Abstract: Real-time busyness information is for a public place is computed in a privacy-sensitive way, and provided for display in relation to historical busyness information. An aggregate amount of real-time location information available for a particular public place is measured (410), and used to determine (420) whether the public place is privacy-qualified. If the public place is privacy-qualified, real-time busyness information is computed (440) for the public place based on the real-time location information. Further, it is determined (450) whether the computed real-time busyness information is accuracy-qualified, based on a comparison of the real-time busyness information to historical busyness information. If both qualifications are met, the real-time busyness information is output (470) for display or to another application.

Abstract: There is described a pipe connector for connecting first and second pipes slidably engageable one into the other, the pipe connector comprising: a side wall extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space, the side wall being adapted to be inserted into a floor hole made into a floor; a floor flange extending laterally and outwardly from the first end of the side wall, the floor flange being adapted to rest on a floor surface when the side wall is inserted into the floor hole; and a guiding assembly secured to the side wall and comprising at least one resilient retaining finger for receiving the first pipe therebetween, the at least one resilient retaining finger being securable to the first pipe when the second pipe is engaged into the first pipe.

Abstract: There is described a pipe connector for connecting first and second pipes slidably engageable one into the other, the pipe connector comprising: a side wall extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space, the side wall being adapted to be inserted into a floor hole made into a floor; a floor flange extending laterally and outwardly from the first end of the side wall, the floor flange being adapted to rest on a floor surface when the side wall is inserted into the floor hole; and a guiding assembly secured to the side wall and comprising at least one resilient retaining finger for receiving the first pipe therebetween, the at least one resilient retaining finger being securable to the first pipe when the second pipe is engaged into the first pipe.

Abstract: There is described a shower enclosure and kit of walls therefor. The kit of decorative wall panels comprise a first wall panel including a front face, the front face of the first wall panel defining a first decorative pattern and including a relief element, a second wall panel including a front face, the front face of the second wall panel defining a second decorative pattern, and a connecting assembly for connecting the first wall panel adjacent to the second wall panel. The first decorative pattern of the first wall panel and the second decorative pattern of the second wall panel are configured to counteract a visual distortion caused by the relief element of the first wall panel when the first wall panel is adjacent to the second wall panel.

Abstract: There is described a shower enclosure and kit of walls therefor. The kit of decorative wall panels comprise a first wall panel including a front face, the front face of the first wall panel defining a first decorative pattern and including a relief element, a second wall panel including a front face, the front face of the second wall panel defining a second decorative pattern, and a connecting assembly for connecting the first wall panel adjacent to the second wall panel. The first decorative pattern of the first wall panel and the second decorative pattern of the second wall panel are configured to counteract a visual distortion caused by the relief element of the first wall panel when the first wall panel is adjacent to the second wall panel.

Abstract: There is described a shower enclosure and kit of walls therefor. The kit of decorative wall panels comprise a first wall panel including a front face, the front face of the first wall panel defining a first decorative pattern and including a relief element, a second wall panel including a front face, the front face of the second wall panel defining a second decorative pattern, and a connecting assembly for connecting the first wall panel adjacent to the second wall panel. The first decorative pattern of the first wall panel and the second decorative pattern of the second wall panel are configured to counteract a visual distortion caused by the relief element of the first wall panel when the first wall panel is adjacent to the second wall panel.

Abstract: There is described a pipe connector for connecting first and second pipes slidably engageable one into the other, the pipe connector comprising: a side wall extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space, the side wall being adapted to be inserted into a floor hole made into a floor; a floor flange extending laterally and outwardly from the first end of the side wall, the floor flange being adapted to rest on a floor surface when the side wall is inserted into the floor hole; and a guiding assembly secured to the side wall and comprising at least one resilient retaining finger for receiving the first pipe therebetween, the at least one resilient retaining finger being securable to the first pipe when the second pipe is engaged into the first pipe.

Abstract: A pipe connector connects first and second pipes slidably engageable with each other, the pipe connector including: a side wall extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space, the side wall being adapted to be inserted into a floor hole made in a floor; a floor flange extending laterally and outwardly from the first end of the side wall, the floor flange being adapted to rest on a floor surface when the side wall is inserted into the floor hole; and a guiding assembly secured to the side wall and including at least one resilient retaining finger for receiving the first pipe therebetween, the at least one resilient retaining finger being securable to the first pipe when the second pipe is engaged into the first pipe.

