Abstract:
A UV-C sterilization apparatus (10) for a confined space (1) having a closure (6) which can be selectively positioned between a closed position, wherein the confined space (1) is fully enclosed, and an opened position, wherein the confined space (1) is accessible from an exterior thereof. The apparatus (10) comprises means for connecting the apparatus (10) to a power source (60) to provide operating power to the apparatus (10) and a housing (11) dimensioned to fit within the confined space (1). The housing (11) supports at least one sensor (50) operative to detect when the closure (6) is in the closed position and/or when the closure (6) is not in the closed position; at least one source (25) operative to emit UV-C light for irradiating the confined space (1); and a controller (40). The controller (40) is connected to the at least one sensor (50) and the at least one UV-C light source (25), and is operative to: determine when the closure (11) is and is not in the closed position; activate the at least one UV-C light source (25) to irradiate the confined space (1) for a first fixed period of time when it is determined that the closure (11) has gone to the closed position from not being in the closed position; periodically activate the UV-C light source (25) to irradiate the confined space (1) for at least a second fixed period of time, the periodic activation occurring following the first fixed period of time for so long as the closure (11) remains in the closed position; and prevent the at least one UV-C light source (25) from irradiating the confined space (1) when it is determined that the closure (11) is not in the closed position.
Abstract:
A building lockdown system for a building with multiple rooms with doors providing access to the rooms, the system including smart light fixtures positioned inside and outside at least some of the rooms, at least some of the smart light fixtures configured to be selectively illuminated in each of a plurality of colors, and room lockdown components provided in the plurality of rooms, the room lockdown components adapted to block or secure the doors of the rooms against opening in a deployed condition of the lockdown components. The smart, light fixtures and the room lockdown components are equipped with BLE sensors defining a BLE mesh network. The room lockdown components are adapted to communicate, via the BLE mesh network, whether they are in the deployed condition thereof, and are further adapted to provide audio and/or visual signals. At least one primary communication and control (PCC) device is disposed in the building and in communication with at least some of the smart light fixtures via the BLE mesh network. The PCC device receives information via the BLE mesh network as to whether the room lockdown components are in the deployed condition thereof. The PCC device is operative, to initiate a lockdown of all or part of the building by effecting a change in the color of at least some of the smart light fixtures via the BLE mesh network and/or effecting the activation of audio and/or visual signals from the room lockdown components.
Abstract:
A vehicle access system includes: an infrared detector assembly for detecting an object within a sensing region of the infrared detector assembly; at least one controller operatively connected to the infrared detector assembly, the at least one controller operative (i) to determine from inputs from the infrared detector assembly if a detected object exhibits a predefined gesture and, if the detected object exhibits a predefined gesture, (ii) to direct the execution of one or more pre-defined vehicle commands; and a plurality of lights operatively connected to the at least one controller, the plurality of lights selectively illuminable to produce visible light in one or more colors, wherein one or more of the plurality lights (i) are selectively illuminated by the at least one controller to visibly indicate the detected presence of an object within the sensing region by the infrared detector assembly, and (ii) are selectively illuminated by the at least one controller to visibly indicate that the detected object exhibits a predefined gesture.
Abstract:
A handle assembly for a vehicle door, the handle assembly comprising a fixed base portion attachable to a vehicle door, the fixed base portion having disposed therein a key cylinder forming part of a latch assembly for the vehicle door, at least the keyway of which key cylinder is exposed through an opening in the fixed base portion. A movable grab-handle portion is attachable to the vehicle door and movable relative to the fixed base portion. A push-push latch mechanism is disposed in the fixed base portion. A cover is pivotally connected to the fixed base portion. The cover is manually pivotally movable between a first, opened position in which the key cylinder is exposed and a second, closed position, in which the key cylinder is concealed beneath the cover. The cover is engageable with the push-push latch mechanism in the second, closed position thereof to secure the cover in the second, closed position.
Abstract:
A center high-mount brake-light system for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of selectively-illuminatable lights arranged to define each of a center section comprising at least one of the plurality of lights, and at least two outer sections disposed on either side of the center section. A controller is operative to selectively illuminate the plurality of lights of the center and at least two outer sections in response to changes in the rate of travel of the vehicle and/or actuation of the vehicle's brakes, and whereby the plurality of lights are characterized by at least the following illumination states: (a) an illumination state in which the lights of each of the center and at least two outer sections are illuminated in their entireties in response to actuation of the vehicle's brakes; (b) an illumination state in which illumination of the lights of each of the at least two outer sections ceases or diminishes perceptibly relative to illumination of the center section after a predetermined period of time following actuation of the vehicle's brakes if there has been less than a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration; and (c) an illumination state in which increasing numbers of the plurality of lights of each of the at least two outer sections are progressively illuminated in response to corresponding and progressively increasing amounts of vehicle deceleration above a predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
A side-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising a housing for securement to a side of a vehicle, the housing defining an internal cavity opening toward a rear of the housing, the internal cavity having a mirror disposed therein, and the housing having an exterior surface at least partially formed from a light-transmissive material all but a portion of which has been covered with an opaque material. At least one light source is disposed within the housing and is operable to illuminate the uncovered, light- transmissive portion of the housing. The at least one light source is operativeiy connectable to a controller programmed so as to selectively illuminate the at least one light source in response to the occurrence of one or more predefined activities.
Abstract:
A vehicle headlamp assembly, comprising a lens, a lamp housing cooperating with the lens to at least partially define a lamp chamber that is generally fluidly isolated from an ambient atmosphere outside the lamp chamber, and at least one lamp provided in the lamp chamber. The lamp housing includes at least one structural member adapted to connect to and bear structural loads applied by one or more adjacent components of a vehicle in which the vehicle headlamp assembly is installed. The assembly may further comprise at least one vehicle component connected to the lamp housing, whereby the lamp housing is capable of bearing structural loads applied by the at least one component.
Abstract:
A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes applying a controlled vacuum on the headspace of the channel induction furnace to controlling the amount of ambient air that enters the furnace or adding oxygen into the channel induction furnace. The method also includes controlling the carbon concentration in the molten bath in the channel induction furnace to control the fluidity of the bath.
Abstract:
Improved labels are disclosed for containers of the type defined at least in part by at least one sidewall having an outer surface. The outer surface has at least one label thereon, the label comprising a first writing surface defined by a plurality of individual writing areas arranged in an array characterized in that adjacent writing areas are at least substantially isolated from each other by an intermediate space, and a second writing surface in the intermediate space. The second writing surface is vertically recessed relative to the first writing surface.
Abstract:
A fluid-actuated controller, comprising a stationary housing having at least a one discrete internal chamber, each at least one discrete internal chamber being in fluid communication with the stationary housing exterior via an inlet opening; and a rotary actuator mounted in the stationary housing for rotary movement relative thereto, the rotary actuator including at least one piston for effecting rotary movement of the rotary actuator in a first direction. Each such piston is movably disposed in a discrete internal chamber, and each piston is movable within its associated internal chamber in response to a predefined increase in fluid pressure to effect rotary movement of the rotary actuator in the first direction.