A ring-riser or conduit box or bracket for use in building electrical systems, telephone wiring, cable systems and similar applications including a device or fixture. The ring-riser or box or bracket has arcuate slots to receive self-tapping screws allowing the device or fixture to be aligned about its axis. The device or fixture can be fastened to the ring-riser or box or bracket with self-tapping screws through the slots.

1. Cross-References to Related Applications
Ring-risers and Conduit Boxes for electrical and other wires. This invention uses the Disclosure Document No. 363139 received by the PTO on Oct. 11, 1994.
2. Field of Invention
Conventional ring-risers and conduit boxes which have threaded screw holes for mounting
______________________________________ "Outlet or Junction Box" 1,672,683 Knoderer 6/5/28 "Electrical Wall Cabinet" 2,044,860 Silverman 6/23/36 "Lighting Fixture" 3,036,207 Endelson 5/22/62 "Recessed Lighting Fixtures" 3,099,404 Kaufman, et al. 7/30/63 "Plate For Adjustably Mounting 3,917,899 Oliver 11/4/75 Electrical Receptacle" "Self-Aligning Outlet Box Assembly" 4,098,423 Marrero 5/22/90 "Adjustable Electric Outlet Box" 4,634,015 Taylor 1/6/87 "Dual Size Outlet Box Mounting 4,757,908 Medlin, Sr. 7/19/88 Bracket " "Adjustable Mounting Assembly for 5,289,934 Smith et al. 3/1/94 Electrical Outlet Box" "Unterputzdose mit eingesetzter 206963 Germany 1/11/60 Tragvorrichtung for mehrere Installationsgerate" ______________________________________
3. Discussion of Prior Art
Conventional ring-risers and conduit boxes which have threaded screw holes for mounting.
The conventional ring-risers and conduit boxes do not allow the fixture to be aligned vertically if the box assembly is mounted slanted. The misaligned box assembly can be a serious problem to correct when the box assembly is mounted misaligned in a hardened concrete wall. The misaligned box assembly has to be loosened from its original position by chipping the box out of the wall. Then a new box assembly must be installed properly aligned. Our improved conduit box will solve this problem because can be the device or fixture can be mounted vertically even if our box is misaligned.
The current procedures for installation of conduit boxes with ring-risers is an electrician will prefabricate an electrical box. The prefabrication includes punching out the mechanically stamped knock-out holes in the box. Conduit pipe is then connected to the box via conduit connectors through the punched out knock-out holes. The electrician then tapes the outside of the box assembly with masking or duct tape to prevent concrete from entering the box assembly. The electrician usually follows the steel-worker who puts in the rebar for the concrete wall. The electrician installs the electrical conduit and the box assembly at the same time. The electrician then attaches the ring-riser to the box assembly. The electrician then seals the outside of the box with masking or duct tape. The tape prevents the concrete and concrete slurry from entering the box. The electrician then fills the box assembly with newspaper to provide additional protection from concrete and concrete slurry from entering the box assembly. The electrician then seals the front of the ring-riser with tape.
The electrician then secures the box assembly with wire to rebar, conduit or anything except water pipes in the to be formed wall. This securing is to prevent the box assembly from shifting during the placement of the concrete in the wall forms or the consolidation of the placed concrete to remove voids in the concrete. The mason then places the concrete in the form to create the concrete wall. The concrete is very heavy and the pressure from the weight of the concrete and the vibration for consolidation of the concrete to remove voids often cause the box to shift. The concrete then cures. A misaligned box is then in situ in hardened concrete. The device or fixture to be mounted cannot be mounted vertically in a misaligned box.
To fix the problem the misaligned box must then be chipped out of the concrete wall and thrown away. A new electrical box and a new ring-riser must then be installed. An opening capable of receiving the new box aligned properly must be chipped out of the concrete wall before mounting the new box. The process of removing the old box from the concrete wall is time consuming and labor intensive. Furthermore, the strength of the concrete wall is decreased by the disturbance of chipping the old box out of the wall. Applicants' improved ring-riser and conduit box will solve this problem. Applicants' box can be mounted misaligned in a concrete wall and allow the device or fixture to be mounted vertically without removing and replacing the box assembly.
Furthermore, applicants improved ring-riser does not require additional special parts to mount the device or fixture vertically. Applicants' improved ring-riser is a very simple design.
______________________________________ "Outlet or Junction Box" 1,672,683 Knoderer 6/5/28 ______________________________________
Knoderer shows a cover plate with arcuate slots used to secure a switch or fixture "by clamping screws 15 threaded therein" (e.g. p. 2, 1. 4-5).
The structure of Knoderer is such that to mount a fixture are as follows: First, the crown flange 13 must be adjusted utilizing the threaded screws 15 and tightened. Second, the fixture must be mounted through ears 14. Third, the cover 5' is snapped to the junction box 1. In comparison, applicants' ring-riser has a two step installation process. First, the ring-riser is fastened to a conventional junction box. Second, the electrical device is fastened to the ring-riser with a self-tapping screw (aligned itself in the process of installing). Applicants' installation process has one less step. Furthermore the order of mounting the cover (ring-riser) is reversed.
Knoderer FIG. 1 further shows that threaded screws were the intent of Knoderer because the arcuate slots have a circular hole at the end for the head of the threaded screw to go through the plate.
In addition, Knoderer utilizes threaded screws. In comparison, the applicants' improved ring-riser utilizes self-tapping screws which only require the slot as a `pilot hole` for the screw to get started. The slot acts as an integral part of the self tapping screw.
Furthermore, Knoderer states, "This invention has for its object the provision of an improved junction or outlet box having simple connection means between the cover and body portions whereby they go together with a snap action; whereby all loose parts or parts requiring to be separately operated are dispensed with." (e.g. p. 1, 1. 25-31). This clearly demonstrates that Knoderer intended to have a snap in unit without loose parts. In comparison, applicants' improved ring-riser has no loose parts such as the fixture which is not secured until the self-tapping screws are attached to the ring-riser.
In addition, Knoderer's comment to dispense with loose parts demonstrates that Knoderer intended to use threaded screws and did not intend to utilize self-tapping screws which are loose until screwed in place.
Knoderer contemplates having a self contained attachment mechanism. Considering the time frame that the Knoderer application was filed in 1921 when materials were a much more expensive portion of construction than labor, the intent of the patent should be interpreted that Knoderer wished to limit the number of loose parts which could be lost and were difficult to replace. Knoderer had a lesser concern with the amount of time labor was needed to install the junction box. In comparison, the applicant's improved ring-riser takes into account the modem high cost of labor. Once the ring-riser is mounted, an electrician would use a screw gun and mount the electrical fixture in little time as opposed to the three step procedure described in paragraph above. Furthermore, screws and electrical fixtures are much available now than in 1921, an unforeseen event. Therefore, applicants' ring-riser has an unexpected benefit of saving labor time.
Furthermore, Knoderer contemplates utilizing a customized junction box as well as a custom cover plate to utilize the snap interface between the plate and the box. In comparison, the applicants' ring-riser would utilize a conventional junction box, thus reducing the costs by not requiring a custom made box. Therefore, applicants' ring-riser has an unexpected benefit of cost savings.
Knoderer utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. These patents utilize three elements for its fastening means: 1) threaded screw, 2) arcuate slot, and 3) screw threaded socket. The threaded screw penetrates the arcuate slot and threads into the screw threaded socket. The fastening occurs through a clamping means gripping the arcuate slot between the threaded screw and the screw threaded socket. In comparison, applicants' self-tapping fastening means only has two elements: 1) self-tapping screw and 2) arcuate slot. The self-tapping screw engages with the arcuate slot to form the fastening means. Thus applicants' conduit box's fastening means omits an element.
Knoderer utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Applicants' conduit box fastening means utilizes a self-tapping screw which does not require a screw threaded hole. Thus the applicants' have made an unsuggested modification.
Knoderer utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Threaded screws must be carefully screwed in to prevent the screw threading from being "stripped." The preferred method of screwing such small threaded screws is to use a manual screwdriver. This is time consuming. In comparison, applicants' conduit box utilizes a self-tapping screw which can be screwed in with a screw-gun which is much faster than a manual screwdriver. Since the screw is self-tapping and does not require close tolerance threading, the installer is less concerned with stripping the threads on the screw. The applicants' conduit box utilizes a new principle of operation by utilizing self-tapping screws.
______________________________________ "Electrical Wall Cabinet" 2,044,860 Silverman 6/23/36 ______________________________________
Silverman shows an electrical wall cabinet with arcuate slots that are used to insure "an accurate relation between the electrical devices, the shield and the front of the cabinet notwithstanding any adjustment that is made." (e.g. c. 1, 1. 54-55 and c. 2, 1. 1). FIG. 3 clearly shows the use of a threaded screw 30 and the "screw-threaded sockets 28." (e.g. col. 4, 1. 11). Therefore, the screws for the arcuate slots are threaded.
In comparison, the applicants' improved conduit box utilizes self-tapping screws. Therefore, the arcuate slot is an integral part of the fastening of the electrical receptacle to the ring-riser. Whereas, Silverman utilizes the arcuate slots merely as a guide for the screw and are not integral part of the fastening means.
Furthermore, Silverman's application of a wall cabinet electrical box is likely to have a number of loose wires contained in the box. The utilization of self-tapping screws in such an application may `pinch` or damage some of the interior wires because of the number of wires and the restricted space. Therefore, the use of self-tapping screws is unobvious in Silverman.
Silverman utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. These patents utilize three elements for its fastening means: 1) threaded screw, 2) arcuate slot, and 3) screw threaded socket. The threaded screw penetrates the arcuate slot and threads into the screw threaded socket. The fastening occurs through a clamping means gripping the arcuate slot between the threaded screw and the screw threaded socket. In comparison, applicants' self-tapping fastening means only has two elements: 1) self-tapping screw and 2) arcuate slot. The self-tapping screw engages with the arcuate slot to form the fastening means. Thus applicants' conduit box's fastening means omits an element.
Silverman utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Applicants' conduit box fastening means utilizes a self-tapping screw which does not require a screw threaded hole. Thus the applicants' have made an unsuggested modification.
Silverman utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Threaded screws must be carefully screwed in to prevent the screw threading from being "stripped." The preferred method of screwing such small threaded screws is to use a manual screwdriver. This is time consuming. In comparison, applicants' conduit box utilizes a self-tapping screw which can be screwed in with a screw-gun which is much faster than a manual screwdriver. Since the screw is self-tapping and does not require close tolerance threading, the installer is less concerned with stripping the threads on the screw. The applicants' conduit box utilizes a new principle of operation by utilizing self-tapping screws.
______________________________________ "Lighting Fixture" 3,036,207 Endelson 5/22/62 ______________________________________
Endelson shows a lighting fixture with arcuate slots that allow limited axial movement with pins restricting the movement. The fastening means is a central stud 20 with a nut 42. (e.g. col. 3, 1. 50-51). The slots (46, 48) and the pins (38, 40) act merely as guides before the nut is tightened and are not as an integral part of the fastening means.
Furthermore, Endelson fixture has four components for its fastening means. First, a threaded stud. Second, a threaded nut. Third, an arcuate slot. Fourth, a pin to fit in the arcuate slot. In contrast, the applicants' conduit box has only two parts for its fastening means. First, a self-tapping screw. Second, an arcuate slot to receive the self tapping screw. Therefore, the applicants' conduit box reduces the number of components for the fastening means.
