1425results about "Straightedges" patented technology

An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tri-pod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior/inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The separations are adjustable, but are preferably fixed percentages of the separation between the first and second legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

A multi-function layout square of modular construction having a laser that is capable of performing multiple functions is disclosed. The multi-function square has a metallic outer casing with magnetic properties, with a protractor plate slidably, pivotally, and removably attached by thumbscrews to the casing that can be moved and rotated with respect to the casing and slid linearly along a portion of the length of the casing. When the protractor plate is removed the casing may be used as a level, a plumb bob, a ruler, and a compass. When the protractor plate is attached the tool may be used as a framing square, roofing framing square or rafter square, and a gauge or scribe for straight lines, arcs, or circles. The laser, a switch, and a pair of bubble level vials are contained in a module installed at one end of the casing, and a second module containing batteries is removably installed at the other end of the casing. Each module has electrical contacts that engage the interior surface of the casing and contacts that engage the batteries when the modules are installed and abutted. When the switch is on, a circuit is completed through the metallic casing, which electrically connects the batteries to the laser. The casing may be suspended vertically from a support surface by passing a string or wire through a bore in one of the thumbscrews, may be mounted on a tripod, or may be magnetically attached to metal objects.

An apparatus used to align door jambs and like structures. A base member comprises a substantially longitudinal section through which a channel is formed in the top surface thereof, one end extending into a first jamb spreader. A first extension member is slidably coupled within the channel of the base member, the extended end of the extension member depending into a second jamb spreader. A second extension member is slidably coupled within the channel of the base member opposite the first extension member, the end opposing the second jamb spreader depending into a third jamb spreader. The jamb spreader of the first and second extension members include horizontal and vertical leveling members. By positioning the opposed jamb spreaders against the opposed door jambs or surfaces, the alignment of the door jambs and door frame may be determined to be in square and plumb alignment.

A square that includes two rigid, channeled members having an interior and an exterior, with the two members being joined at a ninety-degree angle to form a one-piece L-shaped tool having an elbow and a notch disposed on an exterior corner opposite the elbow. The invention also features a bubble level attached to the exterior of each member and a releasable adhesive member disposed upon the interior of each member, such as magnets, tapes, or adhesive plastic materials. Methods for pipe-fitting and for holding pipes or joints in place with the invention are also provided.

Disclosed is a device for processing multidata in a wireless terminal. In the device, a first data device and a second data device generate first data and second data according to a first mode select signal and a second mode select signal, respectively. A data interface connected to the first and second data devices, interfaces data generated by a data device activated by the mode select signal. A multidata processor includes first and second data processors, drives a data device selected in response to the mode select signal, and processes data output from the data interface through its associated data processor. A display displays image data output from the multidata processor. An audio processor reproduces audio data output from the multidata processor.

A transparent measuring device with enhanced visibility lines formed on a transparent substrate having opposing planar front and back surfaces and with at least one opaque line formed on one of the front and back surfaces and at least one transparent line formed on one of the front and back surfaces to be colinear with the at least one opaque line to present a composite line where the transparent line permits viewing of material on which the device is placed while highlighting the at least one opaque line for enhanced visibility. The transparent line may be formed of excitable pigment that reacts to light, such as a black light, or that retains luminance after exposure to light.

A tool for measuring, marking, and cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a transparent flexible sheet of pressure-sensitive material removably adhered thereon to cover one side of the rigid sheet and provide a removable, non-slip surface. One or the other of the rigid and flexible sheets has a plurality of lines formed thereon, preferably two-color lines, to aid in measuring and marking material. The pressure-sensitive material is formed of a non-static cling vinyl film having plasticizers that continually migrate to the surface of the film.

A software system and apparatus for the collection of various measurements of the human body representing deviations from an ideal posture in several planes of motion relative to the body. A specially designed apparatus enables the correct measurements, while the software component performs an analysis of the measurements and recommends an exercise routine based on the severity of the deviations with respect to the planes of motion. The routine can be adjusted based on the flexibility and motivation of the patient as well as on the type of symptoms being experienced by the person. Additionally, physiologic factors are taken into account, such as the person's age and weight. The exercise routine is provided via a computer display, via email or via a web page available on the Internet, utilizing textual descriptions and visual and audio aids to describe the exercises.

A frame construction tool system, for wood frame buildings, or for metal, polymer, concrete, or composite frame buildings, and methods of using some or all of the tools of said tool system, are particularly well-adapted for roof and/or wall construction. Preferably, a laser light unit comprises a plurality of adjustments for directing the laser light in a variety of directions, preferably for vertical, horizontal, and pivotal adjustment. The laser light unit may be used with targets, cuttings guides, and/or prism units for splitting and/or redirecting the laser beam. In one embodiment, the laser light unit is used with reflective and/or translucent/transparent targets to accurately build a “build-over roof” wherein the laser light unit maps out points and lines of an accurate connection between the roofs. In another embodiment, the laser light unit is used with one or more targets used at the top of a stud wall, to produce a straight line reference from one end/corner of a wall to another. In another embodiment, the laser light unit may be used with a cooperating cutting guide, to measure and properly cut a straight overhang for the roof or a deck and/or to measure and properly cut upending stud members in a pony wall. The preferred laser unit may be used with prism units to layout an entire building.

