Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: A base portion for a needleless valve system comprising a body, and a valve coupling feature disposed on the body. The valve coupling feature is configured for coupling to a base coupling feature of a valve of a first type and a base coupling feature of a valve of a second type.

Abstract: A needleless valve system includes a cannula comprising a cannula tip; a valve comprising a valve tip, wherein the valve is disposed around the cannula; and a housing comprising a housing tip, wherein the cannula tip, the valve tip, and the housing tip comprise a flat surface when the needleless valve system is in a sealed position.

Abstract: A piston for a needleless valve system comprising a head portion configured to be disposed in the needleless valve system and controlling fluid flow through the needleless valve system. The head portion comprising a continuous top surface, and an opening disposed proximate the continuous top surface, wherein the continuous top surface is non-planar when the opening is in an open position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: An folding exercising machine includes an upright with a bottom frame for positioning on a floor, two handlebars pivotally coupled to the upright at two sides, two pedal frames respectively pivoted to the bottom sides of the handlebars, each pedal frame having a bottom pin, a wheel module pivoted to the bottom frame of the upright and alternatively set between an operative position and a non-operative position, a lock screw provided at the bottom frame of the upright for locking the wheel module in the operative position, two first sockets respectively provided at two pedal cranks of a wheel of the wheel module for receiving the bottom pins of the pedal frames to hold the wheel module in the operative position, two second sockets provided at a transverse bar at the rear side of the wheel module for receiving the bottom pins of the pedal frames to hold the wheel module in the non-operative position, and a retaining member provided at the upright for locking the wheel module in the non-operative position.

Abstract: An folding exercising machine includes an upright with a bottom frame for positioning on a floor, two handlebars pivotally coupled to the upright at two sides, two pedal frames respectively pivoted to the bottom sides of the handlebars, each pedal frame having a bottom pin, a wheel module pivoted to the bottom frame of the upright and alternatively set between an operative position and a non-operative position, a lock screw provided at the bottom frame of the upright for locking the wheel module in the operative position, two first sockets respectively provided at two pedal cranks of a wheel of the wheel module for receiving the bottom pins of the pedal frames to hold the wheel module in the operative position, two second sockets provided at a transverse bar at the rear side of the wheel module for receiving the bottom pins of the pedal frames to hold the wheel module in the non-operative position, and a retaining member provided at the upright for locking the wheel module in the non-operative position.

Abstract: A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.

Abstract: An orthodontic hook device for use with an implant secured to a first location on the dental arch of a patient generally comprises a base member configured to be slidably received on an archwire secured to the dental arch and a hook member extending from an outer surface of the base member. The hook member includes a first edge and a second edge, which have different profiles and are spaced apart to provide the hook member with a thickness. The second edge defines at least one notch configured to retain an end of a biasing member, which includes an opposite end secured to the implant.

Abstract: A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sprinkler body having a side inlet and improved strength and durability. The side inlet is reinforced with additional structure at a cylindrical wall defining the side inlet. The structure may include a reinforcement rib located within the sprinkler body and intersecting the side inlet. The structure may include a plate located within the cylindrical wall, and the plate may include a collar and/or a crosspiece spanning the side inlet. The structure permits passage of water therethrough and serves to reinforce localized weakened portions or stress concentrators of the side inlet or the sprinkler body.

Abstract: A slip-clutch assembly including a slip gear and clutch for a sprinkler motor of a sprinkler is disclosed for reducing damage to movable portions of the sprinkler is disclosed. The slip-clutch assembly allows at least a portion of a motor assembly or a sprinkler head to rotate at a rate lower than under normal operating conditions. The slip-clutch assembly includes a first component or portion with deformable portions received under normal operating conditions within recesses or cooperating structure of a second component or portion. The deformable portions are able to release or slip from the cooperating structure when the rotation of a portion of the sprinkler is impeded by a force exceeding a predetermined level. The deformable portions of the slip-clutch assembly may include deflectable arms with an engageable portion received within the cooperating structure. The engageable portion may dis-engage by camming out of the cooperating structure when the impeding force exceeds the predetermined level.

Abstract: A slip-clutch assembly including a slip gear and clutch for a sprinkler motor of a sprinkler is disclosed for reducing damage to movable portions of the sprinkler is disclosed. The slip-clutch assembly allows at least a portion of a motor assembly or a sprinkler head to rotate at a rate lower than under normal operating conditions. The slip-clutch assembly includes a first component or portion with deformable portions received under normal operating conditions within recesses or cooperating structure of a second component or portion. The deformable portions are able to release or slip from the cooperating structure when the rotation of a portion of the sprinkler is impeded by a force exceeding a predetermined level. The deformable portions of the slip-clutch assembly may include deflectable arms with an engageable portion received within the cooperating structure. The engageable portion may dis-engage by camming out of the cooperating structure when the impeding force exceeds the predetermined level.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sprinkler body having a side inlet and improved strength and durability. The side inlet is reinforced with additional structure at a cylindrical wall defining the side inlet. The structure may include a reinforcement rib located within the sprinkler body and intersecting the side inlet. The structure may include a plate located within the cylindrical wall, and the plate may include a collar and/or a crosspiece spanning the side inlet. The structure permits passage of water therethrough and serves to reinforce localized weakened portions or stress concentrators of the side inlet or the sprinkler body.

Abstract: A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.

Abstract: An exerciser includes first and second base sections which are adjustable with each other along a longitudinal direction thereof, a frame extending upwardly from the first base section, and a bench device. A disc is pivotally mounted to the frame. A handle is pivotably mounted to the disc to pivot therewith for operating a resistance device and is retained in a desired angular position relative to disc. The bench device includes a substantially L-shaped first member having a first end pivotally mounted to the second base section and a second end, a second member having an end pivotally connected to the second end of the L-shaped first member and having an element mounted to a mediate section thereof, and a substantially L-shaped third member having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally mounted to the element of the second member. By such an arrangement, the bench device may be adjusted to any desired status.

Abstract: Multifunction exercise apparatus which uses only a single weight. A frame supports various exercising stations which exercise different muscle groups. A resistance-adjusting assembly adjusts a level of resistance in conjunction with the weight needed to be overcome in manipulation of the exercising station. The resistance-adjusting assembly defines a moment arm and an axis of rotation and then varies the moment arm to vary a level of resistance. The assembly includes an elongated body portion with a plurality of moment arms defined thereon and a pair of pulleys attached thereto, a cable attached to the exercising stations, and apparatus to connect the body portion to the weight.