All The Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
detecting a user-initiated interaction with a user interface, the user-initiated interaction including entry of one or more alphanumeric characters;
automatically predicting, based at least in part on the one or more alphanumeric characters, a user-generated request to retrieve data, wherein predicting the user generated request to retrieve data includes:
identifying a first probability, associated with one or more domains in a first set of domains, that the user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains;
determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;
selecting one or more domain names associated with the one or more domains in response to determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;

initiating a first network communication initialization step, wherein the first network communication initialization step includes resolution of the one or more domain names, based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, into one or more network addresses prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data;
receiving continued user-initiated interaction with the user interface, the continued user interaction including two or more alphanumeric characters;
identifying a second probability, associated with one or more domains in a second set of domains, that the user generated request to retrieve data, including the continued user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains in the second set of domains;
determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second probability threshold is higher than the first probability threshold; and
initiating a second network communication initialization step in response to determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second network communication initialization step is different from the first network communication initialization step.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated interaction is a partial text entry in a field of a web browser.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the partial text entry is entered into an address field of the web browser.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated interaction is a user command to display a first webpage comprising at least one hyperlink and the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data is related to the at least one hyperlink.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user command is a query directed to a search engine and the first webpage displays search results generated by the search engine in response to the query.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a network communication synchronization sequence with a data server associated with the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the initiation of the network communication synchronization sequence follows resolution of the one or more domain names and the one or more network addresses is associated with the data server.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein resolving the one or more domain names comprises:
sending at least one domain resolution request to a remote server capable of resolving domain names into their respective IP addresses; and
receiving a response to the at least one domain resolution request identifying an IP address for at least one of the one or more domain names prior to receiving the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated interaction is at least one of a text entry in a field of a search engine toolbar or an activation of a search engine toolbar.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein automatic prediction of a user-generated request to retrieve data is based at least in part on at least one of a stored user browsing history, stored user preference, stored cookie, or user profile data.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying a website based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data; and wherein initiating resolution of the one or more domain names includes initiating resolution of a domain name for the website into a network address for the website prior to receiving the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
12. A computer-implemented method comprising:
detecting a user-initiated interaction with a user interface;
automatically predicting, based at least in part on the user-initiated interaction, a user-generated request to retrieve data, wherein predicting the user-generated request to retrieve data includes:
identifying a first probability, associated with one or more domains in a first set of domains, that the user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains;
determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;
selecting one or more domain names associated with the one or more domains in response to determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;

initiating a first network communication initialization step, wherein the first network communication initialization step includes identifying a website based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data;
receiving continued user-initiated interaction with the user interface, the continued user interaction including two or more alphanumeric characters;
identifying a second probability, associated with one or more domains in a second set of domains, that the user generated request to retrieve data, including the continued user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains in the second set of domains;
determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second probability threshold is higher than the first probability threshold; and
initiating a second network communication initialization step in response to determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second network communication initialization step includes a network communication synchronization sequence with the website associated with the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the automatic prediction of a user-generated request to retrieve data is made by a first computer and transmitted to a second computer responsible for initiating the network communication synchronization sequence.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatic prediction is based in part on historical data compiled from a plurality of users having accessed the first computer.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the user-initiated interaction is at least one of a text entry in a field of a search engine toolbar or an activation of a search engine toolbar.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the network communication synchronization sequence is a three-way handshake.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein a plurality of user-generated requests to retrieve data are automatically predicted and network communication synchronization sequences are initiated with a plurality of data servers.