A quilt template is disclosed for producing a plurality of quilt pieces. The quilt template comprises a template plate for positioning over a first and second layer material. A marking groove traverses the template plate and receives a writing instrument. A first cutting groove traverses the template plate and receives the cutting instrument for cutting the first and second layer of material. A second cutting groove traverses the template plate and receives the cutting instrument for cutting the first and second layer of material. The marking groove is positioned between the first cutting groove and the second cutting groove. The marking groove and the first cutting groove define a first quilt pattern on the template plate. The marking groove and the second cutting groove define a second quilt pattern on the template plate.

A multi-purpose measuring tool has an elongate base and arm pivotally connected at rounded ends thereof in an angularly variable relation to perform multiple functions, including measuring inclines, measuring corner angles, measuring distances, use as a square, use as a bevel gauge and use as a torpedo level. A retractable measuring tape housed within the arm has a terminal finger gripping end adapted to be pulled away from the arm and removably attached to a distal end of the base. The measuring tape is dual purpose in that one side of the tape is used for determining the angle of the arm relative to the base to perform some of the above functions, and the other side of the tape is used for traditional linear distance measurements. The tool's base includes a "vertical" bubble level and the arm includes a "horizontal" bubble level to perform some of the above functions.

A measuring device includes a square ruler body provided with a plurality of scales, a plurality of marking lines, and a plurality of counting numbers. Each of the counting numbers has a corresponding numeral which is located under the respective the counting number for measurement of different directions. Thus, the measuring device is used to measure the size of the workpiece at any direction and any start point, thereby greatly saving the measuring time and the manual work. In addition, the counting numbers have a two-dimensional corresponding manner so that the measuring device can obtain the size of the workpiece instantaneously from left to right or from right to left without having to rotate or change the direction of the ruler body.

A removable laser base for a bubble level that includes a body, a laser beam generator, and a removable securement. The body has a flat top surface that the level is secured to and a bottom surface that is flat and parallel to the top surface. A laser diode mounted in a module emits a visible laser beam upon application of power from a battery that is controlled by a switch. The module, batteries, and switch are mounted in a through bore in the body. The laser base is removably secured to the bubble level by any manner appropriate to the shape of the level. In one such securement, the level has a T-shaped cross-section and the body has a complementary slot into which the level slides. When the level reference surface abuts the top surface of the laser base, a thumb screw is tightened to frictionally secure the level in the base.

An adjustable position tool guide is disclosed for performing operations with tools on a work piece at an accurate distance and orientation with respect to edges or other features of the work piece in a highly convenient manner. The tool guide includes a base for positioning on the work piece. The base has a base edge for aligning in a substantially parallel orientation to a longitudinal axis of the work piece, and a work edge oriented perpendicular to the base edge for being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the work piece when the base edge is aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis. The guide also includes a tape measure mounting assembly mounted on the base for mounting a tape measure on the base. The tape measure mounting assembly is slidably moveable on the base along a line oriented substantially parallel to the base edge of the base.

Quilting Template with a flat, transparent, circular plastic disk approximately one eighth of an inch thick, a centermost conical aperture to allow a pencil point or pin to act as a pivot shaft, a plurality of concentrically and radially disposed cutouts spaced around the center aperture, a plurality of conically shaped apertures placed at strategic locations within the disk, and silk screened or otherwise printed indicators on the disk. A preferred embodiment includes the radial cutouts are approximately one quarter of one inch wide so that the outer arc of the cutout can be used as a retaining wall for guiding a standard hand operated cutting wheel and the inner arc can be used to draw a sew line that is an ideal distance from the edge of the fabric being cut.

An adjustable carpenter's square for the quick and reproducible measurement of angles and radii. The adjustable carpenter's square includes a center bar that includes a set of indicia. The indicia are any appropriate set of graduations, which may include numerical notations. A indicator slide is receivable onto the center bar. The indicator slide includes a first and second slide strut pivot. A first and second strut attach to the indicator slide. A first wing attaches to the center bar and the first strut. The first wing also includes a first wing strut pivot. The first wing strut pivot hingably connects the first wing to the first strut. The first wing strut pivot attaches to the first strut. A second wing attaches to the center bar and the second strut. The second wing includes a second wing strut pivot. The second wing strut pivot hingably connects the second wing to the second strut. The first and second wings pivotably connect to the center bar. The indicator slide connects to the first and second struts. A measured relation is formed between the first wing with the second wing. The position of the indicator slide on the center bar is relatable to the measured relation by way of the set of indicia displayed on the center bar. The measured relation can include such values as: angles, pitches, radii, diameters, distances, segments, arcs and chords.

A method for defining a regular or irregular shape utilizes a template apparatus including a plurality of radially-adjustable corner members connected by length-adjustable straight edge members. The corner members include an angle scale to display the defined angle, while the edge members include a length scale to display the defined length of that edge.