A pliers for removing and manipulating a snap ring and like ring devices, wherein the pliers is defined by handles pivotally connected to each other. The handles comprise a pair of integrally formed jaw members that are provided with a positive engaging socket member formed on each of the respective free end portions of the jaw members. The socket members include a convergent socket arranged to lockingly receive the respective open free ends of the snap ring. A pivoting member is positioned intermediate the handles and jaw members with a biasing spring mounted between the oppositely disposed jaw members forwardly of the pivot member, whereby the jaw members are biased in an open position so as to forcibly engage each of the socket members with the respective open ends of the snap ring, thereby preventing the snap ring from being inadvertently removed or disengaged from the convergent sockets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tool that is employed in the removal and installation of various types of snap ring members, and more particularly to pliers having a pair of forwardly extending jaw members, each free end of which is formed having a locking socket adapted to receive and retain the respective beveled ends of various types of snap rings, whereby the snap ring is secured to the tool in a place substantially perpendicular to the pliers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that various problems and difficulties are being encountered in providing a suitable tool for removing and installing snap rings that are mounted within locations that are not easily accessible, such as when a snap ring needs to be removed from a part that is positioned within a housing.
Most known snap ring removal pliers, as found in the art, do not provide a locking means for automatically retaining the ring within the engaging ends of the pliers while the snap ring is being removed from the component part. That is, most snap ring removal tools or pliers are generally formed with engaging ends which do not provide a means to prevent the engaged ring from being inadvertently disengaged from the tool or prevent the snap ring from pivoting around the gripping points thus making installation difficult.
Accordingly, the following noted United States patents are examples of presently known snap ring removal tools that provide various mechanical arrangements unlike the novel operation and structure of the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,264,304 to J. E. Keech, there is disclosed a piston-ring pliers having a ring engaging member but does not include a locking or holding device that will provide a positive retaining action for each of the free ends of the ring, nor is the pliers capable of engaging a snap ring in a position perpendicular to the plane of the ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,303,458 to J. Bretz, Jr., discloses a piston ring remover that has no spring action in either direction and is formed by two metal strips pivotally connected to each other, the four ends thereof being formed with ring engaging notches. This arrangement does not provide a structure that would allow for a positive locking engagement with the piston ring. Further, to remove the piston ring, this tool must be positioned for engagement in the same generally flat plane as the piston ring.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,489,905 to F. Kuert, there is disclosed a cut ring expander tool which is defined by an expanding tongs and two gripping arms. Each gripping arm includes a gripping piece to hold one end of the ring and each is connected by two links to an arm of the expanding tongs. This, too, lacks side support members.
The following are additional disclosures of tools that are used in connection with removing various types of ring members, including piston rings.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,589,392 to W. F. Hiatt
U.S. Pat. No. 1,477,786 to V. C. Tillier
U.S. Pat. No. 1,477,677 to E. F. Westman
U.S. Pat. No. 1,475,665 to A. J. Wakefield
U.S. Pat. No. 1,157,082 to D. J. Campbell
U.S. Pat. No. 1,119,374 to S. W. Stirk
U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,934 to W. C. MacKinnon
There is a need for a hand held tool such as pliers capable of readily removing and installing snap rings positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the gripping portion of the tool.

Removal tool for snap rings and the like


An optical recording medium is provided with a masking layer on a side of a recording layer for receiving a reproducing beam. The masking layer is prepared from that containing photochromic dye molecules having absorption at the wavelength of the reproducing beam and causing a photon mode reaction by absorbing the reproducing beam to be reduced in absorption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical recording medium which is capable of high-density recording and reproduction, and a recording/reproducing method therefor.
2. Description of the Background Art
In recent years, the so-called MSR (magnetically induced super resolution) system is watched with interest as super resolution means for recording/reproducing information in/from a region smaller than a recording spot which is decided by a light diffraction limit. Examples of such an MSR system are disclosed in Technical Digest of Optical Data Storage Topical Meeting 1991, Vol. 5, pp. 112 to 115 (Lecture No. TuB-3) and pp. 116 to 119 (Lecture No. TuB-4), for example. This system is characterized in that a magneto-optical recording film consisting of a plurality of layers is employed with provision of a masking layer for masking peripheral information other than that of an information recording layer. Recorded information (recorded marks) is transferred to the masking layer which is increased in temperature by irradiation with a relatively strong reproducing beam, whereby influences by adjacent tracks and recorded marks in a linear density direction are suppressed and the optical resolution is improved even if the recording density is increased.
As to an optical recording medium for attaining a similar super resolution effect, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-225611 (1993) discloses a medium which is provided with a layer including a light absorption center causing nonlinear light absorption such as saturable absorption as a masking layer, for example. The saturable absorption is such a property that electrons are efficiently excited when the beam intensity is weak since most of electrons in the absorption center are in ground states while the ratio of electrons excited from ground states is reduced when the beam intensity is strong since most of electrons are excited. Thus, this layer absorbs light when the light intensity is low, while its absorbance is reduced when the light intensity is increased. When the medium which is provided with the layer having such a saturable absorption property is irradiated with a strong reproducing beam for reproducing information, therefore, the reproducing beam will not reach the recording layer in the periphery of its spot due to high absorption for low light intensity, while the reproducing beam can reach the recording layer around the center of the spot due to small absorption for high light intensity. Thus, it is possible to attain a super resolution effect similarly to the aforementioned MSR system.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-242524 (1993) also discloses a recording/reproducing method employing an additive layer which contains spiro selenazolino benzopyran exhibiting reverse photochromism and whose transmittance changes in response to the intensity of irradiation light. As to a similar technique, further, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-266478 (1993) discloses a method employing a masking layer, which is non-transmittable with respect to a reproducing beam in general, having such a property that only its central portion exhibits transmissibility upon irradiation with a reproducing beam which is so controlled that its central portion is in excess of a prescribed intensity level and again exhibits non-transmissibility after passage of the reproducing beam. The material for this masking layer may be prepared from indoline spiropyran exhibiting reverse photochromism.
In the conventional method employing the aforementioned MSR system, however, the recording medium is disadvantageously restricted to a magneto-optical recording medium. Further, it is difficult to attain a high C/N ratio since the temperature of a magnetic layer provided in the medium is increased through a beam of relatively high intensity for reproduction. When as studied in general a green or blue laser beam is employed so that a recording/reproducing laser beam is reduced in wavelength for high densification, it is necessary to employ a new magneto-optical recording material which is different from those for the near infrared laser beam as currently employed. In this case, it is necessary to design new magnetic properties of the magnetic layer, in order to implement the MSR effect. Further, an influence is exerted by thermal diffusion due to an effect of heat which is employed for transferring recorded information to the masking layer, and hence it is difficult to apply the method to mark edge recording, which is effective means for high densification.
In the method of employing the layer including the absorption center having nonlinear light absorption as the masking layer, the recording medium is not restricted to a magneto-optical recording medium, dissimilarly to the MSR system. In this method, however, extremely high light intensity is generally required in order to cause saturable absorption, leading to such a new problem that information recorded in the recording layer may be destroyed by heat. While information must be recorded at larger light intensity than that in reproduction, recorded marks may be spread by an influence of thermal diffusion to disadvantageously reduce the recording density. When a material causing a reverse photochromic reaction is employed, the masking layer reacts by heat such that a coloring reaction of the mask layer may be simultaneously caused in reproduction by the heat reaction, leading to imperfect improvement in transmittance of the mask layer and reduction of the super resolution effect. Further, a bad influence may be exerted by the aforementioned thermal diffusion while recording efficiency may be reduced due to absorption of recording beam energy by the masking layer in recording. Further, it is impossible to attain compatibility between a super resolution optical disk which is provided with a masking layer and an ordinary optical disk provided with no masking layer in every one of the aforementioned techniques.

Methods of recording and reproducing information using an optical recording medium


A method, system and device for enhancing muscle training and performance by accelerating blood flow to the muscles and enhancing flow in the lymphatic system, incorporating mechanical stimulation and in some cases electrical stimulation of the muscle. A muscle recovery apparatus includes: an active compression device and an electrical stimulation device, where the active compression device is configured to be disposed about a user's muscle and to mechanically compress the user's muscle to facilitate muscle recovery, and where the electrical stimulation device is coupled to an inner surface of the active compression device, such that the electrical stimulation device can be placed in contact with the user to electrically stimulate the user's muscle.