18. A system comprising:
a plurality of remote data servers capable of being accessed by client computing devices over a network;
a first client computing device comprising a user interface and adapted to:
detect a user-initiated interaction with the user interface, the user-initiated interaction including entry of one or more alphanumeric characters;
receive user-initiated submissions of requests to retrieve data from at least one of the plurality of remote data servers;
automatically predict, based at least in part on the one or more alphanumeric characters, a user-generated request to retrieve data, wherein predicting the user-generated request to retrieve data includes:
identifying a first probability, associated with one or more domains in a first set of domains, that the user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains;
determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;
selecting one or more domain names associated with the one or more domains in response to determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;

initiate a first network communication initialization step, wherein the first network communication initialization step includes resolution of the one or more domain names, based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, into one or more network addresses prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data;
receive continued user-initiated interaction with the user interface;
determine that the continued user-initiated interaction changes the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, the continued user interaction including two or more alphanumeric characters;
identifying a second probability, associated with one or more domains in a second set of domains, that the user generated request to retrieve data, including the continued user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains in the second set of domains;
determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second probability threshold is higher than the first probability threshold; and
initiating a second network communication initialization step in response to determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second network communication initialization step is different from the first network communication initialization step; and

at least one remote domain name server capable of receiving requests from the client computing device related to resolutions of domain names.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising at least one other client computing device;
wherein a particular one of the plurality of remote data servers is adapted to:
record a history of client computing device requests for data;
automatically predict subsequent client computing device requests for data based at least in part on the history; and
transmit recommendations to client computing devices relating to the automatically-predicted subsequent requests for data; and

wherein the first client computing device is further adapted to automatically predict a user-generated request to retrieve data based at least in part on a received recommendation from the particular remote data server.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the particular remote data server is a search engine server.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein the first client computing device is further adapted to initiate a network communication synchronization sequence with at least one of the plurality of remote data servers associated with the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, prior to receiving the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein the first client computing device is further adapted to store user profile data and automatically predict a user-generated request to retrieve data based at least in part on the stored user profile data.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein the first client computing device is further operable to identifying a website based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data; and wherein initiating resolution of the one or more domain names includes initiating resolution of a domain name for the website into a network address for the website prior to receiving the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
24. An article comprising a machine-readable, non-transitory storage medium storing instructions for causing computer processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
detecting a user-initiated interaction with a user interface, the user-initiated interaction including entry of one or more alphanumeric characters;
automatically predicting, based at least in part on the one or more alphanumeric characters, a user-generated request to retrieve data, wherein predicting the user-generated request to retrieve data includes:
identifying a first probability, associated with one or more domains in a first set of domains, that the user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains;
determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;
selecting one or more domain names associated with the one or more domains in response to determining that the first probability exceeds a first probability threshold;

initiating a first network communication initialization step, wherein the first network communication initialization step includes resolution of the one or more domain names, based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, into one or more network addresses prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data;
receiving continued user-initiated interaction with the user interface, the continued user interaction including two or more alphanumeric characters;
identifying a second probability, associated with one or more domains in a second set of domains, that the user generated request to retrieve data, including the continued user-initiated interaction represents a request for the one or more domains in the second set of domains;
determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second probability threshold is higher than the first probability threshold; and
initiating a second network communication initialization step in response to determining that the second probability exceeds a second probability threshold, wherein the second network communication initialization step is different from the first network communication initialization step.
25. The article of claim 24, wherein the machine-readable storage medium stores further instructions for causing computer processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
initiating a network communication synchronization sequence with a data server associated with the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data, prior to receiving a user-initiated submission of the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.
26. The article of claim 24 further comprising identifying a website based on the predicted user-generated request to retrieve data; and wherein initiating resolution of the one or more domain names includes initiating resolution of a domain name for the website into a network address for the website prior to receiving the user-initiated submission of the user-generated request to retrieve data.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for controlling noise caused by vibration in a camera module for a mobile device, the method comprising.
transmitting a vibration signal sensed by a vibration sensor to a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) driver;
applying, by the VCM driver, a reverse bias to a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) upon receiving the vibration signal from the vibration sensor; and
exerting, by the VCM to which the reverse bias is applied, an electromagnetic force in a reverse direction in order to fix and halt an actuator.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera module using the VCM is activated to sense the vibration signal when the camera module does not execute an imaging function.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying of the reverse bias comprises applying the reverse bias to the VCM by transmitting a reverse electric current to a coil of the VCM via a constant-current source circuit.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the exerting of the electromagnetic force comprises delivering a force to the actuator towards a sensor of the camera module by a rotation of the VCM when the VCM driver applies a reverse electric current to the VCM.
