Abstract: A smart power strip having a plurality of first electrical contacts along a surface adjacent a track along which a plurality of power plugs can be selectively slid and locked in place to form customized arrangements of different power plugs along the smart power strip. Each power plug provides one of the following power and data interfaces: two-prong power, three-prong power, USB, and HDMI interfaces along a first face thereof, and wherein along an opposing second face each power plug provides a plurality of second electrical contacts for operatively associating a subset of the first electrical contacts, whereby each power plug is selective controllable and readable by a software application. The present invention also provides one or more spacers which can be locked along the track to selectively space apart each interchangeable power plug.

Abstract: An optical sensor system may include optical fibers having at least one corresponding optical sensing element configured to reflect light; a laser configured to output light of a discrete wavelength and to change the discrete wavelength through a sequence; an optical network connecting the laser to the optical fibers, and configured to split the output light so that a split portion of the output light is transmitted through an optical fiber of the optical fibers to the at least one corresponding optical sensing element which may reflect at least a portion of the split portion; an optical sensor configured to obtain information about of the reflected light and to output data corresponding to the information about the reflected light; and a processor configured to: obtain, from the optical sensor, the data corresponding to the information about the reflected light in correspondence with discrete wavelengths of the sequence.

Abstract: A power stealing system having an electrical load, a capacitive element having an input connected to the electrical load. Some power from the electrical load may go through the capacitive element to an input of a rectifier. A voltage regulator may have an input connected to an output of the rectifier to set and control a voltage level of the electrical power from the rectifier, and provide an output of power stolen from the electrical load. An amount of power flowing through the capacitive element may be less than one percent of power flowing through the electrical load.

Abstract: A power stealing system having an electrical load, a capacitive element having an input connected to the electrical load. Some power from the electrical load may go through the capacitive element to an input of a rectifier. A voltage regulator may have an input connected to an output of the rectifier to set and control a voltage level of the electrical power from the rectifier, and provide an output of power stolen from the electrical load. An amount of power flowing through the capacitive element may be less than one percent of power flowing through the electrical load.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sliding a bed-bound person by first attaching a force member to a stratum such as a bed sheet. A horizontal force is then applied to the force member and is increased until the stratum begins to slide. A substantially opposite horizontal force is conveyed upon a human body, substantially proximate to a lower back region.

Abstract: A reentry gate assembly is for use with a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly, a chute and a strapping head. The reentry gate assembly directs returning strapping material into the strapping head and releases the strapping material therefrom to prevent the strap from becoming caught as it is pulled from the chute. The reentry gate assembly includes a body having a strap path surface and first and second pivotable gates movable between a closed position in which the gates overly the strap path surface and define a strap pathway, and an open position in which the gates are pivoted away from the strap path surface. A link operably connects the first and second gates. When strapping material present in the strap pathway with the gates closed is urged outwardly of the strap pathway, contact of the strapping material with either the first or second gate moves the link to open the other of the first or second gate, so that both gates open together.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a strapping head for a strapping machine includes a body having a generally rectangular cross-section and defining a cavity therein having an end wall. The body has a gripping pad on an exterior portion thereof. The body further includes pin openings in opposing walls. A single spring stack is disposed in the cavity. An end of the spring stack abuts the inner end wall of the body. A follower block is positioned in the cavity. The follower block has a base and a roller support portion. The roller support portion has pin openings therein. A roller is positioned in the roller support portion. The roller has a passage therethrough. A retaining pin is disposed through the body pin openings, the follower block pin openings and the roller passage. The retaining pin is disposed to maintain the follower block within the body cavity with the roller secured thereto and to maintain the spring stack captured within the body cavity.

Abstract: A strapping head for a strapping machine includes a novel anvil arrangement having an offset connecting link for translating eccentric drive movement to linear oscillations for effecting strapping welds. The strapping head includes a stationary body, an anvil mounted to the body. A sealing member is disposed in a slot in the anvil. The sealing member oscillates in a longitudinal direction and is restrained from movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. The offset link operably connects the drive and the sealing member. The link has a first element adapted to receive an eccentric movement and a second element adapted to deliver a linear oscillating movement. The first and second elements are operably connected to one another by a connecting pin. The first and second element lie on different planes to permit ready removal of the sealing member from the anvil slot.