Field of the Invention
This application is directed to devices, systems, and methods for enhancing training and performance of tissues, such as for example muscles, by accelerating muscle recovery and reducing the time needed for muscles to recover. The application of pressure, such as for example, compression, of muscle tissue can be provided in a continuous, fluctuating or rapidly fluctuating mode in various combinations with one or more additional muscle recovery modalities.
Description of the Related Art
There are four main factors that regulate muscle recovery in adequately hydrated, nourished and rested individuals. They include availability of nourishment elements, timely and effective removal of waste from the muscles, production and release of myokines, and remodeling of the repaired tissue.
These goals are achieved via active muscle recovery as it drives the four processes previously mentioned. As skeletal muscles are activated, they send a message to the smooth muscles that surround the blood vessels to relax. Consequently, the blood vessels dilate and circulation increases. Further factor in recovery is the lymphatic system's ability to remove waste byproducts created via the lymphatic drainage. Understanding that the lymphatic system is passive, the movement of waste through the lymphatic system is dependent upon the activation of the muscles that surround the lymphatic vessels. Therefore muscle activation is needed to push waste through the complex lymphatic system. Additionally, muscle activation provides the needed mechanical stress to induce the production and release of myokines involved in aiding the muscle tissue regeneration process. Finally, repaired muscle tissue requires mechanical stress to optimally remodel into healthy form and function. Without active recovery's mechanical stress un-repaired, unhealthy, and dysfunctional movement may result.
Light exercise including walking, cycling, swimming in traditional active recovery can be very helpful. However, it is limited and can be a negative as well. If the recovery activity is too long, aggressive, or incorrectly oriented further fatigue and stress will be created rather than positive recovery. Also, inadequate amounts or levels will not attain desired levels of recovery. Finally, there is the psychological factor of having to return to the environment associated with the difficult training session which created the fatigue to begin with.
Muscle pain, tenderness and fatigue experienced after various levels of exercise are primarily due to muscle cell micro damage and inflammation. This damage and inflammation leads to the accumulation of metabolic waste products which the body cannot clear completely during exercise or normal cool down. As the muscles continue to work, increasing accumulation of waste in the muscle leads to a decrease in performance and more muscle fatigue. In order to recover the muscle and rid the body of these waste products, these waste products must be removed via the venous and lymphatic system. The lymphatic system and blood vessels work together to flush waste products from our cells naturally. Muscular movement, however, is needed to stimulate this process because the lymphatic system is not able to create its own pressure gradient to induce flow. In this regard the lymphatic system is unlike the cardiovascular system, where the heart creates a pressure gradient by its pumping function. Often times, the promotion of removing waste is accomplished by light muscle movements, to achieve muscle contraction and increase circulation in the body, thereby reducing soreness in the muscles. Although the human body naturally excises waste that causes soreness and fatigue, this takes time, and also produces additional waste product from the lightly exercised muscles.

Devices, systems, and methods for muscle recovery


A control cable attachment structure for attaching a control cable to an anchoring member. A plate-part-side attachment groove, includes an anchoring groove in which an attachment part is positioned and anchored, and a constricted part that is connected to the anchoring groove and is narrower than the anchoring groove. The attachment part of the control cable has an engaging part that is engaged by the anchoring groove and is wider than the constricted part, an approximately parallel pair of opposing surfaces respectively opposing the front and rear of a plate surface of the anchor plate part, and an anchoring groove, the surface of which is formed by the pair of opposing surfaces, and in which the peripheral parts of the plate-part-side attachment grove of the anchor plate part engage. The one opposing surface is provided with a protruding part that protrudes toward the other opposing surface.

A control cable attachment structure including an anchoring member and an attachment part (a conduit anchoring part) of a control cable attached to the anchoring member is known as disclosed in patent literature 1 below.
The anchoring member includes a base piece disposed in parallel to an axis of the control cable, and a perpendicular piece disposed at a right angle to the base piece. The perpendicular piece has a C-shaped cutout. The base piece has an opening portion communicating with the cutout of the perpendicular piece. The attachment part of the control cable has an engagement groove for engagement with the cutout of the perpendicular piece, and a flange and lugs for sandwiching a peripheral edge of the opening portion of the base piece.
As for the control cable attachment structure disclosed in patent literature 1, that is, the attachment part is anchored to the anchoring member by engaging the engagement groove of the attachment part with the cutout of the anchoring member and sandwiching the peripheral edge of the opening portion of the base piece between the flange and each of the lugs.
In the manner as stated above, the attachment part can be more rigidly attached to the anchoring member.
By sandwiching the base piece between the flange and each of the lugs of the attachment part, it is possible to easily anchor the control cable to the anchoring part.
However, the control cable attachment structure is complicated due to the base and perpendicular pieces of the anchoring member and the flange and lugs of the attachment part of the control cable.
To improve work efficiency or simplify the structure, for example, it may be suggested that the anchoring member retain the attachment part of the control cable only by engagement of the engagement groove of the attachment part with the cutout of the perpendicular piece. In this case, merely pulling the control cable in a direction in which the cutout of the perpendicular piece is opened does not remove the attachment part because the C-shaped cutout of the perpendicular piece tapers such that the attachment part is not removed therefrom unless a certain degree of load is applied to the attachment part.
The attachment portion may tilt when a load is applied to a point of the control cable, which point is distant from the attachment portion. In this case, the attachment portion has a fulcrum at a bottom point (below the engagement groove engaged with the C-shaped cutout). As a result, the attachment part of the control cable may be undesirably removed from the anchoring member under only a small load in accordance with "principle of the lever".


The invention relates to an acoustic diagnostic system and an associated method, wherein the system includes a sensor mechanism to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. The acoustic diagnostic system furthermore includes a signal conditioning unit to amplify and low-pass filter the electrical signals and an analog/digital converter to convert the amplified and low-pass filtered signals into discrete digital data. In addition, a signal processing unit, which performs signal analysis, extraction of characteristics, and classification of error classes and/or quality classes, which are associated with a respective test object of the digital data, is provided. Finally, the acoustic diagnostic system includes an archive to automatically archive an occurrence and a frequency of the error classes and/or the quality classes. The diagnostic system preferably includes controlling means that control the production process for the manufacture of the test object.

The present invention relates to an acoustic diagnostic system and an associated method, which are particularly suitable for an automatic quality control of test objects, such as motors or ceramics.
Such a testing system and testing method are used, for instance, to detect and evaluate signals. Therein, a combination of measuring hardware and signal processing software is often used. This often requires the knowledge and experience of an expert, due to the complexity of such a measurement arrangement.
WO 98/01728 discloses a device to detect analog measurement signals to acoustically diagnose test objects. Vibration sensors are used to detect analog measurement signals from a test object. A computer is equipped with a standard interface card to digitize the measurement signals. A switching signal generates a trigger signal, which can be input via an interface. This interface is preferably a serial interface. Via the trigger signal, a control program in the computer switches the input of the measurement signals on and off.
It is one object of the invention to provide an acoustic diagnostic system and an associated method, which enables automatic quality control in a simple manner.
According to one formulation of the invention, this and other objects of the invention are achieved an acoustic diagnostic system, which includes a sensor mechanism to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. The acoustic diagnostic system furthermore includes a signal conditioning unit to amplify and low-pass filter the electrical signals and an analog/digital converter to convert the amplified and low-pass filtered signals into discrete digital data. In addition, a signal processing unit for signal analysis, for extraction of characteristics, and for classification of error classes and/or quality classes, which are associated with a respective test object is provided. Finally, the acoustic diagnostic system includes an archive to automatically archive an occurrence and a frequency of the error classes and/or the quality classes.
According to another formulation of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by a method to control the quality of a test object, which includes the steps of converting mechanical vibrations into electrical signals; amplifying and low-pass filtering the electrical signals; converting the amplified and low-pass filtered signals into discrete digital data; analyzing the signals; extracting characteristics; classifying error classes and/or quality classes, which are associated with the respective test object; and automatically archiving the occurrence and the frequency of the error classes and/or the quality classes.
Due to the acoustic diagnosis, the diagnostic system enables an automatic and straight-forward, verifiable quality control, in particular in the manufacturing process of products, for which an acoustic diagnosis permits conclusions as to the quality of the products.
Contrary to previous acoustic tests, which must often be performed by specialists, the diagnostic system according to the invention can be used as often as desired. Additionally, the automatic archiving of the quality tests allows for reliable and straight-forward, verifiable reexamination at any time.
The integration of the diagnostic system into a production process is performed in that the diagnostic system includes a controller, or in that it is connected to a controller, which control of the production process of test objects.
A descriptive classification of test objects is ensured in one of two ways. As a first alternative, the diagnostic system includes a component, which, based on an input signal, determines several classifications. As a second alternative, the diagnostic system includes a component, which based on an input signal that is assigned to the test object, determines several characteristics for the classification of the test object. Therein, the characteristics or features assigned to each class are color-coded.
An optimized determination of the number of features is ensured in that the diagnostic system includes a component to determine redundant features, which, in turn, determine a correlation of existing features.
A capability to filter redundant features is provided by means of the diagnostic system for creating a correlation matrix to visualize redundant features.
Advantageous applications of the diagnostic system are found in quality control, in particular in the quality control of self-energized test objects, such as motors, and/or in the quality control of separately energized test objects, such as glass or ceramics.

