Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ergonomically designed solid single piece ice cream scoop emerging from a die-cast or forged tool made out of a metal that is finished and polished to eliminate the rough edges from the die casting or forged process with superior mechanical leverage to scoop out the hardest ice cream from a container.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ergonomically designed solid single piece ice cream scoop emerging from a die-cast or forged too made out of a metal that is finished and polished to eliminate the rough edges from the die casting or forged process with superior mechanical leverage to scoop out the hardest ice cream from a container.

Abstract: A cargo rack for bicycles or scooters consisting of a cargo frame connected by a rack stem to a vertical element of the vehicle frame, often the seat post, such that the major plane of the cargo frame is largely perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vehicle and situated largely within the projection of the cross-sectional area of the vehicle and rider. The rack stem consists of a releasable attachment that allows the cargo frame to be separated from the vehicle when not needed.

Abstract: This invention relates to personal transportation devices and more specifically to folding bicycles. The invention consists of a folding frame comprised of a main tube with tuned cross section, a folding pivot axis perpendicular to the vehicle axis, and a locking mechanism further comprising a seat post rigidly retained by two clamping sections of a seat tube. The invention also consists of a rear wheel retention element—a “dropout”—with horizontal axle slots and a replaceable derailleur hanger.

Abstract: A scooter has a plurality of wheels, a steerer, a platform, and a steerer support. The steerer support connects the steerer to the platform. The steerer support can rotate with respect to the platform, allowing the scooter to be folded when not in use. The steerer support can nest within the platform, further allowing the scooter to collapse into a compact position. The steering axis, front wheel diameter, and fork geometry are arranged to provide stable steering. Specifically, the steering axis and the front wheel axis of rotation are both located aft of the centerline of the steerer. Further, the contact point between the front wheel and the ground and the axis about which the front wheel rotates are located aft of the steering axis about which the steerer rotates. The trail, measured between the steering axis and the front wheel contact point, is kept relatively small, between 0 and 75 mm. Also disclosed is a collapsing steerer, a parallel-rail support structure, and a compact braking element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of bruxism thorough biofeedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus consists of electronics mounted in a light-weight headband which may be worn comfortably by a user during sleep or while awake. Electrodes within the headband pick up surface EMG voltage signals indicative of bruxism, and bio-feedback is provided to the user by a piezoelectric transducer in mechanical contact with the head of the user. One electrode of the piezoelectric transducer also serves as the reference sense electrode. The electrodes require no chemistry, allowing the apparatus to be worn for considerable periods without skin irritation. Information detailing the timing, quantity, and duration of bruxing events may be stored internally for later retrieval via display, computer interface, or voice synthesis interface. When EMG signals satisfy certain pre-determined time and amplitude conditions, an acoustical bio-feedback signal is generated.

Abstract: A cervical collar in which a sternum brace has an extension extending below the clavicle of the patient and to which a footplate is attached so that the footplate rests on the sternum of the patient. Also, certain components of the cervical collar, for example a jaw support and the sternum brace, are secured together to permit relative sliding movement between these components. Further, to accommodate the differences in the anatomy of a child from the anatomy of adult, the jaw support is mounted to the sternum brace so that the jaw support is disposed below the shoulder of a patient and an occipital support is mounted to a back support at an angle greater than forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of bruxism through biofeedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus consists of electronics (M1) mounted in a light-weight headband (HB1) which may be worn comfortably by a user during sleep or while awake. Electrodes (E) within the headband pick up surface EMG voltage signals indicative of bruxism, and biofeedback is provided to the user through an earphone (SK).

Abstract: A bruxism monitoring device comprising a thin shell formed to the shape of and elastically retained to one or more teeth, said shell further comprising: a plurality of layers having mutually distinguishable colors, each color distinguishable from the colors of adjacent layers; and a material thickness that is greater anteriorly than posteriorly. The outer layer of the shell, when worn away by grinding action, reveals an inner layer. The regions of wear may be analyzed to determine the extent of the bruxing activity.

Abstract: An electrical outlet adapter has a base that has a support face and a room face. The support face has a cord end, an oppositely disposed nose end and two sides. The room face is spaced from the support face and comprises a cord end socket surface and a nose end socket surface, spaced from each other and substantially parallel, each socket surface forms an angle with the support face of between 90.degree. and 135.degree.. A medial surface connects the cord end socket surface with an adjacent socket surface relatively noseward. Piercing each socket surface is at least one set of socket holes adapted to receive a multi-prong electrical power plug. Adjacent each set of socket holes is an electrical conductor configured to mate with the multi-prong electrical power plug when inserted into the set of holes. Connected to each of the electrical conductors, is an electrical network that is configured as a multi-prong electrical power plug. The adapter may also have a cover.

