Disclosed herein is a lipid preparation, said preparation comprising a phosphatidylserine moiety, and poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) acyl groups, particularly long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) acyl groups such as omega-3 and/or omega-6 acyl groups, wherein said PUFA is covalently bound to said glycerophospholipid. Said lipid preparations are particularly useful in the treatment of mental and cognitive disorders, e.g. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and Alzheimer's disease.

All publications mentioned throughout this application are fully incorporated herein by reference, including all references cited therein.
Lipids, and especially polar lipids, nitrogen containing lipids, and carbohydrate containing lipids (phospholipids, sphingosines, glycolipids, ceramides, sphingomyelins) are the major building blocks of cell membranes, tissues, etc. Additionally they play important roles in signal transduction processes and in a variety of biochemical and biosynthetic pathways.
Glycerophospholipids, lipids based on a glycerol backbone and containing a phosphate head group, are the main building blocks of cell membranes. Since most, if not all, biochemical processes involve cell membranes, the structural and physical properties of membranes in different tissues is crucial to the normal and efficient functioning of membranes in all biochemical processes.
Other important constituents of biological membranes are cholesterol, glycolipids, and peripheral and integral proteins. The basic structure of biological membranes is thus a series of recurrent unities of lipid-protein complexes. The membrane is asymmetric. The function of the external (cellular) and internal (sub cellular) membrane systems depends on their composition and on the integrity of their phospholipid structure. In addition to their presence in cell membranes, phospholipids constitute structural and functional elements of the surface mono-layers of lipoproteins and of surfactants.
Of utmost importance for the function of biological membranes is their fluidity, which is decisively influenced by phospholipids. Besides the content in cholesterol and proteins and the nature and charge of the polar head groups of phospholipids in the system, membrane fluidity depends on the length of the chains of fatty acid residues in the phospholipid molecule, as well as on the number and type of pairing of their double bonds.
Many health benefits have been attributed to the consumption of certain fatty acids. For example, it has been reported in many research studies that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the type omega-3 and omega-6, have several health benefits on cardiovascular disease, immune disorders and inflammation, renal disorders, allergies, diabetes, and cancer. These types of fatty acids are naturally occurring mainly in fish and algae, where they are randomly distributed on the sn-1, sn-2, and sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone of triglycerides.
Extensive clinical studies investigating the importance of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), one of the most important omega-3 fatty acids, in the brain, found that low levels of DHA are associated with depression, memory loss, dementia, and visual problems, while a dramatic improvement in the elderly brain function has been observed as blood levels of DHA increase.
Fatty acid differences, including DHA have been shown in the brain of Alzheimer's patients as compared with normal age-matched individuals. Furthermore, low serum DHA is a significant risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's patients. Recently, it was shown [Conquer et al. (2000) Lipids; 35(12):1305-1312] in addition to Alzheimer's patients that in other dementias and cognitively impaired but non-demented individuals, there are low levels of n-3 fatty acids in the plasma. Suggesting that the decreased level of plasma DHA was not limited to the Alzheimer's disease patients but appears to be common in cognitive impairment with aging, and therefore may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment and/or dementia
Other known benefits of DHA include: lower risk of arrhythmias, reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death, lower plasma triglyceride levels and reduced blood clotting tendency. Furthermore, DHA may have importance in the field of brain functioning enhancement, baby formula fortification, diabetics and cancer.
The human body does not adequately synthesize DHA. Therefore it is necessary to obtain it from the diet. Humans obtain DHA from their diets, initially through the placenta, then from breast milk (or baby formula), and later through dietary sources, such as fish, red meats, animal organ meats and eggs. Popular fish like tuna, salmon and sardines are rich sources. Until recently, the primary source of DHA dietary supplements has been fish oils. The ability of enzymes to produce the omega-6 and omega-3 family of products of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, declines with age. Thus, because DHA synthesis declines with age, as people get older their need to acquire DHA directly from diet or supplements increases. In fact, several recent publications suggested DHA to be considered as an essential fatty acid [e.g. Muskiet, F. et al. (2004) J Nutr. 134(1):183-6].
Because DHA is important for signal transmission in the brain, eye and nervous system, many consumers concerned with maintaining mental acuity are searching for a pure, safe way to supplement their DHA levels.
Polyunsaturated acids, in particular long chain, such as omega-3 and 6, have been shown to confer many valuable health benefits on the population. The global market for long-chain PUFAs, including the food segment, is rapidly growing.
The majority of efforts in the industry are however invested in the improvement of PUFA processing techniques and in the creation of higher concentrated grades of PUFA derivatives to accommodate dietary supplements and functional foods needs.
PUFA-Lipids
PS-PUFA
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the major acidic phospholipid in the brain, being one of the most important building blocks of cerebral cell membranes. The level of PS in brain cell membranes ensures their fluidity and functional structure, while guaranteeing normal and efficient signal transduction processes, efficient glucose consumption, and other biological pathways that result in normal cognitive and mental functions.
PS is a natural phospholipid with bio-functionality that has made it one of the most promising dietary supplements in the field of brain nutrition, for its properties in a variety of cognitive and mental functions. PS has been shown to improve memory, fight dementia and early stages of Alzheimer's disease, reduce stress and tension, improve attention span, enhance mood and fight depression, to name but few.
Since PS is not abundant in human nutrition. Moreover, the biosynthetic pathways responsible for the production of PS are malfunctioning in many people, especially the elderly, resulting in low levels of PS in the body and brain, which results in a variety of cognitive and mental disorders, such as depression, memory loss, short attention span, learning difficulties, etc. The supplementation of PS in the diets of elderly people with such disorders has resulted in dramatic improvements of these disorders. Over the recent years, studies have shown that even younger people can benefit from dietary supplementation of PS. PS has been shown to improve the learning capabilities of students, improve memory and attention span, etc.
Interestingly, early attempts to elucidate the role of DHA in rat developing brain had demonstrated that intra-amniotic injection of DHA to E17 fetal rats resulted with redistribution of total brain PL, and specifically 56.4% increase in PS-DHA abundance [Green et al. (1995) J Neurochem; 65(6):2555-25560].
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide special preparations of PS, for use mainly as nutraceuticals and as functional food additives.
Studies conducted with PUFA-containing phospholipids have shown the following:
1. They are high-energy, basic, structural, and functional elements of all biological membranes, such as cells, blood corpuscles, lipoproteins, and the surfactant.
2. They are indispensable for cellular differentiation, proliferation, and regeneration.
3. They maintain and promote the biological activity of many membrane-bound proteins and receptors.
4. They play a decisive role for the activity and activation of numerous membrane-located enzymes, such as sodium-potassium-ATPase, adenylyle cyclase and lipoprotein lipase.
5. They are important for the transport of molecules through membranes.
6. They control membrane-dependent metabolic processes between the intracellular and intercellular space.
7. The polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in them, such as linoleic and linolenic acid, are precursors of the cytoprotective prostaglandins and other eicosanoids.
8. As choline and fatty acid donors they have an influence in certain neurological processes.
9. They emulsify fat in the gastrointestinal tract.
10. They are important emulsifiers in the bile.
11. They codetermine erythrocyte and platelet aggregation.
12. They influence immunological reactions on the cellular level.
Phospholipids containing PUFA are theoretically of importance in all those diseases in which damaged membrane structures, reduced phospholipid levels, and/or decreased membrane fluidity are present. This hypothesis is supported by experimental and clinical investigations of various membrane-associated disorders and illnesses.
Studies on the active principle as well as pharmacological and clinical trials are available on a variety of conditions and diseases related to membrane damage. For example in various liver diseases, hepatocyte structures are damaged by, for example, viruses, organic solvents, alcohol, medicaments, drugs, or fatty food. In consequence, membrane fluidity and permeability may be disturbed, and membrane-dependent metabolic processes as well as membrane-associated enzyme activities may be impaired, considerably inhibits liver metabolism.
Other examples include hyperlipoproteinemia with or without atherosclerosis, hemorrheological disturbances with an elevated cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in the membranes of platelets and red blood cells, neurological diseases, gastrointestinal inflammations, kidney diseases, and in a variety of aging symptoms.
All these very different diseases have in common comparable membrane disorders. With polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine molecules such disorders may be positively influenced, eliminated, or even improved beyond normal due to the high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Following are some examples of the mechanisms that mediate this phenomenon:
1. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles enriched with PUFA-containing-phosphatidylcholine are able to take up more cholesterol from low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and tissues. More cholesterol can be transported back to the liver. This action on the cholesterol reverse transport is unique. All other lipid-lowering agents reduce either the cholesterol absorption in the body or the cholesterol synthesis in the liver and its distribution to the periphery. These substances, however, do not physiologically mobilize the cholesterol already present in the periphery.
2. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in membranes, platelets, and red blood cells decreases and membrane function is improved up to normalization.
3. Peroxidative reactions are reduced, damaged hepatocyte membrane structures restored, membrane fluidity and function stabilized, immuno-modulation and cell protection improved, and membrane-associated liver functions enhanced.
4. With the normalization of the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, the bile is also stabilized.
5. Due to its specific property as a surface-active emulsifier, PUFA-containing-phosphatidylcholine solubilize fat and is used in reducing the risk and treatment of fat embolism.
6. The substitution with poly-unsaturated-fatty-acids and choline may have a cytoprotective effect in the brain and activate neuronal processes.
7. Liposomes with polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine molecules may act as drug carriers, such as of vitamin E.
Some publications have reported preparations of phospholipids and suggested their use in neurological or psychiatric conditions.
WO 97/39759 discloses preparations comprising dieicosapenta-noylphosphatidylcholine, didocosahexaenoylphosphatidylcholine, 1-eicosapenta-enoyl, 2-docosahexaenoylphosphatidylcholine, and 1-docosahexaenoyl, 2-eicosa-pentaenoylphosphatidylcholine, which are useful for treating bipolar disorders.
JP 06256179 discloses preparations comprising 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol derivatives of formula R1-0-CH2—CH(OR2)—CH2-0-R3 (I) wherein R1=14-24C saturated or monoene fatty acid residue; R2=a residue of arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or DHA; R3=H, phosphorylcholine, phosphoryl-ethanolamine, phosphorylserine or phosphorylinositol, 1-Oleoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine that are effective components for improving learning ability and for treating senile dementia. However, none of the preparations disclosed in JP 06256179 comprises DHA.
JP 0627911 discloses phosphatidylserine derivatives of formula (I) and their salts wherein R1=acyl residue of myristic, palmitic or stearic acid; R2=acyl residue of linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic or docosahexaenic acid, and their use in the treatment of senile dementia accompanied with central nervous lesions, especially Alzheimer's disease. However said compositions do not comprise EPA as a possible substituent on the glycerophospholipid backbone.
The utilization of phospholipids enriched with PUFA holds many potential advantages from a clinical point of view. The phospholipid may deliver the essential fatty acid to specific organs or body parts, such as the brain, and assist in the incorporation of these fatty acids in membranes. Other advantages may arise from the fact that phospholipids enriched with PUFA will not have odor problems such as found in the major current nutraceutical source, the fish oils. Furthermore, some preliminary clinical studies have shown that PUFA incorporated in phospholipids possess superior efficacy than PUFA carried by triglycerides. [Song et al. (2001)Atherosclerosis, 155, 9-18].
Further studies have shown that the activity of DHA-rich phospholipids was different from that of DHA-rich triacylglycerols in spontaneously hypertensive rats [Irukayama-Tomobe et al. (2001) Journal of Oleo Science, 50(12), 945-950]. Spontaneously hypersensitive rats (SHR) were fed test lipid diets for six weeks, which contained 30%-DHA phospholipid (DHA-PL) extracted from fish roe or 30%-DHA fish oil (DHA-TG). The control diet contained corn oil in the presence of test lipids. After feeding, blood pressure in the DHA-TG and DHA-PL diet groups was found significantly lower compared to the control. Serum fatty acid content of dihomo-linoleic acid (DHLnA) and Arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) of the DHA-PL diet group was significantly less than the control or DHA-TG diet group. Serum triacylglycerol, phospholipid and total cholesterol in the DHA-TG and DHA-PL diet groups were significantly less than in the control. Liver total cholesterol in DHA-PL was twice that in the DHA-TG diet group and control.
Many PUFA-containing agents suffer from stability and quality problems due to the high degree of oxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. These problems require the incorporation of antioxidants as well as the utilization of special measures which attempts to reduce this oxidation. The utilization of phospholipids as carriers of PUFA may result in enhanced stability of such products due to the anti-oxidative properties of phospholipids.
It seems that one of the most effective transport mechanisms for such essential fatty acids is the attachment of these groups to phospholipid molecules. The phospholipids have been shown to pass through the blood-brain barrier and transport the DHA where it is needed.
Organoleptic Concerns
PUFAs are traditionally extracted from coldwater fish. Despite the healthy image, one of the problems of consumer acceptance has been the resulting strong, fishy taste. To address this, microencapsulated forms of omega-3 have been pioneered in the last 15 years. A further step was the development of egg-containing products such as DHA-enriched mayonnaise and pasta. DHA-enriched yogurts, baked goods and broilers were also envisaged.
There is no other nutritional product or preparation that is considered to be an agent of PUFA delivery. All current commercial products are based on the fatty acids themselves in an encapsulated form or on foods enriched with PUFA through special animal/crop feed.
ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) encompasses a broad constellation of behavioural and learning problems and its definition and diagnosis remain controversial [Kamper (2001) J. Pediatr. 139:173-4; Richardson et al. (2000) Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids, 63(1-2):79-87]. The etiology of ADHD is acknowledged to be both complex and multi-factorial. Traditionally, ADHD is the diagnosis used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and/or hyperactive. A conservative estimate is that 3-5% of the school-age population has ADHD [American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. (DSM-IV) Washington, D.C.]. Roughly 20-25% of children with ADHD show one or more specific learning disabilities in math, reading, or spelling [Barkley, R. A. (1990) Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Press]. Children with ADHD often have trouble performing academically and paying attention, and may be disorganized, have poor self-discipline, and have low self-esteem. Treatments for ADHD include behavior therapy and medications, mainly methylphenidate (Ritalin™). Psychostimulant drugs and antidepressants are often used to calm children with ADHD, with an effectiveness rate of ˜75% [Swanson et al. (1993) Except Child 60:154-61]. The advantages of using these medications include rapid response, ease of use, effectiveness, and relative safety. Disadvantages include possible side effects, including decreased appetite and growth, insomnia, increased irritability, and rebound hyperactivity when the drug wears off [Ahmann et al. (1993) Pediatrics; 91:1101-6]. Moreover, these medications do not address the underlying causes of ADHD. Thus, studies to elucidate the potential contributors to the behavior problems in ADHD may lead to more effective treatment strategies for some children.
Omega-3 fatty acids are specifically implicated in maintaining central nervous system function. Deficiency of n-3 fatty acids in rats and monkeys has been associated with behavioral, sensory, and neurological dysfunction [Yehuda et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA; 90:10345-9; Reisbick et al. (1994) Physiol. Behav. 55:231-9; Enslen et al. (1991) Lipids; 26:203-8]. Several studies have focused on essential fatty acid metabolism in children with ADHD [Colquhoun et al. (1981) Med Hypotheses; 7:673-679]. Children with hyperactivity have been reported to be thirstier than normal children and have symptoms of eczema, asthma, and other allergies [Mitchell et al. (1987) Clin. Pediatr.; 26:406-11]. For example, in a cross-sectional study in 6 to 12-year-old boys recruited from central Indiana, it was showed that 53 subjects with ADHD had significantly lower proportions of key fatty acids in the plasma polar lipids ARA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), and DHA and in red blood cell total lipids (20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6) than did 43 control subjects [Stevens et al. (1995) Am. J. Clin. Nutr.; 62:761-8]. However, recent publications investigating whether DHA supplementation would result in amelioration of the symptoms in ADHD children, suggested that careful attention should be paid as to which fatty acid(s) is used [Hirayama et al. (2004) Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.; 58(3):467-73; Voigt et al. (2001) J Pediatr.; 139(2):189-96]. In these studies DHA supplementation had demonstrated only marginal if any beneficial effects.
Recently, it has been suggested that one of the possible solutions to the nutrient deficiencies which are common in ADHD, could be PS supplementation [Kidd (2000) Altern Med Rev.; 5(5):402-28].
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide lipid preparations enriched with omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, for use mainly as nutraceuticals and as functional food additives. The composition of said preparation is such that it provides the preparation with the property of enhancing the bioavailability of PUFAs. Thus upon its consumption, preferably in the form of nutraceuticals, food additives or pharmaceutical compositions, the organism may, in the most efficient way, enjoy the benefits provided by said preparation, as will be described in detail below.
This and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Glycerophospholipids containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and their use in the treatment and improvement of cognitive functions

