Abstract: There is described a shower system that includes a showerhead fixture and a base connected by conduits. The showerhead fixture includes an inlet for receiving pressurized water. A diverter is configured to divert at least a portion of the pressurized water to the base. The showerhead fixture also includes a second inlet fluidly connected to a recirculating showerhead portion with a plurality of showerhead jets for expelling mixed water received from the base. The base is configured to create a reservoir of water on a shower floor and includes a venturi pump capable of using pressurized water from the showerhead fixture to draw in water from the reservoir into the stream of pressurized water. The mixed water is sent from the base to the jets in the showerhead fixture to thereby increase the volume of water expelled from the showerhead.

Abstract: A device to control rotation is disclosed. The device includes a stationary portion having an internal aperture with a frustoconical inner surface. The device also includes a movable portion having a frustoconical outer surface, adapted to engage the frustoconical inner surface, to stop rotation between the movable portion and the stationary portion when engaged. An input sleeve is included, configured to transmit an applied rotational force to the device, also configured so that, as the input sleeve moves in a first axial direction, the moveable portion engages the stationary portion, and as the input sleeve moves in a second and opposite axial direction, the moveable portion is pushed out of engagement with the stationary portion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing an overhead door includes a drive loop coupled to the overhead door, a motor with a drive shaft and a drive wheel for driving the drive loop. A one-way bearing couples the drive shaft to the drive wheel, which one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the drive wheel, as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a first rotational direction to raise the overhead door, and configured so that torque is not transmitted to the drive wheel as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. As a result, the motor applies torque through the one-way bearing to raise the overhead door and to support the weight of the overhead door while lowering the overhead door.

Abstract: A trailer is disclosed which includes a first door with a first hinge configured to allow the first door to operate between an open position and a closed position, and a second door on the opposing side of the trailer with a second hinge configured to allow the second door to operate between an open position and a closed position. The trailer also includes a roof and a trailer tongue with a coupling configured to attach to a hitch of a vehicle. Two or more wheels are provided that are extendable from an up position to a down position. In this way, when the wheels are in the down position, the trailer is lifted off the ground.

Abstract: The invention is a retrofit device for converting a standard switch to a smart switch. The retrofit device taps into an existing switch electrical terminal via one or more sliding arms with electrical contacts. The electrical contacts interface with the terminals, thus providing a control circuit to intervene or interrupt the existing switch function and allow a control system to control the electrical circuit the existing switch serves.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for automatically opening and closing a pair of curtains that includes a rod with a longitudinal hollow space. The device also includes a first and second threaded shaft housed within the hollow space. First and second gears are attached to the first and second threaded shaft, respectively. The first and second gear intermesh, so that, when the first threaded shaft rotates in a first angular direction, the second threaded shaft rotates in an opposite second angular direction. The device also includes first and second threaded nuts, threaded onto the first and second threaded shafts. A motor is provided to rotate the first threaded shaft in the first angular direction and simultaneously rotate the second the shaft in the opposite second angular direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch. The winch includes a motor. A driveshaft that is coupled to the motor, and the motor rotates the driveshaft. End plates at opposite ends of the driveshaft are configured to support the driveshaft between the end plates, and to allow rotation of the driveshaft. A spool is fixed to the driveshaft such that the motor rotates the spool by rotating the driveshaft. A line is attached to the spool and rotation of the driveshaft causes the spool to wind the line onto the spool or unwind the line from the spool. At least one support member is coupled between the end plates. The at least one support member is generally parallel with and spaced apart from the rail, and the support member is fixed to the end plates such that the support member keeps the end plates and drive shaft in alignment.