Acoustic diagnostic system and associated method


A device implementing a scheme for reduction of pop-up noise is disclosed. The device comprises an audio sub-system (100) having an integrator (112) for amplifying an input signal (133) and a modulation circuit (114) including one or more comparators. The audio subsystem (100) is further provided with a feedback loop (142) across the integrator (112) and the modulation circuit (114) to calibrate an offsets outputs of the integrator (112) and the modulation circuit (114). The feedback loop (142) includes an integrator-offset loop (202) across the integrator (112) to calibrate an offset (136) in the output of the integrator (112), and an offset calibration loop (302) across the modulation circuit (114) to calibrate an offset (140) in the output of the modulation circuit (114).

Electronic devices, such as communication devices and home entertainment devices, include an audio sub-system for providing an audio output. The audio sub-system generally includes an input device to provide audio signals, an audio amplifier to amplify the audio signals received, and one or more speakers to produce an amplified sound. Audio amplifiers used for amplifying audio signals are generally classified into various classes including A, B, AB, C, and D. Class-D amplifiers, in particular, have an advantage of providing high-efficiency audio output at minimum power loss and are, thus, preferred in applications where power efficiency is important, such as in battery powered and portable applications.
A class-D amplifier is a switching amplifier and typically includes an integrator, a modulation circuit, and a driver circuit in a feedback configuration. The integrator pre-amplifies a feedback error signal and provides a pre-amplified audio signal to one or more comparators of a modulation circuit. The modulation circuit converts the amplified audio signal into a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal using a variety of schemes known in the art. Further, the PWM signal is fed to the driver circuit, which provides an amplified audio signal to the speakers.
The various components of the class-D amplifier, such as the integrator, the comparators, and the driver circuit are generally implemented using operational amplifiers. However, operational amplifiers often generate voltage offset due to fabrication imperfections. Moreover, as the components are generally small in size, it is difficult to achieve appropriate matching between the components. As a result, in certain conditions such as powering-up of the electronic device, some spurious signals are introduced at the inputs of the speaker. Such spurious signals amount to a pop-up noise in the speaker during powering-up or un-muting of the electronic device. Typically, the pop-up noise caused due to the mismatch in the driver circuit is reduced by pre-biasing the driver circuit while enabling a normal operating mode of the speakers. However, pre-biasing the driver circuit does not reduce the pop-up noise caused by the offsets in the integrator or the comparators.


Cryptographic techniques for enciphering computer messages or the like include a unit for generating a cipher program for enciphering message data or plaintext by using a plurality of kinds of basic involution processing programs and desired key data, and a unit for enciphering the message data into ciphertext by executing the generated cipher program for the message data. A part of the involution processing program includes a substitution transformation portion and a permutation transformation portion. In accordance with the bit pattern of the above key data, a sequence for executing each of the involution processing programs and a sequence for executing the substitution transformation portion and the permutation transformation portion are determined. The above plurality of transformation processes include an operation of circular shifting to the right or left by X bits and an operation of circular shifting to the right or left by Y bits, with the X and Y being mutually different numbers. An indication of detailed numerical values of the X and Y and the right or left direction for a circular shift is given by key data. According to the above structure, a part of the functions for structuring the encipherment algorithms and the sequence for executing the functions are changed by key data. With the above arrangement, a large amount of algorithm transformation patterns are generated by the product of a number of changes of a part of the functions and a sum of combinations of permutation in the sequence of executing the functions, thus making it extremely difficult to crack the algorithms.

The present invention relates to cryptographic method and apparatus for enciphering messages of a computer or the like.
Currently, many enterprises have been reinforcing their information network facilities for the purpose of their businesses. It is anticipated, that, in the near future, information exchanges are going to be carried out frequently among a plurality of organizations having a variety of transaction relationships with each other, not being restricted to only within one organization. Under such circumstances, ciphers are indispensable in order to assure securities of communications.
Ciphers are broadly classified into two types, that is, common key ciphers and public key ciphers. Common key cipher is used to encipher or decipher a large volume of data and to generate message authentication codes.
Public key cipher is used to secretly distribute common keys between communicating parties and to make digital signatures. Common key cipher is used to encipher and decipher messages between a message transmitter and a receiver such that the transmitter transforms a message by using a common key and transmits a ciphertext and that the receiver of the ciphertext deciphers the ciphertext to transform the ciphertext into the original message by using the same common key, under the assumption that the transmitter and the receiver share the same key (common key).
As conventional typical encipher algorithms, the DES algorithm (Data Encryption Standard) and the FEAL algorithm (Fast Encipherment Algorithm) have been known. The DES algorithm has been described in detail, for instance, (1) Koyama et al., "Modern Theory of Encryption", The Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, pages 41 to 49, September 1986. On the other hand, the FEAL algorithm has been described in detail in, (2) Shimizu et al., "Fast Data Encipherment Algorithm FEAL", Papers of the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, D. Vol. J70-D, No. 7, pages 1413 to 1423, July 1987.
As approaches for improving the efficiency of both data scrambling (data ramdomizing) and processing speed, there have been known "Multi-Media Encryption Algorithm" (Information Processing Society of Japan, Study Group of Multi-Media Communication and Decentralized Processing, Jan. 19, 1989) and an encryption algorithm (hereinafter to be referred to as MULTI 2) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,429 by the inventors of the present invention.
MULTI 2 is operated to obtain 64 bits of a ciphertext by executing operations of basic functions (involution functions) .pi..sub.1 to .pi..sub.4 to a plaintext of 64-bit length including upper 32 bits and lower 32 bits, in a predetermined sequence, as shown in FIG. 14.
In FIG. 14, .sym. denotes an exclusive logical OR for each bit, + an addition using 2.sup.32 as a modulus, .sup.ROT n a cyclic shift of n bits, a V a logical OR for each bit.
It is known, that, in general, there is a risk that encipher keys used in a statement are vulnerable to be conjected and ciphertexts are deciphered illegally as a result, by a method of analyzing plaintexts which have been given to an encryption algorithm and a ciphertext which has been generated by using the plaintexts (a so-called chosen plaintext attack), even if the encryption algorithm is considered to have a considerable degree of randomness (refer to Boer, "Crypta-analysis of F.E.A.L.", Proc. EUROCRYPTO, 1987).
Therefore, the above-described conventional algorithm cannot necessarily continue to be safe in future.
In order to prevent a chosen plaintext attack, it is effective to use both an applicational countermeasure, such as reducing the cycle of altering encipher keys and a technical countermeasure, such as further complicating the encryption algorithm itself, to thereby avoid an attack of decipherment. As the latter technical countermeasure, increasing the frequency of involution transformation has been proposed in the DES, EFEL-8 and MULTI 2 (Takaragi, et al., "Development of Multi-Media Encryption Algorithm HISECURITY MULTI 2 and Its Operation Mode", The Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan", WCIs' 89-D2, Aug. 28-30, 1989 and H. J. Highland, "Cracking the DES ?", Computers & Security, 8, 1989, pp. 274-275).
No optimum number of repetition of involutions, however, has ever been known. In other words, either a level of number of repetitions above which ciphertexts are safe or a level of number of repetition below which ciphertexts are vulnerable to a decipher attack has never been known. Accordingly, there has been no alternative method except that number of repetitions of involutions is increased to an excessive level by taking into account a safety margin. On the other hand, an increase in the number of repetitions of involutions has a problem that a speed of transforming ciphers becomes slower in inverse proportion to the increase in the number of repetitions.


