The technical field of this invention concerns medical devices useful for the repair of injured nerves and methods for preparing and using such devices for nerve repairs.
The problem of repairing severed nerves is a long-standing one that has plagued surgeons for over a hundred years. Despite advances in microsurgical techniques, a patient's recovery from a serious wound is often limited by a degree of nerve damage which cannot be repaired. The replanting of amputated fingers and limbs is especially limited by poor nerve regeneration.
When a nerve is severed, the functions supplied by that nerve, both motor and sensory, are lost. The nerve cells' appendages (axons) in the distal (the furthest away from the spinal cord) portions of the severed nerve degenerate and die leaving only the sheaths in which they were contained. The axons in the proximal stump that are still connected to the spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion, also suffer some degeneration. The degeneration generally does not proceed to the death of the entire nerve cell bodies. If the injury occurs far enough from the nerve cell bodies, regeneration will occur. Axonal sprouts will appear from the tip of the regenerating axon. These sprouts grow distally and attempt to reenter the intact neurilemnal sheaths of the distal portion of the severed nerve. If entry is successfully made, axonal growth will continue down these sheaths and function will eventually be restored.
In the conventional approach to nerve repair, an attempt is made to align the cut ends of the fascicles (nerve bundles within the nerve trunk). A similar approach is taken with smaller nerves. In either case, the chief hazard to the successful repair is the trauma produced by the manipulation of the nerve ends and the subsequent suturing to maintain alignment. The trauma appears to stimulate the growth and/or migration of fibroblasts and other scar-forming connective tissue cells. The scar tissue prevents the regenerating axons in the proximal stump from reaching the distal stump to reestablish a continuous pathway. The result is a permanent loss of sensory or motor function.
Various attempts have been made over the years to find a replacement for direct (i.e., nerve stump-to-nerve-stump suturing). Much of the research in this field has focused on the use of "channels" or tubular prostheses which permit the cut ends of the nerve to be gently drawn into proximity and secured in place without undue trauma. It is also generally believed that such channels can also prevent, or at least retard, the infiltration of scar-forming connective tissue.
The use of silastic cuffs for peripheral nerve repair was reported by Ducker et al. in Vol. 28, Journal of Neurosurgery, pp. 582-587 (1968). Silicone rubber sheathing for nerve repair was reported by Midgley et al. in Vol. 19, Surgical Forum, pp. 519-528 (1968) and by Lundborg, et al. in Vol. 41, Journal of Neuropathology in Experimental Neurology, pp. 412-422 (1982). The use of bioresorbable polyglactin mesh tubing was reported by Molander et al. in Vol. 5, Muscle & Nerve, pp. 54-58 (1982). The use of semipermeable acrylic copolymer tubes in nerve regeneration was disclosed by Uzman et al. in Vol. 9, Journal of Neuroscience Research, pp. 325-338 (1983). Bioresorbable nerve guidance channels of polyesters and other polymers have been reported by Nyilas et al. in Vol. 29, Transactions Am. Soc. Artif. Internal Organs, pp. 307-313 (1983) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,349 issued to Barrows in 1985.
Despite the indentification of various materials which can serve as nerve guidance channels, the results of research to date have revealed significant shortcomings in such prostheses. Some of the materials identified above have lead to inflammatory reactions in the test animals and have failed to exclude scar tissue formation within the channels. Moreover, the total number of axons, the number of myelinated axons, the thickness of the epineurium, and the fascicular organization of nerves regenerated within guidance channels are all typically less than satisfactory and compare poorly with the original nerve structure of the test animals. Moreover, the loss of sensory or motor function is still the most common outcome of such laboratory experiments.
There exists a need for a better materials and methods for formation of nerve guidance channels. Materials and methods for nerve repair that would minimize surgical trauma, prevent interference with nerve growth by scar tissue, and improve the chances for successful recovery of sensory or motor function, would satisfy a long-felt need in this field.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of compressed air and gas systems, and more particularly to air/gas-driven tools, such as paint guns and other equipment. The present invention further relates to dryness indicators designed to visually indicate the moisture content of compressed gas or air delivered to a point of use.
2. Description of Prior Art
Typical compressed air or gas produced by a compressor apparatus is saturated with 50% to 100% relative humidity. Removal of this moisture vapor requires that an air/gas drying system be used, such as a refrigerated dryer or an adsorbent type of dryer. Such apparatus are generally very effective, the latter being typically capable of drying compressed air or gas to below-zero dew point levels. Notwithstanding such drying measures, there is unfortunately no guarantee that the compressed air or gas will have the desired dryness by the time it arrives through an air/gas feed system to a downstream point of use. Compressed air lines, various fitting and regulation devices, or improper operation of the dryer system all represent sources of residual moisture vapor entrainment in the air/gas feed system. This means that moisture-treated compressed air or gas may be carrying unwanted moisture vapor when it goes into use as an application.
One area where this problem tends to occur is in paint booth operations where compressed air or gas is used as a propellant to atomize and expel paint from a paint gun. Even though extraordinary measures are often implemented to eliminate moisture vapor at the compressed air/gas source, moisture can still be delivered to the paint gun. In some cases, this may be due to the drying system losing effectiveness due to a malfunction or other problem. However, even if the drying system is operating at full operational efficiency, the lengthy hoses connecting the air source to the paint gun can introduce unwanted moisture vapor into the system. In particular, these hoses can be disconnected and re-connected any number of times throughout the course of a painting application. Each time a disconnection occurs, moisture-laden ambient air is allowed to enter the air/gas line, and will feed through the paint gun until such time as it evacuated from the line and replaced by dry air/gas coming from the air/gas source. Any time there is excess moisture vapor in a paint gun, unwanted fouling can occur that results in a bad and unacceptable paint job. In most cases, the unsuspecting painter will assume the air/gas quality is satisfactory, particularly when there is sophisticated drying equipment operating at the air/gas source.
Various dryness indicators have been proposed for use in compressed air, gas and refrigerant applications. These typically involve the use of a moisture-adsorbing silica gel desiccant that is impregnated with a chemical moisture indicator, such as a cobalt salt. This particular chemical indicator is normally a deep blue color when it is dry, but gradually turns a light pink color in proportion to the amount of moisture that is present as the salt hydrates. In a dryness indicator, the color-indicating desiccant is placed in contact with a compressed air/gas stream within a transparent or translucent container, so that the desiccant can be viewed during operations.
Prior art dryness indicators tend to have design features that prevent them from being optimally suited for point-of-use operation in conjunction with a hand-held air/gas-driven tool, such as a paint gun, where moisture monitoring is most needed. In all of the reference materials reviewed, the prior art dryness indicators form part of a filter/dryer that requires a relatively large quantity of desiccant to effectively remove moisture for a reasonable length of time. This quantity of desiccant is more than that which is required to indicate dryness. The filter/dryers in which prior art dryness indicators are incorporated also tend to include additional elements to condense and remove moisture droplets from the air/gas stream, and to trap oil, line debris and other contaminants. As a result of the foregoing design features, most prior art dryness indicators are large or bulky, and not suitable for point-of-use operation.
It is to solving the foregoing problems that the present invention is directed. What is particularly needed is an improved compressed air/gas dryness indicator that is optimized for point-of-use operation with an air/gas-driven tool, such as a paint gun. Ideally, the dryness indicator needs to provide a visual indication identifying the exact state of dryness of the compressed air/gas line, yet must be unobtrusive and afford full freedom of movement at the point-of-use without any impediment of bulky filters, desiccant containers, cumbersome vessels, etc. The dryness indicator additionally needs to be easy to install and use, should be simple and inexpensive, and should require little or no maintenance.


