Abstract: A surgical tool and method for engaging and manipulating a bone includes a tool body having a main body axis, a threaded end, and a handling end, the threaded end having threads and a tool stop. The handling end is positioned to allow a user to grasp, manipulate, and rotate the tool body around the main body axis. The threads are positioned to allow the surgical tool to bore into and engage the bone when the tool body is rotated in a boring direction around the main body axis, the threads allowing for tightening engagement with the bone as the tool body is rotated in the boring direction around the main body axis. The tool stop is positioned to prevent the tool from being further rotated around the main body axis to prevent further boring into the bone when the tool stop contacts the bone.

Abstract: A sacroiliac (SI) treatment apparatus and method includes a seat corrector that improves alertness for a user and helps to treat and alleviate SI joint pain, restless legs, poor posture, bladder control problems, leg cramps, ischial tuberosity pain, gluteal bursitis, neck pain, knee pain, hip pain, headaches/migraines, sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, radiculitis, Parkinsons disease, and other conditions benefiting from improved posture and seated pressure on the ischial tuberosities.

Abstract: A non-deactivated tag monitor may include processing circuitry configured to receive alerting criteria. The alerting criteria may include a first set of identification information associated with at least one tag, the at least one tag having an activated and deactivated state where transitioning from the activated and deactivated state occurs at a point of sale prior to exiting the retail space. The tag may be configured to be monitored in a first monitoring zone associated with a retail space. The processing circuitry may be further configured to: receive a second set of identification information associated with a non-deactivated tag detected by at least one tag reader positioned in a second monitoring zone, the second monitoring zone being established outside the retail space; and compare the second set of identification information to the alerting criteria.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism includes soft stops and an associated method activates a switch in a device or apparatus. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger receptacle, a trigger disposed in the trigger receptacle and movable between an un-actuated and an actuated position by a user depressing the trigger, and a soft stop comprised of at least one projection positioned to engage a resilient elastomeric insert. Moving the trigger from the un-actuated to actuated position compresses the elastomeric insert with the projection and activates the switch to provide a tactile sensation of the switch activation to the user. The switch may be an electric switch disposed in a hand held device, such as a barcode scanner in some embodiments.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism with soft stops and associated method for activating a switch in a device or apparatus. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger receptacle, a trigger disposed in the trigger receptacle and movable between an un-actuated and an actuated position by a user depressing the trigger, and a soft stop comprised of at least one projection positioned to engage a resilient elastomeric insert. Moving the trigger from the un-actuated to actuated position compresses the elastomeric insert with the projection and activates the switch to provide a tactile sensation of the switch activation to the user. The switch may be an electric switch disposed in a hand held device, such as a barcode scanner in some embodiments.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism with soft stops and associated method for activating a switch in a device or apparatus. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger receptacle, a trigger disposed in the trigger receptacle and movable between an un-actuated and an actuated position by a user depressing the trigger, and a soft stop comprised of at least one projection positioned to engage a resilient elastomeric insert. Moving the trigger from the un-actuated to actuated position compresses the elastomeric insert with the projection and activates the switch to provide a tactile sensation of the switch activation to the user. The switch may be an electric switch disposed in a hand held device, such as a barcode scanner in some embodiments.

Abstract: An electronic handheld device with remote cable release mechanism, a handle portion and method for performing the same. The device includes a housing defining an internal cavity and has an elastically deformable flexible portion. An electrical connector block is disposed in the cavity and includes a female receptacle configured for receiving a male electrical cable connector having a movable locking clip configured to releasably engage the connector block. An actuating protrusion is preferably disposed on the flexible portion of the housing for releasing the cable connector. The protrusion is movable towards the connector block in response to the application of an inward pressing force on the flexible portion. The protrusion operates to depress the locking clip on the cable connector, thereby releasing the cable connector. In another embodiment, a resealable dimple may be provided in the flexible portion which can be punctured via a probe to access the locking clip.

