Abstract: Systems for insulating a space vehicle or space borne container from an external environment as well as cryogens from heat sources. Such systems also protect the vehicle from the high dynamic pressures, the high heat loads encountered in atmospheric flight, and provide storage capability that strongly limits, or effectively eliminates, cryogenic boil-off losses once in space. Such systems include an expandable structure having a plurality of contiguously adjacent expandable layers. The layers are connected by a plurality of tension connectors between successive layers. For launch and flight the layers can be restrained in a collapsed position. Whereupon exiting a free stream environment, the layers are expanded where they can lock into place or otherwise remain in an expanded state. The expansion creates separation between the layers with minimal conduction paths providing near theoretically perfect multi-layer insulation and extremely effective debris protection.

Abstract: A joint assembly thermally isolates a warm structure, such as a payload, from a cold structure, such as a cryogenic fuel tank, in a space vehicle while maintaining structural interconnection within the joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a primary joint that is capable of separating, and a secondary joint connected to and adjacent to the primary joint. The secondary joint includes an inflatable annulus structure and one or more restraining members, where separation of the primary joint causes the inflatable annulus structure to be in compression and the one or more restraining members to be in tension.

Abstract: Systems for insulating a space vehicle or space borne container from an external environment as well as cryogens from heat sources. Such systems also protect the vehicle from the high dynamic pressures, the high heat loads encountered in atmospheric flight, and provide storage capability that strongly limits, or effectively eliminates, cryogenic boil-off losses once in space. Such systems include an expandable structure having a plurality of contiguously adjacent expandable layers. The layers are connected by a plurality of tension connectors between successive layers. For launch and flight the layers can be restrained in a collapsed position. Whereupon exiting a free stream environment, the layers are expanded where they can lock into place or otherwise remain in an expanded state. The expansion creates separation between the layers with minimal conduction paths providing near theoretically perfect multi-layer insulation and extremely effective debris protection.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a joint assembly that thermally isolates a warm structure, such as a payload, from a cold structure, such as a cryogenic fuel tank, in a space vehicle while maintaining structural interconnection within the joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a primary joint that is capable of separating, and a secondary joint connected to and adjacent to the primary joint. The secondary joint includes an inflatable annulus structure and one or more restraining members, where separation of the primary joint causes the inflatable annulus structure to be in compression and the one or more restraining members to be in tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant support structure. In particular, the present invention relates to an infant support structure with a movable portion that facilitates access to a particular area or portion of the infant support structure.

Abstract: A method of remotely configuring a controller responsive to wireless signals includes entering a controller programming mode from a regular mode in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a first click pattern from a switch. The controller provides a first notification to indicate a first selected configurable feature of the controller. Each of a plurality of configurable features of the controller has a different assigned notification. The controller provides a second notification to indicate a second selected configurable feature in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a second click pattern from the switch. The method also includes exiting the programming mode. The notification may be a flashing of lights, a dimming of lights, an audible sound, an adjustment of a damper position, or a combination of these things.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle includes a rotatable parent steering mechanism to steer the vehicle in a desired direction, and a canopy supported by the parent steering mechanism that remains stationary as the parent steering mechanism is rotated.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device (10, 100) is disclosed. The device (10, 100) has a sequence of language symbols (18) and control electronics (16) operatively coupled to a graphic user interface (14) and a language-symbol selector (20, 20?) having a sight (22, 22?). The sequence of language symbols (18) and the language-symbol selector (20, 20?) are movable in relation to one another such that each language symbols of the sequence is viewable in the sight (22, 22?). The control electronics (16) has an electronic memory (30) having stored therein a plurality of traceable templates (32) representing each language-symbol of the sequence (18). Selection of a language symbol when the language symbol is viewable in the sight (22, 22?) causes the graphic user interface (14) to produce the traceable template (32) corresponding to the language symbol and to produce a visible rendering (34) of a movement of an affector (36) as the affector (36) races the traceable template (32).

Abstract: An infant support structure assembly includes a frame having an infant receiving portion configured to receive an infant therein and an electronic device. The infant receiving portion includes a support component extending along part of the infant receiving portion. The support component includes an electrical connector coupled thereto. The electrical connector is connected to a power source. The electronic device includes a mounting portion removably mountable to the support component of the frame. Power is supplied from the power source to the electronic device when the electronic device is mounted to the frame and engages the electrical connector of the support component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a containment device. In particular, the present invention relates to a containment device with a closure mechanism that can be used to couple the containment device to a child. The closure mechanism may include or be used with one or more indicators that can be used by a parent or caregiver to determine whether the containment device is appropriately sized and tightened.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a any of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory modules, at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle includes a rotatable parent steering mechanism to steer the vehicle in a desired direction, and a canopy supported by the parent steering mechanism that remains stationary as the parent steering mechanism is rotated.

Abstract: A method of remotely configuring a controller responsive to wireless signals includes entering a controller programming mode from a regular mode in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a first click pattern from a switch. The controller provides a first notification to indicate a first selected configurable feature of the controller. Each of a plurality of configurable features of the controller has a different assigned notification. The controller provides a second notification to indicate a second selected configurable feature in response to at least one wireless signal corresponding to a second click pattern from the switch. The method also includes exiting the programming mode. The notification may be a flashing of lights, a dimming of lights, an audible sound, an adjustment of a damper position, or a combination of these things.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator including a fresh food compartment and a door includes providing a fresh food evaporator to produce cool airflow for the fresh food compartment, providing a chiller compartment within the fresh food compartment, providing a duct member in flow communication with the fresh food evaporator and the chiller compartment, and channeling cool airflow to the chiller compartment via the duct member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant support structure. In particular, the present invention relates to an infant support structure with a movable portion that facilitates access to a particular area or portion of the infant support structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a containment device. In particular, the present invention relates to a containment device with a closure mechanism that can be used to couple the containment device to a child. The closure mechanism may include or be used with one or more indicators that can be used by a parent or caregiver to determine whether the containment device is appropriately sized and tightened.

Abstract: This document discloses, among other things, an inflatable apparatus having a plurality of attachment points. The apparatus can be collapsed, and when distended, the attachment points are dimensionally stable with varying applied pressure.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a ny of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory, modules; at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.

Abstract: An interactive learning system has a book, electronic memory, and system electronics. The book has at least one selectable object with a tactile feature. The electronic memory has stored therein data associated with the tactile feature. The system electronics comprises a selection sensor configured to detect the selection of the at least one selectable object, an audio signal generator, and a processor operatively coupled to the electronic memory, the sensor and the audio signal generator. Selection of the tactile feature causes the audio signal generator to produce an audible signal based on the data associated with the tactile feature.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device (10, 100) is disclosed. The device (10, 100) has a sequence of language symbols (18) and control electronics (16) operatively coupled to a graphic user interface (14) and a language-symbol selector (20, 20?) having a sight (22, 22?). The sequence of language symbols (18) and the language-symbol selector (20, 20?) are movable in relation to one another such that each language symbols of the sequence is viewable in the sight (22, 22?). The control electronics (16) has an electronic memory (30) having stored therein a plurality of traceable templates (32) representing each language-symbol of the sequence (18). Selection of a language symbol when the language symbol is viewable in the sight (22, 22?) causes the graphic user interface (14) to produce the traceable template (32) corresponding to the language symbol and to produce a visible rendering (34) of a movement of an affector (36) as the affector (36) races the traceable template (32).