Abstract: Described is a hybrid lifevest enclosure having a base, a frame assembly, and an attachment member for coupling the base to the frame assembly. The base may be formed of a flexible material and the frame assembly may be formed of a rigid material. The hybrid lifevest enclosure may comprise a sealed configuration in which the base is coupled to the frame assembly in a manner that prevents insertion of a foreign object having a length of 9.9 cm and a diameter of 0.9 cm into the sealed configuration without evidence that the sealed configuration has been unsealed. The hybrid lifevest enclosure may also comprise a sealed configuration that complies with Design for Safety requirements.

Abstract: A method for detecting a downhole position in a wellbore comprises: providing a set of signal emitters, each signal emitter in the set attached to a different position in the wellbore and each signal emitter configured to emit a signal having a unique characteristic; and providing a measurement tool comprising a signal detector configured to detect the different signals and a rotation device configured to rotatably contact a wall of the wellbore. The measurement tool is moved through the wellbore and one or more positions of the measurement tool in the wellbore is determined by detecting one or more of the signals and identifying the position of one or more of the signal emitters by the unique characteristic of each detected signal, and by detecting the number of rotations in a ranging wheel of the rotation detector that contacts the wellbore.

Abstract: An artificial bait features an overmolded fish attractant sponge and ports through which fish attractant exudes. The bait is comprised of a soft resilient plastic. A container portion of the bait houses the sponge. The container portion includes perforations for fluid communication with the housed sponge. Prior to injection molding, the sponge is a dry compressed cellulose sponge. The sponge is coated with oil prior to injection molding. Pins or blades in the mold assembly position the oil-coated, compressed, cellulose sponge in the container portion of the bait. The pins or blades also define perforations in the container portion for fluid communication with the sponge. The oil coating on the compressed cellulose sponge prevents molten plastic from impregnating the sponge during the injection molding process. The oil coating does not cause the sponge to expand. After manufacture, a water-based fish attractant is introduced into and absorbed by the sponge via the perforations.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a vehicle safety system includes a processing unit configured for use in a vehicle. The processing unit includes or is associated with one or more vehicle sensors, such as object detection sensors, and one or more cameras. The processing unit processes vehicle sensor signals to detect vehicular events of interest, such as potentially hazardous operating conditions, and in response it selectively activates recording by one of one or more cameras mounted on the vehicle. For example, during lane changing or lane departure events, the processing unit may activate one or more cameras to capture a visual record of objects in the vehicle's vicinity, or may activate recording responsive to object detection, e.g., leading vehicle detection or front, back, side, top object proximities. Further, the processing unit may tailor recording control based on its particular operating mode, or in response to manual input.

Abstract: A golf cart altered such that the occupants are protected against the effect of lightning strikes by an electrically conductive grid (23 & 23a) on the roof, preferably star shaped, connected electrically to electrically conductive down-conductors, preferably at least 6 in number, four of which may be the roof supports (16 & 24) and the other two (18) moveable to allow ease of access to the golf cart and each to be connected to a plurality of flexible electrically conductive members (26) to, preferably via a metal chassis, touch the ground The movable electrically conductive members are connected to at least one of said roof or said base construction by a bearing; The whole defines a protective surrounding electrically conductive cage enclosing the golf cart and its occupants with improved rigidity, safety and practicality.

Abstract: A rack for securing wheeled vehicles, particularly bicycles, includes wheel-receiving wells for receiving the front wheel of the vehicle and contacting the wheel at least at two points. A wheel-engaging arm, pivotally mounted to the rack, is pivoted upwardly and is extensible outwardly against a biasing element. The arm is adapted to engage the wheel of the bicycle at least at a third point for securely holding the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle safety sensor allows a vehicle operator such as a truck driver to detect the presence of adjacent objects in order to avoid collision with same. In one embodiment, three detection ranges providing feedback with various lights and sounds can be used with separate sensors, with some sensors automatically made “live” upon reversing or turning of the vehicle, and some sensors being manually activated, such as when an overpass is encountered.

Abstract: There is provided a small transmitter designed to be worn by a detainee in a house arrest system. A tamper-resistant band retains a housing on an appendage (e.g., a wrist or ankle, etc.) of the detainee. The band contains stainless steel strands for strength. In addition, a fiber optic stand connected at one end of the band to a light source and at the other end to a light detector is used to detect severance of the band. The band may also have a conductive portion in contact with the skin of the detainee. The conductive portion is connected to a proximity detector so that in the event that a detainee managed to remove the device without severing the band and, consequently, the fiber optic strand, an alert could be generated at a monitoring station. Tamper alerts as well as low battery status are transmitted by a low power, RF transmitter within the housing. An IR control port is provided to selectively activate and deactivate the unit.

Abstract: Testing apparatus for testing string lamps such as hose of Christmas lights. The apparatus includes a hand held housing having two sockets for testing lamps, an indicating lamp, and a buzzer. One socket connects power from a battery to the electrodes of the lamp. The other socket is associated with an inductive circuit which energizes the indicating lamp and buzzer when the inserted lamp is operable. Externally exposed electrodes connected to the indicating lamp and buzzer enable testing of fuses. Internal circuitry includes a 4069 chip containing a plurality of individual amplifiers.

Abstract: The present invention features a self-contained, programmable, telephone-activated emergency visual alert system. Low energy consumption LED visual alert "strobe" signal is directly powered from the inventive control unit. Multiple emergency telephone numbers may be programmed into the control unit making the inventive system highly effective for use in areas without standard "911" emergency dispatch service. In an alternate embodiment, the visual indicator may be located some distance away from the controller unit and be activated by means of an rf or other wireless control link. A small, inexpensive battery at the remote indicator may power the receiver and indicating lamp for long periods of time without the need for battery replacement. Programmable integrated circuits form the basis of the control circuitry allowing low component count, low power consumption and, ultimately, low cost and long term, reliable operation.

Abstract: A combination straw, lid and cup including a cup, a lid forming a cover for the cup hinged at one end thereof, means for retaining the lid in an open position and against the body of the cup, an externally-mounted straw one end of which is passed through the bottom of the cup into the interior thereof and the other end extending above the rim of the cup, and a housing for the straw.