The Endelson pins and slots act only as a guide to limit the rotation of the fixture. This is demonstrated by arcuate slot 46 being longer than arcuate slot 48. The different slots are utilized to limit the rotation. In comparison, the applicants' slots are an integral part of the fastening means and do not act only as a guide to limit the rotation of the fixture.
A disadvantage of Endelson is that the when the center nut is tightened, the entire apparatus will tend to rotate clockwise with the tightening of the nut. This is because a center torque will apply a turning force to the entire apparatus when the nut is near the end stages of being tightened. The rotation could go as far as arcuate slots and pins will allow. In comparison, the applicants' conduit box is attached with self-tapping screw near the outer edges of the box. Therefore, the turning force is not applied at the center axis of the device and is less likely to result in the apparatus turning.
Endelson shows a lighting fixture with arcuate slots that allow limited axial rotation with pins restricting the rotation. The fastening means is a central stud 20 with a nut 42. (e.g. col. 3, 1. 50-51). The slots (46, 48) and the pins (38, 40) act merely as guides before the nut is tightened and are not as an integral part of the fastening means 32. The Endelson pins and slots act only as a guide to limit the rotation of the fixture. This is demonstrated by arcuate slot 46 being longer than arcuate slot 48. The different slots are utilized to limit the rotation. In comparison, the applicants' slots are an integral part of the fastening means and do not act only as a guide to limit the rotation of the fixture. Thus applicants' use is a new principle of operation because the arcuate slots are not used as guides and there is no central threaded stud with a nut.
Endelson fixture has four elements for its fastening means: 1) a threaded stud, 2) a threaded nut, 3) an arcuate slot, and 4) a pin to fit in the arcuate slot. In contrast, the applicants' conduit box has only two parts for its fastening means: 1) a self-tapping screw, and 2) an arcuate slot to receive the self tapping screw. Therefore, the applicants' conduit box reduces the number of elements for the fastening means.
______________________________________ "Recessed Lighting Fixtures" 3,099,404 Kaufman, et al. 7/30/63 ______________________________________
Kaufman, et. al. ("Kaufman") shows a recessed lighting fixture having a movable socket carrying plate that vertically adjusts to accommodate different size lamps. The lighting socket is moved and locked into place with spring-loaded tongue that impales the slot as a locking mechanism.
Applicants' improved ring-riser utilizes an arcuate slot to receive a self-tapping fastening means, such as a self-tapping screw. The primarily distinction is that Kaufman allows vertical relocation of the fixture. In comparison, applicants' improved ring riser allows axial rotation of fixtures and devices. Therefore, the difference is that the axis of relocation is different.
Kaufman shows a recessed lighting fixture having a movable socket carrying plate that vertically adjusts to accommodate different size lamps. The lighting socket is moved and locked into place with spring-loaded tongue that impale the slot as a locking mechanism. The primarily function of Kaufman is to allow vertical relocation of the fixture. In comparison, applicants' improved ring-riser allows axial rotation of fixtures and devices. The difference is that the axis of relocation is different.
______________________________________ "Plate For Adjustably Mounting 3,917,899 Oliver 11/4/75 Electrical Receptacle" ______________________________________
Oliver shows a electrical receptacle that is mounted utilizing a "clamping means" (e.g. col. 4, 1. 51-52). The purpose of the clamping means is two fold. First, the clamping means in for the purpose of grounding the outlet. Second, the clamp is allows axial rotation of the electrical receptacle.
Applicants' improved ring riser utilizes an arcuate slot to receive a self-tapping fastening means, such as a self-tapping screw. The clamping means demonstrates that Oliver was substantially concerned with having a positive connection with a large surface area for grounding purposes, thus utilizing a self-tapping screw would be an unobvious substitute. Furthermore, Oliver has no arcuate slot for receiving a self-tapping screw.
Oliver has the problem that to mount the receptacle, the receptacle must be maneuvered to allow the flanges of the clamping means to fit within the interior edge of the opening of the "plate [with] . . . central raised portion" (e.g. col. 4, 1. 53-56) ("ring riser"). In contrast, applicants' improved ring-riser does not require flanges to fit within the interior edge of the ring-riser. Instead, a conventional receptacle would be placed on the exterior of the applicants' ring-riser and mounted utilizing self-tapping screws.
Furthermore, the device for Oliver would be expensive to construct because it requires a specially made electrical receptacle with a "grounding wedge" (e.g. col. 3, 1. 31-32) and other moving parts. Such a specially made electrical receptacle would be expensive to construct compared to a conventional mass produced electrical receptacle. In comparison, applicants' ring-riser utilizes conventional electrical receptacles that are mounted with a self-tapping screw. Thus applicants' ring-riser would utilize readily available electrical receptacles.
Oliver utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an ear and engages a grounding wedge through a screw threaded hole located on the grounding wedge. The fastening means has three elements: 1) a threaded screw, 2) an ear (screw goes through), and 3) a grounding wedge with a screw threaded hole. In contrast, the applicants' conduit box only utilizes two elements in its fastening means: 1) a self-tapping screw and 2) an arcuate slot. The self-tapping screw engages the arcuate slot to form the fastening means. Thus applicants' conduit box's fastening means omits an element.
Oliver utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an ear and engages a grounding wedge through a screw threaded hole. Oliver makes no reference to having an arcuate slot to receive a self-tapping screw. In contrast, applicants' conduit box utilizes an arcuate slot to receive a self-tapping screw. Therefore, applicants' conduit box has an unsuggested modification.
______________________________________ "Self-Aligning Outlet Box Assembly" 4,098,423 Marrero 5/22/90 ______________________________________
This patent is a spring loaded box. This box is difficult to construct and requires special parts to use. In contrast, applicants' box is a simpler design. This box adjusts longitudinal and not axially. Applicants' improved conduit box adjusts axially. Furthermore, this box locks in place and cannot be adjusted once locked in place. Whereas, applicants' improved conduit box can be unscrewed and readjusted.
______________________________________ "Adjustable Electric Outlet Box" 4,634,015 Taylor 1/6/87 ______________________________________
This box has a collar in the box interior which allows depth adjustment via a screw. This box does not adjust axially. Applicants' improved conduit box adjusts axially.
______________________________________ "Dual Size Outlet Box Mounting Bracket" 4,757,908 Medlin, Sr. 7/19/88 ______________________________________
Medlin, Sr. ("Medlin") shows a outlet or junction box mounted on a bracket that is mounted to a vertical stud. The bracket allows the mounting of the outlet box. The bracket has multiple openings to receive different screws for different commercially available of boxes. The bracket is for the mounting of the box by connecting to at least one adjoining wall or stud. The purpose of the bracket is to be able to mount different boxes to the universal bracket which is mounted to a wall
The purpose of the Medlin mounting bracket is to be able to mount different boxes to the universal bracket which is mounted to a wall. In contrast, the applicants' improved conduit box and improved bracket vary in the basic goal of properly mounting a device on a misaligned conduit box. Therefore, the Medlin bracket and the applicants' bracket are very different.
Medlin has a disadvantage that it does not allow the axial rotation of the device or fixture to be mounted. In comparison, the applicants' improved conduit box and improved bracket permit axial rotation of the device or fixture. Thus applicants' conduit box and bracket are novel.
Furthermore, the Medlin mounting bracket works with the presumption that the box is not yet mounted and utilizes the bracket in the box mounting. In contrast, the applicants' improved conduit box and improved bracket work on the presumption that the box is already mounted misaligned in the wall. The benefits of the applicants' conduit box and bracket are only utilized after the box is mounted misaligned in the wall.
Medlin shows a outlet or junction box mounted on a bracket that is mounted to a vertical stud. The bracket allows the mounting of the outlet box. The bracket has multiple openings to receive different screws for different commercially available of boxes. The bracket is for the mounting of the box by connecting to at least one adjoining wall or stud. The purpose of the bracket is to be able to mount different boxes to the universal bracket which is mounted to a wall. In comparison, the applicants' bracket is to convert a conventional conduit box to the equivalent of an improved conduit box by adding the arcuate slot. Thus a different problem is solved.
The purpose of the Medlin mounting bracket is to be able to mount different boxes to the universal bracket which is mounted to a wall. In contrast, the applicants' improved conduit box and improved bracket vary in the basic goal of properly mounting a device on a misaligned conduit box. Therefore, the Medlin bracket and the applicants' bracket are very different.
The Medlin mounting bracket works with the presumption that the box is not yet mounted and utilizes the bracket in the box mounting. In contrast, the applicants' improved conduit box and improved bracket work on the presumption that the box is already mounted misaligned in the wall. The benefits of the applicants' conduit box and bracket are only utilized after the box is mounted misaligned in the wall. Thus the applicants' improved conduit box and bracket are not truly related to Medlin.
______________________________________ "Adjustable Mounting Assembly 5,289,934 Smith et al. 3/1/94 for Electrical Outlet Box" ______________________________________
This box allows depth adjustment of the box via a screw. This box does not adjust axially. Applicants' improved conduit box adjusts axially.
______________________________________ "Unterputzdose mit eingesetzter 206963 Germany 1/11/60 Tragvorrichtung fur mehrere Installationsgerate" ______________________________________
Germany shows a bracket with an arcuate slot that is connected to a conduit box. The bracket is then used to snap in various electrical switches. Tongue 2a appears to snap into open flange 1c.
Furthermore, the arcuate slot is utilized as a guide and not as an integral part of the fastening means for the electrical device that the applicants' bracket utilizes. In contrast, applicants' bracket utilizes a self-tapping screw to attach the electrical device.
Furthermore, in Silverman FIG. 3, the screw receiving hole 6d has an apparent second horizontal line indicating that it has threading for a threaded screw. Therefore, Germany utilizes a threaded screw as a fastening means. Applicants utilize a self-tapping fastening means.
In conclusion, the applicants' bracket differs from Germany for two reasons. First, Germany's bracket adjusts within the box to form the proper alignment and the switches are aligned with the bracket. In comparison, the applicants' bracket is aligned with the misaligned box and the electrical device is then properly aligned utilizing self-tapping screws that connect to the arcuate slots in the bracket. In essence, the applicants' bracket transforms a conventional conduit box into an improved conduit box (See applicants' FIG. 6). Second, Germany utilizes a tongue and flange system of connecting the switch to the bracket. In contrast, the applicants' utilize a self-tapping screw fastening means to connect the electrical device to the bracket.
Germany utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. These patents utilize three elements for its fastening means: 1) threaded screw, 2) arcuate slot, and 3) screw threaded socket. The threaded screw penetrates the arcuate slot and threads into the screw threaded socket. The fastening occurs through a clamping means gripping the arcuate slot between the threaded screw and the screw threaded socket. In comparison, applicants' self-tapping fastening means only has two elements: 1) self-tapping screw and 2) arcuate slot. The self-tapping screw engages with the arcuate slot to form the fastening means. Thus applicants' conduit box's fastening means omits an element.
Germany utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Applicants' conduit box fastening means utilizes a self-tapping screw which does not require a screw threaded hole. Thus the applicants' have made an unsuggested modification.
Germany utilizes a threaded screw which penetrates an arcuate slot and is received by a screw threaded hole. Threaded screws must be carefully screwed in to prevent the screw threading from being "stripped." The preferred method of screwing such small threaded screws is to use a manual screwdriver. This is time consuming. In comparison, applicants' conduit box utilizes a self-tapping screw which can be screwed in with a screw-gun which is much faster than a manual screwdriver. Since the screw is self-tapping and does not require close tolerance threading, the installer is less concerned with stripping the threads on the screw. The applicants' conduit box utilizes a new principle of operation by utilizing self-tapping screws.

