Abstract: Mattresses, cushions, and body-support mats or pads are disclosed. Polymer(s) at least partially define a length, width and depth, the depth extending from an upper surface proximate to where a user rests to a lower surface opposite the upper surface. Voids in the polymer traverse at least a portion of the width. The plurality of voids are located at the lower surface and/or the upper surface and are defined by polymer walls and wall(s) of polymer walls define each polymer foot of polymer feet. A first region of a plurality of lower surface regions includes at least one foot of the plurality of polymer feet that has a first size. A second region of the plurality of lower surface regions includes at least one other foot having a second size. The at least one other foot spans a greater distance along the length than the at least one foot.

Abstract: Foam compositions, cushions, and related methods of manufacture are disclosed. The foam composition or cushion includes a polymer that includes about 2% to about 10% polyol comprising multiple hydroxyl groups, about 1% to about 25% isocyanate and about 75% to about 95% filler suspended in the polymer.

Abstract: Mattresses, cushions, and body-support mats or pads include a plurality of layers extending in a depth direction from a resting surface, where the resting surface is capable of supporting user(s), to a lower surface, the lower surface being opposite the resting surface. The plurality of layers include a comfort layer that forms an upper layer proximate to the resting surface, where the comfort layer includes deformable walls separated by voids and the deformable walls include a plurality of fiber strands embedded in a cushioning media.

Abstract: A system and method for a load-facing winch are described for hauling or lifting loads at least 30° from center of the primary support object. The load-facing winch includes a winch-mount that includes a housing, a center-pivot, a mounting-plate, and a plurality of springs. The mounting-plate is attached to the winch and tilts and/or turns about the center-pivot, which allows the winch to face the load. By directing the winch to face the load, angular resistance against a moving fairlead may be reduced.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a compressional wiper system activated by a sensor that detects which direction a cable is moving. When the cable is being pulled in, the compressional wiper system tightens a clamp or fastens a rotatable clamping device inside a fairlead. The tightened clamp or fastened clamping device act to decrease the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, or other materials that adhere to the cable accumulate within the winch, by wiping or scraping off said materials from the cable.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a guide that includes a fairlead for positioning a cable around a rotatable drum, wherein one or more bristles are positioned within an orifice in the fairlead. The bristles may have an angular orientation such that they provide active cable wiping during winding and passive cable wiping during unwinding of the cable around the drum. Active wiping may reduce the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, and/or other materials accumulate within the winch during winding.

Abstract: A compressible rope is disclosed comprising a plurality of strands. Interconnected outer strands form a sheath, and one or more inner strands form an inner core encased by the sheath. The inner core comprises a non-planar outer surface in contact with the sheath. The strands may be a monofilament or polyfilament material. The interaction between the non-planer outer surface of the core with the interior surface of the sheath can reduce bunching as well as the separation of the strands due to compressional forces.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) test apparatus and testing method are described. The PCB test apparatus includes a motor connected to a gearbox that includes a gear that is directly connected to an output shaft. The test apparatus includes two printed circuit board connections for testing an electric-component connector that includes two circuit boards. One connection port includes a plurality of contact pins for attaching one of the PCBs while the other connector port is part of a position encoder that includes a diametrically magnetized magnet that tests the other PCB's ability to detect changes in magnetic fields. The apparatus is configured such that both PCBs of the electric-component connector are tested in tandem.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a rotatable drum for winding and unwinding a first cable therefrom. The winch contains a cable-wiping apparatus with one or more actuators are activated when the drum rotates in a direction for winding the first cable onto the drum. A mechanical force may be transmitted from the actuator to a second cable that is operatively connected to a wiper clamp. The wiper clamp compresses around the first cable when the cable is pulled in.

Abstract: A headrail for a motorized window covering is described that includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor that is configured to actuate a window covering. The headrail includes a safety detector with one or more sensors that detect an irregular strain when the window covering is being raised. The headrail may further comprise a recoil mechanism or a deactivation mechanism to reduce the likelihood of damage to the window coverings and/or individuals caught or tangled in the window covering.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) test apparatus and testing method are described. The PCB test apparatus includes a motor connected to a gearbox that includes a gear that is directly connected to an output shaft. The test apparatus includes two printed circuit board connections for testing an electric-component connector that includes two circuit boards. One connection port includes a plurality of contact pins for attaching one of the PCBs while the other connector port is part of a position encoder that includes a diametrically magnetized magnet that tests the other PCB's ability to detect changes in magnetic fields. The apparatus is configured such that both PCBs of the electric-component connector are tested in tandem.

