Abstract: A method for generating a virtual entity of an ophthalmic lens blank in a computer environment and for using this entity to monitor and control a lens generation process. The method comprises the steps of analyzing an image of a lens blank, measuring a first surface of a lens blank, probing a second surface, and locating both surfaces and the contour of the lens blank in a spatial coordinate system. These data are used to generate a virtual entity that is a precise representation of the lens blank. The virtual entity is used throughout the lens generation process for blocking the lens, for calculating and selecting lens orientation, skewing, prism, tool angles and ideal tool paths that produce best lens quality.

Abstract: A blueberry harvester comprising a platform mountable behind an agricultural tractor. The platform has a post near the harvesting side thereof with a jib-boom crane mounted on that post. There is also provided a blueberry picking head having riggings connected to the jib-boom crane and a pair of conveyors connected to the picking head for conveying the blueberries withdrawn from blueberry plants, from the picking head to a region over the platform. A hinged frame is pivotally mounted on the post, and connected to the conveyors for supporting the conveyors. The hinged frame with the conveyors supported thereon are movable from a harvesting position alongside the harvesting side of the tractor to a stowed position over the platform near the harvesting side. The jib-boom crane is movable with the picking head suspended thereto from a position along the harvesting side of the tractor, to a space over the platform between the stowed position of the conveyors and the harvested side of the platform.

Abstract: A swing arm for customizing the rear wheel of a motorcycle. The swing arm of the present invention is made of a right triangular structure defining a right mounting plane, a left triangular structure defining a left mounting plane, an upper and lower spanner bars joining the forward corners of the right and left triangular structures, and a right arcuated plate joining the right upper and lower corners of the right triangular structure. The right arcuated plate comprises a right pivotal connection along a pivotal axis of the swing arm, and this right pivotal connection is connectable to the frame of the motorcycle. There is further provided a left arcuated plate connected to the upper and lower spanner bars at a distance from the left mounting plane. The left arcuated plate comprises a left pivotal connection along the pivotal axis, and this left pivotal connection is connectable to the frame of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A foldable ramp having a first, second and third rectangular sections contiguous with each other and defining a ramp path having longitudinal and transversal axes. A first hinge group is affixed to both the first and second sections and a second hinge group is affixed to both the second and third sections. The first hinge group has a first axis of rotation on the upper side of the ramp path and extending across the longitudinal axis, and a first rotational range of slightly more than 180.degree.. The second hinge group has a second axis of rotation on the under side of the ramp path and extending in a parallel alignment with the first axis of rotation, and a second rotational range of slightly less than 180.degree.. The first and second hinge groups each have a central hinge and outside hinges, and stoppers on the central hinges to limit the rotation of the central hinges a few degrees less that the rotational range of the outside hinges.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a cognition nurturing toy comprising at least one rigid board having a series of cavities therein, with each cavity having a distinct outline belonging to a first set. There is also provided a series of colorful illustrations printed on the board with each illustration encompassing one cavity. Each illustration in the series is arranged on the rigid board in a coherent order portraying at least one environment. The cognition nurturing toy also comprises a plurality of distinct pieces each having a shape corresponding to one of the outlines of the cavities such that each piece is insertable in only one of the cavities. Each piece further has colors and graphic properties of the illustration encompassing the corresponding cavity. A child using the cognition nurturing toy is able to associate each piece to only one of the cavities, using shape recognition, color recognition and whole picture recognition.

Abstract: A tail flag assembly for installation on a rear end of an utility pole laid on a pole trailer. The tail flag assembly comprises a ring mountable over the rear end of the pole and a plurality of screws extending radially through the ring for clamping the ring onto the rear end of the pole. The tail flag assembly also comprises a plurality of staffs affixed to the ring and extending outwardly tangentially from the ring, with each staff having a rectangular brightly coloured flag affixed thereto. In one aspect of the invention, each flag has a stripe sewn thereon. The stripe is made of a highly light-reflecting material. The stripe is sewn on a first side of the flag from an upper outside corner thereof to a midpoint on the hem thereof, and on the other side of the flag, from a midpoint on the hem to the lower outside corner thereof. When the flag flaps back and forth, the movement of the stripe simulates a flashing light bar when seen at night under the reflection of the headlights of a vehicle for example.