Novel handlebars for a bicycle are disclosed which provide gripping positions below the handlebar crosspiece. These lower drop positions allow a rider to comfortably maintain a low frontal area without the need for forwardly extending handlebar elements. The lower drop gripping positions can be included in new handlebars or can be added to conventional handlebars by installing adapter kits. Additionally, a handlebar strut system is disclosed which can more efficiently transfer rider power to the bicycle. The strut system reduces upward handlebar flex while allowing downward flex. This can allow the rider to accelerate more quickly while retaining the shock absorbing benefits of downward handlebar flex.

This invention relates to bicycles and bicycle handlebars which improve bicycle rider performance and stamina and provide increased levels of rider comfort.
Bicycle design is a complex art. Seemingly minor structural changes can often yield significant performance advantages to bicycle riders. Typically, the performance advantages are most apparent in bicycle race competitions.
Competitive bicycle racing requires attention to several factors. Two important factors include rider comfort and frontal area profile of the bicycle and rider combination. Minimizing frontal area increases performance by reducing drag caused by the movement of the bicycle and rider through the air. Improving rider comfort enhances performance by allowing the rider to function for longer periods of time without tiring. Both frontal area and comfort are greatly affected by the position, shape and arrangement of the bicycle handlebars.
Frequently, the design of handlebars requires balancing the need for a reduced frontal area against providing an uncomfortable rider position. For example, a rider may be comfortable sitting in a relatively upright position. When a new handlebar design requires that the rider crouch lower to minimize his frontal area, his comfort level may be reduced because the handlebar forces him to maintain the crouched position for extended periods of time. Thus, balancing these two factors can constrain handlebar design.
Bicycle handlebar design is further constrained by the rules of various riding and racing organizations. These organizations sanction various riding events and require participating riders to comply with the organization's rules. Many of these rules are designed to promote the safety of the large number of riders which frequently ride in close proximity to one another. Thus, sanctioning body rules may prohibit the use of otherwise efficient handlebar designs when the design is thought to compromise rider safety. Such prohibitions have applied in some circumstances to handlebars which include handlebar portions which project substantially forward from the bicycle crosspiece and handlebars having forward facing grip ends which might be a hazard in a mass event start.


A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the frame. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat. The utility vehicle includes a seat switch coupled to the operator seat and a controller configured to detect a loaded and unloaded state of the operator seat based on the seat switch.

The present disclosure generally relates to side-by-side utility vehicles and, more particularly, to side-by-side utility vehicle configured to support at least front-end attachments.
Generally, all terrain vehicles and utility vehicles are used to carry one or two passengers and cargo over a variety of terrains. Typically, the cargo is carried in a rear cargo box of such vehicles. Alternatively, BOBCAT brand utility vehicles include a hydraulic system having a RAPID LINK brand hydraulic attachment system which couples attachments to a front end of the utility vehicle. Utility vehicles also may include a winch or hitch assembly to carry additional loads.
Exemplary utility vehicles configured to support at least one passenger and cargo are available from Polaris Industries Inc. of Medina, Minn., and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,220, issued on Oct. 26, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/442,071, filed on Feb. 11, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/1370,139, filed on Feb. 9, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,603, filed on May 4, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/492,589, filed on Jun. 8, 2012; and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2011/031376, filed on Apr. 6, 2011, the complete disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.


Weld metals suitable for joining high strength, low alloy steels are provided. These weld metals have microstructures of acicular ferrite interspersed in a hard constituent, such as lath martensite, yield strengths of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi), and DBTTs lower than about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9258xc2x0 F.) as measured by a Charpy energy versus temperature curve. These weld metals include about 0.04 wt % to about 0.08 wt % carbon; about 1.0 wt % to about 2.0 wt % manganese; about 0.2 wt % to about 0.7 wt % silicon; about 0.30 wt % to 0.80 wt % molybdenum; about 2.3 wt % to about 3.5 wt % nickel; about 0.0175 wt % to about 0.0400 wt % oxygen, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of (i) up to about 0.04 wt % zirconium, and (ii) up to about 0.02 wt % titanium.

