Abstract: An automated urine-output-measurement system can include single-patient equipment and/or multi-patient equipment. The single-patient equipment can include a urinary catheter and a urine-collection system. The urine-collection system can include drainage tubing and a drainage receptacle. The multi-patient equipment can include a urine monitor. The urine monitor can include a housing having a cavity configured to completely encompass the drainage receptacle, a urine measurement device configured to measure urine output into the drainage receptacle, and an integrated display screen configured to display patient information including measurements of the urine output. A method of the automated urine-output-measurement system can include placing the drainage receptacle in the urine monitor of the automated urine-output-measurement system, and confirming a volume of urine in the drainage receptacle with that indicated on the urine monitor once a patient has produced urine.

Abstract: An automated urine-output-measurement system can include single-patient equipment and multi-patient equipment. The single-patient equipment can include a urinary catheter and a urine-collection system. The urine-collection system can include drainage tubing and a drainage receptacle. The multi-patient equipment can include a urine monitor. The urine monitor can include a housing having a cavity configured to house the drainage receptacle, a urine-measurement means for measuring urine-output into the drainage receptacle, and an integrated display screen configured to display patient information including measurements of the urine output. A method of the automated urine-output-measurement system can include placing the drainage receptacle in the urine monitor of the automated urine-output-measurement system, and confirming a volume of urine in the drainage receptacle with that indicated on the urine monitor once a patient has produced urine.

Abstract: System and method for providing an excavation characteristic associated with an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an attachment mounted to an earthmoving machine may be identified. An optical benchmark signal may be detected, by an optical receiver. The position of the attachment relative to the earthmoving machine may be determined based, at least in part, on identification of the RFID tag. The position of the attachment may be provided to an operator of the earthmoving machine.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing surface compaction effected by a compactor machine of the type having a vibrating compacting roller, and providing a sensor signal indicating sensed surface compaction to a control mounted on the compactor machine, includes a sensor for sensing compaction and providing a signal indicating sensed surface compaction. The sensor is mounted on the compacting roller support of the compactor machine. The system includes a vibration-to-electric energy converter, mounted with the sensor on the compacting roller support and subjected to vibration. The converter converts the vibration energy to electric energy which may be supplied to the sensor and to a transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric energy from said vibration-to-electric energy converter and transmits the sensor signal to a receiver on the machine. The receiver provides the sensor signal to a control for the machine.

Abstract: A storm and hurricane shutter quick release mechanism for permitting quick egress from a building that has storm shutters attached to the doors and windows to allow someone inside the building to leave the building quickly. The system includes a quick release housing mounted at the base of each shutter panel attached to the building that includes removable studs that are actuated by a cam mechanism from the inside of the building that release the attaching studs that hold the shutters in place from the quick release housing thereby releasing the shutter fasteners at the base allowing the shutters to be quickly removed by actuating the cam mechanism from inside the building.

Abstract: A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome, and distinguish it from other radomes. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome, and distinguish it from other radomes. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing surface compaction effected by a compactor machine of the type having a vibrating compacting roller, and providing a sensor signal indicating sensed surface compaction to a control mounted on the compactor machine, includes a sensor for sensing compaction and providing a signal indicating sensed surface compaction. The sensor is mounted on the compacting roller support of the compactor machine. The system includes a vibration-to-electric energy converter, mounted with the sensor on the compacting roller support and subjected to vibration. The converter converts the vibration energy to electric energy which may be supplied to the sensor and to a transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric energy from said vibration-to-electric energy converter and transmits the sensor signal to a receiver on the machine. The receiver provides the sensor signal to a control for the machine.

Abstract: A quick release fastener mechanism for easy installation and removal of conventional hurricane storm shutters over and from a window or door of a structure. The device comprises a removable stud for engaging and securing the hurricane shutters and a spring-actuated panel fastener that includes a leaf spring and hinged locking element to engage and hold the removable stud in position. The quick release fastener is installed and removed from outside the building by actuating or depressing a lever end of the hinged locking element to lock or to unlock and release the removable stud from within the spring-actuated panel fastener.

