The present disclosure generally relates to a rail mount having one side that is releasably attached to a rail of a firearm and the other side that is releasably attached to accessories for the firearm, and more particularly to a rail mount that may be releasably attached to a rail in an easy and firm manner, and may be adjusted to a minute change of a rail.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to a rail mount having one side that is releasably attached to a rail of a firearm and the other side that is releasably attached to accessories for the firearm, and more particularly to a rail mount that may be releasably attached to a rail in an easy and firm manner, and may be adjusted to a minute deformation of a rail.
Discussion of the Related Art
In the late 20th century, many countries in the world began developing various accessories for firearms by using techniques supported by the development of electronic technologies, IT industries, material engineering, and the like, rather than improving performance of firearms based on development and improvement. The reason for this is that there was widespread recognition that the development of the firearm had already reached its limit, and most of the countries, including the U.S., could not introduce next-generation firearms due to a budget deficit, and even if new firearms had been introduced, the scale of firearms to be introduced would have been limited. In addition, the development of electronic technologies and material engineering has reduced the price and size of guns, as well as has enabled remarkable improvement in reliability and durability. Further, as the importance of night combat has increased, there is a need to supply accessories for firearms not only to snipers or special forces, but also to normal combat forces, so that they may view and take aim at targets at night. For this reason, the development and attachment of accessories has been considered an inexpensive and effective means for improving combat efficiency without need to develop or modify existing weapons.
Examples of the accessories for firearms include a telescopic sight, a unit magnification optical sight, a laser target designator, night vision goggles, an infrared target designator, an infrared illuminator, and the like. The telescopic sight, the unit magnification optical sight, the laser target designator, and the like may improve shooting accuracy, thereby minimizing time required from finding a target to aiming the target. Further, the night vision goggles, the infrared target designator, and the infrared illuminator are used to observe a battlefield during night combats, and to take aim at targets detected by using the night vision goggles. By using such accessories, performance of existing firearms may be significantly improved, and even rifles of an identical type may have different combat power depending on whether accessories are mounted. Accordingly, the accessories may increase a survival rate of combat forces and may improve combat power.
A rail mount has been developed to satisfy the requirements, and is used to mount accessories for guns. The rail mount enables various accessories to be mounted on a rail for mounting accessories, and to be releasably attached thereto.
The rail mount is generally provided on a rail of a gun, and has a lower portion attached to the rail connected to the gun, and an upper portion connected to other accessories, in which the upper portion is formed to receive various accessories.
The most important point for the rail mount is to be firmed attached to the rail under any circumstances. Even when used in a combat situation, the rail mount is required to be rapidly and easily attached and detached, and is required to be firmly attached even when there are fabrication tolerances


A multi-zone, combinatorial, single wafer showerhead is used to concurrently develop hardware, materials, unit processes, and unit process sequences. The multi-zone, combinatorial, single wafer showerhead utilizes showerhead pucks to perform process sequences on isolated regions of a single substrate. The showerhead pucks are designed so that they are easily interchangeable to allow the characterization of the interaction between hardware characteristics, process parameters, and their influence on the result of the process sequence.

The manufacture of integrated circuits (IC), semiconductor devices, flat panel displays, optoelectronics devices, data storage devices, magneto-electronic devices, magneto-optic devices, packaged devices, and the like entails the integration and sequencing of many unit processing steps. As an example, IC manufacturing typically includes a series of processing steps such as cleaning, surface preparation, deposition, lithography, patterning, etching, planarization, implantation, thermal annealing, and other related unit processing steps. The precise sequencing and integration of the unit processing steps enables the formation of functional devices meeting desired performance metrics such as speed, power consumption, and reliability.
As part of the discovery, optimization and qualification of each unit process, it is desirable to be able to i) test different materials, ii) test different processing conditions within each unit process module, iii) test different sequencing and integration of processing modules within an integrated processing tool, iv) test different sequencing of processing tools in executing different process sequence integration flows, and combinations thereof in the manufacture of devices such as integrated circuits. In particular, there is a need to be able to test i) more than one material, ii) more than one processing condition, iii) more than one sequence of processing conditions, iv) more than one process sequence integration flow, and combinations thereof, collectively known as "combinatorial process sequence integration", on a single monolithic substrate without the need of consuming the equivalent number of monolithic substrates per material(s), processing condition(s), sequence(s) of processing conditions, sequence(s) of processes, and combinations thereof. This can greatly improve both the speed and reduce the costs associated with the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of material(s), process(es), and process integration sequence(s) required for manufacturing.
Systems and methods for High Productivity Combinatorial (HPC) processing are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,574 filed on Feb. 10, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,935 filed on Jul. 2, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 7,871,928 filed on May 4, 2009, U.S. Pat. No. 7,902,063 filed on Feb. 10, 2006, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,531 filed on Aug. 28, 2009 which are all herein incorporated by reference. Systems and methods for HPC processing are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/352,077 filed on Feb. 10, 2006, claiming priority from Oct. 15, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/419,174 filed on May 18, 2006, claiming priority from Oct. 15, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/674,132 filed on Feb. 12, 2007, claiming priority from Oct. 15, 2005, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/674,137 filed on Feb. 12, 2007, claiming priority from Oct. 15, 2005 which are all herein incorporated by reference.
Many of the unit processing steps comprise the formation or deposition of thin films of materials. Typical deposition techniques comprise atomic layer deposition (ALD), atomic vapor deposition (AVD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), high density plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD), sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition (SACVD), ion assisted chemical vapor deposition (IA-CVD), and others. Most of these techniques use a showerhead arrangement to deliver the precursor gases to the surface of the substrate to deposit the thin film. The uniformity and properties of these materials are determined by the process parameters and details of the hardware used to deposit the thin films. Examples of process parameters comprise temperature, pressure, choice of gas species, gas flow rates, gas compositions, deposition time, applied plasma power (if used), etc. Examples of the details of the hardware (i.e. showerhead details) comprise the number of independent precursor channels in the showerhead, the spatial configuration of the channels, the number and size of the channels, the showerhead to substrate spacing, etc.
Typically, there are significant interactions between the process parameters, the details of the hardware, and the properties of the deposited material. A large number of experiments must be completed to optimize the process parameters to deposit a material with the desired properties. This number of experiments must be repeated for each hardware configuration. Showerhead assemblies are costly and have a long manufacturing time. Furthermore, they are designed to deposit material across the entire substrate. Therefore, a complete substrate must be used for each experimental process parameter test. In many cases, the substrate has undergone significant processing prior to the unit process being optimized. This further adds to the cost and complexity of the development activity.
Therefore, there is a need to develop showerhead assemblies that allow the cost efficient and timely optimization of the process parameters and hardware details to deposit materials with the desired properties. Furthermore, there is a need to develop showerhead assemblies that allow the interactions between the process parameters and the hardware details to be evaluated.

Apparatus and method for combinatorial gas distribution through a multi-zoned showerhead


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for distributing machine learning workloads, e.g., computations for training a neural network or computing an inference using a neural network, across multiple hardware accelerators. One of the systems comprises a plurality of accelerator islands, each hardware accelerator island comprising a respective plurality of hardware devices that include a plurality of hardware accelerators and a corresponding host for each of the plurality of hardware accelerators; and a respective scheduler for each of the accelerator islands that is configured to schedule workloads across the plurality of accelerators and corresponding hosts in the accelerator island, wherein the system is configured to: receive data representing a machine learning workload; and assign a respective portion of the machine learning workload to each of the plurality of accelerator islands for scheduling by the respective scheduler for the accelerator island.

This specification relates to techniques for distributing machine learning workloads, e.g., computations for training a neural network or computing an inference using a neural network, across multiple hardware accelerators.
Neural networks are machine learning models that employ one or more layers of nonlinear units to predict an output for a received input. Some neural networks include one or more hidden layers in addition to an output layer. The output of each hidden layer is used as input to the next layer in the network, i.e., the next hidden layer or the output layer. Each layer of the network generates an output from a received input in accordance with current values of a respective set of weights. The input to a given neural network layer is referred to in this specification as the "input activations" for the layer and the output of the given neural network layer is referred to in this specification as the output activations for the layer.

Asynchronous distributed data flow for machine learning workloads


The invention pertains to an article of footwear having a backtab pull and a tongue pull on an upper of the article of footwear. The backtab pull and tongue pull assist the wearer in the donning and removing of an article of footwear, in particular an athletic shoe having a molded dynamic fit. The backtab pull includes a strap affixed to the posterior of the article of footwear and the tongue pull includes at least one hole, and preferably two holes, incorporated into an extended tongue portion of the upper.

