The present invention is directed to an adjustable seat occupant support assembly for a seat, such as a vehicle seat, which employs a drive equipped with an arm that bears against an adjuster shoe that urges part of a seat cushion of a backrest of a vehicle seat outwardly or inwardly. The adjustable support assembly is received in part of a molded seat shell that is three dimensionally formed to accommodate at least part of the lumbar adjuster drive. In a preferred embodiment, the shell has a molded drive-receiving compartment that can include a cradle that supports a drive received in the compartment. One or more integrally molded bearing support surfaces, including journals, can be formed in the shell upon which part of the drive can be movably supported. A drive actuator is provided that is also carried by an aperture or the like molded into the shell.

In the past, lumbar adjustment assemblies have been employed in vehicle seats to enable a seat occupant to adjust part of a vehicle seat, namely part of the backrest, to provide a desired amount of lumbar support for comfort. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,564,235; 5,588,703; 5,505,520; 5,718,476; and 6,688,690, are a few examples of adjustable seat occupant support assemblies that are used to provide adjustable lumbar support to a seat occupant.
With reference to FIG. 1, manufacturers of seats that incorporate lumbar adjustment assemblies have used in the past, or are currently using, a conventional steel frame backrest. In one such lumbar adjustment system 20 shown in FIG. 1, the backrest frame (not shown) has structural cross members 22, which partially constrains one end of a centrally located, generally convex-bowed, flexible plate 24. This plate 24, which is typically made of steel or plastic, bears against foam (not shown) in the seat that is located in the backrest between the plate 24 and the back of a seat occupant (not shown). This plate 24 is acted upon by a threaded rod 26, which is axially fixed to the backrest frame, and a threaded nut-like element 28 that engages the free end of the convexly-bowed plate 24. As the rod 26 is rotated, the nut translates along the rod 26, which moves the free end of the convexly-bowed plate 24 relative to the constrained end. This increases or decreases the amount of the bow or curvature in the convexly-bowed plate 24. As the bow or curvature in the plate 24 changes, it changes the amount by which it displaces and applies pressure against the backrest foam toward or away from the lumbar region of a seat occupant. A load distribution pad (not shown) can be located between the convexly-bowed plate 24 and the backrest foam to help spread the force applied by the plate 24 to the foam more evenly along the foam. Manipulation of the backrest foam in this manner by changing the amount of bow or curvature in the convexly-bowed plate 24 changes the shape of and/or the amount of support provided by the backrest to the lumbar region of a seat occupant.
Although not shown, there is another more complex lumbar adjustment system that is also commonly used in seats with conventional steel backrest frames. This system is self-contained and is generally mounted to a backrest cross member with threaded fasteners. It includes a vertically-oriented, convex-shaped, cross-lattice element that is manufactured using steel or plastic strip material. The convex shape of the cross-lattice element is curved toward the backrest foam. This basic system is used with a variety of mechanisms to change the shape of the cross-lattice element. Any of these can be functionally illustrated by analogy using a simple archer's bow, with the bow representing the cross-lattice element, and the bow string representing the mechanism that controls the amount of arch, bow or curvature of the lattice element. As the ends of the lattice element are brought closed together, typically using a tensile member, the convex shape of the lattice element increases. Conversely, as the tensile element is relaxed the shape flattens out. The lattice type element generally bears directly on the foam of the backrest. Again, this manipulation of the backrest foam changes the shape of and/or the support provided by the lumbar region of the backrest.
A further type of lumbar adjustment system incorporates an inflatable air bladder positioned between a support element and the foam in a typical steel frame seat backrest. An example of such a system is shown in FIG. 20 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,050. One variant includes a hand squeezed bulb to pump up the bladder to increase its cross section, and an inline needle type valve that can opened to decrease the pressure in the bladder and reduce its cross section. Typically the bladder acts directly on the foam in the seat backrest. Again, manipulation of the backrest foam changes the shape of and/or the support provided by the lumbar region of the backrest.
While many of these adjustable seat occupant support assemblies and systems have enjoyed commercial success in the past, their complexity and cost has prohibited their application to lower cost off-road vehicle seating.

Seat with adjustable seat occupant support assembly and integrally formed seat shell therefor

Milsco Manufacturing Company, a unit of Jason Incorporated


A sawbuck includes a pivot beam which forms the pivot joint between the legs of at least three X-shaped sets of legs, and also forms a horizontal member of two or more Vierendeel trusses included in the sawbuck. In a preferred embodiment, the sawbuck includes a rigid pivot beam and three foldable X-shaped sets of legs, each set of legs including at least one pair of legs pivotally attached to each other between ends of the legs by the pivot beam. First and second ones of the three sets of legs are pivotally attached to the pivot beam adjacent to respective ends of the pivot beam, and a third one of the sets is pivotally attached to the pivot beam between the first and second sets. A first primary stabilizer beam is attached adjacent to a first end of a first one of the legs of each pair of legs so that the pivot beam, first legs and first primary stabilizer beam define a first Vierendeel truss. A second primary stabilizer beam is attached adjacent to the first end of a second one of the legs of each pair so that the pivot beam, second legs and second primary stabilizer beam define a second Vierendeel truss. A foldable tie bar, for releasably locking the X-shaped sets of legs and the sawbuck in an open position is attached between the first and second legs of at least one of the leg sets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sawbucks, and in particular to light weight, collapsible, portable sawbucks.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are numerous designs for sawbucks in the prior art. Since these apparatus are frequently used by professional craftsmen such as carpenters, etc., many of these apparatus are designed to be portable. A major consideration in designing a portable sawbuck (as in any portable device) is to achieve structural stability with a minimum amount of weight. In order to be of the most use to a craftsman, a sawbuck must also be sturdy in use, and capable of withstanding forces applied from many different directions. Additionally, it is desirable that the sawbuck be capable of supporting a large amount of weight (for example, hundreds of pounds) without any substantial deflection or loss of stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,677 to Gulezian discloses a portable sawbuck having two pairs of X-shaped foldable legs attached to each other by a single metal, pipe-like axle or cross bar. The foldable legs can be formed from commercially available lumber such as 2.times.4s or 2.times.6s. A cross-brace, which can also be a hollow metal pipe, is attached between the inner legs of each pair of X-shaped foldable legs. Lugs are provided on plates which are attached to the inner legs of each leg pair to prevent the sawbuck from collapsing during use.
The transmission of force from the legs to the pipe-like axle is not direct because the wooden legs are attached to the pipe-like axle by the metal plates (which are attached to the legs by screws), each of which acts as a transition piece from the legs to the pipe-like axle. Accordingly, force is transmitted from the legs to the metal plate via the screws attaching the plate to the legs, concentrating most of the force in the portions of the legs receiving the screws. Additionally, the lugs provided on the plates to prevent the sawbuck from collapsing during use are located close to the center of rotation of the legs about the pipe-like axle, and consequently they must counteract a disproportionate amount of shear stress. Accordingly, the lugs must be welded to or cast unitarily with the plates. Furthermore, in order to limit the inward movement of the legs relative to the pipe-like axle, collars are welded to the axle. Accordingly, the sawbuck of Gulezian requires specialized fabrication (welding and metal mill work), increasing its cost and weight. An additional support structure on the pipe-like axle is also required in order to provide a flat work surface for supporting short pieces of work.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,546 to Parsons discloses a collapsible sawbuck having three pairs of metal legs with each leg pair having a pin joint for pivotally attaching the legs of a pair together. The leg pairs are attached to each other by disposing an angle-iron under each set of legs on each side of the sawbuck. The sawbuck is preventing from collapsing by chains or other suitable means attached between the angle-irons.
Due to the attachment of the angle-irons to the lowest surface of each leg, the sawbuck is seated along the entire length of each angle-iron on both sides. This construction makes for unstable bearing on uneven surfaces, which will cause the sawbuck to rock if used on uneven surf aces. Additionally, unless extremely strong welded connections can be provided between the legs and the angle-irons, the sawbuck of Parsons lacks rigidity, especially to forces applied in the direction parallel to the angle-irons. At any rate, a large amount of stress is concentrated in the welded joints between the legs and angle-iron due to the cantilever arrangement between each leg and its respective angle-iron. As with the device of Gulezian, specialized fabrication (i.e., welding) is required, thus increasing cost and weight. Additionally, the sawbuck of Parsons lacks versatility in that it is not suitable for providing a flat horizontal work surface or any type of support f or equipment which may be used by a craftsman.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,929 to Wellman discloses a collapsible portable sawbuck having three sets of support assemblies connected to one another by two horizontal members located near the lower ends of the support assemblies, and by a third horizontal member fastened to the top portion of each support assembly.
Although suitable for holding timber, the sawbuck of Wellman lacks versatility for the reasons described above with respect to Parsons. The lateral stability of the structure is compromised by the fact that each pivot point operates independently. The main lateral stability mechanism Wellman employs is a third horizontal member located near the top of the structure and is subject to being accidentally cut during use.

