|Publication number||US5803817 A|
|Application number||US 08/698,371|
|Publication date||Sep 8, 1998|
|Filing date||Aug 15, 1996|
|Priority date||Aug 15, 1996|
|Also published as||CA2234870A1, WO1998006304A1|
|Publication number||08698371, 698371, US 5803817 A, US 5803817A, US-A-5803817, US5803817 A, US5803817A|
|Inventors||Carl M. Stern|
|Original Assignee||Fisher-Price, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (33), Referenced by (101), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present invention relates to infant swings that include an infant seat suspended by an arm. More particularly, it relates to the attachment mechanism for pivotally attaching the infant seat to the arm movement of the seat, relative to the arm, between a cradle orientation and a swing orientation.
Infant swings are well known in the art. In conventional swings, a seat is suspended from a pair of arms that hang down from a crosspiece, with the arms being connected to either side of the seat. Unfortunately this arrangement makes it awkward to put the child into, or take the child out of, the swing because the crosspiece extends across the swing over the seat. The crosspiece blocks easy access to the seat, causing a parent to bend and stretch to put a child into the seat. A better arrangement would present the seat to the parent in a way that didn't require a bend and stretch movement.
One solution to improve accessibility of the seat is to eliminate the crosspiece. In one approach to eliminating the crosspiece, a pair of inverted U-shaped leg assemblies are tilted toward each other and joined at their upper ends. Again, the seat is suspended by a pair of arms, each arm being suspended from one of the joints at the upper ends of the U shaped leg assemblies. The two top joints define a fixed horizontal axis of rotation about which the seat swings. Although this frame permits ready access to the seat from front and top, it inhibits access from the sides of the swing. An alternative approach is to form the frame from two C-shaped legs, angled together and joined at the tops of the legs. A single swing arm swings about a horizontal axis through the joint. This permits ready access from front and sides. However, it is relatively more difficult to couple the seat to a single swing arm than to two opposed swing arms. One solution is to form the lower end of the arm in a U-shape, with the seat engaged in the U. However, in this approach the seat is not removable from the arm. It would be advantageous to have a swing with a single swing arm from which the seat can be readily removed, preferably while leaving the child in the seat.
An infant swing embodying the principles of the present invention includes a plurality of legs and a swing arm mounted to the legs for swinging about a horizontal swing axis. An infant seat is mounted to the lower end of the swing arm by a seat-to-swing coupler that includes a T-shaped connector with laterally extending posts that is received in a T-shaped receiving cavity of a pivot plate, with slots in the sidewall of the cavity that slidingly receive the connector posts. The pivot plate is pivotably mounted to the seat to permit the seat to be disposed in an upright orientation and a reclined orientation.
FIGS. 1A-1C are perspective, front, and side views of a swing embodying the principles of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the seat and swing arm with the seat in reclined and upright positions, respectively.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the seat, swing arm, seat-to-swing coupler assembly, and seat pivot assembly of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4A-F are front, bottom perspective, rear, top perspective, top plan, side elevation, and rear, bottom and front, top exploded views of the connector of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 5A-F are rear, top perspective, front, bottom perspective, rear, front, top, and side views of the pivot plate of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5G is a longitudinal cross-section of the pivot plate taken along line 5G--5G of FIG. 5C.
FIGS. 5H, 5I, and 5L are partial cross-sectional views of the pivot plate taken along lines 5H--5H, 5I--5I, and 5L--5L, respectively, of FIG. 5F.
FIGS. 5J and 5K are partial cross-sectional views of the pivot plate taken along lines 5J--5J and 5K--5K, respectively, of FIG. 5C.
FIG. 5M is a partial cross-sectional view of the pivot plate taken along line 5M--5M of FIG. 5D.
FIG. 5N is a detail view of the right upright latch passage of FIG. 5B.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are rear, bottom perspective, and rear views of the seat mounting area the seat of FIG. 3
FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the mounting area of the seat, taken along line 6C--6C of FIG. 6B.
FIGS. 6D and 6E are detail views of the pivot mount and upright seat latch.
FIGS. 6F and 6G are cross-sectional views of the pivot mount and upright seat latch taken along lines 6F--6F and 6G--6G of FIG. 6C, respectively.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are rear, bottom perspective and front, top perspective views of the recline latch of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial rear and side views of the seat and pivot assembly of FIG. 3 in a recline orientation.
FIGS. 8C, 8D, and 8E are partial cross-sectional views of the seat and pivot assembly taken along lines 8C--8C, 8D--8D, and 8E--8E of FIG. 8B, respectively.
FIG. 8F is a schematic side view of the seat and pivot assembly of FIG. 3 in an upright orientation.
An infant swing 10 incorporating the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Swing 10 includes a swing frame 200, a seat 100, and a seat-to-frame coupler assembly 20. Swing frame 200 includes left and right C-shaped legs 210; 220 coupled at their upper ends by upper housing 230 and angling downwardly and outwardly to their lower ends. (For purposes of reference herein, left and right, up and down, top and bottom, front and back are defined from the perspective of a child seated in seat 100 with the swing arm arranged in the cradle position, unless otherwise specified or apparent from the context.) Upper housing 230 encloses a drive assembly (not shown), which includes a battery powered motor. The drive assembly supplies motive power to a coupler assembly 250 to rock the coupler assembly about a horizontal swing axis As lying in the swing's plane of symmetry (running front to back). Coupler assembly 250 has an upper portion 252 and a lower portion 254 pivotable with respect to upper portion 252 about a vertical pivot axis Ap through a 180° range of angular motion bounded by a right-facing swing position and a left facing swing position and having a central cradle position.
As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B, C-shaped swing arm 260 is coupled at upper end 263 of its upper segment 262 to lower portion 254 of coupler assembly 250. Lower segment 264 of swing arm 260 has a longitudinal slide axis Ax, and is attached at its lower, coupler end 266 to seat-to-frame coupler assembly 20. Coupler end 266 has a tube portion 266A and a transverse rod 267 pressed through a pair of transverse holes formed in tube portion 266A.
Seat 100 (illustrated for clarity without the conventional covering soft goods) is a conventional infant seat, L-shaped in longitudinal cross section, and U-shaped in lateral cross-section, with an inner, infant seating surface 102 that has a seat portion 103 and a back portion 104, and an outer surface 105. Seat 100 includes a U-shaped handle 106 pivotably coupled at the ends of the U to opposite sides of the seat for selective pivoting between a carry position in which the handle is approximately perpendicular to back portion 104, a stowed position near the upper end of the seat (shown in FIG. 1), and a kickstand position behind the upper end of the seat. Seat 100 also includes a pivoting tray 108.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A, seat 100 further includes left and right rocker rails 110, 120 depending downwardly from outer surface 105. Left and right rocker rails 110, 120 have arcuate ground-contacting surfaces 111, 121 and generally planar laterally inwardly facing inner sidewalls 112, 122, respectively. Transverse rib 130 terminates at its left and right ends at inner sidewalls 112, 122. Inner sidewalls 112, 122 and transverse rib 130 bound the left, right, and lower edges, respectively, of a mounting area 131 of outer surface 105. Mounting area 131 receives the seat side of seat-to-frame coupler assembly 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, seat-to-frame coupler assembly 20 includes a swing arm connector assembly 400 coupled to swing arm 26 and a pivot plate 300 pivotally mounted in mounting area 131 and coupleable with connector assembly 400. Seat pivot assembly 30 includes pivot plate 300, various structures on seat 100 in mounting area 131 (described in detail below), and recline latch 500, mounted in mounting area 131 and engageable with pivot plate 300.
As shown in FIGS. 4A-F, connector 400 includes a connector body piece 402 and a rear plate piece 404, joined at their lower ends by four rivets R through mating rivet holes (FIG. 4F), and at their upper ends by two screws S through mating screw holes (FIG. 4E), and defining therebetween a T-shaped swing-arm receiving cavity 406 in which coupler end 266 of swing arm 260 is fixedly received. Cavity 406 has a main portion 406A to receive the tube portion 266A of coupler end 266 and a transverse portion 406B to receive the transverse rod 267 of coupler end 266. This structure gives a high resistance to torque about longitudinal slide axis Ax of swing arm lower segment 264.
Connector 400 is accordingly shaped as an inverted T, with a vertical, post portion 408, a lower, horizontal, transverse portion 410, and a semi-cylindrical protrusion 412 extending downwardly from the center of transverse portion 410. Connector body 402 tapers inwardly from rear surface 416 to front surface 414, producing an angled peripheral sidewall 418. Four generally rectangular mounting posts project laterally outwardly from sidewall 418. Upper left and right mounting posts 420, 422 project from the left and right sides, respectively, of post portion 406, while lower left and right mounting posts 424, 426 project outwardly from the left and right ends, respectively of transverse portion 408. Since all of the posts have essentially identical geometries, only upper left mounting post 420 is described in detail. Post 420 has substantially parallel front and rear surfaces 420A, 420C spaced by a front-to-rear post depth Dp, and parallel bottom and top surfaces 420B, 420D. All corners between these surfaces are radiused with radius Rp.
As shown in FIGS. 5A-N, pivot plate 300 has a rear wall 302 with a forwardly-depending inner peripheral sidewall 303 terminating at a front wall 336 and defining therewith a generally T-shaped receiving cavity 306, and an outer peripheral sidewall 304 depending forwardly from rear wall 302 and terminating in a front rim 305 substantially coplanar with front surface 336A of front wall 336.
Receiving cavity 306 has a post portion 308, a transverse portion 310, and a protrusion 312, corresponding generally in shape to the post portion 408, transverse portion 410, and protrusion 412, respectively, of swing arm connector 400. A pair of longitudinal left and right slide ribs 338A and 338B, respectively, project rearwardly from the rear surface 336A of front wall 336 and extend substantially the entire length of receiving cavity 306. Protrusion surface 336C of front wall 336 slopes slightly upwardly and rearwardly. Inner peripheral sidewall 303 includes a bottom segment 320, (progressing clockwise in FIG. 5C) a lower left side segment 322, a left shoulder segment 324, an upper left side segment 326, a top segment 328, an upper right side segment 330, a right shoulder segment 332, and a lower right side segment 334. Outer peripheral sidewall 304 correspondingly includes a bottom segment 340, (progressing counterclockwise in FIG. 5D) a lower left side segment 342, a left shoulder segment 344, an upper left side segment 346, a top segment 348, an upper right side segment 350, a right shoulder segment 352, and a lower right side segment 354.
Rear wall 302 and front rim 305 are generally parallel, with two exceptions. First, at lower portion 307 of pivot plate 300, lower portion 302A of the rear wall and stop portion 305A of the front rim taper together in a wedge shape. Second, at upper portion 309 of pivot plate 300, rear wall 302 is recessed forwardly in a semi-cylindrical swing arm receiving portion 302B, defining a swing arm receiving recess 314 having a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of lower end 263 of swing arm 260.
Projecting laterally outwardly from outer peripheral sidewall lower left and right side segments 342, 354 are left and right hollow, cylindrical pivot posts 382 and 384; respectively. Also projecting laterally outwardly from outer peripheral sidewall lower left and right side segments 342, 354 are wedge-shaped left and right upright latch projections 386 and 388, respectively.
Recessed laterally outwardly from inner peripheral sidewall lower left and right side segments 322, 334 are lower left and right L-shaped slots 366 and 368, respectively. Similarly, recessed laterally outwardly from inner peripheral sidewall upper left and right side segments 326, 330 are upper left and right L-shaped slots 362 and 364, respectively. Since each of the slots 362, 364, 366, and 368 have substantially the same configuration, only slot 362 is described in detail.
Slot 362 has a forwardly-tapering entry portion 362A terminating at its forward end at the lower end of a seating portion 362B extending upwardly generally parallel to rear wall 302. Entry portion 362A is bounded at its lower side by forwardly and upwardly-sloping guide wall 362C, at its upper side by upper wall 362D, and at its left side by side wall 362E. Seating portion 362B is bounded at its forward side by forward wall 362F, at its rear side by rear wall 362G, at its upper side by stop wall 362H, and at a portion of its left side by side wall 362E. The upper part of seating portion 362B extends outwardly through outer peripheral sidewall 304, terminating at its outer end at aperture 362I in upper left side segment 346. Seating portion 362B has a front-to-rear slot depth Ds slightly larger than post depth Dp.
A pair of left and right recline latch passages 372, 374 penetrate rear wall 302 on the laterally outer side of upper left and right slots 362, 364, respectively. Since latch passages 372 and 374 have substantially the same configuration, only left latch passage 372 is described in detail.