5. An apparatus for controlling noise caused by vibration in a camera module for a mobile device, comprising:
a level converter for receiving a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal and converting the PWM signal into a Direct Current (DC) signal to control a driving of a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) driver;
at least one switching unit for forming different current paths according to executionnon-execution of imaging of the camera module using a Voice Coil Motor (VCM);
a constant-current source circuit for supplying a constant electric current to fix an actuator when the VCM driver applies a reverse bias to the VCM; and
a vibration sensor for sensing if vibration is generated outside the camera module and applying a sensed vibration signal to the VCM driver.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vibration sensor comprises:
a Piezo sensor for sensing vibration and generating the vibration signal;
a Band Pass Filter (BPF) for extracting only the vibration signal caused by the vibrating motor;
an amplifier for amplifying the extracted vibration signal;
an envelope detector for envelope-detecting the amplified vibration signal;
a Low Pass Filter (LPF) for removing noise of the vibration signal and keeping an output voltage constant; and
a comparator for comparing the vibration signal with a reference voltage and applying the vibration signal to the VCM vibrator if the sensed vibration signal is the vibration signal caused by the vibrating motor.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the Piezo sensor is one of a Gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vibration sensor is positioned next to the camera module outside the VCM driver or next to a vibrator to sense if vibration is generated from the vibrating motor.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the VCM driver is configured in the form of a bridge circuit to form different constant-current paths according to executionnon-execution of imaging of the camera module using the VCM.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one switching unit is configured to selectively short circuits or opens according to the PWM signal being level-converted by the level converter.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a parameter adjustment section to set, in accordance with a first parameter that is input indicating a variant factor for a playback speed of an audio signal, a second parameter and a third parameter, wherein each of the second parameter and the third parameter is configured to have variations comprising at least two regions of different ascending rates in accordance with the first parameter, the at least two regions separated by a predetermined threshold; and
a signal processing section to adjust, based on the second parameter and the third parameter and not based directly on the first parameter, at least one of the playback speed of the audio signal or a pitch of a sound of the audio signal,
wherein the signal processing section adjusts, based on the second parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is less than the predetermined threshold and adjusts, based on the second parameter and the third parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal and the pitch of the sound of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is above the predetermined threshold; and
a content management section to manage content including the audio signal, wherein the parameter adjustment section determines a fourth parameter that adjusts a data amount of the audio signal to be output from the content management section to the signal processing section in accordance with the first parameter that is input; and
wherein the parameter adjustment section reduces the fourth parameter to reduce the data amount of the content to be output from the content management section to the signal processing section when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing section includes:
a playback speed conversion section to convert the playback speed of the audio signal; and
a pitch adjustment section to adjust the pitch of the sound of the audio signal,
wherein the playback speed conversion section converts the playback speed of the audio signal based on the second parameter; and
wherein the pitch adjustment section adjusts the pitch of the sound of the audio signal based on the third parameter.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter is approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing section includes:
an audio signal output control section to control output of the audio signal from the signal processing section on which a predetermined signal processing has been performed,
wherein the audio signal output control section lowers audio volume of an audio signal, for which both playback speed and pitch of a sound are adjusted, when the audio signal is output from the signal processing section.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
the signal processing section further includes an onomatopoeic sound switching judgment section to judge whether, in accordance with the first parameter, to adjust at least one of the playback speed of the audio signal or the pitch of the sound of the audio signal or to switch the audio signal to a predetermined onomatopoeic sound indicating that high speed playback is being performed,
the onomatopoeic sound switching judgment section judges to switch the audio signal to the predetermined onomatopoeic sound when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold; and
the audio signal output control section outputs the audio signal after switching the audio signal to the predetermined onomatopoeic sound when the onomatopoeic sound switching judgment section judges to switch the audio signal to the predetermined onomatopoeic sound.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a product of the first parameter and the fourth parameter is approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a content management section to manage content including the audio signal, wherein the parameter adjustment section determines the second parameter and the third parameter based on a fourth parameter adjusting data amount of the audio data to be output from the content management section to the signal processing section and the first parameter to be input.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the content management section reduces the fourth parameter to reduce data amount of the content to be output from the content management section to the signal processing section when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a product of the first parameter and the fourth parameter is approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a storage section comprising a database where the first parameter to be input is mutually correlated with the second parameter and the third parameter,
wherein the parameter adjustment section determines the second parameter and the third parameter by referring to the database in the storage section.