Sawbuck including vierendeel truss construction


A method of location of a device includes a displacement law containing a corrective factor of a bias combined by an arithmetical operation with a measured variable, and particles, each particle being associated with a current value of the corrective factor. The current value of the corrective factor being constructed at each iteration on the basis of a previous current value of the corrective factor, computed during a previous iteration, to which is added a random variable drawn according to a predefined probability law. The current values of various particles are initialized, before the first iteration, to various initial values, and during each iteration, for each particle whose coordinates are updated with the aid of this displacement law, the value of the corrective factor in the displacement law is taken equal to this corrective factor's current value associated with the particle.

It is often useful to locate a device that has been displaced within a three-dimensional space. This is particularly useful when the device is GPS inaccessible, as is often the case inside buildings or shopping malls.
Known methods of location rely on measurements provided by an inertial platform housed within the device itself to measure the direction and amplitude of that device's displacement from a previous position. Among these known methods are those that use "particle filters" to estimate the position of the device in the three-dimensional environment. Particle filters exploit the fact that there exist predefined constraints on the displacements of the device inside the three-dimensional environment. A typical constraint might be that a displacement cannot pass through a wall.
Under ideal conditions, known methods make it possible to precisely estimate the position of the device. However, in reality, there may exist a constant or systematic bias in the device's direction of displacement and/or in the amplitude of the device's displacement in that direction. This bias may have very different origins.
In some cases, a systematic bias arises from a bias in the measurements of one or more sensors of the device's inertial platform. In other cases, a systematic bias arises from an error in modeling the relation that links the measurements of the inertial platform to the displacement's direction or amplitude. Yet another source of such systematic bias is incorrect positioning of the device with respect to its direction of displacement.
If not corrected, a systematic bias degrades the precision of an estimate of the device's position. It is therefore desirable to correct it.
A difficulty that arises is that, to correct such a bias, it is necessary to know its value. In most cases, this value is not known in advance. Ideally, one should calibrate the device before using it. This would enable it to determine its systematic bias. This value could then be used to correct forthcoming position estimates.
However, obliging the user to execute a prior calibration phase before launching the location of the device is in most cases impractical. To make matters worse, in some cases, bias evolves over time. Thus, a user would have to recalibrate the device from time-to-time.

Locating a device that is moved in a three-dimensional space

Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives


An image processing apparatus is capable of rotating a read image into a desired direction according to the content of a mark sheet to be read prior to the originals. As a result, the operator need not pay particular attention to the direction in which he sets the originals on the reader unit. To this end, a detection unit detects an identifier on, or attached to, the original on the reader unit, a rotation unit rotates the read image, and an output unit for releasing the rotated image in accordance with the content of the mark sheet, for example by rotating the image in accordance with the receiving equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method therefor, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of sending an original image with a predetermined direction to another device and a method therefor.
2. Related Background Art
There is already known apparatus, such as a copying apparatus with a facsimile communication function or an electronic filing function. In such apparatus, originals are set on an automatic original feeder and the originals supplied in succession onto an original table are read, and the original images thus read are used for facsimile transmission or stored in a memory device. In image reading operation, for example in setting A4-sized originals on the automatic original feeder, the longer side of the original is usually set parallel to the line sensor, in order to reduce the time required for original scanning and for original feeding. However, because the shorter side of the A4 size is taken as the main scanning direction in the facsimile transmission, there is already known an apparatus capable of transmission, after rotation by 90.degree., of the images obtained by reading the originals which are set as explained above. In this manner it is possible to release the original images after exchange of the longer and shorter sides thereof
However, in this conventional configuration, for example in the facsimile transmission, the original image is rotated by 90.degree. only in a predetermined direction, so that the TTI information, attached at the transmission side for example at the top of the original image, may become directed opposite to the original image itself For example, if the originals are bent at an end, such originals tend to cause sheet jamming at the feed roller of the automatic original feeder if the bent end is set on the feeder closer to the feed roller. It is customary to set the originals in the opposite direction in such case, and the above-mentioned image transmission in the inverted direction occurs by such original setting.
Also in the case of storing the read image in the memory device by the electronic filing function, the image displayed based on the image data or printed and stapled may become vertically inverted depending on the setting direction of the original.

