Abstract: A hands-free system for connecting and disconnecting a tool from an adjustable length extension pole. The system includes first and second slidably interconnected elongated members, a tool-holding assembly releasably coupled to the second elongated member, and a locking assembly disposed between the first and second elongated members. The relative sliding of the first and second elongated members can be selectively restrained by rotating the first and second elongated members relative to one another. The tool-holding assembly can be disconnected from the second elongated member by sliding the first and second elongated members together.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a body and one or more door assemblies. At least one door assembly may be movable between open and closed orientations. A variety of mechanical and electrical interlocks may be used to control motion of the door assemblies. A first interlock may prevent a door assembly from moving under the influence of a force between an open and closed orientation prior to a condition being satisfied. This condition may depend on the position of a second door assembly. A breakaway feature may release the first interlock when the closing force exceeds a predetermined level. A second interlock may work with the first interlock to keep a second door assembly from opening if the first door assembly is closed. An electrical interlock may disconnect power to the image forming device when the first door assembly is open.

Abstract: An image forming device with one or more door assemblies that engage locking mechanisms to secure a module in an operating position. The module may be coupled to one of the one or more door assemblies. A first locking mechanism may secure the module to the image forming device body when a first door assembly is closed. A second locking mechanism may secure the module to the body with a greater securing force than the first locking mechanism to secure the module to the body. The second locking mechanism may be engaged upon closing a second door assembly. Separate biasing members may be used to apply the securing forces. The locking mechanisms may comprise four-bar or over-center mechanisms to apply the securing forces.

Abstract: There is provided a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a housing, a tray and a cartridge, and a wiper blade. The cartridge may have the ability to be inserted into the dispenser in a pre-selected manner based on the desired orientation of the wipes contained therein. The wiper blade may have the ability to control the dispensing characteristics of the wet wipes.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating an eicosanoid metabolic process in cells of an animal in need thereof, which comprises administering to the animal an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of an eicosanoid oxygenase. In particular, the inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating arachadonic acid metabolism by administering an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases.

Abstract: Systems for converting single phase power to three phase power are well known, however, these systems may be noisy and wasteful of electrical power because they are prone to being left on for long periods of time when three phase power is not required. To overcome these disadvantages, these converters would be manually started and stopped as necessary. This invention solves these problems by providing a system that automatically controls a three phase converter based on electrical characteristics of the connected three phase load. The invention may detect when a three phase load requires power to operate and enables a three phase converter to provide the required power. Upon completion of the requirement of power, the system of the invention may shut down the converter. Additionally, the system of the invention may signal other electrical devices based on various electrical conditions of the connected three phase load.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

Abstract: A power supply for a two-wire load control device supplies power to a microprocessor, which in turn controls the power supply. The power supply comprises an energy storage element, e.g., a capacitor, for producing a DC voltage for powering the microprocessor. The power supply comprises a high impedance circuit for allowing the energy storage element to receive energy at a first rate before the DC voltage is produced and the microprocessor is powered. The power supply further comprises a low-impedance circuit, i.e., a resistor in series electrical connection with a controllably conductive device, for allowing the energy storage element to receive energy at a second rate greater than the first rate. After starting up, the microprocessor is operable to selectively enable and disable the second energy-receiving circuit by rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, respectively.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (16). The card (16) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (16) comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device (601, 700). The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) upon receipt of the card (16) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit (45) for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of the data to the external device (601, 700). The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14). A service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data is provided via the external device (601, 700).