Self-adjusting ring-riser and conduit box


A power tool includes a driving unit for performing screw tightening operations; a motor for rotatably driving the driving unit; a rechargeable battery pack; a trigger switch for turning on and off the motor; and a control circuit, accommodated in a main body of the power tool, for monitoring the screw tightening operations. The control circuit has a screw tightening completion detection unit for detecting completion of a screw tightening operation, a screw tightening count unit for counting the number of detected tightening operations, a screw tightening number setting unit for presetting the number of screws to be tightened, a screw tightening completion notifying unit for notifying completion of the screw tightening operations when the number of detected tightening operations reaches the preset number. Further, the screw tightening number setting unit and the screw tightening completion notifying unit is disposed at a lower front portion of a grip portion.

When a product is assembled by a power tool or the like by repeatedly performing a screw tightening operation, and if checking the completion of a series of screw tightening operations solely relies on an operator, some of the screws may sometimes remain unfastened. Since occurrence of such case would lead to deterioration in quality and reliability of the product, the number of tightening operations needs to be checked in every operation process. Accordingly, excessive burdens are imposed on the operator though mistakes cannot be completely prevented.
To that end, there have been a number of proposals for inventions that are geared towards preventing forgetfulness of a screw tightening operation by using a controller that is connected to a power tool which counts the number of tightening operations (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Applications Nos. H9-150338, 2003-123050 and 2005-125464).
Although the above prior art references can improve the drawbacks of forgetting the screw tightening operation, its applications are limited due to the fact that the power tool and the controller are connected with each other by a power cord. This problem may not be that serious when an operator is working in a restricted working area using a corded power tool or a pneumatic power tool connected to an air hose. However, when an operator is working in an unrestricted area, handling of tool and the controller would become troublesome, or restriction on the area where an operator can work may arise. Especially, in case of a cordless rechargeable power tool, the inherent advantages of the cordlessness diminish.
Therefore, the present inventors have proposed an idea of accommodating a control circuit in a main body of the power tool, for monitoring the screw tightening operations. Then, the control circuit is a precision electronic device so that the control circuit needs to be protected from impacts and vibrations. Accordingly, when a control circuit board is installed inside the power tool, a location of the board needs to be carefully chosen. Especially, when the power tool falls and collides against the ground, great impacts and vibrations may be given to the control circuit to be damaged. Therefore, it is critical to protect it from damage.

Power tool having control means for monitoring screw tightening operations


A computerized system for keyboard control of compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM) audio of a computer. The computer has a CD-ROM player, a, computer keyboard and a basic input/output system (BIOS). The CD-ROM player is receptive to an audio compact disc (CD). The keyboard has a plurality of keys for entry of one or more predetermined sequences of one or more keystrokes by a user of the computer, each predetermined sequence corresponding to an audio function of the CD-ROM player. The BIOS is operatively coupled to the CD-ROM player and the keyboard, and in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard operatively signals the CD-ROM player to execute a corresponding audio function. In a further embodiment, the system also comprises an operating system and a CD-ROM control application. The operating system receives a command sent by the BIOS in response to detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes entered by the user on the keyboard. The control application receives the command from the operating system and in response signals the CD-ROM player to execute the corresponding audio function.