Information processing apparatus and method for rotating an image based on an intended process


A steering wheel structure includes a steering wheel ring, a first spoke extending downward from a steering shaft and carrying the steering wheel ring on the steering shaft and, an air bag case disposed on a tip end portion of the steering shaft. An air bag received in the air bag is case in a folded state and an inflator is provided for inflating the air bag with gas. An igniter is used to ignite a material in the inflator to produce the gas. A displacing device is provided for allowing the spoke and lower portion of the steering wheel ring to be displaced when subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value. An impact energy therefore, can be effectively and safely absorbed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering wheel and, more specifically, to a structure for mounting an air bag module on a steering wheel with a spoke extending downward from a steering shaft therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
An air bag module usually includes main components therein such as a folded air bag, and inflator for generating a gas and an igniter which form a single unit. It has been well-known that such air bag module is mounted on a steering wheel structure.
The steering wheel structure is mounted on a steering shaft having an inclination with an acute angle to the vertically standing driver's body. When the vehicle is subjected to an impact rearward at the front thereof, the air bag is inflated to contact the driver's body moving forward relative to the steering wheel structure. In this case, the driver's body tends to turn forward. This forward movement of the driver in addition to the inclination of the steering wheel structure causes the steering wheel to deflect forward at its upper half portion and rearward at its lower half portion.
This deflection of the lower half portion of the steering wheel reduces the distance between the steering wheel and the driver so that a shock absorption effect of the air bag module will be deteriorated for the driver's body portion, specifically the abdomen and breast.
In this respect, Japanese Patent Public Disclosure (JP A) No. 62-234762, laid open to the public in 1987, discloses a steering wheel structure providing the upper half portion with a greater stiffness than the lower half portion thereof so that the lower half portion is readily deflected, absorbing an impact energy, when subjected to a forward force by the driver. Japanese Utility Model Public Disclosure (JP U) No. 2-66368, laid open to the public on May 18, 1990, discloses a similar structure of the steering wheel with an air bag module.
It should be noted, however that it is difficult to deflect the steering wheel properly when the structure is subjected to a forward force.
Meanwhile, in order to provide a broader space in the upper portion of the steering wheel for improving the operability and visuality for the instrument panel, it has been proposed that the steering wheel structure have a spoke extending downward from the steering shaft for carrying a steering wheel ring. For this purpose, when three spokes are provided for carrying the steering wheel ring instead of four spokes, two of the spokes extend obliquely downward in a symmetrical relationship with each other and the rest of one spoke extends straight downward. Since these spokes contribute to increase the rigidity, the lower half portion of the steering wheel structure is greater than the upper half portion in stiffness.
Accordingly, it is difficult to form a steering wheel structure which can be displaced forward desirably so as to absorb the impact energy when the driver hits the inflated air bag forward resulting from an impact at the vehicle front.


A method of producing titanium, comprising providing an oxide of titanium having a level of impurities of at least 1.0 wt %, reacting the oxide of titanium to form a titanium oxycarbide; and electrolyzing the titanium oxycarbide in an electrolyte, with the titanium oxycarbide configured as an anode; and recovering a refined titanium metal from a cathode in the electrolyte.

Titanium is a metal with remarkable properties but its applications are restricted due to the high cost of its extraction and processing. Using the Kroll or Hunter Processes requires high purity titanium tetrachloride which is either reduced with magnesium (Kroll Process) [W. J. Kroll, Trans. Electrochem. Soc., 78 (1940) 35-57] or sodium (Hunter Process) [M. A. Hunter, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 32 (1910) 330-336]. The high purity titanium tetrachloride is produced by carbo-chlorination of the impure titanium dioxide and as all the oxides chlorinate, the impurities are removed by selective distillation of the chlorides. The other way of making high purity titanium dioxide, usually for the pigment industry, is the sulphate route where the impure titanium dioxide is dissolved in sulphuric acid and the iron, which is the major impurity, precipitated as iron oxide. However, there are several sources of titanium oxide which contain impurities or are too fine and render the conventional routes impractical. For example, titanium ores containing significant quantities of calcium oxide form in the carbo-chlorination process, calcium chloride which melts below the temperature of the fluidised bed reactor. This liquid phase de-fluidises the bed. The particle size of some other ore bodies are too fine to remain in a fluidised bed and are simply swept away. Use of the sulphuric acid route results in the formation of stable calcium sulphate when calcium oxide containing ores are leached. It would be advantageous if these materials could be simply converted into high purity titanium.
As mentioned above, there are two commercial methods, Kroll and Hunter, for the production of titanium using high purity titanium chloride with the vast majority being produced by the Kroll Process. In order to reduce the cost of titanium production, other methods have been investigated, usually starting with high purity oxide. In laboratory and pilot plant scale experiments, titanium dioxide has been reduced using calcium dissolved in calcium chloride (OS Process) [R. O. Suzuki in "Ti-2003 science and technology". Eds G. Lutjering and J. Albrecht, (2004, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim) 245-252.] or electrochemically by electro-deoxidation in molten calcium chloride (FFC Cambridge Process) [G. Z. Chen, D. J. Fray and T. W. Farthing, Nature 407 (2000) 361-364]. In the latter process, the titanium oxide is made the cathode in a bath of calcium chloride and it is found that the cathodic reaction is not the deposition of calcium from the melt but the ionisation of the oxygen in the titanium dioxide, which diffuses to the anode and is discharged. In both these processes, ores containing calcium oxide can be treated as the calcium oxide would simply dissolve in the salt. However, there would not be any selective removal of the other elements as the final product would be a reflection of the impurities in the original feed material. Other processes, such as the Armstrong Process—'Summary of emerging titanium cost reductions', EHK Technologies. Report prepared for US Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, subcontract 4000023694 (2003) which is a derivative of the Hunter Process, all require high purity titanium tetrachloride as the feedstock.
Another process of interest, is that patented by Wainer in the 1950s [U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,509], which describes a process where equimolar amounts of finely divided chemically pure titanium carbide and finely divided chemically pure titanium monoxide were intimately admixed and heated in an argon atmosphere to form a TiC.TiO anode, a mutual solid solution of titanium carbide and titanium monoxide in which the molar ratio of the carbide to the monoxide does not exceed 1. A melt of a chloride salt of an electropositive element is used as an electrolyte and when a voltage is applied, anodic reactions of the following type occur:TiCO=Ti2++CO+xCO+2e−The titanium ions dissolve into the electrolyte, and are reduced at the cathode:Ti2++2e=Ti
Withers and co-workers have also investigated thermal and electrochemical processes for production of titanium see WO 2005/019501 and WO 2007/097823. The process involves forming a titanium oxide-carbon composite by mixing titanium oxide with a source of carbon and heating in the absence of air to a temperature sufficient to reduce the plus four valance of the titanium in the TiO2 to a lower valence and form a titanium suboxide/carbon composite electrode. In the process of forming the titanium suboxide/carbon composite electrode, any iron oxide is reduced to iron and was removed by leaching or complexing the iron in an aqueous solution at ambient temperature. WO 2005/019501 suggests that by incorporating other oxides into the anode, it is possible to reduce these other oxides at the same time, and deposit the cations simultaneously at the cathode to produce an alloy which reflects the composition of the original anode. In the same document, a method of producing high purity titanium is described which uses the same conditions as the previous experiments. These two results are totally inconsistent.
The present applicant has sought to provide a method of refining titanium from an ore comprising titanium dioxide and relatively high levels (e.g. at least 1.0 wt %) impurities including calcium oxide and iron oxide.