Abstract: A two-way radio frequency lighting control system comprises a master control including a plurality of manual actuators, and a plurality of dimmers, in which the number of dimmers does not exceed the number of manual actuators. After the lighting control system is installed in an intended end user location, and prior to the first time the lighting control system is energized in the intended end user location, each of the manual actuators is operative to affect the status of one, and only one, of the plurality of dimmers. A turn key lighting control system in which there is a one-to-one correspondence of manual actuators to dimmers is thereby provided.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorized roller tube includes a motor and a gear assembly having multiple stages. The motor of the drive assembly is operated inefficiently at a speed that is less than 50 percent of peak efficiency motor speed producing sound pressure levels between approximately 40 dBA and 44 dBA in an ambient of about 38 dBA. Preferably, the efficiency is less than one-half of peak efficiency. The drive assembly includes a controller providing multiple operating modes including a set-up mode and an ultra low speed mode in which linear speed in the set-up mode is greater than linear speed in the ultra low speed mode, preferably at least 2 times faster. The noise produced in the ultra low speed mode is preferably 3 dBA or more less than that produced in the set-up mode. The controller may adjust a flexible member in response to an input illuminance level.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorized roller tube system includes a motor and a gear assembly having multiple gear stages. The motor of the drive assembly is operated inefficiently at a motor speed that is less than 50 percent of a peak efficiency motor speed producing sound pressure levels between approximately 40 dBA and 44 dBA in an ambient of about 38 dBA. Preferably, the efficiency is less than one-half of peak efficiency. The gear assembly includes spur gears and preferably has a gear ratio of 20:1. Preferably, the motor is a DC motor operated at approximately 850 rpm and having an associated torque capability that is at least 4 times the torque capability at the peak efficiency motor speed. The motor may be an AC motor having four or less poles preferably operated at approximately 850 rpm.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving at least one lamp comprising a rectifying circuit operatively connectable to an AC line; a current drawing circuit connected across said rectifying circuit; and an inverter circuit connected to said rectifying circuit that supplies a lamp current to said at least one lamp; wherein said current drawing circuit draws current from said AC line when the instantaneous voltage of said AC line nears zero to reduce the total harmonic distortion of the input current drawn by said ballast.

Abstract: A customizable data filter system is disclosed, that is adapted to reduce the dimension of a searchable data base (100), and to enable performance of a database search and/or a data item selection, in relation to the reduced search space. The system comprises a Portable Customizable data Filter and Interface (PCFI) (204) storing at least a base data filter parameter, and able to provide a user interface by means of user selectable icons. The system also comprises a reader (210) for the PCFI (204), and database processing means (214) responsive to the data filter parameter and a user icon selection, wherein the reduced search space is defined by the filter parameter, and the database search and/or the data item selection is performed using the selectable icons.

Abstract: There is provided a system for dispensing a plurality of perforated wipes having a perforation detach strength characteristic. The system includes a dispenser having a dispensing force characteristic and including a sealable chamber. The chamber is configured to retain the plurality of perforated wipes therein. A dispensing opening is in communication with the chamber. The opening is adapted to dispense wipes from the plurality of perforated wipes through the opening and out of the dispenser. A wiper blade is positioned in the dispenser to engage at least a portion of the wipes as the wipes dispense through the opening. When dispensing, a ratio of the perforation detach strength characteristic to the dispensing force characteristic is greater than 1:1.

Abstract: An apparatus in an electronic control system allows two or three wire operation. A power supply can supply power to the enclosed circuitry in both two and three wire installations. Two separate zero cross detectors are used such that timing information can be collected in both two and three wire installations. Both zero cross detectors are monitored and are used to automatically configure the electronic control. Over voltage circuitry senses an over voltage condition across a MOSFET which is in the off state and turns the MOSFET on so that it desirably will not reach the avalanche region. Over current circuitry senses when the current through the MOSFETs has exceeded a predetermined current threshold and then turns the MOSFETs off so they do not exceed the MOSFETs' safe operating area (SOA) curve. Latching circuitry is employed to keep the protection circuitry in effect even after a fault condition has cleared.

Abstract: There is provided a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a wiper assembly, which may include a chassis, a wiper blade, and a tensioner. The wiper assembly minimizes the amount of wipes which cannot be dispensed. The wiper assembly may be mounted to a dispenser for wipes.

Abstract: A dual purpose key fob has manipulable keys for, in a normal mode, locking and unlocking a vehicle and keys for opening a vehicle trunk and activating a panic alarm and, in a training mode, for sending code signals to tire pressure sensors to tell the sensors what tire they are in, e.g., after wheel rotation, so that the sensors subsequently can transmit the proper location signals to the vehicle's ECM along with the pressure signals.

Abstract: A panel saw has a first cutting blade for cutting stock in a first axis and a second cutting blade for cutting the stock in a second axis. The first blade moveable from a cutting position to a position in which stock can be slid between the cutting blade and a supporting frame of the panel saw. The panel saw allows repeated cross cuts and rip cuts without changing the cutting location of the first cutting blade. A control system is configured to retract the first cutting blade from contact with the stock if the current draw exceeds a value. The control system may also retract a cutting blade when it senses the end of a panel being cut.

Abstract: A method and software relating to determining whether a square die fits into a package without generating drawings. Package parameters are defined and used to calculate die characteristics. Calculated die characteristics are compared to defined package parameters and/or to calculated package parameters to make a determination of whether a die with the calculated characteristics fits into a package as defined by its parameters. The method and software allow design of dies to fit packages, the design of packages to fit dies, and simultaneous design of dies and packages that fit one another.