134 results about "Full extension" patented technology

This invention resides in an apparatus for inhibiting full extension between upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby preventing pain and other complications associated with spinal movement. In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a generally transverse member extending between the spinous processes and lamina of the upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby inhibiting full extension. Various embodiments of the invention may limit spinal flexion, rotation and / or lateral bending while preventing spinal extension. In the preferred embodiment, the transverse member is fixed between two opposing points on the lower vertebral body using pedicle screws, and a cushioning sleeve is used as a protective cover. The transverse member may be a rod or cable, and the apparatus may be used with a partial or full artificial disc replacement. To control spinal flexion, rotation and / or lateral bending one or more links may be fastened to an adjacent vertebral body, also preferably using a pedicle screw. Preferably a pair of opposing links are used between the upper and lower vertebral bodies for such purposes.

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) components cooperate to limit axial rotation and / or lateral bending to a greater degree when the spine is extended than when the spine is a neutral to flexed position, thereby decreasing loads placed upon the facet joints. In the preferred embodiment, truncated articulating surfaces with non-articulating side surfaces allow increasing amounts of axial rotation and lateral bending as the total disc replacement (TDR) moves from full extension to full flexion. Limiting axial rotation and lateral bending of the TDR protects the facet joints and the Annulus Fibrosus, since the facet joints carry more load when the spine is extended than when the spine is flexed. Thus the invention serves to protect the facet joints while allowing normal or near-normal spinal motion.

A new class of total knee replacement includes a posterior cruciate ligament retaining anterior cruciate ligament substituting apparatus and method. Particular design considerations include: 1) a specific extension surface separate from the flexion surface, 2) rotational control in full extension to create the so-called screw-home mechanism, 3) translation restraints that will substitute for ACL function including a CAM-post or other abutment mechanism while allowing normal PCL function which should improve natural proprioception, 4) a modified femoral component with separate radii of curvature for the flexion and extension arcs of at least one condyle, and 5) a tibial component with slope built into the posterior aspect of its bone contacting surface on both sides of the PCL.

An oven rack assembly including full extension slides. Full extension slides are mounted to an oven rack and oven rack frames or wire racks providing full extension of an oven rack from an oven enclosure. The rack frame is mounted to oven walls or the slides are coupled to wire racks along oven slide walls.

The present invention provides a method of performing posterior cruciate ligament replacement. Specifically, a graft tissue is harvested from a patient and single tunnels are prepared in each of the tibia and the femur of the patient. The graft is secured in the femoral tunnel and separated into a posterior cruciate medial bundle and a posterior lateral bundle. The bundles are inserted through the tibial tunnel. During insertion the posterior lateral bundle is positioned in a posterior lateral position in the tibial tunnel while the posterior cruciate medial bundle is positioned in a posterior cruciate medial position in the tibial tunnel. The posterior cruciate medial bundle is then tensioned while the patient's knee is in approximately 90 degrees of flexion, and the posterior lateral bundle is tensioned while the patient's knee is approximately in full extension. Each of the bundles is then secured in the tibial tunnel.

The present invention provides a method of performing anterior cruciate ligament replacement. Specifically, a graft tissue is harvested from a patient and single tunnels are prepared in each of the tibia and the femur of the patient. The graft is secured in the femoral tunnel and separated into an anterior cruciate medial bundle and a anterior cruciate posterior lateral bundle. The bundles are inserted through the tibial tunnel. During insertion the posterior lateral bundle is positioned in a posterior lateral position in the tibial tunnel while the anterior cruciate medial bundle is positioned in an anterior cruciate medial position in the tibial tunnel. The anterior cruciate medial bundle is then tensioned while the patient's knee is in approximately 90 degrees of flexion, and the posterior lateral bundle is tensioned while the patient's knee is approximately in full extension. Each of the bundles is then secured in the tibial tunnel.

Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and steering of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel is provided. A tie rod is coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer joint. An inner joint of the tie rod is preferably located in a desirable location. A method for identifying the desirable location may include the steps of defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension, defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension, identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, and selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.

An oven rack assembly including full extension slides. Full extension slides are mounted to an oven rack and oven rack frames or wire racks providing full extension of an oven rack from an oven enclosure. The rack frame is mounted to oven walls or the slides are coupled to wire racks along oven slide walls.