Latch passage 372 is bounded at its upper end by upper wall 372A, at its left side by cam wall 372B, and its lower end by lower wall 372C, and at is right side by side wall 372D. A rearwardly-facing recline latch shoulder 372E is formed at the rear end of latch passage 372, and a rearwardly and inwardly sloping latch cam ramp 372F extends from the forward side of the latch shoulder.
The mounting area 131 of seat 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-G. As noted above, mounting area 131 is bounded by left and right inner sidewalls 112, 122 and by transverse rib 130, and has a generally planar mounting wall 132. A rectangular recline latch mounting boss 134 protrudes rearwardly from mounting wall 132 and includes left and right latch arm slots 134A and 134B, respectively.
Inner sidewalls 112, 122 include several structures that cooperate with pivot plate 300 as part of seat pivot assembly 30. These structures include left and right pivot mounts 140, 150, left and right recline stops 160, 170, and left and right upright latches 180, 190. Since each of these pairs of structures are identical, only the left ones will be described in detail.
Left pivot mount 140 is best viewed in FIGS. 6C, 6D and 6F. It includes a cylindrical pivot passage 141 that penetrates inner sidewall 112 and has an inner diameter slightly larger than outside diameter of pivot plate left pivot post 382. A guide slot 142 is formed in inner sidewall 112 and extends forwardly from ground contacting surface 111 to pivot passage 141. A ribbed guide ramp 143 extends upwardly and inwardly from the surface of guide slot 142 to the rim of pivot passage 141. This structure permits ready insertion of pivot plate left pivot post forwardly along guide slot 142 and into rotatable engagement with pivot passage 141.
Left recline stop 160 is best viewed in FIG. 6C (while identical right recline stop is best viewed in FIG. 6A). Recline stop 160 is formed as a shoulder that projects inwardly from inner sidewall 112 and rearwardly from mounting wall 132, and has a rearwardly-facing stop surface 161 that is generally parallel to mounting wall 132. Right recline stop 170 similarly has a stop surface 171.
Left upright latch 180 is best viewed in FIGS. 6C, 6E, and 6G. It includes a latch aperture 181 that penetrates inner sidewall 112, a latch shoulder 182 that projects inwardly from the rearward end of aperture 181, and a ribbed latch ramp 183 that slopes inwardly and rearwardly from inner sidewall 112 to the rearward edge of shoulder 182.
Recline latch 500 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-B. The latch includes a generally rectangular base 501, and identical, rearwardly-projecting left and right latch arms 520, 530. Latch arm 503 includes a latch aperture 521 with a rear, forwardly-facing latch edge 522. The rear end of left latch arm 520 terminates in a rear edge 524. A pair of arcuate finger grooves 523A, 523B are formed in the outer surface of the rear end of left latch arm 520. Recline latch 500 is mounted in recline latch mounting boss 134 with left and right latch arms 520, 530 projecting rearwardly through left and right latch arm slots 134A, 134B, respectively, and is fastened to boss 134 by rivets (not shown).
The operation of pivot assembly 30 is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8A-F and 2A-B. Pivot plate 300 is mounted in mounting area 131, with left and right pivot posts 382, 384 mounted in left and right pivot mounts 140, 150. Pivot plate 300 is pivotable about a recline pivot axis Ar extending transversely through the pivot posts, through a range of angular motion bounded at one end by a recline position (FIGS. 2A, 8B) and at the other end by an upright position (FIG. 2B, 8F). The recline position is defined by engagement of front rim 305 of pivot plate 300 with the stop surfaces 161, 171 of left and right recline stops 160, 170. The upright position is defined by engagement of stop portion 305A of front rim 305 with mounting wall 132. The recline angle Θr about the pivot axis Ar (FIG. 8F) between the recline and upright positions is 20°.
Pivot plate 300 is retained in the recline and upright positions by engagement with the recline and upright latches, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8D, when in the recline position, recline latch shoulder 372E is disposed rearwardly of latch edge 522 of left recline latch arm 520, preventing rotation of pivot plate 300 away from recline position. However, if left recline latch arm 160 is flexed inwardly (as shown in phantom in FIG. 8D) such as by application of any inwardly directed force to the outer side of the latch arm by a user's finger pressing inwardly on the finger grooves 523A, 523B, latch edge 522 will be disposed laterally inwardly of recline latch shoulder 372E, allowing rotation of the pivot plate away from the recline position. If pivot plate 300 is rotated from the upright position toward the recline position, left recline latch cam ramp will engage rear edge 524 of left latch arm 520, flexing latch arm 520 inwardly until the pivot plate reaches the recline position and shoulder 372E clears latch edge 522, at which point the latch arm will snap back to its normal position.
As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8E, when pivot plate 300 is in the recline position, left upright latch projection 386 is spaced rearwardly of left upright latch shoulder 182. However, if pivot plate 300 is rotated toward the upright position, the forward edge of projection 386 will engage latch ramp 182, and continued application of an external rotation force (such as by a user) will flex sidewall 112 in the region of left upright latch 180 outwardly until projection 386 clears shoulder 182 and pivot plate 300 reaches the upright position (FIG. 8F). Shoulder 182 will then be disposed rearward of projection 386, inhibiting rotation away from the upright position. However, application of a rotation force away from the upright position will bring the opposed, beveled rear surface of projection 386 and front surface of shoulder 182 into engagement and again flex sidewall 112 outwardly until projection 386 clears shoulder 182.
Seat and back portions 103 and 104 of seat 100 are arranged so that the center of gravity of the combination of the seat and an occupant child is positioned forward of recline pivot axis Ar when the seat is in the upright position and, preferably, when the seat is in the recline position. The weight of the child and seat therefore urge the seat rotationally about axis Ar toward the upright position. Thus, when the seat is in the upright position, the weight urges stop portion 305A against mounting wall 132, rather than urging the upright latch projections against the upright latches in a direction that would disengage the upright latch. Similarly, but less importantly, when the seat is in the recline position, the weight tends to urge recline latch shoulder 372E against the latch edges, placing the latch arms in tension.
The operation of seat-to-frame coupler assembly 20 is described with reference to FIG. 3. Seat 100 is attached to swing arm 260 by engaging pivot plate 300 with swing arm connector 400. To do so, pivot plate 300 is moved rearwardly toward front surface 414 of connector 400, with pivot plate rear wall 302 generally parallel to front surface 414 and receiving cavity 306 aligned with the connector. As connector 400 enters cavity 306, mounting posts 420, 422, 424, and 426 enter the entry portions of the respective slots 362, 364, 366, and 368 until the posts' front surfaces engage the slots' entry portion guide walls. The guide walls guide the posts to enter the lower ends of the slots' seating portions. Connector 400 is thus fully received in receiving cavity 306, with post portion 408 and transverse portion 410 of connector 400 received in post portion 308 and transverse portion 310, respectively, of cavity 306, and with lower segment 264 of swing arm 260 received in swing arm receiving portion 302B. Connector front surface 414 is engaged with pivot plate slide ribs 338A, 338B.
Seat 100 can then be translated forwardly and downwardly, parallel to swing arm 260's slide axis Ax, sliding the posts into the slots' seating portions until the posts' top surfaces engage the seating portions' stop walls. Seat 100 will then be suspended by pivot plate 300 from connector 400 and thus from swing arm 260. To remove the seat, the user simply applies an upwardly and rearwardly directed force, parallel to slide axis Ax, to the seat to lift the pivot plate's slots off the connector's posts until the posts enter the forward ends of the slots' entry portions and the seat can be pulled forwardly and upwardly off the connector.
In the illustrated embodiment, the swing frame tubes are formed of steel, seat 100 is injection molded of polypropylene for low cost, pivot plate 300 and connector 400 are injection molded of ABS for strength, and recline latch 500 is injection molded of acetal for springiness and low friction. Of course, other suitable materials may be selected by the artisan.
Although in the illustrated embodiment, pivot plate 300 has a cavity (female portion of seat-to-frame coupler assembly) and connector 400 is received in the cavity (male portion), and the pivot plate has slots formed in the sidewalls of the cavity while the connector has posts extending laterally from its peripheral sidewall, the artisan will appreciate that these relationships can be varied. Thus, the connector can have a cavity and receive the pivot plate, and posts can be formed in cavity sidewalls while slots are formed in a peripheral sidewall of a male member received in the cavity. Similarly, a combination of posts and slots can be put on each of the male and female members. Thus, although the particular connector/cavity and post/slot interaction arrangement described above is presently preferred, it is intended to be illustrative of the several combinations possible.
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|US20050059502 *||Mar 19, 2004||Mar 17, 2005||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Foldable swing having rotatable handles|
|US20050189796 *||Jan 26, 2005||Sep 1, 2005||Gregorian Sarah B.||Motion apparatus for use with infant carrier|
|US20050227576 *||Jun 21, 2005||Oct 13, 2005||Armbruster Michael D||Infant support structure with an entertainment device|
|US20050239565 *||Apr 12, 2005||Oct 27, 2005||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Motion conversion mechanism for use with child containment structure|
|US20060030415 *||Aug 3, 2004||Feb 9, 2006||Simplicity, Inc.||Infant swing|
|US20060111194 *||Aug 19, 2005||May 25, 2006||Simplicity Inc.||Infant swing|
|US20060181123 *||Nov 23, 2005||Aug 17, 2006||Steven Gibree||Transferable baby seat|
|US20060194639 *||Apr 28, 2006||Aug 31, 2006||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Open top swing|
|US20060211506 *||Mar 16, 2005||Sep 21, 2006||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Swing with support base|
|US20060214486 *||Mar 15, 2005||Sep 28, 2006||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child swing with recline mechanism|
|US20060252564 *||Mar 15, 2005||Nov 9, 2006||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Swing assembly|
|US20060252565 *||Mar 20, 2006||Nov 9, 2006||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Bouncer seat assembly|
|US20070060405 *||Sep 15, 2006||Mar 15, 2007||Matthew Grossman||Portable Infant Swing|
|US20070111809 *||Mar 20, 2006||May 17, 2007||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child motion device|
|US20070120404 *||Nov 3, 2006||May 31, 2007||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20070129156 *||Nov 3, 2006||Jun 7, 2007||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20070205646 *||Mar 1, 2007||Sep 6, 2007||Mattel, Inc.||Repositionable Child Support Device|
|US20070262627 *||Nov 3, 2006||Nov 15, 2007||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20070267904 *||Nov 3, 2006||Nov 22, 2007||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20080217974 *||Mar 19, 2008||Sep 11, 2008||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20080258513 *||Apr 20, 2007||Oct 23, 2008||Mattel, Inc.||Swing With A Recline Mechanism And Method Of Using The Same|
|US20090029784 *||Aug 1, 2008||Jan 29, 2009||Sarah Burgess Gregorian||Motion apparatus for use with infant carrier|
|US20090085389 *||Sep 15, 2008||Apr 2, 2009||Nuna International B.V.||Swing chair|
|US20090111593 *||Apr 11, 2008||Apr 30, 2009||Feng Pei Guang||Control device for a swing|
|US20090170618 *||Mar 5, 2009||Jul 2, 2009||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device|
|US20100127539 *||Jan 27, 2010||May 27, 2010||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Seat Support Structure for a Child Motion Device|
|US20100151951 *||Dec 14, 2009||Jun 17, 2010||Kids Ii, Inc.||Electromagnetic Swing|
|US20100159428 *||Jun 30, 2009||Jun 24, 2010||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Children's Development Device With Multiple-Axis Motion|
|US20110092301 *||Dec 23, 2010||Apr 21, 2011||Myers Peter J||Child swing and jumper apparatus and methods of operating the same|
|US20110227375 *||Mar 2, 2011||Sep 22, 2011||Mattel, Inc.||Reconfigurable Infant Support Structure|
|US20120205954 *||Jan 12, 2012||Aug 16, 2012||Graco Children's Products Inc.||Child Motion Device with Adjustable Seat|
|US20130026805 *||Jul 27, 2012||Jan 31, 2013||Kids Ii, Inc.||Children's motion device|
|US20150216309 *||Dec 10, 2014||Aug 6, 2015||Theodore Gerard Habing||Adjustable lounge garden swing|
|US20150250330 *||Mar 6, 2015||Sep 10, 2015||Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited||Child Motion Apparatus|
|CN102894733A *||Jul 30, 2012||Jan 30, 2013||儿童二代公司||Children's motion device|
|CN102894733B *||Jul 30, 2012||Feb 10, 2016||儿童二代公司||儿童运动装置|
|EP1360917A1 *||Mar 11, 2003||Nov 12, 2003||Werner Schenker||Infant swing|
|WO2003028512A1||May 31, 2002||Apr 10, 2003||Mattel, Inc.||Collapsible infant swing|
|WO2011100895A1 *||Feb 21, 2011||Aug 25, 2011||Goodbaby Child Products Co., Ltd||Childern rocking chair|
|U.S. Classification||472/118, 472/119|
|International Classification||A47D1/10, A47D13/10|
|Cooperative Classification||A47D13/105, A47D1/10|
|European Classification||A47D13/10D, A47D1/10|
|Nov 5, 1996||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: FISHER-PRICE, INC., NEW YORK
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STERN, CARL M.;REEL/FRAME:008247/0820
Effective date: 19961026
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Year of fee payment: 4
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Year of fee payment: 8
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Year of fee payment: 12


