Abstract: A non-contact object and/or gesture detection system includes at least one sensor configured to sense an object or motion within a field of view (FOV) using radio frequency radiation. Various sensor and brackets are provided which may allow a position and/or tilt of the sensor to be adjusted for controlling the FOV. A sensor housing includes a vent filter that breathable but impermeable to liquids. Various antenna designs are provided to provide desired FOV sizes and shapes, particularly for optimizing a radiation pattern that is relatively wide and shallow. A steerable antenna layout is also provided for controlling the location of the FOV without an adjustable bracket. A sensor housing including a projector mount for an icon projector is provided. A seal prevents debris from entering between the antenna and the bumper.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snow/ice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: A skate shield for use with ice skates. The skate shield includes a rigid shell made at least of outer and inner layers of fiber reinforced plastic or polymer (FRP), and a fastener assembly for releasably securing the shell to a boot portion of the ice skate. The shell includes a medial side portion interconnected to a lateral side section via a top portion. A reinforced section formed by reinforcing layers laminated between the outer and inner layers is provided in at least one of the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the shell.

Abstract: A powered garage door opener is provided for operating a garage door between an open and closed position. The powered garage door opener comprises a main housing mounted adjacent the garage door. An electric motor and gear train assembly is mounted within the main housing and coupled to the garage door to drive the garage door between the open and closed positions. A power supply is mounted within the main housing and electrically connected to the electric motor and gear train assembly. A control module is mounted within the main housing and electrically connected to the power supply and the electric motor and gear train assembly for controlling selective actuation of the electric motor and gear train assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snow/ice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: A skate shield for use with ice skates. The skate shield includes a rigid shell made at least of outer and inner layers of fiber reinforced plastic or polymer (FRP), and a fastener assembly for releasably securing the shell to a boot portion of the ice skate. The shell includes a medial side portion interconnected to a lateral side section via a top portion. A reinforced section formed by reinforcing layers laminated between the outer and inner layers is provided in at least one of the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the shell.

Abstract: A powered garage door opener is provided for operating a garage door between an open and closed position. The powered garage door opener comprises a main housing mounted adjacent the garage door. An electric motor and gear train assembly is mounted within the main housing and coupled to the garage door to drive the garage door between the open and closed positions. A power supply is mounted within the main housing and electrically connected to the electric motor and gear train assembly. A control module is mounted within the main housing and electrically connected to the power supply and the electric motor and gear train assembly for controlling selective actuation of the electric motor and gear train assembly.

Abstract: A powered bicycle racking system is disclosed for use with a motor vehicle and which is configured to be concealed within or beneath a rear bumper area of the motor vehicle. The system includes a power-operated presenter unit that can be controlled to move a folding bicycle attachment assembly that is mounted to a mounting structure between retracted and extended position. In the retracted position, the bicycle attachment assembly is folded and concealed within the bumper. In the extended position, the bicycle attachment assembly can be unfolded for mounting a bicycle thereto.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a corner edge of a snow travel member, which may be, for example, a ski or a snowboard. The corner edge is between a bottom face and a side face of the snow travel member. The sharpener includes an angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle between surfaces on the sharpener that support the bottom face and side face of the snow travel member, in order to accommodate different snow travel members, that may have different angles between their bottom face and their side face. For example, the angle adjustment member may be capable of adjusting the angle between a bottom face orienting surface on the sharpener and a side face orienting surface on the sharpener between a range of angles. The range of angles may be, for example, a range from 85 degrees and 90 degrees.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a corner edge of a snow travel member, which may be, for example, a ski or a snowboard. The corner edge is between a bottom face and a side face of the snow travel member. The sharpener includes an angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle between surfaces on the sharpener that support the bottom face and side face of the snow travel member, in order to accommodate different snow travel members, that may have different angles between their bottom face and their side face. For example, the angle adjustment member may be capable of adjusting the angle between a bottom face orienting surface on the sharpener and a side face orienting surface on the sharpener between a range of angles. The range of angles may be, for example, a range from 85 degrees and 90 degrees.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly having a foundation tube, a rotary actuator mounted in the foundation tube for changing the azimuth of the panel and a linear actuator mounted to the foundation tube for controlling the elevation angle of the panel. The linear actuator utilizes a spindle drive. The rotary actuator includes a motor and gearbox; a drive screw connected to the motor; a spindle screw, one end of which provides an output of the rotary actuator; a drive nut having a first threaded hole for receiving a thread of the drive screw and a second threaded hole for receiving a thread of the spindle screw, the guide nut having a guide fin; and a guide rail interacting with the nut guide fin to constrain the nut from rotating, whereby the rotation of the drive by screw by operation of the motor causes the nut to translate linearly which in turn causes the spindle screw to rotate.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly includes a light concentrator attached to one face of a solar cell. The solar cell is attached to an electrical connector having an insulating substrate, a first electrically conductive terminal including a flat plate portion mounted to the insulating substrate, and a second electrically conductive terminal mounted to the insulating substrate. The second terminal has a U-shaped plate portion that partially circumscribes the first terminal, including opposing first and second legs and a web interconnecting the first and second legs. Each leg includes a flexibly resilient wing, the two wings being disposed in opposing relationship.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for connecting a glass panel to a window regulator has a liner for gripping opposing sides of the glass panel and a holder, connectable to the window regulator, having a channel for seating the liner. At least one of the liner and the holder channel has sloping walls so that the gripping pressure of the holder and liner against the glass panel increases the deeper the liner sits in the holder channel. The liner includes an array of sloping teeth and the holder includes an array of sloping teeth, the liner teeth and holder teeth inter-engaging one another to form a ratcheting mechanism that enables the liner to travel in only one direction, deeper into holder.