This invention relates to weld metals with superior low temperature toughness for joining high strength, low alloy steels. This invention also relates to welding consumable wires and welding methods for producing such weld metals. Weld metals produced by the welding consumable wires and welding methods of this invention have microstructures that provide superior strength, toughness, and hydrogen cracking resistance. The welding consumable wires and welding methods of this invention are particularly well suited for mechanized field girth welding of high strength steel linepipe using the gas metal arc welding process to construct pipelines.
Various terms are defined in the following specification. For convenience, a Glossary of terms is provided herein, immediately preceding the claims.
For industries that utilize steel structures, e.g., oil and gas, chemical, ship building, power generation, etc., it has become apparent that the selected use of high strength, low alloy (HSLA) steels is desirable. As used herein, xe2x80x9chigh strength, low alloy (HSLA) steelxe2x80x9d includes any steel containing iron and less than about 10 wt % total alloy additives and having a yield strength of at least about 550 MPa (80 ksi). Utilizing a HSLA steel can result in lower costs for a structure due to the lower weight of the structure compared to that of the same structure built of a lower strength steel. Also, the use of HSLA steels can enable a structure to be built that could not practicably be built using a lower strength steel because very thick material would be necessary to provide structural strength, resulting in unacceptably high weight.
However, utilizing HSLA steels in some of the aforementioned structures may have certain drawbacks. Many commercially available HSLA steels are limited in their use, as compared to lower strength steels, particularly in fracture critical applications, because of the limited toughness (thus, limited defect tolerance) of their weldments. (See Glossary for definition of fracture critical.) Toughness in steel weldments may be considered from the standpoint of the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) as measured by the Charpy V-notch test, from the magnitude of the absorbed Charpy V-notch energy at specific temperatures, or from the magnitude of the fracture toughness at specific temperatures as measured by a test like the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) test or the J-integral test; all of these toughness testing techniques being familiar to those skilled in the art. (See Glossary for definition of DBTT.)
Another potential drawback associated with the use of HSLA steels is the susceptibility for hydrogen cracking in their weldments. As the strengths of weld metals increase, their alloy contents typically increase, which creates higher hardenability and a tendency for transformation to martensite. The increased presence of martensite in higher strength weld metals combined with the higher residual stresses in higher strength weldments, generally leads to greater sensitivity for hydrogen cracking, as compared to lower strength weldments. In order to decrease the likelihood of hydrogen cracking in the weldments of HSLA steels, the steels are often preheated prior to welding, which can increase fabrication costs.
In addition to commercially available HSLA steels, new HSLA steels with superior strengths, e.g., yield strength of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi), preferably at least about 760 MPa (110 ksi), more preferably at least about 828 MPa (120 ksi), and even more preferably at least about 896 MPa (130 ksi), and most preferably at least about 931 MPa to 966 MPa (135 to 140 ksi) are currently under development. For example, see International Application nos. WO 99/05336, WO 99/05334, WO 99/05328, WO 99/05335, and WO 98/38345. These new HSLA steels are particularly well suited for manufacturing high strength linepipe for constructing pipelines. For pipeline applications, the girth welds used to join individual linepipe segments preferably provide a high level of toughness due to the fracture critical nature of their service. Additionally, in certain environments, e.g., in arctic applications, the required girth weld toughness may need to be achieved at ambient temperatures as low as about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9240xc2x0 F.), or even as low as xe2x88x9260xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9276xc2x0 F.). Therefore, in order to utilize commercially available HSLA steels, or the new HSLA steels currently under development, at low ambient temperatures, welding consumable wires and welding methods that provide weld metals and weldments with adequate strength, hydrogen cracking resistance, and, most importantly, toughness, at such temperatures are required.
Broadly speaking, there are two classes of welding wires and, therefore, weld metals, that are currently available for the purpose of joining HSLA steels with yield strengths in the range of about 690 MPa (100 ksi) to about 931 MPa (135 ksi). The first class of weld metal is commonly referred to by an acronym related to its microstructure, xe2x80x9cLCBFxe2x80x9d, which stands for low carbon bainitic ferrite. This type of weld metal is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540. The second class of weld metal is the martensitic type, which is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540.
The LCBF weld metals were invented as an improvement over the martensitic type for welding of naval hull materials. One goal was that the LCBF microstructure be producible over a wide range of welding heat inputs. Examples of welds made at heat inputs from about 1.2 kJ/mm (30 kJ/in.) to 5 kJ/mm (127 kJ/in.) are given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540. It is noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540 that it is necessary to provide relatively fast cooling rates to ensure that the martensitic-type weld metals transform completely to martensite. However, when applying a wide range of cooling rates to the LCBF weld metals, the microstructure transforms entirely to bainite, and martensite is avoided. Another goal of the LCBF weld metals is avoidance of hydrogen cracking without the requirement for preheating to drive off hydrogen. This permits a cost savings during fabrication. Meeting these goals for welding naval hull materials places certain demands on the chemistry for the LCBF weld metals, particularly on the carbon content. The LCBF weld metals described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540 are limited to a maximum of 0.05 wt percent carbon, primarily to avoid martensite formation. It is generally believed that the LCBF microstructure is more stable over broad heat input ranges and that it is more resistant to hydrogen cracking than martensite.
In contrast to naval hull welding where avoidance of preheating is desired, preheating is routinely used in pipeline girth welding even for nominally low alloy grades of steel like API 5L X-65. Because of the fracture critical nature of each girth weldment and the expense associated with pipeline repairs, avoidance of hydrogen cracking in pipeline girth weldments is desirable. The use of preheating in pipeline girth welding is often seen as necessary to avoid or minimize hydrogen cracking that may otherwise occur under rugged field conditions that can result in less than optimal cleanliness. Pipeline construction using mechanized equipment can proceed at a rate of 100 to 400 welds per day (depending on the equipment employed and whether construction is onshore or offshore). Because hydrogen cracking can occur more than one or two days after welding, costly remedial action can result from the occurrence of this type of cracking during pipelaying. Thus, in the pipeline industry, welding preheat is seen as relatively cheap insurance to avoid hydrogen cracking and associated field repairs. This is particularly the case for offshore pipelines where the welds become essentially inaccessible soon after welding, and it is more cost effective to apply moderate preheat than it is to xe2x80x9cpick-upxe2x80x9d the constructed offshore line and conduct a repair.
With respect to structural integrity, each girth weld in a gas pipeline is fracture critical. Leaks result when any weldment defect penetrates or propagates through the entire pipeline wall. In this case, the pipeline fails to perform its intended function. For naval hulls, however, there is a greater degree of structural redundancy. Very few welds are fracture critical to the extent that if one fractures, the ship will fail to perform its intended function.
Concerning heat input demands, naval hull welding is conducted with a wide range of heat inputs, whereas field pipeline girth welding places natural limitations on the welding procedure. Field pipeline girth welds require all-position welding on relatively thin material (typically, from about 8 mm (0.3 in.) to about 25 mm (1 in.) wall thicknesses). Many naval hull welds are made on thick sections (up to about 50 mm (2 in.)) in the flat position where relatively high heat inputs can be used. The all-position demands of field pipeline welding restricts the heat input to relatively low levels.
While the LCBF weld metal described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,540 may be suitable for joining HSLA steels for use in naval hulls, the LCBF weld metal is not optimal for the girth welding of pipelines whereby the desired yield strength is at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi). The heat input and preheating requirements for pipeline girth welding are distinctly different from the requirements for welding of naval hull steels. A need exists for welding techniques that generate weld metals having yield strengths in excess of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi) and superior low temperature toughness, particularly when the welding heat input is relatively low and moderate preheat is applied. Such welding techniques would be particularly well suited for mechanized pipeline girth welding.
Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide weld metals for joining HSLA steels, which weld metals possess distinct microstructural features that are different from the LCBF and martensitic types of weld metals and provide superior combinations of toughness at low temperatures, high strength, and hydrogen cracking resistance, particularly when used for mechanized pipeline girth welding. A further object of this invention is to provide welding consumable wires and specific welding methods for producing such weld metals. Further objects are made apparent by the following description of the invention.
Consistent with the above-stated objects of the present invention, weld metals suitable for joining HSLA steels are provided. Weld metals according to this invention comprise iron, about 0.04 wt % to about 0.08 wt % carbon; specified amounts of manganese, silicon, molybdenum, nickel, and oxygen; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of zirconium and titanium. The microstructure of weld metals according to this invention comprises from about 5 vol % to about 45 vol % acicular ferrite and at least about 50 vol % lath martensite (including auto-tempered and tempered lath martensite), degenerate upper bainite, lower bainite, granular bainite, or mixtures thereof. The balance of the microstructure may include ferrite, upper bainite, pearlite, or mixtures thereof. Also, welding consumable wires and welding methods are provided for producing the weld metals of this invention.
Weld metals produced according to this invention are particularly well suited for field girth welding of HSLA steel linepipe, particularly when the mechanized gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is used. The microstructure of these weld metals provides high strength, good hydrogen cracking resistance, and superior low temperature toughness suitable for many cold weather applications down to about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9240xc2x0 F.), or even as low as xe2x88x9260xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9276xc2x0 F.). Another advantage of this invention is that hydrogen cracking can be avoided when using these weld metals with preheats of less than about 150xc2x0 C. (302xc2x0 F.), and more preferably less than about 100xc2x0 C. (212xc2x0 F.). These weld metals are particularly well suited for relatively low heat input welding where moderate preheat is applied, for example, the mechanized field girth welding of HSLA steel linepipe using the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process.
Weld metals according to this invention have DBTTs, as measured from a Charpy energy versus temperature curve, of lower than about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9258xc2x0 F.), preferably lower than about xe2x88x9260xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9276xc2x0 F.), and more preferably lower than about xe2x88x9270xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9294xc2x0 F.). With respect to the upper shelf energy of the Charpy transition curve, these weld metals have at least about 100 joules (J) (75 ft-lbs), preferably greater than about 135 J (100 ft-lbs), and more preferably greater than about 170 J (125 ft-lbs). With respect to fracture toughness, CTOD testing of these weld metals produces values of at least 0.10 mm, preferably at least 0.15 mm, more preferably at least 0.20 mm, and even more preferably at least 0.25 mm, and most preferably at least 0.30 mm at a test temperature of 0xc2x0 C. (32xc2x0 F.), preferably at about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. (14xc2x0 F.), more preferably at about xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x924 xc2x0 F.), even more preferably at about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9222xc2x0 F.), and most preferably at about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9240xc2x0 F.). Also with respect to fracture toughness, these weld metals produce JIC values of at least about 125 N/mm (0.7 ksi-in), preferably at least about 175 N/mm (1.0 ksi-in), more preferably at least about 225 N/mm (1.3 ksi-in) at a test temperature of about xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. (14xc2x0 F.), preferably at about xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x924xc2x0 F.), more preferably at about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9222xc2x0 F.), and most preferably at about xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. (xe2x88x9240xc2x0 F.). (See Glossary for definition of JIC values.)