Abstract: System and method for providing an excavation characteristic associated with an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an attachment mounted to an earthmoving machine may be identified. An optical benchmark signal may be detected, by an optical receiver. The position of the attachment relative to the earthmoving machine may be determined based, at least in part, on identification of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A hurricane shutter escape mechanism for allowing fast and easy removal of conventional hurricane shutters from a window or door of a structure in the event of an emergency. The device comprises a release member, an anchor, a removable stud for engaging and securing the hurricane shutters, and a spring-actuated panel fastener that includes a leaf spring to engage and hold the removable stud in position. The release member includes a slot having a small aperture to hold the stud in position and a large aperture to release the stud from the anchor. From inside the building, the release member is pushed down to release the hurricane shutters so that the occupants of a structure can escape during an emergency, such as a fire. From outside the building, a rescuer can depress the leaf spring to remove the spring-actuated panel fastener, and thereby, also remove the hurricane shutter panel.

Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight carrier related to manually lifting and transporting corrugated panels, such as hurricane storm panels, by a single individual. The storm panels are carried manually from a storage area to the location of the house where a user typically installs them, such as a window or door entry into the structure. The carrier further allows the person to carry them up a ladder and to safely place them on an angled roof as the apparatus is designed in such a way as to provide better friction than that of the panels for safe placement during installation and removal of the panels. The hurricane storm panel manual carrier allows an individual to lift and carry one or more small or large hurricane storm panels with ease.

Abstract: A storm shutter stud fastening mechanism that includes a quick release for fast and easy removal of conventional storm shutters from a window or door from the inside of a structure in the event of an emergency by allowing occupants of the building to manually disengage a fastening stud from an anchor. The stud mechanism includes an anchor body that receives an actuating arm having prongs at one end that engage and fasten the stud to the anchor body. However, when the arm is when rotated or pivoted from one side to the other, the engaging prongs are spread by stops inside the anchor body, thereby expanding the prong distance, releasing a stud secured between them.

Abstract: A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: A tool for installing and removing wing nuts. The tool includes an ergonomic, rigid handle for gripping by the hand of the user. One end of the handle includes wing nut engagement features that center the wing nut for a snug engagement by the tool. The tool is manually rotated to either tighten or loosen wing nuts. The tool is particularly useful for the installation and removal of wing nuts used to secure storm panels over the windows and doors of a building structure.

Abstract: A hurricane shutter escape mechanism for allowing fast and easy removal of conventional hurricane shutters from a window or door of a structure in the event of an emergency. The device comprises a release member, an anchor, a removable stud for engaging and securing the hurricane shutters, and a spring-actuated panel fastener that includes a leaf spring to engage and hold the removable stud in position. The release member includes a slot having a small aperture to hold the stud in position and a large aperture to release the stud from the anchor. From inside the building, the release member is pushed down to release the hurricane shutters so that the occupants of a structure can escape during an emergency, such as a fire. From outside the building, a rescuer can depress the leaf spring to remove the spring-actuated panel fastener, and thereby, also remove the hurricane shutter panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for locating the direction and distance to a RF signal source from an avalanche beacon to find an avalanche victim. The system and method includes a RF signal locator and a graphical display residing on the signal locator. The receiver graphical display provides the searcher with an initial way point reading that includes directional and distance data associated with the beacon RF signal source from the avalanche beacon. The directional and distance data is based upon the received RF signals. A processor within the locator receiver receives and measures RF signals emitted by the RF signal source. The locator advantageously provides continuous subsequent way point readings for the user, where the subsequent way point readings include directional and distance data associated with the RF signal source. The distance data provided by the subsequent way point readings is based upon a path loss slope of the received RF signals from the avalanche beacon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for locating the direction and distance to a RF signal source from an avalanche beacon to find an avalanche victim. The system and method includes a RF signal locator and a graphical display residing on the signal locator. The receiver graphical display provides the searcher with an initial way point reading that includes directional and distance data associated with the beacon RF signal source from the avalanche beacon. The directional and distance data is based upon the received RF signals. A processor within the locator receiver receives and measures RF signals emitted by the RF signal source. The locator advantageously provides continuous subsequent way point readings for the user, where the subsequent way point readings include directional and distance data associated with the RF signal source. The distance data provided by the subsequent way point readings is based upon a path loss slope of the received RF signals from the avalanche beacon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for locating the direction and distance to a RF signal source, primarily for search and rescue. The system and method includes a RF signal locator and a graphical display residing on the signal locator. The receiver graphical display provides the user with an initial way point reading that includes directional and distance data associated with the beacon RF signal source. The directional and distance data is based upon the received RF signals. A processor within the locator receiver receives and measures RF signals emitted by the RF signal source. The locator advantageously provides continuous subsequent way point readings for the user, where the subsequent way point readings include directional and distance data associated with the RF signal source. The distance data provided by the subsequent way point readings is based upon a path loss slope of the received RF signals.