Abstract: A lever system using a linkage assembly creates linear movement from a rotational movement of a lever. The lever system may be arranged as a grip assembly to activate a braking system of a vehicle. The linkage assembly may include a slide linkage, a bearing linkage, and a pivot linkage such that the lever may cause an end of the bearing linkage and an end of the pivot linkage to move toward the slide linkage, which causes the slide linkage to move in a linear direction. The grip assembly may have a lever that is pivotally connected with a housing of the grip assembly at a predetermined distance and with a contact region to prevent rotational movement in one direction while allowing rotational movement in the opposite direction. Further, the grip assembly may include a bearing linkage that is pivotally connected to the lever.

Abstract: A pump and heater assembly can include an electric motor, a pump, one or more resistive heater elements, a control module with switching electronics usable to control operation of the electric motor, and a flowpath through which a coolant fluid is flowable fluidically passing to a first manifold downstream of the pump, to both first and second flowpath segments branching from the first manifold, and to a second manifold downstream of both the first and second flowpath segments. The first flowpath segment passes proximate to the heater elements to enable heating of a portion of the coolant fluid present in the first flowpath segment. The second flowpath segment passes through the control module proximate to the switching electronics to enable cooling of the switching electronics by a portion of the coolant fluid present in the second flowpath segment. The first and second flowpath segments can be arranged fluidically in parallel.

Abstract: A two-in-one carpet and utility knife has a handle and a double sided head, each side of the head adapted to receive a different type of knife blade, and a retainer configured to secure one type of blade to one side of the head and to secure a different type of blade to a different side of the head.

Abstract: A dual blade-depth knife having a head, a body, and a first end at one end of the head, and a blade positioning member for retaining a blade in a first position with a blade end at a first distance from said first end and for retaining a blade in a second position with a blade end at a second distance from said first end, with the first and second positions being offset relative to each other in a direction outwardly from the head. A blade storage holder internal to the knife for storing one or more individual blades and for storing a cartridge containing multiple blades.

Abstract: A blank for use in forming a container, such as a corrugated fiberboard container, can include a reinforcement portion that provide improved structural integrity for a display ready container. The reinforcing portion can include at least a first front wall reinforcement portion and a second front wall reinforcement portion, with the first and second front wall reinforcement portions being spaced apart from one another. The front wall and a front top section can have removable panels when used as a display container.

Abstract: A carpet pile seam roller includes handle and a roller, the roller attached to the handle. The handle includes a first recess adapted to receive at least a first portion of a first hand of a user, and a second recess adapted to receive at least a first portion of a second hand of a user.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure include compounds having Formula (X). Disclosed embodiments also include compositions comprising at least one compound according to the present disclosure, such as from 5% to 70% of at least one compound according to the present disclosure, at a dosage of from 0.1 mg to about 10,000 mg, and further comprising an excipient, an adjuvant, a carrier, and/or at least one additional biologically active compound other than a compound according to the present disclosure. Disclosed compounds and/or can be administered to a subject multiple times per day, such as 1 to 3 times per day, and/or periodically, such as every 2 to 7 days, for a variety of reasons, such as to increase neuronal plasticity, to treat a neurological disease, to treat a neuropsychiatric disease, to elicit a biological response, such as by activating a 5-HT2A receptor, or to increase at least one of translation, transcription, or secretion of neurotrophic factors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for endoscopically visualizing tissue within a patient. In one aspect, an endoscope comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a visualization section at the distal end of the shaft. The visualization section includes a proximal surface and an outer surface spaced apart from the proximal surface. At least one of the proximal surface or the outer surface of the visualization section has an average surface roughness less than about 50 nanometers RMS. The endoscope allows improved remote visualization while not interfering with the autofocus feature of a video capture system and not causing increased light reflectance and glare due to improved surface finish.

Abstract: A composition and a method for preparing a polymer composite article. The composition comprises (A) a filler in an amount of from 10 to 90 wt. The composition also comprises (B) a polymer in an amount of from 10 to 90 wt. %, wherein the (B) polymer is selected from polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, or combinations thereof. Further, the composition comprises (C) an organopolysiloxane in an amount of from greater than 0 to 10 wt. %; the (C) organopolysiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydroxyl group and a viscosity of from 1,000 to 60,000 mPa·s at 25° C. The ranges for components (A)-(C) arc based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C) in the composition.