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the parameter adjustment section increases the second parameter in accordance with a difference between the first parameter and the predetermined threshold when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:
the database stores a first and a second curved line indicating the variations of the second parameter and the third parameter, respectively, in accordance with the first parameter, and
the second curved line has a smooth shape before and after the predetermined threshold.
13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a storage section comprising a database where the first parameter to be input is mutually correlated with the second parameter, the third parameter and the fourth parameter,
wherein the parameter adjustment section determines the second parameter, the third parameter and the fourth parameter by referring to the database in the storage section.
14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter adjustment section increases the second parameter in accordance with difference between the first parameter and the predetermined threshold when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth parameter represents a ratio of a duration of a read period to a duration of a skip period.
16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reducing the data amount of the content to be output from the content management section to the signal processing section affects a speech conversion rate, but not the pitch of the sound of the audio signal.
17. An information processing method comprising:
setting, in accordance with a first parameter that is input indicating a variant factor for a playback speed of an audio signal, a second parameter and a third parameter, wherein each of the second parameter and the third parameter is configured to have variations comprising at least two regions of different ascending rates in accordance with the first parameter, the at least two regions separated by a predetermined threshold; and
adjusting, based on the second parameter and the third parameter and not based directly on the first parameter, at least one of the playback speed of the audio signal or a pitch of a sound of the audio signal,
wherein the adjusting further comprises adjusting, based on the second parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is less than the predetermined threshold and adjusting, based on the second parameter and the third parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal and the pitch of the sound of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is above the predetermined threshold;
wherein the setting comprises determining a fourth parameter that adjusts a data amount of the audio signal in accordance with the first parameter; and
wherein the setting further comprises reducing the fourth parameter to reduce the data amount of the audio signal when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
18. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the setting comprises determining the second parameter and the third parameter such that the first parameter is approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
19. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the adjusting comprises controlling an amplitude of a signal waveform of the audio signal so that an audio volume of the audio signal is made small when both of the playback speed of the audio signal and the pitch of the sound of the audio signal are adjusted.
20. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the adjusting comprises switching the audio signal to a predetermined onomatopoeic sound indicating that high speed playback is being performed when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
21. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the setting comprises determining the second parameter, the third parameter and the fourth parameter so that a product of the first parameter and the fourth parameter is approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
22. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the setting comprises determining the second parameter and the third parameter in accordance with a fourth parameter adjusting data amount of the audio signal to be processed in the signal processing step and the first parameter.
23. The information processing method according to claim 22, wherein the setting comprises determining the second parameter and the third parameter so that a product of the first parameter and the fourth parameter may be made approximately equal to a product of the second parameter and the third parameter.
24. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein the fourth parameter represents a ratio of a duration of a read period to a duration of a skip period.
25. The information processing method according to claim 17, wherein reducing the data amount of the audio signal affects a speech conversion rate, but not the pitch of the sound of the audio signal.
