Abstract: Vehicle-mounted line trimmers and/or edgers for weed and vegetation, along with methods of operation of such trimmers, are discussed. The trimmer/edger can have a variety of features such as maintaining and/or adjusting the height of the trimmer/edger and maintaining the same orientation of the trimmer/edger at a variety of heights. The methods of operation can include methods for recording a path for the trimmer/edger and/or following a pre-recorded path for the trimmer/edger, trimming/edging around small obstacles, and trimming/edging along large obstacles.

Abstract: A lawnmower, and in particular a robotic lawnmower, can include a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the lawnmower housing. The passive cleaning assembly can be moveably mounted on the housing. Movement of the lawnmower with respect to the ground can cause a cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing, and thereby remove detritus from the housing.

Abstract: Line trimmers and/or edgers for weed and vegetation are discussed. One example embodiment comprises: a trimmer head configured to rotate a portion of a trimmer line comprising a cutting end of the trimmer line; a trimmer motor configured to drive the rotation of the trimmer head; a continuous line feed mechanism configured to continuously feed the trimmer line into the trimmer head while the continuous line feed mechanism is active; and one or more line feed activation mechanisms configured to control an activation and a deactivation of the continuous line feed mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are systems for filling machines which use treatment materials contained in cartridges. Optionally, the machine is a dyeing machine, and the treatment material is ink. Some embodiments relate to a liquid management system for conveying a plurality of unique treatment liquids, comprising: a first receptacle adapted to receive a single cartridge, the receptacle having multiple conduits, each conduit configured to transport a unique liquid, and each conduit corresponding to a different position on a cartridge; a plurality of cartridges configured to contain a liquid, the cartridges each comprising a flow outlet located at a position in the cartridge corresponding to one of the conduits of the receptacle; wherein, when a filled cartridge is introduced into the receptacle, liquid may flow through the flow outlet and into one of the conduits of the receptacle.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot that includes: a powered agitator that, when active, mechanically removes debris from a window surface; a cleaning pad, which is wetted with a cleaning fluid and contacts the window surface so as to remove debris therefrom with the aid of the cleaning fluid; and a movement system, for example including a number of wheels, which moves the robot over the window surface and has a defined forwards direction; the agitator is located forwards of the cleaning pad and the agitator and the cleaning pad are arranged such that, as the robot moves over the window surface in the forwards direction, the agitator addresses a width in a width direction, which is perpendicular to the forwards direction and parallel to the window surface, that is greater than the width addressed by the cleaning pad.

Abstract: A lawnmower, and in particular a robotic lawnmower, can include a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the lawnmower housing. The passive cleaning assembly can be moveably mounted on the housing. Movement of the lawnmower with respect to the ground can cause a cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing, and thereby remove detritus from the housing.

Abstract: A lawnmower which includes a housing, and a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the housing, the passive cleaning assembly being moveably mounted on the housing. The passive cleaning assembly can include a ground-contacting portion, which contacts the ground during use, thereby causing the cleaning portion to move with respect to the housing during movement of the lawnmower. Movement of the lawn mower with respect to the ground causes the cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing and to thereby remove detritus from the housing.

Abstract: An anti-backlash device for preventing backlash derived from a moving load on a screw used in converting rotary motion into linear motion, the anti-backlash device comprising: a cylindrical pressure actuator integrally formed with a helical thread and axially mounted on the screw; a cradle integrally formed with a helical thread and internal cradle threads, the cradle being mounted exterior to and in mechanical contact with both the cylindrical pressure actuator and the screw, and a preloading means comprising a wave spring and a retainer mounted in the cradle.

Abstract: An anti-backlash device for preventing backlash derived from a moving load on a screw used in converting rotary motion into linear motion, the anti-backlash device comprising: a cylindrical pressure actuator integrally formed with a helical thread and axially mounted on the screw; a cradle integrally formed with a helical thread and internal cradle threads, the cradle being mounted exterior to and in mechanical contact with both the cylindrical pressure actuator and the screw, and a preloading means comprising a wave spring and a retainer mounted in the cradle.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot that includes: a powered agitator that, when active, mechanically removes debris from a window surface; a cleaning pad, which is wetted with a cleaning fluid and contacts the window surface so as to remove debris therefrom with the aid of the cleaning fluid; and a movement system, for example including a number of wheels, which moves the robot over the window surface and has a defined forwards direction; the agitator is located forwards of the cleaning pad and the agitator and the cleaning pad are arranged such that, as the robot moves over the window surface in the forwards direction, the agitator addresses a width in a width direction, which is perpendicular to the forwards direction and parallel to the window surface, that is greater than the width addressed by the cleaning pad.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot that includes: a powered agitator that, when active, mechanically removes debris from a window surface; a cleaning pad, which is wetted with a cleaning fluid and contacts the window surface so as to remove debris therefrom with the aid of the cleaning fluid; and a movement system, for example including a number of wheels, which moves the robot over the window surface and has a defined forwards direction; the agitator is located forwards of the cleaning pad and the agitator and the cleaning pad are arranged such that, as the robot moves over the window surface in the forwards direction, the agitator addresses a width in a width direction, which is perpendicular to the forwards direction and parallel to the window surface, that is greater than the width addressed by the cleaning pad.

