Abstract: A toy vehicle track system of the present application includes electrical connections between the track pieces that allow a central hub, referred to herein as a “portal piece,” to communicate with any track pieces included in the track system. In order to ensure that the portal piece can quickly and accurately identify track configurations that are built, the toy vehicle track system implements a communications protocol that supports communications between any two pieces of track. Based on these communications, the portal piece can determine an orientation, a track type, and a position of any track pieces attached, whether directly or indirectly, to the portal piece. The portal piece can then transmit this information to an electronic device executing an application associated with the track system to allow for digital play on a digital version of the track configuration (among other digital play modes).

Abstract: A medical device delivery system can include a dilator including a tip having a taper in a distal direction, a coupler, and a flap that radially protrudes from the tip. The flap can be configured to bend against a body lumen to cover at least a portion of the delivery system when the dilator is tracked through the body lumen. A medical device delivery system can include a dilator including a tip having a lumen and a coupler having a lumen. The coupler can be configured to securely connect to the tip such that the lumen of the tip is aligned with the lumen of the coupler to allow a guide wire to pass therethrough. Methods for loading a medical device into a delivery catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural implement operating on a field surface with growing crop plants comprises a plurality of divider mechanisms mounted in front of the implement wheels. Each divider mechanism comprises a divider member comprising a diversion member tapering laterally from a front end of the divider member, operative to push the crop plants away from a path of the wheel, and mounted to the implement by a parallel link assembly. An actuator is connected to the parallel link assembly and moves the divider member up and down. A control is operative to activate each actuator, and a sensor system senses a divider height of each divider member above the field surface. The sensor system is connected to the control such that the control is operative to specify a desired divider height for each divider member.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining a container comprises a vessel with a top opening configured such that the container in an upright orientation can pass downward into the vessel through the top opening. A knife assembly mounted under the top opening has a pointed upper end with right and left blades sloping downward and laterally away from the pointed upper end. The pointed upper end and the blades are configured to cut a flap in a floor of the container when the container is lowered through the top opening and pushed downward against the knife assembly. A push member pushes the flap upward from its remaining attachment along one side thereof as the container is pushed downward. The vessel can be mounted on a stand and include vertical exterior grooves configured to engage corresponding vertical stand members to prevent rotation of the vessel with respect to the stand during use.

Abstract: Embodiments of medical device(s) configured for use by a debilitated or single handed user including flexible strap sections, a semi-rigid strap section configured to be formed into at least a partially enclosing semi-rigid shape by the user, and a ratcheting strap retraction unit or buckle coupled to one end of the first flexible strap section and an oversized buckle on an opposing end of the first strap section. A semi-rigid strap section is configured to insert into and be drawn into the oversized buckle and formed into an enclosing shape, maneuvered by the user over an injured appendage past a point of injury, then folded back over the oversized buckle; next the user operates the ratcheting strap retraction unit or buckle to constrict the strap sections to apply enclosing pressure to the injured appendage. Embodiments can further comprise an injector medical case module and a medical condition monitoring system.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining a container comprises a vessel with a top opening configured such that the container in an upright orientation can pass downward into the vessel through the top opening. A knife assembly mounted under the top opening has a pointed upper end with right and left blades sloping downward and laterally away from the pointed upper end. The pointed upper end and the blades are configured to cut a flap in a floor of the container when the container is lowered through the top opening and pushed downward against the knife assembly. A push member pushes the flap upward from its remaining attachment along one side thereof as the container is pushed downward. The vessel can be mounted on a stand and include vertical exterior grooves configured to engage corresponding vertical stand members to prevent rotation of the vessel with respect to the stand during use.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses and methods are provided associated with an unobtrusive router/relay system (URRS) configured to communicate with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) systems including a first radio frequency (RF) system (e.g. a cell phone, RF system carried or used by an individual or team, etc.), other URRS systems (which each include a second RF receiver/transmitter), and an RF communication's hub (e.g. cell tower, tethered UAV, control center, etc.). Locations are identified for a specific location or number of locations along a transit path where the RF communication's hub lacks transmit/receive coverage with the first RF system. URRS are positioned in the locations or transit path lacking RF communication hub transmit/receive coverage. The exemplary URRS are configured to route/relay the first RF system's signals to the RF communications' hub directly or through one or more other URRS systems. URRS are designed to blend with their surroundings.

