Abstract: The conveyor locking clip is used for releasably interlocking first and second conveyor loop fasteners and comprises first and second rigid arms for respective engagement in corresponding intermeshed loops of the first and second conveyor fasteners that are located at registering extremities of the first and second conveyor loop fasteners. A bridge rigidly linking the first and second arms.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly includes an electrical outlet box and a cable protector. The outlet box includes a box interior for accommodating an electrical fixture and an electrical cable terminated to the fixture. The outlet box includes a mounting tab having a threaded aperture therethrough. The mounting screws are insertable through the aperture of the mounting tab. The cable protector is positioned adjacent the mounting tab for separating the mounting screw from the interior of the box for preventing contact between the mounting screw and the cable terminated therein.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector including a first housing having a contact and a second connector configured for connection with the first connector, wherein the second connector includes a second housing having a conductor. The first connector is configured for connection to the second connector in at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first connector is connected to the second connector, and the conductor of the second connector is not in electrical contact with the contact in the first connector. In the second position, the first connector is connected to the second connector, and the conductor of the second connector is in electrical contact with the contact in the first connector.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly includes an electrical outlet box and a cable protector. The outlet box includes a box interior for accommodating an electrical fixture and an electrical cable terminated to the fixture. The outlet box includes a mounting tab having a threaded aperture therethrough. The mounting screws are insertable through the aperture of the mounting tab. The cable protector is positioned adjacent the mounting tab for separating the mounting screw from the interior of the box for preventing contact between the mounting screw and the cable terminated therein.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a sealing ring having a split-ring annular band which includes a first and second end. A first tab is disposed at the first end, with the first tab extending away from the annular band. The first tab also includes a first threaded aperture. A second tab is disposed at the second end, with the second tab also extending away from the annular band The second tab also includes a second threaded aperture. Additionally, a thread of the first aperture is different from a thread of the second aperture. Further, the sealing ring includes a fastener threadedly engaged with the first and second apertures. Rotation of the fastener adjusts a radial dimension of the annular band.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a sealing ring having a split-ring annular band which includes a first and second end. A first tab is disposed at the first end, with the first tab extending away from the annular band. The first tab also includes a first threaded aperture. A second tab is disposed at the second end, with the second tab also extending away from the annular band The second tab also includes a second threaded aperture. Additionally, a thread of the first aperture is different from a thread of the second aperture. Further, the sealing ring includes a fastener threadedly engaged with the first and second apertures. Rotation of the fastener adjusts a radial dimension of the annular band.

Abstract: A system and method for defining and employing behaviours for articulated chains in computer animations. At least one control, such as a shape control or a resolution plane control, is defined for the articulated chain and is employed as a constraint by the animation engine when animating the chain with inverse kinematics. Each control comprises two or more keys, each key comprising a couple of an effector direction vector and an associated constraint. In the case of shape control keys, the associated constraints comprise a list of preferred limb orientations and in the case of resolution plane control keys, the associated constraints comprise a preferred orientation for the resolution plane. For any given goal, selected control keys are interpolated with appropriate weightings to obtain a resulting constraint to be employed by the animation engine.

Abstract: A method of and a system for controlling an inverse kinematics generated animation of an articulated chain is described. A resolution plane in a default orientation is computed by determining a root-effector vector extending from a root of an articulated chain to an end effector of the articulated chain and letting the resolution plane extend through the root-effector vector. A control icon representative of a position relative to the root is visually displayed. The resolution plane of an articulated chain is manipulated by manipulating the icon and re-determining the resolution plane using the root-effector vector and a root-control vector extending from the root to the icon. The animation of the articulated chain is constrained relative to the resolution plane and a solution of positions and orientations of all limbs of the articulated chain in achieving a goal is computed and displayed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphic object appearing in an animation is deformed to simulate the effects of motion on the object. A user can selectively apply a stretch, yield, or flex deformation effect to the control vertices of the object, to change the shape of the object as a function of any of a linear velocity, angular velocity, linear acceleration, or angular acceleration of the object. Various other parameters for each of these deformation effects can also be selected and set by the user, including a sensitivity to the motion in generating the deformation and a maximum deformation. The flex deformation can selectively be set to either a linear or curved profile, simulating the effect of friction applied by the environment on one or more surfaces of the object. The stretch deformation can selectively be set to either a constant or a free volume to simulate the effect of inertia, causing a body to elongate or shrink in the direction of the movement.

Abstract: A method for locating a lesion within a tissue mass, includes steps of measuring a selected parameter at two or more points in at least one path through the tissue mass, the measure of the selected parameter in a lesion being different from that in normal tissue. Also, apparatus for measuring a tissue parameter at two or more points in at least one path through the tissue mass includes an insertion needle, distally sharpened and made sufficiently rigid so that it can be inserted distal end foremost into the tissue mass along the path, and, insertible with the needle, a sensor capable of prodding a measure of the tissue parameter at a point in the tissue mass along the path. Where the parameter is selected as one that has a measure different in a lesion type, the apparatus can be used in carrying out the method, whereby a measure at a point in the tissue mass of the selected tissue parameter provided by the sensor indicates that the point is within a lesion.