Abstract: A method for generation of a surface representation of an object from layered pixel data converts the pixel data into a series of layers of ordered point clouds. The layered ordered point clouds are stitched together for form a surface representation. Cleanup and sampling of the pixel data or the ordered point could data may be performed. The method also contemplates generation of a surface representation from point data.

Abstract: A beverage server comprises a container having a top, a bottom, and side walls joined so as to form a water-tight vessel. The container has a fill opening in the top thereof that provides access to the interior of the container. The container also has a spout formed through a side wall of the container and opening onto the fill opening formed into the top and a handle connected to a side wall of the container opposite the spout. A lid having a top with a skirt wall depending downwardly therefrom is constructed and arranged to be received within the fill opening of the container. The skirt wall has a pour opening formed therethrough that may be aligned with the spout formed through the sidewall of the container to allow liquids to be poured from the beverage server. The lid is rotatable between three positions: a first, open/close position; a second, closed position; and a third, pouring position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pivotal operating room table having a main surface and an elongated support member. The main surface preferably lies generally in a first plane and is pivotal end to end such that the first plane can pass through a second generally vertical plane as the main surface pivots to end to end. A second plane is generally perpendicular to the first plane. The elongated support member is adjustably interconnected with the operating room table, and provides a support surface lying generally in a third plane which is generally perpendicular to the second plane when the elongated support member is interconnected with the table. In preferred embodiments the elongated support member is adjustably interconnectable with the table at any of a plurality of heights above the main surface and it further includes an elongated support bar and an inflatable bladder resting above the elongated support bar.

Abstract: A golf swing training and muscle exercising apparatus or swing trainer is provided which is designed to be used indoors as well as outdoors. The golf swing trainer includes a double bent shaft having upper and lower end portions separated by a center portion, the center portion being interconnected, at opposite ends thereof, with each of the upper and lower end portions by first and second joining portions. The upper and lower end portions are substantially straight and have respective center lines, wherein the center line for the upper end portion is the first center line, the center line for the center portion is the second center line and the center line for the lower end portion is the third center line, the first center line lying at an angle A to the second center line an the second center line lying at an angle B to the third center line. The first center line, second center line and third center line preferably lie in the same plane and angle B is preferably greater than angle A.

Abstract: A protective barrier laminate underlayment used to cover the surface of a structure, such as a house, just beneath the outermost, weather bearing layer. The underlayment has an adhesive layer on its lower side for securing the underlayment to the roof and a pattern of adhesive areas on its upper side for allowing a construction worker to walk on the underlayment without slipping. The upper adhesive layer also prevents tools and other objects such as stacks of shingles from sliding off of the roof during construction.

Abstract: A composite masonry block and wall system for skirting elevated structures. The block is shaped to be stacked in vertically independent columns, held in place by specially shaped, lightweight beams placed between adjacent columns, and also by synthetic U-shaped lateral supports which open downwardly and are attached to the bottom of the elevated structure.

Abstract: A dock for supporting persons over a support surface such as a water bed has an elongated deck, a plurality of vertically adjustable post units, and a wheel attached to each post unit for transporting the dock across the support surface. The vertically adjustable post units are secured to the deck at spaced-apart locations and include a first elongated post section connected to the deck, a second elongated post section vertically movable with respect to the first elongated post section, and a base pad connected to the second elongated post section. A wheel assembly supporting a rotatable wheel is rigidly connected to the first elongated post section. The post units are adjustable to a transport position in which the base pad is off the support surface and the wheel is on the support surface. The vertically adjustable post unit is also adjustable to an operating position in which the base pad is on the support surface and the wheel is off the support surface for stabilizing the dock.

Abstract: An insertion and control apparatus for use with a pipe carrying fluids and having turns and sludge therein to repair a piping system. The apparatus includes a storage and aiming device rotatably mounted about a first axis for winding and unwinding a stiff conduit in a storage and aiming device. The storage and aiming device is rotatably mounted on a frame about a second axis being offset relative to the first axis for controlling the direction of the stiff conduit in the pipe. The storage and aiming device is capable of being connected in communication from the inlet of the storage and aiming device through the second axis and the first axis to the connected end of the stiff conduit. The insertion control apparatus provides a way to control the stiff conduit around turns with less localized damage to the conduit to prolong the life of the conduit system.

