Abstract: A local server can be provided at the premises. The local server can monitor connectivity of workstations to a cloud server. When the workstations are connected to the cloud server, they may request the encoding of keycards to the cloud server, and the cloud server may command the encoders to proceed with the encoding of the keycards accordingly. When detecting an interruption in the connectivity, the local server can enable the local creation of new bookings. This can include storing booking data stemming from the new booking into the memory; and encoding one or more keycard via a given one of the encoders, including granting the one or more keycards access, for the access period, to one or more of the electronic locks corresponding to the one or more of the units. When detecting the connection, the local creation of new bookings can be disabled.

Abstract: Firearm cartridges are provided. The firearm cartridge includes a projectile and a cartridge case. The cartridge case includes head, body, shoulder, and neck sections. The cartridge case further includes a case wall. The case wall defines a chamber that extends from the head section to the neck section and has at least a first thickness about the body section and a second thickness about the shoulder section, the second thickness being less than the first thickness. The case wall about the shoulder section defines a hollow volume. The case wall about the neck section engages with the projectile, and the case wall about at least at least a portion of the body section is in contact with the projectile. The chamber is separated into a first chamber portion within the body section and a second chamber portion within the shoulder section by an engagement between the projectile and the wall.

Abstract: Sound suppressors are provided. The sound suppressor includes an engagement, attachable to a barrel of a firearm, and one or more baffle structures manufactured by 3D printing and forming a baffle stack. Each baffle structure includes one or more baffles housed within a wall. The baffles are connected to one another and to the wall by one or more supports, which provide for improved structural strength. The supports further define channels between the baffles and the wall, decreasing weight without sacrificing structural strength. The channels are open or sealed to facilitate flow of pressurized gas between chambers defined by the baffles and the wall, the pressurized gas being generated during discharge of the firearm. The pressurized gas decompresses and cools while traveling between the chambers and the channels, thereafter exiting the sound suppressor at a decreased pressure, temperature, and velocity, which may attenuate a noise associated with the discharge.

Abstract: There is described a method of operating an electronic lock locking a community asset and controlled by a community controller via a network, with the community controller being communicatively coupled to a first mobile device and to a second mobile device. The method generally has: the community controller communicating a mobile key unlocking the electronic lock to the first mobile device; the community controller receiving, from the second mobile device, a request to cancel the mobile key communicated to the first mobile device, the first mobile device being associated to first user profile information and the second mobile device being associated to second user profile information different from the first user profile information; and the community controller assessing the request and canceling the mobile key communicated to the first mobile device based on said assessing.

Abstract: A control for a load-handling device including a gripper for handling a load and being connected to pressure controlled gripping, lifting and tilting actuators The control including a pressure-sensing actuator assembly, a gripping pressure regulator and pressure control assembly. The pressure-sensing actuator assembly being is placed in pressure communication with the lifting and tilting actuators. The gripping pressure regulator regulates the gripping pressure. The pressure control assembly includes interrelated movable members for interacting with the pressure-sensing actuator assembly and for acting on the gripping pressure regulator. The pressure-sensing actuator is adapted to sense the weight of the load from the pressure of the lifting and tilting actuators and to communicate this pressure to the pressure control assembly.

Abstract: A control for a load-handling device including a gripper for handling a load and being connected to pressure controlled gripping, lifting and tilting actuators The control including a pressure-sensing actuator assembly, a gripping pressure regulator and pressure control assembly. The pressure-sensing actuator assembly being is placed in pressure communication with the lifting and tilting actuators. The gripping pressure regulator regulates the gripping pressure. The pressure control assembly includes interrelated movable members for interacting with the pressure-sensing actuator assembly and for acting on the gripping pressure regulator. The pressure-sensing actuator is adapted to sense the weight of the load from the pressure of the lifting and tilting actuators and to communicate this pressure to the pressure control assembly.

Abstract: The swim training device includes a pole for use in compression between a belt worn on the waist of the swimming user and a floating base.

Abstract: In an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), an optical signal is coupled to an optical fiber path to be tested, and back-scattered and reflected light from the optical fiber path is detected and used to determine loss-distance characteristics of the path. A control unit varies the wavelength of the optical signal by varying the temperature of a semiconductor laser constituting the optical source, so that the loss-distance characteristics for a plurality of different wavelengths are determined and can be displayed to show any wavelength dependent loss of the optical fiber path, which loss may be due to modal interference associated with closely spaced discontinuities in the path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lock capable of being automatically bolted and released, and useful as a knot running along a loop made by a sling wound around a load to be dragged. The lock is made up of a keeper and of a bolt capable of fitting into it, the bolt having a radial lock face. A claw is mounted on the keeper. The claw is capable to move between a retracted position to allow insertion of the bolt in the keeper and an active position where it locks with the lock face, after the bolt has been inserted the keeper. In the active position, a spring device presses on the claw to draw the bolt fully in the keeper. The keeper is also provided with at least one pawl which is made to move between a retracted position, free of the bolt, and an active position where it stands in locking engagement upstream of the lock face. A damper device acts on each pawl for retarding radial movement thereof.

Abstract: A tree shear is disclosed which has a frame on which is mounted a pair of blades for pivotal movement relative to one another in scissors fashion; the blades being pivoted by hydraulic jacks. Each blade pivots on a rotary shaft having an eccentric center portion, each blade being mounted on the eccentric portion so that, as the shaft rotates, it causes the blade to oscillate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for unreeling a cable. The apparatus comprises a drawing mechanism for unreeling the cable. This drawing mechanism includes a motor provided with a shaft, a disk having its center rigidly locked to the shaft, the disk being provided with three pins perpendicular to its surface, and a wheel having its center positioned around the shaft by means of a ball bearing. The wheel has one of its lateral sides adjacent to the disk surface provided with the pins, the side of the wheel being provided with three slots extending circumferentially for receiving the three pins in such a manner that phase displacement is allowed between the disk and the wheel. Three springs are provided for keeping each pin against the forward extremity of its respective slot. The circumference of the wheel is covered by a resilient friction-surface adapted to squeeze the cable against a rotative guiding roller which allows unreeling of the cable by rotative movement of the wheel.

Abstract: An improved boom construction having a base, a first straight boom slidably mounted on the base, and a second, hinged boom pivotally mounted at one end to the base and at its other end to the front end of the first boom. Power jacks are provided for operating the second boom to move its other end toward or away from its one end so as to slide the first boom relative to the base. The improved boom construction is preferably employed on a tree delimber with a tree delimbing unit mounted on the front end of the first boom, and tree gripping unit mounted on the base beneath the first boom. A rotating reel is advantageously provided on the base above the first boom for simultaneously winding and unwinding flexible feed and return hydraulic lines extending over the top of the boom, and connected to the delimbing unit, as the first boom slides.