249results about How to "Easily interchangeable" patented technology

A linking element for a spinal fixing system is designed to link at least two implantable connecting assemblies. The linking element consists at least partly of a support made of polymeric material and a rod, bent or not, substantially coaxial with the support. The invention also concerns a spinal fixing system comprising at least two implantable connecting assemblies linked by at least one linking element of the invention.

The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The inspection system comprises an inspection module that, in a preferred embodiment, is in the form of a mobile trailer capable of being towed and transported to its intended operating site with the help of a tug-vehicle. The tug-vehicle preferably includes at least one source of electromagnetic radiation, a hydraulic lift system to load and unload the radiation source, and at least one radiation shield plate positioned on the back of the driver cabin of the tug-vehicle.

A light engine housing comprising a mixing chamber element, a driver chamber element and / or a connection element, one or more of which is removable. A light engine comprising (1) a light engine housing and (2) a mixing chamber module and / or a driver module removably attached to and / or positioned in the light engine housing. Also, a light engine comprising (1) a light engine housing and a mixing chamber module and / or a driver module. Also, a solid state light engine comprising a light engine housing comprising at least a first connection element.

A floor cleaning machine having a body in which the body cover assembly is hollow and serves as the recovery solution reservoir; while the lower body assembly, which is also hollow, serves as the cleaning solution tank or reservoir. In addition, the lower body has a recessed area proportioned to receive and secure the batteries required for driving the motors involved in the floor cleaning machine. A trans-axle drive supports the lower body and has a drive wheel at each end powered by a motor differential engaging the axles coupled to the wheels. Together the body and trans-axle drive comprise a modular power unit. Mounting means are provided on the forward portion of the lower body of the power unit for lift arms to be secured to various power floor scrubbers for use on hard floors or a carpet extractor for cleaning carpeted floors. The linkage for the floor scrubber mode and carpet cleaning mode is the same. Such linkage also uses a maximum number of resiliently mounted bushings which, along with the monocoque body and retained fluid movement, cushion against damage by impact under power.

A device to encourage hand washing compliance in a facility such as a restroom includes a housing configured for detachably mounting on a support surface. An ambient light sensor is disposed relative to the housing to detect ambient light within the room. An audio device within the housing contains at least one audible hand washing compliance message track that is played over a speaker within the housing. A controller is in operable communication with the ambient light sensor and the audio device, and activates the device upon determining whether a threshold amount of ambient light is present in the room.

A light engine housing comprising a mixing chamber element, a driver chamber element and / or a connection element, one or more of which is removable. A light engine comprising (1) a light engine housing and (2) a mixing chamber module and / or a driver module removably attached to and / or positioned in the light engine housing. Also, a light engine comprising (1) a light engine housing and a mixing chamber module and / or a driver module. Also, a solid state light engine comprising a light engine housing comprising at least a first connection element.

The present invention relates generally to the field of lighting. More particularly, the present invention relates to decorative, reconfigurable or energy and maintenance efficient fluorescent light fixtures that use energy efficient lamps and ballasts, and to an apparatus for new fluorescent light fixtures and for replacing an existing fluorescent light fixture for energy efficient use. Further, the present invention relates to a system that integrates light fixtures with a suspended grid ceiling or a solid ceiling.

A pipe scanner for non-destructively scanning an extended length of the circumference of a pipe along an axial dimension. The pipe scanner includes a collar sized to fit around the outer circumference of the pipe. Wheels supported on the collar ride on the surface of the pipe while maintaining a space between the inner surface of the collar and the outer surface of the pipe. A track extends circumferentially around the collar for guiding a circumferential drive unit that rides on the track and carries a non-destructive sensor for monitoring the surface of the pipe as the circumferential drive unit moves around the track. An axial drive unit is connected to the collar, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive wheels in contact with the pipe for moving the collar along the extended length.