Abstract: A vessel of substantially uniform curvilinear shape comprising at least one area of a different curvilinear shape that is adapted to closely conform to and engage a number of commonly contoured curvilinear segments on a housing member constructed and arranged to receive an outer covering panel in close fitting relation therewith is disclosed. In addition a method of manufacturing a vessel which comprises at least one area of a different curvilinear shape is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated and compact bag filling machine comprising a material dispensing spout, a slip tube suspended in substantially vertical alignment with the spout, and a bag sealing apparatus comprising a pair of opposable forming bars and a pair of independently actuable and opposable sealing bars is herein disclosed. The bag filling machine is capable of bottom filling and sealing both paper and plastic bags having gusseted or flat sides with little or no modification.

Abstract: A grizzly screen apparatus has a screen of grizzly bars having first ends mounted in a transverse end member and second ends placed in a slotted comb member having alternating shallow and deep bed slots. The screen is rotatable about a transverse axis whereby the second ends of secondary grizzly bars in the deep bed slots are lowered relative to the second ends of grizzly bars in the shallow bed slots, resulting in simultaneous steepening of the screen and an increase of the interbar distance, to remove obstructing oversize objects from the screen. Each grizzly bar has a transverse lock bar at the first end which retains the grizzly bar within an aperture in the transverse end member without bolts or other fasteners. Obstructions on the grizzly screen may be cleared without the use of manually operated tools, and if desired, may be cleared by remote control.

Abstract: A device for automatically vacuum filling and sealing bags comprising a bag handling and sealing mechanism that is moveable between a first, bag receiving position in close proximity to a material discharge spout and a second, bag discharge position away from the spout. The material discharge spout is provided with one or more vacuum probes that draw a vacuum within a bag clamped within a pair of forming bars of the bag handling and sealing mechanism. Once a vacuum has been drawn within the bag, the bag handling and sealing mechanism seals the bag and moves it to a bag discharge position away from the spout where the bag is deposited on a bag removal mechanism such as a conveyor.

Abstract: A dolly for transporting a helicopter across the ground is herein disclosed. The dolly comprises a pair of steerable wheel assemblies that are affixed to the respective ends of an axle. The axle has coupled thereto a pair of clamping assemblies that secure the skids of a helicopter to the dolly. A tow bar is coupled to the axle and also to a linkage that is connected between the steering mechanisms of the two steerable wheel assemblies for steering the dolly. To move the helicopter, the dolly is inserted beneath the forward ends of the helicopter's skids and coupled thereto. The helicopter is then supported upon the dolly and upon the rear ends of the helicopter's skids which may also be provided with wheels. The dolly is adjustable to compensate for helicopters having skids spaced at various distances.

Abstract: An integrated and compact bag filling machine comprising a material dispensing spout, a slip tube suspended in substantially vertical alignment with the spout, and a bag sealing apparatus comprising a pair of opposable forming bars and a pair of independently actuable and opposable sealing bars is herein disclosed. The bag filling machine is capable of bottom filling and sealing both paper and plastic bags having gusseted or flat sides with little or no modification.

Abstract: A bileaflet heart valve comprising an annular base and pivoting leaflets. Each leaflet is “free-floating” within recesses without fixed rotational axis in order to increase translational movement and redistribute stresses. Each recess fluidly communicates with a groove extending at least partially around the inner surface of the annular base and fluid flow is directed through the recesses at different angles during antegrade circulation, retograde circulation, and valve closure. A recess entrance angle to each of the recesses in certain embodiments is preferably less than about 35° and the pivoting mechanism within each recess includes first and second fulcrum edges of each leaflet shiftably engaged with side surfaces of the respective recesses. The leaflets have a beveled bottom side having two separate planar surfaces which lie at an angle to one another.

Abstract: A cleaning cartridge for cleaning a reciprocating read/write head of a tape drive. The cartridge includes a cleaning tape and cleaning segments that cooperate to clean the tape contacting surface and the air-bleed slots of a read/write head as it moves thereagainst. The cleaning segments are preferably mounted on a carrier that may be displaced to accommodate different models of tape drives having various read/write head projection depths, and which may include a resilient member for urging the cleaning segments towards the read/write head with a predetermined amount of force.

Abstract: A tool and method for masking or applying a layer of laminate to a material. The tool comprises a telescopic axle assembly for providing a cylindrical outer surface of various lengths to accommodate different sized rolls of masking. The cylindrical outer surface carries the masking roll, allowing it to rotate freely as the roll feeds the masking to the work material being masked. The tool further comprises a plurality of support systems, each of which providing at least one contact surface for sliding or rolling along a working platform. The axle assembly is preferably long enough to allow the support systems to be constructed and arranged to straddle the work material so that interference between the contact surfaces and the work material is avoided. In operation, the tool is moved over the work material, paying out a length of laminate, which is applied to the material using a smoothing object.

Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.