Abstract: A tailgate ramp system comprising a pair of ramp members and an anchor bar which is removably attachable to the latch bolts or to the latch mechanisms on the tailgate of a pickup truck. The anchor bar of the present invention comprises a C-shaped, angle-iron structure having a stem member and two arm members pointing at right angles from the stem member, one at each extremity of the stem member. There is also provided an anchor rod affixed to the stem member for retaining the upper ends of the ramp members extending downward from the tailgate. In a first variant of the anchor bar, each arm member has an opening therein which corresponds in shape and location relative to the length of the stem to a configuration and spacing of one of the latch bolts on the tailgate relative to a width of the tailgate. In a second variant of the anchor bar, each arm member has a pin mounted thereon for engagement with pin-latching mechanisms of modern tailgates having such closures.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base having orthogonal horizontal longitudinal axis, horizontal transversal axis and vertical axis, and a tool spindle having a motor and a lens surfacing tool mounted on a rotatable arbour of the motor. The apparatus also comprises a lens holder having a chuck for retaining an ophthalmic lens with a perimeter thereof defining a plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first linear slide is affixed to the base and has a first movable support and a first actuator for moving the first movable support along the longitudinal axis. A second linear slide is also affixed to the base and has a second movable support supporting the lens holder and a second actuator for moving the second movable support and the lens holder along the transversal axis. A rotary table is affixed to the first movable support and supports the tool spindle. The rotary table has a third actuator for rotating the rotary table about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A precautionary timer for installation in a kitchen range, as a replacement of a plug-type fuse protecting one of the heating elements of the kitchen range. In a first aspect of the invention, the precautionary timer comprises a threaded fuse stock having first and second electrically conductive terminals set apart from one another, and conductive segments mounted inside the threaded fuse stock and connected to the first and second terminals. A timing unit comprising a low voltage solid state timer and an electronic switch is also mounted inside the threaded fuse stock. The solid state timer is powered by a current transformer sampling power from the current flowing in one of the conductive segments. The semiconductor switch is connected in series with the conductive segments and the first and second terminals, for selectively electrically connecting and disconnecting the first and second terminals to and from one another.

Abstract: A clip for retaining a set of decorative lights under the eave of a house having vented vinyl soffit panels. The clip is made of a slender strip of a resilient material having a major cross-section dimension which is smaller than the size of the perforations in the soffit panels. The slender strip has a backward bend in a mid-region thereof, defining a first leg member and a second leg member. The first leg member extends from the backward bend in a generally straight alignment defining a supportive axis of the clip. The second leg member has a first segment extending from the backward bend alongside the first leg member and a second segment extending from the first segment and defining an open loop having an opening contiguous with the first segment. This opening has a breath which is smaller than a size of the loop.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens blocker for blocking a lens blank onto a support block without touching the block. The lens blocker has a lens blank imaging station for displaying a target image of a prescribed lens and a planar coordinate system associated with this target image. The imaging station has a stand for supporting the lens blank for orienting the lens blank according to references in the planar coordinate system. There is also provided a probing station for measuring a position and curvature of a surface of the lens blank and a lens/block moulding station having a cavity for receiving the support block in a known position and a bonding material dispenser for bonding the lens blank to the support block. The lens blocker further has a lens blank manipulator for moving the lens blank from the imaging station to the probing station and from the probing station to the lens/block moulding station.

Abstract: A soccer ball projecting apparatus comprising a horizontal base frame having wheels affixed thereto for movement of the apparatus about a soccer field, and a sub-frame which is movably mounted on the base frame. The sub-frame supports a mechanism for projecting a soccer ball, and a soccer ball support cup assembly for supporting a soccer ball in operational association with the mechanism for projecting a soccer ball. The apparatus further comprises a first chain and sprocket drive and motor for rotating the sub-frame within a horizontal plane above the base frame. The ball projecting mechanism is thereby rotatable from side to side for projecting soccer balls to soccer players on both sides of a soccer field without displacing the apparatus in the field.

Abstract: A portable vibrating screen which has an arched frame, a basket supported on top of the arched frame by springs and a rotatable eccentric shaft for imparting a reciprocal movement to the basket. The arched frame has a vertical tall end, a vertical short end and two spaced apart stringer members joining the upper portions of the tall and short ends. The stringer members define an inclined plane between the tall end and the short end. The tall end has a first pair of spaced apart leg members and a first ballast mounted between the leg members of that first pair. The short end has a second pair of leg members and a second ballast mounted between the leg members of that second pair. An amplitude of a vibration of the basket transmitted to the arched frame is largely absorbed by the mass of the first and second ballasts. In another aspect of the present invention, the eccentric shaft has bearings attached to the basket and to the stringer members for retaining the basket along the inclined plane.