26. At least one computer-readable storage having encoded thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method, the method comprising:
setting, in accordance with a first parameter that is input indicating a variant factor for a playback speed of an audio signal, a second parameter and a third parameter, wherein each of the second parameter and the third parameter is configured to have variations comprising at least two regions of different ascending rates in accordance with the first parameter, the at least two regions separated by a predetermined threshold; and
adjusting, based on the second parameter and the third parameter and not based directly on the first parameter, at least one of the playback speed of the audio signal or a pitch of a sound of the audio signal,
wherein the adjusting further comprises adjusting, based on the second parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is less than the predetermined threshold and adjusting, based on the second parameter and the third parameter, the playback speed of the audio signal and the pitch of the sound of the audio signal when the variant factor for the playback speed is above the predetermined threshold;
wherein the setting comprises determining a fourth parameter that adjusts a data amount of the audio signal in accordance with the first parameter; and
wherein the setting further comprises reducing the fourth parameter to reduce the data amount of the audio signal when the first parameter is above the predetermined threshold.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A sled suited for receiving a human so that an operator may transport the human by towing the sled in a dragging operation, the sled comprising:
a sled body including top and bottom surfaces, a front end, two sides, a tail end, and a length and width that render the sled body capable of receiving a human lying down on the top surface of the sled body to transport the human, the sled body further including a longitudinal axis, a periphery and a peripheral edge margin extending inward from the periphery, the peripheral edge margin extending around the periphery of the sled body along the front end, two sides, and tail end, the sled body having holes formed in the peripheral edge margin of the sled body at least along portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body;
a strap threaded through at least some of the holes in the peripheral edge margin, including at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body, a portion of the strap threaded through the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end defining a generally \u201cU\u201d shape along said portions of the two sides and the tail end, segments of the strap being exposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the sled body, the strap having a generally flat cross section and being threaded through said holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body so that generally flat major surfaces of the strap lie against portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the sled body, whereby tensile forces applied to the strap are distributed by the strap generally along said portions of the sides and the tail end of the sled body along which the strap forms said generally \u201cU\u201d shape; and
at least some of the holes in the sled body being elongate and having a longitudinal axis, at least some of the elongate holes being located adjacent the tail end of the sled body and being arranged so that the longitudinal axes of the holes extend from the longitudinal axis of the sled body generally rearward and to the sides of the sled body and intersect the longitudinal axis of the sled body at acute angles for transitioning the strap from lengthwise to widthwise of the sled body at the tail end of the sled body.
2. A sled suited for receiving a human so that an operator may transport the human by towing the sled in a dragging operation, the sled comprising:
a sled body including top and bottom surfaces, a front end, two sides, a tail end, and a length and width that render the sled body capable of receiving a human lying down on the top surface of the sled body to transport the human, the sled body further including a longitudinal axis, a periphery and a peripheral edge margin extending inward from the periphery, the peripheral edge margin extending around the periphery of the sled body along the front end, two sides, and tail end, the sled body having holes formed in the peripheral edge margin of the sled body at least along portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body;
a strap threaded through at least some of the holes in the peripheral edge margin, including at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body, a portion of the strap threaded through the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end defining a generally \u201cU\u201d shape along said portions of the two sides and the tail end, segments of the strap being exposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the sled body, the strap having a generally flat cross section and being threaded through said holes in said portions of the sides and the tail end of the sled body so that generally flat major surfaces of the strap lie against portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the sled body, whereby tensile forces applied to the strap are distributed by the strap generally along said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body along which the strap forms said generally \u201cU\u201d shape, at least one segment of the strap extending along the tail end generally widthwise of the sled body and lying against a portion of the bottom surface of the sled body, said at least one segment extending in flatwise engagement with said portion of the bottom surface between two of the peripheral edge margin holes in the tail end of the sled body.
3. A sled according to claim 2 further comprising a tow member connected to said strap, the tow member being adapted for pulling by the operator to tow the sled body, whereby pulling of the tow member applies tensile forces to the strap, wherein the tow member has a section which extends from the strap to a position in front of the front end of the sled body, the section of the tow member extending generally parallel to and along the longitudinal axis of the sled body.
4. A sled according to claim 3 wherein the tow member includes a segment which extends along a portion of the bottom surface of the sled body.
5. A sled according to claim 4 wherein the tow member is a strap having a generally flat cross section and wherein the segment of the tow member which extends along the portion of the bottom surface of the sled body includes a generally flat major surface which lies in flatwise engagement with said portion of the bottom surface of the sled body.
6. A sled according to claim 3 wherein the tow member is threaded through a hole in the sled body.
7. A sled according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in the tail end of the sled body through which the strap is threaded are disposed inward widthwise of the sled body relative to at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in the sides of the sled body through which the strap is threaded.
8. A sled according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes through which the strap is threaded in the sides of the sled body are elongate slots, at least some of the slots in the sides of the sled body through which the strap is threaded being oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sled body.
