Abstract: A solar-powered crosswalk warning system is disclosed. The crosswalk warning system comprises two or more crosswalk warning beacons, located on opposite sides of the road. Each beacon comprises a solar panel to recharge a battery, a battery back, a control unit to charge the battery pack during daylight hours, a communication unit to communicate to the second crosswalk beacon, a traffic signal lamp ton warn oncoming traffic, and a triggering means by which the pedestrian can activate the beacons.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for laser marking indicia in the volume of gemstones such as diamonds, the indicia being made up of a plurality of microscopic dot-shaped marks whose build-up can be initiated by exposing naturally-occurring internal defects or impurities in the volume of a gemstone to a tightly focused train of laser pulses. Authentication data is encoded in the gemstone from the relative spatial arrangement of the dot-shaped marks that form the indicium. Taking advantage of the presence of otherwise invisible defects in the gemstone allows for inscribing indicia with laser pulses carrying energies substantially lower than the threshold energy required for inscribing in the volume of a perfect gemstone material. The marking process is then much less susceptible to inflict damages to the surface of the gemstone, and the marking can be performed using a broad variety of femtosecond laser systems.

Abstract: A driving device for installing a pipe or casing, without the use of hydraulic or pneumatic means, by capturing the rotational motion of the drill string. The driving device is placed at the top end of the pipe being (42) installed and the drill string (2) passes through the center of the device. The drill string freely rotates, advances or retracts within the driving device, until the driving device is attached (4) to the drill string when required. When the driving device is attached to the drill string, the rotational force of the drill string and any downward force applied to the drill string are captured, and used to install the pipe. The driving device uses the rotation of the drill string to impact a blow to the pipe, driving the pipe downward. The driving device uses any downward force applied to the drill string to maintain downward pressure on the pipe.

Abstract: A water injection system (WIS) for diesel engines that reduces NOx, PM and CO2 emissions is provided. Water is injected into the combustion air stream before cylinders in a predetermined proportion to fuel. The present invention utilizes a special water purification element, an oscillating pump, an electronic means to control both water flow and the size of water droplets, a means to prevent water from freezing in cold ambient temperatures, a plurality of special sensors to control water flow in response to rapid load variation, and a means for automatically switching between on and off operations.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for use with reversible handheld power tools comprises a pair of switches that co-operate using abutment to restrict displacement of each switch according to the position of the other switch. In a tool having a dynamic brake and a series-wound motor, one of the switches has a false neutral position wherein a continuous current path is maintained between the tool motor and the dynamic brake when the second switch is moved from REVERSE or FORWARD to the neutral position.

Abstract: An implantable medical assembly is disclosed. The implantable medical assembly comprises at least one electrode, at least one undulated wire connected to said electrode to provide stimulation signal and a biocompatible film within which said electrode and said wire are embedded.

Abstract: A range hood having an improved grease collecting motor housing and improved fan and motor connection. Housing openings are defined by circular walls projecting vertically into the housing acting to collect grease within the housing. A flange depends radially outwardly from, and at an angle to, the circular wall. Air entering the housing via the fan deflects off the flange and prevents turbulent air within the housing from exiting the housing in the space located between the circular wall and the fan. The fan connection is comprised of a threaded recess in a shaft of the motor and a fan cap having a threaded bolt. The shaft is inserted through an aperture in the fan and the fan cap threadingly connected to it. A tray attachable to the housing, and defining an air intake opening has an improved mating relationship with a lower panel of the range hood.

Abstract: An improved dropper cap, for use in controlled dispensing of liquid from a container, comprises an antechamber, a baffle and an elongated nozzle. The nozzle may comprise a flared spout to ensure clean separation of the liquid from the dropper cap, reducing dripping and smearing of the liquid on the dropper cap, as well as precise dispensing of the liquid. The baffle physically prevents splashing of the liquid from the container, and includes openings to control the flow of liquid into the nozzle. The baffle and antechamber cooperate to draw back undispensed liquid from the nozzle and prevent spurting of the liquid from the container between uses. Further, the dropper cap is threaded to allow easy attachment and removal from the container.

Abstract: A range hood cleaning assembly having a primary reservoir in fluid communication with a range hood motor housing. Wash fluid from the primary reservoir may be dispersed against grease laden surfaces of the fan and motor housing where it drains back to the primary reservoir, optionally via a secondary reservoir. Grease washed by the fluid floats to the top of an outlet chamber in the primary reservoir and out a drainage hole to an external receptacle. Alternatively, the grease may drain from the top of the secondary reservoir to the external receptacle. The primary and secondary reservoirs are shaped and sized to fit below the motor housing.