Abstract: The disclosed preparations present improved bioactivity, and are useful in the treatment of various cognitive and mental conditions and disorders, as well as for maintenance of normal functions of brain-related systems and processes.


A developer container includes a container body having a front opening, and a developer dispensing outlet near the front opening, a propelling member suspended in the container body and rotated to propel a developer out of the developer dispensing hole, and a rotary cover covered on the front opening of the container body and secured in place upon installation of the developer container in a copier for enabling the container body to be rotated relative to the rotary cover to close/open the developer dispensing outlet, wherein the container body has a sliding groove for guiding rotary motion of the container body relative to the rotary cover, and a rib for engagement with a rib at the rotary cover to stop the container body from rotary motion relative to the rotary cover; the rotary cover has a cover flange for closing the developer dispensing outlet, a guide plate matched with the sliding groove at the front end of the container body, and a rib raised from the guide plate for engagement with the rib in the sliding groove at the front end of the container body.

The present invention relates to a developer container for use with a developer-replenishing device in a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar electrophoto-graphic image forming apparatus.
A developer container for use with a developer replenishing device in for example, a copier is generally comprised of a container body holding a developer, a rotary cover covered on the container body, a propelling member suspended in the container body and extended out of one end of the container body for turning by a driving mechanism in the copier to propel the developer out of a developer dispensing outlet at the container body. The copier for use with this structure of developer container has rotary holder means designed to receive the developer container. When a developer container is installed in the copier, the container body of the developer container is rotated in one direction to open the developer dispensing outlet, enabling the contained developer to be propelled out of the developer dispensing outlet upon an operation of the copier. This rotary holder means has a complicated structure, and is inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, this rotary holder means tends to be damaged during installation of a developer container.

Developer container for use with a developer replenishing device


A controller for controlling a system with continuous and discrete elements of operation accepts measurements of a current state of the system, solves a mixed-integer model predictive control (MI-MPC) problem subject to state constraints on the state of the system to produce control inputs to the system, and submits the control inputs to the system thereby changing the state of the system. To solve the MI-MPC, the controller transforms the state constraints into state-invariant control constraints on the control inputs to the system, such that any combination of values for the control inputs, resulting in a sequence of values for the state variables that satisfy the state constraints, also satisfy the state-invariant control constraints, and solve the MI-MPC problem subject to the state constraints and the state-invariant control constraints.

Optimization based control and estimation techniques, such as model predictive control (MPC), allow a model-based design framework in which the system dynamics and constraints can directly be taken into account. MPC is used in many applications to control dynamical systems of various complexities. Examples of such systems include production lines, car engines, robots, numerically controlled machining, satellites and power generators.
The MPC is based on a real time finite horizon optimization of a model of a system. The MPC has the ability to anticipate future events, and to take appropriate control actions. This is achieved by optimizing the operation of the system over a future finite time-horizon subject to constraints, and only implementing the control over a current time step.
The MPC can predict the change in state variables of the modeled system caused by changes in control variables. The state variables define a state of the system, i.e., a state of a controlled system is a smallest set of state variables in state-space representation of the control system that can represent the entire state of the system at any given time. For example, if a controlled system is an autonomous vehicle, the state variables may include position, velocity and heading of the vehicle. Control variables are inputs to the system designed to change a state of the machine. For example, in a chemical process, the control variables are often pressure, flow, temperature, opening of the valves, and stiffness of dampers. State variables in these processes are other measurements that represent either control objectives or process constraints.
The MPC uses models of the system, the current system measurements, the current dynamic state of the process, and state and control constraints to calculate future changes in the state variables. These changes are calculated to hold the state variables close to target subject to constraints on both control and state variables. The MPC typically sends out only the first change in each control variable to be implemented, and repeats the calculation when the next change is required.
The MPC framework can be further extended to hybrid systems with continuous and discrete elements of operations that involve both continuous and discrete variables in the model, objective and/or constraints that describe the dynamics of the system, performance metric and/or objective of control. Such an extension can provide a powerful technique to model a large range of problems, e.g., including dynamical systems with mode switching or quantized control, problems with logic rules or no-go zone constraints. However, the resulting optimization problems are highly non-convex, and therefore difficult to solve in practice. MPC is designed to operate in continuous space, while discrete variables can assume only a specific set of typically integer values. When using a quadratic objective in combination with linear system dynamics and linear inequality constraints, the resulting optimal control problem (OCP) can be formulated as a mixed-integer quadratic program (MIQP) that needs to be solved in order to implement a mixed-integer model predictive control (MI-MPC) method.
The MPC numerical methods are implemented on various computational apparatus often designed specifically for a given system. Computational apparatus can range from inexpensive fixed-point precision embedded controllers to sophisticated multi-core central processing units (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or dedicated parallel computer clusters. However, the MPC extension to hybrid systems is extra computationally demanding. In addition to performing a moving horizon optimization, a hybrid MPC controller aims to solve such a mixed-integer (MI) program at every sampling time instant. This is a difficult combinatorial task, because mixed-integer programming is NP-hard in general.
In a number of practical applications, there is a need to implement MI-MPC on an embedded control system with limited computational capabilities. An embedded control system is a programmed controlling and operating system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. Examples of properties of typical embedded control systems when compared with general-purpose counterparts are low power consumption, small size, rugged operating ranges, and low per-unit cost. This comes at the price of limited processing resources, which make embedded systems more difficult to program and to interact with.
Due to complexity of MI-MPC controllers, it is challenging to implement such a controller on an embedded control system arranged for real-time control. For example, to the best of our knowledge, it is impractical to implement MI-MPC for complex dynamical systems, such as an autonomous vehicle, on certified embedded control hardware that is typically used by current advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Accordingly, there is a need for tailored optimization and solver implementation for embedded MI-MPC applications running on microprocessors with restricted computational resources and available memory.

Model predictive control of systems with continuous and discrete elements of operations

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


Techniques for automatically monitoring a computer network and notifying an attendant upon detection of problems are described. A system for monitoring the computer network comprises a monitoring server connected to the network and operative to communicate with a plurality of monitored servers belonging to the network and a monitor program hosted on the monitor server and operative to test the performance and correct functioning of selected ones of the monitored servers and the presence or absence of problems related to applications running on the monitored servers.

The present invention relates generally to improved techniques for monitoring computer systems. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for automatically examining selected computer system components and applications and notifying an attendant if a server or application fails to return satisfactory responses.
Computer systems are widely used and benefit innumerable organizations of all types and sizes. In many cases, a computer system includes a large number of relatively widely distributed components and applications to provide services to users. A frequently encountered example of a large computer system is a computer network, which may include many servers running a number of different applications. These applications may run on different servers, and, particularly in large organizations, the servers may be spread over a large geographic area.
Design of a network such that applications are distributed over a number of servers prevents any one server from being overwhelmed and unable to serve users in a timely manner. However, increasing the number of servers in a network naturally increases the number of locations where problems may arise. In order to insure the smooth functioning of a network, it is important to monitor the status of critical applications running on the network, and to alert a network administrator or other responsible person in order to solve problems which are detected. Increasing the number of applications being executed by a network and the number of servers executing those applications also increases the scope of the task of monitoring the applications and servers. Many applications produce status logs which can be examined in order to detect problems, but prior art systems typically require that these status logs be examined by a human operator in order to detect problems. Such examination by a human operator occupies the time of that operator and, moreover, frequently reveals that the application producing the log is functioning normally.
A typical network administrator is frequently very busy solving problems with the computer network. It would be highly beneficial and a great saving of the time of the network administrator and his or her assistants if network problems could be automatically detected and a human operator notified upon detection of a problem.

Methods and apparatus for detecting and providing notification of computer system problems


A clock driver circuit (100) comprises an input (102) for a reference clock signal. A filter (106) is connected to the input to receive the reference signal and output a filtered signal. A complementary FET driver circuit (108) having a cross-over threshold is coupled to the filter to receive the filtered signal and output a conditioned clock signal.

Power conservation is important in battery powered devices such as pagers, computers, personal digital assistants, radiotelephones, cellular radiotelephones, and the like. These devices typically include a clock driver circuit. Power dissipation is of particular concern for the clock circuit because it is always active, even in standby mode.
It is known to use a standard CMOS output stage as a clock driver because of the favorable current characteristics. The current dissipation due to the load is: EQU Vcc*CL*F=2.75*10 pF*13 MHz=358 uA (Equation 1)
where Vcc is the supply voltage; CL is the load capacitance; and F is the frequency of the clock signal. However, the output waveform is almost a square-wave and it can produce significant harmonics at critical frequencies.
Harmonic distortion is a problem in communication devices if the reference clock has harmonic frequency components that exactly equal certain receive channel frequencies. This situation creates the potential for the reference clock to produce noise signals that are communicated via radiation and circuit board parasitics and interfere with the desired signal being received. The typical strategy for minimizing the harmonic distortion is to filter the output of the clock driver, making the output waveform closer to a sine wave than a square wave. With conventional circuits, this requires an off-chip filter, physically close to the driver. However this solution is expensive and the addition of a filter increases power dissipation.
The duty cycle of the clock signal is also an important consideration. The output voltage duty cycle is preferably no worse than 45-55%. This is particularly important where the clock signal drives a circuit using both clock edges, such as a digital speech processor integrated circuit (IC). If the duty cycle is worse than 45-55%, the communication device employing the clock signal may fail to operate.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a clock driver having improved current characteristics while maintaining the duty cycle and reducing harmonics.