9. A sled according to claim 2 further comprising a tow member connected to said strap, the tow member being adapted for pulling by the operator to tow the sheet, whereby pulling of the tow member applies tensile forces to the strap, wherein the tow member is connected to the strap generally midway between the sides of the sled body within the periphery of the sled body.
10. A sled according to claim 2 wherein the strap is threaded through at least two peripheral edge margin holes in each side of the sled body which are positioned adjacent to the tail end of the sled body.
11. A sled suited for receiving a human so that an operator may transport the human by towing the sled in a dragging operation, the sled comprising:
a sheet including top and bottom surfaces, a front end, two sides, a tail end, and a length and width that render the sheet capable of receiving a human lying down on the top surface of the sheet to transport the human, the sheet further including a longitudinal axis, a periphery and a peripheral edge margin extending inward from the periphery, the peripheral edge margin extending around the periphery of the sheet along the front end, two sides, and tail end, the sheet having holes formed in the peripheral edge margin of the sheet at least along portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sheet; and
a strap threaded through at least some of the holes in the peripheral edge margin, including at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sheet, a portion of the strap threaded through the peripheral edge margin holes in said portions of the two sides and the tail end generally defining a \u201cU\u201d shape along said portions of the two sides and the tail end, segments of the strap being exposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet, the strap having a generally flat cross section and being threaded through said holes in said portions of the sides and the tail end of the sheet so that generally flat major surfaces of the strap lie against portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet, whereby tensile forces applied to the strap are distributed by the strap generally along said portions of the two sides and the tail end of the sled body along which the strap forms said generally \u201cU\u201d shape, wherein at least one segment of the strap extends along the tail end generally widthwise of the sheet and lying against a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet, said at least one segment extending in flatwise engagement with said portion of the bottom surface between two of the peripheral edge margin holes in the tail end of the sheet.
12. A sled according to claim 11 further comprising a tow member connected to said strap, the tow member being adapted for pulling by the operator to tow the sheet, whereby pulling of the tow member applies tensile forces to the strap, wherein the tow member has a section which extends from the strap to a position in front of the front end of the sheet, the section of the tow member extending generally parallel to and along the longitudinal axis of the sheet.
13. A sled according to claim 12 wherein the tow member includes a segment which extends along a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet.
14. A sled according to claim 13 wherein the tow member is a strap having a generally flat cross section and wherein the segment of the tow member which extends along the portion of the bottom surface of the sheet includes a generally flat major surface which lies in flatwise engagement with said portion of the bottom surface of the sheet.
15. A sled according to claim 12 wherein the tow member is threaded through a hole in the sheet.
16. A sled according to claim 11 wherein at least some of the holes in the sheet are elongate and have a longitudinal axis, at least some of the elongate holes being located adjacent the tail end of the sheet and being arranged so that the longitudinal axes of the holes extend from the longitudinal axis of the sheet generally rearward and to the sides of the sheet and intersect the longitudinal axis of the sheet at acute angles for transitioning the strap from lengthwise to widthwise of the sheet at the tail end of the sheet.
17. A sled according to claim 11 wherein the holes formed in the peripheral edge margin through which the strap is threaded are configured so that portions of the strap extend along the sides of the sheet generally lengthwise of the sheet, a portion of the strap extends along the tail end of the sheet generally widthwise of the sheet, and slanted segments of the strap located between said widthwise portion of the strap and said lengthwise portions of the strap connect said widthwise portion of the strap with said lengthwise portions of the strap.
18. A sled according to claim 11 further comprising a tow member connected to said strap, the tow member being adapted for pulling by the operator to tow the sheet, whereby pulling of the tow member applies tensile forces to the strap, wherein the tow member is connected to the strap generally midway between the sides of the sheet within the periphery of the sheet.
19. A sled according to claim 11 wherein the strap is threaded through at least two peripheral edge margin holes in each side of the sheet which are positioned adjacent to the tail end of the sheet.
20. A sled according to claim 11, wherein at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in the tail end of the sheet through which the strap is threaded are disposed inward widthwise of the sheet relative to at least some of the peripheral edge margin holes in the sides of the sheet through which the strap is threaded.