Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A hull robot includes a robot body, at least one drive module for maneuvering the robot about the hull, an on-board power source, and a motive subsystem for the drive module powered by the on-board power source. A plurality of permanent magnet elements are associated with the drive module and each are switchable between a non-shunted state when adjacent the hull and a shunted state when not adjacent the hull.

Abstract: A venetian blind includes a covering unit, and a cord-winding device. The covering unit includes a plurality of slats and two lifting cords. The cord-winding device includes a casing fixed on the headrail, a plurality of spring-surrounding members disposed rotatably within the casing, a plurality of co-rotatable gears sleeved respectively and fixedly on the spring-surrounding members, and a spiral spring disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring is disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members, and has two ends fastened respectively to the casing and the one of the spring-surrounding members. Each of the lifting cords has two ends connected respectively to the bottom rail and a corresponding one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring imparts a spring force to substantially balance the total weight of the bottom rail and the covering unit so as to maintain the bottom rail at any position.

Abstract: A venetian blind includes a headrail, a storage rail, a covering unit and a retainer. The storage rail has front and rear sidewalls, each of which is formed with a horizontal rib. The storage rail further has two ends and an upper end opening disposed between the two ends. The retainer is configured as an inverted U-shaped plate, and bridges the front and rear sidewalls. The covering unit includes a plurality of horizontal slats. Lowermost ones of the slats are received within the storage rail, and are capable of being removed from the storage rail through the upper end opening. The retainer includes front and rear retaining-plate portions with open-ended slots engaging respectively the ribs of the storage rail, and is capable of being removed forcibly and upwardly from the storage rail.

Abstract: A venetian blind includes a headrail, a storage rail, a covering unit and a retainer. The storage rail has front and rear sidewalls, each of which is formed with a horizontal rib. The storage rail further has two ends and an upper end opening disposed between the two ends. The retainer is configured as an inverted U-shaped plate, and bridges the front and rear sidewalls. The covering unit includes a plurality of horizontal slats. Lowermost ones of the slats are received within the storage rail, and are capable of being removed from the storage rail through the upper end opening. The retainer includes front and rear retaining-plate portions with open-ended slots engaging respectively the ribs of the storage rail, and is capable of being removed forcibly and upwardly from the storage rail.

Abstract: A foldable window blind includes a cord-winding device, a foldable curtain suspended from the cord-winding device, two vertical rows of positioning members, and a counterweight device. The cord-winding device includes a rail, a spool unit, and two pull cords suspended from the rail and biased to be wound on the spool unit. Each of the positioning members is sleeved movably on a corresponding one of the pull cords, and is fastened to the curtain. The counterweight device is fastened to a lower end of the curtain, and is movable upwardly to an upper limit position so as to fold the curtain to form a plurality of curtain folds. When the counterweight member is disposed at the uppermost position, a lower end of the counterweight device is located below lower ends of the curtain folds.

Abstract: A venetian blind includes a covering unit, and a cord-winding device. The covering unit includes a plurality of slats and two lifting cords. The cord-winding device includes a casing fixed on the headrail, a plurality of spring-surrounding members disposed rotatably within the casing, a plurality of co-rotatable gears sleeved respectively and fixedly on the spring-surrounding members, and a spiral spring disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring is disposed within one of the spring-surrounding members, and has two ends fastened respectively to the casing and the one of the spring-surrounding members. Each of the lifting cords has two ends connected respectively to the bottom rail and a corresponding one of the spring-surrounding members. The spiral spring imparts a spring force to substantially balance the total weight of the bottom rail and the covering unit so as to maintain the bottom rail at any position.