Abstract: A scanning system for writing, printing, direct imaging, plotting, computed radiography, and scanning includes an optical system contains at lest one modulatable radiation source for emitting radiation, a movable collimating lens, a reflector, and a focusing lens and a mechanical system containing a first mechanical carrier spinning about a first axis. A second mechanical carrier spins about a second axis. The second axis is mounted on the first mechanical carrier and is arranged to rotate about the first axis. A third mechanical carrier spins about a third axis. The third axis is mounted on the second mechanical carrier and is arranged to rotate about the second axis. The system also has a movable surface.

Abstract: A system for continuously varying valve-opening overlap in reciprocating internal combustion engines changes the path of the timing belt (16) that drives the intake valve camshaft (26). An idler wheel (44) mounted on a pivoted arm (48) turns against the timing belt. At low engine speeds, the sprocket wheel idles against the timing belt. At higher engine speeds, increased engine oil pressure causes a hydraulic cylinder (58) to force the sprocket wheel against the timing belt, changing its path. As the path of the belt is changed, the intake valve position is advanced with respect to the position of the crankshaft (12). The exhaust valve position remains the same relative to that of the crankshaft. Thus at above-idle speeds, intake-exhaust valve overlap is present. Since the amount of belt path deviation is related to engine oil pressure, and thus engine speed, valve overlap varies smoothly as a function of engine speed. A tensioner (30) maintains proper belt tensioning at all times.

Abstract: A convenient and useful holder for elongated implements, such as fishing rods, baseball bats, golf clubs, or other tools. The holder comprises a series of elongated parallel compartments with a vertical wall between and separating adjacent compartments. The top of each wall has a horizontal ribbed member, so that each wall has a T-shaped cross section. The tops of the walls thus cooperate to provide a platform (with or without slots) that one can step or walk upon or use as a utility surface. The compartments have a flat bottom that extends beyond the ends of the walls. A series of short dividers corresponding to the vertical walls extend up from the bottom, thereby forming spaces for the reels of fishing rods, or heads of gold clubs, etc. The holder may be made of two aligned and separated subholders and can be padded on one end to protect the reels of fishing rods. It is especially suitable for use on a deck of a boat, a dock, the ground, or another platform.

Abstract: A training putter with a laser line projecting device can be used for putting training to improve putting skill. The device is affixed to a putter head above its sweet spot, and emits a vertical light fan which projects a line on the around normal to the face of the putter head. The line is aligned with the sweet spot of the putter head and lies on the ground to connect the top of a golf ball with a target, such as a cup or a putting hole, so that alignment can be easily visualized. The device can be detached and reattached easily without any laser alignment. Furthermore, the device can be removably mounted to a user's own putter. The heat generated in the laser diode is quickly dissipated through the metal housing, the metal putter head, and the metal shaft to the surrounding air. Since proper operating temperature of the laser diode can be maintained, the laser diode will operate properly, which means the power of the emitted light will not be decreased, and the lifetime of the diode will not be shortened.

Abstract: A surgical template for performing dental implant osteotomies comprises a malleable, resinous, thermoplastic base, at least one non-thermoplastic, rigid drill guide attached to the base, and a securing mechanism between the base and the drill guide. The template may reversibly melt to a malleable state and can be handled by hand without additional tools so as to conform to the adjacent teeth of the edentulous ridge, either directly in the patient's mouth or on a cast model. Dental osteotomies using the template can then be performed. The surgical template may be manufactured of a thermoplastic material having a sharp and low melting point but high rigidity in the solid state at room temperature.

Abstract: A clip-on task lamp has a ball-shaped head that is pivotally and frictionally mounted between the cup-shaped ends of two tines of a ball-holding fork so that the ball-head can be rotated to any position. The ball-head has a front lens with two LEDs that are backed by a reflector. The ball has a flexible two-state pushbutton switch on the rear side and an internal battery. The base of the ball-holding fork comprises a single leg with a small swivel ball. The lamp has a clamp part that has, at its top end, two arms with two respective cup ends that hold the small swivel ball by friction fit. The base end of the clamp part comprises two legs, a shorter one of which is springably pivoted on an ear of the other. The end of each leg has a swivel pad and the shorter leg has a projection for facilitating spreading the legs so that they can be sandwiched around a member and clamped to it.

Abstract: A cup and lid holder has two parts: a bottom part holds two stacks of insulated paper cups and a top part holds two stacks of mating lids. The holder is folded from a flat blank. The blank is one piece and folds into a two-level structure with three horizontal parts: a bottom, a partition to separate the lids from the cups, and a top. The bottom has two fold-up tabs that fit into the bottoms of the bottom cup of each stack to hold them in place. The top comprises two rings that fit around the turrets of the top lid of each stack to hold them in place. The middle partition rests against the tops of the top cup in each stack to hold the stack in position. The middle partition is formed of two sets of two tabs each that interfit and extend from the tops of the front and bottom walls. Two stacks of lids are loaded into the top part and two stacks of cups are loaded into the bottom part. The holder with the loaded lids and cups is shrink-wrapped and printed.

Abstract: A manual input system for efficient generation of inputs by entering chords comprises a keyboard (66) with ten colored keys (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92) and a legend (94) The keys of the keyboard (66) each are operated by a different digit of a human operator and each have a different color. The legend (94) presents the assignment of chords to the symbols found on the standard computer keyboard. Character chords involve only fingers, while modifier chords involve only thumbs, so that each character can be combined with each modifier. Command chords also involve a thumb, so that accidental input of modified characters and commands during character input is prevented. The legend (94) shows determination of chords by visualizing the position of symbols relative to the rows. Chords are represented by combinations of digit-representing colored area. Each colored area resembling a digit or colored keys.