A system for analyzing particles in an air stream includes a first heater element configured to deflect particles in an interior region of the air stream towards a peripheral wall of an air channel encompassing the air stream, a second heater element controllable to deflect the particles in a first lateral direction along the peripheral wall, and a third heater element controllable to deflect the particles in a second lateral direction along the peripheral wall. Thermal gradients in the air channel generated by the heater elements may thermophoretically force particles towards the peripheral wall in a direction perpendicular to the air stream to allow thermophoretic forcing and scanning of particles in either the first lateral direction or the second lateral direction along the peripheral wall and onto a surface of a particle detector. Systems and methods for scanning particles with thermophoretic forces are disclosed.

The presence of airborne and other gas-borne particulate matter (PM), alternatively referred to as aerosol particles, can contribute to poor air quality and potentially adverse health effects. These particles can penetrate into human and animal lungs, contributing to lung disease, heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Such particles may be produced by many sources, including industrial and agricultural processes, fossil-fuel combustion in power plants and vehicles, fires, smoking, and other natural and manmade causes.
Airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (often termed PM2.5) tend to be particularly problematic. These finer sized particulates can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can penetrate deep into the lung alveoli. Airborne particles under 0.1 microns in diameter can pass through the lungs and enter the body, causing damage to other organs. Particles of intermediate sizes, such as between 2.5 and 10 microns (often termed PM10), although not as potentially toxic as the smaller PM2.5 particles, are also medically problematic because these can also penetrate into at least the outer portions of the lungs. In contrast, the larger sized particles, such as particles over 10 microns in diameter, tend to be less problematic from a health perspective. This is because such larger particles do not penetrate as deeply into the lungs and tend to settle out of the air relatively quickly. The impact of nanoparticles in the range of 0.01 microns to 0.1 microns is relatively unknown and is an active area of study, although significant adverse health impacts are suspected.
Monitoring and controlling airborne particulate matter is of intense interest due to potentially adverse health and environmental effects. Various health, legal, government, scientific, industrial and commercial entities have considerable interest in methods of monitoring airborne and other gas-borne particulate matter. Methods that can further distinguish between various sizes of particulate material are particularly valued. Current systems for monitoring particulate matter tend to be relatively bulky, complex and expensive, which generally render them unsuitable for mass-market use.
Compact aerosol mass detection systems may use resonant sensors for determining the mass of particulate matter deposited on the surfaces of the sensors. Extended use of resonant sensors can result in reliability and lifetime concerns as particles aggregate on the resonant sensor surfaces, an undesirable situation for devices targeting mass markets for air quality sensors.

Airborne particle detection system with thermophoretic scanning


A flashing bender system for bending flashing at a selectable range of angles. The flashing bender system includes a first bending tool and a second bending tool. The first bending tool is arranged to bend flashing to an angle of about 90° and the second bending tool is arranged to bend flashing at a selectable range of pitches. The flashing bender system may include either or both of the first bending tool and the second bending tool. The flashing bender system allows a user to bend flashing of a range of sizes at a range of angles over an unlimited length. Each of the bending tools includes a plurality of starter slots and angling channels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for converting flat items into angled items. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for bending flat metallic pieces into angled pieces. The present invention relates to flashing bender devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Those involved in construction regularly deal with interfaces between adjacent structures. Those adjacent structures may be fabricated of the same or dissimilar materials. Particularly for external surfaces, those interfaces must be sealed to protect against environmental conditions. Examples of such interfaces include, but are not limited to, chimney-to-roofing interfaces and roofing-to-fascia interfaces, to name just two examples. Of course, there are many other structural interfaces that must be enclosed in some manner.
A common mechanism for sealing structural interfaces of the type described is to apply flashing over the interface. The flashing is arranged to extend partially over each of the adjacent structures and may be centered on the interface itself. The flashing not only seals the interface, it also acts to reinforce the interface. Generally stated, flashing is a thin impervious material placed in construction (e.g., in mortar joints and through air spaces in masonry) to prevent water penetration and/or to provide water drainage, such as between a roof and wall, between a roof and a chimney, and over exterior door openings and windows. The material is capable of being bent and retaining the general shape of the bend created.
By its function, flashing must be angled to fit over an interface. The required flashing angle can vary as a function of the particular application and interface configuration. The required length of the two legs of the angled flashing can also vary as a function of the particular application and interface configuration. For these reasons, it is often unreasonable to purchase flashing pre-fabricated for all conditions. As a result, flat sheets of flashing material are obtained for a project. The flashing sheets are ordinarily formed into selectable angles on site. It is the process of converting the flat sheets into angled flashing that can be a time consuming task. Further, the created angles may be off enough to require further modification of the formed sheet as it is applied to the interface. The difficulties associated with flashing manipulation can increase the cost of the project. It is a desirable goal in construction to form flashing more efficiently.
A number of tools have been created to assist in the shaping (generally referred to as bending) of flat flashing pieces into angled flashing. These benders may also be referred to as brakes. One type of bender is an automated or machine-assisted bender. The automated bender is expensive, subject to maintenance requirements and setup delays. Moreover, some automated flashing benders or brakes may be limited as to the length of flashing that they can bend. Some manual tools are available, but they fail to address the need to bend at an array of angles for an array of flashing sizes, including 8″, 6″, 4.5″ and 5″×7″ roofing flashing (also referred to as step flashing). They too may have limitations on the length of flashing that can be angled.
Each of the prior flashing benders described has a limitation. They are either too expensive, too time consuming to operate, difficult for a single person to operate or insufficient to bend flashing of all desired angles and all desired flashing sizes. Therefore, what is needed is a flashing bender that is easy for a single person to use. Further, what is needed is a cost effective bender. Also, what is needed is a flashing bender that is adaptable for use to bend flashing to a plurality of selectable angles for a range of flashing sizes and lengths.


The present invention discloses a microbial fuel cell stack, which comprises a plurality of microbial fuel cells and is characterized in that the microbial fuel cell includes a perforated frame, a cathode and an anode, and that the cathode wraps the perforated frame to form an anode chamber, and that the anode is arranged inside the anode chamber. Wires are respectively extended from the cathode and the anode. The microbial fuel cells are connected head to tail sequentially via pipes, and thus the anode chambers thereof interconnect each other. The first microbial fuel cell of the cell stack has a feeding port, and the last one has a discharging port.

MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) converts chemical energy of organic compounds into electric energy and thus has the functions of power generation and waste treatment simultaneously. Many types of waste can be used as the fuel of MFC, including domestic wastewater, high-density organic wastewater, and human/animal excrement. Therefore, MFC can generate electric energy and effectively dispose organic waste.
Below is the principle of MFC: Organic materials are oxidized by microbes in an anaerobic anode chamber; the microbes capture electrons and transfer electrons to the anode; electrons flow through the external circuit and reach the cathode; protons pass through the exchange membrane to reach the cathode and react with oxygen there to form water; thus is formed a loop for current. China application No. 200710144804.9 and No. 200710144550.0 respectively disclosed microbial fuel cells both involving the design of electrodes and wires and the selection of catalysts. A China application No. 200610104081.5 disclosed a microbial cell device involving a filmed cathode consisting of a plate cathode and a membrane stuck with each other. However, a single microbial fuel cell is hard to output the required voltage and current at present. The required voltage and current must be achieved via assembling MFCs in series or in parallel to form an MFC stack. A China application No. 200610144991.6 disclosed a stackable air-cathode single-chamber MFC. However, the prior-art patent adopts an expensive proton-exchange membrane. Although the single-chamber MFCs are stackable, the fuel/wastewater is fed into/drained out from each cell of the cell stack separately. Therefore, the stackable air-cathode single-chamber MFC is hard to prevail.
The conventional MFC has the following disadvantages:    1. The conventional MFCs originated from PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) and adopt an expensive proton exchange membrane as the separator. The output power of the conventional MFC is lower than that of PEMFC by two or three orders of magnitude. The proton exchange membrane-based MFC is impractical and short of utility.    2. Oxygen needs continuously supplying to the cathode for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen supply process consumes more energy than the energy generated. Therefore, the conventional MFC is unable to sustain the operation by itself. In 2005, an US environmental engineering specialist Logan proposed the first air-cathode single-chamber MFC, wherein the cathode chamber is omitted, and oxygen is supplied by passive aeration, whereby is possibly achieved a positive net energy output. Although a single cell of this type can work, the cells of this type are hard to stack for amplifying output.    3. The structure and operation of the conventional MFCs are unfavorable for amplifying output.

GUANGDONG INSTITUTE OF ECO-ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOIL SCIENCES


A compact design for a push-pull latching system for a rectangular plug includes at least one locking and releasing element (11) which is held against a broad side of a plug housing in such a way that the locking and releasing element can be moved parallel to the broad side of the plug housing (1). The locking and releasing element (11) can be formed integrally with the plug housing (1) from an elastic plastic and can have a plurality of locking arms (111) having locking hooks (113). The movement necessary for releasing is then inversely proportional to the number of locking arms (111); the elasticity is also determined by the shape of the locking arms, in particular the width of the locking arms.