Abstract: A coupler device for a forward viewing endoscope comprises a main body having a proximal end configured to attach to the distal end portion of the endoscope and a distal end portion that at least partially seals the distal end portion of the scope and allows for viewing of the surgical site. The coupler device may include a flexible working channel extension for attachment to the working channel of the endoscope. The coupler device provides a protective cover to reduce the ingress of debris, fluid, bacteria, or other unwanted matter from the working end of the endoscope which could lead to infection and decreased performance of the scope. A kit for use in an endoscopic procedure on a patient comprises the coupler device and an end viewing endoscope having a working channel, a light and a camera lens.

Abstract: A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an optical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is disposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be an object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminal(s)) are capable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one aspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device may allow visualization of an object—such as body tissue or other matter—concurrent with the application of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe the alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered.

Abstract: A tank vehicle adapted to hold a load and having a traveling lighting assembly. The tank vehicle includes a main body that is adapted to carry the load, a false bulkhead removably engaged with the main body where the false bulkhead is located at a distance away from one of a front bulkhead and a rear bulkhead of the main body, and a frame operably engaged with the main body at one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. The travel lighting assembly operably engages with one of the rear bulkhead and the false bulkhead. The travel lighting assembly has a plurality of signaling devices that operably engages with and faces into the frame and is configured to emit a set of indicator lights into the frame and through a portion of the false bulkhead and behind the main body to indicate travel of the tank vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. In one aspect, a drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. At least a portion of the drying member has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the elongate member and may be shaped and configured to substantially maintain contact with a wall of the lumen as the elongate member is advanced through the lumen. The elongate member and the drying member are sterilized or disinfected so that the disinfected and/or sterilized device channel is not compromised by the drying process.

Abstract: Refrigeration lubricants with at least one thiophosphorus additive for use in hydrofluorocarbon refrigeration systems. The thiophosphorus additives may improve the stability and metals and/or refrigerant compatibility of the refrigeration lubricant.

Abstract: A handheld imaging device has a data receiver that is configured to receive reference encoded image data. The data includes reference code values, which are encoded by an external coding system. The reference code values represent reference gray levels, which are being selected using a reference grayscale display function that is based on perceptual non-linearity of human vision adapted at different light levels to spatial frequencies. The imaging device also has a data converter that is configured to access a code mapping between the reference code values and device-specific code values of the imaging device. The device-specific code values are configured to produce gray levels that are specific to the imaging device. Based on the code mapping, the data converter is configured to transcode the reference encoded image data into device-specific image data, which is encoded with the device-specific code values.

Abstract: A light-frame shear wall for resisting lateral forces includes a frame wall, shear reinforcement structure, and sheathing. The frame wall includes a top plate, a sill, a first stud interconnecting the top plate and the sill and a second stud interconnecting the top plate and the sill. The frame wall has a cavity bounded by the top plate, the sill, the first stud, and the second stud. The shear reinforcement structure resists lateral forces experienced by the frame wall. The shear reinforcement structure is disposed in the cavity of the frame wall. The shear reinforcement structure is attached to the first stud and the second stud. The shear reinforcement structure includes a shear member arranged to resist the lateral forces experienced by the frame wall. Sheathing is connected to the frame wall and the shear reinforcement member for supporting the shear wall against shear loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the non-traumatic removal of a variety of devices placed over, or on, endoscopic instruments or endoscopes. A device removal system includes a removal element for gripping the device having a body with a central portion and adjacent gripping arms movably coupled to the central portion. The system further includes an insertion device coupled to the removal element and an expanding instrument. The insertion device has an elongate shaft configured for advancement into an opening or channel within the device to be removed. The expanding instrument is configured for insertion into the insertion device to expand the shaft of the insertion device and obtain a firmer grip on the device, thereby reducing the local pressure applied to any one portion of the device, which reduces the wear and tear on the instrument and minimizes damage to epoxy joints and other sealed areas.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one approach, includes: receiving a structured log of information, and converting the structured log of information into a filesystem interface. Resources in the information are identified by inspecting the filesystem interface. The identified resources are also translated into an unstructured object by unmarshalling the identified resources. Furthermore, the unstructured object is made available by mapping the unmarshalled resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for endoscopically visualizing tissue within a patient. In one aspect, an endoscope comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a visualization section at the distal end of the shaft. The visualization section includes a proximal surface and an outer surface spaced apart from the proximal surface. At least one of the proximal surface or the outer surface of the visualization section has an average surface roughness less than about 50 nanometers RMS. The endoscope allows improved remote visualization while not interfering with the autofocus feature of a video capture system and not causing increased light reflectance and glare due to improved surface finish.

Abstract: An invertible tapping block having first and second opposed sides each configured to be struck with an impacting member, and a web between the sides, the web having upper and lower support surfaces to which a handle is selectively attached, and the web including opposed projections, different from each other, and configured to engage different configurations of flooring planks.