In the past, various types of pulls have been provided to facilitate the process of donning and removing an article of footwear. The majority of these pulls have generally been of the stirrup type located on the posterior end of articles of footwear in the area proximate to the heel. The stirrup pulls are affixed so as to be parallel to the superior to inferior axis of the article of footwear. U.S. Pat. No. 312,675 demonstrates such a stirrup pull used in conjunction with a similar strap disposed on the vamp portion of the boot. The pulls may also be configured to receive specifically designed hooked instruments with a handle. When the hook is inserted into the stirrup pull, the handle is then used to pull the article of footwear onto the user's foot. This type of pull has been especially popular in such items as cowboy boots and riding boots.
The pulls of the prior art have not allowed for a controlled pulling force to be easily distributed between the front portion and heel portion of the article of footwear, thus it was necessary to constantly manipulate and readjust the foot as the force was being applied to the article of footwear. Additionally, these types of pulls were inconvenient because they required an additional apparatus, i.e., the hook and handle, in order to be properly utilized. United Kingdom Patent No. 988 illustrates such a hooked device suitable for engaging reinforced holes, or stirrup pulls, provided in the posterior of the boot.
The modern trend in athletic footwear has been to provide a more secure, molded fit between the wearer's foot and the shoe. This so-called dynamic fit has also produced the need to provide a means for aiding the donning or removing of the athletic shoe from the wearer's foot. Several attempts to meet this need within the athletic shoe industry have been produced by Nike, Inc. and Nike International, Ltd., both of Beaverton, Ore. These attempts have included the NIKE.TM. Leather Cortez and Nylon Cortez shoes produced in 1972 which had a flap of leather about the posterior aspect of the article of footwear to be used as a backtab pull. The 1989 version of NIKE.TM.'S Air Jordan.TM. shoe also provided a backtab pull to aid in the donning and removing thereof. The 1989 NIKE.TM. Aqua Sock Too shoe had a loop-type of backtab pull, as did the 1986 NIKE.TM. Dunk Hi shoe, Lava shoe, and Zealand hiking boot. The purpose of the loop backtab pull structure was to assist the wearer in donning the article of footwear. However, the single loop backtab suffered from many of the problems outlined above due to the inability of the wearer to apply an evenly distributed pulling force.
Additionally, a restraining loop for a stability strap used with, e.g. the 1983 NIKE.TM. Air Force 1.TM. athletic shoe and the Spring 1985 NIKE.TM. Vandel athletic shoe, could possibly be used to assist the wearer in donning the article of footwear. However, in this instance, since the purpose of the structure was to enhance the stability about the area of the ankles, the size and positioning of the restraining loop does not create an improvement in the ease of utilization thereof for assistance in donning or removing the shoe.
Heretofore, the design of footwear structures, including those discussed above, have not provided effective and satisfactory assistance to a wearer in the donning and removing of a dynamically fit article of footwear. Thus, a strong need exists for an article of footwear incorporating a structure that will provide assistance in the donning and removing thereof.

Article of footwear incorporating a backtab pull and tongue pull


An isolator is disclosed, in which a ferromagnetic sheet is placed into a shielding resin case together with garnet ferrite and an internal terminal sheet (with strip lines extending therefrom). Thus the leakage magnetic flux shielding effect is reinforced, and the bulk of the isolator is made compact. The constitution is as follows. That is, the internal terminal sheet (with the strip lines extending therefrom), a garnet ferrite, a plurality of insulating films and a ferromagnetic sheet are inserted into a shielding resin case in the cited order. Further, this structure is inserted into between upper and lower cases, and three dielectric devices and a chip resistor are disposed on a PCB and around the lower case, while a connecting terminal part with input/output terminals connected to the PCB electrodes is formed on the PCB.

The present invention relates to an isolator used in the microwave apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention relates to an isolator in which a ferromagnetic sheet (Sr-ferrite) together with an internal terminal sheet (with strip lines extending therefrom) and a garnet ferrite is inserted into a shielding case; dielectric devices and a chip resistor are installed on a PCB and around the shielding case; a connecting terminal sheet is formed; and thus the ferromagnetic sheet is securely placed by means of the strip lines of the internal terminal sheet and the garnet ferrite of the shielding case, so that the leakage magnetic flux shielding effect can be reinforced, that the bulk of the isolator can be made compact, that the assemblability can be improved, and that the manufacturing process can be simplified.
The generally known conventional isolator is inserted to between an antenna switch and a power amplifier module of a wireless apparatus, so that the signals reflected from the antenna switch are absorbed, thereby protecting the power amplifier module.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system involving the isolator. As shown in this drawing, transmission signals Tx are amplified by a power amplifier module 15, are filtered by a low pass filter 14, and are sent through an antenna switch 12 to an antenna 11, so that the signals can be transmitted from the antenna 11.
Meanwhile, reception signals Rx are received by the antenna 11, and are sent through the antenna switch 12 to a band pas filter 16 so as to be filtered. Generally, an isolator 13 is disposed between the antenna switch 12 and the power amplifier module 15 of the wireless apparatus, so that the signals reflected from the antenna switch 12 can be absorbed, thereby protecting the power amplifier module 15.
FIG. 2 illustrates the basic equivalent circuit for the isolator. As shown in this drawing, an input terminal is coupled to an output part of the power amplifier module 15 of the transmitting part so as to receive the transmission signals Tx. Further, the input terminal block is connected an internal terminal block 22, and thus, the high frequency transmission signals Tx are transferred to the internal terminal block 22. An input capacitor C1 is connected between the input terminal block and the ground.
Further, an output terminal block is connected to the internal terminal block 22, while the other end of the output terminal block is connected to the antenna switch 12, so that the high frequency signals can be finally transmitted from the antenna 11.
An output capacitor C2 is connected between the output terminal block and the ground. A ground capacitor C3 and a longitudinal resistor R (50xcexa9) are connected in parallel between the internal terminal block 22 and the ground. The signals which have been transferred from the power amplifier module 15 through the input terminal block and the internal block to the output terminal block can reversely flow partly from the antenna switch 12. These returned signals are sunk into the ground from the internal block 22 through the longitudinal resistor R.
Therefore, the isolator 13 removes the power of the returning signals so as to ultimately prevent the power amplifier module 15 from being damaged by the power of the returning signals, thereby protecting the power amplifier module 15.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the constitution of the conventional isolator. As shown in this drawing, the isolator includes: an upper case 31; a ferromagnetic sheet (Sr-ferrite) 32 for generating a constant magnetic field; an internal terminal block 33 disposed under the ferromagnetic sheet 32, for generating an induced magnetic field, and including a garnet ferrite 42 and three strip lines 33xe2x80x2 connected to the input and output terminal blocks and to the ground; dielectric devices 35a-35c and a chip resistor 34 respectively connected to the three strip lines 33xe2x80x2 of the internal terminal block 33; an injection-molded case 36 having through holes 41 for fastening the internal terminal block 33, and having spaces for receiving the chip resistor 34 and the three dielectric devices 35a-35c, with input/output electrodes 38 and 39 and a ground electrode 37 being accommodated therein; and a lower case 40.
In this conventional isolator, the arrangement of the components is as follows. That is, the ferromagnetic sheet 32 and the garnet ferrite 42 are accommodated into the separate injection-molded case 36. Further, the three dielectric devices 35a-35c, the input/output electrodes 38 and 39, and the ground electrode 37 are horizontally arranged, and they are connected through the strip lines of the internal terminal block 33. Accordingly, the sizes of the dielectric devices, the chip resistor and the garnet ferrite are increased, and therefore, the overall bulk of the isolator is expanded.
Further, when the strip lines 33xe2x80x2 of the internal terminal block 33 are soldered to the dielectric devices 35a-35c and to the input/output electrodes 38 and 39, soldering defects are apt to occur due to the narrow space within the injection-molded case 36, as well as degrading the workability and the assemblability of the isolator, and making it impossible to obtain uniform products.
The present invention is intended to overcome the above described disadvantages of the conventional technique.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an isolator in which a ferromagnetic sheet is securely placed by means of strip lines of an internal terminal sheet and a garnet ferrite, thereby improving the shielding of the leakage magnetic flux to the degree of maximizing the shielding effect.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an isolator in which dielectric devices and a chip resistor are installed on a circuit board of the shielding case, thereby making the bulk of the isolator compact, making the response to the frequency easy, and making the characteristics of the product stable.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an isolator in which the isolator can be easily installed on a circuit board, thereby improving the assemblability, and simplifying the manufacturing process.
In achieving the above objects, the isolator according to the present invention includes: upper and lower cases; a ferromagnetic sheet disposed within a shielding case, for generating a constant magnetic field; an internal terminal sheet having a plurality of strip lines for being connected to input/output electrode terminals and aground terminal and disposed under the ferromagnetic sheet and a garnet ferrite, the garnet ferrite being for generating an induced magnetic field; and the input/output electrode terminals and a chip resistor and three dielectric devices for being connected to the three strip lines of the internal terminal sheet, wherein the ferromagnetic sheet is inserted into the shielding case together with the garnet ferrite and the internal terminal sheet (with the strip lines extending therefrom), the shielding case is inserted into a lower metal case, the three dielectric devices and the chip resistor are installed on a circuit board and around the lower metal case, and a connecting terminal part having the input/output electrode terminals is formed.
In another aspect of the present invention, the isolator according to the present invention includes: upper and lower cases; a ferromagnetic sheet disposed within a shielding case, for generating a constant magnetic field owing to an input current; an internal terminal sheet having a plurality of strip lines for being connected to input/output electrode terminals and a ground terminal and disposed under the ferromagnetic sheet and a garnet ferrite, the garnet ferrite being for generating an induced magnetic field; and the input/output electrode terminals and a chip resistor and three dielectric devices for being connected to the three strip lines of the internal terminal sheet, wherein the ferromagnetic sheet is inserted into the shielding resin case together with the garnet ferrite and the internal terminal sheet (with the strip lines extending therefrom) and a plurality of insulating films, the shielding case is inserted into a lower metal case (serving as a ground), the three dielectric devices and the chip resistor are installed on a circuit board and around the lower metal case, and a connecting terminal part having the input/output electrode terminals is formed.