The invention discloses a deployable cable pole dome structure, comprising an inner cable pole body and an external single-freedom-degree annular connecting bar mechanism, wherein the single-free degree annular connecting bar mechanism comprises at least four shearing type units, a passive cable and an active cable. The invention uses the single-freedom-degree annular connecting bar mechanism to drive the dome structure to fold and unfold, thus number of driving devices is reduced; the active cable and the passive cable are arranged in the external annular connecting bar mechanism, and the prestressing force exists at a full extension state, so that the rigidity of the structure is increased and the material does is reduced; only the active cable needs to be fixed at a full extension state, and an additional locking device is not needed; a coverage range of the dome structure is provided by the inner cable pole body, thus, the external load of the structure is mainly born by the inner cable pole body; the inner cable pole body is composed of a high-strength inhaul cable and a pressure bar; the self weight is light; and the rigidity is mainly provided by the prestressing force, and the stress performance is excellent.

An animal restraint system which involves variable adjustability of maximum extension. A braking device with a pivoting tip which can move from a neutral position to a locked engaged position, a disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. The semi-engaged position allows for spool rotation in the direction of retraction, while preventing spool rotation in the direction of extension. A brake lock with multiple settings including engaged position, disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. A spool with teeth where one or more of the teeth is different from the others in shape, size or relative position to promote brake engagement efficiency. A leash maximum settings display. A moving “leash” guide which reduces tangling during extension and retraction. An adjustable handle grip to accommodate different hand sizes. A snap-on accessory attachment system. A leash dispenser system which limits full extension to reduce system failure.

A dynamic knee brace that can be used to apply a bending force across the knee. Two brace arms are connected together by a central joint that allows the knee to pivot. A joint in each brace arm allows the brace arm to be inclined toward the leg. A cam assembly is present to actively incline each brace arms toward the leg as the knee moves to full extension. An adjustment mechanism for the cam assemblies provides control over the maximum amount of inclination each brace arm achieves. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the cams equally so that both brace arms are inclined by the same amount.

A shelf assembly (1020) is disclosed for use in a refrigerator (1002) and includes a refrigerator shelf (1022). Also included is a cantilever frame (1028) used to slidably support the shelf (1022). The shelf assembly (1020) includes a left side hanger set (1042) extending rearwardly from the cantilever frame (1028). A right side rear bracket extension (1044) extends directly to the right from the right end and the rear portion of the cantilever frame (1028). The rear bracket extension (1044) provides for an offset of the refrigerator shelf (1022) from one end or one side of the refrigerator (1002). The offset advantageously provides that when the shelf (1022) is extended forwardly, the front end of the shelf (1022) will not abut or be interfered with by any portion of the refrigerator door when the door is in an open position. The shelf assembly (1020) can also include various types of racks. The shelf (1022) can be replaced by a basket (1075).

A full extension ball bearing drawer slide assembly comprised of a fixed member attached to a cabinet piece, a middle member slidingly engaged with the fixed member with a set of linear bearings, a drawer member attached to a drawer piece slidingly engaged with the middle member via a second set of linear bearings, and a drawer retainer mechanism attached to the drawer member and in adjustable contact with the drawer member. The drawer retainer mechanism is comprised of a frame attached to the drawer member, a housing seated in the frame, a detent fitted in the frame and biased by a helical spring adjacent a post. The post has a threaded section engaged with a threaded hole in the frame. The detent, biased by the helical spring on the post, is forced towards the housing by a raised indention in a race of the fixed member.

An oven rack assembly including full extension slides. Full extension slides are mounted to an oven rack and oven rack frames or wire racks providing full extension of an oven rack from an oven enclosure. The rack frame is mounted to oven walls or the slides are coupled to wire racks along oven slide walls.

A water craft includes a tow tower including a tower loop raised and lowered by two linear actuators. The tower loop is firmly supported in the raised position by the linear actuators to provide a proper attachment for towing enthusiasts, and is lowered to allow the water craft to be stored in a normal height garage structure. The linear actuators are unique designs with large shaft diameter, short stroke, and high overlap between the shaft and actuator body, and in particular include novel compressible bumpers to create a compressive jam-lock counterforce at full extension to effectively jam-lock the linear actuator and prevent back creep.

