All The Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for managing replicated and migration capable session state for a Java application, comprising the operations of:
executing a Java application on a server, the Java application including multiple entity beans; and
executing a replicated state manager, wherein the replicated state manager includes program instructions for managing a replicated and migration capable session state of the Java application using an in-memory database within a Java server process, and wherein the replicated state manager further includes program instructions for replicating the in-memory state of the Java application to a replicated state server.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the replicated state server is a memory replicated state server.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the replicated state server is a disk replicated state server.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the operation of using state replication to different types of state servers to achieve high availability for the Java application.
5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the operation of recovering state from the state servers during application failure.
6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the operation of configuring checkpoints using checkpoint policy.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the operation of storing a state of the entity bean using a state object.
8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the state object is an in-memory object managed by the replicated state manager with a J2EE server process.
9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the operation of defining a logical separation between the application and the state objects.
10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the operation of updating and tracking changes for checkpoint mechanism to the state objects in response to changes in the state of the application.
11. A system for managing replicated state for a Java platform, comprising:
an application part having an entity bean object;
a managed state part having a first state object, wherein the first state object stores a state of the entity bean object within a memory address space of a J2EE server process; and
a replicated state server that stores a replica of the first state object.
12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the replicated state server is a memory replicated state server.
13. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the replicated state server is a disk replicated state server.
14. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein a logical separation is defined between the application part and the managed state part.
15. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein a replicated state manager tracks updates to the state object in response to changes in the state of the entity bean object as part of a transaction.
16. A system for managing replicated state for a Java platform, comprising:
an application part having an entity bean object and a related entity bean object;
a managed state part having a first state object and second state object, wherein the first state object stores a state of the entity bean object, and wherein the second state object stores a state of the related entity bean object, and wherein the managed state part maintains a relationship between the entity bean object and the related entity bean object; and
a replicated state server that stores a replica of the first state object and a replica of the second state object.
17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the replicated state server is a memory replicated state server.
18. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the replicated state server is a disk replicated state server.
19. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein a logical separation is defined between the application part and the managed state part.
20. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein a replicated state manager tracks updates to managed state objects for issuing checkpoints in response to changes in the state of the entity bean object and the related entity bean object as part of a transaction.
21. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein the application part maps to a logical schema archive, and wherein the managed state part maps to a physical schema archive.
22. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein the logical schema archive and the physical schema archive are created in a repository during pre-deployment.
23. A system as recited in claim 22, wherein the replicated state manager uses the logical schema archive and the physical schema archive at runtime to create the application part and the managed state part with a J2EE server process.
24. A system as recited in claim 23, wherein an architecture of the replicated state server can be used to plug in a high-performance database server for managing replicated state.
25. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the replicated state manager is capable of performing as a transactional resource manager using an in-memory state manager, whereby high throughput is achieved for transactions.
26. A system as recited in claim 25, wherein the replicated state manager uses a transaction model to manage the checkpoints of the replicated state.
27. A system as recited in claim 26, the managed state part allows a transaction to proceed when state servers are temporarily unavailable.
28. A system as recited in claim 16, further including a configurable checkpoint mechanism that is configured using a checkpoint policy.
29. A system as recited in claim 28, wherein the checkpoint mechanism is configured to be synchronous.
30. A system as recited in claim 28, wherein the checkpoint mechanism is configured to be asynchronous.
31. A system as recited in claim 28, wherein the checkpoint mechanism is configured to be boxcarried.
32. A system as recited in claim 28, wherein the checkpoint mechanism is configured to be single transaction.

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 plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle comprising the following components:
A. two or more blade sections have top and bottom edges which are identical to each other and sides which are provided with spaced tabs with spaces between the tabs, the spaced tabs and spaces being positioned such that the spaced tabs on one blade section will mate with spaces on an adjoining blade section, forming an interlocking connection between blade sections,
B. A pair of blade end caps, said blade end caps provided with spaced tabs with spaces between the tabs, the spaced tabs and spaces being positioned such that the spaced tabs on one blade end cap will mate with spaces on an adjoining blade section, forming an interlocking connection with a blade sections,
C. A pair of cog plates, one of said cog plates being secured to the back of said blade sections, said pair of cog plates being spaced from each other,
D. A pair of cog plate extenders, said pair of cog plate extenders being secured between one of said cog plates and the back of said blade sections,
E. A pair of cogs, each of said cogs being secured to one of said cog plates, each of said cogs having a curved surface for engaging a lower curved surface of the front or back of a motor vehicle, each of said cogs having a slot formed therein,
F. A pair of studs, each of said studs having a lower end received in a slot in one of said cogs,
G. A pair of stud caps, each of said stud caps being place on the upper end of one of said studs, and each having a strap securing portion,
H. A pair of clips for engaging the edge of the motor vehicle, each of said clips having a strap securing portion, and
I. A pair of straps, each secured at one end to one of said stud caps, and at the other end to one of said pair of clips.
2. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the components of the plow when disassembled may be compactly stored.
3. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the structural components thereof are formed of injected molded composite plastic material.
4. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom edges of the blade sections are the same, such that the top and bottom edges of the blade section are reversible.
5. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 4, wherein the reversible top and bottom edges of the plow are rounded to allow for easy gliding over reasonable obstructions in the driveway, such as cracks or solid ice formations.
6. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, when said cog plate and said cog plate extenders are secured on each side to adjoining blade sections, such that they extend across the interlocking connection between two blade sections.
7. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein a cog may be secured to a cog plate at adjustable vertical and horizontal positions, so as to accommodate use with various motor vehicles.
8. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein a connecting tab is provide on each of said blade end caps for securing one end of an extensible member, the other end of which is secured to the motor vehicle, whereby the plow will not move away from the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is reversed.
9. The plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the components are secured to each other by fasteners, such as bolts and nuts.
10. A plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle comprising of the following components: a blade section made of injected molded material having a back, a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the blade section is secured to the vehicle using at least a plate with an extender secured to the back of the blade section and a vertical stud with an end for securing a strap to the vehicle.
11. The plow of claim 10, wherein the top and bottom edges of the blade section are identical in shape to allow for use of either the top edge or the bottom edge as the portion of the blade section adjacent to the ground as the vehicle moves to plow.
12. The plow of claim 10, wherein the top edge is rounded.
13. The plow of claim 10, wherein the bottom edge is rounded.
14. The plow of claim 10, wherein the motor vehicle is an automobile.
15. A plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle comprising of the following components: a blade section having a back, a top edge and a bottom edge and two outer ends, and a plate with an extender secured to the back of the blade section and a vertical stud having an end, wherein the blade is secured to the motor vehicle using a first strap connected to the end of the vertical stud and to the vehicle and a pair of second straps each connected to one of the two outer ends of the blade section and to the vehicle.
16. The plow of claim 15, wherein the plow comprises two vertical studs each having an end, and wherein the blade is secured to the motor vehicle using a pair of first straps connected to the end of each of the vertical studs and the motor vehicle.
17. The plow of claim 16, wherein each of the first and second pair of straps are connected to the front end of a vehicle using a clip.
18. The plow of claim 17, wherein at least a clip is engaged to an edge of an automobile hood.
19. The plow of claim 15, wherein the motor vehicle is an automobile.
20. A plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle comprising of the following components: a blade section having a back, a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the blade section is secured to the vehicle using at least a plate with an extender secured to the back of the blade section and a vertical stud with an end for securing a first strap to the vehicle, wherein the top and bottom edges of the blade section are identical in shape to allow for use of either the top edge or the bottom edge as the portion of the blade section adjacent to the ground as the vehicle moves to plow.
21. The plow of claim 20, wherein the blade is made of multiple segments of injected molded material.
22. The plow of claim 20, wherein the top edge of the blade section is rounded.
23. The plow of claim 20, wherein the bottom edge of the blade section is rounded.
24. The plow of claim 20, wherein the motor vehicle is an automobile.
25. A plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle comprising the following components:
two or more blade sections forming a blade with a back, where each of the blade sections includes a top edge and a bottom edge and having sides with spaced tabs, the spaced tabs positioned to mate with the spaced tabs of an adjoining blade section,
at least a cog plate secured to the back of the blade,
at least a cog plate extender secured between the cog plate and the back of the blade,
at least a cog with at least a slot, the cog secured to the cog plate with a curved surface for engaging a lower curved surface of the motor vehicle,
at least two studs, each with a lower end and a strap securing portion, each stud to be received in one of the slots of the one cog, and
a first pair of straps, each having one end secured to the strap securing portion of the studs, and at the other end to the end of a portion of the motor vehicle.
26. The plow of claim 25, wherein the top edge and the bottom edges have an identical rounded configuration.
27. The plow of claim 25, wherein the plow further comprises a pair of blade end caps, with spaced tabs to mate to an adjoining blade section.
28. The plow of claim 27, wherein each end cap include a side strap attachment for securing a second pair of straps between the blade end caps and the motor vehicle.
29. The plow of claim 25, wherein the motor vehicle is an automobile.
30. A plow for pushing material with a motor vehicle wherein the plow has rounded edges to allow for easy gliding over obstructions on the surface being plowed, such as cracks or solid ice formations.

