Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle having a prime mover motively coupled to a drive line; a motor/generator selectively coupled to the drive line, and configured to selectively modulate power transfer between an electrical load and the drive line; a battery pack; a DC/DC converter electrically interposed between the motor/generator and the electrical load, and between the battery pack and the electrical load, the DC/DC converter comprising a DC/DC converter housing; and a covering tray positioned over a plurality of batteries of the battery pack, the covering tray comprising a connectivity layer configured to provide electrical connectivity to terminals of the plurality of batteries.

Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: A vise for holding a workpiece that reduces jaw lift having a vise base with a longitudinally extending guide channel that includes vise base flanges with base flange guide surfaces, the vise having vise trucks that move longitudinally within the guide channel, the vise having jaws that are selectively securable relative to the trucks wherein the jaws and the trucks include lift surfaces that move the trucks toward the jaws transversely to the longitudinal direction as the jaws engage the workpiece to lock the jaws and the trucks relative to the guide channel when the workpiece is clamped in the vise.

Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating products with a dehydrator that includes a dehydration chamber, a heater for heating air in the dehydration chamber, and a fan for circulating air in the dehydrator includes receiving a set temperature at which to perform the dehydration and a set time for which to perform the dehydration. The process also includes setting the heater to operate in an on condition and setting the fan to run at a low speed until the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature. The process further includes setting the heater to an off condition and setting the fan to run at a high speed when the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating products with a dehydrator that includes a dehydration chamber, a heater for heating air in the dehydration chamber, and a fan for circulating air in the dehydrator includes receiving a set temperature at which to perform the dehydration and a set time for which to perform the dehydration. The process also includes setting the heater to operate in an on condition and setting the fan to run at a low speed until the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature. The process further includes setting the heater to an off condition and setting the fan to run at a high speed when the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for discharging a fastener. In particular embodiments, the invention comprises a fastener-dispensing device comprising a fastener striker in operational communication with a striker driving means. The fastener-dispending device also includes a device body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion containing the striker driving means and the lower portion containing the striker, wherein the upper portion is pivotable in a sideways direction relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: A clamp may include two clamping members that are pivotally connected at one end.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: A ground clamp kit may include a first clamp having a wire reception member suitable to receive and electrically connect to an associated electrical wire to be grounded and a second clamp. Each clamp may be suitable to be clamped to an associated grounding component. The ground clamp kit may also include an electric conductor that electrically connects the first clamp to the second clamp.

Abstract: A ground clamp kit may include a first clamp having a wire reception member suitable to receive and electrically connect to an associated electrical wire to be grounded and a second clamp. Each clamp may be suitable to be clamped to an associated grounding component. The ground clamp kit may also include an electric conductor that electrically connects the first clamp to the second clamp.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus including a first strap and a second strap. The first strap including an attachment end for attachment to an associated structural member, an intermediate portion having a first radius of curvature for contacting an elongate article, and a connection end having a first aperture for receiving a fastener. The second strap including an attachment end for attachment to an associated structural member, an intermediate portion having a second radius of curvature for contacting the elongate article, and a connection end having a second aperture for receiving the fastener. The first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.

Abstract: A wire coupling device which may be used joining at least a separate first wire and second wire comprising: a housing having at least a first port and a second port, each port configured to receive a separate wire; a camming member disposed between the at least first and second ports, the camming member rotatable between a first, open position and a second, closed position, where the camming member provides electrical contact between the at least first wire and second wire when in the second, closed position.

Abstract: A utility strap which may be used to retain utility lines may include a finger defining a receiving section wherein the receiving section is sized to hold utility lines; a tab extending from one end of the finger wherein the tab defines an attaching surface and the tab contains at least one aperture on the attaching surface; a bushing sized to fit into the at least one aperture and the bushing having a through hole sized to receive fasteners.

Abstract: A clamp may include two clamping members that are pivotally connected at one end.

Abstract: A utility holder which may be used to retain utility lines may include a holder having a first portion having at least two pairs of fingers defining at least two receiving sections wherein the receiving sections may be sized to accept utility lines; a second portion having a base wherein the pairs of fingers extend from the base with the longitudinal axes of the receiving sections being substantially parallel.