Abstract: One embodiment of a dual purpose Planting System allows for the growth of plants in an upright position and also allows for the growth of inverted or upside down plants. One embodiment of a dual purpose Planting System allows for the growth of plants in an upright position until after the plants have reached early maturity or maturity and begin to suffer the effects of gravity as a result of sheer size, legginess or vegetable growth. At this point the much larger, stronger plants—when inverted—will have greater access to sunlight or other light sources (and therefore the process of photosynthesis) as a result of the sheer size of the plant in relation to the planter and its position between the sun and the larger plant.

Abstract: One embodiment of a furnace or heat collection device installed in or above the firebox of a residential fireplace, chimney, commercial smokestack, etc. The embodiment is typically made of metal or other highly heat conductive material, but other materials may also prove suitable. One manifestation of the embodiment is a hollow walled oblong tube. It is anticipated that the embodiment can take many other shapes including, circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, etc., but other shapes may also prove suitable, in order to achieve maximum efficiency and safety and in order to fit a variety of fireplaces or chimneys or smokestack structures. The embodiment is seamlessly integrated with the primary heating or energy system of the premises.

Abstract: A foldable device (100) includes two housings (102, 108) rotatably coupled by a hinge (3800) about an axis of rotation (211). The hinge (3800) has a stationary element (3802) and a movable element (3804) positioned in a pocket (3858) of one of the housings (102, 108). The movable element (3802) is restricted to movement along the axis of rotation (211). This prevents the generation of audible clicking noises that are characteristic of existing hinge arrangements.

Abstract: Conductive pads (126) of a first PCB (114) and conductive pads (128) of a second PCB (116) are electrically coupled. An electrical device includes a housing portion (112) which has an inner face (122) including a protrusive element (200). First PCB (114) has a body (203) and a flexible portion (204) which includes conductive pads (126). An elastomeric connector (208), having an elastomeric face (210) and an elastomeric edge (212), is positioned adjacent to protrusive element (200). First PCB (114) is disposed within inner face (122) of housing portion (112) such that flexible portion (204) bends, preferably at an angle perpendicular to body (203) of first PCB (114), by protrusive element (200). Flexible portion (204) is secured to elastomeric face (210), thus securing conductive layers of elastomeric connector (208) to conductive pads (126).

Abstract: A novel conductive contact comprises a dual beam spring (308, 310) which forms a "C" shaped spring and which is used to electrically mate to a contact on a printed circuit board. The open end of the "C" spring preferably fits over a plastic rib (404) in a housing for support. A surface mount contact (504) on the PCB has formed wings which fit into a rectangular slot in the PCB. To make electrical connection, the board is placed over the "C" spring. The "C" spring and plastic support protrude through the rectangular slot in the PCB. The conductive contact is preferably formed from a single piece of metal.