Abstract: A panel assembly is designed to be installed adjacent each other comprising surface covering panels and joining padding layer panels. Surface covering panels comprises padding layer panels made of a first material, a sheet member affixed to the padding layer panel comprising edges extending beyond the padding layer panel; and a first component of a fastening element affixed to the edges. Joining padding layer panels comprise a body made of a second material different to the first material; and a second component of the fastening element affixed to the top surface of the joining padding layer. The components of the fastening element are adapted to interface with each other such as releasably attaching joining padding layer panels to the edges of adjacent surface covering panels, and maintain fastening of the adjacent surface covering panels when undergoing thermal expansion resulting in shear displacement of the components of the fastening element.

Abstract: A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased. The cable robot can be moved by cables to different working locations.

Abstract: A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased. The cable robot can be moved by cables to different working locations.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, a deck disposed on the hull, a motor connected to at least one of the hull and the deck, a propulsion system operatively connected to the motor, a command console disposed on the deck and operatively connected to the motor, an accelerator control lever operatively connected to the command console, and a control unit operatively connected to the command console and to the motor. The control unit receives, from the command console, a value representing a current position of the accelerator control lever, controls an operating parameter of the motor based at least in part on the current position of the accelerator control lever, receives, from the command console, a cruise control enabling signal, and in response to receiving the cruise control enabling signal, selectively engages a cruise control function of the watercraft by maintaining the operating parameter of the motor.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface.

Abstract: A self-cooling artificial turf system for water retention and evaporation is described. The system includes a synthetic surface comprising an elastic sub-layer having shock absorbing pads, or shock pads, configured to interlock to one another. Individual ones of the shock pads comprise a top surface and a moisture accumulation region defined by an edge having a height taller than the top surface. Synthetic fibers are positioned above the synthetic surface that are in fluid connection with the at least one moisture accumulation region such that the synthetic fibers are able to wick moisture from the at least one moisture accumulation region when the moisture is present. At least a portion of the synthetic fibers are hydrophilic such that the synthetic fibers wick the moisture as it is expelled from the at least one moisture accumulation region, thereby cooling at least the portion of the synthetic surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a panel that may be combined with other similar panels to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system includes at least one water accumulation region positioned at or near a perimeter of the panel. The at least one water accumulation region is defined by a pyramidal surface that slopes downwards from a center of the panel to distal edges of the panel such that the center has a height relative to a ground surface greater than the distal edges of the panel, a plurality of projections projecting from the pyramidal surface, and a ridge projecting from the pyramidal surface, the ridge extending along a perimeter of the panel, wherein the ridge has a projection height sufficient to retain water at the perimeter of the panel.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface. The drainage hole may be at least partially coupled to projection channels on the bottom-side projections, where the projection channels act as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a shock pad that may be combined with other similar shock pads to form an elastic sub-layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. An artificial turf system may include a synthetic surface and an elastic sub-layer disposed between the synthetic surface and a ground surface. The elastic sub-layer may include a plurality of shock pads configured to retain the synthetic surface and absorb shock. Individual ones of the shock pads may include a top surface connected with the synthetic surface, and a bottom surface facing the ground surface, where a geofabric is affixed to the bottom surface of the individual ones of the pads.

Abstract: An artificial turf system for installation over a receiving surface is described. The artificial turf system comprising: a sheet member made of a flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the receiving surface and a second surface; primary yarns made of straight fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member to a first elevation; and secondary yarns made of textured fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member at a second elevation less than the first elevation which is caused by a difference in texture between the primary yarns and the secondary yarns, wherein the secondary yarns are more rigid than the primary yarns, and wherein the primary yarns and the secondary yarns have ends which are cut after being threaded through the sheet member.

Abstract: An artificial turf system for installation over a receiving surface is described. The artificial turf system comprising: a sheet member made of a flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the receiving surface and a second surface; primary yarns made of straight fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member to a first elevation; and secondary yarns made of textured fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member at a second elevation less than the first elevation which is caused by a difference in texture between the primary yarns and the secondary yarns, wherein the secondary yarns are more rigid than the primary yarns, and wherein the primary yarns and the secondary yarns have ends which are cut after being threaded through the sheet member.