Abstract: Aspects of a lawnmower and in particular a robotic lawnmower are disclosed herein. Specifically, the lawnmower may include a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the housing, the passive cleaning assembly being moveably mounted on said housing. Movement of the lawnmower with respect to the ground may cause a cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing and thereby remove detritus from the housing. In one aspect, the lawnmower may be configured such that, during use, the cleaning assembly is moved with respect to the housing thereby causing a scraping edge of a cleaning portion of the cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing and thereby scrape detritus off the housing. In another aspect the lawnmower may comprise a sliding member having a ground-engaging surface that is positioned so as to face towards and to slide over the ground during such movement of the lawnmower over the lawn.

Abstract: A tacker for applying a rotary tack, including a tacker for applying a rotary tack, including a handle with a first trigger assembly and a second trigger assembly, the trigger assemblies being coupled to an articulated applicator arm which is disposed through a drive shaft connected to the handle, the first trigger assembly operative to apply a rotary tack from a distal end of the applicator arm and the second trigger assembly operative to bend the distal end of the applicator arm, wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle is tilted with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission which utilizes a combination of a multiple planetary gear pump and a multiple planetary gear motor encased within one compact unit sealed so as to direct passage of hydraulic fluid between the combination thereof. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a power component provided with a plurality of planetary gears that can provide power to at least one load delivered by at least one of the plurality of planetary gears. The power component is configured with an integrated oil-switching mechanism that controls the rotational speed delivered to the load. The hydrostatic transmission is provided in one compact, sealed casing suitable for use in vehicles, having an output shaft optionally mechanically connected directly to the wheels of a vehicle drive. The inventive hydrostatic transmission operates without the need for lengthy pressure hoses and related connectors and fittings for cycling hydraulic fluid along needed flow paths.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission which utilizes a combination of a multiple planetary gear pump and a multiple planetary gear motor encased within one compact unit sealed so as to direct passage of hydraulic fluid between the combination thereof. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a power component provided with a plurality of planetary gears that can provide power to at least one load delivered by at least one of the plurality of planetary gears. The power component is configured with an integrated oil-switching mechanism that controls the rotational speed delivered to the load. The hydrostatic transmission is provided in one compact, sealed casing suitable for use in vehicles, having an output shaft optionally mechanically connected directly to the wheels of a vehicle drive. The inventive hydrostatic transmission operates without the need for lengthy pressure hoses and related connectors and fittings for cycling hydraulic fluid along needed flow paths.

Abstract: A tacker for applying a rotary tack, including a tacker for applying a rotary tack, including a handle with a first trigger assembly and a second trigger assembly, the trigger assemblies being coupled to an articulated applicator arm which is disposed through a drive shaft connected to the handle, the first trigger assembly operative to apply a rotary tack from a distal end of the applicator arm and the second trigger assembly operative to bend the distal end of the applicator arm, wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle is tilted with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot that includes: a powered agitator that, when active, mechanically removes debris from a window surface; a cleaning pad, which is wetted with a cleaning fluid and contacts the window surface so as to remove debris therefrom with the aid of the cleaning fluid; and a movement system, for example including a number of wheels, which moves the robot over the window surface and has a defined forwards direction; the agitator is located forwards of the cleaning pad and the agitator and the cleaning pad are arranged such that, as the robot moves over the window surface in the forwards direction, the agitator addresses a width in a width direction, which is perpendicular to the forwards direction and parallel to the window surface, that is greater than the width addressed by the cleaning pad.

Abstract: A planetary push-pull electric motor comprising a ring stator fixedly mounted on the central axis of the planetary push-pull electric motor; a planetary rotor arranged to be magnetically movable around an inner circumference of the ring stator, the planetary rotor rotatably mounted on an eccentric rotor axis in respect to the central axis of the ring stator; a series of electromagnets radially mounted about the ring stator for generating magnetic fields; and a means for transferring rotation of the eccentric planetary rotor axis to directly power an output shaft, wherein when the series of electromagnets are activated, the planetary rotor is magnetically impelled to pivot and roll from one temporary, moving contact line to an adjacent one, creating a rotary moment upon each of the temporary, moving contact lines, providing a power output.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a housing and a trigger connected to the housing. The trigger is arranged to rotate a drive shaft by a gear mechanism. Linear movement of a linear movable element causes rotation of a rotatable gear operatively linked to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A chemical mixing device. The device includes a flow generator operative to provide at least two streams of chemicals and a mixing chamber, including at least two inlets adapted to receive the at least two streams of chemicals and an outlet through which a mixture of the streams of chemicals is ejected from the mixing device. The mixing chamber has an open state in which the chemicals are mixed and a closed state in which the volume of the mixing chamber is less than a fifth of the open state volume.