A rear wheel suspension for bicycles has a link connecting the chainstay, or swingarm, to the lower damper or shock absorber mount. This link allows the requirements of the rider to manipulate the suspension and geometry available for various conditions. In this way, the suspension characteristics, such as spring rate, rising rate, and wheel travel, will automatically change in accordance with the rider's needs.

As mountain bike suspension has evolved, several problems exist, some due to the unique requirements inherent in pedal powered vehicles that are required to perform in varied and diverse conditions. One of these problems is the desire to have different suspension characteristics while under power or forward acceleration (such as "anti-squat", or in the particular case of the pedal/crank powered bicycle, to be firmer/stiffer while pedaling), especially while traversing smooth ground and/or climbing, when the rider weight bias is to the rear, while retaining the ability to absorb bumps when the wheel encounters a bump.
Another problem is to retain desirable suspension action while braking, especially when traversing a steep downhill section, where all the rider weight is toward the front of the bike, and the rear suspension is relatively unloaded. A different spring rate and/or compression and rebounding damping characteristics are desirable during these conditions.
Yet another problem is the conflicting frame geometry requirements of climbing versus descending. These conflicting frame geometry requirements are true of both suspension and non-suspension bikes such as road bikes. Typically, while climbing on a bicycle, a steep fork and seat tube angle (closer to vertical) are an advantage, not only to keep weight on the front wheel, (at a time when the rider's weight is naturally more to the rear), which aids steering control and prevents the unwanted "wheelie", but also to position the rider more favorably over the pedals, for better power transfer, with less effort to stay over the cranks, which in turn allows better power transfer from the rider. Conversely, while descending and braking, a slack fork and seat tube angle (less vertical) are an advantage. This aids stability at a time when weight is unavoidably transferred to the front. This can also help minimize this weight transfer at a time when the rider's weight distribution is already tending toward the front due to the angle of descent.
Thus, regardless of the intended use of a bicycle, a different geometry is desirable for climbing and/or hard pedaling than would be optimum for descending and/or braking.
Several designs currently available attempt to solve some of these problems. Each of these designs has negative behavior associated with them. One such design is commonly called an "inertia valve" shock absorber or damper or "brain" type dampers/shock absorbers. The inertia valve shock attempts to separate forces trying to compress the rear wheel relative to the frame. It uses a weighted mass inside the shock that bounces up and down during use. The theory is that this mass will move, or be biased in one direction when the rear wheel encounters a bump, and move or be biased in the other direction when the frame is trying to compress relative to the wheel due to pedaling forces, or rider weight shifts. The orientation of this mass, or inertia valve, then engages an alternate damping characteristic. This approach is characterized by so-called "brain" dampers or shock absorbers.
A number of problems are associated with this design. First, the wheel has to encounter a bump before the mass changes position, meaning the wheel will have a delay when encountering a bump, before the mass can move. This delay causes an unresponsive wheel when reacting to the bump force. Further, the mass can move in the wrong direction at the wrong time, causing the damping characteristics to be less than desirable under certain conditions. This results in harsh ride quality and/or loss of wheel contact and traction with the ground. This design offers no improvement during braking, and suffers the same negative effects mentioned previously.
A second design employs what has become commonly referred to as "stable platform" valving, or damping or pedaling platform type dampers/shock absorbers. This strategy attempts to utilize a different damping characteristic in response to different input frequencies. The theory is that a pedaling input force, or rider weight shift, is characterized by a different input frequency than a bump force, and therefore allows a "stiffer" shock or damping characteristic for those pedaling forces. The main problem with this design is that some bump forces are indeed similar or the same frequency as the input forces caused by rider pedaling or weight shifts. This results in the stiffer characteristic to be present under certain bump conditions, causing the wheel to be unresponsive during those bumps. This results in a harsh ride quality and/or loss of wheel contact and traction with the ground. This design offers no improvement during braking, and suffers the same negative effects mentioned above.
A third type of design can be characterized by what is commonly referred to as a "virtual pivot", "floating pivot", "instant center" or similar designation. These terms generally describe a suspension design where the rear swingarm to which the rear wheel is attached, is connected to the frame by two other links. These other links are positioned to provide the rear wheel with a wheel path, and (bump and pedaling) force response characteristic that is associated with a pivot in space other than a physical pivot on the bicycle. The location of this effective pivot is a function of the lengths and angular orientation of these links.
The main problems with this type of design can include wheel path compromises, spring and damper progression compromises and problems associated with the fact that the effective pivot location moves when the rear wheel travels in compression or rebound, potentially causing negative effects. A further problem for these designs occurs when the links are arranged in such a way to provide an anti-lift force under braking, in an attempt to counteract the rider/frame forward weight shift that accompanies braking events. This anti-lift force causes the rear wheel to compress relative to the frame, preloading the spring into a higher force level. This causes the rear suspension to be unresponsive to bump forces while braking. This results in harsh ride quality and/or loss of wheel contact and traction with the ground. None of the above designs attempts to address the issues of varying suspension travel and frame geometry.
None of the foregoing designs addresses the issues of varying suspension travel and frame geometry.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.


The present invention is directed to a ZIF card edge connector utilizing flexible film circuitry, where a daughter board, for example, may be electrically connected to a mother board upon which the connector is surface mounted. The connector preferably comprises an elongated housing consisting of a base, a pair of spaced apart side walls upstanding therefrom, and a pair of end walls to define the elongated slot. Placed therewithin is a U-shaped spring member where its arms upstand near the side walls. To effect opening and closing of the connector, a card release slide member is disposed within the U-shaped spring member in contact with the spring member arms, where the card release slide member is adapted to shift longitudinally to effect a lateral movement of the spring member arms. At least one release member is mounted in an end wall to effect the shifting of the card release slide member. However, a pair of cooperating slide members, one in each end wall, may be provided. Finally, a flexible film, having electrical circuitry interconnecting means thereon, is disposed in a loop between the arms of the spring member within the elongated slot, whereby a printed circuit board card, i.e., daughter board, having circuitry thereon for registration with the circuitry of the flexible film, may be inserted into the loop.

This invention is directed to a zero insertion force (ZIF) card connector in which a flexible film having electrical circuitry thereon is disposed therein for receiving a printed circuit board (PCB) card.
The use of flexible film i.e., printed circuitry on this insulating material such as polyester film, to interconnect one circuitry to another whereby to provide a means to achieve extremely high density interconnections is known in the art. Further, flexible film circuitry provides impedance matching and thus transmission line characteristics. connectors using such film are known from several patents dating back to the early 1960's. U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,767 is one such disclosure. Subsequently issued patents include U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,463 wherein a spring biased push member is utilized to urge the contacts on a flexible material against an inserted card. In this and other disclosures, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,369, the card is inserted against the biased film, i.e., an insertion force is required. During insertion, the circuit pads on the film and card rub or wipe against each other to clean away debris and the like.
Zero insertion force card edge connectors are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,614,707 and 3,922,054. Cards are inserted without force by spreading apart the side walls defining the slot. Spring members, being either separate components or forming an integral part of the connector, e.g., as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,054, provide a biasing force to urge the film against the card when the connector is closed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,270 represents a later approach to provide a ZIP connector. The connector thereof comprises a base member for mounting on a circuit with a card receiving space therealongside, actuator means with cams thereon slidably mounted for longitudinal travel on the base member, and a module having one surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film. Additionally, there is one or more cam followers, with the module being mounted so that the one surface faces the card receiving space and the one or more cam followers cooperate with the cams so that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the module moves laterally towards and away from the card receiving space and further perpendicularly relative to the base member.