Abstract: A temporary crown, and variants thereof, including temporary bite caps and temporary facings, comprised of a shaped provisional (crown forms, onlays, veneers and variants thereof) and a resin filler; and a kit of provisionals, resin and auxiliary materials. The provisional has at least a partial bite layer that is integral with two opposing neighbor walls, a lingual wall and a buccal wall which, together, define a cavity to accept a tooth stub, the resin filler and optionally, a temporary adhesive. The resin filler is initially plastic and fills a void between the provisional and the tooth stub. The provisional and resin filler are selected for compatibility and cooperative curability such that following a suitable curing step, the inner layer of the provisional and the resin filler are substantially bound to and integral with one another. The provisional may have apertures through the bite layer and slits through the neighbor walls.

Abstract: A cleaning fluid heating reservoir and motor assembly for a range hood having a motor housing enclosure mounted within the enclosure defined by the hood body. The heating reservoir is shaped and dimensioned to be in abutment with, or is integral with, the motor. The motor is mounted within the motor housing. The reservoir may occupy space between the top of the motor and the hood body, between the perimeter of the motor and a fan attached to the motor, or between both. Conduits connected to the heating reservoir inlet and outlet pass through the motor housing to an intermediate reservoir located within the range hood. Fluid from the intermediate reservoir is pumped to the heating reservoir and back to the intermediate reservoir thereby drawing heat energy from the motor when in operation. Cleaning fluid may also be pumped from the intermediate reservoir to areas requiring cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable cable and a process to manufacture said implantable cable. The cable is composed of a biocompatible fluoropolymer, in which biocompatible conductor wires are embedded. The entire cable is heat treated at various stages to ensure the wires are securely embedded. The cable is then undulated to enhance its pliability and flexibility. Further treatment activates the outer surface of the cable, following which it may be encapsulated in silicone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are TV Camera based electro-optical sensors, providing affordable methods and apparatus for high speed determination of dimensions and other features of objects. Preferred embodiments utilize addressable line or pixel based cameras to effect triangulation based and other machine vision sensing of objects.

Abstract: A kneepad is formed of a shell and a detachable cushioning pad. The shell includes a knee area and a shin area. A non-flowable gel is provided in the cushioning pad. Preferably the gel is indented at the normal pressure point of contact of the patella. The outer surface of the shell is provided with a plurality of ribs surrounding a central inwardly recessed portion to direct the pressure and shocks from the ground to the outer portions of the knee. The shell may also be provided with a resilient material between the ribs and the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: A range hood for exhausting gases generated above a cooking surface comprises an outer hood body within which a motor housing is mounted. The motor housing has top, bottom and perimeter side surfaces defining a substantially cylindrical chamber within which a motor and fan are housed. The motor housing has an air outlet and at least one air inlet, the air inlet being located about the perimeter of the housing so as to draw in air from below the range hood. A panel is connected to the bottom of the hood body. The range hood may also be equipped with an automatic cleaning system. A further air intake may also be located in the bottom of the motor housing aligned with the fan.

Abstract: A range hood motor housing and fan assembly for exhausting gases generated above a cooking surface. The motor housing has top, bottom and side surfaces defining a substantially cylindrical chamber within which a motor and fan are housed. An air outlet is present in the top surface. Space between the top surface and the fan increases in the direction of rotation of the fan from one side of the air outlet to the other side of the air outlet. The fan has a plurality of arcuate fan blades having at least one trough declining to the outer radial edge of the fan blade to direct any grease draining on the blade in this direction. The motor housing may be equipped with an air exhaust chamber projecting from the motor housing and connected to the range hood body for recycling air from above the cooking surface back into the cooking environment.

Abstract: A protective body guard (10) providing a full range of motion that closely tracks the biomechanical movement of a joint. The device provides protection against sharp objects, impact and limb movement into positions that may cause injury. The device (10) comprises successive segments (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) made of a hard, impact-resistant, light material and arranged in overlapping fashion and interconnected by means of a single pivot pin (28) or flexible strap in an arcuate slot (30) at each side of the segments. Cushioning pads (24, 26), detachably fixed to the segments (12, 22), provide protection from contact with the interior of the segments.