Abstract: A tile spacing device and accompanying system and method are disclosed for spacing multiple tiles. In one embodiment, a central body has four arms extending therefrom with a releasably frangible connection. Each of the four arms has a cellular sheet structure defined by multiple cells, including at least one hexagonal cell. The central body and the four arms provide a four-tile engagement configuration. By selectively breaking and removing an arm, a three-tile engagement configuration may also be provided.

Abstract: An engraving machine is disclosed. The engraving machine may have a housing and an engraver located within the housing. The engraving machine may have a slot disposed on the housing for receiving a cartridge including an offboard item to be engraved. The engraving machine may have an onboard storage configured to store a plurality of tags. The engraving machine may have a carrier for receiving the cartridge through the slot and for positioning the cartridge relative to the engraver. The engraving machine may have a pick mechanism for selectively retrieving a tag from the tags stored in the onboard storage and for positioning the tag relative to the engraver. The engraver may engrave the offboard item or the tag based on a user selection.

Abstract: A recyclable inclination measuring device includes measuring units arranged in a linear array during installation, and two adjacent measuring units are eccentrically hinged by a joint; during the measurement, measuring units are arranged in a Z shape in the measuring tube, the inner wall of the measuring tube is closely attached to the joint, and measuring units extending out of the measuring tube are folded and arranged. the present invention adopts a recyclable inclination measuring device with the above structure, during the measurement, it is placed in the measuring tube, which can be arranged in a Z shape under the action of gravity, and then it can be measured with the synchronous rotation of the measuring tube, when it is recovered, it only needs to be pulled out, which reduces the difficulty of recovery and improves the recovery efficiency.

Abstract: A spectacle lens processing device includes a drilling tool and a processor. The processor acquires a position of a hole formed in a lens and a pantoscopic angle. The pantoscopic angle is an angle in a vertical plane between a visual axis of a user and an optical axis of the lens when the user wears spectacles in which the lens after processing is mounted and faces forward. The processor determines, based on the acquired pantoscopic angle, a relative angle between the drilling tool and the lens when the hole is formed in the lens in the position of the hole.

Abstract: A device and method for projecting visible level laser lines onto a work surface and measuring distances along the level laser lines. The device includes a self-leveling laser housing that allows the lasers to level when activated. The device also includes separate distance measuring lasers and a handheld display used to measure distances from the center of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and devices for controlling the closing of a door. A head unit is to be installed in a doorjamb, comprising a chamber filled at least in part with a shear thickening fluid. A piston is connected to a cap and configured to exert pressure against the shear thickening fluid in response to a force applied to the cap. The systems and devices provide an adjustable design that resists door slamming and aggressive closure, serving as a safety device as well as noise, damage and pet control around doors (preventing closure if desired). An install kit provides exact location, depth control and guide to place over the head unit to tap it into place with a hammer.

Abstract: A tool such as a tape measure, including a lighting system is shown. The lighting system includes a light source configured to direct light forward and strong enough to act as a flashlight. The tape measure further includes a housing designed to be compact and rugged enough to protect the internal components related to the lighting system from coming loose or suffering damage due to an impact or vibrations.

Abstract: A level with a removable end cap is provided. The level includes a hollow level body. The end cap includes an outer member and locking member received within the outer member. The locking member is inserted into the outer member pushing a moveable portion of the outer member into a frictional engagement that holds the end cap assembly in place relative to the level body.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods for generating at least one custom pattern for use in garment construction, the method comprising receiving scan data relating to a three dimensional scanned body; receiving input regarding a garment use case; selecting at least one compression value based at least in part on the garment use case; calculating at least one negative ease dimension based on the at least one compression value; and modifying predetermined garment pattern dimensions based on the at least one negative ease dimension to generate the at least one custom pattern.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided for use in a method for determining the depth of a trolled lure. The measuring device has an angular scale divided into degrees to measure a dive angle and a bubble level affixed thereto for calibrating the angular scale relative to the horizon. A register pin affixed at a fulcrum of the angular scale forms a center point for a fishing line to rotate about in order to measure a dive angle. The register pin further includes a flange to ensure the fishing line is retained on an outer diameter of the register pin while the dive angle measurement is taken. A mounting device is provided adapted for affixing the measuring device within a boat in a manner that allows for leveling or calibrating.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a self-locating compass for use in navigation are disclosed. The self-locating compass is operable to provide position and/or velocity without information from a global positioning system (GPS) device. The self-locating compass includes a direction finder and a Lorentz force detector. The method includes determining orientation with respect to Earth's magnetic field, measuring a Lorentz force proportional to rate of change of location with respect to the field, determining a change in location, and updating location.

