Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are provided to separate a gear from a shaft. The apparatus, the system and the method implement a base plate, a handle, a face plate, a first fastener, a second fastener, and/or a press. The gear is attached to a shaft of a motor. The fasteners connect and/or attach the face plate to the base plate. The fasteners extend through a passage in the gear. The gear is positioned between the face plate and the base plate which abuts a backside of the gear. The press is inserted into a central hole of the face plate and/or abuts a second side of the gear. The base plate maintains the gear in a stationary position with respect to the face plate and/or the press. The press engages the shaft and/or pulls the gear inward with respect to the face plate. As a result, a first side of the base plate moves the gear inward with respect to the face plate.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for testing a cartridge. The apparatus and/or the system is attached and/or is connected to the printer containing the cartridge via a port of the printer. The apparatus and/or the system communicates with and/or controls the printer. The apparatus and/or the system transmits a signal to the printer. The printer prints one or more pages of paper to test a quality, an effectiveness, a longevity and/or a durability of the toner cartridge. A user inspects and/or reviews one or more pages of paper printed by the cartridge to determine the quality, the effectiveness, the longevity and/or the durability of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive includes a frame having a bottom portion and left and right walls and a casing for covering the frame. The casing includes an upper cover for covering an upper side of the frame and a lower cover for covering a lower side of the frame, in which the upper cover has a top plate and left and right side plates, and the lower cover has a bottom plate and left and right plates. Each of the side walls of the frame is designed so as to have size and height that are partially overlapped with the side plate of the upper cover and the side plate of the lower cover, respectively, at each side of the casing, thereby providing a triplex structure for reinforcing each side of the casing.

Abstract: A system and a method detect a position of a movable element within an interior of a compartment. The interior of the compartment has a light source, a light sensor, a base, a support and/or a movable element. The base is located between and/or is connected to the light source, the light sensor and/or the interior surface of the compartment. The base prevents the light source from being directed towards the light sensor. The light sensor detects an intensity of an emitted light in the interior of the compartment. The intensity of the emitted light detected by the light sensor corresponds to a position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment. The light sensor detects, measures, calculates and/or determines the position of the movable element based on the intensity of the emitted light within the interior of the compartment.

Abstract: A pacifier, a system and a method for maintaining proper dentitions in a child are provided. The pacifier may have a bulb which is connected to an external shield by an isthmus. A child may suck on the bulb when the pacifier is worn in the mouth. The isthmus connecting the bulb and the external shield may be flat. Moreover, the isthmus may have a thickness which may be less than a thickness of known connectors, and may be wider from side-to-side than connectors associated with known pacifiers which connect a bulb and an external shield. As a result, the pacifier may prevent the child from developing, for example, an open bite or other malocclusion. The pacifier may or may not incorporate a thickened pillow to aid in the reduction of pain associated with teething.

Abstract: A light pipe, a system and a method measure light attenuation from an optical fiber connected to a light source. The optical fiber transmits light from the light source to a light detector to determine a distance between the optical fiber and the light detector. The optical fiber attenuates light outwardly with respect to the fiber. A layer receives the optical fiber to reflect and/or to refract light transmitted by the optical fiber inwardly. A rod prevents light from attenuating from the optical fiber. A microprocessor may be connected to the light detector for determining the amount of light attenuated from the optical fiber. The microprocessor determines the distance between the light detector and the optical fiber based on the amount of light transmitted from the optical fiber to the light detector. The microprocessor transmits an output signal to a transducer for activating an arm to move an end of the layer inwardly or outwardly with respect to an end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to interactive virtual reality networked computer systems and methods that facilitate communication and operation in a virtual reality environment. The virtual reality networked computer system has an infrastructure that includes a number of users, hosts and servers. The interconnected hosts and servers allow users to effectively locate, activate, access and interact within virtual reality environments in a variety of different ways. For example, users can establish user groups such that interaction within the virtual reality environment occurs between hosts (accessed by users) without the need of a central or dedicated server.

Abstract: A connector includes a receptacle 1 to be mounted on a substrate 11 and a plug 5 adapted to be connected to the receptacle 1. The receptacle 1 has a shield case 2 provided with connection terminals 31 therein, and the plug 5 has a shield case 6 provided with connection terminals 71 therein. The shield case 6 of the plug 5 is adapted to be inserted into the shield case 2 of the receptacle 1 when the plug 5 is connected to the receptacle 1, at which the connection terminals 71 of the plug 5 are electrically connected to the connection terminals 31 of the receptacle 1. A tongue portion 23 is provided on a bottom surface of the shield case 2 of the receptacle 1 and a recess 63 is formed on a bottom surface 61 of the shield case 6 of the plug 5 so that the tongue portion 23 is fitted into the recess 63 when the plug 5 is connected to the receptacle 1, which serve as an erroneous insertion preventing and guiding mechanism.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for sealing a cartridge during a recharging or a refilling of a toner hopper of the cartridge with a toner. The cartridge is filled with the toner through a toner port of the toner hopper. The toner hopper and a shutter drum assembly are separated at a first end of the cartridge. An ultrasonic welder welds a first side at the first end of the cartridge and then welds a second side at the first end of the cartridge. The ultrasonic welder seals the first end of the cartridge by bonding the shutter drum assembly to the toner hopper at the first end of the cartridge. A welding jig maintains alignment of the shutter drum assembly and the toner hopper during reassembly and/or aligns the first side and/or the second side of the cartridge prior to welding by the ultrasonic welder.

