31372 results about "Hinge angle" patented technology

A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed. Further, a wobbling technique may be used to determine an occlusal position of the lower and upper dental arches. Various computer implemented methods of dental articulation are also described. For example, such dental articulation methods may include moving at least one of the upper and lower arch images to simulate relative movement of one of the upper and lower dental arches of the patient, may include displaying another image with the upper and lower dental arches of the dental articulation model, and/or may include playing back recorded motion of a patient's mandible using the dental articulation model.

A device particularly for use with a computer comprises a housing for location at least partly between two fingers of a user's hand and an electronic circuit mounted on a board within the housing. The circuit includes a switch responsive to pressure selectively to open and close an electronic circuit, and conductive elements arranged on the board mounting the electronic circuit. A first control element is mounted with the housing and responsive to finger pressure such that pressure applied to the first control element causes the element to operate the switch. The first control element is movable with respect to a hinge such that finger action acts to cause the control element to swivel as a trigger about the hinge and thereby interact with the switch. The second control element includes a flexible material mounted such that pressure applied to the flexible material in different directions and positions acts to change the electrical relationship between the conductive elements on the board and thereby vary an output signal from the electronic circuit. The rear portion of the housing includes a receptacle for receiving removable battery means for powering the electronic circuit. There is an infra-red output signal transmitted to a receiver for operating the computer. The first control element is located substantially below the second control element, and the first control element being in a bottom face of the housing.

A multiple monitor apparatus in the form or a laptop PC, a desktop monitor, a mobile device, and the like. In dual screen mode, the additional monitor is typically presented displaying different content and centered to the user. In single screen mode, the additional display enclosures are retracted and stored in such a manner that they do not present themselves to the user. A guiderail assembly is used to center both display enclosures relative to the user. The guiderail assembly may be motorized or manually effected and may be located above or below the primary enclosure hinge. The secondary enclosure may be extended and retracted from the primary enclosure by the use of slider arms. The secondary enclosure may also be hinged to the primary enclosure, utilize pegs, ride on its own guiderail, and detach from the primary enclosure or the apparatus. Independent guiderails may also be employed to center two or more displays relative to a user. In one embodiment, the monitor may be rotated from landscape to portrait view.

A lift-back tablet computer comprises a main system with a back cover, the back cover can turn outward to a proper angle with the main system to form a standing support, and thus the tablet computer is in a standing state. A container is formed on the other side of the main system on the back of the back cover; the container accommodates a hidden keyboard, and users can adjust the hidden keyboard by using a hinge as an axis to turn the hidden keyboard outward to the same side of the touch screen until the hidden keyboard is in a horizontally balanced position, so that users can use the hidden keyboard as a device for entering data. Further, users also can store the hidden keyboard into the container of the back cover on the other side of the main system, and the tablet computer is in a board shape, which is easy to carry and store.

A multi-panel device with a configurable interface is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a hinge rotatably coupled to a first panel of the device via a first pin and rotatably coupled to a second panel of the device via a second pin. The first pin is engaged within a slot of the first panel to enable a lateral movement of the first panel relative to the second panel such that the first panel has a first range of motion relative to the second panel when the hinge is in an extended configuration and a second range of motion when the hinge is in a retracted configuration. The first range of motion is larger than the second range of motion.

The invention provides articulating mechanisms, and flexible members and flexible segments that can form such articulating mechanisms. The mechanisms are useful, for example, for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of various instruments and tools at a targeted location. The mechanisms, members or segments include links connected by flexible hinges. The proximal and distal ends of the mechanisms are connected by at least one set of cables in such a fashion that a proximal active flexible segment forms a discrete pair with a distal active flexible segment. Movement of active flexible segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. This configuration allows each flexible segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.

An interbody vertebral cage facilitates minimally invasive approaches to the intervertebral disc for corrective restoration of disc height, stabilization between vertebra, and fusion. The preferred embodiment provides a streamlined, slender straight contour with a central hinge or other articulating apparatus that allows the introduction of the cage into the operative field and disc space in a minimally invasive, bone-sparing manner. After partial insertion, the hinge component is activated, allowing the operator to steer the cage anterior-medially within the disc space to an anterior-central position within the intervertebral space. In this state the cage is shaped like a crescent, chevron or boomerang.

A cam-actuated connection device joins rail mounting members of a photovoltaic panel array. The connection device slides within channels of mounting members until the members are in a properly positioned grid. When in position, the connection device is rotated to lock the mounting members in a rigid grid network. The connecting device can be subsequently loosened, repositioned and locked into position. The rail-mounting members create a grid for installation of multiple PV panels. The mounting rail allows the unit to remain relatively compact in nature but still covers a wide range of PV panel thicknesses. The rail system has a hinged connection with the mounting rail that allows an installer to assemble the module in a near perpendicular fashion to the mounting rail, make the required electrical connections and then lower the PV module into its working position. The unit is then locked into its working position.