Abstract: A system and process are provided for controlling motion of a grappler of a gantry crane to avoid damaging an object to be lifted. In an embodiment, a speed of grappler movement is automatically reduced when in close proximity to the object. Furthermore, the grappler automatically stops when positioned appropriately to permit a latching mechanism to engage the object for lifting. Normal speed grappler motion is restored when the latching mechanism is fully engaged. In a particular embodiment, the grappler includes a plurality of height sensors at various positions along the grappler to determine the respective height of the grappler above a top of the object. Vertical motion of front and rear ends of the grappler are independently actuated and controlled to permit appropriate control when the grappler and/or the object are not level.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating opposed arms of a grappler for a gantry crane dampens swaying motion of the arms. Within a conduit which carries pressurized fluid to and/or from actuators to pivot the arms, a dampener includes a restrictor having an orifice to restrict the flow in at least one direction. Each of the dampeners can include a respective check valve to permit free flow through one direction of the conduit and to direct reverse flow through the orifice. In a specific embodiment, a load is received between opposed arms of the grappler to seat upon shoes which extend inwardly from the arms. To urge the shoes to remain in secure lifting contact under the load, flow is restricted when the swaying load moves the arm outwardly, permit free motion of the arm when the swaying motion pulls the arm inwardly.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating opposed arms of a grappler for a gantry crane dampens swaying motion of the arms. Within a conduit which carries pressurized fluid to and/or from actuators to pivot the arms, a dampener includes a restrictor having an orifice to restrict the flow in at least one direction. Each of the dampeners can include a respective check valve to permit free flow through one direction of the conduit and to direct reverse flow through the orifice. In a specific embodiment, a load is received between opposed arms of the grappler to seat upon shoes which extend inwardly from the arms. To urge the shoes to remain in secure lifting contact under the load, flow is restricted when the swaying load moves the arm outwardly, permit free motion of the arm when the swaying motion pulls the arm inwardly.

Abstract: A swing arm style grappler for a gantry crane is equipped with contact shoes configured to engage in horizontal, flush contact at the underside of a standard load. The grappler includes a plurality of pivotable arms movable between an unclamped position, wherein the arms are positioned outwardly free from the load, and a clamped position wherein the arms are positioned inwardly to clamp the load. Each of the arms has an elongate portion, one of the shoes being mounted to a lower end of the elongate portion. The shoe includes a lifting shelf which projects generally inwardly at an angle such that, when the arms are in the clamped position, the shelf is horizontal.

Abstract: A top-flow fluid pump that is made from a high-purity fluroplastic material is disclosed. The pump is used to circulate extremely corrosive fluids that are heated to temperatures of 160-180° C. through at least one filtration unit. The pump can be used in a semiconductor etching system. The pump utilizes the driven side of an impeller to generate a suction force that draws the corrosive fluid into a pumping chamber from at least one inlet port. A pedestal support or shaft sleeve, through which a motor drive shaft extends, is modified to create an annular passageway that permits the corrosive fluid to enter the pumping chamber from the inlet. With the inlet design of the present invention, a drive motor seal assembly is no longer subjected to corrosive fluid because the seal assembly is positioned on the suction side of the impeller. In a “dead headed” condition, the corrosive fluid flow stops completely as the fluid within the pumping chamber simply remains in shear.

Abstract: In a gantry crane having a movable grappler adapted for lifting standard containers, a system is provided to aid in positioning the grappler relative to the container. The grappler is equipped with at least two corner video devices located near corners of the grappler for viewing the corner locking holes of a container below. In an embodiment, an additional distal video device is mounted to a side of the grappler opposite the cab to view the relative orientation of a side of the container relative to the side of the grappler. In an embodiment, a plurality of alignment sensors are mounted to respective sides of the grappler to detect the relative position of corresponding sides of the container vertically below. In an embodiment, a pair of height sensors are mounted to the grappler to measure a height of the grappler above the upper surface of the container. Additionally, indicators are provided in the cab to indicate information transmitted from the alignment sensors and/or height sensors.