Abstract: A method, system and device for improving the aesthetics of vaping, where the system embodies a functional wearable that houses, via one or more passages, a vapor redirecting device hidden therein. The vapor redirecting device provides an intake conduit and one or more exhaust conduits having an inlet and at least one outlet, respectively. The inlet is disposed adjacent an inlet portion of an inlet passage of the functional wearable so that a wearer of the functional wearable can urge vapor through the inlet and out the one or more exhaust conduits, which are disposed along different areas or zones of the functional wearable.

Abstract: A privacy screen movable between a tubular shape for concealing a standing person and a compact collapsed state for storage and transportation. The privacy screen provides a three-fold loop biased in an expanded loop state, from which a privacy screen may drape. The three-fold loop is elastic so that it, along with the pliable privacy screen, may be twisted into the compact collapsed state and housed in a carrying case. The three-fold loop circumscribes a cover portion that supports a head ring that can be worn by the user to enable the draping of the privacy screen about their person.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for actuating a locking mechanism (12) of a locking sail track car (10) comprises a latch formation (116) disposed in a fixed position with respect to the track (14), a control surface (112) spaced from the latch formation (116) in a hoisting direction, and an actuator assembly (120) for attachment to the car (10). The actuator assembly (120) comprises an actuator (124) for operating a control member (24) of the car locking mechanism, and a latch element (158) connected to the actuator (124) and moveable between a first detent position in which the latch element (158) is not engageable with the latch formation (116) and a second detent position.

Abstract: A replica eye with programmable iris illumination and a method of making the same is provided. The replica eye includes a programmable lighting element having a planar base with electrical pins outward of a centrally disposed light source is electrically coupled via the pins to one or more electrical connections. One end of a transparent cylinder approximately coextensively abuts the light source. The outer portions of the planar base and its electrical connections are folded into a folded assembly that is received into and adhered along an inner circumferential wall of a ring. The electrical connections are further adhered along a rear portion of the ring and planar base. A semi-spherical dome sandwiches an opaque body to an opposing end of the transparent cylinder, thereby defining an illuminable iris and pupil, respectively.

Abstract: A repeater for maintaining wireless line of sight communications. The repeater is autonomously repositional in both absolute location and azimuthal orientation. The repeater has at least two vibratory motors, or other vibration sources, which provide oscillations to depending legs against a support surface. By selectively operating one or more of the vibration sources together or independently, the repeater may be moved as helpful to maintain line of sight communication with another repeater or other operational hardware. A command signal from a remote base station controls the locomotion of the repeater to provide both a change in absolute position relative to the surroundings and a rotational change in azimuthal orientation as necessary to maintain communication under dynamic conditions.

Abstract: A replica eye with programmable iris illumination and a method of making the same is provided. The replica eye includes a programmable lighting element having a planar base with electrical pins outward of a centrally disposed light source is electrically coupled via the pins to one or more electrical connections. One end of a transparent cylinder approximately coextensively abuts the light source. The outer portions of the planar base and its electrical connections are folded into a folded assembly that is received into and adhered along an inner circumferential wall of a ring. The electrical connections are further adhered along a rear portion of the ring and planar base. A semi-spherical dome sandwiches an opaque body to an opposing end of the transparent cylinder, thereby defining an illuminable iris and pupil, respectively.

Abstract: A drone for delivering plural repeaters in a hostile environment and method of delivering plural repeaters from the drone. The drone is controllable from a remote base station and carries a payload of repeaters on a round tray. The tray has a dispensing hole, complementary to the geometry of the repeater for dispensing the repeaters as needed. Repeaters are consecutively dispensed at stations as determined by an operator. A central radial arm sweeps each repeater around the tray, in turn, until the hole is encountered and the repeater gravity drops to a surface below. The drone may have two or more vertically stacked trays to increase payload without increasing footprint.

Abstract: A repeater for maintaining wireless line of sight communications. The repeater is autonomously repositional in both absolute location and azimuthal orientation. The repeater has at least two vibratory motors, or other vibration sources, which provide oscillations to depending legs against a support surface. By selectively operating one or more of the vibration sources together or independently, the repeater may be moved as helpful to maintain line of sight communication with another repeater or other operational hardware. A command signal from a remote base station controls the locomotion of the repeater to provide both a change in absolute position relative to the surroundings and a rotational change in azimuthal orientation as necessary to maintain communication under dynamic conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for actuating a locking mechanism (12) of a locking sail track car (10) comprises a latch formation (116) disposed in a fixed position with respect to the track (14), a control surface (112) spaced from the latch formation (116) in a hoisting direction, and an actuator assembly (120) for attachment to the car (10). The actuator assembly (120) comprises an actuator (124) for operating a control member (24) of the car locking mechanism, and a latch element (158) connected to the actuator (124) and moveable between a first detent position in which the latch element (158) is not engageable with the latch formation (116) and a second detent position.

Abstract: A lock apparatus is provided for releasably securing a load, such as a sail, to a supporting structure, such as a mast while the load applies force in a load direction. The lock apparatus comprises a lock member attached or attachable to the load and a lock assembly for attachment to the supporting structure. The lock assembly comprises at least one locking element configured to move between a locked position in which the locking element blocks movement of the lock member in the load direction, and an unlocked position, an actuator, and a releasable coupling for coupling the actuator to the lock member. The coupling is arranged to couple the actuator to the lock member upon movement of the lock member towards the actuator in an insertion direction, opposite to the load direction.

Abstract: A method and system for retrieving information in response to an information retrieval request comprises extracting additional information from a first corpus of data elements based on the request. The request is modified based on the additional information to refine the scope of information to be retrieved from a second corpus of data elements. The information is retrieved from the second corpus of data elements based on the modified request.

Abstract: A modified umbrella, cane or similar device's handle consisting of a knob attached to the end of the handle. The handle is shaped in such a matter to facilitate the attachment of the knob and placement of the knob such that the knob would be in contact with a flat surface if the umbrella, cane or similar device were hung from that flat surface. This knob would increase the lateral fiction of the handle and keep it from sliding on the flat surface.

Abstract: A fluid compressor comprises a casing containing liquid and having located within it a shaft driven radial impeller for pressurizing the liquid before it is fed to a further rotatable structure. By rotation of the impeller and the further rotatable structure, the high pressure liquid compresses a gas or vapor within the compressor casing and expels it from the casing through an outlet port therein. The high pressure liquid inlet end of the rotatable structure is partially shrouded by a shroud structure to restrict the input of high pressure liquid to part of the rotatable structure. The shroud structure has an opening therein which allows the high pressure liquid entering the rotatable structure to be depressurized and returned to the inlet end of the radial impeller after compressing the gas or vapor. By so doing, further gas or vapor for compression will be drawn into the compressor casing.