Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: Clamping anchors, kits, and related methods. The present anchors comprise a body with proximal base and distal blade configured to rotate relative to the base. The base defines a channel through which a screw or pin is advanced to apply force to a moment arm projection to rotate the blade and can also include a secondary moment arm offset longitudinally from the transverse line toward the distal end of blade. The moment arm(s) can be straight, curved, or angled surfaces that apply sufficient bending moment to rotate the blade up to 90 degrees or more relative to longitudinal axis. Kits comprise one or more anchors and a screw. The methods comprise inserting an anchor through substrate, advancing a screw through the channel so the distal end pushes the moment arm toward the distal end of anchor causing the blade to bend, at the transverse line, away from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An internal nasal dilator approximates a U-shape having a bight section and two elongated members with end pads. Each member can be custom formed for comfortable and secure placement in the respective nostrils. Insertion is limited when the bight section of the U contacts the bottom of the user's columella. The upper ends of the members transition to widened areas or pads that face outwardly and are shaped and sized to urge the outer wall of their respective nostril outwardly to dilate the nostril to facilitate breathing. The lower portions of the members have inwardly directed projections at a predetermined distance from the bight; these projections overlie the upper ledge of the columella to interfere with or block withdrawal of the dilator unless a sufficient downward force is exerted to enable the projections to slide off and past the ledge of the columella to allow the dilator to be withdrawn.

Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: This disclosure includes kits for retrofitting, or replacing with new, light fixtures using an existing troffer, without using a troffer, and/or including a troffer. Some kits include a frame for a light fixture having a first end, a second end, and a frame length extending between the ends, a first mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the first end of the frame, and a second mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the second end of the frame, where the mounting members are configured to support the frame relative to the troffer. Others of the present kits have a trim configured to support the frame relative to a T-bar support of a suspended ceiling. Some kits have a processor configured to control the light fixtures, and some kits have one or more sensors configured to detect events or environmental characteristics.

Abstract: This disclosure includes light fixtures, sensors and controls, systems, and methods for monitoring, counting and managing people or asset flow and locations in and out of an area or areas of interest. Light beams are generated by visible or invisible light sources, fixtures and/or sensors installed in the area of interest, and people or asset flow, counts, direction, speed and other data are detected. Using wired or secure wireless communications these data are tracked, stored and/or acted upon using on-board logic and/or remote logic and software.

Abstract: This disclosure includes light fixtures, systems and/or kits including light fixtures. This disclosure also includes controls, control systems, and methods of controlling devices such as light fixtures.

Abstract: This disclosure includes kits for retrofitting, or replacing with new, light fixtures using an existing troffer, without using a troffer, and/or including a troffer. Some kits include a frame for a light fixture having a first end, a second end, and a frame length extending between the ends, a first mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the first end of the frame, and a second mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the second end of the frame, where the mounting members are configured to support the frame relative to the troffer. Others of the present kits have a trim configured to support the frame relative to a T-bar support of a suspended ceiling. Some kits have a processor configured to control the light fixtures, and some kits have one or more sensors configured to detect events or environmental characteristics.

Abstract: An aesthetically designed sink (100) comprises a plurality of orifices (110, 115, 120, 125) that deliver different water flow profiles for washing, rinsing, and drinking. Hot and cold water supplies (1110, 1115) supply water to the sink. A series of touch and sliding-touch controls (130-180) regulate the temperature and flow of water from the orifices. A logic circuit (1105) controls all operations, i.e., orifice selection, flow rate, and temperature. In one aspect water flowing from an orifice forms a sheet-shaped stream that arcs over the bowl for ease of washing and drinking. The stream can be illuminated by bi-color light-emitting diodes (121) in colors indicative of the selected temperature of the water flowing through that orifice. Alternatively an orifice is replaced by a removable fixture (900) in a cavity (905) in the sink, which is connected to the water supply (910).

Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: One embodiment of a nasal dilator comprises a pair of pads (100), supported by arms (110, 112) surrounding an air passage (115). Each arm has a bend portion (120) and a pad (121) that grips a wearer's septum (615). Leg portions (125, 125?) extend down from the arms and are connected by a bight that surrounds the wearer's columella (620). The dilator is installed by gripping an optional handle (130) or the bight and inserting the pads and the arms into both nostrils. The dilator is urged upward and inward until the inner side of the bight touches the wearer's columella. To remove the dilator, the user grips the handle or bight and gently pulls downward until the dilator is removed. In an alternative embodiment, optional cushions (102, 122) soften the contact points between the dilator and the user's nasal structures and can supply medications through the user's nasal membranes.