A method for determining response characteristics of a battery includes: pressurizing the battery in a direction to reduce a distance between electrode surfaces of the battery; and applying a voltage or a current to the pressurized battery to determine response characteristics of the battery.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to methods for determining response characteristics of a battery.
2. Related Art
One of methods for determining response characteristics of a battery is an impedance determination. In the impedance determination, an alternating voltage or an alternating current is applied to a battery to obtain current response or voltage response from the battery. Results of the impedance determination can be represented as, for example, a Nyquist plot.
Results of impedance determination vary depending on a history of battery state prior to starting of the impedance determination. Prior to the determination, for example, the voltage of a subject battery (hereinafter, referred to as a subject battery) is adjusted from initial voltage V0 to arbitrary set voltage Vs. The adjustment is made by charging or discharging the battery. The impedance determination is started, for example, immediately after completion of the voltage adjustment. Alternatively, the impedance determination may be started after a specific rest time since completion of the voltage adjustment. In the latter case, the rest time is not always fixed at a given period of time. An experimenter can arbitrarily determine the rest time. For example, "Kinetic Characterization of Single Particles of LiCoO2 by AC Impedance and Potential Step Methods", K. Dokko et al., Journal of The Electrochemical Society, vol. 148, (5), A422-426 (2001) describes an example of setting a rest time prior to starting of impedance determination.

Method for determining response characteristics of battery


Image capturing systems with context control and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative image capturing system includes: an image capturing device having a user-adjustable setting for altering an image capture parameter; and a context control system operative to receive location information corresponding to a location of the image capturing device and to preset the user-adjustable setting based, at least in part, on the location information.

Digital cameras, such as those onboard mobile phones, are becoming increasingly complex. Because of this, it now may take an unacceptable amount of time for a user and/or user device to adjust the various settings of the camera in order to be able to capture an image. Notably, these settings may include light settings, viewfinder settings and focus settings, among others.


A disk drive determines whether or not a currently loaded disk is a gravity center deviated disk based on a tracking error signal detected at different disk rotation speeds.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk drive, a disk drive controlling method and a disk drive controlling program, and, in particular, to a disk drive having a capability of properly handling a gravity center deviated disk, a disk drive controlling method for properly handling a gravity center deviated disk, and a disk drive controlling program for executing the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A disk recording medium such as a CD has an information recording track (hereinafter, simply referred to as a 'track') or tracks on which data is recorded via a read/write head (optical pickup in a case of CD), as well known. Such a track is formed spirally in general, and, in many case, this spiral is not an exact concentric one by reason concerning, for example, an accuracy of the center hole of the disk, a circularity of the disk, or so. Therefore, during rotation of the disk in a disk drive for reading/reproducing data recorded thereon, a misalignment may occur between an optical pickup (in the case of CD) of the dirk drive and the relevant track of the disk. A tracking error signal, simply abbreviated as a TE signal hereinafter, as well known, indicates such a misalignment, and has a magnitude in proportion to the amount of the detected misalignment.
Either a gravity center deviated disk or an eccentric disk may cause such a misalignment phenomenon. The eccentric disk is a disk in which the track on the disk has shifted with respect to the proper spiral one, and, even in such a case, by a tracking servo control, a proper information reading/writing operation may be achieved on the disk as long as the amount of the eccentricity exceeds a predetermined threshold. However, in a case of the above-mentioned gravity center deviated disk, in which the gravity center of the disk is shifted from the exact rotation center thereof, an abnormal vibration may occur thereon which may obstruct proper information reading/writing operation on the disk with the optical pickup. In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to lower the disk rotation speed in case the disk currently loaded is the exocentric gravity center disk.
However, it is difficult in general to determine whether such a misalignment occurring between the optical pickup and the track on the disk is caused by the reason that the disk is a gravity center deviated disk or an eccentric disk.

Disk drive, disk drive controlling method and disk drive controlling program


When starting a vibration-type drive device, the frequency of a drive signal is lowered from a predetermined frequency at a first change rate. When the vibration state of a vibration member reaches a predetermined state, it is determined whether or not a relative movement speed has reached a reference speed. When the relative movement speed has not reached the reference speed, the frequency of the drive signal is lowered at a second change rate that is smaller than the first change rate. This avoids problems which could occur when moisture intervenes on a slide surface of the vibration-type drive device, such as the vibration-type drive device not starting, and a desired rpm not being achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus and a control program for controlling drive of a vibration-type drive device at start-up.
2. Related Background Art
Recently, vibration-type motors have been used not only as actuators in camera lenses, but also as actuators to drive calendars in watches, to drive photosensitive drums in copiers, etc. Further, examples of the shape (constructions) of a vibration member in vibration-type motors include a ring shape, a rod shape, a disc shape, and many others.
A general method of driving a vibration-type motor is shown in flowchart in FIG. 5 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-25271, for example). Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a pattern diagram of a frequency, a phase difference (the phase difference between an input voltage Va to the vibration-type motor (piezoelectric element) and an output voltage Vs of the sensor phase provided to the piezoelectric element), and the rotation number (speed) of a rotor (hereinafter referred to as the "rotor rpm") when the vibration-type motor starts normally.
In FIG. 6, a horizontal axis shows time (ms), and a vertical axis shows frequency (kHz), rotor rpm, and the above-mentioned phase difference θa-s.
When the vibration-type motor starts, the frequency starts at the maximum frequency fmax within the frequency control range of the circuit (step S501 in FIG. 5), and with a predetermined sweep down rate R1 (Hz/sec) the frequency is swept down (step S502 in FIG. 5). Then, when an encoder or the like detects (by pulse detection) that the vibration-type motor (the rotor) has started to rotate (step S503 in FIG. 5), the phase difference θa-s is calculated (step S504 in FIG. 5). Here, when the calculated phase difference θa-s exceeds a predetermined phase difference P2 (step S505 in FIG. 5), the frequency sweep is stopped (step S506 in FIG. 5).
Subsequently, with a frequency f1 where the frequency sweep stopped serving as a reference, the motor is driven to a target point while controlling the frequency so that the phase difference θa-s falls between the above-mentioned phase difference P2 and a predetermined phase difference P1.
However, there is a fear that, when trying to start the vibration-type motor in a highly humid environment, it will not start on the first try, or it will only run at a very slow speed. This problem arises because, when the vibration-type motor is left in high humidity, trace amounts of moisture attach to minute gaps between the frictional surface between the vibration member and the rotor. This causes the vibration member and rotor friction coefficient to drop, reducing the torque generated when the motor starts. In particular, when using a SUS material, aluminum or other friction materials which have superior wear resistance and involves extremely little wear, the decrease in torque occurs more easily.
When the motor is in a low-torque state such as described above, in the conventional control method, sometimes the vibration-type motor cannot be started normally. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the frequency is swept down from a high frequency (fmax) upon motor start-up and the friction amplitude of the vibration member has increased to a sufficiently large value V1 (frequency is f1), the rotor rpm (N1) is almost 0 due to the moisture and the like on the frictional surface.
In this case, the drive pattern is such that as the frequency is further dropped from the frequency f1, it eventually sweeps down to the minimum frequency (fmin) where the drive ends.
Here, since the vibration-type motor is driven by the frictional force between the vibration member and the rotor, the frictional heat on the frictional surface becomes extremely high, and when driven in a steady state the temperature on the friction surface reaches hundreds of degrees. However, when moisture intervenes on the frictional surface, within a short time period after the vibration-type drive device begins to start, the frictional heat generated on the slide surface is also very small and the conventional control method cannot eliminate the moisture.
As a common solution to the situation where moisture is present on the slide surface, the pressure applied to the contact surface between the vibration member and the rotor is increased so as to raise the surface pressure on the contact surface to thereby eliminate the moisture, or the frictional surface is roughed (creating concaves and convexes) to minimize the influence of the moisture.
However, in the vibration-type motor, simply raising just the applied pressure increases the load on the frictional surface, and thus increases wear. Moreover, since a load also bears on the bearing that receives the reaction force when the pressure is applied, the durability of the bearing deteriorates and damage to the bearing increases. Furthermore, when the slide surface is simply roughened, this increases the wear of the frictional surface, which detracts from the durability of the vibration-type motor.


A bellows for an articulating vehicle has improved performance by using fewer discrete pieces of flexible material, and a multi-piece frame. By using fewer pieces of flexible material, less stitching is required, which results in improved performance and ease of manufacture.

