Abstract: A waste collection device operable by movement of one's hand to actuate opposing pivotable jaws around waste material. The jaws each have hinged blades that fold out to slide under the waste material as the jaws are closed. A bag is preferable used in conjunction with the device so that the waste material is captured within the bag as the jaws are closed around it.

Abstract: A waste collection device operable by movement of one's hand to actuate opposing pivotable jaws around waste material. The jaws each have hinged blades that fold out to slide under the waste material as the jaws are closed. A bag is preferable used in conjunction with the device so that the waste material is captured within the bag as the jaws are closed around it.

Abstract: A hands-free fastening mechanism for releasably securing a user's foot to footwear is disclosed. The fastening mechanism comprises at least one pivotable strap which is coupled to a hinge mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the footwear. The hinge mechanism allows the strap to pivot between an open and a closed position. The strap is further coupled to a lever which is engageable by a user's foot so as to cause the strap to move from the open position to the closed position. When the strap moves to the closed position, a catch will engage, thereby securing the user's foot within the footwear. The footwear may then be removed by using the other foot to apply pressure to a protruding member or by striking the heel on a hard surface and then withdrawing the secured foot such that the catch is disengaged and the foot is released.

Abstract: A hands-free fastening mechanism for releasably securing a user's foot to footwear is disclosed. The fastening mechanism comprises at least one pivotable strap which is coupled to a hinge mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the footwear. The hinge mechanism allows the strap to pivot between an open and a closed position. The strap is further coupled to a lever which is engageable by a user's foot so as to cause the strap to move from the open position to the closed position. When the strap moves to the closed position, a catch will engage, thereby securing the user's foot within the footwear. The footwear may then be removed by using the other foot to apply pressure to a protruding member and then withdrawing the secured foot such that the catch is disengaged and the foot is released.

Abstract: A hands-free fastening mechanism for releasably securing a user's foot to footwear is disclosed. The fastening mechanism comprises at least one pivotable strap which is coupled to a hinge mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the footwear. The hinge mechanism allows the strap to pivot between an open and a closed position. The strap is further coupled to a lever which is engageable by a user's foot so as to cause the strap to move from the open position to the closed position. When the strap moves to the closed position, a catch will engage, thereby securing the user's foot within the footwear. The footwear may then be removed by using the other foot to apply pressure to a protruding member or by striking the heel on a hard surface and then withdrawing the secured foot such that the catch is disengaged and the foot is released.

Abstract: A hands-free fastening mechanism for releasably securing a user's foot to footwear is disclosed. The fastening mechanism comprises at least one pivotable strap which is coupled to a hinge mechanism which, in turn, is secured to the footwear. The hinge mechanism allows the strap to pivot between an open and a closed position. The strap is further coupled to a lever which is engageable by a user's foot so as to cause the strap to move from the open position to the closed position. When the strap moves to the closed position, a catch will engage, thereby securing the user's foot within the footwear. The footwear may then be removed by using the other foot to apply pressure to a protruding member and then withdrawing the secured foot such that the catch is disengaged and the foot is released.

Abstract: A laser projection system scans an output laser light beam onto an object to detect features. A high-sensitivity optical feedback system receives and detects a feedback beam of the output beam light diffusely reflected from the object. The feedback light and projected output beam share the same beam path between beam-steering mirrors of the projector and the object. The laser projection system has light suppression components to control stray scattered light, including ambient light, from being detected. A computer of the laser projection system calculates fiducial points on the object from detected features to align the projection system with the object without using targets. This feature detection is used in a process to guide assembly and fabrication on or to the object, and to verify the accurate placement of parts and fabrication steps in place after they are assembled or processed. In one form, the detected feature is a light spot on the object produced by a second light source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image on the surface of a 3D object uses a laser projector that scans a light beam over the surface in an image pattern. The projector operates in a template imaging mode and an image recording mode where the beam scans at a speed that in a single pass/scan mode is typically four to five orders of magnitude slower than in the template imaging mode. A layer of a photosensitive material is applied to the surface of the object either partially or fully. Projection in the template imaging mode can guide the applying. The layer is substantially insensitive to ambient light for at least a period of time necessary to perform a desired processing step on the object. The layer has a maximum spectral sensitivity in the vicinity of the wavelength of the laser light beam. In one or multiple passes of the beam over the image pattern operating in the image record mode, the accumulated light energy dose density is sufficient to react the material and record the image.

Abstract: An article holder uses a gas flow, for example, a vortex, to hold the article in a desired position. The gas flow is substantially restricted to an article portion reserved for handling. The result of the processing is less sensitive to the condition (e.g. temperature) of that portion than to the condition of the rest of the article. Therefore, if the gas flow affects the condition (e.g., temperature) of the article portion contacting the gas flow, the processing result is improved.

Abstract: Assemblies for providing the contacts of a circuit breaker with a pivoting motion. Each assembly is adapted to electrically couple the contact to the base of the assembly which is connectable to a terminal of the circuit breaker. Each assembly includes an arm for supporting an electrical contact, a pivot pin for pivotally mounting the arm, a base for supporting the pivot pin, and means for urging the pivot pin into contact with contact surfaces of the base. The arm is pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin, and the arm and pivot pin are arranged such that at least two contact locations occur between the arm and the pivot pin.

Abstract: In the reporting system disclosed herein, a speech recognizer is used to select sections of text from a report form stored in a computer and to insert recognized terms in the text thereby to generate a report text under voice control. A command interpreter, also responsive to spoken words, initiates creation of the report text and its subsequence storing, printing and transmission. The command processor is responsive to respective spoken commands to select a destination telephone number and to cause the report text to be sent to apparatus for converting report text to image data and for modulating an audio band signal with the image data for facsimile transmission over telephone lines.

Abstract: An improved connection assembly which saves space and eliminates the need for many conventional fastener means such as nuts and flanges. The assembly includes a receptacle for accepting and engagement member, wherein a small amount of clearance is present between the receptacle and the engagement member. The engagement member includes a slot having two substantially parallel surfaces. A threaded fastener is used to fix the engagement member within the receptacle by passing the fastener through an opening in the bottom of the receptacle and causing the threads of the fastener to cut into and engage the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: A plastic fastener assembly is provided which has a base with an upstanding stab which has a single first tooth formed on one side of the stab and at least one second tooth formed on the opposite side of the stab. A cover defines an opening for receiving the stab. The cover has a control rail adjacent the opening and a flap extending into the opening opposite the central rail. The rail slides along the surface of the first tooth during assembly and urges the first tooth and stab toward the flap until the rail engages the notch of the first tooth. The flap automatically moves from the base during assembly as the first tooth and stab move toward the flap. The flap engages the second tooth when assembled inhibiting separation of the stab and cover.

Abstract: A system for operating electrical equipment such as circuit breakers from a remote point is disclosed. A flexible push-pull type cable connects a linkage coupled to a pivoted handle and to a remote slider mechanism. The slider serves as a slave operator to effect reciprocation of a handle or similar operator element.