Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for an electronic device and associated method for detecting potential objects in the vicinity of the electronic device. In one example embodiment, the electronic device may comprise a transceiver arm including a transceiver for transmitting source signals and receiving response signals potentially indicating at least one object in the vicinity of the user, a main body that is pivotally connected to the transceiver arm to releasably mount to an article of the user during use and include at least one processing unit for generating a feedback control signal indicating when there is at least one detected potential object in the vicinity of the user based on the response signals; and a transducer movably coupled to the main body for providing feedback to the user based on the feedback control signal when there is at least one detected potential object in the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: A helmet that both protects the user against injury during a fight and indicates through the release of stage blood that a blow to the head has been struck sufficient to cause a concussion or bloody head injury if the helmet were not present. The helmet includes an inner helmet and outer helmet. The inner helmet is similar in construction to helmets presently used in sports such as football, hockey and bicycling preferably with an absorbent layer next to the user's head, an intermediate soft protective layer and a hard plastic outer layer. On top of the inner helmet, an outer helmet is provided with a reservoir or multiple packets of stage blood. For added protection, a visor and neck protector are preferably attached to the helmet.

Abstract: A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a set of stacked battery cells, each stacked battery cell including at least one cell tab and a bus bar assembly including a bus bar, a bus bar support overmolded around a sense line electrically coupled to the battery cells, the bus bar support including cell tab openings having the plurality of cell tabs extending therethrough.

Abstract: A starter battery is provided comprising a plurality of pouch-type prismatic cells stacked to form an array and configured to output a voltage sufficient to start a vehicle engine. The starter battery further includes a housing configured to contain the array wherein the housing includes a tray and a lid attached with the tray such that the housing provides a compressive force sufficient to prevent cell delamination and to constrain expansion or swelling of the cells during operation.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a mobile infusion device that does not use gravity to expel fluid from a bag. The device has a housing with a central chamber connected with an opening to receive a portion of the bag during use. A rotation assembly is coupled to the housing and includes at least one roller located within the central chamber and a spring mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one roller to rotate it to move the bag and apply a force to a portion of the bag to expel fluid therefrom during use. A control mechanism is operatively coupled to the rotation assembly and has a control assembly to control rotation of the rotation assembly and a user interface coupled to the control assembly to allow a user to select a mode of operation for the device. The spring mechanism is recharged in standby mode. Various mechanisms can be used in various embodiments to improve functionality such as a gearing mechanism.

Abstract: A vertical wind turbine includes a blade which has opposite force producing sides that lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis along its direction of travel. The aerodynamic surfaces are driven by the wind through four phases of rotation. Driving torque is produced during three of the four phases. The blade includes a v-shaped nosepiece with rearward facing surfaces on each side that cup the wind during three of the four phases. The split tail of the blade captures the wind during a down wind phase of rotation.

Abstract: A vertical wind turbine includes a blade which has opposite force producing sides that lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis along its direction of travel. The aerodynamic surfaces are driven by the wind through four phases of rotation. Driving torque is produced during three of the four phases. The blade includes a v-shaped nosepiece with rearward facing surfaces on each side that cup the wind during three of the four phases. The split tail of the blade captures the wind during a down wind phase of rotation.

Abstract: An infant rocking assembly includes a base, a sound-producing device for playing a soundtrack to produce a sound pattern, a top member which is movably mounted on the base and supports an infant-supporting structure such as a carrier seat or stroller, and a motor for moving the top member relative to the base in a manner which is synchronized with the sound pattern. Preferably, a stepper motor is used to produce complex movements of the top member and facilitate the synchronization. The stepper motor preferably rolls a truck between the base and top member to move the top member via engagement between upper rollers of the truck and camming surfaces of the top member. A microprocessor controls the motor and sound-producing device. A mattress support member and the low-profile rocking assembly may be positioned below an infant mattress to rock the infant mattress.

Abstract: A weighted training device for use with a skate and more specifically with an ice skate. The weighted training device includes a base that is receivable within an aperture formed between the blade or wheel supports. The base includes first and second ends that are shaped to engage the blade or wheel supports. The base defines an interior cavity into which one or more weighted members can selectively be inserted. A latched cover is positionable over the interior cavity to secure the weighted members therein. The training device includes a mechanism for locking the base in position so that it cannot be accidentally dislodged.

Abstract: An easy opening end closure for a container has a central panel with a tear panel defined by a score line. A pull tab is attached by a rivet to the central panel and has a nose end for engaging the tear panel and an opposite lift end for pivoting the tab about the rivet to fracture the score line. One or a pair of crescent-shaped protrusions are formed on the central panel closely adjacent to and rearwardly of the rivet to reduce the lift force required to initially lift the lift end of the tab to start the fracturing of the score line. The protrusions are concentric to each other and partially circumscribe the rivet and are located beneath the pull tab or within openings of the pull tab to avoid interference with can making equipment and with the pull tab. The protrusions provide greater flexibility to the area of the central panel adjacent the rivet to enable the rivet to pull slightly upwards from the panel at the start lifting the lift end of the tab.

