Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. A unique initialization and calibration system is implemented at start up to determine the positions of shelves and trays of product containers in the machine, and may be implemented at other times if trays or shelves are added or removed, or if tray or shelf positions change. These positions are then used by the positioning and gripping systems to accurately and efficiently retrieve products from the trays. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a product retrieval and delivery system deployed within a uniquely designed, insulated cabinet that includes an adjustable ventilation system, and a conveniently located compact, easily removable modular climate control unit. A unique product delivery port and chute are provided as part of the cabinet. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated product retrieval and delivery system. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports a retrieval device to the front of a tray queue where a product container is retrieved. The positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The product is released and slides down a specially designed chute into a specially designed delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Sensors associated with the bucket detect the delivery and removal of the product container. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. A specially designed door is provided to accommodate the X-Y positioning system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hidden door hinge that is hingedly coupled to an outer door of a vending machine for the purpose of securing the vending machine and to prevent theft and vandalism. The present invention prevents unauthorized access to the interior of a vending machine by providing a hinging system that is used to attach the outer door to the cabinet of the vending machine. The hinging system provides a hinge having a pivot that is supported by an arching member that allows a portion of the outer door to swing within the hinge itself. The outer door has a small cutout at the hinge area through which the hinge passes. The small cutout is covered by the cabinet and not accessible from outside the vending machine. Hinge pins allowing the hinge to pivot are located on the inside of the outer door. The door can be nestled in the cabinet to strengthen the cabinet frame and improve security for the vending machine.

Abstract: A large capacity boat lift includes a lift assembly mounted on each side of a boat supporting platform. Each lift assembly includes a support structure that carries a winder. A lifting cable is operably attached at each of its ends to respective sections of the winder. A drive mechanism operates the winder in first and second directions to selectively wind the cable onto and off of the winder. The cable movably interengages a pair of pulleys carried by the platform. A section of the cable between the pulleys is engaged with the support structure such that winding the cable onto the winder raises the platform and unwinding the cable from the winder lowers the platform.

Abstract: A synchronously driven, multiple cable boat lift is used in combination with proximal and distal support structures located on respective sides of a boat to selectively lift and lower the boat out of and into a body of water. The boat lift includes a motor mountable on the proximal support structure and being selectively driven in opposing first and second directions. A boat accommodating platform is located between the proximal and distal support structures and includes a pair of interconnected cradle beams for extending transversely beneath the boat from the first side to the second side of the boat. Each beam has a proximal portion and a distal portion positionable on the first and second sides of the boat respectively.

Abstract: A synchronously driven, multiple cable boat lift is used in combination with proximal and distal support structures located on respective sides of a boat to selectively lift and lower the boat out of and into a body of water. The boat lift includes a motor mountable on the proximal support structure and being selectively driven in opposing first and second directions. A boat accommodating platform is located between the proximal and distal support structures and includes a pair of interconnected cradle beams for extending transversely beneath the boat from the first side to the second side of the boat. Each beam has a proximal portion and a distal portion positionable on the first and second sides of the boat respectively.

Abstract: A single motor, multiple cable boat lift is employed. The lift includes a platform and a pair of pilings disposed on each of the opposing sides of the platform. A first pair of cables innerconnect one side of the platform with the first pair of pilings and second pair of cables innerconnect the opposite side of the platform with the second pair of pilings. There is a single motor and a cable transmission apparatus that operably innerconnects the motor and all cables such that operation of the motor selectively retracts and extends the cables in a synchronized manner to raise and lower the lift platform.

Abstract: A boat lift locking apparatus is disclosed for releasably fastening a cable to a structural component of a boat lift. The apparatus includes a bracket secured to the structural component and having a channel, which has a relatively wide portion and a relatively narrow portion. A locking element is slidably mounted in the channel. The cable extends through the channel between the locking element and the bracket. The locking element is urged selectively toward the narrow portion of the channel to frictionally lock the cable between the locking element and the bracket and toward the wide portion of the channel to unlock the cable and permit the cable to slide longitudinally through the channel between the locking element and the bracket.

Abstract: A boat lift apparatus includes a support structure located proximate to a body of water. An elongate threaded shaft is located adjacent to the support structure and extends in a substantially vertical direction. A nut threadably engages the shaft. A boat accommodating platform is connected to the nut. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the support structure and selectively driven rotatably relative to the nut in a first direction to raise the nut relative to the shaft and in an opposite, second direction to lower the nut relative to the shaft. As a result, the platform and the boat accommodated thereon are selectively lifted and lowered relative to the body of water.

Abstract: A positive drive boat lift apparatus includes a support structure located proximate a body of water. There is an elongate threaded shaft disposed adjacent to the support structure and extending in a substantially vertical direction. A nut threadably engages the shaft. There is a boat accommodating platform and one of the shaft and the nut are attached to the platform. The other of the shaft and the nut are rotatably mounted to the support structure. The shaft and the nut are rotated relative to one another in a first direction to raise the shaft relative to the nut and in an opposite second direction to lower the shaft relative to the nut, whereby the platform and a boat accommodated thereon are selectively lifted and lowered relative to the body of water.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping assembly is provided for holding and supporting a conventional structural component. The assembly includes a support element having an elongate channel that employs a pair of longitudinal locking grooves. A screw-like component is engaged with a structural component and a clamping nut is aligned with and inserted into the channel at a selected location. The nut includes a pair of locking tabs and a latch mechanism for permitting the nut to be rotated from an aligned orientation to a generally perpendicular orientation within the channel, wherein the locking tabs are respectively inserted in the locking grooves. The latch mechanism holds the nut in the perpendicular orientation to prevent removal of the nut from the channel. The nut further includes a threaded opening that is operably engaged by the screw-like component to attach the structural component to the support element at the selected location.

Abstract: A helical structure having a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a substantially helical flight extending about the axis of rotation and composed of a plurality of sections each having a segment disposed in substantially right angular relation to the axis of rotation. A method for manufacturing a helical structure or the like including the steps of producing a mold having a mold cavity defining a configuration for the helical structure having a substantially helical flight composed of a plurality of sections having segments disposed in substantially right angular relation to an axis of rotation for the helical structure, introducing a moldable substance into the mold cavity to form the helical structure in the configuration and removing the helical structure from the mold cavity by separating the mold along a path substantially aligned with the segments.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for facilitating passage of a vendable object through a vending machine, the apparatus including a main body borne by the vending machine and mounting a pair of ribs which are disposed in spaced relation one to the other and which are individually adapted to support the vendable object in spaced relation to the main body, the ribs operable substantially to inhibit the vendable objects from bridging with adjoining vendable objects and thereby increasing the reliability of the vending machine so equipped.