Abstract: The invention describes and claims a method to optimize small lodging facilities' revenue from reservation calls comprising three general steps, which themselves comprise multiple sub-steps: (1) onboarding call center lodging facilities; (2) receiving and answering calls directed to lodging facilities; and (3) system operation and invoicing services for lodging facilities.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning unit for use with blister packaging includes a plate configured to closely overlie a conveyor having open blister packaging containing objects to be packaged, such as brushes. Angled slots on a lower portion of the plate apply full and uniform coverage of wells of the blister packaging as the packaging is indexed below the plate by the conveyor. Open areas of the plate are spaced apart by solid areas on either side of an open central area of the plate in flow communication with a source of vacuum or suction. The solid and open areas cooperate with the slots to direct air from the edges to the central suction area in a manner that keeps the objects in the wells more stable as they enter and exit the suction area.

Abstract: A primary clutch of a continuously variable transmission with a launch mechanism is provided. The primary clutch includes a central post, a fixed sheave assembly, a movable sheave assembly and a locking mechanism. The central post is configured to receive rotational torque from a motor. The fixed sheave assembly is statically mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly is mounted on the central post. The movable sheave assembly includes a movable sheave system that is configured to move axially on the central post towards the fixed sheave assembly as RPM of the primary clutch increase. The locking mechanism is configured and arranged to selectively prevent movement of the movable sheave system independent of the RPM of the primary clutch.

Abstract: A clutch is provided that includes a fixed sheave portion, a movable sheave portion, a movable sheave assembly, an idler bearing and a torque drag member. The movable sheave assembly is configured to axially move the movable sheave portion in relation to the fixed sheave portion in response to a change in a rotational speed of the clutch. The idler bearing is rotationally mounted on a central post of the fixed sheave portion. The idler bearing is positioned to engage an inside face of a belt when the fixed sheave portion and the movable sheave portion are located a select distance away from each other. The torque drag member is operationally coupled to exert a select amount of torque drag on the idler bearing.

Abstract: Use of supercritical CO2 for cleaning long, narrow pipes with a cross sectional area of less than 1000 square mm and a length of more than 500 meter. Cleaning is performed by adding a fluid to the lumen of the pipe (140); providing the fluid (2) in a supercritical state (6) inside the lumen; and subsequently, as a flushing step, while the fluid is in the supercritical state or in a liquid state, displacing the fluid (2) in the lumen of the pipe (140) and out of lumen of the pipe at a speed that causes a turbulent flow of the fluid, thereby flushing particles out of the lumen.

Abstract: A battery power sustainability device includes a switch device and a processing circuit. The processing circuit controls the switch device to establish a parallel connection between a rapid energy storage module and a battery in a start-up mode and disconnect the parallel connection between the rapid energy storage module and the battery after entering a charging mode according to a trigger signal. When a battery-powered system stops operating, the battery-powered system generates a trigger signal to charge the rapid energy storage module. When the battery-powered system starts up, the drawn power of the battery is decreased under the help of the rapid energy storage module that has enough power, such that the using life of the battery is extended and still can achieve a normal start-up function even the battery has lower power and thereby the power of the battery can be used until exhausted completely. By means of detecting the battery performance, users can safely use up all available battery power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating method and device which allows mechanically converting rotational movement into helicoidal movement, said helicoidal movement including considerable travel in the axial direction. To that end, the device comprises a rotating rod (1) inside a fixed outer body (2). The rod (1) comprises an emerging lug (4) sliding between two parallel surfaces (3) of the outer body (2), said parallel surfaces (3) being inclined with respect to the axial axis (5) of the rod (1).

Abstract: An inflatable product includes a plurality of inflatable bodies, a plurality of connecting members, a plurality of gas pipes, a gas pump, a regulation device and a multiport valve. The connecting members are disposed on the inflatable bodies. The gas pipes are disposed outside or within the inflatable bodies to connect the connecting members. The gas pump, the regulation device and the multiport valve are connected to each other and connected to the inflatable bodies through the gas pipes and the connecting members so that the inflatable bodies can be selectively connected to or gas sealed from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for multi-source audio amplification and ear protection devices are provided herein. In certain configurations, an audio amplification and ear protection device includes at least one microphone that generates an ambient sound signal based on detecting ambient sound, at least one speaker, and an electrical system that controls sound outputted by the at least one speaker based on amplifying the ambient sound signal and a secondary sound source signal. The electrical system receives a first user-controlled volume signal that is operable to control an amount of amplification provided to the ambient sound signal, and a second user-controlled volume signal that is operable to control an amount of amplification provided to the secondary sound source signal.

