Abstract: A contaminant detector is capable of sending a signal or alert when a contaminant is detected within a housing of a utility meter, a meter transmission unit (MTU), or other associated equipment. Circuitry enclosed within the housing is capable of detecting utility usage, transmitting information between one or more utility meters and a utility provider, and/or otherwise monitoring or tracking utility usage. The contaminant detector includes a resistive voltage divider network having a resistance that varies when in contact with a contaminant such as a form of water or metal. The variable resistor has a serpentine structure comprising a plurality of detective fingers that are formed from conductive material and separated by a non-conductive substance.

Abstract: A contaminant detector is capable of sending a signal or alert when a contaminant is detected within a housing of a utility meter, a meter transmission unit (MTU), or other associated equipment. Circuitry enclosed within the housing is capable of detecting utility usage, transmitting information between one or more utility meters and a utility provider, and/or otherwise monitoring or tracking utility usage. The contaminant detector includes a resistive voltage divider network having a resistance that varies when in contact with a contaminant such as a form of water or metal. The variable resistor has a serpentine structure comprising a plurality of detective fingers that are formed from conductive material and separated by a non-conductive substance.

Abstract: A grill guard assembly has a vehicle coupling portion mounted to the vehicle forwardly of the vehicle grill. A hinge couples a coupling portion of a grill guard frame on the vehicle coupling portion to pivot between a working position extending primarily upwardly and a lowered position extending primarily forwardly. A latch assembly has a clamping surface and a clamping jaw supported on opposing ones of the vehicle coupling portion and the grill guard coupling portion. An over-center linkage operatively connects the clamping jaw to the respective coupling portion and the second coupling portion such that the linkage is rotated through an over-center position between open and closed positions of the jaw, whereby the clamping force of the jaw acts to urge the jaw to remain closed.

Abstract: A system and method to determine battery lifetime of a remote meter transmission unit. Disclosed methods may comprise sampling a meter transmission unit's voltage and temperature while the unit is not transmitting any data; selecting a temperature curve based on the sampled temperature of the unit from a plurality of predetermined temperature curves, wherein each predetermined temperature curve representing the battery lifetime based on the unit's sampled voltage at the unit's sampled temperature; locating a position from the selected curve based on the voltage sampled of the unit; determining the battery's electrical power consumed and remained based on the position of the curve; and determining the battery's lifetime based on the power consumed and remained. The disclosed method may be used to estimate the battery's remaining lifetime. Disclosed products may utilize the disclosed method.

Abstract: A grill guard assembly has a vehicle coupling portion mounted to the vehicle forwardly of the vehicle grill. A hinge couples a coupling portion of a grill guard frame on the vehicle coupling portion to pivot between a working position extending primarily upwardly and a lowered position extending primarily forwardly. A latch assembly has a clamping surface and a clamping jaw supported on opposing ones of the vehicle coupling portion and the grill guard coupling portion. An over-center linkage operatively connects the clamping jaw to the respective coupling portion and the second coupling portion such that the linkage is rotated through an over-center position between open and closed positions of the jaw, whereby the clamping force of the jaw acts to urge the jaw to remain closed.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound apparatus for providing a lightweight, easily transportable, and foldable artificial pitching mound. The portable pitching mound apparatus includes a pitching mound assembly including pitching mound members made of plastic and hingedly attached end-to-end with wheels mounted to one of the pitching mound members and with a fastening assembly for fastening the pitching mound members together with the pitching mound members folded upon one another for easy transport.

Abstract: A system and method to determine battery lifetime of a remote meter transmission unit. Disclosed methods may comprise sampling a meter transmission unit's voltage and temperature while the unit is not transmitting any data; selecting a temperature curve based on the sampled temperature of the unit from a plurality of predetermined temperature curves, wherein each predetermined temperature curve representing the battery lifetime based on the unit's sampled voltage at the unit's sampled temperature; locating a position from the selected curve based on the voltage sampled of the unit; determining the battery's electrical power consumed and remained based on the position of the curve; and determining the battery's lifetime based on the power consumed and remained. The disclosed method may be used to estimate the battery's remaining lifetime. Disclosed products may utilize the disclosed method.

Abstract: A contaminant detector is capable of sending a signal or alert when a contaminant is detected within a housing of a utility meter, a meter transmission unit (MTU), or other associated equipment. Circuitry enclosed within the housing is capable of detecting utility usage, transmitting information between one or more utility meters and a utility provider, and/or otherwise monitoring or tracking utility usage. The contaminant detector includes a resistive voltage divider network having a resistance that varies when in contact with a contaminant such as a form of water or metal. The variable resistor has a serpentine structure comprising a plurality of detective fingers that are formed from conductive material and separated by a non-conductive substance.

Abstract: A bottom heater for use in assembling a container bottom and a sleeve includes a body having a peripheral wall and a heated air passage terminating in an outlet in the peripheral wall. A shape of at least a portion of the peripheral wall defining the outlet is such that heated air exiting the outlet is fluidly attached to an adjacent portion of the peripheral wall after exit because of the Coanda effect.