Abstract: A bathtub cover includes a flexible sheet defining a body opening for receiving a torso of a user of the bathtub. The sheet is suspended horizontally over an entrance opening of the bathtub by a suspension system which may include a support assembly which extends over the entrance opening, a securing mechanism for securing the sheet to ledges of the bathtub or a combination of the two. One suspension system includes a plurality of rods spanning the entrance opening from side to side. Additional rods may extend on opposite sides of the body opening to support portions of the sheet adjacent thereto. Suction cups may be disposed opposite the body opening to secure the sheet adjacent a water spout, which may fill the bathtub via a water-fill opening in the sheet. Alternately, elongated strips of suction cups extending the length of the sheet may suspend the sheet over the bathtub.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly (53) is provided for a motor vehicle (10) having a rear seat (24) and spaced apart roof side frame members (30) defining a roof opening (31). The retractable roof assembly (53) includes a split rail assembly (33) having a fixed rail (34) adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members (30) and extending along a portion thereof, and a movable rail (40) extending rearward of the fixed rail (34) along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members (30). A plurality of roof panels (58, 60, 62) extends between the roof side frame members (30) and slidably engages the split rail assembly (33) for selective movement into a stacked configuration above the movable rail (40).

Abstract: An athletic pant that includes an area of compressive fabric disposed in a position on either pant leg that will surround the athlete's knee when the pants are worn. The area of compressive fabric in each pant leg also includes a pair of pockets positioned to lie on either side of the athlete's knee. The pockets can be opened to receive a support and closed to secure the support therein, whereby the support restricts lateral movement of the athlete's knee. If the athletic pants are to be used for ice hockey, the pants may also include connectors disposed on the outer surface of the pant legs for the connection of hockey socks.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly is provided for a motor vehicle having a rear storage space behind a rear seat within a passenger compartment. The retractable roof assembly includes a rail assembly including at least one rear rail and at least one front rail pivotally hinged to the rear rail. A plurality of roof panels slidingly engage the rear and front rails for movement between a roof configuration covering the passenger compartment and a stacked configuration exposing the passenger compartment. A rear pillar is disposed rearward of the rear rail and selectively supports at least one of the plurality of roof panels. When the plurality of roof panels is in the stacked configuration, the rail assembly, plurality of roof panels, and rear pillar are movable into the rear storage space behind the rear seat in order to provide a full open air roof for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A nightlight including a light bank having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed in an array. The amount of light emitted from the light bank can be varied by engaging a switch that selects between a number of electrical pathways. The device includes a photosensitive device such as a light dependent resistor or photo-diode for switching the device on or off under varying ambient light conditions. The photo-diode may be temporarily deactivated in bright ambient light conditions to check and change the settings of the LEDs.

Abstract: A door assembly for a motor vehicle includes an interior panel defining a compartment and an exterior panel secured to the interior panel and having an aperture providing access to the compartment. An equipment module is sized to enter the compartment via the aperture. The equipment module includes a carrier plate adapted to abut against a portion of the exterior panel surrounding the aperture. The door assembly also includes at least one accessory mounted to the carrier plate. The carrier plate is retained on all sides by the exterior panel.

Abstract: A pastry blender or cooked fruit and vegetable masher has a base portion, a side portion and a handle member and is such that the handle is separated from the base portion. The base portion includes an edge frame member that preferably is in the form of a continuous closed loop. The base portion further includes a plurality of cutter wire members which extend between opposed portions of the edge frame member. The cutter wire members preferably have a cross-sectional profile that includes a generally triangularly shaped first region that tapers from a wide portion to an apex; and a second region that preferably is angled or arcuately sloped to encourage foodstuffs to slide off the second region. The cutter wire members are positioned in spaced parallel relation one to another and are rigidly secured to the edge frame member. The spacing between the cutter wire members is at least five times the greatest horizontal width of any one cutter wire member.

Abstract: A report cover which can both secure loose papers therein and may itself be secured into a ring binder. The interior portion of the spine which lies between the front and back pages of the cover includes a securing device for loose papers. The securing device can be cooperating pronged fasteners and apertures, clamps or clasps. The exterior portion of the spine includes a plurality of apertures which are spaced apart from each other. The distance between the apertures is adapted to be complementary to the spacing between the prongs of a ring binder and more specifically to the prongs of a three-ring binder. The apertures in the spine may be formed within the exterior portion of the spine or may be offset therefrom. The offset apertures are formed by spring clips which are movably attached to the exterior portion of the spine. The apertures in the exterior portion of the spine receive the prongs of the ring binder therethrough.

Abstract: A tape dispenser for young children. The dispenser includes first and second sides that are formed in the shape of an animal and more particularly in the shape of a turtle or snail. The first and second sides are connected together to form a chamber into which a roll of tape is inserted. Each of the first and second sides includes an end portion that is enlarged. A cutter blade is mounted between the enlarged end portions and is positioned a spaced distance inwardly from an outer edge of each end portion. The upper and outer walls of the dispenser include a plurality of ridges to aid in the gripping of the dispenser. The ridges are shaped and positioned to represent the shells of either a turtle or a snail.

Abstract: A tape dispenser for young children. The dispenser includes first and second sides that are formed in the shape of an animal and more particularly in the shape of a turtle or snail. The first and second sides are connected together to form a chamber into which a roll of tape is inserted. Each of the first and second sides includes an end portion that is enlarged. A cutter blade is mounted between the enlarged end portions and is positioned a spaced distance inwardly from an outer edge of each end portion. The upper and outer walls of the dispenser include a plurality of ridges to aid in the gripping of the dispenser. The ridges are shaped and positioned to represent the shells of either a turtle or a snail.