Large bellows that are used to protect a moveable connection such as on an articulating vehicle typically have a pleated type construction manufactured from many pieces of coated fabric that are sewn together and supported by perimeter frames. In some constructions the perimeter frames may be located at the outer perimeter of the fabric pleats. In other constructions, the perimeter frames may be located along the inner perimeter of the fabric pleats. In constructions where the frames are located at the outer perimeter, the fabric pleats are typically made of separate fabric pieces that are stitched together to form the folds of the pleat, resulting in a "V" shaped cross-section, referred to as a folding construction. In another construction having the frames located at the outer perimeter, the fabric is allowed to remain as a flat piece, which results in a "U" shaped cross-section. This alternate method of construction is often referred to as a corrugated construction. Due to the "U" shape of these bellows, separate fabric pieces are used to create the pleated shape. Like the previously described construction, the fabric pieces are joined together on the edges by the perimeter frames or by stitching.
Assembly of typical articulating vehicle bellows is a labor intensive process that requires the handling of numerous individual fabric panels, alignment of inner and outer edges of each of the fabric panels, and then stitching the panels together or crimping the aluminum support frames to the fabric panels to create the final configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, typical folding type bus bellows 10 require fourteen individual panels per section, with ten sections, or 140 individual panels per assembled bellows. Typical corrugated bellows will require seventeen individual panels per section, with ten sections, or 170 individual panels per assembled bellows.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, perimeter frames 20 used in typical articulating vehicle bellows 10 must be very large because they are formed to the entire perimeter shape. Such large perimeter frames 20 require that the bellows 10 be assembled one folding, or corrugated section, at a time with each section having a perimeter frame 20 and a fabric section 22 made from the many individual panels.
An additional drawback to traditional articulating vehicle bellows is that a significant amount of stitching is required to join the individual fabric pieces together as well as to join the assembled fabric pieces to one another in creating individual folding sections. A typical bellows having the multitude of fabric panels described above requires over 2,500 inches of stitching to create the folding sections. Every inch of the stitching also requires manual sealing in order to prevent liquid or air from penetrating the seams. The sealing of the seams is commonly accomplished by using an adhesive or caulk type sealer, and is typically a manual process.
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, typical folding bellows 10 also require that the corner fabric pieces 24, 26 be individual panels with rounded shaped corners to transition from a horizontal side to a vertical side. The individual corner fabric pieces 24, 26 which are used to create the radius corner result in a large amount of material scrap due to their shape and inability to be nested closely in a CNC fabric cutting program. Additionally, the radius corners are subject to a large amount of stress because they must be tight enough to provide support to the bellows 10 in the standard mounted position and to prevent excessive sagging of the bellows, but also allow the folds to open enough so that the bellows can make a large extension when an articulating vehicle turns. This requires the corner pieces and corner stitching to be stretched tightly during the turn.
There have been efforts to use a folding corner in some cases to replace the rounded corners of the bus bellows. In one case, a tongue-in-groove type folding arrangement is used to transition the pleats from a horizontal side to a vertical side. This folding arrangement has drawbacks due to the significant flexing stress placed on the fabric material which leads to premature flex fatigue failure of the fabric which results in a hole in the fabric, and thus, an inability of the bellows to prevent air and liquid from intrusion into the area to be protected.
Another common folding arrangement has a chamfered or mitered corner. This folding arrangement allows the fabric material to roll, rather than crease which results in less flex fatigue placed on the fabric. Both of the folding arrangements previously described have been common to the manufacture of standard folding bellows for a very long time. Both folding arrangements can also allow for a larger opening of a corner than the rounded shaped corner allows for and thus make it possible to reduce the number of folds.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bellows design that allows for a less complex and expensive method of manufacture by using fewer fabric panels, less material, and requiring less, and easier, handling of the fabric and support frames. There is also a need for a bellows that does not require manual sealing of the stitching holes that are created in a typical folding type articulating vehicle bellows.


A protective cover for a column base connector having a lower portion set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of spaced-apart, upstanding, first and second flanges extending upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete, each one of the first and second flanges defining a respective one of first and second flange bolt holes for use in bolting a column to the column base connector. The protective cover takes the form of an inverted pot having a lower edge and a size such that the inverted pot fits over the upper portion of the column base connector with the lower edge atop an upper surface of the body of concrete. The inverted pot includes a first side that defines a first cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the first flange bolt hole, and a second side of the inverted pot opposite the first side that defines a second cover bolt hole disposed in a position to align with the second flange bolt hole. In one embodiment, the inverted pot is shaped as a truncated rectangular pyramid, the first and second cover bolt holes are vertically elongated slots.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to building construction equipment, and more particularly to a protective cover for post brackets, column base connectors, and the like.
2. Description of Related Art
The term "column base connector" refers to the metal brackets that secure the base of a structural column atop a concrete slab or footing. As used herein, that term includes post brackets and any other type of connector or bracket having a lower portion that is set in a body of concrete and an upper portion in the form of two upstanding flanges that extend upwardly from an upper surface of the body of concrete. A typical column base connector, for example, is a one to two feet long component formed from 7 to 12 gauge, 2-inch wide, galvanized steel straps. It includes a six to nine inch long lower portion that is set in the concrete footing, and a six to nine inch long upper portion that includes two spaced-apart, upstanding flanges extending upwardly from the upper surface of the concrete footing. The upstanding flanges are spaced apart the width of the column to be secured (e.g., typically 3 9/16 inches for 4×4 and 4×6 wooden columns and 5½ inches for a 6×6 wooden column). The column is bolted in place with bolts that extend through bolt holes in the upstanding flanges and aligned bolt holes drilled through the column.
This type of construction is commonly employed for decks, patio covers, and any of various other building structures using posts or columns. The problem is that there is typically a substantial period of time between the time the concrete crew pours the concrete and sets the column base connectors and the time the carpenters bolt the columns in place. During this period, the upstanding flanges are dangerous projections that can cause lacerations and even impalement. The potential for injury is very real and serious, and so a need exists for a way to overcome this concern.

Safety cover for post brackets, column base connectors, and the like


A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes a step hereinafter. A 5-layered dual-dielectric structure is provided on a substrate. The 5-layered dual-dielectric structure includes a bottom metal layer, a first dielectric layer, an intermediate metal layer, a second dielectric layer and a top metal layer in order. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer have different thicknesses.

In the field of integrated circuit (IC) technology, MIM capacitors have attracted attention because of their applications in functional circuits such as mixed signal circuits, analog circuits, radio frequency (RF) circuits, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and logic operation circuits.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,143,699, a dual-dielectric MIM capacitor is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an MIM capacitor taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,143,699. In FIG. 1, the MIM capacitor 10 includes a substrate 12 divided into a first region 100 and a second region 200, in each of which is provided with a capacitor 102 and 202, respectively. The capacitor 102 includes a top electrode 124, a bottom electrode 122 and a dielectric layer 130 sandwiched therebetween. In FIG. 1, the dielectric layer 130 further includes a first dielectric layer 1301 and a second dielectric layer 1302. The capacitor 102 is connected to a circuit 110 underneath by a plug 106. Similarly, the capacitor 202 includes a top electrode 224, a bottom electrode 222 and a dielectric layer 230 sandwiched therebetween, and is connected to a transistor 240 underneath by a plug 206.
Since the two capacitors 102 and 202 of the above MIM capacitor 10 are at the same level to occupy a larger chip area, which is unfavorable to high density IC applications, there is need in providing an MIM capacitor structure with a vertical capacitor structure and a manufacturing method thereof to minimize the chip area occupied by the MIM capacitor structure.

Metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure and method for manufacturing the same


Embodiments of the present invention may provide a step, rock guard, handyman jack storage and even jack lift point system that can be made for most 4×4 vehicles. One product may resolve individual problems that may become apparent once a lift kit and larger wheels are installed on a 4×4 vehicle. Products can be made to fit two-door Jeeps, four-door Jeeps, Trucks, SUV's, or the like.