Abstract: A mount for a telescope incorporates a worm gear assembly comprising: a worm wheel connected to a telescope holder, such that movement of the worm wheel about a wheel axis causes movement of the holder about the wheel axis; and a worm shaft having a worm body extending in a longitudinal direction and a thread extending in a spiral on the worm body around a worm axis orthogonal to the wheel axis. The worm shaft is supported by a base for rotational movement. The worm wheel comprises a plurality teeth for engaging the worm shaft thread, so that rotation of the worm shaft about the worm axis causes corresponding rotation of the worm wheel, and corresponding relative rotation between the holder and the base, about the wheel axis. The wheel body defines a plurality of elasticity-enhancing cutouts spaced apart from the wheel axis and extending through the wheel body.

Abstract: Centrifugal gyroscopic devices are described herein. A representative device can include a shaft, an arm coupled to the shaft, a rotor coupled to the arm, and a control system operably coupled to the shaft, the arm, and/or the rotor. The shaft is rotatable about a first axis and the arm is configured to rotate with the shaft. The arm is pivotable about a second axis and the rotor is configured to pivot with the arm about the second axis. The rotor is further pivotable about a third axis. The control system is configured to bring the shaft, the arm, and the rotor into a resonant mode in which the shaft rotates at a rotational rate, the arm oscillates about the second axis at a first frequency substantially equal to the rotational rate, and the rotor oscillates about the third axis at a second frequency substantially equal to the first frequency.

Abstract: A laser marking system in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a laser marker, a beam receiving device, and a notifier. The laser marker includes a laser beam emitter. The beam receiving device includes a beam receiver and a transmitter. The beam receiver receives a laser beam emitted by the laser beam emitter. The transmitter transmits a first positional signal. The first positional signal indicates a receiving position of the laser beam in the beam receiver. The notifier notifies of the receiving position of the laser beam based on the first positional signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and a system for testing flatness. The device for testing flatness includes a base, a testing platform, and a ranging sensor. The testing platform is assembled on the base. The testing platform includes a supporting structure. The supporting structure is disposed on the side of the testing platform away from the base and is used to support a to-be-tested board. The structure matches the structure of the to-be-tested board. The ranging sensor is disposed on the side of the testing platform away from the base. After the to-be-tested board is placed on the testing platform, the ranging sensor is used to test distances between a number N of to-be-tested positions on the to-be-tested board and the ranging sensor, to obtain N pieces of distance information, and the N pieces of distance information are used to determine the flatness of the to-be-tested board, where N is an integer greater than 2.

Abstract: Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.

Abstract: A device for assisting a user to manipulate an instrument to interact with an object resting on a surface is described herein. The device includes a framework for resting on the surface and a hand and wrist support. The hand and wrist support is coupled to the framework, coupled to the instrument and vertically spaced above the surface. The hand and wrist support is configured to slide horizontally and longitudinally along the framework and rotate about the framework to provide for the user to move the hand and wrist support to manipulate the instrument to interact with the object.

Abstract: A depth guide to be used with a road paving machine having a movable screed, said depth guide allowing the operator of the road paving machine a simple means for visually assessing whether the pavement layer being deposited by the road paving machine and formed by the screed is of the proper thickness.

Abstract: A technique enables a surveying device to acquire a direction of a target by using as little extra hardware as possible. A method aims a laser scanner, as a surveying device, at a reflective prism that is a target. The method includes obtaining a photographic image of the laser scanner that is captured by a smartphone from the reflective prism side and determining a direction of the reflective prism as seen from the laser scanner on the basis of the photographic image. The method also includes rotating the laser scanner to make the laser scanner face the reflective prism straight on, on the basis of the direction of the reflective prism as seen from the laser scanner.

Abstract: A marking utensil comprises an elongated body having opposite ends, with the body defining a plurality of outwardly-directed surfaces between the ends. A scale is displayed on at least one surface of the plurality, with at least one surface of the plurality configured for placement along an exteriority of the article to facilitate a measurement thereof. The scale may display U.S. Customary (i.e., inches) and/or Metric International System (i.e., centimeters) Units of measure. A marking tip is located at one end of the body while a reference guide is located at the body's other end.