Abstract: A ceiling fan or ceiling fan includes a body defining an interior passage having an inlet and an outlet provided on the body. The inlet, outlet, and interior passage can be annular. An impeller is mounted within the interior passage and driven by a motor mounted within the body to draw a volume of air through the interior passage from the inlet to the outlet. A movable deflector including an inner angled surface and a lower angled surface is provided at the outlet to direct the airflow in a generally outward or generally downward direction, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a first prime mover, a transmission, a power take-off (PTO), a lubrication system for the transmission and the PTO, and a control system. The transmission is powered by the first prime mover. The transmission is configured to rotate a drive shaft of the vehicle. The PTO is connected to the transmission at a first interface. The PTO includes the first interface and a second interface. The control system is configured to control fluid flow through the lubrication system for at least one mode where the input section of the PTO is stationary and the output section rotates.

Abstract: A tire defect detection system for detecting defects in a tire. The system includes at least one infrared camera, a pneumatic source and a computing device. The pneumatic source inflates the tire to a predetermined pressure. After inflation, the infrared camera captures a reference frame of a section of the tire. A period of time after capturing the reference frame, the infrared camera captures a subsequent frame. The subsequent frame is compared to the reference frame to detect a portion of the section of the tire that has a lower temperature. The lower temperature is caused by an escape of air from the tire through a defect. The escaping air cools the area of the tire around the defect, so a decrease in temperature indicates the defect.

Abstract: A thermal system for controllably altering a temperature within a reaction chamber in a sample processing assembly is described. The reaction chamber is bounded by a substrate and cover member in the sample processing assembly. The thermal system includes at least one thermal generator for generating temperature changes, one or more transfer layers for transferring temperature changes between the thermal generator and the sample on the substrate and a fluid isolator for isolating the thermal generator from fluid dispensed into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A hands-free carrying device includes an elongated main body member having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first end, a second end and a pair of side walls. The bottom wall is curved to receive and engage the forearm of a user, and a connector is positioned along the top wall. The connector forms a releasable loop for engaging the handle of an infant carrier perpendicularly relative to the user's forearm and positions the seating area of the infant carrier parallel to the user's forearm. The device includes a moisture wicking outer layer, a padded middle layer, and a rigid inside layer. The outer layer is removeable, and the connectors are secured directly onto the inside layer and extend through openings in the middle and outer layers.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided that includes a handle, a cleaning implement, a flexible neck, and a collar. The cleaning implement depends from one end the handle. The flexible neck is positioned to allow flexion of the handle. The collar moves with respect to the flexible neck between a first position where movement of the flexible neck is unrestricted by the collar and a second position where movement of the flexible neck is restricted by the collar.

Abstract: Described herein are biodegradable, encircling protective devices used to protect seeds and saplings during their greatest vulnerability after germination while promoting growth of the sapling, preventing detritus and competing plants from fouling growth, and simultaneously fending off predation from herbivores or omnivores, which devices melt when exposed to controlled fire without harmful side effects.

Abstract: An actuator can include an outer body. At least a portion of the outer body can be configured to pivot. The actuator can include a contracting member, such as a shape memory material member. When an activation input is provided to the contracting member, the contracting member can contract. As a result, the actuator can be caused to morph into an activated configuration in which a dimension, such as the height, of the actuator increases.

Abstract: A waste receptacle (4) for animal excreta, the waste receptacle comprising: a base and at least one sidewall upstanding from the base, the base and at least one sidewall cooperating to define a housing having an internal void, a periphery of said at least one sidewall remote from said base defining an opening to said void; a platform support (41) coupled to said at least one sidewall in the vicinity of said sidewall periphery; and a platform (11) supportable by said platform support to partly obstruct said opening, said platform comprising first (13) and second (15) platform parts that are pivotally coupled to one another, neighbouring peripheral walls of said first and second platform parts each comprising a recess (202, 204), the recess in the peripheral wall of said first platform part cooperating with the recess in the peripheral wall of said second platform part to define an access port (5) for enabling an animal to access the internal void of the housing via said access port, said neighbouring walls of

Abstract: Methods of reducing injury to crop foliage and achieving weed control using encapsulated acetamide herbicides are described. Herbicidal microcapsules comprising herbicide core material and a shell wall encapsulating the core material are also described. The microcapsules provide reduced crop injury through controlled herbicide release.

Abstract: A bassinet apparatus having a base with first and second elongate support members parallel to each other. Lower portions of first and second side support member are slideably engaged respectively on the first and second elongate support members. Upper portions of the first and second side support members pivotally engage first and second bassinet support members extending from the upper portion of the first side support member to the upper portion of the second side support member. A bassinet receptacle depends from the first and second bassinet support members.