There are millions of 4×4 vehicles on the road today that have been modified with lift kits and larger wheels and tires. Once a truck may be modified there may be reoccurring problems that can arise that a truck owner may need to address. These problems may have been corrected in the past by purchasing many different products. After evaluating the items that needed to be addressed, embodiments of the present invention may provide one product that may correct at least four problems.
A first problem may include a need for a step. Once a vehicle, such as a 4×4 vehicle, truck, or the like, may be lifted, it may be difficult to step up into the vehicle perhaps because of the additional height. Installing a running board or even a step may create easier access into the vehicle. In the past, running boards have been available for consumers to purchase, however, none provide storage that may securely stow a car jack, such as a handyman jack, Hi-Lift jack, or the like.
A second problem may be that the factory tire jack may be insufficient in lifting the vehicle perhaps because of the new height of the vehicle which may force vehicle owners to purchase a larger handyman jack or the like. Additionally, automobile manufacturers may not create suitable jack points on a vehicle that can support the use of the handyman jack or the like perhaps without causing damage to the truck. Many of the wheel flares and bumpers may be plastic on newer vehicles and may be attached with clips that cannot support the weight of the vehicle. Use of the jack directly on the body of a vehicle may usually be enough to damage the vehicle and is not desirable.
Third, there may not be a secure location to store a handyman jack or the like. Space and even safety concerns may prohibit the storage of a larger jack in the passenger compartment perhaps without it being in the way of passengers or even becoming a hazard in an accident. If left in the bed of a truck unsecured, a jack can slide around the bed causing damage and can even be easily stolen. In the past, one may have purchased mounting brackets that may secure the jack to the outside of the vehicle. However, this may leave the jack exposed to weather and may not be desirable to mount to the exterior of the truck.
Another problem may be damage to vehicles. 4×4 enthusiasts may modify their trucks so that they can crawl over rocks and perhaps other large obstacles. Many of the running boards and even rock guards that have been sold in the past may be attached directly to the body of the truck and may not provide protection to the vehicle's body.

Multi-functioning attachable vehicle appendages methods and systems


A water vehicle lift includes a winch which is operable to extend and retract an elongated flexible cable to lower and raise a platform on which a small water vehicle may rest. The winch is preferably mounted on a piling with the platform moving up and down adjacent the piling. On the face of the platform immediately adjacent the piling, a wheel is provided which rolls on the surface of the piling to maintain the platform slightly spaced away from the piling.

The present invention relates to a small water vehicle lift. In the prior art, water vehicle lifting devices are well known. However, Applicant is unaware of any such device including all of the features and aspects of the present invention.
The following prior art is known to Applicant:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,664 to Baldyga discloses a boat hoist including a piston and cylinder unit located within the support column. Roller bearings are provided within the support column and engage the inner surfaces thereof as the hoist lifts and lowers a boat. The present invention differs from the teachings of Baldyga by contemplating the use of a winch located on the top of a piling. The winch employs a flexible cable to lift and lower a platform and wherein a wheel attached to the platform rolls on the outer surface of the piling.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,366 to Williamson discloses a boat lift including an H-beam driven into the sea bed and supporting a housing reciprocating with respect to the H-beam, the housing having rollers which roll on inner surfaces of the H-beam. The present invention differs from the teachings of Williamson as contemplating a boat lift including a winch mechanism mounted on the top of a piling, and with a flexible cable interconnected between the winch and a boat supporting platform and wherein the platform has a wheel engaging an outer surface of the piling while the platform is being reciprocated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,067 to Montgomery discloses a boat lift apparatus which allows horizontal as well as vertical movement of the load. The present invention differs from the teachings of Montgomery as contemplating a boat lift allowing vertical reciprocation only and includes a guide wheel attached to the lifting platform which rolls along the outer surface of the support piling for the boat lift to guide the platform in its lifting and lowering movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,940 to Rockwood discloses a load lifting device designed to be used to lift and lower small watercraft including a winch designed to extend or retract a cable to allow for lowering or hoisting of the small watercraft. When the watercraft is lifted to its uppermost position, the extension post of the device may be rotated to swing the watercraft over the adjacent land. Rollers are provided which roll on outer surfaces of the polygonal cross-section support post to perform a guiding function. The present invention differs from the teachings of Rockwood as contemplating a support piling of generally circular cross-section and a single roller mounted on a rear portion of the support platform for the watercraft and which rolls on the outer surface of the piling to guide the platform in its lifting and lowering movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,970 to Basta discloses a low profile watercraft lift with a manually operated winch which operates a take-up drum for a cable attached to the lifting platform. A platform carrier is slidably received within a column. The present invention differs from the teachings of Basta as contemplating a support platform having a wheel facing the support piling for the apparatus, which wheel rolls on the outer surface of the piling to guide the platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,082 to Hiller et al. discloses a ship lifting installation which includes motor operated cable winding drums. The present invention differs from the teachings of Hiller et al. as contemplating a small water vehicle lift supported on a piling and wherein the lifting platform has a wheel which rolls on the outer surface of the piling when the platform is being lifted and lowered.


The present invention provides a process whereby fluorine atom-containing sulfonyl fluoride compound(s) useful as e.g. materials for ion-exchange membranes, can be produced efficiently and at low cost without structural limitations while solving the difficulties in production. Namely, the present invention provides a process which comprises reacting XSO2RA-E1 (1) with RB-E2 (2) to form XSO2RA-E-RB (3), then reacting (3) with fluorine in a liquid phase to form FSO2RAF-EF-RBF (4), and further, decomposing the compound to obtain FSO2RAF-EF1 (5), wherein RA is a bivalent organic group, E1 is a monovalent reactive group, RB is a monovalent organic group, E2 is a monovalent reactive group which is reactive with E1, E is a bivalent connecting group formed by the reaction of E1 with E2, RAF is a bivalent organic group formed by the fluorination of RA, etc., RBF is the same group as RB, etc., EF is a bivalent connecting group formed by the fluorination of E, etc., EF1 is a monovalent group formed by the decomposition of EF, and X is a halogen atom.

Fluorine atom-containing sulfonyl fluoride compounds having a fluoroformyl group (such as the following compound (i)) are useful as materials for ion-exchange resins. Heretofore, compounds having a fluoroformyl group have been synthesized by a process which comprises reacting perfluoroalkylene oxides to a cyclic compound obtainable by the reaction of tetrafluoroethylene with sulfur trioxide (SO3). For example, the following compound (i) can be obtained by reacting hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) to the above-mentioned cyclic compound, as shown by the following formula.
However, the conventional synthetic process was a disadvantageous process for practical industrial application, since a due care is required for handling SO3. Further, reduction of the price can hardly be accomplished because the difficulty in synthesis is high. In addition, the obtainable compound (i) is limited to a compound having a side chain (—CF3), whereby there has been a problem from the viewpoint of the membrane characteristics of the ion-exchange membrane prepared from a derivative of the compound (i).
The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the problems of the prior art and provides a process which solves the difficulty in production and whereby fluorosulfonyl fluoride compounds having various molecular structures can be produced efficiently and at low costs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for producing a fluorine atom-containing sulfonyl fluoride compound


A belt buckle cover includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and a third conformable portion located between said first connector portion and second connector portion. The first connector portion, the second connector portion and the third conformable portion are made of a scratch resistant material or fabric. Typically, one or two properly dimensioned pieces of scratch resistant fabric are used. One half of a two part fastener is attached to the first connector portion and the other half of a two part fastener is attached to the second connector portion. One half of a two part fastener is attached to one side of the scratch resistant fabric and the other half of a two part fastener is attached to the other side of the scratch resistant fabric. The conformable portion of the belt cover does not have any edges outside the out periphery of the belt buckle which may dig into the user to cause discomfort. This assures that the user will not find that the belt cover is uncomfortable and remove the belt cover for that reason.. In operation, the cover is quickly and easily placed over a belt buckle. The cover is initially placed behind the belt buckle so that the conformable portion is behind the belt buckle and the first connection portion and the second connection portion extend above and below the belt. The first portion is then folded over the front of the belt buckle to position one portion of the hook and loop fastener in an attachable position. The second portion of the cover is then folded over the front of the belt buckle to attach the second portion of the hook and loop fastener to the first portion of the hook and loop fastener. The cover may then be moved along the length of the belt to reposition the cover to a position where the belt buckle is in the middle of the cover.