Abstract: A headrest lifting mechanism is revealed. The headrest lifting mechanism is disposed on a seat back and including a lifting base, a bottom-side vertical support and an elastic positioning rod. A headrest is connected to an upper end of the bottom-side vertical support. A positioning end of the elastic positioning rod fixed on the bottom-side vertical support is moved downward into one of the slots of the lifting base owing to material elasticity when the bottom-side vertical support is assembled with the lifting base. Thus the bottom-side vertical support and the positioning end are slid and positioned together in the slots of the lifting base. The number of the parts is reduced and the assembly is simplified. This enables cost reduction and mass production.

Abstract: An application for a non-lethal arrow. The application may comprise a foam tip and may further comprise an elastic attachment mechanism and a base. The foam tip may comprise an impact end and a base connection end. The elastic attachment mechanism may comprise one or more elastic fingers. The base may comprise a shaft connection end and a flat supporting plate end. The ends of the finger or fingers of the elastic attachment mechanism may be secured to the base. The length of the finger or fingers may be elastically extended and wrapped around at least a portion of the foam tip, holding the foam tip against the flat support plate of the base.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire transmission system is provided. The system includes a gearbox that is configured and arranged to receive a rotational input and provide a select rotational output. The gearbox includes a plurality of gear assemblies that are operationally coupled together to provide the select rotational output from the rotational input. A shift assembly is operationally coupled to the plurality of gear assemblies of the gearbox to selectively change gearing of gearbox. An electric motor is operationally coupled to the shift assembly to activate the shift assembly to selectively change the gearing of the gearbox. A manual shift override is employed that is coupled between the shift assembly and the electric motor. The manual shift override is configured and arranged to manually disconnect the electric motor from the shift assembly and activate the shift assembly.

Abstract: An adjustment device for vertically adjusting a chair headrest is revealed and is installed on a seat back frame while in use. The adjustment device includes a sliding member, a fixing member and a button set. A vertical toothed part of the button set is moved and separated from a first rack of the sliding member when the button set is pressed. Then the sliding member is moved vertically relative to the fixing member for synchronous adjustment of vertical position of the headrest. After the button set being released, the vertical toothed part of the button set is turned back and engaged with the first rack of the sliding member. Thus the sliding member and the headrest are positioned at a new position after the adjustment.

Abstract: An under deck mid cabin entry system for a mono hull boat including an entry console disposed to the side of a center console and providing access to steps extending beneath the main deck. A top step is within the entry console proximate to the front surface and the steps curve towards a central beam of the boat and descend into the mid cabin such that a bottom step proximate to a floor of the mid cabin directs a user into a central area of the mid cabin and terminates to avoid obstructing movement in the central area. The bottom step further defines a landing platform for users of the boat.

Abstract: An inflating module adapted to an inflatable object includes a pressure controlling assembly configured to monitor air pressure in the inflatable object after the inflatable body has been inflated and a supplemental air pressure providing device. The pressure controlling assembly is configured to automatically activate the supplemental air pressure providing device when the air pressure inside the inflatable object decreases below a predetermined threshold after inflation, and to control the supplemental air pressure providing device to provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object so as to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (“CCR”) mixed with water and a binder to form a structural material and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses described, including survival bunkers, composting pits, mine reclamation encapsulation and carbon sequestration facilities, water storage facilities, compressed air storage facilities, carbon sequestration/mineral carbonation facilities and a pumped hydroelectric facility adapted for use with a lock system of a waterway.

Abstract: A downhole tool, tool assembly, and method, of which the downhole tool includes an expandable sleeve defining a bore extending axially therethrough, and including a shoulder that extends inward from the bore, a first swage positioned at least partially within the bore and including a valve seat configured to receive an obstructing member, such that the obstructing member and the first swage substantially prevent fluid communication through the bore when the obstructing member is seated in the valve seat, a second swage positioned at least partially within the bore. The first and second swages are configured to deform the expandable sleeve radially outwards when the first and second swages are moved toward one another within the expandable sleeve, and the shoulder is configured to prevent at least one of the first and second swages from sliding therepast.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole.