Abstract: An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cast orthodontic retainer system for reducing discomfort and improving durability. The cast orthodontic retainer system generally includes a palatal portion for positioning against the palate of a patient's mouth and a retention portion for extending across an anterior portion of the patient's teeth. The palatal portion of the present invention is fabricated of a cast metallic material, thus allowing for the palatal portion to be substantially thinner than the palatal portions of retainers in the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the palatal portion of the present invention will be fabricated of a combination of cobalt, chromium and molybdenum (generally marketed under the trademark VITALLIUM). The palatal portion of the orthodontic retainer is preferably cast from the metallic material utilizing the “lost wax” technique of casting.

Abstract: A system and a method for tracking and analyzing welding activity. Dynamic spatial properties of a welding tool are sensed during a welding process producing a weld. The sensed dynamic spatial properties are tracked over time and the tracked dynamic spatial properties are captured as tracked data during the welding process. The tracked data is analyzed to determine performance characteristics of a welder performing the welding process and quality characteristics of a weld produced by the welding process. The performance characteristics and the quality characteristics may be subsequently reviewed.

Abstract: A ball joint orientation device applicable to a unipod includes a ball joint and stop members, in which one end of the ball joint is formed as a rotating part and is arranged in a ball joint seat in a universal swaying manner, and the other end extends to form a connecting part and is fixedly connected with a main rod; the stop members are arranged in the ball joint seat, and include a locking stop member located at the upper side of the rotating part; an orientation knob is sleeved on the connecting part and/or the main rod; when screwed toward the direction close to the ball joint seat, the ball joint is subjected to orienting locking and no longer rotates; and when screwed toward the direction away from the ball joint seat, and the orienting locking is released, so the ball joint is rotatable freely.

Abstract: A control system for an aquarium lighting system in which motor drivers alter over time the relative inclination of a light source with respect to an ornamental feature (18) within the aquarium. The effect is that light intensity (92, 94) falling incident on an ornamental feature more accurately simulates natural light impinging on a natural environment from day and seasonal movements of the sun. In addition to the relative change in inclination, power settings for the light source can be adjusted to further mimic the effects experienced with daily variations of climate and/or weather. The system effectively changes the angle of incidence of light and outwardly facing areas of ornamental features or areas beneath overhangs receive programmable levels of illumination that would otherwise not be possible with an overhead, single fixed-position light source.

Abstract: A container for liquids comprising a first portion forming an approximate half container portion; a second portion forming an approximate half container portion, the first and second portions having a generally convex exterior shape with flange portions along perimeters thereof; a liquid impermeable barrier film being disposed on a concave interior portion of each of the first and second portions and extending onto the flange portions; the first and second portions being sealed together at the flange portions to form a liquid impermeable container; and there being provided a location on the container for the disposition of a closure device to allow contents of the container, once filled, to be removed.

Abstract: A wafer transfer apparatus is provided. In a minimum transformed state where a robot arm is transformed such that a distance defined from a pivot axis to an arm portion, which is farthest in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis, is minimum, a minimum rotation radius R, is set to exceed 1/2 of a length B in the forward and backward directions of an interface space, the length B corresponding to a length between the front wall and the rear wall of the interface space forming portion, and is further set to be equal to or less than a subtracted value obtained by subtracting a distance L0 in the forward and backward directions from the rear wall of the interface space forming portion to the pivot axis, from the length B in the forward and backward directions of the interface space (i.e., B/2<R?B?L0).

Abstract: A housing supporting apparatus includes: a base-plate body having a base-plate axis; a connection plate body having one end formed with a connection plate axis and pivotally connected to one end of the base-plate body; a first supporting plate having a first axis pivotally connected to the one end of the connection plate body; and a second supporting plate having a second axis pivotally connected to one end of the first supporting plate. The second supporting plate has one end pivotally connected to the base-plate axis.

Abstract: An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.

Abstract: An auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament (M) comprises of a substantially cylindrical housing arranged to contain a pre-filled syringe with an injection needle, a plunger and a stopper for sealing a syringe barrel and a drive means releasably coupled to the plunger for advancing the syringe in the proximal direction (P) for needle insertion into an injection site and for displacing the dose of medicament (M) into the injection site. The drive means is arranged to be decoupled from the plunger for advancing a needle shroud to a safe position (PS) to surround the injection needle after the injection. According to the invention, the drive means bears against a thrust collar arranged to be releasably coupled to the plunger through a ramped engagement of a first tongue and a first recess so as to rotate the thrust collar on translation in proximal direction (P).