Because of the increasing interest in multi-media applications for computers, computers typically now come installed with compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drives. Such drives generally allow computer users to play video and audio clips residing on CD-ROMs, the clips requiring such a large amount of storage space that frequently the only storage medium feasible to hold them is a CD-ROM. In addition, most drives allow as an added benefit for users to play audio compact discs (CDS). In this manner, a user can utilize his or her computer as an audio system, playing compact discs in the background while using the computer.
However, CD-ROM drives installed in computers typically do not have the variety of audio function buttons usually found on dedicated audio compact disc players for use with stereo systems. Most dedicated audio compact disc players include buttons to control the playing of an audio compact disc, corresponding to such functions as eject, play, stop, next track, previous track, fast forward and fast backward. Conversely, CD-ROM drives typically only include an eject button. Manufacturers of CD-ROM drives therefore expect users to control the playing of an audio compact disc drive through the computer in which the drive is installed.
Previous solutions for computer control of audio compact discs have generally focused on stand-alone or terminate-and-stay-resident providing such functionality. For example, a user of a PC-compatible computer running Microsoft Windows 3.11 or 95 brand operating system may load a stand-alone program from a hard disk drive into memory. The program has an associated window, providing buttons that the user can click to perform corresponding audio controls (eject, play, stop, etc.). Alternatively, the program provides keyboard equivalents to the buttons, so that the user can press certain key combinations to perform the audio control functions.
These programs have several major drawbacks. The programs are usually specific to a particular operating system. A program written specifically for Microsoft Windows 3.11 or 95 brand operating system could not be used if only Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS DOS) is running. Furthermore, the program may be incompatible with other programs also running on the computer. The program is also usually not immediately operative when the user turns the computer on; rather, the user must specifically load the program into memory every time the computer is used. Most significantly, such audio control programs must be the active program in order to work. For example, a user who loads such an audio control program into Windows 95 brand operating system and then subsequently loads another program has to first re-select the audio control program (e.g., selecting its task button in the task bar) before being able to use it. This is inconvenient for the user at best.
Another type of solution, terminate-and-stay-resident programs, fixes this last shortcoming, but does not alleviate the others. Terminate-and-stay-resident programs are also loaded into the memory of a computer from a storage device such as a hard disk drive. However, they operate at a lower level within the operating system than do stand-alone audio control programs; therefore, they are active all the time. This means that upon being loaded into the computer, the programs are always amenable to user input regardless of what other programs are also being run. Thus, a user who is running a word processing program can, in the middle of text entry, type a key sequence specific to the terminate-and-stay-resident control program to perform audio control commands. The user does not have to first activate the terminate-and-stay-resident program.
Terminate-and-stay-resident programs, however, share many of the shortcomings of the higher-level stand-alone audio control programs. They generally are specific to a particular operating system, and cannot be used with a different operating system running on the same computer. Furthermore, such programs are known to be incompatible with other programs, limiting their usefulness. In addition, these programs require the assignment of key sequences that are not used by other applications. Finally, the user of a terminate-and-stay resident program typically must load it into memory every time the computer is turned on. This takes up valuable lower or base memory (i.e., the lowest 640 kilobytes of random-access memory in a PC-compatible computer).
There is a need, therefore, for providing for control of audio functions of an audio compact disc inserted into a CD-ROM drive of a computer that is not specific to any particular operating system that may run on the computer. There is a further need for providing such control in a manner that is compatible with other programs that may also be running on the computer at the same time. There is also a need for providing control of audio functions such that control is automatically and immediately enabled when a computer is turned on. There is in addition a need for providing control of audio functions that does not take up base memory. Finally, there is a need to provide such control in a manner that is active to the computer user at all times.

Keyboard audio controls for integrated CD-ROM players


An apparatus to retain and position tubing of media bags with a bottom gate made of a single piece, with features to hold and retain media bag tubing, a recessed structure where the bottom gate is positioned when installed that places the top of the gate flush with the inside surface of the media bag holder, and locking tabs on the inside surface of the media bag holder that prevent the bottom gate from lifting and allow it to be installed in only the correct orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of biopharmaceutical processing and more specifically to an apparatus to retain and position tubing of media bags.
2. The Relevant Technology
The biopharmaceutical industry has been increasingly using disposable media bags for product processing. The media bags, being filled with liquid, require a media bag holder to contain the filled media bag. The media bags may have a combination of top and bottom tubing in any quantity or configuration. The bottom tubing requires a means of passing through the bottom of the bag holder and being held in place. One prior method to accommodate media bag tubing is to provide fixed holes in the bottom of the bag holder with either no retaining device or simple clamping type devices in line with the holes underneath the bottom of the bag holder.
Another method is two moveable bottom pieces, each with one half of the required hole, which when brought together clamp onto the media bag tubing. Fixed holes in the bottom of the media bag holder allow for only one configuration of media bag tubing, both size of tubing and position. The clamping devices must be placed on the bottom of the bag holder which requires reaching underneath the bag holder, which may only be inches off the floor, making it difficult to see and access.
Two moveable bottom pieces do allow changing of pieces to accommodate various tubing configurations, but require locking devices which must also be placed on the bottom of the bag holder and are often difficult to see and access.

Apparatus to retain and position tubing of media bags


A system for aerial spraying of agricultural crops or the like in which droplets of a controlled size are formed and discharged onto the ground instead of a fine spray. A system is provided for reducing pressure before delivery of the liquid to the discharge nozzles. The nozzles are directed so that the droplets are impelled by the air stream from the upper part of the nozzle structure and are then affected by the air stream and gravity in furtherance of the desire for droplets rather than micron-sized spray mists which too readily drift away from the desired area to be covered.

This invention pertains to aerial spraying of agricultural crops and more specifically to a system adapted to deliver liquid insecticide or herbicide to the crops in a more uniform manner with less likelihood of drift than was formerly possible.
Aerial spraying of crops either by helicopter or spray plane has been fairly common. In most spraying systems, the material is fed from a manifold into nozzles which are designed hydraulically to break the material into a fairly fine spray which then falls onto the crop.
The use of a spray of this type requires that the material be applied on relatively calm days. Wind will cause considerable drift of the material. Use of pesticides becomes impossible on days with any appreciable wind which might cause the pesticide material to drift onto adjacent fields. Such drift of crop specific pesticides--those which are adapted to kill broad leaved plants but not corn, for example--may readily severely damage adjacent fields of soybeans or other crops having broad leaved plants.
Sprays may also be affected by small areas of thermal up draft or down draft which tend to cause an irregular distribution with undesirable areas of thin or thick application.
By use of the described invention, the discharge of the material in droplets as opposed to mist results in more even distribution over the expanse of the field and less drift of the material making possible reduced potential for damage.


Tank for holding contents which can separate into different phases, said tank comprising at least two outlet pipes each provided through a bottom of the tank with a first end of the outlet pipes provided outside the tank and a second end provided inside the tank, the second ends of the at least two outlet pipes being provided at different heights within the tank.

Purification of oils, such as for example slop oil and waste oil is important for the possibility to reuse oils and therefore an important factor for the environmental future and the limited nature resources of oils. Purification of slop oil is problematic in many ways. Slop oil can comprise oil, water, particles and emulsions. Purification of industrial emulsions comprising water and oil, such as for example cutting fluids is also an important environmental issue. Other examples of oils which might need to be purified after use are industrial oils, motor oils and marine oils. During a purification process the fluids described above will often separate into different phases, often an oil phase and a water phase and/or possibly a sludge phase. Storage tanks can be used as parts of purification systems for purification of for example slop oil, emulsions of oil and water or other fluids which can separate into different phases.


A receptacle for a CPU has a seat, a cover, a heat sink, and multiple fastening members. The seat is mounted on a motherboard, and a recess is defined in the seat with multiple flexible metal pins provided therein. Multiple resilient members are mounted in the recess. The cover is mounted on the resilient members and can slide in the recess. The heat sink is mounted on the seat, contacting the CPU and secured by the fastening members. The receptacle of this design omits the metal housing, has a heat dissipation capability, and can help reduce the cost of a computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a CPU (central processing unit) receptacle, and particularly relates to a CPU receptacle that can protect metal pins in the receptacle and dissipate heat generated from the CPU.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer motherboards on the market today have at least one receptacle for a CPU. Different types of CPUs require different types of receptacles.
Generally, a CPU receptacle has multiple pin slots to receive the corresponding pins of a CPU. The big processor manufacturer Intel produces a CPU receptacle, LGA775, for its newest product, the Pentium 4 CPU. The LGA 775 is different from conventional receptacles. It has a metal housing with a seat defined therein, and multiple flexible metal pins are provided on the seat that correspond to the metal contacts of the CPU. A cover is pressed on the housing to fix the CPU securely in the housing.
However, when a CPU is mounted in a receptacle, the flexible metal pins in the receptacle can be easily deformed or damaged by the CPU if too much force is used to mount or secure the CPU to the seat.
In addition, CPUs always require additional heat sinks, as does the Pentium 4. Heat sinks usually always contain expensive elements or compounds, and accordingly increases the cost of a computer.
Therefore, the present invention provides a receptacle for a CPU to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Receptacle for a central processing unit


