Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method (“Bid System”) for topologically subdividing and defining the detail scope of work and for inter-linking construction plans and specifications to construction contracts and subcontracts. The Bid System permits full, clear and unambiguous definition of the scope of work under each subcontract, so as to eliminates errors and uncertainty relating to contract performance. The Bid System establishes a series of electronic overlays to the digitized construction plans corresponding to different trades or categories of work, in which each overlay may be divided into a series of optimized topological subdivisions or “boxes” which uniquely identify and locate on the plans a portion of the work to be performed. The system includes linkage of the overlays and boxes to the subcontracts whereby the scope of work to be bid is accurately associated or “mapped” to corresponding regions and overlay category on the architectural drawings or construction plans.

Abstract: A cargo transportation system comprising secure (fully closeable and lockable), sealable, stackable, trackable, universal, auto-latching “pallet boxes” that may be used in two main ways: 1) secured to the undercarriage transverse I-beams of over-the-road semi-trailers by means of loading alignment and hanger assemblies that provide positive locking-in-place; and 2) stackable, up to three or more high, inside the trailer bodies. The inventive pallet boxes are designed to be secured by auto-latching hanger assemblies that are retrofittable on individual types of semi-trailer undercarriages, both US and metric (European, Central and South American, and Asian) standard dimensions. The pallet boxes include vertical sidewall load-bearing channel members permitting stacking fully-loaded pallet boxes three or more high. The pallet boxes may be refrigerated, insulated, or atmospherically controlled, e.g., chargeable with preservative, security or disinfecting gases, during shipping.

Abstract: Golf swing training device having constant resistive and rewind forces throughout the swings. An anchor positions a constant force unit, supplies a tether to a special contoured handle and is used indoor or out, preferably at a driving range or golf course. The CFU is preferably hung from a door top by a bracket or anchored to a free-standing pole. Kiosks may be located at driving ranges and golf courses for automated, coin or credit-card operation, or attendant operation, and may be linked to local or remote Internet-enabled computer control and monitoring centers. The use of constant force trains the body to learn perfect planar swing muscle memory by pulling the user into a fully-extended back swing position and to be lead side dominant in the down swing. A “perfect” club swing plane is developed with the force acting at or near the interlock by use of the special handles.

Abstract: A multi-element spray delivery system for targeted delivery of product from aerosol spray cans comprising an aerosol can button having a short connector tube connecting to a removable extension tube. The system optionally includes a spray discharge limiter, and a sealing tip cap that fits over either the button connector tube or the extension tube. The selective combined use of these components permits targeted delivery of aerosolized product, including lubricants, paint, personal care products, food products, insulation and caulks, herbicides, insecticides or compressed air for more efficient and effective delivery as and where needed with reduction in waste and overspray. An extension tube keeper system is included for convenient storage of the extension tube on the can after use. The component system is also provided in a kit form either by the OEM producer of the aerosol product along with the new can, or as an after-market product.

Abstract: An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils.

Abstract: A cargo transportation system comprising secure (fully closeable and lockable), sealable, stackable, trackable, universal, auto-latching “pallet boxes” that may be used in two main ways: 1) secured to the undercarriage transverse I-beams of over-the-road semi-trailers by means of loading alignment and hanger assemblies that provide positive locking-in-place; and 2) stackable, up to three or more high, inside the trailer bodies. The inventive pallet boxes are designed to be secured by auto-latching hanger assemblies that are retrofittable on individual types of semi-trailer undercarriages, both US and metric (European, Central and South American, and Asian) standard dimensions. The pallet boxes include vertical sidewall load-bearing channel members permitting stacking fully-loaded pallet boxes three or more high. The pallet boxes may be refrigerated, insulated, or atmospherically controlled, e.g., chargeable with preservative, security or disinfecting gases, during shipping.