Weld metals with superior low temperature toughness for joining high strength, low alloy steels


A tree stand winch (10) for hoisting items from ground level up to a desired height within a tree or pole comprising a crank wheel (12) having both a hand knob (14) and a power tool adapter (16) mounted thereto for actuating a gear assembly (20). Crank wheel (12) is mounted to one surface of a support plate (28) and mounted to the opposite surface of the support plate (28) is a line spool (30) which rotates in response to the actuation of the gear assembly (20). Additionally, secured to the support plate (28) is a brake and drag mechanism (50) for providing variable resistance to the rotation of the line spool (30). The winch (10) is secured to a user's belt by an attachment mechanism (90) while the user ascends a tree or pole. Once positioned up the tree or pole, the user secures the winch (10) to the tree or pole by the attachment mechanism (90). The winch (10) is stabilized during use by a stabilizer mechanism (70) including at least two cleats (75) which engage the tree in a straddling arrangement and a stabilizer bar (80) which is strapped to the tree or pole.

In recent years, hunting wild game has become an ever popular sport as evidenced by the number of syndicated and local hunting shows televised weekly. Of the various types of game hunted for sport, deer hunting is one of the most popular and widespread.
The most common method for hunting deer today entails the use of a tree stand which the hunter uses to position himself in a tree between ten and thirty feet above the ground. In the tree stand, the hunter enjoys a greater view of the surrounding terrain in addition to having a substantially decreased chance of being spotted or scented by the deer.
Conventional tree stands are either assembled at the desired height within the tree once the hunter has climbed the tree, referred to as a wrap-around tree stand, or the tree stand itself is used by the hunter to climb the tree, referred to as a climber tree stand. Illustrative of a climber tree stand is U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,077 to Sheriff. Climber tree stands such as the one disclosed in Sheriff comprise dual frames, a top frame having a seat and a bottom frame for a foot rest. In operation, the two frames are used to climb up or down a tree by resting on the top frame and lifting the bottom frame and securing it to the tree just below the top frame. Then, raising the top frame to a next higher position and repeating. Alternatively, wrap-around tree stands require the hunter to climb the tree by either using spiked climbing boots or screwing spikes into the tree which the hunter uses to climb up the tree. Once the hunter has climbed to a desired height above the ground, he retrieves his hunting stand from the ground so that he may assemble it in the tree.
Because of the physical demands, it is often too difficult and dangerous for the hunter using a climber tree stand to carry his rifle, bow, duffle bag or other items with him as he ascends or descends a tree. Consequently, the hunter must leave his rifle, bow or duffle bag on the ground at the base of the tree and retrieve his gear once positioned in the tree stand. Presently, hunters typically use a clothes line or other light weight rope having sufficient strength to hoist their gear up to the tree stand. Typically, the hunter ties one end of the rope around his gear and carries the other end up into the tree as he climbs up into the tree. Once secured in the tree stand at the desired height, the hunter hoists his gear hand over hand up into the tree. This method, however, imposes several disadvantages. First, the hunter's gear may be quite heavy and lifting it ten to thirty feet while situated on a somewhat unstable tree stand is not only difficult but often times dangerous. Secondly, lifting the gear hand over hand may be difficult on a cold or rainy day where there is a substantial chance of the rope slipping. Lastly, carrying around and storing the loose rope may impose problems because rope or line may become tangled to such a degree that the rope cannot be used to hoist or lower the hunter's gear.
Similarly, the hunter using a wrap-around tree stand must retrieve his stand from the ground once he has climbed up the tree to a desired height. Again, this is usually accomplished by tieing a rope or line to the tree stand and hoisting it up by hand into the tree. This is a substantial task in that most tree stands weigh between sixteen and thirty-five pounds, depending upon the tree stand's design and weight capacity.
Accordingly, it can be seen that it would be desirable to provide a tree stand winch apparatus and method for hoisting a hunter's tree stand, rifle, bow or duffle bag from the ground up into the tree where the hunter resides, and which is easy to use and provides the hunter with lifting power.


A method, system, and computer program product for assembling a project team is provided. In one embodiment potential team members, such as, for example, retirees from a company, with appropriate qualifications are notified of a project for which team members are needed. The potential team members are identified based on information contained in a database of potential team members. Along with the notification of the project, the potential team members receive a request for bids. The entity then receives a bid from a responding potential team member and compares the bid to bid acceptance criteria. If the bid meets bid acceptance criteria, a bid acceptance is sent to the responding potential team member and the responding potential team member is notified of other members of the project team.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to computer software and, more particularly, to methods of assembling a team of people.
2. Description of Related Art
Engineers of the baby-boomer class are retiring in mass, leaving the petroleum industry with a serious skill and experience gap. However, there is one significant fact that mitigates this problem: the petroleum engineer workforce has actively embraced information technology since the early 1960's. A unique opportunity exists to use a petroleum industry reliance on information technology to solve the experience gap dilemma. The future engineer will be free to conduct engineering functions in any location from a thin portable device. In many petroleum/energy companies, upstream engineering processes are digital and integrated.
In the near-term, the petroleum engineer has unique requirements for local processing power to perform reservoir simulation, reservoir management, seismic interpretation, geosciences modeling, facilities modeling, and facilities management. These engineering applications consume massive quantities of compute resources and storage resources. The popular engineering applications are being moved from powerful Unix workstation/servers to powerful Wintel workstations. Many application vendors are seriously embracing web-based delivery techniques for selected functions.
However, for the remote engineering to be successful, efficient, and satisfying for both the company and the engineer, new methods of operation must be developed to surround the remote engineer. In particular, there is a need for new methods of integrating people with disparate skills in order for remote engineering to be successful.

Method and process for employing a retired workforce

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A drill guide assembly including a guide having a base with a predetermined transverse dimension and a plurality of guide channels formed therein in spaced apart relation wherein the transverse dimension of the base is sufficient to provide a linear path of travel of a drill bit passing therethrough and into a work piece. A positioning arm attachable at least one of two spaced apart points along the length of the base wherein the positioning arm has one end engaging the work piece so as to establish a predetermined angular orientation between the work piece and the base and particularly the drill passing through the base into the work piece.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a drill guide assembly of the type specifically structured to orient a drill bit through the base of the guide into a work piece at a predetermined angular orientation and further including a positioning assembly to alter the relative position between the base of the drill and the work piece itself such that the angular engagement of the bit into the work piece may be varied.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous types of drill jigs and drill guides have been known for many years. Conventionally such type structures serve to at least partially direct the bit of a drill or like tool into a specific location of a work piece. Such known or prior art structures vary greatly in complexity depending upon the particular application for which they are used. However, few if any of such structures are particularly adapted for simple widely varied use capable for a variety of applications such as in a "handyman" operation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,466,023, to Griffin; 2,475,263, to Staggs; and 2,273,954, to Grass disclose drill jig type structures specifically designed for the at least minimal guiding of drill bits into work pieces in a predetermined number of times at various locations.
Similarly U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,990,733, to Garcia; 3,775,020, to Stoutenberg; and 3,804,546, to Boyajian; disclose drill guide type structures wherein various drill bits of various sizes may be applied to a work piece in a predetermined location or in a predetermined pattern.
Again, however, structures of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patents all include devices which do not readily lend themselves to a variety of work applications so as to reach hard to locate areas on a work piece or wherein the angular relation of the drill bit as it enters the work piece can be determined and/or varied. Accordingly, there is an obvious need in the industry for a simple, inexpensive and efficient drill guide structure wherein the angular relation between the drill bit and the work piece itself, as the drill bit enters the work piece, can be predetermined and/or varied due to the specific structure of the drill guide assembly itself.


