Abstract: A fishing line straightener adapted for releaseable attachment to a portion of a fishing pole. The line straightener includes a spring-like, inverted “U” shaped clip. The clip includes a semi-circle top portion adapted for receipt around a portion of the fishing pole. Extending downwardly from the top portion is a pair of clip arms. A magnet is attached to an inside of each clip arm. The fishing line is received between the two magnets when the clip arms are closed and hold the fishing line therebetween. When the fishing line is reeled onto the fishing reel, the magnets hold the fishing line in tension. This feature prevent loops and curls of the line as it is wound on the fishing reel. The clip arms are opened and spread apart when the fishing pole is casting the fishing line.

Abstract: A thermochemical oxidation reactor operably extracts energy from solid solar thermochemical fuel. In another aspect, an oxidation reactor includes a main reactor chamber and an extraction tube connected to the main reactor chamber to directly draw hot gas therefrom. In still a further aspect, an oxidation zone of a thermochemical oxidation reactor has an internal chamber with a larger cross-sectional area ‘A’ as compared to internal cross-sectional areas ‘B’ and ‘C’ of adjacent recuperation and quenching zones of the reactor.

Abstract: A golf putting green cover system that secures to a putting green cup, covering the putting green cup opening. The golf putting green cup cover system may comprise a putting green cup cover holding and adjustment member and a golf putting green cup cover. The putting green cup cover holding and adjustment member is constructed and arranged to be insertable into a putting green cup which is placed within a surface, such as a golf course green or residential backyard. The putting green cup cover holding and adjustment member engages and secures to the putting green cup in a bottom up manner.

Abstract: A flow path duct system for a propulsion system of an aircraft includes a base defining a flow surface. The base has an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of perforations are formed through the base between the internal surface and the external surface. A plurality of supports define a plurality of cavities. The plurality of supports extend outwardly from the external surface of the of the base. One or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with the one or more of the plurality of perforations. A backing surface is secured to the plurality of supports. The plurality of supports are disposed between the base and the backing surface. The one or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with an internal volume defined by the internal surface of the base through the one or more of the plurality of perforations. The base, the plurality of supports, and the backing surface can be integrally formed together as a monolithic, load-bearing structure.

Abstract: A wireless lighting control system for controlling lighting devices and with independent site operation is disclosed. The wireless lighting control system includes a remote server system, user computer devices, and a site system. The site system includes a gateway, a wireless mesh network, and wireless devices. The wireless devices communicate with the gateway via the wireless mesh network. The gateway communicates with the remote server system via a wide-area network. The user computer devices communicate with the remote server system and the gateway. Control information for the wireless devices is stored in the remote server system and is mirrored in the gateway so that the site system can operate independently if communication with the remote server system is lost.

Abstract: A truck bed camping and storage platform is provided. The platform is capable of being installed and removed from the rear (tailgate) of the pickup truck without the need to enter the truck bed. The platform is capable of providing cargo storage space between the platform support legs below, and a surface to sleep on above that is not constrained by the wheel wells in the truck bed. There may also be small side compartments for storage outside the legs of the baseframe of the platform and in front of and/or behind one or more of the wheel wells of the truck. The platform has the capability to be disassembled when not in use for easier storage and transportation.

Abstract: A flow path duct system for a propulsion system of an aircraft includes a base defining a flow surface. The base has an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of perforations are formed through the base between the internal surface and the external surface. A plurality of supports define a plurality of cavities. The plurality of supports extend outwardly from the external surface of the of the base. One or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with the one or more of the plurality of perforations. A backing surface is secured to the plurality of supports. The plurality of supports are disposed between the base and the backing surface. The one or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with an internal volume defined by the internal surface of the base through the one or more of the plurality of perforations. The base, the plurality of supports, and the backing surface can be integrally formed together as a monolithic, load-bearing structure.

Abstract: A wireless lighting control system for controlling lighting devices and with independent site operation is disclosed. The wireless lighting control system includes a remote server system, user computer devices, and a site system. The site system includes a gateway, a wireless mesh network, and wireless devices. The wireless devices communicate with the gateway via the wireless mesh network. The gateway communicates with the remote server system via a wide-area network. The user computer devices communicate with the remote server system and the gateway. Control information for the wireless devices is stored in the remote server system and is mirrored in the gateway so that the site system can operate independently if communication with the remote server system is lost.

Abstract: A lighting controller and methods provide auto-configuration of lighting system behaviors based on the detection of the type of lighting control devices joined to the lighting controller, including motion sensors, daylight sensors, dimmer switches, scene selectors, and other input devices, and based on a heuristic configuration table. Subsequent user selection of configuration options, including based on the configuration table, and manual resetting of the specific configuration settings are also supported by the disclosed lighting controller and methods.