A joint prosthesis comprising, e.g., a femoral component and a tibial component. The medial and lateral condylar articular surfaces may have substantially uniform and equal radii from full extension to about 90° of flexion. From 90°, the lateral condylar articular surface has a smaller radius than the medial condylar articular surface such that the medial condyle gradually becomes increasingly more proud than the lateral condyle to facilitate internal rotation of the tibia at deep flexion. Also, the tibial articular component may include a post intermediate the medial and lateral compartments that engages a cam on the femoral articular component between the medial and the lateral condylar articular surfaces. The cam and post become congruent at flexion angles of approximately 70° flexion and mate symmetrically during the first 20°-30° of further flexion, and then mate asymmetrically at greater degrees of flexion to force internal rotation of the tibia.

A shelf assembly (1020) in a refrigerator (1002) includes a refrigerator shelf (1022). Also included is a cantilever frame (1028) to slidably support the shelf (1022). The shelf assembly (1020) includes a left side hanger set (1042) extending rearwardly from the cantilever frame (1028). A right side rear bracket extension (1044) extends directly to the right from the right end and the rear portion of the cantilever frame (1028). The rear bracket extension (1044) provides for an offset of the refrigerator shelf (1022) from one side of the refrigerator (1002). The offset provides that when the shelf (1022) is extended forwardly, the front end of the shelf (1022) will not be interfered with by any portion of the refrigerator door when the door is in an open position.

Aspects of the invention relate to a compressor system for a turbine engine that not only provides large compressor seal clearances as the engine passes through non-standard operating conditions, but also minimizes the clearances during normal engine operation, thereby increasing the efficiency of the compressor. In one embodiment, a substantially annular seal land is secured at one end to an annular extension arm on a compressor disk. When the engine reaches steady state operation, the non-attached end of the seal land can extend radially outward to reduce the clearance between the seal land and a shroud extending over the ends of the adjacent stationary airfoils. The seal land can be designed to resist the rotational forces imparted by the turning rotor until a certain desired operating condition is reached. In one embodiment, the seal land reaches full extension when the engine is operating at about 3600 rpm.

A dynamic knee brace that can be used to apply a bending force across the knee. Two brace arms are connected together by a central joint that allows the knee to pivot. A joint in each brace arm allows the brace arm to be inclined toward the leg. A cam assembly is present to actively incline each brace arms toward the leg as the knee moves to full extension. An adjustment mechanism for the cam assemblies provides control over the maximum amount of inclination each brace arm achieves. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the cams equally so that both brace arms are inclined by the same amount.

A gas fueled lighter having a compact storage configuration so as to be easily carried in a pocket or purse, the lighter actuated by sliding a longitudinal portion engaged to the body so as to extend said portion to form an extension having a free end, the free end configured to initiate a flame upon full extension from the body, the flame fueled by gas in the body and ignited by a piezo ignition switch. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to provide an inexpensive, compact, easy to implement lighter providing the flame from an extension when in use, the extension sliding back to form a portion of the body when not in use. This safety feature not only provides a flame extended from the user's hand and body, it also provides an extension for lighting pilot lights, gas grills, fireplaces, and the like. The body of the preferred embodiment has a gas reservoir therein as well as the ignition and fuel valve, and further has a generally rectilinear configuration with at least a portion of the top configured to slide longitudinally to form the extension, the upper face of the top including a frictional area for placement of the user's thumb thereupon for sliding of the extension and initiation / cessation of the flame. The body may be rubberized for a better grip, and may include finger ridges for an enhanced grip of the system, and the overall body ideally has an ergometric design to facilitate comfortable and tactile operation.

A fire suppression device characterized by a plunger that is extendible from a housing for delivery of a fire suppressant foam. The plunger may be equipped at its outer end with a puncture tip that can penetrate through the wall of a container or cargo cover for delivery of the fire suppressant foam directly to the cargo, preferably after full or almost full extension of the plunger. The plunger may be driven outwardly under high force by a pressurized gas that may also be used as a propellant for mixing with a liquid foaming agent, preferably within a foaming chamber carried by the piston. Provision may also be made for connection to a source of pressurized fluid to effect retraction of the plunger.

A warp knitted fabric (1) including an open framework (2) of longitudinally and transversely extending knitted threads (3,4,5). The longitudinally extending threads (3) are spaced apart a predetermined distance (D). A plurality of material strips (9) laid in the open framework (2) along the spaces (8) between the longitudinally extending threads (3). The material strips (9) each have a width (W) which is greater than the predetermined distance (D) between adjacent longitudinally extending threads (3) so as to extend fully between the adjacent threads (3) and maintain that full extension upon lateral stretch of the fabric (1).

