Abstract: A sled motor mounting structure is provided with a sled motor which having a rotation shaft and a lead screw which is mounted on the rotation shaft and is in mesh with a mated gear, the rotation shaft being constructed so as to have a play in its axial direction for enabling a smooth rotation; and a stopper provided in front of the tip of the rotation shaft of the sled motor such that the tip of the rotation shaft comes to abutment thereto when the rotation shaft is displaced toward the tip direction thereof within the play due to the rotation of the lead screw which is in mesh with the mated gear, thereby restricting the tip of the rotation shaft from further movement in the axial direction thereof. The stopper is arranged at a prescribed distance from the tip of the rotation shaft when the rotation shaft is moved to the base end within the play. The prescribed distance is set to be less than the play in the axial direction, for example it lies within the range of 0.02 mm-0.05 mm.

Abstract: A soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method for monitoring the soil moisture content of a given volume of soil in which a plant is growing are provided. The apparatus, system and method allow a plant caretaker to be alerted when the soil moisture content in the soil drops below a pre-determined level. When the soil moisture content drops below a predetermined level, an audible signal may be generated alerting the plant caretaker of the need to add water. The audible signal generated generally corresponds to a recognizable sound that a creature embodied by a creature-shaped housing makes in nature. The creature-shaped housing containing the audible signal generator mechanism may be placed around or attached to the plant such that the audible signal may be readily heard and the creature-shaped housing is visible.

Abstract: A writing instrument having an adaptable refill is provided as well as a method for refilling any one of many commercially available writing instruments sold by various manufacturers. The adaptable refill includes a refill body and a variety of components attachable to the refill body in various orders depending on the writing instrument in which the adaptable refill is incorporated. The adaptable refill with the components may be purchased by a consumer and may fit any of the available writing instruments produced by various manufacturers. The components are constructed and designed to secure to the refill body of the adaptable refill in various orders or various arrangements to incorporate the adaptable refill into any one of many commercially available writing instruments.

Abstract: An automatic pallet changer system in an automatic machining center has a first track for receiving a first pallet having a first workpiece thereon, and a second track for receiving a second pallet having a second workpiece thereon. The first and second tracks are side-by-side and extend from a region outside the enclosure to a region inside the enclosure adjacent the receiver. A linear drive unit is arranged between the first and second tracks and has a carriage which moves along a longitudinally extending carriage guide. The carriage has a member for engaging with the first or second pallet depending upon whether the linear drive unit is rocked to the left or to the right. A motor is connected to the linear drive unit for causing a movement of the carriage along the carriage guide. A rocker unit is connected to the linear drive unit for rocking the linear carriage unit to the left or to the right.

Abstract: A retractable marking device is provided having a casing in which a coil is tightly wound from which the marking device may be extended for use thereof. A housing may further be provided such that the casing is placed within the housing and the housing is attached to a device on which the marking device is most commonly implemented. The marking device may be a pen, pencil or other writing instrument or may also be, for example, a blunt-ended instrument for use as a pointing-type device. The tightly wound coil maintains the marking device in a retracted position so that the marking device is readily available for use. In addition, the marking device is replaceable with a substitute marking device or replaceable following depletion of, for example, ink contained therein.

Abstract: A hydraulically energized magnetorheological replicant muscle tissue is provided as well as a system and method for using and controlling the same. The artificial muscle tissue is capable of causing motion, inducing force and enabling control thereof with life-like action. Numerous muscle tissue elements may be combined together to form a tissue capable of causing motion, inducing force and enabling control. Each muscle tissue element may receive fluid from a fluid supply. Control of fluid entering and exiting the muscle tissue element through valves may be effected using a central processing unit. As a result thereof, life-like action and artificial muscle tissue may be formed that replicates actual muscle tissue.