text:
Wadsworth, Texas Ghost Sightings
In the day Wadsworth, Texas is equal to any other United States municipality, but when the spooky shadows of the night roll in the undead invade. The phantoms of this town donít leave anyone unscared. Some people who live here assert there are no phantoms, but Wadsworth is filled with undeceased souls just waiting to give you a good scare.
These are some of the spooky things that have happened in nearby cities and towns.
Matagorda 9 miles away: I was standing on the Matagorda Pier when I saw a man in a jogging suit, this was about 12:00 pm. The only thing he asked me was '' are you catching anything? ''. I don't mean any of this in disrespec...|
Matagorda 9 miles away: I went fishing with my dad on 4-21-11. About 1 am I felt like someone was watching me and I decided to sleep for a while in my truck which was parked a 25ft from where we were so I had a short vision ...
Palacios 14 miles away: We were born in raised in Palacios. Our parents are decessed on 10/02/11 my brother took a picture of his wife walking throu the bedroom in my grandparents house and a shadow of a girl dressed in whit...
Blessing 21 miles away: I live in a house built by Jonathon Pierce over 100 years ago. This house was a rent house for around 35 years before I bought it. I've heard tons of fascinating ghost stories about this place. Most a...
(continued on the next page...)
Submit a ghost sighting for Wadsworth, Texas:
If this is a comment on an existing sighting please use the link named ''comment on this'' at the end of that sighting.
NEARBY GHOST PICTURES
Other haunted towns near Wadsworth, Texas:
Matagorda, Texas, 9 miles away
Collegeport, Texas, 12 miles away
Palacios, Texas, 14 miles away
Elmaton, Texas, 16 miles away
Blessing, Texas, 21 miles away
Markham, Texas, 23 miles away
Bay City, Texas, 24 miles away
Midfield, Texas, 26 miles away
Van Vleck, Texas, 29 miles away
Cedar Lane, Texas, 31 miles away
The latest ghost sightings from around the world
All haunted towns and cities in
Lies about Wadsworth