1-16. (Cancelled)
17. A ball-and-socket joint comprising:
a joint housing having first and second axial ends;
a ball head provided with a ball stud extending from the ball head;
a bearing shell having elastic properties and being received in the joint housing whereby receiving the ball head, the ball stud extending outward of the first axial end of the joint housing;
a housing cover for closing the second axial end of the joint housing; and
a spring element interposed between the housing cover and at least a portion of the bearing shell preloading the portion of the bearing shell to urge the portion of the bearing shell toward the first axial end of the joint housing thereby plastically deforming the portion of the bearing shell into its final ball-shaped contour.
18. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 17 wherein the spring element advances the portion of the bearing shell toward the first axial end of the joint housing for wedging the portion of the bearing shell further into a gap formed between the ball head and the joint housing adjacent the ball stud at the first axial end of the joint housing as wear to the portion of the bearing shell occurs.
19. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 17 wherein the spring element is a disk that is arranged between the housing cover and the bearing shell, wherein center portions of both the housing cover and the disk extend outwardly away from the ball stud.
20. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 19 wherein the housing cover is made of a plastically deformable material, the center portion of the housing cover being axially deformable toward the ball stud.
21. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 20 wherein the center portion of the housing cover contacts the center portion of the disk to urge the disk against the bearing shell.
22. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 17 wherein the bearing shell includes a deformable area, the deformable area enabling the bearing shell to be adapted for use with joint housings of varying tolerances.
23. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 17 wherein the bearing shell includes separate and distinct first and second parts, the first part being an upper shell and,the second part being a lower shell.
24. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring element is arranged between the upper shell and the lower shell, the lower shell being the portion of the bearing shell that is plastically deformed.
25. The ball-and-socket joint as claimed in claim 24 wherein the spring element is a wave-shaped spring washer.
26. A ball-and-socket joint comprising:
a joint housing having first and second axial ends;
a ball head provided with a ball stud extending from the ball head;
a bearing shell receivable in the joint housing for supporting the ball head in the joint housing for pivotal movement relative to the joint housing, the bearing shell supporting the ball head so that the ball stud extends out of the first axial end of the joint housing;
a housing cover for closing the second axial end of the joint housing; and
a spring element interposed between the housing cover and at least a portion of the bearing shell, the spring element urging the portion of the bearing shell toward the first axial end of the joint housing and, as wear to the portion of the bearing shell occurs, wedging the portion of the bearing shell into a gap formed between the ball head and the joint,housing adjacent the first axial end of the joint housing so as to compensate for the wear,
the portion of the bearing shell, prior to being assembled into the joint housing, having a cylindrical contour and, upon being assembled into the joint housing and being subjected to a preloading force, plastically deforming into a ball-shaped contour.
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 stable dispersion comprising:
a continuous phase comprising a continuous liquid phase and a plurality of organic nanoparticles; and
a dispersed phase comprising one or more medicament particles dispersed in the continuous phase.
2. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the liquid continuous phase comprises water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, lactate esters, or combinations thereof.
3. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the liquid continuous phase further comprises dissolved inorganic or organic salts, polymers, excipients, or combinations thereof.
4. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the liquid continuous phase is at least 50 percent by weight water.
5. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the medicament is selected from the group consisting of steroids, antibiotics, bronchodilators, or analgesics.
6. The dispersion of claim 1 comprising less than 0.001 percent by weight of surfactant.
7. The dispersion of claim 1 comprising less than 0.001 percent by weight of surfactant, surface-active agents, detergents, and conventional dispersants.
8. The dispersion of claim 1 further comprising surface-modified inorganic nanoparticles.
9. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of fullerenes, dendrimers, insoluble sugars, aminoacids, organic polymeric nanospheres, and combinations thereof.
10. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein said individual nanoparticles have a particle diameter no greater than about 50 nanometers.
11. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein said individual nanoparticles have a particle diameter in the range of from about 3 nanometers to about 50 nanometers.
12. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein said individual nanoparticles have a particle diameter of no greater than about 20 nanometers.
13. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein said individual nanoparticles have a particle diameter in the range of from about 3 nanometers to about 20 nanometers.
14. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein said individual nanoparticles have a particle diameter in the range of from about 3 nanometers to about 10 nanometers.
15. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the organic nanoparticles comprise alkyl surface groups.
16. The dispersion of claim 1 wherein the liquid continuous phase is selected from the group consisting of water, organic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, amines, amides, esters, glycols, ethers, hydrocarbons, halocarbons, monomers, oligomers, lubricating oils, vegetable oils, silicone oils, mineral and jojoba oils, fuel oils, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, oligomers of ethylene glycol, alkyl and aryl nitro compounds, partially or fully fluorinated compounds, and combinations thereof.