Abstract: A system (100, 600, 700) for fastening objects to a wall or ceiling (120) comprises a rear, wall-anchor section (105, 607, 705) with a bore, and a front, pivotable section (110, 602, 604, 720), rigidly abutted together with no gap, aligned by a projection (135), and connected by a “living” hinge, strap, flap, lanyard or other type of connector (115). The pivotable section has a sharpened tip (112, 630, 635, 725) for penetrating the wall while the fastener is forced into the wall by a hammer or other driving tool or device, or manually by hand. The two sections of the fastener have a tapered, elliptical cross-section (111) which both prevents rotation of the fastener and locally reduces load-responsive pressure in the wallboard. To install, the axes of the wall-anchor and pivotable sections of the fastener are first aligned. The fastener is forced into the wall one of the above means. Then a pin (140) is manually inserted into the bore of the wall-anchor section.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission, in which the driver and driven members can exchange their roles—with the driver becoming the driven, and vice versa. The initially chosen driver carries within it a number of movable parts, which the driving forces bring into contact with the driven member, in a manner designed to produce a momentary lock between the driver and driven members, at the point of the torque transfer between them. In one embodiment the driven member—which can be a flat disc—is clamped between two oppositely placed drivers. Infinite variability is achieved by controllably relocating the fixed diameter drivers to smaller or larger diameter points on the so clamped disc. The output can be harvested from the rotation of said driven disc directly. Or one or more driver members like these which are used to rotate said disc, can be brought into contact with different locations on said disc, and become driven by it.

Abstract: An anchoring fastener comprises a shaft (100) with straight and tapered portions, a tip (105) at the front, cam follower surfaces (110, 111) at the rear, a body (120) with a bore, a head (125) with a hole, and fins (115). There is a bendable region by the fins. The anchor is inserted into a wallboard (600) until the head contacts the wallboard. The fins slice into the wallboard, thereby preventing rotation during and after insertion. An activating member (900), a screw or a pin, is inserted into the hole and urged against the cam follower surfaces, thereby forcing the shaft to rotate until it comes into contact with the inner surface (615) of the wallboard. An object-holding washer (905), restrained by the activating member, is secured to the anchor which in turn is secured to the wallboard.

Abstract: A twist-lock anchoring fastener comprises a head (700), a shaft (715), and a lance (720). The foot is adapted to penetrate through wallboard (105). The shaft length is approximately equal to the thickness of the wallboard so that when the foot lies on the back side (107) of the wallboard and the shaft is rotated, the foot is captured behind the wallboard, completing installation of the fastener. An optional footer (725) for the head contains raised lines (726) or bumps (727) or both to aid in seating the fastener on the wall. An optional wall plate assembly (1700) further strengthens the installation of the fastener by locally reducing pressure within the wallboard. In an alternative embodiment, the fastener comprises a wall anchor that accepts a pin (3200). In another alternative embodiment, the fastener is designed for installation in our prior-art wall anchor (100).

Abstract: An anchoring fastener comprises, in one embodiment, a shaft (100) with straight and tapered portions, a tip (105) at the front end, cam follower surfaces (110, 111) at the rear end, a body (120) with a bore, a head (125) with a hole collinear with the bore in the body, and a pair of fins (115). The shaft and the body are joined at a bendable region by the fins. The anchor is fully inserted into wallboard (600) until the head comes into contact with the outer surface of the wallboard (610). The length of the body is approximately equal to the thickness of the wall. The fins slice into the wallboard, thereby preventing rotation of the anchor during and after insertion. An activating member (900), such as a screw or a pin, is inserted into the hole and bore and urged against the cam follower surfaces, thereby forcing the shaft to rotate until it comes into contact with the inner surface (615) of the wallboard.

Abstract: An object is provided with a cavity for cooperating with a bracket. The bracket is mounted to a vehicle. The bracket has a first surface and side surfaces. The object cavity has a second surface and side surfaces. The bracket is designed to be received by and seated in the object cavity. Once the bracket is seated in the cavity, the object can move in one degree of freedom to unseat from the bracket. The bracket and the object have a magnetic pair, the components of which are arranged so as to attract each other when the bracket is located inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A water energy conversion system for convening the potential energy of water to electrical or mechanical energy, takes water at an inlet (105) from a higher elevation source, through a conduit (110) to a lower location. Then a riser (120) conveys the water up to nearly the same elevation it had at the inlet. The riser acts as a “virtual dam”, delivering the water with nearly the same head as a dam. The water from the riser is delivered to an energy converter (100) which comprises a loop raceway (130) which constrains and guides a plurality of carriage and disc assemblies (135) connected in a continuous train by links (155). An inlet (125) at the top of the energy converter receives the water where it falls downward through a jacket (140) that is constrained by the raceway (140).

Abstract: A compact wall fastener (200) comprises pivotably connected proximal and distal sections where the proximal section has a through hole (205). The distal and proximal sections (220, 222, 235) preferably are flat. The distal section has a cam follower surface (251), a point (240), and a raised portion (250) that has the cam follower surface. The fastener is driven into a wallboard (600) until its proximal surface is parallel to the surface (605) of the wallboard. An activating pin or screw (615) is inserted into the entry of the fastener and forced into contact with the cam follower and then past the raised portion, forcing the distal section to bend, thereby causing the distal section to rotate downward until it is in contact with the inside surface (610) of the wallboard. The result is a secure fastener with minimal damage to the wallboard. In addition, the fastener can be used to fasten layers of delicate or easily displaced materials (1305, 1306, 1307).