Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a platform (84) relative to a base (82), has first, second, and third flexible shaft couplings (80). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) is mechanically coupled between the platform (84) and the base (82). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) has a rigid intermediate member (12) and a platform coupling (104) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures (20). Each folded sheet flexure (20) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member (12) on one side of a fold (36) and coupled to the platform (84) on the opposite side of the fold (36). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) also has a base coupling (102) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures (20) wherein each folded sheet flexure (20) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member (12) on one side of a fold (36) and coupled to the base (82) on the opposite side of the fold (36).

Abstract: The present invention is a universal tape measure jacket with dual retractable marking means capabilities. The universal tape jacket with dual marking means when retrofit over conventional tape measures creates an affordable measure and marking system. The tape locking means on most conventional tape measures could also be modified to be able to link with either/or of the retractable marking means on the universal tape jacket; thus, the user has the option to lock the tape coil into a fixed position and then manually engage one or both of the dual markers independent of the tapes locking means or when linked with one or more of the retractable markers, make them work in conjunction with the tape measures locking means.

Abstract: A tool for projecting a visually perceptible plumb line extending from a proposed location of a fire sprinkler head on a suspended ceiling. The tool includes a base and a self-leveling laser. The base is configured and arranged to supportably engage the support beams of an installed suspended ceiling grid system so as to support the tool when placed within a panel-retention frame of the installed grid system. The self-leveling laser is repositionably mounted on the base with a vertically extending laser beam which is plumb when the laser is level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination tool for use by an individual workman, without resorting to assistance by another workman, for laying out horizontal and plumb lines in a confined space, such as that found in a shower stall, bathtub enclosure, or fireplace. The invention has a body in the shape of an isosceles triangle. Centrally positioned referencing levels align with the centerlines of each leg of the triangle. The referencing levels are duplicated in order to provide better accuracy of measurement. The tool is of sufficient thickness to allow the removable attachment of a chalk line clip to one of two blunted ends of the tool so that a single workman can extend and snap chalk lines on a surface of interest. A tiler may use the tool of the present invention to practice an inventive technique of laying tile in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: A head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces including a casing, an arm carrying a feeler for touching the mechanical piece to be checked, a fulcrum for enabling displacements of the arm with respect to the casing and a transducer for providing signals depending on the position of the arm with respect to the casing. Various components of the head can be adjusted and/or replaced from the exterior of the casing. The transducer is of the inductive, half-bridge type, with multiple windings. An integral element for the electric connection to a processing unit includes the windings of the transducer, a cable and a connector. A checking apparatus, including at least a gauging or measuring head, includes a stationary structure and at least a support structure for the head, coupled to the stationary structure in an adjustable and removable way.

Abstract: A string mounted bow sight for a hunter's bow comprises a body adapted for attachment to a bow string, the arcuate body comprising a pair of arms symmetrical about a longitudinal axis to define a sighting channel, and a sighting notch extending away from the sighting channel along the longitudinal axis. The sighting channel and of the sighting notch open generally upwardly when the bowstring is drawn so that a hunter can locate a point on the hunter's prey relative to the sighting notch.

Abstract: A brick laying alignment apparatus comprising two identical holders fitted with stagger bolts and guide pins. Each holder further comprises a vee on the first end, the vee having a ramp on either side and a wedge in the base of the vee for removable string engagement. The string is pulled taught between the holders, thereby holding them in place on remotely positioned bricks to be used in aligning further bricklaying.

Abstract: An extended use reminder device (100) operable on the exterior flat or curved surface of an article includes a selectable member (102) including a plurality of individually selectable positions. The selectable member comprises a deformable plastic structure (110) or plurality of plastic structures attached to a deformable sheet member (112). A movable pointer or selector (106) securely interlocks with the plastic structure at one of the selected positions to form a reminder. A single device fits a great variety of containers and allows for a high degree of customization. The device is suitable for manual or automated assembly and application to a container.

Abstract: An electronic compass assembly includes a first collection portion and a second collection portion that each collect magnetic field data. The magnetic field data collected by the second collection portion partially overlaps the magnetic field data collected by the first collection portion. A processor module determines a calibration output based upon the magnetic field data from the first collection portion if a first predetermined condition exists and determines the calibration output based upon magnetic field data from the second collection portion if a second predetermined condition exists. An example method for controlling the electronic compass includes calibrating the electronic compass based upon one of a first magnetic field data set or a second, partially overlapping magnetic field data set.

Abstract: A thermometer comprising a base sheet adapted to be secured to a window or other surface, the sheet includes distinct thermally actuated latent images thereon and each of which is adapted to reversibly depict a different article of clothing once a pre-determined temperature or temperature range is measured whereby a viewer is informed of the appropriate clothing items for the measured temperature conditions.