Metal, e.g. copper, is electrolytically deposited within the recess formed over a plugged hole of a component of a pyrometallurgical vessel, e.g. a cooling block, to form a seamless seal with the surface of the component. The method comprises the steps of inserting a mechanical plug into a channel opening of the component such that a recess is formed between the external surface of the plug and the outer surface of the component; positioning an anode adjacent the recess; providing an aqueous solution containing metallic ions, e.g. a solution of copper sulfate, between the anode and the mechanical plug; and creating an electric potential across the anode and the mechanical plug such that metal is deposited within the recess, preferably until the recess is filled with the electrodeposited metal. In alternative embodiments, the process can be used to secure fittings and the like to the components or to repair ruptured or weakened areas along the perimeter of such fittings.

This invention relates generally to pyrometallurgy, and specifically to a method for sealing holes or channels drilled in cooling blocks used in pyrometallurgical furnaces
In the pyrometallurgy of copper, as well as many other metals, furnaces of various designs are used for a number of processes including smelting ore and or concentrates, converting matte and fire-refining metal. In many cases, these furnaces are equipped with cooling blocks. Cooling blocks are used to moderate the furnace temperature to achieve various ends, such as prolonging refractory life or assisting in the introduction or removal of various materials from the furnace.
Cooling blocks are constructed typically of cast copper. These blocks often contain internal channels or conduits through which a cooling medium can be circulated to assist in regulating the temperature of the furnace. These channels within the cooling blocks are formed generally either during the casting procedure or through a drilling operation. Combining these two procedures is also common, such that some of the channels are formed by casting and other channels, typically the channels interconnecting the cast channels, are formed by drilling. For example, a cooling block might be cast with a number of horizontal channels extending into the cooling block and running parallel to one another. Vertical channels can then be drilled perpendicular to these horizontal channels to interconnect and establish fluid communication between the channels. In another example, intersecting horizontal and vertical holes are drilled completely through the block and once interconnected, the open ends of the channels are plugged or sealed.
Regardless of the method by which the channels are formed, typically at least one plug is necessary to seal unwanted entry holes into the cooling block such that the flow integrity of the internal cooling channels is maintained. Failure to properly plug these entry holes can result in leakage of the cooling fluid. In the past, mechanical plugs have been used to seal these holes. Typically a metal plug is inserted into an undesired hole so that the top of the plug is flush with the external surface of the cooling block. Once positioned within the hole, the plug is then welded into place to serve as a seal against cooling fluid leakage.
There are several disadvantages in the process of plugging holes in the above-described manner. First, welding is undesirable because surface contaminants can result in a lack of bonding and lead to gas porosity. Because the coolant circulating within the channels may be under pressure, a poor bond or a porous weld yielding a weak joint can result in a blowout of the plug. Additionally, these types of welds result in a bead such that the surface of the cooling block does not have a smooth finish. However, machining the weld bead to produce a smooth surface is undesirable because this would weaken the integrity of the weld.
Another disadvantage with the plugging process of the prior art is that the junction of the plug and the cooling block forms a seam. Seams are undesirable because they typically result in leaks, especially when the sealed plug in question is under pressure.
Welds such as those described above are also commonly used to secure pipe fittings and the like to cooling blocks. Typically, a fitting is threaded to be received by the correspondingly threaded internal diameter of a channel. However, these threads alone generally do not provide the sufficient mechanical strength to secure such fittings. Therefore, additional means are often necessary for securing the fitting within the channel. In the past, a simple weld at the joint between the fitting and the cooling block has been utilized. However, welds such as these are also subject to the problems described above. Additionally, these types of welds can damage the integrity of the fitting, causing leaks in the fitting at the point of the weld.
One known method of repairing holes or weak points that do develop in such fittings, either at their point of attachment to a cooling block or elsewhere along the perimeter of the fittings, is to secure a jacket over the damaged portion of the fittings. These jackets are typically secured by welding or other mechanical means such as clamping. However, this method of addressing damaged fittings is undesirable because the damaged areas are not repaired but only temporarily mended. Specifically, the ruptured (or weak) area is not sealed (or reinforced) in any way, but only covered such that this method is only temporary in nature. As a result, over time leaking fluid tends to migrate along the outer surface of the fittings, underneath the jacket, until leaks appear along the joint between the jacket and the fitting.
As is evident from the preceding discussion, a need exists for an economical and inexpensive process which can provide a seamless seal for plugging holes in cooling blocks. The process should yield a plug which is less pressure sensitive than the process of the prior art. Moreover, desirably this process should also be useful for securing pipe fittings and the like to such cooling blocks to provide a strong mechanical bond without damaging the fittings. Still, further, the process should be able to repair ruptured or weakened areas in fittings.

Method of sealing cooling blocks using electrodeposited metal


A tool carrier for attaching to a user's belt or a user's harness includes a rear wall having an upper wall portion, a tool holder disposed on a front wall surface of the rear wall, a tool carrier safety lanyard removably connected to the front wall surface, the safety lanyard having a lanyard first end and a closed loop formed in a lanyard second end, an elongated first attachment member fixedly secured to a rear wall surface of the upper wall portion at a pair of spaced-apart first and second attachment locations thereon and defining a closed loop therebetween, and a first flexible strip forming an openable strip loop when a first strip end mates with a second strip end after being positioned through the closed loop of the elongated first attachment member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tool carriers. Particularly, the present invention relates to tool carriers worn by a worker in the building and construction trades.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A wide variety of pouches, cases or other such containers or carriers have been devised for holding and organizing tools, tool accessories or other small articles.
Tool belts have been used in the construction trades for many years by workers such as carpenters, construction workers, electricians, plumbers, and the like. Specially designed holsters and carriers have been utilized for various types of tools, which are hung by the tool belt.
Belt-supported pouches or bags for carrying tools, nails, tacks, screws, bolts, etc. are well known. Generally, such apparatus consist of a belt worn by the user, with a series of fixedly attached leather pouches positioned around the belt. Some of the belt devices have also had provision for multiple tool pockets for carrying two or more tools. These belt-supported pouches typically have an enclosed loop for receiving a belt. Others have incorporated clips that slide over an upper longitudinal edge of a belt to facilitate attaching the pouch to the belt.

Combination tool carrier and carrier securing lanyard


A cannula device for infusion sets is provided. The cannula device includes a housing and at least one membrane mounted to the housing and adapted for receiving a piercing member of a connector. The cannula device further includes a cannula mounted to the housing. The cannula device is adapted to removably attach to a base part of an infusion set. The cannula device can receive the piercing member from a first receiving direction and from a second receiving direction different from the first receiving direction, providing fluid communication between the piercing member and the cannula mounted to the housing.