A scratch in a car or truck fender is expensive to fix even for an auto dealer of truck dealer with their own body shop. Body shops typically charge in excess of $100 to fix a deep scratch which can not be merely buffed out. When such a scratch occurs, the dealer or mechanic is essentially out the cost for the repairing the scratch. In addition, the customer is typically very unhappy as the scratch repair adds time to the total repair and may damage the reputation of the dealership. Customers may think that if the mechanic is not careful with the fender, that he or she also did not care about the quality of the mechanical repair. In order to keep their customers happy and to prevent the additional expense associated with fixing a scratch, repair facilities typically drape a padded protector over a car fender before working on the engine of an automobile or truck. This allows a mechanic to access the engine from above by leaning on the car or truck fender without the fear of scratching the surface of the fender with his or her belt buckle.
Even with padded fender protectors scratches in car fenders do occur from time to time. As a matter of fact, its a constant problem in repair shops of all kinds. Mechanics sometimes forget or simply do not want to spend the time moving the padded protector from one fender on the car or truck to the other, especially when the mechanic only needs access the other side of the engine for a short time or for a small task. Other personnel, such as those that do relatively unskilled tasks such as changing windshield wipers, may perform this task on the car lot. Sometimes they lean on the fenders, especially when changing the windshield wipers on a larger car, van or truck. The end result may be an accidental scratch on the fender which must be repaired. Service stations that offer full service have also had this problem. The attendant may inadvertently scratch the fender when washing the windshield for the customer.
There are other industries where this problem exists. For example, movers of furniture may scratch a table, book shelf, desk, or chair. Warehouseman have been known to scratch items stored in the warehouse. In essence, in any industry concerned with delivering a product with a fine finish there is a problem with scratches from belt buckles of the personnel working in that industry.
Some belt buckle covers exist, but they seem to exist to prevent scratches in the belt buckle rather than the other way around. For example, in country western clothing stores, leather belt buckle covers that strap over large, ornate belt buckles prevent scratches in the belt buckle. The leather unit is typically attached to the belt buckle with several straps of elastic. Over time, the elastic gives which exposes other surfaces to scratches by the belt buckle.
As a result, there is a widespread need for a belt cover that is comfortable to wear so that the user essentially forgets about the device. Comfort is key as the user should not remove the belt cover due to discomfort. There is also a need for a belt cover that stays in place once attached, and yet can be easily placed over the belt buckle and easily removed from the belt buckle. The user should also be able to put the belt cover in place quickly and with little skill.

Belt buckle cover apparatus and scratch prevention method


Systems and methods for dynamic quality metrics forecasting and management are provided. In embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a computing device, parameter data from one or more data sources for selected parameters, wherein the parameters are associated with one or more processes; generating, by the computing device, output values for plural quality metrics based on the parameter data; identifying, by the computing device, relationships between the plural quality metrics based on changes in the received parameter data and output values for the plural quality metrics over time; receiving, by the computing device, user-selected values for the selected parameters; and generating, by the computing device, predicted output values for the quality metrics based on the identified relationships between the quality metrics and the user-selected values.

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to quality management for processes and, more particularly, to dynamic quality metrics forecasting and management.
Organizations often desire to monitor processes, their performance and their evaluation. Organizations may manage their performance by tracking and measuring performance across dimensions. Performance may be measured in terms of effectiveness in achieving goals by meeting targets associated with some objective(s) associated with the target. Performance or quality metrics and values associated with targets may be calculated. Various metrics and performance values are impacted by changes in influencing factors, assumptions, decisions or other impact parameters. An organization may monitor different phases of particular projects.
One type of organizational monitoring is the monitoring of a software development life cycle. A software development life cycle has different distinct development phases. Quality metrics that may be monitored during a software development life cycle can include phase containment, defect removal efficiency, defect density and turn-around time, for example.

Dynamic quality metrics forecasting and management

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A number of nonlinear optical fibers are configured in a parallel configuration. The fibers are pumped with optical pumps having a wavelength slightly longer than the zero dispersion wavelength for each fiber. By a demultiplexer optical signals within a certain wavelength interval are admitted to enter and exit the different fibers, in which parametric amplification can be achieved. By selecting the pump wavelength outside each corresponding interval crosstalk will be suppressed. The nonlinear fibers can be pumped by separate laser pumps, or two or more of the nonlinear fibers can be pumped by a common pump, depending on the different fiber properties. By tailoring fiber properties such as the zero dispersion wavelength, the second order dispersion coefficient and the fourth order dispersion coefficient, beneficial amplification characteristics can be achieved in different wavelength intervals.

Data communication of different kinds becomes more and more frequent today. This development demands higher bandwidth available for the communication. The capacity of different types of telecommunication systems has increased tremendously during the last decade. An increasing part of the capacity is supplied by optical fibers that present bandwidth enhancements of several magnitudes compared with ordinary wires.
The bandwidth of optical fibers is used in an efficient manner by employing Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) techniques. Many channels using a multitude of slightly different wavelengths may be transported simultaneously in one and the same optical fiber without interfering with each other. In recent years Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) techniques have developed, bringing the utilization of the frequency dimension one further step. The useful spectrum is divided in different bands, a S-band (Short band) ranging from 1460 nm to 1530 nm a C-band (Conventional band) ranging from 1525.6 nm to 1562.5 nm and a L-band (Long band) ranging from 1569.4 to 1612.8 nm.
A major problem in optical communication is the attenuation of optical signal due to inherent fiber losses. After being transported some distance, the optical signals are attenuated and have to be restored in one or another way. By introducing optical amplifiers, any transition into electronic signals is unnecessary. However, amplification of broad wavelength bands, e.g. the complete S-, C-, and L-bands, carrying a number of WDM channels is not completely straightforward. Several different amplifier approaches are presented in prior art.
Rare-earth doped optical fiber amplifiers are a class of optical amplifier widely used. They exhibit low noise, they can be operated over fairly large bandwidths and show negligible crosstalk. However, the operational wavelength region depends on the doping ion.
Optical amplifiers have also been based on Raman effects, through the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS). SRS is a nonlinear process in which new frequencies are generated through energy transfer between an optical wave and the medium, due to the excitation of an optical phonon. As it is a nonresonant process, gain is made available at any wavelength. In the case of silica, this frequency shift peaks around 13 THz from the pump frequency. The down-shifted frequency is known as the Stokes shifted frequency. The Raman gain extends over about 40 THz, but the useful bandwidth for application purposes is less than that.
A third type of optical amplifiers is a Fiber Optical Parametric Amplifier (FOPA). This type of amplifier has been studied intensively in recent years due to their potential use for amplification and wavelength conversion in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transmission systems. They have attracted interest because the band of amplification depends on the design of the fiber used and thus can be moved outside the conventional rare-earth window band. This will allow the use of the full low-loss window of fused silica fiber. Fiber optical parametric amplifiers are able to operate in any of the telecommunication bands (S-C-L) depending upon pump wavelength and the fiber zero dispersion wavelength, which can in principle be appropriately tailored from 1300 nm to 1600 nm.
A fiber optical parametric amplifier operates based on the nonlinear process of wave mixing, whereby a pump source at a given wavelength close to the zero dispersion wavelength of an optical fiber leads to the generation of idler and signal bands from spontaneous noise. If an externally injected signal is simultaneously applied, it can be amplified in any of the signal or idler band, which are basically symmetrically located with respect to the pump wavelength.
Fiber optical parametric amplifiers are conventionally known for having a low efficiency, which means that very high laser pump power would be needed. The gain of a fiber optical parametric amplifier depends in general on three parameters; the nonlinear coefficient □, the length L of the fiber used as amplification medium and pump power PP. A low nonlinear coefficient calls for use of a high pump power or a long fiber length. However, recently, optical fibers having higher nonlinear coefficients have been even commercially available.
A relatively large problem with fiber optical parametric amplifiers is that the amplification principle gives rise to crosstalk. Optical signals having one wavelength will during the amplification process give rise to "false" signals at other wavelengths due to Four-Wave mixing (FWM). In DWDM systems, such crosstalk can generally not be accepted.

