions that have head like targets are all on the "Y" axis unlike the current invention that extends forward of the "Y" axis. The inventions that have uppercut designed areas maintain the entire target striking area approach so they present a donut shaped or beveled contour area around the entirety of the cylinder like bag as the striking area in an attempt to solve the problem of creating a bag that has uppercut utility. The current invention takes this idea and provides clear specificity in providing a head like appendage that extends toward the user with parts specifically designed for specific attacks such as the hook and uppercut.
The fifth category, the present invention, is novel as a multi-mount heavy bag intended for a single user that can be suspended or attached from above such as being suspended from the ceiling or attached to a floor or wall mount, providing a horizontal mounting surface below the bag that will also provide multidirectional movement. No other heavy bag device either singly or in combination present this unique feature also having: a sculpted body side consisting of defined and developed target areas and contoured features that create a complex target with unique orientation for the user.
Because of the sculpted body side approach the current invention is no longer in the genera with the central body target bags because the entire bag is not the target due to the specified developed striking areas and extended head like appendage.
Additionally, due to the contoured features creating for each side a unique orientation only certain target areas are available for attack.
Furthermore, the current invention is unique because through the positioning of the contours and striking areas specific intended targets may be presented or limited. No other bag limits its striking area.
Additionally, the combination of the position of the contours; be it the arm like contours or the tilt of the head like appendage a multitude of clearly identifiable on-guard poses can be created and represented on a sculpted body side to enhance the variation and training options afforded in a single training heavy bag. This solves the problem of having to visualize application of striking an opponent in a specific position you simply find a bag with the on-guard orientation you need. The sculpted body side is set for a particular face of the bag and cannot be changed. Bags will have set selections of on-guard poses and if a person wants a specific pose they will need to buy that specific bag because there is no intended method of changing or modifying any of the contours or striking areas of a bag.
The construction embodiment is also unique to the multi-mount bag which is not a feature available in any other heavy bag. The multi-mount bag has three embodiments of construction and an option to either have or not have a digital data analyses package. The first multi-mount embodiment of construction is of a hard plastic or composite having attachable force absorbent striking areas creating a heavy bag that can withstand excessive punishment for use with elite or professional fighters. The second embodiment of construction is a foam or rubber or combination thereof, which has utility in training with smaller children or inexperienced fighters. The third embodiment is traditional construction of synthetic or leather outer covering filled with a force absorbent internal stuffing and having a lacing type closure. Some users will want the new features of the multi-mount bag but be more comfortable with a traditional manufactured construction. Each embodiment of construction is intended for the developing and conditioned of user's muscles and skill having at least one unique sculpted body side for a single user.
Lastly, the digital data analyses package is an option available for each of the three embodiments consisting of at least one force sensor and speaker having auditory and visual display and may have a keypad or digital card based method to recognize and identify a specific user for analysis and disaggregation of performance data and to measure the intensity, number and speed of a strike and or combination thereof. The digital data analysis package may store data; count strikes and retain the power data for review, retrieval or transmit it to other devices. The digital data analyses package does not have a game feature nor does it prompt the user to strike a specific area or do so in a pattern that is game like. It does not count caloric burn rate or monitor target heart rate to prompt exertion for heart rate training for the user. The data collection is passive. The digital data analysis package is not intended to do anything other than give immediate audio and visual feedback and provide the ability to retain data for retrieval and assessment. U.S. Pat. Application No. 20,120,053,016 to Williamson is an excellent example of a suspended heavy bag workout monitoring system intended to provide a way to capture, analyze, and monitor user body performance information. Williams's invention uses a traditional suspended heavy bag with color in different areas to distinguish between target areas on the face of the suspended heavy bag. There are a great number of boxing devices for determining user body performance data such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,749 to Sheedy that not only captures performance data it computes caloric burn rate unlike the current invention. Although, a shared common ability in design to interface with wireless components like smart phones, tablets and computers is shared in current invention for only one user at a time. Sheedy's invention is a multi-user boxing device also integrally part of a traditional suspended heavy bag unlike the current invention.

Multi-mount heavy bag with: sculpted body side, extended head like appendage, contours and developed striking areas


Systems and methods for electrophoretically displaying a brand identifier of a telecommunications service provider or equipment manufacturer on the portable electronic device. The branding may be set at the manufacturer or when the user first powers the phone on. In addition, the branding may be wiped and reset if there is a change in ownership and/or telecommunications service provider of the portable electronic device. Periodically upon startup after the branding has been set and locked, making a user unable to manually change the branding at will, the portable electronic device may check to ensure the displayed branding is the same as or equivalent to the current brand.

Electronic devices may be branded for marketing or traceability purposes. Conventionally, branding information may be displayed on a phone cover or on an edge of the display that is outside of the active area. The branding information may be displayed as a splash screen, a logo, a mark associated with the telecommunications service provider, or other attention-catching words, graphics, or combinations thereof. A phone or other electronic computing device may be branded more than once during its lifetime. This change in branding may be due to the phone changing hands, changing telecommunications service providers, or both.