Abstract: A flow path duct system for a propulsion system of an aircraft includes a base defining a flow surface. The base has an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of perforations are formed through the base between the internal surface and the external surface. A plurality of supports define a plurality of cavities. The plurality of supports extend outwardly from the external surface of the of the base. One or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with the one or more of the plurality of perforations. A backing surface is secured to the plurality of supports. The plurality of supports are disposed between the base and the backing surface. The one or more of the plurality of cavities are in fluid communication with an internal volume defined by the internal surface of the base through the one or more of the plurality of perforations. The base, the plurality of supports, and the backing surface can be integrally formed together as a monolithic, load-bearing structure.

Abstract: An ergonomic method for working in confined work spaces is disclosed. The method, in some cases, includes the steps of: a) providing a support structure that is generally in the configuration of a rectangular prism having six faces, a length, width, and a height in which the length, width, and height differ from one another so that the structure provides three different height positions when the support structure is placed on the floor of the workspace; b) placing the support structure with one of its faces in contact with a contoured floor surface in a confined work space; and c) sitting or standing on the support structure.

Abstract: A device for a wireless device control system for controlling lighting devices is disclosed. The device can include a wireless transceiver, a power loss detection circuit, a communication loss detection circuit, a power monitoring circuit, and an output circuit. The device is configurable to provide a preselected communication loss action upon detecting communication loss, a preselected power loss action upon detecting power loss, and a preselected load power fault action upon detecting a load power fault.

Abstract: An access system for managing users engaged in providing care to patients. A patient support apparatus is provided and comprises a frame, a patient support surface configured to support the patient, and a powered device having a function. An input system is disposed in communication with the powered device and is configured to receive input data. A user control system is disposed in communication with the input system and comprises an authorization module. The authorization module is configured to access a permission level for a user dictating whether the user has permission to operate the powered device with the input system to perform the function. The authorization module is further configured to determine performance data relating to performance of the user in caring for the patient based on the input data, and to modify the permission level based on the performance data.

Abstract: A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ergonomic method for working in confined work spaces is disclosed. The method, in some cases, includes the steps of: a) providing a support structure that is generally in the configuration of a rectangular prism having six faces, a length, width, and a height in which the length, width, and height differ from one another so that the structure provides three different height positions when the support structure is placed on the floor of the workspace; b) placing the support structure with one of its faces in contact with a contoured floor surface in a confined work space; and c) sitting or standing on the support structure.

Abstract: A power transfer system comprises a patient support apparatus and a separate power transfer device. The patient support apparatus comprises a support structure having a base and a patient support surface for a patient and wheels coupled to the support structure to facilitate movement of the patient support apparatus over a floor surface. One or more of the wheels includes a power receiver integrated therewith. The power transfer device is energizeable to interact with the wheel to facilitate power transfer between the power transfer device and the power receiver through the wheel.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a support structure comprising a base and a patient support surface to support a patient. An actuator system facilitates movement of the patient support surface relative to a floor surface. One or more sensors are responsive to changes in position of the patient support surface caused by the actuator system. A controller is operably coupled to the one or more sensors and the actuator system. The controller is configured to operate the actuator system to move the patient support surface and to monitor the movement of the patient support surface by sensing positions of the patient support surface over time. The controller is further configured to identify a frictional load event on the actuator system during movement in a present cycle and associate the frictional load event with a sensed position of the patient support surface in the present cycle.

Abstract: A device for a wireless device control system for controlling lighting devices is disclosed. The device can include a wireless transceiver, a power loss detection circuit, a communication loss detection circuit, a power monitoring circuit, and an output circuit. The device is configurable to provide a preselected communication loss action upon detecting communication loss, a preselected power loss action upon detecting power loss, and a preselected load power fault action upon detecting a load power fault.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite wheel for a road vehicle includes a rim and a mount integrally joined to the barrel by spokes, wherein the wheel includes a continuous ply of reinforcing fiber fabric extending through a first spoke, through at least a portion of the mount, and through another spoke of the wheel to provide improved strength, durability and integrity to the wheel.

Abstract: A wireless controller for detecting events and controlling illumination of one or more light fixture is disclosed. The device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor, an input sensor, and an output control module. The wireless controller can be used with a the wireless lighting control system, including one using a wireless mesh network. The controller is configurable for the input sensor and output control module operating in either an interdependent mode or an independent mode. In the interdependent mode the input sensor and output control module are logically/functionally related, and in the independent mode the input sensor and output control module are logically/functionally unrelated.