Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: Tub grinding apparatus is described for grinding bulk materials (e.g. forage products such as hay) in a manner such that far fewer "fines" are produced. As a result, the ground forage materials are of higher quality and are more palatable for animals than forage materials which are processed with previous apparatus. Also, because there are fewer "fines" produced, there are fewer pollution problems and less wasted feed. The apparatus is able to grind forage material at a significantly lower speed than previously possible. The hammers are spaced closer together near the outer end of the rotor member.

Abstract: A tub grinder which includes a comb on the floor adjacent the opening. The comb is movable toward and away from the rotor to adjust the size of the opening and to regulate the rate at which bulk material is impacted by the rotor. The comb also assists in preventing wads or slugs of the material from getting to the rotor. The tub grinder can also include notched bars below the floor for holding strings and fibrous material so that the hammers can cut them into shorter lengths. An air deflector can also be included to direct air flow from the rotor back toward the rotor. An adjustable restricter can also be included adjacent the rotor.

Abstract: An activity toy for allowing the user to form artworks from a plastic material such as modeling clay, PLAY-DOH, or plasticene has hand-held extruder for dispensing the plastic material, a first plate upon which the plastic material is disposed so as to form the artwork, and a transparent second plate disposable in laminar juxtaposition to the first plate so as to capture the artwork therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hollow globe including a plurality of apertures which are formed substantially throughout the entire surface of the globe. Formed within the globe and disposed in laminar juxtaposition to the interior surface of the globe's sphere, a bladder means is formed of an opaque flexible material. A plurality of cross slits are formed on the bladder in substantial alignment with the globe's surface. An internal light source is disposed within said bladder at approximately the midpoint of the globe's sphere, and a plurality of luminescent pegs are provided for insertion into the apertures formed in the globe's surface. The present invention provides the user with the plurality of luminescent, differently colored pegs to design a picture or art form. The present invention may additionally serve as a night light and the luminescent pegs may be specially adapted to project light from the interior of the globe's surface to the exterior of the globe and onto surrounding walls and ceilings.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: Improved tub grinding apparatus is described for grinding bulk materials. A concave restricter is positioned adjacent to and extends along the length of a rotatable rotor. The spacing between the concave restricter and the rotor is adjustable for determining the particle size of the resulting ground material. An auger is positioned adjacent to and along the length of the rotor for receiving ground bulk material and conveying it away from the rotor. The auger is laterally spaced from the axis of the rotor. The apparatus has a lower profile than conventional tub grinders.

Abstract: A drawing template for facilitating the formation of images upon a spherical surface is disclosed. In a first embodiment the template comprises first and second transparent hollow hemispheres having indicia formed upon their surfaces such that the two hemispheres may be disposed about a spherical drawing surface and the indicia may then be used as a guide to form corresponding images upon the drawing surface. In a second embodiment, a planar sheet of flexible material is configured such that it will conform substantially to the shape of a sphere when placed in laminar juxtaposition therewith. Indicia formed upon the sheet of flexible material provide a guide by which images may be formed upon the drawing surface. Both embodiments of the drawing template of the present invention are particularly applicable for use with a three-dimensional drawing device which forms images upon the inner surface of a transparent sphere.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device comprising a transparent hollow globe, a powder material disposed within the globe which adheres to the inner surface of the globe, a scribe disposed within the globe which can be used to draw upon the inner surface of the globe by scraping off the powder material, and controls for manipulating the scribe. The device can be used to form three-dimensional sketches and is primarily intended for use as a teaching aid and toy.

Abstract: A machine for grinding large bales of forage material is provided with a cradle pivotably mounted on a frame. The cradle is movable to a lowered position in which lifting members can engage a bale of crop material lying on the ground. The cradle can be pivoted to a working position in which gravity directs the bale against a grinder. The discharge of the comminuted forage material from the grinder is controlled by an adjustable deflector. A conveyor urges the bale toward the grinder, and tends to rotate the bale to evenly grind or chop away the outer periphery of the bale.

Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a housing enclosing a battery retaining member formed with spring arms for retaining a pair of batteries in spaced-apart relationship. Further included is a light bulb having a pair of leads extending therefrom and carried at one end of the housing with the leads each connected to a battery. Adjacent the opposite end of the housing a switch wire connected to one battery extends between the battery retaining member and a flexible wall of the housing. The other end of the switch wire is located adjacent a cutout portion of the battery retaining member which exposes a surface of the other of the batteries so that when the flexible wall of the housing is pressed the other end of the switch wire contacts the other of the batteries completing a circuit between the batteries and the light bulb.