Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a lifting mechanism with a motor, a lifting member, and a variable gear. In some embodiments, the motor is operably connected with the variable gear such that the motor can drive the variable gear and/or the lifting member. In certain implementations, the variable gear includes one or more teeth with varying tooth radii. In some variants, the variable gear and a clutch member are engageable and are configured to allow manual operation of the lid.

Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a lifting mechanism with a motor, a lifting member, and a variable gear. In some embodiments, the motor is operably connected with the variable gear such that the motor can drive the variable gear and/or the lifting member. In certain implementations, the variable gear includes one or more teeth with varying tooth radii. In some variants, the variable gear and a clutch member are engageable and are configured to allow manual operation of the lid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: A misting apparatus that is more durable and leaks less than systems known in the art. The apparatus includes a durable, integral flow control assembly and handle, which are especially beneficial for portable misting systems. The apparatus further includes a pressure gauge for monitoring the pressure inside the tank.

Abstract: A button mechanism for effecting user inputs to an electronic device. The button mechanism includes a frame top that has a rigid frame portion; and flexible frame portion. The button mechanism further includes a device body that is oriented substantially parallel to the frame top and a button assembly that is situated between the device body and the frame top. The button assembly includes a contact portion that is operable to provide an electronic signal to control circuitry for the electronic device. The button assembly is affixed to an upper portion of the device body. The mechanism further includes a switch attached to the button assembly on the contact portion and a spring portion having a stepwise shape. The spring portion has an upper horizontal step portion and a lower horizontal step portion. The lower horizontal step portion of the spring is affixed to the button assembly.

Abstract: A misting apparatus that is more durable and leaks less than systems known in the art. The apparatus includes a durable, integral flow control assembly and handle, which are especially beneficial for portable misting systems. The apparatus further includes a pressure gauge for monitoring the pressure inside the tank.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module, a pair of sliding members mounted slidably on the expansion base module, a system module connected to the sliding members, and a synchronizing unit including a pair of first front and rear pulleys, a pair of second front and rear pulleys, and an endless cord that is connected to the sliding members and that trains on the first front and rear and second front and rear pulleys in such a manner to permit synchronous sliding movements of the sliding members.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module with a connector, a hinge mechanism mounted slidably on the expansion base module, slidable relative to the expansion base module, and including a pivot shaft, a system module pivoted to the expansion base module through the pivot shaft, and a ribbon cable having a first segment that is electrically connected to and that extends from the connector toward the pivot shaft, and a second segment that extends from the first segment, that is wound around the pivot shaft, and that is electrically connected to the system module.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module, a hinge mechanism mounted slidably on the expansion base module and slidable relative to the expansion base module, a docking unit pivoted to the hinge mechanism, defining a docking groove, and including a docking connector, and a system module including a panel having two opposite sides that respectively have two opposing end portions inserted into and detachably retained in the docking groove. The system module further includes a system connector that is mounted on the panel and that mates with the docking connector.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base module with a housing defining upper and lower sliding grooves at each of two opposite side walls of the housing, and a system module mounted slidably on the base module through a pair of sliding units. Each of the sliding units includes an upper rolling member that is received in the upper sliding groove and that is in rolling contact with a respective one of the side walls, and a lower rolling member that is received in the lower sliding groove and that is in rolling contact with a respective one of the side walls.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base module with a housing defining upper and lower sliding grooves at each of two opposite side walls of the housing, and a system module mounted slidably on the base module through a pair of sliding units. Each of the sliding units includes an upper rolling member that is received in the upper sliding groove and that is in rolling contact with a respective one of the side walls, and a lower rolling member that is received in the lower sliding groove and that is in rolling contact with a respective one of the side walls.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module, a pair of sliding members mounted slidably on the expansion base module, a system module connected to the sliding members, and a synchronizing unit including a pair of first front and rear pulleys, a pair of second front and rear pulleys, and an endless cord that is connected to the sliding members and that trains on the first front and rear and second front and rear pulleys in such a manner to permit synchronous sliding movements of the sliding members.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module with a connector, a hinge mechanism mounted slidably on the expansion base module, slidable relative to the expansion base module, and including a pivot shaft, a system module pivoted to the expansion base module through the pivot shaft, and a ribbon cable having a first segment that is electrically connected to and that extends from the connector toward the pivot shaft, and a second segment that extends from the first segment, that is wound around the pivot shaft, and that is electrically connected to the system module.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an expansion base module, a hinge mechanism mounted slidably on the expansion base module and slidable relative to the expansion base module, a docking unit pivoted to the hinge mechanism, defining a docking groove, and including a docking connector, and a system module including a panel having two opposite sides that respectively have two opposing end portions inserted into and detachably retained in the docking groove. The system module further includes a system connector that is mounted on the panel and that mates with the docking connector.

Abstract: A launcher for a ring airfoil includes a magazine assembly holding a plurality of ring airfoils. The magazine assembly is coupled to a launching mechanism, and the launching mechanism provides an indexing motion to the magazine assembly. In use, the setting action of the launching mechanism indexes the magazine assembly allowing a ring airfoil to engage with the launching mechanism for subsequent launching. Additional ring airfoils may be launched by repeated actuation of the launching mechanism without reloading the magazine assembly with ring airfoils.