Isolator with capacitors and chip resistors located outside of the housing


A method for calibrating a printer or other imaging system to accurately place an image on a final receiving substrate is provided. A test image is printed and the margins between the image and the edges of the media are measured. These measured margin values are then utilized to adjust stored calibration factors that calibrate the printer to accurately place the image on the final receiving substrate.

An important function of any printing or imaging system is accurately placing an image in a desired location on the final receiving medium. Many printers and imaging systems utilize mechanical media measurement and/or media position location systems to effect image placement. These systems will typically calculate the width and length of the media, as well as the position of the media relative to the image-generating components of the printer or imaging system.
Many prior art printers are limited to handling two sizes of media, such as A and A4 size media. These printers often incorporate fixed-position media width sensors to detect the size of the media, with one sensor being provided for each size. A common sensor that is utilized is a photo-reflective sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet of media at a particular location.
As the number of different sizes of media to be printed increases, the use of a separate fixed-position sensor for each media size becomes less desirable. Additionally, the accuracy of the mechanical subsystems used to determine the media width and media position is subject to fluctuation due to component variations and assembly tolerances in the subsystems. In printers utilizing photo-reflective sensors to detect the edges of a sheet of media, the exact point of detection of the media will vary depending upon the reflectivity of different media types, as well as manufacturing variations from one sensor to another.
The present invention is directed to a method for calibrating a printer to align an image on a final receiving substrate. A test image is printed and the margins between the image and the edges of the media are measured. These measured margin values are then utilized to adjust calibration factors that calibrate the printer to accurately place the image on the final receiving substrate.

Method for calibrating position of a printed image on a final receiving substrate


The present invention relates to a polymeric plasticizer and a process for plasticizing material therewith; said polymeric material comprises a reaction product of a diacid with a highly hindered diol and another diol in a stoichiometric excess of the acid over the diol, followed by reacting the resulting product containing an acid end group with an alcohol, followed by removing residual alcohol to obtain a final product having a hydroxyl value of less than 20.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates polymeric plasticizers derived from modified polyesters. The plasticizers of the present invention are particularly useful in a variety of polymeric compositions, particularly polyvinyl chloride, rubber and the like compositions.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Generally, polymeric plasticizers are known in the art. However, the art-known polymeric plasticizers tend to be limited in their use because they are often "composition-specific". Hence, there has been continuous work to develop plasticizers that are effective for a variety of compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,431 discloses an improved process for producing neopentyl glycol polyesters of certain dicarboxylic acids. U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,789 discloses polyester polyols based on neopentyl glycol and other glycols esterified with aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids.
By the present invention, there is provided novel polymeric plasticizers that can be effective in polyvinyl chloride and/or rubber. Said plasticizers can be produced at a relatively low cost.

Polymeric plasticizers and a process for preparing the same


Equipment for machining solid surfaces such as for example, surfaces made of asphalt or concrete or similar solid materials, in particular for making sound strips, said equipment comprising rotating machining or digging means carried by a main frame, and rotating means which engage said main supporting frame, wherein the rotation of said rotating means in a predefined direction of rotation results in said main supporting frame being rotated alternately in two opposite directions of rotation.

The definition "sound strips" commonly identifies the irregularities intentionally obtained on the road surfaces in order to generate a sudden change of the guiding perception by the driver of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle but also a motorcycle or also a heavy-duty vehicle (trucks or the like). Practically, these are depressions (usually transverse to the driving lane and therefore to the driving direction of the vehicles) obtained by the surface "scarifying" of the road surface at substantially regular intervals, and that is by removing portions of the road surface. FIG. 7 (at the bottom) shows an example of sound strips, in the specific case, of transverse depressions with maximum depth of 1.3 cm (with respect to the paved surface) and made at a regular distance from one another (in the driving direction) of about 30 cm; practically, when involved by the wheels of a vehicle, the strips cause vibrations in the vehicle, therefore wherein the noise generated by the vibrations (and possibly the vibrations themselves) generate the aforesaid sudden change of the driving perception of the driver, which in many cases is useful in avoiding going off the road but also unintentional lane changes due to sleepiness and/or fatigue.
The creation of sound strips therefore is an increasingly favored solution within the framework of measures for improving road and driving safety, wherein for this purpose the sound strips (commonly known also as "rumble strips") preferably are made in particularly critical points such as for example, between the driving and emergency lane, but also close to toll booths and/or intersections and roundabouts (in the case of rural roads not belonging to the motorway network) in order to generate an alert by taking advantage of the combined effect of the vibrations and the noise.
It is also to be considered that the sound strips of the aforesaid type are an effective, long-lasting solution (but at the same time with substantially contained costs, in particular with respect for example, to the adhesive ones made by means of depositing elastoplastic rolled sections), wherein also the maintenance costs may be effectively contained.
Currently, making sound strips of the aforesaid type (depressions) is performed by means of dedicated equipment and/or machines and therefore, designed and made for this purpose. However, although the equipments of known type can be appreciated from different points of view, same are affected by several different drawbacks.
As indicated above, a first drawback relates to the poor versatility of the equipments of known type which, being dedicated only to (and usable exclusively for) making sound strips, often results in unaffordable amortization costs, especially for small-to-medium companies.
Moreover, in addition to resulting in significant costs (both purchase and maintenance and/or management costs), the equipments of known type have significant volumes and sizes with subsequent, just as significant logistic problems associated in particular with transport and storage. Moreover, it must not be overlooked that cumbersome equipments require opening a yard having sizes related to the volume of the machines and/or apparatuses, with serious repercussions on roads.
And again, the problem of poor versatility is particularly felt also in the case of equipments with more reduced volumes, wherein here the possibility of using the apparatuses for different purposes (for example, for normal scarifying and/or milling) is precluded by the limited performance, for example in terms of power, of the equipment and/or machines themselves.
It is therefore the main object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimize the drawbacks encountered in the equipments according to the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described drawbacks of the equipments according to the prior art. In detail, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an equipment of the aforesaid type which can be used for different objects and purposes, in particular both for making sound strips and for the normal scarifying and/or milling operations of floors and/or solid surfaces, for example, made of asphalt and/or concrete.
Again, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an equipment which in addition to ensuring the desired versatility (not ensured by apparatuses of known type), is characterized by contained costs and/or volumes and which is also adapted to be applied to (and therefore operated by means of) different types of machines having reduced sizes and contained costs (both purchase and management and/or maintenance costs), such as for example, "skid steer loaders" and/or "small wheel loaders".
In view of the objects summarized above, the present invention is based on the general consideration according to which the same objects may be reached by applying a removable carriage or kit to a milling machine substantially of known type, which when applied to the milling machine, causes alternate downwards and upwards oscillations in the milling machine itself so that the milling member engages the surface to be machined alternately and/or at various depths.
It is therefore apparent from what summarized above that the dual functionality of the equipment is ensured by the possibility of removing the carriage or kit, wherein by removing the carriage or kit, the equipment lends itself to being used for different operations such as normal milling.
Moreover, the use of the removable carriage allows the setting of the equipment according to the purpose by means of simple and immediate operations, and therefore with contained costs.