It comprises a) a cylindrical base (1) formed of an axial barrel (2) protruding from an annular shoulder (3), through both of which there passes an axial hole (4), b) a washer (6) made of a piezoelectric material slipped over the barrel, c) means (71, 72) for picking off the electrical voltage there is between two radial faces of said washer, e) an annular mass (9), also slipped over the barrel (2) and e) a retaining means collaborating with the annular shoulder (3) to trap said washer (6) and said mass (9) between them. The retaining means consists of a bulge (17) protruding radially from said barrel (2) and formed of the material of a predetermined portion thereof, deformed under an axial force for crushing said base (1).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an accelerometer-type sensor and, more specifically, to a sensor of this kind which is sensitive to the phenomena of pinging liable to affect the operation of an internal combustion engine.
FIG. 1 of the appended drawing is a diagrammatic depiction, in an exploded view, of a known pinging sensor of the prior art, comprising a metallic cylindrical base 1 of axis X formed of an axial barrel 2 protruding from an annular shoulder 3, the barrel and the shoulder both having an axial hole 4 passing through them, the sensor further comprising a number of washers slipped over the barrel 2 and stacked on the shoulder 3. Thus, starting from this shoulder and stacked in this order, there are: a washer 5 made of an electrically insulating material, a washer 6 made of a piezoelectric material and its electrodes 7.sub.1, 7.sub.2, each one backing onto one of its axially-separated end faces, a second insulating washer 8, a weighty washer 9, a spring washer 10 and a metal nut 11 screwed onto a screw thread 12 formed on the barrel 2, the nut clamping all of the above listed washers down against the shoulder 3 of the base.
The sensor described above can be fixed to an internal combustion engine using a bolt passed through the axial hole 4. It is known that such a sensor is sensitive to the forces experienced by the engine along the X-axis, such as vibrations due to the pinging phenomenon, and delivers, between the electrodes 7.sub.1, 7.sub.2, an electrical signal which represents these forces, the signal being the result of the pressure exerted by the mass 9, accelerated by said forces, on the piezoelectric washer 6. It is also known that when pinging is detected in one cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the computer controlling the operation of the engine reacts by reducing the angle of ignition advance in an attempt to cause this pinging to disappear, as the pinging could otherwise, in the long term, be responsible for mechanical damage to the engine.
The use of a nut to hold the various washers of the sensor on the barrel of the base has numerous drawbacks. On the one hand, the tightening of the nut entails the use of a torque-measuring tightening head to establish a predetermined preload on the piezoelectric washer. When such a sensor is being mass-produced, the preload thus created may vary with wear to the head and with variations to the geometry of the tapped thread of the nut or the screw thread of the barrel, which may, in particular, be corrupted by impacts. Furthermore, swarf may form while the screw thread and/or the tapped thread are being machined. When the sensor is being mounted, swarf 14 thus formed, held in the screw thread of the barrel or in the tapped thread of the nut, may become detached and find its way in between the electrodes 7.sub.1, 7.sub.2 of the piezoelectric washer 6, thus short-circuiting these electrodes and making the sensor unusable.
The use of a nut in such a sensor also has the drawbacks of being expensive and of complicating the automating of the assembling of the sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known, from German Patent No. 195 24 152, a pinging sensor in which the various washers are not retained by a nut but by five lugs formed by punches acting on the exterior of the surface of the metal barrel to tear the material of these lugs from this barrel and upset it outward over the elastic washer 10, whose axial position on the barrel is thus fixed.
This solution does, however, have the following drawbacks. On the one hand, punching of this kind may generate metallic swarf and therefore the short-circuits mentioned earlier. On the other hand, in the context of mass-production, the preload on the piezoelectric washer can vary with variations in the punching forces, which depend on the condition of the cutting edges of the punches, how sharp they are, etc, etc.

Accelerometer sensor for detecting knocks and method for making same


A plurality of articles are conveyed as an array of successive rows wherein each row contains at least two articles in a general line extending transversely to the direction of travel of the articles. Relative motion between a conveying surface and an alignment element positioned downstream of the conveying surface is effected to cause the articles within a row to encounter the alignment element and thereby become aligned with respect to each other. The relative motion is then reversed to permit the thus aligned row of articles to clear the alignment element while exiting the conveying surface. In the preferred version, the relative motion is achieved by the substantially vertical motion of the downstream end of a pivotable conveyor adjacent to a stationary alignment bar. The movements of the conveyor can be controlled responsive to the arrival of a row of articles at the downstream end of the pivotable conveyor.

In order to achieve economical production rates, toaster pastries can be conveyed through a baking oven and other processing zones as a series of rows of individual generally rectangular pastries wherein the pastries in a row are parallel to each other and in a line which is perpendicular to the direction of travel. Due to vibration of the equipment or other factors some of the pastries in a row can become skewed, i.e., the centerline of the pastry is at an angle to the direction of travel, and/or misaligned, i.e., one or more pastries in a row lead or trail the other pastries in that row. However, some of the processing operations, and particularly the packing operation, can require that the pastries in a row be correctly oriented and aligned.
One mechanism which has been employed to provide the desired alignment of the pastries incorporates a barrier gate which is periodically lowered downwardly onto the conveying surface to catch and align the pastries. However, if the pastries are staggered or skewed excessively, the gate can land on one or more of the pastries rather than landing clearly between two rows. Alignment cannot be achieved if the gate lands on a pastry, and the impact can chip or break the pastry, which produces an unacceptable appearance. Efforts to avoid these problems have generally involved substantially increasing the distance between successive rows, but this can decrease the production rate and/or increase the length of the conveyor. For some devices of this type the minimum effective spacing between adjacent rows is three times the length of the product. The associated acceleration belt can be as much as ten feet in length.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved method and apparatus for conveying a plurality of articles in successive rows and for aligning the articles within a row. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for presenting an alignment surface to a plurality of articles moving in directions parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the alignment surface. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved system for controlling the alignment operation. A further object of the invention is to avoid damage to the articles being aligned. Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification, the drawings and the appended claims to the invention.


A recessed in-wall interface box assembly that is relatively easy to install in a finished wall, including accommodations for video and electrical wiring in the box, having an attractive appearance, and that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Flat panel monitors and televisions are becoming ever-more popular in homes and in commercial settings. Previously common Cathode-Ray Tube ("CRT") monitors are being replaced by flat panel devices at a rapid rate. A chief advantage of flat panel devices over CRTs is the appealing aesthetic of a very shallow device that resembles a framed photo or painting when mounted on a wall.
Many different configurations of wall mounting devices have been developed for flat panel displays. Examples of such prior mounting devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,028,961; 6,905,101; D507,477; D496,367; D495,714; D495,713; D494,978; D494,596; D493,800; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070158515 all hereby incorporated herein by reference. Although these prior mounting devices contribute to providing a shallow frame aesthetic for the wall mounted flat panel monitor, some clearance between the back of the monitor and the plane of the wall is generally needed with these prior art mounts in order to provide space for the mount itself and to allow for positioning of the monitor.
In-wall recessed boxes have been previously used with a flat panel monitor and mounting device to enable the back plane of the monitor to be positioned closer to the plane of the wall on which it is mounted. In these devices, the box is installed in the wall to define a recess and a mounting device, such as those referenced above, is mounted in the recess. These previous in-wall boxes, however, have had some drawbacks. One drawback of previous in-wall boxes is that they are generally difficult to install in an existing finished wall, requiring extensive portions of the wall inner envelope layer (i.e. sheetrock or plaster) to be removed to facilitate access for fastening the box to structural frame members (i.e. studs). Due to variations in the spacing of studs, specialized shims are often needed to enable positioning of the in-wall box at a desired location in the wall. Another installation related drawback to prior in-wall mounting devices is that no provision is typically made to accommodate electrical and video wiring within the box. Separate outlet boxes must be provided in the wall adjacent the in-wall mounting box or holes must be drilled in the box for the wires to be accommodated. Also, the appearance of prior boxes has typically been somewhat crude, having a generally "industrial" character. Finally, the boxes themselves have typically been expensive to manufacture.
What is still needed in the industry is an in-wall interface in the form of a recessed in-wall box that is relatively easy to install in a finished wall, has accommodations for video and electrical wiring in the box, has an attractive appearance, and that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In-wall interface and mounting method for display mount


A parallelgram arrangement of linkages interconnect a stern ramp frame with a plurality of parallel rails vertically adjusted to positions above the ramp frame by actuators for reception and maintenance of a watercraft thereon with minimized vibration, further reduced by shock-absorbing springs positioned in engagement with the rails and the rail actuators. Rail positioning adjustment by the actuators is effected under computer control to match different hull shapes of the watercraft that are curved or v-shaped and therefore non-flat.