An AF control apparatus includes a plurality of movable lens groups, each of which is movable along an optical axis for performing focusing independently, and a driving system for moving each of the movable lens groups. A moving path of each of the movable lens groups during an autofocusing operation is defined so that a ratio of moving distances of the each of the movable lens groups is constant over an entire zoom range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an AF (auto focusing) control apparatus in which a plurality of movable lens groups serve as a focusing lens group during AF.
2. Description of the Related Art
The publication of Japanese Patent No. 2548307 discloses a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens groups. In this zoom lens system, only the rearmost lens group positioned closest to the image side operates as a focusing lens group. However, since the focusing sensitivity of the rearmost lens group is almost constant regardless of the focal length of the zoom lens system, the moving distance of the rearmost lens group during focusing is larger at the telephoto side than at the wide-angle side. Therefore, in such an AF mechanism, the AF operation at the telephoto side requires a large amount of time. Also, in order to shorten the minimum photographing distance as much as possible, a large moving distance of the rearmost lens group is required. However, the moving distance of the rearmost lens group cannot be sufficiently increased since interference with the lens group provided in front of the rearmost lens group must be avoided. Therefore, the minimum photographing distance cannot be shortened very much.
In this regard, an AF control apparatus has been developed in which two lens groups in a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens groups serve as a focusing lens. The two lens groups are moved together along an optical axis so as to reduce the moving distance of the two focusing lens groups during an AF operation and to shorten the AF operation time and the minimum photographing distance, particularly at the telephoto side (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-120678).
However, if two focusing lens groups are employed as a movable lens group as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-120678, a complex control system is required for controlling the operation of the focusing lens groups.


The present teachings are directed toward electrocatalyst compositions of platinum, tungsten and at least a third metal for use in fuel cells. The electrocatalyst composition is composed essentially of platinum present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 20 percent and about 55 percent, tungsten present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 30 percent and about 75 percent, and at least a third metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 40 percent. The third metal can be at least one member selected from the group consisting of scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, yttrium, niobium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, hafnium, tantalum and rhenium; additional fourth and fifth metals can also be present.

1. Field of the Invention
The present teachings relate to electrocatalyst compositions composed essentially of platinum, tungsten and a third metal, with platinum present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 20 percent and about 55 percent, tungsten present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 30 percent and about 75 percent, and the third metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 40 percent. The third metal is at least one member selected from the group consisting of scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, yttrium, niobium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, hafnium, tantalum and rhenium. The electrocatalyst compositions can also include a fourth metal and a fifth metal in atomic percentages ranging between about 1 percent and about 40 percent, wherein the fourth and fifth metals are, independently, at least one member selected from the group consisting of scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, hafnium, tantalum and rhenium.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The desire to reduce the amount of expensive platinum group metals needed to obtain a desired level of performance for an electrocatalyst is an ever present operational parameter for the design of many devices and procedures involving electrocatalysts.
Enhancement of catalytic performance by combining platinum with various less expensive metals is one of the possible avenues to either reduce the amount of platinum required, or perhaps increase the efficiency of the catalyzed reaction, or both. One application of interest for Pt-based electrocatalyst is, for instance, the cathode reaction of a typical proton exchange membrane fuel cell ("PEMFC") which can utilize an electrode containing a Pt-based electrocatalyst to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction.
A need exists for electrocatalyst compositions that reduce the amount of platinum needed to achieve a desired performance level.

Platinum and tungsten containing electrocatalysts


A monolithic substrate for acceleration and angular rate sensing. The substrate comprises a support frame, and a first accelerometer formed in the substrate. The first accelerometer has a proof mass including first and second opposite edges. A flexure connects the first edge of the proof mass to the support frame. The flexure defines a hinge axis for the proof mass. The first accelerometer further includes a torsion stabilizing strut coupling a portion of the proof mass to the frame.

The use of tactical grade inertia measuring units has been limited by their cost to high-priced systems such as military aircraft, missiles, and other special markets. The cost of inertia measuring units is dominated by the expensive discrete gyroscopes and discrete accelerometers and attendant electronics used to drive and convert these signals for use in computer systems.
Other problems with inertial measuring units are high power consumption and large package size. The problems of high power consumption and large package size further limit applications to larger equipment boxes in equipment racks. For example, a hockey puck sized tactical grade navigator is not known in the prior art.
Still other problems with the prior art include a limitation in rate bias accuracy cause by modulation of the accelerometer due to coupling from the dither motion which causes phase angle sensitivity of the rate data. A further limitation in rate bias accuracy is caused by modulation of the accelerometer due to coupling of external vibration components coupling into the rate data.
Exemplary rate and acceleration sensors, components of such sensors, and methods of forming the same are described in the following patents all of which are assigned to the assignee of this disclosure, and all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,005,413; 5,168,756; 5,319,976; 5,331,242; 5,331,854; 5,341,682; 5,367,217; 5,456,110; 5,456,111; 5,557,046; and 5,627,314.
By way of background, the rate of rotation of a moving body about an axis may be determined by mounting an accelerometer on a frame and dithering it, with the accelerometer's sensitive axis and the direction of motion of the frame both normal to the rate axis about which rotation is to be measured. For example, consider a set of orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z oriented with respect to the moving body. Periodic movement of the accelerometer along the Y axis of the moving body with its sensitive axis aligned with the Z axis results in the accelerometer experiencing a Coriolis acceleration directed along the Z axis as the moving body rotates about the X axis. A Coriolis acceleration is that perpendicular acceleration developed while the body is moving in a straight line, due to rotation of the frame on which it is mounted. The Coriolis acceleration acting on the accelerometer is proportional to the velocity of the moving sensor body along the Y axis and its angular rate of rotation about the X axis. An output signal from accelerometer thus includes a DC or slowly changing component or force signal F representing the linear acceleration of the body along the Z axis, and periodic component or rotational signal .omega. representing the Coriolis acceleration resulting from rotation of the body about the X axis.
The Coriolis component can be produced by vibrating the accelerometer and causing it to dither back and fourth along a line perpendicular to the input axis of the accelerometer. If the frame on which the accelerometer is mounted is rotating, the Coriolis acceleration component of the accelerometer's output signal will be increased proportional to the dither velocity. If the dither amplitude and frequency are held constant, then the Coriolis acceleration is proportional to the rotation rate of the frame.
The linear acceleration component and the rotational component representing the Coriolis acceleration may be readily separated by using two accelerometers adjacent to each other and processing their output signals using summed difference techniques. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,802, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, two accelerometers are mounted upon a parallelogram with their input axes pointing in opposite directions. An electromagnetic D'Arsonval coil is mounted on one side of the parallelogram structure and is energized with a periodically varying current to vibrate the accelerometers back and forth in a direction substantially normal to their sensitive or input axes. The coil causes the parallelogram structure to vibrate, dithering the accelerometers back and forth. By taking the difference between the two accelerometer outputs, the linear components of acceleration are summed. By taking the sum of the two outputs, the linear components cancel and only the Coriolis or rotational components remain.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,801, commonly assigned to the assignee of this invention, describes a processing of the output signals of two accelerometers mounted for periodic, dithering motion to obtain the rotational rate signal .omega. in the force or acceleration signal F representing the change in velocity; i.e., acceleration, of the moving body along the Z axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,802, commonly assigned to the assignee of this invention, describes a control pulse generator, which generates and applies a sinusoidal signal of a frequency .omega. to the D'Arsonval coil to vibrate the parallelogram structure and thus the first and second accelerometer structures, with a dithering motion of the same frequency .omega.. The accelerometer output signals are applied to a processing circuit, which sums the accelerometer output signals to reinforce the linear components indicative of acceleration. The linear components are integrated over the time period T of the frequency corresponding to the dithering frequency to provide the force signal F, which represents the change in velocity; i.e., acceleration, along the Z axis. The accelerometer output signals are also summed, whereby their linear components cancel and their Coriolis components are reinforced to provide a signal indicative of frame rotation. That different signal is multiplied by a zero mean periodic function.
The resulting signal is integrated over a period T of the frequency .omega. by a sample and hold circuit to provide the signal .omega. representing the rate of rotation of the frame.
The D'Arsonval coil is driven by a sinusoidal signal of the same frequency .omega. which corresponded to the period T in which the linear acceleration and Coriolis component signals were integrated. In particular, the pulse generator applies a series of pulses at the frequency .omega. to a sine wave generator, which produces the substantially sinusoidal voltage signal to be applied to the D'Arsonval coil. A pair of pick-off coils produce a feedback signal indicative of the motion imparted to the accelerometers. That feedback signal is summed with the input sinusoidal voltage by a summing junction whose output is applied to a high gain amplifier. The output of that amplifier, in turn, is applied to the D'Arsonval type drive coil. The torque output of the D'Arsonval coil interacts with the dynamics of the parallelogram structure to produce the vibrating or dither motion. In accordance with well known servo theory, the gain of the amplifier is set high so that the voltage applied to the summing junction and the feedback voltage are forced to be substantially equal and the motion of the mechanism will substantially follow the drive voltage applied to the summing junction.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,408 describes the use of vibrating beam force transducers in accelerometers. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,173, the force transducer takes the form of a double-ended tuning fork fabricated from crystalline quartz. The transducer comprises a pair of side-by-side beams which are connected to common mounting structures at their ends. Electrodes are deposited on the beams and a drive circuit applies a periodic voltage signal to the electrodes, causing the beams to vibrate toward and away from one another, 180 degrees out of phase. In effect, the drive circuit and beams form an oscillator with the beams playing the role of a frequency controlled crystal; i.e., the mechanical resonance of the beams controls the oscillation frequency. The vibrating beams are made of crystalline quartz, which has piezoelectric properties. Application of periodic drive voltages to such beams cause them to vibrate toward and away from one another, 180 degrees out of phase. When the beams are subjected to accelerating forces, the frequency of the mechanical resonance of the beams changes, which results in a corresponding change in the frequency of the drive signal. When subjected to acceleration forces that cause the beams to be placed in tension, the resonance frequency of the beams and thus the frequency of the drive signal increases. Conversely, if the beams are placed in compression by the acceleration forces, the resonance frequency of the beams and the frequency of the drive signal is decreased.
U.S. application Ser. No. 07/316,399 describes accelerometers using vibrating force transducers that require materials with low internal damping to achieve high Q values that result in low drive power, low self heating and insensitivity to electronic component variations. Transducer materials for high accuracy instruments also require extreme mechanical stability over extended cycles at high stress levels. Crystalline silicon possesses high Q values, and with the advent of low-cost, micro-machined mechanical structures fabricated from crystalline silicon, it is practical and desirable to create vibrating beams from a silicon substrate. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,990 describes a vibrating beam structure fabricated from crystalline silicon and includes an electric circuit for applying a drive signal or current along a current path that extends in a first direction along a first beam and in a second, opposite, direction along a second beam parallel to the first. A magnetic field is generated that intersect substantially perpendicularly to the conductive path, whereby the first and second beams are caused to vibrate towards and away from one another, 180 degrees out of phase.
Digital techniques employ stable, high frequency crystal clocks to measure a frequency change as an indication of acceleration forces applied to such vibrating beam accelerometers. To ensure precise integration or cosine demodulation, a crystal clock is used to precisely set the frequency of the dither drive signal. The outputs from two accelerometers are fed into counters to be compared to a reference clock signal produced by the crystal clock. A microprocessor reads the counters and processes the data to provide a force signal F and a rotational signal .omega.. The main advantage of digital processing is the ability to demodulate with extreme precision. The short-term stability of the reference crystal clock allows the half cycle time basis to be precisely equal. Thus, a constant input to the cosine demodulator is chopped up into equal, positive half cycle and negative half cycle values, whose sum is exactly zero.
In an illustrated embodiment, the two accelerometer signals are counted in their respective counters over a 100 Hz period (corresponding to a hundred Hz of the dither frequency .omega.) and are sampled at a 400 Hz data rate corresponding to each quarter cycle of the dither motion. The two accumulated counts are subtracted to form the force signal F. Since the counters act as an integrator, the acceleration signal is changed directly to a velocity signal. Taking the difference of the acceleration signals tends to reject all Coriolis signals as does the counter integration and locked period data sampling.
The Coriolis signals are detected by a cosine demodulation. The cosine demodulated signals from the first and second accelerometers are summed to produce the .DELTA..theta. signal. Again, the counters integrate the rate data to produce an angle change. The sum also eliminates any linear acceleration and the demodulation cancels any bias source including bias operating frequency and accelerometer bias. The accelerometer temperature is used in a polynomial model to provide compensation for all the coefficients used to convert the frequency counts into output units. Thus, the scale factor, bias and misalignment of the sensor axes are corrected over the entire temperature range.
The demodulation of the frequency sample is straightforward once the data is gathered each quarter cycle. The cosine demodulation is simply the difference between the appropriate half cycles. The linear acceleration is the sum of all samples.

