Abstract: A drive system (21), for use in a washing machine (10), that includes a motor (23) and a planetary gearbox (26) having an outer casing (29) rotatably mounted by bearings (31A and 31B) between a tub (13) of the washing machine and the motor. A clutch (38) is selectively operable to engage the gears in a first mode to connect an input shaft (25) to drive at least a first output shaft (15) without speed reduction and, in a second mode, to drive the first output shaft at a controlled and reduced speed in one direction while simultaneously driving a second output shaft (18) at a second controlled and reduced speed the opposite rotational direction. The first gearbox output shaft (15) and the outer casing (29) are permanently rotationally fixed together in both first and second modes.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly (16) that can be pre-assembled, ready for installation in a home appliance such as a laundry washing machine (70). The motor assembly contains two axially-spaced rolling bearings (6, 9), separated by a rotor (12) hub of the electric motor, and a stator (11). An outer housing of the assembly is provided by two oppositely-di shed bearing supports (5, 8) that are connected together at their peripheries to enclose a central space, each of the bearings mounted to a respective one of the bearing supports. The central openings of the bearings and the rotor hub are co-axially aligned and supported in position so that the motor assembly may be fitted over the end of a drum shaft (4) of the laundry machine with the drum shaft in direct contact with at least one of the bearings and the rotor hub non-rotationally engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, gear ratios on vehicles. A front vehicle can shift a gear which, via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, can cause a rear vehicle to shift gears. To maintain a gap, vehicles may shift gears at various relative positions based on a grade of a road.

Abstract: A rotor for a motor comprising a frame having a hub for connecting the rotor to a shaft and a perimeter portion for interacting with a stator of the motor to cause the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame comprises legs extending from an outer portion of the frame towards the hub, each leg having an inner end at the hub and an outer end at the outer portion of the frame, the inner ends of a first plurality of legs being spaced from the inner ends of a second plurality of legs in a direction along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are provided. The expedition cart includes a chassis configured and dimensioned to support a load. The expedition cart includes first and second gusset plates attached to the chassis. Each of the first and second gusset plates includes a central body portion and curved fastening edges on either side of the central body portion. The curved fastening edges can be configured and dimensioned to mate against at least a portion of the chassis. Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are also provided that include first and second hubs engaged with the chassis, the first and second hubs defining either a single part or a two part design.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are provided. The expedition cart includes a chassis configured and dimensioned to support a load. The expedition cart includes first and second gusset plates attached to the chassis. Each of the first and second gusset plates includes a central body portion and curved fastening edges on either side of the central body portion. The curved fastening edges can be configured and dimensioned to mate against at least a portion of the chassis. Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are also provided that include first and second hubs engaged with the chassis, the first and second hubs defining either a single part or a two part design.

Abstract: Pill dispensers including a housing, a bottom cap that engages an open bottom end of the housing, and a base that engages the bottom cap such that the bottom cap is spaced from the base. The bottom cap is adapted to facilitate movement of pills into a transport member, which is moveable with respect to the remainder of the bottom cap from a first position aligned with an upper opening in the bottom cap to a second position aligned with a lower opening in the bottom cap, through which a pill is dispensed.

Abstract: A rotor for a motor comprising a frame having a hub for connecting the rotor to a shaft and a perimeter portion for interacting with a stator of the motor to cause the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame comprises legs extending from an outer portion of the frame towards the hub, each leg having an inner end at the hub and an outer end at the outer portion of the frame, the inner ends of a first plurality of legs being spaced from the inner ends of a second plurality of legs in a direction along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A rotor for a motor comprising a frame having a hub for connecting the rotor to a shaft and a perimeter portion for interacting with a stator of the motor to cause the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame comprises legs extending from an outer portion of the frame towards the hub, each leg having an inner end at the hub and an outer end at the outer portion of the frame, the inner ends of a first plurality of legs being spaced from the inner ends of a second plurality of legs in a direction along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A suspension unit assembly comprises a strut having a first end and a second end and a coupling disposed at the first end of the strut. The coupling has a strut part connected to the strut and a mounting part configured to tilt relative to the strut part of the coupling. A spring is disposed about the strut, one end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling so that tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling causes the spring to deform and provide a return force that acts to return the coupling to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: A portable, personal apparatus for transporting liquid having a bottle configured to contain liquid. The bottle has a longitudinal axis. A first opening open in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis in a pour position. A first cover coupled to the bottle and configured to close the first opening in a closed position. A second opening open in a direction generally orthogonal with the longitudinal axis in a fill position. A second cover coupled to the bottle and configured to close the second opening in a storage position. The second cover remaining coupled to the bottle when the second cover is in the fill position.