Normally, an infusion set for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutic substance, such as insulin, is in the form of a two-part device.
A traditional infusion set comprises a base part having a cannula for insertion into a patient where the base part has means for receiving a connector cannula extending from a connector and for bringing the connector cannula into fluid communication with the cannula of the base part. Often, the connector needle is in fluid communication with a drug delivery device, such as an insulin pump.
Different kinds of infusion sets are described in WO 02/068014 A2, EP 0 956 879 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,803, U.S. 2003/0225373 A1 and WO 03/026728 A1.
U.S. 2003/0176852A1 discloses an infusion set in which a base part comprises a pivoting member, the base part comprising a cannula for insertion into a patient and pivoting member has an inner cavity with one receiving end adapted to receive an inserter needle or a piercing member and two connecting ends (316I and 320) for further connection with the cannula of the base part. During insertion, the pivoting member is positioned orthogonally to the base part and an inserter needle penetrates a membrane in the receiving end. The needle passes through a canal and through the first connecting end into the cannula which then can be inserted. After insertion, the needle is removed and the pivoting member is connected with a connector. The connector and the pivoting member are connected from the same direction as the connection between the pivoting member and the inserter. The pivoting member is then turned in order for the second connecting end to align with the cannula. This device has the drawback that it is very sensitive to movement of the pivoting member since a small turning will close off the delivery of drugs.
WO 02/094352 A2 discloses an infusion set having a base part that can receive an insertion needle from one direction and a connector needle from a second direction. This design does not allow the patient to choose the direction he/she wants to connect the connector with the base part.
In the infusion sets described above, the construction of the cannula and the means for providing fluid communication between the cannula and the cannula from the connector are unique for each set. Normally each infusion set also utilizes a specific set of guiding and/or locking members and thus allows only for a specific connector to engage with the base part.
It would be highly desirable from both a production point of view and practical use if a universal part having a cannula and means adapted to receive the cannula from the connector and fitting to most/all common infusion sets available. Aspects of the present invention are intended to cover both infusion sets as described above and variants thereof when such a universal part is used therein.
Furthermore, in the infusion sets described above, both the connector and the base part have to be substituted if the patient wishes to change to a different base part. It would be advantageous if different types of connectors could be used with the same base part and different types of base parts could be used with the same connector. It would also be advantageous if connection from different angles would be possible.


A connector assembly includes a contact module with a lead frame having signal conductors defining separate conductive paths. The contact module also includes a compensation circuit component coupled to the leadframe. The compensation circuit component has a substrate and multiple compensation circuit elements mounted to the substrate, where the substrate is coupled to the leadframe such that the compensation circuit elements are electrically connected to corresponding signal conductors. The contact module also includes a body encasing the signal conductors and the compensation circuit component.

The subject matter herein relates generally to connector assemblies, and more particularly, to connector assemblies having electrical compensation components.
With the ongoing trend toward smaller, faster, and higher performance electrical components such as processors used in computers, routers, switches, etc., it has become increasingly desirable for the electrical interfaces along the electrical paths to also operate at higher frequencies and at higher densities with increased throughput. For example, performance demands for video, voice and data drive input and output speeds of connectors within such systems to increasingly faster levels.
Electrical connectors typically are arranged to be connected to complementary connector halves to form connector pairs. One application environment that uses such electrical connectors is in high speed, differential electrical connectors, such as those common in the telecommunications or computing environments. In a traditional approach, two circuit boards are interconnected with one another in a backplane and a daughter board configuration. However, similar types of connectors are also being used in cable connector to board connector applications. However, such electrical connectors are not without problems. For instance, as the throughput speed of such electrical connectors increases, the electrical connectors are more susceptible to performance degradation. Compensation for signal degradation is provided on the backplane or daughtercard boards being connected. Such solutions have heretofore proven difficult. For example, the compensation may be provided relatively far from the source of degradation, which is typically at the interface between the electrical connectors.
At least some known electrical connectors include compensation components embedded therein. For example, the electrical connector described by Kenny et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,781 describes one such solution incorporating passive circuit elements soldered directly onto signal conductors of the electrical connector. However, such electrical connectors have reliability problems. For example, the solder joint between the passive circuit element and the signal conductors is subject to damage during the life of the connector, such as from loading, shock, thermal mismatch between the copper signal conductors and the mounting contacts of the passive circuit elements, and the like.
A need remains for an electrical connector that overcomes at least some of the existing problems of signal degradation in a cost effective and reliable manner. A need remains for an electrical connector that overcomes at least some of the existing reliability problems with known solutions.

Connector assembly having a compensation circuit component


An external keyboard apparatus is fitted to rest above the embedded keyboard of a general purpose portable microcomputer. In one embodiment an external keyboard housing is molded to define a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a keyboard compartment of the portable computer. In another embodiment, an external keyboard stand supports an external keyboard to define the external keyboard apparatus. A first connection is established between the external keyboard and keyboard stand to secure the external keyboard to the stand.

This invention relates to computer keyboards, and more particularly to external keyboards for use with general purpose portable microcomputers.
Portable "personal" computers have developed from the early cumbersome suitcase design to smaller laptops designs to the now commercially-predominant notebook, sub-notebook and palm top computers. The evolution has been toward smaller, lighter computers with increasing transportability and usability. The state of the art continues to improve by (i) increasing battery life, (ii) decreasing circuitry and system weight, (iii) adapting compartments for add-in cards, and (iv) decreasing housing size.
The typical portable computer includes a display screen housing hinged to a keyboard housing. The display screen housing folds down against the keyboard where the two housings latch together. A disk drive often is mounted in the keyboard housing. Additional features include input/output ports and one or more compartments for receiving PCMCIA cards, (peripheral devices conforming to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) standards for personal computer-based peripherals).
A trade-off widely accepted in portable computer design is to limit the size of the embedded keyboard relative to the conventional "full-sized" keyboards used with desktop general purpose micro-computers. The decreased size and weight increases transportability, but compromises usability. Specifically, the portable computer keyboard often has keys closer together and/or smaller than the full-size keyboard. In addition, the portable computer keyboard keys typically have a shorter key height and travel a shorter path when pressed. Often certain specialty keys are positioned in different relative locations compared to the full-size keyboard. Users may get used to the embedded keyboard or just remain frustrated committing repeated typing errors.
To partially circumvent this shortcoming, many portable computers include a port allowing connection of an external full-size keyboard. The user who does so gets the benefit of the full-size keyboard features, but suffers other inconveniences. Presently, the user plugs the external keyboard into the external keyboard port, then places the external keyboard in front of the portable computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the display screen 12, attached to the portable computer 10, is separated from the user by both the smaller embedded keyboard 14 and the external full-size keyboard 16.
The set-up with both keyboards in plain view presents visual and operational inconveniences for the user. With regard to the visual inconveniences, the user sees two distinct keyboards at all times. This is aesthetically annoying and even confusing. The user's field of view is cluttered by two sets of letter, number, function and navigation keys. The extra visual stimuli is often distracting. Minimal visual distraction is preferred so one may focus on the work (or play) at hand. The user also is further displaced from the display screen by at least the space occupied by the embedded keyboard. Given the typically small size and often mediocre visual properties of many portable computer display screens, it is preferable to give the user the option of residing closer to the display screen.
With regard to the operational inconveniences, the external keyboard occupies a significant extra "footprint." With the trend being for increasingly mobile and increasingly flexible work habits, many users do not want to devote precious desk space to an extra keyboard. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a keyboard solution without significantly increasing the computer and keyboard "footprint."
The external keyboard, due to its need for additional space, also discourages its use at other than a base location. Users are unlikely to transport the external keyboard with the portable computer for use at other locations, in part because of the extra space requirements.
Improvements in the portable computer keyboard area have been focused on removable keyboards, additional plug-in numeric keypads, and more recently, fold out "butterfly" keyboards. The fold-out keyboards are directed at enlarging the key layout area to improve usability. However, such keyboards still are limited to the shorter key heights and travel paths of the typical portable computer keyboard. In addition such keyboards are generally flat and do not allow the inclines or adjustable inclines of conventional full-size external keyboards. This invention is directed toward improving the usability of full-size external keyboards with portable computers.