A modular system for constructing a variety of self-contained analytical cartridges enabled to perform a number of symmetrical or asymmetrical tests on a single sample source within a single device. Said cartridges are embodied as a readily reversible assemblage of two or more modules that are, in turn, operable to perform one or more tasks of an analytical test as discrete articles-of-manufacture. A programmable reagent delivery system comprising one or more serialized reagent clusters having one or more wet cells (individually packaged reagents) and zero or more dry cells (calibrated spacers); wherein, said wet cells are arranged in a linear series corresponding to prescribed temporal release sequence and dry cells are interpositioned between wet cells in a manner that enables two or more test protocols having asymmetrical release sequences to be synchronized such that a single mechanism can actuate more than one test protocol simultaneously.

An assembly has a faceplate having inwardly extending pins and a housing having holes for receiving said inwardly extending pins. Vibration resistant means is provided for locking the faceplate to the housing.

A method of advertising involves providing one or more advertisements that attach to a vehicle with an attachment mechanism, by way of a base. Each advertisement can be easily detached from the base for the purposes of attaching another advertisement without removing the base from the vehicle. An attractive cap using an identical attachment mechanism can be provided to cover the base. The base, the advertisement, and the cap can be provided as a set. Advertisement designs can be quickly and conveniently swapped at the vehicle user's discretion because they all utilize a common base design. Advertisers may provide the user with an advertisement for the advertiser's product, and with a plate compatible with the base already on the user's vehicle. The present invention provides a novel way for individuals to advertise their likings and a novel way for organizations to reach consumer attention by creating roaming advertisements for new and established brands and markets.

A method and apparatus is utilized for producing colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles of electrically conducting materials. The colloidal dispersions are produced in a dense media plasma reactor comprising at least one static electrode and at least one rotating electrode. The plasma reaction sputters off minute particles of the electrically conducting material from which the electrodes are made. Methods of using the colloidal dispersions thus made are also described. Colloidal dispersions of silver produced in this manner are highly effective for bactericidal purposes.

An umbrella frame provides a stable and enduring support for an umbrella canopy while also allowing canopies of varying shapes and sizes to be mounted thereto. The umbrella frame includes a hub assembly, namely, a main hub member mounted about a central pole member of the umbrella frame which offers improved means for attaching brackets thereto which are structured to pivotally receive a plurality of strut members therein, which strut members are, in turn, pivotally secured to a plurality of rib members interconnected with an upper, secondary hub. The main hub member of the present invention preferably includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a channel having at least one ledge formed therebetween, with a band formed from a flattened strip of metal secured within the channel about the hub member. The channel is formed to have the same general height dimension as the brackets, which are secured to the band and the hub member and are confined within the space defined by the channel so as to prevent rotation or twisting thereof. As such, the present invention provides for an umbrella frame which is more sturdy and durable and yet, which allows the size and shape of the attached canopy to be readily varied.

The present invention is directed to a footwear system that is customizable and offers a plurality of interchangeable base portions, upper portions, and connector elements in various styles, colors and designs, thus allowing an assortment of easily interchangeable and distinct styles of footwear in a single system. The footwear system specifically comprises an interchangeable base portion having a plurality of spaced openings and hollow receptacles formed in the base portion, an interchangeable upper portion adapted for removable attachment to the base portion where the upper portion has a plurality of spaced openings on each side end, and a plurality of interchangeable connector elements for connecting the upper portion to the base portion, where the connector elements may have decorative elements.

Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and / or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.

A new interchangeable eyewear adornment accessory and attachment method is disclosed. The present invention provides the method of attaching eyewear decorative features so that only the decorative feature is visible, maintains proper orientation, it is held securely in place, it can be easily removed quickly, and it may be easily interchanged with another decoration.