The present invention relates generally to the imaging of objects in highly scattering turbid media and more particularly to a novel technique for imaging objects in highly scattering turbid media.
As can readily be appreciated, there are many situations in which the detection of an object present in a highly scattering turbid medium is highly desirable. For instance, the detection of a tumor embedded within a tissue is one such example. Although X-ray techniques do provide some measure of success in detecting objects in turbid media, they are not well-suited for detecting very small objects, e.g., tumors less than 1 mm in size, or for detecting objects in thick media. In addition, X-ray radiation can present safety hazards to a person exposed thereto.
An alternative technique used to detect objects in turbid media is transillumination. In transillumination, visible or near infrared (NIR) light is incident on one side of a medium and the light emergent from the opposite side of the medium is used to form an image. Objects embedded in the medium typically absorb the incident light and appear in the image as shadows. Unfortunately, the usefulness of transillumination as a detection technique is severely limited in those instances in which the medium is thick or the object is very small. This is because light scattering within the medium contributes to noise and reduces the intensity of the unscattered light used to form the image shadow.
To improve the detectability of small objects located in a turbid medium using transillumination, many investigators have attempted to selectively use only certain components of the transilluminating light signal. This may be done by exploiting the properties of photon migration through a scattering medium. Photons migrating through a turbid medium have traditionally been categorized into three major signal components: (1) the ballistic (coherent) photons which arrive first by traveling over the shortest, most direct path; (2) the snake (quasi-coherent) photons which arrive within the first .delta.t after the ballistic photons and which deviate, only to a very slight extent, off a straight-line propagation path; and (3) the diffusive (incoherent) photons which experience comparatively more scattering than do ballistic and snake photons and, therefore, deviate more considerably from the straight-line propagation path followed by ballistic and snake photons.
Because it has been believed that ballistic and snake photons contain the least distorted image information and that diffusive photons lose most of the image information, efforts to make transillumination work most effectively with turbid media have focused on techniques which permit the selective detection of ballistic and snake photons while rejecting diffusive photons. This process of selection and rejection has been implemented in various time-gating, space-gating and time/space-gating techniques. Patents, patent applications and publications which disclose certain of these techniques include U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,463, inventors Yoo et al., which issued Aug. 18, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,372, inventors Alfano et al., which issued Aug. 25, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,912, inventors Ho et al., which issued Jul. 13, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,368, inventors Alfano et al., issued Dec. 6, 1994; Alfano et al., "Photons for prompt tumor detection," Physics World, pp. 37-40 (January 1992); Wang et al., "Ballistic 2-D Imaging Through Scattering Walls Using an Ultrafast Optical Kerr Gate," Science, Vol. 253, pp. 769-771 (Aug. 16, 1991); Wang et al., "Kerr-Fourier imaging of hidden objects in thick turbid media," Optics Letters, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 241-243 (Feb. 1, 1993); Yoo et al., "Time-resolved coherent and incoherent components of forward light scattering in random media," Optics Letters, Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 320-322 (Mar. 15, 1990); Das et al., "Ultrafast time-gated imaging in thick tissues: a step toward optical mammography," Optics Letters, 18(13):1092-4 (1993); Chen et al., "Two-dimensional imaging through diffusing media using 150-fs gated electronic holography techniques," Optics Letters, Vol. 16, No. 7, pp. 487-489 (Apr. 1, 1991); Duncan et al., "Time-gated imaging through scattering media using stimulated Raman amplification," Optics Letters, Vol. 16, No. 23, pp. 1868-1870 (Dec. 1, 1991), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Of the above-listed art, Wang et al., "Kerr-Fourier imaging of hidden objects in thick turbid media," Optics Letters, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 241-243 (Feb. 1, 1993) is illustrative of transillumination techniques which selectively use the ballistic and/or snake components of light. In this article, there is disclosed a time/space-gating system for use in imaging opaque test bars hidden inside a 5.5 cm-thick 2.5% Intralipid solution. The disclosed system includes three main parts: a laser source, an optical Kerr gate and a detector. The laser source is a picosecond mode-locked laser system, which emits a 1054 nm, 8 ps laser pulse train as the illumination source. The second harmonic of the pulse train, which is generated by transmission through a potassium dihydrate phosphate (KDP) crystal, is used as the gating source. The illumination source is sent through a variable time-delay and is then used to transilluminate, from one side, the turbid medium containing the opaque object. The signal from the turbid medium located at the front focal plane of a lens is collected and transformed to a Kerr cell located at its back focal plane (i.e., the Fourier-transform spectral plane of a 4F system). That portion of the Kerr cell located at the focal point of the 4F system is gated at the appropriate time using the gating source so that only the ballistic and snake components are permitted to pass therethrough. The spatial-filtered and temporal-segmented signal is then imaged by a second lens onto a CCD camera.
Although techniques of the type described above, which selectively use ballistic and snake photons to image objects in turbid media, have enjoyed a modicum of success, such techniques have been limited by the fact that detected light signals derived from ballistic and snake photons are typically rather weak, due to the proportionately small number of transilluminated ballistic and snake photons. This problem is further exacerbated in those instances in which the turbid medium is thick and the likelihood of substantial scattering increases.
Accordingly, because diffusive photons constitute the greatest component of the transilluminated light signal, it would be highly desirable to make use of the diffusive component of the light signal in forming an image via transillumination. This objective is made difficult, however, by the fact that diffusive photons tend to traverse a medium along ill-defined paths. One approach to this problem has been to invert the experimental scattering data obtained from various points in the medium using some inverse algorithm and reconstruction approach. This approach is often called diffusion tomography since diffusion or scattering is the dominant factor in the problem. In diffusion tomography, one produces an internal map of the scattering medium using the scattered signals and a mathematical inversion algorithm. The inversion is based upon the physical and mathematical principles governing photon propagation in turbid media. Both time-resolved data and frequency domain data can be used for reconstruction. Examples of diffusion tomography techniques include Arridge, "The Forward and Inverse Problems in Time Resolved Infra-Red Imaging," Medical Optical Tomography: Functional Imaging and Monitoring SPIE Institutes, Vol. IS11, G. Muller ed., 31-64 (1993); Singer et al., "Image Reconstruction of the Interior of Bodies That Diffuse Radiation," Science, 248:990-3 (1993); Barbour et al., "A Perturbation Approach for Optical Diffusion Tomography Using Continuous-Wave and Time-Resolved Data," Medical Optical Tomography: Functional Imaging and Monitoring SPIE Institutes, Vol. IS11, G. Muller ed., 87-120 (1993); M. Patterson et al., SPIE, 1767, 372 (1992); J. Schotland et al., App. Opt., 32, 448 (1993), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing diffusion tomography techniques do not lead to a resolution that is better than about 5-10 mm. Moreover, these techniques are time-consuming and do not readily lend themselves to real-time use.


This invention is concerned with apparatus for a ball game.


This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the production of hydrocarbons from earth formations, and more particularly, to those hydrocarbon-bearing deposits where the oil viscosity and saturation are so high that sufficient steam injectivity cannot be obtained by current steam injection methods. Most particularly this invention relates to an apparatus and method for the production of hydrocarbons from tar sand deposits containing layers of high electrical conductivity and having vertical hydraulic connectivity between the various geologic sequences.
Reservoirs in many parts of the world are abundant in heavy oil and tar sands. For example, those in Alberta, Canada; Utah and California in the United States; the Orinoco Belt of Venezuela; and the USSR. Such tar sand deposits contain an energy potential estimated to be quite great, with the total world reserve of tar sand deposits estimated to be 2,100 billion barrels of oil, of which about 980 billion are located in Alberta, Canada, and of which 18 billion barrels of oil are present in shallow deposits in the United States.
Conventional recovery of hydrocarbons from heavy oil deposits is generally accomplished by steam injection to swell and lower the viscosity of the crude to the point where it can be pushed toward the production wells. In those reservoirs where steam injectivity is high enough, this is a very efficient means of heating and producing the formation. Unfortunately, a large number of reservoirs contain tar of sufficiently high viscosity and saturation that initial steam injectivity is severely limited, so that even with a number of "huff-and-puff" pressure cycles, very little steam can be injected into the deposit without exceeding the formation fracturing pressure. Most of these tar sand deposits have previously not been capable of economic production.
In steam flooding deposits with low injectivity the major hurdle to production is establishing and maintaining a flow channel between injection and production wells. Several proposals have been made to provide horizontal wells or conduits within a tar sand deposit to deliver hot fluids such as steam into the deposit, thereby heating and reducing the viscosity of the bitumen in tar sands adjacent to the horizontal well or conduit. U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,557 discloses use of such a conduit with a perforated section to allow entry of steam into, and drainage of mobilized tar out of, the tar sand deposit. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,994,340 and 4,037,658 disclose use of such conduits or wells simply to heat an adjacent portion of deposit, thereby allowing injection of steam into the mobilized portions of the tar sand deposit.
Several prior art proposals designed to overcome the steam injectivity problem have been made for various means of electrical or electromagnetic heating of tar sands. One category of such proposals has involved the placement of electrodes in conventional injection and production wells between which an electric current is passed to heat the formation and mobilize the tar. This concept is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,671 and 3,958,636. A similar concept has been presented by Towson at the Second International Conference on Heavy Crude and Tar Sand (UNITAR/UNDP Information Center, Caracas, Venezuela, Sept. 1982). A novel variation, employing aquifers above and below a viscous hydrocarbon-bearing formation, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,988. In U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30738, Bridges and Taflove disclose a system and method for in-situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations utilizing a plurality of elongated electrodes inserted in the formation and bounding a particular volume of a formation. A radio frequency electrical field is used to dielectrically heat the deposit. The electrode array is designed to generate uniform controlled heating throughout the bounded volume.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,435, Bridges and Taflove again disclose a waveguide structure bounding a particular volume of earth formation. The waveguide is formed of rows of elongated electrodes in a "dense array" defined such that the spacing between rows is greater than the distance between electrodes in a row. In order to prevent vaporization of water at the electrodes, at least two adjacent rows of electrodes are kept at the same potential. The block of the formation between these equipotential rows is not heated electrically and acts as a heat sink for the electrodes. Electrical power is supplied at a relatively low frequency (60 Hz or below) and heating is by electric conduction rather than dielectric displacement currents. The temperature at the electrodes is controlled below the vaporization point of water to maintain an electrically conducting path between the electrodes and the formation. Again, the "dense array" of electrodes is designed to generate relatively uniform heating throughout the bounded volume.
Hiebert et al ("Numerical Simulation Results for the Electrical Heating of Athabasca Oil Sand Formations," Reservoir Engineering Journal, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Jan. 1986) focus on the effect of electrode placement on the electric heating process. They depict the oil or tar sand as a highly resistive material interspersed with conductive water sands and shale layers. Hiebert et al propose to use the adjacent cap and base rocks (relatively thick, conductive water sands and shales) as an extended electrode sandwich to uniformly heat the oil sand formation from above and below.
These examples show that previous proposals have concentrated on achieving substantially uniform heating in a block of a formation so as to avoid overheating selected intervals. The common conception is that it is wasteful and uneconomic to generate nonuniform electric heating in the deposit. The electrode array utilized by prior inventors therefore bounds a particular volume of earth formation in order to achieve this uniform heating. However, the process of uniformly heating a block of tar sands by electrical means is extremely uneconomic. Since conversion of fossil fuel energy to electrical power is only about 38 percent efficient, a significant energy loss occurs in heating an entire tar sand deposit with electrical energy.
Geologic conditions can also hinder heating and production. For example, many formations have little or no vertical hydraulic connectivity within the formation. This means that once the selected layer is preheated, vertical movement of the steam will be somewhat limited, thus limiting vertical transfer of heat to that which can be carried by thermal conduction. However, in other instances, the geologic conditions can actually help production, provided that the recovery method is designed to take advantage of the geologic conditions. In formations in which there is vertical hydraulic connectivity, once steam is injected into a layer, the heated oil progressively drains downwards within the deposit, allowing the steam to rise within the deposit. The steam flowing into the tar sand deposit effectively displaces oil toward the production wells, and provides heat to the formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,941 (Glandt et al) discloses electrical preheating of a thin layer by contacting the thin layer with a multiplicity of vertical electrodes spaced along the layer.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an efficient and economic method of in-situ heat processing of tar sand and other heavy oil deposits having vertical hydraulic connectivity, wherein electrical current is used to heat thin layers within such deposits, utilizing a minimum of electrical energy to prepare the tar sands for production by steam injection; and then to efficiently utilize steam injection to mobilize and recover a substantial portion of the heavy oil and tar contained in the deposit.