So-called "push-pull" plug connectors are well known in the prior art to the person skilled in the art. The operating concept of such plug connectors usually involves pulling a sleeve of the plug connector away from the mating plug in order to release the plug connector with the result that both the operation of the releasing apparatus and also the separation of the plug connector from the mating plug are performed in a single movement direction and thus with a single hand movement. The mating plug usually comprises a mounting housing and may be attached for example to a housing wall with the result that this procedure is generally performed with only one hand.
Document EP 1 841 016 B1 discloses a metal plug connector for use in a harsh and moist industrial environment. Said metal plug connector has a square-shaped plug connector housing, for example a zinc injection molded plug connector housing, which on one hand is encompassed by a corresponding releasing sleeve and in which on the other hand a plug insert is fixed. The plug connector housing is provided with a releasing sleeve and has a locking device that during the plug-in procedure forms a locking arrangement with a mating plug. As the releasing sleeve is pulled back, locking hooks of the locking device that are provided for the locking arrangement are pried "outwards" out of the latching recesses on the mating plug.
It is a disadvantage of this prior art that such mechanics increase considerably the construction size of the plug connector housing of a plug connector with the result that as a result of this mechanism known push-pull plug connectors have a cross-section that is too large for many applications.
During the course of the priority application relating to the current application, the German Patent and Trademark Office has researched the following prior art: DE 10 2013 222 411 A1 and DE 197 14 459 A1.


A distinct new cultivar of Anthurium named `Miss Mini Purple`, characterized by its bright lilac-purple spathes held well above the foliage. The foliage mass is compact and symmetrical, with leathery dark green leaves with a soft sheen, sunken veins and midrib.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium, botanically known as an interspecific hybrid and referred to by the cultivar name `Miss Mini Purple`.
The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program carried out by the inventor in Waimanalo, Hi. The cross was between an unnamed plant of Anthurium amnicola origin and an unnamed plant of Anthurium antioquiense origin. For the specific reference, see Kamemoto, Breeding Anthuriums in Hawaii, University of Hawaii Press 1996, pp. 9-10.
The new cultivar was discovered from the progeny of the stated cross and was originally designated L128D during testing, but was subsequently named `Miss Mini Purple`. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by divisions in Waimanalo, Hi. have shown that the cultivar's unique characteristics remain stable from generation to generation.
The following observations were made under normal shade house conditions for Anthuriums grown in Waimanalo, Hi. The daytime temperature ranged from 22.degree. C.-33.degree. C. The nighttime temperatures ranged from 16.degree. C.-26.degree. C.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristics which in combination distinguish the new cultivar from other cultivars known to the inventor, particularly plants of Anthurium amnicola, to which comparative references are made.
1. The instant cultivar produces an abundance of intense lilac-purple spathes, with dark maroon spadices. Once open, the spathes fade from purple to lavender over an 8-10 week period. By comparison, the spathes of plants of A. amnicola begin as lavender and fade to a dull white and last about half as long as that of `Miss Mini Purple`.
2. Once opened, spathes remain upright throughout their life, while those of A. amnicola reflex in a week or two.
3. The spathes are held well above the leaf canopy.
4. The instant cultivar remains compact, symmetrical, and free branching. By comparison, plants of A. amnicola branch inconsistently, drop lower leaves and becomes uneven in growth habit, and are less than half the size of the instant cultivar when mature.
5. The leaves are long lasting, durable, and dark green with a soft reflective sheen. Plants of A. amnicola have leaves that are medium green, narrower and have a tendency to die back.
6. Venation on the leaf upper side is sunken and in a pattern that traces a leaf within a leaf. On the underside the veins are raised.
7. `Miss Mini Purple` exhibits strong reistance to disease and pests.
8. The spathes give off a mild camphor-eucalyptus scent while receptive, which is sweeter than that given off by plants of A. amnicola.
`Miss Mini Purple` differs from plants of A. antioquiense by having larger ovate lilac-purple spathes and ovate foliage.

Anthurium plant named `Miss Mini Purple`


A grating and a display device. The grating (200) comprises periodical cycle arrangements. The first period of the grating is taken as the minimum cycle period and includes two rows of grating structures having same grating pitch and same grating slit width. In the first period, the second row of grating structures are shift to the right or left the distance “c” compared with the first row of grating structures, and the calculation method of “c” is: c=b, in which “b” refers to the width of a sub-pixel in a display panel. The first row of grating structures of the ith period are shift to the right or left the distance “d” compared with the first row of grating structures of the first period, and the calculation method of “d” is: d=2(i−1)b, in which i is an integer and i≧2. The grating and the display device can effectively reduce the Moire phenomenon.

A parallax barrier 3D display device comprises a display panel (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel) and a parallax bather disposed in front of the display panel or disposed in parallel between the LCD panel and a backlight. The 3D display device alternately displays a left-eye image and a right-eye image on the basis of pixel columns of the display panel in display, and allows a left eye and a right eye to respectively view the left-eye image and the right-eye image displayed in pixels of the display panel by means of the shielding function of the grating sheets of the parallax barrier. More specifically, one frame of 3D image includes two images which are respectively the left-eye image and the right-eye image. When a glasses-free 3D display device displays the 3D image, generally, one part of pixels are adopted to display the left-eye image and the other part of pixels are adopted to display the right-eye image. The left-eye image and the right-eye image are respectively projected to the visible ranges of the left eye and the right eye. The left eye and the right eye of the viewer respectively view the left-eye image and the right-eye image, and hence a 3D display image is produced in the brain of the viewer.
The parallax barrier of the glasses-free parallax barrier 3D display device mainly adopts a slit grating, e.g., a slit grating structure as shown in FIG. 1. As the black matrix (BM) of the display panel and the grating array of the slit grating have different grating pitches, interference will occur when light emitted by each sub-pixel of the display device passes through the black matrix and the grating array, and hence alternately dark and bright stripes as shown in FIG. 1, namely Moire fringes, will be produced. In this situation, the viewer will view severe Moire phenomenon, and hence the 3D display effect can be disadvantageously affected.


An apparatus that includes a serial interconnect is provided, wherein the serial interconnect includes test logic to send a number of reporting messages, wherein each reporting message is associated with a link sub-segment in a link in the serial interconnect, and each reporting message comprises a status region for the associated link sub-segment to report transmission errors. The test logic also includes analysis logic to record errors in the link sub-segment.

As computing systems are advancing, the components therein are becoming more complex. As a result, the interconnect architecture to couple and communicate between the components is also increasing in complexity to ensure bandwidth requirements are met for optimal component operation. Furthermore, different market segments need different interconnect architectures to suit the market's needs. For example, servers require higher performance, while the mobile ecosystem is sometimes able to sacrifice overall performance for power savings.
High speed serial interconnect links are used for in system communications between processors, disks, external interfaces, and numerous other units. These links may need to be coherent, e.g., ensuring identical memory contents in different locations. The serial interconnect links can include links between processor cores on a single die, for example, an intra-device interconnect (IDI). This provides a high-speed, low latency connection, but is not generally suitable for longer connection lengths.
Communications between chips that may be located on a single board or backplane may use a more suitable interconnection, such as the quick-path interconnect (QPI) from Intel®, the ultra-path interconnect (HPI) from Intel®, or similar protocols. These interconnections may be more complex than IDI, but provide fast communications between proximate devices. The proximate location of the devices for the IDI and QPI allow a shared clock signal, which can lower complexity and latency, and allow hardware synchronization, for example, through a drift buffer.
Longer distance communications, for example, across multiple boards or even cables between device cabinets, may use the peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) protocol, which provides stable communications, and allows the use of extension devices. This communications protocol does not use a shared clock signal, but uses a software communications protocol to compensate for the timing differences that may be present. This allows synchronization of data through a software controlled buffer termed an elastic buffer. Further, the PCIe standard uses an error encoding technique that allows the recognition and correction of errors, such as 8b/10b or 128b/130b. These encoding techniques increase the accuracy of the transmission, but increase latency and decrease total throughput.
In high-speed serial links, an important aspect of ensuring link functionality is the ability to test the link. One of the ways this is traditionally done is with Loopback testing. One of the devices acts as the Loopback master while another device acts as the slave. The Loopback master sends a pattern that the slave sends back to the master. The master then checks the received pattern against the transmitted pattern and any variation indicates an error in communications.


