Abstract: A taut-band resonant scanner is disclosed that includes an elongated band and a sub-assembly. The elongated band has a length in an elongated direction, a width in a width direction that is orthogonal to the elongated direction, and a thickness in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to both the width direction and the elongated direction, wherein the thickness is substantially smaller than the width and wherein the width direction and elongated direction define a band width/length plane. The sub-assembly is attached to a portion of the band, and includes at least one mounting structure.

Abstract: A method of balancing a mirror in a limited rotation motor system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a mirror on a rotor shaft of the limited rotation motor system such that the mirror is initially imbalanced in that the mirror is slightly more weighted to lean to a front side of the mirror that includes a front reflective face of the mirror, and adjusting at least one threaded counterweight screw on a back side of the mirror at least to a position at which the mirror becomes balanced between the front and back sides.

Abstract: A method of balancing a mirror in a limited rotation motor system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a mirror on a rotor shaft of the limited rotation motor system such that the mirror is initially imbalanced in that the mirror is slightly more weighted to lean to a front side of the mirror that includes a front reflective face of the mirror, and adjusting at least one threaded counterweight screw on a back side of the mirror at least to a position at which the mirror becomes balanced between the front and back sides.

Abstract: A mirror is disclosed for use in a limited rotation motor system, wherein the mirror includes a body, an aperture within the body, and a high density material within the aperture. The body, formed of one or more materials, has an exposed mirror surface and is mountable with the limited rotation motor system for rotation with respect to an axis of mirror rotation. The aperture is positioned at least proximate to a portion of the axis of mirror rotation. The high density material is provided within the aperture such that it is capable of movement within the aperture, and the high density material has a density that is greater than a density of the material of the body of the mirror.

Abstract: A taut-band resonant scanner is disclosed that includes an elongated band and a sub-assembly. The elongated band has a length in an elongated direction, a width in a width direction that is orthogonal to the elongated direction, and a thickness in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to both the width direction and the elongated direction, wherein the thickness is substantially smaller than the width and wherein the width direction and elongated direction define a band width/length plane. The sub-assembly is attached to a portion of the band, and includes at least one mounting structure.

Abstract: A hospital bed trapeze system includes an offset vertical frame to provide safe and convenient patient positioning in a smaller footprint. The offset patient trapeze system includes vertical support members that extend vertically from the head end of the bed, where the vertical support members angle inward toward the foot end of the bed. Similarly, additional vertical support members extend vertically from the foot end of the bed and angle inward toward the head end of the bed. The vertical support members support a horizontal grid. The horizontal grid includes side bars and cross bars that connect the vertical support members to form a trapezoidal assembly. An ergonomic grab bar is supported from the horizontal grid. The grab bar includes a handle portion with which the patient or caregiver may access the offset trapeze system to facilitate patient positioning in the bed.

Abstract: A servo control system having a proportional (P) or a proportional plus integral (PI) position controller, which output signal represents an input speed reference signal for a speed close loop system with a speed controller detecting a speed deviation, derived from a speed feedback loop, which output signal represents an input current reference signal for a current close loop system with a current controller detecting a current deviation, derived from a current feedback loop, which controls an amount of the current flowing through a motor.

Abstract: A position detector for determining the angular position of a rotatable element, the detector having a single light source for directing a uniform wide angle field of light in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of the rotatable element, multiple sector-shaped light detectors aligned circumferentially about the rotatable element to receive light directly from the source, and a light blocker connected to the rotatable element to rotate therewith about the longitudinal axis for periodically blocking portions of the light which impinge upon the light detectors from the light source. The space between the light source and the detectors being essentially free of any object, except for the light blocker, so that the light from the light source can impinge directly upon at least those portions of the detectors which the light blocker is not blocking, without passing through any other object.

Abstract: An optical position detector for determining the angular position of a rotating element and being virtually insensitive to any unwanted radial movement of the rotating element. The position detector having a first light source and a second light source, each positioned proximate one end of the rotating element and positioned diametrically opposed from one another. Four light detectors are optically aligned with the first and second light sources for receiving light therefrom and for providing an output indicative of the amount of light received. An opaque flat element being interconnected to the one end of the rotating element for preventing a preselected amount of light emanating from the first and second light sources from being received by the light detectors. The first and second light sources and the light detectors cooperating with each other in such a manner that the output from the light detectors is virtually unaffected by any unwanted radial movement of the rotating element.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing system for sensing the rotary position of a rotating shaft, particularly one having limited rotary motion. The system uses at least four capacitances comprising fixed capacitance plate members, one of which is preferably made of four arcuate segments enclosing the shaft and the other of which is a ring member enclosing the shaft and displaced therefrom along the shaft. A dielectric member is attached to the shaft between the fixed plate members. The capacitance value of the four capacitances change as the shaft rotates in such a manner that the capacitance changes produce an output voltage which represents the rotary position of the shaft, which output voltage is insensitive to radial motions of the shaft.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the litter configuration to the chair configuration to protect the patient, providing removable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features, and a toilet seat variation to permit the user to perform bodily functions while seated in the invention apparatus.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the chair configuration to the litter cnfiguration to protect the patient, providing removeable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, and improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the chair configuration to the litter configuration to protect the patient, providing removeable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, and improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features.