domain: geography


text:
Mozart and the Miserere
THE SOURCE: “Secret Harmony” by Kelly Grovier, in The Times Literary Supplement, June 8, 2012.
It’s Good Friday, 1770. Pilgrims have filled the Sistine Chapel for the rite of the Tenebrae. At the altar, the priest is extinguishing the candles meant to represent Christ’s life on earth. Ringing through the chapel is one of Europe’s most famous pieces of sacred music, Gregorio Allegri’s 17th-century work Miserere Mei, a polyphonous choral setting of Psalm 51. Among the rapt pilgrims are 14-year-old Wolfgang Mozart and his father, Leopold. Young Mozart is not just transfixed by the music; he is committing it to memory. After the service, he will transcribe the score of the coveted work, executing a prodigious feat of musical mastery.
It will also be a major affront to the Roman Catholic Church. The church so highly prized the Miserere Mei that anyone who copied even a part of it risked excommunication, writes Kelly Grovier, a poet and cofounder of the European Romantic Review.
To read the rest of this article, please consider becoming a WQ subscriber, which allows online access to the current WQ issue as well as archive content. Other access options are below.
Research, browse, and discover more than 35 years of articles, essays, and reviews by preeminent scholars and writers. Our searchable archive of back issues is free for WQ subscribers.

domain: library


text:
Jennifer Christopher Net Worth
Jennifer Christopher made money by Actors niche. For all time, at the moment, 2018 year, Jennifer Christopher earned $97 Million. Exact sum is $97000000.
Short biography, height, weight, dates:
Birth date: Warren, Ohio, United States
Height:5 8 (1.73 m)
Movies: My One and Only, Family Jewels, Frans Daughter, Void
Wikipedia Source: Jennifer Christopher

domain: celebrity


text:
5 Tips on How to Effectively Manage Accounting For Your E-Commerce Business
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 3-2021 to prescribe the use of the Online Submission Tool (OST) for the filing of audited financial statements (AFS), general information sheets (GIS), and other annual reports of registered corporations in the Philippines.
What Reports Must Be Filed Through OST?
The following annual reports are required to be filed through OST:
- Audited Financial Statements (AFS)
- Duly stamped received by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of proof of filing with the BIR should be attached to the AFS
- Duly signed by the auditor and all required signatories
- Compliant with all the AFS requirements as stated in the checklist available on the SEC website
- Sworn Statement for Foundation (SSF)
- General Form for Financial Statement (GFFS)
- Special Form for Financial Statement (SFFS)
- General Information Sheet (GIS)
- Affidavit of Non-Operation (ANO), to be filed together with the GIS/FS (filer may submit a GIS/FS without any movement/change)
- Affidavit of Non-Holding of Annual Meeting (ANHAM), to be filed together with the GIS (also, the filer may submit a GIS, without any movement/change [no meeting held])
Note: Filing is optional for both the ANO and ANHAM, and is considered as an option provided to the public. However, should the filer choose to submit the ANO and ANHAM, these are deemed not filed without being attached to the GIS/FS and GIS, respectively.
Can I Still Submit Hard Copies of Annual Reports to SEC?
No, hard copies of the SEC reports enumerated above SHALL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED. In addition, submission through email, mail, courier, and chutebox is no longer allowed.
Is it Mandatory to Enrol in the OST?
-Yes, all corporations and partnerships registered with SEC are mandated to enroll in OST and submit annual reports through the system starting March 15, 2021.
What are the Steps for Enrollment to OST?
The steps for enrollment to OST are as follows:
Step 1: Fill out the application form online
Step 2: Attach the following documents:
- Board Resolution from the corporation/partnership authorizing the Company’s representative to file reports on behalf of the corporation/partnership
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from the authorized filer/representative of the corporation to file reports (AFS/GIS) for and on behalf of the corporation/partnership
- MC28 Report and/or General Information Sheet (GIS) version 2020 submitted to the SEC
Step 3: Upload the application form, together with the aforementioned attachments
Step 4: Wait for the approval of the application through email and access key (user ID and password) to file reports through the OST
Step 5: If the application is pending approval, wait for a notification through the registered email for compliance with additional requirements, if any
Step 6: The enrollment is a one-time process for the company. In the event the corporation/partnership decides to change their authorized filer, the company shall enroll a new filer and replace the old one, in the same enrollment form provided for the company under the OST
Step 7: The issued access key (user ID and password) shall be used by the filer to access the OST and file the reports
Deadline for Submission of Annual Reports Through OST
All corporations shall submit their GIS within thirty (30) days after their Annual Meeting.
All stock corporations, including branch offices, representative offices, regional headquarters, and regional operating headquarters of foreign corporations, shall enroll and file their AFS through OST depending on the last numerical digit of their SEC registration or license number, in accordance with the following schedule:
All stock corporations may enroll and submit their reports through OST even prior to their respective filing schedule.
For stock corporations unable to enroll and file their AFS through OST based on the above schedule, filing of reports over-the-counter SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Such corporations are mandated to still enroll and file through OST.
Want to know more about the new list of requirements for submitting your annual reports in the Philippines? Visit this link to access the official copy of the issuance.
If this corporate advisory is not applicable to you, please disregard this email.

domain: law


text:
The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip IIBook - 1972-1973 | [1st U.S. ed.].
Publisher: New York: Harper & Row, [1972-1973]
Edition: [1st U.S. ed.].
Branch Call Number: 910.091822 B825
Characteristics: 2v. : ill.; 24 cm.
From the critics
No similar edition of this title was found at JMS.
Try searching for The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II to see if JMS owns related versions of the work.


