Abstract: A pallet top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks. Each support block includes an inner wall surrounding an interior opening, an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, and a plurality of ribs extending between the inner and outer walls. A first plurality of upper tabs extend outwards from upper surfaces of the inner wall and the plurality of ribs, with each tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging top deck tab openings in an underside of the top deck. A second plurality of upper tabs extend outwards from the upper surfaces of the inner wall and the plurality of ribs, with each tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging the top deck tab openings. The angled contact surfaces of the first and second plurality of upper tabs face away from each other.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a pedal assembly for selecting between a first state and a second state different from the first state, and comprising first and second pedals. The first and second pedals are configured to pivot together in a first rotational direction relative to a respective pivot axis to transition from the first state to the second state, and the first and second pedals are configured to pivot together in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to transition from the second state to the first state. At least a distal portion of the first pedal is configured to pivot independently from the second pedal in the first rotational direction when in the first state, and at least a distal portion of the second pedal is configured to pivot independently from the first pedal in the second rotational direction when in the second state.

Abstract: A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A medical chair includes a base, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally mounted relative to the seat and adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The chair further includes a first actuator for tilting the seat with respect to the base, a second actuator for lifting the seat with respect to the base, and a leg rest actuator adapted to move the leg rest. The chair also includes a controller adapted to control the first and second actuators to move the seat between a first position and a second position such that the seat is both lifted and tilted at the same time as the seat moves from the first position to the second position, and wherein the controller is adapted to control the leg rest actuator such that the leg rest maintains a substantially constant orientation with respect to the floor.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards encoding and transmitting data over a homogeneous network, heterogeneous network or without a network using secure sessions. An application generates a payload that includes information associated with the application and a another application. An encoding engine obtains a session bundle and the payload from the application. A message package that includes an encoded version of the payload such that the payload may be encoded based on the session bundle and the payload. The message package may be provided to the application. The application may select a communication facility to send the message package to the other application. The other application employs its communication facility to receive the message package from the application. The decoding engine may decode the message package based on a second session bundle. The decoding engine may provide the payload of the decoded message package to the other application.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards encoding and transmitting data over a homogeneous network, heterogeneous network or without a network using secure sessions. An application generates a payload that includes information associated with the application and a another application. An encoding engine obtains a session bundle and the payload from the application. A message package that includes an encoded version of the payload such that the payload may be encoded based on the session bundle and the payload. The message package may be provided to the application. The application may select a communication facility to send the message package to the other application. The other application employs its communication facility to receive the message package from the application. The decoding engine may decode the message package based on a second session bundle. The decoding engine may provide the payload of the decoded message package to the other application.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus designed to rock on a ground surface and support a user in one of a plurality of positions with enhanced stability and user safety is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a pair of side plates coupled together by a plurality of rods and disposed on the ground surface, each side plate having an upper surface with a concave shape and a lower surface having a convex shape that contacts the ground surface and permits a lateral rocking movement of the side plate, the lower surface of each side plate having a pair of fins extending from opposing ends toward the ground surface. The user grabs any number of the plurality of rods to maneuver the side plates within the permitted range of lateral movement, thereby enabling the user to perform the variety of exercises in the plurality of supported positions.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, chair, stretcher, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, a plurality of load cells, and first and second channels dimensioned to receive noses of at least one of the load cells. The first channel constrains a first one of the load cells in a first direction but not a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The second channel constrains the second load cell in the second direction but not the first direction. The person support apparatus may also include a plurality of load cell brackets that are each adapted to support an end of one of the load cells. When included, the load cell brackets are constructed such that no forces from the support surface, other than weight forces, are applied to the load cells after the support surface is coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus comprises a base, a patient support deck, a wheel assembly, and a braking system. The wheel assembly includes a wheel and a braking mechanism. The braking system includes a linkage assembly, a manual actuator, and an electrical braking assembly. The linkage assembly is arranged to place the braking mechanism in a braked state and a released state. The manual actuator moves the linkage assembly manually to place the braking mechanism in the braked state and the released state. The electrical braking assembly includes a driving assembly that moves to a first position and to a second positing that causes the linkage assembly to place the braking mechanism in the braked state and the released state, and to a home position that allows the linkage assembly to move relative to the driving assembly to enable the braking mechanism to be manually actuated with the manual actuator.

