Abstract: To make espresso, a plunger forces heated liquid from a plunger cylinder to a coffee container. The resulting brewed liquid is allowed to pass through an expansion pressure relief valve. The expansion pressure relief value maintains a pressure sufficient for brewing espresso as force on the plunger forces the liquid to flow through the coffee container and through the expansion pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A tag mounting device can temporarily mount a tag transmitter on a shipping container or trailer for tracking location of the shipping container or trailer. The tag mounting device includes a mounting frame having a support leg with opposing ends. A clamp mechanism is carried by the support leg for clamping the support leg onto a rim of a container or trailer such that the support leg extends against a surface of the container or trailer. A tag support member extends outward from the support leg. A tag transmitter is carried by the tag support member and operative for transmitting wireless signals to at least one receiver for subsequent processing to determine the location of the tag transmitter and a container or trailer on which the tag mounting device is mounted.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods assist in mobility of a person. According to an embodiment of the invention, a device for enhancing mobility of a physically-impaired person comprises: a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and a second member that is configured to slidably receive the elongated portion of the first member and to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member. According to another embodiment of the invention, there is a method for producing an apparatus for assisting in ambulation. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and providing a second member, including: forming a recess in the second member for slidably receiving the elongated portion of the first member; and tapering the recess to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an mobility-aid apparatus comprises: a first member that includes an exterior, a second member adjustably connected to the first member, and a lock. The first member is made using a mold that includes at least a first form unit that forms a first portion of the exterior and a second form unit that forms a second portion of the exterior. There is at least one boundary on the exterior between the first and second portions. The first and second members together span an adjustable axial length. The lock fixes the adjustable axial length against at least one of contraction or expansion, wherein the lock engages, or exists on, the first member not on the at least one boundary on the exterior of the first member. According to an embodiment of the invention, a method is for producing an apparatus for assisting in mobility.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for assisting ambulation comprises: a first member; a second member adjustably connected to the first member, the first and second members together spanning an adjustable height; and at least one tab, integrally formed on the first member, that, when engaged, opposes adjustment of the adjustable height. According to another embodiment, a method for producing an apparatus for assisting in mobility comprises: forming a first member including integrally forming a stop on the first member, wherein the stop is not merely a bore through the first member; providing a second member; and adjustably connecting the second member to the first member, wherein the first and second members together span an adjustable height, and wherein the stop is configured as capable of being engaged to oppose relative motion against the second member to thereby oppose adjustment of the adjustable height.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a crutch comprises a crutch body having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for engaging the ground during ambulation; and a variable-spring-rate spring coupled to the crutch body to provide shock absorption for the crutch, wherein the spring provides greater spring rate with increased compression of the spring. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing an apparatus for assisting ambulation of a person comprises: providing at least one member that supports some weight of the person in the course of using the apparatus; and forming a material of lower durometer than the at least one member, wherein the material, at each of multiple points along an axis of compression, has substantially non-equal thickness perpendicular to the axis of compression.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods assist in mobility of a person. According to an embodiment of the invention, a device for enhancing mobility of a physically-impaired person comprises: a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and a second member that is configured to slidably receive the elongated portion of the first member and to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member. According to another embodiment of the invention, there is a method for producing an apparatus for assisting in ambulation. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and providing a second member, including: forming a recess in the second member for slidably receiving the elongated portion of the first member; and tapering the recess to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an ambulation-assistance device comprises: a lower body portion that includes an elongated, weight-bearing first member at top of the lower body portion, the lower body portion having no other elongated, weight-bearing member at top of the lower body portion parallel to the first member; and an upper body portion that includes an elongated second member at bottom of the upper body portion, the second member being adjustably connected to the first member, adjustment of the connection for adjustment of device height; wherein each of the first and the second members is integrally shaped to oppose relative rotation between the second member and the first member around a longitudinal axis. According to an embodiment of the invention, a method is for producing a mobility-enhancing apparatus.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a mold is for molding a first member of a device for assisting in ambulation, for example, a crutch. The device further is to include a second member. The first member is to include a cavity to accept an elongated portion of the second member in a direction of insertion of the second member, which is opposite a direction of withdrawal of the second member. The mold comprises: a form configured to shape the exterior of the first member; and a core configured to shape the cavity of the first member; the core being configured and disposed to separate from the first member in a direction other than the direction of withdrawal of the second member. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a method is for molding a portion of a mobility-assistance device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobility-assistance device comprises: a body having an upper end and a lower end, the body comprising an elongated member at the lower end that terminates in a lower tip, the lower tip being formed integrally with the elongated member and being without any substantial flange, the lower tip having at least one bottom surface; the elongated member being elongated along a longitudinal axis; and a resilient ground contact that attaches to the body at the lower tip. The body transfers weight to the ground contact axially via the bottom surface, and overall area of the at least one bottom surface is substantially greater than non-empty area of a cross section of the elongated member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is for producing a crutch.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods assist in mobility of a person. According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for assisting in mobility of a person comprises: a crutch having a crutch length along an axis; and at least two adjustment points on the crutch, wherein the length is adjustable at the adjustment points, whereby the crutch is customizable for accommodating body dimensions of an intended user; wherein the adjustment points include a first and a second adjustment point, and the first adjustment point is configured to, at least occasionally, contribute an adjustment to the crutch length that is not merely an adjustment that is being contributed by the second adjustment point.