Abstract: An overhead storage system is disclosed. The storage system includes an overhead frame that supports a ceiling for a room, at least one storage box, and a roof or floor for a second room above the first. Attached to the frame is at least one raise/lower mechanism which raises and lowers a storage box. The storage box(es) fit within the frame when raised and are accessible when lowered. Each storage box has a bottom wall that includes a ceiling surface for the room and a structure with at least one storage surface. The raise lower mechanism(s) is a winch driven pulley system that winds up and lets out at least one line.

Abstract: A customizable glass wall system is disclosed. The system comprises at least two glazed, transparent panes mounted to a frame, creating an internal space less than approximately five inches thick. At least one upper roller is mounted to an upper portion of the frame, preferably on a removable headboard, and at least one lower roller is mounted to a lower portion of the frame, preferably to a removable tailboard. At least one partitioned film is attached to the upper and lower rollers. The partitioned film has partitions with varied properties and functions, ranging from thermal insulation to decoration, which can be selectively positioned behind the transparent panes by rotating the partitioned film by means of the rollers until a selected partition of film is displayed. The system can be automated based on time, weather, amount of sunlight, or user preference, and it may include window coverings or solar cells.

Abstract: An elevator is disclosed. The elevator comprises a first upright U-channel guide rail parallel to and opposing a second upright U-channel guide rail. The elevator also comprises a slider with a first side and an opposing second side, wherein a first wheel is attached to the first side and a second wheel is attached to the second side. Some embodiments may comprise additional wheels. The first wheel rolls up and down within the first guide rail, and the second wheel rolls up and down within the second guide rail. A platform extends from the slider. The elevator also comprises a hoist mechanism and a closed loop lifting cable attached to the slider. The hoist mechanism is configured to move the lifting cable and thereby, in cooperation with pulleys, to lift and lower the platform. Preferred embodiments also include a centrifugal brake system and walls and a ceiling on the platform.

Abstract: An overhead storage system is disclosed. The storage system includes an overhead frame that supports a ceiling for a room, at least one storage box, and a roof or floor for a second room above the first. Attached to the frame is at least one raise/lower mechanism which raises and lowers a storage box. The storage box(es) fit within the frame when raised and are accessible when lowered. Each storage box has a bottom wall that includes a ceiling surface for the room and a structure with at least one storage surface. The raise lower mechanism(s) is a winch driven pulley system that winds up and lets out at least one line.

Abstract: The invention is a reconfigurable workspace. The workspace is compact in order to keep components of the workspace within an arm's reach while standing in a fixed location. The workspace is made up of two rectangular housings, preferably of the same compact size and shape. The first housing has at least a sink and a counter space, though it could have other appliances. The second housing has a circulating storage system, preferably an automated storage and retrieval system that delivers items to a convenient access point. The two housings are repositionable in relation to each other along a fixed path. An apparatus such as a hinge or a set of tracks repositions the housings in relation to each other along the fixed path.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying ambient sound waves passing through a wall are disclosed. The wall has a first side and a second side with a cavity therebetween. A sound producing device is situated between the first side and the second side and is configured to produce interfering sound waves in the cavity such that the sound waves passing through the wall are reduced, masked, or reduced and masked.

Abstract: The invention is a rack and chain lifting device. The purpose is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to a rack and pinion device because, first, it allows for more points of contact with the rack through the use of a silent chain in place of a pinion, and, second, because it can be used in corners since the motor can be distanced from the rack by means of the silent chain. The invention comprises a silent chain with link plates that are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, allowing the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both gears and racks. The invention also comprises a rack that can be placed in corners. Some embodiments include a system of gears, a motor, and a mounting platform.

Abstract: The invention is a track system for a retractable wall. The track system includes rigid outer guide tracks and flexible inner track inserts that are connected to the guide tracks by means of flanges located on both. The flexible inserts include a channel that engages with a side edge of a retractable wall, holding the wall in place. The flexible nature of the track inserts allows the inserts to bend, which in turn allows the retractable wall to flex when force is exerted on the retractable wall without breaking the tracks or tearing the wall. When excessive force is applied, the channel of the flexible insert, the walls of which are thicker than the rest of the flexible insert, bend open, so that the side edge of the retractable wall disengages from the channel by means of an opening in the channel.

Abstract: The invention is a method for intelligent current limiting enabling chaining of electrical appliances. Different embodiments apply to alternating current (AC) appliances, direct current (DC) appliances, and a combination of each. In each embodiment, current limits control the number of appliances that can be connected in the chain. If current limits are exceeded, current-limiting devices cut power to one or more of the appliances. Each appliance in the system has conductors with the capacity to carry a current load at least as large as the overall current limit. Preferably, the appliances in the system are garage appliances that are mounted to an overhead track system in a garage, where electrical outlets are scarce.

Abstract: An automated covering for an architectural opening—such as a window blind, a roller shade, a cellular shade, or roller wall—that can be easily recharged through a charging device that is integrated into the lower edge is disclosed. The automated covering includes a housing that holds a motor and a battery. An electrical conductor extends from the battery, down the automated covering, to the charging device at the bottom of the covering. The charging device may be a charging port, an electrical plug, or a magnetic charging device that engages with a magnetic charging dock.

