Abstract: A roofing system and method, which includes elongate rain diverting devices for directing rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material and roof deck, is provided. The system includes roofing tiles having strips of hook and loop fasteners (H&L strips) adhered to both faces. The rain diverting devices have an H&L strip adhered along a lower edge of both faces. As each new row of tiles is installed on the roof deck, the device is applied over an upper portion of the tiles, extending over and onto the sheet material above the tiles, and across the roof deck. As additional rows of tiles are installed, each device is releasably attached to underlying and overlying tiles by way of the H&L strips adhered to both the tiles and the device. The devices also allow for single lap tiling (less weight on roof deck) and for use of shorter tiles (saving material cost).

Abstract: Broad volumetric range pipettes with multi-tiered pipette tip holder and ejection assemblies and methods of using such pipettes are disclosed herein. These pipettes typically include a concentric cylinder arrangement with each outer cylinder configured for contacting and dislodging a pipette tip attached to the tip holder portion of the immediately adjacent inner cylinder. In this manner, different sized pipette tips can be used on a single device. In addition, a locking mechanism is described for locking the large tip holder into a downward position to minimize the extension of the small tip holder and thereby enabling attachment of large, filtered pipette tips and reducing/eliminating the risk that the liquid being transferred will contaminate the pipetting device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing a prepaid metering system an electric utility meter interface. The prepaid metering system includes a meter interface a customer interface unit and a revenue management system.

Abstract: A toilet seat lift comprising a base having opposite sides, a seat support mounted on the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis extending side-to-side with respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position, a seat on the seat support having an opening therein adapted to overlie a toilet, and a power actuator for pivoting the seat support from its lowered position to its raised position.

Abstract: A toilet seat lift comprising a base having opposite sides, a seat support mounted on the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis extending side-to-side with respect to the base between a lowered position and a raised position, a seat on the seat support having an opening therein adapted to overlie a toilet, and a power actuator for pivoting the seat support from its lowered position to its raised position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inlet valve assembly for central vacuum systems. In particular, this invention relates to an inlet valve assembly including an inlet face plate, a mounting plate, having a deformable mounting flange, and an electrical receptacle integrally formed with a high voltage wire. In some uses, the inlet valve assembly also can include a low voltage wire which can be used to complete a low voltage circuit to initiate a central vacuum motor. The mounting plate can accommodate the electrical receptacle in a temporary position and the inlet face plate can rear mount the receptacle into a locked position where the receptacle is securely attached to the inlet face plate. In this manner, the receptacle may be mounted to the inlet face plate even though one end of the high voltage wire is already wired into an electrical box.

Abstract: An exterior ventilation device having a main body with an upstanding perimeter wall and an attachment flange extending outwardly from the upstanding perimeter wall. A plurality of louvers extend across the body adjacent to the other end of the perimeter wall each of the louvers being sloped downwardly and outwardly. A trim ring is attachable to the main body and defines a cavity between the attachment flange and the skirt of the trim ring into which siding may be inserted. The body is provided with a water directing rib to direct any water running down the body from the back of the body towards the front of the body and thus outside of any cladding material located in the cavity between the trim ring and the attachment flange. In one embodiment the water directing feature is a rib and in another embodiment the feature is a groove.

Abstract: An hydraulic toilet seat assembly utilizes available household water pressure to lift, elevate and lower a toilet seat so as to facilitate mounting and dismounting by a person who is disabled or infirm. As the seat rises it assumes a forwardly pitched orientation to further facilitate use. A positive displacement fluid divider unit delivers to hydraulic motors appropriate volumes of water to drive motor pistons through different distances, so as to produce the desired seat inclination.