A typical computer-aided design (CAD) system employed in engineering contexts uses a geometry-oriented approach to define and represent engineering information. As a result, a designer is required to perform a number of low-level geometric operations in order to produce a final digital model of a desired product. In other words, the designer has to focus on the details of geometry creation rather than the required functionality of the product.
In addition, conventional CAD systems use a rigid history-based modeling approach that creates dependency between the operations performed by the designer when creating a digital model. That is, an earlier operation may influence subsequent operations or, alternatively, a subsequent operation may obliterate the functionality of a prior operation. This order dependent nature of feature operations makes it difficult for the designer to apply any modification to the digital model or correct mistakes occurred early in the design process.
Further, conventional CAD systems do not allow members of a product development team to work together simultaneously, regardless of their location or role, in order to create and finalize product definitions. Instead, current design intent collaborative practices are based on serial collaboration, in which copies of digital product files are passed back and forth among development team members who must wait to get these copies back before they can make or even suggest design refinements.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to securing information in computing systems, and more specifically to limiting access to that information based on the context in which at least a portion of the transactional information was generated, such as from a sale.
2. Background
Securing information has become a priority for organizations to ensure that business processes and information relating thereto remain confidential. As an organization's business processes becomes more complex, the means for securing information has to be flexible to adapt to organizational changes while preserving an appropriate balance between confidentiality (i.e., limiting access to information) and openness (i.e., freedom to access information), both of which are necessary for the success of the organization. Examples of organizational changes requiring such flexibility include employee/group transfers, company reorganizations, compensation plan adjustments and the hiring and/or terminating of personnel.
To manage compensation schemes through these types of organizational changes, as well as providing incentive-based compensation for employees in general, organizations have structured compensation plans in accordance with Enterprise Incentive Management (EIM) principles. These principles tailor compensation plans so as to improve optimal performance and to align the organization's strategy with the desired behaviors of it employees. EIM refers generally to managing variable pay plans throughout an organization (i.e., corporation or enterprise) and includes plans for salespeople, suppliers, distribution channel partners, brokers, customers, employees, executives, and partners.
But conventional approaches to securing information generated in the framework of an organization typically lack the flexibility to adapt to changes in corporate processes or structure, such as a change in traditional compensation schemes or personnel. For example, consider a personnel change from one part of an organization to another part as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 depicts a traditional organizational chart illustrating an employee transferring from one position in organizational structure 100 to another position in new organizational structure 110. Organizational structures 100 and 110 each represent a hierarchical structure depicting supervisor-subordinate relationships where permissions to access secured information decreases from the top position occupied by “A” to the bottom positions occupied by “D,” “E,” and “F.” A square box in FIG. 1, such as the one labeled A, represents a position or role occupied by an employee (or a group/organizational element) and is interrelated with other square boxes, where the interrelations are depicted as lines connecting at least two square boxes. Hence, an employee or organizational element occupying box A is in a supervisory role to employees or organizational elements in boxes “B” and “Cynthia,” which are both in subordinate roles to that of box A.
In organizational structure 100, Cynthia is shown to occupy a supervisory role in relation to boxes E and F, which can be employees, groups of employees or other organizational elements. In this role, Cynthia has a “span of access” 102 and is granted permission to access information relating at least to her subordinates occupying boxes E and F, which may include transactional information forming Cynthia's compensation.
Further, consider that an employee associated with box E is a sales person operating according to a compensation plan that specifies each of the following allocations to their supervisor Cynthia's compensation: 2% of sales revenue within a particular geographic region; 1% of sales from a particular product line; 2% of sales to a particular customer; and 0.5% of sales by other members of her sales team. Since Cynthia's compensation is based upon such a compensation scheme, she and others in her position are traditionally authorized to access transactional information in her span of access 102 to verify that the sales person's sales revenues are accurately recorded. In particular, Cynthia can access transactional information for boxes E and F but not boxes B and D, which are outside of her span of access 102.
Next, consider that Cynthia assumes a new role in new organizational structure 110 in the position formerly demarcated as box B of organization structure 100. In this role, traditional security mechanisms allow Cynthia to now have access to transactional information within span of access 112, which authorizes her to examine the activities of the employee(s) relating to box D to review the transactional information that affects her compensation in this new role. But once Cynthia assumes this new role in organizational structure 110, she traditionally is precluded from having access to transactional information for span of access 102. This is generally due to traditional approaches to securing information where a person's set of permissions are dependent on the person's current position in an organization. Without having span of access 102, Cynthia is unable to determine whether her previous efforts and those of her previous subordinates are adequately and accurately recognized so that she can justly be compensated for any activity occurring before she assumed her new role in organization structure 110. Thus, there is a need to provide a flexible method of securing information such that the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional EIM schemes are overcome.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle drive assist system and more particularly to a vehicle drive assist system capable of detecting an oncoming vehicle which is difficult to be recognized at intersections based on frontal information obtained from a stereoscopic camera and the like.
2. Discussion About Prior Arts
When a vehicle make a right turn at intersections in the “keep to the left” traffic system, in case where there are oncoming vehicles waiting for turning right on oncoming lanes, it is difficult for a driver to confirm oncoming vehicles traveling straight. Under such situations, the driver must put miscellaneous information such as oncoming vehicles, pedestrians walking across a road ahead and the like in order and therefore he or she is forced to bear lots of burdens.
In order to reduce such burdens of the driver, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Toku-Kai-Hei 9-282592 discloses a technique in which a collision of a vehicle turning right with an oncoming vehicle traveling straight in intersections is prevented by detecting the oncoming vehicle with an obstacle sensor installed in intersections and warning a driver.
However, the obstacle sensor and the warning system must be installed in every intersection and a huge amount of money is needed.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Toku-Kai 2001-101592 discloses a technique wherein a vehicle itself has an ability to detect oncoming vehicles at an early stage using a fish-eye lens installed in a bumper of the vehicle.
However, this technique has such problems that stains, raindrops and the like sticking to the lens hinder accurate imaging and also images taken through the fish-eye lens require complicated correction processing.


Complex global supply chains for mobile phones, computers, printers, automobiles, aircraft, defense systems, medical equipment and other important products are subject to risks and vulnerabilities that enable infiltration of counterfeit goods into legitimate trade channels. Counterfeiting of industrial and consumer products, and components incorporated into these products, can compromise the integrity of final products, generate losses to legitimate businesses and expose consumers to fake, faulty or harmful products.
Existing, widely deployed anti-counterfeiting technologies are subject to various limitations. For example one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) bar codes, holograms, and other optically readable labels and tags themselves be counterfeited (i.e., copied). Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have raised privacy concerns and also incur a relatively high unit cost, which generally makes them uneconomical for use with high volume, low unit cost products such as active and passive electronic components.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to ski bindings used to hold boots onto skis.
2. Description of Prior Art
German Pat. No. 222,828 discloses a ski binding for maintaining one end of a boot onto a ski.