Abstract: A headrail for a motorized window covering is described that includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor that is configured to actuate a window covering. The headrail includes a safety detector with one or more sensors that detect an irregular strain when the window covering is being raised. The headrail may further comprise a recoil mechanism or a deactivation mechanism to reduce the likelihood of damage to the window coverings and/or individuals caught or tangled in the window covering.

Abstract: A thimble assembly that includes an arch portion connecting a first leg portion to a second leg portion. The thimble assembly may also include a peripheral groove extending substantially along an outer surface of the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may also include a plurality of connectors extending from a first lip of the peripheral groove and connecting to a second lip of the peripheral groove. The connectors may traverse the peripheral groove across the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may include a length of cord with a plurality of strands that traverses the peripheral groove. The strands may enclose the connectors such that the strands are woven around the connectors. In one embodiment, the thimble assembly may include a wireless tension detector connected to the thimble that includes a sensor that senses radial expansion and contraction of the cord under tension.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a rotatable drum for winding and unwinding a first cable therefrom. The winch contains a cable-wiping apparatus with one or more actuators are activated when the drum rotates in a direction for winding the first cable onto the drum. A mechanical force may be transmitted from the actuator to a second cable that is operatively connected to a wiper clamp. The wiper clamp compresses around the first cable when the cable is pulled in.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a compressional wiper system activated by a sensor that detects which direction a cable is moving. When the cable is being pulled in, the compressional wiper system tightens a clamp or fastens a rotatable clamping device inside a fairlead. The tightened clamp or fastened clamping device act to decrease the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, or other materials that adhere to the cable accumulate within the winch, by wiping or scraping off said materials from the cable.

Abstract: A winch is described comprising a guide that includes a fairlead for positioning a cable around a rotatable drum, wherein one or more bristles are positioned within an orifice in the fairlead. The bristles may have an angular orientation such that they provide active cable wiping during winding and passive cable wiping during unwinding of the cable around the drum. Active wiping may reduce the likelihood that dirt, mud, debris, and/or other materials accumulate within the winch during winding.

Abstract: A system and method for a winch fairlead pivot are described for reducing friction between a line and the fairlead when letting out or pulling in a line. The winch fairlead pivot includes an upper and a lower pivot that insert into an upper and a lower cavity in the fairlead-frame and upon which the fairlead-frame pivots. The direction of the pivot is dependent upon the direction of a load connected to the line.

Abstract: A system and method for a load-facing winch are described for hauling or lifting loads at least 30° from center of the primary support object. The load-facing winch includes a winch-mount that includes a housing, a center-pivot, a mounting-plate, and a plurality of springs. The mounting-plate is attached to the winch and tilts and/or turns about the center-pivot, which allows the winch to face the load. By directing the winch to face the load, angular resistance against a moving fairlead may be reduced.

Abstract: A compressible rope is disclosed comprising a plurality of strands. Interconnected outer strands form a sheath, and one or more inner strands form an inner core encased by the sheath. The inner core comprises a non-planar outer surface in contact with the sheath. The strands may be a monofilament or polyfilament material. The interaction between the non-planer outer surface of the core with the interior surface of the sheath can reduce bunching as well as the separation of the strands due to compressional forces.

Abstract: A urinalysis cassette and system that includes a toilet, into which a urinalysis cassette is inserted. The cassette is comprised of a roll of color-change-reagent strips. Each strip includes a plurality of strip sections wherein an absorbent material is imbued with color-change reagent, or onto which one or more color-change reagents are dispensed. The color-change-reagent strips are consecutive and contiguous on the roll. A cassette includes two spools arranged such that when the spools turn, the reagent strip moves from a first (source spool) to a second (waste spool). The section of the reagent strip that is between the two spools may be exposed to a urine specimen. The absorbent-material strips that have been exposed to both a urine specimen and a color-change reagent may undergo a chemical reaction. Selective-lighting illumination may be applied to absorbent-material strips that have undergone such chemical reactions to measure reflectivity of certain color wavelengths.