Abstract: A wafer transfer apparatus is provided. In a minimum transformed state where a robot arm is transformed such that a distance defined from a pivot axis to an arm portion, which is farthest in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis, is minimum, a minimum rotation radius R, is set to exceed ½ of a length B in the forward and backward directions of an interface space, the length B corresponding to a length between the front wall and the rear wall of the interface space forming portion, and is further set to be equal to or less than a subtracted value obtained by subtracting a distance L0 in the forward and backward directions from the rear wall of the interface space forming portion to the pivot axis, from the length B in the forward and backward directions of the interface space (i.e., B/2<R?B?L0).

Abstract: A compact, electric, spring energized desktop stapler having a unitized housing providing both an external movable enclosure and a support frame for internal parts is disclosed. The internal power train is preferably elongated with the motor at the rear, a gear set toward the center, and low profile lever and power spring assembly at the front. The lever engages a striker with a normal upper rest position where the power spring is deflected and energized. A cam roller mounted to a final gear holds down the rear of the lever until the system is activated when the final gear rotates and the cam roller rolls off the end of the lever. In the unitized body, the base is pivotally attached to the body at the rear. A base lever selectively links to a cam roller or equivalent structure to move the body downward toward the base during a cycle.

Abstract: A system and method to address the shortcomings of previous and existing designs by incorporating novel and unique features allowing the invention to perform well for a wide variety of popular dishes and meal solutions. Some embodiments of the present invention include a kitchen countertop barrel cooker which rotate bite size or smaller food ingredients around a horizontal axis and use a unique tumbler blade design which also rotates food around perpendicular horizontal axes resulting in thorough mixing and equalization of temperature throughout. The resulting uniform temperature allows readings from a non-contact infrared sensor to be relevant and effective for automatically assessing and controlling doneness. The embodiments vary primarily in how ingredients are handled. Each allows the draining of unwanted liquid from the ingredient contents during cooking or before unloading.

Abstract: A bridge assembly includes a plurality of platform members which may be secured to support beams via individual platform chassis which are configured to allow tool-less attachment bolt heads thereto. A plurality of specially configured clamps are attached to the free ends of the bolts and the clamps are used to secure the platform members to the platform chassis. The platform chassis are each secured to the outer support beams via L-brackets that are mounted between the chassis and support beams. The support beams include flanged channels wherein the heads of a plurality of bolts may be attached without the need for tools. The platform members may be laid in either a parallel or perpendicular orientation with respect to the outer support beams with two different clamp styles being used depending on the orientation selected.

Abstract: A system according to an embodiment of the invention may include a track and a power supply substantially contained within the track. One or more lamps may be electrically connected to the power supply. The lamp may be an HID lamp, an LED lamp, or a fluorescent lamp. The power supply may be a ballast or a transformer, and may comprise a printed circuit board with electrical power handling components on one side. The system may also include a housing which may surround the power supply.

Abstract: A food processor is provided with a wide feed tube. The food processor has a pusher that cooperates with a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism comprises a linkage assembly that prevents the food processor's motor from operating unless the pusher is inserted into the feed tube.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing cap for a container includes an outer cap body, an inner cap body movable toward or away from the outer cap body, a sealing gasket compressible by the outer cap body to abut sealingly against the mouth of the container when the inner cap body moves toward the outer cap body, a slide member connected to the inner cap body, and an operating member connected pivotally to the slide member and pivotable between first and second positions, where the operating member pulls upwardly and pushes downwardly the slide member to move the inner cap body upwardly toward and downwardly away from the outer cap body. The sealing gasket is pressed and is not pressed sealingly against the mouth of the container in the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.

Abstract: A system for coordinating a cold planer and a paver is disclosed. The system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the cold planer; a production monitoring system associated with the cold planer and configured to determine a milling rate of the cold planer; a communication device configured to exchange information between the cold planer and the paver; and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive a second signal indicative of a position of the paver and a third signal indicative of a paving rate of the paver, determine a current distance between the cold planer and the paver based on the first and second signals, determine a target distance based on the current distance and a comparison of the milling rate and the paving rate, and determine a difference between the target distance and the current distance.

Abstract: A method of making a lightweight thermal shield that includes obtaining a mold having a shaped support screen with a molding surface configured to allow the passage of air and moisture therethrough, and with the mold being adapted for drawing a vacuum from behind the support screen. The method also includes applying a wet insulation material onto the molding surface of the support screen and drawing a vacuum to withdraw moisture through the support screen and consolidate a layer of insulation material on top the molding surface. The method further includes removing the consolidated layer of insulation material from off the molding surface, installing the consolidated layer of insulation material into an outer shell layer, and drying the consolidated layer of insulation material within the outer shell layer to form a lightweight core insulation layer.