Abstract: A propulsion device for vehicles, such as a spacecraft operating within a vacuum configured to ionize a fuel gas. Specifically, a soft ionization system pulls electrons from passing gas molecules directly into conductors and introduces ionized gas molecules into a static accelerating field. The ionized gas is utilized at a point of creation such that a chamber, housing, or channel to contain the ionized gas is not required.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to climbing units that provide an enhanced play experience through the incorporation of any of a variety of elements including nets, suspended portions, and coupling elements, and to playground structures that contain those climbing units. In some embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more net-containing portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. In other embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more suspended portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. The suspended portion may be attached to adjacent rigid portions by flexible couplers, such that the suspended portion will move when a child climbs through it. In other embodiments, the climber unit may be mounted to an elevated playground structure such that there are no footers connecting the climber unit to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily assembled and disassembled shade-providing structure, such as may be mounted to a playground assembly. The shade-providing structure comprises an outer frame defining an interior space and a canopy that may be positioned in that interior space. The canopy has one or more rods around its periphery, such as may be inserted through one or more pockets in the canopy fabric. Each of the outer frame and the rod(s) has a set of apertures configured to receive a locking fastener and a set of apertures configured to receive a jack screw or similar tensioning device. Accordingly, to assembly the structure, one or more jack screws can be used to provide the canopy with a desired tension and then locking fasteners can be used to secure the canopy to the outer frame.

Abstract: Climbing units that provide an enhanced play experience through the incorporation of any of a variety of elements including nets, suspended portions, and coupling elements, and to playground structures that contain those climbing units. In some embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more net-containing portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. In other embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more suspended portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. The suspended portion may be attached to adjacent rigid portions by flexible couplers, such that the suspended portion will move when a child climbs through it. In other embodiments, the climber unit may be mounted to an elevated playground structure such that there are no footers connecting the climber unit to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating play device, such as may be mounted to a play surface of an outdoor playground. The rotating play device includes a central post and an upper framework, e.g. upper ring, rotatably mounted to the central post. The device further includes a lower ring suspended from the upper framework by a plurality of cords. During rotation about the central post, the device is configured such that one or more children may (i) stand on the lower ring and hold the upper ring, (ii) sit on the lower ring and hold one or more of the plurality of cords, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). In some embodiments, at least one of the lower ring and the upper ring may be angled to provide a varying distance between the two rings and/or the cords may be flexible such that a user may modify the distance between the lower ring and upper framework at a given riding location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily assembled and disassembled shade-providing structure, such as may be mounted to a playground assembly. The shade-providing structure comprises an outer frame defining an interior space and a canopy that may be positioned in that interior space. The canopy has one or more rods around its periphery, such as may be inserted through one or more pockets in the canopy fabric. Each of the outer frame and the rod(s) has a set of apertures configured to receive a locking fastener and a set of apertures configured to receive a jack screw or similar tensioning device. Accordingly, to assembly the structure, one or more jack screws can be used to provide the canopy with a desired tension and then locking fasteners can be used to secure the canopy to the outer frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily assembled and disassembled shade-providing structure, such as may be mounted to a playground assembly. The shade-providing structure comprises an outer frame defining an interior space and a canopy that may be positioned in that interior space. The canopy has one or more rods around its periphery, such as may be inserted through one or more pockets in the canopy fabric. Each of the outer frame and the rod(s) has a set of apertures configured to receive a locking fastener and a set of apertures configured to receive a jack screw or similar tensioning device. Accordingly, to assembly the structure, one or more jack screws can be used to provide the canopy with a desired tension and then locking fasteners can be used to secure the canopy to the outer frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating play device, such as may be mounted to a play surface of an outdoor playground. The rotating play device includes a central post and an upper framework, e.g. upper ring, rotatably mounted to the central post. The device further includes a lower ring suspended from the upper framework by a plurality of cords. During rotation about the central post, the device is configured such that one or more children may (i) stand on the lower ring and hold the upper ring, (ii) sit on the lower ring and hold one or more of the plurality of cords, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). In some embodiments, at least one of the lower ring and the upper ring may be angled to provide a varying distance between the two rings and/or the cords may be flexible such that a user may modify the distance between the lower ring and upper framework at a given riding location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to climbing units that provide an enhanced play experience through the incorporation of any of a variety of elements including nets, suspended portions, and coupling elements, and to playground structures that contain those climbing units. In some embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more net-containing portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. In other embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more suspended portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. The suspended portion may be attached to adjacent rigid portions by flexible couplers, such that the suspended portion will move when a child climbs through it. In other embodiments, the climber unit may be mounted to an elevated playground structure such that there are no footers connecting the climber unit to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily assembled and disassembled shade-providing structure, such as may be mounted to a playground assembly. The shade-providing structure comprises an outer frame defining an interior space and a canopy that may be positioned in that interior space. The canopy has one or more rods around its periphery, such as may be inserted through one or more pockets in the canopy fabric. Each of the outer frame and the rod(s) has a set of apertures configured to receive a locking fastener and a set of apertures configured to receive a jack screw or similar tensioning device. Accordingly, to assembly the structure, one or more jack screws can be used to provide the canopy with a desired tension and then locking fasteners can be used to secure the canopy to the outer frame.

Abstract: A transmission system for a passive optical network comprises a shared optical transmission apparatus, a shared electrical interface apparatus and a plurality of transmission convergence termination units. The shared optical transmission apparatus is configured for being coupled to an optical line termination unit via an optical fiber. The shared electrical interface apparatus is coupled to the shared optical transmission apparatus. The plurality of transmission convergence termination units is coupled to the shared electrical interface apparatus. Each one of the transmission convergence termination units is configured for selectively controlling the shared electrical interface apparatus.

Abstract: In an Optical Network Termination (ONT), a software controlled system, method and computer readable medium includes measuring a modulation current of an upstream laser transmission. The measured modulation current is processed to determine if a continuous transmission state is present, in response to which, a processor of the ONT sends a signal to shut down the upstream laser transmission. The software solution allows reconfigurable parameters including sample rate and shut down procedure.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool which includes an axial assist mechanism as well as adjustable feet and a simple drive position limiter. The installation tool is connectable to the chuck of a standard drill. During use, the feet are stepped upon, causing the housing to move along the drive shaft, generally toward the fastener, causing the feet to contact the workpiece. Then, the drill is actuated, causing the drive shaft to rotate and the fastener to thread into the workpiece. At some point during fastener installation, further axial motion of the tool stops as the fastener continues to travel axially due to threading action, and reduces its head engagement with the drive socket. As the fastener seats on the workpiece, the drive socket disengages from the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A transmission system for a passive optical network comprises a shared optical transmission apparatus, a shared electrical interface apparatus and a plurality of transmission convergence termination units. The shared optical transmission apparatus is configured for being coupled to an optical line termination unit via an optical fiber. The shared electrical interface apparatus is coupled to the shared optical transmission apparatus. The plurality of transmission convergence termination units is coupled to the shared electrical interface apparatus. Each one of the transmission convergence termination units is configured for selectively controlling the shared electrical interface apparatus.