Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include transmission line transformers. According to one aspect, a multilayer transmission line transformer (TLT) includes a first set of two conductors forming a first clockwise spiral. The TLT includes a second set of two conductors forming a second counterclockwise spiral that is substantially coaxial with the first spiral.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water bottle plus related mounting apparatus and methods.

Abstract: A lid of round shape with curved edge having an anti-skid tape bonded between the curved edge and elevation made of felt, plastic or other materials glued to the side wall and three main openings, one for the entry of debris and two for allowing air out, as well as holes for attaching the various elements to the lid with cable ties. The lid with a curved edge is designed to be inserted into the opening of a bag to be held in place on the side edge of the lid with an elastic cord between the curved edge and the elevations. Ribbed connecting pipe connects the fan outlet of a vacuum at the lid and carries debris to the lid and the bag.

Abstract: Hinged assemblies, and children's products including at least one hinged assembly, include a base member and a hinged member operatively and pivotally coupled to the base member to define a hinge. The hinge is configured to release if an obstruction is positioned between the hinged member and the base member while the hinged member is being closed and if a closing torque is greater than or equal to a release torque. The hinge also may be configured to not release when an opening torque is applied when the hinged member is in its open position even when the opening torque is greater than the release torque.

Abstract: Video drive-by data provides a street level view of a neighborhood surrounding a selected geographic location. A video and data server farm incorporates a video storage server that stores video image files containing video drive-by data corresponding to a geographic location, a database server that processes a data query received from a user over the Internet corresponding to a geographic location of interest, and an image processing server. In operation, the database server identifies video image files stored in the video storage server that correspond to the geographic location of interest contained in the data query and transfers the video image files over a pre-processing network to the image processing server. The image processing server converts the video drive-by data to post-processed video data corresponding to a desired image format and transfers the post-processed video data via a post-processing network to the Internet in response to the query.

Abstract: A voltage source converter comprising three phase elements defining a star connection in which a first end of each phase element is connected to a common junction; at least two converter limbs, each converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal connected in series with a second end of a phase element, each converter limb defining first and second limb portions, including a chain-link converter, each chain-link converter including chain-link modules; and a third DC terminal connected to the common junction of the star connection to define an auxiliary connection, wherein in use a current is injected into the auxiliary connection to modify a voltage of each chain-link module in each limb portion.

Abstract: A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.

Abstract: A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.

Abstract: A wipes container with side walls including pleats so that the wipes container is collapsible. A collapse force is required to collapse the container body. A cover is sealed to the container body. The seal has a seal thickness and a seal strength. The wipes container has a combination index of 200,000 or less, where the combination index is calculated based on the following equation: combination index=(collapse index) (recovery index) (moisture loss index), where collapse index=((collapse force)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), recovery index=((1?% recovery of original height)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), and moisture loss index=[((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/seal thickness))](10).

Abstract: A precast monolithic concrete prefabricated, composite building construction module formed of a substantially planar rear wall. The rear wall has embedded therewithin a radiator pipe for circulating a fluid at a temperature that is different from an ambient temperature of the modular component within the rear wall. The module may comprise at least one side wall integral with the rear wall that terminates at one end at a corresponding end of the rear wall. The rear wall has a length and each of the at least one side walls has a length and extending in a first direction substantially normally away from the rear wall sufficient to substantially enclose and define walls of a standard facility, the at least one side wall supporting the rear wall to cause the module to be free-standing while devoid of lateral support.

Abstract: Exercise equipment comprising a grippable handle at which said exercise equipment can be lifted by a user, and at least one docking assembly connected to the grippable handle. The docking assembly has opposing arms that define a slot in which at least one weight plate can be removably mounted. At least one locking member is located on the docking assembly to capture and/or lock at one weight plate to the docking assembly once received in the slot.

Abstract: The trust reputation of the combination of an installation package and installer, as a pair, and the combination of a file and an installer, as a pair, is used to store the identity of a file in a persistent cache. An entry in the persistent cache indicates the trust worthiness of a file that does not contain malware thereby avoiding a scan of the file for malware. The trust worthiness of a file may be determined from known trust reputations of the installation package, installer, and file from a network of computing resources. By relying on the known trust reputation of the combination of the installation package and installer and the combination of the file and installer, the identity of the file may be stored in persistent cache quickly.

Abstract: An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a porous composite layer having a total thickness in the range of about 4 ?m to about 50 ?m comprising inorganic particles having an average aggregate particle size in the range of about 0.5 ?m to about 6 ?m in an electrochemically stable polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method for performing video surveillance of a mobile unit in a wireless network is provided. A wireless network receives a surveillance request for a mobile unit. The surveillance request comes from a law enforcement agency and includes the identity of the mobile unit and a geographical area. The wireless network determines that the mobile unit has entered the geographical area and sends the geographical location of the mobile unit from the wireless network to the law enforcement agency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology are directed to devices, systems, and methods of delivering ice under high ambient temperatures. A transportable container houses an air-conditioning system with a cascade heat exchanger coupling the air-conditioning system with a separate refrigeration system in the container. The separate refrigeration system provides cooling energy for a cooling device while rejecting a heat load to the air-conditioning system for rejection to ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Holster carrying a firearm with an optical sight mounted thereon, holster having an open top, inner and outer sidewalls with parallel extension portions, a top wall portion affixed to the extension. A protector includes a U-shaped body with an upper wall, spaced depending side walls, a rear wall and forward spring tab the sight. The side walls are respectively pivotally connected to the extension portions and movable between closed and open positions. When closed, all the protector walls, the extension portions and the top wall portion substantially enclose a rear part of the sight to inhibit debris from entering. The polymeric tab engages the top wall portion and biases the protector closed which is overcome automatically by forcible withdrawal of the firearm. The sight is on a firearm slide and is partially covered by the rear wall.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a primary impeller and a secondary impeller disposed on a common drive shaft within a pump housing. The pump housing including a respective diffuser or volute therein for each of the primary impeller and the secondary impeller. A fluid passage is formed within the housing connecting a discharge of the primary impeller to an intake of the secondary impeller. Each of the primary and secondary impellers has a respective outlet port.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode plates. Each electrode plate includes a current collector having a first portion and a second portion, and each first and second portion having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The first and second surfaces of the first portion include a positively charged active material, and the first and second surfaces of the second portion include a negatively charged active material. In addition, the plurality of electrode plates includes at least two electrode plates, such that the electrochemical cell is arranged with a first portion of one plate electrochemically connected to a second portion of a second plate.

Abstract: An integral strip and fastener installation system is provided for light weight slate and tile roofing systems installed with a single overlap between each row or course of tile. A specialized fastener hook is formed with one or more lateral projections or wings installed underneath one or more slate tiles to anchor the fastener to the roof at least in part by the weight of the overlying tiles. This anchoring supports and reinforces the open mouth of the hook against deflection from high winds and thereby enables the hook to hold a tile securely under high wind loads.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for electronically sorting and managing mail within an electronic lockbox are described. Mail may be routed from a mail delivery service to a first location. The mail may be scanned at the first location and information may be extracted from the envelopes and items within the envelopes. The information may be verified and grouped into electronic transactions. The electronic transactions may be classified and sorted into batches based on identifiers contained within the information extracted from the mail. The batches of electronic transactions may be processed and information relating to the transactions may be stored.