Equipment for machining surfaces, in particular solid surfaces, in particular for machining rumble strips


An umbrella clamp that includes an adjustable, flexibly-resilient clamp having a cam lever, the clamp detachably secured around an umbrella post, the clamp further includes a flange and anchor assembly, and one or more shock absorber elements. The clamp includes a flange with a series of holes, each of the holes are configured for securing one end of a cable, the opposing end of the cable is affixed to a weighted article (such as a bag filled with sand) and one or more friction pads disposed along the inner surface of the clamp body.

Numerous attempts have been made to improve the stability of sunshades and/or umbrellas. The following is a non-exhaustive description of several patents and/or printed publications discussing the stability of such umbrella devices:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,437 B2, issued in the name of Bigford, wherein Bigford discloses a ring having an adjustable inner diameter, by which adjustment may be provided not only via a set screw but also through the use of clamps, and further including the use of a set screw that provides adjustment of the inner diameter of the ring and functions to secure the ring to the umbrella shaft;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,163, issued in the name of Levesquea, wherein Levesquea discloses a pair of containers connected using a snap fit, frictionally-engaged connection;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,954, issued in the name of Rogers, wherein Rogers discloses a frame and support for attaching and supporting an umbrella on the back portion of a chair, the support including a supporting sleeve which cooperatively receives in telescoping relation the shank of a conventional sun shade umbrella, and wherein the umbrella may be vertically adjusted via a manually moved cam locking lever;
U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,501 B2, issued in the name of Supino, wherein Supino discloses a beach umbrella anchoring system comprising a restraining device or container for preventing the beach umbrella from being blown about by unexpected, sudden gusts of wind comprising a container;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,327, issued in the name of Davis, wherein Davis discloses an umbrella holder comprising a clamp mechanism, a right/left angular adjustment mechanism, a forward/rearward angular adjustment mechanism, a length adjustment mechanism, and an umbrella shaft and handle securing mechanism, wherein the clamp mechanism includes an upper and lower jaw member, an upper and lower resilient clamp pad, and a clamp screw mechanism, and each upper and lower jaw member is provided with a clamp channel that is covered with the upper or lower resilient clamp pad, respectively;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,041, issued in the name of Mayne, wherein Mayne discloses a clamping and holding device and more particularly to a clamping and holding device which can be attached to articles such as patio chairs to mount a holder for umbrellas and the like in a variety of positions, the device having a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm pivotally connected to one another to engage an article, a holder extending laterally from the first clamping arm is provided to hold a tray, umbrella or the like, and the holder may be locked in a variety of positions;
U.S. Pat. No. 10,633,882 B2, issued in the name of North et al., wherein North et al. discloses a weight system for containing fill material for supporting a free-standing object, comprising a container defining an interior chamber adapted to contain the fill material and a closure system;
U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/0305453 A1, published in the name of Gatto-Weising, wherein Gatto-Weising discloses a clamp which may include two jaw members that can be tightened to engage a ball joint member; and
U.S. Pat. No. 10,765,185 B1, issued in the name of Wengerd, wherein Wengerd discloses an umbrella mounting device includes a clamp assembly configured to be removably clamped to an elongated support member and an umbrella holder coupled to the clamp assembly so that the umbrella holder is rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis that is generally perpendicular to the clamp assembly axis.
Accordingly, a need continues to exist and is recognized for improvements to devices and apparatuses for stabilizing and anchoring sunshades and umbrellas.
This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe an apparatus for anchoring an umbrella, the apparatus comprising an adjustable, flexibly-resilient clamp; the clamp includes a collar, a cam lever, and a radial compression adjustment device, wherein the collar having an internal perimeter positioned around and secured to an umbrella post via the cam lever, and wherein the radial compression adjustment device comprises a rotatable fastener threadedly adjustable through the collar and securing the cam lever in position; at least one shock absorbing element disposed along the internal perimeter of the collar; and an anchor assembly formed on the collar, the apparatus providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the products, devices, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any device, apparatus, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein.


The modification of timestamps of streams of data packets for seamless branching is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a computerized system has a plurality of multimedia play devices, and a multimedia read device. Each play device receives and plays data intended for that device. The multimedia read device reads a stream of packets of data, decodes the packets into data, and sends the data to a corresponding play device at appropriate times. The appropriate time is based on relative timestamps accounting for accumulated time gaps resulting from branches within the stream. The invention has applications including digital video disc (DVD) playback.

This invention relates generally to the decoding of streams of packets, where each packet has a corresponding substream, and more particularly to the modification of timestamps of such streams for seamless branching.
With the advent and increasing popularity of digital-video-disc (DVD) and compact-disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM) technology, as well as usage of the Internet, the viewing of multimedia that is stored as a stream of data packets has also become very popular. For example, with respect to DVD technology, more and more movies and other content are becoming available on DVD""s, which are playable on dedicated DVD players intended for integration with a home stereo system, as well as on DVD players incorporated into a home personal computer (PC) system.
DVD""s, and other media that store stream of packets representing multimedia data, typically are such that each packet is associated with a corresponding substream, where each substream is intended for playback on a different device. For example, a DVD might have two substreams, an audio substream and a video substream. The audio substream contains packets of data intended for output to a device such as an amplifier coupled to one or more speakers, so that the audio may be heard. The video substream contains packets of data intended for output to a device such as a television or monitor, so that the video may be seen.
For such streaming data packets that are each associated with corresponding substreams, such that each different substream of data packets is intended for ultimate output and playback on a different device, the synchronization of the playback of the different substreams of data packets is crucial. For streaming data packets such as that stored on DVD""s, timestamps exist within the stream, so that the DVD player knows to output the data within a given packet to the device associated with the substream for that packet at the appropriate time. However, because the stream of packets may also contain branches to other packets within the stream, large jumps or breaks may occur within the sequence of timestamps. This is because the timestamps are typically preauthored into the stream of packets stored on a given DVD.
A DVD player, or similar device, must therefore accommodate the synchronization of substreams of data packets. According to the prior art, one manner by which this synchronization is accomplished includes two timers with a fixed offset corresponding to the size of the time gap when a time gap is encountered. Each stream decoder is separately switched to the second timer (the one corresponding to time after the time gap) at the precise moment when it is deemed to have presented all its data for the time before the time gap. When all streams are switched to the second timer the first timer is updated by the amount of the time gap so that both timers are the same and the stream decoders are all switched back to using the first timer, ready for any subsequent time gaps. (The typical DVD player or similar device has a main decoder that determines the substream type of each packet, and then sends the packet to the appropriate substream decoder for such packets, the substream decoder then decoding the data from the packet and sending it to the appropriate audio or video device as output.) However, as those of ordinary skill within the art can appreciate, synchronization among the timers for the substream decoders can be quite complex, especially where there are three or more substream decoders, and may require sophisticated timing circuitry within the DVD player.
In addition the prior art is not suitable when a rapid sequence of time gaps is encountered because more clocks might then be required. This means that this solution may be prone to synchronization errors should something go awryxe2x80x94such that the video playback of a DVD, for example, does not xe2x80x9cline upxe2x80x9d with the audio playback. This could occur, for example, if a decoder failed to deliver its data before it is switched to the second clock which (if the clock was switching to an earlier time) would result in a freeze of the video of length roughly equal to the time gap which may be an hour or more while the decoder waited for the new clock to reach the time corresponding to the timestamp on its data.
Therefore, there is a need for the synchronization of substreams of data packets intended for playback on different types of devices, that does not require the use of separate timers for before and after a timestamp gap. Such a solution should not require complex or sophisticated timing circuitry, and not be prone to synchronization errors that may occur with such circuitry. Such a solution should thus prevent large breaks or gaps from occurring within the playback of streams of data packets that may result when branching occurs within such streams.
The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed by the present invention, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. One aspect of the invention is a computerized system having a plurality of multimedia play devices (e.g., a television, monitor, or amplifier coupled to one or more speakers), and a multimedia read device (e.g., a DVD player). Each play device receives and plays data intended for that device. The multimedia read device reads a stream of data packets(e.g., as stored on a DVD), decodes the packets into data, and sends the data to a corresponding play device at the appropriate times. The appropriate time is based on relative timestamps accounting for accumulated time gaps resulting from branches within the stream.
For example, a multimedia read device, such as a DVD player, may have at least a stream decoder and two or more substream decoders. The stream decoder looks at each packet of data to determine to which substream decoder it should be sent. When the packet of data is sent, a relative timestamp is sent in conjunction therewith, instead of an absolute timestamp from the stream. This relative timestamp may be calculated as Trel=Tabsxe2x88x92Tacc, where Trel is the relative timestamp, Tabs is the absolute timestamp, and Tacc is the accumulated time gaps resulting from branches within the stream. When a branch is reached within a stream, Tacc is incremented by Tto-Tfrom, where Tto is the absolute timestamp immediately after the branch, and Tfrom is the absolute timestamp at the branch.
In this manner, the invention provides for the synchronization of substreams of data packets without utilization of separate timers for each substream decoder of a multimedia read device. Rather, a relative timestamp is passed from the main stream decoder to the substream decoders. Large jumps or breaks within the absolute timestamps as a result of branches within the stream are thus prevented, and not propagated to the substream decoders. It is believed that the invention also is not prone to synchronization errors, as may occur in the prior art solution of utilizing separate timers for each substream decoder.
The present invention includes computerized methods, systems, computers, multimedia read devices and computer-readable media of varying scope. In addition to the aspects and advantages of the present invention described in this summary, further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.

