Abstract: An integrated digital x-ray diagnostic system and a method for conducting dental radiography which includes optimizing exposure settings based on certain physical parameters of a patient, communicating the operational status of the x-ray generator and the exposure settings directly to the a CCD sensor without radiation sensitive detector elements, and supplying various viewing stations with image data thereby improving dental office workflow. The activation of the sensor and the x-ray source are coordinated so as to avoid pre-integration of charge in the image sensor, and at the same time reduce risk of over-exposure to the patient.

Abstract: A motorized adjuster for adjusting the aim of a lamp having a housing, motor, and control rod. The control rod passes through the motor. An anti-rotation gear is positioned inside the housing. The control rod passes through the gear. A flex point is positioned inside the housing to functionally engage the gear. The adjuster may be operated manually or electrically. Manual operation is accomplished by actuating a driver inserted into the housing. Electrical operation is accomplished by actuating the motor. Actuating the driver or the motor causes the control rod to move along its axis.

Abstract: A sliding adjuster includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing includes mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing includes channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which is engaged in a reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.

Abstract: An improved printed article and a method of making same. The article including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a reflective layer printed on the top surface of the substrate, a graphic design layer printed on the reflective layer, a textured pattern of transparent ink printed over the graphic design and reflective layer, and a glossy layer of transparent ink printed over the textured pattern and reflective layer. The glossy layer is printed over the entire surface of the substrate. The graphic image is printed through a four-color printing process over portions of the reflective layer. The textured pattern includes a plurality of light bending convex lines of transparent ink printed on and around the graphic image and reflective layers. The lines produce a reflective glossy textured surface on the printed article creating the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.

Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.

Abstract: A control valve for a variable displacement compressor has a solenoid, a pressure sensing mechanism, and a valve mechanism. The solenoid has a first end and a second end and a cylindrical body. The pressure sensing mechanism is located on the first end of the solenoid. The pressure sensing mechanism has a pressure sensing chamber and a diaphragm. The diaphragm is displaced in accordance with the pressure in the pressure sensing chamber. The valve mechanism is located on the second end of the solenoid. The cylindrical body has a support end, which supports the diaphragm.

Abstract: A redundant clock module provides a highly reliable fixed clock reference output. This clock reference output is based on at least two internal reference oscillators that are monitored and eliminated from use if they are not operating or within tolerance requirements. The redundant clock module comprises at least two oscillators, detection circuitry, switching circuitry and control circuitry. If a primary oscillator fails or is out of tolerance, the redundant clock module will detect the failure or out of tolerance condition and switch to a secondary working and in tolerance oscillator to take over primary timing functions of an end user application. The redundant clock module provides a slow and seamless transition between oscillator switching to assure no significant phase shift or runt pulses will affect the end user application.

Abstract: A saw grinder having improved wear plates for allowing the saw grinder carriage to move without having to overcome the resistance caused by contact of the saw grinder wear plates with the peripheral edge of a saw blade. The wear plates form two separate wear plate assemblies, each having a slide plate and fixed plate containing a slot for slidably receiving the respective slide plate. This configuration permits the entire saw grinder, except the slide plates, to easily move in the direction of the force applied to the grinder carriage by allowing the slide plates to fixedly engage the peripheral edge of the saw while the fixed plates remain fixed to the saw grinder carriage and thus move therewith. Resilient members can be used to control the relative movement between the fixed plates and slide plates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve implanting device comprising a collapsible frame, inner and outer guide wires removably connected to the collapsible frame, and a plurality of valve flaps attached to the collapsible frame. The collapsible frame is inserted into a patient's femoral vein or artery, guided to a deployment position using the guide wires, expanded using the guide wires, and stabilized using the guide wires to manipulate fixating hubs on the collapsible frame. The collapsible frame includes a central hub, a plurality of spokes, fixating hubs, gripping members, and a plurality of valve flaps.

Abstract: A grooming apparatus, for sloping, aerating and fluffing bedding material in livestock free stalls, is attached to a vehicle such as a skid steer. The grooming apparatus includes a rotary arm, having grooming members, and connected to the vehicle by a boom. The rotary arm, when viewed across the stalls, is angled at a slope. The grooming members contact the bedding material to fluff and aerate it, and arrange it according to the slope. The rotary arm, when viewed from the end of a stall, may be pitched forward or rearward. These pitches and angles permit the grooming members to more effectively move the bedding material within each stall to create the slope. Such a slope is beneficial for livestock that prefers a sloped bed. Using the boom, the rotary arm can be moved up and/or out of the way when the vehicle is moved through doorways and the like.

Abstract: The connector is capable of securing a cord to an outlet, of securing extension cords, and/or of securing an extension cord to the cord of a power tool. The device may have a female receptacle and a male plug, only a female receptacle, or only a male plug. The female receptacle may have a screw-style plunger, a sleeve-style plunger, or other means for applying pressure against the sleeves holding the prongs that are plugged into the receptacle. The male plug can use a sleeve-style plunger or other means to apply pressure against at least one of the prongs, causing the plug to be clamped into a receptacle. The female receptacle and male plug of the device can be separated by a cord to create an extension cord. The female receptacle or male plug could also be placed on the cords of a tool or appliance. A plurality of female receptacles could be used in a single unit to create a power strip having locking receptacles.

Abstract: An inflatable, disposable pillow which can be conveniently carried and stowed by users in a deflated state, and used as a comfortable, clean pillow in an inflated state. The inflatable pillow includes a single folded sheet or two sheets sealed together to form side walls. A flat self-sealing valve comprising two sheets of flexible material is placed between the sidewalls. The sheet or sheets may be comprised of multiple plies, with an outermost ply being an absorbent material. Alternatively, an absorbent cover may be attached to the outermost surface of at least one side of the pillow.

Abstract: A magnetic soap holder comprising a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion. The vertical portion being horizontally mountable to a flat surface and extending upwardly and outwardly from a base. The horizontal portion extends upwardly and outwardly from the vertical portion and includes a horizontal end portion. The horizontal end portion having a top surface and a flat bottom surface. A magnet is attached to the bottom surface for magnetically attracting a magnetic member pressed into a bar of soap, thereby suspending the bar of soap above a tub or sink basin. The structure, geometry and design of the present invention facilitates better materials of construction for the magnetic soap holder, improving quality and overall appearance of the soap holder, as well as increased height of the magnetic soap holder, improving the utility of the soap holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel dual-rotor, radial-flux, toroidally-wound, permanent-magnet machine. The present invention improves electrical machine torque density and efficiency. At least one concentric surface-mounted permanent magnet dual-rotor is located inside and outside of a torus-shaped stator with back-to-back windings, respectively. The machine substantially improves machine efficiency by reducing the end windings and boosts the torque density by at least doubling the air gap and optimizing the machine aspect ratio.

Abstract: A headlamp adjuster for adjusting the position of a reflector includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing has mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing also has channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which engages the reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.” A marked-up version showing the changes is enclosed herewith in accordance with 37 CFR §1.121 (b)(iii).