Abstract: A nozzle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nozzle including a throat section. The nozzle further includes a ball portion of a ball and socket joint. The assembly further includes a vehicle including a socket portion of the ball and socket joint. The nozzle is mounted to the vehicle and the ball portion is received at least partially in the socket portion. A flow regulator is arranged adjacent the throat section and configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the throat section. The flow regulator is attached to the nozzle upstream of the throat section. An actuator is attached to the nozzle, and the actuator is configured to selectively rotate the nozzle via the ball and socket joint about a first axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A rocket and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cart generally includes a body, a wheel assembly, first and second handles, and a scoop. The body defines an interior usable for holding materials. The body includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The wheel assembly includes at least one axle and first and second wheels. Each of the first and second handles includes a handle portion to allow a user to move the cart and a leg portion for contacting a support surface. The scoop is rotatable relative to the body between a plurality of positions including at least a forward position and a rearward position. In the forward position, the scoop is adjacent the forward portion of the body, whereby the scoop increases carrying capacity of the cart. In the rearward position, the scoop is disposed at least partially over and/or adjacent the rearward portion of the body.

Abstract: A cart generally includes a body, a wheel assembly, first and second handles, and a scoop. The body defines an interior usable for holding materials. The body includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The wheel assembly includes at least one axle and first and second wheels. Each of the first and second handles includes a handle portion to allow a user to move the cart and a leg portion for contacting a support surface. The scoop is rotatable relative to the body between a plurality of positions including at least a forward position and a rearward position. In the forward position, the scoop is adjacent the forward portion of the body, whereby the scoop increases carrying capacity of the cart. In the rearward position, the scoop is disposed at least partially over and/or adjacent the rearward portion of the body.

Abstract: A thermal stand-off includes a rigid thermal stand-off section within a spatial region that extends along a distance between a first location and second, opposed location. The rigid thermal stand-off section includes a tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path that extends from the first location to the second location. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path is longer than the distance of the spatial region. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include a tensile spring constant that is greater than a maximum tensile spring constant of a coil spring that fits in the same spatial region and is formed of the same material composition. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include an antegrade section and, relative the antegrade section, a retrograde section.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a leash generally includes an elastic core and at least one loop or eyelet having an opening that allow an extra clip to be attached near the handle. The clip may be used to selectively gather a portion of the leash in a loop to thereby shorten the effective length of the leash. The extra clip may be used to attach the leash to an object without detaching the leash from the pet's collar. Both ends of the leash may have hooks for releasable attachment to a pet collar and/or to a handle. The handle may also be attached to a loop in the middle of the leash for converting the leash into two shorter connected leashes for walking two pets. A single handle may further be attached to two leashes to allow four pets to be walked concurrently and tangle-free while using the single handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factory-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar.

Abstract: A thermal stand-off includes a rigid thermal stand-off section within a spatial region that extends along a distance between a first location and second, opposed location. The rigid thermal stand-off section includes a tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path that extends from the first location to the second location. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path is longer than the distance of the spatial region. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include a tensile spring constant that is greater than a maximum tensile spring constant of a coil spring that fits in the same spatial region and is formed of the same material composition. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include an antegrade section and, relative the antegrade section, a retrograde section.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus and methods for retaining (e.g., controlling, funneling, redirecting, gathering, and/or capturing, etc.) tennis balls hit into tennis nets, to inhibit or prevent the tennis balls from bouncing off or rolling away from a tennis net back onto the main playing surface of a tennis court.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factory-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus and methods for retaining (e.g., controlling, funneling, redirecting, gathering, and/or capturing, etc.) tennis balls hit into tennis nets, to inhibit or prevent the tennis balls from bouncing off or rolling away from a tennis net back onto the main playing surface of a tennis court.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheeled shovels. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheeled shovel generally includes a wheel assembly having an axle and a wheel. The wheeled shovel also includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame may be disposed relative to the axle such that the axle is operable as a fulcrum about which the frame may pivot. A handle may be disposed at about the upper portion of the frame. A shovel blade may be disposed at about the lower portion of the frame. The wheel assembly, frame, handle, and shovel blade may be cooperatively configured so as to enable the wheeled shovel to throw a load of material generally upwardly and forwardly away from the shovel blade in response to a sufficient force applied to the handle for pivoting the frame relative to the axle with a recoil generated through the fulcrum at the axle.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factor-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices and methods, which may aid in leaf and debris (or other particles) cleanup or transport sometimes used in conjunction with tarps and/or filling of garbage cans and garbage/leaf bags, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a funneling apparatus generally includes a sheet having edges defining a perimeter. A stay may be disposed along at least one of the edges and at least partially along the perimeter of the sheet. The funneling apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the sheet is substantially flat and a second configuration in which the sheet is rolled into at least one funnel-like configuration. The stay may be operable for helping the sheet remain substantially flat for the first configuration of the funneling apparatus and/or for helping retain the funnel-like configuration for the second configuration of the funneling apparatus.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices and methods, which may aid in leaf and debris (or other particles) cleanup or transport sometimes used in conjunction with tarps and/or filling of garbage cans and garbage/leaf bags, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a funneling apparatus generally includes a sheet having edges defining a perimeter. A stay may be disposed along at least one of the edges and at least partially along the perimeter of the sheet. The funneling apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the sheet is substantially flat and a second configuration in which the sheet is rolled into at least one funnel-like configuration. The stay may be operable for helping the sheet remain substantially flat for the first configuration of the funneling apparatus and/or for helping retain the funnel-like configuration for the second configuration of the funneling apparatus.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices and methods, which may aid in leaf and debris (or other particles) cleanup or transport sometimes used in conjunction with tarps and/or filling of garbage cans and garbage/leaf bags, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a funneling apparatus generally includes a sheet having edges defining a perimeter. A stay may be disposed along at least one of the edges and at least partially along the perimeter of the sheet. The funneling apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the sheet is substantially flat and a second configuration in which the sheet is rolled into at least one funnel-like configuration. The stay may be operable for helping the sheet remain substantially flat for the first configuration of the funneling apparatus and/or for helping retain the funnel-like configuration for the second configuration of the funneling apparatus.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheeled shovels. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheeled shovel generally includes a wheel assembly having an axle and a wheel. The wheeled shovel also includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame may be disposed relative to the axle such that the axle is operable as a fulcrum about which the frame may pivot. A handle may be disposed at about the upper portion of the frame. A shovel blade may be disposed at about the lower portion of the frame. The wheel assembly, frame, handle, and shovel blade may be cooperatively configured so as to enable the wheeled shovel to throw a load of material generally upwardly and forwardly away from the shovel blade in response to a sufficient force applied to the handle for pivoting the frame relative to the axle with a recoil generated through the fulcrum at the axle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of devices to attach to submarines or other water craft to enable a sonar array to function better at higher water speeds. When operated, the devices slow down or fully offset the mounted array's (hydrophones' or arrays') relative water speed and reduce the water friction noise on the array, allowing it to function more optimally. In an exemplary embodiment, a device includes a telescoping boom that can be alternately retracted and extended to provide cycles (or rotates to provide similar cycles for any one array) of higher performance reception and “hearing” by the array, as its relative water speed is reduced or offset. The device can be mounted on the external surface of the hull to “retrofit” existing craft or built so that in the telescoping embodiment, the housing can be fully retracted and hidden from view and otherwise protected more fully when not in use.