Abstract: A smoke alarm disabling device includes an elongated handle and a cover such as a bag mounted on an end of the handle. An actuator in the form of a core is connected to the bag and is supported by the handle for movement with respect to the handle in a lengthwise direction of the core. The core can be translated with respect to the handle to expand or contract the open end of the bag. The open end of the bag can be placed over a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted smoke alarm and the core can be translated to grasp the smoke alarm with the open end of the bag and cover the smoke alarm and prevent the smoke alarm from being activated by smoke. The bag can be removed from the smoke alarm when not needed by translating the core to expand the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A standing assist device for assisting a user to stand up from a seated position includes a rear support frame and side support arms pivotably mounted on opposite widthwise sides of the rear support frame and defining 4-bar linkages. The rear support frame may be free-standing on a floor, or it may be attached to a floor or a wall or other support member. When the side support arms are in a lowered position, a seated user can grasp a front portion of the device to assist him in standing. A counterbalance mechanism can be provided to facilitate raising and lowering the side support arms. Legs which rest on the floor when the side support arms are in a lowered position may be pivotably connected to the front ends of the side support arms.

Abstract: A surgical distraction apparatus is disclosed. The surgical distraction apparatus includes a tissue distraction device adapted for implantation, the tissue distraction device including a plurality of distraction members, one or more actuators adapted for implantation and operatively coupled to the tissue distraction device, the one or more actuators being configured to drive the tissue distraction device and adjust the alignment of the plurality of distraction members, and an activator adapted to deliver one or more pulses to at least one actuator in the one or more actuators.

Abstract: The inventions are directed to assemblies for interfacing three-dimensional movements of a person to a virtual environment or to a remote environment. The harness assemblies maintain the user in a desired location with respect to the virtual reality system thereby allowing the virtual reality system to capture the movements of the user The assemblies include a frame subsystem, a pivot subsystem, a cable management subsystem, a compliance subsystem, a vertical motion subsystem, a centering adjustment subsystem, a support arm subsystem, and a human restraint subsystem.