The present invention relates to methods of forming precision metal parts and, more specifically, to thixotropic forming of precision multi-alloy parts.
As performance criteria for turbine engines becomes more stringent, there is a need for an improved turbine rotor that exhibits maximum resistance to both fatigue and creep.
Die casting is a well-known process for producing complex components with excellent surface quality and good dimensional accuracy. However, the structural integrity of die castings is often compromised by air trapped in the casting upon injection of the liquid metal into the die casting cavity. The resultant porosity also compromises heat treatment of the casting that is often necessary to refine the grain structure and increase the strength of the casting.
Forging is also a well known process for producing relatively strong components having a desirable grain structure. However, forged products generally exhibit relatively low resistance to creep due to their fine grain structures.
Thixotropic, or semisolid, metal forming is a viable alternative to traditional casting and forging methods. This process lies somewhere between a casting and a forging process in that the metal to be formed is brought to a xe2x80x9cthixotropicxe2x80x9d state; that is, 30 or 40 percent of the mass exists in a liquid phase and the balance in a solid phase. The solid portion comprises small spherically-shaped nodules suspended within the liquid phase. Semisolid metals heated to a thixotropic state exhibit unique Theological properties due to their non-dendritic, or spherical, microstructure. The rheological properties of the semisolid metal range from high viscosities, like table butter, for alloys at rest, to low viscosities, such as machine oil, as the shearing rate of the semisolid slug is increased. By heating the metals to a semisolid range and then agitating the semisolid alloy, the dendritic microstructure normally found is eliminated and replaced by the spherical microstructure. Upon solidification, the alloys then exhibit a fine equiaxed microstructure.
Normally, a highly viscous thixotropic slug will retain its outer shape provided there are no external forces, other than gravity, applied to it. However, its butter-like consistency is easily deformed to a low viscosity, particularly by a shearing action such as high velocity impact, making it extremely suitable when driving the alloy into the mold during the manufacturing process. Because semisolid-formed alloys exhibit an intermediate-sized grain structure, larger than forged grains and smaller than cast grains, it is expected that semisolid forged or cast alloys will have improved creep rupture resistance over traditionally forged alloys and improved strength properties over traditionally cast alloys.
The thixotropic process has been extensively studied by others in relation to lighter metals or low melting point metals such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and copper alloys. In general, the low melting point metals have a melting point within the range of 750 to 1250 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, lower melting point copper alloys (other than Cuxe2x80x94Ni alloys for example), have a melting point from 1200-1900 degrees Fahrenheit but are still within the scope of the present invention.
Very little research is available with regard to high temperature alloys commonly used in turbine rotors, including ferrous or nickel-based alloys. In general, high temperature alloys have a melting point range from 2000xc2x0 F.-2700xc2x0 F. One significant difference between semisolid production for lighter alloys and that for high temperature alloys involves the adaptation of the process to the problematic and high heating temperatures of 2500xc2x0 F. to 2700xc2x0 F. as opposed to alloys in the 750xc2x0 F.-1250xc2x0 F. melting point range. Designing a semisolid process compatible with such high heat has proven challenging. Generally, chrome-nickel alloys of, for example, 18% Cr and 82% Ni are used in turbine rotor forgings. This alloy has a solidus of 2550xc2x0 F., and a liquidus of 2640xc2x0 F. where the alloy is completely molten. The semisolid/thixotropic phase exists between the solidus and liquidus temperatures at temperatures ranging between 2550xc2x0 F. and 2640xc2x0 F. The alloy is commonly forged at temperatures below 2550xc2x0 F., in the solid phase, and cast at molten temperatures above 2640xc2x0 F., in the liquid phase.
Yet another problem is that current net-shape forging and die-casting equipment design includes permanent molds that often do not readily separate from the part interface when removing the turbine rotors and their intricate blades from the mold. This results in fractured or weakened blades and a corresponding number of rejected parts that do not meet design specifications. A need exists for semisolid manufacturing methods that facilitate ease of removal of the finished part, thereby improving the production volume and reducing the rejection rate of the finished parts.
Finally, precision metal assemblies are specifically designed to withstand various forces under uniquely stressful conditions. In certain applications, however, one part of a complete assembly may be exposed to stress and temperature loads significantly different from that of other parts integral to the same assembly. For example, the bore of a rotor may require good elongation, high strength, and good low cycle fatigue properties but may not require high temperature properties. In contrast, certain blade or rim portions of the rotor might require very high creep resistance and stress rupture strength at elevated temperatures. Formulating a single alloy capable of withstanding the variable stresses subjected to different locations within a precision metal assembly has also proven challenging.
European Pat. No. 0 574 141 A1 entitled, xe2x80x9cThixoformable Layered Materials and Articles Made From Themxe2x80x9d, discloses a method of sequentially applying layers of substantially metallic material in a thixoforming process. The reference discloses a rotatable cylindrical collector that collects molten metal cooled by inert gases prior to concentric deposition on the collector. A thixotropic layer comprising 30-70% liquid is thereby formed as the atomized metal is sprayed onto the collector. Additional layers are then added in the same way that may or may not comprise the same alloy as found in the first layer. At least two of the layers have different properties. The layers may also comprise reinforcing materials such as ceramic, metallic, and intermetallic materials in spherical, fibrous, or any other shape. The reinforcing materials may be added by simply spraying them into the atomized melt spray during that stage.
EP 0 574 141 A1 discloses that a layered composition thixoformed by this method exhibits enhanced toughness and damage resistance due to the layered 3-dimensional structure. However, the method is labor intensive, for each layer must at least be melted, sprayed, cooled by inert gases, and then collected on the surface of the cylinder. The preforms formed by this method must then be cooled and cut to accommodate a thixoforming forging process, wherein a multiproperty component is manufactured.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,832,982, 5,878,804, and 6,003,585 to Williams et al. describe metal forming processes that form a semisolid slug or thixotropic solution containing 30-40% liquid and 60-70% solids. The slug is inductively heated to destroy the dendritic microstructure and when hardened results in a preferred fine equiaxed microstructure. A disadvantage of the processes, however, is that the slug must be heated to a point wherein the liquid percentage exceeds 40%, thereby ensuring destruction of the dendrites. As the liquid percentage increases, containment of the slug becomes exceedingly difficult and therefore complicates the process. Increased amounts of energy and time are also required to heat the slugs and destroy the dendrites.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,804 obviates the containment problem by heating the slug within a mold. Nevertheless, increased amounts of energy and time are still required for dendrite destruction. Cooling of the finished product is also more difficult when using a heated mold.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,585 also requires the manufacture of a multialloy slug to similarly accomplish the objects of the present invention.
Therefore, a need exists for a simplified and cost-effective thixotropic manufacturing method that can be modified to vary the properties of different parts integral to a complete assembly.
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by implementing a thixotropic process under vacuum for the production of turbine rotors and other parts of intricate design that comprise high melting point alloys. The mechanical properties of semisolid forgings are tailored by microstructure or metallurgical chemistry to achieve optimized properties in specific locations of the final product.
Initially, two or more high temperature slugs are first machined or preformed to fit within a heater in the metal forming process. The slugs are generally comprised of the same or different alloys and may be heated to a semisolid or solid state depending on design criteria.
In a first embodiment of the process, a first slug is heated under vacuum but retained as a solid. A second slug is also under vacuum and is heated to a thixotropic or semisolid state. Once the desired liquid/solid thixotropic ratio is attained within the second slug, the solid and semisolid slugs are forged into the mold. Upon actuation of a piston or plunger, the solid slug is driven into the semisolid slug. The semisolid slug thus enters the mold and is then exuded into predetermined areas upon the subsequent entry of the solid slug. The areas receiving the semisolid slug thereby benefit from its respective properties once the completed assembly hardens, and the areas occupied by the solid slug(s) benefit from its respective properties once the assembly is completely forged.
The process described is particularly well suited for manufacturing turbine assemblies comprised of integrated bore, rim, and blade components. For example, to form a rotor assembly, a first slug containing a bore alloy may be heated but remain in the solid state within a heater. A second slug, axially aligned with the first slug, contains a blade and rim alloy and is simultaneously and independently heated to a thixotropic state within the heater. After the heating step, a piston or other means drives the solid (first) slug into the thixotropic (second) slug, whereby the thixotropic slug enters the mold and is then followed by the solid slug. The solid slug thus forces the semisolid slug to exude into predetermined outer rim and blade areas of the mold. The solid slug, on the other hand, remains within the central or bore region of the finished part. It should be appreciated that one or more solid slugs may be accelerated into one or more semisolid slugs depending on design criteria.
Modified equipment design may be utilized in alternate embodiments of the high melting point semisolid process.


The present invention is particularly designed for use with a fall restrain harnesses for attachment to a worker in a situation where they may fall so that the shock loads from the fall can be transmitted through a structure to a suitable fixed support.
One problem with providing such devices is that of providing a suitable anchor at an elevated position so that the harness can be attached to save the worker from hitting the ground in a fall. The anchor point must be sufficiently elevated and sufficiently close to the worker to avoid a pendulum effect causing the falling worker to swing into contact with adjacent structures. The anchor point must accommodate the required high shock loading without damage, where the shock loading may significantly exceed any static loading. Thus the structure supporting the anchor point must have sufficient strength to meet the requirements for such high shock loading.
In situations where there is no suitable overhead structure, a ground or wall based system is required. In many cases there is little room or structure at the ground for the massive base required to provide the required loadings. A wall based system cannot apply high loadings to the walls without the danger of damage to the building structure.
However the above system particularly designed for fall restraint, can be used for supporting other loads in a situation where excess or shock loading above predetermined level can be expected.


