Abstract: A system for data-driven, modular decision making and trajectory generation includes a computing system. A method for data-driven, modular decision making and trajectory generation includes: receiving a set of inputs; selecting a learning module such as a deep decision network and/or a deep trajectory network from a set of learning modules; producing an output based on the learning module; repeating any or all of the above processes; and/or any other suitable processes. Additionally or alternatively, the method can include training any or all of the learning modules; validating one or more outputs; and/or any other suitable processes and/or combination of processes.

Abstract: A system for context-aware decision making of an autonomous agent includes a computing system having a context selector and a map. A method for context-aware decision making of an autonomous agent includes receiving a set of inputs, determining a context associated with an autonomous agent based on the set of inputs, and optionally any or all of: labeling a map; selecting a learning module (context-specific learning module) based on the context; defining an action space based on the learning module; selecting an action from the action space; planning a trajectory based on the action S260; and/or any other suitable processes.

Abstract: A power swing door drive actuator for moving a passenger swing door relative to a body portion of a motor vehicle. The power swing door actuator includes a housing, a motor operably mounted to the housing, and a leadscrew of a spindle drive mechanism rotatably driven by the motor for causing relative translational movement of a drive nut relative to the leadscrew which, in turn, results in the vehicle door swinging between open and closed positions in response to selective actuation of the motor. A first articulation joint unit couples an elongate extensible member fixed to the drive nut to the vehicle body while a second articulation joint unit couples the housing to the vehicle door.

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: In an aspect, a sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle, and comprises a sunroof panel, a final gear and a drive arm. The sunroof panel has a longitudinal axis and which is mounted to the vehicle for longitudinal movement between an open position and a closed position. The final gear is mounted to a stationary member of the vehicle, and is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is pivotable with the final gear about the pivot axis and which has a drive end that is laterally movable relative to the sunroof panel but that is operatively connected to the sunroof panel to drive the sunroof panel longitudinally between the open and closed positions during pivoting movement of the final gear between the first and second positions.

Abstract: In an aspect, a sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle, and comprises a sunroof panel, a final gear and a drive arm. The sunroof panel has a longitudinal axis and which is mounted to the vehicle for longitudinal movement between an open position and a closed position. The final gear is mounted to a stationary member of the vehicle, and is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is pivotable with the final gear about the pivot axis and which has a drive end that is laterally movable relative to the sunroof panel but that is operatively connected to the sunroof panel to drive the sunroof panel longitudinally between the open and closed positions during pivoting movement of the final gear between the first and second positions.

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 pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

Abstract: A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

Abstract: A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a strand of chain between two sprockets including a tensioner body and a ramp fixed to ground. The tensioner body has an oval shape defined by first and second arcuately curved sides. Each side has a distal end, a proximal end, and a blade spring. The first and second arcuately curved sides are coupled together at the distal ends and pivotally attached to ground at the proximal ends. When the first arcuately curved side is in contact with the ramp, the second arcuately curved side is in contact with the chain strand, and the tensioner body is positioned relative to the ramp such that the blade springs of the tensioner body are compressed, a tensioning force is applied to the strand of chain.

Abstract: A tensioner that includes a blade shoe (106), at least one blade spring (112), a ramp 122), and a brake (132). The blade shoe has a curved chain sliding face, an underside, opposite the chain sliding face, a proximal end pivotally attached to ground and a distal end. The ramp is fixed to ground and has a ramp surface (122a) for contacting the chain sliding face or the underside of the blade shoe. The brake is self-energizing, pivotally fixed to ground and has a friction contact surface (132a) for contacting the distal end portion (106c) of the chain sliding face, the blade spring, or the underside of the blade shoe for restricting movement of the distal end of the blade shoe in one direction and allowing movement in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

Abstract: A tensioner that includes a blade shoe (106), at least one blade spring (112), a ramp 122), and a brake (132). The blade shoe has a curved chain sliding face, an underside, opposite the chain sliding face, a proximal end pivotally attached to ground and a distal end. The ramp is fixed to ground and has a ramp surface (122a) for contacting the chain sliding face or the underside of the blade shoe. The brake is self-energizing, pivotally fixed to ground and has a friction contact surface (132a) for contacting the distal end portion (106c) of the chain sliding face, the blade spring, or the underside of the blade shoe for restricting movement of the distal end of the blade shoe in one direction and allowing movement in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a strand of chain between two sprockets including a tensioner body and a ramp fixed to ground. The tensioner body has an oval shape defined by first and second arcuately curved sides. Each side has a distal end, a proximal end, and a blade spring. The first and second arcuately curved sides are coupled together at the distal ends and pivotally attached to ground at the proximal ends. When the first arcuately curved side is in contact with the ramp, the second arcuately curved side is in contact with the chain strand, and the tensioner body is positioned relative to the ramp such that the blade springs of the tensioner body are compressed, a tensioning force is applied to the strand of chain.

Abstract: A document accumulator capable of tool-less adjustment to accomodate a plurality of paper sizes includes a shaft laterally oriented across a paper path through the accumulator, a guide element mounted to the shaft for contacting and guiding documents transported through the accumulator, a connector for slidably connecting the guide element to the shaft, and a compressible O-ring inserted between the shaft and the connector for imparting friction therebetween, whereby the guide element can be translated along the shaft without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A document accumulator capable of tool-less adjustment to accommodate a plurality of paper sizes includes first and second shafts laterally oriented across a paper path through the accumulator, first and second multi-grooved pulleys affixed to the first and second shafts, respectively, and at least one endless belt extending between the shafts, the endless belt engaging a first groove of the first multi-grooved pulley and a first groove of the second multi-grooved pulley. The belt is translatable without the use of tools into a second groove of the first multi-grooved pulley and a second groove of the second multi-grooved pulley for making a paper-size adjustment.