Abstract: A new or retrofit block hoist for conventional, hydraulic-powered log splitters assists in the lifting, maneuvering, and positioning of large diameter, heavy logs that require multiple radial splits to section them for firewood, comprising a boom, pulley and cable system. A boom assembly is secured to the top end of the splitter guide beam and pulleys guide a lifting cable anchored to the wedge slide to a log section retainer means (dog or awl). The upward, hydraulically-powered movement of the cutting wedge along the I-beam lifts the log section as the wedge is raised into its upward, retracted position. Once lifted, the log is swung into position between the wedge and splitter foot plate. The wedge is then power extended (lowered), splitting the log. An optional turntable is securable to the footplate. The inventive block hoist can be provided as a kit.

Abstract: An improved quilting apparatus and method for automatically providing a variable sewing area (VSA) independent of the throat depth of the sewing machine used and X/Y carriages on which the sewing machine is mounted, comprising a rotatably-powered take-up roller mounted on laterally movable carriages, a tension system for continuous tension on fabric and batting, arm-mounted or sewing machine-mounted sensors that detect proximity or engage fabric on the take-up roller and cause rotation of the take-up roller so that it is out of the way of the advancing or returning sewing machine. The inventive VSA system includes a microprocessor-based controller for automatic operation, which controller interfaces with PC operated quilting programs that drive powered X/Y carriage systems to allow sewing of quilting patterns much larger than the throat depth of conventional sewing machines.

Abstract: Recovery of electric power from low-grade waste heat/solar energy, comprising a closed-cycle charged refrigerant loop. Pressurized refrigerant fluid is pumped at ambient temperature through a heat exchanger connected to a waste heat/solar source to extract heat energy during conversion to a high pressure gas. Heated/pressurized refrigerant gas is inlet into an expander to power an output shaft during the expansion of the fluid to a cooled gas at approximately 0 psig. Cooled gaseous refrigerant is condensed to a liquid at low pressure and ambient temperature, and recycled under pressure to the heat exchanger. The expander is a reverse-plumbed gas compressor; the pressurized, hot refrigerant gas is inlet at what is ordinarily its outlet, and the normal inlet becomes the expander end. The refrigerant gas mass flow pressure/temperature drop spins the expander shaft for direct mechanical power take-off, or coupling to a synchronous or inductive generator to produce electricity.

Abstract: A lawn mower blade assembly is described that comprising a generally flat, elongated blade having a central mounting opening for mounting of the blade to a rotating motor shaft of a lawn mower. The blade further includes a plurality of bit openings positioned along the blade, and a plurality of elongated, generally cylindrical bits for insertion into the bit openings. Each bit has a head and a plurality of rib protrusions located slightly away from the head at one end of the bit. Each bit is inserted into one of the bit openings from the bottom side of the blade, past the rib protrusions, and snapped into place against the head. As such, each bit is held in place in the bit opening by the rib protrusions and the head. The bit, once installed, each extend generally perpendicularly from the top surface of the blade.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an image processing device, in particular a device for stereoscopic image processing, and to a coherence detector used thereon. The image processing device can process stereoscopic images in real time and can be implemented with simple means and low expense. Two alternative embodiments of the coherence detector are disclosed. The image signals can be processed at the speed that they are supplied by image receivers, and thus image data processing is possible to attain depth information with little expense and in real time.

Abstract: A hand tool grinding jig is described for use in co-operation with a grinding wheel. The jig has a tool clamp for clamping a hand tool and a leg is pivotally connected to the clamp to allow the angle between the leg and the clamp to be adjusted. An end of the leg remote from the clamp provides a pivot point for engagement in a pivot receiver of a pivot support member that is located adjacent to the grinding wheel. The pivot receiver is disposed so that, when a tool is in the tool clamp and the pivot point is provided in the pivot receiver, the pivotal axis between the leg and the clamp is further from the grinding wheel than the pivot receiver.

Abstract: Safety systems for vehicles, primarily passenger vehicles, comprising automated systems and methods for preventing entrapment of children, disabled, aged or infirm persons, or pets from being trapped in closed vehicles left in the sun, so that they will not suffocate from the heat. The invention is characterized by use of one or more systems to sense the occupancy state and temperature inside the vehicle passenger or load space, and provide one or more outputs which can selectively be employed to provide interior and exterior warning of a trapped passenger in a dangerously hot car to permit rescue, and/or to activate vehicle electro-mechanical systems to relieve the heat, such as rolling down windows, unlatching seat belts, unlocking doors, starting the car and/or fans or air conditioning systems and the like.