Abstract: There is described a shower enclosure and kit of walls therefor. The kit of decorative wall panels comprise a first wall panel including a front face, the front face of the first wall panel defining a first decorative pattern and including a relief element, a second wall panel including a front face, the front face of the second wall panel defining a second decorative pattern, and a connecting assembly for connecting the first wall panel adjacent to the second wall panel. The first decorative pattern of the first wall panel and the second decorative pattern of the second wall panel are configured to counteract a visual distortion caused by the relief element of the first wall panel when the first wall panel is adjacent to the second wall panel.

Abstract: There is described a door assembly for a bathing enclosure, comprising: a frame; a rotatable panel rotatably securable to a wall; and a slidable panel slidably secured to the frame, wherein a sliding motion of the slidable panel triggers a rotation of the rotatable panel, wherein the door assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the door assembly is in the closed position, the rotatable and slidable panels are adjacent to one another and are unparallel and wherein when the door assembly is in the open position, the rotatable and slidable panels overlap one another and are parallel together.

Abstract: There is described a door assembly for a bathing enclosure, comprising: a frame; a rotatable panel rotatably securable to a wall; and a slidable panel slidably secured to the frame, wherein a sliding motion of the slidable panel triggers a rotation of the rotatable panel, wherein the door assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the door assembly is in the closed position, the rotatable and slidable panels are adjacent to one another and are unparallel and wherein when the door assembly is in the open position, the rotatable and slidable panels overlap one another and are parallel together.

Abstract: There is described a pipe connector for connecting first and second pipes slidably engageable one into the other, the pipe connector comprising: a side wall extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space, the side wall being adapted to be inserted into a floor hole made into a floor; a floor flange extending laterally and outwardly from the first end of the side wall, the floor flange being adapted to rest on a floor surface when the side wall is inserted into the floor hole; and a guiding assembly secured to the side wall and comprising at least one resilient retaining finger for receiving the first pipe therebetween, the at least one resilient retaining finger being securable to the first pipe when the second pipe is engaged into the first pipe.

Abstract: A wall panel holder for a shower pan which comprises a holding body including first and second spaced apart sidewalls. The sidewalls define a holding gap between them which is sized and shaped to permit a lower part of a wall panel to be snuggly received by it. the holding gap is located away from a perimeter wall of the shower pan so as to hold the wall panel away from the perimeter wall and to allow water to flow between the perimeter wall and under the lower part of the wall panel.

Abstract: A wall panel holder for a shower pan which comprises a holding body including first and second spaced apart sidewalls. The sidewalls define a holding gap between them which is sized and shaped to permit a lower part of a wall panel to be snuggly received by it. the holding gap is located away from a perimeter wall of the shower pan so as to hold the wall panel away from the perimeter wall and to allow water to flow between the perimeter wall and under the lower part of the wall panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates a novel adaptor to position tiles or tile-like elements within or around a bathing apparatus, or both. The present invention further includes a method of using the tile adaptor for the installation of tiles. In a representative embodiment, the tile adaptor includes one or more flanges along at least one of its sides to allow the installation of tiles of a variety of thicknesses at a number of places. The adaptor is integrated in the final bathing apparatus. One or more adaptors may be positioned on the floor, wall and/or ceiling of the bathing apparatus, depending on the design of the bathing enclosure. Advantageously, the tile adaptor is easy to install and to use, and it may conveniently be manufactured from a lightweight material such as extruded plastic or a synthetic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel fastener that will find many applications. The fastener generally includes two sections, a head section and a pin section. The pin section consists of a generally elongate shaft that is divided into a barbed section including one or more distinctive barbs and a smooth section. As described herein, the features of this fastener greatly facilitate the assembly of components of pre-fabricated bathing apparatus, such as showers and bathtubs. Advantageously, the fastener may be manufactured from plastic or any other synthetic polymer, and can therefore be lightweight and economical to produce.

Abstract: The present invention relates a novel heat exchange system. More particularly, the invention concerns a heat exchange system for use in bathing apparatus, including showers, bathtubs and whirlpools. Advantageously, this system is simple to install, maintain and clean and can easily be integrated in a limitless variety of bathing apparatus.

Abstract: A short guide for temporary fixation to a fastener hole in a bone plate, includes a bottom threaded portion, a top portion, and a central passage for guiding an orthopedic device. The threaded end is preferably provided with a triple lead taper thread. The central passage is sized for receiving an orthopedic device, e.g., a drill bit or K-wire. The top portion is provided with tool engagement structure for coupling to a guide driver. The length of the device permits multiple guides to be pre-assembled to the plate without obscuring and crowding the area of interest. When the bone plate includes polyaxial bushings, the guides are initially lightly screwed therein, permitting the surgeon to modify the angle of each guide and bushing to a selected orientation before locking the bushing at an orientation by tightening the guide into the bushing.