Abstract: A system for raising and lowering furniture, comprising: a dwelling unit comprising a dwelling residential zone for occupants and a storage zone for furnishings above the residential dwelling zone; at least one lifting device attached to an item of furniture; at least one runner attached to the item of furniture; and at least one vertical channel adapted to engage with the at least one runner as the item of furniture is raised or lowered to or from a storage zone above the room; whereby the furniture is supported by the connection to the lifting device; whereby the at least one runner travels along the at least one channel as the item of furniture is raised or lowered is disclosed. A system for adjusting the height of fixtures in a dwelling unit, comprising at least one lifter with a base below the floor line of the dwelling and extending through the floor of the dwelling wherein the lifter is adapted to lower the fixture down to or near floor level is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular dwelling is disclosed that includes a dwelling unit, a rectangular base, four exterior walls extending from the base to the roof, and at least one entrance through one of the exterior walls. The dwelling unit also includes a utility zone disposed above the base, a residential zone disposed above the utility zone, a storage zone above the dwelling zone, a mechanical zone above the storage zone, and lifting devices in the mechanical zone adapted to raise and lower furnishings between the storage zone and the dwelling zone. Preferably, the modular dwelling includes multiple dwelling units arranged side by side and/or stacked vertically.

Abstract: A system for reversibly providing a wall, comprising: a first panel comprising first track followers on each of opposite side edges of the first panel; a first pair of tracks adapted to receive the first track followers and that are generally vertical on opposite sides of a space, each comprising: a top at a point overhead, and a lower point part-way to the floor of the space; a second panel comprising: upper second track followers on sides of the second panel near a top edge of the second panel, and lower second track followers on sides of the second panel near a bottom edge of the second panel; wherein, as the first panel is lowered, the first track followers ride in one of the first pair of tracks until at least one first track follower reaches the bottom of the one of the first pair of tracks, thus allowing the first panel, when lowered, to form a first portion of the wall; a second panel comprising: upper second track followers on each of opposite side edges of the first panel proximate to a top edge of

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a vertical machine tool is provided having an upper headstock with an upper spindle and a lower tailstock with a lower spindle. A workpiece is secured to the lower tailstock and the headstock drives the upper spindle and a milling tool connected thereto at high speeds for milling the workpiece. The vertical machine tool is also operable to perform turning operations on the workpiece using a turning tool connected to the headstock spindle. The headstock has a mechanical spindle lock that may be configured to rigidly fix the headstock spindle to the headstock housing so that, during the turning operation, the headstock spindle is secured against rotation from loading applied to the turning tool held in the headstock spindle. The lower tailstock drives the lower spindle to rotate the workpiece at speeds up to 2,500 RPM while the non-rotating turning tool held in the upper headstock machines the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool magazine includes at least one tool carriage movable along a circulation path. The tool holders each have tool pot sockets to which the tool pots are mountable. The tool holders are disposed pivotably about a pivot axis with respect to the at least one tool carriage. The tool pot sockets include a first and second tool pot sockets. An angle is created in a pivoting direction about the pivot axis between a first tool pot mounted to the first tool pot socket and a second tool pot mounted to the second tool pot socket. The turning device turns each of the tool holders about the pivot axis at a position on the circulation path. The tool pot stopper positions each of the tool pots and stops one of the first tool pot and the second tool pot at a pivotable location in the pivoting direction.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a vertical machine tool is provided having an upper headstock with an upper spindle and a lower tailstock with a lower spindle. A workpiece is secured to the lower tailstock and the headstock drives the upper spindle and a milling tool connected thereto at high speeds for milling the workpiece. The vertical machine tool is also operable to perform turning operations on the workpiece using a turning tool connected to the headstock spindle. The headstock has a mechanical spindle lock that may be configured to rigidly fix the headstock spindle to the headstock housing so that, during the turning operation, the headstock spindle is secured against rotation from loading applied to the turning tool held in the headstock spindle. The lower tailstock drives the lower spindle to rotate the workpiece at speeds up to 2,500 RPM while the non-rotating turning tool held in the upper headstock machines the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for making a downhole electrical transmission system, having the steps of providing an electrically conductive assembly disposed within a first downhole tool string component, the assembly having a first end and being anchored to the first tool string component at a first predetermined distance from a primary shoulder of the first end of the component; stretching the assembly by pulling on a second end of the assembly with a stretching tool such that the second end of the assembly is held; enlarging the diameter of the second end of the assembly to a diameter larger than an original diameter of the assembly by flaring the second end of the assembly with a flaring tool; and anchoring the second end of the assembly to the first tool string component at a second predetermined distance from a primary shoulder of the second end of the component.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a swivel for use in a drilling operation comprises a body with a central bore adapted for threaded connection to a tool string component. At least one electrically conductive medium is rotationally supported within the bore and adapted to rotate with respect to an electrically conductive receiver that is rotationally fixed to and disposed within the body. The electrically conductive medium and the receiver are in electrical communication through an electrically conductive arm that is rotationally fixed to the electrically conductive medium and at least partially disposed within an electrically conductive fluid disposed within a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a rigid shape that is partially filled by the conductive fluid. A least one rotary seal is disposed intermediate the reservoir and the electrically conductive medium. The rigid shape of the reservoir is adapted to prevent the conductive fluid from accumulating around the rotary seal.

Abstract: A method for making a downhole electrical transmission system, having the steps of providing an electrically conductive assembly disposed within a first downhole tool string component, the assembly having a first end and being anchored to the first tool string component at a first predetermined distance from a primary shoulder of the first end of the component; stretching the assembly by pulling on a second end of the assembly with a stretching tool such that the second end of the assembly is held; enlarging the diameter of the second end of the assembly to a diameter larger than an original diameter of the assembly by flaring the second end of the assembly with a flaring tool; and anchoring the second end of the assembly to the first tool string component at a second predetermined distance from a primary shoulder of the second end of the component.