Victoria’s Victims of Crime Commissioner has expressed his dismay at the lack of justice served in the case of a 15-year-old Melbourne girl who took her own life after schoolyard bullies orchestrated her gang rape.
Cassidy Trevan was 13 years old when she was raped by two boys at a house in Springvale in February 2014 - as two girls who had bullied her remorselessly sat and waited in the lounge room outside and another boy stood as a lookout at the front door.
Her mother Linda Trevan has campaigned tirelessly for her daughter’s case to be reopened by Dandenong police since going public with her story to Nine.com.au six months ago.
Speaking to Nine.com.au, the state’s Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies said he felt complete sympathy with Ms Trevan, and Cassidy’s family, for all they had endured.
“I cannot even imagine what they have gone through, it’s just the most horrible situation for a family to be in. Just horrendous,” Mr Davies said.
“It’s pretty awful to sit back and think there are three males who are quite possibly rapists. And a couple of teenage girls - who are not five-year-olds and don’t know right from wrong - who are alleged to have created the circumstances in which this poor girl has been raped multiple times and if they get to walk away from it scot-free, there is very little justice.
“This is one of the most awful crimes that could happen to a female. And what is their attitude now? One assumes they have shown no remorse for anything they have done.”
However, Mr Davies stressed that the case was an extremely difficult one for authorities to pursue.
“I would think it would be almost unprecedented to have anyone convicted of a rape years after it had occurred and after the victim had passed away,” he said.
“There may be a very faint possibility, that somebody could say we did do it. But you would need full and freely given admissions from one or more, together with medical evidence that may or may not exist.”
Cassidy met with detectives from Victoria Police's Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Team several times before she ultimately took her own life in December 2015, but fearing retaliation from the gang of bullies and that it would “push her over the edge” she could never bring herself to make a statement.
None of the five teenagers involved in Cassidy’s rape were ever charged.
Despite police being told the full names of the boys and the girls involved in the incident none of them were ever even questioned, Ms Trevan said.
“All I want is for them to be questioned. For them to not think they got away completely scot-free, no consequences. I want them to feel the fear that Cass felt,” she said.
“A 13-year-old girl can’t be gang raped and then end up suiciding from it and there be no consequences, no-one even questioned.”
In a statement previously provided to Nine.com.au, Victoria Police said they were confident they had followed “all appropriate investigative leads” in Cassidy’s case, and the victim’s welfare had been the priority of detectives.
Mr Davies, who is himself an ex-police officer and the former secretary of the Victorian Police Association, said there was nothing stopping police from simply turning up on the doorsteps of the teenager’s homes and seeking to question them.
“If the police believe the allegations that are made and they have been given the names or addresses of the noted suspects. They can go and interview them, or they can go and speak to them. They can speak to whoever they wish over any investigation that they are conducting,” he said.
“It simply takes a decision made at a higher level to simply say, ‘Continue with this inquiry. Go and speak to the nominated suspects’.”
Mr Davies said he was confident, however, that if there was a possibility of a conviction in Cassidy’s case, the police and the office of public prosecutions would “pursue it vigorously”.
Earlier this month, Ms Trevan made a public appeal for a key witness in the case - the boy who acted as the lookout at the house where Cassidy was raped - to come forward, or anyone else who may have information to help police.
All of the five teenagers present in the house while her only daughter was raped should confess to relieve their consciences, she said.
"I've been asked thousands of times to 'name and shame' the five kids, but I'm doing the right thing by not doing that," she said.
"But they should do the right thing now and come forward themselves so they don't have to suffer the guilt for the rest of their lives.”
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Contact reporter Emily McPherson at firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
2020 Bonar Street, Room 129, Berkeley, CA 94702
Tel: 510.644.4895 | Fax: 510.644.8933
Becca Todd, District Library Coordinator
Visit each school’s library! Click on Berkeley School Libraries.
Our school libraries are bustling centers of learning, cultivating an appreciation for literature and fostering development of research skills and information literacy. Thanks to the support of the Berkeley community and the Berkeley Schools Excellence Project (BSEP), there is funding for library staffing and resources in every BUSD public school. Check us out! Berkeley School Libraries
Cyber Savvy resources are provided to help students, families and the whole school community be safe and ethical in the digital world. Common Sense Media has extensive resources for educators and for families.
Looking for more recommended literature lists?
The Berkeley Public Library maintains book lists K-8 , themed book lists for all ages and direct links to award winning titles. Our local bookstores are also great places to pick up books to add to your permanent home library collection; IndieBound provides some of their recommendations.
The International Children’s Digital Library is a delightful online library of children’s books in many languages.
Every year, students throughout California vote on the best book through the California Young Reader Medal program.
Literature Links from the California Department of Education provides recommended literature databases in many genres and subject matters.
STAR reading lists are based on your child’s score on the California English-Language Arts Standards Test.
Books grouped by “reading level” can be found here and also using the links listed below.
NEW! Leveled Reading Suggestions! and Math and Tech Games….


text:
Guangzhou named best Chinese city for international investors
- January 4, 2018
- Posted by: Yolandy
- Category: Business
Guangzhou was crowned as the best Chinese city for international investors in 2017.
The award is based on Dow Jones data, the most authoritative third-party data group in the world, after a study of over 10,000 overseas investors from 17 countries.
Guiyang, Qingdao, Wenzhou, and Xi’an also received the title.
Guangzhou’s favorable investment environment has attracted over 20,000 investors, including 297 fortune global 500 enterprises, from more than 120 countries and regions.
The city is a huge market with substantial opportunities and potential. With a total area of 7,434.4 square kilometers and a permanent resident population of 14 million, it has created a GDP equal to those of Hong Kong and Singapore.
Guangzhou’s convenient transportation is another highlight. Shipping and air routes in Guangzhou lead to 400 ports in over 100 countries and regions. By 2016, 130 airlines have been opened in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, transporting 60 million passengers and 1.64 million tons of cargo.
In addition, the favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the livability of the city, were also important.


text:
Offensive! “Please”. What is becoming of people? Listening to the News, Talk shows, Tv and radio in general, the question must be asked just what is with all the whining about absolutely everything. Today there was an outcry over the Prime Minister touching a disabled person on the head, all very innocent really but not when some over sensitive person decides that to them it is offensive! “Please”. How is this offensive? He touched Her head for crying out loud.
Then there are all the sports players who think that every time someone says something they don’t like it is Racist again I say “Please”. Stop thinking that the whole world is out to get you and get a backbone, despite the fact that you may think that everyone who has something unflattering to say is a racist. NEWS FLASH this is not so, it could be that White, Black or Brindle you do look different. Everyone is entitled to His or Her opinion. I don’t go screaming racist every time someone says something demeaning to me, try thinking outside the square and look for another reason rather than hiding behind race, disability or gender all the time. Everyday there is some new outraged person complaining about some perceived wrong. If you go around thinking that everything people say is directed at you because of your ethnic background, religion, colour or disability maybe you should get some proffessional help. Because “SURPRISE” people do say things that mean different things to different people and are most likely not directing their comments at YOU.
I am not so ignorant as to think that discrimination and racism do not exist but I do believe that to many people make too bigger deal about some things that are really very trivial.
In doing this when a real case comes along it is like the Boy who cried Wolf save your outrage for justified cases and don’t trivialise this serious problem.

domain: sociology


text:
Anitracks is animation TV series company on mission to bring live Indian Anime Genre.
At Anitracks, we believe a well told story never goes out of fashion. Animation is our medium of preference as it puts minimum constraints on the narration of our stories. Our animator’s color palate is matched by vivid imagination of our story writers. The combination of strong stories and cool visuals creates the very entertaining blend . This is our first year of operations and like a small baby we are super excited to show case our first product “The Age of Lions” which would soon be on the television screens near you.

domain: artistic


An Economy Way to Repair
As one of your TPMS sensor is faulty or out of battery, you cannot just swap battery or damaged part in the TPMS sensor. However, when it comes to replace it with car dealership, it could be rather expensive than you thought. Thus, HICAM wants to give you an economical alternative to replace these expensive TPMS sensors.
Premium and Stable Quality Sensors
The idea behind a TPMS is mainly safety related; thus, HI-CAM takes extra care to make sure every product we produced staying high and stable quality. HI-CAM adopts precise production and traceability to offer the same level of quality and functionality as original equipment TPMS parts.


text: This paper presents an exemplification and discussion of the contemporaneity of Erving Goffman’s work and of its applicability to the analysis of identity and presentation of self in the blogging and Second Life [SL] contexts. An analysis of online identity and interaction practices in ten different cases of bloggers and SL inhabitants and of their online spaces is presented in terms of: expressions given; embellishment as minor form of persona adoption; dividing the self; conforming and ‘fitting in’; and masking, anonymity and pseudonimity. The key finding of the research is that, contrary to engaging with the process of whole persona adoption, participants were keen to re-create their offline self online, but engaged in editing facets of self. This emphasizes the key premise in Goffman’s work that when in ‘front stage’, people deliberately chose to project a given identity. It is concluded that Goffman’s original framework is of great usefulness as an explanatory framework for understanding identity through interaction and the presentation of self in the online world. Equally, the online environment, with its enhanced potential for editing the self, can offer opportunities to contribute to the further development of the Goffman framework.

domain: psychology


text:
Aqua Gold Botox Facial
AQUAGOLD Super Facial – The luxury 24-carat gold medical facial device designed to deliver a bespoke blend of skincare, favoured by Hollywood elite including Kim Kardashian. This new revolutionary micro- infusion delivery mechanism is a patented innovative device made to provide a truly customised facial treatment – CE marked and FDA approved.
AQUAGOLD Fine Touch Treatment is ideal if you are afraid of needles and want the convenience of a facial with the “after” photos of a cosmetic injectables brochure.
Free consultation with a PSRx Body & Skin Specialist 877-622-PSRX

