Abstract: A method and apparatus providing orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) using a removable aligner, by providing a shaped removable aligner formed of a thermoplastic and moulded to an OTM fitting shape relative to the teeth of a patient; applying a layer of a gel to an inner surface of a teeth-receiving cavity of the thermoplastic aligner; locating the shaped removable aligner with the applied gel layer in a required OTM fitting position on the teeth of the patient to provide an effective OTM force on the teeth; wherein the gel layer substantially separates and spaces the aligner from the teeth while providing a force transfer mechanism from the aligner to the teeth.

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball goal system has a backboard with a hoop attached. A hollow vertical support member has brackets proximate its upper end. An upper and a lower support each having a pair of support arms attached at one end to the backboard and at the other ends to the brackets in a prism-like shape. A fulcrum is attached to the vertical support, and a lever arm is attached at one end to one of the upper and lower supports. A linear actuator is disposed within the hollow vertical support member and is pivotally linked to the lever arm. The linear actuator moves the end of the lever arm and in doing so deforms the parallelogram structure to effect arcuate movement of the backboard and hoop thus changing the height of the backboard and hoop relative to a playing surface. The linear actuator is connected to a rack and pinion or jack screw operable by the user to urge the linear actuator and in turn the lever arm to move the backboard.