A new Screw & Driver System for providing a way for releasably securing a driver to the head of a screw such that the driver cannot be lifted straight up and out of the screw. The inventive device includes a screw and a driver therefore. The screw has a head with an hourglass-shaped driver receiving cavity. The hourglass-shaped driver receiving cavity includes a middle section and a pair of opposed wedge-shaped sections extending from the middle section. The pair of opposed wedge-shaped sections have undercut sidewalls. The driver includes a tool element having an hourglass-shaped end wherein the hourglass-shaped end of the tool element has shoulder surfaces which cooperably engage and lockingly mate with the undercut sidewalls of the pair of opposed wedge-shaped sections when the driver and the screw are in working engagement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to screws and screwdrivers and more particularly pertains to a new Screw & Driver System for providing a means of "locking" the driver to the head of the screw so that the driver cannot be lifted straight up and out.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of screws and screwdrivers is known in the prior art. More specifically, screws and screwdrivers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art screws and screwdrivers include U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,321; U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,071; U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,173; U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,209; U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,368; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,548.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Screw & Driver System. The inventive device includes a screw and a driver therefore.
In these respects, the Screw & Driver System according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a means of "locking" the driver to the head of the screw so that the driver cannot be lifted straight up and out.


An image forming apparatus supervisory system includes a central supervisory apparatus that remotely supervises a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed in a plurality of user sides. A plurality of communications adapters are provided to connect to the central supervisory apparatus by a communication line. A plurality of interfaces are provided to connect each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses with each of the plurality of communications adapters. A firmware download device is provided in the central supervisory apparatus to remotely download prescribed updated firmware to an applicable one or more image forming apparatuses in accordance with updated hardware thereof. A hardware update device is provided to update the hardware.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for supervising a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, duplicators, facsimile apparatuses, etc., by using a central supervisory apparatus having a computer connected to image forming apparatuses via a communications line, a plurality of communications adopters, and wireless or wired private use interfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a central supervising apparatus capable of remotely downloading firmware to an applicable image forming apparatus based upon updated hardware.
2. Discussion of the Background
In a background image forming apparatus supervisory system, it is well known that a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, duplicators, facsimile apparatuses, etc., installed in a plurality of user destinations are connected to a central supervisory apparatus (i.e., central system) disposed in a service center. In addition, it is also well known that the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the central supervisory apparatus via a plurality of wireless or wired private use interfaces, a plurality of communications adopters remotely located at the user destinations, and a public communications line, or another line such as a dedicated communications line.
In another type of background image forming apparatus supervisory system, the central system monitors a firmware version of the image forming apparatus of the user destination so as to provide a user with suitable firmware when a prescribed specification is uniquely designed or designed around. In addition, the central system supervises an applicable image forming apparatus whose firmware is to be updated (i.e., version up) by downloading update firmware.
The above-described firmware may generally include a variety of image forming apparatus programs for controlling a variety of image forming apparatuses such as a standard construction image forming apparatus, and an optional construction image forming apparatus having an auto original document feeder, a sorter, a finisher, etc.
The central system generally stores, in its image forming apparatus supervisory database (DB), model/machine number information, firmware information such as a version of the firmware, optional construction data related to a plurality of remotely supervised image forming apparatuses, etc. However, the central system does not supervise information related to hardware such as a version of hardware (e.g. a control baseboard, a unit, a ROM, etc.). As a result, when a service person or service engineer (CE) exchanges prescribed hardware of an image forming apparatus and whose firmware is to be updated, but does not report the effect to an operator of the central system, supervisory information stored in the image forming apparatus supervisory DB does not conform to the information related to the prescribed hardware.
In addition, when updated firmware is later downloaded into the prescribed image forming apparatus for any reason (e.g. an application design is changed), the updated firmware will not conform to the currently mounted hardware, thereby causing a problem. To prevent such a problem, the CE generally calls on a user destination and researches a version of an applicable hardware before updating the firmware, thereby resulting in wasted time and labor. In addition, it is required for the center operator to perform remarkable labor, such as inputting of a search result by hand, when reporting to the central system. In addition, such an input could erroneously be performed.

System and method for supervising image forming apparatuses by remotely downloading firmware based on updated hardware


The feed dispenser unit is designed for attachment to a vertical rotating shaft of a control unit of an animal feeder and has a base plate, a plurality of upright walls, and a shaft attachment member. The base plate is for receiving and holding feed that has been released from the animal feeder. The feed is further supported inside the unit with a plurality of upright walls. The upright walls are hingedly disposed around the periphery of the base plate, creating a substantially enclosed unit with only top access for feed from the animal feeder storage unit of hopper. The shaft attachment member is disposed below the base plate for attaching the base plate to the rotating shaft of the control unit. When the rotating shaft rotates, the base plate spins, forcing the upright walls into a substantially horizontal position due to centrifugal force, allowing the feed to be dispensed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to animal and wildlife feeders, and more specifically to a spinning feed dispenser unit for use with animal and wildlife feeders.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the current art of animal and wildlife feeders, it is typical for the feeder to have a motorized control unit that intermittently rotates a vertically oriented shaft to which is attached a spinner plate. The spinner plate is positioned beneath a feed storage unit, the storage unit allowing feed to discharge through a tube directed onto the spinner plate. The spinner plate is typically rotated for about 8 seconds, twice a day, leaving the spinner plate stationary for long periods of time with a full load of feed from the feed storage unit. When the control unit shaft rotates the spinner plate the feed is thrown from the plate, in response to the centrifugal forces generated by the rapid spinning of the spinner plate.
Thieving birds and small animals have plagued feeder operators for years. For example, spinner plates leave substantial amounts of feed exposed to such animals, either near the discharge tube, on the top of the spinner plate, generally, or at the spinner plate discharge openings, where the openings allow birds to insert their heads into the opening to gain access to the feed.
Many existing spinner plates are highly subject to wind dislodging feed from the spinner plate while the spinner plate is stationary. Feed dislodged in this manner lands beneath, or much too close to the feeder, resulting in substantial loss of feed, to the point that the feed storage unit can be emptied by the continued discharge of feed onto a spinner plate cleared by the wind. Feeders are often left unattended for extended periods of time, and this problem can cause a feeder to be emptied and useless for long periods of time.
There is a need for a spinning feeder plate that protects the stored feed from being accessed by birds and other small animals, yet is capable of dispensing the feed in an efficient manner. It is desirable that the unit has sidewalls that protect the feed while the unit is stationary and are forced open by centrifugal forces while the unit is in motion, scattering the feed in the desired manner. Thus a feed dispenser unit solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


The power storage device comprises a plural cell, an exhaust passage and a sealing plate. The plural cells is aligned in a first direction, each of the cells includes a gas discharging valve for discharging a gas generated in the cell, each of the gas discharging valves is provided on a first side in a second direction of the cell, and the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The exhaust passage is configured to discharge the gas discharged from each of the gas discharging valves, extends in the first direction, and has an opening at a first end in the first direction. The sealing plate is provided at a second end of the exhaust passage in the first direction, includes plural recesses on a surface on the exhaust passage side of the sealing plate, and made of a resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power storage device.
2. Description of Related Art
A power storage device has conventionally been known that has: plural power storage elements, each of which includes a valve for discharging a gas generated therein and that are aligned in a specified direction; a pair of end plates that holds the plural power storage elements therebetween in the specified direction; plural joining members that extend in the specified direction and are fixed to the pair of end plates; and a case for housing the plural power storage elements, and in which the plural joining members are disposed along outer surfaces of the plural power storage elements, each of which is provided with the valve, contact an inner wall surface of the case, and, together with the case, form a moving space (exhaust passage) for the gas discharged from the valve (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-109126 (JP 2012-109126 A), for example).
One end of the exhaust passage is connected to an exhaust duct on the outside of the power storage device. Meanwhile, another end of the exhaust passage should effectively be sealed by a certain member. In this case, if a sealing plate that is made of a resin is used to seal the other end, the resinous sealing plate may be melted under the influence of the heat of such a gas at an extremely high temperature. The temperature of the gas immediately after being discharged from the valve is typically at least twice as high as a heat resistant temperature of a general resin material. In order to handle the above problem, it can be considered to form such a sealing plate by a heat resistant resin. However, this produces a problem of cost increase.


An exercise aid which includes an inflatable body which has an outer surface, and at least one inflatable component on at least part of the outer surface.

This invention relates to an exercise aid which can be utilised in diverse ways by a person who is exercising e.g. to assist with stretching and body toning exercises, to provide a support on which exercises are done or while a user is weight training, and so on. The scope of the invention is not limited in any way by the manner in which the exercise aid is used.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An ultrasonic jointing method is provided for performing an ultrasonic joint of a conductor part which is exposed by removing a coating of an electric wire with respect to a terminal. The ultrasonic jointing method includes: holding the conductor part of the electric wire and the terminal between an anvil and a horn in which a concave part is formed; and applying an ultrasonic vibration to the conductor part of the electric wire and the terminal that are held between the anvil and the horn. The conductor part is received in the concave part which has a space area of 0.89 to 1.46 times as large as a cross-sectional area of the conductor part of the electric wire.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic jointing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ultrasonic jointing method for jointing an electric wire with a terminal is known in which a conductor part of the electric wire and the terminal are held between a horn and an anvil, and the oxidation film and stains on the surface of the conductor part of the electric wire are removed by being applied ultrasonic vibration.
It is known that in the above ultrasonic jointing method, in order to prevent the jointing strength from decreasing due to the decrease of the cross-sectional area of the conductor part in the jointing region of the conductor part and the terminal, the ultrasonic jointing can be performed after pressing on the conductor part beforehand (referring to JP-A-2006-172927). Besides, it is known that in the above ultrasonic jointing method, in order to prevent that the pressing force of the central part of the horn becomes large and the pressing force of both side parts becomes small when the ultrasonic jointing is being performed, the pressing forces can be equalized by providing protrusions at the both side parts of the horn (referring to JP-A-2005-319497).