Micromachined rate and acceleration sensor


A system evaluates a patient for a physiological abnormality. A urinary catheter is insertable within a patient's bladder and has a first pressure sensor for measuring bladder pressure and a second pressure sensor for measuring mid-urethral pressure at the mid-urethral sphincter. A processing device is connected to the first and second pressure sensors and configured to receive the measured bladder pressure and measured mid-urethral pressure during at least one breath cycle and process the data representative of the bladder and mid-urethral pressures obtained during the at least one breath cycle to diagnose a physiological abnormality within the patient.

Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,652,066; 8,597,183; 8,690,790; 8,602,987; and 8,597,184, the disclosures which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, disclose examples of systems and methodologies together with the devices and processing equipment that analyze involuntary reflex cough events and test physiological abnormalities such as stress urinary incontinence.
Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,747 filed on Jun. 3, 2014, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses examples of analysis of the ICR and the effect of respiration on intrinsic sphincters.
Urodynamic tracings from SUI clinical trials showed that inspiration during VC stimulates pulmonary afferent fibers that activate closure of the internal urethral sphincter (IUS). The inventors have filed numerous patent applications and received patents involving the involuntary reflex cough test and analysis of stress urinary incontinence and the LER as related to the effect of inspiration and expiration on IUS and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) activity.
For example, a study has been performed using barium videofluoroscopy study (BSV) of the LES on adult males during VC, LER, breath-hold maneuvers, and normal respiration. Fiber-optic pressure catheters were placed in the LES and IUS and electromyographic (EMG) recording of the right T7-8 intercostals during respiration. The BSV showed closure and relaxation of the LES corresponding to the inspiration and expiration of VC. The LES was patented during the LER and there was closure of LES during the deep inspiration/breath-hold event. Pressure catheters in the LES and IUS showed increased pressure during inspiration and suggests that pulmonary inspiration afferents elicit a patterned reflex motor response in the LES and IUS, referred to as the inspiration closure reflex (ICR).
FIGS. 12A and 12B in the '747 application and in this application disclose clinical examples of the ICR function with a urodynamic (UD) tracing of a series of voluntary and involuntary coughs in a female subject with moderate/severe SUI. This subject had an almost two-fold increase in average IAP with the VC and each cough was preceded by deep inspiration (inhalation). During the VC, it was noted that the deep inspiration that preceded VC activated the ICR and closed the IUS, resulting in a false negative result for SUI in this "moderate to severe" subject. During the involuntary cough event, the IRCT UD tracing revealed multiple urinary leaks, despite the lower average IAP measurements compared with the VC. This suggests that if pulmonary inspiration afferent fibers are activated, these intrinsic sphincters close with every inspiration and release with every expiration. During voluntary maneuvers, such as VC, Valsalva maneuver or sneezing, these intrinsic sphincters release tonicity with expiration. The degree of intrinsic sphincter closure appears to vary with the rate, depth or volutional modification of inspiration. During inspiration, it was noted that it is possible that pulmonary inspiratory afferent fibers to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) may co-activate with the phrenic nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus (DMN) and sacral autonomic nucleus. The LES closure and pressure elevation via the activation of the DMN may coincide with simultaneous activation of the diaphragm.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Urinary catheter system for diagnosing a physiological abnormality such as stress urinary incontinence


An exercise apparatus that may be used in a bed, primarily for stretching and resistance exercises. The exercise apparatus may be configured with a lower frame and an upper frame. The lower frame is disposed between and connected to a bed frame and a headboard. The upper frame is connected to the lower frame and has exercise equipment attachment couplers.

Exercise and strengthening of muscles is very important to the maintenance of health. Many people who are sick and bedridden or generally more sedentary lose muscle tone, which leads into a cycle of further loss of muscle strength. Even people who are not bedridden or sedentary often require regular exercise therapy to strengthen muscles to address ongoing maladies such as back pain. Sometimes it is necessary for people to perform exercises first thing in the morning right after waking up and even before getting out of bed to allow them to become mobile. Furthermore, many people are unable or do not have the time to go to a gym and are more likely to have the time to exercise and would prefer to exercise at home.
Home exercise equipment, however, poses many issues. Very often people do not have the space in their abode to accommodate the exercise equipment. In order to address this issue, equipment often is folded away in some manner to be put out of sight under a bed or in a closet or to stand unobtrusively against a wall. However, this equipment is not easily brought out and set up by someone who is sick and bedridden or has very low muscle tone. Moreover, the unobtrusiveness of the equipment is also not conducive to encouraging regular use.
In order to address this issue, others have devised exercise equipment to be used in a bed. Very often, due to the type of exercise that the equipment needs to provide, the exercise equipment must be braced in some manner against the bed structure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,519 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,532 disclose exercise equipment that is clamped to the upper portion of a headboard or is braced with some kind of horizontal member or board extending under the mattress. However, equipment that is clamped against the upper portion of a headboard may cause damage to the headboard. Moreover, it puts a high torque force on the upper part of the headboard or footboard when used, and thereby applies excessive force to the attachments of the headboard or footboard. This type of equipment is also usually very unsightly, and is difficult to repeatedly remove and attach. Equipment that is braced under the mattress applies a force to the mattress or box-spring below the mattress that it is not designed to withstand. Furthermore, the horizontal member or board will push up on the mattress and make the mattress lumpy and uneven to sleep on. It is also difficult to install and remove the horizontal member, because a person must lift up the mattress to do so. Also, if left in place, this type of exercise equipment is unsightly as well. Others, such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,979 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,067, show headboards and/or footboards with built-in exercise equipment. However, such headboards and footboards with built-in exercise equipment can be bulky, very expensive, and are not easily reconfigurable.