Watercraft are currently retrieved from a body of seawater onto a retrieval ship, involving use of a ramp projected from the stern of the ship onto which the watercraft is landed. Such ramp landing of watercraft often effects impact damage thereof because of hydrodynamic turbulence and ship motion, imposing displacement of the watercraft on the ramp. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to avoid the foregoing watercraft damage imposing problems during retrieval of watercraft onto ships.

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


A pet litter box having a built in filter comprising a base portion which has a litter receiving area and a cover portion which has a screen member attached thereto, the screen member extending below the underside of the cover and being spaced therefrom to define a waste receiving pocket between the underside of the cover and the screening member. When it is desired to clean the litter box, the cover is placed on the base and the full assembly is rotated such that the used litter will enter the waste receiving pocket with the screen member filtering any clumping and/or solid material therefrom while permitting passage of the non used litter material back to the litter receiving area of the base portion; the cover may then be removed and the used litter discarded.

The present invention relates to a pet litter box and more particularly, relates to a pet litter system which includes a filtering and disposing device.
Pets kept indoors in dwellings are conventionally provided with a litter box in which the animal may relieve itself. Traditionally, these litter boxes have been some form of a container having a quantity of "litter" material which may comprise anything from sand or absorbent granular particles or indeed, even shredded paper. On a commercial basis, a number of commercial products are available and these include absorbent products which are designed to "clump" when they absorb urine. Thus, when it is desired to clean the litter box, normally there still remains a substantial quantity of useful litter. Therefore, it is desirable to separate the still useful litter remaining in the litter box the solid feces and the clumping granular material which has absorbed the urine.
There are a number of known systems for removal of the solid and clumped material from the litter. These devices include various filter screens which may be lifted from the litter box and through which the still useful litter will pass while the solid material is retained on the screen. However, once this has been done, there does remain the problem of replacing the filter in the litter.
It is also known in the art to have a filter or screening system in a housing which can accommodate a cat or the like as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,150 to Gershman. In this patent, there is provided a top or cover having a removable drawer-like container mounted in the upper portion of the housing. The arrangement is somewhat cumbersome and expensive to manufacture.


A device for storing computer cables, including a body portion, a lid portion, an optional electrically conductive shield, and a closure for fastening the body and lid portions in a closed position. The body portion includes at least one circumferential channel for storing a cable; the ends of the cable may extend outwards through openings in the device. The device may also include compartments and pockets for storing small accessory items.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for storage and organization of power cords, cables, and interconnects. In particular, the present invention relates to a cable storage device for use in conjunction with a personal computer and associated peripherals. The invention also relates to an EMI-shielded cable storage device.
2. Discussion of Background:
Personal computers (desktops, laptops, notebooks, handheld organizers) are becoming increasingly prevalent: current estimates indicate that most US residents either own or have access to at least one personal computer. In addition to the computer itself, a computer system, whether intended for home or business use, includes peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW drives, digital cameras, external storage devices, modems, telephone jacks, input devices such as mice or trackballs, and docking stations or port replicators, each device with its own cables, connectors, and (if needed) converters. Laptop and notebook users in particular tend to transport their computers and associated peripherals wherever they need to work. In fact, many people use their laptops or notebooks as their only computer, transporting their computers daily between their homes and workplaces.
Virtually all computer systems have power cords and cables of varying lengths (for purposes of this specification, the terms "cord," "cable," and "interconnect" are used interchangeably). Cables used for personal computer systems (desktops and laptops) are usually relatively short, ranging from about 2′ to about 6′ in length (about 0.6–1.8 m), whereas network cables are typically provided in standard lengths such as 25′ or 50′ (about 7.6 m or 15.2 m, respectively). The longer the cables, the more difficult it is to organize them neatly. Thus, the cables usually end up being stored behind the user's desk or workstation where they frequently become tangled and (without following each cable from one end to the other) hard to identify. Because the mass of haphazardly stored cables is difficult to clean properly, the cables tend to accumulate dust which can exacerbate allergies in susceptible persons.
Portable computers such as laptops, notebooks, and the increasingly-popular handheld organizers are connected to peripheral devices during at least part of the time that they are in use. These devices also have cables which must be stored—somewhere—and only add to workplace clutter. In addition, users of portable computers face the problem of setting up their systems, disassembling the systems, and storing and transporting all the components needed for their systems on a regular basis. Computer carrying cases have compartments for storing a portable computer and (sometimes) peripheral devices as well. However, typical computer cases do not allow the user to organize these devices and associated cables, and keep them organized during use and transportation. Thus, packing and unpacking the equipment, sorting out the cables, and connecting and disconnecting the cables contributes to system downtime and user frustration.
Storage devices for power cords and related equipment are available to consumers. Storage devices for computer cables includes those disclosed by McCarthy, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,961) and Ferracina (U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,892). The McCarthy, et al. device consists of a zippered organizer pack for storing and dispensing computer cords and other supplies. The pack, which is small enough to fit into a laptop carrying case, has pockets, keepers for organizing cords, a VELCRO strip for attaching a power supply, and openings at the sides for the ends of the cords. Ferracina provides a box-like case having an outlet strip and retainers with covers for arranging electrical cables. In one embodiment, the case has a flat, hinged support to which the user can attach a transformer or other items.
Campbell, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,479) provide a device with switches that allow the user to power selected components of a desktop computer system. The device includes a hard-sided case with several electrical sockets and storage space for coiling the excess portions of the various power cords.
McDonald (U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,846) provides a wiring harness for removing the slack from electrical cables. The device has several U-shaped cutouts along the sides, with corresponding telescoping guides attached to the container floor. The excess length of a cable can be wrapped about one of the guides.
A variety of other types of containers are available for electrical wiring, extension cords, audio cable, and other elongated items such as hoses. For example, Douglas (U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,685) shows a portable container for storing extension cords, hoses, wire, etc. The container includes a bucket with a central shaft, and a lid that has a opening aligned with the shaft. The cord is inserted into the bucket and wrapped around the shaft for storage; the shaft may be hollow to provide storage space for various accessories.
Ruhaut's storage container (U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,614) can be used for electrical cords or umbrellas. The electrical cord is folded manually and inserted into the container, where is it retained by a spring or bellows. A VELCRO strip attached to the container allows it to be mounted to a wall or other surface.
Dorn (U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,694) provides an electric cord take-up device consisting of a container having a plurality of upstanding pegs on the base. Wires enter and exit the container through a series of cutouts on one of its sides, and can be wrapped about the pegs in many different arrangements. Lerner, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,029) discloses a wire and cable manager having a storage tray for organizing excess lengths of cable, and an outlet strip for supplying power to the cables. The cables appear to be simply coiled inside individual compartments formed in the tray.
Vaughan's extension cord storage means (U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,623) consists of a hollow tube with concave sides and rounded corners. This configuration is said to help retain a folded extension cord inside the tube. Werner (U.S. Des. 278,095) shows a flexible storage container with three openings.
Another problem associated with cables is found with all electronic equipment, that is, the effects of interference (electromagnetic interference ("EMI") and radiofrequency interference ("RFI")). The term EMI usually refers to interference that is generated inside the system; RFI refers to interference coming from sources outside the system. In order to ensure proper performance, sensitive electronic equipment must be shielded from EMI and RFI. Most commercial electronic equipment, including computers, cables, and peripheral devices (scanners, printers, modems, external storage devices, docking stations, etc.), is a source of EMI and RFI. Shielding and grounding individual circuit boards within an electronic device helps control internal interference, and also helps minimize interference from external sources. Network cables are frequently shielded, and modem and speaker wires usually do not carry sufficient amperage to contribute significantly to interference problems. However, for sensitive applications, shielded cables can help reduce the effects of interference, thereby making the difference between optimal and sub-optimal operations. Even without shielding, many a computer user can attest that an apparent equipment malfunction was "fixed" simply by separating adjacent cables to reduce interference.
Despite the availability of a variety of power cord storage devices, no known device is simple and easy to use, allows the user to easily connect and disconnect the cables without unpacking them, and optionally has the capability of protecting its contents from the potentially deleterious effects of EMI and RFI. There remains a need for such a device.