Abstract: A reentry gate assembly is for use with a strapping machine of the type having a feed assembly, a chute and a strapping head. The reentry gate assembly directs returning strapping material into the strapping head and releases the strapping material therefrom to prevent the strap from becoming caught as it is pulled from the chute. The reentry gate assembly includes a body having a strap path surface and first and second pivotable gates movable between a closed position in which the gates overly the strap path surface and define a strap pathway, and an open position in which the gates are pivoted away from the strap path surface. A link operably connects the first and second gates. When strapping material present in the strap pathway with the gates closed is urged outwardly of the strap pathway, contact of the strapping material with either the first or second gate moves the link to open the other of the first or second gate, so that both gates open together.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a strapping head for a strapping machine includes a body having a generally rectangular cross-section and defining a cavity therein having an end wall. The body has a gripping pad on an exterior portion thereof. The body further includes pin openings in opposing walls. A single spring stack is disposed in the cavity. An end of the spring stack abuts the inner end wall of the body. A follower block is positioned in the cavity. The follower block has a base and a roller support portion. The roller support portion has pin openings therein. A roller is positioned in the roller support portion. The roller has a passage therethrough. A retaining pin is disposed through the body pin openings, the follower block pin openings and the roller passage. The retaining pin is disposed to maintain the follower block within the body cavity with the roller secured thereto and to maintain the spring stack captured within the body cavity.

Abstract: A strapping head for a strapping machine includes a novel anvil arrangement having an offset connecting link for translating eccentric drive movement to linear oscillations for effecting strapping welds. The strapping head includes a stationary body, an anvil mounted to the body. A sealing member is disposed in a slot in the anvil. The sealing member oscillates in a longitudinal direction and is restrained from movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. The offset link operably connects the drive and the sealing member. The link has a first element adapted to receive an eccentric movement and a second element adapted to deliver a linear oscillating movement. The first and second elements are operably connected to one another by a connecting pin. The first and second element lie on different planes to permit ready removal of the sealing member from the anvil slot.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame for conveying the strapping material around the load, a feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding the strapping material, a guide configured to transfer the strapping material from the feed assembly and a strapping head. The head is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide during a feed mode. The strapping head includes a body and defines a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute, and a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The second conveyance path is defined by a plurality of surfaces in the body that define a substantially constant width path through the second conveyance path.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame, a feed assembly mounted to the frame a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly and a strapping head mounted to the frame independent of the feed assembly and the guide. The feed assembly is configured to feed the strapping material therethrough. The guide receives the strapping material from the feed assembly and provides a path for the strapping material toward the strapping head. The strapping head includes a body and provides a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute. The head includes a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The strapping head has an anvil pivotally mounted to the body that forms a part of the second conveyance path.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, includes a modular strapping head and a modular feed assembly. The strapping head and feed assembly are readily installed on and removed from the strapping machine without tools. The Strapping machine includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame and defining a strap path, the feed assembly mounted to the frame by a first aligning and mounting assembly, the strapping head assembly mounted to the frame by a second aligning and mounting assembly independent of the first mounting assembly, and a guide mounted to the frame adjacent the feed assembly. Both the feed assembly and the strapping head are independently removable from the frame.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute defining a strap path that is mounted to the frame, and a feed assembly mounted to the frame. The feed assembly is configured to operate in a feed mode to feed the strapping material and to operate in a take-up mode to retract the strapping material. A strapping head is configured to seal the strapping material to itself. A controller is operably connected to the feed assembly and controls the operation of the strapping machine. A sensor is disposed to sense the presence and absence of strapping material at the strapping head. The sensor includes first and second movable biased elements cooperating with one another and movable between a first position in which the sensor senses the presence of strapping material and a second position in which the sensor senses the absence of strapping material.

Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load includes a frame, a chute mounted to the frame for conveying the strapping material around the load, a feed assembly mounted to the frame for feeding the strapping material, a guide configured to transfer the strapping material from the feed assembly and a strapping head. The head is configured to receive the strapping material from the feed assembly via the guide during a feed mode. The strapping head includes a body and defines a first conveyance path for the strapping material from the guide to the chute, and a second conveyance path to receive a free end of the strapping material to seal the strapping material to itself. The second conveyance path is defined by a plurality of surfaces in the body that define a substantially constant width path through the second conveyance path.