Abstract: An implement for use with an excavator includes a lightweight housing, a first coupling feature, a ground penetrating radar antenna, a controller, a wireless communication circuit and a rotation unit. The lightweight housing has an upper surface, a lower surface and a cavity. The first coupling feature is located on the upper surface and cooperates with a second coupling feature on an excavator arm. The ground penetrating radar antenna is mounted near the lower surface. The controller is mounted within the cavity and provides outgoing signals to the radar antenna, receives incoming signals from the radar antenna and interprets the incoming signals so as to provide implement output information. The wireless communication circuit is mounted within the cavity and transmits the implement output information. The rotation unit is mounted within the cavity and rotates the housing vis-à-vis the excavator arm.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is supplied with power from a power supply via a cable suspended from an anchor. The anchor is attached to a mount on the vehicle and detachable from the mount by tension in the first portion of the cable between the anchor and the power supply. A second portion of the cable between the anchor and the vehicle remains slack in the attached position of the anchor, and extends on detachment of the anchor to relieve tension in the first portion of the cable. A disconnection switch is operable by detachment of the anchor to interrupt the power supply from the cable to the vehicle.

Abstract: An antenna for a ground-penetration radar system is disclosed. The antenna has a housing that defines a cavity. A radiator is located on a surface of a planar substrate within the cavity. A wear-block is located between the radiator and the opening to the cavity for providing mechanical protection to the radiator. An absorber assembly is located on an opposite side of the radiator from the opening. The absorber assembly comprises a microwave absorber and a first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is located between the radiator and the microwave absorber.

Abstract: A radar system is disclosed for detecting profiles of objects, particularly in a vicinity of a machine work tool. The radar system uses a direct digital synthesiser to generate an intermediate frequency off-set frequency. It also uses an up-converter comprising a quadrature mixer, single-side mixer or complex mixer to add the off-set frequency to the transmitted frequency. It further uses a down-converter in the receive path driven by the off-set frequency as a local oscillator. The radar system enables received information to be transferred to the intermediate frequency. This in turn can be sampled synchronously in such a way as to provide a complex data stream carrying amplitude and phase information. The radar system is implementable with a single transmit channel and a single receive channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a machine comprising an implement and a machine for performing such a method. The implement is configured for motion in at least three degrees of freedom. In response to an input, movement of the implement from first to second positions is constrained to a first motion in a first plane or a second motion in a second plane. Sensor data received from an IMU attached to the implement is indicative of the movement of the implement. A first or second estimation mode is selected based upon a determination that the movement is the first or second motion. The first or second estimation mode is implemented to estimate the trajectory of the implement and the second position based upon the sensor data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a machine comprising an implement and a machine for performing such a method. The implement is configured for motion in at least three degrees of freedom. In response to an input, movement of the implement from first to second positions is constrained to a first motion in a first plane or a second motion in a second plane. Sensor data received from an IMU attached to the implement is indicative of the movement of the implement. A first or second estimation mode is selected based upon a determination that the movement is the first or second motion. The first or second estimation mode is implemented to estimate the trajectory of the implement and the second position based upon the sensor data.

Abstract: A radar system is disclosed for detecting profiles of objects, particularly in a vicinity of a machine work tool. The radar system uses a direct digital synthesiser to generate an intermediate frequency off-set frequency. It also uses an up-converter comprising a quadrature mixer, single-side mixer or complex mixer to add the off-set frequency to the transmitted frequency. It further uses a down-converter in the receive path driven by the off-set frequency as a local oscillator. The radar system enables received information to be transferred to the intermediate frequency. This in turn can be sampled synchronously in such a way as to provide a complex data stream carrying amplitude and phase information. The radar system is implementable with a single transmit channel and a single receive channel.

Abstract: A system for improving safety in use of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement movable relative to the body is disclosed. The system may use sensed data to define a safety zone around an implement to assist a user in avoiding an object of interest. The system may provide functionality to change control of the machine or implement in the event that an object of interest is detected.

Abstract: A system using radar apparatus for assisting a user of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement is disclosed. The system may provide a user with information regarding a current position of a part or parts of the implement that may not otherwise be visible to a user situated in a cab of the machine. The system may provide a user with information regarding a future trajectory of a part or parts of the implement on the basis of sensed data relating to current machine position and movement.

Abstract: A system for providing guidance to a user of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement movable relative to the body is disclosed. The system may provide a user with information regarding a current position of a part or parts of the implement that may not otherwise be visible to a user situated in a cab of the machine. The system may provide a user with information regarding a future trajectory of a part or parts of the implement on the basis of sensed data relating to current machine position and movement.

