Abstract: The invention provides an environmental shroud (190, 290, 390) and a camera assembly (10, 20, 30) including the shroud. The environmental shroud (190, 290, 390) absorbs and dissipates heat energy that is not reflected and heat energy that is generated by the contents of the camera housing so that the camera housing temperature does not exceed the maximum rated temperature. In one embodiment, the camera assembly includes a camera housing (130) having a mounting cap (140) attached to sidewalls (126) to which is attached an optical surface (135), the camera housing enclosing a camera system; and an environmental shroud (190) attached to the camera housing .

Abstract: Implants for maintaining a distance between cut spinal bones are disclosed. The implants are made of metal, polymer or bone allograft having ends configured to conform to the cut bone ends. The implants have hollow regions for packing osteogenic material. The implant ends have surface projections to reduce slippage. Implants made of bone allograft also have spine contacting ends made of demineralized bone to speed fusion of spine and implant; they may also have bone flaps to fix the implant to the spine. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an environmental shroud (490, 590) and a camera assembly (40, 50) including such environmental shroud (490, 590) which absorbs and dissipates heat energy that is not reflected and/or deflected from radiation and heat energy that is generated by the contents of the camera housing so that the camera housing temperature does not exceed the maximum rated temperature. In one embodiment, the camera assembly (40) includes a camera housing (430) which has a mounting cap (440) attached to sidewalls (426) to which is attached an optical surface (135). The camera housing encloses a camera system. An environmental shroud (490) is attached to the camera housing and includes a plurality of vertical strips (441,445) situated concentrically with the camera housing (430) and with each other with gaps being present between the vertical strips (441, 445) and between the camera housing (430).

Abstract: A camera housing is fixed against rotation in a cavity in a backbox which is mounted in a ceiling. The housing carries a camera module which is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the housing, the module in turn carrying a camera which is pivotable about a horizontal axis with respect to the module. The housing is held in place in the cavity by a locking ring which is received around the camera module and engages a backbox ring fixed to the backbox. The locking ring has an outward facing cylindrical surface which is concentrically received in an inward facing cylindrical surface of the backbox ring. The surface on the locking ring has cam followers which ride up a cam ridge on the surface of the backbox ring as the locking ring is rotated, in order to position the camera housing in the backbox. A spring loaded detent mechanism holds the locking ring in the locked position until it is counter-rotated to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: A cable drive apparatus is presented which has minimal cable slippage and backlash. Such a cable drive is particularly well suited for systems requiring accurate positioning and repositioning capabilities, such as motorized camera orientation systems. To achieve minimal slippage on a cable driven pulley, one or more positioning balls are located at fixed locations on the cable, and corresponding positioning holes are located on either pulley. Tensioning means are also provided to remove slack, to minimize the backlash which may result from the stretching of the cable over time. A two pulley system is presented wherein the cable is fixedly attached to one pulley, travels over the other pulley which has the slippage constraining positioning holes, and then to tensioning means which also fixedly attached to the first pulley.

Abstract: A seat hinge assembly is disclosed that is operable for permitting selective reclining movement of a seatback relative to a seat bottom between an upright position and a fully-reclined position. The seat hinge assembly is further operable to permit the seatback to be pivoted from any reclined position to a forward dumped position. Upon return of the seatback from its forward dumped position, the seat hinge assembly is adapted to relatch the seatback in its previous reclined position.