A micro-actuator is comprised of a piezoelectric motor mounted on a flexure tongue with offsetting hinges, to perform a fine positioning of the magnetic read/write head. The substantial gain in the frequency response greatly improves the performance and accuracy of the track-follow control for fine positioning. The simplicity of the enhanced micro-actuator design results in a manufacturing efficiency that enables a high-volume, low-cost production. The micro-actuator is interposed between a flexure tongue and a slider to perform an active control of the fly height of the magnetic read/write head. The induced slider crown and camber are used to compensate for thermal expansion of the magnetic read/write head, which causes the slider to be displaced at an unintended fly height position relative to the surface of the magnetic recording disk. The enhanced micro-actuator design results in reduced altitude sensitivity, ABS tolerances, and reduced stiction. The controlled fly height of the magnetic read/write head prevents a possibility of a head crash, while improving the performance and data integrity.

The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) mirror device, comprising: a mirror having a 2-dimensional rotational articulated hinge at a first end, and having a 1-dimensional rotational articulated hinge at a second end opposite the first end; a movable cantilever connected to the mirror through the 1-dimensional rotational articulated hinge; a support structure connected to the mirror through the 2-dimensional rotational articulated hinge and connected to the movable cantilever; whereby movement of said movable cantilever causes rotation of the mirror in a first axis of rotation, and the mirror is also rotatable about a second torsional axis of rotation perpendicular to said first axis of rotation.

A portable communication device having a flexible display unit to form a predetermined curvature or be unfolded includes a first housing, second and third housings rotatably coupled to both ends of the first housing, first and second hinge modules provided between the first, second, and third housings to enable the second and third housings to rotate. The flexible display unit is provided on the first, second, and third housings to form a curvature or be unfolded on the first, second, and third housings through rotation together with the second and third housings, first and second curvature space portions formed between the first, second, and third housings allow formation of the curvature of the flexible display unit.

A display system includes a continuous flexible display, and two main display supports, hingeable with respect to each other and each structurally configured to support a respective portion of the flexible display. The two main display supports are rotatable in opposite directions connected to each other by a respective hinge of a hinge mechanism. The main display supports are rotatable between a configuration for fixing the flexible display in a closed storage position and a planar configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position. The two main display supports are coupled with each other by a movement synchronizing coupling enabling during movement between the closed and open position a mutual substantially synchronized rotating of the main display supports at substantially equal but opposite angles.

A rotary microactuator-based head-gimbal assembly design controls the unwanted deflection of a flexure in a data storage device and eliminates hinge deformation. The head-gimbal assembly maintains the co-planarity of the hinged islands in the microactuator under the applied load acting on the flexure and two associated hinged islands. The dimple post is placed at the dimple loading region of the flexure tongue and has the same height as adhesive dams on paddles secured to the hinged islands. The dimple post is formed by branching one of the existing conductive traces covered by a photoresist layer to the dimple loading region on flexure tongue. In an alternative embodiment, the dimple post is secured to the dimple loading region of the flexure tongue by means of adhesives with a variety of viscosity and elastic moduli.

The present invention generally relates to the insertion of needles or needle-like members. Thus, a device comprises a housing having a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, and a needle unit connected to the housing by a hinge allowing the needle unit to pivot corresponding to a pivoting axis defined by the hinge, the pivoting axis being arranged substantially in parallel with the mounting surface. The needle unit comprises a needle having a distal pointed portion adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject, the distal portion extending generally perpendicular to the mounting surface, and a proximal portion arranged substantially corresponding to the pivoting axis, whereby the needle unit is arranged to pivot between a first position in which the distal portion of the needle is retracted within the housing, and a second position in which the distal portion projects relative to the mounting surface. The needle may e.g. be in the form of a hollow needle or a needle sensor.

The invention concerns a flip-type portable electronic device (100). The device can include a base portion (112), a flip portion (110) and a flexible hinge (114) that can couple the flip portion to the base portion. In one arrangement, the flexible hinge can include a plurality of interlocking links (115) that rotate about a plurality of axles (122) contained within the flexible hinge, and the interlocking links may rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links can allow the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.

A device for excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) includes first and second members, each with first and second ends. The second ends are connected by a hinge. The first ends interlock to close the device about the LAA. The members are shaped such that they can exclude the LAA without causing the development of necrotic tissue. If desired, a flexible cover can be provided and the first and second members can be disposed within the cover. If such a cover is used, it will contact the LAA in order to cushion the contact between the members and the LAA and minimize the tendency of the LAA to bleed. The invention also includes methods for using the device to exclude the LAA.

A hinged socket wrench having an offset shank (20) with a first end (22) and a second end (24). Attached to the first end (22) is a clevis (28) which receives a 180-degree drive head held by a hinge pin (40). The drive head consists of either a square drive head (30) or a ratchet drive head (31). To the second end is attached a rotatable handle (58), which rotates the wrench upon reciprocation of the handle (58). A second embodiment of the hinged socket wrench includes a second clevis (28) that is added to the second end (24) of the offset shank. The second clevis (28) adds further combinations of angular displacement of the handle (58). Thus, increasing the value of the wrench as a tool and also its productivenss in difficult work areas. Five configurations of the hinge pin (40) provide additional surface interface with both the hinge pin and the handle yoke improving the structural integrity and prolonging tool life.