Abstract: A bending apparatus is especially adapted for mounting to a vise to hold the bending apparatus in an aligned position so that the bending apparatus may impart a desired angle bend on a workpiece. The bending apparatus includes an orienting member with a cross-sectional shape to complement the shape of the vice jaws. The bending apparatus when secured in the vise jaws is oriented horizontally or vertically, thus enabling the bending apparatus to precisely create horizontal and vertical bends in a workpiece. Bends may be created in succession without requiring a user to continually adjust the orientation of the workpiece or the bending apparatus itself.

Abstract: Dual access hand luggage having in the interior a stowage cell system or assembly, preferably made of stretch fabric, that permits isolation packing and orthogonal stowage and retrieval of goods retained in the cells by access from either face of the suitcase. For roll-on type travel bags, a pop-up handle is provided in a side wall, rather than on the back face as in current luggage. The inventive system is particularly useful for suitcases, carry-on or roll-on bags, back packs, totes, brief cases, and laptop cases. Dual-sided external access combined with internal, modular, fixed-size or variable-size stowage cells, oriented generally orthogonal to the planes of both sides, permits packing and selective removal of articles through either face of the bag so that articles otherwise buried in the bag are easily removed by flipping the bag over and accessing the item through the openable back face.

Abstract: Lightweight structural panel units for construction of space enclosing structures each of which is formed from a blank of flat, suitably rigid, yet foldable sheet of material, which are profiled and pre-creased with a unique configuration. Upon folding, the blanks form a substantially hollow three dimensional polygonal beam-like unit having a shape and configuration which positively aligns and interlocks when conjoined with a plurality of similar folded beam-like units to form a substantially hollow 3-dimensional “structural panel unit” having symmetrical cross bracing inside and sufficient rigidity to enable sufficiently large areas to be produced for the construction of space enclosing structures. Each structural panel unit has a configuration and profile that positively aligns and interlocks when engaged with similar structural panel units to complete a desired space-enclosing structure which has an exterior facing surface and an interior facing surface separated by a substantially hollow void.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and computer programs are described for compensating for the effect of temperature on the sensitivity of electrostatic ultrasound (US) transducers, particularly as used in an automotive occupancy sensing (AOS) systems for sensing the nature or type of occupant and the location of the occupant with respect to the vehicle interior. The invention permits the AOS to classify the occupancy state of the vehicle from a US echo signal substantially free of the effects of temperature on signal amplitude. A capacitive divider or voltage monitor is employed to measure the capacitance of the transducer. The voltage monitor output is used by the scaling algorithm of a compensator to determine the scaling factor to be applied to the US transducer signal to compensate for the effect of temperature on the transducer sensitivity.

Abstract: An incentive-based grocery cart washing and disinfecting system including a consumer special-offer coupon applying apparatus, for use in a batch or continuous process comprising a housing having at least one pipe manifold with nozzles positioned therein to provide at least one treatment zone selected from pre-wash, wash, disinfecting, and rinse zones. In addition, blown air water-stripping/drying zones may be provided, with a heating source to assist drying. Following drying, a strip of specially adapted grocery coupons is optionally applied to the grocery cart handle, so that the coupons can be redeemed by customers during their subsequent shopping. The coupon strip comprises a leader portion and a coupon portion, and the leader can be wrapped and fixed around the grocery cart handle manually or by means of the automated machinery described. The system of the invention may be a fixed or mobile system, with the use preferably being on site at stores.

Abstract: A low cost high side supply shut down circuit that operates to deactivate the power supply of a central supply, such as to pressure regulators, solenoid valves, etc., as parts of non-repairable electro-hydraulic transmission modules in the event of a malfunction, e.g. a low side driver circuit failure. The supply voltage is connected to the high side of a fuse. The load circuits receive power or no power depending on the operating condition of the fuse. Coupled across the fuse is a fuse trigger status detection circuit as part of a diagnostics and control module. The diagnostics and control module is connected to the input of a shut down low side output driver circuit. The attached low side loads have individual detection circuits that are coupled to the diagnostics and control module as well as their enable inputs.