An image formation device at which a pair of first side plates and a pair of second side plates are provided. Process cartridges are installed between the first side plates. Other apparatus to be disposed in a main body of the device is installed between the second side plates, which are disposed with a narrower spacing therebetween than the first side plates. In addition, electrical components are disposed at outer sides of the second side plates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image formation device for forming an image on a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image formation device for forming an image on a recording medium has been disclosed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2002-185154) in which an electrical unit is vertically arranged at an outer side of a side plate of a casing frame, in addition to which an outer side of the electrical unit is covered by a casing.
However, when an electrical unit is disposed at an outer side of a side plate of a casing frame, overall width of the device becomes larger by an amount corresponding to a width of the electrical unit, which impedes efforts to reduce size of the device.
Meanwhile, for a multi-color image formation device that is provided with process cartridges arranged in tandem and a transfer belt arranged in a lateral direction relative to the process cartridges, a structure has been disclosed (for example, JP-A No. 2003-208024) in which an exposure unit and the process cartridges are installed between a pair of side plates.
However, at an image formation device as described in JP-A No. 2003-208024, if electrical components such as a driving motor, a circuit board and the like are disposed at inner sides of the side plates, it becomes less possible to assure sufficient space for the exposure unit, the process cartridges and the like. Further, if electrical components such as the driving motor, the circuit board and the like are disposed at an outer side of the side plates, width of the device as a whole becomes larger, which impedes efforts to reduce size of the device.


A body structure is manipulated by first introducing a bulking material, such as a length of material, into an interior of the body structure in either open or laparoscopic surgical procedures. After the bulking material is introduced, an exterior region of the body structure may be manipulated while the material remains within the interior of the body structure. Typically, manipulation comprises resection of the body structure from surrounding tissue. The resected body structure may then be removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to medical methods and devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and systems for stabilizing hollow body structures during manipulation such as resection.
The removal of hollow body structures can be difficult because of their delicate structure. The difficulty can be exacerbated when the hollow body structure is filled with fluids and/or is firmly attached to surrounding tissues. The removal of fluid-filled cysts, especially those on the kidneys, spine, ovaries, liver, and the gastro-intestinal tract, can be particularly difficult since accidental loss of the fluid presents a number of problems. In addition to releasing potentially toxic and carcinogenic materials, loss of the cyst fluid causes the cyst to lose its shape and inhibits visualization. The remaining loose "sack" structure can be very difficult to remove, particularly in laparoscopic procedures where access is limited. Finally, loss of fluid from the cyst can make subsequent examination of the fluid difficult since it will have become contaminated with other tissues and fluids in the body.
For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved methods, systems, and apparatus for manipulating cysts and other hollow body structures in both minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. It would be particularly desirable if the body structures could be stabilized in order to both reduce the risk of accidental loss of internal fluids and stabilize the exterior of the body structure to facilitate resection and subsequent removal. For laparoscopic and other minimally invasive procedures, it would be further desirable to be able to dissect the body structure into smaller pieces to facilitate removal through a cannula or other access tube. At least some of these objectives will be met by the inventions described herein below.
2. Description of the Background Art
Apparatus and methods for accessing and/or injecting materials into various hollow and other body structures are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,222,380; 4,958,621; 5,263,927; 5,704,925; 5,908,429; 5,931,810; 6,123,665; 6,312,421; 6,663,594; 6,685,628; 6,706,000; and published application US2003/0105488.

Methods and apparatus for hollow body structure resection


The present invention relates to a received speech signal processing apparatus suitable for use in a mobile communication terminal such as a portable telephone. The received speech signal processing apparatus (5) is arranged to include a frequency band partitioning unit (8) for partitioning a received speech signal into a plurality of frequency bands in the frequency domain and a received speech signal compressing unit (9) for effecting a compression processing on respective speech signal components involved in respective frequency bands at a ratio differing depending on the respective received speech signal which is partitioned into a plurality of frequency bands. Since the compression processing is effected on the received speech signal at the compression ratio suitable for each frequency band, an articulate speech can be reproduced from the received speech signal.

Recently, mobile communication terminals such as portable telephones have widely spread. Such a mobile communication terminal is often utilized outdoor and hence it frequently suffers from surrounding noise such as traffic noise (noise generated around a person utilizing the mobile communication terminal). Therefore, if such noise becomes so serious, then it becomes often difficult for the user to hear the received speech. The reason why such phenomenon is brought about is, the surrounding noise effects a masking effect, which makes it difficult for the user to hear the received speech when the speech volume becomes lowered, with the result that the articulation is lowered.
As for the surrounding noise mixed into the speech signal transmitted from the transmission side, a mobile communication terminal on the transmission side is equipped with a noise canceller. Therefore, improvement can be expected in the countermeasure against the noise generated around the terminal of the transmission side.
However, it is impossible for the communication system to control the noise generated around the terminal of the receiver side. Therefore, the user of the mobile communication terminal who is talking in a surrounding noise environment will suffer from a hard situation in hearing the opponent's speech.
For this reason, as a countermeasure against the noise generated around the terminal of the receiver side, the user on the receiving side adjust the volume at which the user hears the received speech. Alternatively, the mobile communication terminal may be arranged to detect the surrounding noise level automatically so as to adjust the volume of the received speech in response to the detected surrounding noise level.
FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a speech signal transmitting receiving apparatus of a portable telephone apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open gazette No. HEI 9-130453. In an apparatus 42 shown in FIG. 20, a speech picked up by a transmitting microphone 36 converts the speech into an electric signal to create an input signal, and this input signal is formed into digital data by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 35. The digital data is supplied to a speech signal encoding unit 33 and transmitted from an antenna 30 through a baseband signal processing unit 32 and an RF transmitting receiving unit 31 as a radio signal.
Also, the output of the analog-to-digital converter 35 is supplied to a surrounding noise level detecting circuit 34. The surrounding noise detecting circuit 34 detects a surrounding noise level contained in a signal outputted from the analog-to-digital converter 35. Further, a received speech signal controlling circuit 37 adjusts a speed of increase and decrease of received speech volume in response to the increase and decrease of the surrounding noise level detected by the surrounding noise detecting circuit 34.
On the other hand, a radio signal received by the antenna 30 is supplied to a speech signal decoder 38 through the RF transmitting receiving unit 31 and the baseband signal processing unit 32. The speech signal having undergone decoding processing in the speech signal decoder 38 is converted into analog data by a digital-to-analog converter 39 and the resultant data is supplied to a variable gain amplifier 40. The variable gain amplifier 40 amplifies the volume of analog data in accordance with the speed of increase and decrease of the received speech volume adjusted by the received speech signal controlling circuit 37. Thus, a speech as a sound emanates from a speaker 42.
As described above, the speed of increase and decrease of the received speech volume is adjusted. Therefore, even if the surrounding noise level abruptly changes from a high level to a low level, the user can be protected from being brought into a state in which an ear of the user is temporarily made insensible in hearing the speech due to the surrounding noise level which has been kept so far. That is, the hearing environment of the user on the receiving side can be protected from being deteriorated. In this case, it is necessary for the communication terminal to be equipped with a circuit which discriminates a speech signal from the surrounding noise upon detecting the surrounding noise level, a circuit for detecting the surrounding noise level, or a circuit for adjusting the speed of increase and decrease of the received speech volume in response to the surrounding noise level, with the result that the size of the circuit could be enlarged.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Laid-open gazette No. HEI 8-163227 discloses a technology. That is, the surrounding noise level is detected when a talker on the transmitting side keeps quiet, whereby the level of the pure surrounding noise without the speech of the talker is detected and the received speech volume can be adjusted properly based on the detected noise level. In this case, of the signals picked up by the microphone, a signal falling in a speech band and a predetermined threshold value are compared with each other to determine whether the talker on the transmitting side is talking or listening to the opponent's talk. Therefore, it is necessary for the communication terminal to be provided with a circuit for recognition, with the result that the size of the circuit could be also enlarged.
Further, according to the above-described method in which the volume is adjusted in response to the surrounding noise level, in general, it is a complicated task to design a circuit concerning the detection or amplification of the surrounding noise level. Also, software development for the circuit is a hard task. Thus, the size of the circuit or software will be enlarged.
Furthermore, according to the above-described method, the volume of speech is uniformly amplified over the whole frequency bands, and hence the amplification can become excessive in a part of the frequency band. As a result, the speech can be distorted or the speech cannot provide a satisfactory articulation in other part of the frequency bands.
The present invention is made in view of the above aspect. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a received speech signal processing apparatus or a received speech signal reproducing apparatus in which the volume adjustment is effected in response not to the change of the surrounding noise level but to a frequency characteristic of the speech signal so that a fine adjustment concerning a speech adjustment or the like is obviated and further a complicated circuit such as a circuit for discriminating a speech signal from a non-speech signal or a circuit for controlling the processing of transmission and reception is also obviated, whereby the size of the circuit or the software can be made simple and a stable articulation can be obtained.