Abstract: An identification or messaging system is provided that has embodiments including a embodiment with a structure with different faces and a base with reflective or resonance panels which are positioned at different receiving angles to detect direct signals and amplify them including in a sequence to be detected by an active emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and steered or resonated off or with the panels. An emitter can be an aerial platform with the emitter and a library of reflected or resonated signals that are associated with a particular sequence of panels on the structure which are associated with a particular entity identification or message. Thermal patterned and/or magnetic patterned panels (e.g., for backplane beamforming) and return signal steering can also be provided. Embodiments with secondary signaling systems can also be provided. A variety of various embodiments and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses and methods are provided which provide an ability for rapid manipulation of a light obscuring cover to control brightness of an optical medium based sight assembly reticle projector. Shapes or portions of an exemplary cover can be formed to provide structural elements oriented, shaped, and positioned within a range of motion distance of a user's normal finger or hand positions on an equipment item, e.g. a weapon, suitable for rapid manipulation or repositioning of the cover by a user while minimizing accidental manipulation or movement. The light obscuring cover may flexibly conform and grip to sections of the sight assembly to cover the fiber optic cable or medium. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a lanyard element configured for attaching the light obscuring cover to the scope and thereby be used to manipulate, locate, adjust, or arrest the cover's motion in relation to the sight assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of medical device(s) configured for use by a debilitated or single handed user including flexible strap sections, a semi-rigid strap section configured to be formed into at least a partially enclosing semi-rigid shape by the user, and a ratcheting strap retraction unit or buckle coupled to one end of the first flexible strap section and an oversized buckle on an opposing end of the first strap section. A semi-rigid strap section is configured to insert into and be drawn into the oversized buckle and formed into an enclosing shape, maneuvered by the user over an injured appendage past a point of injury, then folded back over the oversized buckle; next the user operates the ratcheting strap retraction unit or buckle to constrict the strap sections to apply enclosing pressure to the injured appendage. Embodiments can further comprise an injector medical case module and a medical condition monitoring system.

Abstract: An identification or messaging system is provided that has embodiments including a embodiment with a structure with different faces and a base with reflective or resonance panels which are positioned at different receiving angles to detect direct signals and amplify them including in a sequence to be detected by an active emitter that emits electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and steered or resonated off or with the panels. An emitter can be an aerial platform with the emitter and a library of reflected or resonated signals that are associated with a particular sequence of panels on the structure which are associated with a particular entity identification or message. Thermal patterned and/or magnetic patterned panels (e.g., for backplane beamforming) and return signal steering can also be provided. Embodiments with secondary signaling systems can also be provided. A variety of various embodiments and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses and methods are provided associated with an unobtrusive router/relay system (URRS) configured to communicate with a plurality of radio frequency (RF) systems including a first radio frequency (RF) system (e.g. a cell phone, RF system carried or used by an individual or team, etc.), other URRS systems (which each include a second RF receiver/transmitter), and an RF communication's hub (e.g. cell tower, tethered UAV, control center, etc.). Locations are identified for a specific location or number of locations along a transit path where the RF communication's hub lacks transmit/receive coverage with the first RF system. URRS are positioned in the locations or transit path lacking RF communication hub transmit/receive coverage. The exemplary URRS are configured to route/relay the first RF system's signals to the RF communications' hub directly or through one or more other URRS systems. URRS are designed to blend with their surroundings.

Abstract: An instrumentation structure includes a sensor array and a support structure. The sensor array is rotatable around multiple axes. Radar absorbent material (RAM) is adapted to conform to non-planar exterior surfaces of the instrumentation structure.