A radiation generator may include a generator housing, a target electrode carried by the generator housing, a charged particle source carried by the generator housing to direct charged particles at the target electrode based upon an accelerating potential, and a suppressor electrode carried by the generator housing having an opening therein to permit passage of charged particles to the target electrode. A target extender electrode may be between the suppressor electrode and the target electrode and have an opening therein to permit passage of charged particles to the target. At least one voltage source may be coupled to the target electrode, the suppressor electrode, and the target extender electrode to cause the target electrode to have a voltage greater than a voltage of the suppressor electrode and to cause the target extender electrode to have a voltage greater than the voltage of the suppressor electrode.

Radiation generators, such as neutron and X-ray generators, are used in well logging tools to take measurements of a geological formation adjacent a wellbore where hydrocarbon resources are located (e.g., oil and/or natural gas). Neutron generators use deuterium-deuterium (d-d), deuterium-tritium (d-t) or tritium-tritium (t-t) reactions to create neutrons without the use of radioactive materials.
Neutron generators may include a neutron tube and associated electrical components, such as one or more high voltage transformers with a Cockcroft-Walton ladder to produce a high operating voltage. The neutron tube is a sealed envelope made of metal and insulators comprising a gas reservoir, an ion source, an accelerator column and a target. The target may be made of a hydride material. Once released from the reservoir, the gas is ionized in the ion source, and then accelerated in the accelerator column toward the target. A nuclear fusion reaction occurs between the incoming ions and the hydrogen isotope atoms present in the target, causing neutrons to be directed into the geological formation. A radiation detector may detect the radiation from the geological formation resulting form the neutron bombardment, which in turn provides information regarding the composition of the geological formation.


Long file names found in an application program are contained in array. Then, short file name corresponding to each long file name is made; by combining the number of array element containing the corresponding long file name, with prescribed letter row. On the other hand, in the occasion of comparing newly found long file name with long file names already contained in array, only a specific byte of array element in array is compared with a specific data. Thus, efficient array searching is processed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of treating long life name; which is processed, in the occasion when long file name not supported in the file system is used in an application program.
2. Description of the Related Art
In file managing system of Operating System for personal computer, the file name had been made up of 8+3 letter set, for reasons of history of Operating System. That is, in such system, a file name is represented with 8 letters of alphabet or number, a period, and 3 letters of alphabet or number. An example of this is "filename.ext". This kind of file name representing formula is an international standard of ISO 9660 level 1.
By the way, as time has past, new types of Operating Systems are developed by each manufacturer. And, they have grown up in each family of operating system. In this growing process, file names obey 8+3 letter set formula of international standard, in either of these Operating Systems. But, in Operating Systems of some manufacturers, file names are not limited to 8+3 letter set. And, any formula of file names can be used by programmers, from the beginning of the OS development. A file name of this kind is called a long file name. On the other hand, a file name of 8+3 letter set representing formula is called "a short file name", in this application.
On the contrary, in Operating Systems of some other manufacturers, long file names cannot be used at the beginning. That is, only, short file names are supported in systems, in the early time of OS. And, long file names are supported only in the recently developed OS.
Therefore, recently, long file names become to be able to be used in most of operating systems. On the other hand, there can be some personal computers installing some Operating System, which is made in the earliest time. In that occasion, short file names can only be used. But, short file names have already become names of the past, in business world. And, users make application programs, putting aside file names formula. That is, long file names described in this specification, is used. So, in the occasion mentioned above, it becomes necessary to transform long file names into short file names. Therefore, the conventional transforming method will be described.
In the conventional method, long file names are transformed into short file names of 8+3 letter set, according to the regulations hereafter described.    1. An extension character etc. is transformed into underscore "_".    2. The first three letters after period comprise an extension.    3. Spaces are ignored.    4. The first six letters are remained. And, they are transformed into capital letters.    5. The rest two letters are a combination of a tilda "˜" and a number. The first combination is "˜1". If there are two file names which first six letters are same, the second file name is attached with "˜2". If there are ten file names which first six letters are same, the tenth file name is attached with "˜10". And, the letter combination becomes that of the first five letters and this attachment.
However, there was the next problem in conventional technique mentioned above.
As mentioned above, when a long file name is newly used in an application program by a programmer, there can be an occasion when already used is a long file name which first six letters are same as those of the newly-used file name. In this occasion, as mentioned above, they are discriminated by attaching "˜1" and "˜2".
Therefore, if a new long file name is detected in the occasion when an application program is compiled, it is necessary to search all the long file name which are registered in the file managing system, as to judge whether the first six letters are same or not. Otherwise, it cannot be transformed into a short file name. Such searching process must be performed each time when a new long file name is detected.
Therefore, much time is needed to compile an application program. And, there was a problem that developing a program cannot be performed smoothly.


A partitioned container includes a container cavity partitioned into a plurality of container cavities by means of intersecting partition walls within the container. A container first lid is rotatably mounted relative to a container underlying second lid, with the first lid having a first lid aperture selectively aligned with one of a plurality of second lid apertures, with one of the second lid apertures aligned and positioned above each of the partition cavities within the container. A tubular drinking tube member is arranged for selective mounting to a side wall of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to container structure and more particularly pertains to a new and improved partitioned container wherein the same is arranged for the selective consumption of fluids from one of a plurality of cavities within an associated container structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Containers of various types have been utilized throughout the prior art for the dispensing and storage of various consumable components. Prior art container structure is indicated in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,743,520; 4,928,876; 4,826,034; 4,923,083; and 5,048,709 to Alverson indicating the deployment of a mounting of a drinking tube adjacent to a container structure.
As such, it may be appreciated there continues to be a need for a new and improved partitioned container as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction in a manner not addressed by the prior art by providing for a readily accessed plurality of container cavities accessed by means of a drinking tube and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


Embodiments include a resistive random access memory (RRAM) storage cell, having a resistive switching material layer and a semiconductor layer between two electrodes, where the semiconductor layer serves as an OEL. In addition, the RRAM storage cell may be coupled with a transistor to form a RRAM memory cell. The RRAM memory cell may include a semiconductor layer as a channel for the transistor, and also shared with the storage cell as an OEL for the storage cell. A shared electrode may serve as a source electrode of the transistor and an electrode of the storage cell. In some embodiments, a dielectric layer may be shared between the transistor and the storage cell, where the dielectric layer is a resistive switching material layer of the storage cell.

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is an emerging technology for next generation non-volatile (NV) random-access memory (RAM). A RRAM memory cell may have a 1T1R configuration, which may include a RRAM storage cell coupled to a selector, such as a Si transistor. However, when a Si transistor is used as the selector, a RRAM memory cell may be area inefficient. Moreover, with devices scaling down, the Si transistor used as the selector may leak static power.

Semiconductor material for resistive random access memory


A shoring box having frame supports coupled to lateral spreader bars. The shoring box is configured to accept exterior panels in a manner capable of providing vertical translation about an exterior surface of the shoring box. The shoring box is further configured to accept a plurality of interior panels in a manner capable of providing customizable shoring above and below utility lines, pipes, duct banks, and the like. In this regard, the shoring box is adapted to shore around one or more obstructions within an excavation, trench, or hole.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to shoring boxes and related methods for use in shoring open excavations; and more particularly to an improved shoring box adapted for variable configuration for shoring around utility lines, pipes, duct banks and the like.
2. Related Art
There are many systems available for shoring the walls of open excavations. Generally, these systems, or "shoring systems", are made up of large panels for supporting the walls of a trench or hole and a number of supports for holding the panels against their respective walls. With the walls properly supported by shoring, the trench or hole may be accessed by workers in a safe manner.
Of the many systems, there are various designs currently available for shoring. Because examples of such shoring systems may be found with a simple internet search, and because those having skill in the art are already familiar with shoring systems there will be minimal discussion herein. Instead, we describe a longstanding problem in the art that remains unresolved and continues to threaten injury to workers in excavations, refining, mining, and similar operations.
In particular, when digging a trench or hole, it is often the case that unexpected utility lines, pipes, and/or duct banks appear during an excavation. This usually occurs because of the number of entities involved in grounding utility lines, thus the land may be subject to failed communication or documentation, errors in blueprints, etc. When confronting the unexpected, traditional shoring systems may not be suitable for shoring near these problematic areas.
For example, an unexpected pipe crossing perpendicular to a known line results in a shoring panel being vertically limited. Thus, the trench wall beneath the unexpected pipe is not properly shored. Depending on the depth of the trench, this could lead to harmful, and potentially fatal, conditions. There has yet to be developed a shoring system for meeting these and other commonly occurring situations.
In another example, older cities, especially large cities and other urban areas, often have a large number of utility lines, cables, pipes, and other obstructions that are encountered when trenching in these areas. This spider-web like mess of lines can often be problematic for shoring since current systems are not capable of being installed in these areas. Again, there has yet to be provided a configurable shoring system suitable for shoring walls with large numbers of crossing utilities.
Other problems in the art will become apparent in the following descriptions of the inventive features and embodiments.


