Abstract: An interlockable element for a structure assembly set includes an at least partially planar body and a connector edge having associated therewith a first A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a first axis of rotation and a second A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are disposed on opposing sides of a generally rectangular quadrilateral of a specified dimension. Each of one pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the A-type connectors and each of the other pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the B-type connectors; and the quadrilateral is generally disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the body of the interlockable element.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic container or closure has a sidewall extending from a base wall to a rim wall. An upper portion of a segment of the rim wall extends with both outward and inward directional components. A lower portion of the given segment extends with both downward and inward directional components; and at a given level of the lower portion, the given segment has an inner surface and an outer surface that each extend with downward and inward directional components. At the given level the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion are respectively formed by different mold components of one of the mold parts. Upon removal of the container or closure from the mold parts, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion at the given level of the given segment are contemporaneously removed from one of the separated mold parts.

Abstract: A convenience interface device for providing access to at least one power connection within an enclosure, is disclosed. The device includes an assembly adapt for mounting to the enclosure and having an inside face and an outside face opposite the inside face for being inside the enclosure, the outside face for being outside the enclosure, an inside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the inside face accessible from inside the enclosure, an outside power outlet for receiving an electrical plug mounted to the outside face and accessible from outside the enclosure, a cover operatively connected to the assembly having a first position for protecting the outside power outlet and a second position for providing access to the outside power outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a user the ability to select three-dimensional virtual objects in a three-dimensional modeling environment using two-dimensional representations of the objects. In broad overview, the invention involves a multidimensional degree of freedom haptic interface that controls a three-dimensional cursor. A user employs the cursor to select an arbitrary point on a three-dimensional virtual object of interest. Through the application of a mathematical transformation, the system displays the cursor at the location of the selected point on the object. The user can manipulate the object by operating the haptic interface. The systems and methods provide the user with the possibility of editing the selected virtual object. In one embodiment, editing includes sculpting the object. When the user releases the object after manipulation is completed, the cursor is relocated to the position the cursor would have had had the manipulations been applied to the cursor directly.

Abstract: An interlockable element for a structure assembly set includes an at least partially planar body and a connector edge having associated therewith a first A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a first axis of rotation and a second A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are disposed on opposing sides of a generally rectangular quadrilateral of a specified dimension. Each of one pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the A-type connectors and each of the other pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the B-type connectors; and the quadrilateral is generally disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the body of the interlockable element. The A-type connectors are interlockable with the B-type connectors.

Abstract: An interlockable element for a structure assembly set includes an at least partially planar body and a connector edge having associated therewith a first A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a first axis of rotation and a second A-type and B-type connector pair disposed about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation are disposed on opposing sides of a generally rectangular quadrilateral of a specified dimension. Each of one pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the A-type connectors and each of the other pair of diagonally opposite vertices of the quadrilateral are situated internally to each of the B-type connectors; and the quadrilateral is generally disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the body of the interlockable element. The A-type connectors are interlockable with the B-type connectors.

Abstract: During injection molding of a thin-wall plastic product, such as a drink cup, the formation of void-based irregularities is prevented in a thin-wall portion of the product formed within a zone of a thin-wall cavity section that is located between adjoining flow chambers, in which zone the thickness of the thin-wall cavity section increases in the general direction of flow within the flow chambers adjoining such zone. Such void-based irregularity formation is prevented by dimensioning the mold cavity so that the thickness increases in such direction at less than a threshold rate. The flow chambers do not extend to a rim portion of the thin-wall cavity section; and the respective inscribed-sphere dimensions of the adjoining flow chambers within a terminal zone of the thin-wall cavity section adjacent a rim portion of the mold cavity are less than the respective inscribed-sphere dimensions of upstream portions of the adjoining flow chambers.

Abstract: During injection molding of a plastic product having a base wall and a sidewall, alignment of the mold parts that shape the mold cavity is maintained by conducting injected plastic material through a sequence of variable-opening throttles in a base-wall-section flow guide of the mold cavity. The openings of the throttles vary in response to variations in the thickness of a region of the sidewall section into which injected plastic material is conducted from the base-wall-section flow guide so that upon an increase in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide decrease and so that upon a decrease in the thickness of such region the openings of the throttles in the base-wall-section flow guide increase.

Abstract: A wireless headset-based communication arrangement (200, 300) comprises a first subscriber unit (210), a wireless headset (212) associated with the first subscriber unit (210) to form a wireless communication apparatus; and a detector within the wireless communication apparatus to detect a spatial proximity of at least one second subscriber unit (220) or second wireless headset (222). In response to the detection, the wireless headset (212) associated with the first subscriber unit (210) is adapted to communicate directly (230) with the at least one second subscriber unit (220) or second wireless headset (222). One advantage of the present invention is that the functionality of a hands-free headset and the functionality of inter-headset communication are combined into a single headset apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.

