301results about How to "Easy to reposition" patented technology

A method for manipulating a three-dimensional model of a patient's teeth for making one or more tooth positioning appliances involves: forming at least one three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth; acquiring an initial digital data set representing at least part of the three-dimensional model; manipulating a digital model derived from the initial digital data set to move at least one tooth from an initial position to a first intermediate position; forming a first guide from the digital model with the at least one tooth in the first intermediate position; separating the at least one tooth from the three-dimensional model; placing the at least one tooth in the first guide in the first intermediate position; and securing the at least one tooth to the three-dimensional model in the first intermediate position. Guide apparatus and systems are also provided.

A display assembly stowably mounted on a vehicle seatback, the display assembly comprising: a support arm having a seat end and a display end, and a viewing screen, where the seat end of the support arm is pivotably connected to the vehicle seatback; and the display screen is rotatably connected to the display end of said seat arm.

A videoendoscopic surgery training system includes a housing defining a practice volume in which a simulated anatomical structure is disposed. Openings in the housing enable surgical instruments inserted into the practice volume to access the anatomical structure. A digital video camera is disposed within the housing to image the anatomical structure on a display. The position of the digital video camera can be fixed within the housing, or the digital video camera can be positionable within the housing to capture images of different portions of the practice volume. In one embodiment the digital video camera is coupled to a boom, a proximal end of which extends outside the housing to enable positioning the digital video camera. The housing preferably includes a light source configured to illuminate the anatomical structure. One or more reflectors can be used to direct an image of the anatomical structure to the digital video camera.

The invention is an article of footwear having a sole comprised of one or more support elements formed of a resilient, compressible material. The support elements are designed such that the positions of one or more bands that encircle the exterior surface of the support elements may be altered such that the deflection characteristics of the support elements are changed. In order to facilitate the repositioning of the bands, the support element includes an access indentation defined by the exterior surface or flanges that are secured to each band.

An endoscope with guiding apparatus is described herein. A steerable endoscope is described having an elongate body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion, an automatically controlled portion, a flexible and passively manipulated proximal portion, and an externally controlled and manipulatable tracking rod or guide. The tracking rod or guide is positioned within a guide channel within the endoscope and slides relative to the endoscope. When the guide is in a flexible state, it can conform to a curve or path defined by the steerable distal portion and the automatically controlled portion. The guide can then be selectively rigidized to assume that curve or path. Once set, the endoscope can be advanced over the rigidized guide in a monorail or “piggy-back” fashion so that the flexible proximal portion follows the curve held by the guide until the endoscope reaches a next point of curvature within a body lumen.

The inventive directionally-adjustable LED spotlight is comprised of a fixed heat sink and an LED-array-bearing structure. The LED-array-bearing structure is adjustably attached in a heat transfer relationship to the fixed heat sink.

A flat panel display mounting apparatus that enables quick and easy mounting and dismounting of the flat panel display. The system includes a first bracket having a periphery defining a plurality of spaced apart notches and a second bracket selectively removably receivable on the first bracket that includes a plurality of fastening buttons, each fastening button defining a slot. The fastening buttons are spaced apart and positioned correspondingly with the notches of the first bracket so that the slot of each fastening button receives the periphery of the first bracket at a separate one of the notches when the second bracket is received on the first bracket.

A holder, electrical supply, and optional RF transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit's power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an RF transmitter in the unit, and the resulting RF signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

A tool-carrying assembly to be secured by a waist-encircling belt, and, additionally, by straps encircling the legs of a workman using the belt assembly. The assembly is thus stabilized, and enhanced weight distribution is achieved. Elements of the belt assembly include a waist-encircling band supporting a pair of laterally spaced, depending panels each carrying tool-accepting pockets. The pockets preferably carry visual markings and coding as well as other indicia identifying clearly the specific tools to be "housed" or carried in and to be returned to each pocket after use. Inventory control of the tools is thereby significantly enhanced. Pivotal flaps depending from the band-carried panels serve to cover the tools when not in use, and to prevent the tools from scratching or otherwise marring any article, or fixture, or "workpiece" requiring the workman's attention. The panels and the tools carried thereby are disposed in lateral, spaced zones at the wearer's sides (and not directly in the front of one's body) thus further to reduce any likelihood of the tools coming into damaging physical contact with an article being worked upon. That is, both frontal and rearwardly located zones about the wearer of the tool belt assembly are rendered essentially free and clear of all tools and other mechanical impediments. While wearing the tool assembly of the invention, a worker can, without any discomfort, lie upon and use a "creeper". Significantly, a frontal sector of the belt itself is covered with a relatively soft, non-marring protective pad, composition, or surface material effective to prevent possible damage from a workman's belt buckle. An additional feature of the invention is that the panels may be structured to constitute a core sandwiched between a pair of encasing sheet-like webs. The resulting composite is readily formable to provide selectable visual patterns, designs or indicia, for example, to identify product name or sources and / or to constitute decorations.

A device for positioning a workpiece includes a socket body rotatably held on a metallic ball by an array of permanent magnets arranged into a partial socket. An air delivery system controls a flow of air passing between the magnets and the ball to alter the friction between the socket body and the ball. A positive flow of air into the socket reduces the friction, allowing the workpiece to be more easily rotated during repositioning, whereas drawing air away from the socket produces a partial vacuum which increases the friction, causing the socket body to be locked in a single position on the ball.

Improved boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding are disclosed. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings has an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate and extra fasteners. Attached to the integral boot binding lower are the elements of a boot binding upper. The integral boot binding lower, in combination with upper boot bindings, provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. The integral boot binding lower further includes a toe pivot for free heel ski touring. The boot bindings can be readily detached from the ski touring position and reattached to the snowboard riding position, or vice versa, as is advantageous in backcountry touring and riding.