The present invention relates generally to pneumatic or hydraulic actuated relay switching systems and devices and, in a preferred embodiment thereof, more particularly provides a wholly mechanical, fluid pressure actuated sequencing relay device for regulating and controlling the order in which main and wing valve actuators are pressurized and depressurized.
The "Christmas tree" valve configuration in production fluid piping for oil and gas wells is quite common and comprises a regulated main flow supply valve and a diverting pipeline network having paths downstream from the main valve that are opened and closed by secondary valves, known as wing valves.
Some Federal regulations now require a fail-safe valve system at the wellhead in certain oil and gas fields which is operative to assure that if the main valve is opened or closed the wing valves are automatically opened or closed, and vice versa. Therefore, it is advantageous to develop a system to perform a series of operations in a prescribed order so that a fail-safe valve system is utilized and the federal regulations are complied with.
It is well known in the oil and gas recovery and extraction industry that the main valve is to be opened prior to opening the wing valves to initiate production fluid flow. Similarly, when terminating the delivery of the product, it is desirable to close the wing valves first, and then close the main valve, so that the main valve is closed at a "no flow" condition to prolong its operating life.
In the past, the opening and closing sequence of the main and wing valves was effected manually. In recent years, however, the sequential operation of the main and wing valves has been automatically accomplished by a relatively complex system of mechanical sequencing circuits that incorporate a conventional block and bleed relay, a time delay mechanism, and a pilot supply for each valve actuator. It is also well known among those skilled in the art to incorporate time delay circuits between the main valve and wing valves. The circuitry initiates or delays the "open" and "closed" signal to a particular valve so as to promote the proper sequencing.
The major drawback with the conventional systems is an increased propensity for mechanical failure of any one of the numerous components, thereby rendering the entire system inoperable or ineffective.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop a device to sequentially pressurize a first reservoir, before pressurizing a second reservoir, then depressurize the second before depressurizing the first, thereby eliminating the need for the multiplicity of elements in the conventional relay switching system. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such a device for use in a relay switching system.


Fire alarms and fire alarm systems are generally known. Such systems generally include a number of fire detectors distributed around a protected area. The fire detectors may be based upon any of a number of different fire detection technology (e.g., smoke detection, carbon monoxide detection, etc.).
Each of the fire detectors is typically connected to a fire alarm control panel. The connection between each of the sensors and the control panel may be wired or wireless.
The control panel monitors each of the sensors for an indication of the presence of a fire and, in response, sounds an alarm. The control panel may also send notification of the fire to a central monitoring station via a communication connection (e.g., a dial-up connection, the Internet, etc.).
Most fire alarm control panels are typically provided with a display that provides an indication of any sensors that have been activated by a fire. The indications are typically provided with an alpha-numeric identifier or a short description of the location of the fire.
While such systems are effective for personnel familiar with the protected facility, they are not very helpful for outside firefighters. In this case, outside firefighters may require access to a facility map to a cross reference between the identifier of a fire sensor to a location within the protected facility.
However, even with the activated sensor identified on a map, the firefighter may still not be able to quickly access the fire. Doors may be locked. Corridors may be blocked. Accordingly, a need exists for better methods of guiding firefighters to fires.


Many diseases of the central nervous system are influenced by the adrenergic, the dopaminergic, and the serotonergic neurotransmitter systems. For example, serotonin has been implicated in a number of diseases and conditions which originate in the central nervous system. A number of pharmacological and genetic experiments involving receptors for serotonin strongly implicate the 5-HT2c receptor subtype in the regulation of food intake (Obes. Res. 1995, 3, Suppl. 4, 449S-462S). The 5-HT2c receptor subtype is transcribed and expressed in hypothalamic structures associated with appetite regulation. It has been demonstrated that the non-specific 5-HT2c receptor agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), which has some preference for the 5-HT2c receptor, causes weight loss in mice that express the normal 5-HT2c receptor while the compound lacks activity in mice expressing the mutated inactive form of the 5-HT2c receptor (Nature 1995, 374, 542-546). In a recent clinical study, a slight but sustained reduction in body weight was obtained after 2 weeks of treatment with mCPP in obese subjects (Psychopharmacology 1997, 133, 309-312). Weight reduction has also been reported from clinical studies with other “serotonergic” agents (see e.g. IDrugs 1998, 1, 456-470). For example, the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine and the 5-HT releasing agent/reuptake inhibitor dexfenfluramine have exhibited weight reduction in controlled studies. However, currently available drugs that increase serotonergic transmission appear to have only a moderate and, in some cases, transient effects on the body weight.
The 5-HT2c receptor subtype has also been suggested to be involved in CNS disorders such as depression and anxiety (Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 1998, 7, 1587-1599; IDrugs, 1999, 2, 109-120).
The 5-HT2c receptor subtype has further been suggested to be involved in urinary disorders such as urinary incontinence (IDrugs, 1999, 2, 109-120).
Compounds which have a selective effect on the 5-HT2c receptor may therefore have a therapeutic potential in the treatment or prophylaxis of disorders like those mentioned above. Of course, selectivity also reduces the potential for adverse effects mediated by other serotonin receptors.
Examples of such compounds are (2R)-1-(3-{2-[(2-ethoxy -3-pyridinyl)oxy]ethoxy}-2-pyrazinyl)-2-methylpiperazine, (2R)-methyl-1-{3-[2-(3-pyridinyloxy]ethoxy]-2-pyrazinyl}piperazine and pharmaceutically acceptable acid salts thereof. WO 00/76984 (hereinafter called D1) relates to a process for the preparation of such compounds on a small scale such as a gram scale. A problem to be solved by the present invention was to prepare such compounds on a large scale such as on a kilogram scale. The following factors are more important for preparation on a large scale, in comparison to preparation on a small scale:                to obtain a high yield of the desired products for economy reasons,        that the processes for preparation are safe with regard to explosion,        that the reagents and solvents used are relatively non-toxic,        that the products obtained are relatively stable, and        that the reaction times are relatively short.
These problems have been solved by the present invention. It has been shown that the yields of the desired products according to the present invention are higher than the yields according to D1. In the experimental part, the yields according to the present invention and D1 are compared. Regarding the choice of solvents for the process steps, dioxane, as used according to D1, has been replaced by solvents such as MtBE and THF (see step (ii) below) which are less prone to form peroxides and which are less carcinogenic than dioxane. Furthermore, it has been shown that (2R)-methyl-1-{3-[2-(3-pyridinyloxy)ethoxy]-2-pyrazinyl}piperazine, L-malate salt prepared according to the present invention (see Example 3A) has superior properties compared to (2R)-methyl-1-{3-[2-(3-pyridinyloxy)ethoxy]-2-pyrazinyl}piperazine, hydrochloride prepared according to D1 in that the former has a higher crystallinity, is less hygroscopic and has a higher chemical stability than the latter. Regarding chemical stability, D1 discloses the preparation of (2R)-1-(3-chloro-2-pyrazinyl) -2-methylpiperazine, which has also been prepared in Example 8 below. This compound is not stable for storage as a free base. As (2R)-1-(3-chloro-2-pyrazinyl)-2-methylpiperazine is a key intermediate, chemical stability during long term storage is important with regard to process economy. It has now been found that the corresponding hydrochloride salt thereof is considerably more stable, which has been prepared in Example 9 below.
The method to prepare Example 3C is a good way of increasing the purity of Example 2C. It has been shown that Example 2C with a purity of 60-70% gives Example 3C with a purity of 99% in one crystallization step. By contrast, the same purity increasing effect has not been achieved by making the acetate of Example 2C.
Regarding reaction time, the reaction according to Example 2A below was complete at room temperature in 15 minutes. The same compound has been prepared in Example 173 in D1. The procedure of Example 172, step 3 has been followed, wherein the reaction was stirred at 85° C. for 15 h. Furthermore, the reaction according to Example 2B below was complete in 35 minutes at 55° C. The same compound has been prepared in Example 200 in D1. The procedure of Example 192, step 3 has been followed, wherein the reaction was stirred at 90° C. for 2 h.


Adhesives are widely used for labeling and packaging, in laminating objects such as paper, plastic, wood, and metal, as well as in electronics manufacturing where specialty adhesives are applied for the assembly of electronic components. For example, adhesives are used to create permanent or temporary graphic overlays, security documents, and decals. These adhesives are typically pre-applied on the desired parts using conventional coating or screen printing techniques, which are associated with high materials usage, high tolling and handling costs, and long production cycle time. In addition, the screen printable adhesives contain solvent media or low molecular weight monomers, which require drying or a curing step. Therefore, there is a need for a method for applying adhesives, which allows disposing the adhesive selectively on the surface on-demand, where the bonding is required, using digital printing techniques.