A trailer landing gear drive system in which pneumatic, hydraulic and electric motors, as well as the traditional hand crank, are easily interchangeable. The landing gear jack mechanism is disposed to easily connect to any one of these drive motors. The system can utilize any one of the three motor combinations without making any change to the jack itself. Each drive motor output shaft is keyed to connect to the input shaft driving the worm gear of the jack. The output shaft of each type of motor is keyed the same so that the motors are swappable with respect to the input shaft of the landing gear. The hand crank shaft is also keyed to be the same as the keyed motor output shafts. Each motor may include a flange to permit it to be secured to the landing gear. The system eliminates the gear reduction box and replaced it with a worm gear. Furthermore, the system can be operated remotely so that the operator need not be exposed to the perils of weather, a shifting load, other vehicles in the vicinity or other similar hazards.

The invention relates to a method for configuring a mobile user device as a remote controller for a hearing aid, said mobile user device, comprising a removable secure digital (SD) card, comprising a radio interface and an antenna controller for configuring said radio interface for wireless communication with said hearing aid; and, a computer-readable memory for storing a software application for remotely controlling said hearing aid via said communication module; said method comprising: requesting a communication module identifier, from said communication module; sending a request for hearing aid setting information associated with said hearing aid to a server, said request comprising said communication module identifier; receiving at least part of said hearing aid setting information if said server determines on the basis of said communication module identifier that access to said hearing aid setting information by said mobile user device is allowed; and, configuring the radio interface of said communication module on the basis of said hearing aid setting information.

A power LED lamp, particularly usable in modular luminaires of the enclosure type, comprising a lamp body which is also adapted to act as a heat sink, a plurality of power LEDs adapted to be supported by a supporting element accommodated within the lamp body, a plurality of lenses arranged at each of the LEDs; the lamp further comprises a voltage stabilizing circuit and a current stabilizing circuit which are integrated within the body of the lamp, so that the lamp can be used with traditional power supplies used for halogen lamps.

A toy building system with function bricks adapted to perform a function in response to a mechanical trigger action; sensor bricks with a sensor adapted to produce an output in response to a mechanical trigger action; and logic bricks with an input responsive to a sensor brick output and adapted to perform a logic function on the sensor brick output and to produce a logic output. The sensor brick output and the logic brick output are arranged in a first uniform manner relative to the coupling means, and the sensor output action and the logic output action are of uniform physical nature. The logic brick input and the function brick input are arranged in a second uniform manner relative to the coupling means. The function brick input is responsive to a logic brick output and adapted to perform the function in response to a logic brick output.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for automatically crimping terminals or connectors to wires wherein the terminals or connectors are provided in strip form and may be of varying sizes, shapes, and pitches. An apparatus according to the present invention includes an applicator body and a ram movably mounted in relation to the body and drivable in a first path through a working stroke towards, and a return stroke away from, a crimping anvil. The apparatus further includes a crimping die on the ram for cooperation with the anvil and adapted to crimp a terminal connector located therebetween onto a wire during each working stroke of the ram. The apparatus additionally includes a drive mechanism adapted to contact the strip through pressure engagement and to feed the strip along a second path to locate the leading connector on the strip between the anvil and the die.

Taught herein is an identification device for golf club head covers comprising an outer shell having a front cover and a back cover; a window for displaying identifying indicia disposed on said front cover; a disk bearing a plurality of identification indicia; means for rotating the disk intermittently so that the identifying indicia are displayed through the window, one indicium at a time, the means being disposed within said outer shell; and means for connecting the identification device to a golf club head cover. Since a plurality of different identification indicia can be displayed at a push of a button, a convenient and easy to use identification device for golf club head covers is realized.

An installation and removal tool for light bulbs and similar items comprising modular and interchangeable attachment heads, a pole, an articulating joint, and an extraction head. Attachment heads comprise a gripping unit and a handle and are each configured to cooperate with one or more light bulb shapes and / or sizes and further comprises an adhesive system. Several embodiments of the gripping unit comprise a bulb cavity with an engagement surface and a release lip and an adhesive system mounted on the engagement surface such that an air channel is created surrounding the adhesive system. The adhesive system comprises pressure sensitive adhesive and preferably defines an opening in fluid communication with a bore defined by the handle to accommodate extended and oddly shaped bulbs. A protective liner that cooperates with the adhesive component to preserve the functionality of the adhesive when it is not in use.