Timestamp modification for seamless branching


Disclosed are methods for evaluating the environmental impact of various chemical components as a function of their proposed functional use in a chemical product, methods for formulating products based on those evaluations, and databases for assisting in those methods. Consumer products can be environmentally improved using these methods. Environmental criteria are in part developed based on the nature of the ultimate use of the product, and usually vary for a given chemical between types of proposed uses. The environmental classes for components are adjusted by their weight representation in the final product.

The present invention relates to methods for producing products with reduced environmental "footprints". Such methods appear particularly useful in formulating consumer products such as cleaning chemicals, air care products, and home insecticides.
Many consumers have a preference for products which have (or are at least perceived by them to have) lesser adverse environmental impacts than other competing products. This is evidenced by the growth of the "organic" foods market, and the labeling of products with markings such as "environmentally friendly" or "green".
Apart from consumer preferences for environmentally friendly products, governments are increasingly regulating from an environmental standpoint the content of products, and in certain cases the additional responsibilities of companies during their manufacture, transportation and disposal. To insure the widest distribution and acceptance of their products, manufacturers therefore have good reason to take into account a wide variety of differing environmental legal requirements.
There are also other significant business reasons for formulating products with reduced environmental impacts. One such additional reason is to reduce the potential for future litigation if certain chemicals are mishandled (e.g. avoiding Superfund type issues).
The art has therefore begun to develop a number of different techniques for taking into account environmental issues when formulating products and acquiring their raw materials. In one approach the art has developed a public "grading system" of suppliers insofar as their environmental practices are concerned.
If a component is purchased from a company that follows strict environmental protection procedures, the impact on the environment from buying from that company may well be less than if the component is purchased from a company having a history of improper waste disposal. The environmental history of raw material supplier companies, and their current environmental procedures, are being taken into account by various agencies that assign suppliers environmental grades. These grades are made available to purchasing managers, who (all other things being equal or roughly equal) may make purchasing decisions based thereon.
Also known in the art are grading systems which grade possible adverse environmental effects of the resulting products. For example, the art has made a combined environmental impact ranking which factors in a variety of information such as defined toxicity criteria. Such systems are also known to be associated with certain seals of approval by organizations having a perceived objective reputation regarding environmental matters.
However, these prior art systems typically grade a particular component without taking into account that a given component may have significantly different environmental impacts depending on the type of product it is to be used in, and what that product is to be used for. For example, phosphate used in a consumer cleaner intended to be flushed into the drain water supply by consumers would normally be perceived as environmentally undesirable due to foaming problems in rivers and the like, and the tendency of phosphates to increase undesired plant growth. However, the presence of a phosphate in certain industrial cleaners that are typically disposed in other ways could well have little adverse environmental impact.
Also known are systems which adjust the grades of input components of a product by their relative weight in that product. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,765 discloses an environmental grading system in which a product containing multiple components has each of its input components provided with a numerical score based on factors such as toxicity, ingredient bans, and legislative concerns. Each component is compared to a single published limit (such as a Dutch PPT Telecom standard) and a numerical value for that component is assigned.
The scores are then weighted based on the relative percentage weight of the raw material to provide an overall score for the resulting product. Again, only one possible score is provided for a given raw material chemical, regardless of application, albeit that score is weighted by prominence in the final product.
Thus, prior art environmental grading or rating systems do not provide an optimal system for formulating products, especially when a company develops a wide variety of different types of products having different applications, and some chemicals are used in more than one type of product.
To be commercially viable over the long term a product must meet certain cost and performance criteria, regardless of environmental attributes. Thus, in some cases environmental grading will not be the deciding factor. However, it is desired that a better system be developed for evaluating the environmental impact of chemical components and for formulating products having improved environmental characteristics for any given cost and performance criteria. Moreover, even where there are some differences in cost and performance between competing proposed formulas, such an improved environmental grading system is still desired as that will at minimum more meaningfully advise the formulator as to the nature of the trade-offs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for evaluating chemical components based on their proposed function in the product they are to be used in


A surgical retractor is disclosed comprising first and second arms, each arm having a utility end and a handle end; first and second blades connected to the utility end of the first and second arms, each blade being pivotally adjustable about the longitudinal axis of the utility end of the associated arm; the first and second arms are adjustably connected between a closed position and an open position. The surgical retractor has particular application as a vaginal speculum.

Tears along the vaginal wall can be a common problem during childbirth, particularly when an expectant mother pushes the baby towards the birth canal prior to full dilation of the mother's cervix. This involves tearing the tissue of the cervix and the vagina wall. When this occurs, the mother may require post-birth surgery to stitch up the torn tissue, often under general anesthetic.
Tears of the vagina walls, the perinium (which is the area of tissue between the vagina and the anus), and the anus commonly occur during vaginal delivery. Natural perineal tears are referred to by their severity. First-degree tears involve tearing only the skin. Second-degree tears involve tearing muscle. Third-degree tears involve tearing the external anal sphincter muscle. Fourth-degree tears further involve tearing the rectal mucosa.
Sometimes the perinium is purposely cut by a doctor performing an episiotomy, which is an incision into the perinium to enlarge the size of the vaginal opening. A episiotomy is similar to a first or second-degree natural tear.
All of the above tearing or incisions usually require post-delivery operations to stitch up the area. Stitching fourth-degree tears is particularly difficult using known specula given that fourth-degree tears typically extend from the vagina wall all the way to the rectum.
A variety of surgical retractors are known for use during gynaecological examinations and are commonly called specula for this purpose. Specula generally have blades that are moveable between a closed position where the blades are in close proximity to each other and at least one open position wherein the blades are displaced with respect to each other to create an enlarged area within the vaginal canal near the cervix. The base end of each blade is typically connected to the body of the speculum around an enclosed opening of a limited size. A speculum can be adjusted so that the distance between the blades is expanded, allowing a physician to view and work with an expanded vaginal canal.
Existing specula can aid a physician in conducting inspections of the vagina and cervix. However, known speculum have shortcomings when used for surgery, particularly for surgery involving tears along the vaginal wall or cervix.
To stitch up tears of the cervix and vagina wall, it is common for doctors to use a speculum with blades that open to expand the vaginal cavity. This creates a larger opening near the cervix and a smaller opening near the entrance to the vagina.
The only access to a dilated vagina through a typical speculum is through an opening in the speculum that is bordered on all sides by parts of the speculum. This is an opening of limited size. For this reason, it is often difficult for a surgeon to have enough room to stitch a patient's cervix and vagina wall. A typical speculum encumbers or prevents a surgeon from stitching up the entrance of the vagina without removing the speculum.
An example of an existing speculum that encumbers the entrance of the vagina is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,125 issued to Rose. The Rose speculum has two limb members that are moveable with respect to each other. At the rear end of the main limb member is a yoke having two side walls and a free end portion. The only access to the dilated vagina using the Rose speculum is through an opening that is bordered by the main limb member, the side walls of the yoke, and the lower limb member.
U.S. patent application publication No. 2002/0022771 filed by Diokno et al. discloses a vaginal speculum with removable blades. Diokno discloses an upper blade that is pivotally adjustable with respect to the position of the remaining speculum to allow for a larger opening inside the vaginal cavity than at the entrance. When the Diokno blades are not removed, the entrance opening is of a fixed size. When at least one blade is removed, a remaining lower part can be used as a spatula.
Another known speculum uses scissor-type arms. U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,648 to Min discloses a speculum with manually operated scissor arms that have replaceable blade members. The speculum blades include a self-contained fiber optic light source. The Min invention does not disclose the ability to pivotally adjust the angle of the blades.
There exists a need for a surgical retractor suitable for operations wherein the displacement between two blades is both laterally expandable and pivotally adjustable. There is further a need for a surgical retractor that does not significantly encumber the vagina entrance when the retractor is in position for gynaecological operations.