Compilers are generally used to transform one representation of a computer program into another representation. Typically, but not exclusively, compilers are used to transform a human readable form of a program such as source code into a machine readable form such as object code.
A computer program suitable for compilation by a compiler is composed of a series of "statements". Some statements generate, modify, retrieve or store information. Other statements may control the flow of the program, for example, by testing the value of a variable and causing program flow to continue in different directions based on the value of the variable. In most programs of any significant length, the statements are collected into "procedures", which perform well-defined functions and can be used in potentially multiple places with the program. Frequently, the procedures in a large program are further collected into "modules", each of which is responsible for a particular major subset of the functions of the program. In a program structure of this kind, the compiler is used to compile the modules individually, after which the compiled modules are "linked" together to form a single, cohesive computer program. This approach allows the programmer to upgrade or debug, and then recompile, each module separately, without need for recompiling the other modules.
One type of compiler is an optimizing compiler which includes an optimizer for enhancing the performance of the machine readable representation of a program. Some optimizing compilers are separate from a primary compiler, while others are built into a primary compiler to form a multi-pass compiler. Both types of compilers may operate either on a human readable form, a machine readable form, or any intermediate representation between these forms.
One optimization technique is known as "profiling" the program. A program is profiled by compiling the program, and delivering it to a test environment which simulates actual field operation of the program. While the program operates in the test environment, records are kept on the extent to which certain sections of the program are used. After the test has been completed, the profile records are used by an optimizing compiler, to recompile the program in a manner which enhances the efficiency of the program. For example, one known technique is to place sections of the program which are used at approximately the same time, in nearby memory locations, so as to speed access to the program.
A common computer programming approach is known as procedural programming. In procedural programming, a program is broken into many small procedures, each including a sequence of statements (and in some cases, data), and each of which is responsible for particular well-defined activities. The procedures are invoked when particular actions are needed. Typically, procedures can invoke each other, as part of operation of the program. In such a situation, the procedure which is invoked is typically referred to as the "child" procedure, and the procedure which invokes the child procedure is referred to as the "parent" procedure.
While procedural programming can simplify programming effort and reduce complexity, one of the unfortunate results of a highly procedural computer program, is that the program, when operating, frequently transfers control between the various procedures (executes "procedure calls"). This creates a substantial overhead, in that each transfer of control between procedures requires multiple computer operations, both to transfer flow control to a procedure and to return flow control from the procedure.
A similar unfortunate result occurs in so-called "object oriented" programming. In object oriented programming, data and a set of procedures (called "methods") are encapsulated together, and only the procedures encapsulated with data are permitted to modify that data. This style of programming naturally causes procedure calls to proliferate, typically to a greater extent than procedural programming.
To address the problem of high procedure call overhead, modern compilers optimize programs so as to avoid procedure calls. One optimization approach is to "inline" procedures, that is, to copy the entire body of the child procedure, into the body of the parent procedure, at each location in the parent procedure where the child procedure is referenced. This is usually done only when the child procedure is relatively small and is called from relatively few locations, in order to minimize the extent to which the overall compiled program size is increased due to inlining.


The financial and legal world is quite complex. Cross-border financial transactions among entities are commonplace, resulting in entities having multiple financial exposures with others around the world. This can be difficult to manage and can lead to many problems. For example, a financial institution may have large intra-day foreign exchange settlement obligations with a number of different trading partners. A large financial institution may have millions of dollars of exposure to their largest counterparties on any given day. Entities may also have large exposures based on counterparty credit risk and liquidity risk. Many entities enter into agreements to manage and control these exposures.
When trading partners agree to offset their positions or obligations, they are “netting”. By doing so, they reduce a large number of individual positions or obligations to a smaller number of positions or obligations, and it is on this netted position that the two trading partners settle their outstanding obligations. Besides reducing transaction costs and communication expenses, netting is important because it reduces credit and liquidity risks, and ultimately systemic risk.
Netting agreements have been used to manage these exposures in a number of different contexts. Netting agreements are a contractual mechanism to offset payables against receivables to reduce an entity's exposure to a counterparty. Netting agreements are used, for example, to reduce credit exposure to the net obligation of a counterparty. The enforceability and use of netting agreements varies by jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, netting in bankruptcy or insolvency is enforceable under the federal bankruptcy code. Netting between United States-based counterparties is permitted by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA). Different jurisdictions have different rules and laws regarding the use and enforceability of netting agreements. This can make it quite difficult for an entity to manage credit and exchange risk with any certainty. Frequently, an opinion of counsel regarding the legality of a particular netting relationship is required for each jurisdiction, and often for each netting agreement.
It would be desirable to provide a system which allows the analysis of netting agreements. It would further be desirable to provide a system which allows the automated analysis of netting agreements. It would further be desirable to provide a system which allows a number of issues associated with agreements to be analyzed based on the particular fact pattern of each agreement. It would further be desirable to provide a system which allows the analysis of agreements and which allows updating of netting positions between parties.


The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to interface gun mounts and, more particularly, to a lightweight machine gun and ammunition can mount for use with weapons that do not have a forward mount point or a mid weapon mount orientation is required.
2. Description of the Background
The size and weight of many firearms, particularly large guns, such as machine guns, precludes accuracy and stability without some type of support or mounting apparatus to hold the weapon steady while being fired. Thus, mounting devices and other support apparatus have long been used with large guns to stabilize the gun and reduce vibration, thereby improving accuracy and alleviating fatigue and discomfort of the shooter. Indeed, when mounting devices and other support apparatus have not been available a shooter has often needed to rely on any immovable object available, such as walls, rocks, tree trunks, etc.
A variety of interface elements have evolved for use in mounting rifles or light machine guns. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,273,178 to Heinemann shows an apparatus designed for attachment to a hand machine gun to counteract its tendency to jump/recoil during firing. The apparatus is acted upon in a downward direction by the gases leaving the muzzle, thereby creating a downward force at the forward end of the gun""s barrel. The apparatus also includes a 10 pair of downward extending eyelets for optional attachment to a gun rest or mount.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,273,178 to Perry et al. discloses an apparatus utilized to mount a rapid fire gun on a motorcycle. The mounting apparatus allows a single individual to both drive the motorcycle and fire the gun. The mounting of the gun is such that it may be easily operated and adjusted without the rider leaving the seat of the motorcycle. The apparatus includes a circular clamping attachment to fixedly attach the gun to the position adjustment mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,678 to Kramer discloses a rest for the firearm or the like that attaches to the sling on the forearm of the firearm. The firearm rest is comprised of two major assemblies. The first assembly attaches to the sling swivel and provides a surrogate sling swivel and a female receptacle for the second assembly. The second assembly consists of a male protrusion that mates with the first assembly and two lightweight legs that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,103 to Keng discloses a bipod mounting assembly for attaching a bipod to the forearm stock portion of a firearm. The apparatus includes a mounting yoke adapted to quickly and easily attach to the swivel stud connector mounted to the forearm stock portion of the firearm. The mounting yoke is adapted to receive a mounting block thereover, with the mounting block being attached to the mounting yoke to thus attach the mounting block to the forearm stock portion of the firearm. A bipod-mounting frame is releasably attachable to the mounting block by a quick-release locking catch to enable the quick attachment/detachment of the legs of the bipod from the mounting block, and thus the firearm.
Although each of the prior art examples provides an interface for use in mounting firearms which uses the pre-existing structure of the gun, they do not accommodate weapons that have no forward attach point and which are not designed for mounting.
Consequently, there is a significant need for a lightweight machine gun and ammunition can gun mount for use with weapons that do not have a forward mount point or a mid weapon mount orientation is required, such as the MK46 and M249SPW weapons.
FIG. I is a drawing of an existing MK46 machine gun which illustrates the location of the ammunition can which is attached to an existing ammunition can mount bracket of the weapon, and a supplied forearm rail system. In addition, the weapon includes a main mounting lug located proximate to the trigger guard (obscured) for a single-point mount. Otherwise, no provision for vehicle or tripod mounting is provided.
The design challenge with such guns is to determine how to securely attach a vehicle or tripod mount to the weapon to allow easy firing without impacting the performance of the gun.
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a machine gun and ammunition can interface gun mount for use with weapons that do not have a forward mount point or a mid weapon mount orientation is required.
It is yet another object to provide a machine gun and ammunition can interface gun mount with two point secure attachment to allow easy firing without impacting the performance of the gun.
It is another object to provide a machine gun and ammunition can interface gun mount that is small, lightweight and economical to produce.
It is still another object to provide a machine gun and ammunition can interface gun mount with two point attachment for improved stability and anti-rotation, the first point being the ammunition can mount attached to the weapon for anti-rotation and the second point being directly in front of the trigger mechanism.
It is yet another object to provide a machine gun and ammunition can interface gun mount in which the ammunition can is repositioned to the left side of the gun for better alignment and ammunition feed.
According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by a gun mount that is securely attached to the weapon by using two existing separate structural features of the gun as attach points. The first point of attachment is the ammunition can mounting bracket and the second attachment point is the main mounting lug located proximate the trigger guard. The two point attachment allows the shooter to steady the gun and eliminate vibration and improve accuracy of aim. The ammunition can is relocated from the common position underneath the gun to a vertical position on the left side of the gun for better alignment and ammunition feed. Both the ammunition can interface and main mounting lug interface are formed of coated aluminum to effect a strong, compact and lightweight design. Thus, the present invention is small, compact, lightweight, and economical to manufacture.


