36results about How to "Lengthened and shortened" patented technology

The footplate member includes an end surface, a sidewall that is attached to the end surface, and an orientation mechanism that is designed to align the footplate member in a certain position relative to at least one of the two end members of the vertebral body replacement device. The orientation mechanism includes a plurality of tabs located on an end wall of each end member and corresponding slots located along the edge of the sidewall, with the tabs and slots being sized and positioned to mate. The footplate member also includes a locking mechanism designed to couple the footplate member to an end member prior to the implantation of the vertebral body replacement device within a space within a spinal column. A method for assembling a vertebral body replacement device and a method for using a footplate member in a vertebral body replacement device is also disclosed.

The vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member that has two threaded portions and is configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members being configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical method using the device is also disclosed.

A springless combination shock absorber and suspension apparatus comprising three tubes: An outer tube, a piston tube (inner tube) and a stationary (damping) tube, with a floating piston disposed in the inner piston tube, wherein the floating piston forms two chambers therein, a lower liquid chamber and an upper gas chamber. Fluid dampens shocks by passing through a two-way valve in the outer tube and may be controlled internally by a shim plate positioned over apertures or valve passageways, or, in a separate embodiment, by external adjustment of flow by rotating adjusting plates to open and close the valve passageways. The amount by which the gas chamber is reduced in compression is large enough to generate the high pressures required to produce spring-like forces. This design allows the gas pressure chamber to operate effectively as a spring.

The invention relates to an adjustable impression tray (1) comprising a trough (2) in the form of an arch with a straight central portion (7) extended by two lateral branches (8,9), essentially matching the form of a dental arch and comprising several integral zones which may be deformed at the temperature of use in the form of a multi-directional extension means (12), for example an accordion-like bellows arrangement (13 to 16). The impression tray, preferably for single usage, advantageously comprises splitting zones (17, 18) which allow the production of impression trays of differing sectors, which by comprising one or several deformation zones are equally adjustable. The invention is of interest to dentists and prosthetic dentists and more generally to producers and users of dental equipment.

Systems and methods for use in processing raw material (e.g., iron bearing material) include a linear furnace apparatus extending along a longitudinal axis between a charging end and a discharging end (e.g., the linear furnace apparatus includes at least a furnace zone positioned along the longitudinal axis). Raw material is provided into one or more separate or separable containers (e.g., trays) at the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus. The separate or separable containers are moved through at least the furnace zone and to the discharging end where the processed material is discharged resulting in one or more empty containers. One or more of the empty containers are returned to the charging end of the linear furnace apparatus to receive further raw material.

Disclosed are toy robots having a frame, base and building accessories and kits therefor. The toy has a system of blocks, gripping appendages, gears and pop-up joints threaded together by an elastic cable held in tension. This configuration allows the toy to stand tall or short, be configured in myriad poses In or outside its frame, on or off its accessories, and can allow for the discovery of a secret cavity.

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a speaker cabinet and a link mechanism. The second body rotates relative to the first body by a hinge. The speaker cabinet, disposed in the first body, is selectively lengthened or shortened. The link mechanism connects the hinge with the speaker cabinet. When the second body is closed relative to the first body, the speaker cabinet is concealed in the first body, and when the second body is opened relative to the first body, the hinge drives the link mechanism to press the speaker cabinet, enabling the speaker to be lengthened or to be shortened.

An adjustable carry bag has two end sections for releasable connection together at connecting ends thereof to form an interior space for accommodating therein at least one sport board. Each end section has a first access opening providing access into the interior space and a closed perimeter portion at the connecting end defining a second access opening providing access into the interior space different from the first access opening. In an open state, the first access opening provide access into the interior space for accommodating therein a sport board. In a closed state of the first access opening when the end sections are connected together, the bag completely encloses and securely holds therein the sport board. A coupling structure extends from the closed perimeter portion of each end section for releasably coupling the end sections together so that the closed perimeter portions and the coupling structures of the end sections encircle a preselected region of the interior space of the bag in both the open and closed states of the first access opening.

A portable PV module array, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and being foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby: in the closed condition, the PV modules are stacked together in a generally parallel and close facing relationship with the edges of the PV modules in general alignment, and in the open condition, the PV modules are disposed at an angle to each other so that the PV module array defines triangular configuration, and foldable movement of the PV modules from the closed condition to the open condition being restricted against movement beyond the open condition by a flexible connector that connects with a connection point associated with each of the PV modules of the PV module array and that is tensioned in the open condition and that is slack in the closed condition.

A reaching and grabbing tool is provided that has gripping head with at least one jaw operatively connected to a trigger for movement with respect to a gripping axis. The gripping head defines at least one region configured to provide a plurality of gripping states. The gripping head can have more than one jaw that each move with respect to the gripping axis. The plurality of gripping states can include three different gripping states.

A portable PV module array, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and being foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby: in the closed condition, the PV modules are stacked together in a generally parallel and close facing relationship with the edges of the PV modules in general alignment, and in the open condition, the PV modules are disposed at an angle to each other so that the PV module array defines triangular configuration, and foldable movement of the PV modules from the closed condition to the open condition being restricted against movement beyond the open condition by a flexible connector that connects with a connection point associated with each of the PV modules of the PV module array and that is tensioned in the open condition and that is slack in the closed condition.

An electrical system for low-power charging of personal electronic devices is made available at each passenger seat in a vehicle using wireless power technology. Alternating current is delivered by conductors behind the sidewall panels or under the floor of the vehicle body to the passenger area. Electrical power is transferred from these conductors using transmit coils attached outboard of the sidewall panels or below the floor to receive coils attached to passenger seats near the transmit coils. The electrical current induced in the receive coils is made available via electrical power charging circuits at a convenient location for each seat via conventional charging ports. Transmit and receive coils are designed and configured to permit different seating configurations without the need for rewiring by placement and design of larger transmit and receive coils or by using track-mounted transmit and receive coils or a combination of these.

An anchoring assembly is described for use in releasably securing a transportable vehicle to the bed of a transport vehicle that includes mounting holes spaced transverse to the length of the bed at a given distance from each other. The assembly includes first and second eyebolts, each eyebolt having a circular eye and threaded shank sized for insertion downwardly through one of the mounting holes and a nut threadable on the shank beneath the bed; a cylindrical crossbar having a length greater than the given distance insertable through the eyes of the eyebolts, the crossbar including a releasable latching pin adjacent at least one of its ends; and a telescoping tie down arm having a proximal end with an eye slidable over the crossbar between the eyebolts and a distal end including a hitch connector releasably attachable to the transportable vehicle hitch.

A portable PV module array, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and being foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby: in the closed condition, the PV modules are stacked together in a generally parallel and close facing relationship with the edges of the PV modules in general alignment, and in the open condition, the PV modules are disposed at an angle to each other so that the PV module array defines triangular configuration, and foldable movement of the PV modules from the closed condition to the open condition being restricted against movement beyond the open condition by a flexible connector that connects with a connection point associated with each of the PV modules of the PV module array and that is tensioned in the open condition and that is slack in the closed condition.

An adjustable carry bag has two end sections for releasable connection together at connecting ends thereof to form an interior space for accommodating therein at least one sport board. Each end section has a first access opening providing access into the interior space and a closed perimeter portion at the connecting end defining a second access opening providing access into the interior space different from the first access opening. In an open state, the first access opening provide access into the interior space for accommodating therein a sport board. In a closed state of the first access opening when the end sections are connected together, the bag completely encloses and securely holds therein the sport board. A coupling structure extends from the closed perimeter portion of each end section for releasably coupling the end sections together so that the closed perimeter portions and the coupling structures of the end sections encircle a preselected region of the interior space of the bag in both the open and closed states of the first access opening.

Running-end spool containment devices and systems are described herein that allow a user to secure a running-end of a strap within a lockable device to anchor the running-end of the strap at a selectable length when the device is in a locked mode, and to enable the running-end of the strap be lengthened or shortened when the device is in an unlocked mode. In an embodiment, the device includes an axel about which the running-end of a strap can be wound and unwound, a lock case that can engage the axel to prevent axel rotation in the locked mode and that can be disengaged from the axel to allow the axel to rotate freely in the unlocked mode, and a spring case that causes the axel to rotate and the running-end of the strap to wind around the axel when the lock cases is in the unlocked mode.

A gun stock incorporating a buffer tube sleeve; a butt plate extending from the buffer tube sleeve; a spool housing attached to and extending downwardly from the buffer tube sleeve; a spool and axle combination operatively mounted within the housing; a sling having proximal end fixedly attached to the spool; a recoil spring connected operatively to the spool for drawing the sling toward the spool; multiplicities of lugs and recesses, each recess being bounded by a pair of the lugs and the recesses and lugs being formed wholly with the spool; and a pawl and pawl actuator attached to the frame, the actuator being adapted for normally engaging the pawl within at least one of the recesses.