Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive mechanism having a friction slip ring inside a brake hub, wherein the brake hub is configured to rotate with respect to the friction slip ring, in response to an at least partial rotation of the drive mechanism. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force of about double a maximum force that a window shade exerts on the friction slip ring. The system may include a spring plunger system abutting a bracket, wherein the spring plunger system may be configured to reduce friction against the bracket in response to a first at least partial rotation of a drive mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wire terminals and/or termination mechanisms arranged and configured for use with a wiring device The wire terminals may be used in any suitable line-voltage wiring device. The wire terminals are arranged and configured to selectively receive a distal end of a wire therein.

Abstract: The system may comprise a controller configured to control one or more motors; a plurality of motors, wherein each of the plurality of motors are configured to adjust a photovoltaic (PV) film system and a window shade system; a geared interface configured to interface the PV film system and the window shade system; the PV film system may be configured to generate solar power for the controller; and a storage device that interfaces with the controller. The coupler for a PV film system may comprise a first wire that interfaces with the PV film; a rotating portion of a slip ring that interfaces with the first wire; a non-rotating portion of the slip ring that interfaces with a second wire; the second wire exiting the coupler; and an outside surface of the coupler that receives a tube, wherein the tube interfaces with the PV film.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wire terminals and/or termination mechanisms arranged and configured for use with a wiring device The wire terminals may be used in any suitable line-voltage wiring device. The wire terminals are arranged and configured to selectively receive a distal end of a wire therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wire terminals and/or termination mechanisms arranged and configured for use with a wiring device The wire terminals may be used in any suitable line-voltage wiring device. The wire terminals are arranged and configured to selectively receive a distal end of a wire therein.

Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive mechanism having a friction slip ring inside a brake hub, wherein the brake hub is configured to rotate with respect to the friction slip ring, in response to an at least partial rotation of the drive mechanism. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force of about double a maximum force that a window shade exerts on the friction slip ring. The system may include a spring plunger system abutting a bracket, wherein the spring plunger system may be configured to reduce friction against the bracket in response to a first at least partial rotation of a drive mechanism.

Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive mechanism having a friction slip ring inside a brake hub, wherein the brake hub is configured to rotate with respect to the friction slip ring, in response to an at least partial rotation of the drive mechanism. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force of about double a maximum force that a window shade exerts on the friction slip ring. The system may include a spring plunger system abutting a bracket, wherein the spring plunger system may be configured to reduce friction against the bracket in response to a first at least partial rotation of a drive mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wire terminals and/or termination mechanisms arranged and configured for use with a wiring device The wire terminals may be used in any suitable line-voltage wiring device. The wire terminals are arranged and configured to selectively receive a distal end of a wire therein.

Abstract: Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.

Abstract: Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.

Abstract: A modular lighting system has first, second and third lighting fixtures adapted for end-to-end electrical interconnection. The lighting fixtures are mounted to a support structure in a closely abutting relationship with the longitudinal axes thereof in alignment. First and second electrical inter-connector are removably connected to the first and second lighting fixtures and the second and third lighting fixtures, respectively. The first and second electrical inter-connectors are connectable and disconnectable from a top of the lighting fixtures without dismounting the lighting fixtures, and the second lighting fixture intermediate the other two lighting fixtures being dismountable from the support structure without dismounting the other two lighting fixture by removing the first and second electrical inter-connectors from the top of the lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing extrudable material from a cartridge. The dispenser includes a housing having a first recess for holding the cartridge, a plunger movable along the longitudinal axis of the first recess, a driver element for selectively engaging and moving the plunger in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis, and a clutch element for and selectively engaging the plunger to restrain movement of the plunger in a rearward direction. When the clutch element restrains the plunger, movement of the plunger in the rearward direction is limited to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A grip for an ultrasonic scaler insert includes a soft grip portion externally attached to a rigid body having front, rear and central portions. The soft grip is attached to the rigid body either by adhesive or ovennolding, and includes a plurality of elongated ridges along an exterior surface of the soft grip. The elongated ridges are spaced apart on the exterior surface in a manner directed to follow finger placement on the grip, so that the grip may be easily manipulated. The material making up the soft grip helps to reduce vibrations transmitted to the user during operation of the ultrasonic scaler.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing extrudable material from a cartridge. The dispenser includes a housing having a first recess for holding the cartridge, a plunger movable along the longitudinal axis of the first recess, a driver element for selectively engaging and moving the plunger in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis, and a clutch element for and selectively engaging the plunger to restrain movement of the plunger in a rearward direction. When the clutch element restrains the plunger, movement of the plunger in the rearward direction is limited to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of reinforced concrete structures wherein plastic tie fasteners are used to secure the rebar structure within the concrete structure. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of securing rebar by using plastic tie fasteners.