Abstract: A system for growing plants is described which includes a first platform, configured to support a first set of plants thereon. The system also includes a second platform, spaced above the first platform a sufficient distance to allow for full growth of the plants thereunder, and configured to support a second set of plants thereon. A first movable frame is suspended above the first platform and below the second platform. The first movable frame has a first array of grow lights mounted thereon. A second movable frame is suspended above the second platform and has a second array of grow lights mounted thereon. The system also includes a lift system configured to raise and lower the movable frames so as to maintain each array of grow lights within a predetermined distance above each set of plants as it grows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system suspended above a platform for growing plants and raisable as the plants grow taller. The system includes a movable frame with an air mover system and grow lights mounted to the movable frame. The system also includes a hoist that suspends the movable frame over the plants and is configured to raise and lower it relative to the plants by winding a line onto and off of the hoist. Also, a power cable is carried by the hoist and coupled to the air mover system and to the grow lights to provide electrical power to at least one of the air mover system and the grow lights. The power cable is windable onto and off of the hoist. The system may also include water misters mounted to the movable frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

Abstract: An analytical toilet is disclosed having at least one health and wellness sensor and a base supporting a bowl. A removable access panel is removably attached to the base. A space is provided between the base and the toilet, which is adapted to contain the at least one health and wellness sensor.

Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar, a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the length of the moment bar is less than 28 inches is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for obtaining health and wellness information about individuals and systems for implementing the method. In one embodiment, a method for obtaining health and wellness information about an individual comprising providing an analytical toilet comprising a bowl adapted to receive excreta from the individual and a sensor for measuring at least one characteristic of the individual or the excreta; a controller receiving data from the sensor and using that data to determine what additional information is needed to evaluate that data; the controller sending a prompt to the individual to solicit the additional information from the individual; the processor receiving the information from the device; and processing the data from the sensor and from the device to determine the health and wellness information is disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl adapted to receive excreta; a channel in fluid communication with the bowl for extracting a sample of excreta from the bowl; an imaging section in the channel, comprising a transparent window; and a movable wall capable of moving between a first and a second position; wherein the channel is open when the movable wall is in a first position; and wherein the channel is nearly closed when the movable wall is in a second position; a first actuator adapted to move the movable wall between its first and second position; an imaging sensor positioned to image the contents of the channel at the point of the movable wall through the transparent window is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a motor unit for an overhead door opener. The motor unit comprises a motor and transmission components configured to transmit power from the motor to a shaft of an overhead door opener. The motor unit also includes a case having one or more vertical panels. The case houses the motor and the transmission components. The motor unit also includes guide bearings on an edge of the vertical panels that accommodate a shaft of an overhead door with the case supported by the shaft. The transmission components comprise a shaft-engaging member configured to be secured around the shaft by affixing the shaft-engaging member to the shaft. The transmission components transmit power from the motor to the shaft of the overhead door.

Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar having a modulus of elasticity, the moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the modulus o

Abstract: The invention is systems and methods of operating a window with an automated window mechanism. The systems and methods include moving with the automated window mechanism a sliding panel of a window relative to a window frame to open or close the window. The sliding panel moves through a proximate closing zone. The method also includes in the proximate closing zone, operating the automated window mechanism in a limited state comprising at least one of reduced velocity, reduced current to the automated window mechanism, or reduced voltage to the automated window mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing an average particle size of blackwater solids is disclosed. A vessel is configured to receive a blackwater stream through a one-way inlet. The one-way inlet is configured to allow the blackwater stream into the vessel and prevent backflow. The blackwater stream contains blackwater solids and water. A device in a bottom portion of the vessel is configured to receive the blackwater and comminute the blackwater solids. A recirculating pump is configured to recirculate the blackwater stream under pressure through the device until the average particle size of the blackwater solids is reduced below a size threshold, resulting in a sized blackwater stream.

Abstract: A system for sanitizing water in a container is disclosed. The system includes a sanitizing chamber, separate from the container, sized to hold a small portion of the water from the container. A first conduit conveys water from the container to the chamber. A second conduit conveys water from the chamber to the container. A pump moves water from the container, through the first conduit into the chamber and from the chamber, through the second conduit into the container. A heater heats the water in the sanitizing chamber to a temperature and for a time sufficient to destroy or deactivate undesirable microorganisms. The first and second conduits each comprise at least one heat exchanger whereby water in the first conduit is heated by the water in the second conduit and water in the second conduit is cooled by water in the first conduit.