51results about How to "Minimal manipulation" patented technology

The present invention concerns a battery monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of batteries serially connected to form a string. The battery monitoring system includes a number of probes connected to at least a portion of the string, a daisy chain bus having a select channel for serially interconnecting the probes, the bus having other, parallel channels for data communication and power, and a system server. The probes each have a sensing module and a communication module. The sensing module senses characteristics of at least a portion of the string, such as voltage or current. The communication module receives the sensed characteristics and converts them into digital form for broadcast to the system server over the bus. The communication module of the probes have a memory for storing an address assigned to the corresponding probe upon reception of an initialization signal sent by the system server via the bus. In order to readdress all of the probes, a reset signal is transmitted to all of the probes. The probes clear the present address, and wait until they are selected through the select channel. Once the probe has been selected, it receives an address from the system server, stores the address in its memory, acknowledges this to the system controller, and sends a signal on the select channel to the next probe. Accordingly, initialization of a battery monitoring system is easily performed. The invention also lies in an interface device for use with a battery monitoring system.

In a lift and transfer device and method, a patient support assembly supported on a lift on a wheeled platform includes a main support arm pivoted to the lift. First and second transversely extending support arms respectively carrying a back support section and a leg support are cantilevered from the main support arm. The main support arm is positioned for lifting the patient from a bed. The main support arm is rotated from a first to a second angular position for lowering a patient to a wheelchair. First and second pivot arms each have an upper end pivotally supported to the back support section and a lower end having a torso grip pad positioned adjacent one side of the patient. Horizontal force applied by each torso grip pad and friction provide patient support. Further device forms are provided for bariatric patients and for use with other types of lifts.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment therein. The fin compartment provides retractable housing for a lightweight fin for conversion from a walking to swimming shoe. In one embodiment the amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising a plurality of ridges. The ridges are intermittently disposed between material arranged in an accordion construction. When ejected from the compartment, the ridged material expands to a fan configuration. The fan is further appointed with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In another embodiment the amphibious shoe includes at least two fin plates pivotally attached about an axis. The fin plates are stowed in an overlapping condition. They are capable of being ejected from the compartment and opposingly rotated toward the front of the shoe abutting to form a swim fin. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.

A drive over mower deck has a top surface with downwardly depending surfaces defining a front edge, a back edge, and left and right side edges, at least one belt shield over the top surface, a first pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the front edge the deck, and a second pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the back edge of the deck. Each pair of gauge wheels is movable vertically to at least one position above the ground surface such that the mower deck is supported by the front edge, back edge, and left and right side edge. Each gauge wheel being releasably lockable at a plurality of different positions.

A spacer for positioning and locking spaced reinforcing cages into a combined integral unit for reinforcing large concrete structures is disclosed that is readily snapped into place even with narrow lattice cages.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment integrated therein retractably houses of a lightweight fin that converts the shoe from a walking shoe to a swimming shoe. The amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising ridges intermittent between material arranged in an accordion construction. The fin is capable of being ejected from the compartment and expanded to a fan configuration. The shoe is further provided with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In one embodiment the fin is removed by a release button in communication with a spring. Other embodiments provide for manual deployment by pulling on the fin from the fin compartment. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.

A multi-slide assembly includes various components that alone or in combination facilitate testing of test samples with minimal manipulation of assay components. Moreover, the various device components permit centrifugation, culturing and analysis of each test sample to be performed in the same assembly. A frame retains a plurality of reaction vessel assemblies between a pair of opposing channels that are configured to slidably receive the opposing ends of each reaction vessel assembly. A strip cap seals the openings in each reaction vessel using cap members having sealing rings circumscribing the external walls thereof to form compression seals with internal walls of the reaction vessels. Furthermore, in a method of making a multi-well slide assembly, an ultrasonic welding process removably bonds a plurality of wells to a slide plate to provide an adequate seal therebetween during centrifugation, yet still enable separation thereof by an operator.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment therein. The fin compartment provides retractable housing for a lightweight fin for conversion from a walking to swimming shoe. In one embodiment the amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising a plurality of ridges. The ridges are intermittently disposed between material arranged in an accordion construction. When ejected from the compartment, the ridged material expands to a fan configuration. The fan is further appointed with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In another embodiment the amphibious shoe includes at least two fin plates pivotally attached about an axis. The fin plates are stowed in an overlapping condition. They are capable of being ejected from the compartment and opposingly rotated toward the front of the shoe abutting to form a swim fin. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.

A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (4) that borders on a stationary part (8, 9) of the balance and is otherwise enclosed by at least one side wall panel (5, 6), a front wall panel (7), and a top cover panel (12). At least one of the panels is slidable by means of a guiding device (17, 20) to open and close the weighing compartment (4). The balance (1) further has cutout passages (20) in the side wall panels (5, 6), the front wall panel (7), the top cover panel (12), and / or the rear wall of the weighing compartment, so that cables and / or conduits can be introduced from the outside into the weighing compartment.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment integrated therein retractably houses of a lightweight fin that converts the shoe from a walking shoe to a swimming shoe. The amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising ridges intermittent between material arranged in an accordion construction. The fin is capable of being ejected from the compartment and expanded to a fan configuration. The shoe is further provided with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In one embodiment the fin is removed by a release button in communication with a spring. Other embodiments provide for manual deployment by pulling on the fin from the fin compartment. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.