1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to the field of video surveillance services. More specifically, this invention relates to video surveillance services for video image processing, organization, and archival.
2. Description of the Related Art
Video surveillance technology is an industry that has become available to everyday end users. The wide variety of video surveillance tools may span from webcams for home surveillance to full service business video surveillance and security systems with video security cameras. As well, the video surveillance industry includes algorithms for feature detection on images and storage of video, such as on YouTube by YouTube, LLC in San Bruno, Calif. The industry includes Wi-Fi video cameras for deployment in the home, such as for example, by Dropcam, Inc. in San Francisco, Calif. By such camera, an end user may monitor a particular scene, such as a room in a house, from a handheld device or a computer. Another current product offered in the industry is a competing video surveillance archiving service by sensr.net, Inc. in Incline Village, Nev. By such service, an end user may monitor a scene from an online account and receive alerts activated by detected motion. Further, images from such camera may be stored in the cloud.


Streaming media generally refers to media content that is, or at least may be, played via playback software or a playback device at the same time that the media content is being downloaded from a source such as a media server. Streaming media content, e.g., video and audio content, may be provided according to a variety of standards and formats. For example, video standards such as QuickTime and RealMedia, and also standards promulgated by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG), etc. are well known.
Many standards for streaming media content, such as MPEG streaming content delivery, were designed with dual objectives of (1) preserving network bandwidth and (2) maintaining video quality. However, MPEG and most other kinds of media streams are not designed with an objective of timely delivery of content, e.g., diminishing latency. For example, at present, content processing devices such as set top boxes (STBs) generally use MPEG and are designed to deliver a complete video stream at the expense of latency.
A media stream such as an MPEG stream reaching a STB can potentially face network jitter which can cause excessive storage of media frames, e.g., video frames, in a buffer in the STB. Frames received by the STB are not displayed until all the prior frames are displayed. However, in some contexts, e.g., interactive applications such as gaming, users expect timely updates on their video displays in response to a key press. At present, latencies caused by jitter often leave users with a video stream that is unsatisfactory for supporting applications in a variety of contexts.
Online gaming is one context in which media stream latencies may result in an unsatisfactory user experience. For example, when gaming is provided through a content processing device such as a set top box (STB) or the like, a game session is delivered as an MPEG video stream or the like through a packet switched network from a game server in a Video Hub Office (VHO) to an STB in a customer premises. That is, the game session is conducted on the game server but is presented, through the MPEG stream, by the STB. Accordingly, the game session is encoded as an MPEG stream and streamed to the STB over the network. The MPEG stream is decoded by the STB and then displayed on a media playback device such as a television or video monitor. User inputs to the game are gathered through an input device such as a radio frequency (RF) or infrared remote control, a universal serial bus (USB) gamepad, etc. User inputs are then sent back to the game server over the packet switched network. The game server receives the user inputs and provides them to the game session for processing, thereby altering the output video stream where appropriate based on the inputs. Latencies in the MPEG stream may cause user inputs to be ill timed and/or ineffective, thus rendering the gaming experience unsatisfactory for the user.
Thus, many standards for providing streaming media, such as MPEG streaming content delivery, were designed with traditional objectives of (a) preserving network bandwidth and (2) maintaining video quality. However, as is the case with many media streams, MPEG video streams are not designed with an objective of timely delivery of content, e.g., diminishing latency. For example, at present, content processing devices such as set top boxes (STBs) are designed to deliver a complete video stream at the expense of latency.


Iron-based particles have long been used as a base material in the manufacture of structural components by powder metallurgical methods. The iron-based particles are first molded in a die under high pressures in order to produce the desired shape. After the molding step, the structural component usually undergoes a sintering step to impart the necessary strength to the component.
Magnetic core components have also been manufactured by such power metallurgical methods, but the iron-based particles used in these methods are generally coated with a circumferential layer of insulating material.
Two important characteristics of an iron core component are its magnetic permeability and core loss characteristics. The magnetic permeability of a material is an indication of its ability to become magnetized, or its ability to carry a magnetic flux. Permeability is defined as the ratio of the induced magnetic flux to the magnetizing force or field intensity. When a magnetic material is exposed to a rapidly varying field, the total energy of the core is reduced by the occurrence of hysteresis losses and/or eddy current losses. The hysteresis loss is brought about by the necessary expenditure of energy to overcome the retained magnetic forces within the iron core component. The eddy current loss is brought about by the production of electric currents in the iron core component due to the changing flux caused by alternating current conditions.
Early magnetic core components were made from laminated sheet steel, but these components were difficult to manufacture and experienced large core losses at higher frequencies. Application of these lamination-based cores is also limited by the necessity to carry magnetic flux only in the plane of the sheet in order to avoid excessive eddy current losses. Sintered metal powders have been used to replace the laminated steel as the material for the magnetic core component, but these sintered parts also have high core losses and are restricted primarily to direct current operations.
Research in the powder metallurgical manufacture of magnetic core components using coated iron-based powders has been directed to the development of iron powder compositions that enhance certain physical and magnetic properties without detrimentally affecting other properties. Desired properties include a high permeability through an extended frequency range, high pressed strength, low core losses, and suitability for compression molding techniques.
When molding a core component for AC power applications, it is generally required that the iron particles have an electrically insulating coating to decrease core losses. The use of a plastic coating over the iron particles (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,340 to Yamaguchi) and the use of doubly-coated iron particles (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,765 to Soileau et al.) have been employed to insulate the iron particles and therefore reduce eddy current losses.
Recently, it has been found that the insulating polymeric material need not be present in the powder composition as a full coating of the individual iron particles, but rather can be present in the form of discrete particles that are integrally admixed with the iron particles. The present invention is directed to a method of forming this admixture in a manner that ensures homogeneity and thereby leads to improved magnetic properties of pressed parts made with the powder composition. The invention eliminates the need to provide the iron-based particles with a circumferential coating of the polymeric material, which coating generally required the use of more expensive fluidized bed processes.


Montelukast sodium is the active pharmaceutical ingredient of SINGULAIR®, and is approved for the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The molecular structure of montelukast is as shown below:

Montelukast sodium is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,473. A crystalline form of montelukast sodium (hereinafter referred to as “Form A”) is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,632.


This invention relates generally to hygienic tools and more particularly to tools used to clean the hands and fingers.
Not only does civilized society demand cleanliness, but, basic hygiene also requires regular and thorough cleaning of the body. While the majority of the skin is either easily cleaned or is not excessively exposed to dirt and disease, the same cannot be said of the hands.
By their very nature, the hands are exposed in daily life and work to a wide range of grime and disease. The fingers pose the most difficult scenario for cleaning. The fingers provide extensive surface space which is not readily accessed with a hand brush; and the fingernails are particularly difficult to clean. Even after a thorough washing, a mechanic often still has xe2x80x9cblackxe2x80x9d fingernails.
Whether the cleaning required is after work in the garden or on the car, or requires antiseptic levels for medical procedures, cleaning of the fingers and fingernails is particularly difficult and time consuming. Since the task is so very time consuming, often the cleaning is haphazardly done.
It is clear from the foregoing that there is a need for an efficient tool to assist in the cleaning of fingers and fingernails.
The invention is a tool for cleaning fingers. In one embodiment of the invention, a closed-ended tube is used. The tube is large enough to accept a to-be-cleaned finger into the tube. Ideally, the tube""s length is not longer than the shortest of the user""s fingers; this attribute will become clear later.
The preferred embodiment has two interlocking tubes. Both tubes are closed ended with the open ends mating/connecting with each other. This interlocking attribute provides for an easily xe2x80x9csealedxe2x80x9d or contained apparatus for transport or storage between uses.
Each tube is configured to accept a finger from the user. Ideally, the first tube is used by the user initially with the second tube performing an optional cleaning or buffing function.
Within the first tube is a longitudinal brush. The longitudinal brush is used to clean the sides of the inserted finger as the tube is rotated around the finger. The longitudinal brush is secured to the tube through a variety of ways, obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Two such methods include: securing the longitudinal brush to the interior wall of the tube; and, securing an end of the longitudinal brush to the closed end of the tube.
In the latter situation, where the longitudinal brush is secured to the end of the tube, in some embodiments the end of the tube is removable. The ability to remove the end of the tube (and hence the longitudinal brush) permits the brush and tube to be easily cleaned, or the replacement of the longitudinal brush.
In the preferred embodiment, an end brush is secured to the interior portion of the closed end of the tube. This end brush permits the user to press the fingernail against the end brush. When the tube is rotated, the end brush moves against the surface and end of the fingernail to clean the fingernail. This action provides excellent cleaning beneath the fingernail.
In the embodiment where two tubes are used, the second tube includes a soft brush is used to softly clean the finger. This tube xe2x80x9cbuffsxe2x80x9d the finger and fingernail to provide a finishing cleaning operation.
Holes in the tube permit soap to enter and be used for the cleaning process. When the tube is in use, the user places the tube and finger under the stream of water and soaps the assembly, allowing the soap and water to enter the tube to assist in the cleaning process as the tube is rotated.
In one embodiment, a cavity is created within the tube. This cavity is xe2x80x9cchargedxe2x80x9d or loaded with soap, lotion, or antibacterial agents, using an exterior opening or portal. The liquid within the cavity is dispensed from the cavity into the interior of the tube; then, as the tube is rotated, the soap, lotion, or antibacterial lotion heightens the cleaning process.
To provide an antiseptic environment, some embodiments of the invention provide for a coating of anti-bacterial agents on the bristles on the brushes. This embodiment provides an anti-bacterial agent without any effort on the part of the user; periodically, the entire unit is replaced or the brushes are replaced (as in the case of the longitudinal brushes connected to a removable end-cap).
The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully explained by the accompanying drawings and following description thereof.