Abstract: There is described a panel assembly to be laid over a base surface and under a carpet-like top layer to install a multi-layered sports-playing field. The padding assembly comprises a panel comprising a top face and a bottom face, with the top face of the panel facing the carpet-like top layer and the panel further comprising drainage holes fluidly connecting the top face to the bottom face. The padding assembly also comprises a drain mat affixed to the bottom face of the panel with the drain mat operating as a fluid-permeable layer distancing the bottom face from the base surface. A method of installing a multi-layered sports-playing field is also described.

Abstract: There is described a panel assembly to be laid over a base surface and under a carpet-like top layer to install a multi-layered sports-playing field. The padding assembly comprises a panel comprising a top face and a bottom face, with the top face of the panel facing the carpet-like top layer and the panel further comprising drainage holes fluidly connecting the top face to the bottom face. The padding assembly also comprises a drain mat affixed to the bottom face of the panel with the drain mat operating as a fluid-permeable layer distancing the bottom face from the base surface. A method of installing a multi-layered sports-playing field is also described.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a panel that may be combined with other similar panels to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The panel for use in a padding layer of a panel system includes a male locking element configured to form a dove-tail connection with at least one adjacent panel. The dove-tail connection includes a male locking element of the panel coupling with a female locking element of the at least one adjacent panel and forming an interference fit between the male locking element and the female locking element. A space is proved between the male locking element and the female element when coupled that permits thermal expansion of the panel.

Abstract: A suspension cable robot is provided, its stability can be improved by using at least three groups of three cables arranged in a parallelogram manner. The ability to remain stable when subjected to forces acting on the robot platform or end effector is thereby significantly increased. The cable robot can be moved by cables to different working locations.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a pad that may be combined with other similar pads to form a padding layer of an athletic field, or other surface, are disclosed. The pad includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Bottom-side projections are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad. Water channels are positioned on the bottom surface of the pad defined as a recessed area between individual ones of the bottom-side projections. A drainage hole is positioned in at least one of the bottom-side projections such that the drainage hole does not connect with any of the water channels on the bottom surface. The drainage hole may be at least partially coupled to projection channels on the bottom-side projections, where the projection channels act as a water vacuum to facilitate air circulation and vertical water evacuation relative to the drainage hole.

Abstract: A trim system for a watercraft has a nozzle pivotable about a trim axis, a trim actuator operatively connected to the nozzle, at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of the watercraft, a control unit electronically connected to the at least one sensor for receiving a sensor input signal indicative of the at least one operating condition. In a first trim control mode, the control unit controls the trim actuator to pivot the nozzle about the trim axis within a first range of trim angles. In a second trim control mode, the control unit controls the trim actuator to pivot the nozzle about the trim axis within a second range of trim angles. The first range of trim angles is greater than the second range of trim angles. A watercraft having a trim system and a method of controlling the trim are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a panel assembly to be laid over a base surface and under a carpet-like top layer to install a multi-layered sports-playing field. The padding assembly comprises a panel comprising a top face and a bottom face, with the top face of the panel facing the carpet-like top layer and the panel further comprising drainage holes fluidly connecting the top face to the bottom face. The padding assembly also comprises a drain mat affixed to the bottom face of the panel with the drain mat operating as a fluid-permeable layer distancing the bottom face from the base surface. A method of installing a multi-layered sports-playing field is also described.

Abstract: An artificial turf system is for installation over a receiving surface. The artificial turf system comprises a flexible sheet member to be laid over the receiving surface via its lower surface. It comprises first yarns having a first melting point; second yarns, distinct from the first yarns and having a second melting point; and third yarns, having a third melting point, with all yarns extending upwardly from the upper surface of the sheet member. The third melting point is lower than the first and second melting point. The artificial turf system undergoes a heat treatment at a temperature higher that the third melting point prior to installation through which third yarns at least partially fuse with part of one of the first yarns and the second yarns. Further described is a method of manufacturing the artificial turf system.