Abstract: The devices and methods described herein refer to a guidewire, sometimes referred to as a K-wire, for use during varying orthopedic surgeries. The guidewire allows for the measurement of objects and distances inside the patient's body when used in tandem with x-ray or fluoroscopy imaging. Also, the devices and methods described herein act as a guide to accurately insert an instrument or implant, in the correct orientation, to the surgical site. The guidewire comprises a measurement segment that comprises one or more markers placed at known distances from the distal end of the guidewire. The markers, when used in tandem with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray imaging, provide users with a reference for measuring objects and distances inside the body. The markers can have many possible designs or configurations such as, but not limited to, visualization windows, grooves, notches, and/or material inserts.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein refer to a guidewire, sometimes referred to as a K-wire, for use during varying orthopedic surgeries. The guidewire allows for the measurement of objects and distances inside the patient's body when used in tandem with x-ray or fluoroscopy imaging. Also, the devices and methods described herein act as a guide to accurately insert an instrument or implant, in the correct orientation, to the surgical site. The guidewire comprises a measurement segment that comprises one or more markers placed at known distances from the distal end of the guidewire. The markers, when used in tandem with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray imaging, provide users with a reference for measuring objects and distances inside the body. The markers can have many possible designs or configurations such as, but not limited to, visualization windows, grooves, notches, and/or material inserts.

Abstract: A foldable warning device includes a number of illuminated display elements attached to one another to move along a flat plane, a number of permanent magnets for the attachment of the display to a vehicle, and a support illuminated element that can be moved from a position extending along the flat plane to a position extending away from the flat plane to support the device on a road surface, Alternately, the device may be attached to extend outward from a window on either side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A substrate covering system includes a plurality of elongated board members, which are, for example composed of an extruded thermoplastic material. Preferably, each of the elongated board members has a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, both of which are flattened as the edges of the board member are attached to the substrate. Preferably, the inner surface has notches facilitating adhesive attachment to the substrate, while the outer surface has grooves curved to simulate a wood grain and to prevent slipping. The system may also include an elongated edge trim strip that can be configured to cover several different types of substrate edges.

Abstract: A substrate covering system includes a plurality of elongated board members, which are, for example composed of an extruded thermoplastic material. Preferably, each of the elongated board members has a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, both of which are flattened as the edges of the board member are attached to the substrate. Preferably, the inner surface has notches facilitating adhesive attachment to the substrate, while the outer surface has grooves curved to simulate a wood grain and to prevent slipping. The system may also include an elongated edge trim strip that can be configured to cover several different types of substrate edges.

Abstract: A decorative relief pattern is applied to one or both sides of thermoplastic slat material by rolling an embossing roller in contact with the side(s) to receive the pattern. The embossing roller has an inverse relief pattern which is an inverse of the relief pattern applied to the slat material. A transfer roller applies an ink layer to the embossing roller, with the resulting thickness of the ink layer varying according to features of the inverse relief pattern. Depressed areas of the inverse relief pattern receive relatively little ink. An air stream from an air knife is applied to the ink layer, with ink being preferentially cleaned from relatively smooth areas of the inverse relief pattern. Then, a portion of the ink remaining on the embossing roller is transferred to the slat material along with the formation of the embossed pattern in the slat material.

Abstract: A valance includes central and end members formed from a single piece of extruded stock, with the central member having mitered corners at each end, and with each end member having a mitered end and a square end. The extruded stock has an inner surface including upper and lower attachment slots and an outer surface including upper and lower trim strip receiving slots. An “L”-shaped corner bracket connects each end member with the central member, extending within the upper and lower attachment slots. A decorative trim strip having heat-formed corners extends within the trim strip receiving slots of the end members and the central member. After the extruded stock is cut to a predetermined length, end sections are cut using a saw, with each end of the stock placed against a first stop within a mitering fixture.

Abstract: A shutter includes a number of louvers mounted to pivot together, with each louver pivotally mounted by a pair of axle pins extending into adjacent side frame members of the shutter. A pivot bar extends between one of the side frame members and adjacent ends of the louvers, with axle pins extending through arcuate slots within the pivot bar around holes through which crank pins extend.

Abstract: Extruded material for forming blind slats has at least one textured surface with raised areas and adjacent lower areas. After extrusion and texturing processes, the slat material is passed through a spray painting process applying a substantially thicker coating of paint to the raised areas than to the adjacent lower areas.

Abstract: Extruded material for forming blind slats has at least one textured surface with raised areas and adjacent lower areas. After extrusion and texturing processes, the slat material is passed through a spray painting process applying a substantially thicker coating of paint to the raised areas than to the adjacent lower areas.

Abstract: A liftable window closure, such as a Venetian blind or Roman shade, is lifted and held in place by two or more lifting cords, each of which is wrapped and unwrapped from a section of a spool. The spool is in turn rotated by a single pull cord, which is held in place by a brake mechanism. Each lifting cord is guided onto its spool section by a guide structure directing the cord to a central part of the spool section. A housing extends across the top of the liftable window covering, with the lifting cords extending within the housing and downward through the window covering. In a Venetian blind, a mechanism for tilting the slats extends above the lifting cords, which are held downward by the guide structure.