Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing and controlling network-enabled movable barrier operators is provided. A method for managing network-enabled movable barrier operator includes receiving a user account identifier and a movable barrier operator identifier from a user device, providing an instruction to perform a specified action with a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier operator identifier to the user device, determining a registration condition is met upon detecting that the specified action has been performed, and, upon the registration condition being met, associating the movable barrier operator identifier with the user account identifier to allow a user account associated with the user account identifier to control the movable barrier operator over a network.

Abstract: In some examples, there may be provided systems, devices, and methods for using data from disparate sources to determine whether diversion events have occurred. A diversion event may be when a monitored unit intended for a target user is diverted away from the target user.

Abstract: Generally speaking, and pursuant to these various embodiments, a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium is provided that allows a guest to contact an owner or operator of a secured premises or area to gain access to the secured premises. An access control device initiates contact with a guest device and provides a resource to contact an owner device. If the owner decides to grant access to the guest, the owner selects a suitable input on the owner device so that the owner device sends an authorized signal to the guest device. The guest device acts as a gateway and forwards the authorized signal to the access control device. The access control device operates in response to reception of the authorized signal to grant the guest access to the secured premises.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to tools that are made, at least in part, more durable, particularly one or more working surface(s) of the tools. For example, various tools such as trowels, knives, and scrapers may be made having at least a portion of their blades heat treated to make at least their working edges more durable and extend their useful lives. For example, in various embodiments, a putty knife, taping knife, or scraper blade may have at least one working surface or edge that has been at heat treated while an area of the blade where a handle is permanently attached is not heat treated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to tools that are high quality, strong, and lightweight. For example, various tools such as clamps may be made using parts containing a compound or alloy including magnesium. Magnesium may be for cast or extruded parts. In one embodiment, an “F” style clamp may be made with one or both of the two cooperating jaw members or sections being cast from a magnesium compound or alloy. In one variation, the “F” style clamp may include a shaft made from extruded magnesium. In another embodiment, a “C” style clamp may be made with the “C” shaped frame being cast from a magnesium compound or alloy. In a further embodiment, a bar clamp having trigger indexing may me made with one or both of two jaw members or sections being cast from a magnesium compound or alloy. In a variation, the bar may be an extruded magnesium.

Abstract: Graphene platelet nano composites with metal or metal oxides. The coated and composited particles are useful as electrodes and for electrical applications.

Abstract: Generally speaking, and pursuant to these various embodiments, a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium is provided that allows a guest to contact an owner or operator of a secured premises or area to gain access to the secured premises. An access control device initiates contact with a guest device and provides a resource to contact an owner device. If the owner decides to grant access to the guest, the owner selects a suitable input on the owner device so that the owner device sends an authorized signal to the guest device. The guest device acts as a gateway and forwards the authorized signal to the access control device. The access control device operates in response to reception of the authorized signal to grant the guest access to the secured premises.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A mineral insulated heating cable for a heat tracing system. The heating cable includes a sheath having at least a first, and optionally a second layer, wherein the thermal conductivity of the second layer is greater than a thermal conductivity of the first layer. In addition, the first and second layers are in intimate thermal contact. The heating cable also includes at least one heating conductor for generating heat and a dielectric layer located within the sheath for electrically insulating the heating conductor, wherein the sheath, heating conductor and dielectric layer form a heating section. In addition, the heating cable includes a conduit for receiving the heating section. Further, the heating cable includes a cold lead section and a hot-cold joint for connecting the heating and cold lead sections. In addition, a high emissivity coating may be formed on the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially isocyanate-free multicomponent compositions useful in making rapid dry primer compositions and coatings, the compositions comprising one or more carboxylic acid compounds that contain one of a benzothiazole, benzoxazole, or benzimidazole group, preferably, that contain a benzothiazole group, one or more hydrophobic sulfonic acid catalyst, one or more pigment, extender or filler, one or more a) polycarbamates from alkyd polyol or acrylic polyol and one or more b) a polyaldehydes or the acetal or hemiacetal thereof as a second component. The multicomponent compositions cure quickly at a temperature of from 0° C. to less than 80° C. to form a crosslinked polyurethane coating having improved humidity and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially isocyanate-free multicomponent compositions useful in making rapid dry primer compositions and coatings, the compositions comprising one or more carboxylic acid compounds that contain one of a benzothiazole, benzoxazole, or benzimidazole group, preferably, that contain a benzothiazole group, one or more hydrophobic sulfonic acid catalyst, one or more pigment, extender or filler, one or more a) polycarbamates from alkyd polyol or acrylic polyol and one or more b) a polyaldehydes or the acetal or hemiacetal thereof as a second component. The multicomponent compositions cure quickly at a temperature of from 0° C. to less than 80° C. to form a crosslinked polyurethane coating having improved humidity and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A system for finishing surfaces with a finishing material includes a handle assembly with proximal and distal ends. A material reservoir is mounted on the handle distal and includes an inlet and an outlet. A material applicator tool is mounted on the reservoir and receives material from the reservoir outlet. A discharge mechanism includes an extendable-retractable component or linear actuator connected to the reservoir for discharging or reloading material. An alternative embodiment includes a lockable, compressible gas spring. Another alternative embodiment includes a rotating element driven by a reversible motor mounted on the handle assembly. The rotating element drives a discharge mechanism in a discharge direction of rotation, and reloads the reservoir in a reload direction of rotation. Multiple alternative embodiments of linear actuators are disclosed. An alternative embodiment includes a push-to-open valve mechanism.