The instant invention relates generally to outdoor watering devices and more specifically it relates to a lawn sprinkler for a garden hose.
Numerous outdoor watering devices have been provided in prior art that are adapted to spray water through rotating nozzles. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 172,024; 270,664 and 1,558,355 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


The present invention is directed to polishing pads used for creating a smooth, ultra-flat surface on such items as glass, semiconductors, dielectric/metal composites, magnetic mass storage media and integrated circuits. More specifically, the present invention relates to grafting and preserving the grafted surface of polymers, preferably thermoplastic foam polymers, thereby transforming their mechanical and chemical properties to create more suitable polishing pads therefrom.
Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP)is used extensively as a planarizing technique in the manufacture of VLSI integrated circuits. It has potential for planarizing a variety of materials in IC processing but is used most widely for planarizing metallizied layers and interlevel dielectrics on semiconductor wafers, and for planarizing substrates for shallow trench isolation.
In trench isolation, for example, large areas of field oxide must be polished to produce a planar starting wafer. Integrated circuits that operate with low voltages, i.e., 5 volts or less, and with shallow junctions, can be isolated effectively with relatively shallow trenches, i.e., less than a micron. In shallow trench isolation (STI) technology, the trench is backfilled with oxide and the wafer is planarized using CMP. The result is a more planar structure than typically obtained using LOCOS, and the deeper trench (as compared with LOCOS) provides superior latch up immunity. Also, by comparison with LOCOS, STI substrates have a much reduced xe2x80x9cbirds"" beakxe2x80x9d effect and thus theoretically provide higher packing density for circuit elements on the chips. The drawbacks in STI technology to date relate mostly to the planarizing process. Achieving acceptable planarization across the full diameter of a wafer using traditional etching processes has been largely unsuccessful. By using CMP, where the wafer is polished using a mechanical polishing wheel and a slurry of chemical etchant, unwanted oxide material is removed with a high degree of planarity.
Similarly, integrated circuit fabrication on semiconductor wafers require the formation of precisely controlled apertures, such as contact openings or xe2x80x9cvias,xe2x80x9d that are subsequently filled and interconnected to create components and very large scale integration (VLSI) or ultra large scale integration (ULSI) circuits. Equally well known is that the patterns defining such openings are typically created by optical lithographic processes that require precise alignment with prior levels to accurately contact the active devices located in those prior levels. In multilevel metallization processes, each level in the multilevel structure contributes to irregular topography. In three or four level metal processes, the topography can be especially severe and complex. The expedient of planarizing the interlevel dielectric layers, as the process proceeds, is now favored in many state of the art IC processes. Planarity in the metal layers is a common objective, and is promoted by using plug interlevel connections. A preferred approach to plug formation is to blanket deposit a thick metal layer on the interlevel dielectric and into the interlevel windows, and then remove the excess using CMP. In a typical case, CMP is used for polishing an oxide, such as SiO2, Ta2O5, W2O5. It can also be used to polish nitrides such as Si3N4, TaN, TiN, and conductor materials used for interlevel plugs, such as W, Ti, TIN.
CMP generally consists of the controlled wearing of a rough surface to produce a smooth specular finished surface. This is commonly accomplished by rubbing a pad against the surface of the article, or workpiece, to be polished in a repetitive, regular motion while a slurry containing a suspension of fine particles is present at the interface between the polishing pad and the workpiece. Commonly employed pads are made from felted or woven natural fibers such as wool, urethane-impregnated felted polyester or various types of filled polyurethane plastic.
A CMP pad ideally is flat, uniform across its entire surface, resistant to the chemical nature of the slurry and have the right combination of stiffness and compressibility to minimize effects like dishing and erosion. In particular, there is a direct correlation between lowering Von Mises stress distributions in the pad and improving polishing pad removal rates and uniformity. In turn, Von Mises stresses may be reduced though the controlled production of pad materials of uniform constitution, as governed by the chemical-mechanical properties of the pad material.
CMP pad performance optimization has traditionally involved the empirical selection of materials and use of macro fabrication technologies. For example, a pad possessing preexisting desirable porosity or surface texture properties may be able to absorb particulate matter such as silica or other abrasive materials. Or, patterns of flow channels cut into the surface of polishing pads may improve slurry flow across the workpiece surface. The reduction in the contact surface area effected by patterning also provides higher contact pressures during polishing, further enhancing the polishing rate.
Alternatively, intrinsic microtextures may be introduced into pads by using composite or multilayer materials possessing favorable surface textures as byproduct of their method of manufacture. Favorable surface microtextures may also be present by virtue of bulk non-uniformities introduced during the manufacturing process. When cross-sectioned, abraded, or otherwise exposed, these bulk non-uniformities become favorable surface microtextures. Such inherent microtextures, present prior to use, may permit the absorption and transport of slurry particles, thereby providing enhanced polishing activity without the need to further add micro- or macrotextures.
There are, however, several deficiencies in polishing pad materials selected or produced according to the above-described empirical techniques. Pads made of layers of polymer material may have thermal insulating properties, and therefore unable conduct heat away from the polishing surface, resulting in undesirable heating during polishing. Numerous virgin homogenous sheets of polymers such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, nylon, polyureas, felt, or polyester, have poor inherent polishing ability, and hence not used as polishing pads. In certain instances, mechanical or chemical texturing may transform these materials, thereby rendering them useful in polishing.
However, polyurethane based pads, currently in widespread use, are decomposed by the chemically aggressive processing slurries by virtue of the inherent chemical nature of urethane. This decomposition produces a surface modification in and of itself in the case of the polyurethane pads.
Yet another approach involves modifying the surface of CMP polishing pads materials to improve the wetability of the pad surface, the adhesion of surface coatings, and the application performance of these materials. Plasma treatment of polishing pad materials is one means to functionalize and thereby modify polishing pad surfaces. However, the simple functionalization of pad surfaces by plasma treatment is known to be a temporary effect, with spontaneous loss of functionalization after one to two days. While some success in the preservation of functionalized pad surfaces has been obtained for fluorinated polymeric surfaces, this has not been demonstrated for other polymeric surfaces, and in particular, thermoplastics.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved process for functionalizing and preserving a semiconductor wafer thermoplastic polishing pad surface, thereby providing a rapid rate of polishing and yet reducing scratches and resultant yield loss during chemical/mechanical planarization.
To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention, in one embodiment, provides a polymer, preferably thermoplastic foam polymer, comprising a thermoplastic foam substrate having a modified surface thereon and a grafted surface on the modified surface.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for preparing a polymer, preferably a thermoplastic foam polymer. The method comprises the steps of providing a thermoplastic foam substrate, exposing the substrate to an initial plasma reactant to produce a modified surface thereon, and exposing the modified surface to a secondary plasma reactant to create a grafted surface on the modified surface.
Yet another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing a polishing pad. The method comprises providing a thermoplastic foam substrate, and then forming a thermoplastic foam polishing body with a grafted surface by including those steps described above. A polishing pad is then formed from the thermoplastic foam polishing body that is suitable for polishing a semiconductor wafer or integrated circuit using the grafted surface.
In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a polishing apparatus. This particular embodiment includes a mechanically driven carrier head, a polishing platen, and a polishing pad attached to the polishing platen. The carrier head is positionable against the polishing platen to impart a polishing force against the polishing platen. The polishing pad includes a polishing body comprising a material wherein the material is a thermoplastic foam polymer.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seeding machine and in particular to a lifting mechanism for a row cleaner that lifts the row cleaner upon lifting of an associated furrow opener.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,754 discloses a grain drill assembly with several grain drills spaced along a transverse support. Each grain drill contains a furrow opener that forms a furrow for the deposit of seed. Each furrow opener is attached to the transverse support to pivot vertically. A row cleaner is located ahead of the furrow opener and is mounted to the transverse support through a parallelogram linkage to pivot vertically. The row cleaner is forced against the ground by means of a spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,678 discloses that the row cleaner be attached to the furrow opener so that the latter carries the row cleaner when it is raised. While it is advantageous to lift the row cleaner when the furrow opener is raised, with the arrangement shown in the '678 patent, the row cleaner is not raised to the same degree as the furrow opener. This is particularly disadvantageous during operation on the road. In addition, the row cleaner always engages the ground when the furrow opener is in the lowered position. There is no ability to operate the furrow opener without using the row cleaner. When seeding in a prepared seedbed, the row cleaner is not needed.