Abstract: Locking tongs that are operable to lock in a closed position and unlock to an open position with the use of one hand. The tongs include a first arm and a second arm connected at a pivot point and extend out from each other in an open position. A tension spring positioned at the pivot point holds the first and second arm in the open position. A locking mechanism includes: (i) a locking member having an elongated body and forms a stop at an end, the locking member positioned on an inner portion of the first arm and extends towards the second arm, and (ii) a receiving aperture defined on the second arm sized and shaped to receive the stop of the locking member. The locking member engages the second arm when the stop passes through the receiving aperture and thereby holds the pair of tongs in a closed position.

Abstract: A tiered electronic device holder supports electronic devices in a variety of shapes and sizes, in at least a portrait and landscape orientation. The tiered electronic device holder comprises a plurality of brackets positioned along a “V” shaped path. A first pair of brackets of the plurality of brackets receive an electronic device therebetween, while one or more or another pair of brackets below the first pair of brackets supports a bottom edge of the electronic device. The first pair of brackets are selected based on the size and orientation of the electronic device. The brackets extend from a body, one or more rails, or both.

Abstract: Apparatus for a drill powered wire puller are disclosed. In an embodiment the drill powered wire puller includes a center plate, a cradle plate, a housing, a support, the support including a receiver, and a capstan. The center plate is coupled with the cradle plate at a proximal end. The cradle plate includes a U-shaped notch and two hooks or catches which are configured to couple the cradle plate with a powered rotary tool, such as a drill. The right side of the center plate is coupled with a housing, the left side of the center plate is coupled with a support. The left side of the support is coupled with a capstan. The support laterally offsets the receiver to align a longitudinal axis of the receiver with a radially curved portion of the capstan.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a flat base having a first end and an opposing second end. The base is configured to engage a flat exercise surface. The exercise device further includes a pair of opposing sidewalls extending away from the base and an arcuate upper surface extending between the first end and the second end between the pair of opposing sidewalls. A first angle is defined between the base and the upper surface proximate the first end and a second angle is defined between the base and the upper surface proximate the second end. The exercise device also includes a coccyx cutout in the upper surface proximate at least one of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A support bracket for supporting a gutter cover on a gutter having an outer lip. The support bracket comprises a first leg having an outer end positioned within the outer gutter lip and an inner end extending downwardly and inwardly from the outer end thereof and merging with a second leg that extends inwardly and upwardly to a high point. The second leg merges with a third leg at the high point that extends downwardly and inwardly into engagement with an inner portion and bottom of the gutter. The high point of the support bracket is positioned at a height above the outer gutter lip to ensure that a gutter cover positioned on the bracket will have a slope extending downwardly toward the outer gutter lip.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding powder particles includes a hopper holding a supply of powder. A voltage supply is in electrical communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The hopper is configured to drop powder onto the first electrode. The voltage supply is capable of producing an electric potential between the first electrode and second electrode and causing the powder particles landing on the first electrode to develop a surface charge. The second electrode is positioned remotely from the first electrode such that the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode causes the powder particles that fall onto the first electrode to move off the first electrode and move toward the second electrode. The powder particles moving toward the second electrode may or may not reach the electrode, but in either case drop away from the second electrode due to the force of gravity.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a sliding exercise apparatus. In various embodiments, the sliding exercise apparatus includes a sliding unit with a platform, a sliding surface, a motion sensor, and a transmitter. The sliding unit moves in response to pressure applied against the platform, as the sliding surface is adapted to slide along a ground surface in one or more directions. The motion sensor generates activity data based on one or more characteristics of the movement, such as speed, direction, etc. The transmitter sends the activity data to a computing device, which is adapted for processing, storing, and sharing information based on the activity data.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning an animal's paw and related methods are described herein. Devices include a container having a handle and an opening area adapted to receive the paw. A flexible insertion piece substantially covers the opening area, and a trigger mechanism is connected to the handle. Devices also include an inner container having a plurality of cleaning elements extending radially inward therefrom. Rotation of the inner container to clean the animal's paw is effectuated by engaging the trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A claw shearing device including a first member and a second member, each having a connecting portion, a handle portion, and a plurality of grooves formed at an end opposite the handle portion. A fastener is provided to pivotably attach the first member to the second member. The device includes first and second detachable shearing elements, configured to be releasably engageable with the plurality of grooves of the first and second members, respectively. The first and the second detachable shearing elements are configured to form an orifice for the insertion of a claw of a pet or an animal, where the maximum diameter of the orifice is no greater than the maximum diameter of an animal's claw as measured from a tip of the claw to the beginning of a quick that is closest to the tip. The device is configured to bring together the shearing elements to cut the claw of the pet or animal at a predetermined length.