Abstract: A system for operating a command-input device for an automated production machine to provide commands to the machine includes a status signal generator; a computer and apparatus for operating the command-input device. Commands for various functions of the machine may be provided to the machine by operation of the command-input device. The status signals indicate functional states of the automated production machine; the computer responds to the status signals by generating control signals; and the apparatus for operating the command-input device of the automated production machine does so in response to the control signals. In an embodiment in which the command-input device is mechanically operated by using a keyboard or a touch screen, a robotic device is used to operate the command-input device in response to the control signals.

Abstract: Articles, such as components of an injection-molded multi-component product, are repositioned within a space, such as the space between mold parts, that is accessible for repositioning only during a series of periods, such as open-mold periods, that are separated by intervals of less accessibility for repositioning, such as closed-mold intervals by (a) moving a first article, such as a first component of a first multi-component product, from a first position within the space to outside of the space during a first such period; and (b) moving a second identical article, such as a first component of a second multi-component, from outside of the space to a second position within the space during the first such period. Both the movement of the first article and the movement of the second article are by means of a common vehicle, such as a common robot arm.

Abstract: A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.

Abstract: In a laryngoscope, a blade for displacing a person's tongue in order to facilitate insertion of an endotracheal tube into the person's trachea includes a distal portion for insertion through the person's mouth and into the person's oropharynx and an elongated portion extending from the distal portion; the elongated portion is substantially wider than the distal portion and includes an inner side that is disposed for contacting and displacing the person's tongue when the distal portion is inserted into the person's oropharynx; and the inner side of the elongated portion is laterally contoured for restraining the person's tongue in a relatively centered position while the tongue is being displaced. The blade and the handle of the laryngoscope are injection molded in the same mold and may be of the same plastic material. Preferably the blade is transparent for transmitting light from a light source in the handle.

Abstract: Various steps in the operation of an insulated runner injection molding system are automated by computer generated responses to various sensing steps or other steps to thereby reduce the performance requirements of the system operator. In automatic response to a manual operation incident to closure of a machine gate after an end-of sequence signal, a computer causes mold-cavity-encasing mold parts to be engaged. In automatic response to sensing such engagement of the mold-cavity-encasing mold parts, the computer causes the molding system to be adjusted to enable disengagement of insulated-runner-channel-encasing mold parts. In automatic response to sensing such adjustment of the molding system, the computer causes channel-encasing mold parts to be disengaged, whereupon a sprue is automatically removed therefrom in response to relative movement of the channel-encasing mold parts.

Abstract: Various steps in the operation of an insulated runner injection molding system are automated by computer generated responses to various sensing steps or other steps to thereby reduce the performance requirements of the system operator. In automatic response to a manual operation incident to closure of a machine gate subsequent to removal of a sprue from channel-encasing mold parts, a computer causes the molding system to be adjusted to enable injection of molten plastic into an insulated runner channel to form the insulated runner and through the insulated runner into mold-cavities. In automatic response to sensing such readjustment of the molding system, the computer causes a predetermined quantity of molten plastic to be metered for injection to form the insulated runner. In automatic response to sensing such metering the computer causes the metered quantity to be injected into the channel.

Abstract: Articles, such as components of an injection-molded multi-component product, are repositioned within a space, such as the space between mold parts, that is accessible for repositioning only during a series of periods, such as open-mold periods, that are separated by intervals of less accessibility for repositioning, such as closed-mold intervals by (a) moving a first article, such as a first component of a first multi-component product, from a first position within the space to outside of the space during a first such period; and (b) moving a second identical article, such as a first component of a second multi-component, from outside of the space to a second position within the space during the first such period. Both the movement of the first article and the movement of the second article are by means of a common vehicle, such as a common robot arm.

Abstract: A scalable, three-dimensional (3D) graphics subsystem. The graphics subsystem includes a plurality of graphics modules each including a rendering module and a dedicated memory. In one embodiment, the rendering modules of the graphics modules are coupled together, possibly through a routing device, such that each rendering module views the memory space, formed by all dedicated memory, as one continuous shared memory.

Abstract: Balanced injection molding in a multi-cavity mold of a plurality of ridged-wall products having is accomplished by providing mold parts defining therebetween at least two cavities for forming the ridged-wall plastic products, wherein each of at least two cavities defines a plurality of flow channels in which injected plastic material flows within the cavity and in which flow channels the first side strips are formed; wherein the relative disposition of the mold parts is adjustable for adjusting the dimensions of the flow channels in at least two mold cavities separately so that when plastic material is injected approximately simultaneously into the at least two mold cavities the injected plastic material flows within the at least two cavities at respective flow rates that cause the at least two mold cavities to be completely filled approximately simultaneously with the injected plastic material.