Abstract: A domestic appliance comprising communication circuitry and a processing system, including at least one processor, may be coupled to the communication circuitry. The processing system may be configured to: receive, using the communication circuitry, service data from a server, the service data including a service code identifying one or more services that need to be performed on the domestic appliance; disable, based on the received service code, one or more features of the domestic appliance; and in response to an input indicating that the one or more services corresponding to the service code have been performed on the domestic appliance, enable the one or more features of the domestic appliance that were disabled.

Abstract: A domestic appliance comprising communication circuitry and a processing system, including at least one processor, may be coupled to the communication circuitry. The processing system may be configured to: receive, using the communication circuitry, service data from a server, the service data including a service code identifying one or more services that need to be performed on the domestic appliance; disable, based on the received service code, one or more features of the domestic appliance; and in response to an input indicating that the one or more services corresponding to the service code have been performed on the domestic appliance, enable the one or more features of the domestic appliance that were disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an edge of a workpiece for sharpness includes a body, a probe extending outwardly and pivotably mounted from the body, the probe is biased in a direction for placement against an edge of a workpiece with a predetermined force, a test head on a distal end of the probe for mounting test tape for physical contact with an edge as a test medium, a test point for mounting to the workpiece, and a continuity circuit mounted to the body in electrical communication with the test head and the test point for providing a predetermined electrical current between the test head and the test point through the workpiece when the test tape is cut sufficiently by the workpiece to allow the test head to touch the workpiece to form a complete circuit.

Abstract: A powertrain mounting system includes a pair of engine and transmission mount assemblies. The engine mount assemblies include an isolator assembly having an elastomeric bushing with an encapsulated mounting member, an integral snubber, and a bracket assembly having a one piece can arranged to house the bushing and having an interlock arranged to engage the bushing. The bushing is press-fit into the can and arranged to isolate the mounting member from the can thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement, and the snubber is arranged to limit movement of the bushing relative to the can. The transmission mount assembly includes a support member, a pair of isolators positioned relative to each other, and a pair of mounting brackets positioned on the isolators; wherein the isolators are arranged to maintain the mounting brackets in spaced relation to the support member thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement.

Abstract: A game ball storage retainer mountable to a vertical planar surface is an equatorially-split spherical container having a generally hemispherical upper lid portion that is hinged to a generally hemispherical base base portion. The base portion has an annular ring that fits within the upper portion to prevent water from flowing into the container. Each portion has a locking tab that aligns with the locking tab of the other portion. A padlock may be used to lock the lid and base portions together. The base portion also has a rectangular extension that fits flush against a vertical planar surface and by means of which the container may be bolted thereto. Lag bolts may be installed from inside the container to prevent their removal when the container is closed and locked. Preferably, the container is either blow molded or rotationally molded from a tough polymeric resin or copolymer.

Abstract: A mathematical system of measuring the consumer household demand for a consumer product or consumer service in a specified geographic location or socio economic group of consumer households. The measurement system was designed in such a way that it does not infringe on any personal information of the audience being measured. For the purpose of simplicity, any type of computer spreadsheet or database system software can manipulate the actual measurement numbers. The measurement system identifies a ratio of customer households in relationship to total households in a specific group or groups, in descending mathematical order, which household group or household groups actually contain the largest number of buying households in relationship to total households that have already purchased a specified product or specified service being measured.

Abstract: Damage to electronic golf course sprinkler valve controls from lightning current surges is prevented by electrically isolating the actual valve control circuit from the logic circuitry that controls it, using in the valve control circuit only components and printed traces that can withstand at least as much power dissipation as the field wiring, and grounding each valve control individually to earth ground through a plasma discharge device.

Abstract: A sea rescue kit deployable from a helicopter includes a first self-inflating life raft, a second self-inflating life raft, a line connecting the first and second life rafts, and a device associated with the line to retard the line in the water relative to the life rafts to cause the life rafts and line to assume a substantially horseshoe-shaped configuration around a predetermined position in the sea after deployment from a helicopter upwind of the predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an edge of a workpiece for sharpness includes a body, a probe extending outwardly and pivotably mounted from the body, the probe is biased in a direction for placement against an edge of a workpiece with a predetermined force, a test head on a distal end of the probe for mounting test tape for physical contact with an edge as a test medium, a test point for mounting to the workpiece, and a continuity circuit mounted to the body in electrical communication with the test head and the test point for providing a predetermined electrical current between the test head and the test point through the workpiece when the test tape is cut sufficiently by the workpiece to allow the test head to touch the workpiece to form a complete circuit.