Expandable and pivotally adjustable surgical retractor


An exhaust pipe cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle allows an exhaust pipe cover to be easily positioned and attached even in the case of attaching the exhaust pipe cover to an exhaust pipe attached to an engine. Boss portions each having an internal thread through which an exhaust pipe cover is fastened are provided on a lateral surface of an exhaust pipe. Hooking holes capable of being hooked on the boss portions with play are integrally provided on the inner side of the exhaust pipe cover. In a state where the hooking portions are hooked on the boss portions, part of the boss portions is viewable through attaching holes of the exhaust pipe cover.

A structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle has been disclosed which includes an exhaust pipe cover that covers a lateral side of an exhaust pipe and is fastened to the exhaust pipe (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-041933, for example). In the case of the conventional structure, the exhaust pipe cover can be sub-assembled to a lateral side of a portion of the exhaust pipe, the portion extending in the front-rear direction.
The sub-assembling involves operations of: holding the exhaust pipe cover against the exhaust pipe being one separate body; aligning bolt inserting holes of the exhaust pipe cover and bolt fastening holes of the exhaust pipe; and fastening bolts.

Exhaust pipe cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicle


The invention features an apparatus providing electromagnetic radiation including: a first non-linear optical crystal for converting input radiation from a laser into intermediate radiation; a second non-linear optical crystal for converting the intermediate radiation into output radiation; and a plurality of optics forming an optical cavity that encloses the first and second non-linear optical crystals, substantially confines and resonates the intermediate radiation, and has a cavity length matching the cavity length of the laser to within less than the coherence length of the input radiation. The apparatus can be used to convert the output from a multimode, diode-pumped, solid-state laser into high power ultraviolet radiation.

The invention relates to lasers and systems for converting laser radiation from one frequency to another, e.g., to generate ultraviolet radiation.
There have been significant advances recently in the development of diode-pumped solid-state lasers. Such lasers are compact, reliable, and easy to use and maintain. Typically, these lasers can be connected to conventional AC outlets and produce output powers of a few watts without the need for cumbersome power supplies and coolant systems.
Most diode-pumped solid-state lasers operate multimode. In a multimode laser, multiple longitudinal modes resonate simultaneously without any defined phase coherence, i.e., phase relationships between the longitudinal modes are allowed to fluctuate randomly. Multimode lasers are different from mode-locked and single-mode lasers.
For example, a mode-locked laser includes an element, e.g., an acousto-optic modulator, an electro-optic modulator, or a Kerr-lens aperture, which prevents longitudinal modes from resonating unless they are in-phase and "locked" with one another. The locked longitudinal modes produce as the laser output a train of short pulses spaced from one another by the round-trip time of the laser cavity and each having a duration proportional to the inverse of the frequency bandwidth of the locked longitudinal modes. In a single-mode laser, a single longitudinal mode is preferentially amplified, thereby producing a laser output having a narrow frequency band and a long coherence length. For a general reference on multimode, mode-locked, and single-mode lasers, see, e.g., A. E. Siegman, Lasers, (University Science Books, Mill Valley, Calif., 1986).
For many applications, e.g., material processing, laser marking, and photolithography, the pulsed output of mode-locked lasers and the narrow-frequency output of single-mode lasers are unnecessary. For such applications, multimode lasers, and in particular multimode diode-pumped solid-state lasers, can be more suitable since they tend to be simpler, more compact, and more efficient than comparable mode-locked and single-mode lasers.
However, for many applications, ultraviolet wavelengths are necessary. For example, in photolithography applications, 300 mJ at 193 nm is typically required to process an eight inch diameter wafer in 300 msec. To achieve such wavelengths, the visible to near infrared output of most solid-state lasers can be passed through non-linear optical (NLO) crystals that convert the infrared output into its harmonics in the ultraviolet region. Unfortunately, such conversions typically have poor efficiencies and often require tight focusing that can damage the NLO crystals and affect stability.

Efficient frequency conversion apparatus for use with multimode solid-state lasers


A memory system includes a non-volatile memory having a memory cell array which stores data in a non-volatile manner, and a memory controller which transfers data received from a host to the non-volatile memory in parallel with execution of an operation of verifying validity of the data. A corresponding method is also described.

In recent years, the capacity of a NAND type flash memory which is a non-volatile memory is increased and as a memory system with this NAND type flash memory mounted therein, a solid state drive (SSD) is attracting attention.
In devices such as a PC, a tablet PC, and a smartphone, in which an SSD is mounted therein, it is important to ensure security to prevent unauthorized rewriting of data into a non-volatile memory and the like. Therefore, an operation of verifying the validity of data may be performed on written data transferred from the outside. It takes time for such an operation, and the time for a write process to the non-volatile memory is required.


Memory queues described herein use a single hardware and/or software architecture for a memory array. This memory array can be partitioned to be between one memory sub-array to implement a single memory queue and multiple memory sub-arrays to implement multiple memory queues. Various electrical signals provided by or provided to these multiple memory queues include addressing information to associate these various control signals with one or more of the multiple memory sub-arrays. In some situations, the memory queues can externally associate their corresponding read pointers to entries of one of their memory sub-arrays. In these situations, these memory queues can dynamically associate their read pointers to point to any entry from among their memory arrays and to read the data store therein starting from any random entry within their memory arrays.

Memory queues are used in a wide variety of applications for storing information. These applications vary from computer architectures for storing instructions for execution by a processor to communication architectures for storing information for delivery within a communication system. These memory queues can be classified as synchronous memory queues or asynchronous memory queues. Synchronous memory queues refer to memory queues that read and/or write data from a single clocking domain whereas asynchronous memory queues refer to memory queues that read data from a first clock domain and write data from a second, asynchronous clock domain.

Memory array architectures for memory queues


A system and method include a database configured to store results of wagers on at least one prior game for a plurality of players, a first server, a second server, and an application executable by a user computing device processor. The first server queries the database to receive the results of the wagers and to determine a ranked list of leaders based at least in part on the results of the wagers. The application presents the ranked list of leaders to a user, enables the user to select one of the leaders, and transmits data representative of the selected leader to the first server. The second server receives the selected leader from the first server and automatically links the user with the selected leader such that when the leader places a wager, the second server automatically places the same wager on behalf of the user.

Sports wagering is very popular with bettors and comprises a significant source of revenue for bookmakers. Additionally, sports betting provides a significant amount of tax revenue when conducted in jurisdictions in which sports betting has been legalized. Currently, in the United States, sports betting is only legal if bets are placed within the state of Nevada. Accordingly, bettors who wish to wager on sports games must be physically present in the state of Nevada.
Typically, wagers are placed on sports games in a race and sports book within a casino, for example. A player fills out a card with the desired wager amount and the outcome the player wishes to wager on. However, having to physically travel to a location that legally offers sports betting may be inconvenient and costly. As a result, some prospective bettors who would like to bet on sports games may be prevented or discouraged from doing so. This leads to a loss in gaming revenue for the state of Nevada, for race and sports books, and for casinos and other gaming establishments. Since people who bet on sports games are more likely to watch the games, this may also lead to a loss of advertising and other revenue for sports franchises and media distribution companies.
Some players also pay for so-called "tout" services in which betting experts provide recommended bets for the players to place in exchange for a fee. Such services can be expensive for the players, and the recommended bets provided by the experts may not end up winning. Accordingly, many times, the players may not reap the benefit of the tout fees paid.
The present disclosure is aimed at solving one or more of the problems identified above.