Continuous wave pumped parallel fiber optical parametric amplifier


A method for selectively controlling lengths of nanowires in a substantially non-uniform array of nanowires includes establishing at least two different catalyzing nanoparticles on a substrate. A nanowire from each of the at least two different catalyzing nanoparticles is substantially simultaneously grown. At least one of the nanowires has a length different from that of at least another of the nanowires.

The present disclosure relates generally to nanowire arrays, and more particularly to forming a substantially non-uniform array of nanowires.
Nanowires are generally formed in uniform arrays because nanowires to date have been known to grow at the same rate when the nanoparticles catalyzing the nanowires are of uniform size. Extensive effort has been expended to form nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution so that the properties of the nanowires in an array are uniform. In some instances, however, an array of nanowires with lengths that vary in a controlled manner from one nanowire to another are desired. In order to achieve non-uniform arrays, the lengths of selected large (at least micron scale) regions of nanowires are reduced to a desirable size by, for example, etching or oxidation followed by etching. These additional steps may add to the complexity and expense of the formation process.
As such, it would be desirable to provide a method for forming a non-uniform array of nanowires during nanowire growth, where the method allows for selective control of individual nanowire growth rate, length, and diameter.

Method for selectively controlling lengths of nanowires

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method of operating a memory circuit having a plurality of blocks of memory cells (400–404) is disclosed. The method includes storing data in the plurality of blocks of memory cells. A first block of memory cells (400) is selected in response to a first address signal (RAY0). A row of memory cells (430–436) in the first block of memory cells is selected in response to a second address signal (RAX0). A first voltage is applied to a first power supply terminal (412) of the first block of memory cells in response to the first address signal. A second voltage different from the first voltage is applied to a first power supply terminal (412) of another block of memory cells (402) of the plurality of blocks of memory cells. Data is retained in the other block of memory cells.

The continuing popularity of portable electronic devices presents manufacturers with contrary goals. Battery capacity is dependent upon battery size and weight. Thus portable electronic devices could be made to operate a longer time between battery changes or recharging if these devices included heavier batteries with greater capacity. On the other hand, portable electronic devices would be more popular and more widely used if they were lighter. However, lighter weight translates into reduced battery capacity and reduced operating times. A large reduction in size of wireless telephones has taken place without significant reduction in operating times. While improvements in batteries have increased their capacity per unit weight, most of the improvement in operating time and reduction in device weight has come from improvements in the power consumption of the electronics. Many improvements have taken place in integrated circuit manufacture that have reduced the amount of power consumed by the electronics. Additional improvements have taken place by selective powering of portions of the electronics. To a large degree much of the advantage of selectively powering a microcontroller unit or a digital signal processor have already been realized by current state of the art devices. Thus manufacturers seek additional areas for power consumption reduction.
This additional area may be either a cache or main memory. Many portable electronic devices include substantial amounts of memory. Power savings may be gained by reducing leakage current in either nonvolatile or volatile memory in respective active and standby operating modes. Wei et al., "Design and Optimization of Low Voltage High Performance Dual Threshold CMOS Circuits," 35th Design Automation Conference Proc., 489–494 (1998) disclose a circuit and method for reducing leakage current using a dual threshold voltage process. This dual threshold voltage, however, requires a separate process step and may slow normal circuit operation. Powell et al., "Gated-Vdd: A Circuit Technique to Reduce Leakage in Deep-Submicron Cache Memories," Proc. Int. Symp. Low Power Electronics and Design (ISLPED), 90–95 (2000) disclose a dynamically resizable instruction (DRI) cache wherein a gated-ground nMOS transistor turns off unused portions of the instruction cache after application requirements are identified. Agarawal et al., "A Single-Vt Low-Leakage Gated-Ground Cache for Deep Submicron," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 38, no. 2, 319–328 (February 2003) disclose a data retention gated-ground cache (DRG cache) that turns off the cache during standby mode to conserve power. However, significant array noise may be generated when these rows of memory cells are restored to active mode. Moreover, initial access time may be reduced while full power is restored. The process of fully powering these memory circuits typically requires much more time than that required for a memory access in the fully powered state. Thus, memory access time from a low power or standby state includes both the time required to power up the memory circuit and the normal access time. However, access times of these memories remains important, so it may not be feasible to completely shut the memory down to conserve power.

Virtual ground circuit for reducing SRAM standby power


This invention relates to rubber compositions which contain a combination of silica reinforcement and plant-derived liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acid and to tires having components thereof, such as, for example, tire treads. Said liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acid acts both as a processing aid for the mixing of the rubber composition and as an aid to reinforcement of the rubber composition by interaction with the silica in situ within the rubber composition.