Abstract: The invention is a planar motion mechanism with a mechanical end effector. The mechanism has a vertical slide table that moves along one or more vertical tracks. The vertical slide table includes one or more horizontal tracks, an arcuate guide rail parallel to the horizontal tracks, and a horizontal slide table that moves along the horizontal tracks. The horizontal slide table comprises an end effector, which is a suspended perpendicular arm with a lip on the bottom edge that supports a load. The end effector, when unloaded, follows the path of the arcuate guide rail as the horizontal slide table moves along the one or more horizontal tracks. In this way, the end effector engages the load in positions near the edge of the arcuate guide rail, but in central positions along the arcuate guide rail, the end effector is distanced from the load so that it can freely maneuver.

Abstract: The invention is a method for intelligent current limiting enabling chaining of electrical appliances. Different embodiments apply to alternating current (AC) appliances, direct current (DC) appliances, and a combination of each. In each embodiment, current limits control the number of appliances that can be connected in the chain. If current limits are exceeded, current-limiting devices cut power to one or more of the appliances. Each appliance in the system has conductors with the capacity to carry a current load at least as large as the overall current limit. Preferably, the appliances in the system are garage appliances that are mounted to an overhead track system in a garage, where electrical outlets are scarce.

Abstract: An underfloor storage system is disclosed. The storage system comprises a frame with a storage box and at least one raise/lower mechanisms to raise and lower the storage box. A raise/lower mechanism include at least one winch driven pulley system. The storage box includes a floor. Raising the storage box provides access to underfloor storage. In a preferred embodiment, each winch driven pulley system provides an ideal mechanical advantage of 4 and includes an additional pulley which is configured to pivot relative to the winch and thereby adjust the orientation of the pulley to the winch as the line tracks across the winch during wind up or let out of the line.

Abstract: The invention is a system for simultaneously, yet safely, suspending and powering objects through connectors on a wall. The system includes one or more connectors, preferably pins, mounted to a wall. Each connector has a groove and a lip that houses an electrical conductor, which may be a metal rod. One or more suspendable objects, which may be storage bins or electrical appliances, are designed to engage with the connectors. Each suspendable object has at least one horizontal track that guides the lip of each connector into one or more openings in the track. When the lip engages an opening, the object is suspended from the wall. Each opening also contains an electrical conductor that engages with the electrical conductor within the connector, thereby providing power to the suspendable object. The connectors may be attached to rails, and the system may be utilized within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A microwave oven is disclosed herein that includes a cooking cavity and a magnetron. The magnetron includes a body portion having an anode, a cathode, one or more magnets, and an antenna extending from the body. The antenna directs microwaves generated by the body to the cooking cavity. The magnetron is movably coupled to a housing surrounding the cooking cavity and the magnetron. For example, in one embodiment, the magnetron oscillates along three perpendicular dimensions of mobility.

Abstract: The invention is a silent chain with a profile capable of corresponding with the profiles of both sprockets and racks. The purpose of the invention is to convert rotational motion to linear motion in a way that is superior to the traditional rack and pinion device by allowing for more surface area contact with the rack through the use of, rather than a pinion, a silent chain that is capable of engaging with a rack. The invented silent chain comprises link plates of a particular shape stacked in alternating rows and joined together by connecting pins in such a way as to be bendable. The link plates are shaped such that the teeth of the link plates are offset when the chain is straightened, which allows the profile of the silent chain to correspond with the profiles of both sprockets and racks.

Abstract: An underfloor storage system is disclosed. The storage system comprises a frame with a storage box and at least one raise/lower mechanisms to raise and lower the storage box. A raise/lower mechanism include at least one winch driven pulley system. The storage box includes a floor. Raising the storage box provides access to underfloor storage. In a preferred embodiment, each winch driven pulley system provides an ideal mechanical advantage of 4 and includes an additional pulley which is configured to pivot relative to the winch and thereby adjust the orientation of the pulley to the winch as the line tracks across the winch during wind up or let out of the line.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus comprising a suspendable box, especially a storage bin or appliance, with electrically conductive members mounted thereon that both suspend and supply electrical power to the box. The electrically conductive members comprise insulative housings with openings that attach to wall hooks. Both the members and the wall hooks comprise electrical conductors. When the wall hooks are fitted inside the members, the electrical conductors engage to provide electrical power to the box, simultaneously suspending the box from the wall to which the wall hooks are mounted. The power supplied to the box may power electrical features like outlets, lights, or, especially, a microcontroller with a data transceiver, which allows the box to communicate with other like boxes, robots, or central controllers. The box is ideally suited to function within an automated storage and retrieval system, and preferably has specific dimensions that allow it to do so.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: The invention is a sink system in which a faucet is embedded within a sink cover. This allows a user to completely cover a sink, making the sink space available for other work without the inconvenience of disposing of a separate faucet fixture. The invention comprises a sink basin and a hinged sink cover attached to the basin. The sink cover fits exactly within the sink basin. The sink cover doubles as a faucet. It has a channel, which may extend entirely or partially through the sink cover, which directs a flow of water from a source of water, through the channel, and into the sink basin. The sink system may also have sensors and valves to control temperature and water flow, a digital display panel that displays temperature and flow rate, a user interface, or a visual indictor of water temperature, preferably by means of LED lights.