Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electronics applications such as avionics or the like includes an adaptable strain relief feature for accommodating different sizes of wire bundles that terminate and are electrically coupled within the connector. The strain relief feature includes a pair of clamping members that span between mounting surfaces at a rear portion of the connector to define a strain relief passageway in which the wire bundle is clamped to provide a strain relief. The clamping members are selectable from at least two different available shapes so that the size of the strain relief passageway is determined by the selection of clamping members, which may be interchangeable with one another. Resilient pads on the clamping members engage and compress against the wire bundle to secure it in place when the selected clamping members are installed.

Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area.

Abstract: A tool disposable within a well pipe, such as for detecting a freepoint of a well pipe, includes an electromagnet capable of inducing a magnetic field within a wall of a well pipe. The tool includes a Barkhausen noise sensing device capable of sensing magnetic Barkhausen noise in response to the electromagnet inducing the magnetic field within the wall of the well pipe. The tool may be moved along the well pipe so as make two passes of the tool along the well pipe, with one pass being performed while the well pipe is less stressed and the other pass being performed while the well pipe is more stressed, with the output of the tool during a first pass being compared to the output of the tool during a second pass to determine the location of the freepoint of the well pipe.

Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a folding portion and a non-folding portion. The non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle and the folding portion includes a reflective element. The folding portion is movable relative to the non-folding portion and between a normal operating position and a folded position. A ground illumination light is configured to project a pattern of light from the exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the side of the vehicle where occupants may enter/exit the vehicle. The pattern of light projected by the ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vent assembly for attachment to a fluid discharge conduit of the type connected to a clothes dryer, room exhaust fan, or the like is adapted to reduce or prevent the trapping of dirt or lint as well as flapping or vibration of the door in windy conditions. A mount having an opening is received on the conduit and a door is pivotally received by the mount. The door is operable for displacement with respect to the opening between an open position and a closed position when engaged by a fluid, such as air from a clothes dryer, flowing through the discharge conduit. A hood is pivotally mounted over the door and mount opening, and is operable for displacement with respect to the mount when engaged by the door and/or by fluid flowing through the discharge conduit.

Abstract: An object detection system for a vehicle includes an imaging device, an image processor and a Lidar device. The imaging device is operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior the vehicle. The image processor processes image data to detect an object of interest in the field of view of the imaging device. The Lidar device is responsive to the image processing so as to have its line of sight guided to point toward the detected object of interest. The Lidar device is operable to measure the distances between the host vehicle and the detected object of interest.

Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror assembly configured for attachment to a side of a vehicle includes a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of the vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle, and a unitary light module having at least one light source. When the mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the light source illuminates a ground area adjacent the vehicle of at least approximately 2 feet by 4 feet. When the mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, light emitted by the light source provides a ground surface illumination intensity at the illuminated ground area of at least approximately 5 lux.

Abstract: An arrowhead for use with an arrow in archery includes a body, at least one blade pivotally mounted at the body, and a retaining mechanism disposed at the body. The blade has a cutting edge and a rear edge, with the rear edge having a notch. The blade pivots relative to the body and about a pivot axis between a generally centered position and an angled position. The retaining mechanism engages the notch when the blade is in the centered position, impeding pivotal movement of the blade about the pivotal connection.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a forward facing photosensor array and a control responsive to the photosensor array. The control processes an image data set indicative of captured images, and the control processes a reduced image data set of the image data set to determine whether an object of interest is within a target zone of the captured image. The reduced image data set is representative of a portion of the captured images as captured by a particular grouping of the photosensor elements. The control adjusts the reduced image data set so as to be representative of a portion of the captured images as captured by a different particular grouping of the photosensor elements, and adjusts the reduced image data set in response to a determination of a change in a focus of expansion of the captured images.

Abstract: The system and method for implementing a Universal Messaging Gateway (UMG) disclosed herewith provides telecommunications Network Operators (NO) and like related parties with innovative and flexible art for delivering domestic and foreign network originated Multi-media traffic and/or, more generally, interactive and/or synchronous mobile text and related telecommunications messaging or information services to a large number of related receiving telecommunications network equipment (as ESMEs and/or SMS-Cs in relation to SMS traffic).

Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly disposed in an interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror reflective element with a mirror reflector disposed at a surface thereof. A display screen is disposed at the interior rearview mirror assembly, and, when operated, the display screen displays through the mirror reflective element so as to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display screen is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing camera of the equipped vehicle for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver, and the video images are captured by the rearward facing camera when the equipped vehicle is in reverse gear. When the equipped vehicle is not in reverse gear, the display screen is operable to display information pertaining to an accessory of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A voice acquisition system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may include a microphone for receiving audio signals within a cabin of the vehicle and generating an output indicative of these audio signals. The microphone may provide sound capture for a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communication system. The system may include a control that is responsive to the output from the microphone and that distinguishes vocal signals from non-vocal signals present in the output. The microphone may provide sound capture for at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle, and the accessory may be responsive to a vocal signal captured by the microphone. The interior rearview mirror assembly may include at least one accessory, such as an antenna, a video device, a security system status indicator, a tire pressure indicator display and/or a loudspeaker.

Abstract: A ball valve seat arrangement is provided that permits relief of cavity pressure. The arrangement includes a valve body for receiving a resilient annular seat. First passages in the seat provide communication between the valve cavity, and a space formed between the seat and the valve body. When the cavity pressure reaches a certain level, a sealing point between the seat and the valve body is lost. Communication is thereby provided between the space and the valve passage to achieve cavity pressure relief.

Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The lens of the lamp has a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of a casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: A vehicular wireless communication system includes a control in a vehicle operable to communicate with an external service provider via a wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider. The control may receive a user input and responsive thereto, may establish the wireless communication link between the equipped vehicle and the external service provider. Data from the external service provider is downloaded to the control via the wireless communication link. The control controls at least one accessory of the vehicle, and the control may control the accessory responsive to at least one of (a) a geographic location of the vehicle as determined by a global positioning system of the equipped vehicle and (b) a biometric characteristic of an occupant of the equipped vehicle.