Remote monitoring and actuation of fasteners

    公开(公告)号:US11975426B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-05-07

    申请号:US17564027

    申请日:2021-12-28

    摘要: Improved techniques for remotely monitoring and managing fasteners and fastener driver conditions, are provided. In some aspects of the invention, conditions of a fastener and/or structural material(s) held by the fastener and/or connector, are monitored by a control system including sensor(s) at least partially embedded in, on or throughout the fastener and/or structural material(s). When an adverse condition is sensed, a torque may be remotely applied to the fastener, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, other remedial actions may be taken by the control system. In some embodiments, such sensor(s) include a magnetizable array, which may include one or more charge-carrying and/or otherwise magnetic wires or particles on, about, or embedded within, the fastener and/or structural material. In some embodiments, such remote monitoring includes testing a magnetic signature of the fastener and/or structural material (e.g., via remote scanning and/or testing).

    Free Weight Fastened to a Barbell by Gravity

    公开(公告)号:US20240074546A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-03-07

    申请号:US18388803

    申请日:2023-11-10

    IPC分类号: A44B19/30

    CPC分类号: A44B19/30 A44D2203/00

    摘要: New forms of free weights for weight training are provided. Such free weights may include a flexible, gripping ring set in a channel with a varying width, configured to be threaded over the end of a barbell. The channel may include a locking notch. Such a free weight may be rotated until the channel is aligned with a floor (perpendicular to gravity) and then loaded onto the barbell by threading the gripping ring onto the barbell. The free weight is then rotated 90 degrees causing the barbell and gripping ring to travel away from a center of the channel, where the channel narrows and includes the locking notch. The gripping ring is resultingly deformed by the narrower section of the channel entered, into an ovoid shape, gripping the barbell by force of gravity. A user may then reverse these steps, to release and unload the free weight from the barbell.

    Data storage device using an external reference pattern

    公开(公告)号:US11829649B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-11-28

    申请号:US17963974

    申请日:2022-10-11

    摘要: New, more efficient and robust data storage devices, systems and techniques are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a new form of data storage device is provided, incorporating data storage cells, and a read/write device connected with an auxiliary structure. The auxiliary structure elaborates on the simpler data written in the data storage cells to generate more complex, complete and meaningful data. In some embodiments, the physical arrangement, or other attributes, of structural storage device elements serve as a patterned reference device for data enhancement and supplementation. In some embodiments, the data enhancement and supplementation results from one or more chemical and/or physical reactions, in a sequence of such reactions, between writeable domains, auxiliary structure or the simpler data.

    Flash Cleaning and Sterilization of surfaces Based on Touch Monitoring

    公开(公告)号:US20230173121A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-06-08

    申请号:US18104270

    申请日:2023-01-31

    IPC分类号: A61L2/24 A61L2/18 A61L2/26

    摘要: Surface disinfecting and sterilizing devices, systems and methods are provided. Surface disinfecting systems provided include a control system with one or more camera(s) and an aimable, rapid disinfecting and/or sterilizing device(s), all of which may be installed within a public or other high-traffic environment, and configured to monitor and treat all touched surfaces within the environment. The control system determines a cooling time for each such touched surface and type of treatment, and prevents treatment from occurring when treated surface(s) are accessible by human body part(s) or other objects within the environment. The invention may be provided on or in any form of user interface that may be physically touched by a user. For example, in some embodiments, the invention may be provided to treat, disinfect and sterilize door handles, touchscreens, or other user controls, and any other user interfaces bearing a risk of carrying microbes and pathogens.

    Ubiquitous, embedded surface-cleansing devices

    公开(公告)号:US11564537B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-31

    申请号:US16253218

    申请日:2019-01-22

    摘要: New forms of self-cleansing surfaces are provided. In some embodiments, a self-cleansing surface is provided, which is configured to be handled by a human user, as a user interface. The self-cleansing surface may comprise one or more surface device(s), with surface-covering pores configured to release a cleanser upon physical contact or actuation of the user interface, and configured to clean the self-cleansing surface. In some embodiments, the release is mediated by a physical trigger. In some embodiments, the surface device includes a control system that monitors surface handling with a sensor, and mediates the release with an actuator. The invention may be provided on or in any form of user interface that may be physically touched by a user. For example, in some embodiments, the invention may be provided on door handles or controls, appliance handles or controls, and any other user interfaces bearing a risk of carrying microbes.

    Self-Threading Tie Having a Plurality of Holes

    公开(公告)号:US20220332485A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-20

    申请号:US17736054

    申请日:2022-05-03

    IPC分类号: B65D63/10

    摘要: New self-threading cords, tapes, cables and/or ropes (“ties”) are provided, with a plurality of ports through their length. In some embodiments, a perimeter of each of the ports matches at least one first perimeter of the tie, and an end of the tie may be threaded through any of the ports (a.k.a., “self-threading” the tie). In some embodiments, ridges are provided on or about at least part of the tie. In some embodiments, the ridges may be threaded through the ports, and the ridges hold the tie in a fastened position. Due to the plurality of ports and possible self-threading actions, a wide variety of fastening actions may be carried out.

    Payment System for Wireless Power Sharing

    公开(公告)号:US20220038138A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-02-03

    申请号:US17499606

    申请日:2021-10-12

    摘要: New wireless power distribution and payment techniques are disclosed. In some aspects of the invention, a system distributes wireless power from a power source, through a network of wireless power transmission, enhancement and consumption devices, each of which may be independently owned and controlled. The system may create monetary payments and charges based on each device's use and/or facilitation of the wireless power provided through the network. In some embodiments, the system may determine monetary credits and/or debits based on the type and amount of power provided by, or other qualities of, wireless power enhancement devices implemented by the network, and users thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the system determines a rating (e.g., based on efficiency or superiority of the power source) of at least one of wireless power enhancement devices. Such ratings may be determined by consensus, and recorded, on a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. Other power storage and transmission techniques are also disclosed.

    System for Monetizing Wireless Power Sharing

    公开(公告)号:US10714980B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-07-14

    申请号:US16049703

    申请日:2018-07-30

    摘要: New wireless power transmission techniques are disclosed. In some aspects of the invention, a system distributes wireless power from a power and information transmitting base station, through a network of intermediate wireless power enhancement and consumption devices, each of which may be independently owned and controlled. The system may assign invoices comprising monetary credits and debits, based on each device's use or enhancement of the wireless power provided through the network. Other power storage and transmission techniques are also disclosed, including a new form of universal battery, with variable space-filling aspects and a central battery core with improved, flexibly-applied contacts.

    Drinking Vessel and Ice Submersion Techniques

    公开(公告)号:US20200113362A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-04-16

    申请号:US16601577

    申请日:2019-10-14

    IPC分类号: A47G19/22 A47G9/10 A47G19/16

    摘要: Methods and devices for enhancing drinking chilled drinking vessels are provided. In some aspects, a concentric set of arms or tabs in a pre-configured section of a drinking vessel applies holding pressure to expanded water poured within the section. A beverage is then poured over the frozen water, submerging it. In other aspects, holding pressure is maintained through flexible and/or adjustable arms, and lateral play eliminated, even if the frozen water melts. In other embodiments, a loop or set of loops extends from the center of the vessel above the section, and separate, flexible members (preferably cambered) are threaded through the loops after the water is frozen to apply greater holding pressure.