Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame, a pair of front pulleys, a pair of rear pulleys, a first cable, and a second cable. The frame is configured to be attached to or placed at least partially around an exercise device and includes a front portion and a rear portion. The pair of front pulleys is coupled to the front portion. The pair of rear pulleys is coupled to the rear portion. A first cable passes through a first of the pair of front pulleys and through a first of the pair of rear pulleys. A second cable passes through a second of the pair of front pulleys and through a second of the pair of rear pulleys. The first and second cables are configured to couple with a user to unload a portion of the user's weight as the user exercises on the exercise device.

Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame having a base and a vertical bar extending therefrom. The base is configured to connect to or at least partially encircle an exercise device. A height adjustable cantilevered arm assembly is coupled to the vertical bar at a fulcrum, and the cantilevered arm assembly is configured to receive and couple to the user. A resilient member is coupled to the cantilevered arm assembly and configured to unload a portion of the user's weight while the user is coupled to the cantilevered arm assembly and exercises on the exercise device.

Abstract: An unweighting garment includes an article of clothing having two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user, a buttocks portion configured to fit around the user's buttocks, and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user. A pair of attachment mechanisms is in the waist portion. The pair of attachment mechanisms is configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight. One or more force distribution sections are configured to extend from the pair of attachment mechanisms and along both leg portions or the buttocks portion. The one or more force distribution sections are configured to distribute a force acting on the attachment mechanisms to the legs or buttocks of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.

Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame having a pair of upright bars, and a cantilevered arm assembly, and a pair of resilient members. The frame is configured to connect to or at least partially encircle an exercise device. The cantilevered arm assembly includes a pair of cantilevers. Each cantilever is attached to one of the upright bars, and the pair of cantilevers is configured to receive and couple to the user to unload a portion of the user's weight as the user exercises on the exercise device while coupled to the pair of cantilevers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management and scheduling of differential air pressure (DAP) and other unweighted or assisted treatment systems are provided. The methods and systems can include generation of a suggested workout based on matching user data to data of other users sharing similar characteristics using an aggregate database of user information and related workout information. The methods and systems can include matching a user to an available and/or appropriate DAP system. Also provided are methods and systems including performing a workout and uploading performance information to an aggregate database of user information.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using and calibration such systems for individuals with impaired mobility. The differential air pressure systems may comprise an access assist device configured to help a mobility impaired user to stand in a pressure chamber configured to apply a positive pressure on a portion of the user's body in the seals pressure chamber. The system may further comprise load sensors configured to measure the user's weight exerted inside and outside the chamber. The system may be calibrated by determining a relationship between the actual weight of the user and the pressure in the chamber, where the actual weight of the user may be measured by more than one load sensor and at least one load sensor is not in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention pertains to flexible devices used for zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement, especially to disposable temperature measurement devices. Such a device is constituted of a flexible substrate with a plurality of contiguous sections. An electrical circuit is disposed on a side of the substrate. The electrical circuit includes first and second thermal sensors disposed, respectively, on first and second substrate sections. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate section with the first thermal sensor. The first and second sections are folded together to position the first and second thermal sensors therebetween, and a flexible insulator disposed between the folded-together first and second sections maintains the first and second thermal sensors in a spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: The invention pertains to flexible devices used for zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement, especially to disposable temperature measurement devices. Such a device is constituted of a flexible substrate with a plurality of contiguous sections. An electrical circuit is disposed on a side of the substrate. The electrical circuit includes first and second thermal sensors disposed, respectively, on first and second substrate sections. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate section with the first thermal sensor. The first and second sections are folded together to position the first and second thermal sensors therebetween, and a flexible insulator disposed between the folded-together first and second sections maintains the first and second thermal sensors in a spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: A respirator mask seal and shell are provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The respirator mask seal and shell includes a mask shell having a face opening, a slot for air passage, and at least one attachment portion spaced around the face opening. They also include a movable interface having a hose connector and a contoured opening adapted to fit against the mask shell. The contoured opening is slidable over the slot and is capable of being positioned on the mask shell. The mask seal has a flexible sidewall having distal and proximal ends and includes a rounded outer seal portion located on the distal end of the sidewall, a rounded inner seal portion located between the distal and proximal ends, and a support ring embedded in the sidewall. The inner seal portion is thicker than the outer seal portion and is non-continuous. The support ring includes at least one attachment portion adapted to engage the at least one attachment portion of the mask shell.

Abstract: A disc drive for storing and retrieving data from at least one memory storage disc includes a drive base and a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor hub, a shaft, a bearing unit. The bearing unit rotatably supports the rotor hub about an axis. A controlled resistance electrical pathway is established from the rotor hub to ground to control disc potential and to prevent excess static charge buildup. In one embodiment, the spindle motor includes structural elements made of a conducting plastic having a controlled resistance to establish a controlled resistance electrical pathway from the rotor hub to ground. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the spindle motor includes a conductive contact button electrically connected to the shaft and operatively coupled with a contact shield electrically grounded by an electrical conductor having a controlled resistance.