Database and server for automatic wagering


A method of cutting an elongate timber web which forms on each of two opposed ends thereof a tapered end shape including a series of at least four cuts at successive angles to approximate an arcuate convex end. The method includes the steps of performing first and second passes of the web through a saw having cutter groups at adjustably spaced apart locations, each cutter group having at least two cutters (101, 102, 103, 104) set to angles so that the cutters of each cutter group correspond to a subset of said series of cuts (201, 202, 203, 204) at a respective end of the web. The web is rotated between the passes, the rotation between passes and the cutter settings together result in a multi-faceted end cut.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of cutting segmented-end timber webs of the type used in manufacture of roof trusses by the "Turb-O-Web"™ method. In particular, the invention relates to a method of cutting the ends of a timber board with 4 or more cuts at each end so as to approximate a semi-circular end.
2. Description of the Art
The Turb-O-Web method of roof truss construction—which is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,176,060, 6,249,972 6,415,511 and 6,688,067—offers substantial efficiency gains in the construction of oblique roof trusses for building construction, by adapting the truss construction to use webs having standardised tapered end shapes and, usually, also predetermined incremental lengths. The contents of those patents are incorporated herein by reference.
The preferred end shapes for the Turb-O-Web method are semicircular, or a segmented end shape which approximates a semicircle by a series of 4 or more (usually 5 or 7) straight cuts at successive angles.
The cutting of the end shapes of the webs in the Turb-O-Web method, whilst extremely efficient, has hitherto required the use of more specialised saws than those typically used for custom cutting the webs for conventionally-constructed trusses.


A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition, which comprises the steps of:                (1) supplying at least an olefin copolymer rubber and an olefin resin to a plasticization-kneading zone of a biaxial extruder, which zone has at least two kneading discs forming a tip clearance of 1% or larger and smaller than 10% of an inner diameter of a cylinder in the biaxial extruder, thereby forming a melt-kneaded product; and        (2) supplying an organic peroxide to a dynamically cross-linking zone of the biaxial extruder, which zone (i) is located after the plasticization-kneading zone, and (ii) has at least two kneading discs forming a tip clearance of 1% or smaller of the inner diameter of the cylinder in the biaxial extruder, thereby dynamically cross-linking the melt-kneaded product with the organic peroxide.

Regarding a process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising the step of dynamically cross-linking a rubber and a resin with a specific biaxial extruder:
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,052A discloses a process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition using an olefin copolymer rubber and an olefin plastic; and
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,981B2 discloses a process for producing an olefin thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a polyolefin resin and a cross-linked rubber.
Since each of the above-mentioned processes comprises the steps of (i) mixing starting materials in a mixer with one another, thereby forming a mixture, and (ii) supplying the mixture to a biaxial extruder, there is a problem in that each process has the extra step (i) of mixing preliminarily the starting materials prior to the supply of them to the biaxial extruder.

Process for producing thermoplastic elastomer composition


The endcover assembly for a combustor includes an endcover having an aperture, an insert disposed in the stepped bore opening through an internal face of the endcover, a fuel cartridge extending through the insert and aperture and a seal cover on the external face of the endcover. Seal cover/endcover annular seals are disposed in registering axial cavities to seal against fluid leakage externally of the endcover assembly. Generally C-shaped and W-shaped seals are disposed in the cavities between the stepped shoulders of the insert and aperture to seal against leakage through the internal face of the endcover. The seals maintain sealing engagement during assembly and thermal distortion during turbine usage.

The present invention relates to a turbine combustor endcover assembly employing seals between the endcover and endcover inserts and fuel nozzle cartridge to define seal boundaries with respect to purge air and fuel flow passages internal to the endcover assembly and accommodate thermal deflection of the various parts forming the endcover assembly.
As common in gas turbines, a plurality of combustors are arranged in an annular array about the turbine to provide for the combustion of fuel and guide the energized combustion products into the turbine section to drive the turbine. Each combustor typically includes an outer casing which defines the external boundary of the combustor, a flow sleeve for distributing compressor discharge air to the head of the combustion system while cooling a liner which encloses the combustion process and a transition piece for flowing the combustion products into the turbine section. The combustor also includes a plurality of fuel nozzles coupled to an endcover. Air and fuel is supplied through the endcover to the fuel nozzles for combustion within the liner. The endcover thus functions to distribute air and fuel to the fuel nozzles.
Endcover designs for turbine combustor systems typically have included a flat plate mounting the fuel nozzle to an endcover. In this early endcover assembly, the internal passages for the air and fuel were located in the fuel nozzle separate and apart from the endcover. A follow-on generation of endcovers used in gas turbines provided air and fuel passages internal to the endcover. This was done to accommodate a plurality of nozzles for each endcover rather than one fuel nozzle per endcover as in prior conventional combustors. While that change simplified the fuel nozzles and enabled the mounting of a plurality of fuel nozzles onto the endcover, the complexity of the endcover was increased to provide the air and fuel manifolds and necessary multiple passages internal to the endcover for the fuel nozzles carried thereby. Extra parts were necessary, such as inserts, to render complex passages in the endcovers possible. Brazed joints were also included to seal such extra parts, including inserts in the endcovers. A further generation of endcovers for turbine combustors followed. These employed even more complicated brazed joints between the endcovers and its various parts. However, cracking of the brazed joints was observed on these follow-on endcovers.
Upon analysis, the cracking appeared to be the result of high brazed joint strains which, in turn, resulted from both the complex passage geometry within the endcover and thermal gradients across the brazed joints. For example, as explained below and illustrated in FIG. 2, the endcover included a plurality of fuel nozzles bolted thereto with the various fuel and air passages of the nozzles lying in communication with air and fuel passages formed by manifolds in the endcover. Particularly, an insert was provided in an aperture opening between opposite sides of the endcover and which insert in part defined the fuel and air passages from the manifolds in the endcover to the fuel nozzles. Cracks were experienced between the brazed joints of the inserts and the endcover defining the fuel and air passages, as well as between the fuel cartridge and cover flange along the external surface of the endcover. Accordingly, there is a need for an endcover assembly having internal fuel and air manifolds for connection with fuel and air passages in inserts and fuel cartridges which avoids the problem of cracking of brazed joints between the parts forming the endcover assembly.


The invention is a method of training grapevines comprising dividing fruiting canes into three horizontal zones and two vertical zones. One aspect of the present invention is a method of training grapevines having a plurality of fruiting canes comprising: separating the fruiting canes into an upper canopy and a lower canopy, then dividing the upper canopy into a first upper cane section and a second upper cane section, restraining the first upper cane section to grow along a substantially horizontal first upper wire and restraining the second upper section to grow along a substantially horizontal second upper wire, and tying the lower canopy to grow along a substantially horizontal low wire. The method of training grapevines may also comprise defining a plurality of renewal canes. The renewal canes may be down to renewal spurs. The renewal spurs may have two buds. Each of the renewal spurs may be about 2.5 cm long.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of training a grapevine for optimal fruit yield.
B. Description of the Prior Art
As members of the Vitis plant family, grapevines are climbing plants that are not self-supporting, unlike most trees. While grapevines have woody trunks, the weight of a vine's leafy canopy and grape clusters will often bring the vine's canes down towards the ground unless it receives some form of support. In viticulture, growers want to prevent any part of the canes from touching the ground because of the vine's natural inclination to send out suckers or basal shoots and take root in that area where the cane is touching the ground.
Other reasons for vine training involve setting up the vineyard and each individual vine canopy for more efficient labor usage or mechanization. Vines that are trained to have their "fruiting zone" of grape clusters at waist to chest height are easier for vineyard workers to harvest without straining their bodies with excessive bending or reaching. Similarly, keeping the fruiting zone in a consistent spot on each vine makes it easier to set up machinery for pruning, spraying and harvesting.
Most commercial grapevines are trained on a trellis system to manage the growth of the grapevine and to facilitate application of water, fertilizers, and insecticides. The trellis system also enables training the grapevine in a way to admit more sunlight to the interior canes for optimal fruit bearing.
Optimal vine training systems are designed to avoid excessive shading of the fruit by the leafy growth, the canopy. While some shading is beneficial, especially in very hot and sunny climates, to prevent heat stress, excessive amounts of shading can have negative impact on grape development. As a photosynthetic plant, grapevines need access to sunlight in order to complete their physiological processes. Even if the leaves at the top of the canopy are receiving plenty of sunlight, the young buds, grape clusters and leaves below will still experience some negative impact. During the annual growth cycle of the grapevine, excessive shading can reduce the success rate of bud formation, budbreak, fruit set, as well as the size and quantity of grape berries on a cluster.
The grape clusters themselves receive some benefit from getting direct sunlight through enhance ripening of various phenolic compounds that can contribute to a wine's aroma and quality. In addition to having decreased physiological ripeness, excessive shade will negatively impact a grape's quality by causing increases in the levels of potassium, malic acid and pH in the grapes while decreasing the amount of sugar, and tartaric acid. Beyond a lack of sunlight, excessive shading limits the amount of air circulation that can take place within a vine's fruiting canopy. In wet, humid climates poor air circulation can promote the development of various grape diseases such as powdery mildew and gray rot.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,585,756 describes training young fruit bearing canes to a wire so that the canes grow horizontally along the wire. This patent describes the grapevine canes trained to curve upward so there is only one canopy layer, not multiple distinct canopy layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,109 describes training a grapevine so that the fruiting canes grow in a horizontal canopy. However, the fruiting canes are not separated into different levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,318 describes a method of raising vine plants by separating the fruiting cane portion from the renewal cane portion. The fruiting canes are placed in an upper zone, and the renewal canes are placed in a lower zone. The fruiting canes are not separated into different levels.


