Abstract: An agitator may include one or more members adjustable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration. When the one or more members are in the expanded configuration, the agitator in a first set of two orthogonal dimensions is larger than an opening having a predetermined size. When the one or more members are in the compressed configuration, the agitator in a second set of two orthogonal dimensions is smaller than the opening having the predetermined size. The one or more members are biased to the expanded configuration in absence of external force applied to the one or more members. In use, the agitator may be inserted into a container through a neck of the container in the compressed configuration. The agitator may expand within the container so that the container does not fit through the neck of the container.

Abstract: A container lid may include a container top, a closure, and a push button. The closure may be coupled to the container top and movable between a closed closure position in which a lid opening of the container top is closed and an open closure position in which the lid opening is open. The push button may be movably coupled to the closure. The push button may include a latch configured to selectively engage the container top when the closure is in the closed closure position. The push button may be movable between a first push button position in which the latch is engageable with the container top and a second push button position in which the latch is disengaged from the container top. The closure defines a push button recess and the push button is disposed substantially within the push button recess and substantially enclosed by the closure.

Abstract: A method receives error measurements from network elements. Groups of network elements are generated based on similarity of error measurements and a bitloading profile for each of the groups of network elements is generated based on the error measurements for each respective group. Each bitloading profile includes a modulation level determined to be sufficient for transporting content to respective groups of network elements. The method then assigns a set of bitloading profiles to each network element based on the groups of network elements and the bitloading profile generated for each of the groups. The bitloading profile for each of the groups of network elements and the assigned set of bitloading profiles are output to a network device. The network device uses the bitloading profiles to modulate content sent to respective customer premise equipment.

Abstract: A lighted egress apparatus includes a unitary body comprising a cavity therewithin, the cavity comprising a power supply supplying electricity and circuitry coupled to the power supply and conducting the electricity; a fixed blade partially fixed within the cavity and comprising a cutting blade, wherein the cutting blade is exposed from the unitary body and positioned at a constant cutting angle; a switch partially fixed within the cavity and coupled to the circuitry, wherein activation of the switch completes the circuitry and allows the circuitry to conduct the electricity; and an illumination device partially fixed within the cavity and coupled to the circuitry, wherein the illumination device illuminates as the circuitry conducts the electricity to the illumination device and positioned to direct illumination in front of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A personnel restraint seat belt having an elongated flexible web with a front surface, a rear surface, and two side edges. A distinguishing feature, such as a raised bump, color strip, or edge cut outs are provided adjacent at least one of the side edges of the web. The distinguishing feature allows for rapid identification of the restraint seat belt during emergency situations.

Abstract: A method of electronically displaying glyphs. The method includes receiving a glyph spacing, moving a first glyph toward a second glyph along an axis, identifying an intersection of a first axis coordinate of the first glyph with a second axis coordinate of the second glyph, and moving at least one of the glyphs along the axis to separate the first and second axis coordinates of the respective first and second glyphs by the glyph spacing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and methods for the underwater removal and insertion of thrusters using a transfer system. Embodiments include a transfer system having a deck fitting assembly configured to be mounted to a hull of a marine vessel, a tension rod assembly secured to the deck fitting assembly, a track system secured to the tension rod assembly, a transfer frame movably secured to the track system via a hoist system, and a cradle removably secured to the transfer frame. Cradle and transfer frame are vertically movable and horizontally traversable along a portion of the hull via the hoist system.

Abstract: A method of electronically displaying glyphs. The method includes receiving a glyph spacing, moving a first glyph toward a second glyph along an axis, identifying an intersection of a first axis coordinate of the first glyph with a second axis coordinate of the second glyph, and moving at least one of the glyphs along the axis to separate the first and second axis coordinates of the respective first and second glyphs by the glyph spacing.

Abstract: An electronic cutting machine includes at least one housing to which a drive roller is coupled for moving a sheet to be cut in a first direction and a cutter assembly coupled to the housing and moveable in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for the underwater or dry dock repair of damaged articles, including structural steel members and associated appendages, as well as propellers of vessels. The disclosed embodiments include a pressing apparatus including a structural body, a ram, a first fixture plate, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control, and a working envelope. The ram is secured to the structural body and has a pressing surface. The first fixture plate is secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram and has a first working surface. The ballast tank is formed within the structural body. The working envelope is located between the pressing surface and the first working surface. The ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. The first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface.

Abstract: A personnel restraint seat belt having an elongated flexible web with a front surface, a rear surface, and two side edges. A distinguishing feature, such as a raised bump, color strip, or edge cut outs are provided adjacent at least one of the side edges of the web. The distinguishing feature allows for rapid identification of the restraint seat belt during emergency situations.