A foam dispenser component drive mechanism which includes a foam dispenser component drive transmission comprising a crank and slide assembly, and wherein said drive transmission includes a transmission housing and the crank and slide assembly includes a crank pivotably supported by said housing and a slide assembly. The invention also features an apparatus for driving a reciprocating rod of a foam dispenser having a full retraction position and a full extension position relative to a mixing module of the dispenser, having a driver, a drive transmission system with said drive transmission system being arranged to coincide maximum rod reciprocation force application coincident with the full extension and full retraction positions of the reciprocating rod. The invention includes also a method for reciprocating a mixing module reciprocation component, including rotating a crank with a drive assembly, driving a slide assembly with the rotating crank so as to move in linear fashion, and moving the reciprocation component together with the slide assembly.

A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.

A joint prosthesis includes e.g., a femoral component and a tibial component. The medial and lateral condylar articular surfaces may have substantially uniform and equal radii from full extension to about 90° of flexion. From 90°, the lateral condylar articular surface has a smaller radius than the medial condylar articular surface such that the medial condyle gradually becomes increasingly more proud than the lateral condyle to facilitate internal rotation of the tibia at deep flexion. Also, the tibial articular component may include a post intermediate the medial and lateral compartments that engages a cam on the femoral articular component between the medial and the lateral condylar articular surfaces. The cam and post become congruent at flexion angles of approximately 70° flexion and mate symmetrically during the first 20°-30° of further flexion, and then mate asymmetrically at greater degrees of flexion to force internal rotation of the tibia.

A manually operated boat shade system is disclosed for deploying a flexible canvas or like shade material over the deck of a boat solely by hand. The device is adapted to mount as an integral unit to overhead structure on the boat and comprises a pair of tubular actuator assemblies telescopically assembled and coupled together in parallel alignment within a self-supporting framework to permit pullout deployment and reverse retraction of the flexible canvas from a tensioned roller member transversely mounted between the actuator assemblies. A self-engaging locking mechanism is further incorporated within the tubular actuator assembly to maintain the framework when in full extension preventing an unwanted retraction. The locking mechanism is further releasable by hand to allow a staged retraction of the framework and canvas when desired.

Aspects of the invention relate to a compressor system for a turbine engine that not only provides large compressor seal clearances as the engine passes through non-standard operating conditions, but also minimizes the clearances during normal engine operation, thereby increasing the efficiency of the compressor. In one embodiment, a substantially annular seal land is secured at one end to an annular extension arm on a compressor disk. When the engine reaches steady state operation, the non-attached end of the seal land can extend radially outward to reduce the clearance between the seal land and a shroud extending over the ends of the adjacent stationary airfoils. The seal land can be designed to resist the rotational forces imparted by the turning rotor until a certain desired operating condition is reached. In one embodiment, the seal land reaches full extension when the engine is operating at about 3600 rpm.

An Outrigger Obstruction Detection System for an Aerial Fire Truck that will warn the driver of an impending obstruction to an outrigger prior to full extension of the outrigger. The system comprises ultrasonic sensors located at or near each outrigger assembly on the aerial fire truck, which can be programmed to detect an object within the travel range of the outrigger. In addition, a control / indicator panel is mounted in the cab of the aerial fire truck. The control / indicator panel is positioned in the cab to allow the driver physical and visual access. The control / indicator panel contains the power switch, diagram of the truck and indicator lights used to warn the driver of an obstruction. The sensors provide an electrical signal to a control / indicator panel located in the cab of the aerial fire truck to alert the driver if an object is detected. This alert allows the driver to reposition the truck to clear the obstruction, which in turn reduces the time to react to the emergency. The ultrasonic sensors are affixed to the aerial fire truck via a pivotal mounting assembly, which allows proper sensing alignment to be achieved.

A method of implanting a lateral unicondylar knee prosthesis in a lateral articulating portion of a femur having a lateral condyle for engagement with a tibia, the method including the steps of: bending a patients knee such that the knee is not in full extension; making an incision through the skin, muscle, and other soft tissue until the damaged bone surfaces are exposed; resecting an end portion of the lateral tibia; resecting an end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; attaching a tibial prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the tibia; attaching a lateral femoral condyle prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; determining the thickness of a mobile bearing member with the knee in full extension; and inserting the mobile bearing member between the tibial prosthetic component and the femoral prosthetic component.