Abstract: A bolt centralizer for a bolting feed in a rock bolt system has a flexible body capable of elastically flexing from an upright posture for centralizing a rock bolt to a folded posture that permits a bolting feed to advance. The centralizer includes a passage for guiding the rock bolt into a hole drilled by the rock bolt system. The centralizer also includes a base for fastening the centralizer to a sliding carriage adapted to travel over rails of the bolting feed.

Abstract: An aircraft starter motor assembly for starting an aircraft engine is provided, and includes a DC motor, a planetary gearset, a ring gear clutch, and a starter adapter. The sun gear from the gearset is mounted to the motor output shaft. The ring gear clutch is used to rotationally fix the ring gear or to permit the ring gear to freewheel. The starter adapter including a worm, a spring, a worm gear, a wrap spring clutch and an output shaft. The worm drives the worm gear, which drives the output shaft via the wrap spring clutch. By using the ring gear clutch to let the ring gear freewheel, the wrap spring clutch can more easily unwind and disengage from the output shaft after the engine has been started.

Abstract: A rock bolting system comprises independently movable hydraulic stinger, drill feed and bolting feed. The stinger is hydraulically extended to sting or engage the face of the rock. With the stinger stinging the rock face, the drill feed drills a hole in the rock. With the stinger still stinging the rock face, the bolting feed is indexed into position and a rock bolt is installed in the hole. A flexible elastomeric bolt centralizer may be mounted to the bolting feed to guide the rock bolt into the hole drilled by the drill feed.

Abstract: A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation. According to another aspect, there is a networked paging system with individually addressable speaker units for announcing a paging signal selected from a number of paging signals.

Abstract: A sod harvester may include a cutting head for cutting the strip of sod from a field, a transport conveyor located behind the cutting head for conveying the strip of sod from the cutting head, and a roll-up mechanism operatively connected to the transport conveyor. The roll-up mechanism may be adapted to form the strip of sod into the sod roll. An accumulator may be disposed downstream from the transport conveyor. The accumulator may include a receiving surface to receive the sod roll from the transport conveyor. A guide member may be positioned above the accumulator. The guide member may be adapted to contact an outer surface of the sod roll when the sod roll is transferred from the transport conveyor to the receiving surface, thereby inhibiting unrolling of the sod roll.

Abstract: A foldable feed rail for a rock drill is composed of two segments, a first beam defining a first rail segment and a second beam defining a second rail segment. The second beam may be pivotally connected to the first beam with a hinge to enable the second beam to be folded relative to the first beam. Alternatively, the second beam can be detachably connected to the first beam so that the second beam can be removed altogether from the first beam. This invention enables the feed rail to be shortened, thereby making the feed rail much easier to maneuver in mines.

Abstract: A feed rail for a rock drill is composed of two segments, a first beam defining a first rail segment and a second beam defining a second rail segment. The second beam may be detachably connected to the first beam so that the second beam can be removed altogether from the first beam. This invention enables the feed rail to be shortened, thereby making the feed rail much easier to manoeuvre in mines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Abstract: A system and mechanism for monitoring and/or controlling a sound masking system from a computer aided design drawing. According to an embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to “click” sound masking components on the design drawing and view operating/configuration settings, and/or edit, change or modify the operating/configuration settings, which are then applied via an interface to the associated physical sound masking component in the sound masking system. According to another embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to design or configure sound masking components on a design drawing. The sound masking components correspond to physical sound masking components in a sound masking system and comprise one or more active sound masking elements, which are configured to be responsive to an input and allow an operator to monitor, change and/or modify operating/configuration settings for physical sound masking component via the sound masking element in the design drawing.

Abstract: An substantially planar information device is provided comprising: a memory module including a memory device and an electrical interface to connect the memory device to a complementary interface of a computing device; and a housing including a recess in which the memory module can be removably received, a receptacle to receive the electrical interface when the memory module is received in the recess, wherein the memory module and the housing are substantially planar such that the information device can be affixed to a planar substrate without substantially changing the profile of the planar substrate.

Abstract: A closure assembly to be installed in an opening for a building, said closure assembly comprising a frame for supporting a moveable closure member therewithin, said frame including top, bottom and side members, one of the members including a hollow pocket within the interior of said member and for receiving a spring biased roller assembly upon which a flexible material is accumulated, said flexible material being selected from a blind, a bug screen, a solar screen, or the like, the flexible material being movable between a fully retracted first position whereat the material is contained within the pocket to a fully extended second position whereat the material covers some or all of the opening of the building.

Abstract: A puzzle kit for assembly into a three dimensional representation of a geographic region includes first pieces that form a first layer, second pieces that form a second layer on top of the first layer, and structure pieces mounted on the first and/or second layers. The first and second layers can include retaining elements for retaining the structure pieces. The retaining elements can take the form of voids. The first layer can include image elements visible through the voids of the second layer, and the image elements can include indicia to match the voids with the structure pieces. The first pieces can include anchoring pieces that are elevated and interlock with the second layer. The structure pieces can be sequentially assembled on the first and/or second layers according to an index. The assembled puzzle can represent a city, and the structure pieces can represent buildings within the city.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Abstract: A closure assembly comprising at least two closures moveable in a closure frame, said closure frame including a header, sill and including a track sized to extend the full-length the header and sill thereby providing for guided movement of each individual closure to the maximum extent to and from a fully closed position, the at least two closures presenting a straight line, in-line, closure, such as a window, entry door, French door, patio door assembly and when the closures are pivoted from a closed position whereat said closures are parallel to the extension of said closure frame to a second position wherein free end of the closer is pivoted away from the closure frame, the free end of said closure including an inter-engaging member which inter-engage with adjacent members to brace together said closures thereby against any loading such as wind loads or the like.

Abstract: A spout assembly configured to be attached to a mouth of a bottle to facilitate pouring of the contents of the bottle. The spout assembly includes a cap having an upper surface and defining an axial passageway; a spout mounted within the cap and movable between a retracted position, in which the spout is disposed within the axial passageway below the upper surface, and an extended position, in which at least a portion of the spout extends above the upper surface; and a first polarized magnet attached to the cap and a second polarized magnet attached to the spout, wherein the first polarized magnet and second polarized magnet magnetically bias the spout into the extended position.

Abstract: A sod harvester for cutting sod strips from a ground surface while leaving an uncut strip between at least two sod strips The sod harvester includes a mounting frame and a number of cutting heads connected to the mounting frame. The cutting heads are positioned transversely to the path of travel for cutting the sod strips. At least two cutting heads are spaced apart by the width of the uncut strip. A conveyor is located behind the cutting heads for transporting the strips upwardly and rearwardly from the cutting heads.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate systems and methods for providing concierge services at event venues hosting live performances. The system include a server configured to receive real-time performance information indicative of a current status of a live performance at an event venue having a plurality of seats; and a plurality of concierge devices in data communication with the server, each of the concierge devices being coupled to one of the plurality of seats, having an input device for receiving input from an attendee at the live performance, and being associated with location information indicative of a location of the seat.