Abstract: A mineral insulated heating cable for a heat tracing system. The heating cable includes a sheath having at least a first, and optionally a second layer, wherein the thermal conductivity of the second layer is greater than a thermal conductivity of the first layer. In addition, the first and second layers are in intimate thermal contact. The heating cable also includes at least one heating conductor for generating heat and a dielectric layer located within the sheath for electrically insulating the heating, conductor, wherein the sheath, heating conductor and dielectric layer form a heating section. In addition, the heating cable includes a conduit for receiving the heating section. Further, the heating cable includes a cold lead section and a hot-cold joint for connecting the heating and cold lead sections. In addition, a high emissivity coating may be formed on the first layer.

Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to building tools that are high quality, durable, and in some case lightweight. For example, various tools may made by forming multiple sections into a single integrated piece by, for example, casting the parts using a molding process so as to reduce manufacturing cost and increase the structural durability of the tool. The tools may be made in such a way as to allow for easier assembly, operation, and cleaning. Further, various tools may be made, at least in part, using a material including magnesium to reduce the weight of the tool. Still further, various tools may be made using one or more protective coatings for protecting various metals against corrosion, for example, using a high impact coating such as paint covered with a clear coat of lacquer.

Abstract: A system for finishing surfaces with a finishing material includes a handle assembly with proximal and distal ends. A material reservoir is mounted on the handle distal and includes an inlet and an outlet. A material applicator tool is mounted on the reservoir and receives material from the reservoir outlet. A discharge mechanism includes an extendable-retractable component connected to the reservoir for discharging or reloading material. An alternative embodiment includes a lockable, compressible gas spring. Another alternative embodiment includes a rotating element driven by a reversible motor mounted on the handle assembly. The rotating element drives a discharge mechanism in a discharge direction of rotation, and reloads the reservoir in a reload direction of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially isocyanate-free multicomponent compositions useful in making rapid dry primer compositions and coatings, the compositions comprising one or more carboxylic acid compounds that contain one of a benzothiazole, benzoxazole, or benzimidazole group, preferably, that contain a benzothiazole group, one or more hydrophobic sulfonic acid catalyst, one or more pigment, extender or filler, one or more a) polycarbamates from alkyd polyol or acrylic polyol and one or more b) a polyaldehydes or the acetal or hemiacetal thereof as a second component. The multicomponent compositions cure quickly at a temperature of from 0° C. to less than 80° C. to form a crosslinked polyurethane coating having improved humidity and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A system configured to provide cathodic protection to buried and/or submerged metal components and/or structures, such as pipes is disclosed. The system includes a cathodic protection apparatus having at least one upright support and a plurality of sacrificial anodes secured to the at least one upright support in a vertical orientation to provide variable cathodic protection to the metallic structures.