Abstract: A disc drive for storing and retrieving data from at least one memory storage disc includes a drive base and a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor hub, a shaft, a bearing unit. The bearing unit rotatably supports the rotor hub about an axis. A controlled resistance electrical pathway is established from the rotor hub to ground to control disc potential and to prevent excess static charge buildup. In one embodiment, the spindle motor includes structural elements made of a conducting plastic having a controlled resistance to establish a controlled resistance electrical pathway from the rotor hub to ground. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the spindle motor includes a conductive contact button electrically connected to the shaft and operatively coupled with a contact shield electrically grounded by an electrical conductor having a controlled resistance.

Abstract: A spacer supports a disc on a hub in a disc drive. The hub is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The spacer includes a member having an inner radial surface defining a hub receiving aperture for receiving an exterior surface of the hub. The inner radial surface has a generally annular groove extending from the inner radial surface generally radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: Spindle motor electrical- and motor-to-base interfaces. A compliant connector along with a circuit on a support flange is provided below a stator assembly for providing: An insertable spindle motor to drive base with less specific orientation. The support flange may comprise a small printed circuit cable or a printed circuit board. Additionally, non-specific orientation of a spindle motor to drive base assembly is described using circular traces oriented about a support flange. A circular connector is also described, as well as a biased support flange.

Abstract: A limit stop for defining the extremes of the range of motion of a disc drive actuator, and a magnetic latch which may be incorporated into the limit stop for holding the actuator at one of the extremes of its range of motion. Both the limit stop and limit stop with incorporated magnetic latch allow compliance to be determined based on material selection and dimensions. The magnetic latch includes a flux concentrator mounted on a limit stop and a magnetically permeable striker mounted on the moving portion of the actuator, and derives magnetic force for latching from the permanent magnet in the voice coil motor of the actuator.

Abstract: A dynamic latching mechanism for a disc drive includes a latch rotatable about a pivot which captures an extension on the carriage. The latch is mounted in a frame directly attached to the disc drive housing. A spring loaded plunger normally is biased against the latch to hold it in place and thus restrain the carriage after the extension has been captured and power removed. A solenoid withdraws the plunger and allows release of the carriage. A brake plate is provided sliding on the plunger. A protrusion which extends from the latch frame and thus the disc drive housing cooperates with an edge of the brake plate. In the event of sudden shock to the housing, the shock force is transmitted to the protrusion which tilts the brake plate, freezing the plunger against the latch and preventing the latch from releasing from the extension on the carriage, so that the carriage is properly restrained even in the event of a significant shock.

Abstract: A dynamic lock for a disc drive carriage incorporates a plunger that captures an extension on the carriage. The plunger is guided by a solenoid and frame. The plunger is spring loaded such that it normally is biased into the carriage to restrain the carriage in the home locking position. The solenoid can withdraw the plunger and allow release of the carriage. A counterweight rotates about a pivot provided on the frame adjacent the plunger. A finger that protrudes from the counterweight rides in a recess on the plunger. In the event of a sudden shock to the disc drive, the shock force is transmitted from the plunger through the finger to the counterweight. The counterweight is designed to be of equal mass to the plunger, whereby the shock force is neutralized, preventing the plunger from moving back toward the solenoid and releasing the carriage.

Abstract: In a label printer, nonspooling and self-strip paths of label stock movement are accommodated by a single mechanism that includes a drive capstan 46 and associated pinch roller 48, a shaft 40, a pair of mechanically intercoupled discs 68 and 52 respectively secured to the shaft and the drive capstan for causing them to rotate in opposite directions, a label stripping pin 44, a drive roller 38 rotatable about the shaft, a clutch 78 locking the drive roller to the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in a given direction and permitting the drive roller to freely rotate about the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, and a thermal print head 28 including a thermal print element 30 yieldably engaging the drive roller. In the nonspooling path, the free end of the label stock is passed between the thermal print head and the drive roller and the drive capstan is rotated in a given direction by a drive motor 54 so that the label stock exits the label printer without label separation.

Abstract: A label cutter particularly adapted for use with impact printers includes a stationary blade 34 and a movable blade 33, each of which has an elongated cutting edge 34A, 33A formed thereon. A first end of the movable blade is pivotally secured (70, 72, 74, 76) to a corresponding first end of the stationary blade so that the cutting edges face each other. A tension spring 84 and an arm 82 yieldably rotate the movable blade to a rest position away from the stationary blade, and also yieldably deflect a second end of the movable blade so that the cutting edge of the movable blade is pressed into contact with the cutting edge of the stationary blade as the movable blade is rotated from its rest position towards the stationary blade. An electrical solenoid 86 has a plunger 90 pinned to the movable blade, whereby the application of an electrical signal to the solenoid causes the movable blade to be moved at a relatively high speed towards the stationary blade.