In practice, it may sometimes be desirable to increase use of plant-derived processing aids for preparation of rubber compositions by reducing use of petroleum based processing aids for such purpose.
This invention provides a way to utilize a plant-derived rubber processing aid in a rubber composition which contains silica reinforcement.
In practice, petroleum based rubber processing oils are often used to aid in the processing of unvulcanized rubber compositions by reducing their mixing viscosity (e.g. Mooney viscosity).
While non petroleum, plant-derived rosin acids may be candidates for unvulcanized rubber processing aids, the high acid group content of rosin acids have an effect of retarding amine accelerated sulfur cure of the associated rubber composition (because of interaction of its high level of acid groups with amine based sulfur cure accelerators) which significantly limits the suitability of use of rosin acids for such purpose.
Decarboxylated rosin acids (with significantly reduced acid group content) have been suggested for use as processing aids for carbon black reinforced rubber compositions (which can have a reduced effect of retarding the sulfur curing of the rubber composition because of their reduced acid group content). For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,993.
However, use of partially decarboxylated rosin acids (which thereby retain a portion of their acid groups because they are not completely decarboxylated) in rubber compositions which contain silica reinforcement are envisioned herein to promote significant advantageous effects, particularly for components for articles of manufacture such as tires.
For this invention, liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acids, which might be referred to as "rosin oils", are provided as processing aids (to reduce unvulcanized rubber mixing viscosity) in rubber compositions which contain silica reinforcement where the partially decarboxylated rosin acids contain a range of acidity values (range of acid group content) for which its acid groups are relied upon to interact with hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) contained on synthetic, amorphous silica (e.g. precipitated silica) and to thereby provide a bridging network between the silica and the rosin oil within a vulcanized rubber composition with the rosin oil thereby being in a sense anchored to the silica.
In this manner, then, it is envisioned that a tertiary network is formed in situ within the rubber in addition to a silica/rubber network and silica/silica coupler network not found with a rubber composition which is reinforced solely with rubber reinforcing carbon black filler.
Accordingly, such rubber composition is envisioned as containing a bridge network comprised of a product of an interaction of acid groups of said partially decarboxylated rosin acid with hydroxyl groups of said precipitated silica.
Further, rosin acids themselves are normally in a nature of being solid materials in a sense of having a softening point of, for example, about 85° C. and therefore solid at room temperature (about 23° C.) which are considered herein as not significantly improving the processing effect of petroleum based rubber processing oils for already mixed unvulcanized rubber compositions such as, for example, for shaping (e.g. extruding) prepared rubber compositions.
As previously discussed, the significantly high acid group content of the rosin acids (e.g. acid number of about 160) has been observed to retard the rate and state of sulfur cure of conjugated diene-based rubber compositions, where an amine based sulfur cure accelerator is used, which is typically an unwanted feature. The acid number of rosin acids, as well as partially decarboxylated rosin acids, may be calculated based upon milligrams of KOH (potassium hydroxide contained in a water solution) required to neutralize 1 gram of the rosin acid. For example, it typically takes about 160 milligrams of KOH to neutralize one gram of a typical rosin acid to therefore yield an acid number of 160.
In contrast, for this invention, it is believed that use of non-petroleum, plant derived partially decarboxylated rosin acids (for example, partially decarboxylated wood rosin acids) in a sense of being liquid and having a significantly reduced acid number as a total or partial replacement for conventionally used petroleum based rubber processing oils in a rubber composition which contains silica reinforcement is novel and a significant departure from past practice.
Historically, rosin acid is a solid resinous material which contains a high concentration of carboxylic acid groups which occurs naturally in pine trees. There are three major exemplary sources of the rosin acid, namely:
(A) gum rosin acid, which might be referred to as "rosin", is from the oleoresin extrudate of the living pine tree,
(B) wood rosin acid, which might be referred to as "wood rosin" or "rosin", is from the oleoresin contained in the aged pine tree stumps; and
(C) tall oil rosin acid, which might be referred to as "rosin", is from the waste liquor recovered as a by-product in the paper production industry.
For example, wood rosin may be obtained from aged pine tree stumps. In such practice, a pine tree stump may be allowed to remain in the ground for a number of years so that its bark and sapwood may decay and slough off to leave the heartwood rich in rosin acid, which might sometimes be referred to as "wood rosin".
Historically, rosin acids derived from both oleoresin and aged pine tree stump wood are typically composed of, for example, about 90 percent rosin acids and, for example, about 10 percent nonacidic components.
Representative of various wood rosin acids are, for example, rosin acids referred to as abietic, levopimaric, neoabietic, palustric, dehydroabietic, dihydroabietic, tetrahydroabietic, pimaric, isopimaric, elliotinoic and sandaracopimaric.
Liquid decarboxylated rosin acids (rosin oils) have been produced by the decomposition of rosin acids at high temperatures. For example, the rosin oil (decarboxylated rosin acid) may be produced, for example, by the treatment of rosin acid at an elevated temperature which may optionally be, for example, in the presence of hydriodic acid or iron turnings.
According to the concepts of the present invention, it has been discovered that a type, or class, of non petroleum, naturally occurring plant-derived rosin acids can be partially decarboxylated to form a rosin oil and then be partially or fully substituted for petroleum based rubber processing oils utilized in various rubber compositions. Such various petroleum based rubber processing oils include, for example, aromatic oils, naphthenic oil, paraffinic oils, and blends thereof.
Rubber processing oils may be composed of, for example, naphthenic and alkylated naphthenic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof with various aromatic hydrocarbon containing oils which are well known to those having skill in such art. They may comprise distillate fractions boiling above about 200° C. Suitable fractions are those at least 90 percent of which boil above about 250° as more volatile members may be lost during or after compounding and curing the rubber.
The present invention further contemplates the use of partially decarboxylated plant-derived rosin acids, particularly which have an acid number of no more than 30 as a partial or full replacement of customary petroleum based rubber processing oils (including petroleum based oils rubber extending oils) in rubber compositions.
The carboxylic acid containing rosin acids themselves are, in general, a composite of a mixture of molecules, some of which contain monocarboxylic acids typically comprised of a general molecular formula such as, for example, C20H30O2. The names of various individual rosin acids has varied somewhat over the years. For example, in addition to trivial names, names such as for example, abietic acid have sometimes been used.
The carboxylic acid containing rosin acid molecule contained in the rosin acid composite of rosin acids, in general contains two chemically reactive moieties, namely a carboxylic acid group and carbon-to-carbon double bonds which might sometimes be referred to more simply as "double bonds". Through such reactive moieties, many modifications in structure and numerous derivatives are obtainable for the rosin acids. Because an individual rosin acid is typically a composite composed of a number of rosin acid molecules and a number of molecules which do not contain carboxylic acids, the chemistry of its reactions is relatively complex.
Therefore, in addition to various carboxylic acid related chemical reactions, double bond related reactions or interactions may also occur.
The rosin acid's carboxyl group is typically of a structurally hindered nature which typically makes it necessary to use high temperatures or other significant conditions to bring about its decarboxylation.
The present invention relates to the use of liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acid as a partial or complete replacement of petroleum based rubber processing oils, including rubber extender oils, in rubber compositions, particularly for tire components, which contain silica reinforcement. Its usefulness relies, in part, upon an interaction between acid groups of the partially decarboxylated rosin acid and hydroxyl groups of the silica reinforcement to form a bridging silica network within the rubber composition.
In such practice of using liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acid in silica reinforcement-containing rubber compositions, particularly for tire components and particularly for tire treads, considerations such as for example acid number (carboxylic acid content) are a factor to be taken into consideration. As a result, for this invention, a liquid partially decarboxylated rosin acid (rosin oil) of a low acid number, (significantly lower than a typical acid number for rosin acid such as, for example, about 160) in a range of from about 2 to about 30, alternately from about 4 to about 15, is provided for promoting a combination of a beneficial interaction effect with the silica reinforcement within the rubber composition to promote cured rubber properties as well as a beneficial rubber processing effect for the uncured rubber composition without significantly affecting the rubber composition's rate and state of cure.
In the description of this invention, the terms "rubber" and "elastomer" where used herein, are used interchangeably, unless otherwise prescribed. The terms "rubber composition", "compounded rubber" and "rubber compound", where used herein, are used interchangeably to refer to "rubber which has been blended or mixed with various ingredients" and the term "compound" relates to a "rubber composition" unless otherwise indicated. Such terms are well known to those having skill in the rubber mixing or rubber compounding art.
In the description of this invention, the term "phr" refers to parts of a respective material per 100 parts by weight of rubber, or elastomer. The terms "cure" and "vulcanize" are used interchangeably unless otherwise indicated.
The term "rosin oil" may be used to refer to a partially decarboxylated rosin acid.

Rubber with combination of silica and partially decarboxylated rosin acid and tire with component thereof


