Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A pivoting staircase includes a pair of stringers and a tread extending between the stringers. A cleaning opening is defined at least partially by a lateral edge of the tread and a surface portion of an adjacent one of the pair of stringers. The cleaning opening is disposed between a pair of adjacent connection points of the tread and the adjacent one of the pair of stringers to provide a pathway for debris to fall laterally off of the tread.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: Drone inspection of an undifferentiated surface using a reference image is disclosed. A plurality of images of a surface of a structure are analyzed to identify at least one image that depicts a feature in a portion of the surface based on a feature criterion, the plurality of images being generated by a drone comprising a camera, each image depicting a corresponding portion of the surface, and at least some of the images depicting the corresponding portion of the surface and a portion of a reference image. A location on the surface that corresponds to the at least one image is determined based on a depiction of the reference image in an image of the plurality of images.

Abstract: Drone inspection of an undifferentiated surface using a reference image is disclosed. A plurality of images of a surface of a structure are analyzed to identify at least one image that depicts a feature in a portion of the surface based on a feature criterion, the plurality of images being generated by a drone comprising a camera, each image depicting a corresponding portion of the surface, and at least some of the images depicting the corresponding portion of the surface and a portion of a reference image. A location on the surface that corresponds to the at least one image is determined based on a depiction of the reference image in an image of the plurality of images.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a socket, fasteners, and a pylon. The socket defines a cavity configured to receive a residual limb of a user. The socket includes a base defining multiple blind-holes. Each of the fasteners are configured to be received within a corresponding one of the blind-holes. The fasteners each include internal threads. The pylon includes through-holes that are aligned with a corresponding one of the blind-holes. The pylon is configured to be directly coupled with the base of the socket through externally threaded fasteners that extend through the through-holes and threadingly couple with the internal threads of the plurality of fasteners.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating custom-fit prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, and related medical devices via three-dimensional printing (3D printing) or additive manufacturing techniques are described. Through the described systems and methods, a residual limb or other body part of a patient is scanned and analyzed to determine measurements and characteristics of the residual limb. The measurements and characteristics of the residual limb are used to design a customized device for the residual limb. The customized device uses multiple different materials. For example, the customized device may use a first material for a frame and a second material for a liner, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material. The customized device is fabricated using a three-dimensional printer that is capable of printing and bonding multiple different materials at the same time.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle data system are disclosed. A user can be presented with an interface where the user can make a variety of determinations. After the user requests data on a specific vehicle configuration, a frontend process handles user-provided data in conjunction with the data calculated in the backend process to ensure that the results are better tailored to the user's specific vehicle attributes. The results can be presented in an interface that includes useful pricing data presented in a useful manner.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a socket assembly defining a cavity and configured to receive a portion of a residual limb of a user within the cavity, a force sensing member configured to detect forces applied to the residual limb at a plurality of locations about the portion of the residual limb and generate signals based on the detected force, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the socket and configured to control an amount of vacuum applied to the cavity, and a controller coupled to the force sensing member and the vacuum system. The controller is configured to receive the signals from the force sensing member and control operation of the vacuum system during use of the prosthetic device by the user based at least in part on the signals received from the force sensing member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating custom-fit prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, and related medical devices via three-dimensional printing (3D printing) or additive manufacturing techniques are described. Through the described systems and methods, a residual limb or other body part of a patient is scanned and analyzed to determine measurements and characteristics of the residual limb. The measurements and characteristics of the residual limb are used to design a customized device for the residual limb. The customized device uses multiple different materials. For example, the customized device may use a first material for a frame and a second material for a liner, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material. The customized device is fabricated using a three-dimensional printer that is capable of printing and bonding multiple different materials at the same time.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a socket assembly defining a cavity and configured to receive a portion of a residual limb of a user within the cavity, a force sensing member configured to detect forces applied to the residual limb at a plurality of locations about the portion of the residual limb and generate signals based on the detected force, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the socket and configured to control an amount of vacuum applied to the cavity, and a controller coupled to the force sensing member and the vacuum system. The controller is configured to receive the signals from the force sensing member and control operation of the vacuum system during use of the prosthetic device by the user based at least in part on the signals received from the force sensing member.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a socket assembly defining a cavity and configured to receive a portion of a residual limb of a user within the cavity, a force sensing member configured to detect forces applied to the residual limb at a plurality of locations about the portion of the residual limb and generate signals based on the detected force, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the socket and configured to control an amount of vacuum applied to the cavity, and a controller coupled to the force sensing member and the vacuum system. The controller is configured to receive the signals from the force sensing member and control operation of the vacuum system during use of the prosthetic device by the user based at least in part on the signals received from the force sensing member.