Elevated separate external keyboard apparatus for use with portable computer

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Compressed air, feeding a unit for the separation of gases present in air, releases calories to a refrigerating unit which operates by absorption while cooling a flow of liquid in heat exchange relationship with a gas of the apparatus to cool the latter so as to ensure a reduction of the global energy consumption of the apparatus.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a process for cooling a gas in an apparatus for exploiting gases present in the air comprising at least one unit for separating gases present in the air which is operated by compressed air.
(b) Description of Prior Art
the apparatuses for exploiting gases present in the air and in particular their associated units for the separation of gases present in the air, such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon, in known manner of a type with a double distillation column, consume a large amount of energy, such as with respect to the supplying of feeding air which is compressed at a high flow at a pressure generally between 4 and 17.times.10.sup.5 Pa absolute. On the other hand, these units produce a residual mixture containing a high amount of nitrogen which is partially exploited in the apparatus, for example, for partially cooling the compressed feeding air, which should necessarily be cooled, typically at a temperature lower than 20.degree. C., before purifying the compressed air and introducing same in the separation unit.

Process for cooling a gas in an apparatus for exploiting gases present in the air

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


A system and method for providing a driver for a multi-voltage island/core architecture of an integrated circuit chip are provided. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter is built with a high threshold voltage p-channel field-effect transistor (hi-Vt PFET) and a regular threshold voltage n-channel field-effect transistor (NFET), which uses the maximum positive voltage supply (Vdd) on the chip. The threshold voltage of the hi-Vt PFET is determined based on the maximum Vdd, the Vdd of the Voltage island/core that drives the CMOS inverter, and a subthreshold leakage current requirement of the hi-Vt PFET.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to multi-voltage island/core architectures, and more particularly, to a driver for a multi-voltage island/core architecture.
2. Background Art
As complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies are scaled, total chip power dissipation is becoming high and is limiting the performance of an integrated circuit chip. Simultaneously, static (leakage) power dissipation is becoming a significant component of total chip power dissipation. A multi-voltage island/core architecture is a solution to the power dissipations. A multi-voltage island/core architecture is designed to independently adjust the voltage supply (Vdd) of each function block in an integrated circuit chip so that the total and the static power dissipation is minimized for each function block while still meeting the chip performance requirements. Each function block with a voltage supply may be referred to as a voltage island/core. One problem is how to build a driver between two voltage islands/cores that have different Vdd.
A CMOS inverter may be used as a driver between two voltage islands/cores. However, a CMOS inverter also has the problem of leakage, i.e., subthreshold leakage current. Raising threshold voltage of a CMOS inverter may reduce leakage and may increase noise margin, but may also result in serious loss in performance, for example, prolonged rise time. As such, the choice of the threshold voltage has to represent a trade-off between subthreshold leakage current and performance.
Based on the above, there is a need in the art for a driver for a multi-voltage island/core architecture that addresses, among others, the above described problems.

Driver for multi-voltage island/core architecture

International Business Machines Corporation


A turning probability prediction apparatus for predicting a turning probability at an intersection at an end of a new road is disclosed. The turning probability prediction apparatus includes a route search device and a prediction device. The route search device retrieves a route that, while extending along a prestored road, leads from the intersection at one end of the new road to the intersection at the other end of the new road. The prediction device predicts the turning probability at the intersection at the end of the new road, based on the probabilities that the turns are made at first to n-th intermediate intersections, wherein the first to n-th intermediate intersections are defined as intersections arranged in the route retrieved by the route search device.

In general, when making a right/left turn at an intersection, a vehicle needs to use its turn signal lamp at a point within a given reach of the intersection to notify nearby vehicles that the vehicle is going to make the right/left turn at the intersection. It is important for a following vehicle's driver to previously recognize the right/left turn of the preceding vehicle. If the following vehicle's driver can know that the preceding vehicle will make a right/left turn at the intersection, he or she can smoothly pass through the intersection by, for example, changing to another lane.
In some actual cases, however, the turn signal lamp is not always manipulated at a point within a given reach of the intersection. The turn signal lamp may be manipulated immediately before the intersection or may not be manipulated at all even though the vehicle is going to make a right/left turn at the intersection.
In such a case, the following vehicle's driver may miss the timing to change the lane and may not be able to smoothly pass through the intersection, because, for example, he or she has to unnecessarily wait at the back of the preceding vehicle that is going to make a left turn.
As a technique for addressing this difficulty there is proposed a system (e.g., see JP-2002-190092A) that stores a history of right/left turning at intersections and predicts right/left turning of the vehicle before the vehicle pass through the intersection.
The technique described in JP-2002-190092A predicts the right/left turn of the vehicle based on the history of the right/left turn at intersections. However, since no history is available for a newly opened road, the right/left turn of the vehicle cannot be accurately predicted until the elapse of a sufficient amount of time. As a result, immediately after a new road is opened, the technique described in JP-2002-190092A fails to enable the vehicle to smoothly pass through an intersection.

Turning probability prediction apparatus and method


The invention provides a method for identifying or quantifying characteristics of interest of unknown objects, comprising training a single neural network model with training sets of known objects having known values for the characteristics; validating the optimal neural network model; and analyzing unknown objects having unknown values of the characteristics by imaging them to obtain a digital image comprising pixels representing the unknown objects, background and any debris; processing the image to identify, separate, and retain pixels representing the unknown objects from pixels and to eliminate background and debris; analyzing the pixels representing each of the unknown objects to generate data representative of image parameters; providing the data to the flash code deployed from the candidate neural network model; analyzing the data through the flash code; and receiving output data (the unknown values of the characteristics of interest of the unknown objects) from the flash code in a predetermined format.