domain: health


text:
Thousands of young voters from the United Kingdom have tuned into a live political discussion ahead of the EU referendum on June 23.
The interactive program Are You In Or Out aired on Monday as part of youth-led movement Bite the Ballot’s ongoing attempt to register 500,000 young voters before the June 7 deadline.
Targeted at young people, the program aimed to engage viewers in the referendum debate, which has moved away from youth-interest topics such as education and freedom of movement.
Young people make up more than a quarter of the eligible voting population in Britain, but are still the most unengaged political age group.
According to the Electoral Commission, 16- to 24-year-olds are two times less likely to be on the electoral register as the population at large, with almost half not registered to vote.
Of those registered and eligible, only 43 per cent turned out to vote in 2015’s general election.
Bite the Ballot co-founder Mike Sani, who hosted Are You In Or Out, told The Guardian that a lack of political education often excludes younger generations from engaging in political debate.
“Knowledge is power, and some people are educated about how the country is run and some people are not,” said Mr Sani. “Young people are just seen as consumers, not citizens.”
“I don’t think most people even know what a political ideology is. Why should they? You don’t just automatically pick this stuff up. It’s a typical British blame culture of how it’s your fault.”
Discussing the pros and cons of the referendum were some of Britain’s most famous young faces, online stars and big voices.
Among them were Uni Lad’s Chief Executive Liam Harrington, television controversialist Katie Hopkins and YouTuber Jamal Edwards.
Main topics covered by the panelists included economy, security and internal immigration.
Katie Hopkins was vocal on the subject of voter turn-up, saying young people would be more politically involved if the UK voting system was more like reality television.
“If more 18- to 24-year-olds vote in reality TV than they do in the general election, [the government] should get it online. Make it so people can text to vote,” says Ms Hopkins.
“Give people their national insurance number and say ‘vote now’. Don’t make it difficult, because it’s already difficult for young people to vote.”
The program was streamed worldwide through Facebook Live to ensure young people living or travelling outside the UK could also engage in the discussion.
Viewers were encouraged to get involved in the discussion with the hashtag #InOutLive, which trended on Twitter for several hours.
Almost two-thousand social media users were swept up in the discussion, with most of the commentary centering around people’s individual voting preferences.
Polls run by Bite the Ballot on Twitter during the program showed that 47 per cent of 13.5 thousand young people would like to remain a member of the European Union.
Around 14 per cent were still undecided.
Samuel Asante, one of the panelists on the program, likened the indecisiveness of his age group to a romantic relationship.
“When guys are in relationships and they think: ‘Oh, my girlfriend’s doing my head in’ and you sometimes forget all the benefits,” said Mr Asante.
“And you think: ‘Once you’re single again there’s going to girls queueing up for you’, but when you dump the girl and you realise that no one actually wants you.”
British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18-years-old who are resident in the UK can vote in the referendum, as can Britons who have lived abroad for less than 15 years.
Eligible citizens have until June 23 to decide which option they will vote for on the referendum, which will be held during the summer holiday break for most universities.

domain: news


A story about the essential connection of culture and heritage to wellbeing and self-esteem
Reviewed by Sharon Broughton (First published August 15, 2019)
From the Ashes: My Story of being Metis, Homeless and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle, Simon & Shuster, August 6, 2019, 368 pp., $19.80
From the Ashes is the compelling first-person memoir of Jesse Thistle’s journey, through the darkest of times to reconciliation and renewal. It is hard, but essential, reading. It tugged at my heart and spirit. I couldn’t put it down yet, at times, I couldn’t keep reading.
This is a Canadian story. It is for those looking to better understand the lived experience of Indigenous peoples and the depth of the loss of relationships with the land, family, elders and community. For me, as a non-Indigenous person, it is a story that supports the path of learning and reconciliation.
It took 37 years, and more hardships than most will ever experience, for Jesse Thistle to be reunited with his Metis-Cree heritage, culture, language and traditions, a connection lost when he was three years old.
Surrendering to the memories of the smell of his grandmother’s cooking and the sound of his grandfather’s music, Jesse falls to his knees on the land where his grandmother Kokum Nancy’s cabin had been. Saskatchewan remembered him, the land whispering his welcome home.
His haunting words “I remembered them. I remembered my mother’s people. I remembered who I was” convey both the immeasurable sorrow of loss, as well as the deep joy of rediscovery.
Told chronologically through sharply-focused vignettes of incidents in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, and interspersed with Jesse’s original poetry, From the Ashes is a page-turner. Through the lens and voice of his earliest childhood memories to the once homeless, drug-addicted man he became to the now clean and sober Jesse of today—a PhD student, national representative on Indigenous homelessness, a Trudeau and a Vanier scholar—his story is revealed.
We first meet Jesse as he picks Saskatoon berries in the bush by the railway tracks with his maternal grandmother, a proud Michif woman in Saskatchewan, and we follow him as he is abandoned, along with his two older brothers, by both of his parents when the three boys were all less than six years old. From the poverty and hunger he experienced while in his father’s care to the grim struggles living at the hand of children’s services to landing halfway across the country at the Brampton, Ontario home of his paternal grandparents—who offered as much stability and safety as they could—the trajectory of his early life left a deep mark on Jesse. And through it all, his Indigenous heritage was denied, silenced and lost.
By his early 20s, after faltering in school and haunted by the disintegration of his family and parents—whose own struggles with violence and trauma meant they were not able to care for him—his life slid out of control into a cyclical haze of drug use, petty crime and homelessness.
“Hard” is a worthy descriptor of this book: the story is about hard lessons, hard times, how hard it is to let go, to give up, as well as how hard it is to believe how far a person and family can be stretched past the breaking point and still recover.
The darkest times are captured with the spare and haunting words of his poems. In reading “Windigo,” I experienced how his survival was truly against all odds:
starvation sets in
in january’s wind
lost and alone,
I swill back the pain; it burns and belches
rage and despair
leaving only a windigo
who cannibalizes himself.”
Jesse’s redemption begins when, on a second time through a treatment program in Ottawa, he began to study and learn, for the first time, about his family’s real history. As he recovers from addiction, he processes the unimaginable pain of intergenerational trauma and the repeated history of abandonment. Finding his own reasons why everything in his life unfolded as it did, he begins the journey back to who he is. With exceptional focus, determination and strength of character, Jesse develops a new future for himself that includes finding friendship, love and a life partner, as well as a passion and vocation.
This book is a story of turning points, of resilience and hope, of the kindness of strangers, of how important a leg up at the right time, in the right way, can be, and of the essential connection of culture and heritage to wellbeing and self-esteem.
In his final poem My Soul Is Still Homeless, we hear his struggle to fully grasp how far he has come and where he is today:
In between slumber and consciousness
My soul not yet aware
That my wanderings are over
And I have a home.”
When he learns who he really is: “You’re Cree and road allowance Michif, Jesse. You come from a long line of Chiefs, political leaders and resistance fighters,” I felt like cheering him on, wishing he and his wife the best for a future where they create a new story for their families, honouring their reclaimed history and culture.
I am thankful to Jesse Thistle for this offering of himself, for shining a light on the profound and damaging effects colonization has had on Indigenous peoples, and for sharing the rays of hope his focus brings.
On a personal note, I have had the unique privilege through my work of having visited Northern Saskatchewan and several First Nations communities in support of projects to revitalize Indigenous languages. In recognition of the importance for young people to see, hear, learn and experience their culture, language and heritage with pride, this work has focused on children’s books. I know that today, students are learning and speaking Michif and Cree, something Jesse did not have the opportunity to do as a child. I find myself imagining a future Michif children’s book to capture a link to Jesse Thistle’s story.
(Sharon Broughton, M.Ed., is currently the CEO of Prince’s Trust Canada, a national charity focused on youth employability, veteran entrepreneurship and Indigenous language revitalization.)


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The Folsom site in retrospect
— Linda S. Cordell
During the summer of 1926, a field crew from the Colorado Museum of Natural History (now the Denver Museum of Natural History), under the supervision of Frank M. Figgens, son of the Curator, J. D. Figgens, excavated two "arrowheads" that were associated with an extinct bison. The find was made east of Raton, just eight miles northwest of Folsom, New Mexico, 8 to 12 ft down a bank of Wild Horse Arroyo, an intermittent tributary of the Cimarron River (Figgens, 1927). After two more seasons of excavation at the site by the Colorado Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History, a total of 19 distinctive projectile points and the remains of 23 bison had been removed (Wormington, 1957). In his report on the geology and paleontology of the Folsom site, Harold J. Cook (1927) noted that the single bison he examined seemed closely related to Bison occidentalis in being larger than modern bison and that "while it is premature to express an opinion as to the exact age of these beds on present evidence ... the writer is of the opinion that this will prove to be a late Pleistocene deposit" (Cook, 1927, p. 244). Presently the bison is classified as Bison antiquus. The "arrow-heads" first described by Figgens (1927) are now considered the most diagnositic artifact of the Folsom complex, an assemblage of stone tools which are the tangible remains of the best known Paleo-Indian (Late Pleistocene American Indian) culture. Folsom sites have been excavated in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Texas and Wyoming as well as in New Mexico. Radiocarbon dates presently available assign Folsom an age of about 10,300 years B.P. (Judge, in press).
The Folsom site holds a deservedly important place in the history of American archeology; however, the site is also famous for the scientific controversy concerning its antiquity. Until the discovery at Folsom, most professional archeologists refused to acknowledge that North America had been inhabited prior to 5,000 B.P. (Agogino and Rovener, 1964; Hillerman, 1971; Stuckenrath, 1964). The Folsom site with its undeniably man-made tools in clear association with Pleistocene bison proved to be a bombshell to anthropologists. The site had to be examined and verified by skeptical archeologists. It was unfortunate that during the first season two point fragments were found in loose fill out of context, and a third fragment, although in matrix surrounding a bison rib, was removed to the laboratory at Denver where its original placement could not be proved. Figgens was annoyed when the first season's results were not generally accepted by archeologists, and during the 1927 season, Figgens was determined to find irrefutable evidence. Fortunately, in that year, when a point was found imbedded in a matrix associated with bison ribs, all work ceased and telegrams were sent to notable archeologists inviting them to examine the find in situ. Among those who responded and were convinced were Frank H. H. Roberts, Jr., Alfred V. Kidder and Earl Morris (Wormington, 1957).
At that time, before the advent of radiocarbon dating or the routine use of precise stratigraphic control, finds of great antiquity were extremely difficult to conclusively prove. This is still a difficult task today. It is worthwhile to evaluate first, the contention that before the discovery at Folsom most archeologists allowed no more than a few thousand years for the presence of man in the Americas; second, the problems encountered in demonstrating great antiquity for any archeological find; and finally, the significance of the Folsom site.
Full-text (224 KB PDF)
- Cordell, Linda S., 1976, The Folsom site in retrospect, in: Vermejo Park, Ewing, Rodney C.; Kues, Barry S., New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook, 27th Field Conference, pp. 83-86. https://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-27.83

