Abstract: A camera is located within an array of receptacles of a robotically controlled vehicle charging connector which receptacles are configured to mate and establish electrical connection with respective mating pins of a vehicle's charging port. Image signals generated by the camera are supplied to a computer vision processor which generates motor control signals which enable the connector receptacles and mating pins to be properly aligned so as to enable the charging connector to be robotically plugged into the vehicle's charging port. In other embodiments, the mating pins may be located in the charging connector and the receptacles in the charging port.

Abstract: An apparatus for interconnecting a vehicle charging connector with a charging port of a vehicle wherein a latch arm is slidably mounted in the charging connector to slide toward and away from the charging port and toward and into an opening in the charging port. A tip portion is positioned on the latch arm so as to be insertable downwardly into a cavity formed in an interior surface of the opening of the charging port and a linear actuator is configured to drive the latch arm towards and away from the charging connector. In an illustrative embodiment, the charging connector comprises part of a robot configured to move the tip of the latch arm downwardly into the cavity in the opening of the charging port to enable pulling the charging connector and charging port together to establish electrical contact.

Abstract: An attachment module constructed to enable a vehicle charging robot to attach to a vehicle and to thereafter insert its charging connector into the vehicle's charging socket. Once the vehicle is charged and the charging connector is disconnected from the charging socket, the attachment module is further constructed to enable the robot to detach from the vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment module constructed to enable a vehicle charging robot to attach to a vehicle and to thereafter insert its charging connector into the vehicle's charging socket. Once the vehicle is charged and the charging connector is disconnected from the charging socket, the attachment module is further constructed to enable the robot to detach from the vehicle.

Abstract: The position of a watercraft is detected by monitoring GPS position data, and the speed of the watercraft is reduced to a selected limit upon detecting that the watercraft has traveled outside of a selected boundary and is maintained until it is detected that the watercraft has been back within the boundary for a selected time interval, thereby avoiding up and down jerking motion of the watercraft which can occur when only a single location test is used to confirm that the watercraft is back in bounds. An RF transceiver and related control apparatus is employed for detecting other watercraft approaching too closely to the watercraft, and a display is provided for displaying various status and warning indications.

Abstract: The position of a watercraft is detected by monitoring GPS position data, and the speed of the watercraft is reduced to a selected limit upon detecting that the watercraft has traveled outside of a selected boundary and is maintained until it is detected that the watercraft has been back within the boundary for a selected time interval, thereby avoiding up and down jerking motion of the watercraft which can occur when only a single location test is used to confirm that the watercraft is back in bounds. An RF transceiver and related control apparatus is employed for detecting other watercraft approaching too closely to the watercraft, and a display is provided for displaying various status and warning indications.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in the space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and a circular plate is positioned within each ratchet wheel and configured to rotate through a selected arc with respect to each ratchet wheel to limit the pre-load applied to the load springs.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in the space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and a circular plate is positioned within each ratchet wheel and configured to rotate through a selected arc with respect to each ratchet wheel to limit the pre-load applied to the load springs.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in the space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and a circular plate is positioned within each ratchet wheel and configured to rotate through a selected arc with respect to each ratchet wheel to limit the pre-load applied to the load springs.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in the space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and a circular plate is positioned within each ratchet wheel and configured to rotate through a selected arc with respect to each ratchet wheel to limit the pre-load applied to the load springs.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in a space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and has a tab having an outer end positioned in a respective arcuate slot of a respective circular plate, each circular plate being mounted to rotate with the drum pins.

Abstract: A method of home inspection comprising guiding a drone through a home along a selected inspection path, transmitting signals from the drone to establishing a flight path through the home, storing the flight path on a server, accessing the flight path from a programmed interactive digital device, launching the drone using said programmed interactive digital device, directing the drone through the home along the flight path and transmitting video signals from the drone and employing the video signals to provide a visual view of the property on a display of the interactive digital device. In another embodiment, the buyer can guide the drone along a flight path determined by the buyer in real time.

Abstract: A vehicle license plate holder having a frame including a receptacle for a license plate, first and second LED light sources disposed on each side of the frame, and one or more power generators attached to the frame. The frame also mounts an electronic circuit module including a battery and configured to detect deceleration of a vehicle and to illuminate the first and second LED light sources in response to detection of the deceleration.

Abstract: A method of home inspection comprising guiding a drone through a home along a selected inspection path, transmitting signals from the drone to establishing a flight path through the home, storing the flight path on a server, accessing the flight path from a programmed interactive digital device, launching the drone using said programmed interactive digital device, directing the drone through the home along the flight path and transmitting video signals from the drone and employing the video signals to provide a visual view of the property on a display of the interactive digital device. In another embodiment, the buyer can guide the drone along a flight path determined by the buyer in real time.

Abstract: A vehicle license plate holder having a frame including a receptacle for a license plate, first and second LED light sources disposed on each side of the frame, and one or more power generators attached to the frame. The frame also mounts an electronic circuit module including a battery and configured to detect deceleration of a vehicle and to illuminate the first and second LED light sources in response to detection of the deceleration.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an electronic device in a handbag configured to communicate with a mobile device in order to update and display a portfolio value on a display device; the mobile device including a software application configured to automatically update the portfolio value by connecting to an online database.

Abstract: A skateboard comprising a pair of front wheels mounted to a front axle having a one-way clutch mounted in one or both front wheels, and a pair of rear wheels mounted to a rear axle having a one-way clutch mounted in one or both rear wheels, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the front axle so as to rotate one or both front wheels to drive the board forward when a rider's weight is shifted to the rear of the skateboard deck, and configured to drive the rear axle so as to rotate one or both rear wheels to drive the board forward when the rider's weight is shifted to the front of the skateboard deck.