In the grain industry, the need to qualify, classify and grade seeds using an objective system has long been desired. Presently, these tasks are accomplished by manual, visual inspection and assessment. Inspection of seeds is a task which requires extensive specialized training of human resources. However, seeds may not be graded the same way visually by different individuals, and such visual tasks are time-consuming and tedious, leading to inaccuracies in inspection due to human fatigue. Inspection of seeds can involve assessment of more than one parameter, data which may be too excessive to be obtained efficiently by a human inspector. Since the current manual, visual inspection is labour intensive and highly prone to subjective human error and bias, there is thus a need for a system which accomplishes the qualifying, classification and grading of a sample of seeds objectively and efficiently.
Image analysis relates to a systematic operation or series of operations performed on data representative of an observed image with the aim of measuring a characteristic of the image, detecting variations and structure in the image, or transforming the image in a way that facilitates its interpretation. Computer based image analysis systems are commonly applied to animal, plant, food and hardware inspection. Such systems are able to transform an image to improve its visual quality prior to recognition, and measuring significant characteristics of the image which are representative of the scanned object of interest.
Image analysis systems of the prior art pertaining to grains or seeds appear not to examine the presence/absence of disease, focusing instead upon methods and devices to determine parameters such as size, shape, area, and broken/whole. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,927 to Satake et al. discloses an apparatus and method for inspection of rice and other grains to determine the content of broken rice grains.
Thus, a method and apparatus which permit an extensive variety of analyses related to classification, disease, environmental situations, and handling of seeds or grains would be advantageous. With respect to classification of seeds, both class and the specific variety within a class is important information. Such detail of classification appears not to be capably provided by the prior art, yet such level of detail is desirable in the grain industry.
Image analysis systems of the prior art suffer disadvantages associated with emphasizing alignment of grains on grooved trays or belts as an essential step. For example, the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,927 to Satake et al. requires alignment of grains side-by-side lengthwise in a grooved tray. The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,792 to Oste et al. includes a conveyor belt which transports kernels to a second belt where a scraper spreads them in one layer to be oriented longitudinally in grooves on the belt. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,863 to Sistler et al., the apparatus involves a vacuum source to position kernels for imaging. These alignment features limit the speed and sample sizes that can be accommodated by the prior art systems. A method and apparatus is needed with no necessity for orientation of seeds or other objects required.

Method and apparatus for identifying and quantifying characteristics of seeds and other small objects

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agrifood


A drive of a variable valve lift mechanism for driving a control shaft controlling a variable valve lift mechanism provided between an engine valve and an engine valve operating cam in order to change lift amount of the engine valve, comprises: a rotational force generating actuator; power conversion means for converting a rotational force of the rotational force generating actuator into a pivoting force of the control shaft; and a casing containing the power conversion means with the rotational force generating actuator coupled to an outer face of the casing. One end of the control shaft protrudes outward from one side of an engine body. The casing into which one end of the control shaft is inserted is attached to the one side of the engine body through fixing means which can be repeatedly attached and detached. Thus, it is possible to avoid the engine body from being complex and improve maintainability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive of a variable valve lift mechanism for driving a control shaft controlling a variable valve lift mechanism provided between an engine valve and an engine valve operating cam in order to change the amount of lift of the engine valve.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-364317, the present applicant already proposed a valve operating system of an internal combustion engine having a variable valve lift mechanism for continuously varying the amount of lift (valve opening degree) of an intake valve serving as an engine valve. This engine valve operating system is constituted so as to rotation-drive a sector-shaped worm wheel by a worm rotation-driven by, for example, a motor; pivot a lever directly connected to the worm wheel; and change the transmission rate of a cam lift to the intake valve. Driving mechanisms, such as a worm and a worm wheel, are directly built in a cylinder head or cylinder block.
However, using a configuration in which the main part of a driving mechanism is built in an engine body leads to disadvantages that not only the structure of the engine becomes complex but also the engine body need to be inevitably disassembled to a certain extent for maintenance of the driving mechanism.


A method of determining an amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) stored in a NOx trap of an engine exhaust assembly may include determining a mass flow rate of NOx into the NOx trap, determining an efficiency of storing of the NOx within the trap, and calculating the amount of NOx stored in the NOx trap based on the determined mass flow rate and the determined efficiency. The method may further include determining a mass flow rate of a reductant entering the NOx trap, determining a relationship between the determined reductant mass flow rate and the NOx removed from the NOx trap, and calculating the amount of NOx removed from the NOx trap based on the determined mass flow rate and the determined relationship. The calculated amount of NOx stored may be adjusted by subsequent amounts of calculated NOx stored and subsequent amounts of NOx removed from the NOx trap.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A vehicle may include an engine and an exhaust system having a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst with a plurality of channels through which engine exhaust passes. Surfaces of the channels may be impregnated, for example, with barium salts and platinum or other precious metals. During lean operation of the vehicle engine (an air-to-fuel ratio greater than 14.7), the catalyst may adsorb oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from the engine exhaust. The nitrogen oxides (typically NO and NO2) may be stored on the catalyst surface. The catalyst may periodically be exposed to a rich fuel environment (an air-to-fuel ratio less than 14.7), during which the catalyst may be converted (or regenerated), i.e., the stored NOx is reduced. Specifically, the nitrogen oxides may be converted to nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water in the presence of heat, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream.
LNT catalysts may effectively store NOx at temperatures lower than temperatures at which they can effectively reduce the stored NOx. At low temperatures, for example, at temperatures less than about 300° C., a LNT catalyst may store NOx for a limited time, i.e., until it becomes full of NOx, or saturated. The saturated catalyst may be heated to a temperature exceeding the low range, and the heated catalyst may undergo regeneration.

Control oriented model for LNT regeneration


Methods and apparatus for authenticating computing device users are disclosed. An example method includes, providing, on a display device of a computing device, a graphical user interface (GUI) including a user authentication display portion and receiving, from a remote authentication server, visual content and functional content corresponding with the user authentication display portion. The method further includes receiving, via the user authentication display portion, a set of user credentials and communicating the received user credentials to the remote user authentication server. The method still further includes receiving, from the remote user authentication server; an authorization message indicating whether or not authentication of the user credentials was successful. In the event authentication of the set of user credentials was successful, the user is granted access to the computing device. In the event authentication of the set of user credentials was not successful, the user is denied access to the computing device.

Computing devices, such as personal computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, and other such devices often use respective authentication mechanisms to restrict the use of such computing devices to authorized users, where those respective authentication mechanisms operate as an integrated part of an operating system (OS) of a given computing device. In certain situations, however, it may be desirable to implement alternative authentication mechanisms for authorizing computing device users to gain access to an operating system of a computing device. In such situations, OS integrated authentication mechanisms can reduce or prevent such flexibility to implement alternative authentication approaches.
For instance, as one possible example, an enterprise with a large number of computer users may wish to implement a much more secure authentication process than is provide by a given OS integrated authentication mechanism for computing devices that are used in connection with a computing network of the enterprise. In such a situation, the enterprise would need to modify the OS for each computer that is used in connection with its network in order to implement the desired authentication process. Further, if changes are made to that authentication process, each computing device of the enterprise would need to be modified in order to implement those changes. Having to make such modifications may be time consuming, complicated and expensive.