Provided are a method, a corresponding apparatus and a computer program product for performing a group authentication and key agreement procedure. A method comprises initiating, by a master device in a group of devices, a group authentication and key agreement procedure towards an authentication entity, wherein a shared group key is defined for use in the group authentication and key agreement procedure; performing mutual authentication between the master device and the authentication entity based upon the shared group key; and performing mutual authentication between the authenticated master device and other devices in the group based upon the shared group key for completion of the group authentication and key agreement procedure. With the claimed invention, the impact of the signaling overhead on a network can be significantly decreased without substantive modification to the existing architecture of the network.

Various abbreviations that appear in the specification and/or in the drawing figures are defined as below:                3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project        LTE Long Term Evolution        BS Base Station        MS Mobile Station        MME Mobility Management Entity        UE User Equipment        IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity        ASME Access Security Management Entity        TMSI Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity        MTC Machine Type Communication        HSS Home Subscriber Server        IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity        AV Authentication Vector        USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module        AUTN Authentication Token        RAND Random Challenge        GPRS General Packet Radio Service        SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node        XRES Expected Response        CK Cipher Key        IK Integrity Key        AK Anonymity Key        XMAC Expected Message Authentication Code        MAC Message Authentication Code        AuC Authentication Center        AKA Authentication and Key Agreement
An AKA procedure is a procedure that has been employed by many communication systems of today for the purpose of improving system security and robustness. One such an AKA procedure has been detailed in 3GPP Technical Specifications 33.102 and 33.401, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The AKA procedure, which may involve a challenge-response authentication procedure as known in the art, will inevitably cause certain amount of signaling overhead. When the number of devices to be authenticated in the AKA procedure is relatively low, it will merely cause small amount of overhead for the network. However, in a situation where devices to be simultaneously authenticated are numerous, it will generate tremendous signaling overhead that may burden the bandwidth and processing capability of the network. This is especially true for machine-type communications in which many MTC devices formed in groups will initiate their own AKA procedures towards the network simultaneously and thereby make negative impact on the network. For more information regarding MTC communications, see 3GPP Technical Report 33.868, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Therefore, what is needed in the prior art is means for performing a group AKA procedure on a group of devices in an efficient and secure manner such that the impact of signaling overhead on the network could be decreased.

Performing a group authentication and key agreement procedure


An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a developing method thereof are provided. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image carrier body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing roller which faces the image carrier body and supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier body, and an anti-toner-dispersion element which faces an outer circumferential surface of the image carrier body between an exposing section where the electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing section where the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller. A collection bias is applied to the anti-toner-dispersion element to collect dispersed toner from the developing roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a developing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can minimize or prevent toner dispersion by employing an anti-toner-dispersion element that collects the toner dispersed during a developing process, and a developing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copy machines, printers, facsimiles, and multi-function printers develop a toner image by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier body which is formed from a digital image signal.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which includes an image carrier body 1, a developing roller 2, a charging unit 5, and an exposing unit 7.
The charging unit 5 contacts one side of the image carrier body 1, and the developing roller 2 faces another side of the image carrier body 1. Light is exposed onto the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier body 1 between the developing roller 2 and the charging unit 5 using a laser beam irradiated by the exposing unit 7.
The outer circumferential surface of the image carrier body 1 is charged to a uniform electric potential by the charging unit 5, and is then exposed to the laser beam irradiated by the exposing unit 7 in response to a digital image signal to form an electrostatic latent image. As the image carrier body 1 rotates, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier body 1 moves towards the developing roller 2. As the electrostatic latent image moves to the closest position between the image carrier body 1 and the developing roller 2, some toner of a toner layer formed on the developing roller 2 moves onto the electrostatic latent image by an electrostatic force so that the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred and printed onto a recording medium, while the image carrier body 1 rotates.
As the printing speed becomes higher, the developing roller 2 rotates faster. This may disperse toner during a developing process by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the developing roller 2 or by an air current generated by the rotation of the image carrier body 1 or the developing roller 2. The dispersed toner may contaminate the inside of a developing unit containing the developing roller 2 and the image forming apparatus, or may contaminate a non-image portion of the image carrier body 1 if the toner is dispersed between an exposing section and a developing section of the image carrier body 1. In particular, since the toner may not be sufficiently charged due to high speed printing, more reverse polarity toner is present in the toner layer formed on the developing roller 2, and the reverse polarity toner is attached to the non-image portion of the image carrier body 1. As a result, the reverse polarity toner contaminates the non-image portion and remains intact during the developing process, which leads to image contamination.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved electrophotographic image forming apparatus which minimizes toner dispersion.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and developing method thereof


A system for damping vibrations in a turbine includes a first rotating blade having a first ceramic airfoil, a first ceramic platform connected to the first ceramic airfoil, and a first root connected to the first ceramic platform. A second rotating blade adjacent to the first rotating blade includes a second ceramic airfoil, a second ceramic platform connected to the second ceramic airfoil, and a second root connected to the second ceramic platform. A non-metallic platform damper has a first position in simultaneous contact with the first and second ceramic platforms.

Turbines are widely used in a variety of aviation, industrial, and power generation applications to perform work. Each turbine generally includes alternating stages of peripherally mounted stator vanes and rotating blades. The stator vanes may be attached to a stationary component such as a casing that surrounds the turbine, and the rotating blades may be attached to a rotor located along an axial centerline of the turbine. A compressed working fluid, such as steam, combustion gases, or air, flows along a hot gas path through the turbine to produce work. The stator vanes accelerate and direct the compressed working fluid onto the subsequent stage of rotating blades to impart motion to the rotating blades, thus turning the rotor and performing work.
Each rotating blade generally includes an airfoil connected to a platform that defines at least a portion of the hot gas path. The platform in turn connects to a root that may slide into a slot in the rotor to hold the rotating blade in place. Alternately, the root may slide into an adaptor which in turn slides into the slot in the rotor. At operational speeds, the rotating blades may vibrate at natural or resonant frequencies that create stresses in the roots, adaptors, and/or slots that may lead to accelerated material fatigue. Therefore, various damper systems have been developed to damp vibrations between adjacent rotating blades. In some damper systems, a metal rod or damper is inserted between adjacent platforms, adjacent adaptors, and/or between the root and the adaptor or the rotor. At operational speeds, the weight of the damper seats the damper against the complementary surfaces to exert force against the surfaces and damp vibrations.
Higher operating temperatures generally result in improved thermodynamic efficiency and/or increased power output. Higher operating temperatures also lead to increased erosion, creep, and low cycle fatigue of various components along the hot gas path. As a result, ceramic material composite (CMC) materials are increasingly being incorporated into components exposed to the higher temperatures associated with the hot gas path. As CMC materials become incorporated into the airfoils, platforms, and/or roots of rotating blades, the ceramic surfaces of the rotating blades more readily abrade the conventional metallic dampers. The increased abrasion of the metallic dampers may create additional foreign object debris along the hot gas path and/or reduce the mass of the dampers, reducing the damping force created by the dampers. Therefore, an improved system for damping vibrations in a turbine would be useful.

System for damping vibrations in a turbine