Abstract: A building board such as a gypsum board is provided for use in construction of commercial and residential building the board having opposed parallel surfaces, one having spaced apart transverse markings and the other having spaced apart longitudinal markings. Each marking is associated with a string embedded therein, and a releasable paper layer is coextensively adhered to each surface of the board adapted to be peeled away from the surface when the cord is pulled to peel away the releasable paper, and the desired size board is cut by breaking the board along the markings.

Abstract: A method of determining temperature and temperature distribution over the surface of an object includes (a) applying a temperature sensitive film composed of material displaying change in color as a function of temperature on a surface of an object; and (b) comparing the color changes on the film with predetermined color and temperature data developed for the film. A related temperature indication device includes a temperature indication device for measuring the temperature and temperature distribution over a surface of an object comprising: a thin film composed of a plurality of fibers embedded in an inert binder wherein the plurality of metal or metal alloy fibers have a property whereby the fibers exhibit color change as a function of temperature, when the thin film is engaged with the surface of the object.

Abstract: A device and method for forming designs into the haired surface on the body. The device features a design head having a shape defined by a perimeter edge and a support shaft engaged with the design head. Hair is trimmed from the haired surface adjacent to the perimeter with one hand while the other hand compresses the design head against the haired surface. A second shape may be formed by trimming the haired surface inside of an aperture located inside the perimeter edge of the design head.

Abstract: An electronic predator replica is disclosed for controlling pests, particularly unwanted birds, in a specific area. The predator replica may be an electronic owl. The replica senses motion by one or more of a plurality of spaced motion sensors, and the predator head rotates to the angle of the sensor that sensed the motion. A noise device in the predator may simulate predator sounds, and can be set to play when motion is detected. The owl head may stay at the angle from which motion is detected for a selected time period, and then rotate in opposite direction to its starting point.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bow sight that is constructed to automatically compensate for arrow drop when the elevation of the target and the shooter is varied. In one embodiment, the bow sight includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion that cooperate to define a target viewing opening, the lower portion of the frame including a sight pin support that is pivotally movable relative to the upper portion of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a template for checking the geometry of shaped and/or bent profiles (T) having rectilinear sections and bent sections. This template comprises a support plate (2), in which holes (8-10) are provided, and a superstructure comprised of, for each rectilinear section of the profile, a bracket (12) and at least one reinforcement (24) consisting of planar plates provided with lugs (16, 17, 29, 30) adapted for being inserted into the holes (8-10) of the support plate (2) and of assembling means (20, 30) that permit said bracket and reinforcement to be fit together in a position in which they extend perpendicularly. In addition, each bracket (12) is provided with at least one guiding element (45, 46) of the rectilinear section of the profile (T).

Abstract: An aligning apparatus includes a loading plate to load at least one alignment object; first and second alignment bars to align the at least one alignment object loaded on the loading plate, wherein the first and second alignment bars are bent by a force greater than a threshold value when contacting the alignment object; and at least one driving unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directions toward and away from each other.

Abstract: A stage apparatus may include a first stage, a second stage movable with respect to the first stage, at least one flexure hinge to connect the first stage with the second stage, a plurality of actuators provided between the first stage and the second stage to push the first stage and the second stage and to be symmetric with respect to a center of the first stage and the second stage, and a controller to control the plurality of actuators to move one of the first stage and the second stage with respect to the other one of the first stage and the second stage. Thus, a position error of the stage can be reduced, which enables an ultra precision position control. Further, a piezoelectric driver using piezoelectric elements may be used as the actuator to decrease the position error more than a conventional driver such as a motor. The position error may be decreased to ±10 nm.

Abstract: Data are input from a geomagnetic sensor that detects magnetic fields in three axial directions, and magnetic field data are measured on the basis of the input data. The measured magnetic field data are sequentially stored, and a determination is made as to whether a plurality of the magnetic field data thus stored lie within a same plane in a three-dimensional orientation space. When it has been determined that the plurality of the magnetic field data lie within the same plane in the three-dimensional orientation space, center coordinates of a circular arc where the stored magnetic field data lie are calculated, as provisional offset values, on the basis of the magnetic field data and in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Magnetic field data measured after the calculation of the provisional offset values is corrected with the provisional offset values, and an arithmetic operation is performed for determining orientation data on the basis of the corrected magnetic field data.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a retractable rule assembly that includes a housing assembly and a reel rotatably mounted in the housing assembly. An elongated blade formed of a ribbon of metal is mounted on the reel. One end of the blade is connected to the reel. The blade is constructed and arranged with respect to the housing assembly to extend from a position tangential to the reel outwardly through a spaced opening in the housing assembly. A coil spring that is formed of a ribbon of metal has a construction and arrangement between the housing assembly and the reel to rotate the reel in the housing assembly in a direction to wind the elongated blade about the reel when the blade is extending outwardly of the housing assembly opening. The blade has a “normal” concavo-convex cross-sectional configuration when extended and has a flat cross-sectional configuration when it is wound about the reel so that the wound reel is disposed about the reel in an abutting volute coil formation.