Abstract: A dental appliance, a system and a method for treating malocclusions minimize cooperation by a patient for treating the malocclusions. A reline material is insertable between the appliance and one or more teeth of the patient. An internal surface of the appliance is roughened for receiving the reline material to increase retention of the appliance to one or more teeth of the patient. A hinge connects an upper half to a lower half to increase retention of the appliance to one or more teeth of the patient. The appliance maintains a lower jaw of the patient in a position with respect to an upper jaw of the patient. A lingual tab of the lower half maintains the lower jaw of the patient in the position with respect to the upper jaw of the patient. The appliance is made of one or more materials having varying stiffness and/or softness to increase retention of the appliance and/or to increase movement of one or more teeth of the patient.

Abstract: A connector, a system and a method connect, attach and/or connect a first cable and a second cable via the connector. The connector has a finger and/or a receiver attached to and/or connected to the first cable and/or the second cable, respectively. The finger is insertable into the receiver to attach and/or to connect the first cable to the second cable. The finger has a projection to transmit, to communicate and/or to transfer an electrical signal between the first cable and the receiver. The receiver has a receptor for transmitting, for communicating and/or for transferring the electrical signal between the projection of the finger and the second cable. The finger and/or the projection of the first cable rotates and/or turns in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the receiver of the second cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for restraining an animal and/or washing and/or grooming an animal are provided. The animal is placed on the lid of a container to allow a person to wash and/or groom the animal. The container may also store materials used in restraining and/or washing and/or grooming the animal. During use, water and/or other cleaning fluids used in washing and/or grooming of the animal exit through a drain and/or numerous holes on the surface of the lid of the container and enter an interior of the container. The container may further trap hair, fur and/or other materials removed from the animal within the interior of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method secures and/or monitors a device. Additionally, the apparatus, the system and the method attach and/or secure the device to a fixture. The device is connected to an alarm box, an alarm board and/or a power source. The alarm box and/or the alarm board communicates with a sensor via a cable. The power source communicates with a micro-controller via the cable. A programmable logical device controls a voltage from the power source and/or a programmable power supplier to the device. Moreover, a first LED and/or a second LED indicate that the voltage is provided to the device and that the alarm box has been activated. The cable extends outward with respect to a base allowing the device to be manipulated, to be examined and/or to be utilized by a customer and/or a user without triggering the alarm box.

Abstract: A security cable for electrically connecting an electrical device, such as, for example, a digital camera, a cam-corder, digital audio player, or like device are provided. Also provided is a method for making the security cable and a method for securing the electrical device using the security cable. A housing, or tubing, may be provided which may have one or more electrical wires. Preferably, the security cable may have six signal-transmitting wires, each of which may transmit a different type of signal. The signal-transmitting wires may be wound around a metal cord within the housing in a spiral manner. The metal cord may have a tensile strength which may prevent cutting of the security cable by conventional tools, and may, therefore, prevent theft of the electrical device from a display area.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for monitoring position of a machine element within a mechanical system and/or cleaning a machine element. A light source and sensor may be positioned within a cylinder. The sensor may detect the intensity of light within the cylinder as a shaft element moves throughout the cylinder. The measurement may indicate the position of the shaft element within the cylinder. An aperture may be placed within the cylinder to enable light to enter the cylinder. In addition, a seal, a wire brush and/or a bronze brush may be placed near an end wall of a cylinder. The seal may surround the shaft element.

Abstract: An automatic dialing device, system, and method for automatically dialing telephone numbers, placing orders and making announcements are provided. A user of the device places the device near the receiver of a telephone and presses a button on the device. By pressing the button, the user activates a circuit board in the device, and a tone necessary to dial a telephone number or otherwise relay an electronic code is generated. The generated tone is recognized by the telephone receiver, and the telephone number or code is transmitted. The code transmitted may be directed to a business, a person, or the like.

Abstract: A bead, a tool and a method are provided for applying the bead to hair. The bead may be constructed from a pliant and/or soft and/or resilient material, such as for example, rubber, foam, or the like. The bead may be placed around the tool which may hold one or more strands of the hair in a position for placement of the bead onto the hair. The bead may then be moved along a body of the tool until the bead is placed onto the strands of hair. The pliancy and/or softness and/or resiliency of the bead may enable the bead to be worn adjacent to the scalp without causing discomfort to a user. The bead may also be worn by a user during activities, such as, for example, running or like activity.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a main body having a roughly box-shaped casing and a top plate which covers the upper side of the casing, a disc tray having a disc holding portion in which an optical disc is to be placed and being movable with respect to the main body through an opening formed on the front side of the main body, and a convex portion provided on the top plate so as to protrude inside the main body and having a shape that its horizontal cross-sectional area decreases gradually toward a tip thereof. The convex portion being positioned in a region of the top plate corresponding to the disc holding portion of the disc tray in a state that the disc tray is fully inserted into the main body. The disc drive may further includes a roughly arc-shaped ridge portion formed in the region of the top plate so as to protrude inside the main body. The ridge portion also has a shape that its horizontal cross-sectional area decreases gradually toward a tip thereof.

Abstract: A system and a method secure and/or align a device attached to a fixture. The system and the method have a retractable reel with a cable for attaching, for connecting and/or for securing the device to the fixture. The system and the method have a housing with an opening and a slit for aligning and/or for centering the device with respect to the housing, the retractable reel and/or the fixture. The cable extends outward with respect to the retractable reel and/or extends through the housing via the opening. The system and the method have a connector for attaching, for connecting and/or for securing the cable to the device. The housing has a recession for receiving the connector and/or for aligning the connector and/or the device. The connector and/or the device is centered and/or is aligned with respect to the recession, the housing and/or the retractable reel via the opening in the housing and the cable.

Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.