Abstract: A laundry machine comprising a dynamically suspended assembly including a drum for holding laundry, rotationally mounted with the dynamically suspended assembly, a supporting structure for the dynamically suspended assembly, and at least one suspension assembly coupled between the dynamically suspended assembly and the supporting structure for supporting the dynamically suspended assembly, with a load sensor between the suspension assembly and the supporting structure or between the suspension assembly and the dynamically suspended assembly.

Abstract: A suspension unit assembly comprises a strut having a first end and a second end and a coupling disposed at the first end of the strut. The coupling has a strut part connected to the strut and a mounting part configured to tilt relative to the strut part of the coupling. A spring is disposed about the strut, one end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling so that tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling causes the spring to deform and provide a return force that acts to return the coupling to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: Germicidal light fixtures and germicidal light fixture systems. One embodiment of a germicidal light fixture includes a support structure and at least one first lighting device coupled with the support structure operative to emit ultraviolet radiation at a first predetermined wavelength. At least one second lighting device is coupled with the support structure and is operative to emit ultraviolet radiation at a second predetermined wavelength. The first and second predetermined wavelengths are selected such that ultraviolet radiation emitted from the at least one first lighting device and from the at least one second lighting device, respectively, is operative to inactivate microorganisms. At least one third lighting device is coupled with the support structure and is operative to emit visible radiation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are provided. The expedition cart includes a chassis configured and dimensioned to support a load. The expedition cart includes first and second gusset plates attached to the chassis. Each of the first and second gusset plates includes a central body portion and curved fastening edges on either side of the central body portion. The curved fastening edges can be configured and dimensioned to mate against at least a portion of the chassis. Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are also provided that include first and second hubs engaged with the chassis, the first and second hubs defining either a single part or a two part design.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an expedition cart are provided. The expedition cart includes a chassis configured and dimensioned to support a load. The expedition cart includes a first gusset plate and a second gusset plate secured to the chassis. The expedition cart further includes a first sleeve mounted to the first gusset plate and a second sleeve mounted to the second gusset plate. The first sleeve can be configured and dimensioned to releasably receive therein at least a portion of a first shaft arm. The second sleeve can be configured and dimensioned to releasably receive therein at least a portion of a second shaft arm. Exemplary expedition cart systems and methods of assembling an expedition cart are also provided.

Abstract: A rotor for a motor comprising a frame having a hub for connecting the rotor to a shaft and a perimeter portion for interacting with a stator of the motor to cause the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame comprises legs extending from an outer portion of the frame towards the hub, each leg having an inner end at the hub and an outer end at the outer portion of the frame, the inner ends of a first plurality of legs being spaced from the inner ends of a second plurality of legs in a direction along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A laundry machine comprising a dynamically suspended assembly including a drum for holding laundry, rotationally mounted with the dynamically suspended assembly, a supporting structure for the dynamically suspended assembly, and at least one suspension assembly coupled between the dynamically suspended assembly and the supporting structure for supporting the dynamically suspended assembly, with a load sensor between the suspension assembly and the supporting structure or between the suspension assembly and the dynamically suspended assembly.

Abstract: A rotor for a motor comprising a frame having a hub for connecting the rotor to a shaft and a perimeter portion for interacting with a stator of the motor to cause the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation. The frame comprises legs extending from an outer portion of the frame towards the hub, each leg having an inner end at the hub and an outer end at the outer portion of the frame, the inner ends of a first plurality of legs being spaced from the inner ends of a second plurality of legs in a direction along the axis of rotation.