A method and apparatus is capable of high-speed transportation of passengers and/or freight. Vehicles (22) are operated along a guideway (14) as a result of the interaction between vehicle lift, steering and propulsion apparatus, each of which includes coil assemblies that are mounted on the vehicle (22), and magnet assemblies mounted on the guideway (14). Vehicle propulsion is provided by the interaction of currents on the vehicle (22) with time-varying magnetic fields that are generated along the guideway (14). The coils and magnets interact in accordance with the magnitude of electric current passing through the coils and the strength of the magnets' fields, to give lift and directional control to the vehicle. The lift and steering magnets (92, 94, 120, 122) provide substantially uniform magnetic fields so that the interaction between the lift coils and lift magnets, and respectively between the steering coils and steering magnets is substantially independent of positioning of the corresponding coils (104, 106, 108, 124, 126, 128 and 103).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to ground-based transport systems, and particularly to transport systems comprising vehicles which are magnetically lifted rather than mechanically lifted, and which are propelled magnetically while so lifted.
2. Description of the Related Art
The dramatic rise in urban and suburban populations, and the environmental and economic impacts that have accompanied such increases, have given new urgency to the development of a transportation technology that can transport large numbers of passengers rapidly, conveniently, economically, safely and reliably across distances as short as those of urban commuter lines or as long as transcontinental trips. A focus by transportation researchers in recent years has been the development of railway or guideway transportation systems as opposed to road or airborne systems. In particular, large efforts have been expended in recent years on the development of superconducting and non-superconducting magnetically levitated (lifted) train-like transport systems.
Most effort to date has focused on the concept of supporting a relatively conventional railway train by magnetic fields rather than by conventional steel wheels riding on steel rails. With large financial and technical support from their respective governments, Japanese and German research teams have expanded upon and developed experimental magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation research, some of which was pioneered in the United States. The research teams' respective implementations of magnetic levitation, however, differ greatly. For example, the Japanese system relies for lift upon the force which arises when strong electric currents, which are maintained in superconducting coils mounted within the cars, generate induced currents in a conducting guideway as the cars and coils associated therewith move along the guideway. The magnitude of this generated force is (roughly) inversely proportional to the separation distance between the coils and the guideway. Because the system is planned so far to operate in air like conventional railways, it is subject to aerodynamic drag, which increases power requirements and creates noise.
In the Japanese system, separation distances between the superconducting coils and the guide rails of the order of about 10 cm can be attained. Separation distances of this magnitude allow misalignments of the guide structure to be tolerated, because with large separation distances catastrophic contact between the cars and the guide structure are (other things being equal) less likely to occur than with closely-spaced systems.
A major difficulty with the Japanese system is that, as the superconductor currents once set cannot be changed moment to moment, the cars travel as though "floating" on soft springs whose spring constants and damping cannot be electronically controlled, rather than their oscillations being controlled and dampened by electronic feedback. An additional problem is that when transit speed drops below about 50 kph (the speed below which motion-induced lift generally ceases to be effective), auxiliary support apparatus such as landing wheels must be deployed in order to support the train.
In contrast to the Japanese transport system described above, the transport system which has been developed in Germany makes use of forces of magnetic attraction rather than repulsion. In the German system, conventional (i.e. non-superconducting) electromagnetic coils are positioned along lateral skirts of the rail cars and work to lift the rail cars toward a steel guideway positioned above the skirts of the rail cars. An advantage of this system is that it avoids the relatively advanced technology and the consequent capital and operating expenditures typically associated with superconductivity. However, the force of electromagnetic attraction is inherently unstable and requires sophisticated feedback control to ensure that the magnetic forces do not cause a car to come into contact with the overlying guideway. Because the linear density (kg/meter) of the German train is, like the Japanese train, relatively high, and magnets of conventional design can only provide the necessary strong forces without excessive power loss by using small rather than large air gaps, the clearance can only be of the order of about 1 cm. To ensure that the separation distance does not change above or below that optimal operating distance of about 1 cm during the course of vehicle operation, a highly nonlinear feedback system is required. The small separation and consequent tight tolerances in the guideway inherent in this system are reasons for concern as to its further development and its practical operating speed, as maintaining tight tolerances in the guideway is difficult. System operation is further complicated by environmental factors such as wind shifts, rainfall and debris, any or all of which are likely to be present occasionally and which can act to induce sudden, undesirable changes in vehicle position with respect to the guideway, in the worst case leading to physical contact.
Despite the foregoing system limitations, interest in magnetic levitation as a means for making better local and long distance terrestrial transport systems has increased over the years, as such transport systems should be capable of higher operating speeds and lower mechanical wear than conventional, wheel-on-rail transport systems. Furthermore, maglev systems even operating in the air are quieter than their conventional wheel-on-rail counterparts, and are therefore not as likely as conventional systems to meet with public opposition if proposed for location in urban areas.
As the current state of the art in magnetic levitation provides for the operation of such transport systems above ground, exposed to the surrounding environment, a principal limitation to the maximum operational speed of these transport systems has been aerodynamic drag and, as a separate point, noise. Such aerodynamic considerations have imposed a practical speed limitation of on the order of 500 kph for such transport systems, a speed which has also been reached, but only under experimental conditions by an unloaded train, in speed tests by a state of the art wheel-on-rail system, namely the French TGV-A system. The next operational TGV-A train is being built in France for an operating speed of about 300 kph. Clearly, wheel-on-rail technology is reaching its limits, because 2/3 of that speed was available for normally scheduled trains in the United States in the 1930's. Maglev systems depending on attraction, and therefore using small clearances, also would raise safety concerns if operating speeds were to be high.
In view of the foregoing limitations, an object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a high speed transport system that is safe, economical to build and operate, uses very little energy, provides for the transportation of large numbers of people and/or freight at higher speeds than are possible with conventional ground-based transportation systems, and is as far as possible environmentally benign. The present invention is also designed to occupy minimum width and to conform to existing rights of way, for example median strips on highways.
A further object and advantage of the subject invention is to provide a magnetically levitated transportation system which minimizes the exposure of the passengers transported thereby to magnetic fields used by the transport system in the course of its operation.
A further object and advantage of the invention is to provide a transport system that is closely and tightly controlled, yet provides a smooth ride, i.e., does not generate or transmit to passengers jarring forces.
Yet a further object and advantage of the invention is to provide a high speed transport system that is substantially isolated from aerodynamic and climatological influences and from acts of vandalism.
These and other objects and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing figures.


A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising: an anode of niobium or niobium alloy; and a dielectric layer formed by anodizing the anode; wherein the anode comprises a surface layer of niobium silicide formed at an interface between the dielectric layer and itself, and silicon is contained in the dielectric layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid electrolytic capacitor using niobium or niobium alloy for an anode and to a method of manufacturing anode material of said anode for said solid electrolytic capacitor. More particularly, a feature of the invention is to prevent increase of leakage current after heat treatment process, such as reflow soldering process.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, it has been proposed to fabricate a solid electrolytic capacitor by: anodizing an anode of valve metals, such as titanium, niobium, tantalum and the like or of alloy of which main component is valve metals, in phosphate solution to form a dielectric layer of oxide on the anode surface; overlaying an electrolyte layer composed of an oxide having a conductivity or a conductive polymer on the dielectric layer; and overlaying a carbon layer and a silver layer as a cathode on the electrolyte layer. (See, for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 6-151258.)
However, the dielectric layer of oxide in such a solid electrolytic capacitor is easily affected by heat. Especially, the dielectric layer formed by anodizing an anode using niobium or niobium alloy is easy to be greatly affected by heat, and there has been a problem when heat treatment process, such as reflow soldering process, is conducted, a crack in the dielectric layer occurs by heat shrinkage of the anode and the electrolyte layer, and increase of leakage current is caused.
In recent years, in order to provide a solid electrolytic capacitor having little change in electric capacitance by heating of a reflow soldering process, the solid electrolytic capacitor in which a dielectric layer composed of a niobium oxide layer and a niobium nitride region is formed on the surface of an anode of niobium has been proposed. (See, for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 11-329902.)
Nevertheless, a problem in the above-described solid electrolytic capacitor in which the dielectric layer composed of the niobium oxide layer and the niobium nitride region is formed on the surface of the anode of niobium has been that it is impossible to fully suppress occurrence of the crack in the dielectric layer which results in increase of leakage current.

Solid electrolytic capacitor and method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor anode material