Abstract: A tactile computer input device which simulates an object being designed is used with a computer aided design (CAD) system. The input device allows a user to manually manipulate the input device as if it were the object under design. A preferred embodiment is directed toward the design of sheet metal parts. The design begins with a virtual metal sheet which is then manipulated by a user through manual manipulation of the input device. Bending of the virtual object is accomplished by bending of the input device. Stretching and shrinking of the virtual object is accomplished by expanding and compressing the input device. Spatial orientation of the virtual object follows the spatial orientation of the input device by providing the input device with a Polhemus orientation sensor. Other functions for manipulating the virtual sheet metal object include cutting, embossing, and punching.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing casings from sausages having a frame, and a conduit extending within the frame through which a string of linked sausages are longitudinally moved. A knife means is pivotally mounted in the longitudinal path of the linked sausages and is capable of moving into the recessed portions of the string existing between adjacent ends of the linked product to sever the casing material in that area. A spin jump paddle is pivotally and transversely mounted in the path of the string of sausages downstream from the knife element so that the casings will pass thereover. The paddle has a width greater than its thickness and will rotate from a flat position to a vertical position depending on the portion of a linked product that is passing thereover. The casing material being removed from the linked product passes over the paddle and downwardly to a pair of gripping rolls. Steam is injected into the conduit and diverted through the length thereof to loosen the casing material from the cooked product.

Abstract: A computer system for aiding in the design of an object, comprising a first sensor representing the object and adapted to be moved in three dimensions in a work area by a designer, the first sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area, and a second sensor adapted to be moved by the designer in three dimensions in the work area, the second sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area; the computer system responds to the signals from the first and second sensors by creating a displayed image corresponding to a three-dimensional model of the object in a virtual work area that corresponds to the designer's work area, the model comprising lines that each have a shape and position that corresponds to movement by the designer of at least one of the sensors, and by controlling the position and orientation of the model in the virtual work area in accordance with the motion of at least one of t

Abstract: An apparatus (10) utilizing the present methods for fabricating dual textured food pieces is disclosed. Specifically, cavities (20) are formed in and defined by the inner surfaces (26) of first and second, circular plates (22,24). The cavities (20) are moved along a circuitous path by rotation of the plates (22,24). During the first portion of the circuitous path, the plates (22,24) abut and are pressed together by being sandwiched between a movable jaw (54) and a stationary jaw (52) and by rollers (38) rolling on the outer surfaces (28) of the plates (22,24). Two adjacent cavities (20) are simultaneously filled by a food injection manifold (42) with first and second food materials which are metered through pumps (72,74) each having two inlets (76,78) and two outlets (80,82). After being filled, the cavities (20) are cooled by an air manifold (44).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic orientation and assembly are provided. A first plurality of parts are mated with corresponding depressions or other irregularities formed in a pallet by vibrating the pallet and moving the parts thereover. A second plurality of parts are then oriented in a predetermined positional relationship with the first parts, for example matingly engaged therewith, by passing the parts over the pallet which is again vibrated, generally with different vibration parameters. The second parts may matingly engage corresponding irregularities in the first part, may be positioned and oriented by further irregularities on the pallet, or a template may be provided over the pallet with openings for positioning and orienting the second parts. The passing of parts over the pallel and vibration of the pallet may be repeated for additional parts to be assembled if desired.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) utilizing the present methods for fabricating dual textured food pieces is disclosed. Specifically, cavities (20) are formed in and defined by the inner surfaces (26) of first and second, circular plates (22,24). The cavities (20) are moved along a circuitous path by rotation of the plates (22,24). During the first portion of the circuitous path, the plates (22,24) abut and are pressed together by being sandwiched between a movable jaw (54) and a stationary jaw (52) and by rollers (38) rolling on the outer surfaces (28) of the plates (22,24). Two adjacent cavities (20) are simultaneously filled by a food injection manifold (42) with first and second food materials which are metered through pumps (72,74) each having two inlets (76,78) and two outlets (80,82). After being filled, the cavities (20) are cooled by an air manifold (44).