Abstract: A vehicle lift system uses locally and globally available datasets to provide various automated and semi-automated lift positioning modes that may be used to position lift arms and engage adapters with lift points of a vehicle. A set of sensors are used to determine a position and orientation of a vehicle within a lift area. Each lift arm includes a camera that is coupled to the lift arm with a static field of view relative to the adapter despite extension, retraction, or rotation of lift arm members. The cameras provide images of the adapter and its surroundings that may be analyzed with object recognition to identify the vehicle's lift points. Lift point positions may also be determined using back-calculation. Automatic positioning of the lift arms may be performed based on identified lift points and may also include projection of an optical locator from a locator within the adapter.

Abstract: A modular vehicle system includes a plurality of vehicle modules with at least one autonomous vehicle module. A request from a user located at a user location specifies a plurality of the vehicle modules. The user location is specified, and a module location is determined for each of the specified vehicle modules. Based on the request, the specified modules are retrieved from the module locations, and assembled into a configured vehicle. The configured vehicle is located at a dispatch location. The configured vehicle is then dispatched from the dispatch location to the user location.

Abstract: A vehicle lift includes a base, a platform assembly, and an actuation member. The platform assembly includes a platform base, an adjustable bridge slidably coupled with the platform base, and a friction-reduction assembly that biases the adjustable bridge away from the platform base. The friction-reduction assembly may include a retractable flat surface, a ball, or other component made of a friction-reducing material, such as a plastic material, that recesses into the platform by way of compression springs, wave spring washers, Belleville washers, a rebounding material, or the like. A pair of lifts may be tied together by a brace at one end or both for additional structural support.

Abstract: An automotive lift comprises a pair of runway sections. Each runway section comprises a deck portion, two pairs of legs, and a pair of elongate sliding members. The pairs of legs are pivotally coupled with the deck portion. The elongate sliding members are pivotally coupled with the pairs of legs and are slidable relative to the deck portion. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is coupled with the deck portion by a clevis and with the elongate sliding members by a piston and piston block. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is operable to translate the elongate sliding members relative to the deck portion, thereby pivoting the pairs of legs relative to the deck portion to lift the deck portion relative to the ground. A hydraulic system is operable to synchronize lifting of the runway sections. A braking mechanism is configured to restrict descent of the runway sections.

Abstract: A dynamically rigged load distributing system for an equestrian saddle including several load-bearing sections positioned upon flexible inner side panels to be incorporated in the saddle. Several line guides are fixed respectively to the sections. One or more load distribution lines pass through the guides, and loop around free-running pulleys of the stirrup hanger system. A new stirrup hanger bat includes cliverter pulleys and cooperates with a pulley block to transfer loads through the load-distribution lines to the load-bearing sections around the saddle. A girthing system for the saddle includes webbing attached to the sections so as to depend therefrom and receive ends of girth straps whereby load is transferred to the sections on each side of the saddle.

Abstract: A vehicle lift that includes a pair of front platforms and a pair of rear carrying arms may be used to quickly and easily lift a vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive lift comprises a pair of runway sections. Each runway section comprises a deck portion, two pairs of legs, and a pair of elongate sliding members. The pairs of legs are pivotally coupled with the deck portion. The elongate sliding members are pivotally coupled with the pairs of legs and are slidable relative to the deck portion. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is coupled with the deck portion by a clevis and with the elongate sliding members by a piston and piston block. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is operable to translate the elongate sliding members relative to the deck portion, thereby pivoting the pairs of legs relative to the deck portion to lift the deck portion relative to the ground. A hydraulic system is operable to synchronize lifting of the runway sections. A braking mechanism is configured to restrict descent of the runway sections.

Abstract: A dynamically rigged load distributing system (1) for an equestrian saddle includes several load-bearing sections (2) positioned upon flexible inner side panels (3) to be incorporated in the saddle. Several line guides (6) are fixed respectively to the sections (2). One or more load distribution lines (7, 8) pass through the guides, and loop around free-running pulleys of the stirrup hanger system. A new stirrup hanger bar (9) includes diverter pulleys (14, 15) and cooperates with a pulley block (11) to transfer loads through the load-distribution lines to the load-bearing sections around the saddle. A girthing system for the saddle includes webbing (16, 17, 18) attached to the sections (2) so as to depend therefrom and receive ends of girth straps (23, 24) whereby load is transferred to the sections (2) on each side of the saddle.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from wind comprised of a spherical wind turbine which powers and rotates a rotating generator to produce the desired amount of electrical current. The two portions are connected by a turbine rod which centers both instruments. The spherical designs allows for any direction of the wind and it's associated elements (rain, snow, hail, tornado, hurricane) to also act as a powering agent by increasing torque and speed of the rotation. Step up gears are optional along-with a voltage regulator to add consistency in electrical output. This apparatus is designed to be a backup or secondary source of power especially useful during inclement weather.

Abstract: A pump includes a first cylinder with a first valve member connected to a first end of the first cylinder and a first handle disengagably connected to a second end of the first cylinder. A first piston is movably received in the first cylinder and a second cylinder fixedly connected between the first handle and the first piston. A second piston is movably received in the second cylinder and a rod is connected to the second piston. The rod extends through the first handle and connected to second handle which is disengagably connected to the first handle. The movement of the first piston is used to pump tires and the movement of the second piston is used to pump a cylinder of air suspension device.

Abstract: A spectrometer system includes a processing center, an underwater remote sensor and a communication link coupled therebetween. The sensor is deployed to at least partially penetrate a sediment layer disposed beneath a body of water. The sensor includes a window defining a sediment window plane through which a profile of the sediment layer is observable and a camera, an image plane of which is a conjugate of the window, the camera imaging light from objects in the sediment window plane to generate imagewise data, the imagewise data being transmitted over the communications link to the processing center. The sensor also includes at least one removable cell disposed in the sediment window plane, each removable cell being comprised of a transparent solid material having a void therein, the void in each removable cell for holding a standard material corresponding to the respective removable cell. The sensor further includes a camera filter device having at least one camera filter.

Abstract: A wear strip (A) for use on material handling equipment, such as chutes, plough blades, scrapers and gates, comprises an elongate body (30) of metal of substantially rectangular cross-section, and wear resistant tiles (31) bonded to the body and extending across one face (32) from at least one edge (33), the tiles being spaced along the body which is provided with slots (34) in alignment with the gaps (36) between the tiles (31), to make it possible to bend the strip (A) to suit the curvature of say a plough blade or a scraper to which the strip can then be "stitch" welded and readily removed (when worn) by a cutting torch or an angle grinder. Other wear strips (B and C) have, respectively, further tiles on an adjacent face, and a cross-section of substantially right-angled triangular form.