Abstract: A method of changing from a first gear position to a second gear position of a transmission arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes a rotatable transmission member, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission coupled to the transmission member and operable to rotate the transmission member at a first speed, a controller configured to control operation of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, and a gear apparatus coupled to the transmission member and configured to be shiftable between at least the first gear position and the second gear position. The method includes controlling the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, using the controller, to rotate the transmission member at the first speed, and shifting the gear apparatus from the first gear position to the second gear position while the transmission member is rotating at, or converging with, the first speed.

Abstract: A method of changing from a first gear position to a second gear position of a transmission arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes a rotatable transmission member, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission coupled to the transmission member and operable to rotate the transmission member at a first speed, a controller configured to control operation of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, and a gear apparatus coupled to the transmission member and configured to be shiftable between at least the first gear position and the second gear position. The method includes controlling the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, using the controller, to rotate the transmission member at the first speed, and shifting the gear apparatus from the first gear position to the second gear position while the transmission member is rotating at, or converging with, the first speed.

Abstract: An adapter device for a lamp or light fixture includes a male connector, a female socket and control circuitry. The adapter supports at least one RGB LED cluster positioned so as to emit a colored light show. The male connector is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The adapter also includes a slot for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active insert for enabling the device to emit an active ingredient from the insert when the insert is secured in the slot. A conventional light bulb or a CFL may also be connected to the female socket as a source of illumination. Thus, a single adapter is used to combine a conventional light source/colored light show source/volatile active source.

Abstract: A replacement device for a light bulb includes a translucent shell and a base. The base is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The base also includes a compartment, slot or recess for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active insert for enabling the device to emit an insect control material when the insert is secured in the compartment Combinations of one or more of a coiled fluorescent light, a plurality of colored LEDs, and an incandescent light source may also provided in the shell as a source of illumination. Thus, a single device is used as a replacement for a conventional light bulb that provides insect control in the form of a cartridge, bottle, mat, tube, sheet, patch etc.

Abstract: A dispensing cap for a container includes a first lid having a dispensing surface and a skirt depending from a periphery thereof. The dispensing surface is formed from at least one of a substantially transparent and translucent material and includes several apertures. A second lid has a second dispensing surface and a second skirt depending from a periphery thereof that is adapted to be inserted into and releasably held within the first lid. The second dispensing surface includes several orifices. The first and second lids are rotatable a full 360° relative to one another.

Abstract: A replacement device for a light bulb includes a translucent shell and a base. The base supports a plurality of LEDs positioned so as to emit a light show through the shell. The base is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The base also includes a compartment for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active cartridge and a heater for enabling the device to effectively emit an active ingredient from the cartridge when the cartridge is secured in the compartment. A white light source is also provided in the shell as a source of illumination. The device can be used as a white light source, for displaying a colored light show and for volatile active emission. The volatile active may be emitted continuously when the device is used as either a white light source or for purposes of displaying a colored light show. Thus, a single device is used as a replacement for a conventional light bulb and is a combination white light source/colored light show source/volatile active source.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base with a melting plate upon which a meltable solid fuel rests and a wick holder to hold a wick and engage the meltable solid fuel, and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, a candle assembly includes a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on the wick and controls the at least one of the sound emitting system or the light emitting system, and a lock and key mechanism. Another candle assembly includes a replaceable container to hold a meltable fuel element with a wick and a first mating surface and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, the control unit has a second mating surface complimentary to the first mating surface and a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on a wick.

Abstract: A picture display frame includes front and rear sides. A recess is disposed within the rear side of the display frame. A volatile material holder is disposed within the recess of the rear side. The volatile material holder includes a reservoir and a vapor permeable membrane. A slot is disposed in a side wall of the display frame in communication with a portion of the recess. The portion of the recess is adapted to hold a decorative element.

Abstract: Devices for dispensing cleaning chemicals from under the rim of a toilet bowl are suspended from either an open bottom toilet bowl rim or a toilet bowl rim with bottom wall holes, using a brush or brush-like suspender. Bristles of the brush flex together to permit the brush to extend into toilet bowl rim holes or an entrance of an open bottom rim. They then expand away from each other to retain the dispenser directly under the rim, in an essentially hidden manner.

Abstract: A combination includes a container of product having a longitudinal dimension and a valve oriented to discharge product generally longitudinally from the container. A housing includes a first wall portion enclosing a main body of the container and a second tapered wall portion adjacent the first wall portion tapering to a discharge opening. The discharge opening has a cross sectional size larger than a radius of the container. Valve actuating apparatus extends laterally from the valve and has an interfering relationship with the first wall portion. Relative movement of the container toward the discharge opening causes the valve actuating apparatus to be displaced against the first wall portion to actuate the valve and dispense product from the housing.