Abstract: Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Abstract: The manual food processor includes a first shelf configured to receive a blade cartridge. The first shelf includes a first slider configured to selectively retain the blade cartridge at the first shelf. The manual food processor also includes a pair of guide rails extending from the first shelf and a second shelf slidable along the pair of guide rails. The second shelf is configured to receive a pusher block cartridge and includes a second slider configured to selectively retain the pusher block cartridge at the second shelf. The manual food processor also includes a handle mechanism operable to cause the second shelf to slide along the guide rails between an open position and a closed position. The first shelf is spaced apart from the second shelf in the open position, and the pusher block cartridge interfaces with the blade cartridge in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Abstract: Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Abstract: Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Abstract: A spoolie for sealing a tube passing through an air gap or other interruption within a high temperature operating environment. The apparatus and method allow for a sealing service pathway between areas of differential temperature while allowing for relative movement consistent with thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a shaft. Also included is a slip ring having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of aperture walls, each of the aperture walls having a corner, the slip ring surrounding at least a portion of the shaft. Further included is a lock sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the slip ring, at least one of the corners of the plurality of aperture walls frictionally engaging one of an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the lock sleeve to establish a fixed interface on a first side of the slip ring, the slip ring having a second side that establishes a slip interface with one of the shaft and the lock sleeve.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a shaft. Also included is a slip ring having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of aperture walls, each of the aperture walls having a corner, the slip ring surrounding at least a portion of the shaft. Further included is a lock sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the slip ring, at least one of the corners of the plurality of aperture walls frictionally engaging one of an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the lock sleeve to establish a fixed interface on a first side of the slip ring, the slip ring having a second side that establishes a slip interface with one of the shaft and the lock sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a spoolie (60) for sealing a tube (50) passing through an air gap or other interruption within a high temperature operating environment. The apparatus allow for a sealing service pathway between areas of differential temperature while allowing for relative movement consistent with thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A computer system for preparing a document which includes multiple elements having a common noun and being differentiated by a reference indicia with each combination of primary and secondary adjectives by automatically scanning the document for each combination of the primary and secondary adjectives and inserting all of the reference indicia following the common noun in response to a scanning processor detecting the occurrence of the common noun unmodified by an adjective to reference the unmodified common noun with all of the reference indicia for the elements throughout the document without attaching the reference indicia to occurrences of the common noun modified by one of the adjectives.

Abstract: A system for preparing a patent application in conjunction with a word processing program. The patent application includes elements, each having a common noun and being differentiated by a different adjective or combination of adjectives. The computer program automatically inserts the proper reference numeral or reference numerals following each occurrence of the common noun throughout the patent application.

Abstract: A template a setting forth document is imbedded into a word processing computer program and a portion of the document is drafted in the template including a fixed section not be changed by a subsequent user. A coded connection is embedded between the word processing computer program and the fixed section sent to a subsequent user for preventing use of the word processing computer program with documents other than the sent document.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patent application by running a software macro to present a Tool bar to display options including Setup and Number Claims and Build Description and Build Intro Sections for duplicating the claims into the description section for dividing selected claims into portions preceding and following a characterized by clause and duplicating certain portion of the selected claims into the introductory sections and Build Abstract and Count Abstract and Forma and Mark Element and Element List and Number Patent for displaying a different reference numeral with each root element name with a different adjective to describe different elements in response to high-lighting each root element name plus the different adjective for each different adjectively distinguished element and Protect wherein an Auto-Protect option for automatically protecting a selected word or number numbers from change during patent numbering routines is presented in response to selecting Protect.

Abstract: A method of preparing a patent application by running a software macro to present a Tool bar to display options including Setup and Number Claims and Build Description and Build Intro Sections and Build Abstract and Count Abstract and Format and Mark Element and Element List and Number Patent wherein a Collect option for arranging the order of and renumbering the claims to place each claim as close as possible to the parent claim from which it depends is presented in response to selecting Number Claims and an Element Combinations option for displaying the element combinations assigned to a selected element name in the plural without an adjective and all reference numerals used with that selected element name differentiated by adjectives is presented in response to selecting Mark Element.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel insecticidal animal ear tags, neck collars or pendants, and a method for controlling insects in a homeothermic animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel insecticidal devices, and methods for controlling insects in a homeothermic animal.

Abstract: A method and computer program for drafting a claim set in a patent application presents a Tool bar (20) including an Add Claim option (22). A detailed numbered claim is presented and includes a plurality of old limitations and novel limitations. By selecting the Add Claim option (22) in the Tool bar (20), a numbered claim set is presented. A broad claim is included in the claim set and includes a broad claim characterized by clause. Each of the novel limitations are automatically presented in separate sequentially numbered dependent novel claims following the broad claim in the claim set. Each of the old limitations are automatically presented in separate sequentially numbered dependent old claims following the novel claims in the claim set.

Abstract: A system for preparing a patent application in conjunction with a word processing program. The patent application includes elements, each having a common noun and being differentiated by a different adjective or combination of adjectives. The computer program automatically inserts the proper reference numeral or reference numerals following each occurrence of the common noun throughout the patent application.