Abstract: A build description is created for a part intended to be built by additive layering. The build description includes a description of the part broken down into constituent substructures and a build sequence for the substructures. A power schedule calculation method utilizes the build description and an idealized geometry to predict laser power levels on an additive path during laser deposition. The method calculates beam power for any point along the path traveled to form the build. Each point along the path has associated with it an idealized geometry comprising a melt pool, hot zone and bulk portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding powder particles includes a hopper holding a supply of powder. A voltage supply is in electrical communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The hopper is configured to drop powder onto the first electrode. The voltage supply is capable of producing an electric potential between the first electrode and second electrode and causing the powder particles landing on the first electrode to develop a surface charge. The second electrode is positioned remotely from the first electrode such that the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode causes the powder particles that fall onto the first electrode to move off the first electrode and move toward the second electrode. The powder particles moving toward the second electrode may or may not reach the electrode, but in either case drop away from the second electrode due to the force of gravity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating wine or spirits to reduce the astringency, or bitterness of wine or spirits. Astringency is often a result of tannins in wine or spirits, particularly noticeable in full bodied red wines. Aeration causes oxygen to dissolve in wine or spirits where it will oxidize tannin compounds, thereby reducing the astringent flavor. The method employs an apparatus wherein a hand held unit having a battery, switch or button, electrical wiring and electric motor cause rotation of a drive-shaft and aeration head. The aeration head is immersed in wine or spirits, the switch activated causing rotation of the aeration head creating a plurality of fine air bubbles resulting in large wine or spirit to air surface area simultaneous with stirring to ensure uniform oxygenation and aeration of wine or spirits throughout the container. The process may be extended until the desired reduction in astringency is achieved.

Abstract: A power schedule calculation method utilizes an idealized geometry to predict laser power levels on an additive path during laser deposition. The method calculates beam power for any point along the path traveled to form a build having a geometry. Each point along the path has associated with it an idealized geometry comprising a melt pool, hot zone and bulk portion. The method comprises creating a geometric description representing the geometry of the build during the process, creating a path description representing the path of the beam source through space during the process, calculating the idealized geometry for the point on the path based upon the geometric description and path description, calculating an energy balance at the melt pool for the point on the path, calculating total energy needed at the point on the path and calculating optimum beam source power. In the calculations, build temperature is based upon a calculation of hot zone temperature derived from the idealized geometry.

Abstract: A claw shearing device including a pair of shearing elements having cutting edges that face one another, a fastener configured to pivotably attach the shearing elements, and an adjustable limiting mechanism connected to the pair of shearing elements. The cutting edges form an orifice for the insertion of a claw of an animal or a pet therebetween, where the maximum size of the orifice is limited by the adjustable limiting mechanism. The device is configured to bring together the shearing elements to cut the claw or nail of the animal or pet at a predetermined length.

Abstract: Apparatuses disclosed herein aid in shearing animal claws. Specifically, the present invention provides a shearing apparatus having at least one curved blade, but preferably two curved blades, allowing cutting of the animal's claw from opposite sides of the animal's claw, and at least one well for placing the animal's claw therein, wherein said two curved blades are disposed at an aperture located at the bottom of the well. The well and aperture combination stops the animal's claw from being sheared too close to nerve endings and the animal's blood supply, preventing or minimizing the incidence of injury and suffering to the animal. Methods of using the apparatus are further disclosed herein.

Abstract: A container, a support cup coupled to the top of the container, a nozzle orifice from which product is dispensed is integrated with a cap. A barrel is integrated in the cap in communication with the nozzle orifice. A valve assembly is supported by the support cup, the valve assembly having an outlet, the outlet directly or indirectly coupled to and in communication with the barrel, the valve assembly further having an inlet. Three are a plurality of chambers or bags, each having a bag outlet. A plurality of valve assembly inlets allows ingress into the valve assembly. A blocking member selectively blocks the pathway from a bag outlet to a corresponding valve assembly inlet. A selection switch/lever/dial integrated in the cap is operable to open a pathway through the valve assembly to the nozzle so as to release product from a selected bag.

Abstract: A method for controlling, during metal processing, the input energy from an energy point source that directs focused emitted energy onto a metal workpiece having a geometry, wherein the directed focused emitted energy creates a melt pool and hot zone on the workpiece that emit radiation during the process. The method comprises determining a wavelength range for the emitted radiation that is within a spectral range of radiation emitted by the hot zone during processing that is comparatively high in amount in relation to the amount of radiation emitted by the melt pool in that spectral range during processing; directing the beam onto the workpiece to generate a melt pool and hot zone on the structure; measuring the intensity of radiation within the determined wavelength range; and adjusting the input energy from the energy point source based upon the measured intensity of radiation within the determined wavelength range.