domain: history


‘m using cloud files from Rackspace to store files in cloud. I know how to use ftp client
with cloud files, but I would like to use Secure File Transfer Program, sftp on the command line, a true SSH File Transfer Protocol client from the OpenSSH project for security and privacy concern. How do I install sftp-cloudfs under Linux or Unix like operating systems? [click to continue…]
I would like to install python packages using the pip command which is an easy_install command replacement. How do I install pip comamnd under RHEL / CentOS / Debian / Ubuntu Linux server systems?
[click to continue…]


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How it works
Select the date and time that best suit your needs. Want a walk ASAP? We’ve got you covered.
Customized for your pup
Choose between a 20-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute stroll for your dog.
Track your walk with our live GPS tracker, then view your detailed report card after the walk.
What is Wag!?
Wag! is the nation's fastest-growing network of pre-screened and insured pet sitters and dog walkers. In less than 15 minutes you can book a nearby dog sitter, daycare provider, or dog walker, who'll take complete care of your loved one - at their place or yours.
Book walkers near you
Dog Walking in Ripley
Ripley is a delightful city nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Jackson County. With two major road systems running through its core, Ripley is easily accessible to visitors. This is helpful during the summertime since this small town puts on a gigantic Fourth of July celebration. Local pups sure are proud of their patriotic hometown!
When it comes to pet
friendly accommodations, Ripley’s got you covered. There are three dog loving hotels in this little community, so your pooch is sure to have a place to lay
her head. Super 8 Ripley welcomes two pets of any size for a nominal fee. Econo
Lodge Ripley is another option. Fido can bunk here for a small extra charge.
You and your four legged traveling partner can also stay at Holiday Inn Express. For
an added fee, your pup can drift off to dreamland in one of the pet friendly
Folks living in Ripley
know that a healthy pooch is a happy pooch. Fur-tunately, there are two
veterinary clinics in Ripley that help keep the resident pups in tip top shape.
Ripley Paws Veterinary Clinic and Jackson Animal Clinic both assist with
preventative care, disease detection and treatment, as well as surgical
procedures. If your canine pal ever needs medical assistance, he's got top of the line care right at the tip of his paws.
Best Dog Neighborhoods in Ripley
It’s true what they say- a tired dog is a good dog. Help your pup be her best by taking her for a walk in West Ripley Park. Not only does this park have five ball fields, two soccer fields and a playground, it also has a paved walking path perfect for a little doggy cardio. So go ahead and clip on your dog’s leash and take some laps. If there aren’t any games happening, let her sniff around the grassy fields. Her nose will get straight to work detecting all the smells this park has to offer. Be sure to bring some water for your furry friend.
Next time your dog wants to spend some time at the park, clip on her leash and head over to Ripley City Park. Situated in East Ripley, this park has plenty of open space and walking room. After taking a few laps around the grassy area, let your pup strut his stuff on the paved walking path. He’ll love breathing in some fresh air while stretching his four legs. Since the park also has tennis courts, a playground, a skate park, and ball fields, your pal will have a lot of opportunity to socialize with new two legged friends. No bones about it, this park will make him one happy hound!
Coonskin Park is a pawsome place to enjoy some sunshine with your favorite furry friend. Located in the Mink Shoals neighborhood in the city of Charleston, it’s about a 40 minute drive from Ripley, and with over 1,000 acres of outdoor fun, it’s totally worth the trip. Two legged park patrons can enjoy several amenities such as a golf course, horseshoe pits, a playground and tennis courts. Four legged guests will be more enthralled with the hiking trails and large grassy areas. Keep in mind that dogs must be leashed at all times. Picnic areas are also available, so pack a lunch and a bone or two for Fido.
If you have a social pooch, head over to the Ruth Rafferty Peyton Dog Park. Your pup can mix and mingle with four legged friends while getting some much needed exercise. This park is located 38 miles south of Ripley in Charleston’s East End neighborhood. Although it’s a little bit of a drive, this park is perfect for running and playing. You furry friend can dash around to her heart’s content. Benches are provided for pet parents, so go ahead and relax while your pooch runs wild. At this park, dogs of all shapes and sizes are grouped together. If you have a little pup, make sure she plays well with her larger peers.
Is your pooch aching for some adventure? Pack a backpack, load up your pup, and head 30 miles north to Forked Run State Park. This park is located acrossed state lines in East Reedsville, Ohio, and sandwiched between the Ohio River and Forked Run Lake. Your pup will absolutely love hiking in the beautiful Appalachian scenery. Three main trails wander through groves of oak, maple, and hickory trees. If your canine pal is in the mood for a short walk, follow the half mile Honeysuckle Trail. For more of a workout, take him around the 2.5 mile Lakeview Trail. In this park, dogs must be leashed at all times.

domain: pet


Block toppling represents one of the most common types of instability, specifically structurally conditioned failure within the rock mass. Toppling occurs on slopes in rock masses where the strata dip steeply away from the slope, striking parallel or sub-parallel to it. In toppling, rotation of unstable blocks in overhangs occurs due to failure at the slope toe. Discontinuous systems that cause block toppling are usually orthogonal and form unstable “columns” within the rock mass.
Types of toppling
With regards to types of toppling, we distinguish:
- block toppling,
- flexural toppling,
- combined block-flexure toppling.
The stability of the blocks is not conditioned solely by the shear strength of the discontinuities as unstable blocks are also subject to rotational movement. Flexural toppling occurs in rock masses with continuous steep discontinuous systems, whereby individual blocks are broken off due to the rock mass bending forward in the overhanging part. The toppling process may be caused by sliding, excavation or erosion of the slope toe, with instabilities retrogressing back into the rock mass, forming tension cracks.
Over the years, Goodman and Bray (1976) and Hoek and Bray (1981) developed analytical methods for straightforward cases of schematic blocks on slopes. More complex toppling cases cannot be represented by simple models and their equilibrium conditions cannot be analysed.
Analyses of unstable blocks
Block toppling can be analysed by studying the equilibrium conditions for each block in the slope and calculating the relationships between them, taking into account the mutual interaction and the geometry of the blocks and slope. Under certain conditions, each block forming a slope may potentially become unstable due to toppling or planar failure depending on the influence of particular forces and the dimension of the block itself.
We have encountered many examples of instability in the form of block toppling during the previous slope mitigations.
One of the most significant examples of block toppling was elaborated in the detailed design of slope mitigation on the country road ŽC 5062 – locality Guč, near the settlement Bribir.
An unstable slope 80 m in length and 5 – 25 m in height was characterized by an existing “scar” of previous rockfall events. When the rest of the slope was cleared, new – multiple unstable blocks were formed which presented a toppling risk of blocks up to 6,0 m3. The mitigation included cleaning the slope and installing a protective mesh and rock bolts.
Read more: Rockfall barriers


When you report payroll and pay premiums for unregistered subcontractors and they provide certain types of equipment to fulfill the contract, you may be eligible to claim an equipment allowance. The equipment allowance is subtracted from the total contract value, offsetting costs incurred to operate and maintain the equipment.
A construction contractor hires a backhoe operator who provides a backhoe as part of a $10,000 contract. The backhoe operator is not registered with WorkSafeBC. When the contractor pays for WorkSafeBC coverage for the backhoe operator, the contractor can report $6,000 as the labour value because there is a 40 percent ($4,000) equipment allowance for backhoes.
|Total assessable earnings
Equipment allowance by equipment type
* There are no equipment allowances for crew transportation equipment such as pickups and crummies
Need more information?
If you have any questions, please contact our Employer Service Centre.


