Abstract: A rifle actuation mechanism is provided for alternately positioning a rifle between stowage within a cylindrical tube having a longitudinal axis and deployment for engaging a target. The mechanism includes a cradle, a yoke, and longitudinal, elevation and azimuth actuators. The cradle holds and fires the rifle. The yoke connects to the cradle. The longitudinal actuator translates the yoke along the axis. The elevation actuator pivots the cradle from the yoke. The azimuth actuator turns the cradle about the axis for pointing to the target. The tube contains the rifle, the cradle, the yoke and the actuators while in stowage. In preferred embodiments, the axis is substantially vertical.

Abstract: A vacuum pre-separation device for use with a vacuum assembly having a power head and a collection container. The pre-separation device including a housing defining a housing volume, where the housing includes a first connection interface configured to attach to the power head and a second connection interface configured to attach to the collection container, a cyclonic separator at least partially positioned within the housing volume, where the cyclonic separator includes a discharge port open to the second connection interface, and a feed passage configured to direct air into the cyclonic separator, where a first end of the feed passage is open to the first connection interface.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing including a shroud that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a battery receptacle supported on the shroud, a first grille positioned adjacent a first end of the airflow chamber, a fan supported within the airflow chamber and rotatably coupled to one of the first grille or the shroud, and a motor supported on the other of the first grille or the shroud. The motor is operable to drive rotation of the fan and thereby generate airflow through the airflow chamber. The fan assembly further includes a base coupled to the fan housing. The base is operable to support the fan housing in multiple configurations to direct the airflow in multiple directions.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly includes a housing and a removable cover. A filter element is removably positioned in the housing. A two-part mating catch assembly includes a first part that is secured to the cover and a second part that is on one of the housing and the filter element. The first part and second part are positioned to releasably mate when the filter element is operably mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A battery powered fan assembly for use with a stackable storage system includes a base defining a storage area, a fan housing that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, a battery receptacle configured to receive a removable battery pack to power the motor, a mating interface formed on at least one of the base and the fan housing, and a latch mounted to the base. The mating interface is configured to interact with a complementary mating interface formed on a stackable element of the stackable storage system, and the latch is configured to selectively inhibit relative movement between the fan assembly and the stackable element while the mating interface of the fan assembly interacts with the complementary mating interface of the stackable element.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A prefilter for a filter of a vacuum device 1 includes a frame extending in an axial direction between first and second axial extents. The frame includes a base located at the first axial extent, a first cylindrical ring extending axially from the base toward the second axial extent, a plurality of ribs extending from the first cylindrical ring towards the second axial extent and defining openings between the ribs, and a second cylindrical ring portion positioned at the second axial extent of the frame. The prefilter also includes a mesh layer comprising a plurality of mesh openings, the mesh layer coupled to the frame and configured to cover the openings to prevent debris larger than a size of the mesh openings from passing therethrough. The prefilter also includes an engagement feature coupled to the frame and configured to engage the filter to fasten the frame to the filter.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing at least partially defining an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, and a base configured to be placed on a support surface. The base includes a stand having a foot. The fan assembly further includes a frame assembly connecting the fan housing and the base. The frame assembly is movable to adjust a height of the fan housing relative to the base, and the foot is automatically deployed in response to movement of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A light assembly configured to be removably coupled to a ferromagnetic support surface includes a base with a magnetic coupling member, a battery coupled to the base, an arm pivotally coupled to the base, and a light head pivotally coupled to the arm such that a position of the light head relative to the base is adjustable. The light head includes a light-emitting element powered by the battery. The magnetic coupling member is configured to support the light assembly by magnetic attraction to the support surface.

Abstract: A battery powered fan assembly for use with a stackable storage system includes a base defining a storage area, a fan housing that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, a battery receptacle configured to receive a removable battery pack to power the motor, a mating interface formed on at least one of the base and the fan housing, and a latch mounted to the base. The mating interface is configured to interact with a complementary mating interface formed on a stackable element of the stackable storage system, and the latch is configured to selectively inhibit relative movement between the fan assembly and the stackable element while the mating interface of the fan assembly interacts with the complementary mating interface of the stackable element.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing including a shroud that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a battery receptacle supported on the shroud, a first grille positioned adjacent a first end of the airflow chamber, a fan supported within the airflow chamber and rotatably coupled to one of the first grille or the shroud, and a motor supported on the other of the first grille or the shroud. The motor is operable to drive rotation of the fan and thereby generate airflow through the airflow chamber. The fan assembly further includes a base coupled to the fan housing. The base is operable to support the fan housing in multiple configurations to direct the airflow in multiple directions.

Abstract: A battery powered fan assembly includes a fan housing that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, a battery receptacle configured to receive a removably battery pack to power the motor, and a base assembly configured to be placed on a support surface. The base assembly includes a first frame segment coupled to the fan housing, a second frame segment pivotally coupled to the first frame segment, and a third frame segment pivotally coupled to the second frame segment. The base assembly is configured to be collapsed into a storage configuration in which each of the first, second, and third frame segments are folded onto each other and expanded to a first deployed configuration in which the fan housing is elevated above the support surface by a first height.

Abstract: A battery powered box-type fan assembly includes a fan housing that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, a battery receptacle positioned on the fan housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a removable battery pack to power the motor, and a base coupled to the fan housing and configured to be placed on a support surface. The base elevates the fan housing above the support surface and is operable to support the fan housing in multiple configurations. The base also includes a stand pivotable relative to the fan housing between a collapsed position, in which the stand is flipped up toward the fan housing, and a deployed position, in which the stand extends away from the fan housing and is configured to contact the support surface.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A game bird decoy provides for more natural kinematics by providing a smoothly articulating neck, an automatic orientation of the neck with respect to body tipping and improved dual-mode wing activation in which the wings may lift or lift and extend as a function of body angle.

Abstract: A sediment-trapping bottle cap for removing solids such as sediment from homemade beer, wine, or other liquids with impurities. The bottle cap uses a collection receptacle that rotates gravitationally. The sediment-trapping bottle cap is generally used with a container such as a standard or specially-made bottle. The cap includes a cap body that houses a receptacle, which can rotate gravitationally within the cap when it is inverted or otherwise not upright. The cap can be removed and any settled sediment can be discarded.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: A game bird decoy provides for more natural kinematics by providing a smoothly articulating neck, an automatic orientation of the neck with respect to body tipping and improved dual-mode wing activation in which the wings may lift or lift and extend as a function of body angle.