Abstract: A launch wheel of a ball-throwing machine including a coupling insert that includes one or more coupling mechanisms configured to clamp onto a motor shaft. Deflectable arms of the coupling mechanism are drawn together via a screw extending along a chord of the coupling insert. A manufacturing process of the wheel frame includes over-molding a wheel frame onto the coupling insert. End portions of the coupling insert extend beyond a hub of the wheel frame and include a smooth surface configured define a shut-off interfaces with an injection mold for the wheel frame. Each smooth surface extends inward from its respective end of the coupling insert beyond a corresponding coupling mechanism. A centralized knurled portion of an outside circumferential surface ensures secure attachment of the coupling insert with the wheel frame resulting from the over-molding process. Lateral and longitudinal slits extending partially through the coupling insert define the deflectable arms.

Abstract: A remote rental system allowing unattended rentals and returns. The rental system may include a locker system in communication with a rental system computer and database for managing the rental process. The locker system may include user verification and item verification sensors. The rental system may also evaluate an item that has been picked up or returned to identify potential damage to the item.

Abstract: A vehicle is detected at a drive thru terminal and an automated voice-based dialogue is established with a user in the vehicle and the terminal. An order is placed for a transaction using natural-language speech. The automated voice-based dialogue identifies commands, nouns associated with menu items, adjectives associated with modifying the menu items, prepositions associated with modifying the menu items, and exclamations associated with confirming the order and associated menu items. The automated speech is identified and processed based on a specific lexicon associated with a specific type of restaurant. The speech is translated into actions processed through an ordering system/interface as text-based instructions. Feedback for the order and guidance during the order are provided to the user through: speech played over a speaker associated with the terminal, text displayed on a display, and/or images associated with the ordered items.

Abstract: A vehicle is detected at a drive thru terminal and an automated voice-based dialogue is established with a user in the vehicle and the terminal. An order is placed for a transaction using natural-language speech. The automated voice-based dialogue identifies commands, nouns associated with menu items, adjectives associated with modifying the menu items, prepositions associated with modifying the menu items, and exclamations associated with confirming the order and associated menu items. The automated speech is identified and processed based on a specific lexicon associated with a specific type of restaurant. The speech is translated into actions processed through an ordering system/interface as text-based instructions. Feedback for the order and guidance during the order are provided to the user through: speech played over a speaker associated with the terminal, text displayed on a display, and/or images associated with the ordered items.

Abstract: A set of values and a condition are provided. The values are sorted and placed in zones based on the condition and first rules. The values are grouped into combinations within select ones of the zones based on second rules while other zones are excluded. Sizes of the combinations are modified and the values are regrouped into new combinations and re-evaluated in view of the second rules. A final combination of the values is identified using third rules. The final combination representing an optimal grouping of the values based on the condition.

Abstract: A set of values and a condition are provided. The values are sorted and placed in zones based on the condition and first rules. The values are grouped into combinations within select ones of the zones based on second rules while other zones are excluded. Sizes of the combinations are modified and the values are regrouped into new combinations and re-evaluated in view of the second rules. A final combination of the values is identified using third rules. The final combination representing an optimal grouping of the values based on the condition.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a rotary electrical contact device are described herein. A rotary electrical contact device comprises a first sheave that is disposed about a first axis and a second sheave that rotates about the first axis or a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The device further includes two planetary sheaves that revolve around the first and second sheaves, and a belt that makes contact with each of the sheaves, the belt comprising a co-wound inner helical coil and outer helical coil. As the first sheave rotates, the planetary sheaves revolve about the first and second sheaves and cause the belt to deform and roll along the second sheave. The belt makes rolling contact with the four sheaves. The belt is electrically conductive such that as the belt rolls along the sheaves, the belt maintains electrical contact between the first sheave and the second sheave.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a rotary electrical contact device are described herein. A rotary electrical contact device comprises a first sheave that is disposed about a first axis and a second sheave that rotates about the first axis or a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The device further includes two planetary sheaves that revolve around the first and second sheaves, and a belt that makes contact with each of the sheaves, the belt having an aspect ratio great than 1:1. As the first sheave rotates, the planetary sheaves revolve about the first and second sheaves and cause the belt to deform and roll along the second sheave. The belt makes rolling contact with the four sheaves. The belt comprises electrically conductive components arranged such that as the belt rolls along the sheaves, the belt maintains electrical contact between the first sheave and the second sheave.

Abstract: The invention describes new designs of commercial inkjet or flexographic web and sheet fed presses with pre-coating prior to printing which may upgrade the quality of the substrates and render them printable by all printing technologies including inkjet and digital. Also described are curable water-based coatings, inkjet and flexographic inks and overprint varnishes which may be radiation cured at high speed without the need for external applied heat to remove water. When used as coatings or primers, the compositions of the invention may create a surface on cellulosic substrates, polymeric films and some metal surfaces which are suitable for printing on by most printing methods including but not limited to inkjet, wet and dry toner systems, lithographic, gravure, flexographic and 4-D printing. The primer/coatings may also add up to 35% tensile strength to lightweight “thin” papers.

Abstract: A boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus is provided. One aspect of the present ladder apparatus includes an elongated extension handle including a slot adjacent a lower end thereof. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus provides a snap-on step tread which can be mounted to a dual-tubular ladder step structure. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus employs a laterally expandable ladder step which can be retrofit onto an existing ladder. A further aspect employs clasps or hooks to attach and retain a ladder step to generally vertical ladder rails in a tool-free and fastener-free manner.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for cooling and/or heating a medium as well as cooling and/or heating an environment containing the medium. More specifically, at least one embodiment includes a heat pump that may heat and/or cool a medium and, in some instances, may transfer heat from one location to another location.

Abstract: A boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus is provided. One aspect of the present ladder apparatus includes an elongated extension handle including a slot adjacent a lower end thereof. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus provides a snap-on step tread which can be mounted to a dual-tubular ladder step structure. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus employs a laterally expandable ladder step which can be retrofit onto an existing ladder. A further aspect employs clasps or hooks to attach and retain a ladder step to generally vertical ladder rails in a tool-free and fastener-free manner.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to fabrication and operation of a heat exchanger that is configured to extract heat from an underlying substrate. Heat can be extracted by way of an air gap formed between an impeller and a baseplate. By utilizing a pump to create an initial air gap that is further maintained by rotation of the impeller relative to the baseplate, a spring can be utilized that can apply a force of greater magnitude to the impeller than is used in a conventional approach, thus enabling the weight of the impeller to be negligible with respect to a width of the air gap, thereby conferring the desirable feature of orientation independence with respect to gravity with no performance degradation.

Abstract: A vehicle is detected at a drive thru terminal and an automated voice-based dialogue is established with a user in the vehicle and the terminal. An order is placed for a transaction using natural-language speech. The automated voice-based dialogue identifies commands, nouns associated with menu items, adjectives associated with modifying the menu items, prepositions associated with modifying the menu items, and exclamations associated with confirming the order and associated menu items. The automated speech is identified and processed based on a specific lexicon associated with a specific type of restaurant. The speech is translated into actions processed through an ordering system/interface as text-based instructions. Feedback for the order and guidance during the order are provided to the user through: speech played over a speaker associated with the terminal, text displayed on a display, and/or images associated with the ordered items.

Abstract: A set of values and a condition are provided. The values are sorted and placed in zones based on the condition and first rules. The values are grouped into combinations within select ones of the zones based on second rules while other zones are excluded. Sizes of the combinations are modified and the values are regrouped into new combinations and re-evaluated in view of the second rules. A final combination of the values is identified using third rules. The final combination representing an optimal grouping of the values based on the condition.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for cooling and/or heating a medium as well as cooling and/or heating an environment containing the medium. More specifically, at least one embodiment includes a heat pump that may heat and/or cool a medium and, in some instances, may transfer heat from one location to another location.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to fabrication and operation of a heat exchanger that is configured to extract heat from an underlying substrate. Heat can be extracted by way of an air gap formed between an impeller and a baseplate. By utilizing a pump to create an initial air gap that is further maintained by rotation of the impeller relative to the baseplate, a spring can be utilized that can apply a force of greater magnitude to the impeller than is used in a conventional approach, thus enabling the weight of the impeller to be negligible with respect to a width of the air gap, thereby conferring the desirable feature of orientation independence with respect to gravity with no performance degradation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for cooling and/or heating a medium as well as cooling and/or heating an environment containing the medium. More specifically, at least one embodiment includes a heat pump that may heat and/or cool a medium and, in some instances, may transfer heat from one location to another location.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to fabrication and operation of a heat exchanger that is configured to extract heat from an underlying substrate. Heat can be extracted by way of an air gap formed between an impeller and a baseplate. By utilizing a pump to create an initial air gap that is further maintained by rotation of the impeller relative to the baseplate, a spring can be utilized that can apply a force of greater magnitude to the impeller than is used in a conventional approach, thus enabling the weight of the impeller to be negligible with respect to a width of the air gap, thereby conferring the desirable feature of orientation independence with respect to gravity with no performance degradation.