Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A sound system assembly for use in a hand held device is provided. The sound system assembly includes a pair of transducers, and a corresponding pair of manifolds, which redirect the sound produced by the transducers away from the front or back surface of the device toward respective side facings of the hand held device. By redirecting the sound produced by the transducers, the apparent source of each audio source, corresponding to the respective opening in each of the sides of the hand held device through which the sound waves exit the device, is displaced further apart horizontally.

Abstract: A U-shaped bolt including a closed end and two legs at an open end is self-retaining on a first object. The U-shaped bolt includes projections forming an opening to the closed end adapted to be smaller than the width of the first object. The projections retain the U-shaped bolts on the first object. The U-shaped bolt is used in conjunction with a space heater having a plurality of heating elements connected by channels. The U-shaped bolt is retained on the channels to warrant proper assembly of the space heater.

Abstract: A water tank for a humidifier having a water passage in each of its top end and bottom end. The tank includes an actuator which is operable to open and close both of the passages. Operating the actuator opens the top passage while closing the bottom passage and opens the bottom passage while closing the top passage. Accordingly, the water tank may be filled through the top passage while placed in a humidifier tray.

Abstract: A U-shaped bolt including a closed end and two legs at an open end is self-retaining on a first object. The U-shaped bolt includes projections forming an opening to the closed end adapted to be smaller than the width of the first object. The projections retain the U-shaped bolts on the first object. The U-shaped bolt is used in conjunction with a space heater having a plurality of heating elements connected by channels. The U-shaped bolt is retained on the channels to warrant proper assembly of the space heater.

Abstract: A joystick that is retractable within a clam-shell style cellular telephone includes a base with a cavity and a flip hingedly attached to the base. A joystick is disposed in the cavity of the base and is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by rotation of the flip with respect to the base.

Abstract: A headset (110, 500) includes a boom-actuated switch (134, 534) for enabling and disabling a microphone (132, 532). The headset (110, 500) includes a pivotal boom (226, 526) for supporting the microphone (132, 532). The headset (110, 500) further includes communication circuit (114, 144) for communicating with a communication device (140). The switch (134, 534) can be coupled to a controller (116) for signaling the position of the boom to the controller (116). The controller (116) can disable or enable the microphone (132, 532) according to the position of the boom (226, 526). As a result, a user can temporarily disable the microphone (132, 532) with a natural motion to push the boom (226, 526) away from his or her mouth. Likewise, the user can enable the microphone (132, 532) with a natural motion to pull the boom (226, 526) toward his or her mouth.

Abstract: An input roller device (50) includes a roller (58), an eccentric rotating mass (59) within the roller, a drive mechanism (54, 56 and 57) causing the eccentric rotating mass to rotate within the roller, and a processor (52) coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can also optionally include a drive link (57) if not directly driven by the shaft of the motor. The input roller device 50 can further include a rotary encoder (60) coupled to the roller such that the rotary encoder can provide data to the processor on a rotation of the roller. Note, the processor can be programmed to cause the input roller to provide a varied tactile feedback to the user to correspond to different events or to cause the input roller to provide a rolling resistance that varies in coordination with inputs from a user interface.

Abstract: A keypad and method for detecting the selection of one of a plurality of key inputs associated with a single key is provided. The keypad includes one or more keys having a primary input selection and three or more secondary input selections. Each secondary input selection has a corresponding switch, where if only one of the switches is engaged when the key is actuated, the corresponding secondary input selection is indicated. If any combination of a plurality of switches are engaged, when the key is actuated, the primary input selection is indicated.

Abstract: A joystick that is retractable within a clam-shell style cellular telephone includes a base with a cavity and a flip hingedly attached to the base. A joystick is disposed in the cavity of the base and is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by rotation of the flip with respect to the base.

Abstract: A sound system assembly for use in a hand held device is provided. The sound system assembly includes a pair of transducers, and a corresponding pair of manifolds, which redirect the sound produced by the transducers away from the front or back surface of the device toward respective side facings of the hand held device. By redirecting the sound produced by the transducers, the apparent source of each audio source, corresponding to the respective opening in each of the sides of the hand held device through which the sound waves exit the device, is displaced further apart horizontally.