Abstract: A person support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, chair, stretcher, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, a plurality of load cells, and first and second channels dimensioned to receive noses of at least one of the load cells. The first channel constrains a first one of the load cells in a first direction but not a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The second channel constrains the second load cell in the second direction but not the first direction. The person support apparatus may also include a plurality of load cell brackets that are each adapted to support an end of one of the load cells. When included, the load cell brackets are constructed such that no forces from the support surface, other than weight forces, are applied to the load cells after the support surface is coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A medical chair includes a base, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally mounted relative to the seat and adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The chair further includes a first actuator for tilting the seat with respect to the base, a second actuator for lifting the seat with respect to the base, and a leg rest actuator adapted to move the leg rest. The chair also includes a controller adapted to control the first and second actuators to move the seat between a first position and a second position such that the seat is both lifted and tilted at the same time as the seat moves from the first position to the second position, and wherein the controller is adapted to control the leg rest actuator such that the leg rest maintains a substantially constant orientation with respect to the floor.

Abstract: Dual alloy Gas Turbine Engine (GTE) rotors and method for producing GTE rotors are provided. In one embodiment, the method include includes arranging bladed pieces in an annular grouping or ring formation such that shank-to-shank junctions are formed between circumferentially-adjacent bladed pieces. A first or bonding alloy is deposited along the shank-to-shank junctions utilizing a localized fusion deposition process to produce a plurality of alloy-filled joints, which join the bladed pieces in a bonded blade ring. The bonding alloy is preferably selected to have a ductility higher than and a melt point lower than the alloy from which the bladed pieces are produced. After deposition of the first alloy and formation of the alloy-filled joints, a hub disk is inserted into the central opening of the bonded blade ring. The hub disk and blade ring are then bonded utilizing, for example, a Hot Isostatic Pressing process.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.

Abstract: A robotic material handling system has a controller that positions a nose conveyor surface proximate to an article pile, uses a robotic manipulator to robotically move one or more articles per operation onto the nose conveyor from the article pile, and receives a scan of the nose conveyor surface to detect respective locations of any articles received on the nose conveyor surface. The controller determines whether the respective locations of any scanned articles prevent immediate rearward conveyance by the two or more parallel conveyors at a first speed. If so detected, the controller causes at least one of the two or more parallel conveyors to operate at the first speed and at least another one of two or more parallel conveyors to operate at a second speed that is not equal to the first speed so that cartons do not jam or overwhelm a narrower rearward conveyor.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a seat section, a backrest section that is movable relative to the seat section, and an arm supported relative to the seat section. The arm is adapted to move between a first position adjacent the seat section for use as an arm rest for a person sitting on the patient support apparatus to a raised second position adjacent the backrest section. The arm and the backrest section are coupled together when the arm is in the raised second position wherein the arm moves with the backrest section.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for utilizing cellular technology to communicate from locations that are separate or physically distant from the location of a subscriber identity module (SIM) and/or physically separate from a mobile or cellular device are provided. One method may include receiving a request from a user to remotely access at least one physical SIM that is assigned to a global network of radio communications gateways, and assigning at least one of the SIMs to one of the radio communications gateways, so that the assigned SIM is able to route communication to or from the user via its assigned radio communications gateway.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a control unit, a plurality of connection ports, and a user interface operatively coupled to the control unit an having an electronic display. The control unit may be configured and programmed to operate the wire insertion sensing circuits to identify a set of the plurality of connection ports into which corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted; cause the electronic display to display a photograph of the plurality of connection ports as they actually appear to a user; and cause the electronic display to visually highlight the set of the plurality of connection ports into which the corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus including a seat section, a backrest section that is movable relative to the seat section, and an arm supported relative to the seat section. The arm is adapted to move between a first position adjacent the seat section for use as an arm rest for a person sitting on the patient support apparatus to a raised second position adjacent the backrest section. The arm and the backrest section are coupled together when the arm is in the raised second position wherein the arm moves with the backrest section.