Abstract: In some examples, gases are vented out of a battery compartment through an exit port defined by an antenna housing. For example, a vent line may be disposed between the battery compartment and the exit port, defining a passageway through which gases in the battery compartment can exit the battery compartment. In some examples, the battery compartment is located in an aircraft and the antenna housing is at least partially disposed an exterior of the aircraft.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated ferromagnetic loop having a footprint characterized by a continuous wire shaped according to a predetermined planar pattern. In some embodiments, the predetermined planar pattern can be multiple contiguous polygons within a larger footprint used for establishing a sensor for the detection of moving vehicles. The footprint may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, an ellipse, or a circle, and/or other shapes or configurations. Similarly, each of the multiple contiguous polygons may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and/or other shapes or configurations. A loop sensor housing is arranged to enclose a continuous loop sensor wire configured in the predetermined planar pattern. The prefabricated loop sensor is inserted in a groove web pre-cut in a receiving medium to match the predetermined planar pattern.

Abstract: A check assembly for a visor assembly of a vehicle is coupled with a headliner of a vehicle roof near a center portion of the vehicle, away from the vehicle door or windows. A clip on the check assembly is adapted to secure small lightweight items and deter such items from being exposed to weather or wind conditions near vehicle door windows, a vehicle sunroof, or an exposed top. The visor portion may engage a clasp on the check assembly and operate between deployed and non-deployed positions, whereby the clip of the check assembly may be concealed in the non-deployed position. According to one embodiment, the check assembly includes a resilient clip protruding rearward from a body portion thereof over a depressed area on the headliner for holding a lightweight item therebetween.

Abstract: A check assembly for a visor assembly of a vehicle is coupled with a headliner of a vehicle roof near a center portion of the vehicle, away from the vehicle door or windows. A clip on the check assembly is adapted to secure small lightweight items and deter such items from being exposed to weather or wind conditions near vehicle door windows, a vehicle sunroof, or an exposed top. The visor portion may engage a clasp on the check assembly and operate between deployed and non-deployed positions, whereby the clip of the check assembly may be concealed in the non-deployed position. According to one embodiment, the check assembly includes a resilient clip protruding rearward from a body portion thereof over a depressed area on the headliner for holding a lightweight item therebetween.

Abstract: A method of operating a crafting apparatus. The method includes moving a workpiece along a first feed path for printing on the workpiece with a printer and moving the workpiece along a second feed path for cutting the workpiece with a cutter. The first feed path bypasses a workpiece mover of the cutter.

Abstract: A lighted egress apparatus includes a unitary body comprising a cavity therewithin, the cavity comprising a power supply supplying electricity and circuitry coupled to the power supply and conducting the electricity; a fixed blade partially fixed within the cavity and comprising a cutting blade, wherein the cutting blade is exposed from the unitary body and positioned at a constant cutting angle; a switch partially fixed within the cavity and coupled to the circuitry, wherein activation of the switch completes the circuitry and allows the circuitry to conduct the electricity; and an illumination device partially fixed within the cavity and coupled to the circuitry, wherein the illumination device illuminates as the circuitry conducts the electricity to the illumination device and positioned to direct illumination in front of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.

Abstract: A toll violation enforcement system that contains a capture unit that receives a trigger signal and takes vehicle images of passing vehicles. A lighting unit configured to operate continuously is provided to establish a major lighting source incident on the vehicle. A processing unit is provided that processes the vehicle image and controls the settings employed by the capture unit. The processing unit preferably contains a plate location module for extracting an original resolution license plate area image from a first vehicle image; an exposure control module for controlling the exposure setting on the capture unit to provide consistent intensity of the license plate area; a resolution reset module for changing the image resolution for a second vehicle image; an image enhancement module for brightening pixels of the second vehicle image; and an image compression module for compressing the license plate area image and second vehicle image to a predetermined format.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated ferromagnetic loop having a footprint characterized by a continuous wire shaped according to a predetermined planar pattern. In some embodiments, the predetermined planar pattern can be multiple contiguous polygons within a larger footprint used for establishing a sensor for the detection of moving vehicles. The footprint may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, an ellipse, or a circle, and/or other shapes or configurations. Similarly, each of the multiple contiguous polygons may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and/or other shapes or configurations. A loop sensor housing is arranged to enclose a continuous loop sensor wire configured in the predetermined planar pattern. The prefabricated loop sensor is inserted in a groove web pre-cut in a receiving medium to match the predetermined planar pattern.