Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: A protective covering with a hard outer layer and a soft inner layer. The hard outer layer comprises a plurality of substantially rigid shape-retaining and interworking tiles anatomically conformed to a contoured object. The outer layer has sufficient flexibility to adjust its conformity to the object as the object's contour changes. The soft inner layer comprises a plurality of impact absorbing units. The protective covering provides impact resistance and is designed to remain securely in place and protective of the object even when the contour of the object changes.

Abstract: A fluid bladder system has a conventional fluid bladder and a resilient member in the fluid bladder. The resilient member is of a size that it allows the fluid in the fluid bladder to be the principal support applied to the patient. The resilient member only applies a force to the patient only after the patient displaces the fluid in the fluid bladder so the resilient structure is the only entity that inhibits the patient from bottoming out.

Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Abstract: A multi-winding homopolar electric machine and method for converting between mechanical energy and electrical energy. The electric machine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation, first and second magnets, a shielding portion, and a conductor. First and second magnets are coaxial with the shaft and include a charged pole surface and an oppositely charged pole surface, the charged pole surfaces facing one another to form a repulsive field therebetween. The shield portion extends between the magnets to confine at least a portion of the repulsive field to between the first and second magnets. The conductor extends between first and second end contacts and is toroidally coiled about the first and second magnets and the shield portion to develop a voltage across the first and second end contacts in response to rotation of the electric machine about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A cam system for an archery bow including a module that is readily attached to and detached from a cam while leaving the cam on the bow. The module can include a draw stop selectively moveable relative to the module, even while the module is joined with the cam, to adjust the draw stop to specific locations corresponding to different draw lengths and/or draw stop walls of the bow. The module can include a recess that surrounds only part of an axle joining the cam and bow so the entire module is removable from the cam without removing the axle. The cam system can include indexing features that precisely and consistently align features of the cam and module. These features can include first and second indexing posts, and corresponding indexing holes, that register with one another to precisely align the cam and module when joined.

Abstract: A lacrosse head including a spine element that is at least partially embedded or encapsulated in a base and sidewalls of the lacrosse head. The spine element can terminate short of a scoop of the lacrosse head. Where the lacrosse sidewalls are of an open frame construction and include a non-string hole, the spine element can define a spine element hole that is aligned with the non-string hole. The spine element can also include a transverse element that spans from an upper rail to a lower rail of the sidewalls adjacent a cross member of the sidewalls. The base and sidewalls can include viewing apertures through which some of the spine element can be viewed, while other parts of the spine element remain concealed. The spine element can be constructed from one plastic, while the remainder of the head can be constructed from a different plastic.

Abstract: A stairway assembly includes a tread and riser panel attached together by a uniquely designed gusset to form a tread and riser assembly that can be integrally installed on the stringers. In one embodiment, a first portion of the gusset includes a first attachment structure connected to the lower surface of the tread, and a second portion of the gusset has a second attachment structure connected to the lower surface of the riser. The first portion of the gusset extends at an angle from the second portion, with the side edge of the riser overlapping and facing the upper surface of the tread, and said tread side edge faces said gusset. The gusset may include an elongated slot that forms a line of weakening in the gusset. The gusset may be bent about the line of weakening to move the tread and riser into the final position in which the tread is perpendicular to the riser.

Abstract: Wireless power receiving apparatus 150 is retrofitted to a portable electrical device 100 to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element 200 adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive 201, and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors 203 are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors 101 of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network where a portion of the nodes have reduced receive sensitivity. The negative effects of the density of the wireless mesh network, such as interference, are reduced when fewer nodes receive messages to rebroadcast. In an alternative embodiment, some of the nodes of the mesh network are configured to not rebroadcast even if they receive a message. A method for configuring a dense mesh network is also provided. As many nodes as possible are discovered and registered in the network. Node characteristics of those nodes are adjusted to reduce or eliminate the negative effects of the dense mesh network so that additional nodes may be discovered and registered.

Abstract: An upright space-dividing wall panel is provided having an internal frame and a top cap attached to a top rail of the frame. The top cap includes a lengthwise channel in which threaded fasteners are slidably received for engaging the top cap to the frame rail. The top cap further includes side channels which cooperate with coupling brackets for securing a second panel to the wall panel. Further, a locator clip arrangement is provided between the top cap and a side trim cover on the end of the wall panel for precisely locating the trim cover relative to the top cap.

Abstract: A first lacrosse head constructed from a first material having first properties or a second lacrosse head constructed from a second material having second properties is selectively used in lacrosse activities, based on environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and/or solar activity, to provide generally consistent head performance as perceived by a lacrosse player across a range of environmental conditions. The first and second heads can be identical in structure, but constructed from different materials. For example, the first head can include a polyamide, optionally, Nylon 6,6 polyamide, and the second head can include a high performance polyamide resin, optionally a polypthalamide. An environmental indicator that provides visual and/or audible output with regard to environmental conditions can be included with at least one of the first head, the second head and a shaft to which the heads can be joined. Related methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reinforced support device suitable for the protection of a body part against overextension. In particular, this invention relates to a device comprising at least one reinforcement spine used to protect a body part against overextension and a plate disposed below a portion of the spine used to provide additional support and comfort. The reinforcement spine can flex in direction of the body part's natural movement and is substantially inflexible in the direction of overextension. Together, the reinforcement spine and plate prevent overextension of the protected body part and disperse the incident forces by transferring those forces from the reinforcement spine to the plate.

Abstract: An information model for a party and property records management system includes a legal party role object for maintaining relationships between objects, such as legal party objects and revenue-object objects, within the information model. A legal party object could have several associated objects, such as an identification number object or a legal party communication object.

Abstract: An oral care composition including a hydrophilic, aliphatic, polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane, a glycol polymer, and a poly(N-vinyl lactam). These components form a tacky film having a thickness of about 1 mils to about 50 mils. A whitening agent, such as a peroxide, can be absorbed into the tacky film, and adapted to desorb from the tacky film to whiten teeth to which the film is joined. A method is also provided in which the components are extruded through a twin screw extruder and output to a die to produce the film. The whitening agent can be deposited on the film and absorbed by the film to form a relatively stable oral care composition including the whitening agent.