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Tom Cruise: ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ Official Trailer ROCKS
I still think that Tom Cruise is insane in the real world, but his acting chops are always stellar. His latest edition to the Mission Impossible franchise in no exception either. Paramount Pictures has finally released the trailer for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. This one stars: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Vladimir Mashkov, Michael Nyqvist, Josh Holloway, Lea Seydoux and Anil Kapoor.
This one lands in theaters and IMAX on December 16th.


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Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group; felicitated Dr Venu Kavarthapu, a world-renowned Orthopedic Surgeon and Consultant, King's College Hospital, London; for his pioneering work in Diabetic Foot Reconstruction and Management and achieving the unique milestone of treating eleven patients of diabetic foot deformities
Notable increase in participation – accompanying programme with many highlights and many prominent visitors
Next week sees the return of the date marked in extra thick outline in many yearly calendars of the international health and medical technology industry: From Monday to Thursday (14 to 17
Permita Sehgal’s limp in her leg was becoming painful by the day but she dreaded undergoing a surgery for knee joint replacement, even if it meant leaning on a walking stick. The 70-year housewife had resigned to her fate of living with pain for the
Medical Fair India would like to congratulate the stakeholders on the newly formed India’s Export Promotion Council (EPC) for medical devices under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Led by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the council will play a very
In a boost to sportspersons and professional athletes in Chandigarh, sports injury specialist Axis Clinics has joined hands with Apollo clinic and city hospital to give “quick back to game” solutions and offer chronic joint pain management.
Using proprietary therapy developed in the US, the new facility mitigates the
World Arthritis Day is celebrated on October 12 every year to raise awareness of the painful medical condition, arthritis. Arthritis is the term used for any inflammation of the joint which causes damage to the joint resulting in pain, deformity and disability. There are more than 200 specific diseases

domain: medical


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The Top 3 Best POS Systems For Small Business
TABLE OF CONTENT
In addition to handling financial dealings, point-of-sale (POS) systems nowadays can also perform various other functions. They provide features that help firms, especially small businesses, operate more efficiently, from managing workers to keeping track of inventories from a single interface.
But the question is, how can you choose the best POS system for small businesses?
In this article, we will describe how POS systems can benefit small enterprises and provide an in-depth analysis of the best in 2023. Let’s get into it!
The Top 3 Best POS Systems For Small Business
Benefits of POS system for small business
A POS (Point of Sale) system is a type of software businesses use to manage their sales, inventory, and customer data. A POS system can be a valuable tool for any business, providing various benefits that can help improve operations and drive growth. Specifically for small businesses, a POS system can provide a range of benefits, including:
- Streamlined transactions: Quicker and more accurate sales processing is made possible by a point-of-sale system, which also benefits customers by decreasing the amount of time they have to wait in line.
- Inventory management: The use of a point-of-sale (POS) system can assist firms to avoid shortages and overstocking by keeping track of inventory and managing product availability.
- Customer tracking: When a firm has a point-of-sale system in place, they may save data about their customers and use it to compile profiles, monitor their spending habits, and learn more about their clientele.
- Reporting and analytics: Insights into business performance may be gained through the POS system's reporting and analytics capabilities. This includes information on sales, inventory, and customer activity.
- Reduced errors: Inaccuracies in pricing or stock levels caused by human mistakes are less likely to occur with a point-of-sale system, leading to smoother operations overall.
What is the best POS system for small businesses?
Small businesses can benefit from a POS system, but which one is ideal will vary based on the nature of the business and the services it provides. Most retailers use a variety of point-of-sale systems, but Square, Shopify, and Lightspeed POS among the most well-known.
Square POS is great for businesses with little time or money to devote to learning the ins and outs of point-of-sale systems because of its intuitive design and low barrier. It is a popular choice for small businesses for several reasons:
- Affordable: Square offers a free basic plan as well as a range of affordable payment plans. This makes it an accessible solution for small businesses with limited budgets.
- Versatile hardware: Square provides a number of different hardware solutions, including a mobile card reader that can be used with a smartphone or tablet. Because of this, it is a great option for organizations that want a flexible, on-the-go solution.
- Integrated payments: Merchants may take credit and debit card payments with no effort by using Square, which interacts with its payment processing system.
- Additional features: There are a number of extras available in Square POS, such as customer and inventory tracking and reporting. These options will aid small firms in streamlining their processes and gaining valuable insights into their operations.
Shopify POS is the second most popular choice for small businesses. Online and offline sales may be managed with one system thanks to Shopify POS's connectivity with the widely used e-commerce platform. Here are some of the key advantages Shopify can benefit your firm:
- Simple and straightforward design: Shopify POS's user interface makes it simple for businesses to track sales and stock. Because Shopify POS can be accessed from any mobile device, merchants are free to carry their store with them wherever they go.
- Affordable: With a variety of pricing tiers to choose from, Shopify is an accessible option for businesses of all sizes thanks to its reasonable rates.
- Inventory management: The Shopify Point-of-Sale system incorporates a number of inventory management capabilities, making it simpler for stores to monitor stock and organize their product catalog.
- Customer tracking: Tools for customer monitoring are built into the Shopify POS system, letting stores keep tabs on client spending habits and compile detailed profiles of their most loyal clients.
LightSpeed is an all-in-one cloud-based POS solution for shops of any size. It has several useful functions, such as inventory management, customer management, e-commerce connection, and reporting. Its POS system helps optimize and automate retail operations through connections with common payment processors and e-commerce platforms, providing an all-encompassing view of a company's operations and consumer data.
Let’s see some ways how Lightspeed can help your firm grow:
- Retail-focused: Lightspeed POS is designed specifically for retail businesses, offering a range of features tailored to this industry's needs. Plus, it supports omnichannel retail, allowing businesses to manage their online and offline sales from a single platform.
- Customer relationship management: Customer relationship management tools included in the POS allows businesses to build customer profiles, track customer purchases, and gain insights into customer behavior.
- Reporting and analytics: Insights into sales, customer habits, and general performance may be gleaned with the use of Lightspeed POS's suite of reporting and analytics solutions.
- Customizable: Lightspeed POS allows businesses to customize the system to suit their specific needs, including the ability to add integrations and custom fields.
In conclusion, the best POS system for small businesses can help them operate more efficiently and effectively. With a range of options available, we hope you can choose a system that best fits your requirements.
About DNBC Financial Group
DNBC takes great pride in its status as a credible Financial Institution operating in the international financial payment sector. We provide businesses with solutions that are reliable, trustworthy, and secure so they may expand into new offline, internet, and mobile markets.
In today's global economy, consumers frequently find themselves participating in international transactions, be it through travel, online shopping, or overseas business deals. This reality brings with it certain financial considerations, including the notion of foreign transaction fees charged by credit card companies. As a holder or potential holder of a Costco Visa card, a question might naturally arise, "Does Costco Visa have foreign transaction fees?" This comprehensive guide seeks to provide clarity on the Costco Visa foreign transaction fee, giving cardholders the knowledge they need to navigate international transactions confidently
The financial and business worlds are filled with industry-specific phrases and jargon. Among these, you may frequently come across terms like "payment was remitted" or might wonder, "what is a remitted payment?" Understanding these terms is vital in navigating financial transactions effectively. Let's dive into what these phrases mean and explore the intricacies of the remittance process.
In today's fast-paced and interconnected business world, efficient management of financial transactions is crucial. Key to this management is an often-underestimated document: the remittance voucher. This piece delves deeper into what a remittance voucher is, its role in business transactions, and why its importance should not be understated.

domain: economics


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Since 1847, Carlsberg has had production and headquarters in the Copenhagen area, known as Carlsberg Byen. In 2006, Carlsberg moved their production from Copenhagen to Fredericia, which opened up new exciting opportunities in Carlsberg Byen, where they have worked to transform the area into Copenhagen's new urban district with housing, urban spaces, shops, institutions, city life, culture and business premises.
Creative Director & Founder of Grenaa Creative
In the historic surroundings is the 1920s Mineralvandsfabrikken, one of the few listed buildings that have been converted into housing. International star architect Dorte Mandrup is behind the new two-storey luxury homes on top of the beautiful, newly renovated industrial property.
Grenaa Creative, led by Kim Grenaa, has been responsible for the interior design of one of the unique apartments, consisting of bright rooms, concrete floors, oak panels and kitchens in steel and marble. For the decor, Kim Grenaa has curated a selection of Kristina Dam Studios' designs, which beautifully match the apartment's materials.
The architecture and materials of the apartment is the obvious setting for Kristina Dam Studio, where the common thread in all designs is simple and graphic. Furniture from Kristina Dam Studio is all made of natural and solid materials, and only the monochrome colour palette or the natural colour of the materials is used. The Bauhaus table with the Collector chair perfectly complements the apartment's materials, and the Modernist sofa brings tactility to the living room and the beautiful oak panels.