User authentication using swappable user authentication services


In a network composed of a plurality of DPPCs and the NWPs, the NW controller respectively sums respective amounts of printing operations and copying operations executed in the network, for example, upon completing a job in execution or at a predetermined timing. Based on the result of summation, an appropriate ratio in number of printing devices to copying devices is computed. Further, an NW controller selects a DPPC to be switched from its current mode to another mode and switches the mode of the selected DPPC to satisfy a ratio obtained from computation. According to the described arrangement, since the mode of the DPPC can be switched according to the summation of the jobs executed, an effective use of the DPPCs can be achieved. Furthermore, when switching the mode, an operation by the network administrator is not required, thereby reducing a burden of the user.

Conventionally, a network which includes a data processing unit such as a host computer, etc., and a printing device such as a printer, etc., that are connected, wherein image data processed in the data processing unit is sent to the printing device to produce print output is known.
In the network including plural printing devices, various arrangements for appropriately assigning printing jobs requested from the data processing unit to respective printing devices have been proposed. Such arrangements are known, for example, through Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 274098/1993 (Tokukaihei 5-274098) wherein an appropriate printer for a requested printing job is selected among plural printers connected to the network, according a precision of print data, a paper size., etc.
Another arrangement is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 122715/1991 (Tokukaihei 3-122715) wherein each printer is assigned a priority beforehand, and requested printing jobs are assigned according to the priority.
A still another arrangement is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 303475/1993 (Tokukaihei 5-303475) wherein printers connected to the network are divided into groups, and requested printing jobs are assigned in such a manner that a printer in a group processes printing jobs of the paper of the same size as much as possible to reduce the frequency of exchanging sheets.
Recently, a so-called composite digital copying machine which serves both as a copying machine (copy function) for outputting a copied image that is read from a document such as a scanner, etc., and as a printer (print function) for outputting a print of image data sent from an external data processing unit, etc., has been used in practical applications. Furthermore, such attempt that the described composite digital copying machines are connected to a network, and are used both in processing copying jobs and printing jobs has been made.
However, in the conventional arrangement where the composite digital copying machines are connected to the network, the technique of using the composite digital copying machines both as printers and copying machines on a full-scale has not yet been established. Namely, in the conventional arrangement, the composite digital copying machines whose modes are set to either the printing mode or the copying mode beforehand are connected to the network. In such arrangement, when the user desires to alter the ratio in number of the printing devices dedicated to printers to the number of printing devices dedicated to copying machines in the network, a network administrator is required to switch the operation mode.
Therefore, in the case of the network of a large scale, the network administrator must perform troublesome tasks such as monitoring a usage of an entire network, switching an operation mode, etc., thereby presenting the problem of increasing a burden of a network administrator. In addition, for example, in response to an urgent request for a copying job, in the case where an operation mode of the composite digital copying machine set near the user is selected to be the printing device dedicated to printer, the user of the network must look for a printing device that can process a copying job. As described, in the described conventional network, the composite digital copying machines cannot be used on a full-scale.

Method of dynamically managing a printer/copier network


The present invention is an X-ray transparent orthopedic device (10) for positioning a selected digit away from the adjacent digits facilitate the taking of X-rays. The device (10) comprises a first centrally located elongated longitudinal support (12) having a contoured upper surface (18) for the selected digit, and second and third elongated longitudinal supports (14) and (16), respectively, on either side of the support (12). Partitions (30, 32) and side walls (34, 36) depending from supports (14, 16) define channels (38, 40) for the adjacent digits.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to orthopedic devices for positioning human digits for examination purpose. More particularly, the present invention pertains to orthopedic devices for positioning an injured digit to facilitate the taking of X-rays.
2. Prior Art
A wide variety of orthopedic devices for positioning various body parts are commercially available. Most of these devices are used for positioning a body part after examination reveals an injury, such as a bone fracture, etc. When a bone is injured, a standard medical practice is to obtain X-rays of the injured area to determine if the bone is fractured. So, if a digit, such as a finger, is injured, the standard medical practice is to X-ray the finger.
When taking X-rays, it is highly desirable or obtain unobstructed multiple views of the injured area. To obtain unobstructed X-ray views of an injured finger, the injured finger must be spaced from the other fingers and held relatively motionless. Traditionally, this is accomplished by anchoring the injured finger and the adjacent fingers with, for example, first aid tape. While this approach is effective in positioning the injured finger away from the adjacent fingers, if often causes discomfort to the patient.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for positioning an injured finger in spaced relation from the adjacent fingers to obtain unobstructed X-ray views of the injured finger without causing unnecessary discomfort to the patient.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an orthopedic device capable of securing and displacing an injured digit vertically and horizontally relative to the adjacent digits to facilitate the taking of X-rays.


A quick connector coupling comprising a connector body, a primary retainer, a secondary retainer and a male member having a radially enlarged upset. The connector body includes a stem and a separate cap permanently secured to the stem. The stem defines an axially extending through bore and includes an annular rib located radially outward of the bore. The cap defines an annular groove located radially outward of the bore. The annular rib of the stem is positioned in the annular groove of the cap. The cap is spin welded to the stem to permanently secure the cap to the stem. The connector body further defines two annular abutment surfaces. The primary retainer and the secondary retainer are located axially in between the two annular abutment surfaces of the connector body. The primary retainer has a ring and two primary retainer arm located axially forward of the ring. Each primary retainer arm is in abutting relationship with the upset. The secondary retainer has a ring and two secondary retainer arms located axially rearward of the ring. Each secondary retainer arm is located circumferentially in between two primary retainer arms and in abutting relationship with the upset.

This invention relates to fluid line systems which include quick connector couplings. In particular, it relates to a quick connector coupling having a connector body and a retainer having arms which flex radially outward to allow a radially enlarge upset of a tube to pass through the arms.
In automotive and other fields, quick connector couplings, which generally include a male member received and sealingly retained in a single piece plastic or metal female connector body are often utilized to provide a fluid connection between two components or conduits, thus establishing a fluid line between the two components or conduits. Use of quick connector couplings is advantageous in that a sealed and secured fluid line may be established with a minimum amount of time and expense.
A number of methods and mechanisms exist for securing the male member and the female connector body of a quick connector coupling together. One type of retention mechanism involves use of a metal retainer having arms which flex radially outward to allow a radially enlarged upset of a tube to pass through the arms. The arms flex or snap radially inward once the upset portion of the tube passes them and abut the upset portion, preventing tube removal. An example of this type of metal retainer is found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,833 to McNaughton et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
The quick connector coupling of the present invention provides the benefits of high heat application and crash resistance associated with a metal retainer while still provides the benefits of corrosion resistance and ease of manufacturing associated with an injection molded connector body. The quick connector coupling of the present invention further provides the benefit of two retainers, each capable of independently retaining the tube to connector body. The quick connector coupling of the present invention also provides the benefit of positioning a retainer in the bore of the connector body and in between two annular abutment surfaces without the need to insert the retainer through the entrance of the bore.
The present invention has application to myriad of quick connectors and is not limited to the particular quick connector coupling used for illustration.