Abstract: A device is provided for supporting a vehicle tire having a body formed with a front ramp surface adapted to permit the tire to roll up onto the device, and a top surface for supporting the tire having an arcuate configuration adapted for supporting the tire. The top surface includes a pair of spaced apart peaks and a trough positioned between the peaks for supporting the vehicle tire. Additionally, support blocks may be provided beneath the device for raising the device to ensure that the vehicle, when supported, remains level. Still further, the device provides for grooves extending through the top surface to permit drainage and air flow around the vehicle tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for formation of optical quality plastic sheet in a continuous fashion, wherein the plastic sheet produced is capable of use in a variety of optical and electronic display applications.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus wherein a blade holder includes two blades which are each designed for cutting web material (e.g., dry film photoresist) in a reverse manner prior to application of the material to a substrate (e.g., dielectric-conductor structure) designed for eventual usage as a printed circuit board or as part thereof (e.g., if laminated up with other, similarly formed substrate members).

Abstract: A method for reverse cutting with material wherein a blade holder includes two blades which are each designed for cutting web material (e.g., dry film photoresist) in a reverse manner prior to application of the material to a substrate (e.g., dielectric-conductor structure) designed for eventual usage as a printed circuit board or as part thereof (e.g., if laminated up with other, similarly formed substrate members).

Abstract: Back-to back hydraulically linked pistons are mechanically coupled to contact probes and measurement sensors. The pistons are hydraulically linked by small diameter flexible conduits which enable the contact probes and the measurement sensors to be mounted and moved independently of each other without affecting the ability of the measurement instrument to simultaneously measure a plurality of points on a selected predefined surface, such as a human tooth. The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the complex mechanical linkages heretofore required in such instruments.

Abstract: Back-to back hydraulically linked pistons are mechanically coupled to contact probes and measurement sensors. The pistons are hydraulically linked by small diameter flexible conduits which enable the contact probes and the measurement sensors to be mounted and moved independently of each other without affecting the ability of the measurement instrument to simultaneously measure a plurality of points on a selected predefined surface, such as a human tooth. The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the complex mechanical linkages heretofore required in such instruments.

Abstract: A dynamic compression polyaxial locking screw plate assembly for reduction and/or drawing together, and immobilization, of displaced bone segments. The assembly comprises a plate, having an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one of which portions includes an elongate hole, into which hole a screw and coupling element is inserted. Complete insertion of the coupling element into the elongate hole causes the element to translate along sloped surface conformations of the lateral sidewalls, to a proximal end. This translation causes the bone segment into which the screw is inserted to translate relative to the plate. In a first embodiment, the coupling element has a tapered cylindrical exterior, and an interior semi-spherical concave surface in which the semi-spherical head of a bone screw may be polyaxially mounted. The plate of this first embodiment includes an axially widening, tapered sidewall conformation.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyaxial lateral mass locking screw plate assembly for immobilization of vertebral bones, via fixation to surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the invention includes a narrow elongate plate having a plurality of holes, which in one variation are threaded, into which holes coupling elements may be inserted, or correspondingly screwed. The coupling elements have a cylindrical exterior, and have an semi-spherical interior volume into which the semi-spherical head of a bone screw may be inserted, and therein polyaxially mounted. In one variation the coupling element is a 7/8ths ring including a single axial slot. In another variation the coupling element includes a plurality of slots in its lower portion. In either variation insertion of a coupling element into a corresponding hole causes the interior volume to be crush locked to the head of the screw.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyaxial locking screw plate assembly for immobilization of vertebral bones, via fixation to surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the invention includes a plate, having an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which has a pair of threaded holes, into which holes coupling elements may be screwed. The coupling elements each have a threaded cylindrical exterior, and have an interior semi-spherical concave surface in which the semi-spherical head of a bone screw may be polyaxially mounted. In a second embodiment, the present invention includes a similar plate, having holes which are, however, threaded part of the way through the plate. In this embodiment, the bottom portion of the holes of the plate, additionally, have a curved interior surface which forms an annular lip for supporting a semi-spherical head portion of a bone screw. The coupling element of this embodiment is a short threaded cylindrical piece, having a concave bottom which locks the screw into the hole.

Abstract: A device for holding a roll of toilet tissue or the like and for being fixedly attached to a wall or the like in such a manner that unauthorized removal of the device from the wall is effectively prevented. The device includes a base for being attached to the wall by one or more screws or the like and includes a pair of arm members and a bar member for being fixedly and lockably attached to one another and to the base in such a manner that the arm members completely cover the heads of the screws to thereby prevent access to the heads of the screws when the bar member and arm members are locked in place thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the device from the wall. The bar member extends completely through the roll of toilet tissue so that when the bar member and the arm members are locked in place, the roll of toilet tissue cannot be removed from the device.

Abstract: A control means for regulating the operation of a system for controlling the temperature within an enclosure so that a desired temperature within the enclosure is attained at a predetermined time wherein the switch on time of a thermal conditioning apparatus for the enclosure is increasingly delayed as the temperature outside the enclosure changes towards the desired temperature, so as to avoid the thermal conditioning apparatus being switched on earlier than necessary before said predetermined time.