Received speech signal processing apparatus and received speech signal reproducing apparatus


A vehicle skirt panel assembly includes a skirt panel comprising a thermoplastic material and including a plurality of panel sections each having one or more ribs on its exterior. The skirt panel is mounted to the vehicle so the skirt panel projects below the side of the vehicle and the skirt panel can move relative to the vehicle to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the skirt panel without deforming the skirt panel. One or more struts are mounted between the vehicle and a lower portion of the skirt panel. The strut is adjustable and is deformable to absorb an impact to the exterior of the skirt panel. The strut is bendable by hand to allow the skirt panel to be returned to the original position.

This invention relates generally to skirts for a trucks or moving vans. More particularly, it relates to a durable and flexible skirt for a truck or moving van that can deform to absorb impact and be easily returned to its original shape. The skirt is floatably mounted to the truck or van body to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the skirt.
Rental industry trucks or moving vans generally have enclosed bodies positioned behind a cab and are typically used by do-it-yourself renters or transporters. Generally, these trucks include a truck body skirt that extends downward from each side of the truck body to cover the region below the truck body. The truck body skirt reduces turbulent air flow around the truck body, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and improving fuel efficiency, and also improves the appearance of the truck. Previously, these skirts have comprised laminated panels made of wood-based material, such as laminates of wood or fiberglass reinforced plywood (FRP), covered with an outer gel coat to protect the skirt from the elements. Wood-based skirts used in the past have experienced problems related to impact damage and moisture absorption. While the outer gel-coated surfaces of these panels are reasonably durable, damage and de-lamination of the layered wood interior has been a cause of significant repair expense. Aluminum skirts have also been used, but aluminum skirts are expensive to fabricate and are difficult to repair, such as when the skirt is damaged by an impact, because the aluminum skirt deforms on impact and cannot readily be reformed to its original shape.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved truck body skirt for covering the region below the side of a truck or moving van. It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a skirt.
A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a truck body skirt that is relatively inexpensive to fabricate and is durable and easy to repair.
Another object of the invention is to provide a skirt that is deformable to absorb impact and that can be easily reformed to its original shape.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for mounting such a skirt to a truck or moving van.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

Flexible truck skirt with floating mount


An apparatus, a system, and a method to secure a link in a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link therein, in which the carrier is configured to have a first end of the link accessible outside of the carrier. Further, the system includes a tool having a link ear and suspended within the drilling rig, the link ear configured to attach a first end of the link thereupon, and a carrier configured to removably secure at least a portion of the link, in which the first end of the link is accessible to attach to the link ear.

1. Field of the Disclosure
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and apparatus to secure a link in a drilling rig with a carrier. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatus that are used to secure a link from a drilling rig and/or secure a link within a drilling rig, such as secure a link with a carrier configured to move within a drilling rig.
2. Background Art
In oilfield exploration and production operations, various oilfield tubular members are used to perform important tasks, including, but not limited to, drilling the wellbore and casing a drilled wellbore. For example, a long assembly of drill pipes, known in the industry as a drill string, may be used to rotate a drill bit at a distal end to create the wellbore. Furthermore, after a wellbore has been created, a casing string may be disposed downhole into the wellbore and cemented in place to stabilize, reinforce, or isolate (among other functions) portions of the wellbore. As such, strings of drill pipe and casing may be connected together, such as end-to-end by threaded connections, in which a female "pin" member of a first tubular member is configured to threadably engage a corresponding male "box" member of a second tubular member. Alternatively, a casing string may be made-up of a series of male-male ended casing joints coupled together by female-female couplers. The process by which the threaded connections are assembled is called "making-up" a threaded connection, and the process by which the connections are disassembled is referred to "breaking-out" the threaded connection. As would be understood by one having ordinary skill, individual pieces (or "joints") of oilfield tubular members may come in a variety of weights, diameters, configurations, and lengths.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view is shown of a drilling rig 101 used to run one or more tubular members 111 (e.g., casing, drill pipe, etc.) downhole into a wellbore 113. As shown, the drilling rig 101 includes a frame structure known as a "derrick" 102, in which a traveling block 103, a lifting apparatus 105 (e.g., an elevator), a supporting apparatus 107 (e.g., slip assembly or spider), and/or a top drive 145 may be used to manipulate (e.g., raise, lower, rotate, hold, etc.) a tubular member 111. The traveling block 103 is a device that is suspended from at or near the top of the derrick 102, in which the traveling block 103 may move up-and-down (e.g., vertically as depicted) to raise and/or lower the tubular member 111. The traveling block 103 may be a simple "pulley-style" block and may have a hook from which objects below (e.g., lifting apparatus 105 and/or top drive) may be suspended.
Additionally, the lifting apparatus 105 may be coupled below the traveling block 103 and/or the top drive 145 to selectively support and/or release a tubular member 111 as the tubular member 111 is to be raised and/or lowered within and from the derrick 102. As such, and as shown in FIG. 1, the drilling rig 101 may include one or more guiding rails 108 and/or a track disposed adjacent to the top drive 145, in which the guiding rails 108 or track may be used to support and guide the top drive 145 (e.g., from which the lifting apparatus 105 may be suspended) as the top drive 145 is raised and/or lowered within the derrick 102. An example of a top drive is disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,596, filed on Aug. 3, 1982, and entitled "Drilling of Wells with Top Drive Unit," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The lifting apparatus 105 may include one or more movable engagement members (e.g., slip assemblies), in which the members may be attached to the lifting apparatus 105 and movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the lifting apparatus 105 supports the tubular member 111 such the tubular member 111 may be lifted and/or lowered. In the open position, the lifting apparatus 105 may release the tubular member 111 and move away therefrom to allow the tubular member 111 to be engaged with or removed from the lifting apparatus 105 and/or the supporting apparatus 107. For example, the lifting apparatus 105 may release the tubular member 111 after the tubular member 111 is threadably connected to a tubular string 115 and/or supported by the supporting apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101.
In FIG. 1, the drilling rig 101 may include a top drive 145 having one or more link ears 147 (e.g., bail ears) supporting the lifting apparatus 105 (e.g., an elevator) through one or more links 151 (e.g., bails) disposed therebetween. Further, the supporting apparatus 107 of the drilling rig 101 may be used to support the tubular string 115, such as by having gripping and/or supporting engagement with the tubular string 115, from the drilling rig 101 (e.g., supported by the rig floor 109 or by a rotary table thereof). The supporting apparatus 107 may be disposed within (e.g., be supported by) the rig floor 109, such as flush with the rig floor 109, may extend (e.g., be supported by) above the rig floor 109, as shown, and/or may be supported otherwise by the drilling rig, such as suspended from a component of the drilling rig. As such, the supporting apparatus 107 may be used to suspend the tubular string 115, e.g., while one or more tubular members 111 are connected or disconnected from the tubular string 115.
A reverse process, or one similar to the process described above, may be used, such as to remove one or more tubular members 111 from the drilling rig 101. As such, when removing a tubular member 111 from the drilled wellbore (e.g., beneath drilling rig 101), the tubular string 115 may be raised into the derrick 102 to have the tubular member 111 extending above the supporting apparatus 107 and rotary table 109. The supporting apparatus 107 may be used to support the remainder of the downhole string 115 below the rotary table 109, in which the tubular member 111 may be threadably disconnected from the downhole string 115. For example, the supporting apparatus 107 may support the tubular member 111 and the top drive 145, and/or another component, such as tubular tongs, may rotate the tubular member 111 to threadably disconnect the tubular member 111 from the downhole string 115. The lifting apparatus 105, or other mechanism or device, may transport the tubular member 111 out of the derrick 102 of the drilling rig 101, e.g., to have the tubular member 111 placed upon the pipe rack 112.
As such, depending on the particular activity within the drilling rig 101, such as depending on the weight of the tubular members 111 used within the drilling rig 101, the link(s) 151 used within the drilling rig 101 may need to be removed, replaced, and/or otherwise switched out. This process may enable links of various other shapes and sizes to be used within the drilling rig 101, as appropriate. However, when "rigging up" and/or "rigging down" the links 151, the links 151 may be heavy enough such that handling the links may be difficult, and further the removing and installing of the links may be time consuming. Accordingly, there exists a need to be able to remove and/or install links within a drilling rig in an easier and quicker manner.

Link carrier apparatus for a drilling rig