An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal. A basketball goal is pivotally connected to a rigid vertical support by two parallel support members thereby forming a parallelogrammatic structure. A support arm containing a slot with a plurality of notches is pivotally connected to one of the vertexes of the parallelogrammatic structure while the opposite end of the support arm slidably engages a post attached to the parallelogrammatic structure. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the parallelogrammatic structure is locked in position. The method of the present invention allows a user equipped with a pole and standing on the basketball playing surface to apply a force to the goal thereby forcing the notch to disengage the post and allowing the parallelogrammatic structure to deform such that the user may raise the goal and engage the locking mechanism upon the release of the force. By applying a force directly to the support arm, a user may disengage the locking mechanism and move the goal to any of several predetermined heights. When the goal has been placed at the desired height, the force is released thereby engaging the locking mechanism and preventing further deformation of the parallelogrammatic structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal.
2. The Background of the Invention
Because of the popularity of the sport of basketball, particularly in the United States, many people, especially families, mount a basketball goal on their property. This allows them to have ready access to a basketball goal to enjoy the sport of basketball.
Children, however, frequently find it frustrating to learn how to play basketball because the standard height of a basketball goal is ten feet and it is often difficult for children to throw the basketball that high. Thus, many families with small children find it desirable to install a basketball goal at a height which is much lower than the standard height. Indeed, families with many small children may be forced to sacrifice having a basketball goal at the standard height, which is suitable for adults, so that the children may more easily develop their basketball skills and more fully enjoy the game.
Although many small children have the ability to throw the basketball through the goal, this is usually only accomplished by exerting extreme effort, often at the expense of proper form. Many people never develop proper shooting form because, as small children, they developed an incorrect form because that was the only way they could throw the basketball high enough to reach the basket. Hence, another advantage of having a basketball goal at a lower height is that smaller children may learn proper basketball skills and practice shooting the basketball with correct form. Thus, the child does not have to relearn skills as he becomes stronger.
It will be appreciated by anyone with a knowledge of the sport of basketball that one of the most envied abilities associated with the sport is the ability to "dunk" the basketball. One dunks the basketball by throwing the basketball into the basketball goal from a position above the rim of the goal. Obviously, one must be extremely tall and/or possess an extraordinary leaping ability in order to position himself high enough to be able to dunk the basketball.
While many people are able to develop excellent basketball skills, it will be appreciated that very few people have the natural leaping ability and/or height to be able to dunk the basketball. So that one may be able to develop skills and practice different styles of dunking the basketball, it is often desirable to place the basketball goal at a height somewhat lower than the standard height. However, it is not usually practical to permanently mount a basketball goal at a lower height simply for the purpose of dunking the basketball. It is also not practical to have two basketball goals, one at the standard height and one at a lower height. Hence, most basketball goals are simply mounted at the standard height.
Because of the reasons mentioned above, many attempts have been made to design a basketball goal which is adjustable to several different heights. One design of an adjustable basketball goal employs a flexible cable and a pulley which can be operated to raise or lower the goal to the desired height. The goal is then affixed at that height by tying off the cable. Disadvantages to this type of design are that adjustment is very slow and the cable often experiences a short life span because of its constant exposure to the weather. Thus, because of the extreme amount of tension placed on the cable when the basketball goal is being used, especially when one dunks the basketball or hangs on the rim of the basketball goal, the cable could break. As the cable continually becomes weaker due to its constant exposure to a variety of weather conditions, the amount of tension required to break the cable gradually decreases until the actions of someone playing basketball are enough to cause the cable to break. When the cable does break, the break is usually caused by the actions of people using the goal. These people are endangered, and serious injury or death could result if they are in the path of the goal when the cable breaks should the goal fall to its lowest position.
Another design for an adjustable goal employs pivotally mounted parallel bars which connect the basketball backboard to a rigid mounting device such as a pole. The parallel bars combine with the basketball backboard and the rigid mounting device to form a parallelogram. Since the bars are pivotally mounted, they allow the backboard of the basketball goal to move to several different heights while remaining vertically disposed. Typically, once the basketball goal is at the desired height, it is secured in place by tightening one or more bolts which "lock" the parallelogram in place.
One of the disadvantages of this device is that whenever one desires to adjust the basketball goal, it requires the use of a ladder or similar device to enable one to reach the one or more bolts which must be loosened to "unlock" the basketball goal. This is complicated by the fact that when the bolt or bolts are loosened, the person adjusting the goal must support the entire weight of the goal until the goal has been set to the desired height and the bolt or bolts are tightened again. This can be both a strenuous and a dangerous task and may be impossible physically for many small children to perform. This is an unfortunate disadvantage because it is usually small children who have the greatest need for lowering the basketball goal. Yet another significant disadvantage of this type of design is that if the bolt or bolts become loosened through vibration or other means while the basketball goal is in use, the goal will fall to its lowest position, striking whomever may be in its path.
Yet another design for an adjustable basketball goal employs the same parallelogrammatic structure as the previously discussed design except a telescoping ratchet mechanism is employed, rather than a bolt or bolts, to secure the basketball goal in the desired position. As the goal is raised, a hinged pawl on one member engages a row of apertures in a second telescoping member, seriatim in a ratchet-like fashion. The configuration of the pawl permits the goal to be raised by applying an upward force to the basketball backboard, but the pawl will engage one of the apertures preventing downward movement if the upward force is removed. When the desired height is reached, the upward force is released and the pawl engages the aperture to which it is aligned preventing the goal from falling due to its own weight. From any of the intermediate height positions, the goal can be raised to a higher position, but it cannot be lowered to a lower position without neutralizing the pawl because the pawl will engage the nearest aperture preventing downward movement. To neutralize the pawl, the goal must be raised to its highest position, a position higher than the highest usable level for the goal, where the pawl engages an ear which cocks the pawl into a neutral position. With the pawl so neutralized, the basketball goal may be lowered because the pawl will not engage any apertures during the descent of the goal. As the goal reaches its lowest position, the pawl engages another ear which releases or trips the pawl back to its original, active position where it may again engage any of the apertures and secure the goal at the desired height.
One disadvantage of this design is that because of its complexity, it is both difficult and expensive to manufacture. Additionally, because basketball goals are often used outdoors and exposed to extreme weather conditions, its design requires frequent maintenance to ensure that the goal always works properly while reducing the risk that the locking mechanism will fail.
That the pawl is neutralized at the extreme uppermost position gives rise to another significant and possibly dangerous disadvantage. If, when the goal is at its highest usable level, a person dunks the basketball and momentarily hangs on the rim of the basket, the entire goal will spring upwardly upon release of the rim. If this upward force is substantial, the goal may spring upwardly causing the pawl to strike the ear which cocks the pawl into the neutral position. Neutralizing the pawl permits the basketball goal to crash to its lowest position, possibly causing serious injury or death to persons involved in the basketball game.
In order to reduce the danger in the potentially dangerous crashing of the basketball goal, a fluid cylinder has been used to prevent the basketball goal from rapidly falling when the pawl is neutralized. However, the fluid cylinder introduces a delay into the time it takes the basketball goal to be adjusted to the desired height because the assent and descent speed is retarded by the fluid cylinder. Additionally, the fluid cylinder does not prevent the pawl from being cocked into its neutral position under the conditions just described, nor does it obviate the necessity of having to readjust the height of the basketball goal when the pawl is neutralized and the basketball goal descends to its lowest height. Further, because the fluid cylinder is a separate accessory from the ratchet mechanism, the user may choose not to install it or the user may remove it if it becomes damaged or broken.
As an added precaution to reduce the potential for injury, a safety locking mechanism employing a tightening bolt has also been used to rigidly secure the height of the goal having adjustability provided by the ratchet mechanism described above. However, the basketball goal is often used without tightening the bolt to lock the ratchet mechanism in place because tightening the bolt would require employing a ladder to enable the user to reach the bolt. Furthermore, the bolt typically is at a height higher than the rim of the basket; hence, the higher the basketball goal is placed, the less likelihood there is that the user of the goal will be able to reach the bolt in order to secure the goal. Consequently, when the goal is at the standard height of ten feet, the bolt is positioned over ten feet high. Thus, the locking mechanism is least likely to be employed when the basketball goal is set at the highest usable level. It is at this level that it is critical to employ the locking mechanism to prevent the pawl from becoming neutralized inadvertently and the basketball goal from crashing to its lowest position.
It will be appreciated, therefore, that what is needed in the art are methods and apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal which are easy and economical to manufacture, do not pose a danger to those who may use the device, are easily adjustable from one height to another without employing a ladder or similar device, and are durable and able to withstand constant exposure to a variety of weather conditions.

Method and apparatus for adjusting a basketball goal


A shear pin for calibrating an industrial robot, the shear pin including an elongated body including a weakening defining a break location in case of overload. The shear pin is configured to be mounted to a calibration pin holder on the robot. A maximum force that the calibration pin can exert on the robot during calibration can be easily limited by dimensioning the weakening appropriately.

It is conventionally known to mount a calibration pin to a calibration pin holder on an industrial robot during calibration of the robot. A typical calibration pin is a cylindrical steel pin. JP2010089213 discloses a cylindrical calibration pin.
During calibration a calibration pin is brought into contact with a counterpart by moving the robot. Conventional calibration pins have the drawback that if an excessive force or speed is used in moving the robot when the calibration pin comes into contact with a counterpart, the robot may be damaged.


An electrical connector has an insulative housing, terminals and two fastening assemblies. Each fastening assembly has a latching member and a bracket. The latching member is mounted movably on the insulative housing and has a hooking section to hook on a memory module. The bracket is mounted pivotally on the latching member and has a soldering section soldered on a PCB. Because the bracket is pivotally adjustable on the latching member, the electrical connector may be mounted easily on different PCBs with different tolerances.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector that has an adjustable fastening assembly so that the electrical connector may be mounted successfully on different printed circuit boards (PCBs) with different tolerances and stably hold a memory module.
2. Description of Related Art
Connectors are general components in electronic devices. For example, a notebook has socket connectors to hold memory modules.
A conventional socket connector for holding memory modules is mounted on a PCB and may hold a memory module. The memory module has two sides and two notches defined respectively in the sides. The socket connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals and two fastening elements. The insulative housing has two opposite sides. The each fastening element has a resilient tab and a bracket. The resilient tabs are mounted respectively on the sides of the insulative housing and each resilient tab has a hooking portion hooking on one notch of the memory module. The brackets are mounted securely on the PCB and respectively abut the resilient tabs to prevent the resilient tabs from irreversibly deforming.
However, the insulative housing, resilient tabs, brackets and PCB are manufactured individually and have different tolerances. Therefore, the resilient tabs are misaligned easily with the brackets when the aforementioned components are assembled so that mounting the brackets on the PCB easily fails. Furthermore, the different tolerances cause shift of the resilient tabs to hinder the installation of a memory module on the socket connector.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an electrical connector to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.