Abstract: A system for stretching a surface of a shoe for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the system comprising an apparatus and a controller in electrical communication, the system having: a main plate to receive and support the shoe; a side arm to traverse longitudinally along an edge of a medial portion of the main plate and to engage with at least a portion of the tongue of the shoe; and a driver causing the longitudinal traversal of the side arm, having: an end bearing and an end connector; a rotary band; an end bracket opposite the end bearing and beneath the main plate; a driving screw between the end bracket and the end bearing, and associated with the side arm; and a motor adapted to receive an electrical signal from the controller selectively causing a rotation of a rotary shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A direct heat vacuum platen having a main case with an open top portion, a print surface having a main top configured to fit over the open top portion of the main case, the main top having a rectangular arrangement of suction ports configured to secure an above print substrate using suction provided from vacuum fans attached to the main case, heating elements attached to a bottom portion of the main top, a thermoregulator having a thermostat controller attached to temperature sensors and the heating elements within the main case, and a power controller having a power slot attached to a power switch and main fuse holder, a fan fuse holder, the thermostat controller and the suction fans. The suction ports are configured to hold a print substrate of a desired size. The usage of the internal vacuum fans reduces noise and power usage when compared to external vacuum apparatuses.

Abstract: A system for stretching a surface of a shoe for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the system comprising an apparatus and a controller in electrical communication, the system having: a main plate to receive and support the shoe; a side arm to traverse longitudinally along an edge of a medial portion of the main plate and to engage with at least a portion of the tongue of the shoe; and a driver causing the longitudinal traversal of the side arm, having: an end bearing and an end connector; a rotary band; an end bracket opposite the end bearing and beneath the main plate; a driving screw between the end bracket and the end bearing, and associated with the side arm; and a motor adapted to receive an electrical signal from the controller selectively causing a rotation of a rotary shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A direct heat vacuum platen having a main case with an open top portion, a print surface having a main top configured to fit over the open top portion of the main case, the main top having a rectangular arrangement of suction ports configured to secure an above print substrate using suction provided from vacuum fans attached to the main case, heating elements attached to a bottom portion of the main top, a thermoregulator having a thermostat controller attached to temperature sensors and the heating elements within the main case, and a power controller having a power slot attached to a power switch and main fuse holder, a fan fuse holder, the thermostat controller and the suction fans. The suction ports are configured to hold a print substrate of a desired size. The usage of the internal vacuum fans reduces noise and power usage when compared to external vacuum apparatuses.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching a surface of a pair of shoes for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the apparatus comprising: a main plate configured to receive the pair of shoes, the main plate comprising a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, and a medial portion extending between the front and the rear ends, the medial portion being laterally offset from an outer edge of each of the front and the rear ends, a pair of curved grooves disposed at the rear end and being adapted to receive an interior of the heel of each shoe of the pair of shoes; a pair of side arms each being adapted to traverse longitudinally along an edge of the medial portion, and having a V-shaped groove; and a pair of motors each configured to independently cause a longitudinal movement of the pair of side arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching a surface of a pair of shoes for digitally printing onto the surface by an external device, the apparatus comprising: a main plate configured to receive the pair of shoes, the main plate comprising a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, and a medial portion extending between the front and the rear ends, the medial portion being laterally offset from an outer edge of each of the front and the rear ends, a pair of curved grooves disposed at the rear end and being adapted to receive an interior of the heel of each shoe of the pair of shoes; a pair of side arms each being adapted to traverse longitudinally along an edge of the medial portion, and having a V-shaped groove; and a pair of motors each configured to independently cause a longitudinal movement of the pair of side arms.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable media, for generating mutually exclusive results from search operations. In some implementations, a query term is received. Multiple queries are generated based on the query term, the multiple queries are generated to include criteria such that the multiple queries respectively yield mutually disjoint sets of results. The multiple queries are processed in parallel. A set of results for each of one or more of the multiple queries are received. The set of results for each of the one or more of the multiple queries are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal lance consumable by an exothermic reaction used to perforate and/or cut any type of material of different thicknesses and dimensions, the lance comprising a main outer tubular body and at least one hollow inner profile and/or at least one hollow inner profile that is made of aluminium and/or magnesium and/or another material and has a different cross section, the profiles being located concentrically with respect to each other and/or with respect to the main outer tubular body, cavities being formed between each hollow inner profile and/or the main outer tubular body, the cavities forming passages for oxidizing gas that flows through the length of the thermal lance, wherein the cavities must have at least one straight part and at least one curved part to allow the flow of oxidizing gas to pass through the lance with a suitable turbulence during the operation thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable medium storing executable instructions, for credential management using wearable devices. In some implementations, an authentication request for a user is received. It is determined that a wearable device previously associated with the user is in proximity to the electronic device. In response to determining that the wearable device associated with the user is in proximity to the electronic device, a notification is sent to the wearable device for output by the wearable device. Approval data is received indicating user interaction with the wearable device approving authentication in response to the notification. Data indicating approval of the authentication request is provided in response to receiving the approval data from the wearable device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage media storing executable instructions, for providing dynamic identity profiles are described. A dynamic user identity may be generated and updated in real time according to a user's interactions, interests, and various other suitable parameters. Contextual information, geo-fencing, beacon transmissions, and various other features may be used to acquire information that is included in the dynamic user identity and to provide more effective and intelligent interactions of the user with other devices based on the dynamic user identity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal lance (1) having adequate flexibility and concentrated effective heating capacity for the fusion cutting and/or piercing of any type of material, for example, for piercing and opening tapping passages in melting furnaces that use plugs made of clay or mixtures of, inter alia, alumina, silica and carbon. The thermal lance comprises at least four tubular profiles, one disposed externally and three disposed internally, and more than seventeen cavities housed inside said lance, wherein at least two of said four tubular profiles have different cross-sections, wherein each tubular profile is disposed in a contiguous manner in relation to the other tubular profiles, and wherein each tubular profile is selected from tubular profiles having a circular, square, triangular, hexagonal, oval, or multi-point star-shaped cross-section. The invention also relates to the use of the thermal lance for the fusion cutting and/or piercing of any type of material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal lance (1) having adequate flexibility and concentrated effective heating capacity for the fusion cutting and/or piercing of any type of material, for example, for piercing and opening tapping passages in melting furnaces that use plugs made of clay or mixtures of, inter alia, alumina, silica and carbon. The thermal lance comprises at least four tubular profiles, one disposed externally and three disposed internally, and more than seventeen cavities housed inside said lance, wherein at least two of said four tubular profiles have different cross-sections, wherein each tubular profile is disposed in a contiguous manner in relation to the other tubular profiles, and wherein each tubular profile is selected from tubular profiles having a circular, square, triangular, hexagonal, oval, or multi-point star-shaped cross-section. The invention also relates to the use of the thermal lance for the fusion cutting and/or piercing of any type of material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quick-coupling device (1) that does not require external elements for coupling, intended for the coupling of thermal lances used for the fusion cutting and/or piercing of any type of material, for example, for piercing and opening tapping passages in melting furnaces that use plugs made of clay or mixtures of, inter alia, alumina, silica and carbon. The device comprises a hollow cylinder having beveled ends and two circular internal grooves in each end of the device. The invention also relates to the use of the coupling device for coupling with thermal lances comprising at least one inverted conical end and having an annular external groove in the casing thereof.

Abstract: A drive system for use with a bicycle includes first and second gears arranged so that the second gear is rotatably driven responsive to the first gear. A freewheel is operatively coupled to the second gear, and a drive sprocket is operatively coupled to the freewheel. The freewheel causes the drive sprocket to be rotatably driven only when the first gear is driven in either the first direction or the second direction. A driven sprocket may be mounted coaxially and in driving relationship with a wheel of the bicycle. A chain may be used for linking the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. First and second levers extend from a support bar, which is coaxially mounted to the first gear. Reciprocal movement of the first and second levers causes the first gear to rotate, and correspondingly causes the second gear to rotate, thereby effecting rotation in the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket.