A method and apparatus for improved efficiency in protocols using character coding have been disclosed.

A method is disclosed for modeling a point bar associated with a multi-story channel belt, the method including: (a) in response to a plurality of rock classifications, generating a first two dimensional grid representing a grid of a top of the point bar and generating a second two dimensional grid representing a grid of a bottom of the point bar within the multi-story channel belt; and (b) in response to the first and second two dimensional grids representing the grid of the top and the bottom ...

A bi-directional underwater communication system provides a submerged operator the ability to communicate with a surface operator. Provides two transceivers both containing keypads and displays capable of transmitting and receiving alpha-numeric data. The underwater transceiver is connected to a floating antenna assembly via a small cable.

A dental implant has threads with a long pitch so the implant can be driven into a predrilled hole in the bone by axially delivered blows. When rotational forces are placed on the implant in attaching or removing the prosthesis, the long pitch threads will mechanically resist the rotational forces. The implant also includes a post integrally formed thereon so a minimum of separate procedures is required. The post includes a screw having a nylon rod therethrough to lock the screw in place.

A valve seat and a needle for a fuel injector are disclosed. The fuel injector includes a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the valve seat, and the needle. The valve seat includes a channel having a channel wall extending along the longitudinal axis and a needle contact area upstream from the channel. The needle contact area is proximate to the channel such that fuel deposits form exclusively on the channel wall and on the valve seat upstream of the needle contact area. The needle includ...

A valve (16) reciprocates with a constant stroke in the former tube (2) of a form-fill apparatus to dispense doses of filling material from the tube by ejecting the material through an outlet nozzle (8). The size of the doses is adjustable, in one form of the invention, by feeding the material is fed through an adjustable dosing opening immediately adjacent the valve. In another form of the invention, the valve (16) is adjustably positionable relative to the former tube (2) to vary the mean posi...

The formation of a tubular web in a form-fill process is achieved by drawing the web along a tapering guide (6) and then along a forming tube (20) the axis of which is at a small angle to the guide plate and intersects the guide. The web is drawn along the guide and tube by opposed drive rollers (24) at a station along the length of the forming tube, the rollers gripping the edges of the web together. The side margins of the web are folded over from a central portion when the web travels along t...

The invention herein is curable adhesive and sealant compositions and a non-aqueous solvent free process for producing such compositions which comprise a mono-ol, tackifying resin, and a monohydroxylated epoxidized polydiene polymer which is comprised of at least two polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers wherein at least one is a diene monomer which yields unsaturation suitable for epoxidation and wherein the polymer contains from 0.1 to 7.0 milliequivalents of epoxy per g...

A locking fastener for a guitar strap which receives the end pin of a guitar includes a base plate and a locking plate which is reciprocatingly slidable on the base plate. The base plate has a pin receiving keyhole formed through its thickness which is defined by a widened opening and a narrowed opening. The base plate also has a central slot formed through its thickness and openings or detents which are spaced apart from one another. The locking plate has a front edge which is recessed to defin...

A representative louver sander includes: a housing containing a vibrator motor; and a sanding attachment having a staff and a sanding paddle, the staff being sized and shaped to be removably attached to the housing, the sanding paddle being located at a distal end of the staff such that when the staff is attached to the housing and the vibrator motor is operating, the sanding paddle is vibrated; the sanding paddle having first and second opposing sanding surfaces and a curved surface interconnec...