Abstract: A bottom heater for use in assembling a container bottom and a sleeve includes a body having a peripheral wall and a heated air passage terminating in an outlet in the peripheral wall. A shape of at least a portion of the peripheral wall defining the outlet is such that heated air exiting the outlet is fluidly attached to an adjacent portion of the peripheral wall after exit because of the Coanda effect.

Abstract: An airform that can be inflated, for example, for facilitating construction of a structure is provided. The airform may include a first portion, a second portion, or multiple other portions, and reinforcement. The first portion may, for example, be configured to be disposed in a first orientation, such as vertically or in a radial profile, when the airform is inflated. The second portion transitioning from the first portion may be configured, for example, to assume an alternate shape and profile, such as a radial shape and profile, when the airform is inflated. The reinforcement may, for example, be provided at a portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion.

Abstract: A bottom heater for use in assembling a container bottom and a sleeve includes a body having a peripheral wall and a heated air passage terminating in an outlet in the peripheral wall. A shape of at least a portion of the peripheral wall defining the outlet is such that heated air exiting the outlet is fluidly attached to an adjacent portion of the peripheral wall after exit because of the Coanda effect.

Abstract: This invention is an elastic mechanism that extends and retracts during motions of the knee so that it maintains tension in a generally rearward direction on the area of the head of the tibia throughout the range of motion of the knee. The structure is anchored to a stable superior part of the body, above a height of contour, by an attachment which can be a belt, girdle, garment, suspenders or a combination of these attachments. The elastic mechanism attaches inferiorly to a number of connection mechanisms which connect to both sides of a hinged rigid knee brace near the tibial head, below the hinges of the knee brace.

Abstract: An aircraft ground power connector for use in an aircraft ground power support system providing electrical power from a ground power unit through a ground power cable to the ground power receptacle of a parked aircraft. The axis of the portion of the connector housing which engages the aircraft ground power receptacle is angled relative to the axis of the portion of the housing which receives the ground power cable to minimize mechanical stress on the aircraft ground power receptacle when the connector is installed therein and to render the connector easier to insert and remove from the aircraft receptacle. Additionally, the ground power connector includes a capacitor connected to an electrical circuit within the connector supplying do voltage to the aircraft ground power receptacle to mitigate momentary voltage drops at the receptacle resulting from momentary surges in current demand by the aircraft.

Abstract: An airform that can be inflated, for example, for facilitating construction of a structure is provided. The airform may include a first portion, a second portion, or multiple other portions, and reinforcement. The first portion may, for example, be configured to be disposed in a first orientation, such as vertically or in a radial profile, when the airform is inflated. The second portion transitioning from the first portion may be configured, for example, to assume an alternate shape and profile, such as a radial shape and profile, when the airform is inflated. The reinforcement may, for example, be provided at a portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion.

Abstract: This invention is an elastic mechanism that extends and retracts during motions of the knee so that it maintains tension in a generally rearward direction on the area of the head of the tibia throughout the range of motion of the knee. The structure is anchored to a stable superior part of the body, above a height of contour, by an attachment which can be a belt, girdle, garment, suspenders or a combination of these attachments. The elastic mechanism attaches inferiorly to a number of connection mechanisms which connect to both sides of a hinged rigid knee brace near the tibial head, below the hinges of the knee brace.

Abstract: An aircraft ground power connector for use in an aircraft ground power support system providing electrical power from a ground power unit through a ground power cable to the ground power receptacle of a parked aircraft. The axis of the portion of the connector housing which engages the aircraft ground power receptacle is angled relative to the axis of the portion of the housing which receives the ground power cable to minimize mechanical stress on the aircraft ground power receptacle when the connector is installed therein and to render the connector easier to insert and remove from the aircraft receptacle. Additionally, the ground power connector includes a capacitor connected to an electrical circuit within the connector supplying do voltage to the aircraft ground power receptacle to mitigate momentary voltage drops at the receptacle resulting from momentary surges in current demand by the aircraft.

Abstract: A training system for skill development may include a device that includes a casing having an internal housing and an outside surface. A plurality of number displays may be enclosed within the internal housing of the casing. A circuit board may be enclosed within the internal housing of the casing and connected to the plurality of number displays. A power source may be attached to the casing. At least one upper arm comprising an upper arm joint may be attached to the outside surface of the casing. At least one lower arm comprising a lower arm joint may be attached to the outside surface of the casing. A fastening device may be attached to the at least one lower arm. The training system may be placed on a surface and be used to help develop the skill of a person keeping their eyes up while performing a function.

Abstract: An electrical device charger is provided. In various embodiments the charger includes a dual plug pivotally mounted within a plug reservoir of a charging unit. The dual plug includes a set of first pins and a set of second pins, wherein the first pins are fixedly oriented at substantially a 90° angle to the second pins. The first pins are structured for insertion into a first type of electrical supply receptacle and the second pins are structured for insertion into a second type of electrical supply receptacle.

Abstract: An airform that can be inflated, for example, for facilitating construction of a structure is provided. The airform may include a first portion, a second portion, or multiple other portions, and reinforcement. The first portion may, for example, be configured to be disposed in a first orientation, such as vertically or in a radial profile, when the airform is inflated. The second portion transitioning from the first portion may be configured, for example, to assume an alternate shape and profile, such as a radial shape and profile, when the airform is inflated. The reinforcement may, for example, be provided at a portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion.