385results about How to "Maintain alignment" patented technology

A mine service vehicle has a forward module, a rear module, and a cab module of unitized construction that can be secured together to assemble the vehicle. The forward and rear modules preferably have frame sections with terminating plates that can be affixed together with bolts, while the cab preferably mounts to the forward and rear modules by resilient couplings. The bolts preferably pass through tension sleeves into threaded holes in bolt receiver plates attached to one of the terminating plates. A frame extender can be affixed between the terminating plates to lengthen the vehicle. The vehicle preferably has a rear axle mounted to axle support bars that are each resiliently, floatably mounted to a pair of axle support brackets by a pivot bolt, with resilient bearings interposed between the axle support bar and the pivot bolt as well as between the pivot bolt and the axle support brackets.

The invention is directed to a device and method for securing a passed surgical suture in a manner similar to a tied knot. The suture securing device comprises a male piece having a top portion, a center shaft having one end connected to the top portion, and an end member having a capturing feature connected to another end of the center shaft; and a female piece having a top end and a bottom end comprising a column being generally cylindrical in shape and forming a hollow opening along its length, wherein the opening slidingly receives the center shaft and a suture to be captured and held by the capturing feature, the suture being secured in place between the column and the center shaft. The assembled male and female pieces are irreversibly interlocked and form a lightly compressed, convoluted or tortuous pathway. The capturing feature is formed to engage and obliquely capture the suture from different angles. The radii of the male and female pieces are preferably greater than the radius of the suture. The securing device may further comprise a link formed between the male and female pieces. The link may be a tether formed when the male and female pieces are formed. The link may be severed and removed after placement and assembling of the male and female pieces. In another aspect of the invention, a method for applying a suture securing device is disclosed comprising the steps of: (1) providing the suture securing device of the invention; (2) aligning the male piece and the female piece at a desired location for applying the suture securing device; and (3) pressing the center shaft of the male piece into the opening of the female piece. The method may further comprise the step of applying a compressive load on the male piece to dislodge an enlargement from an undercut of the female piece and to place the male piece and the female piece in a condition where they may be advanced to a desired position along the suture.

An LED and light guide assembly has an LED with an output surface; a first power input lead electrically coupled to a first pole and having a first surface and a second surface; and a second power input lead electrically coupled to a second pole and having a first surface and a second surface. A unitary, molded light guide has an axially extending, light transmissive body with a light output window. An input window is formed with the unitary, molded light guide being aligned in a zero-gap relationship to capture substantially all the light emitted by the LED. A support is formed integral with the light guide and envelopes a portion of the first surface and the second surface of the first power input lead and the first surface and the second surface of the second power input lead to anchor the guide with respect to the power inputs.

A panoramic camera design that is lower cost, robust, stable and more user friendly than prior art designs. The camera design makes use of a unified molded structure of optical material to house a mirror, aligned sensor, and lens assembly. The unified molded structure of the camera keeps the sensed optical path enclosed to minimize dust and user's fingers and maintain optical alignment.

An illumination system for a microscope, including a light source for generating light to illuminate a sample for microscopic observation, at least one collimating lens for collimating light generated by the light source, and a darkfield condenser for receiving collimated light and directing a hollow cone of light onto the sample under observation. The system optionally includes an adapter for enhancing economy of light transmission from the light source to the specimen, the adapter having a centrally disposed spacer and a plurality of optical fibers surrounding the spacer, to generate a hollow cylinder of light for transmission to the darkfield condenser. The system provides improved resolution and contrast, and is well suited for adaptation to fluorescence microscopy techniques.